JKRowling owns Harry Potter and all the characters in that story.

FASA owns Earthdawn

§ - Parseltongue will start and end with § and be in italics. §"Example of Parseltongue"§

—CS—

Special thanks to my Beta Reader, the 'MoleOfWar' for the excellent feedback and diligent work in making the story better.

Conversations

Amazon Rainforest

October 15, 2001

Two days after arrival

The joint group from Hogwarts and Castello dos Bruxos headed out into the Brazilian Rainforest. The exploratory group was composed of a small group from each of the schools. From Hogwarts were Harry, Pomona, Draco, Aina, and four Herbology students. The Castello dos Bruxos team was led by Professor Inês Belo Da Rosa, the Herbology instructor. She brought along six of her most promising NEWT students. Professor Eduardo Alves Sousa, a well know Magizoologist, had joined the group along with two of his apprentices earning their Mastery – Luna Lovegood and Rolf Scamander.

Professor Bela Da Rosa was a no-nonsense middle-aged woman with stark black hair streaked with grey. Her robes were clearly designed for the rainforest and were close fitting. She lacked the warmth Pomona brought, but was tersely efficient. Pomona seemed to get along with her, but the easy smiles that made her popular as the Hufflepuff Head of House rarely reached her eyes around her Brazilian counterpart. It was startling how different the two were.

Professor Eduardo Alves Sousa was a dishevelled looking man who appeared to be in his early sixties. He wore a look that seemed perpetually amazed by everything around him. He was frequently telling odd jokes that almost no one understood, but seemed to be related to magical animals. Standing well over six and a half feet tall, he was rapier thin and quite hard to miss.

The professor towered over Rolf and Luna and frequently stooped down to have quiet conversations with them both. He was rather paternal in the way he interacted with his apprentices. Like Luna and Rolf, he found himself chuckling at jokes the older man told. He really didn't understand most of the punch lines, he just enjoyed watching the man beam with pride.

Luna had matured a bit since he'd seen her last and seemed to have grown into her wide eyes and long hair. She was no longer unassuming and childlike in her demeanour. She and was now a slim and attractive young lady who carried herself with the quiet confidence of an adult. But she was still Luna… always taking everything in and seeing the world through her own lens. Rolf was an average sized fellow in his mid-twenties with sandy blond hair that he wore under a baseball cap to keep out of his face. He seemed to have a true love for all living things. In that, he and Luna were very much alike. Occasionally, the two apprentices traded glances that Harry picked up on. There was clearly more than a professional interest between the two. Luna had finally found someone as interested in magical creatures as she was and Harry was thrilled for her. Was Rolf her Crumple Horned Snorkack?

After arriving at the Brazilian ministry, the team collected supplies for the outing. Harry had managed to find and pack various peppers and fruits for Fawkes to try. The phoenix especially enjoyed slices of mangos and the ripened Malagueta peppers. Harry ate them with Fawkes and found them both to be very good. Fawkes also liked the 'Madame Jeanette' pepper best, but it was much too hot for Harry to handle.

Fawkes had stayed near Harry after their arrival. Being a Phoenix, most of the students and faculty treated him as the most interesting 'person' in the party and he'd gotten a great deal of attention. The attention irritated the magical bird and he tended to either stay aloft and away from curious students or perched on Harry's shoulder. Hecate had convinced her sisters to help out and they stayed near Fawkes when he was forced to be on his own. Interesting as a Runespoor was, most students still kept a healthy distance when Harry wasn't nearby.

The day after arriving in Brazil, a portkey took them to a central point in the rainforest where they then hiked for most of a day. The pace was ridiculously slow and loud for Harry, but Aina seemed to take it all in stride. She was flittering about and getting to know everyone. Harry was forced to deal with Draco's mumbling and complaints over unsanitary conditions. He apparently didn't like relieving himself in the forest.

Luna and Rolf had their own cross to bear, but they did it happily. The two apprentices looked after their instructor and seemed to guide him along while he shared facts and details on every living thing in sight. Without Rolf and Luna prodding him along, the party wouldn't move more than a hundred or so yards. In a way, Professor Alvares Sousa reminded Harry of a cross between Hagrid and Professor Babbling. Massive attention to detail mixed with an insane curiosity and love for life. In the brief time Harry had interacted with him, he had grown to like the professor.

Hecate, Artemis, and Selene, loved the warmth of Brazil and the overall feel of the rainforest. They frequently abandoned the backpack Harry transported them in, insisting on exploring naturally. Harry hadn't realized how well the girls could move about in the trees before seeing them in action. The slow pace had apparently annoyed them as well so they set out hunting from time to time. During the first day hike, they'd managed to feast on a howler monkey and a toucan. The Runespoor was clearly an alpha predator and the rainforest brought this out.

