All of my readers whom keep telling me that I shouldn't make this a yaoi, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I had long ago decided that this was going to be a yaoi. If you don't like it, then I'm sorry but it's my story. Just no flames!

Finally getting around to typing out the next chapter! Sorry my faithful readers, but things have been hectic, so I have little time to write! But enough with the excuses… here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: Would I really be writing a fanfic if I owned Bleach or Harry Potter? Think now…

Chapter 7

It was official. He hated train rides.

"You all right, Ichigo?"

The orange haired boy waved the question aside. "I'll just be glad to get back to Japan."

Ichigo stretched out on the bench and closed his eyes. His thoughts gradually made their way towards the subject of Shirou. He frowned. What was it about the Taichou that made him act so out of character, damnit?! He pushed it aside, brushing it off as his loyalty for his friends and being around immature kids too long. He wanted to look sixteen again, damnit. Well, the 12th Division had given him a special gigai to make him look younger until the mission was over. He wondered, though. Was this how Shirou felt? Being trapped in a kid's body, that is.

Okay. Stop there. He needed to get his mind away from Shirou. The Taichou seemed not to want his friendship, so what? He wasn't going to let it bother him anymore… Not that it had bothered him in the past, damnit!

Right, new subject. He was looking forward to seeing Sado and Inoue again. He even missed Ishida some. He would have to go to Soul Society first, though. At least he would be able to see Renji and Rukia. From there, he would most likely be posted back in Karakura Town where he would need to see Urahara about a gigai.

Gigai. He would prefer his own body, but it was lying buried in the ground. Some punk ass bastard with a grudge against him had shot him. Dead. Just like that. He wasn't a representative Shinigami anymore. Now, to protect his family and friends he needed to use a gigai, if he absolutely needed to be seen. Of course, it needed to be slightly disguised. It wouldn't do for Karakura to see a "dead man" walking. He looked even more like Shiba Kaien now while in the gigai. He wasn't exactly happy over it. He liked his orange hair, but there wasn't anything he could do about it.

"Ichigo!"

The teen blinked and turned his head towards the other two in the compartment. "What?"

"You sure you are all right? We've been calling you for the past few minutes."

"I'm fine. I was just thinking. What did you need?"

"We only wanted to know what you were doing this summer."

Ichigo shrugged. "I have friends back home. Hopefully there won't be any crises, though."

Hermione looked slightly worried. "Crises? What do you mean by that?"

Ichigo grimaced. "Nothing important, actually. It's just small problems we call crises."

Hermione nodded. "Oh." There was an awkward pause, before Hermione spoke again. "Oh, well, I'm visiting France with my parents this summer. How about you, Ron? Anything exciting?"

Ron blushed. "My family is kind of poor, so we aren't going anywhere special."

Ichigo looked out the window. "Don't worry about it, Ron." He paused. "We're almost back at the station. We should change."

Later, after they had departed the train, Ichigo said goodbye to Hermione and Ron. He, then, went in search of Urahara to pass off his gigai to the ex Shinigami. When he found him, Shirou was already there. Urahara smiled at him and led the way towards a small apartment. There, they left their gigai and trunks minus their homework. Shirou, then, opened a gate to Soul Society. Before they went through, Urahara placed a seal on the gate. The image shimmered and the two went through.

After several long minutes of walking, Ichigo started grumbling mentally. This was just too boring. Why didn't Shirou talk to him? Was he still ignoring him? Well, why did he even care? Che… Whatever. Why did they have to walk so far anyways?

"We have to walk from England to the Japanese Soul Society, Kurosaki. It's going to take time. Surely you are not that stupid."

It took Ichigo a few seconds to realize that he had asked the last question out loud. Ichigo scowled but said nothing, not willing to get into a fight with Shirou.

It was a while later before they finally saw the end of the passage. All too soon, they passed through the gateway. Not even pausing to exchange greetings with the guards, Shirou made his way towards the 1st Division to give his report to the Soutaichou. He, Ichigo, had to go report in to his Division first before going to see the Soutaichou.

His Division. That still sounded on even after more than a year of being 3rd seat of Division 13. Using shunpo, he made his way towards 13th Division barracks. He was soon standing in front of Ukitake-taichou's office. He was let in by a bickering. Eyeing them, he turned to his Taichou. "I don't see how you can deal with them all day."

The Taichou smiled, sipping at his tea. "You just returned, yes? You haven't seen the Soutaichou yet, have you?"

Ichigo shook his head. "Shirou gives his report first. I'll go later."

