Harry knocked on the door and opened it, it must have been quite a shock, seeing them standing there covered in mud and dirt, but then they heard a voice that three out of four recognized.
- Ginny! - It was Mrs. Weasley with her husband, both were by the fireplace and as soon as they saw Ginny they went and hugged her tightly.
Naruto staggered to the right seeing that behind this scene of reunion, Professor Minerva had a hand over her heart and sighed heavily while Albus Dumbledore had a smile, the blonde stepped back to avoid being in the hug that Molly was about to give her, leaving her to catch only Harry and Ron, but the woman's eyes collided with a great shine against Naruto's - they saved her! They saved her! How did they do it? - Harry tried to look for Naruto with his eyes turning his head in the hug, but Naruto was just out of eye range for both Ron and Harry, this had been so effusive for Naruto, unlike in Konoha where all emotion did not exist because people really died... that's why
It felt good … like a real victory, one that Naruto didn't want to raise his fist and exclaim over, so he just gave Molly Weasley a smile back.
"I think we'd all love to find out," Professor McGonagall said in a small voice, her brow furrowed and her arms crossed, Naruto wasn't sure if she was about to scold them or congratulate them, she wasn't sure at all anymore.
Then Naruto began to narrate the story, she was never good at it, that's why her letters were a riddle and she was worse trying to tell it, but she tried to add a lot of emphasis and repeat some things several times in a different way when people looked confused, Harry began to intervene when he realized that he needed to help so that they wouldn't be here for ten hours, telling more facts.
It may not have been ten hours, but it was four and a half hours when they finally finished.
-Very well - McGonagall points out when Naruto takes a breath to recover everything he had said and then mentions - So you found out where the entrance was, breaking a hundred rules, I might add. But how the hell did you two manage to get out alive? - McGonagall looked between Naruto and Harry.
-Well -Harry started looking at Fawkes and then turned his head to look at Naruto next to him, he smiles a little -would you believe me if I told you that Naruto is a ninja? -McGonagall's eyebrows trembled at that -she arrived just before the basilisk ate me, causing me to lose sight in one eye and Fawkes helped by letting out some squawks so that Naruto could bury the sword in her other eye, it was incredible -Naruto feels his cheeks heat up, but in return he says.
- but almost immediately I lost the sword, then the basilisk was going to eat me - Naruto opens his mouth and shows his fangs - then Harry buried the sword in his head… it was also incredible ttebayo - both were flattered… but it was not only because it was true, it was the perfect way to avoid talking more about the diary, Ginny and Tom Ryddle, Naruto was good by herself keeping secrets when it was really important, they did not want to get her expelled! Then Naruto decided that at least part of the truth had to be told, that Voldemort was here, Naruto approaches Harry pulls the sleeve of his robes to get his attention and whispers in his ear - we should tell them at least about Voldemort, that he was here… as a memory in the diary and that he controlled Ginny -
Then Harry turns around and whispers back - but Ginny? - Naruto looks at the little girl who is silently shedding tears while hugging her mother, before looking Albus in the eyes, his shoulders tensing and his gaze sharpening.
But unlike that strong look Dumbledore gave him a solemn smile. "What puzzles me most," said Dumbledore kindly, "is how Lord Voldemort managed to bewitch Ginny, when my sources tell me that he is currently hiding in the forests of Albania." Harry felt wonderfully relieved.
- What... what? - said Mr. Weasley in a stunned voice. - Do you know who-who? Ginny's been bewitched? But Ginny hasn't... Ginny hasn't been... has she? -
- It was the diary ! - Naruto and Harry exclaimed loudly together, Harry took it from his robes pocket and showed it to Dumbledore
- Riddle wrote it when he was sixteen - Harry clarifies.
Dumbledore took the diary from Harry and examined its burnt and damp pages carefully. "Superb," he said softly. "Of course, he was probably the most intelligent student Hogwarts has ever had." He turned to the Weasleys, who were looking at him in bewilderment. "Very few people know that Lord Voldemort was formerly called Tom Riddle. I taught him myself, fifty years ago, at Hogwarts. He disappeared after leaving school... He traveled the world... He delved into the Dark Arts, he dealt with the worst of our kind, he undertook dangers, magical transformations, so much so that when he re-emerged as Lord Voldemort he was unrecognizable. Virtually no one connected Lord Voldemort with the intelligent and charming boy who received the Head Boy here."
"But Ginny," said Mrs. Weasley, "what does our Ginny have to do with him?"
- His... his diary! - Ginny said between sobs - I've been writing in it, and he's been writing back to me all term... -
- Ginny! - her father exclaimed, astonished - Haven't I taught you one thing? What have I always told you? Don't trust things that have the ability to think, but whose brains you don't know where. Why didn't you show the diary to me or to your mother? An object as suspicious as that, it had to be black magic! -
-No... I didn't know - Ginny sobbed - I found it inside one of the books Mum bought me. I thought someone had left it there and forgotten... -
Naruto freezes, her mind may have been on something else when she first met Draco's father, but she was sure that when he left and Naruto saw the cauldron Ginny was carrying in her hands there was a book... very similar to the diary.
"Miss Weasley should go straight to the hospital wing," Dumbledore said firmly. "It has been a terrible experience for her. There will be no punishment. Lord Voldemort has deceived older and wiser wizards." He went to answer the door. "Bed rest and perhaps a cup of hot chocolate. It always cheers me up," he added, winking kindly. "Madam Pomfrey will still be awake. She must be giving mandrake juice to the basilisk victims. They will surely wake up any moment."
- So Hermione's okay! - Ron said happily as Naruto waves his arms, there was so much to tell him!
"They haven't done any irreversible damage," said Dumbledore. Mrs. Weasley left with Ginny, and the father followed behind, still very much in shock.
"You know, Minerva," Professor Dumbledore said thoughtfully to Professor McGonagall, "I think this calls for a good feast. May I ask you to go and tell the kitchen?"
