Harry Potter and The Heart of a Rat

by Kikkuli

There are many things Harry Potter shouldn't do while ridiculously drunk or high: listening to his equally wasted friend's 'brilliant ideas' is one. Hello past, hello future! Never fear, Wizarding World: Peter Pettigrew, Gilderoy Lockhart and Dolores Umbridge have come to save you! Er, yay? [Mostly HP, some Naruto, Ranma, Twilight, NGE] HP/Multi, R/H, SB/NB Time/dimensional travel

30. 27 The Ginevra Convention

Author's Note:

This is both a HP reworking of "Back to the Future" themes, and a continuation/soft reboot/reworking of the time travel tale "Hair of the Grim" by Nightmare Sired Muse. It also contains many concepts, lines and situations from the grab-bag that is "Odd Ideas" by Rorschach's Blot. Both are used with the permission of their original authors (except for "Back to the Future" of course). The Harry Potter series belongs to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. I do not own Harry Potter or anything else. Full disclaimer in the Table of Contents.

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Rated M for some violence, language, drug use and sexual references. Nothing explicit.

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Canon-compliant. HP&DH compliant (except the Epilogue). HP&CC compliant (except the conclusion). FB&WTFT compliant. Pottermore compliant (mostly). Some crossover with: Naruto, Ranma ½, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Primarily Harry Potter though.

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Recommended Fanfiction of the Week: "A Cadmean Victory" by DarknessEnthroned.

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Question of the Week: A lot of people have been pitching the idea that Dumbledore is really a time-dilated Ron - if that's the case, how do they explain why he left Harry with the Dursleys, or why he didn't fake the Potters' deaths?

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Chapter 27 – The Ginevra Convention

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The early bird may get the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese.

– Jeremy Paxman

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And the day had started out so well. The first day of training camp for the reserves of the Hollyhead Harpies Quidditch League had been thrilling: broom drills, swimming competitions, Snitch-chasing races, meeting the rest of the reserve women, making lots of new friends. That happy glow had rapidly soured as the daylight rapidly waned. The source of Ginevra Molly Weasley's increasingly mis-tempered humour could be entirely localised in the bloated personage of Jarleth Hobbarte, owner and manager of the Hollyhead Harpies, and his blunt and repeated offers for her to become his after-dinner entertainment in exchange for moving up to a first-reserve Chaser position. Her cold and curt dismissals of said offers had little effect on dousing his enthusiasm.

Ginny discovered later that night from some of her reserve colleagues that Hobbarte had spent the last month bragging to all and sundry his firm intention to acquire the youngest Weasley (bar two-year old Victoire) as his latest trophy. That he had asserted to his fellow club bosses that the only reason he'd approved her admission to the Harpies was to achieve this goal of snagging 'the tastiest crumpet in the League', with the added benefit of cuckolding the most famous man of their generation, The-Boy-Who-Lived Himself. The most impressive notch a Quidditch owner was ever going to be able to attain, and one guaranteed to earn him the eternal admiration of his peers. This news, if true, certainly explained the whale's revolting and otherwise baffling persistence throughout the night. Eventually Jarleth, growing impatient with her 'coy' insistence on 'playing hard to get', cornered her in a deserted supply room and attempted to speed things to their 'natural conclusion' without further delay.

The Weaslette reacted to this treatment with her usual unflappability. The other women, alerted by the piteous screaming, burst into the room to find a multi-coloured two-foot-tall llama being viciously bludgeoned by his own bodily fluids. Ginny calmly announced to the gathered crowd that she was transferring to another team and promptly gathered her things and left.

Flying home on her purloined broom, Ginny realised that going home to Burrow was definitely a bad idea; arriving dishevelled in the middle of the first night of a week-long camp would trigger every alarm bell in her mother's head. There'd be no way of avoiding the midnight interrogation, nor the cavalcade of howlers her mother would insist on writing right that very minute. That left the next best option, so she swung her broom to the left and proceeded to the cottage belonging to the love of her life, youngest brother and best friend (all three of them, that is, they weren't all the same person, thank Morgana!). A trio she'd have done better joining for Harry's birthday/graduation celebrations that night, instead of the disastrous Harpies camp.

Landing in the front garden, she slipped effortlessly through the familiar wards and noticed that the lights were on and there were moving silhouettes visible through the curtains. Ginny immediately felt her agitation settle as she anticipated being held and comforted by her loved ones. Balls of smoke puffed merrily out the chimney. The witch hoped it was Harry and not Ron who was on cooking detail tonight. She still hadn't forgiven the cretinous chef-to-be for trying to make muggle ratatouille out of actual rats, the numptie! Unfortunately, the fact that they were cooking in the middle of the night did strongly suggest her brother as the initiator.

Stepping up to the house, she threw open the front door and joyously called out, "Hey boys, I'm home –" right as the house exploded.

A shockwave of magical energy blasted into her face, hurling her backwards. The witch spun around head-over-tea-kettle over and over again, like being caught in the roughest portkey imaginable, until darkness took her.

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Ginny groaned and managed to sit up. The vein in her temple was pounding like a hummingbird was trying to escape her skull, and her eyes watered in time to its beat.

An indistinct blob floated before her. "Are you alright?"

"Whzarppldrple …"

"The dizziness will pass soon," the blob replied.

True to the blob's words, her head soon cleared and she was able to discern her surroundings. She was lying in comfy queen-sized bed inside a wizarding tent of a kind far more plush and luxurious than the one her father owned. Wrong colour scheme too.

Alarmingly, her memory was patchy as to how or when she'd arrived at this place, where this place was, who or what that blob was, or what circumstances had led to the above. Shite, she thought anxiously, I've been obliviated! Reaching her hand to her skull, she began to probe for head injuries.

You have? That sucks!

Who said that? Ginny demanded.

Who said that? the voice retorted snippily.

I'm Ginevra Molly Weasley, who the hell are you?

Ginny felt rather than heard the voice's shocked gasp. Impossible!

It's quite possible that I am what I am, I assure you, Ginny replied dryly. Almost a certainty, in point of fact.

… Mum …?

Ah, I'm afraid not. I told you I'm Ginny Weasley. And you are …? she trailed off, none too subtly.

Lily Luna Potter of course, your daughter! the voice insisted shakily.

I must still be dreaming … or hallucinating … or under an illusion-spell … yep, this is definitely the sort of thing I'd dream up while under the influence of WWW's latest mind-altering powders and potions …

I don't think this is a hallucination … the voice said doubtfully.

Of course it is, Me. Don't be so gullible. Why else would I have a non-existent daughter-voice talking to me inside my own head! You know very well that we've been pranked more times than we can count. This is admittedly on the extreme end of the spectrum, but it's hardly out of the Quidditch stadium for George.

Ugh! I'm trying to tell you that that sort of thing doesn't happen to me! James, Al and Scorpius are pants at pranking, they've no imagination and I could always spot 'em a mile off! And none of them are smart enough to invent powders or potions that'd make me imagine voices in my mind!

Definitely a potion … Ginny mused. What was it I saw on his workbench yesterday? Wolfsbane, fluxweed, 20 packages of Sudafed … dabbling into the Dark Arts a tad are we now, Georgie-boy …?

You're starting to piss me off, voice of my mother, growled the voice.

Considering that I'm a pristine young maiden who definitely doesn't have a daughter or any other children whatsoever, and my boyfriend certainly has no Potter sprogs running around, I think we can safely dismiss your opinions as mere drug-fuelled gibberish, Other-Me, Ginny said primly. Now can we focus on sobering up, please?

That's it, I don't have to take this, least of all from you Mum! I'm outta here!

Ginny shrieked in surprise and discombobulation, flailing around wildly, as her body lurched upright, fell out of bed, righted itself from the floor, and staggered towards the door of its own volition. Panicking, she tried to regain control of herself. Which was only partially successful: sometimes her body followed her commands, and otherwise did whatever the heck it wanted! The result was a jerky, indecisive series of twitches and strange poses, as her limbs attempted to undertake two or more actions simultaneously.

"What in the name of Godric's glibbering gobstobbers is going on!?" she yelled.

Ginny suddenly felt a slap across the face, which immediately focused her attention on her assailant (meaning the next three slaps were unfair and should never have happened in her opinion). "What in the name of Merlin's saggy left lobe is your problem?" she demanded of a familiar-looking redhead who'd accosted her.

Suddenly her jaw and tongue moved of their own volition and her voice said in a confused tone, "Mum? Is that you?"

"She's seeing things," the redhead commented to nobody. "Do you think a few more hits will cure her?" she asked thoughtfully. Then answered her own question, "You're right, it couldn't hurt." Ginny begged to differ, it certainly could and did hurt. "Now have you two pulled yourselves together yet? I'd like to stop hitting myself."

