*A Month In*

Flitwick's office

Saeko stood in front of her Head of House's office and knocked politely. A 'come in' order resounded from within. The girl entered confidently and bowed slightly "Flitwick-sensei, O'Shea-san said you wanted to see me?"

The diminutive wizard smiled and nodded "Indeed miss Uchiha, I'm happy you could join me. Please sit down. Tea?"

"No thank you professor" Saeko replied and sat down in front of the big desk and crossed her legs at the ankles, the very picture of a British lady even if she was not.

Flitwick poured himself a cup and sat back down "I'm sure you're wondering what this is about, as were all your peers" he begun, "This is merely a way for me to get to know the new Ravens and connect with them – I find it helps with teaching and helps build a bond of trust between my Ravens and I."

Saeko nodded in understanding, making a vague parallel to the genin introductions. Flitwick smiled "So, what are your thoughts of Hogwarts now that you've had a month to settle in? The headmaster told me you are from Japan and new to our magic, so how are you coping?"

The ninja took a moment to think "Well, the castle is beautiful, very different to what I'm used to. I hate your food though" Saeko smiled as did the charms professor. "Otherwise I like it here, your library the best. I find the lessons a bit slow though."

Flitwick nodded "Yes, your performance in both Minerva's class and my own is quite remarkable, managing every spell on your very first try. I think I could write you a list of some more advanced books so you could progress at your own pace if you are interested."

"That would be lovely" Saeko smiled, genuinely grateful to her teacher.

"How about your dorm situation, any problems?" he continued.

The kunoichi smiled "No, miss Weir is a great roommate and a friend."

"Excellent. Any other matters that I should know about?" asked the wizard.

"No sensei"

The wizard nodded "I'm glad to hear that. But if you need anything you are always welcome here." Saeko thanked him and stood up. "If you could call here Mr Wallace."

"I shall, good day Flitwick-sensei" Saeko bowed.

"Same to you Miss Uchiha" the small man smiled.

X

Helena and Ashley were sitting in the common room when Saeko came through the passageway. Catching their eye the ninja went to them "Hey, do you know who Wallace is? He's the next in line for Flitwick's."

The blonde shook her head uninterestedly. Ashley looked around the room and pointed out a boy sitting at a nearby desk, writing. Saeko thanked her and approached her classmate to inform him about his meeting.

Having done her duty she sat on the floor near her friends. Helena looked from her book down at the Uchiha "So how was it?"

"I would guess pretty much the same as yours. I like Flitwick though, he's a good teacher and seems like a good Head of House" Saeko mused.

Helena hummed in agreement. Ashley closed her eyes "I guess I'll find out soon, I am the last to go. Let me tell you, being at the end of the alphabet sucks."

Her friends didn't react at the exclamation so Ashley sighed in dismay. Before she could say anything they were approached by Caitlin O'Shea, a short-haired brunette "Hey girls, have you heard? We've got flying lessons tomorrow!"

The blonde sighed again. "Hallelujah" she said sarcastically.

Ashley lit up as did Saeko. Caitlin grinned "You're not excited?"

"Not really, I like being firmly on the ground, thank you very much" Helena crossed her arms.

The Irish girl shrugged "Too bad. What about you guys?"

"I like it, I'm not very good on a broom but I like the view and the feeling of flight. Pity first-years are forbidden to bring brooms" Ashley replied.

Saeko grinned "I'm looking forward to it, I have never flown on a broom before."

Caitlin looked aghast and begun talking about brooms and flying to Saeko who absorbed the information like a sponge. Ashley soon joined in as Helena opened her book again after rolling her eyes at the three girls.

Transfiguration Classroom

"This is getting boring" Ashley sighed as she performed a flawless transfiguration. Saeko was reading the book for the lesson so she just nodded.

Helena was twirling her wand, trying to think up some variations for the spell "Indeed, we have been at this three lessons already. The Gryffindors are sure slow, our House is all done."

"Just read ahead" Saeko told her.

"They normally take less than this, my guess they are too distracted by the upcoming quidditch match. They are playing Slytherin" Ashley mused.

"Mendokse" Saeko sighed. The Brits looked at her in question. "It means 'what a drag." Both girls nodded. Ashley opened her book while Helena resumed her musings.

Finally Caitlin got fed up and raised her voice "Professor? Could you throw us a bone here? We are all done."

McGonagall glared at the girl "You can start the homework I planned to give you today."

"Swell" Peter murmured.

The Gryffindor who didn't manage a complete transformation yet glared at the ravens, Caitlin in particular. Work resumed and the Ravenclaws begun copying their assignment from the board.

"Well, at least we can take some comfort that we are upholding the 'smart and witty' tradition of our House as we are steamrolling others in classes" Paddy whispered loud enough for his housemates to hear. Chuckles ensued. The Lions glared at them again, some muttering.

"Yeah, it particularly shows in House points – we are ahead, only the Slytherins are close" Michelle said proudly.

