Hey everyone! Sorry for the long wait but things just kept getting in the way, so I had to keep putting off writing, but finally I could do this chapter. I'm officially finished school in two days so I 'll be able to update a lot quicker over the holidays. Thanks to all those lovely people who reieved the last chapter, thanks guys much appreciated.
Chapter 5
"Hey Taicho, you know what would be a great idea? If we went to the spas! Isn't that just the best idea you've heard?" Matsumoto lounged on the couch in the Tenth Division office. Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow but ignored her. He steadily filled out the papers covering his desk, nearly double what any other captain had to do all because of a certain unnamed lazy vice-captain who did nothing but lounge all day and go to... spas. He sighed.
"Taaiicchhoo!" Matsumoto flopped down across his desk and looked at him with wide puppy dog eyes.
"You've been working awfully hard Taicho; I think you deserve a break." That was it, her incessant whining was grating on his nerves as his eyebrow twitched. The temperature dropped slightly to try and warn her to leave, but she didn't take the hint.
"I was talking to Renji the other day and did you know that the spas are the most relaxing place in Soul Society? He said that by going there you find some kind of inner peace that helps you talk to you Zanpaktou. Isn't a good thing I'm always over there instead of losing touch with Haineko and doing boring paper work?"
"Matsumoto, I have no time to go with you, this work needs to be finished by this afternoon! Now stop annoying me and do. Your. Paperwork. NOW!" The temperature dropped even lower and Matsumoto, knowing how to cut her loses and leave, escaped from the room, only pausing long enough at the door to say, "Maybe tomorrow then Taicho?" before shunpo-ing away.
"MATSUMOTO!" Hitsugaya's yell could be heard through all of the tenth division. With a small smile he looked back down at his work. He wasn't really angry at Matsumoto, he actually didn't even mind when she occasionally skipped on her paperwork... but man that woman was lazy!
He worked steadily and after five more hours of doing nothing but paperwork he was finished. Not many other people would have been able to do that insane amount of work in only a few hours, but he wasn't called a work-a-holic for nothing. Thoroughly pleased with himself he allowed himself to take the opportunity to relax. Just as he closed his eyes he heard a small thrum coming from just outside his door. He ignored it. The thrum grew slightly louder so it kind of sounded like a drum. Again he ignored it. It was probably Matsumoto trying to annoy him, but it wasn't going to work – not this time at least. Once again the sound grew slightly louder and now it sounded like boots on the ground running. It really was strange, but Matsumoto had to do way better than that to annoy him. The sound stopped and he smiled. She must have gotten bored and gone back to her stupid spa. I win. Someone screamed. Hitsugaya jumped out of his chair so quickly that it toppled over. He used his flash step to reach the door and he just about pulled it off its hinges. If this was Matsumoto's idea of a joke she would be in so much trouble!
He exited through the damaged door and was... standing in front of the Kurosaki Clinic? That wasn't possible. He hesitantly walked forward. The street was quiet, almost eerily so, and he just go a very bad feeling overall. He walked forward and had his hand resting on the doorknob to enter when the whole front of the building exploded. He was sent flying through the air but surprisingly – impossibly more like it – he was unharmed. He was lying in a ditch and he could see everything that unfolded.
Ichigo flashed into his vision, an arrancar – no espada – not two seconds behind him. The two were in a heated battle with various injuries adorning each body. Ichigo was clearly exhausted but he continued to fight.
"Go ichi-nii, beat him down!" Hitsugaya's head snapped round to the front of the destroyed building. Standing in front of it was Kurosaki's sisters, Karin and Yuzu, and they were yelling encouragements to him. Just then a stray cero missed Ichigo and blasted both girls, instantly annihilating them beyond recognition. Ichigo screamed and a hollow mask started to form over his face. But it came too late. A sword was plunged through his gut and torn upwards and Ichigo fell to his knees choking on his own blood. Hitsugaya tried to yell out to him, to reach out and help him; support him. But he was unable to do anything but lie there and watch. The espada laughed with his head thrown back, glee written all over his face. It was sickening to watch how much pleasure he was getting from killing Ichigo. Ichigo grabbed his Zanpaktou in both his hands and tried one last attempt at killing his opponent. He missed. He fell face forward and lay still, blood pulling around him. A scream was heard reverberating through the street.
"ICHIGO!"
