Chapter Six - For Warning Of
Harry had rejoined the other staff members of Hogwarts in the hallway, and they made haste to Albus' office. They didn't seem to know anything to say, and Harry just smiled blankly at them, so the walk was silent. Harry noticed that both Ron and Hermione kept shooting odd glances at him, apparently trying to determine how to handle him. He ignored the looks and continued after the headmaster, taking in all the sights he had left so long ago.
The group drew up to the stone guardian, and with a quick password, ascended the revolving staircase. As they entered the office, a trill sounded from a perch near the desk. The large phoenix rose his head, staring at the humans. Harry looked at the bird, a very small genuine smile gracing his lips, before he again flashed his winsome grin. Albus glanced between Fawkes and Harry for a moment, then gestured his staff to chairs before his desk. Harry flung his cape out and elegantly sprawled into one of the seats, crossing his legs and watching the others sit.
After conjuring tea, Albus finally broke the silence. "Well, Harry, how have you been?"
"Oh, quite well, I must say. Too well, perhaps." Harry added cheekily, and winked in Hermione's direction. She blinked at him, then glanced at Ron, who was looking very unsettled as he sat next to Harry.
Dumbledore sipped his tea, gazing at Harry over his half moon spectacles. Harry allowed the shrewd look to pierce into his own green eyes, serenely stirring a spoon in his cup that he held propped on his knee.
"I am sure we would love to hear of your adventures, my boy," the headmaster stated, ignoring the tightening of his deputy's lips.
"Albus, my good man, I am sure calling my travels adventures is a great exaggeration," Harry chuckled. "All I really did was throw myself into many pursuits- arts, music, literature. All very enjoyable. And of course, I do like enjoying myself." Another wink accompanied this.
Ron looked vaguely ill at the end of Harry's explanation, and seemed as though he was fighting the urge to run. On his other side, Hermione was still working through disbelief and shock, and next to her, McGonagall sat with a stony expression. Dumbledore merely held out a tin of candy, out of which Harry accepted a piece.
"Did you know that many types of sweets are used for inspiration in art and design?" Harry asked, popping the peppermint into his mouth. "Very interesting things can be created merely looking at other objects. Take this mint for example- just the colors can be arranged onto clothes, furniture, decor. Simply intriguing."
"Indeed," Albus replied, as Ron made a slightly strangled noise in his throat.
"Are you quite alright, Ron? Perhaps you should take a drink of your tea." Harry raised his own cup and gestured to Ron's. Then he rose it higher, seeing the pattern. "Oh, look. Isn't that cute? The little flowers on the china swirl as the liquid moves. How marvelous."
Ron closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Not bothering to answer, he instead addressed the headmaster. "Albus, wasn't there something you wanted to talk about?" He attempted to keep his expression neutral.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, of course." Dumbledore glanced at Ron, then turned back to Harry. "Now, Harry, I know you might not wish to discuss the happenings of late, but I . . ."
Harry held up a hand, sighing slightly in annoyance. "Albus, I already said I wished nothing to do with this. I mean, it is not my fight."
"Harry. This fight is all of ours."
"No, I have done my fight. I gave up any more, and I do not plan on doing any. You asked me to teach, and that is what I am here for." Harry stifled a yawn, then smiled at the headmaster. "Albus, I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do. I am no warrior, not at all. If you would rather I leave . . ." He made to stand, then stilled as Dumbledore rose a quick hand.
"No, my boy, I don't wish for you to go. But you must understand, this is a dangerous situation."
"Then perhaps I should go. I would not like to find myself in danger." Harry shuddered slightly.
"Harry, no, I merely want . . ." Albus was abruptly cut off as Fawkes gave a quick chirp and disappeared in a burst of fire.
The occupants of the office turned to the now empty perch, then glanced at one another. Minerva caught Albus' eye and he nodded at her. Both Ron and Hermione looked at them, clearly not understanding.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Does he do that often? Must be most disrupting. Seems like it would startle one quite unnecessarily."
