Hello! I thought I'd spoil you with another chapter earlier than when I usually post. Tell me what you think of it! To my reviewers, I love each and every review you've given me, and I'll try my best to respond to them.
To John Monty, ses, Harry is more skilled than he is powerful. Built through years of dangerous encounters, and a war. Only to win that war and join a special operations unit in the Hit Department, where his skills were honed and developed further. The main difference between him and other wizards, as people have no doubt already realized in the books, is LUCK, one of the most important aspects of him. Also, what is power, if they can't use it properly and efficiently?
I always love the magic in the Harry Potter universe, whether it is in the form of spells, rituals or creatures. You best believe I will be getting creative with those three! Not unbelievably-so, mind you. Don't want an Animagus Harry Dragon spitting killing curses and sucking the souls out of people just because I feel like it. If that's what you expect in the story, I'm sorry but it won't be in here. :(
To Elfin69, I want my story to be plausible, with a dash of realism and creative liberties. In the mind of Harry, why would they think too much of the new reports prior? Civil unrest is common in America, and they didn't think it would escalate into a worldwide emergency. But, after this chapter, it starts to set in on how fucked they truly are. I hope you're there to read it!
To et-reader97 I like the idea of a pairing, but he did just come out of a long term relationship, who says he can't dabble in flings and short term romance?
With all that mumbo jumbo being said, enjoy this chapter!
AN: Changed some stuff to be more in line with the show, while compensating for other media. Also, I didn't like how inauthentic the broadcast sounded.
Chapter 5 : Welcome Information
Harry looked around at the surrounding area of the hotel, there were less and less people driving and jogging by, and the parking lot to the hotel was empty except for a couple cars. The ambient noise of the city changed from honking, construction noises and sirens, to just sirens, distant echoes of what he assumed were gunshots and a low thrum of distant car engines.
"There's no way we can crack the wards on this without a curse breaker." Harry said suddenly. He continued. "I'm thinking we check the muggle side of the hotel, perhaps we can listen to a telly for an update on what's going on?"
"Better than just standin' here mate." Ron said, jumping at the opportunity to find out more of the situation. Seamus agreed.
They made their way to the entrance of the hotel, and made their way inside. There were more than a few people milling around in the lobby looking worried. Some of them were looking agitated while on their phones. Curious.
Harry led the way towards the front desk, noticing that the people around it, along with the desk clerk had their eyes glued to the tv and talking quietly amongst themselves. A major difference than from before, was now there was a 'Emergency Broadcast Stay Tuned' scrolling across the screen, with a small whine, of one tone playing.
"Lines are down, just like the cell service and net." The clerk automatically said, eyeing the newcomers.
That stopped them in their tracks.
Cell-phone service is down, along with landlines AND the internet? That explained the angry people on their phones.
"And the news?" Ron quickly asked.
"Long way from home, huh?" The clerk pointed out, noticing the accent. He continued. "It just cut off some 20 minutes ago. Last thing the anchor said was the military were handling the situation, and to either stay indoors or head home and wait for further instruction."
"Fuckin' bullshit, I say." A man who looked to be in his late 40's off to the right of them said. He continued at Harry's encouraging look to go on.
"See, I was a marine for 6 years, what they're saying on the 'tv' is what the army is tellin' em to say. And it's fuckin' bullshit. We'd get this type of shit on the local news overseas when I was deployed."
He paused, and looked everyone in the eyes that were listening, but paused on Harry's for but a microsecond longer.
"Say a situation involvin' the military and heavy civvy' casualties turned from bad to fucked, they'd instruct the local media to say the same goddamn thing we were just told minutes ago. I know it, and now you all know it. It's bullshit." He finished, before directing his next question at Harry.
"You serve?" The old veteran asked with an appraising look.
"Could you tell that easily?" Harry responded with a small smile. He knew his body language would be given away to someone who had experience serving in the military. It happened before.
"I see you eyein' the entrance every once in a while, lookin' for exits and dangers, and the way you hold yourself reminds me of some 'seals' I met." He declared with pride, happy he was right about his deduction.
He continued, "Semper Fi, brother. I know you probably ain't Marines or even US military, but someone who carries on with those habits has seen combat, and you my brother, are a finely honed blade from what I can tell." He said appreciatively.
Harry nodded a thanks and was about to respond before the emergency broadcast started playing.
An eerie beeping started playing in long intervals, while a message played on the screen read,
'National Alert, Primary Entry Point System Issued an Emergency Action Notification, Please Adhere to the Warnings Given. This is not a Test.'
Everybody in the lobby was looking at the screen and crowding around, waiting with baited breath for the second time today, for Harry and his friends, at least.
A long beep played, before an obvious recording of the President of the United States started playing.
He looked calm, yet Harry could tell from his face and tense shoulders, he was anything but.
"Today, I will address the riots, afflicting our dear country." He paused. Harry didn't envy his position.
"An epidemic, is sweeping across the nation. Those at the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, would ask that you not panic, and to adhere to the Federal, and your local health guidelines."
The screen changed, to a list of things to do, and not to do in a widespread epidemic. They looked familiar to Harry. He learned about this stuff during his training. While he was deployed to different countries he didn't have to worry about the local endemics, but if he was on a rescue mission involving muggles, he had to learn and apply the basic guidelines for the civilians sake, lest he becomes an asymptomatic short-term carrier.
The scene switched back to the president.
"The American Army and National Guard are, or have already set up quarantine zones, and refugee camps in every major city." He paused again, to take a drink of water. Harry noticed an almost imperceptible tremble. An untrained eye wouldn't be able to capture it, he surmised.
"To find out where your local camps are, please stay tuned for your news's information, and instructions. We would kindly ask to leave a lane or two open on the major highways for authorities, so they can reach, and help you faster.
That is all, for this current broadcast. Godspeed, my fellow Americans."
The screen switched back to the 'Emergency Broadcast Stay Tuned', and the one tone, whining again.
