Chap. 26: The owl and hits, and the future.
Tuesday, May 9, 2000, 9:00 AM in Jamaica, and 2:00 PM Greenwich mean time in Britain.
Anatoli Shevchenko was at the far north-west corner of James Bond Beach, which is a beach that sits on a small peninsula at Oracabessa Bay, about 10 miles from Ocho Rios, and on Jamaica's north coast. He, and his two bodyguards, had just walked from the Moonraker Bar, past the banana and palm trees, to the northern end to view the Caribbean, and to talk about what they would do next. Boats were a common sight, here, so they ignored the slow moving white cabin cruiser, which was an old, but well maintained, forty-two foot Chris Craft Constellation that was traveling west to east. It must be divers, he thought.
Anatoli took a long swallow from his bottle of Red Stripe beer, and turned to tell his two bodyguards that they should head back. They had tried to gain access to the St. Ann's Bay Hospital the day before, where Tobias was located, but the Jamaican authorities were guarding his door. Next, they tried to obtain a villa at Goldeneye, just before they came here, but they were told that the resort was full. They had stayed at the Beaches Ocho Rios the night before, and when he tried to use his credit card that morning, to pay for breakfast, it was denied. He had to pay cash. They told him that it was most likely a temporary problem.
"Vee should head back," Anatoli said in broken English. Just as he took the first step, three men, wearing balaclavas, came out onto the deck of the cabin cruiser, and opened fire with their silenced 9 mm MAC 10s. At 1300 rounds per minute, and with using extended magazines, it didn't take the three hoodlums long to gun down Anatoli in a spray of lead, as well as one bodyguard, and wound the other. The cabin cruiser left, full throttle, back toward the west, where they would throw all their evidence overboard, before abandoning the boat, and boarding a motor yacht out in the Caribbean. They had stolen the Chris Craft last night. Screams were heard from the Moonraker Bar, and five minutes later, sirens could be heard.
Just over from James Bond Beach, and across Oracabessa Bay, was another beach, which was called Button Beach, and it was part of Goldeneye. Here, a young blond man stood at the end of the western path, and on what was known as the "Outer Bank." He was wearing a Panama hat, a pair of aviator sunglasses, and an open short sleeve shirt, which depicted islands and palm trees. He also wore a pair of Bermuda shorts, and he had "thongs" on his feet. He watched the scene unfold through the binoculars he was using, which he quickly dropped, letting them hang from the cord around his neck. He quickly pulled out a secure cell phone, and started to make his way back towards the Bizot Bar, via the sandy paths. It was a good walk, so he had plenty of time. He needed to call his little brother in England.
Earlier that morning, at the break of daylight, Shevchenko had received an owl, and it was carrying another CD. It sounded like the same Jamaican voice on the last one he received. He played this one on a walkman that one of his bodyguards had.
"Gud mawnin mun!. Listen tuh di beautiful song; eh Cash, mun, one ah fi-wi owna."
.
On a warm summer's evening,
On a train bound for nowhere,
I met up with the gambler,
We were both too tired to sleep.
So we took turns a-starin',
Out the window at the darkness,
The boredom overtook us,
And he began to speak.
.
He said, "Son, I've made a life,
Out of readin' people's faces.
Knowin' what the cards were,
By the way they held their eyes.
So if you don't mind my sayin',
I can see you're out of aces,
For a taste of your whiskey,
I'll give you some advice."
.
So I handed him my bottle,
And he drank down my last swallow,
Then he bummed a cigarette,
And asked me for a light.
And the night got deathly quiet,
And his face lost all expression,
Said, "If you're gonna play the game, boy,
You gotta learn to play it right.
.
You got to know when to hold 'em,
Know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away,
And know when to run!
You never count your money,
When you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin',
When the dealing's done.
.
Every gambler knows,
That the secret to survivin',
Is knowin' what to throw away,
And knowin' what to keep.
'Cause every hand's a winner,
And every hand's a loser,
And the best that you can hope for,
Is to die in your sleep."
.
And when he finished speakin',
He turned back toward the window,
Crushed out his cigarette,
And faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness,
The gambler he broke even,
And in his final words,
I found an ace that I could keep.
.
