The two weeks that followed Adam Thundercloud's arrival in Britain were a blur of activity. The 12 witches and wizards that were the Thunderbirds had a rapid learn incantation performed on them by Dumbledore and each professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry came thorough the experience with different opinions of it. Snape wondered out loud at dinner one night why they didn't perform the spell on all of the children and be done with the nonsense of teaching them at all if this could be done with the likes of Longbottom. He knew all to well how good the students of his house were in academics and the experience of being able to teach Longbottom his final two years of potions in an almost instant was making him giddy and his demeanor had changed significantly.
After Professor McGonnegal finished with the transfiguration section of the rapid learn process for sixth and seventh year students, she was as enthusiastic about teaching as she had ever been. Professor Binns wasn't at Malfoy Manor teaching the students History of Magic because he could not leave Hogwarts castle. His role would come at a later date, much to the chagrin of all of the students except perhaps Draco and Hermione that actually enjoyed History of Magic and Adam that had already been instructed by his mother in this subject. The teens were excited about going into muggle London to buy traveling clothes for America and the Magical Navajo Nation. Draco and Harry had plenty of opportunity to be by themselves and they mingled and grew to be comfortable with the other teens knowing about them.
It was a week before the birthdays of Adam, Draco, Neville and Harry and the excited teens were about to depart for muggle London to Diagon Alley and shopping. The Weasley twins and Ginny and Ron were not as excited as the rest of the group and Harry could tell his friends were uncomfortable about shopping as they weren't the richest of wizards.
"Ron, Ginny, Fred, George can I speak to you for a minute over here?" Harry asked his friends that had become his defacto family over the years.
"Yeah mate, what's on your mind?" Ron asked his friend.
"You all know that I'd give half of everything I have to your family if you'd take it because of what you've become to me..."
"Harry.." Ron tried to interrupt
".. wait Ron, let me finish. I'm going to pay for everything that you're going to need for our trip and I'm going to make sure that you get what ever you want or need. There is no arguing that point. I love you all like you're my own family and so, that's that and, I'm giving you 5000 galleons each to spend as you wish. No arguing that point either." Harry finished fast so he wouldn't be interrupted again. Ginny stepped up to Harry and gave him a kiss on the cheek when she pulled the now much taller wizard down so she could. "Thank you Harry, we love you too." Ginny quietly accepted Harry's offer and after a bit of hemming and hawing, Ron, George and Fred agreed with their sister and gave Harry a warm thank you hug.
A falcon swooped into the manor with a special delivery letter for Arthur Weasley from Romania, Arthur took the message off of the falcon's leg and it flew off as fast as it arrived. Arthur scanned the letter and read it aloud to everyone.
"Dear Dad,
I never thought I'd be writing a letter to you addressed to Malfoy Manor let alone to tell you I'll be home in a fortnight, which I am at long last. I've missed you all very much. Tell Dumbledore that everything has been arranged. Give my love to Mum,
Your son, Charley"
"Well then, I guess that settles that. Charley will be here in mid August, just as the kids all get back from visiting Birdy in America" Arthur said to everyone.
"Charley's your brother right?" Adam asked the Weasley's. "Yup, he's in Romania. He's a dragon handler." Ron answered for all of them
"Dragon handler? Oh, I gotta meet him! I love dragons! " Adam gushed to his friends.
"Oi, Thundercloud, easy now, they're only bloody dragons. You ever see a Norwegian Ridgeback?" Ron asked innocently enough tho, Hermione and Harry and Draco all knew where this was heading.
"No, but I've painted enough of them to know them very well. I'd love to see one up close though."
"Harry, 'Mione and me watched Hagrid's Norweigan Ridgeback, Norbert, hatch and Mal, er, Draco here caught us and got us into alot of trouble. It was about the time of Harry's first run in with the essence of You-know-who..."
"I'm sorry, I don't know who, who what esscense?"
"Voldemort" Ron said in a hushed voice.
"Ah, that guy again. Figures. I can't believe he'd be pissed at Harry, shit he was only a baby... that fucker is so going to get it one of these days."
"Language Adam, please." Ginny said, "If you're going to call someone a name do it properly, it's that "mother fucker" Voldemort." Ginny finished, a hint of anger in her eyes.
"Ginny, I'm going to tell Mum and you'll get..." Ron said to his sister when she cut him off.
"I'll get what? That son of a bitch possessed me when I was 11 for Merlins sake, I'll say what I want about him, I earned the right so shut it Ronniekins !" Ginny hissed through her teeth.
"No need to get all shirty Gin, I'm sorry. I guess you and Harry got as much right as anyone to say what you want about him. Adam, Harry and Ginny are both victims of Voldemorts dark magic, in Ginny's first year, he possessed Ginny with a diary and Harry almost got killed fighting his basilisk and saving Ginny at the same time."
"Sounds like theres more to tell me. Harry, just how many times has that Voldy guy tried to kill you besides the times he uses dream magic on you?"
"I really don't think..."
"Harry, I'm your brother now so let me carry some of the burden." Adam said sweetly to Harry.
"Six times we've met but he's only tried to kill me four of those times." Harry said soberly.
"Then, in wizarding style, I'll let you kill him four times." Adam said just as stone faced as he could.
"How can that happen Adam? There is no way to bring back the dead." Draco said for Harry.
"Easy Draco, I'll bring fuckface back from the dead long enough for Harry to kill him again until we're through with him and then, I'll banish him to the sun. How's that sound Harry?"