Kuchiki Rukia arrived at Ichigo's side and lifted his head up with tears rolling down her face.
"Get up baka. Please" The last part she whispered and Ichigo ever so slowly opened his eyes halfway.
"I'm... sorry." Rukia held him close and then looked at the espada with hatred rolling off her very being. The espada just sneered at her as his hand glowed red before he threw a cero at her and Ichigo. They died together in each other's arms.
Hitsugaya was shocked; he didn't know what to do. He still couldn't move so he couldn't go over to his fallen friends. He had been the stronger out of the three of them and he should have protected them, not just lie back and watch them die; that seemed to have become a habit of his. The espada fled the scene before once more sneering at the dead Shinigami. Hitsugaya looked down and realised why he was unable to move; the explosion had sent flying and he had landed on a piece of glass. He grasped the blood stained glass and ripped it from his back. He could have sworn that it hadn't been there when he had looked down when he first landed. This whole situation didn't make sense. When the glass was out of his back it was as though he was magically cured. He got up and walked towards Rukia and Ichigo, horror and shock present on his face. They had been good fighters and very good friends and they would be missed by everyone. But something wasn't right in this situation. He remembered it quite clearly; he had been there after all. But when he had fallen and watched helplessly he had fallen unconscious and was found by the remainders of squad four and was healed. His recovery had taken a few months, but here he was walking around as though nothing had happened. And how was he even in the living world anyway? It didn't make sense.
"It's because you're dreaming." Hitsugaya turned, startled by this second person – he hadn't even heard anyone approaching. Who he saw made his eyes open very wide.
White hair mattered with blood stuck up at funny angles, his clothes ripped and stained, fresh blood flowing freely from various gashes on him. A sword was clutched tightly in fingers that looked to be broken and intense aqua hairs bore into his equally intense aqua eyes. He was facing himself.
"Where were you? Ichigo and Rukia are dead because of your incompetence. In fact everyone is dead because of your lack of ability. You promised that you would succeed, but instead you failed everyone and let them die. You're a worthless failure." Accusing eyes stared at him, daring him to deny. But he couldn't because it was true. So many times he had been in a position where he had to watch as innocent lives were killed and destroyed and yet he had saved none of them. He had let Aizen win just that little bit more with each life he failed to save and he felt disgusted and sick with himself. His other self was completely right.
"The best thing you can do is just roll over and die, at least that would be retribution to all the people you indirectly murdered."
"But he's trying to fix it. He came back to a time that he doesn't belong in just so he can make sure that what has happened doesn't happen again. Doesn't that mean he really is saving everyone?" Hitsugaya jumped again and faced the newcomer, who did indeed have a very valid point. What he saw was a boy with spotless white hair with his Shinigami clothes immaculate and clean, his white haori with the number ten on the back positioned over the black robes. This newcomer still had intense aqua eyes that stared into his, but they seemed as though they were lighter, kinder, which was a stark contrast to the hard stone like eyes of the accusing Hitsugaya. The newcomer also was Hitsugaya. Now this is just too weird, he thought to himself as he looked at the two Hitsugaya's.
"What you say may be true, but he wouldn't be in this mess if he had of done his job the first time round! And frankly I don't think he can do it. Just look at him! He absolutely hates Harry Potter and he can't stop having these flash back memories to remind him of just why he hates Harry, himself and just life in general. I don't think he's a strong enough person to be able to get past the past or future and look towards the future. It would be nice if that future was a different one but we both know that he doesn't have what it takes!"
"Well I think you're wrong. Even if he may not be a strong enough person he is determined. Hell he was a captain of the Gotei 13! Give him at least a little credit. He can do this because I believe in him!"
Hitsugaya watched as the other two fought over whether or not he would succeed, whether he was right or wrong, good or evil. The situation was interesting, but he had long figured out that if this was a dream then the two Hitsugaya's must be the two halves of him – the pessimistic side and the optimistic side... Well not really optimistic but less pessimistic. It was strange to see the pessimistic side winning the argument, because this must really be his own thoughts which meant he didn't believe himself to be strong enough to complete his mission. This in itself was unusual because for his whole life he was striving to be seen as strong and capable, but the whole time his heart hadn't really believed it.
