Disclaimer: I own nothing here. JK Rowling owns everything other than the bad story line and a few characters. I am just playing with the story as i see fit. I hope you enjoy.
"Harry, why on Earth haven't you packed before today," Hermione scolded as Harry bustled around the room picking up clothes and stuffing them into his trunk. Cody had attempted to help the young man earlier but was forcefully told that Harry would be the only one packing his trunk. It was a week and a half before Christmas and they were getting ready for their departure from Hogwarts.
"Honestly Mione I had everything packed but my books and dirty laundry. I don't see why I have to bring both of those with me on Christmas," Harry huffed as he tried to shut the lid on his overstuffed trunk. After finally getting it latched he flicked his wand at it and sent it zooming to be at the front door with the other trunks.
"You're going to be doing your own laundry and also if you haven't forgotten we have homework over Christmas Break. I will not allow you to put it off till the last minute," Hermione said pointedly looking at her boyfriend. This was one of their first fights and Harry knew better than to push the subject any further on the point of having books and dirty clothes.
"My dear we are coming back before New Year's. It isn't like we are going to spend a year away from the castle," Harry reminded her, "I love you." Harry hoped the three words he had just said would stop anymore arguing.
"I love you too," Hermione said while giving him a small kiss on the lips. Then they heard a small laugh coming from the door as the broke apart.
"If you are done snogging each other it's time to go and it looks like we are the first to leave," Cody said pointing to Sam and them. Hermione gave a small blush before grabbing Harry's hand and dragging him toward the portrait hole. She had been looking forward to finally seeing her parents again as she hadn't heard from them since she had been at Grimauld Place.
"How are we traveling? Side-along Apparation," Hermione asked hoping the trip wouldn't take to much out of the adults. She knew Side-along Apparation took a lot of energy and going across the ocean would take even more.
"No, it would take too much energy. Besides there is a possibility that we would be bound together. We can't take portkey as it is easily traced and the wards around the house won't let us make a portkey that works there unless we are already there," Cody said as they walked down to the Entrance Hall. Cody didn't finished saying anything and Harry felt the heat of his anger as he felt Cody was hiding something from them.
"Then what type of travel are we using," Harry asked not hiding the fact that he was ticked off. He watched Cody look back at him with a hint of a twinkle in them.
"You should be familiar on this sort of travel," Cody pointed toward a red bird sitting on top of the luggage. Harry smiled at Faux and then turned to ask a question, "Don't worry. Faux will be ok in fact this is also one of the safest travels that we can take. It's undetectable and not chance of getting hurt for us or Faux. Now grab onto a tail feather and let's get a move on."
Harry took a deep breath as he grab tightly to a red soft tail feather. He barely saw the flash of fire when he felt as if he was flying through the air. Then everything ended and they were standing in front of a large two story house in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. Harry looked around and saw snow was everywhere and there was what seemed to be a small house in the distance with smoke coming from the chimney.
"Welcome to my house. Just built last year and this will be the first time anyone has slept in it," Cody laughed. Harry and Hermione looked shocked that a house as beautiful as this one wasn't being lived in. Harry smiled at the calming crème color of the siding and the house and its warming and comforting call for them to enter. "We will be alone for the night as Faux can't make the trip more than once in a day. I hope you don't mind," Cody said as he frowned looking down the road.
"No I don't mind," Harry gave a chuckle at the idea of Ron still being in England. "How will the others be arriving tomorrow if Faux can't make the trip more than twice?" Harry was carrying the stuff up the stairs.
"By portkey, the only reason we didn't was because I have to be here to make one," Cody said looking around the house. He was in awe as this was the first time he had been in his own house. He made a mental note to come home more often. Harry gave him a puzzled look, "The wards around this area require a portkey to be made inside the wards to allow it to work to get here. If we didn't then the portkey would transport them many miles away." Harry took this answer for what it was worth and then began to look around the house. "Hermione's and your room is at the top of the stairs on the right and the last door on the left," Cody instructed.
As they walked up the darkly stained stairs Harry thought about Number 4 Privet Drive. He felt a bit guilty about what had happened to his cousin but felt little guilt over his uncle. Hermione squeezed his hand gentle as they walked up the stairs. "Harry it isn't your fault you didn't know that they had been found," Hermione's voice reassured him of his thoughts.
"I know but if I had been there. Just maybe Vernon and Dudley would have lived. No matter how much I hated both of them it still hard to lose a human life," Harry said softly as he opened the door to his and Hermione's room. His jaw dropped at the king sized bed and the rather large flat screen that hung on the wall. He heard Hermione gasp as her eyes took in the same sight. Harry walked over and gentle pushed on the soft bed and smiled a bit at how nice the room was.
"It seems Mr. Potter you aren't the only one with a loaded bank account even if you don't want the damn money. Never really seen the point in using it unless it was to make something better," Cody said over his shoulder. He frowned at something and then walked to the door that was at the end of the hall way and opened it. Harry just shook his head as Cody walked off as he caught a small thought that had crossed Cody's mind about the rooms not being the way he had requested them. Harry felt comfortable with the way the house was laid out.
