A/N: And they get stuff done here! It's a miracle! *snicker* Productive chapter is productive. Go read!

Title: Fox Wish

Author: liketolaugh

Beta: The Quaag

Rating: T

Pairings: Ciel/Elizabeth, later Albus/Gellert

Genre: Adventure/Friendship

Warnings: Some spoilers for Black Butler manga and seventh Harry Potter book... eventually.

Summary: Ciel Phantomhive is a wizard. He's known this all his life; after all, his mother and father had both been purebloods, dividing their attention betwen the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. Now, Ciel is eleven, and it's time for him to attend Hogwarts, accompanied by a boy his age called Albus Dumbledore.

Disclaimer: Sadly, Black Butler is not mine.

"This cannot wait." – Albus

Three days.

Ciel had three days to solve the case before the Christmas holidays began and the students were sent home. Three days to determine the ritual, figure out who did it, and stop them. Permanently.

Without Sebastian there, that just wasn't possible.

Ciel scowled to himself; he hated taking time off in the middle of cases, the delay infuriated him, and that was when it wasn't personal. But it looked like he had no choice this time. When he was still so far away, he couldn't solve it in three days. He wasn't that fast.

So it would have to wait.

He clenched his fists, but quietly resigned himself to it, forcing himself to refocus on the book in front of him, tension racking his small frame.

Elphias, who had tentatively rejoined their little group two days after Ciel's birthday, was doing his homework, oblivious to Ciel's mounting resentment, and sitting across from the two other boys, who were researching again, homework long since done.

Finally, Albus sat back, frowning. "There's a lot of possibilities," he commented.

Ciel nodded absently, only half paying attention as he looked through the last ritual he'd found, again calling for children.

"How can we narrow it down, Ciel?" Albus pushed.

Ciel paused, considering his answer, but then replied, "There are ways." Which meant that he didn't know, precisely, but would – would – figure it out. Eventually. Somehow.

Albus sighed, catching the implication easily, but went back to work. Bridges were easier to cross once you'd actually reached them.

"You know, they found something in the pocket of the boy's robes," Elphias relayed, voice hushed, as though the killer could hear them.

Ciel glanced around rapidly, spotted Professor Vanken watching them with a disapproving frown, and shushed Elphias impatiently. It was a few moments before the professor left, and only then did Ciel gesture for him to go on. "What was it?" he asked under his breath. While most things would be useless, there was always the potential – for a charm, a slip of parchment with an incantation, an amulet. Anything along those lines could be useful.

Elphias shrugged. "I don't know… They didn't say."

Albus, following Ciel's train of thought perfectly, pushed, "Can you find out?"

Elphias leaned back a little, looking a bit uncomfortable and pretty confused. "I-I guess. Why?"

Albus shrugged, leaning back, too. "Don't you want to know?"

Elphias tilted his head, looking at the ceiling thoughtfully, and then nodded. "Yeah, I guess I am curious." And he slipped his book back into his bag, standing up and going out on a quest.

Albus cast Ciel a grin, and Ciel rolled his eyes in return.

They were sitting at the Gryffindor table for lunch by the time Elphias finally came back to them, a slightly pleased look in his eye. He'd found what he – and, in turn, they – had been looking for.

"Elphias!" Albus greeted as the other first year came toward them. "What did you find out?"

"It's an amulet," Elphias replied, looking no less confused than he had when the request had first been made.

"Thanks, Elphias," Albus said quickly, turning back away to glance at Ciel, who nodded at him. Elphias sighed. He didn't understand them, he really didn't.

Ciel, though, was frowning to himself. Hadn't he seen a few students with amulets? He had, hadn't he? And that one had felt evil, the one the Ravenclaw had, just a few months ago.

Had it really only been a few months?

Ciel sighed and shook his head. "Amulets, then," he muttered to himself, tilting his head back to watch the enchanted ceiling with a frown, mind flickering through the spells he'd read about, trying to remember which ones involved amulets.

The next day, the students boarded the Hogwarts Express to return home for the holidays. Ciel fumed.

"What are you going to do over the holidays, Ciel?" Albus asked curiously, looking out the window. "I'm staying with my family, but it'll be alright, I suppose."

