Chapter 14:
Harry woke to the sun filtering through the closed blinds, he took a whiff of the air and smelt something delicious. Harry gradually got up, shifting Neesm into the trunk, and headed in the direction of the wonderful smell.
Harry entered the bright kitchen as Nick turns around. "Oh, good morning! I hope I didn't wake you." He said, holding a frying pan.
"Don't worry about Michael, he can sleep through any thing." Draco said, from his spot at the table.
Nick laughed, and motioned to Harry. "Come sit. Breakfast is ready." Harry obliged, and sat across from Draco. Nick slid a few pancakes onto his plate and fewer onto his own. He replaced the frying pan and sat down at his seat.
"Go ahead, eat." He said when he noticed Draco and Harry watching him.
~No poision?~ Draco asked.
~I don't think so. Why would he, unless he's stronger then me that he can hide his intentions.~ Harry said with uncertainty in his mind voice. He heard Draco snort, and followed his lead as he dug into his pancakes.
"You boys are hungry I presume? When was the last time you two ate?" Nick asked, over his orange juice.
"A few hours before we came to your house." Harry answered, and forced himself to slow down. He noted Draco doing the same.
"So when do you two want to get going?" Nick asked causally.
"Well, we probably should leave soon, there are two others in our party and I be they're really worried." Harry told him, making it up off the top of his head.
"Oh dear. I bet they're really worried." Nick said, concern laced throughout his light tone. Draco finished off his plate, and nestled back into his chair.
"Oh they probably don't know we're gone yet." He said. Harry shot him a discreet look.
~We want to get out of here before someone comes looking for us.~ Harry told him.
"Oh, well still you should probably go. Its not safe to be camping out doors these days." Nick said, picking at his pancake.
Harry looked up. "Why? Because of."
~Watch it!~ Draco shouted.
Harry winced. "Because of you-know-who?" He finished.
"Yeah." Nick said with a whoosh of air. "I'm glad that you two are wizards. I wasn't sure, though the brooms should have tipped me off." He said, with a crooked grin. Harry finished up his breakfast, and collected the plates.
"Do you want me to wash them?" Harry asked.
"On no! You are a guest." Nick replied as he struggled to get out of his chair.
"And you aren't as young as I am. I can do this faster." Harry told him, resting a hand on the old man's shoulder.
"Okay." He surrendered. Harry walked over to the sink and took out his wand. He muttered a spell and all the dishes were sparkling clean.
"There, see." Harry said holding up the plates.
Nick smiled, his face wrinkling up. "Good job. The plates go in that cupboard, and the cups in that one." He said pointing to each cupboard. Harry quickly put them away and sat back down at the table.
"We've been out here for a bout three days. We haven't heard of anything concerning you-know-who. What do you know?" Harry asked, looking at the old man.
"Well, it seems that you-know-who has attacked many wizard homes. At each destroyed home he leaves his dark mark but now the skull has a flashing lightning bolt on its temple." He said, getting up to grab the paper. He handed it to Harry, Draco looked across the table.
The picture was of a place where a home once stood, but now there were just ashes. The glowing skull producing a snake from its mouth. As Nick said, there was a lightning bolt that disappeared and reappeared in intervals. Disgusted Harry passed the paper over to Draco. His face, if possible, grew even paler.
"It says here that you-know-who is trying to lure the-boy-who-lived out of the school, that he wants Harry Potter to meet him for the final confrontation." Draco said, looking up from the paper, and into Harry's eyes.
"Geez, will he stop at nothing? That poor boy, I'm sure his life isn't too fun. What with a mad man on the loose looking for him. That poor guy." Harry said, looking at his hands. He glanced up a moment to check the time. "Oh, we better get going. It's nearly ten." He got up and walked into the living room.
~Smooth cover, though I think he's already suspicious.~ Draco told him. Harry collected the blankets, and took them back into the kitchen.
"What do you want me to do with these?" Harry asked Nick. Nick looked up from the paper.
