Beta's: 5/8/2015
Me, myself, and I. Pretty sure we still managed to get it wrong…
Chapter 16, Ripples Make Waves
A small island on the Blue Ridge Lake in northern Georgia was the current destination of the pontoon boat speeding across the surface. Roland Basil piloted the boat while his brother sat looking about drinking from his beer. Both loved the wind and water, not to mention the scenery of the area in the fading summer but even these simple pleasures were not enough to intrude on their brooding thoughts. The lush green island came into view as they slowly rounded the curve when Roland started talking for the first time in over half an hour of traveling the waterways.
"She's going to divorce you, you know. I like Cis but if you come with me she's going to divorce you. She was really pissed you resigned your commission with the Army as it is."
Ben sighed. "I know. I love Cicely Roland, but family comes first. I've done my time. Don't get me wrong I love military life but we got things to do and it's the only way I can be there to do it. My CO was talking about Okinawa for my next post. If it was Britain yeah I might have worked something out but…"
Both were silent while Roland lowered the speed of the boat so he could dock and tie the boat off. While working on the tie off he turned to his brother trying one more time to change his mind. "I got this bro. I could use the compn'y yeah, but you don't need to. It's my fight."
Unfazed by his statement Ben countered. "Family bro, Nuff said."
Finally nodding his acceptance Roland nodded back. "Nuff said. Come on, I got get our packs and then break the news to Missy. You might not be the only one getting divorced soon."
Both brothers started the long walk down the winding walkway passing the multitude of plants, most magical in nature, to the great log cabin house that rested on the center of the island in silence. Just before they would have walked up and entered the house Roland turned to the right taking the path that led to a four story tower that stood sentry over the grounds. A quick twist of the key let them into a room that until that moment no one but Roland had entered.
Ben remained thoughtful while Roland made for the massive safe that took up the back side of the wall. The safe itself had more than a few enchantments laid upon it. One of which was an elegant expansion charm. Handy, if like Roland, you needed to stash quite a lot of things too big for the usual safe and didn't want five or six of the things scattered about. Things like the M16A4 he pulled from its protective confines once he opened it. He handed the heavy weapon to his brother while taking out a second one for himself. Ben only grunted. With all the trading his brother did it really didn't surprise him he had access to military grade hardware.
Both brothers sighted down the scopes making individual adjustments to suit themselves. Ben spoke first. "The under barrel launcher for show or does it actually work?"
Roland smiled grimly. "They work." He tossed his brother a cartridge that had a single strip of yellow tape around it. "Standard 5.56 rounds." Ben loaded the rifle while watching Roland take out a duffle bag and start loading it. Pistols, grenades for the M203s, holsters and various other odds and ends joined the clips for the rifles.
"Whats with the different colored tape on the clips bro?"
"Yellow means standard 5.56 rounds. Blue are blanks. I use those the most for my 9mm. Scares the shit out of thieves when I'm campin and they are looking for an easy score. I've never used the others but I know what they do."
"Sounds ominous. Enlighten me."
Roland sighed only pausing to zip the bag closed before he took out two backpacks and began checking them. "Remember that scare we had about five years ago with the giants?" After Ben nodded he continued. "I used to know this guy in Oklahoma. He's a Mundane survivalist but his son's got the gift. Anyhow I was down there trading for Chimera hides with a few traders when he wandered into the camp we were using. Had a pack of Lycan's looking to have him for dinner chasing after him. The traders bailed but I managed to drive them off. Half dead I did what I could for him and took him back to his bunker. He wanted to know what he could do to pay me back. I told him the only thing I really needed was help with a rogue band of Giants. Kinda joking with him you know? He had his son load up my truck with all kinds of things."
"His son explained to me the significance of the clips and color codes then told me what he did to the clips. Basically he was looking for a way to get even more rounds into each clip to cut down on reload time as well as saving space. What he ended up with was even better. He created a runescape that would duplicate a single round. The conjured round would then be loaded into the weapon and fired. However, after ten seconds the round vanishes leaving no trace of bullet or casing. Any wounds however are very real regardless. The runescape is powered by sophisticated draw runes and other such things. However high usage, say from a prolonged fire fight or if you are going full auto for longer than a few moments the clip runs dry and has to recharge. He gave me several of each kind mind you."
