Based on PMs and reviews from last chapter, many people aren't satisfied with my lack of enough action. To be honest, I thought Voldemort was trying to hurry the original battle with Dumbledore, to make sure he leaves before the Ministry arrived. He was so close to making it, but was a little too late. That's why I kept the Voldemort battle brief.

However, to try to help appease those fans, I'll be taking a break from Sage Mode and Magic, between Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince. Part of the reason is to better map out what I want to happen in the next book. Also, during this time, I'll focus on Kana Kronicles, a Teen Titans/Kingdom Hearts crossover, and Pokemon at the Chunin Exams, you can guess what crossover. These two stories are much more action based, allowing me to gain experience in action writing. When I'm comfortable with making good action scenes, and I have a good enough sketch of the storyline, I'll resume Sage Mode and Magic.

The Daily Prophet was finally wide open about the truth. Naruto found it funny that they bought the Quibbler's article and tried to claim it was new and original. Probably because they didn't want to promote the Quibbler, nor admit they got it from there. Thankfully, none of the students that went to the Department of Mysteries were seriously injured, and in fact gained House Points for it. However, Umbridge was returned from the mermaid realm and currently resided in the hospital. She was covered in scars and had a small spear lodged into her right foot. Many a visiting student found it amusing to cast Aquamenti at her.

Since Umbridge was out of commission, and out of a job, Naruto resumed his work making a dock and pool with Syrena. It was hard work, but it was finished before the end of term feast. While working together, Syrena asked about Naruto's home, and he shared a lot with her. She still thought about her tribe moving to the waters around his home, and her gills would softly hum whenever she did. Naruto thought it was a sign of excitement.

One day, when the work was almost done, Syrena came a little late. "Alone, friend of Naruto, there. Sadness, dark and deep, he has." Syrena pointed back along the coast. Looking over there, Naruto saw Harry sitting, staring over the lake. Naruto decided to leave the Clones to their work and go talk to him.

Harry didn't acknowledge Naruto's arrival, so he sat down near Harry. After a tense minute, Naruto tried to guess what was wrong. It wasn't too hard. "You miss him, don't you?" Harry still didn't respond. "I think I know how you feel. Old Man Hokage was my godfather. During the Chunin exams, I ran into Orochimaru. He was banished from Konoha, and assumed long gone. But he came back, and wanted Sasuke, my partner, and war. I knew he was there, but not why. I should have told somebody, but didn't. A month later, he attacked my village. We won, but my godfather died, and everybody knew Orochimaru did it. For a long time, I would have given anything to go back, to warn him, and to save him."

When Naruto stopped talking, he noticed Harry was now looking at him. "Do you still want to?"

"... Maybe," Naruto admitted.

Harry thought for a minute. "How did you handle it?"

"You mean, how did I move past it?" Harry nodded. "I don't think I ever will, not completely. But I found a new family. Jiraiya became my new guardian, and my friends became my family. Their care for me, and my care for them, helped me recover from my grief."

Harry remained silent, but still looked at Naruto. "Give your friends a chance," Naruto tried again. "Don't push them away, love them as much as you want to be loved. It will take time, but you can move past your loss." The clock struck in the background, jarring both Harry and Naruto. "It's almost dinnertime. Do you want to eat, or help me build until it's time? It's almost done, and I want to finish it now."

Harry thought for a minute, then got up to leave. However, he turned back after a few steps. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Naruto asked.

"For not believing you," Harry replied.

Naruto understood; this was about the dream Voldemort showed him. "I forgave you a long time ago." That statement shocked Harry. "That's what friends do."

Harry couldn't quite understand it. This boy had protected him, opened up to him, and was a great friend the whole time. Even when Harry betrayed him, Naruto kept caring. Hearing that somebody could love a new person like that was too much. Harry started to cry, but left before it could be seen. Harry knew Naruto was right though; the best way to overcome your love for lost ones was to love others just as much. Determined to do better, Harry returned to his friends.

With a few minutes to spare, Naruto and Syrena finished it. The dock led to a shelter, large enough for the average class and a half to have desk space and a pool large enough for even the giant squid. In the pool, Naruto installed a large door which used a weight and gear system, as well as a smaller door with a simple sliding latch for the mermaids. The larger door could only be opened from outside the hut, while the mermaid door worked from both sides of the pool floor.

When Syrena's father came to check on the work, he was impressed. "Great, the place of land and water, it is."

"Well," Naruto admitted, "this isn't the first time I helped construct a bridge over water. I had some experience."

"Visit, this place and often, can I?" Syrena begged her father.

When he looked at her, she turned to look at Naruto, gills humming. Syrena's father looked intently at Naruto, almost frowning. "Permission, to visit and often, I give. Needed, three guards, there must be. Located, inside and outside, they will be."

"I understand," Naruto told him. "I'll let Dumbledore know as soon as I can that this is finished. He may then talk with you about how this place will be used."

With the dinner gong ringing for the end of term feast, Naruto quickly left. To his joy, he had extra Ramen at his plate, which didn't seem to run empty. There was also a note, saying that Dumbledore wanted to meet Naruto after the feast.

