The two heroes emerged from the mystical portal on the edge of the castle wards. "Well that was kind of fun." Peter joked as he rolled his shoulders wincing a bit as one of them cracked loudly. "Could of done without the whole Sinister Six part, but it was still a fun visit."
"Yeah, well the fun part is over, now comes the not so fun part." Kitty said staring at Peter curiously she had watched her friend return from wherever he had gone extremely subdued, yet now his happiness seemed almost to easy now. Was he really that good at hiding his emotions from people that he could do this? It was a question that made her a bit uneasy and unsure if she really wanted the answer to as well. "So you want to go to the headmaster's office now, or do you want to wait and see if we can catch the last bit of the game?"
"Great what a choice. Go wait to be yelled at, or go someplace that you know that you're going to be yelled at." Peter said in annoyance. "It's not like we didn't have a good reason for leaving like we did."
"Yeah well none of this would have happened if you hadn't gotten so many bad guys mad at you." Kitty pointed out to him.
"So its my fault that there are a bunch of homicidal crazies out there that think bounce the spider around is a good thing, and the only way that they can play their game is if they threaten the entire city?" Peter asked in mock hurt.
"No, its your fault that you made them mad at you though." Kitty told him, as she walked through the wall that surrounded the castle. Peter sighed before he leaped over the wall, not about to have her just leave him.
"So, what are you saying? That I should have just left them to rob and murder the various people that I've stopped them from doing?"
"No, but do you always have to make it so personal with all of them all of the time?" Kitty questioned, as they made their way up the path toward the castle. "I mean a lot of people hate you for your insults alone."
"Hey, if they were always paying attention then they would be able to take me out without a seconds thought though." Peter argued with her.
"Whatever looks like Strange was able to send us a few hours in the past though." Kitty said as she nodded toward the Quidditch stands where people were seen to be yelling. The Slytherians were all singing a song of some sort, while everyone else was yelling. The two moved in closer and made heaving faces as they heard the chorus to the, 'Weasley is our King,' song. The two crawled until they were at the edge of one of the stands and watched from the safety of the shadows. They watched as Harry caught the snitch, and landed amongst his team, then they watched as Malfoy began bad mouthing half the teams families. "All right, now is when your mouth will be of some use." Kitty said with a gleam in her eyes. "If he wants to play with insults let him see what it takes to handle a master."
"Your wish is my command." Peter said as he walked out into the light. "Yo Malfoy! Why don't you try and say some of those things to me, or are you scared of what I'll say back at you?" He questioned as he sauntered out onto the pitch to the surprise of everyone. "I mean seriously, your momma jokes? Is that the best you can do you platinum brained little rich boy, or has all of that inbreeding that your so proud of made anything more to complex for you?"
"Are you looking for a fight Parker?" Malfoy asked in what might pass for a dangerous voice as he flushed pink. "Cause if not then I suggest you stay out of it."
"Oh I'm looking for a fight all right daddy's boy, but it sure as hell isn't the kind of fight that your expecting. I'm challenging you to an insult-a-thon."
"A what?"
"An insult-a-thon blondie, you know where we insult each other to each others faces and where all can hear. In fact, we can even pick a back up group of say three. Rules are simple you inbred Brit, you can mouth off at the person or his advisors as much as you want, and the oohs and ahhs and the yells of burn will decide on the winner since you can't touch each other, not only that but it will let you get a few things off of your chest. You interested?"
"I'll tear you apart Parker, there is no way that you can beat me. Slytherians are known for their cunning."
"Then put your money where your mouth is blondie, and lets start the insult-a-thon. Fred, George Weasley go stand on the left, whomever Malfoy picks go stand on the left."
Malfoy nodded and looked into the stands of the Slytherians. "Blaise, Professor Snape and Nott to the left, I think its time we took this Gryffindor down a couple of notches and showed him what it means to be of the house of the cunning."
"All right then if we're all in agreement them." Peter said with a grin. "Lee sound us off."
"Not so fast Parker." Umbridge said in her sickly sweet little girl voice as she made her way toward them. "I am afraid that you and Miss Pryde have an appointment with the Hogwarts teaching staff to explain how it is that you think that you can come and go as you please."
Peter shrugged at the others. "Sorry folks but duty calls and that means taking the punishment for my rather public exit earlier. However, as soon as we can work it out we'll have to do this insult-a-thon, it should prove entertaining, and I have no complaints at you using a teacher either as long as he understands that if he gets insulted that he can't take revenge later on unless he's saying that he's a bad player."
