A/N: I'm so sorry for how long I've been gone! I had to take a bit of a break from writing fanfiction as a lot of things happened in my life that took a lot of my time and attention and left me with no time to write other than jotting down a few sentences here and there. This chapter has been in the works for quite a while, as are some future ones that I already have outlined. I can't say if I'll be able to post on a regular schedule. But my goal is to post at least once a month. I hope for more, but I don't want to have you guys anticipating something that might not happen.

One thing you can be certain of, is that I will never give up on any of my fics that are WIP. Even if it takes me forever to finish them, I will not stop writing until they're done. This I promise you. It might just take some time to get there.

I also want to give a big thank you to those who've reviewed, favorited, and added alerts to Convergence. You're the ones that motivate me to finish chapters and do all I can to overcome the writer's block and make time to write—even if it's just a sentence. You guys are the best!

Anyway, here is your chapter. I hope you enjoy!

xx LCF

Convergence

Chapter 5: The Finding

The following morning found Sakura standing beneath a scalding spray of water. She'd barely slept a wink the night before—her mind had been constantly jumping from one subject to the next. Mostly lingering on Sasuke-kun and Naruto and the entire situation in which she found herself now.

Shutting off the tap, the kunoichi quickly dried off before changing into her uniform. She made her way out of the girls' communal bath and walked down the busy corridor before she slipped into her dorm.

When she entered the sixth-year dormitory, Sakura was pleased to find that she had the room to herself for a few precious moments. Quickly walking over to her trunk, she stuffed her dirty clothes into her linen bag and glanced at the several sweaters and accessories decorated with her house colors that had appeared sometime the night before. Sakura picked up a red and gold tie before carefully knotting it around her neck. She was just about to close her trunk when she caught a glimpse of some of her training gear that had been disturbed from her rustling. After a second of debate, Sakura also pulled on her black shorts beneath the pleated skirt she wore and put on her boots, making sure to tuck her wand inside. Feel of the familiar items settled the small nervous flutters in her stomach.

Just as she bent to check over her bag to make sure all her materials were in place, the door opened and Hermione Granger walked in, ready for the day.

"Hello Sakura," she greeted as she took her linen bag and placed it into her trunk before retrieving her own book bag and slinging it over her shoulder.

The witch paused momentarily, as though unsure before quickly regaining her composure and walking over to the kunoichi. "Would you like to walk down to the Great Hall for breakfast?"

"Sure," Sakura agreed with a smile whilst she folded her cloak over her arm as the pair made their way out of the room and down the stairs.

Despite the somewhat early hour, the common room was full of commotion. Gryffindors of all ages and sizes gathered in clusters as they headed off to breakfast and the first day of class. Sakura stood beside Hermione as she paused, her brown eyes searching the crowd of students before recognition sparked in their depths.

"Come on," the curly-haired witch beckoned, "I'll introduce you to Harry and Ron and we can all go down to the Great Hall together."

Hermione's friends (the boys Sakura presumed to have been the ones with her at last night's feast) spotted her and quickly made their way over. Both boys looked at Sakura curiously before they turned to their bushy-haired friend in anticipation.

"Harry, Ron, this is Sakura." Hermione introduced. "Sakura, this is Harry Potter," she gestured to the raven-haired boy before turning to the redhead. "And this is Ron Weasley."

Sakura smiled politely before she extended her hand in greeting. "It's nice to be able to put a face to the name. I'm Sakura Haruno."

Harry returned her smile somewhat tightly as his hand reached forward and grasped hers. Sakura doubted anyone else had noticed, but she intended to figure out why exactly the 'Chosen One'was not keen on her presence.

She released his hand and turned to greet the redhead.

Ron Weasley, unlike his raven-haired counterpart, took her hand and shook it quite enthusiastically, causing the faux-blonde to let out an easy laugh. The redhead promptly released her, the tips of his ears turning a violent shade of red as they exchanged greetings.

Introductions now out of the way, the four made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione immediately began wondering aloud about her schedule, which caused some good-natured ribbing from the boys much to the witch's exasperation.

