Disclaimer: Not mine, unless you're counting the plot and some of the OC's.

A/N: Almost 650 reviews. I'm in shock every time I look. Wipes off tear of joy. You all rock!

Chad arrives in the UK, some conversation, Sirius and Snape snipe, Chad and Dumbledore talk, and a bit more of Voldie.

Chapter Twenty-One: Stubborn? Yeah, just a bit.

Harry decided he didn't like waiting. Especially when he was waiting in an area crowded with people, half of them not even British. He didn't mind foreigners as much as some – cough, cough, Vernon Dursley – it was more that there were more people in Heathrow than he'd ever had to deal with outside of a school assembly. It went without saying that he stuck close to Remus and Jennifer. Chad was supposed to be here over an hour before, but he was delayed out of New York because of snow, and was now delayed on landing because of fog. Harry'd be angry at the weather, but what good would it do? He just wanted to go home.

"We're supposed to meet him here," Jennifer said, for the fifth time since they took a seat at the tea-stand.

For all that Remus was a wizard, Harry noticed he seemed more at ease in the airport than Jennifer did. "You've said that already, Jenn. He'll show up. Why don't you get yourself and Harry a scone?"

Jenn nodded, "Sounds good, you want anything?"

Remus shook his head, "Thanks, but no. Harry?"

Harry looked up from examining the table top. "Hmm?"

"You know you didn't have to come."

Harry nodded, "Yeah, but…"

Remus chuckled, "You're effectively hiring him, right? So you felt you needed to be here."

"Right."

"At least it's not four in the morning, yeah?"

Harry nodded and accepted the cup of tea and cream cheese Danish from Jennifer. "Yeah."

Jenn shivered melodramatically, "I can't imagine thirteen hours on an airplane."

"It was more like fifteen, sister-dear." Chad's voice sounded from right behind Jennifer.

Jennifer jumped, and whirled around. "Ooh! I hate it when you sneak up on me!"

Chad just grinned. He was a tall, broad man with salt-and-pepper hair, light blue eyes – just like Jenn's – and a rather imposing physical bearing. "I know, that's why I do it. You'd think that after a lifetime with me as your older brother, you'd get used to it." He reminded Harry of nothing so much as a friendly version of Professor Snape. Chad turned to Remus and Harry, "And who are these two? You finally get rid of the mechanic?"

Jenn glared, "No. Allen had to work. This is Remus Lupin," Chad shook Remus' hand, "and Harry Potter."

Chad smiled, "Jenny tells me you're the one looking to hire, but that can't be right. You're all of what? Fifteen?"

Harry cocked an eyebrow, "Seventeen, Mr. Thomas."

Chad shrugged, "Sorry. Jenny wasn't too forthcoming with the details on the phone. At the very least, I've managed to get a free trip here to visit her."

Remus and Harry exchanged a look, Harry shook his head. "Perhaps we ought to find some place a bit less crowded?"

"Sounds like an idea to me." Chad motioned for Remus and Harry to lead the way out of the building and to Jenn's car.

Chad and Jennifer talked mostly of family-related gossip while Remus and Harry sat in the back seat on the way home. "Do you think Sirius is finished getting everything set up?" Harry whispered.

Remus checked his watch, "It's been three hours, so I would think so. You nervous?"

"No, just a little… apprehensive. I know he's Jenn's brother, and that if he agrees to help, he'd be useful, but… I still don't like the thought of obliviation."

"I've never been too fond of that particular spell, either, Cub, but sometimes it's necessary."

"Doesn't mean I have to like it."

Remus nodded and they went back to staring out the windows until Jenn stopped in the driveway of the Kellerman house.

"Still living in suburbia, Jenny?" Chad observed as he got out of the car.

"Shush it, you!" Jenn laughed and helped him with his bags. "It's been remodeled a bit since you were last here. You'll also be staying in the den, the other bedrooms are currently occupied."

"You wound me! Sleeping on a couch!" Chad laughed.

Sirius emerged from between the house and garage just then. "Hey all!" he called to Harry and Remus.

