Harry Potter and the Order of Mercaba

by SeraphimBlue

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all the characters of his universe are owned by J.K. Rowling. I hold no claim over anyone here, except for my original characters and the Order of Mercaba, which is my own creation.

Chapter Two

A week had passed and the reports of mysterious activity had died down until it was much like the norm for the area. It was as if a switch had been flipped and everything went back to normal. Whatever happened to change things, it was happily accepted by those observing. Too many times they arrived on location, only to be attacked by pompous idiots in red robes who clearly thought the sun shined out of their collective asses.

They'd bluff and bluster and if that didn't work, they'd try mind magic on those involved. That went about as well as you can imagine and there were fights and injuries on both sides. Soon, the Order just adopted a policy of preemptive attacking and stunned the idiots on sight, leaving them there to be found later… or in some cases, if it was necessary, beat them up to mimic a mugging and let the local police handle them. Primitive but effective since trying to talk to the idiots didn't work. Either way, the situation was handled.

Alex was just glad that things were calming down. He'd had a busy week dealing with reports, discovering that the destroyed home belonged to a James and Lily Potter, which finally gave little Harry a last name… for now, and trying to find Harry's relatives… a Vernon and Petunia Dursley and their son Dudley, who apparently had just up and vanished a month earlier under... unusual circumstances.

Neighbors said there had been fighting going on there for a while, minor scuffles, but it was a fight with unknown parties that ended with police called in.. but local police had no record of it, neither did the officers on duty at the time. More to the pattern it seems… those idiots erasing memories again, which when you think about it doesn't make much sense as by all accounts of the neighbors, the family was fairly normal; not magical at all.

Reports were filed with local police, as well as Interpol, just in case, but at this point Alex didn't hold out much hope on them being found. With all of the activity of what he'd found were called Death Eaters, the Dursley's were probably attacked for being related to the Potters. If that was true, with them having no way to defend themselves… well, it didn't look good. They were probably dead or, if they somehow managed to survive, long gone to another country with no idea what's going on... probably.

Along with those hassles was arranging travel for the experts that were coming to check out his new son. Flights from other enclaves were always a difficult task because few people tended to willingly travel his way more than once… and those that liked it were either family or considered crazy.

Still, he had two experts expected to arrive within a day or two and he needed to finalize temporary housing and subsidies for expenses and assistants… if they didn't bring their own. They were expected to be housed for a few days to a week… or longer, depending on how long everything took to help Harry; if they could at all, that was still up for debate. Everyone had high hopes that they would be successful, for in the short time he'd been here… much of the Order has grown fond of Harry.

"Knock knock…"

Alex looked up and smiled at the face in his doorway. A swarthy European man with slick curly black hair stood there in clothing that looked like it cost more than most people's yearly salaries… and likely did.

"Roman… oh my god, come in, come in. I haven't heard from you since you were assigned on that trip to Vatican City. How are you?"

Roman, no last name he'll ever admit to, walked in and perched on the edge of Alex's desk.

"You know me, fighting evil and saving damsels in distress… then removing the dress." A hearty laugh escaped his lips before he added, "I'm good. Just got in and decided to check on you when I heard the news. So… you finally knocked up your little elf? Good for you."

Alex laughed and shook his head. "First, she's not an elf… she just looks like one and believe me I checked. I asked Grandmother Morrigan about her when we started dating. She says there's no elven blood in her… unlike me. Second, she's not pregnant; we've adopted, temporarily, a young boy named Harry Potter… though we're going to make it a full adoption if we can't find any relatives. We're not having much luck, so now its just a matter of waiting out a time limit before we can legally file the paperwork. Third, call her an elf where she can hear you and she might remove your ability to make any heirs yourself."

Roman laughed and shook softly. "Yeah, yeah she's a spitfire and it wouldn't put it past her to try, but its just so much fun to work her up." Looking at Alex he shook his head. "Growing soft on me bro… becoming a dad. Still… I guess that makes me Uncle Roman now. I get to corrupt the little munchkin."