"Impossible."
"Don't underestimate the power of the house of Thundercloud" Adam mock shouted his indignancy.
"I wouldn't dream of it Adam. I'm glad that you're on our side. If you can get shirty with the headmaster and not feel the least bit ashamed about it then"
Harry said smiling at his friend and brother.
"Better not." Adam huffed, grinning all the time. "You guys are going to finish your story about the dragon ain'cha? and who's Hagrid? Ron?"
"Hagrid is the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts, and care of magical creatures professor, but there's not much to tell really, Hagrid had to get rid of Norbert and he sent him to Romania to my brother Charley. We lost fifty points apiece and got detentions. The detention's where Harry met Voldemort for the first time, Draco met him too but he ran off like a little girl screaming, Me and 'Mione and Hagrid came running when he ran into us and when we got to Harry, Firenze had scared off Voldemort who was drinking the blood of a unicorn."
"Oh, no, not a unicorn!" Adam exclaimed.
"Yes a unicorn, the dark forest around Hogwarts is full of 'em so Voldemort was keeping alive by drinking their blood."
"I'm confused. Why was he drinking their blood? He must have known that it would take the blood of an enemy to resurrect himself, not the blood of a unicorn." Adam said.
"Oi, 'Mione, I need some help here." Ron said.
Harry and Draco were quite amused at the banter between Ron and Adam when Hermione offered her help. The group of teens sat around listening to perhaps a slightly biased version of Harry's life up to that point, but one that only the Gryffindor's knew wholly. By the time Hermione had finished her story which included the break out of 4 Privet Drive, Adam was almost shaking he was so enraged. His hair was sparkling with electricity and then all at once it stopped and Adam got a very calm expression on his face then it turned into one of determination.
"You guys, we are going to have sooooooo much fun, I cannot begin to tell you. Who are we going to London with?"
"Our mum"
"and pop." George and Fred said.
"How about, we go on a mission while we're shopping?" Adam asked the teens with a mirthful look in his eye... almost sinister.
"Mission?" Neville asked, and the group of teen witches and wizards all agreed that was the question that they wanted answered right then.
"Not exactly mission impossible. You guys know how to apparate?" Adam asked quietly so as not to attract attention to his questions.
"I do." Draco said to Adam.
"Figures you would Draco." Luna said
"Blame that on father. It has come in handy though and it wasn't that difficult to do. Father apparated with me until I could feel how to do it without thinking much about it." Draco countered.
"Well, I can teach you faster than that. We're un restricted or did you guys forget?" Adam asked the group looking at each of them.
"I'm in." Neville said quickly.
"Me too." Ginny was right behind him.
"Oi, count us in too." Vince and Greg said together.
"Everyone?" Adam asked and seeing no negative responses he said, "Gather 'round children..."
Adam taught each of them to apparate silently in and out of the manor which technically was supposed to be impossible considering how powerful the magic in the protection wards were and he did it without being noticed by any of the adults that were running about the manor. The Thunderbirds were as excited a group of teens as there ever was one at that moment and then, Adam decided to tell them of his plan for a little payback on known targets, namely Harry's Aunt and Uncle and piggy cousin Dudley...
"Ok then you guys got it down pretty good. After we've been shopping for a while we'll go to a cafe and eat and we'll begin operation "Thunderbird One" and if it's successful, we'll finish it tonight"
"Don't worry about Mum and Dad Adam, Fred and Ron will distract them long enough for you get your coordinates down for tonight." Ginny said.
"And then..." Adam asked to everyone
"We will finish shopping?" Blaise said, unsure if he had followed along with the whole plan properly from the beginning.
"Got it in one Blaise! ... was that right Draco?" Adam said to his cousin, trying to use some of the local phrases.
Draco gave him the thumbs up sign and just smiled at him all the while holding Harry's hand and consuming all the information that they had just gone over. 'This is going to be .. different'.
"And don't forget, stay the heck away from Mr. Dumbledore and if you have to be around him, don't think about T1 or we'll get busted." Adam finished.
The last two weeks that Adam had been in Britain went quickly.
During the day the students were in a trance like state from Dumbledore's enchanted learning spell while the knowledge from the books that they were studying was transferred into their heads so they could complete their NEWTS. Likewise daily, Adam was at the Ministry of Magic Britain, headquarters in London, accompaning Narcissa, learning all about social graces, and was introduced over and over again to people that wanted to meet the young Prince while he was in Britain. No one knew the real reason he was there as it was disclosed that he was to be a student at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in September. Adam was being introduced to society by Narcissa Black Malfoy, cousin and very close friend of the boy's mother who just happened to be the leader of the Magical Navajo Nation and was coincidentally, the boy's ambassador to government.
Forces loyal to Voldemort were gaining very little information about the young man with the wild long black hair and blue eyes that was at the ministry every day for the last two weeks since war was declared on them. The forces of Voldemort were getting desparate for any information that they could get about the boy in white dress robes with a funny bird emblazoned on them. Adam was quite a mystery to them beyond what was seen on the surface.
Narcissa Malfoy was the Ministress of Magic and had openly declared war on Voldemort with Dumbledore and dark skinned savages as allies when she should be aiding the forces of Voldemort. His spies were gaining no ground in the surveilance of the Ministry or Hogwarts and if they could find the Magical Navajo Nation, they would be watching them too. There was vexing weather outside of the dark castle, and the wind kept howling as it had for almost two solid weeks. Voldemort knew certainly that he was being played with by Dumbledore. He didn't know how wrong he was.
