Her Protector

by Uninspiredusername101

A dangerous confrontation strands Naruto and Jiraiya in a new world. One filled with Witches, Wizards, and humans oblivious to their existence. After Naruto receives a letter of admittance to Hogwarts, they realize a school for Witchcraft and Wizardry may be their solution to finding a way home. After meeting Harriett Potter, Naruto begins to question if that's what he truly wants.

5. Chapter 5

"Oh crap!" Naruto stepped inside the shack and made to quickly pick up the door. "Didn't mean to do that!"

"Tha's what 'appens when ya kick a door, lad," Hagrid said through a grunt of exertion as he ducked into the room behind him. "Couldn't ya' 'ave just knocked first?"

Naruto didn't respond. He was too busy staring at his friend on the floor, wrapped up in a dirty blanket that did nothing to hinder her shivers. Her large, jade eyes regarded him behind tears and in clear disbelief.

"Hey," Naruto began slowly in both his speech and approach. "Harriett."

"N-Naruto?" Harriett uttered in disbelief.

Naruto mistook it for fear. He felt his heart constrict at her expression but he was no longer willing to allow his fear and reluctance to dictate his actions.

"Harriett, I'm sorry," Naruto said.

He only made it halfway to his friend before she bolted towards him, jumping onto him. Naruto, although surprised, easily caught her in a spin and returned her hug.

"You came," Harriet's voice wavered. "You're really here."

"And I'm not going anywhere anymore," Naruto reassured her quietly. "Everything's gonna be okay now, I promise and I keep my promises."

"You!"

Naruto's eyes widened and narrowed seeing Vernon appear from within a different room holding a rifle. He quickly tossed Harriett at Hagrid, who thankfully caught the girl despite his surprise.

He was across the room before Vernon could react, the rotten floorboards beneath his feet shattering in the wake of his anger. He grabbing hold of the rifle, he pulled it out of the man's hands, the barrel contorting around his clenched fist. Behind him Harriett gasped and before him, Vernon fell back against the wall in fear.

Jiraiya had warned him of the dangers of the present world's firearms but he didn't believe it until they arrived on Janice's farm. The woman herself owned a rifle she would employee simply to ward away the occasional overzealous predators that would harass her livestock.

As they were now living on her farm, Janice allowed them to practice shooting so they too could protect her animals. The rate at which the munitions traveled was almost too quick for either to follow. If caught unprepared, projectile weapons could pose a real danger.

Had Vernon fired at him, Naruto was confident he could have moved them out of the line of fire in time, or at the very least survived the shot considering past injuries. But Harriett was in the line of fire and would have been seriously injured, if not worse considering she was only a small girl who's body would likely not withstand the abrupt force of movement avoiding a speeding bullet would entail.

He didn't even want to consider what would've happen had she been struck.

That was all Naruto could focus on.

He could feel the beast's influence clawing at his restraint, fanning his anger with single worded roars that goaded him to kill. Naruto embraced the feeling knowing its intentions were very much his own, but he did not allow it to go any further than that.

"Naruto, wait!" Harriett called out after him.

He ignored her as he continued to approach Vernon, who was shaking beneath his glare.

"S-Stay away from me you monster!" Vernon cried out.

Naruto buried his fist into the man's stomach with as much restraint as he could conjure in that moment. Even still, his restrain felled Vernon to his knees with a resounding thud. The man held his stomach, desperately gasping for air with true fear twisting his face in an ugly and pitiful display.

"You know, you should really be thanking her," Naruto said as he leaned down level to the quivering man, his head next to his so only he could hear what he was saying. He grabbed then Vernon by the hair to keep his focus when his eyes begin to roll back into his head. "Because if wasn't for her, I would have done much, much worse."

He punctuated his threat by slamming the man's head against the wall before releasing him. Vernon slumped forward, a whimpering mess that was begging for his life hoarsely.

Seeing him in that state only served to anger Naruto further and just as he was about to kick a downed man, he felt a pair of small arms enclose around tightly around him.

"Please stop," Harriett whispered into his back. "Please don't hurt him anymore."

Just like that, Naruto felt all his anger disappear, replaced with a cold sense of shame and despair for having no doubt scared her once again. He allowed himself to be pulled back two steps before selfishly turning around to hug her again, holding on tight in hopes she wouldn't leave him again.

"I'm sorry," Naruto murmured, shutting his eyes tightly to keep the tears back. "I did it again. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Harriett placed her hands on his cheeks, prompting him to open his eyes to her radiant smile. "I'm just glad you're here."

"Y-You're not scared?" Naruto didn't recognize the voice that came out of him.

"No," Harriett pulled him back into a hug, her head resting against his chest. "And I'm sorry. I never should've tried to ignore you back then. Not when you were looking after me."

"Yeah well, it's not like it wasn't my fault," Naruto said, feeling immensely relieved while also somehow guilty. "Will you forgive me for being an idiot?"

She pulled her head away from his chest with the most intense display of anger he'd ever witnessed from the otherwise meek girl.

"You're not an idiot," Harriett said softly, earnestly, and sternly all in one. "And you don't have to apologize. You did scare me that day, but you did it to protect me. If anything, I'm the one that should be sorry."

"No, I'm the one who lost it when I shouldn't have!" Naruto argued. "You're the one who has nothing to apologize for."

"But I ignored you when you tried to talk to me!" Harriett countered.

"Yeah, because I was being stupid and scared you!" Naruto responded.

"I already said you're not stupid, so don't call yourself that!" Harriett said with a huff.

She had released him from the hug, crossing her arms with a stern pout directed up at Naruto. He, in turn, with hands on his hips, frowned down at her. Both unaware of the giant watching the interaction with a look of confusion that bordered on amusement.

"Sometimes I am!" Naruto persisted.

"No you're not!" As did Harriett.

"Can't say I'm entirely sure of wha's going on 'ere," Hagrid interjected, placing a large hand atop both of their heads with a smile. "But it sounds ta me like yer both sorry. So why don't ya both just go and accept the other's apology?"

Naruto felt himself fluster at just how he was behaving, and if the pink on Harriett's cheeks were of any indication, she felt the same.

"I'm sorry for ignoring you, and I forgive you for scaring me," Harriett was first, moving out from the stranger's hand and back into the safety of Naruto's arms.

Naruto felt as though an immense weight was lifted from his shoulders, and from his heart at her forgiveness. The fear of rejection was ever present despite his optimism, but he could never suppress his anxiety at the possibility of never earning her it.

Now that he was given it, all he had to do was work on taking back her trust.

"And I'm sorry for scaring you, and I forgive you for ignoring me," Naruto said, hugging her as tightly as he could without hurting her.

"D'aww," Hagrid sniffled with a large smile as he moved to hug the two himself. "Warms me ol' 'eart to see ya care for each other so much!"

Naruto groaned feeling the man's grip on them tighten. He snaked his right arm beneath Hagrid's own and Harriett to push back and lessen the pressure on his friend.

After a few moments, Hagrid finally released them, finally allowing Naruto to breathe.

"Erm, who is he?" Harriett asked quietly, thumbing in the direction of the emotional giant, who was currently blowing his nose into a dirty old rag.

"That's Hagrid," Naruto said, cringing seeing the man wipe his eyes with the very same cloth.

"That's just rude," Harriett pouted at him again. "What's his real name?"

"No," Naruto softly poked her forehead. "I mean, his name really is Hagrid. Rubeus Hagrid, but he says everyone just calls him Hagrid. And he's here to, uh, I guess tell you about the wizarding world?"

"The what?" Harriett was clearly perplexed. "Wait, how did you even know where I was?"

"Ah," Naruto palmed the back of his head and turned to the gentle giant. "Heya Hagrid, mind explaining to Harriett what all this witch and wizard stuff's all about?"

"The what?" Harriett continuously looked between the two, appearing completely lost as to what they were referring to.

Hagrid's saddened expression quickly turned angry.

"Is it true ya don't know 'bout Hogwarts, or yer parent's?" He asked with scarcely restrained rage.

"Hogwarts?" Harriett repeated slowly, looking to Naruto for an explanation. "My parents? Naruto, what is he talking about?"

Naruto frowned and looked over to the sofa, where Dudley remained frozen in fear.

"Beat it!" He barked and watched the boy run to his equally frightened parents. He followed the chubby boy with his glare, doubling his ferocity at the adult Dursleys. The small family of three rushed into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind them. In the moments of heavy silence that followed, they could hear the screeching of furniture being pushed up against the door.

"Naruto, will you please tell me what's going on. What's a Hogwarts and what does it have to do with my parents?" Harriett asked.

"So it's true," Hagrid muttered angrily, but the way in which his shoulders sagged was telling. "Can't believe the nerve of those filthy… to keep 'er 'eritage a secret, 'ow absolutely despicable!"

"I know," Naruto agreed, taking ahold of his friend's hand. "Come on, let's sit down. There's a lot you don't know."

Harriett was clearly lost as to what was going on, but followed him regardless. Naruto lead her to the sofa where she took a seat. He took a moment to remove his soaked sweater, throwing it next to the fireplace with a wet flop.

He shivered in his thin shirt, also wet, before joining his friend on the sofa, wrapping both himself and her in the blanket Dudley had been using. She leaned into him despite his state of saturation, her large eyes looking into his own impatiently for an explanation.

"I need ta drink something warm fore we start," Hagrid said as he ignited the fire within the chimney with a wave of his umbrella, something noticed by Naruto but not by Harriett. He then began to dig through his coat, producing a silver kettle, a pair of chipped tea cups, and some sausages. "Bit peckish too."

They'd both turned down the offer of tea and sausage.

"Naruto, please tell me what's going on," Harriett repeated a little more forcefully this time. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Best if I explain," Hagrid said, taking a seat on the far end of the sofa beside them with a cup of tea in one hand, and the platter of sausages in the other. The old piece of furniture groaned and lurched in his direction. "Nou-ru-toe 'ere only jus found out 'e's a wizard 'imself."

"It's Naruto. Na-ru-to," Harriett corrected, scooting even closer to Naruto despite already being shoulder to shoulder in an effort to distance herself from the man. "And why are you calling him a wizard? Those aren't real."

"You know what a wizard is?" Naruto asked in surprise.

"Well, yes. I've read a couple of books with them in it," Harriett said, turning to regard Hagrid. "But they aren't real."

"Tha's where yer wrong, Harriett!" Hagrid interjected with a knowing smile. "Yer a witch yourself! Destined to be a good'un, at tha', given some time and teachin'. With a mum an' da like yers, there's no doubt in my mind 'bout tha! Hogwarts is a school tha' teaches witches an wizards like ye two 'ow to use magic!"

Naruto only offered the girl a smile when she turned to him, confusion returning to her face.

"If you're confused now, just wait till you read the letter," he said.

"Letter?" Harriett asked. "What letter?"

"Ah yes, the letter!" Hagrid reached into his coat, pulling the yellow envelope from within. "Bout time you read yours."

Naruto closely studied Harriett's face as it cycled through a mixture of wonder, shock, and finally, confusion. He understood because he felt the same way when he first read his own letter. From where he sat next to her, he could see she received the same letter as he, only it was addressed very specifically to where they were, down to where they found her on the floor.

It made little sense but then again, very little did as of late, especially when in regards to the wizarding world and what that all entailed.

"What does it mean when they say, they await my owl?" Harriett asked, her attention and question immediately going to Naruto.

"I uh, I don't know," Naruto smiled at her sheepishly, gently guiding her by the chin back to Hagrid. "Hagrid."

"Ah, tha' reminds me!" Hagrid said, reaching into his coat once more, he produced an owl.