"Harry, come help me for a few," Cody called from downstairs. Harry shrugged at Hermione and rushed from the room. He saw Cody standing at the back door throwing on a light coat and threw Harry another one. Harry threw it on quickly and followed Cody out the door. "We need to get some fire wood for the wood stove unless we want to freeze tonight," Cody pointed toward two large trees sitting in the back of the house. Harry noticed an older man with black hair running a chain saw cutting the logs to similar lengths.
Cody walked over and grabs some and began hauling them to a door that was to the basement of the house. Harry grabbed a couple of small logs and followed Cody. His eyes had trouble adjusting to the lack of light. Then he saw Cody stacking the fire wood near a wall and threw his logs near Cody's. They kept this process up until all of the wood was sitting down by the wall near the wood stove. Cody walked over and began talking with the man who had been cutting wood.
"So, Dad how are the Grangers Adjusting to life around the farm," Cody asked with a look of humor on his face. Harry could see a small resemblance between the two men. He noticed that Cody's dad had black hair that was pepper with gray and white. His eyes were a cold grayish blue and his face was accented by a rather thick beard.
"They are enjoying every second of it. They only worry about their daughter, which you guys will need to come down to the house to see them at some point today. I kept your truck and that damn car running. You know you should really think about selling that car it ain't much use for you," Cody's dad said as they began walking toward a large tin building.
As they made it inside the building Harry saw a lot of farm equipment as well as a few vehicles and other machinery. "Oh, where are my manors. Dad this is the famous Harry Potter. Harry this is my father, Scott Niemeier," Cody said in a mock formal voice.
"The attitude you have. I don't remember raising you to be a disrespectful mouthy adult," Scott said in a low tone, "The pleasure is mine Harry. I have heard a lot about you from Hermione's parents." Scott extended a rather dirty hand for Harry to shake, which Harry took without a second thought.
"Yeah well it's good to be home. I have a surprise waiting in the house," Cody said and his dad lowered his eyebrows. Cody gave him a small grin causing his dad to grimace at the ideas running through his head.
"It better not be your mother. I know she will be here on Christmas but still doesn't mean I want to see her any other time of the year," Scott huffed as he walked back out into the blistering cold air. Cody just shook his head and began looking around his shop.
"You know for all of this being built while I was away, they did a really good job. The only thing I noticed was the house is missing a few things I requested but the shop makes up for it. I just wish my dad would quit telling me I need to sell the 1970 Pontiac GTO that is sitting over there," Cody mused while looking at the different machines in his shop.
"Why are you still fighting if you have this to come back to," Harry asked rather shocked Cody still fought evil when he had a perfectly normal life to return to. Cody stopped for a while looking off into space at something that wasn't apparent to Harry.
"Harry this life is everything I want but long ago something happened to me. I figured that my life was meant for more than just tilling the land and taking care of crops and livestock. I find it enjoyable but I would much rather be out taking care of evil that is threatening the innocent in the world. Everyone was put on this Earth for a reason. I just think mine is fighting for my beliefs," Cody said into the air.
Then they heard a shout of joy from in the house, "Well, I'll be damned. I guess you guys patched up all of your damn problems. Good, that boy needs a woman in his life." Cody shook his head and motioned toward the house, "Better head to the house before Sam starts cussing me later for my dad."
As they walked in the door Harry saw Hermione sitting on the stairs with raised eyebrows and Cody's dad had Sam wrapped up in a bear hug. As Cody's dad let go he pointed over to Hermione, "Now this lovely young lady must be Miss Hermione Granger. Your parents are really good people." Hermione gave a small blush as Scott turned to Cody, "Now it seems everyone is settled in let's head down to the house for a little talk." Cody shrugged and nodded for the group to head outside. As everyone walked outside his dad yelled, "Does anyone need to ride with me."
"Nah I have room in the truck for everyone so it's ok," Cody shouted back. Cody pointed toward a dark green Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab truck and Harry and Hermione climbed in the back seat. Hermione went to buckle her seat belt and Cody looked back, "You can if you want but we are only going a little ways down the road." Hermione decided that this time she wouldn't buckle it. Harry out stretched his hand into Hermione's lap and she took it willingly.
Harry felt the truck slowly crept from the cover of the shop. He smiled he likes how friendly Cody's dad was and it seemed they had a rather strong relationship with each other. Then he felt a pang of loneliness at the thought of his own father. The one who had been murdered after he had been born for a year. It had always gotten to him that others didn't have to deal with the same things he had but then he felt selfish. Harry watched as they slowly traveled down the snow covered roads and watched as Cody was full attention to the road making sure the truck didn't slide into a ditch. Harry felt the truck give a few small lurches toward the ditch only to be corrected by Cody seconds later.
"Sorry, if my dad comes out a little too out spoken. The man always told me you can only please yourself so fuck everyone else," Cody shook his head as they pulled into the drive. Harry silently wished everyone else was so forth coming about everything. He felt that there were too many secretes for anything to every go right. Cody must have caught that, "Harry I know you wish more people were more open but as they say anything worthwhile is worth waiting for." Harry knew Cody was right but he just didn't like being kept in the dark. Cody walked to the front door and held it open for Sam and Hermione as they went through.