The teens had easily finished learning how to apparate and planning their adventure and had drifted into the dining room for a spot of something just to tide them over until they had their lunch. Harry had seen Mr. and Mrs. Weasley talking to each other at the end of the dining table and he walked up to them with a little smile on his face but, one that looked determined to do something.
"Oh, Harry dear, is there anything wrong?" Molly Weasley said to the now very tall good looking man that was almost the spitting image of his father with the same eyes as his mother.
"No, nothing is wrong Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley. You know you've both been like surrogate parents to me, and since Sirius... Sirius went through the veil, you've been nothing short of well, loving to me like you would your own kids, so as one of your own kids, I'm giving you and Mr. Weasley 20,000 galleons each. I'm giving Ginny, Ron, Fred and George 5000 galleons each as well so they can buy what they need for America and other things as well. I already told them and I'll tell you there is no arguing with me on this. I.am.rich. I can afford to do this and I want to do this. I have more money than I can spend in a lifetime already so take this as a very small token of my grattitude and love." Harry said, a tear in the corner of his eye.
The Weasley's sat in their chairs for a minute just looking at each other and back to Harry, not saying a thing until Molly said, "Harry, of course we'll accept just so we don't hurt your feelings." Molly thought 'there's no way that we'll keep your gift though Harry'
"I want you to accept it with no conditions, not just so you don't hurt my feelings Mum Weasley!"
"Alright then Harry my boy, no conditions then." Arthur told Harry for both himself and Molly.
"Thanks Mr. Weasley, you and Mrs. Weasley are the best. I'm sure that Draco will love you as much as I do too." Harry said to the stunned pair and turned to walk to his Draco who was sitting by Luna talking with Ginny.
"...?" Was all that Molly and Arthur could come up with for a response.
Three ministry vehicles approached the steps of the Manor to take the teens and the elder Weasley's into London. The wizarding vehicles were much like the Knight Bus as they traveled at magical speeds and really didn't stop for such things like, obstacles. This entertained Adam to no end as he had never been for a ride in a vehicle such as this.
"That was so cool you guys!" Adam said to everyone. "Who want's ice cream"
It was pretty warm in London and everyone was a bit over dressed in muggle attire for their little shopping trip everyone that is except Adam who was wearing a white elkskin shirt, pants and moccasins.. his comfy every day clothes.
"Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlor is just inside after the Leaky Cauldron." Harry said to Adam.
"Lead on dude." Adam said back to him.
"Ok there Mr. Weasley?" Harry said.
"Fine boy's and girl's, just fine. Lets get on shall we?" Arthur said to everyone in his cheeriest voice.
The group went into the Leaky Cauldron chattering about everything and nothing following the elder Weasley's to the back of the bar and into an enclosed area and Adam just walked to the bricks and gave them a kick. The bricks that formed the archway into Diagon Alley appeared. The teens looked impressed, Molly and Arthur looked apprehensive at the display of wandless magic.
"You gotta be shittin me you guys, this is great. Oh, I can't wait to tell ma! Where's the ice cream parlor?" Adam said, his head looking everywhere at everything. His eyes spotted Quality Quidditch Supplies and he ran to the window where the newest model of sporting broom was on display. Harry, Draco and Ron ran after him. Adam was spotted going into the store and Ron caught up to him in no time at all, Draco and Harry brought up the rear. They saw Adam go up to the new model broom and take it off if it's display holding and looking at it when a very flustered store clerk came running up to him snatching it out of his hands putting it back on the display.
"Oh, oh." Harry and Draco said at the same time.
"Young man, we do not allow riff raff to fondle our merchandise." the huffy store clerk said to Adam. He had no idea who he was.
"How much is it?" Adam inquired, not letting the store clerk get to him. 'Riff raff my ass paleface' Harry and Draco giggled out loud when thought that and the store clerk thought they were laughing at the 'riff raff'
"I'm quite sure it's out of your price range young man."
"How much is the broom?"
"I told you it's out of your price range so go away and don't come back." the clerk said and turned his back on an increasingly angering Adam Black Thundercloud, something he maybe shouldn't have done.
"I asked you how much the fucking broom is you cucaracha" Adam said
The clerk spun on Adam and Ron tried to keep the two apart by running interference. "It's ok mate, he's..."
"Out of my way Ron." Adam looked at the red head who was now joined by Harry and Draco. The clerk took a minute to recognize Harry but the shocking white hair of Draco was unmistakable.
"Adam is there a problem?" Draco asked innocently.
"Yeah, this fuckwad won't tell me how much the broom is. He said it was out of my price range."
"Language Adam, remember what Ginny said, its incompetent fuckwad, get it right." Draco said and turned to the clerk. " Do you know who that is?"
"A dirty mudblood savage I'd say." the clerk sneered.
"You're a Malfoy, what is that mudblood to you?"
"Correct, I am Draco Malfoy, and this is no mudblood, He's more pureblooded than I am and I dare say he has enough money to buy the factory that makes these pieces of garbage a million times over. As to what he is to me is none of your business. I suggest you appologise before he turns you into a cockroach."
"'e's got no wand, I ain't afraid of 'im."
"No, but perhaps you should be afraid of me." Harry intoned, pulling his hair back so what was left of his scar could be seen.
"It can't be, you're not 'arry Potter, 'e's only 16 and you're a grown man..."