Ron took another deep breath and turned a sharp look on his old friend. "This is crazy. What the bloody hell is wrong with you?!"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked haughtily.
Before Ron could reply, Fawkes suddenly reappeared with another flame. He flew over to the headmaster and dropped a scroll of parchment on the desk, before returning to his post. Albus opened and read the missive, his face betraying none of the contents.
When he finally looked up, he locked eyes with Minerva. He nodded and she walked over to the fireplace. He then looked over the others. "Well, Harry, since it seems as though I am needed elsewhere, we'll have to continue this at a later time."
Harry nodded amicably, and rose to his feet. "What ever you wish, headmaster. Til later, then." Harry tipped his hat in farewell.
Albus smiled, though it was noted that it was rather forced. "Harry, why doesn't Fawkes show you to your chambers?" Dumbledore then turned to the others. "Ron, Hermione, if you would, your presence is requested."
They nodded and stood as well. Ron walked over to the fireplace, next to McGonagall, ignoring Harry as he passed him. Hermione flashed a slight apologetic smile, though her expression was as forced as the headmaster's. Harry grinned, and touched the brim of his hat. Then turning with a swirl of teal, he followed the phoenix to the door, which opened of its own accord. As it closed behind them, he gestured for the bird to wait on his arm, which it did with no hesitation. Harry blocked his magical signature, so as not to give himself away, leaned nearer the door and stilled.
Inside, Albus addressed the remaining staff members. "We have again received another warning. In the same manner as the other, written much the same. A village, this time in northern England, is supposedly going to be raided."
"Do we listen to it, Albus?" Minerva asked in a clipped voice. "We don't even know who sent it."
"This time we do, Minerva. It was signed with a crest of a crossed wand and sword."
"That would mean defense, I believe. Albus?" Hermione sounded a little disconcerted.
"Yes, my dear. I would say that the Praesidium have indeed made themselves known."
"What do we do?" Ron's question was quiet and muffled, as though he must be facing away from the door.
"Let us confer with the other Order members in Grimmauld Place. If we do decide to act, we must hurry. Come." With that, the Floo sounded, and various voices called out their destination in rapid succession.
Harry nodded and moved from the door, allowing Fawkes to go ahead once more. He followed quietly through the labyrinth of hallways, keeping his grin on his face, and his walk jaunty. As they reached the third floor, and the concealed entrance to the chambers that were now his own, he was hit with memories. Walking into the bare room, he could distinctly remember talking with Remus, when the werewolf had again been allowed as DADA professor in Harry's seventh year. Harry sighed, and moved onto the middle of the floor.
He took a deep breath, and spread his arms wide with his palms up. Chanting quietly, a light silver rose from his hands, spiraling into a sphere. They intensified in colour and movement, then shot upwards, melding together. With another word, the light burst outwards, running over and through the walls. As the colour faded, Harry lowered his arms and threw off his hat and over-robe to puddle on the floor.
"I never did like manipulating wards. At least they remembered me, made it easier," he muttered, then turned to the phoenix, who sat on the mantel.
"Fawkes, thank you for your discretion. Were you any other type of bird, I might wonder at your intelligence." Fawkes chirped and ruffled his feathers.
Harry smiled and looked once more around the room. He strode into the bedroom, that, like the sitting room, was devoid of furniture. Figuring the house-elves hadn't gotten to placing things in yet, he did notice that they had at least brought his bags in. Quickly he walked to his only magically locked trunk, and releasing it, opened the lid. He ruffled through various items, before pulling out a yellowed piece of parchment and a silvery sheet of material. A bitter smile flitted across his lips, then he shut the trunk and walked back to the sitting room. As he did so, he pulled out another, newer, bit of paper and held it out to the phoenix.
"Fawkes, would you please give this to my associate? I'm sure you know the one."
The great bird let out another bit of song, rose from his position, and snatching the paper, disappeared in fire. Harry opened his other parchment, and with a couple words, looked at a map. Sliding the invisibility cloak over himself, he left his chambers through the secreted entrance. He walked across a number of hallways, remaining on the same floor, until he reached a statue of a one-eyed witch. He quickly opened up the passage way and stepped inside, finding the fit much tighter than he had when he had been a young teenager.
