p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The week that followed Pettigrew's break in was nerve wracking to say the least. No one but Harry dared to be out after dark, for fear of the rat coming and killing them. Harry, on the other hand, hoped he tried. He'd like nothing more than to avenge his parents and finish what Daphne started./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Throughout the week, he'd taken to checking the Marauders' map in between classes, and occasionally during class. He was still kicking himself for not remembering it after Pettigrew broke in. maybe they could have gotten him. The few times that he'd caught a glimpse of him, it had always been on the very edge of the map, and had disappeared long before he could get to him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They'd received a surprise Thursday afternoon, when the walked into transfiguration. In place of the usual smiling Professor Lupin was a snarling black dog, glaring daggers at the red head who'd walked into the room behind them. With a grin, they sat and watched Weasley almost piss himself when Sirius jumped off the desk and stalked towards him. Finally, when he was cornered in the back, Sirius transformed back into a man, "What are you waiting for, Weasley? Take your seat. The bell rang ten minutes ago."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Again Padfoot was treated to a wondrous applause from almost all of the class, with only Weasley's crew glaring at him. After a deep bow, he nods, "Back to work. Professor Lupin has some unavoidable business today, and has asked that I fill in for him. Today we will be working on…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Padfoot's lessons were everything they'd come to expect from Remus and even McGonagall. He taught them clearly, demonstrated the wand movements, and even explained how he'd once used it to capture a dark wizard by transforming his couch into magically sealed cabinet. The crowd roared in laughter as he retold the tale, even mimicking the wizards face right before it happened. The lesson ended much like it started, with Sirius growling at Ron and scaring him out of the classroom./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Flint had grown even more infuriating with his need for daily practices that the Slytherin team was confident that they could enter and win the world cup by now if they needed to. Luckily, the first game was this weekend, so the practices, while draining, were softer than they had been before. At least Harry didn't have to worry about getting hit by a bludger until Saturday./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Damn slave driver." Susan grumbled as they walked back to the common room Friday night, "I'll be happier when tomorrow's match is over. Never again will I question why you are so tired after practice."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, Flint won't let you go now." Harry grinned, "You're already saving goals that Oliver wood couldn't have stopped if he tried."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What's this I hear?" a voice chuckled from behind them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Thou art doubting the powers of Lord Wood?" the same voice gasped./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I believe they are, Fred." It said again as they turned to find the twins grinning playfully, "I wonder if she'll be able to keep up her confidence during the game tomorrow?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Susan pouted, "I will."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good. Then I will bet our entire savings on you and if you lose, I'll expect repayment." George nodded, looking through his pocket, "I think we've got thirty three galleons here."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Indeed. Let's go find Lee." Fred said without waiting for a response as the twins leave them in the entrance hall and climb the staircase towards the Gryffindor common room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Like I needed more pressure." She groaned as they entered the dungeon. Neither had any trouble falling to sleep ten minutes later./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Eren sighed as she looked over the blueprints of the building in question, while discreetly checking the guard's movements from the top of her hotel. She was in Germany, preparing for phase one of Reiji's plan. Even she could tell it would be nearly impossible. Even more so if they don't want to kill anyone. Her cell rings as she rolls up the blueprints./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Hello?" she asks, picking up the phone./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Is this Kristina?" the voice asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No, it's Eren." She answered, "How did it go at the Godoh's?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm in, and I've got a meeting with McGuire next Sunday." He replies, "How are things going on your end?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The building plan is solid. The guards aren't weaklings, and the wards on the outside are going to be difficult to break. Interior wards are as close to impossible to break as I've seen."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Any gaps in patrols?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Shortest is ten seconds if we're lucky. I can't even be sure about the interior guards. The wards make covert ops impossible."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Then we go in hot. How soon can you get the weapons?" he asks calmly, lighting a cigarette./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Around Christmas at the earliest for our usual supplies."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Let me know when everything arrives."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Understood."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Turing off the cell phone, she turns and walks back to the penthouse suite. If nothing else, Reiji always made the jobs comfortable./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Daphne escorted Susan and Harry down to the Quidditch pitch the next morning after breakfast. The weather was terrible. It was a miracle that they didn't delay the game. Just the walk from the Great Hall to the pitch was enough to drench them to the bone. Luckily, Snape had charmed the meeting room to instantly dry the team when they entered. As it turns out, they were the first there, though the others were just behind them. Susan and one of the chasers left to go to the girl's locker room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Daphne turns to walk away, but turns back and gives Harry a quick kiss on the cheek, "Good luck." She whispers before running off to the stands with a slight blush./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Get a room." Flint grins and the others laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We're in a room." Harry smirks, "Besides, it's still more than you've gotten."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"That shut him up, "Totally uncalled for." The last chaser roars wildly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""But true nonetheless." He shrugs, "no hurry up and get change or you'll be playing in your school robes."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"With a grumbling approval, Flint joins the rest in preparing for the game, and when they were all dressed, he was back to his old self. That is to say, bossy, bossy, bossy. After meeting with the girls, the pep talk began/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Alright. Chasers, we're going to get every goal we can. Hufflepuff's keeper won't stand a chance. Susan, I've seen you in practice. Keep focus and you'll be fine. The only real threat, besides the weather, is Diggory. He big and while that might normally be a detriment, with this much wind, the fact is that he'll be less affected. It'll still be difficult though. Visibility will be practically none existent. Only way this game ends is if the snitch flies in front of your faces."