Woo hoo! More reviews! I'm very pleased. I didn't really think I'd get much attention to this story. I admit I love a good Harry Potter Naruto crossover. Hopefully mine lives up to that. Oh… I've got another anime I'm sticking into this… it'll be apparent by the end of the chapter I'm sure… but I wont say anything at the moment.
Relearning the Steps
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny hopped off the train and onto the concrete platform. They stuck close together to avoid most of the crowd as it was bigger than they'd ever seen it in all of their years.
"Oh look! There's Neville!" Hermione pointed out their friend over the crowd. The scars on his face had mostly healed and were worn as badges of honor.
"Hey guys, how's your summer been?" He grinned toothily.
"Oh you know, at St. Mungo's for most of it… Ron recovered from his spattergoit and everything. How about you?" Harry smirked.
"Not much. Gran and I have been sending out Auror applications all over Europe. Hopefully after this year we can finally be done."
"I hear you mate." Ron laughed. "The only generation to ever spend 8 years in Hogwarts."
"You guys weren't even here for the year." Neville shook his head. "Be thankful you didn't have to sit through all the anti-muggle crap that was being taught."
"Yeah. I'm sure the first years that were banned from the school last year will have a lot of catching up to do." Ginny sighed.
"They will. But on top of my studies I volunteered to help tutor them. Professor McGonagall said she'd be setting up a class after classes for those who need extra help." Hermione grinned at her friend's gaping faces. "I'll have plenty of time to do this. And those poor first years will need all the help they can get."
"Leave it to you to make more work for yourself…" Ron muttered. "Please don't try dragging us into it. We'll have enough trouble as it is."
"Oh don't worry Ron; I want them to learn good studying habits, not your lackluster way of going about it."
The redhead blushed as his friends shared a good natured laugh.
"Very funny 'Mione."
-
"Okay…" Naruto did a quick head count and turned to the English woman that was their employer. "This is all of us for now. We'll let you know the moment there is another who is ready to come."
The woman did a quick count herself. Not many, but enough for now. She looked warily at the two men in black suits with white armor. They both wore masks so she could not see their faces. One had a spiky ponytail and earrings with brown eyes staring out from the slits in the mask while the other had long dark hair braided to his waist and no slits for eyes. The others didn't seem as threatening yet at the same time she could tell they were deadly serious. A girl with white eyes, a redhead in a lab coat and short shorts, a large dog with a rider, a man with not an ounce of skin showing, another spiky ponytail with a scar on his nose and a tall silver haired man with one eye showing. These people along with the other's she'd already met made eleven ninja.
"I'd like to introduce myself to those who haven't yet met me, and learn the names of each of you. I am Minerva McGonagall, Headmaster and Transfigurations teacher at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
The first to step forward was Sakura.
"Haruno Sakura, Jounin medic Nin and close combat fighter."
"Uzumaki Naruto, Jounin and Master of the Sage Arts."
"Sai. ANBU Root division, artist Nin."
"Umino Iruka, Chuunin teacher at the ninja academy."
"Hatake Kakashi, Jounin teacher. Former ANBU. Known as the Copy Ninja."
"Aburame Shino. Special Jounin, Infiltration and information gathering."
"Inuzuka Kiba. Special Jounin, Tracking and hunting."
"Hyuuga Hinata. Special Jounin, Long distance surveillance and medic Nin."
"Karin. Chuunin, Scientist and medic Nin. Also part of team Hawk."
"Deer. ANBU."
"Dove. ANBU."
McGonagall was taken aback by the swift efficiency of each introduction and puzzled by some of the terms.
"This ANBU… what exactly does that entail?" She asked Deer directly.
"ANBU is our special black ops. We are considered to be elite ninja as there is no higher ranking other than Hokage."
"We cover our faces and keep our identities a secret even from each other." Dove finished the explanation.
"I see…"
"If you are also wondering about the terms Chuunin and Jounin I can explain those to you as well." Iruka smiled at the woman.
"If you would please. I want to make sure I know as much as possible so as not to create any confusion."
