AN:/ I made a small change. Instead of Renato's family living in Naples, they are living in Positano. I found that Naples wouldn't be the best place for them in the long run so I changed it. I hope no one minds!
It was just turning daylight outside when Keira woke up the next morning.
She had remained in her transformed state all night and felt that she desperately needed a shower. Usually staying in her animagus form gave her the feeling of dry skin when she turned back. It was a disgusting feeling and she couldn't wait to feel the water wash it away.
She crawled to the foot of the bed and jumped, transforming in midair. She landed silently and grabbed a change of clothes before heading into the bathroom for a shower.
As Keira closed the door, Renato's eyes snapped open. He had been awake for a few minutes, listening to the sounds of the house and the wind outside. While the silencing charms on the room may have dampened the noise of the entire house, a single room could make a lot of noise if you were paranoid enough.
With a sigh, he stood up and stretched while looking around the room. It was a decent size, about six feet of space on each side of the bed and about nine feet at the foot of the bed. It should be plenty for his morning workout.
He rolled his shoulders and dropped to the ground, catching himself on his right hand and starting his push ups, making sure to keep weight off of his injured shoulder. Just because he had no missions for the next few days, it didn't mean he could laze around.
XXXXX
Keira looked in the mirror and sighed. Her hair would start sticking up everywhere as soon as it dried and she hated that. Her dress looked much better with her hair straight but that wasn't going to happen. She was just dismissing the idea of makeup when she heard a knock on the bedroom door.
"Oh, you're up already!" She heard Lily say. "I have breakfast ready. Remus is already in there. James and Sirius tend to sleep in later."
"Of course. Keira is in the shower and should be out in a moment. I will inform her."
"Thank you, Renato."
She heard the door close so she stepped out of the bathroom and looked over at the door to see Renato pulling his shirt off. He was sweating so his hair laid flat rather than the spiky mess it usually was. The white bandage on his shoulder stood out against his tan skin along with a trail of scales that wound around his neck and went down his spine and beneath his pants.
"Renato?" Keira asked, fighting back her blush, "You can use the bathroom now, I apologize for taking so long. We should also probably change that bandage after you shower. I'm sure Lily has some things to fix it up."
He turned and smirked, seeing her face flush red, "It's not an issue, mio cielo. I can change the bandage, I don't want to make you do it."
Keira rolled her eyes, "I put it on, I'm pretty sure I'll be fine changing it. Besides, I apprenticed under the healer while still at Hogwarts. I may not have magic anymore but I do know how to patch you up."
Renato chuckled, "Alright then, as soon as I'm out I'll find you."
Keira nodded and watched as he grabbed a change of clothes and walked into the bathroom. As soon as the bathroom door closed she rushed from the room.
Lily and Remus looked up as Keira came into the dining room.
"What's the rush, Keira?" Remus asked, grinning.
Lily chuckled before raising her mug of coffee to Keira, "You sure got the pick of the litter, didn't you?"
Keira rolled her eyes, "Oh shut up you two. Lily, could I use your phone? I didn't tell the others I wouldn't be in today."
"Of course, it's on the wall in the kitchen, " Lily said, motioning towards the kitchen entry. "Breakfast is in there as well!"
Keira thanked her and stepped into the kitchen, picking up the phone and dialing the cafés number. While waiting for them to pick up, she glanced around to see if there was anything to make espresso. When she spotted nothing she wrote a quick note and called for a house elf, knowing James had one there. "Misty, could you please go to this address and pick up three espressos, you'll have to disguise yourself. When you return could you place a stasis charm on them to keep them hot?"
"Misty will be doing so, miss!" Misty said, grabbing the note from Keira just as someone answered on the other line.
"Amelia speaking."
"Amelia! It's Keira. I'm sorry I'm calling so late. My father wanted to meet today so I caught a plane to London last night. It'll be a few days before I can come back. I hope you all don't mind. I was surprised and took off without thinking." Keira said, wincing. The apology sounded lame, even to her.
"Well, at least, we know you're alive now! When you didn't come in this morning we were worried. I'm surprised your dad wanted to meet so soon. I hope it goes well. I'll tell Richard you'll be gone for the next few days, alright? But remember to call before your shift next time!"
"Will do. Thanks, Amelia."
"Hey, keep me updated, alright? I wanna know what happens!" Amelia said.
Keira could just picture the wide smile on Amelia's face and shook her head, "I'll keep that in mind. I'll talk to you soon!"
"Bye, Keira!"
Keira hung up the phone and turned around to see Renato standing there. She jumped, startled at his sudden appearance, "Renato! When did you come in?"
"A few moments ago. Lily said you were in here along with the food she prepared." Renato replied, leaning down and placing a kiss on her forehead. "You've had your phone call now sit and eat. We're meeting your father at eleven. And you need to patch my shoulder again."
Keira rolled her eyes but dug some plates out for them. "I suppose we can eat first. I'll ask Lily for some bandages after. It won't hurt it to get some air on the stitching."
As soon as they had their food they stepped back into the room to see Remus was gone.
"Where'd Remus go?" Keira asked.
"Sirius stumbled in here still half asleep and drug him away. They'll be back in a few hours." Lily said, shaking her head.
Renato hummed in agreement before frowning as he spotted a cup of espresso that hadn't been there before. He glanced over at Keira who chuckled.
"I asked Misty to go to the cafe and pick up your espressos. Your other two should be under a stasis charm. Don't worry, I didn't forget your coffee habit." Keira said, laughing as he started checking it. "Don't worry, Misty wouldn't bring anything into the house that's been tampered with."
"I am still going to check though I trust you, it is a habit that I would like to keep sharp," Renato said before deeming the espresso drinkable and taking a sip. "Thank you, I had felt that I would be facing the day without."
"With how paranoid you are normally, I don't want to see you without it," Lily said, "I've only known you a day and I'm worried that Sirius or James will do something stupid and get shot. They don't really understand guns completely. They think shields can deflect bullets or some rubbish."
Renato pushed his empty plate back a little and leaned forward, "I suppose it would depend on the strength of the shield and the type of bullet. A .45 caliber Fullmetal jacket would cut through many things like butter, including stone and metal. But a shield of any strength might deflect a .22 caliber bullet. I'm sure bb's would just bounce off of it. Perhaps we can test it out when they finally get up. I would like to see what would happen. It would be best to try the strongest first then move down to the weakest."