Alex smirked at the idea. He and Roman weren't biologically related… but were as good as brothers. They'd lived through so much hell over the years, that at one time, they were the only thing keeping the other one alive. "True… but if it ever comes up, I will deny giving you permission. I value my life."

Roman laughed and slid into the chair across from Alex's desk with a sigh, his expression growing worried. "So… I also heard through the grapevine that you tapped into… him… again. It's not something I really wanted to hear. Are you okay, honestly now? You know how bad it hurts you to use the crap he left inside you."

Alex winced, shrugged and sighed. "Yeah, I think so. Doc checked me out and didn't find any scarring. Every test came up clean… unlike last time. I mean, I hurt for a day or two, but it wasn't too bad. Thankfully Alisa was there to keep an eye on me and pulled me back on track." Alex looked down frowning. "I didn't use Azrael's power much..."

An angry pound on his desk made Alex jump. "Every time you tap into that Angelic bullshit he dumped in you, you know it rips you apart inside a little. Don't tell me it doesn't when you and I both know better. Why haven't you gotten that shit purged out of you already?" Roman all but growled at him.

Alex winced a little more as he looked down at his hands. "Roman, believe me, I've tried. I can't… it's… it's tied to my soul or something. I'm stuck with it and when they tried to purge it… well… I died."

Hearing the shocked intake of breath, Alex looked up to see Roman's face had gone pale. "They got me back, but yeah… I'm stuck with it. Also while I was… gone… I got read the riot act about trying to remove it… from them. Gabriel says I'm stuck with it forever and Michael seems to think it's an honor and doesn't understand why I'm complaining… the pompous asshole. It seems that when they lost Azrael, when he sacrificed himself and merged with me… he didn't come back there like he and they thought he would, so all they have left is what is inside of me and they can't get it back until I… well, you know."

Roman winced and rubbed his head. "Why didn't anyone tell me you died? I'm your fucking next of kin right? They were supposed to call me in." He looked completely pissed off… then took a breath and tried to calm down. "I guess Alisa has that role in your life now…"

Alex winced and nodded. Roman rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Eh… whatever. I know she'll take care of you." He thought about what Alex said and grimaced. "Shit, those so called heavenly fuckers play for keeps it seems. You'd think Archangels would be more understanding and sympathetic about stuff that almost kills you… but no, I guess not. Makes me glad I'm an atheist or an agnostic or whatever you want to call it now. I know they exist, I just don't give a fuck. However… the next time I see one of those bastards, I'm gonna get in a shot to the eye or two on your behalf."

Chuckling a bit he sighs. "Fuck… I'm sorry man. You have no idea. If I hadn't been hurt that much… you wouldn't have had to ask them for help."

Alex looked up at his brother.

"Hey now, none of that. We were 16, egotistical and too high on our own power to know better, and we were both on the verge of death. We should have never tried to search the Paris catacombs alone… no matter what they said was hunting down there. We knew the risks. It's not your fault."

Alex ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "I knew the risks involved when I used the summoning ritual I'd found in my grandfather's library... and I wouldn't change anything. If I hadn't done it… we'd both be dead now. Alisa wouldn't be working here. Pamela would be dead because you wouldn't have been there to rescue her two years later… and so many more lives on top of all that."

Roman nodded solemnly.

"Yeah… you're right... so many lives are worth some pain I guess. I just wish you didn't have to feel it all alone. I'd take half of it if I could, I swear… you know that."

Alex's phone rang, startling them both and interrupted them, pulling them out of the funk they'd sunk into.

"Hello… yes Dr. Stephens… yes, I'm on my way."

Roman raised an eyebrow as Alex hung up the phone. "Something important?"

Alex smiled. "They're here. We're finally going to get Harry examined properly."

Frowning Roman got to his feet. "Examined properly? What's wrong with him?"

Alex got up and headed to the door. "Follow me and I'll tell you on the way."

Infirmary… few minutes later

"… and so we're trying to figure out what it is and how to remove it." Alex said as he and Roman entered the Infirmary and saw the two experts waiting with Doctor Stephens.