Harry began to walk through and then he stopped fearing meeting Hermione's parents again. Cody smiled and pushed him through the door and Harry closed his eyes waiting for the yelling. All he felt was a pair of arms snake around him that belong to a woman and not Hermione. He opened his eyes and saw Hermione's mom had a hold on him and tears were leaking from her eyes. "Thank you so much," Jane Granger said in a shaky voice. Harry felt a lead weight land in his stomach. "Cody and Dumbledore both explained to us what you have done. We are grateful that you have befriended our daughter and became even more now." Harry now felt his eyes were about to bust out of his head as he was told the Grangers now knew everything.
Rodger Granger cleared his throat and the room became silent. Harry watched Cody begin to slowly grasp his wand for any problems. "Harry, I hope you understand I am still protective over my daughter. I thank you for everything you have done so far for her. I believe you are the right man for her but it's going to take me time to get use to the fact that you are marked. Trust me I won't argue about my daughter seeing you but I want my daughter to remain safe," Rodger finished his speech and looked at Harry awaiting the response.
"I understand that, sir. I don't ever want to see Hermione hurt," Harry said looking around the room and then he noticed Hermione's face, "But I can't make Hermione listen to my every word. Honestly Hermione is going to make her own decisions I can't hold her hand through everything and she has will make her decision all we can do is be there and help her through them." Rodger smiled and nodded his head to Harry with approval of the answer.
"Spoken like a true man who knows my daughter. Good thing too or else I would have to warn you about how stubborn she is at times. You probably knew that long ago when you two first became friends but then again as women say some of us guys are just too hard headed to understand them," Rodger went and gave his daughter a hug to which she responded with a bear hug. He gave Harry a small hug as a father would have to a son, or at least how Harry envisioned it would feel. He heard the door open but couldn't see if it was someone coming inside or leaving. He glanced around the room and noticed Cody had gone outside.
Harry made for the door until he heard Scott's voice cut the silence in the air, "Don't bother. He is going out to blow of some steam. I doubt you could find him without help, that is." Sam blushed slightly and nodded her head to the door. As they walked outside Harry could see the snow was picking up slightly and the wind had a colder bite than it did when they had come in. Harry looked at the smirk on Sam's face and then looked down at some tracks that looked to belong to a large dog.
"I swear he is gonna have people worried about wolves in this area if he ain't careful. Come on we will have to switch into our animagus form once we get into the woods. I know how secretive he is," Sam quickly began walking toward a distance woods with Harry and Hermione right behind her. Harry felt the cold wind lashing out at his face and ears. He felt his hands going numb and desperately wished now that he hadn't wanted to chase after Cody. He felt a cold chill creeping up his back and shivered as he body attempted to fight off the cold temperatures. If only he could change to his Lion form, at least he would be a little warmer. Harry began dragging his feet in the snow and kept looking back at the house that was disappearing behind a hill that they had crossed over. "It's fine now if you want to change no one can see us from the road," Sam said as she quickly changed into a rather beautiful white wolf.
Harry stood in awe of her animagus form he told himself to ask Cody later if there was something special about it as he changed into his magnificent Lion. Harry instantly felt warmer sheltered underneath his thick black coat. He saw Hermione transform into her Lion form as she didn't feel like leaving the others. They began slicking into the densely wood area following the smell as well as the foot prints. Harry was trying to remember land marks so if he wanted to make this trip later in his vacation he could. Then a new smell filled his nostrils and Harry couldn't quiet place it. He watched as Sam began in a full fledge sprint toward their left and Harry and Hermione struggled to keep up.
They past tree after tree and then a light could be seen in front of them. Then they saw a clearing where Cody was standing in human form looking over something that was stuck in the snow. Harry now could identify the smell he smelt earlier by the red stained snow and it was a man's body in the snow. Harry saw an indifference expression shown on the face of Cody. "They killed him before I could get here. They left a nice message but didn't leave the mark so they are acting independently or they were hired to send a message. I did manage to capture one of them before they all vanished. I sent the other soldier to the house with him," Cody let a few tears stream down his face as he cried silently.
He remembered the young recruit had just had a child and was happy to be able to spend his child's first Christmas at home. Now it seemed the child had no father to speak of other than a body that would likely be buried before Christmas. What a great Christmas present that would be for a baby of less than a year old. Cody began to think about how much he knew about the newest member of the team. "Sir," another soldier broke Cody out of his trance, "The prisoner is asking to speak with you. He will not tell us anything and we don't have a stock of Veritaserum as we haven't been to base yet. I wouldn't but the choice is up to you."
"That is fine I will go speak with him. When is the relief supposed to be here?" Cody asked as he hadn't been in charge of setting up relief duties. He had asked to be placed as a relief soldiers but his second in command had rejected the idea as he was the one making the roster. He had told Cody that he would be protecting the children and the group of adults.
"They will be here any minute. You don't need to wait around a couple of other soldiers are on their way to this point to add extra security until they show up. What should we do about Privet Charles, sir," The soldier looked at the body and Cody's gaze once again went to it. Cody felt another pang of guilt.
"He needs to be sent to Washington by portkey for the normal KIA reports and then you will be aiding me in returning the body to his family. Right now I need to talk to the Prisoner and piece together things I will inform the family tomorrow," Cody said in a slightly depressed tone. This wasn't the first time he had to do such a thing but it didn't make it any easier giving a family bad news. Cody then turned to the rest of them, "Let's head back to the house it seems we will be having a guest tonight until I turn him over to Washington tomorrow."
