The Binding of Fates III: Lucem Sequimur
PART I: Open Wounds
Chapter 1: Japan
".. Et Puissent-ils reposer en paix. Amen."
The French Ministry Official doused a potion on the two caskets as they were lowered into the ground. Sirius Black and his fiance Eleanor Potage were being laid to rest in a Marseille cemetery.
Harry watched on in silent fury. Alexandria was on his left crying, and trying to console a fussy baby at the same time. Tonks, Rosie, Masahiko, Royston Fairweather and his son, Reagan; were in attendance, garbed in solemn black robes.
This time last year Mr White said that the Dark was coming, faster, stronger than before.
He was right. The immortal train station manager was right. Eleanor Potage. Sirius. Dumbledore. Katsumi. All in one horrible week. Bellatrix Lestrange was on the loose, and a few Death Eaters escaped the battle at the graveyard.
Rain began to fall. Harry conjured an umbrella and sheltered Alexandria Potage and her baby brother Rigel Roderick Black. Alexandria sobbed as she leaned into him with the little baby in her arms while the gravedigger elves shoveled earth on the coffins. Harry comforted her with his arm around her.
"So, have you decided?" Harry asked Tonks and Alexandria when they returned to the hotel for lunch.
Tonks was sipping coffee at their table. "She will be far better protected with you. However... I get the feeling this Japan trip will be dangerous."
"Can't be more dangerous than France. I have no one here," Alexandria said softly. "And I do not trust zese so called aurors."
"Bellatrix is a loose cannon," Harry agreed. "I don't want you out of my sight."
"Thought you'd say that," Tonks sighed. She looked at her Auror notepad for what seemed to be the hundredth time since the night of the Tri Wizard attack. Her expression hardened. "There it is." Tonks got up and paced.
"What happened?" Harry said.
"Scapegoat time," Tonks said. "I was the Auror on site at the school- they're going to put me through the ringer. Felix says the court martial documents are going up the chain to be signed off. I need to leg it before I get written up, the further away I am, the better. "
"Let's get on that plane," Harry said.
A half an hour later they were all waiting to board the flight to Tokyo. Alexandria was sitting on Harry's left; feeding Rigel his bottle, and Tonks was sitting on his right. Royston Fairweather and his son were both dressed in muggle suits. Rosie was wearing her french maid uniform. When asked, her response was that she was on the clock. She was good with Rigel though. Quite good with children in fact.
Harry wasn't even sure how much she was being paid. Or if she was being paid. Jon usually saw about those things.
Masahiko was seated at the end of the row, dressed in an Adidas track suit. Harry noted that Masahiko did not say a word since the night of his little sister's death.
Harry didn't feel like talking much either. But whenever he was left alone with his thoughts, Katsumi's murder kept replaying over and over in his head.
And the fact that he had her body inside his magical storage space made that horrible feeling much worse. When he closed his eyes, he could see her rise and fall as if she were floating on top of the sea, her long hair falling below her. She looked like she was drifting away in his internal Room of Requirement, alongside his growing arsenal of weapons. Mageslayer, Gungnir, The Hallow Blade, her katana, and his Phoenix bracer and wand.
Harry wanted to dig his eyeballs out with his bare hands every time he relived her screaming his name before the killing spell silenced her.
I was knighted by the Ministry of Magic. I am sworn to protect all females, yet I could not protect her. I can kill wizards like a trained soldier, but I can't save Katsumi.
The chains that were laid on his shoulders during the knighting ceremony were crushing him now. He couldn't stop thinking about her, but thinking about her made the crushing sensation worse; a vicious cycle of self hatred and guilt.
Harry wondered if anyone else ever harbored a dead body inside them. Tonks asked before about 'taking her back to Japan' a couple times. Harry insisted he didn't want to talk about it. It was just something that he had to do.
This building self hatred had intertwined with his vendetta against Voldemort and was tightening, like a knot festering in his heart. Understanding what was happening inside was making him even more aware that his mental health was on a slippery slope.
Every time he thought about how Katsumi was killed so flippantly the tendrils of hatred coiled. "We have who we need. Kill the spare."
Every time he thought about Jon and Valerian his insecurities tangled. "He took care of me. That's all. My thoughts and feelings are mine, not yours!"
Every time he thought about having Lexcilla literally by her neck, and then allowing her to escape the knot solidified. "I'll show you how it's done, Harry."
"This is my first time," Tonks said, disrupting his negative thoughts.
Tonks' nervous tick of crossing her legs and bouncing her ankle was distracting. She wore a miniskirt, wide brimmed hat, leather jacket and massive shades. She kept glancing at the clock on the wall, and scanning the newcomers who entered the boarding section.
"Hm?" Harry mumbled. He had to admit she did fit in with the flamboyant french fashionistas here.
"Have you ever been on a plane before?" she asked.
"Yes," Harry said.
"Really? Where?" Tonks asked.
"Norway," Harry said. Shagging Penelope. "So, are you finally going to tell me what happened at Hogwarts?" Harry asked, changing the subject before she interrogated him further.
Tonks folded her arms and leaned closer to talk quietly.
"Well- everyone thought it was part of the show, until the dark mark lit up the clouds and the Stormcloud boy announced himself as Lord Voldemort, holding a baby Lord Voldemort, or whatever that red thing was," Tonks sighed. "It turned into a bloody panic when they executed Hanzo - I was in the maze trying to get to the cup at this time- I looked up when Death Eaters were being blasted into pieces. You got in the thick of it and the sky went blank. Dumbledore rushed to his office to call the department. Someone found him beneath the astronomy tower."
"And where was Snape?" Harry asked.
"Right there in the stands, according to McGonagall," Tonks said. "And as far the official call is; Dumbledore committed suicide."
"No," Harry said. "I could bet anything it was Snape!"
"I'm not arguing with you. I wasn't there," Tonks said. "But according to witnesses, all teachers were accounted for. When do we get on this air plane thingy?"
As she said it the airline staff invited all passengers to board.
"Now. Let's go," Harry muttered, picking up his carry on.
While they were queuing up, Harry racked his memories about the night Dumbledore died. Both of them were fighting in Voldemort's cave, Dumbledore was poisoned, Draco showed up-
"Where was Draco?" Harry asked.
"Draco?" Tonks asked. "Malfoy? What does he have to do with this?"
"Could be everything," Harry muttered, frustrated and feeling a bit sick to his stomach. Draco wasn't sixteen. He was younger, still a bit of a spoilt brat.
But things have changed. I kicked his dad's arse and sent him packing to the Aurors' holding cells. And I kicked Draco's arse, along with the Slytherin squad at the lake. Draco even threatened me- and probably meant it that time. He definitely had motivation to go so far as trying to kill Dumbledore.
Does it even matter? Dumbledore is dead. The Elder wand is missing.
Damn it to bloody hell. Why is everything repeating itself?
I am losing this battle once again.
Harry had the window seat. Alexandria sat next to him with his godson in her arms, and Rosie sat on her other side. Rosie was very good with Rigel and offered to hold him as Alexandria needed a break.
