Chapter 3

Gomenasai

An entire day wasted. Kakashi slouched in the chair in the room he was temporarily staying in. He managed to finish and memorize the first year charms book in the past two hours, but he was going to need more time than that to memorize the books on potions and transfiguration. It was easy to remember mindless movements and word, but harder to remember formulas and laws.

He decided to try the first charm he had memorized.

"Wimgardium Leviosa." The potions book floated gently into the air. Well, at leas he knew that memorizing all of this wasn't useless. He could do magic. Sitting back down at the desk, he made it through ¾ of the potions books before falling asleep, his face stuck to the densely typed pages.

Time lapse! Unless you like reading about sleeping.

It was morning. He lifted his head off the book and rubbed his now thoroughly stiff neck. A soft knocking came at the door. He opened it and stared into the smiling face of Dumbledore. "Good morning my boy! I have a few instructions for you before I must go to attend to Hogwarts. I have found out that Harry Potter is here, in this very inn. If you come across him, you are to introduce yourself by name. However, I must ask that you do not reveal yourself as a ninja. You are to stay undercover until the time is right. Tell him that you are an exchange student from Japan. Sarutobi has informed me that you will be able to learn the contents of the 1st and 2nd year books before the school year begins. I am sorry to ask so much of you."

"It's not a problem." Said Kakashi inspecting the man as if looking for some clue as to why he though Kakashi needed to be told all this.

"This—" started Dumbledore pulling a small pouch "is yours to use here until the school year begins. Do not, under any circumstances, leave Diagon Alley."

"Thank you for your generosity." Replied Kakashi coolly as he took the small clinking bag of coins.

Dumbledore smiled and with a sudden CRACK! He was gone. The ANBU stood there for a moment longer before returning to the desk and finishing reading the potions book. By noon, he had finished all of the 1st year books, the 2nd year charms book, and had begun upon the 2nd year potions book.

Meeergleeeerrrrrrrrrrrrr

When had he last eaten? Ah, yes, the piece of toast the previous morning. He hadn't been given explicit permission to use the money left over from his books to buy dinner, so he hadn't eaten. Well, now he had permission. He picked up the potions book, slid the pouch of money into the ninja pouch still tied to his leg, and made his way down the creaky stairs and into the tavern hall.

"What'll ye be havin'?" asked the man he now recognized as Tom.

"Eto…Do you have Ramen?"

"Rah-Man?" The bartender echoed uncertainly.

"I'll have a turkey sandwich then." The bartender nodded, this order was easier to understand. He then hurried off towards the counter.

In the twenty minutes it took for his food to come he finished his potions book. When the food came he slid down his mask, covering his mouth with his hand again and chewed carefully on the sandwich. The bartender was watching him.

"That's a mighty strange way of eating you've got there' m'boy"

Kakashi merely shrugged. After standing there for a few more moments, watching him, Tom wandered off. He finished his sandwich. Then he left the due money on the table and returned to his room to get a few more books to read. Then he sat at a table just outside and read through the rest of his second and third year books.

Time lapse! Unless you like reading about reading!

It was around five o'clock when he'd finished. As he shut the last book and added it to the pile a loud yell came from around the corner.

"You bought that monster?!" The redhead exclaimed in disbelief as he rounded the corner. The bushy-haired girl answered him, beaming,

"He's gorgeous, isn't he?"

"Hermione that thing nearly SCALPED me!" the boy complained, rather over dramatically. Next to him walked a skinny boy with black hair. The trio stopped at the table just in front of his.

"Harry!" the freckled man addressed the black-haired boy. "How are you?" By the look's of him he was the red-headed boy's father.

Harry… is this the one I'm supposed to protect?

"Fine, thanks."

The brown haired girl seemed to notice Kakashi. Her forehead creased perplexedly as she looked at his masked face, but she had seen the pile of books, and walked slowly over to inspect them. He sat silently as she leaned over and read the titles one by one. Then she spoke.

"Hi, are you going to Hogwarts this year?"

He nodded.

"I don't think I've seen you there before."

"I'm an exchange student from Japan. I'll be going into 3rd year." He said smoothly. This girl was rather rude, and she seemed to find him suspicious.

"Really? My friends and I are 3rd years too. We'll be classmates I guess." He friends walked over to join her. "I'm Hermione Granger. This is Harry Potter and Ron Weasly" she gestured toward each boy in turn.

"Hi. Sorry about Hermione, she gets a little excited over books." Said Harry

Kakashi forced a smile. He was no longer used to doing so, but he needed to get to know this Harry Potter. "It's a pleasure to meet someone who loves books so much. My name's" there was a split second pause as he remembered to say his name before his family's "Kakashi Hatake."

"So you're going into Third year?"

"Yeah"

"Do you know what house your going into?"

"House?"

"…You'll see. I just hope you're not in Slytherine, we're all in Gryffindor."

Yet another redhead walked out of the tavern.

"Harry. How nice to see you"

"Hello, Percy" said Harry, laughter barely concealed in his voice as he shook the older boy's hand.

Two more Redheads ran outside. The first one elbowed Percy to the side and bowed deeply to Harry

"Simply splendid to see you old boy—" he started, the sentence was continued by his twin who broke in

"Marvelous, absolutely spiffing."

A plump woman with the same red hair followed them out.

"That's enough now."

"Mum! How really corking to see you—"

Kakashi liked these two, despite their disobedience. They reminded him of the fourth's mischievous nature.

"I said that's enough. Now who is this new friend of yours Harry?"

"His name's Kakashi Hatake, Mrs. Weasly. We've only just met. He'll be going into third year as well."

She turned to address Kakashi. "Oh my you're skinny! You should really eat more, my dear! You must have dinner with us then!"

He thought about refusing her offer, but the sooner he could learn about his charge and his friends the better so he said.

