LAST TIME: Hagrid came back, Harry dreamed a nightmare. Haku having a link with Harry felt it too. She met Sasuke on her own (more later), then she and Zabuza met with Voldemort who tested their skill unknowingly they did not noticed. What will happen now?

Chapter Twenty –Two!

McGonagall, Harry, and Ron were in the headmaster's office already just as Haku and Zabuza arrived only to confirm that Harry's vision was more than just a dream.

Dumbledore locked his fingers together and stared at them instead of the occupants in the room. "It was not a dream. Arthur was…attacked by the Dark lord's snake." He explained calmly as possible, but his tone did nothing to seethe the others moods. "How did you witness it?"

Harry was taken aback, but answered to the best of his abilities. "In….my… my head I suppose-

"No," Dumbledore shook his head lightly, but his voice still remained in his calm tone. "I mean was it above ground or were you standing next to the victim?"

Zabuza and Haku narrowed their eyes at the old man. He knew something and wasn't going to spill the beans.

"Is that really important right now," Haku said rather impatiently as she could be healing an injured patient at the moment. "Weasley-sama* has been attacked rather severely. I believe that getting to him is more important than-

Dumbledore cut her off rather flippantly. "It is." He turned to face Ron just as Harry whose anger was slowly rising answered with, "a snake. I was seeing from the snake's point of view."

Dumbledore nodded quickly and stood up rather abruptly. Once calling the portraits and explaining briefly he gestured for Harry and the others to sit down, unfortunately Haku and Zabuza had left just as abruptly as they appeared.

Harry gritted his teeth together. Why did they leave?

XX...

They informed Snape of the news before leaving Hogwarts grounds and England for a small getaway. In short they took on a few assignments as they traveled through the hidden lands.

St. Mungo's hospital for Maladies and the Injured-

A place for the injured….

Where instead of doctors there are healers…

Who do the job; on the first floor; the injuries creatures-in a room filled with two other injured occupants was a redhaired middle aged man. He was a loving father and hard worker however; due to an unfortunate accident he encountered Nagini.

Fortunately, he survived the attack. Molly was sitting stiffing after a few wayward sobs and was pleased to see they Harry showed up with her youngest son and the brains of their little group Hermione, a sweet girl that she thought of as a daughter.

Upon learning that he was going to be alright they arrived back at Grimmauld place to find Severus and Sirius in a row, but Haku and Zabuza were not present.

A few days later, Harry was rather detached and fearful of his recent connection with Voldemort. I should run away, he thought absolutely looking miserable. People were getting hurt because of him.

A gentle hand rested on his shoulders and Harry looked up sighing heavily; "what?"

"It wasn't your fault, Harry."

Harry snorted looking away from Hermione who removed her hand and now sat loosely by his side. No one uttered a word as seconds passed. "Where is Ron?"

"I came here on my own," Hermione answered. "You aren't planning on hiding forever are you?"

Harry's head shot up and looked at her. "No, I ...don't know. I –

"You were," Hermione accused startled. "Harry reconsider it – no don't think of it anymore. You realize if you do people will worry and miss you. I …I will miss you and worry myself sick."

Harry knew it was part of being a friend, but her confession warmed him somewhat. "Thanks," he muttered blushing lightly.

Hermione smiled sheepishly and began to stand up, outstretching her hand. "Come on we're going to visit Mr. Weasley."

The family (excluding Percy) took the train along with Harry to travel to the hospital once again. Harry was still slightly angry, but his mood wasn't peachy either. He lashed unintentionally at Ginny who retaliated in equal anger shutting up Harry in the process. The rest of the ride was in silence however, once they got to the hospital they weren't expecting to encounter Lockhart or Neville who was visiting his family; finding out that the photo that Kreacher had was of the woman who cruelly made his parents insane.

Days passed and on Christmas day (besides Percy returning his gifts without even looking at them), the others and Harry remained at Grimmauld place receiving a mouthful of presents. Meanwhile Zabuza and Haku were spending their Christmas a little differently (even though they-as in with Haku's persuasion- brought several small gifts for some people).

