Chapter 15: All Is As It Should Be

"Feeling sentimental?" Snape drawled in his usual condescending tone, as the memory of a first-year Harry before a mirror that reflected his parents' smiles, popping in uninvited as Hitsugaya merely looked at the sight from the background impassively. He hadn't paid the thought of parents or such things of the sort in years.

With a soft twinkle, the three of them were once more in Snape's office, Snape and Hitsugaya lax at the potion stations. Harry glared lowly as he practically snapped his protest. "That's private."

"Not if you cannot master Occlumency in time, Potter." Toshiro noted idly, his icy expression cool. "I believe I have already gone over this with you weeks ago. Clear your mind and do not fall for the images that Snape and I conjure to make you falter."

"And as far as you are concerned, Potter; you have no privacy." Snape added, his voice dark and looming. "And not to the Dark Lord, if you don't improve. Every memory he has access to is a weapon he use against you. You won't last two seconds if he invades your mind."

At the words of insult, Harry gripped the arms of his chair in restraint.

"You're just like your father." Snape snapped coldly, his words more bitter by the letter. "Lazy. Arrogant."

"Don't say a word against my father!" Harry stood abruptly, yelling as the captain merely watched his irritation growing at the inevitable shouting match.

The Potions Master ignored him. "Weak."

"I'm not weak!"

"Then prove it." Snape hissed. "Control your emotions. Discipline your mind."

"Enough." The student and professor turned to the only other person in the office, his teal orbs in a half-hearted glare that made Harry hesitate and Snape silent, which was doable for the captain's intent. "The both of you are inadequate to continue as of now. Potter clearly cannot clear his thoughts or mind upon anything seeing as you have clouded it with anger, Professor. While you, Potter, being ever so sensitive to the topic of your deceased parents still despite being upon your sixteenth year of age, are, therefore, dismissed. I will see you in the dorm in a later hour."

The captain glared to ensure that his words were not defied, and with a hardened glare toward Snape, the tension in the room was eased. A little more than several minutes later, a stoic ice captain faced a studying Snape in the empty office.

He broke the silence first. "Potter is vulnerable and at the rate which his lessons are going, the Dark Lord will not have any problem with breaking him. With ease."

"Of course he is." The ice captain replied bluntly, fingering his wand. "But he will not learn adequately if you are insulting him with the fact that his parents are dead and continuously reminding him of that fact. We do need him alive, Professor."

"Unfortunately." Snape added with a curl of his lip. "Then what do you suggest? Seeing how our methodology has gotten us so far with Potter?"

The captain had the decency to look thoughtful. "That depends."

The Potions Master was curious as he rose a brow. "On?"

Toshiro looked at Snape with a smirk, chilling involuntary shivers down the professor's spine. "Whether or not, you will allow me to bring a few…" The transfer paused, frowning. "… family members."

The following week, Harry was seated in Snape's office once more, only with a new arrival who giggled behind a large rainbow lollipop, her pink cotton candy hair a stark beacon in the room as Harry looked at Hitsugaya with obvious confusion. Yachiru, in the other hand, studied the boy before her with wide dark pink eyes, her bobbed hair framing her porcelain skin as a cross-bones hair pin adorned her hair. Licking the lollipop that Shirou had bought her on the way, the lieutenant frowned behind her sugary treat, grabbing the Tenth Division captain's ebony shirt, matching her own Gothic styled dress.

Turning to the younger, the captain rose an eyebrow, noting the frown. "Kusajishi?"

"He's weak." Yachiru murmured, as the two 'children' ignored Harry entirely as he stared. "So weak that Maki-Maki could wipe the floor with him. Blindfolded."

Toshiro nodded. "Yes, Kusajishi. I am well aware. But he needs help in the form of which only you can give him."

"Really? Me?" The pink-haired girl's eyes widened dramatically as the ice captain nodded, unfazed as she began to rant. "What's wrong with him? Do you want me to teach him how to fight? We can bring Ken-chan and you guys can try to see who gets in more kills! I'm on Kenny's team! You can be on the other team, Shirou! With Boobies, Byakki, and Icchi and —!"

"We are not bringing Zaraki, Yoruichi, and Kurosaki here, Kusajishi."

The pink-haired girl pouted. "Then what are we doing?"

"You're going to be using your reiatsu."

Yachiru looked at him with a strange look. "Mine?"

The captain nodded as he sent a knowing look to his 'younger sister.' "You can withstand the pressure of Zaraki's vast reiatsu with ease and not to mention are the lieutenant of the Eleventh Division. Do not tell me that you are as childish as you appear, Kusajishi."

