I do not own Bleach or Harry Potter the both belong respectively to Tite Kubo and J.K. Rowling
Harry stared into his reflection, in the bathroom mirror, focusing on the intricate series of lines forming a seal on his chest. Yoruichi had explained that it was developed by Kisuke Urahara as a stop gap for him, in order to keep whatever's been happening to him under control.
Harry was left in a daze, feeling as if he were struggling to stay afloat. While his mind once again went over everything that's happened since the graveyard.
In the days following Voldemort's resurrection, He had learned from Sirius that Fudge hadn't believed it when Dumbledore told him about Voldemort's return. Given the previous failings of the Ministry of Magic, Harry wasn't that surprised.
To his displeasure the Triwizard Cup and the prize money was still being awarded to Harry, despite his protests. He had tried to give it to Cedric's parents, but they refused. Though they did thank him for managing to bring back their son's body. Harry couldn't help but feel even worse about that, given that he knew Yoruichi and Urahara had been the ones to send him back with the body. All he had done was get their son killed.
Speaking of the two Soul Reapers, Kisuke had completely vanished from the castle before Harry could get a chance to speak with him. And with Yoruichi taking over for him, Harry was left feeling completely useless. And the absence of Nakatsukasa made him feel alone.
Returning to the present, Harry finished getting dressed and headed for the Gryffindor common room, where he found Hermione, Ron, and Ginny waiting for him. The four didn't say a word as they silently made their way to the great hall, ignoring the whispers of the people they passed. Apparently Dumbledore had ordered everyone not to question him about what had happened during the third task. Of course this didn't stop the students from whispering about him as they tried to form their own theories about Cedric's death.
When they entered the hall, Harry and his friends saw the usual decorations for the leaving feast were missing. In their place were black drapes hanging behind the teachers' table. Harry knew instantly they were a mark of respect to Cedric Diggory.
Harry noticed the real Mad-Eye Moody was at the staff table now, his wooden leg and magic eye back in their proper places. The man extra twitchy, not that Harr could blame him; Moody's fear of attack was bound to have increased due to his captivity. Prof Karkaroff's chair was empty; Remus had explained that Crouch Jr. under the guise of Mad-Eye Moody, had dismissed him as Karkaroff's guard, leaving him free to kill the Death Eater deserter.
Unfortunately for Karkaroff, Crouch really did hate traitorous Death Eaters; the mad man took his time casting a series of torture spells leaving the Durmstrang Headmaster, a broken bleeding man. With the hospital wing being ill-equipped to deal with the degree of injuries Karkaroff was shipped off to St. Mungos. Sadly, he died shortly after arrival.
Fudge of course took this as the perfect opportunity to send Crouch Jr. to the Dementors, saying it was due to his crimes most recently being the murder of the visiting headmaster. Though they all suspected it was more likely because he didn't want anyone listening to the mad man's raving about the return of his master.
Madame Maxime was still there. She was sitting next to Hagrid, speaking quietly to him. Apparently whatever their problem was, they had made up. Further along the table, sitting next to Prof. McGonagall was Snape. His eyes lingered on Harry for a moment before looking away. Snape looked as sour and unpleasant as ever. Harry found himself wondering if the potions master had learned the full details of Voldemort's return. More specifically did he now know about Harry's…former Soul Reaper powers.
A stab of pain struck his heart as Harry's mind turned to the absence of Nakatsukasa. It was funny, he was a skilled flier. The youngest known animagus. And the youngest Seeker in a century. But none of those meant anything compared to the pride Harry felt as a Substitute Soul Reaper. It was the path he chose and a job that filled him with pride and purpose, even if hardly anyone would ever know what he did. To have that taken from him hurt. It was only surpassed by the pain he felt in his failure to protect Cedric's soul; Harry had no doubt that it was captured to fuel Voldemort's stone.
Cedric I'm sorry. Harry was drawn from his thoughts as the room's attention fell upon Dumbledore, who now stood up at the staff table. As unusually quiet as the great hall had been before, it fell completely silent as the Hogwarts Headmaster began to speak.