You got to know when to hold 'em,
Know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away,
And know when to run!
You never count your money,
When you're sittin' at the table,
There'll be time enough for countin',
When the dealing's done.
.
You got to know when to hold 'em,
Know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away,
And know when to run!
You never count your money,
When you're sittin' at the table,
There'll be time enough for countin',
When the dealing's done...
.
"Yuh didn't kno wen tuh fold dem, mun. Run fur aweh, mun... RUN!"
.
Shevchenko would never know that Harry had paid Dean Thomas to record that message for him, and that it was part of Harry's Psyop. Dean had learned to speak Patois very well when growing up. Harry also knew that Shevchenko would disregard the CD, and what Dean had said.
Tuesday, May 9, 2000, 1:00 PM
Harry awoke, curled up in a fetal position on his bed, and someone was shaking his shoulder. He barely squinted through his eyelids, and noticed that his head was pounding. All in all, he felt like he was about to upswallow. Worse, he heard Daphne snort, and then, chortle.
"Wake up, Harry," Daphne said. To Harry, it sounded like someone was beating a bass drum near his ear.
"Don' wanna. Lemme die in peace!"
"I have a hangover potion," Daphne replied, "and I've let you lie in bed for an extra hour. It's 1:00 in the afternoon, and I've already been at work, come home to eat, and watched the local news. So, up and at it!"
Harry tried to roll over, and go back to sleep, but he felt that nagging shake to his shoulder again. "Al' righ', al' righ', gimme." Harry and Seamus didn't make it back until three in the morning, and they were both thoroughly pissed to the gills.
Harry, blindly, reached his hand out with his eyes still closed, when he felt a small phial placed into his hand. He rolled onto his back, pulled the cork, and dumped the contents into his mouth. Just as soon as he swallowed it, it tried to come back up. "Oh, God, shoot me now, please, anyone!" Harry heard his new wife snort, again!
"I'll be downstairs in the media room," Daphne said, as she opened the door. "Get up, and take a shower; you smell like a distillery!"
"For feks sake," Harry mumbled, as he lie as still as possible. "Just... just, anyone, call the undertaker." Harry heard her snort again from the balcony.
Daphne had just picked up her fine Wedgwood china teacup, and had extended her pinkie, ready to take a sip, when Harry walked into the media room. His hair was still mostly wet, and it was sticking up everywhere. He still didn't look too well, and it was now 1:45.
"Harry," Daphne commented, after she took a sip, and sat down the teacup, "your eyes look, quite frankly, like two piss-holes in the snow."
"I feel like hammered shite, Daph," Harry snarked. "It's a wonder I look that good." He plopped down on the sofa, and wished he hadn't, as it made his head throb. "Fek me!"
"I think you might need a pain potion, too," Daphne explained, as she made him some tea, "and you'll need plenty of fluids this afternoon, if you're to drive that hangover away."
Harry nodded his understanding. "Kreacher!"
The old elf appeared in front of him, and looked Harry over. "Sir Harry, er, Master, you remind poor ol' Kreacher of Master Sirius, when he was left all alone in London."
Harry blinked a few times, and it hit him about Sirius' drinking problem while at Grimmauld Place. "Yes, old friend, I pulled one of his stunts last night, and drank way too much. If you would, please bring me a strong pain potion."
"Kreacher be's right back!" Kreacher snapped his fingers, and disappeared with a slight pop. It wasn't a minute, and Kreacher was back, handing Harry a small phial.
"Thanks, Kreacher," Harry mumbled. "You can go."
"As master wishes. Get well." Kreacher disappeared.
Harry quickly downed the potion, and chased it with some tea. Next, he lay his head back against the sofa, and closed his eyes.
Just as two o'clock turned on the wall clock, and when the potion had worked, Harry's cell phone rang. "For fek's sake, who could that be?" He fumbled around with it, and finally flipped it open. "Hello?"
"James," David Graves said, "it's your big brother from across the pond."
"Hello, Felix! What's up?" This got Daphne's attention, too.
"Well," Dave explained, "I'm down in Jamaica right now for some business, and I'm at Goldeneye. It's nine in the morning, here, and you'll never guess what I just witnessed!"
"Run into Shevchenko?"
