Normally, Nasrin greatly enjoyed trips to Le Fay's Landing.
She could spend hours window shopping, sampling treats from restaurants and food carts, and often browsed through the Day Care, always walking away with at least four bags of purchases that ended up as extra Solstice gifts for her Pokemon and Harry's.
Standing in Hogwarts' main hall, wearing a 'Witch, Please' crop top with jeans and snow boots under her pink-leather jacket, knitted mittens and hat, the half-Gem could not summon the same excitement as everyone else.
It was nearing two months since Pongo had run off, and her anxiety over him was growing, even with Harry's assurances that the Rock-type would be back soon and Remus' explanation that all Rockruff became aggressive when nearing evolution, going off alone to complete the process before returning to a patient trainer.
But with every day that passed with no sign of him, she worried that he had been attacked by a wild Pokemon, or a Slytherin, or-
Mulan shifted from the safety of her jacket, whining low, and Nasrin forcibly rerouted her thoughts as Harry glanced over, brow furrowing.
The other students were focused on getting through Professor McGonagall's customary speech, Ron rocking on his heels in an oversized neon-yellow jacket with Solstice money burning in his pockets and Hermione trying to stay alert in a purple-and-orange winter coat with matching gloves and hat, the reverse colors of Luna's own set.
Snow sat primly between her people, quietly enjoying the winter chill, while Ariel curled tighter around Harry's neck like a scarf to keep him warm, gaze flickering as she took everything in.
"While this is a chance to get out of the castle, I want to remind you all that going to Le Fay's Landing is not a right." Professor McGonagall warned, lab coat traded for a burgundy waistcoat. "Some would call it a privilege, but they would be wrong. No, trips to Le Fay's Landing are nothing more than rewards. You are allowed to go because of good behavior, and that allowance can be ripped away in an instant. Le Fay's Landing might be within sight of Hogwarts, but we are not its sole reason for existing. Plenty of trainers travel through it to get to Ywain City. I want everyone to see that Hogwarts produces good students, who are respectful and kind and well-behaved. That means obeying the same rules you obey in these halls. If I find out that someone has decided to besmirch Hogwarts' reputation, I will see it as you besmirching my reputation."
The Head of Gryffindor pierced each and every student with a cold glare, daring them to do so.
"Now then, let us go over those ground rules."
Said rules and speech were the same as they had been during their last trip before Solstice, and the one around Halloween.
Almost like a protection ritual, they had been repeated for every trip for as long as any student could remember, every Seventh Year she had asked over the last three years stating they had practically memorized the words from hearing it repeated since their own Third Year.
So Nasrin allowed her thoughts to wander, not just towards Pongo, but to what was likely on Harry's mind as well.
The traitor.
With Professor McGonagall's list, Sirius and Tonks had narrowed their suspect pool quite a bit, considering the gargantuan task.
Anyone with an aptitude for Pokemagnus training was tracked down and stealthily investigated, though some names crossed off the list, such as Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, were a surprise.
Still, they were no closer to the answer now than they were months ago…
"Now then, are there any questions?" Professor McGonagall wrapped up.
"Yes. Does Lord Grantham know that you're teaching here?"
Everyone turned to find Luna and a face-palming Ginny near the back of the crowd.
"Also, can you tell Thomas that I hate him?"
"Miss Lovegood, Miss Weasley, what are you doing there?" The Partnership Professor responded, lips pressed thin.
"We certainly weren't trying to sneak off to Le Fay's Landing!" The half-Veela chirped, smiling bright.
"I should hope not, since that is for Third Years and older, and you two are neither."
"Right, we were…just listening!" Ginny intercepted quickly. "Just listening, and that's all! Wanted to be prepared for next year."
"Oh yes. I was also wondering why you and Missus Crawley are always fighting."
"Because Isobel sticks her nose into things." Professor McGonagall answered, smiling at Luna's befuddled expression as she guided them around. "Back to the dorms now, ladies."
"Yes, Professor McGonagall." Ginny agreed, dragging her friend away as the older students snickered.
"Now then, if there are no more interruptions, we can get moving along."
The wave broke as everyone poured out of Hogwarts towards the water, some already summoning Pokemon to swim or fly or teleport them to Le Fay's Landing while others headed for the waiting Lapras below, happy chatter already filling the air.
"Too bad for Ginny and Luna." Neville admitted.
"I warned them that it wouldn't work." Hermione noted.
"Did you tell McGonagall what they were going to do?" Ron asked, suspicious.
"No!"
The Weasley grunted when he was smacked by Ariel's flipper.
"Calm down, Ron." Harry advised.
"Hermione likes the rules, but she's not a snitch."
Hermione beamed, glad that her relationship with both was mending so well, as the Potter grabbed a Ball.
