Disclaimer: See Chapter I

Also, I'd like to thank those of you who have taken some time to read and review my work (you know who you are). Your kind words have been felt and hope the wait hasn't been too long for this next installment as I'm trying to update my work every three chapters or roughly once every ten days. One final bit of thanks to the Harry Potter Lexicon that is quite the resource for anything Harry Potter related. Hopefully, I can beat the clock before JK Rowling and BK. V hit the streets.

Warning: Following Chapter has scenes of sex (male/female), adult situations, and whoring involved. Viewer discretion advised and if any of that offends you, or you are not mature (i.e. 17 years old) enough to read it, don't go any further.

Note: July 18, 04, had to chop out a chunk of the sex as a reviewer advised me that the powers that be might find what I had written too explicit. If things seem a mit stilted, that was because I had lose about three hundred words, and change things.

Chapter X: The Ways of the World

Arriving back at the airfield, the boys and Alex loaded up in Alex's black Land Rover and drove back to Privet Drive. The lads were boisterous and laughing, Neville in particular as he was, for the first time, enjoying something else besides his latest fumbling, with Alex playing another one of his U2 cassettes.

When they pulled into the driveway of Alex's house at eight in the evening, Dudley told them he had to check in with his parent's, but he would be back soon. Alex commented dryly, "No doubt he is wondering what presents his parents sent to him, and why he didn't receive them?"

Turning to Neville and Harry, "No doubt he isn't aware how atrocious the Wizard-Muggle Postage Exchange System is in regards to actually getting mail to muggles."

Harry laughed as he helped Neville carry his trunk (Neville's grandmother had had his trunk with all of his school year stuff, as well as wizard funds to purchase the next year's books and required items for the next year when he had left with his Uncle Dick) out of the car and towards the door.

Alex knocked and entered as it opened. Harry had his back turned as he entered, but as soon as he turned around, he was greeted with a loud "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!" Harry grinned and ran as he yelled, "SIRIUS!"

Sure enough, his godfather Sirius Black was standing there smiling as Harry ran up and embraced him. He looked fine and fit, his hair neatly trimmed. "You've grown, Harry!" Laughing, Harry looked around. Besides Alex's housekeeper Linda Soames, there was Remus Lupin, and most surprisingly, Mrs. Figgs, the neighborhood cat lady, and…Mad Eye Moody! Harry thought.

Sure enough, it the scarred visage of Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, minus part of his nose and ear, one of his eyes fake, and a wooden leg. Clunking over, he spoke in the gruff tone Harry remembered (even though the tone had been of Barty Crouch's son, the Death Eater in Hogwarts who had placed the real Moody under the Imperius curse and locked him in Moody's own magical trunk), "Happy Birthday, Mr. Potter. And thank you."

"Just Harry, sir, and why thank you?"

"Were it not for you unmasking young Crouch, I'd either be dead, or locked in my own trunk under the Imperius Curse." Moody made it sound as though such events happened to him every day.

Harry could only nod his head, but was saved from further discomfort as Mrs. Figgs came up, "Hello Harry, we've met, but I don't think…"

"That I know you are a witch named Arabella Figg? I know, ma'am."

She starred at him intently, "How did you know, did anyone tell you…"

"No ma'am, just that I knew you had to be wizard related after some clues you has left out over the years."

Figg, a tall, gray-haired lady who bore a remarkable similarity to PM Margaret Thatcher, asked Harry curiously, "Tell me how, then? I'm interested to see your skills as an investigator."

Harry looked at her, "Well, it has taken me a while but now a lot of your eccentricities have fallen into place. Also, I wouldn't be such an investigator without the talents of a friend of mine named Hermione Granger. Now, your large collection of cats: cats are one of the most popular pets in the wizard world. Second, when I was at the World Cup, I noticed the tent we were in had the same style upholstery as your own. Not to mention the overpowering scent of cats. When I was younger, I remember you broke a leg, but healed rather quickly for a woman of your years. Finally, Figg isn't exactly a common name, so once I heard Figg mentioned in the marching orders he gave to Sirius after my…incident last June, I realized who you were."

Figgs smiled, "You would make an excellent Auror, Harry. Anyhow, happy birthday."

Remus Lupin came up and shook Harry's hand, "Happy birthday, Harry! It seems Wales agreed with you?" Harry laughed and agreed that it did. Alex, who had been watching the whole scene with Linda on his arm, smiled and stepped up.

