(A/N All Harry Potter characters belong to JKR I'm just having fun with them)

Chapter 6

Wind and salt spray pelted Harry' face, and he could taste it on his lips, as the three masted sailing ship left a foamy wake in the sea. He was standing on the bow, wind blowing in his hair. It was the first time Harry had even seen the ocean, and he was in awe of the vastness of it. The feeling of its power, size, and depth, was like a challenge to him. The old ship creaked and groaned, despite all the care shown in its upkeep. Only wizards, Harry thought, would use a turn of the century ship, and by turn of the century, he meant the 1800's.

"You can really feel her in a ship like this, the sea that is."

Harry looked behind him to see the ship's captain, Martin Bowhead, standing arms clasped behind his back, close cropped silver hair, and clean shaven face hard worn by the elements, looking out over the ship's polished wood deck.

"Hand built of solid oak, charmed for preservation and speed. Muggles don't see it most of the time, and when they do they thinks it's a ghost ship. She's both family and home to me." He paused to look far out to the horizon. "You're the third Potter to stand on these decks. Barbosa Potter was the first, well before my time. Charles Potter, twas your Grandfather, were next. Sailed many times in his younger days seeking treasure and adventure, and now you seek your own fortunes at sea. Quite the history she has, welcome lad, to the Flying Dutchman." Harry laughed at that, Muggles and their legends, if they only knew the truth.

Bill was green, and his hammock swaying didn't help. Damn it, not the most promising start to his career. Getting up, he made his way up to the deck, hoping fresh air would help. He banged his head on the hatch as he finally climbed out, and saw Harry; who stood at the helm, apparently learning to sail from the captain, his wand waving causing the sails to furl, and ropes to coil up. Bill grimaced, as he saw Barns Tavington grinning at him. The Hitwizard was hard to tolerate during the best of times, and this was not, under any circumstance, the best of times.

"Weasley, no sea legs huh? Hah! It's payback for that time in Crete. Remember how you left me drunk with a hag, and a bucket of raw liver?"

Just the thought of raw liver was enough for Bill, he rushed to hang over the ships side.

"I still don't know if I had a wild night, or if I was rolled in the bar," Barns added.

Wiping his mouth, Bill stayed leaning on the rail and smiled faintly at the thought.

"You just had to bring that up now?"

"Ha, like you would let it pass, how come you're so sick? Your Helper's not, he's been with the captain most of the last three days."

"I've never sailed before, hope I won't have to again. Here I was dreading an international portkey, this is way worse."

"Old Ian likes to sail; besides, a portkey wouldn't transport all the gear."

"Have you been with him before?" Bill asked.

"My second time, you?" questioned Barns.

"Not at all, it's my first trip as a Journeyman."

"Congrats, wouldn't have the patience myself, too much studying as a cursebreaker. So you brought the Boy-Who-Lived? Fancy that."

"Don't call him that, he's a good kid, not all cocky like you'd think. Who else signed on for this little party?" Bill said, changing the subject.

"Annalisa Beucourt, and her sister Belle, as her helper. For Shields there's: Owen McGonagall, and Xo Chun, he goes with Ian everywhere. I don't know the Healer, but she's damn hot, got huge knockers. Then an old Indian from the colonies, Lone Feather, he's here for the critters. They got some fat fellow as a plant picker." Barns scowled, dismissive of the other trades.

"Not a large group then, I wonder why?"

"Don't forget McDougal himself."

"Of course not, how much longer is this ride going to last anyway?"

"She's enchanted to be a fast ship, not too much longer, a day at most."

Harry watched Bill, as he was talking to the rude fellow. He was having a great time; sailing was like second nature, and with Martin a willing teacher, Harry was absorbing the lessons as fast as they were being thought up. Spells to tighten rope, or tie knots, predict the weather, and bind things down, not to mention navigational charms. He was remembering the wand movements quickly, and performing them on the first try most of the time. Just using magic, to do something out of the classroom was refreshing, and seeing its actual use was a big motivator. The days soon blended into a routine of learning to sail, eating, and sleeping.

"We are approaching Caracas soon. I almost wish this ship was slower Harry, I enjoyed this trip, a bit more than normal," said Captain Bowhead.

"Where is Caracas at sir?" asked Harry.

"Venezuela, we'll head south from there," said a booming voice.

"Ian, have you met Harry yet? asked Captain Bowhead.

"Can't say that I have, pleased to meet you Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded and shook the man's enormous hand, tilting his neck back to look up at the huge man in front of him. Ian's smoothed back salt-and-pepper hair complimented his azure colored casual robes, and Harry could tell by the way they pulled across his broad frame, that it was muscle that made him an intimidating sight, as much as his height. "Harry, meet Ian McDougal, leader of your expedition."

"Thank you for having me, sir."

