Disclaimer.
J.K Rowling went out one day so I took her characters out to play.
We ran around, they laughed with glee,
All this fun and she works for free!
Hello again. Please don't beat me up for being tardy - RL has been a real bitch recently.
This chapter was supposed to cover more time but it was getting long so I thought I should cut if off here. Part of it is a belated tribute to our Veterans of all nationalities. They are a rare breed.
Parham Airfield Museum does exist and the idea of a special outing for a group being arranged is not unusual for this memorial run by volunteers and funded through donations. The characters you meet at the museum are fictional though the family name of the guide is factual. The US commander mentioned, Colonel Moller, did exist as did M/Sgt. Hewitt Dunn, as did the B17 bomber Sister Kate. I invite you to visit their website, http/ I dedicate the chapter to my father who was the youngest of his family and served at the tail end of the war. He is a proud veteran of the Scots Guards – you know, one of the regiments that stands guard in front of Buckingham Palace with the red coat and furry Busby. The weapons they carry are real and loaded by the way.
He was training for a winter invasion and learning how to ski when he was sent to Sicily to work with the occupation forces. He then went to northern Italy to help defend the redrawn borders, learned to love pasta and red wine. I only recently discovered, his first duty had been the liberation of a Nazi extermination camp in Germany. He was nineteen.
"You never forget the smell. It comes back and hits you at the oddest times. You never forget." Was all he would share of his experience and I love him too much to push for more. He decided he should finally retire January 7, 2006- He turns 79. A rare breed.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Miss Granger, Miss Granger." Hermione paused, a look of resigned defeat on her face. She turned and looked at the three freshly scrubbed faces of the Ravenclaw boys who had bought her offer of homework help and study planning.
"Yes, what is it now?" she asked them in an annoyed tone.
"Miss Granger, we were wondering if you would go over some Arithmancy equations with us?" opened one boy named William.
"You were ever so helpful with the short cuts and proofs last time." Added his friend Leopold.
"Yes, quite." Agreed the third one, Lancelot, "Jolly good fun when someone so brilliant helps you."
"Boys, you only paid for one week of help. You have your study guides to the end of the school year to help you. And I not sure but I think you got me to help with enough homework that should last you until Easter." She pointed out.
"You're right of course." "We shouldn't expect you'd want to help anymore." "It was frightfully rude of us." The threesome chorused again, their faces slumped in disappointment.
Hermione sighed. "All right, seven o'clock in the library tonight. One hour only…and that is the last of it."
"You're brilliant Miss Granger." "We won't be late." "It'll be a ripping good time!" The trio echoed, overflowing with cheer before trotting off down the hallway.
"Another date with your new boyfriends then?" teased Ron as he came up behind her and kissed her ear.
"Oh shut it Ron." She snapped, turning to continue on to her potions class.
"Come on Hermione, can't you see they've just fallen in love with you. Just think; you're their first crush. An older woman, beautiful, sophisticated, educated…just the stuff little Ravenclaw boys dream about." He continued his good natured torment just to see Hermione go red in the face.
Hermione stopped again, "Ronald Weasley, if you don't shut up I swear I'll hex..."
"That would be unwise Miss Granger." Interrupted a familiar unwelcome voice
Hermione closed her eyes and turned, "Professor Snape...It was really just a turn of phrase. I wouldn't have done anything, really."
"Really, even when it was so sorely deserved?" Snape sneered. "I believe you have class in five minutes, Miss Granger."
"Yes sir." She replied before jogging away.
Ron made to leave but felt a hand on his shoulder. "Mr. Weasley, you have still not learned anything about chivalry have you? Teasing your intended about her charms in public is uncouth. Perhaps we should discuss the matter this evening."
"But sir, I was only joking. Hermione knew that." Ron retorted.
"Never the less; seven o'clock my office. Miss Granger will be otherwise occupied anyway." Said Snape, casting one sideways glance at Ron before leaving.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Muggle studies classroom was decidedly crowded, crammed to double its normal capacity with the mixed sixth and upper sixth students taking in a joint class.