"Ah Alex… and Roman, welcome back. Alex, I'd like to introduce Doctor Guozhi Chang and Doctor Lakshmi Patel… from our Asian Enclave."

Alex bowed respectfully while Roman just nodded. Alex smiled and stepped forward. "Thank you for coming. I called Alisa already and she should be here soon with Harry. We both hope you can help him."

As if speaking her name summoned her, Alisa and Harry soon entered the room. As they entered, Doctor Chang hissed and winced.

"Damn, that's strong. Let me see the boy… I could feel that from over here."

Alisa brought Harry over to the table and sat him down on it. Dr. Chang moved closer and winced as he ran his thumb along the scar. The darkness radiating from it was raw and angry. It reminded him of a case he'd seen years ago with a possessed girl…

"Lakshmi… I think this is a soul fragment… like that phylactery we found in Egypt a decade ago. Please take a look yourself and tell me what do you think?"

Dr. Patel moved closer and pulled out a pair of glasses from her jacket. Putting them on she gasped in shock at the angry black grow on the boy's cut. "I think you're right… but it's not complete. It looks torn, frayed. It's not sealed completely so I think we can get it out of the poor boy."

Dr. Chang looked at them. "Who is your ritualist on site?"

Alex thought about it for a minute. "Probably the best one we have is Agent Sapphire… she has more training in rituals and more control with them than anyone here... even though she claims I know more than her. She only says that because she thinks it will get her out of work. Honestly… she's the best we have."

Dr. Chang pondered that for a moment and whispered something to Dr. Patel then they both nodded. "Get her down here. We'll use both of you. Do you have a warded ritual room?"

Alex nodded. "We have a few set up. What level do you need? I can ward one anywhere from a minor Level One to an airtight Level Six."

"Level Six."

Swallowing hard Alex nodded and turned toward the door. "Okay then, follow me. Renee… that's Agent Sapphire… her office is down the hall from the room we'll need. We can grab her on the way."

Alisa picked up Harry and as a group they made their way to Sub-level 3… deep enough under the complex to not endanger anyone from… supernatural accidents. On their way they picked up Agent Sapphire and Alisa quickly brought her up to speed as Alex got to work adjusting the ritual room.

"… kidding me? Alex… you can't do a Level Six this soon after Halloween night. Are you crazy? Do you have enough strength to perform the binding?"

Alex nodded as he drew the necessary runes on the floor. "I can do that much but the actual ritual… but yeah, that's why you're here. Sorry Renee…"

Renee Dubois rolled her eyes and started stripping off her outer layers of clothing, preferring to work magic in just a t-shirt and pants. "You're going to owe me Alex… big time."

Alex smiled and finished the last rune of the first layer then moved to the second. "Yeah… I know. Trust me, I know just how important this is and I'm willing to pay big for it. You know that wine my grandmother left me…"

Renee's eyes widened in shock. "You don't mean…"

Alex nodded. "Yeah, it's yours… and I'll even get you a weekend at that spa you like so much."

Renee grinned and twirled about in place. "Yes! I'll do it." Pausing she gave them a coy look and grinned. "Alisa, darling… are you sure you want to marry him? I couldn't by any chance…"

Alisa blushed as Roman and Alex laughed out loud. "No poaching Renee, you know the rules."

Renee blushed and nodded. "Okay, fine. I had to ask. Okay then… everyone to the outer edges. Once Alex locks the room, I'll need Harry and the Docs in the center. You do your thing and I'll hold everything in place so the nastiness doesn't go running. We don't want a repeat of last year."

Renee closed her eyes and focused on her magic, pulling it up to full power. As her levels grew, bleed over caused her skin to take on a soft electric blue glow and her hair began to float on an unseen wind. "Ready when you are Alex."

Soft chanting could be heard as Alex moved about the room, drawing the runes they would need. Slowly he moved from layer to layer until finally, as Alex triggered the runes, the room lit up with a golden glow so bright it made most in the room wince.

