Center Piece
By: LoonyEC
Chapter 2: Begin Point
Alistair ignored the curious and horrified onlookers of the faculty staff members as he proceeds to head first to the Headmaster's office. A stern-looking woman wearing a green cloak and a witch hat walk towards him. She stopped him as she stood in front of the Griffin Statue. Her eyes were narrowed and her lips set into a firm line as she stood still not making a move.
Alistair rolled his eyes as he glared at the woman that he knew to be the Deputy Headmistress.
"Step aside woman, can't yer' see I have business to attend?" Alistair was forced to stop when she made no move.
"Who are you and why is a muggle like you doing here at Hogwarts?" Minerva McGonagall spoke with authority.
"A muggle am I?" Alistair glanced briefly at his attire. He wore his usual army clothes of blue, white and black. But hey, he wore a brown cloak he could still pass of as a wizard if he wanted too. But thanks to his brisk walking his cloak parted open to reveal what he was wearing. He cursed under his breath for his carelessness.
"My name is Alistair Kirkland and I have business with your Headmaster." He glared coldly at the witch. "And I am not telling you what unless you let me pass."
"It is my business for I am the Deputy Headmistress and if it concerns to the Headmaster then it concerns to me as well." Minerva scowled darkly at him for his attitude towards her. Christ, she acted like a female version of his little brother with the way she express herself it may look like she had a stick up her arse, Alistair thought as he bit back a snicker.
"If you want to know, you old hag, than find by me for I have no time for idle chat so move your damn arse already." Alistair snapped at her. He roughly pushed her aside causing her to stumble. He glanced at the statue of the Griffin before snapping his fingers together making the statue instantly jumped to reveal a stairway.
Minerva gasped at the action and she made her move to stop him once again but the man already went up. She glanced around her to find her fellow teachers frozen in surprise and shock.
What kind of muggle is he? Wandlessly magicking the statue open without giving a password. Impossible. No one could have done it, except maybe the Four Founders, for the past thousands of years for Hogwarts won't let anyone perform magick inside the stone walls without the Headmaster's consent or the castle itself.
Unless this man is not a muggle but something else entirely, Severus Snape thought while clutching his arm subconsciously where he knew the accursed mark hid.
Alistair finally made it to the room as he pushed the double doors open to reveal the Headmaster munching happily on his favorite treat.
"Albus, you bloody wanker, why didn't you come down and stopped your bitch from coming at me." Alistair barked at the old man who stopped in mid-bite at his lemon drop to stare with curious eyes at the red-haired Scottish man.
"Language old friend." Albus Dumbledore stood up from his seat and went down to face his friend.
"Whatever, old bastard." Alistair watched Albus transfigured a seat for him to take. He took it and sat ungracefully as he crossed his arms. "The old hag will be coming here soon. I want this to be a private chat, old geezer."
Albus smiled at him and then he chuckled. "Who are you calling old, Alistair?"
"Tche." Alistair said it under his breath. "Couldn't resist saying that, can you?"
"Albus! Albus!" As if on cue Minreva burst inside the room looking alarmed and furious. "A muggle man has come inside this room-!"
Minerva paused to digest the scene before here. The muggle man was there alright, sitting with a dark scowl on his face while Albus Dumbledore just smiled serenely at her.
"It's seemed that you met Alistair Kirkland, an old friend of mine, Minerva." Albus spoke.
"F-friend?" Minerva stuttered. "So he's telling the truth?"
"Do I look like I was lying to you?" Alistair spoke with a serious tone. "I told you I've come here for business."
"And what kind of business that you have for me, Alistair?" Albus questioned him but when Alistair made no move to continue he paused as he watch Alistair made a pointed look at him then at Minerva. "I see. Minerva be a dear and step out for a bit. I believe that this will be a private chat."
Minerva scowled at him before glaring at the smirking muggle. She turned around and with a huff she left the room leaving the two men alone.
"Please be kind to my Headmistress, Alistair." Albus sighed tiredly.
"I will if only she got herself laid." Alistair look bored as he said this.
"Alistair." Albus warned at him.