"You go ahead and rest, my dear," Rosie told her in french.
"Are you sure?" Alexandria asked.
"Oui," Rosie said, taking the baby in her arms and playing with him. Rigel giggled and reached out to pull her hair.
The plane took off with a violent surge of acceleration. Alexandria grabbed Harry's hand and squeezed as they gained altitude. Rigel seemed to enjoy the excitement.
After the plane leveled out there was a loud ding and a screen turned on at the front of the cabin.
Tonks waved excitedly at Harry from her seat in the middle section. She pointed at the tv screen. "A movie!" she mouthed to him. The Lion King was about to start. Harry sighed and gave Tonks a thumbs up. Royston Fairweather helped her unbuckle her seat belt and Tonks settled in for the show.
"What is that?" Alexandria asked him. She had never seen a cartoon before.
"Disney movie. Lion King," Harry said softly.
"Like Gryffindor?" Alexandria said, intrigued.
"No. A lion as in... the animal. Not a man," Harry said. "Lion cub ...growing up and reclaiming his tribe and all that- from his uncle, who betrayed his father. Heavy stuff for a kid."
A half an hour into the show she spoke again. "How is Jon," Alexandria said suddenly, eyes still front. "You haven't said a word about him."
Harry knew she was grieving right now. He didn't know how well she will take the news that Jon wasn't coming back. Or married.
"Er-" Harry said. "It's a long story."
"Ze flight is almost thirteen hours," Alexandria said.
"He's... not coming back. He... well..." Harry stammered.
"He went back to his world," Rosie pitched in to help him out.
Alexandria dipped her head and closed her eyes. "I see."
"I'm sorry," Harry said.
"And Valerian?" she asked, this time with a tad more force.
"We went there, to um, get them back. Jon stayed. We brought her back. But then she left," Harry said.
Again.
She left me again.
There was a quiet pause where all that could be heard was Scar saying Run Simba. Run, and never come back.
"I never knew I could be so wrong about her," Alexandria said quietly. "So wrong."
Harry didn't correct her. Every time he thought about Val he felt like it was all his fault.
That every bloody thing happening to everyone was all my god-damned fault.
He needed to get his head on straight.
"What's Jon's world like?" she asked, drawing him out of his dark thoughts.
"Dangerous," Harry summarized. He left it like that.
"You are hiding from me?" Alexandria pressured him. "How dangerous? Could not be worse than this."
"Oh believe me, it was," Harry said in a very soft whisper. "War. We were only there for a day. Probably not the best place to have this chat, yeah?"
"Okay. When we reach there you can tell me more," Alexandria said with a firm nod.
During the flight Alexandria slept against his shoulder a few times. When Rigel cried she woke up and took him from Rosie. She fed him, took him to the lavatory to change him; sometimes walked him up and down the aisle.
"You should hold him, see if he likes you," Alexandria offered Rigel to Harry.
Harry gently took the baby in his arms. He was a kicker, that was for certain. Black curly hair that was long for his tender age, with fat cheeks and legs that loved to push against his arm, chest, anything in range. "Cute. Super cute," Harry said softly. Rigel reached for Alexandria after a minute of Harry holding him.
I wonder if that is how Sirius first held me when I was a baby.
Alexandria smiled as she took him in her arms. "My little brother. Who would have thought." She glared at Harry. "You will protect us?"
"I will," Harry nodded.
"Thank you," Alexandria said, looking back down at the baby. He was biting at her button. She reached in her bag for his baby bottle and fed him once again.
The plane eventually arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. The gang cleared customs without delay with only carry on cases to declare.
Royston Fairweather gave them a short do's and do nots in Japan. "All right. We're here. Rule number one - Apparation is illegal in this country. Only Law Enforcement officers are allowed to. This is to prevent people assassinating others, which makes sense, actually. Rule number two, as foreigners, do not keep bowing after being bowed to. This culture is not your culture, one bow is enough. Three- don't brandish your wands - it can be perceived as intention to fight. Please indicate when you are going to use your wand to cast magic. And no shoes in places with a raised flooring. Other than that, you'll be fine."
They exited the terminal into the darkness of night.
"So, what now?" Tonks asked.
"I'll take you to my house," Lord Fairweather said. "First we need to rent a car."
"A car?" Harry said. "You can drive?"
"I can. Usually I ride on top the Shinkansen-"
"Shinkansen?" Reagan Fairweather interrupted.
"The high speed train- then jump off. But this time, I have guests," Royston Fairweather said, nodding to the ladies in their crew. "You lot snuck in muggle style, which seems suspicious. And sometimes the magical law enforcement ride in the trains incognito."
The biggest car they could get was a Toyota Crown. It was still a tight fit. Five of them were basically crammed in the backseat. Alexandria sat down on Harry while Rosie held Rigel. Tonks sat down on Reagan who seemed quite pleased to be in this position. Masahiko was up front. Lord Fairweather drove them from the airport along the main K6 roadway, through Kawasaki, Yokohama, Nagoya and headed southwest on the highway towards the Nara area.
"I'll take all of you to get settled in. Tomorrow we will visit the Ministry of Magic and tell Tokugawa-sama-" Lord Fairweather said.
"Hold up on that," Tonks interrupted. "I'm covert right now."
"I'm also a diplomatic agent. Let's just say I do not want to sneak in notable foreigners into the country without at least one Ministry representative knowing," Royston Fairweather said. "The political aspect of Katsumi's funeral could be the spark that ignites a war- I must use due tact, Warmage Tonks."
The way Fairweather addressed Tonks made Harry's warning bells go off. Tonks was basically a spy for the British Ministry of Magic. Her being here unannounced might be an issue.
"Please do," Tonks sighed. She glanced across at Harry. Harry pretended he didn't see her.
The drive from the airport to their destination was quiet after that. Alexandria had fallen asleep on top of him, her head on his shoulder.
"I want to bring her back to life," Harry said to nobody in particular.
Masahiko turned and finally spoke after nearly three days of silence. "How?"
"There are powerful artifacts at Basilisk Island. I'm going to get them. I'll figure something out," Harry explained.
"That easy, huh?" Royston Fairweather challenged.
"Yes. I know of the legend."
"You do? How?"
"Sanguini," Harry said.
"Where is he, by the way?" Fairweather asked.
"Um, indisposed at the moment," said Harry.
"What?" Lord Fairweather said.
"Yeah. His immortality has been reversed in Westeros. He is no longer a vampire. I have ancient texts Mr White wrote about the Ollivander island nation. It's only us, for now," Harry said sadly. "Are you with me, Masahiko-san?"
"Of course," Masahiko grinned. Harry could not remember the last time he saw Masahiko smile. Maybe it was at Christmas?
"I see. We will discuss this more after we all have a good night's rest," Lord Fairweather said.
Another hour of night driving ensued. They were off the highway and meandering along the lonely road through the forested area of Nara.
"Uh oh," Lord Fairweather said. "So much for this car."
All of the warning lights on the dash was flickering, the car was sputtering, and the steering wheel was fighting against his hands. "Shields!" he commanded.