"Chuunin is the level after Genin, and before Jounin. Once a Genin, the ninja is then able to take the Chuunin exams. Afterwards, the Hokage scouts for good ANBU and Jounin candidates. Some are even chosen from Chuunin level." Iruka paused for a breath. "Once a Genin graduates they are give a headband and assigned to a three man cell with a Jounin to teach them ninja life relatively safely. They take care of the D class missions such as finding missing pets and cleaning up the village. After passing the Chuunin exams…" Iruka scowled at Naruto who was muttering under his breath about 'fixed' and 'stupid'. "One is considered a leader amongst ninja. Given C and B rank missions. To become a Jounin one must be appointed by the Hokage for recognition of special skills and such. They are considered military captains and can take missions alone. They take A and S class missions. Special Jounin specialize in one area of expertise rather than all around training and are often called upon by the Jounin to help on missions."
"Very good. You have a knack for this Mr. Umino." McGonagall smiled at him.
"I teach children before they are Genin. It tends to help." He laughed.
"Alright… Before we leave I will be explaining what a portkey is. I will also cast a spell on each of you to enable you to speak English."
"I will not be requiring the spell. I can speak English fluently." Deer muttered as he slouched over.
"Neither will I." Dove crossed his arms.
Minerva looked slightly surprised but hid it well. "Will there be anyone else opting out of the language spell?"
Hinata and Sakura both raised their hands.
"Wow Sakura! I didn't know you could speak English!"
The woman blushed. "I picked it up from Hinata really."
"Cool! So yeah… what's this portkey thing you were talking about?" He turned to the teacher.
Without pausing in her spell working she pulled a small hairbrush out of her pocket.
"A portkey can be anything really. Trash, a valuable… whatever is at hand. What a portkey does is transport large amounts of people to a specified location. You have but to touch it before it activates. I've left one with your Hokage for the second team when they arrive." She whirled her wand once more and finished the language spell. "There. Now you are all properly equipped for the journey. Please gather round and place a finger on the brush." She glanced at her watch. "We shall be leaving within the minute."
The ninja's all clustered around the brush with confused looks but did as they were told. The moment the last finger touched the portkey they all felt a hook at their bellybuttons being pulled. After much tossing and turning they arrived in a shady little town.
"This is Hogsmeade. One of the only wizarding villages." She gestured at the castle in the distance. "That is Hogwarts. Please come along."
"Hey…" Naruto whined. "Why didn't you just poof us all the way?"
"Because Mr. Uzumaki there are wards on the castle to prevent such entries. There is absolutely no way to enter Hogwarts other than the gates or a secret passage way or two."
Deer walked next to the woman as they advanced towards the castle.
"Minerva-san I would request maps and information on this castle." He gestured to his team. "We will need to know the ins and outs of this place if we are to adequately protect your students."
"You're quite right Mr. Deer. When we arrive I will give you each a copy of Hogwarts: A History. As to the secret passage ways, we will have one of our students show you. I myself have not been through all of them…"
Underneath his mask Deer raised an eyebrow. "You do not know something your student does?"
"Unfortunately yes. His father and his friends created a map that shows all of Hogwarts and its inhabitants as well as secrets that most have never found. They passed on this map and we've never been able to get it from the student."
"Must be a real troublemaker…" Naruto grinned.
"Yes well… He tends to be the center of attention whether he intends it or not. He's rather shy most days and doesn't like the fame that was pushed upon him."
"He's famous?"
"He's the savior of the Wizarding world. Harry Potter."
"Wow…" The blond grinned. "So we get to meet a famous person…"
"This brings me to another point. I will need several of you to be a part of the student body of each house to protect them. Two in each house should suffice…"
"Iruka and I will stay out of that…" Kakashi smiled in her direction as he pulled out his little orange book.
"Naturally. I have hired you two on as teachers… seeing as one of you teaches the basics and the other advanced techniques, you can be Mr. Umino's Teaching Assistant for the first term."
Kakashi gaped at the woman who didn't notice as she wasn't used to looking beyond the mask. Naruto however did notice and immediately started laughing.
