Chapter 10: Harrison Manor

Well…here he was, the destination that the portkey took him. Harry glanced up, mountains... Harry looked around. Lots of them. Humongous rocky terrain ascending towards the sky like unmerciful barren giant. In the shadows of the mountains was a large lake.

Pulling out his wand, Harry walked forward towards the mountains, robes billowing behind him, the wizard noticed a set of stairs, made of pure stone, weaving around the mountains. There was an opening in the mountain, but Harry decided against exploring in this mysterious place. There might be some delusional creature currently hibernating in that cave.

"Oh my god. I have to go all the way up there?" Harry really wished that he had his broomstick right now. Sighing, Harry started on his trek up the horrendous mountain.

Strange, my job is on top of these mountains. What am I, a tour guide? Travel the world, tend to my needs! A tour guide! Harry groaned. He was now at the first ledge of the trip. Looking up, he still had three more ledges to go before the stairs disappeared.

Looking back down, Harry gasped. The lake wasn't natural, it was a crater. Huge chunks of rockwere leftaround the lake including a few trees. Patches of grass grew mostly near the lake being its' source of water.

Harry continued on towards the top. Second ledge… The air was getting thick. He was panting. Merlin, these stairsgo on forever.Third ledge, fourth ledge… The stairs were slippery now, probably from the melting of snow. Harry was just about to take another step before he slipped himself falling backwards back down. There must be 15,000 feet between him and the ground.

Thinking quickly, Harry swished his wand forming a red brazened whip. With a slap, the whip caught against the nearest boulder giving Harry enough balance to stand up straight again. Panting, Harry sat down on one of the stair ledges and calmed himself down before continuing his trek up towards the top of the stairway.

Harry groaned, the small staircase ended. The small one set of stairs currently flattened to a plateau. Flat land. It stretched straight forward for a quarter of a mile before stretching out into 6 flights of stairs side by side, handrails separating all of them.

Harry tentatively walked forward noticing large statues of Roman Soldiers built out of marble staring at him with their expressionless faces. Passing the soldiers, Harry made it to the six flights of stairs.

Looking up, Harry scratched the back of his head. This was like the Olympic staircase. Determinedly, Harry marched up the stairs one by one…

Yes, Finally! Harry thought. He was on the last stop before the mountain flattened into a plateau again. Harry looked up, his eyes wide from shock. Currently situated on the plateau was a large manor, at least four stories high. It had two large wings, both spanning out for probably a fifth of a mile. It had gleaming windows all mirroring the sun's rays making it hard for Harry to look straight ahead at the mansion. Looking sideways, large fountains sprayed their water towards the heavens while more statues stared at Harry with emotionless expressions.

Walking forward, huge electrical spurts shot out from the ground being quickly sucked into the edges of the Roman Statues' swords. Throughout his years in Hogwarts of anywhere else magical, this has never happened to Harry before.

There was the front door, all 17 feet of it.

Harry knocked on the door. After a few moments of silence, footsteps were heard to come towards the door.

Here he was, in front of a huge mansion, with electricity spurting out from the ground. Not to mention he had to climb about 16,000 feet just to get here. What more could happen.

The door opened, appearing behind the door was a tall man with a gleaming, bald, head. Harry was literally shocked out of his wits! This guy was almost 8 feet tall, muscular, and dressed in one of the finest suits Harry's seen in his life. A black and white tux with a black bowtie. He reached out one of his long hands. He was the direct opposite of Hagrid. He looked stern, was cleanly trimmed, and looked a billion dollars.

"Good morning Mr. Potter, I am the Butler of this house." Harry shook his hand. This is the Butler! The Butler had a firm grip that just shouted confidence. Harry, at the height of about 6 feet had to stand on his toes just to get a good look at the Butler's head.

He had hard features on his face, his black eyes sharp and cunning. He was wearing glasses that tinted whenever the Sun's rays got too hard to handle.

"How did you know my –"

The Butler shushed Harry up before tapping his own forehead. Harry immediately understood, his scar.

"Also Mr. Potter, I would like it very much if we were to call each other on a first name basis. Call me Balthazar, or Balty." Harry nodded his head before being ushered into the large mansion.

"I see you've taken the stairs Harry," Balthazar said noticing Harry's disheveled clothes. Harry choked.

"You mean there's another way up here?" Balthazar smiled. "There's an elev-"

"An elevator! Where was it!" The Butler kept walking towards the end of the long hallway before stopping at the door. "You mean you didn't see the cave right next to the stairs. Situated right inside was the elevator."

Harry groaned. So much for common sense.

Mr. Lee paced around the conference room unconsciously. The conference room was a large white room with no windows that had a huge oval oak meeting table in the middle with large leather chairs accompanying it. The walls were covered by large portraits of last set of people that Mr. lee had here, almost ten years ago.