"He started to experiment after he got it working and that is where the other colors come in. Orange is for fragmentation rounds. Each round explodes on impact. The explosion itself is not very large but when you think of the muzzle velocity of each round being just over three thousand feet per second with over seven hundred cyclic rounds per minute and each round fragging on contact sending shards of bullet flying all over the target area, well you get the idea."
Ben swallowed thickly while Roland continued his explanation. "Red is worse. He found some way to shrink down .50 rounds for various anti material rifles. In other words each round is fired small with the enchantment keeping it small negated as it leaves the barrel. These rounds have enough punch to put an armored vehicle on its ass and you can fire them insanely fast and more of them. One full burst and we are talking swiss cheese in a can brother. That's what I used on the giants and let me tell you something, it was nasty. Finally the black bound clips make the others look like BB rounds. The Black ones fire mortar shells. Highly explosive ones. Don't forget, the rounds also vanish after a couple of seconds leaving no evidence except for the destruction it caused."
"Sweet Jesus. That means…"
Roland nodded his head. "Yeah it gives each of us the firepower of a tank Brigade with the mobility of a Guerilla. It never ceases to surprises me how people can find new ways to kill each other when they put their minds to it."
"Fuck me brother. What the hell are you doing with things like this? Why didn't you get rid of it after you dealt with the Giants?"
Roland looked at his brother like he was crazy. "How? Can you imagine what would happen if these things fell into the wrong hands? The damage it could cause? The guys I got them from ended up all getting killed off a few months later when both governments, magical and mundane, sent in a massive force because they found out about them. These are the only ones in existence anymore. How in the hell could I get rid of them without joining them or worse, letting them fall into the wrong hands? I don't know how to destroy them and I couldn't just dump um. So that left just one thing I could do. I locked them up in my safe and forgot about them."
"Until now."
Roland looked toward his house that had his wife and kids. "I swore to Melissa I would never let anything happen to our children Do you remember what she was like when she lost Brennen?" after a sorrowful nod from his brother he continued. "We had this huge fight when they got their letters for Hogwarts. Melissa wanted to keep them here to attend Savannah's School for the Gifted. I pushed for Hogwarts because of the Legacy they have. They're the first in several generations to have the gift. All those with the gift on her side have gone to Hogwarts. Even if the British send their kids there the MacGregor's have always sent them there because it's in Scotland. Morgan especially was excited by the idea. She's always loved McGonagall when she came by during the summers. I mean, it's Hogwarts, how could it be unsafe, I asked her. She made me swear that if anything happened I would protect them. She was so frantic until I swore to her that if anything happened over there I would take care of it. She was frantic with worry people would figure out their apart of Clan MacGregor. There's still a lot of hate for the clan among the British. I told her their Basils and no one would figure it out if the kids kept their mouths closed. Still she wouldn't settle down until I promised. I don't know what the hell is going on over there but I intend to find out and shoot it. If this Voldemort or his Death Eaters want to pick a fight with me or mine, I'm his Huckleberry."
Roland slapped the side of the rifle he was holding. "I got his Blood Supremacy right here. In a week we're gunna be in the Death Eater killing business, and Brother, I got a feeling Business is gunna be boomin."
XxXDaRXxX
The old man zipped up the duffel bag sealing the contents of his effects within. It was decided that they would take only traditional effects, and as many pieces of flint from the 'Hallows' as they could comfortably carry. There had always been powerful spirit medicine associated with the stones that guarded the sacred burial place of Heartland. Once more he checked the plane ticket in his pocket to confirm the time of his departure. It hadn't changed since the last time he check it two minutes ago and he was hours ahead of when he scheduled himself to leave. With nothing else to do he picked up the duffel and left his home walking out into the pure sunlight that bathed Heartland. Standing on his porch he took a long look wanting to cement every detail into his mind. He knew in his old bones, he would not be returning. It was the same feeling he had that morning a few months ago when he left on his yearly pilgrimage to walk the borders of their lands. He knew that was the journey he would finally find Raven and Owl for his Father.
