Chapter 47

The boy had managed to shatter a lot of expectations. He was not a Gryffindor, he had yet to be heroic, and he was a textbook Ravenclaw. All he did was read, every single minute of the day Although, Minerva's account had managed to give him a headache, this was even worse. The boy was a figurehead, whether he chose to acknowledge it or not. But he was isolating himself from everyone. He had few friends, even if most of his year were acquaintances. He had yet to even talk with any of the 'declared' families, like the Malfoys or Weasleys. No indication the ministry was getting their hooks on him either. Not that he was expected to. The boy didn't know magic was real until his eleventh birthday. Even he couldn't really make an inroad casually as it was. And with the kind of drama that would arise when Voldemort raised his ugly head again, there was no way to insulate or prepare the boy.

As he was lost in his thoughts, a trinket in one of his pockets began to warm up, telling him that one of his old friends wanted to speak to him. Considering just who it was, there was no doubt that the situation was serious. He excused himself, causing not too little excitement among his staff. As such, he missed the curious gazes of many and the narrowed eyes of one Severus Snape. However, he would not have been surprised to know that the potions masters thought processes revolved around a goldmine of (non magical) curses and the words 'that Potter brat'.

True, he had not managed to learn more about the two different children for now, but whatever it was could not possibly be as important as any news that sent Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody out of retirement.

XXX

His head felt horrible. His limbs were non responsive. The familiar 'feeling' of an ally registered itself before his body began to move. Not that he could at the moment. All his muscles were numb. His carefully honed reflexes numb. Of course, that probably had to do with the liquid filled, black metallic "vat" his body was in. Only his head was visible above it, like a macabre mantelpiece.

It was a Chinese invention, a recent one called 'Dragon Tear Enclosure'. It was basically a medicinal bath of sorts, filled with an infusion draught that was known as 'Dragon Tears'. It was quick, somewhat painless, and very expensive. The body basically floated, but could be restrained, if it was necessary, like in case of a spinal injury or the patient was a prisoner. Head injuries were treated more traditionally. And it was only done for important people, usually anyway.

"How do you feel Tetsuya?"

It was Taka. Trying to get Kenji to talk was like doing an appendectomy on yourself with a rusty spoon. He was more silent assassin of the two. It had something to do with a vow of silence.

"I am unfit for duty."

Short and to the point, with words you couldn't torture out of a Hakumei ninja. There was no greater humiliation than to be an invalid ninja, unable to complete his duty. And now that day had arrived, even if for just a while.

"I see."

A short silence followed. Taka gave a sigh and asked,

"Who?"

"Skywalker"

Taka, third best tracker ninja in the eastern territories groaned in a 'why me?' manner. But he stayed silent, waiting for the words that would follow. The seemingly unflappable stance however, was bringing up unforgettable memories that scared the life out of Tetsuya. The raw fear brought from killing intent was nigh impossible to forget, especially for a rookie like Tetsuya, who knew about the true horrors in the world, but was still too young to actually understand what those horrors meant.

"He said that he was bored, that it was a spar. He also has a combat automaton with him. It looked like some kind of monstrous puppet. I was unable to even touch him or that spider he called "Sasori". He could have killed me at any time. He said I would be an interesting opponent in a few years."

Taka frowned.

"I see..."

Tetsuya however, found one detail that was odd. One thing that really didn't make sense.

"What are my injuries that require me to recuperate in this device?"

"It is not so much that you are on the brink of death as that this is the only method to get you in optimal condition in by the time school begins. You fought above your current limits and under normal circumstances, would have been confined to rest. However since we cannot afford to slip up in the mission, Hayate sama has authorized the use of the 'Dragon Tear Enclosure' for any injury that would otherwise incapacitate you for more than a day. "

Tetsuya gaped. 'this mission...it is more important than I ever imagined. I will not fail again!'

"Rest for now. Prepare a report when you are well. I will inform Takeda that you have awakened. If you make contact again, do not engage. Retreat at once. Unfortunately, you are far too inexperienced as of now. You're training will be advanced by Kenji next weekend. If possible, I will attempt to acquire a stealth unit to enter the castle. If the person shadowing you is indeed Skywalker, you might need an escort."

Taka turned and left, leaving the healing ninja behind him.

In another part of the forbidden forest, a different meeting was taking place. Through his idiotic minion Quirrel, Voldemort was now trying to set in motion a plan to steal the holy grail of alchemy, the philosophers stone. Immortality and unending wealth. Both would be his soon.

XXX

The Hogs Head, was generally known as the shadier of the pubs that served the populous of the village of Hogsmeade. Its caretaker was Aberforth Dumbledore, the partially estranged younger brother of Albus. The pub, despite its reputation, was not really a rotten place. But the reputation it possessed, kept both the ones who wished to hide in, and the children who might otherwise be tempted out. It also gave a watering hole to people who might otherwise end up in the company of impressionable children. Consequently, the pub existed at the sufferance of the ministry and the headmaster, the known devil of shady spots, but occasionally used for the same nonetheless.

This was part of the reason that Headmaster Dumbledore and "Mad-Eye" Moody were meeting at an unoccupied table next to the wall in Hogs Head. Not that it really mattered. The headmaster was polyjuiced into a near vagrant of a wizard, exactly the kind of seedy person found in a known to be seedy bar. After the obligatory display of (necessary) paranoia, the serious part began.

"What is the matter my friend? Why a sudden meeting?"

Dumbledore was a changed man. He looked dirty, and a charm ensured that was all that others would really remember, assuming they did not forget he existed.

"Its a very serious matter Albus. We don't know why, but as of two days ago, and I just verified this, a full platoon of ninja are operating in London. The ministry doesn't know, but Amelia may. She's a sharp one. As for the ninja themselves, I don't know for what or for why, but it can't be good."

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