Chapter 14: Grander Scheme of Things
"The Department of Mysteries." The kind voice in the aged elevator of the Ministry announced sweetly as the captain stepped off it, having allowed a clone to attend the ball that was currently in progress several flights above him. Black-tiled walls with bare appearances greeted the captain, as his steps echoed softly, windows and doors absent other than a single, barely visible ebony door at the end of the corridor. Torches of a bluish white light provided just enough visibility for any wizard with adequate sight, as the captain reached the door, the silver handle glinting when Sephiroth's voice cut in, taking the captain from the reports in his hands of the Department.
Beyond this door is a room designed to confuse you into the differing divisions of the department: The Death Chamber, Brain Room, Space Chamber, Hall of Prophecy, Time Room, and the Ever-Locked Room. To exit the chamber, verbally declare the room or hall before you and the exit shall appear. I suggest you exercise caution, Master.
Entering and taking the words into consideration, the captain found himself within a circular chamber, six doors surrounding him, identical and spaced evenly between each other. Taking the first door, the captain entered the first chamber, whispering a small spell under his breath. The chamber was lit by low-hanging lamps as the room was long and rectangular, the main feature of the chamber being a large tank of brains in a green solution, swimming almost contently in the slime.
Ew. Was the first thought in the captain's mind as he neared the tank carefully, teal orbs narrowing over it's contents. Kurotsuchi would have a field day if I inform him of this.
Will you bring back a sample? Hyorinmaru grinned cheekily as Toshiro scoffed in reply, turning away from the tank.
What the scientist doesn't know wouldn't hurt him.
Exiting the chamber, the captain immediately took to the doors, deciding upon the one that was two to the left, murmurs of another spell on his lips when he felt himself float, bright stars and planets wisp by him, as if to greet him into the void of their domain. Taking a moment to look in the room with wonder, as the void of space was known to be one of the limits of magic; the use of reiatsu surprisingly enough of the same conclusion. But being as he was not in charge of the Twelfth Division, the planetary chambers were just as swiftly exited and took to another door when he found the chambers unwilling to reveal itself.
So, this must be the Ever-Locked Room, otherwise known as, the Love Chamber. The captain recoiled before uttering a simple Kido spell, faintly marking the door to distinguish which chamber from another. Turning away, the captain took the one adjacent to it, to find a room filled with every clock or time foretelling device of all kinds, from Time-Turners to sun-dials. Bypassing the large hourglass as the room's main feature along with a collection of golden Time-Turners, Toshiro came upon a door at the end of the room, entering the Hall of Prophecy. Tall, almost towering even, shelves containing millions of clouded orbs extending the long and cold chamber, ominously lit with blue-flamed candles. As the captain made his way, soft whispers of the contained prophecies echoed in the air, the voices of the Divined beckoning and ethereal.
Do not touch any of the prophecies. Sephiroth cautioned. Only those which the individual prophecies concern along with the Keeper of the Hall are able to touch them freely. Anyone else will be immediately be driven mad.
For once, I can relate to Zaraki's urge to break things indiscriminately. Toshiro commented bluntly, sighing as he ran a hand through his hair yet careful to not mess Matsumoto's efforts. The temptation is hard to resist.
Hyorinmaru reined his thoughts of a young — well, younger — Hitsugaya who more than happily indulged himself in doing the same as the captain paused in the shelves, teal orbs narrowing at a particularly small prophecy. Perched on a shelf labeled: 97, the aged tag read: S.P.T. to A.P.W.B.D. Dark Lord, Heavenly Guardian (?), and Harry Potter (?)
There is another prophecy concerning me? Toshiro read, as he shunpoed to inspect the prophecy with closer proximity. Then, with a delicate hand, picked up the orb and listened.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, and with his power, prove his worth… either must die at the hand of the 'heavenly guardian' for neither can live while the other survives… 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 he shall be the one who will determined whom shall be reaped… And with his decision, the Dark Lord shall reign the three worlds, or shall raze in the depths of history."
