AN:
Thank you to everyone reviewing, I enjoy reading them good and bad. I believe it is good practice to address some of them so I shall try for a few of them each chapter. I will not post the entire review just the reviewer and which chapter and my notes.
Zyanadryn chapter 5 . Oct 17
I'm not as knowledgeable of the Buffy Universe so for now that is on back burner. But I can't guarantee that he won't make an appearance. Buffy if hot so you know…
Maybe268 chapter 5 . Oct 17
Glad to hear you are enjoying the story .
frankieu chapter 5 . Oct 17
Like a normal person, the annoyance levels will ebb and flow.
Thank you all for you input it is appreciated and please don't be surprised if I 'steal' some of your suggestions.
Story inspired heavily by 'Cruel To be Kind', '12 Steps To Omnipotence', 'Rise of an Empire' and a million and one other fanfics. If you see stuff and think that it's similar to another fanfic. it's probably because we read the same story and I liked that plot line or idea.
BEWARE this is a 'Gary Stu, wish fulfillment, power fantasy type story.
Thank you for reading!
Enjoy
Chapter 6
Year 3, Day 10: Harry Potter Universe, September 1991
"Quiet please! This section of the library is for quiet study only. If you need to collaborate then either book a meeting room or do it outside of the library." Madam Pince said for what I think was the fourth time to a group of Hufflepuff students, possibly second or third year, clustered at one of the big tables. Ok technically the second time to this group and two other times to another group of badgers.
The library itself was enormous, two floors at least as big as the great hall possibly bigger since I couldn't really see how big the restricted section was. It was restricted so I couldn't just wonder in it. There were wards to prevent that, and I don't have a legendary invisibility cloak to shield me.
There were meeting rooms for collaborative work, common study area, individual study area, armchairs, tables, sofas everything you needed to buckle down get comfy and devour books, all sectioned off in neat little areas. This was possibly the greatest concentration of magical knowledge on the planet and it was all supervised by the one and only Madam Pince and probably elves, tricky buggers never see them around.
The students were mostly clustered at tables with their own houses. The Hufflepuffs usually in fairly large groups followed by the Gryffindors with the Slytherines and Ravenclaws usually in either groups of two or threes or strictly in individual study areas.
"Now, how can I help you Mr.-?" The librarian said as she settled back down at the checkout desk where I was waiting.
"Uh, Darrow?" I say with my voice going up a tone ending it as I was questioning if it was my own name.
Her stern demeanor remained unfazed with only one eyebrow rising as a question.
"Uh, sorry." I stutter "Miercuri, I mean Darrow Miercuri. I would like to check out these three books."
Dam, she intimidated me, especially because she reminded me of my hard-ass no nonsense elementary school teacher. The woman's hard and pointed look made me feel like I was in grade four again being disciplined for not paying attention in class. Dam it! Pull it together Darrow, you're a grown ass man, a GOD!
"Very well Mr. Miercuri let's see them." I hand over the three books.
"I'm glad to see that you have paid attention to the rules at orientation and picked only three, as is the limit per student." She said, leaving no doubt about the implication of first years paying attention to library rules. She took a look at the books and I think she almost smiled.
"Cleaning & household charms, excellent choice. Too many students rely on the elves doing their laundry, they spend seven years here and suddenly they have to do their own chores without having learned even the basics. Chapters' three to six are the most relevant for your needs. Make sure to ask your prefect or charms TA to supervise you the first time, otherwise you might find yourself without robes." I nod as she processes the book for check out.
"Privacy and noise charms?" she says looking at the second book. "Also a good choice. Students usually take a few weeks to think about this one. What you are looking for is on chapter ten, your prefect will be able to show how the wand movements and spells. Actually most of the fifth year students and up should be more than adequate to show you how to do them." She processes it and takes a look at the last book and frowns.
"Patching Wounds and Lashes by Arturus Seville." She said putting the book back down on her desk looking at me.
"It is very commendable that you want to learn about medicine and the human body. Knowledge that all witches and wizards should possess and not only those that follow the healer's path. About half of this book has spells that are at a third year level and above. The other half of the book is mostly potions which you will not be able to brew without the ingredients anyway." She continued.