Peter shook his head "But that will only last till the weekend". Seeing her puzzled expression he elaborated "Quidditch. That's a boost in points like you wouldn't believe."

Most ravens frowned but nodded. Another muggleborn voiced their collective discontent "I find it hardly fair that a sport counts more than schoolwork. In a school."

"Not necessarily, it really depends on the difference in the score – it can be ten or a hundred points" Daniel explained.

Caitlin shrugged "We'll see what this season will bring. I heard we have a new beater and two chasers."

McGonagall glared at the ravens to make them shut up. The students obliged and went back to work till the bell rang.

X

"Welcome to the first quidditch match of the season – the awaited duel between the House of Lions and the House of Snakes" announced the commentator – a boy from Hufflepuff. The thunderous applause increased even more.

"As usual we have our own Madam Hooch refereeing" another bout of applause ensued.

"And now please welcome the teams! Flying in scarlet we have Wood, Harewood, Weber, Powers, Hansley, Cox aaand Anderson!" more cheers with interspersed boos from the Slytherins.

"And their green-wearing opponents West, Flint, Daugherty, Duke, Gillen, Monk aaand Archer!" cheers and boos again.

As the majority of the noise died out Madam Hooch released the snitch and the bludgers. The witch finally took hold of the red ball.

"Aaand the quaffle is released and the game starts ladies and gentlemen! Slytherin in possession, great maneuver by Daugherty. Quick passes between the chasers, quaffle to, but no! Pass interjected by the House of the Brave, excellent work Harewood!"

The match went on. "Cool" said Saeko who had never seen a quidditch match before, "Hey Caitlin!"

The Irish girl sat one row down between her friends "Yeah?"

"You promised to explain me the rules now that I see the game live" the ninja smiled avidly.

"Oh, yes, of course!" Caitlin's eyes shone.

X

"Well, it seems your friend Peter was right, with this win Slytherin took our place in the lead for the House Cup" Helena said as they entered their common room.

Saeko frowned, her competitive side showing "Yeah, thank you very much Lions, they got quite a beating."

The light brunette frowned too "Yeah, their seeker sucks. I hope our own team can even the odds slightly."

The ninja slumped down on a sofa "Caitlin says our team tends not to be the greatest. The history speaks for itself. But with the new players… we'll see."

"That aside how did you like quidditch?"Ashley asked. Before the Uchiha could answer Ashley got a thought "Which sports do you have in Konoha by the way?"

Helena looked mildly interested as well. The raven-haired girl changed positions and sat on the sofa sideways "The life in Konoha is exciting enough and active enough to add sport in the equation. In our spare time we usually train or just hang around. Every shinobi has an outlet for outside missions - a friend of mine plays shougi and loves cloud-watching for example. Or there is a ninja who reads porn in public or another one who loves to exercise and issues challenges to nearly anyone in shouting distance. No sports though."

The British girls looked surprised at the sharing, always curious to learn more about such a foreign environment. Helena arched her eyebrows "Well, that's… singular. What do you do, I haven't seen you doing something like that."

Saeko was thinking for a second "Ensuring I become the next Hokage. So research on our clan's history, making myself known, training, researching and making spells. Every famous ninja has one technique, spell – we call it jutsu, as a signature."

Ashley looked flabbergasted "That's quite something. But not really a hobby, it's politics." Helena nodded.

"I know, that's what niisan says. Sarutobi-sama as well. That is one of the reasons I am here, this is akin to a holiday to me as well as a research opportunity. Brother was quite worried I would burn out as many child prodigies. So my hobby now is learning western magic I guess. I was actually thinking I would try out for the Ravenclaw quidditch team next year, it could be fun" Saeko mused.

"Oh, that could be cool. What position were you thinking? And who is Sarutobi-sama?" Ashley asked.

"I'm just thinking it, not sure yet. Sarutobi-sama is our current Hokage, the Sandaime" the ninja explained.

Helena looked intrigued "You know your leader in person and he is concerned about you? That would bode well for your ambition, no?"

Saeko smiled "It does. He actually acknowledged my candidature, not that I am the only one. He is quite old and he retired once already so he is already contemplating his successors."

"Wow" the Brits said in unison. The blonde continued "That's quite something. You are actually considered to become the leader of your nation! For real?"

"Yes. I do have a long way to go, it is just a dream in this stage. But I do have my name going for me and my mission record is near to spotless" Saeko said to cool down the excitement.

"Do you have much competition?" Ashley asked curious, still coming to terms with the whole thing – her friend was supposedly a soldier, possibly the next in line to be a de facto general.