"I am, I am and I am. Now, I suggest you answer Prince Thundercloud's question and be quick about it because I do have my wand." Harry said very darkly to the now shaking clerk, Ron added, "Oi! What he said."
"Yes, yes sir Mr. Potter. The broom is 1899 galleons, on sale P-p-prince Thundercloud, forgive me for not knowing who you were."
"I want 13 of them." Adam said to the stunned clerk.
"Th-th-thirteen?"
"You heard me asswipe. You guys work on commissions here?"
"Yes, yes we do."
"Fine, I want that kid over there sweeping the floor to sell em to me. You can go fuck yourself." And with that, Adam was off to fetch the boy sweeping the floor to get him 13 brooms.
"That will be 24,687 galleons. How will you be paying today sir?"
"With this." Adam pulled out a diamond the size of his thumb.
"We cannot accept that as payment. I'm sorry, but you need galleons here."
"Ma said this was worth at least 50,000 galleons and you won't take it."
"Did you say 50,000 galleons?" Harry said to Adam.
"I did. Why?"
"I'll pay for the brooms and you can pay me back later Adam, we can exchange that at Gringotts." Harry told Adam.
"Ok Harry, after ice cream though ok? I'm hot. Wrap those brooms up and have them delivered to Malfoy Manor." Adam said to the clerk.
"I'll sign the paper for Gringotts... uh..."
"Timothy sir. Ok sir? Follow me." The floor sweeper said to Harry. Harry recognized him as someone that he had gone to school with but had graduated already. He knew he had to care for his family as his father had been killed by the Death Eaters.
When Harry was finished with Timothy and had arranged for the brooms to be delivered by Owl to Malfoy Manor, he rejoined Adam and Ron and Draco who were at that time discussing where Adam got such a large diamond.
"We got a mine at home, and we just pick em out of the walls. This is a small one, I've got a few bigger ones with me but they're back at the manor." Adam could be heard saying.
"Alright there Adam?" Harry asked.
"I am now, lets get ice cream." The boys agreed and followed Ron who was at the door looking towards Fortesques.
"Adam, why'd ya buy so many brooms?" Ron inquired.
"Presents."
"Oh, OK." Ron said, not knowing if that answer satisfied him or not.
The four men walked to Fortesques and joined the rest of their group who had already been working on thier ice cream.
"Hey you didn't wait for us!" Harry said
"It's bloody warm out Harry if you hadn't noticed." Blaise said.
"We ordered for you, hope you like chocolate." Hermione said.
"Thanks" came from the four men that were in the quidditch store.
"What took you so bloody long mate?" Vince said to Adam.
"I was being harrassed by a bigot."
"He was buying brooms Vince." Draco said, not wanting the conversation to degrade into an angry group. Adam was enough.
"Oh, whatever for dear?" Mrs. Weasley said
"Well, I've never rode a broom, but since we can't fly at school without one, I thought everybody would like to have the same kind."
"That's very generous of you Adam. Isn't it everyone?" Molly said trying to sound enthusiastic at this display of generosity. She saw everyone nodding their heads and consuming their ice cream like it wasn't being made any longer. She only knew that the teens had gone through some sort of transformation a fortnight ago and didn't actually need to know that they could actually fly in their magical animal form of a thunderbird.
Arthur leaned into Molly and said, "Other than our brood, they are the richest young people in Britain, maybe the world darling, don't let that get you down. Maybe we can find something nice just for you while we're out shopping with the kids eh? I don't know what made Harry do it, but I'm sure that he'd like to see us spend some of it on ourselves. Lets do it for Harry if it makes him happy."
"Oh, Arthur you know just the right things to say. Ok then. Alright kids, everyone finished? Time to go amongst the muggles. Now then, everyone stick together and don't go wandering off by yourselves. Hermione, you seem to know the right places to go so let's take a muggle cab to where ever we're going." Molly said.
"One thing, I need to go back to that store for one minute, no longer, I promise. " Adam said. "Come with me Harry?"
"Sure, why not?" Harry said and was up and off with Adam out of the ice cream parlor and on his way to the quidditch store. "Adam, why do you need to go back there?"
"You'll see." Adam sniggered at Harry but kept on walking.
"Harry, open the door for me and stand back a bit, don't want you to get hit with this..." Harry did what was asked of him and Adam just stood at the doorway to the store and began to tap his feet and raise his hand from the ground pulling something from it magically, he was forming an energy ball.
'triskadecaflatulus' and the energy ball stopped its glowing and settled into Adams hand. "Wait here Harry." Adam went into the store with an evil glint in his eye and a grin on his face.
Harry did what was asked and as Adam said they weren't gone more than a minute.
They all went to Gringotts to exchange galleons for muggle pounds and Adam traded his stone in for 140 thousand galleons and 25 thousand muggle pounds. The Weasleys weren't going to feel left out this time just because they didn't have the means to do as the other pureblood families did. The exchange rate for galleons to pounds was favorable.
"Off into the muggle jungle children." Arthur said to everybody "What an adventure this will be. Be on the look out for suspicious characters everyone, safety you know, and no wandering off on your own."
'Not until lunch we won't' Adam thought to everybody. 'There's alot we can do that we haven't even thought about yet gang. Shop for hot dry weather you guys. Ladies, you should think about wearing long pants as well as short ones, everyone get some sturdy shoes and some sneakers and a jacket, it sometimes gets cold at night where we're going. You'll love it.'
