Chapter Seven: Thoughts
The dawning of the first day was going to be painful. Not just for the students and the professors of the school but also for the Shinobi. Each of them met up near the lakeside located near the castle in order to provide perform their regular training. Unfortunately, the rest of Team Asuma had not shown up making the rest of them with the exception of Raidou and Iruka, only to have been told to not worry about them. Seeing Iruka had practically raised Naruto all on his own, plus taught Shino and Shikamaru as well, no one had questioned the older man's words as they waited by the lake side.
Iruka remained wearing his Chuunin uniform as he held a clipboard near his chest, reading the documents attached to it very closely as he glanced at his assistants, and the newest team to have been formed under his tutelage. He pressed his lips together and seemed to resist the urge to sigh heavily and turned towards Raidou whispering something to him as the scarred man nodded slowly.
The man murmured something incohernt under his breath, vanishing from sight as the genin exchanged bewildered, and irritated looks between them. Needless to say none of them were amused by this turn of events.
Yakumo bit her lips. "I hope everything is okay... especially with Naruto..."
"I'm sure that he's fine Yakumo." Yuushi reassured the younger girl placing one of his hands upon her shoulder followed by a tight squeeze as he smiled gently at her. "The kid is far stronger than he looks try to have some faith in him, alright?"
The red haired girl blushed staring into his eyes before turning away rather roughly. "O-of course I trust him, Yuushi! But he's been in the infirmary since last night and still hasn't woken up yet. Shouldn't we all be concerned about that?"
"Naruto is awake, Yakumo." Iruka answered gaining the attention of the two teens as he scribbled something down on the clipboard as he flashed a soft and hesitat smile. "Give it time, he'll be back and up to being his old hyperactive knuckleheaded self in no time. You simply need to be patient and keep your emotions in check." The girl flushed under the words that had been sent her away. "But I'm glad to see you concerned for your fellow Shinobi, it shows you have deep loyalty to those around you."
Yakumo's face burned a bit at the comment as her lips bloomed into a smile. "R-right!" Still feeling strange at the praise she had just been give. "W-will Naruto be joining us for training today?"
"Is it even okay for him to be joining us today, especially after yesterday whatever caused him to be in pain so suddenly, I don't believe it would be a good idea to have him immediately rejoin us." Yuushi commented with a thin frown. "He should be focusing on getting better rather than causing another injury or another outburst. None of us know if that will even happen again, and for Naruto's sake I think it would be better if he sat this training session out."
Anko frowned at him. "Are you calling him a liability?"
"Anko-san!" Yakumo cried out in shock.
"Don't twist my words." Yuushi retorted coldly towards the woman as he glared at her fiercely. "I merely stated I believe it would be in Naruto's best interest to simply observe rather than participate in today's training."
Hayate coughed. "Let's wait and see, shall we? If Naruto is still injured than he'll have to sit out but if he feels up to it, we'll allow it. None of us can baby him." he glanced over to the side, and crossing his arms over his chest as he smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Denshi! You're late!"
Genma yawned and blinked lazily. "We were wondering if you were ever going to show up!"
"Sorry I'm late!" Harry apologized feeling rather embarrassed about the entire thing as his face flushed a bright shade of red causing everyone else around him to chuckle. He was no longer wearing a Hogwarts uniform having ditched his usual school uniform back at the castle. And Harry wore his custom outfit that he used specifically for training, a dark green hoodie with no sleeves but had a dark black shirt underneath while he wore a pair of fingerless gloves around his hands and a pair of long khakhi shorts that went past his kneecaps. His shoes were hiker boots, unlike normal hiker boots he had placed spikes underneath for projectiles in case of needing to escape the enemy. As he placed an arm to the back of his head scratching it feeling rather embarrassed, closing on the group. "Did I miss anything important, Iruka-sensei?"
Kotetsu grinned. "You're just on time kid, we're about to go over the mission!"
"Sleep alright?" Izumo asked.
