Understand your power

by Alcanax

Ulquiorra cut off his left horn, but Ichigo didn't lose his hollow power. What will he lose instead? Will he be able to defeat Aizen, or will he have to search for an other power, in an other country? Will he have a choice? Rated M for violence. Spoiler warning; take place at chapter 388 for Bleach, and after the 4th book for HP

21. Grinning

Hello everyone!

I'm back again for an other chapter, less than one year after the last one. Progress!

I thank you all for your support, your reviews, and messages.

I'll ramble a bit more after the chapter. So for now, read and enjoy!

---

Grinning

October rolled by 'quietly' and quickly. And for Hermione, Harry and Ron, quietly meant 'quieter' than their even numbered school years. No blood messages on the wall, no giant killer serpent in the walls, no death defying tasks, no dragons. There wasn't even any soul-sucking demons. This time, there was the threat of the Dark Lord looming over their head. But Voldemort apparently decided to stay hidden for now. Meaning that most were more than happy to simply keep their head buried deep in the sand. The main worries of most of the fifth year was either the exams at the end of the year and the homeworks, or how to convince their parents to let them have fun during the incoming holidays rather than have them study for the OWLs.

But it was not the case of the Golden Trio.

Harry was needlessly reminded from time to time by his scar aching and making his head hurt, keeping him tense. Hermione was busy going through all the spells she already knew and finding new ones that were the most versatile and useful, and already forcing her friends to learn and train them. And Ron was constantly reminding them that some threats were closer than they thought by keeping a look out for the Slytherins, -Malfoy and Arisawa in particular- and Aizen.

Concerning the 'study group' they decided to form, things had been going rather well, if a bit slowly. It had been quickly decided to go for quality over quantity. They first had gone to the ones closest to them and who knew how to keep a secret. The Weasley twins had been quick to accept. For all the jokes and pranks they had been known for, they still were able to be serious when the situation called for it. Passing the year wasn't high in their list of priorities, if it was in the list at all. But they agreed that they needed to learn how to defend themselves. And also, even if the 'prefect side' of Hermione suffered to admit and acknowledge it, they were imaginative and resourceful. The twins would be able to learn spells and tactics from the trio, and the trio would profit from their ingenuity to devise all sort of 'pen tricks'.

-FlashBack-

"So, you are telling us…"

"...that you wish to fight You-Know-Who and his followers…"

"...with tricks and pranks..."

"...and you want us to invent those?"

The twins tone was clearly doubtful and careful as they addressed the Golden trio and most particularly Hermione. They exchanged a glance. Only a split second to the world, but worth a hundred words for the twins. Then, they set their eyes back on the red and gold prefect. There was some kind of hope in those eyes. Either she was joking and it was the definite proof that her sense of humour was growing and showing. Or she was serious. In either way, it was a win-win situation.

Hermione sighed and steadied herself as if already knowing what would soon follow.

"Yes." She said, keeping her voice as sure as she can. "I can't imagine a spell we find in the library that V-Voldemort or the Death-Eaters won't be ready for. An effective, combat spell. On the other hand, your… inventions… might offer the element of surprise. And be more effective and easy to use than a lot of spells."

As usual concerning the Twins, Hermione felt conflicted. They were doing their best to break almost every rules they encountered. Which was getting on her nerves. All the more as they nearly always managed to not get caught either thanks to their discretion or some loopholes. But they also showed incredible skills when doing it that a part of her had troubles not to feel a little bit impressed.

There was a moment of silence in the classroom they occupied. large grins splits the Twins faces for an instant before they took on a very serious expression that clearly didn't befit them.

"I'm really not sure, Fred..."

"...Neither am I, George."

Their tone too. Too serious for them.

"We know we have been doing all those great pranks…

"...unforgettable jokes..."
"…oh so inventive tricks… and treats."

Hermione sighed again.

"But lately we realized..."

"...thanks to the words of a wise..."

"...and smart prefect, that our pranks and jokes were..."

"..."

"...immature..."

"...most of the time..."

"...dangerous…

"...not always… only when handled wrong..."

"...a waste of time..."

"...useless..."

"…and illegal."

"Were they illegal?"

"Well, not illegal, but maybe… against the rules?"

"I wouldn't know, I never read any rules."

Ron and Harry let out some not so discreet snickers.

"In the sight of all this, Fred and I came to an important and well thought decision. Am I right, George?"

"Right you are. And you'll be the firsts we tell that too. George would you do the honors?"

"Of course, Fred. From now on, we won't do any more pranks…

"...jokes..."

"...tricks..."

"...treats?..."

"...jest..."

"...farce."

"From now on, we will take our studies seriously…

"...and study conscientiously to have the best marks on our N.E. ."

"We'll first become bankers…

"...then we'll go into politics. We aim for..."

"...the position of Minister of Magic..."

"...and Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"Gred will be in the school."

"And Forge will be Minister."

"We might exchange position from time to time thought..."

"...and we'll take polyjuice to make sure people won't notice anything."

Hermione looked up, defeated. She herself had trouble keeping a serious face, feeling the corner of her lips being tugged upward.

"However, our new serious, dedicated, mature, and reliable selves..."

"...acknowledge your needs and the direness of the situation..."

"...And in consequence, we can exceptionally resume our unquestionably irresponsible activities."

"For the Greater Good, of course!"

"With the authorization and benediction of the Griffindoor's prefect..."

"The other one", both Twins exclaimed together as soon as Ron opened his mouth.

"No signature or contracts...", one of Twins continued, now unable to stop his grin from spreading.

"…we just need you, to 'allow' us to resume our 'pranking research'." picked up the other, and both leaned forward. "Also, if she were to help us, our research would be a lot faster and more efficient."

This time Ron could hold it anymore and exploded in laughter. Harry was chuckling and keeping his hand in front of his mouth in a vain attempt to restrain himself. And Hermione looked noticeably paler, a strange, tense smile frozen on her face, and her eyes wide, giving her an horrified expression matching her state of mind.

A few days ago, she would have fight against the Weasley's tricks and pranks and all they represented. They were against the rules, -or daringly on the line,- dangerous, and in general generated chaos were there should be order.

Yet, right now, she understood the need and benefit of such 'inventive pranks'. It was even her who came up with the idea of asking the Twins for them. Even though, they managed to turn it against her and corner her. And despite what her instincts were telling her, she knew that any counter-arguments she could have found would hold little to no weight now.

It was too late to back down now, she knew it.

She took a deep breath…

-FlashBack end-

"Well, it wasn't so bad." Hermione sighed.

The Golden trio were walking back from Hogsmeade toward Hogwarts. Even if dinner time was still in a few hours, the day was getting dark already due to the heavy clouds over their heads.

"I'm not quite sure Luna noticed we were talking… or even present." Harry said, sounding a bit unsure.

"And I'm sure Ginny will tell her boyfriend, despite all we told her.", Ron said rather dryly and clearly unhappy.

They had spend the start of the afternoon in 'three brooms' talking with Ginny Weasley and her friend, Luna Lovegood. The Golden Trio knew they can trust them to join their 'study group' and be discreet about it. Enrolling them had been easy, as they both trusted and believed Harry when he was saying the Dark Lord was back. They talked a bit about what they had planned for the group, and brainstormed a few ideas about the location and what they had planned to learn and train. But at the end, the question about telling Ginny's boyfriend had been raised and hotly discussed. Between Ron's over-protectivness for his sister and dislike for the boyfriend, Harry neutrality, and Luna impassivity, Hermione had had a hard time convincing her younger friend.

"She won't." Hermione countered, sounding sure. "She can be hard-headed but she can also be responsible. She knows the risks. And beside, she promised us she won't tell him if we think about adding him to the group."

Her two friends said nothing against her argumentation. Ron mumbling and Harry looking in the distance.

"Neville is next." She continued. "We'll talk to him after dinner, or right before it. I don't think it'll take us too long."

"Fighting Voldemort and the Death-Eaters? He'll accept before we can even finish the first sentence." Harry said, his tone light but mood getting somber.

Due to situation of Neville's parents, it was understandable that the return of the Dark Lord hit him harder than most. And the mass break-out from Azkaban during the summer was an other heavy blow, as the infamous Bellatrix was now on the loose.

"Can't be easier than Fred and George!" Ron exclaimed lightly to break the mood.

"Can't be worse you mean?" Hermione shot back.

"What?"

"They make me promise to help them with their invention." Hermione said with a shiver before shaking her head.

"Well, see it the other way around." Harry started, trying to help. "You are monitoring them to make sure they don't do anything 'too' dangerous, or inappropriate."

"Yeah..." Hermione answered, half-convinced but still sending a thankful smile toward her friend.

"Who's that guy?", Ron suddenly asked. And when his friends looked at him in confusion, he pointed the lake. "Over there."

Indeed, there was a man walking along the edge of the lake. Dressed warmly, he stuck out like a sore thumb as his clothes were mostly white. Looking left and right, then scratching the back of his head and passing his fingers in his light gray hair, he looked quite lost. He didn't seem to notice either the large castle, or the Golden Trio.

"I never saw him in the school before.", asserted Ron as he was the one with the best eyesight.

"You sure?", Harry asked doubtful

"He's dressed completely white. He's more noticeable than Dumbledore! And I don't remember seeing anyone like him in the castle or even the village.", Ron defended himself

Harry and Hermione knew that Ron wasn't the one with the best attention or memory. However, the point he just brought made some sense. And his demeanour was clearly not of someone who knew the place.

"It can be a new guy who will substitute Hagrid's substitute?", Harry said hopefully.

He knew the hope was vain, but he missed the half-giant and first wizard he ever met. They knew he was on a mission for the Order, but nothing else. And that didn't help with their worries.

"Or a third professor for the defense against the dark arts...", Ron joked, dismissing the issue with his tone and resumed walking.

Harry quickly followed, silently. However Hermione stayed on place, her eyes still on the man.

"A professor wouldn't wander aimlessly." She argued loud enough for her friends to hear her and stop. "And a wizard would apparate if he's lost. It may be a muggle..."

Harry and Ron turned around, looking at the man.

"If he's a muggle, he won't be able to see the castle." said Ron "And will be repelled by the wards when he gets close enough to the fence."

Clearly, he just wanted to go back in the castle. The day has been long and the air was getting fresher.

Unfortunately for him, the three of them had been talking slightly louder which attracted the attention of the man. With with a wave at them, he started to walk toward them, sliding his hands in his pocket, looking casual and relaxed.

"Good evening, sir!" Hermione called as soon as he was close enough.

"Hello, there!", the man answered with a small grin.

Hermione smiled back, but a bit tense. His calm attitude and answers, and small smile somehow put her on edge. She couldn't pinpoint the reason why though. It was just a strange kind of gut feeling that she couldn't logically explain and shrug off. And when Ron and Harry arrived to flank her, she glanced at them briefly and tried to relax as they didn't look so tense.

"I'm so glad to eventually find someone.", the man continued, taking a few steps toward them, his hands casually in the pocket of his coat. "It's a bit silly, but I think I managed to get lost… Would you be able to help me?"

"Where were you heading to?", Harry inquired

"I don't quite remember the name… it was a strange one.", the man looked away, thinking for a while. "But where are my manners?"

He turned back to the Golden Trio, his grin widening. He pulled his left hand from his pocket and offered a short, formal bow.

"I'm Ichimaru Gin."

Even during his bow and as he kept his eyes mostly closed, Hermione could tell he kept starring at them. She blinked a few times, trying to take deep breaths. She spotted a metallic glint coming from under the man's coat, but she couldn't be sure of what it was.

"Ron Weasley."

"Harry Potter."

There was a moment of silence. Unlike nearly all the wizards they met, the man wasn't staring intently at Harry and his scar. Instead, his eyes were on Hermione who remained silent, unsure and doubtful, without even knowing why. She wasn't the one to listen to her instinct, preferring her brain. But this time her brain couldn't rationalize why her scarf suddenly felt much tighter around her neck, almost choking her.

"Erm..." She cleared her throat and pulled her scarf to loosen it. "Hermione Granger." She said, her voice weaker than she would have wished.

"A pleasure to meet you all.", the man answered slowly.

'Are my legs shaking?', Hermione thought, swallowing with some difficulties.

"I don't suppose you're lost too?", Gin asked looking over the group.

He was quite tall and surprisingly lean under his white coat. Appearing young despite the colour of his hair.

"No, we're students...", Ron started

"...on a field trip.", finished Harry.

They were answering casually and also lightly. Their hands in their pockets due to the fresh wind. If there was any tension, it was because of the 'muggle' and potential, -but small,- threat to the secrecy. They chatted back and forth for a small while, Gin inquiring about the nearest village. But Hermione didn't react, frozen. Her breathing was catching her throat, leaving it dry. Her legs were jelly and shaking. And hot, wet shivers were slithering up her spine.

The atmosphere was calm, the conversation civil and the demeanour of both parties friendly.

Yet, for reasons her brain was still unable to grasp and understand, her body was panicking.

Gin slid his hand back in his pocket and the metallic glint, near his belt appeared again. It flashed into Hermione's eyes, forcing her attention on it. It was visible for less than a split second, but she show it with great clarity. Like seeing a drop of dark crimson blood on a white snow. The hilt of a sword and a silver guard, shaped like an elongated 'S'. It had the effect of a bucket of ice cold water being dunked on her head. Her legs stopped shaking and her whole body became rigid. Her hand in her pocket grabbed her wand and squeezed it. As the coat was once again hiding his sword, her eyes focused back on his face and his seemingly permanent grin. And her mind started to whir incredibly fast and loud enough to render her deaf to the conversations.

