Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters or anything else from the books. The plot and the new characters are mine.
Chapter Four: The Excalibur
The three companions headed out of Gringotts and through the bustling streets of Diagon Alley. Dozens of witches and wizards were making their way towards Gringotts.
"It looks like you created quite a stir this morning," Harry blurted out.
"Don't say anything, either of you. We do not want any more attention drawn to us, than I am already drawing," Jason replied, glaring at Harry.
His companions nodded and remained silent.
They stopped in front of 93 Diagon Alley; Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. The store front was brightly colored and had two large identical clown heads, both with huge grins on their faces. There was a chicken that changed into a wand and back again as well as a Hogwarts' Hufflepuff student changing into a canary and back again.
Harry smiled as they entered the shop. He had not expected to be able to come here at all this summer. He certainly did not expect the twins to be up so early.
The walls were lined with shelves filled with pranks, the twins had produced. Tables and smaller sets of shelves were standing around the floor of the shop. George, Fred, and Lee Jordan were standing in front of a counter with a cash register sitting on it.
Two women and two men were talking to the three former Gryffindors.
"Good morning, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Jordan. I see you have met Laura, Helen, Louis, and Victor. Are the arrangements I made for your trip to my island satisfactory?"
Jason asked.
"Yes-"
"more than-"
"satisfactory," Fred and George replied.
"But why are you paying Laura, Helen, Louis, and Victor to work here?" Lee asked.
"I'd like to know what's going on, too," Remus added.
"Someone will have to run the shop on my island. They are here to learn about Fred and George's products," Jason replied.
"Professor, are you coming with us?" Fred asked.
"Yes," Remus replied.
"Aren't you going looking for Harry?" Lee asked, receiving a shocked look from Remus.
"Bill came by earlier to tell us to keep an eye out for Harry," George added.
"I know where Harry is," Jason said before drawing his wand and whispering an incantation.
"What was that?" Lee, Fred, George, and Remus said together.
"A spell to keep everyone from revealing that I know where Harry is. Harry is perfectly safe and I intend to let him decide who, besides Mr. Lupin, Fred, and George, will be told where he is hiding," Jason replied.
"We need to get Harry back to his relatives. That's the only place he is protected," Remus said.
Jason put his hand on Harry's shoulder as the young man began to fidget, angry that after everything that had happened, people still wanted to force him back to his aunt and uncle's house.
"What's wrong with you?" Remus asked.
"I'll answer that. I don't want to start any fights. He's heard about Harry's relatives. He believes that it's despicable that you're forcing him to stay with people who despise him. Especially after what has just happened." The was an edge to Jason's voice.
There was a long pause.
"If everyone is ready we need to get going. I have another place to go and another guest to pick up," Jason said.
"We're ready. When you are," George and Fred replied.
"I have a portkey here," Jason said as he pulled a length of rope from his robes.
There was a loop tied at one end of the rope and Jason quickly slipped it over Harry's right wrist. Holding the rope near Harry's arm, Jason handed the other end to Remus.
"All right, take hold of the rope and we'll be on our way."
Fred and George grabbed the rope and Jason activated the portkey.
Harry blinked and found himself standing in front of a manor, a huge silver 'M' on the green door.
"Is this. . . ?" Remus began.
"Yes," Jason replied.
A soft 'pop' heralded the arrival of a house elf with two trunks, a large oddly shaped laundry bag, and a wand in her hand.
"Lulu is doing what Master Pendragon is being asking her to," the house elf said as the laundry bag shook and mumbled.
"Is that who I think it is?" Remus asked.
"Yes," Jason replied.
"Lulu is going to be punished."
"No, you're not, Lulu. I'll take care of everything. Did you use the sock I gave you?" Jason replied.
"Lulu is doing everything like she is being told," Lulu answered as Jason stepped up to the bag and opened it.
George and Fred started to snicker before falling to the ground laughing hysterically. Draco Malfoy had been bound, gagged, and stuffed into the bag.
Jason maneuvered in front of Draco, Lulu hidden behind him. He cast a silencing charm around the small group before looking the young Slytherin in the eyes.
"There is only one way to remove that gag. You must spit it at my face, if you have the courage," Jason gloated.
Draco raised his face and sneered as well as he could at his captor. He spat the sock at Jason. He smiled evilly as the sock flew towards its target.
Jason smiled back as he stepped aside.
Draco's face fell as he watched the sock land in Lulu's hands.
"Lulu is being freed! EEEEEE!" Lulu shouted and did a little dance.
"You BASTARD! That's the second house elf that's been stolen from my family!" Draco screamed.
