Lost – Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I own neither Star Trek nor Harry Potter. I am merely swimming in their pond with this work of non-profit fiction.
Edited August 2014
Previously
"Sirius, do you honestly think we would let something so dishonourable happen to you? After all we owe you and Harry a great deal." L'kor answered her voice low and husky as she grasped Sirius's arm and looked in to his eyes. "I know why you fear it but times have changed."
Sirius looked to Harry who nodded, taking a deep breath Sirius laid both hands on the table. "Well it started like this; Harry and I come from…."
IKS Kaveth Nar
Sirius looked to Harry who nodded. Taking a deep breath Sirius laid both hands on the table.
"Well it started like this. Harry and I come from Earth but from the year nineteen ninety six. We were involved in a….let's call it a dispute, and as a result we ended up in a fight where we accidently triggered the veil…it's a kind of um artefact. When we awoke we were in some sort of white metal prison cell."
"There were other people there, researchers they called themselves. They interviewed us both, ran tests on us and they kept telling us we would be home soon but they didn't seem to be in much of a hurry. Eventually they returned our belongings and asked us to activate the veil. I said we couldn't and almost immediately they were a lot less friendly."
Harry shifted uncomfortably and Sirius paused in his tale but Harry quickly waved for him to continue.
"We were locked in a room near their veil. They were getting desperate and started questioning us both a bit more….vigorously. I don't think they wanted information though. They were trying to find a way to make us comply. Then there was an explosion, several explosions. I got free and managed to get our...ah equipment back. Then the Romulans came. They also began by asking questions. To us and the researchers, hell two of the researchers were questioned in front of us. The women I don't know her name was shot right in front of us. I'm not sure and I think maybe some of the researchers were trying to fight back because we could still hear yelling and more explosions. Then they rounded up all the people and questioned them, ha tortured is a better word then they just killed everyone, shot them all."
Sirius finished talking and sat back on his chair his hands were shaking as he rubbed at his face. The killings had been far too reminiscent of those orchestrated by the death eaters, brutal and in the end pointless. Taking a deep breath he tried to stop his hands shaking.
Harry noticed and laid a hand on his shoulder and took up the story.
"By then Sirius and I were getting ready to fight and trying to find some way to escape. We finally loosened a ceiling panel and managed to get ourselves in to a crawlspace. We didn't really know where we were or where we were going but we realised to stay was to die. Sirius scouted ahead and we found an empty corridor. We tried to find a way out but ran in to four of the Romulans," Harry paused and took a deep breath before continuing.
"Sirius and I overpowered those four but the noise must have attracted the rest of them. Soon we were in the middle of a fire fight and in the end Sirius shielded me and cast …er….um let off an explosive device. The shield obviously saved us but we were still pretty beat up. Then we both woke up on the ship."
"Fascinating Mister Black, Mister Potter; forgive me for saying this but there seems to be some gaps in the story." Picard's words were polite but there was an undertone to his comment.
"Look Captain Picard Harry and I have very little reason to trust you and your Federation. Didn't you listen? Your people were running bloody experiments on us. We were your bloody lab rats. Why should I tell you the full story?"
"Mister Black, Sirius we are only trying to uncover the reason behind the attack on our science station and the apparent murder of its personnel. To do that we need to gather all the evidence."
Across the Table Troi was sitting quietly watching Sirius and Harry. Without even trying she could sense their anxiety and fear. It puzzled her as they both appeared to be telling the truth, although edited in places.
Sirius looked over at his godson who gave him a slight nod indicating he'd go along with his choices. "Captain Can you give us a moment?"
"Of course, would ten minutes suffice?" asked Picard.
"That would be fine; Harry lets duck in to the corridor for a moment." Sirius left the table and practically dragged Harry out of the room.
The Starfleet officers stood and walked to the far side of the room. Picard turned to Troi and spoke softly, "You look troubled Deanna."
"Sirius and Harry are telling the truth or at least a version of the truth but I sense there is something they are afraid of revealing. It's like a dark cloud hanging over them. At first I thought it was related to the time travel aspect given that they have just appeared hundreds of years in to their future."