Sakura for her part, played the role of exchange student as well as she was able. She politely answered all their questions about home and did her best when they asked what it was like living in Japan. Thankfully, she'd had the foresight to actually read up on the country's history along with its magical community and was quite perplexed, if not pleased, to find the startling similarities between it and the Great Nations. There were some differences of course; Japan was a mecca for all things technological and had quite a metropolitan way of life whereas Konoha used computers and other bouts of technology that would have been considered prehistoric in this day and age.

Breakfast went by quickly enough, and before Sakura knew it, the plates vanished as Professor McGonagall made her way down from the staff table with a large stack of papers floating behind her. With a flick of her wand, the papers zoomed out of the stack and began flying to their corresponding owner.

Sakura accepted her timetable from McGonagall with a polite nod of the head. Once the deputy headmistress turned away to speak to some students, Sakura turned to Hermione's anticipating gaze and silently offered her the schedule. The young witch immediately compared both and smiled when she explained that they shared quite a few classes.

"The only differences I see is that you'll be taking Muggle Studies whilst I'm in Runes. Aside from that we have nearly every class together!"

"Oi, let us have a look!" Ron grumbled as he peered over Hermione's shoulder to take a glance at the schedules before her. Sakura suppressed a grin when she caught sight of the faint blush that dusted the witch's cheeks before looking over to see Harry Potter peering at the schedules before looking comparatively at his own.

"No one's taking Care of Magical Creatures this year, are they?"

The question immediately sobered Hermione as she chewed on her lip worriedly. Ron also looked a bit cowed.

"Why does it matter if you're taking it or not?" Sakura asked.

The trio shared a look before they turned back to Sakura. "Our friend, Hagrid, is the professor for Care of Magical Creatures and we're upset because it isn't a well-loved elective. Most people tend to drop it as soon as they're able." Hermione piped up.

"I see," Sakura mumbled. "Then just make more of an effort to spend time with him and explain your reasons for no longer taking the class."

The witch brightened at her idea. "We may just have to," she said, exchanging glancing with her friends.

Before long, it was time to make way to the first class of the day.

Ninety minutes later, Sakura exited her Muggle Studies class to find Hermione descending the stairs. The brunette caught sight of her and hurried over.

"Hello," she greeted breathlessly. "How was Muggle Studies?"

"Good," replied Sakura, eying Hermione's load of books. "Though I think we didn't get quite as far as you did in Ancient Runes."

Hermione let out a long-suffering sigh and Sakura couldn't help but feel bad for the girl. Without asking, Sakura reached over and plucked two of the thick books (which weren't too heavy—at least for her) from Hermione's grasp. The brunette blushed, embarrassed.

"Oh, no! You don't have to do that, they're terribly heavy."

Sakura waved her off. "It's no big deal, Hermione. Besides, now I won't have to wait for you to lug these around. We can both get to class on time."

Hermione let out a sharp laugh as they rounded the corner. When they did, they were immediately joined by Harry and Ron. Both boys looked slightly put-out at having their free period come to an end. Ron looked at them curiously before he let out a deafening yawn.

"What are you two on about?" he asked.

Sakura shook her head. "Nothing, I'm just giving Hermione a hand with her book load."

"We got so much homework for Runes," the witch explained, her previous smile disappearing as her anxiety grew. "A fifteen-inch essay, two translations, and I've got to read these by Wednesday!" She nodded towards the books carried between them.

Ron's mouth opened, but before he could say anything, the classroom door to Defense Against the Dark Arts opened and revealed Snape on its other side. His dark eyes roved over them as his lip curled in displeasure. From the corner of her eye, Sakura could see Harry's own gaze narrow marginally as he stared back unabashedly at the professor.

"Inside," Snape commanded, leaving no room for discussion.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry made their way into the classroom, but before she walked across the threshold, Snape's monotonous tone halted Sakura in her steps. Green eyes peered up at the professor curiously, wondering what exactly would make him single her out so early in the school year. Technically, this would be their first encounter as teacher and student.

