A/N Oh, boy. It took forever and my sister to get inspiration for this chapter. It just wasn't coming.
Another thing; to understand some of this chapter you're going to have to completely ignore the Black House from the movie. In the book, the Blacks were some of the most well-respected purebloods, so I'm assuming they had a manor. All descriptions will be based off of a grand and spacious manor, if a bit run down. Not the tiny, cramped thing from the movie.
Chapter Ten
"MATSUMOTO!"
Hitsugaya stared in irritated silence at the locked door. James, behind him, looked like he didn't know whether to be annoyed or amused.
He waited a minute. Nothing happened.
He sighed, figuring that Matsumoto just wasn't going to come. Well, if she wasn't going to unlock the door for him, he'd do the next best thing.
He broke the door down.
Using kido to open a door may have been overkill, but Hitsugaya didn't give a damn. It wasn't like Sirius liked his house anyway, so he might as well take advantage of it.
The loud crash and flare of reiatsu inevitably attracted the rest of the household's attention. That was good, because that meant that he didn't have to track Matsumoto down. Not that it would be difficult, but he didn't feel like wasting more energy on her than he had to at the moment.
She ran down with the others, though she was far less concerned as she had recognized his reiatsu.
"Matsumoto…"
She smiled angelically at him. "Yes, taicho?"
"If you ever do something like this again, I swear you'll be buried under enough paperwork that you won't see the sun in decades!"
Matsumoto laughed nervously and escaped before he could say anything else. The Weasleys, seeing that nothing too unusual (for him, anyway) was going on, filtered out of the hallway. Black stayed behind, staring at the broken door with an odd look on his face.
"You know," he said. "As much as I love this house (not), you are so paying for that."
Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. The house was still practically falling apart after a decade of non-use. Slapping on an old piece of wood would probably have an equivalent value to the old door anyway.
Black must have noticed what was crossing his mind. "I don't want money for a new door or anything," he interjected hastily. "But seriously, tell me what the heck Shiro-chan means!"
Christmas morning started bright and early and with a bang; literally, as the Weasley twins set off no less than a dozen fireworks around the manor. Needless to say, they wanted an early start on their presents. Unfortunately for them, their mother was less-than-forgiving for the early wake-up call. They'd be opening their presents last, and only after everyone was awake (not that it hadn't already happened, considering the noise) and had breakfast. The looks on their faces as their mother said this were priceless.
But really, four-thirty in the morning was too early, even for Christmas. Not even James and Sirius were that excited.
So it was that a tired household trooped into the kitchen, waking up only slightly at the wonderful smells produced by a surprisingly awake Mrs. Weasley. It was only after the majority of everyone else had ingested a large amount of coffee that anyone was aware enough to hold proper conversations. So it was a surprise when Sirius suddenly bounded out of his chair, seemingly full of energy and clearly excited about something.
"Jamie, come here! I have the best idea!"
James, curious, followed Sirius out of the kitchen. The twins made to follow but were stopped short by their mother's glower. They weren't off the hook quite yet.
A good twenty minutes later saw the Weasleys, Hermione, Lily, Remus, Hinamori, Matsumoto, and Hitsugaya all staring kind of stupidly at Prongs and Sirius, who had called them to the living room. The twins were the first to give in to their laughter, followed shortly by Remus, Matsumoto, Hinamori, and the rest of the Weasleys. Hermione and Lily giggled and traded long-suffering looks, while Hitsugaya just watched the two idiots make fools of themselves.
The great stag that was James's animagus form was standing proudly in the center, decked out in bells and holly and strapped to an enchanted sleigh that was just as gaudily decorated. Sirius, for it could be no one else, was dressed in a Santa outfit (including a fat suit) with everyone's presents slung over his shoulder in a big red sack. He looked ridiculous with a long and very clearly fake beard.
But what really got everyone going was the bright red light attached to Prongs' nose.
Sirius laughed a deep 'Ho, ho, ho' as loud as he could, followed by a shouted "Happy Christmas! You there," he pointed at a random Weasley, which happened to be Ginny, "would you like a ride in Santa's sleigh?"