"I suppose, as long as you don't shoot them. They tend to get cocky and they may annoy you." Lily said, placing her cup on the table, "Remus and I tend to hex those two a lot when they get on our nerves."
"It was fun. I remember turning James' skin blue and giving him antlers for a day." Keira said, laughing. "And you managed to get him with one that made him break into song whenever Dumbledore or McGonagall were near."
Lily laughed, "I forgot about that one! Severus made that hex just for the Marauders..."
Keira frowned, "How is Severus these days anyway? Have you spoken to him?"
"No, not since he called me a mudblood. Last I heard he joined up with the Death Eaters." Lily said, looking down at her hands, "It's horrible, really. He was such a great friend but when he was sorted into Slytherin and started hanging around Malfoy he just started growing distant. He was one of our best friends, I just don't know what happened."
"Sirius and they took it too far. I doubt Remus will ever get over that." Keira said, sighing. "It was a stupid prank and I regret not doing anything."
"You were in the hospital wing a lot those last two years. It's understandable that you weren't able to do anything." Lily said, placing her hand on top of Keira's.
"It's still inexcusable." Keira said.
"What exactly happened, if you don't mind my asking?" Renato said.
"James and Sirius decided to play a prank on Severus. They sent him to the shrieking shack during the full moon and Remus nearly killed him in his transformed state. James got him out of there. He, at least, realized it was a stupid idea and could get people killed, but Severus ended up owing him a life debt from that. He never forgave any of them and Lily and I were drug into it as well."
"A childish prank cost you both a friend but he was the one who decided to drag you two into it. You had nothing to do with it and had no way of knowing what was going to happen." Renato said, "The fact is that he is an adult now and can make his own choices and from what I understand, it was a stupid, rash decision that made him claim the mark."
Lily sighed, "You have a point... I suppose it doesn't do to dwell on the if only's in life, does it?"
"If you focus too much on the past you will never reach your future," Renato replied, pushing his fedora back. "Now, what else happened while you two were in school? Keira skimmed the major details but I haven't heard much else."
Lily and Keira shared a look before they grinned and started in on various tales from their school years. Not noticing how Renato hid a smirk behind his hand at successfully derailing their previous conversation.
XXXXX
Sirius and James finally made it into the living room around ten. They both were still in their night clothes and seemed half awake.
"Coffee..." Sirius groaned, plopping down in an armchair and taking the mug from Misty who had popped in.
He took a huge gulp, not waiting for it to cool off, James did the same.
"You do realize we have an hour to meet father, right James?" Keira said, looking over at his slumped form.
"Isn't it, like, nine?" James asked, blinking the sleep from his eyes, "We should have two hours."
"No, it's ten. Now, hurry up, both of you. Renato wants to try something and he'll need your help." Keira said, watching as they both seemed to perk up at that.
"Really? Awesome! Come on Siri, let's get dressed!" James said, dragging Sirius away with him.
"Sometimes I feel like the other woman." Lily said, laughing.
"Oh, don't you worry about that Lily, James is as straight as an arrow." Remus said, rolling his eyes. "Anyways, I need to get going. I need to talk with Dumbledore today. He wanted me to do a mission for the order so I should be back later."
"Be careful, Remus. You can't trust Dumbledore completely." Keira said, "I know he's helped a lot of people but he tends to manipulate them too."
"I'll take your word for it, Keira. He's been a bit shifty the past few days like he knows something's going to happen. I don't know what he thinks is going on but it's probably going to be another increase of patrols."
Keira frowned, "Why would he increase patrols? The order is already spread thin as it is."
"Paranoia does that to those in power." Renato said, "The number of times I've had hits on minor Famiglia just because they had a good run for a few months isn't that surprising. People with a lot of power start to fear those who had less but are gaining more."
"Oh!" Keira turned to Lily, "Do you have some bandages and a few potions? A healing one for major cuts would be best."
Lily nodded, "Of course. Misty," the elf popped in and looked up at her, "could you get the first aid from the bathroom and grab a healing potion, preferably the extra strength one?"
"Of course mistress!" Misty said, popping away.
"You're right, Renato. Ever since You-Know-Who has gained an upper hand in the ministry Dumbledore's been all over the place trying to stop him." Remus said, sighing, "You would think that, as the leader of the light, that he would know when his army is spread too thin."
"He probably already knows but has no other choice." Sirius said, walking back in with James behind him, "Dumbledore likes to mess with every piece on the chessboard and sacrificing one for another isn't that big of a deal to him."
Misty popped back in with the first aid at that point. "Here you go, mistress, and here's the potion."
"Thank you, Misty." Lily said, dismissing the elf. She handed the things to Keira, "Why do you need these?"
"Oh, I need to change Renato's bandage. And the potion will help, but won't heal it fully. If not for the flames, it wouldn't heal anything at all." She turned and held out the bottle, "Drink it."
Renato took it with a frown, pulling the stopper out and smelling it, "Are you sure these will actually help? Most of these herbs aren't known for healing and I don't know what the animal is that's in it."
"It's flobberworm and it will help, trust me." Keira said.
Renato gave her a wary look before tossing the vial back with a grimace, "Tastes like shit."
"It's not supposed to taste good, it's supposed to heal you. Now take off your shirt."
"Keira, think you guys should get a room if you're going to do that." Sirius said with a grin.
"Do what? Change a bandage?" Keira said, frowning.
James rolled his eyes, "Anyways, Dumbledore may sacrifice people more than needed but it's for the greater good most of the time."
"His greater good? Do you know exactly what his greater good is?" Renato said as he pulled his shirt off, "For all I know his greater good could be complete control over the Wizarding world. He may not be taking it over as You-Know-Who is but he could still be taking it over. Doing something for the greater good is never an excuse, no matter who you are."
Keira nodded as she dabbed at the stitches with rubbing alcohol, "It's true. The whole reason we don't want him knowing about flames is because Renato determined that Dumbledore is a sky potential. He's never unlocked his flames so he can't really achieve a guardian bond but he can cause harm to unrealized flames. If he knew the power he had over people with flames then I'm positive that he would use it to his advantage to bring more people onto his team and manipulate them."
