-July 31st-
While the mysterious man was in his mantra of thinking, Harry was trying to think of a way to communicate with the man. He really wanted to tell him that the spell he used wasn't going to last forever.
'Ugh! There has to be something I can do, but what? I can't even communicate with the one that killed my attacker. I assume he's a good person. He seems to be in a bind as well. Then again it could have just been a missed shot and he ended up hitting the death eater with the weapon. Oh well, I'll just have to have a little faith, for now.' Harry thought desperately.
He knew that he would be putting all of what Alastor Moody taught him to the test. If he didn't think of something soon, he didn't know what would happen, but he had the sneaky suspicion that it would not end well. In other words, being captured or dead. Those were not any options that he was going to take well. They weren't options that his friends or the wizarding world would take well either. After all, he was the boy-who-lived. He couldn't just do nothing.
Harry felt a whiz of a sharp object fly dangerously close to his face. He whipped around sharply. There were more.
'Of course there are more. What idiot would go around by themselves. . . oh wait me.' Harry thought sweat dropping. Oh well, now was not the time to be thinking foolishly. He had to think of something and fast.
"Protego!" Harry said towards an oncoming kunai. Harry noticed that one was headed towards the silver haired man.
"Protego Maximus!" Harry shouted. He made the kunai miss it's target and instead was imbedded in a shield that surrounded the man next to him. That should make sure that nothing penetrated it.
'Should I do it? I've used the spell before, but only out of my anger. I don't want to turn into someone like Voldemort. I don't want to go to Azkaban."
"Screw the Ministry. They're corrupted anyway." Harry said before he said the spell that he learned from Alastor Moody.
Harry drew up memories of his anger. Anger that he was forced to be with the Dursley's every year. The pain and loneliness they forced on him. More memories flashed by him. The rest of them consisted of Voldemort's existence. First year, when Ron was forced to sacrifice himself on the chessboard. Second year, when Ginny was brainwashed by the memory of Voldemort, in the Diary. Third year, when he found out that Ron's rat was the infamous Peter Petigrew. The one that was supposedly dead by his godfather, who ended up going to Azkaban for a murder he didn't even commit. Fourth year, when he was forced to participate in a tournament that ended up heart wrenching for many people. The number one reason was Cedric Diggory's death. Voldemort was the cause of that happening. And fifth year. Harry's anger exploded with a vengeance. Sirius Black died in a battle, trying to protect Harry. The thought of Bellatrix Lestrange made him want to cast the spell even more.
Harry carefully aimed his wand and shouted.
"CRUCIO!"
The aim was perfect and he got the effect he wanted. A person with clothing similar to the no longer stunned man was writhing on the ground and giving an ear piercing scream that would have any cat's fir standing on end.
The silver haired man in question gave Harry a sharp look for a millisecond before going to business himself. He couldn't let himself be outdone by someone he just saved.
'Whatever the boy did, it must have had a tiresome affect on him. He just passed out. I will definitely be taking this boy to see Tsunade-sama. I hope the rest of the team is doing alright. Naruto and Sakura should be at the village by now. I still have an hour before I'm declared a missing nin, but no matter, that should be enough time.' Kakashi thought with determination.
Kakashi uncovered his right eye to reveal the sharingan and shifted his hands together to perform the appropriate hand seals and lighting speeds. He placed his hands on the ground.
"Doton: Retsudo Tensho (1)"
The enemy nin were decimated.
"Now for the rest of them." Kakashi said as he saw the few that were still alive running away.
"Raikiri!(2)"
Kakashi quickly ran to the boy, that he considered to be quite helpful, and hauled him across his back. He was slightly surprised. The boy was incredibly light.
o.O.o
"Ne Sakura-chan, where is he?" Naruto asked impatiently.
Sakura sighed for what had to be the hundredth time. "I don't know Naruto. He probably got caught in a fight by some other shinobi while he was spying. Where ever he is, he better hurry up. The mission time limit is almost up."
They only had 30 minutes left.
"Hmm. I wish he'd hurry up, I haven't had any ramen in three days." Naruto said with drool running down his chin.
"Is ramen all you ever think about?" Sakura asked irritated.
Of course it wasn't all he thought about. He thought about new jutsu that he wanted to learn with his wind style, being the Rokudaime, and the very last person he even wanted to think about. He didn't want to think about Sasuke because he had a habit of wearing his heart on a sleeve. If Sakura saw his expression then she would immediately know who he was thinking of and have a guilty look on her face.
