Normal Text

Thoughts

Flashback

Thoughts within a flashback

SUMMARY: Albus hires shinobi to protect Harry (and Hogwarts) during Harry's fifth year. However, Harry has a secret that not even he knows about.

WARNINGS: SasuNaru, HarryxDraco, Drarry, possibly other yaoi pairings

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or Naruto, they are the property of J. K. Rowling and Masashi Kishimoto respectively

Albus was sitting in his office, Severus seated opposite him, the latter having just finished relaying the message from the daimyo whom they had met two days previously. The message was that four shinobi from the hidden village within the daimyo's country would arrive tomorrow, via the agreed method – while Severus had been there retrieving this message, he had left the daimyo a portkey, which would bring the four shinobi to Hogwarts tomorrow morning. Four more shinobi should arrive at a later time, to complete the group, but two were recovering from injury, so it could be a few months. Severus had left a second portkey for them, which would activate when four people grasped it and said the word "Hogwarts" in unison. After Severus was done, Albus dismissed him, and leant back in his chair, contemplating the events of the previous day.

Albus approached the thick iron door, entering just in time to interrupt Minister Cornelius Fudge and announce his arrival and involvement:

"Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley –"

"Witness for the defence, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore", he interrupted, causing Harry to crane his head around in order to see him striding across the room. The members of the Wizengamot were muttering from their seats above Harry and Albus, some looked annoyed and others frightened, although two elderly witches in the back raised their hands in welcome. Fudge was obviously flustered:

"Ah", said Fudge, looking thoroughly disconcerted, "Dumbledore. Yes. You – er – got our – er – message that the time and – er – place of the hearing had been changed, then?"

"I must have missed it", Albus answered cheerfully. "However, due to a lucky mistake I arrived at the Ministry three hours early, so no harm done."

"Yes – well – I suppose we'll need another chair – I – Weasley, could you –"

"Not to worry, not to worry", Albus said pleasantly, drawing his wand and conjuring a squashy chintz armchair beside Harry. He sat down and surveyed Fudge with an expression of polite interest while the Wizengamot continued to mutter and fidget restlessly, only settling when Fudge spoke:

"Yes. Well, then. So. The charges. Yes." Fudge extricated a piece of paper from the pile before him and read out the charges. Albus watched as he began questioning Harry, barely giving the young man time to respond or present his case. Madam Bones took over part of the questioning when Harry revealed he could conjure a solid Patronus, and had been able to do so for over a year – she was clearly impressed with his skill. Although, as Albus expected, Fudge was quick to refute Harry's statement that he had conjured the Patronus to ward off two Dementors, likely as that would announce the lack of control the Ministry has over Azkaban prison, Albus thought, and the Minister can hardly announce to the Wizengamot how much control Tom has gained, especially as the Ministry is denying Tom is even alive.

Albus cleared his throat, interrupting Fudge again, before announcing that he had a witness to corroborate Harry's story that there were Dementors present in the alleyway. Fudge's face seemed to slacken, and he stared down at Albus for a moment, before composing himself:

"We haven't got time to listen to more tarradiddles, I'm afraid, Dumbledore. I want this dealt with quickly –"

"I may be wrong", Albus said pleasantly, "but I am sure that under the Wizengamot Charter of Rights, the accused has the right to present witnesses for his or her case? Isn't that the policy of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Madam Bones?" he continued, addressing the witch in the monocle.

"True, perfectly true", Madam Bones responded.

"Oh, very well, very well", Fudge snapped. "Where is this person?"

"I brought her with me", Albus said. "She's just outside the door. Should I –"

"No – Weasley, you go", Fudge barked at Percy.

After that Madame Bones spent several minutes questioning Mrs Figg about her story, including asking her to describe the Dementors. While she couldn't give many details about how they looked, she could certainly record the effect they had on the people near to them, which Albus hoped would be enough for this farce of a trial. She was soon dismissed.