James sighed, "If he has a sky flame then why did you never get drawn into this all? Don't sky flames help each other?"
Renato chuckled as Keira finished placing the bandage on, "Skies rarely help each other. Sometimes they'll take a young sky under their wing and teach them but most of the time they end up warring against each other, especially if there are very few flame potentials out there. I've only felt a few flame potentials while we've been here and none of them are close to releasing their flames. I'm sure that when Keira's was burning her magic away, Dumbledore probably started distancing himself or making a nuisance of himself around her."
Keira frowned, "Now that you mention it, he did act a lot less grandfatherly around me in my last few months at Hogwarts. I mean, I left to Sicily when I was seventeen and he had no qualms about signing the papers to get me out of Hogwarts."
"You never told us that." James said, looking over at the others, "Did you guys know?"
Keira sighed, "I didn't really want you guys to know about it, that's why. I mean, at that point you two were already courting and Sirius and Remus were getting bonded soon. I didn't want to throw that in to ruin the good mood. Besides, dad was already upset with me around that time. I'm surprised he even agreed to talk to me after that."
"You should have told us, though, Keira. Maybe we could have figured something out? I mean, there was no reason for any of that to happen." Lily said.
"And you're not the first one to break an arranged marriage, Keira. I had one up till I ran away from home. I wasn't really disowned from the Black family, I just never went back." Sirius said.
"Lily, it would have happened regardless, you guys would have just gotten drug into it with me." Keira said, "And Sirius, you know how dad is."
"Keira, dad was upset for a bit but he doesn't care anymore, especially when he finds out you have a soul bond with someone. Besides, he's been asking me how you've been lately and when I don't have an answer he's worried." James said, frowning, "I'm sure there are Death Eaters that are still after you."
"I doubt they would show up in any of the main cities; Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice, etc. And I highly doubt they'd have a reason to come to Marsala. The main cities hold at least one of the main mafia families. Florence is where the Vongola Famiglia resides and Milan is where the Cavallone Famiglia resides. There are other famiglia but Vongola is the kingpin, the ruler of all the famiglia and the underworld. Cavallone is ranked up there with the Vongola since they are one of the Vongola's top allies.
"Attacking one of the cities that Vongola controls would be suicide, whether you know it or not. Sicily comes under the protection of the Vongola, Cavallone, and Bovino Famiglia's, which makes it prone to turf wars between the famiglia, but Marsala, where Keira and I are living, comes under the Vongola's part of Sicily." Renato explained. "So if the Death Eaters came after either of us, well, I'd kill them no matter what, but Vongola would set their sights on them and destroy them utterly."
"How would you know who's a Death Eater, though?" Remus asked, "Have you seen any of them?"
Renato shook his head, "I haven't seen any personally, alive at least, but I have seen the bodies of a few. One of the Vongola Nono's guardians were attacked by Death Eaters and he killed them. I'm under a permanent mission to kill any that I come across." He pulled his shirt back on and buttoned it, "Besides, they pay well. Had it been a guardian of a sky with almost no guardians, like Keira, then the famiglia would be out for blood, but since Nono has all of his guardians it isn't as bad."
"They pay you for killing people who came after a guardian?" Remus asked, "Are guardians seen that highly regarded?"
Renato frowned, "I tend to forget that you all don't know everything. Guardians are rare because skies are rare. There are probably more active flame users out there than magic users. If I included the inactive then that would increase by sixty percent. Take Britain for instance. There is probably only 500,000 to one million magic users here. Add in the ones from around the world and you have nearly two million, considering Britain has the highest amount. Flame users, on the other hand, make up about five million of the population total. That's three million active flame users and two million inactive. Of that three million actives, only 20,000 of them are sky flames. That's less than one percent and if you add the inactive flames then you increase that number from 20,000 to 30,000 but that's still not even one percent."
"Skies are really that rare?" James asked.
"Yes. Most don't become mafia bosses, there are only about 10,000 mafia families around the world, only 1,000 in Italy and about 3,000 in Russia and 4,000 in America. The rest are scattered across the globe. But that still leaves 10,000 sky users out there. About forty percent will die from flame exhaustion, twenty percent from attracting other flames and being forced into bonding and eventually committing suicide, ten percent don't live till they're twenty, and the rest tend to rip their flames out. Some survive that and others don't but those who do live don't enjoy living and many commit suicide soon after."
The others went silent at that, none of them knowing what to say.
XXXXX
Keira sighed as they finally made it into Diagon Alley. They had almost been late since their conversation had gone on so long.
"So can you show us what you needed help with earlier when we get back?" James asked Renato.
Renato sighed, "I suppose I could, depending on how it goes with your father."
Keira sighed and grabbed Renato's hand, giving it a light squeeze. "Everything will be fine, I'm sure of it."
He squeezed her hand back, "I just don't want your relationship with your father to become any worse."
"If he says you two can't be together then screw him. You guys have a soul bond and it's not hard to get proof of it." James said, shrugging. "The goblins can take care of it really quickly or, sometimes, a mark appears on your skin and you share that mark with your soul mate. It happened with Sirius and Remus."
"I've never seen it." Keira said, frowning.
"Probably because it's on their arse." James said with a grin.
Renato laughed, "I suppose that would cause some rather amusing situations on their part, wouldn't it?"
"They had to show Dumbledore at one point. Don't think he minded much really, but Sirius was bragging about how he got to moon the headmaster." James said as they stepped up to the cafe they were to meet Lord Potter at. "Alright, remember what to do?"
Renato raised a brow, "I deal with men more intimidating than your father on a daily basis."
"Yet you were worried a few moments ago."
"Yes, of how he would treat Keira," Renato said, opening the door and letting Keira in, following behind her.
"Hey!" James yelped, scrambling to get inside before the door closed.
Renato smirked at him.
"James, Keira!"
They looked over to see an older man, probably in his mid-sixties though he looked to be in his forties, calling them over.
Keira grabbed Renato's hand and drug him over, "Hello father."
The man smiled before standing up and pulling Keira into a hug, "It's good to see you again, Keira. Your mother and I were worried when you left the country and James wouldn't tell us where you were."