Rolling to the side and springing to her feet, Ginny's wand was somehow in her hand and aimed between the intruder's eyes, an unholy rage in her own. Cheeks still stinging from the unexpected slaps. "You have five seconds to explain before I start hexing, Slapper," she snapped coldly.

"All will be revealed by this artefact," the stranger replied calmly, revealing a little golden handheld candle-holder. The candle's flame burned with a cold ethereal light. The blue flickering flame was strangely mesmerising to Ginny. The redhead raised the candle up to face-level, then blew it out. The purple wisps of smoke swirled around Ginny's face, and she sneezed. A wave of dizziness rolled through her and she stagged backwards, dropping her wand. The redhead leaned forward and seized her shoulders, gently guiding her back down onto the bed. "Just rest," she whispered. "It'll all make sense soon." Ginny was vaguely aware of the redhead placing the dropped wand on the bedside table and leaving the tent.

Can you hear me? A new voice swam into her awareness.

Who are you? Ginny and the second voice demanded simultaneously.

Naught but a corpse with a cursed, false existence, The Voice replied grimly. One who has sought death but cannot find release nor reach the sacred place. I am trapped on this plane, living off the souls of the living and the dead. Pure is impure. Impure is pure.

You don't mean … you're possessing me? Ginny gasped in horror. Not another Tom Riddle controlling her mind and draining her body of its life force!

Do not be troubled, young one, The Voice said reassuringly. Your mind, body, soul and magic remain your own – as much as can be said for one who shares all four with another. I am merely a squatter, inhabiting them for the time being until our task is complete and I can regain my independent self. I am no parasite!

Well that's just wonderful, the other voice (calling itself Lily Luna, Ginny reminded herself) groused. Not only do I get one stranger camping out in my mind, but she's immediately joined by another one! Could it get any worse?!

That's rich coming from a voice that's visiting in my head!

Silence you two! said The Voice sternly. There will be no more bickering. You are Ginevra Molly Weasley and Lily Luna Potter, two minds and souls sharing a single being. You WILL accept this fact and learn to deal with it!

But … how is this possible!? Lily Luna demanded. Ginny agreed vigorously.

By some means unknown to me, Miss Weasley has been evicted from her original body and merged with you, Miss Potter.

Oh no! Lily Luna wailed in despair, my own Mum inside my head … this is the Worst. Thing. Ever!

This is the most bizarre prank Boy George has ever played on me, Ginny pondered.

This isn't a prank or a dream or anything lame like that! Lily Luna contradicted. Something very very weird is going on.

Aid me and I will explain all, maybe we shall even divine a means of gaining you two separate bodies to inhabit, said The Voice. And both of you will cease your squabbling this very instant!

You sound just like Professor McGonagall, Ginny grumbled.

I shall take that as a compliment. The Voice sounded amused. It is good to hear that Minnie still keeps her students in hand with a firm grip.

You know Professor McGonagall!? Ginny was incredulous. How did this disembodied thing know her Transfiguration teacher? Was it reading her mind?

Fear not, Ginevra Weasley, I shall not read your mind without permission. Minnie has been a valued colleague for many decades, the field of elite magical teaching is not so large.

What exactly do you want from us in return? Lily Luna demanded.

I need your arms and legs, minds and magic. As I am, I can do nothing but watch. I need to find another to act in my place. One like you. Well, like you two.

Like me? the girls echoed.

I can see it in your shared souls. What you should have been, what you could be.

What are you? Ginny demanded a second time.

That will become obvious in due time. Your answer? Will you aid me?

Ginny bit her lip and considered it. This was by a large margin the most vibrant, detailed and long-lasting dream, hallucination or prank-induced illusion she'd ever experienced. She may as well get as much entertainment mileage out of it as possible. Going on a glorified scavenger hunt through a strange land with a pair of complete strangers could be a lot of fun, while she waited for its effects to wear off of her.

I keep telling you this isn't a trick, it's all real! Lily Luna huffed.

Well of course you'd say that, Ginny replied sensibly. She took a leap. Okay I'm in, Mysterious Voice.

And you, Miss Potter?

I don't have a choice about this, do I? Lily Luna grumped. That was my Future-Self who passed you on to us, wasn't it? So whatever you're proposing has already happened. No matter what I choose to do, it's going to happen regardless, right?

Correct.

She sighed, then I'm in too. Let's get on with this quickly, so I can get my mind and body back pronto. Be strong mine heart, ere now worse fates were thine.

Stop being so melodramatic, Ginny chided. It'll be fun! This has got to be a dream; and if this is a dream, then I can do whatever I want!

Sure, let's go with that for now, agreed The Voice.

Where to first?

Fetch your time turner. 13 turns should do it.

Lily Luna ducked back inside her tent and got dressed in her Japanese-style robes. Found her mokeskin pouch. "Time turner!" In a moment the device was in her hand. Throwing the chain around her neck, stowing the pouch in her pocket, she turned the machine the appropriate number of times. The world blurred around her. The girls blinked in the sudden bright sunlight of the previous morning. In the distance before them, Kyōto Palace and gardens stood undamaged. No cranes or reconstruction crews, no incinerated lawns, no devastated walls.

Now apparate to this location, with haste, before the Palace Guards apprehend you! An image of a bustling street appeared in Ginny and Lily Luna's minds. I recommend only one of you take control whenever you apparate, else you will likely splinch yourselves to two different destinations.

The girls gulped nervously. Ah, I'll do it this time, Lily Luna announced. She concentrated, and an effort later, the universe squeezed them out onto the apparition point of the thoroughfare.

Go forward 600 feet and turn left into the alley.

Ginny and Lily Luna swiftly slipped into the alleyway between two imposing pagodas, trying to ensure they didn't trip over their own feet as each unconsciously wrestled for control over their shared body. At The Voice's direction, The Scarlet-haired Witch(es) moved down the alley and turned into an even-seedier-looking area. One in which the morning sunlight was blocked by overhanging roofs and rafters, and most of the lights went unlit, and things lurked in the shadows with glowing-green eyes that followed her every move.

Just like Knockturn, Ginny mused. Only more … foreign.

What a surprise, given you're in a foreign country, Lily Luna snapped back.

Focus! Cast a glamour on yourselves to appear as a dark-haired Japanese woman. Then go to the second shop on the left. Knock three times and tell the man you have coin if he has information, The Voice interrupted the impending squabble. They complied with the instructions and soon found themselves inside the shop, facing a distinguished-looking man of indeterminate age in a sea-blue kimono, smoking a long hookah.

"What sort of information were you after?" the man asked. His smile deepened as he gave them a once over. "Depending on what it is, I may be willing to take some or all of my fee in trade."

Incapacitate him.

With pleasure, thought Ginny. Memories of Jarleth Hobbarte still stung her, how he'd leered at her in exactly the same way that this Japanese creep was doing right now. It's no bat-bogey or nightmare-dust but it'll have to do. With a coy smile, she leaned forward and took his right hand in both of hers. All it took was twist in the right direction, the right amount of pressure and it shattered like glass. It was a matter of seconds to give his other hand the same treatment. Two stomps to the knees stopped her quarry from fleeing. The benefits of growing up with six older, bigger, stronger, more rambunctious brothers, she mused smugly.

Remind me never to piss you off, Lily Luna commented.

That's exactly what my brothers would always say.

A quick spell had the howling proprietor hurled out of his chair and into a pile of misery in the middle of the store.

Stick him to the floor.

A quick Sticking Charm and it was done.

Can I shut him up now? Lily Luna asked, looking down at the screaming man on the floor.

Not yet. Go two steps forward to the desk and rap on the third drawer four times with your left hand. Then open it and do not touch anything.

Lily Luna complied. Inside was a knife, its single edge a bit longer than her forearm. It had no guard, the black tear shaped handle seeming to meld into the grey steel blade.

There is a glass on the side table. Break it and use one of the shards to cut his arm.

Why not the knife?

It would be unfortunate for you to touch it until we've prepared things first, and we cannot use metal for this.

Cover your hands with his blood, do not miss a single spot. Now take the knife in your hands and repeat. 'By the life blood of your former master, I claim you as my own.' The Voice paused while she complied.

Now what? asked Lily Luna.

Find a hiding place and wait. The screams of the proprietor will bring his gang running in. Ambush them from behind.

Ginny disillusioned them and stepped behind the bright yellow-and-green suit of samurai armour mounted in the corner.

Three men will enter from the street entrance. Take two steps to the left. The one at the rear is the most dangerous, kill him first.

Anything else we should know? inquired Ginny, readying herself for battle.

All three are murderers and thieves, who would not hesitate to enjoy you, kill you and consume you. And not necessarily in that order. They are also inugami, werewolves. Use the knife I had you acquire.

