Here's the latest chapter. Hope everyone enjoys!

As always, neither Arei nor I owns HP or Bleach.

Chapter 14

The situation at the Burrow was tense. After some deliberation, the Delacours were allowed to return to France – ordered to return to France. The only reason they weren't getting hassled worse was that Snape had convinced the Death Eaters that attacking a pure blooded family from another country would not be helpful to their 'master's' plans. Most of the other countries were of the mindset that Voldemort was Britain's problem and the snake-faced Dark Wizard wanted to keep it that way. He'd already managed to irk the Japanese, living or otherwise, but felt confident that he could take them on. There were times when Snape wished he could laugh in his face at his stupidity, he really did.

The Delacours were reluctant to leave Fleur behind, but were given no choice on the matter. They were actually lucky that Snape rather 'magnanimously' allowed them to collect their belongings and take them along with them.

And then the rest were questioned. Primarily on where Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger had disappeared to or where they were, or would be, staying.

Thankfully, no one knew where the Trio had gone – not even when given Veritaserum. Even Ichigo's group had avoided letting the Trio tell them anything of where they planned to go/stay so they would be able to safely say that they had no clue.

The Death Eaters with Snape were champing at the bit to truly 'question' the group (read 'torture') but with Ichigo and Rukia glaring at them the entire time, they were reluctant to actually act on their urges.

And they really, really wanted to 'question' Ichigo and pay the 'upstart kid' back for his earlier actions in fighting against the Dark Lord instead of for the Dark Lord.

"I. Don't. Know," Ichigo repeated slowly as if the speaker was having trouble understanding him. "Hermione was doing the driving, she chose the location – and there wasn't time to tell me. Not that I'd tell you even if I knew."

"The Veritaserum –" The Death Eater who was questioning him growled out.

Ichigo snorted contemptuously, interrupting the idiot, and crossed his arms.

"And you are forgetting who you're talking to," he retorted, scowling, "What do you think I did during my free time this summer?"

Snape stared at him for a long moment and then one eyebrow rose slowly as the Potions Master realized what Ichigo could be referring to.

"A permanent preventative?" he asked, impressed.

Ichigo smirked. It was actually his mother and Lily who had come up with it, but he couldn't say that in mixed company. It also wasn't a recipe that would be readily provided to the Wizarding community as the Veritaserum potion did have its uses in law enforcement. Only a few select people would be getting the preventive potion, Draco included.

"Very well, then. You will stay here until the school year starts," Snape said with sneer while trying not to laugh at the way Ichigo and his group continually out-maneuvered the Death Eaters.

"Excuse me?" Ichigo growled out, try to play up his supposed annoyance with the older man being a supposed traitor.

"You heard me. You will stay here until September First, when you will be escorted to King's Cross Station to make the train for Hogwarts."

Ichigo and Rukia stared at Snape, then each other, and then back at Snape. Both of them were actually a bit confused at this point.

"Hold on – you want us at Hogwarts?" Rukia asked, baffled.

"We are of the opinion it is better to know where you are, than to allow you to roam about freely," Snape said firmly. Translation: Voldemort wanted Ichigo where he could keep tabs on him and prevent him from helping Harry.

The pair glanced at each other again, understanding what Snape was insinuating and then glanced over at Tatsuki, who was also gaping at the Death Eaters in surprise.

"First of all, I'm not imposing on the Weasleys for an entire month. That's too much, especially right after a wedding –" Ichigo started to object.

"Which, incidentally, you owe Bill and Fleur an apology for ruining," Rukia cut in with a huff and a glare.

"Secondly," Ichigo continued, lips twitching slightly as he fought off a smile, "we only brought enough for us for a few days. Tatsuki is the only one who planned on staying the month. We don't have enough for us to last even for a few more days, let alone until school starts. Lastly, our trunks and supplies are still back home. It's too much to ask our friends to bring their stuff and ours."

Snape's gaze swept over the group, considering the points Ichigo brought to his attention before nodding once.

"Very well then. You have two hours to get your supplies and return here. Miss Kuchiki will pack your things in the meantime," He turned to two of the Death Eaters with him. "You – go to the Leaky Cauldron and book a room for them. And you –" he turned to another female guard, one whom Rukia would have no problem defeating as she was nothing compared to Bellatrix in skill or viciousness. "Go with her while she packs."