"More than that, James," David said.
"How much more?"
"I just watched three hoodlums, in a cabin cruiser, gun down Shevchenko out on the end of James Bond Beach, along with his two bodyguards."
"Not surprised," Harry said. "I knew that was coming."
David thought about it for a moment. "Know who the assailants were? They were wearing balaclavas."
"Could have been one of two groups," Harry replied. "Montenegrins or Italians, or maybe someone from there in Jamaica."
"Part of you game?"
"Yup," Harry replied. "You heard what happened in Montenegro, I take it?"
"Yea," Dave said, "I heard that last night."
"Part of my game too," Harry replied, and took a sip of tea.
"Need we be worried?"
"Naw," Harry replied, "just watch yourself while your down there, eh? Don't get entangled in it."
"Right," Dave replied. "Well, I've gotta go. I've got some contractors to meet in a few. You know, about the house."
"Stay safe," Harry said, "and tell Deb hello."
"Will do, James. See ya!"
Harry closed his flip phone, and turned to Daphne. "Guess what Dave just witnessed?"
Daphne started to ask, guessing correctly at what it was, but quickly put her hand to her mouth. Next, she leapt up, and practically ran to the loo under the grand staircase.
Harry, surprised, stood too. "What the?" He followed, and found his wife bent over the toilet, vomiting. He pulled her long blond hair back, and held it until she was done.
Once she rinsed her mouth out, she turned, and gave a worried look at Harry. "Call Andromeda."
Harry was watching Andromeda check Daphne over. She was waving her wand, and checking several things. They were at St. Mungo's, as Andromeda had floor duty that day.
"Well," Andromeda said, as she scribbled down something on Daphne's chart, "I know what's wrong."
Harry gripped the arms on the chair, hard.
"Daphne," Andromeda said, looking over the top of her glasses, "you're one month pregnant, and you had a bout of morning sickness."
"But... , but," Daphne stuttered, "this isn't in the morning!"
"Daphne, dear," Andromeda sighed, taking the young witches hand, and patting it, "morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, or night. The good thing is, this may soon go away."
"Can... , can," Daphne stuttered again, "you tell the sex of the baby yet?"
"Not for another two months, dear. You and Harry will have to call me then."
"Harry...," Daphne started, but looked over at Harry and squeaked.
Andromeda looked over her shoulder at Harry, and he had fainted in the chair. His head had was lolled back, his eyes rolled up in his head, and he was slumped down in his seat. "Oh, dear!"
Andromeda hurried over, and first tried patting Harry's cheek, but that didn't rouse him. Finally, she pulled out her wand, and cast "Rennervate."
Harry's head shot up, and his Holly wand shot out of his cuff, and into his right hand, as he waved it around the room. He blinked several times, and noticed Daphne and Andromeda staring at him. "What happened?"
"Well," Andromeda said, "from the looks of it, when I told Daphne that she was one month pregnant, you fainted!"
Harry quickly leapt up, and began to straighten out his clothes. "Talk of this does not leave this room," he muttered as loud as possible.
"Oh, Harry," Daphne said with a sigh.
At this, Harry rushed over, wrapped his arms around his wife, and gave her a long kiss.
Tuesday, May 16, 2000, 11:30 AM
Peter Popovic was slightly staggering when he left the Casino De La Vallee at the Grand Hotel Billa in Saint Vincent, Italy. The five-star hotel, and casino, were located in the Aosta Valley of the Western Alps. Popovic made his way to the black 1998 Mercedes-Benz, which he had rented, and was cursing under his drunken breath about the money that he had lost. He was going to drive to Monte Carlo, and try his luck there, tomorrow.
Popovic unlocked the door, and almost fell into the seat. When he was finally able to shut the door, he adjusted the steering wheel away from his protuberant abdomen, and placed the key in the ignition.
Popovic turned the key forward, and heard the starter start to turn the engine over, but then he heard a "click." There was a loud explosion, he saw a flash of light, and he knew no more.
When the Carabinieri and the Vigili del Fuoco arrived on the scene, a Carabinieri found a playing card on the ground at the back of the burning vehicle. It was an ace of spades, and at the top, one word was written on it in black ink: "Zabini."