"Not a very convincing witness", Fudge said loftily.

"Oh, I don't know", Madam Bones said in her booming voice. "She certainly described the effects of a Dementor attack very accurately. And I can't imagine why she would say they were there if they weren't."

"But Dementors wandering into a Muggle suburb and just happening to come across a wizard?" snorted Fudge. "The odds on that must be very, very long. Even Bagman wouldn't have bet –"

"Oh, I don't think any of us believe that the Dementors were there by coincidence", Albus said lightly.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Fudge asked icily, while the other members of the Wizengamot looked on in silence.

"It means that I think they were ordered there", Albus said.

Harry's trial then turned into an argument, with Albus stating his reasons for believing that the Dementors were under the control of someone other than the Ministry, while Fudge continued to point out that this was impossible. After a short while, the witch sitting to the right of Fudge leaned forwards, and spoke in a fluttery, girlish, high-pitched voice after Fudge recognised her:

"The Chair recognises Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister", Fudge said.

"I'm sure I must have misunderstood you, Professor Dumbledore", Umbridge spoke, with a simper in her voice. "So silly of me. But it sounded for a teensy moment as though you were suggesting that the Ministry of Magic had ordered an attack on this boy!"

"If it is true that the Dementors are taking orders only from the Ministry of Magic, and it is also true that two Dementors attacked Harry and his cousin a week ago, then it follows logically that somebody at the Ministry might have ordered the attacks", Albus said politely. "Of course these particular Dementors may have been outside Ministry control –"

"There are no Dementors outside Ministry control!" snapped Fudge.

Albus continued to point out that Harry's use of magic should not be prohibited as he was merely acting in self-defence. The trial degenerated even further when Fudge seemed to be attempting to charge Harry with the use of magic at his house by Dobby and the incident where he had blown up his aunt.

"And I haven't even started on what he gets up to at school", Fudge said.

"But, as the Ministry has no authority to punish Hogwarts students for misdemeanours at school, Harry's behaviour there is not relevant to this hearing", Albus responded politely.

"Oho!" Fudge said. "Not our business what he does at school, eh? You think so?"

Albus had noticed the venom behind those words, as well as their implication for the coming school year, but he ignored it, rather pointing out that, for now at least, the Ministry could not do anything to Harry. He asked for the verdict, hoping to put a stop to any further side-tracking or evasions that may result in a guilty verdict, and, as he expected, Harry was voted not guilty, although both Fudge and Umbridge voted to expel him.

"Very well, very well...cleared of all charges", Fudge stated, his voice distorted by suppressed rage.

"Excellent", Dumbledore said briskly. "Well, I must be getting along. Good day to you all." And with that he swept from the dungeon.

Albus sat in his office. He knew that the new teacher for Defence Against the Dark Arts was going to be Dolores Umbridge – he hadn't been able to find anyone else willing to take on the position, and he could not give the position to Severus, especially given the teacher's status as a double spy for himself and Tom. At least the ninjas would arrive tomorrow, and then the students the day after that, along with Dolores Umbridge. With any luck, Albus thought, the ninjas will put her in her place and prevent anything to bad from happening, although I'm not sure how much they will want to get involved with the politics here.

It was a bright morning in Konoha, although a dark-haired young man was in a mood which was not improved by this weather.

"Come on, teme, you knew I was going today." Sasuke ignored him, he was way too cheerful, and Sasuke wanted to remain in his bad mood. Naruto kept babbling on about cultural links, but Sasuke just ignored him, sitting on the couch in Naruto's apartment. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, when he suddenly felt a weight drop into his lap. He opened his eyes to see Naruto straddling him, one knee on either side of Sasuke, and most of his weight across Sasuke's lap. He put his arms around Sasuke's neck and pulled him towards him.

"What?" Sasuke asked, trying to sound annoyed, but failing slightly due to Naruto edging forwards so that their crotches were dangerously close.