He turned away from the two of him fighting to look around him at what he knew to be a memory. But as he looked he noticed that he was no longer in front of the Kurosaki Clinic but was instead in a place that was completely black. The two sides of him faded until he was all alone in this new place where ground melted into wall which melted into ceiling until you couldn't tell whether you were standing straight, lying down or even standing on your head; it really was quite disorientating. Whispers could be heard through the darkness, whispered insults directed at him. The whole thing was pointless; he might as well have not come back to this time. The darkness swirled around him, pressing him down; weighing down on his heart and soul. NO! A voice said forcefully to him, reverberating through the darkness. Snap out of it! Are you going to let a few doubts stop you from succeeding? The Hitsugaya I know would never dream of giving up, of just laying down without a fight. The Hitsugaya I know is a strong, powerful individual that can defeat anything thrown his way. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and wake up to yourself! The darkness turned cold, the temperature turned right down. Hitsugaya widened his eyes in surprise. It had been so long since he had heard that voice, he almost didn't recognise it. But the owner was unmistakable as they appeared before him, emitting a brilliant light to guide him through the darkness. Hyourinmaru. The ice dragon stood proud before him, and just looking at him reminded Hitsugaya of who he was; he was the proud captain of the 10th division damnit! The youngest captain ever because of his intellect, power and amazing strength. He was proud and there was no way he would give up. He may not like Harry Potter, but he would be damned if that was going to stop him! He looked up, new fire blazing in the depths of his aqua eyes, and locked eyes with his Zanpaktou. His eyes sent thanks and also an apology. The two Hitsugaya's from before were meaningless – they were just products of his own indecisiveness – but Hyourinmaru, he was the real extension of his soul. He had been a fool to listen to his doubts, to let them feed on his thoughts. It was true that many good people were dead and that he had watched many of them die, but they weren't dead yet. In this time they were still alive and kicking, and he was going to keep it that way. He was going to give himself another chance and he would win against the darkness!
The darkness surrounding him started to lift and hazy shapes could be seen, taking shape. Hyourinmaru disappeared back into his mind, as his eyes slowly opened to take in the sights of the Griffindor boys' dormitory. He was awake.
He slowly sat up and rubbed sleep from his eyes as the sun came in through the window. The temperature in the room was once again unbearable – someone must have closed the windows and relit the fire after he had fallen asleep. Hitsugaya thought back to his dream. It had started off so strange, but he was glad he had that dream and was able to remember his true goal. Arigato Hyourinmaru, he thought in his head, but he received no answer. He sighed, so it was back to normal again, oh well, I guess I'll have all year to try and remake the ties I once had with him.
Hitsugaya got up and got dressed in loose fitting pants and a t-shirt; the boys in the beds around him still fast asleep. It was only around five o'clock in the morning, but this was way later than Hitsugaya usually slept in to. He finished dressing and then left the room. As he passed through the common room he couldn't help but feel how much more empty it looks in the early hours of the morning than it does later in the day. He ducked out of the portrait hole and then left the castle to walk through the enormous grounds. When he found a secluded out of the way spot Hitsugaya sat down and started to meditate. It was a routine that he had been keeping for years; the only consistent thing in his inconsistent life. After he meditated he would practise some form work and then practise with Hyourinmaru – but he'd left his sword in the dormitory so he would have to make do with his wand this morning. Oh well. Hitsugaya continued with his morning routine.
At around seven thirty Harry woke up with the other boys in the dormitory, though he couldn't help but notice the absence of one boy in particular – Hitsugaya Toushirou. When he had come up stairs to go to bed the previous night he had noticed how cold the atmosphere was and when he had entered the room he saw that someone had opened all the windows and the cool autumn air was blowing through. To say it was freezing would have been a severe understatement. He had gone around and closed all the rooms and had relit the fire that must have been blown out by the wind.
As he got up and dressed in the Hogwarts uniform he couldn't help but look over at Seamus Finnegan. Last night they had a big fight. Apparently his mum didn't want him to come back to Hogwarts with Harry, who the Daily Prophet labelled as crazy. Over the holidays all sorts of stories were flying around about him and how he supposedly witnessed Voldemort almost come back from the dead. Nobody was willing to believe that the darkest wizard of all time was trying to defy fate and do the impossible and rise from the dead. Harry's claims were regarded as impossible and unbelievable and he himself was called a loon; nobody wanted to know or be associated with the crazy person.
"Hey, you ok mate?" Harry looked at his best friend who had concern in his eyes. Well, almost everyone.
