::15::

I appreciate you helping me out like this, considering it's Christmas." Said Kingsley as he moved down there street, waving his wand under the security of his cloak, pausing his speech only when he needed to mutter an incantation. "You must have family you could be spending this time with."

Kakashi merely chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Not unless you consider the bartender family."

Both he and Kingsley shared a laugh as the snow fell in light drifts upon them. Kakashi was walking casually, disguised in Muggle clothing, his hands shoved into his pockets. "I used to spend Christmas with Naruto and Sakura, but since they're gone...and before that with a few friends of mine, but now that Asuma is dead..." Kakashi trailed off and instead began to look at the common Muggle houses they were passing.

"I'm sorry." Said Kingsley softly.

"It's ok." Said Kakashi lightly. "I thought about spending Christmas with Tonks and Andromeda, but now that Remus has returned, I thought they deserved to have Christmas together, as a family without any intruders."

"They'll probably be over by the Burrow later." Said Kingsley, waving his wand in a particularly complicated loop. "And while we're there, you can talk to Fred and George. They've been keen on talking with you for a while now."

Kakashi did nothing to disguise his groan, which earned another chuckle from Kingsley. "No doubt to pull another embarrassing prank on me." Muttered Kakashi. "I don't know how they manage to one up me every time..."

"The Gods of Trickery have personally granted those two with his gift, so don't feel so bad." Said Kingsley clapping Kakashi on the back. "Although this time, I think they want to discuss the possibility of you coming on Potterwatch!, perhaps giving a segment on how to deal with ninja."

"Oh," Said Kakashi impressed. "That's actually a fantastic idea."

"Also...being on the run has given me a lot of time to...check up on things." Continued Kingsley. "I found out that You Know Who has been using the Malfoy Manor as a base. Nearly impossible to infiltrate the place though, they have magical enchantments up to the neck unless you know how to get in." Explained Kingsley.

"Do you think they could be holding Sakura there?" Kakashi questioned, whirling around.

Kingsley nodded his head. "I managed to Confund one of the ninja leaving the place, he didn't seem to be too bright and he fell to the spell quite easily, it rather surprised me actually..." Mused Kingsley. "But I couldn't find her inside. I suspect they have her locked up quite nicely when she isn't...well. I did, however, find Luna Lovegood and Ollivander the wand maker..."

"Luna Lovegood!" Kakashi exclaimed, recalling the blond haired girl from his one time teaching post. "Arthur said they snatched her off the Hogwarts Express when she was returning for the Christmas holiday...what would You Know Who want with her?"

Kingsley scratched his head. "I assume they are using her as collateral so that they can bend Xenophilius to do their bidding, just as they have been with the Daily Prophet..."

Kakashi shook his head, disgusted. "Luna is a strong girl." He said. "She always did well in my class and she was close with Harry Potter. If Sakura is there, I know she won't let anything bad happen to her."

Kingsley turned away, a sad smile on his face. "Kakashi, I have news for you concerning Sakura..."

Kakashi froze and his back went rigid. His eyes drifted, uncertain toward the Muggle house that he was standing in front of. Christmas lights twinkled merrily in the brushes and in the front window where a large Christmas tree was on display. Through the frost covered windows, Muggles in their Christmas wear were celebrating, totally unaware of the war that was raging that could easily destroy their ignorant lives. If Sakura was found out to be dead...Kakashi wasn't sure what he would do. Team 7 had grown to become such an integral part of his life that the loss of Sasuke was a big enough blow as it was. If he lost Sakura to Orochimaru as well..."What is it?" Kakashi asked gravely.

"When Luna Lovegood was snatched from the Hogwarts Express...it wasn't just Death Eaters that came." Said Kingsley, his voice a tad bit hesitant. He paused before continuing. "Ginny Weasley recognized your Sakura."

Kakashi immediately narrowed his eyes. What was Orochimaru playing at? Flaunting her out in the open to let Kakashi know that he had her? To tease him? To tease Naruto? Was that what this was about? If Orochimaru was indeed after Naruto and he was using Sakura as bait, then he wouldn't give him the satisfaction. As much as it would likely anger Naruto if he ever found out, Kakashi wouldn't tell him what Kingsley was telling him now.