Ciel, also looking out the window, shrugged. "I'm not certain. Nothing of note, really." Except more research, but he wasn't going to mention that. Albus would probably disapprove.

And had he mentioned how irritating it was to be interrupted in his investigation?

It had been hours since they had pulled out of Hogsmeade, and it had taken at least half that time before Ciel had calmed enough for actual conversation, something which Albus had taken careful note of and promptly ignored.

But by now, they were approaching the station, and the train was beginning to slow – not that either boy, locked in their discussion, noticed.

Then the train lurched to a halt and Albus looked up.

"We're here," he noted with surprise.

Ciel frowned and looked out the window. It wasn't like him to be so distracted as to not notice something like that, but indeed, the train had pulled to a stop, with parents scattered about the platform, waiting patiently. One blue eye quickly located Sebastian, leaning unobtrusively against a pillar in his characteristic dark tailcoat. The man's own eyes were scanning the train's windows, and soon he, too, had found Ciel, and he settled back, satisfied. His crimson gaze, though, didn't leave Ciel.

Ciel settled back, too, eyes on Sebastian. "So we are."

Albus followed his gaze and tilted his head forward slightly, looking at Sebastian over the frames of his glasses. "That's the man who you were with at the bookstore," he noted. Ciel nodded. "Who is he?"

"Sebastian," Ciel replied simply, each of the four syllables dropping from his mouth like an incantation. Outside, he watched Sebastian's eyes flash briefly with hellfire, and a smirk curled the demon's lips, warm with satisfaction. In the next moment, he tilted his head toward Ciel in acknowledgement.

An answering smirk danced on Ciel's features, and as the call came, he and Albus stood at the same time. Ciel broke the eye contact to turn away, following Albus off the train.

They stepped onto the platform and Ciel barely had time to notice a brief pause in Albus' pace before the auburn-haired boy looked over his shoulder to grin at Ciel, excitement sparkling in ice blue eyes. "Ciel, come with me... I want to show you something."

Ciel tilted his head at Albus with a frown, but acquiesced with a nod. He turned his head to meet Sebastian's eyes again, and beckoned with a finger. Sebastian nodded in return and, within moments, vanished into the crowd.

They both started to move, only making a brief detour to claim their trunks before Albus paused, crystal eyes flickering over the crowd. Finally, Albus seemed to find what he was looking for, and started waving frantically, eyes sparkling. Ciel followed his gaze, tilting his head curiously.

Heading toward them was a tall woman with jet-black hair and a boy of about eight with icy eyes like Albus'. Ciel's gaze became guarded as he realized.

This was Albus' family.

Albus hurried forward to meet them with a broad grin, one hand gripping Ciel's sleeve, urging the other boy to follow after him, both of them dragging their trunks behind. "Mum!" he greeted. "Abe!"

'Abe' smiled up at him, eyes sparkling just like Albus'. "Hi, Al!"

Albus' mother – Kendra, Ciel remembered – smiled down at the boy too. "Hello, Albus. Have you had a good school year so far?"

He nodded, smiling, and then tugged the uncomfortable Ciel forward. "Mum, Aberforth, this is Ciel."

Kendra's gaze became almost calculating, definitely discerning, Ciel decided. "Ah, yes, I believe you mentioned him. Ciel Phantomhive, correct?"

Ciel tilted his head up toward her, blue eye holding a glint of respect for the current Head of the house of Dumbledore. Without taking his eyes off her, he slowly bent a little, let go of his trunk, and straightened up, before answering, "That is correct." A moment passed in which both of them just examined each other, and one would be hard-pressed to decide which gaze was more disconcerting.

Then Kendra's gaze warmed, just a little. "You must be quite the interesting person if Albus made friends with you. He usually keeps to himself."

Ciel's eyes glinted in amusement, though he didn't drop his guard. "Most would say the same of Albus, Lady Dumbledore. I am… not one for being friendly, either."

"Is that what you call it?" teased Albus. "I thought it was more… outright hostility. Toward everyone."

Ciel glowered at him.