"She disrespected me first." Alistair frowned at him when Albus gave him a slight glare.
"I believe in her defense she doesn't know who you are and how important of your status."
"Neither did you until you felt something that you are compel to obey me." Alistair smirked darkly at him when Albus didn't say anything further. "Anyway, I came here on my little brother's stead. He wanted to discuss some things to you about the boy that you have though he is too busy to come by himself so he send me instead."
"And what does he wish to talk about that is regarding to Harry?"
"About your so-called 'plan'." Alistair made a quotation mark. "Let us have the boy."
Albus eyes widen behind him moon-shaped spectacles. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me." Alistair leaned back as he crossed his leg over the other. "Arthur doesn't like it; I don't like it so you will let us have the boy."
"I believe I don't follow."
"Don't be daft, Albus. You maybe an old fool but you're not daft. Don't make me repeat myself."
Albus frowned at the man. To the eyes of a wizard or a witch they will assume him to be a simple muggle solider but he knew better. This man is a mystery. He can perform magic like theirs but without the aid of a wand. He could feel the magical aura that flows in him like waves, much more powerful than him or Voldemort. He wonders which one of the two brothers could be more powerful. He would bet on his old wand that it could be Arthur, knowing him and meting him three times in his life, yes, he is much more powerful than his brother. He had talked to him before, right after the day he left the boy on his relatives doorstep that he opened up to the man about his plans for the boy's future.
Who could resist the pull of your own home country? Of course you will feel immediate trust towards the man and to the Scottish one as well, oh if only he knew what they truly are but sadly Albus only had a vague idea on what kind of beings they are for he knew that they are only immortal creature and that they are not human nothing else that comes up to his mind at the moment.
"I cannot give you the boy. My plans have already set into motion, I can't stop now. The war is coming Alistair and I have found a way to stop it."
"Well you have a disgusting idea to end the war by using the boy as a scapegoat." Alistair coldly glared at him. "I hate to break it to you Albus but whether you like or not we're taking the boy. My brother had Seen his fate and he doesn't wish to let it happen unless he interferes."
Alistair stood up to take his leave but Albus made a move to pull his wand. "Stop."
Alistair eyed the wand with cold fury before he spoke in a cold tone. "Try and stop us Albus then you will have more than just a Wizarding war that you have to worry about."
Albus froze at those words before lowering his wand. "I won't let you have him."
Alistair smirked at him. "I'm giving you a chance then. I'll give you the time to catch him before he's gone. If you don't get to him on time then you're too late."
With that Alistair went out the door and left.
Minerva came in after the muggle man left. She looked at her Headmaster who stared at the empty seat with a tired face.
"I had done all I can for the greater good, Minerva."
"Sir?"
"Quickly take Severus with you and head out for Privet Drive, Harry is in danger."
Harry had woken up by the sound of clicking. He blearily opened his eyes but to find that his vision was all but a blur to his surroundings. He tried to make a move to fetch his glasses but it turns out he can't move a limb. Panic rise inside him as he struggles to break free whatever it is that is binding him. Fear clouded his common sense at the thought of Voldemort's followers finding him and that they had taken him right out from his home. Impossible, how could they have known where he lived? Professor Dumbledore made sure the Blood Wards will ward of people who wished to do ill-will against him. Could they have found a way?
Then he heard his friend's hooting.
"Hedwig!" Harry called to his friend and he heard another hoot. "Thank goodness you're okay."
Then the clicking became clear to him when his brain started to work.
Something crawled on to his face and he felt the feather-light hair brushed his bare skin. Fear crawled into his chest when he felt something unknown to him draws near and then a cool metal object placed on to his face. His vision cleared and to his great shocked he was surrounded.
By an eight-legged freaks. Ron's worst fear come to life; Spiders.
Harry struggled harder now trying with all his might to escape his binds which he found more to be web-silk. For such a fragile string the material seemed unbreakable somehow. Maybe because of the entire layer the web seemed to be thick? It's possible. Or that he had no more strength in him thanks to the lack of nourishment in his body or exercise for that matter.
