The great hall was expansive. That was the first thing Hanson notice upon entering the castle ruins. He also took notice of the head table, currently empty, but soon he knew the elusive Staff and students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would return for end of term feast in a few hours. So he waited patiently. No one knew of the muggle's presence just yet. He knew that it was going to be challenging to observe the Wizards and Witches unnoticed. So he waited in the shadows. Poor blokes he thought, running his hand through his blonde slicked back hair. Your magic is powerful but you have yet to understand true power .
Straightening his suit a bit he listened for any sound of foot steps. When he heard none he started to ponder his previous discussions with Professor Grienko from Russia. Professor Victor Grienko was a brilliant student in St. Petersburg taught under the legendary Pavlov. For years the Russians and the British have been testing and perfecting the... Hanson's thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of foot steps. He slipped deeper into the shadows and waited. His heart skipped a beat There he is, the boy who lived.
Harry Potter stumbled into the Great Hall with his hand clapped tightly on his scar. "You okay mate?" Ron Weasley asked his friend worriedly. Harry only nodded as the pain ebbed away and preceded at his usual smooth pace towards the Gryffindor table. Ron was not convinced. "Your scar has been burning since you woke up. Are you sure your alright?" Harry was about to assure Ron that he was when something caught his. A slight movement in the shadows near the hour glasses. "What you looking at mate?" Ron looked, if possible, more worried. "Nothing. I thought I saw something. Lets get going. we're going to be late." Harry replied tearing his eyes from the area hidden in shadow.
"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked suddenly a minuet later. Ron just shrugged and nodded towards the direction from whence they had just come, and sure enough there was Hermione Granger talking animatedly with Professor Barrin. Barrin had arrived to temporally replace Professor Snape until his return. Where he had gone was anyone's guess. Not many people missed him all that much. Ron was almost ecstatic when Barrin showed up to teach potions instead of Snape. Barrin, unlike Snape, was friendly and helpful. Though kind, Barrin did not shy away from enforcing the rules. Barrin was almost instantaneously liked or despised depending on the house. Malfoy was irate to learn his days of anarchy were over for him and his house.
Hermione joined Harry and Ron, Barrin nodded his goodbye and proceeded towards the head table. The hall fell silent as Headmaster Dumbledore stood for end of year announcements. "Before we begin our excellent feast, I must first announce that Professor Severus Snape has yet to return to Hogwarts and I cannot say as to his whereabouts." the elderly Headmaster said with more than a touch of concern. Harry reckoned that most of the great hall including himself was not too worried for the surly Professor. "Now I do not want to keep you from the wonderful feast", said Dumbledore, " so tuck in." And suddenly food appeared before them. "Finally!" exclaimed Ron, as he started on his dinner.
Hanson easily disappeared into the night without detection. He began his walk toward the Wizard a way down near the boat house. As soon as he was out of the magical aura, the school once again looked like castle ruins to the muggle eye. Cornelius Fudge waited until Hanson was directly in front of him.
"How soon can you take the boy?" The former Minister of Magic asked. Hanson responded with a question of his own. "How soon until Potter is out of the school's protective enchantments?" "The Hogwarts students will be headed home by train tomorrow mourning. When can you take the boy to the States?" came Cornelius' response which was swift and dripping with impatience. "I'm thinking my window will be before Potter boards the Hogwarts Express." Hanson replied, and then added bitterly, "If I can figure out a way to separate him from his two friends. Then perhaps I can get him into Osiris Facility by no later than Tuesday." "Exactly what research will you be doing on him? The Wizarding World will not be pleased to find out that dangerous experiments were being performed on any human." Fudge said cautiously. "Only minor experiments will be performed as Potter already is known to possess the power. Though he does not recognized it, yet, for what it truly is." Hanson assured him.
With a crack Cornelius disappeared, leaving Hanson alone to contemplate his situation.