"Now then, let's go! Dobby!"
Dobby come, Great Harry Potter! The Alakazam chirped mentally. What's is Dobby doing for Great Harry Potter and Kind Nasrin Universe? Get books? Bring snacks? Give sponge bath?
"No, maybe later, and Merlin no!"
Nasrin nearly folded in half with the force of her laughter, though Snow only rolled her eyes while Mulan grunted at the sudden movement.
"I want you to teleport Ron, Hermione, Neville, Nazz and myself to Le Fay's Landing."
Dobby transport! Dobby send right now. Then sponge bath?
"You've been talking to Hedwig." The half-Gem surmised, still biting back giggles despite their friends' confusion.
She says yous dirty boy.
"Lets' focus on the transporting right now." Harry decided, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
The Alakazam's gaze flickered sideways, as if reacting to something else, before they were deposited on the edge of Le Fay's Landing in a flash of light.
"So, what do we do first?" The Potter asked, recalling Dobby as the group ambled in.
"I promised Luna I'd pick her up Scooby Snacks." Neville voiced. "I'm…not quite sure what they are."
"I asked her about it." Hermione assured. "She said she might need to convince a cowardly dog to visit a spooky mansion and that they would be very important."
"So, in other words, it's just Luna being Luna." Ron summarized, Snow nodding as she trotted ahead of them.
"We'll buy some cookies and tell her they changed labels." Nasrin suggested.
"I want to head over to the Day Care and pick up a few things for Firebolt." Harry noted. "Oh! Almost forgot!"
While Harry released the tiny Fire-type into his arms, Nasrin pulled a bag of coal from his bag for Firebolt to munch on.
"You do need to get more." She agreed, smiling when Mulan poked her head out and reached over to pat the Cyndaquil's head as he munched away.
"How long do you have to feed him those?" Hermione wondered.
"According to Remus' notes, Firebolt will need to consume them steadily for another six months, until his own internal fire sacs are coated."
Passing a dress shop, where Parvati and Lavender were visible trying on summer dresses, the bushy-haired girl blew into her closed hands for extra warmth.
"Well, I don't need anything at the moment, so I'm just going to window shop. What about you, Ron?"
"Not sure yet, all I know is I got money to spend! Actually, I take that back!"
The Weasley pointed towards The Three Black Flutes, a popular restaurant styled after Sinnohian mountain cottage, two stories and likely full considering it's popularity with both students and travelers.
"I think we need to stop and get a bite to eat."
"But you just had breakfast." Neville remembered.
"Ah, but you're forgetting about second breakfast."
Nasrin did a double-take as Hermione's eyes went wide, realizing they had spoken together.
"That was something Luna would say, wasn't it?"
"How much time do you two spend together?" Harry wondered teasingly as Ron herded them towards his chosen destination. "I suppose we can get a few hot chocolates. Warm us up."
"Brilliant!" Ron burst. "And some donuts, and some muffins-"
"Just hot chocolate." Nasrin chided, Snow tapping his ankle gently with her tails. "You don't want to waste all your Solstice money on food, right?"
An extended silence.
"Ron?"
"I'm thinking!"
Stepping inside, the group entered a long line of Hogwarts students, and Ariel turned her head sharply when Hermione gave a violent start, panic spiking and breaths turning into sharp little pants.
Nasrin immediately offered a shoulder for her to lean on, troubled as she always was by the other girl's fits and starts, as Harry bracketed her in.
"I wish you'd tell us what's happening to you." He whispered, careful not to be heard.
"Soon."
"Can you at least tell us what strange request you're going to have this time?" Nasrin asked softly, aware of how things tended to work out after following Hermione's suggestions.
"Let me pick the table. And let Ron and Neville do what they wish."
"Alright." They promised with matching nods as the group finally reached the counter.
"Hogwarts students!" The jovial owner greeted. "Well, never expected to see five Hogwarts students here today!"
"You didn't?" Ron replied, confused. "But-"
"It was a joke, lad."
"Oh."
"Now, what can I get ye little masters and little mistresses?"
"Five hot chocolates." Harry answered, glancing around for any requests.
"That's all I want." Neville assured.
"I'm good." Hermione agreed, anxious.
"I'll take three of your triple-fudge brownies!" Ron added happily. "One for me, and I'll need two for my Pokemon."
"Only three?" Nasrin wondered as their order was rung up.
"Don't you need four?" Neville added.
"Why would I-Oh, you mean Scabbers." Ron realized, handing over his money and accepting the change as he moved to the receiving area. "I didn't bring him with me."
"I haven't seen Scabbers all year, come to think of it." Hermione mused, Mulan glancing down at Snow with a confused little sound before the Icy Vulpix explained exactly who Scabbers was.
