So I got asked if I was going to include any characters from AC. Just to clarify Harry isn't the LAST Assassin. He is the last of the UK Assassins. The Assassins are still active in other areas of the world, just not many. This is based after Desmond dies so he won't be involved, but Shaun and Rebecca will be involved. That won't be in this story though, but a possible sequel. This story is simply going to be about Harry's Guild in the UK.
Potter's Creed
Padma and Harry stood in the Ravenclaw Girls Dormitory looking over the journal that Harry had brought.
"So your saying this snake symbol was carved on the pipe of a sink in the Moaning Myrtles Bathroom, and that is how you found the Chamber of Secrets in second year, leading you to save your best mates sister from the memory projection of a Dark Lord you are famous for killing before you were even out of your nappies. Am I forgetting anything?" Padma said looking at him.
"Yes the 75 foot snake that I gave an impromptu root canal." Harry said smiling lopsidedly at her.
"I had heard rumors but this blows all those out of the water, and you say it as if it were nothing." Padma said shaking her head as warmth crept through her chest. She had a weak spot for that smile.
"Well I thought the Basilisk WAS the Secret to the Chamber, but this journal has sketches of a door within the chamber itself." Harry said pointing to a picture on one of the pages.
"So what is inside?" Padma asked.
"I don't know I only said I had found the secret, not what it was." Harry said shrugging.
"And why do you need my help?"
"I don't know what these numbers and words mean. I need to know what is down there, or at least have an idea, before I go unlocking the door. I don't want to... I don't know unlock some plague or demon that was locked away to save the world." Harry said lowering his head so the hood covered his face. "I couldn't think of anyone else smart enough to figure it out."
Padma felt happy at his words. She knew there were people smarter than her. If anyone else had said it to her it would have been flattery. She knew what he was saying though. He trusted her. She watched as he straightened up and moved to open the window.
"I will look at it for you, but I don't know what sort of references I'm going to need to make sense of this. The only thing I know of Eden is the old biblical story." Padma said closing the book and shivering at the cold air. Harry crouched in the window sill.
"I will find whatever you need, all you need do is ask." Harry said turning to look at her. He sat there for several seconds looking at her, his face obscured by his hood before leaping out of the window. They young Ravenclaw didn't know what to think about him. He was certainly mysterious. She looked at the book in her arms. What girl didn't want an adventure with a mysterious hero though.
Harry crawled into the Gryffindor dormitory and began to change into his usual civilian clothes.
"So you just left us at the Hag." A voice said causing Harry to spin around, dropping into a defensive stance with his left hand up while sliding two throwing knives in between the fingers of his right hand down by his waist. It turned out to be Neville leaning against the door frame to the common room.
"I had something to take care of." Harry sighed relaxing and stowing his throwing knives in their sheath on his wrist.
"Does that something have to do with the journal your mother left behind, and maybe a pretty young Ravenclaw girl." Neville chuckled, drooping onto his bed. His reflexes barely saved him as he looked up to find a pillow aimed at his head.
"If you weren't my friend I would kill you sometimes." Harry said pulling his pants on.
"If I wasn't your friend I wouldn't know what you were thinking. That journal has you distracted, but not distracted enough to not notice me come in. Only Padma could do that. Smart witch and a hard puzzle. Even I could put two and two together." Neville said causing Harry to snort. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Harry stopped with his arms in the shirt. He looked at the wall for a moment.
"I am getting her involved again." He finally answered pulling the shirt over his head.
"Then why are you doing it? Look you got the book today and you have already gone to her for help. If something is that easy to figure out that you don't even need to think about it then maybe you need her help." Neville replied. Harry sat on the end of his bed and started messing with one of his knives.
"I want her involved." He finally muttered. "I don't know."
"Then let her..."
"NO. She just got safe. They aren't looking at her father anymore. If she gets dragged into the limelight again I might not be there to help her this time." Harry interrupted.
"Look... Harry. I like to think I'm your best friend... well ok really your only friend but I'm not going split hairs..." Harry smiled at the joke. "But I like to think you can tell me anything."
"No. I can't. It's not that I don't think I can trust you. I do. But I'm your Mentor. I'm the Master Assassin and if I can't figure things out then how can my followers believe in what I'm doing." Harry said shaking his head. "All these things go through my mind but I can't tell anyone. I have no one to ask for help either. Padma is the only thing outside of this that I have. Being with her I can forget all the responsibility and remember why I'm doing this. But I can't let her get hurt just because I can't stand on my own."
