All Along the Watchtower
Chapter 3 - History 101
Harry always thought normal apparition was bad but side along apparition felt even worse. Instead of being squeezed through a plastic tube by yourself, you were being squeezed through a plastic tube with someone else.
"Where are we?" Harry asked warily.
"In Glasgow, my dad's office is a bit away." Kaden said. "C'mon, we're late as it is."
"you just apparate into a muggle street all the time?"
Kaden shook his head. "This is a registered apparition point, I think," He said, vaguely remembering the spot next to Central Station as such.
"Which way are we going?" Harry asked.
"Toward the big glass building at the end of the street we're on."
Harry followed in silence. After ten minutes they came to a large building next to a motorway that was comprised almost completely of glass. Harry took a second to admire it before being pulled into the building by Kaden. In a minute they were in an elevator heading to a tenth floor office block and Kaden was fidgeting uncharacteristically.
"Don't be surprised; me and my dad aren't talking, the whole 'Lana thing really pissed him off." Kaden said as they walked from the elevator to find a reception area and a large sign behind the desk spelling out 'Blackwood Industries and Private Security'.
Harry stopped and looked around as Kaden walked up to the pretty brunette receptionist, "Hi Ash, my dad about?"
Ashley looked up from her work, her dark eyes shining with recognition. "Hello Kaden. Yes, your Father is in his office but he is none too happy with you. I suppose; when is he ever?"
Kaden grinned.
"He pushed back a very important meeting because you were late, so off with you before Mr Blackwood becomes anymore annoyed."
"Will do Ash," Kaden beckoned to Harry and directed him down the hall, past glass conference rooms and offices and office cubicles.
Harry felt nerves. "Why does your dad want to meet me?"
They reached a large wooden double door with a golden plaque on the left side door which read Adam David Blackwood, CEO Blackwood Industries and Private Security. Kaden stopped, "You asked some questions and you're going to get answers."
Harry shifted nervously as Kaden reached to open the door but it was locked.
"Try knocking?" Harry suggested.
"I think I'll manage." Kaden placed a hand over the electronic lock and the door popped open. Together they entered the office to find Kaden's Father sitting in a high backed leather chair at a large brown oak desk. He was looking over some papers on his desk. The entire wall behind him was glass and looked out over the city of Glasgow. Kaden walked further into the spacious office and lay back on a leather couch off to the side in a small sitting area.
Harry sat on one of the armchairs near Kaden, nowhere near as comfortable as his friend. Despite dating Karen for the majority of the summer before his fifth year he had never met Kaden's Father but was struck by their resemblance.
Adam Blackwood wore a smart grey suit, with a darker shirt and silver-grey tie. His hair was the same blondish-brown hybrid that Kaden's was but slightly longer and dusted with silver. His facial structure was almost identical to his son with his high cheekbones and sharp features. He stopped writing and placed his papers at the side of his desk and Harry noticed he possessed exactly the same colour of eyes as his sons and daughter.
"You are late." Adam said curtly, as he got up and walked to the small sitting area.
Kaden gave a half-hearted shrug and his Father's attention returned to Harry.
Adam's gaze was piercing and Harry felt a slightest of touch on his mental shields as he sat down. Adam tipped his head in acknowledgement. "Sorry that is a bad habit when you work with non-magic people more than capable wizards, you must be Harry." Adam reached over and offered a hand which Harry shook.
"And you're Kaden and Karen's dad."
Adam nodded and smiled good-naturedly. "My name is Adam David Blackwood, I'm quite sure my son told you nothing about me."
"Well yeah." Harry said with a short laugh. "Karen mentioned you though."
"Then I shall thank god for good daughters." Adam took off his jacket and rolled his sleeves. "I am the CEO of Blackwood Industries and Private Security and own the major shareholding. My family come from a line of Scottish-Irish wizards who do not interact with the magical world directly."
Harry was curious, "What do you mean by directly?"
"I am also Master of the Elemental Council and I head our Academy in this country, although I tend delegate my duties to my friend, Master Gordon. I'm also the Advanced Swordsmanship Class Instructor but Connor or one of his friends usually teaches for me."