In the later afternoon, a clearing had been reached and the students began setting up camp. The clearing was obviously one that had been used before. The South American group was energetically setting up their tents while the Hogwarts group dragged about and a few even laid down on the ground. Pomona conjured a chair and collapsed into it. They were all covered in sweat and a few were limping, a clear indication there were blisters forming on tender feet. Clearly, the Castello dos Bruxos group was used to hiking while the Hogwarts visitors were more comfortable in a classroom. Harry noted a few of the Brazilian students chuckling as they began guiding their guests.

Harry and Bill always had a certain rhythm to their camping and Harry fell back on that. Draco had followed Pomona's lead and conjured a chair while he sat back and began rubbing his calves. There'd be time for that later.

"Alright… Draco, you're with me." Harry's eyes settled on a flat area close to the other campers. He reached into his pack and withdrew 2 shovels. "Let's pitch our tent here. I'll set a few perimeter wards, right after we dig a trench." He held out one of the shovels to Draco.

Draco stared at the shovel like it was covered in excrement. "Are you kidding me? Why not use our wands?"

Harry set the shovels down. "Excessive use of magic could give away our location. I like to travel discretely." Security was always a priority in the field. Bill had taught him that.

With an amused smirk, Draco said, "Are you kidding me? With a dozen other people traipsing about, you think we're discrete?" As if on cue, three students began playing a game of 'snap'. Laughing as their cards began exploding.

Harry ran his hand through his hair. "You've got a point. But since were roughing it, we might as well, you know… rough it?" He held out a shovel once more. "Come on, it'll be fun."

Draco laughed and shook his head. "Knock yourself out, but don't count on me for the manual labour." He curled in his fingers and looked at his nails. "I had a manicure three days ago…"

Draco nodded his head toward the Brazilian students using their wands to erect a large tent. The British students were slowly beginning to do the same. His amused smirk told Harry just what he thought of 'roughing it'.

Draco then took out his wand and, with a few lazy strokes, proceeded to set up a clearly magical tent. Before he retreated into what was likely a palatial interior, he called out over his shoulder, "Don't forget to set the wards." He then went into his tent and closed the flaps.

Harry muttered, "Smarmy metro-git." He then picked up the shovels and shrunk them down.

Aina put an arm over Harry's shoulder. "Relax, Harry. I've got the wards." Judging from her grin, she had enjoyed their little exchange. "No sense avoiding magic on this excursion. Anyone in a three-mile radius can find us with all this activity."

Harry glanced back at Draco's tent. "He always does this. Prances around like some kind of… show horse." A few of the Castello dos Bruxos students had their wands out and began digging the trench around the site. "I think I'll summon a wood spirit to watch over the camp. You know, to augment the wards. Watch out for threats further out."

Aina nodded. "Good idea. It'll be interesting to see what spirits respond to the summoning." With a wave of her wand, a circle formed. "Do you mind if I watch? Elemental and Nether magic are my specialty too. I have a professional curiosity in your style."

Harry inspected the circle. "Sure. I'm told the knowledge dates back to the Tuatha de Dannan of ancient Ireland. But it might have a foundation from Thera." He noticed Aina flinch ever so slightly. No love lost there.

"The Therans." Her jaw tightened and her mouth almost formed a sneer. Almost. "I still remember their empire. You know, they started out with noble goals."

Harry shrugged. "Maybe. I think most goals start out with the best of intentions." He could feel his familiars watching him from the treetops. He sat down and began meditating. His senses reached out to the forest as his perceptions changed and expanded. The area was teeming with life and magic. Dimly, he sensed a presence on this side of the astral plane. Before reaching out into the nether regions of the astral plane to negotiate with plant spirits, he decided to commune with whatever he was sensing. Cautiously, he sent a greeting of sorts to the presence.

It was an intensely magical 'nature' based creature, but it radiated heat. Not at all what he would have expected in a rainforest. The presence had a serpentine feel to it, similar to his own familiar. Dangerous, but not malicious. He sensed smooth coiling 'movements' that could explode into impossible speeds at a moment's notice. Despite the lethality of the presence, he didn't sense anything malicious as it slowly took notice and focused on his presence. It was coming to investigate.

Harry opened his eyes and saw Aina in a tense stance staring out into the forest. She had a wand in her hand and there was no mistaking the intensity of her gaze. She'd felt the same presence. Fawkes swooped down to his shoulder and he sensed his girls moving toward him.

Aina glanced his was. "You made contact with something. Whatever it is, it seems both powerful and curious." She flexed her wand and opened a space into the forest. "Children, please move away from the area I've cleared. We have a visitor."

"A visitor? Really?" Professor Alvares Sousa did the opposite of what she asked and moved forward. "Yes, yes… I can sense him. Or is it a her? This is a guardian spirit made flesh. Oh, how wonderful to be here today… Miss Lovegood, Mr. Scamander… take note." He was practically bouncing in his enthusiasm.

"Professor, you may want to step back. Just in case." Seeing the man look at him like he was insane, Harry added, "We don't want her to feel threatened." Harry glanced at Luna who smiled and gave him a shrug.

The professors eyebrows shot up and he moved back a few paces, but not too far. "A 'her' you say? How can you tell?"

