A giant thanks to Karin Kinomoto for becoming my beta! I've re-uploaded all the previous chapters, and now they have been beta-ed. Thanks so much!

And Merry Christmas from your local Atheist writer, Mistress DragonFlame.

XXXXX

Itachi opened his eyes, first taking in the golden orange light that danced across the ceiling of wherever he was. His breath was shallow but steady and even, his back ached, and his mind was foggy as if he'd ingested some sort of sleeping solution.

His slow blinking was the only indication he was awake, assessing the situation as his mind and eyes cleared. His chest was bandaged, and the smell of medical things wafted to him. He was in a comfortable bed with the sheets drawn up to his chest, his arms on top of it. He was in the hospital, which meant he was alive (but injured), in a friendly (for now) location.

His mind flooded with how and why he was there suddenly, and he let his head drop to the side, where the flicker of some strange chakra was. There was a cage set on the bedside table, squeezed in through flowers and other assortment of things, with a small cat-like creature in it, curled in a nap. It had spotted fur, unusually large ears, and a tale like a lions—an odd combination—but it took him a second to realize it was a Kneazle, a kitten at that. And was that a... bow on its neck? A horrible, ugly, torn, yellow pokadotted green bow? His eyes drifted to a tattered note attached to the cage, slowly reading through the crude handwriting.

'A get well soon, and thanks present. From Hagrid.' was what he translated. He looked back and saw the kitten had awoke, and was now pacing in its cage, looking at him with what could only be described as worry, before it mewed in concern.

However, his first thoughts were, 'Why are you looking at me like that? Don't you know what I am? I am ANBU. I kill people. Stop worrying over me.'

"You're awake!" A familiar voice suddenly said, and Itachi rotated his head the other way, to see Harry lying in the bed next to him. "How do you feel?"

Itachi looked at him with his blank eyes, his breathing just as shallow as when he first awoke. "I should have let you fall." He said evenly after a while.

"Er... What?"

He didn't respond, moving his head to face the ceiling again, letting his eyes close. "How long have I been out?" He asked instead.

"A day. You just missed Hagrid."

He just breathed for a while, focusing on his charka. It was a claim that if you actively moved chakra over a wound, it'd heal faster, but it's never been confirmed. Still, it couldn't hurt. This even focus was what Dumbledore walked into.

"Ah, Harry, how are you?"

"Fine, sir."

"That's good to hear. Has Itachi woken yet?"

"Yeah, he just was. I think he's asleep again, though..."

"Your observation skills need work." Itachi muttered, not moving until he sensed someone sitting next to him. He opened his eyes and let his head fall slightly so he'd look at the smiling face of his employer, eyes twinkling over his glasses.

"How are you feeling?"

"Bearable."

"You took quite the fall, Itachi. I thank you for acting quickly and saving your charge. The skin of your back had been ripped off from the impact with the tower, taking some muscle with it—both have been regrown, but will be tender for a while yet. The second crash nearly broke your spine, and you passed out from blood loss. I'm sorry for letting the Dementors onto the grounds. If they hadn't been there, none of this would have happened."

"This is the reason why I was hired; to protect him. Do not apologize." He let his head fall back until he looked at the ceiling, resting his eyes. "I can resume my mission as soon as my charge leaves the hospital as well. I apologize for being out for a day. It was my mistake I misjudged the fall and became heavily injured."

"No, your charge is to leave today. The nurse would skin me alive if you left this early. Your charge will be watched by the teachers until you're well enough to rejoin the school."

His eyes opened and he turned to look at the old man again, suddenly something gripping at his chest. "No! I will resume the mission as soon as possible, on my honor as ANBU. No one will stop that!" He said a little forcefully, eyes slightly hard.

Dumbledore looked at him again, with that almost sad look. His lips were frowning slightly, but eventually he dropped Itachi's gaze to look at his hands, clasped in his lap. "Very well. You may leave tomorrow evening on my word. But no sooner. Rest well, Itachi-san." He rose from the chair, patting Itachi's arm before he walked out of the room.

Black eyes watched him go, before he relaxed his tense muscles as he released a breath.

"...What was that about?" Harry asked, having not understood a word.