The confusion was building in Harry's head. "Adam, what are you talking about?"
Adam let out a sigh at his son, who was almost asleep; he hadn't told Harry a thing.
"I'm lost here." Harry admitted.
"Okay then." Adam said. "Firstly, my Order is part of Alliance of Five. The Alliance was forged over two hundred and fifty years ago during the reign of the then Dark Lord Count Vayne Kruhl. He was a man born to a non-magical family of the German Aristocracy who went on to attend the Durmstrang Institute. He was a very powerful wizard and had taken or destroyed every magical community in mainland Europe; he left non-magic peoples relatively untouched. There was however a large scale war at the time; which we are unsure if he influenced to any great extent. This caught the attention of four magical races. Any guesses?"
Harry shook his head helplessly.
Kaden answered in a bored monotone, he wasn't asleep yet. "Veela, Elves, Lycans or Werewolves as wizards call them and Vampires."
"Vampires!" Harry exclaimed incredulously. "You call Vampires a magical race?"
"Yes we do, unlike wizards we do not consider the magical and non-magical worlds beneath our feet. In the case of Vampires have amazing abilities. They are immortal and have speed, reflexes and strength most humans could never attain and of course the ability to sense magic and by extension, capacity to control an Element." Adam's answered; his voice was calm and even.
"But they drink human blood." Harry stated.
"Harry you need not worry. The Vampires with whom we associate feed from humans very little and if so only willing humans. Most survive by injecting a serum which suppresses their need to feed by allowing their bodies to sustain the chemical haemoglobin which fuels their baser needs. Feeding has some magical components but they can be suppressed with time and discipline. Those you are thinking of come from one of the three Vampire Houses or clans if you will. There are also rogue vampires to consider but the Liberi Noctis, the Vampiric sect of the Alliance try to control the rouge population. There are the day-walkers, half-vampires but they are few and rarely do any survive birth. They are the smallest organisation of the Alliance, only numbering around thirty."
Adam continued undeterred. "The Alliance was created in order to destroy the Dark Lord but even together the four races were not strong enough to defeat him and called on the Elemental Order which was founded six to seven hundred years earlier, it was actually two of your founders who created us Rowena before she moved East and Helga. The Alliance saw Elementals as the most capable of wizard-kind."
"So the Alliance united to defeat the Dark Lord. It was a long and bloody war ending with the near extinction of the Free-Elves but they survived even if their population is few even now. The purpose of the Alliance is to safeguard the magical world, even if many of my council would say the Alliance is self-serving and we are left to uphold these tenants."
Harry accepted Adam's explanation and relaxed. "Why are wizards not part of this?"
Adam shook his head. "Harry, you seem like an open minded person however even you hold certain prejudices; as evidenced by your disgust of vampires. The ruling class, the people who direct the wizarding world, such as the old pureblood families of the House of Lords and Wizengamot are inflexible. They hold even greater prejudices; they look down upon a non-magic people more advanced culturally and technologically. They once saw Veela as nothing more than whores for their personal amusement, despite that some could use human magic effectively and when they created Veela by breeding with Forest and River Nymphs and had the gall to claim ownership of them until the Veela Rebellions of the late 1500s. Elves are much the same, treated with complete disrespect as slaves and not the powerful beings they are and as such no person of our Order is permitted to own an Elf in any capacity, unless they are free, paid and have adequate accommodation. Rouge vampires are tolerated and allowed to kill non-magical people at will as long as they don't attack the magical population. They treat Lycans like second class citizens, despite the advances in potion making which have made Lycanthropy an utterly manageable condition."
Harry made to interrupt, hoping to intercede on his behalf. All of his Elves were paid. Harry's mother could never turn a stray Elf away and was an active supporter of SPEW, but he was silenced by Adam.
