AN: I don't really like Ron that much. I'm not gonna bash him but he's not gonna get a lot of page time. Anyways sorry for the long wait, school sucks.
OVO
Naruto didn't know why he bothered with this snotty pure blood but something told him that she wasn't as bad as she made herself out to be. Still. It didn't stop the immense irritation he felt when she looked down on him (even though she was clearly a foot or so smaller than him. He was still trying to figure out how she does that.) And when she talked to him in a condescending manner that reminded him way too much of his ex-teammate and brother, he just wanted to punch something or rather someone but her having a vadge meant she was untouchable. Ugh, why did the world hate him so he wonders.
He wouldn't have minded dealing with her for one class but two? In a row mind you was just… he didn't even want to finish that sentence. Added to the fact that Hermione was being flighty with him after seeing him in Ancient Runes, today was just not his day.
"What are you waiting for?" Daphne's piercing voice cut in mid rant, he looked down at her, raising a golden brow questioningly at what she was harping about now.
Her amber eyes rolled exasperatedly at him. "Tsk, try to keep up darling. You're being quite slow right now." She paused and smirked. "And I don't just mean mentally either."
His jaw ticked, he looked at the petite girl in front of him and he couldn't help but feel so confused at how such a sweet looking girl could be so… Catty? Venomous? Bitchy? Yeah that was the word he was looking for. Guess you really can't judge a book by its cover. His mouth opened to mutter some snarky reply but he spotted the golden trio a few flights down and he needed to clear the air with Hermione, 'cause being all flighty and avoiding him wasn't cool. Especially when he didn't do anything to warrant such behavior.
"Sorry Daffy I'll carry your book for you another time. Got someone to talk to." He muttered distractedly and shoved her book at her, ignoring the disgruntled shriek she let out. "Go find the rest of your cult or whatever." He said with a grin, completely enjoying how aggravated she was.
He walked away casually, one hand in his pocket and the other on his book while whistling some tune he heard in the muggle world. Stopping a few feet short of the trio he heard a bit of their conversation, something about Hermione being in Divination when he knew for a fact that Div and Ancient Runes were at the same time. Interesting.
"Hey how was divination?" He said breezily, laughing with Harry at Ron's imitation of their professor and filing Hermione's pointed stare at him for later.
"You should've seen it mate!" Ron said animatedly, hand waving all over the place. "Trelawney's so barmy she'll make Loony Lovegood look sane." He snickered.
That piqued Naruto's interest. "Loony Lovegood?"
The ginger nodded in affirmative. "She's a year below us. Friends with my sister, she wouldn't be so bad if she wasn't completely loony."
"Ron!" Hermione chastised.
"Do you actually know her Ron?" Naruto asked seriously.
Ron eyed Naruto weirdly, his eyes were doing that odd glowing feral thing and it was honestly freaking him out a bit, he gulped subconsciously. "Well no… aside from her babbling on about Snorkacks not really."
Naruto glowered at the boy, memories of how people so wrongly judged him without getting to know him fogging up his mind. It wasn't right then and it isn't right now. He sucked in a deep breath to calm down, ever since that happened his already short temper became even more volatile and explosive.
"Look mate." He said seriously. "I've got nothing against you alright? But just 'cause you don't know her, doesn't mean you can write her off as 'loony' right off the bat from a couple conversations or two. Don't judge a book by its cover."
Ron opened his mouth to say something but a scathing look from Hermione was enough to shut him up. He looked at the glowering blonde again and swallowed thickly, if Hermione's glare didn't shut him up then the menacing aura the blonde gave off was so he opted to nod instead.
Harry was impressed, not a lot of people would stand up for someone they didn't know but the blonde did so without even hesitating. He observed Naruto for a bit and from the way his eyes narrowed as he stared down at his best friend stonily, he knew he was talking from experience and that was something he could relate to. Being the boy who lived, people have already painted a picture of him in their heads and it was tough on a boy who just turned thirteen to be painted as some hero who killed Voldemort when really he's just another kid trying to find his place in the world.
Hermione on the other hand wondered where Naruto was during her first year at Hogwarts. The way Ron spoke of Luna often reminded her of how he used to speak of her behind her back in first year calling her a bookworm or a loner and sometimes even both to impress the crowd or possibly to just make himself feel better for his own shortcomings as a wizard. Of course they have a much better relationship now but Hermione wondered how different life would be if she had a friend like Naruto back in first year.
"We should go, don't wanna be late for the first day of class." Without waiting for a reply Naruto marched on ahead of the trio, too distracted and lost in his own thoughts to care if they're following or not.
Harry and Hermione nodded distractedly before giving Ron a sympathizing gaze, being under the older blonde's scrutiny couldn't have been fun.
XO
The trio plus one caught up to the group of students walking further down the forests behind Hagrid's cottage, passing by and laughing at a struggling Neville who seemed to be fighting a losing battle against his book. Naruto chuckled a bit at the odd sight, shaking his head he tore the book out of Neville's grasp and stroked the spine. Satisfied with the enchanted book's contented purr Naruto grasped Neville's wrist and heaved him up, grinning at the boy good-naturedly before handing him the book.
"Stroke the spine next time mate."
Neville nodded, eyes widening at the new student everyone seemed to be talking about. "Yeah, I'll remember that, thanks. Neville Longbottom." Sticking his hand out he half expected an insult about his incompetence or something but was pleasantly surprised when the older boy gave him a firm shake.
"Naruto Uzumaki-Lupin."
Both boys turned towards the crowd of students "oohing" and circling around Harry and some blonde Slytherin boy Naruto didn't recognize.
