Chapter 18: No More Games

With Slytherin winning the House Cup, the school year had come to a close, which declared it to be time for the students to leave Hogwarts for the summer. Packing like the others within his dormitory, Harry sighed once more as a wave of grief hit him, Sirius was to be buried with his parents; beside those who entrusted their beloved son with, his friends. Almost automatically, Harry found himself finished with his packing, everything folded and neatly arranged for once; as if to indicate further that he was not okay. Glassy green eyes screened through his section of the dorm, looking but not truly seeing when a glint of silver caught the Boy Who Lived's eye; the Two-Way Mirror his godfather had gifted him, a thin shard left after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.

"You will not see anything, young Harry." A kind voice stated, not condescending or pityingly as the boy found Nearly Headless Nick drift over to him, joining him at the bed. When had he come to the bed? "Sirius is no longer of this world and the Two-Way Mirror can only do so much, my boy."

Harry gripped the shard, not responding before he looked at the ghost; who shook his head at the boy's question. "Sirius is not the kind of wizard who would do that. To condemn you to see him like you see me. He has moved on and is content, do not disservice him by doing this."

"Why are you here, Sir Nick?" Harry asked, his voice flat.

"I am the Ghost of Gryffindor. You and the rest of your house are therefore my responsibility as much as it is Minerva's, and I believe you are the one who needs my help more than anyone right now, Harry." The ghost smiled sadly as he placed a transparent hand over the boy, careful to not phase through. "You are still not alone, Harry. There are people who still love and cherish you just as much Sirius has and would have."

It was several moments before Harry began to sob softly, whispered words of comfort echoing in his ears as the ghost consoled him the best he could. Seated outside the door that led to their shared wing of the dorm was a silent Hitsugaya, his eyes tired with his wand held loosely over a bent knee, his other leg outstretched, overhearing everything.

Master, you are not finished. Hyorinmaru prodded gently as the captain sighed, nodding despite none being able to see. After placing a few spells to assure privacy for Potter that would fade after half an hour, Toshiro departed, his trunk and belongings trailing behind him as he made his way towards Slytherin.

"Hitsugaya." Snape greeted, his face stoic. "You are late."

"Forgive my tardiness, Professor. I was preoccupied with several things before coming here." Toshiro replied evenly before seating himself in the office, pouring himself a cup of tea. "What is it that you wished to discuss at the end of the year, Professor?"

"Dumbledore has thought over your proposal and has decided that if you insist to do what you wish, you are to do so while keeping at least him or myself informed of your actions as well as take to account your own self-preservation when doing so." The Potions Master had the decency to look slightly annoyed and angered by the captain's indifference, having expected as much. "Our conditions are that Potter is to be killed by the Dark Lord at the appropriate moment, by his hand so that the Horcrux can be lifted from him and protect him until then. As well as the request to have the plan of Dumbledore's concerning myself to be underway."

Hitsugaya looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "No."

Holding up a hand before the Potions Master can protest, the captain explained himself. "The needed risk to make Voldemort kill Potter is not needed, as we speak, I have several individuals experimenting ways to remove the Horcrux from Potter while leaving his life intact that will be finished in six months to a year, Professor. Your condition will not be fulfilled if there is another way for me to remove the damned thing. I cannot promise that it will be painless, but I would imagine that it is better than dying by the hands of your parentage's murderer."

Only now, I need Kurotsuchi and Urahara to finish their experiments to remove the Dark Lord parts from the Harry parts without hurting the latter. Too much. The ice captain finished, his tone annoyed. Although, Zaraki's suggestion is tempting.

It would most certainly be easiest, Master. Hyorinmaru admitted as Sephiroth finished the thought. But you are not one to opt for the easy way for anything. The boy deserves to live.

"However, under the condition of which this experiment cannot yield the wanted results that you wish for, Captain Hitsugaya…"

Until he doesn't. Toshiro commented as his dragons merely hummed.

"… I will place your condition under consideration." Toshiro finished before his teal orbs glared. "As you will with my conditions."

