Sorry I haven't updated with the holidays coming my work schedule has been crazy. Alright here we go!

Ch. 12. Preparations

Things had been odd for Hermione since the night she had spilled all her secrets to Kakashi. He acted like if nothing was different like she hadn't lied to him from the very beginning. As much as it annoyed her at least now that he knew the whole story he was being nicer to Draco. It seemed even their significant others thought there was something going on between her and the ferret.

While the village repaired itself the witch and wizard prepared themselves to go back to England. The portkeys were ready all that was needed was to chose a time of departure. The Sand Siblings returned to their village a few days ago the treaty being reinstated but there seemed to be more to be done before the village could spare the Ninja that would be going with them.

Hermione watched Teddy run around the back yard while mentally planning what needed to be done in their time in England. She had been told by Minerva that both the Burrow and the Lovegood home had been turned into historical sight like the Potter house in Godric's Hollow. She didn't know whether to be happy they would be remembered or angry that they would come to gawk and talk of the tragedies that occurred when they were to cowardly to help stop them from happening.

She was startled by the weight that suddenly fell into her lap, looking down at the small boy wiggling to get comfortable she smiled. The boy looked up and gave her a goofy grin. The happy little moment was ruined by a hysterical Sakura yelling that Sasuke was in the hospital and someone had tried to take Naruto.

"How could you let this happen?"

Sasuke watched in silent fascination as the witch he and Naruto had come to think of as a mother figure yelled at the elite ninjas. He was dragged back from the terror filled room in his mind that he was trapped in courtesy of Itachi by Tsunade. Once awake he was smothered in a hug and cooed over by Hermione while she assured herself he was in alright.

To his annoyance Naruto seemed to be enjoying his discomfort immensely. His irritation faded a little when Sakura told him Hermione had done the same to the blonde on arrival before they were allowed to see him. A loud smack brought him back to the scene before him. Judging by the way Gai-sensei was clutching the back of his head he must have said something that angered the witch enough to warrant a smack.

Naruto was rolling in laughter on the bed next to him while Kakashi was snickering into his hand and the others grimaced in sympathy. Kakashi stopped laughing when she turned to glare at him. That started an amazing argument about how he was supposed to be watching the kids and his defense of how they don't do as they are told. Truthfully Sasuke was surprised that his teacher and his ward cared so much for him, for any of them really.

He had heard rumors about Kakashi being a ninja that cared for nothing but the mission but he seemed to have taken to his team as if they were his own children. While Hermione had lost everything just like he did but she kept fighting to not be buried by the pain. Even after her heart broke she still offered them the pieces that were left.

He could still hear Itachi telling him he needed to hate him more but as he felt Hermione hug him tight with relief at his well being he realized he didn't want to. He didn't want to hate anymore.

"We are leaving for England in two days and that's final!" He was startled by the statement.

The whole room went silent looking between the copy-nin and his witch.

"You can't make decisions like that it has to be cleared by the Hokage." Kakashi responded calmly.

Hermione turned her attention to the older man who seemed startled by the sudden attention only to have her repeat what she had already declared. She was not asking permission she was telling the leader of the village that they would be leaving. The ninja's eyes widened at her boldness while Draco just sighed in resignation. Saratobi gaped at her for a moment, no one had ever dared to speak to him that way, composing himself before responding.

"My dear I understand that you are concerned but the boys they are perfectly safe-"

"Oh yes that was proven spectacularly today." Once again silence reigned.

"It was my understanding you are not ready to make the trip quiet yet."

"We are." Was the firm reply.

Draco asked. "Where are we staying?"

"Grimmauld Place so send a few elves to get it ready." Scowl forming at the last part.

Raised an eyebrow amused. "Very well. The language barrier?"

"Translation charms." Irritation seeping into her tone.

Saratobi sighed it was clear she would not be swayed. This was clearly one not used to being opposed and he was likely not the first great man to give in to her will. Little comfort as that was.

"As it seems your mind is made up Team seven and Mitarashi Anko have permission to accompany you with Jiraiya and Tsunade as chaperones." He received a smile form the woman for his troubles and he noticed the blonde man by the door roll his eyes in amusement.

It looked like he had been right many a good men had fallen at the woman's feet.

After getting the boys out of the hospital they had all returned to the Hatake compound. Sakura had gone home to say goodbye her family soon after while the boys packed. Naruto then took off to get one final bowl of ramen and say his farewell to Iruka. Sasuke took Teddy out back to keep him entertained while the adults finished the preparations.

In the living room Hermione placed an assortment of necklaces on the coffee table. The others looked at them with varying expressions of curiosity, suspicion and doubt. They were simple with thin chains with a circle pendent hanging from it. The circle had several runes and markings flowing in intricate patterns.

Jiraiya picked one up examining the markings and comparing them to his seal knowledge.

