A/N: Hey everyone! How have you been? Good I hope! Ever notice I write that every chapter opening? Thanks to all those who reviewed, it really does make my day to read them all! Sorry about the delay on this…I actually hadn't realized how long it'd been.

.:One Chapter Left:.

NOTE

Now some people have expressed their…concern because now that Peter's gone, who will help Voldemort rise again? So, I'm just going to say this: don't worry about it. I'm not. Because truth be told, the sequel takes place in the fifth book. And Peter's not really in the fifth book. We'll all just assume that some other random death eater did it. I mean, there are plenty of them. We can even make one up! His name will be…Stephan…Yes, Stephan shall do rather nicely. We'll never hear of Stephan, I'll never write of Stephan, but in the back of our minds we'll all know he did it.

"He couldn't have moved on his own. You didn't just leave him… did you?"

The teens exchanged a nervous glance and Harry frowned as he thought back,

"…Crap."

They found Snape easily enough seeing as he couldn't exactly go anywhere so he soon joined the little procession in their trek up to the castle.

The taicho was beginning to get rather annoyed with the fact that the ringing in his ears had yet to fade. In fact it had taken to getting louder then soft again, it all together had a somewhat dizzying effect on the Shinigami who was having enough balance problems as it was.

When they finally did make it up the castle it was only to be met with Dumbledore, McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey waiting for them expectantly. McGonagall rushed towards Snape to check on the Potion's Master while Pomfrey began fussing over Ron and his broken…and possibly somewhat frostbitten leg.

Hitsugaya watched on silently as a stretcher suddenly appeared to carry the teen away, vaguely wondering how they'd known of what had happened. One glance at the Headmaster told him that he'd clearly arranged for them to be met at the doors.

"If you'd be so kind as to follow me up to my office?" the old man asked with a smile and yet something told the Shinigami that it was more of an order than a request.

The white haired taicho nodded before following after him, glancing back to see Hermione and Harry heading up towards the Hospital Wing after Ron.

As the Headmaster departed Hitsugaya followed swiftly after, shaking off the exhaustion that was plaguing his body.

"I must admit, I was quite surprised when you appeared at Buckbeak's execution," Dumbledore chuckled from his place a few strides ahead of the taicho

"Pleasantly so, I assure you. I was wondering how you'd manage it all, but I realized eventually to just…let the cards fall where they may."

Sparkling blue eyes stared into teal as the Professor turned to look at him, "You're much more powerful then I first assumed. Though, I'll admit I had a feeling that it was so."

Toshiro kept quiet as he glared at the man wondering where he was going with his little speech.

"Ah," the man sighed as he picked up his pace "We can continue this conversation in my office, the walls have ears."

The white haired taicho glanced at said stone walls suspiciously before following after until they reached the entrance to the Headmaster's office. With a quietly uttered password the gargoyle spun away to reveal a revolving staircase that the Headmaster easily stepped onto, beckoning for the Shinigami to follow.

"I'll try to keep this meeting short," the man assured "I know you must be very tired and I'm sure Madame Pomfrey will be wondering about how her favourite student is fairing."

Toshiro made a noise in the back of his throat to acknowledge the man's words but otherwise remained silent, running through the day's events in his head.

Sure, maybe he'd helped a convicted –albeit, innocent- man escape after being ordered to capture him, and okay, he'd destroyed a good portion of the grounds, killed a few hundred Dementors, killed an supposedly dead man, and put his charge in grave peril, but was that all really so wrong?

One look glance at Dumbledore later he realized that, yes, yes it probably was.

The taicho followed the Headmaster into his office and sat in the chair in front of the large desk that the old man sat behind.

"Now," Dumbledore nodded "I suppose I have some explaining to do."

Hitsugaya stared over at the man for a moment rather surprised as his pale hands clenched Hyorinmaru who was resting on his lap.

Well then.

"Yes, you most certainly do."

Might as well just go with it.

"I'm afraid," Dumbledore sighed "That I've been unfair to you Mr. Hitsugaya."

When he fell silent Toshiro motioned for him to continue, rather curious as to where the Headmaster was going with this. With another sigh, the man removed his glasses and set them down on his desk,

"I used you to my own advantage all the while putting you in danger. Why, I even used an Unforgivable on you, and for that, I am most truly sorry."

"This isn't the sort of thing that can be overlooked so easily," the taicho stared "The blackmailing of someone of my stature is not something to be taken lightly."

"And if I were to explain my actions?" he enquired.

"I'll admit I'm curious," Toshiro revealed as he leaned back in his chair. "I've completed the mission assigned by you, but also my own. I've gathered all the information I needed and no one was harmed, more or less. I'm satisfied with all of that, but I can't help but think there was something more to your actions than what you attempted to let on."

