A/N: Chapter 9 has been revised for those of you who read it right after the first time I posted it.

CHAPTER 10 – Oh, And By The Way…

After speaking with Hammond, and having a distinct feel for where the man's mind was at, Alverez began examining his priorities. "Would it be permissible for me to see the children?" he asked carefully.

Rising from his desk,Hammond gave a single nod. "I think that would be good for us all." He frowned for a moment. "You don't have clearance identification," he told Alverez with obvious discomfort. "Even if you're with me, the security personnel will notice and report it.

The wizard smiled with a hint of embarrassment. "I'd just apparated to you're office and sat down a moment or so before you came in." He reached into his suit jacket, pulled out an official clearance ID, and then proceeded to attach it to his kerchief pocket.

With another, somewhat resigned nod, General Hammond went to the door, opened it, and gestured for Alverez to go before him. Soon, they were on their way, side by side, to the room where the children were being held.

Alverez turned to look at Hammond's profile, again exceedingly curious about the man's ability to maintain such composure. What sort of experiences had the General undergone to be so at ease with what had repeatedly sent other non-members of the Wizarding world into near torment?

"Um, Collin tells me he can show us the school's journalism archives." Daniel motioned with his hands towards the boy sitting next to him. "Maybe we could even coax him to tell us more about the photography process, since that's his specialty." He looked over at Samantha to see if she found that at all interesting.

"You don't need to coax me! I'd be more than happy to tell you all about it!" Collin looked as though he were ready to get up and drag them all to wherever it was that he was hoping to show them. "There was so much we had about the three of you that didn't get included in last years remissions!"

"The three of us?" Daniel asked cautiously.

"Well, yes! I'm—I mean, we're use to having to trim back on all of the things that we gather about you, Harry. Last year was hugger-mugger. With Ron being a hostage underwater of the mer-folk during the Tri-Wizarding tournament, and Hermione being asked to the Yule Ball by Krum," Collin switched to a more subdued narrative, "we had the worst time at the pre-release edit."

After exchanging glances of agreement with the other three, Daniel turned to Collin and nodded that they would go with him to see the archives after lunch. Forgetting that he wasn't much older (or suppose to be), Daniel found himself more than a little moved at Collin's exuberance. He smiled admiringly at the boy who was looking up at him with thrilled wonder.

Seeing her brother grow more and more troubled, Ginny decided to al least let him know that she was worried for him. "Ron? Is something wrong?" She didn't actually expect him to tell her if something was. Maybe it would give Hermione and Ron a reason to try and do something for him as soon as they could go somewhere private, though.

Jack was now kicking himself for forgetting he had a little sister who was sitting right there with them. He looked down at the table and tried to seem as though he were making his mind up about answering. Although he was suppose to be Ron Weasley, things seemed to go along just fine when he was just being his usual self. Well, go with what works, he thought. "Draco threatened me."

The table seemed to almost go silent, and Jack's eyes moved upward to rest upon Ginny's face.

Ginny was saucer eyed, thinking that Ron wouldn't have been bothered unless Draco Malfoy had said something truly horrible. She was utterly shocked as she tried to imagine what Draco could have said.

The corner of Jack's mouth pulled up. "When I told him I was hiding from Seamus and his 'ideas', he said he might talk to his father about giving Fred and George a little help financially."

By Ginny's frozen expression, it seemed as though she were at war with herself as to how to respond. It was clear that she realized her brother was trying to make a joke of things, but she also obviously considered giving him an earful for toying with her concern.

"He didn't." she hissed in mock offense, having chosen to play along. "I take back what I said about him having at least some sort of redeeming quality." She covered her mouth by taking a drink of her pumpkin juice, but her smile shown in her eyes.

The moment of tension was suddenly over. There was light laugher surrounding them for a moment, and then things went on as before. Jack was covering his own smile with a spoonful of stew.

Harry pulled away from Hermione and stuck his face up close to the mirror. Pushing his fringe up off his forehead, he saw quite clearly the exact same scar that had been with him all his life. Not having realized earlier how much he'd actually been enjoying being here, the sudden loss of levity was all the more pronounced. He couldn't get away, not even by switching bodies with someone else.

Neville moved behind Harry to where Hermione stood just outside the bathroom doorway. "Do you think this means we can still use magic?" He regretted asking the question immediately, fearful that he'd be thought selfish for thinking about such a thing while Harry was dealing with a visible blow.

"I'm not sure. By all rights, we shouldn't be able too. A person has to be born a witch or a wizard. Although, I have read that wizards and witches who've used polyjuice potion in order to assume the appearance of mu—non-Wizarding people still retained their magic. I don't know of anyway that could we could test the matter without our wands."