"Hedwig!" He turned to his feathered-friend where he found her to be safe but still trapped in her cage. He glanced all around him and he realized that the spiders didn't move towards them. They just stand there on their webs starring at him with their eyes, all eight of them.
Worried for himself and for Hedwig but at the same time curious at the odd behavior of these insects, Harry tried to analyze his situation carefully without fear clouding his judgment. Last time he was in this similar situation before, minus being tied up, the giant spiders seemed eager for human flesh but this, they seemed docile and calm. They look like ordinary small spiders and not the ones that are huge and the size of a car. He wondered what's going to happen to him.
He glanced all around him and he found himself in some kind of muggle room (since you can tell if it is a Wizarding home were you can feel the magic, more specifically Security Wards, in the air) where he could find that he was lying on a comfortable bed. He found a window where the curtains are parted to reveal the sun was about to rise. He found a clock and it showed to be five-thirty in the morning, way too early for him to be awake. But right now sleep doesn't seemed precious to him unlike for his very life right now.
He tried to find his wand but he couldn't recall brining with him. At times like this he wished that he had learned some kind of wandless magic when your wand is out of a commission. Then one of the spiders, he counted mentally; twelve of them, move from their spot on the ceiling and started to split themselves into six. The first group started to move towards the door slipping under neat leaving the second group to move towards the spot near the cabinet drawer.
His trunk was there and on top of it is his wand.
Harry gave out a relief sigh. So far he wasn't in danger and the spiders didn't make a move to eat him alive or something. If he wasn't in some kind of Death Eater's lair then where is he? For the time being he would assume that he was safe.
Foot steps could be heard outside from this room. The door opens to reveal a silhouetted figure, analyzing the size of it; it turns out to be a male. So his kidnapper is a guy then. Shoot, Harry thought feeling nervous, I'm in trouble now.
"The-Boy-Who-Lived… you're awake." The stranger spoke with a strong voice that is filled with confidence.
England scowled at the American as he munched happily at his twenty-fifth bite of his McDonald burger. They arrived at London at exactly forty-five minutes and light shone from the horizon telling him that it was about to rise, beginning a new day. They were about to head out to England's mansion where it was just outside the city border and near towards the forest when America's stomach demanded food. And of course, the git he is steered England's car since he had taken the driver seat towards the nearest McDonalds. He ignored England's constant nagging regarding his health or weight as he devoured everything that he'd bought at the same time nearly giving out all his money away.
"America, please, if you're going to eat that heart attack-induce-burger chew it with your mouth closed." England tried again as he remind the blond haired teen about his lack of manners. "I raised you better than that, America."
And of course, the American ignored him as he slurped his coca-cola float. Loudly and obnoxiously.
England growled and said through his gritted teeth, "Just take us to my bloody home, you prat. And I need to call on someone by now."
Turns out, America had no problem obeying that as he starts the engine, bringing the car to life. He guides the vehicle and drove towards England's ancient mansion.
They didn't noticed four set of eyes starring at them.
When they arrived to England's Victorian style mansion England went straight towards his room to change. America went inside the mansion throwing his coat at the hanger and dropping his briefcase down as he went to make himself home. He went inside the living room to watch some T.V. show just to distract himself while he waits for England to finish whatever business that he had.
England slowly took of his suite and folded properly. He placed it on his bed and went towards his dress cabinet to pluck out some home clothing. He chose a white shirt with his Union Jack printed on the front and some warm fitting slacks. He changes his clothes quickly when he hears soft childish feminine giggling sound somewhere in his room. He blushed slightly and gave out an embarrassing cough before calling out to his friends.
Welcome home, England! All seven different colored faeries flew towards him. They glowed like rainbow fireflies as they twirled around to their mother land who gave out a wonderful laugh of joy.
"It's good to be home, my friends." England held out a hand where all seven gathered around. "Now can I ask you all a favor dearie?"
Anything, England. One red fairy said while the rest of her sisters agreed.
"Can you head towards The Land of Fantasia and asked the Queen of Spades for an urgent meeting. Tell the Queen that I'll be meeting him here at my own dimension at my own mansion in my room, say three days from now at midnight."
