Author's Note: I know, telephones, just bare with me?

Also, I'm going to be honest, not a whole lot happens this chapter, hence the title. There's still of a lot of setting up that's going on but I am excited to show you this chapter. We get back to the wizards a bit since, thus far, it's been pretty heavy on the ninja side of the story.

For those of you who are feeling impatient, it'll be Chapter 5 or so when our friends reunite at Hogwarts.

Chapter 3: Gossip

"Kakashi please reconsider," Tsunade said one last time. The Land of Fire delegation was at the main gate of the Leaf Village. From there Fire's delegation would rendezvous in the Cloud with the other countries' groups to transport to the unknown world. They would remain in the "wizarding world" for no longer than a week to establish connections and open conversations. Some members of the delegation were even prepared to stay in the other world to solidify bonds and build trust. Tsunade continued, "I understand why Naruto should go but why you? You're the only kage who is going in person."

"That is why I have to go. I have to show the other kage, and more importantly their delegates, that there is no danger. Besides, I'm one of the few that has experience in this area," his eyes curved up into a smile.

Tsunade sighed. She'd read the classified reports, her sensei's notes, and still couldn't believe it. Wizards? Magic wands? But she knew what Kakashi meant. If the kage who claimed to have actually been to this place didn't go, the other nations would never let their diplomats venture into such an obvious trap. There was a lot of pressure on the Sixth Hokage but he somehow didn't seem concerned. After all, if the wizards decided they didn't want them to go back the ninja had no way, that she knew, of getting themselves or their civilians back. A rescue mission was equally impossible. "Then at least leave Naruto here in case-"

"There is no 'in case' Lady Fifth," Kakashi said. His use of formality quieted Tsunade. "You and I both know that Naruto will be Hokage after me." Hopefully sooner rather than later. "If any relations are going to continue with the other world, he needs to be with me on this trip. He needs the experience."

She nodded, resigned, as she had before. "Just make sure that one of you makes it back alive," she said grudgingly. "I can't do this anymore."

"I'll be sure that Naruto returns safely then," Kakashi joked but Tsunade glared in response.

Kakashi turned and looked at his group. Ebisu, Guy, and Kurenai stood at his side once again. The last in line looked pale but resolute. His original Hogwarts team was joined by Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata plus three women and two men that the Feudal Lord had sent to represent him.

"Is everyone ready?" Kakashi asked mildly. When he'd more or less received assent from everyone, the civilians looked particularly nervous, they started out.

The telephone in the Potter household was ringing off the hook. "Harry could you get that? I'm up to my elbows in suds," Ginny called from the kitchen where the phone was located.

Harry got up, put down the Daily Prophet, and hurried into the kitchen. He picked up the receiver gingerly but there were no side effects this time. He put the device carefully to his ear. "Hello?"

Neville Longbottom answered Harry's greeting.

"Neville how are you?" Harry said relaxing against the wall, relieved that it wasn't a call from work. Ginny had begun to dry her hands on a towel.

"I'm well Harry and you?" Neville said politely.

"We're great thanks." Harry fished for another topic but he was more curious as to why Neville had rung him. Wizards didn't use the phone lightly.

Thankfully Neville solved that problem for him. "Right, have you heard from Luna lately?"

Harry was surprised by the question. He considered, mentally searching for the last time he'd spoken to the blonde woman. "Luna Lovegood? Can't say I have, not lately."

Ginny turned to Harry, her mouth set in a curious frown. He could tell by his wife's expression that she hadn't spoken to Luna recently either.

"Well, she did it," Neville said, excitement coloring his voice.

Harry blinked. He couldn't mean- "She found it? Their world?"

Harry could practically hear Neville nodding over the phone. "Yes, exactly, it's incredible. And guess what else? A bunch of them are coming to Hogwarts to talk with different Ministry officials from around the world!"

Harry nearly dropped the phone. When he'd gotten over his shock he frowned in thought, "why at Hogwarts?" He reflected on his old school fondly.

"Oh it's something about all the ministers disagreeing. It was the only place they could agree on seeing as there are so many officials who went to school there. It was hard enough for them to decide on Brittan."

"Are any of the old guards going to be there?" Harry asked eagerly. He tried to imagine what they all looked like now. Ginny was listening in on the call, standing next to Harry. He smiled and tilted the earpiece so she could hear better.

"I think so, it was kind of unclear. This is all Hogwarts gossip you understand. Things can get dull here in the summer for those who stay."

Harry nodded in understanding. A thought suddenly occurred to him and his stomach clenched. "Do you reckon I should mention it to Cedric?"