"Shit Alex… you've upgraded yourself and didn't tell me…" Roman whispered in awe as Alex moved to join them.

Alex nodded and watched as the doctors got to work on baby Harry. Once they were ready, they nodded to Renee and the room went deathly silent as she locked the room.

Slowly a dark glow filled the edges of the scar on Harry's forehead. Though no sound could be heard, all could see him crying in distress. Alisa tried to move forward but was held in place by Alex's hands.

As they watched, the scar broke open and blood sprayed out… black and viscous, like tar. Steam or possibly smoke emerged from the scar and formed onto an apparition that looked almost demonic as it hung over the group in the center.

"Alex… help. That thing's nasty… I need you or Roman to buffer me, please."

Roman nodded and ran over to Renee's side. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he closed his eyes and opened himself to her. He'd done this for Alex many times in the past and knew how much and how quickly to feed energy to her.

"Oh yeah… damn Roman, you feel good…" Renee blushed at her words as she felt more stable now. The energy coming from Roman was deep, cool and powerful… like dipping into a pool on a hot summer day." I'm gonna be okay now… thanks, just hang onto me until we're done."

Roman nodded and kissed the back of her head as he watched the procedure continue. "No problem hon."

Inside the ritual, the doctors did something and the demonic smoke began to writhe in pain, becoming more and more faint until it faded away into nothing. Once it was gone, they healed the skin, removing the scar almost completely, then motioned to the others that they were done. Renee nodded and released the energy, sound rushing back with Harry's wailing voice.

Alisa rushed forward and picked him up, cradling him to her chest. "Shh baby… it's okay… Mummy's here…"

Alex joined her and smiled at the doctors. "Was that it? Did you get all of it out?"

Doctor Chang nodded and wiped sweat off his forehead. "Yes, we got it out. It was a fractured soul, extremely foul and it fought pretty hard."

Doctor Patel sighed. "Yes, so much so that we had to strip it of some of its power in order to fully extract it… and the only place we could send the power was into young Harry, as he was the one still tied to it. We purified the energy, of course, but as he grows… he will be highly magical."

Doctor Chang reached out and brushed some blood off Harry's hair. "He already is magical… but he will be more so. You have a powerhouse in the making here, not seen since the time of Temujin." At their confused looks, he laughed softly. "Okay maybe Merlin would be a better example for you English?"

Continuing to laugh he wiped his eyes, he sighed. "I'll be keeping an eye on young Harry. With that much magic inside him, he will do great things. He might do well visiting our enclave at some point in the future."

Doctor Patel nodded and popped her neck. "Well now, that's done and no one got hurt. I guess we had better go rest up. Our visas have us here at least a week. Looks like we get a small vacation."

Doctor Chang nodded and laughed. "That we do, Lakshmi, that we do." He offered her his arm and gave her a wink. "Shall we, my dear?" Lakshmi blushed and nodded as they quickly exited the room.

Alex hugged his family and kissed Harry's head. "Thanks for the help, Renee. Whenever you want your part of the deal… just let me know."

Renee nodded, leaning back unconsciously into Roman's chest. "Thanks. I'll let you know… but right now I just want a nap."

Roman smirked and scooped her up into his arms, surprising her. "I'll take care of the lovely lady. Why don't you take your family home to celebrate."

Alex smiled and nodded as Roman carried a sleepy, cuddly Renee out of the room. Looking at Alisa he sighed. "We're good now. Harry's going to be okay and we're in the clear. Nothing can go wrong now. Let's go home…"

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry… Headmaster's Office

Albus Dumbledore groaned at yet another summons by the Ministry. Didn't they know his time was valuable? He was the Lord of the Light. He had no time for the petty wants of the ants around him. They were just tools… pieces in his game of chess with the Wizarding World.

Did he know what was going on with their Aurors… no, why should he care? They weren't his problem.

Did he know who these people were who kept bothering their Aurors at crime scenes… again, no, probably muggle police… just Obliviate them and move on. Really now, did they not have brains of their own? Must he be forced to do their thinking for them?