Don't worry England. A blue fairy flapped her butterfly-like wings that are decorated with the color of blue and black. Jade, Topaz and Ruby will come with me to Fantasia while the rest should stay here and help you if you need anything.
"Is that alright with you?" England smiled when they all agreed to Azure's idea. "Then I'm counting on you."
The color of blue, green, red and yellow flew from the room and went outside through the window. England then spoke to his remaining faeries quietly instructing them to head towards the place where he knew two people that he could trust to start initiating the mission. The faeries nodded their heads together and took off towards the window.
England watched them a little longer to see their remaining glowing colored pixie dusts disappear into the sky. Making sure they're completely out of his sight before he went out from his room and heading towards the stairs to find where he left America at the living room and instead of watching some British-channel he is now playing a video game. How did he find the game set? Is beyond him, but he knows for sure that he didn't own one. The git must have kept it in his house somewhere that he couldn't easily spot them.
"America would you like some tea?" England tried to act like a proper gentleman that he is and be a good host as he headed towards his kitchen. The American idiot didn't move at first before he spoke out loud so England could hear.
"Hell no! I'm not taking your crap, I want coffee! Black with extra sugar, Iggy!" America skillfully handles the controller like a pro and didn't see the look of fury from England when he glared at him.
"Fine! Bloody arse-hole…" He went for one of his secret stash that he hid from everyone who didn't know in order to pluck out that dreadful coffee. The wanker was lucky that he had some coffee in his own house because he was a good big brother and that a good big brother was considerate to his little brother's sudden disgusting taste for coffee. Hell, he would never understand it why he kept them anyway. He doesn't like coffee, he prefer the calming tea that he loved. He even wonders why he still loved that foolish boy.
England slowed down on making coffee and tea.
His hand slowly start making the process on heating the water by using his silver (real mind you) kettle as he thought about his feelings for the American bastard. For the past four hundred years and counting… he still held the boy close to his heart even it is a bit ragged.
He will never understand himself. The boy left him! He shouldn't cling to some selfish, childish hope for America to return to him. The boy is no longer his, never was to begin with. And yet…
He was the bigger fool.
A fool in love.
A burning sensation touched his flesh. England swore like a true privateer he was as he clutches his hand and sucks his fingers with his mouth; tears of pain sneak their way out. He heard shuffling from his living room and the loud noises from his T.V. stopped.
"Dude, what the hell happened?" England turned to face America, blushing in embarrassment all the way as he glared at him pitifully.
"Nothing, I just err- burn myself." England, feeling stupid for his action, turned quickly around in order not to see the mocking look that sure to come. But if England hadn't turn around so quick he would have seen the embarrass look on the boy's face at the sight of a cute and a blushing gentleman in front of him and the sudden fondness blossomed in those sky-blue eyes.
He didn't heard the American came to him but he was surprise to find large and calloused hands grasped gently with his own slender but small and scarred ones. He moved his body around to stare at the look of concentration in his eyes.
England felt nervous. America never acted kindly towards him before, well for a long time he hadn't after that Revolutionary War but feeling the sudden warmth in his hands that was lovingly held by those large ones… England couldn't describe the sudden lurch in his heart.
"A-Ameri-ca?" England stuttered when that face, that innocent face was now clouded with such seriousness he hadn't seen it for awhile made England feel uneasy. "What're you doing?"
He was glad that his voice stopped shaking.
"Inspecting the damaged, what else?" America nonchalantly said while reaching for something like a wet towel to cool of the sudden blistered of his skin. A new scar added to his collection then. "Jeeze, Iggy, you're such a klutz. I only left you, like what, ten minutes and already you hurt yourself? I guess you need me to play the Hero after all, huh?"
England twitched at the stupid grin that was on the asshole's face.
Instantly the air around him that made him look and feel mature evaporates in a blink of an eye and was replace with a child-like bully-idiot that he had the unpleasant experience to meet.
"Belt up, jack ass!" England snapped but inwardly he felt relieve at the sudden familiarity of hostility. "Do you think I'd done this to myself intentionally? Moron."