"It just feels… maternal." Female guardians were the most dangerous. "It'll be here in a few minutes."

Fawkes fluttered about on his shoulder and the girls slithered up to him. This was a proper way to greet a guardian. Strength and unity.

Artemis whispered, § "It's a serpent, Harry." Hecate added, "Agreed, but what kind? Not a basilisk… We'd know." Selene just watched cautiously. She seemed bored and mumbled, "I wish it'd just hurry up and get here." §

Harry whispered, § "We'll know soon enough. It definitely doesn't feel malicious." §

Everyone was waiting as the sound of rustling grew closer. There was a faint orange glow as the plants parted and a large snake came through and entered the campsite. The serpent was easily thirty feet long and appeared to be covered in flames. Its eyes were burning brightly with flickering flames rising like a pair of small horns.

How this creature could radiate so much heat and appear encased in flames without igniting the flora was a mystery. The campfire flickered out as the creature rose up. The flaming serpent was very large and rose up to a height that was at least seven feet. It was a dominant move.

Harry took a chance and spoke Parseltongue. § "Greetings guardian. We travel in peace." § He knew it sounded like a cheesy line from a campy sci-fi movie.

The serpent answered. § "You speak the language of the serpents. What brings you to my forest and why shouldn't I eat you?" §

Selene hissed, § "Cheeky bitch!" §

Harry forced himself not to smile. He and Selene were on the same page here. He'd killed a Basilisk once; this shouldn't be any harder. Assuming it was necessary.

Harry said, § "We are here to observe and learn of the forest. We mean no harm and will cause no disruption within your home." § Aina watched him carefully from the side. She looked amused.

§ "Your daughter has already caused disruption. She's been feasting on the animals in my home." The snake then peered intently at Selene. "Insulting me." §

Professor Alvares Sousa said, "Ohhhhh. A Boitatá! Tão magnífico!" He stepped forward before Harry could stop him. "É uma honra estar na sua gloriosa presença. Obrigado por nos conceder uma audiência." He bowed low and removed his hat.

Aina stepped over to Harry and whispered, "He's thanking the Boitatá for granting us an audience. I've heard of Boitatá. They're guardians of the rain forest. Interesting and dangerous."

The serpent's flame seemed to lessen and it spoke in Portuguese. "Por qué está na minha professora da floresta de crianças?" The voice was feminine, but strong. Nothing that sounded like a serpent or snake.

The animated profesor continued. "Estamos aquí para aprender sobre a flora e fauna desta grande floresta tropical. ¿Podemos ter a sua bênção para explorar as suas terras maravilhosas?"

The serpent – the Boitatá – considered the elderly wizard's words. "Concedo-lhe passagem, desde que tenha cuidado com a minha terra. Não tome mais do que pode transportar e não remova plantas ou animais. Só folhas e caules."

Professor Alvares Sousa turned and addressed the group. "We can stay in the rain forest, but we can take only clippings and fallen flora. No uprooting or excessive cutting of the plant life." He then looked at Harry's Runespoor. "It would be best not to hunt any fauna while we are here."

Selene exclaimed, § "What are we to eat?" §

Harry gave a terse nod. § "We will abide by your rules." He then turned to look at Selene. "You can't honestly be hungry after eating that Howler Monkey." §

The Runespoor sisters whispered amongst themselves for a few seconds, then Hecate said, § "We will avoid hunting for the remainder of our time in the rain forest." Selene then muttered, § "So much for the circle of life." §

Harry caught Artemis' eye. He knew they were of the same mind here. They'd be leaving soon enough for the mountains. Still, he was certain he could take the creature. Especially with Aina backing him up. The Boitatá seemed appeased. It slowly turned and faded back into the jungle.

Selene caught Harry's eye and said, § "Does anyone remember Dolores Umbridge?" §

Once more, Harry was reminded which of his girls was the most vicious.

CS—

Parkinson Manor

Britain

Pansy stood beside the fire, swirling her wine. Her father had just shared his conversations with Joseph Selwyn, Jacob Rowle, Gordon Rosier, and Duncan Travers. It was such an unusual gathering. No heads of house other than her father, but actions that would have required significant resources.

Pansy took a sip of her wine and shook her head. "Clearly, you're being set up as the 'fall guy' if their plans fail. On the outside chance they succeed, there will certainly be a public outcry." She then sneered, "They will fail. Trust me, they don't stand a chance."

"But, why me? I've barely interacted with any of those men."

Pansy sneered. "They're probably pissed off we never really joined up with their failed revolution. No Parkinson has ever taken the mark." She sipped more wine and continued. "Not in the first war or the second one. Hell, they're likely angry we weren't as impacted by the reparations. Not as much as they were." She gave her father a shrewd smirk. "How did you manage that?"

Francis Parkinson grinned; his pride evident. "I'm a very good accountant, princess."

Princess… he'd always called her that. Pansy relaxed and finished her wine. For some reason, when he called her that, it never irritated her. Her father may not be the most cunning man, but he always put her first.