She giggled. "Why yes, Santa! Do I get my presents?"
Sirius laughed again and reached into the bag, pulling out one of Ginny's presents. "Of course! What's Christmas without presents?"
Ginny smiled and hopped into the sleigh. There was a pause as everyone waited for something to happen, and Prongs and Sirius glanced at each other.
"Uh," Sirius said, no longer imitating Santa's voice, "maybe we should go outside first?"
Everyone got a turn on 'Santa's' sleigh, even Hinamori and Hitsugaya, though Prongs had consented to pulling the girl around only because he didn't want to ruin Christmas for anyone else, and Hitsugaya had only consented to getting pulled around because Hinamori and Matsumoto had literally dragged him on.
It had been fun. The manor's grounds were spacious enough that the ride could go on for a while, at speeds that wouldn't have been possible in confined spaces. So nearly everyone went in with a smile on his or her face, cheeks red with cold. Nearly, because Hitsugaya wasn't about to smile at anybody, though he had enjoyed the snow, if not the sleigh ride.
As the group trooped back inside, Black re-deposited the presents under the massive pine tree. Hitsugaya wasn't even sure why he had taken them in the first place; he hadn't handed them out or anything, just put them in a bag. To add to his costume, perhaps? He honestly didn't see the point.
James walked in after everyone else as a human, bells and holly still adorning his form. Even the red nose was still there. It made for an interesting sight before he simply vanished the additions with a spell.
Hitsugaya hung back as the Weasley children, Marauders, and Matsumoto descended on their presents like a pack of hungry wolves. Fred and George were especially eager, as their mother had forgotten her earlier punishment in all the excitement. Therefore, instead of last, they managed to get to their presents first, tearing them open with glee.
The pair of them were seventeen. They were far too old to be behaving like that. Then again, Hitsugaya mused, they weren't the only ones. Black and James were actually faster, and far less neat with opening gifts.
Lily sighed in fond exasperation, starting on her own pile of presents with Hermione. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley seemed to share Lily's amusement as they carefully maneuvered around their brood to get their own presents; hopefully with all limbs intact. Hinamori happily joined in the festivities, handing out presents (though Hitsugaya had no idea how she had known to get any for the wizards in the first place; Matsumoto, maybe?) as well as opening hers.
Hitsugaya finally got to work on his own pile, opening his gifts with the same obsessive neatness he had displayed on his 'birthday' and eyeing the mess the others were making in distaste. Matsumoto rolled her eyes at him, used to this sort of behavior from her captain.
Hitsugaya froze as Hinamori pulled out another gift, this time walking deliberately toward James. This could not possibly end well.
James was thinking along the same lines as Hitsugaya, though he didn't know it. He watched the girl advance warily, noticing vaguely that everyone else seemed to be keeping a careful eye on the both of them. Hitsugaya seemed torn between letting things play out and stopping his 'sister' from approaching. Before he could decide on either option, however, Hinamori had already advanced.
"Potter-kun," she murmured apprehensively, "here." She handed him a delicately wrapped present, and James slowly took the gift.
"Uh, thanks," he muttered grudgingly. She didn't seem to notice, instead smiling and grabbing another gift for someone else. He breathed a silent sigh of relief, then froze.
Oh shit. Hitsugaya was probably going to kill him if he made her upset, and he didn't have a return gift. He stood, the sudden movement gaining everyone's attention. "Bathroom," he lied, double-timing it to the stairs. He practically dove into his and Lily's room, throwing things haphazardly to the floor as he searched for something suitable to give to the girl.
He paused mid-throw as something occurred to him. Was he, or was he not a wizard? Kind of, anyway. He just didn't have any magic. But still! He could just conjure something. After all, transfiguration was his favorite subject. He knew all the spells to conjure something permanent.
Out of habit he brought out his fake wand, an incantation on his lips. What could he make for her? What did girls like Hinamori even like? Hurriedly, he decided on a stuffed animal. Couldn't go wrong there. So it was that he created a fuzzy teddy bear (and, as a joke, made it white with teal eyes) with a big bow, casting a couple of quick charms to make it squeak when squeezed and make sure it wouldn't just spontaneously disappear.
