Albus wanted to say something, he really, really wanted to but he had a feeling that if he even started it, Severus would bring him to an untimely and very gruesome death. He could almost see his entrails dripping onto the floor. The man was walking towards him in a speed that just barely hid just how fast the other could be but then Severus stopped. Now, Severus was normally a man on a mission, he didn't simply stop. No, he barreled through like a locomotive with very little regards as to who he pushed down. Nothing made him stop and certainly even less made him stumble backwards. His face had paled at least three shades and he looked as though he were going to be sick. Albus glanced over his shoulder and saw the man with his gravity defying hair. His book was dangling from loose fingers and his one eye was widened to comical proportions.

"Sei… Seiji? Uchiha Seiji?" Kakashi breathed, stepping forward, hand raising as though to touch the man that stood across the room. He looked hesitant as though the other was nothing more than an optical illusion but the name caused the three youngsters to stiffen. Had their sensei really said 'Uchiha'?

"You are looking in the wrong direction if you are looking for Uchiha. My name, though it is not your business, is Severus Snape," the man licked suddenly chapped lips. His eyes were flashing with unidentifiable emotions and he looked as though he wanted to say something, anything really but he couldn't. He didn't. He simply shook his head and stepped a little further back as Kakashi came a little forward. The former ANBU froze as if he had been stabbed and reached desperately for the man one last time only to drive the wizard into the arms of a wild haired teenager. The teenager placed comforting hands on his shoulders and acted like a pillar to lean on. Kakashi gritted his teeth under his mask and just stopped himself from screaming in anger. He knew what he saw, he knew this man and… and… Kakashi placed his valued Icha Icha back in its rightful place in front of his face. He would bide his time.

"What just happened? Hey SASUKE!" Naruto shouted as the other suddenly dashed forward. He was next to the familiar looking wizard in a heartbeat, startling several of the other magic users. They had their wands out and pointed. Naruto and Sakura slipped in defensive poses, their knives and blades ready to be thrown at the slightest hint of attack. However, this wasn't needed as Sasuke broke the other boy's hold on the thin shoulder and yanked the man out of the room in the span of a moment. It wasn't surprising that the shock was practically palpable but Naruto couldn't let his friend screw up the mission based on (and Naruto couldn't believe he was saying this) Sasuke's feelings/confusion!

(**)

"Who the HELL are you!?" Sasuke demanded, eyes narrowed as he threw the fragile Magic User into the wall. The man, Severus, grunted as the stones dug into his back but made no other noise. Instead he stared at him, eyes roving his face as though he were soaking in every detail. Sasuke felt his ire grow in the silent, not sure just what this Magic User was doing, why he looked like a family member or even why Kakashi called him Uchiha! But he would find out his answers even if he had to pry it out of a dead man.

"You're an Uchiha. I know you are. I can recognize my people. They… we… WHO ARE YOU!?" He shook the man, God to honest shook the man until his head nearly slammed into the wall. Then he found himself up against the wall, head knocking hard enough that his teeth cut into his tongue. A hand wrapped around his throat, holding him perfectly still and then he was staring down a wand. The tip was pointing at the middle of his forehead and he knew that even a silent swish could kill him. He stayed very still, not sure how he got in this position but he could not get out.

"I am not sure if you are deaf, dumb, or an unfortunate combination of both. My name is Severus Snape and I do not tolerate foolishness in my presence nor do I normally allow idiots to get away with what you have just pulled Mr. Uchiha. I will release you and you will never again place your hands on me." The words were said softly like a promise of death. Sasuke was released and he could feel defeat seeping into his skin. It wasn't fair, it wasn't right. Angry tears pooled into his eyes as he tried to regulate his breathing. He was so close. He had family, he had someone that was related to his blood and survived Itachi's massacre some way or somehow.

He had to know. He had to know so he latched onto the skinny arm, "Just tell me your name!"

This was his uncle, half-brother, cousin. This was someone that was a part of him and all he needed was a moment. A moment to know this person's name. He had been sure that Kakashi had said it, knew that something had come before the Uchiha but it had been muted and dulled by the sheer amazement then the overwhelming desperation.

"This will be your last warning and then I will no longer be responsible for my actions. Release. My. Arm. Now."

Sasuke couldn't quit. His eyes began to bleed red as this obvious Uchiha lied to him. He had always told himself that if he had met another Uchiha that wasn't his brother, he would be happy to see them and them happy to see him. They could finally be happy together because they were family and all the families he had seen loved each other no matter what and yet. Here he was, with another Uchiha who did not seem excited to see him. He seemed angry, sad.

"I said—!" Sasuke did not get another chance to make his demand. Instead he found himself looking very briefly into bright red sharingan eyes that stared at him with a storm of emotions much too complicated to untangle in one sitting. Then he was looking up at stars—wasn't it daytime? And was he not indoors at the moment?