Stooping so not to hit his head, after he reached the ground, he flicked his wand and muttered a spell. Slowly the walls and ceiling of the passageway widened and pulled to make the space wider. Once sufficient in size, he moved back to the entrance, watching the map carefully. A figure drew nearer to the hidden way and Harry flicked his wand, pulling the cloaked person into the small chamber.
Once the form regained footing, it straightened, revealing itself to be male by the breadth of the shoulders. He didn't bother removing the hood in the darkness, but watched as the opening closed. Harry cast a silencing charm and a lighting charm, and the man didn't even bother to appear surprised by the words of an invisible person.
Harry moved away from the entrance, finally removing his invisibility cloak, and addressed the man before him. "Hello, Suralc."
"Ateraes," the man replied, nodding his head in greeting. "Are things well?"
"As ever, amice. The order has received the newest warning," Harry stated. "We shall see if they heed it. They seem to dislike the taking of what they see as orders."
Suralc snorted. "Of course. They always have chafed at that notion. I am certain you are well aware of that."
Harry smirked, and nodded. Then he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "You seem to be doing well here. Still no problems?"
"Of course not, Imperator."
"How you can always make that sound snide, I'll never know." Harry muttered, shooting a quick glare at his comrade. "Anyway, things are moving quite well, on my end."
"Oh, yes. And may I exclaim, Bravo! An award winning show. I found myself quite disgusted with you." In the dim light, Harry could make out the smirking quirk of lips under the other's hood.
Harry growled lightly, then said askance, "I knew I should have had someone else here, instead of you."
"Now that sounds like Carnifex. That vampyr will never trust me." Suralc brushed dust from his sleeve and shifted most of his weight to one foot. "Though, how you can trust him. He's one of the worst. I'm surprised he hasn't sired you yet."
Harry turned a fierce scowl on the other wizard. "I would hold my tongue, Suralc. Carnifex saved me eight years ago, and I trust him with my life. And you know, he says I am a fool to have confidence in you. You have only been one of us for four years."
Suralc straightened indignantly. "Do you not trust me, Ateraes?!"
"Of course I trust you, you daft imbecile. We would not be here if I did not. You know that." Harry sighed and shook his head. "If I listened to the two of you, not only would I fall to insanity, I would have to watch for knives aiming for my back and teeth for my neck."
"You have to worry about that, anyway." Suralc replied brazenly.
"Regardless, cease your blasted concerns." Harry stated, with a sharp inflection. "Now, I need you to keep your watch. We must move carefully, should we wish to achieve what we need to. Contact me should you have reason to, as I will you. The others are continuing with things outside of the school. Hopefully I can get inside the Order, we shall see. Now if we meet again here, tap the statue and say 'Dissendium'. It leads to Honeydukes' cellar."
Suralc nodded, and looked at Harry. "How do you know of this passage?"
"Methods of marauding."
The cloaked wizard tossed his head. "Was I supposed to understand that?"
"No. Now, let us go back to the stage." Harry reached down for his cloak.
Chuckling, Suralc stopped him. "Hold it, Ateraes. I have something I thought you could use." He pulled a book from the inside of his robes and held it out to his companion.
Harry took the novel and glanced at the cover. "Very clever. But I am no noble hero, amice."
"As I very well know. But I did think it humourous." Suralc gave a parting smirk and pulled his hood more securely over his face. "Farewell, Ateraes."
"And you, Suralc. Break a leg."
Suralc merely shook his head and went back out the doorway. As the statue slid to conceal the opening once more, Harry glanced down again at the book, a smirking smile pulling his lips.
The cover was black leather, with gold lettering. The title read, Zorro.
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A/N: Thank you for reviewing, and for just reading. Hope you're enjoying.
Best Regards and Pleasure Reading,
-Zenn
Suralc derived from: Clarus - light, clarity, brightness, or (in regards to reputation) notorious.