"Granted, this is not the opinion of some Harry but the leaders and most important figures in the Wizarding World do hold these opinions. Wizards are arrogant and opportunistic Harry; they even punish heavily those who are the same with other natural gifts, such as our people or due to the mere presence of non-magic blood. Magic is the lifeblood of all; even the non-magic population have traces of it. It is the spark or soul of every creature on this Earth with the minority having the ability to harness it effectively. Some non-magic people have amazing abilities such watchers, prophets of a type, pushers and mind walkers who can bypass even the strongest mental shields, powerful telekinetics and others with abilities we don't know about."
Harry nodded. "I still don't understand why I've never heard of you?"
"We tend to operate quietly; we help when needed and safeguard the magical world from the shadows."
"I understand why you hide but how can the Dark Lord cause you so much trouble? From what you are saying, your organisation is very powerful. Could your Order not destroy him before he causes too much harm? What about the Muggle Government? Do they know of you?"
Adam leaned back in his chair with a smile, "More questions?"
"Sorry." Harry mumbled.
Adam shook his head. "Don't be. They are good questions and questions are a sign of a keen mind, not very long ago my son was the same." They shared a laugh. "Back to business, the facts are simple, the Dark Lord is a lot more powerful than the Ministry of Magic appreciate. He has amassed an impressive Army of his Allies, such as Vampires and Lycans, Giants and other magical creatures. Even some disillusioned Veela and Free-Elves have joined his cause. While his numbers may be manageable and we could win, it would be a hollow victory."
Harry understood the reasoning.
"It will interest you to know that I fought the Dark Lord once and I am one of the few to escape with my life, like you. He is most powerful wizard I have ever fought. His skill was too great for my own."
Surprised, Harry looked up to see a sad smile grace Adam's features, despite looking so young before Harry saw the deep lines and crevasses of age labour his forehead and eyes.
"I escaped with my life; my brother arrived in time to save me but was not as fortunate. I assume you know my other son?"
Harry nodded.
"And you know that by blood he is my nephew?"
Harry nodded again.
"It was his father, my youngest brother Andrew, who died saving me from the Dark Lord. He stopped the Dark Lord's killing blow but I was in no state to fight and he activated my emergency Portkey before the Dark Lord struck him down. I wasn't the same for a very long time after that day." Adam paused. "It is important you know you will never be the perfect soldier, no matter how effective your training or steadfast your resolve. Every second your beliefs will be challenged, you will wonder why you were placed on Earth if only to be an instrument of destruction. If your purpose is to lose the people you love most and watch darkness ravage the world like a cancer. I was lost and for a long time I wasn't in a fit state to look after my own children. That is why Kaden resents me, why Karen distances herself from me and why Connor excels to gain my attention. When they needed me I wasn't there. Even now I place too much expectation on their shoulders as I did with Andrew and..." He stopped himself. "Sorry."
Harry shook his head, he silently wondered if he would feel such sadness should his own brother die. "It's alright."
"No it is not Harry, you have no need to be burdened by my troubles but I want you to understand our ways. The Assassins I command as Master of the Order are all flawed individuals who deal with their problems as best they can. While I may not be as strict as those before be, because I can understand what loss, love and pressure can do to a young mind but when someone is falling from the path I will take action to steady them, or as in some of our worst cases I will stop them. That is a reassurance Harry not a warning. Remember we are always here, if you feel you are being pushed too far, too soon come to me and I can help."
"I will." Harry said, not quite sure what he was saying, he hadn't thought of what could happen to him in the future. It didn't feel like his future involved much choosing.
"Good. To answer your other question, yes the non-magic government do know of us and through Blackwood Private Security we have a standing arrangement to help them with certain problems should they arise." Adam said evasively.
"What kind of problems?" Harry asked with a frown.
"Certain situations can require a different approach, which magic can provide." Adam stated professionally.
Harry accepted this, but he intended to get a fuller answer later. "What about these organizations Kaden warned me about?"
"The Knights of the Paradynian Order."
"Who are they?"
"They are an ancient Order of Knights who for the most part, want to kill or destroy every Elemental." Adam stated simply.
"Why?" Harry questioned, there had to be a reason.
