A/N:
Mother tongue isn't English. Inform me about any major mistakes if there is, what lazy bastard I am. As always I hope they wont distract your reading experience.
"Thoughts"
"Zangetsu"
"Hollow"
War after the war: Chapter 10
Ichigo took few steps forward, grin etched on his face. One of the Ravenclaws stepped closer Harry: "What is going on? I really thought that we will get expelled now." Girl turned her dark eyes to Ichigo: "And did you just call Umbridge bitch?"
"Eh well…" Ichigo twitched. He was supposed to act like a strict guardian. Somehow he felt that his reputation was ruined now.
"Who else?" Hermione rolled her eyes: "He doesn't bad mouth anyone else but her."
Some of the students still seemed to be out of the situation. They didn't get that what had just happened. "Does this mean that we don't get expelled?" Neville asked with glint of hope in his eyes.
"Yeah. I won't report you to anyone." Ichigo nodded. This released the pressure from the room and some students sighed deeply.
"Why are you not doing that? And why do you seem to know Harry so well?" One of the Hufflepuffs crossed his arms. He had annoying voice and he was the very same person who tried to sneak away just couple minutes ago.
"Zacharias Smith." Ichigo turned to boy who startled when the orange head knew his name.
"Are you an idiot? Or do you want to be exposed? With Umbridge's training you will never get O. done."
"Yeah, but…"
"Let's say that I am not fond of that woman either." Ichigo gave up lifting his hands in the air: "She's a bitch and she will stay as a bitch, so it's good for you to do this."
Students laughed out loud. It was amusing how different person he was compared to one they had seen in the hallways. Smith just snorted.
"Okay. But you didn't answer my other question: How do you know Harry so well?"
"He's my cousin!" Harry stepped forward, sticking to Ichigo's cover story. He got annoyed how Zacharias pressured Ichigo. It is not like it's any of their businesses. This announcement lifted many eyebrows: "Your cousin?"
Ichigo sighed: "Yeah. Thought we haven't been in contact before. In the last summer we heard that we are cousins." he lied smoothly.
"I thought that you didn't have any other relatives around, Harry!" Neville lifted his eyebrows. Harry was known from the fact that he was an orphan since it was Voldemort who killed his parents.
"Me neither," Harry replied truthfully.
"Oh well", Ichigo yawned: "Keep practicing. And be careful. That woman is twisted and very clever. She probably knows that you have some kind of group but she doesn't have any evidence."
Raven haired kid blinked few times. Ron frowned and Hermione asked carefully: "What do you mean?"
Ichigo ran his fingers through his orange hair: "Isn't that obvious? She just announced new rules when you got back from the Hogsmeade."
Ron opened his mouth but Ichigo silenced him with a wave of hand: "Yes, I know that you were in the Hog's head. And it's easy to put the parts together: You gathered there first time."
"…So she must have heard that you were there." he continued.
Harry nodded and Ichigo opened the door: "Well, don't be too late. You have school tomorrow. Good night." he waved and left.
Ichigo walked silently to his office and finished paperwork what he got from the Head Captain. Soul Reaper fell asleep when he still sat at his desk couple hours later.
While his next guarding evenings he noticed sometimes that the students had gathered to practice in the hidden room. There wasn't so much reiatsu bursts anymore and everyone there controlled their spells better. Harry seemed to be a good teacher.
Even the Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts came back from the mission he was doing past months. Harry, Ron and Hermione went to see him immediately when they noticed lights in his house. Ichigo heard from Dumbledore that Rubeus Hagrid was looking for Giants.
Flashback:
"Giants?" Ichigo lifted his eyebrows.
Dumbledore smiled a little: "Yeah, real Giants. We need to try to get them to our side, otherwise there is possibility that they will join Voldemort."
Ichigo shook his head slowly.
"I thought that they are pretty mindless creatures. How is it even possible to negotiate with them?"
Dumbledore frowned and Ichigo felt disapproving pressure coming from the Head Master.
"That's not entirely true. Yes, they might be ruthless and their behavior might be different, but they are still living things. Wizarding World have never given them freedom or any rights. If Voldemort is going to give them that, they will gladly take his side. And, don't tell to anyone, but Hagrid is half-giant. He went to look for his mother."
Ichigo gaped: "Oh really? Well, I think that my point of view was wrong then. I apologize."
