::04::
Harry awoke to the sound of Naruto's snoring and the sun pouring in from the window. He stretched awake, a wide grin on his face before he set up and chucked a pillow at Naruto's face where he was sleeping on the ground. There was a loud snort as the pillow startled Naruto awake and then the pillow was flying back toward Harry's face.
Harry laughed and merely swatted the pillow away. Today was his seventeenth birthday! The magical trace on him was finally broken.
"What the hell?" Naruto grumbled as he sat up. He scrubbed a hand over his outrageous bed head as he squinted at the light.
"It's my birthday!" Harry shouted, jumping atop the bed which awoke Ron from his own sleep.
"Happy birthday, mate." Said Ron sleepily, with a grin.
"Who is Gregorovitch?" The two wizards and Naruto turned to face Sai who was awake and fresh faced as if he had woken up hours ago. He was sitting against Ron's dresser dressed in his newly transfigured clothes which consisted of grey track pants and a darker grey T-shirt.
"Who?" Said Harry, puzzled.
"Gregotovitch." Repeated Sai. "You kept muttering his name in your sleep."
"Huh." Said Harry scratching his head. Perhaps he had. Now that he thought about it, his scar had been prickling something terrible right before he woke up. The name did sound sort of familiar… "I think Voldermort's looking for him."
"Poor bloke." Said Ron standing up. "Happy Birthday by the way."
"I'm seventeen!" Yelled Harry in excitement.
In an attempt to summon his glasses magically, he ended up poking himself in the eye.
"Slick." Laughed Ron while Naruto snorted so hard he hurt his nose.
The breakfast table was already bustling when the boys arrived downstairs. The place looked nearly spotless, due to Fleur's parents and her sister Gabrielle arriving from France the day before. Bill and Monsieur Delacour were already finishing up breakfast and Hermione was sitting at a corner of the table, her nose buried in a book.
"Happy Birthday, Harry." Said Mrs. Weasley brightly from where she stood over the stove. "Mr. Weasley wishes you his best. He had to go to work early but was sorry he couldn't be here."
"It's alright." Said Harry, seating himself at the table.
"Go on then!" Said Hermione, snapping her book shut. "Your presents are here." She said, pushing a small pile toward him.
Harry hesitantly dragged the packages toward him. Ron had already given him his present upstairs, a present he claimed his mother couldn't be allowed to see. It turned out to be a book – Twelve Fail-Safe Ways To Charm Witches – that Ron claimed really worked. Naruto had insisted on seeing it, then and Ron had been suspiciously adamant on not letting him.
The first present Harry grabbed he could tell was from Mrs. Weasley. It looked as if it had been professionally wrapped and it had been tied off with some decorative bits of twine. Harry unwrapped it to find a beautiful watch, which Mrs. Weasley explained was a customary coming of age gift for a wizard. Harry didn't know what to say, sudden thoughts coming to him about how his parents might have gifted him one if they had lived and how he was lucky he had people who cared enough about him to give him one now…
After a hug to Mrs. Weasley in which he tried to convey all these feelings, he unwrapped Hermione's gift which looked as if it had been wrapped with clumsy fingers. She had got him a Sneakoscope, followed by a box of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes from the twins, chocolates from the Delacours and a magic razor from Fleur and Bill.
"Sorry…we didn't know it was your birthday." Said Naruto sheepishly as he picked at a piece of bacon.
"It's ok." Said Harry with a small smile. "I understand."
"But I wanted you to have this!" Said Naruto excitedly. He shoved a kunai holster across the table toward Harry.
"It's a ninja survival kit." He said, dropping his voice so Monsieur Delacour wouldn't overhear him. Harry opened the holster to find a kunai, a shuriken, a few exploding tags, a few smoke bombs and even some small different colored pills in a small glass case.
"Thanks." Said Harry. "I'm sure it will come in handy."
"Aw, it's nothing." Said Naruto. "And I'm sure Sai has something for you as well." At this, he gave Sai a pointed look. Sai just stared at Naruto blankly before he pulled out his sketchbook and placed it on the table.