The Slytherin table was unusual tonight. The children whose parents joined Voldemort were huddled together, trying not to say or do anything and get noticed. The rest of the table was divided. There were some kids who thought the Ministry was dumb and needed replacement. They tried to get in with the Death Eater kids, but they weren't as open about it as they were. Some of the Slytherins joined Naruto. As it turns out, not only Adrian was opposed to Voldemort. Naruto figured a good quarter of the table would have been good candidates for the DA.

After the main course was over, Dumbledore stood up, quickly gathering everybody's attention. "Another year has gone by. I wish that this feast was as festive as it was in years past. Unfortunately, grave news has prevented the joy from fully setting in. Voldemort has revealed his return, and now moves openly against the Ministry of Magic." Quite a few murmurs grew from that statement. "As such, things will change. Outside of Hogwarts, things will become like the last time Voldemort was in power. Fear shall reign, and trust shall be lost. But if we want to stand against him, we must find our courage to overcome our fear, and we must trust those whom we are with. Those that wish to stay the summer at Hogwarts, please get written permission from your parents two days before everyone boards the Hogwarts Express.

"Next year, we shall reinstate the Dueling Club. Those that wish to learn defensive magic and spells to protect yourselves and your family, you are free to join. However, this Club will not teach you offensive curses, but spells intended to promote peace and protection."

"As a final order of business, we will present the House Cup." There were mild groans from the crowd, the Inquisitorial Squad had ruined the other House's chances of winning. "In fourth place, with 85 points: Hufflepuff." There were scattered claps. "Third, with 142 points: Ravenclaw." This got barely any more celebration than the Hufflepuffs. "Second, with 268 points: Gryffindor." There was actually decent applause for them; Naruto figured it was because of Harry's stunt at the Ministry.

"Now, before I announce the final tally, there is something I wish to do." This got the whole hall quiet. "I am aware of a group known as the Inquisitorial Squad. Taken completely from the Slytherin House, and under the authority of Professor Umbridge, they were allowed to take points from anyone they chose. Many members of this group abused their new-found power, reducing their fellow Houses to almost nothing for no real reason. Before revealing the final House score, I put my trust in the enchantment of the point system. I now revoke this authority and position, and hereby deduct points from all members of the Inquisitorial Squad individually, equal to one third the points that he, or she, has taken from other houses as an abuse of said power and not as a proper, well-deserved consequence."

That sentence shocked the hall. Considering how many points they would have had without the IS, everyone watched the Slytherin Points glass almost unblinkingly. The Gryffindors watched the most intently, since they went to 0 because of them. The Slytherins also looked on, fearful yet glad that Dumbledore only decided to take away a third of the points. Sure enough, the jewels began to ascend. Person by person, there were pauses to let everyone know individual consequences without revealing the identity of the individual. There was one particular person who lost his house about four times as much as the rest. Turning from the large volume, everyone stared at Malfoy. While even he himself couldn't prove the connection, he looked down and away from his fellow House mates. However, since Malfoy could take away points by his Prefect privileges, Naruto believed it was somebody else.

Finally, the emeralds stopped ascending. It was a clear win, but everybody looked on for the total score. Seeing the silence and the stares, Dumbledore glanced down at a page on his podium; it apparently updated the score. "I announce that Slytherin House has... 129 points." He then clapped his hands, revealing red and gold banners above the entire Great Hall. "Gryffindor wins the House Cup!"

With that last announcement, cheers erupted from four tables. The professors joined the class in celebrating the victory of Gryffindor, made possible by Harry's bravery. The angry Slytherin students turned on the formers members of the IS, blaming them for losing what was over a 250 point lead. All the points from Quidditch, especially with half the Gryffindor team out of action, amounted to nothing compared to what was lost.

With most of the hall merry, desserts were served. While most of Slytherin lost their appetite, Naruto, Adrian, and a few others agreed that what was done was deserved. After eating his fill, Naruto went up to Dumbledore's office. There, Dumbledore was waiting at his desk. Fukasaku was also there, Dumbledore had a small chair placed on the right side of the desk. "Naruto, please sit down," Dumbledore requested. "There's something we wish to discuss. Fukasaku and myself would like you to spend the summer break at Hogwarts."

"WHAT?!" Naruto shouted. "I wanted to spend the time at Order Headquarters. Help out on a mission or two. Get to see my friends!"

"And you may," Dumbledore responded. "However, we feel that there is something more important for you to do."

"Professor Dumbledore," Pa spoke up, "may have a way to help you control the Kyuubi." That news shocked Naruto. "A few nights ago, he called me in here to ask about the Demon Fox. I told him what I knew, and what you said the Sorting Hat said; that you need to overcome your dark side before you can control it. We may have a way to do it."