"You is being a bad wizard! You is not to be yelling at Master Pendragon! You is being allowed somewhere very special! You is to being grateful that Master Pendragon is think you is worth his valuable time!"
"OH! Shut up you dirty, little, traitor, troll! I don't want anything to do with this bastard," Draco growled.
"You is not being saying those things about Master Pendragon. You is going to be quiet," Lulu scolded before stuffing a rag, she conjured, into Draco's mouth.
"Lulu, you, will of course join us?" Jason asked.
"Lulu is being honored to join you, Master Pendragon," the little house elf replied.
"Than, I want you to stop calling me master, please."
"Lulu be showing Master Pendragon her respect. Lulu is not being an ungrateful, (the house elf punctuated this with a kick to the laundry bag) inconsiderate, (kick) lout," she kicked the bag again causing it to topple over with a muffled groan.
George and Fred were rolling on the ground unable to control their laughter.
"Okay, my hyenas, get up so we can get going," Jason sighed.
The Twins scrambled to their feet.
"Fred, George grab the trunks please. Lulu, will you meet us at the ship, please."
Lulu nodded and vanished with a loud bang.
"Everyone take hold of the laundry bag."
Harry felt the familiar pull behind his naval the instant everyone was touching the bag.
The group found themselves standing at the foot of a boarding ramp leading up to a four mast sailing ship.
"Gentlemen, and oaf, welcome to my ship. The Excalibur," Jason said, waving his wand and floating Draco and the two trunks onto the ship.
Jason led everyone up to the deck of the ship, where a tall brown haired man was waiting for them.
"Hello, Joseph. How are things going?" Jason asked.
"Hello, Lord Pendragon. Things are going as well as can be expected. The Ministry is negotiating with Thomas right now. Snape is being a hard ass and refusing even to talk, until his vault is unsealed. If he does not budge we will offer him limited access this afternoon," Joseph replied.
"And how is our guest?"
"Quite irritated. He is not pleased that you would not allow him to come."
"I knew he would be. Please return to the castle and inform him that everything is going well. Also apologize for me and remind him that we agreed not to reveal anything until we were safe on the island," Jason said.
"Yes sir. Will there be anything else?"
"No. But do anything you can to easy our guest's state of mind."
"May I inform our guest that he can expect Isis to deliver updates on your progress?"
"Yes, of course. You may also expect to see Isis' mate. He has a special interest in one of our guests," Jason replied.
"Very well. I will inform our guest. He may wish to correspond with you using Isis. Will this be acceptable?"
"I have no problem with it, however, he will have to ask Isis, if she is willing."
Joseph nodded and walked down the boarding ramp. He apparated as he reached the bottom of the ramp.
"Now to unwrap my guest," Jason declared as he walked over to the laundry bag and opened it.
The bag fell around Draco's legs and he started to fall over. Jason grabbed the teen and pulled him to his feet.
"Before we go any further, I think 'my nephew' should introduce himself to my other guests." Jason smiled as he looked at Harry.
Harry pulled the hood off his robes from his head and grinned at his friends.
"HARRY!" Remus, George, and Fred bellowed.
"Hi. And Remus, I am NEVER going back to the Dursleys', ever!"
The ship's sails suddenly unfurled and the deck swayed as the wind filled the sail and propelled the ship away from its anchorage.
"Where are we going?" Remus asked, whirling on Jason, his wand drawn.
"The Isle of Avalon."
"Tell me something I can believe," Remus growled.
"It is the truth Mr. Lupin. The Island has always existed. My family has made it their home for centuries. The wards are unbreachable."
"Tell me another story."
Jason waved his hand and Remus wand leaped into it.
"I am telling you the truth Mr. Lupin. The only ways to get to Avalon are to be invited or be taken there by a resident. That also applies to leaving. You must be grant permission to leave or be taken off the Island by a resident. Only those who live on Avalon have free access to the Island," Jason replied handing Remus' wand to Harry as he continued to support Draco.
"Remus, please, don't ruin this for me. I know I can trust Jason. Fawkes, Dobby, and Wink came to my rooms at The Leaky Cauldron when Jason came to get me. We talked about some things. The only thing I really regret is leaving without telling Pan," Harry pleaded offering Remus' wand to him.
"Harry, you're safer at-"
"No, Remus, I'm not safer anywhere else. I know that. Jason, Dobby, and Wink will protect me."
"How do you know you can trust Jason?" Remus asked as he accepted his wand.
"I don't trust Dumbledore anymore, but I trust Fawkes. Fawkes and Hedwig both went to Jason without any hesitation.."
Remus studied Harry's face, until a crimson bird with golden tail feathers and golden talons landed on the teens shoulder.
