McGonagall

"Dumbledore – you can't. I've been watching them all day. You couldn't find two people who are less like us. And they've got this son – I saw him kicking his mother all the way up the street, screaming for sweets. Harry Potter come and live here?"

Minerva McGonagall had many regrets in her life.

She regretted many things, one of which is standing in front of her.

"Ah, Minerva, I do believe you have not yet met our guests." Albus twinkled at her, his knowing eyes sad behind his half-moon spectacles. Her old friend then turned to the two figures behind him, revealing a very feminine young man, and a larger, more intimidating looking man with a giant sword slung on his back. "This is our resident Transfiguration Professor, Minerva McGonagall. She is also the Head of the Gryffindor House."

Minerva nodded stiffly at the unfamiliar faces, wary of the aura of danger emitting from the newcomers that her innate cat form can sense.

"Minerva, my dear, allow me to introduce Zabuza Momochi," the tall one nodded stiffly at her "and Haku, which many of us would knew him as Harry Potter."

The witch stiffened, and stared at the smiling face of the boy whom she thought she would never see again.

The eyes…

Behind the square frames of her spectacles, McGonagall's eyes gleamed brightly from unshed tears. Composing herself, aware of the audience she had, she cleared her throat.

"Welcome, Mr. Momochi, Mr. Potter –"

"Haku." Harry interrupted, his expression exasperated. "My name is Haku."

The witch felt another wave of sadness washed over her.

"I see, Haku. I must know your last name though, if you are to attend Hogwarts."

Harry – in her eyes he will always be the smiling baby in Lily's arms – hesitated a bit. The one known as Zabuza – such exotic names – spoke for the first time.

"Hyouchi."

Harry's eyes snapped up at the older man in surprise, and met the steady gaze directed at him.

"Mr. Hyouchi, then." Minerva nodded, outwardly composed, but all she wanted to do now was to go back into her chambers, having the sudden urge to go through her old photo album.

The three men left shortly after, freeing the transfiguration professor to dash back to her quarters, heart aching from the sight of a fifteen year old Harry Potter.

Minerva McGonagall had many regrets in her life. She was a stern and fair taskmaster, but she was not always so. She often favoured her lions, and neglected her other students in many small ways. Every time she saw the hard eyed and bitter Potions Master, her old heart aches in regret, and her perception of the man was often superimposed with an image of a younger male, thin and cynical, black eyes staring at her accusingly, even as the older man now look onto her with respect. Whenever she saw the tired visage of one Remus Lupin, or looked into the slightly unstable gaze of Sirius Black, ghosts of the past rose and joined the tired souls, rife with injustice, and Minerva scolded herself for not seeing who Pettigrew really was, and for doing too little too late. Even when she could've made a difference in young Harry Potter's life, when the baby was brought upon the doorstep of Number Four, Privet Drive. She protested too little, gave too little, and now, the bubbly baby was gone, and in its place stood a healthy teenager, with old eyes and a cold heart, and the Harry Potter she knew from fifteen years ago was no longer there. It should've been a bright-eyed eleven years old with James's spark and Lily's heart to step into Hogwarts for the first time. Instead, the person greeting Hogwarts for the first time was a teenager of fifteen with James's features and Lily's eyes but with none of their soul by the name of Haku Hyouchi.

She stood up from where she had knelt on the floor in front of her old school trunk by her bed, in her hands was the old photo album containing some of her favourite students, with Lily and James and Harry Potter featured in a quarter of the tome. Settling down in her favourite armchair by the fire, she drowned herself in memories.

As Dumbledore continued on after Professor McGonagall had left, Haku stared at Zabuza's profile in a daze.

He got a name.

Hyouchi.

In the past, when going on undercover missions or registering for examination of some type, Haku always had family names. They come and go though, constantly changing, never one that was truly his. He had always just gone by as Haku.

Zabuza looked at Haku from the corner of his eye, and spoke softly in their home language.

"You will be Hyouchi Haku from now on."

Haku nodded, an indescribable joy filled him. His important person had gifted him with yet another name, and this time, it was his to keep.

"The kanji for Hyouchi," Zabuza went on explaining "are 'ice' and 'earth'."*

Haku smiled happily and nodded. It was fitting. His kekkei genkai was of ice in nature, and the earth kanji was in a small form of tribute to Zabuza's name, as the kanji for 'Momochi' is 'peach' and 'earth'. The newly named teen tuned back to the headmaster, who had veered off of the main hallway and into a smaller hallway.

"This is one of the castle wings reserved for guests." Dumbledore explained, turning to look at them over his shoulder. "This will be temporary, until you are sorted into a House, Haku, and find a more proper accommodation for Mr. Momochi here."

"What does getting sorted into a House have to do with anything, Professor?" Haku asked.

"You will be living in the dormitory with your housemates, and share a room with some other boys." Dumbledore smiled kindly as he explained. However, what happened next immediately wiped the expression off his face.

Zabuza growled and appeared right in front of Haku in one quick, angry movement, dark eyes glaring deep into Dumbledore's own startled blue eyes, now considerably dimmed.

"Haku will do no such thing. He will stay with me."