Flashback ends:
Ichigo watched from the window at the small hut. He felt three spiritual pressures along the giant-like one. He sipped his tea and almost chocked when he saw pink and short woman walking towards the hut.
"Umbridge! What the hell is she doing in there?"
"I guess that she's going to ask that where he was. Ministry is eager to know."
Ichigo grimaced and leaped out from the window. He couldn't let Umbridge to discover that students were outside in this time of evening. Not leaving even one track on the snow he shunpoed towards the hut.
At the same time Harry, Ron and Hermione had covered themselves with invisibility cloak. Hagrid quickly hid their mugs and went to open the door. For their horror Umbridge stepped inside.
"Ah, good evening. I thought that you had visitors. I heard noise outside." she smiled at dumbfounded Hagrid.
"Oh! I was just talking to Fang", he gestured and huge drooling dog and Umbridge looked disgusted: "Really?"
"He isn't much talking-type but…"
Umbridge stopped Hagrid's explanation: "You might be aware that I am now the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts. My name is Dolores Umbridge." she turned to Hagrid.
"High in… What?" Hagrid blinked.
"High Inquisitor. I am checking teachers that are they qualified to do their jobs." Umbridge smiled while glancing around the room. She was looking for something, but turned again to Hagrid: "What happened to your face?"
Blood escaped Hagrid's face. But you really couldn't see that under the bruises.
Before Hagrid could answer, she started to walk around, checking corners, and slowly coming towards the three students. It looked like she had forgotten what she had asked from the half-giant: "As you see, there are a lot rotten things in Hogwarts, and Ministry has decided to… Clean a bit."
She turned to the last corner, same where Harry, Ron and Hermione stood. They could see triumph look on her face.
Harry and others leaned backwards. When her short, thick fingers almost touched the fabric of cloak, door opened with a big crash. Umbridge turned quickly around and all just stared the orange headed newcomer.
"Ah! Here you are, Dolores!" He smiled and tilted his head: "I was looking for you everywhere!"
"Oh, Kurosaki… What are you doing here?" Umbridge relaxed a bit.
"I just wanted to show you few things I found from the library… I think that you have more… Authority to decide what happens next."
"Really? I want to see them right away. Well then… Let's see you in the next class of yours." Umbridge smiled that horrible smile of hers while Ichigo frowned and looked straight to the corner where Harry and others were standing. He seemed to see them even with their invisibility cloak on.
Ichigo kept door open and Umbridge stepped outside. When he closed the door, Ichigo turned around with scowl and formed silent words: "Wait. Me. Here." He shut the door and room fell silent.
Hagrid went to window and nodded to kids. Harry pulled the cloak off.
"One second I thought that we are screwed!" Ron huffed. Hermione nodded.
"Who was he?" Hagrid asked.
"He is the guardian of the Hogwarts. Dumbledore hired him for this year to look after the students." Harry explained and sat down.
"Guardian eh? How did he know that you were there?" Hagrid's eyes widened from the realization. Harry and others shrugged. They knew it was one of his Soul Reaper things, but they wouldn't be explaining whole story to Hagrid.
After half of hour someone knocked the door and Hagrid went to open it. The shinigami walked inside: "Geez, thanks to you, I needed to improvise some student's acts what would keep her busy. Fortunate that Fred and George were there."
He stopped in the middle and turned to Hagrid: "Oh, I am sorry! I forgot to introduce myself." Ichigo shook Hagrid's huge hand: "My name is Ichigo Kurosaki, and I am new school's guardian." he smiled.
"Ah yes! I am Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts and professor of the Care of Magical Creatures!"
Ichigo nodded: "I heard that you came back."
He turned to the trio and infamous scowl appeared on his face: "And you guys just can't keep yourselves safe!" he snapped: "Do you realize what would have happened if I wouldn't be here?"
Harry, Ron and Hermione hanged their heads down: "We are sorry." They said simultaneously.
Ichigo sighed and relaxed a bit. He gave them a small smile: "Really, you just never learn? You remind me of myself when I was in the High School."
Hagrid lifted his eyebrow: "Actually I really thought first that you were Harry's classmate! You look so young!" Hagrid gave out laugh: "You must be one of the Weasleys! I was sure that I knew all of them though…"
Ichigo blinked: "No, I am not Weasley, I am Harry's relative." Hagrid went in a coughing fit: "Relative? I thought… Dursleys…" Then realization hit him: "You are from Evans' family?"
