Silence can be many things.
Blissful, powerful, uncomfortable, unnerving, to say a few. Pure unadulterated silence can be deafening. But if you're alone in a restaurant well into the night, surrounded by a mob of wizards who have very, very, valid reasons to hate you, and your Healer told you not to use magic? Silence is terrifying.
Ezekiel looked around, something he wouldn't have to do if he had paid attention when he entered the building.
Not now, he thought. Get out first, tell yourself you're an idiot later.
The layout was simple. Upon entering the building one could see the dining room. Tables and chairs in the middle, booths on one side and a bar at the other. A pair of swinging doors could be seen at the back, leading to the kitchen.
Ezekiel was almost in the middle of the room. He knew the kitchen must have some exit outside and under normal circumstances he'd already be on his feet on his way there. These weren't normal circumstances.
He had spent all the magic he had as the Royal Command forced him to stand and walk all day. His little talk allowed him to rest a bit but what little magic he had right now wouldn't fill a teaspoon. It was a good thing then, this was all the Black Magic needed to fix his legs. Another good thing was that he wouldn't be able to feel his legs for a while after healing. Problem number one was he was too tired to make a run for it. Problem number two, he was all out of magic and he was really going to need it.
Still, as long as nobody did anything stupid...
"Bombarda Maxima!" A voice sounded from the mob outside.
Fuck.
A large, violent explosion shook the building. Ezekiel threw himself to the floor, covering his head from the shower of glass. He could feel the shards embedding in his skin as he clenched his teeth hoping the structure would hold. A ringing in his ear blocked all sound but as soon as he felt the floor stopped moving Ezekiel began crawling towards the kitchen. The only thing preventing the angry mob from finding him was a thick cloud of dust. That and the small hope the group remembered there were other people in the restaurant besides him. If they were part of the same group that might buy him more time, or at least decrease the number of people looking for him. Hopefully.
The ringing vanished slowly, not fast enough to tell what the mob was saying but enough to tell they were arguing. The dust hadn't cleared yet, which would be good if he wanted to speed up the pace. Ignoring the broken glass and splinters from the chairs and tables, that is. Sadly, beggars can't be choosers. He couldn't even waste time wiping his eyes, just aim for the back and hope to bump against the wall as close to the kitchen door as possible.
A scream sounded and Ezekiel felt the dust vanishing. Guess they remember they're wizards, Ezekiel thought. He blinked as his vision cleared and found himself surrounded by broken tables, so he dragged himself behind one. Not fast enough, it seemed, as more shouts rose up and more explosions, fire and slashes struck near him. Running wasn't an option, his legs were too numb and chances were he'd end up tripping. Then again, getting up and just walking wasn't all much of an improvement given the whole 'no magic' thing. He knew he was gonna have to use it and that would be another problem, but he needed to get to the kitchen first.
Sighting in defeat, Ezekiel lifted himself and walked towards the door. The barrage of spells didn't take long, although the mob had seemingly changed their minds. Sure, he could feel cuts across his back which the Black Magic numbed but no more explosions came up. If the red flashes weren't an hallucination, they were now trying to stun him. Lucky for him, years of being torn apart and back again, even if he didn't feel the last part, had given him a high pain threshold. He felt the cuts on his back, stumbled a few times from what he imagined were hits to his legs. He had to imagine it since the Black Magic was trying to squeeze magic from his dry core. This was a condition known in the magic community as 'depletion fatigue', which could lead to death if not treated. The symptoms were: dizziness, headaches and dehydration. Each one Ezekiel felt like a freight train.
The group seemed to realize how pointless this was and switched to stronger spells. One of the hits was enough to send him flying through the doors and into the kitchen, slamming him into a working table. Ezekiel heard a hissing noise and realized it wasn't a table but a hot plate and that his right hand was full of blisters. He also realized he was missing his left arm almost up to his shoulder. And a few small chunks from his back.
The Black Magic screamed as it tried and failed to heal him, but he stopped it. He only had an inch of magic left in his body and on Morgana's name he was gonna make it count.
Ezekiel looked around, searching for his target. Focusing was becoming increasingly more difficult, shapes and colours blurred together. He knew what he was looking for, the shape and hopefully it's colour. Flour, he needed flour. Finding it, touch it, smell it. Curse it. But that would have to wait until he found it. The kitchen had cupboards on the wall further from the kitchen, near them he could see the green sign of the exit.
Ezekiel could hear his pursuers closing in and he knew there was no way he'd escape them. Yet, he had to try. He began dragging himself across the floor when a very familiar smell hit his nose and he felt stickiness in his remaining hand. Ezekiel followed the trail of blood until an old man, lying on his side. He wore what used to be a white chef's uniform, now dyed crimson red from several pieces of metal piercing his chest. His chest still moved, valiantly clinging to life but Ezekiel knew he was done. The man opened his eyes and looked into Ezekiel's who tried to say how sorry he was. For what happened, for what he was about to do. But he had no such chance as the man's face turned to horror and Ezekiel realized he wasn't wearing sunglasses anymore. The old man's chest stopped moving and Ezekiel saw the light fading from his eyes. Ezekiel's hand moved before he realized what he was doing, drawing sigils with the blood.
No reason to waste the last moments of a dull life, said the cold part of his mind, not when it can finally serve a higher purpose. Ezekiel swore he could hear the Black Magic giggling like a schoolgirl behind his eyes. Some days he truly hated himself.
The magic worked as the man gave his last breath and the blood flashed faintly. The thing about blood magic is, the fresher the sacrifice, the more powerful the result will be. Younger and healthy sacrifices, sons or daughters of Noble Houses were amongst the best. One old man with one foot on the Other Side was hardly worth much.
The doors slammed open as a group of men rushed in and Ezekiel got a good look at their faces. Hate, horror, revulsion, fear. They pointed their wands as Ezekiel watched, gathering his strength to stand up and not step on the sigils. He gave his back on them as the group screamed at him, cursing him, his family and all the other Dark wizards. The screams grew as he leaned on a table to help himself stand and the group finally fired their spells. A part of Ezekiel would've loved to see their faces as the Blood Ward activated, protecting him. Not like the one Dumbledore had used - and gotten away with it - but the real deal. Anyone who tried to cross it would be liquified and their blood, their strength added to the Ward. A few did try, hot-headed and blinded to see what was literally in front of them. He heard them die, but didn't turn. On the other side of the room, in a pretty white package, was what he was looking for. Ezekiel moved slowly, his right leg limping, while Ward still held strong. The package seemed intact from away but upon closer inspection Ezekiel saw small cuts and leaks. He held his hand beneath it and felt it's smoothness on his palm, rubbing it between his fingers. The Ward began cracking as Ezekiel turned, taking the flour to his nose. Closing his eyes as he smelled it, Ezekiel gathered what remained of his magic.
"Geminio" Ezekiel whispered as he threw it forward.
The doubling charm did it's work, the flour turned into a mist advancing towards his pursuers. And to the hot plate. Ezekiel didn't wait to see the explosion, instead turning and exiting the building. Ezekiel didn't bother to speed up his pace - not that he could - walking leisurely towards the corner when he heard a sound. A cry, an angry yet musical sound which even his ringing ears could hear. Ezekiel turned, looking for the source of such sound when he was brutally tackled and apparated before he touched the ground.
"I checked everywhere, he wasn't there." Dora said, tripping her feet as she exited the fireplace.
The family was reunited in her parent's living room. Her father was sitting on one side of the couch, looking after Harry. Harry was the middle, exhausted after yelling at Andromeda for leaving Ezekiel behind, now refusing to look at her. Her mother was at the end of the couch, dirty and exhausted.
"Do you think they took him?" Ted asked.
"I don't think so." Dora replied. "I saw the people who were after you. Or those who survived, anyway. Zeke used something really Dark on them."
"Maybe he's at his house?" Ted asked.
"No, I already checked." Dora shook her head. "Wherever he is, Kreacher said he can't find him. He was too weak, he's not receiving magic from Zeke."
"We shouldn't have left him." Harry muttered, his throat sore from yelling.
"Not this again." Andromeda whispered, rubbing her temple. "Harry, I told you. Ezekiel was too hurt to apparate."
"Then we shouldn't have left him!" Harry angrily said.
"And what would you have done?" Andromeda replied, sighting. "I haven't had a duel in my life, you could level a building for all we know and have us all killed. Neither of us were of any use. Leaving wasn't the best choice, it was the only we had."
"And what about Ezekiel?" Harry asked standing up.
"Harry.. sit down, please." Andromeda said, gesturing at the couch. "There's something we need to tell you."
"Bu-!"
"Harry." Andromeda stopped him and gestured again. "Please."