"We'll be there." Malfoy said crossing his arms in anger. "Now where were we scar head?"
"Save your insults for them Malfoy." Harry said nodding toward the retreating figures of Peter and Kitty. "Your going to need them when the time comes."
The two made their way up to the headmasters office and entered silently behind Umbridge. Dumbledore was seated at his desk and was glaring at the two teens as they entered, his kind grandfather like persona was struggling to stay on his face as he looked over at them. Arrayed around the room were various other members of the teaching staff that were glaring at the two suspiciously. "Would either of you like to explain just what it was that happened this morning?" He asked them gravely.
Kitty shrugged a bit unconcerned at the man or his staff, which were surrounding him. "Dr. Strange asked us to come and deal with something that was not in his usual area of work. In fact I'm kind of surprised that he even bothered to come and get us personally. I mean its not the sort of thing that he usually gets involved in, but I suppose that even he has to act human every once in a while."
"How did he break through the wards like he did? And what was that portal that he used?" Flitwick asked curiously.
"Well you don't get the title Sorcerer Supreme for being able to use trick cards and what not." Peter said with amusement. "As for the portal spell I don't know how it works honestly, so you'll have to forgive me if I don't tell you all sorts of wonderful secrets of magic professor."
"Its all right my boy." Flitwick said to him. "I was just curious. Just think of some of the traveling spells one would be able to make with those portal spells."
"Yes, well portal spells are illegal because of the magical backlash that they create." Umbridge stated. "And the fact that this Doctor felt like he could flaunt such laws makes him a danger that should be reminded of who is in command."
"You realize that you don't have any authority over him right?" Kitty questioned the woman. "I mean the guy lives in the U.S, I don't think that there's a whole lot that you can do without him being a member of your community."
"Impossible!" Umbridge said in shock and disbelief etched all over her face. "There is no way that anyone like that would be unknown to the Ministry, if such an individual existed we would be well aware of it and we would do our best to see to it that he was placed in a place of high respect here in England."
"Yeah we know how you guys like to keep an eye on people." Peter shot off before he could stop himself. "However, it seems as though at least one heavy player in the world of magic has managed to easily slip through your information net. Of course that could be because Strange doesn't like a whole lot of attention and would prefer it if you would just ignore him and let him get on with his work."
"And just what work might that be Mr. Parker?" Dumbledore pressed with interest.
"Well considering the fact that he already told you what it is that he does, I have no problem reminding you." Kitty said with a smile.
"And that is?"
"He's the Sorcerer Supreme. You know the magical guardian of this dimension, part of the reason why he doesn't take in a lot of students he barely has time for the one on one apprenticeships that he does have from time to time."
"Yeah, and if you'll notice there was no magical backlash from Strange's portal spells when he used them." Peter added smirking at Umbridge. "Maybe the Ministry people that were doing it didn't have the right kind of training to do that kind of spell work."
"Impossible." Umbridge said huffing in indignation. "The Ministry has the best and brightest whom decide the types of spells that are supposed to be to dangerous for a person to use in the world. I very much doubt that this Dr. is all that much better than they are." Umbridge proclaimed to them.
"Yes, well as entertaining and interesting as this conversation is I happen to have other matters that I am more interested in such as how we are going to stop the two of you from doing something like this again whenever you feel like to." McGonagall said breaking into the argument before the two Americans mocked Umbridges logic once again, she didn't much look forward to telling Moody that his nephew had gone and made a run for it and then gotten into a fight with a Ministry lackey.
"Indeed, and I would also like to know who the Six are that Dr. Strange felt like he could not deal with them himself but felt that you could Mr. Parker."
"Not really something that I feel like talking about headmaster. My business with Strange was personal in its nature, and I think you'll agree with me that there are things that some people need to know at this time. Kitty merely tagged along as moral support while the elements of ice, fire and beast dealt with the enemies of the sleepless apple." Peter said meeting Dumbledore's look with his own hard and defiant glare though there was a trace of amusement in his voice.
"Stop talking in riddles Parker and tell us what it is that you know." McGonagall said her eyes narrowing dangerously at the boy.
"Perhaps we can discuss this over lunch?" Dumbledore tried. "Since I know that you missed most of breakfast."