In her second year, she felt dread when she had understood what had been hunting the students. Fear, when she realized she had been hunted too. And she would admit an instant of panic when she had spotted the basilisk's eyes in the mirror.

Despite all her logic and rationalization, she had been in front of a predator. She had been at a silver foil distance from death when she had seen the huge toothy maw and had gazed into the serpent's eyes.

Gin's grin wasn't filled with deadly fangs, yet panic wasn't a word strong enough to define what her body felt when Hermione saw it.

Terror and the certainty of imminent, unavoidable death. With this time no 'mirror' to save her.

'Fight as a group. Fight with your brain.'

There has to be a way.

"Ron!" she suddenly exclaimed, cutting and breaking any conversation that was going at that time. "We should go tell a professor."

Hermione glanced briefly at him. He looked rather confused, most probably as her words were completely out of context in the current conversation. She tried to send him a meaningful look to make him understand the direness of the situation. From the three of them, he was the densest, but he also was the fastest. If anyone had to go warn somebody, it was him. Trying to act as normally and casually as possible, while being tense as a bow string, she turned back toward Gin. The man looked un-fazed and mildly interested, his intimidating grin still on his face.

"Yeah...", Ron said slowly still confused and not understanding.

A brief glance at Harry told Hermione that he was equally lost, but at least he had a hint of worry in his eyes. Panic was still coiled around her chest and biting her neck. But unlike before, when she didn't understand where it came from, she had control over her body and saw the situation with renewed clarity thanks to the figurative cold water still being poured on her back.

There was an adult with a magical sword of unknown power and capacity in front of them. Gin Ichimaru looked relatively harmless as he was, but there was something 'wrong' in his grin and the shivers it send along Hermione's spine. Wrong and dangerous. They had to warn a professor.

But how to make Ron understand the danger subtly. In a way Gin wouldn't understand and notice.

"Yes, can you go tell professor..." Hermione started then hesitated.

'Quick quick quick'

"...Quirell.", she finished.

"What? But pro..." Ron started.

"I know!", Hermione exclaimed, cutting him before he could say too much. "If you can't find him, look for professor McGonagal. She'll know what to do.", she urged him with an other long, meaningful glance.

It eventually seemed to click in the boys' mind. Ron's eyes widened and he turned back to stare at Gin. Harry became much tenser and he focused his attention back on the strange man too. If Gin noticed the sudden change of mood, he didn't react in any way. Seemingly oblivious to the apparent suspicion and worry, he started to gaze on the side, uninterested, as if to give the trio some privacy. Taking a deep breath, now stiff, Ron nodded and without saying anything turned and walked away with quick pace, surely waiting to be out of sight before starting to run.

"He sure left in a hurry...", Gin commented lightly, his attention shifting back on the Trio now Duo.

"The night will soon fall and it'll get cold quickly." Harry explained, doing his best to act casual.

"Yeah, the weather is a lot fresher than what I'm used to.", the man answered, illustrating his words with a light shrug and shudder.

"So you're rather new in Great Britain? You are here on holiday?", Hermione asked, still trying to play the act even when her heart was beating so fast it nearly made her dizzy.

"You can say that...", he answered his grin widening and by doing so, adding the same tension in Hermione's shoulders. He then looked up, looking thoughtful. "This professor Quirell, what does he teach you?"

Hermione's breath caught in her throat.

"History." Harry answered rather stiffly.

"Ah, I see...", Gin answered casually. He pulled his hand out of his pocket and tapped his chin thoughtfully, looking on the side again. "So it can't be the same professor then. Because the only Quirell I knew… was killed three years ago."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat.

'Split second decision'

"Accio!", Hermione screamed, pointing at Gin's Zanpakuto

Her movements were messy and she nearly broke the tip of her wand as she tore it from her pocket. But her spell hit true. The sword was pulled and tore from its sheath with a metallic sound, opening the white coat and making it flap shortly.

However, Hermione's victory was short lived. Moving incredibly fast yet strangely gracefully, Gin reacted quickly and grabbed his sword by its hilt, the blade still pointing toward him. His reaction felt natural and on his face, no surprise, confusion or anger. He was standing, casually, his right hand still deep in his pocket. And this eternal grin.

Hermione still held her spell and felt the tug of magic on her wand, still trying to rip the sword from the man's iron grip. On his side, Harry cast a shield in front of them, keeping it up and staying ready to react.

"And ya know what's this, don'tcha?", Gin asked, clearly mentioning his Zanpakuto. "So he's here? I should have guessed..."

Hermione briefly glanced to Harry but they both stayed silent. Does this man already knew about Professor Aizen? How? And why?

"But stealing's bad… and children shouldn't play around with blades and sharp objects..." Gin mocked with a light chuckle.

With two wands still pointing at him, he finally pulled his right hand out of his pocket.

"Expelliarmus!"

A red bolt shot through the air from Harry's wand, hitting the sword and making it jump out of Gin's hand. But any sense of victory was kept from the students as a razor-sharp magic blade was now flying and spinning toward them with the speed of Hermione's summoning spell. With a curse and a yelp, they jumped on the side, allowing the sword to fly between them far too close for comfort.

"Stupefy!"

A second, angrier bolt, -just as red as the first- shot from Harry's wand as he reacted reflexively. However it passed through the air harmless. To the student's stupefaction, Gin had seemingly disappeared during the split second when their attention was set on the flying sword.

"Does shouting louder makes your spell less harmless?"

Hermione and Harry jumped around, their wands at the ready. Sure enough, this mocking voice belonged to Gin. He was standing there, tall and confident. His sword was in his right hand now. Yet his attitude and posture wasn't aggressive

"What do you want?", called Harry with defiance his wand ready to cast an other spell.

Hermione moved slightly closer. Her heart was still beating fast, her chest feeling constricted. But her hand or her wand weren't shaking. Harry was standing tall, frowning and he too moved slightly closer and in front of Hermione, protecting her with his body. He already faced Voldemort and various monsters. But it wasn't something one can get used to. As usual, he'd trust his guts and lucks and won't give up, letting Hermione think of a solution and hoping Ron would be back soon.

"Interesting question." Gin cooed lightly, tilting his head on the side. "Very interesting… I feel merciful today. So how about this; If ya can guess what 'I want', I'll simply go away."

Harry's determination and focus and Hermione's thoughts flattered for an instant at those words. Be it the monsters or Voldemort, all of them were set on their task, focused and intend to kill, harm or maim. But Gin, he seemed to take all this with disconcerting indolence. Through his words, but also attitude.

"For real?", Harry asked, not an hint of hope in his voice but clear suspicion.

"Of course! I'm a man of word!" Gin asserted, bringing his left hand to his heart. "If you find the good answer, I go away and won't come back. It's no fun fighting against you if you figure my plan. But each time you give a wrong answer… I'll cut off one of your limbs."

"Incarcerem!"

"Impedimenta!"

Several long, strong ropes shot from the tip of one wand and a turquoise bolt from the tip of the other. Harry came to the same deduction as his friend ; whether they were about to fight or fly, the first thing they had to do is to immobilize their opponent. The slowing spell hit and created a faint turquoise aura around the man, proof that it was in effect. The rope arrived a split second later and coiled tightly around his chest, trapping his arms.

Having gained the upper hand and wanting to capitalize on it, the two students kept their wand aimed at the man.

"Stupefy!"

"Stupefy!"

The two, angry red, stunning spells flew toward Gin. He wasn't struggling against the ropes and when the spells hit him, his grin seemed to remain frozen in place. Slowly, he started to fall backward.

A sense of victory and relief washed over Harry. But having learned his lesson with Professor Aizen, kept his wand up. Hermione however, couldn't shrug off her sense of dread Quickly, she glanced toward Harry to…

"Is that all?"

Gin took a small step back to steady himself. Uncaring about the ropes and obviously unaffected about the stuns -except maybe for having felt a light shove-, his grin widens even more if possible.

With a gasp and wide eyes, Hermione turned back to him, raising her wand only a split second after Harry.

"Stupef..."

"Petr..."

A white aura suddenly appeared around Gin -overcoming the turquoise one from Harry's spell-. It ignited and surrounded him like a pale, almost transparent flame. The man didn't move or speak, yet the ropes restraining him were torn and ripped to shred. The grass at his feet were flat on the ground as if under a great wind. And before the student had the chance to finish their spell, a pressure wave rammed into them with the strength of a speeding truck.

Harry and Hermione were both blown off their feet and sent tumbling and rolling uncontrollably down the slope. Like leaves blown by an storm. Harry managed slightly better than his friend thanks to his quiddich training. He kept a sure grip on his wand, protecting it against his chest. For Hermione, her world became a blur of green and gray. Even when she eventually skid to an halt, her head was still spinning. Dizzy, her body feeling incredibly heavy, it took her a second to notice she stopped rolling. After shaking her head a bit, she tried to get to all four, but only managed to push her head and shoulders up as he legs were shaking too much. She groaned as her whole body hurt and she had trouble to catch her breath. Moreover, her wand was nowhere to be found. She looked around, looking for Harry.

The boy who lived was a couple of meters away. Struggling to his knees. His hair, face, and clothes were covered by dirt and grass and his glasses were broken. But his eyes were focused and he seemed otherwise unhurt when he turned his head toward Hermione.

Suddenly, Hermione gasped and her eyes widened in disbelief.

Gin appeared, seemingly out of thin air, just beside Harry. The characteristic cracking sound of apparition was absent. He just materialized suddenly accompanied with only a faint sound, like a very short burst of breeze.

His zanpakuto was already raised and ready to strike.

"I expected more from you, Harry Potter." He said lowly. And even if he was still grinning, he managed to imbue his voice and feature with an hint of disappointment.

"HARRY!" Hermione screamed in panic, willing her body to respond correctly.

The boy-who-lived turned hastily and noticing the man and raised blade, attempted to raise his arms in defense.

The magic sword was brought down toward the young boy's face.

The blade moved fast, but time appeared to crawl down to Hermione's eyes. Her body felt stuck in mud and heavy, responding slowly and messily. She only managed to get on all four, helplessly reaching out to her friend, desperately calling his name. Weak, slow, unable to perform wandless magic, and unable to apparate, her mind unable to come up with any kind of solution, she rarely felt so useless. And her still scarred back felt as if it was burning.

There was a loud, unexpected crashing sound as a large brown blur impacted the ground. Dirt exploded in every direction and Hermione reflexively covered her eyes to protect them.

"Harry! Hermione!" A loud, rough voice called, worried.

Loud and heavy footsteps were running toward them. Hermione hastily turned her head to them and let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Hargid, the huge gatekeeper of Hogwart, was running toward them, his umbrella ready in his hand. Hermione felt so relieved, on one side because the Trio had been worried about the half-giant lately, but also and mainly because he couldn't have arrived at a better moment. She then looked around, still on edge and shaking, her eyes scanning everywhere around them.

Gin Ichimaru was nowhere to be seen.

Her limbs jelly and shaking, she tried to stand again. Hargrid was soon by her side, grabbing her by the back of her robe and putting her on her feet. She thanked him weakly and staggered toward Harry.

Relief warmed her chest as she saw her friend sitting up. Even if his movements were slow and careful, it was the proof that he was conscious and mostly unhurt. He first looked toward the large trunk that landed not far, ripping the soil before rolling for a few more meters. For now, it was still mostly concealed by the dust cloud it lifted. He then turned toward Hargrid and Hermione, his face splitting in a large relieved and thankful smile. Hermione winced a bit in worry. His glasses were gone, and there was a shallow cut over the bridge of his nose.

"Hagrid?!", his voice reflected his confused, surprised and relieved state.

"Who was tha' man?", the half-giant asked, slightly panting, carefully looking around and toward the trunk he most likely had thrown.

"G-Gin Ichimaru.", Hermione provided, still unable to catch her breath.

'Wow! Very fu**ing helpful!'

Hagrid didn't answer and leant to lift Harry to his feet too. The boy who lived looked over Hermione, squinting his eyes to see better and check if she's hurt. He opened his mouth...

"Yare yare…"

The three wizards hastily turned. The question in Harry's throat turning into a groan of displeasure and disbelief.

Near the tree trunk, the dust slowly settled. And they were all able to see him. Gin Ichimaru, standing, unfazed and unarmed, his sword still in his hand and his grin always present, one foot on the trunk, nonchalant.

"It's rude to intrude, you know...", he said with a playful tone.

Hermione felt her legs get weak again.

"Harry, my wand!", she exclaimed, her voice high pitched.

"What?", asked his friend as Hargrid moved to cover them behind his large body.

"I lost my wand!", she did her best to keep panic out of her voice.

A look of understanding passed over Harry's feature and he lifted his wand to cast the summoning spell. Soon, Hermione closed her shaking fingers around the grip of her wand.

'Great, you have a wooden stick. Now what?'

Now what indeed ? …

This man seemed to be able to use powerful magic, able to tear and break other spells and send his opponents flying without much troubles or efforts. He was able to move impossibly fast, most probably thanks to the same unknown magic. Not even a trunk managed to hurt him. Yet, he still hadn't used his weapon.

What can they possibly do?

"Go to the castle." Hagrid commanded, his tone unusually stern and serious.