"Oh come on!" Naruto exclaimed. "You can't possibly have that much space in there! That's a freaking bird!"

"Actually, it's an owl," Harriett corrected him.

"I know that, it's just — " Naruto poked her nose following a sigh. "Never mind. And why aren't you more surprised by this?"

Harriett could only shrug her shoulders, offering him a look that could only be described as feeble.

Though he knew he shouldn't have been too surprised, considering what he could do with seals. What really confused Naruto, was the fact the man made no indication he was actively using magic to hide and produce the ridiculous number of things he did.

"Tis a secret," Hagrid offered up cryptically and with a wink.

The giant man perched the owl on his shoulder as he reached into his coat again, this time pulling out a writing quill and a roll of parchment paper. Using his own large hand as a writing surface, he began to scribble something down. Once he was done, he gave the the letter to the owl and sent it out into the storm, placing the door back in place.

"Earlier you mentioned my parents," Harriett began quietly. "Did you know them?"

"Aye, I did," Hagrid said, taking his seat again with a look of forlorn. "Not many who didn't, granted. They were a nice couple, they were. You look like 'em, ya'know. More like yer mother with yer eyes, but I also see yer father when I look at yeh."

"I don't know much about them," Harriett continued in her reserved tone of voice, looking down to her hands in her lap. "They died in a car crash when I was little. I guess I don't really remember what they looked like, and I don't have any pictures."

Naruto wrapped an arm over his friend's shoulder and pulled her in close. He knew all too well the pain of an absent family. Though he was fortunate enough to be able to eventually meet his father, it was only briefly and in spirit, and he'd gone most of his life never knowing who they were, or if they loved him.

Much like Harriett.

"Car crash!" Hagrid bellowed out, standing to his feet once more, his head crashing loudly against the ceiling, he glared in the direction of the room the Dursleys were hiding in. "Is tha' what they told you? That they died in a car crash? There's no way a car crash could ever do in Lily and James Potter!"

Harriett flinched at his sudden outburst but took an immediate interest in his words.

"If they didn't… what happened to them?" Naruto asked, continuing to hold his friend.

Hagrid seemed reluctant to tell him much about Harriett before, not fully believing of his friendship with the girl. The only information he was offered up being that his friend was apparently famous in the wizarding world for reasons he would be told later.

"This isn't at all 'ow I expected our reunion to go, ya'know," Hagrid said, regarding Harriett alone. "I was the one who brought ya to the Dursleys. Now I'm certain Dumbledore 'ad 'is reasons, they are yer family, I suppose, but I never expected…"

The man trailed off into angry grumbles that quickly became intelligible.

"Hagrid, what happened to my parents?" Harriett asked again, almost sounding frustrated this time around.

Hagrid fell silent for a few fleeting moments.

"Not sure I'm the one to tell ya all this, but who else?" Hagrid released a long and sorrowful sigh as he once more slumped into the sofa, the wood groaning at the motion. "Suppose somebody's gotta tell ya 'bout them; can't go off to Hogwarts not knowing 'bout yerself."

"I'm here," Naruto reminded her in a whisper.

Harriett grabbed a hold of his hand but her full attention was on Hagrid.

"Better to start at the beginning, 'suppose. I just can't believe ya don't know nothing 'bout our world. Not even 'is name, everyone knows 'is name!" Hagrid began, almost as if he were talking to himself alone.

"Who's name?" Harriett asked curiously.

"I don't like sayin the name if I can 'help it. No one does," Hagrid continued to be illusive with his words. "With good reason, too."

"Why not?" Naruto asked. "Is it hard to pronounce?"

"Nothin' of the sort. Is jus' tha', well people are still scared by the name, mind ya'," Hagrid began tepidly.

Naruto wondered if Hagrid himself was one of those people. And if the sweat accumulating on his forehead was of any indication, he was, very much so.

"Could you at least write it down?" Harriett suggested, once more sounding impatient. "And what does this person have to do with my parents?"

"Can't spell it, and I'll get to tha', sadly," Hagrid inhaled deeply and exhaled just as deeply, his breath coming out ragged. "Voldemort. Tha's 'is name and I'll not repeat myself! Now, this 'orrid excuse for a wizard, 'bout twenty years ago now, started looking for followers. Somehow managed to get 'em, too. Some were afraid and some just wanted some of 'is power, and powerful 'e was."

Naruto began to feel apprehension grow within him as he listened to the man speak. Many a cautionary tale began in the pursuit of power. From Madara Uchiha, to Orochimaru; both were once revered Shinobi, but grew to be feared.

"Those were some dark days. No one knew who to trust, couldn't risk getting friendly with the wrong sort. Many terrible things 'appened in those days, and 'e was quickly taking over. Some stood up to 'im, but 'e killed most who did. One of the only safe places left at the time was Hogwarts. Figured Dumbledore was the only one You-Know-Who was o'fraid of," Hagrid said, taking a moment to catch his breath.

Naruto took the short reprieve to chin on his friend. Harriett's full attention remained on Hagrid, her expression near unreadable, but her hold on his hand tightened. It was a gesture he returned.

"Now," Hagrid continued, smiling ever so slightly. "Yer mum and da' were some of tha' best witches and wizards I ever did know. Head boy an' girl at Hogwarts in their day!"

"So my parents did go to Hogwarts?" Harriett asked.

"Aye. Like I've said before, they were some of the best, an' perhaps that's why he wanted so badly to turn 'em, or at least he wanted them outta the way when e' knew e' couldn't. All anyone knows is… well e' turned up in the village you were all living in on Halloween ten years ago. You was but a year old when e' came to yer house an' — " Hagrid began to tear up again.

Naruto could already see the unfortunate conclusion to the man's story. Harriett as well, he realized as her lower lip began to tremble and she was beginning to shed tears of her own.

Just like that day on the bus, he lifted her into his lap and held her tightly.

"Sorry 'bout tha'," Hagrid said, regarding the two. "I'm almost done, and you should know. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named killed 'em. An' then e' tried to kill you too, but e' couldn't do it. Tell me, 'aven't you ever wondered 'ow ya got tha' scar on yer forehead?"

Naruto had, ever since hearing about it. He gently pinched her chin and made her look up at him. Harriett was crying and that greatly saddened him, but he had to know. He parted her hair on her forehead.

"Don't, it's ugly," Harriett said as she tried to push his hands away without any real effort.

"It's not," Naruto said, inspecting the jagged scar. It was almost shaped in the basic rendition of a lightning bolt just below her hair line. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"It's ugly," Harriett insisted in a grumble.

"No," Naruto parted her hair further and gently thumbed the scar. "No it's not. I think it's actually kinda cute."

Harriett immediately flustered at his action and buried her face into his shoulder. Naruto himself felt embarrassed by his own actions, but was also relieved his slight misdirection worked. After all, it was hard to be sad when one was embarrassed.

Though it wasn't a lie.

"Ya don't really need to know the grizzly details but He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named tried to end ya too," Hagrid said, punctuated by a sniffle. "Failed, obviously. An' tha's what's so mysterious 'bout it all. Ya' see, no one ever survived his evil, no one, tha' is, 'sept for you."

"Harriett?" Naruto called her name in concern. He felt her flinch in his lap and saw her eyes shut in pain. "Harriett, you okay?"

"Took ya from the ruins of yer 'ouse me-self," Hagrid continued, unaware of what plagued Harriett. He wiped his face with his dirty rag to reveal something the face of an angry man. "Only to bring ya to the Dursleys, on Dumbledore's orders, no less. I knew muggles could be 'orrible people but the nerve of 'em!"

"I think that's enough for today," Naruto announced, garnering varying looks of confusion from both Hagrid and Harriett.

"But I have more questions," Harriett said following a sniffle.

"And I got more ta tell," Hagrid said.

"There'll be plenty of time for that tomorrow. Right now, it's your birthday!" Naruto smiled.

"You're right, lad!" Hagrid agreed, brightening up considerably.

"You remembered?" Harriett asked, looking up at him through a curtain of her hair with hope.

"Well yeah," Naruto, ruffling her hair gently. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Oh, well," Harriett didn't seem to know how to respond.

"Give me a moment, got something for ya, might 'ave sat on it, mind you, but should still taste the same," Hagrid said, reaching into his coat for a large white box that did indeed look crumpled in spots. He presented it proudly nevertheless. "Made it myself!"

Harriett accepted the box and when she opened it, she smiled. Naruto did as well as he looked at the cake. Some of the words were misspelled but he could see the care that was taken in crafting the cake.

Harriett began to tear up again.

"Wha's wrong?" Hagrid peeked in the box himself. "Didn't leave a print, did I? If I did, I'm sorry!"

"No," Harriett released something between a chuckle and a sob. "No, it's perfect. It's just that, well, I've never had a birthday cake before. Thank you, Hagrid."

"Oh, well," Hagrid's rosy red cheeks were elevated by a grin that seemed to light up the entire room. "Yer very welcome. Na-rue-two got yer somethin' too!"

"It's — " Harriett began but was interrupted by Naruto.

"Okay," Naruto interjected with a sheepish smile. "I've tried, so don't worry about it. Here, I hope you like it."

He presented to her his own gift, in a small brown box, wrapped to the best of his abilities with a small red bow.

"You got me something?" Harriett asked as she accepted the present.

"Is it that surprising?" Naruto chuckled, though he was admittedly feeling dejected at her disbelief, even if not completely unwarranted.

"I didn't mean it like that!" Harriett was quick to pick up on his feelings. "It's just that, well, I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again when I saw that sign outside your home."

"Sign?" Naruto was confused. "What sign?"

"The one that says your home's up for lease," Harriett clarified.

Naruto felt his confusion quickly turn to anger at the revelation.

Had Jiraiya never intended on returning?

Before jumping to any further conclusions or allowing anger to flood his thoughts, Naruto decided to wait until he next spoke with his godfather. There would, however, be hard feelings if what he suspected turned out to be true.

"Never mind that," Naruto said, shaking his head. "Go ahead and open it. It's not much 'cause I didn't have a lot of money, but I hope you'll like it."

He watched with great anticipation as Harriett opened his gift for her, the small box revealing a necklace much like the one Tsunade had once gifted him. He and Hagrid had stumbled upon a local market while looking for directions and he couldn't help himself.

The seller was an elder woman, one much more advanced in age than even Janice. She was selling an assortment of rocks and crystals, some laced into bracelets and necklaces, with others placed into rings and earrings; others sold as simple stones. And amongst her best sets was a collection of emeralds.

They also happened to be the most expensive.

Naruto was presented with a moral quandary, one which almost had him stretching his shinobi legs by simply taking what he wanted. But in the end, his pesky conscience would not allow him to steal from such an elder woman, especially if it was to be a gift to his best friend.

He was relieved he'd listened to his aforementioned conscience because the woman, who it seemed noticed his interest in a particular emerald. It was square in shape, with intricate lines that whirl-pooled in to the center, accentuated by miniature rivers a deeper shade of green that followed the pattern to the middle.

The woman offered him the emerald in exchange for whatever he was able to pay. She even offered to convert the gem to a necklace with the remnants of the lace Naruto kept with him from Tsunade's own gift.

He paid the woman with the last of his tapered allowance, never knowing whether or not the emerald was even real. There was just something about it that drew Naruto to it. Perhaps it was because it reminded him of home, or perhaps it was because conjured pleasant thoughts of his friend, and her eyes. Whatever the case, he hoped dearly she would like it.

"It's beautiful," Harriett said in awe. She held the necklace in her hand, allowing the emerald to fall and swing by the lace as she inspected it in the low light of the fireplace. Her identically colored eyes found his again, tears pooling them once more. "You got this for me?"

