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

Chapter 9

"Listen up," Ian's deep baritone cut through the chatter, and turned all attention towards him.

"The Unplottable Wards are bypassed, thanks to some skilled Arithmancy by Annalisa and Belle. Thank you ladies," he paused, as they smiled in acknowledgement. "Now rest up, gather up your supplies, and tomorrow we start to crack this thing. Meet here at seven for assignments." With that, Ian walked out into the South American sun, pausing just a moment to feel it on his face, before taking a calming breath and walking to his tent.

His tent was much larger than most, an expense he easily justified by living in it two thirds of the year or better. The first room he entered was a sitting room with a full kitchen and bath. A hallway led to several rooms: a spare bedroom, the master suite, and his study. The study was the room he entered, sitting behind a big, marble topped desk.

The walls all were covered in clippings, or articles, and even pictures that showed artifacts of Atlantis. A map of the Atlantic Ocean had red lines tracing out a triangle, Muggles would call it the Bermuda Triangle, wizards however, knew better. They were the most complex Confusion and Concealment wards ever to exist. If suspicions were truth, they hid an entire continent.

On each corner of the triangle, was a smaller picture of a triangle inside a golden hoop, each one representing a key. Each triangle was a different color, and a matching picture on the opposite wall showed the keys from the map. A yellow triangle was listed as Confusion, and gave details that were known of its location. The blue was listed as Concealment, and a red with a question mark…

Ian had many things on his mind; he stood on the brink of a life goal, to find one of the Keys of Atlantis. It took a moment for him to calm himself and focus on the task at hand. He needed a plan; it was his responsibility to see to the safety and profit of his team. He would tackle the front door himself. Annalisa was good; she had spent the better part of eight years with him, but was methodical and orderly. This would require the forceful approach. Weasley was a newbie, admittedly a good one, with an intuition and feel for magic that could not be taught. He took a common sense approach, that and he had an excellent mentor. Xo would come with him of course; they had faced dangers together for thirty-six years now. But who to take with him, and who to try the back door? Which team members would be the best together? His thoughts turned to Harry, he had seen Helpers come and go, but for one so young, he was showing great promise. He would be perfect Apprentice material once he was of age. He lit his pipe and poured a glass of scotch, this would take some thought…

Xo watched the young man walk to the edge of the wards, and sit leaning against a tree. It wasn't the first time he found himself contemplating him. He carried himself well and kept his composure in the face of threat. Looking at him now, Xo knew he was meditating, organizing his mind; he couldn't help but watch the progress over the past few days, although it would have to stop soon or Potter would sense his intrusion. His mind was becoming orderly enough for him to notice another presence now. The Mind Arts were a difficult skill to learn, but once you had a start there was no limit on the things you could achieve.

Xo walked forward and sat cross-legged by Potter, who merely opened an eye briefly, and resumed his meditating. Xo soon joined him, becoming lost in his own mind as well.

One of the Flamel memories was of a younger Albus Dumbledore learning Occlumency from Penerelle. Harry had watched, learning the steps: first, clear your mind of thoughts; second, create a way to organize them, a way of sorting them out. The next step was to sort out all thoughts and memories, filing them away in a manner that would allow you to recall them faster. Finally, create protections around your organized mind, something familiar and comforting works best.

So it was that Harry, in his mind, sat in front of a chest much like his new one that was placed in a plain room similar to his old room at the Dursley's. Each compartment created for a different type of memory or thought, and the top of the trunk open for new thoughts and memories that occurred in the times between him clearing his mind. These were the only thoughts vulnerable as it was, without a compartment being opened, if that happened he would know. It was time consuming sorting thoughts, and he had made it back to his eighth birthday, but these memories were hazy and unclear. So he just grouped them all in a compartment dedicated to early years. Doing so, he knew eventually each one would have to be addressed, but it was not as if he thought of or needed those memories often. It was a little like cheating to him, but it made sense to do it this way.

In his mind, he sat on the floor beside his trunk in an empty room. The room represented the whole of his mind, a door with no locks his only protection. He knew he needed some kind of defense, but what? What should he use to be safe, to stop people from seeing his organization? Penerelle had said, "an organized mind is an easy mind to read by a skilled Legilimens." Then he thought of his invisibility cloak, he pictured it in his mind; the feel, the color, the texture of the fabric, and the small embroidered symbol at the hem, causing a mental version to materialize and cover him and his trunk. Lifting the edge, Harry saw his hand appear, then disappear as he dropped it back down. It was not a physical protection, but it would confuse anyone taking a peek in his mind.

A hand on his shoulder brought Harry out of meditation; he looked up to see Xo.

He had a look of shock and bewilderment plainly displayed on his face.

"I have been watching your progress in organizing your mind; it was going well, but now I see nothing." Xo was clearly curious. "I would like to know how this is, I can understand your wish to keep this private, but some things can cause you harm."

"You are a Legilimens then?" Harry asked, not pleased with the thought.

"I am, but I have not violated your privacy, only looked in on surface thoughts."

Harry hesitated, before deciding to explain what he did and how, to make sure nothing would cause him harm.

"This compartment with your younger years memories, it is not locked is it?"

"No, just like all the rest."

