::08::
Sasuke had his ever stoic expression set upon his face as he walked down the hallways. He didn't like being in this place. It smelled funny, the food was funny, the people were weird and their clothes were even weirder. But, apparently these 'wizards' had abilities that ninja did not, being the reason why Orochimaru teamed up with Voldermort in the first place. Sasuke had to admit he was impressed by what he had seen so far, but he also couldn't help but think that the green spell which granted instant death was a bit of a cop out.
Nonetheless, Sasuke stuck around because he was interested in learning if these so called 'Dark Arts' could help him any in his revenge against his brother. Sasuke was ready to bail out at a moment's notice if he had nothing to gain from being here – he was simply biding his time with Orochimaru, waiting and anticipating the day when he would be able to make his move.
Orochimaru was busy at the moment, as he had been so often since arriving here. Sasuke found that there were both pro's and con's to this situation. The cons were, he could train as often as he would have liked to. The pros were that Orochimaru could no longer give him his eerie smirks and grins whenever he passed and could no longer slither creepily around the house. Sasuke shrugged his shoulders when a glint from inside one of the rooms caught his attention. He stepped inside the room and found it was a normal bedroom, with silver and green banners everywhere. One had a shiny silver snake on it. Sasuke realized this is what caught his attention. He came to the conclusion that this must be a boy's room. Sasuke decided that this was a waste of his time to look around in a kid's room.
"Who the bloody hell are you?"
Sasuke turned back toward the room and spotted the source of the voice – a blond, sullen looking boy who had been sitting in the corner of the room. His dark clothing made him blend in with his surroundings. As Sasuke's eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, he could see the boy had his arm outstretched and his sleeve pushed up. An ugly mark bearing a skull and a snake was imprinted on his pale skin.
The boy looked up at him, his eyes colorless. "Oh." He scoffed. "You're one of them. What? No manners where you come from?" He asked.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me?" He said. Just who did this boy think he was talking too?
The boy' raised an eyebrow, although his face remained impassive. "Can't you respect someone privacy? My name is right on the bloody door." The boy pointed to a small plate on the door.
Sasuke's dark eyes turned to look at it. He had completely missed it. It said Draco. What type of name was that? Who the hell would name their kid Draco? "Was I supposed to know that was your name?" Sasuke asked.
A flit of emotion passed on the boy's face before he frowned and looked away. He pulled the sleeve of his shirt down. "Whatever." He muttered. "Just leave me the hell alone. Don't ever come back here." He waved the wand in his hand and the door slammed shut, closing in Sasuke's face.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he stared at the door just mere inches away from his nose. He had half a mind to burn down the door and let the boy know just who exactly he was ordering around. But there had been something about the boy's face…something sad and broken that made Sasuke think it wouldn't be worth it. He walked away, wondering if in time, this place broke everyone's spirits.
'At least something is getting easier,' Kakashi thought as he stepped through the portal back to the wizarding world. The wind had an edge to it as it passed around Kakashi while he waited for the magic sizzle in the air to fade as the portal snapped shut. If Tsunade had been adamant about anything, it was that whatever portals he made he had to make sure they closed.
When the portal finally did close with a little 'pop', Kakashi turned and made his way down the hill toward the Burrow. A week had passed since Kakashi and Tonks' run-in with Death Eaters at Borgin and Burke's. In that that, Kakashi had taken the captured Oto ninja back to Konoha and handed him over to Ibiki and Interrogation Unit. Tsunade had ended up feeling sorry for the poor boy who was only a Genin, having just joined Orochimaru's ranks after his family was completely obliterated in a civilian skirmish. She offered the boy a chance to change sides to Konoha, but only after he proved himself worthy in an undefined probation period.
Kakashi entered the backyard, watching as a garden gnome waddled past him before he knocked on the backdoor. When no one answered, Kakashi tested the lock and found it open. He slipped inside into the kitchen. Kakashi was about to call out for Molly when his finely tuned senses picked up on a slight sobbing sound. Peeking further into the kitchen, he found Tonks, half sitting on one of the kitchen chairs, her face buried in her hands. She was silently sobbing.
"Nymphadora?" Kakashi asked hesitantly, unsure if he should disrupt her.
Tonks jumped at the sound of his voice. "Oh, Kakashi." She said, quickly wiping the tears from her face. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Tonks."