Three shaggy and rough-looking figures burst into the store, long blades clasped in their hands. With startled cries, they raced over to aid the battered and bleeding man. Ginny moved with liquid speed, knife in her left hand, wand in her right. Her new blade slid into the trailing man's back and sliced through his kidney on its way to severing the man's spine as if they were made out of butter. The others tried to turn, but it was as if they were moving in water. The second was only just becoming aware of the danger when her attempt at a neat throat cutting almost severed the man's neck. The third's eyes widened in shock and he managed a short aborted scream before she cut him off with a thrust through the left eye socket. It was over. They were dead and she/they alive. An offhand stunner silenced the proprietor.

By Merlin's merkin, I reeeeally need to never piss you off, Lily Luna shuddered.

I take it you've never lived through a war, then?

Closest was when I kidnapped a bunch of wizards using some blasting stones. I activated them from a distance though.

Very sensible. Never get up close if you can avoid it.

Where did you learn all this stuff? Lily Luna demanded.

You're looking at the Commander of the DA under Voldemort's dictatorship. You have to know these things when you're a guerrilla leader.

I thought that was Neville Longbottom?

He was my second-in-command. What, don't tell me that he gets all the credit in the future just because he's a boy?! Ginny demanded incredulously. Bloody Wizengamot!

I couldn't say, Lily Luna demurred. Oh wait, there was this one time when I stumbled accidentally into a battle along with my brother. We had to flee immediately, Sirius and Narcissa were shielding me. I didn't do any fighting though.

Sirius and Narcissa? How bizarre. You'll have to tell me the story some time.

Storytelling can wait, said The Voice sharply. We have little time before somebody notices what we have done. We must cover our tracks. Shut and lock the front door. Then go into the back room.

The sweet scent of death and old blood hung in the air. The centre of the room was filled with a large cauldron flanked by a blood-stained butcher board. An assortment of knives, hooks, and tongs hung from the rafters. The girls shuddered as one. Bad things had happened here, the air was thick with it. Unbidden, their eyes fell on the old-fashioned icebox that seemed to dominate the far wall, next to a worn chest of drawers.

You do not have much time before they trace you, The Voice cautioned. The proprietor was able to activate his silent alert before he was incapacitated. There is a trunk at the foot of the bed, place a drop of the man's blood on the lock.

What now?

Place your palm on the lock and state that you claim the trunk by the blood of its former owner. The Voice paused while they complied with its instructions. There is a small tin hidden beneath the third stone to the right of the black stone to your left, knock three times on the third drawer then open the second before you retrieve it. Empty the contents of the trunk and the tin onto the bed.

An assortment of strange artefacts tumbled out on the bed.

Take the emaki, the hakkyōkō, the shichishitō, the shinsatsu and the tomoe.

The what?

The scroll with pictures on it, the golden mirror, the jewelled sword, the wooden talisman, and the piece of jade shaped like a teardrop.

The girls hastened to comply, storing the objects in the mokeskin pouch. The remaining items were left as they were, scattered across the grubby sheets. It was becoming slightly easier to coordinate their actions without stumbling around like Tonks.

The proprietor has 2000 ryō worth of koban in his pocket – those are the gold wafers that look like flat bread – a Gringotts key in the heel of his left shoe and a gold chain around his neck, take them, The Voice ordered.

What about the other three? Ginny asked as they complied with the instructions.

Another few thousand ryō and a few more chains, but we will not be needing them.

Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it, Ginny shot back.

Take their rings then as well, The Voice conceded her point.

Why are we bothering? Lily Luna asked. I already have gold. What's the point of hoovering up more from street rats?

You have gold galleon coins and gold yen pieces, The Voice corrected. Not ryō. The most important items for us are the artefacts, the key and the signet ring hanging around the leader's gold chain. The rest merely ensures we will have surplus to bargain with. Now go back to the other room and light the fire under the cauldron. There is a potions rack in the cabinet to the left of the icebox, throw all of the first row and the left half of the third row into the cauldron. Ignore the rest. Now set up a stasis ward and let us go. Apparate here.

Another image swam up into their consciousnesses. A different nondescript alley.

I'll do the apparition this time, Ginny announced. With a burst of magic, they were there.

Go forward, further into the alley. After 3000 paces, turn right into the spur lane. Now turn left, turn right, walk 1000 paces and then turn right twice.

Pausing only to wipe the blood off their fingers and renew the disguise spells, the girls hastened to comply with The Voice's instructions.

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The watch commander was hovering in the space between being asleep and awake when the alarm sounded, inconsiderately disturbing her scheduled second mid-morning nap. For a second, her jaw dropped and she stared at the device as her mind tried to catch up. That shouldn't be happening, she thought drowsily to herself. The alarm never rang anymore, not since the War, they didn't even use it when they were running drills. "Aaagh!" she screamed, springing to her feet. She hopped the first couple steps while her boots tied themselves, and her robes flew off the hook and into her waiting hands. "Talk to me!" her voice boomed, filling the squad room.

"Class six disturbance in an area that's been red-flagged for rapid response," her former training officer reported.

Great, so it's one of the rich heavy-hitters that pays hand over fist for the Ministry's law enforcement staff to act as their private security service. Most likely chipped a fingernail … but on the off-chance that it's a genuine emergency …

"I saw the alert, Aramaki. Get a lock and have the duty squad on scene as soon as the portkeys are ready," she ordered.

"Already done," the heavily scarred veteran Ōsakan Auror stated. "Also sounded the All-Call. I'm about to go and take command on the ground personally. Don't know what's happening, but I figured you'd want me to land on it with both boots."

The first dozen Aurors arrived in the alley six minutes after the alarm rang. It was slow, much slower than would have been the case a few decades earlier at the height of the War. Several detection spells were cast around the edges of the property and the results were not good. Magic had been done here. Old and powerful and Dark magic.

"Ishikawa, on point. Togusa and Saito back me up. Non-lethal unless they give us a reason," Squad Leader Aramaki whispered. "We take the front door on three. One. Two. Three – GO GO GO! AURORS! WEAPONS DOWN, HANDS UP!" Smashing down the door with their staves, the twelve burly men burst into the room. Staves and katana raised and tracking any movement, the magical foci charged and crackling with energy.

The store's showroom stank of magic. The three cherries looked around nervously, too young to have had a part in the late unpleasantness, it was their first time doing something like this for real. Wet, inexperienced, new enough to be almost useless, even they could tell that this is where it had been done, whatever it was.

"Report!" Aramaki commandeed.

"One warm, three cold," one of the cherries said nervously. "Warm's our code-red."

"Floor's secure. Spells say we have no other live ones but him," Ishikawa added, gesturing towards the unconscious proprietor. "Someone smashed up his hands and slashed his arm."

"And the others?"

"Inugami, all three. Someone introduced their insides to their outsides."

One of the cherries swayed back and forth, and it was only the quick thinking of Auror Togusa that kept him from making a close inspection of the floor.

"I've got a reading on a ward – someone's trying to hide something from us," Saito frowned, waving his hand in a series of jutsus. "Back room."

The squad leader led the charge. "Break it down," Aramaki ordered.

Saito and Ishikawa quickly made a series of hand signs to cast a diagnostic charms.

"No traps, it was obviously thrown up in a hurry." A few more jutsus and one side of the room seemed to shimmer, the ward collapsed and –

The Aurors' eyes widened as they saw the ominously-bubbling-and-spitting liquid writhing within the glowing-red-hot cauldron.

"That was a stasis ward, it's gonna blow!" one of the Aurors screamed.

"Evacuate, go! Go! GO!" the squad leader bellowed, the group barrelled out into the alley only to be hurled forward a split second later as the shop disappeared in a ball of lightning covered flame.

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Where are we going? asked Ginny, eagerly drinking in the strange clothing of the shifty-looking passers-by, the odd creatures that slunk about here and there and the unusual architecture of the shopfronts that graced these dark side-streets.

To acquire a rare device. To restore what was stolen. To obtain the tools necessary for our upcoming battle. The Voice replied. To seek the chance of a future filled with greatness.

I mean where are we physically going?

Iwanai-chō.

Where's that?

Far from here, have patience and I guide you to your means of transportation.

They spent the next few moments walking through the dim, ominous streets in silence, Ginny sightseeing, Lily Luna contemplating the deal she'd made and wondering if it had been a mistake to make it. Finally they exited the dark warren of streets and entered muggle Kyōto.

Do you see it? The Voice asked. The subway entrance? The one boarded up with planks and chains?

What about it?

Go in, don't worry about the gates or the locks. Just walk through them.

Remembering Platform 9¾, the girls closed their eyes and stepped forward.

Walking through the chains felt odd, like walking through a thick mess of spiderwebs, but the gestalt entity got through without resistance and walked down the stairs to another world. There were people, of course, dozens of them dressed in styles not fashionable since Shinsen-gumi and Omiwaban-gumi ruled the underground, all walking down brick streets filled with cobblestones and gas lamps. Kimono, frocks and top-hats as far as the eye could see.

