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.
Redlight47 chapter 8 . Jan 24
Definitely will use Limitless NZT. It's just too good not to use.
Blaze1992 chapter 8 . Jan 26
No cartoons, no anime, no video games. Live action is a YES. It counts as cinema and ARTY in combinations with Darrow's brain is able to connect to it.
I don't have a set in stone world where Darrow will go or use yet. I want to keep most of the action to major fandoms that I'm familiar with. Or earths close to our realities just cause it's easier and as Darrow says 'Cuts down on research time.'
Absolutely leave suggestions not only I might use it but hell it might open up my world to movies and shows I've never seen before.
Yami-Guy chapter 8 . Jan 27
You are right about my fight scenes, I know they are my weakness and so far I find them the hardest to write (along with Luna's character). My skill level so far just isn't that great. I do what I can.
As for spells I consider transfiguration and conjuration to be the hardest aspects of magic and in a duel I think it's more important to be fast with basic spells. At the high level wizards are definitely going to rip things apart with transfiguration but even Dumbledore and Voldemort are going to be knocked unconscious by a Stupefy that hits them.
For most wizards simple and fast is better imo.
Kulha chapter 1 . Jan 29
Lol live action is fine but personally I pretend DBZ live action never happened because that movie is a crime against humanity.
Chris chapter 8 . Feb 3
Yea I get it. HP is taking much longer than expected. He will move on soon enough.
Epwydadlan chapter 1 . Feb 15
No ROB here just pure coincidence. As the author I can firmly tell you Jake did not survive. *sad noisese*
nicklaren chapter 9 . Feb 20
Alice is an interesting idea. I think I might have to rematch the RE movies. Seen them a long time ago and never kept up.
Live action yes…however DBZ live action I pretend it does not exists for obvious reasons.
Smokinbarrrel chapter 9 . Feb 20
Hmm…not sure Walter White would fit. Also the advanced tech in Stargate might be a bit beyond him…? I only briefly watched the show but wasn't he just a Highschool Chemistry teacher?
kirosyamcha chapter 9 . Feb 20
Resources yes. But people I'd be afraid of bringing the zombie virus over to a new reality and also I just don't find it a good practice to take thousands of independent-minded, freedom loving, democracy oriented individualistic Americans stick them in a Theocratic Absolutist Slave driven empire. At least not at the beginning. To me it sounds like I'm asking for folk heroes and revolutions in my empire.
frankieu chapter 9 . Feb 21
I'm a sucker for the British/French rivalry trope. The Ozarks are an ok show. Well directed, well-acted with a 7/10 plot. Would recommend.
Kulha chapter 9 . Feb 21
He can, problem is why would they follow him? Threats of violence only go so far. Don Draper might be a good add/propaganda guy … but Draper is also the type of guy that would sleep with Darrow's girlfriend and give no fucks.
MrBogus chapter 9 . Feb 21
I'm only vaguely familiar with the Gilmore girls show. Why would she follow Darrow into the abyss so to speak and leave her world behind.
Dragon0102 chapter 9 . Feb 21
I read up on the movie but I'm not sure general McMahon would be ok with an emperor and a slave empire. I know online and in media it seems like all 'Murican' military people are just waiting for that one president to come be a dictator and they will support him however I think people would be surprised by how staunchly pro-democracy a large part of the higher ups are.
Endymon Selene chapter 9 . Feb 21
Isn't Lost Planet a video game? Or am I googling it wrong?
Joe Lawyer chapter 9 . Feb 21
Oh! Interesting Ideas about water and the Olympians I did not even think about the other domains!
Those are the exact reasons why I chose Marty .
The ancients technology and the ascended no interference policy is a big part of why I chose Stargate for Darrow.
There is some technology that he will grab from Star Trek but I'm personally not that familiar with the Star Trek stories so I don't think there will be a lot of action there. (Cut down on research time. Real life usually gets in the way of watching long running shows. Sorry to all the Star Trek Fans I think I will disappoint you all.)
Naruto is out unless there is a live action movie I don't know about?
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 10
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 140: Harry Potter Universe, January 1994
"I'm telling you there is something suspicious going on!" I said and slapped my card down, possibly a little harder than needed. It would have been more epic if it was one of the exploding cards but instead it was a regular one so it just landed with a sloppy thud.
"Yea I have to agree with Darrow on this one. How did Gryffindor win the cup the last two years when they were way behind? And why was it both times suddenly just the right amount to win the cup? Hmm?" asked Terry with a raised eyebrow in suspicion.
"It's a conspiracy, I tell ya! A conspiracy against Ravenclaw!" he said resolutely.
Michael looked at his friend incredulously.
"You're bonkers." He said shaking his head. "House points don't actually mean anything besides don't you mean against Slytherin? They were in first place."
"Pfft as if. Everyone knows Slytherin only gets in first place because Snape is fast and loose on awarding points for his house."
"Corruption at the highest level!" I chimed in.
"That's right you tell'em Darrow!" Terry agreed.
"Ok fine sure, you're right about Snape but everything else don't you think it's a bit much?" he asked as we both just stared at him flatly.
Michael rolled his eyes and looked for help from Lucas the 4th year student that joined our Exploding snap game.
"Sorry mate they do kind of make sense. Things have been weird lately. I mean we have dementors on at the edge of the grounds. It's kind of mental really." He said shrugging.
"Ok I need someone to be the voice of reason." Michael turned in his seat and spotted Anthony slowly and weirdly to the dorm room.
"Hey Anthony you got a second I need your help to settle something." He waved him over.
Anthony didn't even look towards, his hand shot up automatically waving back a stay away motion and grunting a response.
"Jeez!" Michael said turning back around. "What's up his butt?" he asked rhetorically looking around the table.
"Boils." Lucas answered.
"What?" we all stopped and turned to him.
"Boils, he's go boils." Lucas answered.
"What do you mean he's go boils. And how do you know that?"
"He got cursed with a boils hex. Some 4th year Slytherine and Gryffindor got into an argument in the hallway and started throwing hexes around." Lucas said frustrated. "They didn't even hit each other. They got Anthony there and two Hufflepuff girls." He stopped for a moment. "One of whom is my girlfriend." He finished.
"Mate that's brutal! Did they get caught at least?"
"No, neither Anthony or the girls got a good look at who it was exactly. Plus they've been with Madam Pompfrey in the infirmary up until now I guess."
"Favoritism, that's what it is!" Terry stated. "Always the snakes and lions mucking about." He said exasperatedly.
We all nodded along.