Yachiru blinked at the captain before grinning cutely with a giggle, poking his cheek with her lollipop stick, the candy gone. "You're so nice, Shirou."

"Focus, Kusajishi." Hitsugaya growled, slapping the stick aside, as the younger nodded happily.

"Potter." Harry's head snapped up at the mention of his name. "This is my younger sister, Kusajishi Yachiru, Lady of the House of Yamamoto. She's going to assist me in teaching you Occlumency."

"Her?" Harry blinked confusedly as Yachiru smiled at him childishly, nodding. "But she's like eight, Hitsugaya! How can she help you teach me?"

"She has more control than you do over her spiritual powers and not to mention, emotions; Potter." Toshiro snapped, ignoring the flinch in Harry's form at the mention of his lack of control. "And to the added fact that she is not going to be doing anything to which she will be harmed. That within itself is a difficult task to adhere to."

"Like you can say that, Shirou-nii!" Yachiru giggled as Toshiro glared daggers at Harry that said if-you-dare-repeat-that-nickname-I-will-throw-you-into-the-pits-of-Hell-to-rot-for-eternity. Harry did not repeat the name. "So, what are we going to do if I can't kill anything?"

Harry felt bile lurch in his stomach as he watched the little girl at near tears at the disappointment of not killing something, pouting at her 'older brother' who was unperturbed. Hitsugaya whispered something in Japanese that made the girl perk up as he revealed a cardboard packet, that made Yachiru's eyes sparkle. Ripping open the thing, the girl revealed a cellophane bag that was promptly torn open, thin sticks of pink-colored biscuits in display. Popping them in her mouth, Yachiru continued in strawberry-flavored bliss.

"She's going to be your reinforcement and helping hand." Toshiro said, as the Boy Who Lived turned to his cohort. "While I attack your mind, it is not Legilimens. I am invading your mind in a more severe form of magic and it will be painful. You will have thirteen tries to block or at the very least, not react to my attack or show me a blank mind."

"Thirteen tries?" Harry echoed, confused as he did not realize that Yachiru had disappeared. "What happens if I don't?"

"Then I kill you." Yachiru piped up sweetly from behind as the Boy Who Lived jumped back in surprise, as she laughed. "Just kidding! It's not going to be that fun but we're playing a game! It's Shirou-nii against me and Glasses!"

"Wait." Harry waved a hand. "You're going to help me, Kusajishi?"

"Yachiru." The girl corrected as she nodded. "Shirou-nii could overpower you with a wave of his hand, but with me; you can survive. I think. Pretty sure."

"He'll be fine." Toshiro waved aside as if it were a minor side effect as he gestured to the thin blade in Yachiru's hand. "But if you fail to control your emotions, Potter; I have ordered Kusajishi to overpower your mind and let you suffer the consequences of my attacks and hers, which will grow more severe as you fail."

Harry felt like he was going to throw up. "Why… the knife?"

"My sister likes sharp toys." Toshiro shrugged before adding an afterthought. "And it's not like if you're of any use if you're mentally incapable after this. You'd be more use as a martyr. No need for you to be entirely useless after your mind has been broken."

Hitsugaya lowered his tea cup within the library, hidden within the shelves when a familiar reiatsu neared him as he paused in his browsing. It was finally the weekend and the captain had decided to let the D.A. off for the day seeing how they were progressing moderately, having learned several destructive spells to counter their enemies should they ever needed to. It was at one point Granger had stopped him after one session as to why he wouldn't teach them Kido, only Weasley and Potter present. But the captain merely rose an eyebrow at the question before informing them bluntly why.

"None of you are spiritually aware enough."

The ice captain had indeed considered teaching the children Kido, at least in Bakudo considering the damage that children could make with Hado. With the damage that they potentially in wielding is already enough, adding wandless magic would only fan the fires. The Trio, of course demanded an explanation for this; but the captain gave them none. Explain to them that the highest level in reiatsu that they could climb to was to his Tenth Seat, and that Dumbledore's was at the level of a lieutenant with their limiter on? And that they could see him in his soul form was a feat within itself? That was one conversation that Hitsugaya was not looking forward to if he could help it.

Speaking of things he could help with…

"Toshiro." Malfoy appeared around the corner, his blonde locks ruffled stylishly as the badge of the Inquisitor Squad gleamed brightly over his school robes; his face in a tired deadpan. "I am going to kill you and then bring you back to kill you again for the torture you have condemned me to."

