Partners In Crime
A/N: Takes place towards the end of Book 5 : Order of the Phoenix, in the middle of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. AU.
In the Veil Room, located deep within the Ministry of Magic, Neville and Harry once again found themselves surrounded by Death Eaters. Harry instinctively clutched the prophecy tightly in his fingers, as the lead Death Eater stepped forward.
"Hand over the prophecy, Boy!" called out Lucius Malfoy.
Harry was beginning to see how hopeless the situation was, and felt even worse knowing it was all his fault. It was his fault Ron had tangled up with the brain, Luna and Ginny were both hurt, and worst of all Hermione had been severely injured by Dolohov's flame cutter curse. Neville was the only one left standing with him. He had dragged them with him, and now it was up to him to figure out a way to get out.
"Let the others go, and I'll give it up" said Harry, trying to come up with a way for them all to escape. There was a slim chance Lucius wouldn't care what happened to them as long as he had the prophecy.
"You're not really in any position to bargain, are you? There's ten of us, and only two of you. You're outnumbered. Now, GIVE ME THE PROPHECY!" He emphasized his last four words by taking four steps closer.
Harry briefly considered throwing the prophecy as far as he could, in order to buy time to make a run for it. Thoughts of that were banished when one after another, three Death Eaters were struck in the chest with bright red flashes, presumably stunners by the way they just collapsed.
"Look!" called Neville, directing Harry's attention. Sprinting into the room Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Kingsley and Moody. The Order had arrived. It was just the distraction they needed.
"REDUCTOR!" Harry fired off a quick curse and took off running, pulling Neville in his wake.
'Got to get out...got to get to the others and get out...must escape'... were the thoughts running through Harry's head as he and Neville avoided debris and ricocheting curses. They weaved their way to the top, only to see the way once again blocked by Lucius Malfoy.
"There's no running away now Potter. Your "rescuers" are all too busy to help you now. Hand it over."
"Don't give it to him, Harry" chimed Neville.
"Ah Yes, the bumbling Longbottom. If I can't kill you, Harry, I shall have to say your friend will suffice. Now...AVADA...
That was as far as his killing curse got.
"STUPIFY! INCARCEROUS!
The stunning spell struck as ropes sprung out and tightened around Lucius. Neville and Harry looked to see who had saved them. There in the entrance, wearing a mask of fury Harry had only seen once before, was none other than Albus Dumbledore. The Headmaster moved with a grace defying his age, rapidly taking care of the first three Death Eaters that moved to face him. Avery, Macnair, and Crabbe soon joined Lucius stunned and bound.
Harry took the chance to look around and see how the others were faring. Kingsley was taking on two at a time while managing to hold his own. The Auror was keeping one at bay with a mass of conjured bees, while launching several curses at the other. Tonks was laying in a heap next to a wall but Harry noticed she was slowly trying to pick herself up. Bellatrix moved on to help her husband battle Sirius.
"Neville, take this. I've got to help him." Harry passed the glass ball over, which Neville placed in his tattered robes, and went to join his godfather. Joining his side, Sirius and Harry began a furious assault on the husband and wife. Not expecting the resistance, Rodolphus and Bellatrix backed into the center of the Death Room.
Things were looking up for the light side. Kinsley and Remus were tending to the injured tonks and Moody, while Dumbledore was making his way to the only remaining fight, with all the other Death Eaters incapacitated. It was that moment two curses found there marks, as Harry's Reductor hit Rodolphus, and Bellatrix's hit Sirius a glancing blow on the shoulder. Both were sent flying backwards. Unfortunately, behind Sirius was the Veil. Harry could only watch as his godfather passed through and disappear from view.
"NO!!" Harry heard the scream without realizing it was coming from him. Harry made to follow him, but was quickly restrained by Lupin.
"He's gone Harry. He's dead"
"No, I can't lose him Moony!" Calling on a strength he had never felt before, Harry quickly shrugged off the werewolf, and the last anyone saw of the Boy-who-lived was Harry diving through the veil in the wake of his godfather.
2 months later...
Two cloaked figures made their way down Diagon Alley. It didn't seem out of place, most people were scurrying, glancing around without trying to attract too much attention. It seemed the state of things were getting pretty bad with Voldemort still out there.
"Where to first?" stated the slightly taller of the two.