"What? No!" Harry hotly protested, moving to stand beside the half-giant.

"Harry, I'm your professor, you have to obey. Go to the castle, now!", asserted Hagrid, keeping his eyes on Gin while shoving Harry back.

"We won't leave you alone!"

"Harry!", Hermione interjected. "We must go."

She grabbed his arm and tugged weakly. Surprisingly, he didn't resist much, but he kept his head turned toward the professor and the man.

"Herm..."

"We can't fight him. We have to get the other professors." She explained hastily, her back very tense.

Her body was still hurting and shaking and even if her mind was clearer than earlier, it was rolling in helpless circle, damning her own inability to find a solution. Her own weakness.

The two students started to run faster, and their role switched. Harry was now helping a still slightly limping Hermione to advance, leading the way. But both were high enough on adrenaline to ignore their bruises and hurt body. The castle was in sight, but it was still so far away, several hundred meters. Harry had lost his glasses and Hermione's eyes were filled with tears, so none of them could clearly see the entrance and whether or not there was anyone coming their way. They weren't even able to see Ron anymore.

Feeling her mind difficultly managing to break out of its stupor and come up with ideas, Hermione eventually jabbed her wand upward. A red firework shot in the air and exploded high over her head. Harmless, but it would mark her position clearly.

'Why haven't I thought of it before?'

"Harry, summon your broom!", Hermione exclaimed, breathless.

He would be able to go much faster with it. And hopefully, someone might have seen their distress signal. Hagrid was a half-giant, naturally resistant to magic and a member of the Order. He would be able to hold his own, at least for a while. Then when the other professor would arrive, and hopefully the headmaster too, the situation would be solved swiftly.

The situations didn't look so desperate anymore.

Suddenly, as Harry and Hermione were still running, a loud crash made them jump. Something large and heavy landed next to them, breaking a tree in the process. Hermione gasped and became pale. For a split second, she prayed for her eyes to playing trick on her, hoping it was just an other trunk, or almost anything else. Hargrid was laying there, among the remain of the destroyed tree. Blood and gore was covering his left shoulder and the left side of his chest. The fact that he was still breathing offered little relief as his breaths were difficult and gurgling with blood, interspersed with low, weak coughs that helped painting his beard red. He tried moving his right hand to lift him up, but to no avail.

"Leaving already?", a mocking voice asked far too close behind them.

Unlike Hermione who was shaking and frozen in shock, Harry felt his blood boil. He turned around hastily, his wand already raised toward that man who hurt the first wizard the boy ever met.

His sword bloody, a very light bruise on his cheek and his nose bleeding slightly, Gin Ichimaru was walking toward them with a content grin.

But before Harry could cast the first spell, a strong shield appeared right in front of him. Angrily, Harry tried to dispel it, but his counterspell was ineffective. And through his rage, he didn't notice that Gin looked quite surprised too. He looked over Harry's head. Also confused and in shock, Hermione automatically followed his glance. She let out a deep, shaky sigh. Coming toward them quickly, several brooms and a bird of fire.

"Looks like fun time is over..." Gin say, managing to sound sad without dropping the grin. "See ya!"

With an infuriatingly friendly wave, he disappeared. Just like that. As if taken away by the wind.

Hermione remotely registered hearing Harry shout after him and bang on the shield. Her brain seemed stuck. Struck by the sight in front of her and this panic still slithering around her, squeezing her, despite Gin having already left. It's only when McGonagall pushed her away that she realized her body moved on its own and that she has been pressing her scarf on Hagrid's wound while trying to heal him with her wand.

As the professors hurried around the half-giant, Hermione looked down.

Her hands were red…

-Scene Break-

The infirmary usually was a place of enforced calm and quiet. Meant to be a place of healing and rest. The loudest sounds the two student ever heard there was cries of joy, soon quelled down by the vindictive nurse.

Loud commands, sharp answers, bubbling cauldrons, fast steps. Today, the atmosphere was filled with worry and tension. McGonagall, and Pomphrey were around Hargid, casting various spells on his wound at an incredible rate Snape wasn't far, brewing several potions at the same time with almost impossible speed and precision and professor Sprout was at the window, summoning any ingredients either of the two group needed from her greenhouse. Obviously, Hagrid's wound couldn't be healed by normal means and nothing that the four wizard was attempting seemed to work. Harry and Hermione were on the side. One still in shock, wiping her bloody hand on a towel she had found. And the other still shaking in rage, fire in his blood. Both were looking, helpless, at their friend. Yet, instead of standing close together, Hermione had taken a few steps back, staying by herself.

The adults seemed to have forgotten about them, until there was a short pause in Sprout summoning. Without any kind of hesitation, she went to the students and shooed them out. Her strict commands and weak attempts at reassuring words were met with little to no resistance and silence.

"What the bloody hell happened?"

As soon as the two students passed the door, Ron was on them. He tried to enter the infirmary but was held by the professor who closed the door before the redhead could even try to glance inside.

The calm was back, but the tension was still there.

"Mate?" Ron turned toward Harry.

The young Weasley had seen them flying overhead, forth and back, while he had been running to the castle. He was still panting meaning that he had climbed the stairs and had arrived not long ago. He most probably had seen them bringing Hargid back hurriedly through the infirmary's window. And exceptionally Hermione had been riding Harry's broom. Yet, he still had no idea of what had happened.

"That guy knew who Quirrell was so… He attacked us." Harry explained, breathing deeply to keep his voice from shaking in anger. "There was nothing… we could do."

His heart was still beating fast, his hands shaking and his head hurting, but this time not from his scar. It was like the graveyard all over again. Facing a stronger opponent, being able to do nothing else but escape and flee.

"Then... he tried to… kill Hargrid" Harry finished, cutting a lot of corner, but not trusting his voice to convey the whole story.

"He what?!", exclaimed Ron and in a split second he was on the infirmary door, trying to pry it open, banging on it. "They have to let us in! How is he?"

Harry walked over the barrier and leant against it, breathing deeply.

"I… don't know."

Of course he knew, he had seen the blood. He had understood that it was no 'normal' wound as the nurse and three professors were struggling to heal it. He felt something squeeze his chest and filling with cold. Cedric has been killed in front of him, because of his choice. And know, his oldest friend was hurt severely while he was holding of Gin, because Harry himself couldn't do anything.

"Where has she gone?" Ron suddenly asked, stopping to bang on the door.

Harry turned around, frowning.

"Who?"

"Hermione..."

Harry looked around and sure enough, she was nowhere in sight.

-At the same moment-

In an other place of the castle, the atmosphere was much more relaxed, calm and carefree. The delicate scent of nicely brewed tea was filling the air. The silence was only perturbed by the sound of fire and the occasional movement of papers.

In this evening, Aizen Sōsuke was sitting casually in his armchair, reading some reports from the ministry. His glasses on the side, a cup of tea in his hand, and his legs crossed, even if he was alone, he maintained a certain degree of elegance and assurance in his calm composure.

A small smile grew on his lips.

The report was more useful than interesting. A part of him was rather impressed to see so few information drowned in so many pages. The other part was annoyed at the person having written the report for making him lose so much time for so little. He closed the report and slid it back in the folder. He then stood, with the folder, his cup and glasses and walked back to his desk. To be sure, he hid this folder, marked 'Azkaban', in his drawer.

Despite the relative usefulness of these report, the information they contained wasn't the reason Aizen was smiling.

Even if he spent relatively little time in the castle compared to his fellow professors, he easily and quickly understood the rules of the place. Hogwart was an old school that saw many generations of wizards through the centuries, and survived many wars. The stones themselves were filled with magical energy. That much was evident to anyone. The flying stairs were a prime evidence of it. But there was also the ghosts, wards, great hall's ceiling, and the resilience of the walls. But what most failed to notice and understand, was that the castle sometime showed some degree of awareness. Once again the stairs were a perfect evidence. Sometime helpful, sometime playful, never dangerous, random or completely and consistently predictable. Yet, everyone was thinking it was 'normal'.

An other proof that not so many people could be able to obtain, was Hogwart's 'tendency' to confuse and fog his reiatsu sensing abilities. As if the castle was trying to hide things from him. Passively struggling against an 'intruder'. And it was doing it with great efficiency. As it were, even the ex-captain would have trouble to detect a flash of reiatsu from someone powerful. Like, say, a shinigami captain, standing less than a kilometers away.

He sat down and opened several scrolls on his desk.

However, what the cold stones weren't able to do, was to hinder his heightened senses and keen intellect. He heard the rushed footsteps of someone running at top speed. It echoed in the empty hallway. There was only one person, rather lightweight, running with a purpose as the footsteps never slowed or sped up. He glanced at his watch. She was slightly early, he would have to have a word with Gin. But the fact that she was coming to him was the proof that 'everything was going according to the plan'.

-At the same moment-

Her lungs were burning and so were the muscles of her legs. A copper taste on her dry tongue. Yet, she pushed on. It was the only thing she can do, she had to do.

She didn't take the time to knock.

'To hell with politeness'

She pressed the knob and shoved her shoulder against the door, slamming it open, ignoring the stabbing pain.

Hermione stumbled inside the office, skidding to an halt, her eyes falling directly on the person at the desk.

Professor Aizen was there, correcting some homework. He was wearing his white shirt, the last button undone as usual, but without his tie as he was out of 'office hours'. He looked up, appearing surprised at the sudden entry and frowned.

"Professor!" Hermione blurted out, her hands on her knees. Her sides were killing her and she damned herself for not being able to catch her breath enough to say more than a word.

"Miss Granger? Is something wrong?", the professor asked, standing up and coming to her.

If Hermione was anyone else, she knew she would have been scolded. But the professor knew that she wasn't reckless and impolite. And her acting so must mean the situation was dire.

"Hargrid…. Was hurt." She managed to breath out. Then she knew she would trip on the word so she simply pointed toward the professor's desk, where his zanpakuto was resting. "...by a sword..."

A flash of understand passed over the professor face and he rushed back to his desk, hastily opening a drawer.

"Where is he?", Aizen asked, his voice showing worry and hurry.

"Infirmary…"

-Slightly later-

"Maybe she… went to find Dumbledore?", Ron proposed after yet an other uncomfortable silence.

He already suggested their friend went to fetch either McGonagall or Snape. And Harry had to tell him that both were inside already, both times.

"I don't know..." Harry answered.

His heartbeat calmed down, but he was still sweating in worry, unable to come to rest.

"...I saw fawkes going after Gin, maybe Dumbledore was with him." He said with a low voice.

The two of them were still in front of the infirmary, waiting. Each minutes that passed was a second during which the professors and nurse weren't able to heal Hagrid.

"Hagrid is dear to her too...", Harry said lowly. "Remember the second year with the 'mudblood' accident?"

He was talking just to kill the silence that threatened to smother them. Trying to sound casual to mock the tension filling the air.

"Yeah...he has a heart as big as he is..." Ron said, coming next to his friend. "Now I feel bad about not liking his biscuits."

Why was it taking so much time? There had to be a way to fix him, a last resort solution. Damn it, there were in a magical school. There had to be a spell or a potion… anything. Like an universal solution, a last resort.

Taking the two boys by surprise and making them jump and start, a man literally landed between to two of them. Without missing a beat, he advanced toward the door, before Harry and Ron could react. And just behind him, unsure on her feet, slightly paler than usual and hugging a sheathed sword as if her life depended on it, Hermione followed quickly.

"What the bloody hell?", mumbled Ron, expressing quite precisely the state of mind of the two boys at the sudden appearance of professor Aizen and Hermione.

Aizen was carrying a box under his arm. Without stopping his advance, he pulled out his wand and with a flash of white, the door slammed open. The loud sound was what Ron and Harry needed to break out of their stupor. They quickly ran after after the professor and their friend, barging in the infirmary. McGonagal and Pomfrey turned around, their eyes wide. Hagrid was still mostly hidden from the students eyes.

"Sōsuke, what are you doing?", the deputy headmistress asked.

Her voice was weary but still held a tone of outrage.

"I'm here to help.", Aizen asserted, his voice sure and serious.

Still advancing, he opened the box he was carrying. With a wave of his wand, four cubes flew out and darted toward Hagrid's bed. They stopped at each corners and with a slight static sound, wires of magic connected the cubes, framing the half-giant. Taken by surprise, Pomfrey let out a slight gasp at this foreign magic and jumped backward. Coincidentally, it was at that time that Aizen reached the bed, standing where the nurse had been standing, on the left side of Hagrid. Only then, the students eventually reached the bed.

Harry and Hermione froze in horror. The first clenching his jaw and the second hugging the katana even closer.

"Bloody hell…"

The half-giant was livid, his tone nearly as pale as the bed he was resting on. His beard was completely painted red. The professor and the nurse had shed his coat and shirt, leaving his large chest bare. Tight bandages were warped around his chest and left shoulder. His eyes were closed but he was still breathing, if barely. And blood. Painting his bandages and skin red, soaking the bed under him, dripping on the floor. More blood than even him should have. Blood most likely generated thanks to Snape's potion. And more importantly, more blood than any of the Golden trio had ever seen.

Despite all this, Aizen stayed focused and serious. He pulled the bedside table closer, placed his box. With his left hand, he pressed his wand against Hagrid's chest and a green hue surrounded his wand and hand, seemingly oozing on the half-giant's chest. In the same time, he took out a scissor with the clear intent of cutting the bandages.

"No! Wha...", interjected McGonagall, grabbing her fellow professor's wrist.

