Disclaimer: As you all know (or at least figured out) I'm not JKR. Therefor, I'm not making any money with this and everything you recognize is hers. The rest is mine.
Chapter 5: Visions and beasts
In a blur Harry was back to the Apparition Point. Everything was as neat and organized as it was when he had been visiting an hour ago (or was it in twenty minutes?). Time Turners aren't the best way to retain your sanity, Harry chuckled.
He stepped into the Alley and went to the only restaurant. He figured he'd ponder on his next move while having a drink. Making sure his hood was still up, he found a sit on the terrace, facing the future Apparation site of the Death Eaters. He still didn't know if they were the future actors of a show he'll be watching, his friends in a little sado-masochistic game or his enemies in a fight to death (lets face it, he had a dagger, a throwing knife and a gladius, he wasn't going to fight to stun).
In a couple of 'Pops' a House-Elf had brought him a butterbeer and a FireWiskey. He figured he'd might as well enjoy some strong drinks, he was either going to have fun or die so…
Lazily Harry let his eyes travel among the faces of the passers-by. Each and every one of them was hurrying, they all looked scared shitless. It is then that it occurred to Harry: he didn't care for these people. They didn't care for him he wasn't going to give a damn about them either. Satisfied with his final decision, Harry settled himself in his sit and savored the strong taste of Malt. He discovered the way to drink alcohol wasn't very different than potions. First you hold the liquid in your mouth to identify the taste (and the effect in the potions' case) and then swallow it in one gulp.
Harry was calmly watching the scene, a smirk on his face with the thought that everyone would be slaughtered by the Death Eaters wanabes when he spotted his own frame strolling in the street. Excitation began to build up. He felt his heart bit increase, his blood heat up in anticipation. He had drinks and a clear view, the show was going to be so good… He felt like an ancient Roman readying for a gladiator fight.
He waited… And waited. The minutes went by so slowly it felt like eternity to him but, as surely as midnight strokes twelve, four figures Apparated in the street and started firing curses. Taking another sip Harry eyed one Junior Death Eater using the Cruciatus Curse on a mid-thirties man while the other was throwing Cutting Hexes all-around. In the corner of his vision he saw himself leaving the area with no hurry. A smile was already starting to appear on his face. He loved the sound these sheep made when scared.
Then it happened. The only thing that could go wrong did go wrong. This simple detail, that can change a man's ideal, happened. An experimented Death Eater kicked a passer-by who came staggering toward Harry's table and spilled his butterbeer.
Time seemed to slow for Harry. He just stared as the table vibrated under the shock. His eyes widened when the bottle fell. He tried desperately to grab it but it was already clashing on the stone floor… Harry snapped. In a single movement he got up, put the throwing knife under his right sleeve and withdrew his wand. He calmly made his way in front of the Death Eaters who were unaware of the dragon they had just woke up.
Harry stopped in front of the group and waited for them to notice him. It didn't take long. A Death Eater locked eyes with him, then another one. In a matter of seconds the five watched each other. The street was quiet. They could have heard a pin drop. One of the 'future' Death Eater laughed.
"So… Now Mudbloods come to the slaughter on their own? How convenient" the recruit mocked.
"Not really" replied Harry while transferring his wand for one hand to the other. "I'm not a Mudblood and I don't want to fight you."
To prove his point he put his wand in his left pocket. Doing so he felt the wetness caused by the spilled drink; his ire increased tenfold.
"One of YOU spilled my drink and ruined my coat!" he roared. "Who is going to pay for it?"
"I seriously doubt it's going to be one of us" one of the Death Eaters replied amused.
"Wrong answer."