"Uh, yeah. Did you… I mean, uh, do you… ha," Naruto felt butterflies swirling in his belly as he cleared his throat unnecessarily. "Do you like it?"

Her answer came in the form of a crushing hug and muffled thanks.

Naruto hugged her back, feeling an immense joy surge through him at her own happiness. He couldn't recall ever feeling so plain happy than he did in that moment.

"Let me help you with that," Naruto said after they finally parted. He took the necklace from her while Harriett turned around and held her own hair with one hand. He placed it around her and clasped it shut.

It fit well. Naruto's smile grew larger seeing her palm the emerald with a brimming smile of her own. She turned back and immediately hugged him again.

"I love it," she whispered. "Thank you so very much, Naruto."

"You're welcome, and happy birthday, Harriett," Naruto said, holding her with one hand, the other holding the back of his head, his face feeling very much warm all of the sudden.

"Well then, I think we've all 'ad quite the day," Hagrid announced with a thunderous clap. "We can 'ave a little cake and then get some shut eye. Gotta big day tomorrow."

"What are we doing tomorrow?" Harriett asked.

"Why bettering yer supplies for Hogwarts, o'course!" Suddenly, Hagrid appeared concerned. "Ya are planning on going to Hogwarts, aint'cha?"

Harriett turned her large eyes to Naruto.

"Will you be going?"

Naruto didn't have a simple answer to that. Convincing his godfather to allow him to attend a school separated from the world they knew would not be easy. But neither was he willing to part way with his friend anymore.

"That depends. Do you want to go?" He asked.

Harriett blinked a few times, looking thoughtful before determination colored her expression.

"My parents went to Hogwarts and I feel like I should too. Maybe I'll learn more about them there," she said.

"Then I'm going too," Naruto said.

Once more, Naruto was treated with a brilliant, dimpled smile from his friend. He knew then he knew he was resolute in his decision.

He wanted to protect and preserve that beautiful smile of hers, no matter what.

"Right then!" Hagrid chortled as he cut into the cake with a knife he didn't have earlier. Though it did appear clean. "We'll go to Diagon Alley, first thing tomorrow mornin'!"

After a late dinner of cake and tea, they fell asleep.

---

Harriett woke up feeling warm and very comfortable. For a moment, this confused her. Her bed wasn't very comfortable and the Dursleys, her uncle more specifically, liked to keep his home cold. That's when she remembered she was not in her cousin's old toy room. They were currently in a rundown shack, on an island, trying to escape a bevy of mysterious letters.

Her eyes snapped opened, looking up to find her face mere inches from Naruto's own sleeping own, and felt her heart swell in joy.

So it hadn't been a dream.

Naruto had really come for her, bringing with him a giant with news of another world entirely. One of witches, wizards, and magic.

She turned her head to find Hagrid was still asleep, with his right hand supporting his massive head, leaning against the arm rest of the sofa they all shared. Beneath his open mouth was a puddle of drool, and yet, the giant man scarcely made a sound.

In fact, the light snoring she was hearing was coming from Naruto.

Harriett giggled silently to herself at his relaxed expression, his mouth slightly opened, drooling lightly himself. She was about to wake him when a thought occurred to her. His face was very, very close to her own, and that made her belly warm, but her attention was on the whisker-like marks on his cheeks.

She always wondered how Naruto had gotten his whiskers but she could never find the courage to ask, figuring he might have received them in an accident, much like how she once thought to have gotten her own scar.

She would ask him when the time was right, but she was determined to satiate another of her curiosities, and that was to know how they felt.

Carefully, she pulled her arm free from beneath the blanket they shared; realizing Naruto had a tight hold of her. In fact, both of of his arms were wrapped around her, holding her tightly against him much in the way a child would hold their favorite stuffed animal.

Slowly and tentatively, she freed her arm enough to place her hand against his cheek, immediately pulling back at his sudden sharp inhale. Harriett waited with bated breath, releasing it once he resumed his own regular breathing. Once she was certain he was still sleeping, she tried again.

Harriett trailed her thumb against one of his whiskers and was surprised by how they felt. Each one of his markings were indented against his skin, yet somehow protruding and soft. She continued to feel them, finding she liked the way they felt against her fingers, until he spoke.

"Having fun?"

Harriett blinked once and looked up to find her friend regarding her with a sleepy grin and slightly reddened cheeks. With a jump, she pulled her hand back, as if scalded.

"Sorry! I just wanted to see how they felt! I… I didn't mean to wake you," she said.

"It's okay," Naruto said through a yawn while also gently palming her head. "Been up for a couple of minutes anyways. Just resting my eyes."

Harriett felt her face burn at the realization he'd been awake long enough to realize she was touching his face. And quite extensively at that.

"I… I…" before she could embarrass herself any further, there was a sudden and insistent tap at the window.

"Looks like Hagrid's owl," Naruto said, releasing his hold on her.

She jumped out of the sofa to let the owl in. The moment she did the owl flew inside, flying as high as the low ceiling would allow to drop its package. Both she and Naruto watched as the newspaper soared through the air briefly, before smacking Hagrid in the face, and yet he did not stir. Not even when the owl landed on his shoulder and began to lightly peck at his head.

Naruto chuckled at the sight until she looked at him with a stern expression, earning a lazy apology in return. To Harriett, he didn't sound very sorry, but she was also currently fighting back a smile at the sight.

"Five knuts," Hagrid groaned out once the owl's pecks became more forceful. He reached into his coat pulled out a pinch of coins, dropping five bronze coins into the small leather pouch tied to the owl's leg.

With what was either a departing or vindictive final peck, the owl hooted and flew right back out the window, into what remained of the dark night.

"So, they work for money?" Naruto asked.

"Aye, most do," Hagrid said with a yawn, stretching his arms out over his head as best he could considering his height.

The giant's actions pulled a yawn from Naruto, who in turn, looked to Harriett mid-yawn, forcing one out of her as well. She pouted at him after she was done, only for him to wiggle his eyebrows at her with a grin, drawing a giggle from her.

"Well," Hagrid stood with a groan as he once again bumped his head on the ceiling, much more lightly that time around. "We best get a move on, then. Got a long day ahead of us. Gotta get yer school supplies an all tha'."

Harriett felt her stomach drop at the mention of money, as she had none.

"Hagrid," she began nervously.

Hagrid hummed his acknowledgment.

"I don't have any money," she admitted. "And I don't think the Dursleys'll pay for me to learn magic."

"Ah, don't worry 'bout tha'," Hagrid said as he continued to stretch, the settling of his bones sounding like branches snapping. "Yer parent's left ya some money. All's we gotta do is go get it from Gringotts. It's a wizard's bank."

"A bank for wizards?" Harriett asked.

"Tha's right, and it's run by goblins," Hagrid said.

"What're goblins?" Naruto asked.

"You'll be findin' out soon enough. Gotta convert yer money to ours so you can buy yer stuff too," Hagrid said. "We'll do that while we're there to get Harriett's."

This time, it was Naruto who became visibly troubled.

"What's wrong?" Harriett asked him.

"How much is everything going to cost?" Naruto asked, regarding Hagrid. He did place a hand on her shoulder to show he wasn't outright ignoring her.

"What'cha mean?" Hagrid asked.

"I mean, how much is everything I'm gonna need to go to Hogwarts, gonna cost?" Naruto asked.

"Well," Hagrid seemed to consider the question seriously. "Going to Hogwarts is free, ya just gotta buy yer own supplies."

"Which would be?" Naruto was beginning to sound frustrated.

"Can't say for sure," Hagrid said with a shrug of his large shoulders. "Aven't bought any school supplies in a very long time."

"Why do you ask, Naruto?" Harriett asked, although she had an inkling as to what he was getting at, and it was worrying her.

"I'm kinda out of money right now," Naruto finally admitted, sounding very much reluctant to do so. "I'm sure I could get it eventually, but I kinda spent the last of my money on…"

"On me?" Harriett concluded, holding the beautiful necklace he'd given her tightly in her hand.

"Ah, well, yeah, but I don't regret it!" Naruto was quick to clarify. "I just need to talk to the old man to get some money. I might not be able to join you today, though."

Harriett felt herself panic slightly at his words. Hagrid seemed kind enough, and he even said to have know her parents, but she wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of being alone with the giant.

More importantly, she didn't want to be separated from Naruto; not when they had just reunited and reconciled.

"I'll pay for your things!" Harriett exclaimed, turning to Hagrid. "You said my parents left me money. Do you think they left enough to cover both of our things?"

"Tha' and much more!" Hagrid said with a smile.

"Harriett, I can't make you do that," Naruto said.

"No one's making me do anything, Naruto," Harriett said, offering him a small smile. "I want to help you. You've done a lot for me already; I think it's only fair."

"I didn't do all that just to have you pay me back," Naruto tried to argue.

"I know, but I want to help you," Harriett said. She grabbed both his hands, looking up into his eyes. "So please, Naruto, let me help you this time."

"I…"

Harriett squeezed his hands, looking further into the blues of his eyes.

"Fine," Naruto relented with a sigh, despite appearing ready to argue further. "But I'm gonna pay you back when I can."

"You really don't have to," Harriett said, letting go of his hands.

"I know, but I want to," Naruto said.

"Naruto!" Harriett huffed. "I already said you don't have to."

"And I already said I want to," Naruto argued back.

"If you want to pay me back, then you can do it another way," Harriett said, finding an out before they argued again.

"In what way?" Naruto asked.

Harriett hesitated in what she was going to say, looking over her shoulder to find Hagrid watching them with a wise grin splitting his face. Suddenly, feeling very aware of the man's presence, she pulled Naruto close to her, resting her head on his shoulder.

"If you want to pay me back, promise you'll never leave again," she finished in a whisper.

Harriett was briefly concerned she was asking too much of him when she felt him stiffen, but the nasty feeling was immediately washed away by relief when he hugged her back.

"I already said going anywhere anymore," Naruto said just as softly. "I promised, too. So I'm sorry, but you're not gonna get rid of me that easily."

After a breakfast in which Naruto and Hagrid both helped themselves to what little the Dursleys packed, or what little Dudley hadn't yet eaten, they set off.

The storm had since cleared and the sun was shining bright in the sky above. Still, the water was choppy, waves slapping the rocks while also roughly rocking the two small boats docked at the rickety old pier.

Harriett watched both Naruto as he attempted to skip rocks, only to be foiled by the incoming waves, and Hagrid as he readied the boat, picking it up with ease to drain the water within. As she observed both boys, she realized neither seemed as nervous as she to journey out into the ocean.

She'd been too caught up in her own emotions the night before to even consider this, but now, in the light of the day, Harriett could feel a weight growing in the pit of her belly.

"Uhm, Naruto?" Harriett began.

"Yeah?" Naruto looked frustrated with his lack of progress and threw the rock he'd been holding off into the distance.

Harriett watched as it shoot out of his hand, disappeared over the horizon.

"Oh shi — shoot. I really hope there's nothing in that direction," Naruto muttered while palming the back of his head, turning to her. "What's wrong?"

She must have looked nervous.

"Are we all supposed to fit into one boat, or are we taking separate boats?" Harriett asked.

"We'll be taking one," Hagrid chimed in, stepping into the boat, which somehow remained just as buoyant despite the large man's weight.

"They're surprisingly sturdy," Naruto said. "But don't worry. If we didn't sink last night in the storm, we'll definitely be fine now."

"If you say so," Harriett said, not all together feeling convinced. She didn't necessarily fear the water, but neither could she swim and that was an embarrassing fact she wasn't willing to admit then and there. If she fell in, she would be in trouble.

