Author's Note: Sorry for the belayed update! Yes, the story is still going, I just came up on a wall called 'writer's block'. My updates will be slower than ever, unfortunately, but the story is continuing. Thanks for the tremendous amount of reviews, it kept me going! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 10 – Enter Shikamaru!

Tsunade read the report sent by an owl from Kakashi. Her brows furrowed in thought, her free hand absentmindedly petting the barn owl. Cute things. Maybe she should get one. She sighed and put down the report, having finished it. She had a bad feeling about this. Just before the owl came, Tsunade had received another report from a frog sent by Jiraiya. The toad hermit reported that Orochimaru had seemingly disappeared, along with dozens of his cronies. He couldn't find any traces of him and had no leads on him.

Tsunade took a drink from her sake bottle, thinking. Could it be that Orochimaru had joined forces with that Voldemort character? But what for? Slamming down the bottle, the Hokage huffed. The owl swivelled his head and looked at the blonde balefully, ruffling his feathers in irritation and hooted. Grinning apologetically, Tsunade fed the owl some bird tidbits Shizune had brought up along with a cup of water a while ago. Making a decision, Tsunade pressed the button on her intercom.

"Shizune?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama?"

"Bring me Nara Shikamaru."

The atmosphere in the castle for the rest of the weekend was tense. The guards patrolled everywhere, all business. They only allowed the students to be in the Great Hall, the Library, the bathrooms and their dormitories. Everywhere else were restricted, the halls were regularly patrolled, not allowing any loiterers. Quidditch practice was cancelled until next week, and anybody caught stepping a foot outside the castle was immediately punished. Fred and George couldn't sit down for a few hours after their run-in with Kakashi when they attempted to sneak out. The twins said that Kakashi had performed something called One Thousand Years of Pain (it certainly felt like it, Fred had said), giving them the most powerful ass poke in the history of man-kind, and it literally drove them back into the castle, having flown a couple of meters from the technique's strength. No one had dared to even try to venture out of the castle again.

Despite the restrictions, Harry was feeling pretty good. He had caught up on his homework with Ron on Sunday morning. Also, knowing they were doing something to resist Umbridge and the Ministry, and that he was a key part of the rebellion, gave Harry a feeling of immense satisfaction.

Monday arrived. Harry and Ron walked down the stairs from their dormitory and were greeted by Kakashi. The guards had followed Harry back into the common room since Saturday, and had stayed there until Harry retired to the dormitories, then came back in the morning. As they stepped into the warm common room, a large sign caught their attention on the Gryffindor noticeboard. Hard not to really, it was so large it covered everything else on the board. The new sign was printed in large black letters and there was a highly official-looking seal at the bottom beside a neat and curly signature.

BY ORDER OF THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS

All student organizations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded.

An organization, society, team, group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.

Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).

No student organization, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.

Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an organization, society, team, group or club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.

Signed: Dolores Jane Umbridge, High Inquisitor

Kakashi scratched his head and sighed. He had seen this notice earlier, and he bet he knew just what caused this impromptu decree. His lone eye slanted towards Harry and watched him balled his hands into fists.

"This isn't a coincidence," he said. "She knows."

"She can't," said Ron at once. Harry turned around to face his friend.

"There were people listening in that pub. Neji was right. And let's face it, we don't know how many of the people who turned up we can trust…any of them could have run off and told Umbridge…I wonder if Hermione's seen this yet?"

"Let's go and tell her," said Ron. Harry and Kakashi watched as Ron bounded forward pulled open the door and set off up the spiral staircase.

He was on the sixth stair when there was a loud, wailing, klaxon-like sound and the steps melted together to make a long, smooth stone slide like a helter-skelter. There was a brief moment when Ron tried to keep running, arms working madly like windmills, then he toppled over backwards and shot down the newly created slide, coming to rest on his back between Harry and Kakashi's feet. Ron blinked up at them. Kakashi's smiling face greeted him as he hauled the red hair up.

"I don't think boys are allowed in the girls' dormitories, Ronald."

