Thanks everyone for the kind words.
I don't own or claim to own Harry Potter or any of JKR's creation's. Only my own.
Some of you are used to a more slashy slash fic, my only defense is that, I don't think I'm good at writing it so it's mostly implied. I'll try to keep updating Fridays or Saturdays for the dozen or so of you that are willing to admit reading it. I hope you enjoy...
Take Me Out To The Ball Game
After three weeks in the Magical Navajo Nation, the Thunderbirds were excited as they had finished the training that they had traveled so far to learn. The next week before they had to return to Britain would be spent, playing war games. Ginny and Neville had become quite close during their time in Arizona as had the other couples aside from the newlyweds who were practically joined at the hips at any given time of day.
Birdy decided that since they had done so well with their training and since it was Severus' last day in Arizona before he had to go back to Hogwarts to prepare for the school year and a war at the same time. His role as President of the government of Hogwarts and new Dean of the Thundercloud War College at Hogwarts, he had much to do and not much time to do it.
The Thunderbirds and Birdy had decided to make this a special day for him. Severus was not an animagus, nor had he ever thought to be one. Being amongst 14 of them for the last three weeks had made his tolerance of them soften somewhat.
He was almost amused when Longbottom threatened jokingly to turn himself into a winged gorilla, and peel Voldemort like a banana. Neville did of course turn himself into a gorilla just to prove the point. Blaise gave Neville the gorilla wings.
The evening of Severus' departure was like most of the other evenings spent at the huge home of the Thunderclouds, good food, not a single Scottish style pie or pudding to be eaten for three weeks had been oh so wonderful.
This evenings Southwest American Navajo supper was wonderful as well. The goodbye dinner menu was; cubed chicken in any sort of picant (hot) sauce, a salad of greens, a rich Navajo rice dish with beans. The dessert, lime ice.
Birdy had conjured 3 magnums of champagne ( and one of sparkling cider for Draco and the babies ) and filled the glasses of all present and toasted her old friend.
The twelve British Thunderbirds had all come to really enjoy Severus' company truely.
Harry, Ron and the other Gryffindors especially Neville had new respect for the man they had once had called their feared teacher now he was to be a collegue.
Birdy had waved her hand and cleared the table of the feast that they had all just taken part in and thought a little merriment was in order. "Severus what did you think of the peppered rattlesnake?" Birdy asked the now quite tanned potions master.
"I beg your pardon? Did you say... rattlesnake Birdy?" Severus asked back, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, wasn't it scrumptious? Tastes just like chicken doesn't it?" Birdy finished, but her laughter was just below the surface.
"Indeed. Too bad that rattlesnakes are in short supply in Britain, they could be weekly fare at the new war college."
"Oh, I can arrange that for you. The desert here is full of food if you know where to look."
"Ma! You're gonna scare the palefaces!" Adam whispered to his mother in a low voice. He knew for a fact that the food was really chicken.
"Relax sweetheart, Severus and I were teasing. Those continental wizard's systems would never stand for it weekly."
"I know that mama, but they don't. " Adam said pointing to the slightly unnerved British teens. All the TBirds and the adults had a good laugh.
Neville was oddly drinking as much milk as he could. Greg and Vince and Ron didn't seem to care much because they were just enjoying eating. If the food in Arizona was always that good, it didn't matter what it was. Nothing could be any worse than dragon tongue pie was. The food they had been eating for the last few weeks was way far from that.
Harry and Draco fed each other and held hands most meals and didn't pay attention to what they were eating until Birdy said rattlesnake. Hermione, Luna and Ginny were just looking at their empty plates thankful that they had only been pranked.
Fred, George, and Blaise had become pretty good friends and had plans for after the war and it included... Arizona wizarding tours for cold witches and wizards. Birdy might allow tourism in the MNN.
Seems that the twins became fond of warm, dry weather and so had Zabini. The fact that the probability of rattlesnake on the menu didn't seem to phase them at all. They had other things to consider for after the war.
The time had come for Severus to depart as twilight was finally upon the Magical Navajo Nation. Severus would be home in an instant like leaping eight hours into the future. Earlier in the afternoon the thirteen Thunderbirds had made a handful of amulets much like the one Harry wore and they decided to give one to Severus as a token of their esteem for all his hard work in preparing them for a war.
The amulet had an etching of a Thunderbird symbol on it, the eyes of the bird itself had rubies for eyes. There were thirteen emeralds in a circle and a large 'ruby' in the center. Severus was quite touched by the gesture and thanked each of the teens one at a time before he turned to Birdy, his old friend, to say his good bye. He was instead presented with a larged wrapped heavy object.
"What is this?" Severus said eyebrow raised.
"It's a five hundred year old warbird potions book. Adam can do a translation spell for you when you get situated and have time to have a good read."
"Thank you Birdy. My time here has been the most relaxing three weeks I've spent in the last twenty years. This gift is not necessary, but I shall value it above all others that I possess. I fear that the time has come to say good bye."
"Sev, it's not good bye, it's I'll see ya later" Birdy said to her old friend, "when this damn thing is finished once and for all. " Birdy sniffed deep and smiled a big smile for her friend, "You want to ride home or would you rather portkey?"
"I rather think that the port key would be more appropriate than a ride on that bloody great flashy bird. Thank you for the offer Birdy, Albus and I had already made a key. I should be going."
Severus said and bowed deeply to his former charges, and shook thier hands as if he meant what he said. He embraced Draco and Harry briefly wishing them luck and prosperity for the future of their soon to be very large family, He said to them all waving and turning, billowing his robes while he spoke, "See you all soon." and reached into his pocket for the portkey and vanished from their view.
"He sure doesn't let the grass grow under his feet when he has to get somewhere." Adam said to the group of non plussed teens and his mother.
"He never has Adam, he never has." Draco said to his cousin.
"Ok kids, lets go practice some magic." Birdy said as she turned to walk back into the house headed for her hogan. The Thunderbirds followed without comment. Whenever they went into Birdy's hogan, they always left with more knowledge than they had before they entered. This evening wasn't going to be any different.
Birdy's hogan was much like the Room of Requirement in Hogwarts castle, in as much as it always held the things that they needed to learn. The hogan had cinderblocks built up into a very thick wall to absorb the energy that was going to be thrust at it. The ceiling was warded so the roof wouldn't be blown off if the magic got out of control, it would absorb the magical energy and return it to the earth in a safe form.
Birdy entered ahead of the teens and had formed a ball of fire in one hand and a jiggling ball of water in the other, magically contained of course, this was the power of a mage.
Birdy had shown the fire mages how to conjure the fireball and showed them how to send it to a target and the water mages were taught how to summon water out of nowhere and hurl it at a target also. She taught them how to conjure snow, rain, hail, sleet, and fog. She also taught them to shape the water they conjured and freeze it making ice weapons. They could make it rain tiny to large drops and casting a ward turning them into ice razors. As an example, she showed them that particular spell as it was a compound magic.
The mages with the power of the wind were shown how to make a small tornado with emphasis on what they could do with such a menacing little windstorm. They hadn't thought that they could increase the intensity of their funnel clouds let alone use it. A controlled, finger of God, any sized tornado.