She felt guilty for making Naruto make his lifetime promise. Sakura was getting over not having Sasuke around anymore and she tried not to think about the slim chances of his return to the village. Even if he did, what would his punishment be? Would it be severe or would he get special privileges for being the last Uchiha. Which ever it was she didn't want to see him unhappy or dead.
The reason they were given this mission was because Jiraiya was doing his research. Jiraiya's methods of research confused Naruto because he always thought that it involved women and bath houses. However, Jiraiya found out the news didn't matter to Naruto anymore. The news was that Akatsuki was recruiting new people. Whether they were strong or weak, willing or forced apparently didn't matter, according to Jiraiya.
Smoke appeared in front of them.
"Yo."
"Kaka-sensei, what took so long?" Naruto asked somewhat irritable. He was starving.
"Gomen ne Naruto."
Sakura was the first to notice the odd lump that was hanging on Kakashi's back.
"What's on your back?" She asked
"Eh? Oh, you mean this? I managed to pick up a stray. He was quite helpful." He said good-naturally. "Come on. I'll explain more once we get to the Hokage."
They hurried to Tsunade-sama to give their report.
Inside the office Tsunade was desperately wanting some sake right about now. There was a mountain of mission requests of a variety of levels and a second mountain of reports that she needed to read and file.
"Enter." Was her sharp reply after hearing their knock.
Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura entered the circular room. Kakashi laid an unconscious Harry onto the couch and rejoined the group.
"Team Kakashi, tell me about the mission, and then I'd like to know about the boy that you just brought in here, Kakashi." Tsunade said.
"Right." They said.
"But first can you heal his ankle Sakura?" Kakashi said. "He tripped when he arrived."
"Sure." Sakura said hesitantly. After making the decision she made her way to the unknown person and her hands were glowing green.
"Jiraiya-sama was right. The Akatsuki are recruiting." Kakashi reported.
"Did any of you come into combat with them."
"Yes."
"So did I." Naruto said. "But they didn't seem like much. They were easy to take down."
"Mine were the same. My guess is that they were merely foot soldiers. But we all seem to be well off as far as injuries go, only minor scratches." Kakashi said.
"Very well. Now about the boy. How does he factor into this? Is he a hostage you managed to capture?"
Kakashi gave a sigh when he looked at the boy who was now completely healed. How to put this? He turned back to Tsunade-sama and answered.
"No he isn't."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then do elaborate."
"It's strange. It's like he appeared out of no where."
Everyone's eyes were now focussed on Kakashi.
"N-nani? What do you mean Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked.
"How is that possible?" Naruto asked with wide eyes.
Kakashi's gaze dragged to the boy on the couch.
"We were near the barrier that leads to the outside. Not many shinobi can cross that barrier with out authorized help. The boy just ran through it as if it weren't even there with someone that was chasing him. In fact I don't think he even knew I was there, at first. He seemed surprised that there was someone even inside the forest besides him."
"You say he just. . . just ran through?" Tsunade asked urgently.
"Yes, why?"
"SHIZUNE!" Tsunade yelled.
"Hai!" Shizune said, as she came rushing to the Hokage's needs.
"Get me that book." Tsunade commanded.
"You mean. . . the Elementals one, but-" Shizune stammered.
"JUST DO IT!"
"R. Right!"
"Baa-san what book are you talking about?" Naruto was the first to ask. Kakashi and Sakura were curious as well.
o.O.o
-September 1st-
In the train station called Kings Cross witches and wizards hustled to catch the Hogwarts express. One family of red heads have gone through this tradition every year since Bill Weasley's first year. Now that it was only Ron and Ginny heading to Hogwarts the travel was far more easier, then when Percy and especially when the twins, were still attending the famous school.
"Come along you two. You don't want to be late." Molly said, ushering the two to hurry their pace. They only had five more minutes before the train was to depart.
"Calm down mum. We'll make it. We always have before." Ginny said
"Yes, but what if by some chance we don't this time. Then you'll miss your chance to see Harry because I may not be so kind enough to take you there myself, if you do miss the train." Molly countered.
Ginny paused at the thought. Not see Harry for a full year?
"Hurry up Ron! You're moving slower than a flobberworm!" Ginny shouted excitedly to her brother. She ran to the entrance to platform 9 3/4 at top speed, with her luggage and all, and went through the barrier as soon as she was near it.
"That's the spirit, dear" Arthur commented, amused.
