Wizard and Deat Reaper: Hogwarts
Chapter 26's

Both Ichigo and Toushiro were absent for the rest of the day's lessons. The entire school talked about the events that happened in a row over Toushiro with enthusiasm, shrouded in many big question marks. Question marks such as how the Bloody Baron could change, the amazing magic Toushiro performed to conquer it, also about the form of Boggart that displays the fears of the white-haired transfer students

Toushiro was forced to agree to stay in the hospital for some time, urging from Madam Pomfrey. The hospital patron was shocked not to accept the arrival of Toushiro who was with Ichigo and Urahara in a state next to a face covered in blood. But soon he does the healing, aided by Urahara. After at least an hour and a half of waiting for Ichigo, Toushiro finally found him, leaning against the pillows on one of the hospital beds, close to the window. Ichigo is not surprised to see his disgruntled look, surely – can be guessed easily – because he must be in this place for the next few days.

"… it won't be too bad" Urahara said in a cheerful tone, as Ichigo approached her and sat down on a chair beside the white hair's bed.

"But I don't like it here" Toushiro grumbled.

"And you don't want to be out there either, do you?" said Ichigo. "With all that just happened, I'd bet you wouldn't turn yourself in for some time. Eliminate yourself so that no one can see you. Just accept, being here could be the safest place for you to be alone and... eh? What's?"

Toushiro had just thrown a fierce glance with one of his eyes – his left eye was covered in bandages. "I? Alone?"

Ichigo and Urahara exchanged glances, and then both of them burst into laughter. How could he possibly be alone if there were two shinigami in front of him now?

"Honestly, Hitsugaya-san," Urahara said chuckling. "For a while, we agreed not to leave you alone…"

"But I'm okay!"

Urahara sighed. Started again to face the strong-assured attitude of this young commander. "You always say it's okay even when you're about to die" she shook her head. "Once, don't hide what you're feeling, you'll become a real ice man…"

Toushiro snorted in annoyance.

"Alright, how about this," Urahara cleared his throat. "I'm not going to report this to Seireitei, but you need to stay in the hospital until Madam Pomfrey says you're well enough to leave. How's it?"

Toushiro opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again. Damn right, Urahara knows the 'secret weapon' to confront him. If Seireitei knew he was injured, then Rangiku Matsumoto would know and that meant he would be raided until.

"good. Agree." Only that was Toushiro's reply, who then crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at the window, refusing to stare at any of them.

"That's great," said Urahara happily. "All right, I'm leaving now. I need to tell the Principal and the other teachers that you're still alive. And, as long as you're here, Yoruichi agrees to take care of you. Now he was investigating what happened to the Bloody Baron. Once he's done, he'll come straight here. Don't protest," Urahara added before Toushiro could throw his fierce gaze. The former 12th Division Commander left immediately, not wanting to get a protest that Toushiro was ready to make.

"That person," furious Toushiro, "just at will."

Moments later, only silence lies between Toushiro and Ichigo. Toushiro just kept quiet while staring at the window, while Ichigo opened his History of Magic book and read less excitedly. Even as dinner came, ushered in by two very friendly house fairies, the two ate in silence. Toushiro would never admit it, of course, if the presence of the elder Kurosaki made him feel neither alone nor lonely. Perhaps Urahara is not wrong too, after facing a series of fears that he actually tightly hid, the earliest healing is not alone.

Nine o'clock in the evening, if you see a clock hanging on the wall above the hospital door. Ichigo closed his book and yawned wide.

"You can leave if you want, Kurosaki," said Toushiro flatly. "Yoruichi is coming soon too…"

"Then I'll wait for him" Ichigo said. He looked around. The ward was already lit by candles whose flames danced in the darkness. He then looked at Toushiro, who was still looking at the dark window. "And you can tell me what's bothering you."

Toushiro turned his gaze from the window. He saw the serious look of the orange hair beside him. "There's nothing."

"Correct?" ichigo said. He knew very well that this one commander was among the most skilled in hiding what he felt. Hard guessing. Misterus, his father's opinion when telling about the former Third Seat. But this time, Ichigo did not have to bother speculating. What he had seen this afternoon was already conclusive evidence.

"You don't need to know about anything, Kurosaki. As long as I can handle it on my own, you don't have to interfere."

Ichigo cursed in his heart. But he could not blame that stubborn, haughty, cold attitude. The great responsibility he has requires him to be tough and hard on himself; a leader must not be weak because it will weaken his subordinates. Putting yourself aside was natural for commanders. Nonetheless, Ichigo believes there comes a time when that kind of thing is cruel. Isn't it very cruel for someone to kill feelings for himself?

"I didn't interfere. I just want to help."

"I don't need any help, except please shut up."

"I wouldn't close my eyes, close my ears, and shut up if I saw my friend needed help" Ichigo said sharply. "Did all the fear you had made you decide to kill all your feelings? You're not a heartless spirit, Toushiro, face it. You're a human spirit."