"It is their belief that we should not wield the powers of God. Only he, in their eyes, should control the ancient Elements and the destruction that can be wrought from them." Adam paused thoughtfully. "Harry, a long time ago Elementals were much more powerful in comparison to normal humans and even archaic wizards. They seemed to be Gods in many ways, controlling storms, the seas, fire and even the very earth. Although Earth Movers are a rare breed which we have not seen for over one hundred years and from the accounts of history, most were mentally impaired and not able to control their powers very well. These Elementals ruled as Gods and not very well I might add. They used their power to control the masses and wage war against one another. Eventually Wizards evolved to a point where they could defend themselves and turned against their so called Gods and overthrew them, turning their existence into the myths and legends, from the Roman Gods to the Olympians. While their intentions were pure, as so many begin, they lost sight of their true goal of protecting innocents. They eventually determined that all Elementals, regardless of history were to be policed and killed to protect the future. Out of that objective, the Knights of the Paradynian Order formed. To protect ourselves some of us came together and created the Order of the Element, eventually integrating with and up taking the traditions of the noble Assassin's Creed, an Order of special individuals, not magical but who also fought for freedom."
"But none of us are that powerful, it nearly killed me using my power like that." Harry said, disbelief creeping into his tone.
"That is true Harry, in a way. There are very few pure Elementals now. It is extremely rare to be born even a partial Elemental outside of families who already are Element users. To be born a pure Elemental though is even rarer, even in our community. By statistical analysis there are only between fifty and three hundred in the world and I currently know of twenty-six. The watchers I employ and the Liberi Noctis help us track these people. Most are young like you and Kaden, many scared and fearful of their potential. There are three are in this room to be exact."
Harry was taken aback.
"While it is true your powers can become so destructive they can literally tear your body apart, you have to control your power, temper your emotions. Elemental magic can be very destructive in the hands of an unprepared practitioner. You had barely a year of incomplete training but did what many couldn't in years; it takes time and training to hone your body to become a conduit for your element. That is why you almost killed yourself Harry, your body was not prepared to hand the destructive aspects of your power and couldn't control it properly when you tired so your body reacted in the only way it could. It purged the uncontrolled magic from your system as best it could, but you were injured and your destabilized core couldn't regulate your magic effectively which burned your arms and body so badly. That is why I want you to come to our Academy, learn your power and prepare your body to become stronger; you won't learn how to do that at Hogwarts."
Harry looked away. He remembered the empowerment, the malevolence as he had so much power at his fingertips during the First Task when the Dragon poured flame into him, poured liquid power into his veins until he was ready to burst. At that point his control could have slipped and the cyclone of fire he created could have killed everyone in the stands. Harry now understood why Dumbledore seemed so unappreciative of his performance. The Old Man wasn't jealous of the power Harry displayed; he was genuinely concerned about the other student's safety. In that context, what Adam was saying didn't sound far-fetched.
"Harry I know what you are thinking, don't be ashamed. When there is a thunder storm over Glasgow, theoretically I could control it enough to destroy the entire city but I detest the horrible legacy my ancestors cursed my family with. The Knights are a secret organization, even more than our own Order. We have very little information about them. From what we do know, they are based in North America and like us they have ways of detecting Elemental powers when they manifest. We have to find those with our power before they do. You must understand; they have spies everywhere Harry, even Hogwarts. When your power was revealed it was publicized so much that they couldn't touch you but if you choose to join us, their inhibitions will eventually drop and you will be hunted. They will not hesitate to ally themselves with the Dark Lord if it means destroying us, they have done so before. If you choose not to join us and go back to school, we will not stop you. However your memory will be modified and Kaden will not return with you."
Harry frowned. "What can I do for you? You said you give people this opportunity when they are much younger?"
"We need you." Adam sighed. "The war with the Dark Lord will be terrible. I hate putting kids like you and Kaden through this but it needs to be done. With your future powers and knowledge of true magic you will become a useful addition to Kaden's Reapers. I have no doubt you will become a prominent leader of our people Harry. From what Kaden has told me you will learn nothing of value returning to Hogwarts."
"How would I explain it to the Headmaster?" Harry wondered aloud.
A cold look came over Adam's face. "Albus knows well not to cross me, he could not take you by force and he would be ill advised to try. While I am far from his match, he cannot deny the combined power of my Order."