"Why not transport him tonight, sir. The Government has people that can carry out the interrogations just the same as we would," The young soldier flinched at the gruff look he received from his commanding officer. There was an intense silent that surrounded the area until two more troops came to aid in the look out.
"The reason why is simple. Washington might have good interrogators but they won't tell us a damn thing. Anyways I like to get my information straight from the horse mouth. Now I will leave you to your duties," Cody walked off not even paying any attention to the men who saluted him. Harry was shocked at this side of Cody, but this might have caused something in him to snap.
Harry felt a slight guilt for the dead soldier even if he didn't know the man. They began to trudge through what was now knee deep snow, and it hadn't let up in the slightest. Harry watched the determined face on Cody and knew what Cody was probably going to do. Harry had to keep his balance as a large gust of wind threatened to push him face first in the snow.
Sam was the one who broke the silence, "Cody, should we worry about another attack?" Her question was laced with worry and Cody's face gave a small show of worry, but it quickly hid behind the wall of emotionless it had earlier.
"I doubt it. I mean today they learnt that we are on high alert but some people are just stupid. If they do we will be ready but I doubt we won't lose lives. Right now we need to concern ourselves with the one person we managed to capture," Cody said as they finally broke back into the field that they had entered the forest through. "Keep it from Dad and The Grangers that there was an attack, just for right now." Then they fell back into silence and Harry felt like screaming just to break it.
They finally reached the house and Cody's dad looked at all of them feeling the sorrow on their faces. Cody just shook his head and opened his mouth, "Just a couple of soldiers worrying a little too much. Everything is fine for the time being." The words slipped off his tongue like water off a fish. Harry was shocked at how well Cody could lie to the people he loved but then he thought it was for the best.
Harry and Hermione sat down with her parents and began to catch them up on all the things they had, while not mentioning all the more dangerous things they had been doing. Harry heard whispers from Cody and his dad and then watched as his dad walked away with a disgusted look on his face. Cody sunk into a chair in the kitchen and placed his head in his hands. "So, Harry what do you think you will do after school," Rodger Granger asked.
Harry shook his head as the sudden question, "I was thinking about becoming an Aurour. It is basically a Wizarding police officer. They track down wizards that have broken the law and capture them so they can begin the justice process." Rodger just smiled and nodded at the career choice, while Harry seen Jane's face show a look of worry.
"Don't you think you would have enough of fighting evil once you face Voldemort," Jane's question brought Harry a whole new plate of questions. He hadn't thought about it but maybe he would have enough of fighting back. He might want to lay down the wand from fighting and just live a nice quiet life.
"I haven't really thought about it. The main reason I want to become an Aurour is because I want my children to have a life I didn't. One where they don't have to always look over their shoulders to see who is trying to kill them. They don't have to worry that every time they walk in public if it would be their last. I might change my mind but I doubt that I will stay completely away from fighting evil even if I wanted to," Harry hoped the answer was good enough for them. Hermione's mom gave him a sharp nod and began a discussion on another topic.
Just as everyone was settling around the table a hard knock came to the door, "DAKOTA JAMES NIEMEIER I HAVE AN ARREST WARRANT TO TAKE YOU IN." Harry gave Cody a puzzled looked and Cody shrugged as he opened the door. The lead wizard grab Cody and shoved him hard into the concrete. Harry, Hermione, and Sam rushed to the door but a few of the small army of wizards pointed their wands at them.
"Damn, what the hell did I do," Cody attempted to ask as he had a knee shoved in the middle of his back, "Fuck can't be a little more gentle." Harry felt his anger began to boil at how they were treating Cody but a hand on his shoulder calmed him down. He saw Cody's dad standing there behind them with a rather angry look on his face.
"I can't tell you that with these Brits present," The large man said as he was cuffing Cody. Harry felt Cody's magical presence begin to spike but then it stopped short of full power. Harry watched intent wishing he could somehow help Cody.
"Then where in the hell am I fucking going you can at least say that so they can fucking visit me. You know I never figured that Hopps was that crooked," Cody huffed underneath the Wizard. All of a sudden the arrest team looked at each other with fearful eyes. Harry picked up that something wasn't right and he had a notion that they might not be who they said they were.
"Who is Hopps," One of the men from the back asked. Harry felt the magic in the room explode as Cody let loose all the anger he had pent up. They were impostors and Harry now had his reason to reach of his wand. They might have been outnumbered but they were far from outmatched. Harry would have compared them to maybe a Second year student at Hogwarts. Harry watched as Cody wriggled out from under the leader and rolled to his back before shoving off the ground with his back to a standing position. The battle began and Cody was not armed but he was still taking out as many as he could. Just as they had dwindled the numbers to ten to four Cody was hit with a stray stunner. Sam screamed as she watched Cody fall to the hard floor.
Harry began to struggle against his opponents as they began to battle four to one. He ducked a hasty reductor and shielded a stray stunner. Then he got hit with a jelly leg jinx and almost fell pray to yet another stunner. Harry cast a quick stunner before one of the men cast a Avada Kedavra. Harry felt as if time stood still as the Killing Curse rushed toward him. He quickly apperated behind that offending man and stuck the tip of his wand in the mans ear. "YOU HAVE MADE THE WRONG CHOICE," Harry bellowed in a voice that was different than his own. Just then the man fell after a bright gold spell impacted him as he tried to jump from Harry. Then Harry placed his palm on the ground and felt a pulse transfer into the ground. People and objects were thrown everywhere as a wave passed them.
