Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor do I own Naruto.

Sorry for the two month wait there :P, all I can say is: I can't promise that it won't happen again.

...

It is sadder to find the past again and find it inadequate to the present then it is to have it elude you and remain forever a harmonious conception of memory. ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

Chapter 7: Memories, Minds and Moralities

The grains of sand were moving faster then she wanted, the urge to scream and break the magical clock on her desk was strong—but that would be unproductive. Her times run out and now a decision must be made.

He was waiting, by the end of the day she would give him her answer. Did she really want to do this? Was she really going to give up her humanity just to make her pain and guilt go away, is she really that selfish, had she really become a coward, why couldn't she look at herself in the mirror anymore—so many damn questions! Some unheard, unthought-of, never asked (even though they choked and suffocated her when they demanded to be heard), repeated like a broken record, and others accusing. She was Gryffindor darn it, she shouldn't even consider this decision as the answer should be an obvious no! To become a cold callous person, an empty tool—the answer should be shouting an outraged no! But…this guilt, this pain, the voices, the expressionless unseeing eyes, the cold icy feel on the tip of her finger—wasn't she already one of them? A candidate, one of the many 'potentials', apparently she already half way there, all she had to do was say yes.

Say yes Hermione, a multitude of voices whispered enticing her; she was already half way there. If she said yes then the Director will bring her all the way there.She was already halfway dead. She would have power in exchange—raw power and knowledge beyond her imagination but most importantly it would take it all away. But was it worth it, at the cost of her humanity? In reality, no it wasn't worth it. She knew this.

After the fall of Voldemort things didn't go quiet so well. The economy went down; people were less trusting of each other. Former supporters of the dark lord were murdered by those who believed "in the light side" but committed crimes that were just as dark as those they believed were dark. A lot of Death Eaters hid away during the confusion within the ministry, and most muggle-hating extremist (especially within the ministry) kept themselves in the down-low. Those problems were ignored by the Auror Corps as they were too much in the deep end to do anything as the civilians were causing amongst themselves were in upheaval. There was too much fighting among masses. No one could tell foe and from friend in some areas. It was almost like Voldemort never died. It wasn't until almost a year later did they their blatant disregard came back to slap them across the face. By the time Kingsley Shacklebolt was officially named minister of magic the muggle-born population had dropped drastically and connections were made about certain murders of the muggle population that had left hidden magical residue.

Death cover-ups had to be made. Families had to be obliterated of the existence of certain family members within the muggles. Complete murder scenes had to be rearranged so as not to startle and scare the muggles. As an underling within the Auror Corps Hermione was ordered to do just that, and with each mission completed she became number. Captains and lieutenants like Harry and Ron searched for the murders while she did nothing but make the existence of murdered families disappear or appear like some ordinary crime gone wrong.

It went against all her morals but orders were orders. Hermione could feel herself disappearing within her own mind, wanting to forget everything she did Hermione would sometimes return home not knowing what she did that day only to remember within her dreams. This resulted in leaving her exhausted and feeling like she never slept at all. When the voices appeared Hermione realized that maybe this was too much for her to handle but had found she didn't know how to get out. That is when the Director (Head of the Unspeakables) approached her with the job offer.

"Hermione," a hand waved in front of her face breaking her out of her own musings, it was Ron behind him was Harry. She had been hearing rumors that the minister was thinking about appointing him as the next Head Auror within a year or so. It wouldn't be surprising considering he was Harry Potter and all. Of course, it was well earned. Harry was a fantastic captain and nothing ever slipped past his eye while he was in charge.

"Yes." She gave them a small smile, a blush covering her cheeks after being caught daydreaming on the job.

"Erm…happy birthday?" Ron said sheepishly holding a crudely wrapped present on his hands, Harry had an equally crudely wrapped present—Ron's looked better wrapped surprisingly. The tips of his ears were a bright red; a light blush covered his cheeks like some nervous school boy.

Hermione gently took the presents in her hands and placed them on her desk, she'd open them later. The smile on her face became a little forced, "Thanks, perhaps later on we'll go celebrate at the new café that just opened up for lunch."

An unknown emotion flickered across Harry's eyes before he grinned, "Sure thing 'Mione, just don't forget and get piled in a mountain of books like last time."

"Yeah, bye guys," Hermione turned around to face the piles of parchment paper on her desk.

"See you there 'Mione," Ron called out as he left to his office.

She knew her answer now, I hope I made the right choice.

8:00 AM

He has never felt so warm before in his life or maybe it has just been a very long time since he's felt the heat of the sun's rays. Minato supposed it was the latter, they had finally been allowed to come outside though he was still a little angry with the fiasco between Yuu and his new captors. They had lied to him, and that's why he knew that they weren't free. There is no freedom. Even now they watch, assessing what they can do.