Harry was relieved by the confidence in Adam's voice.
"Will you accept a place at our Academy?"
Harry smiled despite his unease; he knew he had to learn to control his power better, he had to become stronger. The possibility of repeating the night of the Third Task wasn't a thought he wanted to entertain, he unconsciously pulled at his jacket sleeves, "definitely."
"Good, I will take care of the arrangements. You can tell your parents if you wish bur it is your choice. If not I can arrange something as a cover story." Adam said.
"I'm seventeen." Harry said sharply, he was of age.
Adam nodded. "You should keep on good terms with your parents. I would prefer you not tell them the full story but it is your choice assuming you can trust them. I would prefer you had their approval but you are welcome nonetheless, my son!" Adam said 'son' loudly while rapping a hand on the hardwood coffee table.
Kaden woke with a start and swore under his breath.
Adam continued with a grin at his son's expense, "-will take you on a quick tour of the Academy as I cannot; won't you Kaden?"
Kaden was still in the process of wiping sleep from his eyes, "Yeah, whatever."
Harry laughed and Kaden glared at him.
Adam continued. "I will advise you not to take prejudices into our Academy, some Lycans and Veela also attend through exchange programs and other circumstance. Be cautious as you know the effect a Veela can have on you and Lycans tend to have a quick temper. My son could tell you about both." He looked at Kaden pointedly.
Kaden brushed off his father's warning. "Can we get the portkey dad, I have better things to do than listen to your Order promoting sermon."
Harry raised a brow at Kaden's attitude but Adam ignored him and moved to his desk. He produced an ornate silver knife which shone with a faint blue aura indicating its nature as a portkey.
"This will take you to the Academy. Kaden will show you and then I do believe Kaden has invited his, rather interesting group of old friends to christen your new apartment." Adam smiled at the thought; it was good to have his son seeing his old friends again. He had drifted so very far from them during his time at Hogwarts.
"Yeah, he has." Harry said ruffling his hair nervously.
"Are you coming round tonight dad?" Kaden asked.
"No I have some business to finish here and then later at the Academy."
"Can we go?" Kaden asked.
"When you are ready," Adam said pushing the portkey to the edge of his desk.
Kaden picked it up from the edge and presented the handle to Harry.
Harry took a hold of it as Kaden said, "See you soon Dad."
"Have a good day boys."
"Thank you, sir." Harry said unsurely as he felt magic build inside the portkey.
"No problem Harry but it's just Ad-"
Harry landed on his ass as usual after a portkey trip; he always wondered what was with him when it came to magical transportation. Maybe Kaden has a point with the car, Harry thought to himself as he got up and dusted himself off, pulling down his sleeves and looking around. All he saw was hills and miles of fields in the distance, much like Hogwarts there was a lake and a large forest surrounding the borders, but no gravely road and no magical village in the distance. In fact there was nothing at all for miles.
"Are we in the wrong place?" They were standing in the middle of an empty field.
Kaden shook his head, "The Academy is hidden from everyone, not just non-magic people."
Harry followed as Kaden started to walk along a bricked pathway appearing beneath their feet. "Where is-" Harry stopped as his magical senses lit up, momentarily showing the colourful streams and hues of the barrier they passed and suddenly in the middle of the once clear grounds stood a large building shaped like an abnormal upturned cone.
Above it was a glorious ring of gold, a halo suspended in the air by what could only be magic. It was unlike any building he had ever seen. It was entrancing, unique, whomever had created it had poured there heart, soul and possibly magic into it. The building was sky blue and dazzling white against the bright summer sun. Unlike Hogwarts it was surrounded with lush gardens and various sporting grounds. Harry even spotted a Quidditch pitch. Even more unlike Hogwarts it had a large open entrance and Harry could see into the heart of the Academy and the golden pillar which stretched to its peak.
"What was that barrier?"
"A cloaking barrier, it shields the Academy from detection, we can't have Aurors coming to the door. It's taken down once or twice a year to help filter out any excess magic but we usually go in and mess with their magical detection gear so they're none the wiser." Kaden said as they entered a garden not far from the entrance.
