…Japanese.
Am I forgetting anything? Well, I don't think so. Oh, you guys totally rock!
And now, Chapter… 23!
I own nada, zenzen, and squat. However, I own my imagination that has to count as something, right?
Well last time: Harry received the Marauder's map from Fred and George; he then set off to Hogsmeade. However, Zabuza and Haku are leaving Scotland hopefully, but what will happen now?
Zabuza walked with Haku in the village as she wanted to explore once more before they would leave soon. Koyuki longed ago flew from Hogwarts in search of hunting its own food; she was a smart owl and would catch up with her mistress and companion soon so they were not worried.
Harry maneuvered through the crowd of students most likely upperclassmen and spotted a sigh: Usual Tastes. He spotted his friends standing underneath observing red flavored looking lollipops.
"I don't think Harry would like those," Hermione said frowning.
"Why not?" Draco asked "It's not like it's...
"No," Ron argued. "Maybe these," he held out a jar of cockroach clusters.
Hermione and Draco made a face of disgust.
Definitely not," said Harry from right behind them.
Ron nearly dropped the jar, Draco was thinking, Hermione was... well Hermione.
"What?!" Ron squawked. "Why didn't they give it to me? I'm their brother!"
Noticing something that the arguing trio needed to see, Draco cleared his throat. He dogged his Slytherin's by lying to them saying that he was staying for the Hogsmeade weekend because he was waiting on a reply form his father about something important.
"Ahem," he coughed gaining Harry's, Ron's and Hermione's attention.
By Order of the Ministry of Magic; it went on to say that curfew was in order and that things would not go back to normal until Sirius Black was captured.
"So," Draco finally said. "Now, you three can hush up."
Hermione, Ron and Draco who only brought at least one sweet paid and left Honeydukes.
It was snowing; Haku enjoyed it as she neither was Zabuza faze by the cold. However, they entered a tiny inn.
Madame Rosmerta served them as they took an empty seat which was small, facing the wall which was opposite of another seat which faced the window; surrounded by a huge Christmas tree and a fireplace.
Harry nearly choked.
The entrance opened again and Harry's friends looked worried, but Draco raised a brow. However, they saw it too. McGonagall, Flitwick hotly followed by Hagrid who was in a conversation with portly man dressed in a lime-green bowler.
Hermione quickly moved and Draco and Ron swiftly ducked Harry under the table. Harry wanted to shout, but opted for listening instead, he would find out later.
Zabuza tsked; "Damn it." However, it wasn't loud enough for normal ears. At least those annoying students knew when trouble was coming. He got up, Haku following obediently.
Harry could see their opened sandals and their matching pants that went well with their uniforms. So they were wearing lose fitting clothing. But, it's so cold out! He was still feeling the cold, so how could they not be?
They walked over towards the minister and the teachers. "Mr. Momoichi, Haku-Chan," Hagrid called he was the first to notice them.
The minister stopped talking with the waitress / owner of the pub and looked in the ninja's direction, introducing him-self as Fudge the minister of the wizarding society.
"Minister," Zabuza said in greeting although it wasn't friendly nor was it in animosity.
Ron, Draco who was leaning farther away and Hermione perked their ears and watched the spectacle discretely.
Haku turned and headed towards the exit on Zabuza's silent request however, unfortunately…
"Hey! Didn't I tell you leeches?" Madam Rosemerta hollered seeing the group of drunken men.
Zabuza didn't even turn, but his threat was heard loud and clear; "Touch her and some or all of your bones will be broken."
Apparently not even the silence that followed could stop the drunken wizards as one who was a regular when it came to other things; laughed and it was far from friendly.
He slurred, "Awe, Rosemerta don't be like that..." yes, indeed I think he missed Zabuza's words.
The minister however, " Ah, you must be a good friend of Hogwarts staff. Come would you care to drink with us?" He was smiling oh so friendly.
Before Hagrid or McGonagall or Rosemerta could get a word in Zabuza was already walking towards the exit were Haku inched away ever so slowly with a smile-her eyes never wavering from its loyalty.
He stopped right infront- when the man started to inch towards what he shouldn't.
"You morons don't take heed," was the only thing he said before grabbing the outstretched hand.
Haku tilted her head slightly, her sight just on Zabuza and no one else. After all; it was their fault that they crossed over the threshold and dived straight for the flames.
"No violence," Rosemerta started, but...
"Now, now, "the minister Fudge said casually. "I would like to see where this goes."
McGonagall wrinkled her nose in disgust as she didn't like how the minister said that or how he was taking the situation. Clearly; as she concluded long ago the ministry was corrupted then and it still is to this day.
Hagrid eyebrows netted together in worry and in slight modification. The minister has he gone mad? Surely Dumbledore wouldn't allow such acts to befall his students!
Sighs…. dejectedly; if only the lovable giant knew.
Harry really wanted to know what was happening! He clenched and unclenched his fist. All he knew at the moment as that some perverted drunk came out the closet and that Zabuza – he thinks it's him since he threaten the group; mostly made good with his threat. And that an important figure- the minister was siting inside this very pub.
Zabuza dropped the man and took Haku's arm rather harshly, but she did not whimper however, she did flinch slightly. Should she have acted?
Fear…? Zabuza let go loosening his hold a little. "Sorry," the apology was mumbled and jumbled up, but Haku heard.
They moved to the alleys and stopped temporarily. Zabuza turned to face Haku who did not falter only out of restraint. "Haku…"
Haku straightens up. "You're off the hook for today as I'll take it as a means to lay low," he said condescendingly. "Because that damn minister and those annoying Hogwarts people were there...