"Miss Haruno, I would not advise you to seek the acquaintance of those who have a penchant for meddling in affairs that ought not to be meddled in."

That took her by surprise, but before she could ask what he meant, Snape turned with a flourish and marched towards into the classroom. Sakura's brows pinched together in befuddlement as she made her way inside.

Unlike her classmates, the gloomy classroom didn't faze her in the slightest. She'd been privy to its slow transformation, taking note of each detail Professor Snape added as he put his own personal touch to what she had rightly assumed was to be his classroom for the year.

The chamber was lit with an eerie glow as the heavy curtains that covered the windows allowed no sunlight to fill the classroom. The gruesome pictures he'd arranged several weeks prior didn't bother her either; especially considering she'd seen much worse in person, though they did seem to disquiet her classmates as they all sat rigidly in their seats, wary eyes jumping from one gruesome image to the next.

What did catch her off guard, however, were the pair of green eyes she inadvertently met as they scrutinized her from behind circular lenses.

Ignoring Harry's stare, Sakura made her way to the empty chair at Hermione's desk. The witch hadn't noticed the odd exchange, and immediately dropped her copy of their textbook just as Snape testily said that he'd yet to ask them to take out their books for the lesson.

Snape began by reiterating their past five years of Defense, explaining how they'd had a brand-new teacher in this subject every year for the past half-decade; something Sakura found quite odd.

While it wasn't strange for teachers to retire or quit and have new ones take their place, for it to happen every year, and with it being the same post, was almost unheard of. Especially when it appeared that other positions remained filled by teachers who have been at Hogwarts for decades.

Sakura was pulled out of her thoughts when Snape crossed the room.

"The Dark Arts, are many, varied, ever-changing and eternal." He said. "Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible."

Sakura watched Snape raptly, taking in his obvious admirations for the magic on the darker side of their spectrum.

While Sakura herself had a limited opinion on light and dark magic—for her good and bad were objective within reason. Some would say that some of the missions she'd gone on made her the bad guy, others would hail her a hero. Regardless of which, Sakura did her duty to her village and trusted her Hokage; no matter if their points of view on certain matters coincided or not.

The wizards however, seemed keen on making sure there was a solid distinction. It was apparent in all of the books she'd read. The three Unforgivable Curses were ones that constantly had her mulling things over.

The Imperius Curse was largely reminiscent of the Nara clan's shadow possession and the Yamanaka's mind transfer technique.

It was the same with the Cruciatus Curse. The agony inflicted by (Sakura assumed) manipulating brain neurons and receptors in regards to pain would be something she'd easily see Morino Ibiki use to interrogate prisoners. Not to mention that there are many genjutsu that could do the same kind of psychological damage, the Tsukuyomi being the most obvious example considering all she'd learned about it from Tsunade's notes on its impact on the brain.

And she didn't even want to go into the Killing Curse, because she quickly realized that nothing she could ever say would dissuade the wizards' utter contempt for it. Personally, Sakura thought that having the ability to kill someone instantly and painlessly was much better way to go than what most shinobi experienced. Back home it would be a god-send to be able to end one's suffering without hurting them anymore, or without making a mess. It would keep the body in perfect condition for autopsy work to be done.

The lesson carried on, and soon enough everyone began to pair up for their first practical of the year.

"You're quite good!" Hermione complimented when they exited DADA.

For their first lesson, Snape had them begin practicing nonverbal spells in pairs. Hermione and she had paired up in what seemed to be a budding friendship.

Sakura rolled her eyes good-naturedly, "Says you, I had to be able to repel your Jelly-Legs Jinx. I didn't fancy winding up on the floor for a sixth time."

Hermione had the decency to blush, but looked pleased all the same.

"At least the two of you were able to actually do it." Ron exclaimed, somewhere behind them. Both girls turned to see Harry and Ron ambling behind, and slowed their stride long enough to let them catch up. "It figures that Snape would have us diving straight into our new coursework."

Hermione turned to him sharply, "Honestly Ronald, what did you expect considering these are N.E.W.T. level classes? If you can't handle the workload then maybe you should talk to McGonagall concerning your schedule."