"Minerva, I know how to heal those kind of wounds.", asserted Aizen, keeping his eyes on the half-giant. "So you can either help or leave."

Aizen words were calm, but made of steel. Sure, solid and capable to cut if needed. McGonagall froze, her eyes widening. Not many had what it took to speak to her in such tone. But what shook her the most was the natural authority carried in Aizen's voice and the certainty that he was telling nothing but the truth. She let go of his wrist.

"Thanks, and your help will be much appreciated." Aizen said with a small smile and a nod.

McGonagal nodded, still a bit shaken and turned toward the nurse and the two other professor, nodding again.

Aizen proceeded to cut away the bands to expose the wound on Hagrid's chest. As soon as he did so, more dark blood started to pour down in regular flow. The glow around Aizen's hand and wand started to shine brighter.

"I need a large syringe, cushions, and more blood replenishment potions." Aizen commanded, staying focused on his work.

Despite the obvious direness of the situation, the professor calm behaviour and words managed to help the students to keep their panic in check. Pomfrey, McGonagall and Snape went to work immediately. Sprout helped the nurse and with the indications of Aizen, placed the cushions under Hagrid's right shoulder. Snape came and gave his potions to the half-giant, forcing him to swallow. And McGonagall finished to transmute the syringe. Aizen, who had had his fingers in the gaping wound, pulled them out to grab the syringe and stab it into Hagrid's side.

After a seemingly endless instant spent in near complete silence, a rough yet weak cough was heard. The glow around Aizen's hand became brighter. Hagrid started to cough louder and groan, shifting on the bed.

"You're hurting him!" Ron protested, taking a step forward.

"He's already in pain, Mr Weasley.", chastised Aizen. "But if he has the strength to express it, he has the strength to live."

Even if his tone was stern and strict his words held hope.

"Professor Hagrid, can you hear me?", he asked with a clear, slow voice.

As all answer, Hagrid let out a sort of gargle followed by a fit of weak coughing. The nurse quickly pointed her wand toward the half-giant's throat. She had to cast the spell several time, straining her magic before it took effect. Suddenly, the gatekeeper gasped for air, still weak, but his throat obviously cleared now. Aizen nodded briefly at the nurse before turning back to the patient.

"I'm professor Aizen.", he continued, keeping his voice clear. "Do you know where you are?"

"H-Hogwarts...", Hagrid mumbled, barely a whisper.

The three students felt their chest tighten. Hagrid was usually loud. Even if he was trying to be discreet, one could normally hear him across the Great Hall. Yet now, his voice was barely audible.

"Very good.", answered Aizen with a calm voice. "You've been hurt. But you will soon be back on your feet. So I need you to stay calm and still, can you do that for me?"

Aizen's voice and words were soothing. And even if the students and other professors remained tense, Hagrid nodded weakly and his breathing started to get slower, but also deeper, more controlled. But even though, he was still bleeding rather profusely. Aizen was still keeping his wand against his chest and his free hand in the wound, working to stop the bleeding.

"T-the… youn-gsters...?", Hagrid weakly inquired, moving his head around as if looking for something or in this case, someone.

Aizen briefly glanced back at the Golden Trio.

"They're all fine.", Aizen asserted, turning back to his patient. "Just worried about you."

"I-I'll be...fine.", Hagrid mumbled, weakly waving his hand as if dismissing his grievous wound.

"You're a tough guy." Aizen said with a light tone and a small smile. "This is just a bit more than a scratch."

It started as a low chuckle, but soon turned into a loud coughing fit, mixed with wheezing breath and gargle. As the half-giant body was shaking, the glow around Aizen's hands became brighter, almost blinding, as well as the wires connected the strange magical cubes hovering around the bed. The powerful magic was obviously soothing, both for Hagrid and the students. The first stopped to cough and started to breath more easily. And the seconds relaxed and felt relief as the situation looked less and less desperate. The professors and nurse were still helping as much as they could. Snape was the busier as he kept brewing blood potion. However they kept looking at each other, with a strange mixture of worry, incomprehension and awe.

"So, extended holiday?" Aizen asked with a light voice, almost sounding conversational. "Where did you go?"

Hermione was still shivering slightly, holding and hugging the zanpakuto tightly against her chest. It felt heavy as her arms were numb and weak. But it also had a strange aura that made her feel… protected?

Yet despite her state, she was able to spot the sudden change in McGonagall's stature. The professor became tenser, and looked toward Snape who looked back at her with a meaningful glance. It confirmed what the trio had already discussed and thought of. Hagrid must have been on an Order's mission.

"A-at the mountains..." Hagrid started, then quickly corrected himself. "N-no… at the beach."

Hagrid's mind was obviously clouded by the pain and loss of blood. And it seemed to worry the two other members of the Order even more. They started to exchange supposedly discreet sighs and movements of the head.

"The beach sounds nice.", continued Aizen, his face becoming grave as his work on the wound started to become more demanding. "Quite the change of scenery and climate. I know some nice beaches in Italy. Where have you been?"

"Sōsuke, I don't think it's relevant...", admonished McGonagall, taking a step forward interrupted before the half-giant started to say too much.

"Minerva, I have to make sure he stays conscious, and coherent." Aizen answered right away, his tone firm, but not sharp. His explanation was clear and concise and his tone held a simple message. 'If you don't have a better idea, let me proceed'.

And only silence answered. None having a better idea, or daring to propose one that was most likely not as good.

Aizen focused his attention back on Hagrid.

"So you went with someone?", he inquired further, his voice back to its calm and soothing one.

"M-Maxime..."

"Oh, Beaubaton's headmistress?"

Hagrid nodded weakly. "G-good woman… strong and… courageous."

"Just like you."

Aizen's praise was answered with a low grumble followed by a groan when he pulled his fingers out of the wound. Even if it was still gaping, somewhat less blood was pouring out of it. And Hagrid's breathing was nearly back to normal.

"You'll have a nice story to tell her next time you meet her.", Aizen continued before taking a needle and some thin strings and starting to stitch the wound close.

Both of his hands were glowing a pale green when he was doing so, and his right one was covered with blood.

"I-it's... nothing", the half-giant said, shaking his head.

"No, you stepped in to defend two students." Aizen answered with a light scolding tone. "It's far from nothing."

Hagrid made an other, half convinced groan. The three students briefly looked at each other. They quite remember what had happened during last year Yew Ball and Hargid's 'big crush'. Harry in particular remembered the rejection and how deeply in wounded the half-giant's large and soft heart. And by how Hagrid reacted, even if him and Maxime went on a mission together, it most probably didn't help on bringing them closer.

"Help me sit him up.", the defense professor instructed to his fellow professor.

McGonagall and Sprout promptly reacted, using their wands to carefully sit up Hagrid and hold him still as Aizen started to stitch the wound on his shoulder and back. Hermione's eyes could move away from the large, long wound. It was no longer bleeding and the skin appears to be already partially healed thanks to Aizen's magic.

"Some women prefer hero over bad-boy.", he commented while still working. "And saving two children qualify you for the post of hero."

"I-I… guess." Hagrid said, his breathing once again made more difficult due to his new position.

"I'm sure everyone here agrees." Aizen glanced around the room while motioning to the two other professor to let go of their spell.

As Hagrid lied back down slowly, the other occupant of the room spoke up without orders to voice their support. Harry being among the loudest and most adamant. While at first he was rather doubtful and hesitant about Aizen's capacity to heal his friend, -doubt and hesitation shared to different degree by the others in the room- his confidence came back as no more blood was added to the puddle under the bed and as colour came back to Hagrid's features. And a bit of red painted his cheek as if the half-giant was blushing under the praise coming from almost everyone in the room. Everyone but two person. Snape, true to himself, stayed silent, and serious over his cauldron. And Hermione felt her words die in her throat.

"See?", Aizen asked with a warm smile.

Hagrid merely nodded. "Y-yea'..." His voice now sounding surer.

"And you're almost patched up.", the defense professor said with a confident tone.

With a wave toward his box, a roll of clean, white bandages jumped up and started to coil around Hagrid's chest, covering the wound completely.

"There, now you just have to take it easy for a while and you'll soon be as good as new." Aizen asserted with a soothing tone. "Can I trust you to do that?"

"Yea', I will.", Hagrid assured, nodding and moving his right arm.

"Good. Now rest, you've earned it."

Aizen moved his wand, the green hue disappearing. He pointed it between Hagrid's eyes and there was a brief, pale white flash. The half-giant became completely limp on the bed, his right arm falling. His loud breathing slowed down and became more regular.

There was a moment of deep, unusual calm. No sounds despite Hagrid's breathing and the bubbling of the cauldrons. Every eyes on the room were on Hagrid. He was there, sleeping soundly, not a single hint of pain on his now neutral feature. His wound was once again hidden, but the bandages were clean and white, not painted red with blood.

'He's saved' was the obvious conclusion that inhabited every mind.

Hermione sighed, feeling the tension leave her body and the grip around her throat loosen. She was still feeling guilty for what happened. For what she couldn't do. But now that the consequences…

A loud crash echoed in the room, almost making Hermione jump out of her skin. The four cubic devices that Aizen brought were no longer floating or emitting magic. The were on the floor, as if discarded, and inert. And other crash followed quickly. Not quite as loud. The box and tools the defense professor has been using toppled to the ground. Aizen himself was staggering backward. It was only then that Hermione noticed how pale he looked. Heavily, and far from the grace and dignity that was usually him, he tripped and fell back, the bed behind him barely catching him. He took a deep shaky breath, blinked several time and shook his head.

"Sorry...", he mumbled, his voice suddenly weak.

The tip of his wand strongly shaking, he pointed it toward the mess on the ground. But before he could cast his first spell, the nurse was at his side, snatching the wand from his fingers.

"No more magic for you today, Sōsuke.", she chastised him

She pocketed his wand and pointed her at him to start and auscultate him.

"Don't worry, I'm fine.", he said, still as weak but trying to offer a reassuring smile. "I'm just..."

"Exhausted.", finished the nurse, making sure he couldn't stand up and pushing a chocolate bar into his hands.

Aizen sighed and looked down, knowing when to give up.

-Later-

The sword was feeling heavy in her hands. The dark scabbard was smooth and she was able to feel the grain of the wood with the tip of her fingers. She had the purple stash coiled around one of her hand, enjoying the feeling of the silk on her skin. The elongated, hexagonal guard was cold and after a moment of study, she noticed a couple of faint marks on it. Proof that it has been used.

"I'm amazed at your capacity to always be able to find troubles no matter what."

She should feel something about this weapon. It was a weapon that could bring pain, hurt and death. She had seen less than an hour ago what such weapon can do.

Worry, discomfort, disgust.

'Not something a little girl can stop'

"To be honest, professor. It's usually trouble that is able to find me..."

Yet, it was Aizen's weapon. The weapon of the man who just saved her friend when the nurse and other professor couldn't do anything. The weapon of the man who taught them so much in only a few weeks. The man who taught them and showed them it wasn't the tools, -be it wands, spells, or even swords,- that matters but how one used and handled them.

Warmth, solace, protection.

'Such powerful weapon can be so useful...'

"Litterally!"

Her sleeves were still slightly wet and her hands clean now. But she still couldn't stop them from shaking. Except when she held the Zanpakuto tightly. A part of her wanted to pull it out of its sheath…

"Miss Granger, are you alright?"

Her body was still sore. Her right arm felt heavy and numb and moving her shoulder felt as if a fork was being stabbed and moved in her flesh. Her hair was even more of a mess than usual and along her robes covered with dirt and grass. Her scarf was gone as it couldn't be salvaged from the blood.

"Hermione!"

"Hermione!"

Hermione flinched and looked around with wide eyes. They were in the headmaster's office. Some magical devices were ticking and ringing softly. The headmaster and his phoenix were nowhere in sight. She was there with McGonagall, Harry and Ron. Ron had been pacing back and forth, restless. Harry was equally restless, but McGonagall was there to keep him still while she was fixing his glasses, and robe and checking him for any wound. And the three of them were looking at her with various worried expression.

"Y-yes?"

"Are you alright?", the professor asked once again, stepping to her.

"Yes… I was just… spacing out."

McGonagall stopped in front of her and pointed her wand toward her. A dim light appeared at its tip. Hermione felt a shiver run on his skin as the magic was probing her. A second spell, this time pointed directly at her shoulder, made her sigh in relief. Her arm remained just as heavy and numb, but it felt as if a pack of ice was applied along with tight bandaged to hold her shoulder and soothe her articulation. It was temporary, of course, but it still felt nice.

"Thanks."

The professor smiled and nodded. She then cast a third spell to clean the students hair and robes as much as possible. Once done McGonagall's eyes focused on the sword Hermione was carrying. She frowned slightly. But before she could ask anything, the deep sound of the stairs moving arrived to their ears. And a moment later, the door opened and Dumbledore walked in, Fawkes on his shoulder.

Unlike his usual self, he looked grave and serious, no smile on his lips and a slight scowl. He looked over the others occupants of the room without looking surprised by their presence. However it lasted but a second. Before the door could close, Fawkes took off, flew in circle around the headmaster, letting out a clear note before going to his stand. This note rang in the room for a brief instant. And more than that, it felt like a warm blanket warping around the students and professor, allowing them to snuggle in them and helping them relax. Hermione felt the tension in her back lessen. Harry relaxed a bit more in his chair. And Ron eventually sat down.

