Chapter 17: Aftermaths

"You encountered this Voldemort, Hitsugaya-taicho." The Head Captain more so stated then questioned, as the ice captain as knelt before him. The older shinigami studied the young captain for a moment. His form was, in a word, tired. The Head Captain imagined it so; running the division was already a job within itself, adding Hogwarts and the Order of the Phoenix, the child appeared to uptake too many things at once. But the young captain's pride and the steeled cold of which the young captain vehemently refused to allow his colleagues to even invest in the notion that he was inapt for his position; silenced the Head Captain from voicing anything.

"Yes, Head Captain." Hitsugaya nodded, his form small but commanding. Unohana-taicho had saw to it that the youngest captain's wounds were addressed when he returned, bloodied from glass shards as the Ninth Seat of the Tenth Division had reported, before anything else, glaring anyone who dared to challenge her words. The Fourth Division healer had won indefinitely, none daring to invoke her ire. The sole bandage at his cheek along with many others hid from his sight as the white-haired captain bowed, giving his report.

"Riddle's reiatsu was more distorted than his Horcruxes, as expected. The moment he is killed, hollowfication will overtake him. And in the basis of how dark it is; the hollow is at least that of an Arrancar."

"Are you suggesting that it may be the level of an Espada, Hitsugaya-taicho?"

"Not to that extent, sir. But enough to be held in caution."

"And of this Sirius Black?"

"He has been allowed entry to Soul Society and has been cleared of his past by the Lethe, as you have pardoned, Head Captain."

"You are to proceed with the next phase, Hitsugaya-taicho."

"Yes, Head Captain."

The aged shinigami nodded, determining the meeting over as the ice captain bowed, before shunpoing out, taking his leave. The Head Captain folded his hands over his cane in silence. As beings and gods of death, they were the intermediate of the World of the Living and Soul Society. They were protectors of the living and dead alike, and as powerful as they were, the predetermination of death was something that they could only watch. Rarely was it the case that they were able to interfere — Voldemort — unless the situation called for it.

Sirius Black was not.

The ice captain had interfered once. Instead of being consumed by a Dementor, he was liberated for a year. But then came the fate of being killed by his cousin. The dead could only interfere so much if at all in this case.

At least now, the boy had a body to bury. It was better than then most shinigami could have said before their drink of the Lethe. But it was not like they knew any better anyway.

Toshiro returned to Hogwarts the next day, bandage free, the Head Captain wanting all of his captains present for the meeting in a physical sense for the first time in months. It was only two weeks left until the end of the school year, so truly there really wasn't any reason for the ice captain's required attendance, however, Toshiro voiced no protest. If he were to choose between Soul Society and Hogwarts, the answer was obvious. The grounds were quiet as the captain walked down the hall, when a soft voice called out to him, silent and elegant to the ear. Toshiro obliged, turning to meet the Head Ghosts of Hogwarts, the Grey Lady speaking for them all.

"Mr. Hitsugaya. The Dark Lord has returned."

"You speak of it like you were not informed of it in a earlier fashion." Toshiro replied coolly. "My role this year was merely overlooking the search of Horcruxes. The official return of Voldemort was expected."

"And the response of Soul Society?" Nearly Headless Nick inquired, his cheerful expression serious for once. "What is the decision of the Head Captain and the Central 46?"

"That is classified." Hitsugaya snapped as he flipped open his soul-phone before reading its contents, closing it once more. "But as I informed you in beginning of my arrival, I am here in investigative purposes and observation; involvement upon my part and therefore, Soul Society, is minimal and contained to a limit. And anything or anyone in the way, will be dealt with in accordance. That is all."

The ghosts of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor appeared furious as Ravenclaw and Slytherin remained unmoved, expressions thoughtful as Toshiro blinked slowly, teal gaze half-lidded. Just before the Fat Friar was going to say something, the Grey Lady interrupted her expression scrutinizing.

"To what extent is your investigation, Mr. Hitsugaya?"

Hitsugaya sported a small smirk at the question, as the Bloody Baron grinned maliciously at the words as the Grey Lady's eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement. "The extent of which my superior orders me to. I am in no control of which how dependent his orders are as my superior."

"And therefore the extent of which his investigation is dependent upon… Oh…" The friar was catching on as a pointed look colored his expression. The nearly headless ghost of Gryffindor turned his nearly decapitated head in confusion at his colleagues and the captain, the only one out of the loop.