"Excess magic?"
"We use a lot of non-magical equipment in our operations so we have to make sure the Academy doesn't become like Hogwarts." Kaden said.
Harry could have guessed that. "Operations? Anything like how you happened to turn up at Hogwarts in third year?"
"I knew this would come up at some point." Kaden muttered.
"Explain."
Kaden had a sharp look as he said, "What do you want to know? That it was my mission to befriend the boy-who-lived and bring him over to our side."
Harry laughed. "You didn't do a very good job did you? Got the wrong brother."
Kaden returned the laugh with his trademarked smirk. "For being so smart you're short sighted little boy at times."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Do you really think the Council of Masters would send me on a mission to bring the boy-who-lived's brother to our side?" Kaden scoffed, "You are the boy-who-lived you idiot!"
"No I'm not…no one ever-" Harry managed to stutter, pulling at his sleeves nervously.
Kaden placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "The scar, the Element, the best looking best mate ever didn't at least give you a hint." Kaden joked. "Harry, you one that fought him, you stood your ground, you kicked a Hungarian Horntail into next year and you won the Tri-Wizard Tournament! James is lucky you are or he'd be dead. When he found you guys that night, he tried to kill you first and when he did, it marked you and the influx of magic at such a young age caused your Elemental powers to develop later than normal. When you hit second year one of our watchers saw you, a Liberi called Vincent checked you out and the Council put the mission together. I was to look out for you and eventually bring you into the Order."
Harry tried to speak but was cut off yet again.
"-shut up and let me explain. Before your third year I had…" Kaden hesitated, something he never did. "Things happened that I would change..." he shook himself. "It doesn't matter; I needed some time away and it was the best thing for me. Now it's time for you to come into my world."
Harry smiled genuinely. "Thanks, when you came it was nice to have a friend James couldn't drive away."
"You're my best mate Harry; don't ever think any different. When it comes down to it I'll be right next to you till the end, I promise." Kaden assured him.
Harry was silent. "Thank you." He said finally, unsure of just what else to say.
Kaden let it go. "Are ready for your tour of the Academy of the Element Apprentice Potter?"
"Yes Captain!" Harry said with a grin, attempting a sloppy salute.
"Fuck off!"
About an hour later Harry and Kaden emerged from the Headmaster's office on the topmost floor of the Academy. Harry met Adam's lifelong friend and Second Master of the Order, Master Gordon or 'Sunny' as Kaden called him. Sunny informed Harry he hated being called Master Gordon as it made him feel old, something he felt his whitened hair reminded him far too much of.
Sunny explained the mechanics of the Academy and that Harry wouldn't be attending traditional classes. Instead he would have tutors from Kaden's Reapers and some Operators from Blackwood Private Security. By Harry's age students were usually Apprentice Assassins and rarely took classes or had moved onto other endeavours. His knowledge of conventional magic was expansive for his age, so he would only have to train in combat and physical elements. He also learned that everyone who attended the Academy was given a choice to either stay on with the order or go back to some semblance of a normal life. Harry wasn't sure he had the luxury of that choice.
"So what do you think?" Kaden asked as they walked from the elevator and toward the dorms. The Academy was simple to get around, in the centre stood a large rounded pillar containing elevators to the classrooms and other areas with a walkway encircling the base. There were a total of eight walkways connected to the pillar, each leading off to a separate area. One led to the dorms, another to the infirmary, the garage, cafeteria, library, a large courtyard for outdoor classes, the training centre and the last led out to the grounds.
"Kaden there is one thing."
"Shoot." Kaden said.
"I'm not too sure about joining your Reapers. I'll probably be more of a liability." Harry said as he pulled at his sleeves again, thinking of the night of the third task again.
Kaden watched the gesture but didn't say anything for once. "You'll be fine; you have a better knowledge of conventional magic than the rest of us put together. You already know the basics of your Element too, so a month or two with Richie and you'll be able to pull off the more advanced stuff and I'll be training you personally with weapons. We won't be going on too many missions anyway, the Talons and Wolves are on active just now. We'll get stuck with recon until we return to full service when Connor's back. Don't worry about it; if I don't think you're ready you won't be going." They took a sharp right into the squad section of the dorms. "Your room is next to mine and the rest of the guys."