Harry launched his right arm and… everything went strange…
The throwing knife did exit his sleeve and sunk into one of the recruits' shoulder but everything else was… it was… it was just not right. Instead of the four Death Eaters there were four men with a blood-red cloak; they weren't in Diagon Alley anymore but in a green forest. For a split second Harry didn't know what to do, but the three unwounded men did. A yellowish curse passed an inch from his shoulder. Bone Melting Hex Harry though. He had never seen one but for a strange reason he just knew what it was. He pulled out his wand and shot a silent stunner to the fallen Death Eater/Red robbed man. How the hell can I do silent spells? But the answer to his question never came as he run toward two of his enemies. With his right hand he pull the dagger and in a fluid motion thrust it into the throat of the man on his left as he pointed his wand at the man on his right and bellowed "Crucio". The Death Eater/Red robbed man went trashing and screaming on the ground. A voice screamed "Avdiffindora" In a rapid movement Harry unsheathed his sword and made a slashing motion toward the ground on his back.
Three things happened at the same time. First the Forest and the Red robbed men dissolved themselves to reveal Diagon Alley and Death Eaters. Then Harry felt pain on his torso as a Cutting Hex impacted on him, and finally he felt resistance on the blade of his sword. Looking on the back he understood why. One of the Death Eaters recruits had his wand arm cut at shoulder length and was unconscious due to the shock.
The street was totally silent, like a battle field after the fight. Harry sheathed his sword, Actio-ed the dagger and throwing knife. He pulled them away and started to move toward Gringotts when five figures materialized without a sound on his right. Startled he stared as Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Seamus Finnigan, Terry Boots and a man he didn't know marched toward him.
"Are you the one responsible for this slaughter?" asked Hermione Granger to the wizard in front of her. In fact, she didn't really need any answer from him. The blood falling from his wound and the one spilt on his right hand were enough proof, especially as he was the only one standing. She was surprised when he responded.
"Yes I am. I wouldn't have been bothered if you could prevent it." Harry answered still angry of the loss of his drink.
"Well you obviously killed one of them, maimed another one and used an Unforgivable, Sir. Aurors arrest him." Hermione replied in a no-nonsense voice.
"I don't think so. Goodbye Hermione Granger." With that, Harry took his Time Turner and gave it a turn as Seamus Finnigan's hand clasped his forearm.
Once again Harry was in a blur. He reappeared in front of the Apothecary another hour earlier, Seamus Finnigan still holding his arm. He disengaged his arm and withdrew his wand, the Auror did the same. Not in the mood for another duel Harry threw his fist in his former classmate's chin. Seamus felt like a mass. In a couple seconds he was bounded, gagged, stunned (just for sure) and deposited in a corner of the street were Harry set up a Notice-Me-Not ward. Then he calmly Apparated to St. Mungos hoping it hadn't changed since the day he went there during his fifth year.
..ooOoo..
While the Healer worked on his wound Harry reflected on his past days in Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey was always scolding him when he got injured. He found it irritating but now he remembered it was with fondness… The Healers hadn't even inquired his name before scanning him. They just didn't care. It saddened him to know that, but in the other hand he was glad they hadn't asked any question. He could hardly explain he had gotten wounded during a fight that had not yet occurred.
He was also trying to explain what had happened during the brawl. Where did that forest come from? How had he ended there? And who were theses Red robbed men? He was taken out of his thoughts when the Healer declared him in perfect health and shoved him outside. Still perplexed he Apparated back to Diagon Alley. He still had fifty minutes before this extra hour was over and he wanted to check some of his shops.
Back in the shopping street Harry made his way toward Knockturn Alley. The street was as dark as before but things were different. There was much less people strolling there. Probably too scared to get killed Harry mused. Every shop had wards up than could only be passed if you had money and no intention in harming the owner. Still the Alley was as filthy as ever and didn't appeal to Harry. He stopped in front of Galahad Battle Gear (Ministry approved) and went to the security clerk who only asked his vault number and to see his left forearm. Not knowing which vault was his, Harry gave a drop of blood on a Gringotts certified bank draft that shown he had ample money to make purchases in the store. The clerk pointed his wand at Harry's forearm and said "Finite"; when nothing happened he was granted access. A seller came to him. She was around his age but he couldn't place her face. She could have been cute except for the fact she was as strong and wide as Crabbe and Goyle put together.
"Good evening sir. My name is Lona. Can I help you?"