Harry looked around, trying to get some support but Dora and Ted were looking away, as if they were ashamed. He sat down slowly as Andromeda shifted so she could face him.
"Harry, there's something we haven't told you about Ezekiel." Andromeda said, taking one of his hands.
"He already told me everything." Harry said, trying to get his hand free, but she didn't let him. "He told me he's Dark, about the things his family did."
"Some." Andromeda corrected him "He has told you about some of the things the Black family has done. And I'm sure he'll tell you the rest when you're ready for it, when you're older. But right now there's something I need you to know. About him."
"He told me he did things..." Harry muttered, nervous.
"Yes, he did things. Bad things." Andromeda nodded nervously. "He had a teacher, the man who raised him. His grandfather. Orion. Orion Black."
"What happened to his dad?" Harry asked.
"DON'T-!" Andromeda, Dora and Ted almost screamed at the same time before stopping themselves.
"Ezekiel's father..." Ted finally said. "He's dead. That's all we'll tell you and please don't ask anything else. It's a very personal thing for Ezekiel."
"Okay." Harry meekly said.
"He's not important." Andromeda said getting back to the topic. "Now, his grandfather, Orion. He was a very, very, very, Dark wizard."
"Was he like Voldemort?"
"No, not like him." Andromeda replied. "He thought a lot like him, I'm sure of that, but Orion was a different kind of Dark."
"Are you okay?" Harry asked, concerned. "You look a bit pale."
"I'm fine, sweety." Andromeda said smiling nervously. "But what you need to understand is that while Orion wasn't as famous as Voldemort, he was just as bad. Just in different ways. And... he thought those ways to Ezekiel. Now, Ezekiel is a good man." Andromeda said, raising her hand to stop him. "But when he was young - almost as you are - he already knew many things."
Harry tried to swallow but his throat was dry.
"People began to notice that Ezekiel knew those things." Andromeda continued. "And Orion was very proud of him, so much that even I heard of him. They called him 'Orion's pride', as if it were a title, like Lord Voldemort'." Harry's eyes widened after hearing this. "Many were expecting he'd be named his successor - Orion's I mean."
"It freaked out some people, but he really changed." Dora said, interrupting.
"Yes, you're right." Andromeda replied, turning to her before facing Harry again. "What I mean is, Ezekiel has known and practiced magic from a very young age. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Harry nodded slowly, processing the new information.
"So just because we don't know where he is, it doesn't mean he's in danger." Andromeda said. "So for the moment, you'll have to believe in me. Ezekiel is probably fine."
"Get up!"
SLAP!
"Come on, get up you bastard!"
SLAP!
"Don't you dare to die!"
SLAP!
Ezekiel groaned, the right side of his face throbbing in pain. He readied himself for another slap but it never came, instead he felt a pair of hands grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. He opened his eyes and found the desperate face of Remus Lupin staring back.
"Remus." Ezekiel said almost in a happy tone. "It's been ages, how have you been?"
"Where is he?" Lupin asked, his grip tightening.
"Who, my cousin?" Ezekiel replied innocently. "At home, sleeping I figure..."
SLAP! The hit cut off any though he had on his mind.
"Where's Harry?" Lupin asked, enraged. "Tell me where he is!"
Ezekiel didn't answer as the hit had left him a bit stunned but Lupin took it as mockery and grabbed him by the neck.
"ANSWER ME!" Lupin roared as he lifted Ezekiel to his face.
Ezekiel closed his eyes and whispered but his voice was too low and Lupin couldn't hear him. He lowered himself to hear better and just as his ear was near Ezekiel's face, he jumped to bite him. Lupin reacted quickly, getting out of reach as he punched him in the face.
"You thought you'd kill me, a few days away from the full moon?" Lupin asked in disbelief. "Does your arrogance have a limit?"
"Now you sound just like my cousin." Ezekiel said, blinking slowly.
"You need to tell me where Harry is, now!"
"And then what?" Ezekiel replied. "You'll take him away from a family who loves him so he can starve with you? We already had this conversation, Remus."
"This isn't a conversation." Lupin spat. "Do you have any idea what I've done, who I've betrayed?"
"Albus Dumbledore, I imagine?"
"You can't protect Harry, not from him." Lupin said nervously. "Do you know how long it took him to gather that mob? How little he had to convince them to ignore the Statute of Secrecy and attack you?He didn't even have to do it personally, he had one of his people spread a rumor."
"I wonder who that person could be." Ezekiel replied eyeing him.
"I saved you, Black." Lupin said, pointing at him. "Do you know what I saved you from? That was Dumbledore's phoenix. If it had gotten you, you'd be in Hogwarts this moment."
"And for that, I thank you." Ezekiel sighted.
"Yes, thank me." Lupin replied. "But it also means you owe me and I know my reward. Give. Me. Harry."
"I don't think that's how debts go, Remus." Ezekiel replied sitting up on the floor.
"I saved your life, Black." Remus replied. "That means you owe me and if you don't comply I can have your magic. I could do it right here, right now. Look at you, you're a mess. Missing an arm. I wonder what would happen if suddenly all that magic holding you together disappeared."
"Oh, dear me, how have the tables turned...If only you weren't one of the people who instigated the mob who came for my head. And my aunt's, probably. Oh, yes, and Harry's too. " Ezekiel mocked him. " I owe you nothing, Remus Lupin. And yes, I'm willing to bet my life on it. So go on, make your claim. I don't think we could go to Gringotts and check if the debt is real. I assume you know the penalty for a false claim?"
"Death." Lupin replied, hanging his head.
Ezekiel studied the man in front of him. Still skinny. His clothes clearly were not made for someone his size and smelled dusty. He gently tapped his finger on the floor as he watched Lupin walking around, falling further into despair.
He realized he was in a room, probably a condemned building by the decay of the walls. A bit of a recurring theme, abandoned buildings.
"Why did you choose this place, Remus?" Ezekiel asked.
"What?" Lupin asked confused, stopping on his tracks.
"This place." Ezekiel replied, tapping the floor with his hand. "It seems we're somewhere away from crowds. You've clearly planned to bring me to a place you could keep me under control. Why not a back room, somewhere with Muggles close enough to stop me from using magic?"
"And risk some Muggle catching me apparating?" Lupin replied as if it were obvious.
"You could've locked the door with magic. Muggles would think the lock is broken." Ezekiel said, studying his face. "Sure, they can call a locksmith but who knows how long it'd take for it to arrive. What is this place, a house, a fabric perhaps?"
"What does it matter to you?" Lupin replied tired. "You can't use magic right now, you can barely sit straight."
"True, very true." Ezekiel replied, nodding. "But did you notice how articulate I've been for the last couple of minutes?"
"You're... healing." Lupin realized, pointing his wand at Ezekiel.
"Relax, Remus." Ezekiel said, raising his hand in surrender. "You're right, I can't even stand." Remus sighed in relief before Ezekiel continued. "Barely able to move a finger, see?"
Ezekiel pointed his index finger at Lupin as if it were a gun. Lupin was caught by surprise when Ezekiel's four elves appeared out of thin air and launched themselves at him. His surprise was double given the elves didn't bother to change their appearance. Remus was fast enough to get out of the way but the elves were relentless. Ezekiel watched as Remus could only evade by hair's breadth the creatures' fangs and claws.
"Kreacher." Ezekiel called to the oldest elf, who helped him get back on his feet.
"Master, shall we kill him?" Kreacher eagerly asked.
"No, not yet." Ezekiel replied, leaning on the elf to keep his balance. "He has something I need. Help me get to him."
"I exist to serve you, Master." Kreacher replied as he acted as a cane for Ezekiel.
The pair made their way towards the fight when two elves were thrown through a wall by a spell. Lupin was trying to get rid of the last one who was clinging to his back, scratching and biting with little success.
"This wizard is different, Master." Kreacher noted.
"That's a werewolf." Ezekiel replied. "Last time I got him unconscious for a couple of minutes by shooting him in the head. I suspect we're closer to the full moon?"
"In two days, Master." Kreacher informed as the other two elves reappeared through the hole in the wall and charged again. "Would the Master's gun work this time?"
"No, I don't think so." Ezekiel sighted. "No, what we need in this case is something more... blunt."
Kreacher didn't have time to ask when a red metallic fireball crashed through a wall, heading directly towards Lupin. The elves fighting him apparated away, leaving him defenseless when the car rammed him. The impact was strong enough to send Lupin flying across the room. Ezekiel watched as Lupin rolled like a ragdoll, only to get back up again a moment later. Lupin for his part didn't find respite, after the car hit him the elves returned.