On December 21st to December 23rd the two went to a ski resort. Snowball fights were played with more laughs and shouts than the spars that the two were used to. Zabuza hit his target directly in the back; Haku turned around and hit him in the face which began their snow fight; making snow angels, snowman, waterfall boarding, (which was manipulating water and using a board to surf and/ or a variant of skydiving).

"Hahaha," Zabuza laughed rather heartedly as he remerged from the waters from doing a cannon ball.

Haku smiled tilting her head as she ringed out her hair. A bag filled with necessities and several more winter clothing was located a few feet away; "Shall we go back in, Zabuza? A cup of hot chocolate sounds good."

Zabuza nodded and they headed back to the inn. On the twenty-fourth they headed back to Konoha and spent Christmas eve with each other not giving out their gifts until the next day, but on the 31st (the morning) before leaving Konoha, Haku and Zabuza discussed the final gift before heading off to Tsunade.

"Are you sure of this, Haku? You do realize that we will need his approval first," Tsunade said rubbing her temples with an empty sake bottle lying in the ben.

"Yes, but I'm sure with just the paperwork and whatnot he will gladly accept," Haku answered honestly as best as she could. She knew that he had a soul in which was longing to still be accepted.

"Fine," Tsunade let out a suffering sigh. She then handed them the papers in which they needed to give the person, but then spoke once more, "his choices are limited, but he is free to choose the path; happy holidays. Dismissed!"

Xxx….

Harry enjoyed his Christmas holidays and Arthur Weasley was coming back, but he didn't see –no receive a single gift from his sister. Why? Did she feel that he was not family? Or didn't belong in whatever she was doing?

I'm probably overreacting, Harry thought dismayed. Harry sighed and stretched before deciding to go join the others. "Morning," he greeted the Weasley, Sirius and the others.

"Mournin, emta (morning, mate)," Ron greeted stuffing his mouth with food as he saw Harry.

Hermione made a face before greeting Harry as well.

"You ok, Harry?" Sirius asked looking worried for his godson.

Harry nodded about to say something when Mrs. Black's painting screeched loudly.

"FILTHY MUDBLOOD! HALFBREED! MUGGLES IN MY HOUSE! DIGUSTING-

They ignored her of course. "It would be the most satisfying thing to see her portrait thrown out," Sirius remarked sounding exasperated as he rolled his eyes.

"Hardly," It was Severus Snape who glided in the room behind him were a smiling Haku and indifferent looking Zabuza.

"Enjoying the holidays," Haku said lightly as everyone looked at them as if they were just seeing them for the first time.

A few moments later after recovering, Molly gave them their sweaters, and the others greeted wishing them jolly holidays. However, Harry turned his nose slightly surprising his friends.

They couldn't protest as Haku unsealed their gifts. Ron received a Go set and a hand-made (which was made by the Japan' Quidditch supply store) Quidditch model; Hermione received a friendship locket and a book set that included a variety of books (that had nothing to do with shinobi or wizards); Fred and George received a prank book in which they grinned merrily.

The book was the idea of Naruto and Haku quoted, 'Fellow prankers, ney? Sure, I'll be glad to help.' He grinned the whole entire time he said that and Haku shivered lightly in fear, glad that she would never be in one of his pranks. Not, sure of what to give the blonde unpredictable ninja, Haku trained with him for two hours, ate ramen and hung out with him as a friend (which Haku hoped was a friend) would another.

That was before (just before Jiraya and Naruto left as well) she and Zabuza left Konoha.

The last gift was to Harry who reluctantly took it, but when he was alone he reopened them and looked at them carefully. A set of clothing, a set of starter weapons which he raised a confused brow at, but decided to question later, and a blue tear-eyed necklace with a locked chain.

A small message on the side read:

Moments in yesterdays, the days after, and today are only that moments. But, moments are no matter how fleeing are there and are to be shared. Shared with those who are precious …those who mean more to you than the eye would like to admit, so take care of them before the moments with them are lost forever.

