The day after the World Cup was normal enough. Though the wizards seemed want to force it to be normal. They were still a little shaken up from the riot and the events following it.

Hermoine, Ron and Harry spent the whole morning trying to figure out who or what managed to take on so many Death Eaters. The token female of the group kept quiet as the boys bounced ideas off each other. Was it a secret group of wizards opposing Voldemort's followers? A new division of the ministry? Or was it much worse.. was there another group of dark wizards who decided Voldemort's time in the spotlight?

The boys threw out the idea that it was the new arrivals. Why? Cause there was only three of them. There was no way they could have caused so much death in such a short time. Especially when it was two against nearly a hundred. Hermoine thought otherwise.

These were new wizards, with new spells. The fact that Kimimaro admitted that the vast ball of mist was the Mizukage's spell certainly pointed to the ambassador having either a hand in or was directly responsible. But no matter how she approached the problem, she just couldn't see -how- he did it.

Eventually the trio split up, the boys deciding to spend some more time with Bill in hopes of learning a few more spells, while Hermoine decided to go looking for the mysterious wizards, hoping to get some answers.


She eventually found them twenty minutes later in a field. According to Mrs. Weasley they'd been out there since before dawn, something about their last supervised training. Whether they'd been out here the whole time, Hermoine didn't know, cause seven straight hours of training sounded lethal to the girl.

Of course the mother still felt like it was barbaric and unnecessary, heck, even Hermoine felt it was a little extreme, but as she stood to the side watching, the young witch had to admit there was a certain method to the madness, a little bit of art in the chaos.

When she could actually see what they were doing that is. Hermoine could have sworn they were slowing their strikes so she could have some semblance of an idea on what she was watching, even if it was just silver and grey blurs as Zabuza danced around to dodge either Haku's sword or Kimimaro's fist.

Finally Zabuza called a time out, giving each of his children a few pointers in a language that Hermoine didn't understand. Sounded Japanese.. or Chinese. She honestly couldn't tell the difference from this distance. Once finished speaking he sent them off, probably to do cool down exercises. The two certainly looked like they could use it.

Haku, the picture of peace and serenity in the short time that Hermoine had known her, was gasping for air, and drenched in sweat.

Oddly enough both of the teens were massaging their jaws as Zabuza slowly strutted over to the waiting teenager. Hermoine guessed he didn't want her to interrupt the training session, so she got to talk to him personally. Even better.

Now, Hermoine wasn't well-practiced in the fine art of reading body language or expressions for a hint at a person's personality or abilities like any competent Shinobi. But even she could tell there was a reason the man walking towards her was in a position of power.

It was subtle, and hard to pin-point why, but the man radiated power. It reminded her of when she first talked to Dumbledore. But while the old wizard seemed to distract from his competence with eccentricities and senility, the Mizukage seemed revel in it. He didn't seemed like the type to enjoy the attention, but she could see that from the way he held himself to the clothes he wore, all of it was to draw himself to the center of attention.

"What do you want Brat?" One thing she didn't enjoy about the man was his lack of manners.. then again he was the leader of his nation or something very similar, so he probably didn't need to be nice to a young witch. Still, least he was willing to talk.

"I was just curious, and hoped to ask you a few questions."

"... Fine. I got an hour to kill. The brats could use a rest anyways."

"They were rubbing their jaw. Did they break it?"

"No, just in the process of learning a new spell. They'll be fine in a day or so."

"Oh? What kind of spell? Can you teach it to me?" Hermoine smiled, excited at the possibility of being the first to learn foriegn magic.

"No." And shot down without hesitation.

"Why not?"

"Cause I don't feel like teaching even more brats."

"Please. I promise I won't abuse it."

"Brat, I don't think you'd use the spell even if you know it."

That surprised her. Hermoine gave Zabuza a quick look, trying to judge his reaction to her next question. "Is it Dark Magic?"

Now Zabuza didn't know what Dark Magic meant specifically, but he understood what she was asking. "No." Zabuza sighed quietly. Might as well throw the girl a bone. "It's not Dark Magic, a Forbidden Technique, or anything like that."

"Then why wouldn't I use it? Is it to counter another specific spell? Or is it-."

"Brat, take a breath and I'll explain." Zabuza cut her off, before she could start rambling. "Why do you want to know anyways?"

"Oh! I'm curious. What kind of magic do wizards in your village do? Can British wizards learn it? How is it different? How does it work? I just want to know. Don't you ever get like that, just have a desire to learn?"