In either case, it comes down to my decision as Dumbledore had informed me of. The captain stated solemnly, returning the orb to it's place. But in the concern of this realm, this is the object that Voldemort seeks, but perhaps due to the inability to remove the prophecy other than the hands of him, myself, or Potter; he most likely is ignorant of my standing.
Therefore, choosing the easiest pawn to due his bidding, unknowingly. Hyorinmaru concluded as Toshiro nodded, freezing as he passed halfway in the hall, eyes narrowing once more. There appears to be another object of interest here.
Finding another door down the hall of clouded orbs, Hitsugaya allowed himself entry before his eyes widened, narrowing immediately a moment later as his thoughts traveled swiftly. A second later, the captain had his mod-soul phone out.
"Hitsugaya-taicho?"
"Head Captain." The shinigami confirmed. "I have discovered that the wizards have created a portal to the Precipice World within the Ministry of Magic. It appears that they have yet to have discovered what it truly is, however, the fact that they are aware of this cannot mean that they are too far, sir."
"Are there any casualties within this portal?"
"Yes, sir. There are records that report that souls have fallen in, however, according to the wizards, they did not reemerge." The captain narrowed his eyes over the said papers. "Nor do I sense them."
"The Kototsu must have done away with them."
"It appears to be the case."
"Hitsugaya-taicho."
"Sir."
"We cannot allow the wizards to know more than necessary." The Head Captain's orders were clear as the ice captain nodded into the phone, replying before he promptly hung up. With an unsheathe of Hyorinmaru and several spells, the captain promptly set to his superior's orders, informing Sephiroth to tell his clone that they were nearly finished with their Christmas festivities.
"Allow me to clarify this for a moment." Draco breathed smoothly as he sat with Toshiro at a late breakfast, the morning after the ball, cradling a cup of strong Columbian coffee, with two sugars and no cream as the captain had a cup of Darjeeling, the tea of an autumnal flush.
"Last night, my father addressed you as a captain due to the fact that you are the chief executive officer of the Tenth Division of your society, one of thirteen members who can directly influence your government militarily speaking? Not to mention having two hundred men and women under your command?"
"Correct." Toshiro confirmed as he spoke as if he were referring to a menial task. "You along with your father, the Ministry of Magic, the Headmaster, and the Heads of the Houses are the only ones aware of this."
"Why the secrecy?" The blonde asked, frowning.
"My status as a pureblood, and heir to my grandfather's wealthy estate, and the first transfer to Hogwarts in several centuries are enough to single me out, no?" Toshiro rose an eyebrow, stabbing the greens of the breakfast with his small fork. "My father and grandfather had allowed me to disclose information as I saw fit."
"Not that you would dispel information as it is easily, anyway." Malfoy muttered. "Pulling information from you is like pulling Crabbe or Goyle away from sweets. Utterly impossible."
"Not impossible, Draco." The white-haired transfer smirked, waving the fork as if to scold a naughty child. "Merely highly difficult to pull off."
The blonde threw a blueberry at the smirking captain, scowling as the captain caught the fruit; before with that mention, Malfoy's explanation of the previous night sobered the two as the captain broke the silence. "In any case, what are you going to do about your father and of your potential nomination?"
"It is the most understated proclamation of my predicament, Toshiro." Draco sighed with a deadpan. "What do I do, Toshiro? What can I do?"
"The fact that your father is the one who is deluded to his fear to Voldemort — Hitsugaya pretended to not notice the shiver from the blonde — and not you, is an action enough, Draco. And you must convince him otherwise." The ice captain's teal orbs were narrowed, as he spoke. "Do not allow him to know what your intentions are, but rather subtly push him to your view. That his family is more important than Voldemort's desires."
The captain gestured to the snake engraved to his china cup. "Trust in your wits and cunning as a Slytherin, and the leader of your House."
