AN: I´m back! I just passed one of the two final exams so I should be finishing university soon. So to celebrate I present you with a chapter!

AN2: I know you don´t really care but... Yahooooooooo! Yay me!


*The Joys of Captaincy*

Quidditch Pitch

"Wow, what a turnout" Wayne commented.

"Yeah, want to tell us something Captain?" Rory nodded.

Saeko looked over the crowd. The boys were right, it looked half of her House was out there. And the rest was reading in the stands. "There goes any hope for secrecy" she sighed. She turned to her Team "As you know I decided to keep the winning Team. The problem is that next year I could be the only one left in this team – Frost is graduating and the rest of you are sixth-years."

"Scouting for reserves and potential teammates for next season?" James asked, "You could've warned us at the meeting."

The Uchiha rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly "Sorry about that, it was a rather spur of the moment decision."

"The notice hang on the board in the Tower for three days you know" Frost shrugged.

Jared nodded "Yeah. I think this is everyone, we should start."

Saeko thought so as well and faced the crowd. As soon as it quieted down she launched into her speech, stressing the fact that only a chaser was needed at the moment. The crowd didn't seem to protest, they already knew it was the case and they did want to keep winning.

The chasers went first. The sharingan user made them run a lap around the field and then fly over the same path. That feat alone made the number of hopefuls drop in half. Only the serious contenders were made to do the usual chaser exercises. Then it was a matter of compatibility with Rory and Wayne.

Finally Cameron Young was selected, another sixth-year to Saeko's dismay. She knew Cameron, he was best friends with her current chasers and worked with them seamlessly even on the field.

Much to Saeko's satisfaction Caitlin and a third–year named Roger Davies were closely behind. The scarred teen made them stay behind as she dismissed the others. The duo perked up and sat down by the Team as Saeko turned her gaze on the aspiring keepers.

It took the whole morning but Saeko finally declared the trials to be over. The crowd began to dissipate and the ninja lied down on the grass. The Team looked at each other and finally Frost ventured "Forgetting something?"

Saeko groaned and sat up "Cameron, congratulations and welcome. You know us and we know you, we can make nice during practice." Turing her attention to the younger-years she said seriously "Now you three, present yourself."

Caitlin was taken aback at her friend's attitude but went first "Caitlin O'Shea, fourth-year, aspiring chaser."

"Roger Davies, third-year. I play chaser as well."

"Cho Chang. Second year, seeker" the petite asian girl went last.

Saeko nodded "Good. Now I selected you three to be my reserve players. Caitlin, Roger, you two are very good and I can picture you in my team next year. Cho, you have potential. That said, you all being here doesn't guarantee a spot in the Team for next season, I will still be holding trials. Though I will make a work-out schedule for you three so next year you may excel and help bring the Eagles to victory. At times I will require you attend our regular training. It will be hard work, you in?"

"Yes" were the slightly unsure replies.

"Excellent," the ninja smirked darkly, "I like the idea of having three ready-made players next year. I can only hope our housemates shape up to fill the remaining positions."

The trio stood up straighter at the praise. Saeko nodded in satisfaction and stood up "I will contact you all with further details, now I'm starving. Let's go."

As the ninja skipped happily towards the Castle Caitlin whispered to Frost "She always like that with you?"

The seeker shrugged "When she is hungry. Plus some of those whiny brats went on my nerves as well. I mean, if you can't fly, why bother trying out for the team."

"Hm, Saeko does hate incompetence and stupidity" the red-head commented.

"You coming or what!" was Saeko's irate shout.

Caitlin and Frost just looked at each other, chuckled and sped up.


Library

"Thank you so much" Saeko said with her most charming smile to the very lovely Hufflepuff who just gave her a recommendation for a book that would make Runes homework go much faster. The older-year blushed.

The kunoichi took the book in question and made her way to her favorite study table, a smirk playing on her lips. Lauren who was waiting for her rolled her eyes "What's with you and older Puffs?"