"Well, it has been a long day, so why don't we re-freshen ourselves, yes? Harry, Neville why don't you go to the study for a few minutes? And don't worry," he was waving towards Neville's luggage, "I'll cache it with Harry and Neville's kit."

Linda waved them to her and they moved down the main hallway and into a master bedroom that had been turned into a study with some bookcases, a desk, and a coffee table and chairs set. There was another smaller fireplace also in the study. On the table were a set of china that smelled of tea, and a plate of chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies. Waving at them, "Go ahead and have some. It shouldn't take long, so save some room for the cake." She smiled and went back to the living room.

Harry looked around while Neville poured himself a cup of tea. The bookcases had a wide and varied selection of titles, ranging from muggle texts such as The First Folio Edition of Shakespeare's Works and The Seven Military Classics of China to Quidditch through the Ages and A History of the Goblin Rebellion of 1612-1618. On his desk was a photo frame, and on the mantle of the fireplace were several other framed photographs.

Looking at the photograph on the desk, Harry was surprised to see that it contained a magical photograph of a beautiful, dark-haired girl in what looked (since the photo was in black and white and was hard to tell) like the colors of Gryffindor. She was young, no more then seventeen it appeared, but she was smiling and blowing kisses towards the camera. Her face was heart-faced and her eyes seemed to be radiating a vivacious aura. On the base of the frame was the legend, Elizabeth Falkirk.

Deciding to ask his uncle of her later, Harry examined the photographs on the wall. One showed a very young, boyish Alex standing next to an older girl in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. It was quite obvious that it had been taken on the day he was sorted into Hogwarts for Harry could see the Sorting Hat in the background. Looking closely, Harry saw that it was his mother, Lilly, when she had been…Third Year at least, Harry thought. The second photograph showed Alex standing with Sirius, Remus, and Harry's dad at the inn in Hogsmeade. The trio was obviously showing the young Alex the town as the Sirius, James, and Remus were standing around a shy Alex, bottles of Butterbeer on the table.

The third photo showed Alex embracing the same girl in the photo on his desk, with both of them looking at the camera in pure delight and joy. Both had on dress robes, and appeared to be fancied up. A smaller notation on the photograph was the legend, Yule Ball-1978-Fifth Year. Harry wondered just who this Elizabeth Falkirk was, when he heard Neville gasp. Looking over, Harry saw that Neville had joined him inlooking at the photographs on the wall and was staring wide-eyed and slightly open-mouthed at a photograph next to the one of Alex and Elizabeth. Looking at it, Harry asked, "What's wrong, Neville?" Neville pointed to one of the picture, and said shaking, "My father is in that one on the left."

The photograph in question showed a group of three wizards standing outside of the gate at Hogwarts. One was definitely an older Alex, though he still wore the uniform of Hogwarts. Harry guessed he was in his sixth or seventh year at the time. On either side of him was a wizard dressed in black robes; though these were really half robes (the ones that looked like muggle judges robes) that showed the men were wearing standard muggle black business suits with black neckties. All three of them were smiling. The one on the left was Neville's father Frank Longbottom; the one on the right was…Moody!

Harry took a closer look. Sure enough, it was Mad-Eye himself, though in this one he had both of his legs, and his nose appeared to be intact.

By now, Harry was really curious about his uncle. Remembering the bird in the room with the owls, Harry knew Alex had to have been involved with Sirius's hiding out during the summer between his third and fourth years. Just what the hell is he? And what is he doing?

As Harry pondered those questions, he looked at the final pictures on the mantle of the fireplace. There were only two of them left: one was dated 1982 and showed Alex with Dick Longbottom and two other paras (whom Harry assumed were Nicky Totensham and Tommy Cooper) posing in Barracks Trousers and khaki shirts as they were about to board a ship. The final picture showed Alex wearing the insignia of the Green Jackets and three pips of a Captain on a desert uniform and holding up a flag of some sort. It was dated, Iraq-1991.

Neville continued to stare at the photograph and spoke to Harry, "Harry, can I tell you something?" Harry said, "Sure, Nev, what is it?" He already had a sinking feeling what Neville was going to talk about.

Looking at the photograph, "Harry, when I was about two years old, my parents were…" He paused and seemed to have a hard time speaking. Neville's were starting to silver with tears.

Harry walked up to him and put his arm around his shoulder, "Nev, I already know of what happened to them." Neville looked at him blankly, "How?" Harry explained as quickly as possible of discovering the pensieve, and Dumbeldore's thoughts. Harry finally finish and asked, "Are they always the same? They never improve?"

