Disclaimer: All rights for Harry Potter and Bleach go to their respective owners.

The stars clustered in the dark sky, beautiful dots of light trillions of miles away. Underneath that vast canvas sat a school in the mountains, home to young witches and wizards.

As the silence stretched on, Toshiro wondered if this would be the last time he would see those stars.

He didn't dare break the silence, and so sat on the edge of the cold tile roof staring up at the stars and waiting for the Head-Captain's decision.

"You know of our rule about revealing ourselves to the humans," the voice said. Toshiro nodded even though he couldn't see the movement.

"Yes, sir. But I only told them what I was after he displayed powers."

"Them?"

Toshiro winced. "Yes, sir. There are three that know about us. But the wizarding world apparently has stories about the Shinigami – and not good ones, either."

Again there was a silence that stretched on unbearably long. He did not mind the cold – he enjoyed it – but he needed to know what the Head-Captain's verdict was. A soft hoot caught his attention, and the scratch of talons on tile alerted him that an owl had landed on the roof. Then the owl moved forward, revealing Athena.

I am sorry that I have neglected you this year, Toshiro thought, stroking her feathers. He became suddenly aware of the band of ice around his arm. I met someone. I don't think you'd like her. Hopefully you'll meet her soon and judge for yourself.

"I do not need another Kurosaki," the Head-Captain said suddenly and without any preamble.

"I know, sir. But this is different. I didn't transfer any of my powers to him. His powers awakened."

"Hm." The Head-Captain seemed to be fond of dramatic pauses tonight. Toshiro tightened his grip on the edge of the roof. "Who is the boy?"

"Potter Harry."

"He is the one the Prophecy speaks of, correct?"

Toshiro blinked. "Prophecy?"

"We have much to discuss."

Hours later, Toshiro closed his soul phone and once more looked up at the sky. The stars were fading as the eastern horizon lightened, signaling the oncoming dawn.

"Why me?" he groaned. Athena had long since flown off, so he was alone on the cold roof.

"This is his way of punishing you."

"I know that," Toshiro sighed, taking a moment to sulk in silence before pushing himself to his feet. "Well, they don't have to know until we get off the train. I don't have to worry about it until then."

"What are you going to do about the Weasley boy?"

Toshiro paused, one foot braced on reiatsu-thickened air. "Time," he said finally.

End of year exams seemed to come very quickly. Toshiro paid more attention to the tests this year, as he did not know how long he would be stationed in the world of the living. He hoped it wouldn't be too much longer.

Ron still wasn't talking to him, but he wasn't too worried about that. He was just one child, after all. Harry stayed with Ron, but he could tell that the boy wasn't fully convinced that the Shinigami was an evil being there to eat their souls. Hermione split her time between the boys and Toshiro. They studied together, and he found slight relief in knowing that not all humans were as unintelligent as some of the kids in Gryffindor House. Perhaps he should have switched to Ravenclaw after all.

The final Quidditch match of the year was between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Toshiro attended to keep an eye on Harry and make sure that the bracelet was sufficiently containing his powers. The last thing he needed was to have everyone in the school see the Boy-Who-Lived displaying strange magic. That would be a nightmare.

Gryffindor lost the game 170-80, securing the Slytherins for the House Cup.

The people who were petrified were given the cure and returned to school a week before they were to leave on the train. They didn't seem any worse for wear, albeit a little shocked that so much time had passed. He wondered how they would make up the schoolwork they had missed.

Then the night of the end of year feast came, and Toshiro slipped in the open doors, taking a seat at the end of the table. He sipped a glass of tea and listened to the conversations around him. At least the children weren't talking about the fact that Harry was a Parselmouth anymore. That news seemed to have long faded and finally died with Lockhart's expulsion.

At the sound of a spoon tapping a goblet, all chatter in the Great Hall died away, and everyone turned to face Dumbledore. As he spoke about the year, Toshiro remembered when the Headmaster had called him up to his office for a 'chat' two nights after he had been released from the infirmary.

Toshiro knocked reluctantly on the door to Dumbledore's office, entering when the old man called him in. The office looked just the same as the last time he had been there, cluttered full of random and strange objects that whirled and spun and clicked. The Headmaster waved him to the chair before the desk, and he sat on it, waiting patiently for the old man to speak.

