Merlin Protocol
Chapter 5
A/N: Welcome back all i apologize for the long wait but as i said i am still working on this story it has just taken me a lot longer than i expected. As always read and review because i love to hear what people think.
Nute
Two days after the attack on London things had settled down for the team. With their next operation scheduled to take place later in the week Henry found himself with some downtime. Frank was currently on watch and Connor and Jake had flooed to Hereford to gather the supplies that the team would need for the rest of the week. This was the reason that Henry currently found himself in the kitchen of the Burrow, as he finished reading the Daily Prophet setting it on the table he saw Ron making his way down the stairs into the kitchen. "Fancy a game of chess?" Ron said motioning with the board he held under his arm.
"Sure, I haven't played chess in a long time though so take it easy on me." Henry said with a laugh as Ron began to set up the board on the table. As Ron moved his pawn to start the game Henry struck up a conversation, "So you're training to be an auror right? How'd you end up doing that?"
"It just seemed like the right thing to do, try to make a difference you know?" Ron said with a contemplative look on his face that turned to a smile as he said, "I was just lucky to have Hermione there to help me get the grades."
"Trust me I know what you mean; making a difference was one of the main reasons that I do what I do now." Henry said as he moved his piece on the board to block Ron's advance. Ron nodded in response and the game continued in silence for a few minutes before.
"So I know that all of you guys are wizards but why does it seem like you're the only one that I see doing magic, I don't think I've seen any of your team do any the entire time you all have been here." Ron said ending the silence as he took one of Henry's pawns.
"Nice move, but they do magic just not as much as me. That's partly because I am the only one capable of wandless magic so they still have to use wands, and trust me using a wand and a rifle at the same time is next to impossible. Also some of them left the wizarding world behind so they don't feel the same connection to it that you and most other wizards do." Henry said moving his piece taking one of Ron's pawns in retaliation.
"Why would they leave the wizarding world?"
"Well various reasons none of which are mine to tell, sorry."
"No it's alright I can see the need for secrecy that you all have." Ron said moving another piece on the board looking back to Henry.
"Yea there are a lot of people that would like to kill us given the chance, even more now that we're on Voldy's radar."
"You're probably right," Ron said as looking up from the board. "So I've noticed that you and Ginny seem to be spending a lot of time together lately…" Ron said trailing off.
"Yea it's been great getting to know her she's been really nice, you all have by welcoming us into your home like you have." Henry said moving his piece taking Ron's knight successfully drawing his attention back to the game and away from the subject Henry wished to avoid.
"Least we could do after what you and your team have done for us," Ron said not looking up from the board. The game progressed with the two making idle conversation about quidditch and the few other things that they had in common.
"Checkmate," Ron said with a triumphant grin on his face as he beat Henry.
"Damn, I thought I almost had you."
"Don't feel too bad he beats everybody," a voice said from behind Henry in the direction of the stairs. Turning around Henry saw Ginny come into the kitchen wearing some rather small jean shorts and a faded t-shirt. "The only one here that can beat him is dad and even that only happens every once in a while."
"Well good to know that I'm not the only one," Henry said as Ginny came to sit at the table with them. Ron got up as she sat down speaking as he made his way out of the room,
"Well I've got to take care of some things at the Ministry so I'll see you two later, tell mum where I've gone will you Ginny?"
"Sure thing," after Ron had departed through the fireplace the two were left alone in the kitchen.
"So what are you doing today?"
"Well mum wants to go to Diagon Alley to get my school stuff but doesn't want to let me go because 'it's not safe'" Ginny finished imitating her mother's voice with an irritated look on her face.
"Well if a couple of us come with you all I bet we could convince your mom it would be safe, I'll have to run it by Connor first though," Henry said.
"Really?" Ginny said hopefully.
"Yea why don't you go ask her while I talk to Connor," Henry said. As Ginny ran up the stairs Henry put the earpiece to his radio back in his ear as he spoke into the microphone, "1-1 this is 1-4, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny are planning a trip to Diagon Alley, request permission to accompany them for security."
"Copy that 1-4 hold there until we return and then Williams will accompany you while Frank and I stay at the Burrow to keep an eye on things there." Henry heard through his earpiece as Ginny made her way back into the kitchen with a hopeful look on her face.