'You miss it don't you Adam?' Draco thought to Adam
'Of course I do. I miss Ma the most. She's all I have after you two and Narcissa. I miss my pets, I miss where I like to fly, I miss alot of things about it, its home, but I don't miss it that much, I'm having a great time and you guys are all great too. I hope the kids at school will be as nice as you all are.'
'Not all of them will like you Adam, law of averages' Greg thought
'Deep Goyle." Draco thought back to Greg although everyone but Molly and Arthur could hear them.
'Well, if they don't it's their loss, I'm here to make friends and kick some enemy ass. We're going to have so much fun!'
'Don't count on having a lot of time for fun making Adam, at Hogwarts we, well most of us, well, a few of us study hard to do well'
'Aren't we taking those NEWT thingies before we go to school?'
'Yes, but remember we're taking them 2 years early in most cases and there is no curriculum beyond seven years at Hogwarts, but that's not why some of the students won't like you.'
'We were going off subject a bit weren't we? So what could have already pissed in their wheaties that they wouldn't like me?
'I hate to say it but it's not your skin color, but your nationality and they'll question your blood'
'My blood? what's wrong with it?'
'Nothing's wrong with your blood Adam, they'll assume that you're less than pureblood though, but you're a Yank.'
'Oi vey, I got enough problems but I'm not a Yank, I'm a Navajo, there is a difference and I'm as pureblooded as all of you are'
'I'm not pureblooded Adam, my parents are muggles.'
'That's impossible, your aura say's pure of blood and it's a strong one too. I'll teach you how to tell. I'll teach all of you when we go to my home.
'You think my parents aren't muggles?'
'I'd bet on it. Squib is my guess, repressed magical genes'
'How can you tell? I mean, if you met my parents could you tell?'
'uh, Yeah..'
'Oh, now that's very interesting. I'd like to find out. It would explain a lot of things.'
'Anytime Hermione.'
"Oi, 'Mione, when do we get there?" Ron said aloud finally after listening to the conversation in his head, his mother and father could hear his question. Arthur looked as if he was a kid in a candy shop, he loved muggles and everything to do with them. He could't wait to try on a muggle dress suit of clothes, the ones he had were quite old and almost thread bare.
"We're just arriving at the shopping district now." Hermione said as the taxi pulled to the curb to discharge the passengers.
Hermione paid the cab driver because she was familiar with muggle money. It dawned on her that none of them besides Harry knew anything about it and they didn't want them to be taken by dishonest clerks so they had a little discussion about the pound symbol on price tags and what the price was when it was written down somewhere. Adam didn't care, he had a new vault at Gringotts bank where he stared at Griphook the whole time he was in the bank, he had never seen a goblin before and he had a big wad of muggle money. Mrs Weasley offered to carry the large bundle of money for Adam and he accepted her offer saying it would be embarrasing to go somewhere with that much money showing, not to mention dangerous. Adam was fascinated by muggles, as he had never been around them before. He had never seen so many palefaces in one place except maybe the ministry of magic when he was there with Narcissa. They split into two groups, Blaise, Greg and Vince went with the females, Draco, Harry, Adam and the Weasley men in the other.
"Mr. Weasley, maybe you should take off your hat for a while, until we get you a new one. Most muggles don't wear a wizards hat while they're shopping." Harry said to the elder Weasley male.
"Very smart Harry, I should have thought of it sooner. Our security.."
"What security are you referring to Mr. Weasley?" Draco asked the red faced, red haired man, he had Mr. Weasley on the spot and he knew it. You don't grow up Slytherin and not pick up a thing or two..
"Uh... uh.. we have a special squad of Aurors following us.. just for protection, they won't get in our way or bother us at all." Mr. Weasley offered.
'Plan 'B' guys' Adam thought to the group he was with. 'Ladies, Greg, Vince, Blaise? you guys in?'
'We can barely hear you Adam, where are you?' Hermione said thru the link
'We're going down into a big hole in the ground.'
'You mean the Metro?'
'Thats what the sign say's, we're following Harry and oror's is following us, we're going to give them the slip. Look for your's while you're at it and try to give them the slip too. Don't let Molly know what's going on but keep her with you. When we get back up on the top of the ground, I'll let you know if we were successful or not in ditching those guys. We're still going to shop but now we're going to have some fun with those oror guys. They are sooo obvious. Don't you think so guys?'
'Yes' came from the men only group
'We'll meet you for lunch and T1. Countdown, 90 minutes'
'Ok see you boys' Hermione thought to her new companions
"Are you alright Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley said
"Yes, I'm fine thank you. Are you ready to go into the mall?" Hermione answered and covered her blank expression with the question in reply.
"Yes, I'm sure we can find something suitable for your journey."
"Don't forget yourself mum." Ginny said to her mother.
"Well, maybe I can find something for your father."
"You too Mum, you promised Harry."
"Ginny, how did you know that? Did you suddenly get empathic communication powers dear?" Molly laughed at the idea
"I- I didn't know, but, he said he was going to give you some money as well as us and he made us take it or he'd kill us all in our sleep." Ginny rushed out.
"Don't be silly dear, not our Harry, but you're right he did give your father and I a few galleons."
"He gave all of us 5000 galleons mum, he said he wasn't going to argue with us. Something to do with a big wad of money he didn't know about."
'Sirius' fortune' Molly thought.