He leafed through it before tearing out a sheet and then slid it across the table to Harry. "Happy birthday." Sai said with a slight shrug of his shoulder, as if he didn't understand what the big deal was.
Harry slid the paper toward him and found it was a painting. An incredibly beautiful and detailed painting that Sai must have done while Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in Ron's room on the rare occasion when Mrs. Weasley forgot about them.
"Wow…Sai." Said Harry, dumbstruck as he stared at the painting. "It's…it's incredible." He didn't know how to explain how touched the painting had made him feel. And it had only been a halfhearted gift!
"Blimey." Said Ron, peering over Harry's shoulder. "I didn't know you could paint like that."
"It deserves a frame." Said Hermione and with a wave of her wand, the painting in Harry's hands became encased in a beautiful wooden frame.
The Burrow was already crowded enough without adding in birthday guests so tables had to be set up outside. Fred and George had bewitched some lanterns to hover in the sky above the partygoers heads while Hermione decorated the trees with purple and gold streamers. Even Naruto had fun detonating some of the tamer Flaming Fireworks with Fred and George in celebration.
Hagrid was the first of the party guests to show up, followed by Tonks and Lupin who brought with them an unexpected guest.
"Kakashi?!" Said Naruto, his jaw dropping in disbelief.
Sure enough, the tall silver haired Jounin was standing next to Tonks as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He was dressed customarily with a pack slung over his shoulder. He raised a hand in greeting to everyone who looked at him dumbfoundedly.
"Found him wandering…well, wandering around Grimmauld Place." Said Tonks with a slight pause in her words. "I decided he must be looking for you two, so I brought him back with me." She said cheerily.
Naruto had a million questions bubbling on his lips and was about ready to burst with them. Kakashi could tell this and he immediately put a hand up, stopping him before he could start. "There will be time for that later." He said with a covert glance at the Delacours who were staring at him with a look of curiosity.
Naruto gave a pout, but nodded his head in understanding.
"Happy birthday, Harry." Said Kakashi. "Sorry to disrupt the festivities."
"Nonsense." Said Mrs. Weasley. "Please join us! We were just waiting for Arthur."
Kakashi joined the wizards at the table, sliding into an empty seat next to Hermione who instinctively shied away from him. She may have come to terms with Naruto and Sai, but Kakashi was a whole different story. He had looked dangerous before, but now that she knew what he was, it only enhanced the aspect that he looked as if he could tear men apart with his bare hands. It was unnerving.
Mrs. Weasley brought out Harry's birthday cake, levitating it from the house to the table with her wand. It was a monstrosity of a thing and Harry realized only after she set it down that it was in the shape of a snitch. They were about to cut into it when a silver light streaked through the air and landed on the table where it took the shape of a weasel.
"Minister of Magic coming with me." It said in Mr. Weasley's voice. Then it vanished.
Everyone was staring at it in silence when Naruto yelled out. "It spoke!"
Sai shook his head. "It's a Patronus." He said quietly.
Naruto could vaguely recall the wizards summoning these white wispy things when they were practicing magic at the D.A meetings. He hadn't known they could talk though.
"We should leave." Said Lupin and Tonks, abruptly standing. "I'm sorry…Harry…I'll have to explain later." He clapped Harry on the back before they both darted over the backyard fence and out of sight.
"I should make myself scarce as well." Said Kakashi standing up.
"What about us?" Said Naruto, alarmed.
Kakashi shook his head. "Play your part. You are both good friends of Harry Potter and decided to drop in for a visit. The Minister doesn't know you are ninja, he won't think anything of it." He quickly disappeared.
Only milliseconds later, the Minster of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour appeared out of thin air, accompanied by Mr. Weasley. Everyone watched in silence as they strode up to the gate before approaching the table.
"Sorry to intrude." Scrimgeour said, looking around the yard. "I can see I'm gate crashing a party so I'll be quick. I would like a private word with you, Mr. Potter." He said looking Harry in the eye. "And also Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Granger." Hermione and Ron looked at each other surprised. "And…" Said Scrimgeour continuing. "A Mr…" He pulled out a scrap of paper and studied it. "Naruto Uzumaki…is there such a person present?"