Neville looked at the coffee table, as they had eventually taken seats on the sofa, for a minute before he could speak. "No, they don't. My mother received the most of the torture, and she routinely has to be kept under sedation else she would kill herself. As for my father, " Neville sighed as he brought his hand up to his eyes. "My father, while he can speak, doesn't know me, or my grandmother, or Uncle Dick, or anyone." Neville finally broke down and started sobbing. Harry held onto him and gave him a handkerchief after a minute.

"You feel any better?"

Neville wiped his face and nodded.

Harry decided to speak to him. "Nev, I think I ought to tell you that I envy you." Neville looked at him with blood-shot eyes. Harry sighed and continued, "You see, I've never wept for my parents, as I was so young when they died. I can barely remember their voices. Also," Harry paused, contemplating what he was going to say.

"Courtenay once told me this line he had read in this muggle book about the speeches of a man named Cicero, one which has special bearing on your parents, Nev."

Harry looked at Neville and said, "Cicero said, "Where there is life, there is hope." Do you know what I mean?"

Neville nodded, and asked, "Harry, could you…"

Harry replied, "I won't let anyone else know, you have my word."

Neville nodded and both of them started talking of a funny story that they had heard while in Wales. Linda then came into the room and told them, "Okay, young gentlemen, follow me."

She led both of them to the living room where Dudley had joined them. A pile of presents was on the coffee table. Sirius spoke to Harry, " Go ahead and open them, we all bought you one. Your friends mailed them here this morning." On the nearby kitchen table were drinks and various baked goods.

Picking one up a large, square box, Harry opened it to find that it contained a gift from Mad-Eye Moody. The device was a black, steel bracelet, iron ring, and what looked like a hollowed-out piece of sponge. Moody explained, "Harry, this is a standard Auror covert magical communication set. The ring is the receiver, and the bracelet is the transmitter. You place the microphone, the thing that looks like a sponge into one of your ears, and you'll be able to hear the communications."

Moody then clumped over and showed him how it was done. Harry put it back, and then went on to open the other presents. Fred and George had sent him a package of magically enchanted sweets (including, much to Dudley's discomfort, a bag of what were labeled as Ton-Tongue Toffees) with the note; The first few items of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Inc. Hermione, ever thoughtful, had given him a small chest she had bought in Bulgaria, explaining in a note that it was designed to hold any treasures he placed in it and open only to people he told the box to open to. It was just the right size to fit in his pistol case, and his dagger.

Ron had sent him a signed magical poster of Oliver Wood and his Quidditch team, (Oliver Wood had been the Gryffindor Quidditch captain for the first three years Harry was at school). Mrs. Weasley had sent him a huge chocolate birthday cake with fifteen candles smoking in fifteen different colors and a batch of her homemade toffee. Neville seemed embarrassed slightly about his gift as it turned out to be a scrapbook of the three years Harry had been playing Quidditch, including victory at the Quidditch Cup, yet Harry was nonetheless touched. Mrs. Figg's gift was more serious one in that contained a portable Foe-Glass/ and pocket watch set, one that gave a very small image on the cover of the watch.

When she gave him the Foe-Glass, Harry asked her, "So tell me Mrs. Figg, what is it that you do? Ministry of Magic, Department of Law Enforcement?"

Mrs. Figg laughed, "Once, but I was retired around the same time as Alastor over there. Not many of the old-group around."

"Old Group?"

"Yes, we were the Order of the Phoenix, and we compromised the best wizards in the Department. Our mission was rather simple according to old Minister of Magic Appscott: Hunt down You-Know-Who and bring him in."

She paused as Moody interrupted, "You saved us the trouble, though it was a shame that afterwards Alex over there had to leave over Sirius."

"Open another present, Harry."

This was the relaxed voice of Uncle Alex. Harry felt otherwise, and even as he opened another present (this one was from Remus Lupin and was a black leather journal/organizer that made told, in a voice that sounded like Remus's, of any assignments he may have forgotten.), he asked his uncle a question that had been nagging him for a while.

"Uncle, what was that picture of you, Mr. Moody, and Neville's father of?"

Moody looked at Alex sharply, "You mean you didn't tell him of you being one of the best, and youngest, Aurors we have ever had?"

Harry was stunned, If he enlisted in the Army when he was 19, then he still must have been in school when he became an Auror!, Harry thought to himself.

