Imma Kiwi Bird: Okay. This story is now, and forever, dedicated to my dear friend Itachi. I shall not reveal her whereabouts, for I will not risk stalkers. O

Also, I'm sorry that it's taking so long for me to get these out. xD I have ideas, I just don't... want to type them out...

Disclaimer: I don't own the HP or Naruto characters. Kishimoto Misashi and JK Rowling do.

Key for Text: "Words." This is in Japanese.

"Words." This is normal speaking.

"Words." This is thinking.


You and Me and the Devil Makes Three

Chapter 4: The Train

Floo powder was by far the oddest means of travel Uzumaki Naruto had ever gone by.

You threw the powder in a fireplace, green flames arose, you step in, state your destination, and within moments you're there. To him, that was just one of the oddest things he had heard of.

He had been told to say 'Diagon Alley'. And, he had ended up there.

As soon as everyone arrived, Arthur and Molly Weasley had swept them all up and down the magical alley as they got their school supplies. Since Tsunade had provided them with a well amount of money, the Konoha ninja were able to get first-hand supplies.

And, so were the Weasleys. Which Ronald seemed to be overjoyed about.

Finding his 'wand' had been difficult, but eventually they found him one. Twelve inch, oak, dragon heartstring entwined with unicorn hair. A 'rare wand choice' is what the old man in the shop had said. Naruto hadn't really cared; all he did was pay for his wand and left.

He and his fellow ninja, along with Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys, were at 'King's Cross Station' so that they could board 'train 10 3/4'. Naruto had no idea what a train was, but he thought that, whatever it was, would be fun. Or... that's what he hoped.

Now, he remained with Sakura, Hermione, and Lee to get to the platform.

Molly Weasley wanted him to run into the wall. On purpose. Who in their right mind would do something so idiotic? Sighing, he did what he was told.

Backing up, then getting a running start like everyone else, he ran at the wall. Closing his eyes and expecting to crash, he was surprised when he got a tingling feeling and when he opened his eyes, he was surrounded by many, many students. He caught site of Hinata going onto what seemed to be the train, which was crimson.

He went up to the big, metal contraption in slight awe. He doubted even Tsunade could break that! He gave his luggage to the man assigned to the 'luggage taker' post, and quickly hopped on board.

He heard someone call his name, and he turned to see Fred (or was it George?) motioning for him to join him. Grinning, he walked to the compartment and slipped in.

Inside was Kiba, and the other twin.

Taking the vacant seat by the window, he watched the twin who had called him slide the compartment door shut.

"Scheming time," Both twins said at once.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Again, Hyuuga Neji was being forced to watch them. Why must it always be him? Shikamaru should watch the trio for once... Oh yeah; Neji had forgotten. The guy was a lazy ass.

He was sitting in their compartment, the closest to the door. The closer the better to attack.

Neji stared right head, and the blank seat. He moved not an inch. He did not blink. He took silent amusement in the fact that he could feel the nervousness radiating off of Hermione, Ron, and Harry.

"So, Neji. Do you know anything about Shikamaru?"

Neji turned his head slightly to the girl as she asked her question. She either didn't see or ignored the red-faced Ronald.

"Yes. Why?"

"What's his IQ?"

Neji stared at her blankly. "When he was twelve, and his sensei gave him tests, it proved to be over 200." Neji turned back to stare ahead again, obviously not going to answer any of Hermione's questions, let alone someone else's.

Hermione pursed her lips thoughtfully. Maybe they could study together, since Harry and Ron didn't care to.

Ron glared at Hermione. Simple as that. Hermione finally turned to him. "Ron, what's wrong?" She asked, slight anger traceable in her voice. Her fists clenched on her lap. Come on; they already had a problem last year; she didn't need another one.

"Why are you giving this Shikamaru guy so much attention?" The second youngest Weasley growled angrily. Neji's mouth tilted up slightly in a smirk; this guy was jealous of Shikamaru? That was an odd jealously.

Hermione let out a disgruntled moan as she crossed one arm over her chest, and set the other one on her forehead. "Ronald, this again? Why must you be jealous of every man I show interest in?" Ron turned bright red at her statement, his fists clenching.