"I have a bit of time, you know? We could always say goodbye again, not that last night wasn't amazing", Naruto said, blush creeping across his face as he shifted on Sasuke's lap so that Sasuke felt the growing hardness between Naruto's legs.

"I thought you had to leave at a specific time? You can't just be late, right?" Sasuke said, voice breaking slightly as Naruto rubbed himself against Sasuke again.

"I won't be late, not if we're quick. Please?" Naruto said, looking up at Sasuke through his eyelashes, looking so innocent Sasuke couldn't resist him. He pulled Naruto's legs around his waist and carried him into the bedroom, throwing the blond dobe onto his bed and then moving on top of him, pressing Naruto down into the mattress beneath him as he ground their hardnesses together through the fabric of their clothes.

"Less clothes", Naruto managed to force out between the moans, as Sasuke continued to rub against Naruto. Sasuke quickly divested Naruto of his clothes, before leaning down to redo the marks on Naruto's neck. The various hickeys that marked Naruto as belonging to Sasuke were still there, as Sasuke had left several there since finding out that Naruto would be leaving for a while, but he decided to leave even more, and suck on the fading ones to redarken them.

"Better?" Sasuke whispered in Naruto's ear, still rubbing against him.

"You...less clothes...you too", Naruto stuttered out, pleasure clouding his mind. Sasuke was going to hold out a little longer, but when he pulled back to look at Naruto, debauched, naked, aroused, and covered in hickeys, he couldn't hold himself back any longer. He quickly stripped, then leaned down to take Naruto's cock in his mouth, his fingers trailing back.

"Looks like your still open from last night", Sasuke said, smirking against Naruto's thigh.

"Then stop wasting time", Naruto gasped. Sasuke smirked again at his dobe's impatience, before moving back up Naruto's body and entering him. He moved slowly in and out, as Naruto wrapped his legs around Sasuke's waist and tried to encourage him to speed up.

"Nngh, faster, Sasuke, please", Naruto moaned. Sasuke considered ignoring him, but again was swayed by Naruto's debauched appearance into complying, and sped up his thrusts. Naruto came not long after, Sasuke following him. He pulled out and dropped down to the bed beside Naruto.

They lay there, Naruto cuddling into Sasuke, waiting for their breathing to even out.

"What time do you leave?" Sasuke said, smirking – I already know they leave at 11 and were going to meet at 10.30, and it's 10.28 now, he thought. Naruto looked up at him, then at the clock.

"Oh, crap!" Naruto swore, wiping himself off with the tissues he kept beside his bed and dressing himself hurriedly.

"You said you had time", Sasuke said, grinning inwardly. Perhaps if he's too late he won't be able to go, and then I can keep him here, and have him all to myself.

"Not that much time!" Naruto said, pulling on his cloak and hat and grabbing the bag he had packed the previous night. He glanced at the clock – 10.41, he was already late – before running through the apartment. Sasuke was behind him in a flash, as if he had teleported there, and pulled Naruto back against him, turning Naruto's head towards him so that Sasuke could kiss him. He kissed Naruto deeply, conveying his goodbye wordlessly – they had always been good at knowing each other's thoughts Sasuke thought to himself briefly.

"I'll see you soon?"

"Yeah, I'm sure you can join us. Just behave until then?" Naruto said, slightly breathless.

"Hn", was the only reply Sasuke gave before Naruto ran out of the apartment, rapidly making his way through the village to the Hokage tower. In Naruto's apartment, Sasuke smirked as he realised that, while the dobe would get there in time to leave, he would still be late, and would be dishevelled when he did arrive. He thought about Naruto's last comment about behaving himself, and knew that it wouldn't be easy – the elders wanted an excuse to get rid of him, and the first mission – above D-rank – that he had been on since returning to the village hadn't exactly ended well. Although, it was probably his own fault, but he knew that Naruto was in trouble. Sasuke had known for some time that he had feelings for Naruto, but he always pushed them down, his revenge was more important. Even at that crucial point, when he almost chose Naruto over power and revenge...