"Get his wand." Lupin could hear Ezekiel in the back.
Now with a clear target, the elves resumed their attack. Lupin fought them off as much as he could but the moment he got them off him, the car rammed him again. And again, and again. Each time it took him longer to get back on his feet. Each time his muscles flared with pain just a bit more before the curse healed him. Until he couldn't fight anymore and he laid on the ground with his eyes closed, waiting for his chance.
"He's faking it, Master." Lupin heard the elf say.
"I know, Kreacher." Ezekiel replied indifferently before turning to his car. "Park on his head, I'll let you know when to stop."
Remus didn't know what would be of him when he woke up. He had already been at the mercy of Lord Black once and this time he had reasons to hate him. His eyes hurt when he tried to open them, not because of the punches and scratches but from the light in the room. It also didn't feel like the stone floor of the basement, this time it felt firm yet soft under him. Strangely enough, he could feel something covering him. Soft and gentle to the touch.
"Kreacher knows you're awake, wolfman." A cold voice sounded.
Lupin opened his eyes and found himself in a bedroom. A very high-class bedroom in which bed he was currently resting.
"Where am I?" Remus asked, confused.
"In a place far above you, you filthy runt." The elf replied from the doorway, carrying a set of clothes Remus recognized as his.
He quickly looked downwards and found he was wearing a pyjama made of a silk of some sorts, so smooth he could barely feel it. Might as well be naked, he thought.
"The master calls you to his table, cur." The elf said, tossing Remus his clothes.
The elf. Could such a thing even be called an elf?, Remus asked himself as he examined the creature from the bed.
"Where am I?" Remus asked again.
"In a place your kind can only dream to be." Kreacher spat.
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me where I am." Remus replied annoyed.
Kreacher's body shook with rage but the elf didn't move.
"You can't hurt me, can you?" Remus asked.
"No, but I can help you get ready to meet the Master, you filth." The elf, Kreacher, said, showing off his claws. "Now don't keep him waiting, he's in the dining room on the first floor."
The elf left the room, leaving Remus to change. He hadn't realized just how big the building was. Then again, he had spent his first time in the basement. He was now on the third floor of the house, not the type of home he'd expected from a Dark wizard.
The elf guided Remus downstairs and towards the dining room. Even without his heightened senses, he could smell the mouth-watering of the food coming out of the room. He saw Ezekiel Black as soon as he entered the room. He was sitting at the table, wearing a similar pyjama as Remus, while one of the elves cut his meal in bite-size.
"Remus, you're awake!" Ezekiel greeted him cordially. "Sleep well, I hope?"
"You parked a car on my head." Remus replied through his teeth.
"Yes, a rather unfortunate event but I think you'll agree it was necessary." Ezekiel replied, gesturing at the table.. "But please, sit down, have some breakfast. You'll need it, especially for tonight. Please, eat as much as you want. We'll be having a continental breakfast today."
Remus stared at the feast in front of him before switching back to Ezekiel.
"I can get you a bowl if it makes you feel more comfortable." Ezekiel offered.
"What are you planning?" Remus asked, not buying his cheerful facade for a moment.
"I'll get to that, I promise." Ezekiel replied, offering a seat. "Please, do sit." Remus sat but refrained from eating.
"Why haven't you killed me?" Remus asked.
"Why would I?" Ezekiel said as he started eating his food. " You're simply not worth the effort." Remus stared at him as the elves fed him and wiped his face. "Now, keeping you alive does have it's benefits."
"Benefits?" Remus asked, confused.
"Not that many." Ezekiel replied, nodding. "Could you keep what I'm about to tell you between you and I?"
"Do I have a choice?" Remus asked, defeated.
"A few." Ezekiel replied. "You're right, by the way. Not in the whole 'being bad for Harry' thing, that one I have it covered. I do need help, you see."
"Nobody in their right mind would lift a finger for you."
"Oh, that's just because of all the things people say about me." Ezekiel dismissed it. "I wouldn't give them much credit. Most of it it's propaganda."
"Propaganda?" Remus replied dryly. "What about India, was that propaganda?"
"Okay, I'm not that bad." Ezekiel shrugged. "The problem is I'm not in a business with many opportunities to show how nice I am. That's the hurt business. So right now, I'm all about time. I need to optimize what I can do with it. And this will slow me down quite a bit." Ezekiel said showing the stomp which used to be his arm.
"And why on earth would I ever help you?" Remus asked.
"Because you wouldn't be helping me, you'd be helping Harry." Ezekiel replied. "I possess resources far greater than most mages in England. I intend to use those resources to help Harry."
"And why would you do that?" Remus asked. "What is it that you want?"
Ezekiel looked at Remus amused before replying. "Remus, there's nothing I could desire I can't get on my own. No, this has nothing to do with what I can get from Harry. In fact, it's about what Harry has given me."
"What did he gave you?" Remus replied confused.
"It might be a surprise to you Remus, but I'm not as free as you'd think." Ezekiel replied. "And yet I was convinced I was happy or at least content with my position. You weren't wrong when you called me a monster because that's what I've been. A monster - and a very loyal monster indeed - but no more."
"Loyal to whom?" Remus asked, fearing the answer.
"Why the Crown of England, of course." Ezekiel smiled. "Who else would have such power? A power they don't truly understand nor they try to. They also have power over Harry, as the last of his Noble House. You were friends with his father, did he ever tell you about this?"
"James never spoke about family matters." Remus replied.
"Well, I'll give you the short version later." Ezekiel rose from his chair and approached Remus. "Not even you can go against the Crown, Remus."
"But you can?" Remus replied amused. "When they hold your leash?"
"I can, I have." Ezekiel said, placing his remaining arm around Remus' shoulders and guiding him to the table. "In a few days, the Crown's influence on England will be a thing of the past."
"And you did that?" Remus replied incredulously, as he sat at the table. "You, who yesterday couldn't walk on your own?"
"Why, yes." Ezekiel replied happily. "Although I did have a little help from you. It was quite the experience, honestly. Like switching the blood in my veins for lightning, even if it was only for a night. The feeling has now all but vanished but I suspect I'll be experiencing the same symptoms tonight.
"What are you talking about?" Remus asked confused while Ezekiel sat down in front of him and gestured at Remus' arm while the elves fed him again. Remus inspected his arms but found nothing unusual. Not that he would, not so close to... Remus' eyes widened as he examined the man across the table. Last night Ezekiel Black was burned, beaten and missing an arm. Right now, the young man in front of him looked completely healed, minus the arm which was still missing. "You... drank my blood?"
"Desperate times call for desperate measures. I'd never be able to fully heal myself until my body did. I'm counting on the window between the ingestion and the infection so blood's new properties speed up my healing. Starting tonight, I'll have twenty-nine days to get my body back in shape a-"
"Why?" Remus cut him off, desolated.
"I just told you, Remus." Ezekiel replied, annoyed by the interruption. "I need to heal. Now-"
"YOU DID WHAT!?" A scream interrupted them. Both men turned to find an irated Andromeda, a shocked Dora, Ted and Harry.
"Oh, bugger." Ezekiel muttered. "Morning?"
"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Andromeda said in a dangerously low tone.
"How much did you hear?" Ezekiel sheepishly asked.
"Enough." Andromeda replied, grabbing him by the ear, "Do you have any idea what you've done to yourself?"
"Ouch, ouch, yes I know."
"Son, please tell me it was a joke." Ted implored.
Harry was shifting between Ezekiel and Remus, not sure what to say.
Dora, for her part, had turned scarlet and Ezekiel could see her winding up to punch him.
"Look." Ezekiel said, holding his hand in defeat.
"What happened to your arm?" Harry asked, much to Ezekiel's dismay.
"This?" Ezekiel replied, hiding the stomp. "No big deal, I'll fix it by next month. It's just a scra-fucking hell!" He screamed as Andromeda further twisted his ear.
"Andi!" Ted exclaimed, surprised.
"Twist harder, Mum." Dora deadpanned.
"It's not going to matter." Remus said dejected. "Don't you understand you've cursed yourself with my blood."
"I can heal that too!" Ezekiel screamed as he squirmed in his chair. "Andi for fu-aaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Next month?" Andromeda asked, her hand still twisting Ezekiel's ear. "And what happens next month, eh?"
"Walpurgis Night." Dora answered. "The moron wants to make a ritual during Walpurgis Night."
"And he can heal the werewolf curse just like that?" Remus asked full of hope.
"Zeke?" Dora asked as her mother twisted his ear even further. "The werewolf -Sorry, Remus - you kidnapped asked a question."
"No, it's just me-aaah! For Morgana's grace Andi, I need to be in good shape for the ritual!"