Jim let out a sigh. He missed his father. Together they had spent many years preparing for the arrival of their ancestors children. There were many times it seemed to be just the two of them who still believed. Even his own children didn't believe in the old ways as he and his father did. It was the way of the world now. There were only a few holdouts left from the old ways. Even his Father's generation had many who chose to adapt to the changing times and not hold to the old values and beliefs. His own generation had more, and it would have been easier to count who did believe than who did not in his children's generation. By the time his Grandchildren were of age, the old ways would be gone and forgotten.
His thoughts moved to the night his Father had died. Jim didn't approve of his Father's methods to heal Raven and Owl but knew there must have been no other way. Suicide was very frowned on in their culture. Often, those who did so, were seen as selfish and unworthy people to enter the lands of their ancestors in the afterlife. Jim wasn't there but he, and only he, saw his Father's face when at dawn he walked in to check on them. There was a victorious smile etched on his ancient face that even the cold embrace of death could not remove. It was all Jim needed to see to know that his Father died successful in fulfilling their Ancestors wishes. It was the smile of victory even in death. None of their people steeped in the old ways could have hoped for more. Jim only hopped that whatever battle had been fought that night was enough for his ancestors to forgive him. The only thing he could do was to cover the incident up. He very carefully removed the spirit dagger making sure not to touch it with any part of his skin. The hide he used to protect himself was used to wrap it so that no one would accidentally make contact with it. A blood bond had been made between his Father and Raven that night, and only Raven could touch the spirit weapon now. Per his Father's wishes he packed all that he was told to and gave it to the trader Roland when he picked them up. He was an honorable man and would see Raven and Owl would get them when they recovered. The only thing anyone else knew of that night was that his father had died from the strain of healing Raven and Owl. All the specifics he would take with him to his own grave. There the knowledge would be buried for all time. He owed his father much and the least he could do would be to prevent any perceived dishonor upon his name among the living.
On his shoulder he felt the warm touch of his beloved. He didn't need to turn to her to know the look on her face as she looked at him. In all the times in his life he left home to walk the path of their ancestors never once had she ever been concerned he would not return. Both of them knew he was not returning from this quest. He was not as young as he used to be, and the Great War over the ocean was meant for those whose blood did not take so long to quicken. He was in good shape for a man of his sixty years, but the path of the warrior was one meant to be walked by younger people. His tired eyes finally noticed the troop of older men waiting for him by the Van. They were the last of their kind. They had no place in this new world of technology. There was no room in this new world for their beliefs. The old ways were held on to by only the few of them and soon, they too would pass into obscurity as the younger generation became the elders. It would be better this way. To die in a Great War helping Raven and Owl, to know when rejoined their ancestors they lived by the ways of old, until the last breath. To die as Warriors of the People! Not from old age in a world where none of their children understood or had any desire to understand the ways that had defined them all their lives.
Jim slowly turned to take one last look at his wife of over forty years. She was his other half. She, who had steadfastly loved him in times of trial and times of ease. Never wavering and always steady. She had given him one daughter, and two fine sons. None of them believed in the old ways, but they did very well for themselves in the world they chose. He couldn't ask for more. Slowly, reverently, he raised his hand to cup the side of her face allowing his thumb to slowly slide along her fine cheek bone. Though she had aged as he had these long years to him she always looked as she did the day they were joined. He didn't tell her he loved her. He didn't need to. She looked into his eyes and together they shared a moment of complete understanding of each others hearts. Words would have simply ruined the exchange. The only crack in herself control was the single tear that spilled from her eye. He too wished they had more time together. There would never be enough time for them to share their hearts, but he would have loved to have had more anyways.
"FATHER!" Jim turned away from his beloved to take in the furious countenance of his daughter.
He didn't not answer her in the language of the Americans, but in their own language. "Yes my daughter?"
"You can't do this, it's beyond stupid! What are you thinking?"
Jim raised an eyebrow at her tone but did not chastise her. It didn't surprise him she had found out about his plans. She had always been a very knowledgeable woman. This was, however, just another aspect of the different paths he and most of the others have chosen for their lives.
"You have chosen to walk the path you walk. I walk the path I have chosen."