Hyuga-san had walked directly to the flower bed plucking one small daisy after another creating a flower chain. Granger-san was just standing there staring at nothing in particular appearing to be trapped in her musings. The soft grass on his feet was just sending him into a fit of euphoria, he had removed the slippers that were given to him the moment he could. He just wanted to lay there and just forget everything. Slowly a rare small true smile spread across his features as he plopped down on the floor and plucked a long blade of grass. He twirled it between his thumb and index finger.

"Daddy show me," demanded an impatient Yuu.

"Easy, just put it like this and…," a small whistle like noise filled the air. Minato smirked when Yuu clapped his hands before demanding he do it again. Those wide blue innocent eyes looked up excitement filling them over something so mundane. The stuffed wolf at his side was flopped to the side looking forlornly at being thrown accidentally to the side at his owner excitement. Minato mentally shook his head; it would seem his son's childish antics were starting wear off on him.

His little Yuu-chan was gone, lying under the dirt decaying, his small little body becoming a feast for the creatures that know share their homes with his coffin. It was not in vain, those words left a bitter taste on his tongue. He had been so sure of himself that there would be no regrets. He never wanted to do what he did to his only son but his hands were tied. He had been happy and at peace with his son; his wife and daughter be damned in an eternity of hell for all he cared! He hated them so much, the only one he ever came to love and care for was his illegitimate son that no one ever knew existed, the one that no one ever knew he was forced to use and eventually (mercifully) put down for the sake of research, his Yuu. Daisuke had been the only living soul (and would die if he ever said anything) that ever knew of his meager existence but as time went the memory of Yuu faded into nothingness, or at least that what it appeared to his perspective. For all he knew Yuu would never be forgotten by those who knew of that cheerful little boy and untimely death.

Maybe Daisuke just wanted to forget the atrocious crime he had watched happen and had done nothing to stop it, who knew what went on his mind for the passing years that had come.

Minato hated the family he created out of obligation; there would be no money for them. He made sure of it; Daisuke would carry out the will. They knew nothing about him; all they had ever seen of him was a very good actor. He had no male heir so the title to the Namikaze name (and all its benefits) would be passed down to Daisuke, his elder half-brother—not that Daisuke ever knew his status.

A soft sigh escaped his lips, he was thinking too much again. He needed to think about the bigger problems, Minato's eyes wandered over to the statue known as Granger-san. He needed to find away to undo what had been done or at least give back some of what had been taken. He didn't want a marionette.

"Granger-san come over here," Minato adjusted himself until he was sitting cross-legged and back straight on grassy floor. His lower back protested but he ignored it. Granger-san stiffened snapping out of her trance before she walked to him, legs wobbled only a little bit. Her dark almost pitch black eyes landed on him, all traces of that chocolate brown were gone, her sunken facial features with pale gray skin had gained back color and some fat. She must have been beautiful at one point and time. There was no life in that face but through the connection they shared he could feel her. She was weary, curious, confused and panicky. "Tell me…" what were the orders I gave you?

Now she was shocked, "I was unconscious."

Meaning no orders were ever given, but he knew that already. He was awake when it had happened after all.

"Ah, the sun feels nice don't think?" You're allowed to give me your opinions and thoughts.

"Yes…it is nice."

"A pink haired girl, what was her name again…umm, I think it was Haruno-san. She healed my throat and lips, although it will always sound coarse. She said the damage was too intense to be healed completely or something like that. I think it makes me sound cool! And look," he pulled a lock of his hair to his still somewhat blurry vision, "my hair isn't that dull anymore, it's looking healthier by the hour! Can't wait to have my soft flowing lock again," Minato sighed lovingly looking wistfully at the still too dull hair.

"I…got healed as well." Her voice had flat monotone tone to it, almost robotic in a sense.

"Why are you so hesitant? Open up a little bit, smile more. It won't be so bad," Minato grinned up at her with a playful look to his face. He wagged a finger knowingly at her as he said, "Just be careful, there are mean people out there." You may speak to others, there will no repercussions. Don't let them in on anything that should not be known or there will be problems.

Granger-san stared down at him waiting, more orders perhaps? He couldn't feel anything but she wasn't attempting any type of occulmency, so she was…in deep thought! "We are not free." She finally stated.

"Hmm…don't focus on depressive aspects," he said offhandedly with a wave of a skinny hand.

"There is no freedom."

"Yes, you said that…" Minato hesitated looking at woman curiously and arched a bow.