Phaelan stood at the front of the room clapping her hands asking for quiet over the din caused by the excited teens. It wasn't working. Severus was at the back of the room as his class normally held at this time for the sixth years had been cancelled to allow all of his students to attend this one. A few other sixth years not in potions were also here, excused from their classes to attend. Snape was becoming impatient and had thought to bring the class to order himself when he was halted mid-step by a shrill whistle.
"Thank you." Phaelan said to the suddenly silent room after she pulled her fingers from her mouth. "There are too many here for everyone to have a casual conversation. You will therefore be silent and speak only when addressed. Nod if you understand."
Forty plus heads bobbed in unison. "Excellent. Now I have here our itinerary for the day excursion. I must congratulate you all on a fine fund raising effort. Your blood, sweat and tears earned almost seventy five percent of the cost of the trip. Headmaster Dumbledore is so impressed, he has agreed to your having two meals away from the school."
Spontaneous applause broke out at the announcement and would have extended into cheers if Snape hadn't chosen that moment to step to the front and cast his glare on the students. The applause quickly trailed off.
"I'm glad you all approve. Now, the main featured movie will be Schindler's List. It ties in nicely to our studies this year. Read the synopsis and if you have questions or concerns, see me out of class." She looked up and saw Ron's hand raised, "Weasley." She called.
"Professor, was there anything wrong with the list of pictures Harry, Hermione and I gave you?"
Phaelan sighed, "There was nothing wrong with it but Forest Gump, Austen Powers, Men in Black, Free Willy, Die Hard and Judge Dredd didn't quite cut it. And frankly, Miss Granger asking for the Full Monty as one for the ladies was quite…surprising." She glanced at the Head girl who was blushing. Most of the room had no idea why but Phaelan heard a couple of titters out of the Muggleborns.
"That being said, we will have a full set of trailers for viewing and come cartoons and maybe a music video or two. Mr. Finch Fletchley, you had been tasked with transportation. Your report."
Justin stood. "I contacted the Knight Bus Company and they Owled me that we can have a coach for the day with a driver and guide. They even gave me a discount as long as they can see the picture too."
"Very well done. Miss Granger, the arrangements for our side trip?"
Hermione stood and pulled out a parchment. "Since we're going to the Aldeburgh Cinema, I looked for historic places surrounding the area. I found the Parham Airfield Museum. It has the memorabilia from World War II left from the RAF and United States pilots. We can have lunch at McDonalds in Leiston; they've asked we call ahead a half hour before arriving so their not swamped. I have arranged with the Prezza Pizza restaurant for dinner; they are expecting us at half past six. The restaurant is providing a special limited menu which they use for group outings. Everything is in the same basic area and with the bus there should be no trouble getting around."
"Thank you. I must say I am impressed with the work you put into this outing. I know some of you put out great exertions and others shared wonderful skills with the younger students." Phaelan heard Severus huff lightly behind her.
"Most of the faculty were quite impressed. Now, Professor's Snape, Shacklebolt and Lupin will be accompanying us along with Auror Tonks. I expect exemplary behaviour from each of you. Remember, you are among Muggles and are expected to act like them. I don't want to see any wands and if one is drawn, points will be lost for your house." She paused and looked over the class. "Any questions?"
Seamus raised his hand. "Professor, will we have a chance to buy a souvenir or snacks."
"There will be opportunities as long as you have Muggle currency. No transfigured money allowed." She replied then looked around again. "Well if that's everything, we'll meet Monday morning nine o'clock on the front stairs wearing appropriate clothing as discussed previously."
Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Ron approached Snape's office at five to seven, his shoulders slumped in resignation. He was sure he was about to get another lecture and ultimatum about his relationship with Hermione. All good and honourable intentions aside, Ron was beginning to regret offering a formal courtship to Hermione. He saw less of her than ever before and they had to be ever on guard for Snape and his sneaky ways. With a final sigh, he knocked on the door.
