CHAPTER SEVEN
New Places, new Discoveries.
If a person had been watching, if a person had been there, they might have seen a man and boy appearing on the cold scottish coast. They would have seen the man draw the young boy into his arms and kneel down on the cliff edge. And when the strong wind blew both their hair out behind them, if a person had been looking hard enough, they would have noticed that the boy was the missing saviour of the wizarding world.
But no living thing was watching, and no living thing was there, and so the man and the child cried alone.
The dark, overcast day was threatening to pour down a storm on them, Sirius noticed, as he sat with his legs crossed and a sleeping Harry cradled in his lap.
He glanced down at the ocean as it pounded against the sharp cliff face, then back up at the clouded sky and grimaced.
They had nowhere to go.
It seemed hopeless. Each time he had escaped, each time he had found a new, exotic home for him and his godson and each time he had been found, and forced to leave.
Nervously, Sirius threw a look over his shoulder. Hogwarts was miles away and still he fancied he could feel it hovering just behind him, ready to throw everything it had between Sirius and Harry.
Unconsciously, Sirius's arms tightened around Harry, -nothing- would come between them.
The man paused in his thoughts. -Why?- Wouldn't Harry be happier in a magical world where he was honored and stable rather than hunted for reasons beyond his control. Wasn't Sirius being selfish in keeping Harry. Perhaps he should just drop Harry off at Hogwarts and -
Roughly he shook his head. He needed more time to think and they had lingered for too many hours already. What he needed was a map.
A slight quirk at the corner of his mouth appeared as he had an idea and wakened Harry.
"No Mr Donaldson, of course, yes, yes, I see your point, perhaps destination oh-one-two-zero would be advisable to him. I see, okay, yes, yes, no sir, I'll get right on it." The young receptionist lowered the phone with a clank and turned back to his computer and began frantically tapping away at the keyboard.
A small bell rang, signalling the entry of a man. The man was blonde, blue-eyed and roughly handsome. The expensive suit and golden rings on his fingers gave testament to his wealth as he haughtily eyed the travel agency.
Diagon Alley, no longer a centre of enjoyment and shopping, but a place to be endured, a frightful, yet necessary place.
Witches and wizards bustled around to the shops, huddled into groups and whispering frantically to each other as they went about their business as quickly as possible.
A stray newspaper fluttered down the street to be picked up by an old man, so tall he had to stoop to his knees to pick it up. His head was shaven and and long, white bristling beard graced his craggy face.
His light blue eyes scanned the page quickly, and suddenly he thrust the paper into the air and laughed, and laughed. The small crowd stopped and stared at him as if he was crazy. As some of the people recognized him, they realized that he probably -was- crazy.
The newspaper swooped and curved, finally landing face-up in a puddle of rain water.
SIRIUS BLACK STRIKES AGAIN
Sirius Black, serial murderer, public enemy number one, killer of The Boy Who Lived and infamous madman, has attacked the wizarding city of Magnes Harbor, America.
Several timed spells, highly illegal, were placed at strategic points around the port and in the foundations of the city. They went off at exactly 11.05am, the same time as the attack which killed 13 muggles and Peter Pettigrew. In the rubble and mayhem of the aftermath of the destruction spells, Black was spotted standing on top of a still standing office, laughing maniacally. Several wizards made to attack him, whereupon Black fired off several offensive spells and disappeared.
Death toll currently at 61, with an estimated 80 people still missing. Emergency Teams have been working around the clock to clear the area. America has retaliated by calling for a more efficient and effective search for Sirius Black. Negotiations between the governments are still running. It seems that many of the as-yet uninvolved countries are using the incident as a bartering tool. They are offering their services and Intelligence to aid the hunt as long as they are repaid in terms of land, laws or wealth.
By Nathalie Hammond, special reporter, Daily Prophet.
At the same time, the rich man in the travel Agency was tucking an acquired map into his jacket and assuring the nervous receptionist he would be in contact before sweeping out of the shop. Once out, the man ducked into a side alley where he found a small, black haired boy slumped on the ground, throwing rocks at the opposite wall.