"That's alright headmaster we ate while we were with Doc Strange before he sent us back kind of a good luck thing and as a reminder that I have friends who care about me."
Dumbledore nodded at this. "Very well then. I need some sort of assurance that this will not happen again, since I can't very well allow you to continue to ignore the rules like that."
"Sorry Headmaster, but the two of can't exactly tell the Sorcerer Supreme where he can and can't go."
"Then how about an agreement that you won't go with him then?"
"Yeah right. Peter here can no more ignore a cry for help any more than you could not ignore the chance to warn people what it is that you believe is coming." Kitty said with a smirk. "Besides, Peter has a responsibility and duty now that he can't just ignore no matter how much he wants to at times."
"And yet it is our job to make sure that all of the students are safe including yourself and Mr. Parker here." Dumbledore pointed out to the girl.
"Trust us professor, we're used to being on our own with no one but ourselves." Kitty said looking the headmaster in the eyes. "You seem to think that you can intimidate or impress us with this little show of unified power let me tell you right now so not impressed. I've seen more impressive displays from my closest friends, and the people who don't like them well they're not to bad either, but for the record this is not going to make us just spill our guts to you. Now what is going to be our punishment?"
"I see." Dumbledore said sighing, his shoulders slumped as he realized that neither of the two were going to cave in to his demands that they tell him what he wanted about the man that had sliced through the castle wards. He would have to figure some other method out. Though the information of where the Eye was, was indeed helpful. He couldn't help but wonder though just what it would take to impress the two defiant teens. "Then I suppose that we shall have to get to your punishments. For leaving as you have and right in front of us we are only going to give you detentions with Mr. Filch. With his aide I am fairly sure that you will be much to busy to get into to much trouble. I believe that three months is the required amount to give for this sort of crime am I correct?"
"Yes Headmaster." McGonagall said, "I shall inform Mr. Filch that he has a pair of trouble makers that he needs to deal with in the coming months. I suppose I shall have to see to it that they are returned to their tower now, I think they should spend the time in their common room as a reminder of what it is that they have done wrong."
"Don't trouble yourself Minerva I would simply love to see to it that they are sent to their rooms, and who knows I might even assist Mr. Filch with planning some of the detentions later on." Umbridge simpered at the other teachers. "Besides, perhaps I can help explain to the two of them just why it is that they are in so much trouble for leaving the castle even if it is with someone that they care for so much."
"I'd hardly say that we care that much for the Doc." Peter said making a face. "Respect, and maybe even slightly fear him? Hell yes. But care for him? Sorry he's not any kind of mentor or anything more like that for me. I just don't swing that way no offense to any one else that does of course." He added.
"Very well then Delores." McGonagall said nodding toward the High Inquisistor. "I shall leave you to escorting them then."
"Thank you Minerva." The toad woman said in her sugary sweet voice. "Come along you two." The three of them were allowed to leave the room. Neither of the Americans was overly surprised when they were ordered into a spare classroom. "Now then, what didn't you tell the headmaster you two?" The woman asked, glaring at the two. "I know that there was quiet a number of things that you didn't think that we needed to know, and Dumbledore let you off without saying anything. I however am not like Dumbledore. Now what can you tell me of this Dr. Strange, like where is it that he resides, and what all is he capable of doing?"
"He rests his hat in New York as far as I know Professor. As for all of his abilities, I honestly don't know. The guy is powerful that's all I know, and he's not someone that you really want to get on the wrong side of. I mean look at what he did to Dumbledore and the rest of the teaching staff. You guys are some of the foremost experts in your fields, and yet he took you all down as if you were all nothing but a bunch of 1st years."
Umbridge preened a bit at this small piece of flattery that had been subtly directed at her. "Very well, now what else can you tell the Ministry? We're most interested in learning what we can about this man. He is not on record and knowing all we can about potential dangers would be most helpful in case he ever goes rogue. Also the Ministry remembers those that help them." She added hopefully.
"The guy has a lot of magic doohickies, and a lot of friends in high places in New York. If you do try and move against him you better be careful, or you'll be in the fight for your life."
"I doubt that the Ministry will really need to worry about whatever friends that this Dr. Strange may have, I sincerely doubt that they will be able to stand up to the might of the Aurors."
"Suit yourself Professor." Kitty said.
"Lets go." The woman grumbled, holding the door open for the two of them who were then forced to head toward the Gryffindor tower where they were allowed to enter without a word.