"Not really, but I see your point." Zabuza looked down at the girl before him, thinking things over.. He wouldn't be showing her the jutsu, the seals or even telling her the name of it so.. might as well give some useless info. It's common knowledge in the Elemental Nations anyways.

"Brat, the reason you wouldn't want to learn it is simple. Do you want to have shark teeth for the rest of your life?"

Hermoine blinked, not expecting -that- as the answer. She was thinking it was just a rather nasty jinx or something. "Sshark teeth? Why?"

Zabuza shrugged. "Right of Passage."

"Does everyone in your village do it?"

"Hah, if only." Zabuza snorted. Oh if only every ninja in his village was strong enough to deserve using that technique.

"Oh.. um.. why?"

"It's a mark of honor. Only a very select few have the ability to be chosen to wear it." Zabuza's tone of voice was as if he was telling some rather confidential info, even though everyone knew that the Seven Swordsman of the Mist had the pointy teeth.

Either way, Hermoine was lapping up... until she remembered why she came here originally. "Did you make that ball of mist last night during the riot?"

"Yes." And no further explanation. Why do they

"Why?"

"To contain the problem. It's a simple illusion that gets people walking in circles. I was trying to help and buy time until the ministry arrived." Hermoine knew that answer was crap, but she wasn't sure how much.

"Then explain the corpses."

Zabuza shrugged. "They were piled in plain view, and I think whoever left the message wanted them to be seen. Aside from that I don't have a habit of trying to explain death to brats, nor do I wish to start one. So in case you are wondering what a corpse is, I'm sure Mr or Mrs. Weasley would be willing to explain."

Hermoine stared up at the taller man, guess she wasn't going to get any info out of him. Fine. She had a year with Haku, and Kimimaro. She could learn plenty from them.

With a polite bow and a quiet "Thanks" for listening to her questions Hermoine left, thinking of ways to learn more. She loved puzzles and a mystery, and the foreign wizards just happened to give her a new set.


Once the witch was out of sight, Zabuza flared his chakra, knowing Kimimaro and Haku would sense it. A quick moment later, the teens appeared before him in a puff of smoke, ready for the quick final briefing.

"Alright brats, mission stays the same. Gather as much info as you can get your hands on. Making friends isn't a priority for now, so long as you don't compromise the mission. I want as many artifacts as you can gather. But remember. Treat all of them with the utmost care." Zabuza glared at both of them. He knew they would get the message, but still, a little emphasis is never a bad thing.

"I have overheard the wizard brats talking bout cursed objects, and the last thing I want is to lose any of you to a fucking pocket watch left by a wizard who can't just fucking die in peace. So if needed get the house elves to help out with checking if something's cursed or not. Better yet, use a clone when handling anything unless you are certain it's safe."

Haku and Kimimaro nodded as Zabuza paused again. He was finalizing some details in his head. "The rest of the brats and Mei will meet you at Hogwarts in a week. So Kimimaro, you get the pleasure of Haku personally instructing your training till then."

If Kimimaro could get any paler than he was normally, he did. He'd almost forgotten about his outburst two days ago. Now it was coming back to bite him in the ass. "Yes sir.. I promise to keep my temper in the future."

Zabuza just waved a hand dismissively. "So long as it doesn't screw up the mission. I don't give a damn. I trust your judgement, and your outburst while not appropriate, was justified. Haku, I've already given you your tips for the week here. Once you get to Hogwarts.." These damn names.. how the heck do they take themselves seriously..

"Once at.. Just no.. once at the damn school, Mei is in 'charge'. But remember this. Your lives are worth far more than anything we can stand to gain from the arrogant shits. So if things get dicey, get out. We don't know the full extend of 'magic' so fight with caution. Aside from that, use your powers as you see necessary, and try to keep Suigetsu in line. I don't want to have to deal with a war against them just cause he killed someone for something stupid."

Another pair of nods, which got a small chuckle and a hidden smirk out of the tired Mizukage. "Alright you damn bobble-heads. I need to get ready for the crazy professor to get back to the village. So good luck. If you two don't make it back in one piece, I'm coming down to hell and dragging you back to Kiri whether you want to or not. Kimimaro. Make any pervert who makes a pass on Haku wish they'd never been born."