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I've got an idea." Susan says cheerfully, drawing her wand, "Impervious!" a clear beam struck his glasses, "That should help. They'll repel water."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Brilliant." FIint nods, "Everyone else too. The last thing we need is a beater that hits our own man."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You wound us." The bulky beater smiles before tapping his wand and muttering the charm. The others follow suit as the door opens./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Everyone ready?" Snape asks, looking them over, "I would recommend the imperious charm, given the weather."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Susan beat you to it, professor." The female chaser smirks, "Already charmed."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Five points for Slytherin, miss bones." He nods as they grab their brooms, "This should be no trouble for all of you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We'll do our best." Flint nods as the team follows him out into the pouring rain. Professor McGonagall had raised canopies over the stands to allow spectators to watch while remaining mostly dry./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The Hufflepuff team was already on the field, and the Slytherin team was met by the boos of most of the other houses. When both teams were standing across from each other, and the captains had shaken hands, the teams rose into the air./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The moment madam Hooch tossed the Quaffle into the air, the game began. Harry swooped up to avoid a quickly hit bludger from the Hufflepuff beaters. Hufflepuff had won the toss up, and the chasers were swerving left and right, avoiding both players and Bludgers before taking a shot at the Slytherin goals. Closing his eyes briefly, he'd smiled at the boos from the stands, followed by the magically enhanced voice of Lee Jordan./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""And Bones saves it! Well I'll be. Maybe Fred and George knew what they were doing."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Laughing slightly, he rolled out of the way of a second bludger. Flint had taken possession of the Quaffle and was zipping through the field before sending a perfect throw into the left hoop. The green and silver crowd exploded, and even over the mass of booing, they could still be heard./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Diggory was watching him carefully from the other side of the field, every now and then flying off to make Harry think he'd seen the snitch. After nearly an hour of gameplay, he was almost frozen on his broom. They had a commanding lead, one hundred sixty to thirty, but they'd still lose if Diggory caught the snitch./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"'This has to end now.' Harry thinks as he turns his nimbus up shooting even higher into the air. From the upper vantage point, he spots the snitch down by the Hufflepuff goals. The keeper seemed to have notice, and was frantically trying to get Diggory's attention. Harry shot down towards it when he felt cold, and it had nothing to do with the rain./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Looking up, nearly fifty Dementors were gliding towards him, descending right with him. As he was over the hoops, one drew in close and a feeling of dread overcame him before he blacked out./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What the hell kind of call is that?" a voice said angrily from beside him. He slowly opened his eyes to find the entire Quidditch team along with Daphne, who was crying next to him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What happened?" he asks weakly as a chaser ran to get madam Pompfrey./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You got attacked." Susan shuddered./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I remember." He sighs, "I mean after that."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, everyone heard you scream, and the teachers drove the dementors off less than a second later, but Cedric had noticed the snitch and grabbed it. McGonagall insists it was a fair catch."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Bullshit." A beater spits, "Maybe if Diggory got attacked too, but with only Harry, that's totally out of the question."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What's done is done." Flint sighs, "We'll get them next time, and no damn dementors are going to stop us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They all nodded, and Harry asked, "Did anyone grab my nimbus?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"All of them fidgeted nervously, and Daphne reached under the bed, "We did… but it flew straight into the Whomping willow and…." She lifted a box of twigs that had once been his broom./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Another reason I hate dementors." He says with a fake smile, "Oh well. I'll get another one over Christmas break. We don't have a game before that, do we?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Nope." Flint nods, "Our next match is sometime in February."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good. That'll give me time to get a new broom, and get some practice in long before the match." He smirks, "Maybe I'll get that firebolt I saw over the break."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The teams' spirits brighten considerably at the thought that they might get a firebolt on their team, and the worried postgame meeting descended into friendly chatter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That will do." Madam Pompfrey says sternly as she hands Harry a bar of chocolate, "Eat that, and get some rest. The rest of you, out. Its ten minutes to curfew."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"After the usual goodbyes and a goodbye kiss from Daphne, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Pettigrew thought carefully about his next move. Nothing had gone his way all year. Sure he had escaped from Azkaban, but he'd also almost been killed by that girl, not to mention that they'd found his curses, and they've got dementors swooping around the grounds. It only because no one knows about the shortcut under the Whomping Willow that he's lasted this long./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"On the one hand, chances are that if he fled, he'd survive, but he'd have to live as a rat for the rest of his life, and the dark lord's followers who still believe him an ally would know he ran. They'd be out for blood. He could keep going after Potter, but the boys a cold blooded killer if that display was anything to go by, and he wasn't even trying. One false move, and Potter would have his head. The only other option was to run and track down the dark lord. Perhaps he could even be rewarded for succeeding…/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Not yet though. No one knows if the dark lord survived. For now, if he could just kill potter, Malfoy and the others would make sure he was never caught. Until he can't stay anymore, he'll stay the course. Potter will die./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Master." Ein says as she activates her mirror, revealing Scythe master's face./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What is it, Ein?" he says calmly, grading papers without a concern./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. McGuire would like you to be present at a meeting tomorrow." She answers, "With the Godoh Group and their newest enforcer."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well. I will see what I can do." He replies, "You and Phantom should go there regardless."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Understood. "She says./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Wonderful. How are your plans going so far?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Phantom is breaking down the wards as we speak. We've got our supplies ready for the assault. At the moment, it looks like it'll be around Christmas." She answers, looking over the mission plan, "Are there any more skilled soldiers? The target isn't a pushover, and if we can't take them quickly, and reinforcements arrive, we won't get another chance."