Sorry, I haven't updated this story in ages however, please enjoy chapter 7 part 1 ^_^
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Chapter 7:: Trouble Aboard The Hogwarts Express ...
"Do we really have to wear these uniforms?" Sakura sighed, as she adjusted her plain black school robes.
Hotaru sighed. "Hai."
Sakura hesitated a moment and then frowned slightly, "but you're not wearing your uniform."
"That's because I'm going to get changed on the train later. However, most first years come to platform nine and three-quarters wearing their uniforms."
"We have to pretend to be first years?" Sakura exclaimed. And then her eyes widened, "but that means we won't be in the same classes."
Hotaru sighed, "we might not be in the same classes, anyway. It depends on the house you're put in; however, we'll be in same year. Remember, Dumbledore told you that while you're here, you'll be transfer students. Only Dumbledore, myself, Harry, Ron and Hermione and some of the other teachers will know who you really are. However, Dumbledore made it very clear to me that because you're transfer students and therefore new to Hogwarts, that you have to make a good first impression. And he also made it clear to me that, to make your transfer to Hogwarts more official, you'll have to go through the first year ceremony."
"What ceremony?" Sakura asked curiously.
"I thought I'd already told you? All first years get to Hogwarts across the great lake in small, enchanted boats. Then they're lead to the Great Hall, usually by McGonagall, who's the head of Gryffindor house, where the Sorting Ceremony takes place in front of all the other students, which I must say will be quite an audience. Once you've been sorted by the sorting hat, you'll join your house table."
"How will we know which table to join?" Sakura asked softly.
"Oh, you'll know." Hotaru replied with a slight smile. "However, I will warn you that you'll probably be deaf after the ceremony."
Sakura smiled slightly, "I guess this sorting ceremony is rather important."
Hotaru nodded, "yeah, it is." And then Hotaru frowned slightly. "Do you know anything about the four houses?" She asked softly.
"Not really, and I can't even remember the names of the houses. They're rather complicated."
"Hm, I found that, but trust me, you'll get used to it. Ok, the four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I'm in Gryffindor, along with Harry, Ron and Hermione. All of Ron's relatives are also in Gryffindor, and personally it's the best house, but I would say that. Students who are brave of heart, daring and chivalrous usually end up in Gryffindor. So I suppose Naruto will end up in Gryffindor."
"Naruto?!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Well, he seems brave of heart and he comes across as daring." Hotaru replied simply.
Sakura hesitated a moment and then sighed, "he is brave of heart and daring."
Hotaru smiled slightly. Next is Hufflepuff, and students who are just and loyal, patient and unafraid of toil end up there. Or there's Ravenclaw. Students, who end up in Ravenclaw, have a ready mind and enjoy learning. So I suppose, you'll probably end up there. And then there's Slytherin, and students who end up Slytherin are rather cunning."
"I'd rather end up in Gryffidnor." Sakura replied softly.
Hotaru smiled slightly, "everyone says that, but it doesn't really matter which house you're in."
"Well, I don't want to be in Slytherin, that's for sure." Sakura replied firmly.
Hotaru smiled slightly, "that's what Harry was thinking when he put the sorting hat on his head. However, if you wish with all your heart to be in a particular house, then the sorting hat will listen to you and place you in that house."
"But what if my head and my heart are saying two different things? Should I follow my heart or listen to reason?"
Hotaru hesitated a moment and then sighed, "you should always follow your heart."
Sakura smiled slightly, "thanks Hotaru-chan."
"Don't mention it, Sakura-chan."
Platform nine and three quarters was now starting to fill up. Hotaru could easily pick out the new students. Not only were they shorter than everyone else, but they were also sticking very close to their parents, unwilling to take that first step into the world of magic which would change their lives forever. The older students on the other hand were socialising with friends. The hot topic for discussion was of course the Quidditch World Cup. Some of the students who had been able to get tickets were proudly showing off their souvenirs to their jealous friends. And then, Hotaru saw Fred and George making their way through the crowd of people towards the Hogwarts Express, the gleaming scarlet steam engine that would transport them all to Hogwarts School. However, she didn't have time to stand around and think about that now. She quickly grabbed hold of Sakura's arm, and dragged the bewildered pink-haired kunoichi through the crowd of people.
