Chapter 15

The new camp location was much more pleasant, a small lake was off to the east of camp, they were in a natural clearing, and had just finished the wards. They put up more wards this time: perimeter alerts, creature repellants, and concealment. A key was issued to everyone to wear around their neck allowing access. The basic setup was the same, Harry noticed as he made is way into the Big Tent for breakfast. It was pancakes again, as Dobby was stretching the supplies out. The food stocks had gone by faster than anticipated, Harry doing his part by eating much more than usual.

"Good morning Belle," Harry said as he sat slowly, stiff and sore from the trip out of Ecuador and into southern Panama.

Belle grinned as Harry sat, noticing his grimace. "It seems you overdid it, with all the swooping around mountains, and loops. Serves you right, being a show off."

"Belle, I'm hurt. Surely you don't think it was the swooping and looping, that made me sore, do you?"

"If not that, then what?" She gave him a direct look.

"It was most likely all the diving and barrel rolls," he said straight faced.

She laughed and swatted his arm, standing and going to remove her dirty plate, before retaking her seat and sipping on her coffee. Harry finished up in record time, leaning back and stretching his arms and shoulders, before taking his plate away as well. Belle watched him go, her eyes lingering on his chest and shoulders 'he has certainly filled out in the last four weeks' she thought. He was taller as well, and had a more confident manner about him. As if he could take on the world, but still polite and sweet. All in all, for the first time she found herself slightly regretting her arranged marriage.

Harry stepped outside; enjoying the warmth of the morning sun on his sore muscles, a bottle of water in his hand-he couldn't deal with coffee. Light sparkled brightly off the lake waters as he conjured a chair to sit in. He sat still a little cautiously, making sure the chair would hold, he sighed in comfort as he settled into the chair.

"My aunt will be surprised at your skill, although she might disapprove of the softness of your chair." Owen had walked up behind Harry, also enjoying the view. "It's bright out today, huh? I almost can't look toward the lake, with so much reflection." He conjured his own chair, also cushiony and faced Harry. Harry had no trouble with it being too bright, the contacts doing their job.

"Maybe I'll be able to keep up this year in her class and score better grades."

"I would say so; you learn fast, I wouldn't think you would have had any trouble in classes."

"Not with the practical side really, but I could never manage the homework well."

"I have heard you're usually wrapped up in some mysterious adventure, that wouldn't make it easier to study."

"Well, hopefully this year will go smoother." Harry was relaxed, his dark mood from the vision pushed aside.

"Ah, my two favorite boys, enjoying the sun are we?" Alessandra's musical voice drifted to them as she approached. Owen looked up quickly, a smile already on his face.

"Sandra, good morning. All rested up after the trip?"

"Yes, a pleasant night's sleep is a great remedy," she said, standing by and ruffling Harry's hair.

"Not if Harry here is any judge, he's moving quite stiff this morning." Owen chuckled as Harry shot him a betrayed look. Alessandra flipped her wand and tapped Harry's head, he felt his muscles relax as if he just received a massage.

"Thanks," he grinned at her, flicking his own wand and making a chair for her.

"Unfortunately I was sent to bring you guys into the tent, not join you in the sun.

Owen stood and offered his hand and they walked off toward the tent. Harry flicked his wand, vanishing the chairs and following, not realizing it was done silently.

Ian stood up as they entered the tent. He was in full robes today, surprising Harry. He was used to khaki slacks and a light shirt.

"I brought us here to find a Spanish Mission that has been lost since the Spanish lost control of Panama in 1821. They were rumored to have created several Medallions that translate spoken language. This of course would be used in the attempt to bring their religion to the indigenous people. Now however, the Goblins would sell these devices to interested parties, as a valuable business tool. Many have tried to duplicate this feat but have failed. As most of you no doubt know, charms can translate, but the caster must know the language, to spell someone to understand. These Medallions can solve the riddle of any language. They look exactly like this."

He held up a coin sized golden disc on a chain. It was the same one Harry found at the Temple. A look of recognition flashed on Bill's face as he looked to Harry. Ian, seeing the look, answered the question before Harry asked.

