Chapter 7: Subtle Omens
Arriving at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, the ice captain boarded the train, having said his goodbyes to Urahara, Yoruichi, Tessai, Ukitake, and Matsumoto at the blonde's shop; sending each a glare to ensure that he arrived to London without any surprises save for his 'father' and the former Kido Master. Finding an empty compartment, Toshiro seated himself, pulling off his ebony jacket to reveal a charcoal collared shirt, sleeveless as a thin white bow hung limply at his collar hiding his two necklaces. Hands gloved with white fingerless leather, the captain pet Korihana's feathers fondly, her talons digging into his khaki pants that ended with combat boots. Hyorinmaru's Transfigured gigai gleamed in the caught sunlight as the door opened, a girl with dirty blonde hair entering.
The locks curled down to her mid-back, as grey orbs scanned the upside-down magazine in her hands, although appeared to be reading, wandered as if distracted as the orbs were framed with faint eyebrows. She wore a purple petticoat that appeared worn over a pair of jeans and appeared to not be wearing any shoes, as plum earrings dangled from her ears. Spotting a cork necklace at her throat, the ice captain merely rose an eyebrow at the girl, noting the light wooden wand at her ear. Unusual was a serious understatement.
"Oh, hello." She greeted as she smiled dreamily, her voice laced with slumber and whimsical to the ear. "I am Luna Lovegood of Ravenclaw."
"Toushirou Hitsugaya."
"Have you been stolen from nargles as well?"
The ice captain blinked as he rose an eyebrow. "Nargles?"
"Oh, yes." Luna nodded as she seated herself across the captain at the window, lowering her upside-down magazine that the ice captain read as The Quibbler. "They infest mistletoe and are mischievous thieves, but don't worry."
Pointing to her earrings and necklace, she smiled wider. "These keep the Nargles away, although my shoes have been taken just like your hair color. But don't fret too much, they'll give it back when they are done playing with it, just like the Slashkilters that Fudge has."
"…I see." Toshiro replied as she resumed reading her magazine, still upside-down.
I have a feeling that 'nargles' and 'slashkilters' are imaginary, elder. Sephiroth blinked as Hyorinmaru nodded, as the two dragons were just as baffled as their master. Setting aside the matter that was Luna Lovegood, Toshiro merely sighed as he pulled out a set of reports, reading as silence enveloped the compartment.
"This way, Neville; Ginny!"
"I'm coming!" With a slide of door, the ice captain found Harry, Neville, and Ginny entering the compartment as they greeted the captain who merely nodded at each before exchanging introductions with Luna, who had given the others the same impression as she continued to read The Quibbler upside-down.
Ignoring the overall conversations, the ice captain merely continued his paperwork, editing Matsumoto's curly and 'cute' script with a small frown. It was twenty minutes in, after the Hogwarts Express had left the station that Hermione and Ron had made their entrance in Harry's absence, having gone to the restrooms as both sported displeased frowns. Spotting this, Neville mirrored their expression before asking.
"What's wrong?"
"Guess who's the Prefects for bloody Slytherin?" Ron spat as he huffed on the seat beside his sister, who sat with Neville and the captain, as Hermione and Luna took the other.
"Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson." Hermione grumbled under her breath as the ice captain rose an eyebrow at the names before returning to his work. "This is not going to end well. What is Professor Dumbledore thinking, assigning them as prefects as well?"
"Interesting choices of prefects; yes, Granger." Toshiro nodded as he looked up at them, all eyes on him as he spoke. "But not exactly enough for you to be asking that question in such a way, Granger."
"And why is that?" Ginny asked, her blue eyes curious as all turned to the captain who shrugged.
"Power balancing, Weasley." Toshiro replied, as he gestured with his chin to Hermione and Ron. "Your brother and Granger are the prefects of Gryffindor this year, granting them to allow Potter and the rest of you some authority and; therefore, leeway. And by default, seeing as the three of them being friends is not exactly secret, there are going to be several persons displeased with that. So, to appease these and allow your brother and Granger to be prefects, so do Malfoy and Parkinson."
