Tempus Fugit

As November started Harry heard about Quidditch again.

It seemed the school ran its tournament over the winter months, when they had the greatest odds of increment weather.

It was exciting for Harry, knowing that he would get to see his first match that weekend.

Not quite as exciting as mealtimes had become of course.

Some people still hadn't got used to the the need for proper table manners to avoid the ongoing prank. Malfoy was of particular note, the way he apparently felt that his 'noble birth' left him above the need for manners of any kind.

Which explained how he had been the HÕ-Õ at the first meal with the prank.

Every meal since then Malfoy had suffered some change or other, often brightly coloured but once or twice he just had white fur and minimal extra shifting.

By now everyone was starting to just ignore what happened to him.

Like Hermione was, as she read through her copy of Quidditch Through the Ages, willing to accept the fur growing around her face for reading at the table.

"Why are you reading that Hermione? It's not that long before the first match."

"I want to understand the rules first," she protested. "How am I supposed to follow the game if I don't know them?"

"It's easier to understand the rules with examples to follow," Harry pointed out. He'd always been better at learning from example and action than from a book after all.

"But how am I supposed to read the rules while watching the game?"

Harry sighed. "Hermione, you've read the entire book twice that I've seen. If you haven't learned the rules yet the book won't make them any clearer. Not in the time we have left."

"It's just that I feel like a failure. If I can't learn the rules to a simple game how can I live up to my reputation as 'the brightest witch of the generation'?"

"Reputation and titles like that don't mean much in the real world," Harry disagreed. "I mean, take Jiraiya back home. He was the deadlast in the academy. Lowest grades of anyone in his year who passed the exam. He's a legend now, one of the top- er, one of the most influential people from the village. He was just better at the practical side of things than theory."

"How did that happen?"

Harry shifted awkwardly.

He'd succeeded in distracting her from her book, but now he needed to distract her from the new topic.

After all, there wasn't any real way to explain the sannin without bringing up the whole ninja thing. Which would probably put a certain strain on their friendship.

"You know, this and that," he answered vaguely. "What's so confusing about the rules anyway?"

"All the special cases. I mean, there are rules for a bird flying onto the pitch! Why does a game need so many?"

"Because they came up in play and someone had to make a ruling," Harry determined. "I mean, with how many centuries Quidditch has been played it was inevitable for things to happen like birds flying onto the pitch. That doesn't mean you need to memorise the rules. Well, unless you want a career as a referee anyway."

"Not likely. I want to do something with my mind for a living."

"What's wrong with Quidditch?"

It was Ronald again, who seemed to keep gravitating towards them and forgetting that they weren't friends.

At least he was learning table manners faster than Malfoy, presumably thanks to the survival instincts he'd needed to survive growing up with the twins.

"I'm going to be a professional player," he boasted.

"I'll save judgement until I see a game," Harry answered. "Which should be... little more than the time to reach the pitch?"

Ronald started panicking immediately, and dashed from the hall, not paying any attention to the way that Hooch, referee for each Quidditch game at Hogwarts, was still at the staff table.

"That's one way to get rid of him," Hermione commented. "Now, are you going to explain what you said about Jiraiya or is it some kind of secret?"

"A secret," Harry confessed.

"Right, so that's a topic to avoid. Hey, a lot of the books mention forbidden magic. I understand that there are some things better avoided. Plus my parents are in the medical profession, so I hear a lot about doctor-patient confidentiality."

"You'll understand why I didn't just say something."

"I know I can get a bit bossy about finding out information, but I do understand the concept of secrets. They're much more fun to work out yourself," she finished, with a grin.

Harry sighed.

Hopefully this would be one secret she couldn't uncover.

[|]

As they settled in the stands Harry couldn't help but question the sense in having Gryffindor face Slytherin for the first match.

With how... intense the rivalry between houses was leaving the match for last could be a lot more fitting.

After all, it was most of the year since their last game as a team (by the end of the match he would realise that was the point, as Slytherins lack of recent experience hindered their ability to foul).

The match started, the players racing into the air as the balls were released.

It was perfect.

He could see how the Seeker had to watch for and track the tiny Snitch, training their sight.

The Chasers had to work together to take and maintain control of the Quaffle, training their teamwork as they tried to score.

The Keeper had to predict the coming shot, and place themselves to intercept.

And through it all they had to maintain awareness of the Bludgers or be knocked from their broom.

"It's not, it's brutal!"

Hermiones cry made him realise he'd spoken out loud.

"What is so perfect about a game like this?"

"Teamwork and awareness," he pointed out. "I'm going to have to find a way to bring Quidditch home with me. It's too perfect not to!"

"I guess if you place a higher priority on them than safety," Hermione grumbled.

"It's a way to stay safe," Harry argued. "You never know what's about to happen."

"You should have a chance to see if you can bring Quidditch back with you next month," Hermione finally grumbled.

"Why?"

"Christmas break. Wait, do you not know what Christmas is," she asked, seeing his look of non-comprehension.

His response saw her explain.

