Chapter 13: Christmas Shopping
"Harry! Harry! Come on mate, you've got to wake up Harry! Whatever it is, don't let it win!" Naruto stated, trying to wake his friend up. The context of this scenario was that as they were sleeping, Naruto sensed something was wrong in his sleep, and as he woke up, he noticed that something was up with Harry. Harry was making sporadic and violent twists and turns in his sleep, sweating profusely. Soon Harry woke up as his eyes shot open and his body jumped forward, sending Naruto into full alert mode. "What happened?! I…I saw…" he tried to say, looking as frightened as Naruto. "Calm down mate, take a deep breath, and explain everything you saw," Naruto stated.
Harry did as told and after hearing everything, Naruto shook his head in disbelief. "Things just got out of hand, alright you have to tell Dumbledore about this," Naruto stated, as he turned to the already awake Ron, who was asking what was with all the commotion. "Ron, make sure Harry's alright, I'm going to get McGonagall," Naruto said, as Ron nodded. Naruto did as planned and told Professor McGonagall about what happened, and soon she along with Ron, took Harry to Dumbledore's office to discuss the matter.
The Next Day
Naruto and Hermione were in the common room, sitting at the couch next to the fireplace. The two were pretty worried for their friend, as hinted by how quiet Naruto was, while Hermione looked nervous. "Hermione, you know that everything will be fine. Harry…Harry is a strong guy. Whatever that was, whatever it will be, will not change him. He won't let it, I won't let it, Dumbledore won't let it," Naruto stated, trying to assure her that everything will be fine. "I…I know," she mumbled. "I don't think I'm going to sleep anymore. The day has come already and," she shifted her body close to Naruto, "I want to stay here. With you that is." Naruto smiled and nodded. He figured that she really needed him as much as he needed her. Naruto held her and kissed her forehead, until the door opened. "Naruto," McGonagall said, still in her pajamas and robe looking visibly tired. "Naruto, Professor Dumbledore would like a word with you in his office. I would also like to speak with Miss Granger if that's alright," she said, noticing the state she was in. Naruto nods and hurries out of the room to see what Dumbledore needed.
"Naruto," Dumbledore said in his usual calm, but rather serious voice. "I have a request for you that I specifically choose as I feel you are the best man for this job," he stated. "Certainly sir," Naruto said, as he figured that this request is highly important. "Naruto, I want you to keep an eye on Harry. You saw what happened last night, the way he reacted, the way his body twisted and turned. That could very well happen again over the Christmas break, and I need you to report that to me should it ever happen. But that is not all, I would like you to continue your magic and chakra training and enhance to a whole new level." This surprises Naruto, "Are you saying that-"
Dumbledore nods as he hands the boy a brown leather journal, "Open it," he asked. Naruto opened the journal and was shocked by the content, "This is…" he was about to say. "Gellert Grindelwald's journal. It contains all his notes on everything I feel would be most beneficial for you. He handed me this journal after I defeated him back in 1945, and now it belongs to you as its sole owner," he explained. "But why…why me?" Naruto asked. "I'm an old man, Naruto. I know that deep down I can't always protect Harry, let alone teach him as much. But you on the other hand, you will help him on his path to defeat Voldemort, and as such I have faith that you two will be the ones to surpass us all in the wizarding world," he stated. Naruto was surprised by how much faith Dumbledore had in him. "I won't let you down, professor…believe it," Naruto stated. Dumbledore smiled and nodded, "Thank you Naruto, and merry Christmas," he said. "Merry Christmas to you sir," Naruto said, as he left the office.
Timeskip
The squad was on the train going home for the holidays, and as they were in their compartment, they were talking about that whole incident. "I got a message from mom, it looks like dad is still alive," Ron stated, looking rather relieved. "Where is he getting treated?" Harry asked. "He's getting treated at St. Mungo's," Ron explained. "Oh yeah I remember now, Tsunade is working at St. Mungo's," Naruto stated, as he remembered how his mother figure worked at some magical hospital in London. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank god, we saved Mr. Weasley early, we don't know what to do if we are too late." Ron nodded, "True that, but come on at least we'll get to see him around the holidays." Soon the train arrived at the station, and everybody got off the train. Hermione was looking for her parents, but couldn't find them. "What's wrong?" Naruto asked. "I can't find my parents, I told them when I will arrive," she stated, as she looked for her parents. "If you are looking for your parents, they aren't here," Tsunade said.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked. "Well you see your parents went on vacation out of London, and they told me specifically that you can stay with us for the duration of the holidays so I agreed," Tsunade explained. Both Naruto and Hermione were surprised by this news, but they didn't complain about it. "Oh also, since I'm going shopping for some Christmas gifts, do you two want to come along?" she offered. "Sure, I mean we just got here, but ok," Naruto stated, as it could be a good time catching up with Tsunade. "Wait, so who is taking care of the baby?" Hermione asked. "My new sensei, Itachi. He has been living with us since the start of summer break," Naruto explained, as his crow, Kage, who was actually Itachi, came home earlier than the group.