"Chidori!"

"Rasengan!"

They jumped towards one another, Sasuke's chidori black as he used the wings that formed part of his level 2 curse mark to fly towards Naruto. Naruto was surrounded by red chakra, as the demon fox inside him leant his power to help Naruto force Sasuke back to the village, to prevent him from betraying Konoha and going to Orochimaru.

They collided and their chakras combined, surrounding them in a massive sphere of energy that quickly turned purple. Sasuke punched Naruto in the chest, as Naruto scratched Sasuke's headband, proving wrong Sasuke's earlier statement that Naruto would be unable to scratch it. The purple sphere of chakra increased, growing larger as the water in the waterfall in the Valley of the End tumbled down behind. The sphere of chakra turned black and continued to expand, now so big that the waterfall was falling over it, and the cliffs at either side were being crumbled away. Lightning crackled overhead as water exploded upwards from the force of the expanding combination of Sasuke and Naruto's chakra. White lines proceeded from the centre to cover the sphere, and it began turning white as well. Sasuke and Naruto were suspended inside, still glaring at one another, as everything went white.

Naruto lay unconscious on the floor as the clouds blocked off the last bit of sunlight, concentrating the last beam of light onto Naruto's face, before the light completely disappeared. Sasuke looked down at him as his scratched headband fell to the floor. Why did it have to be the dobe?he thought. Anyone else, but now...no, I have to leave to ensure I get my revenge, despite what I feel...I have to sever this bond.

"Naruto..." Sasuke said. "I..." Sasuke looked up as the rain started to fall on them. Naruto was unconscious before him, and Sasuke was about to leave, knowing someone would find him, when he collapsed to his knees, the exertion from his battle with Naruto catching up to him. When he forced his eyes open as the pain began to recede, he found himself staring at Naruto's closed eyes. I know I have to break this bond, he thought, but just once couldn't hurt, right? I can still leave after, it doesn't change anything. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against Naruto's, just briefly. For a moment, he swore he could fell Naruto press up against him, as the rain continued to pour down over them. He knew he was mistaken, Naruto was unconscious, and would obviously have pushed him away if he had been awake.

As Sasuke cleaned and dressed himself in Naruto's apartment, he remembered those events from the Valley of the End. Sometimes he wanted to ask Naruto if he really was awake, if he had known Sasuke's feelings all that time, but he couldn't. If Naruto hadn't been awake, Sasuke thought, then me asking him would be the same as saying, 'oh, by the way, I left Konoha even though I had feelings for you', and I can't do that. Sasuke left Naruto's apartment, heading for the Hokage tower. Tsunade had asked to see him around 12, likely as I'm in some sort of trouble with the elders again, Sasuke thought, I know I should expect it, but it's been months now since I came back, I'm not on probation anymore, and I only ran off that time to help Naruto and the village. Sasuke continued to walk through the village, thinking about Naruto, who was now on the other side of the world.

The fog cleared to reveal four shinobi standing before the entrance of Hogwarts. The staff assembled there to meet them were Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Hagrid and Madame Pomfrey. Albus quietly observed the four people in front of him. Three were no more than children, presumably deferring to the older man, although he could be no more than in his late twenties to early thirties. His face was almost completely covered, leaving only one eye visible, although his silver hair could be seen above his headband. The covering over his face appeared to be part of his shirt, which was long-sleeved and dark blue, with a spiral symbol on the left upper arm. He was also wearing dark blue trousers, with a pouch attached to his right leg with bandages. Over the top was a khaki flak jacket with several pockets, and he had fingerless gloves on his hands. Of the three children, there were two boys and a girl. The girl wore a white shirt with a burgundy stripe and burgundy trousers. Her brown hair was up in two buns with some falling over her headband, and she also wore fingerless gloves, hers stretching partly over her fingers. On her back was what appeared to be a large scroll. The elder of the two boys had long dark hair, with a tie towards the bottom keeping it from being completely free-flowing. He was wearing a white shirt closed on the right shoulder and white trousers with a grey apron-like piece of clothing over top. The other boy, the youngest of the four, who looked like he was barely the same age as Harry, had wild blond hair and scars on his face that looked like whisker marks. He was wearing an orange shirt and black trousers, with a white robe over the top, and looked much more in authority than he should, given his age.