"Do you want help getting in?" Naruto asked sympathetically. "I'll make sure you don't fall. Trust me, I can walk on water!"

Harriett felt much of her worry dissipating at his joke, his infectious grin, and his sheer confidence.

"I would like that, please," she agreed.

"Hold the boat, Hagrid!" Naruto said as he approached.

"Aye, lad!" Hagrid said, taking hold of the pier to steady the boat.

Harriett had not exactly been expecting Naruto to outright pick her up, especially not in the way a prince would a princess in the books she had read. The thought brought upon a feeling of warmth to her cheeks as he carried her onto the boat with no signs of a struggle.

Naruto was very strong, Harriett thought.

"Thanks, Hagrid," Naruto said as he took a seat only the only free of the two benches on the boat.

"Erm, Naruto?" Harriett began shyly.

He hummed his acknowledgment.

"You can let me down now," Harriett muttered.

"Ah, sorry!" Naruto apologized as he sat her down next to him on the wet bench.

"It's okay, I just don't want to burden you," Harriett tried to explain.

"I get it," Naruto said, looking out into the distance.

Harriett was relieved to see that he didn't appear to be angry or offended, but there was something she could't quite place on his face. Similarly, she was unsure of just why she was suddenly feeling weird by the contact.

She wasn't given much time to consider it because the boat lurched forward as Hagrid kicked off.

"Not supposed to use magic, Na-roo-too knows this, but I'd be much obliged if ya didn't say nothing at Hogwarts," Hagrid said conspiratorially as he pulled out his umbrella.

"Of course," Harriett agreed, staring at Naruto with a barely restrained grin.

"Eh, he's getting closer," Naruto said with a shrug.

Harriett giggled at this.

"Off we go then!" Hagrid announced, waving his pink umbrella while uttering a few words.

Harriett was amazed to feel the boat lurch forward, seemingly on its own.

They used the short trip back to land to make up for lost time, both talking quietly amongst themselves about what had transpired in their time apart while Hagrid read his paper. Though Harriett made sure to keep the specifics of her punishments to a minimum.

Soon, they reached the harbor.

Now on land, they followed after Hagrid. The man was a sight to behold as he towered over every passerby that stopped to stare, and yet he didn't at all seem to mind as he and Naruto discussed the farm animals he tended to.

Their trip took them to London, a place Harriett always wanted to visit. It seemed Hagrid knew where he was going, Naruto as well. If anything, he seemed to know more than Hagrid, taking to explain what something was, and what it did every time the giant pointed it out.

It was quiet hilarious hearing Naruto's frustration build at Hagrid's insistent questions regarding a phone booth.

"So what yer sayin' is tha' you don't know 'ow it works?" Hagrid said.

"Yeah well, why don't you tell me how magic works, huh?" Naruto argued back. "What made the boat move earlier?"

They were currently on the train, in the underground. People around them gave them a wide berth but neither of the two seemed to notice, or care as their back and forth continued.

"Magic," Hagrid said.

"Yeah, but how specifically," Naruto stressed. "Like, how does magic work to make a boat move by itself?"

"It just does," Hagrid stated plainly.

"See! You don't know either," Naruto said with arms crossed.

"Course I do!" Hagrid looked proud of himself. "Jus' told ya, didn't I?"

"You sure didn't," Naruto muttered.

Harriett giggled at them.

After leaving the train, and just as Harriett's feet were beginning to hurt, Hagrid came to an abrupt stop near a wall on a street like any other. Naruto, who appeared to have been lost in a world of his own, continued walking on a stretch before realizing they had stopped and jogged back to them.

"Thanks for telling me," he pouted at her.

"S-Sorry," Harriett muttered sheepishly, but she knew he wasn't really mad, and that made her happy.

Naruto ruffled her hair softly in return.

"This is it!" Hagrid announced. "This is the one an only Leaky Cauldron! This place is right famous, it is!"

Harriett could not understand why. It was a small pub that, if anything, appeared to be much older than the surrounding buildings. Aside from that feature, the pub didn't stand out otherwise. In fact, as she continue to observe the building, it seemed as though no one walking by seemed to acknowledge the existence of the establishments, or them, for that matter.

Not a single person turned to Hagrid, who before was the center of attention every where they went. This fact didn't change when they entered the pub. Not a single person turned to acknowledge the giant and the two children who had just entered.

"So this is it huh?" Naruto also appeared unimpressed by what he was seeing. "Looks like sh… like such a dirty old place."

Harriett had a sneaking suspicion that Naruto intended to say something else.

"The usual, Hagrid?" The bartender asked upon their approach. He was an older man with eyes narrowed so much, it was a wonder he could see anything.

"I'm afraid I can't today, Tom. On Hogwarts business," Hagrid stated proudly while indicating towards her.

"My word," the bartender peered over the bar to look at her, his eyes finally showing themselves to be dark brown. "Is that… can it be? Is she Harriett Potter."

Suddenly, the indiscernible conversations that had been taking place in the back came to a complete stop.

Before Harriett could fully process what was happening, the bartender rushed around from behind the bar, making his way to her. But he didn't get very far. Naruto was before her in an instant, one hand on firm but gently on her arm, the other on the man's chest, placing an immediate halt to his advance.

"Back off," Naruto warned calmly, before pushing the man back, sending him stumbling onto his bottom.

"Careful now, lad," Hagrid said sternly as he moved to help the man up. "Tha' bastard Vernon may 'ave deserved it, but Tom's a good man."

"I don't care," Naruto was unflinching beneath the giant man's stare. "I'm not letting some old creep get near her. Or anyone else for that matter." He spoke the final sentence much louder, briefly glancing the room.

That's when Harriett realized those previously seated were now on their feet, much closer to them than before. She drew closer to Naruto, feeling conflicted. On one hand, she was touched by how willing he was to protect her. On the other; she didn't want him to attack everyone who approached her.

"Erm, Naruto," Harriett struggled to find her voice, and her courage. "I don't really mind meeting with other people.

Naruto remained vigilant, his eyes darting all around.

"Fine, but remember to be careful," he relented, before lowing his voice. "Everyone here's a stranger and you can't trust any of them."'

"I — " Harriett hadn't all together considered that. It was becoming glaringly apparent she and Naruto were about to embark into a world neither were familiar with. Yet that world seemed to know her. "I will. Thank you."

Naruto nodded but he didn't seem to relax.

"Sorry bout that, old man," he said. "I'm just trying to make sure no one ever hurts her."

"I would never!" The man sputtered. "Not the great Harriett Potter! The Girl Who Lived!"

Naruto once again stood between her and the man, who's hand was out, ready to shake her own.

"No touching," he warned.

"O-Oh, well, it's very nice to finally meet you, Ms. Potter, an honor, really," the bartender said, bowing his head.

With that, the entirety of the pub erupted into chaos. Chairs screeched and crashed against the floor as the entire patronage scram led to meet her.

"I said no touching!"

Harriett retreated behind Naruto as she was swarmed by many, all showering her with their greetings.

"Welcome back, Ms. Potter, welcome back!"

Naruto seemed to be struggling to hold the amassed crowd back and every once in a while, a hand would slip by his defense. She tepidly shook the offered hand, offering the owner her best attempt at a smile before her friend would eventually push them back.

"Doris Crockford, Ms. Potter, can't believe I'm meeting you at last!"

"So proud, Ms. Potter, just can't tell you, Diggle's the name, Daedalus Diggle!"

"I've seen you before," Harriett said, recalling the man's oversized top hat. "You bowed to me once, in a shop."

"She remembers me!" Diggle cried happily. "Do you hear that everyone, she remembers me!"

"Okay, this is getting weird," she heard Naruto say over the bustle of the crowd, and she was inclined to agree. "Hagrid, isn't there somewhere we need to be?"

"Yer right, lad," Hagrid agreed. "Alright then, folks, we need to get going!"

There was a collective groan shared by those who gathered, but they seemed to respect the giant man's request and soon began dispersing back to their places.

"I guess you really are famous," Naruto said, looking at her her with an exasperated expression.

Harriett smiled behind her hand at his appearance. In the commotion, his hair had become even more disheveled than usual, and one of his sleeves was rolled up past his elbow.

"I still can't believe it," she admitted, finally moving her hand to show him her smile. "I don't feel very famous."

"P-P-Potter."

A pale man approached them, appearing very nervous for reasons she couldn't fathom. His hands were clasped together at his chest, fingers dancing anxiously together; eyes darting around the room when they weren't on her, or twitching. He wore a tall robe that seemed to encompass his entire body, with a long purple turban that carried out its purpose effectively.

A glance in her friend's direction revealed all his attention was on the man, his expression indiscernible.

"Professor Quirrell!" Hagrid greeted the man boisterously. "Harriett, Nay-row-two, this 'ere's Professor Quirrell, one of yer teachers this year at Hogwarts!"

"M-Ms. P-Potter, it is n-nice t-t-to f-finally meet y-you," he said, grabbing a hold of her hand from its place at her side. It was cold and clammy.

"What sort of magic do you teach, Professor Quirrell?" Harriett asked, trying to ignore the gross, clammy cold feeling of his hand.

She hoped he hand't seen her wipe it on her pants.

"D-Defense Against the D-D-Dark Arts," Professor Quirrell muttered, his entire body shivering once as he said it. "N-Not that you'd n-need it, eh, P-P-Potter?"

Harriett was unsure of what that was supposed to mean, but she didn't give it much thought because Naruto abruptly cleared his throat. It was then she noticed her friend looked angry. His ire was specifically directed at the Professor.

Professor Quirrell seemed to take notice of this as well, because he flinched, taking a couple of steps back. His hands were clasped at his chest again, eyes cast downward.

"A-Anyway, I'm m-must be going now. I've g-got to p-pick up a new book on v-v-vampires, m-myself," with that, the man scurried away while continuously glancing over his shoulder. However, unlike that of the others, his attention was not on her, but rather Naruto, who only returned the man's stare.

"Naruto?" Harriett began inquisitively. "What's wrong?"

His shifty behavior aside, Professor Quirrell seemed harmless enough.

"What's wrong with that guy?" Naruto asked, directing his own question to their giant guide instead of answering hers.

"Not in 'ere," Hagrid said, motioning them to follow after him.

He led them through the bar and out into a small courtyard where there was nothing but a trash bin and two abnormally large rats hissing at one another atop it.

"Told yeh, didn't I? Told yeh you was famous. Even Professor Quirrell was tremblin' to meet'cha," Hagrid offered a husky chortle. "Mind ya, he's usually tremblin'."

"Why is that?" Naruto asked again. "He almost seemed…scared."

"Yeah well, yer right good at tha', lad," Hagrid said with a shrug. "An e' was jus' fine not too long ago. Then he took a year off her get some 'ands on experience; they say he met with vampires in the Black Forest, maybe even 'ad a nasty run in with an 'ag. Never been the same since, the poor bloke. Scared of the students, scared of his own subject, prolly scared of 'is own shadow, if the time a day's right."

"Vampires?" Naruto muttered to himself.

Harriett's head was abuzz with the possibilities. If witches and wizards were real, and it appeared as though they were, then was it possible that so were vampires? The very idea unsettled her.

"Three up, two across," Hagrid muttered to himself as he tapped the wall three times with his umbrella. "Tha' should do it; stand back you two, an watch closely!"

To her astonishment, the bricks Hagrid touched began to rattle before giving way to a small whole, which itself quickly expanded. Before her very eyes, Harriett was seeing an archway tall enough for even the giant Hagrid to easily pass beneath. It led onto a cobbled street bustling with activity.