- Fine - Professor McGonagall said resolutely, also heading for the door - I will leave you to settle accounts with Potter, Weasley and Uzumaki, I must also warn them to stop their search for Uzumaki - Naruto looked at Minerva who said - Madam Pomfrey was so worried when she didn't find you in bed, so make sure you go see her when you're done here -
"That's it," said Dumbledore. He left, and Harry, Ron, and Naruto looked at Dumbledore curiously. What exactly had Professor McGonagall meant by 'settling scores'? Were they going to be punished?
"I seem to remember saying that I would have to expel you if you broke any more school rules," said Dumbledore, but the message was more for Harry and Ron, they were the ones who crashed a car at the beginning of the year.
Naruto may have kicked a girl in the face, but he paid for it in the end
Ron opened his mouth in horror - but... there is a but, right ttebayo? - Naruto laughs when he sees the reflection of the fireplace fire hitting those half-moon glasses
"That is correct, as it goes to show that we all have to eat our words sometimes, " Dumbledore continued, smiling. "All three of you will receive the Award for Special Service to the School and… let's see… yes, I think two hundred points to Gryffindor for… each."
Two hundred points! Naruto had never won so many points before! Ron's cheeks were bright red, much like the decorations Lockhart had put up on Valentine's Day, and he closed his mouth again with a dry click.
-But there is someone who seems to be keeping quiet about his participation in the dangerous adventure- added Dumbledore- Why such modesty, Gilderoy? - Naruto turns dramatically, he had forgotten that the Baka-sensei was still there right behind them.
Harry didn't look any better, having forgotten the man's presence as much as Naruto had.
"Professor Dumbledore," Ron said quickly, "there was an accident in the Chamber of Secrets. Professor Lockhart."
- Am I a teacher? - he asked in surprise - My God! I guess I'm useless, right? -...
"He tried to cast a Memory Charm and it went wrong," Ron explained calmly to Dumbledore.
"Why," said Dumbledore, shaking his head so that his long silver moustache trembled, "wounded with his own sword, Gilderoy!"
- Sword? - Lockhart said softly - No, I don't have a sword. But this boy does have one - he pointed at Harry - He can lend you one.
- Would you mind taking Professor Lockhart to the hospital wing as well? - Dumbledore said to Ron - I'd like to have a word with Harry and - he looked at Naruto - I think someone needs some answers -…
Ron walked out with Lockhart, only giving the three remaining people in the room a curious look, and as the door closed Dumbledore gestured to the seats in front of him - please sit down.
Naruto let Harry's questions be answered first.
-First of all, I must thank you both- Dumbledore gently caressed Fawkes and looked at Naruto- it was you Naruto who Fawkes went to look for first right? - Naruto looks at his feet and answers with a soft smile grateful to the phoenix.
-I called you and Fawkes came, I felt better when he did something with my injured arm-
-Oh, the tears of a phoenix are really powerful –
-So you've met Tom Ryddle - Dumbledore said thoughtfully - I imagine he would be very interested in seeing you - Naruto doesn't miss the "s" in "see them"
Then Harry mentions -Professor Dumbledore... Riddle said that I'm like him. A strange affinity, he said... - that had been before Naruto arrived so she didn't understand what Harry meant, about Riddle saying that Harry was like him, when she knew that Harry wasn't bad.
- Really? - Dumbledore asked, looking at a thoughtful Harry from beneath his thick silver eyebrows. - What do you think, Harry? -
Harry clenches his fists and wrinkles his nose in a frown. "I guess I'm not like him!" Harry replied, louder than he intended. "I mean, I'm a Gryffindor, I'm…"
-Harry -Naruto answers- you're Harry remember? He tried to scare me and make me doubt when I knew... that I'm not sure who I am ttebayo, I'm still not completely sure - Naruto raises a hand and tangled one of the strands of her blonde hair and mentions - but if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that Harry isn't a bad person - Harry sighed softly, but in the end he gave a small smile to the blonde that she returned.
-That kinship that Tom Ryddle found in you, Harry , is nothing more than the rest that Lord Voldemort himself had left behind," Albus added, making Harry raise an eyebrow. "You know how to speak Parseltongue, Harry," Dumbledore said calmly, "because Lord Voldemort, who is the last descendant of Salazar Slytherin, speaks Parseltongue. If I'm not mistaken, he transferred some of his powers to you the night he gave you that scar. It wasn't his intention, I'm sure..."
- Is it like the parents' Chakra? - Naruto asks raising his hand, before quickly lowering it - Well, when you have a baby child, the mother's Chakra stays in the baby to keep it safe and calm, so when Voldemort attacked… - Naruto tried to make it less confusing - Baby Harry - Harry couldn't help but let out a hiss at that when Naruto continued - The magic instead of impacting him directly it simply absorbed it, like a baby does with its mother's Chakra? - Naruto remembered this specifically, thanks to him trying to look as calm as possible during class, seeing as one of the teachers was going to sit on a paint bomb while they were explaining this in the background.
-I would use the word bounce, but you are not wrong, Miss Naruto - Naruto smiles a little and puffs out his chest with pride -
Harry, tired of the exchange, decides that he must get out the question that was gnawing at his chest. "Did Voldemort put something of himself in me?" Harry asked, stunned, not realizing that the question itself had been answered a few seconds ago.
-It seems -
-So I should be in Slytherin - said Harry, looking desperately at Dumbledore - The Sorting Hat recognized Slytherin powers in me and... - Naruto thought that Harry would not be a bad Slytherin, of course she did not have the same taboo as Harry about being in the snake house... although with all his frequent confrontations with the lovers of the "s" he was beginning to resent them a little.
"It put you in Gryffindor," Dumbledore said calmly. "Listen to me, Harry. You happen to have many of the qualities that Slytherin prized in its carefully chosen students: its own very rare gift, Parseltongue… inventiveness… determination… a certain disdain for rules that you share with Naruto." He added, his moustache twitching again. Naruto let out a nervous laugh that was accompanied by a snort from Harry. "But the hat still put you in Gryffindor. And you… do you know why? Think about it."