"Clever, Hitsugaya." The baron praised as he scoffed at the captain's ingenuity. "Informing your superior or not, to control the orders you are given. Brilliant."

Toshiro shrugged indifferently as he turned to the Gryffindor dormitory. "It is merely asking the correct questions."

Agreeing solemnly, the House Ghosts made for their respective exits when Nick scratched his head with a frown. "I don't get it…"

The Baron muttered a litany of unsavory curses that elicited an argument with the oblivious Nicholas as the Grey Lady sighed as if this was not her first time explaining something to a particularly slow child as the Friar patted her back sympathetically. All in a typical day in a gathering of the four of them.

Perched on the windowsill above the ghosts, the captain smirked softly, amused as his thoughts travelled to the events that have transpired. Slowly, the smirk was replaced with a grim frown, Hyorinmaru and Sephiroth roused as their master appeared in the Inner World, the wintery wasteland graced with a soft snowfall. Seating himself in the ice, Toshiro glared into the purple mountains in the distance. Voldemort now knows that the 'heavenly guardian' exists, he will want to anything in his power to make sure that I choose to allow him to live. And now that Lucius Malfoy has been captured, Draco and his mother have become perfect pawns to play.

Draco and his mother? Sephiroth echoed as Hyorinmaru nodded.

And knowing the nature of the Malfoys, they may be swayed but that is only if all three of them are no longer under the threat of the Dark Lord or Azkaban alike. Hyorinmaru revealed. With his father in Azkaban without any hope of escape other than means of the Dark Lord, Draco is the perfect pawn to exploit with his mother as leverage and vice versa if he fails in the Dark Lord's orders to which he has no choice but to comply if he wishes to free his father and allow his mother to live.

What a predicament you have presented me with, Draco. The master mused with a hint of annoyance. Dumbledore has presented with his intention to make Snape as Voldemort's spy within Hogwarts and to ensure that he is trusted to kill the Headmaster. But such a roundabout way of killing Riddle is unnecessary.

Urahara has finished the method to separate the fragment? Hyorinmaru questioned as their master nodded.

Yes, but minor consequences to Potter. But nonetheless fulfills the necessary objective. The problem remains in what is the remaining number of Horcruxes before I am able to finally kill Riddle. Dumbledore informed me that it cannot be more than seven, but uncertainty is not allowed. Toshiro frowned darkly, his glare intensifying as the snowfall grew into a fierce blizzard. And I am not naive enough to believe that Dumbledore will allow a student to willingly go about and do as he pleases in such a time after Black's death.

Then what are you suggesting we do, Master? Sephiroth rose a brow.

Do what you do when you do not know or in the dark of something, of course. Their master smirked finally as the blizzard whistled in the Inner World. Find out for yourself, with the help of several allies.

An hour later, Toshiro was seated in an empty classroom, lounging comfortably on a desk, his back against a wall with an ebony hardcover when a soft knock took him from his reading, to reveal a solemn Draco. Unlike his friend, Draco appeared tired, his blonde locks limp against his pale face yet his eyes sparkled with a hint of relief at the sight of the captain.

"Toshiro." Draco sighed as he felt the door lock behind him, accustomed to the captain's security measures, as he leaned back against the wood in a tired sag. "Thank Merlin, you are alright. After Potter came back with Dumbledore without you with news that your grandfather had sent for you to return, I had thought that you were wounded or otherwise."

Aw. You have friends who truly do care for you, Master. Hyorinmaru teased with a laugh as Sephiroth failed to stifle a chuckle. I feel so proud of you.

Shut up. Toshiro retorted annoyedly as he turned his attention at the blonde.

"No. My grandfather simply wished to have me report to him personally. I apologize for being unable to do anything about your father, Draco." Toshiro glanced with slight concern at the blonde's flinch at the mention of his father as the latter shook his head with a sad breath. "Aurors arrived soon after your father and the Dark Lord's followers had."

"Father has chosen his fate and you bear none of the responsibility, Toshiro. If anything, I would have preferred that you didn't do anything at the risk that you would too be caught up in this mess." Malfoy admitted silently, before running a hand through his messy blonde locks, eyes determined. "But now that my father is in Azkaban, the Dark Lord will not be pleased with his capture along with the other recently released Death Eaters, Aunt Bella for one."