Harry felt drained almost dead on his feet. He didn't know what he had just done it was like another person had began to use his body to fight off the attack. He then felt his eye lids droop and he couldn't fight off the darkness anymore. The last thing he heard before he passed out was Hermione's voice, "HARRY." That scream would be forever etched into his mind that panic.
Harry could hear other voice now, "Godric that was completely irresponsible of you. The boy could have drained himself out completely by you taking over. Did you even think about that?" It was a woman. Her voice sounded a lot like McGonagall's with it's Scottish Burr. Harry shook his head and then felt as if his body was hit by a heavy weight.
"Shh, he is waking we only have a little time. Harry, this is Godric Gryffendor. Right now you cannot see us as you are not strong enough to hold the connection very long. I just wanted to tell you to have faith in your choices and your skills. Do not second guess what you think is right. Just know you have our blessing and we will be with yourself, Hermione, and Dakota threw the many dark times ahead," Harry heard the magnificent voice and felt himself becoming in awe of it, "For now Goodbye, Harry."
"HARRY COME BACK TO ME PLEASE. DON'T BE GONE. YOU CAN'T BE GONE," Hermione's voice was beginning to become horse. Harry felt his eye lids fling open to the view of Hermione crying and shaking him roughly. As she seen his eyes open she buried her head into his chest and wrapped him in a bear hug.
"Hermione...Can't...Breath," Harry labored to get the words out of his mouth. His throat felt parched and now he needed to drink something, anything. He began to regain his breath as Hermione slackened the hold on him. As Hermione finally let go Cody came over and help Harry spring to his feet. Harry stared at the bodies in the yard and noted that most of them had died from the wave of energy. He also noticed that Cody had fresh cuts and a few bruises starting on his face. Harry was concerned with the cut that was right above his right eye and was producing a lot of blood.
"You did good, Harry," Cody said as he saw one of his men in full sprint toward them. Cody frowned a bit at the approach but didn't say anything as to why. "What is it soldier," Cody asked before the soldier had caught his breath.
"We...saw...spell...fire...thought...you...might...need...help," The soldier was wheezing a lot and was having difficulty catching his breath. He looked around at the body and then looked from Cody to Harry with a puzzled look. "Sir, if you don't mind I could take care of you injuries," The soldier pointed for Cody to set down in a chair. Cody took the seat after a while only after a few looks at Sam. The longest part was the military wizard pulling out his wand and then everything was taken care of. Cody made everyone else sit down and take their turn at being healed. Harry went last as his injuries weren't as serious and after a few quick spells it was done.
Cody gave a sharp nod to the soldier as he patted him on the back, "Nice work. Now back to your station. If we need anymore help tonight I will send for you." The soldier took off at a moderate pace back toward the woods. Cody bound all the living enemy before looking closer at one of the dead bodies. "I knew this guy. I went to school with him. His parents supported Grace's cause even through they were wizards. From what I can see is they are Death Eaters but they have a strange tatoo right on their shoulder," Cody said as he rolled up the sleeve of one of the dead. He showed everyone the tatoo. It was a simple human eye but behind it were the letters BG. Harry could have swore the eye blinked but figured that he had just been suffering from exhaustion.
"I guess transport the live ones back to the house and ship the dead ones to Washington. The only thing I could think off doing," Cody picked up a rock and made it into a portkey as Sam moved all the dead bodies into a circle and laid everyone. Cody gentle placed the rock on their hands and they vanished in a swirl of colors. That's when Hermione's parents and Cody's dad joined them in the front yard.
"Should we be worried," Cody's dads voice was gruff. Cody looked over the woods and shrugged. Harry guessed that Cody wasn't wanting a repeat of the earlier argument. Hermione's parents walked over and hugged both her and Harry. After they had done that they stood behind them watching the events unfold. "I am talking to you," Scott raised his voice.
"I heard you perfectly fine. The only thing is I don't know if they will try again or not. Dad I know you hate that I am fighting a war that you don't think I should be but it's my choice. I am sorry it put you in danger but honestly I doubt our family is safe anyways after Ben Grace. Honestly I think that it's more Grace than it is Voldemort. The only thing I can do now is take them back to the house and question them until I get the answers. If you don't mind get off my back for a while and let me think," Cody kept a calm and steady tone but Harry felt his anger in the air around him. Harry watched Scott throw his hands up and then turn and walk back in the house. "I am sorry you had to see that. I think it's time we returned home. We will be back down tomorrow," Cody said softly to everyone.
Cody began to shuffle half heartedly back to the truck as Harry and Hermione bid her parents goodbye. Sam had already lifted the bodies into the back of the truck and blindfolded them. As Harry and Hermione climbed into the back seat they watched as the last man was placed into the back of the truck. As Sam jumped into the passenger side the truck was started and away they went. Harry watched silently as Sam would gaze at Cody every so ofter before looking back out the window. As they pulled into the drive Cody stopped short of the path to the front door and shut off the truck. As they climbed out Cody motioned for Sam and Hermione to go stand by the front door and for Harry to come with him.