"Yeah I'm ok Ron. Let's get some breakfast because I'm starving." The two left in a companionable silence. They met up with Hermione outside the common room.
"Morning," she said with a bright smile. Ron grunted morning back and Harry nodded to her. She was far too happy and bright for this time of the morning. As they walked they passed students in various stages of awakeness, some looking like they would nod off at any moment. Harry concluded that this castle was full of people who were definitely not morning people; he could relate. Throughout breakfast Harry kept half an ear on a very talkative Hermione's conversation while looking around the room trying to spot a certain someone. He didn't even know why he cared so much; it was just something about the peculiar transfer student that made him want to find him, which was weird because he didn't even like the guy – even if they had only exchanged a few words. Toushirou didn't turn up for the rest of breakfast.
Said person was flash stepping up to the castle to have a shower and get changed into his school uniform for first period. His workout this morning had been hard and vigorous, and it looked like he wouldn't even get any time for breakfast. What a way to start the day. There was one thing he could be thankful of though and that was that he didn't need a gigai, so he wasn't feeling constrained as he usually did when wearing the false body. It was a good thing that wizards could see Shinigami because of their levels – even if very minor – of reiatsu, because it really would have been tough trying to find a gigai. He finished cleaning up and was just loosening his tie so it wasn't so tight around his neck when the first bell rung. Luckily McGonagall had given him his time-table the night before so that he could study it and become familiar with it. Something about needed as much preparation for this new school as possible. He looked at the time-table now and saw that he had-
"Defence Against the Dark Arts. Yes, finally things are looking up." He had heard a lot about DADA classes at Hogwarts and from what he had heard the class taught defensive and offensive spells – there theory and their practical uses. He hurried to the classroom which was on the fifth floor, not too far away, and reached the end of the corridor it was on just as the door was closing. Quickly, using shunpo, he reached the door and stopped it from shutting, and then walked in. The teacher who had closed the door looked at him and he realised that even if it was a good subject, the teacher wouldn't be so good, because the teacher was the one who had rudely interrupted Professor Dumbledore last night at the feast – the arrogant, toad-like ministry official who wore hideous amounts of pink. He calmly sat down in a chair and waited patiently for class to begin. Out of the corner of his eye he could see green eyes staring at him from across the room, but he just ignored him.
"Good morning students, as you all know I'm Professor Dolores Umbridge and I will teach you Defence Against the Dark Arts this year. Now these will be our course aims for the year. I have high hopes for all of you to do well in your O.W.L.s with me as your teacher." She turned away from the class and flicked her wrist at the blackboard which proceeded to fill up with curly writing. Why couldn't she just write it herself? Is she that lazy? Hitsugaya thought to himself.
"Are there any questions?" she asked in that false soprano voice of hers as she turned around. Hermione confidently raised her hand.
"Miss...?"
"Hermione Granger. You've only listed the work on the theory behind the spells, but you haven't actually written when we'll practise the spells."
"Well Miss Granger, the ministry don't think you need to know how to use the spells, it isn't like you'll need them, now is it. So the theory will do just fine." Damn! And I thought this was going to be a good and interesting subject, Hitsugaya thought.
Harry raised his hand.
"But what about when you need to defend yourself professor?"
"Mr Potter, when would you possibly ever need to protect yourself? There are no dangers in this world that would harm you." Hitsugaya didn't mean to do it, it just sort of slipped out, but at the toads comment he quietly snorted at how ridiculous her statement was. Every head in the room turned to look at him.
"Is there something you want to say to that Mr Hitsugaya?" She looked at him dangerously, almost daring him to say his thoughts, and never on to back down from such an obvious challenge Hitsugaya spoke up; it wasn't like he couldn't not say anything anyway.
"Well, I was just thinking at how ridiculous that statement you made was. Don't you think it's a little naive to say that there are no dangers, that nothing will harm him or anyone else? I mean everything and everyone is a potential danger, because things are unpredictable, which means anything can happen. To say he would never need to protect himself, in my opinion, is a naive, close-minded and ignorant statement. That's all." Umbridge just looked at him. Had he just insulted her!? Harry looked at him with something close to gratitude on his face. It must be hard for the raven haired boy, having hardly anyone willing to stand by his side and help him against people like Umbridge. Hitsugaya had been thinking the whole way to Hogwarts on the train how to befriend the scarred boy, but now this happened out of the blue and it was way better than he could have hoped – he had practically told Harry that he was on his side. It was perfect.
