Lady Fang roared, and swiped at the orc in front of her. Her talons slashing him from knee to nipple. He was dead in seconds.
The pied pipers strummed their strings, as they sang their lyrics and danced on their branch overhead.
Clay Golems smashed oversized fists into the faces of ogres, Aping the moves of the Chessman.
The tree came alive and attacked the Harpies, as the Grimoirian Read aloud from her book.
But nothing touched the Wand-slinger. Both hands spinning and twirling shaped sticks, spitting coloured bulbs of light into the masses of goblins and human thugs trying to overwhelm our brave mages.
And as soon as abruptly as the 'war band' had arrived, they were gone. The two hundred ragged fighters seeking to loot and pillage now lay heaped 'at the feet' of six Arcanists gasping to catch their breath.
"Not bad, my children." a crone in red rags, leaning on a staff as twisted as she was, limped into the clearing. "You just might be the 'Prophesied' ones after all." She poked the black-haired lad in the chest with a gnarled knuckle, "Though you were to be led by a Blackguard and a Hellbeast."
The lad looked at his wrist, a weird bracelet, "three...two...one…"
Two men landed in the center of the group.
"Oh Pup, there you are!" The taller of the two stood and brushed the leaves from his hair, while the other took the time to dust himself off from the knees and worked his way up.
"What was that, Black?" Lupin snarled.
"Hmm?" the shaggy raggy man turned to his old friend, "Oh, an old Black Training room." He looked about again, this time taking in the full scene. "Well that explains why no one has ever returned."
"Sirius?" the Black haired youth frowned.
"I don't think we're in London any more." Black smiled as he mis-quoted a line from a movie that Lily forced him to watch… a movie that allowed his school-chums to call him by that … name.
Just his Luck, "What do you mean… Toto?" the Brown-haired witch hugged her book to her chest.
Black flinched, "Centuries ago, a ritual was found by an ancestor. When what became Number Twelve Grimmauld was built, the Head of House Black included a couple of chambers for rituals. Molly sent you to clean where she shouldn't have. Only those of Black Blood and those in their party can use the Ritual. It was supposed to be the ultimate training Ritual. Non-squibs that were found lacking were sent here in the hopes that they would improve."
"All those who came before found reasons not to return." The Hag smiled. "Most built or joined the Village at the foot of the Mountain. Over the last three hundred years, what started as a Wizard's retreat has become a Minor Town. Come." She turned and ambled off, leaning on her staff.
Ron frowned after her, before twisting his long mace capped with fist on one end, and a castle or rook top on the other. One golem absorbed the others, before picking up it's master. The twins landed on the stone man's shoulders. Ron and Ginny ended up on the left shoulder, the twins on the right. Harry and Hermione rode in the left Palm as the 'Adults' rode in the right.
The lumbering man of granite caught up with the old witch just outside of the walls of a large town. From the walls, ten meters high, twenty guards watched.
"Halt!" a woman in black robes, "Identify!"
[Flashback]
Harry awoke, the cheer of the night before, celebrating his victory over Fudge and the Toad…
He and the rest of the house returned to the kitchen, where Molly Weasely was slaving away over the stove, crafting a meal rivaling that of the elves of Hogwarts. Once everyone had eaten their fill, or when Molly cut Ron off, the kids were sent to clean a rather small chamber hidden under the stairs.
In said chamber were a set of 'artifacts' that only each who entered could see.
Ginny was the first in, and she found a hood and mantel. A leather short cloak/robe that fell just short of her waist so as to not get caught in her belt. As she draped it about her shoulders, her senses sharpened.
Next was Ron, and he found a short staff, with a chess motif. It was heavy in his hand, but well balanced.
Then came Hermione. A large gilded book caught her eye… and everyone else was forgotten.
The twins entered as one, but tripped over leather cases. Upon closer inspection, Fred had a Lyre while George was strumming a lute.
Harry entered, and saw everyone inspecting something he could not quite see… when he spotted the tooled leather of a belt with loops, pouches, and frog-rings. As the belt settled about his hips, twelve wands of verise lengths and shapes jumped from the shadows, and by reflex, he snagged them from the air, holstering each one in a loop. Two septures flew at his head, but he caught their shafts, tucking each in a frog-ring, he stood there with his thumbs tucked over the belt like a gun-slinger from the American Cowboy movies.