Mage practice that evening was, fun and informative, Birdy stressed that the elements would do what you want them to do and they would only be limited by their own imaginations. Weather magic had not been practiced for centuries, but it was still studied in remote locations. The Magical Navajo's had never stopped using weather magic which is why the abilities of the Thunderbirds to make weather came easy to them.
Chief Thundercloud was a very clever wizard and indeed it seemed so even from the grave, and it showed in the magic transferred to the teens who were practicing throwing and catching fireballs wandlessly.
Neville seemed to like making the little tornado's and he tossed his fireballs into the vortex for accuracy practice since the little tornado that he made wiggled about. Ginny wasn't a fire mage but she got a real kick out of making target practice with Neville. She thought she was being smart when she turned Neville's tornado into 3 tornado's and made them dance together.
Birdy was impressed as she hadn't conjured the tornado's in the first place, only made them multiply. The evening passed quickly and besides, Adam who could do all of the things his mother was teaching helped the others with a few pointers of his own. He was rather fond of small tornado's himself.
The last week in Arizona was passing all too quickly for everybody. Birdy's time was especially fast because she was going to send her son, the heir to the Magical Navajo Nation into battle with a vicious madman.
Birdy knew she'd prepared all of the Thunderbirds as best as she could, teaching them most importantly, how not to feel anything when they were in battle, it being the key in war hexing. A challenge that the Slytherins had no problems with.
Birdy had said their visit would not be all work and indeed learning could be fun, but she had other things in mind for a fun thing to do.
"Kids, who wants to go watch a muggle baseball game in Los Angeles or Phoenix?"
There were thirteen shocked faces staring back at her.
Ginny asked, "What's baseball?"
"It's a muggle game taught to children, mostly boys. It's played with a bat and a ball. There are four bases in a diamond shape. It is a team sport, like quidditch. There are nine players on the playing field behind and around the diamond on each team. The team off the field holds the bat and the opposing team's pitcher throw's the ball to his teams catcher. If the player with the bat can hit the ball and can run to the first base, he can continue to play. If the ball is out of the control of the fielding team long enough for the batter to run to each base finally reaching where he started, he score's a run. That's it in a nutshell. It's quite fun to watch I remember." Birdy explained.
"How come you never took me Ma?" Adam asked his mother. She looked at him and said, "Wards."
"Oh."
"Uh huh 'oh'. You'll be going by yourselves. Portkey to and apparate back if you want, or you could...fly."
"Brooms Ma?" Adam interrupted again.
"Adam, darling baby boy, I'll hit you with a broom."
"Not if..." Adam started to say and then he disappeared, "...you can't see me."
Birdy looked around the room and let on like she didn't see Adam's magical signature. She put her hand behind her back and conjured an ice cold waterball and threw it at her baby boy.
"Yeow! Ma that was cold. How did you know where I was?"
"You know how you don't fly into each other while invisible?"
"Yeah."
"Adam you prat, we could all see you.. sort of, but enough to tell where you were." Draco said to his cousin.
The Thunderbirds laughed at Adam when he reappared. His hair was stuck to his face and it looked like he pee'd his pants.
"Thanks Ma."
"You're welcome dear. Now do you want to go to L.A. or Phoenix?"
"How about we do both? I'd love to go to the Disneyland like the one in Paris." Draco asked for the group.
He'd been to the Paris Disneyland once while he was vacationing with his parents, but not with them, he'd snuck away. He'd like to go with his husband and their friends.
"Well then, how about going to see a baseball game in Phoenix? Their team is the Diamondbacks and they're playing the San Francisco Giants."
"Snakes and Giants? What no werewolves?" Blaise said jokingly. He was begining to look forward to thier trip already.
"Just their names dear, I kind of like the Cleveland Indians"
"Don't American muggles refer to you as an Indian Birdy?" Harry asked.
"Yes they do dear, but only the ignorant ones. Most muggles are quite ignorant. Don't seem to see the forest for the trees really. I am Navajo, a race within a race. There are others, like the Cherokee's, Cree's, Addorandaks, Souix, Arapaho, Paiute, Apache, Commanche. Many many races. Many are magical and will be joining you in Scotland to learn to defend their own homeland.
Now, I'm going to make a few portkeys for the trips to Phoenix and to Los Angeles. You can fly home if you want to. I suggest that you fly home from Phoenix and portkey to and from Los Angeles. I will get a suite of rooms at the Disneyland Hotel for you and 10,000 in muggle dollars for you each. Before any of you say no, who are you more afraid of? Voldemort or me?"
"Thank you MaBirdy." Harry said for the lot of them. "I'm not afraid of either of you."
"It's a damn good thing too. Now, I think you can make your way back from Phoenix in about 30 minutes or so if you fly fast. I'll charm the window to send you a homing beacon and it will guide you here. Your rings won't fail you I'm sure of that.
I don't want any of you to get into trouble with muggles but I do want you to have a good time. I am not afraid for your safety per se, but Voldemort surely has eyes in the strangest of places. Stay away from other wizards please. If you're confronted by a wizard or witch, you're to obliviate them and walk away. You'll know what to do in any situation. Go invisible in any emergency and keep in contact with each other. No trips to the little tee pee alone."
"Jeez ma, you think we were born yesterday." Adam said to his mama.
"In my eyes, you were. Those are muggles out there and the stray witch or wizard and you don't have much experience dealing with them."
"Harry and Hermione can deal with the muggles if there are problems..." Neville said, "...if that's ok with them. Now about this money. What does it look like and how does it work."
"Neville, you are so precious. Harry, Hermione, will you two baby sit the others tonight and tomorrow?"
"Of course Birdy, I'd be happy to. I know all about American currency. I won't let them do anything foolish." Hermione said for the group.
"Ok then, I guess I'll go make a satellite phone call to Phoenix and get your tickets for you. You can pick them up at the will call window at the Bank One Ballpark in downtown Phoenix.
Your portkey will let you arrive at a safe location next to the ballpark and you can walk around until you find the window to pick up the tickets. I own a number of muggle businesses and these will be easy to get. Pick them up with the name Black. Now the lot of you go change into some clean clothes while I make the phone call." Birdy said smiling to them and walking away in a billow of robes.
"Come on everyone, lets go get ready. Phoenix is warmer than here but I understand the ballpark is airconditioned so it won't be too hot."
"Oi, Thundercloud," "It can't be too," "hot," "or dry" "for us" Fred and George said.
"Well, you guys didn't really react bad to the sun here, and none of ya got a sunburn which is good I suppose so dress however you want. I'm wearin my Levi's and a tshirt and maybe something over that. That's what the muggles wear, or you could wear shorts, you all have good tans now, you could show off what is off the market..." Adam chattered to the TBirds as they went to their wing of the house to change.
"That bloody Adam just does not shut it very much does he Vin?" Greg said to his mate.
"Well, no. No 'e don't" Vincent said. "I wonder what kind of food tha' they got at that baseball park Greg?"
"I dunno, but there better be plenty of it."
'Greg to Thunderbirds, what kind of food at this baseball park? Enny one know?'