Zabuza doesn't consider himself a former Hogwarts student even though he uses- more like let's it slide when called- that alibi of his former persona when the times call for it, but he is not under any circumstance which he does let be known... He is not Regulus Black.
"However, next time break or kill them, understood? Your mine," he finished taking one step and placing and arm around her waist drawing her closer to him.
"Understood, Zabuza –san," it was simple just like any other loyal reply and like always Haku would make sure it was followed through.
Back at the pub, the minister had a look in his eyes. "Who was that man?"
He was dressing the Hogwarts staff.
Flitwick casually answered. "He was Mr. Momoichi he's a representative from Japan along with the young lady who's an exchange student from Japan as well."
McGonagall nodded in approval and Hagrid took a sip from his drank. "Ah, that is fantastic that Hogwarts is receiving the recognition however, I would like to come to Hogwarts myself." He said with a smile looking please as if his plan would go smoothly. "Yes, yes that would be arranged," he went back to his conversation before Zabuza and Haku greeted him.
"Yes, it is for protection. Better …
Rosemerta spoke curiously. "You mean better as in he won't be able to cause any more crimes?"
"Yes," fudge said with a nod. "Exactly, He has committed to many crimes."
Rosemerta didn't believe Fudge for a moment. "It is quite arduous. If you said back then that his profession would be such than I would have thought you mad, but," she shook her head; "That one I would have never guessed to do such...
Fudge raised a brow in interest and he whispered with a murmur. "Ay, you knew him, Rosemerta?"
Indeed," she replied with a laugh. "Sirius Black and James Potter." Harry mad a sound and Ron kicked him. "There was never one without the other."
McGonagall nodded. "Indeed, they were the leaders of their little gang. Bright – oh exceptionally so. The two, but, "she shook her head memories playing. " Troublemakers they were. You would never find any more like them."
"I don't know, Hagrid cut in the conversation, chuckling. "Fred n' George Weasley give em' run for their money."
"I don't doubt they were so," said Fudge. "Best mates they were in school and nothing changed afterwards. Black was best man for James's and Lily's marriage. Then they named him god-father to one of the Potter twins, Harry. Although, it is unknown if he was to be Halienne's god-father a well, but," he said rather sadly. "It is best that Harry knows of the fact it might traumatize him."
"It doesn't help now that rumors say that Regulus Black survived and is also on lose," Fudge said in a sourly tone. "That just makes my job harder and for more protection needed."
They wanted to shout, scream out something in order for him to know that he was chasing after an innocent man, that what he knew was old news.
"He was the Potter's secret keeper?" Rosemerta breathed.
"Indeed and look were it ended up," fudge replied regretfully. "You- Know- Who found them, but he met his downfall by facing the twins," he suddenly sounded as if he was telling a comic. "It was tragic – Leaving them. It showed Black's true colors –a traitor."
Hagrid hollered in outraged and the bar which started to mil again with loud chatter just after Zabuza's stunt quieted down again.
McGonagall shushed him, but he would not have it. "I didn't listen no, sire I didn't. I was given orders by Dumbledore to take the twins. Once a dark wizard... there's no turn' back. Nothing matters anymore….
That was not true look at Regulus Black who changed at the last moment, but it cost his life, and Zabuza Momoichi was revived.
They talked a bit longer, but it was McGongall who had enough. "Cornelius if you wish to dine with the headmaster than it is time we take our leave," she said standing. One by one they left the pub.
"Harry..?" Ron and Hermione called. The three were staring at him lost for words. Draco didn't know what to say … Potter and he were family?
Harry mutely got up and somehow without recollection made it to Hogwarts.
Why was he always left in the dark? Was what Hermione silently proposed true? Since Haku was associated with a former dark wizard…could she be dark? And could Momoichi still be trusted? Just who was Momoichi really? Was he who he said he was or was he the rumored Regulus Black; who is supposedly back from the dead?
It wasn't long before Ron ad Hermione appeared in the dorm. The latter was grinning madly.
Hermione however, was frowning. "That was not funny Ron even if the men deserved it!"
Ron explained to Harry what Zabuza did to the men who didn't follow his threat and cracked the hands of the men.
"Guys," Harry said sounding uncertain. They looked at him. "Let's do some research."
Hermione raised a brow, looking pleased. "Finally!" she exclaimed.
Ron sighed, "You both are nuts," he said. "They're not dark."
Harry he could see was now confused and lost. He sighed again, "fine, but if something goes wrong I'm bailing out."
Draco went to his Slytherin roommates and waited for the news that they would tell him however, while waiting he took out a parchment and quill. He had some things to take care of.
Zabuza stood with Haku in an abandon building as he covered farther with his mist; surrounding them with no way to see however, that was not a problem for them. He threw the small piece of paper on the ground.
"Let's go home," was all he said before they were engulfed in a light and his mist disappeared behind their vanishing figures.
The light vanished and they were surrounded by trees and wildlife as they landed on temple steps. It was home, Japan yes, but it was the cities.
"Looks like we've made it safely," Haku commented.
"So the dimwit no. 2 and Haku-Chan," the elderly woman's voice said in greeting as a small figure stood on the upper steps. "Finally come back to visit."
N'cut! I know short, but you guys know the drill and in plus I wanted to give an up-date before Thanksgiving Day! What will happen next? Fine... too rush? Needs to be re-edited? Well, you guys do what you do best! Oh, n' you guys totally rock!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Ja...