Alex sighed and took a sip from the glass of iced tea he had in one hand. His wizard eye (he had worn a glass one while they had been in Wales) was spinning slowly. "No, I didn't. What was in the past happened in the past. No use bringing up my career, short as it was."

Harry asked, "Career? You were an Auror?" Considering how his uncle acted, and how much magic he knew, Harry wasn't totally surprised.

Alex nodded, "Yes, I was, and to save on the trouble of having you constantly ask me about it, I'll tell you anyways."

His eyes seemed to go vacant as he spoke, "When I was in my seventh year at Hogwarts, the Ministry recruited several students in my year who had the top scores in Potions, Defense against the Dark Arts, Muggle Studies, and Arithmancy. I fell into three of those categories and was picked up by Alastor over there." He waved towards Mad-Eye. "Under his tutelage, I became a badged Auror and worked several minor cases."

Moody snorted whilst Figg gave him a scathing look and spoke. "Minor? Were it not for you we would never have bagged Mulciber, and the Lestrades would never have been captured by Moody if you hadn't arrested Pines and used the Cruciatus on him!"

Alex stared at Figg. "Tell me," he asked icily, "was that idiot Fudge, and that lunatic, Nazi Crouch interested in my opinion when it came around to Sirius Black over there? Or over the 'Five' case?"

Moody laughed, "No, they didn't and I don't suppose you gave them any choice in the matter either. Crouch didn't like being called a rabid dog in front of the courts, and Fudge never liked you because you were from a muggle family."

Harry asked another question, "Who is Elizabeth Falkirk?"

For once, the room stopped as all of the adults stopped joking around. Harry saw a flash of pain or anguish cross over his uncle's face before it disappeared. Alex looked at him and replied in his normal, confidant tone, "She was a friend, a close one. AND that is all you need to know for now Harry." He stared at Harry and then looked around.

Alex finished the conversation then, "Now, that unpleasentry is over," his tone indicating that the subject best be dropped, "open your other presents, Harry."

Harry decided to let the matter drop for the moment as he opened Dudley's gift. Inside were a CD player with black head-phones and fourteen CDs, consisting of jazz, classic rock (U2, with some Fleetwood Mac and Led Zepplin), and movie soundtracks for The Last of the Mohicans, Cocktail, and High Plains Drifter. Dudley was rather embarrassed by his gift, "Sorry, Harry, but my mum and dad were shocked when I called you my cousin and was putting together this gift. I had to use my last CD player and chose some stuff I thought you would like." Dudley was still trying to make amends for the last fifteen years of being a prat.

Harry smiled, "Don't sweat it, Duds, I really appreciate this gift, even though I can only use on break when I'm back here." Grinning, he laughed, "Still, if you would forgive my language Mrs. Figg and Linda, it will still put a burr up your mum and dad's collective asses over this." All of them laughed as the remaining tension from a few moments earlier drained off, with Dudley joining in whole-heartedly.

The next present was from Alex, and it was a large flat box. Wondering what it was, Harry gave an inquisitive glance towards Alex. Alex told him, "Go on Harry, you won't know what it is until you open it."

Harry unwrapped it and it turned out to be a complete suit of muggle clothes. It was a black, undecorated suit with black overcoat, vest, three white cotton shirts, and two neckties: one black, and one in the Gryffindor colors of red and gold. Underneath it was a pair of black, lace-up oxfords in their own separate box. In another box was a black felt fedora.

His uncle came up to him and asked, "You like it Harry?" Harry nodded, as this was the finest set he had ever been given, excluding his wizard robes. Alex nodded, and pointed to two other boxes, "Neville, Dudley, those belong to you." The boys opened them to discover they had their own suits, with the only difference being that while Harry had gotten a fedora, Dudley had gotten a homburg while Neville had a bowler that looked a lot like Alex's derby.

Alex, after giving the lads a moment or two to admire their new clothes, then ordered them to wash up and change into them, pointing out that there were two bathrooms in house. Nodding, the boys went upstairs where Harry and Neville used the main one (Harry went first, while Neville waited outside) and Dudley the one in the upstairs' main bedroom.

Washing and shaving quickly, Harry was out in ten minutes as he put on his new clothes. Within thirty minutes, all three of the boys were admiring themselves in their new outfits. Harry had to admit that while he normally didn't like to wear a tie (he hated having to wear one with his wizard robes) the suits they had on were very comfortable. Together, the trio went downstairs where they were greeted by Linda saying, "Hello handsome gentlemen!" It was obvious that their new clothes impressed all. Alex looked at them with his one good eye, and nodded to Harry, "Open your next present, Harry, as it affects all of you."