It's kinda ironic if you think about it. Sephiroth added at a nod to the blonde's words. You'd think after being in Azkaban it would make them go to hiding.

There's a reason we have execution or exile more often then imprisonment. Too much work to lock people up unless absolutely necessary, just cut off the head and something is bound to stop. Hyorinmaru shrugged as Toshiro ignored them.

"Not to mention your impending promotion." The captain stated the obvious as they seated themselves in the class, Toshiro on the desktop of the seat in front of the one that Draco had taken to; the former crossing his arms as the latter frowned.

"Will it be that soon?"

"Yes, and for two reasons: firstly, your father has failed in his task to retrieve the prophecy that Voldemort wanted and will most likely exploit to allow that reason enough to pressure you and your mother into doing anything to spare you now that your father is now in Azkaban, has only one way to escape; by Voldemort's power. Secondly, you are in the perfect position for Voldemort to find information on a new adversary or ally for him to explore; along with studying Potter for information in the aftermath of Black's death."

"An adversary or ally? Who, in the world could be either of those at this…?" The blonde rose a brow as the captain stared back, unblinking before the grey steel orbs narrowed. "What did you do, Toshiro?"

Damn. Toshiro cursed as he silenced the ice dragons' amusement in his mind.

"Why on earth would you think that I would be responsible for such a thing?"

Draco knew his friend well enough to detect the sarcasm in the indifferent tone of the captain as he glared at him. "At least tell me that you did not straight up tell him that you would be the one to kill him or anything of the sort, Toshiro."

"I was disguised and did not explicit state who I was, if that is what you are implying, Draco. Surely, you do not think I am that foolish?"

"No. But you did have a plan when you did that, didn't you?"

The captain blinked once before the blonde groaned at the confirmation. "You have been with those Gryffindors for too bloody long, Toshiro. I think their recklessness has rubbed off on you. You are diseased with a severe illness, my friend. I do not know the cure for such malady."

"As if you are one to talk." Toshiro retorted with a scoff. "Do not think I am ignorant of your ventures to improve your Legilimens and Occlumency when you think I am not paying attention. Despite after I told you that if you accidentally do to venture into my mind, I can permanently break yours. Do not lecture me about being reckless. Besides, my improvisation is not subpar."

"My actions pales in comparison of your proposal of introducing yourself to the Dark Lord with a notion to play games. And I know first hand how lethal your improvising can be." Malfoy shot back before eyeing his friend with a hint of mock skepticism. "Are you sure you are a prodigy, Hitsugaya?"

"Just as sure as you are of my House, Malfoy." The captain smirked back.

The blonde laughed lightly, as if they were sharing an inside joke before they met gazes. "What will we do now then, my friend? Now that you have somewhat revealed yourself to the Dark Lord with your identification as the 'heavenly guardian' and with my inevitable promotion into being a Death Eater, what now?"

"I thought it would be obvious, Malfoy." Toshiro replied curtly as he jumped off the desk, landing with the grace of an acrobat. "We continue with the plan, as it will all come to a head in a year."

"Oh?" Malfoy echoed, trailing after his friend as he smiled with mirth. "You have planned it up until the following year already, Hitsugaya?"

"Were you expecting otherwise?"

"Then, where in the world are we off to this time?"

"Why, I believe you are rather familiar with your own home, no?"

In Dumbledore's office, newly refurnished to his tastes once more after the imprisonment of Umbridge to Azkaban and the former Headmaster reinstated; seated a confused Harry Potter before the said Headmaster, who spoke to his student with a solemn tone. "I know how you feel, Harry."

"No, you don't." The Gryffindor retorted blatantly, not disrespectful per se but stating it as if it was as is. Looking to his fidgeting hands, the Boy Who Lived whispered after a silence. "It's my fault."

"No, the fault is mine." Dumbledore shook his head. "I knew it was only a matter of time before Voldemort made the connection between you. I thought by distancing myself from you, as I have done all year, he'd be less tempted, and therefore you might be more protected."

"The prophecy said: '…neither one can live while the other one survives…' It means one of us is gonna have to kill each other, in the end-d." Harry's voice shook, trailing as the Headmaster looked at the boy almost pityingly.

"No." Dumbledore admitted. "The lost prophecy was first told to me by Professor Trelawney: "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."

