A/N *runs into room, jumps onto bed, sprawls out and grabs laptop* Righto, sorry about the wait....School really gets me down, *cracks knuckles* On with the show....
CHAPTER FIVE - Of Africa, Shamans and Gypsies
They stood on a savannah of long waving grass that reached up to a manÕs knees, the skies were overcast and grey, humidity hung in the air like fog, a wind howled past them, heading for some unknown destination.
ÒPaÕfoo, where are we?Ó Harry asked in wonder as he rotated, looking around at the seemingly endless plateau.
Sirius didnÕt answer immediately, his head whipped from side to side, his black hair following itÕs movements like a trail of smoke. A frown creased his brow, ÒAfrica, I think.Ó
He took hold of HarryÕs hand and began striding off, towards the direction that the wind was blowing.
Harry frowned as well, sniffling a little, why were they in Afrykcia or whatever it was? What happened to Mali, why couldnÕt he stay and help Mali? His free hand clenched in annoyance, it was those sodding - He looked quickly up at Sirius, as if he could read HarryÕs thoughts and hear the ÔswearwordÕ, then continued, those sodding people who thought Padfoot was bad. He harrumphed, but followed Padfoot obediantly, then looked up curiously as he heard Padfoot begin muttering something under his breath.
Sirius was very worried, he had meant to apparate to Africa, but to arrive at a certain place, which they hadnÕt. If they didnÕt find something that could get them off this plain quickly, they would be found. Yes, it would take a couple of hours for the Aurors to bring in the Apparition-tracing equipment, but him and Harry had to be long gone by then.
Unfortunately, the savannah was providing no end, and no towns were on the horizon. He cast worried eyes around him, ÒThe savvanah leads to the sun, the sun leads to the caravan, the caravan leads to home and the home leads to safety.Ó He muttered to himself thoughtfully.
A long time ago, an old african man had told him that, and that that was the way he would find the ancient shamans. He had found the old man in the backstreets of London, alone and dieing, and had helped him. In return the man had told him that the shamans would help him when he needed it, and the cryptic sentence on how to find the wild-magic users.
The young Sirius had been cynical of it, but further research proved that the shamans had existed, but were believed to have died out when their magic escalated out of control.
They crested a gently, rolling hill just in time to see the sun set in all of itÕs molten golden glory. And against it, silhouetted against the red glow, was a long cravan of brightly coloured wagons which would have been otherwise invisible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ÒWhy would he have kept Harry alive all of this time!? It is senseless for someone like him.Ó Remus burst out after Patrick had concluded his report to Albus.
ÒBlack always was senseless.Ó Patrick murmered, ÒIn a brave, foolish, pig-headed way, and he is, *apparently*, insane.Ó
Dumbledore looked up sharply, his blue eyes piercing the Head AurorÕs grey ones. ÒIt is ture.Ó The old man said slowly, ÒThat we have no proof he is insane, only assumptions.Ó
Remus stopped silently fuming as he looked up in sudden fear, ÒNot insane?Ó He mumbled in shock, then striaghtened briefly. ÒWe have no chance of catching him.Ó Remus announced loudly, and slumped back in defeat.
The top members of the Order of The Pheonix, also in the room, stared at Remus.
The werewolf sighed, ÒSirius is brilliant at getting away, he was never caught, nobody could track him, he was invisible when he had to be, hell, he could even erase himself from the MarauderÕs Map.Ó
Dumbledore looked thoughtful, ÒBut if that is so, why do I recall that Black had the highest rate of detentions in Hogwarts history?Ó
Remus clenched his teeth, it hurt to relive things like this, but.... ÒHe always had to be the best, on the Express, James and Sirius made a pact to see who could reach the most detentions.Ó Remus paused, and raised his eyes to the ceiling, ÒHe....he got away with much more than you know about.Ó His eyes sought out the headmaster, ÒDid you not ever wonder where your woollen socks went?Ó
The sparkle suddenly disappeared from DumbeldroeÕs blue eyes, ÒWe are wasting time here, has the apparition tracing instrument picked up a signal yet?Ó
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ÒHunting Eagle, two travellers are approaching, they are outsiders.Ó
The old, grizzled man turned, his powerful body clothed in bright garments and beads that clanked as he moved. The decorative patterns tattoed across his face made it seem inhuman and demonic.