Try to look confident, don't look around. We cannot afford to draw attention or the delays it would bring.

Alright, the girls agreed, plastering a look of indifferent boredom on her/their face(s). Now what?

Keep going straight until you see a red sign. There will be a blue waterfowl on the sign. Go up to the counter. Tell them you wish to go to Iwanai-chō in Hokkaido, with a return trip to Omi to Sumi in Kyōto. Then give them the gold koban you took from the gang. They won't care about the blood.

She managed not to flinch when she caught her first glimpse of the thing on the other side of the glass. Scarlet face, huge yellow eyes, big bushy black eyebrows and the largest, longest Pinocchio nose either girl had ever seen in their lives. Huge yellowing fangs were revealed as it sneered at them. The creature looked as if someone had attempted to craft a man out of melted wax, but their child had spilled tins of red, yellow and black paint into the mix. Even Lily Luna, the COMC Master, struggled to label the creature.

City-Tengu. They run many of the businesses in Mahōnihon, and often collaborate with your Gringotts goblins.

"1600 ryō for the trip, 10 percent fee for the enchanting," the creature said smugly, in answer to the girls' request.

Five or I'll say your name, The Voice whispered.

"Five or I'll say your name," Lily Luna repeated.

"Five!" the thing spat, sweeping the pile of koban through the partition window. For this exchange, they were rewarded with a thick foot-long piece of manila rope.

You have only half-enchanted this! The device would drop us right into the middle of Ohōtsuku-kai, pretender to the name Amatsukitsune. You owe me 200 ryō for your treachery or I say your name, son of a fake!

Ginny dutifully repeated the words whispered in her ear and was rewarded with a glare of pure rage and loathing. The creature snapped its jaw in a birdlike manner and pushed a jingling pouch through the partition. It seized the rope and after a minute, replaced it with another one, seemingly identical in every respect.

Take the pouch and rope. Turn left and walk 200 steps, The Voice ordered. Then activate the portkey. And try not to vomit.

The world began spinning. Lights flashed in the back of their minds and images danced across their field of vision.

Rise to your feet. Quickly.

They/She was on her/their stomach on a cobblestone road, one of which was pressed into a rather sensitive piece of their/her anatomy. The air was filled with unfamiliar sounds and smells. She could hear gulls and the swell of waves, and smell the salt in the air.

Quickly, The Voice repeated. Before you're noticed.

Where to now? Their eyes darted around the street, searching for threats.

Turn left at the mouth of the street and walk for 62 paces until you come across a black sedan. It is unlocked and the keys are in the ignition.

Won't it get reported stolen? No one seemed to be paying them any attention but Ginny couldn't dodge the feeling that she was being watched by 100 Aurors, each waiting intently for their superior's command to bring her into custody.

Three armed robbers are sitting in that café. They intend to use it as a getaway vehicle for a heist planned later this week. They are unlikely to report it missing if they notice it gone.

How do you know that?

Legilimency of course.

Ginny was impressed, in spite of her suspicions as to what The Voice's agenda was. Long-distance legilimency without eye contact was an extremely difficult skill to master.

Are these the sort of people we should be stealing from?

No. But it will not be an issue so long as you are careful about not being caught.

Yeah, um ... can you teach me how to drive real quick? Lily Luna asked.

You do not already possess the skill?

Both girls mentally shook their heads in the negative. Neither had ever had any reason to learn.

Wait. The Voice went silent for several moments. Turn 75 degrees left and walk for 200 paces. You will find a red delivery truck. Offer the driver 1000 regular yen to drive you to the temple named Kiko-in.

What if he says no?

Tell him that you are aware that he's overly fond of the bartender of his favourite pub and that his wife is not. Ask him if he would care to have her enlightened.

The promise of 500 yen was enough. The bored man hadn't even tried to talk them up from the initial offer. Yet another advantage of being (i.e., seeming) young and adorable. It was almost noon when they arrived at their destination.

I just thought of something, Ginny stated. I never learned Japanese. How am I able to speak to and understand everyone here?

Touch your earlobes, Lily Luna instructed. Feel those earrings? Now touch your tongue. Feel that tongue-ring? They're enchanted to facilitate communication. As long as you have them in, you'll be able to talk and listen like a native.

Get out here, The Voice commanded.

"Let me out here," Lily Luna echoed.

"Don't want the Bōsan to see you pull up with a strange man?" the muggle laughed. "Good luck getting in without that being noticed."

"Thanks."

The gestalt raced up the stairs and into Kiko-in temple. The small space was dominated by a large, ebony-black Buddha which smiled beneficently down upon the small human who entered. Surrounding it a plethora of gold and brass ritual items, flowers, and incense holders stood.

Go around to the back of the Buddha. In the space between the statue and the wall, there are three planks of a lighter wood making up the wall. Tap them in the following order with your wand: right, middle, right, right, left, middle, left, right, middle. Then step through the wall.

They found themselves in a narrow wooden stairwell. Climbing to the top, they entered a small study. Behind the desk a startled priest, resplendent in white robes and white beard, looked up and glared at the intruder.

Sit down opposite the gūji. A pity we do not have the time to do this properly, The Voice sighed. Still, needs must. Take out the gang leader's gold chain, the one with the signet ring on it. Place them on the desk and tell the gūji that you have acquired what was stolen from him.

"How?" the man demanded, rolling the signet ring between his fingers slowly.

"It was well-known that Tadamichi Kyousuke had taken possession of your kamudakara," Ginny replied, as instructed. "What is surprising is that you made no attempt to secure them yourself."

"And have myself or my followers turned into inugami chum?" the man snorted. "I think not. Nevertheless, I and all the people of Iwanai-chō do thank you for your service to our town and island."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple. If you wish for your shrine treasures to be returned to you, you must part with another two."

"You seek to extort a temple!?" the gūji spat, outraged. "Such sacrilege!"

"Nevertheless, I and all the people I represent do thank you for your service to us, Kyōto Palace, the Magical Council and the Emperor."

"What service to the Emperor could a gaijin child possibly represent? Yes, I see through your pathetic disguise, little mahōshōjo from another place. I see you true form, covered in the blood of the slain. Your tongue drips falsehood as much as your form drips violence – pretty words to mask the stench of your extortion!"

"Whether you believe me or not, if you wish the return of these," the girl fished out of her mokeskin pouch the emaki, the hakkyōkō, the shichishitō, the shinsatsu and the tomoe she'd liberated from the back-alley dealership in Kyōto; they levitated in a ring above her head, like a crown of artefacts, "you will part with two items of my choice. If it makes you feel any better, it is for the sake of the country."

The man ground his teeth in frustration, but eventually the sight of his shrine's beloved kamudakara floating right before him proved too great a temptation. "Deal," he snarled. There was a flash of golden light as the bargain was struck.

Lily Luna levitated the five objects of power carefully onto the desk. She then stood up, walked over to the circular side-table and seized the golden artefact sitting in the exact centre. "This yorishiro is one." It was the little golden handheld candle-holder they'd seen Future-Lily Luna with at the beginning of their adventure, except this one was unlit. All three of them had recognised it instantly as soon as they noticed it.

Tell him the second object we require is buried under the cherry tree by the shrine at the top of the hill.

The old priest's eyes widened. "You are mad!" he cried. "You would bring ruin upon us all! No human can possibly wield such power!"

"Then it is a good thing I am not human," the gaijin girl replied in an eerie, ethereal voice.

"It matters not whether you are human, yōkai, yūrei, kitsune, kaiju, monster, beast or worm! Such a device will destroy you and all who are near you, this is certain."

"It is needed," the gaijin insisted implacably. "For the sake of saving the Emperor."

"Even if I were to believe such a fanciful tale, you'd be more likely to level Kyōto Palace than save anyone!"

"Are you reneging on the terms of a magical contract?" the girl purred. "Because if so, I am most happy to take back those five shrine treasures and the two artefacts I require as recompense. You wish this?"

"Aargh!" The gūji ground his teeth in frustration. He suddenly gestured and a hidden door built into the side of the room flew open. "Begone then! Upon your own head be it! But know that the Magical Council will hear of this travesty before the day is out!"

Not sparing the old man another glance, Ginny hurried out the door and up the long, steep, overgrown path that led to the top of the hill which overlooked the town of Iwanai-chō. Beyond it, stretching to the horizon, was Ohōtsuku-kai, blue and vast and glittering merrily in the afternoon sun. Panting from the exertion, the team finally reached the summit. A small wooden shrine stood next to an ancient cherry tree. A braided rice straw rope wrapped around its trunk, and paper lightning-bolts and dolls hung from every branch.

Now dig at the base of the tree, The Voice instructed. Keep digging until you find a wooden container.

Lily Luna twirled her wand and the hard ground began cracking and uprooting itself, stacking into a neat pile of dirt and rock beside the tree. Beads of sweat began running down their brow as the magical toll of digging through such heavy, cloying turf, untouched for generations, began to make itself felt. Eventually, five feet down, they struck gold. Well, a wooden box anyway.