The two entered and nodded to various members of the house who were staring at them warily. It was not anyone who was friends with someone that could take down the entire teaching staff of Hogwarts, making them out to be possibly more dangerous or better connected than anyone had thought. The only ones that didn't seem overly disturbed by what they had done was the Weasley twins who greeted them wide grins. "So, when do you think that we can get this insult-o-thon underway?" George asked with a grin. "It should be just the thing to get Ron's head back up. Particularly if we send them home crying for that one as well."
"We'll get together with Malfoy and decide later on when and where to do it." Peter said to them. "We want to make it seem as fair as possible, or at the very least we want it to look like the odds are in his favor when we start."
"Do you think that you can keep up with him?" Katie Bell asked curiously from where she was standing. I mean the guy is supposed to have a pretty snakelike tongue.
Kitty snorted at this. "Trust me on this one, if there is one thing that Peter here can do its insult people. By the time he finishes with the blonde he won't know what hit him."
Peter nodded sheepishly. "What can I say, it's a gift. Of course its made me a few enemies as well but there's nothing that I can't handle though with this guy. Although I don't know if I want Lee to commentate for me when we do this."
"What why?" Lee asked looking slightly insulted.
Peter grinned at the boy with dreadlocks. "Because Lee, I want them to be mine, and not softened up after you finished introducing them. So unless you can keep it neutral I don't know if you should be in charge of commentary."
"Fine I'll behave, but I don't like it." The boy grumbled, but accepting the condition.
TThe minute you start being biased you hand the mike over to someone is that understood?" Peter said. "The blonde and whatever stooges he brings are all mine and my teams and no one is going to deny me my fun got it?" Peter asked a daredevil like grin that most people were familiar with when they saw the twins planning a powerful prank.
"Whatever you say big guy, if you can humiliate the guy I got no problem with it."
"Good." Peter said, he then turned to look at all of the people that were looking at them curiously. "You want to handle this one?" He asked Kitty hopefully.
"Just ignore them." Kitty said. "You kind of get used to having people staring at you for no reason whatsoever after a while."
"Oi Pryde!" A voice said. The two turned to see a grinning Dean as he held a letter in his hand. "Why didn't you tell any of us that you're a bloody superhero?"
Kitty swallowed nervously but just sent a cocky grin at the boy as she quickly closed the distance between them leaving the Weasley's and their friends confused over what had just happened. "Didn't seem to be all that important, besides how many people in the wizarding world would have believed me if I had told them that I'm in the habit of saving the world between class and homework before I came here?" She asked the boy.
"Good point." The boy said.
"So how did you figure me out?"
"Wrote to me mum and dad about you of course!" The boy said with a grin. "When they heard about that little dragon of yours they wrote me back and told me to stay on your good side."
"Don't suppose we can try and keep this to Gryffindors do you?" Kitty said hopefully. "I would prefer if certain professors didn't know about that."
The boy grinned at her. "On two conditions." The boy said with a grin.
"And those are?" Kitty asked curiously. Though inside she was preparing to knock him across the room if he suggested anything she didn't like.
"One, you let me sketch you in your costume, and two you give me your autograph."
"As long as we both understand that my costume stays on while we're doing the sketch." Kitty told him.
"Oh for sure, I'm not quiet that comfortable with my models yet anyways." The boy said blushing a nice red.
"Keep it quiet, and at the end of the year I'll get you the autographs of the whole of Excalibur." Kitty promised the artistic wizard. Not letting on how uncomfortable she was at the thought of modeling, even if it was in her costume. The last time she had done anything like that was for Colossus, and those were some bittersweet memories that she wasn't really interested in opening anytime soon. The boy nodded excitedly in agreement and shook hands with her sealing the deal between the two of them. Kitty smiled glad that she hadn't had to threaten the boy, as a partially trained ninja warrior she could do quiet a bit of damage to the boy with just her hands, add in her mutant abilities and she was one of the most dangerous people in the room.
The two moved away from the crowd and sat down near Harry and Hermione who were having a whispered conversation that cut off the minute that they saw the other two get within normal hearing range. "So, which of us should be blushing?" Peter asked brightly. You two for getting caught talking to each other like that, or us cause you were talking about us?"
"How?" Hermione questioned looking a bit off guard.