The Head of Slytherin remained silent, expecting as much.

"I am to be as thoroughly informed of the details in both fronts as in Voldemort's and the Headmaster's in consideration of the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix. I have already undertaken consideration that you and the Headmaster would still request to have in place the plan that two of you have thought up, I only wish to have several changes made."

"That would have been more sufficient if you had begun with more diplomatic wording, Hitsugaya." Snape snapped, frowning as the captain allowed a small smirk to tug his lips. "It would have save you and I some trouble with the Headmaster."

"And miss the chaos that I have caused?" The ice captain almost laughed.

You have a sadistic streak, Master. Sephiroth stated plainly.

Toshiro looked at the younger dragon with a deadpan, well aware of the amused gaze of Hyorinmaru. You try to live in Soul Society for a century and have twelve other colleagues that have homicidal / psychopathic tendencies; then you can talk to me about not having a hint of sadistic pleasure and causing chaos for your own entertainment.

It's more than a hint, Toshiro. Hyorinmaru smiled toothily.

"As amusing as it is to rile others, Hitsugaya; you are playing a dangerous game. A very dangerous one." Snape emphasized as the captain's blank face returned, eyes almost bored.

"When, since the rise of Voldemort, has the game been less than dangerous, Professor?" The Potions Master had no answer but only a rueful smile to signify that he agreed. Silence reigned small as Snape took to discussing with the captain of his O.W.L.(s), having taken all of them for his classes: Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Ancient Runes, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy, Divination, Arithmancy, History of Magic, and Muggle Studies; in total being twelve.

"A bit excessive, isn't it; Hitsugaya?" Snape rose a brow.

"I've had worse." Toshiro shrugged noncommittally, his gaze aloof when a knock took them from their conversation, the professor glancing to the doors as Hitsugaya merely rose a brow at the reiatsu on the other side of the door before shrugging as the professor bid entrance. With a groan of the hinges, the door swung open.

"Professor, are you preoccupied at the moment? I was wondering…" Draco began when his gaze found another in the office, eliciting a smirk from the blonde who was accompanied by Pansy. "What a surprise to find you here, Toshiro. Am I intruding?"

"Not in the least. Professor Snape and I were merely speaking of the set of O.W.L.(s) that I had undertaken this year." Hitsugaya returned in the exchange almost dully, making the Potions Master give more than a second stare at the captain's lack of reprimand for using his given name. Meeting Draco's steel gaze as the blonde seated himself on the armchair adjacent and Pansy in another, Hitsugaya acknowledged the request as he stood, turning to their Potions Professor. "If that is all, I will now take my leave. Professor. Draco. Parkinson." And with the grace of a fluid dancer, the captain made his exit, leaving the three as they nodded in farewell.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Malfoy? Miss Parkinson?"

"Are we alone and in private, Professor?" Draco shot back as the Potions Master rose a brow at the reply before speaking, his voice not cold but stern. Pansy gripped her dress almost nervously at the small silence.

"Hitsugaya's previous security measures are still in effect and what you, Miss Parkinson, and I converse in this office will not leave the room and be shared with anyone with your or Miss Parkinson's explicit permission, Mr. Malfoy. Now, what is that I can help you with so late in the year?"

Malfoy was silent before he spoke. "How to become a Death Eater."

An hour later, Toshiro was slumped over, his eyes closed as he rested his back against the velvet lining of the compartment window in Hogwarts Express, taking all of them back to London; where he was to rendezvous with his 'father'. The elder captain had assured that his lieutenant had done more than a page of her paperwork after he had spotted the stacks in his office. He had an inkling that the elder had sent Hinamori to set his subordinate straight but nonetheless hummed a response. Loosening the thin, black tie at his collar, Toshiro had long ago removed his leather jacket, leaving him with an ebony vest over a teal shirt, untucked over a belt and tattered jeans that ended in laced boots. Hyorinmaru strapped to his back once more, he did not bother to move when the compartment door opened, a tentative voice following it.

"Harry. Perhaps we can come back another time, Hitsugaya is…" Hermione began before his teal eyes revealed themselves aware. "… nevermind."

