Have a good December!

Edit: If you're seeing a 'new/updated chapter warning, I'm removing a spoiler I now realize should have been a PM.'

Naruto thought Firenze's method of teaching was interesting, but not his comments about human abilities. Sure, there were things that Centaurs likely had right, but humans probably had things right that centaurs proudly overlooked. But his comment on war seemed spot on the money, whatever form of money was used. Naruto wondered if the centaurs got news of the Wizarding world, or if it was true divination. But the centaur had one thing right; even the future could be wrong or change. Naruto knew that from personal experience.

Chakra lessons were progressing well now. Ron and a couple other students had finally sensed their chakra. In return, instead of only exercising and sparring, they also spent time in class learning how to mold their chakra. Ron figured out how to push chakra out, but hadn't yet found out how to hold it there for the tree-climbing exercise.

If it wasn't for the doomsday knoll the teachers were ringing daily, Naruto would have tried more to mend the bond between his Gryffindor friends. However, written exams scared Naruto, and he wasn't sure if he was ready for Ordinary Wizarding Level tests. For a moment, he wondered how those three words spelled owl; then he remembered he automatically translated languages and went with it.

Naruto's act in the Inquisitorial Squad was still flowing smoothly. Week after week, Naruto escorted the DA out, but Harry and the others refused to mend their friendship. Then one day, Umbridge passed a bill that allowed her to interrogate any and all students. Naruto figured that she wanted to use more Veritaserum to get DA members to blab, and tried to swap it out. However, upon entering, Naruto noticed a cat leave its portrait. Figuring that it went to warn Umbridge, Naruto decided not to risk getting the potion and instead left a note suggesting that Moaning Myrtle's bathroom could be a potential meeting place. But Naruto knew it was a matter of time before she caught a DA member with the potion.

Naruto tried everything he could to warn Harry. However, the only class he could get close to them in was Care of Magical Creatures, and Umbridge was always there, making Hagrid perform poorly and get credited worse. The mirror was still blocked to him, and Naruto didn't dare try to leave a note that somebody else could see and confiscate. So Naruto planned on warning Harry at the end of the next DA meeting, four days away.

But Naruto wasn't that lucky. The afternoon before the meeting, Naruto's badge started talking to him. "All members of the Inquisitorial Squad, report to Professor Umbridge's office... IMMEDIATELY!" the badge repeated over and over. Naruto got an easy release from Charms, but the badge didn't quiet down until he was in Umbridge's classroom, outside her office. It was so annoying, Naruto considered removing the charm. But if he showed up without it whining, Umbridge might suspect something.

Naruto wasn't the first to arrive, but who was there shocked him. Cho, the girl who liked Harry and might like Naruto, was sitting at the desk, tied up, the word SNEAK on her forehead, and her wand removed to the Umbridge's side of the desk. She told! Naruto realized. I hope I can still warn Harry.

"Hello, Inquisitorial Squad," Umbridge began. "Today, I invited Cho in for a cup of tea." Yeah right! Naruto thought. "While we chatted, she admitted to a secret meeting among the other houses, led by Harry Potter. To our luck, their meeting is to be held in one hour. I plan on apprehending them fifteen minutes after they begin."

Quite a few IS members cheered at that news. "May I help?" Naruto asked. "My Shadow Clones can get there faster, and I could capture them all with my chakra abilities." Truthfully, he was planning to warn them, them claim they burst his clones and escaped.

"That will not do," Umbridge said. "What if there are stragglers to the meeting? What if they stop your clones? I also think Cornelius would want to be there. No, we will be there after everybody's in, and we will be there in full strength. And to be sure that they don't fight back..." Umbridge turned to her guest, "... we will be taking miss Chang with us."

So Naruto spent an hour trying to find a way to warn Harry. Unfortunately, he couldn't do anything without at least one other person noticing. I can't believe it, but the pink blimp got me on this one! Naruto thought. I'll have to see if I can do something during or after the battle.