"Why don't you think the plan will work?" He took a deep breath, then said, "He doesn't seem all that dangerous, do you think there's a chance they'd succeed? Maybe Potter just got lucky."

Pansy chuckled maliciously. "Nothing lucky about it. Hell no, they don't have a snowballs chance in hell."

"He didn't seem so formidable." Pansy knew he was referring to the Greengrass party.

"Potter may be a simpleton in a social setting, but he's unbelievably dangerous with a wand. He'll cut through their agents like a hot knife through butter." She set her now empty glass down and reached for the remainder of the bottle. "They'll be picking up the pieces of his attackers for days. Tiny. Little. Pieces. And heaven help us if anyone he cares about is hurt."

Francis Parkinson rubbed at his chin and seemed to focus on a distant spot. "Did Potter really do everything they say? It's a little hard to believe."

"I watched the battle from Hogsmeade. Giants, Acromantula, Death-Eaters, Dementors, you name it." Pansy had never told anyone the thrill she got watching the maelstrom. If she didn't hate him so much… "The sky opened up and rained death on his enemies. Then You-Know-Who decided to challenge him. He was soundly defeated and it wasn't luck. Don't underestimate Potter, he's a once in a lifetime Wizard."

Her father looked like he'd swallowed a Flobberworm, then nodded.

"Dad, you have to tell someone. You can't just keep this to yourself. Those bastards will hang you out to dry and watch you twist."

Francis said, "Maybe I could reach out to Andromeda? We used to be friends."

Pansy considered that for a moment, then said, "No, that might backfire. She's almost certainly being watched. You have to go directly to the Aurors. Make it official."

"No, no, no. Selwyn's got a plant in the DMLE." His voice was quavering. "Maybe the Floo network as well."

"Maybe. Maybe not." She hated seeing her father in this state. "That may be a lie to keep you in line. I'd say Potter has the Auror force comfortably in his pocket. The Department of Mysteries too."

Francis said, "What about your friend… Davis was it?"

Pansy's glass was now full again. "We've lost contact." Taking a moment, she said, "Go to Weasley. He'd never sell Potter out."

"Weasley? There's a Weasley in the Auror department?"

Pansy grimaced, she hated Weasley more than Potter. "Fine, I'll go to Weasley. You go to Lord Greengrass. But be very discrete. We can't be seen passing along any warnings. If the Malfoys or the Blacks change their behaviour at all… we'll be the ones targeted."

"Do you think they'll believe us?"

Pansy drank a large gulp of wine. Her lips were dark red. "This isn't really much to go on. It'll just be your word against theirs." She looked intently at her father. "Is there anything else you know? Who they've contacted? When the attacks will take place?"

Francis shook his head slowly and said, "I don't know much. The terrorist attack in MACUSA disrupted the plans, but not for long. Potters out in the rain forest now, but I don't know if the attack will happen there or in the mountains." He glanced at his watch. "They won't attack the British targets until they have Potter in their sights. Their aim is to coordinate both attacks to the same hour."

"You have to protect yourself, Dad. You have to protect us both!" After a moment she said, "At least if something goes down, we can say we tried to warn them." Her father was distraught. He was barely keeping it together.

She set her drink down and crossed the room. "Don't worry Daddy. It'll all be fine." She hugged him tight and kissed his cheek. "We'll get through this."

"I know, Princess. Just don't do anything dangerous. I can't lose you… I can't."

Pansy rested her head on her father's shoulder. They needed each other.

CS—

The next afternoon

South American Rain Forest

Aina, Rolf and Luna were out looking for Bowtruckles and Professor Alves Sousa had elected to stay at camp. Harry spent the day serving as an interpreter for his girls as the professor asked a seemingly endless number of questions. The magizoologist was amazed and enthralled by their answers, especially when they disagreed with one another. After a few hours, Hecate found the constant praises distracting and Artemis was downright annoyed, but Selene loved every moment of it. Where the other sisters eventually quieted down, Selene just kept going.

Selene shared her opinions on scale patterns and how humans emulate this with stylish clothes. That led to her opinions on how fashion trends were similar to how she sheds her skin from time to time. Overall, she considered fashion to be one of the few redeeming qualities humans had. She shared her opinions on how awkward humans are when they walk around on two legs. The only real benefit was that it allowed Harry to carry them around and give a better view. How silly it was for human women to give live birth to something completely helpless. Lack of fangs and venom was just a sad reality and our table manners were just atrocious. Harry awkwardly had to translate how chewing food was a sad and disgusting evolutionary mistake.

On a personal level, Selene shared her concern that Harry will always be lonely because he doesn't have any siblings attached to him. She discussed the human mating rituals, much of which Harry refused to translate. To Harrys consternation, she even shared her run-ins with Ginny. Professor Alves Sousa was shocked to hear Ginny had called her ugly and passionately proclaimed her to be one of the most beautiful serpents he'd ever seen. Artemis and Hecate rolled their eyes and decided to play Draco in a game of chess while Selene rambled on. And on.

