Chapter 11: Discussions and Jinxed Flying

Naruko was humming to herself as she made her way to Hagrid's. She was alone this time and thankful for it. She needed to ask him some personal things. She had looked more closely throughout the castle, but couldn't find anything to satisfy her training needs. She felt even worse about getting so distracted from something so important, even if Hogwarts was exciting and new to her. She was even more determined after the troll incident and knowing Harry was training as part of the Quidditch team.

She came to the hut and knocked on the door. "Coming," Hagrid said from inside.

The giant of a man opened the door and smiled when he saw Naruko. "Well this is a pleasant surprise. What can I do ya fer, Naruko?" he asked kindly.

"I actually wanted to ask you a couple of questions regarding a certain aspect of my mother's life. If you have time," Naruko said with a small smile.

"Aye. That I do. Come on in and get out of tha chill," Hagrid said. "Want anything to drink?" he asked as he rummaged around in his hut for something.

"I'm good this time. I don't want to take up too much of your time," Naruko said as she closed the door behind her.

"Hope ya don't mind me getting something to drink then. Just got finished with some outside work. Could use with a little sumthin' to shrug off the chill," Hagrid said.

It wasn't long until they were seated and Hagrid turned to Naruko. "So, what did ya want to know about your mom?" he asked.

"What did she do for kunoichi training while she was here?" Naruko asked.

"I guess I shoulda known that'd be what you asked for. She mostly used weight seals and just did normal physical training at first, that's what she told me at least. She didn't really have any problems with the academy four. I suspect she just refreshed herself on them a few times in an empty classroom to make sure she didn't get rusty," Hagrid said.

Naruko nodded to that. "I thought about doing something like that, but I need something more than just physical training. I have been finding spare time to go through my Taijutsu style, but not too much," she said. She then gave a giggle. "It is really easy to slip away unnoticed when Hermione gets in her study zone. I might have to do something about that more often. The girl still gets too focused from time to time on just studying," she mused.

"Most muggle-borns do I've noticed. I think some feel left behind despite everyone starting at the same point here at Hogwarts. The others I suspect feel as if they hafta prove something. Hermione does seem like a sweet girl, but she is probably a bit of both. You all will need to help her out… Things get mighty tough for Muggle-borns after a couple of years. They don't quiet feel like they fit in with wizardkind just yet and they start drifting from their muggle families. Happens to all of them. Too much going on at Hogwarts that their non-magic family just can't understand," Hagrid said with a frown.

"Dawww…" Naruko let out and sniffed a little.

"You okay?" Hagrid asked.

"Yeah… Just decided when I finish here, I'm making sure to give Hermione a big hug and hold on to her for a bit. Luckily, she likes hugs and she is very huggy as a person," Naruko said. She then gave a light giggle. "I may just be looking for an excuse to hug her more though. It is still a way off but Christmas Break is coming soon. I'm going to miss all of my roommates when they leave for the break. I've always been a bit well… clingy I guess you could say for a kunoichi," Naruko said as she scratched the back of her head.

"Nothing wrong with holding on tight to what ya have. I always say. Just don't suffocate them one way or the other," Hagrid said with a grin. "Your mother was really kind and friendly too."

"That's good to hear. Speaking of my mom, what did she do for her later training? You know, once she was a kunoichi and not an academy student," Naruko asked. She was a bit surprised to realize she actually graduated before her mom did.

"She had a place. It ain't easy to get to though. It is a little bit into the forest. She decorated the place with them seals to keep people from noticing. I wouldn't recommend that though, Naruko. The forest can be dangerous might be a good idea to wait until you too are a kunoichi yourself," Hagrid said.

"I already am," Naruko said causally.

"Really?!" Hagrid asked in surprise.

"Yep. I graduated last spring. I've even been on C-rank missions and one that turned into a B-rank," she said.

"Wow… ain't that something. What happened on the one that turned out to be a B-rank?" Hagrid asked.

Naruko frowned in thought. She hated talking about that mission, but Hagrid would understand. He knew her mom and he had been through war himself with the magical world during Voldemort's reign of terror. "It was an escort mission for a family of three. We came across a group of bandits led by a missing ninja. We ended up killing the bandits. I'm not happy about that, but I don't regret it. We saved the lives of a baby boy and his father. The mother would have lived… if you could call it that... She was young and very pretty. I don't think I need to say much more there," Naruko sighed. "Can I have a cup of tea after all?" she asked a little weakly.

