A/N: Another chapter!!

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I think these notes are starting to become quite repetative... but still.

Now please, enjoy this brand new chapter:D

Hermione hurried through the halls. It was the day for Ron's very first Quidditch game. Against Slytherin. She knew that his nerves were taking it hard and hoped that everything would turn out well. She had already lost the beginning of the game to research, but figured it was worth it. The book that now weighed down her bag considerably was the first one even mentioning some 'other' type of magic.

At first, when she had 'seen' him suddenly disappear and then be further away down the hall she had started to wonder. When she'd been told of his strange eye and seen a picture of it (unfortunately, Ron's drawing skills left much to be hoped for) and seen him apparate within the castle, she had begun to feel uneasy. It was something that wasn't what it was supposed to be with the masked boy. Then, Dobby's apparent shock and saying that Kakashi could use 'elf-magic' had made her determined. She was going to find out just exactly what was going on. It had taken longer than expected though, but finally she had stumbled across a clue. That book even contained a picture of eyes looking the same as Kakashi's. She doubted that they were nothing more than a way to regain lost sight. Perhaps it was a sign showing that the bearer could use both types of magic. Though why Kakashi only had one, if that was the case, was a mystery.

Someone grabbed her arm, hard, and made her stop.

Kakashi's mind was racing; he had no idea what to do. Perhaps he could use the sharingan and make her forget? No, Dumbledore would not look kindly upon him messing with the minds of his students. He probably wouldn't look kindly upon him messing with anyone in this school's minds. Besides Umbridge, but she was an exception. Everyone hated her. Should he scare her so that she wouldn't tell the truth? No, Dumbledore would most likely be very angry if he threatened a student, even if there would be no truth behind the threats. But knowing himself, there would definitely be truth behind those threats. Should he just leave her be?

She was clearly on to something, even if that book was not entirely accurate. Whatever it might say, chakra was not magic. It was the house-elves that had figured out a way to use their chakra along with magic in a way that had Kakashi wondering why the hell they hadn't just beaten down all those oppressive wizards and taken over for themselves.

And Uchiha Madara had been a wizard? Kakashi wondered if he had been past the gap before or after his violent… departure. At least one thing was certain. Kakashi would be watching the Uchihas closely in the future. If he ever got back. Magic did not always run in families, he knew, sometimes it skipped a generation or somehow it showed up in 'muggle' families. But almost always, people with magic had children with magic.

When he grabbed her arm Hermione stopped and turned around.

"Kakashi?" she asked with her brows creased. She sounded annoyed. "The game's already started; I don't want to miss the whole thing!" Game? What game? Oh, right, the quidditch game. Kakashi had completely forgotten about it, that had to be the reason why the castle was so empty. He still didn't know what to do. He cursed his own mind. Genius, yeah right.

Hermione tried to just look annoyed, but on the inside, she was terrified. Did he know that she was on to something and was going to make sure she kept quiet? She already knew that he could make people forget with that eye of his. Fortunately, it was still hidden beneath that metal-plated headband. She was quite certain by now that Kakashi would have no hesitation if it came to hurting someone. It was not out of malevolence or sadism, she knew. The boy just seemed to be… detached from feelings. He was probably bottling everything up inside, considering that panic-attack he'd suffered some weeks ago.

She couldn't understand how he managed to keep his eyelid half-dropped like that all the time. She doubted that she'd ever seen it completely open. He stared at her for a moment longer before he let go of her arm. She fought against her wish to rub it; his grip had been so hard it had cut of the blood flow to her lower arm and hand.

"I'm sorry, Hermione-san," he said. It didn't really sound as if he meant the 'sorry' part, but at least he was polite. There was a puff of smoke and the grey-clad, younger teenager disappeared. She breathed out and continued out onto the grounds. She couldn't wait until the game was over and she could reveal her findings to her two best friends.

Dumbledore was in a meeting, Kakashi noted as he reappeared in the Headmasters office with his grey robes billowing around him. Robes might be impractical, but he could not deny the certain amount of coolness that came along with them. If you didn't look something like Neville or Ron at least, they both looked quite… awkward.