"Oh you can put them in the laundry room, second door on the left in the hall." He said, Harry followed his directions and came back into an empty kitchen. He followed the talking to the bedroom, where Draco was putting everything he used back into his trunk.
~Oh crap! Our trunks!~ Harry said, his shoulders sagging slightly.
~What? What's wrong with out trunks.~ Draco asked, not looking up from his chore.
~Well the fact that they're here is one reason. We're supposed to be lost while camping, why are our trunks with us if we were just looking for firewood?~ Harry asked him, slightly irritated with their bad cover-up story.
~Why were we looking for wood in the first place? We're wizards we could have made a full blown fire without firewood.~ Draco shot back. "All right, I'm done." He said out loud. Harry nodded and went to gather up his things. Neesm curled up under Harry's sleeve, as he grabbed his broom.
He turned to Nick and Draco who had followed him. "Well, I am very glad you two spent the night. It has been a long time since I've talked to anyone. I'm glad you happened across my doorstep. I hope you find your party and be wary of the evil in this world." He told them, as they walked to the door.
"Thank you Nick. For allowing us into your home. We are forever grateful. Thank you." Harry said, shaking the old man's frail hand.
"Yes, thank you Nick. You are a kind soul." Draco told him, also shaking his hand.
"I hope you two find what your looking for." He said, as they mounted their brooms. Harry placed his shrunken trunk into his pocket and waved goodbye to the old man. He kicked off and rose into the air. Draco followed, calling goodbye to Nick.
They soared over the trees slowly making their way south.
~So where do we want to go?~ Harry asked, Draco as they flew, invisible, over a small town.
~Some place warm.~ Draco said, looking down at the snow spitefully.
Harry laughed. ~Well we can go anywhere.~ He told him.
~Well, do we want to go to some remote wizarding town or into a...~ He paused a moment. ~a muggle's town?~ Harry smiled softly to himself.
~I think we should find a job first.~ Harry said.
~Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe we should check to see if any wizards are hiring for anything. Maybe we can do something cool!~ Draco said, and images flew through Harry's mind so fast that he didn't have time to look through them.
~Okay, Draco, calm down.~ Harry told him with a chuckle.
~What are you talking about? I am calm.~ He protested. Harry pointed at a town.
~Its a wizarding town, do you want to stop there? One of the last time we'll probably be able to show oursleves.~ Harry said.
~Okay.~ Draco replied and they dived down to the town. The stopped on the outskirts of the small town and uncloaked themselves. They walked quickly up to a tavern, and opened the door. The place smelled of stale smoke and drink, but they walked in anyway.
"Good evening sirs. Is there anything I can get you?" The bartender asked.
"Just water for me." Harry told him.
"A butterbeer." Draco said, as they sat at the bar. "So where are we going to find a job?" He asked Harry once the bartender was out of earshot.
Harry started to say something but was interrupted. "Excuse me, I couldn't help over hearing. Did you say you were looking for a job?" A male voice asked from beside Draco.
Harry and Draco turned to the man, about a thirty-five year-old man sat next to Draco. His long black cloak trailed the floor, and his dark hair, was scraggily. He almost reminded Harry of Sirius, when he first met him, but then the newcomer looked over at Harry with cold blue eyes.
"Yes, you did? Why do you know anyone who has any openings?" Draco asked before Harry could stop him. This man was not into the dark arts but he was still bad news. Harry knew what he wanted before he even told them.
"Actually I do have a job I need done. But I need to know if you are trusting enough." The man said, his voice deep.
~What is the job?~ Draco asked Harry.
~He wants us to assassinate someone.~ Harry told him.
~Well who is it? I heard there is good money in killing people.~ Draco said sarcastically.
~I don't know who it is, just someone petty, I think.~ Harry said, then to the new guy. "I don't think we're interested." Harry said.
"Then I wasn't talking to you." The man snapped, and he turned his eyes to Draco. "What about you?" He asked.