Naruto jumped up surprised. "Me? Why?"
Scrimgeour ignored his question. "Is there a private place for us to talk?" He demanded to Mr. Weasley.
"Of course." He stammered. "The sitting room should be alright."
"Will you lead the way?" Scrimgeour asked, turning to Ron. "There will be no need for you to accompany us, Arthur."
Mr. Weasley looked worried as they disappeared and headed towards the sitting room. Ron offered Scrimgeour a seat as the four teenagers squashed themselves onto the sofa. Scrimgeour himself took his time settling into a sagging armchair and pulled a piece of parchment from his robes. Finally, Scrimgeour spoke to them.
"I have some questions for all of you, but I think it's better if they are answered individually. Who shall I start with?" He looked at them expectantly.
"You can speak to us together or not at all." Said Harry coldly. The wizards and Naruto stared back at Scrimegeour in agreement.
Scrimgeour gave each of them a cold look before shrugging his shoulders. "Fine then, together. Now, as I'm sure you're aware, this is concerning the final wishes of Albus Dumbledore."
Naruto's eyebrows shot into his hairline as Ron and Hermione exchanged confused glances. "He left us all something?" Said Ron, pointing toward himself, Hermione and Naruto.
"Dumbledore died over a month ago, why has it taken this long?" Harry asked with slight menace in his voice.
"Isn't it obvious?" Said Hermione before Scrimgeour could respond. "They wanted to examine the stuff first. You had no right to do that!" She said, looking at Scrimgeour, her voice shaking slightly.
Scrimgeour decided to fully ignore Hermione's accusations. "Did you consider yourself close to Dumbledore, Ronald?"
Ron looked startled. "Me…no not really…" He stopped talking and looked at Hermione, who had a strained look that told him to stop speaking.
However, Scrimgeour found what he was looking for. "If you were not close, then why did Dumbledore choose to leave you something? Why did he single you out when a vast majority of his processions were given to Hogwarts?"
"I dunno…" Ron stuttered. "I mean, when I said we weren't close I meant…"
Scrimgeour looked down at the parchment in his hands. "Hmm…yes here we are… 'To Ronald Bilius Weasley, I leave my Deluminator, in hope that he will remember me when he uses it.'" Scrimgeour took what looked like a silver cigarette lighter from a bag and passed it to Ron. Ron looked awed as he held it in his hand.
"That's a valuable object, why would he leave you something so rare?" Asked Scrimgeour studying Ron.
Ron shrugged his shoulders, still in awe.
"Dumbledore taught thousands of students, yet you four are the only ones mentioned. Why should he choose to give you the Deluminator?"
Ron shrugged again. "Guess so I can put the lights out."
Scrimgeour seemed unsatisfied, but moved on. "To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle of Bard in hopes she will find it entertaining and instructive." He said reading from the parchment. Scrimgeour pulled out an ancient copy of a book and handed it to her. The title was in ancient runes.
"Why do you think Dumbledore left you that book Miss Granger?" He asked, peering at her.
"He knew I liked books." She said, sniffling as she ran her hand over the book cover.
"But why this book?" Scrimgeour insisted.
"Maybe he thought I would like it." Said Hermione brushing away a tear that had formed at her eye.
Scrimgeour pursed his lips before moving on. "To Mr. Naruto Uzumaki, I leave some memorabilia. Look closely and you will discover the past so you may correct it." Scrimgeour took out a tattered Konoha hitai-ate from the bag and passed it to Naruto who took it with a vacant expression.
Scrimgeour watched Naruto closely. "Perhaps you can shed some light on what this object is? Or perhaps what this symbol is?"
"It's just a headband." Said Naruto absentmindedly as he picked at a fraying edge. Why would Dumbledore give him this tattered old hitai-ate? He already had one! He had definitely been hoping for something cooler. Dumbledore had a lot of cool junk in his office.