"Was that…" Naruto trailed off, seemingly as surprised as she.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley!" Hagrid announced.

She was absolutely amazed by what she saw. The entire street was lined with shops various in nature, but none of which were remotely recognizable to her. The nearest had a display of cauldrons, big and small alike, while another had what almost looked like a yard sale taking place outside, only she couldn't make heads nor tails of what they were selling.

There were also shops selling owls, robes, and one that advertised broomsticks of all things. The latter seemed particularly popular for reasons beyond her understanding, but followed closely by the sights, the smell caught her attention. The breeze carried with it the pleasant smell of food, and then the feint smell of mold. Peculiar, but not altogether unpleasant.

Then she realized just how bustling the alley truly was, like a flowing sea of pointed hats and dark robes, and people dressed very much like she and Naruto fumbling about in between. It was a wonder just how something so marvelous could be hidden in plain sight.

"Woah, it's gone."

Speaking of, Harriett turned to find her friend dragging his hands along the solid stone wall that reappeared behind them. He even slapped it a few times but the wall reminded as it was.

"Magic?" She offered her friend to accompany the hapless shrug.

Naruto sighed at this explanation and grabbed hold of her hand as they took to following behind Hagrid again, taking in the sights all the while. Harriett was content with this but it seemed Naruto was not.

In something of a reversal of roles, Naruto would point out and ask about things he found interesting. Hagrid, in turn, would only offer up brief explanations as to what they were seeing, and sometimes what they did, but otherwise constantly reminded them of their impending task.

"There it is!" Hagrid announced as he pointed out the largest establishment in the area. "Gringotts!"

But both she and Naruto had become entranced by the moving image of a newspaper a nearby man was reading. The grinning face of a local pumpkin farmer was displayed on the print, standing next to a pumpkin twice his size, slapping it proudly every few seconds.

"They have moving pictures!" Harriett said, looking to Naruto. "How do you reckon they do that?"

"You know what," Naruto said, looking back to her. "I think it's best if we just go along with all of this for now. I might go crazy if I try and figure it out."

"So I guess magic it is then?" Harriett asked and was proud to pull a chuckle from him at her jest.

"Erm, kids," Hagrid waved his large hands for their attention. "Gringotts. Ya see, right there."

Gringotts was a massive snow white building that towered over all the other shops. Posted outside twin bronze doors, wearing a red uniform with gold trimmings, was a creature Harriett could only guess was a monster of sorts.

"I know I said I wasn't going to question anything, but uh, what the hell is that thing?" Naruto asked in a whisper.

The creature was short and had a rough leather like pointed face, pointed ears, and a large nose. Its hair was long, dark, and scraggly, with an equally pointed beard beneath a row of bared sharpened yellowed teeth.

Harriett held onto Naruto's hand tighter and leaned against him with the short creature glared in their direction.

"Tha's a goblin," Hagrid said in a whisper that was not at all very quiet.

Despite the goblin's nasty glower, it bowed to them as they entered the bank, finding inside yet another door, this one silver in make, with words engraved onto them.

---

Enter Stranger but take heed,

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn,

So if you seek beneath our floors,

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned,

Beware of finding more than treasure there,

---

"Told ya," Hagrid grinned. "Only a mad man would try an steal from Gringotts!"

"Yeah, but that kinda makes me want to try now," Naruto whispered beside her.

"Naruto!" Harriett pulled at his hand, bringing his attention to her. "You can't be serious? You wouldn't do that, would you? Steal, I mean."

"What, me? Of course not!" Naruto finished with a laugh and an accompanying grin that did absolutely nothing to convince her of his innocence. "I was just kidding."

Harriett wanted to point out the clear mischief in his eyes but decided against her accusations in the presence of the goblins. With such large ears, she would't doubt their hearing.

Semi-satisfied with her friend's response, Harriett settled for squeezing his hand firmly, offering him her best a attempt at a stern, warning expression. Once more, the growing of his grin did little to reassure her of the effectiveness of her effort.

They found themselves in a very large room next, seemingly larger than the building had any right to be, with about a hundred more globulins lining the long marble counter. They were seated on high stools, some scribbling away on large ledgers with audible scrapes, while others weighed coins on brass scales, and there were even a few that were examining precious stones through eyeglasses.

"Morning," Hagrid greeted one of the free goblins. "We've come to take some money outta Ms. Harriett Potter's safe."

"Do you have a key, sir?" The goblin drawled without looking up from his book.

It would seem her name carried no weight with the goblins.

"O'course. Got it in with me somewhere," Hagrid muttered as he clambered through his coat. Finally, and after spilling an absurd amount of oddities, he produced a tiny golden key.

The goblin scrutinized it closely.

"That seems to be in order," the goblin groused.

"Why would..." Naruto muttered something to himself but what, Harriett couldn't tell.

"I also got a letter right 'ere from Professor Dumbledore 'imself!" Hagrid stated proudly while presenting the letter as well. "It's about the you-know-what in vault seven hundred and thirteen."

The goblin pulled out a pair of glasses from his coat pocket and began to read the letter.

"Very well," he said, handing it back to Hagrid. "I will have someone take you down to both vaults. Griphook!" He shouted before turning his attention to Naruto. "And you, boy? What business have you with us today?"

"I'm, uh, I'm with her," Naruto said, holding up their intertwined hands.

The goblin looked between the two, an unreadable expression. Harriett tried her best not to evade his piercing glare, and for a moment, she feared the creature wouldn't allow Naruto to join them.

"Very well," he said.

She released a breathe of relief.

"So, what's this big secret mission?" Naruto asked Hagrid as they waited for whoever Griphook was.

"Sorry, lad. Can't tell ya," Hagrid stated defensively and with an accompanying, and slightly exaggerated, shake of his head. "Nothing against ya, o'course, but Professor Dumbledore trusted me with this. More'n my job's worth to tell ya."

"I get it," Naruto said before leaning down to Harriett to whisper. "I'm gonna find out what it is."

"Naruto," Harriett whispered back in warning. "Please don't."

His only response was to wink at her.

Finally, another angry looking goblin arrived and briefly introduced himself as Griphook. He interrupted Hagrid's own introduction to becket them through one of many doors. The environment quickly changed from what one would expect of a bank, albeit a magical one administered by goblins, to a cavernous dungeon of sorts.

At the center a set of railway tracks.

"There's no way this all fits in this place," Naruto observed, his voice echoing out into the darkness.

Harriett looked at him.

"Magic, yeah, I know," he cut her off flatly before she could say it.

Griphook whistled loudly, summoning a rather small mining cart from the depths of the dark. Their goblin guide proceeded to jump inside with relative ease, before turning to them with a grumpy yet expectant look.

"Get in," Griphook croaked.

"Can't stand these blasted things," Hagrid grumbled as he clambered into the cart.

To her surprise, the cart didn't even budge beneath the large man's weight.

"I'll get in first," Naruto said and also easily vaulted into the cart. "Come on."

Harriett was hoisted into the cart by her friend with no visible effort.

"Thank you," she muttered shyly.

"No problem, but hold on to me, just in case. This doesn't really feel safe," Naruto advised as he positioned himself into the corner of the cart.

Before Harriett could, Griphook whistled again, making her fall back into Naruto.

"Careful," Naruto said, holding her steady. "Some warning would have been nice!" He finished by griping at the goblin, who snarled at him in turn.

"S-Sorry," Harriett felt the need apologize, even though she knew what he said was not meant to be reprimanding.

She was extremely grateful for Naruto's support as the track began to twist and turn sharply, even dropping into an even larger cave system. Along ride, they even passed a massive lake where she saw large mounds either stalactites or stalagmites growing from both the ground and the ceiling.

Harriett could never tell the difference. She was about to ask Hagrid but found he was hunched forward, with both his large hands gripping either side of the cart with white knuckles. She didn't think the gentle giant capable of being afraid of anything as he was, after all, a giant.

"Naruto, do you know what the know what the difference is between stalactites and stalagmites are?" Harriett asked over the rush of the wheels on the track and the wind.

When he didn't answer her immediately, she turned to look at him and was mortified to see his entire face was engulfed by her hair. She quickly twisted her hair into a tail and held it just as the cart came to a screeching stop.

"We're here," Griphook announced.

Naruto opened his eyes, blinking a few times, and regarded her with a look of general confusion.

"I have no clue what either of those things are," he admitted with a sheepish smile.

Harriett couldn't help but smile and giggle at his response, prompting further confusion from her friend.

"What?" Naruto asked cluelessly.

"Help me out, will you?" Harriett asked.

Naruto blinked again, slowly, before relenting with a shrug. He hopped out of the cart and helped her out, setting her down next to Hagrid, who looked green in the face as he leaned against one of the vault walls.

"You okay there, Hagrid?" Naruto asked.

Hagrid's response was a groan and an index finger held up, silently requesting a moment to gather his composure.

Griphook waddled to the vault door and unlocked it. As soon as he did so, a massive plume of odorless green smoke erupted from within, momentarily obscuring the contents within. When it finally cleared, both she and Naruto gasped at what they saw inside.

"Holy shit!"

"Language!"

"Sorry," Naruto finished with a sheepish chuckle.

Meanwhile, Harriett was transfixed by the mounds of glimmering golden coins, columns of silver nearly ceiling high, and the heaps of the bronze Knots Hagrid had used to pay the owl with earlier. She almost couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"All yours," Hagrid said with a large smile to match a man of his stature. "What yer parents left for ya."

"All mine?" Harriett repeated to herself while doing something she'd done often before, only this time in a new light. She wondered exactly what kind of people her parents must have been to have such wealth.

"Rich and famous," Naruto said with a whistle. "Cute too. There something you wanna add?"

Harriett could feel herself fluster again at his praise. Like she'd said before, she did not feel very famous, and could not believe just how much money her parents had left for her. Neither did she think she was cute, no matter how many times he said so.

"Stop saying that," she muttered shyly. "I'm not cute.

Naruto continued to smile at her confidently, and that spoke volumes of his opinion.

Didn't he realize how embarrassing it was?

Too embarrassed to face him further, Harriett asked Hagrid to fill two sacks with what he thought they would need to buy their supplies, and maybe some food. She was getting hungry.

Naruto, of course, was reluctant to accept her help despite having already agreed, and so they found themselves in the middle of another back and forth when Hagrid reminded them they still had things to do. Harriett had to force the sack of coins into his hands with a huff before struggling to get back into the cart by herself, having ignored her friends offer for help.

That was until he picked her up and placed her in. Harriett wasn't happy about that either.

Once back in the cart and in movement again, she felt Naruto rest his head on her shoulder.

"You mad at me?" He asked.

Harriett turned her head away, staring off into the seemingly endless pit of the ravine they were crossing.

"Harriett?" Naruto tried again, sounding nervous.

"You've done so much for me," she muttered with crossed arms. "And we're friends. So then why do you keep refusing my help?"

"I'm sorry," Naruto apologized. "I didn't mean to make you feel like I don't want your help. I just kinda feel bad that you're giving me so much money, ya'know?"

"I know, but we agreed on something already," Harriett huffed.

"I know, I'm sorry, Harriett," Naruto repeated with a sincerity she could not ignore.

Then again, Harriett wasn't mad at Naruto. Not really. She was only slightly frustrated at his continued reluctance, but it wasn't as if she didn't understand the sentiment.

"It's okay," she said. "But please, from now on, don't deny my help. It makes me feel bad."

"I won't," Naruto said, sounding resolute. "And again, I'm sorry."

"You said that already," Harriett huffed again.

But she smiled as he ruffled her hair.

Vault seven hundred and thirteen was different. It had no key hole and had no other visible points of access.