"Fawkes?" Remus asked.
"No, Isis, Fawkes' mate," Jason answered as the phoenix shook its head and song a short song.
At the mention of Fawkes, there was a burst of fire several feet above and behind Jason and the Hogwarts' Headmaster's phoenix appeared. Fawkes perched himself on Jason left shoulder.
"Blimey!" Fred and George chorused.
"Fawkes?" Remus croaked.
The phoenix nodded in response to his name.
"If that settles your concerns, I need to deal with Mr. Malfoy," Jason said.
Remus nodded as Jason waved his wand removing the bindings on the Slytherin's hands and feet
"It's about time you bloody prick! What in the bloody hell am I doing here, with two weasels, a half-breed, and 'The-Boy-Who Won't Die'? Thank Slytherin that the youngest weasels and the Mudblood -"
"NEVER USE THAT DISGUSTING, DESPICABLE, FOUL WORD EVER AGAIN! YOU BLOODY, IGNORANT BIGOT!" Jason bellowed as he grabbed Draco by the back of his robes and launched him over the side of the ship.
Remus cried out as the teen vanished from sight. Fawkes and Isis launched themselves from their perches.
"How could you throw a child over the side of the ship?!" Remus screamed as Fred and George doubled over with laughter.
Harry stood stunned as Remus made his way toward the ship's railing. No one heard Jason counting under his breath.
There was a loud pop as Remus reached the railing. He turned to see a soaked Draco Malfoy laying at Jason's feet.
Draco cough water up and tried to get up.
"Bloody bastard! What are you trying to do drown me? I'll have your Mud-"
"What did I tell you about that word you conniving little arse?" Jason growled as he put his foot on the young man's shoulder and forced him back down.
"I don't answer to the likes of you! My Father is a powerful man with powerful friends. You'd do well to take me home before something nasty happens to you," Draco sneered.
"Your father is imprisoned and even if he were here, now, with his friends, I would be quite amused by their pathetic antics," Jason growled as he dragged Draco to his feet. He waved his wand and a barrel of water appeared in front of him.
"Now, are you going to heed my warning not to use that word or do we have to wash the filth from you mind?" Jason asked.
"BUGGER OFF!"
"STOP!" Remus screamed, hurrying towards the barrel as Jason shoved Draco's head under the water.
Jason pulled Draco from the water before Remus had covered half the distance between them.
"Let me go you bloody bastard! Bugger off half-breed! I don't need you to defend me!" Draco growled out before his head was shoved under the water a second time.
"Mr. Lupin, I am not going to cause any permanent or great harm to Mr. Malfoy. However, I will not tolerate his mouth and attitude. Please, allow me to deal with this situation. I have many years of practice dealing with foul mouthed, stuck up teens," Jason said, pulling Draco from the water as Fawkes and Isis landed on the rim of the barrel.
"Bugger you! Let me go you bloody ponce!"
Being dunked again was Draco's reward for his continued verbal assault.
"Mr. Malfoy, if you will hold your tongue for a few minutes, you may learn something that will keep you alive when you return to England. I assure you that I can continue to dunk you far longer than you can shoot your mouth off."
Draco was gasping for breath and gripping the edge of the barrel.
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say," Draco gasped.
"Not even the truth about the fight between the Founders of Hogwarts? You may find it very interesting."
"How will that keep me alive?" Draco asked his interest peaked, wondering if he was going to be forced to hear someone bad mouth Slytherin because he didn't want to teach muggle borns at Hogwarts.
"That story has been told many times. All of us here know it by heart," Remus interjected, attempting to buy Draco some time to caught his breath.
"Oh, are you talking about the half truths and lies that were told and printed two hundred years after Salazar left Hogwarts?" Jason asked.
He received astonished looks from the four teens and a look of confusion from Remus.
"I see I have everyone curiosity peaked. Are you willing to listen, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes. I'm changing first," Draco replied with smirk.
"Very well. Van!" Jason called.
A blonde haired man in black robes hurried over to Jason and his guests.
"Yes, sir."
"Will you please show Mr. Malfoy to his cabin. He wishes to change before joining us in the sitting room," Jason instructed the man.
"Of course, sir. Mr. Malfoy, if you will follow me, please.
**********
Several minutes later Draco entered the sitting room. He flopped into an armchair and accepted a flagon of pumpkin juice from a young man in a while shirt and black trousers.
"Now that everyone is here, I will begin my tale. I will tell the short version. If you wish to know more I will be glad to loan you the book that contains the entire story.
Hogwarts had been excepting students for over ten years when a young man joined the student body. At the time all of the house got along well and attended classes together.