Sadly the Ministry was too stupid to just leave him alone… and the official in his fireplace was more stupid than the rest. He could just kill him now and be done with it… but he still had to uphold his place in society. "Okay... okay... I'll be right there… just give me a few minutes."

The official nodded and backed out of the fireplace as Dumbledore sent a Patronus message to Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. "Minerva… I'm being summoned to the Ministry… again. In case anything happens where you would need me, you'll find me there. Please handle any emergency situations that arise until I return."

With that done, Albus stepped into the fireplace and activated the Floo. "Ministry of Magic…" Green flames surrounded him and he was gone.

As the flames died down, a soft keening sound could be heard. It grew louder… and louder… until an explosion filled that side of the room as one of the devices on the mantle… the ones monitoring Harry Potter… burst into dozens of small flaming fragments that scattered violently into the rest of the room.

One fragment flew so close to Fawkes that it nicked her chest, drawing blood. Startled she flamed out of the room, rather violently, setting much of the room on fire, leaving a very angry phoenix to find a temporary new home… at least until she calmed down.

With his office as magically sealed as it was… no one was aware of the fire until it had destroyed most of the room… but that was hours later and by then, Albus Dumbledore was disgruntled enough to add insult to injury by throwing a tantrum on top of everything…

Outside Hogwarts… Hagrid's Hut… much earlier

Fawkes flamed into the middle of Hagrid's home and flew about, coming to light on his larger than average chair. Hagrid wasn't home at the time and frankly Fawkes didn't care. She wanted some peace and quiet and by Merlin she was going to get it. Her level of tolerance only went so far and she was right on the edge.

Landing on the top of his chair, she settled down and went back to sleep… the cut on her chest having sealed already. It was there she was until Albus returned and the burst of negative emotion that came through the bond from him snapped her awake, knocking her to the floor.

"Okay… that's it… enough is enough. I've been patient. I've been kind. I've tried to be understanding but enough is enough. I've had it with his darkness and negativity. I'm sick and tired of having to adjust myself to keep from growing ill due to his… well frankly, evilness. I'm done." she thought to herself... in a voice very reminiscent of her mother… as she squawked angrily about the room.

Under normal situations, Fawkes would just go for a flight and cool off… but this time, in this moment, frankly she didn't care anymore. Enough was enough and with a final wrenching of her magic… she severed the familiar bond; the shockwave sending Albus Dumbledore into the wall behind him, breaking bones and knocking him into a small coma as his magic took the brunt of her angry attack, leaving him unconscious on the burnt floor of his destroyed office.

With the bond severed, Fawkes returned home to the realm all Phoenix's come from. There she flew about, still angry at herself for waiting for so long… then finally calmed down enough to think clearly and decided it was time for a change.

She reached out to the magical universe. Searching with her heart, mind and soul she did as her ancestors did before her and scanned every magical being on the planet… searching for her new partner. Hopefully she'd be getting a better match this time… for there was no wait it could be worse.

As she felt a link form, she smiled and relaxed. She'd found someone good this time. She flamed herself to said person, a person pure enough and magically talented enough to be compatible with her… eventually… and settled in to observe and let the bond form.

Inside Hogwarts

The castle shook as the wards took the brunt of an unknown attack and Minerva McGonagall, following the waves of energy, rushed to where she felt them the most… Albus's office. Arriving there, she used her rank as Deputy Headmistress to force her way into his office and found him in a broken heap on the floor.

"I need several house elves… immediately."

Four house elves popped into the room and winced at seeing the mess. Minerva turned to them and pointed at Albus. "I need two of you to pop him to Madam Pomphrey immediately and the other two to seal this room. Until we know what happened here, no one is to enter through the door or Floo… understand?"

The elves nodded and with a pop, they moved Albus Dumbledore away while the others waited for her to leave.

"I'm going to contact the ICW and let them know. I'll get you to unseal the room when they're ready to investigate what happened here." She stormed out of the room and the house elves took one last look at the mess, sighed, then sealed the room as it was… before popping back where they came from.