"Please." Kitty said as she gestured at all of the other students around them. "Everyone is talking about it, if they aren't talking about the game that is. Sorry we stole some of your thunder today didn't exactly plan on doing that today you know."
"Yeah, if we had planned it, we would have gone somewhere quite and disappeared and then reappeared without making the big fuss that we did make." Peter said, getting a small chuckle from Harry while Hermione shot the two Americans a disapproving look. "Hey don't look at me like that." Peter said holding his hands up as if to ward her off. "Its not like you guys haven't broken your own handful of rules when you were saving peoples lives now right?"
Hermione glared for as moment before relenting and gave a curt nod. "Yes, but I wish you felt that you could trust us for what it is that you were doing. The fact that no one knows which side you'll be on is also making people nervous. Sooner or later you're going to have to pick a side."
"We have, we just don't play by the same rules that the rest of you are playing by, it makes things harder to figure out in us though."
"Really and which side are you on?"
"If we told you that would take half of the fun out of the game though." Peter said with a grin. The conversation was stopped though as Ron Weasley finally came wandering through the entrance looking miserable as he was still dressed in his Quidditch robes. The group then spent a few minutes trying to talk the dejected boy out of giving up his spot on the team.
Kitty growled in annoyance at the end of this. "Please stop the pity party Ron. You got what it takes, you just need a bit of confidence or at least the power to act kind of cocky. The fact is, that the whole song and then Malfoy trash talking your parents was nothing more than a setup for the Gryffindor team. You were just the easiest target to rile them up."
"Huh?"
"Simple, Umbridge was standing by the stands just waiting for Harry and the twins to loose their tempers so she could sweep them up and do something to them. Umbridge has probably learned how much Harry here likes to fly and decided to do something about it. She probably suggested to Malfoy or some other Slytherian the song and then told someone to make sure that the Gryffindors got really mad afterwards."
"Yeah that sounds right, it does have all of the parts to a set up." Peter said nodding. "I'm guessing that's why you told me to break it up in my own unique way?"
"Yeah, she was all set to do something so I threw a wrench into her plans."
Hermione nodded and smirked at this, obviously in high approval of what had happened.
"Look as much as I want to keep talking. We do have something else to deal with tonight." Hermione said apologetically.
"Really what?"
"Well, Hagrid's back." Hermione said, waving toward the window she had glanced out a minute ago. Harry and Ron rushed to the window and saw that the cabin was lit up and that there was smoke coming up from the chimney. Hermione turned to the other two. "Sorry about leaving you like this but."
"Hey we understand." Peter said with a grin. "Go and see your friend, no one from Gryffindor I think will blame you all that much just be careful that your not seen."
"Trust me," Harry said with a smirk, "that's usually one of our last concerns."
"If you say so." Peter said shrugging, as Harry took off upstairs to grab a few items that he would need for the coming trip out after hours.
The trio left ten minutes later Ron and Hermione arguing over her choice in clothing. "So, how long do we give them?"
"Give them a few more minutes, and then we'll go after them. I doubt that they can get into to much, trouble besides I have to go and get a few things. Maybe you can get Dean there to decide when he wants to sketch the infamous Shadowcat." He added with a grin, as he headed up stairs to grab a few things that might prove useful tonight.
Kitty groaned wondering how she managed to get into things like this as she made her way toward the boy. "So Dean when exactly did you want to do this drawing?" She questioned as she leaned against the wall near the boy.
"Well how about in a couple of weeks, and we can spend the weekend doing it that way we won't have to juggle our schedules to much for trying to get this done, and I can make sure that I have all of the stuff that I need to draw you properly." The boy suggested.
"Fine, look I gotta go, but we'll talk later." She said as she saw Peter finally come back down. The two moved quickly and began heading toward an open window when they got to it Peter grabbed her and around the waist and jumped. With his free hand Peter shot a webline out catching the tower and swung downward as they were halfway down Kitty phased them both the rest of the way down and they fell the rest of the way down and landed as gently as a feather. The two smirked as they began heading toward the small hut, Kitty phasing them over the snow so that they could move a little faster over the ground. Once they got to the hut they leaped lightly onto the roof and headed toward the chimney where they each dropped one of the twins extendable ears down and listened in as the man inside talked about the politics of giants and the small battles that had gone on because of the dark wizards egging and the way that the giants as a whole lived.