The man smiled, "Ah, you are a bright one."

The taicho smirked, "Trying to soften me up before you begin?"

The Headmaster chuckled quietly, "If only."

Silence blanketed the room as each waited for the other to say something but before long Dumbledore was the first to speak,

"I'm sure that through your studies here that you've learned that there are many ways to gain information from someone without the use of torture."

The taicho held back a wince as he remembered the pain of biting through his own tongue, "Yes, though I'd assumed you to just have a pension for causing others pain."

"Understandable, but no," the elderly wizard intoned, "I needed you…I needed you to hate me."

"You succeeded."

"I've known all along that Sirius Black was an innocent man," the white haired wizard revealed solemnly, "No matter how people may change over the years there was no way, the wonderfully mischievous child I saw grow from a boy to a young man would ever betray his friends. I just had no proof."

Toshiro nodded in understanding as Dumbledore ran a hand over his eyes, suddenly looking much older than he had a few moments prior.

"When he escaped I began forming a plan to allow him to stay out of Azkaban. It wasn't one of my better ones I'll admit, but if everything went accordingly, he would be a free man. But then you came along. A little wildcard," He grinned.

"You single-handedly threw all of my months of planning into chaos. I'd had no idea what you were, why you were here, who sent you; though I'll admit I'm still mostly in the dark. Not only could you possibly have been working for the enemy, you could have been an undercover Ministry agent- I've had my fair share of those, but you could have been here to hurt my students. And so I did what I had to," he said, no hint of remorse in his voice.

"For that, I do not apologize. As Headmaster it's my duty to protect all those who live in Hogwarts. Unfortunately, it took me far too long to realize that you too fell under that category."

"Its fine," The taicho admitted "To protect your subordinates and those under your watch…well, I'd expect you to go to the ends of the Earth. I know I would."

The man smiled as he nodded amusedly, "When I saw you sitting in that chair bleeding as you were, I suddenly realized that I could use you. After Severus told us about your…state of being, well the possibilities were endless. The Ministry would never suspect that I'd had a lone child help Sirius Black escape and there were no truly valid records of your existence. My previous plan would have been far too simple to trace back to me, but you? Well," The Headmaster laughed,

"You were an unknown. An unexpected variable. But I couldn't just ask you, oh not with Severus standing right there. I trust the man with my life but there's always been bad blood between the two of them."

"So I've heard," Hitsugaya nodded as he set Hyorinmaru to lean against the side of his chair, "Do continue."

The man nodded, "I couldn't let anyone know what I'd done, and assisting a criminal is an offence that even I cannot overcome. So I needed you to help him. But I couldn't simply ask it of you! And even if I had, would you have agreed?" Dumbledore asked with a knowing twinkle in his blue eye.

"Most likely…not," Toshiro admitted grudgingly.

"And I couldn't trust you anyway, so I needed you to go to Sirius. And what better a way than revenge?" he laughed. "I could see the hate in your eyes as I stood over you, I knew if everything was set accordingly you would agree to help him. And of course Sirius would ask it of you, an innocent man wants nothing more than for someone to simply listen to them. To believe," he stressed.

"And now here we are, an innocent creature saved, my students all safely in their beds save a few, and Sirius Black a free man."

"You forgot Lupin," Toshiro reminded him.

"Ah yes," the man nodded "Well, I hadn't truly known what he'd decide to do in the end but I'm quite happy that those two have reconciled. I'm sure he'll show up before sunrise," he added when he noticed the look on the white haired boy's face.

"And though he'll be embarrassed he'll be as fine as he is after any full moon."

"So…all of this, it was just so that Black could get away? All of it, for one man?" the Shinigami asked disbelievingly.

Dumbledore nodded, "I'm afraid that Sirius will have to play a role in what is to come."

Toshiro frowned, "What exactly are you speaking of?"

"There's a war coming Mr. Hitsugaya, one that I'm sorry to say cannot be prevented."

"I take it you're speaking of Voldemort?"

The man nodded, "I've known for years that he would come back to power, it's only a matter of time and that time is drawing near rapidly."

The taicho considered his word's for a moment as he glanced out a nearby window that looked onto the grounds before speaking, "I'm going to tell you now, that I can be of no assistance. Though I may have formed some ties here, this is not my world; it's not my war to fight, I have my own waiting for me when I return home."

"Though you would be a great help, I could never ask that of you anyway," Dumbledore conceded, "Not after what I've put you through in the past months."

Toshiro acknowledged the man's words with a quiet hum, feeling as if they'd reached an understanding of sorts. But something was still bothering him—

"You seem to have a pension for interfering with the lives of others."

The headmaster looked taken off guard for a moment before he agreed, "You aren't wrong in that respect. But I prefer to think that when I do meddle, it tends to be for the greater good."

