I do not Harry Potter or Naruto

Scroll in pocket and Hedwig in hand, Harry was puzzled as they were not at 12 Grimmauld place. Wanting to drop off his owl friend and stuff there, he realized they were at someone else's home. Ominous looking as no lights were on or anything to indicate someone was there. He glanced doubtfully at the elderly wizard as to why they were there. About to ask why, he was interrupted as the older man spoke.

"Harry, my boy. you can let her out now. I do believe she knows where to go." The headmaster said.

A confused look on his features, ss he was about to ask why here. He nods his head as he reaches for the pocket to give her the scroll. Giving a soft hoot and a nuzzle of feathers, as he opens her cage. Hopping out the owl listens and responds with a gentle nuzzle. Reaching for the scroll with her talons, she flies off and into the darkness. Holding onto the cage, he follows the older man down the pathway as his opens the gate. Watching as he does, it is then when Harry notices his hand. All black and odd looking as if it was going to die off from gangrene or something like that.

"Headmaster? What happened to your hand?"

Ignored at first as they approach the front door, he is cut off as the elderly wizard speaks, "Harry, I must insist that is for a later point in time. Now I must ask of you that whatever you do Harry, just be yourself and do not let him escape. He will try to collect you."

"Collect me?" Really confused now, he follows the elderly wizard as he proceeds into the house. Making a mental note to ask about the hand later, all the while wondering...collect me?

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A little later

Shaking his head as they leave, he can see why Albus had asked him to come. He didn't like doing it, because of his 'fame'. But if it helped, what could he do about it. Slughorn was apparently obsessed with making friends with famous or would be famous men and women. The only thing though that kept him from leaving, was that the now professor, knew his mother. Although he had said he didn't know her well, save that she was one of his best students. Quick and always eager to learn something, he had said his mother was like Hermione.

The best and brightest of her generation… It was nice to know that.

"Harry."

Startled out of his musing, he turns to his Headmaster with a questioning look. "Before we go, I must ask you one more thing.

"What is it?"

"Yes Headmaster."

"There is something Horace knows. Something I need to know." He said quietly. "I must ask that you retrieve it for me."

"But what is it?"

"A memory Harry." Albus said quietly. "A memory."

Puzzlement evident, he followed the elderly wizard. Allowing the old man to clasp his shoulder, with that same hand from earlier. It was right before he could speak, they vanished.

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5 minutes later, 12 Grimmauld Place

Right outside a place that despite the healing summer he had. All the grief came back, as he stared at the dark and dreary house. This house could have been his home two years ago if not for Peter Pettigrew. If he had not escaped when Remus had started to turn, maybe he would have been happy, because he would have been with his godfather. But then he would have never found out about Naruto and that thought left him cold as well. He wanted both in his life to be honest. But since Sirius died, all he had was Naruto. Gazing at the Lord ring on his finger. Remus had explained that his godfather had kept his father's ring for him. Along with being the heir to the Black estates with Sirius's death.

Already missing his younger cousin and his new friends and their teachers. He follows the elderly wizard inside the house. Late as it was, he is greeted by Mrs. Weasley who not only missed him but gave him a hug. Her husband and others following, Harry finds himself grinning as they take in his new How's Remus doing with this Inu..Inu.."

"Inuzuka Mr. Weasley and he is good. I can't quite explain it, but he is fitting right in with them. Besides I think Kiba's mom likes him." Harry replied. "I mean last night they had a party to celebrate his boding with one of their ninken. According to what Kiba told me the dog can channel some of Moony's aggression. He stayed behind to learn how to do it."

"Well now Harry it seems this summer has done you and him both some good." Arthur commented. "But what's a ninken?"

Looking thoughtful, the teenager looks for the simplest explanation he can think of. "It is a dog that can do spells or jutsus as they call it with their partner." Raising an eyebrow at it, Arthur looks dubious as does Mrs. Weasley, Albus chuckling he nods his head in agreement to Harry's words. "I have seen it myself Arthur these shinobi have figured out a way for animals to do things in tandem with them.

Still a little bit doubtful, he allows his wife to take a good look at the teenager who she also considers one of her children. "I see you finally have clothes that fit you. That's good."

"Yeah, Naruto wouldn't let me roam around Konoha with clothes that looked like that, so he took me shopping with him." He replied with a big grin as he starts talking. His smile huge, he puts down the cage that was in his hand, as he turns around at the behest of Tonks and the other women who gave a little whistle. "And when Remus, Bill and Fleur arrived, they not only made sure I ate but Naruto as well." He laughed out loud. "He had an unholy addiction to ramen according to Fleur. And Mrs. Weasley he loves to eat anything but vegetables!" Which causes the red-headed woman to smile as she comments. "I'll just have to change that won't I. I'm coming next time to give that young man a taste of my cooking."

"Fleur and Bill have a head start on you Mrs. Weasley but trust me Naruto is stubborn so they might need your help there."