Take care….

Harry reread it and as if he was missing a piece however, he not being the smartest or stupidest canary in the box figured out that the ending was for him to fill in and placed it around his neck carefully. So, with that he promised that he would thank them in the morning.

Snape was drowned in his dungeons for the holidays. What did he have to celebrate? There was nothing that brought the holiday spirits. Nothing, not that he ever did have anything, but what he choose not to even look at. He picked up his glass of fire-whiskey and downed it, or at least was about to. He glared at whoever bothered to take his only salvation of the holidays when he saw who the people were.

"As much as you look like shit right now," Zabuza started handing the beer to Haku and sat directly by Snape with his legs together and his arms hanging loosely by his side. "You look as though you could use a companion."

Snape snorted he didn't need anyone. Never have. "Go away."

Haku purred another glass for Zabuza and handed the other glass back to Snape. Zabuza gulped it down. Haku's lips pursed as if she was about to tell him something about drinking, but then decided that it could slide for now.

"Fat chance, want to talk about it?"

Snape didn't answer as he drunk the last of his beer and held his glass. He was sober enough to talk and Haku and Zabuza understood. "Here," thankful for not being to drunk, Snape took the wrapped gift and the folder with a baffled raised brow.

"What is this?"

Zabuza snorted and Haku smiled. Uncomfortable yes, but he un-wrapped the gift to find a new set of potion equipment, a mini black case that had small script, and a journal. Not saying a word, Snape unfolded the folder and pulled out citizenship papers. He raised a brow.

"We figured that after going through with what no one else has that afterwards you would like to live peacefully without too much trouble," Haku explained gently.

It was a way to make up for the extra pain they put him through when he was chained and a way to thank him as well.

Snape appreciated the gifts. Zabuza and Haku didn't leave until, Snape said that he was going to bed and the next morning he woke up staring once more at his gifts noticing that he didn't open the black case. He dressed, twirled his wand for his coffee and sat in his desk opening the tiny box.

The little note read:

Your worth is more than anyone could realize, Snape-San.

That was it and with that came a little trinket with the inscriptions of potions master.

Snape snorted lightly in amusement. He didn't need any of these gifts, but these were the first in many, many years. He supposed it was a way to help settle away the guilt from months ago, but… Nah, that wasn't why, but what did it matter? He slipped on the trinket and examined the black and green décor. It was nothing special not to anyone else that didn't understand, but...

Whoosh!

Snape sighed heavily. "And, what do I owe the pleasure, Albus?" Dumbledore's head simmered in the fireplace with his ever twinkling eyes.

"Why, happy holidays to you to, Severus; I am pleased to know that you are doing well and is no longer brooding."

Snape scoffed, "get to the point."

"My office immediately," then with another whoosh Dumbledore was gone. Placing his gifts up and away from prying eyes, Severus left his office muttering several profanities and how he wished that he was anywhere, but in the wizarding world at the moment.

XXX…

"Absolutely not!" Snape bellowed as he outright refused Dumbledore's offer. "Why me Albus?! I refuse to teach the boy! We don't get along, the only thing keeping us from throttling each other's throats are Ms. Haku and Mr. Zabuza! Without them – Snape breathed in and out.

Dumbledore twinkled slightly, but his manner was anything, but serious. "You have no choice, Severus, my boy. You very well owe me-

"Don't. Go. There." Snape growled each word as if he was a snarling animal. "Don't you bloody go there, Albus…"

It was clear in Dumbledore's eyes; in order to have his order fulfilled he would go there but..."What is the matter my, boy, you didn't have this problem when I requested that you go and retrieve Haliene."

Snape was bristling. Trust be damned. He would gladly drop everything and gladly be chained up for a week or more once again in the hidden nations prison (chapter 10) than deal with this; "Her name's Haku headmaster."

"Then teach the boy, Occlumency," Dumbledore said as if he never heard what the other man said.