Harry shrugged. "People were asking question and bugging me about the Dementors. Malfoy will probably find some way to humiliate me once the day starts." Not that he was even remotely concerned about it as he had begun to view Malfoy as nothing more than an annoyance at best, and better to be ignored instead of reacting to his childish and petty words. He was no longer a child, and couldn't afford to remain as one. Not anymore. Frowning as he looked around as he noticed the others missing. "Where's everyone else?"
Iruka suddenly wore a cheerful expression. "They'll be arrive soon enough." The 'If they know what's good for them' was left unsaid, though they happened to pick up upon it. They all shivered in unison and eyed the man with apprehension mixed with slight awe.
"Shit he's going to Dark mode!" Genma hissed as he hide behind Anko, whom was struggling to free herself from his hold.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Anko chanted shaking her body in order to free herself from Genma, wiggling as much as she could not caring how much everyone was staring at her.
Ignoring the scene beside them, Iruka looked at Harry. "Izumo and Kotetsu use the Henge in order to take the appearance of two thirteen year olds in order to infiltrate the school and attend classes with you."
"What about Yuushi and I?" Yakumo questioned with curiosity and worry. "Weren't we meant to be Harry-kun's teammates?"
Iruka nodded his head looking at the mission scroll. "Yes, you are. As a Genin team under Hayate's tutelage, the three of you will be conducting missions and training together in order to prepare for your future careers as Shinobi."
"I'm sensing a 'but' here." Yuushi interjected with a grunt gazing at the man with a 'none too pleased' look on his face.
"It looks way too suspicious if more transfer students appeared out of nowhere, not to mention if you merely disappeared after the week." Iruka elaborated seriously. "We don't want to create anymore unnecessary complications to this mission than there already are." A grim atmosphere seemed fall over the group.
Yuushi still wasn't pleased. "So you're sending us back than?"
"Not necessarily." Izumo cut in interrupting the outburst that was threatening to come. "I am assuming that you are aware of Summon Jutsus?"
"Y-yes, I believe my father had one." Yakumo stated. "I think it was a Cat summon, I can't really remember. I was young at the time when he first summoned it." As she gazed down at the floor when all eyes fell upon her, only for her to start blushing madly.
Yuushi shrugged. "My old sensei had one, why?"
"We're trying to making a 'connection' for a lack of a better term between Konoha and Hogwarts, in order to transport back and forth in an instant." Izumo answered seeing the bewildered look. "These stick wavers have the ability to transport themselves in a similar manner called 'Apparation' which would be very beneficial to Konoha."
"It sounds exactly like the Flicking Jutsus." Yakumo murmured under her breath looking rather thoughtful at the idea.
Izumo nodded his head. "That's what we assumed as well, however, we were proven wrong. It's entirely different from our Body Flicker Jutsu."
"Sounds like a less dangerous version of my Hiraishin technique."
Izumo nodded his head looking rather thoughtful. "I wouldn't call it similar to the Hiraishi, since it is a battle technique. The train of thought wouldn't be entirely off, and could be classified as a alternate usage of Space-Time Jutsus until we have further proof..." His voice trailed off and his face paled and looked to the side before paling even further.
Minato smiled.
And started to wave towards the man, in a rather friendly and cheerful manner, "Morning Izumo."
"...Y...on...da...i...me...s-s...ama..." Izumo said slowly before fainting to the ground as his face went from pale white to pure red.
Shikarmaru bent down and began to poke the man. "Is he dead?"
"If he is we can always feed him to the giant squid." Yuushi commented dryly.
Naruto smirked. "Or Shino's bugs to eat!"
"... My bugs are not carnivorous." Shino murmured as he pushed up his sunglasses.
Yakumo blinked. "But... aren't they? I mean they are like summons, right?"
"No. That is a common misconception regarding my clan, the ones I currently have are sensor based rather than offensive. However, do not take them lightly simply because they are not fit for fighting." Shino warned in a calm manner gazing at the group of Genin gathered, his sunglasses glinting under the rays of light giving off a menacing aura.