Neville watched as Harry walked up to the window and looked out. The boy stood up and walked over to put his hand on his Mentors shoulder and look out over the grounds below."Then you do what you have to do. You go on your little treasure hunt with your exotic beauty, and you trust that those followers that can't do what she can, will do what they do best for you, fight. I'll protect her Harry. If that is what I have to do for you then that is what I will do."
"You are my best friend Nev. You more than earned that, and you will always know more than anyone else. But this just isn't something you can do." Harry said.
"I know. I feel the same... Hell the only reason I haven't started sulking like you is because I have Fleur." Neville replied.
"It's the dress. I just don't have the legs for it." Harry said trying but failing to stifle a grin.
"Mate it is WAAAAAYYY more than the dress." Neville laughed, clapping his friend on the shoulder, and turning to leave the dormitory.
"It's cause I'm not blonde isn't it." Harry said with mock hurt.
"We are really not getting into a conversation on why you don't do it for me." Neville said from the hall. He caught the door just before it closed though and stuck his head back in. "I just came up to tell you that Griphook came by the bar. It is going to happen tomorrow."
Harry turned back to the window. Tomorrow was going to be a bad day he could tell.
Gringotts Employee Found Dead
William Weasley, a Curse Breaker for Gringotts, was found dead this morning on the docks. The cause of death was a blwo to the head. The Head of Gringotts had this to say.
"Mr. Weasley was suspected of Espionage against out institution. We had begun an investigation in which we uncovered several crimes committed by the our employee. We regret that we could not gather the evidence and bring it before the authorities in time to have him pay for his crimes."
The evidence given to The Eagle includes crimes such as Dark Magic, Kidnapping, Imprisonment, and Enslavement. We at The Eagle talked with the victim, who chose to be nameless. She described to us a dark Mayan curse that enslaves the individual's mind and body as well as causes them intense pain. It appears as if the Assassin has killed yet another guilty man. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement was unwilling to make a statement on their investigation of the man under the white robe. We at the Eagle have to wonder if maybe the Assassin isn't the killer The Daily Prophet made him out to be, or if he is fighting to keep us all safe from scum like William Weasley.
For more information on the case and Mr. Weasley's crimes turn to page 2
For the killing of Barty Crouch Jr. and David Zeirk turn to page 4
Harry looked up from his copy of The Eagle to find the Weasley children. Ron looked confused, like their was some meaning to the words that he wasn't understanding. Ginny it appeared hadn't stopped giggling with her friends and ogling Harry to read the paper. Harry seriously doubted if she even read the news, or anything that wasn't in Witch Weekly or about Harry. The Twins didn't look any different, which confused Harry. After they had found him reading it they had asked how to get a subscription, which Harry had been more than happy to get them for free. Harry filed that away for further thought before turning to Neville.
"Wow a full 4 pages. I don't know how we could top this." Neville muttered to Harry. Not that it was necessary as Ron promptly stormed out of the hall followed by Hermione, giving the two Assassins the privacy necessary to talk.
"Well it was about time. It has gotten more subscriptions lately." Harry answered looking around. Over half the people in the hall seemed to have a paper. With the story on Bill, and the two stories on Crouch and Zeirk the paper had needed more than their usual 2 pages front and back.
"So how do you think they are going to take it?" Neville asked.
"Ron will come around, especially with Hermione to talk to him. Ginny will probably throw a hissy fit when she finds out. She really looked up to Bill and won't believe it. Neither will her mom I guess. As for the Twins I don't know if they have read it. They haven't had any reaction." Harry replied.
"Well don't forget then they wanted us to test their inventions today with them. We can ask them then." Neville said taking an apple and biting into it.
"Yeah I will." Harry said. The Twins had caught him the night before and told him they were done and since it was going to be Sunday, and sunny out, it was the prefect for a test run. He knew that his project didn't require it to be sunny out so he could only wonder what they were making.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Harry asked the Twins looking over the edge of the Astronomy Tower.
"Yeah we already did some testing. We jumped off the Green houses. They worked great." George said smiling proudly.
"Yeah that is a 15 foot fall onto the grass. I'm about to jump off the Astronomy tower... on the side that overlooks a stone courtyard like 9 stories below me." Harry said flatly.
"Trust us. I did all the spellwork myself and triple checked it. This will work." Fred said calmly.
Harry looked back out at the open air. It wasn't that he was afraid of heights, or jumping. It was just he was used to only doing it when he knew there was something below him that would cushion his fall. He also wasn't jumping in a way that landing would be easy and safe. If this went wrong it was going to be a painful way to splatter.