"I don't really know. I was just passing by and as I was injured in fight recently" very recently Harry mentally smirked "I figured a bit of protection wouldn't be a wrong investment."
"Do you have any idea of what you're looking for?" she inquired.
"Not really." The saleswoman's face fell. "But I think that Aurors' protections would be a start."
At these words Lona gave him the biggest smile he had ever seen. Harry smirked and decided to go for the kill. "Money is not a problem" He said, stressing the not.
"Well sir, it really depends of the material you wish to buy…"
"How so?" asked Harry. A vest was a vest right?
"Well, we only do dragon hide. Leather is nice but has no real purpose especially in battles. In the past we did some boots in Basilisk but they are extinct and it needs to be five times older than a dragon so..."
In front of Harry's puzzled look she continued.
"Let me explain. Dragon Hide is very resistant to spells but as it's only the hide and not the whole dragon, it looses lots of power when it's separated from the flesh. The older a dragon the strongest is its hide. In order to have some protection against a simple Spell like the leg-locker you require the Hide of a twenty-years-old-dragon. If it were a Basilisk it would have to be at least a one hundred-years-old-Basilisk to have the same result… Therefore we don't use Basilisk skin anymore. They're shinny and very good looking but don't have any purpose other than that."
"Does the age of the amour have any importance?" Harry asked.
"Not at all sir. An armor made two hundred years ago from a twenty-years-old-dragon will be exactly the same as one made today. An armor made twenty years ago from the hide of a two-hundred-years-old-dragon will be as strong as one made during Merlin's time or yesterday. It all comes to the strength the beast had at its death or when it was slain."
Harry nodded. It made sense. A Basilisk was a fool creature that had no use but in the darkest of the potions (or in the extermination of muggle-born and Half-Bloods as he had witnesses himself). "Do you have wand holsters?" Harry asked, remembering Mad-Eye Moody and his constant 'wand safety tips'.
"Of course sir. We have lots of models though. There are three ages, twenty, thirty and fifty-years-old-dragons. You can have them in red from a Chinese Fireball, dirty blue from a Swedish Short-Snout, dark grey from a Norwegian Ridgeback or black from a Hungarian Horntail. These are the regular ones, then there are spells you can add. There are: Anti-Summoning for the holster, Anti-Summoning for the wand, Self oiling (that's mainly for a second wand you don't use often), Invisibility and Recognition." Lona explained.
"We used to offer Blood-Recognition and In-Body-Insertion. Unfortunately, even though we are still able to do it, the Ministry has declared these practices barbaric, Dark and therefore illegal." She finished with a wink.
She bent toward Harry and, with an air of conspiracy, murmured next to his ear, through the hood. "I've been told the manager can even customize the holster to the wand."
Harry stared at her. She hadn't even seen his face and told him how to buy illegal upgrades for a wand holster he hadn't even purchased? Jeez! He didn't even have a proper wand! Finding back his voice he inquired "Do you make customized orders?"
"Sure, that is as long as you have the money, and the proper clearance... but in the end it really goes back to how much money you have if you get the meaning… We do everything you want us to do. You can even provide the Hide yourself if you want, but let me tell you we have great prices on them already…"
"Whatever," Harry answered. He had more information than he required and now wanted nothing more than for her to shut up. "I'll take a red holster, thirty years old, no spells attached, and that's gonna be all."
"Here you are sir." Lona answered as she retrieved the item bellow a counter. She was a bit put out with such a poor sale, especially after his 'money is not a problem'. Seeing her face Harry fell a bit bad for the girl. Probably paid on commissions he thought.
"I might come back in several months for customized items. If I do, I'll be sure to ask for Lona." Harry said in a suave voice (or at least what he figured would be a suave voice). It seemed to work as her cheeks tinted in pink and she thanked him.
Five minutes later, Harry was out of the shop. He had once again to give a bit of blood to tie his payment to his vault(s). He silently praised whichever blacksmith which had thought to include a Healing Charm in his Blood Pin. He had used so many time in just an hour… Well three hours, but nobody is supposed to know that he figured.