But right now, thinking of Fleur, the woman had been horrified at not only at his cousin's eating habits, but also his atrocious manners. Much like how Mrs. Weasley would have done, she made his cousin slow down. But threatened him with no ramen from anywhere, unless he ate some real food. But when Tsunade had found out, she begged the young woman to tell her how she did it which had confused her. Especially when Naruto started calling her nee-chan as he does call the older woman Baa-chan. Fleur was all smiles though as the elder woman explained that the teenager was calling her his sister.

Of course, the half-veela woman did not mind one bit. She willingly encouraged it that on one of Fawkes visits to deliver mail and updates, she sent a letter to her sister and Naruto ended up with a bigger family as Gabrielle would write to him now. When he got that first piece of mail, he was over the moon with it. Mainly because it was the first ever written to and for him, that wasn't a bill or a mission from Tsunade. Which prompted more questions and then it was time to talk. When she and Bill found about the Kyuubi it had made his cousin feel like he was normal at their reaction. At first, he was terrified because he did not want Bill or Fleur to hate him like many do in the village. But luckily Jiraiya had explained since there were not many seal masters like himself. The fact that curse-breakers had a similar style and one that along with the seals. That with perhaps the couple's help, they can help him maintain what was on him as they learn even more. Of course, that didn't at first sit to well, but with help from Harry, Naruto understood and reluctantly nodded his head. The couple listened as he, Jiraiya and Naruto told them about the seal on the blonde boy and the one on himself with quietness. That alone seemed so uncharacteristic as they have gotten to know the teenager who was hyperactive and friendly.

Needless to say, when done, Fleur got up and started ranting in French about idiot people and not seeing what she saw. Listening as Bill interprets what she is mad about, Naruto gives a smile that makes him reach out and give him a pat on the back. The red headed even volunteered to help Naruto with a couple of pranks. (Mostly the targets were people who treated the teenager like trash. The twins would applaud him for that.)

Jiraiya had later on asked him if all wizards were like them. He had shaken his head reluctantly as there were some still hateful about their blood or creatures that they associate with. The 'pure bloods' were much like those who valued blood limits and the toad sage understood that simple sentence more than anyone. But with the wizards he knew, Naruto would be accepted in a heartbeat by many. The wizard had said, it caused the older man to nod with the hint of a smile.

Telling the others of the accomplishments that she and Bill did to help the shinobi and the curse problem they have. He found rapt listeners in Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Having become his parents in their own way, they were proud of their son and how he was helping many. All of them hearing that the muggles as they were called here, thought nothing of what the shinobi did, made them even prouder as he talks about the farmer they helped. Shaking his head as already the good memories were coming forth. Harry realizes that not once has he thought on what he must face this year. All the training and hanging out with his new friends. Refining his magic with Bill and Fleur helping… For the first time since it all began, he felt ready. He felt like he could face whatever was thrown at him.

He felt that small thing called hope.

Entering his room that he often shared with Ron, he found his two best friends talking with one another animatedly. Not knowing he was standing there he smiled as he spoke up. "Well, I did come late so of course I missed dinner. But your mum is bringing up a plate shortly Ron." Whirling around, both Hermione and Ron found themselves staring at a new and improved Harry. Both could tell as they ran up to give him hugs, as they were happy at his appearance.

"Harry, how was your summer." The bushy haired girl asked as she took in his appearance. Concern in her voice about him considering what had happened months before. He gave her a small yet genuine smile as he responded. "Better 'mione. Much better"

Accepting his response as his eyes seemed joyful, she notices much like Mrs. Weasley, instead of being rail thin, he had put on some weight and even some muscle during his time in Konoha. Black pants and a white shirt that suits him as it actually fits, he had wrapped around his head a piece of cloth with a plate on it much like how Professor Hatake had worn. But instead of a symbol like a leaf, this one had a phoenix kind of symbol. But above all that she and Ron noticed was the fact that their friend was happy.

A smile on his lips, Hedwig was already appearing at the moment on the windowsill. He knows what he is about to do will freak out his bushy haired friend. Ron had told him in one of his letters that she simply could not see the scroll he had told her about. That it was impossible to fit that much stuff in one little scroll.

Rolling it out and the seal showing he pats one of his pockets for a kunai. His wand in his pocket as he was never without it as well. He had been starting to develop a habit with them. TenTen or Kakashi during his training sessions would surprise him often with one in their spars. First few times he didn't have one, but later on he developed a habit of keeping one much like the shinobi. Pricking his finger, (which Hermione tried to stop him, but Ron luckily held her back having seen it) the teen swiped the blood onto the seal and with a poof his trunk among other things appeared. Hermione's jaw dropping, she closed it minutes later as Harry and Ron tried valiantly not to laugh. The latter moving to help his friend with his items. They get a lot of it including some training scrolls TenTen had given him to practice.

Thinking of the brown-haired girl, he had started to call Buns with affection before he left. She had gotten annoyed when he had done so. But still she smiled, when he kept doing so. Now if anyone else did it, they had a beat down coming or so to speak. When Kiba had called her that, he couldn't help but wince at the picture in his head that had come up. The hound ninja had been black and blue for a week.

"Blimey, that's a lot of stuff Harry." The red-headed boy commented. "What is all of it."