"Enter." Called Snape.
Ron went in and closed the door behind him. "You asked to see me Professor."
"Yes, come and sit down." Snape told him, barely lifting his eyes from the parchment in front of him.
"Sir, about what happened in the hallway with Hermione today – we were just teasing..." Ron began, thinking to head off a full blown speech.
"I could care less about that, Weasley. Though I'm certain Miss Granger could hex your balls from here to Diagon Alley if she wanted to and probably should at some point. That is not what you're here for."
"Sir?" Ron asked in confusion.
Severus set his quill down and sat back in his chair. "Do you recall you have made a Wand Oath to me?"
Ron swallowed thickly, "Yes."
"You are about to present your defence strategy to Dumbledore and the Order in the next week. I would like you to consider a second modified strategy; one you alone will work on." Snape told him quietly.
Ron frowned, "I don't understand, sir. Why would we need another plan?"
Sitting forward to lean on his arms, Severus pondered how much of his own plans he should reveal. "You have put together tactics based on known numbers of combatants. Am I correct?"
"Yes," Ron replied.
"If your complement were to be increased by ten to fifteen more bodies, you could cover off more options." Snape offered.
Ron thought about what Snape was saying, "Are there more people sir?"
"Answer the question."
"Perhaps," Ron replied slowly, "Some of our plans require close cooperation and rehearsal. We can't just throw people in at the last minute."
Snape snorted, "We'll worry about that later. I want you to work on modifying your plans to include the extra personnel and present it to me in the New Year. As before, no mention of this is to be made anywhere to anyone outside this office."
"Professor, I can add the bodies but the plan is built on skills as well." Ron told him worriedly.
"Do as I say. The skills will be worked on." Snape stood to signal the end of the meeting. "I'll see you the first day back after the holidays."
"Yes sir." Ron stood and walked to the door. A thought totally unconnected entered his mind. "Sir, while I'm here – Is there anything I am not allowed to give Hermione for Christmas? That is, I need to shop and I want to get something personal for her."
Snape looked at him with raised eyebrows. "It is Christmas Weasley. What would you like to see her wear for you? What would make her think of you when you are apart?"
Ron stood looking at Snape and thought for a moment. Visions of intimate garments, sheer and revealing passed through his mind like an erotic parade.
"Not if you want to have a functioning libido in your body, Weasley." Snape told him.
Ron started, realizing he must have had his thoughts scanned by Snape. "Oh, uhm, I didn't mean...that is, I'd like to see her...but of course it wouldn't...I mean...Perfume? Fuzzy pink bunny slippers?" he blurted out in desperation.
Snape rolled his eyes. "Get out Weasley, before you embarrass yourself further."
Ron needed no further urging before he escaped and closed the door.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ginny was sitting in front of the fire in the Gryffindor Tower on Sunday night. She was leafing through a Muggle magazine she had borrowed from Muggle studies looking at how the girls dressed. She was going to be the best looking witch in Muggle clothing.
"Hey, Ginny." Greeted Harry, plopping himself beside her on the couch.
"Hey Harry." She replied with a smile.
"So, we're off to the pictures tomorrow. Do you want to sit with me?" he asked.
"Yeah sure." She replied with a smile. "It'll almost be like going on a ...date or something."
"Yeah." Harry agreed his face suddenly sad. "I'm sorry Gin...I wish I could ask you out proper and all but..."
"Harry, it's alright. I understand." She leaned against him, putting her head on his shoulder. "One day, when this is all over."
"Yeah, one day...one day." Harry agreed. Finally smiling again. "Listen, if this is to be like a date, I can buy your sweets for the picture."
Ginny smiled up at him, "I'd like that Harry and ...Harry, can we hold hands like I read in some stories?"
"Better than that, I do this..." Harry stretched his arms overhead, letting one fall and drape over her shoulders. "Is that okay?"
"Much better." She agreed.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phaelan awoke to a rumbled "Shut up." Uttered just behind her ear. She stretched and turned in Severus' arms to rub her nose on his chest hair.