"They are using her as bait." Said Kakashi grimly. "Bringing her out in the open to lure Naruto in. That has to be it."

"I'm not so sure, Kakashi." Said Kingsley.

"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked.

Kingsley stopped, forcing Kakashi to look at him. Although there was sympathy glimmering in his dark eyes, his face was hard as he spoke his next words. "I mean that Sakura wasn't there as a...a victim. She was wearing Death Eater robes. She came for Luna. She broke Neville Longbottom's leg when he tried to escape the train with Luna."

Kakashi felt his heart plummet into his stomach. Sakura would never...

"And Kakashi...Ginny said she was laughing while she did it."

Kakashi turned around, away from Kingsley so he wouldn't see the angry tear that slipped from his eye. What had they done to her?

"You need to take me to the Malfoy Manor."

"Harry…there's someone over there...watching us, I can feel it." Hermione whispered anxiously.

They all stopped, standing among the eerie darkness, alone in the graveyard. Harry's eyes roved the graveyard, yet he could see nothing. Naruto sniffed the air, only to be greeted by the stinging clear sensation of freezing cold air. "I don't see anyone." He whispered back.

"I swear it was right over there." Hermione said anxiously, gesturing with her head to some bushes.

"I can't sense anyone." Murmured Sai.

"Hermione, we're disguised as Muggles, remember?" Said Harry.

"Who have just laid flowers over your dead parent's grave! I'm certain someone is over there!" Hermione hissed.

"This place, like...isn't haunted right?" Asked Naruto, his voice filled with worry. "Because...ghosts I can't handle..."

"Of course not." Said Hermione, but even she didn't sound certain.

"It's most likely a cat or something." Said Harry edgily. "If it were a Death Eater, we'd be dead by now. Let's find Bathilda and then get out of here. We can take turns putting the Cloak on or something."

Hermione and Naruto quickly nodded their head, with Naruto muttering that he wanted first dibs on the Cloak. They moved quickly through the forest, their eyes constantly darting around as Hermione's comment had obviously put them all on edge, even Sai. As soon as they left the graveyard, there was a collective sigh of relief that escaped them. The sounds of merry Christmas singing could be heard from the local pub, giving the sense of human presence that had been devoid in the graveyard.

"Where do you think Bathilda's house is?" Asked Hermione.

Harry didn't answer as he began to lead them down one of the snow trodden lanes. He seemed to have spotted something and was moving toward it, pulling them along quickly.

"Harry..." Began Hermione, nudging him as she glanced behind them.

"Hermione…I can see it." Said Harry, his voice a mixture of impatience and awe.

"What? Oh!" Hermione looked up and saw the house.

They could all see it. The charm keeping the Potter house hidden from the rest of the world had died with its owners. The hedges were overgrown wildly and they could see where part of the cottage had been blasted apart, probably by the backfire of the charm. Harry grasped the gate and a sign slowly rose out of the ground. They all read the sign, and as a symbol of support there were thousands of signatures and messages littering the border of the sign.

"Brilliant…" Said Harry, a grin spreading across his face as he grazed the sign with his fingertips.

Then they heard a crunch in the snow, and they all whipped around the see an old woman hobbling down the street towards them. Age had obviously distorted her posture and she came to a halt a few feet away from them. They stood in silence, staring at each other. Harry had a nagging feeling he knew who she was.

Finally, he spoke, making Hermione jump. "Are you Bathilda?"

The woman nodded and beckoned them forward. Harry looked at Hermione and Hermione stared back.

"Might as well try." Naruto murmured.

Harry nodded and broke away from the others and started forward. The old woman turned around and started going back the way she came. Hermione and the shinobi timidly followed after him.

They followed her into her house, where they stood vacantly at the doorway. Naruto wrinkled his nose. The house sure did smell bad.

"This ba baa smells bad." Naruto complained.

"Shh." Sai whispered. He was sensing something eerie about this woman...

Bathilda looked older than Harry had expected and he wondered if she could even see him. "Bathilda?" Harry said.

Suddenly, the Horcrux around his neck started to beat wildly. Harry ignored it as Bathilda brushed past them and hobbled into the next room.

