Chapter 10:

Hermione was careful not to mention her idea around Harry for the next couple of days. But as Harry began warming to the idea, it only took a berating from Naruto for Harry to give in.

On the next Hogsmeade trip, the group made their way up to the Hog's Head, a pub that wasn't nearly as popular as the Three Broomsticks.

"So...it's just you guys right?" Harry asked nervously.

"Well..." Said Hermione, casting a look at Ron. "A few other people were...interested. So I told them they could meet us here."

"A few people?" Harry frowned. "How many people?"

"Oh...just a few..." Said Hermione vaguely.

After ordering some butterbeers, people started to arrive. Harry was a little anxious, wondering not only how people would react to him, but just who exactly would show up. And a few people turned out to be a crowd of people, including most of the Qudditch team and, much to Harry's embarrassment...Cho Chang and her friends.

Those who weren't acquainted with the shinobi quickly became so although a few were baffled by Sai's presence as he was the only Slytherin present.

After Harry's speech which was met with a lot of enthusiasm, everyone proceeded to sign the sheet of paper Hermione was passing around. The shinobi eagerly signed their names on it. Soon when the meeting was over, everyone quickly filed out, eager to get some shopping done.

"How about a tour?" Hermione suggested.

They all walked out, ready to give the shinobi a tour of Hogsmeade. They took them to the usual haunts, such as Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop, which was Naruto's favorite while Sakura preferred the herbology shop Dogweed and Deathcap. While Ron was joking with Naruto about the first time Harry snuck into Hogsmeade under the invisibility cloak and tormented Draco Malfoy, Harry took the opportunity to chuck a snowball at Ron's head.

While there was barely any snow on the ground, the whole group...even Sai joined in on flinging snow at each other.

When Harry jogged down the street, hoping to gather more snow, he noticed a tall man in a black cloak. The man was only a few feet ahead of him, partially obscured in the shadow of one of the stores. Harry stared at him, a chill ripping its way up his spine.

But the man wasn't staring at him...he seemed to be staring beyond Harry, at someone else. Harry turned, but all he could see were Naruto and Ron running around, laughing.

When Harry turned back, the man had vanished. Dropping the snow he had gathered, Harry went back to the others, suggesting that they continue the tour. He didn't mention the man to anyone.

"This sure is a steep cliff!" Called out Naruto.

"It's very pretty here." Breathed Sakura.

They had walked up the hill where the Shrieking Shack was located and looked over the precarious cliff it was situated on. Naruto leaned over the frail wooden railing.

"And it just got steeper for...ahhhh!"

The shinobi and wizards turned from the railing just in time to see Malfoy and his goons get smothered by a sea of sand. Wide eyed, Naruto turned to see Gaara standing next to Kakashi, his hand on the gourd that was normally on his back.

"Gaara!?" Naruto exclaimed incredulously as Gaara waved what appeared to be a wand and the sand began to flow back into the gourd. "What the hell are you-"

"Mr. Malfoy." Said Kakashi, cutting Naruto off as he stood with his arms crossed over his chest. "I hope that you weren't planning on connecting your foot with Mr. Uzumaki's backside and that you merely slipped on a patch of ice."

"Wha...I mean, yes Professor, that's exactly what happened." Said Malfoy as he, Crabbe and Goyle scrambled to their feet. Malfoy seemed shaken by what had just happened.

"Good." Said Kakashi pleasantly. "Then I hope you'll enjoy the rest of your day in Hogsmeade."

Malfoy quickly took the hint and scampered off with Crabbe and Goyle, leaving the wizards in a fit of giggles.

"Where the bloody hell did the sand come from?" Said Ron finally. "It was amazing."

"Ah." Said Kakashi. "Allow me to introduce my assistant. He just arrived from Japan this morning." Said Kakashi, gesturing to Gaara. "You may refer to him as Professor Gaara."

The wizards stared wide eyed as Naruto gaped at Gaara in confusion. Not only did the red headed male look especially creepy, but he also didn't look any older than they did. How on earth could he be a professor as well?

"What's with the eyeliner?" Ron muttered to Harry.

"Gaara, what the f-mmmfpphhh!" Naruto's outburst was quickly muffled by Sakura's hand as she smiled nervously before bowing to Gaara and Kakashi. "Of course, Professor Gaara, how nice it is to see you again."

"Ms. Haruno, Mr. Uzumaki." Said Gaara bowing.

Hermione took a reluctant step forward. "It's nice to meet you...Professor. I'm Hermione Granger and these are my friends Harry and Ron."

Harry nodded his head hesitantly. "As Ron said, it was really amazing what you did with the sand. What kind of magic is that?"

"It's a...special technique I developed." Said Gaara with a covert glance toward Kakashi. "I've lived in the desert for quite some time."

Hermione narrowed her eyes. There were no deserts in Japan.

Hermione was entirely baffled by Gaara's presence at Hogwarts and often mused out loud how someone so young could have become a Professor already. Sakura hadn't helped any by claiming that Gaara was a 'genius' which Hermione didn't take too kindly to.

After returning to Hogwarts, she spent the rest of the day poured over her books which was well enough for the shinobi as they were able to sneak away to speak with Gaara without rousing her suspicion.

"You left your whole village...in the hands on Temari and Kankuro?" Said Naruto incredulously as they spoke in hused voices while walking around the Hogwarts grounds. "Are you crazy?"

"They are quite competent, Naruto-kun." Gaara explained. "Suna will be fine in their hands. There is something important that I need to tell you."

Sai, Naruto and Sakura stopped, not liking the sudden change in Gaara's voice.

"I have reason to believe that the Akatsuki are here." Said Gaara. "And that they are after you, Naruto-kun."

Naruto froze. Suddenly, he felt very sick to his stomach. Sai studied Naruto's change in demeanor. "How would they have found us here?" He finally asked. "Tsunade-sama said that this place was a secret."

"I am unsure." Said Gaara gravely. "But I came because I refuse to allow what happened to me, happen to you, Naruto-kun."