"H...heh... t... that's nice Shino..." Yuushi remarked glancing at him with a slightly frightened look on his face.
Minato chuckled. "Just like a true member of the Aburame." His gaze left the younger generation and he focused his attention towards the older ones, particularly upon Iruka. "I'm guessing that you're in charge of this mission?"
Iruka coughed. "Y-yes Yondaime-sama!"
"Please, call me Minato. I am not Hokage anymore, Iruka-sensei. And I would prefer to be known as 'Minato' instead of 'Yondaime'. I am, after all, a shinobi like yourself."
Iruka swallowed thickly. "Alright... Minato-san, we were just discussing our plan of action for today." Directing his attention towards the figure standing in front of him was insanely difficult to say the least. this man was not only one of the strongest men upon the planet, but he was also the Hokage and Naruto's father to boot! He had to ignore the surge of anger that was staring to push towards his heart and head; he needed to keep himself from lashing out. "Since Harry is a studenthere at Hogwarts, I'm having Izumo and Kotetsu infiltrate as students as well."
"That plan has merit." Minato remarked with a nod as his eyes flash towards the dark haired boy, whom blushed under his sight. A soft smile appeared upon his face. "I see that you've chosen the path of the Shinobi, Harry-kun."
"Yes sir." Harry replied with no hesitation and a strong conviction in his voice as his eyes met with Minato with a firm fire that burned deep with him. "I have no regret of my choice.
The Yondaime smiled. "I didn't think that you did. Class starts soon correct?"
"Yes, I'm planning on splitting them intro groups to train under." Iruka stated as he looked at Asuma. "That is, if you have no problem. Asuma-san."
The gruff man waved his head in dismissal. "I trust in your judgement, Iruka."
"Yakumo, while a Genjutsu prodigy still lacks in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, and Naruto also needs to brush up in those departments." Iruka said ignoring the blushes from both students as they exchanged sheepish looks at one another. "Shikamaru and Shino are passable with Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, however, are ill-prepared when it comes down to Genjutsu, Harry so far has shown promise in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu. His Genjutsus is passable at best."
"I'll take Naruto." Minato spoke up instantly.
No one argued.
"I guess I'll take the lazy brat than." Genma offered as he let loose a loud yawn and blinked tiredly as he looked at the Nara. "Better not give me trouble brat."
"How troublesome..." Shikamaru murmured under his breath, stuffing his hands straight into his pocket as a brief look of annoyance appeared only for it to have vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. With a grumble, he silently followed the lazy Jounin behind him.
Raidou turned his attention towards Shino. "You will be training with me, Shino. As a member of the Aburame family I expect great things from you." Watching carefully as the boy nodded his head slowly the two disappeared into the distance.
"Shall we go than, Naruto?" Minato smiled down at his son with a loving and fatherly, as the younger Shinobi blushed at the calm gesture.
"Y-yeah!"
Iruka looked over the notes as he switched his gaze towards the final team. "I think that it would be best for Asuma to be training you, Yakumo. You need to improve your stamina and endurance so Asuma will be able to help you do that." The girl nodded as Asuma straightened up. "Yuushi, I think you're pretty alright at the moment where you are, but there is always room for improvement. I think training with Izumo and Kotetsu will be good for you."
Yuushi smirked as he turned towards the two Chuunins. "I'm going to have a lot of fun today." Cracking his knuckles, as his smirk became dark while gazing lowly at the two men.
"Don't underestimate us because of our age, boy." Kotetsu warned with a playful smirk on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes, as they glinted coldly.
Izumo shared this expression."You should always look underneath the underneath, Yuushi." His smirk could only be described as feral.
"Bring it on old men!" The teen challenged cockily.