"I'm sorry father, I should have told you." Keira said, looking at the floor.
"No, I shouldn't have chased you out. I let a silly alliance distract me from my family. I should have seen that you weren't happy." He looked over at Renato, who was standing just behind Keira, "You must be the man wanting to court my daughter. Lord Fleamont Potter." He held out his hand.
Renato took the offered hand and gave it a firm shake, "Renato Angelo, sir."
Fleamont looked him over before motioning to the table, "Sit, sit, all of you." As they sat down he looked at Renato. "Tell me a bit about yourself."
Renato frowned, "What would you like to know, exactly?"
"How you and my daughter met, your occupation, and a bit about your family. I have heard about an Angelo family, but it's been a while." Fleamont said.
"I, officially, met Keira outside my apartment a few days ago. She and I are the only ones renting the top floor of the complex and hasn't realized we lived near each other. I have known her, and made small talk, for nearly a year as she works at a cafe I have frequented for the past four years. I was injured and bleeding badly so she took me in and patched me up. While she was patching me up, I felt something clink inside of me and realized that she was my soulmate. I asked her to dinner the next day and we talked for hours and got along great. She has made me laugh and smile more in the past few days than I have in years." Renato explained.
The waitress came over then, stepping through the silencing wards around the table only when they acknowledged her, and took their orders before leaving.
"And what of your job?" Fleamont asked, "Did you get injured from it?"
"I'm not going to lie, I did get injured from it. Typically, I'm considered untouchable, but I was given a partner for this mission and he was too new for such a high-level one. He was killed and I was swarmed. I finished the mission but I was shot in the process."
"And what job would put you in that situation?"
"I'm a hitman. I've been called the Worlds Greatest Hitman since I was fifteen and have held that title since. I have been injured on multiple occasions and tortured more than enough but I have not failed one mission since I started at the age of twelve." Renato said.
"Why do you have this job? It seems dangerous." Fleamont said, frowning, "It also sounds like you have many enemies, some who may come after my daughter since she is associated with you."
Renato shook his head, "It is a possibility but it's unlikely to happen. No one knows my real name and the town we live is under the protection of one of my more frequent employers. If anyone attacks I will be more than able to handle it and I plan to teach Keira how to defend herself."
"Women should not be made to fight." Fleamont said, frowning.
"I agree, but in a situation that calls for it, one should be able to defend themselves and get away. Usually, I prefer women to work from the shadows and out of the line of fire, the front lines are for men in my book, but a woman shouldn't be left defenseless if someone attacks with no one around."
Fleamont nodded, "I suppose you are correct." He paused as the waitress came up with their food and drinks and left. "Now, what of your family? Are they aware of what you do?"
"My family support me, no matter what. I am the first of my family to have such strong blood since my great-great grandfather Piero. The Angelo family started to collapse with my relative Tommaso. He was the last leader because his sons, Donato and Piero, were unable to take the throne. Donato died early in life and Piero was cursed before Tommaso died and became unable to take over. Tommaso died when my great grandfather Carlos was three and by the time he was old enough to take over, they realized he didn't have the right magic to do so. No one has had the right magic since so the throne has been pushed to the side and the once great family has nearly been forgotten.
"My father, Severino, was thought to be able to take over but he too had the wrong blood and my grandfather Alessio was to blame. He married a northern Italian woman by the name of Emilia and the new blood was thought to bring in the right magic but it was unsuccessful and my aunt Giuliana was cast from the family for not having the magic while my father was put under pressure and forced into a loveless marriage. He took his own life when I was ten and it was that which awoke my own magic.
"My mother was accepting of it, having the same magic as myself, and taught me how to use it. The strength of it brought attention to me and my family so I usually ended up in many street fights in Palmero, where I grew up. But a man showed up and taught me everything he could within the two years he was there.
"He was the one who helped me when I committed my first hit, my first kill, and he was the one to help my family get to a safer location in Positano. My brothers and sister are happy there and able to attend school and college unlike I was. I send them money as often as I can and visit during the holidays. They are happy and they are thankful that I am safe, but they know that they wouldn't be where they are now if it wasn't for what I went through so they accept me for who I am."
"Then I suppose I will allow you to court my daughter." Fleamont said, pushing his plate to the side a little, "But, I wish for you to meet and talk to my wife as well. Perhaps dinner at the manor?"
Keira blinked, "Wait, you accepted that easily?"
"Of course," Fleamont said, raising a brow, "You two have a soul bond so I would accept even if I didn't like him but I would be honored to have him as a son-in-law. But your mother also has say in it. Besides, it seems that you two are getting along fine and there have been quicker courtings than yours before. I know that Abraxas Malfoy courted his wife after knowing her a day and married after knowing her a month and they didn't have a soul bond assisting things."
He glanced back at Renato, "I would like to know what you have refrained from telling me, though. I can understand that you do not trust this cafe to tell me everything, but I would like to know everything once we are inside the manor."
"If you are willing to do an unbreakable vow to never tell anyone what I tell you then I would have no problem telling you everything." Renato said, "But the information I have is under omerta, our statue of secrecy, and I will not tell unless I know for sure that it is under no threat of being released. James and the others already know."
Fleamont looked over at James, "Is this true?"
James nodded, "It is. The information that he has cannot get into anyone else's hands. Once the vow is made though you cannot talk about anything that Renato tells you that pertains to what he or Keira do that involves it. It seems like a risk but it is one I was willing to take and I don't regret it. The thought of You-Know-Who getting ahold of this, or even Dumbledore, is frightening and could change the course of the war. It also involves why Keira lost her magic." He paused, "If you were to ask me whether or not the vow was necessary then I wouldn't hesitate to tell you, yes, but I will tell you that knowing everything that he has to say... it changed my opinion of him."
Renato looked at James with a brow raised.
James chuckled, "Not in a bad way. Just, now I know that you really can take care of my sister, and I know that if you were to teach her then she would be able to defend herself better than anything. But I also know that you would do everything in your power to protect her if you had to, even if it cost you your life. And that's why I trust you with her."
Renato nodded, accepting the compliment, "Thank you."
James nodded back.