Tonks and Harry's shield spells somehow combined and protected the car as it spun out of control and ran off the road. It flipped once as it rolled down the hillside then came to a stop against a tree.
"Everyone all right?" Royston asked. Rigel was crying, but other than that, everyone said they were fine. "Thanks, Harry, Tonks. Usually this doesn't happen until a month or so."
"Lord Dragonslayer is the strongest I've seen, Mr Fairweather. Apart from Mr White," Rosie said as she consoled the crying child.
"A warning would have been nice," Harry muttered. "Good thing this didn't happen in the plane."
"I didn't even think of that, to be honest," Royston said, kicking open the door. It was pitch black on this incline alongside of the road. "There were more muggles than magicals on that plane. Maybe they balanced us out. Katsumi mentioned you control threstrals?"
"Yup," Harry said as they all exited the vehicle.
"Do not do this near to the baby," Rosie warned in her necromancer tone.
Everyone looked uneasy by her sudden change of persona.
"Fly a distance from here, summon them, then come back Master Harry," Rosie explained pleasantly, wrenching out their cases from the twisted boot of the vehicle.
"Good call," Lord Fairweather said.
"Gotcha," Harry said. He flew a couple miles away, summoned the threstrals and returned ten minutes later.
Rigel began to cry. Alexandria consoled the little child as they mounted the invisible beasts. "He senses them. Viens chez ta Sœur ainée," she comforted him in French.
"He'll be okay?" Harry asked her.
"Yes. He is full of adventure," she smiled proudly at Harry. Rigel began pulling at her blouse, wanting milk. "And misses maman," she said sadly. Rosie offered him his baby bottle, which he reached for eagerly. Alexandria mounted her threstral, adjusted his carrying sling then accepted him from Rosie.
"Let's get him out of the cold," Masahiko said. Hearing his voice startled Harry. Masahiko summoned a black cloth and wrapped it around his own head, leaving only his eyes visible. His attitude turned even more serious and vigilant.
"My house is on the northern side of the Ōmine mountain," Lord Fairweather said as he settled unto his steed. He pointed in the general direction. "Take us there, Harry."
The flight was short. The Shogun of the Mist made them land on the trail leading up to a village nestled in the mountainside forest. "Here we are. Harry, take this-" he summoned a traditional bark hat using a few seals.
"Why?" Harry asked, looking at the conical headpiece.
"It will hide your scar, and it blocks magic sensitives from seeing your true strength. Like a glamour to make you seem weak," Royston said.
"And why would I want to do that?" Harry asked.
"To avoid confrontations," Fairweather said. "Many aspiring warriors live here as they train to become Misutosamurai. This is a traditional Yamabushi village, where ancient warrior monks lived. Now, select graduates who wish to learn after Mahoutokoro come and train in our Hidden School, Kokanararyu. Which is basically our recruitment facility."
"Right," Harry said. "How many do you have in your clan?"
"Six seniors, including myself and Masahiko, four new inductees and three support staff are official Misutosamurai. Right now there are twenty candidates who are in training."
"So, basically we're going to a ninja clan village?" Tonks asked.
Lord Fairweather laughed. "Not exactly. We follow Bushido codes. But ..." he shrugged. "You know. Many different ideologies are welcome in our search for techniques. And not everyone becomes guild members of Misutosamurai. Only a few. It is a thankless way of life."
They walked under a traditional Japanese gate and entered the main street of a humble village. Harry spotted a light moving in a lookout tower to their left.
Reagan looked excited. Harry could feel his enthusiasm. "Alright there, mate?" Harry asked him.
"I've dreamt about this since I was a little lad," Reagan muttered. "To finally come here feels like a dream come true. The air is so clean here, look at the ancient architecture, so full of mystery." He took a deep breath. "Looks like the welcome committee."
Three men approached, running with a weird, unnatural stride. Their footsteps were silent on the damp road. "Shogun-shusho," they bowed to Lord Fairweather.
A conversation in Japanese ensued. When all was said and done, they were escorted through the village and up the winding cut out steps to a house overlooking the largest building, the Hidden School, Kokanararyu.
"Welcome," Royston Fairweather said, unloosening his tie. "There is a water well out back, bathroom outhouse for men and women on the other side-" he pointed here, then there- "kitchen, and bathing rooms are there. Let me show you to your bedrooms. Masahiko, are you staying as well?"
"Junanko-san and Koshin-san are guarding here tonight?" he asked Lord Fairweather.
"Yes," Royston responded.
"I will go home," Masahiko declined, bowing.
"Understood. Everyone, make yourself at home. It was a long flight," Fairweather bowed. "Reagan, come with me, I will show you to your quarters." Lord Fairweather and Reagan went up to the second level of the house.
There were three bedrooms with tatami mats on the ground floor, all separated from each other with sliding panel walls. Masahiko brought out the only mattress that was kept in storage for Alexandria and the baby.
"We are accustomed to the floor," Masahiko said to the others. He spread sleeping futon mats in the three bedrooms, bowed, then left.
Rosie made up the bedsheets and then reached for Rigel, who was sleeping soundly against Alexandria's bosom. "Too much excitement for one day, isn't that so little one?" Rosie said as she changed him. Alexandria waved her wand and made the messy pamper disappear. Rigel woke up, agitated with his fresh pamper, trying to take it off. "I will bathe him in the morning. Such a brave little boy."
Rosie played with him until he reached for Alexandria again. He immediately began fussing with her blouse buttons. Rosie mixed a fresh bottle for him.
"Merci, Mademoiselle Rosie," Alexandria said, yawning and feeding him again.
Tonks and Harry watched from the border of their room. Tonks thought that this scene of putting a baby to bed was a stark contrast to flying across the globe, crashing a car and taking refuge in a magical samurai village in the misty mountains of Japan.
Rosie and Alexandria began changing into sleepwear. "Goodnight," Tonks said, sliding the panel door shut to give them privacy. She opened the panel to the last room. The dividing wall appeared to cut a large room into two, almost as if Rosie and Alexandria were in the master bedroom, and these two were for children.
Tonks put her hands on her hips. "So. This is us."
"Yeah," Harry said, looking at their eight feet by nine feet cubicles.
At least he didn't have to share a bed with her. That might be awkward.
"I'll be back." Tonks circled the house and cast alarm spells all around the yard. Harry took off his hat, and changed into a shorts and t-shirt from his case. By the time Tonks came back, he was laying on his futon mat, staring up at the ceiling. Tonks slid open the panel to her adjacent room and began making up her futon with the bed linen provided. "The view is amazing on the back porch."
"Really," Harry replied, not particularly interested.
"Yes. Misty. Lots of cool traditional rooftops going down the mountainside. Also the samurai training yard, full of bamboo targets and balance poles."
"It's dark. You can see all that?" Harry asked.
"'Course. My eyesight is probably the best thing about being a metamorph. Have to thank Jon for that," Tonks said, taking off her blouse and skirt.
"Hm," Harry said, feeling loneliness sink into him again at the mention of Jon's name.