Dumbledore looked back at the nin calmly, not allowing himself to be intimidated.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I recalled that you said that you are not his guardian, did you not? If that is so, what is your intention towards young Harry, here?" Dumbledore lapsed into Haku's old name in a moment of distraction, but didn't bother to correct himself. "And regardless if there is a guardian of a student present in school, the rules do not change. The student is still required to sleep in the dorms, as to not show any favouritism towards any particular students."

"But Professor," Haku started, stepping out from behind his master's angry form to stand beside him, his fine features frowning in distress. "I am not accustomed to having quarters far away from Zabuza-san…"

In fact, ever since Zabuza took him under his wing, they lived in the same living space, and even slept close to each other. They're either in the same room, on the same or different beds depending on the situation, or different rooms but in the same apartment, or next to each other when camping out. They trusted only each other, and wanted each other close for the 'just in case'. It wouldn't feel right to not be near each other when sleep comes. At their most vulnerable, no one could defend each other well enough other than themselves. Piercing green eyes beseeched the old wizard, to which Dumbledore couldn't help but to make a compromise.

"I will allow it on Friday nights and the weekends for you to be roomed together." Dumbledore decided. "That is all that I'm willing to allow, however." He added when he saw Haku's mouth opening to issue another protest.

Zabuza narrowed his eyes angrily, his hand gripping the hilt of his massive sword tightly. Dumbledore levelled a solemn gaze back at the nin, his stance clear that he will brook no argument on his decision.

"There is also another matter of your position here, Mr. Momochi."

Zabuza tensed. Haku turned confused eyes to Dumbledore.

"What do you mean, Professor?"

"Mr. Momochi is not part of the staff, and is not staying at Hogwarts for short periods of time. I am curious to find what Mr. Momochi would do with his time." Dumbledore said as he gazed at the stiffened form over his spectacles. "Of course, Hogwarts will be delighted to house Mr. Momochi for the whole year, but I am concerned that you will find yourself to be bored with all the spare time." The last comment was directed at Zabuza, whose expression did not change.

Zabuza glared at Dumbledore for a few seconds before grunting in agreement in what the headmaster had been implying.

"Give me a few days to think of something." Zabuza said gruffly.

Dumbledore beamed, gesturing down the corridor.

"Well now, I believe a place with double rooms instead of singles will be in need here. Follow me please. The bigger guest rooms are further off."

Haku and Zabuza followed the wizard, passing fine oak doors regularly, until reaching the end, where another corridor crossed. In front of them, the glass windows that lined the whole corridor let the afternoon sunlight in brilliantly, lighting the fine stone floors and drew attention to the scenery of the Scottish highlands. The professor turned right, and led them down past two more doors before reaching the last one. Like all doors they had passed in the guest wing before, this door was made from oak, the brass handle gleaming brightly. A golden plaque was set into the door, however, to which Dumbledore gently tapped his wand against. A line of elegant script began carving itself into the plaque fluidly.

Messrs. Momochi and Hyouchi

Haku cocked his head at the unfamiliar words. He vaguely recognises 'Messrs' as something similar to 'Mr', but he had no idea how to pronounce the strange word. The rest must be his and Zabuza's last names – in English. How curious.

"There, now, all that is left is to set up a password." Dumbledore twinkled. He tapped his wand against the elegant brass handle jutting out from the door. "When you have what you deem a suitable password, just place your hand on the handle and either speak it out loud, or think of the password clearly in your mind, and you will be allowed through. No one who does not know the password attempts to open this door will alert the occupants within.

"If there are any questions, feel free to come to me at any time. If you would like to reset your password, come and find me and I will do so." Dumbledore smiled down at Haku. "Of course, when Haku obtains his wand, he is more than welcome to learn how to do so from me. Now, dinner starts at six in the Great Hall. Usually, meals could be arranged to be sent to your chamber if you so wished, however, it might be best if we discuss the rest of the details over dinner." The headmaster nodded to the two young men before turning and headed back the way they had just came.

"Oh, if you need any directions around the castle, feel free to ask the portraits, and be wary of the stairs. Hogwarts has a habit of rearranging itself." Throwing a smile over his shoulders, to which Haku thinks is decisively not reassuring, Dumbledore disappeared from their sight.

Haku blinked and turned his inquiring gaze at Zabuza, who was staring contemplatively at the door handle.

"A password, huh…" Zabuza mumbled. Dark eyes sought out green. "What do you think, Haku?"

"It has to be in our language, that's a given." Haku muttered, thinking. "I'm afraid I'm not quite sure what to set as the password, actually."

Zabuza stared at the handle intently for a while before coming to a decision. He placed a hand on the handle, and spoke clearly.

"Kirigakure."

The handle glowed golden for a second before settling back into its original brassy hue. Haku didn't ask for an explanation on why the elder male chose the hidden village's name as password, but Zabuza gave it anyway.

"Once you have learned all you can from this school." Zabuza started, head tilting to address Haku. "We will go back to Kirigakure, and we will be ready. We will kill the Mizukage, and we will not fail."

Haku smiled.

"Of course, Zabuza-san." For his precious person, he will make that dream come true.