"Deanna's right," agreed Dr Crusher. "They haven't had much time to adjust yet they seem unfazed by that element of their situation."
"No it's something else Beverly but it is difficult for me to pin down their area of concern."
Picard frowned as he absorbed Troi's observation. "Do you think it has something to do with the science station?"
"Perhaps but I'm sensing that centred on or at least related to what we represent. They don't seem to feel any reservations around the Klingons." The Enterprises' officers glanced over at the Klingons who were talking quietly near the door.
Picard frowned not liking the situation. Why would they be reacting so adversely to fellow humans? "How would you suggest that we proceed from here Diana?"
"We need to be careful not to push too much considering how they were treated by the Federation scientists on Tal Sigma five," cautioned Troi.
"That has yet to be verified," warned Picard.
Doctor Crusher shook her head, "That is a sticking point for me. I mean can you see a team of Federation scientists behaving as Sirius and Harry have reported."
"They are being truthful Beverly," Troi assured her.
Worf snorted, "We have yet to hear how a man and a boy overpowered a patrol of Romulans."
The Starfleet officers turned as Sirius and Harry returned to the room. Both appeared calm and collected. As Picard led his away team to the table he noticed that the Klingon Chief engineer was watching Sirius rather closely, with a fierce possessiveness. Turning to Harry, Picard frowned to see that Harry appeared to be trying to hide his nervousness behind a calm demeanour.
Sirius glanced at Harry then L'kor before he straightened his shoulders and looked to Picard.
"I'm sure you still have questions but before we continue I need to ask a few questions of my own."
"We would be happy to answer any questions you have," replied Picard.
"Do you believe in magic Captain Picard?" asked Sirius his voice steady and calm.
"I am not sure what you are asking Mister Black, do I believe magic is real? No I don't but there are many races, including a smattering of humans who possess mental abilities such as telepathy that are often mistaken as magic."
Sirius took a deep breath and looked directly in to Picard's eyes.
"Captain Picard Harry and I were a part of a hidden community that in our time existed side by side with normal humans."
As Sirius paused to consider exactly how to explain he missed the looks passing between the Starfleet officers when he mentioned 'normal humans'.
"Mister Black, may I ask what you mean by normal humans?" asked Data.
"Ah well that's a good question, you see Harry and I are wizards."
Silence
Data cocked his head to the side in a simulation of human puzzlement before speaking.
"Are you implying that you are a different species or that you practice witchcraft."
"Two more good questions and the answers are, don't think so and yes."
"Are you serious?" asked Dr Crusher
Before Sirius could open his mouth Harry pointed a finger at him a stern look on his face,
"Don't even think about it Padfoot, it wasn't funny before and it is not funny now."
Sirius growled at Harry and turned back to Dr Crusher.
"Wizard-kind has argued that point for a thousand years and we still haven't decided. Some, usually blood purists say we are a separate species. Superior and of course more worthy than muggles. Me I say no, some humans have the ability and some don't. Those that do have the potential to use magic; after some training up they tend to live out their lives as a wizard or witch often side by side with muggles."
"What is a muggle?" asked Picard
"It's a wizard term for a normal non-magical human." Seeing the looks he was receiving he quickly added, "Hey I didn't make the word up and look to be honest it's often used in a derogatory way. Most decent wizards simply use it as a form of identification."
"Do you expect us to believe that you do magic?" demanded Worf with narrowed eyes.
Harry looked to Sirius who shrugged and muttered something that sounded like 'in for a Knut in for a Galleon'.
"I can vouch for their 'magic' and you have already seen it at work repairing the ship," supplied L'kor.
"Now you claim their magic has repaired your ship?" asked Worf his tone doubtful.
"Would a demonstration help?" asked Harry.
"Harry we are on shaky ground here be careful." Sirius warned Harry quietly.
Picard raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, "What do you mean Sirius? Is there some reason a demonstration would be a problem, considering that you have already demonstrated your magic on board this ship."