"Now I will lend you this book only if you promise that you will under no circumstances try the spells on yourself, anyone else or anything else without the supervision of Madam Pompfrey or one of the teachers. I will not have anyone end up in the infirmary from trying to heal a paper cut. Do I Make Myself Clear Young Man?" her tone left no quarrel to be made.
"Yes mam." I respond swiftly.
"Good." She processes the book as well. "Now be on your way."
I take the books and hurry out of the place, glad to be out of the gaze of no nonsense librarian, towards the Ravenclaw dorm room to drop them off.
Navigating the maze of hallways and stairwells has gotten easier and the moving staircases novelty really wears off quickly and becomes annoying if you want get somewhere fast.
I've explored most of the main areas of the castle with my fellow 'Ravens', Terry Boot and Michael Corner, we became 'fast friends' mostly because their beds were on either side of me. They seem like good conscientious kids, well they are still eleven year olds with all the excitement and trappings of that age but overall after the novelty of me being American passed they mostly mind their own business in the dorms and don't pry too much when you tell them you're going to the library or to find a quiet place to study.
Most of the Ravenclaws seem to be this way, the house that valued knowledge knew to mostly mind their own business, which was why I aimed for this house in the first place. Even with that I still needed to learn privacy charms to ensure discretion, I would be spending a lot of time in the dorm since I was expected to be there to sleep so better to be safe than sorry.
I still said 'Hi' to Seamus, Susan and Hannah when I randomly saw them in the hallways, at meal times or in the class room. We don't hang out, children are children and this early in their school careers they will mostly be making friend with their housemates while trying to establish their place in the social order of the house. Once things settle down in a few weeks I'll be able to revive those relationships.
So far I didn't know anyone from Slytherin. They seemed to be fairly insular sticking mostly with their own which aligned with what I understood from the movies.
I dropped off the books in my trunk and quickly left the dorms before any of my class mates could accost me, not that I was averse to talking with them, I simply had a matter I needed to figure out this evening. Two matters actually. I wanted to test out my innate god teleportation and ARTY's against the school wards.
I hadn't had much time alone what with orientation tours, exploring, classes and going to tutorials. Tutorials were pretty much what I expected them to be, babysitting classes. First half consisted of some practice of the spells or transfiguration we learned, some group work and second half is literally going over homework. It was pretty stupid to expect eleven year olds to be conscious enough to do their homework on their own or that they would even know how to write an essay when most of the pure bloods probably didn't even go to elementary school. So there was a lot of handholding, older students teaching the younger ones, keeping them busy and out of trouble. Not a bad system.
Speaking of classes so far they were boring. I had already finished the first year curriculum for Charms and Transfiguration and was half way through Herbology and Potions. Charms wouldn't be an issue at all this year since with the structured nature of the spells and the wand I was able to easily perform all of them I'd just have to practice them 'wandless' as well for a bit, plus professor Flitwick was an excellent teacher, unlike Snape.
He wasn't particularly a bad teacher overall, just a bad one for eleven to twelve year olds. At that age kids need a lot more hand holding and ways to make them interested in the course material. Half the children never held a knife in their hands and now you ask them to cut things into perfect little square or triangles or some other nonsense and expected them to get it right. Yea, not going to happen.
Still, potions class was pretty tame overall, considering there was no Harry Potter in my class it was down-right sedated.
Seeing Snape, I was a bit thrown off, I had expected the older version of Alan Rickman from the movies but he looked more like the younger version of Hans Gruber. If I remember correctly he was in the same year James Potter and he and Lily had Harry sometime in their mid-twenties which I guess would make sense for Snape to be somewhere mid-thirties instead of late forties. Another small inconsistency however immaterial in the grand scheme of things.
Transfiguration was also easy and should remain easy for the rest of the year. We would mostly be dealing with turning objects into similar like objects, needle to match and match to needle. Which I can already do, I do have literally tons of experience turning gold into slightly different gold, permanently, at least I hope it was. I was eager to start practicing inanimate objects into living things, and I would as soon as I found the Room of Requirement. Next on the list to do.
I finally came upon a side of the castle walls to the left side that was tucked from view of the front main area. I took a good look around to make sure no one was nearby. And they shouldn't be most students should be heading to dinner right around now.
"All right time to test this out." I said to myself and concentrated on going intangible and felt the ripple of energy spread over me. So far so good time to teleport. I was only trying to jump a few meters ahead nothing too far.