Levitate the box and carry it back down to the bottom of the hill. You will not be able to shrink it or fit it into your pouch. Do not delay, the gūji has gone to fetch his followers. They will attempt to prevent you from removing this box from Kiko-in and in your magically exhausted state, they may prove difficult to restrain. Once you are out beyond the temple's wards, activate the portkey again.

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Where are we now? asked Ginny, looking around the busy room.

Welcome to Omi to Sumi, the foremost magical hospital in Japan, Lily Luna announced. Can we rest for a bit, my arms feel like they're going to drop off?

Yes, we have some time before the action begins, The Voice agreed. Rest and recover your strength for the battle ahead.

The Scarlet-haired Witch(es) tottered over to the large café adjoining the reception room and plopped down onto the chair in the farthest corner, giving them a clear view of the rest of the room.

Don't want anyone sneaking up from behind, Ginny advised.

So what's in the box? asked Lily Luna curiously.

In the fullness of time, The Voice replied.

Of course, grumbled Ginny, bloody voice that can never give anyone a straight answer about anything. She waved over a waitress.

Can you at least tell us about the candle-holder? Lily Luna queried. I saw my Future-Self with it, so I know it's important.

It is the Jikan o Rōhi Suru ka no Kyandoruhorudā, the only yorishiro that can be used for our purposes. It is an artefact capable of attracting powerful spirits and housing them. Once a being inhabits the artefact, it becomes a shintai – a soul container.

Like a horcrux? Ginny asked in alarm.

The sudden, horrified expression that transmogrified her face startled the approaching waitress. With a cry of "Iya da!" the woman backpedalled rapidly from the unnerving redheaded gaijin covered in blood. The gaijin's eyes, and sometime entire body emitted an intermittent ethereal glow. And there was something about that large box, scattering black dirt all over the café, that just gave her the chills. Perhaps this was a task for Yumie after all. That woman was always bugging her for extra hours …

I do not recognise that term … let me see it in your thoughts … Kami-sama, no! The Voice recoiled in horror. It is nothing like such an abomination! To even suggest such a comparison is vilest sacrilege!

Er, sorry …?

But The Voice had retreated in a huff and spoke no more for the time being. Lily Luna was eventually able to coax one of the other waitresses into coming to their table to take their order. The coffee arrived in record speed, the girls were extremely impressed by the efficiency of the service, though it was rather unnerving how much the staff trembled and refused to make eye-contact. Taking her espresso, the girls were startled to see blood and dirt smearing over her cup as they grasped it.

Ah, I guess we forgot to clean ourselves up, Lily Luna admitted sheepishly. We must look a fright. That may explain all the odd looks the service staff keep giving us.

Frankly I'm surprised nobody's called the Aurors yet, Ginny replied.

We are in a hospital, seeing grimy dripping with blood is probably par for the course for everyone here.

Throwing back the scalding black liquid, the girls dragged their box and themselves to the nearest bathroom and spent the next 20 minutes scouring every speck of dirt and every drop of blood from their collective body and robes. Fortunately, Lily Luna kept half of her wardrobe in her mokeskin pouch, so they were able to change into fresh robes. Their discarded clothes were simply binned on the way out.

Now that you have rested and freshened up, it is time to move onto the next step of our mission, The Voice returned. It still sounded rather testy, to Ginny's mind. They made their way back to the reception room to find the main entrance.

"Well well well, what do we have here – a Potter-Weasley if I'm not mistaken!"

The girls started and turned towards their unexpected interlocutor.

"Wotcher, kiddo!"

"Nymphadora Tonks?"

"In sound mind and sexy body!" the Black metamorphmagus grinned cheekily.

"How are you alive?" Ginny asked incredulously.

"I practice my breathing every other day!" she joked. Nymphadora leaped forward and swept the gestalt into a crushing bear-hug. "So good to see you, kid! But pretty whack that you're so small. Never thought I'd ever see Aunt Lily Luna younger and shorter than li'l ol' me. Cuter too!" she pinched the girl's cheek, and grinned at her pout.

"How can you be here?" demanded Lily Luna. "Aren't you like, three years old or something at this point in the timestream?" She reached out to Tonk's head to feel the woman's trademark pink spikes, assuring herself it wasn't a glamour spell.

"That would be my doing," said a tall, dark and handsome stranger. The young man stepped up beside Tonks and slipped an arm affectionately around her waist. A man whose features looked extremely, eerily, horrifyingly familiar to Ginny –

"Gaaah! Voldemort!" She sprang back three paces, wand instantly in hand, a curse already shooting towards the space between his eyes.

"Nice reflexes," Tom Riddle complimented, casually cancelling the spell with a flick of his wrist.

"You won't trick me this time Tom," Ginny hissed, eyes flashing dangerously. "I'm gonna eviscerate you and scatter the molecules into every volcano in the Pacific Rim!" She summoned up every ounce of her remaining magic. Power began to crackle in the air around her.

"It's okay!" Tonks cried, stepping hastily in front of her man, hands outstretched, "he's not Voldemort, I swear! He's on our side!"

"Why does everyone always react like that whenever I visit the past?" he grumbled good-naturedly.

"On our side, are you mad?" Ginny demanded in amazement. "He's clearly influencing your mind – don't worry Tonks, once we've dealt with this slime, I'll find the finest healers in this hospital to break that Imperius he has over you!"

"My boyfriend isn't evil, Lily Luna, I'm happy to swear it on my magic," Tonks sighed. This was clearly going to be harder than she'd initially anticipated.

"Boyfriend?! Bleaurgh! At least you're sticking to overage witches this time, you sadist, and not preying on naïve first-year girls," Ginny sneered, eyes flicking around the room desperately. Terrain isn't good, not by a long shot – no cover anywhere, except for behind the counter. Which looks as if it wouldn't hold up to a single Blasting Curse. Tons of innocent bystanders and potential hostages milling about. Not much to transfigure besides a few chairs and that pot-plant. One dark lord and one brainwashed minion vs my myself and I. Just about the worst tactical position I could imagine!

"He's not Tom Riddle anymore – he and his mother were adopted as Malfoys years ago," Tonks tried another tack.

"He's a Malfoy too?! Well, that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside," Ginny shot back sarcastically, eyes and aura darkening further.

The sick and injured waiting in Omi to Sumi's reception room began to mutter and back away as the magical charge in the air grew higher and more threatening.

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In the end, it had taken the pair from the future a full hour to convince the suspicious Weaslette that Tom Riddle, now Tom Malfoy, was not a threat and was genuinely here to aid them in the upcoming battle. It had required magical oaths on Tom and Nymphadora's parts, and extensive legilimency probing by The Voice before Ginny was finally satisfied that it wasn't all a cruel deception.

"This dream keeps getting weirder and weirder. I wonder if any more enemies, dead people or dead enemies are going to start showing up wanting to be my friend?" Ginny rambled to herself, rubbing her temples.

There was a whirr and a flash as Tom and Nymphadora reappeared in their seats in front of her. They periodically ran out of their allotted half-hour and kept being returned by The Device to their own time. It always took a couple of minutes (from Ginny's point of view), for the pair to re-wind it and pop back to the café to continue their discussion. Ginny idly wondered what the other patrons of this establishment must think of two customers who continually disappeared and reappeared in flashes of magic every so often. Glancing around, she could see the rest of the inhabitants of the café gave the three gaijin a considerably wide berth.

"So let me see if I've got this straight," Ginny began slowly, "my boyfriend, Harry James Potter, somehow threw himself, Ron and Hermione back in time to our parents' era. And me too. And somehow they now live in the bodies of Peter Pettigrew, Gilderoy Lockhart and Dolores Umbridge. And I'm now in the head of my future-daughter-from-another-dimension for some reason. A sorta-daughter who came from her own future to get Harry's help saving her own Dad from trouble with Voldemort, and decided to stay. Harry then went back in time again using Lily's Luna's 'borrowed' Device, kidnapped Riddle and his mother before he was born, brought them to the future, which is actually the more recent past, and raised Tom as his own son. Then, once said son had graduated, Lily Luna 'borrowed' him a Device of his own and he decided to use it drop in on a bunch of his Da's old adventures and help out. And Tonks grew up in the Malfoy household along with Tom and eventually they started dating. So when Tom started bouncing around in the past, she demanded he take her with. That about sum it up?"

"Close enough for government work," Tonks agreed.

"Oh well that all makes perfect sense then, I'm sorry I doubted you and said you'd lost your marbles," Ginny said sarcastically.

"Oi! You may be my aunt (okay, two of my aunts), but don't think I won't put you over my lap and spank your bare botty in front of all these foreigners for your cheek, young lady!" Tonks waggled her finger chidingly.