And then Hotaru saw Harry, Ron and Hermione. They were saying goodbye to a plump woman, with flaming red hair, just like Ron's. Hotaru smiled slightly, so that was Ron's mum, Mrs Weasley.
Hotaru loosened her grip on Sakura's arm and approached the little group.
"Hey!" She called out cheerfully.
Harry, Ron and Hermione spun around to look at her, their eyes wide. "Hotaru!" They intoned in unison.
"Long time no see," Hotaru replied, smiling broadly.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked curiously.
"Do I need a reason to see my three best friends?" Hotaru replied simply.
"Well ... No ..." Ron replied hesitantly, his cheeks a bright red colour. "But we thought you weren't coming back ..."
"Why Ron, I do believe you're blushing." Mrs Weasley interrupted with a slight smile.
"Mum!" Ron exclaimed, and Hotaru burst out laughing.
Ron immediately cleared his throat, and tried to act as casual as possible. "Hotaru, I'd like you to meet my mum."
Hotaru released Sakura's arm, walked towards Mrs Weasley, and then held out her hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs Weasley."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you too, Hotaru. Thank you for looking after Ron."
Hotaru blushed slightly, "hey, don't mention it."
"You're such a kind young woman," Mrs Weasley continued, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I'd be thrilled to have someone like you as my daughter-in-law."
Hotaru's eyes widened and Ron almost chocked on the Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Bean Harry had offered him.
"Well ... I'm honoured ... You think that way ... Mrs Weasley ..." Hotaru replied hesitantly. "But, well ... I'm afraid that it'd be ... Impossible for Ron and I ... To date ... You see ... I already have ... Feelings for someone else ..."
Mrs Weasley smiled sincerely. "Hold onto that special person, won't you, Hotaru? You never know what might happen."
Hotaru sighed, "I'll try my best ... But it's kind of complicated ..."
However, before Hotaru could continue her sentence, she heard two familiar voices calling her name.
"Hey Hotaru!" The two voices called out and Hotaru released Mrs Weasley's hand. With a smile, she turned around and saw Fred and George walking towards their growing group.
"Hey Fred, George." Hotaru replied cheerfully.
"How are you?" Fred asked, smiling broadly.
"How was Konoha?" George added, also smiling broadly.
"I'm fine, thanks. And Konoha hadn't changed all that much. Although, there's a new Hokage there now."
"Really?" Fred and George intoned at the same time.
"Hn ... Unfortunately, Sarutobi-sensei was killed, but I'll tell you about that later ..."
However, at that moment, they were joined by two more red-haired guys.
"What's going on here?" Asked the taller of the two.
"Hey Bill," Fred replied cheerfully.
"This is Hotaru, Ron's friend." George added, cheerfully.
"Hotaru," Fred continued, "this is Bill and Charlie."
"They're our older brothers." George finished simply.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Hotaru replied with a slight smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too," replied the shorter of the two. "I'm Charlie Weasley." And Charlie held out his right hand.
Hotaru took Charlie's hand in her right hand and shook it. She noticed that his hand was rather callused, however, that was probably due to the fact that Charlie worked with dragons in Romania. Hotaru also noticed that Charlie, was built like the twins. He was shorter and stockier than Percy and Ron, who were both long and lanky. He had a broad, good-natured face, which was weather-beaten and so freckly that he looked almost tanned. And unsurprisingly, his arms were rather muscly, however, what caught Hotaru's attention the most, was the large shiny burn on his right arm.
And then Hotaru released Charlie's hand and turned to face Bill.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Hotaru. I'm Bill Weasley." And Bill also held out his right hand. Hotaru, smiling slightly, took Bill's hand and shook it. She knew that he worked for the wizarding bank, Gringotts and was well aware of the fact that, he had been Head Boy at Hogwarts, so Hotaru had always assumed that Bill would be an older version of Percy; fussy about rule-breaking and fond of bossing everyone around. But Bill was, to put it simply, cool. He was tall, just like Percy and Ron, however Bill had long hair, which he'd tied back in a ponytail. And Hotaru noticed that his clothes wouldn't have looked out of place at a rock concert. However, she was more interested in his earring; or rather the fang that was dangling from it.