Then the floor began to glow, as a circle filled with runes began to enclose about the six magicals.
From outside the open door, Sirius black was heard to yell, "They are where! You Foolish Hag! Harry should never have left my side! You just condemned them all! Kreature, Lock Down the House. The Headmaster may use the Kitchen for his meetings, and the 'Blood Traitor' and her mate can sleep in the parlor. The rest of the House is under war wards. Moony, with me!"
All went white as the circle engaged.
[Flashback end]
Harry sighed, as he peered up at the Chief of the Guard, "Ma'am. Just a few lost souls seeking a place to rest for the night. Anything else we will see to in the morning."
The Woman frowned, then nodded.
The Gate opened, allowing the group to enter the fortified town.
HPWS
Six months later, the group gathered in the town 'square'.
It was a twelve sided, 'carved in black marble, filled with platinum' rune engraved, 'circle'. With a three meter radius, and 'shaped' amber pillars at each point.
Six months had changed everybody.
Ginny, the 'Beast-Master', had become more refined, in mind, body, and magic. Her flesh was tight, toned, and less than three percent fat. Her mind was faster than her claws. She wore a pair of 'gloves' wrought of a glittering metal twisted around Bear-claws. The Gloves acted as her new wand. While she could still use a wand, and she was Right Hand dominant, her left hook and swipe were just as deadly as her Right. She mostly wore leathers, exposing her full breasts and the Raven tattoo covering them. A saber-fang hugging her knee.
The Twins had refined their twin act, and found by twisting their rhymes with their music, the magic in the very air was at their command. Each had a raven tattooed on the back of their left hand.
Ron now played chess with life sized golems. In formation, He was Legion. A block of stone men, six by six marching on the enemy is a scary thing… no matter which side of the line you are on. The Mace-Sceptre that was his focus doubled as a melee weapon. He also wore a robe of chain mail. His Raven was behind his right ear.
Hermione had found her true calling. Her magic began and ended with the books she collected. In the time that they were here, she found three additional Tomes, crafted a leather satchel to hold ALL of her books. Her hair was drawn back and braided tight. Her ears, both human and feline, were exposed, and pierced. She had a small raven just below her collarbone.
Lupin was looking a bit more Lupine. His eyes glowed with a ethrail glow. He now used a short staff carved of Black oak with a wolf motif and three foot dragon heartstring. He wore a wolfskin cloak over patched wool robes.
Black wore a sword on his hip, and dressed like a bad 'Pirate Roberts'. His long hair was pulled back into a tail, and covered in a silk scarf. He wielded the rapier in his right, his wand in his left.
Potter now was ripcord thin. His reflexes were twice what they used to be. He wore a double breasted vest-robe that hung to his knees, with his wand-belt around his hips, and a duster type coat-robe. He only needed two wands at a time… but each wand was of a different wood-core combo. While they all answered his call to action, two were like hand cannons, two were sniper-pistols, and the last two were like laser-scalpels. Then there were the plasma-Cannons in the form of the sceptres off his hips. When he was wanting to just rapid fire stunners, a wand between each finger, as he thrust his fists forward, allowed him to fire all six wands almost as one, but is was more like firing two uzies at once… and it drained his core quickly The fact he no longer wore glasses allowed a small raven to perch behind his right temple.
Everyone stood around Hermione as she read from her Grimore. Ron leaned on his 'squire', a knight carved of red marble, trimmed in gold. The Twins were silent for once, as Ginny scratched her pussy. Lupin stuped asBlack stood tall. Harry just twirled two sticks through his fingers.
As Hermione's voice spoke the twisted words from her book, the very air became charged. As both Her voice and the winds rose… lightning flashed across the howling sky…
And then it was quiet.
And the travelers were gone.
HPWS
Seven humans tumbled out of a cupboard under the stairs in #12 Grimmauld Place, followed by a Saber fanged Puma, a Red and Gold chess piece, and a cloud of dust.
