Author's Note: This chapter is still a little rough but I didn't want you guys to have to wait too much longer.
No promises on when the next chapter will be up, just that it will be. Honestly, I'm supposed to be crocheting an afghan right now instead of doing this. Don't tell on me.
Chapter 11: Who's Afraid?
The next few days following the ninja's demonstration were calm and relatively pleasant. The negotiations were going so well that the meetings were adjourned early each day and the visitors had whole afternoons to themselves. Some of the ninja suspected that the magical community just wanted to see what they did with their free time. Others just took it as a blessing and didn't look too far into it.
At breakfast later in the week, Professor Jones couldn't help but ask, "what other tricks are you willing to share? You all seem to be full of secrets."
Kakashi exchanged a look with Ebisu and bit his thumb. In less than five seconds Pakkun appeared under Kakashi's hand.
"Fascinating," Professor Jones said as the smoke cleared. The Headmaster leaned in to observe the pug that was now seated on their breakfast table. "Is this something you conjure? What is its purpose?" Kakashi didn't answer, waiting.
Pakkun sniffed the air twice, wrinkled his nose, and said, "oh, this place again huh?"
Professor Jones nearly swallowed his own tongue as he gasped for air. "What, what?!" He closed his mouth and took a deep breath. Once he'd released it the wizard cleared his throat and said "pardon my reaction. How do you do?"
"Don't mention it," Pakkun said flatly. "And thanks for asking, I'm fine." He turned to Kakashi, "why are you here again? I'm getting too old for nonsense."
"Oh, I just wanted to introduce you to everyone," Kakashi said cheerfully, ignoring Pakkun's irritation. Harry, who had been contentedly eating his porridge a second ago, struggled to close his slack jaw. Kakashi began pointing out the wizards and witches among them to his summons as Professor Jones' eyes grew wider and wider.
Pakkun glared at Kakashi. "Is there something you actually needed?" Kakashi shook his head, eyes closed with mirth. The hound continued, "you owe me. I'm leaving now."
The pug poofed out of their plane and Kakashi smiled at the Headmaster. "He's getting ill-tempered in his old age."
Besides socializing, the ninja trained, read in the library, and were given a tour of the castle along with the rest of the delegation. The present staff and envoys were more than happy to show the Elemental Delegation around in particular since they weren't actually allowed to leave the grounds. "This is so that we can keep reporters away from your people," Draco explained as they split into groups. He had a small smile on his pale face but it seemed a bit strained.
"But the dignitaries from the other countries can stay in the village and thus, leave whenever they please?" Sakura whispered suspiciously to Hinata. The other kunoichi frowned in thought.
Ebisu spoke up, "I seem to remember reporters sneaking onto the grounds last time we were here, even when they were not permitted."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "I seem to remember it was just one."
"Rita Skeeter," Hermione recalled the name. "She used to write such nonsense."
"They never did find her," Harry mused. "She disappeared while covering the tournament, you remember that Ced?"
Cedric nodded. "At first I was relieved that she was gone. Her interviews with us were…uncomfortable. But when her absence stretched on and it turned out she was actually missing." He trailed off somberly.
"Another loss that got lost in the panic of the pre-war days," Draco murmured. The ninja nodded in understanding.
As they toured around the castle, Team Hogwarts showed the younger Leaf ninja to their own favorite sights and introduced them to the ghosts.
Naruto began shaking like a leaf the moment he heard the word 'ghosts' but he reigned in his emotions admirably. Still, Hinata had to hold his hand while he attempted to politely carry on a conversation with the resident spirits. Kurenai and Cedric steered the blonde to The Fat Friar initially to help him get used to the idea. Naruto's fear of ghosts wasn't what it once was but Kakashi still felt guilty. It had completely slipped his mind to warn his student about the ghostly residents of the school.
When Peeves arrived, Kakashi's back stiffened. The last thing Naruto needed was to be purposely terrorized. Kakashi turned slowly, voice even, "hello Peeves."
Ebisu, Hermione, Kurenai, Cedric, Naruto, Hinata, and Sakura all turned to meet the new spirit. The other ghosts scoffed in discouragement and some actually floated away, pretending the movement was casual and that they'd planned on doing it anyway. As the permanent residents of Hogwarts dissipated, the only being with clothes loud enough to rival Guy's ensemble spoke.
"Well if it isn't the tiny old man all grown up," the little ghost's orange eyes narrowed at Kakashi and then the group at large. "And he brought some new friends with him?"
Naruto began to twitch and Hinata's hold on his hand tightened. Veins appeared at her temples as she activated her Byakugan.
Peeves' attention switched from the shivering Naruto to his partner. "Oh hoo hoo, this one has scary eyes," he cackled.
"Peeves," Kakashi sighed, bored façade in place, "just go, we don't want any trouble." For the most part Peeves had left the ninja alone during their previous stays. He'd lost interest when he couldn't hit them with anything, even when they were asleep, and opted to pick on the first years instead.
It had occurred to Kakashi several times that Peeves could have caused them much more trouble than he actually had back then. The Sixth Hokage had always figured it was either because of Dumbledore's intercession or that Peeves himself had been afraid of the dementors as well. Then their second year the poltergeist could have blown Tenzo's cover easily but he never had. The Hokage made a mental note to speak with Tenzo in more detail about that later when they returned home.
Peeves opened his large mouth to reply when he suddenly snapped it shut and flew up and away from Naruto, whom he'd been slowly closing in on.