"…This 'heavenly guardian,' then will be the one who…?" Harry whispered as he tried to collect his thoughts. "Do you know who this 'heavenly guardian' is, Professor?"

"Yes. He, too; carries a burden upon his shoulders, Harry. Having the power to decide the death of you and the Dark Lord comes with no small price."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"For the same reason you had tried to save Sirius." Dumbledore replied, his twinkling eyes dim. "The same reason your friends saved you. After all these years, after all you've suffered… I didn't want to cause you anymore pain. I cared too much about you."

Silence lapsed the conversation until Harry excused himself, too many thoughts swirling to even do anything more than numbingly pack his things for the end of the school year as he left the office. Sighing in the silence, the Headmaster found that he found other visitors, Hitsugaya who was accompanied by Snape and McGonagall.

"Mr. Hitsugaya."

"Headmaster. Judging from the expression of Potter in his retreat to the dormitory, I suppose you have informed him of the prophecy." The fact that the captain was in his full uniform did not slip unnoticed as Dumbledore nodded with a sad sigh, the captain continuing. "My grandfather believes your plan is flawed and too risky, Headmaster. Sending Snape as your spy after ensuring his 'loyalty' by your death, is unnecessary."

Dumbledore smiled cynically as Snape stiffened.

"Albus?" McGonagall paled at the captain's words as the latter glared back at Dumbledore's uncharacteristically cold look, despite his smile. "What is Mr. Hitsugaya speaking of? Severus as the Dark Lord's servant after your death?"

"I apologize for dragging you into such morbid conversations, Professor McGonagall, but it is true. But I have no intention in allowing you to perish in such an idiotic reason. If played correctly, only one life will needed to fix the problem that plagues the Western Wizarding realm." Toshiro glared as everyone before him looked ready to protest before the captain rose a hand. "My grandfather's orders are absolute and he has decided. There is nothing you can say or protest that will counter the weight of his words."

"Surely, you are not suggesting what I am thinking, Mr. Hitsugaya?!" McGonagall all but yelled, her voice horrified. "You are but a child! Barely in the Order and after the death of Sirius Black, we cannot allow you to recklessly —!"

"No, you wouldn't." Toshiro replied coldly, cutting off the Head of Gryffindor, annoyed. "Allow me to then remind you, Professor. I am not under anyone's permission but my grandfather's. A part of the Order I am, but I do not take orders from any of you. If you do however, try to stop me; then by all means, you may try."

With a small shrug, the captain met the glare from McGonagall for impudence, the thoughtful look from Dumbledore and the almost lost expression of Snape evenly. "Recall the position of our former Defence Against the Dark Arts professor and Headmistress currently. I was feeling a bit merciful in my decision to send her to Azkaban although my grandfather had asked if I wanted to do the same to Fudge."

Snape rose a brow at the only student. "As in the Minister of Magic?"

"Yes, Professor." Toshiro nodded as if he were conversing of the weather. "The Minister and my fellow colleagues did not see eye-to-eye if you will, and after small meeting with several methods of persuasion, he was compliant enough to our — ah… conditions."

Silence lapsed as the Headmaster broke it in a whisper, his eyes glinting with a hint of sadness, hope, and sympathy. "You are aware of exactly why I had suggested this plan to Severus in the first place, are you not; Mr. Hitsugaya?"

The captain nodded as the Headmaster sighed.

"Then you should know that I cannot allow you to do this." And with a flick of his wrist, the Headmaster fired a Stun, the ruby magic crackling toward the captain at lightning speed. But the captain was faster. With a soft incant of Bakudo, an orange box protected the captain from the Stun, clashing with the demon magic as the captain allowed them to cancel one another before he pulled out his own wand.

"On the contrary, you are in no position to be allowing me in doing anything." Toshiro snapped as a golden locket gleamed over the captain's neck, revealed after the small scuffle as Snape and Dumbledore's eyes widened at the sight of it. "I have done in three Horcruxes and with the diary of Tom Marvolo Riddle destroyed; there remains but one, other than Potter. None but I can decide their fate. Therefore you, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, never really had any position in this other than taking care of Potter as an animal for my slaughter; nonetheless, to state whether you can allow me to do much of anything. I am the 'heavenly guardian' who holds the choice of destroying your hope in the form of an adolescent boy or doing away with the annoyance of a petulant lord that calls himself Voldemort in an act of fear. Do not tempt me to choosing wrongly. I will be returning to Japan after the Hogwarts Express arrives at London, Headmaster. Regardless of what you want to do, you know how to contact me."