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 161: Harry Potter Universe, February 1994
The raspy screams of the cursed creature were blocked by the privacy charms I've put all around the area, the standard ones and some of the spells learned in obscure books in the restricted section. Have to put that knowledge to good use.
I watched with fascination how the Dementor slowly regenerated and floated back up from the ground.
To catch one I turned into a raven flew close to the one near the spot I set up in the forest and lured it down. As soon as it was close enough I changed back and use my Patronus to coral it into a cage I've been working on transfiguring and enchanting in the last month.
The cage was mostly my attempt to hold the Dementor in one place so it was mostly trying to make it as sturdy as possible to resist the freezing and withering effect of the creature.
Four of my giant Tuna were swimming around the cage keeping the Dementor from acting up too much. So far the stories had been true the Patronus was pretty much the only thing the creature couldn't take.
It was resistant to most magic but physical attacks and elemental attacks worked just fine… except it never killed it. Injure it, slow it down, yea sure. I've tried burning it, the fire would eventually subside absorbed by the creature and its body would regenerate raggedy sheets and all.
Freezing it the same thing would happen, creature would eventually absorb, unfreeze and regenerate.
Power cut it or drown it with water would regenerate as well.
Same with crushing it with a rock or TK.
It definitely felt pain, especially once I went all Palpatine on its ass with my godly lightning but still the cursed creature would recover.
Only when I moved my Patronus to attack it would it actually react and try to run away.
Also the fucking thing wouldn't talk to me. Which was pissing me off. I even named the bloody thing Dave.
Dave the Dementor, the one on the train tried to talk to me but this one was on silent mode the whole time. I hadn't let it feed on me so maybe that's why it didn't respond but I wasn't about to let another one of those things attempt to suck my soul out again.
'So, what to do? What to do?'
It reacts to the most pain when I lightning bolt it and it fears the most when I sick my Patronus on it.
So logically I should combine those and blast the creature into submission.
"Lightning Patronus!"
"Fuck yea!" I said out loud.
I put my wand away and brought both hands in front of me in the classic fingers facing each other stance.
I concentrated and ripples of electricity played between my fingers jumping from one hand to the other. How to combine the two? The raw expression of violent energy with the will and desire to love and protect.
The mist form of the spell was the key I realized. Bring your will up to that point but instead of focusing on creating a protector from within hold back on the last step.
Let the desire be raw and wild. Stoke it in a frantic state, let it course within you; imagine the ferocity expressed as lightning.
You want to eliminate the threat, to offer the ultimate protection the ultimate act of love.
The sparkles turned thick and radiated white between my fingers.
I felt the energy build up and saw my four Tuna patroni get sucked into the vortex building in my hands.
Without the threat of the fish the Dementor wasted no time and attacked the cage with all its might. I could see it before me withering and crumbling.
Its desire to escape was strong but its efforts were all for naught.
"Lightning Patronus!"
I yelled and unleashed a veritable storm at the creature.
The momentum from it pushed into the bars on the opposite side of the cage. A wailing high pitched interrupted by sudden bouts of gasping followed so strong it almost threw me off balance.
I did not let up and poured more energy into the spell with its skin smoking, cracking and crumbling away as the white lightning dug deeper into its core.
So into my concentration I was that I almost didn't noticed the changed sounds from the creature.
Raspedy gasps sounding like almost words.
"P..se, s…guh…targph"
"Uh..guh aHHRHH Stop"
I let go of the lightning breathing heavily, feeling quite tired, the spell being more draining than I realized.
Dave the Dementor was on the floor of the cage smoking with chunks of skin falling off and crumbling away. Chunks that so far hadn't started to regenerate yet.
"Plheahs, stargph." Its raspy voice pleaded.
'Finally it talked. Making progress.'
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 196: Harry Potter Universe, March 1994
I deflected Luna's Stupefy right into Terry, he never should have come out from behind the tree trying to get behind me. He dropped like a sack of potatoes.
Luckily I had the forethought to add cushioning charms on most of the roots, stumps and rocks sticking out of the ground in our practice area. We took to practicing outside in our corner of the forest again since the classroom wasn't quite conductive for blowing things up.
We've been meeting up about twice a month with attendance varying. Padma would usually come when Mandy bothered her enough, Terry came out of pride since he committed to it. Luna usually came since she mostly started to hang out with me or the group.
It seems her weird way of speaking started to rub off on the rest as I've noticed several times she would be found with Mandy or Terry talking about things.
Andrew and Terry sometimes attended because we were going to blow stuff up and they were 13 years old so blowing stuff up was cool.
Normally that's what we would do. Aiming exercises and practice our spells but with us going back outside I've been convincing them to do more than just one on one dueling and practice some 'war games'.
So far it's been me against all of them. Of course I'm kicking their buts. I'm faster, stronger and more decisive. They collectively shat their pants when I unleashed my transfigured raptors.
I may have accidentally made the dinosaurs too aggressive and freaked out almost everyone.
Except Ash, that little dude was cool as a cucumber.
After much calming down, apologizing and reassuring I managed to get the games underway again.
Mandy and the two first years were already down. I know Andrew was lurking somewhere to my left behind a tree.
Terry was down, that left Padma, Michael and ninja Luna.
I hear muffled arguing from behind the roots covering Padma and Michael further off to my right. Their intentions are quite clear. One of them is going to pin me down with spells while the other will try to go further right almost behind and catch me uncovered.
Not a bad plan. Except they are nowhere near as fast or decisive in their movements as they should be. The moment I hear Michael moving from behind his cover I peek out and quickly asses where he is going to end up and aim my spell there all faster than Padma could react under pressure.
Plus she didn't know from which side I would peak out.
The Stupefy hits Michael hard in the shoulder knocking him sideways.
I transfigure a branch into a raptor and point it at the tree the twin was hiding behind.
I run to my left towards the position Andrew was hiding behind. Normally running towards someone was a bad idea but Andrew was pretty bad at hitting moving targets so I wasn't worried.
As expected the boy panicked and came out from behind his cover to try and hit me. I deflected the jelly legs jinx right back at him.
The 'OW' and him stumbling down confirmed my hit. I Stupefied him just in case. Don't want him to recover and hit me in the back.
I saw Padma trying to Stupefy the raptor who to her surprise was skillfully evading her. Her aim was shit but at least the girl was smart enough that she quickly switched to strategies and tried to transfigure some roots to hold down the raptor.
A good strategy on this very non aggressive raptor except she left herself open to me so I dropped her like an EDM DJ hitting beat at his first festival performance.