Tonks tiptoed across her room in her bra and very tiny boyshorts, careful not to step on the interlocking lines of the tatami mats. She took out a nightie from her travel case, slipped it on then removed the bra and underwear from underneath it. She cast a freshener charm on her used muggle clothes, packed them away, then settled on her futon.
"Goodnight!" Tonks said, sliding her door closed.
"Night," Harry said, wondering why she didn't close the panel before changing.
A few seconds later he understood. With the bisecting panel closed the room felt a bit suffocating. Tonks fussed and fidgeted a couple feet on the other side of the panel, trying to get comfortable.
"Relax," Harry grumbled.
"I'm trying. It's a bit of getting used to," Tonks whispered. Ten minutes passed. She tried to keep still for those ten minutes. "How do they do this- ach," she sat up to inspect her mat. She ran her hands on the edge and lifted it to look underneath. She slid open the panel a crack so she could speak to him.
Harry was staring at the ceiling, trying not to dwell on negative thoughts.
Tonks frowned at him. "I can't believe you actually like this."
"I can conjure a bed for you," Harry said, feeling her eyes boring into the side of his head.
"For it to disappear when you fall asleep?" Tonks muttered.
I don't sleep. I can't sleep. Why can't I sleep anymore?
"It won't," Harry said.
"Nah, its alright," Tonks said. "I think the problem is how the mat sinks in on this side-" she got on all fours (which made Harry glance at her body moving under her nightwear) and rotated it to line up with the edge of the room. "See? It's much more even now."
"Yeah," Harry nodded.
"Goodnight," Tonks crawled into his room then kissed him on his cheek. She scooted backwards and closed the door once again.
Harry sighed. "You too." Tonks was absolutely nutter. All that moving around was distracting. And she should not have taken off her clothes in front of him. Maybe kept on her bra too. "Sleep tight."
Harry was disturbed a few hours later by Rigel crying. He could hear French conversation through their mutual sliding panel and also feel the padding of feet on the tatami flooring. Eventually, the crying eased and everything was quiet once again.
Alexandria opened the panel with a futon mat and bedsheet in her arms. Harry watched her as she set up Rosie's sleeping gear next to his.
"Can I?" Alexandria whispered.
"Sure, I guess," Harry said. It was evident she was crying. "What's up?"
"Rigel keeps trying to nurse," Alexandria said softly. "Keeps attacking me. He thinks I am his new mother. I cannot."
"Oh," Harry said, not totally understanding. But that was weird.
"I do not know why. Mes seins allaitent. Milk," she indicated the slightly wet spots on her chemise.
"Er.." Did she really need to draw his attention to her breasts? They were so... full. And ... milky.
Calm yourself, mate.
She lay down on the Japanese futon, tucking her legs under a sheet.
"I think it is his magic affecting me, or my body doing something very wrong," she said, unconsciously mirroring him and looking to the ceiling. "And um... I do not have my study texts to find out why my ...what is ze word- humans?"
"Hormones?" Harry suggested.
"Oui, hormones ... mistaking zis aspect of after natal changes."
"Post natal," Harry corrected.
"Sorry," Alexandria said. "Poss-natal. He iz almost four months. He should know I am not 'is maman. It has only been ten days."
Alexandria angrily fluffed her pillow and put her head down. "I am in a mess... I miss maman so much. And Sirius. I can't be his maman. But I must. I wish ... I want to wake up from zis terrible dream."
"I'm sorry," Harry said.
"And Jon," Alexandria sniffed. She looked into his eyes, searching for answers. "Why is he not here?"
"It was his choice, I mean; not coming back. He has family, responsibilities, a war to fight. I miss him too. Believe me Lexi, I tried," Harry said. He wondered if he was trying to convince her, or somehow convince himself.
I should go back there. Find out what happened between him and Val. Get my answers. Whether he likes it or not.
"I hoped for word for so long. Now, it iz of no use. I don't know what to do. I... miss being... not so sad. These past week I am always scared, with worry," Alexandria admitted. "I am not a fighter like him. I... cannot accept zis loss and keep doing. Going."
Harry nodded. "I know it's not the best situation. Don't worry... I'm here for you."
"I am grateful," Alexandria said, taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. She dabbed her face with the sheet to dry her teary eyes. She drew her wand to cast a soothing charm on a fresh towel and tucked it under her chemise against her swollen boobs. She gently rubbed them, trying to ease the discomfort. She saw him watching her with a strange, curious expression and raised the sheet high to her neck. "Sorry. I did not mean to... ah you should not have seen."
"It's okay," Harry said, looking back up to the ceiling. Come on Harry. Stop being a knob! It's Lexi. She's under stress.
"Merci. For listening."
She turned away then backed up so she pressed against his arm. "Rosie fed him his bottle and 'as put 'im back to bed," she said over her shoulder. "I will go back shortly." Her bum snuggled closer to him. "So warm. I just need some time away. A short time. If you're not asleep, wake me in half an hour. He will wake around then."
"Okay," Harry said. She did have a primitive, natural milky smell about her. Harry pushed those thoughts out of his head. Everything felt surreal these past couple weeks. Ever since Lexcilla, excuse me, Bellatrix escaped; he just could not function properly. "Goodnight."
"Bonnenuit."
She fell asleep within minutes.
Harry couldn't sleep at all. And her smell...
He was getting very aroused.
Get off it. Get off it. Get it together. Fuck!
Before he knew it the sun was creeping up the horizon. Rigel began to cry. Alexandria turned and draped her arm over him, grumbling and mumbling.
"Oh!" she shot up and padded to her room to see about the baby. Harry cursed silently. Three hours passed and he didn't even attempt to wake her. He touched her mats, rubbing his palm on the residual body heat.
She smells delicious.
Jon would be destroyed if he found out he made a move on her. He definitely would. His best friend, Harry of House Hallow, making sweet, sweet love to his girl.
He might even try to kill me.
Let him fucking try. I will cut him to ribbons.
Harry chuckled softly. He stared at his palms, lost in a daze.
What am I doing?
What the fuck am I even doing here? She's dead! Let her rest in peace!
No. There is a chance I can bring her back.
It's a fucking bloody Cursed island with a big daddy basilisk - and who knows how many smaller ones! I might not even find the artifacts! Am I insane?
Course not. Piece of cake Harry. You'll get them. It's what I do for fun.
"Ah," Harry sat up quickly, rubbing his face. "Stop fucking thinking, er, arguing with yourself. Whatever this feeling is, it will pass."
Talking to myself now, huh?
He went outside to use the outhouse. The morning mist was cold, and the air was crisp. The mountains here were really beautiful. And steep.
One jump, just one jump- and close my eyes. No one will miss me. Val won't give a fuck. Did she ever care? Now Katsumi's dead.
"I knew they were similar. Yet I still went in. You're a glutton for punishment. Arsehole."
Harry looked down. The mist hid everything a few hundred meters down.
It could be swift. Or better yet, a fitting end if I just break every fucking bone on the rocks and bleed to death. Either way...
It will be over.