ÒWe shall meet with them. If we do not like what we see, we will cut off their ears.Ó The man grinned, baring his teeth. The younger, dark-haired man backed away, ÒI shall bring them to you when they arrive.Ó
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remus stood uncetainly, shifting his feet and looking at the floor. He did not like this at all. A group of highly trained assassins, illegal, but the best, to be sure, stared down at him with cold eyes, their faces all identical masks of blankness, hiding whatever emotions they were feeling.
ÒAhem, we have traced BlackÕs apparition to a savannah in Africa, however, no trace of him was found by our Aurors. You are hired to track down the fugitive, take him alive if you can, but - Ò The werewolf swallowed, ÒBut if need be, he may be...killed.Ó He cleared his throat again and continued, ÒBut the young child must not be harmed at all, and brought back to the designated area.Ó
Dumbledore had thought it best that the assassins knew of Black, but not of Harry Potter. This group was known for their determination and ruthlessness. They always got the job done. But the moment they were paid, they were likely to turn on whoever had hired them. If they knew Harry Potter was the young child they would be taking was the Boy-Who-Lived...they were likel to re-kidnap him.
Remus swallowed. ÒThese are the co-ordinates.Ó
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sirius grasped HarryÕs hand tightly and apprehensively and followed the heavily muscled black african man towards the largest wagon, heading the slow, trundling trail of the now camped caravan. As if on cue, the sky darkened ominously, clouding its way into night.
Harry did not seem that bothered by his guardianÕs anxiety. He was turning, craning his neck in every direction, his arm twisted where Sirius was grasping it.
There was plenty to amuse the curious.
The women walked, tall, stately elegant, carved urns blancing perfectly on their heads, beaded tapestries marking their dark skin. Their dark eyes glittered behind the veils they wore over their faces.
The children ran, chasing each other with ornately jewelled and created daggers, glinting like quicksilver in the moonlight. The fires leaping up from every individual camp gave the whole setting an eerie aura, as if washed in crimson red. The men walked, never letting their eyes leave the outsiders, deadly spears held easily in hands and tattoos adorning their half-naked bodies.
Snakes hissed from where they were bound to rails of wood, tails rattling ferociously, a pair of ocelots prowled around the campfire of one man, eyes glinting ferally. As Harry watched, the man twirled his staff towards the small children listening to his speech, and the man suddenly lifted a gnarled hand and blew out across the children a strangely sparkling powder.
HarryÕs eyes strayed ot another campfire, two woman stood as one, back to back, hands extended in a serpentine line, moving to a rhythm played by a younger woman.
At yet another, three men stood in a triangle, facing outwards, chanting in a strange language as they smeared their faces with a chalky substance.
The whole place gave the sense of a magical place where warrior gods walked the land with their inhuman ladies and consorts.
Harry shivered, both drawn to and afraid of the eerie clan.
The man leading them stopped suddenly and turned around. His grin revealed a set of gleaming teeth, contrasting against the darkness of his skin.
ÒNow we see.Ó He said cryptically in a rough, low voice, and spread his arms, bowing low as he left the two, a dark haired manand child, staring at the door.
A strange symbol adorned the heavy surface a shrieking eagle wings stretched and talons raised as if about to strike spread cross the wood, a crescent moon and sun fitting perfectly together behind it. A strange, runic writing spread across the picture.
The door opened. Gingerly, the two climbed the three steps, into the darkenss of the wagon.
A light gleamed somewhere before them, and a candle was lit, revealing a huge bear of a man, dark, gnarled skin etched with red and black symbols. A leather bound hand stretched out from the darkness, beckoning them into the light.
Slowly, Sirius stepped forwards, Harry trailing , hiding bhind the manÕs body, grasping his clothes in small fists.
As they came into the candlelight, Sirius realised with a shock that the manÕs dark eyes were filled with white blotches and cataracts.
-He was blind-
The manÕs face revealed nothing as he gestured to two intricately carved chairs, Sirius sat, Harry mimicking him.
The manÕs presence fillled the whole room, his aura powerful and dangerous for all his blindness and age, it made Siirus apprehensive and Harry afraid.
ÒWhen the wind's from the east And the sun's from the west And the sand in the glass is right.... African nights 'Neath African moons A fool off his guard Could fall and fall hard.Ó
The man intoned, his voice low and intoxicating, capturing the two strangersÕ attention immediately. He broke off and glared at them,
ÒWhat do you here? You are not welcomed and not wanted. Leave or be left, unless you have reasonings.Ó The manÕs strange way of speech did not undermine his mysterious power, if anything, it made him seem more enigmatic.