"There are only three three of my expected five people here!" Mr. Lee thought. Running a hand nervously through his silver hair, Mr. Lee looked at the conference table again.

There, sitting at the left side of the table, situated two chairs. Sitting in on of them was an African American that seemed to glance at clock on the wall every few seconds. The other leather chair was empty.

The chair for the most important member of the group was also empty. This made Mr. Lee even more nervous as he glanced at his gold Rolex again.

Sitting on the right side of the table sat two ladies. One with long, blonde hair that looked bored and annoyed at having to sit down for this amount of time. Sitting next to her in the other seat sat one of the quietest ladies that Mr. Lee has ever seen. She had short, midnight black hair that went to her shoulders. Her demeanor was soft yet mysterious as Mr. Lee sensed her inner aura observing the room. Ah, a phantom Mr. Lee thought.

Phantoms were creatrues that didn't need wands for they perfected wandless magic. They rarely talked, having no need to since every speel issued from them was spoken in the mind. Quit dangerous creatures really.

Three people, thought Mr. Lee, this was going to be a long day. There was suddenly a knock on the door. Ease settled into Mr. Lee's face as he ushered a 'come in' to the Butler. Once the door opened, everyone looked at the new arrivers.

Harry was shocked and surprised to his every wit. Through the door that the Butler held was a cathedral style room that was at least the length of a football field. Royal Blue carpet spanned out the length of the floor before approaching the middle of the room where two flights of stairs could be seen spiraling around each other.

"This, Harry." The Butler explained proudly, gesturing at the large room filled with expensive portraits and invaluable antiques, "Is what we call the Core Room. To get anywhere within the house, you have to walk past the opening passageway," Balthazar gestured at the door leading to the long hallway they just walked through. "The Core room has one hallway leading to every part of the manor."

Harry looked around at the different doorways situated in the Core Room.

"This way Harry, master is waiting for youin the conference room." Instead of walking straight towards the stairs to the center of the room, Harry followed Balthazar turning a right and following the wall of the room. Occasionally glancing at the portraits, Harry noticed that all the portraits had one major similarity. No matter what the portrait was, female, male, young, old, they all had sharp piercing eyes that signified their keen eyesight. This just magnifies their eye color to an unimaginable clarity.

The Butler stopped at the last door on the wall. It was a large oak door that seemed to be polished everyday. On the very top of the door, there was a large 'V' plastered in gold.

"Harry, this is the conference room. Usually you briefings will be located here."

Balthazar knocked twice. Harry heard a 'come in' before the Butler opened the door. Harry, taking a few breaths, followed the Butler.

Walking into the room, Harry noticed a large oval oak table in the middle of the table. There were two black, leather chairs on each side and one at the head of the table. At the other head of the table stood a small platform that rose about 2 feet off the ground.

Currently standing on the table was one of the most mysterious men that Harry had lay eyes on. He looked like a silver wolf. His keen eyes stared right into Harry's making him feel inferior to the middle aged man. The man's silver hair radiated in the light above the room and he was wearing silky khaki colored robes.

Looking around the table, Harry was met with also the stares of two people. One of the stairs was a large African American man with dark eyes and very short curls for his hair. He had a smile on his face. Putting down the magazine, he stood up to greet Harry.

There were alsotwo women in this room, one with blonde hair that was staring at Harry in a bored manner and the other, the Asian woman that was not even looking at Harry at all.

"Harry Potter!" Harry looked up, the middle-aged man on the platform had a large smile on his face, showing his golden teeth that beamed in the light. He apparated without a sound to Harry's side before grasping has hand and shaking firmly.

"It's a pleasure to have you in my manor Harry. Welcome to Harrison Manor. My name to you will be Mr. Lee." Harry shook Mr. Lee's hand tentatively before the African American moved in on Harry's other side. Harry couldn't help but not but notice that his name was not treated with any flashes of light or countless people flocking up to him asking for autographs. He was treated like an old friend.

Mr. Lee composed himself, much relieved that his most important recruit had arrived before apparating back to his perch on the platform.

The African American stretched out his hand towards Harry. "Pleasure to meet you Harry, my name is Lawrence MacKenzie, but you can call me Lucky, just to my short."

Harry also shook Lucky's hand. Lucky was about the same height as Harry, having the muscular build and a face that almost always held a hundred watt smile. Harry immediately made Lucky his new friend.

"Woud everyoneplease take a seat." Mr. Lee boomed over the commotion pointing towards the leather chair at the head of the table. Harry sat down slowly, with Lucky sitting right beside him on the left side of the table.

The room was silent again as Balthazar slipped out of the room during the greetings. Harry tapped Lucky on the shoulder. "Hey Lucky," Lucky lifted his head from the magazine that he was currently reading to smile at Harry, giving him his attention. "Who are those two girls there?" Harry asked pointing slowly to the right side of the table.