"Are you waiting for Molly?" Kakashi asked. Surely the Weasley matriarch would know how to deal with a crying woman.
"Oh, no." Said Tonks quickly. "I…I was just leaving. I…I thought Remus might have come here."
Kakashi took a step forward. "He's missing?" He asked in alarm.
Tonks bit her lip. "He said that he was going to visit Harry at Grimmauld Place, but that was a few days ago and…and I know there was a Death Eater trailing us…" Fresh tears spilled from her eyes and Kakashi blanched.
"Kakashi." She cried, burying her face once again in her hands as she heaved out fresh sobs. "I think Remus might have left me."
Naruto jogged down the steps toward the front door, pointedly ignoring all the house elf heads that were mounted on the wall as he usually did. Naruto opened the front door and was greeted by a cool summer's breeze as he leaned casually against the doorframe.
"Are you going to sit out here all night?"
Sai turned toward him, his expression blank. He was sitting cross-legged on the top step in front of the door, staring down into the evening lit square beyond. There were three dark figures standing in the square, staring straight at them. But Naruto didn't panic; he knew they couldn't see him.
"The third one arrived a few hours ago." Said Sai as he turned back to watching the square. "They know we are here."
"Yeah, but unless the slimy bastard himself turns up, they can't get us in here." Said Naruto. "So they can stand out there all night for all I care."
But Sai didn't budge. Despite Harry, Ron and Hermione's assurances that the Death Eaters couldn't enter, that they couldn't even know for sure if Harry was indeed hiding out in 12 Grimmauld Place, Sai had taken to keeping watch in the evenings. The only one who didn't hassle him about it was Naruto because he knew Sai was just being a good ninja.
"I can keep watch tonight." Said Naruto as he moved away from the door and sat down on the step next to Sai. "You can get some sleep tonight."
Sai gave Naruto a sidelong look. "Because you won't be sleeping anyway?"
Naruto's eyes flashed angrily. "What do you know about that?"
"I see you passed out most mornings at the breakfast table." Said Sai nonchalantly. "I see the bags under your eyes even now."
Naruto let out a huff of breath as his shoulders slumped forward. "It's just hard, with Sakura –"
Naruto didn't finish as there was a crack and then someone was standing on the step almost ready to topple over them. In a flash, Naruto and Sai were on their feet and they had the intruder slammed up against the door, kunai out.
"Severus Snape?" The dusty version of Dumbledore asked as it rose from the ground.
"No," Said the intruder, shaking the hood from his head. "It's me, Remus Lupin."
Then the dust figure exploded and there was the sound of footsteps pounding down the stairs as Naruto exchanged looks with Sai. Sai shook his head, keeping his kunai out.
"Lupin!" Hermione exclaimed as she, Ron and Harry arrived on the landing.
Harry immediately drew his wand and approached Lupin, ignoring Hermione and Ron's flabbergasted looks. "It could be an imposter." Said Harry stubbornly. "Snape knows how to fashion himself a Polyjuice Potion."
"Harry is right." Said Lupin nodding his head. "My name is Remus John Lupin, some know me as Mooney, co-creator of the Maurauders's Map. I am a known member of the Order of the Phoenix and am married to Nymphadora, also known as Tonks." Then Lupin looked directly at Harry. "In your third year, I taught you how to conjure a Patronus."
"Oh, alright." Said Harry almost heatedly as he put his wand away, "I had to check, didn't I?"
Lupin nodded as Naruto and Sai backed away and they all proceeded into the house. "Of course you had to check! Ron, Hermione, don't be so hasty to believe someone is who they say they are." He berated.
Hermione and Ron looked bashful as they all walked down to the kitchen. "I would have been here days ago, but I had to shake the Death Eater following me." Lupin explained.
"It's' gotten that bad, huh?" Harry asked as he settled into one of the kitchen chairs. Hermione immediately conjured a fire in the fireplace which cast a warm glow about the kitchen. Kreacher was still gone, so Hermione flicked her wand at the kettle that was on the stove and it began brewing some tea.
"More or less." Lupin explained. "The Death Eaters like to keep us known Order members on our toes. I reckon they think we will either lead them to you or we'll crack under the pressure. But enough on that. I want to hear about everything that happened after the wedding."
"We ran into Death Eaters." Said Harry.
"On Tottingham Court Road." Hermione supplied.
Lupin looked aghast. "What?"