"Potter. Granger. Weasley. To what do I owe this visit?" The captain waved, indicating for them to seat themselves. Harry took the one across him, his dark circles evident and eyes red while Granger and Weasley looked no better, slightly haggard.

"I wanted to thank you for protecting me a few days ago at the Ministry and that this is overdue." Harry began, his voice a tad unsteady. "I wasn't thinking straight after… he…"

"It is unnecessary." Toshiro dismissed, arms crossed over his chest. "I did not expect you to be rational after such an event, no one would be if they were faced in the same situation. Therefore, unwarranted. There is nothing you could have done to save him, Potter. His time came and you cannot do anything to change it."

"Hitsugaya is right, Harry." Hermione nodded as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "There's nothing you could have done."

"But… if I hadn't dragged you guys with me to the Ministry then we wouldn't have gotten trapped with the Order to save us and then, maybe… Sirius wouldn't have…" Tears threatened behind ebony framed lens as Ron protested with a snap to his best friend. "You didn't know, mate! None of us did! Hell, we didn't even know that Hitsugaya was scheming to arrest Umbridge before she arrived to Hogwarts! You thought Sirius was in trouble and was trying to save him like you were with my dad. You did everything you could, mate…"

Harry stared at his best friend, stunned as tears leaked anticlimactically. Hermione did the same with surprise marring her eyes while Toshiro had his head notched ever so slightly to a side as if seeing a new angle of a test subject.

"How curious." Toshiro broke the stares towards Ron as they all turned to him, the teal gaze locked on Ron. "It appears that you were smarter than I had originally anticipated, Weasley."

Sputtering at the insult / compliment as a rosy blush colored his face, Ron lifted a fist in the air. "Oi! What is that suppose to mean?!"

Before the captain could retort, a snort of laughter shook the frame of a Harry Potter and a Hermione Granger before they all befell into a heap of giggles after Ron's proclamation of having 'traitorous friends.' Hitsugaya merely stared at them with a risen brow, as if trying to decide whether or not to scold them for rolling on the floor, but the mirth in his gaze prompted otherwise as a thin smirk ghosted his face. After several minutes, the three eventually regained their seats, the tension lax and gone as they spoke of small things before a question was voiced.

"Hitsugaya, what happened to Umbridge?"

"What do you know?" Toshiro replied back, removing his gaze from a blue handheld book.

Ron shrugged. "Only that the toad was sent to Azkaban and sacked, though no one knows why. Although it's not hard to guess."

"She used an Unforgivable Curse and committed the crimes of which you all are well aware. I merely fabricated them all together and presented it to a contact in Wizengamot in beginning of the year, sending her offenses as it accumulated. Therefore, she sent herself to Azkaban." Toshiro recounted, nonchalant. "And seeing as she was going to Azkaban, her position of Senior Undersecretary and Headmistress was revoked without a trial."

"She was denied a trial?" Hermione squeaked, as they stared at the transfer.

"There is no need to ask questions that I know the answer to." Was the ominous reply as the captain turned to Harry. "Besides, you have more important tasks to take care of than Umbridge. Your prophecy is nearing, Potter."

With bite, the three of them stiffened at the words.

"I shouldn't be surprised that you know." Harry said after a silence before looking at the captain. "Did Dumbledore tell you?"

"Only the part that concerned me." Wide eyes of Hermione Granger stared at the tired transfer student before her, his lips smirking at the succession of Potter and Weasley. "As the wielder of the Ivory Wand."

"Then y-you're…" Ron trailed off as Toshiro tilted his head.

"Yes, Weasley. The 'heavenly guardian' that decides is me."

Gringotts Wizarding Bank is the only bank of the Western Wizarding World, manned by goblins that protected with a ferocity. A tall white marble building, columns imposing over the stone stairs that led to a set of bronze doors, guarded with a goblin in uniform. Through the doors bid entrance to the humble bank, a vast marble hall welcomed Toshiro as he entered, ebony counters that stretched from one end of the hall to the other, seated the goblins, quills scratching and golden framed glasses twinkling in the chandelier lit hall. Silence other than miscellaneous noise reigned supreme as the captain made his way to the sole counter at the center, his stare indifferent.