"Morning grumpy." She muttered into his neck.
"Mmhh." He responded.
"Want to have breakfast here?" she asked.
"That would be nice." He replied, his hands now moving over her back and hips.
"We need to get ready." She told him as he pushed her onto her back and lay over her.
"Look at the time, my lady." He told her before caressing her breast.
"Six, "she squeaked, "You got us up at six."
"Mmhh." He replied while nibbling on a nipple.
"Ahh...you...ohh...plannnnned this didn't you; you bugger...aaahhh?" she asked barely coherent with the sensations he was giving her.
He stopped and looked into her face with a lust filled grin, "I like breakfast in bed. A sweet, tangy, lust filled smorgasbord to whet the appetite of a starving man." At which he slid down her body and parted her knees, settling himself down, with his head resting on her inner thigh; his hair tickling her leg.
"Starving man," she giggled then gasped as he began to minister to her as only he could. "Oh, god you are so good...aaahhh." she moaned as he hit the right spot within her and rubbed.
"Severus...I'm...I'm...ohhhhah, ah, ah...Ahhhhh!" she cried as her climax overtook all other sensations in her.
She was conscious of Severus kneeling between her thighs and entering her, pulling her legs up to his shoulders. He began to move, the sensations were incredibly erotic when combined with the sound and scents of their love.
Now leaning over her, Severus had her wrap her legs about his hips, as he stroked to his own completion. As he shuddered, Phaelan pulled his face to hers for a tender kiss.
Resting his forehead on hers to look into her eyes, as he lay atop her, Severus asked, "Was it worth waking a little early this morning?"
Phaelan grinned back at him, "Of course. You know what they say about breakfast, don't you?"
"Indeed, it's the most important meal of the day."
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The Muggle studies students were milling about on the front steps. Each had dressed in their own version of Muggle clothing. Phaelan looked them over, making sure none were flagrantly odd. The younger witches and wizards tended to dress more like their Muggle counterparts anyways. Oh dear, then there is Luna. Phaelan sighed and approached the odd girl.
"Miss Lovegood, may I speak to you?" Phaelan asked pulling the girl to the side. "We had class discussions of how to dress today, Miss Lovegood, Do you recall?"
Luna nodded, "Yes professor." She answered blankly.
Phaelan sighed, "In that case, why are you wearing that tee-shirt?"
Luna looked down at her bright blue shirt with 'Save the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks' emblazoned across the front. Looking back at Phaelan she asked. "I thought Muggles supported the cause for saving endangered animals?"
"They do, but only animals they've seen and heard of." Phaelan explained patiently. "They would support say, oh I don't know...save the Whales."
"Why?" Luna asked.
"Because, they're being hunted to extinction." Phaelan was becoming exasperated.
"Well, not really." Luna told her, "They've just found a way to disappear when the ships show up. They're very smart you know. The only ones that get caught believe humans are a way to reach the afterlife faster."
Phaelan covered her mouth with her hand, "Okay, can you do something about..." Phaelan pointed at the logo.
"Yes professor." She pulled her wand and waved it over her shirt muttering a charm changing the words to 'Hug a tree, they have feelings too', "Better?" she asked,
Phaelan nodded, "Sure," before walking away resigned to Luna's oddness.
Severus appeared in his customary Muggle costume of black turtle neck, black pants, black jacket and trench coat. Lupin and Shacklebolt came behind him wearing clothing only slightly out of style. Tonks was coming with the bus.
"I believe I should address them before we leave." Severus told her as he approached.
"To put the fear of god...or in this case...fear of Snape into them." She rejoined.
Snape frowned, "Naturally."
Phaelan shrugged and moved to the side to watch him in action.
"SILENCE!" he called over the excited chatter of the students.
"We will shortly be leaving through the front gates, where the Knight Coach will meet us. I expect civilized and mature behaviour from each of you. If you behave like belligerent hooligans, you will have me to answer to. You have each been permitted to carry your wand off school grounds. They are not to be used without specific permission from one of the professors." He cast his intimidating glare over the gathering, "That is not likely to happen unless we are in imminent danger of falling off the edge of the earth so keep them sheathed."