"It's not fair!" Ron exclaimed to Harry, who was trying hard not to laugh. "Hermione's allowed in our dormitory, how come we're not allowed –?"

"Well, it's an old-fashioned rule," said Hermione who had just slide down the ramp and now stood in front of the boys. "But it says in Hogwarts: A History, that the founders thought boys were less trustworthy than girls. Anyway, why were you trying to get in there?"

"To see you – look at this!" said Ron, dragging her over to the noticeboard.

Hermione's eyes slid rapidly down the notice. Her expression became stony.

"Someone must have blabbed to her!" Ron said angrily.

"They can't have done," said Hermione in a low voice.

"You're so naïve," said Ron, "you think just because you're all honourable and trustworthy – "

"No, they can't have done, because I put a jinx on that piece of parchment we all signed," said Hermione grimly. "Believe me, if anyone's run off and told Umbridge, we'll know exactly who they are and they will really regret it."

Kakashi looked impressed.

"This magic of yours is really convenient." The jounin said. "And nice thinking too."

Hermione beamed. Just when they were about to go down to breakfast, Kakashi halted, listening to his headset. He replied shortly and looked at the teens. He summoned a shadow clone and explained.

"I have to take care of some business, in the mean time, my clone will go with you."

The clone waved.

"Alright, let's go down to the Hall now." The clone said.

"Eh? What's happening? Where are you going?" Ron asked as he was pushed towards the portrait hole with his friends.

"Just going to greet a guest." The original Kakashi replied and poofed out of sight.

"Lemon drop."

Kakashi waited for the stone gargoyle to let him in. The stone groaned and opened for him, the spiralling staircase making its slow ascend. The Copy Nin stepped onto a step and let it carried him up; stance slouched with his trusty copy of Icha Icha Paradise in front of him – special edition and signed by Jiraiya himself!

When he had arrived at the landing, Kakashi opened the door without looking up from his book and let loose a giggle.

"Nice to see you haven't changed one bit, Kakashi-san." A lazy voice said.

Looking up, Kakashi graced the figure in front of him with a happy eye crease.

"Ah, Shikamaru, long time no see."

Nara Shikamaru was rubbing his neck, a hand in his pocket, eyebrows scrunched into a slight frown, eyes radiating annoyance.

"Che, troublesome…"

Kakashi stepped further into the room and saw someone next to the seated headmaster.

"Ah, Lupin-san," Kakashi blinked. "This is a pleasant surprise."

The tired werewolf smiled back.

"It's nice to see you again, Kakashi."

Dumbledore smiled at the Copy Nin from his desk.

"Mr. Nara here had just arrived with Remus a few minutes ago from Grimmauld Place. I believe he has something to deliver…?"

Shikamaru nodded and pulled a small scroll from his green jounin vest. He had ascended to the rank at the end of last year, due to his friends and teachers' urgings. It had been terribly troublesome. He was fine with being a chuunin, but Asuma, being the sneaky bastard, had entered him into the exam without him knowing. He could've easily forfeited, but like in the chuunin exam, Naruto had literally pushed him into the exam room.

Kakashi pocketed his beloved book and accepted the scroll from the lazy Nara. Opening it, he scanned the contents quickly. His stance froze. Posture straightening, dark gaze held Shikamaru's unwaveringly.

"Is this true?"

Shikamaru shrugged.

"To the best of our knowledge, yes. The chances of him being here is very high, all the evidence pointed this way."

The wizards sensed something was wrong the minute Kakashi had straightened. The werewolf and the old professor shared a worried glance.

"Is…he…with him?" Kakashi asked meaningfully.

Konoha's number one tactician wasn't a genius for nothing; he understood what the silver haired man meant immediately. There was a pause before Shikamaru shook his head negative.

"We believe him to still be in the Rock Country, at the newest base, where Jiraiya's spies had seen him last just a week ago."

Kakashi let out a silent breath, thankful that his former student hasn't decided to follow the Snake Sanin into this country. There's still the matter of how he got here though…

"Dumbledore-san."

"Yes, Kakashi?" The old wizard turned his blue gaze onto the tall ninja.

"How did you find out about us?"