"Why, Hotaru," George said teasingly, forcing her out of her daydream like state. "I do believe your blushing."
Hotaru's eyes narrowed slightly, however she calmly released Bill's hand and turned to face George. She hesitated a moment and then exclaimed, "I am not blushing!"
"If you say so," Fred added, teasingly.
"Do you want me to hex you?" Hotaru asked pointedly.
"Not really," the twins replied in unison.
"Then I suggest ..." However, at that moment Hotaru realised that she'd forgotten all about Sakura. "Sorry, Sakura, I didn't mean to ignore you." And everyone turned to face the pink-haired kunoichi.
"That's ok, Hotaru." Sakura replied, blushing slightly.
Hotaru smiled slightly and then cleared her throat, "everyone, I'd like you to meet a good friend of mine."
Sakura inclined her head slightly, "I'm Sakura Haruno. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Harry frowned slightly. "Is she ...?"
Hotaru smiled slightly, "yes. Sakura is in fact a medical kunoichi, who was trained by the new Hokage."
"Really?!" Fred and George exclaimed at the same time.
"Hai," Sakura replied simply.
"Then you've got to be a Jounin." Fred added, his eyes wide.
"If you're a Jounin, you'd be the same rank as Hotaru. That'd mean you're extremely strong. So, what rank are you?" Ron asked curiously.
"Oh, I'm not a Jounin." Sakura replied, blushing slightly. "I'm a Chuunin."
"Why aren't you a Jounin?" Ron asked curiously.
"Ron!" Hermione snapped. "There's no need to interrogate Sakura!"
"What? I was only asking."
"But ..." Hermione began but Sakura interrupted her.
"It's ok, I don't mind telling you. I'm not a Jounin yet, because I'm not ready to be a Jounin. However, I plan to take the Jounin exam, when I'm ready."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you." Hermione said softly. "Isn't it Ron? Harry?"
"Yeah," Ron replied unenthusiastically.
"Ron!" Hermione snapped.
"What? I'm only expressing how I feel. If Hotaru's come back for one more year, I don't see why she had to bring someone else. I'd have preferred it, if it had just been her."
"Ron, you can't say things like that!" Hermione exclaimed. "Say something Harry!" However, Harry agreed with Ron, so decided to keep quiet.
"What is it with you two?! You could at least appreciate the fact that Sakura has come all this way to help Hotaru."
"Hotaru doesn't need any help though," Ron replied grumpily. "She'll do just fine on her own. She took care of us by herself last time, didn't she? I mean, if it wasn't for her, we probably wouldn't be here right now."
"That's true, but ..."
"That's enough, Hermione. Ron's entitled to his own opinions, however, the same goes for you too Ron. Hermione does have a point; you could at least try and get along with Sakura and the others."
"There are others?" Ron asked, his eyes wide.
"Yeah."
"Why?" Ron exclaimed.
"Because ... Well ... I'll tell you when the time is right, ok?"
"Which will be never ..." Ron muttered under his breath.
"Do you want me to hex you, Ron Weasley? I know a few good ones now."
Ron sighed, "no ..."
"Then I suggest you keep quiet ..."
And then Bill cleared his throat. "Uhh ... I don't mean to interrupt but, what are you guys talking about?"
"Oh ... I just assumed you knew who I am. Sorry Bill."
"That's ok. So who are you?"
"Well, I'm not actually a witch." Hotaru replied softly. "I'm actually a kunoichi, however, only your family, Harry, Hermione and a few teachers know. As far as everyone else is concerned, I'm a witch. For the past three years I've protected Harry, Ron and Hermione from You-Know-Who. However, last year was supposed to be my final year at Hogwarts; but Dumbledore ..."
"I knew Dumbledore was behind this!" Harry exclaimed.
Hotaru sighed, "kuso ... Well, I guess there's no point denying it anymore. You're right Harry, Dumbledore did ask me to come back for one more year; however he also asked me to bring along some friends."
Harry sighed, "I bet Dumbledore asked you to come back after the incident at the Quidditch World Cup."
Hotaru sighed, "yeah."
"But we can take care of ourselves!" Harry exclaimed.