The captain smirked at his friend's words, teal orbs reading the book in his hands. "Come now, Draco. Surely, the Inquisitor Squad couldn't have been that bad?"

"Umbridge cannot shut up about how proud she is of us 'for distinguishing ourselves from the Mudbloods' or 'the great service of our duties to the Ministry.' I swear if I hear her so much as whisper another praise about the Minister of Magic, I am going to vaporize her." Malfoy swore as he folded his arms in with a glare. Toshiro was unmoved by his friend's troubles, only flipping a page in mock disinterest as Draco's glare landed on his friend.

"When are you going to let me cue Umbridge anyway?" Draco demanded, eyeing the captain. "Didn't you say that you were going inform me a week earlier?"

The teal gaze finally broke away from the book as the captain fished out a thin bottle. "Give this to Umbridge and inform her that it was from me. She will understand, while you; Draco, in two days' time 'catch' Cho Chang if you would, and with your timing, allow Umbridge to administer the potion to Chang."

"This?" Draco rose an brow at the vial, it's glass a deep green. Grey eyes narrowed as he connected the two and two together. "Truth serum?"

"Of the strongest version." Toshiro confirmed, returned to his book.

"But if Chang reveals everything, then…?!" Draco looked at his friend with mixture of incredulity and worry. "What happens if…?"

"Do not worry, Draco." The ice captain smirked darkly, teal orbs flickering to meet grey ones. "Everything will play out as it should."

It was the following morning to which the captain was stirring a half-teaspoon of sugar into the blackest coffee he could find. Anyone who saw the captain knew better than to speak before he had dangerous chemicals flowing in his bloodstream. Exchanging breakfast for a scone and coffee for the dawn of the day, Toshiro barely reacted as Neville read the Daily Prophet aloud, seated across from him.

"We have confirmed that ten high security prisoners in the early hours of yesterday evening did escape. And of course, the Muggle prime minister has been alerted to the danger. We strongly suspect that the breakout was engineered by a man with personal experience in escaping from Azkaban, notorious mass murderer, Sirius Black, cousin of escapee Bellatrix Lestrange…"

Headlines glared ebony as Neville lowered the papers with a thin frown, as the captain blinked, reading impassively. Ministry Angers Centaurs.

Like that's a surprise. Toshiro snorted, declining any cream into his coffee. Bane has been informing me that the only wizards allowed into the Forbidden Forest are the select few of Dumbledore, Hagrid, and myself; everyone else be damned to an onslaught of arrows.

Aw, they're uptaking Soul Society's characteristics. Sephiroth smirked with mirth. Shoot for dead first and then ask questions later if necessary.

As far as the First and Second Division go, at least. Toshiro acknowledged.

Oh, of course; Master. Hyorinmaru nodded. You ask questions first, and based upon whether it was worthy or not, then; you decide execution. You are kinder than you look, Master.

Before the captain could retort, a voice cut in, whispering for once as she seated beside him, Potter and Weasley on the other end with Longbottom.

"Dumbledore told Fudge this was going to happen." Granger pointed to the Daily Prophet, splayed before them. "He's gonna get us all killed just because he can't face the truth."

"A rather dim morning, isn't it?" Longbottom smiled weakly as the Trio looked at him in full gloom agreement, while Hitsugaya appeared to be nursing his head on the table, coffee abandoned for the headache. A minute later, a teal orb cracked open to glare for a moment when it was hidden once more, having deemed the incoming reiatsu none of his concern.

"Harry…" The hesitant voice of Seamus Finnigan echoed as all of them turned to the new arrival, but the now napping captain. "I…uh… I wanted to apologize."

Surprised looks from the foursome mirrored each other as their cohort continued. "Now, even me mum says that the Prophet's version of things don't add up… So, what I'm really trying to say is that… I believe ya…"

How interesting. Toshiro noted dully, not lifting his head from the pillow of an opened Potions textbook. Finnigan finally believes in Potter after his mother has finally seen the light of what is really happening to the Muggle and Wizarding World.

It's always entertaining to watch the ignorant to realize of the degree of their obliviousness, Master. You were rather adamant about it, considering the beating of Cornelius Fudge. Sephiroth noted. Although, it was surprising how you did not want the scientist to lobotomize his memories or beliefs for Voldemort.

Of how the Dark Lord is not dead? Toshiro clarified, lifting his head to drink his coffee; ignoring everything else around him as the younger dragon nodded.

The Minister of Magic is known for his firm beliefs of Voldemort's death. Hyorinmaru reminded. To camouflage that the fact of the real Minister had been preoccupied for a while, our Master believed that keeping the Minister's ignorance would curb any suspicions.

