::02::

Naruto groaned and opened his eyes, to which he quickly shut them again. His head seemed to be pounding and when he tried to reach upward to massage it, he found that he couldn't. Slowly opening his eyes again, he squinted against the harsh light that seemed to be pouring down on him. A resounding slap echoed throughout the room and Naruto found himself biting back swear words as a burn blossomed across his cheek.

"Are you awake now, m'boy?"

"What…?" Naruto almost didn't recognize the language coming out of his mouth.

"Wake up! Ya took a nasty fall there…" The man continued.

Naruto opened his blue eyes fully and stared up into a strange man's face. Naruto frowned. His head felt sluggish. He also felt…wet. Where was he?

"Where…?" Naruto mumbled.

"Well…" The man sounded sheepish. "You don't look like a Death Eater, but I don't take too kindly to strangers bouncing off my roof."

Death Eater?

Naruto gasped as his memories came flooding back to him before groaning. Naruto looked down to see that he had been tied up in a chair. Across the room, Harry Potter was asleep on a rather gaudy looking couch.

"Harry!" Naruto cried as he strained against his binds.

Harry stirred from his spot on the couch. "Naruto?" Harry groaned as his eyes fluttered open. The dark haired boy took a minute to orient himself before sitting up. He swayed a little as he put his hand to his head and looked at Naruto. Although he hadn't seen the blond haired ninja in a year, Harry remembered him. When Harry had last seen the boy, they had more or less been the same height. Now, however, Naruto looked to be at least another head taller than him. His face had lost all of his baby fat and was now more defined and mature looking. His shaggy hair swung in front of his eyes.

"What are you doing here? Wait, where's Hagrid?" Harry asked alarmed, as he shot from his position on the couch.

"Whoa there, Harry." Said the man as he moved to help Harry. "You're safe now, there's nothing to worry about. Hagrid's being fixed up in the next room."

Harry let out a sigh of relief, before turning to Naruto, his green eyes showing a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Naruto…is that really you? What are you doing tied up…how did you get here?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Do you know him?" The man asked, jerking a thumb over toward Naruto. "Took a nasty tumble from the sky just moments before you. Landed straight on the roof before falling off. Gave me and the wife a nasty fright. We've never seen the likes of him before so we weren't sure…"

"No no!" Said Harry quickly. "He's a…er…a friend."

The man shrugged before flicking his wand at Naruto. The binds magically disappeared and Naruto stood up, rubbing his wrists. "Who the hell are you anyway?"

"Ted Tonks." Said the man, sticking his hand out to Naruto before shaking Harry's hand. " 'Dora's father."

"Ah…" Said Harry while Naruto had no idea who 'Dora' was supposed to be.

"Naruto…" Said Harry moving toward him. "What are you doing here? Last time I saw you…You hardly even said good bye. I never thought I would see you again."

Despite the circumstances under which Harry and Naruto met, Harry had never quite forgotten the blond haired ninja, especially after what he had seen at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Despite everything, Harry had come to consider Naruto a friend…

Naruto shrugged. "Don't know myself. But I saw you being chased by those death things…"

"Death Eaters?" Ted Tonks sucked in a breath. "That's why you crashed." He let out a breath and looked towards the ceiling. "Guess we know the protective charms work. They can't get within a hundred yards in each direction."

Harry nodded in realization. That's why Voldermort had disappeared so quickly. Harry stood up. He needed to see Hagrid, then he would sort things out.

"Harry!"

Naruto watched as a huge man strode through the room and seized Harry up in his huge beefy like arms. His initial shock quickly wore off as Naruto realized he did in fact know this giant of a man.

"Blimey, Harry! How'd you get o' that? I thought we were both goners." The man named Hagrid said. Naruto almost had a hard time understanding what the man said. His accent sure was heavy…

"Yeah I…" Harry cut himself off mid-sentence as his eyes darted to a woman who had just entered. "You!" He shouted defensively as he pointed a finger at the woman.

An image of a deranged woman with a high keening laughter suddenly came flooding into Naruto's mind. Acting on instinct, Naruto flew at the woman, and had a kunai at her neck. The woman started to scream and the man named Ted Tonks pulled his wand out and Naruto went flying into the back wall, startling a picture of its hook.