All the while, Harry reluctantly acted as the reluctant translator. Fortunately, the Girls understood English and the professor spoke English very clearly. That meant Harry only needed to translate his girls' answers and responses. He occasionally refused to translate some of their more opinionated topics and edited others. Selene occasionally informed him that he wasn't conveying the message correctly. He apparently got the words right, but not the tone or inflection. All the while, Fawkes stayed in an overhead branch, enjoying the show.

As the day turned into night, the interview ended and the Girls continued to give Draco a challenge in their fourth chess match. They had won twice and ended their last match in a stalemate. Harry sank back into his chair and gazed at the night sky while listening to the teeming life around him. His worries and concerns gently fell away as his senses opened up to the life and beauty of the rainforest. He could sense Fawkes circling above while the teeming life around him sang with a beauty that few could understand.

Rolf, Luna and Aina soon returned to camp after a productive day in the rainforest. Rolf was updating Professor Alves Sousa on their observations while Luna and Aina joined Harry's small group. The other students were now out collecting herbs and plants that could only be gathered under a moon lit sky. Whatever that meant. He casually gestured for them to take a seat.

Luna stared at him a moment, her large eyes gazing at him. She tilted her head and gave him a small grin. Amusement seemed to flicker in her eyes.

"Harry, you seem more relaxed than I remembered. I don't think I've ever seen you so at peace." Her grin transformed to a full smile. "Being out and about appears to be good to you."

Harry took a deep breath and gave her his full attention. "Thanks Luna. Yeah, I do like getting away from it all. This trip seemed to come at a rotten time, but I think I really needed to get away."

Aina steepled her fingers and asked, "Is it really so bad back home?"

Harry groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "No, not bad… more complicated. Out here, it just seems so simple. Life is pure and primal. Clean." He then shrugged. "It doesn't help that I have a mountain of problems to deal with when I get back."

Draco glanced his way and smirked, then returned his attention to the chess game.

Luna pressed him. "You've always had unusual problems, Harry. That's part of who you are."

Harry sat up and withdrew from casually sensing the area around him. "I don't know, it seems like the problems just get more… entangled? No, that's not the word. Let's go with weird. It's not like when Voldemort was trying to kill me, but in a way it's worse." He then waved his hand to clarify. "No, not worse… just a lot more confusing. Weird stuff."

Luna perked up when he said the word 'weird'. "I specialize in unusual problems, maybe I can help."

"Maybe, but I doubt it. What I call weird, I think you'd call boring."

Luna's eyes seemed to extend out of her face as she leaned in. "Try me."

Harry made a sound that was half laughter and half snort. "OK, but remember, you asked for it. Where to start? I'm getting a strange vibe off of Ginny. She says she's good with me moving on with Daphne, but something about it seems… off. I know she cares about me, but I'd at least expect her to be a little more… I don't know. Maybe it's just my ego. I know I'd have a problem with her getting serious with someone else so soon after our break up."

Luna rested her chin in her palm. "It does sound unusual. You were moving pretty fast, but I was surprised when she broke things off the way she did."

"You and me both. I mean, I would have been fine with slowing things down and all. It was just so sudden."

Luna just gave a little nod. Harry could tell everyone was listening, waiting for him to go on. He was done talking about Ginny. They had broken up and he was with Daphne now. The end.

He rolled his eyes, then continued. "I have these lawsuits to deal with. I know I'm in the right, but I just don't want to deal with it now. It would have been a lot easier to just come to a settlement like my lawyer wanted." He shook his head. "I just can't do it. They wouldn't have done it for me and quite frankly, there are consequences. They backed a homicidal maniac and lost."

Draco looked up. "I agree with your lawyers. Forcing them to buy back their old assets and sign away their rights to oppose you is punishment enough."

Harry shrugged. "Agree to disagree. Still, I hate dealing with those pompous asses. They act like they're the victims. Bad enough I have to go to parties and rub shoulders with them, but now I have to deal with them in court. Did I mention all the parties I have to attend? You'd think a party would be fun, right? Wrong. You have to watch everything you say and do. Last time I had to deal with Pansy Parkinson and her acidic tongue. That was at the Greengrass party. About as friendly a party as you'll find. And the politicking… awful. Everyone wants something. Heaven forbit I have a few drinks and relax. Do that and I'm suddenly sponsoring some charity that does nothing but line their own pockets."

Draco chuckled but didn't say anything.

"Did I mention that one of the nicest people at that last party was Daphne's ex? How weird was that?"

Draco said, "Why are you complaining? You got the girl."

"Yeah. I did. Good point. Doesn't make it any less weird, though." Harry held up his hands. "So why is he so nice? What's his angle?"

Draco shrugged and looked back at the chess board. "He probably sees more potential in being your friend."

Luna nodded. "That makes sense. He'll live longer that way." Harry noted a slight sparkle in her eye. Her sarcasm was something very few people understood.

He decided to change the topic. "Did I mention I'm moving out of Grimmauld Place?"