Sirius once again looked around the table to Harry, D'Mek and L'kor before turning to Picard an expression of concern on his face.
"Captain Picard let me ask you a question. If I appeared on Earth and performed what could be proven to be real magic what would happen? Before you answer that I want you to think about history for a moment. Would I be safe and free to walk the streets or would I be arrested and 'studied'? The wizarding world separated from main stream society when we realised just how intolerant people could be. Even telling you about our world would be against our self imposed laws."
"I must admit I find the concept of wizards living hidden among humanity difficult to believe. I admit that there have been other instances of small groups living hidden among humanity in the past for short periods but a whole society." Picard looked unconvinced.
Sirius stood up and transformed in to a large black dog before running and jumping in to L'kor's lap. Then Harry cast his Patronus and sent Prongs cantering soundlessly around the room before coming to a halt by Picard's chair. The Starfleet captain raised a hand to touch the silvery beast but only encountered very cold air.
oOoOoOo
IKS Kaveth Nar – Commanders Cabin
Later that evening Captain Picard and Commander D'Mek sat in the Klingon Commanders cabin sharing a case of Blood wine.
"I had much the same reaction at first Picard" offered D'Mek.
"Did they really save your ship?"
"Yes they did and they have worked diligently to repair her as well. We were dead in the water and looking at a month in a shipyard when Sirius began to repair systems. Hours later, yes hours and we were in better shape than before we were attacked."
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened?"
D'Mek retold the story of the ambush and the parts played by Sirius and Harry. To say Picard was shocked was an understatement but little of this reaction showed on his face.
"So D'Mek why do you think the Romulans attacked the outpost and then your ship? The only commonality seems to be your two guests."
"True Picard but then we add to the mix the remarkable powers of Sirius and Harry and things get complicated. To be honest for the first time in my career I am unsure what to report to the High Command."
Picard quirked an eyebrow at D'Mek before frowning as he considered his own report to Starfleet. Did Starfleet intelligence or the Federation Science Council know what was being researched on Tal Sigma Five? Did the Romulans know?
D'Mek watched as the Starfleet Captain thought through the implications.
"I fear I am on shifting ground here but you should know this as it may help you reach a decision. Sirius Black glossed over it but when they were beamed in to sickbay. It was clear that your scientist's research was brutal, both were exhausted and showed injuries consistent with heavy interrogation if not torture."
"What? Surely not," Picard protested immediately.
"I have no reason to lie to you. Do you see now why Sirius did not and probably does not fully trust you? He has suffered betrayal before and he is fanatical in the defence of his godson."
Picard leaned forward his face serious. "D'Mek I must report this, even putting aside the loss of the Federation scientists for a moment these are issues that will have serious repercussions on Earth."
"You must do what your honour dictates Picard. But it would do you well to remember that I have already offered them asylum aboard my ship. I am prepared to make that offer again if it appears necessary."
"Surely you cannot believe that Starfleet...no the Federation would condone their mistreatment. They may not be Federation citizens but they are human and entitled to the protection of our laws."
"Are they Human Captain Picard? Will all your people feel the same?"
Picard paused before answering, D'Mek was right about one thing there would be many people interested in Sirius and Harry. Not all of them would have the two time traveller's best interests in mind.
"You have made a couple of good points. I do feel that Sirius and young Harry could benefit from interacting with the crew of the Enterprise. It may help them see that humanity has changed for the better regardless of the odd bad apples."
D'Mek shrugged, "They are not prisoners so you are free to make the offer Picard, just remember they are under my protection."
oOoOoOo
USS Enterprise – Captains Ready Room
"Enter" ordered Picard.
"You wished to see me Captain?" asked Troi.
"Take a seat Deanna; I wanted to get your opinion on how to move forward with Sirius Black and Harry Potter. It is becoming clear that Sirius is unwilling to get to know us and as Harry's guardian he seems intent on denying us access to the boy."
"It is a difficult situation Captain. I did some reading last night looking through some historical references to Witches and Wizards. Once you sift through the fictional and folkloric elements there is little evidence of their existence."