Scrimgeour pursed his lips. "Were you and Dumbledore close before your exchange program at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Or did you become particularly close during your stay?" He pressed.
Naruto glanced up at the Minister. He shrugged, disappointment showing on his face. "Not really."
Scrimgeour narrowed his eyes. "So why would he leave an item for a student who was at Hogwarts for a mere nine months out of the year?"
Naruto just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Scrimegeour wasn't convinced. "Aside from the Triwizard Tournament, Hogwarts does not offer exchange programs with other wizarding schools. Out of all schools, why was your school chosen? Why were you specifically picked from among so many students to participate?"
Naruto looked at Scrimgeour, eyebrows furrowed. "Back at school, I'm sort of considered a genius. I guess my reputation precedes me. Are we done?"
Scrimgeour pursed his lips into a line so tight, they looked to disappear. He glanced at the parchment once more.
"To Mr. Harry James Potter," Harry looked on, excited by the prospect of finding what Dumbledore left him. "I leave the snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill." Scrimgeour pulled out the tiny yellow ball and Harry felt a sudden feeling of disappointment.
"Why would Dumbledore give you this snitch?" Said Scrimgeour holding it up.
"No idea." Said Harry looking at the snitch in Scrimgeour's hand.
"You think he gave it to you for a keepsake?" Scrimgeour raised an eyebrow.
"I guess." Said Harry. "What else could it be for?"
Scrimgeour looked irritated. "A snitch is a good hiding place for a small object, as I'm sure you know why." Harry didn't however, so he just shook his head.
"Snitches have flesh memories." Hermione answered instead.
"Exactly." Said Scrimgeour. "This is particularly useful because it can then identify who the first person to touch it in a game was. I believe," He said, holding the snitch up, "That this snitch will open only for you."
Harry felt his heart beating rapidly. He believed the Minster to be right, but how could he take it from Scrimgeour right there without exposing whatever was inside?
"Take it." Said Scrimgeour quietly.
Harry reached forward hesitantly and he could feel Naruto leaning forward also in anticipation. But then Harry's fingers enclosed around the snitch and nothing happened.
Harry took it and leaned back. "That was dramatic." He said coolly.
Hermione cleared her throat. "Is that all Minister?' She said rather tartly.
"No, it isn't, Dumbledore left you a second item Potter." Said Scrimgeour with narrowed eyes.
"What is it?" Asked Harry, his excitement returning.
"The sword of Godric Gryffindor." Everyone perked up at this, and even Naruto's eyes widened. That was a gift he could have gotten behind! Why didn't Dumbledore give him something like that?
"Unfortunately, the sword was not Dumbledore's to give you." Said Scrimgeour as Harry was about to ask where it was. "The sword is of historical significance and it belongs-"
"To Harry!" Said Naruto loudly. "From what I understand, Dumbledore wrote it in his will, therefore it belongs to Harry now!" Hermione put her hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"Quiet, Mr. Uzumaki!" Scrimgeour barked. "Mr. Potter, why do you..."
"Why did he give the sword to me?" Harry finished. He shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno, maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall."
"This is not a joke, Potter!" Scrimgeour snapped. "Did Dumbledore give it to you because he thought it would give you the power to defeat the Dark Lord?" Scrimgeour was angry now.
"Interesting theory." Said Harry, more loudly now. "No one's ever attempted to kill Voldermort with a sword before. Maybe you should start testing these things out instead of covering up Azkaban break outs and stripping down items from a will!" Harry was standing now and Scrimgeour had jumped up too.
"Oi!" Said Naruto jumping up along with Ron and Hermione.
"You may wear that scar like a crown, Potter, but it is not for a seventeen year old boy to tell me how to do my job! It's time you learned some respect!" Scrimgeour sneered.
"It's time you earned it." Harry growled.
There was the sound of running footsteps and then Mr. and Mrs. Weasley burst in.
"We thought we heard…" Said Mr. Weasley, taking in the sight.
"…Raised voices…" Finished Mrs. Weasley.
Scrimgeour stepped back. "It's nothing." He looked back at Harry. "I regret your attitude."