After he was finished, he surveyed his work with pride. Hell, if he were a girl, he'd love it. He conjured a box and some wrapping paper (not bothering to make them permanent; they'd most likely be thrown away anyway) and stuffed the bear inside.
As James made his way back downstairs he wondered why the girl had even bothered giving him a present in the first place. He hadn't exactly been on stellar behavior around her; he didn't even like her! James sighed, clutching the box in his hands tightly.
"James!" He blinked. Sirius? "Some trip to the bathroom. I was about to go make sure you hadn't drowned!"
James scowled. "Shut it, Padfoot. I'm not the one who drinks from the toilet." He scanned the room for the Fifth Division's vice captain, ignoring Sirius' indignant sputter and spotting her sitting next to Hitsugaya. He walked over, not in any particular hurry, and handed her the gift. "Here."
She smiled brightly at him. "Thank-you, Potter-kun!" She tore open the wrapping paper and opened the box, discarding them in the giant pile of garbage building up in the corner of the room. She gasped at what was inside, then giggled. "Oh, it's so cute! Thank-you," she said again, this time sounding more heartfelt.
Hitsugaya looked at the bear, bemused and somewhat offended.
As he watched Hinamori act like the child she appeared to be, he couldn't help but feel slightly guilty for how he had treated her. Then he remembered Aizen and felt justified all over again. He sighed again. "You're welcome."
James froze in shock as she got up and hugged him, withdrawing before he could react. She didn't seem to notice his surprise as she simply turned back to Hitsugaya, chatting away happily.
James stared for a full minute before heading toward Lily.
He couldn't forgive her, but maybe he wouldn't be so harsh either.
As James got ready for bed that night he couldn't help the nagging feeling that he was forgetting something. A few seconds later there was a loud shriek and he knew.
"James! Get your ass in here! What did you do to our room?"
Oops.
The next day Hitsugaya felt oddly relaxed. Of course, it could be because both Matsumoto and Hinamori had gone back to Soul Society; they had only stayed for Christmas before going back to work. This meant that it was quiet and peaceful for the first time in quite a while.
He really should have known that it wouldn't stay that way for long.
Bill Weasley came charging into Grimmauld Place with all the grace of a rampaging buffalo. He had gone back to work early as well; his job at Gringotts was demanding, as the goblins themselves were notoriously hard working. So what on earth was he doing, running in here so quickly?
The curse-breaker stopped a moment to catch his breath before saying, "You'll never guess who I saw at Gringotts!"
Curiosity piqued, Hitsugaya asked, "Who?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange."
That made everyone present stop what they were doing and stare at the oldest Weasley child.
"What?" Black choked out, looking faintly nauseous at the thought of his Death Eater cousin.
"I was working down in the Pureblood's vault section when she came in. She was in a right state, too; kept screeching at this poor goblin about something of her master's. Not sure what she was on about, but whatever it was, I think it's important."
"How could a Death Eater just waltz right into Gringotts?" Ron asked, frowning.
Black grinned. "Makes sense, actually. Any goblin owned territory is strictly neutral. They'll let anyone access the bank; Death Eaters, convicts, the regular upstanding citizen. That's how I got Harry's Firebolt for him in his third year."
"Anyway," Bill continued, "I think something has her worried about the item's security. She said that 'My master will kill me if it is not safe, you imbecile. I want my vault the most secure it can possibly be!' I believe were her exact words."
Lupin frowned. "So you want us to check it out? Goblins are notorious for both their security and privacy. There's no way were going to be accessing any records to see what's in there."
"Then the only thing to do is break in!" Black exclaimed.
"Stop and think for a moment, idiot," Hitsugaya interrupted. "We can't just break in to one of the most secure locations in Britain for something that we have no idea what it does or even looks like. And don't you think it suspicious that Bellatrix Lestrange herself was there at the same time as Weasley? We could very well be walking straight into a trap."