"Snape?" Malfoy rose an eyebrow in surprise.
"Despite his harshness, Snape is more reliable than the other professors I have seen at Hogwarts, although, anyone better than Umbridge is a welcomed sight in current events." Toshiro frowned as Malfoy smirked.
"Oh, yes. Your conversation with Umbridge had traveled to the dungeons of Slytherin all too well, Toshiro. She is rather an annoyance as of late." Malfoy agreed, his face disgusted. "Her position as High Inquisitor has gone so high to her head that apparently she wishes to start an Inquisition Squad from what one witch said last night. The blubbering woman couldn't stop spouting about it."
"Using students for information leaks." Toshiro concluded as a mocking smile took over his features when an idea came to his mind, teal orbs locking with questioning grey ones. "And you, Draco, would want to be a member of this new network, along with your friends."
Draco looked at the captain with confusion. "I do?"
The captain nodded. Shivers crawled up his spine as the blonde listened to his friend's plan, before he contorted into an incredulous laugh, his eyes colored with awe and respect for the ingenuity of his friend's schemes as a smirk graced the captain's mask. "Remind me never to get your bad side, Toshiro."
Lifting his cup, the captain merely allowed his smirk to widen.
"Reminders are seldom necessary when you follow through, Draco."
After the holidays, the friendship between the white-haired transfer and the blonde of the opposing house was hidden and kept to themselves, appearing to be indifferent terms as usual but not what was really comfortable in any case. Such was truly due to the fact that they did not have the same lodgings or share many classes together to have conversation in the first place. Returning from his stay at Malfoy Manor, nothing of great importance was noted in the rest of the captain's break from school other the occasional scold of his lieutenant for being late or unfinished paperwork, much to his relief as he had really enough to deal with. Therefore at the return to Hogwarts, the sacking of Trelawney from her position as their Divination professor was very much unwelcome.
Toshiro was reading from a ruby book, it's title written in large golden lettering when a soft sob and a rush of many reiatsu neared the main courtyard that he overlooked. Seated with his legs outstretched before him, the captain looked down from the large stone arch he rested from, rising an eyebrow at the sole person in the courtyard, Professor Trelawney with apparently several trunks of her luggage. The Divination professor looked like she was near tears as students of all years swarmed to the scene, eyes glued to a not too despondent Filch, who carried the last of Trelawney's luggage before her.
With a clack of her heeled shoes, Umbridge appeared with all her pinkness, a satisfied and smug grin on her pasty face. So, this is what you did over the holidays, eyesore.
Eyes wary of her audience, the pink professor steeled herself as the captain and the students watched, stopping before Trelawney.
"Sixteen years." The bespectacled professor insisted, her breaths short and at near tears; exactly where the eyesore wanted her. "Sixteen years, I have lived and taught here. Hogwarts is my home."
The professor's sniffles and trials to not allow herself to succumb to her tears echoed in the silent courtyard, Umbridge's eyes gleeful while the students watched with sympathetic gazes, teal eyes of the captain aloof.
"You can't do this." Trelawney whispered, her words echoing.
The eyesore looked at her colleague — victim — with mock sympathy, holding up a folded parchment. "Actually, I can."
It was then that the Divination professor began to sob, McGonagall appearing to her side as the witch held her, sobbing into her arms as Umbridge looked at McGonagall with faux innocence. "Do you have something you'd like to say, dear?"
"Oh, there are more than several things I would like to say." The Head of Gryffindor snapped, as she turned back to the crying woman in her arms, whispering soothing words. Umbridge, unimpressed, eyed the affections in distaste in the midst of McGonagall's comforting of Trelawney.
And cue Dumbledore. Sephiroth noted as at his words, the Headmaster made his entrance, the grand metal doors below the captain opening as all turned to Dumbledore with varying reactions. Steps slow and deliberate, Dumbledore's eyes were twinkled still, only gleaming with anger and suppressed annoyance. "Professor McGonagall, might I ask you to escort Sybill back inside?"
