The all clear came in the form of one of Naruto's clones jumping down from a ledge four stories above and all but crashing into Sakura as she methodically made her way through room after room in the east wing. Most of this space was rarely used, only the occasional classroom showing signs of being a favorite study nook – or more popularly – a place to drink or makeout for those not brave enough to do so where others could see. Sakura hadn't actually expected to find Harry there, but she also knew he had some experience finding nooks and crannies to hide in while he did things like make potions he shouldn't or plot to overthrow his teachers. So it couldn't be ruled out.
The clone was solid enough to survive the fall, which suggested Naruto had sent it specifically to find her. So she wasn't surprised when it barked out that Harry was coming up the drive then poofed itself away.
She was surprised by Kakashi-sensei grabbing her unexpectedly as she raced down the hallway to join the rest of her team. Sure, it was likely the most expedient way to stop a fast moving nin, but still. No nin appreciated someone nearly strangling them with their own shirt.
"New orders," Kakashi-sensei informed her without even an apology or recognition that she'd instinctively tried to stab him. "Headmaster's office. Surveillance."
Shit. She had been relieved when Naruto's clone had caught up to her. It would have said if there was something wrong with Harry. But Kakashi-sensei wouldn't be wasting time sending her to do a job he could do better unless it was important. "What about you?" she asked. Another commander would have busted her for wasting time questioning an order like that. But Team 7 had learned that if they waited for Kakashi-sensei to include them in his plans, they probably wouldn't find out about the next nin war until it was over. Kakashi-sensei was all about independent initiative.
Kakashi-sensei's smile was the dead-eyed one that meant his mind was four steps ahead and already focused on who needed to be killed. "Checking out the competition. I've got a slimy little friend to check in with. Don't wait up!" he added blithely before disappearing. It was about as close to letting them know when he wasn't going to be around as he got.
Still, her sensei could have given her a little bit more help. Telling her to go spy on the one room they hadn't been able to get access to wasn't exactly an easy task. But Kakashi wouldn't have asked her to do it if he thought she couldn't handle it. Unfortunately, Kakashi's idea of a reasonable expectation already set the bar far higher than most nin could manage.
Sakura allowed herself the indulgence of a long sigh before pivoting sharply and changing course. She needed to go up and out. They had narrowed it down to a general area at least. The Headmaster's office had to be in one of the towers on the east side of the castle. The only problem was, it didn't like to stay there. Just like how the stairwells frequently changed location all on their own, the castle seemed to grow and lose and move towers on its exterior at random. They had yet to actually see one of them move, but it was the only explanation for how a room could be in one part of the castle one day, and in a completely different one the next. The Hogwarts students barely seemed to notice, and the nin couldn't figure out if that was due to indifference or ignorance. The wizards all seemed to instinctively know where to go to get to class and gave no indication that they even noticed that now it was on the east side or now it was on the west side other than to grumble about the sun being in their eyes. Magic was the only explanation Harry was able to give them when they asked. As if that made it logical. It was enough to drive any sane nin mad.
Getting into the Headmaster's office hadn't been a priority before now. Harry never went there, so they hadn't had to worry about securing the area from threats. Any possible value to gathering intelligence there had always been outweighed by the potential fallout of getting caught. They were, after all, technically guests. That was the unfortunate part of being invited into a place. It meant you had to at least pretend to act polite and getting caught trying to wiggle your way into your host's private office did not fall under plausibly polite. In a nin village they still might have risked it, but too much about magic was unknown and unpredictable for them. They hadn't been confident enough in their own abilities to risk it for such little payoff.
Apparently something had changed. Or else Kakashi would not have sent her on such a risky mission.
Sakura found a good wide window that actually opened and she slipped out onto its outward ledge. She surveyed her choices. A few of the towers stayed consistently in place. Gryffindor was thankfully one of them. The Astronomy tower was another. But the others liked to change location and contents. She'd need to check each one. Carefully enough not to trip any traps the Headmaster might have. It was daunting but she thought of the focused gleam in Kakashi's eye. This was serious.
Sakura tightened her gloves before slipping like a shadow up the outside wall. She had a lot of ground to cover without being seen, so she had best get to it.