"Sound like a charming group to meet. You think Thor knows that there are still giants on the Earth?" Peter asked, as he listened.
"Doubtful, or he'd have killed them all by now." Kitty returned, as they continued to listen. Kitty rose a couple of inches then flattened herself against the roof. Trouble she grumbled.
Peter followed where she was looking and saw a figure that was heading their way and the fact that the person was pausing from time to time to examine the footprints was not good. The two could see that the figure was wearing a familiar shade of pink.
"Can we do anything?"
"Not without getting caught, we're going to have to just wait and see what it is that happens." Kitty said, while scowling at the woman heading their way. They were forced to listen as the trio hid somewhere, and then Umbridge was inside interrogating the man punching holes in the story that he was giving to Umbridge. Fortunately for the man, the interrogation didn't last all that long and he was soon released from his questioning. A few minutes later the woman left, though it was obvious to everyone that she was not impressed with what the man had said. The two Americans listened dully as they heard the situation explained to Hagrid and then a few minutes later the three left their friends home. The two shook their heads as they watched the trio blast not only the tracks that they were making now but the tracks that had been made earlier despite the fact that the group was somehow invisible they were still easy enough to follow.
"Been a while since we were that green." Peter said dryly, as he watched the group finally make it to the castle.
"True." Kitty said, "so do you want head in now to?"
"Nah, lets give them some time, or they'll start thinking that we've been following them."
"Right." Kitty said with a grin the irony of the idea was in no way lost on her since they had indeed been following the group. The two leaned against the chimney to absorb the warmth that was coming up. Kitty was snuggled up against Peter despite the half hearted protests that he had given to her.
The two waited, and just as they were about to leave they saw a cat make its way toward the hut and jump through one of the open windows. "Professor." Hagrid greeted, a bit wearily, obviously still a bit overwhelmed about what he had learned from his earlier visitors and what it all meant for his home.
"Hagrid." McGonagall said in return. "Should I even ask what it is that happened to you, or should I just presume that you have another project going on in the forest and leave it at that?"
"Yep, just another project." Hagrid said, not offering anymore information than that.
"Very well then. How are you my friend?"
"I'm doing alright all things considered, though I wouldn't mind knowing how a Ministry person got a teaching job here." The man grumbled to his coworker.
"Also would of tried to come back a might sooner if I'd of known I was going to have this many visitors when I first got back."
"And whom may I ask has been visiting you at this hour?" McGonagall asked curiously.
"Well there was Dumbledore of course, and that Umbridge woman, and then before her there were Harry an his friends Ron and Hermione."
"I see I suppose I shall forestall on punishing them since they were just concerned about you." McGonagall said. "Do try and be careful with whatever your doing in the forest Hagrid, if not for your sake then there's, those three are fond of you."
"Now what's all this ruddy business about inspections and other hogwash going on at Hogwarts?" The man demanded of his fellow teacher, changing the subject so they wouldn't know how that had affected him.
"Its just another phase of trying to discredit the Headmaster, we'll weather this one out as we have weathered other such nonsense out before this one. Besides after a year she'll be gone and we can get back to doing what it is that we would prefer to be doing."
"Yeah? Well I ain't exactly thrilled with the idea myself." The man grumbled. The Ministry shouldn't be going sticking their noses where they don't belong."
"You'll do fine, just try and curb your enthusiasm for the subject is all."
"I'll consider it." The man promised.
"I suppose that I should be glad that none of Mr. Potter's new friends decided to tag along when they decided to come and visit you. I wouldn't be surprised if you met them in the next day or so though."
"What friends? Other than Ron and Hermione Harry don't have a whole lot of other real friends."
"Yes, well that was before Mad-Eyes nephew joined us. Had you said anything last year along the lines that I just said and I would have agreed with you the three are fairly inseparable. Yet somehow Mr. Parker and his friend have found a way into their little circle. The Parker boy is different though Hagrid. There's no denying that he and his friend walk as if they are always ready for battle, yet there is something else that is different about them. Something that I can't quiet put my finger on just yet that marks them different than everyone else. Maybe it's the fact that they show even less fear than Mr. Potter does at times, but there is something off about the boy and his friend."
"Aw they can't be that bad." Hagrid said.
"I don't know Hagrid, they have all of the cockiness of the twins or the Marauders and all of the trouble attracting skills of Harry. I am not sure what it is, but they are different than your regular student is."