"Sybill, dear. This way." McGonagall soothed as a watery 'thank you' and small mutters of gratitude left her charge's lips, grasping the Headmaster's hand in her own in momentary gratitude as the two witches made their exit.
"Dumbledore." Umbridge's voice kindly cut in. "May I remind you that under the terms of Educational Decree No. 23, as enacted by the minister —…"
"You have the right to dismiss my teachers." Dumbledore finished as he added with a thin reprimand. "You do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds. That power remains with the Headmaster."
The pompous pink twit's silence was satisfying along with her forced expression when a smile curled over it, face almost ripping in the strain. "For now."
And with Dumbledore's exit, the rest of the audience dispersed; the ice captain resuming his book with a soft hum, black cloak over his legs as he held up Dante's Divine Comedy before him, kindly informing him of the nine circles of Hell. Not that any of it was new to him.
Judging from Umbridge's swift dismissal of Trelawney, Umbridge is soon onto making her move. Toshiro thought as he flipped a page, classes over for the day. Which makes my execution of her soon on the way along with her precious Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Has he confessed yet? Sephiroth questioned curiously as his master nodded.
After a stay in the Second Division and exposure to Soifon's methods, he kindly informed us of anything he had asked of him. By this time, the captain had made his way to the Room of Requirement, entering while his teal orbs were glued to his book. Soifon had sent me the file along with Kurotsuchi in assuring that the minister will be back to 'normal' by the end of the month. Something about messing with the living specimen may result in some complications, but it should not cause any dramatic effects in the long run.
And the Head Captain allowed this? Hyorinmaru confirmed, ruby orbs skeptical.
Toshiro nodded, dodging a Reducto heading his way in the midst of the chaos of a session with the D.A., gaze still on his book. After I had suggested the plan to him, the Head Captain approved of the plan, since he saw for himself the foolhardiness of Fudge and his belief against Voldemort.
You are evil, Master. Sephiroth stated bluntly as the ice captain shrugged.
I never said I wasn't. I do things for my own selfishness and wishes as well. I am no different. Finally lowering the book, the captain found the D.A. staring at him, eyes wide.
"What?" Toshiro rose an eyebrow as he replaced the book in his bag. "I thought all of you are suppose to be taught by Potter today."
"We are." Granger smiled, as she neared the captain. "But we were just talking about summoning a Patronus, and when you came, we began to wonder what yours was. Harry told us that you were the one who helped him master the Patronus Charm."
Toshiro turned to Harry who nodded. "It's true."
After sending a bloody Dementor after me. But none dared to have the gall to say that aloud. But that did not mean Sephiroth and Hyorinmaru didn't.
It did teach him how to summon the charm in the end. Toshiro shrugged, not exactly seeing the problem.
"That explains why there are so many animals present here." The transfer deadpanned as an otter shaped Patronus sniffed him curiously before going over to Hermione's side as giggles and chuckles came from everyone, the captain sighing lightly. "Very well."
Lifting his yew wand from his sleeve, the captain twirled it once as large, white tendrils of the Patronus formed, the hybrid of Hyorinmaru and Sephiroth taking solidification, ivory translucent jaws in mid-roar as everyone gaped at the large Patronus. Nuzzling Toshiro with fondness over his white locks, the captain smirked, before allowing the spell to fade.
"Satisfied?" Toshiro questioned to his audience as he received many nods in reply before his glare hardened. "Then, all of you line up on the other side of the room, single file. Potter with me."
Harry nodded as everyone else did as asked, turning to Toshiro with question in his eyes only to find one directed at him. "Are you done with your lessons with them for the day?"
"More or less, why?" Harry blinked.
"Because I am going to start teaching them offensive spells now that it is the second semester as promised." Toshiro pointed to the boy's wand. "And you know as much as I do that you need to learn this as well."