Umbridge came out of her speechlessness and walked over to Hitsugaya.
"That, Mr Hitsugaya, has just earned you detention with me this afternoon."
"Ok." Like I'm going to go.
The lesson continued as normal, with Hitsugaya only skimming over the extremely boring book they had to read – Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard – until near the end. Umbridge and Harry got into another fight about the dangers of the world, and this time Hitsugaya made sure to keep his mouth shut. It just ignored it for a while, but many other students were watching, much preferring that to the book.
"...Voldemort."
Hitsugaya's head shot up and suddenly he was very interested, though listening into a conversation halfway through could prove to be a bit confusing.
"You may believe, Mr Potter that you saw a dead wizard – one that has been dead for as long as you have been born might I add – try to become alive again, but that is impossible."
"It isn't, I was there! He killed Cedric Diggery, what more proof do you need?"
"Mr Diggery's death was just an unfortunate by product of an extremely dangerous game that quite frankly should have never been brought to Hogwarts."
"No! It was murder! Trying to deny that Voldemort is trying to regain his life will only get you killed in the long run."
"10 points from Griffindor. Now Mr Potter if you could kindly stop spreading your lies and trying to taint the minds of the students in my classroom so that we can continue with our work, that would be appreciated." Umbridge and Harry seemed to have a staring contest, neither willing to back down. From the little Hitsugaya had just heard he could work out that Voldemort was... dead? That part was still unclear, because dead people can't become not dead – that was impossible, he should know. More research on Voldemort would be required.
"I'm not lying Professor, just because you choose to live in a sheltered bubble and like to pretend that nothing's happening, that doesn't make it true."
Umbridge's eyes flashed dangerously, still not breaking eye contact with Harry, but her next words were directed at the class.
"Some of you may have been corrupted by this lying child, but I can tell you definitely that a certain Dark wizard will once again be at large, and that his reign of terror will be brought down on all our heads, cloaking this world in metaphorical darkness, but it. Is. A. Lie!" The last word came out almost like a hiss through her teeth as she broke eye contact to stare at each student individually.
"It isn't a lie, he's out there, and we need to prepare for when he does come."
"I have had enough of you Mr Potter. You have detention, come to my staffroom straight after dinner. Now sit back down and-" The bell rang cutting her off and all the students stood up to leave to their next class, potions with Snape. Hitsugaya slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out of the room towards the dungeons.
Harry watched him leave. He really hadn't expected Toushirou to take his side like that, but since he did his whole opinion of the boy was now changed. What type of person is he? Harry thought briefly to himself before deciding to find out for himself.
"Hey Toushirou, wait up!"
Hitsugaya turned around to see Harry running to catch up to him; he slowed his pace and Harry was soon at his side. He looked at Harry questioningly and Harry just turned his head slightly to the side so that he wouldn't have to look at those eyes.
"Um, I just wanted to thank you. You know, for what you said to Umbridge, and yeah. So we have potions know? DO you want to be my partner today?" Hitsugaya smiled inwardly, perfect.
"Sure, and what happened in Defence Against the Dark Arts, don't mention it, it was nothing really." The two walked towards the dungeons together. When they were seated in the classroom, Hitsugaya couldn't quite help but feel right at home in the cooler atmosphere. Professor Snape strode into the room when everyone was seated, pushing the door closed with a thud! behind him. He had greasy black hair that hung down over his face, a face which supported a very large hooked nose. As soon as he entered the room all the students became completely quiet. Hitsugaya was impressed with the man; though is outside appearance was disgusting and revolting he managed to command respect which was commendable – quite unlike Umbridge who had commanded no respect in the slightest. Hitsugaya noticed his cauldron was already down in the dungeon, and he couldn't help but wonder when it was put down here. The last time he had seen it was during his little episode with the Hogwarts Express – an episode he was glad to see that wasn't spreading like wildfire through the castle.
Hermione watched as Harry and Hitsugaya sat down next to each other a few rows away from her and Ron. Harry just completely ditched us! Last night she had gotten the feeling that Harry didn't really like Hitsugaya – which was unreasonable and irrational as he didn't even know him – but that was the feeling she had gotten. And now here they were being all chummy and buddy-buddy just because Hitsugaya had stood up for him in class. Then she stopped. Maybe he's mad at us. But why would he be mad? Maybe he's jealous because we got prefects and he didn't! That's the only thing that makes sense. But I really didn't think he was that type of person, though. Hmm...