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You'll have to make do with what you have there." He replies, "This cannot be a massive operation. We will go in, eliminate the target, and get out. In the event that it proves too problematic, it is of no real concern."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well." She sighs, "Then I'd best get back to work."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Keep it up, Ein." He says, turning off the commination mirror, "Ein… truly a worthy name. Already, your skills may have even surpassed my beloved daughter."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Elsewhere in London, Ein looks back down her scope, eye trained on the guards. Every time one was alone, and looked up, he died. That was her mission. No one could know they would strike. With one bullet, and one spell, they turn up missing. It's over the second they cross her path. Like all the others./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Reiji, Mio, and Shiiga walked off the airplane, getting through customs easily with the Godoh Families' fake passports, and went straight to their hotel. While there, one of the Godoh's men, who arrived on an earlier flight, passed him a key and a note. Looking down, he read, 'Room 13.' After Shiiga checked them in, Reiji begged off, and walked to room thirteen, unlocking the door. Inside was a suitcase full of cash and guns, which Reiji stored as best he could and left without the leaving a trace. Even the security cameras wouldn't be able to see that he'd taken anything./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Returning to the room, Reiji handed Shiiga his personal revolver, and Mio her Minebea semi-automatic, "These were left by the advance team." He says as he straps his onto his back, "Everyone ready?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I still don't like this." Shiiga glares, "You're putting me and Mio at risk because of this."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No, I'm putting myself at risk, Mio's insisting on coming along, and you can't seem to understand that I'm on your side now and that Mio has nothing to fear from me." He glares back as Shiiga levels his revolver at him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That's enough." Mio says as she places her own gun in her holster, "We don't have time for this. We've got to go. Our meetings in twenty minutes."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mio…" he sighs, holstering his weapon, "Fine. Let's get this over with. But the first sign that something's going wrong, I'm getting her out of there and throwing you to the wolves."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Whatever." Reiji shrugs, "Shall we?" he says, offering his arm to Mio./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""By all means." She smiles, accepting it and walking out of the room with him. Five minutes later, He and Mio were in the back seat as Shiiga drove them across town to an Office building called Dante's Data Processing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""McGuire's not very creative." He smirks, walking through the door./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Shiiga to see Mr. McGuire." He says to the associate behind the counter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""He's expecting you." She nods, "You know the way?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Yes, thank you." He nods, motioning for the others to follow. After taking an elevator to the thirteenth floor, Shiiga knocked on the large double doors, which swung open./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Welcome, Shiiga." McGuire says as they file in, "Ms. Fujieda, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Raymond McGuire."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I've heard a lot about you." She bows slightly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Indeed?" McGuire smiles, "From whom? Shiga or Phantom?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That name doesn't apply to me." Reiji says with a shrug./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""From Shiiga." Mio smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well." He nods, "We have a few more guests for this meeting that I'd like to introduce, though one likely won't be necessary."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Leading them to a small conference room to the side, McGuire opens the door and sits at the head of the table. On one side were three people; Scythe, Drei, and a girl that Reiji had never met, but bore a striking resemblance to Daphne./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Hello, Zwei." Scythe smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Scythe…" he mutters, restraining himself from shooting the monster dead./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Naturally, Reiji is quite familiar with this man." McGuire nods, "This is Scythe master, and he is in charge of critical planning for major operations, and is in charge of Phantom."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Fujieda." He bows, "Though I'm sure Zwei has told you quite a few horror stories about me, hasn't he?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A few." She admits, "But I'll let it slide since Reiji is willing to let it go."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Oh?' he gasps, "I'm shocked. The last time we met, he wanted nothing more than to kill me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You know that's not true." Reiji says, sitting across from his old tormentor, "Everyone in this room knows that I could kill you without any trouble anytime I want."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Indeed." Scythe nods, "Well, Allow me to introduce my newest protégé, Ein."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"'So, I was right.' Reiji thinks before answering, "So, you ran out of numbers?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No." Scythe laughs, "Simply starting a new series. Phantom is assisting my in training the cast this time around, so I'm sure I will surpass my last work."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Is that right?" he nods, "maybe I can train Zwei."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Perhaps." He nods, "That really depends on today, doesn't it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Then let's get this underway." Mio answers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good. Since all the necessary introductions are taken care of, let's start." McGuire says as he hands them each a piece of paper, "As I'm sure we all know, the reason for this meeting is to determine of Mio Fujieda will be allowed to join Inferno, and more importantly, if Reiji Azuma will be allowed to return."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""So, that's the reason that there are two phantoms in the room?" Reiji smirks, "That way, if negotiations break down, you can kill me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Are you surprised?" Cal snorts./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Not in the slightest." He answers, "Just making sure."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, Reiji, how will you explain your past actions?" McGuire asks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Easy, either Claudia forced my hand or you did." He shrugs, "I really would have preferred you to at least try talking before sending your goons after me. Or bombing my apartment."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That wasn't you?" Cal gasps./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Of course not. I thought that you died." He answers truthfully./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, I can understand that." McGuire says as he takes out a few photos, "But what about these?