Chapter 3: Checkmate

It was on Friday that two reiatsus appeared in the ice captain's radar, one familiar while the other accompanying it was new. Having just finished in fixing a small meal for Mrs. Figg who awakened at a later hour than him, the ice captain shunpoed himself to the window, spotting two figures standing before the Dursleys' home. Narrowing his teal orbs, Toshiro exited his gigai, whispering an Invisibility Spell as he stood before the two, a suitable distance away in mid-air but not out of earshot.

The man was Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. Appearing slightly more haggard than the ice captain had recalled, Toshiro presumed that the previous two years had been an eventful one, considering the work needed to convince the Western Wizarding World that the Dark Lord had not risen and that the Boy Who Lived had gone mad. Oh, so busy.

Beside the minister was a short woman who was only taller than the ice captain by the volume of her mousy brown hair, adjourned with a pleading ebony bow that seemed to call out for help in the typhoon of which was the woman's hair. Her face was broad and flabby, orbs a sickly green, her fat lips colored with a rich pink. But it was rather, the woman was covered in the color. From her dress, coat, shoes, purse, and even fingernails; it was all pink.

She reminds me of the wads of bubble gum that Yachiru would spit out when she discovered that they weren't candy. Toshiro thought as he scanned the woman, who smiled widely. Fat, sticky and disgusting.

Normally, I would scold you for thinking such a thing of a lady, Master. Hyorinmaru began as he sent a glance at the woman. But I think I'll let this one slide. She looks like a swollen thumb…a really big one…

Let me see! Sephiroth cried as he got a look at the woman. …I don't think even my magic can fix that… my eyes…

Enough. Toshiro silenced his ice dragons, although mirth colored his eyes as he turned to the two before him, which began to speak.

"I-I'm not sure about this, Dolores." Fudge spoke as he gazed past the ice captain and to the house. "W-What if others hear of this matter? I would be run out of my office if we are found out, Dolores!"

"Cornelius." The woman which the captain presumed to be Dolores, her voice sickly honeyed, as if sweetened to the point of it being poisoned. "If we can pull this off effectively, Mr. Potter will not speak of the nonsense he has been spouting all this time. Then it will be easier to resolve this mess."

Sighing for moment to contemplate, the minister conceded with a nod.

"Very well, Dolores." Fudge sighed as he replaced his bowler hat. "Release the Dementors later into the day, we cannot allow Harry Potter's words to outspread any longer."

Dementors? Toshiro thought as his glare intensified. How dare you go against our orders, Cornelius Fudge. Do you wish to plunge all of your world into the depths of Hell so easily over your fear of a mere insect?

Calm yourself, Master. Hyorinmaru growled, as he too was angered with a just as furious Sephiroth, indicated with a low growl. We cannot make the first move. If we do, the move may be too costly for us at the moment.

Biting back his anger internally, the ice captain continued to watch in silence.

The woman grinned evilly, as she nodded, sickly green orbs glinting as if to say 'glad that you see things my way', unaware of the icy teal orbs that watched her closely. "Yes, Cornelius."

And with a loud crack, the Minister of Magic was gone. Following a moment later, the woman too made herself scarce.

So, she is the true 'minister' of the Ministry of Magic. Toshiro thought as he shunpoed away, back into his temporary bedroom and his gigai. If there are others like her in the Ministry of Magic manipulating Fudge like that, then it's no wonder that he is a bumbling fool that nods yes whenever he is threatened. He is worse than a figurehead.

I agree, Master. Hyorinmaru growled. If he was a figurehead, then we could have done away with him easily. But he is not without personal gains, only too ignorant to see past it.

Ignorance is death. Sephiroth hissed as an idea seemed to occur to the ice dragon as the Master and the elder dragon sent him surprised but approving glances. But, perhaps we can use that to our advantage… after all, we are adverse at teaching these young souls of what a mistake it may be to hole themselves in such a delusion… correct, Master?

In a smile that would have sent a chill down the Head Captain's spine, the ice captain agreed only too whole-heartedly. I believe the Head Captain would not mind if I reaped more souls than usual.