Harry frowned for a moment as if to protest but Toshiro rolled his eyes at him, prompting him to silence. "I will not send real Dementors upon our students, Potter. I only did that with you because you insisted to learn how to conjure one in one month. But they have several times your time. Besides, you are a special case, needing to learn things quickly otherwise, you are dead. No?"
Jeez. You teach one student the Soul Society way and then, all of them become terrified like pansies. I won't kill them under my tutelage. Maybe traumatized, and I know better than to leave evidence of any harsher forms of reinforcement.
That's not exactly the point, Master. Sephiroth sighed before agreeing. But at the same time… Although if you are harsh with them, they would have a higher chance to live or be able to see that the true reality of being at school and in war.
It is either they become compost or stay as the living. That is all there is to it. Hyorinmaru finished.
"Just as long as you don't get them killed, Hitsugaya." Harry sighed, green eyes resigned. "That's the point, isn't?"
Toshiro smirked at the Boy Who Lived. "But of course." Do not tempt me, Potter.
Then as swiftly as it appeared, the smirk disappeared as Harry alined with everyone else.
"When you are faced with an enemy, what is the first thing you do?" Toshiro addressed to the line of students, all facing the captain who held his mask of indifference, wand on hand. Granger's hand shot up first, and with a nod from the transfer, gave her answer.
"Assess your situation."
"No." Hitsugaya shook his head, as he summoned the faux Dementor from Lupin, taking form beside him. Cries of shock and widened glares came from the line of students as the captain glared at them to be silent, the one to Harry darker than the others at the boy's defiant frown. "This is a decoy that I had borrowed from our previous professor, Lupin. It is only magically induced to appear like a Dementor, nothing more. Calm yourselves."
"Now, then. When you are faced with an enemy, the very first thing you do is to remain calm and composed. Do not let your opponent intimidate you, because by then, you would be dead." Cold and sharply poised to the point was the captain's words as he pointed to the Dementor. "The moment you allow their words or their presence get to you, you might as well pick out your grave because in the battlefield, there is no such thing as honor or mercy. Only blood and dead comrades. So, that they will not be your comrades, you all must know how to defend yourselves and counter with an offense to your enemy, skillfully and correctly. Am I understood?"
A chorus of affirmatives echoed in the room as the ice captain allowed a thin smirk to color his lips, giving them a short nod in approval before he nodded to the Dementor. "Now then, as many of you know, this is a Dementor. Now, who can tell me what you do when you face a Dementor?"
"Summon a Patronus Charm." Harry supplied, as he smiled.
"Yes, but you first must gauge yourself as Granger said. Assess your surroundings." The captain explained as he asked them a series of rhetorical questions. "Is the space large enough for me to conjure the charm? Are my comrades going to be endangered because of my actions? What can I do to assist them and take out my enemy at the same time? These are the things you consider when you are in the battlefield with others. Think not only two steps ahead but several, for you never underestimate your enemy."
"Therefore to keep you all vigilant and with swift reflexes, you all shall duel one another; and at random intervals, I will send the Dementor towards one of you and it will be your job to fend it off." Ignoring the dubious looks at all of them, the ice captain smirked as he allowed the Dementor to dissipate, before a brow rose to his forehead.
"I never said that you would see the Dementor coming when it attacks you."
"Attack?" Weasley, the youngest male, squeaked. They all look terrified.
"Ah." Toshiro amended, waving a hand as if they were speaking over what they had for breakfast. "Pretends to take your soul, it is harmless other than the fact that you may faint from being exposed too long. Not too much too be overly concerned over."
And with that the captain opened his bag and book, regaining his place within it's pages as he seated himself on an armchair, oblivious to the stares of disbelief. That's their problem to get over it. Besides, I said a real Dementor. Not a fake one.