Hayate's eyes landed upon Harry, smirking widely. "Which means you'll be training with me this morning." The smile continued to grow even wider nearly chuckling sadistically as his student stared at him with a look of horror. "You should be happy though, we won't be using the lake to spar for today."
"That's good...?" Harry replied nervously with a frown as he kept a distrustful gaze on his sensei. He wasn't sure whether or not that he should be happy with the fact that they were moving to something else instead of continuing with water walking sparing, he assumed it was because he had mastered the technique and were moving on to something more complicated or... Hayate-sensei was taking pity on him. He wasn't sure yet.
Hayate leered at his student. "Oh yes. It's a very good thing indeed my young student. Do you want to know why?"
"Why?" Harry questioned eyeing the older man with as a cold chill ran up his back only to stare into the dark and amused eyes of his teacher.
"Because my dear little cute student. We will be sparing on the land... only this time." Hayate drawled out with a strange smile. "I won't simply be using Kinjutsu to fight, I will be allowing the usage of Ninjutsu and Taijutsu as well."
Harry stared horrified. "That's cruel Hayate-sensei!"
"Quit complaining my young student and let's get training." Hayate grabbed Harry by the collar and began to drag him away leaving behind a bemused looking Anko and Iruka, they both watched the boy gawked at the sudden movement of his body yet did not protest at being dragged.
"Well I think that's everyone." Iruka murmured as he continued to look at the files and grinned sheepishly at his partner in crime. He noticed that his friend was wearing a thin frown gazing with an intense and displeased looking causing the man to shift into a bewildered position. "What?"
Anko stared at him. "What's wrong Iruka?"
"W-what? Huh? Nothing's wrong!" Iruka exclaimed trying to wrap his head around her words and was at a loss to why she would think something was amiss. Shaking his head and sending her a bemused, as he said."I don't know what you're talking about Anko, but I'm fine. Really!" Flashing her one of his trademark smiles.
"Don't lie to me Iruka." Was Anko's curt reply, which was normal for her yet this time it felt and sounded differently from her usual curtness.
Iruka's smile left his face. "Anko..."
"Listen to me Iruka," Anko began grabbing Iruka's hands, giving them a tight reassuring squeeze. "I know along with everyone else about how much you love Naruto, as a brother and possibly even a son. You feel threatened that now Minato is back, that you're going to be shoved to the side and ignored, forgotten. That's not going to happen, Iruka. Naruto loves you far too much to just forget you, you need to let go of his irrational anger and jealousy that's building inside of you. It's just... not you, Ruka." The sheer pleading tone doubled with the expression of depression on her face was very un-Anko like.
Iruka's mind was racing trying to figure out what his childhood friend was trying to tell him. He was totally at a loss. What the hell was she trying to say? he continued to look at her brown in order to find the answer only come up with nothing, a loud and heavy sigh escaped his lips as his search had ended up useless.
"Anko why don't you just tell me what you mean." Iruka requested tiredly.
Anko gave him a flat look and shook her head. "Honestly, all of you men are idiots!" The ire in her eyes caused him to flinch visibly only for it to soft. "I don't want to be the one to tell you, Iruka. I think that this is something that you need to figure out for yourself."
"A...Anko?" His tone was filled with worry and confusion as he looked into her eyes.
She gave a small smile as she walked past him. "Anyway, I'm heading back up to the castle to go and grab some Dango. Later!"
"A-Anko h-hey!" Watching as the Kunoichi vanished leaving Iruka standing there holding out his hands towards where she stood, he re-positioned himself and stared at his hands with a longing expression and directed his eyes to the sky.
"What was she talking about?"
"Professor Dumbledore we must do something! We cannot allow to continue hanging around with... with... these barbarians!" McGonagall hissed as her face twisted into disgust, as the words that left her mouth came off like vile and poison. The sheer loathing of the Shinobi was evident and understandable, not one of them were able to understand their way of life or the reasoning for doing so. As far as they were concerned, they were barbaric and cold-hearted killers through and through. The Scottish woman pressed her lips together placing a sheet of paper upon the desk. "While I am glad to see Mr. Potter starting to take courses and his education seriously, I refuse to allow him to use our ways in order to help these killers!"