Hagrid nodded and poured her some tea. He even offered her a little something extra. "Thanks, but I'm good with just the tea," she said. "I killed most of the bandit force and my teammates killed some as well. Salma-sensei took care of the missing ninja," she added.

"Why did they leave most of that nasty business to you?" Hagrid asked a little upset at such a thing. He knew how ninja teams usually were, two boys, one girl and a sensei until they were more experienced.

"The bandits tried to make a run for it, but we knew they weren't going to be doing so peacefully. There was a village nearby they were ransacking during their retreat. I am very adept at Shadow Clones so… It was more efficient and saved more people when I used them," Naruko said.

"Lots of bad things happen in this world unfortunately…" Hagrid said.

They were in silence for a bit after that. Hagrid then spoke up again. "I guess ye can see them then. Can't ya?" he asked.

"See what?" Naruko asked.

"The Threstrals. They pull the carriages up to the school. Only those who have witnessed death can see them," Hagrid said.

Naruko took on a horrified look. "That's why I can see them and Hermione can't? They look so evil…" she said.

"They do. They ain't though. The ones here especially. Got them well domesticated. They're useful too. Clever they are. Can understand yer words they can. Tell them a destination and they can get you there, but that might not work for getting to the ninja world again," Hagrid said before taking a sip.

"Loyal too. They won't hurt ya unless you make yourself an enemy. Or an enemy of Hogwarts in the case of this lot. They're really fast flyers. Ain't no broom that can match their speed. Never will be either, I imagine. They're also strong. Their wings can lift me up even… with a little difficulty," Hagrid said giving a wink at the end.

Naruko giggled to that.

"Tell ya what. I'll show ye to where your mother did her kunoichi training. Or wheresabouts at least. I've only been to it a couple of times, but I mostly remember where it is. It isn't too deep into the forest. We'll just not mention it to McGonagall. She'll throw a fit most likely. She probably sees you as just another one of her adorable first year girls. Gonna take time for most to realize you're a full fledged kunoichi and that means ye are an adult more or less," Hagrid said.

Naruko beamed to that and came around to give him a big hug. "Thank you, Hagrid!" she said.

"Let's get going then!" Hagrid said as he got up and grab his coat.

"Okay!" Naruko replied quickly as she too got up.

{-} {-} {-}

"Wow… This place really is perfect! The seals will keep me from being discovered when I use chakra. They'll also keep me hidden from view most of the time. I'll just have to activate them again. It was good that she added that quasi notice-me-not rune," Naruko said as she looked around the place.

"Actually. It weren't her. So, she said at least. I think its like that clan vault you have. You also have a clan training ground. Uzumakis have been around since even before Hogwarts scatter throughout the years," Hagrid said.

"This place is still perfect. It could even be used as an emergency shelter from the looks of it. If needed at least," Naruko said.

The place was expanded with some mix of runes and seals. It was massive! The area itself was of ancient design with stone walls covered in vines and such. Nature had provided extra protections from detection. There were Taijutsu posts. There were trees. There was even a good-sized pond in one corner. That didn't even count the buildings inside the walled area.

There were a few of buildings here that were in need of a little repair work, but Naruko could do that. Shadow clones were really useful and she studied books that weren't just about the ninja arts. It looked like one of the buildings could be used for meditation or just relaxation. Another one looked like it could be used for cooking and even had bedrooms. They were old style bedrooms that reminded her a bit of the Hyuga compound, but on a smaller scale.

The last building Naruko looked at was for practicing seals specifically. There was a safe room for experimentation and a few other rooms for practicing writing. There were even a few supply rooms with ink stones and inkwells and quills or dip pens. Naruko guessed it would make sense there would have been a time when multiple Uzumakis were here at Hogwarts together, thus the need for such a training area.

Once she finished her examination of the area, it was clear she would just be using it for ninja training. Any studying and extra magic training she would be doing at the castle. This wasn't too bad really. There were plenty of unused classrooms and such she could use for some privacy, or she could just work on things in her dorm.