"The end of another year" said Dumbledore, looking out at the gathered students. He paused, as his eyes fell upon the Hufflepuff table. Theirs were the saddest and palest faces in the hall, their hearts breaking over the loss of a fellow housemate. "There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight, but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine young man, who should be here with us enjoying this feast. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."
And they did, all of them; everyone in the hall stood and raised their goblets, and echoed, in one loud, low rumbling voice, "Cedric Diggory."
Harry caught a glimpse of Cho Chang through the crowd. There were tears pouring silently down her face.
Cedric I'm sorry. Harry kept his eyes down at the table as the students all sat back down, once again silently cursing his weakness.
"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house," Dumbledore continued. "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."
Harry raised his head and stared at Dumbledore.
"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort." A panicked whisper swept the great hall. People were stared at Dumbledore in disbelief, in horror. Through it all, he looked perfectly calm as he watched them mutter themselves into silence.
"The Ministry of Magic, does not wish me to tell you this" Dumbledore continued. "It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so, either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."
Harry scoffed at Dumbledore's mention of the truth, given that he had never been honest with him once since he first entered the magical world. Distracting himself from his annoyance at his headmaster's hypocrisy, Harry glanced around the room, noticing Draco Malfoy muttering something to Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry didn't even realize it but he was literally shaking in anger, until he felt a calming hand rest on top of his. A quick glance revealed it to be Ginny who didn't say anything, just gave him a look of understanding and turned her focus to the still speaking Dumbledore, a grateful Harry doing the same.
"There is someone else who must be mentioned in connection to Cedric's death. I am speaking of course, about Harry Potter."
Subconsciously Harry held Ginny's hand tightly. The Weasley girl winced at how tightly he squeezed her hand but said nothing, understanding it was probably the only thing keeping Harry from attacking Dumbledore.
"Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort" Dumbledore continued, ignoring the fact that he knew Harry wouldn't appreciate the attention. "He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor him."
Harry kept his head down not wanting to show the scowl on his face, as Dumbledore and nearly everyone in the great hall raised their goblets to him. The only ones that didn't were Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and many of the other Slytherins, showing defiance against those that stand in Voldemort's path.
When everyone was once again seated, Dumbledore continued.
"The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote international understanding. In light of what has happened, such ties are more important than ever before."
Dumbledore looked from Madame Maxime and Hagrid, to Fleur Delacour and her fellow Beauxbatons students, to Viktor Krum and the Durmstrangs at the Slytherin table. Krum, Harry noticed, looked almost frightened, as though he expected Dumbledore to say something harsh.
"Every guest in this hall will be welcomed back here at any time" said Dumbledore, eyes lingering on the Durmstrang students "I say to you all, once more in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.
It is my belief, and never have I hoped to be mistaken – that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst.
Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
Voldemort sat upon an ornate throne in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor. His Death Eaters kneeled before him fearful of their master power as well as those displayed by their new enemies.
"You fear the Soul Reapers" Voldemort spoke at last. It wasn't a question for even the Dark Lord was forced to admit that they were a serious threat to his plans. His eyes glanced down to the slowly reforming black stone embedded in his hand; he noted it would be months before it was fully restored and by then he'd need more souls for it.
"M-My Lord" one Death Eater foolishly spoke out. "You said these beings were the envoys of death itself. Is it truly necessary to face them? Especially when they've allied themselves with Potter, which will surely mean by extension Dumbledore."
In response to the display of cowardice, Voldemort took his borrowed wand and cast the killing curse at the Death Eater, ironically the very same one he had taken the wand from.
"Does anyone else dare to question your Lord's power?" he demanded, as expected no one dared to say anything. "It is true the Reapers' powers are formidable. But your Lord has found that they are not the only Dark Legend to be proven true."
Voldemort paused, leaving the Death Eaters waiting anxiously for him to continue.
"Your Lord intends to go further than any wizard before him. I have already tasted the power of the Hollows. Now Lord Voldemort shall go further and claim godhood for himself and bring even the Reapers low. Your Lord shall conquer death itself. And let those who stand with Lord Voldemort be rewarded with more power than they ever thought possible."
