YOU WANT WHO?

Chapter 6

"Getting to know you..."

This funny little tale came to me after reading a thread in The Dresden Files group on Facebook. I hope it amuses you as much as it amused me. The characters, places and magic here are the creations of Mr. J. Butcher and Ms J. K. Rowling. I am merely playing from their sandbox, so to speak. I gain nothing but amusement from my stories.

*Unbeta'd so please be kind.*

After the illuminating conversation with Kreacher, and a few new questions to ask old 'Fumble-dore'.. no matter how 'wise' and 'good' this guy came across he'd really screwed the pooch on this whole Dark Lord thing, I continued on my search for the younger, and I dare say, more interesting members of the household.

I found them on the third floor, innocently gathered together in one of the bedrooms. I'd spent enough time around Michael's kids and Billy's pack to spot the clear signs of kids who were not doing as they should. The youngest red head, a pretty girl with her mother's brown eyes, was 'reading' a school book most studiously while the most of the boys seemed to be watching as the two youngest played some strange variation of chess. I swear I saw one of the pawns fold it's arms as if bored and another was scratching an itch... but I saw through the act. The girl, Ginny, had her book upside down and the bushy haired brunette, ( Harriette.. no Hermione) had forgotten to open hers. The idle positions of the game pieces and their obvious boredom was another dead give away. It was the odd piece of skin colored flesh I spotted hanging from one of the twins pockets that cinched it for me however. I'd already heard quite a bit abut those two and their 'inventions.'

Without missing a beat I strolled into the room, shutting the door behind me with a sharp snap. I folded my arms and studied the kids. All of whom sat staring right back at me. "So... how much did you manage to hear?" I asked, eyes fixed firmly on the twins. Neither boy showed the least bit of remorse as they responded in tandem.

"Not much.."

"I think Mum.."

"Or Moody..."

"Charmed the door" stereo, twin looks of disappointment.

"Mum doesn't want us to know Anything." the younger red haired boy grumbled. Beside him the fabled Boy Who Lived had withdrawn to what was obviously a fall back position, up against the headboard of the heavy old bed with his knees drawn up to his chest, a sullen, frustrated expression on his face. Hermione shot him an anxious look before resuming her study of me. The girl's brown eyes were sharp and full of intelligence. And wary distrust. They all looked at me like that, to a varying degree and after the past four years I could hardly blame them. One Possessed, one fraudulent and incompetent, one cursed and persecuted and the fourth, a fake, a kidnapper and a murderer. These kids would be incredibly foolish to trust ANY new defense teacher.

Well, my Name is Harry Dresden, or rather Professor Dresden to you, but not until school is in. Until then just call me Mr Dresden, you have your own Harry without me confusing the issue." I grinned at the kid who gave me a half smile in return before resuming his study of his incredibly ratty, battered trainers. I paused for a moment, studying the kid. The others accepted this, as did he, with an air of poorly contained annoyed acceptance. The poor kid was likely very used to being stared at. My sources had told me all about the boy's exploits and the general happenings within the castle. I would have my work cut out for me when term commenced, LOTS of Bullies to straighten out. Note to self. Must not set students on fire. Control Harry. Control. Do not get sidetracked.

Harry Potter was not what I had expected. This boy should have been the picture of glowing health, well muscled and confident with a good grasp on his physical and magical abilities. After all he was the one who was supposed to end Riddle for good. Instead I was looking at a kid who while muscular from regular sports or physical work, was painfully thin. His face was pinched, the skin taut across his cheekbones where I could make out the faintest purple-ling of bruises. He moved a little stiffly and I remembered he'd been collected not long before I was. He had the look of someone adjusting to eating properly again and his green eyes were weary and tired. Shadows beneath the eyes, a sure sins of sleepless nights and nightmares. His clothes caught my attention next. I don't claim to know anything about teenage fashion but every article the poor kid wore was at least four or five times too large, threadbare and ratty. Cuffs were frayed, small tears here and there had been clumsily sewn up. The colors were faded and there were stains here and there on the jeans, especially deep green marks upon the knees and cuffs, grass stains I recognized. This was not a happy well adjusted kid. He twitched at every sudden noise and movement and when I looked into his eyes, just for a second, his gaze reminded me of my own eyes in the mirror, during the worse days with Justin. I looked away, the kid had issues, he didn't need more added on by a Soul Gaze.