"Thanks again, Hagrid. I really appreciate you showing me this place," Naruko said giving him a hug in thanks once more.

"Glad to be of help. Was worried for a bit, but hearing you were a full kunoichi made it clear you could handle yerself well enough to get here. Now then. Are you wanting ta stay here a bit? Or shall we go back together and get some more tea to warm up again?" Hagrid asked returning her hug momentarily.

"I'll stay here for a bit. You can head back and warm up," Naruko said. Hagrid gave her a wave goodbye and headed back.

"Now. Where to start," Naruko thought out loud. It would be the basics to get back in shape obviously.

{-} {-} {-}

"Hermione-channn!" Naruko said as she quickly gave her friend a tight hug and didn't let go as she smiled brightly. The hug got a really cute surprised sound from her frizzy haired friend.

"N-N-Naruko," Hermione stammered out. She clutched her heart a bit. She was engrossed in looking over her assignment for a seventh time. Her friend's hug caught her by surprise.

"Hermione-chan. Time for a break!" Naruko said.

"But…" Hermione started.

"Nope. It is clear you have been studying the whole time I was gone. Balance Hermione-chan. Balance," Naruko said.

Hermione turned around to face a grinning girl. She blushed a bit seeing her friend was a little sweaty. Of course, it being Naruko, she still looked beautiful. Her friend was lucky like that. "What have you been doing?" Hermione asked.

"Exercising. I can't just sit around all day. I'm not about to let myself get fat and slow. Plus, all of the food… It would go right to my hips and not in the good kind of way I bet. It also feels really good working out. I also visited Hagrid briefly," Naruko said.

Hermione frowned a little. "You could have said something…" she said with a pouty lip.

"Awwww…" Naruko cooed. She then gave Hermione another tight hug. This time the girls were chest to chest and Hermione felt it was a little unfair how well endowed her friend seemed. She was really soft and it felt nice though. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I wanted to ask him some personal stuff though about my mom. It won't happen often. I promise," Naruko said.

"And you never break your promises," Hermione finished with a smile.

"You better believe it! Honestly though… I'd take my Hermione-chan everywhere if she'd let me," Naruko said with a smile. Hermione blushed again. "Then she wouldn't get to study as much and probably be grouchy after a while. You may have cute pouts, but I don't want to actually anger you," Naruko said hugging Hermione tight again briefly.

Hermione had to admit it was nice having such a huggy friend. She felt much better about her life here at Hogwarts with each hug, but it still felt like a world that couldn't always fit her. Sometimes on bad days, it felt as it the magic world didn't want her. That was mostly when they had Slytherin around them a whole lot though. Naruko's hugs made her feel as if she did have a place here, especially with her friends. Harry and Ron were great, but they weren't exactly the kind of people that hugged often. They were boys. And boys were well… boys. They had good parts but they also liked Quidditch too much and such.

"So, are you looking forward to the first Quidditch game?" Hermione actually asked. She may think Ron and Harry were too crazy about Quidditch, but she was still really excited to see a game.

"Yep! I really want to see Harry up there flying by…" Naruko trailed off a little as she smiled. Then there was an odd blush that appeared for a moment before it disappeared. Hermione felt the blush wasn't exactly wholly pure either.

Naruko was like that at times. She… drifted… as Hermione called it from time to time. She was just glad Naruko wasn't like Lavender. Her drift was most of the time. Lavender was a kind girl, but far too boy crazy for Hermione's liking. Hermione could take her in doses, especially now that she and Naruko had that discussion on Halloween. Hermione suddenly looked to the floor as she grabbed Naruko tightly for a moment and closed her eyes.

"Don't worry about it, Hermione-chan. I'm here for you," Naruko said with a kind smile. She could tell something suddenly bothered her friend. She had a good guess on what it was. Hermione was getting over the troll, but it was taking time. Hermione ended up sharing her bed a couple of more times since that night. Naruko never complained and didn't mind it.

"Thanks…" Hermione said. She held Naruko tightly and then she relaxed after a moment. "I'm really lucky to have you as a friend. I'm really glad too," Hermione said in a soft reflective voice.

"And I'm glad to have you as a friend too, Hermione. So, what do you want to do? See what Harry and Ron are up to?" Naruko asked.

