A/N This scene just wasn't coming out right, and again, I had them being way to sexualized. The problem is that, even though I think 18 and 19 year olds with the type of attitude they have would act exactly this way, I just didn't want to go there in the story. Also, I wrote myself into a corner somewhat with this. I won't say anymore because there's future chapters that touch on things here.


He recognized Goyle and Crabb straight away, they'd grown since their fourth year, but nothing like Harry had. Next to them were two Death Eaters that he vaguely recognized from Hogwarts his first year, one of them was Terrence Higgs, the Seeker from his first year, and then a fifth about whom he had no idea, though his accent put him somewhere on the continent. Two female Death Eaters were in there as well, with an accent that came across hard, like when Markus and the other Zashtitnik spoke Bulgarian.

". . . And that was the third Muggle this month," Goyle said. "At least there's a lot more where they came from."

The others laughed. "Speaking of which, we should meet at my father's place next time," Crabbe said. "He owns a Muggle strip club up in Morecambe."

"Why Muggle?" Higgs asked.

Crabbe shrugged. "If there's any problems he takes the guy in the back and beats the hell out of them, then obliterates most of the memory, leaving enough to make sure there's no more problems. He also uses the Imperius Curse once in a while when a particularly nice bird refuses to be, uh, helpful after closing."

"Your father better never cross wand with me, I kill him." one of the females said. Despite his surroundings, Harry was fascinated by the way the young woman gave a quick roll to the r.

"Ease up," Crabbe said. "They're Muggles, he might do it to Mudbloods to teach them a lesson, but that's about as far as it goes."

"If I bend you over and shove wand up ass, that okay too?" the second female asked.

Crabbe put is feet up on the table in front of him and leaned back on the couch. "It depends on the foreplay."

The wizards all laughed, and the two witches laughed joined them a few seconds later, the tension easing from the room. Conversation turned to other topics and Harry learned where two other Death Eaters lived, not to mention the fact that both of them were too lazy to put up wards except against Apparation. Supposedly, they thought the masks and robes were enough of a threat. After a few more bits of information that might or might not prove helpful, Harry decided to end their get together with his own little surprise.

He eased himself to the open end of the coffee table, squatted, then slid the tip of his wand out underneath the robe and closed his eyes before casting a silent spell.

Excaecatio lux!

Even with his eyes closed, it felt like a hundred flashbulbs going off at the same time.

"What was that!" "I can't see!" "Get your wands!" He heard. Harry snatched his robe off before their vision could return, and looked around at the Death Eaters to get a better feel for them. Crabbe and Goyle were a bit taller and thicker up top, but they'd lost a little weight overall. The two Eastern European female Death Eaters were average size and build. The one that threatened Crabbe's father was pretty, but nothing spectacular.

Terrence Higgs was—"Who are you, and how the bloody hell did you get in here?"—yep, gaining his eyesight back.

"Wrong question, Terrence."

"I know that voice!" Goyle said. "Who—No! It can't be." He rubbed his eyes. "Potter?"