"I know you can, Harry, but Dumbledore's worried. And besides, I don't mind being back here. In fact, I missed Hogwarts ... And ... Well, let's just say that it'll be nice to get away from Konoha for a while."
Ron frowned, "did something happen?"
Hotaru hesitated a moment and then inclined her head. There was a long pause and then Sakura spoke, "seven years ago, Hotaru's older brother, Itachi Uchiha murdered her entire family. Her superior, Danzo, failed to inform her of this fact while she was at Hogwarts. However, that's just the start of her problems."
Hotaru sighed and raised her head, "arigatou Sakura-chan."
"Dou itashimashite." Sakura replied softly.
There was another long pause and then Harry spoke. "Hotaru ... Uhh ... I'm sorry ..." He said hesitantly.
"Hey, it's ok." Hotaru replied, with a slight smile. "However, at Hogwarts I'll have the chance to clear my head and sort things out before I return to Konoha." And then Hotaru sighed, "anyway, this isn't the time to be talking about my troubles. The train will be leaving soon. Oh, and one more thing, Dumbledore has allowed us to have a carriage all to ourselves up front, so you're more than welcome to join us."
"Thanks," Harry replied simply.
And then Charlie spoke. "Well, have fun. And I might see you all sooner than you think." He said, with a slight smile.
"Why?" Fred asked curiously.
"You'll see," Charlie replied mysteriously. "Just don't tell Percy I mentioned it ... it's 'classified information, until such time as the Ministry sees fit to release it', after all."
"Yeah, I sort of wish I was back at Hogwarts this year," Bill added, looking almost wistfully at the train.
"Why?" George asked impatiently.
"You're going to have an interesting year," Bill replied, his eyes twinkling. "I might even get time off to come and watch a bit of it ..."
"You might come and watch a bit of what?!" Ron exclaimed.
But at that moment, the whistle blew, and Mrs Weasley chivvied them towards the train doors.
"Thanks for having us to stay, Mrs Weasley," said Hermione as they climbed on board and closed the door. They then leant out of the nearest window to talk to her.
"Yeah, thanks for everything, Mrs Weasley," said Harry.
"Oh, it was my pleasure, dears," Mrs Weasley replied fondly. "I'd invite you to come and stay with us at Christmas, but ... well, I expect you're all going to want to stay at Hogwarts, what with ... one thing and another."
"Mum!" Ron exclaimed irritably. "What do you know that we don't?!"
"You'll find out this evening, I expect," Mrs Weasley replied, with a slight smile. "It's going to be very exciting ... mind you, I'm glad they've changed the rules this year ..."
"What rules?!" Harry, Ron, Fred and George exclaimed at the same time.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will tell you ... now, behave, won't you? Especially you two," and she glared at the twins.
However, at that moment, the pistons hissed loudly, and the train began to move.
"Tell us what's happening at Hogwarts!" Fred bellowed out of the window, as Mrs Weasley, Bill and Charlie sped away from them. "What rules have they changed this year?"
But Mrs Weasley only smiled and waved. Before the train had rounded the corner, she, Bill and Charlie had Disapparated.
Fred sighed, "well, we might as well make our way up front."
Hotau smiled slightly, "yeah."
"Do you know something we don't, Hotaru?" Harry asked, frowning.
At that moment, Fred, George and Ron rounded on her. "You do, don't you?" They intoned at the same time. "You know what's happening at Hogwarts."
"Look, even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. Like Mrs Weasley said, you'll just have to wait and see."
George sighed, "you're mean."
"I know, however, it can't be helped. Now, do you want to stand here all day?"
They hesitated a moment and then sighed, "no."
"Right, then let's go." And without another word, Hotaru set off down the train towards the carriage Dumbledore had reserved for them.
When they reached the carriage, they were greeted by Naruto's loud voice. "Where have you been, Hotaru-chan?" The blonde-haired shinobi exclaimed. "You said you'd be right back, but you've been ages!"
"Gomen, Naruto-kun."
Naruto glared at Hotaru for a moment and then sighed, "it's alright, Hotaru-chan. So, which one's Harry Potter?"
Hotaru studied Naruto for a moment, and then sighed. "Why have you taken such an interest in Harry recently?"
