Hey all. Ok so I've skipped ahead in the timeline a little, hope you don't mind. Thanks again for your reviews, they really are incentive to keep writing. :) Well here's another chapter. Hope you enjoy.
I own nothing.
Minerva leaned back in her armchair and sighed. It had been a long week. The ministry had been in chaos over the escape of Sirius Black. She'd been feigning worry and concern since the news had broken. No one could know she had anything to do with it. Lifting up the mirror she called out. After a couple of minutes Sirius' grinning face came into view, "So Tabby what's the weather forecast?"
She laughed tiredly, "Why do you insist on your little codes? These things are untraceable. You and James were very good at not getting caught." He inclined his head towards her, "Why thank you professor! I must say it is nice to have ones work appreciated." She grinned and shook her head, "So where are you now?"
She could just make out him shrugging, "Somewhere in Alaska. Just crossed over from Russia last night. Bloody freezing on a broom let me tell you!" She shivered a little in sympathy. He scratched his head, "So what's going on there?" Minerva sighed heavily, "Well the ministry is running around like a bunch of headless chickens and begging Albus for answers. Nothing we hadn't expected though. The one problem though that has me a little worried is now everyone knows Harry is missing."
"Damn!" Sirius banged the ground next to him with his fist. He could see Minerva shaking her head, "It was just a check to make sure you hadn't headed straight for him. But now I've spent the last three days pretending to be frantic with worry and I'm exhausted." A sly smile crept across her face, "Though I had a very satisfying hour yesterday where I got to scream at Albus for negligence."
He barked out a laugh, "I bet that was fun." She nodded, "Very." Sirius threw another couple of sticks on his campfire and looked at her worriedly, "Are you sure they won't mind me turning up?" Minerva nodded forcefully, "I've been visiting them on and off for the last year and a half. Jack has the spare bedroom in his house done up for you. And Harry was ecstatic when I told him the news."
He smiled happily, "Thanks Tabby." Instead of her eye roll that once accompanied him using his nickname for her was a fond smile, "You're welcome. Now I should go yell at Albus some more." Sirius bit his lip, "Will you be able to make it for Harry's birthday?" She nodded, "That shouldn't be a problem. My semi regular visits to the states since we got Harry out have left Albus convinced I'm madly in love with a foreigner. It has proved a useful ruse in the past, I should thank him someday."
Sirius grinned and shook his head, "You're a terrifying woman Tabby. What a pity ole Dumbledore didn't recognise your adeptness for deception." A dark laugh escaped her lips, "It's come in very handy that he doesn't. 'Night Sirius. I'll see you at the end of the week." When she disappeared from the mirror Sirius tucked it back into his backpack and leaned back against the wall of the cave he'd taken shelter in.
The last eighteen months had seen a lot change. He and Minerva had developed a strong friendship through their regular chats via the mirrors. It had made Azkaban just that little bit more bareable. He was grateful to her for keeping him updated on his godson. It seemed that Harry was in the process of receiving something that Jack had referred to as, 'Jaffa training'. Sirius was very curious about it because according to Minerva it provided a Jaffa warrior with a mental barrier superior to ones used by even the strongest Occlumens.
Looking out at the stars Sirius smiled. By the end of the week he'd be with Harry again, even if only for a short time. He could just imagine the look on Dumbledore's face if he had any idea what was really going on. "You've already lost old man. And the beauty of it is you don't even know it yet."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Daniel leaned against the doorway and grinned at Jack, "You know if you didn't complain so much you'd be finished by now." The glare O'Neill sent him would have been intimidating if there hadn't been a thermometer sticking out of his mouth. When Daniel just grinned wider Jack rolled his eye and turned back to his torturer, "Come on Doc! Hurry up! I want to get home."
Janet would have been annoyed with her un-cooperative patient if she hadn't understood how he felt. She'd only seen Cassie that morning and was already missing her! "Stop complaining and I'll be done quicker." When he rolled his eyes she glared at him, "You know the rules Colonel. SG1 has been off world for over a week. Do you really want to risk exposing Harry to some alien disease you may have picked up?" Pouting Jack shook his head and stopped complaining.