'Sausages, fish, chips, drinks, it's a sporting event Gregory' Luna said to her friend
'I suppose so, thanks Luna'
'No problem Gregory, My father has taken me to many football games at home, it's what they had there. The Quidditch Cup a few years ago was nothing like what we're going to I imagine. More like the football match than a big event like the Cup.'
While the mental conversations were going on, Birdy arrainged for tickets, got a boat load of muggle currency out of her safe, and made the portkeys.
'Make sure everyone takes their wands' Birdy mentaled to the powerful group.
'You can be sure of that Birdy, thank you for reminding us.' Draco said back.
"Draco, love you look marvelous. Your hair is amazing and your skin is glowing. I can see the pulses of your aura. You will be showing the babies soon and I can't wait. You get better looking and I love you more everyday." Harry said to his husband.
"Thank you Harry, it is, and so can I. I will and I cannot either, I know and I do you too." Draco can really shorten a reply and he did. "Now are you going to put on those pants or are we going to make everyone late while we shag?"
"Yes dear. No dear."
"Are you mocking me Harry?"
"I would never Draco. You are a powerful wizard and I don't like being on your bad side."
"Good, just so we have that straight. I don't like you being on my bad side either. Put on your shirt."
"Merlin Draco, you're no fun."
"Say that again and we will find out how much no fun. Now hurry dear. I want to see the muggles and that game of theirs."
"Ok m'love. I think that I'd like to see a different team sport other than football or quidditch."
"Nothing as quite as exciting as quidditch tho Harry. You know that."
"Let's just say not as many things as exciting as quidditch. You've only been around muggles in London and Paris Draco. Hogwarts is as far away from home as I've ever been until I came here. Learning all of ... this. Changing like we have. That has been as exciting, but when you said I do on our wedding day, I was the most excited I've ever been and I am still as excited. More actually. Close your mouth sweetheart."
"That's the most deep thing I've ever heard you say love. Was I doing the goldfish again?"
"Uh huh" Harry smiled at his husband who was finally ready.
Harry had finished first because Draco had told him to. Draco was still trying to chose an outfit when Harry had finished dressing. He had thrown out almost all of Harry's clothes right away except for the ones they bought in muggle London, mostly because he picked everything out, and now Harry's choices were limited. Very limited compared to Draco's choices.
'Oi, Thunderbirds, Narcissa Malfoy's baby boy is finally ready. Where is everyone?'
Draco smacked Harry pretty good on the arm for his comment and he got puppy dog eyes back at him from a mock hurt Harry.
"Cut it Scarhead."
Greg and Vince and Fred and George came down the long hallway to where the Thunderbirds usually collected themselves when they were doing something as a group and spotted the newlyweds. They had been discussing accidental magic as a matter of pranking at the muggle ball park and they had some good ideas for laughs
"What are you four up to?" Draco drawled to their friends, he raised an eyebrow, Harry was just grinning. He knew what they were up to.
"We don't want to tell you because we can't lie to you. Simple as that Drake."
"You're going to mess with the muggle teams aren't you?"
The four of them looked down and then George looked up and straight into the eyes of Draco and said while stepping forward, "Yes. It will be quite funny. No harm though." Draco looked at Fred the whole time George spoke it was surreal to him.
"Very well then. Wandless?"
"We thought it would be good practice."
"I'm all for it then. What do you say Harry sweetheart?"
"Yes, what do you" "Say, Harry sweetheart?" Fred and George mocked Draco. Greg and Vince were making kissing sounds on their hands, and Harry just turned a nice shade of red.
"Knock it off you or I'll make you eat Dumbledores lemon drops"
"Oh, the mortal fear! Dumbledore's lemon drops. You're trying to scare us now aren't you Harry?"
"You're leaving the subject. It wouldn't be fair to mess with the muggle teams." Harry said remembering the rogue bludger of Dobby's.
"Oh we won't," "foul the play" "Harry."
"Well ok then. Wandless"
Hermione, Ginny and Luna came along just then and heard the word "Wandless"
"Alright, what are you up to? I heard wandless. You shouldn't use magic at all in muggle places. We might be detected by one of the wizarding governments or worse... one of Voldemort's spies."
"And, your point being?" Draco said
"We could jeopardize something."
"I don't think so Hermione," Little Bird said "You'll be back here before they know you were in Phoenix at a ballpark with 40 thousand muggles."
"They're going to do wandless magic Birdy. It could be dangerous couldn't it?"
"Nah, just remember what I taught you and you'll be fine. What were you going to do? Make the players fart real loud?"
"Hadn't thought of that Birdy. Good one." Draco said.
"I used to hang out with the Marauders you know." Birdy said with a wink, "There is ten thousand dollars in each of these magical wallets. What ever you need will be there, nothing more so it won't look like you have a lot of money with you."
"Brilliant idea Birdy. Refilling wallets." Neville said. He and Blaise and Adam had brought up the rear. The didn't know about the pranking..but they would.
"Yes, so don't lose them. Use the credit card in the wallet when you can. There are faux Arizona identification cards in there too, so you can use the cards without a hassle. And here are your port keys. I made one for a return trip to use in an emergency or if you get lazy and don't want to fly back. Up to you guys. You have a big day tomorrow too. You can play in Disneyland and check into the hotel in the early afternoon or just check in, get your bearings and then go play all day long. Like I said. Up to you guys. Now are you going to go or what?"
"Don't you love us any more mama? You wanna get rid of us so soon for some ... reason?" Adam mock pouted at his mother. She got up to take a whack at him when he grabbed Luna and Ron and Hermione and a portkey and disapeared with them.
"That little stinker. You guys go on and have some fun. Don't spend the money all in one place alright?"
"Thanks Birdy. You've been more than generous. That goes for all of us, including scarhead here." Draco said flipping his thumb at Harry.
"You're welcome. I make way more than that an hour dear so don't you worry. Now go. Adam and Ron might think I've done something to you and unless they use their wings, they aren't coming back. Now git you palefaces. I need some me time."
"Bye bye Birdy!" They all said, and used the other two portkeys.
In an instant they were standing on the sidewalk behind the Bank One Ballpark and were confronted with four worried Thunderbirds.
"Oi, we thought she did something to you blokes when you didn't come right away." Ron said.
"Harry, you did bring the emergency portkey's for us to use didn't you?" Hermione said hoping she was right and he did bring them.
"No, I didn't. Did you Neville?"
"No, I didn't either Harry. Blaise, did you bring the emergency portkeys?"
"No Nev, sorry mate. Vinny, Greg? Didju guys bring em?"
"Nope, we didn't figure we'd need em we were going to fly back anyway."
"Oh for Merlin's sake! I brought the damn things. Why don't you be quiet now. Boys."
"What did you" "mean by that" "Mr. up the duff with sextuplets?" George and Fred said to the blond and evidently showing symptoms of pregnancy, Draco.
"Nothing. Sorry, but you lot were getting on my nerves and it's bloody hot standing on this concrete sidewalk next to a behemoth of a building. No shade, no trees. Not even a bloody sage brush."