Ever since Ron had gotten Cubchoo, Scabbers had been brought out less and less, to the point where Nasrin's youngest Pokemon probably only met the Raticate once over the last two years or not at all.
"Probably won't see him again." Ron admitted nonchalantly. "I tried to talk to dad and get him to take Scabbers back, but he asked me to give it another year. I think he's embarrassed that the two of us can't make a go of it. Every Weasley has a Raticate, he told me. All the other Weasleys never had to deal with Scabbers. Charlie and Bill and Fred and George, they all got Rattata that listened to them. Even Ginny's is nice and polite and cute. Scabbers is just a jerk."
"So you just leave him in his Ball in your room?" Nasrin realized, the mere thought of doing that to her own Pokemon startling in its wrongness.
"He doesn't mind. Seems to just enjoy lying around anyway. Why fight it?"
Ariel shrugged, and there was no arguing with that fact.
Scabbers had never grown to respect Ron, and really did seem to enjoy being in his Poke Ball, so Nasrin let it go as everyone retrieved their drinks and snacks.
"Alright, where to next?"
"Why don't you two go ahead?" Hermione suggested. "I want to sit down a bit."
"Us, too." Harry and Nasrin echoed.
"Alright, if that's what you want." Ron agreed with a shrug. "Come on, Neville, let's go check out the skate shop. Maybe that's what I'll use my Solstice money on!"
With waves, the two departed, and Hermione immediately grabbed onto Harry and Nasrin, dragging them towards the second floor balcony and into the darkest, farthest corner.
"People are going to get the wrong idea." Harry voiced as Hermione settled near the railing.
"Let them. No one will remember what we did in here at the end of the day."
Nasrin felt the anticipation and razor-sharp focus, and sat on a nearby table, offering Mulan a sip of her drink.
They were going to be waiting a while.
Years of living with the likes of Pearl, Amethyst and Peridot yielding a mighty patience, and she placed a hand on Harry's arm to ease his growing frustration and old anger as five minutes ticked by, then ten, fifteen…
Snow went predator-still, and Harry turned from recalling Firebolt at Ariel's low hum as all three fixed their eyes on Prime Minister Cornelius Fudge and Lucius Malfoy as they strolled into The Three Black Flutes.
"What the bloody hell?"
"Sh!" Hermione hissed, following their weaving path through the crowd.
Thanks to their height, Nasrin was able to spot the pair easily, and realized they were aiming for the lone table right below the darkened balcony corner while trying not to reveal their goal.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked when Hermione got down on her belly as close to the railing as she could, attaching a microphone headset to her Pokedex.
"Do you want to hear them or not?" She asked, lowering the device to just a few feet over where the men were seated. "Now sh!"
The speaker crackled after a few moments, and voices came through.
"I wish you would tell me why we had to come here." Fudge complained. "I don't like being out and about without some form of protection."
"Everything will be alright. Everyone around us hasn't even recognized us."
"You make that sound like a good thing…"
"It is when you wish not to be seen or heard. Think less about what your polling numbers are and focus on why we are here."
"But I don't know why we're here! All I got was a note saying we had to come to this dingy little tavern and wait."
"Then you know as much as I do."
"What?! You said you knew why we had to come! You assured me that you had answers, and now you tell me you have none?"
"I never said I had answers. I merely told you that they were within my grasp. That, Prime Minister, is an important distinction."
The screech of a chair being shoved back.
"I don't care about your distinctions! I care about keeping my job and not being stabbed in some backwoods diner! And what have you done but-"
A solid THUNK, and Nasrin knew before she glanced down that Lucius had stabbed through Fudge's tie and stuck him to the table.
"Now, listen to me very carefully." The Head of House Malfoy said, voice poison-sweet. "Because you know how much I detest repeating myself. Everything you are is because of me. I am the one that dragged you from the much and made you Prime Minister. My money, my influence. Without me, you would still be hoping to be Postmaster General of Ector Town. In return for my kindness, you have helped me. Not a bad arrangement, and it has allowed Avalon to flourish. But mark my words, Minister Fudge, you will remember all that I have done for you and afford me the respect I deserve before I decide that one of your rivals deserves my attention more than you do. Am I clear?"
"Yes." Fudge stammered. "Yes, we are. Very clear."
"Good." Lucius replied, freeing the man's tie. "I hope when we are done meeting with our mysterious messenger, you will allow me to purchase you a new tie. Maybe a new set entirely."
"Oh, well, how kind of you!"
"Yes, it is."
"This isn't right." Hermione whispered, panic bubbling up again. "I thought he knew, that he was the cause…but he doesn't know anything!"
"Hermione, you aren't making any sense." Harry voiced as Mulan jerked sharply, whining.