"You...you don't think Harry could still have the Trace, do you?" Asked Hermione tentatively.
Lupin shook his head. "That's impossible. If you still had the Trace about you, they would know for certain that you are hiding here. But still, that's very…very disconcerting that they were able to find you."
"What happened after we left?" Harry asked quickly.
"Everyone is alright." Lupin nodded. "Thanks to Kingsley, most of the guests were able to get away. And those that weren't able to scraped by with only a few minor injuries – nothing that we couldn't handle." He soothed. "However, the attack itself isn't comforting. While the wedding was being crashed, Death Eaters were forcing themselves into all known Order member's homes."
"How could they get away with this?" Asked Hermione, infuriated.
Lupin shook his head. "You don't understand. Scrimegeour is dead. The Death Eaters and Voldermort have the full might of the Ministry behind them now. They can basically do whatever they please without retribution. And the worse part is," Said Lupin, pulling a crumpled newspaper from his cloak, "Is that they can justify it."
Lupin pushed the latest release of the Daily Prophet across the table toward Harry. The large picture of Harry was splashed across the front under the headline.
WANTED FOR QUESTIONING ABOUT THE DEATH OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Naruto growled in outrage as Harry pushed the paper away, disgusted.
"I'm sorry, Harry." Said Lupin quietly.
"Don't people realize what's going on?" Asked Hermione angrily. "How can they get away with this?"
"A good coup is the one that goes by unnoticed." Said Sai.
Lupin nodded in agreement. "The official story is that Scrimgeour retired. Pius Thicknesse has replaced him but he's under the Imperius Curse. Voldermort controls the Ministry while still doing as he pleases."
"Like kidnap Sakura and do Kami knows what." Muttered Naruto. Then his eyes widened as if he just remembered something important. He turned toward Lupin and practically lunged across the table to grab his hands. "Kakashi! Did Kakashi find Sakura?"
Lupin's lips pulled slightly into a frown. "I'm afraid not…"
Naruto pulled back, pounding the table with enough force that the objects on the surface jumped. "We'll find her, Naruto." Said Hermione in her most placating tone as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll keep searching."
Naruto's body had stiffened as he sat back in his chair, but he gave a curt nod at Hermione's words. He would definitely not lose hope that they would find Sakura.
Lupin shook his head. "I will admit that out of all of this, the thing that confuses me most is what Voldermort would want with this girl? Or what he has to gain by aligning himself with this Orochimaru character."
"Orochimaru is a bloodthirsty psychopath." Naruto spat.
Harry furrowed his eyebrows as if he just realized something. "What if..." He paused, collecting his thoughts. "Maybe after Voldermort saw what that ninja with the red eyes did at the Ministry...saw what you did," He said, looking to Naruto, "Maybe he decided to you know...team up. What better way to scare the entire wizarding world than to team up with a ninja? No offense." Harry added sheepishly.
"That was Voldermort's tactic during the first war," Lupin explained, "Fear. But if that is the case, then why not advertise the presence of the ninja? It would create mass hysteria and people would be more on edge than they already are. Yet Voldermort has remained glib about the whole thing."
"They are planning something then." Said Harry, shaking his head. "All this secrecy, Voldermort has to be planning for something big. A game changer, if you will."
"But what does this have to do with Sakura?" Naruto asked, entirely confused by all this. "What would they need Sakura for?"
"We'll find out." Whispered Hermione.
Something occurred to Sai, something that told him that maybe Orochimaru kidnapped Sakura in order to lure Naruto in. But for some reason, something was preventing him from saying it. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, trying to make sense of the sudden emotion he felt.
"I don't know." Lupin murmured, "Voldermort has been keeping a low profile since his return. Of course after the debacle at the Ministry, the public knows he's back, but he has yet to really show his face. It could be that he does have something big in mind or that he's trying to sway the public toward him little by little. Mass hysteria won't work in his favor if that's the case."
"That's…!" Harry sputtered. "People couldn't possibly join Voldermort of their own free will."
Lupin gave a half hearted shrug as if he would rather not delve into the topic. "The Order is under the impression that Dumbledore left you a mission." He said instead.
"That would be correct." Said Harry, clearly still overwhelmed by what Lupin had said.
"Can you confide in me on what this mission is?" Lupin asked.