The Carabinieri looked at the card, grimaced, wadded it up, and threw it in the flames. He knew better than to follow that up.
Tuesday, July 4, 2000, 9:30 AM in Jamaica.
Harry and Daphne had just flown into Jamaica the day before, and had made their way to their home at the Sussex Estate Great House. Where Daphne was pregnant, she was not going to chance an international portkey, so, it was the muggle way of transportation, and Harry fully agreed.
David and Debbie had picked them up at the Boscobel Aerodrome, and had drove them home. However, they got a good look at the Graves new three-bedroom villa next door, when they made it to their drive, which was Debbie's birthday present. It was a white house that sort of resembled the Fleming's bungalow, but this one had glass windows. The Graves, also, had their son, Mark, with them, who was Teddy's age.
The house became crowded Tuesday morning, with guests, as Cyrus, Helen, Draco, Astoria, Andromeda, Teddy, and Minerva McGonagall had just arrived by international portkey at 9:00 AM. David, Debbie, and little Mark were also there.
Once everyone was settled and crammed into their parlor, and after everyone had been served their tea, Andromeda walked over to Daphne, who was sitting on the sofa beside Harry. "Are you ready, dear?"
Daphne nodded, and everyone held their breath.
Andromeda started waving her wand over Daphne while reading the results. "Well, your healthy, as well as your child. Do you want to know the sex?"
Daphne quickly nodded, as did Harry, and both said, "Please."
"You have a very healthy son," Andromeda announced. Everyone clapped, Draco gave a whistle, and many of the women were in tears.
Harry grinned, leaned over, and kissed Daphne on her stomach, not caring what anyone thought. Just as Harry started to rise, he said out loud, "Hello James Cyrus Greengrass-Potter.
That was enough to choke Cyrus up, and Helen was wiping her eyes.
"In about three weeks," Andromeda said, as she took her seat, "you'll feel the 'quickening.'"
Daphne didn't know what that was. "Quickening?"
"He'll start to move around, and kick," Andromeda chuckled. "Be ready for it."
"Congratulations, little brother," David said, as he shook Harry's hand. Debbie stood, and gave Daphne a smothering hug.
Minerva also stood, and gave both Harry and Daphne a hug. "Congratulations to both of you. I'll look forward to seeing James Cyrus at Hogwarts, but lord knows, if he's anything like his father, I'll have my hands full!" Everyone had a laugh at that.
"Well," Harry said, looking at everyone squeezed into the room, "is anyone hungry yet?"
Draco couldn't help himself, as he loudly asked, "Can we have KFC for lunch?"
That brought another round of laughs, and everyone had to explain what that was to Minerva. The Greengrasses assured her that she would love it.
It was 9:30 PM, and everyone was sitting in lounges on the back lawn, having drinks. Minister Clarke and his wife had also joined them that evening. Daphne was drinking fruit punch, with no alcohol, which the Clarkes had made from fresh fruit, and she couldn't get enough of it. She noticed that her tastes had changed while pregnant.
"All right, everyone, the night's festivities are about to start," David announced. "Just look out toward the Caribbean!"
Several wondered what was going to occur, when David pulled out a small black box, and mashed a red button.
They heard something make a "swoosh," and then they heard a loud retort, as a huge red, white, and blue burst of stars appeared in the air. That was followed by others of every color and shape. It was fireworks, and David had set them up for Debbie's birthday, which was July 4th. They lasted a good ten minutes, and they were being launched from the Potter's terrace garden below the balcony. He told Harry and the minister that MACUSA had footed the bill.
Mark and Teddy were jumping for joy, as the two hadn't been parted since they met, and had hit it off as fast "buddies" from the start. The "family" were enjoying the show, and so were the minister and his wife.
At 10:30, they all walked the minister and his wife back to the apparation point, at the front of the house, and said their goodbyes. Once everyone was about to go inside, and the Graves were about to head next door, they had an argument with the two toddlers, who wanted to stay together for the night. Harry and Daphne told the Graves that Mark could stay with them, and that they would keep an eye on him. That was actually a relief for the Graves, as they wanted a night alone to celebrate her birthday..., properly.