Harry was exiting the dark Alley when he heard a squeal. He watched around but nobody seemed to be affected, or to have heard anything for the matter. He started walking when he heard it again. Puzzled Harry stopped and waited. Five seconds later another squeal reached his hears. Or at least it would have if Harry hadn't been concentrated… In fact the noise was originating from his head.
Turning around Harry noticed the sound seemed to be stronger from one direction. Like in a trance, even though all his instincts told him he shouldn't, he started walking toward a small, badly light (even in daylight) and dirty lane. The squeals increased in intensity and frequency until he faced an ugly store named Ogler Menagerie. The noise stopped at once when Harry opened the door. He felt stuck to the ground as the wards checked him. Once released, he stepped in the shop.
There were casings, aquariums and terrariums everywhere. The shop was very hot and in total darkness. However, when Harry took one step in it, torches flared to life and a voice boomed "I'm coming, I'm coming".
Harry stood half curious half disgusted. There were hundreds of snakes, spiders, scorpions, and the like in there. What could have possibly 'called' him in here? Even though he was a parselmouth Harry disliked snakes, probably due to the last contacts he had with them: ones Basilisk and Naggini, Voldemort's own pets…
An old bald man with a beard touching the ground and so many wrinkles you couldn't see his mouth, appeared in front of Harry.
"Do you find anything to your liking sir?" he inquired in a fake voice.
"No." Harry answered before he could even think.
The man raised his eyebrows (or at least the place that should be the eyebrows). "Then, pray tell me, what are you looking for?"
Harry didn't answer but surveyed the older seller. Said man had trouble keeping his eyes on the tall man in front of him. The wizard had a cloak and his face was masked but he smelled danger. He could see a red wand holster on the left forearm, a knife and sword on the wait. Mumbling the old man said "Maybe… Maybe you'd… Maybe you'd be more interested in my… special beasts?"
Seizing the opportunity, Harry merely sneered and answered "Obviously I'm not here for your good look."
Whining the old man indicated to follow him as he went to the back of the shop, behind a curtain. Wary of such a man Harry slid his dagger in his left sleeve, blocking it under the holster's straps and followed the vendor. He found himself at the top of stairs.
"Before we go down sir, I'd need a proof you're here to look and eventually buy an animal" the seller said in very submissive voice.
Harry sighed and took out his Blood Pin. Seeing the beauty of the item the shopkeeper made to grab it but Harry was faster. He let it drop in his left hand as in a swift movement he held his dagger and pressed its tip to the old man's throat. "I don't think so" he hissed.
The vendor was so scared he was ready to wet himself. "I… I need to… to verify its… its authenticity." He begged. Harry just said, in a cold voice "Slowly…", the threat opened and evident to both of them.
The man slowly raised his wand at it and said "Identificarem". One of the runes turned purple and blew some smoke which wrote 'Gringotts' Blacksmith: Klag - In circulation for: 0 days 3 hours' and created the bank's seal bellow. The seller nodded and Harry prickled his thumb for what felt the hundredth time that day.
"Are you an Auror?"
"No." Harry answered with a sneer.
"Have you ever worked for any Ministry?"
"No."
"Are you here to eventually buy something?"
"Yes."
The old man was rewarded by for three little flashes of green light.
"Fine then. Follow me sir."
Harry put his dagger back under his holster's straps and went down the stairs. There he met an unexpected site. The huge room he stepped in was brightly light. Dozens of enclosure held animals. Apparently there were Silencing wards as not a sound but Harry's and the vendor's breathing could be heard. They went to the first animal. It was a female that had eight or nine young. The breed was unknown to Harry. The beast seemed to have feathers but no wings, a jaw without fangs but hundreds of needles, four legs and a tail with spikes at the end.
"These are a cross between dragons, owls and spiders. She and the father are the only adults that have survived so far…" The old man explained, mistaking Harry's disgusts for curiosity.
Harry went to the second enclosure when he felt more than heard the 'leading squeal' coming from the end of the room. Disregarding the alligator thingies in the terrarium, Harry went toward this noise he only could hear. He finally stopped in front of something he recognized. A bitch and seven puppies were asleep. An eighth one was staring at Harry.