Ichigo glanced back at the Weasley family to see an assortment of expressions: anger from Bill, Tatsuki and Fred; concern from Arthur; a mix from George and Charley; and fear from Ginny, Fleur and Molly. He tried to give them a reassuring look before he moved off to stand in the clear, where he manifested Zangetsu, while keeping one eye on the Death Eaters; of course none of them wanted to challenge him, especially while he was holding his zanpakuto.

Snape watched him go through the gate, a faint smirk on his face. If anyone were to see him, they would think that it was because they had successfully broken up an Order wedding and sent many members scurrying into hiding – including one Harry Potter. They had Kurosaki by the short hairs by holding his fiancé and oldest friend over his head, something that was sure to please Voldemort.

However, the Order members still present – the Weasleys and Tatsuki – saw the faint amusement in his dark eyes. Amusement that was evident whenever he looked at Tatsuki, who was studiously staring at her feet, after having run her fingers through her hair to artistically arrange it to hide to small fairy-like creature that was perched on her back near the nape of her neck.

A creature Snape recognized and knew was there eavesdropping in order to report back to her wielder what was happening. Luckily none of the Death Eaters had seen Lily's arrival – they were all focused on Ichigo at the time to notice the fluttering fairy-like creature.

Rukia arrived back, well ahead of her guard, dropping down onto her chair and putting two packs down on the ground next to her feet where she primly waited for said guard's arrival. Snape rolled his eyes; Ichigo had been teaching her to flash step in her gigai apparently, and flash step at this distance was superior to Apparition.

The guard finally arrived, and gave Snape a rather sheepish look, especially when he glared at her. She went back to stand with the others and they all settled back to wait for Ichigo to return.

#

"Are you going to be able to get us in?" Harry asked as they hurried along through the tunnel to the Order's new Headquarters.

All he knew was that the headquarters was no longer at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. However, no one had had a chance to tell him where the new one was located. Or perhaps they had decided it best for him not to know. Really it could have been either.

"The system to get us in is somewhat complex, but Soifon and I can both access it," Yoruichi explained, "Since it was set up by us with some rather – unique – protections."

A Japanese arranged headquarters. The British Ministry of Magic probably knew nothing about it then, and if the Ministry didn't know, then the Death Eaters had no way of finding out about it either. And since they had only had to travel about five minutes so far as they headed toward their destination, Harry was willing to bet that they were still in England and probably not too far away from where they had started out from where Hermione had Apparated them.

"This way," Yoruichi said, walking along a dirt path that appeared and disappeared as the group traveled along it.

They soon arrived at a set of gates that she pushed opened easily despite the regal size of them. As soon as she did so, they were confronted by a very large, very fierce looking griffin that looked like it was contemplating on their edibility.

"Don't move," Soifon cautioned, "Let him get a good look at you."

The trio froze, waiting as the griffin stared down at them imperiously, the golden brown eyes focused on the three of them and not paying any mind to Soifon or Yoruichi.

"Oh, my," Hermione said weakly. The pure blooded griffin was even larger and fiercer looking than Buckbeak!

"Lady Yoruichi!" a voice suddenly called out, attracting their attention away from the griffin.

Harry's eyes darted quickly to look at the green-clad figure hurrying towards them and saw with some surprise that it was Narcissa Malfoy. When Draco's mother reached them, she reached out to stroke the feathers of the griffin gently and started to speak softly to him.

"It's all right," they heard her say in a gentle tone, "Ichigo has shown you these three. They are okay. They are friends."

The savage looking head lowered briefly and for a moment Harry was staring into the creature's eyes – very intelligent, very cunning, eyes. Recalling what he learned from Hagrid about Buckbeak and proud creatures, he bowed slightly, never breaking eye contact, but showing his respect. The tenseness in the griffin's demeanor relaxed. It gave a quick bob of its head to acknowledge Harry's bow and with a swish of its lion's tail, it turned and walked away following the line of the fence as if doing a perimeter walk.

Narcissa sighed with relief as the griffin walked off before turning to the others and offering a small smile to Yoruichi.