"Draco, there's one right there across the street next to a whole bunch of others." Harry said to his husband and he turned him around to face a bridge crossing a dry river, full of sagebrush.
"Well, I'm not going out there so lets get our arses in gear and go inside. I understand it's air-conditioned and quite comfortable if you can stand crowds"
"Yes dear. Lets go everyone. The ticket window must be around here somewhere" Harry said. The odd group of British young adults and a Navajo with the longest hair any one's ever seen on a guy, made for the will call window...all the way around the massive building. Draco was getting cranky and hungry, his feet hurt and frankly, he was miserable by the time they reached the will call window. They all could use a bite to eat and something to drink especially after their long walk. So they let Draco and Harry go stand in the shade, where it was much cooler, only 109 degrees that day, but was a dry heat.
Hermoine conducted the business at the will call window as she assured Birdy that she would. Hermione only had to sign a receipt for the 13 of them. She noted that the tickets were 150 dollars each so she expected the seating would be comfortable and good.
'VIP Section, behind home dugout what ever that is, row one, seats one through thirteen. Ought to be bloody good' Hermione mentioned to the Thunderbirds as she was only accompanied to the window by Ron who knew what the home part meant, he'd find out what a dugout was.
'Hurry up will you?' Draco said to the approaching group of British powerhouses, and one funny Navajo Prince.
'Keep your shirt on Draco, did you use your cooling charm?' Hermione said.
'Oh, my mind wasn't on one I guess. 'Frio' Thanks Granger.'
'Honestly, Draco, you're an elemental mage. No need to be uncomfortable where ever you happen to be.'
'Leave my husband alone you guys. Can't you tell he's... uh, not himself'
The group finally assembled, paired up, Adam again the odd man out but he still didn't mind, they decided earlier that he would sit between Harry and Draco and Ginny and Neville. It didn't really matter at the time because they were on their way to the ticket taker's turnstyles and INSIDE.
The British Thunderbirds had become spoiled staying at the Casa del Thundercloud, as lush as it was it was warm but not hot like the city was. When they reached the great glass doors, there was a rush of cool air streaming out of them and into the faces of the greatful group. They walked round the inside of the ballpark and passing section after section of seating, up and down. Their eyes were amused at the number of vendor stations selling baseball memorabilia and souvenier TShirts and rattles.
Draco's first stop was to be the loo and the men save for Ron who stayed with his sister, his girlfriend and Luna while the troupe went inside. Draco was instantly disgusted and made for his wand. Before he stepped up to the wall mounted toilet, he said "scourgify" to make sure it was clean. He made sure that Harry and everyone else did it too.
'You better clean those urinals before you use them. Do you have any idea how many muggles have use these things'
'Good point mate'
Harry watched thier backs while they pulled thier wands to use the simple magic to sanitize their facilities. After washing hands, they went outside to the waiting group. It was their turn to go to the loo. Adam warned them to do the scourgify charm before Draco had the chance to go off on a rant about how it smelled in there.
Instantly Draco's attention was brought to a "yuppie" food snack counter that seemed to have good food in it. Salads, fruit, fruit juices, vegetable juices, chilled fruit, peeled fruit, fruit salads, raw vegetables with some sort of dip. He got one each of the foods and chose carrot juice for his drink. He handed it all to Harry and took a slow drink of his carrot juice, he was really thirsty.
"Draco, do you think you can eat all of this food? It's quite alot." Harry asked Draco.
"I'm sure that the others would like to share in some good food rather than that ... that... amazing smelling food from over there.. come on Harry"
Harry dutifully followed Draco to the snack counter an waited with him in line.
'Harry, these muggles smell like dragon dung'
'They're quite...well fed aren't they'
'It seems so. Would you look at all the food that guy is going to eat'
'Draco, he only has a banger and some crisps of some sort with cheese on them'
'He's too big, he doesn't need all that'
'Draco love, he's not that big. He's tall yes, but he's not that big. Besides look at all the food we have already and we haven't even found our seats yet'
'Yeah, not enough. Ok I'll have one of those... uh, hotdog.. they eat dogs here Harry'
'I don't think so love, I think its just a big sausage'
'Well then whey don't they just leave the name at sausage? Much less confusing. I want one'
'Anything else Drake'
'Don't call me Drake. Only Blaise calls me that. He's known me since I've been eleven'
'I distinctly remember being eleven and meeting you at school so so have I'
'Very well then darling, just don't say it in front of others alright? I don't want anyone to get the wrong ideas'
'You're one of the most powerful wizards on the planet and one of the wealthiest too. Nobody will get the wrong ideas. What else do you want from this snack stand'
'Some of those crisps with cheese please'
'Very well, it's amost our turn'
'I can make the line move quicker'
'Well, go ahead. This stuff is getting heavy'
'Ok, I'll make most of them forget what they are doing here and you cast a wandless weight spell and quit fretting'
'I'm not fretting'
'Excuse me, I have muggles to hex'
'By all means then, lets get it done then'
'Thank you dear.'
"Confundus" Draco whispered as he fingered his wand up his sleeve and cast a wandless spell over a large group of muggles in the ques ahead of himself and Harry.
'That, ought to do the trick.'
Draco and Harry stepped up to the counter and ordered two hotdogs and an extra large 'Nachos' the crisps were called and paid for their order with the money that was in thier wallets, just enough to make the purchase. The next time it was opened it would to be to pay another charge with just the right amount of money. How ingenious was that?
Hermione, Ginny and Luna and Ron had returned to the group who were it seemed, waiting on Harry and Draco. They were amused that Draco made so many muggles leave the line forgetting why they were there. A very impressive 'confundus' indeed.
"Did you see all of those people in front of Harry and Draco just leave the line so they could get to the head of the que? I'm going to have to remember to do that the next time I have a long que at a book store to stand in" 'Mione said to the group.
"Hermione, don't forget, what you can imagine, you can do. It's all Empress Thundercloud has told us for the last three and a half weeks." Luna said to the good looking brunette witch.
"You're right, I suppose we should go to our seats. They have seating service so we don't have to stand in any ques to be served. I can see the immediate need in Draco's case, he's gonna you know what so if he want's it, I say he gets it."
"Thank you Granger for that. I didn't know however there would be service or Harry wouldn't be so occupied right now."
"You're welcome. Ron, help Harry carry that stuff he bought."
"Yes dear." Ron said obediently, and he went to Harry and took a few containers off his hands as they followed Hermione to their seating section.
The Thunderbirds stood in awe when they passed the portal into the actual ball playing stadium, it was huge. They found their seats which were just behind the Diamondbacks dugout. Their section had a private waiter much to their enjoyment. They would eventually almost wear the poor fellow out completely...
The Thunderbirds were getting comfortable in their seats, eating and drinking fruit juices and lemonaide. Adam had southern style sweet iced tea. At first they all had different drinks but by the time they had tasted the iced tea that Adam offered to share, they were soon all drinking the sweet iced tea that Adam told them that they would love. They were going to drink this in Scotland! Oh yes.