I visualize and concentrate on the spot I want to go, the blue light indicative of my godliness ripples out from the center of my stomach over my body and I feel the familiar rush of energy as it tries to bypass the laws of physics and take me where I desire. I almost smile when suddenly a crisp avalanche of energy washes over me pushing me back into place in reality. It feels like my body stutters struggling against the foreign force and flickers in and out of existence. The sensation is so strong and sudden my concentration breaks and I fall to on knee.
"Holy crap!" I can't help but say. "Whatever anti-apparition wards are in Hogwarts affect the innate teleportation of the Gods." I do feel like I could probably force it if I wanted, the block was powerful but it was the surprise that broke my concentration. What I'm not sure is if any alarm bells are going off in the Headmasters office right now or if they will if I force my way through it.
Alright ARTY time! Concentrate, visualize and one moment I'm on the Hogwarts grounds and next the gray void of the control room greets me. That and all my neatly organized stuff. Sweet! So god magic teleportation Nay! But pan-reality 'magical' scientific bullshittery teleportation Yay. I throw a giant blue window with ARTY's menu to hover midair while I go and pour myself a glass of Cognac. I take a sip and feel the sweet burn on my lips and as it travels down through my chest. "Oh yes I'm definitely going to have to sneak some booze in Hogwarts."
I spend the next hour or so 'Popping' into the different universes, checking mail, leaving messages, browsing the internet and generally getting updates on everything that I have going on.
I use the view mode and check the grounds to make sure the coast is clear and pop right back in the same spot. Dinner will be over soon and I want to go check on the Room of Requirement before students get back.
I make my way to the seventh floor and find myself facing the blank wall across the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy teaching trolls to dance. I walk back and forth three times thinking:
'I need a place to practice magic! I need a place to practice magic! I need a place to practice magic!'
And just like an overenthusiastic student making his PowerPoint slide transition from one to the next in a checkered pattern the blank wall transforms into a large wooden door. I open the door and enter, what greets me is a very large room with human shaped dummy's, targets, the wall to my left is a massive bookshelf filled with books on magic, chairs and tables on the other side with different objects in different shapes which I presume are for transfiguration.
Satisfied I leave and make my way to my dorm room. The room will be a boon for practicing out of the prying eyes of the students and teachers plus all the possible 'restricted' knowledge from lost books that end up in the room.
As soon as I enter the Ravenclaw common room I notice that something is up. There's too many students clustered in groups chatting. Terry notices me from where he is talking with Anthony and I think her name is Mandy.
"Hey Darrow, we missed you at dinner did you study the whole way through?" he asks as I approach the group.
"No, I actually took a walk around the castle grounds; I still had two sandwiches from lunch." I reply.
"So you didn't hear then?" Mandy asks excitedly.
"Hear what?" I respond.
"Rumor's going around that Potter made it on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, as Seeker! A first year Seeker he's going to be youngest one in like forever!" Terry responds.
I almost smile, 'right on track'.
Scene Break
'Ok! Ok! Not Squiddy!' I telepathically 'voiced' my thoughts to the giant magical squid living in the Hogwarts Black Lake.
I had no idea I could do that until said giant squid 'voiced' its displeasure at me saying 'Hi Squiddy!' in my head as I was swimming in the lake.
I started going swimming in the morning before breakfast a few days ago. Why? Because it was wonderful.
Water is good.
Water is soothing.
Water is life.
What can you do? Water affinity.
Eventually I bumped into the giant squid or more like he bumped into me. I knew from the movies that it wouldn't be dangerous so I did the natural thing that came to me. I waved and said really loud in my head 'Hi Squiddy!'. Nothing really happened the first few days the squid just looked at me for a moment and went on its way, doing whatever it is giant magical squids do.
But today it responded back. Caught me completely off-guard. I went swimming in lakes before with fish and stuff and none had responded to me before and truthfully I didn't particularly try to talk to them. I'll have to test it out and see if it's just magical creatures or all water creatures I can 'talk' to. Turning into Aquaman here.
I wasn't exactly talking with the squid like a normal person would hold a conversation. I mostly understood it's thoughts in a primal sort of way. Now it was expressing displeasure at the name I was calling him.