Toshiro was dubbed the ice captain for several reasons. The most obvious, was because of his zanpakuto which was the strongest ice and water zanpakuto in Soul Society, one that he wielded with pride. Another, is one that his lieutenant can account for was his impression and behavior towards anyone other than select few. Indifferent, icy, and merciless; the ice captain was indeed exactly that. A captain-class shinigami that embodied the very element he wielded. But the most obvious inquiry anyone could have taken was, apparently, not very obvious to the wizards.

Cursing in a multitude of languages, Toshiro glared darkly at the enormous yellow star in the sky that everyone called the sun, which blared it's rays blithely, seemingly oblivious to the ice captain's darkened mood.

I hate summer. Toshiro snarled, as he donned a collared ebony polo with torn navy jeans, finished with his favored pair of boots; his bone-white locks drooped lower than usual, only obscuring his teal orbs even more. Why anyone would want to be outside at this weather is either a madman or a moronic lunatic. Potter, being Exhibit A.

Sending a look to the fifteen-year-old boy who was seated on a swing despite the weather reaching the mid-90s, not that any temperature below freezing was what the ice captain had considered comfortable or anything; Toshiro spotted a group of boys near Potter, the largest and fattest one in the lead, with a ridiculous sneer on his face.

So, this is the infamous Dudley Dursley that Potter had so kindly informed me of. Toshiro thought as he rose an eyebrow, not that he had asked the question in the first place to be informed of such. The initial subject was Granger's question as to how many siblings, if he had any, the ice captain had in his large family. In consideration of the topic, the ice captain replied with having two sisters, considering Hinamori really was his adopted sister and Yachiru, who appeared even younger than him. But the subject had led them through the household of Weasleys', then the empty Granger's, then Potter's dreadful cousin.

Apparently, Dursley spouted insults of Potter's nightmares, then only to trail off into the topic of his mother and her death, effectively making Potter snap to the point of pointing his wand at his cousin, although the ice captain could only note that the revered 'Chosen One' was as oblivious as ever.

As if the venomed barb of his parents was not obvious enough.

But there was no time for such thoughts as the weather suddenly grew dark, much to Toshiro's relief, as if to say 'finally.' Noting the white figure that was nearing him from the cumulus clouds that seemed to form out of nowhere, the ice captain paid no heed to the sudden downpour as he shunpoed to where he sensed the Dementors, finding himself under a cement bridge, the passageway lit by a row of aged road lights on the opposing walls.

Two of them. Toshiro narrowed his teal orbs as he gauged the distance that Potter and his cousin were from him. I have two minutes, more than enough.

Undoing the invisibility spell, the ice captain allowed his reiatsu to leak slightly, as the Dementors appeared, the scent of the captain's reiatsu too tempting to pass up in. "Let's finish this quickly."

Lifting a hand, the ice captain incanted with almost sardonic ease as he pointed with two fingers. "Way of Destruction: No. 31: Red Fire Cannon."

And with a lithe twist of his wrist, the other Dementor was just as easily snuffed out, leaving a rather large collection of souls, a majority of them going through hollowfication as the ice captain merely sighed at the number.

It seems that this Dolores woman really has it out for Potter. Toshiro grumbled as he unsheathed Hyorinmaru, throwing the crescent blade at the nearest hollow, breaking it's mask immediately. Sending the two most hungry Dementors at a fourteen-year-old. That's like sending Kenpachi and Kurotsuchi to discipline a Fourth Division member that spilled coffee. Simply downright cruel.

Says the one who gave Soifon a Boggart. Hyorinmaru poked playfully as Toshiro visibly scowled slightly as he kicked another Hollow, breaking through the mask with ease as he sent his limb into a roundhouse kick, taking down another three hollows.

And the one who sent a Howler on their own lieutenant just to yell at her. Sephiroth noted as well, as if it had nothing to do with him, a playful tone echoing in his icy voice as Toshiro backflipped away from a Hollow that grew a little close.

Tch. Toshiro tsked as he sent a silent Kido spell at the last Hollow, annoyed as he replied. I was merely assisting my fellow colleague in her field of work and disciplining Matsumoto for not doing her paperwork.

Yes, Master. The ice dragons said in unison with ample mirth as the said master growled.

"H-Hitsugaya?"