Ron sputtered in indignation and soon enough the pair began to squabble. Sakura hung back, not keen on getting in the middle of their argument and instead kept pace with Harry, who seemed to have a similar thought in mind.

"Do they always argue like this?" she asked conversationally as they rounded the corner.

"This is nothing," he grinned fondly at the two before glancing over at the kunoichi briefly. "It's a love tap compared to their usual fights."

"'Their usual fights'?" Sakura parroted as she studied the pair before her. "So this is a normal occurrence for them."

Harry merely nodded, green eyes watching the arguing duo before them. He turned to Sakura then, his mouth opening as if to ask a question, when Ron and Hermione came to a halt. Harry and Sakura looked over to see what had finally pulled the two from their little world, and caught sight of a young Hufflepuff standing before them.

"Professor Dumbledore wanted me to give you this," he said, brushing past them and thrusting a sealed envelope into Harry's hands.

"Err, thanks." Harry said, looking over the parchment. Sakura did not miss the significant look the trio shared as Harry tucked the envelope into his robes.

They continued the rest of the way to the Tower in silence—Ron and Hermione forgetting all about their argument. Sakura acted oblivious to their exchanges, knowing full well that this was obviously something that only the three of them were privy to. Instead, the faux-blonde asked little inane questions about their schooling and what it was like during their earlier years at Hogwarts. Before long, their postures relaxed and they were more at ease in regards to her presence.

Just as they made it to the grand staircase, Sakura waved and turned to depart.

"You're not coming back to the common room for free period?" Hermione asked as she and the boys lagged on the staircase.

Sakura shook her head. "No, I want to go to the Hospital Wing. I can catch up with you later for lunch, if you'd like."

Sakura ignored their inquisitive glances as Ron chimed in. "Are you feeling off? D'you want us to go with you?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I just want to get acquainted with the healer." The kunoichi explained. "In Mahoutokoro I was apprenticed under our school's lead healer and often helped her in the infirmary. I want to see if there's something similar here that I could do."

By the surprised faces the trio bore, it appeared that her response was not what they were expecting. She took this opportunity to bid them a hasty goodbye before she quickly made her way down to the infirmary.

Once she reached the Hospital Wing, Sakura slowed her gait and strode confidently down the familiar hall. She made a beeline for Madame Pomfrey's office and found said healer seated at her desk. She looked up when Sakura knocked on the doorframe.

"Ah! Sakura, what a pleasant surprise." She smiled. "Is this your break? Are you feeling well?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes to both, Madame Promfrey. I wanted to drop by and ask if I could help out in the Hospital Wing during my breaks and free periods."

Poppy appeared dubious. "Isn't that time given for studying?"

"Yes, but I would also like to come in and help given the opportunity." Sakura looked down at her boots before glancing back at the healer. "I haven't healed anything since the day I woke up, and I'm afraid to start feeling some disconnection." When Madame Pomfrey remained silent, Sakura pressed on.

"Please Madame Pomfrey, I will be a diligent helper and will do exactly as you ask. Just please allow me to keep something familiar from my life."

The healer let out a soft sigh as she looked Sakura over. "Very well Miss Haruno, but I must inform the Headmaster of this. For now, you may take these books on the basic art of healing and familiarize yourself with them." The mediwitch turned to the bookshelf that was settled behind her desk. With a flick of her wand, three books flew off the shelves and settled themselves neatly in a stack before Sakura. "After you have read those, I will begin teaching you some basic healing spells to see how proficient your magic is with healing—although I do feel that it will come to you quite naturally given your previous experience."

Sakura smiled before she bowed deeply. "Thank you so much, Madame Pomfrey! I promise I will work hard and help you, and those who are ill, to the best of my ability."

With that, the kunoichi straightened and took hold of the three books before she marched back out to the Hospital Wing. She deposited her bag onto a nearby chair and shrugged off her robes. As she settled herself on a vacant visitor's chair, Sakura opened the first of the three and quickly began to read. Because while she couldn't do anything about her situation; she could make the most of it.