The Assassin ran to the edge and jumped out as far as he could from the tower. He let himself fall for several seconds before grabbing the straps around his shoulders. He tugged on them and he felt the small pack on his back pull away. Another several seconds later he felt the ropes in his hands jerk upwards pulling him along, decreasing his speed significantly.
"WOOOOHOOOO YOU DID IT." He heard George yell.
Harry looked up to find the parachute above his head fully deployed, the golden runes sewn in glowing in the sun. Harry pulled on the right strap and felt himself drift right. He did the same on the other side with similar results. He guided himself down into the courtyard below. As soon as he touched down he turned and watched as the parachute shrank back to the size of a notebook in his hand.
"I TOLD YOU IT WOULD WORK." Fred yelled.
"YEAH WELL NEXT TIME IF YOU'RE SO SURE YOU TEST IT." Harry yelled back. Several seconds later he saw one of the twins jump, followed by Neville. Their chutes deployed and the second Twin followed suit. Fred landed first, a bit shakily but not too badly. As soon as Neville's feet hit the ground he was walking, no pause at all. Harry hoped his landing had looked that cool. The Assassin looked around to find 3 young Ravens standing at the doors to the Courtyard looking shocked. A Hufflepuff couple sat at a bench under a tree along the side not much better off.
"INCOOOMING."
Harry turned to watch George come screaming towards them. He was obviously having fun. His feet missed the low wall he was trying to land on and he ended up sliding several feet on his ass as his momentum continued.
"So your planning to sell these things?" Neville asked as Fred helped up his laughing brother.
"Yeah we already have the patent papers ready to fill out and everything. We made them for Quidditch for when a player falls off his broom, too many players end up hurt because the judge doesn't see him in time to stop him from hitting the ground." Fred answered.
"We got the idea from our dad's obsession with airplanes a few months back. We learned about Parachutes, but we found out they only work if they have plenty of time." George added.
"So I worked out a few runes to help along the process and voila. We call them Safety Chutes." Fred finished.
"I came up with the name." George said proudly.
"I can tell." Harry said raising his eyebrow and laughing.
"Yes he was very persistent that we call it that." Fred shook his head. "Want to try it again."
Harry smiled. "Hell yeah."
Harry landed on top of the roof of Hogwarts above the great hall. He turned and watched as his friends landed on various parts of the roof. The group had spent most of the morning flying around the school. They had taken to scaring students by suddenly dropping in on them. Fred and George were curious as to how Harry could always spot people from so high up but the Assassin didn't want to share his abilities as an Animangi yet. They had finally gotten hungry though and the Twins had suggested a picnic on the roof of the Great Hall.
"Alright so where is this food." Neville asked walking over towards Harry.
"We told you it is a surprise." George stage whispered. "Don't tell anyone. WINKY."
Harry heard a familiar pop and turned to find a female house elf standing next to Fred.
"Does the Twinzes be needing Winky." She said.
"Yes Winky could you please get us some food for lunch? We would like to have a picnic up here." Fred asked. The elf bowed low and popped away."We helped her out last year. Apparently her owner used her to cover something up and had to let her go for public appearance."
"We found her in the kitchens sulking so we took her in. We told her we needed an elf to help take care of us while we made our inventions and she happily agreed. It was a pain getting the license and paying all the fees, damn near broke the bank, but our business kept us afloat. It was worth it though. Couldn't stand to watch her waste away like that. Put us in the red though as far as further inventing came." George continued sitting down.
"Well until you came along, and look at us now." Fred smiled. "That is why we invited you to this picnic. A business meeting if you will."
Harry and Neville looked at each other. They had gotten used to the Twins being serious, especially when it came to their inventions, but this was downright scary. Winky popped back and laid out a blanket before putting down a large picnic basket she was levitating. A few mutterings about the Twins strangeness and how dangerous the roof was and she was gone.
"She loves us. She thinks we are totally deranged, but she loves us." George laughed pulling out a chicken leg and tearing into it. "God knows she is almost worse than our mother when it comes to taking care of us. We would be dead without her though, that I'm sure of. More than once she has shown up with food when we have lost track of time and spent a full day working on something."
The friends laughed and began to pile food on their plates. They talked about school, and Quidditch. Pretty soon though they were full and Fred turned his serious face on once again.
"When we start selling these chutes we want you two to get a little something for helping us." Fred said. The two Assassins looked at each other confused.
"Us. We didn't do anything." Harry replied.
"No, you helped provide the funding for it and I want to return that to you."
"No that was a gift." Harry started.