He continued after a short pause to watch the students reactions, "You are representing Hogwarts on the first ever excursion to the Muggle world sponsored by the school. Your comportment will have full bearing on whether or not it is ever repeated." He shared his trademark sneer at the last. "If I am... disappointed, I shall remember who spoiled my day."
With a long suffering sigh, Phaelan stepped to the front. "Okay, everyone, let's move." She watched as Remus and Shacklebolt led the way to the gates.
Bringing up the rear, Severus offered his arm to Phaelan.
"Professor Snape, is it your contention that none of your students are worthy to be considered mature?" she asked.
"No madam, in my experience, no student should be considered mature until they are out of my jurisdiction. There is less injury and mortality that way. When as adults," he snorted at the term," they enter the working world and have free reign over how they behave, it becomes their employer's problem; may they rest in peace."
The group walked to the gates accompanied by the excited chatter of the students. Lupin and Shacklebolt had everyone remain within the gates while they went past to wait for the bus. Five minutes later, an aged touring coach wheezed up the road leading to the school, hissing steam as it stopped in front of the winged boars. Phaelan watched, frowning at the shabby look of the bus, but held her comments knowing in the Wizarding world, appearances could be deceiving. The door at the front of the bus folded open allowing, surprise, surprise, Stan Shunpike to step out.
Stan cleared his throat and pulled out an index card from his pocket. "Good Morning. My name is Stan Shunpike, your tour guide for the day. On be'alf of Knight Bus Tour lines, I welcome you to the luxury coach which will convey you to the many exciting locations you 'ave selected for your excursion. Enjoy your trip in the safe an' relaxing 'ands of our experienced staff who will travel with you through out the day." He paused and placed the card back in his pocket.
"'Ello everyone. All set?" he asked as Tonks exited behind him.
"Come on then, get a leg on." She called.
The gates opened allowing the students to flow out and board the bus. Phaelan and Severus followed, climbing into the bus at the tail end of the line. Phaelan shook her head at the assortment of sofa's, easy chairs, tables and benches available on board, leaving the bus with an interior that looked like the foyer of run down hotel.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Tell me when we're there." Phaelan asked, her voice muffled by her arms resting on the table to hold her forward reclining head, as she avoided looking out the window.
Severus shook his head, "Considering your career choice before teaching, I should have thought travelling fast would have been enjoyable." He watched as the bus sped down the motorway, weaving in and out of traffic with the abandon of a dervish.
"Did you see any traffic congestion at forty thousand feet, Professor?" she snapped back at him while sitting up. She glanced out and saw an oil tanker approaching head on, "Oh shit!" she squeaked and shut her eyes. Ten seconds later, she cracked one eye realising no collision had happened. "Should have driven myself from London." She muttered as the other adults (except Snape) laughed.
The bus finally slowed to a normal speed and made its way to the coach parking for the Parham Airfield Museum. Shacklebolt and Tonks led the way off the bus checking for any strange appearing people. Phaelan followed and led the party to the gates. She pulled her billfold out and took out a cheque. A young man dressed in period uniform approached her, his sheepskin bomber jacket turned up at the collar to ward off the wind.
"You must be the school from Scotland then." He opened nodding to the students following behind her.
"Yes," she replied, "we just arrived in this morning. I must thank you for agreeing to open for us; I know it's your off season."
He offered an open smile, "Our pleasure Miss; that and of course your generous offer of a large donation."
Phaelan held out a cheque of a large denomination.
"Oh. This is...more than we agreed on Miss..." he looked at her after seeing the amount of the cheque.
Phaelan looked behind her, making sure none of the other staff were close. "Yes, I know. I just wanted to make a small personal donation as well. Please don't mention it to anyone else." She nodded at the others behind her.