"I'm not…"

But Ichigo raised his hand, stopping the little guy's argument. "Aren't you tired of all that?"

Toushiro. Tired? Of course he's tired. He's tired. He's fed up. At all times he must behave like a steel man, or according to Ichigo, an ice man. But from the beginning he had already decided to accept it, right? This is the greatest consequence of his choice to be a shinigami. He must be ready to sacrifice himself to Soul Society. His heart, his spirit, his life. He is not the real one anymore.

Ichigo let out a breath. "I'm right, then."

Toushiro chose to stare at the window again. Ichigo leaned against his chair, looking up at the hospital ceiling. "It turns out being a commander isn't easy, huh…"

'Indeed, ' said Toushiro inwardly, somewhat irritated. 'And you always call me 'Toushiro' instead of 'Commander'…'

"… i think the commanders are strong, also fragile at the same time" Ichigo said. He spoke for himself about his perspective on the commanders and Soul Society, not not noticing that Toushiro had not heard of him again.

"Well, why are you talking to yourself?"

Ichigo looked surprised. Yoruichi jumps into one of the beds in the form of his cat. His golden eyes glittered wittyly.

"by yourself? Here, there's Tou- eh?"

Ichigo. It is true that he speaks for himself. Toushiro had gone to sleep; his eyes, which were not covered in bandages, were closed tightly and his breathing rhythm was in order, a sign that he had fallen asleep. It was clear in such a condition that he did not hear Ichigo's ravings.

"Damn it," grumbled Ichigo.

Yoruichi chuckled, but quietly because he did not want to wake Toushiro. "I'm taking over now. You two are both tired of it."

Ichigo stood up while yawning. "Yes. Yeah, sure."

Yoruichi then jumped onto Toushiro's bed, rolling beside Toushiro's pale hands. He looks up, finds Ichigo staring at him.

"What?" ask Yoruichi astonished.

"Just want to know," Ichigo said slowly. "What's the hardest thing about being a commander?"

Yoruichi looked at him in surprise. The head of her black-haired cat. "Why are you asking me that?"

Ichigo just shrugged his shoulders.

Yoruichi looked at Ichigo, then at the tiny young man beside him. He understands now. "What do you think?"

"Come on," murmured Ichigo.

"Ichigo, every commander has his own answer. But, if you ask me, the hardest thing a commander faces is," Yoruichi said seriously, "you belong to Soul Society."

Just a few minutes after Ichigo left, Toushiro opened his eyes. Of course Yoruichi looked up.

"You pretended to be asleep to ignore Ichigo, eh?" yoruichi Kekeh.

"I didn't know he could be that big, '" Toushiro grumbled.

"I call it the instinct of a big brother," said Yoruichi, and Toushiro recognized the laughter behind those words, and it irritated him.

"He's not my brother!" toushiro Guram.

"Surprisingly too, I see some resemblance between the two of you…"

Toushiro doubted. He does not see much less realize in the mana part of him and Ichigo have something in common. Except stubborn, maybe.

"So," said Toushiro, turning the conversation to something more important than Yoruichi's imaginary brotherhood between Ichigo and himself, "what did you find out about the transformation of the Bloody Baron?"

"Ah, about that," said Yoruichi, his tone turned serious. "Yeah, I found some important things. The transformation of the Bloody Baron had actually already begun after Arrancar's arrival."

"What?" Toushiro looked at Yoruichi in shock.

"Griyffindor Tower Ghost, that Nick told me. He said the ghosts could feel the arrival of the Arrancar; the negative energy he had affected the ghosts. But the worst effects were received by the Baron for a reason. You know, no, that the ghosts at Hogwarts can stay in the world for a long time because of the protection of ancient magic in this castle." Toushiro nodded. "Despite this, there is something that makes the protection fade for the Bloody Baron, who receives negative energy from the Arrancar and transforms it gradually."

"What..the reason?" toushiro asked, frowning.

The black cat's golden eyes in front of him widened. "The crimes committed by the Barons in the past.*) It was a sin that he continued to carry even after he died. But he chose to remain in the Human World, under the protection of the spell in this castle. It made him survive in this world without fear of being hollow, or being targeted by them. But, the moment that Arrancar appeared, everything changed."

"That's it," Toushiro murmured seriously. "But... How can we not realize it…?"

"The ghosts did it" Yoruichi said seriously. "They hid the Baron's transformation from others. Their purpose is good actually. The ghosts didn't want the Baron to attack the children. And you know where it is? Room Needs.**) They need a place to hide something without anyone else knowing, including us shinigami, and that room gives it."

"But the kids were also using it for LD training, too" Toushiro said. "How can we keep wearing it if someone is in the room?"

"The law of magic," said Yoruichi, is still just as serious. "The one inside the Chamber is a living person, and the Baron cannot be said to be living literally."