"Ah. This one is a special project of my late son. The bitch is looking like a Rottweiler, a regular dog. Have you heard of them?" the vendor asked. Upon Harry's nod he seemed relieved. "Then you know how muggles use them. If you want one of them, they are perfect now as they are ten weeks old. I'm not sure what my son did to it but... Wait a second." He picked up a file on the side of the cage. "Right, he used phoenix blood so it should have empathy but it's the fourth and last bearing and it still hasn't worked, so I don't really know… They are also a bit mixed with… Griffins!" the old man gasped.
"Well I figure I now know where my son's money went… Therefore it should be very strong and resistant to the simple spells. Both creatures are among the cleverest to walk or fly Earth, the dog will be extremely clever, mark my word. Maybe they have other abilities but I'm unable to differ them due to the considerable amount of modifications my son made… Ah, yes, there is also a timed aging effect: the puppy grows into a fully grown 'dog' in three months after leaving its mother and they live around twenty-five years before aging. They should die around thirty-five or forty years old, but if you want my advice you should kill it when it reach thirty to thirty-five, after that they are only troubles, too old to do anything…"
"Luckily, nobody asked for your opinion" snapped Harry, his eyes locked with the young puppy's. He bent down and picked it up. The puppy licked his face and Harry felt contentment instead of the squeals he had heard for the past fifteen minutes. Turning to the vendor he inquired in the cold voice he seemed to use every time he spoke to the despicable man in front of him "How much?"
"Two hundred galleons." The vendor answered him timidly.
"How much?" Harry asked again, half way through a growl and a threat.
"One… One hundred fifty galleons."
"Do I look like somebody ready to be fucked by a bloody swindler?" Harry asked while getting ready to pull his wand if need be.
"One hundred!" the seller cried. In front of Harry brutal demeanor he added "and I give you the papers for the dog and the notes from the previous users!"
Harry still felt like he was ripped off. After all a galleon was ten pounds, no dog was worth that price.
"Please sir, the breeding cost a great deal of money, furthermore I have to pay twenty galleons to my contact at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to get officials papers and avoid any trouble to you: your animal could be executed if it doesn't have valid papers issued by the Ministry of Magic." The seller nearly screamed. Harry didn't make a sound nor a move.
"Sir I need to eat." The old man whined.
Harry sighed. Everybody was trying to soften him this day. "So? How does that concerns me?"
"Sir, it's my final offer. Either you take it or you leave empty handed" returned the shopkeeper with a bit more of backbone.
"Very well." Harry said and went to the stairs.
"Hum… Sir?" the vendor whined again.
"What?" snapped Harry as he turned around. He was faced by a wand pointed at his head.
"I'm sorry, but I don't sell to Death Eaters. Especially this animal as my son was killed during a play-time of You-Know-Who's minions. If you were kind enough to put the dog on the ground and take out your wand holster, I'd like to check your left forearm." The vendor said. His demeanor wasn't the one of a scared shit anymore but of a man holding true to his principles, and that pleased Harry.
Finding it hard to glare at a man who had unknowingly earned his respect, Harry gently putted the dog on the floor and slowly took out his holster. Still he held his dagger ready to strike if need be. The atmosphere was tense as the old man cast expertly various revealing charms, some of them in foreign languages Harry didn't recognize (and that's saying something as he had already heard Latin, Asian and Cyrillic ones).
"Well, everything seems to be in order" the vendor said after fifteen minutes of casting; he pulled his wand back in his robes as Harry refastened his holster and took the puppy back in his arms.
Both men went to the stairs, but instead of getting up the old man murmured a password Harry didn't catch and a door appeared. They stepped inside. The room was cozy and agreeable, the walls were painted in light brown, and the ground was made in floor. The furniture was crafted in rich wood. Finally a fire was flaring in a black marble fireplace. The old man sat in an armchair in front of a desk and indicated to Harry to sit too. Once facing each other the vendor retrieved various documents and spoke.