Wondering just what it was, Harry opened the gift from Sirius. It turned out to be a book, but not just anyone. On the cover was the title, The Young Wizard's Guide to Contraception and Protection against Veneral Diseases, Hexes, and Curses.Harry, who had been given a pep talk by Tom Courtenay and the other men in Second Platoon, looked to Sirius, "Sirius, I appreciate the gift, but I already know of the 'birds and the bees' and how to protect myself. Bit late on that counts." Sirius laughed, "Maybe on telling you of what women and men do, but I don't think you know how to protect yourself by magic, do you?"

Harry had to shake his head, and started to feel uncomfortable as he noticed Linda and Mrs. Figg were still sitting with them chatting away. Arabella Figg must have noticed his discomfort as she said, "Don't worry, Harry nothing here we haven't heard, or seen before. If you really are uncomfortable, would you like me and Linda to leave whilst you talk?"

Harry sheepishly nodded, and listened as the four older men told them of the various potions and charms used to ensure they didn't catch any of the varied VD out there, as well as to ensure that any girl they slept with didn't get in the family way. As Sirius put it, "It isn't right to create a life and just leave it out there. If you want a kid, then marry the woman and get it over with, but until then use the Contraceptive Potion. The Eros Potion or the Aphrodite Charm is to be used if you don't want your cock to fall off."

The discussion on the various methods both magical and muggle used to protect oneself in sex continued for a few more minutes until Alex spoke to Sirius, "Sirius, how old was I when you and Remus took me to that house in Soho? I know I was at least their age because Lilly and James were together so that made you, seventh year?" Sirius looked at him strangely for a moment until Remus laughed, "Yes you were, you were fifteen and me and old Prongs, who together with Sirius and I found it when we were fifteen, took you there for your birthday." Sirius's face finally had comprehension as he laughed, "Yeah, now I remember! We took you to Meg's wasn't it?" Alex laughed, and spoke, "Say, why don't we take these young bucks over there? Heaven knows the earlier you introduce them, the more responsible they will be?" Sirius and Remus glanced at each other, while Alastor looked on amused. Remus spoke first, "I don't think that would be possible for me since it was all over the Daily Prophet when it came out I was a werewolf, and as for Sirius," he held up his hands. Alex nodded, and turned to Moody, "You want to go for a trip, Alastor?" Moody laughed and shook his head, "No thank you, a man my age and with my kind of wounds will embarrass himself at a place like that." Alex shrugged and motioned to the boys, "All right lads, say thank you to everyone and let's go."

Harry asked, "Where to, uncle?" as he went to the kitchen to thank Mrs. Figg and Linda.

Alex gave his leering grin, "Why grand old London town of course."

An hour later, the boys and Harry were exiting a hunter green Saab Scania parked outside of a middle-sized three-story, Victorian era brick building. They had driven there in Alex's other car, and had finally parked in a quiet area of Soho. All four of them were smartly dressed in suits and ties. Looking at them, Harry had to admit they were in perfect camouflage as there were plenty of business types hanging around several of the buildings. "Stay close, lads," Alex warned, "There are enough degenerate queers, ass bandits, and boy fuckers around that they'll eat you alive and give you HIV as soon as spit. Not here, but a couple of blocks over. So stay on the main roads, and if you have to fight, try not to let their blood get on you. Fucking skinheads knew what the hell they were talking about when they inventing booting." Alex was referring to something he had seen on 60 Minutes where a skinhead had given the sagely advice of not punching a homosexual for that could led to cuts, and cuts led to HIV-infected blood getting on you, and possibly in you.

For that reason, all three had their Fairbairns strapped on (along with black leather gloves to protect their hands from blood). In addition, each of them carried either a telescoping baton (a telescoping rod of steel, very popular ever since Clint Eastwood used one in the movie In the Line of Fire.) in their pockets, or a tazer. Harry had stuck with the belief only blunt trauma ensured a man went down and stayed down. After all, a tazer might only piss him off.

Locking the doors, Alex led them to the door and used the iron doorknocker. Almost immediately, a woman wearing a low-cut, fashionable green evening gown came up. "May I help you sir?" She asked in a melodic, pleasant voice. At 5'5" she was an average woman in height, shorter then Harry by an inch, yet she had a sweet face of hazel eyes, and a magnificent head of tawny, brown hair that was pinned up on the back of her head. The dress was a dark, lush green that was full skirted, and had a low cut, V-neck that pushed her breasts up. Harry, couldn't keep his eyes off of her, and wasn't surprised to see that Dudley and Neville had the same situation as he did.