Ron rolled his eyes at his sister's antics, but quickened his pace. He didn't want to miss the train either. However, he was excited to see his best mate and Hermione again. He fought with all his might for his face not to turn red, when he thought of Hermione. His sister was unhealthily obsessed with Harry. He supposed that if he were a girl then it would be cute, in a sick sort of way, but since he wasn't he just thought it was sick. The main reason being that Harry never once looked at his sister or any other girl in a romantic fashion. He always thought of Ginny as a brother/sister relationship like he did with Hermione. To be perfectly honest, he was relieved about that, as far as his sister and Hermione were concerned.
Ron ran through the barrier to the platform to find the bright red train. Its whistle was blowing and the conductor was ushering everyone to hurry up and get on board. Ron got onto the train and looked for a compartment. He didn't have to look very long. After a minute of searching for an empty compartment, his search was interrupted by a familiar bushy, brown- haired girl.
"Ron, how are you? Did you have a good summer?" Hermione asked.
"It was okay. It was once again filled of my sister talking about her beloved Harry, that is completely oblivious to her existence." Ron mocked.
Hermione gave a small giggle before looking around. The smile didn't last very long.
"You mean Harry didn't go to your house for the summer then?"
"No. What do you mean? The last time I heard from him was when he sent a letter on his birthday. Why?"
"Well, I was looking for him on the train when I arrived and I couldn't find him, so I figured Dumbledore gave him the okay to go to your house on his birthday." Hermione said with a pained expression.
"I would have told you if he were coming over, if not me then at least Ginny would have so she could have another reason to swoon over him."
Hermione gave a nervous laugh.
"Um. Okay. Perhaps I just didn't look hard enough. Come on let's put your stuff in the compartment and look for him. Luna and Neville are already in there. They can watch our belongings." Hermione amended.
'Yeah, that's right. I just didn't look hard enough.' Hermione thought biting her lip.
They searched left and right around the train in each compartment they came across, but so far they didn't find anyone with messy black hair with round glasses that made him look adorable and like a geek at the same time. They were even as bold as to go into "Slytherin Territory."
Because of their bold decision, they were stopped by their most hated slytherin.
"Well well well. What do we have? The weasel and the beaver are here. You two sure make a great couple." Malfoy said.
"True, but could you please go about your mating in a different area, I just had lunch and I'd rather not choke it back up." Parkinson sneered.
"Ron do not say anything. I'll handle this. Well, I'd rather be a beaver then a bull dog." Hermione said. "I can't belief I'm wasting my breath on you, but have you seen Harry?"
Malfoy looked taken back by the unexpected question before he pulled a sneer on his face.
"What? Did scar head finally abandon you two. It's about time if you ask me. I wouldn't want to hang out with a mudblood and a dirt poor idiot either." He jeered.
"Why you. Don't call her that!" Ron shouted. He reached for his wand. Malfoy did the same, just in case.
"You want to do something about it? What can you do, now that your scar face, savior isn't here?" Malfoy snorted mockingly. "Good riddance if you ask me, now if only that would happen to Dumbledore."
Hermione rolled her eyes and took hold of Ron's arm before he got any ideas.
"Come on Ron. I knew it was a waste of breath to ask someone like him."
Hermione and Ron didn't have any results to there search for Harry. They gradually decided that maybe it would be better to wait till they arrived at Hogwarts.
"Yeah, maybe Dumbledore knows." Ron said trying to hide his nervousness.
They waited five more hours before they finally arrived at Hogwarts. Finally, the train came to a soft screeching halt.
"Firs' years. Firs' years com' o'er here ta me." A familiar voice said. But there was something peculiar in the way there usual lovable half-giant was speaking. He sounded sharp and like he was in a hurry, instead of cheerful and waiting excitedly to help the new first years of Hogwarts, meet the enchanted castle.
"Ron, Hermione. It's good ta see ya." He said with a faint smile
"What's wrong Hagrid?"
"Oh ah. Nothin' really, bu' I suppose ya did' see Harry on th' train did ya?" Hagrid asked hopeful.
"No! Do you know?" They asked together. If even Hagrid knew that Harry wasn't around, then something is definitely wrong.
"Ya should see Dumbledore after the welcomin' feast. I. I think he may know. I hope. Bless 'im. 'e always seems ta know. I jus' hope it's true in this case."
Hermione and Ron exchanged worried looks and went to a carriage to sit in to ride to the castle. The one they chose already had an occupant inside.
"Hello Ronald. Hello Hermione." Luna said in a dreamy voice. "Harry's gone, isn't he? Don't worry, he should be back before the year is up."
Hermione chose to politely ignore the strange girl. Ron whispered to Hermione that Luna was weird, while Luna turned the magazine she was reading upside down.