"They sound a might bit interesting." Hagrid said with a chuckle, as he listened to the description of the two.
"Yes they are that." McGonagall affirmed for him. "Unfortunately we can't quiet figure which side of the war that they're on. Their minds are so well protected that not even Albus can get in without alerting them. Personally I'm beginning to believe that they are on their own side or on the side of a new group but I can't be sure."
"Which side are there right now professor? Fraid I'm a bit outta the loop." The man said.
"Yes, sorry about that. There is of course Dumbledore and what he is trying to do in warning everyone then there is the Ministry and of course there is You-Know-Who and his people, giving us three different groups in this war. If Mr. Parker and Miss Pryde really do represent a new side, then we could be having yet another side in which we will have to face. A task that I personally am not looking forward to all that much. Albus currently has Mad-Eye looking into Mr. Parker's past in the hopes of finding some thing out, but at the moment there is precious little that we can do but wait and see just what it is that the two of them do and hope that they don't turn on us. I am afraid that Albus also misjudged the two of them, and dismissed them much to soon and is now paying for his call. He has also forgotten somewhat that not everyone is as impressed with him as British people are. He has been teaching and helping people so long in Europe that he is a little unused to people that he can not somehow convince into helping him yet Mr. Parker and Miss Pryde are doing precisely that. The fact that they are at least on speaking terms with an extremely powerful magic user also makes him somewhat nervous. Of course that may because the magic user seems to trust them without condition and they trust him as well. That is something that scares Albus, he has sent many a person to their death for the Light through various missions yet he has never seen the unquestioning loyalty like that those two gave to this Dr. Strange. It reminded me somewhat how some witches and wizards regard Dumbledore. I am afraid though that he does not see it that way though. I fear that the worries of the war are distracting him from seeing things that he would normally have noticed."
"Give the two of them time I'm sure that Dumbledore will get through to them." Hagrid consoled the worried woman. "As fer Dumbledore, well he's been around this long he'll make it the next bit without to much problem don't you worry."
"It's not like I have much say in the matter." The woman said dryly. "We do have other matters to address though." McGonagall said in an all business like voice.
"Really? Like what?"
"Like what you will need to be aware of now that you are back, and when the next meeting is."
"Oh yeah."
"Dumbledore thinks that you should have a safe house setup just in case. With the Ministry running things right now there's no telling how far it is that they are going to go. There is also the matter of Umbridge's feelings toward nonhumans being a no secret. We'd rather you'd not get hurt if we can help it. Dumbledore suggest someplace nearby though on the off chance that we need you to come running to help us."
"Right. I'll stock up Sirus's old cave with supplies to keep me busy there."
"Good, the next meeting is in about three weeks. When you leave do try and be careful I wouldn't be surprised if we all had Ministry tails on us."
"Gotchya, anything else I need to worry about, or does that about sum it all up?"
"Pretty much Hagrid. You have been excused from guard duty though since you don't exactly have a number of excuses to be hanging around the Ministry much less the lower levels."
"Alright professor I'll be seeing you then." Hagrid said in farewell. The heroes watched from their perch on the roof as the teacher in her cat form slipped out the window and disappeared into the night. The two waited a few moments before they began to make their own way toward the castle.
"Well that was an interesting bit." Peter commented.
"Yeah, teachers running a resistance got to say so not being impressed with that bit." Kitty answered him.
"True, of course they seem to know some of the tricks of the trade, so we'll be nice for now." Peter said. "And its interesting to know that Moody is doing a background search on me. I wonder if I should be offended or not?"
"Who knows, does it really matter though?"
"Not really, its just some food for thought though. At least we now know how they're passing their messages around school though." Peter pointed out, as Kitty phased the two of them above the falling snow.
"True, I mean who really pays attention to a cat? Particularly when one considers how many of the things are around this place." Kitty said. "Why she could spy on almost anybody or anything in the castle because no one thinks about her or her form."
"Yeah, it'll have to be something to remember." Peter said as they finally made their way to the side of the castle and Kitty made them even lighter and they slowly rose into the air as if they were on an invisible elevator.
"True, of course now we've learned all sorts of new things as well though." Kitty pointed out. "So this night was so worth it." Peter nodded as the two of them walked toward the portrait each lost in their own thoughts. Peter gave the password and the two entered and headed upstairs neither of them noticing Hermione watching the two of them from a corner as they made their way upstairs.