One Tin Soldier

Chapter 28: Mount Your Horses Take Two

Albus Dumbledore was a wizard on a mission as he walked through the corridors of the Ministry. He had been informed by one of his contacts that Harry had gone to the Ministry for the day.

'What was the boy doing now!? It's too dangerous for him to be running around the Ministry alone.'

The old wizard was now firmly convinced that Harry was going Dark. Was the boy there to undermine all of his hard work? He didn't think that the lad had the power base yet to go against him, but he couldn't be certain.

Albus knew he had to find and stop Harry Potter from doing whatever it was he was doing.

When he arrived, Albus couldn't find the Potter heir anywhere. All of his contacts within the ministry hadn't seen him, which was strange. Finally, he had been told by a clerk that Lord Potter and several strangely dressed companions were seen being escorted to the Department of Mysteries by an Unspeakable.

Albus frowned. What was going on now?

He entered the chamber of the veil in time to see Harry binding the Unspeakable with that strange magic of his.

"WAIT! STOP!" he shouted. "Harry! Release him at once!"

Sirius and Remus started to snicker watching the Unspeakable struggle against the Kido bond.

"I don't think it's funny. Release him, Harry my boy," Albus chided.

Harry frowned. "Unless he realizes that he and the rest of the Unspeakables cannot stop what's coming then I won't." Turning to the amused Urahara, he asked, "Are you sure Ichigo'll make it? What's a cleaner?" What's a Dangai?"

Urahara tugged his hat down to hide his eyes. "The cleaner's just as its name implies. It sweeps the Dangai, or in English – the Precipice World – the tunnel that connects both the Living World and the Soul Society. Every seven days, it cleans anything and everything it comes in contact with. Don't worry, Ichigo has met with the cleaner before and know to be careful."

Everyone, including Albus, paled as Urahara explained what the Dangai was and the danger Ichigo was running through. The Unspeakable stopped struggling as he too was listening.

"You act as if he will return. Everyone knows that no one ever returns once they enter the Veil. It's a death sentence," Albus argued vehemently.

"Anyone living, yes, but Ichigo's different. He entered in his soul form," Urahara reassured everyone as they all turned to look at the teen standing next to Harry.

The kneeling Unspeakable continued to protest. "But, we need to study this. It was one of Merlin's last requests."

"The Living should not meddle in the affairs of the Afterlife. The Soul Society takes their duty very seriously," Urahara explained as he took measurements of the stone arch. "Go ahead harry and release him. Ichigo's probably there already and speaking with the Head Commander by now."

"You speak as if you know what's behind the Veil?" the Unspeakable shuddered. He flexed his freed hands as he stood.

"Hey Harry, do you think Nee-san will be with him?" Kon asked, hopefully.

"I don't see why not, Kon," Harry said. "Rukia's Ichigo's friend and contact within the Soul Society. According to him, he's never allowed to go unescorted when he's there."

"Nee-san, nee-san, come back to me," Kon chanted as he wiggled happily. Harry slapped him on the back of his head and told him to behave.

Albus was confused. This wasn't the same orange-haired youth that fought at Riddle Manor. Just what in Merlin's name was going on?