"LAAADIEEES ANNNND GENNNNTELLLMENNNN, WE ARE GOING TO GOING TO RETRACT BOB'S ROOF FOR YOU TO ENJOY THE GAME. ON BEHALF OF THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS, WELCOME TO BANK ONE BALL PARK AND AN AFTERNOON OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. PLEASE RISE FOR OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM"
'We better stand up. That's one of the best sonorus charms I've ever heard. Only Ludo Bagman had a better one' Harry said to them all.
'Who's Ludo Bagman'
'Wizard involved with quidditch somehow, announced at the World Cup last year'
'We were in the same booth with him Draco, You, me, Ron, Fred, George,and Ginny were there together'
'We weren't together... uh then that is'
'That's not what I meant and you know it'
'I'm sorry love but the past couple of days, I've been throwing up in the mornings and I seem to be having some pretty quick mood swings and I'm not really thinking clearly. Forgive me'
'Of course I do I love you ferret face'
'Scarhead'
'Shush and listen to the music'
The anthem finished with several cannon blasts. They were shooting off fireworks inside and it scared Hermione. She jumped at the blast and she farted when the sky rockets exploded. Everyone was jumping up and down and out it came. Of course Adam heard it and decided to wait to say anything. Harry and Draco and Ron and everybody within six feet of Hermione knew who cut the cheese. She was clueless until they all conjured fans and took them out and blew them at their faces and then at Hermione to get the smell away from them.
'Hermione, did you happen to have the huevos con frijoles y queso for breakfast'
'Oh Merlin Adam! Did I do it again?'
Hermione heard 12 audible afirmatives from her group. She was mortified and turned to Ron for comfort. He didn't really want to hug her for fear that she would let another one fly, but he did let her cry on his shoulder.
"Ronniekins, ickle brother, you realize you're going to marry a witch that farts in public?" George whispered in Ron's ear.
Ron just looked at his brothers for some compassion but instead they were treated to watching Ron turn redder when he squeezed Hermione and Adam made a fart sound. Hermione just cried some more and the Thunderbirds all got a good laugh at her expense...again. Ron so didn't. He didn't dare. Hermione was trained to do unmentionable things now and he knows what she can do with a hex.
Hermione managed to get over it rather quickly because this was not a new development. She would just have to find a potion that would keep those pesky little fluffs to a minimum, like none. She decided to just not think about it and began a conversation with everyone,
"I read all about this game while everyone was getting ready. I did the rapid learn spell and read it in 20 seconds. Took my time I guess. Anyway, we're seated right behind the hometeam dugout..."
"Is this going to be a long lecture 'Mione?" Neville said, interrupting her.
"No it's not, I was just going to say that the reason it's called a dugout is because the fans wouldn't be able to see the game for the heads of the players in the dugout, hence the name."
"Oi, Hermione, thanks for that, I was wondering." Greg said back to the rather striking witch.
"Anytime Gregory. Anytime"
"She means everytime, Greg." Ron said to his mate, his girlfriend glared at him before he noticed her looking at him. "Er, everytime you ask, and she know's. That is what I meant."
"Sure Weasley, nice try at the sidestep wi' that one by the way." Vince piped up saying.
"Well, anyway, if it weren't for Hermione here, me and Harry may have not done so well with our OWLs"
"I suppose you're right 'bout that mate. If it weren't for Draco, me an' Vince wunt'a made eleven each. Came in very handy for those bloody Navajo rapid learn spells. Anyone else have the urge to get some of that food that they actually hand carry to you?"
"It looks like Harry and Draco have already cleaned out the snack stand. Draco seems to be enjoying himself quite a bit, eating all of that with six babies dancing on his insides can't be too comfortable after a while. He's right lucky he's not had them grow very much or he'd be unbearable to be around while he suffers from indigestion. Either of you two want to tell him he might be getting sick if he keeps eating like that?" Hermione said for herself and Ron.
"Ah, well about that, no."
"Why not, I don't know him as well as you two..."
"Save it Hermione. We're not going to tell Draco what he can or cannot eat. He'll turn one or both of us into something when we're not looking and I'd rather not be a female rabbit in heat. So if you wanna tell 'im, do it yourself. You might be doing Harry there a favor... Hey, remind Harry and maybe he'll tell his husband to taper down a bit. We have only just got here you know." Vince said to the soon to be no longer Gryffindor.
"Ah, well about that. Harry isn't very subtle when it comes to ... things. He will only succede in making Draco upset. I don't need a pregnant, pissy Draco on my hands. I suppose that Harry will have to deal with him later... by himself."
"You can bloody well say that again. Draco is pissy on a good day." Greg said and the four all shared a laugh with each other.
Draco hadn't been paying attention to the conversation taking place almost right next to him rather he was trying to make a dent in the huge pile of cheesy covered meat and sour cream and olives on a pile of tortilla crisps. Harry would have to hold up Draco's drink for him because his own hands were busy holding his next half dozen entree's. The game was just about to begin and he didn't want to be busy holding that much food. He hadn't thought to put it on the roof of the dugout in front of him. Draco and Harry began to share their goodies because of course Draco's eyes were bigger than his stomach and he was temporarily quite full. The others gladly helped in finishing off the nachos.
The first batter had stepped into the batters box. He was batting right handed and away from where the Thunderbirds were seated. George was on the end closest to where the batter and catcher and the umpire were. He snuck his wand out and cast the flatulus maximus audious charm at the catcher. He used his wand so he would be accurate with the spell casting.
"Steeeerike" the umpire shouted.
The catcher was the victim of Georges little prank and he stood up to throw the ball back to the pitcher. When he squatted he let out a very loud fart and the people behind him and the home plate, namely the fans, all started to laugh. If the catcher didn't have on his mask you would have seen how red he was. Fred was next to George and he was watching the pitcher, who was raising his leg every time he threw the ball and he uttered the same spell on him.
The pitcher had heard the catcher's really big toot and he was laughing a little bit himself when he got all serious again. He looked at the catcher and got the signal for the pitch. He started his wind up and when he raised his leg he started to let out a long stringy fart that was also very loud. This distracted the batter so much he missed the ball go by slow and right in front of him.
"Steeeeeerike two."
The pitcher was as embarrassed as the catcher was, but he was glad that the fans were all having a laugh at something that they didn't hear or see every day. Hermione had watched Fred and George send the fart hexes at the baseball players and as big of a stick in the mud she generally was, she actually got a kick out of it and encouraged Ron sitting next to her to pay closer attention to what was going on in front of him.
"Ron, did you see what your brothers just did? They cast that 'gas' spell on those players."
"Yeah 'Mione, I did. Wanna give it a go wandlessly? No one would be able to tell. Go on now, give it a go."
Hermione just glared at her boyfriend for a second throwing him off the mental track and said to him very innocently,
"I don't think something as vulgar as making someone do that on purpose is funny Ronald. That wasn't very subtle."
"Just because passing wind loud doesn't make them any less noxious. I shouldn't have said that, I shouldn't have said that."
"That's right Ronald you shouldn't have. 'Voidus intensitus' there that should teach you a lesson"
Ron was suddenly struck with the most overwhelming need to find a loo and he had better be quick about it. He stood up very suddenly and made for the aisle.