Using any memory wipe would have caused a reiatsu residue within the Minister, therefore, I had to request the assistance of Soifon and Kurotsuchi. Soifon, for some convincing with her Boggarts and Kurotsuchi with altering the Minister's memory through at formal lobotomy with the help of several False Memory Charms. Except for the incident with Matsumoto having entered with the Head Captain in a particularly bloody aspect of the surgery, the result was well finished.

The zanpakuto rose a skeptical eye. How well, Master?

Toshiro only smirked outwardly in response, startling several of his cohorts within Potions, the first class after breakfast. Throwing in several bloodroots and sheathing his silver knife, the captain continued with his day; fatigued but surprisingly avid enough to be thoroughly amused.

Yachiru poked Harry's cold cheek with his wand, having stolen it in the middle of the fourth and fifth try, a thoughtful look on her face as Hitsugaya hovered over them. Sighing, the ice captain nodded as the lieutenant cupped her hands to amplify her voice.

"GLASSES! WAKE UP!" With a kick to the navel for good measure, Yachiru grinned with content as Harry's eyes snapped open, relatively okay other than slightly winded and coughing.

"D-Did… Did I do it?" The Boy Who Lived coughed thickly, his voice clogged.

A head of white entered his vision as he caught something close to an indifferent glare and a curious head of pink off to the side… twirling his wand.

A sigh. "It's a start."

"Bombarda Maxima."

Harry grabbed Colin out of harm's way from the explosion courtesy of Umbridge as dust and small rocks rained over them, relatively unscathed as their secret was, understatedly, found out. Gathering himself, the bespectacled boy glared as his green eyes caught the pink outfit of a smug Umbridge with her Inquisitor Squad behind her along with Filch in the tow.

Harry froze. In Malfoy's sneering grip was Cho.

The beautiful girl of his dreams was despondent, head hung heavily with guilt as her eyes were hooded by her ebony bangs; too ashamed to face her fellow members. Staring almost dumbly, the Boy Who Lived almost missed Umbridge's words; still the same sickened honey that he heard at the Grand Hall.

"Get them."

And with a flurry of protests, yells, and sneers; they were caught. Wands confiscated and alined so that Umbridge was able to execute her punishment effectively, Harry held back his tongue, well aware that if he spoke, it would likely cause more damage than help at this point. Obviously singled out as the leader of Dumbledore's Army, Harry found himself being dragged to Dumbledore's office, a silently tearing Cho beside him. Before Harry could even fathom the thought to comfort the crying girl, Percy — the bloody git of a traitor — man-handled them in, to reveal 'Cornelius Fudge' himself, with a lapdog in the form of Umbridge; sided by two Aurors that he knew: John Dawlish and Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"… Been spying on them for weeks! Cornelius, I plead you to look at the evidence before you." Umbridge practically begged as she turned her glare at the Headmaster, the 'Minister' surprisingly aloof as if he knew this from the beginning. "All of your fear-mongering about You-Know-Who never fooled us for a minute! A smokescreen for your bid to seize control of the Ministry."

"Naturally." Dumbledore deadpanned as Harry could have sworn that he appeared almost at ease on his desk.

"No, Professor!" Harry spoke up, as he looked at the professor with plead before glaring at the 'Minister.' "He had nothing to do with it! It was me!"

"Most noble of you, Harry, to shield me but as it has been pointed out, the parchment clearly says 'Dumbledore's Army' not Potter's." Dumbledore stated simply, as another voice added to it.

"Nor Hitsugaya's for that matter." Snape entered with the said transfer in the tow, both taking to the middle of a stumped Potter and a smug Umbridge.

"I had instructed Harry and Mr. Hitsugaya to form this organization. And I, and I alone, am responsible for it's activities." Dumbledore confessed, as 'Cornelius Fudge' almost gleamed with triumph.

"Dispatch an owl to the Daily Prophet!" The 'minister' ordered. "If we hurry, we should still make the morning edition. Dawlish, Shacklebolt; you will escort Dumbledore to Azkaban to await trial for conspiracy and sedition."

Nearing with bouts of intimidation, if the 'minister' was hoping for effect, he was sorely disappointed. Instead, the Headmaster merely stood with a small gasp as if he had incidentally misplaced something.

"I thought we might hit this little snag." Dumbledore stood with a smile filled with mirth. "You seem to be laboring under the delusion that I'm going to… — What was the phrase? —… come quietly."