Remus deflated on the chair, defeated. "Of course."
"Don't take it to heart." Dora said sympathetically to Remus. "Even if there was a ritual you could use, nothing says you'd survive it."
"Meaning you wouldn't survive it either." Andromeda said, finally releasing Ezekiel's ear and sitting at the table.
"Just for a bit." Ezekiel mumbled, rubbing his ear.
"If you survive that stupid, idiotic, plan of yours." Dora announced. "I'm knocking all your teeth out. And don't bother complaining because we all know you can just grow them back."
"Wha-? That's not fair, I'm the one who's taking all the risk here." Ezekiel replied. "Ted, tell her not to hit me!"
"Nymphadora, don't hit Ezekiel." Ted, his tone showed how tired he was of repeating the phrase over the years.
"How is this normal for all of you?" Remus asked, confused.
"Would you believe we used to be a normal family?" Dora replied, sitting next to her mother and began eating.
"For the love of... Kreacher, get dishes for everyone." Ezekiel said. The elves apparated in the room and setup the table for the newly arrivals. "Well then, eat up."
"What's your plan for the Crown?" Andromeda asked as she began filling up her plate.
"I sent a few letters, setup a meeting." Ezekiel happily replied. "Nothing illegal, by the way."
"But nothing you can share either." Ted replied.
"Not with you, no." Ezekiel shook his head. "But Remus here could be of help."
"You mean of use." Dora replied.
"If he chooses to help me, that is." Ezekiel finished as if he hadn't heard her.
Everyone turned their gaze towards Remus, who stood up in anger.
"I'm not here to be an accessory of whatever plan you have, Black." Remus said, disgusted. "I'm here for Harry."
"Right, I forgot." Ezekiel replied, sarcasm dripping from his tone. "Harry, this is Remus Lupin. He's the man who chased you and Dora and has been trying to kidnap you ever since."
"That's not true!" Remus said. "Harry, I just want you to be safe."
"I am safe." Harry angrily replied. The small outburst caused a small wave, just strong enough to rock the table.
"Harry, that's enough." Ezekiel said. "I believe you two are owed a proper talk."
"You aren't going to leave those two alone, I hope?" Andromeda asked before taking a bite.
"Of course not." Ezekiel scoffed. "I mean that you two can talk now, after this meal I'm going to be a bit tired. Did you pick up the number to call the moron from the restaurant?"
"Here." Andromeda replied, handing him a piece of paper. "Dora already called using your voice, you don't have anything to do."
"Oh, thank you." Ezekiel said to Dora who ignored him as he ate. "I imagine he might've said some unsavory things, Dora. I'll promise you from this point forward, he'll no longer be an issue."
"Yeah, sure." Dora mumbled. "Just like all the other times you promised something."
"I'd be happy to give an Oath." Ezekiel replied smiling but his tone was dead serious. "But given my condition, all I ask you is to believe in me one more time. That man is no more and you'll never have to listen or think of him again, regardless of what Remus here decides."
The room fell silent after this, the only sound being of the cutlery. Eventually Remus began eating, something Ezekiel nodded happily in approval but nothing else happened.
"Why don't you tell us a little about you, Remus?" Andromeda asked while the elves took the now empty plates. "I heard you knew Harry's parents. At Hogwarts, I imagine?"
Remus began telling his story, how he had been bitten in retaliation to an insult his father had made against a werewolf. His struggles growing up and attending Hogwarts under the - at the time - compassionate guidance of Albus Dumbledore and the measures taken to prevent an incident. Meeting a group of people whom he'd grown to consider friends for life. Them discovering his secret and not only not leaving him but helping him, even to the point of becoming Animagi to keep him company during the worst nights.
"Lord Potter was an animagi?" Ezekiel asked with interest. "I don't recall ever reading about such a thing. His Houd would've proclaimed to everyone who would hear it. Especially if he managed to acquire the gift while he was at Hogwarts."
"Nobody knew I was a werewolf." Remus explained, looking at Harry. "James knew people would question why he and the rest tried such a dangerous ritual. He made them promise to keep the secret. They were my friends, even Lilly."
"And my uncle?..." Ezekiel asked tentatively.
"Yes, even Sirius." Remus reluctantly admitted.
"Aaand?..."
"And I now know he didn't betray us." Remus replied ashamed.
"And it also means I'm Harry's Magical Guardian." Ezekiel said with a smug smile plastered across his face.
"Ezekiel, that's enough." Andromeda said. "Mister Lupin, I understand you think you have Harry's best interest at heart and so do we. And you're right when you say we aren't in a good position."
"Then you need to give Harry to me." Remus pleaded. "I can take him away from here, away from the Ministry and Dumbledore."
"Remus." Ted replied. "Harry is here because he wants to be here. And even if he chooses to leave with you, where would you go? How would you support him? I don't mean to be rude but given your position, I don't think you're able to hold a job for too long..."
"I have some money stashed away." Remus replied. "Once we leave-"
"And that's another point." Ted cut him off. "Away where? And if you were away, how did you manage to enter the country? Last time I checked werewolves are still highly regulated about where they can go."
"Where were you?" Harry asked, speaking for the first time.
"I was away." Remus replied ashamed. "Dumbledore had me fetch something during the war and I had to leave the country. Once Voldemort was defeated I found they wouldn't allow me back into the country. Harry, I tried. You have to believe me. I did everything I could to get back but nobody would listen to me."
"Not even Dumbledore?" Harry replied sarcastically. "I wonder why would that be..." Remus winced, hurt by Harry's words but the boy continued. "And what were you looking for anyway? I bet it was important to leave my parents alone to fight Voldemort."
"Harry, enough." Ezekiel replied looking at Remus, who was shaking impotently in his seat.
"Why?" Harry asked, to everyone's surprise. "I want to know. If he was their friend then why did he leave?"
"He can't tell you, Harry." Ezekiel replied, turning to Harry. "Look at him, he must've been under an Oath."
"Like the one you took?" Harry asked.
"Apparently." Ezekiel replied nodding. "Look, I'm not telling you to just become best friends with him but give him a chance. You might think he was just playing around but there are worse things than living with your uncles."
"Your uncles?" Remus asked in shock. "You mean Lilly's sister? Dumbledore sent you with her?"
"And her husband and son." Dora replied. "You two can catch up later but first answer the question. How did you manage to get into the country?"
"Dumbledore's phoenix." Remus replied. "It can apparate people by burning itself. Took me from Portugal to Dumbledore's office in a second."
"And what did you do while you were away?" Dora asked.
"This and that." Remus replied. "Odd jobs, mostly. I took all I could get and held them for as long as I could."
"Doesn't sound like you had much money then." Ezekiel said.
"I have enough." Remus replied sternly.
"Enough for who, one grown-up man?" Ezekiel replied. "Remus, do you even know how much it takes to raise, to feed a child? In all honesty, I don't but that's because I have enough money not to worry about it."
"And you think just because you have money you are the better choice?" Remus asked.
"Remus, take an Oath not to divulge what I-we are about to tell you." Ezekiel replied. "Kreacher, give Remus his wand. It's time we put our cards on the table, don't you think?"
The explanation itself didn't take long. Convincing Remus of it being true was a whole different matter. He knew Lilly and her sister had issues but he never imagined somebody could be so vicious to a child. In the end Harry had to explain with details what a day with the Duddley's was for him. Unlike the other times, Ted andromeda and Dora noticed the room temperature hadn't changed a bit. Ezekiel was the image of self-control, which only increased their discomfort.
"Harry, I'm so sorry." Remus said griefing. "I swear to you, on my Magic, I tried everything I could think of to get back here. I wanted to be here for you." As he finished speaking, a golden glow surrounded him.
"He's telling the truth, Harry." Ezekiel said looking at Remus. "Well, that or he's about to fall dead... nope, he's telling the truth."
"I don't want to leave." Harry said, staring at Remus' eyes. "I'm happy here."
"And we are happy to have him." Andromeda said, grabbing his hand.
"So, I guess this leaves one question." Ezekiel said. "Would you help us, Remus?"
Remus looked at Ezekiel, studying his face before answering. "No, I won't help you. I'll help Harry."
"I must say you don't inspire much confidence, Remus." Ezekiel replied.
"After all you've said, now I don't inspire you confidence?" Remus asked, surprised.
"What can I say?" Ezekiel shrugged. "You changed your mind rather easily. How would I know you'll be faithful to Harry, that you won't hurt him or lie to him?"
"I'd never do that, he's the son of my friends!" Remus replied angry. "I'd never betray him!"
"So? What proof do I have that you'll keep your word?"