"No thanks." Draco told him. "We can find something on our own."
"Suit yourselves." He said, and he disappeared out the door.
"That guy was creepy." Draco said, accepting his butterbeer from the bartender. Harry took his water and sipped it, thinking.
~I wonder how long Dumbledore has been using me, and what he planned on doing.~ Harry thought.
~I don't know. Maybe he just wanted to train you so that you'd be able to beat the Dark Lord.~ Draco said.
~You know it's a heck of a lot easier if you said Voldemort.~ Harry told him with a snort.
Draco filched and said. ~Not all can be as brave as you.~ He turned his eyes to the door as it jingled open. A group of loud people dressed in extremely colorful robes. ~Oh must the be so loud.~ He said, wincing as the group laughs loudly again, and he turned back around, to meet Harry's laughing eyes.
~Oh shut up!~ Draco snapped, as he took another drink of his butterbeer.
"Hey Philip! Can we get seven butterbeers?" A female voice called from beside Harry. He turned to snap, but was met by a pair of gorgeous blue eyes. "Oh I'm sorry, did I just yell in your ear?" She asked in a sweet voice.
"Yeah." Harry told her, not matter how pretty she was, he was still annoyed.
"I'm so sorry, I'm just used to yelling, we just finished a privet show from so people and I guess I'm still in the yelling mood." She explained, then stuck out her hand. "I'm Rayne."
Harry shook her hand. "James Brooks."
"What kind of show were you doing?" Draco asked. Rayne turned her eyes to Draco.
"I'm part of the circus." She said with a smile. "I'm Rayne."
"Drake Brooks." Draco told her as he shook her hand.
~Copy cat.~ Harry said with a snort.
"We're brothers." Harry told her, noticing her confuse look.
"Different mothers." Draco said at the same time. Rayne laughed, an almost bell like laugh.
"Hey Rayne, I'm sure they don't want to hear your life story." An older man said, from the table her group had claimed.
"I'm coming." She shouted to them with a smile. "You two are welcome to come and see the show. Its tonight at eight, over behind the town hall." She said hurriedly.
"Sure we'd love to come." Draco told her.
~Now what about Ginny?~ Harry asked him.
"Cool, I'll see you there. If you come back stage before I can show you around." Rayne told them.
~I'm just trying to find you someone!~ Draco shot with a mental smile.
"Sounds good. See you around." Harry told her.
"Bye." Draco said, finishing up his butterbeer.
"Bye." She said, and walked back over to her table. Harry placed some money on the counter and stood up. Draco did the same leaving enough for his butterbeer and stood with Harry.
"Well, lets go James." Draco said with a laugh. He walked to the door, and Harry waved to Rayne, and followed Draco out.
"Now where to brother?" Harry asked him.
"Well, maybe we should get some new clothes." Draco said with a worried look. "And then look for a job."
~Maybe the circus is hiring. You should be able to get a job there.~ Harry told him, laughing.
~Yeah you would be perfect! I can see it now!~ Draco paused from the dramatic effect. ~COME ONE COME ALL! SEE THE BOY WHO LIVED!~ He said in a loud thought.
Harry rubbed his head. ~Yeah and a former death eater as his friend.~ Harry snorted.
~Hey! I did not join up with that bunch of cowardly dogs!~ Draco snapped.
~I'm kidding.~ Harry told him with a laugh. He heard Draco grumble and could tell he did it out loud because a couple walking by looked at him weirdly. ~Stop grumbling! Your scaring the people.~
Draco looked around. "Lets try in there." He said pointing across the street to a little store with clothes in the front window. They walked across the street careful of the crowds of people and not showing their faces too much.
The door rings as they push it open, and they are immediately overwhelmed by the smell of something sickly sweet. Harry and Draco forced themselves not to gag as they browsed through the rows of clothes.
"Excuse me, but don't I know you?" Someone asked behind them. Harry and Draco turned suddenly nearly dropping the clothes they'd gathered.