But despite all of it England couldn't ignore the way America treated his slightly burned hand with care.
"So, did you finish whatever business that you had to do back at your cave?" America casually said trying to act normal while pretending that nothing weird happened passed between. He already soaked the cloth and started applying pressure on the slightly pink skin. "'Cause I'm dying to know what's your next move will be."
England grumbled but made no snarky comment. He breathes out and said instead, "I already send out my faeries," England shot him a warning glare when America opened his mouth, "and I don't give a rat-ass about 'fairies don't exist'-crap when they are in fact real! A personal friend of mine will be arriving three days from now but I'm waiting for his reply, though."
America raised an eyebrow, "and who's this friend of yours?"
"None of your goddamn business!"
"Hey, hey, man I'm just concern 'cause you make a lot of shady people that you assumed to be 'friends.' Plus! It will soon be my business when it involves on the You-Know-What. I already decided to help you defeat the Dark Vathar! And become the awesome hero and save the day from that menace!"
England blinked where America struck a hero-pose and wink at him while smiling with his Hollywood-smile.
"Gah!" England slaps himself with his good hand. "Why I am with a complete idiot?"
Undeterred America just continues to grin knowing that he had won once again. He continues to tend England's other 'wounded' hand waiting for his reply.
"Grr… the moron has made a rational point." England muttered then he said it out loud. "You'll know this person when you see him."
As if to cut America's maybe or somewhat idiotic reply the kettle made a shrill whistle. "Excuse me the water is ready."
England hurriedly walks towards the kettle putting as much distance between them. "And thank you…"
America has to strained his ears to hear them before smiling with his goofy smile, no malice detect when he was smiling innocently with pure genuine. "Ahahaha~! No problem Iggy-dude!"
"That's it! I had endured you calling me with that horrid nickname of yours and I finally had at it with it! It's England you fool! England!"
"Whatever you say, Iggy-baby."
America made a wise move to run when England throws him a blunt object that would have made him go unconscious or develop a concussion with the force that he exerts.
When they both settled down on England's kitchen table where they both drank their drinks, silence blessed them for once no insults and hurtful words spat from their mouths.
America sips his coffee while starring curiously at the man in front of him who was breathing deeply seeing the look of relaxation on his face. The tea was a medicine to him alright, a medicine that cured whatever stressful nerves that he had.
"Say, Iggy…" America said. "What are you planning to do with a war brewing in your 'secret community'?"
England paused before giving out a sigh. "Well, I am planning on taking the boy under my wing since Albus has finally cracked and off his rocker on using the boy as a weapon, a tool to win the war."
"That's the thing that you don't approve of?"
"Yes, you blundering idiot." England rubbed his eyebrows with his fore finger and thumb to hold back the sudden migraine that he knew it will come. "When Harry was still but a babe Albus quite suddenly opened up to me after he left the child at his relatives' doorstep. He told me of his plans for the greater good."
England spat those words like they were nasty piece of garbage.
"What's wrong with that? Err- yah, I get on the part about using the kid as a shield was bad, no downright wrong, but do you know what are his intentions?"
"Albus intentions may look noble but it was all in appearance… you see America, I know about that man since he was but a lad and there something that he had done was a bit hypocritical of him."
"Meaning…? Dude just spill it will, ya?"
England expertly throws his butter knife that was conveniently lying next to his right hand at America, hitting him on the forehead which strangely enough the metal bend in an odd angle as if his skull was made out of iron, which he won't be surprise if it was.
"Patience, boy!" England snapped at him. "Albus Dumbledore is not a good kind of person before. Many years ago he wouldn't mind killing muggles, enslave them or dominate them, doesn't matter to him, you see, he would gladly support it at first thanks to his lover, who was the first Dark Lord in awhile."
"Dudeee~ he's effing gay?"
England cringed at his language being brutally used like that.
"Say it properly, America and there's no such thing as 'effing'!" England cleared his throat. "And yes, Albus is gay. As a nation I know everything about Albus Dumbledore and his life. Though he and his lover broke off when his sister came to intervene resulting her sad death, it 'woke' Albus from his bizarre dream. And that is how Albus came to be the man he is right now."