Harry looked around the table as the exchange took place. Ted looked at Ezekiel with disapproval, Dora was surprised by the sudden turn. Andromeda, for her part, studied the two men with interest, as if she knew something the rest ignored.
"You say Lily and Jame Potter were such good friends of yours, of how much they mean to you." Ezekiel continued. "But were they?"
"They were family to me!"
"Say then, if they were alive, would you swear to them you'd protect Harry?"
"Of course!" Remus replied angry, rising from his seat.
"Would you offer him protection, from others and yourself? Would you swear to honor him against all persons in good faith and without deceit?"
"Yes!" Remus said leaning over the table, close enough to jump at his throat.
"Yes, what?" Ezekiel asked unimpressed.
"YES, I SWEAR IT!" Remus shouted in anger, before another golden glow enveloped him
"Well, that's good enough for me." Ezekiel simply said, getting up from his seat. "We have an extra room in the house, Kreacher will help you move around."
"Wait!" Dora said getting with him and gesturing at Remus. "What was that?"
"That was an Oath of Fealty." Andromeda explained as Ted helped her to get up. "Not the most appropriate but given the circumstances..."
"What?" Remus, Dora and Harry asked in unison.
"I told you already, Remus." Ezekiel said. "I have no use for you. Just wanted to ensure you wouldn't try to do anything else to Harry."
"But I already told you I was going to help him!" Remus replied confused.
"And now I believe you!" Ezekiel replied before gesturing Harry to follow him. "Kreacher, Remus will be staying. Prepare the last room available."
"But sire!" Kreacher replied horrified. "The last room belongs to-"
"I didn't asked for your opinion, Kreacher." Ezekiel coldly replied as the elf disappeared. "Harry and I'll talk in my study, you can get get your staff in the mean time."
"Don't you have to key him into the barriers?" Ted asked.
"I did it while he was asleep." Ezekiel replied leaving the room.
The pair remained silent during their walk towards Ezekiel's study. While the rubble had been cleared, some books remained where they had fallen. Kreacher was able to sense thanks to his connection with Ezekiel which volumes were the ones protected and left them laying.
"I can't believe that lazy elf didn't even replaced the furniture." Ezekiel muttered before noticing Harry staring at the sleeve where his missing arm should be. "You know it's rude to stare, right?"
"Sorry." Harry said turning around and faced a wall.
"It's alright, I know how you can make it up to me."
"How?" Harry turned around curious.
"You can give me the knife you took from the table while I made Remus gave his Oath." Ezekiel replied reaching out to Harry. "Harry, I only got one arm and it gets tired really quick..."
Harry flinched before turning around and handing over a small silver knife.
"You know this is a butter knife, right?" Ezekiel laughed. "I mean, I know you're a very determined boy but even for you this is a bit much."
Harry's face grimace and Ezekiel sighted in defeat. Truth be told, he was running pretty low in compassion and understanding these days.
"Harry, none of this is your fa-"
"How can it not be my fault?" Harry interrupted him. "People are trying to kill you and Andi because of me."
"it's not the first time it happens, Harry." Ezekiel replied "And they aren't trying to kill us because of you."
"You got into a problem with the Crown because of me and they punished you!"
"No." Ezekiel replied. "I got in trouble with the Queen's son and he used whatever little power he has to get back at me. The man you saw at the restaurant? He made sure to attach himself to Charlie. So you can get off the cross now, this has nothing to do with you."
Aaaan he had officially ran out.
"Look." Ezekiel sighted. "Two weeks, it's all I ask for. Give me two weeks not a second more and the problems that afflict us will be no more. Just as I promised Dora, I make the same promise to you. I'm close, so close I can taste the freedom and Harry, I like it. A lot."
"And what about your arm?" Harry asked pointing at the stomp. "Can you really get it back?"
"Of course, Walpurgis Night is not so far away." Ezekiel replied. "By the time it comes I'll be healthy enough to do the ritual and come back good as new. Physically, at least. My core will still need some time to heal."
"What's Walpurgis Night?"
"It's one of the few days of the year Black Wizards get strong enough to practice different rituals." Ezekiel explained. "We don't have it as easy as the Light, they get stronger during spring and summer. The Dark has to get what we can get and be thankful for it."
"And what's the ritual about?"
"Nothing for a small child to know." Ezekiel replied as he began taking the books and placing them on the shelf. "Dark magic is too cold a companion. To heal with it is even colder."
"Okay." Harry finally said. "I won't do anything."
"That's what I wanted to hear." Ezekiel smiled. "Besides, what would your friend think if you died? What's her name again, Anna?..."
"Susan." Harry replied.
"That's right, Susan, sorry." Ezekiel snapped his fingers. "And her aunt, and Andi and the rest. You shouldn't be so ready to thrown away your life Harry, specially if you haven't lived yet. Give yourself time. It did get better, didn't it? The only thing that ruined it was Ian and he's not going to bother us much longer."
"What are you gonna do to him?" Harry asked curious.
"He, Charlie and the Queen are a bit too much for me to handle." Ezekiel replied. "But even they respond to a higher power, even if they think they don't."
"Higher than the Queen?"
"Yep, and I made lunch reservations with it." Ezekiel nodded before a piece of paper caught his attention. "I forgot this was here, I've been meaning to frame it for years."
"What is it?" Harry asked trying to take a peek.
"It's a letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury." Ezekiel said passing him the paper. "It says that in the case of my death, I'm banned from being buried in any sanctified ground in the United Kingdom. Not to brag but I'm the only man in the country who has one of these."
"What an honor." Harry deadpanned as he read the letter.
"You're starting to talk back a bit, Harry." Ezekiel said impressed.
"Sorry." Harry meekly replied handing back the letter.
"Don't be." Ezekiel replied storing the piece of paper. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, so long as you know which lines not to cross. I guess Dora must be rubbing off on you."
"I guess." Harry replied smiling.
"Personally, I can't think of a better role model." Ezekiel said as he finished with the books. "Just don't do that stupid thing she does with the beer bottles."
"Huh?"
"She cleans them up, uses them to store potions in them and puts them on her fridge. I don't know if I should call the Ministry or a bomb squad."
"That's why she had all those bottles?" Harry asked amused.
"Well, that and she can drink as much as she likes without getting drunk." Ezekiel said bending down and picking up a battered silk top-hat. "Ah, Rose."
"Who?"
"Nobody important." Ezekiel replied placing the hat on top of Harry's head before tossing it aside. "Hmm, not a bad look actually but let's wait until you're done growing up."
"And what happens now?" Harry asked as they walked towards the door.
"Business as usual." Ezekiel replied. "I'll go back to work, you go back to school and we try to look for a wood for your wand."
"Do you think you can get it?"
"No idea." Ezekiel replied honestly. "But we'll never know unless we try."
"And what about your work?" Harry asked worried.
"My work? They love me there!"
"Auror Black, to my office NOW!" Madam Bones called him as soon as he left the elevator.
The floor fell silent as she called him. Ezekiel sauntered his way towards her office, taking time to see the faces of his colleagues. Dora had arrived earlier than him, mostly to avoid this exact situation. He entered the room and close the door, ignoring the burning sensation of Madam Bones' eyes on the back of his skull.
It had been a rather interesting morning trip. People were either avoiding to look at him or staring at the empty sleeve of his jacket, carefully placed inside his jacket's pocket. Amelia Bones belonged to the second group, albeit she at least tried to be polite about it.
"Madam Bones, may I say what a pleasure it's to see you again?" Ezekiel said. "I must apologize, I forgot to bring you a souvenir for my trip."
"It's fine, Auror Black." Bones replied in a disturbingly sweet tone. She sat behind her desk and gestured at the chair across her. "I know how you can make it up to me."
"Really?" Ezekiel asked as he sat. "Then by all means, do tell."
"The family of Aditya Kaur, a wizard from India, has made a request."
"Oh, and what are asking?"
"They found his skin about a week ago." Bones tone turned icily. "They are asking you to give them back the rest so they can have a funeral."
"I knew the name rang a bell." Ezekiel said tapping his chin.
"Well, where is it?" Bones asked impatient.
"Hard to tell, honestly."
"You lost it?!"
"Let's be fair, ma'am." Ezekiel replied raising his hand. "We're talking two hundred and six bones, five feet of large intestine and twenty of small. Not to mention blood and the least is said about the nervous system... it's a bit tad hard to keep track where everything is."
"Not really, no." Bones deadpanned. " Not when everything is where it's supposed to be."
"In any case, you can assure Ms Kaur her husband is dead. Properly, this time" Ezekiel replied.
"Do I even want to know what it means?"
"That depends."
"On...?"
"Did you had breakfast this morning?"