Professor Jones stepped into the hall nonchalantly, as if he'd been heading to the bathroom and run into them by chance. His eyes turned offhandedly upward toward the poltergeist. His tone was light when he said, "Peeves, what do you think you are doing?"
"N-N-Nothing Headmaster, I swear," was the immediate reply. Kakashi's eyes widened at the menace's answer. He looked over at the unassuming headmaster who had Peeves shaking in his offensive boots.
"I'm sure you weren't," Jones said smoothly. "Because I know we talked about this before all the dignitaries and delegates arrived. That we all had to be on our best behavior?"
"Y-Yes, of course," the little ghost went pale. He gave hasty bows to the ninja, voicing an excuse for leaving prematurely, before flying through a wall into the next room.
Naruto sighed in relief and gave Hinata's hand a final squeeze before releasing it. The members of the older generation, both magical and elemental, just stared at the headmaster. Kakashi could have sworn he heard Harry mutter, "whoa," in the resulting silence.
After a moment Ebisu, Kurenai, and Kakashi thought to hide their surprise. Jones approached them with a smile. "He's a handful, that one."
Kakashi blinked. "A little more than a handful, even for Dumbledore."
Professor Jones shrugged. "I'm sure Professor Dumbledore had him under control." He joined the group, hands at his sides. "Everyone has a weak point. It's only a matter of finding it."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "finding it and applying pressure. Spoken like an interrogator."
The wisp of a wizard continued to smile but it wasn't quite as genial as before. "Ah, but the pressure is not always necessary." Then he brightened and Kakashi could practically see the gears switching in the man's head. The wizard's eyes warmed and he turned to the still anxious Uzumaki. "Naruto, did you enjoy the Quidditch game?"
Naruto turned from his wife to face the professor. He was a little surprised at the subject change but adjusted quickly. A small smile grew on his face. He remembered his manners and nodded saying, "I enjoyed it very much." Hinata gave Naruto an encouraging smile that he didn't see.
"Would you like to have a go?" The professor asked informally. His eyebrows rose questioningly.
Naruto's face turned from one of polite enjoyment to a full-blown grin. "On a broom? All right! Let's do it!"
"Idiot," Sakura said immediately, "it could be dangerous." Hinata said nothing, glancing at the older ninja for reassurance.
Ebisu and Hermione exchanged glances. None of the guards had ever tried flying during their previous stays and the subject had given rise to unending discussions between the two friends.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed imperceptibly. "Would that even work Professor? Chakra and magic are not always compatible."
"Only one way to find out," Jones said cheerfully as he turned, heading toward the nearest staircase. Naruto was right on his heels.
Ebisu and Hermione were having a hurried discussion between themselves as Kakashi maneuvered to walk in step with the Headmaster. The wizard didn't appear to perceive him until he spoke, "something on your mind Lord Hokage?"
"Trying to gain favor with my student?" Kakashi countered neutrally as they allowed the group to move far ahead of them. Kurenai, Cedric, and Harry now led Naruto and the rest down a staircase.
The wizard raised an eyebrow and half-glanced at Kakashi. "Do you blame me?" Then, after a pause where the man seemed to be deciding something he asked with a lowered voice, "what is he?"
At this Kakashi pulled up short, eyebrows furrowed. Kurenai and Ebisu immediately stopped, halting the group. They couldn't hear what was being said but when they turned they could see the Headmaster and their former Captain giving each other hard stares several paces behind them. Ebisu's shaded eyes zeroed in on Kakashi's tense posture as he faced the Headmaster. Kurenai frowned, looking between them.
Jones had been surprised at Kakashi's negative reaction but didn't show it. He'd asked the question, the die was cast.
"He's a jonin of the Leaf and my student; that is all that is your concern." Kakashi's dark eyes flashed, making the confused group ahead of the two men begin to gravitate back toward their position.
"What's going on?" Harry asked having to raise his voice. The call echoed in the quiet stone passageway. The question was innocent enough but his own expression started to cloud over.
Jones hid his fear well, matching Kakashi's glare. He appeared to ignore Harry's query. Eyes still on the Hokage he stiffly said, "I don't believe that's accurate." They stood staring each other down for another moment. Then, as if flicking a switch, Jones turned to the approaching group and smiled. "Lord Hokage, we can have this discussion another time," he spoke loudly, facing the returning group, but made it seem like an aside for Kakashi alone. "For now, perhaps your old charges could give Naruto his first flying lesson?"
Kakashi frowned. Jones had purposely put him on guard and then instantly handed responsibility of Naruto's safety off to wizards he knew Kakashi trusted. What was his game? The enthusiasm had flown from Naruto's face at seeing Kakashi's countenance.
As Naruto's eyebrows furrowed Jones continued to maintain his smile. "Shall we?" Professor Jones prompted.
The Headmaster had been looking at and asking Naruto but every face looked to Kakashi. Said man cleared his expression with a thought and then his eyes crinkled closed. "Of course."
Cedric and Hermione took the eye-smile at face value and turned to follow Harry. Harry, however, was giving Kakashi a questioning look. He was joined by Ebisu and Kurenai who also remained unconvinced and frowned at the situation. Hinata looked tense and stepped a little closer to her husband. She grasped his hand, the replacement this time, and Naruto shot her a quick smile. "Let's go," Naruto said cheerfully, catching his sensei's eye.