"Ah, right too." Toushiro thought again for a moment. "So you said the ghosts were affected…"

"Ah, no need to worry about them," said Yoruichi, his tone turning relaxed. "Affects in the sense that they feel their negative energy. But I've made sure that everything is not contaminated or has the potential to become hollow. You also play a role in addressing them, you know. You beat that Arrancar right away, so the negative energy doesn't last long around Hogwarts."

Toushiro heaved a sigh of relief. It could be troublesome if the ghosts were truly transformed like the Bloody Baron. He is not sure, even with Ichigo, Yoruichi, and Urahara being able to handle them without opening their disguises.

"Oh, yes," said Yoruichi, he raised his cat's head and looked straight at Toushiro, then spoke in a serious manner. "What did you and Ichigo say until he asked me something strange?"

Toushiro. "What questions?"

"You hear me, Hitsu-chan," said Yoruichi, half whining half teasing, "Don't pretend to be***, it doesn't suit you."

Toushiro pulls up his blanket, making Yoruichi snort angrily as he narrowly falls off the bed. "I'm sleepy. Good night to sleep."

"Geez.. It's so stiff," Yoruichi grumbled. He watched Toushiro sleeping on his back. "Based on the boy, his ego is very high…"

"Whispering," growled Toushiro with a muffled voice.

Yoruichi chuckled small. He then coiled comfortably beside Toushiro. His golden yellow eyes were still open. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Hitsugaya. Control your fear becomes your strength. We, shinigami, have a path that's not easy."

Toushiro did not answer. Not because he's asleep. His eyes are still open. But he could only answer it in his heart.

'I know.'

Ichigo was not surprised to find the corridor to the Gryffindor Tower was deserted. Not a single living creature he encountered, not even a dead creature. What he heard from Yoruichi, the ghosts of Hogwarts were mourning for the Bloody Baron. The ghosts were quite civilized as well as it turned out.

But once he entered the recreation room Gryffindor, how remarkable he found all the inhabitants of the dormitory is still awake. All of them were sitting on chairs or couches that were there, or sitting on the carpet in the middle of the room while chatting in a low voice. They all turned their heads as soon as they saw Ichigo appear.

"Finally!" fred and George cried together, jumping to their feet. The other children got up from their seats, and began to flank Ichigo with questions.

"Whoa! Slow down, guys!" exciting Ichigo. Stop the flood of questions he can't catch. After all the children were silent, he looked at the anxious faces mixed in curiosity. Who would have guessed that Gryffindor had accepted Ichigo and Toushiro as their true members? "Well, I know you want to know what happened to Toushiro and…"

"Is he okay?" ask Ginny immediately.

"Yes! It looks like he's badly injured!" exclaim Alicia anxious.

"One by one, he asked" Ichigo said. He sighed, then sat down on the old sofa by the fireplace. Finally, he felt a little warm as well. While in the hospital, he felt like he was in the refrigerator, the fruit of Toushiro's mood being very ugly. "First, Toushiro is fine. It's not the kind of wound that endangers life…"

Many children breathed a sigh of relief.

"But" Neville's great-grandson, his round face was deathly pale and looked extremely frightened, "I saw it. The monster hurt his eyes…"

"It's okay" Ichigo said calmly. "He managed to fire the Byakurai just in time, and Urahara-san also instantly healed him." Ichigo shrugged, "His left eye escaped the threat of blindness at least. And, when I left, she was able to sleep, really."

"Thank God" said Hermione, but she bit her lower lip anxiously,. "Ichigo, about that Boggart…"

"Oh," Ichigo frowned. Harry could see the grimness on the face of the orange hair. "That-but how could there be a Boggart there?"

"That's Malfoy," said Ron softly. "In carrying Boggart's crate, with Crabbe and Goyle, and I guess-"

"Malfoy?!" ichigo's voice grew angry.

"Yes" said Hermione slowly. "What... Toushiro is okay... with that?"

Ichigo looked at Hermione grimly. "Where I know. He's an expert at covering himself." Ichigo scratched the back of his head, frustrated. "But he's been dealing with it for years.Perhaps, he knows better what he has to do to deal with it again…"

Silent moment.

"So" said Hermione slowly, "what did she see...just imagine it or.." Hermione gulped nervously, "really happened?"

They all looked at Ichigo. The orange-haired youth stared at the flame in the fireplace dancing wildly, but his gaze was blank. Harry could guess the answer, and he felt his hair bristling.

"That's the truth" Ichigo said blankly. "The three of them were probably Toushiro's closest friends, long before I knew him. You see how different he is from the other kids? Almost no one wanted to be friends with him, except, back then, the three of them had no parents, so it was only his friends that he had, that he had always protected."

"What... what happened?" ask Angelina carefully. "What.. did they die?"

Ichigo shook his head, once. "Only that man. Soujiro Kusaka's name. He was killed before his own eyes."

Many children are horrified.

"How did that happen?" ginny asked with a pale face.

"You better not know the details" Ichigo said grimly. "It was like a nightmare. It's just, it's the truth."

"And... The two girls?" asked Lee curiously.