"And we appreciate it. Now this is our gift. We want to make you our partners. We split it 25% each on any invention you two help with." Fred said seriously. Harry didn't know what to say. He had learned how stubborn the Twins were, and how devious. They would turn this on him and make him feel guilty about it if he didn't just say yes. They were going to get their way and he knew it.
"I didn't do anything. The money was all Harry's. My Grandmother controls all the Longbottom money and I don't have very much to help you with." Neville added.
"Ah ah ah. You just helped us. Spent all morning helping us. Your our Executive Tester." Geroge said smiling deviously. Harry knew they had set this all up as soon as he offered to lend them some money.
"Alright. Your going to win the argument anyway so I might as well not fight." Harry sighed causing the two to grin proudly. They looked at Neville. The boy looked between the two several times with an unreadable expression on his face. Finally he threw his hands up in defeat.
"Alright I give. Not that I like the idea of letting you experiment on me, but I guess if I didn't agree you would just surprise me with it. Might as well know its coming rather than spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder." The group all laughed knowing it was true.
"Alright now I have the things you asked me for." Fred said standing up and brushing some crumbs off his pants.
"Really, Great." Harry said following his lead. He watched as the red head pulled a black ball about an inch in diameter from his pocket.
"This is a smoke bomb. It took awhile, but only because we tried Peruvian Darkness powder first. The only problem was the user couldn't see either and it takes longer than you wanted to disperse." Fred said handing it to Harry. The Assassin looked at it for several seconds and then back at the red head. "You throw it at your feet, and it explodes outward, keeping you from its affects. The big thing is the initial cloud, if it gets in your opponents eyes he is done. After the initial burst though anyone that steps in should be able to see as well as you do in it."
Harry tossed it on the ground at his feet. It did exactly what Fred said it would and seconds later all Harry could see was a rough outline of his friends.
"DAMN... warn us... next time man." Neville said coughing loudly.
"Yeah I don't mind testing it but it just scares you a bit to feel it get in your eyes and lungs. Especially without warning." George added as the cloud dissipated to reveal a smiling Harry Potter.
"That was brilliant. I have another idea to ask you about now." He said.
"That is fine but we have to ask you something first." Fred said looking serious. "But first lets work off that delicious lunch shall we."
Without any further prompting the four friends jumped off the edge of the Great Hall and floated down towards the grounds.
A couple of hours later found Fred and Harry sitting on the edge of a ledge on the lower parts of the tower Gryffindor was situated on. Not far below them George and Neville were still playing with their chutes.
"So how are you dealing with your brothers death?" Harry asked turning toward his friend trying to look sympathetic.
"We knew he was shady. You think we only climb around and eavesdrop around here. We practice at home too." Fred said taking a sip from a flask he had pulled out of his pocket. He offered it to Harry. "He only cared about himself. He built this bad boy persona and he enjoyed every second of it. The flashy clothes and all the women he could handle. But the things he did to get them were questionable to say the least. George and I found out a few of those things, and I knew that he was doing worse than that."
"So your not upset?" Harry asked taking a sip from the flask to find it was Goblin Scotch. A particularly strong one at that.
"We would have been... even after all we knew, but the things we read this morning. Maybe it is a good thing he is dead." Fred said staring out at the slowly sinking sun.
"I'm... sorry." Harry said unsure of how to respond and hoping that he hadn't hurt his friends. The two sat in silence for awhile listening to their friends below.
"We know you're the Assassin." Fred said finally breaking the silence. Harry had to fight to keep from choking on the mouthful of alcohol he was about to swallow.
"What... Me... don't be crazy... I couldn't...Bill was"
"Save it. We know." Fred said looking at his friend. "We don't care."
The red head looked back out at the grounds while Harry looked at him for several seconds.
"Why do you think it is me?" He finally asked.
"You disappear for a year. Then show up suddenly looking like a full grown man, and climbing around the school like a pro. Not to mention your eyes. They are always serious. Very focused and mature. Nothing like you were before. Not to mention how close you and Neville got all of the sudden after he is saved by the Assassin. Not to mention his growth spurt and sudden skills. And then there is suddenly our brother writing about this girl. A very sexy girl with blonde hair named Fleur that works with him. As a matter of fact she sounds a lot like this girl I know from the Triwizard tournament that was dating Neville when she left. Then he is killed by the Assassin, and is accused of trying to enslave a girl." Fred looked dead serious. "If he didn't die for trying to take Fleur then I'm a Kneazle."
Harry didn't know what to say he just looked at Fred. The Assassin knew that nothing he said would matter.
"We don't care if you are the Assassin or not. What we care about is that our brother Charlie might be in trouble and we might need the Assassins help."