"Toshiro Hitsugaya. I would like to enter my vault for a withdrawal."

The goblin looked up from his work, his beady black eyes narrowing on the captain as the latter glared right back. "I would have to ask you to present your key, Mr. Hitsugaya."

Friendly. Sephiroth noted as Hyorinmaru hummed. I always preferred the company of Thestrals over goblins. Too greedy and always talking about the foolishness of wizards.

At least they have the last part accurate. Toshiro huffed as he reached into his leather satchel. Until some major changes are made.

Fishing out the small golden key, the captain was seated in a cart, sloping down the stone passageways, dimly lit under the light of torches. Driven by a goblin that had introduced himself as Gornuk, Toshiro awaited until his guide had opened his vault before he made his move. Pulling out his wand out of his boot with a swift movement, Toshiro made a hook movement in mid-air, pointed to the back of his guide.

"Petrificus Totalus." The whispered incantation echoed as the goblin widened his eyes, arms and legs snapped together in an instant. Stiff as a board of wood with his jaw that hid pointed teeth locked, the goblin could only glare darkly at his captor. Catching the goblin before he met the cavern floor, Toshiro glanced to the cart before entering his vault, bare from much of anything other than an organized chaos of Muggle and Wizarding money, stacked in ordered columns, along with a shelf adorned with three velvet boxes of the following colors: an emerald green, a golden yellow, and a royal purple. Set against the wall of the vault, Gornuk could only wait as the young wizard disappeared from his field of vision, deeper into the vault.

A soft jingle was heard before the white-haired child returned to his eyes; unchanged. Completely still, the goblin could only stare as the boy lifted his wand, the incantation on his lips muffled to his pointed ears.

Six minutes later, Hitsugaya was before the Thief's Downfall once more, the waterfall flowing innocently in the darkness, Gornuk awaiting him at the cart with glassy eyes.

This thing again. Toshiro huffed as he contemplated his options for a moment.

You are on a timed schedule, Master. Hyorinmaru reminded as his master nodded, deciding that the limitations the Thief's Downfall were to be tested another day. Sidestepping the water, the white-haired transfer hovered to the deeper vaults of the bank, not sparing a glance at an occasional carcass. Pausing in his steps as he sensed the subject of his visit to Gringotts, the captain retreated into his Inner World.

Pyrrhus.

As if summoned, the dragon materialized in the icy grounds, the ice under his boots hissing and crunching loudly as he spoke with a blood-red glare. Hitsugaya. I have been impatient, awaiting for you.

Apologies, Pyrrhus. Toshiro replied cooly as Hyorinmaru and Sephiroth materialized as well, their expressions as revealing as blank sheets of parchment. I could not allow you to have your freedom until it was proven to me that the information you had given was correct. The Horcrux was indeed in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault and the fact that there were seven of them in total, have been most informative.

The ruby-eyed dragon glared. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here.

Toshiro was silent, his own glare even and stern. We had an agreement, as you do not have loyalty to me and I to you, there is viable reason for either of us to disbelieve or trick the other if offered a better deal. You and I have not, therefore, I will go to your prison and free you but do not resist my spells; they are all placed for a reason and if you do, I assure you that my ice will be more powerful than your fire. Are we clear?

Crystal. Pyrrhus growled before sending a pointed glare. And if you can, Hitsugaya, I prefer not to be shrunk.

Hyorinmaru and Sephiroth exchanged looks as Toshiro blinked. Why?

How the hell do you think they were able to move me around to guard different vaults? Goblins may not be fond of wizards but they are aware of how powerful they are as well as cruel. The fire dragon glanced at the captain. No offense. Other than you, I have yet to see a remotely decent wizard in my life.

I am no wizard. Toshiro replied, his words cold. I am a shinigami.