The three got inside of the car and drove to some mall in London. They entered the mall and it was packed with people shopping for the holidays. "Ok you two kids can do whatever you want, I'm going to go do some of the shopping. Let's meet back around here in an hour," Tsunade said, as the two nodded. Both Naruto and Hermione were walking around the mall, browsing the stores to find some gifts that they can give to each other. One of the shops they went to was a jewelry store and the two entered inside to browse. "Wow look at this pendant Naruto," Hermione pointed out, as the two looked at the pendant on display. The pendant looked like a crystal orb, with a spiral lightning bolt like thing(like Serah's necklace from Final Fantasy XIII).
However the pendant was expensive, even though Naruto could afford the pendant. "Let's go to another store," she said as she left. "You go on ahead, I'll catch up with you," Naruto said. She raised an eyebrow, but soon she nodded and moved on. However, what Naruto was doing was that he was secretly buying that pendant, and told the clerk to wrap it up as a gift. He soon left the store with the wrapped up present and found Hermione at another store. They spent time at some shops, browsing the store, as Naruto was buying some gifts for his friends and his baby sister. Soon both Naruto and Hermione met up with Tsunade at the designated spot as they were about to leave. Naruto noticed that Tsunade was carrying two big bags, and he asked what was inside, to which he got the response that it would ruin the surprise.
They finally return to the house, and as they walk inside they are greeted by Itachi and Mito. "Hey Itachi and hey Mito," Naruto said, greeting the two enthusiastically as he picked up the baby girl. Mito cooed at her big brother and was smiling as Naruto played with her. He hands the baby to Hermione, who seems to be fond of the baby. "Awww, she's so adorable, aren't you?" she playfully said to the baby girl, as Mito laughed. Naruto chuckled, "I see she really likes you, even though you have just met her." She smiled at that response, as the two enjoyed playing with the baby. "Oh right, let me introduce you to my sensei, Itachi. Itachi, this is my best friend/girlfriend, Hermione Granger." Itachi walks up to the girl, "Hello Ms. Granger, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and thank you for taking care of my student here." Hermione blushed, "Oh the pleasure is mine, and besides Naruto here is one of the sweetest guys I've ever known." Itachi chuckled, "Naruto I think I'm starting to like this girl, you sure are a lucky boy." Naruto waves it off as he was a little embarrassed over the compliments. Anyways when all that was over, they soon went to the dining room to have dinner. For dinner they were eating beef wellington and so far they were having a pretty good time. After dinner was over, Tsunade decided to go to bed early, and as she took Mito to bed, she told both Naruto and Hermione not to stay up for too long. Itachi told them the same thing before he went up to his quarters. "Well the night is still young, so…want to watch a movie?" Naruto offered. "Sure, just pick out a Christmas oriented movie and we're all set," she said. Naruto picks out the movie, Die Hard. Hermione raises an eyebrow, "Really? Die Hard? Isn't that not a Christmas movie?" Naruto shrugs, "I mean the movie takes place during Christmas eve, so if anything it counts. But if you want, we could watch Home Alone?"
They decided to watch Home Alone first and when that movie was done, they decided to watch Die Hard. They laughed and cheered at all two movies, as they sat down on the couch, wrapped in a blanket together. "Oh man, I swear, the villain from Die Hard kind of looks like Professor Snape, if Snape decided to get himself a haircut and a sick beard." Hermione chuckled, "I must agree with you on that, although Snape probably wouldn't have found it to be funny." The two laughed at that thought and they even laughed harder when Naruto decided to impersonate Snape using the transformation jutsu as he said some off key things, Snape would never even say. When that was all over, the two decided to lay on the couch as they were too tired to get off the couch and head to the bedroom. "Hey Naruto," Hermione said, as Naruto looked at her. "What is it?" he asked. "I love you Naruto," she said softly. "I love you too, Hermione," Naruto said, in response. The two made out on the couch for who knows how long until Hermione pulls away with a heavy breath and dreamy smile. "Good night, Naruto," she said, as she pecked his cheek, then cuddled up to his chest. Naruto smiled warmly, "Good night, Hermione," he said, as he pecked her forehead lightly, wrapping his right arm around her body. The two slept peacefully awaiting for tomorrow.