A/N: Hey everybody! It's been a while hasn't it? I'm sorry for the long wait! Life got in the way of some things and there wasn't much time for writing fanfiction.

I want to give a huge thank you to those of you that have reviewed/liked/favorited Convergence so far. I appreciate it all so much.

On to the story!

xx LCF


Convergence

Chapter 3: The Acclimation


"Again," commanded the monotonous voice.

Sakura's brows drew together in intense concentration before she raised her wand and pointed it towards the large feather that sat on the table before her.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" she exclaimed as her wrist swished and flicked.

Sakura felt her temper begin to rise when nothing happened. Again.

After their return from Hogsmeade (and, much to her chagrin, a very successful shopping trip for her school supplies), Professor Dumbledore had let her know that she was to report to one of the spare classrooms in the fourth-floor corridor the following morning to begin her lessons. What she had thought would be a one-on-one session with the Headmaster or Remus ended up being a one-on-one session with the dark-haired man who had immobilized her in the Hospital Wing.

Their lesson began promptly at eight in the morning, immediately following her arrival to the designated classroom. Surprise had filled her when she found the older man seated at the teacher's desk at the front of the classroom. There had been very little direction from his part—he seemed more preoccupied writing what Sakura figured to be lesson plans—aside from a brief introduction of the subject, First Year Charms. He then directed her to the first chapter of the book that sat on a desk in the first row and succinctly informed her that she was to read the theorem before beginning any spellwork. Once she finished both the introductory and first chapter, Sakura was faced with her first spell, a basic levitation charm.

It was now half-past noon and she still had nothing to show for her hours of hard work. The fact that the professor in charge of getting her up to speed did nothing more than bark out commands and voice his displeasure at her lack of progress didn't help either. Sakura looked up to see dark eyes flash with impatience as he stood from the desk where he was seated and walked towards her.

"You're not concentrating hard enough." Snape sneered.

"I'm concentrating fine." Sakura all but snapped. The grip on her wand tightened exponentially as she fought to keep her temper in check.

Life here was so vastly different from the one back home. Where in Konoha it would be perfectly okay for her to demolish a few training grounds in order to let off some steam, it seemed that the Wizards looked down on physical altercations. They settled things with their wands or diplomacy or meager punishments, whereas back home many preferred to settle things with their fists.

A sparring session never sounded so good.

The dark-haired wizard's voice dropped dangerously low. "Then prove it. Dumbledore says that you have exceptional control over the magic native to your land, and you've shown that you have a certain prowess when it comes to wandless healing magic; but none of those things will do you any good here unless attention is what you seek." He sneered. "My job is to have you blend in as any other typical sixth year, and that means you have five years' worth of magical coursework to get through in three and a half weeks. Now show me this exceptional control everyone's been boasting about."

"I never said that I—"

"Again." He repeated, successfully cutting her off.

Anger coursed through her like a wildfire, and though she knew that she had to respect Professor Dumbledore's wishes as her host, Professor Snape was making it exceedingly difficult for her to do so. Her chakra surged forward without preamble, rushing up her arm and extending past her limbs and into her wand. The cherry wood vibrated in her hands before pure chakra shot out of the tip and headed straight towards the retreating back of the Potions Master.

Before she could even cry out a warning, Snape turned with his own wand drawn and cast a shield before him. The shot of chakra ricocheted from his shield and destroyed part of a stone wall of the empty classroom they were using. He looked to her, less than pleased, but not furious like she had expected him to be. His mouth opened, but before he could get so much as a word out, the classroom doors opened and in walked an older woman whom Sakura had yet to meet. She paused slightly at the sight of the wall, her mouth opening as if to say something, but seemed to think better of it and continued on.

"Severus, there you are. Albus is requesting that you meet him in his office immediately. I will see to it that Miss Haruno goes for lunch and continues her spellwork until your return."

As unimpressed as he appeared, Snape merely gave a curt nod before striding out of the classroom without a single glance back, cloak billowing behind him all the while.