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Reiji looks down at the photo, which was the same as the ones Daisuke gave to him before. Him holding the blade that killed Macuro./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Claudia's orders were to observe the Godoh's as they went out, in the hopes that the assassin would try and strike again." He replies, "When Macuro split from the group, I was observing from the bar. While keeping my cover, he slipped off and back to his room. I followed and arrived less than a minute after he was killed."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""So, your excuse was that you weren't doing your job well enough?" Cal chuckles, "And that's why I'm the phantom and not you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That's what happened." He shrugs, "The photos of me running off were because I heard someone call the elevator. I'd hoped that it might have been the killer, but I got there a split second too late." he shrugs./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I see…" McGuire nods, "That story does make a lot more sense than Claudia going insane and trying to kill the very people who were supposed to give her more pull in the organization. What are your thoughts, Scythe?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I agree that it is more plausible." Scythe answers, "However, I would like to know what you have to gain by coming forward now? You've been a ghost for over a decade, ever since we lost your trail in Britain. Where have you been hiding, and why didn't you stay there?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm not telling you where we were hiding." Reiji says coldly, "AS for why I returned several reasons. First of all, it's come to my attention that you want to get your grubby claws on my children."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""And?" he glares./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Back off of them." Reiji warns, "There are very few things that piss me off, and fucking with my kids in one of them. Another is my wife. There is the deal. You leave my kids alone. You let Eren go. In return, I join as a loyal lackey again, and I'll even help to teach your pet projects."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'll admit, it's a tempting offer." McGuire frowns, "No one in here doubts your powers. Far from it. The question is, what incentive do we have that you'll remain loyal?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I hear that you guys are forcing unbreakable vows nowadays." Reiji recommends with a grin./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Fine. If you take the unbreakable vow, you will be allowed back into inferno." McGuire decides, "Phantom, you are the binder."/p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"With the Quidditch fiasco burned into their minds, the Slytherin team was even more ruthless than usual. Flint had charmed a snitch that, while slower than usual, would hover around Harry like a real snitch so he could practice without a broom. It was tough, but his hand eye coordination and hand speed improved significantly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They trained all throughout the month of November, and into the beginning of December. On the morning of the first, Daphne received a letter from her parents, while Harry got one from Sirius. Susan's was from Amelia./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"All three were, for all intents and purposes, the same. It amounted to "Sorry, but we've got to work all Christmas break. You kids should have fun at school." With that in mind, all three gave their names to Professor Snape when he came around, asking for the names of anyone staying for Christmas./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Also, Mr. Potter, the Headmistress would like to speak with you." Snape says before turning away./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Right." Harry says, getting up from the breakfast table, "See you guys in the common room?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Later." Both nod, Daphne actually looking up from her parchment, where she seemed to be planning something./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry walks through the hallways with ease, avoid the trip staircase and taking a few secret passages and it wasn't even five minutes before he was standing in front of the gargoyle, which jumped aside and allowed him to continue./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. Potter." McGonagall smiles, motioning him in, "Scone?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Please." He nods, accepting the snack, "So, how can I help you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, the ministry finally got together a team to dispose of the Basilisk." She smiles, "Naturally, we need your help for that. Given the risk, we'll deal with it during the break, when almost all of the students will be gone. All remaining students will be sequestered in the common room until we are finished."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"'You got it. Give me the time, and I'll be there."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""December the twenty-sixth." She replies, "Three o'clock. I'll call you to my office before ordering all students back to the common room."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Got it." He nods./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Is everything going according to plan?" Scythe asks his two soldiers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The wards will be down on the twentieth." Phantom answers, "We'll begin the assault immediately so they don't have time to figure it out."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very good. I leave everything to you." He smiles./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The supplies arrived earlier today." Eren says onto her Cell, "We'll be ready to go as soon as you get here."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I want a couple of days to scout the area." Reiji says back, "December Twenty third at Midnight."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Right."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'll be arriving on the nineteenth. I don't know what, but Scythe wanted my help with some plan. Luckily Mio got me out of it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Are you worried?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A bit. I couldn't get any details. All I know is that it's in London." Reiji sighs, "I'll see what I can find out, but until then…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Right. I'll wait for you." She nods, hanging up the phone./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Finally done!" Daphne stretches as she laughs on the morning of the nineteenth./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The term, or whatever that thing is you were working on?" Susan asks, trying to look over her shoulder./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Both, actually." Daphne answers, rolling up the scroll, "It'll take me a couple of days, but it should be ready in time."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""In time?" Harry asks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Never mind." She giggles, "It's a secret I've been working on for a while. That said, are you nervous, Harry?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Nervous?" he stares./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""About next week." She adds, than whispers, "The basilisk?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Not really." He shrugs, "I almost killed it alone when it was at full strength. Now, I have backup and it's blind. Plus, I'm stronger."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, that's good." Susan says as she waves goodbye to a few of her friends, "I can't believe that so few are staying this year."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It's probably because of Pettigrew." Harry smirks, "He's already broken in once, so parents are going to panic and want their kids home, where it's safe."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Still though. It's only us and Malfoy in all of Slytherin." Daphne sighs, "If we can just find some way to get rid of him…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""At least we can dream." Susan chuckles, "come on, let's go see the train off."/p