"Alright everyone make a nice single file line and listen strictly to my directions or else it might be the last thing you do. Now move," Cody sounded like one of those muggle drill instructors. Cody used a spell that chained the new prisoner together. Harry pulled out his wand and kept it rather firmly in the back of the last prisoner. "ALRIGHT EVERYONE MAKE A LEFT TURN ONCE IT IS YOUR TURN AND BE CAREFUL BECAUSE WE ARE GOING DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS," Cody yelled to the prisoners. Some of them made it perfectly while others turned to late or soon and walked straight into the wall. When they entered the basement Harry noted that it was filled with many rooms and off to one side was a holding cell. There was a wizard standing guard by the door. The wizard nodded and opened the holding cell for the large group. As the last one entered Sam and Hermione both came down the stairs.
"Are these gonna be legal interrogations," The wizard asked. Cody gave a slight scoff but didn't say anything but pointed toward the Interrogation Room. "The one from earlier is already set up and waiting. He insisted that we have to let him call his lawyer. Then he said he would only talk to you," Cody nodded and went to the door. He opened it and pointed for everyone to come inside other than the guard on duty.
As Harry crossed the thresh hold his nostrils where filled with the terrible smell of blood and sweat. The man looked at them with eyes full of hatred. "I was told it would only be you," The mans voice carried a different accent then the ones Cody had.
"Just because someone else said it doesn't mean that I would be alone. I don't need a legal interrogation of you. You killed a military wizard in an ambush on U.S. Soil so you are fucked as far as weaseling your way our of it. First off who do you work for," Cody voice held little interest. Harry was shocked after seeing Cody verbally and physically attack the last Death Eater they had captured.
"If you think my employer is scared of you, you would be wrong. He keeps everything hidden and under the shadows their isn't anyone that he hasn't bought," The wizard smirked at Cody. Unfortunately for the wizard, Cody wasn't in the mood as Cody slammed the man face first into the table. As the man rose his head from the table blood was rushing out of his now disfigured nose. Also the man spit out a couple of teeth that Cody had knocked out with his brute force.
"You want to try again. Your employer doesn't have to worry, yet. I would be more worried about yourself. Honestly, I can hold you how ever long I want. Let's just say for fun I kept you for a year and just kept this up," Cody smiled mischievously and everyone in the room stared at him with wide eyes.
"Ben Grace Jr. is my employer. He wants you dead and apparently he struck up a deal with Lord Voldemort. Grace is using that to return his family to it's former power before you got lucky," The wizard looked at him with hatred instilled in his eyes.
Cody returned the look before he spoke, "I didn't get lucky. Now, Where is Grace at the current time?" Cody's question had a hint of politeness. Everyone in the room looked shocked at how quickly he went from being super pissed to being almost kind enough to be at a rich dinner party.
"He is constantly moving he gave each of us a portkey that doesn't work worth a damn at this place. If you want to find him here have it. I really don't care anymore because Grace lied to all of us. He told us you were one to walk on the right side of the law," The man looked to the floor as he slid the soda can across the table. Cody was hesitant at picking it up, "It isn't active. All you have to say is, 'Grace Family Trust.' It will take you straight to him. I think from the sounds of it you have gained most of his army."
"Thanks for the help. I will be transferring you to Washington, tomorrow. Where you will be held until your trial, if you make it that long. As for tonight you will be left in the cell with all of your buddies," Cody said as he unbound the man from the chair keeping his wand in a ready position. They led the man back to the cell with the others and the guard unlocked the door. Cody said a few words under his breath and the guard nodded.
Cody looked to the Harry and the others, "Well looks like we will be having dinner here tonight. Sorry bout everything didn't think that my past would be what caught up to us." Cody walked up the stairs and went to busy himself in the kitchen. That was before Sam and Hermione walked in there and booted him out. Cody shrugged to Harry and then walked to a room in the house Harry hadn't seen yet. Harry followed just to give Cody company and Cody pointed to a large lazy-boy recliner sitting in the corner of the room.
Harry looked at all the items laying around the room. He noted the many pictures of Cody with other important looking men and then his gazed stoped on a picture of a group of men standing in Camo clothing holding Muggle Rifles. He saw Cody standing in the back holding a sniper rifle, well at least that's what Harry thought it was.
"That was taken of the group after we got back from the desert. It's hard to believe even wizards served over there and yet we were treated the same as the muggles. I guess it's just to make everything fair," Cody said as he lightly strummed on his acoustic Guitar. Harry didn't know what song he was playing but he felt the power in the music. "Sorry just been a while since I played. It was one of the many hobbies I picked up after Sam left it kept me busy and pushed me through college. Hell I was even in a band as the lead singer but didn't push it any further than singing at bars and stuff like that," Cody was thinking back to his past and gave a smile.
"Why did you quit," Harry asked wondering what had caused Cody to give up on something he seemed to like. Cody just shrugged and began to sing lightly but Harry caught every word.