"We are not free…but we are free. Something is off, it is strange. I…" She stopped not knowing how to finish what she was going to say or perhaps it was too bold a thing to say.

"I see," they were outside of the lab or had it been a hospital; they were being watched and surrounded by something. It was too blurry to be able decipher. A gate, maybe? "I guess we'll just have to be calm about it." Keep the peace, even if it's me who's disrupting it.

He felt a shiver go done his spine as a light breeze passed by, Minato's eyes widened. At a breakneck speed he turned his head, eyes landing on Hyuga-san. She wasn't making her flower chain anymore; she was talking to some people. She looked tense, fidgety and utterly paranoid; she had a forced smile on her features. His lips pressed into a thin line, tightening to the point of turning white. This hadn't…it isn't supposed to be…

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay," a soft voice murmured. Cold fingers touched his jaw, Minato flinched—the fingers went away.He was dirty—she was dirty. But unlike her, he was a disgusting monster! How could she say it was okay when it clearly wasn't? She cannot fool him; her silent cries echoed in his ears, Minato could feel her shivering under his hands. Disgusting! Perverse pleasure seeking monster!

The fingers were back, "Don't touch me!" They went away but came back full force, with arms and a warm body. His head was pressed against something warm and cushiony, her breasts. "I'm disgusting," he murmured.

"We all are," was all she answered in return. The body holding him shook, "It will be worse if you don't do what have to do." She murmured; the salty scent of her tears tickled his nose. "We've been through this," her voice cracked.

"I know," he muttered. "I'll—"

"It doesn't matter."

His heart pounded, keep calm. Keep calm; keep calm, keep calm he repeated over and over in his head. KEEP CALM. It wasn't what it was, his Veela self screeched and clawed. It was panicking. He could deal with that, it always reacted that way. He could deal with this, he took a deep breath.

8:45 AM

He was panicking, in a moment or so he will be going into a panic attack. His deep breathing will cause hyperventilation attack before the other attack sinks in, Hermione needed to calm him down. He did this sometimes. She had never, before getting captured that is, been close to a Veela like she was now. She understood their actions and quirks now. He was scared.

When he had spoken to her earlier, Hermione had felt like every word he said was relaxing her limbs and removing weights on her person that she hadn't known she had. Something was demanding within her to calm down this seemingly cheerful man. She knew better then that though, she had spent thirty-something of the forty years sharing her cell with this man. She knew him to be an embittered, crazed, and sometimes level headed man. She knew of his splintered personality, she didn't like to think too much about it though. The thought of it left her feeling just as broken. This was the first time in Merlin knows how long since she's ever heard Namikaze Minato (vice versa) speak to her. The only reason she even knew that it was Namikaze was because of his laid back tone and his referring to her as Granger-san. Hisagi rarely referred to her as such and when he did it was in a near sarcastic tone.

Every time she opened her mouth she had felt restricted to the words that came out of her mouth. It was like she needed a permission of the sort to be able to speak. Instincts were screaming at her to keep silent even when she felt like nothing was holding her back anymore. So much turmoil was running though her veins during their small conversation just like the situation at hand right now. She needed to calm him down but instincts told her to stay put and to not touch him anyway, and at the same time help by any means necessary. WhatdoIdo?

Hermione needed to correct what put him that way in the first place. These thoughts and needs reminded her too much about how she acted around the Director. It was too familiar, the sensations and pull was stranger then ever however. It was almost too painful to bear. What was wrong with her?

The longer she watched him and did nothing to heed those needs the more painful it became. The clashing sensation of instinct and need was deafening, silencing all noises in the background. The icy blood that ran through her veins began to heat and over boil. Namikaze leaned forward, his hands—no, claws clutched his head. He was grasping through his greeted teeth, she noticed that tips of his claw-like fingers were starting turn red. If she didn't do something pretty soon she was pretty sure his hands will catch fire.

"What happened!" Haruno stepped into her vision. She was kneeling down staring up at her while examining Namikaze. Hermione caught sight of people she had never meant before, one in particular similar to Namikaze. She stared at him, something felt off about him. Beside the whiskers that adorned his cheeks.

"Hey, I asked you a question! What the fuck happened?" Haruno irately snapped at her, her green eyes were narrowed and was sporting a serious frown.

Hermione blinked down at her, Haruno's eyes brow ticked at this. Her pale hand tightened into a fist. "He…is panicking."

"I know that," Haruno bit out in a no-shit-Sherlock manner, "What I'm asking is what the fuck you did?"

"…Nothing."

"Then," of one the strangers spoke. He had coal black eyes and hair that spiked at the back. "How did he get in that state?"