"Forget it." Bones sighted in exasperation. "What happened to your arm?"
"Lost it."
"Could you pretend you're not a five year old and answer the question?" Bones replied annoyed.
"I am replying to your question, Ma'am." Ezekiel replied. "I had it one day, the next it was gone."
"And if I where to ask to the police if they found an arm in that explosion downtown, what would they tell me?"
"I'm afraid I wouldn't know, Madam Bones." Ezekiel replied. "I'm not well versed in interoffice relations."
"Will this injury affect your performance at work?" Bones asked. "I could give you a medical leave if you need it."
"That's quite generous, Madam." Ezekiel replied smiling kindly. "But i don't think I'll have much trouble at the Archive."
"And what about the rest of your obligations?" Bones.
"I appreciate your concern, Madam Bones, but I assure you I'm in perfect shape for all of my duties." Ezekiel replied smiling.
"Good to hear." Bones replied, sighting in relief. "You caused quite a commotion with your little world tour."
"I apologize for any complication my absence might've caused you, Madam Bones." Ezekiel said. "I assure you it wasn't my idea."
"As long as you're done I'll be happy." Bones replied, resting on the back of her chair. "It'll be a relief to tell the rest of the world you aren't trying to conquer it."
"Conquer the world?" Ezekiel laughed. "What on earth would I do with it? I'm too lazy for that sort of thing, anyway."
"Happy to hear that." Bones said. "And I also hope not to read about your activities in the newspaper from now on."
"I wasn't aware the Prophet published about other countries." Ezekiel said curious.
"Not usually, besides the international section." Bones replied hashly. "But when a number of witches, wizards and the like begin dying for no apparent cause it tends to draw attention."
"Noted." Ezekiel said, nodding. "I assure you, you won't be reading from me in the Prophet anymore."
"It's all I can ask, it seems." Bones said."And about the Archive, there's been a recent addition to it. The Minister has decided to create the position of Supervisor."
"I hope it comes with a raise." Ezekiel joked.
"If it does, you won't enjoy it." Bones replied. "They gave the position to Albert Runcorn, ever heard of him?"
"No, can't say I have." Ezekiel shook his head. "And when was this new position made?"
"A few days after your return to England was discovered." Bones replied. "He's yet to report to his position but I'd imagine you'll be meeting him sooner rather than later."
"Thank you for the heads up, Madam Bones."
"No need, Auror Black." Bones said pointing at the door. "Now get out and try not to kill anybody until the end of the week."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Albert Runcorn turned out to be quite the man. More than six feet tall, and powerfully built, with a black beard, the man was quite intimidating by looks alone. The Archive looked even smaller as he was unable to turn around without knocking something. Ezekiel found him sitting at what used to be his desk and glancing through some papers.
"You are Ezekiel Black." Runcorn said with a gravelly voice.
"You forgot the 'Lord' somewhere but yes, I am." Ezekiel replied.
"Insubordination won't be tolerated in this department, Black." Runcorn replied, getting up from his chair and towering over Ezekiel. "You've been allowed much leniency by that woman but it ends here. If you can't behave in your role, you'll be dismissed."
"I apologize, sir." Ezekiel asked, not showing how ticked he was. "I'm still suffering from jetlag."
"I don't care about your excuses, Black." Runcorn replied. "Now get to work."
"Right away, sir." Ezekiel replied, standing straight. "But if I may, could I ask you one last thing?"
"What?"
"When you say 'that woman', who are you referring to, sir?" Ezekiel asked calmly.
"You know very well that incompetent of Bones won't cover for you, Black." Runcorn snarled. "Now don't waste any more of my time."
"Right away, sir." Ezekiel happily replied. He stopped for a second as he saw Runcorn scratch the back of his neck. Well, thought Ezequiel, don't say he wasn't loyal. "Oh, don't worry about the rush, sir. It's just a small side effect but the counter-curse will take effect shortly."
"What curse?" Runcorn asked.
"Well, the curse that prevents people from taking documents from the Archive, sir." Ezekiel happily replied. "It's nothing serious, just a cough or a rush but if you leave without having it treated it'll become infected. Then it becomes quite serious. The counter-curse will take care of it in a minute, I remem-"
"Counter-curse, what are you talking about?" Runcorn interrupted him.
"The counter-curse." Ezekiel repeated patiently. "Even Madam Bones had it applied, it's like being keyed into a ward. You need to have it applied twenty-four hours before starting the job. Weren't you told about it?"
"Stop lying, Black."
"I'm not, sir." Ezekiel replied, looking like the poster-boy for honesty. "It's applied in the third level by the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. Please, do check with them if you don't believe me."
Runcorn stood, studying his face intensely in search of any sign of deceit before heading towards the door, shoving Ezekiel to the side in the process.
"If you're lying, I'll have you fired." Runcorn said as he left.
"Wouldn't dream to, sir." Ezekiel said from the ground where he had fallen. "Wouldn't dream to."
"You're a colossal cunt, you know?" Dora's voice sounded trough the room.
Ezekiel raised his head surprised and found her near the door, walking towards his table. It was lunch time and he was in a restaurant near the Ministry where he liked to eat, enjoying a dish of gnocchi with arrabbiata sauce.
"Hello to you to, Dora." Ezekiel greeted her as she sat in front of him.
"You sent Runcorn to the third level?" Dora asked furious.
"Yep." Ezekiel grinned as he took another bite. "How did it go?"
"He punched Arnold Peasegood in the face and then tried to choke the Undersecretary." Dora replied.
"Can't believe I missed it." Ezekiel groaned. "Please tell me you have a memory of it."
He knew something must've happened when Runcorn didn't return during the rest of the morning but didn't expected it to get so out of hand.
"I have more than that." Dora said showing her bruised knuckles. "Had to knock him down before he killed her."
"Well, that one's on you really." Ezekiel said, Dora glaring at him. "Don't give me that look, it's not my fault you forgot you're a witch. Ever heard of Flipendo? Does wonders when you want to knock someone."
"I didn't just knock him." Dora replied. "Peasegood lost a teeth and chased Runcorn when he went to the Minister to get some counter-curse for something."
"Excuse, sir." A man Ezekiel recognized as the restaurant manager interrupted them. "I must ask the lady to leave."
"It's alright, Alan." Ezekiel assured the man. "She's with me."
"Be that as it may, sir, she disturbed the rest of our diners." Alan sternly replied.
"Please give everyone my apologies and tell them their meal with be on me." Ezekiel replied. "No limit and your best bottle of wine for each and every one."
"Very well,sir." Alan replied, satisfied by the response. "But do make sure this won't happen again. This is a respectable establishment."
"I will." Ezekiel promised. "Would you mind to bringing guest a menu?"
"As you wish, sir." Alan replied with a small bow and quickly left them alone.
"That was quick." Dora said surprised.
"Oh, they love me in here." Ezekiel replied, turning back to his meal. "Specially the waiters, I'm a great tipper."
"Whatever." Dora said, shacking her head. "You realized what you did?"
"What are you talking about?" Ezekiel asked amused.
"Runcorn went to the third floor, turns out he screwed over a lot of people in there." Dora said.
"Shocking."
"He talked with Peasegood and got into a fight. Runcorn knocked three tooth out and ran to the first level." Dora continued. "Except he made sure to literally walk over every poor sod who couldn't get out of his way in time and tried to kick people out of the elevators. By the time the department managed to get there it was a street brawl."
"And all that just for one man?" Ezekiel asked rolling his eyes. "No wonder the Light needed a baby to win the war, you people are useless."
"Not. funny." Dora replied through her teeth. "I had to run behind Runcorn and get his hands off the Umbitch's neck. She thanked me."
"Okay, I'm sorry about that one." Ezekiel replied with a guilty face. "That one's on me."
"What about the others?" Dora asked. "Do you even feel sorry for Peasegood?"
"Why would I?" Ezekiel asked surprised. "He could be an absolute knob for all I know. Besides, it's just some teeth, he can grow them back."
"You're a prick."
"And you should try the gnocchi." Ezekiel replied taking another bite. "And don't act like you didn't liked to punch Runcorn, even if it was to save Umbridge."
"Of course I did, he's a cunt. Walking over people like they didn't matter." Dora replied, a grin began creeping on her face. A waiter came and took her oder before she continued. "But-"
"Nobody was hurt." Ezekiel continued. "Not in any permanent way, their injuries must've disappeared as they never happened by now. The Ministry will foot the bill for those who need attention, which I imagine is zero. And you got to punch a cunt. No need to get so worked up, Dora."
"You're a prick."
"So I've been told."