p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Throughout the week, he'd taken to checking the Marauders' map in between classes, and occasionally during class. He was still kicking himself for not remembering it after Pettigrew broke in. maybe they could have gotten him. The few times that he'd caught a glimpse of him, it had always been on the very edge of the map, and had disappeared long before he could get to him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They'd received a surprise Thursday afternoon, when the walked into transfiguration. In place of the usual smiling Professor Lupin was a snarling black dog, glaring daggers at the red head who'd walked into the room behind them. With a grin, they sat and watched Weasley almost piss himself when Sirius jumped off the desk and stalked towards him. Finally, when he was cornered in the back, Sirius transformed back into a man, "What are you waiting for, Weasley? Take your seat. The bell rang ten minutes ago."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Again Padfoot was treated to a wondrous applause from almost all of the class, with only Weasley's crew glaring at him. After a deep bow, he nods, "Back to work. Professor Lupin has some unavoidable business today, and has asked that I fill in for him. Today we will be working on…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Padfoot's lessons were everything they'd come to expect from Remus and even McGonagall. He taught them clearly, demonstrated the wand movements, and even explained how he'd once used it to capture a dark wizard by transforming his couch into magically sealed cabinet. The crowd roared in laughter as he retold the tale, even mimicking the wizards face right before it happened. The lesson ended much like it started, with Sirius growling at Ron and scaring him out of the classroom./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Flint had grown even more infuriating with his need for daily practices that the Slytherin team was confident that they could enter and win the world cup by now if they needed to. Luckily, the first game was this weekend, so the practices, while draining, were softer than they had been before. At least Harry didn't have to worry about getting hit by a bludger until Saturday./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Damn slave driver." Susan grumbled as they walked back to the common room Friday night, "I'll be happier when tomorrow's match is over. Never again will I question why you are so tired after practice."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, Flint won't let you go now." Harry grinned, "You're already saving goals that Oliver wood couldn't have stopped if he tried."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What's this I hear?" a voice chuckled from behind them./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Thou art doubting the powers of Lord Wood?" the same voice gasped./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I believe they are, Fred." It said again as they turned to find the twins grinning playfully, "I wonder if she'll be able to keep up her confidence during the game tomorrow?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Susan pouted, "I will."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good. Then I will bet our entire savings on you and if you lose, I'll expect repayment." George nodded, looking through his pocket, "I think we've got thirty three galleons here."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Indeed. Let's go find Lee." Fred said without waiting for a response as the twins leave them in the entrance hall and climb the staircase towards the Gryffindor common room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Like I needed more pressure." She groaned as they entered the dungeon. Neither had any trouble falling to sleep ten minutes later./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Eren sighed as she looked over the blueprints of the building in question, while discreetly checking the guard's movements from the top of her hotel. She was in Germany, preparing for phase one of Reiji's plan. Even she could tell it would be nearly impossible. Even more so if they don't want to kill anyone. Her cell rings as she rolls up the blueprints./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Hello?" she asks, picking up the phone./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Is this Kristina?" the voice asked./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No, it's Eren." She answered, "How did it go at the Godoh's?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm in, and I've got a meeting with McGuire next Sunday." He replies, "How are things going on your end?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The building plan is solid. The guards aren't weaklings, and the wards on the outside are going to be difficult to break. Interior wards are as close to impossible to break as I've seen."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Any gaps in patrols?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Shortest is ten seconds if we're lucky. I can't even be sure about the interior guards. The wards make covert ops impossible."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Then we go in hot. How soon can you get the weapons?" he asks calmly, lighting a cigarette./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Around Christmas at the earliest for our usual supplies."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Let me know when everything arrives."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Understood."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Turing off the cell phone, she turns and walks back to the penthouse suite. If nothing else, Reiji always made the jobs comfortable./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Daphne escorted Susan and Harry down to the Quidditch pitch the next morning after breakfast. The weather was terrible. It was a miracle that they didn't delay the game. Just the walk from the Great Hall to the pitch was enough to drench them to the bone. Luckily, Snape had charmed the meeting room to instantly dry the team when they entered. As it turns out, they were the first there, though the others were just behind them. Susan and one of the chasers left to go to the girl's locker room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Daphne turns to walk away, but turns back and gives Harry a quick kiss on the cheek, "Good luck." She whispers before running off to the stands with a slight blush./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Get a room." Flint grins and the others laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We're in a room." Harry smirks, "Besides, it's still more than you've gotten."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"That shut him up, "Totally uncalled for." The last chaser roars wildly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""But true nonetheless." He shrugs, "no hurry up and get change or you'll be playing in your school robes."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"With a grumbling approval, Flint joins the rest in preparing for the game, and when they were all dressed, he was back to his old self. That is to say, bossy, bossy, bossy. After meeting with the girls, the pep talk began/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Alright. Chasers, we're going to get every goal we can. Hufflepuff's keeper won't stand a chance. Susan, I've seen you in practice. Keep focus and you'll be fine. The only real threat, besides the weather, is Diggory. He big and while that might normally be a detriment, with this much wind, the fact is that he'll be less affected. It'll still be difficult though. Visibility will be practically none existent. Only way this game ends is if the snitch flies in front of your faces."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I've got an idea." Susan says cheerfully, drawing her wand, "Impervious!" a clear beam struck his glasses, "That should help. They'll repel water."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Brilliant." FIint nods, "Everyone else too. The last thing we need is a beater that hits our own man."