Harry woke to the sun filtering through the closed blinds, he took a whiff of the air and smelt something delicious. Harry gradually got up, shifting Neesm into the trunk, and headed in the direction of the wonderful smell.
Harry entered the bright kitchen as Nick turns around. "Oh, good morning! I hope I didn't wake you." He said, holding a frying pan.
"Don't worry about Michael, he can sleep through any thing." Draco said, from his spot at the table.
Nick laughed, and motioned to Harry. "Come sit. Breakfast is ready." Harry obliged, and sat across from Draco. Nick slid a few pancakes onto his plate and fewer onto his own. He replaced the frying pan and sat down at his seat.
"Go ahead, eat." He said when he noticed Draco and Harry watching him.
~No poision?~ Draco asked.
~I don't think so. Why would he, unless he's stronger then me that he can hide his intentions.~ Harry said with uncertainty in his mind voice. He heard Draco snort, and followed his lead as he dug into his pancakes.
"You boys are hungry I presume? When was the last time you two ate?" Nick asked, over his orange juice.
"A few hours before we came to your house." Harry answered, and forced himself to slow down. He noted Draco doing the same.
"So when do you two want to get going?" Nick asked causally.
"Well, we probably should leave soon, there are two others in our party and I be they're really worried." Harry told him, making it up off the top of his head.
"Oh dear. I bet they're really worried." Nick said, concern laced throughout his light tone. Draco finished off his plate, and nestled back into his chair.
"Oh they probably don't know we're gone yet." He said. Harry shot him a discreet look.
~We want to get out of here before someone comes looking for us.~ Harry told him.
"Oh, well still you should probably go. Its not safe to be camping out doors these days." Nick said, picking at his pancake.
Harry looked up. "Why? Because of."
~Watch it!~ Draco shouted.
Harry winced. "Because of you-know-who?" He finished.
"Yeah." Nick said with a whoosh of air. "I'm glad that you two are wizards. I wasn't sure, though the brooms should have tipped me off." He said, with a crooked grin. Harry finished up his breakfast, and collected the plates.
"Do you want me to wash them?" Harry asked.
"On no! You are a guest." Nick replied as he struggled to get out of his chair.
"And you aren't as young as I am. I can do this faster." Harry told him, resting a hand on the old man's shoulder.
"Okay." He surrendered. Harry walked over to the sink and took out his wand. He muttered a spell and all the dishes were sparkling clean.
"There, see." Harry said holding up the plates.
Nick smiled, his face wrinkling up. "Good job. The plates go in that cupboard, and the cups in that one." He said pointing to each cupboard. Harry quickly put them away and sat back down at the table.
"We've been out here for a bout three days. We haven't heard of anything concerning you-know-who. What do you know?" Harry asked, looking at the old man.
"Well, it seems that you-know-who has attacked many wizard homes. At each destroyed home he leaves his dark mark but now the skull has a flashing lightning bolt on its temple." He said, getting up to grab the paper. He handed it to Harry, Draco looked across the table.
The picture was of a place where a home once stood, but now there were just ashes. The glowing skull producing a snake from its mouth. As Nick said, there was a lightning bolt that disappeared and reappeared in intervals. Disgusted Harry passed the paper over to Draco. His face, if possible, grew even paler.
"It says here that you-know-who is trying to lure the-boy-who-lived out of the school, that he wants Harry Potter to meet him for the final confrontation." Draco said, looking up from the paper, and into Harry's eyes.
"Geez, will he stop at nothing? That poor boy, I'm sure his life isn't too fun. What with a mad man on the loose looking for him. That poor guy." Harry said, looking at his hands. He glanced up a moment to check the time. "Oh, we better get going. It's nearly ten." He got up and walked into the living room.
~Smooth cover, though I think he's already suspicious.~ Draco told him. Harry collected the blankets, and took them back into the kitchen.
"What do you want me to do with these?" Harry asked Nick. Nick looked up from the paper.