A pat on Kimimaro's shoulder, followed by a quick hug with Haku later and Zabuza had left. He'd never been good with the emotional stuff, but at least he was trying.

"Now Kimi-kun, since I'm in charge of your training for the next week why don't we start the fun now?" Haku smiled at his brother, pulling out a handful of senbon and a suspiciously innocent looking vial.

The last thing Zabuza heard of his oldest pair of brats during this visit to Britain was Kimimaro's defeated sigh.


The less said about Kimimaro's training the better. The wizards noticed the boy was starting to look ragged and worn out, but the bone user stuck to his guns and just said he was finishing off a rather difficult type of training, and that he'd be fine.

Haku just spent the week smiling, no one suspecting that he was the one putting his brother through hell. But it was a hell earned, and one most ninja's had to go through regardless. Especially if they were Kiri-nin.

Either way, Kimimaro learned his lesson. Probably. Well, he learned -a- lesson. Whether or not it was the one he was supposed to learn was up in the air. Still wasn't the most social person with the wizards, but he was polite enough and didn't cause problems.

Ron still called him a stuck up prat, but the bone-user didn't really care what anyone's opinion of him was. Especially from a civilian with a stick up his ass and a crush on Haku. Oh how Kimimaro was going to enjoy the look on his face when that little secret came to light.

Aside from the training, Haku spent most of his time with either Hermoine or Mrs. Weasley, reading and discussing magic with the young witch or asking innocent questions about history or society while helping the mother with housework. Amazing the things you can learn just from pretending to be a curious tourist.

It was a rather nice change of pace for the ice-nin even if he was starting to feel the homesickness. Hopefully it'd go away once he had gotten to Hogwarts and had the others with him.

Still, the week passed with relative ease as Haku slowly compiled a mental list of magical artifacts to procure ranging from brooms and wands, to basic ingredients. From what he'd read in Hermoine's textbooks, potions was going to be the greatest area of interest.

Haku didn't have any real talent with poison making, but some of his acquaintances in ANBU or the Hunter-nin were always happy for new toys and advantages. And when you have a poison that can only be brewed with foreign ingredients, odds are you'd need a foreign cure.

But now, now the ninja's were stuck on a train for the next few hours. Great. Just what they wanted, more sitting around and doing nothing. It wasn't like they could meditate with all the talking, and there was nowhere near enough room to practice taijutsu..

And well. Neither ninja was stupid enough to practice ninjutsu in the middle of a moving train. The sole blessing was that they had a compartment to themselves. A few simple clones and transformation jutsus was all they needed to make it look like the place was packed.

Maybe not the nicest thing to do, but Kimimaro had enough of wizards for now. He didn't want to deal with the questions that were sure to follow regarding his appearance, whether this was his first year, where he was from and all that useless chattering.

Public relations were for Chojuro and Haku. He and Suigetsu were nearly strictly combat personnel. Didn't make them a bad ninja, just meant they were a tool with other purposes. You don't use a hammer to cut things, just as you don't use a spear to hammer in a nail.

Haku sat across from his brother, reading a book. Icha Icha Mountains. Some would call the boy out for reading it so openly in public, since no matter how well written it was, it's still smut. The ice ninja usually said it was still well written, even if it was smut and promptly ignore the complaint.

Kimimaro was leaning his head back against the wall, eyes closed to listen in to nearby conversations before he heard some rather interesting new information.

"Ha-kun. How much do we know about the other schools that will be attending the tournament?"

"Very little, there was some mentions in passing about them in Hermoine's history textbooks but little more. Why?" Haku didn't bother looking up from his book, just as Kimimaro didn't bother to open his eyes.

"Apparently the school rivalry is just needlessly toxic as the house rivalry in Pigpimple."

Haku raised an eyebrow at that. "Well, it seems Terumi-san's gamble may pay off then. Pit them against each other..."

"And clean up what remains." Kimimaro chuckled quietly. "Do you have any idea what we'll be doing for out entrance?"

"Aside from simply walking and introducing ourselves? I'm sure Suigetsu-kun will have something in mind. His plans may not always work, but at least he never runs out of ideas."

"One of the few reasons we keep the brat around." The bone user grumbled.

"Now now Kimi-kun. Suigetsu-kun isn't that bad. You really must let it go." Haku chided his brother lightly. "It's not like they'd know what our titles mean aside from face value. Let them judge you for what you show, not the titles given to you by the less informed. I'm sure if Zabuza had a choice, you wouldn't have to worry bout such things." He finished with a reassuring smile.