"Well, I can tell you this:" Dumbledore shrugged, his words blunt. "I have no intention of going to Azkaban."

"Enough of this." Umbridge whispered, his anger no longer subtle as she snapped swiftly. "Take him!"

With a wink toward a befuddled Harry's way, the Headmaster disappeared in a burst of flames as he met clapped hands with Fawkes, the phoenix effectively allowing his master escape as the group members of the Ministry were pushed back, Harry and Cho too hit by the blast of hot airs as Snape and Hitsugaya merely turned away with a wrinkled sniff. And with a playful crackle, the phoenix and Headmaster were gone.

Regaining themselves, the minister could only cough dryly as Shacklebolt commented with a shrug. "Well, you may not like him, Minister; but you can't deny, Dumbledore has got style."

"Regardless of the means of which the Headmaster has escaped," Toshiro deadpanned, taking the attention toward the youthful transfer. "We are without a Headmaster in Hogwarts at the moment, 'Minister,' along with a defendant on the loose. I don't suppose you have any ideas to resolve these matters?"

A honeyed chuckle echoed as all eyes turned to Umbridge. Anyone could have seen the glee in the witch's eyes.

"Mr. Hitsugaya. Please sit."

Toshiro did as he was instructed, his composure not faltering in the least as he lowered himself on the pink armchair of the Headmistress' office. Like her previous office, pink covered every centimeter of the chambers; china plates projecting young kittens along with laced tables that screamed crazy cat lady. But the captain appeared to be at ease, bored out of his skull almost as his gaze regarded the witch across from him to be less than an insect.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Headmistress." The captain began, his chin cupped in his hand, his sealing bracelet gleaming in the dim lighting. "What can I do for you on this festive night?"

The toad professor's smile widened. "I merely wanted to thank you for assistance for subduing Dumbledore. Your contribution of my request along with the timing of which my squad had acquired a member of the proxy army was most useful. Which is why you are currently here and not being punished with the rest of the army."

She's being polite. Sephiroth noted.

That could either mean she wants something from me or she is just about ready to cut me at the throat. Toshiro hummed nonchalantly, not exactly bothered by the words. I have all the cards in place now.

"How kind of you." Toshiro hummed, his words monotone. "But I would hardly think that this is a meeting of which you are here to befall me compliments."

"And you are correct, my dear." She dropped two sugar cubes into her tea before stirring it with a soft clink. Taking a gulp, the professor continued. "I am curious. Why?"

The captain rose a brow toward his hairline.

"Why did you choose to give me the Veritaserum just two days before my squad had gotten their hands on a member of the D.A.?"

"Wouldn't you have requested it from Professor Snape if I had not supplied it to you?" The captain feigned ignorance as the headmistress relaxed the slightest bit, believing she had a slight upper hand. Never.

"I suppose, Mr. Hitsugaya." Umbridge breathed the tea before her nose, lidding her eyes before they flickered ominously to the captain. "But I hope you would continue to display these gifts of loyalty before me in future, as my wild card and knight within the enemy lines; if you will. And I shall bestow upon you whatever it is you wish. Power, fame, fortune, honor, whatever it is your heart desires."

There was a small silence before the white-haired student began to laugh to the eyesore of a headmistress' surprise. His laughter was dry and breathy, as if an ancient god was amused at a mortal's gall.

"Whatever, my heart desires; you say?" Toshiro held back a snort, only allowing an amused smirk. "These 'gifts of loyalty', Headmistress, are; indeed as you say, gifts. But do not be mistaken."

His voice was low as the Headmistress noticed that her office was deathly silent. Even her kittens did not dare to utter a peep. "I allowed you to become the High Inquisitor, set up your little group to do your dirty work, have your 'investigation' of the facility and even the position of Headmistress. I have no loyalty to you, nor do I desire to succumb to any of your bribes of power. Did you truly believe that you became the Headmistress of Hogwarts by your own power? Do not flatter yourself."

His voice grew mocking. "'Knight within the enemy lines?' 'Wild card?'"

"You should know your place as a half-blood yourself, Headmistress. A witch with Muggle blood in her veins daring to offer me, a pureblood, such trivial things? Fame? I have that whether I wish to or not. Power, honor, fortune? I have more than you, even with your new title." The captain deadpanned, smirking internally as he noted the witch's flinch at the mention of her blood status, resuming his laid-back posture as the new Head of Hogwarts began to turn red. "I have no intention nor need for that matter, of helping you nor being anything of the sort. I am loyal to nothing but myself and my society. Your position was allowed because it was convenient for me."