The small man twirling a very purple bowler's hat between his hands looked up in alarm as Kakashi poofed into existence. Kakashi noted his pinstriped robes and decided that here was someone else that did not look good in robes. Behind his chair stood an impressive black man – a bodyguard, Kakashi assumed.

Dumbledore shot Kakashi a look and the ANBU-captain gave a small bow.

"I apologise, Dumbledore-sama. Do you have any knowledge of for how long this meeting will continue, or should I just wait outside the door?" The bodyguard had pulled out his wand and watched Kakashi warily. Damn. Kakashi had not really expected anyone else to be in Dumbledore's office at this time, not with a quidditch game still going on outside, and had been too riled up from discovering that Hermione was on to something to actually think. He had completely forgotten that wizards were unable to use their 'apparation' inside the castle.

"No need, Mr Hatake, no need. We were just wrapping up here anyway, weren't we, minister?" The small man – the minister, turned back to Dumbledore, Kakashi had not expected him to be so good at hiding his feelings but he practically smelled of alarm and something else, fear? Perhaps. It didn't smell the same as when someone was close to death, but something similar. Though still, nothing but annoyance and a bit of unease showed on his face.

"Who is he?" the minister, Fudge, Kakashi recalled his name, said.

"Cornelius Fudge, this is Hatake Kakashi. Mr Hatake – Minister Cornelius Fudge," Dumbledore introduced.

"You know what I mean," the minister sneered, he seemed to have regained some confidence as he had glanced at his bodyguard, who didn't seem to be too fazed.

"Of course, Mr Hatake is from a small Japanese village and has come here to further his education, as you can see, he has some… skills that are quite unknown to us." Apparently Dumbledore had changed the background story some. It didn't matter too much, Kakashi figured, since the chance that the minister would talk to those who knew the 'other' back story better and come onto the subject of him. But still, Kakashi felt a bit annoyed. To have several stories to uphold would be even harder than to keep only the first one floating. And, if Hermione wasn't a complete moron – which he knew she wasn't, that first version might sink soon.

"And he has come here without reporting to the ministry or without an older delegate from his village?" The minister frowned.

"Mr Hatake came alone, as you can see, and I can assure you that he is quite capable of taking care of himself. Another delegate might come here later on but so far nothing is determined. And as of the matter of papers and ministry report, it seems as if Mr Shacklebolt has something to add in the matter," Dumbledore nodded towards the bodyguard and the Minister turned slightly, still keeping an eye at Kakashi.

"Minister Fudge," Shacklebolt said in a voice that made Kakashi think of Ibiki, and Ibiki was someone Kakashi would never have thought appropriate for protecting someone. The older, special-jounin would have his charges dying from fear or going into complete apathy within a week or so. Even without trying. "Mr Hatake here has reported upon his arrival in England. I am sure that no one thought it necessary to bring such a small matter to the Minister of Magic himself." Apparently Fudge had not considered this before and Kakashi breathed out.

"Very well," Fudge said. "Perhaps I should send a delegate of my own to his village then? I am sure that we could come to some sort of agreement beneficial for both sides," Fudge said.

Kakashi cleared his throat. He hated to be talked about as if he weren't there. It was one thing to do it if it was required for a mission and a complete difference to be ignored like this. He was the Hatake genius after all.

"I am sorry, Dumbledore-sama, Minister, but this might be a matter of some urgency," he said. If they were done, the minister could just leave, couldn't he? The minister turned to Kakashi.

"How old are you?" he asked. "And why are you wearing that ridiculous mask and headband?" Kakashi nearly sighed; he was not here to be insulted.

"I am fourteen years old. The mask is… tradition and so is the 'headband', as a minister I suggest that you should be a bit more considerate of foreign cultures. Even if I am only a child here to be educated, it is not a good idea to call visiting dignitaries of any kind ridiculous." Fudge gaped. The expression reminded Kakashi very much of a dead fish and earned a barely audible snicker from Dumbledore and Shacklebolt. The Minister looked around before he rose from his chair, followed by Dumbledore.

"I suppose it is time for me to leave, Professor Dumbledore, Mr Hatake," Fudge gave them a nod and walked out of the office. His bodyguard lingered for a moment longer and exchanged a look with Dumbledore before he left as well.

"So, Kakashi-kun, what was this 'matter of urgency' you were speaking about?" The headmaster asked in Japanese.