"Do you have any idea how stupid it is to do what you plan? Dad you just can't go to a different country and walk around hunting people! You're going to get caught and put in prison! Don't get me started on how ridiculous it is for you to fly to England to play Indian hunter."
Jim walked over to his daughter ignoring her comments and embraced her. He felt a pang in his heart when she didn't return it. As he pulled back he looked into her confused and enraged face. "Goodbye Swift as a Doe. Take care of your Mother and Brothers."
Jim turned to walk to those who waited for him. All of them looked anywhere but at the family before them respecting their privacy. Jim knew they all would have had similar goodbyes from their own families.
"MOM! Do something!"
For the first time since she approached him this morning Jim heard his wife speak. "Strong as Mountain!"
Jim stopped and turned to look at her. "You have never been like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. You are Strong as Mountain! When your time comes, throw open your heart and sing your death song proudly, and die like a hero going home!"
Marlene looked shocked at what she said. "MOTHER!"
Jim nodded slightly to his wife before turning back to those who would be accompanying him on the journey ahead.
Marlene for her part was still looking horrified that her mother would condone the madness that was happening. "Why? Mom, he's going to get put in prison over there, or worse be killed!"
Her mother's eyes never left the form of her father as he climbed into the van with the others. "I know."
"What?"
"I have always known. I love you daughter but you laugh at the old ways. You do not feel them in your heart, understand them in your bones as your Father and I do. Your Father is a Warrior of the People! Since the day he was six and killed a bear with a poorly made spear he himself crafted. Since the day he heard the words of our Ancestors and took into his heart the duty they gave to him. You speak to your father as if he was feebleminded, mocking his beliefs. He knows he is going to war, and will not see its end. I have known this day was going to come since the day my life was tied to his. With the arrival of Raven and Owl, we knew our remaining time was ending. Regardless of how I feel about it, or what your father or I might want, this has always been the way of these things."
"Their names are Harry and Hermione! NOT Raven and Owl!"
Marlene's mother finally removed her eyes from the departing van to look at her only daughter. "And that is why you do not understand. You see the world through the eyes of the Americans. Your father sees the world through the ways of our people. You see your father going to play 'Indian Hunter'. I see the man I have loved for many years going to fight a war so it does not reach his home. You see a man who is going to his death for no reason but his feeble attempts to follow an archaic way of life that has no place in the 'Modern' world. I see a proud Warrior going to his death knowing he gave all so that the enemy would not be able to take away your right to your blindness."
"It's not even anywhere near our lands! It has nothing to do with us or Father! It's not even our war to fight!"
Her mother turned to look at the dust cloud that was the only indication of where the van, and the other half of her heart, had gone. "It is now."
XxXDaRXxX
Robert stood up from his table to stretch. He'd been here a long time trying to decipher the old Latin text Raze had tasked him to. It was slow going with all the chameleon like words and if he was honest with himself, he really wasn't that fluent in the old language. He was, however, better than anyone else in the area which was why the task fell to him. A task he liked only slightly more than playing GateKeeper to Raze's little world. Muscles loosened he walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup of the dark liquid hoping it would stimulate his flagging mind.
This particular text was froth with hidden meanings which made it even more difficult to translate properly. Robert was pretty sure it was meant to be since he was almost certain it was some kind of prophecy. If it was, it was the worst prophecy he had ever translated. Everything was so ambiguous and unclear. He hoped it would clear up when he finished translating it but it seemed as if every single word had double or triple meanings and with each word refined one behind it changed as well as two in front. Robert sighed as the hot liquid when to work on his nerves and his eyes once again settled on the old leather bound tome on the table half buried in note pages. He'd get it. He always did. He just wished he knew why Raze wanted this translated so badly.
He took another drink from the steaming white cup in his hand and slowly made his way back to the table intending to once again try and translate the fourth sentence of the first paragraph when something intruded on his thinking. It was quiet.
Robert looked around the room as if some clue would spring from his possessions and explain to him why he couldn't hear the subtle hum from the towers generators. The room had always been awash with a slight almost undetectable hum that drove him insane the first three weeks he lived here. In time he'd gotten used to it and could sleep through it but now there was no hum. There was always a hum. For as long as he lived in this room for the last three years there was that hum, but not now. Robert placed down his cup on the table not caring if it was on wood or his notes still looking around the room. The sudden pounding on his door rang like a gunshot through his nerves making him jump pulling wild magic about him and half set with a series of nasty and lethal magic's.