Zabuza seem to smile behind his bandages, dark eyes containing a brief flare of warmth. A hand reached out and hovered above Haku's head, before setting it down on Haku's shoulders. With his other hand, Zabuza pushed open the door and into their rooms.

It was a lovely room. Haku thought. Grand too, like the rest of the castle.

The room had a high, vaulted ceiling, and was predominantly made up in the rich colours of burgundy red and warm, chocolate brown with highlights of the rustic colour of gold. A large fireplace set against the wall to their right, fire already stoked and burning brightly on its iron grate, crackling merrily as it consumed its wood. A brown leather couch with some sort of fur draping over it was situated in front of the fireplace along with two red velvet armchairs on each side. Luxurious burgundy rugs covered smooth polished wooden floorboards. Detailed and delicate tapestries draped across the stone walls, with occasional elegant candle holders with lit candles to add light in the room, also drawing attention to the various bookshelves set into the wall beside them. A bay window with plush cushions was set on the left, offering a view of the lake and the Forbidden forest. A dining table made from polished wood with complementing chairs was arranged near the window, leading to a small, open planned kitchen area further back. An opening set at the far wall was seen to lead to a short hallway, which connected to the kitchen as well. Haku assumed there would be doors further down to the right where the bathroom and bedrooms would be.

The two men stepped inside and closed the door behind them.

"Not bad." Zabuza grunted as he crossed over to the couches, he unstrapped his sword to lean against one of the armchairs before throwing himself into the plush cushions.

Haku passed Zabuza on his way to search for the bedrooms. Turning right at the opening, he saw three doors situated at the left of the hallway. Opening the first door he came across, Haku peeked inside. The decor in the bedrooms seemed to match the living room, with a big four-posted double bed situated in the middle of the room against the left wall, the curtains drawn back and tied against the sturdy wooden posts, with a bedside table next to the bed. A small writing desk was set against the hallway wall along with a small chair, and a dresser was set at the wall opposite to the bed. A bay window offered views of the lake, also letting in plenty of sunlight to the room.

Closing the door, he went on to explore the next door. It was the bathroom, and a fairly spacious one at that. Fine marble floors gleamed in the light of a floating round globe near the middle of the ceiling. Haku noticed there was a glass sphere set into the marble wall next to the door, the diameter about as large as a man's hand. Haku gently set his hand against it, and the glowing sphere of light disappeared. Intrigued, Haku rested his hand gently against the cool glass again, and the sphere of light reappeared. Amused, Haku set about exploring the bathroom more thoroughly than the bedroom. At the far wall, there was a porcelain claw foot bathtub with a high back, curving low to the foot of the tub where the silver faucet is attached, yet no pipes lead to the ground for the water source. Most likely magic at work again, Haku thought. A spacious shower stall encased in glass was against the right wall, with a toilet not far away. On the left was the sink, above it hung a mirror with cabinets on both sides of it.

Haku spotted a glass semi-sphere next to the tub, identical to the one used for the light. Curious, Haku gently set his hand against it. The wall which the tub was next to started to lighten. Haku watched with amazement as the wall 'dissolved', for lack of better word, and showed the scenery outside. The sun hung lower than what it was before, and the scenery similar to that of the bedroom next door. Haku tentatively reached for where the wall should be, and encountered something solid. Smoothing his hand over the solid area, he could feel the ridges and bumps of the marble tiling. The wall was there. Haku reached for the 'switch' again, and the scenery dissolved, settling back into the marble. Could solid objects be spelled to be invisible? Haku laughed, delighted, and scurried off to the last bedroom, intending for a quick peek before telling Zabuza his finds.

Zabuza stared into the fire, his frame in a state of relaxation for once. He heard Haku's delighted laughter and smiled with a quirk of his lips. No doubt he'd found something interesting. Zabuza rubbed his bandage covered chin in thought. He had to do something for the time Haku takes to master this magic, but what... his only skills were his shinobi skills.

As he thought about his dilemma, Haku bounded back out, green eyes shining.

"Zabuza-san!"

The elder Mist nin allowed himself to be lead off the comfortable armchair to follow his excited charge. He needed to find a place for himself within this castle to keep track of Haku's progress in his magical schooling, and to be close in order to observe the phenomenon of magic that wizards and witches seemed to wield with ease. Zabuza also wanted to be close by in case Septimus, that infuriating vampire, ever swung by to give them a surprise visit. Zabuza did not like surprises.

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*In Kanji, Momochi is 桃地. The name I came up with, Hyouchi has Kanji of 冰地

Author's Note: To all my readers, thank you for all your reviews and patience! It warms my heart to see this story getting such good responses! I have no excuse except laziness. After the exams were over I just felt so relieved and free and so utterly lazy! I went overseas and then came back, and still have done nothing. I've built this chapter up literally by sentences until the chapter was finally complete! I think my work has suffered a bit - I find myself unable to express in a clearer way than what I wanted to. Some readers who may also follow me with my other stories, I think I might be putting them on hold, I'm not sure. But they're definitely not abandoned! And definitely not this one either!

Thanks for all the support!

Wings of the Night