"They're still alive" Ichigo said. "But what they've experienced has happened. Toushiro always tried to protect them. If he fails and they get hurt, he will blame himself for not being stronger. I think that's why she has that fear …"

"And he's afraid of himself?" ask Seamus.

"We all must be afraid of ourselves, right?" ichigo said as he leaned against the back of the sofa, looking up at the ceiling, "Fear that we can't control ourselves, afraid that we're not strong enough to take care of the others, even afraid if we are too strong until that is what will hurt the person who should be protected.Huh, troublesome," Ichigo snorted softly. In his heart he cursed even more. It seemed that he could understand how Toushiro felt. He himself had experienced these things.

Silence re-established them all. Most do not quite understand the meaning of Ichigo's words.

"How could he have such fear?" neville whispered in disbelief.

"We live in a different world to you, we face a different enemy than you" Ichigo said.

"As happened to the Bloody Baron?" lavender.

"Yeah," Ichigo said carefully. It doesn't seem to hurt to talk a little about hollow. After all, almost all students at Hogwarts already know the shape of the creature. "If what you're facing right now is the threat of Voldy's return who it is, we've been fighting the – monster creature –, which we call hollow."

The Golden Trio and the Weasley children exchanged meaningful glances, while the others looked extremely shocked.

"You guys... fight them?" ask Parvati in shock.

"Yes. Hollows are creatures of darkness, similar in nature to Dementors. But they have some special features. One, they have a white mask with certain shapes; two, there is an empty hole in their body, can be in the heart or heart – because of that they are called hollow; third, can be in the heart or heart <TAG1>, they eat human souls"

Many children screamed in horror.

"Eating?" repeated Alicia, looking nauseous.

Ichigo nodded stiffly. "Without soul, automatically without life. That means dead. It's still better if you just die. But the hollow has the ability to record the memories of the soul it swallowed, and take the shape of the soul body to hunt down the others. That's why we exist. We, the – uh – magicians are trained to purify them; separate the negative energies that control them, so they can die quietly."

"Are they dangerous to you too?" ask Collin to know

"As long as we still have souls, of course they are dangerous for us. Moreover, we witches have a rei intensity of – uh – magic energy higher than ordinary humans, automatically our souls are like a big party for them. But don't worry," Ichigo said hurriedly, looking at the expressions of his friends, "you've seen what Toushiro has done; we can defeat them."

"What's he doing?" ask Dean.

"That's the kidou Urahara explained in class. The use is very complicated; I still can't master it."

"I heard it" said Hermione quietly. "He can use up to number eighty.. didn't Urahara-sensei say that the higher the number the harder it is to master?"

"Well, Toushiro's a genius. He has mastered all the existing kidou spells, can even cast them without a full spell" Ichigo explained. He then sighed. "Obviously, you don't have to worry too much about it. I know," Ichigo said immediately, looking at some of his friend's expressions that seemed to disagree. "I know you'll be worried about him anyway. But if you act like he's a weak person with excessive worry, he won't like it. All it takes is how we can trust he can handle this, it will strengthen him."

"But what if he needs our help? Or can't he just handle it alone?" ask Neville.

"We'll know if he needs help" Ichigo said. "For now, I'm sure we're the ones who need help." Ichigo stared at the big clock in the recreation room. It's almost midnight. "It's a long night. Time to go to bed, everyone."

"Yeah! In any case we want to know the state of our Brain-Plan-Witch-Behavior!" said Fred.

"Pending first and-WHAT?" Ichigo looked at the Weasley twins in shock.

"Lho's? He didn't tell you." said George, his attention was distracted.

"… If he told us.." Fred continued.

"… some good spells for our Magic Jokes?" said George.

"yeah. He who solved the problem of how to deal with the Vomiting Pastiles, told how to determine the duration for the Fainting Candy, suggested some spells for the Weasley Fireworks Gebyar, also perfected the spells in their Portable Swamp," it was Lee Jordan. Many children were quite surprised, including Ichigo.

"That fucking midget." - infuriated Ichigo. "Ah, you fool! Comeing! All of them! Sleep on!"

"How can you arrange for us?" george protest.

"Yeah! You're not Ronnie's Prefect!" added Fred.

Ichigo glared ferociously. "GO TO BED!" his roar, made many children jump in shock and hurriedly fled to their respective rooms; the twins laughed along the way.

"Basic," grumbled Ichigo. He turned his head, finding that the Golden Trio and Neville were still there. "If you're being honest, I'm actually going to sleep and…"

"Just one question" said Harry. Ichigo raised an eyebrow, waiting for the question to come. "Why did you hit him?"

"Oh that." Ichigo yawns wide. "That's how men – knights – talk, Harry. One fist can say a lot of things, eh? But I don't suggest you do it every time you want to talk; use it if your friend can't understand the words, if you know what I mean."