The Death Eaters were awed by their master's declaration. To wage war upon the magical world and purging it of those of lesser blood was a worthy goal in their minds. But for their master to seek the means to conquer death…to gain godhood.
"My Lord, tell us what you'll need of us" said Lucius Malfoy. The man was shaken to his core that there were beings that could wield such power, that the other two that arrived to defend Potter were clearly even stronger was frightening. If Voldemort could grant him the power to stand against them, he would gladly do anything.
"My Death Eaters, you will go forth and bring me everything you can find about the Peverell Brothers and the Deathly Hallows."
Dark Times were ahead in deed.
The following morning Harry, Ron, and Hermione waited in the crowded entrance hall with the rest of the fourth years for the carriages to take them to Hogsmeade station.
"Harry!" he looked to see, Fleur Delacour hurrying into the castle. Through the doors, far across the grounds, Harry could just make out Hagrid helping Madame Maxime get two of the giant horses into their harnesses. The Beauxbatons carriage was about to take off.
"We will see each other again, I hope" said Fleur, reaching him, hand held out. "I am hoping to get a job here to improve my English."
Harry accepted the handshake. "I could understand you just fine" he said, sharing a privet joke between them.
Fleur smiled and turned to Ron, giving him a hug, much to Hermione's annoyance and his embarrassment.
"Just remember what we talked about" Fleur whispered into his ear.
"Right" said Ron, in a strangled sort of voice.
"Goodbye, Harry, Ron" said the French witch, releasing Ron. "It has been a pleasure meeting you. And remember Ron, I am betting on you two."
With that Fleur hurried back to Madame Maxime to begin the trip home.
"What did she mean about betting on you?" asked Hermione.
As Ron started to blush, Harry found himself curious about that as well.
"Wonder how the Durmstrang students are getting back" said Ron, obviously trying to change the subject. "Think they can steer that ship without Karkaroff?"
"Karkaroff did not steer" said a gruff voice. "He stayed in his cabin and let us do the work."
Krum had come to say goodbye to Hermione.
"Could I have a word?" he asked her.
"Oh…yes…all right," said Hermione, looking slightly flustered, followed Krum through the crowd and out of sight.
"You'd better hurry up!" Ron called loudly after her. "The carriages will be here in a minute!"
For the first time in days, Harry let himself smile a little as Ron let him watch for the carriages, while he spent the next few minutes craning his neck over the crowd to try and see what Krum and Hermione might be up to.
They returned soon enough. Ron stared at Hermione, but her face was blank.
"I liked Diggory," Krum said abruptly to Harry. "He was always polite to me. Always. Even though I was from Durmstrang — with Karkaroff," he added, scowling.
Clearly the Durmstrang students weren't going to spend long mourning Karkaroff's passing.
Harry asked if Durmstrang had a new headmaster yet, but Krum didn't know. Then like Fleur before him, Krum held his hand out, shook Harry's hand, and then to their surprise did the same to Ron's. Ron though looked like he was in a painful internal struggle. Krum had already started walking away when Ron burst out
"Can I have your autograph?"
Hermione turned away, smiling at the "horseless" carriages that had just arrived, as Krum, looking surprised but gratified, signed a fragment of parchment for Ron.
The weather on the trip back to King's Cross, was in a huge contrast with Harry's mood. While he was still struggling with his guilt over Cedric's death, the sky above was clear and the sun was shining. He, Ron, and Hermione, met up with Ginny on the train, who had managed to save them a compartment for themselves.
"So did you and Dumbledore, make peace?" Ron asked. It had bothered him that Dumbledore would call Harry out like that despite the fact that there was a clear rift between them now.
"I told him about how Voldemort had managed to summon Hollows" said Harry. "I'm guessing that was his way of trying to guilt me into working with him."
"Did you tell Sirius and Remus about Nakatsukasa?" asked Hermione. They had been the only ones that Harry trusted to tell about his broken powers.
"No, they've agreed to work with Dumbledore for now, and I don't want him knowing about my powers."
"Aren't they going to know when you aren't patrolling around London?" Ginny questioned.