Unfortunately, there was no battle. Umbridge led the Inquisitorial Squad, with Cho in front of her, all the way to the Room of Requirement on schedule. Passing it three times, the doors appeared, but bolted. "Bombarda Maxima," she intoned multiple times. Blast after blast, the doors sagged, then bent, then blew open. When the dust cleared, Naruto saw Harry and his friends near the middle, with the DA positioned on the outside of the room behind pillars or other defended hiding places, hoping for an easy ambush. But Umbridge didn't enter. Instead, she shoved her wand to Cho's neck. While Naruto didn't know if she had it in her, or what she had in mind, Harry took the bait. Rather than risk Cho, he and the DA surrendered.

"Take their wands," Umbridge said, "and make sure there's nothing else they'e hiding here. We'll be taking Harry Potter and his friends to the Headmaster, while the rest of these students wait for their punishment in the Great Hall." With that command, the more rough Slytherins bound the DA members and started hauling them into a single file line while the rest searched the room. One of them, Pansy Parkinson, grabbed the sign-up sheet from the wall and gave it to Umbridge.

Naruto quickly got to Harry, making sure he was the one securing him. Naruto took his wand and put it in Naruto's Wand Case, strapped to his leg. But while his knots looked impressive, they were actually easily undone. "Don't worry," Naruto whispered, "I'll see what I can do. Don't break free unless you have to." Harry glared back, but apparently knew Naruto had something in mind.

After a quick march, they got to Dumbledore's office. The password today was 'Fizzing Whizzbee', whatever that was. Inside, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Cornelius Fudge, a redheaded young man, Kingsley, and an unknown man. Fudge looked pretty delighted for Harry to be there. "Well well. Can you tell us why we are here?"

Naruto noticed Dumbledore signal Harry. "Ye-uh-no," was what came out of Harry's mouth. It took everything Naruto had not to react to such a bad cover-up.

"So you don't know why you're here?" Fudge prodded. Harry agreed. "Broke any school rules?" Harry shook his head. "How about any Ministry Decrees?" Again a no. Naruto didn't know what was worse; Harry's acting, or Fudge falling for it. "So you don't know that an illegal organization of students was discovered?"

"There is?" Harry asked, trying to fool everyone.

"How about," Umbridge tried, "a meeting back in October, in the Hog's Head, in which I overheard Harry preparing to organize a group to learn spells and curses unfit for their age group..."

"I believe you missed a point," Dumbledore spoke up. "The decree which you are referring to was set in place in November. That get-together in the Hog's Head was not, at the time, illegal."

That point struck hard at the Ministry people, but Umbridge recovered. "That may be true. However, all meetings since then are illegal."

"I see you are under the impression," Dumbledore said, "that there have been other meetings before this one." While the Ministry's jaws dropped, Naruto noticed Kingsley cast a silent spell. "Do you have evidence for that statement?"

"Evidence," Umbridge's voice went pretty high. "That's why Miss Chang is here."

"Then why don't we ask her?" Dumbledore asked. He then turned to her. "Miss Chang, have there been any meetings between tonight and at the Hog's Head?" Cho shook her head no. "Now, to be clear, there have been no gatherings or meetings since six months ago at the Hog's Head?" Cho nodded yes this time.

"That may be true," Umbridge tried to regain control of the issue, "but there was a meeting tonight. Myself and the Inquisitorial Squad arrived after the meeting started, and managed to apprehend all the participants. Inside the room, we found this paper." With that, she pulled it out of her pocket and showed it to Dumbledore. "On it, are the names of every member of this meeting."

Dumbledore knew it would be hard to get Harry out of trouble for this one. But skimming the paper in her hand... "I see the game is up. Would you like a written confession, or a statement before all these witnesses?"

"Uh, wha?" Fudge and Umbridge asked.

"Look at the name of the group," Dumbledore noted. "It's not Potter's Army, but Dumbledore's Army." Naruto figured it out what felt likes minutes before Fudge did, and didn't like how Dumbledore was playing out Harry's safety. "However, I don't feel like, how do you say it, coming quietly. There's been some research I wanted to do, things to see, there's many things I'd rather do than wither away in Azkaban."