Ukitake-taichou nodded. Ichigo noted that he looked overly happy about something. Ichigo dismissed it and sat down. "Anything in the Division that I need to know about?"

Ukitake-taichou chuckled. "There are a few things, but you'll be filled in later. For now, why don't you have some tea with me?"

Ichigo blinked, but couldn't turn down his taichou's request. He accepted a cup of tea from the grinning man.

"How was the school this year, Ichigo-kun?"

Ichigo blinked and looked up from his tea. "It was alright. It's school, no matter how weird the classes are. There was an incident with a so called Chamber of Secrets that was opened. There was some sort of monster in it that was attacking the students, making them become Petrified. Basically it was like they were living statues of sorts. They were cured at the end of the year and the Chamber was closed. I think Shirou had a hand in fighting the monster and closing the Chamber."

Ukitake smiled at the use of 'Shirou' by Ichigo before asking, "What of your training in Kidou?"

Ichigo frowned thoughtfully, swirling the cup in his hands. "It's going well, I guess. Shirou hasn't told me otherwise at least. I can control my Reiatsu much better now, though I still have problems containing it when I'm fighting."

Ukitake nodded and his smile widened. "I did notice that your Reiatsu was much better contained. Very good job. Hitsugaya-taichou must be a good teacher for you to be able to get this far. I had been worried that you wouldn't be able to do it well, because of your massive Reiatsu and lack of any sort of formal training." He paused and took a sip of his tea before grinning at Ichigo. "But, you have managed to surprise me once again."

It was some time later before a Hell butterfly appeared, informing Ichigo that Shirou had finished his report and the Soutaichou was waiting for him. Ichigo stood and bid his Taichou a farewell before disappearing with a Shunpo. Ukitake set down his cup and grinned. "So, Ichigo, what will you do?"

HP/B

Ichigo refrained from fidgeting nervously. Being so powerful, sometimes it was a little uncomfortable standing in the same room as the Soutaichou. Thankfully, he had a good bit of power himself, so the feeling was lessened. Still, it could be uncomfortable standing in the same room for long amounts at a time.

He snapped out of his thoughts as the doors to the Soutaichou's office opened. Steeling himself, Ichigo stepped through, and walked into the room. The soutaichou stood at his balcony, with his back to him. Ichigo stood there silently, waiting for the old man to speak.

"Hitsugaya-taichou tells me that he has continued to teach you Reiatsu control, but otherwise you two do not interact unless necessary."

Ichigo gained a moody look on his face. "Not my fault he doesn't want anything to do with me."

He heard a slight chuckle from the Soutaichou before the old man started speaking. "Your report?"

Ichigo took a breath before giving his report in a monotone voice. He spoke for several long minutes before finishing. When he stopped speaking, he fell silent waiting for the Soutaichou to dismiss him.

"It's only your second year and yet you have already seen two separate adventures. You were not sent there for this particular reason, but protect the students if needed. Most of our interaction with humans is limited to protecting them from Hollows, but I have a feeling that your presence, along with Hitsugaya-taichou will be needed in the near future. Hisagi-fukutaichou will also continue to teach at Hogwarts. He will act as a liaison between me and all Shinigami at Hogwarts. I have already informed Hitsugaya-taichou."

Ichigo nodded eager to leave. However, the Soutaichou turned around to face him. "Kurosaki Ichigo. You have been a full Shinigami for three years now, correct?"

Unsure of where this was going, Ichigo nodded. The Soutaichou opened his eyes, looking at him. "Central 46 does not feel like you have enough experience yet to be a Taichou of the Goteijuusentai. However, they are bestowing on you, with my recommendation, the rank of fukutaichou of the 13th squad."

HP/B

Ichigo wandered the streets in a daze. He wandered aimlessly, mulling over what had happened. Yamamoto-soutaichou had said that he could refuse the appointment, but Ichigo felt like he couldn't refuse. Fukutaichou. He would be a fukutaichou of the Goteijuusentai. It was mind boggling. Him, in a position of authority? Well, then again, if they put Renji in the fukutaichou position…

Speak of the devil…

"Yo, Ichigo!"

…And the devil shall appear.

"Renji."

"Yo, man, what's up with you? Aren't you excited to be away from all those brats?"

Ichigo nodded absently. Watching him, Renji frowned. "Something happen, Ichi?"

Ichigo shrugged. "Hey, Renji, what's it like being a fukutaichou?"