This young man came from a non-magical family. He did very well in his studies for his first two years. However in his third year, in his Divination class, a tragedy occurred.
The entire class and the professor became seriously ill. They had all been poisoned. The professor and sixteen students, over half the class perished. The young man survived.
While the students were recovering it was discovered that the young man had received the smallest dose of poison. Upon questioning him and probing his mind the Founders discovered that he had purposely poisoned his professor and classmates.
It was discovered that his family believed that all magic was evil and that he had been gifted with magic to be able to gain access to the school and kill everyone. He and his family considered witches and wizards to be spawned from demons." Jason paused to let what he had said sink in.
"That's horrible," Remus moaned.
"Three of the students that died were members of Salazar's family. That is when he began his campaign to have muggle born witches and wizards banned from Hogwarts. He did not want another child to enter the school for the purpose of killing other children.
Rowena, Godric, and Helga all argued that Salazar could not keep children from getting the education they deserved because of a few fanatics.
Salazar said that he had no problem allowing muggle borns in if there was a way to make sure that what happened would never happen again.
For years the Founders searched for a way to protect the children already at Hogwarts without victimizing the new students or making them into monsters in the eyes of the other students.
Salazar finally gave up the struggle and left the school. Much to the dismay of his fellow Founders.
There have been no further multiple deaths by treachery at Hogwarts since the first incident. After many years, the story became a legend and no one believed it. That is when the story, you are familiar with, that Salazar despised all muggles and muggle borns came about."
"What happened to the boy?" Harry asked.
"Between what his parents had driven into his head, the probing of his mind by the Founders, and the poison, his mind was damaged beyond repair. He was able to function, but he had lost his ability to preform magic. He was allowed to stay on at Hogwarts and he lived his life out there," Jason replied.
"What happened to his family?" Remus asked.
"The families of the children that were poisoned hunted the young man's family down and eliminated the adults. The children were taken and placed with other families after having their memories modified so they would not follow in their parents footsteps."
"How could they do that?" Harry asked.
"They lived in violent times, Harry. There were constant battles between the Scottish Clans. History actually records the battle as part of a clan war. However, in non-magical clan wars entire families were sometimes killed; men, women, and children," Jason replied.
"There is only one more thing I want to tell you about. Then you can all get settled in your cabins and explore the ship.
I want to teach you where Mr. Malfoy's derogatory name for muggle born witch and wizards.
The word was first used several thousand years ago to refer to anyone with magically abilities. Non-magical people believed that people who could preform magic had something in their blood that allowed them to do what they did. Therefore they were unclean or contaminated with something."
"That can't be true!" Draco growled.
"It most certainly is Mr. Malfoy. I have journals from dozens of witches and wizards that confirm it. You may read them at your leisure, after we reach our destination. You should also know, that all wizarding families will find, if they trace their ancestors back far enough, that they are descendant from non-magical people."
"LIAR!" Draco screamed.
"I am sorry, Mr. Malfoy, but it is true. Even the so called, Dark Lord, Voldemort, is descended from a muggle. His father was Thomas Riddle, a muggle, who abandon his wife and son, Thomas Marvolo Riddle before the boy was born, when he discovered his wife was a witch.
I will have some of the journals and books that prove this brought to the ship for your inspection.
Van is waiting to take you to your cabins. Harry, will you stay for a moment, please?" Jason said as he stood up and guided his guest out of the room.
"Sure," Harry replied as the others followed Van down the passageway.
"You have a decision to make. You have been wronged by several people and groups over the last two years. The Minister of Magic and The Daily Prophet to name two. I have people who have looked into your legal options."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"By British Wizarding and Muggle Law you have the right to compensation for the lies told about you, the mental anguish you have suffered from because of those lies, and the attacks directed at your person. There are several other incidents that also fall into this category. Joseph Cromwell, the gentleman that met us on our arrival, is a solicitor and has agreed to represent you in any legal action yo wish to pursue in the Wizarding and/or Muggle World. He is willing to join us on The Excalibur to discuss this with you in detail. He has also agreed to discuss clearing the name of Sirius Black."
Tears formed in Harry's eyes as he sat looking at his host.
"I should tell you that you will not be charged for Joseph's services. I am paying for everything. I will explain why I am doing this after we reach Avalon. Your decision on this will not effect anything else I have promised you," Jason added as he waited for Harry's answer.
"I guess, I can talk to him. But, I don't know if I want to do anything," harry mumbled.
"I understand. I'll have Joseph join us. Now let me show you to your cabin."
Harry followed Jason out of the sitting room.
TBC. . . .