New Horizonists
Harriet and Evan rushed over to where Max and Albus lay on the floor. Evan grabbed Albus and started waving his wand over him. Harriet helped Max to his feet with a worried look.
"What just happened?" asked Max.
"You did unintentional magic," said Harriet, rubbing his shoulder reassuringly, "don't worry though, I'll smooth everything over. Just let me do the talking when the Auror's show up."
With that there was a loud crack and ten people appeared holding their wands up. They spotted the bodies of the attackers on the floor and looked around, confused, before spotting Harriet and Evan. The leader of the group approached and extended his hand to shake Harriet and Evan's hands.
"You are supposed to leave them alive so we can question them guys." said the Auror, pointing over his shoulder at the nearest corpse. "Were they New Horizonists?"
"I assume so if they were targeting us," said Evan, "but I can't say we exchanged pleasantries."
"I can see that." frowned the Auror. "What caused all the destruction?"
"Uncontrolled magic burst." Harriet said quickly. The Auror gave her an inquisitive look and she added, "They tried to curse my son and cousin."
"Well that explains that." nodded the Auror. "We'll clear up here, you get the family back home. If we need anything else we will contact you."
"Thanks." said Harriet. She turned to Max and Albus, "Come on boys, lets go back to the house."
Max and Albus followed her silently with Evan behind them. In the Leaky Cauldron the other children and the Dursley's were waiting nervously. Dianne ran to Max and swept him up in a hug.
"Oh Max," she sobbed, "I was so worried. I couldn't find you. Thank goodness Harriet and Evan were there to rescue you."
Evan and Harriet exchanged a brief look.
"He's fine Dianne," smiled Harriet, "I think we could all do with a drink though. Why don't you all come to our London place? We can send you home from there."
"What about the car?" asked Dudley. Harriet looked at him and then down at the wand in her hand. "Oh yeah." he said when realisation dawned.
XXXXXX
Max span and tumbled in the green flames, catching glimpses of other fireplaces as they flew past. He found himself pitched forward suddenly and fell out of the fireplace. He landed on his face, covered in soot, his stomach lurching unpleasantly. The twins dragged him to his feet and moved him away from the hearth just as Albus stumbled out looking grubby.
"I feel a bit sick." Max muttered.
"Floo travel takes a lot of getting used to." said Albus, brushing himself down.
"At least you came out the right grate." said one of the twins.
"Mum ended up in Knockturn Alley her first time." said the other grinning.
"What we wouldn't give to explore Knockturn Alley." smiled the other.
"Your liberty and your pocket money for a start." said Evan as he stepped out of the fireplace. "And the possibility of going anywhere again, ever, if your mother hears you." he finished arching his eyebrows at them.
The twins tried the innocent looks again, but it was clear that Evan wasn't buying it. The children took Max and Violet to show them the garden when everyone had arrived, while Harriet and Evan took Dianne and Dudley to the lounge.
Max and Albus sat on a wooden gazebo watching the girls playing with Tatters and the twins flying on the practice pitch.
"Al," Max said quietly, "can I ask you something?"
"Hmm?" said Albus.
"What's a mudblood?" Max asked.
"It's a nasty name for someone who is muggle-born." Albus said. "Look, don't worry about Tosku. He's a stuck up little prick. It doesn't matter if you are pureblood or not to sensible people. Death Eaters and New Horizonists are just dark wizards and nutters."
"New Horizonists?" said Max. "The guy your mum spoke to mentioned them, who or what are they?"
"They're a group who think we should get rid of the Statute of Secrecy and rule over the muggles." Albus said. "They think we should let all the werewolves, hags, ogres and vampires feed on the muggles in return for freedom of movement and leaving the wizards alone. They say that dark magic should be used to control the muggles and that muggle-borns and squibs should be rounded up and experimented on."
"That's awful!" Max said.
"Like I said, nutters." shrugged Albus. He looked at Max critically, "What was with the purple eyes earlier?"
"The old guy in the wand shop said I was something called a Mageseer," said Max, shrugging, "they said I could see magic."
"I've never heard of that." said Albus, looking confused. "Did they tell you much about it?"
"Not really," sighed Max, "they said I had to keep it quiet though, like the thing with the broom. They said I would be a target if people knew. I think my wand helps me control it though. I could see all these lights before, it made my head hurt, but now I have to focus on it to do it."
"It sounds like really powerful magic." Albus said. "That must be what stopped the New Horizonists."
"I didn't mean to kill them." said Max miserably.
"You didn't," Albus said, "it was your wand. You can't help uncontrolled magic when you haven't started school yet. Honestly, don't let it upset you, it wasn't your fault."
"Thanks Al." Max said, in a strained voice. "I hope we're in the same house when we get there."
"Even if we're not we'll still hang out." Albus promised, "Don't forget my other cousins are there too. The twins still hang out with Serpens, most people aren't worried what house you're in."
"As long as we're not in the same house as that idiot Tosku." Max grinned.
"Oh I don't know," smirked Albus, "it would be easier to hex the little turd if we were in the same dorm."
"Yeah," said Max, "but easier for him to hex you too."
"You're probably right," conceded Albus, "we'll just have to find other opportunities to take him down a peg or two."
"Here was me thinking the twins were the trouble makers." laughed Max. "I have to keep my head down and stay out of trouble remember? Plus I have extra lessons to fit in. Something to do with the Mageseer thing."
"Ok," said Albus, "I won't start anything with Tosku, but if he starts it I won't hold back."
XXXXXX
By the evening everyone was calmer about what had happened. Harriet and Evan had reassured Dudley and Dianne that Max would be perfectly safe at Hogwarts and they had promised to erect protective wards around their home to ensure their safety there. The house elves served a sumptuous meal and Harriet had entertained them with stories from her time playing quidditch for the Holyhead Harpies. While he listened to Harriet's stories, Max flicked through his school books, intrigued by the things he read and looking forward to September the first.
Harriet apparated them home. Dudley staggered as they popped into their living room, the sensation of apparition leaving him unsteady. He looked out of the window and his car sat on the driveway. He shook his head in bewilderment.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that." he said, rubbing his ears in case they had fallen off.
"I still prefer brooms." confessed Harriet. "Just a couple more things before I leave." she said. "We've warded the house, but we wanted to make sure that you can get in touch if there is a problem. I've set up an emergency phone number for you, through some Ministry contacts, but I also want you and Max to be able to stay in touch when he goes to school."
"They don't have phones at Hogwarts then?" asked Violet.
"No, muggle electronics don't work around a lot of magic." Harriet explained. "So Evan and I will buy an owl for Max as a pet. That way he can take it to school and then write regular letters home."
"Wow," said Max, "thank you."
"I'll send it to you tonight," Harriet told him with a wink, "along with an extra present. I'm sure Al would love it if you could write to him before school starts. The owl will find whoever the letter is addressed to, you don't even need an address."
"Thanks Harriet," said Dudley, "we'll see you soon I hope."
"More than likely," she grinned, "failing that we'll see you September the first at Kings Cross Station."
She waved her wand in a circle over her outstretched palm and a metal cage appeared. She handed it to Max.
"Leave your bedroom window open slightly," she told him, "if you leave the cage open too your new owl will be sitting in it by morning."
"Awesome." said Max, and he rushed upstairs to put the cage somewhere and look through his school things.
"I'll see you all soon." Harriet said and, with a crack, she apparated home.
Dudley sank into a chair with a sigh. Dianne patted his arm and perched next to him.
"At least it's too late to phone my parents." he said, with a weak smile.