Renji blinked, but answered him. "Well, there is more responsibility. There is paperwork to be done, and you need to take on the duties of the Taichou as well if something happens to your Taichou. You have to help around the squad, like training the members. If there is an emergency in the Seireitei, it's usually the fukutaichou who are delivering the orders from the Taichou. There's a lot more to it, but that's it in a nutshell. There's a lot of work involved, but I think it's a pretty rewarding job. Why do you ask, Ichi? Want to take over my job as a fukutaichou?" Renji laughed at his own joke, but quickly stopped when he saw that Ichigo wasn't laughing along with him. "Ok, what the hell is wrong with you, Ichigo!?"

Ichigo waved him off and started to walk away. "I'll tell you later, Renji. I got some stuff to think about. Ja."

Renji was left staring after Ichigo with a face that just about screamed, 'what the hell?'

HP/B

Ukitake looked up as he felt Ichigo's presence enter the room. He smiled at the slightly dazed look that the man still sported. "Ichigo-san. I take it the soutaichou told you?"

Ichigo nodded. Ukitake's smile widened. "Good, good. What did you say?"

"I accepted. I have to show up at the combined Taichou, fukutaichou meeting later today. There, I'll receive my fukutaichou badge." He paused. "Did that really just happen, Taichou?"

Ukitake looked positively gleeful. "Yup, it did. You know, I have never accepted a fukutaichou since Kaien died. Please remember that I didn't accept you as my fukutaichou because you look like him, I genuinely cannot think of a better person as my fukutaichou. And this way I get to groom you into an excellent taichou when the time comes!"

Ichigo eyed him. "I get the feeling like I need to be afraid of that statement…"

Ukitake only grinned at him and offered him a cup of tea.

The next hours were spent with the two drinking their tea and Ukitake answering questions he managed to coax out of Ichigo.

It was a few hours later that found the two Shinigami making their way towards the Taichou's hall for the combined Taichou-fukutaichou meeting. None of the Taichou seemed all that surprised to see him. Apparently, they had been warned that he was being offered the position. However, all of the fukutaichou apparently hadn't been warned.

Many of the fukutaichou wore expressions of shock. Renji in particular was unneededly vocal in his surprise. "Ichigo! What are you doing here? Did you get in trouble or something?"

Ichigo glared at him before turning his attention towards the Soutaichou, who had cleared his throat. "Recently, Ukitake-taichou came before me and nominated Kurosaki Ichigo for the position of his fukutaichou. I agreed with his nomination, but the approval of two Taichou was needed to present him with the position. All of the Taichou agreed on the promotion, but it was Hitsugaya-Taichou and Kenpachi-Taichou who gave their formal approval needed for Kurosaki Ichigo's promotion in rank."

Ichigo blinked and looked over at Shirou. The Taichou had gave his formal approval? The orange-haired Shinigami hid a smile. Even though the Taichou pretended not to, he really did like Ichigo.

The Soutaichou turned to his Soutaichou and gave him a short look before turning back to Ichigo. "Receive your badge proudly, Kurosaki-fukutaichou and serve your position in the manner fitting of your rank."

Choujirou stepped forward and held out a badge that proudly held the insignia of the 13th Division. Ichigo took it almost reverently into his hands and tied it securely onto his left arm. He gave a polite bow towards the Soutaichou before taking his place behind his Taichou.

Renji still had an unbecoming gape adorning his face, but he quickly composed himself. Ichigo, however, noted the look in the red head's eyes, promising a confrontation after the meeting had reached conclusion. Ichigo ignored him as best he could and focused on the meeting at hand.

It was several hours later that found Ichigo stumbling out of the meeting hall and trying to avoid a redhead on a mission aka Abarai Renji.

However, in his focus on trying to avoid Renji, he was instead accosted by another redhead… a redhead with massive breasts aka Matsumoto Rangiku.

"Ichiiii-kuuun," was his only warning before he was attacked by a certain fukutaichou, her giant appendages pressed against his back. There was a pout in her voice as she complained. "Why didn't you tell us you were going to become a fukutaichou, Ichi-kun?"

Ichigo struggled fruitlessly to escape her clutches. "I only just found out today, myself. They sprung it on me when I got back. Don't blame me! Don't let me go!"

Matsumoto giggled. "No way, Ichi-kun! You're coming with us to celebrate your promotion!"

Ichigo froze. "Who's 'us'?"

Matsumoto giggled again. "All the fukutaichou, of course! You've had sake before, right?"