Kendra raised an eyebrow, suddenly almost aloof. "Does this 'everyone' include my son?"

Ciel's gaze returned to her, and was, just as abruptly, cool. "At times."

Kendra 'hm'ed, cynical, and something in her eyes reminded Ciel of his Aunt Frances. He shivered. "Well. Do try to keep your family business away from him, understand?"

Ciel looked at her cautiously, and promised nothing. Instead, after a moment, he commented, "I must say, you remind me of Aunt Frances, ma'am."

Kendra's face softened into a smile, a hint of humor dancing in her eyes and wiping away the near-animosity of moments before. "You flatter me. I wouldn't dare to call myself anywhere near as strong-willed or as skilled as she, for fear of inciting her wrath."

Ciel chuckled quietly. So did she. Albus, looking up from where he was chattering with Aberforth (or rather, listening as Aberforth chattered) and beamed.

It was at that moment that Sebastian appeared at Ciel's elbow, and Ciel looked up at the demon and inclined his head slightly in greeting. Sebastian returned it with a slight smirk, and then they both looked back to the Dumbledores, neither saying a word to the other.

"And who is this?" Kendra inquired, gaze moving to rest on Sebastian, dark eyes boring into his own.

Sebastian's mind, like Ciel's, immediately flashed to uncomfortable memories of being scrutinized by Frances. Privately, he hoped that Kendra would not complain of his apparently lecherous features.

"Sebastian Michaelis," Ciel informed her. "My butler. As my parents are… unable to come get me, the task has fallen to him."

Kendra 'hm'ed. "I see. Well, Mr. Butler, see to it that the noble House of Phantomhive is well taken care of, yes?" A smirk flashed through her eyes, though her lips stayed in a firm line. "It would be a shame for such a family to fall to ruin."

Sebastian gave her a careful smile, placing his hand over his heart, and he replied, "Of course, my lady. I will do my very best."

By now, the many families had begun to disperse, and the platform was swiftly emptying. Ciel tilted his head back to look up at Sebastian, and informed him, "We're leaving soon."

Something in his eyes seemed to spark something in Sebastian, and suddenly he looked slightly apprehensive. With good reason, Ciel thought, somewhat cross but more amused. "Ah, yes. It is probably best not to leave the servants alone at the manor for too long."

Albus snickered. He'd heard stories about them. Some of them were mildly horrifying. Most of them were funny. "Alright, then. I'll see you when school starts, Ciel. I'll send you a letter tomorrow."

A smile flickered across Ciel's face, startling Sebastian slightly. "I'll be waiting for it," he promised, before nodding to the rest of the Dumbledore family. "It was good to meet you, Lady Dumbledore, Aberforth."

Aberforth smiled at him brightly, and Kendra gave him a nod. Then he had turned away and starting heading for the barrier, leaving Sebastian to claim his trunk and follow close behind. He passed through the barrier and started to walk towards the exit.

"The servants have missed you," Sebastian informed him, barely a step behind.

Ciel glanced up at him, cerulean eye gleaming with something unreadable. "Have they?"

"I believe they are even worse when you are not around."

Ciel chuckled quietly. "I was unaware that that was even possible."

"As was I. Had I not seen it myself, I may not have believed it." Sebastian opened the door into the carriage, and Ciel, without a thought, took the hand he offered and climbed into the carriage, leaning back slightly once he was in.

Odd. It felt odd. Familiar, but… not.

He shook his head. Well, never mind that. He had business to take care of, things to do. He was sure the meetings and such had piled up in his absence, and he was most certainly not looking forward to those.

He looked back to the front, and Sebastian glanced back to cast him a smirk before looking forward and pulling slightly, causing the horses to start moving forward.

It was time to return to the manor.

Heck, yeah! It took a while, but I got it! And more characters are introduced. Canon characters, at that. Also, it recently occurred to me that I introduced a bunch of OCs and then proceeded to not use them. *sigh* They will get a bit of use at times, but do not expect them to feature heavily. This is strictly Ciel and Albus. Or Ciel and Sebastian when he's at the manor, as he will be, but Albus will still get his voice in there. Anyway, please review!