Why? Well, if I'm reading the mood correctly it's because 'Squiddy' is a squishy cute name for a little weak thing and not the mighty creature it sees itself.
'How about-' and here I stop and think of a deep loud voice in my head while picturing some epic battle Viking music 'AEGIR THE MIGHTY KRAKEN!'
It only takes a moment and I feel a wave of pleasure and acceptance from AEGIR THE MIGHTY KRAKEN and the squid goes on its way. Hmm…I'm going to bring it some food next time. Never know when being friends with a giant squid could come in hand.
Now let's go talk with the freaky Mermish people.
Scene Break
"Hey Darrow! Do you want to play a game of exploding snap before lights out? We need one more player it's me, Mandy and Terry." Michael Corner asked.
I looked up at him from the book I was reading 'Mind, Breath and Soul' recommended by Madam Pince on meditation techniques. While information has been scarce in both Diagon Alley and the library about the mind arts, almost like the ministry did not want that knowledge out, the RoR provided me with an older book on them.
The book provided plenty of exercises on Occlumency training. Visualize an empty room in your mind, now picture a red ball of light. Hold that image for as long as you can. Look at it from all angles. Your thoughts went astray? Well start again.
Ok you're holding the image? Now change the colour of the ball, now add another ball, ok add a desk, a bed, visualize all the details on them, think in detail about your day ever since you work up in chronological order, sort the memories into categories, perform these memory exercises blah, blah, blah.
There were a lot of exercises to start building the skills necessary for Occlumency however the first steps were meditation, clearing your mind of distractions, becoming one with your breath, achieving inner peace that sort of thing. So not having much experience with meditation I thought it best to read a thing or two and see if I can find what works for me.
I had already tried a few things from the book and it seemed to be working. I tried to practice at least thirty minutes each night after lights out.
"Sure let's do it." I put the book on my night stand and joined him in the common room where the others were waiting.
"Darrow, are you joining us?" Mandy asked.
"I sure am. Are you guys ready to lose?" I responded with a cocky smile.
"We'll see." Terry said skeptically. "Mandy's been in first place the last three games and she made Andrew end up last on purpose all three times."
"So that's why he was stomping around the dorm before heading to the showers!" I said. I had noticed the boy walk in our dorm a few minutes before Michael came for me.
"He talked a big game, but the cards weren't on his side. He's even the one who shuffled! Don't know why he's upset." Mandy said with a pinch of outrage.
Of all the girls in my year in Ravenclaw Mandy spent the most time with my group of Ravens. She had a competitive streak and joined every time there was a card game.
"Really guys getting beat by a girl!" I said in mock outrage to which Mandy smiled. "Let's see if I can redeem us!"
"Obviously! It's why I asked Michel to get YOU, we're not having any luck tonight" Lamented Terry.
"Ok we should have enough time for one game, everything on the line, do or die, for all the glory! Everyone fine with that?"
"YES! Now shuffle the cards, let's get on with it." Mandy urged.
"Cool!" I start shuffling and handing out the cards.
"And next time I can teach you a new game I used to play back home?" I said casually as I inspected my cards. Not a bad hand. I had a good shot at winning this one.
"And what game is that mate?" Michael asked.
I look up from my cards with a sly smile.
"Texas Holdem"
Scene Break
I was standing in the kitchen entrance watching the organized chaos of the elves that came with needing to prepare dinner for almost a thousand people.
"EXCUSE ME!" I said loudly enough that everyone and everything froze in place and looked at me. And I do mean everything froze in place, pots, pans, vegetables that were being cut or stirred mid-air simply stood there defying gravity not moving one inch. It was a big freaky but it didn't deter me.
"My name is Darrow. May I speak with someone who is in charge here? I have a request for food and drink if it is possible." I said as politely as I could.
A moment of silence until I heard motion from the back as an elder elf whose apron get up reminded me of the matronly lunch lady from so many years ago in my high school made her way through the front.
"Back to work you lot! Dinner's in an hour and a half and we haven't even started the roasts!" she said gesturing wildly and making various comments as she came to the front.
The bustling chaos resumed.
"Young master Darrow, how can I help you? Do you need a snack or have you any dietary restrictions? We haven't received any instructions otherwise, it should have come with your Hogwarts package." She said agitatedly.