Alex smiled, "Tell Meg Alex Evans is here to see her, my dear." The woman smiled, "Oh no need for that, Mr. Evans. Ms. Meg has told the girls many stories of you, and to welcome you should you ever come here." Alex laughed, "All good stories I hope, Ms…?" The brunette replied, "Oh, interesting ones. Are these young gentlemen here with you?" She motioned towards Harry and company, all of whom had taken off their hats and were waiting patiently outside the door. Alex nodded. "Yes, they are with me, may we enter?" The woman stepped aside, and allowed them to enter.

Harry entered to a sight that quite impressed him. He entered into what appeared to be a bar, with a white-jacketed bartender serving drinks behind a long counter. Judging from the fact that there were mix of muggle clothes and wizard robes, Harry guessed that this establishment served members of the wizard world. Judging from the fact that there had been a door person, the clothing ensure that this was just a regular brothel to the average muggle observer, and any muggle could be turned away by the door man. Harry's suspicions were confirmed as he watched the barkeep mix a drink using a wand. Looking around, he saw many finely dressed and equally beautiful women around various men either dancing on the dance floor (where one ghost dressed in tuxedo was playing a piano, and another a violin) or drinking with various customers.

Harry's observations were interrupted as a tall, lithe woman came up and embraced Uncle Alex, where she then said, "Been a long time Alex? Miss me?" Alex grinned, as he held on to her for a moment, "Always Meg. I read from a Ministry report that you became Madam after old lady Sullivan retired to Dublin, so I had to see how the place was." He turned to toward the three, and waved to them. "These are relatives, or a relative of a friend. I would appreciate it if you and your girls could help them learn the ways of this world." Meg smiled, "The way you were when you were fifteen and I was eighteen?" Alex grinned, "Oh, yes. Just like that. Before I introduce them, do you have anywhere private?"

Meg grinned, "I have a suite of four rooms used for high-rollers, but I'll let the rooms slide so long as you can pay the usual fee Now, let's finish this up there shall we?" It was then she noticed Harry's lightning bolt shaped scar. No one had noticed earlier as the place was filled with people too busy with their own pleasures to notice, but Harry was worried that her gasp would cause the whole place to start staring at him. Meg was looking at him opened mouthed and asked Alex, "Alex, is that …" Alex waved her off, "Upstairs, Meg, and I'll properly introduce them." Meg nodded and told them to follow her and the woman who had greeted them at the door. Harry had taken off his jacket, and slung it over his shoulder in such a way his hand was on his head and covering his scar.

Quickly, they walked up to the second floor, and then to the third. There, she led them into a suite of four rooms, which were connected by a sitting room (with fireplace) and kitchen. Each separate room had a four-poster bed, a small table with lamp, an enchanted CD player that sat atop a small wet bar, and connected to a toilet and bathtub/shower combination. Harry hadn't much of an eye for upholstery, but even he could tell someone with nice tastes had arranged the room as all was pleasant to look at and inviting.

As soon as they entered, an additional couple of girls entered. One was a tall, blonde-haired girl with cornflower blue eyes with a dress to match, while the other was a short, vivacious black-haired Irish girl who seemed the personification of saucy. Both of them looked at the boys appraisingly, though both started whispering and giggling to each other once they saw Harry and his scar. The woman who had answered the door merely looked at Harry, and then turned her attention back to Madam Meg. Meg introduced the girls, "Gentlemen, these are Edna, Alice, and Deirdre. Deirdre is the Irish one, while Edna is the blond. Alice is the young lady who answered the door. Now, Alex will you please introduce these young men to my ladies?" Alex nodded, "Well, the one who looks like a blond-haired John Bull is one of my nephews Dudley Dursley." Dudley, somewhat uncomfortable in the presence of such beautiful women, croaked, "Uh, 'ello"

"The stocky lad with the dark brown hair is my best friend's nephew Neville Longbottom." Neville tried to talk, but couldn't (much to the amusement of the ladies). "Last but not least is my other and rather infamous nephew, Harry Potter." Harry suddenly felt a strange calm come over him, much the same way it had during a Quidditch game or during the firefight in Wales.

Grinning, he stepped forward, and bowed, "Hello, ladies." The women tittered, though Alice merely looked at him, though this time she had on a smile to got with her looks. Harry knew that given the chance he was going to pick her, as he had pushed aside thoughts of Cho out of his head, only the thought of how it would feel feeling Alice.