Only Luna left who was hiding like a little ninja. I think my transfigured boots were a bit too good and that's why she was able to sneak up on me so often. Either way it didn't matter much now since I've perfect my magical sonar enough that within 50 meters I was able to reasonable detect the location of people now.
I moved faster than she could react came up and grabbed the wand right out of her hand.
"Give up?" I ask and she smiled.
"Yes, you're too fast Darrow." She said brightly. Luna kind of knew about some of my abilities. I did take her swimming now and then and while she is odd she's can tell when something is out of the ordinary.
Even for magicals it's not normal to not need to breath underwater or to convince a giant kraken to play flips with you.
I wasn't worried about her telling on me after all her oddness ensured I had an easy way out. 'You know Luna she sees things that aren't there, exaggerating.' Not very nice I know but I always had that out if needed.
"Also you went too hard on everyone today. I noticed it; something's been frustrating you for the past week."
Oh Luna! Very perceptive.
I sighed and answered.
"You're right but don't worry it's nothing serious. Just one of my projects not working so well." I stopped and looked around at where everyone was face down in the dirt.
'Yea, they definitely going to be pissed.' I might have gone too hard on them and let out some frustration.
The whole ordeal with Dave the Dementor didn't go exactly as planned.
I had gotten him to talk but he didn't say much more than 'Please stop'. Even when I zapped it a few more times. I almost felt sad for the creature but then I remembered it would try to suck the soul right out of me and zapped it some more.
Eventually I was running out of juice so each storm was a less effective than the one before. The Dementor also started to regenerate albeit very slowly.
So I hightailed it out of there to rest up and try again tomorrow.
The next day I found the withered remains of the cage with Dave nowhere in sight. I tried luring another one down but these fuckers were avoiding me.
Eagle, raven, owl they all started avoiding me like they knew it was me. Some major hive mind magical bullshittery at work.
Nothing I tried over the next course of the month worked. Even being in human form at night acting hella suspicious didn't work.
I even shouted at them a few times. They avoided me like the plague. Also I couldn't find Dave anymore either. The Dementor was gone maybe back to Azkaban.
Either way some major bullshit. I had hoped maybe I could get a few Dementors on my side, they could be my hounds of death. I could pull some Mortal Kombat your soul is mine bullshit.
"We should probably wake them up. They will be bruised and not too happy."
Luna's voice brought me back to reality.
"Right, right, right. I'm gonna have to break out the snack and goodies stash again. Hopefully that will make it better."
"It will definitely help. You always have the best snacks."
Impressing teenagers with my superior snacking tastes. CHECK!
"Ok. I'll take the guys you take the girls."
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 210: Harry Potter Universe, March 1994
"All in." the groans could be heard all around the table.
"What is up with you today? You're so aggressive; you've gone all in 4 times just on pre-flop." Lucas asked Mandy exasperated.
Everyone at the table nodded in agreement. Two 5th years and Andrew were already out since they took Mandy's bait out of frustration.
Mandy just had the devil's luck when it came to card games. It was like freaking magic. A couple of weeks back one of the 6th years accused her of transfiguring the cards which of course she did not. Still usually she was not this aggressive when playing.
"Yea what's going on?" Sarah asked. I had struck a sort of friendship with the busty 7th year since we spend time together during last year on Lockhart's TA team and she had joined our games periodically.
Most Ravenclaws saw it not as gambling but as an intellectual challenge to predict the hands of your opponent.
…
Ok yes that was probably mostly busllshit.
For some reason the Ravenclaws loved to fucking gamble. A combination of the intellect and thrill where you're not risking your body like a lowly Gryffindor or Hufflepuff maybe, I really don't know but the fact was most of the Claws really liked playing poker.
"I noticed you've been in a mood in the tutorials as well the past week?" Sarah continued. "Is it girl stuff?" she asked coyly raising an eyebrow.
"EWWW" was the instant response from the boys.
"Stop it you lot just wait until you have girlfriends!" She said slapping the 5th years across the shoulders.
Seems Sarah herself had matured a bit more probably courtesy of her relationship with her boyfriend, another 7th year Ravenclaw.
"Oh god no!" Mandy's response was. "It's not that." She paused.
"I'm just upset about Care for Magical Creatures course." She continued.
"Oh. That." Lucas interrupted his expression turning solemn.
"What oh that? Class giving you trouble?" Michael asked. None of us boys took that course but I had an idea where this was going.
"No, it's the ministry they are going to kill Buckbeak!" Mandy almost yelled.
"What's a Buckbeak?" Terry asked confused.
Lucas interjected.
"It's a hippogriff. Feisty one, been with the school for a while. You have to show it respect or you're bound to get a finger bit. Kind of a mark of pride for those who take the CMC course. You either took the course and love him or you hate him." Lucas finished.
"Yea well the Ministry wants him dead. In our first class learning about hippogriffs professor Hagrid asked everyone to be careful to show the proper respect. But no, Mr. All High and Mighty prince of the snakes Draco Malfoy had to go and insult him. So of course Buckbeak almost ripped its head off." Mandy said in an angry huff.
"Now Malfoy's gotten his dad who is on the board to get the ministry to terminate the poor guy because he's 'dangerous' creature." Lucas finished for Mandy using air quotations.
"Yea it's not bloody fair. Just because Malfoy's and idiot we all have to suffer. I've made good friends with Buckbeak. It's a majestic creature you know, his favorite spot to scratch is right between the eyes above the beak." She said.
"And the whole bloody thing started because of course Potter went and rode Buckbeak on the first try and Malfoy got jealous. They'd been picking on each other right before. Bloody Gryffindor and Slytherins." she finished.
"Have you tried talking with professor Flitwick and the headmaster?" I asked curiously.
"I did." Mandy responded even more frustrated. "Flitwick said it's beyond him since Malfoy's on the board and the Headmaster said everything will work out for the better. Like how is that even fair?"
"Once again the snakes and the lions do whatever they want and we all pay the consequences." Sarah remarked sighing.
"It's like the rules don't apply to them." Terry said frustrated. He was still hung up on the house points, admittedly I've been egging him on.
"Snakes always get the best practice times for Quiddich." One of the other 5th years chimed in. "And they play dirty." The other one pitched in.
A moment of silence passed between us all eventually broken by Michael.
"Alright then not much we can do now. Whose dealer next?" he asked trying to get the game back on.