"She says
"Look baby I'm a rock star"
Grabs my old guitar
Playin' it upside down
Dancin' around
In front of our tv
I can't see the ballgame
So I just wave my lighter and say
Yeah, rock on babysitting
I'd rather watch you anyways
But when your're done
Can I come backstage
And get you to sign your name
On that zeppelin shirt of mine you're wearin'
I'll never wash that thing again
Yeah and she's my kinda crazy
The little games she plays
Lord They'll never get old
She's too cute to get on my last nerve
The way she throws her little fits
Pokin' out her lip and bitin' mine when we kiss
There ain't a fight that she can't win
That's my baby
And she's my kinda crazy
You ought to see her in my pickup
She's gotta have that radio up
Bless her heart, she can't sit still
Head in my lap, bare feet on the windshield
Says, C'mon baby let me drive
Now honey it's a stick shift
Remember what you did last time
Oh...
Yeah and she's my kinda crazy
The little games she plays
Lord They'll never get old
She's too cute to get on my last nerve
The way she throws her little fits
Pokin' out her lip and bitin' mine when we kiss
There ain't a fight that she can't win
That's my baby
And she's my kinda crazy
She never let's me rest
She keeps me up all night
Known to roll me off the bed
And steal the covers off my side
But when I hear, "Wake up sleepy head"
And I open up my eyes
And it's all worth the while
That's my baby
And she's my kinda crazy"
Artist:Brantley Gilbert
Song: She's mine Kinda Crazy
Harry had been caught up so much by the song he didn't hear Hermione or Sam standing at the door. As he looked at Sam he could see her eyes tearing up as the last words came out. Cody gave a soft smile and a bit of a chuckle. "You know I went to some of your concerts but you never saw me," Sam said as a tear of joy slid down her face.
"I saw you every time but I couldn't focus on you or else it would have been all songs about love or how a man fucked up," Cody laughed and Sam laughed and shook her head. Sam looked at him and smiled a actually genuine smile and every felt the room become light hearted.
"We were just coming to tell you boys dinner is done. As we know you are ruled by your stomach. Later do you mind singing for a while in the living room for everyone," Sam asked and squealed happily when Cody nodded. As they sat there eating dinner Cody joked a bit with everyone. Harry felt the pain of sorrow as he thought this was what he had missed all those years.
"Oh, while we are talking, I just wanted to say something. Now Harry and Hermione don't get your hopes up just yet as Dumbledore is still thinking about it. I talked to him about maybe spending almost all of summer break here just us four though. I told him I would take you under my wing and teach you some but other than that I told him I would let you enjoy your summer however you pleased," Cody said as he looked over at Sam. Sam was shocked herself and Harry guessed she hadn't heard about it. Harry had almost choked on his food when he heard it.
"What is left to think about," Hermione asked. She seemed the least surprised of all of them. "Honestly this is what Harry need. He has missed out on this type of activities all his life. It would be good for him to see what it's like to be in a caring household." Harry was a little hurt by how Hermione had said it but knew she hadn't meant it the way it came across.
"The fact that his Aunt is still living and is trying to fight for custody of Harry. That and the blood magic. I told Dumbledore it would take nothing short of a large army made of Trolls, Dementors, Dragons, Death Eaters, and Voldemort himself to get him here. He was pulling for it but we still have to get permission from both Ministrations to do such a thing. I doubt it would be too hard as the American Administration prefers to keep my happy and England's is still trying to not piss Dumbledore off to much," Cody said as he took another bite of the steak the girls had fixed.
"That would be great. I mean I would be with Hermione and also would be able to train for the final battle while still enjoying my summer," Harry exclaimed. A smile permanently plastered to his face and his heart felt light. Cody nodded and returned to his meal until Harry broke the silence that had fell afterwards, "Could you teach me how to play guitar?"
"Yeah but just so you know don't expect it to just come to you in a day. It took me almost three years to prefect it. Then again I had to teach myself," Cody gave him a small smile. As everyone finished their dinner Sam went to the kitchen and brought out a cherry cobbler. Harry was amazed at how well it tasted. He ate two pieces before being full beyond his normal points.
"Alright I guess everyone in the living room. I will be there shortly," Cody smiled as he walked back to his office to grab his guitar. Harry took a seat next to Hermione on a large black leather love seat. Harry put his right arm behind Hermione's head for her to rest it one. Cody walked in with a big smile on his face as he pulled up a wooden stool that sat next to the bar that was in the living room over looking the kitchen.
He began to strum on the guitar and began to sing lightly making sure to not get out of pitch. The song that was about a guy and his boots talking about the regrets of walking away from a woman that he loved. Harry enjoyed this type of music a little more than the rock and rap he had heard coming from Dudley's room. He still didn't feel like committing to a certain label of music as they all had a lot to offer. Soon Harry felt himself fighting sleep as Cody was singing his last songs. Cody looked around the room and noted that Harry was awake, "Looks like we are the only ones up."
Harry turned to look at Hermione and noticed that she looked to be in a peaceful sleep. She was curled up and snuggled into his shoulder. "Let's send the girls to bed I have something I need to talk with you about," Cody said as he lightly shook Sam.
Her eyes slammed open as she reached for her wand, "What... Cody, why did you wake me." Her voice sounded half asleep and Cody gave her a small grin at the action. He whispered something into her ear and she nodded and began to walk up the stairs. Harry woke Hermione and told her to go up to their room and he would be there after a while. She followed Sam's lead as she let off a stifling yawn.