The rest of the week had come and gone without much issues. Runcorn had been removed from his position and no replacement had been named. Amelia Bones seemed to be satisfied with this because Ezekiel didn't receive any reprimand after all. The rest of the week he spend it reconnecting with his family and getting some new furniture for his study. He had also mentioned a special surprise, which had put everyone in high alert but refused to tell even Andromeda what it was. On friday of the last week he had asked Remus to accompany him, claiming he needed someone to carry a briefcase for a meeting he was having.
Remus had spent the last two weeks speaking to Harry. After some encouragement and the promise Dora would be present, he agreed to it. It was necessary, Ezekiel said even though he didn't liked the idea. After all, there weren't many or in fact any other living people who knew his parents personally. It was a shaky start but Remus turned out to have quite the sense of humor, according to Dora, and seemed to do all he could to earn Harry's trust. Remus had refused when Ezekiel asked but was powerless to do the same when Harry asked him to protect Ezekiel. Something Ezekiel found rather insulting but he decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Physically speaking, Remus had changed for the better. Ezekiel made sure he had plenty of food to eat, much to Kreacher's disgust. He also payed his new clothes and plenty of wolfsbane potions, along to rent a chamber in Gringotts for him to turn and exercise as he needed to. The new lack of stress had done wonders to him, now a more open - to Harry and the others, at least - as he began laughing and smiling more often.
"Want to tell me what this meeting is all about?" Remus asked as they entered a hotel.
"Not really, no." Ezekiel replied, heading straight to the elevators and pressing the seventh floor's button.
"Fine." Remus replied not looking at him. "I guess I should thank you."
"What for?" Ezekiel asked staring at the door in front of them.
"For letting me talk to Harry." Remus replied.
"Oh, that wasn't for you." Ezekiel replied, his gaze fixed on the door. "I did it for him."
"Still, thanks."
"Your kind retains some canine traits even when they aren't transformed." Ezekiel continued. "One of those is their protectiveness of the cubs of the alpha."
"What?" Remus turned to see him shocked.
"Alphas, the leader of a pack." Ezekiel replied turning to see him. "That's what you saw in James Potter , isn't it? Otherwise you would've said something when he came up with those moronic ideas you like to tell Harry. Except for the map, those tracking charms you used to map the castle were very clever. And charms are your specialty, right?"
"Yes, I made most of the enchantments." Remus replied disgusted, turning towards the door.
"Don't be so modest, Remus." Ezekiel said patting his shoulder. "You're a good wizard and a loyal friend. Harry is lucky to have you."
"Go to hell." Remus said without looking at him.
"Bite me, Snoopy." Ezekiel replied. "No, wait, you might like that."
The elevator stopped and the doors opened up, where a man in a grey business suit was standing.
"Ezekiel Black?" The man asked.
"That'd be me." Ezekiel said stepping out.
"Who is he?" The man asked, his right hand moving slowly towards his waist, were Remus saw the shape of a gun holster
"He's my plus one." Ezekiel said grabbing Remus by the hand and guiding him away. "Touch him and you get to tell your bosses the meeting is off and I'll go public with everything I know."
The man stared at them before nodding. "Follow me, they're waiting for you."
"Where are you taking me?" Remus asked, frightened by the exchange.
"Shut up, don't say anything." Ezekiel replied as he grabbed him by the arm and dragged him behind him. "Don't lie either, the people wer're about to meet are better liars than you. Do what I say and give me what I ask you from the briefcase."
Remus began walking besides Ezekiel as they began approaching a set of wooden double doors. A party seemed to be taking place judging by the noise that came out. That turned out to be a lie as the man in a suit opened the door, revealing the noise came from speakers near the door. The rest of the floor was fairly illuminated, showing a small round table where three older men, they too in suits, sitting and another empty chair waited for Ezekiel. Remus saw there were other people standing on opposite walls and he suspected they also carried guns.
"Gentleman, I trust you haven't been waiting for too long." Ezekiel greeted the older men as he sat.
"We wouldn't have come here if we care about that." One of the men said. British, Remus recognized.
"We've come as you asked." One of the older men said. American, Remus thought "Now, gi-"
"Now, now." Ezekiel raised his hand to interrupt the man. "Gentleman, before anyone here says anything they won't live to regret, let me say: I'm not your enemy."
" You don't act like frrriend. ." The last man said. Remus noted he had a thick russian accent.
"I never said I was your friend." Ezekiel replied. "What I become, and bear it mind it'll affect all three of you, depends entirely on what you say or do in this meeting."
"And what is it that you want, mister Black?" The british man asked, the rest of the men leaned in anticipation.
"World peace?" Ezekiel joked. "No? Okay, let's go with something more simple."
"Ve don't have time for this," The russian man said. He snapped his fingers and the man behind him pointed their guns at Ezekiel and Remus." Ve'll get what ve vant frrrom you in hourrr"
"Wouldn't do that if I were you." Ezekiel asked unimpressed. "You won't like what my little friend does to people who harms me and I don't have enough time to wait for your successor to be appointed."
"Let's all calm down." The american man said to the russian before turning to Ezekiel . "I'm sure your friend here can handle himself but I doubt he's bullet proof."
"Who him?" Ezekiel asked pointing at Remus. "No, he's not the one you should be afraid of. But he is dangerous enough, make no mistake."
"He doesn't look like much." The american man said, looking at Remus.
"Well, he's only truly dangerous during the full moon." Ezekiel replied. "The rest of the month he's pretty harmless."
"And vy is zat?" The russian man asked.
"Because he's a werewolf." Ezekiel replied calmly.
"What?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Vat?"
"He's a werewolf." Ezekiel repeated. "And a wizard."
"It's this a joke?" The british man asked in disbelief. Remus noted the other two gentleman had remained silent.
"I think it'll be better if we all introduce ourselves." Ezekiel said. "This gentleman here is Remus Lupin, a werewolf and a wizard as I already said. Consider him under my protection from this point forward. Any harm on him will be considered as an act of war and I shall answer them tenfold."
"Do you honestly expect me to believe that?" The british man said laughing but it died when he saw the other men's faces.
"Remus, let me introduce you to Christopher Curwen, he's the head of MI6." Ezekiel said nodding to the british man. "Our friend here from across the pond is William H. Webster, director of both the FBI and the CIA. Last but never least is our russian friend Lavrentiy Beria, he's in charge of the KGB. My name, mister Curwen, is indeed Black. Ezekiel Black. Loyal servant of Elizabeth the Second, Queen of the United Kingdom and her personal assasin when she orders me to be." The room turned silent as Ezekiel finished.
"You're insane." Curwen said getting off his chair. "This is a waste of time."
"Sit down, Chris." Webster said.
"Why, to hear more of this nonsense?" Curwen asked. "You can have him. Hell, give him to-"
"Not another vorrrd, Chrrristopher" Beria sternly cut him off. "Now sit down."
Curwen saw the men faces and was shocked. He knew them, given his position it was impossible not to. He also knew the type of men they were and they weren't easily scared. Yet here they were, two men who could order the dead of anyone, anywhere, scared of a one arm young man. He sat back without a word.
"Remus." Ezekiel turned to him, who had become mute from fear. "The people in front of you, myself included, are beneath you in any way you could imagine. Monsters, all of us who do work not suited for men."
"We do what's necessary, mister Black." Curwen began.
"Spare me." Ezekiel stopped him. "We have all killed for as many reasons as drops on the sea. In our country or abroad, by our hand or order. Except for me, in this matter I can claim to be innocent. I've killed mostly on orders of my Queen, the rest were mostly self-defence."
"And what is it zat you vant, mister Black?" Beria asked.
"Well, gentlemen." Ezekiel sighted. "I've been a monster for quite a while, a very quiet and loyal one. But the loyalty I've professed hasn't been given back to me. The Crown has failed me, as a servant and a subject. Sadly, I'm not able to change who I work for, unlike you. Don't bother argue this point, this isn't why I'm here."
"Zen why arrre you herrre?" Beria asked. "Do you vant us to kill Crrrown?"
"Wait, you can't kill them." Curwen said. "They're too public, their deaths would draw too much attention."
"I'm not asking you to do nothing of the sort." Ezekiel replied. "For starters, I can't. I'm bound by magical Oaths to prevent such thing."
"Then what are you proposing, mister Black?" Webster, who had remained silent until then asked.
"The way my relationship with the Crown has worked so far is this: someone, somewhere, messes up and creates a situation they can't magical. Then the magica government of said country then sends a message to the Queen, who in turn orders me to to go and kill whatever the problem there is. I do , they take the credit." Ezekiel explained. "Now, I don't really have a problem with such arrangement, in fact I prefer it. My problem is the fact the Crown can handle almost every aspect of my life. This I cannot tolerate."