"Yes, headmaster..." Snape growled and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and Snape stormed out the office.

He stalked down the halls and towards his dungeons; stopping only to see Zabuza and Haku waiting. They came earlier and gave him his space to adjust to receiving his gifts before coming back to visit him. He gestured them to follow and the doors closed behind them. They watched as he completely and utterly destroyed everything before his shoulders heaved.

He relaxed slightly, but his posture was anything, but. "What did he say?" Haku asked gently. With a hand running through his greasy black hair, Snape explained what the headmaster wanted. "Then do you want someone else to take over afterwards?"

That wasn't as bad idea actually. After a moment he finally answered; throwing floo powder in the fireplace. "No, but I'll keep your generous offer in mind. Shall we go?"

XXX... Kitchen…

They arrived at Grimmauld place they were greeted by Molly who smiled at them pleasantly. "Welcome back, dears. "

"No time to chat, Molly," Snape drawled clearly in a foul mood. "I need to speak to, Potter."

Not questioning farther Molly just smiled and went to retrieve Harry who was playing wizard chess with Ron.

"Why do you need to see, Harry?" Sirius asked glaring at Snape who glared right back; looking fouler than ever.

"Mutt, don't ask. I'm only doing what Albus asked of me."

Sirius glared even harder and drew his wand out, Snape's hand ready to do the same. "Snivellus," Sirius sneered. At that name Snape had his wand out pointing at Sirius just as the other had his. "I don't care if Dumbledore said you became a comedian! I know you and I know better-

Zabuza held Haku back and they watched on wanting to see just what was going to happen next. They were neck to neck standing across the table.

"No! Don't!" It seemed Harry has made his entrance and took it upon himself to stop the two. Of course it did nothing. "Out of the way, Harry."

Harry didn't budge, but Snape didn't need to fall for Sirius bait any longer. "You have extra lesson to attend to, Potter." Swiftly Snape turned on his heel; snuffed up his wand placing it in his holster and left the place.

Zabuza with a shrug followed with Haku on his arm.

XX...

January 16th was the day Harry and the others arrived at Hogwarts. Harry was ecstatic that he got to talk to Cho Chang and manage to ask her out unaware that Hermione felt a small ping of hurt. Classes were the same including Umbridge's class which Harry reluctantly behaved in. However, nothing prepared him for the night.

Snape holding, Harry's hand in a vice grip led the boy down circular stairs; "You know why you are here, the headmaster has seen that I teach you- Occlumency. " It was Monday the first night just after classes took place. "And, let's just hope that you adapt to it better than your potion course."

Harry gritted his teeth as he was dragged along. Why did this git have to be so unfair to him? They reached the dungeons lab and Snape wasted no time explaining very curtly in what he was going to be teaching Harry, before he muttered; "Legilimens."

Harry was unprepared and the result of the very first lesson was disastrous. "Next Wednesday, Potter. You should practice easing your mind. I will know if you haven't so… you've been warned if you don't there will be consequences. Head back to your dorm."

Harry scurried out as if he was being chased by the mob. "Impudent whelp;" Snape muttered as he headed back to his rooms and out his lab.

When he arrived back to his quarters of the dungeons he was greeted by Zabuza who held a bottle in hand; grinning tearing his bandages. "You look like shit, need a drink?"

Snape pursed his lips taking the bottle before looking wearily at his intruded companion. "Where is Haku?" He was sure that the pre-adult/ teen was usually always present when drinking was involved with the other man.

Zabuza laughed heartily as he entered after Snape. "She'll be here soon."

Snape conjured up two glasses and they began to drink like they did on the 1st of the month not seeing Haku until hours later.

N'cut! Ok, chapters will no longer be 5-6K+ words as school is starting and other things. Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and will continue to look forward to the next one! What will happen next?! Errors, good, bad, need to be improve more? Well until next time, I'm out!

*Mr., lord, etc.

Small preview:

They were supposed to have a romantic-fantasy date, but…"It was a disaster. I screwed up."