Sirius stripped himself and his clothing of the glamour and opened the map, spreading it before them. Harry's eyes lit up as he scrabbled over to the new 'toy'.
"So Harry," Sirius said happily, "where do you want to go?" He spread an arm across the expanse of the rather large map of the world.
Harry practically leapt right onto it. "What's that countr-thingy like?" He asked, pointing at, something that looked to him like a big clump of shapes stuck together.
"That country is called Brazil." Sirius paused and wracked his brain, "Umm... I think that country is very colorful, and bright, and music and dancing are everywhere."
"Just like the Gypsies." Harry said sadly, head bowed.
"Yes Harry, but not exactly like - I read somewhere that they have grand parades and festivals, and that their music is different from anything you'd have ever heard before."
"Really?" Harry's eyes sparked as he looked up at Sirius hopefully.
If there was one thing Harry couldn't resist, it was music, throw in a bit of adventure in the form of a completely different form of music and - "Would you like to go to Brazil?"
Harry nodded emphatically.
"Right then, to Brazil we go."
"I won't take it! The British Ministry have been searching for this man for years, and have come across him twice, only to let him slip through their fingers. The incompetence is utterly ridiculous and is becoming dangerous. Black seems to have gathered a following and is beginning attacks. Before you know it, we'll be calling this man He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-The-Second! The man -must- be apprehended , he is a danger to the entire world if left to his own devices. We need more men!"
"And women." Albus Dumbledore corrected the American President mildly.
The lean, silver haired man nodded sharply, "And women." He agreed.
The President Samuel Young had held his office for the past twenty years and was experienced. As he eyed the gathered leaders of the magical world and their assistants, he caught each and every eye, glaring until they looked away.
The French Queen rustled gracefully to her feet, lavender gown falling around her in soft folds. Samuel returned respectfully to his seat. "I zee your reezoning, Zamuel, but why should wee 'elp 'oo?" Her voice was soft and accented, but the power held in her light brown eyes was unmistakable, "Black 'as not threatened our countries and I zee no evidenze zat 'e will, I zink, Prezzidant Zamuel, zat ;oo are over-reacting."
There were several nods of agreement.
The President rose passionately to his feet again, "And would you wait until he has grown as powerful as You-Know-Who? Wait till -he- starts a war that could tear our world apart, wait until the ruling bodies are at their knees begging to be spared by a madman? No, not I."
The debate wore long into the night, with yelling, cool reasonings and angry feuds.
All the while Albus Dumbledore, invited as the leader of the Order Of The Phoenix, sat quietly, fingers steepled on the table, as the verbal battles flew around him. His blue eyes lightly rested on one speaker after another, as a huge inner debate took place inside of him.
The Australian Leader, a tall, dark, aboriginal lady with braids through her hair was standing. It was seven hours after the conference had started, and her dark eyes were flashing dangerously at the Chinese Dynasty ruler, "The world cannot afford a war at this point, with huge rallies and protests in many of our country's streets to join our world with the muggles, a war could break the very foundations of our carefully built peace. Several years ago, that peace was shattered briefly by a man who sought world domination, and we are still recovering, imagine what a full out war would do to us if this Black is already gathering followers. However, we have no proof that he is, he might just be working alone, despite the huge amount of work it would have taken for one person to organise the Magnes Harbour attack. No, it is too inconclusive. Australia will wait."
The Chinese Ruler was just rising to his feet when Albus Dumbledore cut him off, standing faster than the other man, and raising his arms out wide. "May I speak?" Although the words were said softly, they carried out across the room and every person's eyes turned to look upon the only man He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named feared.
"Peoples of the world, I ask your help in one thing which may unite you all in purpose."
Several skeptical looks were directed at the old man, but he continued on regardless.
"There is great evidence that one Harry Potter is still alive and in the possession of Sirius Black."
There was a silence that stretched for long moments.