The older woman turned to Sakura. "Now, I do believe we've yet to be formally introduced. I am Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration professor, Head of Gryffindor house, and Deputy Headmistress."

Sakura bobbed her head. "I am Sakura Haruno."

"It is nice to finally have a face to accompany the name." The older woman said. Though her tone was curt, Sakura did not sense any of the discontent that seemed to always be apparent whenever Professor Snape spoke.

"Likewise, Professor." She replied.

Together, both women left the classroom and made their way towards the Great Hall in relative silence, only broken whenever Professor McGonagall shared a little bit of the castle's history with her. It didn't take them too long to reach the Great Hall.

Sakura and Professor McGonagall took a seat at the staff table, where the sixteen-year-old began loading her plate. She felt more than saw the older woman's gaze settle on her.

"Yes, Professor?"

To her credit, Professor McGonagall didn't look the least bit flustered at being caught observing her. Instead, the older woman met Sakura's gaze unflinchingly. "I was merely thinking of the damage on the stone wall."

Sakura flushed. "I'm sorry. Once I learn the mending charm I'll make sure to repair it."

McGonagall nodded. "That shouldn't prove to be too difficult; it is a First Year spell." The older woman turned to see the young woman frown briefly into her chicken sandwich. "Although that might be asking too much of you too soon."

"I'm just not quite getting the hang of it." Sakura confessed. "I've read several books about magical theory while I was in the Hospital Wing, and I feel that I understand the concept of it all, but when it comes time for the application, I fall short."

"That can be quite frustrating, indeed." McGonagall mused. "Perhaps I may be of assistance once we finish lunch?"

Sakura looked up at the older woman, surprised. "If it's not too much trouble."

McGonagall waved her worries away. "Nonsense, despite my other responsibilities, my first and foremost job here at Hogwarts is to educate the young minds on the uses of magic. We'll sort out the basics, and then proceed from there. Now tuck in, you will not excel in the practical if you are famished."

The kunoichi could not hold down the hopeful smile that bent her lips as she reached for her goblet of pumpkin juice. The pair chattered aimlessly after that, with Sakura answering any questions that Professor McGonagall had regarding her homeland. Talking about Konoha made her quite homesick, but Sakura pushed through as she always did, and kept the bittersweet pain away as she told her of her life.

Once they finished their meals, Sakura followed Professor McGonagall back to the classroom where she'd spent all of her morning practicing.

As they entered, the professor made her way to the front of the desk where Sakura's practice feather rested. Sakura promptly took her seat.

"Magic in our world," the witch began, "is thought to be a spiritual force. We do not need to train our bodies in order to use it, and only those born with it have any hopes of wielding it. From what the Headmaster has told me, it is the opposite in your land. Everyone is born with this chakra, as you call it, but only those who have trained their bodies can use it."

McGonagall pointed her wand to the feather which immediately began to float several inches off the desk. "Here we needn't bother with that. Our only problem is that many need something to help channel their magic; that is where our wands come into play. However, you do not need an instrument as you've trained your body to be the instrument. I would venture as far as to say that is why your chakra varies from magic. Chakra, as you've stated, is a mixture of both spiritual and physical energies hence why you have a limited amount, which would also explain why, when dangerously low, it could kill you. If you expended all your chakra then it would suffice to say that you expended all of your physical energy—resulting in death."

"With that in mind, it seems that what you've been trying to do is channel chakra through your wand instead of pure spiritual energy, or rather, magic. The combination of the existing physical energy clashes with the core and the magical properties of the wood."

"I don't understand," Sakura frowned glancing down that the wand in her hand. "Then how was I able to cast sparks at the wand shop?"

Minerva smiled. "That would be more a combination of your wand's own magical properties accepting you as its master. It is how it bound itself to you."

Sakura nodded, taking in all of this information. It made a lot of sense. "So in theory if I merely summon my spiritual energy—my magic, then I should be able to proceed with casting spells?"

"In theory," Professor McGonagall nodded. "Though perhaps we should first focus on the feeling of your magic instead of trying to apply it. Seeing as you've yet to get a feel for your magic, I think it would be best that we start with something simpler. Are you familiar with the exercise of meditation?"

