Chapter Summary:
A farewell party and the beginning of his journey.
And is that a talking hat? Hogwarts was already weird and it hasn't even been a day.
Tomorrow was the day where he had to leave for Hogwarts. The last two weeks were pretty productive and he already successfully managed almost all the spells for defense against the dark arts, Transfiguration and charms. But the class that interested him the most was potions. Sadly, he couldn't try it yet, because he didn't have the materials.
He calmly finished the last of his paperwork when Matsumoto and her entourage of Ikkaku, Yumichika and Renji.
"Taichoo! Come drinking with us! You'll have to leave for almost a year, we should do something before that!" Matsumoto grabbed him and hugged him so hard he couldn't breathe anymore, and not just because his face was between her breasts.
"Matsumoto let go of me right now! I can't go drinking, I have to finish the paperwork for the next few months already since you'll probably be too lazy!" thankfully she actually let go of him.
"Aww, Taicho come on don't you trust me at all?"
"With paperwork? Obviously not!"
And so the bickering started anew while the entourage was quietly laughing.
To be honest, they're gonna miss the small captain as well. Even though he was strict and acted like a grown up, he always seemed more approachable than any other captain except for Ukitake.
Then all of a sudden, the bickering stopped and Hitsugaya spoke to them.
"And what are you guys doing here? You can't seriously have thought I would go drinking with you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Actually, we were just hoping you would join without drinking captain, many people are gonna miss you here. We just wanted to say goodbye." Renji answered with a smile. It's the truth, he knew for sure from Rukia that Ukitake, Kyouraku and some other captains had the same idea.
Hitsugaya looked shocked, like he seriously didn't expect that. Didn't he know how many people care for him?
"Well that's nice Abarai, but I really don't have time..." he was cut off by Ikkaku.
"Come on Captain Hitsugaya, many people are waiting for you, not just us."
He looked at them as if they were kidding but with a last look at his desk and seeing his already done paperwork he carved in.
When they came to the bar, many people were already there. The Ryoka, both Kuchiki's, Unohana, Ukitake, Kyouraku and even Kenpachi and Yachiru. That really was a lot more than he expected.
Ukitake came up to them and gave him an arm full of candy.
"Don't worry I heard you can send post there with an owl, Rangiku and I have decided to get us one so I can send you more candy even there." he said with a smile. Toshiro on the other hand had to stifle a groan. He didn't know what was worse, Matsumoto sending him weird things, or Ukitake sending him lots of candy, but both of them? That's gonna be a nightmare.
Thankfully he didn't have to answer when Kurosaki came up to him.
"Hey Toshiro, I heard you'll be gone for some time now to help us find something against Aizen. I wish I could help but I have to protect my friends and family here." he really did sound apologetic.
"I understand, but if I could ask a favor of you? Should Aizen attack while I'm still gone please try to look after my division and Matsumoto, I don't want her to fight alone."
"Of course, not just me though, all of us will help." he looked around and everyone nodded.
Toshiro looked stunned but then he smiled.
"Thank you everyone." and with that the party begun and everyone started drinking. So, after half an hour he ended up with Byakuya the only other one who completely refused to drink.
"I wish you luck on your mission. I know it must have been infuriating to get the mission the way you did, because of your age and looks, but it is of great importance." he said all of a sudden.
Toshiro was surprised that the noble would tell him this, he didn't really talk much with Byakuya and from all of the people here today he's the most surprising one.
"Don't worry, I'm already over it. I know that if there is even the slightest chance that we can beat Aizen, then I would gladly put my pride away for it." he answered earnestly.
Byakuya smiled at him and raised his glass in a toast.
The evening turned out pretty great. Better than Toshiro would have thought from what he knew of party's where both Matsumoto and Kyouraku were. He talked some more with Byakuya about their respective companies and their sometimes-infuriating lieutenants. He found out he had a lot more in common with the noble than he thought and he hoped to keep this companionable relationship with him.
Sometimes later Ukitake joined their group and the conversation turned more to the stuff Toshiro had already learned from the books and he even showed the two them the floating charm 'Wingardium Leviosa'.
At this the others also turned to him interested and he had to show some more magic tricks. Nothing grand but to their intoxicated brains it seemed incredible.
And so the party continued till late in the night. Most were already too drunk to get safely back and everyone decided to just stay at the bar and have a sleepover. I mean, who would turn them away? Everyone was either captain, lieutenant or criminals.(Maybe they should make an official statement that the Ryoka are not enemy's anymore? Nah, too much work)
It was the next morning that Toshiro woke up and noticed that he only had two more hours till he had to be at the train station. In panic he raced ack to his division and just threw everything important into his suitcase, thankfully he had the books and everything he bought in Diagon Alley already packed yesterday. He now only needed some extra clothes (Rangiku bought him some from the human realm) and his soul phone. Just as he was about to leave through the official Senkaimon the rest of the participants from last night were standing there.