"Everything ready?" Remus asked when Sirius was closer.

Sirius nodded, "Of course! It'll be quite a show, I'm sure." He grinned at Harry. "How was the airport?"

"Crowded."

"And who is this, Jenny? And does the mechanic know about him?" Chad chuckled, "What must the neighbors think?"

Jenn huffed in exasperation, "Oh, pshaw on what the neighbors think. This is Sirius Black – he lives down the street. He's also Harry's godfather and one of Remus' friends."

"Pleasure to meet you," Sirius offered his hand.

Chad shook it. "Hang on a minute! I remember you!"

Sirius grimaced, "Shite," and turned to face Remus. "Am I going to keep running into this forever, Moony?"

Remus shrugged, "Don't know, Padfoot."

"Yeah, it was what… sixteen years ago or so? Something about a double-homicide…"

Harry sighed, "Don't think on it for now, Mr. Thomas. That, along with a few other things, will be explained. If you and Jenn would get your things inside, and then meet me, Sirius, and Remus in the backyard?"

"Sure thing, kid." Chad followed Jennifer into the house, whispering questions at her the entire time.

"Did you know that story made it across the pond?" Sirius asked Remus.

Remus shrugged, "No, I didn't, though it makes sense. No one knew where you were. I'm sure they contacted all the muggle liaison offices before you were caught."

Harry decided to interrupt them before the entire day had been debated away, "Come on, you two. Talk about it later, we've got work to do."

"Too right, Cub. Let's go inspect Padfoot's wards, yeah?"

About twenty minutes later, Harry and Remus were sitting on a long, narrow dueling platform that had been erected in the Kellerman's backyard. Sirius was pacing a trough in the snow. "Maybe you ought to duel with Sirius, Harry," Remus whispered.

Harry glanced at his godfather, "Maybe you're right. He looks like he could use the exercise. You're a touch better at explanations, anyway."

"Hey, Padfoot!" Sirius jumped. "Quit worrying and sit down. I'll take the explanations, you duel Harry."

Sirius snickered, "You just want to see me get my arse handed to me."

Remus grinned, "Well… You could use the practice."

Before Sirius got the chance to retaliate, the back door opened and Chad and Jennifer emerged. "And what is this, Jenny?"

"Just sit down and watch, damnit. I keep telling you, if you'd take the time to hear me, that your questions will be answered with time. Now, sit!" Jenn looked like she was ready to slap Chad. Chad seemed to notice and immediately fell silent, taking a seat on a bench that, in summertime, overlooked Jenn's roses, but had been moved to face the platform.

Remus stood in the middle of the platform while Harry and Sirius took either end. "We're going to start off with a bit of an exhibition, then we'll move inside to talk things over. What you're about to see is… Rather difficult to describe, so all I'll say about it before we begin is that I ask you hold your questions until we're done." Remus jumped off the platform and stood behind Jenn and Chad. He withdrew his wand and said, "Padfoot, Cub, you may begin when the feather hits the stage." A scarlet feather was suddenly fluttering between the duelists.

Chad had just enough time to ask, "Hey, where'd the feather come from?" before he was stunned into silence by dual shouts.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Protego!"

"Rictusempra!"

Harry ducked, "Tarantallegra!"

"Hey! No fair!" Sirius shouted, "Finite! Petrificus totalus!"

"Protego! Not my fault you didn't shield! Stupefy!"

A small floating ball of bright red light hovered at Harry's end of the platform. "Protego!" Sirius shot a stinging hex back at Harry, who didn't duck low enough. Another red ball appeared at Sirius' end of the stage.

"Furunculous!"

Sirius side-stepped out of the path of the hex and sent a finger-removing jinx back at Harry. Harry ducked, and sent out a stupefy.