Then, complete uproar.
New Places, new Discoveries.
If a person had been watching, if a person had been there, they might have seen a man and boy appearing on the cold scottish coast. They would have seen the man draw the young boy into his arms and kneel down on the cliff edge. And when the strong wind blew both their hair out behind them, if a person had been looking hard enough, they would have noticed that the boy was the missing saviour of the wizarding world.
But no living thing was watching, and no living thing was there, and so the man and the child cried alone.
The dark, overcast day was threatening to pour down a storm on them, Sirius noticed, as he sat with his legs crossed and a sleeping Harry cradled in his lap.
He glanced down at the ocean as it pounded against the sharp cliff face, then back up at the clouded sky and grimaced.
They had nowhere to go.
It seemed hopeless. Each time he had escaped, each time he had found a new, exotic home for him and his godson and each time he had been found, and forced to leave.
Nervously, Sirius threw a look over his shoulder. Hogwarts was miles away and still he fancied he could feel it hovering just behind him, ready to throw everything it had between Sirius and Harry.
Unconsciously, Sirius's arms tightened around Harry, -nothing- would come between them.
The man paused in his thoughts. -Why?- Wouldn't Harry be happier in a magical world where he was honored and stable rather than hunted for reasons beyond his control. Wasn't Sirius being selfish in keeping Harry. Perhaps he should just drop Harry off at Hogwarts and -
Roughly he shook his head. He needed more time to think and they had lingered for too many hours already. What he needed was a map.
A slight quirk at the corner of his mouth appeared as he had an idea and wakened Harry.
"No Mr Donaldson, of course, yes, yes, I see your point, perhaps destination oh-one-two-zero would be advisable to him. I see, okay, yes, yes, no sir, I'll get right on it." The young receptionist lowered the phone with a clank and turned back to his computer and began frantically tapping away at the keyboard.
A small bell rang, signalling the entry of a man. The man was blonde, blue-eyed and roughly handsome. The expensive suit and golden rings on his fingers gave testament to his wealth as he haughtily eyed the travel agency.
Diagon Alley, no longer a centre of enjoyment and shopping, but a place to be endured, a frightful, yet necessary place.
Witches and wizards bustled around to the shops, huddled into groups and whispering frantically to each other as they went about their business as quickly as possible.
A stray newspaper fluttered down the street to be picked up by an old man, so tall he had to stoop to his knees to pick it up. His head was shaven and and long, white bristling beard graced his craggy face.
His light blue eyes scanned the page quickly, and suddenly he thrust the paper into the air and laughed, and laughed. The small crowd stopped and stared at him as if he was crazy. As some of the people recognized him, they realized that he probably -was- crazy.
The newspaper swooped and curved, finally landing face-up in a puddle of rain water.
SIRIUS BLACK STRIKES AGAIN
Sirius Black, serial murderer, public enemy number one, killer of The Boy Who Lived and infamous madman, has attacked the wizarding city of Magnes Harbor, America.
Several timed spells, highly illegal, were placed at strategic points around the port and in the foundations of the city. They went off at exactly 11.05am, the same time as the attack which killed 13 muggles and Peter Pettigrew. In the rubble and mayhem of the aftermath of the destruction spells, Black was spotted standing on top of a still standing office, laughing maniacally. Several wizards made to attack him, whereupon Black fired off several offensive spells and disappeared.
Death toll currently at 61, with an estimated 80 people still missing. Emergency Teams have been working around the clock to clear the area. America has retaliated by calling for a more efficient and effective search for Sirius Black. Negotiations between the governments are still running. It seems that many of the as-yet uninvolved countries are using the incident as a bartering tool. They are offering their services and Intelligence to aid the hunt as long as they are repaid in terms of land, laws or wealth.
By Nathalie Hammond, special reporter, Daily Prophet.
At the same time, the rich man in the travel Agency was tucking an acquired map into his jacket and assuring the nervous receptionist he would be in contact before sweeping out of the shop. Once out, the man ducked into a side alley where he found a small, black haired boy slumped on the ground, throwing rocks at the opposite wall.