Ichigo paled. Sake? He had never drunk sake before; he didn't know how well he could hold his liquor. He started to struggle again. "That's quite alright! You don't need me there! I'll just be leaving, then!"

But, Matsumoto would have none of it and pulled pour Ichigo off to a bar, most of the fukutaichou following behind them.

HP/B

The next morning, Ichigo was awoken by a cheerful Ukitake, a painful headache pounding his temples. Ukitake grinned at him. "Up and at'em, Ichigo-kun! It's your first day of fukutaichou duties. First on the agenda is paperwork! Get dressed and let's go!"

Ichigo groaned and got out of bed slowly as not to aggravate his headache. Dressing slowly. He eventually followed Ukitake-Taichou out to the Taichou's office. There, he was directed towards his new desk and a giant pile of paperwork was dropped down in front of him.

While Ichigo was gapping at the size of the pile, Ukitake ran through a series of directions for him in relation to the mound of paperwork. When he finished speaking, he returned to his own desk and mound of paperwork.

Ichigo groaned and pulled a paper towards him. As he started on it, he made a vow to get his revenge on Matsumoto for getting him drunk the night before. Almost crying he started on the paperwork, he set in for a long day. He didn't sign up for this nightmare.

Ukitake could only chuckle at Ichigo's expression. Kaien had a similar expression on his first day. To tell the truth, he was sure that most fukutaichou had similar reactions.

Later, when the paperwork for the day was finally finished, Ukitake sent Ichigo out to handle the new recruits. Poor Ichigo, it was a trial and a half.

It had started off easy enough. He had been set to evaluating the skill levels of the just recently graduated from the Shinigami Academy recruits. He set them to tests on the training grounds and observed. Another ranked officer was with him to observe the Kidou tests, but left soon after that test was done since it was the first one. After that, it all went down the drain.

He set off pairing off the new recruits, first. He, then, set them to fighting one pair at a time while he monitored. It went relatively well, though he needed to intervene a few times to prevent any deaths. Not to mention the fact that he needed to avoid several poorly aimed attacks.

When it really hit the fans was when a new recruit stepped forward and challenged him. Ichigo took a moment to examine the recruit. It was a girl and she was tall, about as tall as he. She had dark brown hair pulled into a high ponytail with long bangs framing her face (A/n: think hair similar to Kanda from -man). The straight strands swayed slightly behind her in the breeze along with the long strips of dark red ribbon that she used to keep it in place. Mismatched eyes held a fierce and determined expression. She had one blue eye and one grey eye, unusual but suited to her face. A black chocker was wrapped around her neck, the only decoration she added to her Shinigami attire.

Ichigo crossed his arms and asked her name. She grinned and replied. "Ketsueki Etsumi is my name, Berry-fukutaichou."

Ichigo's eye twitched and he groaned. Great… a female version of Renji.

"Hey! At least I'm smarter! Abarai-fukutaichou is so dense and slow. Aaaaand I can do a Kidou much better than he ever could."

Ichigo blinked. Apparently he had said that out loud. Shaking himself mentally he threw a slight glare at the girl. "That's Kurosaki-fukutaichou to you, Ketsueki."

"But you're name means strawberry doesn't it? So, thinking of that I decided to give you a nickname. What's so wrong with that, Berry-fukutaichou? Now are you going to fight me or not? Kenny-taichou says you are a great warrior!"

Ichigo's mind came to a screeching halt. Kenny-taichou? Kenpachi?! Who the hell calls him something similar besides Yachiru?! Who the hell was this girl?! "One question for you."

"Knock yourself out, Berry-fukutaichou."

Ichigo refrained from growling and asked, "Why the hell are you not in the 11th Division with Kenpachi?"

The girl shrugged and grinned. "Dunno… but who cares? Are we gunna fight or not Berry-fukutaichou? Or are you afraid of a girl beating you in a fight?"

Ichigo really did growl at this point. "Ok. Fine. If you want to fight with me then I'll go along with it. Just don't come whining to me when I prove too much for you and I beat you into the ground!"

The girl only grinned and drew her zanpaktou. Her hand was wrapped around the dark red bandages of the hilt. Not missing a beat from drawing, she ran two fingers along the light silver of the zanpaktou's blade. As she did so, she called out, "Sanshi, Tsuki Shinku!" ("Deep reflection, Crimson Moon!" if the translation is wrong please tell me!)

There was a swirl of deep red Reiatsu and the zanpaktou transformed in her hand to a longer blade with long silver tassels coming from the end of the hilt. Ichigo snorted. "That was anti-climatic."