Appearing in a shunpo as promised, the captain removed his satchel as he glanced at the fire dragon's stiffened flinch, reaching an arm into the seemingly impossible depths; Pyrrhus relaxing after being assured in the Inner World that it was only the captain outside the Inner World. After allowing the dragon to free himself by casting a Spongify on the confines and allowing him to relish the feeling of being free in a while, the captain glanced at his wand before turning back to his bag. Placing three corked potions before him, Toshiro spoke internally, all three dragons hearing him.

This will restore your health and your eyesight. Open your eyes and jaw, and swallow all of the potion. Do not open your eyes until I tell you to. Toshiro commanded as he mixed an orange potion with a deep red one before waving his wand over it, a hued fume dancing overhead as several words escaped his lips. Disgruntled, the dragon obeyed to reveal a mouth of ivory knives, teethed to tear whole cows and a milky white gaze that wielded only a hint of the former ruby. Resisting the urge to choke up the vile-tasting potion that was poured down his throat, Pyrrhus forced himself to be still, cringing within the Inner World under the watch of the ice dragons. Outside, Toshiro watched the Dragon Tonic and his version of the Oculus Potion work it's magic, the once dull and flaky scales now a bright metallic silver. The frail wings, now vibrantly spiked and the veins of the thin membranes strong, his mane of broken spikes, now piercing and steel needles that promised pain. Now, for the eyes.

Open your eyes. Toshiro ordered, his voice stern. With a reluctant twitch, the eyelids folded back to reveal dark rubies, angrily vicious to shed blood. Glancing to the captain who smirked, a silver of mirth reflected back to the child.

You are smaller than I had anticipated, Hitsugaya-taicho.

Scowling immediately, the white-haired transfer glared annoyedly. Do you want to be free from here or not?

Nodding his head, the dragon smirked but fell silent as the captain muttered something like 'annoying dragons' under his breath. But nonetheless reached for the last potion, a murky brown in color and the bottleneck thin as it exited through a long, needle-like opening. Adding a premeditated volume of Dragon Tonic, the dragon version of the Essence of Dittany was finished, Toshiro shaking it with a violent slosh before nearing Pyrrhus, who eyed the potion warily.

I don't have to drink that, right?

No. The captain replied as he held the bottle over the scarred flesh, not as ugly as it once was, but marring all the same. This will be applied to your scars and will rectify the impairment that they apply, however; the scars will not be gone. Allow them to be the reminder that as beautiful and alluring the heavens maybe, do not allow them to fool you into arrogance that the cruelty which the heavens subject to those who fly under his reign to be an idle threat.

The silver-grey dragon was silent before he observed the captain, who poured the potion onto his disfigured hide, new scales and skin regenerating in a rapid rate appearing faint but still prominent enough to be seen. Ignoring the green fumes that drifted over them when Hitsugaya had declared that he was finished, Pyrrhus made his decision internally as he met gazes with the captain with his newly restored vision.

Now, what? The dragon questioned bluntly as Toshiro rose an eyebrow, expression amused.

You tell me, Pyrrhus. You have freed yourself from the chains that beheld you and have miraculously been healed of your physical impairments. And you ask me, 'Now, what?' The ice captain gestured to the exit, out of the vaults. What else but for you to escape, causing as much destruction as you wish to those that have imprisoned you?

The wicked smile of ivory daggers could caused anyone to shiver in fear.

And of you? The Ukrainian Ironbelly asked, his glare inquisitive but playful. I cannot just allow the heir of the Yamamoto to be in crossfire, not to mention the Ambassador to the East and the Master of the Elders that are watching me. They will have my hide if I as much as send an ember your way.

Smirking lightly, the captain summoned a small bolt of white Kido, floating overhead. When this disappears, I will be out of the vicinity. I will await you at my palace, Pyrrhus. Before disappearing in a shunpo, the captain paused. Do not destroy my vault and the bank too much, if you can. I have important items within these caverns as well.

Snorting at the quip, the healed dragon waved a dismissing claw despite his nodding expression. Which vault?