"You make me sound so obvious." Harry laughed resignedly as the tension left his body
"Only to us. You are not seen with Neville any more than is to be expected when sharing a house with someone. Only we know everything about how Fleur, Neville, and Bill are connected. Not to mention no one else watches you climb around the school except us." Fred said watching as Harry relaxed. "Though the hoodie should be a dead give away. But then again people only see what they expect to see."
"So is the thing with Charlie what you wanted to talk about before you heard my next idea?" Harry asked.
"Yeah but we can talk about that later. I don't even know about the full situation yet we can't act anyway. Besides we only have a little bit of this beautiful day left before we have to spend another week stuck inside this stuffy castle." Fred said standing up.
"Yeah." Harry said following. Fred stopped at the edge of the ledge and turned his head towards his friend.
"Can I ask you one thing?" Fred asked.
"Sure."
"Why come back to Hogwarts?" Harry was surprised by the question. He was expecting to have to explain why he killed people.
"Those guards, the ones with the red crosses on their chest. They are called Templars. My family has been fighting them for centuries so that people can be free to make their own choices. Now they are working with Voldemort, who killed my parents. You think Voldemort is bad wanting to take over the UK. The Templars are 10 times worse and want to enslave the whole world." Harry answered.
"How do we stop them." Fred said. The "we" in the sentence stood out clearly.
"Let's take care of your brother first. Then we can talk about saving the world." Harry said smiling and leaping from the ledge.
Harry patted his stomach as he left the Great Hall. Ron hadn't come to dinner which was unusual since he NEVER missed a meal, but Hermione hadn't either so Harry was sure she would find a way to get them some food. He felt bad for Ron but he knew that Bill had needed to die. Somewhere deep inside he knew that his friends might not be able to follow him into this world he was building for himself.
He was wondering about the Twins though. He had thought about testing them to see if they were capable of joining the order. If anything the Guild could use their inventiveness. They were looking every bit as capable as they needed to be. But did they have the right mindset. It seemed they didn't mind that people had to die, but could they kill, and more importantly did they know why they would kill. The Guild wasn't just a group. It was an idea. Harry was beginning to learn that himself.
At first it had seemed so easy. Kill the people that had hurt him and were destroying Magical Britain. It was so simple. But the Templars had changed that. Bill had changed that. This was not a group they were fighting. Yes the Templars and the Death Eaters were groups. But what they were fighting was an idea. The idea that it doesn't matter who needs to be hurt in order to gain control. Peace through order.
Harry wasn't fighting to just avenge himself. This fight was for everyone. It was hard to remember that sometimes. His own desires got in the way sometimes. But every time he forgot something came along to remind him. Just like now. He had fallen into the rut of just building the Guild and tracking the Templars. Then the Twins said Charlie needed help. Everyone had the right to do what they wanted, as long as it didn't interfere with anyone else right to do the same.
"Mr. Potter the Headmaster would like to see you." A squeaky voice said breaking Harry from his thoughts. The Assassin looked up to find Professor Flitwick standing in front of him.
"Ah sorry professor I was caught up in my thoughts." Harry said shaking his head and falling into step beside the diminutive professor.
"Quite alright. Quite alright. I understand what it is like to be a teenager. I was one myself... long ago." The professor said smiling. "I was impressed by your display of agility the other day."
"Ah... yeah. I'm not too good with spells so I figured I would have to just knock him off the platform." Harry said rubbing the back of his head.
"And quite proficiently, if you could learn some spells you might make a professional duelist. I hear you were also seen running around the rooftops today."
"Yeah. I was helping the Weasley Twins test their invention."
"Yes the sheets that slowed your fall. Quite ingenious. I would be remiss if I did not take points though... so I should say 20 points each for reckless behavior would be acceptable. Now I believe 50 points each for furthering your educations outside of the curriculum, and proving yourself creative, and capable pioneers." The Professor smiled causing Harry to chuckle. He genuinely liked the Ravenclaw Head of House. "How did you learn to be so agile, if you don't mind my asking. I hope to teach the dueling club how to dodge like you did."
"I learned about this muggle sport called Parkour. It is all about agility and I thought it looked pretty cool so I tried it over the summer and got pretty good at it." Harry lied.
"Wonderful. Yet another sport made simply for the fun of doing something. It is a shame people don't try to make more sports in the magical world. There would be so many possibilities." Harry couldn't keep from imagining two wizards jousting seated on the backs of dragons. "Would it be possible to see if any of my duelists would like to participate in this sport with you."
Harry got an idea. "Yeah... I was thinking of starting a club. I just needed an adviser."