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You wound us." The bulky beater smiles before tapping his wand and muttering the charm. The others follow suit as the door opens./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Everyone ready?" Snape asks, looking them over, "I would recommend the imperious charm, given the weather."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Susan beat you to it, professor." The female chaser smirks, "Already charmed."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Five points for Slytherin, miss bones." He nods as they grab their brooms, "This should be no trouble for all of you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""We'll do our best." Flint nods as the team follows him out into the pouring rain. Professor McGonagall had raised canopies over the stands to allow spectators to watch while remaining mostly dry./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The Hufflepuff team was already on the field, and the Slytherin team was met by the boos of most of the other houses. When both teams were standing across from each other, and the captains had shaken hands, the teams rose into the air./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The moment madam Hooch tossed the Quaffle into the air, the game began. Harry swooped up to avoid a quickly hit bludger from the Hufflepuff beaters. Hufflepuff had won the toss up, and the chasers were swerving left and right, avoiding both players and Bludgers before taking a shot at the Slytherin goals. Closing his eyes briefly, he'd smiled at the boos from the stands, followed by the magically enhanced voice of Lee Jordan./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""And Bones saves it! Well I'll be. Maybe Fred and George knew what they were doing."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Laughing slightly, he rolled out of the way of a second bludger. Flint had taken possession of the Quaffle and was zipping through the field before sending a perfect throw into the left hoop. The green and silver crowd exploded, and even over the mass of booing, they could still be heard./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Diggory was watching him carefully from the other side of the field, every now and then flying off to make Harry think he'd seen the snitch. After nearly an hour of gameplay, he was almost frozen on his broom. They had a commanding lead, one hundred sixty to thirty, but they'd still lose if Diggory caught the snitch./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"'This has to end now.' Harry thinks as he turns his nimbus up shooting even higher into the air. From the upper vantage point, he spots the snitch down by the Hufflepuff goals. The keeper seemed to have notice, and was frantically trying to get Diggory's attention. Harry shot down towards it when he felt cold, and it had nothing to do with the rain./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Looking up, nearly fifty Dementors were gliding towards him, descending right with him. As he was over the hoops, one drew in close and a feeling of dread overcame him before he blacked out./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; border: none; padding: 0in;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What the hell kind of call is that?" a voice said angrily from beside him. He slowly opened his eyes to find the entire Quidditch team along with Daphne, who was crying next to him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What happened?" he asks weakly as a chaser ran to get madam Pompfrey./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You got attacked." Susan shuddered./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I remember." He sighs, "I mean after that."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, everyone heard you scream, and the teachers drove the dementors off less than a second later, but Cedric had noticed the snitch and grabbed it. McGonagall insists it was a fair catch."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Bullshit." A beater spits, "Maybe if Diggory got attacked too, but with only Harry, that's totally out of the question."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What's done is done." Flint sighs, "We'll get them next time, and no damn dementors are going to stop us."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They all nodded, and Harry asked, "Did anyone grab my nimbus?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"All of them fidgeted nervously, and Daphne reached under the bed, "We did… but it flew straight into the Whomping willow and…." She lifted a box of twigs that had once been his broom./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Another reason I hate dementors." He says with a fake smile, "Oh well. I'll get another one over Christmas break. We don't have a game before that, do we?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Nope." Flint nods, "Our next match is sometime in February."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good. That'll give me time to get a new broom, and get some practice in long before the match." He smirks, "Maybe I'll get that firebolt I saw over the break."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"The teams' spirits brighten considerably at the thought that they might get a firebolt on their team, and the worried postgame meeting descended into friendly chatter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That will do." Madam Pompfrey says sternly as she hands Harry a bar of chocolate, "Eat that, and get some rest. The rest of you, out. Its ten minutes to curfew."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"After the usual goodbyes and a goodbye kiss from Daphne, he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Pettigrew thought carefully about his next move. Nothing had gone his way all year. Sure he had escaped from Azkaban, but he'd also almost been killed by that girl, not to mention that they'd found his curses, and they've got dementors swooping around the grounds. It only because no one knows about the shortcut under the Whomping Willow that he's lasted this long./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"On the one hand, chances are that if he fled, he'd survive, but he'd have to live as a rat for the rest of his life, and the dark lord's followers who still believe him an ally would know he ran. They'd be out for blood. He could keep going after Potter, but the boys a cold blooded killer if that display was anything to go by, and he wasn't even trying. One false move, and Potter would have his head. The only other option was to run and track down the dark lord. Perhaps he could even be rewarded for succeeding…/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Not yet though. No one knows if the dark lord survived. For now, if he could just kill potter, Malfoy and the others would make sure he was never caught. Until he can't stay anymore, he'll stay the course. Potter will die./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Master." Ein says as she activates her mirror, revealing Scythe master's face./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""What is it, Ein?" he says calmly, grading papers without a concern./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. McGuire would like you to be present at a meeting tomorrow." She answers, "With the Godoh Group and their newest enforcer."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well. I will see what I can do." He replies, "You and Phantom should go there regardless."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Understood. "She says./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Wonderful. How are your plans going so far?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Phantom is breaking down the wards as we speak. We've got our supplies ready for the assault. At the moment, it looks like it'll be around Christmas." She answers, looking over the mission plan, "Are there any more skilled soldiers? The target isn't a pushover, and if we can't take them quickly, and reinforcements arrive, we won't get another chance."