"Oh shit! Sasuke—are you okay!? You better not have hurt him, you bastard!" Naruto's voice shouted from a distance. Sasuke blinked rapidly and looked around. On one side was the loud blond who was kneeling but also pointing in a very threatening matter at the wizard. Even closer was Sakura who was rubbing her hands together quickly.

On the other side of his body, he saw that there was a man (one that looked an awful lot like him) being restrained bodily by Kakashi, a green eyed kid, and a shaggy looking black haired man. Sasuke grinned when Kakashi went down after the man kicked him between the legs as hard as possible. That was funny but geez… Sasuke was so sleepy…

(**)

"What's your problem, BASTARD!?" Naruto practically shrieked, cheeks red with anger as he turned away from his friend. The medi-witch of the school had commended Sakura's healing job and said that the other should be absolutely fine but that wasn't the point. He had attacked Sasuke! Bold faced injured him and didn't even look remorseful as he was still held by several Magic Users. Dammit, if Kakashi hadn't stopped him, he would have rearranged that stupid face with a well-placed rasengan.

"He assaulted me and, while I was kind enough to give two warnings, a third warning was simply overreaching. I will not be manhandled," the man replied in a way that was overall disturbing. He didn't seem to care that his arms were being held tightly between two large men and that three shinobi were glaring at him. Well, it was really just two shinobi because Kakashi was now standing very far away as though he feared another strike to his sensitive package. But Sakura and Naruto were enough to strike fear into the hearts of men… except this man. He hardly blinked as Sakura rounded on him, eyes blazing with an unholy hell.

"What kind of magic did you use on him? You cracked his sternum and gave him a concussion!" Sakura growled and Naruto could see that she was probably only a second away from launching herself at the wizard and beating his head off his shoulders. He was nothing but a wizard, she could take him without using super strength. Sakura looked at the thin man again and scoffed at the thought of this weak being having any relations to the Uchiha people. They didn't resemble each other that much that she looked harder.

"I only hit him once and if he was too slow to avoid the first and then too unbalanced to avoid slamming his head into the ground, that can hardly be my fault. Now, if Mr. Potter and his mutt would be so kind as to allow me my arms…?" Severus looked to the two men holding him. Harry let go of the thin arm almost immediately, taking a step back at the same time while Black took a moment longer. A kind of contemplation made his eyes glaze over as if he weren't going to let the man go. The pale face remained the same, hardly shifting as the man tightened his grip just a tiny bit before releasing him at last.

"Be sure to keep your fellow guard dog on a tighter leash," Severus bowed towards the occupants of the infirmary in a manner that was most certainly mocking and whirled on his heel. He was going to leave and do it now where no one would be able to find him until he wanted to be found. Perhaps he'd leave the castle in its entirety seeing as how he would not stand being place near an Uchiha.

"Severus, you will not move a single muscle!" Albus bellowed with anger written on his normally kind old face. The Headmaster could not believe what he had witnessed with his own eyes. Not only had Severus attached a child (with his fists no doubt) but he almost blew his cover. After so many years, the man nearly allowed the world on a secret that had cost the lives of many. And that was unforgivable.

Severus did not back down as he was approached by the old man who had started this entire thing. He straightened his back and managed to look down his nose at the man. This was not his fault, he would not have said a single thing to that boy had he not been approached first. And, honestly, Albus had broken a long ago promise to him. He had crossed the line this day and he was lucky that Severus did not sever his head right then and there.

"I do not care what lectures you have for me or the drivel you are to spew—you know of my relationship with those of the Uchiha family tree. You are nothing more than an old, conniving child-user," He said this loudly then dropped to a whisper that only a being of supernatural abilities would be able to hear. He leaned in close and hissed words with enough ice to drop the degrees in the room. "We had an agreement, Dumbledore. You swore to me that you would never break it. I hope you enjoy Hell, you miserable old prick."

A series of loud gasps went throughout the crowded medical wing as a wizened hand flew through the air and reddened the man's pale cheek. Severus's head went with the blow, greasy hair flying dramatically. A hand landed on his shoulder, a hand covered in a fingerless glove but he ignored it and simply stared at the shell shocked Headmaster.

"O-oh my boy. I am… I am very sorry. I never—." Albus was flustered for the first time in his life. He never raised a hand against the Potions Master, not even when he infuriated him but they were so close to the end of the war. He could feel just how very close the end was approaching and he was tired and old and…

"No, please, allow everyone to see just what sort of man you truly are. My hatred towards you will only grow until there is nothing left but a fire to consume your soul," Severus purred. He straightened himself and pulled away the hand steadying him. Albus took a step back as if Severus had said the nastiest thing in the world and watched sadly as the pale man walked swiftly from the Hospital Wing. Before the door fully closed, it burst back open and a purple haired woman came flipping through it.