Turning at the sound of his name, the ice captain found a rain-soaked Harry and Dudley, who looked at his cousin stupidly confused as to who Harry was talking to; whether it was due to the fact that he was a Muggle or that the fat oaf lacked the reiatsu to see much of anything. Smirking lightly, the ice captain took a good look of the Boy Who Lived and his cousin before speaking, sheathing Hyorinmaru.

"It's been two years, Potter." Toshiro said, as a ghost of a smirk remained on his lips. "I presume they have been eventful ones?"

"Y-Yeah." Harry replied dumbly as thoughts raced in his mind, blurting one immediately. "What are you doing here?"

The ice captain considered for a moment before replying.

"That is irrelevant at the moment, Potter." Toshiro replied as his small smirk disappeared, replaced with his usual stern and indifferent glare as two dark reiatsus entered his radar once more. "You and your cousin need to get out of here. Now. And Potter, whatever happens, you are not to leave your cousin's house."

Grabbing both boys, the ice captain ignored their protests, effectively silencing them with his usual icy glare that only Potter was able to see, Dudley nonetheless silenced, as he Apparated them to their summer home, both boys dropped in a disheveled heap, the fatter one a bit harder than Potter, as the latter turned to face the ice captain only to find an icy wind in his stead, ignoring his wailing cousin who landed on his 'handsome' face.

Within the home across the street, the ice captain, returned into his gigai, turned slowly to Mrs. Figg who had undoubtedly came to call him to have dinner, freezing in her steps as the boy before her spoke in a stern and commanding manner.

"Mrs. Figg, may I ask you accompany me for a moment?"

That was not a question. The elderly Squib realized as she nodded, taking the ice captain's outstretched hand as they disappeared from the house, leaving nothing to indicate their disappearance other than the outspread of freshly made cookies and warmed tea.

Lupin sighed as he appeared with the rest of the Advance Guard in the dead of night, landing quietly as he dismounted his broom, the others doing the same as they gathered to the front lawn of the Dursley family home, which was void of all but his former student. Smiling softly at the memory of students, the werewolf found himself on a student he hadn't seen in two years, and from what others have told him, neither had anyone else.

Despite helping them, the transfer known as Toshiro Hitsugaya was an enigma. Other than his origins of being from an Eastern representative, Lupin was saddened to say that he did not know anymore than then he wished of the boy, other than what he wanted him to know, which was less than what he currently held knowledge of.

Shaking aside the past, Lupin focused upon his current task.

With Moody in the front, they all neared the home, only to find themselves repelled back with a electrifying shock of yellow sparks, Moody and Tonks receiving the brunt of it as the werewolf and Kingsley pulled them back, taking in some sparks. Before the four of them could even compose themselves to figure out what the hell they ran into, the six of them found themselves pinned to the cold pavement they stood on moments before, held down by a soft ruby light as a figure appeared before them, with familiar teal orbs that Lupin knew well.

With crossed arms, the icy transfer appeared no different than he did two years ago, to the werewolf's surprise as he called out, recognizing those teal orbs anywhere. The said orbs narrowed over him as the transfer had donned simple clothing under a black hood that seemed to cloak over his shoulders that ended at his midsection, an ebony button-down over a pair of torn faded, grey jeans ending with combat boots, as a loud snap was heard; the weight over the six wizards and witches lifted.

"Well, this is an unexpected arrival." Hitsugaya deadpanned, as he found four wands pointed at him, not even sending them a glance as he studied the members of the Guard carefully.

One of the women was a quiet woman with a spark of ferocity in her light brown orbs, donned in velvety violet robes, her shoulder-length frazzle of hair held back by several ebony headbands. Emmeline Vance.

The other woman was a young one, her orbs dark but twinkling with mischief, face heart-shaped as spiky purple locks jutted from her head. Dressed in dark robes, the ice captain noted the many colored beads and exotic jewelry, concluding that the woman was by no means simple, but rather playful if anything. Nymphadora Tonks.

Beside her was a tall black wizard, his shoulders broad as azul and deep purple robes hung over his frame, a beaded hat over his bald head. Kingsley Shacklebolt.

The last to wield a wand at him was an aged wizard, his head bald other than the white tufts on his temporal, a dark frown marring his face as he wore dark robes like the others. Elphias Doge.

Turning away from the wands with a soft snort, the ice captain found the knowing orbs of an odd wizard and the shocked orbs of a Remus Lupin on his form, the ice captain merely regarding them with fractionally narrowed orbs.