Ichigo nodded: "I came to see Harry since our families hadn't been in touch."
Hagrid stroked his beard: "I see… I haven't heard about younger generation. I just remember Lily's cousin, he was named Ichi… Wait a minute!"
Hagrid turned to Ichigo, frowning: "Lily had a cousin named Ichigo Kurosaki! But he was same age as Lily back then…"
Orange head sighed. It seems that he needs to explain whole situation to him too.
"Actually… I am Lily's cousin. I am here with "Harry's cousin –title" since no one doesn't believe how old I am."
Ichigo had explained this to Order of the Phoenix and Harry before.
"I am actually 45 years old."
Hagrid started at him for a while: "Wait… what?"
"I am 45 years old."
Hagrid sat down, thinking something. Then something clicked in his head: "How's that possible? I mean yeah, you are a bit older when I last time saw you but… that was… years ago…"
"Actually. I don't get old. Not that fast I mean." Ichigo scratched his chin: "You see, I died in 1967."
Hagrid just stared at him.
"Excuse me. I probably heard wrong. It was like you said that you died!" he laughed. Ichigo and others sweat dropped.
"Umm, you heard him right." Hermione said carefully stepping next to big man. Hagrid frowned: "How's that possible? You don't seem ghost to me. They are transparent like especially you should know Hermione."
"I am spirit right now, but different kind from your ghosts." Ichigo explained: "I am Shinigami, known as Soul Reaper in your language."
"And you expect me to believe you?" Hagrid narrowed his eyes.
"Well, ask other members of the Order." Orange head shrugged. He was tired to this: "Well, we are better to keep going. Take your cloak. I will escort you to Gryffindor Tower." Ichigo opened the door and they stepped outside.
"Wait a minute? You are with the Order of the Phoenix?" Hagrid went after them. Ichigo nodded: "Yes, I am here in special mission to guard Harry."
"Really? Then I think that I can believe you. These times you need to be wary all the time. See you tomorrow!" Hagrid waved at them.
"Yes, and keep your guard around Umbgride", Ichigo warned: "She probably wants to get you fired." Hagrid gave out a laugh: "Yeah! Don't worry! I have some fabulous creatures for the next class!" with that he closed the door.
Ichigo stared at the hut for a while.
"What did he mean with that?" Ichigo asked and Harry glanced others with a sigh.
Ichigo and others realized that Hagrid didn't understand how serious the situation was. In the first class he decided to introduce creatures, which have very bad reputation.
"Thestrals? They are supposed to forecast death, right?" one of the students asked fearfully. She and her friend stayed in the back line.
"No, no! Because they are seen only by people who have seen death, they have this bad reputation!" Hagrid explained: "Thestrals are actually very loyal to people."
It was crystal clear that the class didn't go well. Ichigo heard directly from the Umbridge that it was "irresponsible to show dangerous creatures in the class". Ichigo personally didn't think that they were dangerous at all. Actually he felt some connection with those creatures, since he was one with the death too.
Ichigo wondered why Hagrid still seemed to be having those horrible bruises in his face. And there were more of them every time he saw half-giant. But it wasn't any of his business.
Christmas came closer and closer. It would be the first one which he wouldn't be spending with his family. He had some bad feelings that something horrible would occur, so Ichigo kept his senses even sharper than normally.
When the holidays began, school started to feel even colder and larger than before. It was because almost all students went to their homes. But he wouldn't be all alone since Harry would stay in the Hogwarts. Ichigo had visited in the Spirit Government first time for a long time, and all things were running smoothly. He didn't need to worry about his squad.
Ichigo did his usual cycle around the school before going to sleep. "I will sleep like a dead man. Bad pun, I know."
Shiro snorted and grinned: "Well, now you have time to spar with me for a while since its vacation!"
Orange head groaned and pulled blanket over his head.
But the night wasn't as peaceful as it should be. Ichigo startled awake when he felt spike of the reiatsu. He was sweating. Orange head got up and sat on the edge of bed and buried his face in his hands.
"What the hell was that?"