Fleamont sighed, "Alright. Come to the house at seven tonight. We will have dinner and discuss your courtship and work out a time plan for how long it should last. With the war going on I'd rather not have your courtship lasting as long as James and Lily's has but I don't want it done too soon. As soon as Euphemia has her say of it, we'll get it official with the goblins." He looked at James, "This will be a family ordeal so bring Lily, Sirius and Remus along with you."
"Remus is in a meeting with Dumbledore." James said, "Something about getting him a job." He gave a pointed look at that, "And it should be later tonight when he returns. If he's there before we leave we'll bring him but if he isn't then I'll leave a note, in case he gets back before we do."
Fleamont nodded, "That should work. Now, I need to go speak with the Goblins." He stood up and held his hand out to Renato once more, "It was good meeting you, Renato."
Renato shook his hand, "You as well. I hope that I can meet your expectations."
"You already have." Fleamont said, chuckling before pulling James and Keira into a hug and leaving. "Remember, seven tonight!"
XXXXX
"So what did you need help with, Renato?" James asked as soon as they made it back to the house.
Sirius perked up, having forgotten all about the previous conversation, "Yeah! You left before we could help!"
Renato sighed, "Let me get a few things from our room." He turned and walked down the hall to grab his guns and ammunition from his bags.
"So, what's the verdict?" Lily asked.
"Father approves of him. We're going to have dinner at the manor tonight, though, so that mother can meet him. Father said to bring everyone, but when I told him that Remus would be at a meeting until late he said to bring him if he was here or leave a note in case he arrived back before we did."
Lily nodded, "Knowing Dumbledore, it could take all night."
"Unfortunately." Keira agreed, "Though I believe that father assumed Remus wouldn't show up tonight anyways, what with the full moon being so close."
Sirius grimaced, "Yeah, it's only three days away. Hope Dumbles realizes that before he puts Remus on a mission."
"Has he thought about taking the wolfsbane potion?" Keira asked, "Surely someone could brew it."
Lily frowned, "The only one able to brew it would be Severus and I doubt he would be willing to without a hefty price. Sirius and James still go with Remus on the night of the full moon to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone or himself."
"At least, he still has them. I hate that he has to go through this." Keira said, sighing.
Renato walked back out with a case slung over his shoulder and raised a brow at the tense atmosphere. "Did I miss something?"
"The full moon is coming up in a few days." Lily said.
Renato nodded in understanding, "You all do what you can. It's better than him fighting through it by himself. I know people who would kill him without batting an eye at it, even if he was a friend or lover." He turned towards the door, "James, Sirius, follow."
The pair scrambled to follow after him and Lily and Keira shared an amused look before following after them.
XXXXX
Once outside, Renato set his case down and turned to face the pair. "Lily tells me that you think guns are some type of toy that can't hurt you. She has asked me to demonstrate a few."
He pulled out a gun and showed it to them, "This is the Smith & Wesson 500 magnum. It fires a .50 caliber bullet. This gun is a revolver, which means it doesn't take a magazine and holds only five bullets. It fires a bullet at almost two thousand feet per second and can do a huge amount of damage.
"If not held correctly it could potentially take off a finger or break your nose. In worse case scenarios it could blow up in your hand or the recoil could cause the gun to fling back and shatter your skull." He pointed it at one of the smaller trees, about four inches in diameter, and shot, causing the tree's trunk to shatter where the bullet entered and fall over. "Lily says that you think that a shield could protect you from this. I want you both to put up your most powerful shields, have them overlap a bit. I will shoot that part that overlaps."
James and Sirius looked at each other before pulling out their wands and throwing up a protego.
Renato took aim and shot. The bullet easily shattered the shield and went into the thick oak tree behind them.
The pair looked at each other before looking at Renato and gulping.
"O-Okay, I think I get it now..." James said, looking wary.
Renato shook his head, "That's the most powerful caliber I have on me, but you get to help me test the others. If I run into any Death Eaters I want to know what calibers will work on the shields. Going with how that shield shattered, I'm going with it will shatter any of them."
He pulled a new gun out, this time, it was the one out of his holster. "This one is my preferred handgun. It's the one I use on most of my missions. It's a .45 caliber Glock 30. It holds ten rounds in its magazine. It can easily kill a person and at close range will blow out the back of a grown man's head." He held it up and pointed at the same spot, "Throw up your shields."
Nearly as soon as the shield's were up, they shattered. The bullet sliced through them and into the tree, hitting the previous bullet.
"This one," He held up another gun from his case, "Is an Astra A-60. It's a semi-automatic pistol which fires either .380 ACP or .32 ACP cartridges. Its magazine can hold either twelve or thirteen rounds. It's a Spanish military gun. Throw up your shields."
They tossed their shields up, standing away from the middle, and watched as he aimed and fired in the same spot. This time, the bullet seemed to struggle before finally breaking through. It all took less than two milliseconds, but the pause was enough for Renato to notice.
He frowned and placed it to the side, "It seems that that cartridge wouldn't be the best to use."
"It cut through the shield like the others, though," Sirius said, glancing at James, "Didn't it?"
James shrugged.
"It struggled for a few milliseconds before doing so, though. In battle, a few milliseconds could mean life or death, I'm not willing to risk that." Renato said before picking up another, "This is a Beretta 70, made in Italy. It's a semi-automatic as well and it can fire .32 ACP, .380 ACP, and .22 LR. For this demonstration, though, I will be using the .22 LR."
At this point, Sirius and James already had their shields up.
Renato smirked and fired the gun, only for the bullet to hit the shield and fall to the ground.
James and Sirius looked down at the little piece of metal in astonishment before looking back up at Renato.
"A little piece of metal did all that damage?" Sirius asked.
"Of course. Did you think it was a spell or something?" Renato asked, raising a brow as he walked over and picked up the bullet.
James and Sirius blushed and scratched the back of their heads, "Uh..."
Renato rolled his eyes, "Of course it was a piece of metal, I don't have magic. Though I wonder if this would be able to pierce your shield with my flames added to it..."
James and Sirius sighed before putting their shields up again, "Go ahead." They muttered.
Renato smirked and channeled his flames into the muzzle and around the bullet before firing. This time, it shattered the shield and placed a hole the size of a golf ball through the tree before bouncing off the wards, though they did ripple.
James blinked, "You almost took out the wards!"