"Well," Hitsugaya drawled with a small smirk. "I think a warning is in order, because one day all the meddling is going to backfire on you. And then where will you be?"

"Dead most likely," Dumbledore admitted.

"Yes, dead. And in my world," He added, his words laced with a thinly veiled threat.

"Could I ask you something?" the wizard enquired.

When he received a languid nod he continued, "How old are you exactly?"

The white haired boy chuckled, "How old do you think?"

"Well," the man considered "If I were to hazard a guess I'd say…one hundred."

"Close," Toshiro revealed "I'm one hundred and twenty-two."

Dumbledore smiled as sunlight began to flood the room and he replaced his glasses on his face, "You're quite the interesting being Toshiro Hitsugaya."

The Shinigami smirked as he stood to leave, "I could say the same to you."

With the sun peaking over the horizon Toshiro made his way through the halls of the school deciding to just head back to the common room and rest for a while.

Seeing as it was still extremely early the hallways were completely empty except for the lone Shinigami therefore it was quite easy for him to pick up the sounds of the coming party moving in his direction.

A rather portly man was making his way towards Dumbledore's office apparently, followed by several other wizards and judging by the way they were grouped and how the man's stride seemed to exude self importance if the taicho were to guess he'd say he was looking at the Minister of Magic and his entourage.

When the group spotted the young Shinigami several of them stopped to stare blatantly including Fudge himself.

"Is-Is that a sword you're carrying boy?" the Minister asked.

Toshiro glanced at Hyorinmaru and seeing no point in lying simply nodded in response.

A rather tall dark skinned man pulled his wand from within his robes as he took a step towards the white haired taicho, "And just why I might ask are you toting around a sword in the middle of Hogwarts?"

"Ah," a voice sounded from behind the taicho, "Cornelius, thank you for coming on such short notice."

Everyone's gaze turned to see Dumbledore waiting for them at the end of the hall, "I see you've met Mr. Hitsugaya, one of our brightest students."

The Minister looked from the white haired boy to the Headmaster, "Why does he have a sword?! And just what in the blazes is he wearing? His uniform is ruined!"

Dumbledore simple waved his hand as if batting aside the man's words, "Simply a school project I assure you. Now Mr. Hitsugaya," the Headmaster continued "I suggest you make your way to the Hospital Wing to treat that cold of yours."

"A school project?" Fudge asked incredulously.

"Yes, yes," The elderly wizard nodded as he began making his way down the hall back to his office, "Now come along, I have tea waiting."

Fudge hesitated for a moment before quickly making his way after Dumbledore, "But a sword?! In the school? And a project at this time of day? Just how are you running this place Albus?! Wait- did you say Hitsugaya? Isn't that the boy who--"

The dark skinned man gave him a small nod before making his way after his minister closely followed by the rest of the small group.

Hitsugaya watched them leave before turning to continue on to the common room. If he really needed to he'd go to the Hospital Wing at a later time but for now, he was content to just sleep off his fatigue in his own bed.

"Toshiro!"

The Shinigami huffed as he looked up to find Neville running from the direction of Gryffindor Tower.

"Are you alright?"

The white haired transfer student sighed, "I'm fine."

"Well Madame Pomfrey told me to come and find you. What the bloody hell is everyone doing up at this hour?" his friend asked, rather annoyed.

"Everyone just disappeared then the next thing I know Hermione's telling me Madame Pomfrey needs me to find you. Just what the hell is happening?!"

The taicho shrugged as the two friends began making their way in the general direction of the Hospital Wing, "There's something I should probably tell you."

The taller boy looked down at him curiously, "Tell me?"

"Yes," Hitsugaya nodded "You see I've been working with Sirius Black."

Neville paled for a moment as he took a step back, "What?"

"I've been assisting Sirius Black for several months now."

The brown haired boy's confused face began to morph into one of horror, "You-you mean you've been trying to kill Harry?"

"No," Toshiro said shortly.

"Bu—but," Neville stuttered quietly before taking a deep breath, "Maybe…you should explain."

And so he did.

The Shinigami explained what had transpired over the past few months and a slightly edited version of the night's events.

"So…you've been guarding Harry?" Neville asked, still unsure about the events that had occurred.

"Yes," Hitsugaya agreed calmly as they continued to walk through the empty halls.

"And…Sirius Black killed Peter Pettigrew in the end?"

"Yes."

The taicho wasn't exactly sure what drove him to lie to his friend but something told him it was the right thing to do and so he nodded along as he continued to tell how Sirius had struck Pettigrew down as he'd been fleeing.

"But all those Dementors," Neville cut in nervously "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine I assure you," Hitsugaya answered quietly.