"Only three goblin deaths." Toshiro read the following morning, his hair flat for once as he hovered over the Daily Prophet, the Dragon Escape of Gringotts marring the front pages, the moving image of Pyrrhus demolishing the Entrance Hall and domed roof of the bank in the center. Dressed in a comfortable black hakama that was patterned with gold, the captain nursed a cup of ginseng and ginger tea, ignoring the slight burn in the back of throat, freshly out of the shower. "I would have thought that you would cause much more chaos if allowed to rampage."

A humanized Pyrrhus snorted, his body language lazy as he laid outspread on the futon. The dragon was Transfigured into a humanoid, courtesy of the captain who rather did not care to have one of the largest dragons in his palace courtyards. Hyorinmaru and Sephiroth smirked from within the Inner World at the fire dragon's initial refusal at the idea, laughing amusedly after their master had asked the living dragon if he wished to be shrunk instead. Muttering curses, the dragon was compliant. "I wanted freedom. Not the entire armies of wizards after me for destroying their only bank. Anymore damage would be more of a pain for me in the long run, even with satisfaction in the forefront."

"Yes." Toshiro agreed as he set aside the newspaper, a slight twitch of his lips as he met the blinked look. "But you did not fail to assure that it was the goblins that tortured you the most met their ends by your jaws."

"And you know this how?"

"Shinigami." The said death god shrugged, as he burned the newspaper in an incense urn. "I am the being that sends recently deceased to their proper destinations and as a captain, am able to 'peek' in a way into the memories and actions of which the soul has committed prior to death."

"There's no privacy, is there?" The blood-red gaze was resigned.

"That depends." The teal one was fixed on a set of paperwork.

"On whether or not, you trust them?"

"On whether or not, they are a threat to my intentions." Toshiro corrected, his brush writing in neat rows. "If I have deemed them not, then they are allowed as much as they please, I do not care about their story or the like to satisfy anything. But if the opposite, it is different; of course. Their story is important until they have been terminated. No more, no less."

"Then I suppose I am grateful to befall on the first category." The captain paused in his writing, neither of them meeting the others' eyes, one transfixed to the sky, the other to the earth. Finishing the page, the captain looked toward the Transfigured dragon, his voice indifferent yet subtle.

"What will you do now, Pyrrhus? Now that your revenge is sated and the life of a prison is no longer, you are free to do as you please." Toshiro lifted his tea to his lips, the scent of ginger in the air. "Or is it that you believe that you hold some kind of debt to repay me?"

"I do not deny that I do not." The reply was short and to the point.

"Then I shall. You owe me nothing."

"I cannot." The words were absolute as the captain glared before sighing.

"Then consider it to be one that I will call upon when needed." Toshiro suggested as the dragon turned to him, his expression blank other than one risen, inquisitive brow. "And once it has been called upon, consider it repaid."

"And if I cannot, Hitsugaya?" The Ironbelly dragon questioned as the captain returned it with an even glare. "How can you trust that I will honor this deal with you? You are giving up much and leave yourself vulnerable to stake upon odds against you. How can you simply allow it to be?"

"You are mistaken." Hitsugaya brushed aside, as he glared straight to the rubies that angrily stared back into his, searching. "This is not a deal nor is it a debt. If you cannot, then you cannot. It is something called upon if needed. I am not giving up anything nor am I making myself vulnerable. This is a token of loyalty, the very nature and personal embodiment of every dragon."

"Loyalty." Pyrrhus echoed in a whisper, hesitant. "To a master…"

Toshiro shook his head. "To a comrade. A friend."

A dragon's loyalty to his comrades and master is everything to our very existence, Master. Pyrrhus is young, but has been confined since his youth; trust is no longer familiar but rather he is in the wish to be distant in the fear of being hurt. You must be patient with him. Hyorinmaru advised as the captain nodded. The subjected dragon had departed shortly after the conversation and had been given a silver collar, adorned with a shard of ice that was reinforced to not melt under any circumstance, serving as a communication device to Sephiroth. The fire dragon merely had to channel his reiatsu into the crystal and call upon the younger ice dragon, who in turn informed their master.