The next few days passed in a blur, and Sakura found she had acclimated to life in the castle when school was in session quite well; though there were times where she missed having her privacy and the chance to freely explore the castle grounds. As it was, she had come enjoy spending time with her fellow Gryffindors—though she wasn't fond of their tendency to argue with Slytherins.

She'd gotten her first dose of the infamous inter-house rivalry that plagued them for centuries when a burly Slytherin boy had purposely knocked into her as he'd walked past. With a scathing retort sitting on the tip of her tongue—she was just about to unleash a verbal lashing on manners when two of her house mates, Dean and Seamus, had quickly come to her defense. While she had appreciated their intentions, Sakura couldn't help but frown over how juvenile everyone acted.

And if that wasn't bad enough, it was quite apparent to Sakura after a few days with school in session that the wizards had no idea how to go about winning the war they faced.

She'd caught more than a few glances at the arriving post, seen the copies of The Daily Prophet that flooded their table each morning. All of them had something to say about Harry Potter and this Dark Lord person. All of them had news about new waves of violent crime that were terrorizing the country, both magical and muggle alike.

Sakura couldn't help but wonder was why no one was doing a damn thing to try and stop it.

Surely their Minister of Magic had a police force or military that he could employ to either take care of the situation or at least minimize the damage done to their community? Aside from the meager platoon of Aurors posted around the school grounds. Though in her opinion there weren't nearly enough to properly keep watch on the vast expanse of the grounds, protective enchantments in place or no.

Konoha had had its own defenses up and fully operational the day Pain had leveled the village without so much as breaking a sweat.

Sakura couldn't fight back the cringe that marred her features at the thought of Hogwarts coming to its knees. Of the students within the castle (truly children, considering their sheltered lives) and the devastation something like this would bring.

If Pain destroying Konoha and killing more than half its population—before reviving them—had made even the most seasoned shinobi quake in fear and trepidation, then what would happen to the wizarding population, who were much softer than her shinobi counterparts, when their beacon of hope shattered?

Sakura didn't want to know, and she prayed that they wouldn't ever find out.

Near the end of the school day, Sakura, along with her fellow N.E.W.T. peers, were all submerged in the task of completing their first potion assignment given during their first Potions class.

Professor Slughorn had started the lesson by asking the class to identify the contents within the cauldrons he'd set up in the front of the classroom. Sakura had been surprised that such things as love potions and luck potions existed in this realm. They seemed a bit too tempting to be used responsibly… Still, Sakura couldn't deny the advantage that having a luck potion would give her or other shinobi while out in the field. So imagine her surprise when Professor Slughorn had proclaimed that whoever brewed the best potion that day would win the vial of Felix Felicis; and she was determined to get it. Either to help her find a way home, or to be saved for a later time in which she'd truly need it.

And that was how she found herself following the current directions to create her Draught of Living Death to a t.

After her fourth failed attempt at cutting the sopophorous bean, a frustrated Sakura decided it was time to take things into her own hands.

Literally.

Glancing around to make sure no one was watching her—everyone was diligently working on their potion and Professor Slughorn stood near the back of the classroom as he spoke to the Slytherins—Sakura quickly gathered chakra to her fingertips and crushed the hard shell of the bean, instantly releasing its juices into the cauldron. The concoction fizzed as the liquid was added, and quickly began turning the appropriate shade of lilac when she began stirring.

After a few more minutes of working, Slughorn called that time was up and proceeded to walk around their cauldrons to test their concoctions. He'd given Sakura and Hermione high praise for their potions, though they varied slightly in their hues, but absolutely beamed when he came to a stop before Harry's cauldron.

"Well done, Mr. Potter!" He cheered as he led the boy to the front of the classroom where he awarded him the stoppered bottle of Felix Felicis.

Harry barely contained his eagerness to receive the luck potion, and just as he was enthusiastic with his winnings, Sakura noticed that Hermione was not the only one put-out by this seemingly strange turn of events.

Standing amongst the other Slytherins was a boy with pale blonde hair who glared at Harry with complete and utter loathing. The intensity of his glare was not something Sakura was unfamiliar with—it was very reminiscent of how Sasuke-kun had looked at Team Seven on the bridge after her foolish attempt to take matters into her own hands.