"Taichoo! Thank god we thought we had missed you." Rangiku came up to him and hugged him. But this time it was an actual hug and not a death hug, which surprised him.
Then the rest of the guys also came up and except for Kenpachi and Ishida they all hugged him as well. EVEN BYAKUYA! He thought for a short moment he was still dreaming.
"You look good Captain Hitsugaya." Byakuya said. And yep, he seemed to be sleeping, or in an alternate reality, because that was weird. So he only nodded at the noble and smiled slightly.
Matsumoto had chosen the clothes, she said to blend in he had to dress like a human, so she brought him an black tank top with a white dragon on it that seemed to curl around him and comfortable black ripped jeans. He had to say, for Matsumoto this one was pretty good.
Once everyone said their last goodbyes he turned back to the Senkaimon and went through it.
He came out in a dark alley and then went into the train station. There he searched for platform 9 ³/4 but couldn't find it so he stayed at platform 9 and looked around for other wizards. He instantly found a family with an owl so he followed them and saw that they ran straight at the wall between 9 and 10. And then they disappeared. Because why not! And not a single human noticed.
No wonder this society is still a secret, if humans are this careless.
Sighing at the sheer stupidity, though whether at the humans for being blind or at the wizards for being annoyingly secretive he didn't know, he turned to the wall and went through it.
Once through he was bombarded with noise and he had a very strong urge to turn around and leave this hell right now, but ironically it was Kuchiki's words that made him continue and get on the train. This is important, and he meant what he said, he would do anything to get a chance at defeating Aizen.
So he went to the back of the train in hoped that no one comes there. At first it worked but just before the train started a boy with black hair came.
"Hello, can I sit here?" he asked with a very shy tone. Toshiro just nodded.
"Thank you." he said awkwardly. At first the boy was jittery, as if he expected to be stared at or get asked something, but after he noticed that Toshiro wasn't gonna do anything and really will just ignore him he calmed down. It was a companionable silence until the door opened a second time. This time a red haired boy came inside and asked if he could sit here. Sadly the boy with black hair answered before Toshiro could tell him no.
He just turned them out completely (again something he maybe should thank Rangiku for one day). The other two started talking about something animatedly and he just sighed. It seems like his quiet was ruined now.
"Who's the weird bloke anyway?" he heard. All of a sudden the apartment seemed a lot colder.
"You should be careful with your words. Hasn't anyone ever told you that it's rude to call others weird?" Toshiro asked with an icy voice. The red head even started shivering. Whimp.
"Sorry, it's just you seem very young even for a first year and your hair is white!" he said in defensively.
"In that case maybe you should ask me directly next time instead of talking about me with someone else." with that he turned back to his book.
The other two seemed a little stunned and the silence grew more awkward with each second so Toshiro once again cursed Kurotsushi for giving him this mission and put his book down.
"Since you seemingly wanna know so bad, my name is Hitugaya Toshiro but here in Europe I believe you would say Toshiro Hitsugaya, I am eleven years old and from Japan, all the people there are a little smaller from nature. And no, my hair isn't bleached that's my natural color."
The black haired kid smiled at him and introduced himself as well.
"My name is Harry Potter...i only found out about the wizard world a few days ago." Toshiro still doesn't get why he waits for a reaction to his name.
"Hi, my name is Ron Weasley. I'm from a wizard family." Toshiro nodded and once more turned back to his book. Th others seemed to be disappointed by his cold reaction but then the candy lady came and they ignored him again. A short while later the door opened once more and two more kids came in who searched for a toad. He actually looked up when Ron tried some magic but it turned out to be a bust. Some people really don't know what studying is. And he was supposed to be from a wizard family.
Just when he thought they would finally be left alone the door opened once again(he was seriously considering freezing the damn thing). This time a blond boy came in with two guy that looked like a younger form of Omaeda. He once more ignored them until the blonde one talked about him.
"And who's the child? Did you not know that only eleven-year old's can go to Hogwarts?" he said with a sneer.
Once again, the apartment got colder and this time everyone started shivering, even the window started to get frozen.
"For your information, I am eleven. And if I were you, I wouldn't start running your mouth so easily, others could think you're a stupid arrogant narcissist." Malfoys face turned red at this and he started advancing on Hitsugaya.
"How dare you? You're just a stupid freak and probably even a mudblood, wait until my father hears of this!" Toshiro was close to flipping the guy over his shoulder but he calmed down, remembering that this was beneath him. Instead he gave one icier stare that made the guy freeze in his place and turn back to his goons.