"Wait till my father hears about this. Having this oaf teach a class? Pathetic." The Slytherin sneered.
Harry glared at the taller boy, ignoring Hermione yanking on his cloak sleeve to leave it alone, he took a step forward and squared his shoulders. "Shut up Malfoy."
"Look everyone, Potty's grown a backbone." Draco taunted with a smirk, completely unaware of the looming Gryffindor behind him.
"Is there a problem here Slytherin?" Naruto's cold voice cut in. He clasped Draco's shoulder and gave him a warning squeeze. "'Cause messing with my friends? Not the brightest idea when I'm in the immediate vicinity."
Draco snarled. "Who do you think you are laying a hand on a Malfoy?" Shrugging the offending hand of his shoulder he spun around, completely taken by surprise at the other boy's towering stature. "I… Wait till I tell my father…" He trailed off.
Naruto smirked, he can still put the fear of Kami in little brats after all this time. "What was that? Speak up mate I didn't quite hear you."
Luckily for Malfoy he was saved from further embarrassment by Hagrid calling for the class's attention. "Gather 'round, I've got a treat fer ye all t'day!" Hagrid clapped his hands excitedly, motioning for the students to come closer. He cleared his throat twice before gesturing to his newest buddy. "Isn't he beautiful." He smiled.
The class looked on with a range of different expressions, the Slytherins looked disgusted, as usual, the Gryffindors were torn between amusement at the gentle giant, awe and a bit of fear at the half horse half bird Pegasus look alike creature whilst the Hermione looked on curiously, Harry a bit shocked, Ron looking like he'd 'bout piss his pants at any moment and Naruto scratching his whiskers absently looking the part of bored student to a tee.
The redhead gulped nervously. "W-what is that Hagrid."
"He's a hippogriff." Naruto answered with a shrug. "They're big on respect so I wouldn't do anything offensive or disrespectful towards it. Might just be the last thing you do mate."
Hagrid smiled at his student proudly, "Good eye on ye Naruto, five points to Gryffindor! Now that that's all settled an' done with, who'd like to say hi ter 'im first?"
The rest of the class took a step back, Hermione losing her balance from bumping directly against the solid mass that was Naruto. She felt his hands on her waist to steady her and she flinched in surprise.
"Sorry." He grunted.
"It's quite alright." She replied, a bit breathless.
"Good!" Hagrid's voice boomed out. "Come on up Harry, oh not too close, now go ahead and bow first, nice and low. If he bows down well then yer free to touch 'im if not then we'll get to that later."
The class watched Harry bow low but instead of bowing down the Hipogriff squawked and flexed it's wings. Harry distinctly heard Hagrid tell him to back off but the nerves kept him where he bowed.
Hermione gasped and reached back, holding on to Naruto's hand tightly she watched with bated breath in fear for her friend. The seconds ticked by, everyone stood on the tips of their toes to see who'd crack first, Harry or the Hippogriff and to the Gryffindor's immense relief and the Slytherin's disappointed sighs the hippogriff bowed down.
"Well done Harry." Tossing a squirrel at the hippogriff Hagrid motioned for Harry to come closer. "You can come pet 'im now!" He chuckled at his student's nervous expression. "Come on now Harry!"
The scarred boy inched forward slowly, extending his hand cautiously he kept a vigilant eye on the creature.
Naruto looked down at his and Hermione's laced hands, cringing slightly at the immense pressure she was crushing his hand with, he leaned down to her, the loose curls of her hair tickling his cheek. "He'll be fine 'Mione."
"What?" Looking to her side she was surprised to see how close the older blonde was, his eccentric whisker like tattoos right on eye level.
His lips curled up into a mischievous smile, holding their intertwined hands up to her face he snickered as his sensitive ears picked up on her accelerated heartbeat. She was embarrassed. How cute. "Kinda got me in a death grip here, needa relax 'Mione, Harry can take care of himself."
"I know." She sighed. "But I can't help but worry."
Naruto nodded a bit shocked that she didn't let go of his hand but whatever he'd be the last guy to complain about an attractive chick holding on to him. Shrugging to himself he looked back up to an amusing sight. Harry kicking and screaming while Hagrid lifted him up by the armpits to seat him on the hippogriff.
"Woah, go get it Harry!" The blonde laughed hysterically at the boy who lived's expression. It was equal parts terrified and oh shit combined with an annoyed glare directed straight at him.
"Not funny Narutooooo."
Said blonde just chuckled at his friend's predicament and the girlish shriek he let out after Buckbeak jumped off the ledge… and then his angry woman senses started tingling. Glancing over his shoulder he sighed in relief to see Daphne occupied with her gaggle of girls but that means… "What?" His brow rose in question at the petite brunette glaring at him.
Rolling her eyes she puffed out a breath and looked at Harry's disappearing blot over the horizon. "Nothing."
"Hm." He hummed. "Don't be taking that tone with me Ms. I was at divination and ancient runes at the same time."
Her panic showed on her face and he almost felt bad. Almost. "I'm waiting."
She tapped her foot impatiently. "For?"
"An explanation of course." He muttered.
She bit her lip, "It's a long story."
"Doesn't look like Harry's getting back anytime soon so might as well get on with it."
"Later?"
"Later." He confirmed.
Ron looked at the pair and smirked, motioning to Neville and the gang he gestured over to Naruto and Hermione. "Aw I hate it when mum and dad fight."
"Shut up Ron!"
OVO
AN: Kind of a filler but yep, if y'all haven't noticed I'm going off the movies not the books & Thanks to everyone that reviewed and/or followed. Keep 'em coming folks