"He put me in Gryffindor," Harry said in a defeated voice, "only because I asked him not to go to Slytherin..."
-Exactly - said Dumbledore, smiling again - That is what sets you apart from Tom Riddle. It is our choices , Harry, that show what we are, much more than our abilities. - Harry sat in his chair, stunned and motionless, remembering the exact moment when Naruto could have said yes to Tom Riddle to find out who he is and who his relatives were, but... no, he stayed by his side - If you want proof that you belong in Gryffindor, I suggest you look at this more closely.
Dumbledore walked over to Professor McGonagall's desk, picked up the bloody sword, and handed it to Harry. He reluctantly turned it over and watched the rubies gleam in the firelight. And then he saw the name engraved beneath the hilt:
Godric Gryffindor:
"Only a true member of Gryffindor could have pulled this out of the hat, let alone wielded it, Harry," Dumbledore said simply.
-I didn't take out the sword, professor -Harry looks at Naruto who only looks between the bloody sword and the sorting hat.
-But... - Dumbledore turns his head looking with a great gleam in his eyes - You didn't wield it? Look, the sword is made so that only the one who according to Goodrich Gryffindor was worthy of wielding it could carry it, on the other hand, the one who wasn't, the sword would become like his anchor, Naruto proved to be a Gryffindor at heart by taking out the sword and wielding it and you by taking it and wielding it equally to defend your friend -
There was silence in the room for a couple of minutes as Harry looked at the sword and let his doubts disappear. Then Dumbledore opened one of Professor McGonagall's desk drawers and took out a quill and inkwell.
-What you both need is something to eat and rest. I suggest you go down to the banquet, while I write to Azkaban: we need our ranger back . - Naruto lets out an excited squeal and jumps to his feet, spreading his energy to the rest of the room as he mentions the aforementioned "Hagrid's coming back!" over and over. - And I have to write an advertisement for the Daily Prophet, too. - He added thoughtfully. - We need a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Boy, looks like they don't last long, do they? - Naruto scoffs, mentioning.
- Not even a year, ttebayo! - Albus Dumbledore doesn't laugh, but gives the girl a soft smile.
Harry stood up and started to leave, while Naruto still had things to take care of, but as soon as Harry touched the doorknob, it swung open so hard that it hit the wall and bounced back. Lucius Malfoy was there, his face furious; and so was Dobby, cowering in fear and covered in bandages. Naruto gives the elf a soft look, before raising his head, glaring at Lucius Malfoy from where he was sitting.
"Good evening, Lucius," said Dumbledore kindly.
Mr. Malfoy nearly knocked Harry over as he entered the office. Dobby followed close behind him, clinging to his cloak, his expression terrified.
"Well!" said Lucius Malfoy, his cold eyes fixed on Dumbledore. "You've returned. The school council has suspended you from your duties, but you have seen fit to return nonetheless."
'Well, Lucius, you see,' said Dumbledore, smiling serenely, 'I've had a request from the other eleven representatives. It was like an owl-house, to tell you the truth. When they got the news that Arthur Weasley's daughter had been murdered, they asked me to come back immediately. They thought I was the most suitable man for the job, after all. And they told me some very curious things. Some even said that you had threatened to put a curse on their families if they didn't agree to remove me.'
Mr. Malfoy turned even paler than usual, but his eyes were still filled with fury.
- So... you've stopped the attacks? - he said dismissively. - Have you found the culprit? - Naruto watched as the man's gloved hands moved slowly, adjusting them better on the snake-shaped staff. It was odd the way he had said it to Naruto, as if he expected the headmaster to tell him that it was... Ginny really.
"We found it," Dumbledore replied with a smile.
"Well?" Malfoy asked abruptly. "Who is it?"
"The same as last time, Lucius," said Dumbledore. "But this time Lord Voldemort was acting through someone else, through this diary."
He picked up the black notebook with a hole in the middle and looked at Malfoy intently. Harry, on the other hand, couldn't take his eyes off Dobby.
The elf was doing very strange things. He was staring at Harry, pointing at the diary, then at Mr. Malfoy. Then he was punching himself in the head.
"I see..." Malfoy said slowly to Dumbledore.
"A clever plan," Dumbledore said evenly, still looking Malfoy straight in the eye. "Because if Harry and Naruto here –"
Mr. Malfoy gave Harry a pointed sidelong glance before moving on to Naruto, who was still sitting in the chair, his gaze drowning in the way Tom Riddle looked at her, as if she were an object… a very useful one . "And if Ron hadn't discovered this notebook… Ginny Weasley would have been found guilty. No one would have been able to prove that she hadn't acted freely…"
If it was possible Lucius Malfoy had gone even paler before he let go of one of his hands from the cane he was carrying, "well if that is so... I hope that," his eyes darkened as he looked at Albus Dumbledore, "you continue to protect the school with such diligence, Dumbledore since you have some truly valuable students ," Lucius gave Naruto one last look as he turned around, "come on Dobby," the elf stepped forward only to be kicked causing him to crash into the ground hard, letting out a pained cry.
- Hey! - Naruto exclaims taking a step forward frowning, but Harry put an arm in front of Naruto.
"I'm sure it was Lucius Malfoy who put the diary in Ginny's cauldron when we were buying books… it's not my resentment towards Malfoy," Harry is quick to clarify.
-Yes... I think so too, but I don't think there's a real way to prove that... Lucius -Harry noticed how Naruto had stopped calling Lucius, "Draco's dad" now, then Naruto still worried mentions - and Dobby? He may not have done things right, but he had tried to help ttebayo -
-I have a plan, Professor Dumbledore -Harry turns and looks at the diary on the desk- may I return the diary to Mr. Malfoy?-
Dumbledore nodded. "Of course, Harry," Dumbledore said calmly. "But hurry up. Remember the banquet." Harry grabbed the diary and ran out of the office, the door closing behind him, leaving the two of them alone.