"I'm not jealous!"

"Don't think I don't see you glaring at him whenever I speak with him?" Hermione retorted, her voice slightly amplifying in tone. Ron seemed to quiet down at this, but that didn't keep his face from being red in anger.

Harry stood. "I-I'm gonna go say hi to Neville." He said quickly, exiting. Neither of his friends replied.

Neji stood, a sigh escaping his lips. The train hadn't even started, and he already had to get up. He followed Harry silently, going into the same compartment Harry went in.

Inside was one lone boy. Neji's first impression was a boy who was forgetful and a klutz. Harry grinned, greeting him as he sat across from him.

The boy's eyes wandered warily over to Neji, and he gasped when he noticed Neji's blank eyes.

"Oh! Neville, this is Hyuuga Neji." Neji bowed, sitting close to the compartment door again. Neville twitched, his eyes always glancing at the Hyuuga as he spoke to Harry.

After a few moments, the train started. It lurched forward, and they were off.

But after ten or so minutes, the door opened.

There stood a boy, with slicked back bleached blonde hair. He had a pointed face, and his eyes seemed to sneer at them. Behind him stood to bulk of teenagers.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Potter and Longbottom." The boy sneered. Neville cowered into the window, while Harry scowled and stood up. Before Harry could speak, Neji stood up.

A look of fear crossed the boy's face as he looked at Neji's colorless eyes, before it was covered. "You don't scare me."

The two bulky boys behind him stepped forward, looking like they were ready to pound Neji. Neji raised an eyebrow, before raising a hand.

He poked one boy's shoulder, then the other.

They both collapsed by their own weight.

Malfoy looked at him, sneering. "You can get past them, but not me-" Neji poked both of his shoulders with both hands, and the blonde immediately collapse on the ground.

"Now leave. If you want to speak with either of them, you must ask me first." Neji said calmly. Malfoy glared at him. "My father will hear of this!"

Neji scowled. He bent down and poked Malfoy's chest. The boy fainted. Neji disappeared out of the compartment as he shoved the three somewhere, before coming back.

"Th-thank you, Neji." Neville thanked, stuttering. Neji didn't even reply; he just sat back down and stared ahead, quiet.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"How old is Neji?" Ginny asked Tenten out of nowhere. The brunette blinked out of confusion. "Sixteen; why?"

Ginny turned red slightly. "Curiosity." Tenten looked skeptical, but she shrugged it off and looked back out the window. Ginny looked out as well, listening to Ino and Sakura's conversation.

"What's with Hermione's fascination with Shikamaru?" It was Sakura.

"Well, baka. Isn't it obvious? Hermione likes Shika!" Came Ino's reply.

Tenten jumped in. "Really?"

"Duh!" Ino said matter-of-a-factly.

Ginny grinned. Is that so? No wonder Ron glared at the lazy ass every time Hermione talked with him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hermione had gotten up, leaving Ron. He was so annoying! If he liked her so much, why wouldn't he ask her out instead of putting every man she showed interest in on a hit list!

Ronald had left the compartment as well, storming down the train to go where Harry, Neville, and Neji resided. She, on the other hand, searched for an empty compartment. Or a compartment with someone she knew.

She spied an open compartment door up ahead; that meant it was empty, or she would be aloud inside. Racing to it, she made to go in.

She froze in the door frame.

Shikamaru was lying down on a whole seat, arms crosse behind his head. Asleep. Hermione sighed, sitting across from him, because of course she couldn't sit on that seat. Shikamaru was laying on it as if it were his own, personal bed.

She sat there, staring at him. She had no book, so she couldn't read. And she would rather look at him then out the window.

Before Hermione could even look away, he was awake and looking at her lazily. "What?" He asked. Hermione felt herself become red in embarrassment. And... something else?

"I-I-I..."

"For someone who is 'smart', you sure act stupid." Hermione frowned in anger, but didn't reply.

"Ronald decided that he wanted to be an ass, so I decided to stay here." Shikamaru nodded, and it seemed that withing a second, he was asleep again. Hermione felt her body temperature calm down.

And, she resumed watching him.