Draco nodded. "Yep. You're moving into that old neighbourhood in Hogsmeade, right? Good choice. Just be aware that there's loads of old money there. You may need to tone down your… whatever it is you to attract so much trouble." He never looked up from the board.

Harry laughed then said. "I like the house. A lot, actually. It's close to the school and has good vibes." He shrugged, then continued, "Bout eventually I plan to rebuild Potter Manor. The grounds are warded to hell and back and I love the area.

Without looking way from the board, Draco shook his head. "Trust me, a huge manor is a lot of work. I'd take a modest mansion every time."

"No rich nosey neighbours, though. I can get into all sorts of trouble and no one will be the wiser."

Draco chuckled, shaking his head. "That's why so many people have manors. Privacy."

"Now I have to finish my lesson plan. Pomona has been hinting, but I just can't get it together. I mean, how do you make a plan when you don't even know who the students are?"

Aina cleared her throat. "A lesson plan is just a starting point, Harry. It's more of an outline to build from."

Harry was quiet for a moment, then said, "I think McGonagall wants more than an outline." He leaned forward. "Maybe that's a good starting point. It did always seem like some teachers just improved their lessons as they taught." Maybe that's all he really needed. A detailed outline. It's not like anyone could refute it. He was teaching topics almost no one really knew.

Aina smiled, "One problem down, what's up next?"

Harry ran his fingers through his hair. "There's a shapeshifter that's been killing people around me." Draco looked up from his board and Harry's friends suddenly grew very attentive. "There's no rhyme or reason that I can see."

Aina shook her head, her eyes wide. "You really should have led with that one."

"Trust me, that's the easiest problem I have. One I can most easily understand." He tapped his finger to his chin. "I just don't understand the motivation. I mean, it's been around for a few years as near as I can tell, but it seems to target people unexpectedly."

Draco shifted and turned to Harry. His chess match forgotten. "How so? Should I be worried?"

"Back at the Battle of Hogwarts, it killed a close friend of mine. You'd think it was trying to get close to me… you know, to kill me. But it then wore her face and helped protect me."

Luna stared unblinking at him. "So, it's looking out for you?"

"Maybe, but why kill a friend? I mean, there had to be others there? It could have just adopted an anonymous face and done the same thing."

Draco shook his head. "Nope. You'd never have trusted a stranger."

Luna asked, "Who was the friend it killed, Harry?" Her eyes seemed haunted for some reason.

"Lavender. But I don't want anyone to know. She's considered a hero now and if people knew it wasn't really her…"

Aina nodded. "You don't want your friend to be forgotten. That's very noble."

Harry dropped the real bomb now, "I'm pretty sure this shapeshifter was looking out for my mum, too. Back when she was at Hogwarts."

Aina stared a moment and asked, "What makes you say that?"

"Oneiromancy. I had a dream. When I get back, I plan to track one of the witnesses down." One of the pricks that tried to attack her. The only survivor.

He half expected someone to challenge his 'I had a dream' statement. No one did.

Draco steepled his fingers in front of his face. "Harry, you may not know this, but there were a large number of unusual deaths among Death Eater Sympathizers. Father always thought they were the work of your godfather, but he couldn't be sure."

"What do you mean?"

Draco settled back and said, "They always seemed like accidents. Take your custody hearing. Both Octavius Rowle should have presided over your trial, but died just before the hearing. With Rowle's death, Lord Selwyn should have presided, but he'd had a freak accident on a broom a few weeks prior. My father was certain either would have ruled in favour of placing you with Death Eater families. There were other suspicious deaths. Various members of the Wizengamot leading up to high profile trials. Assassins that just disappeared. Even a few marked Death Eaters."

Harry remembered the custody hearing and the death of those blood purists. Didn't Uncle Vernon open up a bottle of champagne or something? Surely there were other rebel factions fighting a guerilla war. Clearly all the suspicious deaths weren't caused by some mysterious shapeshifter. Even if it was the same person, why kill Lavender?

Harry shook his head briefly. "You don't know if those deaths were the work of some unknown shapeshifter. You don't even know how many of the deaths were anything other than accidents."

Draco raised his eyebrows. "What are the odds?" Harry resisted the urge to hex him.

While staring at Draco, he saw Selene shift one of the chess pieces while all eyes were on him. Little cheater! She seemed to grin at him. Artemis and Hecate were too focused on the conversation to notice. Why would… she's helping Draco! Sibling rivalry. He chuckled and shook his head.

Draco looked at him and scoffed. "Are you really not taking this seriously?"

"It's not that." He didn't want to rat Selene out. Time to change the subject. "Did I mention that I offered Hermione a job? She'll be running my muggle businesses."

Now it was Draco's turn to laugh. "Ha! She's definitely going to drive you bonkers."

Luna was still gazing at him. "You certainly have your share of problems. Is there anything else, Harry?"

Harry winced. "Yeah. I've got a friend I need to help out. I'm opening a bar and my friend is struggling with alcoholism." He shook his head. "I have to admit, I didn't see that coming."

Draco pursed his lips and asked, "Anyone we know?"