"No, nothing of the sort. Please don't worry. May I have your name please?"
"I is Patky, young master Darrow. In charge of the kitchen." The little elf responded.
"Pleasure to meet you Patky." I say with a big smile.
"Has there been any problems with the food served?" she asked concerned.
"Not at all. It has all been delicious so far. You and your team do excellent work." The joy was instant on her face.
"I do have a few requests if possible. Please understand they are merely requests and not requirements. If it's not possible it is not a problem."
The little elf nodded for me to continue.
"For breakfast I don't quite care for pumpkin juice, I would much prefer orange juice or water flavored with a pinch of lemon." Patky nodded while a notebook and quill materialized in her hand taking notes.
"For lunch, I would prefer sparkling water or Coca Cola is possible."
"I apologize young master Darrow, school rules, soft sugary drinks are not allowed, banned by the board two years ago."
Well I'll be damned; I guess I'm going to sneak in booze and Coke. Why Coca Cola?
Because 'FREEDOME' that's why! 'Murica'!
"What about sparkling water? Is that allowed?" she nods her head.
"Yes it's allowed."
"Excellent, then for dinner the same, sparkling water and lemon flavored flat water."
Patky finishes scribbling down my requirements and looks up at me.
"Anything else, Patky could help you?" she asks.
"Yes there is one more thing, though this is for everyone to hear." Before she could protest I yell loudly.
"MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!" once again the freeze frame effect takes place all eyes turning towards me.
"My family is looking for elven help." I said loudly. "Please spread the word to your family and friends. If you know of any elves without a master that need work please bring them to me, young, old single or with families House Miercuri will take good care of them!"
The elves were intrigued and started looking at each other questiongly. None had moved a limb yet.
"That is all. Thank you!"
And the chaos resumed.
Year 3, Day 63: Harry Potter Universe, October 31st 1991
The mood in the great hall was jovial for tonight was the Halloween feast. Even the ghosts were more cheery than usual. Little did they know it was about to be interrupted by Quirrell announcing the troll.
From what I could tell everything so far was going according to movie cannon. I did not have any interaction with the main cast almost at all, on purpose of course. I did observe from afar that the Golden Trio was a Golden Duo with Hermione still being on the outside.
I did not have any plans to interfere with the 'plot' this year really. Not that I was afraid of the troll or Voldemort or anything like that. I simply did not see a reason to. I didn't particularly want the Philosopher's stone; I did not have any uses for it. I was already functionally immortal, at least when it came to aging. The Ambrosia made sure of that when it turned me into an Olympian god.
The stone was essentially useless to me. Even if I could use it to grant someone else immortality instead of giving them Ambrosia and turning them into a god like me there were plenty of other objects and artifacts from other universes that would serve that purpose better. Actually I was planning on getting some of the golden apples from the Xenaverse as well.
The Olympian 'Golden' apples granted immortality while the Norse 'Golden' apples had varying affects, they could grant immortality, eternal youth or even turn you into a full fledge god. In a few years, once I was magically stronger, I planned on trying to acquire some of the apples and tree samplings to grow my own.
Gotta have something to reward loyal minions with, give them something to strive for, a dash of eternal youth here, a sprinkle of immortality there. Make them feel like they are part of the 'pantheon' all the while making sure they are at least one step below me. I wouldn't want to make anyone be fully my equal, never know when a minion might get to uppity and try to take top spot. Have to keep a card or two for myself.
So yea, overall the stone was useless to me. Plus this event was very important for the trio, nothing like a bit of blood and adventure to forge a bond of friendship. And they needed that bond, overall I wasn't sure how many years I would spend here and if I left before Voldemort was taken cared of then Harry would have a much harder time without Hermione. Plus I want Emma Watson lookalike to grow up because she is going to be hot. If she makes it through this they should be 'Golden'.
The doors flung open and in comes nervous, stumbling and stuttering Quirrell. The man's DADA classes were actually alright boring if anything. For someone who has Voldemort on the back of his head I was expecting to feel something ominous in class but zilch so far. In class we spent a ridiculous amount of time on Vampires. The only spell he taught us was a variation of Lumos where we tried to get it as bright as possible and hold it for as long as we can at maximum brightness. Why? …Because it would help keep the Vampires away, obbiously. At least he was nice enough to bring us cheap plastic sunglasses.