"I'm not going back to London" said Harry, confusing his friends.
"Harry, what are you planning?" Hermione demanded.
When Harry turned to look at each of his friends, they noticed the old fire was back in his eyes. As much as Harry hated to admit it, Dumbledore's speech had helped him. Specifically, about choosing what was right over what was easy.
He had been thinking about it all night. Kisuke Urahara had to have known about what was causing him to Hollowfy – however slowly – if he was able to design a temporary fix for it. That Yoruichi short of rescuing him from Crouch hadn't spoken to him about the graveyard or what they discovered about Voldemort's stone. The former Stealth Force commander had even left Hogwarts without even a goodbye.
Maybe they had abandoned him after the loss of his zanpakutō or maybe it was just like when he had first been introduced to the Gotei 13? He believed they were giving him a choice: he could accept things as they are and maybe should it fail they'll strengthen the seal on him. Or he could stand up and fight and risk death to find a way to defeat Voldemort, avenge Cedric, and protect others from sharing the same fate.
"I'm going to Karakura Town" Harry said firmly. "When I first became a Substitute Soul Reaper, Captain Ukitake told me that's where the Urahara Shop is. That's where Yoruichi and Kisuke are."
"And the Substitute Soul Reaper before you" said Ginny, remembering what Harry had once told her. "Ichigo Kurosaki?"
"Yeah" Harry wasn't one for hero-worship but he had to admit that he was excited at the chance of meeting such a legendary man.
"Harry, you don't even have a passport. How do you plan to get to Japan?" asked Hermione. "I doubt the Ministry will let you take a portkey now."
Dumbledore using his name meant Fudge and the Ministry of Magic might decide to watch Harry more closely. Thankfully he had a simple solution to that problem.
"I'll fly."
"Mate, I know you're good but I don't think even you can fly your broom all the way to Japan" said Ron.
"You'd be seen for sure. And the Ministry would come down on you for breaking the Statute of Secrecy." Hermione added. "Even if by chance you weren't seen; you don't even know where Karakura Town is."
Harry just smirked and opened Hedwig's cage, the owl had been waiting at the ready for the mission ahead.
"I don't need to know where Karakura Town is" he said. "Hedwig will guide me. As for not being seen." He then quickly changed into his raven animagus form and back.
"You've got it all figured out don't you" Hermione sighed.
"Yeah, I just need you guys to keep Sirius and Remus from freaking out" said Harry. "Oh and give Fred and George the prize money. They can use it to start up their shop. I've got a feeling we'll be needing more laughs in the future.
Seeing there was no chance of convincing him otherwise; Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, each stood up and hugged him goodbye.
"You just be careful" said Ginny. Looks like our talk is going to have to wait a bit longer.
Harry smiled and promised he'd be back. Opening the compartment window, Harry transformed and followed Hedwig outside.
Ron, Ginny, and Hermione watched as Harry and Hedwig flew off into the distance. Though worried they also had faith that Harry would find what he was looking for and they were determined that when he returned they'd be ready to stand with him.
Harry wasn't sure how far or how long they flew. More than once Harry had to rely on Hedwig to capture food for them. Lucky for him she mainly brought him things he could cook over a fire. It really gave Harry a new appreciation for what Sirius had to go through while he was in hiding.
Still it was all worth it when they finally arrived in Karakura Town. Once they reached the city, Hedwig took off down an inconspicuous alleyway leading to an empty dirt lot, empty say for a couple of orange haired kids – a boy with spikey hair, and a girl with a shoulder length ponytail – and the store behind them with a sign hanging on top labeled Urahara Shop.
"Hey you can change back you know" said the girl.
"Trust us wizards aren't the special around here" said the boy.
Harry was surprised that they'd identified him as a wizard so quickly then it to him that they both had higher than normal levels of spirit energy.
Deciding it wasn't worth leaving to find a place to change, Harry returned to human form allowing Hedwig to rest on his shoulder. Just like the girl said, they didn't seem impressed at all.
"You must be Harry Potter" said the girl. "My name is Masaki Kurosaki" she smiled, before pointing to the boy standing next to her. "This is my twin brother Sora."