Harry gave pause at Lupin's words. He gave a small grimace. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can. If Dumbledore didn't fill you in, then I don't think I can."
"I thought you would say that." Said Lupin sadly. Then he looked at Harry again. "But I still might be of some use to you. You know what I am; I can come with you and provide protection. You wouldn't need to tell me what is going on." He said, hoping for a different answer.
"But...what about Tonks?" Asked Hermione, confused.
"What about her?" Asked Lupin
Hermione gave him a look like he should know the obvious answer. "Well…you're married! How does she feel about you coming away with us?"
"She'll be safe. She can stay at her parent's house." Said Lupin in a cold voice. Harry, Ron and Hermione shared furtive glances at one another. There was definitely something off about Lupin's tone of voice and the fact that he admitted that Tonks would be staying at her parent's house. Tonks was a full-fledged Auror and Order member, dedicated to taking down Voldermort. Why would she be holed up at her parent's house?
"Umm...is everything ok? Between...you...and..." Asked Hermione awkwardly.
"Everything is fine." Said Lupin snapped.
Then there was a moment of silence and Lupin looked like he was going to say something he really didn't want to say. "Tonks is pregnant." He said grimly.
"How wonderful!" Said Hermione brightly.
"Excellent!" Exclaimed Ron.
"Congratulations!" Said Harry.
"Good job." Said Sai. Everyone gave him a weird look before turning back to Lupin.
Lupin gave a weak smile. "So, do you accept my offer?" He asked again. Everyone exchanged looks. Naruto raised an eyebrow, getting the drift that there was definitely something that Lupin was not telling them. Hermione and Ron glanced at Harry as it was after all, his decision.
"Just to be clear, you want to leave Tonks...pregnant...at her parent's house so you can come with us?" Asked Harry, almost in disbelief.
Lupin looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes. "Her parents can look after her. She'll be...better off..." His tone was oddly disconnected, as if he were trying, forcing himself not to care.
Silence had entered the room until Naruto let out a loud scoff. Everyone turned to look at Naruto, who had his arms crossed rather defiantly over his chest. "Right, because dumping her and your kid to run away with us will make her feel real good." Said Naruto darkly.
Hermione immediately blanched at Naruto's words and bit her lip while Ron seemed to find the kitchen interior more interesting than either Lupin or Naruto. Harry seemed to be the only one brave enough to stare either Lupin or Naruto in the face. His expression told the others that he agreed with Naruto although he didn't say it out loud. Sai seemed rather fascinated by the whole ordeal.
"You don't understand." Said Lupin after a few minutes, "I made a mistake in marrying her and have regretted it ever since..."
"Oh, so this is the easy way to bail out then." Concluded Naruto.
Lupin shot out of his chair, so fast that it tipped over backward. Hermione gasped as Lupin's face was suddenly contorted by a rage none of them had ever seen on the man before. "Don't you see what I've done?" Roared Lupin. "Her own parents are already disgusted by our marriage! I've made my wife an outcast and now the child..." Lupin grabbed handfuls of his hair and he looked miserable. No one had ever seen Lupin act like this. "The child..." He moaned.
"Remus," Said Harry, for the first time, his tone of voice bordering on harsh, "How can you think that leaving your family for us will be the best? Do you want your kid to grow up without a father?"
"Don't you understand?" Cried Lupin. "My kind doesn't normally breed! Imagine if the child becomes like me, as I am certain they will. How do you expect me to live with myself knowing that I passed on this…this disease to an innocent child?" Lupin spun around, his hands on his head, his eyes rather wide with despair.
"And, if by some miracle the child does not become like me," Continued Lupin. "Wouldn't they be better off without a father with whom they don't have to be ashamed of?"
"The child..." Said Naruto angrily. "Would never be ashamed of a father who actually stuck around, no matter what he was." Although Naruto wasn't sure what exactly was wrong with Lupin, he knew that it wouldn't matter anyway.
"My father," Said Harry loudly, "Died to protect my mother and me. How do you think he'd feel if he found you were abandoning yours to go on an adventure with us?"
Lupin looked outraged. "How dare you think I'd do this for...personal glory..." He stuttered, his voice shaking with anger.
"I think you're feeling a bit like a daredevil. You fancy stepping into Sirius' shoes..." Said Harry, standing up.
"No, Harry..." Moaned Hermione.