"Dumbledore-sama wished me to return to my home country because of the incident. I refused." He lied quietly, reaching over slowly to poke his fingers through the cage to pet the Kneazle as it lovingly rubbed the bars.

They lapsed into silence, broken only by the purring of the Kneazle. Itachi would name her Sasuke, he decided. She seemed like a Sasuke, liking him for no apparent reason, and perfectly oblivious to whom he really was...

"Itachi?" Harry said a while later, the sun having made it way completely down so they were lit only by the torches.

Itachi looked over from his sitting position, a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans—a get well gift, one of many, to his surprise—in his lap. He had been debating for the last half hour to try them or not. Madam Pomfrey had bustled in with some food and some potion that was supposed to restore his blood, and given it to him, which he dutifully drank. Now wishing to get the horrid taste from his mouth, should he try them? But there's a chance the bean he eats would be an even worse taste instead of something like cherry flavored. Should he risk it? Oh, the possibilities...

"Thank you... For saving me."

He turned back to his beans, finally opening the box. "No thanks necessary. You are my friend, and I didn't want you to get hurt." He lied easily, using emotional connection for added effectiveness. ANBU don't have friends, but Harry wasn't allowed to know that.

"Yeah, but..." Shit, not a 'yeah, but' reply. He didn't react to it, instead waited patiently for Harry as he chose a light green bean, looking at the darker green spots, examining it. Green apple? Or deadly acid?! He liked green apple, but didn't much care for deadly acid. Hm, to eat it or not, which should he choose? "What everyone said you did was amazing. Almost like you were prepared for it..."

"In Konoha the trees are very large, far larger then any I've found here. They commonly reach the heights of the Quidditch towers, or more. It is not unheard of for one of our inexperienced children to climb up one and then fall when they are far from the ground. As such, every ANBU ninja is taught how to save a person in a falling situation." He put the bean in his mouth, chewing. Hm... "I had misjudged the distance between us, and thus used too much chakra while propelling myself to you. This is why I am injured. Had I correctly done the procedure, then we both would have been fine. Well, relatively speaking." Forcing himself to swallow with a bit of a disgusted look on his face, he shook his head. Ironically enough, that bean was the same taste he wanted to get rid of.

"So you were prepared for it, in a way."

"Harry," Itachi turned to him. "I wasn't waiting for it. I saw you falling and I reacted. Nothing more."

Harry dropped the gaze, looking down into his lap and picking at his blanket. "This is the second time you've saved someone. I'm beginning to think you like to, or something..."

"My clan makes up the main chunk of Konoha's police force. My father is the police chief in command. Saving people is in my blood. I save people because I refuse to stand by and watch them get hurt. Be it yourself, or someone like Malfoy." He chose another bean and ate it, this time discovering a nice bubbling sweet taste. They lapsed into silence again, and Itachi was glad his answer sated the boy.

"What's it like..." Harry paused, not looking over. "To have such a large family?"

"Unbelievably annoying." He replied immediately.

"Come on, there has to be a few you like."

Itachi slowly put the beans away after finding one that tasted horribly like a toenail, debating answering him. He sighed and put the box on the table. "I only have my little brother, Sasuke, and my distant cousin, Shisui. The rest of my family..." He trailed off, leaving it unsaid.

"I feel the same," 'I doubt that.' "I have to live with my Aunt, Uncle, and cousin. They're muggles of the worst kind; they hate anything to do with magic. They don't like me much, but they're all I have..."

"Harry..." Itachi said, relaxing in his bed. "Family is subjective. Just because you share blood with someone doesn't void all their faults. A jerk in your family is no better then a jerk down the road. Shisui, I like to think of as a twin. Sasuke, I accept as his relation to me. And my friend, Kakashi-sempai, I like to think of as an older brother figure, though definitely not a role model with his terrible habit of being late and his reading material." He looked over to the other dark haired boy, watching him still fiddling with his blankets. "You yourself have a large family. Ron and Hermione are brother and sister, the rest of your dorm mates and the people on the Quidditch team are cousins, aunts, uncles..." Harry glanced over, a mix of emotion in his eyes. Itachi suddenly smirked slightly, dark orbs glinting in amusement. "McGonagall can be a mother."