"Your concerns are falsely placed, Prime Minister. It is clear that our host does not seek to harm us."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because everything he has done has been to ensure that we are put at ease. He selected a public place to meet with plenty of witnesses, not the locale for a dramatic act."
"Oh no…" Hermione breathed. "No."
With no thought to the noise her headset made coming back up the railing, she took off towards the stairs, Harry and Nasrin following in her wake, nearly shoving people away as she broke through the exit-And stopped dead in her tracks.
"No! No, no, no!"
Nasrin stumbled to avoid running her friend over, grabbing onto Harry's arm to steady him, and stared at the roof of Books, Books and More Books in wide-eyed horror.
"What? What's-What the bloody hell?"
For standing there, dressed in the black cloak and golden mask, was a member of Team Nocturne.
"People of Avalon!" The man bellowed, a voice changer distorting his vocals. "For twelve years, you have lived a false life! It's not your fault, for you were denied your true existence by a select few. Where you should have known the prosperity and glory of Voldemort's rule, instead you have been left to piddle on, your lives remaining in their current pathetic squalor. It was because of the woman Lily Potter and her husband James that Voldemort was taken from us all, but it's not their fault that Voldemort's dream was never achieved. No, the ones responsible for this crime against Avalon are the traitors and two-faced sycophants who claimed to follow our Lord and Master, but turn tail and hide the moment he's gone! They're the ones who have cost you!"
Rage flared through Harry, and Nasrin placed a hand on her Gem, every muscle tense.
"To those among you who have betrayed our Lord Voldemort, know that now your end has come! And for the rest of you, I deliver you from your pathetic lives. I give you release…"
The Nocturne agent raised his arms, and the store erupted into a font of Dusknoir.
"I give you death."
"HYDRO PUMP!"
The roof peeled back like an orange skin as a high-pressure blast of water escaped Ariel's mouth that nearly knocked Harry back, and Nasrin cursed to find the traitor had managed to avoid it, even if quite a few Dusknoir had not.
But Le Fay's Landing was chaos now, trainers and residents and students scrambling to escape, and the tickle of external terror told her these were Sevii Dusknoir, paralyzing their prey for easy feasting.
With a low growl, Snow knocked a Dusknoir away from Hermione with Feint Attack while Mulan summoned Shadow Claws to nearly decapitate another in her fury when it tried to grab at Harry while the boy released Eevee and Hedwig.
"Nazz!"
The rosette smashed a Dusknoir into the cobblestones with her shield, head turning to Harry's offered hand and fierce expression.
"We take them together."
Her smile was bright and sharp, dangerous, as their palms clapped together-
Dusknoir reared back as bright pink light filled Le Fay's Landing, a shield flying to smash their heads together, and Hermione released Snorunt as Meeko, Robin, Melody and Rapunzel joined their little army.
The Speaker's Realm faded the world to black, and Harin turned to their Pokemon with a quiet ferocity.
"Eevee, Mulan, Melody, Rapunzel, we want you to stay low to the ground and attack quick and fast. Use anything you can find to shield yourselves, and just keep hitting them with Shadow Balls and Shadow Claws. Their attacks can't hurt you, and you'll be able to sow some confusion."
All four nodded, aware they were the best choices to go against Ghosts and determined not to fail.
"Snow, use Extrasensory to save anyone who might get pulled into a Dusknoir. Hit them with Feint Attack if you have to, and use Confuse Ray whenever you can. Ariel, Meeko, stay close and keep an ear out for danger. Blow away anything that gets too close."
"Got it!" The Pikachu assured, his Vulpix and Brionne companions dipping their heads in acknowledgement.
"What do you want us to do, boss?" Hedwig wondered, hovering overhead with Robin.
"You're our eyes in the sky. We need to see if anyone else is fighting back and link up with them. We'll be safer in a large group. Robin, you take down any Dusknoir that go for either of you with extreme prejudice."
"Of course!" The Rowlet replied, feathers puffing. "I'll do more than that!"
Light filled the darkness, nearly blinding as their Gem glowed, and when the world snapped back into place, Harin could only laugh as a Dartrix swooped down to rip open a Dusknoir's shoulder with Shadow Claw, Hedwig close behind using Thief.
Hermione could only stare for a moment, awestruck now that she could truly see Harin up close, and the Fusion slid an amused glance her way.
"You have your secrets…"
"Not judging!" She replied quickly, pointing at a group of Ghosts surrounding a Hufflepuff Sixth Year. "Icy Wind!"
The blast of cold made the Dusknoir pause, but only long enough to focus on the Third Years, a guttural moan calling others to swarm.
"Bloody hell!"
"You cursed!" Harin yelped in surprise, shield flying as Eevee, Melody and Rapunzel fired off a barrage of Shadow Balls so Mulan, Robin and Hedwig could try to take down any that got through.