"T-TT-T-Troll! –TROLL!- in the dungeons – THERE's A TROLL IN THE DUNGEONS!" he shouted and promptly fainted.
3..2..1
And the hall burst into sound. Scared voices tittering and chattering, some standing and gathering around the professor, some milling about and some actually laughing.
I had positioned myself to keep an eye on Ron and Harry and I'll give them credit it was only a moment or two before they bolted to their soon to be third leg of the tripod without being noticed in the commotion.
Ah, what a sight to see, eleven year olds running towards their possible death.
Hopefully they will survive.
Scene Break
Year 3, Day 90: Harry Potter Universe, November 1991
Judging by how Hermione was chastising Ron and Harry probably on something related to homework at one of the common tables in the library it seems the Troll encounter went well. The 'Golden Trio' was formed and attached at the hip with each other. At least when they were in the library, Harry and Ron probably needed to copy from Hermione.
"Mr. Miercuri how can I help you today?" Madam Pince asked when I reached the front.
"I would like to return this book and was hoping I could get a recommendation on Herbology, caring and growing magical plants and alike." She took the book and frowned a bit.
"And you've read through all of Mallock Masterson's 'Transfiguration and Conjuration Theorems'? You only took this out last Firday, it hasn't even been a week." She asked.
"Yes I have, very insightful, especially the part about having the end results in your mind clearly being more important than the transformation process. I'll be sure to apply them with what we've been doing in class." I answer back.
Something was off, her demeanor didn't change it actually turned more to concern.
"You know Darrow-" oh no, first name, something is definitely off. "I've seen this before." She says.
"Muggleborns or muggleraised, getting very excited about magic, trying to read and do everything in their first year, it follows as pattern." She continues. "The first few months they bury themselves in books, trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible, as if it's not real, before someone could take it away from them, then as they reach halfway they end up burning out, overwhelmed by homework and exams."
"Sometimes it's a bit better to take it slow, let the knowledge sink in, save some of that studying energy for your midterms. Take it slower."
Well I'll be a horse's monkey! The stone cold lady has a heart. She's just concerned about my health. She's not wrong if I had been a mortal it would be concerning. I've been going through material at an accelerated pace. Ever since the Occlumency exercises I was getting better at remembering things and focusing. The meditation practice was working well, I was able to focus for longer and the speed at which I absorbed things increased by a lot.
Since I was made from hardier stuff than mere mortals meant that I only took 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night, a very unhealthy schedule for a growing 11 year old but barely noticeable to me. My time was better spent learning and practicing.
"It's quite alright Madam Pince, I'm just a fast reader that's all. But you are right, midterms are coming up which is why I was asking about Herbology." It didn't seem quite like she believed me but she sighed and wrote down on a piece of paper the name of two books.
"Very well, just don't push yourself too hard. These two should complement what you're learning in your first year classes. If you want more specialized direction you will have to ask professor Sprout herself."
"Thank you!" I grab the paper and head off to be swallowed by the shelves.
Scene Break
Year 3, Day 120: Harry Potter Universe, December 1991
Merry Christmas to me!
I actually took a few days off from the magical world during the Christmas/New Year break for some R&R.
Not too long. There was a lot to do with popping in and out of universes, checking up on my various projects having meetings; doing research, making plans all the good exciting stuff that needs to happen so people don't think I'm MIA or slacking off.
My 'friends' in Ravenclaw wrote to me, I had expected Terry and Michael since we were fairly close but I was surprised when earlier in the month Mandy also asked to exchange letters over the holidays. The little blond girl had been hanging out with our group more, when we did hang out as a group, but mostly talked with Michael and Terry. It's not that I didn't talk to her it's just out of everyone I was the more reclusive one, by necessity.
We exchanged letters, mostly talking about kid stuff; I made up a story of having to be in the states for the holidays with my father and mostly wrote about generic things from my own childhood.
I put the papers down that I was reviewing and checked the excel spreadsheet on my laptop showing my schedule across the tiny multiverse I now operated on. I only had a few days and needed to meet and prepare with Haley in REU5.
She has been doing wonderfully, her business in REU5 was the most successful and expanding the fastest. She already had a bunch of contracts she was servicing and gobbling up supplies wherever she could get her hands on it. The fact that we were losing money by undercutting our competitors on transport costs, all the while providing better pay to drivers – word was spreading, didn't bother me. It was only money.