"Gringotts obviously. Trunk shop next, I believe. I want one of those magically enlarged ones like Mad-Eye has. The apothecary, Ollivander's, Madam Malkin's, Flourish and Blotts, and finally out into the muggle world. I need a new wardrobe, and other accessories of course."
"You know, you're sounding like a bloody chick with all this shopping you wanna do".
"Shut it, smartass. There's a good reason for all of those destinations."
"Well, don't let me keep you Oh Chosen One."
"Fuck you." as he aimed a punch at his shoulder, which the other deftly sidestepped.
The two made their way to the Gringotts, the wizarding bank. The white, marble building stuck out in the dark imposing atmosphere that had struck the Alley. Entering, the two stopped for a moment.
"Are you sure you want to do this? You don't mind not being my guardian anymore?"
"For the last time, yes. Emancipation will give you more freedom to make the choices you need to make. It gives you more control of you, all decisions won't be made on your behalf, but by you. You'll be an adult in every sense. That's not something I should keep from you. And no longer being your guardian doesn't make me any less your godfather. Besides, there's also an added benefit that you'll soon find out."
"Alright, as long as you're sure."
They made their way to the front.
"Can I help you?" rudely greeted a goblin.
"Yes." replied the adult, slipping a pouch of galleons onto the desk. "We need to confidentially arrange this young man's emancipation, and all benefits entitled to that. Then we both need to take a trip down to our vaults. And finally we need a way to spend money without having to run back here whenever we get low. All to be done quietly, I shouldn't need to add.
Quickly making the money pouch disappear into one of his many pockets, the goblin gave them a very toothy smile.
"Gentlemen, if you would please follow me."
Four hours later the two had completed their business at the bank and finished the shopping in Diagon Alley. They made their way through the Leaky Cauldron and out into Muggle London.
"So...where can a growing boy get regular clothes and such?"
"That good sir, is a question I am fully qualified to answer. I happen to have once dated a nice lady, who happened to be the manager of an upstanding department store a few miles north of here. I spent a lot of time there. "
"That's good and all, but how exactly are we supposed to get there? You're lazy ass sure isn't going to walk there."
"The mouth on you lad. I am definitely a bad influence on you, and I'm more the prouder for it. And the answer to your question, young one, is here." Saying that, he handed the slightly smaller man a pouch.
Opening the pouch, he pulled out a set of documents and a key ring.
"Drivers license, passport, birth certificate, other forms of id, and a key ring to a non-existent car."
"First off those are all documents you will need. Secondly, who said non-existent? And finally, who said anything about a car?"
"Now I'm confused."
"Good. Hang on." He said this as he grabbed his companion and side-along apparated to a driveway. There sat two black motorcycles.
"You can't be serious!"
"Funny you should say that, because I am." With a broad grin the man pulled his own key out and sat on one of the bikes. "This one obviously is mine. I bought you that one a while ago intending to give it to you on your 17th birthday. I'm just changing plans. I'm sure with all of your newfound knowledge knowing how to ride a bike won't be too hard. Are we going to get going, or shall we just stand here with our thumbs up our asses. Keep it simple and just follow me."
With that, he took off down the street, leaving his companion to hurry up and get going. With a whoop, he tore off after his partner. The feeling was amazing, closely comparing to the feeling he got on his broom.
This is awesome!!
I'm glad you think so.
Whoa...still getting used to this talking in each others head thing.
There's a lot of things we're both still getting used to. Now just enjoy the ride, we'll talk later.
Rapidly gaining speed, his companion had no choice but to speed up and follow. All too soon they reached their destination. Making their way inside, they both felt a little overwhelmed at the size of the place.
"Umm...where to first?" asked the slightly shorter one.
"Clothes this way." replied the other, pointing to the right. "You know what you're looking for?"
"Besides robes and such, I've never had my own clothes before."
"Well then, lets get you looking like a million quid. We want you to make an impression on your return back to school."
At his words his friend fell into such a fit of laughter, he barely remained standing.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, just thinking how funny it would be if we walked in to Hogwarts and the first words out of people were 'what, what two finely-dressed gentlemen'. Hilarious."
Seeing the humor, his companion joined him for a chuckle.
"Lets get you a wardrobe, Golden Boy."
"Prick.