Fudge somehow caught on to this statement faster than Dumbledore's Army. He quickly ordered Kingsley and the man named Dawlish to stop Dumbledore. They tried to blast Dumbledore with magic, but he redirected it. Since a spell was coming close, Naruto pushed his prisoner Harry down and lay on top of him. "Don't break out now," Naruto whispered to him. "Dumbledore's trying to save your skin." After a few seconds, the battle was over. When Naruto helped Harry up and out of the ropes, he saw that all but them, Professor McGonagall, and Dumbledore were passed out. Naruto then turned to Dumbledore. "Kingsley didn't have to use a memory altering charm. The Veritaserum wore off at least half an hour ago."

"Maybe," Dumbledore stated, "but we didn't know that." He then turned to everybody. "When they wake, act as if no time had passed. Professor McGonagall, make sure the students are safe. Harry, you do not know how important it is for you to study Occlumency. You must do it, every night."

"Can I come with you?" Naruto asked. "My name's on that list too. If Fudge and Umbridge read it and see that I'm a double-crosser..."

"... Hmmm... I can't destroy it, nor take it from them without them thinking no time has passed... Yes, you may. However, I ask that you remain at Headquarters, and don't try to get into contact with Harry."

"Deal!" Naruto said.

Soon, the Ministry people began to stir. The red bird then got off its perch and started circling overhead. Dumbledore whispered, "Lunge at me in five, four..." Naruto got the message. When the clock reached zero, Naruto lunged. His hand caught hold of Dumbledore's chest as he lifted his hands above him and yanked his pet's tail-feathers. The bird took fire, which enfolded the two of them, and they reappeared on a high mountain.

"Brrr!," Naruto shivered. The mountain was incredibly cold. "Why are we on this mountain?" He then had a thought, "Did that bird just give us a blue dart?"

"This is the location of Fawkes' original nest," Dumbledore revealed, "before I climbed here and won his loyalty. When in pain and danger, and away from home, phoenixes can burst into fire to ward away enemies before teleporting to their nest. However, this starts their life cycle over," Dumbledore mused, pulling a baby bird out of the snow. "Now, if you will take my hand, I'll escort you to headquarters."

Eager to get off the snow peak, Naruto took Dumbledore's hand. A quick Apparation, and they were at Order HQ. After conjuring up clothes and other necessities for Naruto, as well as explaining things to Sirius, Dumbledore left to an unexplained location.

The Headquarters were dull and boring, Naruto was fighting against going stir crazy. He almost lost it when he learned he missed Harry Floo-talking. He tried to distract himself by exploring. At first, it was interesting, especially the time it took to befriend Buckbeak. But he then ran into a nastily jinxed artifact. After that, Naruto took no risks. Dumbledore would occasionally drop in, as well as other Order members, but they didn't reveal what they or Harry were up to.

Then one afternoon, Naruto was late to dinner. He hadn't seen Sirius around that day, but it wasn't uncommon for him to sneak out as a dog for a stretch. As he passed the main room, he heard a voice. "Master will not return from the Department of Mysteries!" the voice shouted. Naruto recognized it; Kreacher was talking to somebody. Naruto leaned his head against the door to listen in. He head Harry's voice start to exclaim before suddenly stopping. Naruto quickly entered the room, Kunai ready. Kreacher was facing the fireplace, but was startled by Naruto's entrance.

Naruto understood what happened and what was said. He knew Harry would try something reckless. That's what Naruto would have done himself, and he wanted to help. But first, he made a Shadow Clone to tell the Order what was going on. Reaching into the pot on the fireplace mantel, Naruto scooped out some green powder. "Gryffindor Common Room!" Naruto practically shouted after the green fire lit up. Careful of how to step in, Naruto managed to ride the fire properly this time. However, Harry wasn't there, nor his friends. Thinking, Naruto realized why Harry got cut off. "Don't tell me..." Naruto muttered before running off. He had lots of ground to cover before he could reach the third floor and Umbridge's Office, and Harry was already in trouble. Surprisingly unarmed, Naruto sent a Shadow Clone to get his supplies from his Common Room.

When he got to Umbridge's, he was surprised at what he saw. Harry's close friends were fighting off IS members. Ginny got Malfoy bad by turning his boogers into bats. While distracted, Naruto ran in and stunned all his fellow Slytherins. "Sorry I'm late, I came as soon as I could." Naruto told them. "Awesome spell Ginny, can you teach it to me? Wait a minute... where's Harry?"