"Lets see. Here are the papers, and here are the notes from the previous users who agreed to send some to us. I won't ask you to do the same as you've taken the only male still alive. It will be up to you to continue the breeding or not." The old man said as he held a thin book and an envelope to Harry.
"It eats the same thing as a regular dog; I suggest you find some book about Rottweilers. I could sale you one but I don't lower prices on books and with you're attitude... If you still want to check, everything on the bookshelves is for sell. You should wait a couple of month to buy any collar as there is no way to foresee its size. Train it and feed it yourself for the next months, it will be loyal to the death and would attack You-Know-Who to protect you." The old man continued as if he hadn't threatened Harry minutes earlier.
"Do you have any questions?"
"Hum… Why the shop upstairs?" Harry wondered.
"Aurors rarely come around, but do you think they'd appreciate my 'job' if they were to be in the neighborhood?"
The sarcasm in the reply was not lost to Harry but he let it drop as he got up, picked the dog's 'breed' file and checked the various books for sale. He picked several ones on Rottweilers (written by a Muggle-born), and four others on Phoenixes, Griffins, Shadow Panthers and Dragons. Watching for a second at his, his, puppy, he also picked a ball, a basket and a large cage to be able take it during his journey with Griphook.
"That will be 114 galleons, sir" the old man told him, barely sparing a glance at anything but the price tags on the items. Harry took hold of the bank draft handed to him, pricked his finger (again!) and let blood fall in the paper. The drops disappeared from the draft and a scarlet word appeared 'Transferred'.
Satisfied the shopkeeper got up and exited the room, Harry following him. Before heading back upstairs he locked his room again. Once upstairs, Harry left without a glance. The old man didn't say a word. For both of them it was the same thing: a good transaction made with someone they disliked.
Harry made it back to Diagon Alley; the dog, in its crate, was already sleeping. Talk about confidence thought Harry as he watched his pet. I could be ready to kill it for its fur and it sleeps… Maybe I made a bad business and it's stupid… His thoughts were rewarded by a growl from the puppy as soon as Harry though about the word 'kill'. Puzzled he decided to let it drop until he was sure and headed toward Gringotts. He passed just in front of Hermione Granger as he saw himself disappear. He sneered, what a group of morons. And they were supposed to be the elite? The war was already lost.
Harry stopped at Owl Emporium to see if they had any books on dogs. He found one about dog training. He picked it up. His eyes caught an ad about a sale, in a few weeks, of animals from the Magical Zoo. Apparently, they were selling the pets of convicts as they were too many people whose possessions had been seized. Wondering if he might find Hedwig there, he pocked the advertisement and bought the book. Luckily he still had some sickles from the galleon Griphook had given him, and they managed to cover exactly the price of the item. He didn't feel too much like using his Blood Pin (again). He left the store and went back to the bank.
When he happened to be just opposite to the Apparition Point, he saw his younger self (once again). He smiled and made a wave to tell him to be careful with the Death Eater in his back, but 'younger' Harry was already gone. Sighing he climbed the stairs and went into the bank. When he passed the doors he was very careful not to look at them and especially not to read what was on them. He wasn't sure why but he knew he shouldn't. He met Griphook in the goblin's office.
"So Harry, how did it go?"
"These fuckers spilt my drink!" Harry growled, posing the puppy's crate on the floor.
"So?" the banker asked while Harry untied his belt.
"Well, they refused to pay, blood was shed. I even had to go to St. Mungos to get healed and what's worst is that I'm now wanted again. At least this time I did it." Harry explained angrily as he dropped the weapons on the goblin's desk then settled in an armchair.
"Don't worry too much. They haven't seen your face. It's only some officials' opinion I'd say. Maybe the public won't see it like that…" Griphook advanced.
"Griphook, I killed one, maimed another one and used the Cruciatus on a third one. I don't really think the public is going to love me for that. They're too much of sheep." Harry said.
"Oh… Don't worry, I'll have someone look into the Prophets tomorrow's edition. If the people really are sheep, then they'll buy what the article will supply." Griphook returned with a (very) toothy smile.