"Oi, what're you looking at Malfoy for?" Ron asked as they began to clear their things, effectively pulling Sakura from her thoughts.

The kunoichi gave a half-hearted shrug. "No reason, just saw he was particularly put out about Harry winning. Good job, by the way." She said, addressing the bespectacled boy that had returned to their table.

"Yes," Hermione piped up in a tone that was far more accusatory than congratulatory. "A job well done indeed."

Harry was only saved by Ron who seemed to ignore the entire exchange going on and instead continued his verbal quest to besmirch Malfoy's name. "I'd stay away from Malfoy if I were you. His family has been connected to dark witches and wizards for ages."

"Please Ronald, not you too." Hermione scoffed. "We can't go around forming people's opinion of others. As time goes on, Sakura will see for herself the kind of person Malfoy is and make her own opinion."

Despite her words, Sakura could pick up on the tense undercurrent of her statement that seemed to settle over the trio. It was one they couldn't really seem to shake off until near the end of the evening.

After dinner, Sakura figured it was the best opportunity to meet with the Headmaster to inform him of her wanting to assist Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing. She'd climbed the revolving stairs and was about to knock when the door swung open of its own accord once again. Sakura entered the office without hesitation.

"Miss Haruno, please have a seat." Dumbledore offered when he caught sight of her, gesturing to the plush chair across his desk. "I have been informed that you have taken a pseudo-apprenticeship under Madame Pomfrey."

"Yes, Headmaster." Sakura nodded. It seemed she didn't need to inform him after all. "She has graciously given me several books regarding the basics of magical healing. I'm hoping I will be of some use to her and learn all that she deigns necessary." The kunoichi looked down at her lap. "I have to confess that I also asked to be her aid to stay connected somewhat to my old life."

Dumbledore nodded sagely, unsurprised at her words. "It is not strange for you to try and hold onto some sort of normalcy from your home world. I am not surprised to find that despite your adjustment to our world and to magic, that there is a part of you that yearns for familiarity."

The old wizard looked at her from over his half-moon glasses. "Nevertheless, I think it is a wonderful idea, and would be a good opportunity for both our cultures to come closer together. You've already demonstrated that there are vast differences between our magic and yours, but there are also quite a few similarities."

He clapped his hands together, "Now! Speaking of your need for familiarity. I am pleased to inform you that I think I have found a place where you can train. Although I'm not sure if it will suit your needs exactly, which is why I shall escort you onto the grounds."

Dumbledore stood from his seat, his good hand extended towards her. "If you please, Miss Haruno." Tentatively, Sakura reached forward to take hold of the appendage.

The moment her fingers skimmed the papery-thin skin, she felt something hook behind her navel before she was promptly thrust forward. Pressure bore down on her from all angles, and she felt as though her body was being sucked through a straw. Lights and sounds warped around her, abetting the intense nausea that suddenly hit her.

Then, as suddenly as the miserable feeling overcame her, it was gone, and as Sakura straightened she saw that they were no longer in Dumbledore's office. Instead, ancient trees surrounded them from all sides, surrounding the clearing in which Sakura found herself. It was smaller than the training grounds, but it would do.

"Headmaster?" she asked curiously, wondering how he'd managed to teleport with no instrument to channel his energy. Even the Yondaime had needed a special seal to anchor his chakra between his jumps.

"Forgive me, Miss Haruno. I should have explained the concept of Apparition and side-along Apparition before taking our leave." Dumbledore apologized. "Though I must say, you did quite well. Most people vomit their first time."

Sakura didn't doubt it if the violent churning in her stomach was anything to go by. "Was that what that was? It was rather… unpleasant."

The Headmaster nodded thoughtfully. "It is, but it is the best way to get to our destination with the least chance of being seen. Of course, we are only able to Apparate within castle grounds at all because I am Headmaster. You will not be able to replicate the spell—at least, not until you receive your license."