"Yes, it was something my master encouraged me to do on a regular basis. She said it would help continue to mold my chakra."

"It is also very good at centering oneself, as I'm sure you know, and I do believe that is something that you can appreciate, what with all of what's happened to you in the past few weeks." McGonagall stated. "Now then, have a seat and clear your mind."

Sakura did as told, taking a seat on the ground and crossing her legs. She rested her hands on her knees, and closed her eyes. She cleared her mind of all thoughts of home, of the questions that plagued her every minute of every day. She cleared away everything until there was nothing but silence, and it was then that she began to feel for her chakra.

It took her a few moments, but eventually she was able to reach into her core and find the difference between the two energies that lay dormant within her. One was very obviously her physical energy, her life force, as it was limited to the amount of chakra she normally had in her stores. The other was different. It felt more like a presence than an actual thing, and though she could not see it metaphorically like she could her physical energy, Sakura knew it was there. The only question was how was she to draw one out without the other?

Sakura delved deeper, determined to find it within herself to pull her spiritual energy out. Her brow furrowed as she attempted to call on it without letting it blend with her physical one. The best way she could describe it was like using a sift. Instead of mixing both energies together, she was separating them, careful enough so that she only drew out her magic while her physical energy stayed within her chakra reserves.

Sweat began to bead along her brow as she separated as much as she could. Her fingers and lips began to tingle as she pulled more and more on the spiritual energy, and finally, after what felt like agonizing hours of pulling, the last of the physical energy fell away, until she was left with only her spiritual energy—only her magic.

It was a beautiful feeling.

Her wand vibrated in her hand, responding to the magic that suddenly coursed through every inch of her. She was abuzz with energy, everything from the ends of her hair to the tips of her toes were alive. Green eyes opened slowly to meet a blurred room, and it wasn't until she felt a drop of water hit her hand that she realized she'd started crying.

Embarrassed, she wiped away the lone tear, a wobbly laugh escaping her as she met McGonagall's warm gaze.

"It is magnificent isn't it?" she asked; to which Sakura could only nod. "It has been a long time since I've seen someone as young as yourself be able to reach within themselves and actually feel the magic inside."

"It might be because of the training I received when I was younger. Academy students had little choice in the matter. You either learned to reach within yourself to mold chakra, or you couldn't become a ninja." Sakura replied.

"Perhaps," nodded McGonagall with a far-off look in her eye. The woman cleared her throat before she returned her attention to Sakura. "Would you like to try the levitation charm once more?"

Sakura nodded as she raised her wand and pointed it towards the feather. Making sure she had a good grip on her magic, the kunoichi made the appropriate wand movements. "Wingardium Leviosa!"

Unlike the last time she attempted the spell she felt no rush of energy escaping her. In fact, she felt nothing at all. For a moment she thought she'd failed, until she noticed that the feather was indeed floating several inches off the table. A large smile broke out upon her face as she turned to Professor McGonagall.

The older teacher looked down at her, pleased. "Very good. Now, let us proceed."

For the rest of the day, she couldn't keep the smile from her face. Her happy grin was a permanent fixture and remained so, even after Snape had returned from his duties and taken back his job as her teacher. He'd fixed her with sour looks and had spoken to her none-too-kindly, but Sakura hadn't cared.

She had magic.


The following morning found Sakura outside in shorts and her standard-issued chuunin top. She stood by the Black Lake, stretching as she watched the sun rise. Golden rays of sunlight streaked the surface of the lake, causing the water to glitter prettily. It was Saturday and given how easy brewing potions had come to her (and Professor Snape's need to prepare for the upcoming school year); the surly older man had let her have a day to herself. Although he made sure to let her know that she wasn't to waste her time; after all, she still had "Four more years' worth of magical coursework to get through."

After a few more minutes of stretching, Sakura began to run alongside the sandy beach of the lake. She reveled in releasing her pent-up had only been a week since she'd consciously done any form of strenuous physical activity and she'd been itching to let some of her frustration out.