The duel continued for about ten minutes, when – with the score evenly tied at two hits each – Harry managed to hit Sirius with an expelliarmus. Harry walked across the stage and helped Sirius to his feet while Remus said, "And the match goes to Harry." Harry handed Sirius his wand and they jumped off the stage. Sirius turned and canceled the charm on his pocket dueling stage, and it shrank back to approximately an inch high by six inches long. He picked it up and tucked it into his pocket before turning to see Remus and Harry both trying not to laugh, Jenn snickering, and Chad's jaw open wide enough to count the fillings in his molars. "Shall we go inside for some hot chocolate?" Sirius grinned at his friends.

Once inside and fortified with a cup of coco, Chad recovered his wits enough to ask, "What the hell was that?" Taking turns, Remus and Harry explained about magic. Chad scrubbed his hands across his face. "I almost don't want to ask, but I think I should… Why did you bring me over?"

Harry took a breath and began explaining about Voldemort. After many clarifying questions, and help from Remus and Sirius, Harry was about ready for a nap when they finished explaining everything. It had taken almost four hours.

Chad yawned, "So, basically, you want me to work on figuring out what this Voldemort character is going to do?"

"In a word, yes." Harry said. "We'll help you get whatever other information you may need, as well as help you with the magical aspect of what's going on, but… None of us really know what we're doing when it comes to thinking… like that."

"And I do…" Chad sighed and stood, his back popping audibly. "Do you mind if I sleep on it?"

"Go ahead. We're in no great rush, just yet." Remus answered.

"And if I decide not to?"

Sirius shook his head, "You'll not remember anything we told you. Nothing personal, mind you, it's just that the wizarding world has worked too long and too hard staying a secret from muggles…"

"I understand." Chad nodded. He'd done some work for the government back in the states, and he knew if they had been able to wipe his memory of the job, they would have. As it stood, he faced execution if he talked about that little job.

He made his way to the den and curled up on the sofa, without bothering setting it to bed form, and without bothering to undress. He'd had a helluva long day, and now this. He was asleep before he had time to think on whether he'd accept the job or not.

When he awoke, his watch told him it was four hours later. It actually said it was one in the afternoon, but he hadn't yet set it to GMT. After a bleary moment, he realized it was six in the evening. He could smell something delicious cooking down the hall. His stomach reminded him he'd slept through the meal on the plane. He sat up and stretched. Well, Chad, what do you think? Take the job and get your questions answered, or go home and forget all about this? He had to laugh at himself. If he was honest with himself, he knew his answer. He ignored the little voice in the back of his head that kept telling him 'curiosity killed the cat' and set about finding a shower.

Clean and wearing clean clothes, he found Harry and Remus sitting in the kitchen while Jenn worked at the stove. He had to blink at the chess game they were playing, the pieces were talking. "Knight to E-3." He saw the piece in question move across the board, then demolish the bishop that had been sitting on the square. "Check."

Harry frowned, "I tried telling you, I'm not that good at chess, Remus." He thought for a moment, then had his king move out of harm's way. When he looked up, he spotted Chad standing in the doorway. "Sleep well?"

Chad nodded, "Yeah."

"What've you decided?" Jenn asked.

Chad grinned, "I'll probably regret this, but… Why not?"

Harry returned Chad's grin. "Good. We'll talk more after Allen gets home. Have a seat. I think Jenn said dinner should be ready shortly."

Chad took a seat next to Harry, "Who's winning?" he gestured to the chess board.

"Remus." Harry noticed that while he had been talking, Remus had moved. "Hey! I didn't get to see your move!"

Remus grinned, "Your loss. You really should pay more attention."

Chad helped Harry play Remus to a standstill before dinner was served. During the meal, the four of them chatted about insignificant things, mainly what Harry was hoping to do with his future and how he was doing in his muggle classes. Just as the meal was ending, the doorbell rang. Harry glanced at the clock above the stove. He sighed, "Fifteen minutes early. So, for him, right on time." He exited the kitchen and Chad shot a questioning glance at Jennifer.

"Professor Snape. He comes by a couple of times a week so that Harry can practice potion-making." Jenn answered.

"Also why Sirius cut out of here before dinner. He and Snape don't get along all that well." Remus supplied.