Neville paused, the line was quiet. "Maybe not just yet. We should be sure something is actually happening first."

Harry nodded although his friend couldn't see it. He thought of his Quidditch rival turned coworker.

Neville changed the subject, "have you spoken with Draco lately? Maybe he's heard something?"

"I don't get into his department too often," Harry confessed. "But we just had him and his wife over for dinner last week. I'll give him a call."

"He's still using the old floo system?" Neville asked blandly.

Harry shook his head in exasperation. "You know how traditional he can be. Besides, most days I don't blame him. The spells that make this system work leave ringing in your ears half of the time."

"Better ringing in your ears than smoke in your eyes," Neville retorted. "Anyway, I'd better go. Let me know if you hear anything?"

"Will do," Harry said and they disconnected their call.

"What was all that about?" Ginny asked excitedly . "Luna found the world where the guards came from? The one that Dumbledore wrote about?"

"Allegedly wrote about," Harry corrected automatically. "That was never made official. And yes, she did, if you can believe the odds."

"With Luna, I could believe anything," Ginny said.

"I've got to call Draco. I assume you'll ring Hermione?" Ginny nodded, picked up the telephone tentatively, and began dialing.

Meanwhile Harry returned to the living room. He took a pinch of rarely used powder from a jar on the mantle, tossed it into the fire, stuck his head in, and said very clearly, "Malfoy Manner."

The words of Harry's old friend from Slytherin friend echoed in his ears the next morning as he greeted Cedric at work.

"How in Merlin's name did you find out? It's supposed to be top secret. We were going to contact you tomorrow: you, Cedric, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and myself are all being asked to go to Hogwarts to greet the delegation."

Harry frowned. "I understand you and Luna being there but why me? And the rest-"

"The reason I was given was: 'we've had experience with these people before but are also high enough in the British Ministry that we can be trusted'. They want to keep this hushed up for now. There's no guarantee that the ministers will agree to keep a line of communication open with their world."Draco, sitting in his study chair, frowned at the possibility.

"But Neville's not in the ministry," Harry pointed out. "And what Cedric and I do is hardly vital to the running of the magical community."

"It is when the World Cup is on," Draco joked. Harry's position in the ministry was a topic of friendly joking between the two. After playing professional Quidditch in a minor league for several years Harry retired and couldn't wait to get into a desk job where no one was trying to kill him. "Anyway, Longbottom is at Hogwarts already and is bound- oh you found out from Neville didn't you?"

Harry tried to keep his expression blank as he denied it but Malfoy saw right through his friend.

"You never were a good liar Potter," the Slytherin laughed along with the head floating in his fireplace. "It's alright, if there was a leak anywhere I'd prefer it to be at Hogwarts. The professors are going to find out anyway and I'd trust most of them…in a pinch."

"Do you know if any of them are coming?" Harry asked.

Draco was quiet for a moment. He didn't have to ask Harry who he meant by "them". He said, "you'll find out tomorrow. Wait for the official announcement?"

Harry snorted, "who knew you'd ever be so by the book?"

Draco rolled his eyes, "see you tomorrow."

"You okay Harry?" Cedric asked, his gray eyes on him.

Harry started out of his reverie. "Fine, why do you ask?"

Cedric gave him an odd look but sat down at his desk, "you stopped halfway through your morning greeting."

"Oh, sorry." Harry sat down and began looking through his morning memos.

Before he got through the third message, something about corrupt broomstick measuring officers, they were summoned to an office by the head manager of the Department of Gaming and Sports. Technically Cedric was Harry's department head but since their department consisted of six people, Harry didn't feel very important being his assistant.

Harry suspected what they were being called in for and was not concerned. Cedric, however, looked a little nervous. When they stepped into the office their manager did not follow but closed the door as he left. In the paneled room stood Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood, Viktor Krum, and Hermione Granger. Their different robes severely contrasted each other making one wonder what could possibly link this group together. Draco, although wearing much finer robes than anyone else, wore them with a dignity and humility that made him approachable in a way his father never had been. Hermione's robes were blue but simple with clean lines. Viktor's were of the deepest black and, as Harry understood it, were the uniform of his Ministry. Luna's were originally a silver that matched her eyes but different patch jobs and random things she'd sewn onto it over the years had obscured most of the color.

Cedric grinned at the group, his concern evaporating. "It's like a reunion in here," he said to the assembled wizards and witches.

"You have no idea," Luna chirped. Hermione grinned knowingly but said nothing.

Cedric frowned, "I'm missing something."

Harry nodded at Draco, the highest ranked among them, to take it away. Luna looked at the blonde expectantly and he began.