Lucky frowned. "From what I've heard, those two are our partners." Harry glanced at the blonde having an instanttingling feeling in his stomach. She glared at him before crossing her arms above her chest and glaring back at Mr. Lee. The Asian woman looked up at Harry as if observing him for a moment before turning her attention back at Mr. Lee.

Mr. Lee tapped his wand three times forming large bell sounds that spread throughout the room. Everybody turned their attention to Mr. Lee.

"Now that we're all quiet and situated, I would like to introduce myself." My. Lee cleared his throat before beginning. "As many of you already know, my name to be called around here is Mr. Lee. My full name is Matthew Wilson Lee. I am currently 48 years old and growing older by the second, mind you all." Mr. Lee grinned. After glancing at all the members in the room, he continued.

"I would like to know your names and what you did in your life." Mr. Lee pointed his wand at Lucky first. He stood up and spoke in clear American English.

"My full name is Lawrence MacKenzie, but you may all call my Lucky to be short. I am currently 25, making my living as an Auror. One of the best if I might say." Harry groaned as Lucky boasted for a while. Glancing across the table to his right, Harry noticed the blonde-haired woman trying to keep her temper in check and the dark haired woman still silent and seemed to be daydreaming.

"I was born in Seattle and lived there all my life. Throughout wizardry school at Chartrain, I have become Head Boy and graduated with top marks in all of my classes for the decade. My name is well known through the Western U.S for defeating 6 dragons at once on my expedition to southern California. I-"

Mr. Lee cleared his throat. "That would be enough Mr. MacKenzie. Thank you." Lucky sat down quickly realizing he had been ranting on for about ten minutes.

Mr. Lee pointed to the blonde haired woman now. She gracefully stood up in her robes and spoke in one of the most beautiful feminine voices Harry's heard in his life.

"My name is Madison Weber," Shebrushedsome the bangs out of her eyes with a cute flick of her head. "I am currently 22 and am working as Assistant to the Minister of Magic of America's assistant. I was born in Boston and attended Salem Academy for my wizarding school." After that, she sat down.

The Asian girl now stood. Her voice was calm and precise. "My name is Victoria Hwang, I am 24." Nothing else was said as she sat down slowly.

Harry was quite surprised at the Asian girl's demeanor. Yes she was shy, but she also didn't seem to want to share any of her past with any of them. It was Harry's turn. Confidently, Harry stood up and put his hand in his robes pocket. Running a hand through his hair and sighing, he began.

"My name is Harry Potter, currently 19." Harry felt thestares of everyone in the room on him making himfeel uncomfortable.

"I went to Hogwarts for six years before I went to war with Lord Voldomort." Nobody around the room gasped or had their eyes opened wide for saying the evil lord's name. Mr. Lee wasseemed quite impassive about the name and Harry swore that he heard him mutter 'that's my boy Harry' somewhere in his murmurings.

Harry sat down after wanting to say nothing else. It's not that he had nothing to say, if Harry wanted to talk about his past, he could've wrote books about it. It was just Harry found it uncomfortable to talk to anybody about his past until he got personal with them.

Mr. Lee cleared his throat catching the attention of all the people in the room.

"Well, now that we've all properly introduced ourselves." He glanced at Victoria. "I would like to explain why you've all been called here." Mr. Lee's face turned from smiling and warm to serious and grave.

"You are all as of right nowmembers in one of thetop secret organizations of the western hemisphere."Mr. Lee pulled out a golden 'V' badge and attached it to his robes.

"You will be trained to fight in case the world is ever in danger against power lords. Mercy, unfaithfulness, and soft is not in our dictionary. You will be trained to become leaders, fighters, and the most prestigious heroes in the known wizarding and muggle world." Harry noticed the smirk on Lucky's face. Observing his acts, Harry thought that Lucky was definitely one of those fame-hungry people.

Everybody was silent. Mr. Lee's voice was hard and commanding, gluing everybody into their seats and not daring to interrupt him.

"As you already know, this job will be dangerous. Yes, you will risk your lives and yes, some of you may die."

Mr. Lee looked around the room glad that nobody gasped or had fear in their eyes. The people he recruited have faced the gates of death countless times to be almost immortal.

"Harry." Harry looked up at Mr. Lee. "When you fought against Voldomort, did you realize that his followers were a clan?" Harry nodded. A clan where the followers usually were afraid of their monarchy, Voldomort, and followed every command he gave like scared dogs. Quite pathetic really.

"Well, there will be no more clans to fight against. We'll leave that to the Aurors." Harry breathed out a sigh of relief. Harry's fight was personal. Now he had to fight to keep evil at bay, for the world.