"Then why not, 'Arry and 'Mione as prefects; 'Gaya?" Ron cut in as he sent a thumb at the direction he had come from. "Why am I one?"
"Think for a minute, Weasley." Toshiro retorted as he sent a risen eyebrow. "Which is worse, Potter and Malfoy in the same compartment or you and Malfoy in the same compartment?"
Even Ron paled at the thought of his best friend in the same compartment as the blonde git of Slytherin. That was not going to end well at all. At least he had lasted twenty minutes with the git and that was with 'Mione sending him a glare every once in a while to discourage him from retaliating with his mouth. He didn't want think about what would happen otherwise.
"Point taken." Ron mumbled as he flopped on his seat, groaning that he was going to escort the 'little midgets called the First Years' as Harry entered, Ron filling him in as the captain ignored them once more, when a reiatsu neared the compartment.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Toshiro rolled his teal orbs as the zanpakuto and wand guardian shrugged, almost indifferent toward the blonde and the current predicament.
At least it will be interesting, Master. Sephiroth nodded as he continued. Although, Potter seems to be a bit more irritated than usual; considering the years he's had dealing with this other boy.
… It is an expected reaction, young one. Hyorinmaru said as he elaborated. The boy is not informed of anything, and yet he has proven himself more times than one that he is capable, even though it is just barely. Not to mention that he is young. If he is not led well and will not do so well himself, then, he will not last and…
Then, he will be the soul that I will reap. Toshiro finished, as he sensed Malfoy outside the door, glancing at Potter. Whether I want to or not.
"Well, well." A snide voice entered, as the captain sighed; the only one not surprised by the blonde's presence as he appeared with his two muscles.
"I'm surprised the Ministry's still letting you walk around free, Potter." Malfoy sneered as Potter gripped the cushion of his seat, lips pulled to an immediate frown. "Better enjoy it while you can."
Giving the Boy Who Lived a one over, the blonde continued, nearing the black-haired former. "I expect there's a call in Azkaban with your name on it."
Snapping, Harry lunged for the blonde, only to have Ron hold him back as Malfoy dodged, glancing at Goyle. "What'd tell you? A complete nutter."
"Just stay away from me!" Harry shouted, as the blonde scoffed, exiting the compartment with Goyle and Crabbe following.
"It's only Malfoy." Ron amended as he caught a look from the captain. "What'd you expect?"
Standing, Toshiro allowed Korihana to perch on his shoulder as he made his way out of the compartment, too stuffy for his taste. Sending a glance at Potter to which caught his eye, the ice captain sighed before he spoke. "Calm down, Potter. You will do no one good by getting angry over Malfoy."
"Hitsugaya's right, Harry." Hermione started as he exited, not wanting to hear anymore as he made for the end of the train to where he found a reiatsu that was one that he had found a mere moment ago.
This is going to be interesting. Toshiro thought as he opened the door at the end of the main hall of the train, joining Malfoy out into the cold night air.
"Hitsugaya." Malfoy greeted as the ice captain merely nodded, reciprocating.
"Malfoy."
"A noisy bunch of nutters, aren't they?" The blonde smirked as he continued, the ice captain sending off Korihana with several burdens, the white owl taking off. "Until when are you going to need to play supervisor, I wonder?"
"As long as it is advantageous." The white-haired transfer shrugged as he looked at the taller blonde, having gained a number of inches.
The blonde grinned broader. "Spoken like a Slytherin."
"Then what a waste I must be." Was the wistful answer Toshiro replied as the transfer turned, returning to the interior as Malfoy smirked, as if knowing something that others did not while the captain appeared as if he could careless, neither looking back at the other; conversation finished.
Toshiro stood in the nightly air, having just gotten off the train as he was followed by the group within the compartment, all of them having changed into their school robes. Forgoing his tie and sweater for his teal scarf, the captain merely draped his cloak over his shoulders loosely, as they awaited for a carriage; pulled by a pair of Thestrals.