The family, and their friends, had a enjoyable week at the old Sussex Estate Great House, as well as from visiting St Ann's Bay, and the beach at The Cove. They also visited Ocho Rios, Oracabessa, and Goldeneye, as Harry and Daphne broke out their matching Range Rovers, and drove everyone around. Daphne's parents, as well as her sister, and her soon-to-be brother-in-law, had no idea that she could drive the muggle contraption that well. She explained that Harry had taught her how to drive in their Morgan back home.
One experience that everyone enjoyed, except for Andromeda and Minerva. who claimed that they were "too old" for it, was a rafting trip on the Martha Brae River, in "Cockpit Country," which was located in Trelawny on the north coast of Jamaica, and towards the western edge, which was about six miles south of Falmouth. It was also about eighteen miles on to Montego Bay. The river, a 20-mile stretch of turquoise water, wound its way through Jamaica's tropical inland rain forests. It was an essential stop for nature lovers, they were told. The rafts were bamboo, and they were poled along the waterway during a ninety-minute ride along the river.
Monday, January 1, 2001, 12:21 AM
It had just turned January 1st, 2001, about twenty minutes beforehand, as Harry nervously walked into the waiting area at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries' maternity floor. He had just left the delivery room, and he was both pale, and shaky. Of course, most husbands were, if they had been in the delivery room with their wife when they had a child. Harry's hand was almost broken from Daphne's grasp, and he had been called every name under the sun. Daphne had even threatened to remove his bollocks, twice!
Everyone had looked up at Harry, when he walked from around the corner, and he was now looking at everyone there. There were Cyrus and Helen sitting together, and both were looking dead on their feet. Beside them were Astoria and Draco, who were now married. The Malfoy's were watching Teddy, who was draped across Draco's lap, asleep. They were wed on the first of August, in what was now, last year. Next to them sat Ron, and a now pregnant Hermione, and next to them were Seamus and Tracey, who had been dating for a while. On the other side of Cyrus was David and Debbie Graves, who had managed to obtain an international portkey to come in at noon, when Daphne's water broke.
Helen looked up at Harry, and was worried. "Harry?"
"I... , I have a boy!" Harry, wide-eyed, choked out, before walking forward two steps, and practically falling into the chair beside David, who patted him on the back. "I have a boy," he whispered again.
Just as he said this, Andromeda walked into the waiting area, and looked at everyone seated. "She's okay, now, and they're getting her and the babe cleaned up and checked. You'll be able to see Daphne and little James Cyrus in about thirty minutes; once they take her to her room." Andromeda went on to tell everyone to wait there, and that she would see them later, after she went to the office to fill out the birth certificate.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief at this, but then the questions and congratulations commenced. Harry was never so grateful as when David left for the cafeteria, and brought Harry back a cup of coffee.
When everyone asked Harry, "How big is he," and "What color is his hair," or "What color is his eyes," all Harry could muster was a "You'll see." He was a nervous wreck.
Cyrus looked at Harry, who was standing in front of his wife's hospital room door, and was hesitating, so he patted the young man on the shoulder. "Ready, Harry?"
Harry nodded, opened the door, and walked inside with Cyrus and Helen following him. Harry walked to the head of the bed, at the window, making way for Cyrus and Helen to have the most room on the other side. Harry looked down at Daphne, and was simply astounded at what they created. Daphne was holding James Cyrus up to her left breast, while he was wrapped up in a blue blanket, and was letting him nurse for the first time.
He had a tuft of jet black hair, which didn't seem to want to lay down on his small head, and his little hands were grasping at the blanket, as his little mouth nursed away. Harry counted ten fingers, and ten toes, after pulling the blanket up at the bottom so he could see. When he did this, it interrupted James Cyrus, who quit nursing, and looked up at everyone. There they were, two green eyes, but not quite as dark as Harry's, first looking up at his father, and then over at his grandparents. Harry bent over and kissed Daphne, and then James Cyrus, on the head, before he took a seat.
"He's beautiful, dear," Helen said, as she run her fingers though the babes soft tuft of hair. "I'm so proud of you..., both of you! I have my first grandchild!"
James Cyrus seemed to grin at this, before he latched back onto his mum's breast.