Saeko grinned "Don't insult me, I admire beauty no matter the House."

Lauren shook her head with a smile "I can only hope us doing Runes homework together doesn't sully my reputation."

"You have a reputation?" the brunette asked innocently.

"Let's just do the work Uchiha" Lauren grinned.

The ninja obliged and opened her books "Why aren't you doing this with Isolde anyway?"

"She said she's not in the mood, we did get quite a bit of time to do the translations" Lauren shrugged, "plus you are more helpful than she."

"I'm honored to be your second choice" Saeko mocked.

Lauren smirked "Less chatting, more translating."

The duo spent the next hour battling their newest Runes assignment. They made a decent dent in their homework but it wasn't a long-term work for nothing. Finally they called it quits.

"Sooo, how were the holidays?" Saeko asked.

The Snake shrugged "Fun as always. Aunt and Uncle tried to marry me off but unfortunately for them they don't have the authority, being only from a cadet branch, my guardians or not."

Saeko was reminded about Helena, she would have to ask how her own arrangements went. But since the blonde didn't volunteer any information and was generally cheerful it was safe to assume her father took care of it. "That's good news" she said cautiously.

Lauren nodded "Indeed. Can't wait for the day I can boot them out."

"Aren't you a little bit worried they might try something?" the ninja's brow furrowed, "From all you said about them, they sure seem awfully eager to become the main branch."

The red-head sighed "Not right now. Long story short they would get nothing until I turn seventeen."

"How joyful," Saeko frowned, "you know, you could strike first."

"Let's not talk about that," Lauren shook her head, "How is being Captain?"

"I'm extremely popular, everyone adores me and worships the ground I walk on" Saeko paused dramatically, "Oh wait, they did that already."

Lauren rolled her eyes "Ass."

"It's quite hectic actually. And an organizational nightmare – I have to balance everyone's schedule and needs, which doesn't really matter since they all will whine anyway" the Uchiha confessed.

"Hm, I can imagine that" the Brit nodded.

"How is the newest batch of Slytherins?" Saeko changed the subject. She rather liked her new title but discussing it was getting old.

The Snake sighed "The Malfoy brat prances like he owns it all. His father has a lot of clout but if he continues like that he will be taught a subtle lesson. Other than that the usual. Newest Ravenclaws?"

"Meh, they earn points. But they are griping about a new Gryff, Granger, about being an insufferable know-it-all."

Lauren seemed rather amused "From a Raven that is rather grave."

The brunette chuckled and bowed.


Helena's Room

"At least make it epic" Saeko said as she lounged on a chair, smoking.

Helena paused and stepped aside the canvas she was painting on, to speak with her friend "Are you serious? I don't have that much imagination."

"I can even strike a pose," the Uchiha bargained, "maybe even fetch my sword."

"Tempting, but no. Now sit still!" the blonde painter ordered.

"Explain me, why am I doing this again?"

The pureblood shrugged as she mixed more paint "Because you love me. And why shouldn't you, I'm a great friend."

Saeko pouted "How cruel, getting my hopes up like that."

"I told you to sit still!"

"Why?" the ninja said petulantly, "you are not really painting me as I am now. Right?"

Helena smirked "No, but I could make a fair sum for a portrait of you lounging in a kimono."

"It's a yukata"

"Who cares, the hot new quidditch captain, casually dressed like this, I believe this calendar would make a killing"

"You think me hot? I knew I could get through to you"

"Cool your jets, as Caitlin would put it," the blonde rolled her eyes, "I prefer the male form."

"I could change your mind if you give me a chance"

"Nope"

Saeko sighed "I miss Yuuko."

The blonde looked up from her work in recognition "Should that be translated to 'I need to get laid'?"

"I could be affronted but yeah, that's pretty much it" the ninja confessed, "Don't look at me that way, I'm a hormonal teenager no matter how advanced I might be in other areas."

"Oh, which areas are those?"