"Yes it is the one you found in the Temple, but here there is supposed to be a stock pile. That is what we search for. There is a Wizarding town not too far from here, the largest in Central America. Alessandra, Owen, and I will make a trip to resupply. Darien was a colony of Scots, who were taken over by a blend of wizards when the colony was dying out. Now it controls the area of northern Colombia up to Costa Rica, it is a rather lawless area. No government to monitor actions and uses of magic. The only law they follow is the ICW Secrecy Act. So stay alert. Bill, Lone Feather, and Harry: scout to the north, work in a circle back to the east, say five hundred feet out, you're looking for any magic concealment."

Harry led the way, cutting a path where needed, Bill's wand flashing casting detection spells, and Lone Feather was flying above keeping an eye out ready to swoop down and aid if it became necessary. It wasn't as dense here as it was around the Temple, so they were making good time. Although, there was not a trace of magic anywhere to be found. Harry slowed after a few hours, it was nearing lunch time and they had reached a clearing. He conjured up three chairs, shed his pack and plopped down, watching as Bill also sat, and Lone Feather swooped down transforming quickly in mid air and landing in a sitting position.

"Wow, bloody awesome! I wonder if I'll be able to learn that?" Harry was in awe, and forgot that he was passing out water bottles.

"First learn your form, and then learn what you can do." Lone Feather chuckled, amused at Harry's rare youthful side showing.

"Pass us a water huh? Then discuss your form." Bill copied Lone Feather's tone, causing Harry to chill three water's and pass over two, as the two older men chuckled. They sat munching sandwiches, the sound of birds in the back ground. Harry finished first, still slightly hungry. He leaned back, enjoying just being one of the guys, learning magic and its uses. Traveling was great, seeing new places, and experiencing different things, but it was the people he liked most of all. Fitting in, being part of a team, sharing and learning from each other. It was a great time.

"Hey Bill, I haven't said it, but thanks." Bill looked confused. "You know, for bringing me. I can't say I've ever had a better time."

"Well, I had to bring someone, you just happened along at the right time." Bill smirked, his eyes full of mirth.

"Prat."

Lone Feather was reminded of his sons; they had the same easy banter going between them. The sun was hot and almost straight overhead, being just past the summer solstice. They lingered long enjoying the break, not noticing or feeling the eyes watching from afar.

They resumed their trek and as they did, the vegetation got denser and the canopy overhead closer, blocking the light. Harry continued forward, his pace slowing slightly. He was in a rhythm, his attention focused forward, so he missed seeing the webs mixed in with the trees. Still they made progress, and were almost complete with the first loop.

"Hey amigo, a little help here?"

Harry stopped and looked around, he couldn't see anyone. Bill's stopped casting, looking at Harry, and crouched slightly in a defensive stance.

"What do you see?" His own eyes were darting side to side.

"Nothing, I heard someone asking for help."

"You sure? I don't see anyone."

"Down here, in the web."

Harry followed the voice, off to the side of the cut trail. Tangled in a web upside down was a small Chameleon. Harry looked at it, its tail was tangled, and all legs and arms but one. He was blue, brightly so, and had his head turned to Harry.

"You going to look at me, or get me out before I become dinner?"

His voice was in Parcel Tongue, but it had an accent almost like someone who had learned a second language. Harry reached down, carefully removing the webbing and picking up the Chameleon and holding it in his hand.

"How can I talk to you, I thought I could only speak to snakes?"

"You talk like a snake, amigo, we are all reptiles. Maybe not you though."

Bill looked on amused; Harry was talking to a lizard. Lone Feather had arrived and looked on in fascination.

"No, I can just speak to them, and you it seems." Harry chuckled; it was a more pleasant conversation than he had ever had with a snake. He looked at Bill, and realized he had stopped them and needed to continue. "I have to go now, will you be alright?"

"Emilio will be fine; I just need to find some bugs. That's how I got netted, you don't know where any are, do you amigo?"

"You're in a jungle, they are everywhere." Harry said waving his free hand around.

"Easy for you to say, they come after you and run from me."

Makes sense Harry thought, well he could at least summon a couple for Emilio before he left.