"Study…" Hermione suggested.

"Nope! Hermione-chans need a break from studying. Come on. Let's do something fun," Naruko said.

"Fine… Lead the way," Hermione said in a playfully resigned voice. Naruko gave a giggle as the two got up and left together.

{-} {-} {-}

Quidditch really was something! It was amazing to watch. It was intense, even if Slytherin cheated too much and got away with it too often.

Sadly, this game got a little scary. Harry seemed to be having problems with his broom. It was bucking him off! It took everything he had to keep from falling, and the game was still going. "I'm telling you. It's Professor Snape. I don't know why he is doing it, but he is keeping eye contact and chanting. Both are required for a broom jinx to work," Hermione said as they made their way over to the other side of the stands.

"I don't know… Wouldn't it also be required for a counter jinx too?" Naruko asked.

Hermione paused and blinked in thought for a moment. "Yes. Actually. It would…" Hermione said in thought.

"We don't have time for this! Harry's in trouble," Ron said. "We need to stop this and it is Professor Snape! He hates Gryffindor."

"Fine. We know he is involved somehow and he does seem to have something against Harry for whatever reason," Naruko said as they started moving again.

"I'll make sure the distraction is big enough it will stop whoever else may be doing it. If it isn't Professor Snape," Hermione said.

"It is Snape. Harry told us he accidentally found out he was trying to get past that dog. Now the he's trying to get rid of him," Ron said.

"Okay… But witnesses. If he really wanted to get rid of Harry for that, he could do it in private and provide himself an alibi. Doing it in the middle of a game in such a flashy fashion is not really the most cunning way. Sure, you could say everyone would have their attention elsewhere, but do you honestly think they wouldn't do a very through investigation into Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, falling from his clearly cursed broom to his death? I heard they have ways of seeing the event again from multiple angles. Something about memories or what not. Much better to use poison or something or possibly a mind-controlled patsy," Naruko said.

"Naruko… I like you and all, but you can be scary at times. How do you put in that much thought on something like this so quickly?" Ron asked as he was the one to pause this time.

Naruko cursed her ninja nature coming out like that. She gave a nervous smile and giggle while trying to look cute. "Too many… comics?" Naruko asked lightly.

"What's a comic?" Ron asked.

"It's like a book, but uses illustrations to tell the story with dialogue instead of just words," Hermione answered giving her blonde friend a look. She blushed. It wasn't fair how Naruko was so cute. Hermione was working on a theory that all straight girls would have some form of a crush on the blonde.

"That sounds cool! Much better than regular books," Ron said brightly.

Hermione gave him a stern look for that reaction. Naruko decided she was safe for now and had some gift ideas for Ron in the future.

As they continued, they accidentally bumped into Quirrell who was sitting near Snape. "So, what's the plan?" Ron asked in a loud whisper only they could hear.

"Incendio," Hermione said quietly as a jet of flames shot from her wand and lit Professor Snape's robes on fire.

Ron was about to say wicked, when Naruko tossed something quickly to the side and said, "Let's go." There was a loud bang sound and the audience jumped to see what caused it just as trio left the area and watched while Harry surfed on his broom to reach out and grab the snitch. The audience along with Ron roared in approval as the game came to an end. Snape was too busy trying to put out the fire on his robes to respond to his house's loss. "Maybe I should have just used that in the first place," Naruko said causally.

"At least it covered up our escape," Hermione said.

"What was that?" Ron asked.

"I believe it was called a bang popper," Naruko replied.

"Did you get that from Fred and George?" Ron asked. His brothers had a number of fireworks they always smuggled into the school and kept handy for any spontaneous firework required engagements.

"Mayyyybe," Naruko said in a singsong voice. "Come on! Let's go wait for Harry by the lockers," she said before leading the way again.

{-} {-} {-}

"Your broom was jinxed, Harry. That's what caused the problem," Hermione explained as they headed to Hagrid's for a post-game celebration.

"Really?" Harry asked.

"Yeah! It was Professor Snape," Ron added.

"Well… I'm not sure about that. Hermione and Ron seem to think so. I think he would have picked a much cleaner way of getting rid of you if he wanted to," Naruko said.