"Do we have to stay here all the time?" Harry asked as they strode down the white washed hall.
"No, once you hit the squads or the Op Corp you only if you want to but the room is always here." Kaden said and stopped in front of a grey door. On the door was a small silver plaque with curling black writing. Room 116, Harry Sirius Potter, Reaper Apprentice. The room was barely a quarter the size of Harry's bedroom at his ancestral home. The walls were whitewashed and the carpet a rough grey material. A plain sheeted single bed was placed to the left of a small window which faced the grounds, a small desk and chair made up the rest of his furniture. Next to the desk was a door to a small private bathroom.
"It isn't much." Kaden said.
"It's better than having to share a room with six guys in a dungeon like Hogwarts." Harry took the offered card from Kaden.
"We don't have as many students. If you want during the week you can bring some stuff here make it look a bit better, personally I can't stand this fucking place…all the cheap plastic, shitty carpeting and cleanness does my head in!"
Harry could have sworn he saw a hint of sadness but he didn't bother. Kaden may show the emotional depth of a teaspoon on the surface but Harry knew there were some secrets he couldn't tell him but Harry respected that. Everyone had their secrets, even him.
"We've only an hour until you need to meet Fleur and Karen. Want to dive down and meet the guys?"
"Yeah."
The main hall was at least as large as the Great Hall at Hogwarts and it was littered with racks of weaponry and training mats. There was even a side room designated 'Shooting Range'. Kaden led Harry to the far end.
Each section of weaponry had a name and crest above. The Talons, Harpies, Ravens, Wolves and finally Harry saw the Reapers crest above a wall of weaponry. The crest was a black winged angel carrying the scythe of Death. Harry couldn't help but notice several girls with silvery-blond hair, obviously Veela, at the training circles around the weapon racks marked Harpies.
When they reached the far end of the hall, the Reaper's area held six guys. Four were on training mats with various weapons, while the remaining two were talking at the side.
"Reapers...attention!" Kaden shouted.
Harry watched the team drop their weapons and stand in line, saluting. But when the Reapers looked at Kaden, his smirk patronising in all its glory, they all relaxed.
One of them, around Harry's height who sported black hair and dark violet eyes stepped forward. "It's only you boss? We thought the Commander was back or something."
"It's only little old me Rossi, Connor's still on his trip." Kaden said. "I've got the new guy here for you." He clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder. "This, my esteemed and revered fellows is none other than the boy-who-lived himself, if you'd like to bow."
They all laughed.
The one who spoke to Kaden stepped forward extending a hand to Harry. "Hi mate, I'm Ross Grieg, just call me Rossi and we'll get on good."
Harry shook his hand. "I'm Harry, Harry Sirius Potter."
"I know, we all know." Rossi placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "This here merry band of fuckwits, misguided philanthropists and all around assholes...are the aforementioned, rather legendary I might add, Reapers. We'll start from the top. That's Richard Jackson, Richie to his friends. He's our resident tortured soul; get more than a sentence from him an hour and you'll win the pool. He's our First Lieutenant and a firestarter like you." Rossi said, pointing to a tall guy about 6'2 with jet black hair with blue highlights.
Richie tipped his head in response.
" That's our Second Lt, John Anderson. He's our typical, dildo stuck up his arse officer, he's wanted the Captain's job since he didn't get it first time round. And it may interest you to know our favourite Lt is also in a relationship with your ex! " Rossi said with a grin.
"Piss off Rossi, we'll talk later Potter." John said, trying to keep a straight face and turning to leave.
"Look at little jealous Jonnie!" Rossi proclaimed with a wide grin but only got the finger in response and moved on. "The ginger one there, that's my little brother Paul."
"Welcome to the team mate!" Paul said cheerily, shaking Harry's hand. "I better go see what the Lt's up to!"
