In a matter of minutes, the Shaky Wand was looming gloomily in front of them. Stepping out cautiously, Charles and Franklin went to scout around the bar while Nathan led Hermoine through the creaky door and inside. Being a lazy Tuesday night, the Shaky Wand's occupants could be counted easily on two hands, Nathan quickly recognized the woman from the GPS sitting alone in a corner. Assuring himself that none of the patrons had noticed their entrance, Nathan slid his coat around Hermoine's slender shoulders, turning up the collar to hide her features. Ironically, she gained attention by tripping over the oversized jacket and nearly tumbling to the floor.
"Tonks." The young lady greeted enthusiastically, shaking Nathan's and Hermoine's hand in turn and motioning for them to sit.
"My associates will be joining us shortly." Nathan muttered under his breath before allowing his young companion to pass by, sitting between himself and Tonks.
"The other Aurors still talk about you," Nathan thought he heard a tinge of hero-worship in the girl's voice…but he decided not to call her on it. The youth of the world should be allowed to keep their heroes and dreams as long as they were able to. Reaching into his left pocket, Nathan produced a dark black handkerchief, grumbling as he began a hacking fit. Both ladies loomed over him protectively, but the wiry wizard waived them off.
"Just a cold." He muttered, sliding his handkerchief covertly back, but the motion was not quite fast enough to get past Hermoine's eagle sharp eyes. There was a faint tinge of blood on it.
"Colds don't last 10 years" Having slid in through a side door, Franklin and Charles now loomed over the trio. Nathan noticed a sparkle in Charles' eye, and he couldn't restrain a chuckle of laughter at his old friend. Franklin sat down wordlessly, content to survey the room and pull his traveling cloak tighter. Charles, in sharp contrast, took Tonk's hand and smiled at her suavely.
"Charles Davis. And your name?" As she responded, Nathan watched his comrade's eyes scan their companion from top to bottom and back again. Coughing prominently, Nathan brought his old friend back to the present, the beefy soldier sliding into the booth and giving the all clear sign.
"So Tonks…do you have a plan to get to our young friend here to Dumbledore's safe haven?" whispering, as close as he was able, Nathan was slightly encouraged when Tonks nodded.
"Of course I do, though I can't take full credit for it. Mad-Eye concocted it before I left." Waiving away a waitress, Franklin scanned the room for any shady looks while his ear remained fully fixed on the conversation.
"Hermoine will come with me, accompanied by you, Mr. Pierce," Both Franklin and Nathan held quizzical expressions , "more specifically, Nathan Pierce. You two,' She continued, indicating Charles and Franklin,' will circle around to check for any late-coming pursuers, and fight or flee if necessary once we are safely away. Once we are within….you know where….it won't matter. You may then follow" Moody's plan, delivered via Tonks, appeared relatively flawless. Nodding in assent, each moved wordlessly to carry out their part. Nathan gave a slight tilt of the head, meaningless to bystanders but it was a resounding thank you to his brother and friend. Letting them leave, Nathan walked brusquely in the direction of the backdoor, right hand tightening on his wand in the same fashion as a sword grip, ready to destroy the entire bar to ensure Hermoine's safety…and the future safety of his friends. If he could fulfill his mission, Dumbledore would keep his word. The headmaster always had. Shutting the door firmly behind him, Nathan looked down the dark alley…and was thankful not to be greeted by attackers. He had dueled enough for one night. Watching Tonks and Hermoine grab hands, ready to apparate together, Nathan laughed.
"What's so funny?" his young charge questioned, a slow smile crossing her face.
"Just seems like we should be doing a sing-along." Nathan approached, grabbing Tonk's hand and disappearing…..to re-appear many miles away…on a darkened street where people slept, unknowing, in their beds.
"So…this is the home of the Order of the Phoenix…." Nathan muttered…staying a step behind to survey the little suburb. Now, they would wait for Franklin and Charles; who appeared only minutes later.
"We weren't followed" Franklin testified, smoothing out a wrinkle in his shirt and smiling.
"I believe my work is done here. If you have no more need of me, I will bid you good night." Franklin, not one for long absences from his home, bowed gracefully to all present and disapparated as quickly as he had arrived. Nathan noticed that his old friend also looked ready for flight.
"Something wrong Charles?" Smirking, Nathan waited as Charles cleared his throat and led Nathan away from the ears of the two ladies.
"I can't just leave a Dodge Viper sitting on a London street, no matter what the safeguards." Holding back a laugh, the ex-auror looked back at Tonks and Hermoine, who both appeared rather curious as to the soldier's odd behavior.