Professor Sprout frowned looking at the Head of Gryffindor. "Now, now Minvera there's no need to quickly judge like that. After the two previous years, I cannot blame him for wanting to be able to defend himself and those around him. His heart is in the right place, you just need to have faith in him is all-"
"You mean like your Hufflepuff's faith during last year?" Sinistra questioned gaining a glare from the usually calm woman. The astronomy professor focused her attention upon the woman, unaffected by the glare; or she simply did not acknowledge it. "You know it's true, Pomona I'm sorry to say, But in all honestly, I am ashamed of Hufflepuff House and its actions due to last year! I am even further ashamed that you did nothing to step in and knock some sense into your students!"
Pomona spluttered. "T-that's none of your concern!"
A loud slamming of Sinistra's fist made everyone jump. "Don't you feed me such tripe, Pomona! Are you or are you not the Head of Hufflepuff? Either do your job or choose someone else!" The vehemence and annoyance in her tone earned her a flabbergasted look from the woman, only to focus her eyes upon her next victim. "Which brings me up to my next point! Professor Snape!" The greasy man blinked taken back by the normally silent woman. "You had better talk with your snakes if you wish for them to continue stay here. I have a feeling that if they provoke Mr. Potter wrongly, the repercussions will be dire."
Snape sneered at her. "I highly doubt that, that insufferable brat can't even excel in stirring?"
"Yet he seems to be excelling with these Shinobi." Professor Babbling commented quietly.
Flitwick nodded his head. "And whose to say that we can possible even stop the training nay, even prevent the students whom have earned Mr. Potter's wrath and Mr. Potter himself? We know next to nothing of the Shinobi kind!"
"I'll believe it when I see it!" Snape growled angrily crossing his arms like a spoiled child.
"We simply need to get back on the right track is all. That is all that we can do." Dumbledore remarked calmly waving his hand dismissively gaining the attention of the staff. "We cannot allow to stray from the path of light-"
"What tripe are your talking about, Headmaster?" Sinistra questioned coldly giving the man a look. "I see nothing but a boy trying to survive and grow in a different manner than the rest of us. He is, by no means, walking the path of dark!"
Dumbledore gave her a steel look, he had forgotten that Sinistra and Babbling were currently in the room. "If you will allow me to finish, Professor Sinistra, I would prefer to discuss this with Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout and Snape. I'm sorry my dear, but I am afraid that I will have to ask you to leave."
"I see no reason to." Was her curt reply, giving the man a cold look. "Am I not one of his Professors as well? I am entitled to stay here as I please."
Babbling nodded her head silently agreeing with the other woman. "However... I wonder is there anything that the five of you are hiding from us?" A moment of frigid silence was all that she truly needed. A quick glance towards the African woman confirmed her beliefs.
"Did you not hear the Headmaster's request!" Snape snapped at them with venom. "Leave! This does not concern the likes of you?"
Sinistra sent him a cold look. "The likes of you I'm quite curious as to what you mean, Severus. Perhaps you would like to clarify?"
"Don't bother, Aurora. I see no reason for you to waste anymore words on him. C'mon, let us depart to classrooms and prepare for the first day." Babblings stated holding her wand tightly as she kept a close eye upon the furious man.
Sinistra smiled, a bit. "Yes, I suppose you are right. Professors... Headmaster Dumbledore," As she inclined her head before leaving the room with Babbling in toe, as the doors behind them shut. After several moments of silence it was Snape that spoke up.
"They are up to something Headmaster! We must do something about them, and quickly!"
Dumbledore gave the man a look. "And what would you have me do, Severus? Oblivate them? They have done no harm but express their opinions. I cannot fault them for that. As to your question, Minvera, I agree that we must do something in order to prevent Harry from descending into the dark clutches of these Shinobi."