"Accio BUGS!" Harry cast, waving his wand in all directions thinking about every bug he had seen on this trip. Bill's eyes went wide, and Lone Feather quickly jumped in the air and took flight. Swarms and swarms of insects suddenly surrounded them: flies, gnats, centipedes, beetles, and bees all were crawling on them, getting under their clothes, and in their hair. Bill was grunting loudly, waving his wand trying to cast a spell, but not able to open his mouth. Harry was panicked, swatting with his free hand. Emilio had never been more impressed, his tongue flashing out and gobbling up as many as he could. Bill took off at a dead sprint, his long legs carrying him toward camp fast. Harry rushed to follow, his left eye stinging as it was full of some six legged critter. They made it to the ward line, feeling relief at the repellant wards sweeping the bugs from them.

Bill collapsed on the ground, panting and scratching like mad. Harry just leaned forward rubbing his eye, and Emilio looked around with regret, at so much food left behind. Lone Feather landed and returned to form, howling just like Barns, drawing the attention of the entire camp.

Harry was beet red, and not only from the bug stings and bites, but from his current position. He lay in Alessandra's medical section of the Big Tent, on a cot and completely naked. Her hands were touching him and rubbing in an ointment to remove the bug bites. No part of his body was spared, as the bug bites covered it all anyway. Now Harry fully understood Bill's angry glare from earlier as they passed by each other, when Harry was on his way to take his turn in the Healer's tent, and Bill had finished. Alessandra worked hard to maintain a professional manner; it was really all she could do to not laugh out loud. Her eyes sparkled in humor, and Harry noticed, but he chose to close his eyes and pretend he was anywhere else.

Harry exited the healer's quarters, walking slowly. He was stiff and sore, it would take overnight for all the bites to fade and almost two days for the stings. He was aware of the looks he kept getting, and knew it would be a long night of ribbing and jokes at his expense. He sat across from Belle, who at least had the grace to give him a sympathetic look before smiling and laughing at him.

"Oh, that looks uncomfortable. Honestly, summoning bugs in a tropical jungle, what were you thinking?"

"I don't think I was, thinking, that is."

"That will teach you."

"Yeah, I hope Bill isn't too mad at me." Harry looked around trying to spot Bill, but he wasn't around.

"He already ate, while you were being treated. He didn't seem too upset, he was joking with Barns before he left to sleep it off. He did tell Ian that you were going to be doing both yours and his night watch."

Harry sighed; he was tired, but deserved it. An extra hour walking around camp wasn't that bad.

"Ian gave us a warning to be extra vigilant, it seems they attracted attention of some seedy types while they were restocking." Belle looked a little nervous at this.

"Alright, what type of seedy types? Dark wizards?"

"Nothing as bad as that, just criminal types; robbers or thieves. Cursebreakers are known to be searching for valuables, so it makes us a target." Belle explained, all teasing forgotten as they talked.

"Do you know what time my shifts are?"

"Three to Five should cover it Mr. Potter." Ian's voice rumbled as he approached Harry. He sat beside Belle, making the benches look small.

"It's been an interesting day that you've had, I am slightly pleased though." He paused shortly, but continued before Harry could ask why. "When learning magic as quickly as you are, mistakes are bound to be made, its why Hogwarts goes so slow for the first four years. Learning in steps, small and measured is proven to work best for the majority of young Witches and Wizards. Only a few do better just jumping in, I have been waiting for a mistake to be made by you. I am pleased to know that no… lasting effects have been caused."

Harry was processing that, he didn't like knowing he was expected to mess up, but Ian was right, he had learned a lesson in intent while casting.

"Yeah, I won't be making that mistake again." Harry replied, aware that Ian was watching him looking for an answer.

"Good! Now I stopped by to ask you to come by my tent after breakfast tomorrow. I received a packet from Gringotts addressed to you. It must be important, or it would not have been sent via transfer case."

Harry agreed to meet with Ian, but couldn't help but wonder what would the goblins have for him?

(A/N- Sorry it took so long to post, the next post will be around the 4th of July but I'll probably be able to put up more than one chapter. I'm working a lot of hours now and will be through Sept. I promise I won't quit and will work on making the chapters longer to compensate for the delay in posting. On another note should Sirius be able to clear his name and release Harry of having two betrothal contracts or should I continue as planned and have him struggle with two different girls affections. Let me know, and thanks for taking the time to review, I like the ideas and comments.)