Chapter VIII: Fallen Arrow

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I first met Archer about a year after Voldemort perished under the hands of Lord Potter and he was a sorry sight. He had been hunting Death Eaters and removing them from the face of this planet.

Don't get me wrong. Death Eaters are a menace but what he was doing was murder.

I am mainly a bounty hunter and the Ministry contracted me to hunt this menace. Which was rather easy.

Even an amateur could find him. He's leaving a trail so obvious it was like he was provoking the Death Eaters into finding him. It's like he had a death wish and believe me, I know firsthand what a death wish does to you.

I have seen a lot of strange things in my life as a hunter and what I saw beats anything I have done.

His trail ended in one of the Death Eater's hideout. The place was quite gruesome if you asked me. Why do you wizard types prefer houses that emulate the crooked man's house? Why not paint a sign 'Home of a Wizard' outside? Maybe it would be harder for people to get suspicious.

Where was I? Oh, right.

As I neared the house, I saw flashes through the windows. Screams of men echoed through the night as the lights continued.

When I entered... I expected to find a crazed man but instead I found a demon.

"Your Archer is a demon?" Luna interrupted much to Hermione and the Hunter's dismay. Hermione was enjoying the narrative. His voice was soothing and lively, not like what he was projecting earlier. It was like he told stories to children and entertained them. She was now seeing a different side of him.

One she likes.

"Will you let me finish," he grumbled much to Hermione's amusement. He likes his stories. "Now where was I?"

"Demon," Hermione supplied and was rewarded a smile.

Humans, in a sense, can be demons as well. We all have our demons and the man I saw in that house had his demons on his sleeves.

He had a wand in each hand and was hurling curses and charms faster than I have ever seen before. What puzzled me was all the blood. I know his curses can hurt but every Death Eater that was lying on the ground was sliced and others were gutted.

I was baffled. Some curses can slice you like a hot knife through butter but he was not conjuring it. Then I saw something gleam by his hands.

They were daggers. He had tied a pair of daggers in each of the wands. Whoever was missed by his curses, he finished them with his daggers.

I knew at once he was an amateur. His movements were clumsy and his aim was terrible. The last time I saw such rotten shooting is when they invented the first firearm.

David was a better shot when he took out Goliath.

I'm drifting... He was terrible but his enemies were worse. They dodged and blocked his spells but did very little against his blades. Before I could stop him, it was over. Even when the last Death Eater begged for mercy, he received none.

Cowards were they all. Even to the last breath.

You wizard types don't know a thing about self-defense, do you?

"We were trained in the Defense Against the Dark Arts," Luna said in a frown.

"A lot that did against a blade," Jäger smirked as he crossed his arms. "Without your magic, what are you? Maybe I should start a petition to change the curriculum," he said in thought.

"You must understand. Anything 'muggle' was weird to them," Hermione said in a soft voice that seemed to comfort him.

"There is only so much you can do with magic or mundane. But together, it would be a fearsome force," he sighed as he looked at Hermione. His intent gaze was making her blush for some reason she couldn't fathom.

"You are a prime example, Lady Hermione," he said.

"Me?"

"Of course," he smiled. "You know the ways of both worlds so you can utilize the best course of action. Unfortunately, you have an event- triggered anxiety that renders you immobile which almost caused your death a while ago.

"But that can be remedied," he smiled and looked into her eyes. "All fears can be conquered. Damn thing is, it's hard."

"Nothing comes easy," Hermione concurred. "Have you conquered your fear?"

"No," he sighed. "I just get by it."

"How did you get by 'him'?" Luna asked.

The wizard was so sloppy I thought I could take him. But I was wrong. Even sloppy a madman is dangerous. I found that out the hard way. And for one moment, I forgot that lesson.

As I approached, he immediately struck me with a spell. I was stunned for a second and not a second too soon for he was coming at me with his dagger.

Rage strengthens a man in ways you cannot possibly imagine. I blocked my arm instinctively but the blade went through.

I had the opening in his defense and took it. I punched him hard on the head and he immediately toppled over. I didn't think I hit him that hard but he was exhausted and it would take much to take him down.

When I saw his face I realized who he was and had the dilemma of a decision. Should I take him back to the ministry or something else?

Then I made decision that I have half heartily regretted.

I made him my partner.

"Why was that?" Hermione asked as she nibbled on a sandwich. Earlier, Jäger produced some refreshments from a cooler from behind the couch.

"I trained him to become one of the best hunters and he is. The problem is he's quite annoying. But he's learned that actions without thought can lead to dire circumstances."

"What's he really like, you know, before the war?" Luna asked not sure how he would respond but did not expect him to smile.

"Why not ask him yourself," Jäger inclined his head towards the portrait door where it lay open. Luna could only see a silhouette of a being draped in light cloak. There was a sense of familiarity from him that she could not recall.

"Talking about me while I'm gone?" a soft and almost cold voice said. Hermione almost chocked on her sandwich when she heard his voice. Jäger stood instantly and stroked her back, soothing the passage of the food. She didn't realize that he has a really soft touch. But her attention returned to the newcomer for she could not believe who it really is.

"Just to pass time," Jäger said coldly. "This is supposed to be your show."

"Had a run in with some vamps," the Archer said as he walked towards. Luna must have imagined it but the Archer gazed at her intently even if she could not see his face in the shadow of his hood.

"It took you that long?" Jäger huffed. The Archer merely laughed and pulled back his hood. And Luna froze.

She remembered his face very well. His eyes has still that emerald gleam but almost lost its luster. His hair was wild and wavy and had a dangerous feel to it. His hair was long enough to hide the scar that made him famous.

"Harry?" Luna stepped forward to touch him and for the entire time Jäger has known him, the Archer smiled naturally.

"Hello Luna," Harry Potter said softly.