"No worrys darling, I'll get something for myself too as well. Now children... oh, I'm sorry, how about I call you kids for arguement's sake hmmm? Kids, lets get shopping, we're going to meet them for lunch in an hour. I'll meet you right here in one hour. Stay together won't you?"
"Aren't you coming with us Mum?" Ginny asked her mother.
"I didn't think you'd like my company dear."
"Of course we do, don't be silly. Lets go have some fun and shop and not look at tags!"
"I think I'd like to try that Ginny. You would look so cute in some of the things I see in here. Look at all the stores. No wonder the muggles are so crazed. There are too many choices. I don't know where to begin."
"Mrs. Weasley, lets go into this store and see what they have to offer."
Molly the three girls and the three boys went into Harrod's Department store and began to shop for the things that Adam told them to get. Blaise helped Greg and Vince with clothing selection seeing as how if they didn't dress in a uniform at school, theres no telling how they would come to class. Blaise for one didn't want to see the two big men dressed like school boys on holiday.
He spotted the stylist in the men's department and approached him.
"Hello sir. My friends and I need a wardrobe for a holiday in an arrid climate, hot days and cold nights, could you help us out? We also need sturdy shoes and sneakers."
"I'd be delighted to help sir. Where are you traveling to?" the stylist asked Blaise who looked like he had at least been to see a stylist before, his clothing a bit over done but not bad style wise.
"Ameri.." Greg started before Vince elbowed him to shut him up. Blaise just gave him an evil eye look and turned back to the clerk.
"Obliviate" Blaise said and turned to the two gobsmacked wizards, "You guys wanna get killed before we get to where we're going? We're top secret."
Blaise took the stylist back to where he found him standing in the first place and hit him with a stupify spell and then he walked back to where he had been when he first started to walk towards the man.
"Hello sir. My friends and I are going on holiday to an arrid climate, hot dry days, clear cool nights. Perhaps you can suggest something for us. We also need some sturdy shoes and some sneakers." Blaise began again after he hit the stylist with an enervate spell to revive him.
"Where are you going if I might ask?"
"You might not ask, sorry, but to be honest, we don't know exactly, we were told just what to purchase for the trip."
"How long will you be gone?"
"Sorry, don't know that. Please don't ask anymore questions. We're in somewhat of a tight schedule." Blaise told the stylist.
"Yes sir, as you wish. Will you require clothes for water recreation as well?"
"I dunno, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to be prepared." Greg said.
"Quite."
'Good one Goyle, now be quiet and lets finish and get out of here.' Blaise thought to Greg before they went about trying on clothes.
The Slytherin men finished with their shopping totally seeing as they already had pretty good wardrobes at home, but they didn't have the things that Adam told them to get. They weren't inclined to buy much in the way of muggle things so they were done rather quickly and went to wait with the women in their group.
The Slytherins stood about waiting for another 45 minutes before Hermione, Luna, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley came out of the stores carrying huge armloads of packages and bags.
"Did you leave anything inside the store ladies?" Blaise said to the approaching women getting polite laughter in return.
"We only got the basics, sorry to disappoint Mr. Zabini." Luna said to Blaise and continued, "I've traveled to America before looking for snorkacks with father and we were gone for only 2 weeks this isn't half of what we're going to need."
"Oh, Merlin." Blaise moaned
'We're not bloody carrying all of that for you you know, you'll have to shrink it and carry it yourself.' Blaise said to Hermione mentally.
'Don't get your boxers in a twist Blaise, got it covered'
"Follow me ladies." Hermione said out loud so Mrs. Weasley could hear.
"What on earth for dear?" Molly asked Hermione, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, really, we need to do something with these don't you think?"
"Oh right you are Hermione. Alright girls? follow Hermione." Molly said and with that the women were gone again in a flash. Blaise and the other men just rolled thier eyes.
"I wonder if Harry and the boys are above ground yet?" Ginny said outloud.
"What ever do you mean Ginny dear, above ground?" Molly inquired.
'Ginny do something quick.' Blaise said to the calm looking girl.
"Ron said that they might go for a train ride on the underground Mrs. Weasley"
Hermione offered quickly.
"Arthur didn't mention that to me, strange."
'I need your help' Luna mentally spoke to the group of teens.
'Something the matter Luna?' Greg asked
'Yes and no, not with me anyway, I'm having a vision and I need you to help me power it up a bit so it will clear away the fog'
"Why don't we wait on this bench for the others to show up? It's lovely out here." Blaise suggested.
"Good idea Blaise" Hermione said, they were walking towards a tree to sit under when Luna sensed the urgency to increase her power but still needed a distraction so Mrs. Weasley wouldn't get suspicious. "Lets pick out shapes in the clouds. come on lets lay down and look up, it's nice and cool over there" Hermione continued much to Luna's relief.
'Ok, Luna it's your vision. what can we do to help?' Hermione asked mentally.
'connect with my magic I can't clear this up' Luna pleaded, the others knew just what to do the past two weeks wasn't all work and no play. They connected their magical power to Luna's and the vision that Luna had been trying to see was very clear to all of them. It was the veil in the department of mysteries and there was someone standing on the other side looking through flashing something. 'it's muggle morse code' Blaise thought to the group of young adults that were acting silly to anyone that might pass by. 'what's it saying Zabini?' Greg thought 'This shit's all new to me Goyle, but, it keeps flashing the code for...uh let me see, B...L...A...C...K' 'Sirius Black' Hermione thought, Luna knew who it was.'It is him, he's not dead.' Luna thought to the group, the vision wasn't over with.'the message is changing he must know we're here, it says, D...O...N...T...S...T...O...P...H...A...R...R...Y...L...O...V...E...U'
Luna's vision stopped when Blaise got the message that was coming from the veil
"Don't stop Harry, love you. We have to tell Harry as soon as we see him." Ginny said as she was sitting up shaking her hair out from laying on the grass in the park.