"Come on guys. These people aren't worth it our time. Remember what I said Potter, you shouldn't hang around these people." with those words he left again. Though from the look of it Weasley and Potter also wanted to run away. So he tones his powers down again. The others looked at him like they've seen a ghost.
Toshiro couldn't wait to get out of this train. All these kids really started to get on his nerves. But sadly once he was actually outside he had to sit in a bout with them! If the rest of the mission consisted of hanging out with them, he would actually go back to Soul Society, no matter what anyone says!
Thankfully the boat ride was short and he sat with the two boys who continued to ignore him.
And then he saw the castle for the first time. Even he had to admit that it was impressive, but it made his mission a lot harder if he had to search it completely and learn magic to use against Aizen.
The giant that Potter called Hagrid left them in a room alone with an older woman. She was probably the only being he liked in the society till now, she commanded respect and carried herself in a dignified way.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. The feast for the beginning of the new year will begin shortly, but before you can take your places in the great hall we have to sort you to one of the four houses. It's a very important ceremony since that house will be like your family here in Hogwarts. You'll take lessons together, sleep in the same dorms of your houses and spend time together in the common rooms.
The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has his own History and has bought forth great wizards and witches. In your time here, you will earn house points for good achievements but if you break the rules you will lose them as well. At the end of the year the house with the most points will win the housecup.
The celebration will start in a few minutes so please use the time to get ready.
I'll come back when everything's ready for you." at the last part she especially looked at him since he was the only one not wearing the hat, that they were supposed to have for ceremony's but she only rolled her eyes and left again. Yeah, he liked her alright, she's a no-nonsense woman.
Then the dumbest ideas about what the sorting ceremony is gonna be like started and just to see them get flattened he kinda hoped they had to fight a troll. Though the ghost that came by made him try to grab Hyourinmaru, before he remembered that the ghosts here can't turn into hollows and that Hyourinmaru was still in his suitcase. The ghosts seemed to have the same reaction to him as well. A few even turned back when they saw him. He gave them a warning glare but he had to talk to them later, they couldn't destroy his cover.
Sadly, all of this was seen by the other kids and now they were looking at him with wide eyes. Except for that Potter kid, who seemed to be happy that the attention wasn't on him anymore.
Then the woman came back and told them to follow her.
The great hall sure lived up to her name. Toshiro had to admit that it was incredible, even though he also thought it unnecessary.
And then the probably weirdest thing yet happened. The shabby hat that was sitting on a chair started to sing. An old hat started to sing!
Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
At least the hat was informative. Even though its voice was terrible.
'All we have to do is put on the hat? I don't like the idea of anyone else in my head except you'
'Don't worry master, I can probably keep him out of everything important.'
'Thanks Hyourinmaru.'
And so the sorting began. He noticed that Weasley and Potter both joined the same house. Good for them, now he knew which house he wouldn't wanna land in.
He noticed with surprise that the teacher didn't call him up when it was his turn. Maybe they thought Toshiro was his family name?
But no, even after the 'T' passed, he still wasn't called up. But he didn't worry too much, if only Kurotsushi would have taken care of getting him in then maybe, but the head captain also helped so it was probably only because they always sorted exchange students last.
Once everyone else was sorted he was again the focus of a lot of stares. And this time he couldn't even blame them.
A man with light blue robes and hat cleared his throat and stood up. Hitsugaya knew right away, that this man was the one with the power level of a Quincy. And somehow he gave him the same creeps as Aizen, just weaker because he's not as dangerous. He really needed to look out for this guy.
"Welcome old and new students. I am happy to see all of you again and to have new faces join us. As many of you have already seen, this year we have a special guest with us. Toshiro Hitsugaya comes from Japan. He is a known genius there, who finished all ten years of school in only 2 years. But because he's too young to work yet, he decided to go to another school to learn a new kind of magic. I hope everyone makes him feel welcome." with that he sat back down and the woman told him to come up.
He did as told and put on the hat. The moment he did a new voice in his head screamed all of a sudden.
'What is wrong with your head child! How can something like that live here?' the new voice demanded.
'I'm not a thing, trespasser. And I think it's my right to protect my domain from unknown identity's.' Hyourinmaru answered.
'Alright enough! What do you need to know Hat? I don't like others in my head and I have the right to refuse someone inside.'
'Ha yeah, I'm not worried about you ever getting mind raped. I feel rather sorry for the headmaster when he tries that with you.' the hat laughed.
'Mind raped?!' 'He tries what?' both of them ask at the same time.