The kunoichi perked up at his words. "I could learn to Apparate?" she asked, her mind already whirring with the possibilities. To be able to disappear and reappear in a matter of seconds without spending any chakra would be nothing short of fantastic and give her a definite edge in battle. And who knew? Maybe she'd be able to give Sasuke-kun and Naruto a run for their money in the speed department. A wry smile made its way onto her face.

Dumbledore gave a small chuckle at her enthusiasm. "If you are still in our world by the time second term begins, I will be most delighted to have you sit in and learn."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Sakura gave a sharp bow. When she straightened, she caught sight of a familiar silhouette that approached them from the direction of Hogsmeade.

"Remus!" Sakura smiled when she was able to make out the older wizard making his way towards them.

"Hello, Sakura. How are you faring at Hogwarts?"

The kunoichi shrugged. "I miss the quiet and the ability to go wherever about I please, but it's not bad. I enjoy sitting in classes and I've even made a few acquaintances.

"What I'd like to know is why you didn't tell me you used to be the professor for Defense! Imagine my surprise when Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil began asking about you and told me stories that cousins would have disclosed."

Remus laughed uneasily. It seemed that that little tidbit had slipped his mind. "My apologies if it put you in a tight spot, Sakura. But yes, I used to teach Defense Against the Dark arts when you would have been in third year."

"Why did you quit?" She asked, "Everyone says that you were the best Defense professor."

"I'm not sure if there's anything like this that happens back in your homeland; but typically, Wizarding folk don't approve of having a werewolf teaching their children. We are still very much considered half-breeds amongst society and it makes life quite difficult at times."

Sakura frowned severely, immediately thinking back to her youth and remembering how terrible she and many of the other villagers had treated Naruto. The village he loved and fought so hard to protect hadn't always heralded him as a hero—especially during the early years of their lives where the only thing standing between them and total eradication at the hands of the kyuubi was a seal on the belly of a four-year-old boy.

Yes, Sakura knew prejudice quite well.

"That's terrible," she said. "Lycanthropy isn't something one actively seeks out. One only becomes afflicted if they were severely mauled or bitten by a werewolf during the full moon. It's cruel for society as a whole to make you suffer for something I'm sure you never asked for."

Remus gave Sakura a strained smile. "Thank you for the sentiment, Sakura. Unfortunately, you are amongst the few that believe so." Solemn eyes glanced to Dumbledore before he took a deep breath. "Regardless, I've had a good life and will continue to do so no matter what the public perceives me as."

"Hear, hear!" came Dumbledore's jubilant reply that instantly eased the serious atmosphere. "Now, Miss Haruno, I've invited Remus to accompany us so that we might be able to ensure that your training area will be suitable to your needs. We will create wards around your designated space so as to not interrupt the other inhabitants of the forest nor castle."

Sakura nodded as the Headmaster continued. "I must also admit that this is also an opportunity I would like to take to see your techniques used to their fullest potential. From what you've told me, you are also proficient in some sort of combative magic?"

"Yes, Headmaster," Sakura replied. "You know by now the difference between your magic and my chakra, and you're aware of the similarities between the spells you use and the techniques we perform. I would be honored to do a demonstration."

"That would be most appreciated, Miss Haruno." Dumbledore replied, blue eyes twinkling behind his glasses as he nodded to Remus.

Together, both men walked the perimeter of the clearing, each with their wand aloft and casting spells. Once they finished, they returned to where Sakura waited.

"The wards are up and running." Dumbledore said. "Feel free to, as the young like to say, 'let loose'."

Sakura grinned; she didn't need to be told twice.

Rushing forward a good ways away from Dumbledore and Remus, Sakura released her henge, taking note as her hair returned to its normal rosy hue. She gathered obscene amounts of chakra to her fist, and with one deafening war cry, unleashed all of her pent-up energy just as her fist made contact with the earth.

The compact earth quite literally exploded all around her, and when the rubble and debris finally settled, she stood in the center of a crater with a twenty-foot radius. Looking up to see her onlookers, Sakura couldn't help the smug smile that curved her lips at their astonished faces.

Showcasing her strength for the first time never got old.