Harry wasn't sure what to think of her choice of words regarding his hypothetical demise at the hand of the Potions Professor.

"After what you said, I'm not so sure anymore, Naruko…" Hermione said sternly. "That's why I said his broom was jinxed and didn't say it was Professor Snape," she then gave a pout.

"Ggggaaaooo… I'm sorry, Hermione," Naruko said with a trembling lip. She then gave Hermione another hug in apology.

Naruko had been making, what Hermione called, Naruko noises more often lately. Maybe the frizzy haired girl just recognized them more now. Naruko made them in her sleep a little. The blonde had also been more huggy lately as well. Hermione wasn't sure why that was the case. She didn't mind, but she worried something was bothering her best friend the blonde wasn't coming out and sharing.

"I forgive you, Naruko. I doubt there is much I wouldn't forgive you for," Hermione replied.

"That's why Hermione-chan's my best friend at Hogwarts!" Naruko said cheerfully.

"Hey… What about me?" Harry asked.

Naruko shrugged. "You're a guy. It's different. Besides… Hermione's more huggy. I would say you are a good friend, Harry. But. Like I said it is different…" she blushed a little and only Hermione seemed to notice.

"Can we get back to talking about how Snape jinxed the broom?" Ron asked a little annoyed.

"That was in the past. We took care of it!" Naruko said as Harry nodded.

"Hello Hagrid!" Hermione called to their giant of a friend who was sitting outside his hut waving to them.

Ron shook his head, but smiled. He did like visiting Hagrid. He would be revisiting this topic later. He didn't think they should just blow off what happened to his best mate so easily.

"Hey you all! Great Game huh?! Told ya you'd be a natural at flying. Not sure about that broom business though…" Hagrid said.

"It was pretty cool, how you were all surfing on it there, Harry," Naruko said with a bright smile and a slightly different lilt to her voice.

"I… ummmm. Did that because I felt if I didn't, I would have ended up swallowing it or something instead. I also felt it would be right. You know," Harry said.

"I think it was," Naruko said again with that different lilt in her voice. Harry wondering what it was about.

Hermione kept herself from giggling at Naruko. She was so going to tease her about seemingly having a crush on Harry. "You're a boy so it's different indeed…" she thought to herself. Hermione had to pause for a moment just then. She was hoping she didn't catch the giggly girl/boy crazy disease Lavender and Parvati had. Then again, it could just be Hermione never had a friend she could do things like that with until now. More reason Hogwarts was where she belonged.

Hagrid gave a chuckle not aware of Hermione's mid first-year crisis. "I knew ya'd be a natural! I did! Just like your father! Still that business with the broom," Hagrid said.

Ron decided to speak up this time since no one else was. "It was Jinxed! We saw it was Snape who did it," he said.

"Why would he do that? I know he gets surprisingly crazy about Quidditch like McGonagall does, but that's too far," Hagrid said.

"We aren't all sure it was him, but it could have been. He was chanting and keeping eye contact with the broom. He could have been doing a counter jinx… But we don't fully know. Our distraction took care of it though," Hermione said.

"That was you lot?" Hagrid asked.

"Yes. We wanted it to be something big enough in case it wasn't Professor Snape," Naruko supplied.

"Why you think it could be him though?" Hagrid asked looking to Ron.

Ron looked to Harry. Harry sighed. "I found out he was trying to get past that three-headed dog. He was talking to Filch about it as he was getting patched up. I walked in on them trying to get back a book he decided to confiscate earlier in the day," Harry said.

"How do you know about Fluffy?" Hagrid asked.

"Fluffy?!" Ron, Hermione, and Harry asked together. Naruko was too busy laughing at the cutesy name for such a large dog.

"Yeah… Fluffy," Hagrid said.

"That thing has a name?!" Ron asked.

"It does! No how do you lot know about him?" Hagrid asked a little annoyed they weren't answering the question.

"We ummm…" Harry started.

"Harry and Ron thought Malfoy was being serious about dueling them in the Trophy Room at midnight… Hermione and I went to keep them out of trouble. I did tell them he wouldn't show up. Filch did instead. Things got messy and we accidentally found Fluffy... in that room on top of the trapdoor during our escape," Naruko answered.

"You lot haven't been poking around there now have ye?" Hagrid asked in warning.