"Hermione-san is starting to figure things out." It felt good to speak his own language again, even though it felt kind of weird.

"Ah, of course she is. I would almost be disappointed in her if he hadn't started to suspect something by now," Dumbledore said with a glint in his eye. Kakashi's mouth fell open. He was very thankful that his mask at least hid some of the stupid expression. That was Dumbledore's reaction? "What did you think? That I would do something about it?" The old wizard couldn't hide the amusement in his voice. Dumbledore knew, from having talked to the boy – the ANBU captain, that shinobi were strict when it came to secrecy, but to try to keep everything a total secret might be a bit optimistic. He also knew that Kakashi was a genius, and thought that the boy should have figured this out by now. But perhaps he had been too focused on keeping his 'identity' secret that his mind got somewhat clouded.

"I…" Kakashi didn't know what to say.

"Kakashi, the Hidden Village of Konoha is not a secret, nor unknown where you come from, neither is the existence of ninja. I know that it could be beneficial to keep these things quiet, but you cannot expect me to see the reason in doing this. Miss Granger, and to bring Weasley and Potter into this as well, are people who would just go about and proclaim loudly about these things. I do not ask you to tell them everything, but perhaps you could explain a few things, as chakra, for example. At least Miss Granger knows something, as you said, and I do not think that it will be easy to quell her curiosity. Besides, I am quite certain that it would not be particularly beneficial to you if you let them believe in lies, it may seem so now, but it might en up differently." Kakashi just looked at him. "If I have still not convinced you, I can inform you that some, at lest, of our research has proved successful." Dumbledore handed a letter to Kakashi who took it without a word.

'Albus Dumbledore

I must confess that I was relieved to receive Your letter. We have all wondered about what could have happened during this mission. I would be grateful to receive a further explanation of the current situation as well as some more determined proof that our man is alive and well.

I hope that you have some means of protecting this correspondence, some information carried in the future, if what you have written so far proves correct, might be classified and not to be seen by the wrong eyes.

Sincerely

Sandaime Hokage of Konohagakure

Sarutobi

P.s. I have enclosed a message for Wolf in here; I trust that you will show it to him.'

The rest of the letter was coded, Kakashi barely noticed as he continued reading.

'ANBU Wolf

I have been informed that there has been a breach of contract. As for now this mission is turned into reconnaissance and gathering of basic information. If the opportunity presents itself, take out the one responsible. Do not seek him out.

There is no need to go undercover, Konoha will most likely, if it proves beneficial and if the information received is correct, want some sort of treaty and an alliance with these wizards in the future. I suppose that you are aware that some amount of secrecy is still to be held.

We keep on researching more about the gap; hopefully you will be able to return soon. It is possible that Jiraya might know something, but we will not know if that is the case until we can actually find him.

You are missed.'

Kakashi looked at the letter in his hand. That last part had been completely against the rules and unprofessional, but the fourteen-year old could not help but give into the bubbling feeling inside of him. The 'giving in' resulted in a nearly-invisible smile.

Not only was there a possibility that he might be able to go home soon, but he also had clear orders. He would never have admitted it, but he had wondered, from time to time, perhaps not in entirely rational moments, if they even remembered him back in Konoha. He had even wondered if Gai had found some other sorry jounin to harass.

Blue eyes glinted behind half-moon shaped glasses as Dumbledore smiled at him.

"I think we have a letter to write, hm?" he said.

Hermione had missed the whole game. At first, she wasn't too disappointed, she had found out something about the mystery that was Hatake Kakashi, after all. And she had been told, it was more of a small comment, but still, by Professor Vector that Hagrid had returned.

Apparently, the entire game had ended up a fiasco. Gryffindor had won because Harry had managed to catch the snitch, but that was where the good things came to an end.

Harry, George and Fred had all been suspended from playing quidditch ever again. From starting a muggle-fight with Malfoy, it seemed. The reason behind the fight was that the Slytherin seeker had insulted the Weasley family and Harry's mom. And that the Slytherins had been taunting Ron mercilessly and singing some thing about Weasley being their King for not protecting a single ring, or something like that.

And Ron was still missing from the common room. They had been out looking for him without success and now the few members left of the Gryffindor team (minus Ron) Harry, Hermione, Fred, George and Ginny were sitting together, just waiting for him to come back.