The werewolf had not changed much in the previous years, other than the fact that the ice captain was able to note several other thin scratches on his face and the thin mustache he currently sported. Narrowing at the other wizard who appeared to be to leader, Toshiro regarded him carefully. Covered in what Toshiro could only identify as battle scars having received his fair share, the blonde-haired man had a chunk of his nose ripped off once upon a time ago, however, was taken off in attention to the wizard's eyes. One small and darkened grey, the other was a eccentric electric blue, held in place with a leather strap and a gold socket over his face. Dressed ruggedly, the ice captain merely rose an eyebrow at his appearance, noting the wooden leg.

Professor Lupin and Alastor Moody. Toshiro identified. Otherwise known as 'Mad-Eye' by his peers. He's the only one not surprised to see me. Dumbledore must have informed him that I was here. And yet, he didn't bother to send me a heads up, did he?

I think you can forgive him with what you did to the wizards and witches here, Master. Hyorinmaru growled playfully as the ice captain allowed a ghost of a smile to color his face. After all, you were the one who had asked Dumbledore to provide you with a list of the members of the Order.

It was more like demanded. Sephiroth corrected as the ice captain huffed.

"You must be the boy that Albus mentioned to me before we left, aren't you, son?" Moody said, as he neared the boy who darkened at the choice of words, as the wizard nodded off the wands. "Brilliant and smarter than any student that he was ever seen, adverse in magic from both sides of the world, East and West."

"Toshiro Hitsugaya." The said person introduced himself as he allowed the barrier to break with a snap of his fingers, shattering like glass as the wizards and witches stepped back, startled other than Moody and Lupin, who beamed at his student, holding back any questions for later as the captain spoke. "We have time for questions later. I presume you are here for Potter and are going to take him to Headquarters?"

"Correct, Hitsugaya." Lupin nodded as he and Moody nodded for the other four to enter the home, the strangely-eyed wizard limping after them before glancing at the ice captain, leaving the former professor with his student.

Turning to him immediately, Lupin questioned.

"Hitsugaya, how are you here?" Lupin voiced, a gentle smile on his lips as he looked the youthful captain.

"I prefer to explain where there are no prying parties, Lupin." Toshiro nodded. "I do not like to repeat myself more than necessary, seeing as the Headmaster is most likely expecting me to present with Potter."

"Very well, Hitsugaya." Lupin nodded in return, his expression serious. "Do you have a broom handy to follow?"

The ice captain gave a short nod as the sound of unanswered questions rang in their ears, the boy the said questions originated from stopping as he caught sight of his cohort and former Professor, bounding over to them immediately with the Advance Guard on his heels. Before he could open his mouth, Harry found himself silenced with a dark glare from Hitsugaya, who looked like he was thoroughly annoyed for the night for anymore questions.

"To undoubtably answer some of the questions you've had for the past four days;" Toshiro began as he summoned his Nimbus 2001 and Harry's Firebolt to which the boy caught haphazardly, the others of the guard doing the same. "We are going to take you to Headquarters, Potter. So, just keep up."

With a flirty wink shot at him from Tonks, the Boy Who Lived blinked confusedly as he watched the ice captain and the Advance Guard take off into the skies, before doing the same, glancing at the a certain witch's interchanging hair every so often with a stupid look on his face.

Children. Toshiro muttered darkly as he shunpoed slowly, leaving the wizards and witches in his wake. I'm back to dealing with children.

Landing, the ice captain scanned his surroundings, putting away his broom with a simple spell.

The said Headquarters was 12 Grimmauld Place, apparently the ancestral home of the Black family, currently owned by Sirius Black. The home was hidden with magic, of course, in-between the 11th and 13th home respectively, easily seen through by the captain but to regular mortals, it simply was not there. Identical to the lofts that it neighbored, Toshiro kept his thoughts to himself as he awaited his company. The place was several floors tall, the entrance dank as they entered; Harry in the front as ushered by Moody. The boy stood dumbly in the hallway as the adult members of the Order passed him, the ice captain being the last as he scanned the House of Black. The hallway was darkly-lit, the walls painted an aging purple as busts of Home Elves decorated the hall, leading to an elongated table behind a beaded curtain and a stairway leading to the top floors.