None of them saw Toushiro Hitsugaya appear in the Great Hall or the class that the fifth graders of the Gryffindor dormitory attended two days later. Not that nobody's trying to figure out, actually, what happened to him. Some children have tried to get into the hospital, some even deliberately use a misguided spell on their friends to get into the hospital. But Madam Pomfrey would not allow anyone to see Toushiro; her bed was capped with a magic-covered curtain to keep her white hair from being disturbed.

But that does not mean Toushiro rejects everything. Only Ichigo, Urahara, Yoruichi, and the Headmaster could be accepted (that was also because he knew it was futile to forbid them from coming). Ichigo arrives after lunch to give Toushiro's phone left behind in the Gryffindor Tower.

"I had to lie with Rangiku-san about you not answering her call" Ichigo said. "He called me last night, when everyone was asleep. Crazy woman; she seems to know that there's nothing with you. She's your mother or your lieutenant."

"Then what did you say?" toushiro asked, checking his phone, found several incoming calls all of which were the names of the lieutenant.

"Well I'll tell you that you're doing a stacked schoolwork, which came along with the Arrancar attack, so you're in a bad mood and don't want to be botheredI didn't tell you about it anyway," ichigo added, dedicating to the bandage covering his best friend's left eye. "But when did you get out of here? Neville's worried about not being able to see you. It seems he feels a bit guilty…"

"Maybe tomorrow," Toushiro said flatly as he typed something in his Soul Pager. "Madam Pomfrey thinks I should be here for another week. That's right…"

"Is your wound okay?"

"Eh."

"Malfoy set you up with Boggart, didn't he?" Ichigo.

"Yes." Yeah."

Ichigo. Just so?

But it seems that Toushiro knows what Ichigo is thinking. "He's human. Just kid. Don't know who I really am. He thought I was just a normal kid, with a normal fear…"

"I knew. But what he did was not a joke! I'm sure he's trying to embarrass you in front of everyone!"

"Then instead of humiliating me what he got was horror," Toushiro said sarcastically. Toushiro sighed, then put his phone on the table. "I'm sure he did it for a reason. Whatever it is, I won't bother him. Whatever he wants to do…"

"And whatever it is, you don't think about replying to it" Ichigo said, a bit of a hustle. "It's true you. You were going to say 'Call me Commander Hitsugaya!'" imitate Ichigo quite similarly. "Now you seem to be just gonna let it go."

"Because I know it's free to warn people ***** just like you, I've let it go" said Toushiro flatly. Ichigo held his tongue to not curse; madam Pomfrey had just passed them. "You're more annoying than Malfoy, it's easy for me to let."

"Nonsolent," Ichigo's hiss exasperated.

"Rather than hating him, I think I pity him more."

Ichigo looked at Toushiro in confusion. "Kok that?"

"I already know the background of Draco Malfoy, so I can already guess why he is so." Toushiro shrugged his shoulders. "What is the reason, I can also guess, though I don't know if it's wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"If you want to know, just find out for yourself there," said Toushiro flatly. "Thus you can understand better than first hand."

"Then, how do you handle everyone who sees that? They can talk about anything that's not about you."

Ichigo could see that Toushiro looked a little tense. But quickly his expression returned flat. "Even before I was a shinigami, a lot of people were talking about me. It's not the first time."

"And Umbridge?"

Toushiro sighed. "Urahara said he'd sort it out for me. He said I had experienced terror and trauma. It's up to him to say."

Ichigo is actually a bit dissatisfied with Toushiro's answer, who seems unconcerned. But his visiting time was up, and Madam Pomfrey drove him away ferociously. Then there was no other option for him to go back to the Gryffindor Tower to pick up the books for his next lesson.

Meanwhile, after Ichigo's death, Toushiro returned to fiddling with his phone. With hesitation, he pressed the dial button for a line of names.

"Taicho~" his voice that pitched as if singing was directly piercing his ear. In a hurry he kept the speaker away from his ear.

"Geez, Matsumoto! Can you not be that tight?" toushiro Gerru.

"I'm glad Taicho finally called! Where have you been for almost two days? I feel like something's going on…"

"I'm busy, Matsumoto," interrupted Toushiro immediately. He did not want his lieutenant to be excessive if he knew he was injured in the fight.

"Urahara-san and Ukitake taichou reported that Taicho was fighting the Arrancar that appeared in the magic school" Rangiku said. "Also about the ghost of a witch who turned into a hollow – is Taicho okay?"

"I'm really fine, stop acting like that. I'm the commander, don't miss"

"Yes, yes, sir." Since he knew the character of Rangiku, he was sure that the woman said 'Sir' sarcastically.

"Where are you? And what are you doing?" ask Toushiro. He knew there was a time difference between Japan and England.

"Well, I'm in the office…"

"You... work?" This was not the usual work of someone known as the laziest lieutenant in Soul Society. It is rather impossible if Rangiku Matsumoto wants to stay up late working on paperwork without the supervision of his commander.

"Taicho wicked!" whinek Rangiku, pretend to be offended. "I really work…"

"With some bottles of sake on your desk, am I right?"