"Hey I can introduce myself" said Sora, though there wasn't any heat behind his words.
Yeah but I wanted to" said Masaki. "Anyway we're five and Mr. Hat and Clogs is inside waiting for you."
Right on cue the door to the store slid open revealing a tall muscular man with cornrowed hair, handle bar mustache, and rectangular glasses. The fact that the man was dressed casually in a muscle shirt and jeans, with an apron worn over them told Harry that not only was this man most likely an employee but it also told him that Urahara wasn't a very strict boss given his relaxed dress code.
"The boss is waiting for you inside" he repeated, waving Harry inside.
"Don't mind him" said Masaki.
"Yeah Tessai is a big softy" said Sora.
Harry smiled down at the two, being somewhat reminded of Fred and George even if they weren't identical.
Guess he wasn't kidding about being a candy shop owner Harry thought to himself, as he took in the rows of candy and other sweets upon entering the store.
Tessai lead Harry to a small sitting room, where they found Yoruichi sitting at a table enjoying a bowl of rice.
"I've got to tell you, Hogwarts food is good and all but it sure is fattening" she smirked, not at all surprised to see Harry there. "So you've regained your fighting spirit."
"That's good to hear" said a voice Harry didn't recognize. Shortly followed by a man walking into the room, holding Sora and Masaki's hands in each of his own.
The man was tall with a lean but obviously muscular build. He had the same brown eyes as the two children and the same bright spikey orange hair as Sora. Finally, the children's last name registered in Harry's mind as his eyes widened in realization that he now stood before Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Hey, you must be Harry" Ichigo said casually.
"Y-yeah" Harry stuttered slightly, embarrassed that he sounded a lot like Ron when Krum first arrived at Hogwarts.
If he noticed how embarrassed Harry was, Ichigo didn't comment on it. Yoruichi on the other hand wasn't so kind.
"Well looks like you've got a fan, Ichigo" she smirked, laughing at the blushing Harry.
"Cut it out, Yoruichi" said Ichigo. "Give the kid a break."
"Well looks like parenthood has certainly made you grow up" said Urahara, joining them.
Kisuke immediately zeroed in on Harry, more specifically the look in the boy's eyes. Oh there was still pain and guilt but he was pleased to see that he hadn't truly fallen into despair just yet.
"I'm here to restore my powers" said Harry.
"I admit I don't really know anything about how this Dark Lord of yours' stone works" Kisuke admitted. "As long as he has it, it might actually be impossible to kill him."
"Then I'll just have to rip it from him."
This was a good change from the guilt ridden boy they had last seen. There was fire in Harry's eyes now.
"My combat pass and zanpakutō" Harry continued. "I'll need them for this fight."
"And you're so sure I can help you?" Urahara asked
"Enough messing with him" said Ichigo, rolling his eyes. "Stop acting like you weren't prepared to help already."
While not bothered by Ichigo's usual brash behavior, Kisuke had to admit he was right. It was time to get to work. Telling Harry to follow, Kisuke lead them back out to the foyer. For a moment Harry wondered if Urahara was going to try and sell him candy, when to his surprise he removed one of the floor panels revealing a secret passage way.
"No way this place is amazing!" Urahara exclaimed. "Who would've guessed that all this time there was a huge subterranean training ground under my store?!"
Ichigo rolled his eyes at Urahara's bad acting, while his children laughed at the display. Harry like Ichigo before him was not amused.
"Come on, you obviously knew about this place" he deadpanned. Still he had to admit it was impressive. "Besides, Yoruichi had the Room of Requirements look like this while she was training me."
It was true, the very same battle field they had used back at Hogwarts right down to the smallest detail. Obviously this place was of some significance to them if this was the place Yoruichi had chosen to recreate.
"So let's get to work" said Harry. "How do we restore Nakatsukasa?"
"There's something we have to talk about before that" said Urahara. "Tell me, Harry, have you ever heard the term, Horcrux?"
AN: And that's the end. Anyway if you're interested to see where this is going, be on the look out for the next book.
