Note: Antebellum hits 250! Yay! A very big thank you to Mistress DragonFlame who submitted the 250th review.

Itachi, with some help from Nicholas the ghost, arrived at the Gryffindor Common Room. It took only a glance, then he went up to the Boy's Dormitory in time to see Harry and another boy having a go at each other.

""She believes in the Daily Prophet?" Harry said, with anger in his voice. "She thinks I'm a liar and Dumbledore's an old fool?"

The new boy nodded. "Yeah, something like that."

Harry said nothing. Itachi watched as he got dressed and got into bed, pulling the hangings so fast that they were almost torn off their hinges. Itachi decided to step in as the new boy's mouth opened.

"Your name?" the 11 year old boy spoke. Seamus blinked. "Oi, you're not supposed to be here, this is the---"

"5th year's dormitory, yes I am well aware of the fact and I know I have jurisdiction to be here." Itachi replied coldly. "Despite my age…" Itachi looked down at himself. "I am more than enough a match in both intelligence and magical prowess against one such as you."

"The new boy, huh?" Seamus said snidely. "We'll see. Remember my name, prat. It's Seamus."

Itachi only gave a small grin that sent chills down the boy's spine. Seamus turned and got into bed as well. Ron, who had entered a few minutes ago, clapped him on the shoulder.

"Look mate… thanks."

Itachi shrugged it off and went towards his own bed. "It is my duty." He replied simply. He took his wand and repaired the Potter boy's bed hangings, as some of it was ripped and torn. Turning, he changed and got into bed as well.

The next morning, the Seamus boy was second only to Itachi's dressing speed. As the boy descended down the staircase, Itachi fingered his wand. There would be time to sort him out later. For now, he had to guard the boy. Itachi led the way downstairs as the trio met up with Hermione in the Common Room.

"What's the matter?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry. "You look absolutely…" She was cut off as Itachi spotted the notice at the same time she did. It was a notice for willing test subjects. The Uchiha raised an eyebrow as Hermione pulled it down and nagged to Ron about it.

Climbing out the portrait hole, Harry explained his difficulty. "They all think I'm a big fat liar." The boy growled angrily. Hermione sighed in return. "Lavender thinks so too."

The boy whirled on Hermione, a veritable whirlwind of emotion. "Been having a nice little chat with her about whether or not I'm a lying, attention-seeking prat, have you?" He said loudly.

"No." Hermione said calmly. Itachi applauded her in his mind for her good sense. "I told her to keep her big fat mouth shut about you actually. And it would be quite nice if you stopped jumping down Ron's, Itachi's and my throats, Harry, because if you haven't noticed, we're on your side."

Silence.

"Sorry." Harry said. "It's just… I find it difficult, you know. Even with Wolf's lessons."

Hermione spoke with dignity. "It's quite alright. Do you remember what Dumbledore said last year?" She asked.

Both boys shook their head.

"It's about You-Know-Who. He said 'his gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust.'"

Itachi nodded in agreement. "Kakashi-sempai always said that you were a brilliant mind. You deserve being one of his apprentices."

Hermione smiled. Harry and Ron nodded. "Even the Sorting Hat is warning us to stay together…. This could be bad. This war… it'll be greater than ever." Harry spoke. "I'll try getting along with the Slytherins."

"Me too." Said Ron.

"That's the spirit." Itachi commended them. "You're maturing already. Good."

Arriving in the Great Hall for breakfast, they were surprised to see that Hagrid wasn't back yet. Itachi ushered them over to the Gryffindor table as he picked up a bento box from the table. Itachi sat down beside the trio, opened it and dug in.

There were a few sounds, and Itachi nearly got hit by a long flying parcel with a card and an envelope taped to it from a school owl. Growling furiously under his breath, Itachi set the long thin object on the table.

"What do you think it is?" the Uchiha asked. He took the card that was tied to the wrapped thing and opened it.

Congratulations. It simply read. Itachi stared at it doubtfully and placed the card on the table.

"Mind if we open it?" Ron asked. Itachi gave a grim nod. Harry tore the wrapping apart. It was a Firebolt. Itachi turned, and Dumbledore was giving a conspiratorial wink. Grunting, Itachi turned back to the broom, which Ron and the rest of the school were gawking at.

"Another Firebolt!" Ron exclaimed. He turned to Itachi. "Are you rich or something?" He gasped. He hefted the broomstick Itachi raised an eyebrow. It had an ash handle, shining in the morning light; it was clearly polished. Itachi took the broomstick from Ron and stood up, lowering his hand and placing the broom on the floor.

"Up." Itachi said. The broom quivered and then shot up, hovering a mere centimeter from Itachi's fingertips. Itachi grasped it and put it back into its wrappings. No need to let Umbridge see it. He took the envelope from the packaging and tore that open.

Another letter from Sasuke, this time decorated with Uchiha fans that were either way too small or out of shape. Itachi gave a small smile as he read it.

Niisan!

'Kashi left tuday. When aer you cumin home? Kaasan says that you'll be gone the entire year. Tachi missus you too! There was a small stick figure, probably the weasel stuffed toy. 'Tousan says youll be busy, 's why you haven't re…. rep….replied. Wrighte back, k?

We're proud of you, Itachi.

Uchiha Sasuke, Mikoto and Uchiha Fugaku

Itachi chuckled. How Sasuke got Fugaku to sign his name TWICE in crayon was a mystery beyond him. It was a pink crayon too! How amusing.

Itachi turned to Harry. "Where is the place you send letters?"

"The Owlery." Harry said. "I'll help you get there during break. Right now…" he raised his schedule. "It's time for lessons."

Ah, Umbridge. Itachi thought wickedly. Prepare to meet your worst nightmare.