"Thank goodness you made it here," she said, her voice betraying her anxiety, "Ichigo contacted us, told us what happened. I was certain you would bring them here, I've been keeping an eye out for you."

"Where is – here?" Hermione asked hesitantly. She was looking around, able to sense something large just out of sight.

"Ah – you aren't within the circle yet. It's this way," Narcissa said and led the children forward.

Harry and Ron appeared reluctant to follow Draco's mother anywhere, still remembering the last time they'd seen her. However, they had little choice but to move forward what with Soifon pushing them with hands firmly resting on their shoulders. Ron looked a bit twitchy when he saw the claw on her right hand, not liking having something needle sharp that close. Hermione was following Yoruichi without needed to be forced along. Several yards forward and a very large manor house shimmered into view. It was a Tudor style manor Harry noticed as he stood blinking in surprise at the suddenness of it's' appearance.

"Wow!" he heard Ron exclaim when he saw it.

A tiny, wizened house elf met them as they approached the door.

"We'll need two rooms if you would please, Taffy," Narcissa said to the elf with a smile, which surprised the trio, remembering the treatment that Dobby had undergone at the hands of the Malfoys.

"Yes, Madam, Taffy will prepare," she nodded and vanished.

"She's such a dear, but – how does Ichigo put it?" Narcissa frowned delicately.

"Not the brightest star in the sky, I think he said," Yoruichi said with a grin, looking at Draco's mother sideways.

"That's it," Narcissa nodded and returned the smile. "She's been with his family for such a long time... she must be as old as Kreacher, if not older."

The trio were looking around, stunned, and it was Ron who finally spoke up.

"Ummm... where are we?" Ron asked.

"My family home," Ichigo's voice called from down the hall.

They turned to see him striding forward, a large pack and several cages in his hands, which he lowered with a sigh. "I only have a few minutes – I wanted to make sure you got here okay."

"Are you okay?" Harry asked with concern when Ichigo reached them.

"Oh, we're fine. We're supposedly going to be under house arrest at the Leaky Cauldron until school starts," Ichigo smirked wickedly.

"Supposedly?" came a chorus of sound from the Trio.

Ichigo's smile slipped from wicked to downright evil. "Yeah. Two Death Eaters will be trying to 'babysit' us."

"Operative word – trying," Narcissa shook her head with a faint smile.

"I can't believe they're letting you go back to Hogwarts," Ron exclaimed in shock.

"Draco and Snape convinced them that it's better to keep us where they can see us than running around unsupervised," Ichigo responded with a shrug.

"Draco?" Harry asked with a blink, but then nodded as he thought about it.

"Snape?" Ron asked incredulously.

Hermione rolled her eyes and let out a sigh.

"Always the surprise," she muttered to Ichigo. Narcissa glanced sideways at her with a faintly amused look. Hermione gave her a hesitant smile.

"I have to go. I had to pack up our trunks. I don't want to leave Rukia alone with them too long," Ichigo shook his head. "I don't know what kind of trouble she, Tatsuki and Ginny could get into on their own... especially with Fred and George there to egg them on."

The Trio assured him that they would be fine while Soifon and Yoruichi told him to hurry and go. He disappeared just as Taffy reappeared to take them to a pair of rooms on the second floor, which overlooked the garden. Ron and Harry shared a room, while Hermione had the room next door.

As Harry and Ron dropped down on a pair of twin beds, Yoruichi wandered in.

"Nice room," she said casually, "Taffy is making up some soup if you want something light before bed."

"Um... that'd be nice," Ron said, looking over at Harry.

"Yoruichi," Harry said solemnly, "Do you trust her?"

"Narcissa?" Harry nodded. "Yes, I do," She said firmly.

"Why?"

"A variety of reasons," she responded, hopping up onto an end table and crossing her legs. "You have to know what makes her tick – and between Byakuya and Ichigo, they've completely rebuilt those foundations. Plus, there's Yuzu. You didn't see the way that girl totally charmed the Malfoys. Narcissa will do anything to assist Draco in his goals and right now he's focused on one thing – proving himself worthy of her."

"I did see that last school year," Harry admitted, "It was amazing, the change in him."

Ron nodded his agreement as he took a seat on one of the beds but he didn't say anything.