"Are you at least still an Auror?"

"Sure am," the metamorphmagus said proudly. "Top of my class. I'll be running the DMLE within a decade, they say!"

"Well at least that part's still relatively sane," Ginny muttered. "Waaaay too much fluxweed and Sudafed in your hallucinogenic potions, Georgie-porgie, waaay too much … when I get my hands on you …"

"We're almost out of time," Tom announced. "Bad things are going to erupt all around this place," he checked his watch, "in less than an hour. Why don't you get your two aunts out of here until the excitement's died down, babe?"

"And miss all the fun?" Nymphadora pouted.

"I'm sure there's plenty of mischief to be had running around Kyōto with the crimson-haired hellions here. Especially considering that mysterious and powerful artefact she's got in that box ... I can feel its aura from here."

"That's okay," Lily Luna said nervously. "We just have a bunch of boring errands to run. No need for a chaperone."

"Ohoho, sounds intriguing! You've captured my interest now – alright babe, you win. I'll keep an eye on these crazy kids today." The two adults shared a quick peck. "But what if your timer runs out and you get zapped back to the future without me?"

"Just stick close to Pops, and I can use the Deluminator to find you both wherever and whenever you end up."

"Good idea; okay, looks like I'm having a holiday in the past today! You'd better not muck up your calibrations and come back to get me 20 years from now though, or you're so dumped!"

The 23-year old Tonks shared another brief kiss with the 20-year old Tom and he made his departure, fading away into invisibility as he left.

The pinkette seized the mysterious wooden box and hefted it under her arm. "I'll be your pack-mule, kiddo! We'll make a girls' day of it – it'll be fun! Onward!"

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They arrived in what looked like how Ginny imagined Gringotts would have looked 200 years ago. Thick, oriental carpets covered perfectly cut black marble floors. Gilded fittings on every piece of furniture. One side of the room was completely taken up by a line of mahogany teller's cages, each staffed by one of the goblins of the Kyōto branch who sat imperiously behind old-fashioned brass tills.

Go to the desk on the far left and state that you have a goblin-made item you wish to return.

"Let's see it then," the gnarled creature demanded rudely. "Give it to me!"

Ignoring the guards standing to either side of the teller (and Tonks' dismayed cry), Ginny drew the dagger she'd liberated from the grungy store and in a flash pinned the teller's hand to the desk. Her grin deepened as she placed her hand on the pommel and pushed it down. Neither guard made a move, though Lily Luna did note that each seemed to be doing its best to hold their mirth.

"Do you still want it?" Ginny purred. A frown appeared on her face when there was no response. In one smooth motion, she grabbed the nearest inkwell, whipped it around and shattered it against the teller's head. "I'm talking to you! Do you still want the stupid knife or would you rather I take it back?"

"Take it?" the teller wheezed.

"You'll recognise that it belongs to me and my blood?" Ginny asked, punctuating her question with a twist of the blade.

"Yes!"

"Wonderful. We have only two more bits of business before we go," Ginny said with a leer. "The first is this key." She dropped it on the countertop. "We would like to declare it and its contents to be ours by right of conquest. Unless you would like to object and try to take it for yourself ..."

"It's yours!" the teller squealed. The right guard lost its battle and began laughing openly, the left soon followed.

"I want all of its contents and that of any other vaults owned or controlled by the same person to be transferred to vault 616, belonging to Lily Luna Potter." The teller sagged against the counter as it went into shock due to blood loss and pain. "Did you hear me?" she demanded, raising her hand to deliver another blow.

"It will be done," an ancient-looking goblin promised as it approached the desk. "Pick him up and deliver him to the healers. Tell him I think it best if Gadnuk returns to driving carts until he's able to conduct a proper negotiation."

The two guards grabbed the fallen teller by the arms. "Take your dagger or I'll take his hand," the left guard stated. "Makes no difference to me."

Ginny pulled what was unquestionably her dagger out of the counter. She wiped the blade clean on a shell-shocked Tonks' sleeve and gave the older woman a cheeky wink.

"Now. Time is money," the ancient goblin stated. "I am Hardrok the Kyōto branch manager. Is there anything else Gringotts Kyōto can do for you?"

"Yes, from the contents of my new acquisitions is an artefact that looks like four metallic spheres that have been welded together. Bring it to me immediately."

"Gringotts will be happy to assist you for –"

"Standard rates, and you can remove it from the standard penalty owed to me for switching negotiators. I'll waive the rest for our use of Gringotts' secure transport to Wegelin & Co. in Ōsaka."

"Deal." The branch manager smiled, showing a mouth full of teeth. "Watching you deal with my subordinate was a pleasure, it's a pity you weren't born a goblin."

Ginny grinned back. "You wouldn't survive me."

"Ah, but what a way to go."

You have got to teach me how to do this stuff, Mum! Lily Luna demanded.

"What have I gotten myself into?" Tonks mumbled to herself in a dazed voice.

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They landed badly. The secure transport from Gringotts shuddered and went from 100 miles an hour to zero in less than two seconds, hurling the two human inhabitants out of the cart at great speed. Their bodies slid across the hard stone floor and slammed painfully into the far wall. The goblin driver was unaffected by the inertia.

"Gringotts wishes you a good day! Thankyou, come again!" Ziplok cackled and pulled a lever. The cart began to reverse back into the dark corridor it had emerged from.

Ginny/Lily Luna and Tonks found their sprawled limbs untangled and carried by invisible hands up a flight of stairs, to be dumped unceremoniously onto a thick red Persian carpet. Tonks grunted as the box and metallic artefact were dropped onto her lap. This place was strikingly similar to Gringotts in décor. The walls of the room were made of stained oak and covered with brass dials and knobs of no apparent purpose. The centre of the room was dominated by a large ebony desk behind which was a comfortable leather chair.

"What can we do for you today?"

Lily Luna spun and found what appeared to be a half-sized man standing in a doorway she'd have sworn hadn't existed a half-second before.

"Forgive me." The man snapped his fingers as he walked past her to the desk. "Please, have a seat." He waved, drawing her attention to two chairs that now stood facing the desk. Ginny dropped her aching derrière on the nearest. Tonks plopped down on the second one a moment later.

Tell him that you shall require use of a facility where a power ritual can be undertaken.

"Did you have a place in mind?" the small man asked.

Lily Luna dutifully repeated the voice's instructions. "It must be close to a ley-line convergence point, preferably near Sumiyoshi Taisha. And have a ritual circle already set up. I understand that Wegelin & Co. holds title to three suitable locations. I will also require the following supplies: mithril dust, seven wardstones and an experienced rune master. Oh, and information as to where I can acquire the final item needed for the ritual."

"What!? You shouldn't be planning to perform dark rituals, kiddo–"

"Your requests are doable, but such services will be extremely expensive," the banker interrupted Tonks. Neither he nor Lily Luna spared the metamorphmagus a glance as they negotiated.

"Lily, you can't be serious about this –"

"Naturally." Lily Luna ignored the spluttering Auror and withdrew a Gringotts bank draft from her mokeskin pocket. "Shall we say, the entire contents of the vaults of the individual who donated this artefact to me?" She pointed at the strange metallic object clutched in Tonks' arms, alongside the now-clean wooden box.

Good, Ginny praised, but be more assertive. Imagine they're your house elves or something; these banker peons exist to serve you, not the other way around.

"I think we can come to an understanding," purred the small man.

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The watch commander stared at the squad leader. The rest of the Aurors in the squad room shuffled and looked at their feet in shame.

"You know who they are yet?" the commanded stated, rather than questioned.

"No one knows who they are," Aramaki rebutted. "I've heard some rumours around town, that's all."

"Well?"

"Two unknown persons entered the Ōsaka Museum of History this afternoon, said they were looking for a stone dagger."

"Like the ones used by the jōmon to make sacrifices?"

"No, not like. They wanted an original." He frowned. "It's the sort of thing that sounds alarm bells, normally the sort of people who are after that sort of thing are –" He gave an involuntary shudder. "Local Aurors kept a very close eye on them because of that." The squad leader opened his mouth to say more and closed it. Then, with a deep breath, he continued. "I'm told they walked past a dozen fakes, didn't even glance down at them, to get to the one genuine. Picked it up and examined it for several seconds, and broke it. Cut it in half with another knife and left with the pieces." The squad leader rolled his eyes. "I'm told the Aurors watching were so shocked they let the pair go. Contact of mine said there was a curse on the blade, wouldn't go into details, just that it was one of the mysteries of magic best left unplumbed. Said the thing that scared him the most was that two kids not only knew what it was but how to destroy it. And that they took it with them. All sorts of arcane magic you could do with the shards."

"ID?"

"Nothing. The two were under heavy glamours. Mundane security cameras also show naught but blurs."