"I made a rare exception!"
The bushy-haired girl screamed when a hand clamped down on her arm, face going pale-
"Leaf Blade!"
The Dusknoir wailed as a shield slammed into it's belly and an attack struck from behind, a fresh wave of Ghostly attacks driving the mob back to find easier prey.
Lucius Malfoy raised a brow at Harin, diamond-hard eyes sweeping over the battlefield as his Serperior glided around, focused.
"I see you and Miss Granger are some of the few with any sense."
Harin nodded, understanding that putting aside bad blood in this situation was necessary, as Robin's Ominous Wind gave them space to plan.
"We've sent Hedwig and Robin to search for others who are also fighting back. We need to gather up more trainers so we can strike back."
Fudge, whose Barbaracle was able to take orders surprisingly well through all the stuttering, glanced back at the now-fortified Three Black Flutes with longing.
"Perhaps we should just stay here? Fortify and such? They have the right idea…"
"My son is out in this madness." Lucius replied coolly. "They can guard the wounded. We fight."
"Ron and Neville are out there, too." Hermione voiced. "It wouldn't look good, Prime Minister, if two-sorry, three-sons of Gym Leaders were left to fight these things by themselves. I imagine your political enemies would have a field day…"
Fudge was practically trembling at the thought, and Harin glanced skyward, flashing into the Speaker's Realm for only a moment.
"Draco, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle are two blocks down. There are a few more Hogwarts students around, and a couple of shopkeepers, but not much else. Draco is trying to avoid drawing the Dusknoir's attention upon him, but he's running out of options. Ron and Neville are in a side alley that leads directly to where your son is. They're trying to fight their way out."
"How do you know that?" Fudge asked, amazed.
"Any fool can see Mister Potter and Miss Universe are Speakers." Lucius bit out, any veneer of politeness gone. "Lily Potter showed hints of the gift, as did Samson, so why wouldn't it manifest in them and be stronger in their Fusion?"
"Lion!"
The Prime Minister jumped, Dusknoir wailing as the Solgaleo burst through, crushing the Ghosts under massive steel paws and Crunching any that did not flee fast enough.
With barely a blink, Harin reached into the star-swirl panels of his forehead and pulled out Rose Quartz's sword, swinging it around to slice a Dusknoir clean in half.
"Watch our back."
Lion nodded, eyeing Lucius with the cool calculation of a predator as he moved to their flank.
"Minister Fudge, Miss Granger, you watch our sides." The man ordered, voice slightly tighter now. "I suppose it's too much to hope that you have The Beast with you, as well?"
"Only if we can get to a Pokemon Center." Harin replied. "Lion will be a big help, but he's at a type disadvantage."
"We get my son, then we'll see about that plan. Now then, let us head the spear."
A quick order, and their Pokemon came to create a sharp, dangerous point for the group to charge behind, tearing through Dusknoir that dared stand in their path.
"Stay on your guard." Harin warned as they entered an alley. "It's tight in here, but there are still offshoots. The Dusknoir may-"
A blast of Ghostly energy shot out from their right, nearly clipping Fudge's shoulder, and the Fusion whipped around-
The Dusknoir went down with a shriek, Dark fangs ripping out it's throat and belly with ferocious precision, and Harin could only stare as the blue-and-white-furred Pokemon straightened, staring back with bright teal eyes.
"Pongo." They breathed as the Speaker's Realm fell into place.
"I'm sorry I took so long." The Lycanroc apologized, almost seeming to duck under the thick mane of fur he had grown upon evolving. "I had to be sure…I needed to know that I would never turn on you in anger again."
"Oh, Pongo…" Harin choked out, knuckling back tears. "We're just glad you're okay."
Their relief and joy fed off each other in that moment, rebounding back and forth and growing with each pass, and Harin's smile was full of teeth.
"Ready to show these Ghosts what you can do?"
Pongo's responding smile was wolfish.
"Always."
Everything came rushing back, and Eevee chirped happily when his old friend stepped up to join him.
"Is that…?" Hermione began, surprised.
"Pongo needed to straighten some things out." The Fusion explained, quietly thanking Dobby for teleporting the Lycanroc without saying so. "Come on. At the next side alley, we find Ron and Neville. After that, it's straight to Draco."
"I will not wait for you to save the two little-"
Harin fixed the Head of House Malfoy with a dangerous smile, Harry's intensity mixing with Nasrin's controlled rage, and he wisely reconsidered.
"We collect them as fast as possible, and then we move on."
"Agreed."
Mulan's ear-sensors thrummed as the sounds of battle grew closer, and their next turn brought the group up against a wall of Dusknoir backs.
"Lion."