Jenn had to laugh at that. "I don't know who's worse, Sirius and Professor Snape, or you and Allen, Chad."

"That bad, eh?"

"You have no idea," Remus said as the back door opened.

Sirius ducked his head through the door, "Is that slimy git here yet? I wanted to ask Harry something."

Jenn snickered. "Here, Sirius." She shoved a tupperware container at him. "If I had known that taking in Harry meant I'd be cooking for three more people…"

"Empty threats, love. Empty threats." Sirius smiled. "We know you'd still do it. Thanks for dinner, by the way, but I really did have a question for Harry…"

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the mongrel." A voice Chad didn't recognize sounded from the door to the hall.

"Snivellus." Sirius sneered.

"Honestly, Black, get some new material. That one's getting old."

"I would, but you can't fault a classic."

"Hah! Classic? Not quite! The fleas must be getting to you."

"No more so than the fumes do you. You'd think you'd wash up more often. I know I would, but then again, not all of us delight in all things slimy."

Snape rolled his eyes. "You never understood the art –"

"Art? Hah! Anyone can follow a recipe, you bloody –"

"Shut it, you ruddy cur!"

"Cur? That the best you can do, Death Eater?"

Something flashed in Snape's eyes and his wand was out, "Watch what you say, Black –"

Jennifer stepped between Sirius and Snape. "Guys! No hexing in my kitchen! If you're that set on killing each other, do so outside!"

Sirius smirked at Snape. "Sorry Jenn. It won't happen again. Thanks again for supper. I'll talk with you later," he directed the last comment at Harry. Harry nodded. Sirius apparated out of the house.

Snape had put his wand away and was now looking at Chad as though he were a particularly interesting potions sample. Harry sighed and shook his head, "You'd think they were the teenagers." He muttered to Jenn.

Jenn smiled, "Too true, Harry."

Remus, however, ignored the whispers between Jenn and Harry. "Chad Thomas, this is Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Chad nodded and offered his hand, "Chad Thomas, profiler for the NYPD, though I have been known to take a bit of freelance work every now and then."

Severus shook the man's hand, noting some underlying similarity to Jennifer's features. "And what does a 'profiler' do?"

"Oh, I just get into the bad guy's heads, find out what they're going to do next, that sort of thing."

Snape quirked an eyebrow. "Is that all?"

Chad grinned and shrugged, "It's harder than it sounds. Pays well, though."

"I wouldn't know."

"You got a few minutes?" Chad asked. "I should get working, it's what I'm here for and all. May as well get what information I can while you're here."

"And what, may I ask, information do you need from me?" Harry could see that his potions professor was rather uneasy.

"Oh, just a few questions about Voldemort."

The corner of Snape's eye twitched, "And of what use is information on the Dark Lord to a muggle?"

Chad's smile broadened, "You'd be surprised what you can do with simple information." He stood and placed a hand on Snape's shoulder. "This shouldn't take long." He pushed Snape through the door and towards the den.

Jenn exchanged a glance with Remus. "You know, I almost feel sorry for Severus."

"Don't worry about Snape. He can take care of himself," Remus replied.

"He's never met my brother, though."

A few days after his arrival in Britain, Chad found himself escorted by Sirius through a village that seemed as though it had ignored the last hundred years or so of technological development. He found out from Sirius that was an accurate assessment of Hogsmeade. It was still a bit much to take in that there was an entire subculture hidden from normal folk, hiding right in plain sight, so-to-speak, though it did clear up a couple of questions about a case he had worked in the late eighties that remained unsolved. When he returned to the states, he'd see about getting in contact with the US wizarding sector to see if they could bring it to a close.

He followed Sirius through the snow-covered path in the woods to what looked like one of the many castle-ruins that were so prevalent throughout Europe. "Here," Sirius handed Chad a curiously-shaped pendant. "Put that on." The pendant appeared to be nothing more than a complicated bit of knotwork done in gold chain.

"What is it?"

"An amulet that will let you see through the illusion on the castle. Had you blundered into the area without a wizard-escort, the anti-muggle wards would have made you think you needed to be somewhere – anywhere – else."