"I don't know what's worse," the watch commander grumbled. "The fact that my bakabakashii yarō Aurors managed to blow up all the evidence, the fact they forgot to bring our high-level protectee with them as they fled for cover like scared children, the fact that I now have to explain to Governor Asahara why his cousin's dead, or the fact that two of our suspects were able to just stroll into one of Mahōnihon's most important institutions, steal and destroy priceless antiquities, and then just stroll back out again right under my Aurors' very noses with not a one lifting a finger to prevent it! Is it your intention to turn the Ōsaka-Kobe-Kyōto Prefectural Magical Law Enforcement Division into an international joke? Is it your intention to –" she suddenly paused. "The wards have tripped. An unauthorised person has entered the station."

"All teams go!" the squad commander sounded the alert. "Intruder alert! This is not a drill!"

The watch commander frowned and brought her full attention to the wards. "They're gone." The law enforcement official frowned. "But there's something ..."

"Wha –"

Aramaki silenced the Auror with a look. Their keisatsu shochō needed to focus on the task at hand, she did not need the distraction of a junior Auror jogging her elbow.

"My office, I think," she said slowly.

"Ishikawa, Togusa, I want you two on point. Saito, watch the rear, no smart comments."

"Of course not, squad leader."

They made surprisingly good time for a group of paranoid Aurors expecting to find booby traps and ambushes around each corner and burdened with guarding their commander. It only took several times longer than it should have to reach her office.

"Clear!" Ishikawa called down the stairs.

The watch commander spotted the remains of the item that was giving the wards such fits. A priceless artefact that had been sliced neatly in two. She quickly performed a series of hand signs to cast spells over the stone shards. Her Aurors watched as the woman hit the objects with every detection and diagnostic spell they knew and at least two dozen they didn't before she was satisfied.

"Is that what I think it is?" the squad leader whispered.

"It is," the keisatsu shochō sighed. "The missing stone dagger. It has been used as a component for a very dark ritual, one best left unexplained."

"It's not so bad," one of the cherries offered, trying to cheer up his commander. "At least the culprit was kind enough to return the item to us."

"Are you asking for a practical lesson on the difference between regular brutality and police brutality?" his superior asked sweetly, levitating the shards off her desk and into an evidence bag with a gesture. "Because it sounds to me like you're volunteering to help me stress-test my new stave with your organs ..."

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The commander looked up to see her old training officer looming over her with a mug of piping hot coffee.

"Looks like you could use a drink," the grizzled veteran said with a grin.

"You're a good man," the commander praised. "Unfortunately, I'm about to go and brief our redoubtable Governor, so it's not the appropriate serving size for the occasion."

"What is the right serving for this type of situation?"

The commander removed an enormous mug with a white kitten motif from under her desk and emptied her coffee into it, Aramaki doing the same with his own coffee at his superior's urging. The keisatsu shochō opened a draw and extracted a three-quarters full bottle of bourbon, grimly emptying the entire contents into the mug. Then grabbed a bottle of aspirin and dumped all the little white pills into the concoction too.

"This one," the commander answered, downing the fizzling contents of the mug in one mighty gulp.

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˂:3 )~~~~ . ˂:3 )~~~~ . ˂:3 )~~~~

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Xiomara Lucrezia Zabini glided stealthily along the Viale dei Romagnoli towards the Ostia Antica. The few muggles in the area drove or walked past her with nary a glance, the light muggle-repelling charms applied to her black robe sliding their attention away from her like drops of water off a duck's back. She slipped amongst the silent ruins to find the desolate remains of the Ostia Antica Synagogue, est. 47 CE, the oldest synagogue in Rome, and the oldest in Europe on record. The girl pricked a pinky with her sharp nail, letting a single drop of blood fall onto the carved stone flower engraved in bas-relief on a lonely chunk of limestone. A heavy wooden door set within a stone arch materialised out of nothing. She pushed on it and, recognising her blood and magic, the door opened easily. As soon as she had stepped through, the door closed itself and disappeared once more.

Zabini strode through the passageway through the ancient wards and into the hidden complex beyond. Hastening through room after room, she diligently touched the ancient stone mezuzah attached to the doorframe of each one as she passed, bringing her fingertips to her lips after each touch. Finally, she reached her destination. A large, empty hall filled with desks and chairs. At the far end, behind an enormous wooden table sat an ancient man whose long white beard contrasted sharply with his long black robes. He busily inscribed arcane letters on a long scroll with his ostrich quill.

"Shalom aleichem," she greeted him formally.

"Shalom, young Zilla bat Mordechai. So, you have at long last come to visit me again," the old man said, in a voice like crinkling parchment.

She shook the soft wizened hand he offered with both of hers, then kissed her fingertips respectfully. "Mie scuse, grand-uncle."

Rabbi Meshullam ben Menachem chuckled. "I am sure you have many more exciting things to be doing with your time than wasting it with an old trombone like myself now that you have a new magical school and a new mishpacha."

"Of course not, grand uncle!" the girl replied, scandalised.

"Va bene. But remember Berachot daf 64. I expect to see many children from you, many builders of Torah."

Xiomara nodded earnestly.

"Now as to your purpose. You will be pleased to know that your entrance-ticket to the Volturi Conclave has finally arrived."

"So he is here then!?"

The old man smiled at her enthusiasm, eyes twinkling in a very Dumbledore-like manner. "Downstairs in my office."

Giving her grand-uncle a respectful half-bow, the girl glided down a nearby flight of steps into the Rabbi's private study. The ancient room would have delighted Hermione, had she been present. Wall-to-wall bookshelves were stocked to the gills with tomes both ancient and modern. And in the midst of this bushy-bookworm-beloved goodness sat the person she had come across the world to see.

The vampire Eleazar Sanguini reclined before an enormous walnut desk, groaning with stacks of papers and piles of books. The immortal creature was tall and slender with a shock of black hair brushed rakishly out of his yellow eyes. He was reading one text while writing a letter absently with his right hand.

"Neck deep in seforim on erev Shabbat – look who's looking like a real talmid, Rabbi Elazar," Zabini teased.

"Well, talmidei chachamim do increase peace in the world, sí?" he grinned, an impish light dancing in his golden eyes. He stood up to accept her embrace. She sighed happily as she sank into his ice-cold arms.

"Sitting in an office doing paperwork is hardly the sort of thing an ancient and mighty vampire should be doing with his eternal time," Xiomara murmured. "Where's your granite throne whereupon you sit and savour your goblet of blood, while your vampire brides cavort in front of you for your amusement?"

"Sitting on a throne the whole day gets mighty boring, mi cielito lindo. And mighty sore on the buttocks that are boring a hole into it. And Carmen would behead me herself if I decided to collect a stable of vampire brides."

"How's Denali?"

"Dark, cold, few humans, and filled with wild creatures. It's Gan Eden!" he grinned, sharp fangs gleaming in the low light. "And how is Hogwarts? Has that bastardo astuto Horace Slughorn tried to recruit you into his menagerie yet?"

"But of course," she purred. "There is no club, society, association or guild that would not give its eye-teeth to have a Zabini as a member."

"Except British magical high society."

"Certo," she conceded sourly. "But plans are in place to rectify that."

"I heard – congratulations on your kiddushin, Lady Malfoy. Or is Lady Potter? Or Lady Black? How is that cholent of a group relationship working out for you?"

"Boh. Bene so far, but it is early days yet. We have not had sufficient time to get to know each other or regularise our household. That may have to wait."

"Since you humans are so short-lived, I would recommend you do not waste time waiting for your little conflict with dark wizards to cease, before building up your relationships and your new life."

She shrugged. "We will have to see where this war will take us, non?"

"Ah yes, the minor tiff you mortals so amusingly refer to as the 'Blood War'. Ha! It has lasted mere decades and is localised in a single island chain! I could tell you of real blood wars, wars that lasted centuries and consumed oceans of blood, vampire and human alike. There was a time when no part of the globe was untouched by it, until –"

"… until the Volturi Conclave eventually grew powerful enough to crush all the conflicts and usher in an era of global peace that has lasted three centuries now, etc etc etc," Xiomara finished in a bored tone. "I remember."

He reached out a long, slender finger and poked her forehead firmly. "Don't sass your zakenim. It is only the influence of the Volturi that has kept the European covens neutral from all wizarding conflicts since the end of the Grindelwald War, including the one your new family is embroiled in as we speak. So show some respect – you're not too old for me to put you over my lap and spank you, mi pequeña!"

"What is it you're doing here?" she focused her attention on the desk, utterly unfazed by his threat.

Eleazar gestured towards the mess of parchment. "Vampire or mortal, it is paperwork that truly makes the world go round," he shook his head solemnly.

"Gam zeh ya'avor," she comforted him.

"My, so philosophical, little Zilla," he replied in amusement. "Nevertheless, the owl Post in Europe is far quicker and more efficient than in Alaska, so it's beneficial for me to get everything pressing out of the way while I am still here."