"Not at all, you work for William Weasley don't you? I like a young man full of ambition. If I could pry you from the Captain's side for a moment, I need a word with him."

"I better check on Bill again anyway, excuse me."

Harry walked out to check on Bill, nimbly climbing the ladder down the hatch.

"You've spent quite a bit of time with young Mr. Potter, Martin," stated Ian.

"He learns so fast, it's a joy to teach him. I suspect he will get more value out of the mission than anyone else. Mind like a sponge."

"That's really good to hear, now- can you do a pick up on July 15th in El Porvenir, Panama?"

Hermione Granger sat under the terrace of vines, reading a book on the Italian language, learning to understand the conversations around her. This had to be one of the most boring trips her parents had ever planned. It was as if they didn't even consider her when planning; wine tasting, smashing grapes, and viewing the countryside were all the events scheduled. She couldn't have candy at Halloween because it would rot her teeth, but her dentist parents saw no irony in staining their teeth purple with grapes. Noioso was what it was, she thought sarcastically. Not allowed to bring any interesting books, and not having anyone within a decade of her age, left little in the way of entertainment. She figured Ron would be flying, Ginny gardening or swimming in the pond, Harry at the Dursley's; well at least her vacation wasn't as bad as that. She was stuck under the Tuscan sun with nothing to do.

Ron was having a grand time; no, that was an understatement, it was incredible! Dragons were awesome, the food was good, and best of all was a local witch that thought red hair was hot, although was his mum was watching him like a hawk. Charlie was laid back, being with him was good, he made things seem simple. The only thing that was not perfect, was feeling out of the loop, he knew something had happened to Harry. Thinking back to his mother's reaction and his father's anger at the letter from Bill, Ron knew it had to be more than Harry just going with Bill. He sat down for lunch, dodging the Twins' antics as they tried to check his lips, for undue redness and swelling. They claimed that was a local sickness that Ron seemed to have.

"OY! Ronnikins, did you see your little lady friend?"

"His lips do seem redder, maybe he should be checked out?"

"Prat's, you're just jealous that Ronnie seems more popular with the locals," said Ginny, joining her family at the table. "But, really Ron, maybe you should, they do seem a bit err…chapped."

Ron had felt a little relief, at Ginny sticking up for him, but he should have known better. Even though he was being teased, he still wondered what his parents hadn't told him.

"Mum," he asked, ignoring the twins, "what happened to Harry?"

Fred and George immediately sat still, and Ginny paused in mid sip of her Butterbeer.

"Just never you mind dears," Molly replied, looking away to hide her anger.

"Mum, I'm not a kid anymore, you can tell me. It can't be any worse than I've already seen."

"Yeah," added George, "it's not like he won't find out."

"As soon as he sees Harrykins that is," Fred added.

"We will see him again, won't we?" Ginny asked in a small voice, shooting a wink at the twins, to show she was playing it up. Molly sighed loudly, turning to face her kids, and struggling with telling them about the darker side of life. She would try to keep their innocence as long as she could, but in this case, the worry in Ginny's voice broke her resolve; she couldn't let them worry about him. She took the letter out of her apron, and dropped it on the table, then walked out of the room.

"Well, read it Ron." Ginny was impatient. Ron cleared his throat.

Mum and Dad,

I found a Helper, so I got signed up yesterday. Harry Potter is coming

with me, as strange as that seems. He came to the Burrow, beat up pretty good,

from what I understand his Uncle did a number on him, killed his owl, and left

him on the side of a road somewhere. I patched him up, but he was stiff for a few

days. He seemed eager to go, but admitted to have nowhere else to stay. I think

he just wants to keep busy, and try to move on. He seems determined to take

care of himself, but is listening to my advice. Anyway, I got all my gear no problem,

tell everyone hello for me.

Love, Bill

Everyone was quiet as Ron finished the letter, although Ginny seemed to have a tear in her eye. Ron just stood up, and left Bill's letter left lying on the table.

"Poor Harry got dumped by his family," Fred commented, with none of his usual cheer.

"Then has to spend the summer, working for Bill." George's attempt at a joke fell flat in the somber atmosphere.

The Wardcrafter's team from Riker's Curses and Protection Services stood in the impressively large, and impeccably clean entrance hall of Malfoy Manor. A full diagnostic evaluation was being completed, to determine if the wards on the Floo access were faulty.

"Well, what are your findings?" drawled the Malfoy Head of House.

"Sir, the wards are functioning perfectly," replied the team's leader.

"Obviously there is a flaw, if my wife can be attacked!"

"No sir, it was an inanimate object, not a person, so the wards did not recognize it.

We can put up a block on objects as well, but it will take extensive work, and much time."

"Price is not an issue, do what you must."

"Very well sir, right away." The team leader smiled, he loved these arrogant snob types.