"Oh, no thanks" Harry laughed almost nervously, trying to place the very shrewd and strict woman in the place of a loving, caring mother.

"You're right; she doesn't work in that role." The ANBU continued to smirk, letting his head rest and his eyes close. "Hagrid fits much better." He didn't bother to dodge the pillow that came crashing into his head.

XXXXX

Itachi walked, stiff backed, through the school on Tuesday. Thankfully he missed their Divination class, but he also unfortunately missed their Care of Magical creatures and Transfiguration. On Monday, Team Six had shown up and given him a run down on the classes, as he had asked Harry before the boy left on that morning. Kneazle-Sasuke was curled up on his lap, sleeping, as he read through the Get Well/Thanks for Saving Harry cards. Surprisingly, a lot were from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, and even a few were from Slytherin. The whole school was thankful, even if they didn't much care for/know the one he saved. It was the fact he did that made the difference, apparently. Or, as most of the cards were from females, his looks.

To draw attention away from him as being suspected as The Guard from his phenomenal feat, he made a kage bunshin talk to Dumbledore in an open place while wearing his ANBU gear, making sure he himself pointed it out to Team Six as they made their way down to the dungeons for their potions (Ron made Itachi throw a crocodile heart at Malfoy, and Snape couldn't pin it on them because they had been on the direct opposite side of the room). He also had the bunshin search around the stadium one day during Hufflepuff practice once, and soon the entire school knew what he looked like. Of course, no one really got a good look at the bunshin, and certainly didn't meet him.

They were now walking to their Defense Against the Dark Arts class, and Ron was bemoaning about what he'd do if Snape was teaching it again.

"Hermione, check and see who's in there." Ron hissed, urging her forward.

She peeked her head around the door's edge, and then turned back with a large grin. "It's ok!" They went in and sat in their seats, and upon seeing the tired smile the man gave, the entire class burst out into telling him what happened. Lupin was frowning at hearing what Snape made them do, but only said he'd speak to Snape about it and they didn't have to do the essay.

They did the class, this one with a Hinkypunk, but at the end, when they were all packing, Lupin called to Harry to speak with him. He caught Itachi's eye, however, so he didn't stay in the room, instead opting to wait outside with Ron and Hermione.

Harry came out a few minutes later, all smiles. "He's going to teach me how to defend against the Dementors!" He said happily to them.

Itachi nodded, "That is a very good idea. You may never know when you may need to save yourself, or others, from those creatures."

XXXXX

The days past. Itachi's back-skin firmed up within the week, and soon he began his morning and evening routines again. Kneazle-Sasuke lay on his back while he did his pushups, perfectly content as she batted at his hair. The entire dorm loved her, and while she tolerated them, she seemed keen only to him. At nights, she found her spot curled against the back of his neck, purring well into the night. She didn't seem too keen on Scabbers, who finally was put into a cage and a silencing charm on him because of the racket.

Wood worked them hard in Quidditch, despite the rain that persisted into December; so much so that even he was a bit soar at the end of them. But, then again, he was doing the work of an entire team, switching from Beater to Keeper to Chaser at Wood's fickle will.

But what excited him was the coming of the holidays. Team Six was all going to stay, but most everyone else would be leaving. The Charms teacher put fairies all around his room, to Itachi's annoyance as the things seemed to love playing with his hair. But what he was waiting for was his little brother, scheduled to show up the day everyone left.

Soon, it was the weekend of another Hogsmeade visit, the day before Sasuke's arrival and the last day of the term. Ron and Hermione were going to get their holiday shopping done there, and Itachi couldn't help but wonder about this Christmas Holiday. He did, slightly, wish to go to Hogsmeade with the rest of the school, but his duty was with the scrawny, Quidditch obsessed child.

Nonetheless, as Harry planned to read a book he borrowed from Wood, and Itachi had one to read from Hagrid of the most 'fun' creatures there were, he heard someone approach as they made their way back up into the castle.

"Psst—Harry, Itachi!" They turned as one to face Fred and George as they were crouching behind an odd statue.

"What are you two doing here?" Harry asked, looking confused, but obeying as they waved him into a class. "I thought you already left."

"What do you have for us, Fred, George?" Itachi said, following.