Three weeks, she thought. It's been three weeks since I've arrived, and I've only been conscious for the past six days. The sixteen-year-old ran around the first bend of the lake, green eyes catching sight of the large castle that stood proudly against the brightening sky.

She still wasn't quite sure what to make of her situation. Though she was adapting very well, there was a part of her that couldn't quite shake just how surreal her life was in this instant. In one moment she had gone from being caught in Obito's iron grasp, and the next she woke up in unfamiliar territory with no one she knew in sight. Hell, they hadn't even spoken the same language! The mere thought of home caused her stomach to tighten. She missed Konoha, she missed her team. She missed running through the trees at breakneck speeds and pulverizing mountains with her fists. She missed home.

No, Sakura thought fiercely as she shook her head. I will not cry. She wouldn't. If she did, then all the fear, and nervousness, and anxiety she managed to keep at bay would come rushing back to the surface and that was unacceptable. She was a kunoichi of Konohagakure no Sato, a proud member of Team Seven, and one of the best medics in the Land of Fire. What would Shishou think if she caught sight of me blubbering over my situation like a baby?

Sakura ran faster.

She ran and ran until the world around her became nothing more than a blur of colors and shapes and smells. When she finally stopped she found herself near the greenhouses where Herbology took place. A pale hand wiped away the sweat on her brow as she took several deep breaths. She needed to work on her stamina some more, these past few weeks of being motionless seemed to have already taken a toll on her. And there was absolutely no way she was going to let her physical fitness fall to the deplorable conditions these wizards seemed to favor. She was a kunoichi, and as such it was important for her to get back into tip-top shape.

I don't know when I'll be heading home, and when I do, what kind of world will I find? Her muscles twitched at the unnerving thought.

Unable to ignore her growing anxiousness, Sakura abandoned her early morning jog in favor of finding a suitable spot to practice her katas. As she walked downhill, Sakura passed a lone tree with a thick trunk and long, thin leaves. However, as she retreated, a long creaking groan filled the air and Sakura turned just in time to catch a massive branch swipe at her.

Chakra flared around her hands instinctively as Sakura braced for the attack. She held her ground as the branch came down, her hands rebuffing the thick branch. There was another loud groan before more branches jumped into the fray, and before Sakura knew it she was suddenly running evasive drills with a plant.

Disbelieving laughter bubbled up in her throat as she wove between the branches, apparently infuriating the plant with each attack she avoided or blocked with ease. It appeared the tree grew quite irritated as it suddenly launched her back, though Sakura landed nimbly on her feet. She was just about to rush forward once again when a sudden voice boomed in the air.

"OI! What do yeh think yer doin'?!"

Startled, Sakura whirled around to find a large man with a thick black beard standing a few yards away from her, worry clear on his face. The tree took advantage of her distraction and before Sakura could turn to block, a solid rod collided with her side, effectively knocking her several feet away.

Once she skidded to a halt, Sakura stood and wiped the dirt from her hands and face. The tree appeared quite pleased with itself—if trees could feel and do such things—and shook out its branches before it began to preen, of all things.

Sakura let out a huff of amusement as she turned to head back towards the castle when she caught sight of the large man from before. He seemed quite surprised with her there, and for a moment Sakura wondered if tussling with a tree was something considered strange even in this world.

"Umm, hello?" she called out, feeling quite self-conscious. Her greeting seemed to snap the man out of his frozen state as he soon walked over to her. When he neared, Sakura found that the man was at least six feet taller than she.

"Are yeh alrigh'? Tha' was a nasty blow ye took from the Whompin' Willow."

Sakura was suddenly aware that this man probably didn't know of her existence. He was worried, that was for sure, but he had yet to question her for being on the grounds. And really, what teacher wouldn't be suspicious of a lone teenager walking about the grounds of a school that had yet to reopen for classes?

"Then again," the man continued. "I'm sure ye can take a bit o' a beatin'. I'm glad to see ye recovered good 'n well from the las' time I saw ye."

"You were there when I first arrived?" Sakura asked. She hadn't been aware that someone else knew of her existence. From what she knew, only Madame Pomfrey, Remus, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape knew of her existence.