The winged horses had a grotesque body, their faces reptilian and wings resembling a bat's as the ice captain felt a wave of calm run over him. The horse had bony figures and almost dragon-like faces, their lustrous orbs glittering as they lacked expression and pupils. Wings wider than Buckbeak's, they were leathery and ebony in color as their skin was covered in a glassy coat, slippery and thin in appearance as their manes and tail danced ominously, fangs yellow and sharp as they grinned at prey with amusement.
It has been years. Sephiroth smiled as he marveled at his old friends; Hyorinmaru watching with mirth along with their master. Hello, once more, my friends.
As if they had heard the dragon, the death-like horses snorted before one nuzzled the ice captain who bowed in response, the horse doing the same as it allowed the captain to pet him. "Hello, old friend."
"Hitsugaya? What are you doing?" Hermione questioned as the group neared him, fully changed. "Why aren't boarding the carriage?"
Scanning over the group, the ice captain noted only three of the group saw the Thestrals: Lovegood, Potter, and Longbottom. The others merely looked on, completely missing the winged horses of Death, however; Longbottom and Lovegood appeared to have not been surprised while Potter was gaping at the horses, as if it were his first time.
"Wait, you don't see it?" Harry cut in, pointing at the Thestrals. His best friends and the younger red-head looked at him confusedly. "You can't see the horses pulling the carriage?"
Granger and the elder Weasley exchanged looks as Hermione spoke, looking at her friend with obvious confound. "Nothing's pulling the carriage, Harry. It's the same as it always was."
"Those who have seen death, and fully accepted it, understanding and internalizing it; are the only ones who can see them." Toshiro said as he sent a small smirk behind him as the horse licked his hand once more, Potter surprised as he was able to see the black tongue flicker from the fangs. "Only Potter, Lovegood, Longbottom, and I are able to see them it seems."
"Oh, yes; Harry." Luna smiled dreamily as they boarded the carriage. "You're not going mad. You are just as sane as I am."
"Why can't we see them?" Ron asked, a small frown on his lips.
"They are Thestrals, Ronald." Hermione explained as she frowned, looking at where the Thestrals were suppose to be but seeing nothing. "As Hitsugaya said, only those who have seen death can see them; fully internalizing and accepting of the death, that they can see. And as we cannot, we obviously do not qualify."
"Mine must have been Cedric." Harry muttered as he recalled the memory, shuddering as Neville turned to Luna.
"My mother." Luna said wistfully as she swayed The Quibbler as they headed to Hogwarts. "An accidental experimental magic right in front of me."
"I'm sorry." Neville nodded as the girl shook her head.
"Hungry." She said randomly, referring to the feast in the beginning of every year. "I hope there's pudding."
And there was, to the ice captain's distaste, never caring for the thick dessert as he sat at the Gryffindor table, all seated to welcome the new students to the Halls of Hogwarts, revealing a beat-up wizarding hat that appeared more battered for wear and had seen better days in the past. But nonetheless, the Sorting Hat sat up, his wrinkled and frowning face dark as he broke out into song.
"In times of old, when I was new,
And Hogwarts barely started,
The founders of our noble school
Thought never to parted.
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
'Together we build and teach'
The four good friends decided.
And never did they dream that they
Might some day be divided.
For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw,
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why, I was there, so I can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, 'We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry's purest.'
Said Ravenclaw, 'We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest.'
Said Gryffindor, 'We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name.'
Said Hufflepuff, 'I'll teach the lot
And treat them just the same.'
These differences casted little strife
When first they came to light.
For each of the four founders had
A house in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning just like him
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor."
How ominous. Hyorinmaru snorted as the ice captain held back the urge to do the same. Even the enchanted hat knows that if the students and facility of Hogwarts itself wishes to survive as their creators' wishes, the Four Houses must unite and fight together.
That is if they can band together and not kill each other first, elder. Sephiroth scoffed as he eyed the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables. Master may have no problems or animosity towards the other houses, but the same cannot be said about entire House.