What I wanted to do was actually accelerate things with her, since she proved very capable. I was going to push for her to make a bid on a concrete/cement plant in the region that was barely hanging on by a thread. Nothing an infusion of a few million dollars couldn't solve.
So many things to do…
Scene Break
Year 3, Day 180: Harry Potter Universe, February 1992
Nicholas Lemington, or Nick as his close friends would call him, sipped the blond beer he'd been nursing for the past 40 minutes, in this rustic beer hall in Hamburg Germany, trying not to be to conspicuous while keeping an eye on his 'target'.
The tall and solidly built sixty year old looking man with a widow's peak of white hair was having lunch with, probably a friend, judging by the jovial atmosphere. He sighed and took another sip of the beer. They should be done soon, at least he hoped.
The past year, ever since going into Michael Miercuri's employment, had been a whirlwind of oddity. He knew there was something off about Michael and the kid Darrow. Not only did they smell too much alike but from the few interactions he had with Darrow, he seemed to be more like a clone of his father than an actual child. In looks yes he was pretty much a clone but it was in mannerism and the way he carried himself too, like he was an adult. It was a bit unnerving.
Also who the hell just lets their kid be supervised alone by what amounts to a strange employee you've just met who is also a werewolf. His boss had been practically 'MIA' the whole time since he started. Michael communicated with him through letters, phone calls or other intermediaries.
At first the assignments he got were normal. Accompany Darrow here and there, keep an eye on him. Babysitter and bodyguard at the same time not problem however soon things started changing. He was being sent on more and more things that were out of this expertise. Honestly it should be things that Michael ought to be going.
He was sent to view some properties with the real-estate agents and write his opinion about it. Ok sure to an extent he understood that, the agents would probably embellish a lot and Miercuri wanted an unbiased opinion. She he gave it and after a few properties Michael bought a farm specializing in plants for potions supplies and invested in an animal farm. Exactly the two that he had wrote the best about. He had no clue if the boss had actually visited the two properties at all.
That was fine if the man wanted to throw his money around not his problem but why the hell did he have to go in person and 'supervise' the signing of the documents. It's not like he had anything to do with that, the agents, goblins and solicitors took care of all the paperwork. He literally had zero input in it.
Before he knew it he was in all kinds of meetings with all kinds of people, lawyers explaining some contract, goblins explaining some transaction or loan being given out, buying artifacts or various potions. At least the 'donations' he was giving out in person to certain officials or charities made sense.
Bribery he understood, it greased the wheels of whatever you wanted to do but the other things, it didn't smell right. It felt like he was being set up for something, he just didn't know what it was. Outside of the personally handling 'donations' his name wasn't on actually on any documents.
He sighed. The other problem was that no matter how shady it seemed the work so far had been 'easy' and it paid so well. He was able to afford the Wolfsbane potion easily now and his girlfriend, also a werewolf, was over the moon happy about how much money he was making. Soon he would be able to move out from his sister, help her out with her finances and still have enough to support both himself and his girlfriend.
So for now whatever his boss wanted he did, no matter how boring it was.
However this last assignment had been challenging than he thought. His employer had tasked him with finding and hiring a few folks with certain skill sets. The first two had been fairly easy, a duel master to teach Darrrow in the summer, a muggle martial arts teacher also for summer time. The martial arts/combat master was fairly easy, the boss specified it could be from England so after some searching he found a russian Sambo teacher.
The duel master was specified to be from Europe and there were plenty of those around. He simply looked around the dueling competitions and hired a Swede in his late forties who was retiring from the dueling life.
The last one was harder. He needed to find an Occlumency/Legilimency master and get him to agree to teach Darrow. Not an easy thing to do, there's not that many of those around, those that are usually work for the various government and don't advertise that they are masters of the mind arts for obvious reasons.
It took a few weeks prodding around the more nefarious parts of Western Europe's magical enclaves and spreading coin before he even got any leads. The first one he tried following he couldn't find the man. The second one he found the old geezer and was told promptly to fuck off, the third one he was politely declined by this sweet old witch.
So here he was on the fourth lead, waiting to find the opportunity to approach the man.