- ¿Albus Black Chan? -
- Yes Naruto? -Naruto takes her hands behind her nervously as she asks - Have you met someone like me... before? You know I came from the hidden land -
...it was a moment when Naruto refused to stop looking into the man's eyes, he knew that if he did so maybe Albus wouldn't answer his questions, then finally Albus nods -it's true, a long time ago I met a girl from the hidden land- Naruto opens his eyes too wide and clenches his fists, then what he had said... -do you know the value of a promise? -suddenly asks Dumbledore and Naruto is more confused, why does he ask that suddenly? Naruto of course knows the value of a promise, she herself would never go back on her word... her promise, she nods causing the strands of her hair to hit his face, unlike before they were not soft, perhaps because of the humidity, most of them had stuck around his face and those that didn't felt rough, Naruto moved it away from her face -knowing that you know- Naruto chuckled at the redundant words -you should know that I would have gladly loved to tell you the truth from the beginning, even though I can't talk about it... since it was a promise to a dear friend and student- Naruto thought that he couldn't blame her for anything but...
-Yes, may I ask, is she still alive? Does she live around here? - Then Albus's gaze softened, looking cloudy.
-No, dear, she died about twenty years ago approximately. -Oh, maybe it should affect her more but she really just felt sadness for not having met her unlike the old man in front of her who looked with a great emptiness.
-I'm sorry- Naruto felt the need to say those words to him hoping to see something more and finally he did, Albus smiled at him and looked at Fawkes, wanting to change the subject.
-Phoenixes have always been connected to my family, they live loose and hate being tamed - Albus had approached the bird and caressed it with a finger above the beak - but Fawkes is special, he was a precious gift when I wasn't this old man full of wrinkles that you know, I am not his owner but I like to think that I am his friend, since his real owner died, I remember that I was so sad - then Albus looks at Naruto but does not say a word when he just smiles when Fawkes flies until he is in front of Naruto. She lets out a squeal, Fawkes having surprised her, those eyes were looking at her fondly when Naruto asks her something else had been on her mind.
-I'm important to... Voldemort, in the sense that he needs me or something, and I understand that! I mean, if I'm an Uzumaki, it means that my blood is capable of healing people -Naruto looks at his arm that had been bitten by the basilisk before- but... even if he saw me as an object, he wanted me to be on his side, why would he need me like that? -
-There are wizards that Lord Voldemort considered powerful, but he knew they would never be on his side or cause, then there's you, possible Uzumaki - Naruto is now sure that Albus was 100% sure that she was Uzumaki from the beginning and that it wasn't the last name they just gave her because yes - you are... still a child from what he sees... soft... manipulable - that made Naruto's blood boil, how did that bastard think she was manipulable? - besides that you have a large magic core -
- Also - Naruto murmurs and Albus turns his head a little - well, I have large reserves of Chakra and now I also know that I have a large magic core inside me - Naruto puts a hand on his abdomen feeling the fabric of the shirt but knowing that underneath it there was a secret that she was so nervous to come to light in this place, that they would think she was as bad as Voldemort, the simple thought of that took her breath away - being powerful isn't always great ttebayo - Naruto avoids the old man's gaze, but smiles at the end and says out loud - it's okay! Sometimes it just feels that way -
-I have no more questions, thanks for everything… besides here, I know that it was you who sent my Broom during the exams ttebayo –
-Ah, I think you should go now. Poppy is going to scold me if I don't send you to her soon. -Naruto shakes his head in affirmation and raises a hand in farewell.
- Goodbye Albus Ojii Chan! - Then he gives Fawkes a little caress imitating how Albus did, but he also runs that finger over his head feeling the soft feathered one and finally he turns and leaves…
As Naruto was turning around in the hallway he barely has time to stop before he runs into someone, he lets out a shriek, but stops at the end when he realizes who it is.
The man, although he had a significant resemblance to Draco, I would define the man with a completely sharp face with no flesh on his cheeks as Harry had described Draco last year, perhaps the biggest difference between the two was that Draco had a rounder face and... of course his attitude was a little softer than his father's.
-Uzumaki- the man's shoulders were shaking, as if he had received a good blow, his eyes narrowed in anger- so dismissive, that makes sense since you've been with the Weasleys- dismissive? Naruto wasn't sure what that word meant, but she didn't ask- where did it come from?- that question had caught Naruto off guard.
- What? -He turns his head slightly and sees how that frown deepens.
- Where is your place of origin? Are there more? - again treating her as if she were an object.
Frowning now Naruto clenched his fists - that doesn't matter to you -
-So rude, I imagine Dumbledore found you in a sewer... like a stupid rat - Naruto clenches his jaw, but when he sees a pebble fall from a wall he holds back his anger.
Then she used that insult that Ron had used last year to refer to Draco - you're the one who could be one, ratface - she said it, she really did it, her shoulders tensed and she hunched over herself.
-look Uzumaki -Lucius Malfoy stepped forward and moved his cane having the two protruding fangs pull the top of Naruto's shirt, the button comes loose from the fabric by the force with which it was pulled, maybe from the front it didn't look strange but from above the bandages wrapped around Naruto's chest could be clearly seen -that may be your last name but it doesn't mean you're worthy of carrying it, much less stepping on this place- Naruto's shoulders tremble, it was the second time he was told he didn't belong here and this time it was an adult and none other than Draco's father- know your place and stay in it- then he pulls the cane unhooking the fangs, when he finishes he walks away turning his back to Naruto who remains standing, completely alone in that hallway.
Naruto takes a few deep breaths before his breathing quickens, something wasn't right , his chest was heavy and his eyes were burning.
He staggered until he leaned his arm against the wall and lowered his head, seeing his still bare feet and the floor.
Crack
Then the ground went dark for a second and there were hundreds of cracks, Naruto wanted to scream and jump like he had done the first time he had been in that situation, but it was as if his throat was painfully dry.