"I've got records of your country. All are pretty vague, but I've figured it out after a few months." Dumbledore frowned slightly. "Why?"

"Would any other wizard in this world happen to know how to transport of our world also?" Kakashi pressed. He watched as the wizard thought for a while before his eyes widened. Remus had also paled at the Kakashi's implication.

"It can't be…" Lupin began.

Shikamaru's shrewd eyes rested on the two wizards.

"Would, by any chance, a wizard named Voldemort be able to travel to our world?"

Silence enveloped the room, only the soft crooning of Fawkes and the whirring of magical devices could be heard.

"It…is not impossible." Dumbledore said softly.

"Dumbledore-san, we would need as much information on this Voldemort and his Death Eaters." Kakashi's posture started to slouch again, his gloved hand inching closer to where he stored his book.

The headmaster of Hogwarts nodded his head sagely.

"I would have a copy of all the files on them ready in an hour."

Kakashi nodded and turned to Shikamaru.

"Come on then, let's get you to the others."

Shikamaru sighed.

"Troublesome."

Harry blinked when the clone of Kakashi poofed out. Professor McGonagall waved the smoke away irritably.

"Really, is that necessary?"

"Yo, Harry-kun."

Harry balanced Hedwig as he turned around and saw Kakashi (the real one) and another boy around the same age as Naruto walking down the corridor towards him. The boy has a hairstyle that reminded him of a pineapple.

"What are you doing out of class?" Kakashi asked.

"That was what I was going to ask Mr. Potter here." McGonagall sniffed and turned to Harry. "Well? You said it was urgent."

"I'm looking for Professor Grubbly-Plank," Harry explained. "It's my owl, she's injured."

"Injured owl, did you say?"

Professor Grubbly-Plank appeared at Professor McGonagall's shoulder, smoking a pipe and holding a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Yes," said Harry, lifting Hedwig carefully off his shoulder, "she turned up after the other post owls and her wing's all funny, look–"

Professor Grubbly-Plank stuck her pipe firmly between her teeth and took Hedwig from Harry while Professor McGonagall and the two Konoha nins watched.

"Hmm," said Professor Grubbly-Plank, her pipe waggling slightly as she talked. "Looks like something's attacked her. Can't think what would have done it, though. Thestrals will sometimes go for birds, of course, but Hagrid's got the Hogwarts Thestrals well-trained not to touch owls."

Harry neither knew nor cared what Thestrals were; he just wanted to know that Hedwig was going to be all right. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at Kakashi, who signalled that he'll inform the jounin of the magical creatures later. Professor McGonagall, however, looked sharply at Harry and said, "Do you know how far this owl's travelled, Potter?"

"Er," said Harry. "From London, I think."

Kakashi had a suspicion to where Harry had sent his owl, and judging by the way McGonagall's eyebrows had joined in the middle, so does she. 'London' had meant 'number twelve, Grimmauld Place'.

Professor Grubbly-Plank pulled a monocle out of the inside of her robes and screwed it into her eye, to examine Hedwig's wing closely. "I should be able to sort this out if you leave her with me, Potter," she said, "she shouldn't be flying long distances for a few days, in any case."

"Er – right – thanks," said Harry, just as the bell rang for break.

"No problem," said Professor Grubbly-Plank gruffly, turning back into the staff room.

"Just a moment, Wilhelmina!" said Professor McGonagall. "Potter's letter!"

"Oh yeah!" said Harry, who had momentarily forgotten the scroll tied to Hedwig's leg. Professor Grubbly-Plank handed it over and then disappeared into the staff room carrying Hedwig, who was staring at Harry as though unable to believe he would give her away like this. Feeling slightly guilty, he turned to go, but Professor McGonagall called him back.

"Potter!"

"Yes, Professor?"

She glanced up and down the corridor; there were students coming from both directions.

"Bear in mind," she said quickly and quietly, her eyes on the scroll in his hand, "that channels of communication–"

"Why, Minerva is something the matter?" A familiar voice said from the doorway of the staffroom.