With a fanged grin, the Solgaleo stepped up and released a Shock Wave and Stone Edge combo that effectively tossed the horde away and up over the rooftops, a low growl convincing them to retreat.
"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed, straightening from where he had been crouched over a traumatized Tracey Davis, Cubchoo and Emolga sighing in relief at the much-needed support.
"Thank Merlin you came." Neville agreed, stepping up to Lucius with an offered hand, Flora and Stumper flanking him. "House Longbottom thanks House Malfoy for their aid."
After a moment, Lucius accepted the short shake.
"House Malfoy accepts, and will consider all debts paid if House Longbottom helps rescue the Heir of House Malfoy."
"House…Greengrass…Oh, you know."
Daphne Greengrass was a furious mess, face covered in bleeding cuts and hair disheveled, and Harin approached at the Slytherins' distress.
"Miss Greengrass!" Fudge realized, horrified that it was now four Gym Leaders' children caught in this mess.
"Hold still." The Fusion advised, taking Daphne's hand and pressing a kiss to the palm, watching carefully as the tiny cuts and abrasions faded. "What happened to Tracey?"
"I pulled her out of a Dusknoir." The Ice Princess of Slytherin answered, apparently stunned at the gesture.
"Tracey?" Harin coaxed, sending out waves of calm to ease her Mawile's distress. "Tracey, can you stand?"
The girl could barely focus on anything, let alone respond, and they carefully lifted Tracey up piggyback style, gently cajoling her to hold on tight.
"Where the hell are the Aurors?" Daphne demanded, whirling on Fudge.
"That is a good question." Lucius agreed, though it was clear he disagreed with the delivery. "But we can focus on their failings once we are all safe. Including my son."
"We saw the git-I mean, Draco-trying to find shelter in the shopping plaza. Neville told him to follow us, but he said we were stupid to go down this alley…" Ron voiced, begrudging, as Harin healed him next. "Guess he was right. Have you seen anyone else?"
"A bunch of people are holed up at The Three Black Flutes." Hermione answered. "But other than them and you guys…No."
Harin lifted their head, dark green eyes flickering.
"Hedwig says there are pockets of people trying to fight back, but they're all scattered about. Robin thinks most are barricading themselves in shops. No sign of the Aurors."
Everyone ignored Fudge's moan.
"What caused all this?" Neville wondered, Flora growling as Lion patrolled around the group to keep away unwanted company. "Why is the Lord of Sevii attacking us?"
"It isn't the Lord of Sevii." Harin replied sternly. "It's a madman and a traitor. We need to find Draco and then get to a Pokemon Center."
"The Beast?" Ron prompted.
"The Beast."
"You know, I was hoping for a bit more of a plan than that." Daphne voiced.
"Well, it'll have to do." The Weasley pointed out, voice pitching low just for Harin's ears. "But I'd prefer a plan that doesn't involve us saving Draco."
"Not in the cards, Ron. Not in the cards."
Rallying their broad, the newly-enlarged group charged through the alley and into the shopping plaza, which had been turned into a body-strewn battlefield by Dusknoir.
Trainers, students and villagers were flopped across the cobblestones, trembling and sobbing with paralyzing fear, as the Dusknoir leisurely plucked their chosen meal up to stuff in their gullet at their leisure.
Draco was using an overturned cart as shelter to command his Servine, and Sixth Year Cedric Diggory was at his side with an Electabuzz, the Electric-type bellowing as he reached into the Ghosts' bellies to yank free their prey for Crabbe and Goyle's Sawk and Throh to take to safety.
Pansy could only hug her equally-stricken Grovyle, sobbing, and younger children could only peek out for a moment from a nearby shop before ducking back in, not yet strong enough to defend themselves.
The sight ignited Harin's rage.
"SHADOW BALL!"
Eevee, Melody and Rapunzel released a slew of the ectoplasmic orbs, and the Fusion darted in among the chaos, grabbing up every person they could while heading for the downed food cart, Ariel providing cover with Moonblasts.
One Dusknoir managed to duck in, rushing them, and Harin's arms were full-
A Zoroark intercepted the Gripper Pokemon, who retreated with a wail at the Dark-types attack, and Harin smiled.
"Remus!"
With a nod, Mooney/Remus returned to the battle as the group reached their destination, Ron, Hermione and Daphne already directing their Pokemon to create fortifying ice walls with Snow while Neville tried to provide support in the battle.
Once their load was safely tucked behind Pansy, Harin turned to check on their Pokemon, assessing.
Pongo was covering Eevee with his bulk, acting as a shield with Dark fangs and furious claws, and Robin swooped down in counter to Hedwig, Ghostly claws slashing when any unwanted hands reached up to snatch at them.