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 231: Harry Potter Universe, April 1994
I was on my way to the Room of Requirement on this Saturday morning when Patky, the matronly elf in-charge of the kitchens 'POP' right in front of me on the 7th floor.
I totally did not yelp…
Ok I 'Yelped'.
"Ahh!"
"My apologies student Darrow. Patky didn't means to scare you." The little elf said.
I took a breath and composed myself.
"No problem at all Patky don't worry about it. To what do I owe this visit?" I asked nicely.
"I was wonderings if student Darrow is still looking for an elf? Patky may know someone one." She said while shyly looking around.
'Oh hell yea! Fucking finally! Elves!'
The agents I used were following up some leads in Europe now, apparently even though wizard kind had a massive superiority complex towards other magical sapients they were not too dumb to realize how useful loyal magical servants were, that you didn't have to pay.
No one wanted to give up their elves at least not the nice way I set my agents about. I was beginning to think I might have strong arm or even kill some Deatheaters and take their shit which I might still have to do if I can't get enough of these little guys and gals.
"That's great to hear Patky. Is your friend here?" I asked. Just to verify I sent a burst of magic and yes there was another person behind Patky.
The matronly elf nodded and another elf appeared behind her. She was just as old, no, hell, she looked even older than Patky, wearing a flowery blue dress that reached down to her ankles.
In contrast to the gray robes and apron Patky was wearing this elf was practically beaming with color except I could immediately see that she was incredibly shy … and somewhat sad.
"This is Binny, student Darrow." Binny only briefly looked up from behind Patky's shoulders and slightly waved.
Before Patky could continue I interrupted her.
"Patky do you mind if we take this conversation in the Room of Requirement? You know which one I'm talking about yes?" Patky nodded.
"Yes, the lost and found room, is where we elves store most old things left by students and teachers, in case they come back for them." She responded so I went back and forth three times and opened up a comfortable room where we could talk on plush chairs.
"Please have a seat you two." I said settling in one of the chairs.
Patky nodded and resumed while Binny looked down in her sad demeanor.
"Binny's master was an old, old witch who lived in the Northumberland old forests. She with her for long, long time. She died a few days ago and has no relatives. Binny says the ministry will come take her away soon." She said and paused.
"I'm sorry to hear about your old master." I said. "I know from experience it is hard losing the ones you care about the most." The little old elf seemed to perk up a bit at my kind words.
"Binny very shy, student Darrow. She does not want to go with ministry. They will make her work for them or give her to old pureblood family." Here she stopped for a moment again and her ear dropped a bit. "Some nice, some not so nice."
I understood what she meant. It was likely Binny would end up with one of the older connected families who likely will treat her as just a lowly elf, a magical servant to be abused.
"Student Darrow said would take any elf even old elves and treats them well. We watched you Darrow." Well that was a bit unnerving. "You nice to other students even the silver eye girl that others say mean things about you even nice to the handsome professor last year and even play with Aegir."
'Holy shit'. Did the elves overhear me say the kraken's name or were they able to directly talk with the kraken… never mind not important right now.
"You treat Binny nice too yea?" she asked though I could hear an undertone of pleading.
I looked at Patky in her big round eyes and then at Binny for a moment.
"Patky" I said. "I promise I will treat your friend with the utmost respect as if she was member of my family." I then turned slightly to Binny.
I don't know why I did his really. Maybe it's because even though they looked old, their tiny statures, big round eyes and cutesy way of talking made me them seem more childlike.
Or maybe it was the deep concern I could feel from Patky for her friend along with the sadness and uncertainty coming from Binny… overall not really sure.
I left the chair and crouched down in front of Binny put my right hand forward pinky extended.
"Binny, in my home country there is this thing called a pinky promise which once taken binds the person to it. Only the most dastardly folks would break it." I pause for a moment. "So, I promise here and now that if you come into my service I will treat you with respect, I will not force you to do anything you don't want to and I will do my best to protect you as if you were my own family. Hell I'll even pay you if you want." I finished with a smile.
Both Patky and Binny brightened up at this.
Binny stepped off her chair and shyly came up to me. Her old saddened eyes struck with grief of her old master looked at me for a few moments before she relented and extended her own pinky out.
"I accept."
The moment our fingers intertwined I felt a surge of energy like hot water rising from within me.
Wispy blue tendrils of light shot out from me crisscrossing down our connected arms and into the elf's chest.
Patky watched with bulging eyes as Binny was slightly lifted off the ground and the blue light started to cover her whole body.
I have to say I was kind of amazed myself.
It only lasted for about three or four seconds before she was back on the ground and the light subsided back within her.
She had undergone an obvious transformation which I'm pretty sure wasn't the norm.
Binny looked half a century younger, not exactly a spry chicken but half the wrinkles were gone, her skin was tighter, he posture was better… even her dress looked nicer and I think she was slightly taller as well.
And while we were all staring at these wonderful changes the most prominent thought that popped into my head was:
'I need to be more careful with my pinky promises.'
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 250: Harry Potter Universe, May 1994
"Mr. Lemington! Please to meet you!" The rotund man who looked to be in his late fifties said as he made to shake the werewolf's hand.
"Pleased to meet you as well Mr. Hayford. And please, you can call me Nick." He replied shaking the man's hand.
"Yes of course Nick and you please call me Edward or Edd for shorts." Hayford answered with a smile. "Have a seat. I hope you are ok with the choice of restaurant. I recommend the schnitzel and if that's not to your linking then the risotto is a close second of my favorites." Edd continued.
Nick took the man's lead and sat.
They were at a popular restaurant in the heart of muggle London, the restaurant was muggle as well.
"Thank you for the recommendations. The restaurant is fine by me."
Edd signaled for one of the waiting staff, whispered a few words and soon water and wine was served.
"I have to say Edd I'm a bit surprised why you specifically wanted to meet with me. Your letter was a bit open ended." Nick said. "I'm not quite sure how I would be able to help with a 'great and charitable' cause. Especially one involving someone as famous as Mrs. Zinger."
Zoey Zinger world-wide famous magical opera singer. Her voice was literally magical and could permeate the emotional core of anyone listening.
"Yes, well you see, as her manager, first let me apologize on behalf of Mrs. Zinger she was feeling a bit under the weather and I insisted she stay in and not extend herself before her next show. Otherwise she would be here at this meeting." He said in an exaggerated sincere tone.
Nick only nodded in acknowledgement.
"Now as for the cause, you see Mrs. Zinger has recently been thinking about her contribution to our wonderful society, how she impacts it, how she will be remembered." Edd said and took a sip of his wine.