"Then… What can I do to have you on my side?" Her words were soft.

"You bargain with me, Headmistress." Toshiro smirked as he stood, turning to the exit as Umbridge frowned, confused. "I am not the one on the other side of the Ministry. I have no interest in the Ministry, nonetheless it's existence. But how I can manipulate it to my advantage, I do. Therefore, give me something to work with. I have allowed your invasive ways upon the facility and even the highest position despite your bloodline. Now, reciprocate." The captain finished in a whisper, about to take his leave when a crash of china made him pause, turning halfway. On the other side of the desk was a fuming Umbridge, as she held her wand out as she neared the captain, who regarded her wand for what it was. A stick.

"Are you threatening me, Mr. Hitsugaya?" Her whisper was soft.

"Am I?" Hitsugaya echoed, unfazed as he kept his voice calm. "You asked me why, Headmistress. And as a student, I shall give you my answer."

"Why?" It grew louder as she bellowed. "Why?! Why did you…" Before it grew soft once more.

"Simple." Toshiro smirked as he repaired the mess with a wave of his wand before pausing the yew wood at the Headmistress' neck. "To show useless politicians that as much as you wish to have power, there is always someone above you and more often then not, as much as you try to climb to my position; you will always be the insect that grovels at my feet. Therefore, know your place, half-blood."

Umbridge grew a smirk of her own. "Then you should know yours, my dear."

The following morning, Hitsugaya stood before McGonagall, his demeanor rather indifferent as the Transfiguration professor was rather appalled. It was before classes had yet to start and here the transfer was, instead of being at breakfast, he was handing in his detention slip, courtesy of the Headmistress. McGonagall ran a hand over her face, her expression obviously in concealed distress.

"It has yet to be the start of the morning class, and you already have a detention slip to inform me of, Mr. Hitsugaya?" She frowned as she read the parchment. "'For rude implications toward faculty?' What on earth did you say to Dolores, Mr. Hitsugaya?"

I called her an eyesore since her arrival, dared to refuse her offer into eventual serfdom, and may have indirectly — directly — threatened to have either inflict mental possession, painful torture, or death without it being traced while insulting her tainted bloodline. I don't particularly believe that she took it well. "I was improper with my words in my previous conversation with the Headmistress." Toshiro replied simply as the Head of Gryffindor sighed, the young captain ignoring the laughter of his wand guardian and zanpakuto.

You know, I thought that you didn't care to blood relations, Master? Sephiroth inquired as the captain sighed, agreeing.

I don't. Toshiro replied bluntly. However, the social aspect of this realm is that purebloods are above half-bloods, then mudbloods are scorned. Considering Umbridge had lied of her 'proud' pureblood lineage when she actually was a half-blood with a Squib for a brother, a weak pureblood father, and a Muggle mother; I hit a nerve when I addressed bloodlines.

And being a pureblood, you are the epitome of what she can't be. Sephiroth stringed together as Hyorinmaru shrugged.

Psychological torture. Lasts longer than physical ones.

"I understand that the facility is a bit strained due to the change of authority but… we must adjust and make do with what we can. Do you understand, Mr. Hitsugaya?"

"Yes, professor." Toshiro nodded when McGonagall eyed him before sighing. And with that, the captain left, the slip smirking in his hands.

There was a collective silence when the captain entered the Grand Hall with everyone else seated, detention starting for Fifth Years and above as all of the elder members of the D.A. shot him looks of concern. Apparently upon the summons of Umbridge, the rest of army believed that Hitsugaya had a 'personal' detention with the new Headmistress, only confirming this when he showed up in the dorms with a detention slip, value being for the rest of the week. Instead of the usual large dining tables, the hall was held moved desks, situated in rows as it would a classroom with a single podium where Dumbledore would usually hold announcements.

Now, a smug and victorious Umbridge took his place; seated in a grand, golden throne; donned in dark pink robes as she nursed a cup of tea. Catching sight of the captain, she smiled mockingly as she gestured to the sole empty seat.

This one was off to the side, upon the lifted steps of where the professors would welcome the students as they entered Hogwarts. Sideways to face the throne compared to the other fronted desks, it was apparent that the Headmistress had plans for the transfer. Toshiro eyed the desk for a half-second, before seating himself.

At the desk top was the same as the others: a set of papers and an enchanted quill to cut into the writer's flesh for the needed blood. However, the captain's differed to an extent, as the quill appeared sharper and leaked a darker reiatsu than the others present.

And with a lift of the quill, blood was shed.