- Miss Uzumaki! - then in the blink of an eye everything came back and he heard that his own breathing had become erratic at that moment, he quickly took a deep breath and tried to calm down - Miss Uzumaki - he called again and Naruto now raised his head and saw Dobby, his eyes full of concern - did something happen? - he asked kindly and Naruto finally felt like he had to smile, he had to or…
Naruto gave a small smile that slowly grew at Dobby -I'm just... a little surprised, it's all ttebayo, besides just call me Naruto! - then at last her shoulders relax a little and she points to herself before lowering her hand and rubbing the fabric of her shirt, Dobby seemed to look at the place where a button was missing too - and how did it happen? -
Then Dobby smiles and his ears push down -Dobby is free- that sends true joy to Naruto who jumps a few times at that.
- That's great!... - he says happily.
- Although I am so happy to be free… there are things that had started to change in the mansion - change? Lucius kicked him so surely it could never have been who he was referring to - the Malfoy heir, the son of… I mean Mr. Malfoy, he acted differently when he returned from Hogwarts after his first year… he was… how to put it, nicer even to Dobby, that's why… Miss… Naruto shouldn't let bad words affect her like that, since I'm sure she's a good person - then Naruto's smile fell leaving his mouth a tense line but the blue of his eyes cleared.
-Thank you… -he says before a new smile blossoms on his face, a real one without forcing it…
With that everything seemed to be over, Naruto went to the infirmary…
She saw Molly Weasley again a person about to crash into her as the woman was undoubtedly on her way out, but unlike the previous "visit" this time Naruto was happy to almost crash - oh dear! - Molly said happily, before realizing that Naruto needed to pass, her gaze filled with worry and her hands tried to rest on Naruto's cheeks but she just jumped and almost stumbled back, Molly assumed her reaction because she was still tense - well, I was going to go get something for Ginny, so I'll get out of your way so you can come in - Molly steps aside but before Naruto could take a step Molly asks - are you coming next summer vacation to our house? -
Naruto blinks, not believing it, maybe he's making a mistake, but... his mouth moves before he can properly calculate his words - can I go back there? - Molly looked confused.
- Of course! What made you think you wouldn't be? - At that Naruto feels his eyes mist over and just smiles.
- I would like that very much! –
-Then you can come with Ron right away or you can go to... your house to get some things and -then Naruto stops listening and remembers that he really doesn't have time to play right now, he has to go back to Konoha, look for Brave, be there for whoever needs him.
-Um I-I'm… I-I'm sorry -Naruto says nervously softly making Mrs. Weasley stop everything she was saying -I don't think I can go to your house this summer, I have work at home-
-work… -Molly frowns a little before telling him -don't do anything you don't think is right, okay? -…
Naruto gave a nod and finally Molly went to look for… What was it? Naruto wasn't paying attention to that or what Mrs. Molly had said next had erased part of his memory…
Nurse Poppy scolded her a lot while checking her, it was almost torture for Naruto, but at least Ginny who was sitting next to her father, laughed a little at how Naruto tried to justify himself...
When Naruto arrived at the common room he heard the common nickname he had received - whiskers! - Fred and George arrived in front of Naruto when she reached the door.
- Do you know what you looked like when you fainted in front of our class? - Fred asks between wanting to put his hands on Naruto's shoulders and shake her and knowing that Naruto would hate that.
- We thought you were really dead! - George mentions, remembering perfectly when they used to joke about it.
Naruto waves his arms, perhaps like a bird wanting to flutter, but sadly he doesn't take off and instead quickly reassures, "Ginny's okay now!" Both twins blink at each other and then turn their gaze back to Naruto.
- We know - they both say in unison.
-We were talking about you, didn't you hear Fred when he mentioned when you fainted? -At that Naruto just lets out a little sound and his mind freezes, he really needed a break or his brain, "made of ramen" as Sasuke would say, would melt and turn into brain puree.
But instead his mouth moved to say - I'm fine, there really was no reason to worry - he whispers at the end before giving a bigger smile to both of them - you should go see Ginny chan, don't let her interrupt you -
Naruto walks right past the twins - I'm going to go change for the banquet ttebayo! -
-Naruto... come in...? - Naruto then closes the door to the room behind her, only having heard the echo of George's voice and lets out a sigh he didn't know he was holding, before realizing that it was night time and that he might have woken someone up when he slammed the door so abruptly, only to realize too late that it was empty, the beds unmade except for his own which hadn't been used, he walks to the boys' bathrooms, when he enters he walks over to one of the sinks and turns on the faucet letting the cold water flow, before washing first his hands and then his face.
Somehow that had made Naruto feel better, feeling the cold water on his face refreshed him. He didn't realize when he had soaked his shirt, but... in the mirror he only saw the missing button biting his lip and wrinkling his nose before leaning back down and splashing more water on his face. Then when he finishes he turns off the faucet and raises his head and looks at himself in the mirror.
They are red .
…- JUSTIN! - Naruto shouts as he enters the great hall, seeing that right at the back was the Hufflepuff boy, being greeted by multiple simultaneous greetings, although she was somewhat grateful that they weren't cornering her like what had happened in the dueling club, she wasn't wearing a jacket or a tie, instead she had only… put on another badly buttoned shirt and her robes on top of that.
- Naruto, Naruto, listen to everything! - Justin approaches with Ernie and Hannah.
- With Harry Potter you defeated the monster! - Ernie takes a step forward and Naruto discreetly steps back, but keeps his smile.
Harry was sure that Naruto didn't know how popular he was among the houses, to her they were surely all her 'friends' to some extent, at least she looked happy when Colin approached her with a new camera in his hands, jumping a little when the flash hit her eyes.
Everyone was in pajamas except for Naruto, Harry and Ron…
-your pajamas have a dragon on them- Naruto says and the boy in question jumps and lets out a very unmanly screech -Draco- Naruto smiled when he sees how Draco frowns at him, but also blushes up to his ears, he crosses his arms covering the design drawn in front, most of the students used some kind of robe to sleep, of course except for the muggles who had things more similar to the ones Naruto used -well I really like dragons- that makes Draco look more blushed, maybe too much to simply be embarrassed because Naruto was seeing him in his pajamas like Naruto thought he was because... You know, he's from that family that Naruto won't mention now .