"'Course, no problem." He replied, "Actually, you got lucky today. Whenever any of the old aircrew visits, we open for them no questions. We've got two here today."
Phaelan swallowed, "Really, wow." She wondered if other military pilots felt as she did in the presence of veterans. The awe she held for the raw courage these men displayed in the war her grandfather had fought in always surprised her, but she felt it was deserved, at least by the survivors, who carried memories of the young men gone before their time.
"Alright, time for the performance. You are American, aren't you? Not a Canuck?" The young guide asked.
"Yeah, I'm from the States." She replied.
"Well, excuse the accent; we try to make it real." He turned hopped up on an upturned tea chest. "Okay everyone, can ah have youah attention puhlease." He announced in an atrocious American accent. The girls tittered at his performance and commented on his clean cut good looks. "Welcome to Parham Airfield, home of the 390th Bomb group. My name is John Hayfield. I am proud to say, my grandfather helped construct this airfield and came to know many of the young fellas that were billeted here."
He then pointed in the direction of a Quonset hut and attending buildings adjunct to it. "Over yonder is the memorial museum of the British resistance organization. The story of what would have happened if Germany had invaded the mainland of Britain is told there. It's pretty new and we're right excited about it. Come on in and wander about. We're right happy to answer any questions for you. Oh, and if you see any old gentlemen about, shake their hands and say thanks. We have two veterans visiting."
Luna stepped forward and held up her hand which Hayfield acknowledged. "Do you have many ghosts sir?" she asked naively.
He looked down, pensively. "Yeah, we've got ghosts. Sometimes, you can hear music playing. Sometimes, you'll see someone standing outside the Ops building. There are ghosts everywhere, if you know how to look." He looked up at the sky. "Not likely to rain." He looked back at the students. "Watch for wet footprints in the control tower and listen; people have heard a plane circling waiting to land."
He jumped down and approached the teachers. "You've got a large group, how about splitting in two; half to the Control tower and half to the Quonset hut?"
The teachers agreed and roughly split the students into two parties. Phaelan and Severus headed for the tower while Tonks and Lupin took their group to the Quonset hut. Shacklebolt elected to stay outside and keep watch over the bus.
As they entered the old building, everyone was struck by the atmosphere. The air carried the perfume of aged leather, burnished brass and polished wood. The original glass windows had dulled and the wooden furniture and floors bore the patina of daily wear and tear; hand smoothed edges and scratches where things had been dropped. It cried out to the stillness telling the tale of people living and working together; laughing, arguing...crying together. The room lived for those gone before, telling their story, for those who would hear.
Phaelan wandered around looking at the glass cases holding artefacts and books. It was all so primitive in comparison to the equipment they used today. She came to a wall holding picture frames. There were scenes of ship crews, planes, Distinguished Unit Citations.
"Professor, what's this?" Neville asked.
Phaelan approached him and looked into the case where a well worn rubber artefact was on display.
"That is an oxygen mask, Neville." She replied.
"Oxygen? Why would you need oxygen to fly?" he wondered.
Phaelan sighed at his naiveté, "Neville, the air tends to become very thin the higher in altitude we go. These planes didn't have any air supply in the cabin, so the crew would wear the masks on their faces and the oxygen would be supplied to them."
"What are the balloons for?" he asked referring to the sac hanging from the mask.
"The oxygen supplied was too pure sometimes and they would get breathing difficulty. The balloon, as you call it, captured the exhaled air from the lungs and when they took a breath in, they would get a small amount of carbon dioxide." She instructed. Phaelan saw he still didn't get it. "We'll talk about it back at school."
Phaelan looked around and saw the kids taking notes. A couple of them had cameras.
"Professor, can I take a picture?" Parvati asked.
"Sure." Phaelan replied.
"You too, Professor Snape." Padma called.
Phaelan turned to see him behind her, professional scowl firmly in place, "If you must." He snarled.
The flash lit up, "Thanks professors." The girls chorused.