"I don't know, but it wasn't anything good." Zangetsu sighed. Ichigo stood up and changed in his robe. When he decided to go to check the situation, light filled the room. Ichigo narrowed his eyes which weren't got used to such a bright light.
He identified it as Dumbledore's phoenix. Fire-like bird stared at him and he heard Head Master's voice coming from it:
"It seems that you already got up. There is something wrong with Harry." Ichigo's eyes widened. He didn't feel any strange reiatsu from the Gryffindor Tower. Only few recognizable: Minerva's, Harry's, Ron's and few other students. Hermione had left to her home yesterday.
"What is going on?" he gritted his teeth.
"He has gotten those horrible nightmares which seems to be connected to Voldemort", Ichigo nodded as he understood. He had heard about the connection with Voldemort. Dumbledore continued: "He is coming with Minerva and Weasleys to my office. Please attend as well. I am sure that Harry needs some assistance. And his red-headed friend isn't feeling well either."
"Eh? What's wrong with Ron?"
"It seems that Harry saw attack against Ron's father. That's all I know right now."
"I am coming. Let's talk more in a minute." Ichigo opened a garganta. He wouldn't be going running through the hallways now.
Phoenix nodded and disappeared, leaving only coal dust behind.
Soul Reaper stepped in black hole and he arrived in Head Masters office. Dumbledore lifted his blue eyes to Ichigo: "That's very practical way to travel. Can wizards enter in it? And how come it looked different just now?"
"Yes, but only Soul Reapers can open them." Ichigo nodded frowning. "And hollows." he added in his mind. What was his point? Ichigo didn't have time to ask since they heard a knock from the doors. Both turned and saw Minerva and four horrified boys and one girl after her.
"Ichigo!" Harry breathed: "What are you doing in here?"
"I heard that you had some… Nightmares. I felt something unusual before Dumbledore informed me so I think that it is something serious." Ichigo closed his eyes. Dumbledore turned to him, wondering look etched on his face.
"Yes. Well, tell us about your nightmare, Harry." Dumbledore dropped his gaze.
"Well…" Harry began: "First it wasn't a nightmare! Snake has bitten Mr. Weasley! You need to find him!" Headmaster stayed motionless, but then nodded to Ichigo: "Can you go to check the situation? I think that we need someone there."
Ichigo nodded slowly, his face not betraying even one emotion: "I will keep going. Just tell me what the place is."
"Just go to Order. There will be people waiting."
Ichigo turned around, opening a senkaimon and disappeared. He walked through the bright hallway and when Soul Reaper stepped out he noticed Sirius.
"Ichigo!" his eyes widened: "What are you doing here?"
He just closed his eyes, but he didn't have time to reply. Dark skinned man walked in: "Ichigo! There you are. Please go to check out things. They got Arthur to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."
Ichigo could hear Sirius when he inhaled sharply.
"What is going on? What happened?"
"Kingsley, please tell him. I'm going to hospital to take care of things." Ichigo said and opened third senkaimon stepping through it, hoping he would find the hospital. "I am going to be tired after this…"
Next hours went really quickly. When Ichigo arrived to the hospital, he was told that they tried to do everything what they can. Shinigami stayed there and soon Molly accompanied him.
"What is the situation?" she asked worriedly when he saw Ichigo. He didn't even bother to stand up: "They are doing everything they can. Please, sit down here", he patted a seat next to him: "Let's wait… and pray."
Fortunately they could save critically injured Arthur. Molly started to cry from relief against Shinigami's chest and Ichigo sighed. He didn't want to be the one who guides their loving husband and father to the afterlife.
After a while Molly started to get herself together again and left to tell the news to others. Ichigo himself decided to visit Arthur.
"How the hell I am supposed to get to that room?" Ichigo wondered when he started to look for Arthur.
Eventually he found right room. Arthur was still in a deep sleep, but the look on his face was peaceful. Ichigo grabbed closest chair and sat on in.
At the same time there was ruckus in the headquarters of the Order. Molly had gotten back and told them not to worry anymore. Arthur was safe and sound and they could visit him later. After a family hug Molly thanked Harry for warning and all of them went to well-earned night sleep.
They just didn't know that what would be waiting them in the downstairs in the next morning.
Familiar senkaimon opened in the kitchen and six figured stepped out.
"Where the heck is that berry-head?" Renji asked with a scowl matching Ichigo.
Hope you enjoyed.