"What we'll be going against is even worse!" Harry looked up again. "We will be going up against secret organizations, begging themselves to be known around the world. Let me name a few."

Mr. Lee stuck up three fingers. "There is one finely known organization in Russia and one in Europe. Those two names cause devastating numbers in deaths and stolen antiques. They dominate the eastern hemisphere. They are the Russian and Italian Circle of Fire. Those men are the worst that we'll be going against. They have no fear of death, they have ingenious minds of their own, and can manipulate you to even turn against your own commorades"
Harry felt an ancient power rise within himself. Power flowing through his veins as Mr. Lee talked.

"One final group I need to inform you about. They have the worst recognition known in the wizarding world. They're the largest known secret organization in the world. Their name, Knockturnal. For centuries, I have studied this group, originating in Egypt and now organized in almost every single part of the known world." Mr. Lee cracked a smile.

"This is why we have several partner organizations." Mr. Lee summoned down a plasma T.V from the platform. On it, there was a large map of the United States and three blinking red dots located around the country.

"The United States," Mr. Lee continued, "Is known to have the most impenetrable security in the world. The CWA (Central Wizarding Agency) and the FAE (Freedom Against Evil) are currently controlling any sprouting organizations. This is why we are located in the United States. No-one dares test our security. This is the ideal location to train. After training, you will be traveling around the world, some alone, others with partners to help agencies fight against these evil organizations."

Mr. Lee flew the T. V back to it's place on the wall. "Let me warn you all, these thre organizations that I've talked to you about isn't all there is in the world. There are thousands unknown to us, some deadlier, some unorganized and weak, but still nonetheless, an enemy." Mr. Lee pointed to his golden 'V' badge.

"In case you don't know, we will be called the Elite V." V meaning 5 in Roman.

"But there are only four of us!" replied Madison. Mr. Lee smiled.

"The fifth should be on his w-"

"Mr. Lee!" Mr. Lee smiled at the newcomer currently standing under the doorway.

"Here he is now." Harry looked back towards the door.

"Dr. Louis!" Indeed, his doctor at St. Mungos was currently standing right in front of him, panting.

"So nice of you to join us Welton." Dr. Louis strode up to Mr. Lee and brandished his wand out.

"Tell me about my father Matthew!" Just as Dr. Louis was about to mutter a spell, an enraged Butler gave a heavy blow to Dr. Louis's midsection. Harry heard a crack. With a nod, the Butler carried the unconsiousDr. Louis out of the room.

"Well, that was…interesting." With a flick of his hand, the doorway closed.

"Our fifth member will be Dr. Louis. He will not be attending any missions with you but instead, will be our doctor. Last time, I made the grave mistake of not having a doctor in the field, all my members died." Mr. Lee was deep in thought.

"Now, I want all of you to wait outside, get to know each other a little bit. I will have individual conferences with you alone after a moment.

Harry stood up along with the rest of the members and walked outside back to the core room where a few couches were situated near the door.

Harry was shocked to say the least. He plopped down on the nearest couch before Lucky sat next to him.

"Lot of information isn't it?" Lucky said. Harry looked at Lucky before smiling, noticing Madison and Victoria sitting on a nearby couch. They were whispering quietly.

"Yea, but we get to ask all of our questions to Mr. Lee during the conference." Lucky nodded.

"Mr. MacKenzie!" Me. Lee called from inside the conference room. Lucky stood up stiffly and approached the door before disappearing after the door closed. Now Harry was alone.

Looking over at Madison, he noticed that she was also glimpsing at him for a second before looking away to examine a nearby portrait. Shaking his head, Harry looked over at Victoria. She was quiet as always, the mysterious type of girl.

Reclining back on the couch, Harry let out a breath thinking about what had happened for the past week. His broken heart with Ginny, defeating Lord Voldomort on New Years Eve, getting his order of Merlin Badge which was safely tucked in his pocket at the moment. Now, he was here, in the building of probably one of the most powerful wizards in the western hemisphere. What a bizarre week.

At the moment, Harry felt inferior to all the members around him. Lucky was well built and looked to be pretty intimidating, when angered. Madison, although very attractive, seemed to have the ability to lash out on any males opposing her and throw them hard into a brick wall. The Asian girl, though shy, scared Harry the most. When she looked up, a cold feeling swept through Harry's stomach.

"Harry Potter!" Mr. Lee called out. Walking towards the door, he noticed Lucky walking out with a large smile on his face.

"Good Luck," Lucky said giving Harry a pat on the back. Harry thought that this was pretty ironic. Getting luck from a guy called Lucky.

Letting out one last breath, Harry went into the room to understand more about his job. Mr. Lee definitely looked like a respected man.

Here goes nothing…

Harry walked into the room.

Author's note: Well, you will get to know these new characters in the next few chapter. Review!