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You'll have to make do with what you have there." He replies, "This cannot be a massive operation. We will go in, eliminate the target, and get out. In the event that it proves too problematic, it is of no real concern."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well." She sighs, "Then I'd best get back to work."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Keep it up, Ein." He says, turning off the commination mirror, "Ein… truly a worthy name. Already, your skills may have even surpassed my beloved daughter."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Elsewhere in London, Ein looks back down her scope, eye trained on the guards. Every time one was alone, and looked up, he died. That was her mission. No one could know they would strike. With one bullet, and one spell, they turn up missing. It's over the second they cross her path. Like all the others./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Reiji, Mio, and Shiiga walked off the airplane, getting through customs easily with the Godoh Families' fake passports, and went straight to their hotel. While there, one of the Godoh's men, who arrived on an earlier flight, passed him a key and a note. Looking down, he read, 'Room 13.' After Shiiga checked them in, Reiji begged off, and walked to room thirteen, unlocking the door. Inside was a suitcase full of cash and guns, which Reiji stored as best he could and left without the leaving a trace. Even the security cameras wouldn't be able to see that he'd taken anything./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Returning to the room, Reiji handed Shiiga his personal revolver, and Mio her Minebea semi-automatic, "These were left by the advance team." He says as he straps his onto his back, "Everyone ready?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I still don't like this." Shiiga glares, "You're putting me and Mio at risk because of this."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No, I'm putting myself at risk, Mio's insisting on coming along, and you can't seem to understand that I'm on your side now and that Mio has nothing to fear from me." He glares back as Shiiga levels his revolver at him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That's enough." Mio says as she places her own gun in her holster, "We don't have time for this. We've got to go. Our meetings in twenty minutes."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mio…" he sighs, holstering his weapon, "Fine. Let's get this over with. But the first sign that something's going wrong, I'm getting her out of there and throwing you to the wolves."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Whatever." Reiji shrugs, "Shall we?" he says, offering his arm to Mio./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""By all means." She smiles, accepting it and walking out of the room with him. Five minutes later, He and Mio were in the back seat as Shiiga drove them across town to an Office building called Dante's Data Processing./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""McGuire's not very creative." He smirks, walking through the door./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Shiiga to see Mr. McGuire." He says to the associate behind the counter./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""He's expecting you." She nods, "You know the way?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Yes, thank you." He nods, motioning for the others to follow. After taking an elevator to the thirteenth floor, Shiiga knocked on the large double doors, which swung open./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Welcome, Shiiga." McGuire says as they file in, "Ms. Fujieda, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Raymond McGuire."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I've heard a lot about you." She bows slightly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Indeed?" McGuire smiles, "From whom? Shiga or Phantom?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That name doesn't apply to me." Reiji says with a shrug./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""From Shiiga." Mio smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very well." He nods, "We have a few more guests for this meeting that I'd like to introduce, though one likely won't be necessary."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Leading them to a small conference room to the side, McGuire opens the door and sits at the head of the table. On one side were three people; Scythe, Drei, and a girl that Reiji had never met, but bore a striking resemblance to Daphne./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Hello, Zwei." Scythe smiles./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Scythe…" he mutters, restraining himself from shooting the monster dead./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Naturally, Reiji is quite familiar with this man." McGuire nods, "This is Scythe master, and he is in charge of critical planning for major operations, and is in charge of Phantom."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Fujieda." He bows, "Though I'm sure Zwei has told you quite a few horror stories about me, hasn't he?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A few." She admits, "But I'll let it slide since Reiji is willing to let it go."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Oh?' he gasps, "I'm shocked. The last time we met, he wanted nothing more than to kill me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""You know that's not true." Reiji says, sitting across from his old tormentor, "Everyone in this room knows that I could kill you without any trouble anytime I want."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Indeed." Scythe nods, "Well, Allow me to introduce my newest protégé, Ein."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"'So, I was right.' Reiji thinks before answering, "So, you ran out of numbers?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""No." Scythe laughs, "Simply starting a new series. Phantom is assisting my in training the cast this time around, so I'm sure I will surpass my last work."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Is that right?" he nods, "maybe I can train Zwei."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Perhaps." He nods, "That really depends on today, doesn't it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Then let's get this underway." Mio answers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Good. Since all the necessary introductions are taken care of, let's start." McGuire says as he hands them each a piece of paper, "As I'm sure we all know, the reason for this meeting is to determine of Mio Fujieda will be allowed to join Inferno, and more importantly, if Reiji Azuma will be allowed to return."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""So, that's the reason that there are two phantoms in the room?" Reiji smirks, "That way, if negotiations break down, you can kill me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Are you surprised?" Cal snorts./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Not in the slightest." He answers, "Just making sure."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, Reiji, how will you explain your past actions?" McGuire asks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Easy, either Claudia forced my hand or you did." He shrugs, "I really would have preferred you to at least try talking before sending your goons after me. Or bombing my apartment."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That wasn't you?" Cal gasps./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Of course not. I thought that you died." He answers truthfully./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, I can understand that." McGuire says as he takes out a few photos, "But what about these?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Reiji looks down at the photo, which was the same as the ones Daisuke gave to him before. Him holding the blade that killed Macuro./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Claudia's orders were to observe the Godoh's as they went out, in the hopes that the assassin would try and strike again." He replies, "When Macuro split from the group, I was observing from the bar. While keeping my cover, he slipped off and back to his room. I followed and arrived less than a minute after he was killed."