"Understandable…but why couldn't they hear this?"
"Its bad form to let a woman know that you have cares for material things. Makes you seem shallow. And that Tonks is quite fetching…." Nathan rolled his eyes, a smile creeping its way over his face as Charles slapped him across the arm.
"Would you be quiet?" Charles grumbled, walking away from his comrade all the while texting his forgotten date. Rejoining the two witches, who had begun to converse amongst themselves; Charles closed the text window and smiled genially.
"Duty calls I'm afraid. Seems I can't leave American soil for a minute before everything goes to the dogs. I look forward to seeing both of you again." Shaking their hands, Charles checked down the street both ways several times before winking at Nathan and disapparating. No sooner had the American's hulking form disappeared than Dumbledore stood at Hermoine's shoulder, nearly drawing a hex from her protector
"I really wish you wouldn't do that." While Nathan appeared thoroughly grumpy, Dumbledore was quite oblivious. Full of youthful energy and a thin smile, the headmaster leaned down, whispering to Hermoine the location as well as a few token remarks that left the young girl giggling. Number 12 Grimauld Place slowly began to make itself shown…an old, decrepit house that, to Nathan, looked like a richer version of the same shed they had seen earlier. Approaching the front door behind Dumbledore and the rest of their party, Nathan kept his wand at the ready, waiting for Death Eaters to come rushing out of the void to curse him….but, happily, none did. Shutting the door behind him, the former Auror, against his instincts, let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to give you the full tour. A headmaster's work is never done." Dumbledore allowed the two young witches to continue walking, while he held Nathan up short.
"You have my sincerest gratitude Nathan; and your friends have all been notified and may appear as they wish." Oddly though, the headmaster noticed a lack of satisfaction in the ex-Auror's face.
"And as soon as they enter the house, they'll be sent right back out on missions; potentially throwing their lives away." Nathan grimaced. A look of stern disapproval crossed Dumbledore's face, only momentarily, before he resumed his normal whimsical look.
"I have no plans to throw away lives. Our agreement was for their protection, not their enlistment. They may choose to leave on missions if they wish, but only IF they wish to. You seem to have my methods confused with Lord Voldemort's, and I ensure you the confusion is quite undesired." Left with a feeling of stupidity and rebellion that talking to Dumbledore seemed to inspire in him no matter the course of their meetings, Nathan watched his old headmaster turn and stride out the door; leaving him standing without any inclination as to what to do next. He was not left in this state long, as a friend he had not seen in over 12 years began to descend down the staircase in front of him. The years in Azkaban had not been kind; they never were, but still his face was instantly recognizable. Sirius Black.
"Not looking your best, are you Sirius?" Nathan smirked, the former schoolmate clasping his arm firmly.
"Can't say you've had it much better." He grumbled, Nathan conceding he looked much the worse for wear.
"I've had a long night. Then again, its par for the course these days." Sirius motioned for them to continue in the kitchen, a notion the starving Pierce found beyond refuse. Taking a seat, Nathan saw dust hanging on the corners.
"Recently back?" he questioned, being answered with a grunt as Sirius checked the pantry.
"And unhappily so." Making himself comfortable, Nathan wondered how long this brief respite might last.
* * * *
The past week had seen many old friends and new comrades come through Number 12 Grimauld Place; Nathan having to do far more introducing than he'd liked. By nature, the former Auror preferred to be surrounded by people he already knew. He had seen little of Hermoine; the young witch had spent the majority of her time with 's children aside from the random hello that left him more than satisfied. It was becoming a topic of interest, however, as to why he hadn't slept since his arrival. Stopping short of the kitchen, the social hub of the Order, Nathan listened in as two of his fellow crusaders conversed.
"But Arthur, he NEVER SLEEPS!" Recoiling from her voice, Nathan made sure not to alert the couple to his presence, nimbly avoiding a purring Crookshanks.
"I'm sure he does Molly…you're very busy around here and I'm sure you've just been too preoccupied to notice." Despite knowing the facts, Nathan was finding himself slightly swayed by 's argument.
"I'm glad you appreciate my efforts to make this house hospitable, but I tell you he has been roaming this house day and night without sleep! His eyes are always tired and sunken! Next time I see him I'm asking him about it!" Stepping out of the shadows, Nathan waited until the two turned to see him, Arthur with a nervous glance at his wife, who, to her credit, seemed not the least bit surprised.