"Oh you can put them in the laundry room, second door on the left in the hall." He said, Harry followed his directions and came back into an empty kitchen. He followed the talking to the bedroom, where Draco was putting everything he used back into his trunk.
~Oh crap! Our trunks!~ Harry said, his shoulders sagging slightly.
~What? What's wrong with out trunks.~ Draco asked, not looking up from his chore.
~Well the fact that they're here is one reason. We're supposed to be lost while camping, why are our trunks with us if we were just looking for firewood?~ Harry asked him, slightly irritated with their bad cover-up story.
~Why were we looking for wood in the first place? We're wizards we could have made a full blown fire without firewood.~ Draco shot back. "All right, I'm done." He said out loud. Harry nodded and went to gather up his things. Neesm curled up under Harry's sleeve, as he grabbed his broom.
He turned to Nick and Draco who had followed him. "Well, I am very glad you two spent the night. It has been a long time since I've talked to anyone. I'm glad you happened across my doorstep. I hope you find your party and be wary of the evil in this world." He told them, as they walked to the door.
"Thank you Nick. For allowing us into your home. We are forever grateful. Thank you." Harry said, shaking the old man's frail hand.
"Yes, thank you Nick. You are a kind soul." Draco told him, also shaking his hand.
"I hope you two find what your looking for." He said, as they mounted their brooms. Harry placed his shrunken trunk into his pocket and waved goodbye to the old man. He kicked off and rose into the air. Draco followed, calling goodbye to Nick.
They soared over the trees slowly making their way south.
~So where do we want to go?~ Harry asked, Draco as they flew, invisible, over a small town.
~Some place warm.~ Draco said, looking down at the snow spitefully.
Harry laughed. ~Well we can go anywhere.~ He told him.
~Well, do we want to go to some remote wizarding town or into a...~ He paused a moment. ~a muggle's town?~ Harry smiled softly to himself.
~I think we should find a job first.~ Harry said.
~Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe we should check to see if any wizards are hiring for anything. Maybe we can do something cool!~ Draco said, and images flew through Harry's mind so fast that he didn't have time to look through them.
~Okay, Draco, calm down.~ Harry told him with a chuckle.
~What are you talking about? I am calm.~ He protested. Harry pointed at a town.
~Its a wizarding town, do you want to stop there? One of the last time we'll probably be able to show oursleves.~ Harry said.
~Okay.~ Draco replied and they dived down to the town. The stopped on the outskirts of the small town and uncloaked themselves. They walked quickly up to a tavern, and opened the door. The place smelled of stale smoke and drink, but they walked in anyway.
"Good evening sirs. Is there anything I can get you?" The bartender asked.
"Just water for me." Harry told him.
"A butterbeer." Draco said, as they sat at the bar. "So where are we going to find a job?" He asked Harry once the bartender was out of earshot.
Harry started to say something but was interrupted. "Excuse me, I couldn't help over hearing. Did you say you were looking for a job?" A male voice asked from beside Draco.
Harry and Draco turned to the man, about a thirty-five year-old man sat next to Draco. His long black cloak trailed the floor, and his dark hair, was scraggily. He almost reminded Harry of Sirius, when he first met him, but then the newcomer looked over at Harry with cold blue eyes.
"Yes, you did? Why do you know anyone who has any openings?" Draco asked before Harry could stop him. This man was not into the dark arts but he was still bad news. Harry knew what he wanted before he even told them.
"Actually I do have a job I need done. But I need to know if you are trusting enough." The man said, his voice deep.
~What is the job?~ Draco asked Harry.
~He wants us to assassinate someone.~ Harry told him.
~Well who is it? I heard there is good money in killing people.~ Draco said sarcastically.
~I don't know who it is, just someone petty, I think.~ Harry said, then to the new guy. "I don't think we're interested." Harry said.
"Then I wasn't talking to you." The man snapped, and he turned his eyes to Draco. "What about you?" He asked.