'Gotta get to the loo. Someone want to come with me?'
Ron thought to the TBirds. Of all of the ones there to say he would go was Draco. Seemed he needed to freshen up a bit and perhaps use the facilities as well and, he decided that Harry needed to go too.
"Come on Harry, he doesn't need to be alone. Wonder what made him look like he was about to wet in his Levi's."
"Ok then, you better get moving then. Looks like he might need a hand finding the loo and he really shouldn't be alone. Remember what MaBirdy said."
"I do. Now, he shouldn't get much further than he already is if you quit standing around and actually move Scarhead."
"I love you too... uh, ff."
"Ff?"
"Look at Ron he's almost to the top of the stairs. Don't let him get away" Harry said to his husband sidestepping so that he could pass but also not telling him ff was Ferret Face.
'Oi, Weasley! Wait up!' Draco mentaled to Ron , 'You shouldn't be off on your own'
Hermione decided that she might as well end the peeing spell and waved her hand wandlessly at Ron and said "Finite Incantatum" and Ron looked a bit relieved instantly... at least long enough for Harry and Draco to catch up with him.
"Hermione is very sensitive to the farting spells that my brothers and the Slytherin blokes have been doing wandlessly at the players and she hit me with a need to pee spell. Vicious she is. Brilliant but vicious."
"Hermione made you do that? We'll have to have her teach us that one then won't we?" Draco said to his husbands best mate.
"Aye she did, I suggested that she try it and she got all scary like and then she hexed me."
"Remind me not to, what does Adam call it? Piss in her wheaties then?"
"Well since we're out here we might as well go to the loo anyway.. Say, I can still hear that pitcher guy breaking wind. I bet those blokes down there are having the time of their lives."
"I hope it's not Ron." Draco said. "I hope it's not. We'll be back in Britain in less than a weeks time and we know what waits for us there."
"Aye brother. I do." Ron said for the first time. That happened to signal the beginning of a very very long friendship.
Draco, Harry and Ron spotted the little blue sign with a man on it. That meant the public men's loo to everyone so they went in. The first thing that greeted them was not the aroma of old urine and other odors it was a gang of thugs. The thugs let them pass and then one of them said,
"Eh Gringo! Geeve us your money and those nice rings you got there."
'I'll charm the door to keep people out, Ron you and Draco stun them quick on three'
'Do you mean one two three and then do it or one two hex'
'Just bloody do it. ONETWOTHREE' Draco finally intoned and he started stupifying everybody. Harry cast a notice me not charm on the door and joined the short lived shooting gallery.
"What do we do now?" Ron said.
"I for one have to wash my hands then go to the loo then wash my hands again." Draco said and proceeded to do just that.
Ron and Harry decided what to do to the hoodlums that tried to rob them. The two wizards removed the gang members clothes and arranged them in a salacious pile. Tattoos that didn't move were all over their bodies. Feeling that that was enough, the two of them went to wash their hands, go to the loo and then wash their hands again too. Before the three of them departed the mens restroom, they took off the notice me not charm on the door and ennervated the pile of naked gang bangers. What they heard was a litany of Spanish cursewords as they departed the tiled room.
"I totally expected a pig sty when I went in that place and what I got was defence practice. I think I'd like being in the muggle world if all muggle thugs are that easy to deal with." Draco said to his husband.
"Not all muggle thugs are like that Draco. Many are worse. Let us just hope that we don't have to meet any more of them before the game is over and we get out of here." Harry said being somewhat of an authority on muggle thugs.
His cousin Dudley was a gang leader and he has read the muggle newspapers. Those guys in the loo were amateurs. The real thugs are still in Britain waging a war that they were going to lose. The three wizards were not in a great hurry to return to their seats and stopped to look at the muggle souveniers at the kiosk close to the loo and soon they could see the muggle police chasing one of the naked men down the neverending loop of corridor.
Screams could be heard all over the place when one of the naked men ran down the stairs towards the ball field to try to evade capture when Ginny of all people cast a charm on the man that stopped him in his tracks. He had soiled himself and just sat down and cried until the policeman got to him. The cop really didn't want to touch the guy since he had poop running down his legs and he was naked to boot. Not many other arrests would be as famous as that one.
Ron, Harry and Draco returned to their seats and began to tell the story mentally so they could be heard above the roar of laughter caused by the arrest of one of the thugs that Harry and Ron stripped. The didn't leave much out. Adam gave the credit to Ginny whom he witnessed cast the wandless hex at the guy running down the other aisle towards them and she was congratulated by all of the Thunderbird guys. Hermione and Luna were still a bit un nerved by the 'flatulus' charms Blaise, Neville and the others were casting at the players and they decided amongst the two of them to try to figure out how it was played.
Maybe they could remember enough of it to try to play it at Hogwarts for those students that weren't so good on brooms. They were experts now that they flew the Navajo Combat brooms and could soar as Thunderbirds, but they were still sympathetic to those that were more 'grounded'.
The guys all decided that just the pitcher and the catcher shouldn't be the only ones to join the 'music' makers so they hexed the runners as well. The further they got around the diamond, the higher pitched their tooting became until they sounded like Sirius' motorcycle on their way to score. The crowd couldn't believe what was going on with all of the players now seemingly breaking wind very loudly. Fortunately for everybody they weren't horribly smelly. They were smelly, but not horribly.
The Thunderbirds were having a wonderful time watching the muggle sport and the fellows had grown tired of the flatulus charm by the time they were actually paying attention to the game.
Mental conversations among them for the most part were communal but once in a while someone would ask a question or make a comment and the TBird that was addressed would usually turn around from watching the game and answer vocally.
On one such occasion, it was Luna that turned to answer a question from Draco when a ball was hit foul and was rocketing towards the back of her head. Harry was watching the game while Draco and Luna conversed, fortunately for Luna that is. Harry had only a split second to react when he saw the ball coming at her.
"Duck Luna quick." Harry said with an urgent tone to his voice. Draco looked up at the same time Harry stood to catch the ball barehanded... two inches from the back of his friends head. The crowd went wild at the remarkable catch.
'Me catching that ball wasn't much. I am a seeker after all'
"Harry, thank you for keeping me in one piece." Luna said and then thought to the others,'I think we have something to talk about later. That was a non magical projectile that could have harmed me or worse.'
"You're welcome. Well mates, this game is more dangerous to the people watching it looks like dunnit?" Harry said trying to sound like he was amused.
Personally he was greatful for his quick reflexes and satisfaction that he saved his friend from harm. Seems that there was an innocent, but ever present danger in muggle baseball and that gave him an idea for discussion later. Without thinking about what was in his hand, Harry threw the ball back to the pitcher on the mound with loops and rifle speed.
The muggle pitcher was looking at where the ball had been hit and he saw Harry's catch the ball and he was quite surprised at the speed that Harry threw the ball back to him... doing.. loops in a corkscrew fashion. The pitcher just raised his glove and the ball hit it in the belly of the mit. He looked back at Harry and bowed at the waist for the nice throw.