"Oh that's priceless! Kakashi working under Iruka-sensei!"
Sakura smirked as well. "You better not be late Kakashi-sensei. Iruka doesn't excuse tardiness. Or pornography in class."
Minerva raised an eyebrow at the little book and made to speak.
"Please do not worry McGonagall-san. I will make sure he doesn't have that around any students."
"Thank you Mr. Umino." The witch sighed in relief. She steadied herself and stopped to address the group once more before they entered the castle. "I do not want the students to know anything about you or this mission. For secrecies sake you will be foreign exchange students from Japan. Those posing as students will wait here to be taken in with the first years as they arrive seeing as you shall be sorted into the houses. Mr. Umino and Mr. Hatake will be coming with me to sit at the teachers table to be introduced to the student population as professors."
Deer slouched and tapped Dove on the shoulder. "As leader of this mission, I'm giving you orders to join the rest of the team as a student." He smirked behind his mask knowing that Dove was not pleased with him. "I will use my spare time to read up on our mission and formulate plans for when the others arrive."
Neji scowled as he removed his mask. His white eyes blazed with indignity. McGonagall almost gasped at the sight of this man. She'd never seen such a beautiful person. Handsome and pretty sure, but the pure elegance and poise he carried naturally was a rarity.
"Yes Deer-san." Neji turned to Minerva. "Hyuuga Neji." He bowed.
"Oh yes…" She stuttered before regaining her composure. "Before I forget completely… I have a set of robes for each of you. You can wear it over your current dress for now… But it is mandatory dress for students. You shall all have wands measured and ordered for you tomorrow. Just because you are not primarily wizards does not mean that you cannot learn our craft, especially if your chakra works similar to our magic."
The witch waved her wand and robes appeared in each student's hands. Every detail down to the size was perfect.
Shino stared at his robe and then at everyone else though only his teammates noticed.
"McGonagall-san, Shino needs to be more covered if you wish for us to not stand out." Hinata hedged carefully.
"Oh? Is there something the matter with the robes?"
"No ma'am. Shino's ninja abilities are the use of chakra beetles that live inside his body. He has holes in his face that need to be covered because they crawl around a lot."
Trying to hide her revulsion she simply nodded. Another wave of her wand and a scarf and gloves as well as a hooded cloak appeared. "I hope these are sufficient."
Shino merely nodded and smiled at Hinata. She smiled back knowing he meant to thank her. He wasn't ashamed of his bugs or his body, but he didn't feel the need to broadcast something that revolted others.
McGonagall got a good look at the young mans holes and shivered as he took off his jacket. She was thankful that the Seventh Years got private rooms.
"Considering that this is a school, I'm assuming that Akamaru here won't be allowed inside…" Kiba interrupted the headmaster's thoughts.
"Actually… pets are allowed… but we do ask that you keep them in your room."
"I can't leave him anywhere. He and I act as a team. If you want me to protect your students to my best ability, we will need to be together."
Minerva merely nodded. "I will allow it… But if you are asked, you're only allowed to keep him because you have different rules in Japan."
"Right. No worries there." Kiba smirked.
"Oh it's almost time…" She muttered to herself. To the others she said, "Mr. Umino and Mr. Hatake please come with me. You all shall wait for Hagrid to arrive with the first years and come in with them."
The ninjas all nodded. Shikamaru merely followed behind the headmaster like a good bodyguard.
"I will accompany you as a guard."
"So be it Mr. Deer."
The four headed into the building leaving the others on the step waiting for the first years that had just arrived on the other edge of the lake.
-
"Hey look! McGonagall's just arrived… and who the bloody hell are those people?" Ron muttered loudly, obviously not having the decency to say it quietly. The silver haired man turned to him and winked. Or at least they thought he did. It was hard to tell with his other eye covered.
As the Golden Trio watched McGonagall, the brown haired one and the silver haired one sat behind the table. The one wearing bone white armor stood off to the side at attention. A moment later the doors banged open and in walked the first years. Something was off though…
"Why are there Seventh Years mixed in with the first years?" Harry whispered.