"So.. now you know who I am. Who would all of you be?" I settled on a chair by the door, and tried not to laugh at the antics of the twins, who took it upon themselves to 'introduce' everyone.

Twin one pounced on the younger red head and hauled him to his feet. "This here is our wittly baby brother, Ronnie-kins!" he declared, the offended boy snarled "It's Ron you prat" Seamlessly Twin Two took over. "Ah yes, Our Ronnie here, nursemaid to dragon, ...Grand chess master!"

"Rescuer and car thief, "

"Oi! You stole it first!" protested Ron

" Reveler of Fakes and Frauds,"

"Most Loyal Cannons fanatic and Wizard food disposal expert!"

Ron glared at his brothers before shaking my hand and muttering "Ignore them.. I'm Ron Weasley." I grinned at him and winked. "Nice to meet you Ron."

The twins had pounced upon Hermione and pulled her from her seat. The annoyed girl shook them off but they weren't to be deterred. "Here she is, the brains of the Golden trio, the Smartest Witch of her Age, the one"

"the only.."

"the incredible.."

"Beautiful"

Miss Hermione Granger!"

The girl snorted and turned her nose up at them. She lost the snooty look when presented with my hand to shake. She did so, thoughtfully, her eyes fixed carefully on my nose and murmured a 'Nice to meet you." I smiled at the girl before returnin to watching the free show unfolding before me. The twins were attempting to approach their younger sister, who was eyeing them warily, her wand loose in her hand. Both boys were keeping a weather eye on said wand as they playfully circled her, trying to distract her with their banter. As I tuned to look they pounced, and I was presented with the youngest Weasley, "This is our little sister, ickle Gin-Gin.."

"Fred..." growled the girl, glaring at the twin to her right, before stomping hard upon an unguarded foot. Fred sprang away whimpering. "Er.. George.."

"Righto, this is our beauteous youngest sibling the ever enchanting Miss Ginev...erk" an elbow to his stomach stopped the troublesome twin's speech. Shaking off her oh so loving brothers the girl stepped forward and shook my hand confidently, her red hair bouncing a little. "Ginny Weasley, and those two clowns are Fred," She pointed, and "George" again she pointed. "Please do not pay any attention to their foolishness... oh and never ever eat ANYTHING.. she glared at the twins "they give you, have been near or in any way may have had contact with." I blinked while the twins snickered.

Introductions made I settled in to talk to the teens, picking their brains about what they felt they needed to learn and what they didn't understand. Turns out there was a heck of a lot, Miss Granger was the most vocal in her disappointment and both Harry and Ron echoed that they had learned more researching with and helping Harry prepare for the Tri-Wizard Tournament then in four years of study. I'd heard the story of that disastrous tournament but hearing it from the kids point of view brought it home.

Harry himself was quiet, brooding and sullen. His eyes were haunted by terrors I knew only too well. He was infamous more then famous, an orphan and so very young. He has had just seen a friend die, I knew how that felt. He had been kidnapped, bound and violated and was barely holding on. I could really really relate to this kid. I knew the younger Harry needed to talk about whatever had happened in that graveyard but now wasn't the time or place. I would make time to speak with the boy soon though. First I needed to figure out how to get that soul leach out of his head. Lash hummed knowingly in my head.

I spent maybe an hour with the teens before rejoining a late meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. Once again I had to work hard to keep my mouth shut. Dumbledore's bird club didn't seem to be doing anything. A whole lot of talk, not a lot of action. I definitely would have to contact the Council. This was a mess.

It took me maybe another hour but I had managed to contact the Council. One short conversation with Lucio and I had a small cadre of Wardens standing by when I was ready to 'take out the trash'. Listens to Wind was already on-route to see Harry and deal with the Leach.

Ebenezar had not been pleased. I had the feeling Dumbledore would not enjoy their next conversation.

As for me... I'd volunteered to be part of the security for a trip to Diagon Alley. I mean come on, a whole street full of Magical shops? That I had to see. Dumbledore had had to try to keep Harry with Sirius in Grimmauld place but I overruled him. Well actually Mouse overruled him. I merely pointed out that it would be an extremely stupid, or ballsy, Death Eater who got withing Mouse's radius. And then I casually patted my blasting rod, "Then there's me. What could happen? The kids will be fine."

Me and my Big Mouth.