"It will be a shock for him Gin. You think that we gave our aurors the slip?" Hermione asked.
'Those gits are so bloody obvious, its a wonder Voldemort's army isn't out here right now blasting away at everyone since they're all muggles and the aurors are stupid enough to attract attention like that we'd be sitting ducks' Vince supplied
'Ron, Harry, Draco, Adam, Neville, Fred, Geooooorrge' Ginny shouted out mentally.
'warn us next time you're going to do that won't you Gin?' Blaise thought to the mentally yelling witch.
'Right, sorry, thought it would maybe carry farther or something.'
'It goes a long way when you yell like that Ginny.' Adam thought, suddenly being heard by the six young people in the park.
'Where are you Adam? Luna had a vision and it concerns you. Interested? We're at the se corner of the park we parted at.' Hermione asked.
"Standing right next to you Miss Granger." Adam said startling the young woman sitting on the ground. Mr. Weasley had already spotted his wife and was looking at some of the things that she had bought, the first nice things she's had in many years. "That Harry is something isn't he Arthur?" "Yes, dear he is indeed, heart of gold that one he is, wish we could adopt him so he wouldn't have to go to those awful muggles any more" "I know what you mean, but I think young Draco will be taking good care of Harry, don't you worry about that dear, I don't think that Dumbledore will make Harry do that again if he doesn't want to."
"Don't want to what Mum Weasley?" Harry had approached the elder Weasleys very stealthily, something he learned from his god brother, to keep from making stairs creak but it worked on anything. Handy skill that.
"Oh, nothing Harry dear, don't you worry about anything. Harry, thank you again dear, your generosity is overwhelming." Molly was almost tearing up when she said her thanks to Harry.
"Think nothing of it 'MUM', it's going to be my birthday, ( and Neville's and Draco's and Adam's too ) and I can do as I like on my birthday and it's my sixteenth birthday as well, so I can celebrate any way I like and I like sharing my things so get used to it you two." Harry said grinning and he gave the Weasleys a very warm hug.
"How about a spot of lunch and we can all see what we've got so far eh?" Arthur said to Harry and Molly. The three of them went to see the dozen excited teens and find out what the excitement was. The heard the last of what Luna was saying and those involved in the vision filled in what they thought that they missed. Six sets of eyes and all. "... so that means he's not dead at all. I'm scared for him it must be awful." Hermione could be said of her friend snuffles, AKA Sirius Black.
"Who's not dead dear?" Molly asked a bit concerned at what she'd heard.
"Sirius Mrs. Weasley. Sorry for you to have to find out this way Harry, we were going to break it to you gently." Hermione said to her other best friend.
"It's ok 'Mione, if he's alive, maybe there's a way to get him back." Harry said sadly to Hermione.
'There is a way possibly you guys' Adam thought
'We'll have to wait till we get to Arizona before I can say for sure. I wonder if I can see the damn thing' Adam thought to the group.
'Perhaps mother can authorize you to view it Adam'
'Good idea Draco, I guess having parents in charge comes in handy doesn't it?'
Everyone started to laugh except Molly and Arthur who were totally oblivious to the silent conversation.
"How about my treat for lunch everyone?" Adam said to the group of hungry witches and wizards, "I'm so hungry I could eat a rattlesnake."
"Eew Adam, how can you even think such a thing?" Luna asked shocked that Adam would eat a snake.
"Tastes just like chicken." Adam grinned to his friends, "Lets find someplace that has some home cookin"
"You'll have to come to my house then Adam dear if you want a good home cooked meal, not that saying eating at the Manor you don't get good food, no offence Draco dear, but you know what I mean. I'm sure Narcissa hasn't been in the kitchen since I taught her how to cook before she got married. Now, lets find a nice little cafe that's not too busy, we're quite a group."
"How 'bout that one mummy?" Ginny asked
"Good as any I suppose, no telling what the muggles put into thier food, before you eat children, let me fix it up a bit for you alright?" Molly said like she wasn't going to take no for answer. The group of 15 people had the kitchen hopping, since it was a small place and there were other shops around they took turns getting up and looking at what was on display.
While some of the teens were looking at displays, the others were taking turns apparating to 2 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey and getting their apparation coordinates down setting into motion Thunderbird One. George and Fred had been to 4 Privet drive before and knew just where they could apparate to as did Harry and Ron, but the others didn't so it took them a while for everyone to get a chance to go back and forth a couple of times so they wouldn't splinch themselves while thier orders were being prepared in the tiny cafe kitchen. Molly and Arthur sat contentedly at their secluded table close to the kitchen door where Molly could magically remove everything that was harmful from their food with her wand out of sight. Arthur and Molly didn't see a thing to make them suspicious of what the teenagers were really up to. T1 was going to commence in 12 hours. The rest of the afternoon was spent just wandering the streets of London. When it became time for them to return to Malfoy Manor for the day, Arthur summoned the magical limo that brought them shopping for the day and they were off.