"I'm glad to see you all safe and sound.", Dumbledore said, his smile back along with the twinkle in her eyes.

He walked toward his desk and sat down.

"I passed by the infirmary." He started with a soft tone, looking over the students, but passing very quickly over Harry. "Hagrid will just have to stay a few more days in the infirmary and will be alright within a week or two."

Just like Fawkes' chant, the headmaster's words had an instantaneous soothing effect. Even if Hermione had trust in Aizen's skills and words, Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard alive. How can he be wrong? And just like her parents often said, two concordant conclusion is better than one.

"And how about professor Aizen?", she asked, still slightly worried after seeing him nearly pass out once he had been done healing Hagrid.

"He will be alright very soon.", Dumbledore assured with a smile and a nod. "He just pushed himself a bit too much."

"And did you catch the bastard?", Ron blurted out, a not of impatience in his voice.

"Mr. Weasley!"

"Ron!"

While Hermione and McGonagall were outraged by Ron's tone and choice of word, Harry vigorously nodded a serious and determined expression on his face.

Dumbledore simply raised his hand.

"It's alright.", he said soothingly. "Filius and I chased him as far as we could. But he was using some unknown sort of short range apparition. Very fast and hard to track. We lost him. But Filius is strengthening the wards around the castle. If he comes back, we'll be warned immediately."

This left a conflicted feeling in the mind of the students. On one hand, they would be relatively safer. But on the other, the threat Gin represented was still on the loose, ready to strike at any moment.

A knock interrupted them in their musings before Dumbledore could speak up again. Snape soon walked in, his robes billowing after him. He ignored the students completely and moved directly to the headmasters desk, a small vial in his hand. While Harry and Ron were focused on him, Hermione was more focused on the person that was following him, a bit slower.

Aizen Sōsuke walked in, discreetly, silently, calmly and mostly ignored. Only Hermione and McGonagal seemed to notice him. The first one sighing in relief and holding the Zanpakuta not at tight as before. And the second transformed a comfortable armchair for him. He smiled and stepped to it with a sedated pace. He was still wearing the same shirt, but obviously cleaned and with his sleeves still wet. He had his robes hanged over his shoulders and his green scarf passing over his shoulder too. In his hands, there was a steaming cup of tea. Thanking the transfiguration professor, he took place in the armchair and let out a deep, relaxed sigh.

"Sōsuke, I'm surprised and pleased Poppy let you out already." Dumbledore said with a light tone, turning to the mentioned professor.

"I had to promise her that I'll take it easy for a day.", Aizen answered with a small smile. "And she kept my wand to be sure."

He spoke casually of giving away his wand, showing complete trust in the nurse and the staff of Hogwarts.

"Also, it will allow her to focus on her patient." He continued.

"Thoughtful..." Snape sneered without even turning his head to the defense professor.

This simple word made the atmosphere of the room drop a few degree, becoming tenser and earning the potion professor earn several glares. But it was obvious that he didn't care.

"I have the memory." he continued, his tone still as cold and low. "So if we're done with mundanities, would it be possible to view it?"

"Whose memory is it?" Harry directly inquired, being the only one who had experienced the pensive already.

"Hagrid's." Dumbedore answered right away before Snape could. His tone and words were indisputably gentler and more adapted. "The memory of the attack. Severus took it when Hagrid arrived in the infirmary."

The explanation made sense to the students. And Hermione understood it was something that had been discussed beforehand. Most likely something that had been establish during the first war against Voldemort. A mean to know about an attack if the victim didn't manage to… survive.

Without further words, Dumbledore stood up and walked to his pensive, pouring the memory in it.

"Albus, are you sure it's wise to allow the students to see it too?", McGonagall asked with a worried yet caring voice.

"Of course!", Ron immediately answered

"You can't keep us out of this too!", Harry added with an almost angry tone.

Hermione shoot them a warning glance. 'Too'. Her friend was clearly mentioning the Order. It would be safe to speak about it freely if one person in the room wasn't still alien to it. She glanced to him. Aizen didn't look confused or particularly interested in Harry and Ron's outburst, rather he was looking at the Headmaster, awaiting his answer.

Dumbledore thought for a moment, looking over said students.

"They already saw too much!", McGonagall continued, backing her point.

"Yes, they did." Dumbledore said and quickly continued before the Golden Trio could speak up. "Too much to be left in the dark. Seeing what actually happened would save them from their own imagination. A lesser of two evils."

McGonagal sighed, her shoulder slumping and giving in. Aizen slowly nodded in approval. Still serious and grave, some angry some guilty about what happened, the Golden Trio quickly stood up and followed Harry to the pensive.

-In the Memory-

Hagrid was calmly walking along the edge of the forest, away from the road, toward Hogsmead. Keeping his head down, he was lost in his thoughts. Seven people were with him. But unlike him, they weren't walking, quite content to just slide on the grass and stays near him as he kept advancing. And while they were quite interested in him and his surrounding, he was oblivious to them.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were quite restless. Ron looking around, while the two other already knew in which direction to look at. Dumbledore was there, at the back, looking over the group, looking calm. Snape and McGonagall were in front of the group, as if guarding them even if it wasn't necessary. And Aizen was walking next to the students. His cup of tea was still in his hands but otherwise forgotten. In the distance, there was three figures on the road.

Memory-Hagrid spotted them too but didn't stop until flashes of magic were seen. They were still too far to see precisely who it was or what happened. Without hesitating, he started to walk toward them with quick pace, a worried expression on his face.

Suddenly a brighter flash could be seen, followed my loud, low sound, like a distant thunder. The grass around memory-Hagrid flattened on the ground and the half-giant was forced to stop and steady himself against a strange kind of magic pressure wave. Noticing that something was obviously wrong, memory-Hagrid took out his umbrella and started to run the couple of hundred meters still separating him from the figures.

Harry and Hermione knew perfectly was this pressure wave was. It was the exact same one that sent them flying, effortlessly.

Soon they were all close enough to see who those figures were. Harry and Hermione could see their old selves. Looking pitiful and discarded on the ground like ragdolls. The memory-Harry struggled on his knee, turning to the memory-Hermione. Suddenly a tall figure, dressed completely in white with silver-gray hair appeared just behind memory-Harry. 'Strange, short range apparition'. They were too far to hear anything, but the memory was quite vivid in Hermione's mind. The shudder in her back almost made her miss memory-Hagrid's reaction. Pointing his unbrella toward the forest, he summoned an old trunk and them it toward the white figure.

"Wow!" Exclaimed Ron as he noticed it, stepping away and raising his arms.

The trunk passed right through Snape who stayed just as nonchalant before turning to the students.

"Don't hesitate to stay quiet, Mr Weasley.", he chastised the red-head.

"Nothing can hurt you here.", added Dumbledore with a softer words.

Ron glared briefly at the potion professor before nodding at the Headmaster. By the time this small exchange was done, they all were near memory-Harry and Hermione. The seven observers looked upon the quick exchange between the three memory-selves. Hermione and Harry were already tense a few moment before memory-Gin re-appeared. The head of the professors snapped to him too. Aizen started to walk to him to have a better view.

They all saw how memory-Hagrid sent the two students away while staying back. McGonagall turned briefly to said student with a silent nod approving of their choice, but the look in her eyes meant that she would still have some things to say about it.

"And there goes my prey..." memory-Gin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck casually.

"You won't go after them.", threatened memory-Hagrid, keeping his umbrella pointed at the man.

"Why couldn't I?", memory-Gin's grin widened. Then he shrugged. "But I don't know if I still want to… I expected more from him."

"What do you mean?" memory-Hagrid asked. He too seemed to try to play for time.

"I heard a lot about the Boy-who-lived.", said memory-Gin lightly. "But I'm disappointed… he looks soft and weak for a murderer."

"What?" Ron blurted out before turning to Harry with wide disbelieving eyes.

Hermione turned to him too and so did McGonagall. Surely, memory-Gin wasn't talking about the same person.

Behind them, Dumbledore frowned slightly, his expression becoming thoughtful.

"Harry isn't a murderer!", memory-Hagrid protested with the righteous anger of someone having been already wrongly accused of murder in the past.

"Oh yeah?", challenged memory-Gin, leaning forward slightly and aggressively. "I'm sure Quirinus Quirrell would agree with you. If he hadn't been killed three years ago!"

There was a short silence.

"By Harry Potter."

Memory-Hagrid frowned and after a moment of hesitation opened his mouth to answer. But before he could utter a word, memory-Gin continued.

"Harry Potter placed his hands around Quirrell's neck and held them there. He watched his professor's skin and flesh burn between his fingers, turning to ash and falling to the ground. Quirrell must have screamed and struggled, but Potter didn't remove his hands. He wanted him dead! And he wanted him to die screaming and suffering!"

Anger now took place on memory-Hagrid's face, but he also became paler.

"H-he did it bec..."

"And then he learned some more magic. Illusion, mind control, petrification. He killed his first victim with his own hands so his thirst of blood was sated. A giant snake, with deadly eyes, deadly venom and deadly fangs, roaming freely in a school full of children for a whole year, most likely going hungry, yet no one was found missing or killed? He enjoys terror and suffering. He manipulates his preys and victims. Sure, he saved the girl, how noble! But a spirit in a book. Who actually believed that?!"

That hit Hagrid twice. First because it was an other attack toward Harry, but also an attack against his own past.

"And Sirius Black. Oh, Sirius Black...", memory-Gin theatrically opened his arms. "Potter could at least admit this one. No one would blame him. Black was the one who sealed the fate of his parents. He could have as well killed them himself. He made him an orphan that will never know the love of his mother, the pride of his father. An orphan who will never feel protected during cold, dark nights in the embrace of his parents. Didn't Potter said he wanted to find him and 'make him pay'. Even I could understand that. Maybe you all already know and simply decide to keep your eyes closed. One night, the dementors attack, Potter attacked one of his professor, another transformed into a werewolf, one of his friend was hurt. Add a Time-Turner."

Gin snapped his fingers and Hagrid flinched as if he was slapped.

"And suddenly… Black is gone.", Gin said flatly.

This time Hagrid couldn't find the words to defend his friend, simply shaking his head and refusing it altogether.

"And his latest victim; Cedric Diggory. Poor student killed by a dead Dark Lord", Gin continued with a mocking tone. "A Dark Lord that would have devised a plan that took in consideration all the events of one whole year. Waited for the tournament. Made sure that little Potter managed not to get killed or eaten during three Tasks. Made sure Potter would win against wizards far more powerful and experienced than him. Enchanted the Cup. Killed a student and trapped Potter. And the Dark Lord did that while being dead since thirteen years!"

Gin raised his free hand and closed it as if he was holding an invisible wand.

"Or… Barty Crouch Jr was allegedly completely crazy. Potter already knew of Polyjuice and understood the deception, but decided to take advantage of it. He learned the killing curse from the ex-DeathEater. And when Diggory, his rival, was about to win..." Gin made a slashing motion across his neck with his 'invisible wand'. "Potter's first cold blooded murder."

'Cold blooded murder' those three words hanged in the air for a moment. The spectators were silent. Some were horrified. Most of them were looking at Harry. He was blank, struck, his eyes wide and looking at Gin. His mind was reeling fruitlessly and his hands were shaking, dry and feeling too hot for comfort, as if he had them in still warm cinders. Gin's words were also in the mind of the other spectators. They knew they were false, they had to be. And nearly all were thinking of the right words to say to try and comfort Harry. To find the correct proof that would send the whole arguments and deductions falling to the ground like broken glass. Yet it was memory-Hagrid reacted first.

"That's a lie!", bellowed Hagrid.

Anger filling his being after having hear one of his closest friend being dragged in the mud by Gin, the half-giant jabbed his umbrella forward. Three bolts, two reds and one blue shot from the tip of the umbrella, heading fast and in zig-zag toward the man in white. Gin's grin widened. He stood his ground. His right arm moving incredibly fast and precisely, he slashed with his Zanpakuto, three times. At each time, the blade hit a spell with a shower of white sparks. The ground around him tore and exploded in three different spot as the spells hit it. And Gin stood, unarmed.

"Then you are blind.", stated Gin. "I don't blame you and now I understand. Potter deceived you all. Behind the image of poor orphan and savior, who could suspect him? He's smart. He is dangerous."

Gin started to step forward, slowly.

"Harry Potter is a murderer and a dangerous psychopath.", asserted the man in white. "I know it's hard to accept. But you know I'm telling the truth. I'm not a bad man. I'm doing this for the good of the whole world! If you can recall one time when he has been mean and wanted to be mean, when he lied or wanted to lie, know that there are a hundred more that you didn't see. So if you have even the tiniest doubt of Potter's goodness and honesty, you have to let me pass."

Gin stopped about three meters from Hagrid.

"No one will blame you."

There was less than a second of silence. Hagrid blinked and his face became as hard as stone.

"I won't let you get near Harry."

The sentence was simple and short. Yet filled with so much anger that the Golden Trio had trouble believing it was from the normally soft and gentle half-giant.

The tip of the umbrella glowed a deep, angry red, almost buzzing with magic ready to be released. Gin's grin widened. And suddenly… he disappeared.

In a blink, he reappeared in the middle of the group, right in front of Hagrid, his sword already being brought down. Effortlessly and before Hagrid could react, magic metal cut through his umbrella. Only the handle remained in the half-giant's hand, now useless. Hagrid widened his eyes, obviously taken by surprised and jumped back, looking at the remain of his umbrella. It was clear in his eyes that he had trouble believing what just happened.