"Right there," Luna noted. She was pointing out the open window. Harry and Hermione were leading Umbridge along the school grounds. "How will we catch up to them?" Luna asked.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" was Naruto's answer. Three Shadow Clones appeared, then each Naruto picked up a student, climbed out the window, and wall walked them to the school grounds. After setting everyone down, the clones dispersed.

"Blimey!" Ron swore. "That is one good shortcut!"

"While we were descending," Luna commented, "Harry was heading towards the lake."

With ninja speed, Naruto took the lead, intent on rescuing Harry. However, something happened before he got there. Harry and Hermione had walked into the shallows near Naruto's project. While Naruto closed in, mermaids rose, screeching Umbridge's name. They used kelp ropes to secure Umbridge, before dragging her down with them. "Hey Mermaid King!" Naruto called out to him before he submerged. "You're not gonna kill her, are you?"

"Kill, Umbridge with lack of air, we will not," the King revealed. "Delivered, punishment of Umbridge, must be done. Later, Umbridge to land, we will bring." With that declaration, the King turned fin and dove.

Naruto saw the looks on Harry and Hermione's faces towards the lake. "Don't worry about Umbridge. They'll release her, in a bit..."

"How did you get here?" Hermione asked. "Did Dumbledore bring you back?"

"No," Naruto denied, "I came by Floo. I overheard part of Harry's call, and knew you were in trouble. I helped bust your friends on the way down." Naruto pointed to Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Ron, who were slowing to a walk.

"We were doing fine," Ron insisted. "But Naruto did help us a bit. Does You-Know-Who have..."

"Yes!" Harry told him. "But how are we going to get to London?"

At this point, Naruto's clone returned with his Ninja tools. As he dispelled, Naruto and Luna noticed something over the horizon by the forest; a Thestral. Luna spoke up about it, "We fly of course!"

This may be it until well after New Years. Sorry!

I really wanted Naruto to stay and help Fred and George prank, but couldn't do much else with the missing time slot, nor have Naruto remind him to use Sirius' mirror to contact Sirius. Also, him interacting with Cho right now didn't feel quite right...

Important Review Responses: (Thanks for the warm welcome!)

PirateQueen890/Catze86: I think there are two types of Fanfics: ripples and splashes. With ripples, minor adjustments are made, even as small as putting one character in a different world. While ripples start small, the can grow to upset the entire pond. However, unless the ripples grow, the fic will mostly follow the storyline with no differences of major interest. Splashes break or majorly change elements, like having a God-like Naruto powerful enough to make Sun Superman beg for mercy. Or have a major gender/personality change to few/all characters (bimbo hermione who doesn't help Harry figure things out, friendly fem-Malfoy who is Harry's future wife, etc). Or have it take place outside the normal, recorded storyline. These are interesting because they are different, but can turn people off from the story by how badly it destroyed the original characters or storyline. I consider myself a growing ripple person.

LordRalh80: Three people outside the Namikaze line can use the Rasengan compared to the two in it, and Fukasaku observed Jiraiya use it while in Sage Mode enough times to understand its theory. That theory allowed Dumbledore to discover how Naruto could better use magic with his Rasengan. (If only Naruto opened that book...). Also, hopefully my companion book clarified how much of this jutsu is being used, and hope it satisfied you.

Catze86: Like I said above, I'm not a splash fic writer, but a growing ripple. As such, I have never seen Naruto go power-hungry. Nor have I seen him completely abandon close friends (not even village traitors from his own team or Ice-wielding bad-guy companions) and try to fit in with sleazes like Malfoy. He's not trying to take over the world and reformat it to his own opinion (I'm pretty sure the end of Naruto proved that), he's making friends and teaching individuals who are willing to listen how to become better (all filler arcs and individuals involved in missions show that). I admit that ripples can be boring; just wait until more ripples stir up the water. Then this fic may be more to your liking.

Konohamaya Uzumaki: Nice name, what's the translation? Just one more chapter until your desire. I may have to split the fight into two or three, then have to finish the book with boring explanations and end-of-year events, with one cliffhanger for Half-Blood Prince...

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka, and have a Jolly Holiday everyone!

AnonymousGX