"Ha! We can never sneak anything by you, Itachi." Fred said jovially. It was true. It had become a game the three of them played. They'd attempt to prank him, and then he'd chase them planning on lynching them for some much needed justice. They'd never succeed in a prank, and he'd always seem to loose them somehow before catching them (but, then again, he never really tried.).

"Anyway, it's an early Christmas present for you Harry. You can use it too, Itachi." George said, closing the door.

Fred, with much embellishment, withdrew a very worn piece of parchment. It was frayed at the edges, yellow with age, and completely blank.

Harry eyed it skeptically, asking, "What's that supposed to be?"

"Ah, very interesting..." Itachi said, running the back of his hand against the magic encased paper. There was a protective seal on it, hiding something very well done.

The twins shared identical grins, and Harry looked at Itachi as if he had grown another head. Wasn't he supposed to be the smart, observant one?

"This, Harry, is the secret of our success," George looked at it lovingly, petting it even.

"It's a wrench, giving it to you, but we decided last night, your need's greater than ours." Fred nodded.

"I don't get it..." Harry mumbled, looking between the three of them who seemed to know something he wasn't getting.

"You may have the honor, George."

"Well... when we were in our first year, Harry—young, carefree, and innocent—"

Even Itachi snorted at that.

"—well, more innocent than we are now—we got into a spot of bother with Filch."

"We let off a Dungbomb in the corridor and it upset him for some reason—"

"So he hauled us off to his office and started threatening us with the usual—"

"—detention—"

"—disembowelment—"

"—and we couldn't help noticing a drawer in one of his filing cabinets marked Confiscated and Highly Dangerous."

"Don't tell me—" Harry started, an almost bemused grin forming on his face.

"Well, what would you've done? George caused a diversion by dropping another Dungbomb, I whipped the drawer open, and grabbed—this."

"It's not as bad as it sounds, you know," George said, even though no one seemed to think it was anymore. "We don't reckon Filch ever found out how to work it. He probably suspected what it was, though, or he wouldn't have confiscated it."

"From the feel of this, it was a very good decision." Itachi said. "So, how do you unlock it?"

Fred and George looked at one another, grinning before George held up his hand as if giving an oath, the other holding his wand, tip on the parchment, proclaiming, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

'Figures.' Itachi snorted lightly, watching with interest as ink started to crawl across the paper, forming lines from corner to corner, and words;

Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

Are proud to present

THE MARAUDER'S MAP

At the bottom in neat writing.

Harry leaned in with interest, eyes wide. It was a very detailed map of Hogwarts, showing every inch of the layout, including a few places Itachi had never been to before, but what was most interesting were the black dots that were scattered around. Each one had tiny writing under them, saying names. And they moved. Dumbledore was in his office, Peeves in the trophy room, and Kneazle-Sasuke was running down a stair case, presumably chasing something.

It was so pathetically obvious where Harry's thoughts were going, as his eyes followed the strange paths, even the civilian twins could tell. "Right into Hogsmeade," Fred traced one, his finger following it as it made its way out. "There are seven in all. Now, Filch knows about these four"—he pointed them out—"but we're sure we're the only ones who know about these. Don't bother with the one behind the mirror on the fourth floor. We used it until last winter, but it's caved in—completely blocked. And we don't reckon anyone's ever used this one, because the Whomping Willow's planted right over the entrance. But this one here, this one leads right into the cellar of Honeydukes. We've used it loads of times. And as you might've noticed, the entrance is right outside this room, through that one-eyed old crone's hump."

"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. We owe them so much."

"Noble men, working tirelessly to help a new generation of lawbreakers," Fred said, solemn.

"Right. Don't forget to wipe it after you've used it—"

"—or anyone can read it,"

"Just tap it again and say, 'Mischief managed!' And it'll go blank."

Fred straightened, clasping his hands behind his back, and suddenly Itachi thought of Percy. "So, young Harry, young Itachi, mind you behave yourselves." Yup, Percy.

"See you in Honeydukes," George winked, and they left the room.

Itachi watched them leave, before turning back to the map. Ink-dot Kneazle-Sasuke had come upon Ink-dot Peeves and the annoying spirit was quick to leave the room. Good girl.