"At least, I know that I could take them down if needed," Renato said flippantly as he put away his guns.
James and Sirius shook their heads before looking over at Keira.
"Your boyfriend is crazy," Sirius said.
"Very crazy," James repeated.
Keira rolled her eyes and looked at Lily, "Should we go have some tea?"
Lily nodded, "That sounds wonderful!"
Renato chuckled and picked up his suitcase, "I would prefer coffee."
Keira smiled, "Of course!"
They walked inside, leaving Sirius and James standing in the yard with their jaws dangling.
XXXXX
Renato wasn't one to meet the parents. He hadn't stayed with any of his other conquests long enough to meet their parents. But Keira was different. He actually saw a future with her and meeting both her parents, especially since it seemed her mother had more say in things than her father, was as intimidating as it had been when he was fifteen and meeting Nono for the first time.
"You don't need to worry. Mother will love you." Keira said, walking up to him and smoothing down his suit lapels and adjusting his tie, which he had messed up with his nerves. "If father likes you then mother surely will. She's a bit overprotective but once she knows everything she'll start planning the wedding. She's already planning James and Lily's. And if they don't approve of you when they know everything then we'll just go and get married elsewhere when we're ready."
"I wouldn't drag you away from your parents like that, Keira." Renato said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it.
Keira smiled. "You wouldn't, Renato. I know how important family is to you but it they don't approve of my soul mate then they can't be considered family to me. Family loves you no matter what and they approve of your choices, knowing that you need to make them for yourself."
Renato chuckled, "I suppose, but they are still your parents and I would rather them like me."
"I'd like them to like you too." Keira said, smiling wider. "Now, come on. We need to get to the living room. We're going to side-along apparate so you'll be going with James and I'll be going with Lily. Don't worry, though, it's perfectly safe. Now, if you were going with Sirius I'd worry but James is great at side-along and Lily has some essence of dittany if anything bad happens."
Renato raised a brow, "And what could happen?"
"Ready to go?" James asked as they rounded the corner, Renato still looking unsure.
"Yes, we are." Keira said, pushing Renato to stand beside James, "Really, don't worry."
He frowned and looked at James, "And how do we... apparate?"
"Oh, thought Keira explained. It's like being shoved into a very small tube and stretched out. It doesn't hurt but it feels weird. And most people puke their first time."
Renato looked over at Keira, who smiled and grabbed Lily's hand before disappearing with a pop. He glanced back at James, who held out his arm. With a grimace, he grabbed it.
With a sickening twist, they shot off and nearly instantaneously landed in the parlor of a Manor house.
Renato jerked away from James and groaned, "That felt... weird."
"Not gonna puke are you?" James asked, pulling Lily to him.
"No, I'm not going to. I've been through worse." Renato said, taking his hat off and running his hand through his hair before putting it back on his head, "I'll be fine."
Keira walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Are you sure? We could get something..."
"I'm fine, really." Renato said, looking towards the entryway to see Fleamont standing there grinning.
"Well, you took it better than most of the others on their first attempt." He said, stepping into the room and greeting the others, "Come, dinner is ready."
Keira took Renato's arm and smiled up at him before trailing after the others with him.
XXXXX
Euphemia wasn't what Renato was expecting. She reminded him of his own mother, Valentina. It was nice.
"So, should we take the vow now?" Fleamont asked as the dishes from dessert disappeared.
Keira nodded, "It would be best."
James looked over at his parents, "It's best if you both know exactly what you're getting from this. You are going to be learning something that could, possibly, change the course of the war for the worse if either Dumbledore or you-know-who get ahold of it. You are respecting their wishes of not revealing anything to anyone."
Fleamont stood and took out his wand, "I, Lord Fleamont Harrison Potter, swear on my magic and my life that I will not discuss anything that I hear tonight from Keira Dorea Potter or," he looked at Renato.
"Renato Ciro Angelo." Renato said, leaning back into his chair a bit.
"Renato Ciro Angelo, so mote it be."
Euphemia stood up and took out her wand, "I, Lady Euphemia Miriam Potter, swear on my magic and my life that I will not discuss anything that I hear tonight from Keira Dorea Potter or Renato Ciro Angelo, so mote it be."
They both sat down after that and Renato leaned forward onto his elbows, "Well then, let me tell you everything. As I have already told the marauders and Lily, the world that I come from is far more secretive than this world and there is a higher price at stake if you speak of it. Breaking the Omerta is punishable by, not only, the death of you, your family, and those you told, but also, torture for many years before your eventual death.
"Keira has told me of your Azkaban and I must say that it sounds much kinder than Vendicare. Those who break the Omerta tend to end up in the Vendice's water prison with some of the most dangerous criminals. In the water prison you lose your muscle mass, you cannot hear, and you cannot see. You are trapped in your mind and you feel the suffocation of the water on your body but you can do nothing about it.
"When I said I wished for you to take the vow, I trust you to not speak of anything that I'm about to tell you. That is why I requested you all take the oath. You may speak to the people at this table about it, along with Remus, but no one else." At their silent nods, he sat back again, taking a drink of his wine, "I work for the mafia and am considered the World's Greatest Hitman, and that isn't bragging. I have taken hits all around the world and am known by my cover name, Reborn."
"Wait, you're Reborn?" Fleamont said, eyes wide. At Renato's nod, he sat back, "Holy shit."
Renato chuckled, "Sirius and James had nearly the same reaction to that. Anyway, along with my hitman status, I am also part dragon. My grandmother, Emilia, was a descendant of a dragon and it was passed down to her children, then to myself. I am capable of the transformation but it takes a lot to transform. Keira has said that it's only because the transformation is bound to my soul and flames instead of my blood.
"Now, to the important part. There is a group of humans who possess a different type of... magic, I suppose. It's different from what you possess as it takes the form of flames. These flames are incredibly hot and only able to be seen by others who have flames activated.
"These flames are separated into seven types; sky, storm, sun, rain, mist, lightning, and cloud. They each have different properties and different positions in the hierarchy.
"Sky flames are considered royalty because of their rareness and their ability. They are the harmony, they are the leaders, they bring the others together. Most have a powerful insight and are able to propel themselves through the air with their flames. Keira has a hard sky, which means that she's powerful, but much more volatile than normal sky flame users.