Black shook his head. "But whatever this thing is, it's important enough that Voldemort will kill one of his most loyal and dangerous followers if it's taken or damaged. And it can't be a trap. Fighting in neutral territory is punishable by death in both goblin and wizarding law. The Death Eater's might cross the Ministry, but they need the goblins on their side, or at least willing to work with them."
Hitsugaya looked unconvinced. "Look," Black said, "what if it turns out to be one of the Horcruxes? This could be really important. I say we go have a look, at least."
"Oh, yes, because breaking into a Pureblood's vault, which will undoubtedly have an enormous number of things in it, without any idea of what we're looking for, is a fantastic idea," he snapped sarcastically. And really, what were the odds of it being a Horcrux? Though the idea was admittedly appealing, however unlikely.
Black ignored the sarcasm. "Exactly!"
Lily gave him a flat look. "Sirius, only you would find this a good idea. There aren't enough of us to go on half-cocked missions based on so little evidence."
Lupin gazed at them both. "Actually…"
The fireplace flared emerald, drawing everyone's attention away from the argument. Kingsley ran inside. "Death Eaters are attacking the Ministry! They brought the Hollows, too. Everyone hurry through before they close the floo network!"
The eldest Weasley child nodded. "We can take this up with Dumbledore later, guys."
They all filed through the fireplace; the Weasleys, Lupin, and Lily (after discarding her gigai) heading through first. Black would need to stay behind. As a convicted criminal, he could not be seen, especially at the Ministry during an attack. James and Hitsugaya (both copying Lily) went through last, both turning to glare at Ron, Ginny, and Hermione.
"Stay here," James said. "We can't afford to babysit you now."
"Black," Hitsugaya added, "make sure they stay. You don't go running off, either."
Cornelius Fudge, current Minister of Magic, rubbed his hands together anxiously, making himself as small as possible behind his grand desk. He couldn't deal with this! He was a politician, not an auror. This whole business with the Dark Lord was distressing in the extreme.
His thought proved to be all too true as alarms started blaring their shrill warning. The Ministry was under attack!
Fudge paled, shrinking even more. Death Eaters, here? What could they possibly want after last year?
A random auror ran into the room. Fudge looked at him like he was insane. "What are you doing, fool? Close the door! What if a Death Eater gets in here?"
The auror shot him a contemptuous look. "Minister, for your own safety you are going to have to be moved to the Ministry's secured rooms. Please follow me."
"W-what?" Fudge stammered. "Why leave here? It's safe here, isn't it?" The very idea that his office wasn't the most secure room in the building was terrifying. When this was all over, he was going to have to rectify that… and see to it that whoever was in charge of planning the original wards was fired.
"Minister!" The auror exclaimed impatiently. "We need to hurry!"
"Oh, yes… Of course." Fudge followed the auror out, making a mental note to have words with his superior about his behavior later. Honestly, who did he think he was talking to?
The auror led Fudge through a long series of twists and turns, finally stopping at the end of a long corridor. Fudge didn't even recognize the area.
"A-are you sure that this is it?" he asked nervously.
"Of course," the auror said, drawing his wand.
"What are you doing? Casting more wards? I thought this room was supposed to be safe!"
"Well it is," the auror replied impatiently. "For me. I wouldn't want to be implicated, after all."
Fudge felt a distinctly sickly feeling building in the pit of his stomach. "W-what do you m-mean?"
"I mean," the auror went on haughtily, "that you are no longer of any use to us. Had it not been for your incompetence, the Dark Lord would still be hidden. Though he does thank you for the extra year. For that you will be granted a quick death."
Fudge backed away, stumbling over his robes and falling harshly to the floor.
"But the Dark Lord does not tolerate failure. Good-bye, Minister. Avada Kedavra!"
"N-n-no! W-wait!"
The last thing Cornelius Fudge saw was a bright flash of green light.
A/N Oral surgery is awesome, no? Yeah, so I just got some. And while I think I should be majorly cranky, for some reason I'm kind of hyper. Bleh. Anyway, hope you liked that chapter!
SRS She's not on any pain medication either. Amazing huh?