If it's a show they want, it's a show they'll get.

After nearly an hour of what essentially was a demolition exercise, Sakura returned to where Dumbledore and Remus sat. The pair seemed to have either summoned or transfigured themselves a pair of chairs as they waited for her to unleash all the pent-up energy in her reserves. After a few moments of silence, she finally appeared from the dust cloud that still hung in the air, covered in sweat and grime, but with a smile that would put Naruto's to shame. Both men stood in greeting.

"That was a most impressive display, Miss Haruno." The Headmaster complemented. "Do all ninja acquire Herculean strength?"

Sakura shook her head. "No, Professor Dumbledore. That," she nodded towards the craters, demolished trunks, and uprooted trees. "Is only exclusive to my master and I."

"Does your master also heal as you do?" Remus asked, his gaze still taking in all the damage she had done.

"Yes, but all medical ninja do. The only difference is my master is, well, a master in both the practice and philosophy of medicine. I hope to one day be able to reach her level of excellence."

Dumbledore chucked good-naturedly. "My dear, I believe that one day you very well shall."

Sakura couldn't help the embarrassed, albeit pleased, blush that dusted her cheeks.

After exchanging a few more questions regarding her training regiment, the wizards went to check the wards around the clearing to ensure they held up against Sakura's onslaught. Once the wards were deemed intact, the three Apparated back to Dumbledore's office.

When they touched back onto the carpet, Remus bid them a hasty goodbye before taking his leave. All the while murmuring something about keeping an appointment beneath his breath. This left the kunoichi and the Headmaster alone in his office.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Sakura began, not quite sure how to broach the subject that plagued her thoughts. "I couldn't help but notice all the happenings in the castle. The guards that walk the grounds and the village. And it's not just here too, people seemed quite jittery when Remus and I went to get breakfast and when he dropped me off at the platform."

The kunoichi took a deep breath before she proceeded. "I was wondering if things were more grave in your world than you initially let on."

Dumbledore for his part remained silent. He looked at the kunoichi from the seat at his desk and laid his withered hand onto its surface. His blue eyes remained on the appendage, though his voice addressed her.

"I knew that we could not keep you from the true state of affairs for long."

Blue eyes looked to green. "Your observation skills are much more adept than the typical sixteen-year-old Miss Haruno, and while under normal circumstances, I would do all in my power to keep you from learning too much of the truth, I know that you have seen much more in your sixteen years of life than many men far older than I have seen in their lifetime in this dimension."

Sakura remained motionless as she watched the wizened man. Dumbledore continued.

"The Dark Lord everyone has spoken about, Voldemort is his name. He had risen to power a few decades ago, rallying families with a penchant for dabbling in the Dark Arts. From them he amassed his army, and wreaked havoc throughout the country in much the same manner as the occurrences that happen now. He has only just returned to full power, though he had been working towards regaining his strength for far longer."

"Then why wait until now to try and do something about it?" Sakura asked as she finally took a seat opposite him. "Why allow him to regain his strength at all? Wouldn't it have been more efficient to eliminate the threat you knew he'd become once more before he had the strength needed to do so?"

"Those are all valid questions, Miss Haruno. And I had, for a time. But peaceful times make people complacent. The people of the wizarding world had just been freed from a madman's ideals, the threat of darkness that loomed in the air dissipated. And with it gone, joy and love flourished once more. No one wanted to believe that he could ever return—not even I, though a part of me knew. And when things began to happen; things that all pointed to his inevitable rebirth, no one wanted to see the truth until it was far too late.

"Now Voldemort has returned to his full strength and is amassing his armies once again while the rest of the world falls into panic and hysteria."

Having heard enough, Sakura stood from her seat and brought herself to her full height and released the henge that hid away the seal upon her forehead. The familiar rush of chakra coursed through her again, reinforcing the determination she felt.

She stood before him at attention, before bowing deeply at the waist and remaining there.

"I want to help."

It didn't matter what was said after her declaration. If Dumbledore accepted her offer or not. Her mind was set, and she would do all in her power to help until she returned home.