Hello, again!
This one is more for continuing the explanations from last chapter while helping to thicken the plot a bit. Returning to the main story (from the book) will be later on.
Bold and Italicized is in a different language to the main language.
Don't own Harry Potter or Naruto.
The past isn't quite so past.
Harry lightly chuckled as he and the others had their first official breakfast of the term.
Hermione had an idea as to what he was thinking about. "Remembering Christmas day?"
Harry nodded. "Particularly when that was revealed to the teachers."
The teachers were stunned at the words that were just said in conjunction with what they were seeing. Harry Potter, a girl?!
Snape was the first to recover, "That can't possibly be Potter!"
Naruto shrugged. "Whatever floats your boat, but it's the truth."
In the meantime, Harry was focused on Sirius, still hugging the man. Albeit with the package still in his hands. After what seemed like at least an hour, the two finally separated and moved over to the table, Sirius leaning the package on the edge of the table between them. Harry turned to Naruto in surprised gratitude.
"How did you get him here already?" asked Harry.
Naruto just smiled fondly. "That lies with Sirius. Met him while out for gifts, and he wanted to surprise you. Already told him about the situation."
"Thought it'd be a nice present for you." said Sirius, "As well as the fact that upon summer, you and Naruto will be living with me." He then placed his hand on the package, "As well as a spare broom for you. Or a replacement, depending on what you do with your Nimbus."
Curious, Harry opened the package, and was pretty stunned at the quality of the broom now in his hands.
"Has nothing on self-sustained flight, though." said Naruto, "Although I haven't done it personally yet."
"You know a shinobi that can fly?" asked Hermione, curious as to the mechanics behind it.
Naruto shrugged, "Best guess, wind chakra. Man's name is Onoki of Both Scales, due to preferring the fence for most debates/fights. Both really old and really short, so it stands to reason he'd try and find an edge, besides Dust Style."
By then, the first of the students that remained at Hogwarts for the holidays arrived at the Great Hall. Somewhat surprising to a few of them, the Weasley twins were the first to walk in.
"Well look who decided to show up." said Ginny. "I was beginning to wonder when someone would actually come down from Naruto's signal."
"Signal?" asked Fred, before the two realized just what she meant, "That was him?"
Ginny just smiled, but that was all they needed for an answer.
"And the twins still have yet to truly figure it out." said Harry, "Although it might have something to do with Naruto directing them to Padfoot."
Right after they had showed up for breakfast that day, the twins noticed Harry but didn't quite recognize him. But they learned about Naruto's challenge before he revealed Sirius Black as Padfoot, which instantly diverted all their attention to the fact that they were in the presence of one of their idols, something that Harry was grateful for. But now it was starting to become a bit concerning to him. Even with his past, it shouldn't be taking quite this long to fully accept being a girl in reality, and yet it seems to be taking a good while for him.
His thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of Ron, shoving his way in between Harry and Hermione before he started talking and eating.
"Hey, mate-" he said before he was cut off by Hermione.
"First off, Ronald, that was quite rude of you. Secondly, didn't Harry already tell you off?" said Hermione, standing up and facing Ron.
"Why would he do that? We're mates, we don't tell each other...off..." said Ron, facing her only to grow silent upon seeing her, "Mione?"
"What? You finally noticed more than your mouth?" asked Hermione, surprising even Harry with her actions.
What she didn't realize, though, was that her time training had done more than just simply get her stronger. Particularly, thanks to Naruto's presence, she and the others have actually been developing a bit better than most. But because of Naruto's personal thoughts, it wasn't quick enough for people to notice until that moment. It wasn't anything really amazing to look at, but you could tell that they were looking considerably better than before.
"More like no one really expected you to look that good seemingly out of nowhere." piped up Dean Thomas, "You and Ginny, too."
That's when Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna who overheard took a proper look at themselves and each other, and took note of the exact differences. (basically, picture them about a year older from this time, just modified from elemental affinity influence. Harry/Jade and Ginny are Fire, Luna is Wind, and Hermione is Lightning. Different affinities tend to result in different body styles.)
Naruto then arrived, ready to begin another day of classes. However, once he saw what happened, he groaned.
"Seriously, Void?" said Naruto, annoyed by both what happened and not figuring it out himself until then somehow.