Zabini snagged a piece of parchment from the top of the stack, whose chicken-scratch message appeared to be written in red crayon. A few drawings of drops of blood decorated the corners of the page.

"Dear Mr Sangeni, will you be my friend? I always wanted to make friends with a vampire but my ma told me it was stupid. When I grow up, I want to be famous and travel the world and write about vampires. Have you killed anyone? What does human blood taste like? What is your favourite hobby besides killing people and drinking blood?" she read in glee.

"Ah, you've found my letter from the inestimable Eldred Worple, an aspiring vampirologist," Eleazar murmured.

"So are you going to write back to your number one fan?" she smirked.

"The very fact that a seven-year old child has managed to establish contact with me at all is an impressive feat. Perhaps I shall help this ambicioso in his desired vocation."

At that moment, an owl flew in through the window to deliver yet another missive. Xiomara had to relieve the jittery bird of its burden herself, as it refused to get within three feet of the vampire. "Thankyou little one, you may go now." The owl gave her a relieved bark and fled. She tossed the letter over to Eleazar who caught it dexterously. In half a second it was open and his yellow eyes scanning the contents rapidly. His face became ever-more thunderous.

"What is wrong, amico?"

"No lo sé, mija. It is from my father Carlisle. There are no details, but he sounds serious. More serious than he has been in the last century. Something is greatly amiss. I must return to America immediately, my mother Tanya may know more of this matter."

"Didn't your parents die of syphilis?"

"Not those parents," he replied absently, reading the letter again. Very slowly this time. "The Great Vegetarian Clan of the New World consists of two families; the Denali Coven and the Olympic Coven. The matriarch Tanya Savicheva of the Denali and the patriarch Carlisle Cullen of the Olympics are the leaders, and are as parents for the rest of us."

"How much older than you are those two?" she asked curiously.

"Considerablemente."

A silvery lion appeared in the room. "Kabbalat Shababt is almost upon us; come up, you two shall join us for services and kiddush," the Patronus instructed in the voice of Rabbi Meshullam.

"You go on without me. I am not in the mood for a repast," Eleazar said grimly.

"Che palle! Not in the mood – and you call yourself an Italian!?" Zabini mocked.

"I don't. I've lived in Spain many years more than I ever spent in Italy, young Zilla."

"Irrelevant, you are still a Sanguini, no matter your pretensions of Spanishness," she said firmly. "Now, yalla! Or do I have to find Carmen to drag you upstairs?"

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˂:3 )~~~~ . ˂:3 )~~~~ . ˂:3 )~~~~

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Several hours later, the three of them relaxed in plush chairs on a high balcony, enjoying the evening breeze. The other witches and wizards politely gave them a wide berth for their discussion. Privacy wards had already been erected around their chairs and their end of the balcony some hours ago, to avoid breaking the Sabbath.

Below them the lights of Rome twinkled. They watched the small boats slowly travel down the Tiber River towards the Mediterranean, which was an inky line across the horizon. The two humans sipped their wine, while Eleazar made do with a goblet of sheep's blood in lieu of the sweet kiddush wine.

"The 'Clave has been in ferment of late," Eleazar observed. "I don't know what it is, but Aro and Renata are greatly agitated. At least as much as they ever get over anything. Something big is brewing as we speak. It might take longer than usual to gain access to them, little Zilla."

Suddenly Rabbi Meshullam sat up straighter. "The wards tell me someone has entered Ostia Antica. Carmel bat Hanania has at last arrived to join us."

She did not wait long to make her entrance; mere moments after the words were spoken, a dark blur leaped over the railing and landed on the balcony. If any of the other guests found it unusual for vampires to drop in randomly from the sky, none gave any sign of it.

"Quite a jump, Carmel bat Hanina," the old man complimented her. "That must have been at least 100 metres."

Carmen Zabini shrugged her shoulders indifferently. Like Eleazar she shared the common vampire attributes of grace, speed, height and ethereal, preternatural beauty. Her yellow eyes locked onto the girl, fanged teeth showed in a wolfish grin. "So Zillatta, you at last come back to your homeland? Is that any way to treat your poor, ill-treated ancient ancestors?"

"I could ask you the same thing, amica!" Xiomara shot back. "Swanning around the New World with your vegetarian friends, looking down your noses at the rest of us meshuggene mortal ants crawling around on our leaves. Is eternity so short a time that you cannot even reply to a letter?"

"Why you little …" in a flash, Carmen had her great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter in a headlock and mussed her ebony locks unmercifully. Xiomara giggled and squirmed, lost in the flowing black tresses and iron grip of her captor, helpless against the noogie assault.

"We have no time to play, mi vida – Carlisle has contacted us, we must make haste to Denali immediately."

Carmen immediately ceased her roughhousing and switched into serious-mode. "What is the trouble, dodi?"

"Unknown, but it must be serious. We must cut our holiday short. Tanya will know what to do."

"You cannot leave yet!" Zabini objected hotly, springing to her feet.

"Fear not, pechocha, I will speak to Aro about granting you an audience with the Volturi as soon as I can. For now, I bid you l'hit v'shavua tov!"

"But –"

But her outraged protests were in vain, with a blur of speed the two immortal undead had cleared the railing and vanished into the night.

"Oh, that's nice," said Xiomara huffily. She flounced back into her chair, arms folded.

Her great-uncle laughed at her petulant pout. "Ah the impetuosity of youth! Let me tell you a story, bambina."

"That's your answer for everything," she grumbled.

"Certo, I am a rabbi after all."

Zabini sighed, there was no way she would be able to avoid hearing this.

"What do you know of the building of this synagogue?"

The girl shrugged diffidently.

"I shall assume nothing, then. Once upon a time, there lived a senator named Faustus Cornelius Sulla, the son of the great dictator of Rome Lucius Cornelius Sulla. A lackey of the desecrator Pompey, whom the Romans laughingly called the Great, young Faustus was the first to climb over the walls of the Temple of Jerusalem when it was stormed by Pompey's armies in 3697. The first Roman to desecrate the holy place by his idol-worshipping, man-slaying presence. The first to cut down the holy priests as they continued their avodah, unmindful of the soldiers' sacrilege as they murdered and pillaged around them. But Faustus' triumph was in vain, vengeance returned to find him. 17 years later, he was defeated, disgraced and cut down by Publius Sittius, the hand of our great protector, the Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar. And yet misfortune continued to plague the Sulla family. Members fell in war, died of diseases, were executed for treason unjustly. Many and varied were their tsores. Not unlike your husband's House of Malfoy. May it cease upon your house, young Zilla."

The old man clasped the thumb of his right hand in his left hand, and the thumb of his left in his right hand. Xiomara followed suit. "May we be of the seed of Yoseph," they muttered in harmony, to ward off the Evil Eye.

Rabbi Meshullam settled back and continued. "Some declare it the origin of the 'Dr Faust' legends of the Germans. Whether that is true or not, it is the case that Faustus Cornelius Sulla's great-great-grandson Faustus Cornelius Sulla Felix ordered the building of Ostia Antica Synagogue and provided the donations to fund it. To atone for his ancestor's crime, he set to establishing a replacement temple, a mikdash me'at, here in Europe. The foundations were set in 3807, on the day Felix married Claudius Caesar's daughter Claudia Antonia, considered a good omen. You can still see the propyleum and triclineum he built amongst the muggle ruins outside the wards. But the project languished unfinished, and the task was eventually abandoned. And so the disasters continued to fall on House Sulla. Finally, a descendant of Felix 10 generations later, a man named Faustus, nicknamed 'Mindus', 'the Mindful', donated the porticos, cupola and aron kodesh, completing the mikdash me'at at last. And from that point on, the tsores ceased to fall upon the family. They grew and multiplied and live on even until this very day."

"I am happy it turned out well, but how does this relate to my problem?"

Rabbi Meshullam was quiet for a time, watching a barge carefully wend its way through the Tiber. "The wheel of time grinds slowly but it grinds exceedingly small, bambina. There is nothing undone that shall be left uncompleted, no debt that shall remain unpaid, no hidden thing that shall not be revealed, even if it be as tiny as a carob seed. Like Faustus Sulla, the Sanguini family once committed great wrongs against House Zabini. Eleazar himself was no exception. And heaven has visited their cruelty back on them for a dozen generations. Now, like Mindus Faustus, the scion seeks to undo the damage, pay recompense to the descendants of his victims. And he will continue to do so until House Sanguini's debt is repaid in full, even if he does not realise that is what he is doing. His selfless devotion to Carmel bat Hanina is one aspect of this. So is his devotion to you." Grunting softly in effort as he pulled himself to his feet, the old man patted Xiomara on the head. "Worry not, Eleazar Sanguini de Gusano has made you a promise, and Carmel bat Hanina Zabini will hold him to it. A better advocate than them one cannot have."

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