"Sorry I'm LATE!" she shouted before letting out a confident laugh. She stopped once she noticed the tense air and looked around the room. Uchiha was lying on the bed, unconscious with Naruto and Sakura standing by his side while Kakashi looked… shocked and a green eyed boy was looking at the door she just burst through as if he wanted to follow along. An old man with a ridiculously long beard looked like he was going to be sick while a rugged black hair man looked thoroughly confused.

"Uh… did I miss something…?" Anko inquired.

(**)

It had taken some time for anyone to look at Anko fully before actually answering her. For once she didn't mind and didn't rush anyone. Kakashi suspected that she just didn't really care thus there was no reason for her usual impatience and energy.

"Uh… we just discovered that Sasuke might have a relative," Naruto announced slightly. has an uncle or cousin," Naruto announced, slightly confused. He wasn't really sure what was going on in this world but he was very aware what a fight looked like. Magic Users didn't seem the type to use physical violence but the jerk hadn't even flinched when he was slapped and that step back was planned and timed much too perfectly. It was weird to see in action but he was curious. Ninja developed their hearing for a reason and, while he could not make out every word, he could hear the venom.

"He was not an Uchiha. You heard him, Naruto. He's the Potions Master here and Hogwarts doesn't allow ninjas because they cannot teach us anything. Magic and chakra are two completely different things," Sakura corrected.

Naruto frowned slightly at the girl. He hadn't said anything but he saw something. It might have been his imagination but he highly doubted it. That black haired man was an Uchiha and there was nothing else to it. Naruto saw Sasuke in that man, saw it in his cheekbones, his eye shape. He saw it beyond his physical features… okay and he saw the Sharingan. He saw those bright red eyes right before he hit Sasuke—and he definitely hit him with a punch hard enough to send the other flying. The speed in which he moved was fast enough to make everyone else think it was a powerful spell but it wasn't. That man was definitely an Uchiha.

"You mean that man that went storming out the doors? Well he has the Uchiha temper if he is one," Anko shrugged her shoulders. She looked at the bedside, aware that Sasuke was coming into consciousness as the boy shifted silently and blinked his eyes open. She grinned smugly at his confusion, "Uchiha! Seems like your fam has a mean streak and they're both stronger than you!"

"Do you speak of the man blending in with the shadows rather well?" another voice joined the others. All heads turned to see the mild mannered, slightly stern teacher they all knew and loved. The man was smiling gently, brown eyes looking curious and worried as he gazed at the bedridden Uchiha. The boy waved a hand as Sakura came close to him with her glowing hands.

"I'm fine," he grunted, throwing away the crisp white covers.

"Hey, Iruka-sensei! I didn't know you were coming!" Naruto shouted, running over to the man. He nearly tackled him to the ground but the tanned man was able to stop their fall. Iruka grinned gently and ruffled the spiky blond hair with the hand of a father. Naruto chuckled and faced the curious staff with the man on his arms.

"May I introduce Iruka Umino—he was our sensei during our time in the Academy," Sakura stated calmly. Iruka bowed respectfully to the men and women he was facing. Anko nodded as she too was observed and introduced by the pink haired girl.

"Now that Mr. Uchiha is awake… would you like to explain the presence of shinobi in Hogwarts?" Kingsley stepped forward, placing his large hand on Dumbledore's shoulders, bringing the old man out of his trance. The brilliant blue eyes blinked several times and he forced a smile to his wizened face, gaining his color back.

"Ah yes, the shinobi. The mission I have for you should not be any trouble with your set of skills but I would like Mr. Hakate to patrol the school during the students' time here while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura infiltrate the Houses' and uproot any and all spies. Ms. Anko Mitarashi is to joint-teach Defense of the Dark Arts with Se… Severus. Now, Mr. Iruka… am I to assume Hiruzen sent you with your own instructions?" Albus turned to the brown man.

Iruka nodded firmly and glanced at the green eyed young man that was slowly but surely making his way towards the door. He wasn't going to make it very far due to the strange, wild looking man with the odd eye stealthily making his way to the same door to cut the boy off.

"Yes, sir, he has. I am to stay and be sure that all is going smoothly. Once I am confident that I am no longer needed, I am to leave," Iruka said firmly. He bowed once again to his employer though it was a bit difficult with Naruto still hugging him.

"I shall give you the cover stories later on—I believe that a good lay down will not be ill advised. Discuss amongst yourselves on who you would like to escort the shinobi to gather their materials. They shall be treated and dressed as any normal student and teacher. Now if you would excuse me…"

(**)

TBC