Kakashi still didn't know what to tell them. He doubted that Harry and Ron had been left unaware for long, but he had decided on one thing. He wanted to join the DA. Reconnaissance it was, and it would be very good to at least know some ways to fend off spells. Especially if he were to encounter Voldemort, something Ron had said, would definitely occur if he stayed around Harry. And he wanted to punish the bastard who had broken the contract and, sort of, made him forced to stay here. And if he just so happened to stay around Harry, he wouldn't be seeking Voldemort out, would he?

Right now, he was walking around aimlessly; he had been looking for them, but had failed to find them. He figured that they had probably been in the common room the whole time, and by now it was almost too late for students to be wandering around outside their 'houses'. In ten minutes or so teachers would start patrolling the corridors

It was snowing outside; he noticed when he stepped out the huge double-doors. He had only seen snow a very few times in his life. The last time had been during a mission with Sensei and Rin. They had been delivering supplies to a mountain village, and those tops were always covered in snow. They had all been trapped 'behind' an avalanche that had clogged the only pass into the small valley in which the village was located and had been stuck there for a month.

It hadn't been too bad. Minato-sensei had forced him to ride a sledge down the snow-clad hillsides. Kakashi had done nothing like it before and had almost refused to do something so childish at the time. Secretly, he had enjoyed every second.

The one time he'd seen snow before that was when he was three and the Third great Shinobi War was in full action. He remembered the snow because he had been able to see the trails of blood returning ninjas left behind.

He reached out a bare, calloused hand and watched the flakes slowly melt on his palm. He heard, and recognised, the footsteps before his eye could distinguish the figure coming through the snowfall.

Ron was almost blue and shivering. He was still wearing his quidditch outfit and Kakashi wondered if he had been out there all day. The older boy barely noticed Kakashi as he walked up the steps.

"You okay?" Kakashi asked quietly, his voice as emotionless as it usually was. Ron looked startled and turned to Kakashi.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever," the redhead said in a monotone voice and walked up the final step and into the castle. Kakashi followed him.

They walked together up the stairs towards the seventh floor when Ron spoke again.

"It was all my fault, you know," he said and sounded completely devastated. Kakashi might have tried to, but he couldn't manage to care that much.

"What was?" he asked anyway as he watched a painting of three old ladies who were currently huddled together and whispering. Sometimes one of them looked up and around, as if to assure herself that no one was listening in. Kakashi couldn't understand what was so secret about knitting patterns and tea meetings.

"What do you mean 'what was'?" Ron asked. "I am a completely useless watcher and the whole game turned into a big fiasco!"

"I haven't seen you play nor did I see today's game, so I wouldn't know," Kakashi offered. "But didn't you win?"

"Yeah, but that was all Harry's doing," the older teenager said gloomily. Kakashi almost sighed. He felt way too old for this.

Eventually they reached the Gryffindor common room and Kakashi followed Ron inside. Normally, another student (if Kakashi could be called that) would not have been allowed into the Gryffindor tower, but for some reason, the Fat Lady guarding the entrance had seemed to take a liking for him.

Only Harry and Hermione were still there when they got into the room. Kakashi stood a bit to the side as he listened to Harry and Hermione assuring Ron that he weren't the worst quidditch-player in the world and that Malfoy was nuts and so on. He rolled his eyes when Harry and Ron stated that this was the worst that had ever happened in their lives. Kakashi was pretty sure that the day Cedric Diggory died and Voldemort returned was worse in both their opinions.

"Anyway, I do have some good news," Hermione said with a small smile.

"Oh really?" Harry asked sceptically. Kakashi wondered if she was going to tell them about what she'd found out about him. Probably not, he decided, if she was as smart as Dumbledore obviously considered her to be she wouldn't speak a word about it with him around.

"Hagrid's back." Kakashi watched as the two so far gloomy faces lit up with smiles. If this Hagrid person could make them this happy just by showing up, he had to be even higher in their opinion than the infamous Sirius Black.

"Who's Hagrid?" Kakashi asked. At that, Ron turned towards him and broke down in laughter.

A/N: Thanks for reading!

A comment is always appreciated ;P