While Hermione sat in thought Ron, too, was watching his best friend and the exchange student sitting next to each other. His lip curled as his mind came up with all different scenarios that would happen because Harry sat next to Toushirou instead of him; number one being Harry would ditch him as a best friend and be best friends with Toushirou. That thought was very off putting. Ron stared at Toushirou, his eyes boring into the smaller boy's back as though trying to drill holes in his back.
Snape had assigned them to make some kind of potion that got rid of wrinkles or something like that. Potions were second nature to Hitsugaya because he had made enough to last a life time. During the war he had to make deadly potions as quickly as humanly possible and faster; he had been the chief potion master, so these insignificant, shallow fifth year potions were nothing for him. As he was adding some fluxweed to start off his potion he felt an incredibly uncomfortable aura emitting from two people behind him. The first one was a bit sad, and maybe slightly angry, while the other, more predominant one was incredibly jealous. And both of them were directed at him. The jealous person was trying to make holes appear in his back just by staring, he could. He slowly turned in his chair to find the two auras were coming from Ron and Hermione. What could they be thinking? No scratch that, what could Hermione be thinking; Ron's obviously just jealous because I'm sitting next to his best friend. I wonder what-
"Toushirou!" Hitsugaya was pulled out of his thoughts, and his head snapped around when Harry tugged on his sleeve and said his name. Hitsugaya immediately saw what the problem was. He had a tendency to work on auto-pilot when he was thinking, and it turns out he had fallen back into doing a potion he knew very well. Too bad he had already finished it. The potion in question was a deep, rich purple colour that was completely odourless, a far cry from the putrid green potion he was meant to have made. Damn. The purple potion was in fact a very deadly potion, one of the most deadly in the world; it was rumoured to be able to kill with just when drop touching any exposed skin. Hopefully Snape hasn't noticed.
"What is this potion Toushirou? Had did you make it without any instructions or without even watching what you were doing?"
Hitsugaya didn't answer. Instead he got out his wand and was about to discreetly clean away the contents of the cauldron when Snape, who had been attracted by Harry's lack of working, popped up behind him. He had felt the teacher coming, but there wasn't anything he could do about the situation. Damnit, there are going to be a lot of questions with this, I can tell.
Snape had seen Harry not working from across the room, and not wanting to lose and opportunity to torment him, he had walked over. What he saw was not what he expected to see. To say that he was surprised when he saw Hitsugaya Toushirou trying to get rid of the contents of his cauldron, which was one of the most deadliest potions known to man – far too complicated for him to make let alone a fifth year student – would be the biggest understatement of the year. And the boy didn't even look like he thought he did anything wrong, he just looked... frustrated? That couldn't be right. Frustrated that he had gotten caught? But why make it in the first place. Not many students had ever made Severus Snape speechless, but this one did. Students had begun to look up to see why Professor Snape was just standing there and looking at the cauldron and not tormenting Harry. Instead of saying anything Snape just got out his wand and cleared away Hitsugaya's cauldron. Then he walked to the front of the room and sat down behind his desk. Nobody knew what was going on, not even Harry who had been sitting beside him. To him Hitsugaya had just accidently put in a few wrong ingredients. Five minutes passed before Snape had found his voice. When he spoke it didn't even like he lost it at all; it was as cool and severe as always.
"Get back to work, or I will start to deduct house points." Hitsugaya sighed a small sigh of relief, he was going to let it slide and he wouldn't be forced to answer questions that he couldn't.
When the bell rang for lunch everyone packed up and was about to leave when Snape cleared his throat.
"Mr Hitsugaya, stay behind." Damn, not as lucky as I thought I was.
Hitsugaya walked back into the room and sat back down in his chair, his expression remaining as unemotional as it usually is.
"I shall cut straight to the chase. That potion you made was the Virus Venenum am I correct?" Hitsugaya nodded his head; there was no point in trying to lie – well too much that is.
"How did you make it? No, why did you make it?"
"It was an accident; I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. Look, I'm sorry, can I go now?" Snape looked at him incredulously. Did this child really expect him to believe that he made the most complex and one of the most deadly poisons because he wasn't paying attention? How dumb does he think I am?! It was obvious Snape wasn't going to get a real answer out of him, so he may as well just let him go so he could talk to the Headmaster about it.