"Of course Ha-kun.. I just pray we won't be restricted from Ninjutsu practice for the whole year. As pleasant company as Chojuro is, I do not have any desire to be beaten by a child in swordplay... I'd prefer to stay his senior for at least another year."

Haku giggled, finally putting his book down. "Kimi-kun. Don't worry, you'll get yours soon enough. Zabuza-san is working closely with the Leaf. We'll find the remaining swords eventually."

"Mm" Was all Kimimaro had to say as he closed his eyes for the remainder of the trip. A quick nap wouldn't kill anyone.


"Look at that Pear Boy, finally a group of snot nosed shits that make you look tough. I just didn't think they'd need to be wearing dresses to do it." Suigetsu grinned as he wrapped his arm around Chojuro's neck, grinning like an idiot.

"Oh? Got a problem with me you midgets? Come on, I dare ya." Suigetsu continued to taunt the small group of boys from Beauxbaton. The fact they were staring down a teenager with stark white hair, a large objected wrapped in bandages which they suspected to be some type of weapon, and teeth that looked like they could tear them to shreds.

Suigetsu's grin was just taunting them. Take the bait it said, come on you little guppy shits. I'm hungry and you are looking mighty tasty.

"Sempai, c-can you please behave? W-we are supposed to g-give them a good impression and make allies, r-remember?" Chojuro managed to sputter out once he was free from his teammates grasp.

"Shut it Pear Boy, I want to have my fun while I can, Haku and Kimimaro will be here any second and then we'll be officially on this mission. So for now I'll be a bit immature." Suigetsu whistled as a few Dumstrang girls walked past, shooting them a wink, getting scattered giggles back.

Maybe this mission won't be so terrible after all. And that's when Haku, Kimimaro and Mei decided to show up.

"Evening Suigetsu, Chojuro. I trust you have behaved yourself, Suigetsu?" Haku's smile could have sent shivers down any ninja's spine. The last thing they needed was their cover to be blown cause Hozuki couldn't control his blood lust.

"Y-yes Haku-san. We've been well. S-suigetsu-san has just been f-flirting." Chojuro bowed his head slightly.

Haku took a step forward, putting a hand on his junior's shoulder. "Now Chojuro, what did I say about calling me Haku-san. I would love for you to think of me as something more than just a teammate. We are Shinobi of the Mist. We are comrades, and friends. Haku, or Haku-kun would be fine."

The ice ninja-giggle. "Or if you want, I'm sure Kimi-kun wouldn't mind sharing his pet name with you." This smile was softer, after all. Chojuro was a good kid. Confidence issues, but he was well on his way to becoming a master swordsman, even among the previous generations of the Seven.

"Nice to see you too Haku. No 'Hi, Hello, how was the trip?'. I'm saddened you care so little. And may I say, your confidence in me is rather appalling." Suigetsu grinned at his teammate.

Haku chose to ignore Suigetsu with a small smile. "Does anyone have an idea for our entrance, or shall we just walk in, cards held close to our chest?"

"Why don't we just kill a few, that'll send a message." Suigetsu suggested, getting a smack to the back of his head from Mei.

"Of course, cause we obviously want to begin negotiations on top a pile of corpses you idiot." The older ninja whispered to the group. "Look, we need to do something flashy, that will impress them, poke their curiosity to want to know more. Bait the hook, toss it to the fish, and wait for a bit."

"Mei-sensei, Haku-s-kun. I h-have an idea.." Chojuro raised his hand and began to explain. Even Suigetsu admitted it'd be interesting, for little more than to see the faces of the damn stick users.


"And now, the moment many of you have been waiting for. I'm sure many have heard the rumors over the summer. Now allow me to confirm them. Contact has been reestablished with a Magical Community to the East. After a long silence, they wish to reestablish ties with the Wizarding world, and what a better way to do so than, some friendly competition, such as the Quad-Wizard Tournament."

Dumbledore brought his arms out to the side with a flourish, the usual twinkle in his eyes. "Now, if you would all please join me in welcoming the fine students of Kirigakure and their Headmistress Mei Terumi!"

With his speech finished, the students began to applaud as the doors to the Great Hall opened.

But instead of a group of students entering through the doorway, mist began to pour through, quickly coating the floors, shrouding the assembled schools from anyone looking inside.

