Woo hoo! Look at all those reviews! I'm honored that you like the story enough to review!
First off, I went back and read the previous chapters and noticed a random hole. Or two. No one's said anything yet… but I'll tell you now. I mentioned Ino once and never followed up. She isn't at Hogwarts but should be along eventually. And Lee used the word ninja once. I'd go back and change it… but I think we can pretend he never said it. As of right now, no one knows that they are ninja. Also… I messed up a bit with the grammar and spelling of the prophecy. It's fixed in this chapter and the meaning hasn't changed.
Sorry Yomi-chan! I mentioned in one of the first chapters that Sakura wasn't in love with Sasuke anymore… Though I don't really have a plan for Sasuke or Sakura… We'll see?
Kari Suttle… Your review made me tingle all over. Thank you for being honest on your opinion of Ed. I do realize it seems random… but you'll see soon I guess. And thank you for the praise of my depth. I find it really hard to believe that someone as smart and educated as McGonagall (or any of the teachers for that matter) would EVER underestimate anyone. Also, she's very fond of her students and knows most of them very well. She understands what the war was doing to everyone and recognizes that the Ninja have seen far more than her students ever will.
Soraya my faithful reviewer… Much love! I really did laugh at that flame. And then I wanted revenge. -ALittleDifferentFromTheRest- helped me with the revenge part. Thank you dear! Also, yes, this chapter deals with Deer.
And finally… thank you everyone else for your support! Hopefully this chapter advances the plot a little?
"Japanese"
"English"
Chapter 10
The large group of ninja sat themselves around a table and attempted to keep the librarian's eyes off of them. She scowled at them for a moment but decided that they weren't making much noise and went back to her sorting.
"First off, we are in a library, keep your voices down." Deer looked right at Naruto who scowled back. "Second, we are discussing strategy so we will be speaking Japanese only."
The others nodded and sat back to watch their leader. He pulled out a scroll and set it in the middle of the table.
"There have been a few things that were not explained in full depth. One of which is the wizard Voldemort that most of the magical world refers to as the 'Dark Lord'. He is considered dead now, but he was also considered dead seven years ago when he restarted his ascent to power."
Neji cleared his throat and continued for Shikamaru. "We've also had some new developments Deer-san." The ANBU raised his eyebrow but gestured for Neji to continue. "A Seer by the name of Trelawney has had a premonition… and apparently that last serious one she made came true."
Sakura stood with her hands on her hips. "I've heard about this Trelawney… she's a complete fraud."
"While I would normally agree with you Haruno-san, I was there when she made the prediction. Naruto and I have both spoken to McGonagall-sensei and she seems to believe the woman."
This had Sakura stunned. "We are to meet with McGonagall-sensei this evening after classes during supper to discuss the situation further."
Shikamaru rubbed his temples roughly.
"Before we speak with her, we need to hear the prophecy ourselves and determine what we can and cannot tell her."
Neji barely spared the ANBU a glance. "The sleeping curse shall wake and the one who is not the Dark Lord shall rise. The Gate lies shut. The snake lives. As the snow leaves the ground the evil will make known its presence. Beware the demons whose eyes burn red. The white shall overcome the red."
Karin snorted loudly before bursting into laughter. "Well, one thing is for sure. It's not talking about just the Kyuubi. It's a good thing I came on this mission. You'll need an expert on the curse marks I think."
Sasuke glared at the redhead who only smiled coyly at him before flipping her hair.
"Unless of course the magic users are aware of some other random curse."
The man glared even harder.
"At least we have till winter is over?" Kiba tried to reason with the team.
"Alright. With that scant amount of information… There is not much to discuss at this point, however, you may not speak to McGonagall-sensei about the Kyuubi or the Curse Mark. Understood?"
At the nods he received he sighed.
"You're all dis-"
The warning bell sounded for the next class to begin. Shikamaru muttered a 'troublesome' before addressing his team once more.
"You're all dismissed."
-
Naruto, Kiba, Sai and Karin walked leisurely down the corridor to their next class. It was supposed to be Alchemy. They were surprised to see a bunch of their housemates trapped in large hands that looked like they grew quickly from the wall. Even more surprising was the shouting coming from the people who were trapped.
"What happened here Potter?" Naruto asked as he examined the stone hands. The other three busied themselves looking for potential traps.
"Professor Elric trapped us all in these hands a moment ago. Those Slytherin idiots were attacking us in plain sight." Harry growled.
Naruto looked at Sai. He had an almost puzzled expression on his face. Naruto winked at him out of the corner of his eye and the artist smirked back.
"Fucking Slytherin. Keep your friends off our backs Sai!" Naruto shouted at his teammate, giving him a little shove. He reached out a hand to the wall confining Harry and crushed it under his fingers.
Sai merely smiled as he painted a lion that came to life crunching the stone between its jaws. After a minute both sides were free of the wall.
"Try not to be too weak Uzumaki. It might lead people to believe you have no penis."
Naruto slammed the black haired Nin into the wall and punched next to his head. The stone shattered and showered the audience with small stones and fine dust.
"Next time it's your head." The blond sneered cheerfully as he pulled a confused Kiba after him into the classroom muttering about 'penis jokes'.
-
Edward looked up as the students he'd left outside plus a few more trailed into the room.
"I trust you've sorted your differences?" He asked with an unreadable expression on his face. The people who had just entered all nodded.