"I would be honored if you would allow me, Mrs. Weasly"

"Oh, dear, you're so polite!"

"Mum! It would be my honor as well!" cried Fred

"Yes, It would simply be my pleasure!" finished George.

Mrs. Weasly scowled, and walked back inside the tavern where three tables had been put together for their use. The Weaslys, Hermione, Harry and Kakashi sat down to their meal.

Kakashi covered his face with his hand once again. Everyone looked at him strangely.

"Oi, Kashi" Kakashi nearly winced at the use of his old nickname "how come you cover your face like that?" Asked Fred.

"Got something to hide?" inquired George.

"It's—it's a family tradition."

There was an uncomfortable pause in the conversation. It then continued in an awkward burst of interruptions as they tried to make it seem as if the exchange had never occurred.

Hermione POV:

As the others chattered on Hermione inspected the newcomer. It was strange, by his clothes he looked like he was ready for battle. He wore a sleeveless turtleneck shirt, the blended seamlessly with his mask, which was crumpled down beneath his chin. He wore tight-fitting blue gloves that stopped half way up his bicep under white arm guards. The gloves had a metal plate sewn on to the back. A light colored pouch was tied to his leg with bandages. His left eye was covered with a bandana that matched the color of his gloves and also had a metal plate attached. The metal plate was inscribed with a symbol unfamiliar to Hermione. His other eye was obscured by a shock of his strangely white hair. She wondered idly if he had dyed it.

She had seen his shoulders tense when Fred had called him "Kashi." Was that just with annoyance at the disrespect towards his name? No, it hadn't seemed like it. When he finished eating he carefully pulled up the mask, allowing no time for her to even catch a glimpse of his face.

That's a pretty strange family tradition. Speaking of which, shouldn't his parents be here? Did he just travel here alone?

She wouldn't ask him, just yet. The first question's outcome had been awkward enough and, to tell the truth, she was a little afraid of this newcomer. There was a tap-tap sound coming from the window behind them. She got up and opened the window to let the owl in. it flew over to the table and landed on Kakashi's plate. He calmly pulled the message off the bird's leg and read faster than even she could… Yes just a little scared…

"S—So, what does it say?" she asked tentatively.

"It's from Professor Dumbledore. I am to go to King's cross with you." He passed the letter to Mr. Weasly.

"How will we be getting to the station tomorrow, father?" asked Percy.

"The ministry will be lending us cars."

"Why would they do that?"

"They—Well I work there after all why wouldn't they do me that favor?" Hermione could tell he was keeping something from them.

She didn't push it anyways.

After dinner they went upstairs for a goodnight's rest before the first day of school.

Yes.. just a little frightened...and intrigued.

Time Lapse! Unless you like reading about being uncoincess.

Kakashi woke up late, but most of the things he had were already in his trunk and the few things he had brought with him were not difficult to shove in. He set the books carefully at the bottom of the trunk and slammed it closed. Pulling it out the door he nearly tripped down the stairs in his hurry.

"Hurry up, Kakashi! We're going to be late!" complained Percy, clearly annoyed.

"Gomenasai" Percy gave him thoroughly confused and thoroughly pissed off look.

"I mean sorry." Percy merely scowled. The "car ride" seemed like it would never end. These cars bumped along the roads and went faster than even the Hokage could run in his youth. It made his stomach churn. He was infinitely grateful when they finally stopped at King's Cross Station. When he was told to go through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 he did so without complaint. Nothing could surprise him anymore.

He heard Mr. Weasly say "Harry, could I speak to you for a moment?"

Well, It would be silly and conspicuous if he waited for him. He made his way up onto the train and all the way to the back. There was a man slumped in his seat, sleeping. His briefcase read "Professor R.J. Lupin". Well, he didn't mind the company. After a long time the train began to move. He wondered vaguely if he should try to find Harry. He did not wonder for long, though, because Harry opened the car door looking thoroughly angry as he entered. Hermione and Ron look upset as well.

"I swear if Malfoy makes one more crack about my family—"

"Ron!" Hissed Hermione "That's probably the new DADA teacher!" but the man was fast asleep.

The three sat down and chattered for a bit. Kakashi merely starred out the window, watching the rain trickle down the glass. Eventually the train began to slow.

"Great I'm starving. I want to get to the feast…" Ron said, standing up.

"We can't be there yet, so why are we stopping?" Asked Hermione.

Kakashi was the first to feel the chill begin to encompass the train. It came to a stop with a jolt. The lights went out throwing them into complete darkness.

"Ouch! Ron, that was my foot!" Ron made his way over to the window as Harry sat back down and looked out the window.

"There are some people coming on board." Said Ron.

The compartment door opened and a small, pudgy boy fell over Harry's legs.

"Hullo, Neville." Said Harry, pulling the boy up.

"I'm going to go talk to the engineer" said Hermione's voice from the door.

"AAhk!"

"Hermione?"

"Ginny?"

"I was looking for Ron—"

"Come in and sit down—"

The chill was traveling up Kakashi's spine and he stood up, suddenly

"QUIET!" A hoarse voice sounded. Professor Lupin stood and ignited his wand. He said "Stay where you are." The door slowly slid open.

There was the rattling sound of the creature standing there taking a deep breathe in. The cold already spreading inside him seemed to overtake him. He vaguely felt a thump as a body hit the floor, but he was too immersed in the screams in his own head

Rin! RIN!

Blood boiled in front of his eyes, countless old friends fell in front of his eyes, rolled up into the back of his head.

NO! NOT AGAIN! OBITO! SENSEI! RIN! FATHER!

AN: Sorry for the cliffy. Next chapter is coming really soon. This is the part I've been waiting to write. I think I have a thing for Angst. :P

R & R please!!!!