The teen stared at him for a moment before sighing, "Whatever you say, but you've still got to go to the Hospital Wing."

When the white haired boy frowned he continued.

"Madame Pomfrey's expecting you. She's probably wondering what's taking us so long anyway."

Toshiro nodded as they turned a corner, finding themselves in front of the Hospital Wing doors. They swung open as if the pair had somehow been sensed and the taicho looked down to find a hand suddenly grasping the front of his uniform when he was suddenly yanked into the room.

"You should have come right to me," Madame Pomfrey huffed as she continued to drag him about the room "Albus thinks he can just take my patients as he pleases! Ha! The nerve of that man."

"I'm fine," Hitsugaya protested as he found Hyorinmaru ripped from his grasp and his haori pulled off his shoulders.

The nurse batted away his hands as he went to grab at the white fabric, "Nonsense, now stay still."

Before he could get in another word his obi was being untied. The taicho sighed as he shoved away the woman's hands, "I can manage myself thank you."

The woman hesitated for a moment before nodding and handing him a pair of standard issue pajamas. She then led him behind one of the screens before disappearing off to somewhere, leaving him to change on his own much to his relief. The Shinigami made sure to carefully fold his uniform when he was done changing and placed it on the nearest bed before taking a seat.

"Hitsugaya?" a voice he recognized as Potter's called from behind another screen a few beds down.

Noticing that Madame Pomfrey was gone for the moment the white haired boy stood and made his way to where he'd heard the teen's voice come from. When he slipped around the screen he discovered Harry with a couple bandages on his face tucked into a bed but otherwise he seemed perfectly fine.

"How are you?"

The Shinigami shrugged, "Fine. A little tired maybe."

"Well you look like crap," the brown haired wizard stated bluntly.

"Ah, ever the honest one," Toshiro smirked as he sat at the foot of the bed.

Harry smiled, "Well someone needs to be. So," he started seriously "Are you going to tell me what the bloody hell you pulled back there?"

"It's nothing more than an ability I possess," the taicho shrugged as teal met green.

"You make it sound so trivial," Potter frowned.

"My people can all perform techniques using their swords as I did. They vary of course, some can use fire, and others wind or water but we call those elementals. There are also those who have abilities to affect gravity or it may be that the sword itself is the focal point of the technique."

Harry stared for a moment before nodding blankly, "Alright…I guess…that makes sense. In a way."

"It's not as grand of an explanation as you were expecting I take it?"

"Well, I was kind of thinking you'd finally spill everything you've being hiding or something."

The Shinigami smirked, "I'm afraid you'll just have to remain in the dark Potter."

"I guess," he agreed "But, you're seriously powerful. I mean whoa powerful. I think Ron nearly had a coronary when that dragon thing appeared."

"I suppose you could say I'm one of the strongest where I'm from."

"One…" Harry trailed off "So…there are people stronger than you?"

Hitsugaya nodded, "Several."

"But you're still young right? You'll get even stronger in time."

"True."

Potter sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, "You're not going to tell me much…are you."

Toshiro gave him a small smile, "No. I'm sorry to say I can't. Although if I could I would. You'd deserve that after what I put you through last night."

"It's alright," Harry assured smartly "Hermione won't rest until she's figured you out anyway. I don't need you to tell me everything. I'd bet you a galleon we'll have you all figured out by the end of the summer."

"Hn."

"So…" Harry said "What now?"

A war, Toshiro was tempted to say but instead he just shrugged, "We go home. It's summer after all."

"Yeah, but what about you?" the glasses wearing teen asked.

"I…disappear."

"You're not coming back," Harry stated flatly.

"I'm afraid not."

"Neville is…really going to miss you once you're gone."

"And I him," the Shinigami assured as he picked a piece of lint from his pants and flicked it aside.

"Do you think we'll ever get to see you again?"

Hitsugaya remained silent for a moment before answering, "It's unlikely, but not impossible I suppose. After all, maybe I'll be the one to collect your soul."

Harry looked rather disturbed for a moment before nodding silently.

"So I suppose," Toshiro chuckled "That means we'd best hope I don't see you for a while."

Harry nodded, "We'd best hope."

Dear Readers,

Again, sorry about the delay. I seriously didn't realize it'd been that long since I'd updated. Anyway, school's back in session obviously, exams are done for yet another term, and life is good. Busy but good. Right now I'm picking my classes for next year. To think, I'll be in grade 12. I feel old. My parents want me to go back for a year after I graduate because they seem to share the opinion that 17 is too young to go off to school. I'm not entirely sure what I'll do yet. Maybe I'll go back for a half a year, work the other half or something. And a lot of people I know are staying back for a year, but it makes me feel like I'm being left behind you know? And being left behind…well, that's just no good in my books. Thanks for reading,

ForeverFalling.