The moment the mist was spotted, students who'd been or at least heard of the events surrounding the world cup began to whisper, some even fearing for their lives before a voice silenced them.

"Weeeell, well. What do we have here?" The Beauxbaton boys easily recognized the voice that had taunted them a few short minutes ago, but now it was different. It still contained the lazy drawl, but now there was an edge to it.

"Come on, Pear Boy. Take a look at all the little brats. Like lambs to the slaughter." The entire student body shivered, the cruel grin easy to see in their imaginations.

"S-suigestsu-sempai. Please don't joke around like t-that. We are h-here to make friends and l-learn." A new voice broke through, calming the majority of students. After all, this voice sounded much nicer, and was telling them it was just a joke. Why worry bout your life being in danger when it was obviously a playful, if cruel joke.

"Shut it Chojuro! Can't even let me have five seconds of fun with the snot nosed shits-."

"Suigetsu. Language, or you'll be reprimanded. We are guests. So you must act accordingly." A third, monotone voice came next, which the Golden Trio and Weasley siblings guessed was Kimimaro. Ron had to snort about Kimimaro of all people saying they needed to be polite.

Suigetsu's disembodied voice just snorted. "Oh? Just like you 'acted accordingly', you damn bone head. Ya, that's right. I heard about your outburst wit-"

"Children, children please. No fighting. We were here to introduce ourselves, not let them listen to you argue. Why can't you all behave like Chojuro? He's so cute, and well-behaved. I could just eat him up." A female voice came through this time, though it sounded a little too old and playful to be Haku.

"Mei-sensei. Please restrain from smothering Chojuro, or I'll be forced to explain to Zabuza-san. And you wouldn't want that, now would we?" And there was Haku's voice, cutting in at the end.

"No~ No I wouldn't. Who knows what he'd have me do as punishment.. the guy doesn't have a funny bone in his body." Mei grinned as she hid in the mist, wondering how long the audience would last.

"Mei-sensei. I assure you. Zabuza-sama has a sense of humor. He just doesn't enjoy your constant displays of.. I believe the word would be.. affection." Kimimaro scolded back, getting sounds agreement out of the still hidden Haku and Chojuro.

Of course Suigetsu had to go the extra mile. "Hah, Kimimaro. Don't be too harsh on the hag. It's not her fault she's a Christmas cake."

There was a small pause before Mei let loose.

"Suigetsu, you little shit! Get back here! I'm going to kill you! We are not here to discuss my love life! When I'm done with you, you'll wish we left you with Orochimaru a year ago!"

There was a crash and everyone's attention was brought to the center of the Great Hall where a women in a rather revealing blue dress and auburn hair that hung down to her knees was strangling a white haired boy with grey pants and a sleeveless purple shirt.

"Say it Suigetsu! Say it or you'll be running laps around the school for a week while Kimimaro tries to turn you into a new pair of fish net stalkings!"

"Not.. saying.. it...You.. Hag..." Suigetsu managed to squeak through Mei's grip before passing out. Since she could no longer get her apology out of the brat, Mei let him drop to the floor.

"Chojuro!"

"Hai!" The teal haired boy appeared in a swirl of mist, forcing the audience out of their shock to ask each other questions. Mostly about how someone so you knew how to apparate, and how he'd even done it in Hogwarts.

"Keep an eye on this idiot. He says one more word out-of-place, chop off a limp or two." This caused a few of the more sensitive students to faint, and enrage the more protective teachers at how casual the statement was. "That'll teach the brat."

"Now see here! I don't know how you treat in your country, but in Hogwarts we do not reprimand students with corporal punishment! Even if they are talking back to their teacher!" Madame Pomfrey was on the offensive, having stood up from her seat. Mei just looked the nurse over, shrugging slightly to herself before giving Suigetsu a swift kick to the ribs. A ninja won't die to something as small as lack of air.

"Ugh.. what do you want?" Suigetsu groaned, his head was killing him and now his stomach hurt. Perfect. Couldn't the hag give him a minute. With the mist finally cleared away, the entirety of the student body and staff could have a clear view of the proceedings.

"Show and tell time, you ungrateful water monkey.. Apparently our original plans are a little.. extreme for them. So you get to be the dancing monkey." Mei grinned down at the boy.

"Fine fine, no need to be so impatient, you'll get wrinkles." A few students had to try to hide their chuckles. What kind of school let's students talk back so brazenly. Mei just decided to pummel Suigetsu later, when there were less witnesses.