Explaining about the new friends he had made in Konoha thanks to his cousin Naruto, he searched through his trunk as he did so. Finding his photo album in his trunk, both Hermione and Ron knew how thin it had been before. Most of the pictures being on the trio, with a few of his parents at the beginning, this time it seemed to almost be bulging with pictures. Sitting on the bed, both alongside him, Harry found himself showing them pictures of the teens from Konoha. All of them with smiles and hanging out. Hermione could not help but notice, the happiness he was displaying in each was free and full. But also, when it came to a picture of a dark-haired girl with buns, much like Princess Leia, from Star Wars. Harry seemed to be a little more ecstatic in it than usual. A smile crossing her lips, a part of her is happy for her friend. But another part feels some sorrow for another. Ginny and herself have bonded as sister would have and well, she knew the girl would be upset.

So remaining quiet about it, she found herself amazed at some of the pictures. A blonde boy walking up a wall, a cigar smoking man showing Harry something with his knives. And other pictures with teens and adults alike. Even some with children, a boy wearing a long scarf alongside two other children and himself, laughing at the same blonde from an earlier picture who had been turned pink.

All in all, the three friends talked into the late hours of their last day of summer break and how one of them for the first time in a while, was truly able to enjoy it.

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Hogwarts

Having arrived at the castle two hours ago, Naruto was bouncing around like a kid with a cookie jar, or in his case a ramen bowl. He was in awe of the magic paintings, the moving stairs and everything along with Sakura. Kakashi having been here before, their sensei was alongside them reading his book. But deep down the two shinobi knew he was enjoying it as well. Before he was here to investigate Harry. Now he was to teach for a brief time. He was going to look around as well, but in his own way, as he wanted to mark every nook and cranny in his mind despite the map in his hand.

Remus with a little aide from Dumbledore and Snape had managed to re-create it. As far as he knew the now wolf-like wizard was working on a map of Konoha for the Hokage. With the help of Kouga, the wolfhound could find places he could not see. It would be interesting to see the official result and if he could do stuff the Inuzuka clan was known for.

But in the meantime, when they had started looking around the castle, the blonde had been scared at first. When meeting the ghosts of Hogwarts, it seems eventually Sakura had taken to the Grey Lady and when Peeves came to mess with them. Him and Naruto met and were practically bonded at first sight. Agreeing to chat later with the ghost, Peeves had gone on as Naruto started humming a tune of mischief, he knew all too well.

Still though as he glares at his sensei, the teen wishes that he and Sakura had known that they would be coming here. All three understanding that they could be switched out for another team pending the need, they were indeed eager to learn some new things. Especially Sakura, whom Madame Pomphrey had greeted upon her arrival. The woman kind and eager to teach and learn as well, she had been accompanied by Professor Sprout. The herbology teacher explained to the pinkette that she too would be sharing some knowledge about the plants here. It would be even more rewarding for her if passing Pomona's expectation. Konoha might get a start on some of their own plants from her. Already having been told about the Basilisk incident by Harry, Sakura was admittedly curious on how these mandrake plants did their work and she nodded happily as both women would increase her education.

Now the three heading out and about the grounds, they found themselves with something different. Skeletal and obviously horses with wings. It was at the moment that an extremely large man rounded the corner. All in awe at how tall he was, they watched as he reached into a bag and throwing what could only be meat at them. Leaping and happily taking their nourishment from it, that is when the man notices them.

"Oh, you must be those um...sh... shinobi, yeah that's right the shinobi Professor Dumbledore told me about. Nice to meet you the name's Hagrid. I am the keeper of keys and grounds of Hogwarts. "A big friendly smile on his face, it does not take long that despite his large size, the man was almost innocent compared to things they have experienced. It was...it was almost a godsend to them that there was someone out there that was this good that they helped protect.

"What are they?"

Confused for a moment, the large man happily responded with a cheerful tune as he holds out a chunk of meat. "You can see emthem huh?" Nodding their heads the half giant gave them a mixture of sadness and joy. "They are thestrals, beauties aren't they. They can only be seen by those who have seen death though." Those words echoing in their mind as they look at the winged ones, the shinobi found that their joy is now much subdued. Still, they continue on, taking in the grounds and the extensive forest. They are startled as another creature comes forward. The top half almost human they are surprised as it has the back half of a horse.

"Greetings one who protect us from the darkness, I am Firenze."

Somehow, they knew what he was referring to as he trots over to Naruto. His eyes gazing down at his belly, the blonde feels well like he was being probed and admittedly it scares him. "Do not be afraid young one, we centaurs sensed you were coming long ago," He stated with a knowing look in his eyes. "There is much ahead of you. Trials you will face here and there." Alert as he hears this Kakashi drops his book as he looks at the being in front of him. His gaze returned; the centaur speaks with clarity as he looks at each one.

"Power come with a price, good and bad so listen to the light and darkness young ones. For with both you will find the victory that you seek."

That said, the centaur turns and gallops back into the Forbidden Forest. The two younger shinobi confused at his words; it leaves the older deep in thought. What did he mean by listening to the light and the darkness. And what does it have to do with the Kyuubi?