The nin sighed "Oh, yes. And that is provided I don't fuck up like never and don't die on the job. There are several excellent shinobi who would be candidates but they don't want the position much though. My brother is one but he would outright refuse, he already hates being Clan Head. The guy who reads porn is another – Hatake Kakashi. Then there are the students of Sarutobi but neither would take if not forced. And many others, a sneaky elder councilman among them, he's very dangerous. Those would take precedence if something happened right now but it looks like I have time to catch up. I have one rival that concerns me, Uzumaki Naruto. He has a big handicap but I think he should be able to turn the tables. He too has been ranting for ages about wanting to be Godaime. He has the will, a good pedigree, charisma, he's a grandson figure to Sarutobi-sama and if he applies himself he will have the necessary power. But I think I am ahead in this race." Towards the end Saeko was more talking to herself than to them.

"How so?" Helena asked even more intrigued.

"We are equal in name status but his heritage is not common knowledge yet. I already led several teams as opposite to Naruto, and I have the respect of the populace. Sarutobi-sama has a better relationship with Naruto but he is more than capable to being impartial. I have far more pull on the Council as I already attended few meeting in niisan's stead. Power-wise I am indubitably ahead for the moment. And I have a far, far better reputation. Also I am a chuunin already whilst he is but a genin. But he is known to be the Konoha's number one surprising ninja" Saeko mused.

The blond tried to analyze the situation "Hm. What I fail to understand is what are you doing here then? Appeasing your brother and the Hokage that are concerned about your over-focus?"

"Part of it. Your kind of magic is very different to ours and my mastering it even partially gives me advantage over others. It makes me unique. And Hogwarts is a safe environment to grow" the Uchiha said.

Helena narrowed her eyes, knowing there was more to it but unwilling to delve into it. Ashley got the hint as well, she grinned "Well, we still need to find you a proper hobby."

Saeko smiled in response.

Great Hall

"What got you so hyped up?" Saeko asked her roommate.

Ashley looked at the ninja incredulously "It's Halloween!"

The blonde who was playing with her oatmeal eyed the smaller brunette "You mean Samhain, right? The most magical night of the year."

"Hm, sure. But Halloween! I love the muggle holiday. Candy, costumes, spooking people! It's awesome!" Ashley practically jumping on her seat.

"Hold the exclamation marks! Calm down" Saeko, "I doubt we get to do that stuff here."

"Fortunately" the blonde mock-whispered.

Ashley deflated a bit "I know. But I always liked it and I'm not going to stop now, am I. At least we get candy and chocolate. And the decorations sure will be there. And I heard that sometimes the ghosts put on a show!"

"Sounds great" the Uchiha smiled, finished with her breakfast.

The historian's smile widened "You get Halloween in Konoha?"

"Nope. We have two major festivals. One was the tenth of this month – the Kyuubi festival. We get booths with games, food and trinkets. Oh and booze. And you know, being generally merry" Saeko shrugged.

Their talk was interrupted by the usual entry of owls. This time there was an owl-sized crow among the parliament. Saeko practically lit up, not expecting to receive mail as the other students since she talked with her brother every other week. She just hoped the bird would not talk - it would raise too many questions.

The crow spotted the Uchiha and landed on her shoulder. Saeko smiled at the messenger and took the scroll from it. The bird cawed and took off. The brits eyed the Uchiha, waiting for a comment. Saeko explained "My brother's messenger, we don't do owls."

The kunoichi opened the scroll, finding a classical storage seal. Channeling chakra into the scroll a bunch of other scrolls appeared. "Letters from Konoha" Saeko breathed out.

Helena gave the brunette a rare smile "A long voyage indeed."

Saeko grinned and opened the first letter. Ashley looked over her shoulder "Hey, there are only few lines there!" she said outraged.

The ninja laughed "That's Shika for you. He's lazy as hell, even worse than his father. I should feel flattered her even bothered to take up a brush."

Ashley nodded and left her friend alone to read.

X

Summoner's realm

"Did you like my present?" Itachi asked when his sister landed.

Saeko positively beamed "Yes, thank you. It was nice hearing from them all. The manner they arrived was a great surprise, thank you!"

The younger of the siblings hugged her brother to show the sentiment. Itachi poked her forehead as he always did "Did you write them back?"

Saeko took a scroll from her pocket and gave it to the jounin "How could I not, here. By the way what did you tell them? Hogwarts is classified."

"That you are away on a long-term mission, undercover somewhere – the same as you said them before" Itachi answered, "Naruto was a bit put out by that – both that his rival is away and the fact that you are on a high-level mission and he's stuck with D-ranks."

The girl chuckled "Sounds like him. Well, I'll be back for the Christmas break. I will right, or do you have orders that say otherwise?"

"No, the Hokage anxiously awaits your return, the report left him hoping. I think he will make you fight somebody to see the magical application for himself so be prepared" Itachi warned her.

Saeko nodded in understanding "It seems logical, I will be prepared. I miss Konoha to be honest. And you of course."

Itachi smiled "Me too little sister. Another thing, I have a mission so we need to postpone our next meeting. I will miss your birthday too so here."

The brunette took the offered package. "Happy birthday" Itachi smiled.