"What kind of foundations? I don't understand that part," Hermione said, coming in from the hallway.

"Unlike others, Narcissa is not a Death Eater. She was never a direct follower and was only being a proper wife in supporting her husband as best she could. When she learned Tommy boy's history, her reaction was more 'I knew there was a reason I didn't like him' than anything else. She was always just at the fringes because of her sister and husband," Yoruichi stood up and moved to close the door with a soft click. "You see, she has always been about blood-status and family. You saw how Byakuya tore down the first. She still has a little ways to go, but she's been watching him – and me."

"You?" Ron blinked at her.

"There's a reason Soifon calls me Lady Yoruichi," she said with a cheeky grin.

"You're nobility as well – Ichigo told me," Hermione nodded, "He said you have the same rank and status as Byakuya does."

"You are? You do?" Ron squeaked out in surprise. Hermione smacked him on the arm for his reaction.

"Yep, equal in rank. It's one of the reasons I'm Ichigo's mentor... he needed the etiquette instruction. Bya-bo could have done it, but ... well... they'd have ended up killing each other."

The Trio looked at each other as they thought about it then nodded as one unit. Those two really didn't get along and might well have killed each other in such a setting.

There was a soft knock on the door and Yoruichi opened it to reveal Narcissa.

"Taffy's prepared some nice warm soup down in the kitchen for everyone. Also, some more Order members have arrived and I thought you might like to see them as well."

"We'll be right down, thanks," Yoruichi nodded and closed the door. She looked at the Trio and her expression turned down right motherly. "I think that's what you three need – some warm soup and some sleep. We can talk more in the morning."

They all agreed this was best (Ron's stomach loudly voicing its' opinion on food) and followed her downstairs to the kitchen where a large group of people had gathered.

"Remus! Tonks!" Hermione hurried forward to hug said individuals.

"Thank goodness you three are safe," Remus Lupin said, relief replacing his usual misery.

Narcissa was standing next to a woman who looked remarkably like her. A moment later Tonks introduced said woman as her mother, Narcissa's sister, Andromeda. The man hovering in the background was her father, Ted. He appeared to be in a state of shock, while Andie – his wife – verged on tears as she gripped Narcissa's hands in her own. Narcissa kept up a polite facade for her guests but they could all see the tears that threatened to fall. Harry found himself remembering that family was everything to the Malfoys and to be able to welcome each other without any rancor... well it was no wonder people were doing their best to ignore the reunion and grant the two, three really if you counted Mr. Tonks, a modicum of privacy.

Kingsley sat nearby and he also looked relieved when he saw the Trio enter with Yoruichi. He eyed them carefully, looking for any injuries and then nodded when he saw they were unharmed.

"Is this it?" Ron asked, looking around worriedly.

"So far," Kingsley nodded. "I tried to warn as many people as I could..." he sighed, "I don't know how many Order members got the message in time to get to safety."

"They know to come here. Everyone had at least one person to check on before coming here though," Lupin said. "They should begin filtering in soon."

"You all need rest," Narcissa said decisively as she moved over, her sister and her husband following behind her. "It has been a very stressful day for you, all of you. Taffy and I can handle any new arrivals."

"Taffy is prepared," the house elf nodded, handing Tonks a steaming cup of herbal tea. "Master Ichigo and Madame made plans, they told Taffy exactly what to do."

There was a firmness in her voice that was often missing from Winky's, Harry noticed.

"Did you come right here when you left the Burrow?" Lupin asked them.

"No," Harry shook his head, wincing slightly when he realized he was developing a headache. "We went to Tottenham Court Road first; but we ran into Death Eaters at a café there."

"What?" everyone exclaimed with alarm. They then had to explain what happened. In detail

"We wondered," Hermione started slowly, "if Harry could still have the Trace on him?"

"No," Kingsley shook his head, "I checked – it has been removed. I worried they might try to keep it on him, so I kept an eye on them to insure their removal. They expired midnight as it transitioned into his birthday as they were supposed to."

"They also can't track anyone who Apparates unless they grab hold of you," Lupin mused.

"And it's highly unlikely they were strolling down Tottenham Court Road and spotted them," Narcissa added, "So they had to be found another way."