Smiling Janet took the thermometer from his mouth and checked it, "Besides you've two weeks leave now. You and Harry can celebrate his birthday in style." Jack hopped up off the bed and clapped his hands, "Ok then let's get going." Reaching out Doctor Frasier pushed him back down, "We're not done here Colonel. Relax Harry is in good hands. Cassie's with him."
Carter looked over from the bed she was perched on, "When's your cousin and her family getting in Janet?" The doctor continued their check-ups as she answered, "Tomorrow morning. Cassie and I are going to pick them up from the airport and show them around a bit." Jack looked up at her, "You're still bringing the cake though, right?"
Teal'c looked up in interest and seemed satisfied when Janet nodded, "Yes. And my cousins' daughter is only a few months older than Harry. According to Jean her daughter is very shy so I was hoping some time with Harry would help bring her out of her shell." At the last bit Janet levelled her gaze at Jack. He smiled, "I'll let Harry know."
His smile disappeared when Janet quickly shone her penlight in his eyes. Doctor Frasier looked up from her notes and looked at the grinning Daniel, "Don't look so pleased Doctor Jackson. I still have to check you."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Cassie looked speculatively over her cards at Harry, "Go fish." The soon to be six year old huffed and picked a card from the table. His disgruntled expression changed to delight and he laughed. Throwing down the last of his cards he proclaimed happily, "Read 'em and weep!" Tossing her cards on the table Cassie pouted at him, "You have way more luck than is natural." Harry wiggled his fingers at her, "It's magic."
Laughing Cassie stood up, "Well in that case Mister Magic you can tidy up the cards and board games while I get dinner ready." While she was cutting up some potatoes to make fries she watched Harry out of the corner of her eye. It was hard to believe he'd been here for only a year and a half. He was barely the same boy anymore!
When Cassie had first met him Harry had been so fearful and shy that it had taken him two weeks to speak in front of her. Now he was a confident "almost" six year old. He was still sweet though, thankfully, despite Colonel O'Neill spoiling him a little. Though she supposed that it was alright that they all spoiled him a little, he still wasn't used to it.
Catching a weird movement out of the corner of her eye she looked up and nearly dropped her knife. Harry was putting the pieces of one of the board games back in their box but the cards that had been scattered all over the table a moment ago were sorting themselves out and flying back into their box. In mid-air!
Cassie had known about Harry's special abilities for a while but this was the first time she'd seen them in action. Swallowing she looked at Harry, he was blissfully ignorant of what he was doing. For a moment she chewed her lip and thought about not saying anything but he had a right to know. "Harry." When he looked towards her the floating cards were in his direct line of sight. His jaw dropped.
They stood watching the cards for a few more seconds before the pack drifted calmly to the table top and settled there. When they were sure the aerial ballet was done Harry looked up at Cassie in surprise, "Did you?" She shook her head and pointed at him with a knowing look. He stared back at the pack of cards for a moment and then turned to her and grinned, "Cool."
She laughed and nodded, "Very cool. And now Mister Magic that you're finished making the mess clean itself up you can help me in the kitchen. Come on." Harry scrambled happily to his feet and walked past her into the kitchen. As he moved by her Cassie reached out and ruffled his messy black hair, "You need a haircut." He clamped his hands down on his head protectively, "Nah-uh!"
-o-o-o-o-o-
"Lucy I'm home!" Jack was nearly barrelled over by the energetic bundle of joy that hit him the minute the words had come out of his mouth. Lifting a delighted Harry up into his arms Jack laughed, "I take it you're happy to see me." Harry laughed and nodded, "Yup."
Jack moved into the kitchen where Cassie was putting some dishes in the dishwasher. Looking up she grinned, "Hey Colonel. My mum on her way home yet?" Jack nodded as he put Harry down, "She was about five minutes behind me." Harry ran over to Cassie and tugged her shirt sleeve, "Tell him!"