"Why not pair him with someone from here?" Snape suggested with a cold smile on his face. "A love potion will do the trick. Maybe one of the Weasley spawn?" The man paused for a moment, looking devilishly for that moment. His cold smile seemed to have grown even colder. "Using a restraing spell would not be as effective as the Shinobi would investigate...perhaps we should...give Potter a reason to say, remain here in England? Hm?"
"Severus!" Flitick snapped at him. "I don't even want you to repeat that suggestion!"
Sprout wrinkled her nose. "That is just horrific what are you thinking!"
"I'm thinking of keeping our precious golden boy here." Snape sneered at the other two Heads. "Unless you have a better idea, I highly suggest that you speak up!" No words came from them, causing the greasy man to smirk in victory. "Just as I thought, you have no ideas."
Dumbledore frowned. "I do not condone such uses, Severus. However, I can see it benefiting us in the long run. We will save that for a possible solution, as a last resort. In the mean time, I want all four of your to discourage Harry from continuing his training and spending his time with these Shinobi. He is one of ours, not one of theirs. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Headmaster."
"Dismissed, please head to Great Hall for this morning's breakfast." Dumbledore stated waving his head as the four Heads left the room.
Flitwick frowned. "Is this truly a good idea? We have no rights to stop Harry from doing what he wants, he must learn to make his own mistakes and live his own life."
"Do you want him to become an insane killer?" Sprout questioned with a solemnly tone, shaking her head. "I don't agree with what we are doing, but he is the Headmaster thus we must obey him."
"I wouldn't to go as far as obeying the Headmaster as to saving from making a horrible and deadly mistake. It really is for his own good really." McGonagall commented with a firm nod. "He'll understand in the end, I am certain of it."
"And if he doesn't?" Flitwick asked dryly.
Snape sneered. "Who cares what the brat thinks! The only thing he should be thinking is trying to stop acting so arrogantly like his father!"
"Severus! That is incredibly childish of you!" McGonagall chided furiously glaring at them man with absolute disgust.
"No it's not!" Snape growled at her. "You are simply too blind to see it! Just like everyone else! Now if you'll excuse me, I must go and check upon my snakes." As he briskly bumped into Minvera and walked past her without apologizing and continued to arrogantly strut down the halls as if he owned the place. It was heavily ironic as he used to comment on how James Potter, and on a lesser note, Harry, himself, walked down the halls.
Pomona pressed her lips together. "I sincerely hope that Severus watches his tongue, I cannot see Mr. Potter being so lenient towards him if he is provoked."
"I wouldn't just fear for Severus, my dear Pomona." Flitwick added watching as the Head of Slytherin vanished from their sights. "But, I think we must fear for all of Slytherin House. A change has come to Hogwarts and whether it is for the good of the school, I cannot tell."
McGonagall struggled not to snort at that remark. While she saw Flitwick as an incredible intelligent man and a master duelist, the way he made that comment nearly made her gag. She did not see the coming of these Shinobi are a good omen, no, to her they were a threat to everything that they stood for. Just being near them made her shiver in fear, and frankly, she wanted them gone. Knowing Albus as she did, he had not even considered Harry taking an offer and joining the Shinobi, becoming one of them, as possibility. He had been wrong and now they were paying for it.
The mere idea of Harry even associating with these people was incomprehensible! Surely, Lily and James were both rolling in their graves! How could son of the two brightest and best students of Hogwarts willing turn towards the path of a killer? It made no sense to her at all! In fact, she was heavily certain that the Shinobi themselves manipulated Harry into it! She was certain of it. There couldn't be a more reasonable explanation.
She vowed silently that she would do everything within her power in order to help steer Harry to the path of the wizard and avoid such a catastrophe!
No matter what the cost may be!