The tall, roguish Male gave a half hearted dusting to himself, before he led the band of Adventurers to the kitchen. It was more of them following the hollowing of Molly Weasley.
In the kitchen, the Order had convinced. The full Order.
"...then the Bastard Calls that cursed Elf, and all but throws us out!" Harrign howled.
"Just out of curiosity, How Long were we gone?" Black breezed in. The others fanned out behind him.
Every head snapped to see the 'children', standing between the one door out of the Kitchen and the assorted wizards and witches. A red stone knight stepped to stand as a guard before the Floo.
"A few hours." Arthur smiled at his children. He noticed a change here and there. The changes were looking good on his children.
"Kreacher!" Black spoke to the air, and the Elf stepped from the shadows. "My orders?"
"The House is under War Wards." the Elf glared at the Wizard, before standing upright. "I will never call you Master, Sir, But I recognize you as Lord and Head of Black." the Elf bowed his head, "That honor fell with your Brother."
"Come Here." The Elf hobbled to the Lord of Black's side, where the Wizard placed his hand on the Elf's head, and with a pulse of his magic, reforged the Bond between Elf and Head of House. "You have duties. See to them." the Elf faded into the shadows. Black moved to stand at the foot of the Table, as the Headmaster was at the so-called Head of the table. "I see everyone is enjoying my hospitality… good, good. Molly Love, is that lovely dinner I smell ready ?"
"Sirius." Albus drew all eyes back to him, "Where did you go?"
"Sorry, old man." Sirius adjusted his sword as he sat on the chair left open to him. "That is a Black Family Matter. Molly? Are you going to feed us? Or is your role as Cook just for show?"
"I will not…" Molly began ramping for another Howling Harping.
"Silence!" Black thundered. "Either serve the Food, or sit in the corner. Those are your only two options."
"Sirius, there is no reason…" Grandfather Albus tried to re-exert his authority.
"Yes there is." Black spoke quietly, but his words carried in the heated room. "Ever since you came calling… crying that you needed this place, that it was all to protect Harry." He slowly rose to his feet, leaning on the table. "While we were gone… Six plus months, our time. While we were gone, we learned a few things. Things like Why Harry's scar hurt whenever Snake Face got overly emotional. Which led to learning how to undo what was affecting my godson."
"What do you mean… undoing?"Albus paled.
"A Soul Shard Parasite." Lupin snarled. "Removing it was a hassle." He tossed a large uncut Diamond on the table.
The Stone skidded to stop before a greasy gutter wizard, who licked his lips before reaching out to … the soul-stone jumped into Albus' palm.
Peering into the stone, Albus swallowed. "How is this possible? The only way to remove the soul shard is to destroy…"
"That's One." Harry intoned, surprising everybody.
"One among us acquired the Grimoire of a Necromaster. A Necromancer that specializes in raising Armies." Black purred. "One of the things listed was how to strip clinging spirits from the flesh and bone."
"You will turn that book over to me, Now!" Albus shot to his Feet.
"No." Black eased upright. "The LAW in Britain is that Grimoires fall under Family Magic, meaning only Family are allowed to have any say about who handles and or Reads them."
"That's Two." Hermione crossed her arms.
"Shut your Mouth, you Muggle-born Swot!" Snape stepped from the shadows. "Hand over your Books right now!"
"Albus." Harry spoke softly, coolly, and yet with a steel that he did not have that 'morning'. "Muzzle your Pet, before I am forced to neuter them all."
"Shut it Potter, Just like your Fa-" and Snape vanished. In his place was a greasy haired black cat. "Damn you Black! Return me to my right full shape!"
"No can do." Sirius smiled as he eased back into his seat. "Pup's spells require him to untie." Black looked at Harry, "But why the talking cat?"
"Transfiguration as taught by Aunt Minne, would change him completely into a cat, and could be reversed by any Master of the Art. The Familiaris Felinics can only be undone by the Beast's True Master."