Albus stood there observing the four in that way, forming several conclusions about shinobi and their society, mostly the one that Madame Pomfrey voiced for him:

"Merlin, these are the ninjas?! They're way too young to be protecting the school, there are probably kids here that are older than three of them are, and the older man looks completely disinterested!" Madame Pomfrey voiced, trying to keep her voice low so that the shinobi wouldn't hear her. The youngest of the four stepped forward:

"Hi, my name is Uzumaki Naruto, and this is Hyuga Neji, Hatake Kakashi and Tenten. We're here to protect this school", he announced cheerfully, speaking English well. "Oh, and we used our abilities to let us speak and understand your language so we wouldn't have to learn it once we arrived."

The wizards stood there for a moment, before Albus stepped forward:

"Hello, I am Albus Dumbledore, your employer, and these are some of the staff members of the school. If you would follow me, I will show you to what will be your quarters for the duration of your stay. I am afraid we put you all in together –" he glanced at Tenten "– as we didn't know your team would be mixed."

"That's fine", Tenten said, "I'm sure I can put up with sharing with them."

Albus considered this for a moment, thinking it odd that she would be so okay with sharing with three guys, especially one who was clearly at least 10 years older than her. He soon shrugged it off, however, realising that things must just be done differently in the shinobi world, even if he didn't think it was particularly appropriate.

"Very well", Albus said, "follow me." He led the four shinobi past the other staff members and through the castle.

"Well", Madame Pomfrey said after a brief pause. "That was...different. They're so young, and one is a girl who seems to have no problem sharing with boys. How strange." Professor McGonagall voiced her agreement, before both women headed off into the castle. Hagrid shrugged and left to return to his cabin. Professor Snape quietly took in the information, as he knew he would have to make a report to the Dark Lord concerning the arrival of the shinobi. Unlike Albus, he knew a certain amount about the shinobi world; regardless, he could still easily recognise that all four of them were highly skilled, despite their age, and the young man who spoke clearly held the respect of the other three. However, he knew he could pass on Albus' thoughts to the Dark Lord, and merely inform the dark wizard that three of the shinobi were children and their leader seemed disinterested – perhaps he could suggest that the shinobi appeared to be treating it like some sort of training exercise for later cultural links, and that the silver-haired man had been ordered to come but actually had little interest in such matters. This was what Severus was thinking to himself as he returned to his quarters, knowing that the Dark Lord would likely summon him that evening.

Naruto, Kakashi, Neji and Tenten were seated around a small table in the shared area of their quarters. The shared area was a large open space. In the middle of one wall was a large fireplace, with two couches and two armchairs positioned around it. Behind this was the table at which they were seated, with a large window on the wall to the side, which overlooked the courtyard area in the middle of the school, although they discovered the window had been charmed so that no-one could see in from the outside. On the other side of the shared area, was a small kitchen, where some meals could be prepared, although they had been informed that they could call a house elf if they wanted anything. Between this was the entrance. In the middle of the wall at the back was a small corridor, with four small bedrooms leading off of it, and a large bathroom at the end, with two showers, two toilet cubicles, and two sinks. Each of the bedrooms had two beds in it – the wizards clearly hoping the other four shinobi to arrive soon after them – as well as two chests of drawers and a nightstand beside each bed.

"I don't understand, though", Tenten was saying, "what is the problem with us sharing when we all have our own rooms, at least until the others arrive? I know we have to share a bathroom, but still."