"Expelliarmus!" Shouted Harry as he flicked his wand out, ignoring Hagrid's cry of "Harry! What are ya doin'?!" He quickly caught Ted Tonk's wand and then pointed it at the strange woman who held her hands up defensively from her place on the ground where Naruto tackled her.

"Who are you people?" Harry asked, his voice breathless and at the edge of reason. Call it an insatiable hate for Bellatrix Lestrange, but Harry almost found himself wishing Naruto had slit her throat.

Naruto groaned as he picked himself up off the ground. There were definitely going to be bruises tomorrow. Harry's eyes flickered over to Naruto to make sure he was unhurt and then back at Ted Tonks as Naruto reached for his fallen kunai.

"That's my wife you're pointing at." Pointed out Ted in a strained voice.

Furrowing his eyebrows, Harry glanced down at the fallen woman. Despite her initial appearance baring a remarkable resemblance to the woman who killed Sirius Black, this woman on second glance was definitely different, with much kinder eyes.

Harry quickly dropped his wand down. "S-Sorry!" He quickly stammered. "It's just…you look at lot like Bellatrix Lestrange…"

Harry quickly offered his hand to help the woman up as Naruto peered intently at her. "No shit." He said scratching his head sheepishly. "I really thought it was that crazy woman too."

Mrs. Tonks shot the boys both annoyed looks as she brushed her clothes off and Harry handed Ted back his wand.

"Where is our daughter?" Mrs. Tonks asked.

"I don't know." Said Harry sadly. "We don't know what happened to anyone else."

Naruto bit his lip as Ted and his wife exchanged worried glances. He knew they were in a whole load of crap right now.

"The portkey!" Harry suddenly exclaimed. "We need to get back to the Burrow!"

"Ah yes!" Said Ted. "It's set to leave in a few minutes if you would like to take it."

"We would." Said Harry as he glanced uneasily back at Mrs. Tonks. He opened his mouth to apologize again, but Mrs. Tonks cut him off. "It's ok." She replied almost haughtily. "As long as you don't mistake me for my…sister…again."

Harry was about to reply when Hagrid pushed him into the next room as Naruto followed diligently behind. Harry placed a finger onto a hairbrush. Naruto was reluctant to do so as he keenly remembered the last time he had used a portkey. The sensation hadn't been all that comfortable, but Harry motioned for him to hurry up so he did.

The large man seemed to just notice the blond addition to the group. "Who are you?" He questioned.

"Hagrid!" Harry yelled as the hairbrush turned blue. He placed his finger just in time as they were sucked up.

The sucking sensation that started in his stomach made Naruto want to throw up, but he held it in lest he spew vomit over everyone as they were sucked through the vortex. Suddenly found himself thrown into mushy grass beside Hagrid. He heaved in a few breaths of fresh air to calm his stomach before tiredly picking himself up as he saw Mrs. Weasley and her youngest daughter Ginny run toward them.

"Harry?" She called frantically. "You're the real one? What happened? Where are the others?" She cried.

"No one else is back?" Harry panted. Naruto could see fear dawning on his face.

Mrs. Weasely shook her head anxiously and began to wring her hands around nervously. "What happened, Harry? Do you think my boys are safe?"

"Death Eaters were waiting for us…Voldermort caught up with me…" Harry seemed broken.

Mrs. Weasley's eyes turned frantic. "Thank goodness you're alright." Mrs. Weasley cried, pulling Harry into a hug.

"Er, Molly?" Hagrid questioned shakily. "Have yeh got any brandy? For…eh…medicinal purposes?"

Mrs. Weasley quickly nodded and darted back into the house to retrieve it. She cast a glance back at Naruto and Naruto saw that her face was written with fear. He couldn't help be reminded of back home, when friends and loved ones went off on missions and those left behind wore the exact same face.

Ginny looked at Naruto in disbelief. "Naruto?" She turned to Harry, her gaze questioning. "Did you hire him?"

Harry shook his head. "I wouldn't know how." He mumbled.

"Wait," Said Hagrid as he stared at Naruto. "Weren't you a student of mine?"

"Yeah." Harry stated weakly. "It's a long story, Hagrid."

Mrs. Weasley returned, shoving a bottle of brandy into Hagrid's thick hands. He thanked her and loped off toward the house while Mrs. Weasley turned toward the field, her hands wringing again. Harry could tell with all of her hope that she was desperately wishing that someone would turn up. Looking on the ground, he found a few scattered objects. If he didn't know any better, they were portkeys that had returned without their users.