Then he turned and left the room without another word.
Scrimgeour's appearance and subsequent departure had put a bit of a damper on the rest of Harry's party. Ron and Hermione had passed around the Deluminator and the Tales of Beetle the Bard for the other guests to look and marvel over, but Naruto had kept the old hitai-ate stored away in his pocket. He was loath to even show it to Sai and Kakashi, that's how disappointed by it he was. What was the point of being singled out if he was only going to be given something he already had? There had to be a reason, but Naruto just wasn't grasping it.
When the Weasley household finally retired off to bed, Naruto and Sai joined Kakashi in the tent he had pitched in the Weasley's backyard. The Burrow was almost at its bursting point with guests, so Kakashi had graciously volunteered to sleep outside, claiming he was used to it.
"How did you even get here?" Naruto was practically bouncing on his knees as he and Sai seated themselves in the tent, a million questions buzzing in his mind. "You didn't follow us through the portal, did you? Do you know where Sakura is?"
"If you might find out if you give him a chance to answer." Said replied, without a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask as he shook his head. "No, I didn't follow you through the portal. Tsunade gave me another…means of transportation." He said mysteriously.
This only brought more questions to Naruto's mind, but before he could voice them, Kakashi said "Before you ask any more questions, maybe we should invite your friends in. Harry?" Kakashi called out.
There was silence before something rustled near the tent and a sullen looking Harry slunk into the tent followed by a surprised Ron and an embarrassed Hermione.
"How did you know we were there, Professor?" Said Hermione as she held her knees against her chest.
Kakashi let out a chuckle. "First off, as we are no longer at Hogwarts, there's no need to refer to me as Professor anymore. Kakashi will do just fine. And second, I made it a point to accustom myself to Harry's chakra during our stay in Hogwarts. It wasn't hard sense you eavesdropping out there."
Harry's mouth gaped open before he snapped it shut. "Sorry…we didn't mean…"
"It's ok." Said Kakashi lightly. "Where would ninja be if we didn't have to eavesdrop once in a while? In fact, Miss Granger, you may be able to help me with something."
Hermione's eyes widened and she looked a little frightened. "Me?" She squeaked.
"I assume Naruto and Sai have told you our circumstances?" When the three wizards nodded their heads, Kakashi continued. "I was investigating Sakura's apartment, hoping to find a few clues as to where she was taken and I came across what may have been a potion that was used to subdue her."
Naruto hands clenched at the thought.
"It was a clear liquid." Kakashi explained, "That smelled of something like lilies and valerian root."
Hermione's eyes widened. "Draught of Living Death." She whispered.
Kakashi looked taken back, surprised she had answered so quickly. "That was quick, even for you, Hermione." Said Ron in awe.
"Well, it was simple really." Said Hermione, with a shrug of her shoulder. "Asphodel flowers – one of the main ingredients – are often confused with lilies because they smell and look quite similar. And valerian root is a natural sedative. A perfectly brewed Draught of Living Death is clear in color – a property not many potions have." When Hermione finished, there was a red blush coloring her cheeks.
Kakashi nodded, impressed with Hermione's quick deduction and reasoning. "How many are capable of brewing this potion?"
"Well, Harry brewed one last year in Slughorn's class." Ron announced proudly, slapping Harry on the back.
"Only because he cheated!" Said Hermione, clearly miffed.
"I didn't cheat!" Harry protested.
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head at him. "The potion is exceedingly complex and difficult, even for those who have a lot of potion brewing experience. Only a true potions master could brew it." She explained.
A true potions master? "How did you brew it, Harry?" Kakashi asked.
"I didn't cheat," Harry repeated as he looked at Hermione. "I merely…followed instructions."
"Yeah, instructions from the greasy bat himself!" Said Ron with a laugh.
Naruto's eyed widened as he took in what Ron said. "Snape?!" He cried incredulously. He had become quite accustomed to the many nicknamed that both Ron and Harry used for their potions professor.
"Severus Snape?" Kakashi asked sharply.