"No ... reason ... Hotaru-chan ..."
"Alright, Naruto-kun, what are you up to?"
"Nothing!" The blonde-haired shinobi exclaimed. However, Hotaru knew Naruto was lying.
She took a deep breath, clasped her hands together to form a hand sign and then said in a clear voice, "kai!"
"Wha ..." But, before Naruto could do anything, it was too late. His eyes glazed over and he stared blankly at Hotaru.
"Now, Naruto, tell me why you've taken an interest in Harry all of a sudden."
"I've taken an interest in Harry," Naruto replied in a flat tone of voice. "Because I want to try my new jutsu out on him."
"And what jutsu would that be?" Hotaru asked softly.
"My new Sexy Jutsu of course." Naruto replied without hesitation in that same flat tone of voice. "I can't test it out on Jiraiya, because he'll inform Tsunade no baa-chan, and she'll leave me black and blue for months. And I can't test it out on Kakashi-sensei either, because he'll make me do really stupid missions when we get back to Konoha. And I doubt I could catch Yamato or Sai off guard. And Iruka-sensei's not here, so that leaves Harry and his friends. It wouldn't work on Hermione, so I had to choose between Harry and Ron. While we were at Hogwarts, I did a little investigating and eventually came to the conclusion that Harry would be my best choice."
"How come?" Hotaru asked curiously.
"Simple, Ron's a lot weaker than Harry, and therefore not worth my time."
"Not ... Worth ... His time?" Ron repeated in disbelief.
"Kuso ..." Hotaru muttered under her breath. "Ron, don't ..." But before she could finish her sentence, Ron had appeared beside her, his wand pointing at Naruto.
"Let me hex him." Ron said through gritted teeth.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." Hotaru replied with a sigh.
"Why not?!" Ron exclaimed. "You heard what he said, didn't you? He deserves to be hexed."
"You're right, Ron, he does deserve to be hexed, but I can't let you hex him here."
"Why not?!"
"Because, if you don't mind, Ron Weasley, I'd like us all to get to Hogwarts in one piece! Look, I'll deal with Naruto later, ok?"
Ron hesitated a moment and then stuffed his wand back in his pocket. "Alright ..."
Hotaru hesitated a moment and then in a clear voice said, "han!"
Naruto's eyes regained their focus, however he couldn't understand why Harry and his friends were glaring at him.
"Uhhh ... Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
Hotaru sighed, "just sit down, Naruto-kun. I'll deal with you later."
"What have I done now?" Naruto exclaimed.
"Never mind, Naruto-kun," Hotaru replied sternly. "Now sit down."
Naruto hesitated a moment and then sat down next to Jiraiya. "What did I say?" He asked his sensei softly.
Jiraiya sighed, "I won't go into the details, but I will say this; you won't live long enough to become the next Hokage."
Naruto inclined his head slightly, "great ..."
However, before Naruto could finish his sentence, Hotaru cleared her throat. "I'd like to start the introductions, so please make yourselves comfortable." And without another word, Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down in the seats opposite Naruto. The blonde-haired shinobi smiled slightly, however Harry, Ron and Hermione simply glared at him.
"It's all over for me ..." Naruto muttered under his breath.
"Well, if it's any consolation, Naruto-kun, I won't forget you when I'm eating ramen," Jiraiya replied with a slight smile.
"Ra ... Ramen?" Naruto replied hesitantly. And then the blonde-haired shinobi leapt to his feet. "There's no way some wizard's going to stop me from going back to Konoha to eat Ichiraku ramen!"
"Baka ..." Sasuke muttered under his breath.
However, before Naruto could reply, Hotaru cleared her throat. "That's enough, Naruto, now sit down before you make an even bigger fool of yourself."
"But ..."
"I said sit!" And without another word Naruto sat down.
Sakura studied Naruto for a moment and then sighed, before silently makin her way towards Sasuke, however instead of sitting down next to her former team-mate, she carried on walking towards Kakashi and Yamato.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" She asked the two Jounin softly.
"Why would we mind, Sakura?" Yamato replied softly.
"I just wanted to make sure," and with a smile, the pink-haired kunoichi sat down in between Kakashi and Yamato.
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