"There?" the giant asked, almost incredulous. "I was the one who took ye to the Hospital Wing! Ye was a tiny little thin', an' still—too still. It wasn't until I go' closer that I realized ye was hurt. Though I coulda sworn yer hair was pink."

A chuckle escaped her and after making sure no one was around, Sakura dropped the henge and allowed her pink hair and yin seal to become visible for a moment before the blond returned. This caused the giant to let loose a belly laugh.

"There she is! I'd been wonderin' about where ye gone off to." The easy smile fell from his face then and he looked as though he realized something. "Where are my manners?" He thrust forward a hand that was larger than her head. "Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. I'm also the Care o' Magical Creatures Professor."

"I'm Sakura Haruno, pleased to make your acquaintance Professor Hagrid." Sakura said, accepting the burly man's outstretched hand and shaking it.

"Ah, ye don' have to be so formal with me. Hagrid's just fine. Besides, I migh' not be yer professor during yer stay an' I figured that's one less thing for ye to worry 'bout."

Sakura smiled. "Thank you, Hagrid."

The giant waved her off. "Now tell me wha' it was ye were doin' that had you up an' about at this godforsaken hour? I though' teenagers liked to sleep in during holidays."

"I was running." Sakura said, "It keeps my mind off some things and helps me focus on others. I wasn't aware of the Whomping Willow until it started attacking me. From there, well… you saw."

"Aye, I did see. Though I personally think ye was fine, some others migh' not be so lenient." Hagrid said with a bit of a far-off look in his eye. His easy smile tightened around the edges before he pulled his attention back to her. "Come on then, ye can clean up in my cabin an' get a spot o' tea while we're there. And then ye can tell me all about how ye got here and where ye came from."

The kunoichi let out a half-exasperated, half-amused sigh before she nodded and followed the giant down to his abode.


Weeks passed and as they did Sakura's ability to wield her magic grew. She had successfully moved up to Fifth Year course work, and with only half a week left before the start of term, she felt somewhat confident that she'd soon be on par with the other Sixth Years if she kept up her hard work.

Of all the subjects, she loathed to admit that her favorite was potions if only for the sense of familiarity she got when she brewed the concoctions in her cauldron. Despite the strange ingredients and reactions each caused, Sakura couldn't quite help the wave of nostalgia that washed over her each time she commenced her brewing. Her earlier days as Tsuande's apprentice had been too easy to recall, and if she concentrated hard enough, Sakura could sometimes imagine the smell the antiseptic that filled the air of the hospital basement from where she studied instead of the heavy perfume her cauldron emitted.

Transfiguration and Charms had also become some of her favorite subjects. The ability to transfigure any object into a completely different one was something Sakura could not help but be amazed with. And she couldn't contain her excitement on being able to summon an object to her, or being able to extend the space within a bag. She had nearly drooled at the thought of being able to store endless amounts of weapons and medical supplies for those times she was called away to the battlefield.

Aside from the schoolwork, Sakura also took to spending several afternoons with Hagrid.

The groundskeeper was a jovial fellow, and more often than not allowed her to help out with some of his duties as groundkeeper. In the days Sakura spent with him, she learned about the magical creatures that inhabited the forest and other things, like that he was half-giant, which explained a great deal about his stature and strength. To say she had been surprised was an understatement, but then again she was currently stranded in a world of magic and anything in such a place was surely possible.

He too had been surprised when she told him of her life back home, and had responded with the familiar outburst of how she was "still but a girl!" that had been drawn from nearly all of her 'caretakers' and caused her to feel slight offense and unease in equal parts. But Sakura could only move past it and reminded herself that magic folk were not used to battle or war like the adults from back home. Their lifestyles were complete polar opposites, and while the wizards meant well, they tended to be just a tad overprotective if not a little overbearing. Despite this however, she'd shown Hagrid some of her simpler jutsu and had even demonstrated her own herculean strength, which the half-giant found immensely amusing. He'd oftentimes laugh at the juxtaposition of her tiny stature and the absurdly large object she hefted around at the time.