Finally they were settling their bill, Nick had paid his long ago. He waited until the two men said their goodbyes and followed his target out the door. He needed to move fast incase the target tried to apparate away. They were in the muggle part of town so he hoped he had a few moments to catch him before any magic was performed.
He saw the target turn left into an alleyway a few stores down. He rushed around the corner and before he could react an almost imperceptible blot of white light hit him and he fell to the floor bound tightly. Before he even hit the floor the older wizard was upon him and he felt the squeezing feeling of side along apparition.
They reappeared in what he could see to be a forested area where he was levitated up to face his target.
"Now, I would like to make it clear that the only reason you are alive is because for the last hour and a half while you were eying me and precariously throwing your thoughts around I have been able to ascertain that you do not in fact mean to attack me." He paused.
"So I would like to know why a British wizard is following me around?"
"Are you Cato de Leon?" Nick asked.
"And if I am who is asking?" answered the tall wizard.
"My apologies, I'm Nicholas Lemington. You are right I don't mean you any harm. I am here on behalf of my employer. He would like to offer you a contract to teach his son the mind arts. Eleven year old going to Hogwarts." Nick muttered out.
"And why does he want me in particular?"
Nick was silent for a moment. "Well, he technically doesn't want you in particular. He wants a master that would be willing to sign a secrecy contract. You know to not spill the beans on any family secrets and all that. He wants someone from outside of England, just in case." Nick paused for a moment again as the older wizard was contemplating his words.
"Do you mind untying me? It's a bit uncomfortable." Cato still only stared at him.
"Look, you don't have to if you don't want to. You're the fourth lead I've followed up on. Untie me and I'll be on my way to the next one. I'll say this though the pay is good, a veritable fortune all for two months of training in the summer."
The old wizard relented and released Nick from his bindings.
"Thank you!" Nick said.
"So how much is your British lord willing to pay out?" asked the older man.
"He's actually American, recently moved to England." That intrigued the mind master. "Anyway it's a lot." He made a move to his jacket and the old wizard immediately raised his wand in response. "Look I'm going to reach in my inner jacket pocket. There's a letter with all the details including the type of secrecy contract you have to sign."
Nick slowly handed the letter to the man. Cato opened it and scanned it and took a few moments to absorb what was in there.
He looked at Nick an inching of a smile appearing on his face.
"I believe something can be worked out."
Scene Break
Year 3, Day 240: Harry Potter Universe, April 1992
"You have to go all in!" said Lucas a third year Ravenclaw. My group along with a bunch of other claws were gathered around a table where Michael Corner and Mandy Brocklehurst were facing off for a pot of twenty galleons.
Mandy had just gone all in and it was on Corner to call or fold. Texas Holdem caught on especially with the older students and ever since Mandy has been on a wicked winning streak since she learned the game.
"It's almost lights out. You might as well go in all in!" this time it was Terry. A chorus of yeas was heard from the group surrounding the table.
"Fine I call." Corner gave in to peer pressure.
Jack, Queen, Ace on the table.
They both revealed their cards and half groans could be heard from half the group.
Corner had pair of Jacks while Mandy had a pair of Queens.
This girl just had the devils luck when it came to card games.
"Better luck next time mate!"
Scene Break
Year 3, Day 300: Harry Potter Universe, June 1992
We all looked confused, well not me, as the banners changed from Slytherin to Gryffindor, Harry, Ron and Hermione somehow got an extra 150 points for their house and won the cup.
"How is that possible? What did they do? It makes no sense?" Terry asked.
I merely shrugged.
"They probably did some sort of secret challenge for the headmaster or something!" I said.
The people around me that heard looked at me skeptically. "What that doesn't make any sense either! Its 150 points! What could they possibly have done to be worth that!"
"I don't know it was just an idea." I said shrugging again and continued to devour my food. Everyone else seemed to shrug it off as well, thoughts returning to summer vacation.
It was good to be out of school for a few months. There's only so much I can take being around elven year olds.
Plus I wanted to start training Occlumency with a real person. The exercises only take you so far eventually I needed to deal with a real mind and feel what that feels like.
Plus I wanted to go be in my natural size for a while. Hmm.. coming back next year I will be a twelve going on thirteen. I was already taller than average, maybe I should push it a bit and size up again.
Early puberty here I come!