"Harry?" Alexandria called. Harry turned towards her. She was holding Rigel, feeding him is bottle, dressed only in her chemise at the edge of the room. Her panties were peeking at him below the lace pattern hem of her top. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Harry lied. Did she forget to put on her pants? She has filled out wonderfully since her seventeenth birthday. Look at those br-
"Aren't you cold?" She asked.
"Immune," Harry said, walking back towards her. Rigel took a short break to grin gummily at him then began fussing with Alexandria's boobs. She shoved the bottle back in his mouth. He was happy after that.
"No shoes? Do you want to get sick? Come back inside, the dew cannot be good for you," Alexandria exclaimed.
"Yes dear," Harry grunted and walked inside.
"Rosie asked what will you like for breakfast?" Alexandria followed him in.
"Anything is fine," Harry said, looking for his towel. He could use a charm to dry himself after bathing, but it just wasn't the same.
Alexandria set Rigel down on the tatami mats. He was a fast crawler. He picked up Harry's loaned conical hat and put the edge in his mouth.
"Don't do that," Harry smiled, tugging it away. Rigel rolled over on Alexandria's sleeping mat and put his toes in his mouth.
"Going to bathe? Be quick so you can eat breakfast while it iz warm." Alexandria sat down and played with the baby.
"Yeah," Harry said, studying the peaceful family-esque scene.
"Morning," Tonks said, opening her door. "Please tell me Rosie is making something," Tonks sniffed the air. "Ah ha! She is. How is he?"
"Happy," Alexandria smiled at her baby brother.
"Good," Tonks said. "I feel refreshed, maybe that mat has a spell on it. Coffee, anyone? I'm going to grab a cuppa."
"Please," Alexandria agreed.
"I'm good. Going to bathe," Harry said.
"There is a well outside, fill a bucket and use the bath a few doors down," Tonks said. "Be right back Alexandria."
When Harry was finished bathing, there was a simple black kimono on a hanger waiting for him. He put on his world wizarding gear dueling outfit and then put the kimono over it. He met everyone else in the kitchen. Breakfast was fresh bread, eggs, sausage and oats.
Reagan and Tonks were similarly dressed in black. Alexandria and Rosie wore colorful feminine kimono donated by Lord Fairweather, who wore more elaborate samurai Kamishimo, fitting for his station.
"Good morning," Harry said. They all ate Rosie's simple breakfast. Harry had not eaten properly for days.
"We have to run a few errands first," Lord Fairweather said. "You said you wanted to go to... Basilisk Island, you called it?"
"Yes," Harry said.
"You will need to sign the hunter request to get paid," Royston Fairweather said. "And Warmage Tonks needs to sign official visitor papers. We can do both at the ministry of magic."
"Can I be like a tourist or something?" Tonks groaned.
"Your ICOP made me sign," Fairweather shrugged. " 'Play it by the book' was what you said when you met me at Heathrow."
Tonks sighed. "That was different. Now I'm trying to avoid the higher ups."
"Unless the British Warmage stationed here specifically asks for you- no one back in London will be the wiser," Fairweather grinned. "Trust me."
"Do you know who he is?" Tonks asked. "Our guy stationed here."
"Everyone does. The Language arts instructor at Mahoutokoro," Fairweather said.
"A teacher?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Fairweather said. "A condition of the Quidditch invasion 1307- one of the Hogwarts players stayed behind after meeting a girl, and taught English and European wandcraft to the Japanese students. They kept requesting a Language arts teacher from Europe ever since. The British usually jump at the opportunity to have an Intelligence officer in the school."
"Being a teacher means that he will know generations of students," Harry noted.
"Exactly. It is a very shrewd piece of long term espionage. The ministry here has been trying to do the same to the other schools around the world, but all nations are wary of the Japanese."
"They are?" Tonks asked. "Why?"
"Because of their shinobi," Fairweather said. "Their very nature is to blend in with the people. In the market for an assassin to integrate into society and strike at a later date? Come here and hire one."
"Ah," Tonks said. She should have known that.
"When you cleared Masahiko I was dumbstruck. Thank you," Royston nodded. Harry laughed at that. Masahiko was one serious dude.
Tonks sighed. She never thought the Shogun of the Mist would bring an unmasked assassin through the ICOP. That train of thought just didn't make sense to her at the time. She thought Masahiko was just an aide.
'Live and Learn Nymphadora. Keep in mind you're inexperienced. You're still learning how this is done,' Tonks told herself.
"Um," Reagan interrupted. "Am... I going to be like... an enigma? I mean, back from the dead and all that."
"I hope not," Royston said. "I'm actually more concerned about Harry here. Roderick Hallow is a famous merc. And the Dragonslayer is an even more famous merc. I wonder what will happen when the underworld realizes its the same person."
"I don't care," said Harry. "I want intel on the place. Reports, word of mouth, maps whatever. I want to get in, and get out."
"Keep the hat on," Fairweather shrugged. "It's a massive payout- equivalent to around 3 million galleons. Hopefully the guild official keeps this quiet."
"Let's get going then," Harry said.
The threstral flight north to the Japanese Ministry of magic was short. The Ministry main building was in Kyoto, a region not far from the village in the mountains, Kokanararyu .
Lord Fairweather told them to land on a particular building, a three storey car park. There was a long shed structure with a row of flying brooms stacked neatly against the wall, manned by a young man in a ministry uniform. He stared dumbstruck as their group landed on flying winged horses.
"Good morning," Royston Fairweather said in Japanese and bowed to him.
"Good morning, Fairweather-san," the broom keeper told him, bowing slightly lower.
"No brooms today," Fairweather said unnecessarily. "They'll be no problem, right?" he side whispered to Harry. Harry shook his head. "We won't be long."
The broom guard bowed again, taking note of Rosie and Alexandria in their pretty kimono, even though they were not Japanese.
"Japanese magicals are Quidditch fanatics," Fairweather explained to their crew. "They come to work on broomstick. Sometimes impromptu matches take place on Fridays. Fun."
"Can I get a hat too?" Tonks asked Fairweather.
"Sure," he replied, conjuring one for her as well with a few seals. "You're tense."
"Trying to avoid an international incident," Tonks shrugged as she tied the straps below her chin. "Rule number one in this job..."
The gang entered the stairway access to the roof and went down. On the second flight the dusty worn concrete tiles transformed into spotless marble and they entered into the Ministry of Magic.
Harry knew they passed through a portal. He could sense his threstrals were further away than before. A few staff bowed politely when Fairweather passed, while some of them smiled at the baby. Most of them stared at Reagan.
"Let's tell Tokugawa-sama hello," Royston said, uneasy by all the strange looks. His son was right. Nobody paid Tonks and Harry any mind, but most people were sharp enough to realize that Reagan was the same son the Shogun of the Mist left Japan to bury. "Well, at least she didn't tell everyone your secret, Reagan."
"It's out now," Reagan muttered, looking straight ahead as he followed his father.
"Wait here," Royston Fairweather told Harry and the gang at a seating area with a few couches. "Tonks, with me." He led her down a corridor and knocked on an office door.
"Come," a female voice said in Japanese.