"No… That thing had too many heads! No way we'd go back there on purpose," Ron said.

"Good. Ain't none of your busy that," Hagrid said.

"What is it guarding?" Harry couldn't help but ask.

"I said it ain't none of your business! I ought to turn you lot over to Dumbledore for snooping around Fluffy. That business is between Albus and Nickolas Flamel… End of discussion! I shouldn't have even said that much," Hagrid grumbled.

Harry was about to carry on again, but this time he felt a soft kick to his shin. Naruko was giving him a look. Hermione took it upon herself to do the same for Ron who was about to likewise ask a dumb question that would have really gotten Hagrid angry at them.

Instead of that, Harry thought back to the whole tact thing. "So, you said my dad played Quidditch? I heard about that after I was put on the team. What was he like when it came to Quidditch?" Harry asked.

Hagrid seemed to smile again to that. "He was amazing! One of the best Chasers we've had in years. Great flyer as well. Like I said. It comes naturally to ye just like it did him," Hagrid said. Hagrid then gave a chuckle. "Really struck with the ladies, it did. Seeing him flying up there, but like I said as well. That didn't impress your mom any. She would tease him about how he was just like a flying dog chasing after a big red ball."

Naruko laughed to that. Harry did as well. He loved hearing his parents were close enough to tease each other like that.

"Aye. She did say that a number of times. But she also admitted just as many times to being his number one fan when it came to Quidditch. She loved seeing him flying around up there dodging and weaving through everyone. He was pretty much unstoppable when he was in the zone with his eyes on the prize. I'd tell him a time or two that's why he got the most important prize in his life. Your mother's love and heart. He'd always shake his head and smile while saying Lilly was an angel. He was just lucky to catch her eye… after chasing her red hair instead of a red ball and a goal post," Hagrid said.

Hermione gave a dreamy sigh at the tale. She wasn't boy crazy and giggly like Lavender, but even Hermione would admit she was probably the biggest romantic of the Gryffindor first year girls. She was liking it more and more every time she got to hear about the love between Harry's parents.

Naruko liked the story too and wondered if she would ever get to hear romantic stories about her parents like this. She was really happy for Harry though. He changed the topic back and got to hear a wonderful story about his mom and dad.

Harry smiled at the story. He wondered if he would get to have such a great time while here at Hogwarts. He wondered if he would get to have his own family to tell stories like this too, or maybe he'd leave it to Hagrid since they would be embarrassing to share.

Ron was bearing with it. He was happy for his friend and glad they dodged a bullet, but he really thought this was all too mushy for him. He hoped for tales of amazing scores and such, since it was Quidditch.

"Thank you for sharing that, Hagrid," Harry finally said after they had a moment of pause.

"Always a pleasure, Harry. Nice to reminisce about them. Shame they're gone, but still nice to remember them. Anyways. I do think you lot should head on back up to the castle now. No doubt Gryffindor will be missing their star of the game for their victory party otherwise," Hagrid said with a friendly chuckle.

"Yeah, you're probably right. It was good seeing you again Hagrid," Harry said as he and the others got up to head back. Once they gave their farewells and a head pat each for Fang, the group of friends left through the door.

{-} {-} {-}

Once they were a good bit away from Hagrid's hut, Naruko smiled to Harry and grabbed his arm in quick hug. "You needed my warning, but you did good. You're slowly learning tact," she said with a nod.

Harry made no move to shrug her off. He just looked to her as she beamed back at him. He then nodded. "It was nice to hear about my parents. I'm also glad we didn't upset Hagrid too much," he admitted.

"And you learned about Nickolas Flamel and Dumbledore having a connection to the item that is hidden under the trapdoor. Put that together with the article…" Naruko said in a leading manner.

"That's what the item is then? Something they did?" Ron asked.

"Most likely. Either way it is a lead," Naruko said. She was making a point of still holding Harry's arm. Harry was wondering if she was testing him or something. If she was, she was in for a long haul. He had no problems with her being right next to him at the moment.

Ron shook his head after a moment. "I still can't believe he named it Fluffy," he said causing the others to laugh at the overly cute name for such a huge dog. He joined them as well in laughter as they opened the doors to Hogwarts.