Harry stared at him for ten seconds. "You can do that?"
"What?" the goblin asked innocently.
"Influence the news?"
"Of course we can Harry. We are holding the Wizarding finances, we have the power and right leverages to have what we want when we want it." Griphook answered sweetly. "It's just that we don't interfere with wizards' business; but for you I'll make an exception: you're a friend. And made me earn lots of money, I might add. By tomorrow evening, you'll be the new hero in the war against You-Know-Who."
"No thank you. I already had the job, it didn't really end the way I wanted." Harry answered sarcastically.
"Be that as it may Harry, you'll be in front page, either you want it or not. I just suggest a title against a warrant. What's your choice?" Griphook answered. Harry was good at manipulating when he wanted but the goblin was in another class. Bankers always tried to harm their colleagues' reputations, to survive you had to be the ultimate Slytherin and Griphook was just that: a survivor.
"Fine!" Harry growled. "Can we go now?"
"Just give me a few minutes to write a few owls. I'll be right back, then we'll leave." Said Griphook as he got up and left his office.
Harry staid sat, seething. He was to be a 'hero' again. He hated it. There was no way he was going to tell any one it was him. Luckily he had concealed his face and nobody had seen he had a beard. Well except Lona and the creepy old guy but he knew he didn't have to worry about it. After all, if he was in Knockturn Alley during the fight he couldn't have been involved, right?
One of the benefits when you staid in Azkaban for a decade is that your feelings are dulled; no more fear, not too much anger and a relatively good spirit (in Harry's case) but the disadvantage is that you can't stay put for five minutes: too Azkabanish. Thus, Harry was in his friend's office and he was bored. He opened his dog's cage and took the puppy out. He put it on the ground and started playing with it. In an instant he was on the floor barking with his dog. Then everything went strange… again!
The dog 'transformed' in a black young wolf. He was still on the floor but it wasn't made of stone anymore, it was made of leaves. Looking around he noticed he was in a forest, not unlike the one he was 'in' during Diagon Alley's fight except it was much darker. He heard noise on his left. Turning sharply he saw three centaurs heading toward him. Two had armed bows pointed to him; the third was wearing an armor and had a sword in each hand. He looked smug. Harry wanted to know who they were. Who are you? But instead it was other words that came out of his mouth. "So, ready to die? For stargazers you aren't sharper than horses!"
The centaurs' eyes narrowed. "You'll die tonight, Arctus. Warrior Mage or not."
Harry wanted to tell them they had the wrong guy. I'm not Arctus, my name is Harry Potter. But once again he said something else. "I seriously doubt a fat horse like you could do anything to me, but if you want, I'm willing to give you a good trashing. Just don't go crying like foals to your mothers once it's done."
Harry didn't understand what was going on. He was kind of scared (he was unarmed and they looked menacing) but at the same time he was excited and could feel his blood heating up. He was going to jump on the centaur on the left when he felt a hand on his right shoulder. The forest dissolved itself and revealed Griphook's office. Harry was kneeled on the floor and the goblin was eyeing him with concern.
"Are you all right my friend?"
"Yes…" Harry answered after a few seconds. "I'm ok. Thanks. Are we going then?"
"Yes, pick up your… stuffs" the goblin said as he indicated the puppy. "A portkey is awaiting us. It will bring us to the departure station."
Harry and Griphook took their bags and cage and left to Ragnok's office. The chief and a wizard were there. Without a word they gave them a circle made of some metal. The second Harry and Griphook touched it, they felt a hook behind their navel as they were whisked away.
They reappeared in front of a wooden house. Harry managed not to fall. That is to say, he had the right knee on the ground and was supporting himself with his right arm, but he wasn't on the floor, a good improvement since his Hogwarts' years. The puppy seemed to especially dislike this way of travel, it made Harry smile, something that Griphook felt didn't happened enough.
They were met by a goblin who lead them into the house. When he stepped in, Harry discovered he was wrong. It wasn't a house, it was a stable. There were lots of horses that... No… Not horses… Pegasi!