Meeko was darting every which way, paralyzing handfuls of enemies before knocking them down like bowling pins with Electro Ball, while Rapunzel and Melody provided distractions for Mooney/Remus, covering their back so the Dark-type Pokemagnus was not overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
A series of Metal Bursts drove off handfuls of Dusknoir at a time, Lion carefully lifting the freed humans onto his back as he lashed out with Steel, careful not to open himself up to a counter attack.
Mulan snarled, ear-sensors thrumming, and Harin nodded.
Sword singing through the air, the Dusknoir wailed in pain as they tore through any that dared float too close, Draco seeming to go paler as the Fusion ducked and weaved and parried, shield slinging into impossible arcs and angles that made openings for Snow to grab victims with Extrasensory and pull them into nearby stores or behind their growing barricade.
"This isn't working!" Remus shouted over the chaos once he separated from Mooney. "We attack them, but they keep getting back up!"
"That's because the Will of Voldemort drives them!"
Harin turned sharply as the Nocturne agent appeared, a sharp whistle calling their Pokemon back as he considered everyone.
"I never imagined I would find so many of my enemies gathered in one place. Truly, Lord Voldemort smiles upon me."
"Lucky for us." Harin drawled, a flick of the pinky easing Ariel's low humming and Mulan's snarl. "If the Will of Voldemort is behind all this, then we should see all of them crumple to the ground and die within the next two minutes."
"You watch your tongue, monster!" The agent hissed. "You've falsely built your names and reputations on the deeds of a great man!"
"Actually, they were built on the deeds of great women!" Harin shot back. "Lily Potter and Cammi Universe are amazing people!"
"Lily Potter and Cammi Universe are whores who disgraced themselves by denying the great Lord Voldemort! He offered his hand in friendship, and they and your bastard fathers spat on it!"
"They might have spat on it, but I know that James' and Samson's parents were married when they had them!" Remus countered. "Now, how about you call your Ghosts off and we settle this like men?"
"I don't think so." The man denied with a dark laugh. "I already had my fill of that when I murdered your friends!"
"Enough of your riddles." Lucius cut in coldly. "You obviously want something, otherwise you wouldn't have wasted your time gloating. Name your price."
"My price? My price is your traitorous head on a spike! It can sit there with all those that stand with you!"
"Is it too late to not stand with him?"
SMACK!
"OW!"
Harin watched as the Dusknoir began to organize under their master's orders, now a greater danger, and knew they only had one chance.
"We have a plan, but you have to trust us." They said, turning to Fudge. "Can your Barbaracle perform Rock Tomb?"
"Well, yes. Yes, yes he can! But I don't see how that-"
"Have him follow Pongo and Mulan's lead." The Fusion ordered, releasing Duchess and placing gentle fingertips on the Bounsweet's head in comfort. "Neville, Mister Malfoy, Draco, we need each of you to command your Grass-types to perform any leaf-producing attacks they have. Razor Leaf, Leaf Storm, whatever you have. They need to keep it up without stop. Hit as many as possible, but as long as the leaves are flying, we're happy. Robin, Duchess, that goes for you, too."
Both cried out in acceptance, already throwing out Razor Leaves with Neville right on their heels, but Draco dug in his heels.
"Who put you in charge? My father should be giving commands!"
"Indeed." Lucius stated, before busting his son's bubble. "I command you to listen to them. Unlike you, they have managed to lead an assault against these ghouls rather than cower, and now move to strike while you whimper. They have proven themselves thus far, and unless you have suddenly developed a feasible plan, we will listen to them. Serperior, Leaf Storm."
"…Servine, Razor Leaf."
As the suddenly-green assault began, Harin crouched to whisper instructions in Pongo's ear before commanding the rest of their brood to fall back and calling out Dobby.
"Hermione, call out Kirlia and command her to follow Dobby and Lion's commands."
At her nod, the Fusion took a deep breath and stepped out into the storm, resolute.
"We know who you are!"
"I seriously doubt that." The Nocturne agent replied smugly.
"We know enough." Harin retorted, frowning. "We know what happened that night. We know about what you did. And we know who survived. We've talked to him ourselves!"
Even with the mask, that clearly struck home.
"You lie. I had him sealed away, and when the Kenways attacked-"
"They saw he was a great man and brought him into their trust. The Sons respect bravery, and he has it in spades! He's a Gryffindor, through and through, and he showed more bravery than you or your pathetic twat of a leader Voldemort ever did!"
"You shut your mouth!" The agent seethed. "You know nothing!"
"We know that you kissed the boots of a coward who fought babies and women. Guess we shouldn't be surprised that you hide behind your Dusknoir and attack children rather than acting like a man!"
"You think I'm a coward? We'll see what you say when I rip that Gem from your belly."
The Nocturne agent turned to his Dusknoir with a snarl.
"Kill all but the freak. They're mine!"