"I dunno, Harry." Breathed Hermione.

"But look at her." Said Naruto.

"I think we can take her." Said Harry voicing Naruto's opinion.

"Come!" Bathilda called. Hermione jumped.

"It's ok." Said Naruto as Harry led them into the next room.

Bathilda was tottering around lighting candles. The room was certainly was dirty.

"Let me help." Said Harry. He took the match and lit the remaining candles, wondering if she forgot she could use magic.

Harry watched the light flicker and dance on the surface of the glass picture frames. Many were missing from the most ornate ones. Then a photo near the back caught his eye. He grasped it instantly and found it was none other than the thief who stole from Gregorovitch in his dream many months ago.

"Ms. Bagshot…Who is this?" Harry's voice was slightly shaking, but Bathilda just stared blank faced at him. "Who is this?" He repeated louder, thrusting the photo out.

"What are you doing?" Naruto asked.

"Please!" Harry pleaded. "Who is this?"

But Bathilda only stared back. Then, with a jerk of her hand she pointed towards the back hall.

"You want us to go?" Asked Hermione.

Then she shook her head with vigor and pointed to herself, then Harry, then at the ceiling.

"I think she wants me to go upstairs with her. Said Harry.

"Why?" Hermione asked, her voice a little high.

"It's ok." Harry soothed. "I'll be back quick."

Then Harry followed Bathilda out of the room and secretly slipped the photo of the thief in his jacket. With a curious expression, Sai made to follow Harry upstairs. When Bathilda noticed Sai following, she stopped on the stairs and looked at him expectantly.

Harry looked at her and back to Sai. "I think she wants me to go alone." Said Harry.

Sai frowned. He didn't like the sound of that...

Harry gave Sai an encouraging smile. "I'll be alright. If I need you, I'll shout, alright?"

Sai nodded his head after a moment and let Harry move up the stairs with the old woman, watching as they disappeared from sight.

Naruto had turned his attention towards the pictures on the mantelpiece that Harry had just been looking at. They were all old with age, and many different people were in them. Wizarding pictures amused Naruto, they were all moving. Naruto heard Hermione give a small gasp of surprise as she picked up a dusty book off the table.

Suddenly Naruto noticed something. Naruto took the picture and stared at it. "What the…?"

Harry followed Bathilda slowly up the stairs. Now that he stood behind her in such close proximity, there was definitely a foul odor about her. But Harry put that out of his mind quickly. Perhaps the Sword of Gryffindor really was here and that's why Bathilda was being so secretive; Dumbledore had entrusted her to give Harry the sword and Harry alone.

But there was something wrong as soon as they reached upstairs. He had blindly, stupidly followed Bathilda into a dark, upstairs bedroom. She didn't pause to turn on the lights, instead striding directly inside. The moon was bright, streaming in through the curtain-less window. His scar suddenly burned and he clutched at it, wincing in pain.

Master, he's here. He's finally here.

Then Nagini lunged at him while Bathilda dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

The picture was old, as old as the others, but that wasn't the strange part. It was the old man Dumbledore although he looked much younger and Sandaime, shaking hands as they smiled at the picture. Across the corner, in fine handwriting were the words: 'To Ms. Bagshot, Thank you for all the help you have offered, circumstances allowing, I hope to see you again one day' followed by three very familiar looking characters. But that wasn't the strange part…the strange part was that the Sandaime was wearing wizarding robes like Dumbledore…looking as if he belonged there.

Suddenly, something startling entered Naruto's brain.

He remembered the words Tsunade told him two years ago...'A long time ago, before Sarutobi-sensei became Hokage, we learned about an alternate dimension where wizards and witches live. It was purely accidental and we both decided on keeping it a secret.'

Of course! It had been the Sandaime who discovered the portal! This is what Dumbledore meant by discovering the past? But why wouldn't Dumbledore have just told him this? Why all the secrecy? Unless…there was something more? What if Dumbledore had lead him here not to find the sword…but to find this photo? But why?

Suddenly, Sai, who had been waiting at the foot of the stairs jumped in surprise. Without a word, he vanished from sight just as a crash was heard. Naruto jumped at the sound and the photo shook in his hands.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted as she ran up the stairs.