"Storm flames tend to be the second in command. They typically find the sky before any other flame user and many are overprotective, though most grow out of it. They have disintegration and the ability to disintegrate dying will flames."
"They can disintegrate flames?" Fleamont asked, looking interested.
"Yes, they are able to use their flames to assist healing at times. They can break down foreign flames so that others can heal the wound. Or they can use it during battle and disintegrate enemies attacks." Renato explained.
"It sounds useful."
"Typically, they are. But common storms are volatile and prone to anger, much like their namesake."
Fleamont nodded in understanding, "So young storms are difficult to deal with?"
"Extremely so," Renato said. "Anyways. Rain flames are the tranquility; the calming rain. Their abilities are appeasement and dulling. They can rob an enemy of their strength and capacity of movement and they have been known to be able to form ice in an attack. They are, typically, able to defuse arguments because of their calm and laid back nature.
"Lightning flames tend to use hardening. It allows them to harden their skin or their weapons as well as use electricity in their attacks. It's useful as they're able to take a lot of damage before they're knocked down.
"Cloud flames have propagation for their ability, which allows them to increase and replicate things. They are usually best at making things like a force field or a cyclone, anything that could possibly cover a large area.
"Mist flame users are illusionists. They have construction as their ability which makes their illusions powerful if they know how to use and manipulate their flames correctly. They have a weak offensive power though which tends to make them a hindrance on the front lines in battle."
"So mist users would be the ones at the back while the others are out front. They could cast an illusion over the enemy and hold them while the others took them out." James asked.
"If the user was powerful enough, yes. The Vongola Primo had one of the most powerful mist users as his guardian, Daemon Spade, and his illusions were nearly impossible to defend against." Renato explained.
"Isn't there one more flame type?" Euphemia asked, "You said there were seven and you've only said six."
"I was saving the best for last," Renato said with a smirk. "Sun flame users have the ability to stimulate and augmenting, which makes them the best for healing or strengthening individuals. It tends to make it difficult to use sun flames in direct combat so they typically have to rely on something else; either their strength or their weapons. But the flames have the ability to induce and improve the efficiency of any type of activity."
"He's a sun flame," Keira said, chuckling.
Fleamont nodded, "So you are able to heal during battle?"
"If I have used my flames, which I am able to use them with my bullets to make the damage worse, then I cannot heal anyone after that for a bit. I made that mistake when I was first starting and I ended up giving the person tumors and their skin started to peel away from their cells multiplying too quickly. Something about using them offensively makes them unstable for a bit." Renato explained. "I've gotten to where I can use my flames to heal within three minutes after using them to kill."
"That sounds like it's not worth the risk. If you were gravely injured then you wouldn't be able to heal yourself." Sirius said, butting in for the first time.
"I typically don't use my flames on myself purposely. They work when they determine it's safe and, at times, they go dormant if I've used them too much. In a way, it's like your magic. You get magical exhaustion when you use your magic too much, it is the same with flames."
"So your flames hibernate while you may be bleeding out?"
"It's either that or they kill me by burning themselves out."
Euphemia looked worried, "That has happened?"
"There have been a few sun flames over the course of history who forced their flames to come out and heal them and ended up burning themselves out. It's a common thing to happen if a young sun doesn't know what they are doing and use their flames too often in fights." Renato explained.
Fleamont sighed, "What about dying will flames? You mentioned them once before. What makes them different from the flames?"
"A dying will flame is typically a high-density form of energy that is made from one's own life-force. They're graded by their purity, which has a link to one's resolve. Typically, the higher the purity the more powerful a flames attribute is. But unlike using the flames normally, a dying will flame is the full force of the user's ability. They have to want the outcome they desire with everything within them. If someone was in battle and wished to defend their child, it would be a lot like adrenalin. It allows the user to use all of their ability in one burst and for as long as possible." Renato said, taking another drink, "You can use specially made bullets, called Dying Will Bullets, that will drag a person's flame out and if they have any regrets at the moment of their 'death' then they will be 'reborn' with their flames at full force. But flames are much like muscles, you can strengthen your flames and your control over them. Using one of these bullets on someone whose flame is dormant would drag it into the active stage. Using it on a witch or wizard would only kill them by forcing the process too quickly."
"So how is this all organized? You said that the sky is like royalty and that storms are typically the second in command but what of the others? How is the hierarchy laid out? Are the families only of those seven members or are there others?" Fleamont asked.
"The family is organized with the sky as the boss. Typically the storm is the second in command but it varies between each sky. For instance, I am Keira's second in command instead of a storm. After that, it tends to go with the rain and the lightning taking care of various things from handing out missions on the bosses command, leading teams to deal with various other things, to dealing with paperwork that is simple enough for them to take care of and unneeded of the bosses signature.
"Some mist flames tend to stick with the sun flames and deal with healing or assassinations, depending on their skills. The cloud typically takes care of security around the household. That's not saying that they all stay on that. As guardians of the sky, the other six are in charge of protecting the sky from harm and being the sky's counsel.
"There are others in the family, though. Mainly ones who have sworn their service to the family years ago through their family name or those who have been taken in by the family. There are volunteers who accepted a place within the family for safety and chose to stay as well. Vongola typically has a couple thousand family members spread out all over the world. If it was just the sky and their guardians, it wouldn't be much of a family and would be considered weak to the rest.
"Some of the families have sub-groups though. Varia and the CEDEF are both parts of the Vongola and both are run by skies that work for Nono."
"So they are all ok with working for a sky that will never bond with them?" James asked.
"Typically yes, mainly because once a sky has its guardians they don't call out for any of the others anymore. Right now, Keira is subconsciously calling for guardians to bond with. It's not something that is intentionally done and it can't be controlled. Once all the guardians are bonded with the sky, or harmonized, then the sky stops calling for them." Renato explained.
"So, Keira will, eventually, have five others following her and maybe have a whole following below her?" Fleamont asked, frowning, "It sounds a bit..."
"It's a famiglia, and it's something where everyone who joins, joins willingly. Those on the outside don't know sensitive information. There are those with flames and those without. But the ones who join always know the risks. They know that if they leave then they will be found and killed. I know you were assuming that this is much like those Death Eaters that you are having trouble with, but I doubt that Keira will gain enough people to have a famiglia. Most likely she will be taken under wing by another famiglia; either for protection or because she wishes to work with the mafia. Whatever she chooses will be her own choice, though. I will not force her to do anything she doesn't wish to do." Renato said, glaring at Fleamont.