But instead Draco proved Naruto wrong when he said -Draco… comes from Latin meaning dragon and has its own constellation -Naruto blinks when he sees Draco still blushing and smiling trying to look arrogant -you just said you like me and-I -…
Then Naruto bursts out laughing, surprising Draco -w-well, phew! I like Draco… "and not your father" - that makes Draco seem to realize what he said and let out a groan, what had he said? That had sounded so idiotic, no doubt this boy's stupidity was rubbing off on him.
-! -Draco looks closely at Naruto's hand that he had raised to stop his laughter, to be exact his knuckles, they were red and scabbed - What happened to your hand? Was it because of the fight against the basilisk? -Of course he had heard the story, Uzumaki and... Saint Potter defeated and ended everything.
Naruto freezes and looks at the knuckles of that hand and answers -y-yes, I hit him really hard ttebayo- but... Draco thought he had heard that they used a sword... maybe he was thinking too much and with how careless the blond was there was a great possibility that he had simply fallen on his closed fist and hurt his hand.
-Also that... he bit you - I was just curious, not worried, not at all .
-He did, but Fawkes saved me -Draco wasn't going to ask who Fawkes is, he doesn't want an adventure story... no.
But his mouth moved before his brain and he asks - Who is Fawkes? - Naruto gives him a bright smile and begins to explain.
The murmurs of some people from other houses could be heard, now returning to the same conjecture that Naruto was always manipulated by Draco Malfoy, but… in the end, what did that matter, all the people could squirm in their spots and Draco even if he was cheerful enough and a little crazy, would stick his tongue out at them but he's not cheerful enough and not crazy either so he just listened to the annoying but friendly blonde talk about the phoenix and answer the best he could the questions Draco asked him.
- ¿Draco? –
- What's wrong? - Naruto was curious about something now.
- Why did you tell me about… your name? –
" Well you told me about your name, so…" no! He couldn't say that to the blond -my name is better than yours- that makes Naruto puff out his cheeks a little.
-W-well my name may be fishcake, but my last name is… someone around here calls me ttebayo - Naruto looks around without looking at Draco before continuing - Uzumaki is not a great last name either, believe me, Uzu means vortex, and Maki is to roll up, all together in the end it is just a spiral shape -
- Spiral shape? Well then I guess... N... - Naruto almost jumps when Draco pronounces the N, but the boy almost immediately corrects himself - Your given name is better then - that makes Naruto open his mouth and then sulk.
-If it's better then call me that! –
-no –
- and! -
-I won't do it -
- just do it! -
- Isn't that Granger? - Naruto turns around, letting out a shriek, staggering under his own energy.
- Seriously?!, Where, where?! -There was no one near the door with those curls -I don't see her Draco, where is she? -Naruto turns around again to talk to the Slytherin boy only for there to be no one there…. -Traitor! -Naruto ran in search of the boy who had fled, Draco may be a coward, but… he was already defeated, so he wasn't going to stay to suffer a double defeat.
- Luna chan! - Naruto raises his hand when he sees her, sitting on the edge of the Ravenclaw table, she gives him a small smile in return, she was wearing pajamas of that same style of blue robe.
-Hello Naruto -she sat next to Luna not caring that this was actually against the rules of not eating with other people from other houses, although Naruto wasn't eating , which meant it was okay... or at least that's what she assumed -Since they're surely going to lift the rules from tomorrow, would you like to come with me to the forest? -Naruto turns his head a little -I found the place where the Thestrals are -that surprises Naruto.
- Can you see the Thestrals? - Luna nods quickly - How?... I mean why? -
-My mother, although an extraordinary witch, had a great fanaticism for experimenting, a spell went wrong and... well, she died when she was nine years old. -Oh... Naruto didn't know about that. -And you can see the Thestrals, right? I thought you'd only seen them in books. -Naruto sighs heavily at the memory of his missing book.
-I can see them since the beginning of this year… it must be because… "Haku… Zabuza, I saw them both die" well it was… an "accident" and that person died, he wasn't a relative of mine, but… -Naruto didn't finish what he was saying and shook his head and changed the subject…
Then there was a third person just after midnight - They did it, they did it! - Hermione Granger was wearing her uniform as she walked through the doors of the Great Hall and ran towards Harry and Ron first as they were the ones she had seen first, Harry had stood up and happily accepted Hermione's hug before pulling away - I heard it all! I knew they would do it - and as she went to hug Ron, the boy faltered back.
-ah... this- Ron had a slight pink in his cheeks, before coughing discreetly and stretching out a hand -welcome Hermione- that makes the girl laugh and shake hands with the freckled boy.
- Mione chan, Mione chan! - Hermione turns around almost immediately, watching as Naruto gets up from the Ravenclaw table and walks towards her, but stops dead a few inches away.
- Naruto! -Hermione exclaims cutting those centimeters and wraps her arms around Naruto's neck, hugging him tightly.
- Ah Hermione! - Naruto shook his arms tensely for a few seconds, Hermione knew it and just let out a laugh making Naruto also laugh and gently hug the other girl.
- How will you react when Hagrid arrives? - Naruto asks Harry, his eyes shining at the thought, green against blue clashing softly as Harry says.
-I'll get some dirt on it. No, on both eyes - Naruto didn't quite understand that, making Harry laugh.
-So… how did you free Dobby? - Naruto asks as Ron and Hermione get into their own arguments.
-I handed one of my socks to Lucius Malfoy, he dropped it on the floor and Dobby picked it up as if it were a gift from his master and boom! I was free -Harry sums up as best he can, with a smile at the end of this explanation, but... then it fades away when he continues -Then Lucius Malfoy tried to cast a spell on me, pulling his wand out of the cane, his wand is the snake's head!... but Dobby protected me -Naruto freezes, he had had a wand pointed at his neck the whole time.