Hermione hushed him and pointed to McGonagall who had brought out the mended Sorting Hat. It still seemed partially blackened in some areas.
"When I call your name, please take a seat on the bench. The Sorting Hat will be placed on your head and you will go to your respective table."
The First Years all nodded looking scared. Those that had siblings in the school already had been told horror stories of other houses and those who were totally new to the wizarding world were completely clueless and scared.
After the First Years had been sorted McGonagall pulled out another list and started reading from it.
"Shino Aburame."
The covered man walked up to the stool and sat, uncaring of the stares that he knew were aimed at him.
'Veeeeeery interesting…' A voice drawled in his head. 'I've not seen the likes of you before… but I see that you put your friends before yourself and work hard to protect others…'
"Hufflepuff!" The Hat yelled.
Shino walked over to the table adorned in yellow. The entire house was clapping even as they stared quizzically at him.
"Kiba Inuzuka." The witch looked to the tattooed man. The students started whispering about the giant dog that accompanied him.
He merely smirked and sat on the stool. Once the hat was on his head he almost had a panic attack at hearing the voice.
'Another interesting mind… Much bravery I see… but also foolhardy and rash. Only one place for brave fools…'
"Gryffindor!"
The table went wild. All were excited to hear the story behind the dog. Kiba noticed the Golden Trio right away. The other students seemed to sit apart from them, leaving some amount of space. He sat next to Harry and nodded to them before turning to watch the rest of the sorting.
"Sakura Haruno."
The pink haired kunoichi smiled at the whispers about her hair. Some asked about whether it was magic or not. Some wondered why she bothered trying to garner so much attention. She sat upon the stool and the hat was placed.
'Ooh… a smart one I see. Your studying habits are excellent as are your thinking patterns…'
"Ravenclaw!"
She moved to the table she'd seen others sorted into Ravenclaw go to. A pretty Chinese girl waved to her to sit down next to her.
"Hi! I'm Cho Chang!"
"Haruno Sakura." She smiled politely and turned to watch her friends be sorted.
"Karin Hawk." Karin raised an eyebrow. Sure she didn't have a last name… but surely a better one could have been come up with. She sat down and waited for the hat.
'I see many evil deeds for such a young woman… though you have changed your ways; you are still cunning and sly…'
"Slytherin!"
She stood and walked to the most noticeable person at the entire table: A tall thin blond that she found rather cute. She sat next to him and smirked at his questioning look.
"Hinata Hyuuga."
The shy woman sat on the stool and attempted to ignore the comments she could hear about her eyes.
'A desire to prove yourself worthy has been your driving factor and has inspired you to work hard. Your faithfulness to your friends is unwavering…'
"Hufflepuff!"
Hinata breathed a sigh of relief and quickly sat next to Shino who she noticed also seemed relieved.
"Neji Hyuuga." He got the same comments on his eyes as well as questions if he and Hinata were at all related. He thought it rather obvious. They had the same last name for God's sake.
'I see your true talent is putting your mind to the test as well as working towards your goals with everything you have…'
"Ravenclaw!"
Neji got up and joined Sakura at her table. She smiled gently and moved over for him to sit down.
"Sai Root." The effeminate man smiled serenely. He'd never had a last name before.
'I see that you hide behind many different smiles… You do not show your true face. Where to place you young one? Where indeed…'
"Slytherin!"
Karin pumped her fist and motioned for Sai to join her. He walked to her spot and smiled at the other occupants of the table before sitting.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
The blond resented having a name that started with U. He was almost always last. The whispers about his whisker marks made him smirk.
The hat had barely touched his head before it shouted out: "Gryffindor!"
More clapping ensued as he walked to sit with Kiba. A tinkling sound that echoed throughout the room brought all attention to the front where McGonagall was now once again seated.
"First off, welcome First Years! Please do not hesitate to ask your house members if you are ever lost. Secondly, please welcome our newest foreign exchange students as well as two new teachers. Professor Umino and Hatake will be teaching new subjects that you will learn about tomorrow. We have added extra security to the school this year to protect you all incase of any emergencies. Mr. Deer here has asked that you please do not wander the corridors after curfew. Also as always the Forbidden Forest is off limits as is anything from Zonko's or Weasley's Joke Shops. Please be advised that there is to be no dueling or magic in the hallways. There will be severe punishment for those who disobey these rules. With that out of the way, please tuck in!"