"I'd rather not say." Neville deserved his privacy. Luna's eyes tensed for a moment then relaxed into their unsettling 'I see all' gaze.

Luna said, "I can see how getting away from the 'day-to-day' is good. Daddy used to take me on trips every summer. School and the problems with running the Quibbler sometimes got to us both."

Harry smiled and nodded. Luna had been bullied for much of her time at Hogwarts. "Hogwarts was never kind to free thinkers." He then remembered his own trials. "Hogwarts was rough."

Luna smiled in her amused way. "You seemed to have recovered well."

Harry shrugged. Not willing to share any further just yet.

Luna continued. "You love being in the field, don't you?"

Harry took a deep breath and grinned. "You can say that again. Traveling around and breaking curses. Being away from the bureaucracy and backbiting of Magical Britain…" After an awkward moment, he added, "Course, having a few years of therapy helped, too." There. Now he'd shared.

Draco chimed back in. "I never understood your therapist. Are you sure she's certified?"

Harry did a double take. "Of course, she is. What do you mean by that?" This was out of the blue.

Draco rubbed his chin and chewed his lip a moment. "Wasn't she the one who told you to adopt that emotionless face."

Luna said, "The one that scares people? I don't like that face."

Harry held his hands out. "That's my poker face." No one spoke. "She just wanted me to keep my emotions under control. You know, don't give anything away. You can't just trust everyone."

Luna asked, "She told you that you shouldn't trust people?"

Harry shook his head, "No, she says I shouldn't blindly trust people. That I have to keep my guard up."

Aina spoke up after a period of silence. "I've never heard of a therapist telling their patients not to trust people." She stared at Harry with her brows pulled together. "It's not bad advice, but the context is key. It's not something you'd expect from a therapist."

Harry said, "Right. Context. She's just looking out for me. Always has, always will."

Luna hummed a moment. "It just seems a bit peculiar. Almost overprotective."

Harry groaned, this topic beginning to annoy him. "It's not peculiar at all." He began rubbing his hands together. "She's always been there when I need her. Even on weekends and evenings."

Draco snorted. "That's crazy. Healers don't open themselves to patients after hours. You have to keep that time for yourself."

Harry said, "Are you telling me you wouldn't help a patient you were close to if it was after hours?"

Draco shrugged. "Maybe. I suppose I would in an emergency."

Aina was leaning back in her chair. Her head was tilted and her eyes were drawn. "Can you give us an example? A time you needed her after hours?" Suspicion danced across her face.

Harry cut his eyes and his mouth tightened. "Why?"

Aina rested her chin in her palm. "For the sake of context. It seems odd that someone as slow to trust and prone to suspicion as you are would accept this all at face value."

Draco smirked. "Especially in light of this mysterious shape changing assassin running around."

"You know, I actually went looking for her, not the other way around." No one spoke, so he added, "She was Ginny's therapist. The Weasley's talked her up and…" He stopped when he saw the looks of suspicion on Aina and Draco's faces. "If I share one event, can we drop it?"

Luna was twirling her hair watching attentively.

Harry settled into his chair. This may take a while. "Years ago, there was a group of larger boys that thought it was fun to bully me. They'd done it as long as I could remember. Dudley and Uncle Vernon put a stop to it after my third year, but they never really went away." Harry saw the concerned looks. "It was school yard bully stuff. Seems mild now, but tell that to a scared eight-year-old." *

"So, Piers Polkiss was their unofficial leader and a nasty bastard of a person. After my fourth year, I was home recovering from my injuries when Piers and his group of troglodytes decided to accost me. He'd been expelled from his school and was looking for trouble. They saw me one weekend and one thing led to another. He and his friends jumped me and after a few minutes, got the better of me."

Draco straightened and said, "They just saw you and mugged you? That seems excessive."

"Well, I may have called them dumb and ugly." Harry sheepishly added. "Something about their mothers, I think. It's been a while."

Draco laughed, "You just can't resist…"

"Look who's talking! And they started it. It's not my fault they couldn't handle a little witty banter. Hell, they were just looking for an excuse. They were huge brutes and I was still pretty slight."

Draco shook his head. "So, you fought three bigger kids and lost. At least you still had your witty banter…"

In spite of the sarcasm, Harry chuckled, then said, "I took out Piers. After a decade of bullying, it was worth a black eye." Harry considered it a moment, then said, "He needed medical attention, too. No regrets."

Luna asked, "What did you do to him." She looked a little pale. Paler than usual. Assuming the worst, no doubt. Given how he tended to curse first, it was understandable.

"Relax, I didn't kill him. I actually didn't have access to my magic." With a smile, he added, "I just helped him run into a wall. Face first."

Selene perked up. "§We always miss the fun times. §" Her sisters nodded in agreement.

Harry shook his head, "§You lot weren't even hatched yet. Besides, we've had plenty of good times. §"

Aina looked shocked. "You were what, fourteen? Fifteen? Where were the authorities?"