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""So, your excuse was that you weren't doing your job well enough?" Cal chuckles, "And that's why I'm the phantom and not you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""That's what happened." He shrugs, "The photos of me running off were because I heard someone call the elevator. I'd hoped that it might have been the killer, but I got there a split second too late." he shrugs./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I see…" McGuire nods, "That story does make a lot more sense than Claudia going insane and trying to kill the very people who were supposed to give her more pull in the organization. What are your thoughts, Scythe?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I agree that it is more plausible." Scythe answers, "However, I would like to know what you have to gain by coming forward now? You've been a ghost for over a decade, ever since we lost your trail in Britain. Where have you been hiding, and why didn't you stay there?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'm not telling you where we were hiding." Reiji says coldly, "AS for why I returned several reasons. First of all, it's come to my attention that you want to get your grubby claws on my children."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""And?" he glares./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Back off of them." Reiji warns, "There are very few things that piss me off, and fucking with my kids in one of them. Another is my wife. There is the deal. You leave my kids alone. You let Eren go. In return, I join as a loyal lackey again, and I'll even help to teach your pet projects."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'll admit, it's a tempting offer." McGuire frowns, "No one in here doubts your powers. Far from it. The question is, what incentive do we have that you'll remain loyal?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I hear that you guys are forcing unbreakable vows nowadays." Reiji recommends with a grin./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Fine. If you take the unbreakable vow, you will be allowed back into inferno." McGuire decides, "Phantom, you are the binder."/p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"With the Quidditch fiasco burned into their minds, the Slytherin team was even more ruthless than usual. Flint had charmed a snitch that, while slower than usual, would hover around Harry like a real snitch so he could practice without a broom. It was tough, but his hand eye coordination and hand speed improved significantly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"They trained all throughout the month of November, and into the beginning of December. On the morning of the first, Daphne received a letter from her parents, while Harry got one from Sirius. Susan's was from Amelia./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"All three were, for all intents and purposes, the same. It amounted to "Sorry, but we've got to work all Christmas break. You kids should have fun at school." With that in mind, all three gave their names to Professor Snape when he came around, asking for the names of anyone staying for Christmas./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Also, Mr. Potter, the Headmistress would like to speak with you." Snape says before turning away./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Right." Harry says, getting up from the breakfast table, "See you guys in the common room?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Later." Both nod, Daphne actually looking up from her parchment, where she seemed to be planning something./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Harry walks through the hallways with ease, avoid the trip staircase and taking a few secret passages and it wasn't even five minutes before he was standing in front of the gargoyle, which jumped aside and allowed him to continue./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Mr. Potter." McGonagall smiles, motioning him in, "Scone?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Please." He nods, accepting the snack, "So, how can I help you?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, the ministry finally got together a team to dispose of the Basilisk." She smiles, "Naturally, we need your help for that. Given the risk, we'll deal with it during the break, when almost all of the students will be gone. All remaining students will be sequestered in the common room until we are finished."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"'You got it. Give me the time, and I'll be there."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""December the twenty-sixth." She replies, "Three o'clock. I'll call you to my office before ordering all students back to the common room."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Got it." He nods./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Is everything going according to plan?" Scythe asks his two soldiers./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The wards will be down on the twentieth." Phantom answers, "We'll begin the assault immediately so they don't have time to figure it out."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Very good. I leave everything to you." He smiles./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The supplies arrived earlier today." Eren says onto her Cell, "We'll be ready to go as soon as you get here."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I want a couple of days to scout the area." Reiji says back, "December Twenty third at Midnight."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Right."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""I'll be arriving on the nineteenth. I don't know what, but Scythe wanted my help with some plan. Luckily Mio got me out of it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Are you worried?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""A bit. I couldn't get any details. All I know is that it's in London." Reiji sighs, "I'll see what I can find out, but until then…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Right. I'll wait for you." She nods, hanging up the phone./p
hr style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;" /
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Finally done!" Daphne stretches as she laughs on the morning of the nineteenth./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""The term, or whatever that thing is you were working on?" Susan asks, trying to look over her shoulder./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Both, actually." Daphne answers, rolling up the scroll, "It'll take me a couple of days, but it should be ready in time."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""In time?" Harry asks./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Never mind." She giggles, "It's a secret I've been working on for a while. That said, are you nervous, Harry?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Nervous?" he stares./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""About next week." She adds, than whispers, "The basilisk?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Not really." He shrugs, "I almost killed it alone when it was at full strength. Now, I have backup and it's blind. Plus, I'm stronger."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""Well, that's good." Susan says as she waves goodbye to a few of her friends, "I can't believe that so few are staying this year."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""It's probably because of Pettigrew." Harry smirks, "He's already broken in once, so parents are going to panic and want their kids home, where it's safe."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;"Still though. It's only us and Malfoy in all of Slytherin." Daphne sighs, "If we can just find some way to get rid of him…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;""At least we can dream." Susan chuckles, "come on, let's go see the train off."/p
p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px;" /p