ÒWe comee seeking help.Ó Sirius replied, unusually formal, ÒI was sent here.Ó
ÒBy whom?Ó
ÒA man.Ó
ÒWhich man.Ó
Some of SiriusÕ cheek returned. ÒAn old man.Ó
ÒLeave then.Ó
ÒAn african shaman.Ó
ÒDo tell.Ó
ÒHe was dieing, I helped him, he told me you would help me when I needed it.Ó
ÒProve it.Ó
ÒMAHAN!Ó The man that had lead the strangers to the old man earlier burst in, breathing hard, ÒWizards, assassins, they are here, and wish to speak to you, something about a murderer and a young child.Ó He glared meaningfully at Sirius.
The old man stood, seemingly easily, ÒStay, Gimalh, and find out this manÕs story, if we are to accept, inform me.Ó
He walked to the door, then turned slightly, ÒBe quick, lives may be ruined or saved.Ó He whispered to the other african man. Then the head Shaman of the African Gypsies left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Earlier.......
The assassins apparated on a deserted savannah of waving grass, night already fallen and cloaking the african landscape in darkness.
They spread out in a seven-pointed star, searching for signs of recent trails. The stumbling, bumbling Aurors had already been and crushed plenty of grass and hidden the trails, but the further they spread out, the less chance there would be of a corrupted trail.
A piercing whistle split the night a few hours after they had begun their search. The whistle continued, and the other six assassins quickly covered the ground between them and their partner.
Then together, they followed the trail like hounds, never stopping, they crested a gentle slope and the leader smiled a wolfish grin, the line of wagons were brightly lit and clearly visible.
They had found him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N *brushes off hands* Bah! I have writers block ALREADY!!! It took mne ages to belt this out, hopefully IÕve past my bout of that ......plague now. So, what did you think??? Was it okay???
Beth - Wow! Thanks! I was really tring to keep him in his age-group, I was worried that he might seem a bit too intelligent or whatever for his age...But thanks! If he starts getting out of character, tell me straight away!
Eric2 - Hmmm, what might that be??? *grins*
Cinnamon3 - I know, but I donÕt know where to get a Beta-reader, this is my first fic you see, and IÕm still pretty new to fandom....
Civenus - I was thinking that , but the letter willl definiately cause problems when the time comes.
MerlinHalliwell - Yep, the hunt has begun....
Thanks to everyone who reviews, they keep me alive, just a sentence is fantastic! Thankyou so much!
CHAPTER FIVE - Of Africa, Shamans and Gypsies
They stood on a savannah of long waving grass that reached up to a manÕs knees, the skies were overcast and grey, humidity hung in the air like fog, a wind howled past them, heading for some unknown destination.
ÒPaÕfoo, where are we?Ó Harry asked in wonder as he rotated, looking around at the seemingly endless plateau.
Sirius didnÕt answer immediately, his head whipped from side to side, his black hair following itÕs movements like a trail of smoke. A frown creased his brow, ÒAfrica, I think.Ó
He took hold of HarryÕs hand and began striding off, towards the direction that the wind was blowing.
Harry frowned as well, sniffling a little, why were they in Afrykcia or whatever it was? What happened to Mali, why couldnÕt he stay and help Mali? His free hand clenched in annoyance, it was those sodding - He looked quickly up at Sirius, as if he could read HarryÕs thoughts and hear the ÔswearwordÕ, then continued, those sodding people who thought Padfoot was bad. He harrumphed, but followed Padfoot obediantly, then looked up curiously as he heard Padfoot begin muttering something under his breath.
Sirius was very worried, he had meant to apparate to Africa, but to arrive at a certain place, which they hadnÕt. If they didnÕt find something that could get them off this plain quickly, they would be found. Yes, it would take a couple of hours for the Aurors to bring in the Apparition-tracing equipment, but him and Harry had to be long gone by then.
Unfortunately, the savannah was providing no end, and no towns were on the horizon. He cast worried eyes around him, ÒThe savvanah leads to the sun, the sun leads to the caravan, the caravan leads to home and the home leads to safety.Ó He muttered to himself thoughtfully.
A long time ago, an old african man had told him that, and that that was the way he would find the ancient shamans. He had found the old man in the backstreets of London, alone and dieing, and had helped him. In return the man had told him that the shamans would help him when he needed it, and the cryptic sentence on how to find the wild-magic users.
The young Sirius had been cynical of it, but further research proved that the shamans had existed, but were believed to have died out when their magic escalated out of control.