"And how do you plan to handle this?" Webster asked.
"You three are the represent the most powerful agencies in the world." Ezekiel said. "You'll keep them in check for me. Not killing them, of course, because then I'll have to kill your assassin but before getting the name of his handler and so on..."
"And in return, what do we get?" Webster asked.
"Well, I've spent most part of last year around the world, under orders of a man called Ian Cracknell. He's an MP, by the way, friend of Prince Charles who gave him power over me."
"So he's kause of all of zis?" Beria asked in tranquil fury.
"Yes, in fact he'll be here shortly." Ezekiel said, checking his watch.
"And why is that?" Curwen asked.
"He thinks you called him." Ezekiel replied. "We can deal with him later, think of it as a bonding exercise."
"Could we get to the point?" Webster asked.
"Right, sorry." Ezekiel replied. "Mister Cracknell gave me quite a to-do list. Many items on it involved me talking, convincing, stealing, and other things from different people. As you all know, I've killed all of them. What I didn't knew until I ripped the information from their minds was that many of those people worked for you. In fact, many of them worked for all of you. So I got curious and began digging around their minds and now I know quite a lot of things. Things everyone in this room would rather I didn't. I also know and managed to procure evidence necessary to backup most, if not all I know. What I offer you, gentlemen, is my silence."
The room had gone silent as Ezekiel finished speaking.
"If." Curwen said. " If what you said it's true, what's stopping me - any of us - from getting the Queen to order you to give us that information."
"I had a feeling you'd say that." Ezekiel said. "Remus, would you mind?"
"What?" Remus asked confused.
"The briefcase, Remus." Ezekiel said patiently. "Open it up and put it's content on the table."
Remus did as was told and opened the briefcase, inside was a silver basin, carved with runes and strange symbols.
"A pensieve?" Remus asked out loud.
"What is it?" Curwen asked surprised such a large item could fit in an object many times smaller than it.
"It's magikal item." Beria explained. "He'll extrrract his memorrries so ve kan see zem."
"Ten points for Russia." Ezekiel said taking out his wand and placing it on his temple. "I hope this can enlighten you as to why going against me isn't a very good idea."
A silver, hair-like wisps substance came from his mind and Ezekiel placed it in the pensieve, filling it in.
"Now what?" Curwen asked.
"You bend over and get your head inside." Webster said.
"You're joking, right?" Curwen asked.
"No." Ezekiel replied. "It's big enough for all three of you."
"This won't be necessary, mister Black." Beria said.
"I insist." Ezekiel replied, gesturing at the pensieve. "Now, gentlemen, would you kindly...?"
Remus saw the man do as instructed and waited until their heads were in the silver substance before approaching Ezekiel.
"What are you thinking?" He whispered to his ear.
"I realized I made a mistake, when I made you give that Oath." Ezekiel replied.
"What?" Remus replied confused.
"There were some holes in the Oath." Ezekiel said. "I should've think of it sooner, after all they were created centuries ago. There's nothing stopping you from taking Harry, if the see it from the right angle. So I thought long and hard about it and realized it might not be such a bad thing under the right conditions."
"What?!"
"There's a very, very high chance I'll do something to Harry." Ezekiel replied. "The fact is, if it weren't for your complete lack of funds, you'll definitely be better suited to be his Magical Guardian than me. But we can change the way things are, we can only prepare for the worst."
"You're insane."
"Probably." Ezekiel replied. " So, in case you think I'm going over the limit I want you to talk to me. If I'm being stubborn and won't budge, you'll talk to Dora and she can take it from there."
"You want me to accuse you to your cousin?" Remus said in disbelief.
"I tend to tune out people whose opinion I don't care about." Ezekiel said, shrugging. "And I respect Dora's far, far more than yours."
"And why did you bring me here then?" Remus replied gesturing at the room.
"I did this to show you what I'm willing to do to the Crown, which I'm supposed to serve." Ezekiel replied smiling. "Imagine what I'll do to those who hurt the people I love."
Their conversation was cut short as the three men stood up from the pensieve, knocking it to the ground.
"My God." Curwen said, shaking. "My God. One man. My God."
"Ve have to kill him." Beria said, pointing at him with a shaky finger. "He dies."
"Shut up!" Webster ordered the other two. "Black, you made your point."
"Glad we're all on the same page then-." Ezekiel said smiling.
"What are you doing here?" A voice sounded behind them.
They turned and found Ian Cracknell standing with a dumbfounded look on his face at the scene in front of him.
"Ah, Ian, just in time!" Ezekiel got up from the chair to greet the newly arrival.
"Stay where you are!" Ian ordered and Ezekiel stopped, despite he hadn't gave a command.
"I must say, you're a bit late." Ezekiel said checking his watch. "You were supposed to get here twenty minutes ago. Did you got lost?"
"What's the meaning of this?" Ian asked, pointing at the men at the table. "Who are they?"
"Well, Ian, the truth is we just discussed your employee evaluation and we found your overall performance to be rather disappointing." Ezekiel said. "I'm afraid we're gonna have to let you go."
"What on the fuck are you talking about?" Ian replied vexed. "You don't get to say anything, you idiot. I say, you do!"
"I must say, I was willing to give us an opportunity. I really was." Ezekiel said, nodding. "Then you threatened my family and well, that's something I can't allow. " Ezekiel said before his expression turned dark. "Gentlemen?"
Ian had no chance. By the time Ezekiel finished speaking his forehead had been priced at least once by a bullet of every agent in the room. To the surprise of everyone but Ezekiel, his corpse disappeared before it could even touch the ground and no evidence of him ever being there remained.
"Now, if you don't mind." Ezekiel said sitting back at the table. "I'd like to speak with mister Curwen here. If you were so kind as to leave us alone..."
Webster and Beria didn't wait for him to finish and bolted trough the doo, leaving Curwen alone with Ezekiel.
"Before you order my summary execution, mister Curwen, I'd like you to hear two things I'm about to say." Ezekiel said. "One, the memories you just saw are mine and mine alone. I'm not the representative of my kind in any shape or form. In fact the wizards and witches on this country love peace. Cast away any idea you might have of us. We aren't green, we don't look to harm regular people. We most certainly don't worship the devil."
"And what's the other one?" Curwen asked.
"Shooting me doesn't work and if you do I'll kill everyone here and their mums." Ezekiel replied. "I'm not a representative from wizarkind just as you aren't a representative of England. We have our own government, we have no intention to get involved in any conflict with you. Leave us alone and we'll do the same to you, deal?"
"Deal." Curwen replied despondent.
"Good." Ezekiel replied, looking to Remus for approval. He didn't get it. "One last thing I'll need from you. Relax, this is more like a personal favour."
"What more do you want?"
"I'll need you to get me this." Ezekiel said, taking a folded piece of paper from inside his jacket and handing it over to Curwen.
"Why would you need this?" Curwen asked confused after reading it's content.
"I made a deal about the Crown, this isn't a part of it. The address to drop it is at the bottom." Ezekiel replied. "I'd appreciate it if you were so kind to give me this. You have my word nobody will be harmed."
"Fine!" Curwen said. "Can I go now?"
"Absolutely." Ezekiel said gesturing at the exit. "Just remember, leave us alone and I'll do the same to you."
Curwen left with his people, not bothering to look behind.
"What happened to the corpse?" Remus said once they were alone.
"Goblins." Ezekiel replied. "Paid them to clean the place."
"And what about the gunshots?" Remus asked. "Won't people talk about that?"
"I told the management to clear the top floors, nobody will hear anything."
"Did you threaten?" Remus asked.
"Of course not!" Ezekiel replied amused. "They work for me, I own this hotel." Remus stared at him in disbelief. "I think it all went rather well, don't you think?"
"Ezekiel we have a problem." Ted said as he saw them enter the house. "What happened to Remus?"
"Something he ate." Ezekiel replied. "What's the problem?"
"It's about Harry's wand." Ted said handing over several letters to him. "I sent letters to every tree growing company, House, anybody who'd know and they all tell me the same thing."
"Nobody knows anything." Ezekiel said reading.
"Why is Remus pucking in the restroom?" Dora asked walking towards them.
"He ate chocolate." Ezekiel replied without looking at her. "Ted, are you sure contacted everyone?"
"That's the problem, there's one left. They provide the wand wood for the UK and parts of Europe." Ted replied. " But they'll ever answer us, getting in touch with them would is impossible."
"Ted, I just did the impossible twice today." Ezekiel replied. "Who are these people?"
"They are The Ancient and Most Noble House Of Longbottom."
I don't own Harry Potter, all characters except OC belong to J. K. Rowling.