"She said yes!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Great we have to wait until they get back and then me and Jake will go with you all to make sure nothing happens," as he finished speaking they heard the fireplace come to life signaling the arrival of Connor and Jake.
"Peters," Connor said as the two came into the room where he and Ginny were sitting.
"Sir."
"I want you and Williams to get changed into street clothes to go to Diagon, also side arms only. Meet me down here after your ready and I'll finish briefing you." When he had finished speaking Henry and Jake made their way up to the room that they were sharing to get changed. Taking out a pair of dark blue jeans and a plain black button up shirt Henry got dressed as Jake did the same on the other side of the room. After tying his shoes Henry opened his foot locker withdrawing his side holster as well as his Glock pistol, sliding it into the holster he wore on his hip he cast a disillusionment charm on the weapon and the radio he wore to keep them hidden from view. Looking across the room to see that Jake had finished getting ready the two made their way down the stairs were they found Connor, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley waiting for them to return. "Good now you should at least blend in better than in full combat gear. You are both on close quarter's protection, try and go unnoticed but if the situation arises you are clear to take any action needed to ensure the safety of these two," Connor said directing his gaze toward Ginny and Mrs. Weasley.
"Rodger boss we'll keep them safe," Jake said.
"Good now get moving," Connor spoke turning to the stairs. After he had left the room Henry and the other three moved into the living room towards the fireplace.
"I'll go first to make sure everything is safe," Henry said throwing a pinch of floo powder into the fire before stepping in and yelling, "Diagon Alley." After spinning past hundreds of fireplaces Henry came to a stop as his feet made contact with the floor of the Leaky Cauldron. Scanning the room for threats Henry decided it was safe before speaking into his radio, "Everything's good on this end, come on through." After only a few seconds the fire roared green again before depositing the form of Ginny, he came to her side and pulled her out of the way as the her mother came out of the flames. When Jake was finally through the floo the group made their way out of the Leaky Cauldron to the entrance to Diagon Alley. Stepping through the opening in the brick wall, they were greeted with the sight of a barren alley because most people were driven away by the threat of death eater attacks. Entering the alley the group decided to split up.
"It would be faster if we split up to do your shopping Ginny, why don't I go get your robes and potion supplies while you get your books and parchment," Mrs. Weasley said as they came into the alley.
"Okay I'll go with Mrs. Weasley, you go with Ginny," Jake said after Mrs. Weasley had spoken.
"Sounds good, we'll meet here in say an hour?"
"Perfect, stay safe and call me if there are any problems," Jake finished as he and Mrs. Weasley started to head down the alley to get Ginny's robes.
"Well where to, you know this place better than me," Henry said to Ginny after they were alone.
"We should probably start at Scribbulus to get my parchment then make our way to Flourish and Blotts for my books." Ginny said after thinking for a moment.
"Sounds good, you lead the way," Henry said as Ginny began to walk. Keeping an eye on their surroundings for threats Henry struck up a conversation with his companion. "So are you excited for your last year as school?"
"Oh you have no idea; I've been ready for the past three years."
"Haha you shouldn't rush it, do you know what you want to do after you graduate?" Henry said following Ginny as she led the way.
"Well I really want to be a professional quidditch player, but if that doesn't work out I'll probably work for the ministry like my father and brothers. But where did you go to school?"
"Far away from here but that is all that I can say right now, it's-"
"Classified, yea I get it. I feel like I don't know anything about you, please just give me something, I mean you saved my life I'd like to at least know a little about you." Ginny spoke looking into Henry's eyes not realizing that they had come to a stop as she was speaking.
After thinking for a moment Henry spoke to the girl in front of him, "I was raised by my aunt and uncle until I was 5, it was a less than pleasant time for me. After I had turned five, I was abandoned at an orphanage in London where I lived for three years before some family friends took me away. That is all I can tell you for now even though I wish it were different, be patient though everything will be revealed in time. But we really must keep moving." Henry finished as he pulled her down the street towards their destination.