But he is carrying a burden that I do not deserve to place upon him. Toshiro retorted, as he glanced at the Dragon Tonic he was currently brewing. All I had done was weaken the chains that held him down and then healed him appropriately enough for him to escape on his own. I would hardly call that a debt to be repaid.

Perhaps to you, Master. Sephiroth said as the captain added three peacock feathers into the sizing cauldron. But to a dragon in confinement who has been under cruelty for more than needed, any assistance is remembered to the death. Especially for the fact that you preserved his pride as a dragon, allowing him to make his own choices by simply healing him rather than forcefully making him escape cowardly such as being shrunk or by commanding him as a lowly beast; that makes it more so that it is a debt that he can never repay.

There is no debt. Toshiro scowled, annoyed as he poured the finished tonic into several corked flasks. I had only used the Softening Charm upon his chains for him to cut open to ensure that my spell appeared to be undetected with visible cuts to the metal as evidence that Pyrrhus escaped himself. Furthering in my alibi in the case of which I was caught up an investigation, the Dragon Tonic, Oculus Potion and Essence of Dittany was even intentionally unfinished, making their use of Prior Incantato. Other than providing healing, I have done nothing for Pyrrhus to warrant debt. Especially allowing him to choose, not out of pity nor sympathy; it is something I should not be credited to have given.

Sephiroth had the audacity to smirk at the captain's argument. So did Hyorinmaru. Damn them. He had done nothing that made one of the eldest of the Serpens to be subjected to his debt. Nothing.

Master. Sephiroth's words ring true and yours only reinforce that as your actions were small but purposeful to allowing the young one to decide, you doing only what you could in careful precautions for yourself. That is why he is indebted to you and loyal to you.

Nonetheless, it is no debt. Toshiro argued, his tone stubborn. I would have rather it be an exchange of future loyalty or camaraderie, then a sense of debt. I have too many of those to recall upon as it is from less than appealing resources. It's too much work to remember all of them anyway. With a flick of his wrist, seven Wiggentree twigs plopped in a slosh into a pewter cauldron, the mixture a bright orange as the captain moodily adjusted the flow of oxygen in the Bunsen burner, allowing heat for the potion to simmer. In any case, I doubt that Fudge will be able to connect that I am responsible or at least directly involved in the Dragon Escape of Gringotts as it is called. Even if Pyrrhus is caught to be in premises.

Isn't that why you Transfigured him, Master? Sephiroth was haughty. To hide the criminal in plain sight.

The best hiding spot is the most outrageous one. I do not lie needlessly. Toshiro shrugged as a dark look marred his expression for a moment, blank eyes fixed on the cauldron that had now settled to a pink. Cutting of the gas, he poured the pink antidote with a wrinkled sniff. The truth will always been in front to those who can or realize into seeing. Lies are merely delays to it.

Those delays can last centuries, Master. Hyorinmaru stated sagely.

If played well enough, they can last forever and become the very opposite of what they are. Toshiro agreed as he began to look through labeled containers, returning several to their place and others to the island counter behind him. Just when he was about done, a voice crackled from his bluetooth, as the captain paused in mid-grab, answering.

"Hitsugaya-taicho. This is Seventh Seat, Kokichiro Takezoe, reporting sir. A wizard has requested to see you. He has introduced himself as Draco Lucius Malfoy and has requested for me to tell you 'oolong'."

Draco? The captain thought swiftly. It has been less than a month, not entirely out of my expectations but albeit a bit early. Voldemort must be desperate. Oolong. After the year was over, the captain had set a system of communication when Draco arrived to his palace, identify himself and then state a tea. The more bitter, the worst his situation was and the vice versa. Bidding the subordinate to escort the blonde in, the captain removed his lab coat and sealed the laboratory before exiting to his chambers, seating himself as he turned his attention to his paperwork.

"Young master." Takezoe sounded several minutes later as the captain continued to work. "Draco Malfoy has arrived to see you."

"Enter."