Snip. The captain paid no heed to his bloodied hand as Yoruichi wrapped it meticulously, her golden eyes narrowed as she studied her 'nephew', the moonlight basked over them. Still in his school robes, the captain was studying a set of papers before him; spilled in an organized chaos over the bed in the Hospital Wing. The number of standards issued being so many that the cuts dug into the flesh to reveal bone, blood drained to the point that the captain was paler than what was seen in morgues. But despite the severity of the wounds, Hitsugaya only brushed it off as if it was a mild scuffle.

"How much longer are you going play with this eyesore?" Yoruichi asked her expression and words genuinely curious. "I thought that you were going to stop after she became Headmistress."

"I was." Toshiro pursed his lips, eyes still not moving from the papers. "But she needed to have the satisfaction of taking me down for her to be fully satisfied. And then, with the twins' intervention; everything will fall into place."

"Everything?" The former Second Division captain rose a brow to her hairline.

"As far as I can predict at the very least." Toshiro shrugged. "My role over these children has lessen this year, but that does not dictate that Potter may roam as he wishes. Half the time, he is a mere pawn in the chess between Dumbledore and Voldemort."

"And you, nephew?"

"A hidden puppeteer in plain sight." Toshiro answered simply. "My role is of a cohort that oversees events. I do not prevent deaths nor do I fight for Potter's existence. I am here upon an investigation that centers over a violation of law upon the afterlife. The fate of the living or their time of death are none of my concern."

A playful scoff breathed over the cat-like woman as she ran a hair through the icy child's white tresses. "You are a good liar, Shiro-chan."

The said snowy scowled. "I'm not lying, Yoruichi."

"Sure, you're not; Hitsu-chan~" The grape-haired woman purred, drawing out the first word deliberately for emphasis. With a tear of tape, the shinigami finished wrapping the ice captain's hand. "Are you attending for the following year?"

"That depends on the Head Captain."

"From the way things are, you are; nephew." The orange clad woman said with a serious look. "Four Horcruxes have been found but of the others we have yet to know about? You may have taken a year away for us to examine the Horcrux in detail for the diadem; but the remaining are now a priority, if we wish for the prophecy to play out as we wish."

"Which would explain why we need to destroy all of them before we can attempt to intervene at Voldemort." Toshiro deadpanned as golden orbs rolled at the captain's jibe. "Therefore, to expedite things, I am needed in Hogwarts once more."

"Pretty much." Yoruichi shrugged her posture relaxed. "Knowing you though, Hitsu-chan — It's Hitsugaya-taicho. — you probably have a plan in place already."

The ice captain shrugged, indifferent as the woman pouted, outstretched behind her mock nephew. Deciding against poking his face to see his annoyed expression, the grape-haired woman glanced at the window, as the setting sun glowed softly from the stained glass; nodding that it was time she returned. "The end of the examinations, Hitsu-chan."

Nodding to the now cat, the ice captain folded the clothing into a thin velvet pocket, enchanted to fit his aunt's things as she took off, the bag around her neck. "Until examinations."

It was several more hours until after curfew that the ice captain sensed a reiatsu near the Hospital Wing, the dim light of torchlight glowing the night amber; Madame Pomfrey turned in for the night as she deemed that the captain was to stay for the night and not touch his bandages. Within several moments and a thin creak of the doors, a head of silvery white blonde poked out behind them, grey eyes narrowed with concern as they searched the wing. Finally meeting the captain's questioning gaze, Malfoy waved two others with him to follow, revealing them to be Goyle and Crabbe respectively.

"Draco, what are you doing here?" Toshiro questioned calmly as the blonde looked at the transfer with a scoff.

"Your hand was mutilated in a detention that you could have gone out of, and you ask me; what the bloody hell I am doing here at the dead of the night?" Draco glared with venom, shaking with thin rage, as the captain merely rose a brow at the display of anger; Crabbe and Goyle backing up the blonde. "What do you think I am doing here, Toshiro?!"

"Be silent, Draco." The ice captain snapped, his words cold; before he sighed recognizing the look of pain in Malfoy's eyes, threatening to tear. "You are in a hospital, not a playground. And it is not your fault. Umbridge will not suspect anything but loyalty to you and your followers, Crabbe and Goyle included."

"That's not the matter here!" Malfoy hissed in the silence as the ice captain blinked with confusion. "I came because I was worried about you. You. My friend, Toshiro. I can careless what that half-breed, peasant woman thinks of me! But… You…"

Toshiro stared blankly before he regained his composure, the two muscles clearly displeased at the fact that their leader and friend was distraught. With a soft clear of his throat, Malfoy glared back at the captain. "You're my friend, Toshiro. The only one I can truly…"

…Trust. The captain filled silently as he smirked softly.