"Okay but I'll hold you to that Peters," she said glaring at him as they came to the stationary shop. He just chuckled as he held the door open for her to enter. After she had replenished her writing supplies, the duo left the store in the direction of Flourish & Blotts. "So do you follow Quidditch?" She asked as they continued down the street.
"Not as much as I would like but your brother filled me in on what's happening in the league this morning."
"That doesn't surprise me I just hope he didn't brainwash you into becoming a Cannon's fan, I honestly don't know what he is thinking."
With a laugh he said, "God no they're awful, I've always been partial to United. How about you?"
"I'm a Harpies girl through and through," she said with a smile as they came to the bookstore. Stepping into the store Ginny took out her list to see what she needed to get in the store, setting of down an aisle Henry followed a few step behind her surveying the store for threats. Coming to the end of the row looking at the shelves Ginny heard a voice behind her that made her blood run cold.
"Well well well if it isn't the Weasel," the voice of Draco Malfoy spoke as he came up behind her. Henry saw the young man come up behind Ginny and stepped closer his hand coming to grip the pistol that was resting on his hip, but decided not to intervene yet in hopes of avoiding a scene that would draw much unwanted attention to them. "I do hope that you enjoyed my family's hospitality, we simply must have you as a guest again," he said with a smirk that Henry instantly wanted to smack off of his face, he took another step towards Ginny coming to stand a few feet behind her pretending to look at one of the shelves.
"Sorry but I don't think that will be possible, but do tell me how is your father Draco?" Ginny said causing the smirk to leave his face in place of a sneer. Truthfully, the Malfoy family had no idea where Lucius had been taken, only that he had not been seen since the rescue.
"Why you little… someone should teach you some respect," he said as he reached into his robes for his wand as Ginny began to reach for her own, but both were too slow for Henry who saw Draco's action and was spurred into action. Coming between the two, he grabbed Draco's arm that was going for his wand twisting it in an unnatural way causing him to drop it. Throwing him to the ground by the same arm Henry kicked away his wand before binding Draco's arms behind his back, with the threat neutralized Henry looked up at Ginny to see a look of shock on her face.
"1-2 this is 1-4 we have a situation in the bookstore get over here now," Henry spoke into his radio.
"Rodger on my way," after ensuring that Malfoy wasn't going anywhere and casting a silencing charm on him to stop his yelling Henry rose and walked to Ginny.
"Are you okay?" he asked seeing the far away look in her eyes. "Ginny look at me," seeing her eyes come into focus on him he asked if she was okay again. Only getting a nod in response Henry decided to deal with the more pressing matter of the crowd that had gathered around them, "don't leave my side," he said turning around. "Okay everybody move along official ministry business," he said flashing a badge that he carried with him for occasions such as these, seeing that no one was moving he was about to begin shouting at them when he heard a familiar voice in the back of the crowd beat him to it.
"Get the hell out of the way you idiots," Henry heard the voice of Jake making his way towards him shoving people in the crowd out of the way. Coming to where Henry and Ginny were standing over the prone form of Draco Malfoy he whistled, "Man you sure know how to make a scene."
"Shut up and help me," he said seeing Mrs. Weasley rush over to take Ginny in her arms. "Get them out of here I'll take care of this trash and get the rest of her supplies," as he was speaking he took out a portkey that would take them back to the Burrow handing it to Jake.
"You got it, I'll let Connor know what happened," taking the length of rope from Henry he went to where Mrs. Weasley was talking softly to her daughter, after they had all grabbed hold of the portkey they vanished from the spot transported away from the store. Coming to where Malfoy was still trying to yell despite the silencing charm, he lifted him to his feet canceling the spell.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing, you just assaulted a member of a noble and ancient house I'll see you rot in Azkaban for this-"he was cut off by a swift elbow to the gut as Henry began to lead him through the crowd out of the store.
"Well seeing how you attempted to attack the daughter of the Minister of Magic I think you should be more worried about Azkaban," leaning in closer he whispered, "you're lucky there was a crowd or I would have killed you on the spot and nothing would have happened to me." Walking down the alley towards the Aurors that were stationed there, he was relieved to see that one of them was the woman he met in London; Tonks was her name he thought. "Good to see you again Auror Tonks," Henry said coming to where she and another man that he did not recognize were keeping watch of the alley from.