Rossi watched his brother walk away. "The little bastard's nearly nineteen and still steals my porn, says it all."
Harry snorted in amusement.
Rossi was down to the last two. "That there is Mark, the tanned one. He's the main reason for our rather coloured rapsheet and why we went from co-ed changing rooms to separate ones. As you can imagine, the act was a lot more fulfilling than the outcome."
"Hey, you were in on that to!" Mark said with a wink at Harry, "Good to see you Potter, for your information Rossi just didn't get caught!" Mark finished walking off in the direction of the Ravens.
"And last but not least is Ollie, our Technical Sergeant. He's our geek, we look after him." Rossi said, indicating the last and smallest of the group who was wearing glasses like Harry. "I assume you've got some complicated shit to do with a computer Oliver?"
"Yes I do Ross. Mr Potter, it's was a pleasure." Ollie said slight bow before departing.
Rossi turned to Harry. "The Commander's on a mission at this very moment, but you'll-"
"-we've met before."
"Oh yeah you would have done, that's how me and the kid ended up coming here-"
"-CAN'T YOU TAKE A FUCKING HINT!"
Harry swivelled his head in the direction of the voice he recognized as Kaden, as did Rossi.
"Shit," Rossi murmured. "No wonder everyone else split. Come on, time for your first episode."
"First episode?"
"It's so fucking clichéd it should be a reality TV show…"
Harry followed him to the disturbance and it was no great surprise to find Kaden arguing with a Veela girl. The spectacle wasn't unfamiliar and once was one time too many. Except that time there wasn't a quickly gathering crowd. Kaden couldn't stay away from them at the Quidditch World Cup. Actually if Harry remembered right the girl looked familiar? Harry was sure he recognized her; she was one of the Bulgaria cheerleaders Kaden tried to chat up but didn't get very far. Well not that night anyway, Kaden did look a little too at ease with the girl.
The clingy type? Harry thought and only Merlin knew why, she was hot even by Veela standards. The thin white cotton tank top, grey joggers, the light sheen of perspiration over her perfectly white features only enhanced the allure of her Veela nature. Harry didn't hear what the girl said but his friend's response was scathing at best.
"Look Princess, you want an idyllic little Prince Charming to parade around the palace...newsflash, I'm not fucking him...I'm an alcoholic, drug addled teenager who has a liking for sex with as many girls as he can possibly convince in the great fucking hope that he can screw away his unrelenting abandonment issues...you are and always have been a willing customer, albeit one-" Kaden gave her a pointed once over "-very fucking hot customer...understand yet?...no?...well your best mate or little sis' might; guess which one I've fucked?...and no don't worry it wasn't dear little virginal Penelope," Kaden laughed. "Oh wait…it was…guess Camille was just the entrée..." Kaden leaned in, toward the Princess's ear. "Now unless you plan on spreading those fine French legs anytime soon, get the fuck away from me and save yourself the embarrassment Miss Martineau." Kaden's hand clasped around her blue jewelled necklace and he pulled. "Actually, I'll leave; let you contemplate my everlasting hotness from afar."
Harry watched as the girl slapped him not just once, but twice and a third time for good measure before turning to what he guessed her sister and best friend; and by her look she was irate.
Kaden parted the crowd and got to Harry and Rossi. Kaden winked at him as he slid the necklace into his pocket. "I'll keep that for later."
"Is that our daily dose of fuck-me-I'm-a-poor-sad-filthy-rich-little-bastard over with then?" Rossi asked, bored with the poor showing. The Captain could have been in better form. Rossi knew him for long enough to tell the shit he spun about Cam and Penny was complete bollocks; it was only a way to get the Princess off his back for a day or so.
"At least she can't shout at me about 'Lana anymore, well I can't understand her when she shouts; same thing really. I'll be good for a few days until she gets a halfway decent replacement for that necklace, she's too lazy to actually learn English without one!" Kaden said with a grin, "you liking my world so far?"
"It feels like I just walked into some bad daytime TV show." Harry deadpanned.
Rossi grinned, putting an arm around Harry. "You know Cap'in; I think I'm going to like this kid!"