Namikaze's claws as a whole were starting to redden now; Hermione wondered if the vulgar speaking nurse took notice of this or that the hands were claws right now. Blood trickled down the sides of Namikaze's head from the pressure his claws were applying. Was he doing that to calm himself down? At the sight of the blood had left Hermione feeling like someone had placed a curse similar to the Cruciatus. She should be withering in pain on the floor right now but instead she stood still looking impassive to all that was around her.

Black splotches appeared in her vision, "Se…date…him n…ow…ease." Hermione collapsed on the floor before anyone could respond. She welcomed sweet oblivion.

7:45 PM

It was nighttime, she had just returned from the belated birthday party slash dinner at the Weasley's. Ron had tried to subtly—which really surprised some people considering how tactless he is—throughout her wholetime there to get them together alone, she never noticed until it was many years too late. She had been too preoccupied in her mind to even take notice of something as astronomically strange as Ron trying to be subtle, if she had Hermione was positive things would have turned a lot differently.

The Ministry of Magic was practically empty, there had to be a hand full of people hidden around doing guard duty, her footsteps echoed as her feet lead her to her destination. It should have scared her but it didn't, she was excited and happy something that she hadn't felt in who knows how long. Determination was etched in her face. Her feet finally slow down to a stop near an open door; she took a deep breath and step forward.

Hermione awoke feeling stupid; it was such a strange way to wake up. She always woke up feeling stupid after she had that dream but it was even stranger waking up from that dream. She hadn't had that dream since the day of her capture. She didn't understand the feeling of stupidity she had every time she had that dream. These strangers in her dream always left her feeling weird especially that character Ron, why did he induct the feeling of being stupid for ignoring him? In her dreams she knows him, in her dreams she knows who these people are but in the real world any familiarity escapes her. Why is that when she thinks back to the beginning of her career she remember certain snap-shots of a life she once had? Certain feelings? Who were these strangers? She knows their names and faces, she knows who they are but anything else is a mystery to her.

Blinding white greeted her when she opened her eyes. The inexplicable pain that Hermione had felt earlier had disappeared; there wasn't even any soreness of the pain. She fidgeted; once again she was bound to the bed she was lying on. Slowly after a couple of more blinks the blinding white adjusted itself to the white room she had first woken in. She fidgeted again; they were placed tighter then last time. Hermione let out an inaudible sigh relaxing completely.

"Oh," dark eyes drifted from the ceiling to the woman stepping into the room, "You're awake." The woman was just as pale Haruno, she had pupil-less blue eyes with a hint of green and had her long silver blonder hair pulled into a high pony tail. She had more skin showing then Haruno, her clothes looked less nurse-like and more evocative but the smile on her face was just as kind as Haruno's. There was no sign of the metal-plated headband. "Here let me…" She approached the restrains placed on her, "My name's Yamanaka Ino by the way, I'm going to be your nurse from here on out, Forehead—the girl who treated you earlier—will sometimes be your nurse."

The restrains where removed but Hermione made no move to sit up, her remained glued on Yamanaka who immediately backed away her arms held up in I-mean-no-harm kind of way. She picked up the clipboard that was near the foot of her bed and drew out a pen. "Sooo, what's your name? …you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Yamanaka said softly when Hermione didn't answer automatically.

The thing was Hermione didn't know what name to give her. Hisagi called her Wasure-san while Namikaze called her Granger-san, who was she? Why did it matter what that man called her, why was it so hard to answer Yamanaka? It was a simple answer. She was Hermione Granger, was it really so hard to just say that. In the end she chose not to answer Yamanaka as rude as it was.

"How old are you?" The younger woman asked as Hermione finally decided to sit up, her arms were a little shaky as she pushed herself up. She finally sat up with the help of Yamanaka.

That was an answer she could give, "…about 71."

"Oh wow, you certainly don't look it," she said with a light laugh. Yamanaka placed the clipboard facedown on a drawer next to the bed. "I'm going to give you a small check up, so lean forward a little bit." She placed a hand on her chest while she placed the other on her back pushing her forward. "Relax I'm just going to check your lungs and trachea. You damaged them during that fire."

"I want you to take a deep breath and exhale…that's it." A warm feeling entered her cold body, specifically her chest. Hermione felt her hand moving around her back, Yamanaka whispered a soft, "Huh?" That she was sure she wasn't meant to hear. "Take another deep breath and exhale," the hand on her chest moved and hovered above her throat but did not touch her. Hermione was astonished to see that her hands were glowing green, and that the glowing hands did not burn her in anyway like the other times.