Lupin had turned livid, but Harry continued to stare at him defiantly in his eye. It was only rage that was fueling Harry as he spoke again. "I would never imagined that you, Remus Lupin, the man who taught me how to fight Dementors…was a coward." Harry shook his head.
Lupin drew his wand so fast that no one had time to counter it. Harry flew back, hitting the wall as Lupin stormed out of the kitchen moments before they heard the front door slam shut. Harry groaned, fixing his mused glasses as Naruto quickly extended a hand to help him up.
"Harry!" Hermione wailed a few seconds later as she came rushing back into the kitchen. "He left! How could you?"
"It was easy." Said Harry picking himself up, still irked by Lupin's words.
"You shouldn't have done that." Said Ron lowly.
"He had it coming." Said Naruto shaking his head. "Parents...shouldn't leave their kids unless they have to."
Naruto looked at Harry, for once feeling like they had something in common. They all silently sat back down at the table. Sai's head was ablaze from all the raw sense of unexplained emotion that was demonstrated.
"If it makes him go back to Tonk's, it will be worth it right?" Asked Harry.
"Of course." Said Naruto. "Once he unsticks his head from his ass, he'll see that we're right."
Hermione and Ron shared a glance, both of their expressions uncertain. Harry roughly grabbed the Daily Prophet that was still sitting on the table and absentmindedly began flipping through it, still too angry to actually process anything. He wanted to speak to Naruto, to learn his reasons for speaking out.
Then a picture of Dumbledore caught his eye. It was Rita Skeeter's biography on Dumbledore. He quickly skimmed through it. Just like everything said at the wedding... the thought made him sick.
There was a crack and Kreacher appeared in the kitchen. "Kreacher has returned with the thief, Mundungus Fletcher."
Hermione acted first. "Expelliarmus!"
Mundungus' wand soared through the air as she caught it. Mundungus moved to grab it, but Naruto reacted quick, shooting out of his chair and he slammed Mundungus hard into the staircase. It was a good catharsis for him to beat someone up.
"What the 'ell?" Said Mundungus flailing. "Sendin' a bleedin' house elf after me...I oughta…"
"Shut up." Barked Naruto.
Mundungus stopped flailing and looked terrified as Harry crossed the room and bent down, shoving his wand in between Mundungus' eyes. "You're not in the position to make threats." Harry said lowly.
"Kreacher apologizes for the delay. Fletcher knows how to avoid capture." Said Kreacher.
"You've done well." Praised Harry. Kreacher bowed.
Harry turned back to Mundungus. "I have a few questions for you and you better do your best to answer them truthfully. When you cleared this house out of anything valuable..."
"Sirius never wanted any of that junk!" Mundungus cried.
Suddenly, there was a screech of anger as Kreacher charged at Mundungus and hit him over the head with a frying pan. Mundungus cried out in pain and started to flail once more.
"Kreacher no!" Yelled Harry.
"Call 'im off! Call 'im off!" Yelled Mundungus, flailing.
"Maybe once more?" Asked Kreacher, raising the pan. "For luck?" Ron and Naruto laughed.
"Maybe later." Said Harry grinning. "Right now we need him conscious." He turned back to Mundungus. "When you cleared this house out of anything valuable, there was a locket. What did you do with it?"
Everyone leaned in, waiting in anticipation. Mundungus looked at them. "Why?"
Naruto dug his knee into Mundungus' neck. "Answer the question!" He barked.
"Ok!" Yelled Mundungus. "Effin' gave it away didn't I?" He said.
"What?" Said Harry.
"I was sellin' me stuff in Diagon alley when this Ministry hag comes up and asked if I 'ave a license. She was gonna fine me, but she took a fancy to me locket. Said she take it off me hands." Explained Mundungus.
"Who was it?" Demanded Harry.
"I dunno! She had a little bow on her head..." Then Mundungus thought some more. "Looked like a toad..."
Everyone exchanged anxious glances. Leave it to the thought of Umbridge to clear out all the anxiety and depression in Naruto's mind.
Edit:: When I first wrote this, I had Draco being his arrogant self and Sasuke putting him in his place. While it was certainly funny, I realize it's a step back in Draco's characterization. By HBP, Draco was only half of his former self and not even picking on Harry and his friends had the same appeal. I re-wrote this scene with that in mind, thinking that Draco would still clearly be effected by the events at the end of HBP and that he still wouldn't be quite the same.