"Stand back," Griphook ordered.

The goblin palmed the door with a delicacy and care she didn't believe possible in such a mean looking creature and before her very eyes, the door seemed to vanish.

"If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that, they'd be sucked in through the door and trapped in there," Griphook warned.

"How often do you check the vaults for intruders?" Harriett felt the need to ask.

"About once every ten years," Griphook said with a grin that displayed all his pointed teeth. His beady eyes seemed to focus on something behind her.

Harriett quickly realized he was staring at Naruto. When she turned to him, she found him holding the goblin's stare with a menacing grin of his own; his canines very much pronounced. When he noticed her own stare, his smile lessened into a bright one aimed at her. Despite this, she could not ignore what had just transpired, despite not really knowing what that was.

Harriett decided she would ask him about it later. In that moment, she was eager to see what was behind all of Hagrid's secrecy, and the high security of the vault. However, instead of a vast treasure like her own, or perhaps a sacred relic, there was a single package wrapped up in a brown paper back, laying on the floor, in the center of the otherwise empty room.

Hagrid picked it up and hit it within his coat. Harriett was tempted to ask exactly what was in the package again, but knew the giant man would offer no satisfactory answer.

"Well, that was kinda disappointing," Naruto said as they returned to the cart.

He put a voice to her thoughts.

"Ya'know I can hold that for you if you aren't feeling good," Naruto offered Hagrid, who was only able to shake his head with something of an exasperated expression. It was hard to tell considering he had one hand covering his mouth, and the other gripping the cart. "Ah well, I had to try."

---

Following another winding cart-trip back to the surface, they were finally back outside, enjoying the warming sun in the crisp England weather. An owl flew low over the crowd, which hadn't diminished in their time within the bank.

"You two might as well get yer uniforms," Hagrid said, inclining his head towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. "You kids wouldn't mind if I slipped off fer a quick pick me up from the Leaky Cauldron, would ya? I've never done very well with those blasted carts. Need somethin ta settle ma stomach."

The giant man was off before either could muster a response.

"Let's go then," Naruto said, grabbing ahold of his friend's hand, he lead her into the dainty shop. They were immediately greeted by a short witch.

"Hello there, I'm Madam Malkin," she introduced herself with a smile. "Hogwarts, I assume. Oh, I'm always so happy to see new faces round here this time of year!"

Naruto looked around the small shop, spotting a boy near the back. He was pale, had platinum blond hair, and a face set in perpetual displeasure. He was standing on a footstool while a woman worked to get him fit in a pair of long, black robes.

"This way, dearies," Madam Malkin urged them. She lead them to the two adjacent footstools next to the boy.

Harriett was placed in the stool directly next to the boy, while he was given the one directly next to her. For as tiny a woman as she was, she moved fast, throwing robes over both of them with a single wave of her wand.

"Hello," the boy drawled out but did not turn to face either of them. "Will you two be going to Hogwarts this year as well?"

"Uh, yes," Harriett said.

"Yep," Naruto added.

"My parents are gathering my supplies as we speak," the boy continued following an uninterested hum. "After I'm done here, we're going to go look at racing brooms. You know I really don't see why we first years can't have them. Maybe I can smuggle one in?"

Naruto rolled his eyes at the boy's behavior. He sounded snobbish and constantly disinterested despite engaging them both in conversation.

"Do either of you own a broom?" He asked.

"I don't," Harriett replied.

"Why would you want a broom?" Naruto asked. "You don't really seem the type to clean your own room."

Harriett cupped her mouth to hide a snicker.

"Was that supposed to be a joke?" The boy muttered, finally turning to acknowledge him by casting a look of disdain in his direction.

"I thought it was kinda funny," Naruto said with a shrug.

"You look older," the boy observed following another disgruntled hum. "Are you a returning student?"

"It'll be my first year," Naruto said.

"Interesting," the boy said with clear sarcasm. "Do you know what house you'll be in then?"

"House? Like where I'll be staying?" Naruto asked.

The boy looked at him with a mixture of disgust and disdain.

"Don't tell me I've been speaking to a mudblood," he snarked.

"A what?" Naruto asked. Though he had no inclination as to what a mudblood was, he did know a projected insult when he heard one.

"So you are," the boy looked as though he had just swallowed a lemon. "There's no way you'll be in Slytherin, then. Gryffindor, maybe. They're known for housing your lot."

"Look, I don't know what you're trying to say, but I know I don't like it," Naruto said, stepping off the stool, he began to approach the boy. "So why don't you just come out and say it."

"Naruto," Harriett pleaded.

Naruto ceased his advance with a nasal sigh. He was trying his best to behave and not frighten his friend anymore. He did, however, find satisfaction seeing the boy take. Cautious step back, nearly falling off his stool in the process.

He jumped in place, a false charge, and laughed when he finally toppled over onto his backside.

"Behave now, kids," Madam Malkin said, seemingly distracted as she measured one of Harriett's arms.

"You!" The boy pointed at him with a sneer and pink cheeks. "What is your name?"

"Naruto Namikaze," he said, matching his glare. "What's yours?"

"Draco Malfoy," he spat. "You'd do well to remember that, because I'll certainly remember this!"

There was a curse word resting on the tip of his tongue but Harriett was ever present in his peripherals. Instead, Naruto opted to offer the boy his longest finger.

Draco seemed confused, as was Harriett, before he stormed away.

"What was that?" Harriett asked.

"I'll tell you later," Naruto said with no intention of doing so.

After gathering their robes, they met Hagrid outside. He was holding three ice cream cups, with each one in between his large fingers.

"Find everything alright?" Hagrid asked as he distributed their treats.

"We did. Although we ran into a nasty boy in there," Harriett said, throwing him an accusatory side glance. "His name was Draco Malfoy."

"Malfoy," Hagrid said the name as though it tasted horrid on his tongue. "You two would do well to keep yer distance from 'im. The Malfoy's are a nasty bunch! Mind yeh, the name carries a great bit o'weight in the Wizarding World, an per'aps not fer the right reasons."

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked. "Are there clans, er, families, I mean? Ya'know, like old established families in the Wizarding World?"

"Aye, lad. I s'pose ya'll soon be meeting a few of the children of those families. Most are good people," Hagrid paused, as if to consider something. "And some aren't. You'll find out who's who on yer own."

Naruto was remedied of the Hyuuga and the Uchiha, amongst others. The more he learned of the Wizarding World, the more he was interested in discovering just how it operated.

"He mentioned something about a Slytherin and a Gryffindor," Harriett said. "What's that?"

"School 'ouses. There's four of 'em. Gryffindor's the best there is! Slytherin, on the other hand," a dark look overtook Hagrid. "There's not a single witch or wizard who went bad, who wasn't in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was one."

"Voldemort went to Hogwarts?" Naruto asked.

"Blimey, Naruto!" Hagrid barked, glancing every which way frantically. "He did, years ago, but ya can't jus' go around sayin 'is name like tha'!"

"Ah, sorry," Naruto said while palming the back of his head sheepishly.

"Jus' don't do it again, lad," Hagrid said, his voice taking a softer and more understanding tone. "Didn't mean ta shout at ya, but it's like I said before; allot of people were 'urt by 'im."

"Hey, you said his name correctly," Harriett pointed out.

The next stop on their trip was to a shop named Flourish and Blotts. It was a bookstore with every square inch of free and free space occupied by books of varying sizes, shapes, and bindings. Unlike the other shops, no one student seemed particularly happy to find themselves where they were.

Naruto found himself attracted to the book section tailored specifically for Muggle-born wizards. He purchased a copy with the intention of learning as much as he could of the Wizarding World. He did so in the hopes he could use the added knowledge to convince Jiraiya to let him attend Hogwarts; a lingering doubt in the back of his mind.

He also managed to sneak Harriett the prank book Hagrid had dissuaded her from buying.

He could never stay away from a good prank and he was looking forward to discovering how he could possibly implement magic, or chakra, into the equation.

After the bookstore they moved on to purchase the rest of their supplies. This included the cauldrons they would need to craft potions; another aspect of magic Naruto was highly interested in. This, along with a set of scales and a telescope.

Naruto and Harriett had taken to explore the apothecary store while Hagrid ordered the ingredients they would need for crafting potions. Lining the walls were jars full of multicolored powders, large white feathers, horned creatures neither could recognize, and barrels full of all manner of critters.

While interested, he knew better than to mettle with the unknown substances; and there were many.

"Just need to get yer wands now," Hagrid said as he led them further down the alley, parting the way with his stature. "I also got to get ya a proper birthday present."

"But you've already gotten me a cake," Harriett muttered shyly.

"Aye, but Nah-roo-toe 'ere got ya something an I wanna get ya something too," Hagrid said.

"Again?" Naruto sighed. "You said it right earlier."

"You really don't have to," Harriett said, palming her necklace.

"I know I don't, but I want to," Hagrid insisted. "Oh, 'ow's about I get ya an animal! Not a toad, toads went outta fashion years ago, yeh'd be laughed at. Don't much care for cats neither, they make me sneeze. I know, I'll get ya an owl. All the kids these days want owls; they're right useful, too. They'll carry yer mail so's ya don't 'ave to pay for a delivery owl. O'course ya still 'ave to feed and care for it, but that's part of owning a creature."

Their next stop was Eyelops Owl Emporium, but before they entered, something caught Naruto's attention.

"Hey Hagrid," Naruto began.

"Aye, lad," Hagrid said.

"Do I have to get an owl?" Naruto asked as he stared at a shop simply named Scamander's. From the display he could see some cats, dogs, and a litter of rats, with the promise of much more inside.

"Well, no, ya don't 'ave to," Hagrid said ponderously. "But like I said, owls are the most useful. Also, ya can't bring nothin that Ian't a toad, a cat, or an owl. Though I'm thinking I've seen a few students get away with owning a rat, a dog too, if ya get permission."

"Yes but I don't want an owl," Naruto admitted. Sure, they sounded useful, but if Harriett was getting one, then he figured he didn't need one. "Do you mind if I take a quick look in there before deciding?"

Hagrid's response came in the form of a massive shrug and expression that telegraphed that he did not. Harriett, on the other hand, suddenly looked nervous.

"But I do want an owl," she said, looking at him with large pleading eyes.

"Harriett," Naruto began with a sigh and a smile. "If you want an owl then you can get yourself one. I just want to see what they have. We'll meet up right here after."

Naruto realized his friend didn't want to be apart from him and after over a month of being apart, neither did he. What he didn't realize was just how attached to him Harriett was. He saw panic in those eyes and it hurt him.

"Okay," Harriett murmured before following Hagrid in.

Feeling mildly guilty, Naruto rushed into the store in hopes of returning as soon as he could.

The moment he opened the door he was met by a cacophony of barks, meows, and other such chitters. The shop itself was small and narrow, down to a single room with various animals lining the wall on shelves, and in cages.

"What do I want?" Naruto muttered to himself. He retrieved the supplies letter from his pocket to make sure of his choices, and it was as Hagrid said. He could bring with him either an owl, a cat, or a toad.

Naruto looked about the small shop amongst the myriad of small creatures and found a section labeled 'Hogwarts approved'. He made sure to give himself of a wide berth from the reptile section as he approached.

Standing there, holding a mean looking orange tabby cat, was a short girl with large, fluffy light auburn colored hair and bright brown eyes.

"Isn't he just the cutest?" The girl squealed, holding the cat close.

Naruto could hear its angry growls and hisses, and he almost feared the cat would attack her at any moment, but it didn't. Judging by her parent's nervous expressions, they were of a similar thought.

"I… suppose so," the girl's mother began cautiously. "But are you certain that's the one you want?"