"Do you think You-Know-Who is going to know Harry is here instead of at Hogwarts?" Ron had been feeling safe knowing that they were very far away from Hogwarts, since they're body's were actually still there. Now, though, he wondered how quickly Voldemort could find them if he had some sort of tracking spell on Harry's magic.

Hermione stared at the floor in thought, "That's a very good question." Knowing that Ron was looking to her for reassurance she told him, "Let's hope that the American Wizarding authorities arrive soon."

As if on cue, the door opened and Hammond entered with another man at his side. "Gentlemen, and Miss Granger, this is Mr. Steven Alverez of the North American Wizarding Counsel. Mr. Alverez, this is Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Harry Potter."

Alverez shook hands with each as he was introduced. He noticed that although the four seemed a bit anxious at first, they seemed quite relieved at General Hammond's entrance as well as himself. A particular name caused him a bit of a turn, "Without meaning to seem rude, but would that be the same Harry Potter who was in the Tri-Wizarding Tournament last year?" Actually, he'd wanted to ask about another reference to the name, but remembered rumors of how overwrought people got about it overseas.

Harry seemed reluctant to answer, but did so with an obviously strong sense of respectfulness, "Yes sir." The boy seemed unsure whether to meet his eyes or look down at the floor.

"I'm very sorry to hear that someone as young as yourself would be facing such tragedies," his voice softened, hoping to make amends for reminding the child of so horrid a deal of fate.

Harry looked up at Mr. Alverez, and saw the honest compassion in his eyes. It wasn't just polite sympathy that he'd seen in so many others in his own country. Mr. Alverez seemed very grief stricken on his behalf. Swallowing a large lump in his throat, he tried not to give in to the ache of wanting comfort. "Thank you, Mr. Alverez," he replied with deep sincerity.

Hammond listened unobtrusively, but with growing concern for Harry. From what Alverez was saying, the boy may have had someone close to him die recently. Professionalism aside, his feelings as a grandfather compelled him to give this young man whatever emotional support he could.

With a growing sense of urgency, Hermione entered the conversation, "Mr. Alverez, do you know about Harry's scar?"

Steven Alverez felt more than a little uncomfortable with speaking about such a thing, but the other three were acting as though the young lady spoke on their behalf. "I've heard of it…how he came to have it, and that it seems to resist removal or concealment," he admitted reluctantly.

"Mr. Alverez, even in this body, he still has it!" Hermione had moved to rest her hand on Harry's shoulder while looking at Mr. Alverez anxiously.

Alverez closed the distance between himself and Harry, although slowly. His eyes stayed glued, momentarily, to a definite lightning bolt-shaped scar on Mr. Potter's forehead. "How…unexpected," was all he could manage to say.

"Mr. Alverez," General Hammond did his best not to demand an explanation. "Is there something about this scar I should know about?" He didn't like the idea of Daniel's body being affected in any additional manner.

Alverez faltered a moment, trying to remember what he'd heard about this particular boy: The Boy Who Lived. "Yes," he said in a breathy, distracted manner. "But first, General Hammond, would you allow me to see if the children, can still use their magic? It's very important, and won't take but a few moments. I'll explain everything that I can right afterwards."

General Hammond's patience was being stretched, but he wanted the children to feel safe. "As long as it's something simple and doesn't affect the functions of this facility," he agreed evenly.

"Thank you," Alverez nodded in gratitude. "Miss Granger," he addressed the young woman, "if you would, please. I'd like for you to go first. He drew out his wand and held it out for her, "I realize using another's wand is a bit awkward, but I don't think we should put this off."

Hermione agreed silently, and pointed the wand at a one of the small bags of crisps on the table, "Wingardium leviosa!"

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter turned out so boring. I'm trying to get SG-1 informed about Harry as quickly as possible, so that they realize he's kind of a target. Collin is going to take them up to the Gryffindor dorm and give them the password so they can get to where 'their' rooms are and find more out about themselves and get their wands and find out if they can use magic...

Thank you so much for your reviews!This is my first work of this length and complexity. This was another chapter I had to struggle to write out. I wanted SG-1 to find find out as much about Harry and his friends as possible, and then I came up with the idea that Collin Creevy could have been keeping his own stash of private notes on them.

People keep asking about what happens when classes come around. Well, the thing is, I was hoping for them to get things fixed before the weekend was over for them. That idea isnot set in stone.

I have an idea for Severus to turn the corner and find Dean and Seamus showing Jack a potions book to try and make their anti-prank items with small objects, and Jack asking how much the Brazilian Lightning Lizard mucus is going to cost.

I have a LOTmore funny ideas, but I'm trying to fill in the details between them rather than just jumping to them.

This wasn't meant to be a comedy, but since Jack is in it, there are parts that are going to be funny.