Adam could not get over how many people there were in one city, and they drove their automobiles on the wrong side of the road. He thought that British people, wizards or not, were strange, but not in a bad way and he didn't see any other people that looked like he did, not that it mattered because this was all new to him so it interested him to no end. Adam's excitement over the trip was evident and he wished he had his easel and a canvas so he could show his mother. He was never one that needed a camera to preserve what he saw, because he had a photographic memory and that was his secret to his painting, that and he had natural talent. His mother taught him how to charm the paint so that his pictures would move and he loved that. He questioned his friends about things that he had seen in London that day, like two story buses, driving on the wrong side of the road and such and before they knew it they had traveled the 300 miles from London in no time at all. Not as fast as pipsqueak by a long shot but pretty fast.
While the teens were gone from the manor, Narcissa had the house elves prepare the ball room for a birthday party for Draco, Harry, Adam and Neville and she was determined to keep them out of there until the next day and she sealed the ball room magically and none too soon because there were 15 noisy people coming into the mansion all talking at once. The Thunderbirds and escorts all arriving safe and sound. No need to mention the incident when the men's group split from the group with the women and lost half of the surveilance/protection squad of Aurors in the process.
"Oh there you are Narcissa dear, I'm afraid that I've brought you 13 very hungry young adults and two old ones to feed."
"Thank you Molly for what you've done. It was a great help!" Molly winked at Narcissa because she knew what was going on in the ballroom tomorrow evening.
"I'd like your attention everyone, please take your things to your rooms and get ready for supper, be quick about it alright?" The young adult teens looked like they'd been shot at as fast as they left the room, not even a by your leave, or a see ya later. "They're planning something aren't they?" Narcissa said to Molly and Arthur.
"They have been planning something all day Narcissa. You don't raise 7 children and not pick up a few things!" Molly said, totally agreeing with Narcissa. Arthur just shook his head wondering what devilry they'd be getting into.
"I have some news." Narcissa said to Molly and Arthur, "Come into the sitting room and I'll tell you all about it. Perhaps it has something to do with our little Thunderbirds." Arthur and Molly nodded their heads and followed Narcissa into the small room closing the doors behind them as they entered.
"There was an unusual level of magical power used this afternoon near a park in London at about half two. It was apparition magic. I know that Lucius taught Draco to apparate illegally and I know Adam can apparate. The apparition destination point was somewhere in Surrey. Does that ring any bells?"
"Harry lives in Surrey with his Aunt and Uncle." Arthur said
"We had better keep a close eye on them until they leave for Birdy's retreat." Narcissa said, "I'll floo call Albus". "Good idea dear, he'll know what to do." Molly said, "I think I hear the herd of wild beasts looking for a meal. Those house elves of yours must be worn out by now."
"They're happier than I've ever seen them Molly. I met Miss Granger at a store in London and we talked, she's really quite bright, no wonder Lucius gave Draco such a bad time when he brought home almost perfect marks. Seems Miss Granger just is better at school if she has time to try to go on a campaign to free house elves or at least make it so they don't live in fear. So, in this household after I had met with Miss Granger, the house elves are not to punish themselves and are thanked for their services. Quite remarkable really, the manor and grounds have never looked better and the elves themselves have never been happier. Perhaps there's something to it after all."
"I've never had a house elf to do my work for me, Cissa, I wouldn't know how to behave if I didn't have something to do all day." Molly countered.
"Rest a bit perhaps, pamper yourself maybe? Surely Molly you take time for yourself don't you?"
"Not since Charley was a baby Cissa and that's been a lifetime ago it seems."
"I'll give you a pair of elves for your home Molly. With Lucius gone, I have no need for so many elves. When the children arrived, I thought that the elves would wet themselves because there was more to do, more people to please. With your large household, you could do with some help. And before you say no, let us just say it would be good for the war effort and it would make 2 house elves very happy. How about it Arthur?" Narcissa said.
"That's up to Molly, it's her house."
"Arthur, it's our home. Ok then, I accept, thank you Narcissa. Merlin knows I could use the help and with being gone from the Burrow so often, it will be good to have somebody there just in case."
"You're welcome Molly." Narcissa said as she smiled at her dear old friend, "Now, let's tuck in alright?"
The 16 witches and wizards had a wonderful meal and no one seemed to make a fool of themselves by eating like a wolf. Conversation was light and varied from what the kids were going to do in America to what the adults were going to do while they were away. The Burrow and Malfoy manor were perhaps the two most heavily warded wizarding homes in Britain and were bested in strength by the wards that surround Hogwarts. Dinner was finishing and pudding was being served when there was a loud "BOOM" and the whole manor shook.
"We're under attack. Draco go outside and get the Aurors inside, Arthur, do you know how to monitor the floo for incoming arrivals?" Narcissa quickly said, and Arthur nodded his head at the question. "Good, now Molly, take the kids to the third panel in the library on the right, there is a secret room there even Lucius doesn't know about so I'm sure you'll be safe there with them." The two witches turned to look at where the teenagers were sitting and none of them were left in thier seats nor in the dining room for that matter. Another "BOOM" shook the manor this time making the plates left on the table jump and rattle.
"Arthur, go to the kitchen, the floo is controlled there, Molly, you and I can make sure that the wards stay intact while we look for the kids." Narcissa said.
"There they are Cissa. Outside on the patio forming a circle.. what are they doing?" Molly said and Narcissa turned just in time to watch the 13 teens change into Thunderbirds before her eyes and take to the sky. Thunder sounded as they flew to the source of the attack.