The following morning, the look upon Umbridge's pasty face when she saw Firenze as the replacement for Trelawney, Toshiro fought the urge to smirk. As incompetent Trelawney was in the art of Divination, Firenze was more than suitable for the task, though the captain did not believe that the centaurs were exactly pleased at their kin's new profession. The centaur was sharp enough to not speak of the captain's nightly ventures and his tasks to which the captain later thanked with a visit, gifting a newly crafted bow as a congratulations of his post as a professor.
It was after the visit that the captain came to Black Lake, which Hogwarts overlooks; teal orbs silently taking in the quiet shores for a moment when a head of dark green hair, grayish skin and two yellow orbs poked from the water surface, eyes curious.
A merperson? The captain identified as he blinked at her. Blinking back at him, the mermaid kept her stare on the captain, not faltering or breaking the gaze. Only when another head popped out of the surface that she broke it, meeting her kin's, who unlike her, had fiery reddish locks; and after a moment, they both turned to him. I suppose they have business with me?
Maybe they are interested in you, just as the centaurs were? Hyorinmaru suggested as the captain rose an eyebrow, Sephiroth shrugging.
The merpeople chose to be considered Beasts like centaurs due to the insult of being in same class as vampires and hags, so; similarly to centaurs, they are sentient and have pride. However, Master; if you wish to converse with them, they can only be understood underwater.
And so I've heard. Mermish from above the surface is apparently, rather unpleasant. Toshiro added as a webbed hand beckoned him to the water.
Toshiro contemplated his options for a moment. If I entered the water, the merpeople may not be over friendly considering the history of wizard and merpeople relations. Not to mention the fact that I am entering a body of water. I could potentially freeze all of them with one blast of reiatsu. However, if I do and manage a relations with them like the centaurs and place them under my debt, I can recall that debt whenever I wish.
Will you comply to the request of a merperson, Master? Sephiroth grinned.
More like a ploy of curiosity. Toshiro muttered but he changed into an ebony tank top over nylon shorts that had a teal stripe through them anyway. Deciding to leave his faux bracelet, Time-Turner, and Slytherin locket on, the captain had removed his scarf and school robes into his bag. Transfiguring Hyorinmaru to his blade gigai and replacing his shrunk bag into his pocket with his wand, the captain took a breath before diving into the dark depths of the lake.
Teal orbs glowed in wonder as the captain took in the lake's secrets, the depths much deeper than it appeared from the shore, to which sloped into a deep underwater valley where the captain caught sight of a small colony of merpeople swimming suavely, almost dancing in the currents with fluid grace.
Hello! The captain heard as he turned to the sound, finding the same yellow eyes that glowed with mystery and playful mischief, as the mermaid before him giggled, her laugh a seductive allure. It was the first merperson that peered at him from the surface.
I am Syrena. The mermaid introduced herself. Like her kind, from her torso up, she was human as the lower half consisted of green-blue scales ending at a orange tipped fishtail. Her tangled mess of kelp green locks swayed in the waters as a dull necklace of smooth rocks adorned her neck. I did not think you would enter our realm so swiftly, earth dweller. I was merely playing a game and betting to see if you were foolish enough to enter our realm. My thanks.
You are mistaken, my lady. The captain replied to the mermaid's surprise, apparently understanding English. I did not enter to foolishly assist you in your qualms of gamble.
Oh? The mermaid flicked her green-scaled fish tail with interest, a webbed hand gripping a bronze trident, green tendrils of hair dancing in the currents. You are a strange one…
Captain Hitsugaya Toushirou of the Tenth Division. The said person finished for her, as a thin smile graced her grey face, revealing pointed and yellowed teeth.
Ah, what a long title for one so young. I am the younger sister of our lady and ruler, Merchieftainess Murcus. She is much harsher and a bit of a stickler for the rules, no sense in playing whatsoever. Toshiro rose a brow at her attempt of a pout. But alas, as expected of our leader, so mean. But back to you, young captain, what is your business here if you are not here from my seduction?