Before the captain could Apparate, the Headmaster spoke his words, soft.

"Are you aware of what this implies for you, Mr. Hitsugaya?"

"I am." Toshiro replied evenly.

"How long until you believe it will be time…?"

The captain was silent before he whispered, shunpoing as his words seemed to echo in the office. "In less than a year's time, Headmaster."

Rangiku. The vice captain paused in mid-instruction as she turned away from the subordinates that she was supervising, assisting them in their training. Excusing herself with a lazy cat grin as she sent the mental message that she was not alone, the lieutenant was able to slip away at the head of courtyard of the division a hand reached for the mirror that she kept on her person. On the what should have been her reflection, instead gleamed the scowling face of her captain, his usual stoic expression pulled to an annoyed frown that Matsumoto knew all too well from her escapades.

Only this time, it was most definitely not her fault.

"Secure your location with the appropriate measures, Matsumoto. Then I will relay to you the circumstances." Her captain ordered promptly as she nodded, her eyes curious as she set up several barriers when she entered their shared office. Glancing at the lowered mirror, she observed her superior, noting silently that he was skinnier. Dressed in a white sleeveless turtleneck over tattered ebony jeans that were packed by yours truly with several silver belts over his hips, the captain nodded when she finished, satisfied.

"What I am going to tell you is under the same rules that I have designated for the Time-Turner, Matsumoto. Only you and I are aware of this, do you understand?" Her captain then informed her of the prophecy in regards of the 'heavenly guardian', Harry Potter, and Voldemort.

"This Voldemort split his soul into fragments to cheat death?" The lieutenant snorted, her opinion of the Dark Lord clear as a haunted look glared through her silvery blue eyes. "There are worst things in any of the worlds we cross that are worst than death."

"We would know, Matsumoto." Her captain deadpanned blandly as she chuckled, spotting the amused glint in his teal eyes. "But that aside, I am the 'heavenly guardian' in the prophecy due to being Sephiroth's master and wielder. And will be the one who chooses which of the two, Voldemort or Harry Potter, will live."

"Is there something that bothers you about this, taicho?" Her voice was even, calm and collected. But a thin waver in her tone echoed to an event years ago. They were conversing of potential treason after all; Soul Society was not known for it's forgiving nature.

"I will not let our division and you go through another defection on my behalf similar to the Diamond-Dust Rebellion, Matsumoto." Hitsugaya reassured as he continued with an even glare that requested her to obey indefinitely. "Just remember why this mirror exists and that if the circumstance arises that you must incapacitate me or at least, try to. This is an order, Matsumoto."

"Taicho—!"

"Do not make me repeat myself, Matsumoto." He cut in. "I am not saying that this will happen, but under the precaution that I am unable to make the 'correct' decision for Soul Society; you must do the appropriate duty to assure that the three worlds will be safe. My shields in Occlumency are powerful along with my influence in Legilimency with the assistance of Hyorinmaru and Sephiroth. So, this is nothing more than a fail-safe for us. But in the circumstance that I am separated from them and they are unable…"

"You need a fallback to rely on. But you would not be giving me this order if you did not believe the chances of it to happen were not significant, taicho. You're too careful to not allow the thought." She finished, a small snort coloring her lips. Her lip gloss felt dry, too sticky for comfort. "There's a reason why you talked to me through this instead of calling, isn't there, taicho?"

Her captain merely stared but she caught the glimmer of surprise in those cold eyes.

She smiled weakly as she pointed to the mirror that connected their conversation. "Haineko hasn't said a thing to our conversation and yet I have not felt her panic that our connection has been severed, and neither has Hyorinmaru and Sephiroth reacted at your request. No zanpakuto would be settled with their master requesting to die, taicho. This is only between us, isn't it?"

"Yes, Matsumoto." Hitsugaya sighed, relenting before his glare hardened. "The only parties aware of this arrangement are you and the Head Captain, him less extensively than you. If Voldemort truly fears death enough to sever his soul into fragments, and if the life of a Hogwarts student being the only thing in his way to reign and immortality is almost all too tempting of an endeavor to not take on."

Silvery blue moon narrowed as the gears of the lieutenant's mind turned. "Taicho."

He nodded. "Remember your orders, Matsumoto."