- What spell am I trying to cast on you? –
-Ava… something? Well, it started out that way, more or less -Harry finishes explaining
The sound of a glass being clinked causes the students to slowly stop chattering and look towards the staff table. "Silence please," McGonagall requests as she nods to Dumbledore, who stands up.
-In the middle of this great banquet, a loud applause must be given to Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey, whose mandrake potion was so successfully administered to all those who were petrified- at that moment all the students without exception applauded, even if most of Slytherin did so more softly unlike the other houses- also due to the circumstances of the events and as a gift, all exams are going to be dispensed with this year- that broke out in a roar of applause, although Hermione had muttered in a low voice about it- and… unfortunately Professor Lockhart will not be able to continue accompanying us next year- there was a smaller roar of applause, even some of the teachers had joined in the joyful shouts.
-Hagrid - Naruto exclaims pointing with his finger, the half-giant had slowly approached them at their table, Hagrid stops behind where they were sitting, Naruto having returned to his home for an… indefinite time, before he no doubt wanted to go talk to Cedric, who had seen him sitting with a Ravenclaw girl… one that Naruto hadn't talked to much… What was her name? Cho… something like that?
-I-I just want to tell you that without you... I-I w-would still be here - her eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled - you-know-where - Harry stands up and if she hadn't warned Naruto earlier that dirt would fall into his eyes, she would have thought that Harry was about to cry.
-t-this p-place wouldn't be the same w-without y-you - Harry hugs Hagrid, Naruto claps softly, maybe not loud enough to really be heard, but the people who saw her clap undoubtedly followed her, starting with Hermione and Ron and ending with the teachers, it was the loudest applause so far.
Then the speech ended with Dumbledore saying that Harry, Naruto and Ron will receive six hundred points, two hundred each, no doubt that score would explode at this rate, this assured victory for Gryffindor again this year…
The next morning, Naruto changed without taking a shower as he preferred to do so after training, putting on a white t-shirt and his blue pants, with his shinobi sandals before going out for a run, hoping this morning to find Wood… he doesn't look back… he doesn't look at the bathroom…
Harry woke up startled - w-what, r-back?! W-what's going on? - He jumped out of his bed and looked for his glasses, putting them on quickly. He saw Dean run to the bathroom in his room followed by Ron, Seamus looked from the bed stunned, but not as nervous as Harry.
He gets up and proceeds to follow Ron and Dean... huh? - What happened here? Why is the mirror broken? Are you okay Neville? - The chubby boy was on the floor a few feet from the glass.
-Y-yeah, I didn't actually step on them, I was kind of sleepy and when I saw them I... got a little scared - Neville says when Ron offers him a hand to get up and he takes it...
Naruto enters the room humming, his morning had gone well, he ran into Wood, he wasn't entirely happy since Quidditch had even been cancelled but at least he and Naruto ran together like they hadn't done in a long time, then he went to look for Draco, even knowing that there was a chance that the boy wouldn't be there because all of his morning training had been cancelled because of the basilisk so it was a pleasant surprise to see him waiting for her to train and here she was, ready for a hot shower and to put on her uniform.
- Good morning guys! -But he was met with long faces at his greeting, making him frown - did something happen? -
-Well, someone broke our bathroom mirror- Seamus explains to Naruto who opens his eyes too wide.
-ah, that- Naruto sounded so unconvincing that it made the rest look at her -w-well, I-it was me who broke the mirror ttebayo- she scratched behind her head nervously and embarrassed.
- Ah! That's a relief! - Neville says surprising Naruto who blinks at the boy as if he had grown another head, in turn turning his head like a confused kitten - W-well, it's better that Naruto broke the mirror than another heir, don't you think? At least you didn't get hurt, right? With the mirror accident - "accident", "accident" ...
-no... I didn't hurt myself- everyone else breathed calmly now, starting routine talks while Naruto grabbed his robe and ran to the bathroom only receiving an "we already told Percy, the mirror was probably already repaired" and indeed when Naruto entered, he didn't find the mess he had left yesterday, on the contrary the bathroom had been perfectly cleaned, with no traces of glass on the floor, he advanced to a shower cubicle and entered to start taking off his clothes... -today we will have a herbology class and it's going to be great- Naruto whispered taking off his pants and underwear when his shirt and bandage were already gone, he left it hanging on the door, then he smiles and turns on the water faucet...
And he was right the day was great, without altercations or inconveniences other than the usual Gryffindor and Slytherin fights, Parkinson hadn't come close nor had Zabini, in fact the rest of what was left of the school year was quiet except when Draco found out that his father had been kicked out of the school council, but even so Naruto expected screams and complaints about how unfair it was but, really Draco frowned and clenched his fists and turned his head to Naruto, in his study hour in the library - you know that my father was the one who made Dumbledore leave and that's why Ginny Weasley was kidnapped. Afterwards... they made Dumbledore come back and as punishment my father was kicked out of the school council... he wrote that to me in the letter... - there was a, but in all this - it doesn't matter - he didn't finish what he was thinking.
-I see- Naruto gently tilted his head causing the strands of his hair to crash against his face.
Draco turned his head and pointed at the book - l-let's get this over with, half-blood! - that makes Naruto narrow his eyes and pout at Draco.
…
Filch turns a corner, his faithful cat Norris accompanying him, then Naruto comes out of his hiding place, slowly climbs up one of the bookshelves, standing at the top, seeing the division between the forbidden area of the library and this one, by a simple curtain of stars, most likely enchanted.
Jump and reach the other side with ease and… search
Passing the potions section, beasts, until reaching spells, in it he finds a few books, there were maximum fifteen in total, he pulls the largest one and takes out his wand - Lumos - he whispers and the wand barely emits a light big enough to let Naruto see, he opens it and puts a finger on each spell he finds, until his eyes widen at a section of the book called.
The Unforgivable Curses:
There was a little description on the next page.
The Unforgivable Curses, also known as the Unforgivable Hexes, are three of the most powerful and sinister spells known to the wizarding world. They are tools of the Dark Arts and were first classified as "Unforgivable" in 1717, with strict penalties associated with their use. They can also have horrific consequences for the user who decides to use them.