"Hungry, aren't you?" Daphne muttered. "I can't believe that Harry and I made something so perfect, and he's the first child born this year!"
"Pumpkin," Cyrus said, and this made Daphne look up at him, as he hadn't called her that since she was very young. "You and Harry have made your mother and I very happy, and I am proud to be James Cyrus' grandfather." Cyrus bent over, and kissed Daphne on the head, which made her start to tear up. With her hormones all over the place, she did that a lot lately.
They watched as Daphne finished feeding little James, and burped him. She would make a fine mother, indeed, Helen thought.
The Greengrasses left, telling the Potters that they would be back first thing in the morning. However, after they left, everyone else made their rounds to visit the newest Potter.
When everyone left for the night, that left Harry sitting beside Daphne, who was now sound asleep, and the two Graves were sitting in chairs on either side of the hospital room's door, as guards. When the staff told them that they couldn't do that, all they received was a cold stare, and David telling them to take it up with Minister Shacklebolt. They weren't about to take any chances of someone nefarious trying to slip in. As a matter of fact, Ron and Seamus were standing guard at the maternity ward, where the cribs were, and both were watching over young James Cyrus like a hawk.
Back at Hogwarts, Sybill Trelawney seemed to be unnerved, and couldn't sleep. She was wondering the seventh floor, and she had already had a few glasses of sherry to try to calm her mind. At 12:00 sharp, she bumped into the headmistress, who was doing a late round.
Sybill, startled, started to apologize. "Minerva, I couldn't sleep. Something, I think, big is coming. It's been in the cards, and I've seen other signs. I think it's tonight."
Minerva was about to snort, and send Sybill off back to her tower, when she noticed the poor Divination professor stare off into nothing, and open her mouth. The voice that came out didn't sound like the woman at all.
"Today is a new dawn. From a powerful witch and wizard, just after midnight closeth, a king among men, with royal blood in his veins, will be born. A new mage will walk amongst us, powerful, intelligent, and bright as a star. He will follow in his sire and dam's footsteps, and he will be a thoroughbred walking among common men; a leader for us all!"
Sybill seemed to cough, and slightly gag, then she rapidly batted her eyes as she noticed the headmistress. "Headmistress, did you need something?"
"No... , no, Sybill," Minerva replied, highly unnerved, "I'm heading to bed, it's late, so, goodnight." Minerva grasped her robe tightly to her, and quickly made her way to the gargoyle. Here, she said the password, and rode the spiral stairs up to her office.
Once inside, Minerva, shakily, sat down in her office chair, and made to pour herself a bit of Scotch. That's when she heard Headmaster Dumbledore clear his throat behind her.
"Minerva, dear, what has you so upset?"
Minerva belted back her drink, and as she turned around in her chair, she noticed the other portraits acting like they were asleep, but all were listening, including Severus.
"I believe that Sybill just gave another prophecy," Minerva said in a loud whisper.
"Did she," Albus said, and thought about it for a moment. "She does do that on an occasion, my dear, but what did she have to say?"
Minerva remembered every word, and it was like she couldn't forget them.
"She said, 'Today is a new dawn. From a powerful witch and wizard, just after midnight closeth, a king among men, with royal blood in his veins, will be born. A new mage will walk amongst us, powerful, intelligent, and bright as a star. He will follow in his sire and dam's footsteps, and he will be a thoroughbred walking among common men; a leader for us all!'"
Albus' eyes shot up to his hairline at this, and every portrait suddenly woke up.
"Dilys," Albus said, "go to St. Mungo's, and see what you can find out." Dilys Derwent quickly left his portrait for his other one at the hospital. Once there, he would travel through the other portraits, and find his way to the maternity floor.
"Minerva," Albus said, "you need to extract your memory into a phial, and turn it in at the Ministry tomorrow."
Minerva nodded, and began doing just that.
"Who do you think it is, Dumbledore?" Phineas Nigellus Black asked. "I would almost bet that I know."
"Would you now," Severus sneered.
Minerva noticed that even the Sorting Hat was paying close attention to everything being said. She sat back down, and started sipping on her scotch. Nothing was to be done, now, but wait.
Thirty minutes went by, and Dilys Derwent came back into his portrait, huffing and puffing, trying to catch his breath. Finally, he plopped down in his chair, and sighed.