Toushiro heard a small cry of surprise and a soft clanking sound. Throw's right. Even if Rangiku can work on paperwork without supervision, it does not mean that it is without compensation. Forcing all of his self-identification, Toushiro pretends to know nothing. However, before Toushiro spoke, Rangiku spoke up first. The tone is a little odd. There was a hint of impatience behind his cheerful tone.

"Taicho, I have good news."

"Hn? What's up?"

"Hinamori-chan is awake and…"

Toushiro sat up straight. His heart is beating fast. He barely realized that he was gripping his Soul Pager tightly.

"… Isane had already moved her to the usual treatment room. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" scream Rangiku pleasure. "He's gonna get well soon, Taicho! Oh, I'm so happy!"

Hearing the high spirits in his lieutenant's voice, Toushiro felt a warmth coursing through his heart. The burden of what held him for some time was slightly lifted, making him feel much lighter.

"Is this true?" toushiro asked, keeping his voice neutral. Even so, he knows Rangiku knows that he is equally happy, even more so.

"Seriously, Taicho! I even visited him! Hinamori-chan asked you, you know. Geez, among so many people why did he ask you, anyway, who wasn't there?!" rangiku said jokingly. "Let's just say you're on a mission, far away! He seems a bit unhappy.But Taicho just called himself. He's kind of bored. He's not going anywhere yet and no one's accompanying him – at most Hanataro's accompanying him, but not for long, no, whereas we're all a little busy because of the hollow alliance with that witch and…."

Toushiro only listened to Rangiku Matsumoto's almost endless chatter. Just let her talk, she occasionally responded with 'hn', 'yes', 'uh-huh', 'hem'. Several times he made short comments or spicy-hidden-in-sarcastic sentences about the new sake shop, the endless paperwork, the, or the strictness of Commander Kuchiki who according to him is the most stingy shinigami smile ever in history.

After an hour more chirping – Toushiro always wonder how women can talk that much in just that time – Rangiku finally closed the call. Sighing, Toushiro decided that he wanted to know for himself the news that his lieutenant had said.

He put his speakers in his ear. Counted for a few moments. And finally, he heard it. A familiar voice answered the call. The voice he wanted to hear the most after the war against the Quincy was over. It's just that Hinamori's voice sounded a bit fragile and weak due to a coma for several months which slightly messed up her ability to speak.

"Shi..ro-chan?"

This time, he would not be upset or angry to be called so. He was too happy to be teased with that childish name. Hinamori opened her eyes. She's doing just fine. Everything's gonna be fine.

That afternoon for Harry was a rather excruciating afternoon with Snape as his Occlumency teacher. It is still as difficult to master this magic. He was a little happy because the lesson stopped in the middle of the road. The sound of female screams above the basement of Snape's office messed up the lesson. Although somewhat anxious in case something serious happened, Harry followed Snape out of the office, and found the source of the screams that were also responsible for the formation of a large crowd in the Front Hall. It turned out that Professor Trelawney, who had shouted, rejected the dismissal of the Professor who had exercised his right as the Great Inquisitor. He even expelled the Divination teacher from Hogwarts. Luckily Professor Dumbledore came and prevented it. He allowed Trelawney to remain in the castle despite not teaching. He had also prepared a substitute teacher for him, namely Firenze the centaurus. Considering Harry knew that Umbridge did not like half-human creatures, he could catch a look of shock mixed with real disdain when he saw the white-haired horse-bodied centaurus.

The next day, the children who took part in the Divination lesson were quite excited by the first lesson with Florence. But Harry still had not seen Toushiro appear in the Great Hall to take breakfast that morning – even though Toushiro did not take the Divination class. Ichigo tells her that Madam Pomfrey will let him out later that afternoon.

But Ichigo's words slightly missed. Toushiro was already in front of the Spell class after the first subjects of the day were over. His arrival surprised most of the students. He wears his Hogwarts uniform, which contrasts sharply with his skin that still appears slightly pale than usual. The attention grabbing is the blindfold – somewhat similar to the blindfold used by pirates in the movie that Harry had seen, Harry, although the blindfold is made of white cloth instead of – skin that covers his left eye. The bangs of hair that were even a level cleaner than the eyepatch cast a slight shadow, giving the impression that Toushiro did not want the wounds from the monster's claw there to be seen. Harry was somewhat relieved to see that Toushiro looked already healthy; his turquoise eyes that looked radiant and not empty like the last one he saw. The expression on his face was an ordinary expression, with no sense of awkwardness or any sign that he had accidentally caused an uproar a few days earlier.

It's amazing to Harry that Ichigo is right. Toushiro could handle his fear.