"Fine you may leave." Snape got up and watched the short student leave before he too left straight up to Professor Dumbledore's office.
Once Hitsugaya was allowed to leave he left the dungeons and went outside to sit maybe under a tree away from the student body. His stomach rumbled, reminding him of his lack of breakfast, but he ignored it, he didn't really want to face the whole school population at the moment – way too much noise and heat. But as he sat he did keep a very close eye on the auras being emitted from Harry, and also Hermione and Ron. The fact that Harry was surrounded by people like them everyday could very well be a contributing factor to his turn to darkness.
When Snape reached the gargoyle that protected Dumbledore's office he muttered "lemon drops" and the gargoyle sprang to life. He ascended the stairs and reached Dumbledore's door where he could clearly hear the Headmaster engaged in a conversation with Professor McGonagall.
"Have you even heard this ridiculous rumour flying around the school? He got on the train, literally ON the train – on the side. And then he climbed across and smashed through a window! Albus, that should be impossible. I wouldn't believe it if it were not for the evidence on the train; the carriage room he was in is full of glass and the window is completely destroyed. Not only is this a blatant disregard for school property, but it was also a reckless and stupid stunt. What can he be thinking? Does he have a death wish? Or is he just an adrenaline junkie?"
Snape, who was listening in on this conversation, decided to make his presence known and rapped his knuckles on the door. The talking immediately ceased and Snape heard Dumbledore say, "Come in," before he opened the door. Inside he saw that Dumbledore sat behind his desk with McGonagall standing in front of it.
"Yes Severus? Is there something you need me for?"
"In fact there is. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, and am I right in assuming you were talking about the new exchange student, Hitsugaya Toushirou?" Dumbledore curtly nodded his head.
"Well he's the reason why I'm here as well. You see I just had him for potions and his attention apparently wandered. This in itself is not unusual as many of my students – especially Gryffindors' – tend to let themselves drift. But anyway, when his attention wandered his hands worked on auto-pilot, but the potion they made was definitely not the potion I set. He made the Virus Venenum which is an extremely potent and deadly potion that even the most skilled of potion makers could only ever dream of making. If what he says is true and that he made it without thinking then that means that he's made it before – numerous times before – which could mean that what we have is a very skilled killer amongst our midst."
"Don't be ridiculous Severus, what we have on our hands isn't some kind of killer, but instead a young child in need of some desperate help, and quick," McGonagall said to Snape in condescending tones.
"Minerva, Severus, it's only the second day of school – the first day of the actually classes – so I say we trial Mr Hitsugaya for the next couple of weeks to see how he goes. He will be under constant, vigilant surveillance, and at the end of a few weeks we will judge his behaviour accordingly."
"And if someone dies in that probation period? What will you do then?" Dumbledore stood up his blue eyes blazing with anger.
"Severus, you have no ground on which you base your accusations. Do you really think so poorly of me to allow a murderer into the school grounds? What I have decided is final; now both of you want to watch him, so leave."
McGonagall and Snape recognised the obvious dismissal and made their way out of the office. As soon as they were gone Dumbledore sat down once again.
"Who are you," Dumbledore whispered to the room. "Hitsugaya Toushirou... hmmm...." He steepled his fingers and rested his head on top. "Are you really as Severus says; are you really just a cold blooded killer? Or are you as Minerva says, just a very troubled teen? Or are you something else entirely? Very interesting..."
Responses to some reviews:
Lady Queria - It really would be interesting wouldn't it, I know I'd like to see it so maybe I'll work it in a bit later if i can. Thanks for the review, it's always nice to read reviews for your story isn't it?
Anonymous person - I'm sorry you don't really like my story, but I don't think I understand the comment you made about it being unbelievable for Harry to be the only one capable to time travel because last time I checked it was Hitsugaya, not Harry, who travelled back in time. Also is it so far fetched to say that there would be some kind of book out there in the magical world that teaches spells of time travel, I mean there's a book teaching every single other spell isn't there.
Sapphire-angel-gem, Bokmal14 and animeloveramy - thanks guys so much for reviewing and leaving nice comments and stuff, it really makes my day to read good reviews for my storry. XD
So how was my chapter? Like it, not like, I want to hear whatever you have to say so review please, that would just be great of you if you did.