"Harry, my Boy. I am disappointed. You have to learn to forgive…"
"I have, Headmaster." Harry grinned. "I have Forgiven that he has bullied me, my friends, my family, and my Class and School mates. I have Forgiven that while he rightfully holds the Title and Position of Potion Master, He can Not teach the subtle science and alluring art that is brewing a simple potion stronger than a weak tea!" he eased the duster/robe back, so that the edges hung on his skull headed shafts, "I have Forgiven Him for the vile insults and insinuations about my Father over the years. What I will not... can not Forgive is this forked tongued scrap eater ordering me about like He has some say in my Life!."
"Don't." Spoke Lupin, his eyes locked on the Black wizard in a tribal gown of a robe.
"What?" the Pink haired witch beside him asked.
"King was about to draw on Potter." Moody spoke from beside her. "These are the first steps of the Lad shaking off the Headmaster's chains. Last night the Boy was Albus's. Tonight He stands on his own. The Only reason he is bowing to Black is this is Lord Black's House, and he is only the Heir. Tonight the Order of the Phoenix Burns. In the Morning two will rise. The old man, and the Young buck." He thumped his staff
When Mood had started to speak, a tension had spread through the assembled. With the thump of his staff, the crowd had relaxed.
It was here Albus made his biggest and last Mistake of the night. Under the guise of pocketing the soul-stone, he drew his wand. When the Sun rose that morning, AWPB Dumbledor was the 'Greatest with a Wand'. With this Logic, it is understandable that this evening he Thought he still had that title. Standing as he was, Albus drew his wand and pictured the spells he needed cast in his mind...seven targeted stun spells, and a wide area confundus…
As the tip of the Elder Wand cleared the pale lavender sleeve, Potter moved. Cross-drawing his 'sniper/pistol' wands into each hand, an [Expelliarmus] shot from his right wand, as the left fired off a [Petrificus Totalus]. The sudden motion and spell fire had three Aurors going for their wands, as Moody ducked his head. A series of blue bolts of [expelliarmus] and red bolts of [stupify] slammed into the red robed witches and the Black wizard. This Brought Molly into play, but Harry simply stunned her. Harry simply twirled his wands before cross-holstering them.
"That is only one reason We back him." Ginny spoke up. "Now, we were promised food. With Mother down…"
"Dobby!" Potter snapped out.
"Master Calls Dobby?" A dagger nosed Elf appeared by Harry's knee, as his tennis ball eyes drifted to the face of the Wizard his Magic called 'Master'. "Great Wizard Harry Potter? Yous is 'Master'?"
"If that is what you want."
"Master is truly a Great Wizard!" the little guy smacked into Harry's knee in a combined glomp and tackle. A flash of light Flared, and …
"Dobby. Settle." Harry spoke as if to an over excited puppy. "We were promised Food. Mum Weasley has food on the stove. If it is okay, please serve it to the Seven of us, unless someone else wants some?" This last was addressed to the Kitchen at large.
Dobby popped onto the counter next to the stove. "No! Will Not Do! Laced with Loyalty Potion!" He snapped his fingers, emptying the stew pot, only to fill it anew, and begin chopping vegetables and a cut of greatly marbled beef. "New stew will take two hours." Dobby announced to the Kitchen, "Unless you Want me to ask for something from the Kitchens?"
"Yes." Harry sat beside Sirius. "Ask for ham sandwiches for twenty, and check on Winky for me."
Dobby popped away.
The 'Greasy Gutter-wizard' stood. "Excuse me, but did the Elf say something about Potions?"
"Yes, Dung." Lupin sighed as he sat on the other side of Black from Harry, "He said that the stew Molly was feeding everyone was laced with Loyalty Potions."
A witch stood, "May we be excused?" She waved at the floo blocked by the red knight. "Some of us need to head to St Mungo's."
"Ron." Harry put his head in his hands. The redhead twitched his staff/mace and the knight stepped to the side.
Everybody that could, in quick suction, exited via the floo.
Mood grunted, "You really stepped in it this time, Laddy."
"Think that was messy, just wait." Harry smiled at the scared man. "I need to ask a favor from you." Ginny handed Harry a mug of tea, as the rest seated themselves about the new Lord of the House. "I need to ask you to invite Director Bones in, without telling her where we are. We need to speak on many things."