It was morning like this that made Harry wonder what he did to deserve these beatings from Hayate-sensei. Each spar ended quickly and brutally, which, he supposed, wasn't necessarily a bad simply meant there was still a lot for him to learn and to train even harder, that was all! Still, as he rubbed his hand soothingly in order to ignore the pain in his hands. Did he have to hit so hard?
Thankfully, as he glanced toward the side watching carefully as Izumo and Kotetsu, both using henge in order to take a pre-teen form, interact and joke around with the Weasley Twins without failure or arousing any suspicions from the rest of the school. The friendship between the two sets would allow the atmosphere at Hogwarts would be normal, however, he managed to discover many weary looks being sent their way as Izumo and Kotetsu continued to hang around the Twins. He managed to chock back a snicker, he had the strangest feeling that the school wouldn't manage to survive if the four of them teamed up together. No matter how hilarious and funny it would be, Harry didn't think they would manage to pay off the damages to the school in just a year.
However, that wasn't the only thing that truly concerned Harry. Many people, Ron and Hermione included, were rather curious as to how he knew the new professors along with Izumo and Kotetsu. He had pulled an excuse out mentioning that he had stayed at Hogwarts for the remainder of the summer and managed to befriend them as he helped them improve their English and visa versa with his Japanese in order to overcome the language barrier between them.
He had the strangest feeling that neither Ron nor Hermione truly believed that. Harry knew he would have to cross that bridge soon or later, preferably later. Frankly, Harry didn't truly see how what he did during the summer and who he was with was any of their business. Since, he had never questioned them about what they did or who they were. By what right did they have to interrogate him? Granted, they had shared their summer experiences with him while he continued to remain shut about this, in retrospective it wasn't like he was allowed anyway.
Maybe he was being a bit too cynical and angsty.
"What the hell Hermione!" Ron exclaimed staring at the sheet of paper in her hands with a perplexed expression. "There's no way you can attend three classes at once! Not even you can pull it off."
Harry frowned leaning over and glanced at the sheet as his eyes skimmed through it and frowned thinner as her glanced up at her.
"Ron's right, Hermione, I think you should drop some courses." Harry stated calmly as he gazed at the bushy haired girl.
Hermione gave them both a flat glare. "Listen, I've already fixed with Professor McGonagall alright? There's nothing you need to worry about it. Speaking of which don't you have Divination today?"
"I do." Ron stated with a nod as he shoved a giant fork of bacon straight into his mouth and began to chew rather loudly.
Hermione looked at him with disgust. "Anyway Harry, I took your advice and dropped Divination like you said-"
Ron nearly spat out his food as he looked at his two friends, only to gap in horror. "W-why? Divination is supposed to be an easy course! I can't believe that you two dropped it!"
"Not everyone likes taking easy courses, Ron." Hermione stated with an edge of annoyance while sending him a pensive look. "I prefer to challenge myself."
"Why?" Ron stated with a strange look. "You're already the smartest girl in school I don't think there really is anything that can challenge you."
Hermione blinked at him and smiled a bit, shrugging. "Well I wouldn't say that Ron. There's so much out there that we don't know, and don't understand. And if I don't push myself or try new things, how else would I find out if it's challenging or not?"
Ron snorted. "Please, all you'll do is head to the library and figure it out. Just as you always do, and then tell us about it."
Whether Ron was being rude or not didn't really matter to him, but Harry had absolutely no intention in getting pulled into another fight. Grabbing his bag and swinging it over his shoulder, he watched both of his friend's faces turn red and the heat between the three of them rising. It was better to go now instead of later.
"I'm heading to the library." Harry said quickly before he added."I don't have a first class, so I figured I should be preparing for the rest of the day." Before either of them were able to get a complaint out he quickly made a mad dash towards the doors as he ignored the stares he knew were fixated upon him.
Not that it was anything unusual or anything. Ever since coming to Hogwarts he had been stared at constantly, at first it had been odd and extremely creepy but something he had been able to ignore and pretend that it was nothing. It hasn't a hard thing to do after all, growing up with the Dursleys, he had learned very early on how to ignore and block out things that were surrounding him, it had been what helped him easily adapt to the world known as Hogwarts.