However, when Gin took a step forward, his sword casually pointing down, Hagrid reacted in an instant, casting all doubts aside. He raised his large left fist and with an angry groan brought it down. The mighty fist connected against Gin's cheek with a loud crack. Gin's head jerked to the side, his hair flying around his head, taking a step back but still falling backward. His right arms was still on his side he had lifted his left one, but couldn't catch the fist. Still driven by righteous anger, Hagrid raised his right fist, taking a step forward, and hit again. And again, and again, and again. Each hit coming with a loud cracking sound.

Even if Gin was obviously the 'enemy', someone who hurt one of her friend, and a danger, McGonagal winced and frowned. That was brutal and barbaric. Hagrid was several time stronger than an average human, almost as strong as a giant thanks to his magic. And she was sure her fellow professor was hitting without restrain, letting his fury dictate his action.

At each hit, Gin stumbled back a bit more, seemingly dazed, his head jerking left and right under Hagrid's fist, his body limp. Taken by the intensity of the beating, feeling a similar fury toward Gin, Harry find himself cheering for Hagrid, until…

Suddenly Gin became rigid, he assured his footing, rightened himself and lifted his left hand. Gin caught Hagrid's hand in his palm like a leaf blown in the wind. Hagrid's fist crashed and stopped against Gin's palm like it would have against the strongest wall of Hogwarts. The man in white lifted his head to look at the half-giant. His grin was wider than ever and only a tiny tickle of blood was descending from his nose.

"You're a lot weaker than you look, Mr Giant.", he mocked.

His right armed moved, striking in a serpent like manner and speed. His Zanpakuto stabbed Hagrid's chest, going through it as if the sturdy half-giant was made of butter. The spectators gasped as Hagrid flinched and cough in pain. Mercilessly, Gin spun his wrist, making the blade twist in the wound, tearing the flesh around it. Hagrid let out a scream filled with pain and anger. Summoning his strength and willpower to forget the pain, he lifted his left hand, ready to strike. Without a hint of hesitation or remorse, Gin forced his sword up. The deadly edge of the sword cut through bones, and muscles, and the lung of the half-giant. Blood covered the blade and grass. But Gin gracefully stepped to the side and kept his clothes spotless.

Hagrid gasped in pain. He stumbled backward. Blood covering his coat already, his broken weapon on the side. His left arm hanged, useless, and -to the horror of the spectator- barely remaining attached to his body.

"And now, die. Drowned in your delusion.", Gin said, his bloody sword on the side and raising his left finger, pointing it at the giant. "Hado #1, cho."

A loud sound, then the memory turned into a blur of green, gray and red.

-End of the Memory-

Silence. Uneasy. Thick. Even the different devices apparently had the courtesy of making slightly less noise. Everyone moved back to their seat, slowly, deep in thought.

They all already knew the state Hagrid had been in after the fight. What shocked them, was the violence of the fight and the obvious fact that it had been once-sided since the beginning. Even if Hagrid wasn't the best with magic, his strength and resistance were far above average. And that further asserted the overwhelming difference between him and Gin.

But what bothered them too, was Gin's words. Obvious lies of course. But not complete fallacy either. Using real facts and truth to build a conclusion that was coherent yet far away from the truth. And an other horrifying prospect being that this 'version' of history might arrive to the Daily Prophet. The Prophet would love this and it would make the headlines for weeks, months even, finishing to destroy Harry's and Dumbledore's reputation. And most of the wizard would be more than happy to believe it.

The three students were looking down. Ron was still feeling anger toward Gin obviously, restless to do something to stop him and avenge Hagrid. Harry had doubts slowly gnawing at his mind. And Hermione felt the feeling of helplessness coming back.

The professor stayed silent too. Dumbledore was looking at his wand, thinking and glancing at the students from time to time. McGonagall was rigid and keeping her eyes on the headmaster. Aizen was sitting in his armchair, looking serious and having placed his tea on the desk, no longer interested in it. Even Snape appeared thoughtful and conflicted.

"H-he..." Hermione started then took a deep, shaky breath. "He can resist stunning spells, and can… break… use wandless magic to break binding spell."

She kept her eyes down while she said this. She just wanted to break this difficult silence. And the first thing that came to mind was giving some useful information about Gin and his abilities.

"Who?", Ron asked confused.

"Gin.", Hermione replied with a small voice

'Genius...'

Of course, as soon as she answered, she understood. The only time most of the people in this room heard this name was in Hagrid's memory, blurted out by her old self. The name was foreign sounding too. And with what happened later, it was normal this little information slipped by them.

"Maybe you should start from the beginning, Mrs Granger.", proposed Dumbledore with a small smile and a grandfatherly tone.

And so she did, slowly, with carefully chosen words. She explained how they had met this stranger that had been looking lost. How she had understood he might be a threat, thanks to his sword. She told about their attempts at playing for time after sending Ron looking for help. And how they had been discovered due to them using the name of Quirell. Then, her explanation became a bit more hesitant as she described how they had fought… had tried to fight… against him. Until Hagrid had arrived.

An other silence followed, shorter this time.

"You should have run away.", McGonagall chastised them with a slightly shaking voice.

It was obvious after what they saw and what Hermione explained that Gin had been playing with the students. Would he have wished it, the altercation would have been over a before the students had the chance to cast any spell.

"As soon as you saw his sword, you should have run away!", she said once again the truth of how close she had been to lose the trio hitting her rather strongly.

"I have to disagree, Minerva..."

Aizen sat a bit straighter, speaking up for the first time since he had come out of the pensive. His breathing was still somewhat laborious, but his expression was confident and serious.

"In this situation, Mrs Granger could difficultly have made a better decision.", he continued, giving a small nod to the mentioned student. "Send one person for help, then delay as much as possible. Keep the most likely 'target' near to focus the opponent's attention. While it was a good idea, you just were unlucky he knew Quirrell. But I don't think it would have changed much if he didn't anyway..."

Minerva opened her mouth but then closed it. She looked away, clearly displeased, but unable to discuss the truth of Aizen's word.

"You have been reading a lot laterly, haven't you?" Aizen asked with a soft, gentle tone, turning to Hermione and offering her a small comforting smile.

"Yes, professor.", she answered back and couldn't help but smile too, feeling the tension in her back lessen and almost completely disappear for the first time tonight.

"The 'know-it-all' reading books… how shockingly surprising…", sneered Snape, his voice dripping with sarcasm clearly getting impatient. "And I suppose what would be unbelievably boring is to know and understand this: How do you already know this man? And how did Granger know to come to you and how were you able to heal this wound?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes, feeling the jab. Her face became pink from shame and anger.

"Because he was wielding a Zanpakuto!", she said with a cold voice.

'And you have one in your hands… sure you don't want to unsheathe it?'

"A what?", Harry asked, turning to his friend with confusion.

"A Zanpakuto.", repeated Aizen, a bit more slowly so that everyone could grasp the difficult pronunciation. "The short, curved sword you saw Gin Ichimary wield and use in the memory. It's a magical sword capable of channeling some kind of magic. And Miss Granger knew that I too possessed such weapon. The conclusion and connection must have been quick to make."

Hidden in plain sight. The concept was quite strange the first time one heard of it. How could someone not see what was right in front of him, obvious. Well, the problem did not reside in 'seeing', but rather 'noticing'. Since the beginning, Hermione was carrying, hugging, a foreign looking sword. It might have confused people at first, but at that moment, they had some other things on their mind. And by now, it was part of her. They were looking at her, but not seeing her. Once they identified the person as Hermione Granger, then they only looked at her eyes or mouth when she was talking. And not the obvious sword she was carrying.

Hence, it took everyone in the room a various amount of time to finally turn their head toward Hermione. No longer seeing her, or focusing on her face. But now seeing a dangerous, magical weapon held firmly in her hands.

"I believe I owe you an explanation." Aizen said, moving in his armchair to be facing the other occupant of the room.

"I believe this explanation is long overdue.", replied Snape with a cold tone.

"I never imagined they would come here.", defended Aizen, raising his hands and using an apologetic tone.

"Severus, it's alright, I'm sure Sōsuke meant no harm.", Dumbledore intervened before the situation could get worse. " We all have our secrets and not every secrets must be known."

"Thank you, headmaster."

Dumbledore turned his head to the defense professor. "So, what can you tell us about this man?"

"His name is Gin Ichimaru. He's a shinigami, part of the Gotei from the Seireitei.", Aizen started to explain and raised his hand before there could be any remark or question about the foreign words. "Seireitei translates into 'Court of the pure souls'. It's a very elitist group of mages and wizard in Japan promoting the purity of the soul."

"The purity of the soul?", Ron asked with narrowed eyes. It clearly was far too close to the 'purity of the blood'.

Aizen noded.

"I know." He simply said, assuring that he knew what everyone was thinking in the room.

"Gotei roughly translates into' protection squads'.", he continued in his explanations. "It's the military, part of the Seireitei, charged with its protection against any kind of threat. The Gotei is split in thirteen squads. Each of them of different size, importance and role. Shinigami translates into..."

The took a small pause and a deep breath.

"Zanpakutos are the Shinigamis' weapon. Shingamis are the name of the soldier in the Gotei. Trained in different kinds of combat method. Shinigami translates as 'Death God'."

Death Gods, Death-Eaters.

Apparently Japan also had his own set of problems that were that far from the ones in Great-Britain. A group of extremist promoting a sort of purity and using death related name to instill fear in the civilians.

"I don't know what he's doing here..." Aizen admitted, sounding apologetic. "Maybe the power vacuum left by the Dark Lord eventually attracted his attention. Maybe it's the current troubles. Maybe, he's just trying to spread chaos."

After what they all saw in the memory, Gin's final intentions and objectives were unclear at best. Nowhere near friendly. If he really wanted to get rid of Harry, he would have done it right away. If he just wanted to attack and frighten the civilians, Hogsmead would have been a far better target. If he wanted to shake the wizard's moral and drag Harry and Dumbledore's reputation in the mud, he would have contacted the Prophet right away.

"But whatever it is, it means that the whole Seireitei is involved. The Gotei doesn't send someone like Gin Ichimaru without thinking and without reasons."

"Why? How powerful is he?", inquired the headmaster, listening carefully.

"He's smart, manipulative and ruthless. And powerful. How powerful exactly is still rather unclear to me.", admitted Aizen. "What I can tell you is, he's highly proficient in hand to hand combat, wandless magic, sword combat. He can use magic to strenghten his body. His zanpakuto can deflect most of the spells and cut through wards. But the most disturbing fact; the wounds it causes are cursed. Heavy, dark magic plague the flesh of its victim and it makes them near impossible to heal through normal means. Only specialized healing or equally powerful dispel would work."

There was a moment of somber silence.

"Does your Zanpakuto hold the same properties?", asked Dumbledore, motioning toward the sword still in Hermione's hands.

Aizen shook his head.

"Like wands, each Zanpakuto is unique. And hence holds unique abilities. Gin's abilities are focused around quick, deadly attacks. My zanpakuto's abilities are specialized in defense and support."

The answer was rather vague, but understandably so. An other silence followed, allowing the occupant of the room to muse over what they just learnt.

"You still haven't explain how you knew him.", Snape observed quite pointedly.

All eyes turned to him. He was sitting back in his chair, looking as stiff as ever. He ignored almost everyone, keeping his cold eyes focused on Aizen.

"This Gin almost referred to you nominatively when Mrs Granger tried to take his weapon.", he continued. "You seem to know him quite well. And I find the timing quite… remarkable. The same year you are accepted at professor here, this Seireitei -never heard from before- takes interest in Great-Britain."

"It might just be a coincidence, Severus.", chastised McGonagal.

"Of course it might.", sneered Snape, keeping his eyes on Aizen who was still holding his gaze for now. "How wonderfully useful are these little things called coincidences… Then allow me to ask a direct question; Why would a Shinigami leave Japan, come all the way into Great-Britain, get into the ministry and climbed the hierarchy and eventually end up teaching in Hogwart?"

Dumbledore nodded, looking down at his desks, rubbing his forehead. Minerva kept looking forward, letting out a discreet sigh. Hermione frowned, looking down at the sword in her hands.

"Huh?"

"What...?"

"The famous Golden Trio...", snapped Snape, cutting both Harry and Ron. "It's a wonder you even manage to walk to up a flight of stair with six legs for only one brain!"

"Severus.", Dumbledore spoke up, a single word with a calming tone.

The potion teacher didn't react or answer in any way rather than focusing his attention on Aizen, which he was still starting at.

"'Zanpakutos are the Shinigamis' weapon.' That's what you said." the spy said. "Shinigami are part of the Gotei, which protects the Seireitei, which promote the purity of the soul." He rambled with a monotonous tone. "What made you, a Shinigami, come here?"

The doubt and mistrust was clear in Snape's voice and words. A Shinigami had nearly killed one of their fellow professor and friend to most. And an other Shinigami was sitting in the same room at this same instant. It made sense to doubt and be wary. Yet Hermione felt a pang of outrage in her chest.

'How dare he?'

Gin had been aggressive and hostile, surrounded with a sickening, perfidious aura. And grinning. Aizen was anything but that. Even if he was serious and strict from time to time, he was gentle, generous and kind. He had braved his instructions and risked his position to teach the Golden trio. And when he had heard that Hagrid was hurt, he didn't hesitate to do his best to help. Also, it was quite ironic that Snape, -a notorious double agent, who had worked for the Dark Lord during the last war before tuning his coat, openly doubted by more than one- would be the one to doubt Aizen.