"Him who?" Nathan asked, unable to keep the mocking tone of out of his voice.
"Well Pierce we were just discussing…" Arthur began, but he stopped mid-sentence as Nathan smirked at him knowingly.
"My sleeping habits?" The former Auror laughed, grabbing a seat and filling it as began to huff noticeably.
"It's just not healthy…" Molly began, Nathan breaking into a small fit of laughter as she did.
"What is so funny?" demanded, the wizard replying in his characteristic dry tone.
"You remind me of a dozen mothers who have all voiced their concern about my well-being. I just find it humorous how, as a trained Auror, people are still fussing over me." Unknowingly, Nathan had opened up the flood gates; puffing out her chest as she began to roll off a list of discrepancies.
"There's blood all over your clothes, your hair is ragged, you seem to have never been introduced to a razor, you never eat healthy, you're always awake…" After awhile Nathan tuned her out…it was the same, minus the bloody clothes, he had been hearing for the last two decades. Feeling his face, the order member noticed a thin beard had invaded his face. But he had trimmed it just the other day…or had it been last month? The days had blurred to him…but his hair wasn't ragged….
"And what do you have to say to yourself?!" She bellowed, snapping him back to the moment as he confirmed his hair was still too short to be "ragged" by anyone's definition but a mother's.
"I'd say I'm a grown man who can do what he wants." Nathan let the smirk remain, but held back the deep grin threatening to break out on his face…the look on Molly's increasingly red face was priceless.
"Very well! Do as you please! You won't hear another word from me. Get yourself sick and unwell and see if you get any sympathy from me!" She was about to storm off when Nathan was overcome with a nasty coughing fit; the handkerchief coming almost automatically over his mouth and then sliding, with practiced ease, into the former auror's left pocket once the attack subsided. Molly had nearly made it there with a concerned look on her face before he held up his hand to stop her.
"It's alright…but I guess you do deserve to hear the secret of my constant prowling." Standing up and closing the door, Nathan walked over to the huddled heads of Arthur and Molly Weasley, checking once more for intruders on their conversation before elaborating.
"A spell I created…the "Insominus" spell. It allows the user to stay awake for a week or more at a time, depending on the circumstances and the witch or wizard's physical abilities. Being a natural insomniac, I can go for a month if I have to. The only problem being once the spell wears off I'm comatose for a good three days. Also, the natural problems associated with lack of rest are magnified. I've staved them off for some time, but they are getting worse…" Horrified, the two Weasley's hovered dumbstruck for several minutes before replying.
"I can see how that spell could be useful for a man of your situation…but you really should let yourself rest up. The order is going to need you and its going to need you at full strength." Arthur advised, Nathan nodding slowly if reluctantly. As the kitchen door swung open, Nathan began to drop the discussion before recognizing the intruder as Sirius.
"Leaving me out of the loop again?" Black grumbled, taking a seat and putting his feet up on the table, despite Molly's incredulous expression.
"You're not missing anything of note. I was just explaining my habit of restlessness." Sirius caught on immediately, Nathan noting that the years in Azkaban had done nothing to dull his impressive comprehension skills.
"I wondered the same thing myself when we were in school. I always found it funny that he never slept but could never find the time to study…" A look of amusement seemed to creep into Sirius' face; remembering the days when freedom had been so guaranteed.
"Another thing,' Molly continued,' you have to give up using that spell. It should only be used in the most dire of circumstances." She looked ready to pitch into another yelling frenzy as Nathan and Sirius exchanged sidelong looks.
"More dire than being hunted down by Voldemort?" Black laughed, Arthur leaning back in his chair as if physically distancing himself from the discussion would protect him.
"It'll be even worse if you're needed and we can't rouse you from a coma." scorned, Nathan holding up his hands for peace.
"So what is your suggestion for my recovery?"
"You should find a room and take a load off. I'll make sure no one disturbs you." Molly offered…but something in the former auror warned him not to. He had only been up for the past week or so…he had slept the entire day before meeting Dumbledore. More rest than he usually got. Throwing up his hands in mock surrender, Nathan grinned and made a grab of a strawberry tart before heading out of the kitchen.
"Got a bit of a sweet tooth too I noticed." grumbled, staring at Pierce's back as he turned the corner.
"Have fun Sirius." Nathan called, the sounds of his feet plodding up the stairs giving some relief.
No sooner had he cleared the last step than the front door opened, followed by call up to him from another old classmate. Remus Lupin.
"Dumbledore has a message for you, and you need to hear it now."