Chad nodded, understanding of extreme security measures, and pulled the amulet on. He gasped as the ruins melted away to reveal a rather stunningly impressive castle. "Wow."

Sirius chuckled, "That seems to be the consensus of anyone seeing Hogwarts for the first time."

"This is a school?"

"What else would we use a castle for? The wizarding world got rid of monarchy a full three hundred years before the muggles did."

"I repeat: Wow."

Sirius shook his head, "Come on, the Headmaster's this way." Chad followed as Sirius lead the way through twisting corridors and up multiple staircases, past portraits that greeted them and suits of armor that waived hello. After several minutes, though it seemed much shorter, Sirius stopped in front of a stone gargoyle. "Hey there, Hubert, old boy. Why don't you let the Headmaster know we're here to see him?" The gargoyle nodded and Chad and Sirius waited a moment before it stepped out of the way to reveal a spiral staircase, slowly moving upwards like an escalator. "Hop on." Sirius demonstrated, and Chad followed close behind.

When they reached the top of the staircase, and entered a massive pair of double-doors, Chad found himself in a large office wherein multiple gold and silver gadgets hummed and clicked along, the walls covered with portraits of witches and wizards sleeping – Or are they only pretending? I could have sworn that one just peeked at me out of the corner of her eye…

"Sirius, good afternoon. How can I help you?" Chad looked to the speaker. An old man with a long white beard and longer white hair was smiling at them. He had bright blue eyes and looked as though his nose had been broken at least twice. He was wearing bright blue robes that had little fluffy white clouds floating across them. Every so often, a bird would flitter through the clouds before disappearing again.

"Good day, Professor. May I introduce Chad Thomas?"

Dumbledore looked at Chad, and Chad felt a curious sensation of fingers brushing through his thoughts when he met the old man's eyes. "I don't mean any disrespect, sir, but if you don't stop whatever it is you're doing, I'll be forced to take action."

Dumbledore chuckled. "My apologies, Chad. Please, have a seat." He motioned to the two chairs now in front of his desk.

Chad sat, "Just what were you doing?" Sirius looked interested in Dumbledore's response, as well.

"Merely determining if you were a threat, nothing more." Dumbledore conjured up a tea service. "Tea?"

Sirius accepted a cup, Chad didn't. "To get to why I'm here, I'll be blunt. I've been hired in my capacity as a profiler to work for Harry Potter. He feels my expertise would be beneficial regarding this Lord Voldemort fellow. I was aimed in your direction because you have the most information."

Dumbledore chuckled again, "Of course, dear boy. Of course. I'll tell what I can, but do keep in mind that it may not be all I know. Some things aren't for me to tell."

Chad nodded, "No harm, no foul."

Dumbledore turned to Sirius, "Sirius, if you would be so kind as to leave me with Mr. Thomas for a bit? I believe Hagrid would be happy to speak with you."

"Certainly, Headmaster. Send word when you're done."

Dumbledore nodded. When Sirius had gone from the office, Chad quirked an eyebrow at the old man. "Just what were you doing? It was the most peculiar sensation I've ever come across."

"Like I said, dear boy, I was making sure you were not a threat. I must admit that you've one of the more organized minds I've ever come across – wizarding or muggle."

Chad shrugged. "It's helpful in my line of work."

"Ah, yes. You said you were a profiler. Just what does that entail?"

"I've several degrees in psychology, I use what I know to assist the police in figuring out what the 'bad-guys' are going to do next."

Dumbledore suddenly looked interested. "Fascinating. And Mr. Potter has hired you to work on Voldemort?"

Chad nodded, "Yeah. I know this isn't strictly my area, but Sirius and Remus will be helping me not to think like a – what's the word? Ah, yeah. Like a muggle."

"Hmm…" Dumbledore stood, "I think I understand what your goal is, and I must say that I'm a touch surprised. Harry's proving more resourceful than I would have credited."