"Actually, this on you." replied Void Heart, "Just used mine."
That took Naruto by surprise. He was the one that did that to them? This was certainly not going to go over well, he just knew it.
"Oh come now, Naruto." said Ino, hearing Naruto's thoughts, "It isn't that bad. If anything, it isn't a real stretch to say that you and Void just boosted the results of their training, seeing as that would explain just how long it took for them to get this far."
"She has a point with that." said Hinata in acknowledgment, "Not to mention you have no idea how to explain it otherwise."
Naruto sighed, understanding the logic behind that. He just didn't want to deal with potentially angry friends, especially when they were female.
"Better face the music." Naruto muttered before getting close. He barely got with ten feet before Luna brought out the reality of the situation.
"You had something to do with this, didn't you?" she asked, even though she had enough reason to believe it to be true either way.
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly before speaking, "At least a bit. As far as I've discovered, I've just been giving you training results a bit of a boost."
"...just try and do something about that next time," sighed Hermione, "no one really likes it when you do things like this without permission."
Naruto merely leveled a deadpanned expression at her, followed by Harry doing the same.
Ron then made them remember his presence with some choice words at Naruto, "What you do you, wanker?"
"Among other things...you out of my face." responded Naruto, earning a round of chuckles at Ron's expense.
"Not until you leave us alone." said Ron, "Ever since you showed up, you turned my friends against me, you dar-"
He was cut off by Naruto backhanding him.
"I'd suggest you get your facts straight before speaking to or about me again." Naruto told him in a somewhat cold tone, "The only thing truly 'dark' about me is my attitude towards my enemies. Otherwise, I'm as light as they come. Remember that."
"Mr. Uzumaki," said Professor Lupin after class, "might I speak with you for a few minutes."
Classes went about as well as could be expected for them, except for Divination. Hagrid had managed to surprise them with salamanders that served as a handy fireplace, leaving them to just occasionally put more wood in with the creatures. Divination, on the other hand,*
"Sure." said Naruto, easily knowing what Lupin wanted to talk about. However, he also had a few things of his own that he wanted to say to the man. He sent the others on ahead, since it wasn't quite serious enough for all of them to be there for it.
Once the two were alone, Lupin brought out a bottle of butterbeer and two glasses.
"Some light refreshment while we're talking." he explained.
"For the record, by shinobi standards, I could legally have firewhiskey." said Naruto while he sat down and accepted a glass.
"I'll be sure to remember that when we need a strong drink." remarked Lupin, "But don't need it this time. I just wanted to truly get to know the one whose helped both my old friend and the 'son' of another."
Naruto lightly smirked as Lupin took a sip from his own glass before saying, "And not the possibility that we might actually do something about your inner beast, considering my origins and abilities?"
Naruto wasn't disappointed when Lupin's eyes widened and he spat out the drink in his mouth. Before Lupin could start speaking, the boy continued.
"I'm not joking, if you're wondering." he explained, "At Konoha, there is a clan known as the Inuzuka. They work in tandem with their dog partners, and have some canine like traits. Combined with our current leader, Tsunade Senju, being the top medic in the land, we might be able to turn your 'curse' into a true blessing."
That struck the man speechless.
"And in case of just how good Tsunade is, here." Naruto finished before pointing and send a bit of his power out to Lupin, showing the man some of the more extreme conditions Tsunade's helped with. Afterwards, he backed off and took a gulp, leaving Lupin to his thoughts.
After seeing what happened to Lee, Kakashi, and Sasuke, Lupin honestly had no idea what to say, but he did gain hope that his status as a werewolf could be changed to at least something better, if not plain out gone.
"And then there is my case, but I'm an exception." said Naruto, eyes momentarily darkened as he brought up his own past, "She wasn't able to do anything for me. Only Hinata could."
Although I'm starting to have a few doubts about that, considering Sakura and Ino. He idly thought.
"Well...that is something to look into." said Lupin after a few moments of silence.
Naruto nodded. "And it's only a matter of time now, before the offer becomes reality. Just need to find a direct enough route between here and there."
"Even less time than you might imagine, actually." piped Hinata, "Just got word from the scouts we sent when we found that possibility I mentioned."