"I could help you with that if you would offer to let any of my duelists to join." Flitwick said winking conspiratorially at the young Assassin.
"I think that could be arranged." Harry agreed winking back. "Though I have a lot on my plate with the Twins right now so I think I could start it next month or so."
"Well I should say my plate is full as well with Dueling just starting. Next month sounds particularly acceptable." They arrived at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Headmasters office. "I bid you a good day."
Harry watched the Charms professor give the gargoyle and walk off. He sighed and turned to walk up the stairs.
"Harry my boy. Come in and have a seat." Dumbledore's voice sounded through the door. Harry did as asked to find the same old office. He wondered if anything ever changed.
"Good evening Headmaster." Harry said.
"And what a good evening it is. Lemon drop?" Harry shook his head. "I was just wondering how you were doing."
"I am quite well Headmaster." Harry said stiffly.
"I was just wondering. Your grades are just above acceptable and I thought maybe something had gone on in your life that may be causing you undue stress." The old man smiled. "I like to think you could come to me with any troubles you may have."
Harry wondered if this service was offered to everyone or if killing a Dark Lord was a per-requisite. "No sir I am alright."
"Very good. Well try your best, and I'm always here if you need me." The headmaster said ushering the boy out the door.
Dumbledore sat down behind his desk once more and popped one of his favorite candies into his mouth. The boy wasn't proving to be a capable fighter. It was a shame. He had shown so much promise. Though it could have just been chalked up to luck. The only real magic he had every used was the Patronous that drove off 100 Dementors to save his Godfather. Training would be a waste of his valuable time.
It seemed if Harry was only useful as a figure head. That could be a good thing. The Headmaster didn't think anyone could take Voldemort but him anyway. Potter would be a useful pawn politically. It even seemed as if the boy was easily falling toward the light. Let him play with the likes of Longbottom and the Weasley's. When the time came he would be all the more ready to stand by their side under his banner. It helped that both Molly Weasley and Madam Longbottom were basically pledged to him. If he needed any further persuading maybe Dumbledore could frame Voldemort for killing Sirius at some point. Yes that could work. The old man sat back in his chair smiling. Everything was going to plan. It was funny how all the pieces fit together sometimes.
"Parkour... really?" Neville said looking at his friend like he was stupid.
"Hey it is the closest thing to free running I could think of that was acceptable. Besides it gives us a reason to be seen all together as a group, as well as test others for physical ability. We need more Assassin's Nev. We can't do this on our own." Harry replied.
"What about the twins. I thought they did pretty well, and they seem to be all about freedom." Neville replied taking a long drink of whatever Harry had ordered for him. The two sat in the back of the Hammered Hag
"Yeah well we gotta figure out this shit with Charlie first." Harry shrugged.
"Which is, I am assuming, why you called me here when I was almost back to the Isle. Do you know how far the Portkey ward extends. It took me an hour to get back to a point where I could come back. Not to mention I have to sit here another 3 days before the next shipment to the Isle." Sirius said walking in with a couple of papers and a drink of his own.
"Yes. Did you find anything?" Harry asked
"Did I find anything... of course I found something I'm that fucking good." Sirius snorted taking his seat. "The kid asks me if I found something. All the way in Romania with no contacts I found something."
Harry shook his head at his Godfather.
"I'm that good kid. Now look at this." He laid a newspaper cutting out. It had obviously had a translation charm cast on it. "This article talks about the appearance of pirates in the Black Sea."
"Pirates. Like hook hands and parrots." Harry asked confused. "Do those still exist."
"Yeah I forgot your basically a Muggle. Ok yeah your pirates are very different these days and not to active." Sirius said as he and Neville remembered the boy's upbringing. "Magical Pirates never went out of style. As you know Magical transportation is out of the equation when it comes to most magical goods because of the possibility of residual magic on the goods. Or even the objects magics hijacking of the Magic used in the transportation all together. Therefore we use ships to ship most of our goods. However those big metal behemoths the Muggles use are mostly run on computers and the likes. Things that don't work with magic around. However good old wooden ships with sails can be used, and with the help of Runes can even be just as fast as modern ships. Wood is even a better medium for Runes to be carved on. Au Natural, takes on the magic better than shaped metal. Therefore magical pirates are every bit as active as they used to be."
"So the pirates are around Romania?" Harry asked feeling like he was gonna feel really stupid during this conversation.
"YES very good your not as stupid as I thought." Harry glared at his godfather. "Except they are very specifically target at certain things."
"Death Eaters." Neville cursed.