"Mum look!" Ginny shouted, pointing toward the field.

A blue light had appeared and then George Weasley and Lupin feel to the ground. Harry and Naruto quickly ran over to help Lupin carry George into the house. Naruto recognized the tall boy they were carrying as one of Ron's many siblings and one of the twins. The last time Naruto remembered him, he and his brother had pulled off one of the most spectacular pranks that he had ever seen. It hurt him to see George's face contorted in pain, even as he was unconscious. His left ear was missing, his entire neck covered in blood. Naruto felt a pang, knowing that if Sakura were here, she could help.

They laid his body on a couch inside and then Lupin spun toward Harry, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him a few feet away despite Harry's angry protests. Naruto glanced at Harry alarmed, wondering what was going on. Mrs. Weasley returned, looking distraught at all the blood covering her son.

"Can I…" Asked Naruto helplessly.

Mrs. Weasley turned toward Naruto, looking suspicious for a quick second, but then her face relaxed before becoming sad. "You were friends of Sirius and Dumbledore right? I remember you once coming to help. I don't think there is anything you can do here."

Naruto clenched his fists when he felt a shove. Stumbling a few feet away, Naruto turned to see a wand pointed at his face. Mrs. Weasley gave Lupin an alarmed look but then quickly turned her attention back toward George and started to mutter incantations.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Lupin asked, his wand quavering.

"Naruto Uzumaki." Said Naruto, holding his hands up to show he was unarmed. Lupin seemed very on edge and he didn't want to set the man off. "I'm…"

Lupin seemed to catch on. "Yes, a member of the Order of the Phoenix and a participant in the Battle at the Department of Mysteries. What was your mission in Harry's fifth year? Who hired you?"

Naruto frowned. "I was hired by Professor Dumbledore to protect Harry Potter at all costs."

Lupin seemed to relax and quickly lowered his wand before stumbling back a few paces to slump against the wall. "Sorry, but I had to check. We've been betrayed, you could have been an impostor. But the fact that you are here unexplained doesn't do anything to ease my tension either."

Naruto was speechless and didn't know how to respond to Lupin. He didn't even know why he was here. The fact that he was in pursuit of Sakura didn't explain much as to how he landed back in Harry Potter's world when the fact remained that few were supposed to know how to open the portal between their dimensions. And to tell the truth, Naruto didn't blame Lupin for being aggressive and on edge. Naruto understood the need of trust.

"What's going on?" Naruto asked Harry.

"It was a plan to get me safely from my aunt and uncle's house to the Weasleys. Voldermort caught up with me, but not until the end. If someone did inform him of the plan, he wasn't privy to everything; otherwise he would have known I was the one with Hagrid." Harry explained to everyone.

Lupin looked aghast. "How did he know it was you?"

"I…" Harry scrunched his forehead in thought. "I disarmed Stan Shunpike, you know, the owner of the Knight Bus? Then everyone disappeared. But Stan must have been under the Imperious Curse! He wouldn't have just attacked like that!" Harry exclaimed.

Lupin gave an exasperated sigh and shook his head. "The time for disarming is past! The Death Eaters recognize it as your signature move! Do not let it become so!"

Harry shook his head feeling stupid. "We got through Ted Tonks' barrier in time. When I woke up, Naruto was there."

"How did you get here?" Asked Lupin, addressing Naruto now.

"A portal." Naruto shrugged. "Sai and I were sent on a mission this morning to investigate a…kidnapping." Naruto paused for a moment. "We didn't expect to land up here."

Lupin bit his lip but refrained from asking the boy any more questions. Although Naruto was trying to hide it, he was clearly confused and not to mention a bit hurt and lost from the look in his eyes. "As a member of the Order of the Phoenix, you'll be granted asylum here at the Burrow until you figure out your next move. Does that suit you?" Lupin asked.

Naruto simply nodded. Harry glanced back at the blond ninja. Harry had forgotten that Naruto and his teammates had been granted membership. It seemed like so long ago. It almost made Harry feel closer to the boy, that they had something in common. Harry didn't exactly begrudge Naruto for being a ninja, but he couldn't overlook how different they were.