I am here on a whim. The captain admitted evenly, the mermaid's grey face contorted to confusion. I am not a child nor a youthful wizard upon his travels to seek out knowledge of your colony; but rather, I came to assure comfortable relations with you and your people as a representation of my own.
For a moment, the mermaid blinked before she swam around the captain, scanning his form in full before she looked at him with bewildered eyes. It has been nearly a quarter of an hour and yet you have not broken the surface for even a wisp of breath! How are you even alive?!
The amount of oxygen needed to sustain myself is substantially lower than the average human. Toshiro merely revealed as a small bubble escaped his thin smirk. I have been trained to keep my breath under colder waters for my position as a captain.
If you are truly here for diplomacy, then what are you a representative for? What are you, even?
The Eastern Wizarding World. Toshiro lied effortlessly as he explained the circumstances of his transfer to Hogwarts and his station within the House of Yamamoto. Bane of the Forbidden Forest centaurs can assure you of our agreement, if you would call it that.
But you are already alined with the Ministry of Magic, seeing as you have entered Hogwarts. Syrena pointed out, as she guided him to a cavern, seating themselves as young coral and silver fish danced at their feet. Why would you wish to have relations with us?
I am of no alliance to anyone but my society. The captain repeated with an indifferent shrug. Even in my friendships with the wizards, they are all well aware that which of my concerns are a priority. The Ministry of Magic and what they entail is none of my concern; along with their so-called system of Beasts. As far as I am concerned, you are all equal in standing as long as you do not get in the way of my plans and goals.
Just as long as you do not interfere with ours, boy.
The ice captain did not waver as an embellished trident prodded his neck, threatening to pierce his throat; but instead calmly turned to the voice that spoke so coarsely. The mermaid before him had a snarl over her grey face, eyes a matching yellow to Syrena's, only filled with warning and cold intimidation as they were narrowed slits compared to Syrena's bright and curious ones. Like Syrena, the mermaid had kelp green locks, only tipped with orange as her scales glowed with more blue than green, tails similar. However, instead of smooth rocks, the cold mermaid wore a necklace of spiked and needle-like crystals, glowing a faint orange within the green stone.
Merchieftainess Murcus. Toshiro identified as the trident at his neck faltered slightly. I am Hitsugaya Toushirou, Captain of the Tenth Division of my society that makes up the Eastern Wizarding World.
Wizard boy. The ruler of the merpeople hissed, her weapon still pointed at him as she held her sister aside, away from harm as two other guards held their weapons against the captain. How dare you trespass into our waters and try to ally with us! We withhold no alliances with those who cannot understand the difference between centaur and mermaid!
How foolish. Toshiro sneered as he felt the trident dig into his throat for his trouble, several bubbles escaping.
What was that, boy? Murcus snarled, irked by the child who did not even flinch at her words. You have a trident to your neck and you call me, foolish?!
You heard correctly. The white-haired captain snapped scathingly as the mermaids watched in shock as the water surrounding the captain grow cold, thin slivers of ice forming. You judge my actions in ill and conjure conspiracy that I have trespassed into your waters without invitation without even hearing out my reasons, nonetheless my propositions and yet, you dare have the gall to state that I cannot understand the difference between a centaur and a mermaid?
The teal orbs narrowed dangerously. I was invited into your waters by your sister who gambled with another of your kind, and seeing how it was a nice opportunity to see if it was an appropriate time to converse with you; your sister had insisted on asking why I had wanted relations with you. But with your oh-so-very-kind hospitality, I am beginning to rethink it.
Sister. Syrena cut in, her kind voice soothing the tension by the slightest bit as the mermaid faced her ruler. And Your Majesty of Black Lake, what the wizard child before you says is the truth. He is no trespasser, but rather, a friend. If only you may let me explain for a moment.
A friend? Murcus repeated, finally regaining her composure, but still not dropping her trident as her eyes now narrowed dangerously to her sister before they turned to the captain for a good minute, then back at her sister to which they fixed on. Explain. Now, Syrena.