"You said you'd only come out in the afternoon? Madam Pomfrey just let you go?" ask Ichigo after the lesson is over. The two, along with other Gryffindor children, prepare to go to Hagrid's cabin to participate in the Invisibility Preservation. During the corridor, many children who passed by on the street were curious about the white hair, repeatedly throwing probing gazes but too awkward to ask themselves. Toushiro himself flat-looking ignored them. It was his favorite method of distancing himself from gossip that would worsen if he was too talkative (kayak Toushiro would waste his energy to talk at length only).

"He won't accept I'm gone unless I'm gone" said Toushiro, sounding somewhat irritated. "Women are troublesome."

Ichigo shook his head while clucking impatiently.

"What's? I'm fine, '" said Toushiro, glaring at Ichigo who gave him a look as if facing a very bad kind of kindergarten child.

"You need to stop having the hobby of running away from the hospital."

"People should stop thinking of me as a child" Toushiro grumbled. Ichigo, once again shook his head, but said nothing more. He did not want to ruin the mood of the white hair who with a longer argument with him.

The Occult Animal Lesson was a little chaotic than the Golden Trio had expected. Hagrid gets nervous easily and forgets what they are discussing with Dolores Umbridge in the open class. Umbridge herself often throws a frog-like gaze after a big fat fly at Toushiro. It is no doubt that the Incusitor is preparing to plan an interrogation in connection with the Boggart incident a few days ago.

More and more children are either blatantly or clandestinely throwing glances or whispers at Toushiro in the Great Hall. Harry was concerned to see the white hair, but was also amazed at how he faced it. Harry wasn't sure if he was in Toushiro's position he could behave like that: eating in silence, back straight, face flat, face flat, and the sharp eyes that occasionally swept across the dormitory table – which if the eyes of the residents were to be rubbed with turquoise eyes it would immediately turn away, trembling at the cold and unfriendly gaze of it. It doesn't take much to say to all of them.

If anyone doesn't speak in a kepo tone to her, it's Ichigo, the Golden Trio, the Weasley boys, and Neville. Neville at first seemed a little afraid to approach Toushiro, who also tried to force Neville to talk to him. Neville felt guilty for the flaw in his new best friend's face. But Neville could not bear to see Toushiro silent as Pansy Parkinson whispered to Milicent Bullstrode with contempt about the arrival of Toushiro, that the white hair won't get anyone who can defend it except that person. So Neville approached Toushiro and asked him how he was doing. He doesn't care what makes Toushiro have the terror that terrifies him, who Toushiro is until he gets it, or some other reason. He knew Toushiro was his friend, and that was more than enough.

"Well, yeah." Urahara emerged from his office, when all the fifth graders had arrived in Urahara's classroom, distracting the students. It turns out he's not alone. Along with him, Professor Umbridge, who was standing next to him with a clipboard, was ready to serve as the Great Incusitor in today's lesson. "Everything's gathered? Real nice. This time we have another guest; Professor Umbridge would like to see you studying. And if he wants to see it, let's show him what you've achieved. Now, pair up with your partner and I'd like to see how the basic martial arts I've taught you are one by one."

So they also started. Urahara called them in pairs to advance one by one and showed their performance. Alternately, their partners will attack while others fend off the alias defend. If you need – actually all – pairs do not escape from Urahara who gave directions or instructions. If anyone is free of advice, comments, and referrals, it is Ichigo-Toushiro's partner. Both were very good hand-to-hand duels.

"Well, although you still need to learn and practice a lot, (Harry complained inwardly; hand-to-hand combat gives a lot of physical fatigue worse than Quidditch training) I see you guys have made a lot of progress. What I expect you to train the most is your physical stamina. After that, train to match with competent opponents to train your reflexes. But, I need to remind you to keep in mind the basic principles of the fight. I'm…"

"Ehem, ahem."

Dolores Umbridge's fake sweetness, once again successfully stopped someone who was talking. Urahara turned his head, found the PTIH teacher looking at him with a frog smile that if you want to honestly make it eneg. This made him feel that the mysterious fox smile Gin Ichimaru was far more capable of facing than this one; his paraphrase was even more pleasant to see the former 3rd Division Commander. Fortunately, he was used to strange things and read the deepest of the deepest (He was quite aware that he himself was also strange, actually).

"Yes, Professor Umbridge?" tanyanya politely.

"I wonder, Professor Urahara," he said sweetly. "You taught them pretty well." Harry was sure Urahara understood the cynical tone behind those words. "But I heard you say about the basic principles of fighting."

"Ah, yes," said Urahara cheerfully. "The basic principles of combat, of course. In a fight we can't forget it, right? Asprincipled even when we are a little ah, become inhuman. These principles set us apart from animals."

"May I know what that is?" ask Umbridge.

"There's a lot of it," Urahara said, still equally relaxed. "Almost every fighter has different principles. However, here we take the most common ones that white magicians use. Macmillan-san," Ernie looked up in shock. "can you please mention the first principle I said first?"

"Er... Don't underestimate your enemies?" ernie said not sure.

"That's right," said Urahara happily. Harry could guess what Umbridge was thinking; the first principle was incompatible with the learning goals set by his beloved Ministry of Magic. "The second one, Boot-san?"