"Should we, Itachi?" Harry asked, looking reverently at the map. If Itachi was ok with it, then nothing could go wrong. Right?

Itachi thought for a moment, before he nodded, and Harry grinned widely as he quickly rolled up the map, stuffing it in his robes. He went to the door, and peaked cautiously out, but Itachi just brushed past him. There was no one near their spot on the map, so why worry?

They stood as Harry unrolled the map, and Itachi saw two tiny ink-spot Itachi and Harry, appeared right on the map next to the statue.

After a little guess work, the witch's hump opened. Itachi was quick to hop up and poke his feet through, getting his wand out as he paused before sliding in. "Count to fifteen, then come in. I don't want you landing on me."

Harry scowled, but nodded. Itachi slid down on what had to be a natural earth slide for a surprising amount of time. But he neatly came to his feet in pitch blackness, sharingan ablaze. It was nothing but a small tunnel, with not a single thing around—not even spider webs were present. "Lumos," Itachi muttered, his eyes fading back to their coal form as Harry skidded to a thump next to him. He helped his charge up, who got the map and tapped it with his own wand, blanking it and carefully putting it away before adding his wand light to Itachi's. They nodded to each other, before jogging down the tunnel. It was too narrow for them to run next to each other, so Itachi took the lead, opening his senses so nothing could surprise them.

After about a mile and a half, they came to stairs. Harry was panting heavily behind him, but didn't complain, to Itachi's approval. After four hundred and thirty eight steps, approximately three stories up, Itachi came to a trap door. He stopped, which caused Harry to bump into him with a small oof, but Itachi caught a fist full of his robes so he wouldn't fall backwards down the stairs.

"Why'd we stop?" Harry whispered, eyes reflecting the light on Itachi's wand.

"We're here. Shhh." He let his wand light go out, before listening in the dead silence. There was no one in the cellar, but here were quite a few people a bit away, all of them young chakra except for two. The faint sound of laughter and the tinkle of a bell could be heard as well. "Come on, quickly now." He pushed open the trap door and crawled out, waiting for Harry to come through as well before replacing it. It was very well blended in with the floor, but Itachi caught the slight differences, the worn down edges of the door's wood. Ninja are trained to be observant, after all.

Hearing something, he yanked Harry behind a large crate next to the stairs that led up and out. No sooner then he did that, then a door opened and someone started coming down the steps.

"And get another box of Jelly Slugs, dear, they've nearly cleaned us out—" A woman said. Itachi waited, pushing against Harry's chest to keep him flat against the crate.

Nodding to him, he silently walked around the wooden box as the man went to the opposite end, and ushered Harry up the stairs, following silently behind. They made their way up, the man never looking, and they emerged from behind a door and into a large crowd. Itachi closed the door behind them without a sound, and then followed Harry into the mass of Hogwarts students after sharing a small grin.

No one gave them more then a parting glance, but Itachi's eyes scanned the crowed, assessing them. There was young chakra only, except for the one down stairs and what had to be the woman's from earlier. No hidden threats.

He was a little ashamed to admit the only reason he accepted to go along with the plan was because he wanted to see Hogsmeade, and maybe get something for his little brother. Of course, he was ANBU; he shouldn't risk missions for personal desires. And so, Itachi justified it with the fact a normal 13 year would want to go as well, so he had to keep his cover and come. Yes, that was it.

They found Ron and Hermione bickering over whether or not to get a blood sucker in the unusual tastes section. Itachi made his presence known by reaching between them and popping it into this mouth.

"Itachi!" Ron hissed as he and Hermione jumped in unison. Of course, the red head bumped into someone behind him, and he turned to apologize when he jumped again for, "Harry!"

They looked between the two boys, stuttering on in confusion until Ron pointed at Itachi. "Those are for vampires! Stop eating it!"

He shrugged, continuing to eat it. "Not bad. They got the flavor right."

"That's disgusting, Itachi... But how did you two get here?" Hermione said, addressing Harry. He told them all about the map in a low voice as Itachi busied himself with looking at the 'sweets' in front of him, plotting against his brother and whoever came up with him deviously. The sucker didn't at all bother him, as he'd had bleed from the mouth quite a lot in his training from various causes, so he was use to the coppery taste. He almost missed it, even, being stuck in a castle with no one to spar with.