Taffy handed Harry a cup of tea unasked. He blinked at her in confusion, looking at the tea and then back to her. She gave him a concerned look and indicated the tea again. So, he thought with a start of realization, someone had noticed he had winced. He smiled his thanks at her and sipped at the tea. The hot drink started to help settle his nerves and eased the growing headache.

The Trio started back upstairs, trying to figure out how the two Death Eaters had found them.

"If Harry still had the Trace on him, they'd be here already –" Ron said, frowning. "Harry, what's wrong?"

Harry had inadvertently cried out with pain, almost dropping the cup of tea he was nursing. His scar had burned, pain flaring as images flashed across his mind along with a fury that was not his.

"What did you see? Was he at my place?" Ron asked fretfully, hands hovering in little helpless gestures over Harry's shoulders while Hermione grabbed onto his arm to steady him.

"No, I just felt him angry –" Harry choked out.

"But he could be at the Burrow," Ron pressed, even though they'd seen Ichigo less than an hour ago and he'd assured them that everyone was fine. "What else? Didn't you see anything? Was he cursing someone?"

"No, I just felt his anger – I couldn't tell –"

He was starting feel badgered and he didn't know which way to turn, especially when Hermione said in a frightened voice, "Your scar again? But why? I thought that connection was closed!"

"It was for a while," Harry muttered, looking around. Yoruichi was just watching him – quietly, with compassion and understanding. He found himself inching in her direction, as if she could guard him from the other two. "I – I think it's started to open again, but only when he loses control. That's how it used to..."

"But you've got to close your mind!" Hermione said shrilly, causing all of them to wince. "You can't use that connection, Dumbledore wanted it shut down, and that's why you were supposed to use Occlumency! Otherwise he can plant false images and - and –!"

"I remember, thanks," Harry replied through gritted teeth. Sirius' death was not something he needed to be reminded of, not right now and perhaps not ever. It hurt to think about Sirius even now. He turned his back on all of them, pretending to examine their surroundings, trying to pull himself together, only to have to spin around when Hermione shrieked in startled fright.

A silver Patronus had come through the window and landed on the floor in front of them, where it solidified into a weasel that spoke with Arthur's voice.

"Family safe, do not reply, we are being watched," came the older man's calm voice.

The Patronus dissolved.

Ron moaned and dropped down on the floor, the look of absolute relief on his face was profound and Harry moved over to grip his shoulder in a reassuring grip.

"They're all right, they're all right," Ron muttered, over and over, as if he actually needed to hear from his family and not just from Ichigo that they were.

Harry let go of his friends shoulder and suddenly bolted for the bathroom. His scar had started to throb so painfully he could feel the pain induced nausea threaten to overwhelm him; he barely made it in time. He collapsed to the floor and managed to drag his way to the toilet, all the time his head feeling as if it were going to split open like a melon being hit by a sledgehammer and lost the food in his stomach.

Rage that was not his engulfed his soul and images flooded into his mind's eye: a long, fire lit room; the large Death Eater on the floor, screaming and writhing, while a slighter, paler figure stood over him, wand outstretched.

"More Rowle or should we feed you to Nagini?" Harry was saying, even though Harry knew it wasn't him saying it, "Lord Voldemort is not sure that he will forgive this time… you called me back to tell me that Harry Potter has escaped again? Draco, give him another taste of our displeasure, do it or feel my wrath yourself!"

With an image of Draco's terrified, white face seared into his memory, Harry opened his eyes. He was flat on his back on the floor, staring at the ceiling, his body shaking. He realized he was not alone, and he slowly turned his head to see Yoruichi perched on the rim of the tub, watching him solemnly. He swallowed, wondering what to say, when she held out his toothbrush and toothpaste to him, which he accepted with a trembling hand.

"When you're ready," she said quietly, standing, then indicated the pile of clothing she'd left nearby for him – his pajamas. He realized not that she was telling him to change, but when he was ready to talk.

"Thanks," he whispered as she left the bathroom, closing the door behind her, leaving him to compose himself as he jammed the toothbrush into his mouth to brush away the foulness of sick that coated his tongue.

He found himself wishing he could wash away the foulness of having been touched by Voldemort's rage and madness as easily...