"No one is going to be punished for what happened," Dumbledore said at last, his blue eyes twinkling. "But I am not going to reward anyone, either. You did break school rules, even if what you did was for the benefit of the school."

Toshiro nodded his thanks, though he wasn't particularly worried about being punished.

Dumbledore was silent for some time, long enough that Toshiro started to wonder if he'd fallen asleep. "Do you have any questions?" he asked suddenly. Toshiro shook his head. "Good, then I shall ask a few of my own. You don't mind, do you?"

"No, sir."

"Good. The band around your arm – what is it made of?"

Toshiro looked down at it. "Ice, sir."

"And you cast an everlasting charm on it? Very clever indeed." Dumbledore smiled and held out a bowl. "Lemon drop?"

"No thank you."

Dumbledore set it down and popped one in his mouth. "We have not been able to open the Chamber. It seems to be protected by many powerful spells. This leads me to wonder how you four got in."

Toshiro shrugged. "I don't know, sir."

"You don't know how you got in?"

"I don't know why we got in and you can't."

"Hm." Dumbledore shifted some papers on his desk. "The basilisk – you say that it died?"

"Yes, sir." Essentially, Toshiro thought.

"Very good. If there is no further danger from the Chamber, then we shall leave it in peace. You seem to like your peace."

"Sir?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Like I said, do not condemn all witches and wizards for whatever grievance one might have given you. Trouble is brewing, Mr. Hitsugaya. We will need all wands to fend off the storm. Now, I believe you have finals soon. You should hurry and study."

"Yes, sir." Toshiro stood, bowed slightly, and left. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and leaned against the cool wall next to the statue of the gargoyle. He looked at its carved stone eyes and said, "You're probably the only one in the world who understands the Headmaster."

He sighed and pushed off the wall to head back to the common room when he heard the creaking of stone behind him. He turned and saw the gargoyle uncurling from its post, jumping lightly down, and padding softly up to him. It paused for a moment, its cold eyes staring into his, then flicking down to the band of ice around his arm. Then, with a sudden, lurching motion, it rose up onto its back legs, put its forepaws on his shoulders, and its chin on the top of his head. Toshiro stood motionless, wondering if this was a hug or if the statue was going to try and eat him before it backed down and returned to its post, resuming its position as if it had never moved.

Toshiro stepped forward and put his hand on its arching paw. "Thank you," he said, and walked away.

"I have several final announcements," Dumbledore said, still talking. "First, I am happy to welcome back Hagrid, who has been cleared of all charges." The school clapped politely for the giant man, who was sitting at the head table in his usual spot. Hagrid beamed at them all, though he looked relieved when Dumbledore started talking again.

"Next, as you can all tell by the colors, I would like to congratulate Slytherin on winning the House Cup." The Slytherins stood and cheered loudly while Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff clapped quietly, and Gryffindor sat in moody silence. Toshiro rolled his eyes.

Whoever thought that dividing the school into Houses was a good idea should be punished, he thought. Nothing good has come of it.

"Finally, Professor Lockhart has been permanently relieved of his post." This time the whole school, and a few of the teachers cheered. Toshiro joined in, though he simply clapped, as befitting a Captain.

"And now, eat!"

The next day was chaotic, with people shouting and rushing to pack, accusing others of taking their things, and excitedly talking about their summer break. As Toshiro passed the trio, he heard Harry saying something about a Dobby and a sock.

He went up to the owl tower and called to Athena, who swooped down and landed on his shoulder. She had grown a little over the year, but not much. He whispered to her as he walked back to the common room.

"We're not going home for the summer. My mission has been extended to babysitting." Athena chirped softly. "Sorry, I don't know what you're saying."

The train ride was long and uncomfortable. He rode in one of the open cars that had tables lining the walls instead of compartments. He put his trunk and owl cage into his bag, which also held some books and his zanpakuto. He had exited his gigai in the Tower when he was alone and put it into his trunk. It was amusing to see the children's strange looks at his uniform, though he was happy that they didn't notice that he was technically a solid spirit. Athena stayed on the table, glaring and chirping angrily at anyone who tried to sit across from Toshiro.