The crowd in the ballpark went crazy at the amazing ball return and the team manager for the muggles popped his head up to see what was going on. He looked at the giant television screen to see the replay of what happened and he watched the amazing catch and ball return. With an arm like Harry's, they could crush the opposition and win the Series. He made to go into the stands. Right now. He wanted that arm. He made his way the short distance to where Harry and the Thunderbirds were sitting...
"Excuse me, did you just throw that ball back to my pitcher?" The manager asked.
"Er, yes I did sir. Was that against the rules?" Harry asked, worried he'd have to obliviate him.
"Well son, I could offer you 25 million dollars for five years for playing in perhaps twenty games a year. That's a lot of money." the manager said thinking he could entice Harry with money.
"I'm sorry sir, I'm just visiting. I don't need the money sir, your offer was very kind." Harry said to the man.
"30 million dollars. Surely you can at least think about it can't you son. That's a lot of money." the coach insisted.
"Hermione, after I got married, how much did Phoenix say we had? In mug..uh, dollars that is."
"Let me think a second or two to do the conversion... its about forty billion dollars."
The coach paled at the number he heard and he thought they were just pulling his leg to get him to leave. He could take a hint. 40 billion was a lot of money, surely they were exagerating the amount. He must be rich though to pass up money like that.
'Oi, Harry! We didna' know you and Draco were Mr. and Mr. Potter-Malfoy money bags'
Blaise said for the group of them. Adam knew and Hermione and Ron knew that money made Harry uncomfortable to talk about. This was not the case in point when it came to Draco however.
'For how many years have I shown you all how incredibly wealthy I was. Wasn't the month at the Manor enough of a clue?'
'Let's not talk about it alright guys? It isn't really the place. Let's watch the rest of the game eh?'
'Alright Harry' 'No worries. We won't' 'bring it up again' 'for a while that is' Fred and George said together.
Vince, Greg, Blaise, Neville and Luna all came from very wealthy wizarding families and only rarely did they bring up money. They only knew they had it if they needed it. After the excitement had worn off a bit, Draco decided he was hungry again so he hit the little button on the box in front of him and a waiter appeared almost out of no where.
"What can I get you sir?" The waiter asked Draco.
"I'd like one of these..." Draco pointed at the item on the menu because he couldn't pronounce the word. All he knew that it was a pastry of sorts and he wanted a sweet right then. And a cup of coffee. He asked the others if they wanted anything and Hermione piped up.
"I'd like the frijoles con cueso nacho's please and a cola drink."
Adam decided to enter the conversation, but mentally so as to not embarrass her in front of the waiter. 'Hermione, do you think that frijoles is a good idea?'
'Well, it looked good. What is it?'
'Mashed refried beans.'
'Oh'
'Uh huh. Oh.'
Hermione could hear everyone else agreeing with Adam and she changed her mind just as the waiter turned to bring back the order.
"Waiter, just a minute. I've changed my mind about that. Does that come with meat instead of beans?"
"Yes ma'am it does. Would you like that instead?"
'Is that alright with everybody? Honestly.'
The TBirds gave their tenuous approval mentally and she said, "Yes. Thank you." and the waiter was off. He returned quickly with their orders and Draco and Hermione tucked in to thier treats. It was amazing at how much food they could eat now and their bodies only got more and more physically beautiful.
The seventh inning stretch had come and gone and it was by now the bottom of the ninth inning, the Diamondbacks were tied with the Giants and were up at bat, two on, two out, two strikes, and two balls to the batter. The pitcher wound up and delivered another blinding pitch, the batter swings and hits the ball. This time it's coming straight at Harry who was standing to better catch the ball. Draco, also a seeker had been paying attention this time and he stuck his hand out and caught the ball... also barehanded and threw it to the pitcher like Harry did. This time the muggle team manager was watching and he couldn't believe that there were two guys just sitting in the stands that could throw a 100 mph corkscrew pitch back to his pitcher... with accuracy. He looked at Draco and Draco just shook his head at him saving the man a short walk.
That hit was a foul ball and did not count against the batter who swung on and hit the next pitch into the swimming pool winning the game for the home team. The crowd was going wild while their home players ran the bases winning the game for the Diamondbacks. Their manager was about to climb back to the stands and ask the two men that had thrown the ball to the mound and the pitcher when suddenly he couldn't figure out why he had come out of the dugout in the first place. He turned around to celebrate with his team and didn't think about it again.
'Where should we transform?' Luna asked the group.
'How about under that bloody bridge behind this monster? We can go invisible before we take flight.' Neville chimed in.
'Sounds' 'Good to' 'us.' Fred and George said together.
'Well, before any of us go anywhere, I think I need to visit the loo.' Hermione said. Ginny and Luna agreed with her and they went into the womens restroom on the concourse just up from where they were seated.
"You guys want to go too before we leave?" Harry said to the lot of the ones that remained.
"I think we should. Never pass up on an opportunity to pee." Adam said to the guys.
"Make sure you go in en masse. I suggest a confundus charm to clear the way for you before you go in." Draco said.
"You got that right sweetheart." Harry said to Draco and the boy TBirds.
He had not ever once called Draco 'sweetheart' and especially never in public... Muggle public no less. Harry got a cool glance from his husband with a very embarrassed smile to match it.
"You guys go on in and we'll wait here for Hermione, Ginny and Luna. We'll go in after you if they're not back and you can wait for them. Girls." Ron said and rolled his eyes.
The TBird ladies came out of the restroom and joined the fellows that had indeed finished before them and they made their way out of the ballpark and up the street to the bridge and the dry riverbed to make their transformations. Wisely they had looked at their charms to find their way back to Window Rock. The Thunderbirds loved to fly... anywhere. They always felt refreshed and exhuberant when they changed back into their human selves. Flying was not at all tiring to them. If they had the time, they could fly back to Britain but, that was not to be. Flying to Window Rock from Phoenix invisibly, would be great fun.
The Thunderbirds went invisible and flew from under the bridge and were not in any hurry to leave the city and the sights. They flew the short distance to the top of what is known as Camelback mountain, transformed and had a walk about holding hands. Adam was the only one to be "alone" and Draco took his hand and the family trio walked with the other couples around the top of the mountain in the middle of the city. Their keen eyesight had them looking all over the place at some of the more interesting sites to see. Blaise had been looking at a book on Phoenix and tried to point them out even though he'd never been there.
Ginny and Neville were a bit concerned about flying too close to a muggle jetliner and they had been watching the lights of the muggle flying machines land at what looked like one minute intervals from two directions and others taking off at almost the same pace. They watched what direction they seemed to take off and turn, how high, how soon. The Thunderbirds probably wouldn't fly too high, but certainly higher than you would expect them to. Ginny and Neville had them timed pretty close and selected a route out of the city and on to home.
The TBirds had all collected together and Adam conjured a magical fire so they could see each other while they chatted. Ron was watching a funny looking flying machine that Hermione told him was a helicopter. Watching for a good three or four minutes, the helicopter turned and was headed straight for them. Hermione thought quickly enough fortunately, and threw a magical ward around them for a mile around. Nothing electric works in a magical invironment she reasoned. She didn't figure to stop everything electric, just foul it up a bit.