They entered Tokugawa's sub office. A receptionist sat at a desk, with one male guard at the front door, and another stationed at the door leading to the inner office.
"Good morning, Asami-san," Royston said in english.
"Good morning, Fairweather-san," Asami responded in a heavy accent. "Do you have an appointment?"
"Sorry, I do not, but this will not be long. Very good," Royston nodded his approval. "Your English is perfect. You are settling in nicely."
"Arigato," Asami said with a smile and bow.
"May I see her?" Fairweather asked politely.
"One moment," Asami said, getting up and entering the office behind her. A minute later, the Minister of Defense came out to meet him.
"Shogun," Tokugawa bowed stiffly.
"Tokugawa-san," Fairweather returned the bow.
"You have some nerve," Tokugawa said in English. "I have credible information that Hanzo Katsumi-san was killed. You deny this?"
"I do not," Fairweather said. He wasn't expecting this level of hostility.
"You know how important she was," Tokugawa said, her voice ice cold. "You were the one proclaiming she was the Chosen One."
"Yes," he agreed.
"Who is this?" Tokugawa said, eyes darting across to Tonks.
"British Auror. Nymphadora Tonks," Royston said. "Miss Tonks, this is Tokugawa Hashimomo-san."
"A pleasure," Tonks bowed.
Tokugawa Hashimomo did not return the bow. "I have no formal correspondence of your purpose here."
"I am not here on formal business."
"Why are you here, then?" Tokugawa snapped. "I have a situation on my hands."
"She is the Dragonslayer's handler. He has agreed to help with the... Basilisk infestation," Royston interjected.
"We need Roderick Hallow, the hunter. We do not need a Hit Wizard on our soil, especially at this trying time," Tokugawa snapped. She pointed her finger sternly. "You do know that the Nobunaga clan is very... upset right now. Our re-election campaign was based on Katsumi's promotion and her ability to rid the demons plaguing our historical temples. Now, we are devising a damage control strategy. There are Korean and Chinese warlords just waiting for a civil war to begin, so that they may take advantage."
"He is one and the same. Roderick Hallow is the Dragonslayer. You dined at his house. Harry Potter," Fairweather said.
"The boy who lived.. is the Dragonslayer?" Tokugawa sama said. "The one who defeated the Dark Lord, then again at the Tournament?" Tokugawa said, thinking. "You did not tell me this before. So. The paramour of our deceased Chosen One is a Hitwizard. That is almost the complete opposite of a Knight."
"We'll work that aspect out later. I am politely requesting that Miss Tonks be registered as a non-combatant British Auror on our soil. She is not here to spy on us," Fairweather said. "She is here as support for the Dragonslayer, the only magical worldwide with experience in killing a Basilisk."
Tokugawa huffed, but indicated that Asami prepare the documents. "Well. If you put it that way, how am I to refuse?" she grinned widely one second, the smile vanished the next. "And what about Katsumi? Did you bring back the body?"
"Yes. But as you said, we need to have a damage control strategy. She is in stasis. The body will not decay until we are ready for the public ceremony," Fairweather said.
Tokugawa Hashimomo raised an eyebrow at him, but did not argue further. She invited them inside her interior office. "May I offer you something hard to drink?" she asked, opening her liquor cabinet.
"Whiskey," Fairweather agreed.
"Same," Tonks said, watching everything Tokugawa did carefully.
"Who else saw you come in?" Tokugawa asked.
"It was unusually crowded today," Fairweather admitted.
Tokugawa hesitated a fraction of a second and picked up a bottle off whiskey. Tonks didn't miss that though.
"I see," Tokugawa said. "Miss Tonks, how do you like your whiskey?"
"On the rocks, dash of water," Tonks said. She wasn't going to drink a drop.
"Lord Nobunaga was here. And his son. They know what has happened at the tournament. They were not pleased," Tokugawa Hashimomo said casually. "Not pleased at all. She was part of deal, Royston."
She offered them their drinks and took a sip of hers.
"Katsumi is not an object to be bartered over," Royston said. "I am a fool to ever think otherwise. She was full of life, love and laughter. I see that now."
"Only when it is too late," Tokugawa scoffed.
"Yes. Only when it was too late," Royston admitted with a solemn expression. "I have never told her I loved her. She is my daughter, not by blood, but my daughter still."
"For our strongest magical to simply..." Tokugawa sighed. "Iga Ryoto-san is furious. I am trying to remove him from Mahoutokoro before the day is out."
"The Iga clan successor," Royston explained to Tonks, sipping his drink. "We were trying to match make them."
"Katsumi, and Iga?" Tonks said.
"Hanzo, and Iga," Fairweather said. "Two of the most powerful magical families. An alliance not seen in over a thousand years."
Tonks coughed. Did Harry snatch Katsumi away from a marriage contract? What was Harry thinking?
The receptionist brought an official document for Tonks to sign. It was basic Diplomatic procedure when agents entered a country. But it also meant that inquiries from the London office will be answered if they asked this Ministry of her whereabouts.
"Thank you," Tonks said.
"I owe you one, Hasha," Royston said chummily to the defense minister. Tokugawa grunted and bowed fractionally. Tonks and Royston returned a deeper bow, almost in tandem. Tonks congratulated herself silently for getting that right. As they were closing the door behind them Tokugawa called out.
"You do not like our whiskey, Warmage Tonks?" she asked.
Tonks tilted her head. Tokugawa may be a pencil pusher, but she was trained well in foreign policy and missed nothing. "Maybe not this early in the morning, Miss Tokugawa."
"Smart girl," Tokugawa nodded back to her as they left.
Tonks felt the tension literally vaporize when she closed the door. They regrouped and went downstairs to the guild offices. "She's a handful," Tonks told everyone.
Harry shrugged. She was nothing but polite when they met. They inquired about the job. The elite mark request to eradicate the Basilisk infestation on the unnamed island in the south Pacific was an astronomical figure.
"Two point six billion yen?" Harry muttered.
"Roughly three point five million galleons," Royston said.
"Whoa," Alexandria said.
"That is three times the current amount in your clan vault," Rosie said airily. "You will be the richest man in England. And Scotland. Even more than the Rosiers."
Harry read through the accompanying reports and maps that previous adventurers submitted and compiled by the guild. "That's really high. For a payout like that, I would expect a lot of people to bite."
"The hunter guild is not very popular here, huh?" Tonks asked. They climbed the stairs to return to the roof.
"Because it doesn't exist, or if it does, nothing like the Europeans," Royson chuckled. "You see that office? That's Japan's hunter guild. A ministry representative takes a half day shift, just in case someone actually comes in. Usually, it is used when foreigners come in to do a job. Hunting creatures is not very popular here. Anyone can hunt creatures, even minors, once they agree to the task. But usually, our magicals perceive that to be a low ambition. However, the Japanese believe that the human spirit is of the most valuable thing a magical has, and taking it away is a noble partaking. Creating warriors, that is our national trade."
When they reached the roof landing zone there were four men dressed in combat gi talking to the broom staff. Harry frowned.
"You disgrace the position," a young voice challenged them from behind. "You are not fit for Samurai. Never were!"