Naruto quickly shoved the picture frame in the pocket of his pants and turned to dash up the stairs when a voice called his name, startling him. "Naruto."

Naruto turned, his heart suddenly a heavy hammer in his chest. Sakura near the door, looking ethereal in the moonlight. Her eyes widened as his gaze met hers. "Sakura…"

"Naruto…" Sakura said again, but this time, she sounded as if she were in pain. Her eyes went wide and she doubled over, as if about to throw up. But before Naruto could take a step toward her, she turned and fled through the front door of the house.

He didn't question her sudden appearance; he didn't question why she was running away from him. All his mind could process was run and Kami willing catch up with her because he couldn't possibly lose her again.

Harry gasped, his eyes flying open as the weight that was on top of him shifted up and off of him. He watched the giant snake lunged at Sai who dived aside, tossing a kunai. Harry quickly jumped up, his scar bursting in pain.

Hermione shrieked as she fell to the floor, a red spell jetting from her wand at the snake.

Harry grabbed his wand as the snake lifted in the air and flew back toward the wall. It's massive, flailing body smacked Harry in the face, disorientating him.

Sai turned to help Harry, who quickly waved him off. His distraction cost him; it was enough for Nagini to smack him in the face with her tail, sending him sprawling on the floor with a broken nose. Hermione ran toward the window, only for Nagini to smash her into the wall before pouncing on her.

Harry's head was swimming now, his scar bursting with more pain than he had felt in a long while. Fearing the worse, he dove toward where Hermione had fallen. "Hermione, He's coming…" Harry fell to the ground, clutching at his scar and yelling in agony.

Sai charged in, attempting to get toward Hermione. Nagini moved swiftly, body coiling before her tail struck out at Sai, catching him by surprise. Nagini hit Sai out of the broken window. There was a surprised gasp before he disappeared into the darkness. Nagini then turned to Hermione once more, picking her disoriented body up as her body curled tightly around her.

"Hermione…" Harry moaned, struggling as he crawled across the ground toward where Hermione was being squeezed mercilessly by Nagini. He was probably at the gate now, smiling gleefully, knowing that he was up here…

Hermione stabbed her wand at Nagini and the snake recoiled, loosening enough for Hermione to pull her mouth free. "Harry, go!" She screamed. "He's coming for you, go now!"

Harry's eyes widened, even as the pain from his scar burned tears in his eyes. He couldn't leave his friends here…

"GO!" Hermione shrieked.

Harry vanished and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she stabbed her wand into Nagini's side. The snake hissed and released Hermione who quickly Apparated outside. She found Sai lying on the snow covered ground outside, groaning as he clutched his side. Helping him to his feet, Hermione glanced up just in time to see a sight that froze the blood in her veins. She quickly Apparated away with Sai before Voldermort could send a killing curse their way.

Sweat was beading on her brow despite the cold winter winds blowing around her. She concentrated her chakra, watching as the seal in front of her burned red for a moment before fluttering away in the wind. She wiped a hand over her forehead, wondering how much time she had left.

It was such a gamble, what she was doing, but there was really no other way. These wizards were cautious and they had many tricks up their sleeves. Their barriers were more efficient than any a ninja could construct as she could not see nor hear them. But she had one thing on her side which was that she could feel them. She could faintly feel the girl; all warm blankets and the soft smell of lavender and the boy who felt so dangerous that her adrenaline sometimes spiked. And she could feel the other boy more strongly; his chakra which smelled like freshly ground ink and much stronger than the other two. But most profoundly, she felt him or furthermore, the absence of him which was how she knew they were gone.

Her companion was still hiding deep in the woods, but she knew it wouldn't come to that. All she needed to do was get inside and get the book, assuming they didn't take it with them. She hoped they hadn't…she didn't want it to come to that. She sighed and set to work once more.

The magic was weakening. Just a little bit farther...

Glossary:
Ba baa-Old lady

Bingo Book

Undesirable #6

Pein

Status: Missing Nin (Amegakure), Leader of Akatsuki

Family: Unknown
Akatsuki partner: Konan (see Undesirable #7)

Security Status: UNTRACEABLE, too dangerous to track at current time. Will pursue once more resources are available.