Aizen sighed and eventually broke eye contact with Snape. He looked down and removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"It's complicated..." He started lowly, sounding guilty and apologetic. "Yet, I think you already know how it goes. I was younger, naive and full of dreams. I saw the Gotei more like a mean to an end. So I registered. I became a Shinigami, received my Zanpakuto..."

He leant forward and reached for his cup. The nurse had said that he had exhausted himself healing Hagrid. And now it showed. His movements were slow and careful, and his shoulders were slumped as if he was carrying the weight of all the worries and problems onto them. His face showed it too even if it was mixed with brave determination. It was the kind of posture and expression that Hermione had seen several time already. She glanced toward Harry and confirmed it.

"Their injustices and frauds were… more insidious, hidden by traditions and protected by laws." He continued, stirring his tea and fixing it. "But no less vile and despicable than the Dark Lord's. The 'pure' souls, stepping onto other, using them. Corruption. Violence."

He took a small pause and a long sip of his tea.

"Once I joined the Gotei, it didn't took me long to fully understand the faults in the Seireitei, and how far and deep they dwelt. I tried to make things change. First by climbing the hierarchy of the Gotei. Attain a position of authority to have enough power to change the ways of the Seireitei. I nearly managed... But some influential people disliked it. One day I was branded a traitor and forced into exile. I didn't have much choice so I decided to come here, in Merlin's land. Since then, I tried to help from afar. I still have some contacts in the Seireitei, and when I'm able, I travel to fight its influence… but it's going slowly."

He finished his cup then looked at Dumbledore.

"I told the minister about that as soon as I arrived here a few years ago.", he said seriously. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as I arrived. But it had been longingly discussed and the Minister and I decided not to burden you with such an unlikely threat."

The headmaster didn't answer right away, his eyes still fixed on his wand, on his desk. No one dared to speak before him. His elbows still on his knees, Aizen placed his glasses back on his nose and awaited too, patiently and politely. He almost looked like a student apologizing to his professor and with the age difference between those two, it might just as well been the case.

"It's alright, Sōsuke." Dumbledore eventually said, granting his forgiveness. "As I said, I'm sure you didn't mean any harm and you couldn't have known."

Aizen nodded his thanks and leant back in his armchair, some tension in his shoulder visibly vanishing.

"The situation is quite delicate and there's too much we still don't know.", Albus said, quite tiredly.

"I already sent a report to the Ministry about the attack." Aizen provided. "And I will try to contact the few allies I still have left in the Seireitei. We have to know why the Seireitei is interested in the magical Great-Britain. If Gin came alone. If he has allies here..."

The three members of the Order exchanged glances, as well as the golden Trio. The most important, yet unspoken question was on all of their mind. 'Was Gin somehow linked to Voldemort?'

The best case scenario would be that the two 'bad guys' would end up fighting each other. Potentially weakening each other, and maybe even defeating each other. But the worst case would be the two of them forming an alliance, no matter how unlikely it was.

For now however, they all understood they were basically in the dark.

"Kaien Arasawa!", suddenly exclaimed Ron.

"Arisawa.", corrected Snape coldly. "What about him?"

"Well, he's from Japan too, right?", continued Ron, energetic. "And he already tried to attack professor Aizen. He must be with the white bastard."

"Language Mr. Weasley.", chastised McGonagal, but it was clearly halfhearted.

Ron's deduction produced various reactions. Snape simply scoffed and shook his head, instantly dismissing the student's words. Harry nodded eagerly agreeing with his friend. Kaien was giving him a bad vibe from the beginning. And it strengthened when he had become violent toward Aizen and when he admitted to have been aggressive toward Hermione. McGonagall knew not to jump on conclusion and turned to Dumbledore. Hermione however was a lot more indecisive. Yes Kaien was aggressive and impulsive. But he also saved her nearly one year ago. He had put his life on the line for her while she had been a complete stranger for him.

So just like Dumbledore, she turned toward the one who might know the most about it. Aizen was apparently deep in though, his hands calmly on his sides.

"Unlikely, Mr Weasley", he eventually said. "The Gotei only recruits and trains adults. Moreover, he doesn't have a Zanpakuto, does he?"

Dumbledore tilted his head forward and nodded it, silently approving on Aizen's reasoning and answering his question.

"But..."

"Mr Weasley," cut the headmaster with a gentle voice "Mr Arisawa gave us no reason for us to think he has intentions to cause us any harm. For now, we have to focus on this Gin and on the school's defense. Severus, maybe you can talk to Mr Arisawa to see what he knew about this Seireitei and the shinigamis."

The potion master sighed and nodded, looking out of the window. It was clearly more work for him and he didn't like it. But in the same time, he couldn't say no to the headmaster.

In the same time, it did stop the students questions about Kaien. But it didn't ease their worries and suspicions. It just made clear that the headmaster would focus on the threat from the outside of the school. And just like he was doing with Snape, he would just keep giving second chances. They just hoped that he would never be proven that it was a mistake.

"But now, it's getting late and I think we all deserve some rest.", declared Dumbledore, standing up.

"Professor..." Harry started.

"Sōsuke, can you accompanying the students back to their common room?", Dumbledore continued rather obviously ignoring Harry. "Then you can take a few days off until you feel better. Make sure to check with Poppy or she'll come hunting you."

Aizen looked rather confused between the headmaster and the student, noticing the first completely ignoring the second for no apparent reason. He nodded nonetheless and faced Dumbledore.

"Of course, and thank you." He answered simply and stood up slowly and carefully.

The three students stood also. Ron was still tense and partially fuming, Harry was now sulking and looking generally displeased, and Hermione seemed deep in thought, still firmly holding the Zanpakuto.

-Scene Break-

Location unknow, near the great manor of the old and noble Malfoy family.

In a faint sound, not unlike a sudden burst of wind, a man dressed in white suddenly appeared. If someone with keen enough senses had seen it, he would have noticed that the man hadn't just appeared, but had rather flown here at a speed defying common sense.

But Mr Fox didn't really care. He knew that those wizard weren't good enough to see him. Well maybe Mr Snake or Mr Bat would be powerful enough to notice his movements, but he knew that they weren't there at the moment. He started to step toward the great mansion. His zanpakuto had already been cleaned and sheathed. He was carefully cleaning the 'blood' dripping from his nose to his upper lip. Once done and using a flicker of reiatsu, he casually burned the red tainted tissue. Nothing remained of it.

'Captain Aizen was right… they are still too weak.'

Nonchalant, he shook his hand a bit then slid his other hand in the sleeve of his mantle. He pulled out a small plastic bag filled with a deep red liquid. Bringing the short straw to his lips and sucking on it, he enjoyed the sweet taste of grenadine. It was thick and a bit too sweet, but it has to be that way to have the right colour and consistency. As if he was far away from all the worries in the world, he climbed the few steps and gently pushed the door open. The atmosphere outside was chilly, but inside, even with the candles and fires, it was an uncomfortable kind of cold. The air was warmth, but in the place there was no 'human warmth'. Not that the snake would mind anyway.

And speaking about lack of human warmth...

"Where have you been, Fox?"

Malfoy senior was standing in the middle of the hallway. Dressed as nobly as ever, standing proud with his cane on the side, his tone was filled with arrogance and sufficiency. His frame supported by the large and opulent hallway of the place he owned, giving him the authority to ask such a question in such a tone.

"I was taking a relaxing stroll by the lake…" Fox answered, briefly freeing the straw from his lips. Grinning. "Nothing you for you to be worried about, Lucius."

For Fox all this was an illusion, a beautiful lie that everyone seemed to have agreed to believe. The large mansion was doing nothing but crush Malfoy, making him appear tiny and insignificant. He held no respect for a man who would use the name of his ancestors and the purity of his blood to stand tall and stomp on others, while in the same time crawling at the feet of a supposed savior. No more than a weak man, using cheap tricks to impress others, and who ended up believing his own lies and delusions of importance, greatness and righteousness.

Fox took the straw back between his lips and kept walking, intending to simply pass by the elder Malfoy and ignore him.

However, Lucius had something else in mind. As the silver hared man passed next to him, he sharply lifted his cane and held it horizontally at chest's height to block Fox's path.

Mr Fox looked down, then his nearly closed eyes followed the wood, then arm, to eventually fix his stare into Malfoy's eyes.

"Really?"

The temperature dropped suddenly and if there was any modicum left of 'human warmth', it ran away like a mouse running for its life.

"The Dark Lord ordered us to remain quiet while he was gone. Stay hidden.", Lucisus Malfoy accused with a strict voice, not moving his cane. "Where have you gone and what did you do?"

A grin widened

"As I said, nothing you are worried about, Lucius." Fox repeated, slowly.

"Stop playing games."

"You. Don't. Care. About what I did." Fox said with a low tone. "I could have gone to London and set the whole city on fire and you would not truly care. And truth to be told, neither would the Dark Lord. He would be angry and shout for a while, sure. But at the end of the day, he would realize that it wasn't 'him' that was involved, but a complete 'stranger' that was completely unrelated to him and his little group. That is… if there is no snitch among you, of course. Anyway, the ministry would be more than happy to focus on this other threat."

Lucius narrowed his eyes but stayed silent, having nothing to answer to the man's reasoning.

"Now I have two questions for you.", continued the Shinigami. "What do you really want from me? And do you really think I value your arm more than my time?"

The elder Malfoy pulled his cane away without hesitation, but kept his eyes narrowed. He did respect the man's power, but he wouldn't let himself get stepped on in his own manor.

"Kaien Arisawa."

"What about him?"

"Who is he? Truly?"

"A promising, yet easily manipulated young man.", Fox answered lightly, drinking a bit of his syrup. "Why the sudden interest?"

"Stop fooling around!" Mafloy snapped with a low voice. "You said you knew him, that he was your friend and…

"I never said he was my 'friend'.", corrected Fox, cutting the wizard mid-sentence. "I said he easily made friends. And that it could be used against him. But isn't that better that way? With what we planned for him to do."

"He's been stirring nothing but trouble! Attracting far too much attention on himself! I received very troubling letters from my son, telling how Arisawa seems to be trying to sympathize with mudblood..."

"Lucius, don't tell me you're worried that you son might fail his little 'test'." Fox asked and teased, his grin coming back widely. "What a shame it would be, the heir of the Malfoy corrupted and straying from his path because of a low, unknown commoner..."

"Watch your mouth, Fox.", Malfoy sneered. "I have complete trust in my son. It's you and your schemes that I don't trust. I agreed to allow my son to go through this test only because the Dark Lord requested it. But everyone knows he was listening to your advices. Arisawa is a stubborn brat. And if he continues like that, he might endanger our purpose. What would happen if I bring that up to the Dark Lord, with irrefutable proofs? You may have our Lord's trust now, Fox. But don't make the mistake to take it for granted."

Lucious Malfoy was a dangerous man to be around. Powerful wizard of course, but he hadn't been able to remain in his position, at the head of one of the eldest pure blood family, in the ministry and by the Dark Lord's side only due to his wand. Machination, scheme, blackmail, bribe and threat. There were all weapons and tools he was able to use with as much efficiency as his wand.

"No need to raise your voice.", Fox said with a soft voice, his grin dropping, passing his long fingers through his hair. "I think I see your point. As you said, the Dark Lord's purpose comes before everything."

He sighed and looked away, thinking. Lucius was confused at the sudden change of behavior of the man, but smiled as a sense of victory washed over him.

"I never expected Kaien to become such a nuisance." Fox continued, in nearly an apologetic tone. "He's stubborn, has a bad temper… but still. I can bring your worries to the Dark Lord and have Arisawa 'removed'."

"I think it would be best .For both of us." Lucius said with a sure voice and a victorious smile. He motioned, dismissing Fox.

The Japanese man nodded in thanks and walked away…

He suddenly stopped and slowly turned his head toward the elder Malfoy, his grin slowly coming back on his lips

"Ahh… but if Arisawa disappear, who would take his place?", he asked with a low whisper. "Someone in Hogwarts, other than Snape. An other student would be perfect. No one suspect students. But this time, a student we can trust..."

Fox pretended to think and a cold shiver ran down Malfoy's back making his smile drop instantly.

" Someone skilled. Someone that believe in our purpose. Someone capable to put his life on the line. And someone capable to kill...", Fox made a theatrical pause, his grin nearly reaching his ears now. "Tell me Lucius, didn't you just tell me that you trusted your son, 'completely'?"

"You little..." seethed Mafloy, anger dripping from his words. He grabbed the snake's head on his cane, hard enough for his knuckles to turn white.

However he didn't pull his wand out as he noticed that Fox had his left hand on his sword, casually. But Lucius knew that the sword would be out before he noticed it.

"I think he would fill the role to the perfection, as he has a better knowledge of the school, and many 'friends' inside. Of course, he wouldn't be able to perform his 'last task' and 'sacrifice' himself as we planned Arisawa to do." Fox continued, his tone light and playful now. "Or maybe… didn't we agreed that the purpose come before everything, even before your son's life and your name. I'm sure the Dark Lord will see things the same way I do..."