Sirius stripped himself and his clothing of the glamour and opened the map, spreading it before them. Harry's eyes lit up as he scrabbled over to the new 'toy'.
"So Harry," Sirius said happily, "where do you want to go?" He spread an arm across the expanse of the rather large map of the world.
Harry practically leapt right onto it. "What's that countr-thingy like?" He asked, pointing at, something that looked to him like a big clump of shapes stuck together.
"That country is called Brazil." Sirius paused and wracked his brain, "Umm... I think that country is very colorful, and bright, and music and dancing are everywhere."
"Just like the Gypsies." Harry said sadly, head bowed.
"Yes Harry, but not exactly like - I read somewhere that they have grand parades and festivals, and that their music is different from anything you'd have ever heard before."
"Really?" Harry's eyes sparked as he looked up at Sirius hopefully.
If there was one thing Harry couldn't resist, it was music, throw in a bit of adventure in the form of a completely different form of music and - "Would you like to go to Brazil?"
Harry nodded emphatically.
"Right then, to Brazil we go."
"I won't take it! The British Ministry have been searching for this man for years, and have come across him twice, only to let him slip through their fingers. The incompetence is utterly ridiculous and is becoming dangerous. Black seems to have gathered a following and is beginning attacks. Before you know it, we'll be calling this man He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-The-Second! The man -must- be apprehended , he is a danger to the entire world if left to his own devices. We need more men!"
"And women." Albus Dumbledore corrected the American President mildly.
The lean, silver haired man nodded sharply, "And women." He agreed.
The President Samuel Young had held his office for the past twenty years and was experienced. As he eyed the gathered leaders of the magical world and their assistants, he caught each and every eye, glaring until they looked away.
The French Queen rustled gracefully to her feet, lavender gown falling around her in soft folds. Samuel returned respectfully to his seat. "I zee your reezoning, Zamuel, but why should wee 'elp 'oo?" Her voice was soft and accented, but the power held in her light brown eyes was unmistakable, "Black 'as not threatened our countries and I zee no evidenze zat 'e will, I zink, Prezzidant Zamuel, zat ;oo are over-reacting."
There were several nods of agreement.
The President rose passionately to his feet again, "And would you wait until he has grown as powerful as You-Know-Who? Wait till -he- starts a war that could tear our world apart, wait until the ruling bodies are at their knees begging to be spared by a madman? No, not I."
The debate wore long into the night, with yelling, cool reasonings and angry feuds.
All the while Albus Dumbledore, invited as the leader of the Order Of The Phoenix, sat quietly, fingers steepled on the table, as the verbal battles flew around him. His blue eyes lightly rested on one speaker after another, as a huge inner debate took place inside of him.
The Australian Leader, a tall, dark, aboriginal lady with braids through her hair was standing. It was seven hours after the conference had started, and her dark eyes were flashing dangerously at the Chinese Dynasty ruler, "The world cannot afford a war at this point, with huge rallies and protests in many of our country's streets to join our world with the muggles, a war could break the very foundations of our carefully built peace. Several years ago, that peace was shattered briefly by a man who sought world domination, and we are still recovering, imagine what a full out war would do to us if this Black is already gathering followers. However, we have no proof that he is, he might just be working alone, despite the huge amount of work it would have taken for one person to organise the Magnes Harbour attack. No, it is too inconclusive. Australia will wait."
The Chinese Ruler was just rising to his feet when Albus Dumbledore cut him off, standing faster than the other man, and raising his arms out wide. "May I speak?" Although the words were said softly, they carried out across the room and every person's eyes turned to look upon the only man He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named feared.
"Peoples of the world, I ask your help in one thing which may unite you all in purpose."
Several skeptical looks were directed at the old man, but he continued on regardless.
"There is great evidence that one Harry Potter is still alive and in the possession of Sirius Black."
There was a silence that stretched for long moments.
Then, complete uproar.