Seeking a Truce
An ocean away, in the mountains of Scotland, stood a grand castle. Though only ruins to the outside, on the inside it was a work of art. Spires and battlements stood in nearly every part. Flames illuminated the many windows, creating and odd glow from the ancient building. Within its walls the stillness that came when the students slept. "THE DARK LORD ISNT RESTING!" Severus Snape spat after ranting about Harry's inability to perform Occlumency. They had been at it for months, with little success. Every time Snape entered Harry's mind he was reminded of how unprepared he was to take in Voldemort. "FOCUS POTTER!" Snape yelled to snap Harry back to reality. He scoffed. "That's enough for this lesson." He said calmly. "I expect to see you back here on Thursday." And dismissed him. Harry returned to the Gryffindorom, and there sat Ron and Hermione. "Harry." The latter said. "Are you alright?" She said, noticing his sweaty disheveled appearance. "I'm fine. Just exhausted from Snape. They looked at him about to speak, before he cut them off. "Can we talk about it in the morning? I need sleep." He said nearing the stairs to the dormitories. "Sure. See you in the morning." Hermione replied. "Good night." She added to Ron. "Night." He replied following Harry. The common room remained quiet after they left. All seemed peaceful, yet in the Headmaster's Office was a different scene. "Potter is still not advancing, not enough to block the Dark Lord. If his lack of control continues, the Dark Lord will surely use the connection to his advantage." Snape informed Albus Dumbledore. The old wizard looked exhausted. His mind sorting through memories. He dispersed a particularly long one into his Pensieve. "We must get him ready Severus. Something is happening out there, " he said now staring out of a window. "Our 'friends' across the Atlantic encountered them last night. They've suffered heavy losses. A messenger should be here soon." He turned to Snape, "The boy must be prepared to stop the Dark Lord. The final battle may be approaching." Professor McGonagall entered the office, a woman following her. "Ah," Dumbledore said, "Greetings my friend. I see you arrived, though, I wish under different circumstances." He finished downly. "It's good to see you as well, Professor Dumbledore. I'm Maria Hill, S.H.I.E.L.D. Second in-command. Director Fury apologizes for his absense, but we he a grave situation in hands." They moved towards Dumbledore's Desk. "I think we'll be leaving now, Albus." Professor McGonagall spoke. "Of course Minerva." The aged wizard responded back. Maria and Dumbledore sat at their respective spots. "I'm sure you know why I'm here Albus." Maria spoke with a professional voice. "Indeed, I do." Dumbledore responded with a darkness in his tone. "But that doesn't shock me. After all it wasn't that long ago that your agency was allied with wizards." He looked at her sinsterly. "I'm here on behalf of my agency to put our differences aside." She informed. "Yes well this hospitality wasn't present all those years ago when your leader's agents were massacaring wizards and others of our world."
"A temporary truce is all we want. Assurance you won't become part if our mounting pile of enemies. Also, this could be good for your people, seeing as your number one enemy has become a problem for us." She said. Dumbledore sat still for a moment. Maria stood up. "If you make a desicion, this is where I'll be." She said pulling out a card with an address in it. "You know, if He defeats us he'll come after the boy. And this time, there may be no stopping him." And with that she left.