"Years ago," Dumbledore explained, "I altered an enchanted mirror, the Mirror of Erised. Its original purpose was to show the viewer their deepest desires. I changed it to be a lock, openly only by a certain desire. I have now made it possible to allow yourself to enter a room with your dark side. There, you can face him as many times as you need. Should you fail the first time, you can leave the mirror, but your dark side can't. Hopefully, after you succeed, you'll be ready for the next step."

"Why can't I do it at Headquarters?" Naruto asked.

"Because I'm not sure how well the Mirror can handle your chakra," Dumbledore answered. "If the mirror fails to contain your dark side, or if it breaks, I would like to be close by to correct the problem."

"I understand," Naruto relented.

"Thank you Naruto-Boy," Pa told him. "There's something else. After the incident at the Department of Mysteries, the difference in our time and Konoha's time changed. We think that somehow, that portal affected both worlds' space-time speed." Naruto was confused by that. "It's like... moving weights up and down a balancing scale. The portal drew us together from different sides of the scale that measures speed, then released us at a different balance."

Naruto got it now. "So, is Pein's attack sooner?"

"Maybe," Pa spoke up. "The space-time difference has changed twice, including the time you opened it. Currently, it's twice as fast as before, which is still very slow. But that's not important. Somehow, Voldemort got the portal open. Depending on how often he uses it, time can be slower or faster."

"But why would he use the portal?" Naruto asked.

"I fear," Dumbledore hesitantly spoke up, "that he's looking for something. Or someone. But this mystery has too few clues for us to answer now. But it is clear that we must hurry to find a way to return you to your world. If the difference makes us faster, you may not be able to stop Pein in time."

"I understand," Naruto told them.

"Good," Dumbledore said. "Now before you go, is there anything you wish to tell me?"

"My project at the lake is finished," Naruto told him. "The mermaids want to discuss its use with you."

"I suppose," Dumbledore stood up, "that I shouldn't keep them waiting. I too would like to discuss the Naruto Pool with them. Good night, Naruto."

Sirius took a long gasp of air as he fell to the ground. He then realized that he was breathing; he was somehow alive again! Looking around, he saw he was in a stone clearing, in the open air, with a stone arch behind him. He then realized he wasn't alone. In front of him was a group of people. They had weird and disgusting similarities. Their cloaks were black with red things that were almost swirls, all had intense tatoos through their whole bodies, and all had orange hair. But what startled him the most were their eyes. Every single one was purple with three rings.

The leader seemed to be standing over him. "You are lucky I got to you in time. You will now answer my question. " Another of the people quickly grabbed Sirius, raising him into the air. Then, a giant head appeared through purple flames behind the figure. Its tongue then latched to Sirius' mouth. "This is what gave you life. And it can take it back. Answer my questions truthfully, and you may live. In this area, I sensed my target, the Demon Fox. What do you know about it?"

Sirius was at a loss as to what this person was talking about, but knew a threat to his life when he saw one. Luckily, his wand was still in his hand. With all the strength he could muster, he pointed the wand at his aggressor and tried to cast a silent spell. However, nothing happened. One option down, he tried to turn back into a light mist to escape, with similar success.

"Are you trying to escape?" the leader asked, emotionless. "Perhaps I should rip out your life, and your knowledge with it."

"There's no need for that," a voice spoke up. Everybody turned to the source. The archway now opened to show a figure Sirirus feared, Lord Voldemort. Next to him was a statue of a large toad. "This, 'Demon Fox' of yours, is in my country. If you do something for me, I can help you get him."

The leader walked up to the portal, but not close enough to interact with it. "And what do you want in return?"

"Your Fox has aligned himself with two people I want dead. Together, we can catch all three of our prey."

"And what are their names?"

"Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter," Voldemort smiled, then turned to Sirius. "Let him live, for now. If we can't get them by force, then this man will be key to bringing all three to us."

And that is how you end Book 1 of Sage Mode and Magic!

Review/PM Responses:

Guest (Chapter 1) Naruto is a pale faced freak in a cloak. He uses serpents for his bidding, knows Forbidden techniques, and more similarities.

Guest (Chapter 11): I hope you see by now that Naruto's 'Side Quest' with the mermaids had a point, and a potential future point.

KK: I admit that chapter was rushed, but I'm not good at action scenes and don't like short chapters. I also couldn't figure if Naruto could do ANYTHING about the Voldemort possession. I completely agree about prophecies. Like the result of the climax? I thought Naruto soothed Harry's anger before Dumbledore arrived.

: The Dark Servant should be obvious now. I'm currently not planning on going too far into the Ninja World, but extensive episode viewing may give me the confidence to go through with it. But moving people into the Potterverse; I'm planning at least two. Since I'm not sure if Harry will join Naruto in the Ninja War, I can't say for certain whether or not it will happen. Once I get through Harry Potter, I'll look into Naruto.

lovinaelita: I'm not sure what the pairings are right now. I admit that sometimes, I imagine what the characters are like, how they'd react or interact, and my fingers surprise me with what comes out. The mermaids, Naruto's first meeting with Malfoy and Peeves, and more were pure unexpected typos I liked.

Until I'm comfortable enough to return.

AnonymousGX