The 'horses' were pure white with golden manes and tails. Their powerful wings were neatly folded against their side. The eyes were purple and shined with intelligence and pride. The Pegasi were just magnificent, Harry was in awe. He extended his arm and, with the goblins' permission, patted the nearest Pegasus' wings. The feathers were soft as silk and hard as steel. Unfortunately for Harry and the Pegasus, they didn't have much time: the destination was far and there was just the right amount of daylight left.
Four goblins went out from a hidden door, caring reins and saddles. They started getting the Pegasi ready as Harry remembered. He was much younger. It was a sunny day. He was in a stable not unlike this one and people were going everywhere to prepare the horses. He was getting ready to go and hunt with his father when all of a sudden a scream… Wait! ... Where did that come from? … He had never ridden a horse, much less hunted with his father, or Uncle Vernon for the matter…
Puzzled Harry didn't acknowledge the goblins' clear go to mount his Pegasus nor did he react when they fasten his puppy's casing to the back of a saddle. In a daze, without hearing what he was told, Harry followed the instruction he was given. He got his thoughts back under control some times later. He didn't know where he was or how long he had been riding. All he knew was that they were going very fast, he could feel the wind in his hair; still he wasn't cold but was bored to death. After what felt like hours but could have been minutes if he had been occupied, Harry saw a big mountain. It wasn't tall per say, more like wide. He was trying to differ where he was when the Pegasus went into a dive. Five seconds later, Harry was back on the ground. With precise movements he untied his cage and joined Griphook who looked elated.
Two goblins came toward them.
The guards were handling spears and pointed them at him. He dropped his purchases and made a step on the right, narrowly missing the tip's edge. He tried to send a dart but he didn't have any more. He quickly ducked the second spear and pulled out his wand. He was in a narrowed space and couldn't out run them. Making a decision in a split second he feinted to the right and jumped on his left. He finished in a roll on the ground. Quickly getting up he fired several stunners, disarming hexes and a cutting hex. They were all side stepped or blocked. He was in trouble. These guys were good and he didn't have his weapons. He used 'Glacius' and froze the ground between the goblins and him. While they didn't move any more he slid on the ice toward them. At the last moment he jumped and caught one of the guards' spears. Quickly knocking him out he started to spare with the second. He was hard pressed but he finally saw his opening when his enemy spear was stuck in the earth; he had a clear shot at the goblin's left flank. He sent a powerful reducto. He was already smiling of his victory when a disk of metal appeared from no-where and took the blast.
He heard "Harry!" At the same time, the light disappeared. He was in the dark: one of these nights without moon. And then he saw him. Griphook his friend was beside him, holding his dog. He looked at him with concern. "Are you all right, Harry?"
"Hum… Yeah… Why?"
"Harry," Griphook hesitated for a second. "You attacked my brother and my father…"
"But… But the spears?" Harry mumbled.
"Harry, there was no spears. What happened?" Griphook asked
"I don't know. It's like in Diagon Alley. I was there and all of a sudden I'm somewhere else… I don't know what's going on…" Harry stuttered while getting on his knees.
Griphook helped Harry to get up and lead him to a platform. In a few globlinoid words he got a portkey that he activated quickly. They landed in a small room with walls and ground made of stone. Harry hardly heard the 'Welcome home' Griphook muttered. He was put in a bed without undressing. As sleep claimed him, he could only wonder What is happening to me?
I'd like to appologize for the delay between these two chapters. I was really busy (had my finals...) and couldn'tspent that much time on the story. I'll make sure to have a few chapters ready before the next end of term exams... :-)
Considering the dog, well I've read so many stories (some of them very good) were Harry has a snake that I felt something else would be better. Furthermore, I had already read stufs with cats, griffins, etc. but no dogs, so... If any of you has an idea of name for the dog, hit me. I've got a potential one but it's not definite and won't be until the next update, so feel free to tell me in your reviews.
For those who want to know a bit more about Hermione, Ginny & Co's life now, don't worry, it's coming in the next couple of chapters.
In any cas, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!
Thanks for reading and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, REVIEW!