'Yeah, many people don't know but the headmaster has a real problem with unknown things, and a genius like you is something he's afraid of after Tom Riddle. He's the Dark Lord everyone is so afraid of by the way. Anyway, just be a little wary around the old man, he's not the same anymore after the war. Now, I have to see some of your memories to sort you. Like I said in the song, it will tell me what your character is like and then I make a decision.'
'Hmm I guess that's fine. But I have to have some proof that you will never tell another soul what you see.' the hat agreed and showed Toshiro the day he was formed together with the spell that makes him unable to ever talk about the things he sees in other people.
'Alright, how much do you have to see?'
'Everything would be best. People change when they get older, but I want to sort your real self and you have also made me curious, with someone powerful like the dragon in your mind, I can't really believe you're an eleven-year-old kid.'
'That's fine I guess but be warned it could take some time, does this sorting have a time limit?'
'Haha no it doesn't. And even if it had, with how much we talked you would have already broken it anyway!' and with that it turned silent in his head after Hyourinmaru let him past.
After almost 5 minutes, the hat finally said something again.
'Wow I gotta admit, I never thought I would see the day I discover what happens after death. Though I hope not every live there begins as bad as yours...but enough about that, even though I would like to ask many questions, i still have to sort you. The problem is, that you would fit in with almost all the houses, yet at the same time with none of them. You are very brave but not impulsive and loud like the other Gryffindors. You're loyal to those you choose, but too cold and intense for the shy and friendly Hufflepuffs. You're abnormally smart, but not because you wanna learn but you just are, in Ravenclaw you would be too smart and be considered a hated outsider. That leaves Slytherin. You are certainly sly and cunning, but you are not a pureblood. As much as I hate to admit, I had to sort some potential Slytherins in different houses because Slytherin only excepts purebloods. What about you? Do you have any preferences?'
'If I had to say, then either Ravenclaw or Slytherin. I already met some Gryffindors and I would probably kill half the house in under a month, even my self-control isn't that good. The Hufflepuffs are the same, just not as annoying. I have always been an outsider in school, so I don't care which of the two houses you sort me in.'
'I was hoping you would say something like that. If you agree I would like to put you in Slytherin. I know you have your own mission and to be honest I'm rooting for you to steal the stone; it's hidden by traps from professors on the third floor. For this information I would like you to help the houses get united. The best place to do this is Slytherin because they are the only house everyone hates. Maybe you can change that.' Toshiro thought about it. If what the hat said is true, then that makes his mission almost too easy. But then again, most people normally hate him so getting a better image for a whole house could be difficult. But on the other hand, it couldn't hurt to try.
'Alright, I promise to do my best but I can't promise it will work.'
'Thank you. Now I think we have stalled for long enough. it's time to announce that you're a SLYTHERIN!'
Toshiro took the hat off and looked around. What he saw surprised him. Everyone was talking to each other or started at him with a slacked jaw.
'Did it really take so long?' he thought. But then he shrugged and went to the Slytherin table in complete silence. After he sat down the headmaster stood up again.
"Well well, now that Mr Hitsugaya has also finished let's not wait any longer and enjoy the meal!" he proclaimed and all of a sudden all the tables have been filled with food.
Thankfully most people ignored him at the table so he had time to plan. First, he had to get the stone it's the most important part of the job. Next he had to learn as much as possible which is pretty easy for him as well. He should probably start making notes and buy books he finds important as well. He has to teach other Shinigami later as well after all. And the new part, to unite the houses. That actually seemed like the hardest part. But first he has to observe and see what needs help and how to go about it. So that should come last.
For a third time the headmaster stood up. This time Toshiro didn't pay much attention except for the notice that the third floor is forbidden. Looks like the hat said the truth, even though he can't believe the stupidity of that move, since it's obvious this way that they're hiding something.
Then finally they could go to the dorms. Toshiro was really ready to start his investigation and since the floor is forbidden, he could only do so at night. Thank god he doesn't really need to sleep a lot. 8 hours per week should be more than enough.
Too bad he forgot that he had to sleep in the same room as the other first years…
"Hey freak! I thought you weren't a pureblood so why are you in Slytherin?" the one with the blonde hair said. He seemed to be the leader of the group.
"I'm here because Gryffindor is too loud and annoying, Hufflepuff way too nice and pushy and Ravenclaw too arrogant in my opinion." he said bluntly and then went to the bed near the door.
This seemed to shock the other Slytherin. The tall one, pretty sure he was called Zabini, looked at him curious.
"So you're really not a pureblood? I don't think there has ever been a case of a muggleborn in Slytherin." he said but in a nicer tone that Malfoy, it seemed like he was a lot more open minded about this.
"I still don't know what muggle means, but I couldn't answer that question anyway since I have never met my parents. If that's all please leave me alone. It has been a long day and we already have classes tomorrow." and then he ignored them and closed his curtains.