"And this will help us understand your language?" He asked.

"Try it if you don't believe me." He placed the necklace around his neck and waited for something to happen.

Draco snorted. "What are you expecting to happen? The letters of the alphabet to be visible?"

The white haired Sanin glared at the blonde man before realizing the other Konoha natives looked confused.

"Looks like it worked." He said still glaring at the smirking Draco.

Hermione rolled her eyes at her former classmate's need to irritate people. The necklaces were passed out with the exception of the three that were for the children. Suddenly there was a loud pop that made the ninja jump and spread a look of annoyance on the wizard and witch's face.

Once again the message box was in front of Hermione. Since Draco's arrival the box had popped up more and more with irritating news and request for both. They had managed to keep this from Kakashi and Anko speaking in English when it was necessary to discuss things while in their presence. It's just their luck that it would show up in front of everybody and after the translation charms had been given.

Opening the box quickly she handed Draco his letter ignoring the other's curious looks. The ninja had all put on the necklace in case the two decided to speak in their on language.

"How dare they? How bloody dare they?" Draco cried in indignation. "An audit of the Malfoy vaults? I went over the account books after the war and gave a copy of the records to the Ministry financial department head."

"The head of the financial department head lost his only daughter when your father took her in a raid. It wouldn't surprise me if he messed with your records." Hermione looked at him in sympathy as his face lost the little color it had. Sighing quietly as she realized the others had understood. "I'll speak to Kingsley about it once in England we can even get the goblins to verify everything is correct."

He nodded sharply keeping his eyes on the paper as he continued to read, looking up at the loud huff that came from the Gryffindor Princess.

"I have to go to Gringotts as well as St. Mugos while we're in England. Apparently the healers aren't competent enough to understand the instructions we sent them for the rather nastier of curses."

"Yes I got the request too but they seem to only want me there if I'm willing to have an auror as escort. Why do you have to go to Gringotts?"

"There is a question as to how I obtained a certain artifact from a certain persons vault and the need for compensation of a lost dragon." She answered through gritted teeth.

"If you mean Bellatrix's vault they can't do anything about it. Potter was the head of the Black family at the time since her husband was dead she was subject to her head of family which was Potter. If he wanted something out of her vault the goblins couldn't have objected. As for the dragon it was a goblin that showed you in and a goblin who betrayed you after making a deal by their laws his life is yours. So make a trade his life for the dragon if the say they want a new one just get them a new one."

After thinking it over she agreed but suddenly realized Draco had referred to Harry as Potter. He seemed to have realized this too. They turned to look at the ninja in the room Anko looked confused while the Sanin looked at them in distrust. Luckily Kakashi intervened.

"Potter was Hermione's brother's surname before he was adopted by Sirius Black after his parents died." He tried not blush at the adoring smile she gave him.

Jiraiya scrutinized Kakashi "You knew about this?" He narrowed his eyes at the younger man wondering again if his involvement with the woman was enough to strain his loyalties.

Kakashi nodded meeting his sensei's sensei head on. He had nothing to hide Hermione had trusted him with the truth of her past a past that was extremely painful to her. It was the truth Harry was adopted by Black after his parents died he just didn't say how long after it happened.

Anko accepted Kakashi's explanation knowing nothing could make him do or say anything that would put the village in danger not even the woman who he seemed to be falling in love with. She also saw this as an opportunity to mess with the silver haired ninja.

"So your brother wasn't your brother? Does that mean you gave the term sibling love a different meaning? The way you talk about him it really wouldn't be a surprise."

A grin spread on Draco's face when he caught her meaning and Kakashi fought to keep from strangling the Kunoichi. The thought never crossed his mind but now that Anko said it he wondered if it could be true. He turned his attention to the brunette he watched confusion displayed on her face before she realized Anko's meaning. Her face flushed a rosy red and her nose wrinkled in disgust.

"That's just wrong." Was the choked replay.

The sudden loud laughter coming from the backyard announced the arrival of the other two members of team seven. Leaving the discussion for later they waited to be joined by the kids.

It seemed they made a habit out of meeting after everyone was asleep. Draco and Hermione stood under the moon light discussing the final details for the trip. All the necklaces had been distributed and a house elf had arrived earlier to announce the house was ready.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"No but I don't have a choice do I?" She sighed.

"I never wanted to put Anko through the scrutiny she'll go through once we get there."

"She's tough she'll pull through." She looked at him then taking in his tense frame. "What about you are you ready?"

He smiled ruefully "No but I don't have a choice do I?"

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

He snorted "Don't be I'd do anything to get this infernal mark off my arm."

They both sighed before heading their separate ways. Neither was looking forward to their return to wizarding England but knew they had to face it eventually. So as they joined their respective partners to sleep they tried to dispel the dread that came the closer their departure from the village came.