Entering, the ice captain met gazes with his friend, both observing the other. Draco appeared to be dressed in a hurry, his ironed shirt wrinkled from exertion with his blazer draped over his shoulders messily, pants long and ending at grey socks. Blonde hair damp and limp, grey eyes greeted the captain's even gaze, unyielding.

"You look like hell." Draco spoke first, smirking.

"I suppose you have yet to look at a mirror." Was the retort as the blonde seated himself, eyeing the paperwork as the captain spoke, summoning tea as he waved for his paperwork to be put away. "No one will overhear anything that we do not want them to. I presume that you have somehow managed to place your mother into safety but your father remains in Azkaban."

"More or less." Draco sighed as he thanked for the tea, sipping the bitter drink. "I had to drug her with the Draught of Living Death after she did not listen to me. She wanted to protect me but did not realize that I was trying to do the same for her, unable to bear the sight of me in the forefront, not after my father had failed the Dark Lord. She believes that it isn't my punishment to bear."

"It isn't." Toshiro agreed, his own tea before him. "However, unlike her, you have a plan. One that coincides with mine and is, more importantly, effective."

"I have ordered Kreacher to administer the Draught of Living Death every week into her to keep her under and to notify me as soon as possible in a private wing in St. Mungo's Hospital if anything were to go wrong. No one but you, Kreacher, and I are allowed in or out of the room. He was surprisingly respectful." Malfoy noted, as he bit into a butter cookie.

"It was most likely due the fact that I had introduced you and that the Malfoys hold a martial link to the House of Black. Kreacher favored the late elder son of the House along with it's last mistress, both believing in pureblood supremacy." Toshiro inquired, as he picked up a cookie himself. "And seeing our own status, Kreacher reacted accordingly but only to those that his former master and mistress would approve of, which is why the Weasleys were most likely excluded."

"A proper House-Elf for once." Draco grumbled as Toshiro smirked, biting into his cookie.

"Do not be too sore over it."

"Peh. You are too arrogant for your own good, Hitsugaya."

"The kettle calling the pot black, Malfoy."

"Just because your predictions and plan are working in scary accuracy, does not mean anything." Draco mock glared in a ferocity, smirking.

"I would hope, after all of the planning I have done for you, Draco; that you are not a Death Eater." Toshiro scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"An Incognito Death Eater." The blonde corrected with a mock glare as he grew grimer with every word. "The Dark Lord has a newly set system according to Aunt Bella. Young Death Eaters-to-be that should be honored into servitude of the Dark Lord, having gone through every regulation other than the Dark Mark on their arm. I was tasked to watch Dumbledore, you, Moody, or any members of the Order — and possibly eliminate…"

"…when ordered if things do not go in a favorable direction." Toshiro finished with a smirk as he twirled a butter knife for jam. "It has been a while since I have encountered an assassin. Snape has informed Voldemort of my name and status as planned by Dumbledore, but my title as the 'heavenly guardian'. And in reaction, Potter is now on a to-be-killed list while you and Snape will serve as spies in the other side. Myself, in the other hand, a enigma that this Dark Lord wishes to learn more about."

"You appear to be relaxed despite having the world's Darkest wizard out for your blood." Draco deadpanned as Toshiro hummed.

"There's no point in panicking and worrying about the facts, but to prepare." The ice captain snapped his fingers as a set of exquisite robes appeared beside him, ebony with a silvery lining, nodding for the blonde to take. "And it doesn't hurt that you are a bit early in my expectations, Draco. At least, not for me."

Draco was not amused. "Isn't it a bit early for you to be training me already?"

"Never." Was the reply as the blonde scowled. "You said that you didn't want to be a Death Eater, and I have ensured that. I have made it that if Voldemort had tried to, you would be noticed, as I am sure that Snape has well informed Voldemort of my persona. Physical evidence is counterintuitive for a spy after all. Therefore, in the process; has ensured both your life and mine for a bit longer, Draco."

"But for how long, Toshiro?"

"Long enough." The transfer nodded to the robes. "Now, follow me to the courtyard. We have a limited schedule to train for." The blonde grumbled before sighing, pulling off his clothing and replacing them with the robes.