"Wotcher Henry, what do we have here," she said noticing the figure that Henry was leading towards them.
"I subdued this upstanding citizen when he attempted to attack Ginny Weasley in the bookstore, now I have many ideas about what I would like to do to him but I felt it would be best to turn him over to you even though I doubt the charges will stick." Henry said this as he passed the boy over to the Aurors.
"Thanks we'll take it from here," Tonks said as the man took Draco from him and began to lead him away.
"Don't worry we'll be seeing each other again real soon Draco, and I'll be sure to mention this little incident to your father the next time that I see him." Draco just glared at him as he was led away by the Aurors. Turning around Henry headed back to the bookstore to finish the shopping that had been interrupted. After buying all of the books that were on the list, he left the store moving to the apparition point at the end of the alley. Taking one last look around Henry disappeared with a twist leaving the alley behind.
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Reappearing at the edge of the wards that surrounded the Burrow Henry began to make his way to the house. As the back of the house came into view, Henry saw Frank sitting on the back porch obviously still on watch. "How's it goin?" he said coming up the steps.
"All quiet on this end, I hear the same can't be said about your little outing." Frank said with a small smirk on his face.
"Oh you know it just wouldn't be a proper outing unless you have to take somebody down, where are Jake and Connor?"
"They're inside with Molly you better get in there they have been waiting," with a nod Henry went into the house to see the aforementioned people sitting around the table.
"Peters your back, what the hell happened out there," Connor said as Henry sat at the table.
"Wonderful to see you too boss, here Molly these are the rest of Ginny's books," he said as he sat a bag on the table.
"Thank you Henry for these and for taking care of my daughter."
"Is Ginny okay?"
"She's upstairs resting, that incident gave her quite the shock so I sent her to bed."
"Peters…," Connor spoke up after Henry had ignored him the first time.
"Right, we entered the bookstore to get her textbooks and I was a few steps behind her keeping an eye on things. Then she was confronted by Malfoy's son who referenced her imprisonment, being an all around asshole. I stayed close but did not intervene hoping to avoid causing a scene but when Ginny referenced his father Draco went for his wand. I subdued him and then called for backup, after sending Ginny and Mrs. Weasley back here with Jake I turned him over to the Aurors in the alley and finished the shopping." After Henry finished his recap of the events, Connor nodded his head before saying.
"So much for not causing a scene huh," he said with a chuckle.
"Tell me about it, I doubt the charges will stick but hopefully it will cause him to think twice in the future."
"Right well go get some rest you have watch again tonight, and we're meeting with the Order tomorrow to discuss the plan for the attack. Also, a special contractor will be joining us at the meeting and for the attack-"
"You mean…?"
"Yes he just received clearance today to re-enter the country now that we have jurisdiction over the magical world." His statement caused a grin to come on Henry's face.
"The Death Eaters won't know what hit them," he said before getting up from the table heading to the staircase hearing Molly speak as he began to walk up the stairs.
"Who are you all talking about?" was the last thing he heard before he was out of earshot. Stopping at Ginny's room on his way up he peered in to see her sound asleep, assured that she was safe he closed the door and went to his room to get some much-needed rest.
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Albus Dumbledore was currently sitting at his desk in the headmaster's office at Hogwarts pondering the enigma that was Henry Peters or, as he believed Harry Potter. Before him lay all the information that he had on Harry's disappearance which included newspapers with headlines declaring the missing boy-who-lived after he failed to show up at Hogwarts. "Where have you been all this time Harry?" He picked up a muggle police report that detailed an incident at St. Mary's orphanage dealing with a boy matching Harry's description that seemed to point to accidental magic as the cause. With a sigh, he put the report down before picking up a copy of the Daily Prophet dated three days after the police report. "What is the connection?" he said before laying the newspaper down again. The headline read:
Azkaban Inmate Mysteriously Escapes!
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A/N well there you have it next chapter is a big one, one of my favorite characters finally joins the story and we finally get to find out where Harry has been and what he has been doing this whole time.
ps: if you cant figure out who the contractor is just read the end of the chapter again, if you still cant there might be something wrong with you ha