"We could look at the owls again," her father suggested. "They've got a much larger selection next door and professor Mcgnagall did say they useful for sending correspondence. "

"No," the girl said following a hum. She rubbed her cheek against the agitated animal, drawing more growls from it. "I want this one! What do you think, isn't he just the cutest kitten you've ever seen?"

Naruto blinked, staring back at the girl with a gap in her teeth. He was not expecting that question, or for her to actually speak to him, so he said the first thing that came to mind.

"I like the color orange," he said, immediately feeling dimwitted for having started with those words. "It's my favorite color. I think it looks cute."

"Oh, me too!" The girl cooed. She finally relinquished her strangle hold of the poor cat and looked at him with an excited expression. "Are you going to Hogwarts too?"

"Yes, actually, I — "

"Of course you are," the girl interrupted. "Why else would you be here? I'll be attending too, you know. It's my first year, what about you?"

"Yes, I just — "

"Do you know what house you'll be in?" She interrupted him again. "I've only just learned about the Wizarding World and Hogwarts myself, so I'm not too familiar but from what I've read…"

Naruto smiled but it wasn't out of amusement as the girl continued to ramble at a million words a minute.

"Hermione, dear," her mother began with an embarrassed expression. "I think you should let him choose his pet."

"I do apologize," her father said, smiling down at him. "My daughter can be a bit… talkative at times."

"Oh, of course," the girl seemed to deflate into herself despite flustering. She hugged her cat to her chest, hiding the lower half of her face behind it. "Sorry. I suppose I'll see you at Hogwarts?"

"I, uh, yes," Naruto said, feeling suddenly sympathetic towards the girl. "My name's Naruto by the way, Naruto Namikaze."

"What a peculiar name," the man muttered to himself, only to receive an elbow and a chiding glare from his wife.

"H-Hermione Granger," she said, still sounding shy.

"Excuse our interruption," the woman said with a kind smile before ushering her family away.

Naruto watched them go with a hollow feeling of envy churning his belly. There were many others in the company of one or both of their parents and in that moment, he wondered what his own would think of the adventure he was about to embark on.

A soft meow pulled him from such dour thoughts. There was a single cat, orange like the one the girl had, and it was currently regarding him with curiosity in its blue eyes. It was tiny, barely a kitten, with intermediate white streaks in its fur.

The kittened meowed again as it pressed its small pink pads to the cage; it maintained eye contact with him in a way that eluded to a form of intelligence.

Naruto smiled at the adorable animal, but he had no intention on getting himself a cat. Truthfully, he had no right idea about what animal he should choose. Or even if he should get one in the first place. After all, owning a pet was something he'd never really consider before. And though he was not entirely opposed to the idea, he was admittedly apprehensive as he'd never been responsible for the life of another before.

Naruto moved past the kitten to look at the other animals. There were a few owls remaining, plenty of toads, and a few other cats. None of which seemed to immediately catch his eye.

Nevertheless, he decided to consider the owls first. There was only three left, two brown owls and a white one. Each stared at him blankly until he approached and they began to screech and flutter their wings at him.

"So no owls," Naruto said to himself, moving on to the toads next.

There was an abundance of the green, slimy creatures. They croaked as they jumped over one another, futilely slamming onto the roof of the clear glass container they were confined to.

He crouched down until he was eye level with the biggest toad in the cage, staring deep into its soulless, bar-shaped yellow eyes.

"Do any of you happen to know Gamakichi?" Naruto asked. At a glance, there were no sings of any true intelligence, and as much as he loved his aforementioned personal summons, he didn't much care for the idea of carrying around such a slimy animal. "Fine, keep your secrets then."

Movement in the slight reflection of the glass alerted him to a girl with short, messy brown hair, with a tuft of orange near her the right side of her forehead, and a pair of vibrant violet eyes that were now regarding him oddly. Naruto grinned sheepishly at her, only for her to roll her eyes and walk away.

Naruto inevitably found himself back to the orange kitten, who continued to stare at him alone, its meowing now constant, as if calling for his attention.

"You know, she was the runt of the litter."

"What the — " Naruto jumped at the sudden appearance of a tall, thin older man who's approach he did not hear. "Don't sneak up on me like that, old man!"

Was he becoming complacent in his time away from home?

"She's very small," the man continued, taking no heed to his shout. "You'd think children would find that cute, and most to, but no one seems to want her. Sad, isn't it?" He finished with a hum and a kind smile before moving along to help another family.

Naruto looked back to the cat and sighed.

---

"She's so cute!" Harriett gushed as she rubbed her cheek against his cat. She hugged the kitten to her chest like one would a stuffed animal and looked up at him excitedly. "Have you chosen a name for her yet?"

"Ah, no, no I haven't. It was… kinda a last minute decision," Naruto admitted sheepishly.

"Cute little bugger!" Hagrid cooed, using his large finger to stretch the kitten's head. He proceeded to sneeze incredibly loudly, startling him, Harriett, and nearby passerby's at the sheer volume of it. He even managed to topple a nearby stack of cauldrons. The shop owner glared at the giant, but he didn't notice as he sniffled into his rag. "Right then, one last stop and we'l be all done fer today!"

They arrived Ollivander's Wand Shop.

"What do wands do, again?" Naruto asked.

"They allow ya to use yer magic," Hagrid said as he opened the door for them, motioning them inside.

Naruto sighed at the response, knowing by then he should've anticipated such a non-answer.

The inside of the wand shop was poorly lit and lined with many shelves, each populated with narrow black boxes and a layer of dust that could almost be measured. Hagrid ushered them along towards the empty counter before hanging back near the door.

There was a distinct feeling about the shop, one that set Naruto on edge, without actually feeling in danger. Judging by Harriett's more so than usual nervous expression, he wasn't the only one.

"You know, I'd wondered when I would see you," said an elder man as he emerged from the back of the shop. He was tall, thin, and had spindly gray messy hair. "Oh, where are my manners? My name is Garrick Ollivander. Most people refer to me simply as Mr. Ollivander."

Following his introduction, the man leaned over the desk to inspect her with pale, inquisitive eyes; the corners of which crinkled in some form of emotion.

"Harriett Potter. I see both of your parents in you, you know. Though you do seem to take more after your mother; you have her eyes. It seems like only yesterday she was in here, receiving her own wand," Mr. Olivandar said, sounding reminiscent. "Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy and made of willow. Nice wand for charm work."

Naruto tried to reassure Harriett as best he could with a comforting smile and hand on her shoulder. It was an interaction Ollivander seemed to notice, drawing his attention briefly to him.

"Very, very interesting," the man said following a hum. He returned his attention to Harriett, clasping his hands together. "Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches, pliable; a little more power, excellent wand for transfiguration," he chuckled to himself. "Well, I say he favored it, but it's really the wand that chooses the wizard."

Naruto wondered what that was supposed to mean. A thought he was given little time to ponder on as he watched the man round the counter to approach Harriett. He repositioned himself in front of her and met the man's misty eyes.

Ollivander regarded him with some curiosity, before breaking into a toothy yellow smile. He looked over their heads to Hagrid.

"Ah, Rebeus Hagrid! How nice to see you after all this time. My dear boy, you've sure gotten a bit taller since then, haven't you?" He said and continued before Hagrid could respond. "Your wand, oak, sixteen inches, rather bendy, wasn't it?"

"It was sir, yes," Hagrid agreed meekly, his voice quivering ever so perceptively.

"It was a good wand, was it not? Though I suppose they snapped it in half when you were expelled," Ollivander said, his tone taking a stern turn.

"Er, yes, yes sir they did, sir," Hagrid said, looking down to his feet with his large hands stuffed in the pockets of his coat. "I've still got the pieces, though."

"But you don't use them?" Ollivander pressed.

"Oh no, sir, o'course not!" Hagrid was quick to proclaim.

Naruto felt sympathetic for the giant man who had been nothing but kind to them, and some of his behavior was suddenly making sense. When Harriett had asked about his own past at Hogwarts, Hagrid had become tight lipped and awkwardly attempted a subject change.

To hear he was expelled from the very school he so seemed to love was revealing.

Ollivander hummed in what was clear disbelief but didn't press the matter any further. Instead he turned his attention to Naruto next.

"And whom might you be, young man?" He asked.

"Naruto Namikaze," Naruto's own introduction was abrupt as he didn't particularly appreciate the semi-demeaning manner in which he addressed Hagrid.

"In all my years," Ollivander pinched his chin, muttering something beneath his breath. "Only time will tell, I suppose. Well then, let's get you two your wands."

Naruto wondered why, for a stick, were he and Harriett's measurements required. From shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, and, of all things, the circumference of their heads, his questioned went unanswered. He would claim, ignored.

"Every single one of my wands has a core of powerful magical substance, Ms. Potter, Mr. Namikaze," Ollivander began explaining to the two. "I use anything from unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, to the very heartstrings of dragons."

"Dragon heartstrings?" Naruto questioned. "Like… strings from an actual dragon's heart? Is that even a thing? Not the dragons but the strings. Do we have strings in our hearts or am I being too, uh, what's the word, literal?"

"No two wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same," Ollivander pressed on, once more ignoring Naruto's inquiry. "Sure, you may use another's wand in a pinch, but you will never get the same results as using your own chosen one. That is unless… well, I suppose I'll let you figure that one out on your own. More meaningful that way."

Naruto wondered why the eccentric man had looked between the two when saying the last part, but knew by there was no point in asking him to elaborate. Instead he looked to his friend, looking for her own input on what they were being told, only to find the floating tape measure currently taking note of her nose.

He snickered at the face she was making, earning him a crossed eye pout.

"Right then," Ollivander let go of the tape measure he was currently using to measure Naruto, leaving it spinning as it levitated as well. "Who wishes to go first?"

They shared a look of uncertainty.

"Go ahead," Naruto prompted his friend with a smile in an effort to ease her visible uncertainty. "I'll go after you."

"Okay then," she said reluctantly.

"Try this one first then, Ms. Potter," Ollivander said, grabbing at a box from among many with no clear motive beyond his own fancy. "Beechwood and dragon heartstring; nine inches, nice and flexible. Take it in your hand and give it a wave, see how it feels."

Naruto observed closely as Harriett took the wand, appearing at first unsure of what to do or what to expect. When nothing happened, she waved it only once before Ollivander snatched it out of her hand with no indication on whether she was doing something wrong, or to the otherwise.

"No, no, no, not this one," he muttered as he retreated into the back of the shop, only to once again, from an entirely different direction. "Maybe... this one? Maple and Phoenix feather, seven inches."

Harriett had scarcely wrapped her hand around the wand before Ollivander had taken it back, in search for another. He did so multiple times, pilling up opened boxes all over is already messy counter.

"Is this normal?" Naruto asked Hagrid, not bothering to conceal his question.

"Suppose it is," Hagrid shrugged, the bulk of his attention on the elder man as he reached into a stack that neared the ceiling, somehow managing not to topple it. "Didn't take 'im so long ter find mine, but everyone's different."

"Well I hope it does't take him so long to find mine," Naruto grumbled, more so to himself.

He'd been gone for over a day and afternoon was fast approaching. Not only was he beginning to grow hungry, but he was also dreading facing Jiraiya.

He'd left behind a note explaining the reason for his abrupt departure, and his anticipated return, but he knew his godfather would be worried nevertheless. Especially considering he had to keep details to a minimum, a tactic Jiraiya himself had taught him.

"Tricky customer, eh?" Ollivander hummed as he looked about the room for another wand. "You know, I do wonder… yes, yes, of course! It would only make sense, I suppose."