And that was how she found herself now, standing in the middle of the forest, lifting a fallen tree trunk from the ground before she carried it back to Hagrid's hut.

Said man chortled slightly as he walked alongside her with his own log settled over his shoulder. "Now that's somethin' I don' think I'll ever get used to," He confessed. "Although it's downrigh' amusing."

"Says the half-giant," Sakura joked. "I don't think I'll ever get used to all the strange things in your land."

"It's jus' a bit o' magic." Hagrid smiled. "All ye got do is keep an open mind and ye should be fine." The half-giant tapped his temple for emphasis as they continued on.

It wasn't long before they reached the cabin, and Sakura neatly deposited her trunk on the growing pile near the stump where Hagrid liked to chop his firewood. Hagrid did the same before both entered the small hut.

Hagrid walked towards the back where his makeshift kitchen was and set his tea kettle over a fire before he motioned for Sakura to take a seat on the large chair. He returned a moment later with a tray of rock cakes, as he called them, and returned to gather the rest of his ingredients for some tea. Sakura took a lumpy cake, and though she was not quite partial to them, found that they weren't so bad if she broke off chunks and crumbled them before eating. Though she had to use a bit of her chakra-enhanced strength to do it.

A low whine came from her left and Sakura turned to see Fang look towards the rock cake in her hand longingly. A soft sigh escaped her as the large dog made his way towards her and placed his large head on her lap, droopy eyes pleading silently. She made sure that Hagrid was occupied before she slipped the dog a treat. Fang immediately wagged his tail as he took her offering and made his way beneath the table. It was good timing, for not a moment later Hagrid returned with his giant mugs full of brown tea.

He set them down before he took his own seat. "So are ye ready for start o' term?" he asked.

"Probably as ready as I'll ever be." Sakura nodded before she took a swig of the murky liquid. It didn't taste as ominous as it looked, and wasn't as bad as the concoction Naruto had once brewed during a mission. "I'm almost completely caught up; all that's left now is to practice and learn the last of it. Professor Dumbledore informed me that they were going to forge my O.W.L. results based on what Professor Snape believes my skill level to be before they place me in classes. Although, I don't think I'll take anything like Arithmancy or Ancient Runes."

"That's good to hear." Hagrid replied as he took the large napkin on the table and dabbed at his mouth to get rid of crumbs from the rock cake. They fell into his beard instead.

Sakura grinned. "Hagrid, you've got crumbs stuck on your beard." She gestured to his neck.

"Aye, nasty little buggers. Sometimes I think tha' this beard's more trouble than it's worth."

"But you wouldn't be Hagrid without it." She replied.

"That's true, missy. That's true."

They spent the remainder of their afternoon tea discussing Hogwarts more at length and how Sakura felt about each of the houses. Hagrid was positive that she'd be sorted into Gryffindor, and while Sakura thought that kind, if not a tad biased, of him, she truly did wonder where her place would be at the castle.

Would she join Hufflepuff in their loyalty, or perhaps Ravenclaw with their admiration for knowledge? Perhaps she'd join Gryffindor's brave bunch, or maybe even be placed in Slytherin—in the shadows that her life as a shinobi dictated.

"It's getting' late, so off with ye. Be sure to let Dumbledore know you've been helping me. We wouldn't want him thinkin' you'd started to shirk your studies."

"I will. Thank you, Hagrid. I'll stop by again soon!" Hagrid waved her off, and with a laugh Sakura left.

She made her way up the castle, enjoying the cool air that wrapped itself around her like a cocoon. The sun was only beginning to set, and while dinner wouldn't be served for a little while longer, Sakura thought it would the perfect opportunity to make her way to the Headmaster's office.

Before long, Sakura gave the gargoyle the password and made her way up the winding stairs and to the oak door. She knocked three times before it swung open invitingly.

"Come in," came Dumbledore's voice.

The old wizard looked up from the stacks of parchment he had been reading, a soft smile played on his lips and his eyes sparkled with quiet mischief. Sakura couldn't help but wonder what he was up to.