"Hmm…" America looks thoughtful.
"Though despite being change there are something's that are a bit slytherin of him to do…"
"Like? And what's snakey-thingie again?"
Another tired but irritated sigh.
"Slytherin is one of the four houses, the snake or serpent, is the animal symbol of the house. Its qualities are being cunning, resourcefulness and ambitious. You should already know this by now America since you went to school there before."
"I forgot, that was, like a looonnggg time ago, man! And yeah, whatever so what are these qualities of the old wizard man."
"He can manipulate people through their hearts desires and their longings." England bluntly said. "He uses Legilimency against anyone in order to get what he wants for the so-called 'greater good', making him believe that he is all knowing which he isn't, really, even hurting those people that trust him is a must for the benefit of humanity, or so he says."
"Dude… that's low, even for him."
"I agree… he is, let see what do you call it, ah yes, a Machiavellian figure."
"I get it now, man. So you're taking this kid with you, and raised him and stuff like when I was a kid?" America lowered his eyes to stare at his cup not noticing England starring at him with a suspicious look.
Then it dawn on him.
"America… are you, by any chance, jealous?"
"What? No! Dude why would I?" America blushed pink while holding his cup tightly.
"Nothing… Nothing." England sips his tea to hide his smirk.
"But… are you?" Seeing the look on America's face, the slight jealousy that swam around those clear blue eyes of his that obviously showed everything. This made England smile softly at that. His baby is somewhere deep down. He knew.
"No, I'm not going to raise him. It's just, no, I'm done raising colonies, good Lord knows I have enough of being a parent. But I know someone will."
Trying to not notice the look of unhidden relief on those eyes America cleared his throat and then grin at him.
"Is this about that friend that you mentioned before?"
"You will meet him soon enough, America." England stood up and gathered the cups. "I believe its time to rest. We got another meeting tomorrow and will be held here in London."
"Cool. I'm crashing your place, brosif."
England grumbled.
An eagle gave out a mighty shrieked as it flew with its large wings before flying towards an arm that is decorate in royal blue material. The bald eagle landed carefully with its sharp and deadly claws, making sure as to not harm its human with its weapon. The man that owned the eagle smiled softly before reaching out to brush the feathers with his gloved fingers.
"Welcome home my friend." Those clear blue eyes, that are covered by silver frame spectacles, which filled with adoration towards his faithful companion, took notice of a letter attached to its claws. "Ah, I see you have a message from Diamonds then."
The man carefully unties the letter and gently raised his arm to let his bird to fly towards the stand that was build just for his pet. He grabbed a dead mouse from a nearby bucket and tossed it to his hungry animal.
"You did wonderful, Liberty." The man smiled softly before turning around from the balcony and went towards his room where his Queen and husband lay asleep. "Ah~ my beautiful Queen."
He brushed his gloved fingers over those pale, soft cheeks that were unblemished. Perfect, just like everything about his body, except for the flaw of his eyebrows (for they are a bit large than any normal eyebrows) but he found them adorable anyway. But the best part of all is his eyes. Those clear jewel eyes, those green colored gems that spark with anger or love, oh how he love them.
"My beautiful Queen… how I love you so~" The King of Spades loved his Queen so much he would do anything for him. He would conquer Fantasia for him so that he could see those beautiful eyes of his that is filled with love, and that love is all for him and no one else. He would even kill to those people who wished to take his Queen away and he would pray that day wouldn't come.
He leaned down to kiss his beloved.
The King of Spades didn't notice four fairies fly through the balcony or those four glowing eyes stared at the darkest corner of the room. He was too engrossed on loving his Queen to even notice that his fears will soon come true.
The Queen's eyes fluttered open to reveal the eyes that he loved and cherish.
"My lovely… Arthur."
His Queen smiled beautifully that made the King's heart beat fast and he felt like he's falling in love all over again.
"Ah~ my husband, my King, my love… my Alfred." The Queen reaches to touch his husband's strong cheek bone, smiling with that breath-taking smile.
"How I love you so…"