Walking past the stairway, the ice captain walked past the beaded curtain, as he was met with shocked and confused expressions, some concealing it better than others: McGonagall, Snape, Black, Moody, Shacklebolt, Lupin, Tonks, Fletcher, and the parents of the Weasley name.

"Mr. Hitsugaya." McGonagall addressed the ice captain with a surprised look, gesturing the boy to take a seat who obliged as Harry was ushered upstairs, the meeting paused for a moment to observe their unexpected guest. "What in heavens' name are you doing here? And why for that matter?"

"Minerva." Lupin spoke as he seated himself, all present doing the same as Mrs. Weasley returned, sealing all entrances and exits promptly behind her. "I think some introductions are in order first."

Regaining her composure, the witch cleared her throat.

"This is Hogwarts' first transfer student as of two years ago, Toshiro Hitsugaya of the House of Yamamoto, a student from Japan who came to learn Western magic as of two years ago. Ever since the end of his third-year, Mr. Hitsugaya had ceased contact with us until now." McGonagall introduced her student who nodded slightly at her before he turned his icy orbs to his audience, scanning before he he found one person that was missing, raising an eyebrow.

Dumbledore is not present. Toshiro stated flatly as he stood, bowing lightly before he regained his initial position, seating himself as he ignored the odd looks he received for greeting the strangers in the room.

"As Professor McGonagall has said, I have returned to the Western Wizarding World for two reasons." The ice captain addressed his audience, his voice cold and intimidating. "With the request of Professor Snape and the Headmaster, I have come back to England to attend Hogwarts for my fifth year. But along with this, I have also received orders from my grandfather to attend Hogwarts, which are not negotiable in any standard."

"The Ministry of Magic has already approved of my reentry into the school, as I will be meeting with Minister Fudge of this detail in another time." Toshiro finished as he glanced at Snape, who nodded as he spoke.

"The Headmaster has also deemed it fit to have Hitsugaya enter the Order."

Heads snapped to the ice captain before turning to the Potions Master, who regarded them just as darkly as Toshiro, who too expected this reaction as Mrs. Weasley was the first to speak.

"What was that?" The ginger-haired woman exclaimed, the ice captain whispering several silencing charms around the room, receiving glances from a glass orb and a darkened one. "He's just a child, and you are allowing him into the Order?! The boy looks no more than twelve years old and you're allowing him entry into an organization for overaged wizards?!"

Don't kill her. Don't kill her. Don't kill her. God dammit. Can I?

No, you can't, Master…

Well, not yet, at least.

Sephiroth, who's side are you on?

Yours, elder. The younger dragon assured as he turned back to their master. You can't kill her, Master.

"Severus," McGonagall spoke carefully. "No matter how brilliant, Mr. Hitsugaya may be, if we allow him to enter the Order; he is only a boy, not a weapon; even though he is more than adept than usual at using his wand."

…Elder, can I kill them?

No. Have patience, we cannot go around killing the group of people who are the only chance to combat Voldemort.

"Molly, Hitsugaya is a child but you heard Dumbledore." Black argued as the ice captain's mood began to darken at the fact that they were arguing at the baseless fact that he was a child. "He is advanced in Eastern and Western magic, along with wielding his blade, that it is arguable that is better defended than the rest of us!"

"That includes you, Black." Snape snapped as the fugitive glared darkly a sharp retort on his lips.

"Intelligence does not outweigh the fact that he is a mere child, Sirius! And what kind of mother or father allows a child to be swinging around a measly blade?!" Molly shot back as the room seemed to erupt in arguments.

…Elder?

…Let's kill her… But just her…

No. We cannot go off and lop off the mother of the Weasleys. Weasley would not be pleased as an understatement.

Our condolences. Now, can we kill her?

One against the other, arguing of this and that; the wizards seemed oblivious as the ice captain's darkening glare caught a mismatched one, which nodded and caught the ice captain's irritation with an amused nod before he slammed his cane on the table, silencing and garnering their attention.

"Before we whip out our wands and threaten each others' hides," Moody hissed as he limped over to Toshiro's side. "Perhaps, we should ask the boy in question. Son?"