Fleamont leaned back and nodded before looking at Euphemia, "Your opinion?"
Euphemia looked at Renato and Keira before looking back at Fleamont and smiling, "I approve."
XXXXX
It didn't take much after that for them to understand the reasoning behind keeping things secret. They seemed to understand all too well what could happen if word got out about the flames.
"Where are you two living at the moment? And are you living together?" Euphemia asked.
Keira shook her head, "At the moment we're living in two different apartments though they are across from each other."
"I have considered searching for new apartments, one with more space," Renato said, frowning, "As her only guardian I feel more overprotective than I would if there were more guardians so the need of knowing that she is safe tends to distract me if we are away from each other. I would prefer to be closer, so I could help sooner if there were an attack."
"Keira's apartment has two rooms, Renato," Lily said, smiling. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you moved into the spare?"
Keira blushed and looked at the table.
"Then it's settled. You will move into the spare room while you two are courting. I will contact the goblins to get a small warding stone set up for the apartment and two portkeys, one for each of you. That way, if needed, you can travel to each other. There are portkeys linked to magic so I'm sure they could key them to your flames. Euphemia and I have one and it lands us within five feet of each other." Fleamont said with a grin. "Now, we should discuss the courting. Typically there is a set timeframe; James and Lily's went on for much longer than normal. Since we are in a time of war I would prefer to speed it up. You two are soul mates so speeding up the process shouldn't be too bad."
"Father, what are you suggesting?" Keira asked, frowning.
"I'm suggesting that it would be best if your courting lasted no longer than six months. There's no telling if any of us are going to be caught in the crossfire of some match on the way to the bank or something. I would like to witness my daughter's wedding. James and Lily are getting married in June, it's soon but they've been courting for years. I know yours will be sped up but I would prefer it like that." Fleamont said. "James and Lily don't have a soul bond speeding things up like you two. You have already stated that you have known of each other for just over a year. While you may not have had much interaction, that is still a year for the soul bond to slowly form."
"It makes sense," Renato said, frowning, "Typically this isn't something that I would want to rush but I understand the need to do so. While we have only really been seeing each other for a few days, we already know quite a bit about each other. There is, technically, nothing stating that we cannot continue dating after we marry. And there are people who have married sooner than this and have had happy marriages."
"Precisely." Fleamont said, "I would rather have had you two court for a year, at least, but in a time of war we need to move quickly."
"Are you sure, father?" Keira asked.
"Absolutely. You two may court but you shall be wed in six months time." Fleamont stated, magic crackling in the air, sealing the words with the family magic.
XXXXX
They didn't stay long after that.
Fleamont and Euphemia said their goodbyes and the group apparated home. No one had been expecting the outcome that had been given that night and Keira was still in a slight state of shock.
When they arrived back at the house, Remus was there waiting.
"How did things go?" He asked, looking up from his book.
"Fleamont allowed Keira and I to court but we are to be wed within six months," Renato said, seeing that no one else was going to explain.
"Six months? But you've only been together a few days." Remus said, confused.
"That's what I said, but father stated that since we were in a war, things should be sped up," Keira said, sitting on the couch.
"Well, it's only April, you two have until October to get to know each other and get comfortable," James said, plopping down into a chair, Lily sitting on the arm.
"And you also need to move some things into the spare room of the apartment, Renato." Lily pointed out, "It should move things along quicker if you two are living together anyway."
"Why is he moving in?" Remus asked.
"Paranoia." Sirius chirped, grinning, "He thinks something's gonna happen to Keira and he's not going to be able to get to her quick enough. Dad's even said he's going to get them a set of portkeys like him and mum have, just in case."
"That reminds me, how soon should those be completed?" Renato asked, frowning. "I only have a week off and there's a lot to be completed."
"They should be done by tomorrow afternoon and here by tomorrow night," James said, "The goblins tend to finish things like that quickly. Tying your flames to it should only take a few moments as well. The goblins may end up sending one of their own over just to make sure everything works. Typically, the ones getting them just send a bit of magic into each others and set a word to activate it."
"A word?"
"Yeah, they use words, so it'd be best to use one that you wouldn't accidentally say. It only activates with your voice," James explained, yawning, "It's late, though. We should probably head to bed."
Keira nodded, yawning, "That would be a good idea." She stood up and stretched, "We can talk more tomorrow. Besides, Lily and I have a shopping trip with Narcissa planned."
Lily nodded, "We're leaving pretty early in the morning as well."
They said their goodnights and headed to their respective rooms.
As soon as the door closed behind Renato he smirked and said, "Retrouvailles. That's the word we should use for the portkey."
Keira turned and looked at him from where she stood at the closet door, "Oh? What does it mean?"
"It means discovery in French but also the joy of reuniting with someone after a long separation."
"I'd have to practice saying it but it does seem like one that wouldn't pop up in normal conversation," Keira said, "What made you think of it anyways?"
Renato shrugged, taking his jacket off, along with his holster, and unbuttoned his shirt, "I remember my grandfather mentioning it at the time of his death. I looked it up when I was younger and I appreciate the meaning behind it."
Keira walked out of the closet in a tank top and flannel pyjama bottoms, "It feels sort of melancholic to me. It has a beautiful meaning but how your grandfather used it..."
Renato hung his jacket over the desk chair, placing his shirt in the hamper in the bathroom, along with his pants, and coming back out with his undershirt and sleep pants on, "I suppose it is, but only if you think death is the end. I'm sure there's a chance that they have met in the afterlife again."
Keira nodded, "I suppose you're right." She got into the bed and laid on her side, watching Renato as he got in on the other side, "It would be a good word to use none-the-less I suppose. It's not something that is in my everyday vocabulary and I doubt it's in yours either so it would be the best bet we have."
Renato turned and faced her, "Most likely. Now, sleep, you have an early morning tomorrow." He leaned in and kissed her forehead before pulling her to his chest.
She smiled and curled into him, "Goodnight, Renato."
"Buona notte, mio cielo."