He listened as the conversation turned towards Black, glancing at the poster Ron indicated when it came up.

"Hermione, while I'm grateful you're worrying about us getting in trouble," Itachi said as the girl looked near frantic about Harry and Ron's denial that what they were doing was wrong. "Shut up. We're not so stupid as to allow ourselves to be caught, so stop fretting. Would you like to try?" He said, putting the sucker under her nose.

"Er—no thanks." She replied, paling slightly as she backed away.

They paid for their things—Harry glaring at him slightly because Itachi didn't forget his money—before leaving into the blizzard. The biting cold stole the breath from him for an instant, before he directed his chakra to circulate through him, warding off the frozen air. Soon they were in the three broom sticks, for whatever Butterbeer was, and to warm up.

It was crowded, smoky, and alcohol was in the air, but it was warm and they got a table to themselves, next to a large Christmas tree.

Itachi accompanied Ron up, looking at the menu, his eye catching on something in particular. Ron ordered three Butterbeers, and left one for Itachi to carry while he leaned over to the pretty woman known as Madam Rosemerta. "I would like a bottle of sake, warm." He said. He wasn't much of a drinker, having only drunk once before when he entered the ANBU (it was custom for each member of the team to buy the newbie a drink). But he had stumbled across something familiar, and he suddenly longed for it.

"What?" She asked, glancing behind her at the menu. "Oh! I remember that stuff. You know, you're the first person who's ever ordered it. We only have a small jug, though. It's been sitting there for a while. I'll bring it right on out for you." She smiled pleasantly, turning to vanish behind the counter.

Rosemerta wasn't gone long, and soon came out wiping a personal sake bottle on a wooden try with a porcelain sake cup next to it. Taking out her wand, she tapped it, and it began to steam lightly. "This is the sake," He winced at her calling it 'sak-ky', "set that came with the jug. Um, that'll be thee sickles, dear."

He thanked her and paid for his drink, leaving for the table. The others gave him odd looks as Harry took his Butterbeer. "What's that?"

"Sake." Itachi replied, pouring some into the small cup.

"What's that?" Ron repeated, watching as the Uchiha sip the mouthful.

He swirled the nearly hot liquid in his mouth a little, before swallowing to feel it warm him all the way down. "A drink from where I come from."

"Can I have some?" He asked, smacking his lips from having just drunk his own drink.

Itachi raised a fine eye brow, "You won't like it." But he poured another and handed it over carefully.

Ron swigged it down, but then gave a twisted look and sprayed it out next to him in disgust—all over Harry.

"Ron!" Harry cried, wiping his newly wet face. "That's disgusting!"

"That drink's disgusting!" He scowled, wiping his mouth on his sleeve as he shoved the cup back.

"I told you that you'd not like it. Its real alcohol and this stuff has a particular bite to it." Itachi's gaze drifted out the window, noticing figures moving in the flurry of snowfall. He brought his hands together and made a quick recession of seals, before tapping each of them in turn. They gave him odd looks as he made another seal in front of his chest. "We're about to have company. But don't react." He finished the jutsu. Suddenly, they looked to each other and were shocked to see some strange looking Hogwarts students, all from Ravenclaw staring wide eyed at each other.

A cool blast of wind later, they had all turned to see Hagrid, McGonagall, Flitwick, and the Minister of Magic himself walk in. The others gasped, but Itachi put his finger to his lips in a request for silence.

"I've placed a henge, an illusion, on us. There's no need to worry. Just don't act stupid or make abnormal loud noises and they won't notice." He told them, looking directly into their eyes.

"Thanks, Itachi." Harry muttered, giving a half smile with his strange new face, but he turned to watch the teachers intently.

"Mobiliarbus!" Hermione whispered, and the decorated tree moved to block them even more.

Itachi sighed, knowing they'd be busy eavesdropping until the teachers left. There was nothing new for him to learn, so he just sat there with his eyes closed as he nursed on his sake. The teachers made no mention of him—the minister was not to know—instead chattering on about Black. Who wasn't talking about that man?