The gang turned around. A young man, maybe a year younger than Harry, was leaning against the railing barrier of the roof. He was tall for his age, with a very low haircut and precisely shaved mustache and beard. His Mahoutokoro robes were golden, and the voluminous sleeves were tied back at the bicep, making him seem bigger and stronger than he really was. Colorful dragons were tattooed into both forearms.
"Iga Ryoto-san," Royston said. "Shouldn't you be in class?"
"Where is Katsumi?" he asked softly.
Royston remained quiet for a few seconds. "You know what happened. Do not play ignorant."
"And who are these gaijin dressed like yamabushi? You dishonor Kokanararyu more every day, Fairweather!" Ryoto said.
"If I didn't know better, sounds like he wants a fight," Harry said to Royston Fairweather.
"It does. However, he has not drawn blades. It is a youthful culture here," Royston said back to him. He turned to the four men by the quidditch brooms. "Those men, however. They are well trained."
"Don't you turn your back on me!" Ryoto said, taking a step forward.
"Ryoto, son," Fairweather sighed. "Are you challenging me?"
Ryoto seemed to be contemplating it, breathing hard, curling his fingers into fists. Fairweather knew his hesitation meant his heart wasn't in it.
"Thought so," Fairweather dismissed him and saluted. "Let's go."
Ryoto moved so fast Harry couldn't see him move. There was a blur of his golden school robes as he flickered past, ready to strike Lord Fairweather with a small sharp weapon. Suddenly, a dark shape intercepted him just before the blow landed.
Masahiko had appeared out of nowhere and was currently pinning Ryoto face down unto the unforgiving concrete rooftop. He had his knee pressing on Ryoto's back, wrenching his forearm painfully with a joint lock. "You dare? You will be stripped of your station." Masahiko slipped a sharp, thin needle-like blade into the the space between Ryoto's knuckles to make him release the weapon. Masahiko seized it and presented it to Royston Fairweather.
Harry thought it looked like a simple corkscrew, except refined and much more deadly.
"I have relieved you of your guard duty. I would have handled it," Royston commended Masahiko. "Arigato."
Masahiko did not respond. The four men behind were summoning blades, ready to fight.
"Stop. There is a baby," Masahiko commanded in Japanese. "Or I will not hesitate to destroy all of you. Starting with this one."
"Saigonoichigeki. An honor," Ryoto said, still struggling to free himself. "You must come work for me."
"I refuse. Do not raise your hand against the Shogun. This is your final warning," Masahiko said in English and let him go.
"I will remember this meeting, Shogun," Ryoto bowed sarcastically as he grabbed his broom to leave.
"I won't," Fairweather shrugged. "Your English has improved. Maybe your skills will eventually too."
"You will pay for her death, gaijin!" Ryoto shouted as he and his guards flew off.
Lord Fairweather rubbed his beard. "It has been a long time since someone called me that. Let's head back to the house."
Harry had a weird feeling of deja vu. It felt like Ilvermorny all over again. Another jealous boy in the picture.
"You were here all along?" Tonks asked Masahiko. "I was wondering where you were this morning."
"Yes. I was in the Minister's office as well," Masahiko said. "One of her guards is shinobi- someone I respect. He is very strong."
"Damn," Tonks said. "That's a really good invisibility spell."
"No. I hid in Shogun Shusho's shadow," Masahiko said.
"When did you do that?" Tonks asked.
"When you arrived," Masahiko said.
"I intentionally landed here so the sun would make a distinct shadow. On the street entrance the nearby buildings block the sun. It is a technique both of us have created," Fairweather said. "Let us depart from here."
His son, Reagan looked at Masahiko in awe. "I need to learn these spells."
"You will in due time," Lord Fairweather said as they mounted the threstrals and took off into the sky.
Back in the Crouch manor, the clock that Bellatrix made in McGonagall's transfiguration class chimed. "This better work," she said, putting her Death Eater mask in place and checking her robes. Lord Voldemort ordered her to give Crouch Sr the diary 'if necessary. He never said what he meant by 'if necessary', but she made an educated guess (since the graveyard ritual definitely did not go as planned) that now was a good time as any.
Seven days for the least. Master always liked the number seven. She went into the dining room and kicked open the dungeon trunk. "Master?"
"You have done well. Bring us out," came a dual voice.
Bellatrix disenchanted the wards on box. Barty Crouch Sr climbed out. His clothes were filthy, but his skin appeared healthy. Then came a seventeen year old version of Tom Riddle, still dressed in Slytherin robes. In his hand was the diary.
"Hello Bella," Tom Riddle said.
"Hello Bella," Barty Crouch Sr said.
"My Lord," Bellatrix curtsied.
"My wand, Bella?" Tom Riddle asked.
"My wand, Bella?" Barty Crouch Sr asked.
Bellatrix gave Voldemort's true body the Elder Wand. "A present. We haven't found your Yew wand as yet, master. This is the one you wanted. And this is yours," Bellatrix returned Crouch Sr's wand. "It's clean. No one used it other than you."
"Good," Barty Crouch Sr said.
"So, off to the Ministry?" Bella asked.
"Yes," Barty Crouch said. "I shall report to my position. The plan is still in effect. Scrimgour is weak and it will be easy to take his place. We shall make this Ministry right again."
"What about... well you, My Lord?" she looked at Tom Riddle's youthful persona.
"We find and kill Harry Potter," Voldemort said, inspecting the Elder Wand.
As soon as they returned Harry studied Mr White's secret book 'Dying thru the Ages' along with the information the Japanese ministry had on the island. From what he could tell, the Wand of Life was on a pedestal in the main courtyard of the Ollivander palace. Mr White tried for years to be able to touch it, but an invisible force blocked him.
It took Mr White years of experimentation to figure out only one who Walked in the Light could use it. Someone who took the island nation with violence did not fit the description.
Alexandria knocked on the library door around five o clock. "I need to go to the store. We're out of milk and pampers," Alexandria said.
"I'm coming," Harry said, inserting his bookmark and getting up. He put on the black Kimono over his WWG robes and donned the conical wide brimmed hat.
"Somehow, that suits you," Alexandria said.
Harry tipped his hat in gratitude. "I like your outfit as well." Alexandria was always beautiful, but the flowery kimono flattered her. Maybe because it reminded him of Katsumi's nightgown.
"Rosie is waiting on us," Alexandria said. "She's playing with Rigel out front in the garden."
This time in the afternoon the air was quite chilly. The mountain cast its shadow, giving the impression it was later than it actually was. The general store was a few minutes walk lower down the village's main street. What Harry did not notice when they came in last night was the beautiful colours of tree foliage; purples, pinks, reds, yellow leaves were all around them. Rigel was absorbing this new colorful world, trying to reach things that were no where even close to his grasp. A group of little children were following behind, peeping at the foreigners walking in their quaint, secluded village.
It was a calm, leisurely walk. But Harry knew; like the children behind them, that the locals were watching. Lord Fairweather assured Alexandria that she was in the safest place on the eastern hemisphere.
Harry didn't feel safe anywhere. Not even in his own thoughts.