Alex and Meg had watched the whole bit with a bit of amusement in their eyes. Meg asked them, "Well, gentlemen, don't be shy. Pick the lady you wish to spend the evening with." The trio looked at each other, then Harry shrugged, "Right, last name alpha order. Duds, you go first." Dudley looked at the women, smiled, and went up to Edna. "Hello, Miss." Edna threw back her head and laughed. "Well, you certainly are polite." With that she took him by his arm and led him into one of the rooms.

Harry looked over at Neville, "Nev." Neville went up to Deirdre. "Hello, ma'am," he croaked out. It was obvious from his voice and his blushing that he wasn't used to soliciting the favors of a 'scarlet woman'. Deirdre looked at him, and smiled, "Well, at least you can talk now." Grabbing his hand, she started pulling him towards one of the rooms, saying, "Don't worry, I don't bite, unless you want me to." Neville must have found some courage at the last minute for Harry saw him sliding a hand around Deirdre's waist and start sliding lower as their door closed.

Harry looked across to Alice, and stepped towards, "Guess that leaves just us miss." With that he stepped forward, lifted her right hand to his lips and kissed it. Alice looked at him for a moment, and then spoke, "My, you are certainly polite. Follow me" Alex, who had an arm on the shoulders of Meg, grinned at Harry, "Have a pleasant evening, Harry. And happy fifteenth."

Harry wrapped an arm around one of Alice's and took her into one of the rooms, and gently closed the door. Alice had gone over to the small lamp table and was unpinning the earrings she wore. Harry held up a hand, and spoke gently, "Not yet." She paused, hand still on the earring, and looked at him inquisitively. Harry went over to the CD player on its stand, and turned it on. A CD of mixed classic rock and pop came on. Harry pulled one of the chairs in the room up to the table and motioned for her to sit. As she did so, Harry pulled over the other chair and spoke to her.

"Before you and I, uh…"

"Fuck?" Alice asked conversationally.

Harry looked at her and continued, "Yes, before we do, I want to talk to you, learn a bit about you."

This time Alice laughed, and with a bitter edge to it. "Harry, I'm a whore or courtesan, depending on your preferences, paid for by your uncle for you to enjoy for the evening. If you think that by talking to me is romantic, let me tell you…"

"Not to love a whore? It's not that I feel for you like that, and while I do want you to physically pleasure me, but it would please me just as much to put a face a personality with the face."

She stopped, and looked at him. "You want to be a friend to me? Why?"

The song Call Me was playing in the background.

Harry looked at her in the eye, "It would please me to do so. Isn't that enough of an answer for you? Or would it please you to know that a bit of conversation with a woman would help my state of mind? That I saw a good man get killed in front of my eyes because of my actions?" Harry was worried he was going to lose control, and stopped, gripping the edge of his chair.

Whatever he said must have touched something in her for she looked at him softly, and replied, "I'm sorry, it's just that I recently had a, client, who treated me quite horrendously." She looked down at her hands, which she had folded on to her lap.

Harry spoke softly, "No, forgive me. If you don't wish to, I'll leave."

She shook her head and a sad smile came to her lips, "No, when Meg acts like this with a customer, the girls and I know that we have to treat them extra special." Harry sighed, and asked, "Would you like a drink?" Alice nodded; "Gin and tonic" Harry (having earlier spied a small mini-bar) got up and made drinks for the two of them. Alice got her gin and tonic while he had mixed some Bocardi Rum with Coca-Cola and ice.

Harry sat down, handed her drink, and asked, "How long have you worked here?"

"Almost a year, not that there is much opportunity for a squib."

Harry raised an eyebrow as he sipped the sweet rum, "You're a squib? Why aren't you doing something else besides this?"

She shrugged, "Not much opportunity if you are an orphan, and then it turns out that you are a squib in a magical world. It was either this or have a memory charm placed on me. Since all that would have done was place me in an even worse situation, I chose this."

Alice laughed again, "Yes, all squibs are good for are whoring and soldiering. Do you know that nearly all of the squib males in the wizard community are in the British military?"

Harry shook his head. Despite more then four years in the wizard world, he still had a lot to learn. "You seem very intelligent, why not…"

"Run away? No, I can't for then I'll have the Committee for the Misuse of Magic on me, and I'll be memory charmed into insanity."