As she was about to sit the doors burst open once more and an older blond gentleman swayed unsteadily on his feet. His hair was long and in a partial ponytail falling to his lower back. The suitcase he carried with him clattered to the floor a moment before the man himself did. Immediately there were teachers surrounding him. Madam Pomfrey had conjured up a stretcher and was whisking him away before anyone could speak. The entire student body save Ron Weasely, Inuzuka Kiba and Uzumaki Naruto stopped eating to watch the events unfold.
"Blimey what do you reckon a muggle like him wants?" Ron muttered through the large chicken drumstick in his mouth.
"He can't be a muggle Ron. He was able to see Hogwarts after all."
"But look how he's dressed! No Wizard dresses that well in muggle clothes." Ron insisted.
"Kingsley does. It's all a matter of studying. I'm sure he's not a muggle. If you haven't read Hogwarts: A History by now… Seriously Ron."
"What's a muggle?" Naruto asked, not caring that he was interrupting a private conversation. At the strange looks he was getting he raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Non magical people… you're a wizard, you should know that…" Hermione eyed the blond suspiciously.
"Oh right! McGonagall-sensei mentioned that earlier… Uh… we use a different word for them in our language."
"Oh I see… You're Japanese yes?"
"Yes we are." Kiba joined in. "We're from Konohagakure."
"What does that mean?" The girl asked.
"Village Hidden in the Leaves… or Hidden Leaf Village… whichever you prefer I guess."
"Wow!" Ron rejoined the conversation. "What's it like at your school?"
"Well, we're only in school from age 8 to 12. Once we pass our exams we get separated into three man cells. Two boys and one girl per group. We then are trained in the profession we chose. We're allowed to take another exam at any time to move up a rank. It's all really easy." Kiba shrugged.
"See that guy with the mask over there? He's one of the highest ranked uh… wizards from our village." Naruto pointed at Deer. He noticed and sent a glare his way.
"I see. I thought he looked like an Auror." Harry nodded.
"What's that?" Naruto asked again.
Silence hit the group once more.
"A bodyguard… or an agent I guess. They help stop crime and evil wizards and whatnot." Ron explained.
"Oh! Well, in our village the lower levels deal with petty crime. His level is ANBU which is the level that deals with assassinations and such." Naruto grinned. More silence.
"Assassinations?" Harry gaped.
"Uh… yeah… you know stealthy stuff. Protect our leaders and such…" The blond fumbled for an excuse.
Kiba elbowed him hard in the ribs and laughed. "He's kidding. The ANBU are just really high leveled body guards that protect our leader and go on spying missions."
Naruto managed to turn his yelp of pain into a laugh convincing enough for the Golden Trio.
"Sounds the same as the Aurors then." Ron laughed. "What's his name?"
"Oh come on Ron! Didn't you hear Professor McGonagall? She mentioned his name. It's Mr. Deer. She said it when she mentioned added security."
The four boys looked at her like she'd grown a second head.
"Why am I the only one who listens to teachers?" She grumbled into her pudding.
"Actually, if you don't mind, please call him Deer-san. It's a term of respect in our language that doesn't quite translate…" Kiba smirked. He didn't really care, but the less agitated Shikamaru was, the less work was pushed his way.
"Yeah okay." Harry tested the word in his head. "I really wonder who the blond bloke was though…"
The rest of the table nodded in agreement.
-
Well… That's just over 11 pages. Sorry for the wait. I just had my baby… well, she was born on the 16th of July and I've been busy being a new mommy. I'm curious to see who can guess the anime I pulled the blond from… You get a cookie if you guess right. Also… I'm taking suggestions for funny/dangerous situations that will happen. I've got stuff planned out basically, but I'm always open to a good suggestion. I'm off to bed now as it's almost 5 in the morning and I need some sleep tonight. Night all!