His interest was picked as a new name, Peter Pettigrew, came into the conversation. He frowned slightly. There was something off about that scenario. He finished his sake, feeling his mind become slightly fuzzy. He suddenly wondered when was the last time he ate, as that would heavily affect how quickly the drink would affect him.

But the teachers finished, and they left saying they had to go back to the castle. Not a half hour had passed. White faces turned and looked at each other as he had to focus slightly on releasing the henge. "I think we should go back to the castle, Harry." He said, standing and swaying slightly. He had too much to drink. "The walk will help you sort your thoughts."

XXXXX

"Why, Itachi? Why didn't anyone tell me? Why didn't anyone tell me my parents died because of their best friend betraying them?" Harry said suddenly as they were walking their way through the tunnel.

'The same reason I've not told anyone I'd planned on killing my family, you stupid git. It causes useless hassle.' Itachi shook his head from the thought. He really had too much to drink. But it was all nice and warm and familiar... "Because of the exact reason of how you're reacting now."

"But that is important! I deserved to know!" He turned and glared at him, eyes blazing with unshed tears.

Itachi took a second to focus on the boy from the sudden stop, and he blinked slowly. "What difference does it make?"

"What?"

"I said, 'What difference does it make'?" He clutched at Harry's sleeve, more for balance then to make the boy listen. "Now that you know, what are you going to do? Knowing doesn't change the fact you're still far weaker then him, and he still wants to kill you. Remember lesson four? Never go after someone far more powerful then you when you know they're out to kill you!"

"But—"

"But nothing!" He snapped, glaring. "If he comes to you, you have my full permission to try—" He stressed the word. "—and kill him. But if you go off searching for him, I'll smack you silly and drag your sorry bum back. Understand?" He continued to give his best glare, a patented Uchiha glare—number seven—until his charge reluctantly nodded. "Good, now let's hurry back before someone notices we were gone."

They went on in silence, broken only by the sound of their foot steps.

"You're drunk, aren't you?"

"Don't be stupid. It was only one bottle. ANBU don't get drunk off one bottle." It probably would have made more of an impact had he not still been clutching the other boy's sleeve for support.

XXXXX

Itachi sat meditating on his futon, Kneazle-Sasuke curled in his lap, focusing his chakra to clear his system of the alcohol later that night. He couldn't afford to have a hangover, now could he? ANBU don't get hangovers. But then again, they don't get drunk either, and he seemed to have pulled that off rather well. That stuff must have been fermenting for some time. He sighed, silently, feeling the chakra move through his system methodically. He had already taken a flushing pill—flushes the blood of impurities, though the downside was he was in the bathroom stall for a while—and it worked quite well, making him think rationally again, but he was a fool to think it was all gone.

Harry was awake, he knew that. The boy was tossing and turning in his bed; it was rather annoying. As the clock ticked to midnight, Itachi had enough, and cast a sleeping genjutsu. White feathers fell from seeming no where, and Harry stilled over in his bed.

Itachi broke the jutsu, but no one woke up from its lack, even Harry.

He finished at around one, picking up his Kneazle carefully as he shifted to go to sleep. Sasuke would arrive at around nine tomorrow, and he planned on meeting him.

The Uchiha was abnormally anxious. He had never been away from his brother this long before. He missed him. He missed being bugged to teach how to throw kunai and shuriken. He missed poking him in the head. He missed listening to his brother whine and complain. He even missed the jealous looks he got when father 'favored' on him. He missed it all.

Kneazle-Sasuke crawled to her normal spot, resting her warm head on his neck, curled into his free hair. Purring, she was soon asleep. With all the skill of someone trained to 'sleep when you can', Itachi followed her into the land of dreams. Preferably with no pink elephants.

XXXXX

MDF: Well, there's another chapter, and a dozy. The reason Itachi was given the alcohol is because Rosemerta didn't know what it was, exactly. And she was more then glad to finally be rid of the stuff, not to mention Itachi just gives off an... Adult air.

I had to get Itachi drunk sometime during this whole escapade, so this was the scene where it happened. It was required, just because. Next, Sasuke gets to see Hogwarts, and who did I force into coming as well? I highly doubt you'll need more then two guesses.