She stopped talking, set her drink down, and got up. "Enough, I know you mean well, but anymore and I won't be able to do my job." With that, she went over to Harry, sat down on his lap, and pulled his head to hers and kissed him, her tongue probing through his lips.

Call Me ended, and Love Potion Number 9 came on.

Harry, whose only previous experience with women had been masturbating in the Dursley's bathroom with a stolen copy of one of Dudley's Hustler magazines (and had managed to lie to his uncle about it on the Beaver going to Wales, as well as on the ride back), placed his drink on the table and then embraced her, and kissed back, a hand on the back of her neck pressing her into him. Harry luxuriated in the taste of strawberries, and gin. It was a strange, new, but nonetheless intoxicating and exciting experience. He could feel an erection growing in his trousers as he felt the mounds of Alice's breasts press into him, and the softness of her belly.

A lifetime later, Alice broke away and giggled, "Well, you certainly now how to kiss a girl, don't you Harry?" Harry, laughed, "That was the first time I've ever kissed a girl." He was still embracing Alice, his erection pressed against her midriff, and allowed one hand to follow the silk of her dress down the small of her back before settling on the curves of her buttocks. There, Harry let his hand gently squeeze one of the tight orbs.

Smiling, Alice asked, "Anything else I should know of?" Harry grinned, "Well, this is the first time I've done this to a girl," and kissed her on the nape of the neck. He had no experience, yet it seemed to a detached part of Harry's brain that it seemed to have a natural talent for this sort of thing. As Harry kissed her on the neck, she was responding by kissing him on his, and Harry moved his hands to unlatch the lace catches of her dress. Alice took off his glasses and placed them on the table.

Harry lost himself in her embrace, the sensation of warmth and longing he felt. Alice slowly guided him through the age-old dance, letting him both learn and enjoy himself. Soon, she too lost herself, allowing herself to enjoy the moment, both Harry and Alice forgetting everything else in the world as it became just the two of them in their arms, and enjoying the blissful comfort of the other. Together, the two clutched and coupled as though there was no tomorrow until both of them groaned, shuddered, and rested in the other's arms.

Breathing hard, Harry stared at Alice, who seemed was trying likewise to catch her breath her forehead resting against his. This had been Harry's first time, and he wasn't going to forget it. Staring into her hazel eyes, he spoke quietly, "Thank you." Alice grinned, and replied, "No, thank you, it isn't every day one gets to break in a virgin. Besides," she smiled wickedly, "you were really quite good for someone at his first time." Harry wasn't too sure if this was the truth, or if it was part of the act.

Nevertheless, Harry lazily grinned as even though they had just finished, he could feel himself stir once again. "In that case," he said, laying Alice down and staring into her eyes, "care for another go?"

Alice looked into his eyes and giggled, "I'm game if you are."

The music played on, and the night stretched long as Harry learned the most important lessons a man can receive, and enjoyed what had to be easily his most enjoyable birthday present he had ever had.

In the other room, Alex and Meg heard Alice's groan, and Meg remarked to Alex, "The Boy who Lived truly does know how to his way with the ladies, eh Alex?"

Alex grinned to her and replied, "It's his first time, but he seems to be a bright, resourceful lad."

With that, he raised his glass in salute towards the room where Harry and Alice were quite busy.

It was a dark, gloomy clearing in a forest of some sort. A tall, thin, hooded individual with a large, green snake at his feet was meeting with a shorter, plumper, individual. The shorter one had a silvery, metallic hand hanging at his side. That one spoke first, "I have done your bidding, master." The tall one replied, "Indeed, Wormtail. When will he arrive?"

"He sent his compliments, and said it will take at least a month to get his affairs in order."

The tall one nodded, and continued, "Very well. Is there any news of the boy?"

Wormtail shook his hooded head, "No, he still is too protected. But when…"

"Enough, Wormtail. Do you think my mind is addled?"

Wormtail's voice dripped with fear, "No master, please!"

The tall one drew a wand from within his hooded robes and pointed it towards Wormtail.

"Oh, just a short, sharp lesson. CRUCIO!"

"NO!!!!"

Harry woke suddenly, his scar hurting immensely. Alice had been awake, stroking his scar, and now had a look of concern on her face at seeing Harry's eyes pop open. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Harry lied. "Just a bad dream."

With that, he kissed her and held on to her, for at that moment, he needed something, anything, even the arms of a courtesan, with which to fight his inner demons. Alice must have realized this, for she said not another word as she held on to Harry, and then continued the physical aspect of her duty with a renewed vigor.