Grinning Jack opened the fridge, "Tell me what?" Cassie waited until he had uncapped a beer and was taking a swig before she spoke, "Harry levitated a deck of cards back into its pack earlier." She and Harry laughed manically as Jack nearly choked on his beer. He glared playfully at them, "You've the same sick sense of humour as your mother. And you're infecting Harry with it! No fair!" Cassie merely grinned proudly at that before collapsing back into giggles with Harry.
"Hello?" Janet's voice drifted into the kitchen. Jack lifted his head up, "In here Janet. Your daughter just tried to kill me." Popping her head around the door Janet observed Cassie and Harry giggling and leaning against the dishwasher while Jack looked as though he had just drooled all down his front. At her questioning eyebrow Jack threw his hands up, "She decided to wait to tell me about Harry performing magic tricks until I was trying to drink something." She snorted, "Maybe that'll teach you not to drink beer in front of the children." He stuck his tongue out at her.
She rolled her eyes and went over to the two grinning minors, "Honestly Jack, I'd have thought you'd be used to it by now." He shrugged as Janet hugged both the kids, "It never gets old." The two women decided to stop hassling the colonel when they saw the delighted and pleased smile on Harry's face. Hugging Harry once more the two left with promises to come over as early as they could the next day. Once they were gone Jack looked at Harry, "So you can levitate things now." Nodding Harry smiled. Jack grinned, "Sweet."
A half hour later Jack was tucking his son into bed. Ten months ago he and Harry had a long talk and he'd asked if Harry would mind if he formally adopted him. The boy had eagerly agreed and was now happily known as Harry O'Neill. As he watched Harry hug his teddy tightly Jack shook his head. When he'd agreed to help out his old friend he hadn't realised that in doing so he'd heal himself. He loved Harry like he was his biological son; it didn't matter to him or anyone he knew that they weren't.
As he closed the door he whispered, "Get some sleep kiddo. We got a big day tomorrow."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Albus was fit to pull out his own beard! How could this have happened? How could Harry have disappeared over a year ago and none of them noticed? He felt terrible. Everything was falling apart and he couldn't even find some of the parts to fix it all. Minerva had been right. He was a blind fool to think that he could control everything.
She had been devastated when he'd told her about Harry's disappearance. He could still remember the look of shock and dismay on her face. Maybe if he had listened to her and moved the boy to somewhere that no one knew about this wouldn't have happened. And to make matters worse Black was loose!
Looking up from his hands he watched as Fawkes tilted his head at him. "How'd this happen Fawkes? How could I have missed so much?" The phoenix trilled and flew to perch on the back of Albus' seat. The warmth of the fire-bird helped calm him some but Albus was far from settled. He needed help.
A knock on his door sounded as he thought of who could help him. With a wave of his hand the door opened to reveal Minerva standing there with Severus. They came in and looked at him. After a moment he patted Fawkes on the head and stood up, "Is there any news?"
Severus shook his head, "No one seems to know anything Albus. It seems the boy vanished over a year and a half ago. There were no obvious signs of magic but it's the only explanation." Minerva sat heavily in a chair in front of his desk, "Oh gods." The sheer weakness of her voice shocked both men in the room. Minerva McGonagall was a strong and unbending woman, to see her so shaken was more than a little unnerving.
Albus came over and patted her on the shoulder, "Why don't you take some time for yourself my dear. You've barely slept the last week." She hung her head wearily, "How can I sleep Albus when Harry's missing?" He hummed in sympathy. She ran her hands over her face, "I have to cancel my trip! In all this mess I'd completely forgotten about it!"
Before she had even finished speaking Albus was shaking his head, "No Minerva. There's nothing you can do here. You should go and get some rest. Come back when you're fully recuperated." She looked up at him desperately, "Albus-" He cut off her weak objection before she could begin, "No dear. You need to get back on form. You look like you're about to collapse. A few days away from all this would be just what the healer ordered."
Hanging her head again the two men could just make out her weary nod, "Alright. But you'll owl if anything new comes up." Albus helped her up, "Of course. Now go home and get some sleep." She sighed and left the office with slumped shoulders. Both men felt bad for her, and Severus and she didn't even get on very well.
Neither saw the satisfied smirk on her lips as the door closed behind her. Perfect.