"No thanks." Draco told him. "We can find something on our own."
"Suit yourselves." He said, and he disappeared out the door.
"That guy was creepy." Draco said, accepting his butterbeer from the bartender. Harry took his water and sipped it, thinking.
~I wonder how long Dumbledore has been using me, and what he planned on doing.~ Harry thought.
~I don't know. Maybe he just wanted to train you so that you'd be able to beat the Dark Lord.~ Draco said.
~You know it's a heck of a lot easier if you said Voldemort.~ Harry told him with a snort.
Draco filched and said. ~Not all can be as brave as you.~ He turned his eyes to the door as it jingled open. A group of loud people dressed in extremely colorful robes. ~Oh must the be so loud.~ He said, wincing as the group laughs loudly again, and he turned back around, to meet Harry's laughing eyes.
~Oh shut up!~ Draco snapped, as he took another drink of his butterbeer.
"Hey Philip! Can we get seven butterbeers?" A female voice called from beside Harry. He turned to snap, but was met by a pair of gorgeous blue eyes. "Oh I'm sorry, did I just yell in your ear?" She asked in a sweet voice.
"Yeah." Harry told her, not matter how pretty she was, he was still annoyed.
"I'm so sorry, I'm just used to yelling, we just finished a privet show from so people and I guess I'm still in the yelling mood." She explained, then stuck out her hand. "I'm Rayne."
Harry shook her hand. "James Brooks."
"What kind of show were you doing?" Draco asked. Rayne turned her eyes to Draco.
"I'm part of the circus." She said with a smile. "I'm Rayne."
"Drake Brooks." Draco told her as he shook her hand.
~Copy cat.~ Harry said with a snort.
"We're brothers." Harry told her, noticing her confuse look.
"Different mothers." Draco said at the same time. Rayne laughed, an almost bell like laugh.
"Hey Rayne, I'm sure they don't want to hear your life story." An older man said, from the table her group had claimed.
"I'm coming." She shouted to them with a smile. "You two are welcome to come and see the show. Its tonight at eight, over behind the town hall." She said hurriedly.
"Sure we'd love to come." Draco told her.
~Now what about Ginny?~ Harry asked him.
"Cool, I'll see you there. If you come back stage before I can show you around." Rayne told them.
~I'm just trying to find you someone!~ Draco shot with a mental smile.
"Sounds good. See you around." Harry told her.
"Bye." Draco said, finishing up his butterbeer.
"Bye." She said, and walked back over to her table. Harry placed some money on the counter and stood up. Draco did the same leaving enough for his butterbeer and stood with Harry.
"Well, lets go James." Draco said with a laugh. He walked to the door, and Harry waved to Rayne, and followed Draco out.
"Now where to brother?" Harry asked him.
"Well, maybe we should get some new clothes." Draco said with a worried look. "And then look for a job."
~Maybe the circus is hiring. You should be able to get a job there.~ Harry told him, laughing.
~Yeah you would be perfect! I can see it now!~ Draco paused from the dramatic effect. ~COME ONE COME ALL! SEE THE BOY WHO LIVED!~ He said in a loud thought.
Harry rubbed his head. ~Yeah and a former death eater as his friend.~ Harry snorted.
~Hey! I did not join up with that bunch of cowardly dogs!~ Draco snapped.
~I'm kidding.~ Harry told him with a laugh. He heard Draco grumble and could tell he did it out loud because a couple walking by looked at him weirdly. ~Stop grumbling! Your scaring the people.~
Draco looked around. "Lets try in there." He said pointing across the street to a little store with clothes in the front window. They walked across the street careful of the crowds of people and not showing their faces too much.
The door rings as they push it open, and they are immediately overwhelmed by the smell of something sickly sweet. Harry and Draco forced themselves not to gag as they browsed through the rows of clothes.
"Excuse me, but don't I know you?" Someone asked behind them. Harry and Draco turned suddenly nearly dropping the clothes they'd gathered.