They crested a gently, rolling hill just in time to see the sun set in all of itÕs molten golden glory. And against it, silhouetted against the red glow, was a long cravan of brightly coloured wagons which would have been otherwise invisible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ÒWhy would he have kept Harry alive all of this time!? It is senseless for someone like him.Ó Remus burst out after Patrick had concluded his report to Albus.
ÒBlack always was senseless.Ó Patrick murmered, ÒIn a brave, foolish, pig-headed way, and he is, *apparently*, insane.Ó
Dumbledore looked up sharply, his blue eyes piercing the Head AurorÕs grey ones. ÒIt is ture.Ó The old man said slowly, ÒThat we have no proof he is insane, only assumptions.Ó
Remus stopped silently fuming as he looked up in sudden fear, ÒNot insane?Ó He mumbled in shock, then striaghtened briefly. ÒWe have no chance of catching him.Ó Remus announced loudly, and slumped back in defeat.
The top members of the Order of The Pheonix, also in the room, stared at Remus.
The werewolf sighed, ÒSirius is brilliant at getting away, he was never caught, nobody could track him, he was invisible when he had to be, hell, he could even erase himself from the MarauderÕs Map.Ó
Dumbledore looked thoughtful, ÒBut if that is so, why do I recall that Black had the highest rate of detentions in Hogwarts history?Ó
Remus clenched his teeth, it hurt to relive things like this, but.... ÒHe always had to be the best, on the Express, James and Sirius made a pact to see who could reach the most detentions.Ó Remus paused, and raised his eyes to the ceiling, ÒHe....he got away with much more than you know about.Ó His eyes sought out the headmaster, ÒDid you not ever wonder where your woollen socks went?Ó
The sparkle suddenly disappeared from DumbeldroeÕs blue eyes, ÒWe are wasting time here, has the apparition tracing instrument picked up a signal yet?Ó
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ÒHunting Eagle, two travellers are approaching, they are outsiders.Ó
The old, grizzled man turned, his powerful body clothed in bright garments and beads that clanked as he moved. The decorative patterns tattoed across his face made it seem inhuman and demonic.
ÒWe shall meet with them. If we do not like what we see, we will cut off their ears.Ó The man grinned, baring his teeth. The younger, dark-haired man backed away, ÒI shall bring them to you when they arrive.Ó
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remus stood uncetainly, shifting his feet and looking at the floor. He did not like this at all. A group of highly trained assassins, illegal, but the best, to be sure, stared down at him with cold eyes, their faces all identical masks of blankness, hiding whatever emotions they were feeling.
ÒAhem, we have traced BlackÕs apparition to a savannah in Africa, however, no trace of him was found by our Aurors. You are hired to track down the fugitive, take him alive if you can, but - Ò The werewolf swallowed, ÒBut if need be, he may be...killed.Ó He cleared his throat again and continued, ÒBut the young child must not be harmed at all, and brought back to the designated area.Ó
Dumbledore had thought it best that the assassins knew of Black, but not of Harry Potter. This group was known for their determination and ruthlessness. They always got the job done. But the moment they were paid, they were likely to turn on whoever had hired them. If they knew Harry Potter was the young child they would be taking was the Boy-Who-Lived...they were likel to re-kidnap him.
Remus swallowed. ÒThese are the co-ordinates.Ó
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sirius grasped HarryÕs hand tightly and apprehensively and followed the heavily muscled black african man towards the largest wagon, heading the slow, trundling trail of the now camped caravan. As if on cue, the sky darkened ominously, clouding its way into night.
Harry did not seem that bothered by his guardianÕs anxiety. He was turning, craning his neck in every direction, his arm twisted where Sirius was grasping it.
There was plenty to amuse the curious.
The women walked, tall, stately elegant, carved urns blancing perfectly on their heads, beaded tapestries marking their dark skin. Their dark eyes glittered behind the veils they wore over their faces.
The children ran, chasing each other with ornately jewelled and created daggers, glinting like quicksilver in the moonlight. The fires leaping up from every individual camp gave the whole setting an eerie aura, as if washed in crimson red. The men walked, never letting their eyes leave the outsiders, deadly spears held easily in hands and tattoos adorning their half-naked bodies.
Snakes hissed from where they were bound to rails of wood, tails rattling ferociously, a pair of ocelots prowled around the campfire of one man, eyes glinting ferally. As Harry watched, the man twirled his staff towards the small children listening to his speech, and the man suddenly lifted a gnarled hand and blew out across the children a strangely sparkling powder.
HarryÕs eyes strayed ot another campfire, two woman stood as one, back to back, hands extended in a serpentine line, moving to a rhythm played by a younger woman.