"Maybe they're just more prudish than we're used to", Kakashi offered, nose buried in one of his books.

"Well, definitely more than you're used to Kakashi-sensei, and the same for anyone who's had a pervy teacher", Naruto said, face falling for a moment when he remembered ero-sannin, but quickly recovering.

"How can you call me a pervert, Naruto-kun?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah, it's completely unfounded", Naruto muttered, not quietly. "And stop calling me kun!" he added, "especially now I'm Hokage!"

"Whatever you say, Hokage-kun", Kakashi responded, probably smirking beneath that mask, Naruto thought.

"Perhaps we can consider more important matters, Naruto-sama, Kakashi-san", Neji said.

"Ok", Naruto answered, while Kakashi just jerked his head and turned another page in his book. "Right", Naruto continued, "I think we should patrol the school in pairs, two of us during the day and the other two at night, making sure there are no problems or attacks. While one pair is on patrol, the other can rest. Also, while we're here, we should try to learn more about wizards and magic."

"We should probably also try to learn about British culture", Neji added.

"Why?" Tenten asked. "It's not like it will help us fight their enemies, unlike learning about their powers."

"It might be useful to know more about the political and cultural world here, just in case. I went for a walk around the castle earlier, to familiarise myself with the building, and several of the staff members seem agitated about a new teacher here, who is apparently to teach the students how to defend themselves against attacks", Neji reasoned.

"Well, I'm not really all that good at that stuff", Naruto said, scratching his head with one finger in contemplation, "but I guess you must be, Neji-san?"

"I am reasonably well-versed in such matters thanks to my clan duties."

"Ok, well, why don't you try to learn more about that and Kakashi can read about their powers?"

"Huh?" Kakashi said, looking up from his book, "why me?"

"Because", Naruto answered, "not only did you tell us that you could speak and read English already, when the rest of us used the jutsu before leaving –"

"You mean when you turned up late and dishevelled?" Kakashi interrupted.

"No – I – well, yes, technically – that's not the point!" Naruto stuttered, his face turning a bright shade of red. "You can read their books, especially the ones they use for classes, and quickly as well if you use the Sharingan."

"Alright, then."

"What about the pairs, Naruto-sama?" Tenten asked.

"Well, how about I go with Neji and you go with Kakashi?" Naruto answered her. "It makes sense to not put the two of them together as they will both be learning about the wizards, and this way they can discuss it with us without distracting the other, at least at first."

"Is he going to make pervy comments at me?", Tenten asked, hiding her mouth behind her hand and turning to Naruto, although she purposely spoke loud enough for Kakashi to be able to hear her.

"You never know, you may start to like it", Kakashi said.

"I wonder what your books would look like full of senbons and kunai?" Tenten countered. Kakashi didn't respond, but did move the book he was reading closer to his body, as if to protect it.

"You're definitely going with him now", Naruto said to her. "Ok then, me and Neji will do day patrol, as then anything we overhear from the wizards will help us learn about their world, and you two can do night patrol, and Kakashi can read books from the library while patrolling. The students arrive tomorrow evening, and we should all be there for that, then when they go to their quarters, Kakashi and Tenten can take over and we can sleep, then switch, and so on."

"Yes, Naruto-sama", Neji and Tenten responded. Kakashi just waved his hand and continued reading.

"Well, for now I am going to get some rest, that pot-a-key thingy –"

"Portkey", Neji supplied.

"Yeah, that, has left me kind of tired. 'Night."

"Goodnight Naruto-sama", Neji and Tenten spoke again, while Kakashi made no effort to acknowledge him as Naruto returned to his room to sleep. Neji also retired not long after, as did Tenten, leaving Kakashi sitting at the table, muttering to himself about book protection.

A/N - Please read and review

Next Chapter - the students arrive at the school, issues with Umbridge and HarryxDraco