The old wand-maker returned with plain but dust coated black box which, despite it's otherwise unassuming appearance, he treated with a tenderness he hadn't yet shown. And when Harriett accepted the wand, Naruto experienced what almost felt like a heavy presence materialize where his friend stood.

"Holly and Phoenix feather, eleven inches; nice and supple," Ollivander said listed off calmly, as if he hadn't taken notice of, or cared about the sudden gust that had materialized from nothing, ruffling Harriett's hair and kicking up a small dust storm within the small shop.

For a moment, Naruto could have almost sworn to have witnessed both Harriett's eyes and necklace glow in the low light of the room. It was brief enough to almost be dismissed as his imagination, but he did see it. That, along with suddenly being able to sense her presence, reminded him distinctively of someone flaring their chakra.

The questions only continued to mount, but most were one's he couldn't risk asking.

Hagrid began to clap loudly, shaking Naruto from the brief trance he'd fallen into, while Ollivander himself grinned wildly.

"Very good and very curious, oh how so very curious indeed," he said, taking the wand back from Harriett. He placed it carefully back into its box, continuing to mutter to himself indiscernibly as he wrapped it in brown paper.

"Excuse me," Harriett spoke up for the first time in a while. "But what's so curious?"

"I remember every wand I've ever made and sold," Ollivander said as he returned with her wand now wrapped up. "Every single one, Ms. Potter. The phoenix whose feather is in your new wand, well it gave me another feather, just one other. So it is indeed very curious that you should be destined for this wand, especially when its brother gave you that scar."

"You mean Vol— er, what did you call him Hagrid?" Naruto questioned but continued without waiting for a response. "He-Who's-Real-Name-Would-Be-Much-Easier-To-Say-But-Everyone's-Apparently-Too-Much-Of-A —"

"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," Hagrid corrected sternly.

"H.W.M.N.B.N," Naruto tried to sound out the acronym but it was unintelligible. "Yeah that's nothing. Eh, you know what I meant."

"Indeed," Ollivander nodded grimly. "Thirteen and a half inches; yew. Curious how these things happen, but they do happen. I ask you remember this, Ms. Potter, Mr. Namikaze; it is the wand who chooses the Witch or Wizard. I think we must expect great things from you, Ms. Potter. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things, terrible, yes, but magic, you see, is dispassionate."

Harriett looked to Naruto for something, but he wasn't exactly sure what he could say to that either.

"You next, Mr. Namikaze," Ollivander called him forth. "I do have a hunch with you, however."

Naruto stepped forward while the old wand maker reached behind his desk, offering him a box that, unlike all others, was a dark crimson in color, and even more layered in dust. He blew on the box, creating a dense plume of dust that carried with it a stench of old before opening it.

"Snakewood and dragon heartstring, thirteen and a half inches; pliable but powerful," Ollivander supplied.

Naruto wasn't sure what to expect. Up to that moment, he had his doubts on whether or not he'd be able to actually cast magic. It was also very possible his chakra was equivalent, if not the exact same, as the current world's magic.

Whatever the case, he was about to find out.

With some trepidation, Naruto reached forward and accepted the wand, which itself was also dark red in color.

He inhaled sharply, feeling the chakra from within his very core explode outward to consume him in a familiar and missed warmth. He could feel a large portion of his flowing chakra flowing to his right hand; the one which he used to hold his wand.

His chakra began to flow into the wand, almost as if it was siphoning it. Despite this he felt no real drop in his reserves. In fact, he could intuit the wand felt as though it was an extension of himself; as if was another limb.

It was exhilarating!

The chakra, the power, that flowed through him was familiar yet different, and it accentuated how much he missed the ability to use his chakra.

"Naruto!"

Naruto didn't realize his eyes were shut until he opened them, finding Harriett holding onto his arm.

"What?"

"Are you okay?" Harriett asked him.

"Yeah, I feel fine," great really, but Naruto decided to keep that part to himself. "Why?"

But she didn't answer him. She simply looked around the shop, prompting him to do the same. All around him papers fluttered, falling, while more than a few shelves had collapsed upon themselves. Even Hagrid's hair appeared to have been blown back some.

It was as though some sort of windstorm had blown through the small shop.

"Uh, did I do that?" Naruto asked.

Just as he did. So, another shelve, one stacked to the roof with wands, collapsed.

"A very curious day it has been indeed," Ollivander said.

---

They departed from Diagon Alley shortly after and Harriett grew restless as their day neared its end. Though the fact lingered ever-present in the back of her mind, she dreaded the idea of paring ways with Naruto again and returning to the Dursleys.

She didn't want that.

Harriett sat quietly beside Naruto on a park bench whilst Hagrid was inside a local restaurant, buying them a late lunch before they caught their return train. She felt tears stinging her eyes the more she considered never seeing Naruto again, which was a very real possibility considering the amount of trouble she was destined to face.

It was possible she would never see the light of day again, if the Dursleys had their way.

What began as one of the best birthdays ever, was going to end in utter Misery. Of that Harriett was certain.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked.

Harriett quickly turned away and made to dry her eyes behind her pesky, dirty lenses.

"Nothing," she tried and failed to keep the quiver from her voice. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to him.

"You can tell me," Naruto said, low and patiently. "I'm here for you, remember?"

His words were meant to be comforting, Harriett knew this, and yet, they only proved to hurt her more and helped in releasing the tears she was so desperately trying to hold back.

"Yes, but for how long?" She cried into his shoulder. "I don't want you to leave and I know as soon as I get back to the Dursleys, they're going to lock me away again! They won't ever let me see you again!"

It was selfish of her, she realized. To further burden her friend with the knowledge she was going to be miserable in his absence, but it was true and she could no longer hide it. Harriett didn't to be apart from her friend for even a moment.

"Do you remember when I told you I keep my promises?" Naruto asked.

Harriett only nodded. She had an inkling as to what he was going to say, but she didn't want to allow herself to hope.

"And do you remember what I promised you yesterday?" Naruto continued.

Once more, Harriett only nodded.

He promised, in his own words, to never leave her again, and that everything would be okay going forward. Harriett was very much aware of his promise, and though she wanted nothing more than to believe him, she just wasn't sure how he could hold to it against an unfair world.

"Then what're you worried about?" Naruto hugged her closer. "Ya'know, I'm not going anywhere, and I'm sure as hell not gonna let you go back with them!"

"W-What do you mean?" Harriett sniffled, pulling back to look up at him.

"You're coming back with me to Janice's farm until it's time for us to go to Hogwarts," Naruto said as though it was something she should have already known.

Perhaps she should have. He did promise her, after all.

"What're you saying?" Yet doubt still lingered beneath the blooming hope.

"Do you really think that after being apart for so long, and after everything that's happened, I'd let you go back to the Dursleys?" Naruto reiterated with a frown, continuing before she could do anything but shake her head. "Of course not! I don't trust them not to do anything to you. That's why you're coming with me!"

"Are…are you sure? Can we even do that?" Harriett asked, feeling herself growing increasingly excited, yet still ever cautious.

"Who's gonna stop me?" Naruto exclaimed with a fierce determination that brokered no argument, much less doubt. At least before he seemed to realize something. "Us, I mean," he chuckled nervously. "Anyway, I doubt Hagrid'll care now that he's seen how the Dursleys are."

"And what of your godfather? Will he be okay with me staying with you?" Harriett asked.

"Ah," that seemed to give him pause. "He will be. I just gotta talk to him first, but I can promise you he'll let you stay with us. He knows how bad the Dursleys are too."

"So," Harriett sniffed again and wiped at her eyes. "So you're really not leaving me?"

"Nope!" Naruto accentuated. "I'll remind you as often as I have to until you believe it, but I did promise, didn't I?"

His confidence spurred Harriett to hug him again, thanking him profusely. She could not put to words the relief she was experiencing knowing she would not have to return to the Dursleys. But most important of all, she would not have to be apart from her friend.

Her meal seemed to taste all the better with that in mind.

"This is as far as I can take ye both," Hagrid said as he patted his coat which contained the secret package he was sent to retrieve for Dumbledore. "Got ter get back soon as possible, but I'll surely be seeing ya both at Hogwarts! Jus' remember, first o' September, King's Cross. Should be all on yer tickets."

"Thank you, Hagrid, for everything," Harriett said.

"Yeah, thanks Hagrid," Naruto added. "If I hadn't met you yesterday, I wouldn't be with my best friend today!"

"Oh well, yer both very welcome," Hagrid said shyly, his cheeks going rosy and his eyes watering ever so slightly. "Jus' glad I could see you again, Harriett, after so long. Right glad you've found yerself a good friend, I am."

It was Naruto and herself's turn to feel shy.

"And remember, if the Dursleys ever give you any trouble, any at all, you send me a letter with yer owl. Jus' attach it to 'er foot and tell 'er is fer me. She'll know where to find me. See ya both at Hogwarts!"

With that said, Hagrid turned and lumbered away. Harriett took that moment to regard Naruto with some suspicious.

"Does he know I'll be staying with you?" She asked.

"I mean, maybe?" Naruto said, failing to meet her eyes he cradled his slumbering kitten. "Or, ya'know, possibly not."

"Possibly not?"

"Probably not."

"Naruto!"

"Okay, so he doesn't know," Naruto finally admitted, turning to her. "But it's gonna be fine, Harriett. Now come on, before we miss our train."

They rode on the train in relative silence. Naruto had spent the first half hour convincing her that everything would, in fact, be fine. Harriett almost believed him had she not known that her friend, for as much as she trusted him, could not necessarily guarantee that despite having promised it.

Some things were simply out of both their control.

Truthfully, Harriett wasn't really concerned with the Dursleys. She doubted they would miss her, much less report her absence. If anything, they would celebrate her departure. What she wasn't so sure of was if Naruto's godfather would really allow her to stay with them, or if he would end up sending her back with her relatives.

In the end, she could only trust and hope Naruto's confidence was found.

Their train came to a stop at a station near the edge of the city. Far enough there was green grass and hills in the distance.

"How far is the farm from here?" Harriett wondered as she looked about the empty platform. The sun was getting low in the sky and she could feel the brisk breeze turning chilled. The idea of walking in such conditions was not one she was looking forward to.

It didn't help her feet were already aching from a long day of walking following a rather sedimentary life.

"Not very far but it doesn't matter. I called the old man and got us a ride," Naruto said as he observed the distance.

"You did, but when?" Harriett asked.

"After lunch," Naruto said. "Anyway, I think that's him. You ready?"

Harriett squinted to look past the blinding orange sun, far into the rolling green hills in the distance. From behind the glare coming from the old beat up truck, she could see Naruto's godfather.

He didn't look happy.

"Are you sure he'll let me stay with you?" Harriett felt the need to ask once more.

"Oh yeah," Naruto said without skipping a beat, or any seeming care in the world. Or so she thought until she heard him clear his throat. "Jus, uh, just let me have a quick word with him first.

The truck came to a sliding stop before them.

Naruto set their things down and approached the truck, turning to offer her a reassuring smile and a quick thumbs up.

"Old man!" He greeted cheerfully.

"You have a lot of nerve, brat!" Jiraiya shouted and slammed the door behind him, the sheer force managing to shake the entire truck.

Naruto chuckled nervously as he cast her another look. "Don't worry, I've got this!"

---

Whew, longest chapter to date! Didn't intend for it to be this long, just kind of happened. Also, sorry for the wait. I recently replayed and actually finished Fire Emblem: Three Houses and it got me thinking... maybe.

Anyways, be sure to vote for Naruto's assigned house. So far, Slytherin is winning.

As always, thanks to everyone who's favorited and followed. Until next time!