Lucius narrowed his eyes and forced himself to keep his breathing in check. Rarely he felt so much anger in his vein. He just got caught in his own game. The proofs he gathered was against Kaien and Fox was able to very briefly explain how they could easily and efficiently be turned back against their owner. And he wasn't even using his weapon or magic to threaten him and his family. Fox just had to say two words 'Dark Lord'.

And on his side, Malfoy had nothing against Fox. The man arrived from nowhere, he seemingly had no family and friend. No further apparent purpose than to help the Dark Lord. And Lucius hence had no way to bribe or blackmail him.

"I'm glad we agree.", Fox said after a moment of silence. "Have a nice evening, 'Lord' Malfoy."

With a last, precise jab, Gin Ichimaru turned around, and climbed the stairs, enjoying his syrup and grinning.

-Scene Break-

As soon as the students and Aizen left the room, a series of spells were cast by the three occupant. Snape took care of the door, McGonagal of the windows, and Dumbledore made sure that no one else was in the room the cast several spell to make sure no-one would be able to spy on them.

"This is indeed Mr Fox." Snape said as soon as all the spells were in place, not wanting to uselessly lose time in pregnant silence. "As we thought it was a fake name, but he never said anything about Seireitei, Gotei or anything. However it's true that he's never seen without his sword."

As Snape was a spy for the Order, their already knew of the man existence.

Mr Fox was one of the newest follower of the Dark Lord. According to Snape's informations, he played some important role in his resurrection. And from that point, he had the trust and ear of Voldemort. Lately, he only roamed in Malfoy manor, grinning and being nonchalant. Never getting close to other Death-Eaters and not getting really involving in the Dark Lord's schemes. Overall not a threat.

But until today, they were completely ignorant of his powers.

"Would Voldemort have ordered this attack?" Dumbledore asked.

"Unlikely", Snape answered, shaking his head. "The Dark Lord took Bellatrix and disappeared aboard for a few weeks. He ordered his Death-Eaters to stay hidden for the time being. He certainly won't be happy about what happened today."

"It's not so sure.", objected McGonagal. "Only the Order knows that this Mr Fox is working with You-Know-Who. All the ministry will accept to see is that Gin Ichimaru attacked Hogwart. It'll be taken as an aggression from a foreign country. And we're not even sure if we can contact the magical society of Japan. Even less contacting them safely. It'll divert the ministry's attention from the threat on the inside."

"Well… if they react at all.", answer Snape lowly but he nodded nonetheless, agreeing with his colleague's reasoning.

"What he said was disturbing thought...", she continued. "What shall we do about that. If it leaks on the outside… I can't imagine the consequences." she turned toward the headmaster. "You might lose your position here, or even end up in Azkaban, and Mr Potter too. We have barely any real proof against his slandering."

"There's nothing we can do to prevent it from happening if he wishes to make it public.", answered Snape. "Short of taking the Prophet down that is. All we can do now is preparing for damage control."

"I'll gather all the proof we have, and a list of witnesses.", said Dumbledore with a nod. "And on your side, have some Veritaserum ready. It can come in handy. If I fall and have to quit the Hogwart, the two of you will have to remain here. Minerva, I hope you'll be able to take the post as Headmistress, but I'm afraid you'll have to fight Dolores over it."

McGonagall nodded, somber but understanding and accepting.

"But let's focus back on the current matter, and what Sōsuke told us. Severus, do you think he was telling the truth?", Dumbledore asked, turning to the potion master.

McGonagall slightly shook their head, clearly disapproving. Legilimency. Forcefully getting into an other person's head and mind. And further more, it was the obvious lack of trust behind such gesture that was bothering her. However, she stayed silent, once again understanding and accepting the necessity of such actions.

"He wasn't telling the whole truth, but he was honest in his words." Snape answered, casual and cold about getting in someone mind without their approval. "He had some weak defenses so I didn't dwell too far or he would have noticed. However, I still think that the whole timing is all too convenient. A society we have no records of and in the same year, three of their member appears here? There's something suspicious behind it."

"Sōsuke explained that Mr Arisawa couldn't be part of the Gotei.", countered McGonagall, frowning, clearly unused of being so suspicious.

"That doesn't mean he couldn't be part of the Seireitei.", answered Snape calmly. "It would explain his… 'wonky' story about how his family got attacked and died. Moreover, he already knew this Ichimaru."

"What do you mean?"

"A portkey was used, a few weeks ago.", Dumbledore explained, with a tired voice. "I don't know where it led, but it was used in the Slitherin's dormitory… fifth year."

"And at the same time, a special reunion was called at the Malfoy manor.", continued Snape. "I wasn't invited. To keep my identity a secret. But I heard enough. The Dark Lord wanted to examine a potential new recruit. He wanted a sleeping agent in the school that wasn't aware of me. Arisawa attacked Ichimaru as soon as he saw him. They obviously knew each other beforehand."

McGonagall turned to Dumbledore who simply nodded. She sighed and leant back in her chair, suddenly feeling tired too.

"It's not really clear why they got into a fight, or even why they stopped without any of them having been hurt. And even though, the Dark Lord decided to keep him, and requested that I train him.", Snape continued.

"But why? He's just a child, what does You-Know-Who possibly want from him?"

"I don't know… but he isn't 'just a normal child'.", answered Snape, turning to his colleague. "He resisted Bellatrix's cruciatus. And even managed to defeat her without his wand."

Heavy silence fell on the room. Bellatrix Lestrange was one of the most faithful follower of the Dark Lord, and most skilled. And during the last war, she was feared because of her 'unstable mind' but also combat prowess.

"And he's picking up what I taught him almost naturally.", he continued. "He progresses incredibly fast, no matter how much I try to slow him down."

An other silence followed, longer this time. Dumbledore removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes with his palms, letting out a long sigh. The most powerful wizard now looked more tired than ever. Lost for words, lost for ideas.

"This Gin, this new enemy is powerful.", he said lowly and slowly. Not to choose his words carefully but rather order his thoughts in the same time. "Unlike the Death-Eaters, he's not blindly following the Dark Lord. And we have no idea about his objectives. He might as well try to to defeat the Dark Lord from the inside, or help him overtake Great Britain."

Indeed. Unlike Voldemort whose intentions were clear, Gin's were still completely unknown. And even if Gin was not was powerful as the Dark Lord, this uncertainty made him a lot more dangerous as the Order had no way to predict his next actions and his next aims.

"Severus, do your best to keep a close eye on Fox.", Albus said, his voice surer as he placed his glasses back on his nose. No matter the doubts, they couldn't stay idle. The head and main pillar of the Order stood up. "Some Death-Eaters must be jealous of how quickly he managed to get Voldemort's trust. Use them as your own eyes and ears. Minerva, I suspect that Mrs Granger has been talking a lot with Sōsuke. He might have given them some advices or private courses to defend themselves. They must have asked him. It has to be expected with Dolores style of teaching. So see with her first, then check Sōsuke's reliability. With his knowledge and skills, he would be an invaluable asset for the Order, especially against Fox. And when he'll be rested enough, ask him to try teaching Poppy how to heal Zanpakuto's wounds. Then we'll have to see with the other to strengthen the security of the Minstry. And also skew the future search of the Aurors. They'll have to look for threat as much inside and from the outside of the country. Concerning Mr Arisawa... he gave us no reason to think we has any ill intents against us. Moreover he and Gin don't seem to get along... so we maybe can think about getting him on our side."

Dumbledore looked over the two persons he trusted the most.

"We knew it wouldn't be simple. We will fight on even if we're in the dark and at disadvantages. We have to."

-Scene-Break-

"So… basically, it works like a Wingardium Leviosa?" Ron's tone was doubtful even if relaxed.

"It indeed has some similarities.", answered the calm voice of Aizen Sōsuke. "However it require a lot of precise control. I wouldn't advise you to try it without careful preparation and security. If you can't control the flight correctly, you will end up with far worse than a few bruises. For now it's safer and easier if you to stick to brooms."

The four of them were walking, slowly as to match Aizen's pace, toward the Griffindor's common room. Harry stayed silent, still angry, displeased and disappointed about the Headmaster's behavior. Since the start of the year, the old wizard seemed adamant on ignoring him, for reasons still completely unknown. And Hermione was a bit further back, still thinking.

On the last set of stairs, Aizen and Ron talked a bit more about the spell the professor used to fly through the staircase toward the infirmary. They were however mostly ignored by the two other.

They finally reached the common room's entrance. Harry immediately gave the password and barely bid goodnight to the professor, thanking him again, before disappearing in the common room. Ron was quick to follow him. Hermione however...

"Are you alright, Mrs Granger?", Aizen asked with a light and gentle voice.

"I...", Hermione started but couldn't find the right words.

The painting slid close quietly. It was late enough for the castle to be quiet. The only sounds being the faint whisper of the painting and the low sound of the stairs moving without much apparent purpose. Hermione was still in the middle of the platform in front of the painting. Hugging the sword, she kept her head down. There was still this strange feeling in her chest that she wasn't able to shrug off. A sort of uncomfortable tightness.

"That wasn't your fault, Mrs Granger, nor the fault of your friend." Aizen said with a supportive voice. "As I said, given the circumstances, you did pretty well."

"It's not that... well" Hermione started then thought, trying to find the right words. "We were barely able to do anything... I-I felt frozen like... like..."

"As if a snake was squeezing your chest and ready to sink his fang in you neck?"

Hermione looked up at the professor, her eyes slightly glistering and nodded her head slowly.

"That is one of Gin's powers." Aizen said with a serious voice. "He can use magic to instill fear and doubt in his opponent's mind. It's even more efficient when you're not aware of that."

The student shivered, hugging the sword tighter. This power was similar to the aura of the dementors. In a way, it felt even more... frightening, than his sword. Being capable of altering the opponent's mind to the point of making it unable to fight properly. Maybe he wasn't so unlike Voldemort, who caused fear with only his name...

"H-How can we defeat someone like that?

"Do you know what happened today Mrs Granger?" Aizen asked, then answered the question right away. "You fought an incredibly strong opponent and lost. But it doesn't matter if he was playing with you or if he still has unknown abilities..."

He took a step forward and placed a supportive hand on the student's shoulder.

"But what's most important is; you survived. No matter what happened, you're still here and will live an other day." Aizen smiled. "The fear you felt isn't your 'enemy'. It wasn't 'defeat'. Fear is necessary to your evolution. It'll drive you forward and help you get stronger. Gin didn't experienced fear. If you meet him again, he wouldn't have grown as you would. Because naturally you will do everything in your power not to feel this fear again. Either by trying not to meet him, or by becoming stronger. The choice is ultimately yours to make. But know that I'll support you through it."

Hermione simply nodded, looking down. Despite everything that happened today, Aizen's word gave her a warm feeling in her chest. The soreness of her body was finally receding a bit and she felt lighter. Hope, maybe, was coming back.

"Thank you, professor..." she said, her voice still wear but now surer. "Oh, and here..."

She eventually pried the sword out of her hug and presented it, horizontally and politely. She remember how delicately Aizen handled his sword the other day and she wanted show as much delicateness as she could. In answer, Aizen nodded and smiled before taking the presented sword.

"You should head to bed, now.", he said softly. "My door will always be open. And we'll be able to discuss the progress you made with your 'little study group'."

Hermione smiled

"Thank you again. Then good night professor"

---

There, a chapter a little more centered around Aizen and Gin. With Gin being evil and decieving and Aizen being nice and manipulative. I hope you found both act convincing.

The 'fight' scene between Gin and the wizards was fun to write as the difference between a shinigami captain and the golden trio is just too great and Gin could easily play with them. And against Hagrid, he was able to get slight rougher and show his resistance.

Also, for those wondering what Aizen's plans and intentions are... well, they are not so far off from what the Manga gives. And for his reasons to be in Great Britain, there was an hint in the chapter. Small, I agree. But there was one nonetheless.

Now about the answers to the reviews;

IchigoMoonCutter: Thanks! I'll try to post new chapters faster while still keeping the quality, but it's not always easy. However, I don't plan to abandon this story!

deality deviant: Quick, catch it before it disappear, study it and give me its secrets!

Leapardheart44: Thanks a lot! I'm glad you like the story. I'll try in the next few chapters to make the plot pick up the pace a bit.

tanithlipsky: Thanks! And you shouldn't, Aizen is a nice guy who helped the golden trio and healed Hagrid! More seriously, you have right reasons to. Aizen final motives didn't change much : Become God. As for his plans in Great Britain, there was a small hint in the chapter.

Now... AresLaw... : Where to begin... First, I enjoy mystery. So sorry if I don't give all the answers right away. Imagine a Sherlock Holmes movie or series like that: He's the killer and he did it like 'that' and because of 'that'. Now for one hour, we'll show you how it happened. It would lose a lot of its interest.

Second; use your imagination! Ichigo met Drago's father. Drago has complete blind trust in his father. Why would Drago then trust Ichigo? (Not a rhetorical quesiton.)

Did Karin and Yuzu survived? Ichigo seems sure of that. But did they really? Good question. How would it affect Ichigo when he'll learn about their fate?

I explained what happened 9 months ago at the end of the Karakura's battle. Aizen was grievously wounded and escaped. And why would he be kind of everything? Doesn't he need like... the ooken?

Sorry if I sounded a bit sharp, but it had to be said.

Anyway. I still really enjoy writing this story and hope that you all have at least as much fun reading it.

Don't hesitate to leave a review to give any feedback positive or constructive negative.

Have a nice day.

And see you soon!