"Her legacy."
Nick's eyebrows frowned in concentration uncertain where this was going. Edd picking up on this cue swallowed another sip and continued.
"Mrs. Zinger has decided that she would like to build a cultural arts center to not only document and preserve our great millennia old traditions but also to provide resources for both witches and wizards to pursue their artistic callings whether they are singing, dancing, painting sculpting or other more esoteric pursuits." Edd said with a tone of excitement.
The wolf was now beginning to understand where this conversation was going.
"So Mrs. Zinger is looking for parties to help her finance the construction and operations of the center and be a part of this wonderful contribution to our society. Not enough of our youth pursue the higher arts." He said.
"Or to quote Mrs. Zinger herself 'For all our capabilities we certainly lack imagination compared to the muggles'" He finished with a wide grin.
Nick took another sip of his wine.
"I see. I'm quite flattered that you thought of me however I don't think I would be able to help you finance such a project. I'm sure you would much prefer if you spoke directly with my employer Mr. Miercuri he would be the one in a position to help you. I could definitely mention you to him if you are unable to get a hold of him."
As he finished his sentence he actually saw Edd smile change into a smirk with a hint of arrogance.
"Come now Nick let's not play around. It is my job as her manager to know the right people, the movers and shakers, the keys that open the doors to the castle and just like I am the key to the wonderful Mrs. Zinger you are the key to house Miercuri." He said pointedly.
The younger man frowned at that.
"I think you may have gotten the wrong infor-"
"Were you not the one that prospected, purchased and now managing a series of farms all around Wales, lower and upper country?"
'Ok yes kind of, technically' he thought. He had unloaded a lot of the farm management to Claire, his girlfriend. She had a better relationship with the 'Pack' and she was just better at dealing with all day to day minutia so he put her on payroll especially since during summer time he was still expected to basically be Darrow's shadow.
"Again I think my role there is a bit over estimated I was mostly-"
"Not only that but all the other properties, stores, houses both magical and muggle being bought sold and refurbished. Not to mention the antiques and artifacts." Edd continued. "You have teams of people scouring the country now."
Nick's frown deepened.
'All I did was mostly direct the muggle contractors or the teams of wizards on what to do for the properties.'
"And you personally managed the joint project with the ministry restoring the northern Scotland apparition network! Great job on that one by the way. It will definitely improve mobility where the floo network doesn't reach."
Apparition was dangerous due to the fact that one small mistake and the wizard could splice themselves but another problem was apparating into an existing person or object that is occupying the space where you appear.
Definitely not recommended anything from exploding to imploding could happen. The apparition network provided a safe place where one could appear. You went to your local point checked the map where you wanted to go see if it was empty booked the spot for 10sec and 'Poped' right there.
The whole project cost about one hundred thousand galleons for both restoration work and opex budget for the next 20 years.
'All I did was bring coffee, donuts to the work sites and chat up the specialists and ministry liaisons, ok ,and report back to Michael or Darrow.' Nick thought.
"Again, Edd I have to say I think my involvement in the projects has been overestimated, all I did was merely represent Mr. Miercuri and communicated-"
Edd leaned forward and with eyes filled with excitement.
"That's exactly it Nick. You represented house Miercuri, you supervised and made sure everyone was motivated to stay on task and finish. How many times did they appeal to you when they needed something sorted with Mr. Miercuri?"
'All the fucking time.' He leaned back in his seat realization slowly creeping on his face.
"Now, we can play this game the whole day but I have done my homework and I have it on good account from trusted friends in important places that nothing: no purchase, no loan, no business deal, no project moves around house Miercuri without your approval first."
"I want to be your friend Nick." Edd said more intensely. "And I hope you can be mine as well." Here he paused for a moment.
"Holding the keys to the castle can be very beneficial so why don't we order some dinner and see how we can help each other out."
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 263: Resource Universe 3 May 1985
Marty sipped his coffee and watched the sun rise at the edge of the shoreline. He heard the rustling of footsteps and turned around to see Wendy approach him.
"Couldn't sleep either?" he asked.
She nodded.
"That and Zeke woke up." she said.
"Coffee?" he handed her the cup and she took a sip.
"Wyatt is coming over to help Charlotte babysit right? I'm running around the whole day. Meetings." He stated.
It didn't take long for them to make their decision, it's not like they had much of a choice, but Wendy was pissed when he insisted they bring Ruth and her cousins though she relented when Zeke was included.
More surprising was when he brought it up to their new patron Darrow snapped his fingers and the Langmores along with Zeke 'Popped' into their living room, with the little one floating happily around. He even had identities prepared for them showing that he had expected Marty to ask.
It was a whole ordeal trying to explain to them what happened especially calming down Ruth. Wyatt posed the most problem to convince but after a few choice words and demonstrations from Darrow the youth relented.
Wendy nodded and took another sip. "Yes…I'm gone after 10am as well. Mayor, a couple of interviews and a few other meetings around town." She paused and took a few deep breaths enjoying the refreshing morning air.
"It's strange isn't it? A whole new reality, in the past and we end up in the same place?" She asked taking it all in.
They were still in the Ozarks though not in the exact same place. Their house was on the glove like peninsula on the northern side of the lake tucked in a nook facing north with a substantial lake front foot print. It was a four bedroom three bath 2 story house.
The Langomores were in the next property over in a similar house.
Marty nodded his head with a sideways tilt. "We could have pushed for another place. I'm pretty sure we can move once we are established enough but he made a few good points plus already had the places in the works." Marty shrugged. "It's not a bad place to start." He said and took the cup from her.
"I guess not, it's just," and gestured her hands up "everything you know." she said letting out a resigned sigh.
"Yea, I get it." He said and paused. "At least he seems reasonable…so far."
Once the initial decision stage was done and they started talking details Darrow had actually been not only more reasonable but more supportive and financially savvy than the Cartel had been.
Their patron already had a financial infrastructure set up with he was able to hand over. As well over the course of the last few months they had been teleported all around the world setting up bank accounts and companies.
'It was so much easier in the 80s' Marty thought. With Darrow's magic they had been able to already launder over two hundred million spread around between them and the Langmores.
A veritable war-chest.
Of course there was another three billion worth of cash and precious metals in a couple of magical chests which was left for him to wash.
'You will spread like cancer' Darrow had said. From basically the heart of the country they will spread their financial and political tendrils until their reach touched everything.
"Reasonable until he's not." She said pensively.
Marty only nodded at her.