"The authorities showed up during the fight, before things got too bad. They were pretty cool about it all... but they needed to call someone. Unfortunately, it was the weekend and my uncle was out shopping with my aunt. I ended up giving them Dr. Gaines' home phone number." He briefly raised his eyebrows and smirked. "Luckily, I had her business card with me."

Aina visibly tightened up. "You mean to tell me your therapist put her personal contact information on her business card? And shared it with you? A troubled teenager?"

Draco smirked and muttered under his breath, "That's not strange at all." He muttered more sarcasm to himself, but Harry wasn't listening.

Harry felt his cheeks flush. "I wasn't so much troubled as traumatized." He'd been patient up until now, but he'd had enough. He felt his fists clenching.

Aina's face softened. "We don't mean to upset you, Harry."

Harry released a breath he didn't remember holding. "Right. But you should also know that more than a few of my friends have expressed caution about you." He let that sink in a moment. "Wondering where you came from and how you are suddenly a part of my life. They wonder why no one has met you before and what your true motivations are."

Aina tensed slightly. "You know why I'm here."

Harry waved his hand. "I know and I trust you. But before you cast suspicions at my therapist, you should know that she's been a part of my life for years. I don't trust many people, but I do trust her."

Luna reached over and squeezed his arm. "I'm glad you had someone looking out for you, Harry. I used to worry."

Harry squeezed her hand back. "Thanks, Luna. And just to be clear, Dr. Gaines shared her personal contact information with Ginny long before she even met me. That's just the kind of person she is. My legal team vetted her and she passed with flying colours." After a moment, he added, "Is it really so hard to believe someone outside this group cares about me?"

Draco shrugged, "If your legal team vetted her, that's good enough for me." He turned back to the chess board. "Those cutthroat bastards probably know what brand of toothpaste she uses."

—CS—

The next morning

A quiet Inn Somewhere in Wales.

Narcissa stirred and stretched. Last night had been fun. Hot and sweaty, but fun. She looked over at the window where Joseph Selwyn was standing. He was only wearing a pair of boxers and his outline against the window was impressive. Sure, he was more than a decade younger than her, but she always liked younger men.

"Come back to bed Joseph." She whispered. She propped herself up on one elbow and pulled the sheets tightly over her, accentuating her curves. "I'll make it worth your time."

He came over and sat on the bed. "Sorry, Love. I'm due for a meeting." He gave her a quick peck. "But I promise you'll be on my mind all day."

She grinned wickedly. "Your loss." She let the sheets fall to her waist as she sat up straight. If there was any modesty, she didn't show it.

After a moment, he said, "Now that's just cruel."

She smiled; her eyes half hooded. "You're the one leaving."

He pulled away; his face troubled. "I have to meet with my legal team."

Narcissa sobered instantly and pulled the sheet up. "I see."

"I wish it wasn't necessary, but… Well, you know."

"Joseph, Andromeda and I can convince Harry to see reason. He's just under stress… Our ways are still new to him."

He shook his head, concern etched on his features. "I had expected him to counter. To work out an arrangement as future leaders of the Wizengamot." He threw his hands up. "We could have been allies…"

Narcissa gave a curt nod. "He only knows how to fight and win; compromise and mediation are two paths he doesn't know or understand." She cupped his chin in her hands. "The timing couldn't have been worse. He had just come back from France after a huge battle. His adrenalin was still high. I know how he gets."

He placed his hand on hers. "And you think he'll listen to reason now?"

She kissed his forehead. "A few quiet weeks in a rain forest will settle him down. He always returns from those trips like a new man."

He changed the subject. "Have you considered my offer to tour France together? We can visit all the lovely sites."

She withdrew her hand. "I can't. I have… Family business"

He smiled, but his eyes seemed sad. "Meeting your own lawyers?"

She shook her head. "Nothing like that, just family obligations."

"I see." He stood and began dressing. "I've arranged for breakfast in an hour. Rest and relax, I'll be back before lunch and we can… pick up where we left off."

At that, he apparated away, leaving Narcissa to wonder if this lovely affair could continue. Joseph never pressed her for information, but he clearly wanted her support. She wondered if Harry could understand the position these old families had been forced into. Commit or die. No quarter given. Now they're facing a similar situation with Harry, but with their means of livelihood. In two generations, their way of life would disappear forever. How unfair it all was. No one wanted to serve that mad man, yet here they were. Paying the price. She'd been fortunate, but so many hadn't.

A sad as it was, her lot had been cast. She was a Black and her son was the next Lord Malfoy. If push came to shove, she'd drop Selwyn like a bad habit. But for now, she intended to enjoy the young man. Now, time to make herself presentable for breakfast.

CS—

* Detailed out in Harry Potter and the Dance of Death, chapter 22. I re-read a few chapters and I really enjoyed writing that story. Especially after I found my 'groove'.

So, after a long delay and a half dozen re-writes, here is the latest chapter in Casting Shadows. Work has been unbelievably busy, so my updates are slower than before, but I do plan to update more frequently than I have in recent months. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. The next chapter is written and in review with the Beta.