Picard noted her choice of words. "Little Counsellor?"
"Well I did manage to find several references attributed to events in the time period Sirius and Harry claim to be from. To be honest sir I have not finished reading through the material yet. Perhaps Data would be able to have a look at what little I have found."
"An excellent suggestion," agreed Picard. "With a little luck some of their records may have survived the Eugenics wars. The Federation Historical unit has been doing a lot of work on restoring what has been recovered." Picard tapped his comm badge, "Data could you please join me in my ready room."
"You wanted to see me Captain?" asked Data as he entered the ready room.
"Yes Data, Counsellor Troi has been looking in to the historical records for any information on Sirius Black and Harry Potter. She has found a few historical references that may indicate something. I would like you to take over her research."
"I will begin immediately."
"Thank you Data"
oOoOoOo
USS Enterprise – Conference Room C
"Thank you everyone, Commander Data has some information for us."
"I believe I have found several references in historical records that are relevant,"
Data tapped the display and a picture of a younger Harry Potter appeared dressed in what appeared to be a uniform of some sort.
"Harry Potter aged ten this image was from his school records and is the only image on record. His date of birth is recorded as July the thirty first nineteen eighty."
The next image to appear was of Sirius black who appeared dishevelled and disorientated.
"The next image is of Sirius Black born in either 1959 or 60 listed as deceased in June 1996. The image is from a wanted poster issued sometime in the 1994, Sirius Black was a wanted fugitive after escaping prison where he was serving a life sentence."
"Do we know what he was accused of Data?" asked Troi.
"Several crimes are mentioned counsellor but the most worrying was a charge of mass murder."
oOoOoOo
IKS Kaveth Nar – L'kor's Quarters.
Sirius couldn't believe his luck.
L'kor was stunningly beautiful even if it wasn't entirely in human terms. Her beauty however paled compared to her spirit which was tough, unyielding and passionate. She was, as far as he was concerned perfect.
And like any good thing L'kor was not easily achieved. She had also been incredibly hard to win over. At one stage he had been reasonably sure she had actually considered stabbing him. Still in the end the famous, well infamous anyway Black charm had prevailed. Their first time had been a bloody eye opener. L'kor had cut his belt with her d'k tahg and stripped him from the waist down before bloody well biting him.
It had been a glorious night of passion.
With a grin he slid his hand over her tight muscled body. He smiled as his hand explored the swell of her breast down to the smooth flare of her hips. The old Sirius would have kissed her cheek in the morning and strutted back to his friends to tell all.
Right now all he wanted to do was kiss her awake.
L'kor moaned softly as his hand slid over her hip to caress low down on her belly.
"Unless you want me to bite those fingers off I'd not recommend they go any lower," growled L'kor. "My shift starts soon."
Sirius shifted in the bunk do that he faced his new lover. "Where are we headed?"
"I'd say Tal Sigma Five wouldn't you," she responded as stroked a finger nail over his torso, tracing his tattoos.
"You know what I mean."
L'kor stopped running her nails over his chest and looked up at her lover.
"What do you want me to say Sirius, I serve in the fleet and go where I am ordered unlike Starfleet we don't have families aboard."
"I….I don't know what to say, you are the most interesting, fiery tempered woman I've met since…..well since doesn't matter anymore. It's all in the past now."
Sirius voice was flat as reality reasserted itself and he started to sit up.
"Sirius wait, let me explain myself better. You are an attractive, powerful man and a worthy mate but I am not at liberty to pursue our relationship fully right now. I have an important job onboard and you may soon leave the ship. Either with Starfleet or to another planet... any relationship is going to be difficult to maintain."
"That doesn't make it any easier."
"I know, but you know my people have a saying, 'seize the now'. We may not know what the future holds but we have the now."
Sirius wasn't entirely happy with that answer but before he could say anything more L'kor kissed him. As always the kiss ended in her sharp teeth biting his lip hard enough to almost draw blood.
"You minx," complained Sirius as he pulled her close.
L'kor was nearly late for her shift but none of her engineering crew said a word.