"For example I know how to kill a person with a brush in twelve different ways"

"Good point"

The blonde painted on, humming a tone under her breath while Saeko blew out perfect smoke circles. Few moments later there was a knock on the door and Ashley entered "Still doing art?"

"Yep"

Ash sat down on Helena's bed "Your junior players returned from whatever hell you sent them to. They are currently half-passed out on the floor downstairs."

Saeko laughed in glee "Fantastic! Did they say something?"

"Just unintelligible moans that in Caitlin's case might've been insults" Ash said with a shrug in feigned nonchalance, "I don't think they are used to working out."

"Ah" the Uchiha nodded with a huge grin. "I suppose having taking care of a genin team for a little while did make me an evil bitch. Ah, the wonders of absolute power."

Helena put down her brush "I need a break anyway, you go attend them."

"Yes my lady" Saeko said with a mild bow and stood up. She contemplated changing for a bit but then showing up bare-footed, half-dressed, smoking and so obviously chilling out while her three Juniors were exercising would be so sweet. Plus she just intended to dismiss them anyway. "I'll be right back."

Saeko calmly made her way to the Common Room, casually replying to greetings. "Have you seen my minions?" she asked a vaguely familiar girl near the bottom of the stairs.

The girl pointed at the area near the entrance while trying to be subtle about her ogling. Saeko thanked her. A few more steps into the room and she too could spot three sweaty figures collapsed on a carpet near the empty fireplace. "Good work-out?"

Three simultaneous groans were her only answer.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it" Saeko said in a patronizing manner, "At first the rest had problems as well. But this is precisely why we are winners. Now, I suggest you clean up and get some rest, we can't have you burning out, can we?"

"You. are. evil." Caitlin managed to choke out.

The Uchiha giggled coyly "Oh, stop it, you're making me blush."

"The devil incarnate" the Irish girl breathed out as she slowly pulled herself in a sitting position.

Saeko just laughed and with a wave she walked back towards the stairs. She stopped when she noticed the former Captain watching the scene along with the majority of the Ravens. Jamie held up her hand for a high-five. The kunoichi slapped the hand with a wink and slowly climbed the stairs.


Ravenclaw Common Room

Saeko put an errand strand of her unbound, still drying hair behind her ear so she so she could concentrate better on her cards.

"Here she goes again," Graham stage-whispered, "taunting us with wet hair, reminding us of the luxurious bathroom we don't have access to."

"Jealousy is not pretty" the ninja replied cheerily, "Stalking too for that matter."

Graham shrugged "I really wanted to know where it is."

Helena frowned "You followed Saeko?"

"Hey, it was Paddy's idea!" the boy defended himself.

All eyes turned to Patrick. "Thanks pal" the Irishman glared at his best friend.

"It didn't work anyway, Saeko just vanished!" Graham said in mild awe.

The Uchiha smirked "Of course I did, I prefer bathing alone with the exception of beautiful willing women, which you two definitely aren't."

Ashley looked at the two boys "Nope, they really aren't."

"Hey, I might not be a beautiful woman but I'm definitely a prime specimen of handsome man" Graham announced and puffed his chest.

Everybody looked at each other and they chorused "Naaaah!"

Helena chuckled "Maybe your supposed handsomness can get you the prefect badge, then you could get into the bathroom with little trouble."

"That's a plan!" Graham exclaimed.

Daniel hummed "Being prefect would be handy. Who do you think will be appointed?"

"It usually is someone who commands respect in his year and House as a whole and good enough with his studies so he or she can afford a policing part-time job" the Grey heiress mused out loud, "So not my roomie and her posse."

"Because we pretty much ignore them?" Peter arched his eyebrows.

"Because we pretty much ignore them"

"Well, it's not going be me," Saeko took herself out of the running, "I got enough to do with the quidditch team. Besides I couldn't be bothered. Plus I don't need it for my résumé."

The group briefly discussed the potential prefects before delving into an argument over another win on Peter's part.