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 282: Harry Potter Universe, June 1994
"Hey, Hey, NO, NO. LEAVE BUCKBEAK ALONE!"
"Hey, Hey, NO, NO. LEAVE BUCKBEAK ALONE!"
The dozen and a half Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students protested in front of the Headmasters office.
This impromptu protest was happening because I may have subliminally egged on Mandy and my Ravens in the last week about unfair the situation was and last night mentioned how in the US people would certainly protest.
This gave the girl a light bulb moment and in the morning she was able to cobble up a few students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.
Unfortunately it was not going so well.
For all his bumbling in the movies Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of magic, was a skilled politician through and through. He had already answered all of our questions and requests without taking any of the blame nor stopping the execution.
We were now at the stage where the Headmaster had once again re-assured us all will work out and had called for the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff heads of houses and prefects to escort us back to our rooms.
Of course that only incensed the group more which increased the shouting and chanting still these were still children so orders were eventually followed.
So off we are now chanting through the corridors attracting more attention, though not enough as both heads of houses quickly split us and lead us out of the most used paths.
There's going to be some fun discussions tonight in the common rooms. And I'm sure there will be quite a bit of Slitherin bashing.
At least in our dorm, Mandy was furious.
Scene Break
'Holy moly!' I couldn't help but think. I was impressed, more than impressed I was amazed!
The power behind the pulsing white light of Potter's Patronus was absolutely bonkers.
Potter was a powerhouse. I knew it from the Movies and the Books but to see it in person was something else.
I was in God mode watching from afar how all the Dementors were pushed away from Potter and Sirius by Harry courtesy of the time turner.
Nifty little things I may have to get me a few.
Somehow things still ended up like cannon. I had thought that the protest would butterfly things away but it seemed that it didn't do much, Ron still ended up in the hospital and the Headmaster gave that little 'advice' to Hermione and Harry.
'I wonder if he planned this or simply seized the opportunity'
I couldn't help but ponder…things went too smoothly.
Also Hermione looked kind of cute all covered in dirt.
Scene Break
"You all have the campsite number yea? Make sure you come visit our tent, if you have trouble finding it look for the banner it will say Miercuri." I said to my Ravens as we were saying our goodbyes on the platform.
The school year ended uneventful only with the rumor that Buckbeak somehow escaped at the last moment but no one was sure where he was or how it happened.
Gryffindor somehow won the cup again which pissed off Terry to no end.
"Yea we got it mate! See you then!"
Eventually we all said our goodbyes and split off. They with their parents and me with Nick.
School was out so he was to resume his guard duties.
Nick was doing well and he was progressing at a good rate. Over the years I had slowly increased his responsibilities, along with his pay, to get him used to be in charge and make decisions.
Through him I had quite a few of the werewolves under my employment and while I had met them a few times as both Darrow and Michael most of the management I left to him and his girlfriend Claire.
Claire had a knack for the day to day minutia of administrative requirements which left Nick to be the visible and strong second in command of house Miercuri.
Claire was focused internally and Nicholas was the face, the decision maker and I or should I say 'my father' was the big bad boss.
Of course because of Michael's constant 'unavailability' Nick often had to take his cues from me which was also one of the reasons I wanted him to be my 'bodyguard' during summer time. That and technically I was till underage.
Summer was going to be filled with training with Cato, my Occlumency had reached a good enough level that we were going to start full on Legilimency practice this summer.
I'll admit Cato had become a confidant for me since I could simply be me and not Darrow the Hogwarts student.
"Ready to go Darrow?" Nick asked.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Yea let's go."
'Shit I still have to break it to Andreas that I will not be entering the dueling competition this summer.'
Scene Break
Year 5, Day 355: Harry Potter Universe, August 1994
Nicholas Lemington watched the motley and animated crowd attending the celebratory party in his employer's tent with sharp, pensive eyes.
The tent was quite large, both inside and outside, really the largest in their campsite and very extravagant. Michael had spared no expense with the décor, amenities and even entertainment. There was a band playing both popular and fan favorite sing-along songs.
Even more outrageous was the food and drink provided. Dishes from around the world and finger delicacies served both buffet style and with staff walking along the attendees tempting them with one thing or another. A whole variety of wines, liquors and beverages both magical and muggle in conception had been raising the rowdiness level of the crowed for the last few hours.
The crowed itself was an assortment of witches, wizards and…other from all walks of life.
As he scanned it he recognized the three Cosmus brothers and their families', their shop providing the tent 'At a hefty price of course', mingling with Mr. Hedgeforth newly minted director of one of the three positions on the ruling board of the Three Cauldrons guild along with a few more of the guild members.
Edd Hayford and even the famous Ms. Zinger were here mixing and mingling with a slew of ministry higher ups, he was pretty sure one of them was Amelia Bones the head of the DMLA, he'd never met her but Darrow had mentioned he was going to school with her niece.
They were probably discussing the cultural center she was going to build, which now House Miercuri was part of. Michael had not only agreed to it but doubled the proposed 'donations' and asked him to further look into both charitable and business opportunities whenever he could.
There were also an assortment of solicitors, purchasing agents, real-estate agents, shop owners, antique collectors, foreign wizards and about ten families of the 'Pack', all awarded tickets by their generous employer, along with folks that were parents of Darrow's school mates.
Even Largnack with a contingent of Gringotts employees that handled House Miercuri's accounts were currently stuffing their faces with some East Asian influenced finger sandwiches.
Michael sure knew how to do things big he not only invited individuals but extended the invitation to their families as well.
So what had Nick on pins and needles the whole day? It wasn't the motley crowd or the boisterous celebrations, nor the fact that he was technically working.
Nick, Claire and Andreas along with a few of the wolves were working. They were sent earlier to coordinate with the tournament officials, catering companies and serving staff as well as ensure all the guest tents were set up. Each family of the 'Pack' had their own tent and some of the more 'VIP' guests.
Technically he was in charge of the overall operation with Claire and the wolves taking care of the coordination and him and Andreas focusing on security. Andreas was on Michael and as backup in case the celebrations got to rowdy while he was to focus on Darrow.
'Ha! What a joke!' he thought. 'As if Darrow needed any protection. He could probably wipe the floor with anyone here.'
Darrow had refused to compete in the dueling tournament this year which put Andreas in a mood all summer that made him almost quit. The tall Swede eventually stayed and Darrow had insisted that he start learning how to fight multiple people at the same time.
At first it was Andreas and him with Cato joining once in a while. Eventually Craig and Greg the two werewolf brothers were recruited to join their training sessions.