Etsumi sniggered. "If you say so. Prepare yourself, Berry-fukutaichou!"

Grinning, but a bright gleam of determination burning in her eyes, she swung her zanpaktou in a tight circle causing sunlight to reflect off the blade. Ichigo had to shield his eyes and when he recovered, Etsumi had disappeared.

"Kaisou tou!" ("Reflection knife!")

Ichigo whirled around, Etsumi's voice calling from behind him. He was confronted by what looked to be beams of red light. Drawing Zangetsu quickly, he guarded himself against the onslaught. However, when the beams hit Zangetsu, he didn't even feel a tremor. Confused he lowered his zanpaktou, but still wary and on guard. That was when he felt sharp blades rip into his back and he was slammed forward.

Grunting, he stood back up, ignoring the warm liquid that he could feel sliding down his back. He glared up at a grinning Etsumi. "Having trouble there, Berry-fukutaichou?"

Ichigo snorted. "You wish. Getsuga Tenshou!"

Etsumi quickly used Shunpo to get out of the way of the oncoming attack, though she was caught in the arm. Grimacing at the blood now flowing down her arm, she quickly ignored it and unleashed another attack at Ichigo.

More of the red beams of light flew at Ichigo. Tensing at the similarities to the earlier attack, and the attack too fast to adequately Shunpo out of the way, he ignored the beams and turned to defend against the almost invisible silver beams that had been flying towards his back. However, the silver beams impacted harmlessly against Zangetsu and the red beams sliced through his back a split second later.

Etsumi giggled. "Which attack is the real one, Berry-fukutaichou? Two come at you, but which is real? Which one is the reflection?"

Clenching his jaw, Ichigo used Shunpo, trying to attack her too quickly for her to launch another of her own attacks. Etsumi was able to hold her own somewhat, though she was soon thrown back across the training field with a large gash across her torso. She struggled to stand, but when she did, she used Shunpo and called out, "Kaisou tou!"

Ichigo tensed and used his own Shunpo to get out of the path of the red and silver projectiles. He was taken by surprise, though, when they both fell harmlessly into the ground. He quickly whirled around to defend himself just in time against more silver beams that had been hurdling towards his back. A few of the projectiles slide past his defenses and slammed into his arms and chest.

Ichigo growled. Ok. It was time to end this. The girl was good, but this fight was over. Boosting more speed into his attacks and Shunpo, he attacked Etsumi.

Struggling to hold her own against Ichigo's more powerful attacks, she was eventually defeated. Ichigo could only sigh in relief. Maybe she would leave him alone now. Well, at least he could hope.

Having finally awoken from having been knocked unconscious, Etsumi slowly stood. She grinned at Ichigo. "You're an awesome sparring partner! Can we train everyday when you're not too busy?"

The orange haired fukutaichou groaned. Oh, no… Forget Renji… he would have to avoid her like he did Kenpachi, but this girl was in his own Division! He would probably see her every day! Could he go back to Hogwarts now? But summer had only just started… he could cry at the unfairness.

"And we all know that one day you will become a Taichou! You definitely have enough power to be one! I'm going to make it my mission to become your fukutaichou when you do!"

On the other side of Seireitei, Renji could have sworn that he heard a loud voice saying, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" And it sounded oddly like Ichigo, but that should be impossible.

HP/B

The rest of the summer passed in a blur of paperwork and Division duties for both Ichigo and Toshirou. All too soon, it was time to return to the real world and Hogwarts along with it. However, before they left, they were called to the Soutaichou's office.

"I have heard news of the escape of an individual from one of the Wizarding prisons. Now, usually this would not affect you, but in this case it does. A one Sirius Black escaped from the Wizarding prison Azkaban. It is rumored that he worked for the wizarding dark lord Voldemort and was the one to betray your parents, Hitsugaya-Taichou. There is another rumor that he escaped to go after you. Be on your guard this year, Hitsugaya-Taichou. You as well, Kurosaki-fukutaichou. Hisagi-fukutaichou will be returning as well so if you have anything to report you can send it through him. You are dismissed."

As he left the office along with Kurosaki-fukutaichou, Hitsugaya felt like breaking his icy mask and groaning in frustration. He had a horrible feeling that something was going to go horribly wrong this year. How he hoped… pleaded that he was wrong.

HP/B

Finally done with this chapter! It's so much harder to find time to write nowadays! I work every day so I'll try to find time when I can! Please review! The review button is starved of attention!