September 1st. This was the day. Today, his mission officially starts.
Itachi glared at his reflection. He was clad in 'Muggle' clothes. He wore a pair of olive green pants, brown boots and a black shirt. Itachi tied his hair in the usual ponytail at the nape of his neck and then regarded himself. He still had those lines on his face. Itachi fingered his wand; the powerful vessel that was hidden by a harmless façade.
With little difficulty, Itachi pocketed his wand, picked up his trunk and went downstairs. The group was gathering in the lobby. Mad Eye Moody's hat was tilted over to hide his blue eye. It reminded Itachi vaguely of Kakashi, and he gave a small nod in the group's direction. "I am ready to leave." He spoke. Moody regarded him with his one eye before nodding.
"Alright, let's get underway then. We couldn't leave without Podmore, but now that you're here…. Leave your trunk boy. Follow Potter." He jerked his head over in their direction. "Tonks will lead the way to King's Cross.
Itachi nodded and left his trunk on the floor as he stepped outside with Harry, Hermione, the Weasleys and Sirius Black.
The walk to King's Cross was uneventful, aside from Black chasing a couple of cats for the Potter boy's entertainment. Once at the station, they stayed casually by the barrier that separated nine and ten. Itachi looked at them oddly as each one disappeared when they leaned on the barrier. A hand gripped his shoulder. It was Mrs. Weasley. She gave him a reassuring smile.
"Let's go then."
A moment later, they both disappeared into the barrier and into Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Smoke billowed upward as the red steam engine was getting ready to get underway. Itachi watched as a hunched figure approached them, bearing their trunks. It was Moody. Itachi gave a nod.
"No one's following us?" He asked. Moody nodded. "No one. Now keep your eyes peeled."
Lupin appeared through the gateway with Mr. Weasley and the twins. "Be careful of what to write. Itachi's there to keep an eye out for you, so whatever he says, you should do it." The werewolf advised. He hugged Harry as Sirius leapt up on his hind legs and gave Harry a doggy hug.
"For heaven's sake, Sirius, act like a dog!" Mrs. Weasley admonished. Sirius leapt down as Molly hugged everyone at random, hugging Harry and Itachi twice. "Be good, alright. Mad Eye's put your trunks into the train, so be careful!"
Itachi nodded and turned. He was the first one to board the train, followed by Harry. Hermione and Ron headed straight for the Prefect's carriage while the twins headed off to God-knows-where, so Harry, Ginny and Itachi were forced to look for their own compartment. They met Neville Longbottom on their search, and Itachi grudgingly agreed to have him along.
Itachi took up the handle of his trunk and led the way, coming to a stop right outside a compartment where only one student occupied the room.
"Here." Itachi said. Neville peered around him. "Oh, no. Not here… Luna's here." He whined. Itachi surveyed the compartment. A girl was reading a newspaper upside down. She was odd, but tolerable. Ginny smiled. "Luna's okay." She said. "Come on."
Itachi strode forward. "Hello." He said, trying to make his tone friendly. "We…" he glared over his shoulder. "….Will be staying here temporarily."
Luna looked up. "Sure." She said in a misty voice. Itachi gestured to the seats. Harry and Ginny looked at each other, shrugged and entered the compartment as well. Neville trembled for a moment before entering the compartment as well.
Itachi took a seat across her. "Thank you." He spoke, leaning back. Luna peered at Harry from the edge of her copy of The Quibbler. Harry twitched, wishing he wasn't in front of her. She stared at Itachi next. The Uchiha did not flinch like the Potter boy.
"Had a good summer, Luna?" Ginny asked. Luna nodded and lowered the newspaper.
"Yes." Luna said dreamily, without taking her eyes off Itachi. "You're Harry Potter." She said dreamily. Harry nodded. "And you… you're a foreigner."
Itachi nodded in turn. "Uchiha Itachi. Itachi is my first name." he explained. He remembered the cover story Dumbledore gave him, and repeated that. "I am a foreign exchange student from Konoha Academy. I am here to learn the ways of European wizards."
"You know some spells then?" Luna asked. Itachi gave a nod. Harry perked up. "Show us." He grinned.
Grudgingly, Itachi formed a seal. "Meisai Gakure no Jutsu."
Slowly, Itachi began to disappear. It started with his hands. Slowly, his hands became transparent. The transparency spread to his arms, and then to his head and down to his feet. Soon, no one could see where Itachi was. Only the crease on the seat gave them a small idea where he was.
"Amazing…" Harry spoke. "I didn't know Wolf had that capability."
"Meisai Gakure is the ultimate spying technique." Itachi spoke as he slowly became solid. "It is a skill taught to spies and the like."
Itachi leaned back as the students exploded into conversation.
This was going to be a long train ride.
A few hours later, after being splattered by Stinksap, poked constantly by Luna Lovegood and nearly drained of chakra, Uchiha Itachi stood up.
"Change clothes." He said. His tone booked no argument. He turned and yanked his trunk from the overhead bin. Everyone else nodded and did so. Itachi slipped on his robes and looked at himself. He looked fine, so far. He straightened his tie like how Lupin-san taught him when he first was mystified by the operation of it. He was going to be Sorted…. He had to get in Gryffindor if he was to fulfill his mission. Pocketing his wand in his pocket, Itachi looked out the window as the train finally began to slow down.
They were here.