"Oh? You found an opening?" asked Naruto, earning a slight eyebrow from Professor Lupin.
"To a land called Japan." explained Hinata, "It seems to have a slightly different dialect to the Elemental Nations, but the culture, technology, and government are completely different to us. If we can manage it, we should be meeting up with you guys by the end of the Hogwarts school year. Should be a nice end-of-the-year present for Kurenai and Jade."
"Indeed. I just hope everyone that is sent for that little excursion will be prepared in time. Including Jade. Something seems to be holding her back from her full potential at the moment, especially her accepting being a female completely." said Naruto, his own eyebrow raised at the potential time frame Hinata mentioned.
"Might I ask as to what just happened?" asked Professor Lupin, out of the loop.
"Representatives from Konoha might be here by beginning of summer." Naruto simply said, bringing the man up to speed quickly. Naruto then glanced at the sun outside, finished his drink, and stood up, "I'm sorry, but this conversation with have to continue later. Not quite anymore time for the moment."
Realizing that, somehow, he was right, Professor Lupin finished his own glass before standing as well.
"While this wasn't as enlightening as I was originally wanting," said Lupin, "it is still enlightening enough for the time being. I look forward to learning more about Konoha and it's world when I get the chance."
Naruto smiled at the sentiment before heading out to meet his friends, who were waiting a little ways off from their next lesson with a boy named Neville Longbottom. While Neville didn't have the capability to wield chakra, Naruto did take note that he could go for the Way of the Samurai. He just wanted the boy to come to him first to be sure that Neville himself wanted to do so, since the boy was still on the fence with that decision.
"He just wanted to have a quick chat." he told them, before they headed out for their next destination, which was the Gryffindor Common Room.
However, upon arrival, they discovered Ron ranting to anyone that would listen about Naruto.
"I'm telling you all! He's nothing more than a back-stabbing, friend-stealing-" he seemed to be finishing right as they walked in, but he didn't noticed them until Naruto interrupted him.
"Are you talking about yourself, because that just about sums you up." Naruto called out, earning a round of laughter, "At the very least, you've been stealing chances for people to become Harry's friend, while also back-stabbing him on occasion."
Ron rounded on Naruto and closed in so that their faces were inches from each other.
"Oh yeah? Prove it!" demanded Ron.
"Two words: Second Year." said Naruto.
That quickly made the onlookers remember how things had went the year before, when people thought Harry was responsible for the attacks. A number of Gryffindors started to lightly glare at the red head, remembering attempts to talk Harry, and Ron ultimately driving them off in some way or another. But none of the were really sure when exactly Ron betrayed Harry like Naruto was suggesting.
"For those of you are still confused, I say this." said Naruto, "Who was that not only made it that Harry had to take matters into his own hands to fix things, but also only needed a ride from Fawkes because he could find one of his own. Without enlarging the hole, might I add."
"He what?!" cried Ginny, severely upset at what Naruto just said.
"Why do you think I say that he'll just never learn?" replied Naruto, "I'll be in the-"
Naruto suddenly stopped talking as a rather strange and ominous feeling swept over him and the others, stopping all movement and talk as they tensed up while Naruto himself started feeling a headache forming from it.
Even if, besides the feeling, nothing much more than dark chuckling echoed through, they still couldn't shake it off after the feeling was completely gone. Naruto still felt the effects of the headache as he slightly stumbled, catching people off guard.
"Naruto!" Harry exclaimed, running forward to steady his friend.
"I'm okay." Naruto assured him, "I just...have a really bad feeling about this."
And that is without adding Void Heart's sudden anger into the mix as well. Thought Naruto, But whatever it was, it felt far more ancient than the Biju, which is a scary thought if this is but a taste of it's presence.
It may seem like I'm bashing Ron towards the end there, but it actually isn't. What's actually going on is just simply Ron not realizing that things such as friendship and trust are far more helpful to him than listening to his own stomach. He's just not going to realize that for a good long while, if at all.
As for the ominous feeling, that connects to that little bit I brought up during Naruto's little shopping session before Christmas. However, I'll truly start going into that plotline during Fourth Year. Third Year is all about setting the connection.
Until next time. Please let me know what you think.