Terry Boot from Ravenclaw blinked quickly, then replied, "Don't show weakness in front of the enemy."

"Right again," Urahara said cheerfully. "Third, Longbottom-san?"

Neville looked a little nervous. "Me-controls emotions?"

Urahara nodded his head. He looked at Umbridge who maintained his fake smile, "There are still many other things, Professor, but all that is seen when we fight head on. But the most important principle is that we fight to protect what must be protected."

For a few seconds, Umbridge was silent. However, a smile returned to his face. "I think I need a real picture for that, Professor. Why don't you demonstrate the magician Shinou's fighting technique to me – all of us?"

The Golden Trio exchanged a glance.

"Demonstration?" repeat Urahara, hiding his odd smile behind his white fan.

"Yes. You said that Shinou has four basic skills in combat. But unfortunately, I've never seen your class learn all four…"

"… because their time and conditions are not possible," between Urahara politely.

"But you're in a state of possibility, aren't you?" sweet Umbridge said. "Why not demonstrate those techniques; zanjutsu, kidou, hakuda, and hoho? One of your students could be your fighting partner, I guess." Umbridge looked at Ichigo and Toushiro. "But before that, I'd like to know if your student is performing a little with a Hogwarts student. Just as an illustration of your class' effectiveness."

"Ah, about that…"

"I recommend Mr. Malfoy," interrupted a sweet Umbridge.

Many children whispered quietly afterwards. Urahara looked still as calm as he was, his face half hidden behind his open white fan.

"And I recommend Hitsugaya-san. It will be enough if they duel with this bokutou." Urahara brought each of them a wooden katana, after Toushiro and Malfoy had stood face to face in the middle of the dueling area Urahara had prepared in the middle of the room. The other children stood on the sidelines, ready to watch this somewhat unusual duel. Urahara never paired Ichigo or Toushiro with another child. The reason being, the two transfer students were on a different level to the Hogwarts children. He doesn't want to risk it if Ichigo or Toushiro are 'too excited' and cause trouble.

But for Draco Malfoy, it was an insult. He looked at his opponent who was standing in front of him. Draco hides the excitement that has haunted him since the Boggart incident on the white hair. For now, he had no time to drop his pride in front of this mud blood.

"Huh, you can be this arrogant now, Hitsugaya," Draco scorned loudly.

Both Ichigo and Urahara sighed. They read the sign.Toushiro's dangerous squinting right eye is not a good sign. Mood Toushiro became ugly. Anyone knows – for those who know Toushiro Hitsugaya, of course – that a law of personality is formed from this case: mood changes are directly proportional to changes in the temperament of one's attitude.

"Just because you can be good in this class, you can feel like you're taller than everyone else. I'm sure that's not just you, '" Malfoy teased again.

A halooo? Indeed who is he, talking about 'higher than the others'? Toushiro isn't very tall after all, is he? Okay, that last one's not connecting…

"Well, maybe you can try it, Malfoy-san," said Urahara, his sly tone hidden perfectly with his carefree tone. He stuffed the hilt of the bokutou into Draco's hand, which was rather startled. "Let's swing your sword at Hitsugaya-san. Consider it a light duel.

"What are you doing?!" malfoy protest was unhappy.

Toushiro picked up the bokutou as well, then made a swinging motion several times, as if warming up.

"It's still a bokutou, just a clone of the original weapon. Did you just know that the sword is heavy, Malfoy-san?" urahara. "'And they are made of metal! And if you want to know, the katana is lighter than an English-style sword shaped like a cross. Katana made thinner."

"Not believing" said Malfoy cynically.

"You want to try a duel with me?" toushiro asked flatly, though Harry was sure the corner of Toushiro's lips was barely raised in a cynical smile.

"You think I'm scared?" furious Malfoy exasperated. "I accept your challenge."

"A very unwise decision" Ichigo commented, trying hard to hold back the laughter.

"You're not the right person to talk about wise things, Kurosaki," Toushiro said.

Some children giggled, while Ichigo felt a vein twitching at his temple. That must be his frustration.

Harry had no idea if Malfoy had ever made such a terrible silly mistake before. If not, then he has experienced it now. It is true Ichigo said that accepting the Toushiro challenge is unwise. Very unwise. If Draco Malfoy had known that Toushiro Hitsugaya was a member of the Spirit World's protective elite, he would have thought twice, or even thought nothing of acting with him.

In short, Malfoy failed to carry out any attack on Toushiro. All his sword swings were parried with Toushiro's one-handed swing. Harry thinks Toushiro is just playing around, as revenge for the Boggart incident.

Toushiro slightly added to his strength as he made a slashing movement. Bokutou in Malfoy's hand floated off, falling ten meters away from him. As he looked forward, the tip of Toushiro's bokutou was already in front of his neck. Draco Malfoy could only be riveted. His feathers bristled, as he imagined if only they were dueling with real swords…

He tried to bully the wrong people.