Albus, who was getting impatient, asked, "Who was it, Dilys?"
"Right, right," Dilys said, as he sat forward, "it was the new Potter heir. Born at 12:07 this morning."
Minerva almost dropped her glass. "Harry?"
"Yes," said Dilys with a quick nod, before sitting back in his chair to relax.
"It's exactly who I thought it was," Phineas said, and sniggered. "My grandson chose his heir well, didn't he? Look at the numerology with the child's birth date and time; it's nature's duality, and the most magical number. 1-1-2001, and at 12:07. He'll be bold and brazen, just like his father, and sly and cunning, just like his mother. The child will be unstoppable! You're looking at a new Minister for Magic, if not more!"
"Everard," Albus said, "visit your portrait at Kingsley's home, and see if you can rouse him. If you can, tell him to send some aurors to St. Mungo's. It's untelling who might be lurking around, and tell him of the prophecy, too."
Everard gave a quick nod, and left his portrait.
Bane, Magorian, and Firenze were standing in a clearing within the Forbidden Forest, at midnight, observing the galaxy. The moon was pretty much twenty-five days old, and the crescent seemed to be glowing.
"Twenty-five days," Firenze said, "and two and five added together equal seven, the most magical number. Three-quarters gone, which is equal to nine months, the gestation period of a human. Notice how bright the crescent is, tonight? The moon goddess is glowing."
"Mars is also very bright tonight," Magorian commented, "the sign of a warrior. What do you think Bane?"
"We shall observe until Venus shows herself," Bane said, "and then, we shall head back to our camp." Bane was looking for Saturn and Jupiter, now, and he noticed that Jupiter seemed to reveal itself more to them than Saturn this night; by a good amount. That was very good in Bane's mind.
The Centaurs stood in the clearing until dawn approached, watching for Venus. Finally, she appeared, and she was as bright as Mars.
"What do you think, Firenze," Magorian said, still staring at the sky in wonder.
"A great wizard will be born tonight," Firenze commented. "I would say that he already has been, just after midnight, with the start of the new solar year. The child will know love and compassion, but will be a warrior and a scholar. A new king, Sol, among men."
"We shall head back," Bane ordered, as he stomped his right front hoof. "Tell Hagrid if you must."
The three broke into a gallop, and made their way back to their encampment. Bane wasn't really sure what this would bring. He would wait until he knew who the child was.
Hagrid came into the headmistress's office just before lunch, and he looked like he didn't want to be doing what he was.
"Headmistress," Hagrid said, "do ya have a mo?"
"Of course, Hagrid," Minerva replied, "what is it?"
"Well," Hagrid said, as he tugged at his beard, "Firenze came ou' uh the forest wit' a message fer ya. Ye know how they like tha' stargazin' an' all!"
This got everyone's attention, the headmistress, the portraits, and the Sorting Hat.
"What did he say, my boy?" Albus asked, as he was very interested.
"Well," Hagrid explained, "somthin' 'bout Mars and Venus bein' very bright, and that the moon showed a birth. He said a king among men, or somethin' like tha, had been born last night, and tol' me to tell ye."
One could have heard a pin drop after that, and Minerva was unnerved. The silence was broken by Headmaster Black's sniggering. "I told you," Phineas crowed. "I'll be at Potter Manor, watching for their arrival."
"That will be all, Hagrid," Minerva said. Hagrid nodded, and made his way to the great hall.
As soon as Hagrid left, Minerva shakily stood, and made her way to the fireplace. "I'm going to the ministry during lunch." What she didn't say, was that she was going to drop by St. Mungo's before her return.
-=QE=-
AN, Patois translation:
"Gud mawnin mun!. Listen tuh di beautiful song; eh Cash, mun, one ah fi-wi owna." : "Good morning, man! Listen to the beautiful song; it's Cash, man, one of our very own." (The singer had a plantation home at Jamaica, just off a golf course).
"Yuh didn't kno wen tuh fold dem, mun. Run fur aweh, mun... RUN!" : "You didn't know when to fold them, man. Run far away, man... RUN!"
The song can be found at Youtube dot com forward slash watch?v=KzyL0hBboYU