And not to mention we are dealing with something worse than children. Toshiro spoke with narrowed orbs, as he scanned the Head Table, where a pink and familiar eye-sore was seated as the ice-wielding entities recognized the woman from the Ministry. Politicians and adolescents.
Seated beside the twins and their younger brother, the ice captain was across Potter and Granger, who also had Neville at the girl's other side. But oddly, Finnigan and Thomas were off to the side, as if distancing themselves from the Boy Who Lived. But the ice captain merely shrugged as the voice of the Headmaster, rang out in the Great Hall, standing before the podium.
"Good evening, children." Dumbledore announced, as he folded his hands before him, the children quieting. "Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're pleased to welcome back, Professor Grubbly-Plank, who'll be taking Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave."
A middle-aged witch stood as she greeted the students who gave a polite applause, her demeanor cheerful yet efficient as she wore medium earth tones. Her robes and pointed hat a warm brown, a grey scarf covered her shoulders as she smiled warmly, several strands of grey poking from under the hat.
So that's why Professor Hagrid was not present at the train station. Toshiro narrowed his orbs as he ignored whispers amongst the students. Dumbledore must have him on a job to do something of interest, perchance.
We shall see, Master. Sephiroth nodded as Dumbledore continued.
"We also wish to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge. And I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck." Smiling, the Headmaster continued, only to be cut off halfway through. "Now, as usual, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you…"
With a high-pitched clearing of the throat from the pink eye-sore.
Here we go. The ice captain deadpanned as he sipped his cup of Earl Grey. This reminds me of the times the Central 46 sends guards and mercenaries to intimidate us in the midst of Captain's Meetings. Then, they remember we have Zaraki.
And if that wasn't enough, then Kurotsuchi. Hyorinmaru nodded.
Or Unohana. Sephiroth added as a shiver ran down the three of their spines. No one messed with the healer captain unless they wished an early grave from the afterlife by the blade of the former Kenpachi.
A shocked silence enveloped the inhabitants — excluding a certain transfer — as all turned to the pink-clad and new professor, who stood from her seat beside the Potions Master, walking around the table before coming to a stop beside the Headmaster as her voice rang out through the Hall, honeyed and sickly to ear.
"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome." She began. "And how lovey to see all of your bright, happy faces smiling up at me."
I highly doubt that I am the only one frowning. Toshiro deadpanned as he half-lidded his teal orbs, clearly disinterested.
Or the only one thinking of how fake she is. Hyorinmaru nodded as Sephiroth could only send a silent purr of agreement.
"I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends." She continued with clasped hands as the twins spoke up behind him.
"That's likely." In unison and obvious sarcasm, as the ice captain fought the urge to smirk, all turning back to the eye-sore.
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school…" Nodding to Dumbledore who kindly reciprocated back, her speech was beginning to annoy the captain as she finished with a whisper. "… progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved, prefect what can be perfected, and prune practices that ought be prohibited."
Walking back to her seat, the new professor seemed pleased with herself as the students gave a hesitant applause, the Headmaster taking over once more. "Thank you, Professor Umbridge. That really was most illuminating."
"Illuminating?" Ron huffed, as he stabbed a piece of steak with his fork. "What a load of waffle."
"What's it mean?" Harry cut in, confused as the ice captain turned to them, the group looking at him as he did.
"She is of the Ministry of Magic, Potter. Madam Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge." Toshiro stated as he gestured to Umbridge. "Taking that and what she's said…"
"It means the Ministry's interfering at Hogwarts." Hermione finished as the captain lowered his cup, the words of Dumbledore echoing behind them.
Exactly. The ice captain thought with a hidden smirk. Now that I have taken the figurehead before the curtain, now; for the puppeteer in the sidelines.
Toshiro Hitsugaya felt a wave of nostalgia loom over him as he stood before Dumbledore's office, Snape and McGonagall in the tow. The office was unchanged in the content, just as messily organized as the ice captain could remember, as the Headmaster seated himself behind his desk with a soft sigh. Whipping out his wand to incant several defensive countermeasures, the ice captain nearly mimicked the action, repressing a sigh himself.