"Oh, I'm so scared." Harin deadpanned.
"Uh, mate, could we try not antagonizing the masked man leading the soul-eating Ghosts?" Ron suggested nervously.
"You want courage?" Harin pressed, releasing Ludwig and Firebolt. "Do you recognize them? They're the children of my parents' Pokemon. The same ones that felled your master."
A signal, and Pongo howled as three Rock Tombs dropped around the group, cutting them off from the Dusknoir.
And Harin.
Ignoring the sudden influx of panic from within, the Fusion focused all their attention on the traitor.
"You say we don't know anything? Well, we do know one thing."
"And what's that?" The Nocturne agent demanded.
"We know where we're standing."
In that moment, he realized what they had done.
The entire square was filled with dry leaves, stuck in the skin of Dusknoir and on his cloak and nearly an inch deep over the cobblestones, and Psychic shields slammed down on the perimeter, creating a giant, open-topped box.
"Ludwig. Firebolt. Flamethrower."
The pair of Fire-types released streams of flame immediately, beginning a chain reaction of destruction that had Harin pulling up a bubble to watch safely as the greenery caught like kindling and leapt for sustenance.
Wails rose as the Dusknoir tried to flee, their efforts stirring up the leaves and merely setting more fires, the wind making it impossible to move without the Ghosts being burned.
The smartest decided to take the provided exit, trailing embers, and the Nocturne agent screamed in fury.
For a moment, Harin was sure he would try to tear through the bubble to get them, but instead, the man reached up to touch his mask, revealing it to be a Yamask that teleported him away.
The sky released a torrent then, rain suddenly falling, and Harin released the bubble as Pongo and Mulan finally allowed Rock Tomb to fall away so the defenders of Le Fay's Landing could look upon the square.
Curls heavy with water, shoulders straight and Gem shining…
In that moment, even their detractors saw would they would become.
Here was someone who could stand against the darkness.
Here, was a Knight of Avalon.
Aurors flooded the plaza in moments, and one focused in on Harin and the pair of Fire-types beside them like a Mightyena on a bone.
John Dawlish was a frumpy, miserable, aggressive sight when compared to the Jennys, with a crease-lined face, wrinkled suit, stained tie, and the single-minded focus of a charging Tauros.
"You. We have some questions for you, pyro."
Light filled the smoky, drenched plaza, and Dawlish pulled up short in dawning horror as a very-upset Nasrin Quartz Universe squared up to face him.
"I have questions for you, too." The tiny rosette snarled, scaring the bull of a man into a hasty retreat as Lion moved to flank the Third Years, the rest of their brood following to show support. "Like where you and all these Aurors were when Le Fay's Landing was swarmed with bloody Dusknoir for nearly thirty minutes!"
"I agree." Lucius added coldly. "We were under attack for a half an hour, and only when the danger is gone do we see hide or tail of the 'great' Auror Corps. Considering that the Prime Minister himself was one of the targets, as well as the head of the Gym Leader Council and the Heir of Rose Quartz, I'm left to wonder if it were merely incompetence or something a touch more sinister that led you to fail at your duties."
Kingsley Shacklebot's arrival cut off his fellow's response, glare firmly on Lucius.
"Funny, I've thought the same thing whenever I thought about how you should be locked up in Sevii."
"Enough, please!" Fudge pleaded. "Today has been stressful enough without us all at each other's throats. We cannot be divided, not after today."
"I agree." Amelia Bones voiced as she stepped up. "I would very much like to know what the hell is going on, Dawlish."
"I arrived on the scene to find these two standing in the middle of the remnants of the fire that engulfed the town." Dawlish recited, head held proudly. "When I attempted to question them-"
"Which you shouldn't do without their guardians present." Madame Bones reminded.
"Yes, of course. As I was saying, I attempted to question these two youngsters only for my investigation to be impeded upon-"
"What investigation?" Nasrin cut in fiercely, only Harry's grip keeping her from throttling the Auror. "Do you not see the hundreds of Dusknoir lying around? Or did you miss them, being blinded by your overinflated ego?"
Dawlish scrambled back when the half-Gem leaned in, Pongo's low growl sending shivers up everyone's spines.
"We spent the last thirty minutes trying to save Le Fay's Landing from a swarm of Dusknoir, with no backup and no warning. This was our only chance to stop them. If the Aurors had bothered to show up at any point, perhaps this wouldn't have been necessary."
Madame Bones barely suppressed a flinch as those dark eyes swept over the Aurors.
"So maybe, instead of making baseless accusations, you'd like to actually investigate."
A beat of silence.
"Dawlish, go work crowd control." Madame Bones decided.
The Auror pouted, but eventually sulked away, and the Elite Four member took control.
"Now then, I'd like to start from the beginning…"