"I'm going upstairs." Announced Phaelan, before ascending to the upper floor. Here she found more of the same. Flight logs and in particular, a picture of M/Sgt. Hewitt Dunn who had flown one hundred missions. She was awed at the enormity of the achievement. The history of the control tower continued to grow on Phaelan; she only hoped her students got a smidgeon of what she did. Another picture of the crew of the B17 christened Sister Kate, who flew a hundred missions without aborting any; incredible.
Severus came up behind her, "You feel more here than the rest of us." He stated.
Phaelan shrugged, "I guess." She shook her head and looked down. "They flew into the dark on the skin of their teeth, Severus. I don't think I'd ever have the guts to do what they did."
Sharing a small smile with her, Severus tipped her face up to look at him. "You do yourself a disservice my lady. You jumped into a world you didn't know existed less than a year ago, knowing there was a dangerous power game afoot." He looked around the room, "I'd say there is no dearth of the stuff these brave men were made of. It is alive and well in you."
Phaelan shook her head, "The world was a different place then. Things were more black and white."
It was Severus' turn to shake his head, "No. In hind sight, it may appear so, but when you live through it, the convolutions of tyranny are illusive. The hand in plain sight offers honey while the concealed hand holds the manacles of despotism. The fight, as I saw it, was to remove the honeyed hand of slavery. That is what Dumbledore had fought against in the last war, when Grindelwald made his bid for power."
"Professor, come and look." She heard Pansy call. Phaelan made her way over to the other side of the large room.
"There professor, can you see?" Pansy asked, pointing at the floor.
Phaelan pushed past the Slytherin group and looked at the floor. She saw a set of large wet foot prints that were even now beginning to dry and felt a shiver go down her spine.
"Why can't we see the ghost Professor?" Crabbe asked.
"I don't know." Phaelan replied.
"Ghosts are essentially only energy, Mr. Crabbe. This is a Muggle place and there is little of the stuff that our school ghosts draw upon for their existence here." Snape explained. "Hogwarts and other building's of 'Our' type, contain more than a little of the entropic energy left over from our natural powers. They pull from it freely."
"Really," Phaelan responded, feeling like a student once again, "I have to study that when we get back." She told him, getting the look of curiosity about her he so enjoyed. "I guess that's why Muggles only get glimpses of ghosts." She surmised.
Snape nodded, "Probably." He replied, not wanting to begin an in depth discussion here. "Later perhaps, Professor?"
"Hmm?" she replied then realized, "Oh yes, of course Professor."
Phaelan finally made her way up to the glass enclosed observation deck atop the Control tower and met the two veteran Air crew. She approached them with a smile.
"How do you do, my name is Phaelan McKenzie. I'm a teacher with the school group visiting today. It's an honour to meet you gentlemen." She introduced her self, extending her hand towards them.
"You're no Brit." The taller of the two to her left told her as he took her hand.
"No. My family home is in Maine. I'm teaching here, at least until the end of the school year." She told them shaking the other mans hand.
"I'm Cobb Taylor, this here's Vince DiGiacomo." The taller one told her.
"We were very lucky on choosing the same day you did to visit." She told them, "I hope you might have a moment to answer a question or two if my students have any."
"Maybe, depends on the question." Vince replied.
"When were you here?" Phaelan asked, noticing a few students had come up behind her.
Cobb frowned, "We was here under Colonel Moller, 1944 to 1945."
"Yeah, we served on the same crew for twenty, missions then our luck ran out." Vince told her.
"You flew on B17's?" she asked.
Cobb nodded. "Yeah, we was both Waist gunners. Got to know each other pretty good on the flights – in between the shooting that is."
"Did you shoot down any Luftwaffe?" Harry asked from behind Phaelan.
"That was the general idea son." Laughed Cobb, "We had our share."
"What about the support aircraft, like Spitfire's and the like?" Hermione wondered.
"They were there too but we had to look after ourselves a lot of the time." He replied.
"What was it like?" I mean, what was it like here then?" Ginny asked.