When the situation was diffused enough the topic was quite forcefully changed to the new teacher for muggle studies.

The poker game already over and the discussion dwindling, the group slowly broke up and went to their rooms. Ashley and Saeko did as well.

"I'm going to the non-luxurious bathroom to wash up. If you don't mind I would go to sleep after" the small brunette informed her roommate.

Saeko hummed "I'm not sleepy yet. I'll go for a run then."

"You can leave the light, I don't want to kick you out"

"It's alright, Hogwarts by night is quite amazing"

Ashley shrugged "As you wish."

As soon as the Brit was out of the door a small grayish raven flew from the shadows along the ceiling. Saeko smiled in greeting and unsealed some raw meat she kept as a treat for her summons. "Anything interesting?" she asked.

"No" said the feminine voice of the raven.

Saeko chuckled "Talkative as always. The whole report then."

While the ninja changed into something more appropriate for a midnight stroll when those were forbidden, Skygge summed up Potter's last three days.

"Riveting" the scarred jounin said sarcastically, "But thank you, I know this is not the most glorious assignment."

The raven did a motion that could be considered a shrug "It is necessary for the mission."

"That it is" Saeko agreed, "thank you." Skygge nodded, finished her meal and returned home in a wisp of smoke.

Saeko finished taping her shuriken pouch onto her thigh. It was empty as always in Hogwarts but still she felt naked without it. She waved to her returning roommate and lightly jogged to the Ravenclaw Common Room and then out to the castle proper.

The ninja wasn't kidding when she said Hogwarts was beautiful by night. Sure, during the day it was as well, especially in those areas the students seldom set foot in, but in the darkness it was ethereal. Pity the snoring portraits ruined that atmosphere.

Half an hour later Saeko found herself somewhere on the second floor, near the transfiguration classroom. What made her stop was the slight noise up ahead. The ninja was sure it wasn't Mrs Norris nor her master but still she leapt up and stuck to the archway over the mosaic windows, where the darkness was thickest.

It turned out to be a prefect making rounds. A strawberry blonde Gryffindor prefect to be precise. What was peculiar was the fact the girl was alone.

Feeling social all of the sudden Saeko jumped onto the next archway and then slithered behind the corner where she could descend to the floor unnoticed. Just when the prefect turned the corner as well she asked "Need a partner?"

The blonde shrieked and jumped up in fright. When she calmed down she put on her most stern expression "It's after curfew, you should be in bed."

Saeko swallowed the myriad of phrases laced with innuendo she could reply with and decided on "It's early still. And I'm just jogging."

"Be as it may miss Uchiha you still need to return to your Common Room. Be glad I'm not docking points" the blonde replied.

"Too crowded" Saeko shrugged, "Speaking of crowds, I was under the impression the prefects made rounds in pairs."

The Gryffindor sighed "Usually yes. My partner implored me to take this alone just this once and since he looked positively pathetic begging on his knees I agreed."

Saeko hummed "Mighty nice of ya."

"Indeed. Now, miss Uchiha, please go back to the Ravenclaw Common Room"

"If I begged on my knees as well would you consider letting me stay?" the ninja said while batting her eyelashes, "I could make rounds with you. Nobody would spook you then."

The Gryff huffed "I was only spooked because you were stealthy as a thief."

"Please" Saeko imploringly, "I'll be good. Besides, Flitwick deemed me responsible enough to entrust six people in my care so staying a bit late and helping a prefect isn't much of a stretch.

"The quidditch team doesn't count" the blonde said but still seemed mollified.

The Konoha nin smiled "Come on. I'm Saeko Uchiha and I'll be your partner for tonight."

"Alright" was the exasperated response, "I guess I could use the company."

Saeko grinned "Yatta!"

The Gryff rolled her eyes "Come on then partner, I need to check the first floor as well."

The Uchiha saluted and fell in step with the blonde "So, aibō, who are you?"

"Evelyn" the girl said after her laughter calmed down.

"Saeko"