Taming The Beast
Chapter 24
Return To Hogwarts
"Some System of Communication." Hermione and Ron talked about it at length the next day as they strolled along the canals of Ottawa.
"So 'Mione, what do you have in mind?", Ron asked.
"So we've established that a nod is 'yes' and shake of the head is 'no', alright then? A lick is a kiss, of course."
"Of course," said Ron. "And what shall we use for 'get out of here, the wolvesbane is wearing out?"
"I'll scream my head off and point at the door...maybe? Ron, if that wolvesbane is wearing out, will we even know- will I even manage to tell you before it's too late for you to do anything about it??"
Maybe.
Maybe not.
And so it went.
Before long they were heading away from the setting sun into the approching night towards London. Prime Minister Blair slept quitely, exhausted by the the trip, as was Dumbledore. Harry, Ron and Hermione took turns on the flight deck,and after seven hours they were making their approach to Heathrow in a dismal early October rain. The plane squealed and skidded along runway 23, slowed, and glided to a stop at Harrod's Aviation. They were whisked through immigration almost immediately and into the same limousine that had greeted them at Hogwarts days earlier. "King's Cross, then Downing's, Ian", the prime minister instructed the driver. They soon arrived at the entrance to King's Cross with several curious to amazed glances and stares being cast their way.
There is nothing at all unusual about the British Prime Minister exiting a limousine at King's Cross in the early morning with three teenagers and a Merlin lookalike.
"It was really very good of you to come, Professor," Mr. Blair said to Dumbledore. "And you," he said, turning to the three , "you may have been the very key to a crucial agreement. I'll be in touch, stay safe." With that, he turned and left them.
Rather going directly to the Hogwarts Express
Harry assumed that Hogwarts Express would be all but empty, but there were several people in fact. People that were very definately not wizards or witches. There were about twenty dressed in dark green uniforms, most with chevrons on the sleeves, one with with a crown on the shoulders. They were talking in hushed tones among themselves. One of the older looking fellows with several chevrons turned, catching Harry's eye.
"First Sergeant John Benton, Special Air Services. You coming back for class then?," he asked with a grin. Ah well, let me introduce you to the boys. S'pose it's only appropriate to start with our leader, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Yates. The major an' I have been through a lot t'gether, aint that right sir?"
The Colonel was a tall youngish looking man, lanky like Ron but with blonde hair. "Aye, that we have. Seems like only yesterday we were going against the autons, now we're reduced to protecting some public school in Scotland."
Obviously the major wasn't fully aware of what was going on. "I'm Potter, Harry Potter, one of the students as you might have guessed, sir. Professor Dumbledore said that the Army might be coming to help, but how much have you been told, Colonel?'
Lt. Colonel Yates regarded him with curiousity. Respectful, but assertive, with a touch of cheek...hadn't seen that in far too long. "Well to tell you the truth Mr. Potter, we haven't been told much. Just that Hogwarts is a magical place that needed protection and instruction, and the General would fill us in on the rest when we got there. I was also told to keep an eye out for potential leaders, and I think I see that in you."
Great, thought Harry. Just great. ANOTHER situation where he gets singled out. He excused himself quitely and went back to where Ron and Hermione were...er...uh oh.
Ok, so he would go up front to talk with Dumbledore.
"Surely Harry, you must realise that one of Voldemort's great weaknesses is the respect that he does not have for Muggles. I know that it is hard for you, being raised as you were by Muggles like the Dursleys, but in the six years in the world of magic, you musn't lose sight of the great things that the human mind can conceive without the assistance of magic." A faraway look passed briefly on Dumbledore's face. "Though I must say I wish that the art of war was a human invention we could do without in this case."
Hogwarts Express began to slow as it neared the station. Harry closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the steam engine winding down, the lyrics of a song from a movie he had seen in Canada played in his head:
I don't know how he does it
But he lives like a king
And he dallies
And he gathers
And he plucks
And he shines
And when the man dances
Certainly, boys
What else?
The piper pays him!
Yes sir, yes sir
Yes sir, yes sir
When the man dances
Certainly, boys
What else?
The piper pays him!
Yessssir, Yessssir
But does the Army know the territory? Harry thought.
Hagrid and Professor McGonagall were sitting out down by the railway station, new hope coming to mind. Waiting for the train that brings home their Harry (and their Ron and Hermione and Albus), they were hoping that the train was on time, sitting out down by the railway station, new hope springing to mind.
Hogwarts Express arrived and the four diplomats and twenty soldiers exited.
"Firs' years!! Firs' years!! C'mover this way please!! Firs' Years!! OY!!, You in the green clothes, that's YOU!!" This thunderous voice of Hagrid's was greeted by some alarm by the SAS, but Colonel Yates quickly picked up on it. Within a minute, they were paddling their coracles across the lake as if they had been doing it for years. Which, in a way, they had.
After egging them on, Hagrid came over to greet the four with Minerva. "Ah, c'mere you, lemme look at ye. 'Owd things go in the New World?"
"They went well, Hagrid," said Dumbledore. But as you can see, we have a battle to train for. I shall explain all tomorrow morning. For now, I believe we are all a bit weary."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Shortish chapter, and over a month since an update. I moved, and it took forever to get cable reinstalled.
Besides, I really had no idea where to go with this story, but hopefully, that problem is solved. Thanks to all those who reviewed and pleaded. And to answer one directly, yes, Fred and George shouldn't be there according to canon, but you see, they decided to finish up their last year for the sheer fun of it. (Their joke shop was working well, and the fact is that they just loved going to Hogwarts. So there.)