"No worse. Templars. The Templars are working with Voldemort right now but historically they have hated all things magical. They can't control it as easily and see it as too wild. The pirates are hitting magical industry in a big way. One of the things that has been hit hard, is the dragon preserve there. It is on an island too keep the Dragons as far out as possible from civilization. That means most things come in by ship." Sirius said.
"So you think the Templars are targeting the dragons?" Harry asked.
"Why not what is more wild, uncontrollable, or magical than dragons." Sirius remarked.
"Ummm... Giants." Neville pointed out.
"Eh I'm sure they will get around to it. The point is Charlie is probably having some pirate troubles and the Twins think we can help out." Sirius waved off the remark.
"Can we?" Harry asked.
"Well the Assassins USED to have a Navy... who do you think took out the Spanish Armada, some stupid storm... no. But we don't have anything left. We don't even know how to sail. How the hell do we take on pirates." Sirius replied. "I think we just leave it to the authorities. We have our hands full as it is."
"No if the Twins ask, and it is Templar related, then we have to help." Harry said. "Can you get your hands on a ship and everything we need."
"Well yeah I know a guy that used to work with your father but he is retired. I think he sold the ship." Sirius answered. "Why do I not like where this is going. We are all going to end up wearing eye patches by the end of this aren't we."
"Does anyone know where I can find a Parrot." Harry asked smiling.
"How did you know about the pirates?" Fred asked. From his side of the bar. Harry hadn't gotten a chance until Wednesday to talk to the Twins in their Hideout.
"I'm THE Assassin remember. I can do anything. The question is why are you so worried about this they are still getting food and can leave anytime they want via Portkey." Harry pointed out.
"Charlie thinks it is more than that. He thinks someone is working on the inside. The pirates know what ships to hit and where. Someone doesn't want that reserve to function. People are getting nervous and quitting, and the people that are replacing them are shifty. Pretty soon the reserve will pretty much be open to attack by the pirates. As it is the workers can't fight the pirates AND keep the Dragons from going on a rampage. Can you imagine if the dragons got loose. Thousands of people would die before it could be contained. Much less the damage it would do when the Muggles find out about dragons" George replied.
"No the Templars don't want the Muggles to panic. There is no order in the chaos that would ensue. My guess is the pirates and insiders will kill as many as possible, and the Templars will have people ready to mop up what does escape." Harry said trying to figure everything out.
"How would Muggles take out dragons." George said confused.
"You have obviously never seen what a Specter gunship my friend." Harry shook his head.
"But won't magic mess with their stuff."
"Oh it might, but dragons magic is in their skin, and missiles explosives are not exactly electrical. Trust me as soon as the magic in a dragons skin comes in contact with a missile, the targeting system will be the least of the dragons problems." Harry chuckled darkly.
"So what do we do." Fred interceded.
"Well WE don't do anything." Neville replied.
"No... It is our brother we come along." George said adamantly.
"You wouldn't exactly be all that much help." Neville said causing Harry to wince at the lack of tact.
"Oh look at you. A few months ago you were no better than us." George shot back.
"Yeah but..." Neville started.
"Nev. It is ok they will be coming." Harry interrupted. Neville turned but quickly shut his mouth at the look on Harry's face. Harry turned back to the Twins. "But we come to an understanding right now. You come along and you listen to EVERYTHING one of us says. It could save your life. Remember your only Initiates. You have no rank.
The two looked at each other quickly before grinning excitedly.
"Wicked."
"Why do I already regret this." Harry sighed. "Either of you ever been on a boat."
They shook their heads.
"Great I never thought I would be saying this... but let's go become pirates."
"We are so screwed." Neville shook his head.
Harry looked at the ship sitting in the harbor. It had taken an Illegal and expensive portkey to Italy to meet Sirius and his ship but they didn't have time to sail all the way from England to Romania over the weekend. As it was the Harry and Neville had skipped out on their last classes using a few of the Twins newest inventions, Skiveboxes. Sirius form appeared at the top of the Gunwhale.
"Hey guys come aboar... what the hell is he doing here." Sirius did not look happy. Harry looked at the fifth member of their group. He had been a little bit surprised when the Twins had appeared in Hogsmead with their father in tow. Apparently he had found out from Dumbledore that the two red heads were signing themselves out from Hogwarts for the weekend as legal adults. A quick letter to Charlie clued him in on to why and. Harry was sure that Arthur had fought quite hard about them going but seeing as the Twins were 17 the Weasley Patriarch didn't have much to stand on. The end of the argument seemed to have been his inclusion on the excursion.