They got their answer as Suigetsu's prone form liquified into a puddle. "Gah. You really need to get a date sensei. You're going to kill me one of these days with those choke holds. Why don't you just ask-" The boy started to say as he stretched his limbs out before Mei's fist went through his face, resulting in another splash of water and a scream or two from the students.

"Suigetsu. If you want to make it back to the Mist in anything other than a water tight container. You will shut your shark-toothed mouth about this subject, or I'll free the spot that Kimimaro's been dying to take over."

"Yes, ma'am." The mentioned ninja shut up at that point. Mei's tone of voice went beyond teasing or light-hearted anger into true death threat territory. And Suigetsu knew how to pick his battles.

"Well, this was a blow out. Cause one idiot couldn't keep his mouth shut, we didn't get to finish our presentation. Alright Haku, Kimimaro you two can come out now. Kami, Suigetsu, this is on you if we get in trouble."

"I would politely disagree Mei-sensei. I'm sure Zabuza-san would find both of you are at fault. But for now, we have more important matters to attend. I apologize for my teacher and fellow classmate's actions. One of them is an idiot and the other is Suigetsu."

Haku bowed slightly in apology to the assembled teachers, while the collective students jaws dropped. Why? Cause there was a floating mirror made of ice that wasn't sure as Merlin's beard wasn't there before, and the weirdest thing of all. A rather attractive young women walked out of it like it was the normal-est thing in the world.

The Ravenclaw's were the loudest, trying to think of spells that could achieve such a thing. The Slytherin were wondering what the range on such a spell was, while the Gryffindors were wanting to give it a try. After all, what wizard has ever traveled through floating ice mirrors? As for Hufflepuff, they were a mixed bag of reactions that, let's be frank no one cared about. It really must suck to be in the house of Puffs. Poor dears.. ah well.

Dumbledore just smiled, he'd been rather enjoying the entertainment. Wasn't everyday Hogwart's got to see foreign wizards and customs, as violent as they may be, so he just waved it away with a few pretty words, grandfatherly smile and that damn twinkle in his eye.

"But I must say, I am confused. I remember rather distinctly there being four in your party. I hope they haven't gotten lost."

Haku blinked, and pretended to look around. "Mei-sensei, we appear to have lost Kimi-kun. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble on our first day here."

"Ha-kun, you are being far too polite to these wizards." Haku looked up with a small smirk along with the rest of school, to gaze at the starry ceiling, to see Kimimaro standing on the roof.

"Kimi-kun. Do get down from there. We are here to give our formal greeting, and Suigetsu has already caused enough trouble."

Kimimaro just shrugged and made his way to the floor, slowly walking down the walls to the students amazement. Apparently doing magic without a wand was nearly unheard of for the kids. Haku had to smile at that. The bait had been put on the hook, and now they just had to sit back and wait.


After the initial confusion, the Kiri ninja took their place at the Gryffindor. The torrent of questions was easy enough to avoid, giving half answers and blatant lies to draw their curiosity. The fact that Suigetsu was talking about academy level techniques as if they were closely guarded definitely helped.

It's rather amazing how easy it is to pass off glass as diamonds if you know how to sell it, and the kids in Gryffindor were buying it by the truck load.

Of course not everyone was giving them a pleasant welcome, more than a few disgruntled teenage girls gave Haku looks of contempt, and hatred. Usually after they caught their boyfriends either staring a second to long at the ice ninja, or Merlin-forgive them, the foreign Headmistress.

Both Kiri-nin reveled in it, Haku played shy and ignorant, as if he didn't notice all the attention he was getting. Though that was mostly so he just didn't lead them on. Letting someone think he's a girl? Sure, he'll play along cause it's fun. Actively flirting, knowing that it'll break their hearts later down the line? That was a little much.

So he left that part of Mei, who was chatting away with a man who from Harry and Ron's descriptions had to be the Potion's teacher. Well, it wasn't his place to judge. Personally he'd have started with the female teachers, but Mei had her own methods and assets that Haku lacked.

Halfway through the feast, the doors to the Great Hall were kicked in and the new.. Defense against the Dark Arts Teacher was introduced. Mad-Eye Moody. The name alone was reason enough to keep a close eye on the scarred, old man.

After you'd dealt with the Sharingan, and it's stupid tricks, you gain a healthy respect for Dojutsu. Especially when that electric blue eye seems to be focused in on you. Yes, definitely someone to watch.