"Follow me," Cody said as he pick up his guitar. Harry followed him closely until they made it back to Cody's special room. Harry sat down in a chair and watched as Cody sat down and lit a cigarette. "Harry I don't know how much you actually know about my experience. It seems like I have done a lot but Harry honestly everything that happened was basically luck. Also that car out there that my dad wants me to get rid of was the one I had the first time I had a run in with Grace at 16. It was after that I heard the prophecy. There is a reason I keep it and not only because it's fast."
"Cody, listen why are you telling me all of this. I mean I know you think you weren't good enough but you are. You are a lot better than I am. Cody I only wish that I could be that brave and that good at spells," Harry said looking down at the stack of papers littering Cody's desk. Cody picked up one and read it and then discarded it again amongst the piles.
"I'll get Kyle to do paper work when he gets back. He enjoys it more than the field assignments. I never quite understood why he joined up but he does well on all the reports that I am suppose to fill out. Harry even I ain't perfect I make mistakes," Cody paused as their was a knock on the front door. He reached for his wand and motioned for Harry to do the same. Cody didn't say a word all he did was point for Harry to move behind the cover of the Kitchen arch way. As Harry got into position he heard the door click from opening.
"It seems paranoia caught the best of you," Harry head Hopps regal voice cut through the air. He lowered his wand but kept it to where he could pull it up in a moments notice. "Are you going to let me in or make me stand in the cold all night?" The question was hung in the air with a sense of professionalism.
"Go to the living room, all of you. My men are a little jumpy tonight because of recent events," Cody voice was gruff and not as light-hearted as it was earlier. Harry heard the shuffling of feet on the hard wood floors. Then he seen Cody, "Come on, Harry. I think you might as well be in on this." Harry followed him to the living room and noticed that a few of the men in suits looked directly at him. The began to whisper back and forth but Cody caught everyone attention, "What is this about Elanor?"
"Earlier some men attacked one of your guard outpost and then they came directly at you. Now normally this won't have raised many questions but a new campaign has been raised to out me. Benjamin Grace Jr. is the leading the new party that call themselves Graceful. I didn't think of the name but they are gaining support from the public. Claiming that we are fighting a war that doesn't have anything to do with us. Cody they are calling you out personally saying that you walked free after murdering his father. Cody this doesn't look well," Grace looked at Harry as if she felt that he shouldn't be there. Harry himself felt this wasn't his place but he knew that Cody wanted him hear.
"I figured as much. Grace Jr. always followed in his daddies footsteps. The people are always looking toward someone who is offering a change, offering a way to save American lives and avoid conflict. Been that way since Vietnam. The people in the west of Missouri heard but never felt Grace's crimes. He is gaining popularity in those cities. Hopps I hope you know I have no intentions of going quietly if he ends up taking the office," Cody said as he looked at her. His words made Harry remember last year when Fudge had come to collect Dumbledore.
"I would never ask you to do such a thing. The only reason I am telling you this is because we are running out of options. The people are beginning to riot saying that we are costing American lives in a war that we don't belong in. Even the President is beginning to question what we are doing. He still doesn't understand the importance of this war," Hopps looked at the pictures hanging around the room.
This was the first time Cody noticed that a picture of him and Sinopa was sitting in the room. The room began to crackle with magic and the picture exploded on the wall. The twelve man security team stood in front of Hopps shielding her from the shards of glass. Cody's eyes had flashed a grayish color, before they returned to normal. "Sorry, my anger got the best of me I still have a few loose ends to tie up," Cody said as he sighed.
"Actually, Voldemort was true to his word. Jake and Sinopa were both captured. I waited till you got home to tell you. I wanted to see what you thought the best punishment was," Hopps looked over the soldier with a worried look Cody had been suffering from sleep deprivation.
"I would say death as we are not sure if Voldemort will try to break them free again. It's the only choice we have," Cody looked kinda depressed. He never let his emotions get in the way of his thinking and now wasn't going to be the time to start.
"I thought the same. Now onto other business, I need all of the men you captured tonight. No hard feeling and I figured you have already questioned them," Hopps asked knowing the answer. She received a nod, "Good now my men will work on opening their minds to find anything we can link to Grace Jr. I hope we still have a chance of catching that bastard."
"I doubt it," Cody looked down at his scarred hands. His thoughts drifted to the front of Harry's mind. The thoughts of being torn away from his homeland being an outcast. Harry felt sorry for Cody and now felt guilty for a new offense other than someone's death. Then Sirius came to the front of his mind and the grief he had been hiding all year washed over him.
"Listen tomorrow I am having a meeting with the rest of the wizarding army groups. I want you and Mr. Potter to join. I think Mr. Potter would be very good in this. I will have Frank bring the portkey in the morning. Be ready for arguing as I am sure I won't be the most loved person there," Hopps said. She sent two of her men to pick up the men from the basement. Once they were out, she got up and walked out the door, leaving Harry and Cody to their thoughts.
Cody looked at the clock and groaned as it read 1:15 a.m. "We better be off to bed. Knowing Frank, he will be here at 8 or 9 in the morning," Cody stood up then looked over at Harry, "Thank you for sitting in here with me." With that Cody left Harry sitting there. Harry sat there thinking about everything before standing up to go lay down next to Hermione. He closed his eyes wondering what would happen to the beautiful girl that laid next to him.