It still didn't make everything better, however.
It wasn't that the Wizarding Community of Britain was a horrible place there were tons of things that were absolutely fascinating and overwhelmed him with complete awe. On the other hand, it still came with its main faults such as the bigotry and how backwatered the civilization is compared to the rest of the world. It was sickening and made him highly regret giving up his normal muggle education.
Thankfully, Iruka-sensei made the effort in order to correct that. Painfully.
Harry didn't know how to repay Iruka and the others for everything that they were doing for him, and was struggling to figure out what to do. His loyalty to them were necessary, but he was at a loss of what else to do for them other than gather as much information as possible about the Britian Wizarding Community as much as possible, and the rest of the world's magicial communities in case of emergencies or inconsistencies that need clarifying.
Though to say it was simply for the others would be a downright lie, since Harry himself also wished to brush up on his knowledge about the world... and about his family.
He knew very little about his parents other than his father excelled in Transfiguration and was the Chaser of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team back in his day, while his mother had green eyes. He felt completely ashamed of himself for not trying to learn more about them, and felt a twist of disgust in his stomach for not doing so sooner. Perhaps the reason he hadn't gone to seek information about his parents was due to the fear of upsetting those that had lost them, or maybe it was his own fear that prevented him from looking deep enough. Though where could he start? he would have to find some kind of Graduation picture of the Gryffindor class when he decided.
He assumed that Hogwarts: A History would have the location of the registration of each House during the years, there was also the trophy room, even though Harry admitted that seemed like a long shot he was willing to do anything to find out whatever he could about his parents. No matter the cost. Call it childish selfishness or even obsession, Harry thought he had a personal right to know more about the two whom gave him life, if that was selfish then fine. He was selfish and damn proud of it.
There was also another reason for why Harry was desperately searching for information about his parents... when he had became a Shinobi of Konoha, Harry was fully aware of the fact that it was only a matter of time before he left Britain. All together as he thought on his knowledge and experience of the wizarding community, Harry believed he wouldn't miss much at all. But he felt that there was still many things for him to discover before leaving, it was if something was tugging at the very back of his head.
Harry gripped his head. "Maybe I'm finally losing it."
"Losing what Mr. Potter?" A brisk voice caught Harry off guard as he turned around and came face to face with McGonagall, whom stood eyeing him with her normal stern look. There was tension between the two of them as neither one relented to speak and continued to gaze at one another, seemingly waiting for something to happen. The Scottish woman continued to hold her eyes on him as she inclined her head with a inquisitive gleam.
"It's nothing professor, I've just been thinking is all." Harry replied as politely as possible.
McGonagall pressed her lips together firmly. "I highly doubt that Mr. Potter, now tell me what exactly is on your mind."
"It's just... I've been thinking about my parents, and I've been wondering what sort of people they were and what they did." Harry answered truthfully not bothering to lie or sugar coat anything. "I don't really know much beyond the fact that Dad was a chaser and Mom had green eyes and was brilliant with Charms. I mean, yeah it's something, but I don't know about them as a whole. I want to at least try to find out more about them and what they did. It's just... I'm at a loss of what to do or whom to contact..."
The sound of footsteps knocking on the ground caught his attention as McGonagall had sharply turned around and began to walk in the opposition direction leaving him standing in the middle of the hallway watching as she strode down, only for her to turn her head and stare at him.
"If you wish to find out more, Mr. Potter than I highly suggest you go and meet with Professor Lupin." McGonagall stated with a faint smile. "After all, he was a friend of your parents."
Chapter end.
I want to apologize for the long wait for this chapter, however, my family and I are currently going through a very difficult time in our lives. My mother passed away back in November due to lung cancer, it has been a hard and long road for us now and in the future. My mother always encouraged my fanfiction writing, which is why I continue to write even now. So please understand that future updates may come out slower.