Vince shook his head, "Oh, it was a lot different. Almost like a small town spread out over these fields." He gestured to the open area where they could still see the outline of roads and runways. "We used bikes to get around."
"Were you ever in any contact with the townspeople?" Phaelan asked to get some information for her students.
"Oh yeah, we had a great time with the locals. Get invited to Sunday dinner sometimes, the church socials. The local gentry would run tea dances in the afternoons." Vince reminisced, "One thing we always did once we knew about it. We always took something special when we visited anyone's home."
"Like what?"
"The rationing the locals had was right tight. Sugar, eggs, butter were next to impossible to get sometimes for the town folk. So, if we was invited, we'd take something from the Canteen. Sugar, a cake, chocolate, bacon. I remember once, it was around Christmas, I was seeing this girl and her Ma invited me for tea – British tea time." Cobb smiled as he remembered. "Well, I went to the sergeant in the cookhouse and asked him for something special. This girl had a little brother, eight or nine years old. It was his birthday and he couldn't remember ever having a real birthday cake, so I got him to give me one of the layer cakes he made for the officers. I had to sneak it out 'cause the CO had an awful sweet tooth."
The small group of students now listening snickered.
Cobb looked up, surprised at the audience but continued. "Well, I took that cake, some canned fruit cocktail, Hershey bars and chewing gum wrapped as a present along with some beer for the father and a pound of sugar for the mother with me that day." He shook his head. "It was the best time I'd ever had at that moment in my life. The kid brother thought he was in heaven. Him and his best buddies shared one chocolate bar a day for the week after. It was great."
"What happened to the girl?" Ginny asked.
"Her!" he exclaimed, and then laughed, "She became Mrs Cobb Taylor."
The students wandered off to look out the windows. Severus stood in the corner observing as he was ever wont to. Phaelan approached the veterans again.
"Is your wife with you Mr. Taylor?" Phaelan wondered.
He looked down and then out of the window for a moment. "No. My wife passed just over a year ago. I brought some of her ashes to be buried in the parish church here. It's what she wanted. The rest are in the plot in the veteran's cemetery back home waiting for me."
Phaelan felt saddened but she knew life went on as these men so obviously understood. "Thank you. Thank you for sharing your memories. Thank you for everything you did for us. I am honoured to call you my countrymen. You are true hero's." she turned quickly and went downstairs knowing these men were not likely to want her praise. None of the other's of their generation did.
The groups exchanged their places and visited the other buildings. The students were quite taken by the story of secret hideouts and undercover agents. The plans had never really had to be put into play but the planning left no doubt that the major players had given every consideration to the occupation of the mainland. It was the stuff stories of intrigue and daring were written about.
They were about to board their bus once more when Harry saw the two American veterans watching them. He walked over to speak to them alone.
"I meant to say so earlier but...well...thank you for your bravery during the war. You helped to keep my country free." He told them while he extended his hand.
Each of the older men shook his hand, "You've got a fine teacher there son. I reckon you got lucky. She seems to understand what we're all about."
"She should, "Harry told them, "She's a pilot for the US Navy; flies F14's."
Cobb stared at the small woman open mouthed. "Yeh don't say. Vince, she's an officer."
"Yeah, how bout that." His friend responded. "Atten...SHUN!" he shouted as Phaelan passed.
She turned back and saw the two older men standing at attention and saluting. She came to attention herself and announced, "Attention...We have two heroes on deck." before returning their salute and releasing it.
"Sir, are you called Vince?" Luna asked the veteran she approached.
"Sure am honey why?" Vince asked.
"There was a ghost in there that said he died before you paid him back the sawbuck you owed him. He said it's okay 'cause he doesn't need it any more. He says you called him Low balls and you should have a drink on him." She told the stunned man before walking quietly to the bus.
"Holy shit, Cobb. How'd she know?" he asked in shock.
"Low balls Louie, a ghost." Cobb looked around as if he would see the spectre appear.
Luna boarded the bus and as they departed she waved to a figure in a flying suit no one else saw. He waved back before turning away, leaving wet footprints in his wake.