Chad snickered, "You and me, both." He opened the briefcase he brought with him and pulled out a pad of paper and a ball-point pen. "Shall we get started, then?"

Dumbledore nodded, "I reiterate, though. There are some things that aren't mine to tell."

"Don't matter, just go with whatever you can."

Dumbledore smiled, "Thank you." He wandered across the office and opened a cupboard. He withdrew a large stone bowl, complete with elaborate carvings on the sides. "This is a pensieve, Mr. Thomas. Some of what you ask that I relay… Words fail. This will allow you to see what I saw."

"You say he's not at Hogwarts?"

"No, milord. My nephew says that the rumor is that he was barred from going by his aunt."

"This is most fortuitous news, indeed, my Bella. I want you to find him."

"May I ask why, milord?"

Harry smiled at Bellatrix. "I want him, Bella. I want to finish what I started all those years ago."

Bella bowed her head, "As milord commands it." She turned to a stack of parchments on a candle-lit desk. There was a very old book under the parchment. "Milord? The ritual demands four, not three, points of sacrifice. I don't see how you plan to complete this without the fourth aspect."

Harry chuckled, "It's all in the arithmancy, Bella. If you look at the date I've written down there, you'll see how we will be able to complete it without a fourth."

Harry sat up, blinking the remains of sleep out of his eyes. Damn, another one. He reached for a notebook and scribbled down all the details of the dream he could remember before getting out of bed and locating the painkiller in the bathroom. He had a feeling that these dreams – visions, whatever – weren't going to go away. When he returned to his room, he saw that it was nearing seven. There's no sense in going back to sleep. He dressed and decided to make breakfast. He'd not had to cook since leaving the Dursleys, and he rather missed it.

By the time Jennifer showed up in the kitchen, Harry'd had almost everything done. Remus showed up not much later, drawn by the smell of bacon and omelets. Allen turned up at his normal time, "This is good, Harry. We might have to have you cook a bit more often," he grinned.

While they ate breakfast, Harry told them about his dream of the night before. He knew Chad was likely on the other side of the door, taking notes. It seemed as though the American kept arguments between himself and Allen to a minimum by not being where Allen was. Harry had yet to see the two of them in the same room.

After Allen left for work, Chad joined in breakfast, polishing up the last of the bacon in the process. "So, what's on the agenda for today?" Chad asked, draining his coffee mug.

"Not too much, actually. Classes for me start up again tomorrow." Harry refilled Chad's mug. "I was thinking on inviting Arthur over for the afternoon. We may go to Diagon Alley to talk with Gringotts."

Remus looked confused for a moment. "Arthur Weasley? Whatever for?"

"He's going to be helping Harry with a revolution." Jenn said.

"Huh?"

"You know Arthur, right?" Harry asked. Remus nodded. "What's his hobby?"

"He dabbles in muggle stuff."

"And?"

Remus shrugged, "I've no idea what you're getting on about, Cub."

Harry laughed, "Nothing much to start with. I just figured that if I've got all this money, I may as well use it for something productive."

Remus closed his eyes. "Please tell me you're not thinking of doing what I think you're going to…"

Harry smirked, "Fine, then I won't say anything."

"What of Voldemort, Harry?" Remus met Harry's eyes.

"What of him? I'm not going to let him side-track me too awful much. I've got some plans that I want to see come to fruition."

Remus groaned and buried his face in his hands, "Do me a favor, though, Cub. At least talk to Andie first. Please?"

Harry chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of trying this without her help."

"Good."

Chad cleared his throat, "Um… Excuse me, but what're all of you talking about?"

Jenn shared a look with Harry, "Do you want to tell him or should I?"

Harry shrugged, "You can. I'm going to go over to Sirius' to floo Arthur. Back in a bit."

Remus threw his hands in the air, "I don't want to know. I'll be in the lounge if anyone needs me."

A/N2: And this chapter ended up about twice the length I'd anticipated. I like how it panned out, though.

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Edit: I noticed, after posting the chapter, a minor name-error, ergo I have reposted the chapter, correcting the error in the process.