Harry's thoughts were quickly interrupted by a bang outside. Lupin dashed for the door with Harry and Naruto hot on his trail. Kingsley and Hermione were stumbling out of the field. Hermione's eyes widened at the sight of Harry and she quickly threw herself into his arms. Lupin and Kingsley, however, each had their wands aimed at each other.

Kingsley did not seem pleased. "What was the last word Dumbledore spoke to the pair of us?" He asked.

"Harry is the best hope we have, trust him." Stated Lupin calmly.

Kingsley seemed to relax for a moment before he reeled toward the three teenagers. "They're ok!" Lupin said hastily. "I checked them."

"Naruto!" Exclaimed Hermione, finally taking in his appearance. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"We'll have to talk about it later." Said Harry quietly. His nerves were too wound up to explain again.

"We've been betrayed!" Kingsley yelled, stuffing his wand back into his robes frustrated.

"So it seems." Said Lupin, running a hand through his hair tiredly. "Although it seems they were not aware there would be seven Harrys…"

"A small comfort." Kingsley snarled.

A crack startled them all as Mr. Weasley appeared with Fred by his side. Kingsley and Lupin both armed themselves with their wands and had them pointed but Mr. Weasley barreled past them. "I'll prove who I am after I've seen my son!" He roared to Kingsley.

"Something's happened…?" Hermione said, turning toward the Burrow, her face souring in confusion.

"George lost an ear." Said Harry quietly. He watched as Lupin and Kingsley paced around each other, wands gripped tightly in their hands.

"Lost an ear!" Hermione screeched. She put her hands over her mouth and quickly ran inside the house to check on the Weasley sibling.

"Will George be able to…get his ear back?" Naruto asked, feeling awkward as the words left his mouth.

Harry was silent for a moment. "Magic can do a lot of things…but I think this time…you can't really grow ears back…"

Naruto paced around outside after Harry had went back in the house to check in on everyone. Kingsley had long ago left, reporting that he needed to return to the Auror's office some time ago so only Lupin remained outside. Naruto felt out of place, being the only ninja in a house full of wizards. The feeling of loss was enclosing on him. He understood the pain of waiting for someone to return when there was a possibility they might not. Most of all, he just felt insanely tired. The loss of Sakura and finding himself partnered with Harry Potter was overwhelming. He was looking up at the sky when two large objects suddenly came into view.

"Hey! It's them!" Naruto called out, waving his arms wildly and feeling so relieved that Sai was back, even if it was just Sai.

Everyone came out in a rush as Ron and Tonks skidded to the ground on their broom and Sai stumbled off his bird. Tonks flew into Lupin's arms as Hermione flew at Ron. "I'm ok." He mumbled. "Sai's the one who got hurt."

Harry and Naruto glanced over to see Sai sporting a very long gash on his arm.

He gave his infamous smile. "I'm fine."

Lupin snorted. "Sectumsemptra was always a specialty of Snape's. That's how George lost his ear." Harry felt the heat rise in his cheeks. The thought of Snape being there...

"They were both great." Tonks agreed as she pulled back from Lupin. "Sai even killed one."

Then Mrs. Weasley bustled out as she pulled Ron away from Hermione and dragged him into her arms. "Thank goodness you're back, Ronald!" She cried. "Thank you so much." She gushed to Tonks.

Tonks waved her hand in dismissal. "Really Molly, there's no need for thanks. In these times, it's our duty to protect one another…" Her voice trailed off.

Mrs. Weasley spotted the ugly gash on Sai's arm and quickly dragged the boy inside so that she could take a look at it. Sai trailed behind her, not putting up a single protest.

Lupin turned to Tonks. "What took you so long?" He sounded rather angry. Naruto noticed that he hadn't bothered to check if Ron or Tonks were imposters. Perhaps he had simply become too tired.

Tonks shook her head. "We missed the portkey at Muriel's and then she was fussing over us and such…" She trailed off and looked at Lupin expectantly. His mouth was pulled into a taut line and the look in his eyes said he was furious, but he just nodded and didn't say anything.

As Sai rejoined the group outside, gauze completely covering his arm, the sound of flapping wings could be heard and pretty soon, Bill and Fleur landed, jumping off the threstal.

"Oh Bill!" Mrs. Weasley cried. "Thank god!" She cried enveloping him in a swift hug.

However, Bill didn't move. He kept his gaze clear as he spoke his next words. "Mad Eye is dead."