I apologize for how long it has taken to post this chapter. Apparently my version of soon and real life's version of soon differ greatly, that and my computre crashed which happened to have the recent chapters of this story saved to it. Thankfully due a wonder computer wiz friend of my brothers I was able to get a good portion of the fic back but getting the computer back took longer than expected. Anyway, I am back and will resume posting chapters in a much timelier manner. Sorry again for the delay, hope I have lost too many readers. Enjoy. On to the story...

Chapter 9

"Amanda! What the bloody hell are you doing here?" Methos shouted lowering his weapon.

The petite brunette smiled. "Well hello to you too, Methos. Where's Duncan?"

The older immortal shook his head. "Still in Paris as far as I know. I'm borrowing his flat for a few days…and you know better than to call me that in front of company."

Amanda Dereaux smiled and glanced over Methos' shoulder. She waved at Jack who was glaring at the two immortals like a deer caught in headlights.

For a moment there was a deafening silence between the trio as Amanda looked from one to the other taking in their haggard appearance, Methos shirtless in a thin pair of pajama bottoms and Jack in white wife beater and boxers, his dog tags dangling down and resting against his chest.

"Just what are you up to, old man?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at Methos. "I never would have guessed you swung that way."

Methos gaped as his jaw dropped as he realized what she must have thought. "You wench! He's not my lover."

At that Jack fell back onto the couch, his mind reeling. He was certain he'd heard this Amanda correctly when she'd called Adam 'Methos' and her insinuating that he and Adam were lovers was just too much. His fingers gently began to massage his temples as he took in this new bit of information and a headache began to set in.

"Are you alright, Jack?" Methos asked seeing the distress on wizard's face.

"Just fine, Adam…or should I call you Methos?" He hadn't meant the last part to come out so harshly, and he instantly regretted it. He jumped to his feet and began pacing the floor behind the couch as Amanda and Methos moved out of his way. "Damn it! I don't believe this. Why me? Why is it always me? This damn 'gift' could have been given to anyone, but no it had to be me!"

The two immortals watched and listened intently as Jack rambled on for several minutes about having a 'gift' and despising it until finally he collapsed to his knees and both moved quickly to his side.

"Jack, are you alright?" Methos asked as he carefully lifted the wizard to the couch while Amanda went to the kitchen to fetch some water for the visibly exhausted mortal.

"I should have guessed it was you. It makes sense you know." Jack trembled in Methos' arms, but he gratefully took small sips of the water Amanda brought to him.

"What's he talking about?" The confusion on Amanda's face was clear but all Methos could do was shrug his shoulders.

"I've no idea, Amanda."

The looked down and Jack had closed his eyes and drifted into slumber, leaving the two immortals to wonder what it was they had just witnessed.

***

The House of Black seemed to buzz with a mixture of excitement and fear as Harry, Sirius, Hermione Granger and the Weasleys waited for Dumbledore to arrive. For Harry he was happy to see Ron and Hermione again, but he couldn't help but feel a bit upset that everyone around him seemed to know more than he did about everything that had been going on in the wizarding world and with his Uncle Jack. He had tried to his best to hide the anger he felt, but it was apparent to all that Harry was far from being alright with being kept in the dark.

Finally the hour came and the old house shook slightly before the front door opened to reveal a bright eyed Albus Dumbledore followed by Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin and dreadfully weary looking Severus Snape.

"You mean to tell me Poppy let this one out her sight?" Molly Weasley remarked as she bustled forward taking hold of the Potion Master's arm and pulling him towards the nearby den so he could sit down.

"I'm afraid he gave her little choice. He was adamant about seeing Harry." Remus responded seeing that none of his companions were readying to answer.

Severus waved his arms around trying to free himself from Molly's grip and it was then that she realized the tall wizard hadn't made a single sound since entering the house.

"What's wrong with you, Severus? Can't you speak?" She asked and he gave her an icy glare before turning it on Albus.

Everyone stared back and forth between the two wizards in confusion, until Albus chose to speak up.

"I've put a silencing charm on him. He was not willing to hear reason and until he is, the charm will remain in place."

Snape slammed his fists against the table in response.

"Calm yourself, Severus." Said Molly as she turned back to the group. "We'd best get started. We haven't any time to waste."

With that the Meeting began.

***

Daniel had paced the floor in his office for much of the last hour, wondering about all that had happened in the past few months since finding out his best friend was a wizard. It had all seemed to go by in a blur at the time, but now that he was stopping to think on it all, it began to overwhelm him.

During his last meeting with Jack, only two days earlier he'd wanted to curse the man for all that was happening but deep down he knew it was no more Jack's fault than it was anyone else's. He sighed heavily as he caught a glance at the clock. A knock on his door got his attention and he turned to see Lou Ferretti smiling back at him.

"Hey doc! So where are we headed for lunch?" The Major asked. "I gotta admit I was surprised at the invite. Don't get me wrong, doc…you're an alright fella just never known you to hang out with too many folks outside of the colonel the rest of SG-1."

"We can go wherever. I'm not too picky. I just want to get outta the mountain for a bit…get some fresh air, you know?"

Ferretti nodded. "I hear ya. I know a spot in town that has the best burgers in the state. How's that sound?"

Daniel grinned as he grabbed his jacket and began moving towards the door. "Perfect."

Twenty minutes later they were sitting together in Lou's truck on their way get lunch. Nervously, Daniel fidgeted in his seat and tapped on the car door as they drove along. They reached the burger joint, parked and went inside. When their food arrived they both dug in. A few minutes later it was Lou who finally broke their silence.

"Alright, Dr. Jackson…what's this all about?" Daniel looked up, a sheepish grin on his face. "It's obvious you wanted me outta the mountain for a reason, now what gives?"

Taking a deep breath Daniel started. "I have a message for you from Jack."

Lou gaped. "The colonel has been missing for months, Daniel. Are you saying you know where he is?"

The archeologist shrugged his shoulders as he adjusted his glasses. "Not exactly."

Calming himself with a few deep breaths Ferretti spoke up. "What's the message?"

Daniel reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small piece of parchment, carefully pushing it across the table to his companion. Lou opened it and then looked up at Daniel in confusion for there appeared to be no writing on the parchment.

"He said you'd know how to read it."

With that Lou slowly got up and motioned for Daniel to follow. They headed back out to the truck and got inside.

"How much do you know, Jackson?" Lou asked tersely.

"Judging by your reaction just now, I'd say I was right in thinking you're a wizard like Jack."

Lou shook his head. "There aren't many wizards like Jack."

Daniel curiously raised his left eyebrow and nodded. "But you do know how to read the note, don't you?"

Without another word Ferretti reached across Daniel and opened the glove compartment to reveal a slender stick of wood that Daniel recognized as a wand. Lou took hold of it and gently touched it to the parchment. In an instant the words became visible.

Lou,

Sorry about leaving you in the dark for so long like this, but I didn't have much choice. You can trust Daniel. I swear it. I need you to ready the rest of the magicfolk in the mountain. I honestly thought I could prevent this from happening, but I'm afraid I can't. Voldemort is on his way and you're the only one who knows where and who everyone is. Daniel and Hammond know my plan. If you can get the others to go along, we may have a chance at keeping the gate safe. We don't have much time, so please hurry. Again, I'm sorry for telling you like this, and I hope you can forgive me for it someday.

Your Friend,

Jack

tbc...