"Hello Professor," she greeted. "I just wanted to check in."

"You are most welcome to do so, Miss Haruno. Would you like some of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans?" he gestured to the candy dish full of colorful jellybeans.

"No thank you," Sakura said. "After getting a bogey flavored one I've grown quite impartial to them."

The older wizard let out a soft chuckle. "That's quite unfortunate, though I do tend to mind earwax-flavored ones myself."

Fawkes crooned softly from his perch, catching her attention. His dark eyes looking over at Sakura before he began picking at his feathers. The handsome phoenix was something that always drew Sakura back to the Headmaster's office.

That and one other thing.

Sakura's gaze immediately found the Headmaster's blackened hand. She'd first noticed it when he had first introduced himself to her several weeks ago; although she had not had the opportunity to truly get a close look. At least, not until their meetings became more frequent. Each time Sakura saw him, the darkness that splayed across his skin crept further up his hand. She'd offered to examine it on various occasions, but was turned down every time.

"Professor Snape tells me that you are almost ready to begin Sixth Year course work. He's been looking over his notes and has begun rating your O.W.L.s to see what courses will be suitable for you for this term. I trust that you've been alright with the work given?"

"I feel like I'm ready." She replied, pulling her gaze from his hand. "Although I suppose we won't truly know until Professor Snape and yourself determine my O. "

"Indeed." Dumbledore hummed. "I have faith that you will do fine. You've worked hard and have very good control over your magic, though I'm sure that your years of training are helping transcend the subject barrier."

The subject of training reminded Sakura of that which she lacked. She figured now was as a good a time as any to bring forth her request that she'd been holding off from asking. "Professor, I was wondering if there was someplace I could train. As you've said, I've trained for years and years and since we don't know when I'll be able to return back to my homeland, I feel it important that I keep up with my abilities."

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "You raise a valid point, Miss Haruno. While I am not familiar with the kind of training you do as ninja, I do feel that perhaps we could come to some sort of agreement. Give me some time to find a suitable area where you can train."

"Of course." Sakura replied. There was a slight pause, and for a moment Sakura wondered if she should excuse herself and head to dinner when the Headmaster dropped the parchment he had picked up with his blackened hand.

"Are you alright?" Sakura asked, keeping herself from rising and making her way over.

The wizened man nodded. "I am alright, though I cannot say the same for these old joints."

Sakura wasn't buying his response for a minute. "Professor, may I ask what happened to your hand?"

Dumbledore looked down at the affected appendage before he turned to her. For a moment Sakura thought he was going to spin some story to feed her, which he very much appeared to be doing. In the end the Headmaster thought better of it. "It is a long story, I'm afraid. I know that it has bothered you, and while I have appreciated your offers to see what is wrong, it is not something that can be so easily healed like a bruise or a cut."

"Does the state of your hand have something to do with the war?" she asked.

"It does," the Headmaster replied. "But not to worry, Miss Haruno. The curse has been contained and treated, and will continue to be as such until I find the counter-curse. All will be well. Now, I do believe that dinner will be brought out soon, and I daresay that Professor McGonagall was quite keen on hearing some tales from your homeland before the day was done."

Sakura stood at the obvious dismissal and thanked him yet again before she turned and left his office. As she walked down the empty corridor, she couldn't help the niggling thought that had taken residence in her mind.

If all would be well, then why did it seem like this was only the tip of the iceberg?


A/N: So there we have it. We've got Sakura getting a feel for her magic, learning to use it, and finally making progress. We've also got McGonagall and Hagrid this time around. There's also Sakura's growing suspicion of what exactly is going on in this strange new land.

In case any of you guys were wondering, I was using JK Rowling's hand drawn interpretation of Hogwarts' grounds. Also, Sakura and Hagrid's heights are taken from their respective canon, so she's 5' 2" and he towers over her at 11' 6".

I'm happy to say that next chapter Hogwarts will welcome back its students. And yes, Sakura will be sorted and soon meet some familiar faces.

Feel free to leave a review and thank you for reading!

xx LCF