"Why did everything just go dark?" Draco asked.
"Hermione wants to stop that 'hellychopter' from getting too close." Ron said like he knew what he was talking about.
"Hermione, look down there. Even the automobiles have stopped working. If that thing gets into your ward, it will fall and crash won't it?" Ron asked.
Everybody had made their way closer to the edge of the mammoth rock that they were standing on to look at the blackout surrounding them in a perfect circle. The helicopter had it's light on them now. Adam wisely extinguished the fire and Hermione lifted her ward. She thought it might in fact crash and she didn't want that to occur so they just stood on top of the rock and waited to see what was going to happen when the muggles flying towards them got close.
The group of them waved at the men in the flying machine when it got close. The noise was quite loud and it was very breezy. A loudspeaker suddenly broke the din of the silent night when they heard...
"This is the Phoenix Police. You are ordered to get down from the mountain. The park is closed. Meet the police at the bottom of the trailhead for citations." The loudspeaker stopped and the helicopter flew away.
"We're not going to actually going to present ourselves to the muggle police are we?" Luna said wide eyed. She'd seen helicopters before but not many muggle police and she certainly had never spoken to one.
"Of course we're not." Draco said, "Let them come to us and when they don't find us here they'll just wonder what happened to us."
"We'd better go then. This has been enough excitement for one night. Let's change and fly home." Adam said. He didn't want to talk to the muggle police either.
The Thunderbirds transformed separatly one by one and went invisible so their lightening wouldn't attract anymore attention. They took flight and went off into the night with only the moon for illumination. Ginny found the muggle police from her spot in the sky and rearranged their memories for them while she flew overhead. No reason for them to actually climb up to where they had been only to find them gone without a trace.
'Neville and I think we should fly that way for a while. The muggle jetliners fly higher than we want to about five kilometers that way. You can see the lights. We won't have to try to avoid them and we can become visible again' Ginny said to her friends.
'Sounds good Gin. We'll follow you for a bit and then Adam the rest of the way home alright?' Harry thought back to her.
'Work for everybody?' Adam thought to them.
'Suits us Adam. It's your home and you know the way better than us. Lead on brother bird.' Greg thought
Affirmative replies came from everybody and they flew close to each other using their magical signatures and auras to guide them until they could turn visible again and get into formation for the flight to Window Rock and thier beds. They were still over the city and out of the way of the aircraft that might fly by and see 12 giant birds heading for the red rocks of the desert in Monument Valley.
The Thunderbirds had a very, very good time flying loop the loops and flying in close formation making different geometric patterns as a group. They flew in a single line behind each other and in a row flying next to each other. They flew diamonds and arrowheads, they flew in co-concentric rings interlocking with each other and generally had a ball.
Window Rock was a mile in front of them when Adam signaled for them to follow him through the portal into the Magical Navajo Nation. There was a lone figure just inside the giant rock formation waiting for her 'babies' to return home when the first of the Thunderbirds made the dash through the rock window. When the last of the Thunderbirds flew into the MNN, the lone figure turned into an larger Thunderbird and followed them up to the Casa.
Adam landed first and changed immediately into his normal goofy sixteen year old self and turned around to see the others land and change themselves. When Birdy landed, she set off a very loud thunderclap and changed herself and made to greet her charges.
"Did you all have a good time?"
"MaBirdy, it was" "great fun. Thanks for" "teaching us the FMA" "everyone enjoyed it" Fred and George said.
"Not everyone George,Fred. I don't think FB thought much about it."
"Who's" "FB Adam?"
"Hermione" Adam said a little sheepishly.
"Ok then," "What does FB mean"
"Fartblossom." Adam whispered to the twins.
Everybody including Hermione got a little chuckle out of Adam. Hermione secretly did enjoy the show that the players gave even if they did pass gass loudly.
"I was watching the news on television in my hogan and there was an electrical... disruption two miles wide, in a circle right in the middle of Phoenix a few hours ago. Do any of you know about that?"
Hermione blushed and said, "It was me Birdy. I saw a helicopter heading for us and I put up a ward to keep it away. Harry got me to bring it down before it got to the limit of the darn thing and crashed. It was a muggle police helicopter. Who ever was flying it said for us to walk down to the trailhead and surrender to the police that were waiting for us."
"And how did you get spotted?"
"Well, after we flew from under the bridge... that was the most secluded place we could find to change into Thunderbirds... we flew up to the top of the mountain in the middle of the city so we could look at the sights a bit before we flew on home."
"Did any of you have anything to do with seven naked guys running around the ball park?"
"Weeeeell MaBirdy, that was Draco, Ron and me." Harry said sheepishly turning red when he remembered what had happened, "They wanted to rob us."
"And you stripped them. Good thinking. Nothing violent. Very good." Birdy said to her godson.
"I spotted you all on the television pointing at one of the naked men as he ran down the stairs towards the field. I think that I'm not the only one that spotted you. There was an upsurge of apparition by wizards into Phoenix. I think that the Death Eaters might have almost found you. I don't think it would be such a good idea for you to go to Los Angeles and to Disneyland. There is a very large magical community there and not all the wizards and witches in America are actually friendly." Birdy said.
"Oh" was all that Harry could say at Birdy's decision.
Draco sensed the disappointment in Harry's voice and put his arm around his husband and gave him a squeeze to show his understanding. He really didn't want to go to Disneyland and be around so many muggles anyway. Fred and George and the Slytherin guys were disappointed because they could have pranked many, many people and had a ball. Neville wasn't that put out because he really was unnerved by being around so many people. Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Luna were indifferent because they were happy just staying with everyone else no matter where they were. They only had a few days before they had to go home and face the reality of war.
The Thunderbirds walked with Birdy up to the house almost silently. Thoughts were kept to themselves for the most part. They had all had one of the best evenings ever spent together unchapperoned, which was an acknowledgement of their maturity despite the juvenile pranking while they were 'out'. Adam walked with his mother. He knew that the next time he would be able to see her was AFTER the wizarding war was over and the threat of Voldemort's campaign of world domination was ended.
"Mama, if we can't go to Disneyland .. that's ok I guess, and we've all done everything you and Mr. Snape taught us to do..."
"What are you trying to say baby boy?" Birdy said to her one and only.
"Nothing I guess. I suppose we're a little disappointed about not going anywhere. I was thinking..."
"That you all need to blow off a little more steam before you go back to Britain?" Birdy finished for her son.
"Well, yeah I guess so. I would like to stay here but, I love these guys and if they're going to have to fight in a war, I want to be with them. Aaaaand, I'd like to see Charley too.." Adam said wiggling his eyes at his mother.
"There will be plenty of time for that my darling." Birdy said as the Thunderbirds and she climbed the steps to the veranda of the massive house. "You guys all go and get ready for bed and meet me in the hogan," Birdy said to all of her 'kids'"It's time for a bit of snooping.."
Adam and the Thunderbirds all went off in the direction of their bedrooms to change into their night clothes and get ready for what Birdy had in store for them. They were excited about having a look again at who and what they were going to be facing very soon. A wizarding war that had been raging for almost twenty years was going to be fought and ended, hopefully in a short time.