Sand was, Harry thought, horrible stuff, as he carried loads of material up the beach. Trip after trip was needed, no magic was allowed to be used on the pre-carved runes to be used in securing the camp. Bill watched from afar, as he packed and secured the cargo on flying carpets. The heat was stifling, even with built-in climate charms on his robes to keep cool, it seemed to overpower them. It's not dry like Egypt; maybe it's the humidity that causes it to feel so uncomfortable. That blasted ship had already started to sail away as Harry and Belle arrived with the last load. Bill noted that Harry had twice the amount as the other helper, Belle, was carrying.

"Hey mate, glad to be on solid ground again?" Harry asked, as he laughed.

"Bloody ship, never again will be too soon, although it seems likely another trip will be coming soon." Bill grumbled.

"I did not mind so much, but the rooms were so small," Belle had a slight accent from her home in France.

Ian McDougal paced around, checking loads on the large flying carpets, and finishing last minute preparations before announcing it was time to head to the first sight.

"Listen up people! From here out we are on our own, the first site is in the mountains south of here. We have a long flight, trade off leading the cargo, watch for Wyverns, and stay together. I have the coordinates for our camp, so I'll lead. We leave in five minutes, no stops, so be ready." Ian delivered his speech in a clear firm tone.

"Meaning go potty now, or hold it," Bill joked, then ducked behind some bushes.

The take off was something Harry had never imagined; four loaded flying carpets, with leashes to direct them, pulled by Owen, Xo, Bill, and Lone Feather. The old Indian was easily the best flyer, having a natural grace, even better than Harry. The herbologist, Denny, was on a broom that was half a tree trunk, in Harry's opinion, but it seemed necessary for the large, slow moving man. Annalisa and her younger sister Belle, who was around 17 or so, had matching brooms-a flashy make Harry had not seen before. Bill, Barns, and Owen had Cleensweeps. Ian, Harry, and Xo were riding Firebolts, by far the fastest. Alessandra, who was the healer, flew on a magic carpet, but much smaller than the cargo carpets. The feel of being in the air again was freedom and exhilaration to Harry, all rolled into one.

Jungle and rivers passed under them, and a rotation occurred every thirty minutes changing out who was to pull the cargo. Harry was having a grand time flying, he had just been relieved by Belle from pulling the load. Putting on a burst of speed, he sped to the front. Ian was pointing to a mountain peak ahead, telling Xo to take the lead and head straight for it.

"Potter, you come with me, we'll scout ahead," the booming voice had no trouble being heard. Harry just nodded, and fell in beside the large Scotsman who was grinning broadly.

"We need to find a place suitable for camp, flat ground that's easily protected."

With that they turned up the speed, pushing the brooms to the max, ducking low over their brooms, buzzing the trees and dodging birds. What a rush; the wind in your face, speed making things blur past, with the slight risk of feathery obstacles! Harry was hard pressed to not whoop in joy. Watching Ian's every move and staying in sync almost caused Harry to miss seeing the large blur on his right. Ian however, did not, he slowed and pulled around to a stop, Harry following suit.

"Wyvern there," Ian said pointing. "It'll be after the others if we don't stop it."

"How do we do that?" Harry wondered.

"Depends on how big it is: if it's small enough we could just bind it up, if it's too large, a good stunner or shock, then binding. We can't cause any lasting harm, they're protected as mythical guardians by local wizards. Let's head over to it, stay just behind me and watch for now."

"Ok." Harry followed far enough back to be out of the way and to see clearly. The Wyvern was blue and green, it looked to be part snake, part small dragon, maybe two hundred pounds, a large tail, no legs, small arms with sharp looking claws, and a fanged mouth. It was watching them approach, tracking them with its eyes, and when they came within range it lunged. Harry startled, almost falling backward. Only reflex caught him, and he remained upright and drew his wand, silently cursing himself for not doing so earlier.

"Incarcerous," boomed Ian, his spell intercepting the furious Wyvern, wrapping it up with rope.

"Arresto Momentum," the next spell slowed down the falling winged serpent, and he was tracking its progress with his wand as he lowered it. Harry panted, catching his breath. It was all so easy for Ian, but Harry did not even think to have his wand out. That wouldn't happen again Harry thought, be prepared, and stay alert. Looking around, it was lucky Harry had just thought to stay alert; another Wyvern was coming up fast behind Ian.

"Petrificus Totalus," Harry shouted, he watched as his spell passed behind the fast flying Wyvern. He snapped off another spell, this time leading the fast moving creature. Its wings snapped together and it fell just missing Ian, as momentum carried it forward.

"Incarcerous! Arresto Momentum!" Ian's spells came fast, catching the Wyvern just as it looked to be breaking free of Harry's hex. This time Ian also stayed alert, but nothing else showed up.

"Thanks lad, that could of hurt," Ian grinned. "Let's find that camp site, I'll feel better once we are behind wards."