"The fact that I am a child is not a problem." Toshiro growled out as he allowed his glare to be icier than usual; making several flinch as the captain continued, not allowing others to counter. "I have studied and have mastered Charms and Potions beyond the level of a Hogwarts graduate, able to summon wandless magic with expertise as of my native language, and masterful in wielding my blade in dispelling my opponents." Pawn by pawn.

"However, Mrs. Weasley and Professor McGonagall, allow me to inform you, or remind you." Toshiro continued, ignoring the widened looks at his audience. "I am known as Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro of the Tenth Division, with two-hundred men and women under my command. I have trained and worked hard for my position as one of the leaders of my society, and I will not allow your concerns to contradict my orders from my superior; or I would have to resort to more dire and unpleasant measures." Bishop and rook in place.

"And by these measures, Mr. Hitsugaya?" Professor McGonagall spoke, narrowing her eyes at the boy before them as he pulled down his shirt at the collar, revealing a golden chain. Allow opponent to know that they have a chance.

"As you recall, Professor McGonagall," Toshiro spoke, his teal orbs cold and icy as if he were regarding a bunch of rumbustious children, ignoring his ice dragons' call for blood. "I am under the possession of a Time-Turner. Would you like me to change the time of which I saved Potter from being persecuted by the Ministry's idiotic trap and allow the Ministry to eat him up like a rapid animal?" Before destroying it before their eyes.

It was if the very air in the atmosphere was frozen. None moved as the ice captain continued, a dark and small smirk on his lips. Check.

"I have modified the Time-Turner to work with greater leaps of time than a few hours, to a number of days." Toshiro explained, his words snide and biting. "Four days ago, Cornelius Fudge and another Ministry of Magic member came to Privet Drive, deciding to send Dementors after Potter and his cousin, in efforts to sabotage him into using Under-age Wizardry. But I was considerate enough to dispel them for him, seeing as your watchful eyes on Potter were so effective. But revoke my entry into the Order and with your idiotic reasoning; I would not have the same consideration towards the Boy Who Lived the second time." Prepare the queen.

"You're blackmailing us, Mr. Hitsugaya?" McGonagall stated incredulously.

"You wouldn't, Hitsugaya." Black spoke, shaking his head as he did so; grey orbs conflicted. "Don't bring Harry into this!" Countermeasure.

Eyes trailed to the ice captain who leveled with the fugitive with a raised eyebrow.

"Do not think for a moment that I am on your side, Black." Toshiro stated flatly, cold and indifferent. "I am a captain who is responsible for two hundred of my subordinates; I have priorities to which my orders precede all of them. My loyalty only holds over my society and only that. I have merely come here as I weighed my options." Assess situation. Make them aware of how helpless they truly are.

"Options, Captain Hitsugaya?" Snape questioned.

"But, of course." Toshiro stated with a light shrug. "In my third-year, I was only ordered to investigate and observe the Western World. But instead, I found it more beneficial to assist Black escape with his life, owing me a life debt; having a Time-Turner, and having a suitable influence in the Ministry. Rather than turning in Black for a crime he did not commit and allow the Dementors to slip from my grasp along with Pettigrew from his punishment." Allow them sight of the hidden knight.

"Peter?" Lupin spoke up. "Sirius told me that he escaped." Seeds of doubt.

"Is that what he said, Professor?" Shooting a glance at the fugitive who shrugged, the ice captain presumed that his sentence was too engrained into the Ministry to be lifted.

"No matter." Toshiro brushed aside as if it were nothing. "Pettigrew will no longer be a nuisance to us." Reveal.

Silence enveloped once more as the werewolf turned to his former student. "Did you…?"

The ice captain's unmoved glare was answer enough. Surround.

"And would you like me to inform you, how unfortunate it would be for you if I were to go rogue? Or struck a deal with Voldemort for that matter?" Toshiro stirred his tea cup, almost innocently; teal orbs twinkling. "With my brilliance and adept skill in Western magic, expertise in Eastern magic, and measly swording skills as you say; I will happily demonstrate for you and your children to remember just how measly and weak I am as you claim, to the grave." And remind your opponent who the hell they are dealing with.

Turning to Mrs. Weasley who was deathly pale, the ice captain rose an eyebrow under his hood. "Now, then. What is your decision, Mrs. Weasley?" Checkmate.