"Good. Now, time for class!" The blond stood from his desk and started handing out the transmutation circles he'd made earlier. "I have some circles for you to use until you're good enough to draw your own… and please look to the black board for information on the three steps of alchemy."
The entire class looked to the front curiously. A few still glared at each other but no fights were breaking out.
"The three steps are as follows. Understanding, Decomposition, and Reconstruction. The first is the most important." Ed made sure his class was focused on him as he removed his jacket and gloves. He removed his shirt as well and rolled his left pant leg up to his knee. "If you do not understand the transmutation you are about to make, do not have the correct materials, or are attempting human transmutation… This is what will happen to you. Or worse."
The classes horrified whispers died slowly. Naruto gulped slightly. Even in his line of work, most people didn't have major damage to their body. At the worst, the person didn't survive the enemy long enough to complain the lack of a limb.
"I was ten years old, my brother nine when we attempted to bring our dead mother back. My formula was perfect, the ingredients where there, but the transmutation stole my leg and his body. I sacrificed my arm to bring his soul back to attach to a suit of armour."
He took in the silence of the class and sighed.
"I took the pain of automail and became a state alchemist at the age of twelve."
A boy in the back commented in a sarcastic voice. "And how does this even relate to our class? Boring."
Edward laughed out loud. "Well, if it's so boring, you can leave. I don't care what you do with your time, but if you are in my class then you will follow my rules and work your ass off."
Sai raised his hand. Ed looked at the Slytherin with some curiosity. "Yes?"
"I am called Sai and I also wish to inquire on why you wished to tell us your life story. It does not benefit you in anyway."
Stunned, the only thing Edward could do was laugh some more. This time though Naruto spoke up without raising his hand.
"It's so that we see the consequences of not listening to his lessons. Duh."
Kiba stared open mouthed at the blond next to him. So did most of his class.
"Thank you…" Ed glanced to his roster and quickly pulled the name he needed. "Mr. Uzumaki. Yes, that is precisely why I had to show you my automail. Learn from mistakes before you. It is the only way for humans to avoid making the same ones… and usually worse." He shook his head roughly. "Back to the lesson. Decomposition is the next step. Can anyone tell me what it means?"
Hermione bounced in her seat with her hand in the air.
-
Throughout the corridor a loud gurgling growl could be heard. It was so loud that it almost shook the walls. Naruto placed a hand over his stomach and sighed.
"We really have to miss supper to talk to the client? I'm starved here!" He complained.
"Shut it Naruto." Sakura and Sasuke both replied.
"Aw… You guys are mean. What happened to team- HOLY SHIT A GREMLIN?"
The blond jumped back into a crouch and pulled a kunai out just in case the little monster tried to attack him.
"I is sorry sirs and madams for scaring yous. I is being Winky. If you is hungry please be following me to the kitchens." It bowed and scurried off.
"I'm not the only one who saw that right?" Naruto commented drily to his friends.
"Nope. That was fucked up." Suigetsu shook his head.
Sakura huffed and held her hands in fists on her hips. "Let's just follow it. It said that we were going to the kitchens… That's where we're supposed to meet McGonagall-sensei to talk." She reasoned.
"Right. We follow the munchkin." Kiba got on Akamaru's back and let him sniff out the trail to the creature.
Winky had stopped at a picture of a bowl of fruit. She floated up to the picture and tickled the pear. It started giggling and the entire picture frame swung open. The ninja had all sprung back in case of an attack but followed the tiny creature once it went into the newly opened room.
"I is bringing the guests mistress." With a low bow the creature disappeared with a crack.
McGonagall looked at the astonished faces of her new guests and gestured for them to find seats for themselves with a wry chuckle.
"That was Winky. She's a house elf. They work here cooking and cleaning."
"Oh… so not a gremlin, gotchya." Naruto mused. He looked around the kitchen and noticed many more house elves running around. One wandered up to him with a platter held over its head that completely obscured the tiny figure beneath it.
"For the hungry masters and mistresses." It squeaked.
"Oh hey, thanks!" Naruto grinned as he removed the tray and put it on the table for everyone to grab from.
"One word of caution with the house elves… please do not attempt to give them clothing of any sort… they will be most offended if you do." The tired woman smiled gently at the small elf who refilled her tea. "Thank you."
At the looks of confusion she finally elaborated. "When a house elf under a magical contract with someone is given a piece of clothing by that person, they are considered free. They do not like to be without work and take much pride serving wizards."
"Most of them are like that." Harry said as he walked into the room via the painting. Ron and Hermione both followed. "Dobby was different. He disobeyed his master and punished himself greatly for it to save my life."
Hermione nodded but was busy talking to the house elves, asking them about their current workload and breaks. Most ignored her. Others gave her scathing looks and went about their business.
"Oh poor dears…" She murmured.
Harry shook his head with a sigh. "I tricked his previous owner into freeing him and he came here to work for…" He stumbled slightly with his words. "He came here and worked for money and had holidays. The other elves hated him for dishonouring his contract as a house elf and they didn't get a long so well."
"Thank you Potter, Granger and Weasely for joining us. Trelawney has had another prophecy."
-
Muahahahahaha. That's about 6 pages there. Longer than it usually is. I thought I'd pump this out and wish everyone a happy Valentines Day. Also… Happy Single's Awareness Day. I'm so glad I get to celebrate Valentines Day now.
Hope you all enjoyed it, and if you're Albertan, happy Family Day!