After that rude interruption, things continued in the same vein as before. More heated looks for Haku, a few embarrassed stares at the Suigetsu, and Kimimaro, and even some shy conversation between Chojuro and some other nervous looking kid his age.

Haku's initial assessment of the wizards? Flabby, to used to peace. There was a spark in them sure where they might rise to a fight, but it wouldn't make them strong. They'd fight for pride, for themselves. Kimimaro's statement from the train came back to the ice ninja.

This was a toxic atmosphere. Anyone could see it from the looks on the children's face, the conversations being had and the constant glances between the schools. It almost felt like home. Well, how home used to be. When the Bloody Mist was happy to have that title, when Bloodline users were feared and executed.

But this was not his problem to sort out. They came here for a mission, and unless hired to interfere, the wizards can sort it out themselves. Assuming Zabuza approves of the mission first. So Haku decided to keep quiet. Let the wizards sort out their own issues.

After all, it's not like the Elemental Nations, or specifically Kiri needed even more political bullshit. No thanks. Haku would choose the evil he knew over the shit storm he didn't, any day.

An: Yo. How's everyone doing? Glad to all have you here. Hope you are all enjoying the serious so far. And I apologize for the dry spell with Lich and the Vampire, just that I've had far too many ideas coming out of my head at once and I got distracted by life and specifically this fic. So do not worry. It shall continue in all my terribly terrible later fashion. I still apologize though.

But since saying sorry isn't always enough, I thought I'd throw out a few of the ideas that had been messing with my head lately. Why? Cause why not. Sharing is caring, and I love you guys, and would be interested to read other peoples takes on my ideas.

Anyways, quick prompts cause I need to fill space (not really. 5.5k words is perfectly fine chapter length for me)

Akainu (The Lava Admiral from One Piece) is attacked by Blackbeard, or something. Not really important how, but what is important is where he ended up. I'm thinking Mass Effect 2 and onward. Just think about. The Paragon of Absolute Justice with a Shepard/Femshep of your moral choosing. Just think about it, trust me. It gets funny.

Secondly. I was thinking of another Mass Effect crossover, but this one was going to have a slightly more macro focus instead of a single character. I was thinking Fullmetal Alchemist in Spaaaaace~ Again, like my previous example I have a few details to work out. I just think it'd be fun to see the Amestris world order, especially to see how the council reacts to alchemy. Might make them a separate race than regular humans so we could have Shaxi and that go the way it pans out only for another war to come up later. Mostly I just want to see Kimbley, Roy and other State Alchemists cause some general chaos and havic. You know what, let's add Scar in as well, cause why not? Teach them uppity Turrian's what a real war is.

Another Harry Potter cross over, this time with... surprise guest the Generation of Miracles from Kuroko's Basketball? I will fully admit this is one of my most... out of left field.. damn wish I could have made a basketball joke instead of baseball.. but yes. Generation of Miracles, genius transfer students from Japan, brought to help broaden their education as well as possibly help in defeating Voldemort. Who knows. Would be set in sixth year. How exactly you'd translate basketball skills to magic is entirely up to you. Though I have a few ideas, cause I have far too much free time.

And my final idea to list. This is the idea I fully expect to have the most hate for. So bring it. I was thinking of taking Bolin(Shield/gauntlet weapon) and Asami (Meister) and putting them in the Soul Eater universe. Mostly cause I am a huge Bosami fan (as well as thinking Bolin doesn't get half the screen time, or cool moments he deserves, but that's personal opinion. Don't hate me, please.) I just thought it'd be interesting to get interactions going between them as well as letting Asami be a badass. Besides, Earth and Lavabending would be sick as hell, just for the fact that most weapons are just that. A weapon. But you get Bolin to the breaking point of 'Do or Die', he becomes a force of nature. Just my thoughts and I'm sure by now, anyone who's read anything I write will say I believe there is no such thing as -too- OP -coughcough- Barragan -coughcough-)

But yes, that is my apology offering. Feel free to use it as you wish and feel free to twist these ideas around as much as you desire, I'm just giving out free ideas cause I don't want to start another fic until I get at least this one and Lich + Vampire finished. Just shoot me a message if you plan on writing one of these ideas, cause I'd love to see how they turn out (One dedicated follow if ya do~)

Anyways, hope you all enjoyed and have a good day. Until next time :)