At yet another, three men stood in a triangle, facing outwards, chanting in a strange language as they smeared their faces with a chalky substance.
The whole place gave the sense of a magical place where warrior gods walked the land with their inhuman ladies and consorts.
Harry shivered, both drawn to and afraid of the eerie clan.
The man leading them stopped suddenly and turned around. His grin revealed a set of gleaming teeth, contrasting against the darkness of his skin.
ÒNow we see.Ó He said cryptically in a rough, low voice, and spread his arms, bowing low as he left the two, a dark haired manand child, staring at the door.
A strange symbol adorned the heavy surface a shrieking eagle wings stretched and talons raised as if about to strike spread cross the wood, a crescent moon and sun fitting perfectly together behind it. A strange, runic writing spread across the picture.
The door opened. Gingerly, the two climbed the three steps, into the darkenss of the wagon.
A light gleamed somewhere before them, and a candle was lit, revealing a huge bear of a man, dark, gnarled skin etched with red and black symbols. A leather bound hand stretched out from the darkness, beckoning them into the light.
Slowly, Sirius stepped forwards, Harry trailing , hiding bhind the manÕs body, grasping his clothes in small fists.
As they came into the candlelight, Sirius realised with a shock that the manÕs dark eyes were filled with white blotches and cataracts.
-He was blind-
The manÕs face revealed nothing as he gestured to two intricately carved chairs, Sirius sat, Harry mimicking him.
The manÕs presence fillled the whole room, his aura powerful and dangerous for all his blindness and age, it made Siirus apprehensive and Harry afraid.
ÒWhen the wind's from the east And the sun's from the west And the sand in the glass is right.... African nights 'Neath African moons A fool off his guard Could fall and fall hard.Ó
The man intoned, his voice low and intoxicating, capturing the two strangersÕ attention immediately. He broke off and glared at them,
ÒWhat do you here? You are not welcomed and not wanted. Leave or be left, unless you have reasonings.Ó The manÕs strange way of speech did not undermine his mysterious power, if anything, it made him seem more enigmatic.
ÒWe comee seeking help.Ó Sirius replied, unusually formal, ÒI was sent here.Ó
ÒBy whom?Ó
ÒA man.Ó
ÒWhich man.Ó
Some of SiriusÕ cheek returned. ÒAn old man.Ó
ÒLeave then.Ó
ÒAn african shaman.Ó
ÒDo tell.Ó
ÒHe was dieing, I helped him, he told me you would help me when I needed it.Ó
ÒProve it.Ó
ÒMAHAN!Ó The man that had lead the strangers to the old man earlier burst in, breathing hard, ÒWizards, assassins, they are here, and wish to speak to you, something about a murderer and a young child.Ó He glared meaningfully at Sirius.
The old man stood, seemingly easily, ÒStay, Gimalh, and find out this manÕs story, if we are to accept, inform me.Ó
He walked to the door, then turned slightly, ÒBe quick, lives may be ruined or saved.Ó He whispered to the other african man. Then the head Shaman of the African Gypsies left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Earlier.......
The assassins apparated on a deserted savannah of waving grass, night already fallen and cloaking the african landscape in darkness.
They spread out in a seven-pointed star, searching for signs of recent trails. The stumbling, bumbling Aurors had already been and crushed plenty of grass and hidden the trails, but the further they spread out, the less chance there would be of a corrupted trail.
A piercing whistle split the night a few hours after they had begun their search. The whistle continued, and the other six assassins quickly covered the ground between them and their partner.
Then together, they followed the trail like hounds, never stopping, they crested a gentle slope and the leader smiled a wolfish grin, the line of wagons were brightly lit and clearly visible.
They had found him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N *brushes off hands* Bah! I have writers block ALREADY!!! It took mne ages to belt this out, hopefully IÕve past my bout of that ......plague now. So, what did you think??? Was it okay???
Beth - Wow! Thanks! I was really tring to keep him in his age-group, I was worried that he might seem a bit too intelligent or whatever for his age...But thanks! If he starts getting out of character, tell me straight away!
Eric2 - Hmmm, what might that be??? *grins*
Cinnamon3 - I know, but I donÕt know where to get a Beta-reader, this is my first fic you see, and IÕm still pretty new to fandom....
Civenus - I was thinking that , but the letter willl definiately cause problems when the time comes.
MerlinHalliwell - Yep, the hunt has begun....
Thanks to everyone who reviews, they keep me alive, just a sentence is fantastic! Thankyou so much!