"A member of the Ministry as the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor?" Toshiro began as he allowed a small smirk color his lips, sardonic. "The infiltration and private investigation of Cornelius Fudge is not exactly subtle, now is it?"
Dumbledore smiled softly, the twinkle back in his eye. "Yes, indeed; Mr. Hitsugaya."
"Now then, tell me; Headmaster." Toshiro said as he glanced at McGonagall and Snape. "What is it that you wish to ask me?"
"I will address that question to you another time, Mr. Hitsugaya." The Headmaster nodded as if to himself as he nodded to Snape who did the same and left as McGonagall followed. "But as of late, I have another issue to address with you."
"Oh?" The ice captain hummed, as he seated himself on the ebony railing.
"Have you heard of the origins of your wand, Mr. Hitsugaya?"
Toshiro narrowed his teal orbs for a half-second before they returned to their initial half-lidded state, taking the care of his words. "Ollivander has informed me that it was a wand not of his craftsmanship and that it was to be wielded by the 'heavenly guardian.'"
"Your wand is unique, Mr. Hitsugaya." Dumbledore began as he folded his hands over the desk. "The Ivory Wand is what your wand has been named over the years, as rumors of your wand had traveled far and wide for many to pursue over the years of it's existence that the deaths of wizards and witches who have lusted after it are countless. But many wizards have learned that your wand was not one to be tampered with."
The ice captain kept his silence, neither commenting or allowing anything to indicate otherwise.
"Accounts of wizards frozen to death, shown horrific visions of torture, and even rumors of an angered sentience possessing the wand drove even the bravest from allowing anyone to touch it, forgoing; the idea of wielding." Dumbledore accounted as he gestured to the wand that the captain held. "Eventually, it had gone to the possession of the Ministry, having decided that it was an object of Dark Magic and had issued it to be destroyed."
"But it wasn't, obviously." Toshiro cut in as he replaced his wand in his boot. "I presume it was smuggled out of the Ministry of Magic at the time?"
"Very good, Mr. Hitsugaya." Dumbledore praised as he nodded. "An Unspeakable, by a name which is lost to time, had smuggled your wand out of the Ministry where it had remained lost until it's emergence under the watch of Ollivander, until your entry to the his shop; my boy."
"And in regards to the 'heavenly guardian', then; Headmaster?" Toshiro pressed as he sensed McGonagall near. "What of that?"
"It has been foretold, Mr. Hitsugaya; in a prophecy that was said by Professor Trelawney's ancestor, Cassandra Trelawney in these exact words of this: "The one who is heralded as the 'heavenly guardian' descends upon the earth…. Cold and merciless as death surrounds him as he watches over the Dark Lord and the one who shall vanquish him… To the very end, only the 'heavenly guardian' shall be the one who will determine whom shall be reaped… And with his decision, the Dark Lord shall reign the three worlds, or shall raze in the depths of history.'"
"…You were aware of this, Headmaster." The ice captain stated as the Headmaster nodded.
"Do you believe of this prophecy, Headmaster?" Toshiro questioned as he merely rose an eyebrow. "Do you believe that my decision as this 'heavenly guardian' shall determine the death of Harry Potter or Tom Marvolo Riddle?"
"Cassandra Trelawney is known for her Seer abilities, Mr. Hitsugaya." The Headmaster replied as the ice captain merely nodded. "But prophecies are what you make of it. Not what they could or could not state. Interpreting any single prophecy can result in many combinations and permutations alike, Mr. Hitsugaya."
"Forgive my skeptical nature of the art of Divination, Headmaster." Toshiro dismissed as he gave a look to the Sorting Hat, perched on a stone shelf. "But, consequences are the results of our choices, Headmaster. And if I would have to make this choice, I will bear their consequences; that is all there is to it."
The Headmaster smiled sadly as he nodded, dismissing McGonagall and Snape with a small smile. "Then will you hear me out on this; Captain Hitsugaya?"
Raising an eyebrow at the mention of his title, the ice captain nodded,.