Yamanaka removed her hands from her and gestured to a glass of water near the clipboard, she noticed there were two little pills next to the glass. "Take these, there nutrition pills. I will return with a light lunch." She walked over to the curtains and opened them along with cracking open the window. She took her clipboard before she left.

Hermione watched the door close slowly; just before the door closed she whispered a soft, "Thank you." The hand closing the door hesitated before closing completely with loud click or it seemed loud to Hermione glanced at the glass and pills. She was tempted to throw the pills and water out the window. A skinny hand picked up the tiny round pills and placed them on the palm of her other hand. She stared at them for a long time. For all she knew these pills could bring her end, all the others had to die before she did. They mustn't ever find out what they are. These secrets must be kept. Orders are orders.

7:47 PM

How could he have such a weak-minded host? Though Yuu supposed he shouldn't be asking, for his mere existence proved that Minato was weak-minded enough to need him. It was all that fucking Girly-chan's fault anyways; he will have to do something about that little problem. Wasure-san will take care of it, she's never had a problem doing those kinds of jobs. A small part of him, the moral (Minato) part argued that she couldn't have a problem because of whom and what she was made to be. Yuu and Minato both agreed to that but Yuu was immoral enough not to care, she chose to be who she was that was his reasoning.

Ah, the Big Breasted Bitch was back, let's how Minato will handle this.

Today was the day; he felt it in the air. Kushina has been too compliant and the bitch-o-meter has been on an all time low for far too long. Her daughter, (not his—adulterous bitch, if she thought he didn't know then she's crazier then he thought! He should have known better then to marry a woman that shared the same name of Yuu's mother—she had been even more of a conniving bitch.) Mayuri, was less annoying then usual and had taken to calling him Daddy. The council and courts have been acting antsy far too much for his liking, they were hiding something.

"Daisuke, there air has been too hostile as of late," Minato started. He placed a long finger onto a spine of a random book of his office slash personal library, he had his back turned to the man he was addressing. "That is why the ministry will be handed over to your capable hands if the state of affairs calls for it."

"Do you think Kushina plans to have you assassinated?"

"No, I don't believe so. She is too much of a…a Slytherin as the Europeans say. It would not suit her purposes but she is planning something. On the morrow, approximately noon you shall receive a letter. You will act accordingly, understood?"

Daisuke 'hmm-ed' in agreement, "Is there anything else you wanted to say, old friend?"

"Old friend," Minato scoffed, a smirk appeared on his face as he turned to face his comrade. "I dare say that—" Whatever smartass thing he was going to say was halted from his lips as the door of his office was slammed open by a panicking Kusajishi Ichiro, Daisuke's assistant.

"Namikaze-sama!"

Today was the day.

8:00 AM

She was once again in the interrogation room, only this time Tsunade was determined to get answers. Questioning the Minato look alike (who actually had the same name but preferred Hisagi Yuu) was out of the question considering what happened last time. It would be best to wait a few days before trying again. The room was different from the one they used with him though; instead of the room giving an eerie red glow this time it was a bluish bioluminescent glow in a mostly dark room. Her honey brown eyes landed on her tagalong, this will be the year she will step down as the Godaime Hokage and Naruto will finally achieve his dream by being as the Rokudaime. It was never her thing anyways, too much paperwork for her tastes.

She stared at the old man sitting on a plain wooden chair with a table set in front of him. On top of the table were various things; such as two well polished and decorated sticks, a couple of sealed scrolls, and a katana.

Tsunade gave the go ahead for Ibiki to start; he took a step forward and gained the attention of the old man known as The Good Doctor. "Who is 'Father'?"

Mostly gray slicked back hair with some dark streaks, and brown eyed The Good Doctor raised thin brows at the question being directed at him. Those brown eyes moved their calculating on very one in that room, his gaze stopped when they landed on Naruto. Those eyes flickered in interest and surprise, an easy going smile appeared on his face before he happily saying, "My brother of course!"

Review.

A/N: Alas we get an answer as to why Minato does not like Kushina. And no, I don't hate her. After all this is a whole different Kushina who just shares her name, an OC *insert angry face here*. What Minato did with Hermione was not telepathic speech, as you will come to notice they share connection that will soon become clearer as more is revealed. Yes, Hermione doesn't know who Harry and Ron (and the rest) are, when she dreams she knows who she is but when she awakes all recognition she had eludes her sadly. When she thinks back, she sees Ron and Harry as co-workers(people who were just there), there is no emotional attachment to them as far as she knows. She cannot make connections for there are certain variables that do not allow her to do so. HA, I think I prevent some questions that I might have caused in this chapter! ^-^