They browsed the small shop and bought the milk and pampers they needed. Harry also bought Rigel a miniature version of his donated conical hat. After a minute of it on his head, Rigel took it off and put the edge in his mouth.
"You should put your hair up in a top knot," Rosie teased Harry.
"Maybe not," Harry replied.
"It iz long enough. When in Japan, do as the Japanese do, non?" Alexandria said.
"What's the point? I have on a hat. And I'm not Samurai."
On the way back Rosie held Rigel, who was blowing spit bubbles into his new hat. Alexandria tucked her arm around Harry's elbow as they walked in the cool of the evening.
"It's quiet here. And beautiful," she said. "The air is so... clean. And smells of fresh flowers and... everything I like about a garden."
"Yeah," Harry said.
"I don't want you to do this dangerous task," Alexandria said softly. "I have lost too much."
Harry was quiet for a long time. "Katsumi was always reluctant about her destiny. She was sad, but hid it well, trying to live up to what was expected of her. The prophecy said she had to die to fulfill her task. I told her that's rubbish. I thought I could will the ... path of fate to divert, just by saying it, yknow? I was full of it."
Alexandria listened patiently.
"I brought Reagan back to life, somehow, in someway thinking he could slot in. He was dead already. And wanted to be... his father's son, and not only in name. I helped him out. Here is your Samurai of the Light. Mission accomplished, yeah?"
Harry's eyes began to water. "Wrong. She still died, Lexi. It didn't even matter. I came back to fix it. But everyone is still..." Harry groaned in frustration. "I'm not getting it done, it's like I haven't changed anything at all."
"Did you know me, before?" Alexandria asked.
"No. I knew the Delacours. I think I saw you the first week of the Triwizard tournament. The choosing of the champions. You were part of Fleur's dance troupe or something."
"Oh," Alexandria said. "So you do not know what my future holds?"
"Sorry," Harry shook his head. "I didn't know anyone outside of Hogwarts before. Look at me now. Mr Worldwide."
"And a godfather," Alexandria said, peeping behind her at Rigel. He was enjoying that hat thoroughly.
"Yeah. Godfather. I was one back then as well," Harry said. Realization hit him like a stab in the gut. Remus and Tonks died, but named him Godfather to their baby boy. Sirius and Eleanor Potage were dead in this timeline, but named him Godfather to their baby boy.
The similarities were sickening. A feeling of dread as building up in his gut.
He, Hermione and Ron went questing throughout the UK with Slytherin's Locket. Right now he had it in his ring-box.
He needed to destroy it. And soon.
"...baby's name?" Alexandria was talking to him, but he was lost in his own maze.
"Teddy," Harry said.
"That's a bear, yes?"
"No just a nickname for Edward," Harry said. "Do you know Ryoto means Dragon in Japanese?"
"No," Alexandria said. "How do you know?"
"Picking up bits and pieces of the language in the library."
"He had dragons on his arms," Alexandria said. "Magical ink too."
"He must think he's hot shit," Harry chuckled. He better not try anything like that again. I am the bloody Dragonslayer. Take him the fuck out.
"A hot head," Alexandria corrected. "No swearing around the baby."
"Sorry Rigel," Harry looked back at him. Rosie shooed him with a playful wave.
"He is too young to understand," Rosie said. Rigel threw down his hat, wanting Rosie to pick it up for him. She did and put it on her own head. Rigel tried to climb out her arms to reach it. Before he could grab it it floated down into his grasp. "His magic is strong, oui?" she beamed at Alexandria and Harry.
"Very," Alexandria agreed, gently touching the side of her breast. "I must think about his future. Parenting is responsibility."
Later that night, when it was time for bed, Alexandria gave him a hug and told him goodnight.
In the middle of the night Tonks opened the sliding panel and visited him in her silky nightgown. "Uh oh."
"What happened?" Harry asked, sitting up.
"The school board convened this afternoon, well you know, there's a massive time difference," Tonks said, reading her auror diary. The way it communicated by words appearing on the pages reminded him a lot of Tom Riddle's diary. And that was still missing. "Barty Crouch Sr is the head of that committee now it seems. McGonagall has been snubbed due to her age and 'emotional distress'. Snape will be the new headmaster."
"Fuck."
"Yeah, dodgy innit?" Tonks said.
"Do you see now why I don't trust anyone in the ministry? It's like they don't care. They want the bigotry to continue," Harry said.
"Felix said Crouch was in ripping form with his speech," Tonks said. "Inspired even me, he said. Has some good ideas about the future of the school, or so he says. Crouch usually was a behind the scenes guy, favor here, a private meeting there. Speechmaking was never his thing. He mentioned you as well. That all effort must be made in finding you in your 'time of need'. He also sends his condolences to the Japanese Ministry for the tragic loss of their national. He tried to deflect any Ministry responsibility as she was not a champion and should not have been in the maze."
"So you're saying that he recommends Snape as Headmaster, is trying to find me, and brushes off Katsumi's death all in the same speech," Harry said. "Maybe not the right angle if he wanted to maintain cordial relations with this ministry."
"Politicians," Tonks said, closing the book.
"What about you? They still out to get you?"
"Felix said there has been no order yet. Sometimes these things get delayed. I think fighting alongside Scrimgour in the bank might be in my favour. Hopefully Bethselzder won't send Aurors after me," Tonks chuckled nervously. "I would like to think she recognizes the hard work I put in."
Harry stared at her body in her silk nightie. It was the same one she wore last night. "Making sure I don't go dark."
Tonks laughed at his joke and patted his arm. Harry laughed too. He knew that she knew he wasn't joking. The laughter ended awkwardly.
"You haven't been sleeping well." It wasn't a question.
"I'll manage," Harry said.
"You're sure?" Tonks said.
Harry shrugged.
"I'm sorry about... well all the stuff that's been happening," Tonks said.
"Yeah. We were once one big jolly family. Kicking arse and taking names. Now, we're getting picked off," Harry said sadly. Master Ollivander. Sirius. Mr White. Eleanor. Katsumi. And Jon and Valerian ... defected. "I'm not losing you or Lexi. I can't."
"We're not going anywhere. Come here." Tonks shuffled closer on her bum so she could give him a hug. She held unto him tightly, rubbing his back in slow strokes.
Harry petted her hair gently. Her cheek was soft and smooth against his beard, her body warm against his chest. Harry wanted to lay her down on her back and kiss her. But he shouldn't. He couldn't.
It was his mind playing tricks on him.
Tonks kissed him on his cheek and broke off the hug. "Night." She stood up, pulled her nightie down to cover her underwear, opened the panel and went to bed.
Harry stared at the ceiling for a long time. His 'alpha male' tendencies were getting him in trouble.
A lot of trouble.
AN: The latin in the title roughly translates to 'Advance into the Light'.
*Gaijin - Japanese term for non-nationals. Alien. Kind of an insult.
*Yamabushi - Warrior monks of ancient Japan.
To the returning readers, welcome back! To those popping in, there are a couple stories in before this one. Feel free to check them out! Thanks for reading.
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