"Well how do you do Sirius. I was quite surprised when Dumbledore told us all you were innocent. Say how is Harry I haven't seen him yet. Dumbledore told me he got to spend quality time with you while he was in hiding. That is good. The boy needs family. I like to think of him as one of my own but I'm sure he prefers you." Arthur yelled waving.
Harry felt a little guilty. Arthur was so likeable and innocent. He certainly saw some of the Weasleys as good friends. Though here he was with his hood up hiding his identity behind the cowl that had supposedly killed his son. It seemed Arthur was of a like mind with his Twin sons though when it came to Bill's death.
"Yeah I couldn't very well stop him." Harry said climbing the walkway up onto the ship.
"I want to be mad but I just can't find it in me. Arthur is the most annoyingly likable person I have ever met. It actually irks me to be mad at him." Sirius admitted gritting his teeth. "You sure he won't tell Dumbledore anything about me being an Assassin."
"Its a ship. Just point him towards something Muggle and we will deal with it after we save Charlie. If this goes well he will be so thankful he won't tell anyone. If it goes Badly, well then we are fucked anyway and it doesn't matter." Harry answered.
"I say is this one of those Cannons I hear so much about."
"Ok maybe not that."
"Yes it is a cannon now bloody well keep your hands off of it unless I damn well tell you so." a voice snarled.
Harry turned to find a short man with long scraggly black hair held back with a bandana. He had an ugly nose that had seen one too many blows. His left eye was blue but the right one was clouded. A scar ran from just above his eyebrow straight down to below his lip. He wore a thick knee length navy blue coat with brown trimming.
"Meet Mr. Gibbs." Sirius said gesturing to the man.
"Ah I assume you are the captain of this fine vessel. Nice to meet you. I am Arthur Weasley." Arthur said sticking out his hand. The captain looked at it briefly before shaking it.
"I'm not the captain. That there is the captain." The man said gesturing to Harry. "I don't own her, and it certainly isn't my colors we will be flying beneath. I'm just the Quartermaster. You will be working below decks with the cook."
Arthur gave a quick salute before wandering to where he figured he should go.
"I have never seen a more worthless crew." The man continued.
"How did you raise them?" Harry asked curiously.
"Too few of them are mine I'm afraid." Gibbs said.
"Some of them are thieves that used to be sailors. As for the rest. Walked into the Sea Witch and got in a bar fight. I chose the ones that hit the hardest and offered them a job." Sirius shrugged.
"I hear you have some experience at the helm of a ship. That is good. As captain it is your job to steer. You will need to choose a replacement for when you are resting though. Pick one of your friends there the other two are needed up in the rigging." The man said he turned to look at Sirius. "This salty old dog assured me your agile and sure footed. Send them up when you are ready to cast off and my man will take care of them. The other two will be with me."
"Well that was pleasant." George snarked.
"He sailed for the Assassins back when Voldemort's Pirates ruled these waters and has more than proven himself. Something I can't say for you." Sirius glared causing George to look sufficiently cowed. He moved over to a crate. "First things first."
The top slid off to reveal several muskets.
"I thought you said guns could easily be blocked with magic and Runes." Harry said confused.
"They can. These aren't guns though. These are muskets." Sirius replied.
"Sirius I'm not a professional but I'm fairly certain muskets are guns." Harry pointed out.
"Whatever the point is musket and cannon balls are big enough they can have runes carved in them that make magic all but useless and the propulsion of the bullet doesn't tend to warp the runes like the newer guns. Pistols are harder but individuals don't have as much protection as ships usually do. No one wastes money on peons it seems." Sirius declared proudly. "The workings are simple enough that we can't mess it up and that is all that matters."
"We can deal with this all later we need to get going as it is." Harry stated. "Neville, George you head up into the rigging like the man said. Fred your with me. Sirius you do... whatever it is you do."
"Aye Aye captain drink all the rum." Sirius said turning and heading below decks. Harry just shook his head and walked back to his place at the helm with Fred in tow.
"You ready for this Captain?" Mr. Gibbs asked.
"We will see." Harry said taking his place. Fred fell into place at the overlooking the deck below to Harry's left while Gibbs did the same on the right.
"I took the liberty of having the name you requested carved on the back." Gibbs said. "A fine name for a Magical Assassin ship."
"Let us hope her captain is as good a fit." Harry chuckled darkly.
"You'll do fine. All hands on deck. We are making way. Be proud you sorry sons a bitches. You're all to be on the maiden voyage of the ship soon to be the most feared vessel of these waters, The Archimedes.
Sorry I just had to update this chapter. I meant to put Italy but I put that they met up with Sirius in France. I was talking with someone about France and it segwayed into my writing. SOrry I fixed it. Now review.