Imperius Curse
The Imperius Curse causes the victim to carry out every command of the witch or wizard who cast the curse, without question. It does this by placing the victim into a trance or dream-like state, leaving them under the complete control of the user. The experience is described as a wonderful feeling of vague bliss, as all thoughts and worries disappear from their mind. The victim is left calm, even doing things they would not otherwise be physically capable of doing, or committing horrible crimes, obeying any kind of command.
The consequences for the user who uses it is the loss of his own sanity if he does not have enough willpower, so a user with enough willpower may not get the consequences.
Naruto swallows heavily, he never thought that... some wizard could have created a spell like this, now he understood why this book was in the forbidden zone, not because of the curses themselves, here were the wrist movements with the wand. She didn't come to look for any of this, actually the first time she was here was a few days ago, she came to look for any information about the golden blood or... how a person managed to become a memory , since she didn't find much information in the normal area of the library.
Turning the page was the second one.
maldición Cruciatus (Crucio)
The Cruciatus Curse inflicts excruciating, torturous pain on the victim. This curse requires verbal incantation and the use of a wand. The effects of this curse depend on the person's desires and emotions.
The user who recoils from his desires and emotions while performing this curse may have all the pain and torture he is inflicting rebound upon him.
Naruto imagines if this fell into the hands of his homeland, he shudders just thinking about it, then his eyes fixed on the next page -Ava...! - this spell at least started like the spell that Lucius Malfoy was going to cast on Harry
Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra)
The Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) causes instant and painless death to the victim. Its casting causes an intense and blinding flash of green light to shoot from the tip of the wizard's wand, which - on contact with the victim - causes instant death. It has no side effects; the victim simply "drops dead" for no biological reason.
Before mentioning the consequences for the user, it should be noted that the magic that lives in the environment is not used to perform the killing curse, the user's own power is needed to perform it.
The consequences of performing it are quite a few, a black scar is drawn on the user's skin, it is a constant pain and it is believed to be due to the user's guilt, so if the wizard or witch does not feel any remorse for their actions, no scar may appear.
Another consequence is the disease of the killing curse, if a person feels enough guilt they can die along with the person who put the curse on them, but in contrast they will suffer a painful decline, sick for days...
The last of them, if she does not feel guilty, could lose more than fifteen years of her life.
But even so, there is hope for the user who uses it, if he feels guilty when performing the curse, but manages to overcome it and forgive himself, all the consequences may be neutralized, but he will only forgive himself once, if he performs it again, then the consequences multiply...
Was Malfoy planning to use this curse against Harry? There were more consequences for using it than benefits, if he was going to kill him he should have simply taken the hook that his staff has with fangs and... that's it, Naruto slaps his cheeks, Why would he use it? I look further down the text, where the real reason was.
The Killing Curse has no counterspell and cannot be blocked by magical means. However, the flash of green energy can be dodged or blocked by a solid object.
-Damn it- Naruto jumps at Filch's voice, quickly closing the book and putting it away and climbing over the shelves, seeing how the squib was carrying the small lamp in his hand.
…..
Naruto closed the trunk - everything ready and packed - he was wearing his normal clothes and had even thought about using his hitai ate, but... he had left it in Konoha last time.
- Bye Dean, Seamus, Neville! - Naruto waves goodbye to two of his roommates, who raise their hands and shake in response.
She heard murmurs behind her and saw Harry standing with his arms crossed next to her at the station. "What's wrong?" Naruto asked and Harry simply said whatever he was mumbling out loud.
-I have to go back to my uncles and Dudley, I don't want to do it! -he finishes almost imitating Naruto, he puffs out his cheeks a little and turns his head, but they both start to move when the train whistled its next departure -now they know that I can't do magic outside of school... what if I go with you? -Naruto was saying goodbye to some older Ravenclaw boys when Harry said that making him stumble.
- I would love to! - she says happily, sadly there was a "but" - but I don't think it's a good time right now, ttebayo, something happened... in the village - thing? Harry thought about what the blonde could be referring to, maybe the word she was looking for was altercation or inconvenience.
Harry and Naruto sat together in the cabin next to Ron and Hermione, they talked all the way until the train slowly stopped at the station.
Harry had taken the paper from his scroll and had written a series of numbers on it. "This is what you call a phone number," Harry said, he had written his number twice more before realizing something. "Naruto… where you live are there phones?"
-Nope -Naruto answers exploding the "p" at the end, Harry deflates, it meant zero long calls with stories from Naruto… -wait actually… What is a phone? -Harry would have to make sure to explain how the muggle world worked to Naruto and of course, with that the technological devices
Then he looks at his two remaining friends. "Your father already knows how to use the phone," he says to Ron, "because I explained it to him last summer. Call me at the Dursley's, okay? I couldn't stand another two months without talking to anyone but Dudley..." "Naruto, aren't you going to Ron's this summer?" Harry asks now, having some hope that at least the last weeks of the summer holidays Naruto would be with Ron and they could call him together.
- Are you coming? - Ron said excitedly.
-I can't this summer Ron, I have work –
- Work? - Hermione asks, standing up as the train opens its doors.
-and -…
When they got off the train, Naruto grabbed his luggage tightly with one hand and Harry mentions -you know, my uncles would be furious to know that I had the chance to die several times and I didn't- he rolls his eyes a little, but Naruto lets out a chuckle.
-Your uncles really hate you- Harry knows it, accepts it and even prefers it that way, he wouldn't want people like his uncles, who are capable of locking a child in the garage during the winter to love him- Well I have to go, I'm going to say goodbye to a few more people first, but... I'll see you soon- The three of them said goodbye to Naruto, but Harry approaches before nervously hugging Naruto surprising her.
-Thanks for everything- Naruto relaxed as quickly as he could and returned the hug with another giggle.
- Goodbye! - Naruto exclaims as he walks away, going to say goodbye to the others and then take the card in his hands and go to Konoha…