In just a few bouts Darrow started to wipe the floor with them. He moved as if he read your mind, knew what you were going to do before you did it. 'Then again Cato was teaching him the mind arts'. Either way it really wasn't natural the boy was too fast, too strong his aim to good and his transfigurations too scary 'Bloody Raptors'.
So what really made him be tense the whole day was the same thing that had allowed him to go relatively unbothered by the crowd itself.
Michael Miercuri was here today…so was Darrow.
He had never seen them in the same place, not once. At most in the same house…kind of. Usually Michael leaving and moments later Darrow appearing from a different room.
One or the other.
Since he came earlier to the campsite he did not have a chance to accompany the father & son duo so he only noticed something was wrong when he went to greet them.
They both talked and acted as expected but something didn't smell right, literally.
Werewolves had somewhat heightened senses even in human form not a lot but enough to notice differences in people or things that they spent long periods of time with.
In this case Darrow still smelled like Darrow but Michael was off.
From his memory the two usually smelled the same, too close actually which was also somewhat unnerving. Problem was that while he had spent a lot of time with Darrow he couldn't say the same about Michael. Sure while their meetings could sometimes take hours to go through reports and updates on business items they were infrequent and sporadic at best.
Often times at very short notice.
If anything Michael smelled like Cato but the same issue was there again. He hadn't spent quite enough time in proximity with Cato to truly be sure. Sure they had gone out a few times as colleagues, with Andreas as well, but their relationship was professional. He usually came in for the private lessons with Darrow, other than that it was sporadic.
More concerning was that Cato wasn't here which brought up a whole slew of questions in his mind. Each one worse than the previous.
Then again the old mind master was pretty private so he might have just decided not to come. Still Nick's suspicions grew.
He also couldn't really ask Claire or the other wolves' help since they hadn't had the same exposure to either one and he doubted Andreas would have been able to tell.
So while Andreas had taken to mingling with the crowd Nick had kept a sharp eye on Michael the whole day looking for irregularities as his employer soaked up all the attention and graciously mingled from group to group.
Sings of polyjuice potion, which seemed unlikely since Michael had been drinking what the staff served. What could it be? Maybe some unknow magic? A metamorph? Or was just his imagination running wild from seeing both father and son together.
He let out a deep sigh. That was probably it. He'd been on pins and needles the whole day for nothing. All Michael did was drink and mingle with the guests.
He was shook out of his thoughts when suddenly the noise of the boisterous party was overtaken by shouting, screaming and banging from outside. The party goers momentarily stopped and listened to the odd sounds.
Then he smelled it...fire, burning.
As if on cue some of the staff come in from outside and started shouting.
"Wizards in masks attacking! Their burning tents. People are running we have to leave!" The few that entered made for their friends inside.
The crowd immediately burst into murmured panic and started moving to outside.
Nick, Michael and Andreas stepped outside along with some of the ministry officials.
They could see it now, people panicking, running, some trampling each other. There were tents burning not too far from them and he could see colored spells flying around, most coming from what looked like a dark blob with many silvery heads shaped like skulls above which three people were spinning and crying.
"It's an attack! Their attacking the crowed!" Andreas stated the obvious.
The fires were burning brighter, the screams louder, the rush to run was intensifying. They were in shock at the flagrant violent display and resulting mass panic.
They were stunned. Michael broke them out of their inaction.
"Nick where is Darrow?" It took him a split second for the words to register. 'Right, Darrow, where was he? I was watch…shit' he wasn't he'd been watching Michael. For a moment panic took him until he felt a body push through to their front.
"Darrow's went outside." The boy said panicked. "We snuck some whiskey. Said he was feeling hot wanted to step outside for a moment. It was right before."
They all looked at him bewildered for a moment.
"Terry, come here! WE HAVE TO GO NOW!" a panicked man pushed to the front where the boy was.
'Shit, shit! This wasn't good.' Nick thought.
Before any of them could do anything Michael took charge.
"Darrow probably went head first into the commotion." Michael said calmly. "He can handle himself I have no doubt about it." The rest of the crowd gathered around Michael looked bewildered at him.
"Still Nick you will go and try to find him. DO NOT put yourself in danger. Use the emergency Portkey to get him and yourself out of there. If you find yourself in danger you use the key regardless of finding him. Understood?" Michael's commanding voice asked.
Nick couldn't help himself but feel compelled to obey. He nodded.
"Good. We have an obligation for the safety of our guests and staff. Andreas and I will use the rest of the Portkeys to evacuate them. Rest assured Claire will be the first to go." He said putting a hand on the wolf's shoulder. The crowed behind him calmed down a bit upon hearing about the keys.
Michael had paid a pretty penny for the key licenses, especially for this event. 'In case something happens. Better to have them and not need them.'
"Good then Go. We will take care of things here."
Nick only nodded, brought his wand out in one hand and reached inside his jacked for his Portkey with the other, and left made his way against the panicking crowd.
As he pushed through the panicked screams and rushed wizards bumping into him Nick was partially scared and partially angry. 'I had one job, Darrow.' Especially as the preparations were done his focused was supposed to be on Darrow.
'How to find him? Michael said he would head towards the commotion. So that's where I'll go.'
It wasn't hard to spot where the people were running from. The three muggles tortured screams, being spun and contorted in air were a dead giveaway. That and the grouped wizards in dark robes carelessly shooting spells around them.
Nick moved to the side of the main alleyway diagonally away from where the group was heading. He moved and ducked behind tents doing his best to avoid both the panicked witches and wizards and the sight of the dark robed interlopers.
A hundred yards or so away from them he felt a drop in pressure and a rush of wind from all around. At the same time he saw the dark group of wizards being blasted of their feet by an invisible force like bowling pins.
He thought for sure the muggles will fall to their deaths but their momentum was arrested half way through the air. They hovered for a second in place and then smoothly and rapidly floated across the campsite disappearing into the forest.
Nick tried to look around and see if it was any wizards doing and couldn't see any area the crowd had pretty much cleared around them. The knockdown seemed to have given folks a chance to get away. Not that it didn't mean one wasn't hidden somewhere, yet his instinct was screaming that his was no ordinary wizard's doing.
An image flashed in his mind of Michael and Cato's first meeting. 'Darrow' he thought.
The dark robed wizards had recovered, he noticed, and were now shouting and shooting nasty curse randomly into the tents. They were looking for the wizard that dared crossed them.
Two of them conjured long violent fire whips, swinging them around lighting all in their path. Most of the tents around the group were already burning bright and spreading.