Harry and the Transfiguration Professor turned. Shikamaru raised his eyebrows again at Kakashi, this time in incredulity. The squat figure of Professor Umbridge swathed in frilled black flower patterned robes stood in front of the open door.

"Nothing, Dolores, just helping Potter here," Professor answered with a straight face. Turning, she made a shooing motion with her hands at Harry. "Well, off you go now, Potter, don't want to be late for your next class."

Without waiting for a reply, Professor McGonagall retreated back into the staff room, leaving a confused Harry to be swept out into the courtyard with Kakashi and Shikamaru by the crowd of students. Looking back, Harry saw Umbridge looking suspiciously at the new guard before re-entering after Professor McGonagall.

Harry turned to his guards, confused. Kakashi read the teen's confused expression correctly and took it upon himself to finish what the Transfiguration professor was about to say.

"She was warning you to be wary about what you communicate, through owl or by other means." Kakashi said, dark eyes landing on the figures of Ron and Hermione in the courtyard, standing in a sheltered corner with their cloak collars turned up against the wind. "Channels of communication in and out of Hogwarts have a high chance of being watched."

Harry nodded and moved his attention to his message. He slit open the scroll and read the untidy scrawl of Sirius's handwriting.

Today, same time, same place

"Is Hedwig okay?" asked Hermione anxiously, the moment Harry and the shinobis were within earshot.

"Where did you take her?" asked Ron while shooting a glance at the yawning Shikamaru. "And who's that?"

"To Grubbly-Plank," said Harry. He looked at Shikamaru who was now scratching his head in curiosity. "And I'm not sure who that is yet…anyway, I met McGonagall…listen…"

As he told them what Professor McGonagall had said (or would have said before Umbridge interrupted), Kakashi turned to Shikamaru.

"Go find one of the others for now, they'll explain in more detail. I believe Sakura is around the green houses today."

Shikamaru heaved a sigh, but obeyed, vanishing out of sight and followed Sakura's chakra signature. Kakashi nodded to himself and turned his attention back to his charges.

"…the letter from anyway?" Ron was asking, taking the note from Harry.

"Snuffles," Harry said quietly. Kakashi choked back a laugh. He couldn't imagine Sirius be called 'Snuffles' in his dog form.

"'Same time, same place?' Does he mean the fire in the common room?"

"Obviously," said Hermione, also reading the note. She looked uneasy. "I just hope nobody else has read this…"

"But it was still sealed and everything," said Harry, trying to convince himself as much as her. "And nobody would understand what it meant if they didn't know where we'd spoken to him before, would they?"

"It is easy for someone to re-seal the scroll – by magic or otherwise." Kakashi said, startling the trio. "And if anyone's been watching this floo network of yours, the person who read the note would make a guess and be on watch tonight."

The trio looked uneasy. They shared a worried look as the bell rang. They trudged towards the dungeons to their Potions lesson.

"Shikamaru!" Sakura exclaimed in surprise when the jounin touched down lightly next to her. "What are you doing here?"

"Coming to this mission – earlier than expected might I add." The shadow master grumbled the last part.

Sakura leaned against the walls of green house 6, a grin on her face.

"Aw, I'm hurt – don't you want to spend time with us?" She batted her eyelashes for effect.

Shikamaru's mood turned sombre. He handed her a scroll which Kakashi had read previously in the headmaster's office. Curious, Sakura opened the scroll and started reading. Her face paled at a paragraph.

"O–Orochimaru?" Sakura's emerald orbs snapped up, searching an answer in Shikamaru's dark eyes. "Was he –…?"

"No, he's in Rock."

Sakura sighed in relief. She wouldn't know what she would do if Sasuke was here with the Snake Sanin – here – with the chaos of magic and Lord Voldemort around. She raised her eyes and stared shrewdly at Shikamaru.

"So then, let me guess…Kakashi sent you here for me to explain to you about the situation?"

Shikamaru nodded reluctantly. Sakura giggled.

"Makes sense. The only other person outside is Naruto. I doubt you would want a detailed explanation of all things magical from him." Sakura sat down and patted the spot next to her despite the cold and the slight drizzle of rain. "Let's get started then."