"Thank you, Draco. And I apologize for worrying you, but I am fine." The captain held up a hand to Draco's glare. "It was an injury of expectance and in accordance to Madame Pomfrey, I will recover within the following week for examinations."

"A-Are you sure?" If anyone noticed the waver in the blonde's voice, they did not voice it.

Looking at his friend in the eye, Toshiro nodded. "Yes, Draco. Umbridge's punishments are not to be concerned over."

"Very well." Draco breathed, slumping in relief as he loosened his stiffened posture; allowing a moment of breath before he seated himself on the bed adjacent to Toshiro's, facing the captain as his lackeys took to each side. "Crabbe and Goyle have been informed of the circumstances, other than the other issue on the home front."

"I see." Was Toshiro's only reply having figured as much. "And Umbridge?"

"Crabbe." The blonde's grey orbs commanded quietly.

"The Headmistress was last seen in her office, with what was reported to be a happy expression on her face. Parkinson noted that she had said something about sending a letter to the Minister." The shorter lackey nodded, his voice gravelly.

"That half-blood has crossed a line." Goyle muttered as his deep voice echoed in the chambers, making all of them turn to the taller. Toshiro rose a brow in question as Malfoy nodded in full agreement with his subordinate and friend's words, Crabbe not one to disagree; too made his anger evident.

"She will rue the day has split the blood of pureblood."

Dolores Umbridge, Headmistress of Hogwarts; stood as pompously as a thief would upon a stolen home, claiming the land for thine self. The Grand Hall echoed with silence other than the sound of scratching quills and the occasional sigh of doubt when a difficult question made itself known. Unlike his cohorts, Toshiro was finished with his examinations upon the last day; having completed the questions and enlisted instructions with perfection, but was unable to leave the premises until all had completed the exams. In response, Toshiro was currently taking part in an activity that Matsumoto would have never thought her captain would be caught dead doing. He was napping.

Teal orbs lidded and small pink lips slightly agape, the transfer appeared to be out cold, his bandaged hand wrapped with fresh bandages from the morning already darkened with undoubtably torn flesh. His complexion was pale, but had enough color to not be too overly concerned. However, that did not mean Draco, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and even Goyle and Crabbe were not; if their occasional glances to the unresponsive captain were of any indication.

In fact, it wasn't until the second firework, the listed students took notice with the rest of class of the presence of the Weasley brothers' antics. None saw the thin smirk on the captain's lips as the Weasley twins made their appearance, just as the captain disappeared in the crowd.

The once Headmistress of Hogwarts — and pink — was now a sight behold. Her brown curls singed as more charcoal than pink was evident on her clothing, the black bow of her hair finally rescued from it's misery as it hung limply from her cardigan. Not to mention the smell of burnt hair and fireworks over her flowery perfume did not make a pleasant combination. So, when she found Mr. Potter at the base of her chimney with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley; her patience was thin as it was.

"You were going to Dumbledore, weren't you?" She whispered, hovering over a silent Harry Potter. Granger, Weasley, Longbottom, Lovegood, and the youngest Weasley were their audience held by her trustworthy squad.

"No." The moment Harry answered, a split second later; a hand slapped over his cheek with a harsh smack.

"Liar." She snarled softly, taking a bit of satisfaction that Potter was stunned.

"You sent for me, Headmistress?" Severus' voice was a godsend.

"Snape, yes." Umbridge smiled, her patience fully tested as she turned to the Potion's professor at the doorway. "The time for answers, whether he wants to give them to me or not. Have you brought the Veritaserum?"

"I'm afraid you've used up all of my stores interrogating students. The last of the requested list from you, Headmistress; was from what Mr. Hitsugaya had reported to me, used on Miss Chang." Harry exchanged looks with his friends as they silently cursed mentally at the revelation. Hitsugaya was working for Umbridge?!

"Unless you wish to poison him. And I assure you, I would have the greatest sympathy if you did, I cannot help you." Snape finished, only to have a figure Apparate before them.

"But I can." Toshiro Hitsugaya said icily, his glare cold as he held up a vial. Umbridge was only able to smile widely until she was bound with golden chains, the Kido glowing brightly in the dim room; prompting surprised looks from everyone. Toshiro smirked darkly, the vial uncorked in hand. "But not for you, half-breed." …Or not…