She only finished as the match ended, in a draw.

The Slytherin Seeker had finally caught the Snitch while Gryffindor was up by fifteen goals, a number that Harry couldn't help feeling should have carried the match.

Still, the concept of a gift-giving holiday raised some concerns.

How to manage his shopping ahead of time...

[|]

The topic of Quidditch came up in his next conversation with Lupin.

"I never quite made it onto the team," the professor admitted, "but James did so we always showed up to support him."

"Sounds like he'd approve of bringing Quidditch home with me," Harry commented.

Lupin winced at the reminder that Harry didn't consider Britain his home.

"But I've been wondering, how do brooms work? I mean, everyone makes a big deal about how magic needs a wand, incantation and specific wand motion. But brooms don't use any of that."

"As wizards get more skilled they can start to skip them," Lupin dismissed. "Wand motions are usually the first to go, point-casting is much better for your aim. Dumbledore keeps trying to get silent casting on the NEWT curriculum, but there've been problems with the DA professor. He can't put it on the curriculum for all but one subject after all. But for the most part to cast anything beyond the simplest of spells, pre-Hogwarts level for those who grow up with magic, without a wand requires you to be Dumbledore. Brooms on the other hand are just enchanting."

Harry wavered a bit. Wandless casting sounded useful for when he got home.

After all, it would be suspicious if he kept needing to replace his wand.

"How does enchanting work," he asked instead, deciding it would be less suspicious but still useful.

"It's all about granting an object magical properties not inherent to it. It's a Mastery subject, not something taught here. Wandmaking is very similar. If you're interested you'll need to get a good grade in potions, charms and ancient runes."

That sounded like a career, something he already had lined up.

"I don't think I've seen runes on the schedule. Ancient or otherwise."

"One of the options for third year."

[|]

As time passed from November to December the weather turned from sleet to snow.

This wasn't exactly something Harry was used to, the temperature of the Land of Fire remaining pretty constant throughout the year.

Nearly as surprising as the snow was how the students made use of it.

Using the snow to make impromptu (and mostly harmless) throwing weapons and having a mock battle was something he'd have expected more from ninja students than civilians.

Not to say it wasn't fun.

Plus it helped make up for his lack of practise with moving targets.

Which wasn't exactly something he could rig up.

The twins were probably having a bit more fun than most, enchanting snowballs to go after people automatically.

The biggest problem, which Harry kept trying to distract himself from, was the way that even now, a month on from the trial, he hadn't been able to see Sirius.

The headmaster had invited him up to his office, to tell him that Sirius was still recovering and until he was recovered it was best not to let him out.

And Harry visiting would likely reveal his parents identities, particularly to the students who would see him leave.

On the other hand, with the Christmas break coming it would be easy to see him to the hospital to see Sirius on his way home.

In the end Harry agreed, with the proviso that he would get to visit Diagon Alley as well, hoping to sort out presents for Neville and Hermione. Maybe Hagrid and Lupin as well. Not to forget check the prices of Quidditch supplies.

A more minor annoyance was how classes seemed to be winding down as the holiday approached, with less work to do and less to learn.

Finally it was time to catch the express, and head to the outside world.


AN: Checking the books (which seriously limit where I can work on this story) I realised that not much happens from Halloween to Christmas (in fairness, the chapter dealing with the first potions lesson is about halfway through the book).

As for chapter title... I'm not good with those.

In any case, in the other Naruto/Harry Potter crossovers I've seen, I don't remember anyone trying to bring Quidditch to the ninja world. When they should definitely appreciate such levels of ninja training disguised as a sport.

I mean, things trying to take you out (bludgers, rouge or otherwise {why do so many people call Dobbys sabotage the 'rouge bludger' anyway?), a group of three working together (the chasers are very similar to the standard team, with keeper as the leader).

Still, next chapter should see Sirius and Konoha, assuming I don't run out of steam partway through.

In other news, I have a second idea for a challenge fic.

'After the destruction of the Uchiha clan Danzo saw his chance to collect the eyes of the fallen, a way to fuel a last minute survival technique that wouldn't sacrifice the power stolen from Shisui. But testing the eyes for other useful abilities, he stumbled upon something much more interesting.'

Challenge concept; Danzo tests the Mangekyo Sharingan recovered from the clan for any useful abilities, and discovers one which provides a stat screen for him or anyone he turns his gaze upon.

Here he discovers status effects improving or penalising those around him, with nearly everything he's responsible for (emotional deadening, sabotaging allies) harming the leaf and their ninja.

With this ability showing the harm he causes his village, he must slowly find a way to undo the harm he's caused, in his quest to make Konoha the greatest village once again.

Once he's convinced he can trust what the eye is telling him.

Short version: gamer Danzo set on journey of redemption.

Danzo ends up Hokage optional. Naruto trained by Danzo or otherwise helped become strong earlier also optional.

If you take on this challenge, please let me know. Even if you haven't tried writing a story, you might be better than you think, so don't let inexperience stand in your way.

Hopefully more people will take up this challenge than my last...