Nick had to move soon the tent he was hiding behind would also be lit up like Christmas tree and he'd be caught in the burning inferno.
He made to move further away behind a new row of tents when he felt a slight force push as his feet.
As he looked down he felt a cold sensation and the force intensify. The sound it made was unmistakable.
Rushing water.
He looked all around him as the water grew into force and abundance. The stream growing into a veritable torrent ankle deep.
The dark wizards stopped their movements and looked all around them confused. The water seemed to be coming as a small wave from their perspective.
Even more confusing was when the water started to unnaturally climb up each structure and cover it like a glove putting out fires with a sharp hissing steam.
Even more fascinating the water around the group of wizards started spinning around them, building up as a wall growing in intensity and thickness pushing the group closer together to its center.
Each moment that passed the vortex grew bigger, absorbing the spells the wizards sent at it.
Nick watched amazed when another image flashed in his mind. A training session with Darrow he had corralled all of them the same way but on a much smaller scale.
'It has to be him.'
He looked around and realized that the water was spreading form a single point about a hundred yards or so further away from him behind a tent.
He ran to towards that row of tents and as he turned to his right behind the last tent in the line he saw Darrow.
Nick stopped in his tracks.
Instead of seeing the 'boy' holding a wand and chanting a spell Darrow was glowing blue his head was thrown back and his arms weren't arms but two torrents spewing water from the shoulders.
He shook his head once to make sure he was seeing right and then Michael's words popped into his mind. 'Use the Portkey.'
He ran towards Darrow, as he approached he saw the eyes were rolled up and a manic grin on his face. "Darrow! Snap out of it! We have to go!"
The glow subsided and the arm torrents slowed in their intensity. Darrow's head reeled back up and his eyes rolled down.
The grin disappeared and he looked almost annoyed to be interrupted.
"Nick, you're here already?" he said as if expecting him.
The werewolf nodded. "Your father sent me." He noticed Darrow's arms turning from water back to normal.
Before the 'boy' could respond Nick grabbed his shoulder with the hand holding the Portkey and shouted.
"Portus!"
Scene Break
Nick walked in the office and saw Michael in deep concentration rapidly writing a letter at his desk.
"Thank you for coming Nicholas. Please have a seat." He said without looking up.
As he closed the distance and took a seat the first thing he noticed was that Michael smelled like Darrow again.
A silent moment passed, Michael finished writing and put the letter away in one of the drawers.
"Sorry about that, needed to finish that before I lost my train of thought." He said.
"Right, Michael before we start I just wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened last night-"
Before he could continue his thought Michael interrupted him.
"Nonsense. Nothing to be sorry about! No one could have predicted what happened! Hell even the ministry was caught left footed."
'Except you. You insisted on the Portkeys.' Nick thought inwardly.
"Besides, nothing bad happened. We managed to evacuate all staff and guests safely." He said pointedly.
"How is everyone by the way? I didn't get a chance to follow up." He asked.
"Mostly good…some scared some angry."
"Good." Michael answered.
Nick only nodded and was about to retort and bring the issue of Darrow when Michael continued.
"That's good, terrible thing that happened however the event has shown me that we have a glaring weakness in 'our' operations." He said leaning back in the chair. "We have no ability to protect 'our' people or 'our' businesses. All ended well this time but next time it might not."
Michael paused for a moment. "It's obvious to me that the ministry is not up to the task to properly enforce the law and protect its citizens. You yourself know the myriad of cost cutting measures they've been undergoing lately."
Nick agreed. 'It's true' he thought. His exposure in the last few years to the multitude of both low and mid-level ministry employees confirmed as much.
"So that's the main reason I wanted to speak with you today." Michael continued leaning forward closer to Nick.
"I'm going to start a security force and I was wondering if any of your boys would be interested in joining." he finished.
Nick didn't respond right away but eventually he nodded. He knew after the attack folks some were angry, they wanted security.
Michael smiled.
Scene Break
Cato, from his seat on the modern styled L shaped couch in the Miercuri estate living room, watched Darrow ravenously eat a BigMac and loudly slurp a supersized Sprite.
"Please with the performance two nights ago?" he asked the deity.
Darrow took another slurp of the Sprite.
"Worth every penny. We should have done this earlier." He responded.
Cato snorted.
"Admittedly I had fun." He said. "Though I would prefer we keep it only a need to basis." He paused as Darrow took another bite.
"From what Nick reported, you went a bit of script. Almost lost yourself again?" he asked.
"I had it under control." Darrow replied.
"Did you now?" Cato asked almost dismissively. "What happened?"
Darrow frowned and took another sip of the oversized drink.
"The muggles they were torturing them, don't quite remember that from the movies, it riled me up."
Cato only looked at him, expression not betraying any emotion or thought.
"You said it yourself there will always be differences, you can't predict everything. Yet for something like this you should have been well prepared. You're Occlumency training should have-"
"I know. I know." Darrow said after he swallowed before he could continue Cato interrupted him, the tone was higher and more concerned than before.
"You left yourself open!" The mind master said strongly. "Nick said you weren't aware of your surroundings."
Darrow looked at him for a moment. "Through the water I was-"
"Focused on the attacking group of wizards and nowhere else." Cato said calmly and resolutely. "You indulged in your baser instincts." He continued rapidly leaving no room for argument.
"Is that what you're going to do when you have millions, no Billions at you command?" he asked flatly.
They both sat in silence pondering for a few moments.
"You're right. I could try to sneak in a few sessions during the school year. It's more productive to practice with you than on my own." Darrow said.
"It will cost you triple." Cato replied in the same flat indifferent tone.
"I can afford it." Darrow said smugly.
Cato rolled his eyes. "That's not the point. Control is." He paused and watched Darrow as he swallowed the last bite of the burger.
"Still all things considered your progress is…excellent. And I think your goal will also be achieved. They will be much more…malleable now." Cato said with a small smirk.
Darrow nodded as he slurped the last bit of Sprite.
"As for the next school year are you sure you want to go with your plan? It will bring a lot of attention." Cato asked.
Darrow stood up, stretched and let out a loud burp. Cato frowned at his manners.
"Yea it's time. And like you said it need to practice control in real situations."
"So Tri-Wizard tournament?" Cato said.
Darrow smiled.
"Tri-Wizard Tournament!"
AN:
Thank you all for your suggestions. I will see what fits with the story and what doesn't. Feel free to keep them coming. Not only I might use them but you might open my eyes up to new movies/TV shows I never knew about.
Thank you for reading.