"Good, it will do no harm then. I see now why you completed this so quickly. It is not the best way, but you have time to sort them out, and like you said-they are not of great importance or use to you. Being young has worked to your advantage; imagine having just another ten years to sort."

"That would have taken a long time," Harry said in wonder.

"It took me three years to do, but I was forty when I began to learn."

"What did you use to organize your thoughts?" Harry asked.

Xo looked at him for a long time before slowly answering.

"An art gallery."

Dinner was in full swing in the Big Tent when Harry and Xo arrived. Barns and Owen were laughing loudly, Bill in an intense conversation with Annalisa, and Alessandra was watching Lone Feather with a professional eye. Harry sat across from Belle, and was served by Dobby, and once again thanked him for the food.

"You are very polite to your elf, an unusual trait amongst the British." Belle arched a golden eyebrow in question, and gestured with her hand at Dobby's retreating form.

"He is more of a friend to me, that enjoys cooking and cleaning…a lot." Harry smirked.

"Still, you treat him well, we have two elves at home and they are happy enough. Not quite as," she struggled for the right word, "Exuberant as him."

"He was that way when I met him, we just bonded not long ago."

"I see, where is your home then, does he not like it there?"

"I… I don't exactly have one. I would call Hogwarts my home, at least for now."

"Oh sorry, I didn't think. My home is in France, a small chateau not far from the Spanish border. My Fiancé Jean lives in Paris with his family; after the wedding, I don't know where we will live."

"When is the wedding then?"

"August 21st, it is a contract marriage, but we have both known about it for years. I can say that I have come to love him very much."

"I didn't know that there were still marriage contracts?"

"Oh yes, in our world at least. Mine is a magically binding agreement, it cannot be voided, they are common ways to settle debts or to gain allies for older families. Well, at least in France, I don't know about England so much."

A loud dinging noise drew everyone's attention to Ian for the second time that day.

"I have come up with a plan. Annalisa, Xo, Belle, and I will attempt to gain access through the front entrance. Bill, Owen, Barns, and Harry will tackle the back door. I need not remind you of the danger we could face, expect anything, and be prepared. Lone Feather, will you be able to fly tomorrow?" Some surprise was shown from those who did not know of his injury.

"Yes," was the stoic reply.

"Good, I would like you to carry messages from each party…oh and be sure not to cross the ward lines."

Lone Feather simply nodded his acceptance, and resumed eating.

"That leaves Denny and Alessandra to hold the camp, neither of you should leave. Alessandra, be prepared for injuries just in case."

"Always, I'll have a kit of potions for everyone to take with them ready by morning."

"Thank you, Alessandra. Get your gear packed with extra food and water, and get some rest everyone. Good night."

Harry noticed Bill's intent look, and as he made a gesture at the door, Harry said goodnight to Belle, smiled at Alessandra with no blush, and gave Lone Feather a nod, as he followed Bill back to their tent.

"This is it Harry, here is where I make or break my career. Ian's giving me a chance by not having Annalisa lead the second team. So, we need to set up our packs, and go tell Dobby we'll need food for three days, for four people." Harry simply called Dobby's name, and he popped in.

"Hello Dobby, you are doing a great job with the cooking. Can I also request food packed for four, to last three days with water. Can you do that please?"

"Yes, Master Harry sir. Dobby is having so much fun, and all the wizards and witches is being very nice to Dobby, sir."

"Good, check with Ian about his crew, and their food needs as well, please."

Dobby popped away, eager to complete his task and happy for the work. A chime sounded that had Harry confused, but Bill went to the door and let Owen and Barns in. A quick glance from Harry reassured him that his Pensieve was put away.

"I thought we should make plans, and decide on our roles within the group." Owen said, as he sat at the table invited by Bill.

"Yeah, I was surprised by Ian sending me along; my typical and primary task is to keep the camp secure, and guard the loot." Barns added to the conversation, rolling his hand in the air, as if his explanation was obvious. Perhaps it was to the others, but Harry was learning as he went.

"He is nervous of this mission," Owen was saying, "and doesn't know what to expect. Some pretty stout resistance would be my guess."

"We'll handle it," Bill interjected, "my thought was for you to act as a Shield with Owen. Harry and I will both watch for traps. When we find them, we can deal with things then, one step at a time."

"Sounds good, but… Harry do you know any shields?" Owen asked.

"Ah…" Harry was taken by surprise, "just the Protego charm, I've been focusing on other skills lately."

"Let us step outside then, and see how your conjuring skills are." Owen said, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Just to be safe that is."

(A/N Thanks to all the reviewers it really helps.)

Salamander: The answers to some of your questions are coming soon. But yes…

Jabarbar69: I regret killing off Hedwig as well. A mistake, my original plan was to have a Phoenix bond with Harry, but that is just makes things to easy for Harry, also I kind of want him to push the boundary between Light and Grey.

Exiled Rain: The parrot bit was funny, my wife added that part.

Imill123: Hermione is difficult for me to write, but she will be a little jealous and about more than the learning. I plan to keep Dumbles as a good guy if slightly misguided at times.

Concealed Convict: Thanks I like to make the OC's after people I actually know. It helps add a little depth.

Cassandra30: Thanks, more serpent speech coming up in chapt. 15 although in a different way. He will realize what a gift this summer has been as events back in England began to find him.