He spent most of the ride reading, and was disappointed when the train slowed to a stop, the piercing whistle signaling their arrival at the station. He got up and opened a window. "Follow me from the air," he whispered, and Athena launched into the sky. He then turned, picked up his bag, took a deep breath, and left the train to go inform the children of his assignment.

He found them in a small group beyond the barrier, amongst the muggles. Harry was giving Ron and Hermione each a sheet of paper as he approached. Hermione was the first to notice his arrival. "Hitsugaya!"

Harry nodded a greeting, but Ron simply looked away. Well, that's an improvement. He's not accusing me of trying to eat them.

"Potter, Granger, Weasley." He nodded to them. "I believe I told you that I am here on a mission to eliminate Voldemort?"

They winced at the name but nodded.

"Good. I should inform you, then, that my mission has been expanded. Since you-" He nodded to Harry, "have developed powers, I am to accompany you during the summer and make sure you do not lose control of them."

As expected, Harry did not like this idea. "Doesn't this thing control them?" He lifted his arm, which had the bracelet.

"No. It restrains them. But if something happens to it or it stops working, then I need to be there." He decided against telling them the rest of his orders on the subject, seeing as they would probably panic. "Look, there is nothing you can do about it, and I cannot disobey. Your family will not be able to see me, so you don't have to worry about them." He held up a hand to stop their questions. "From all that you've told me of them, they are as muggle as muggles can get."

Harry glared at him before sighing. "I can't convince you not to follow me?"

"No. I have strict orders."

"Fine," Harry groaned. "Look, just don't get me in trouble, all right?"

"I have no intention of it."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Great. See you guys." He waved to Ron and Hermione and turned, lugging his trolley. Toshiro turned to the remaining children.

"I promise you, I have no intention of consuming his soul," he said, mostly to Ron.

"Don't hurt him," the boy said quietly. Toshiro studied him for a moment.

"I will not. I give you my word."

Ron nodded and Hermione stepped forward to hug him. "I'm going to miss you!"

Toshiro forced himself to pat her back. "Yes, that is – okay." He pried her arms off him and stepped back. "Here, if you need to get ahold of me." He handed them each a paper with the number for his soul phone on it. He looked Ron, who looked surprised, straight in the eye. "I am trusting you. I know you don't believe it now, but the stories you were told are not true. With time you shall see that. Good bye. I will see you in September."

He turned on his heel and walked briskly away, following the faint trail of Harry's reiatsu. Even with a restrainer on, it was impossible to completely mask it. He saw the boy getting into a blue car with a very large man and boy and a very thin woman.

So these are the Dursleys. He followed the car from far above. Athena met him there, and he let her land on his shoulder. "We're following Potter home," he said to her. "I don't like it, but I have orders."

She chirped.

"I still don't understand you, but that's fine. You'll be my only friend while I'm there. Not that I had many at Hogwarts." He paused to shunpo forward. "Sorry. You'd better get used to that."

Athena bit his ear.

"Hey! Fine, I'll give you warning next time. Just don't do that!" Athena resettled her wings.

He watched the car wind its way through London traffic and sighed. "I know he ordered me to do this because it's my fault he developed powers, but I'm a Captain! There has to be something more productive for me to do."

Deciding that he could just follow the boy's spiritual ribbon, he landed on the roof of an ornate building to wait. "Peace is so boring." He watched a human wearing a red uniform and a large, shaggy black hat march back and forth. People were gathered not far away, taking pictures of him. "What are they doing?"

He stood and told Athena, "You'd better get off now. I don't think the humans would take kindly to seeing you floating in midair."

She chirped and took off. Toshiro jumped down to the ground. He watched the human in red pace. "Well, as long as I'm here, I might as well look around." He turned and shunpoed off.

From across the street, a tall figure wearing muggle clothes watched a small boy with white hair jump from the roof, land lightly on the ground, and disappear moments later.

"Now, what are you?" he murmured softly. "Little boy, what secrets do you hold?" He turned and vanished amongst the crowd of people.

Fin

Whew! Finally the end! This has been a long story, and I am going to continue it in Year 3: The End of the Light.

I had so much fun writing this, and I hope you all had fun reading it. I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed. And, to everyone who has read and kept with the story for so long, thank you. I hope to see you in the next story. You have all been wonderful, and I am grateful that so many people have read it.

I'll see you next time!