Not one to refuse her, the mermaid gladly did.
Forgive my rash actions, young captain. Murcus apologized after a moment of thought as she lowered the trident, revealing a tendril of blood from a thin wound. My servants shall bring you a salve for your wound. Please do not refuse.
One cannot be too cautious in these turbulent times, Your Majesty. The captain merely stated, forgiving the ruler as he allowed the water to return to it's original temperature. I am well aware that your kin merely wish to have your waters to yourselves and allowed the respect as sentient creatures of the sea. My people are the same, as we merely wish to have none interfere with our way of life and through agreements, we may establish a link of having a common goal if the need calls for it.
Then, as my sister suggests, perhaps we can arrange for an agreement. The mermaid shrugged, giving a thin smirk as the captain looked thoughtful before returning her smirk.
Only if you would allow me to have a moment for breath.
Toshiro appeared out of what appeared to be thin air, as the captain swiftly scanned his surroundings. Sensing no one, the white-haired captain entered the office without a sound, closing the doors and a thin click of the lock, securely within. Out of his gigai and with an Invisibility spell on along several other precautions, the captain turned to the other being within the room, undoing the spells.
"I presume my orders were followed and finished by now."
"Yes, Hitsugaya-taicho; they have. The papers that you have indicated were alined as directed, along with the files of the list you provided the previous week."
"And of your report?"
"No suspicious actions from either suspect nor any movements that could issue any worthy report, Hitsugaya-taicho. However, it appears that she is readying for the move that you have been in anticipation for. The details of it are within the file."
A hand held out the said paperwork as the captain flipped through the pages, teal orbs scanning before they narrowed in what appeared to be amusement.
"A half-blood despite her claims as a pureblood. And to have a Muggle mother, Squib of a brother, along with a wizard father with a janitorial, at best, station in the Ministry? No wonder she is as foul as she is."
"It is nearing the hour, Hitsugaya-taicho."
The teal orbs glanced to the clock within the office as thin fingers closed the file, placing it into his pocket with a whisper to shrink the papers. "And so it is. We will finish up the rest of your report at the Second Division. Come, Soifon and Kurotsuchi will be there as well."
Holding out a hand, the captain Apparated out of the Ministry of Magic, the Minister of Magic with him.
An hour later, Hitsugaya and Soifon stood before the soul of Cornelius Fudge, his hexagonal link and chain still intact. The minister appeared to have seen better days, his appearance disheveled, face gaunt and bloodied. His once pristine suit and coat had been stripped to the ragged remains he currently wore, feet and hand bare as they speckled with dried blood.
"Cornelius Fudge." Hitsugaya said, voice aloof and cold as the minister did not lift his hung head, to not even acknowledge the white-haired transfer. "Minister of Magic, and therefore responsible for the actions which Soul Society has deemed criminal, do you acknowledge them to full scale of responsibility under your name as the Minister of Magic?"
A pitiful nod.
"Very well, then. Will you admit these crimes before your cohorts and subordinates within the Ministry?"
Another nod.
The ice captain turned to his colleague, nodding in approval. "It appears you were successful in breaking him, Soifon. I suppose you tried the Potions I have supplied you with?"
"With Unohana's regulation; we administered Veritaserum along with some of that emerald potion which you have managed to brew. To test the waters of it's effects." The assassin nodded coldly, her grey eyes narrowed over the vial of each which she kept on her person. "Although it took a number of times to sedate him after he took it, but after the third dose, he has been silent and compliant. Pupils still dilate when light is shone, however, but still mentally there."
"That leaves us with this. An obedient pawn for us to use." Hitsugaya addressed instead, as his wand was revealed and with an incant, returned the tormented soul of Cornelius Fudge to his body. "With a few altercations to make though."
And as if that was his cue, entered Kurotsuchi.