"Fuck man I almost blew a hole through damn wall when you started beating on the door. What's going on?" He asked once he opened the door revealing one of the training acolytes.
The trainee before him was half out of breath when he answered. "The, the generators stopped working!"
"Bullshit." They never stopped working. Raze designed the things himself to power the gateways and everything else in Arx Tutela.
"They did! There's people everywhere running around but no one knows anything! There's someone from the mayor's office wanting to talk to the GateKeeper but Joanne told me I had to run down here to tell you to meet her at the Nexus."
Cursing under his breath Robert marched out of the room half running to meet Joanne. "Is she the GateKeeper today?"
"Yes and she doesn't know anything more than any of the engineers at the power station. The only generator still running is number five which is supposed to run basic needs but all its power is going to the Nexus. No one can get any of the others to restart."
"Damn it. Go to the Mayor's aid and let him know we are doing what we can and hopefully we will get main power back online by the end of the day. Otherwise, I will personally give him a status report of what we know and projections on repair by six tonight."
The young man nodded before he headed out to do as he was assigned. Robert shook his head. He was the Elder of Raze's people being one of the first ones trained so they all looked to him for guidance but nothing like this had ever happened before. It took him over half an hour to navigate the keep to arrive at the room they termed, 'The Nexus.'
Robert walked through the open door which had two other acolytes posted on guard and into the room itself. The Room was really nothing more than an empty room with seven door frames sitting in a circle. The high peaked ceiling above normally was a storm of magic's but at this moment was strangely still showing only a slight wild mist floating about. He felt his eyes widen at the fact all the frames were empty of the usual inky violet vortex, save one.
"Fuck me…"
"No shit Robert. Every portal to Magndane is dead. What the hell is going on? Even the main portal is dead. Best as I can tell the only portal that still works is that one." Robert looked at the pretty young brunette dressed in the GateKeeper garb with her hood thrown back. She was pointing at the only working portal.
"How the fuck am I supposed to know Joanne? I was in my room doing translations and didn't even know the system was down."
"Has it ever failed before?"
"Never. Was there anyone in here today?"
Frustrated she shook her head. "You know as well as I do no one is allowed in here, ever. We don't even allow magic in any of the rooms that border this one."
"No need to get your panties in a knot Joanne, I was just checking."
"I'll have you know I don't wear…" Joanne started but stopped when the only working portal suddenly started throwing off light as if it had been touched by a livewire. Both of them shielded their eyes the best they could and watched the portal darkened before a loud crack was heard and a figure walked out.
It was a very imposing man that easily stood over six feet tall. The figure had long white hair that fell to his lower back. He was bare chest proudly showing a strong muscular frame. His tanned healthy looking skin showed only one flaw. A scar that ran from above his right eye, down his cheek, neck, chest ending somewhere below his beltline on his hip. If the man tilted his head just right it would have been a straight line. The eye which the scar ran through was milky looking in contrast to the piercing blue-green of the other one. The only adornment he wore aside from his trousers and boots was the great book that rested on his right hip in a case secured to him by his thick wide leather belt.
"Holy shit…" Joanne whispered.
As the glare from the magic's died down Robert stepped forward extending his hand to the man. "My lord Raze. It is good to see you again."
The man looked at him for a moment before he smiled. "Robert. Good. Joanne, good to see you as well." He greeted the pair of them before he started walking out. Both of them hurried to keep up with his strong strides. "Joanne, send someone to the Power Plant and let them know they can fire up generators two and eight for the town to use now. Make sure it's only for town use, if they haven't gotten them running yet, that is why. The lock down on the gateways will prevent any of them from working until they get those adjustments made. Afterward get everyone in Arx Tutela who was ever my apprentice here for a meeting in the Conference room. Also find out where my robe and staff were stored and bring them to me."
"Of course Raze. At once." She replied before she turned away from the two walking figures.
Once Joanne was gone Robert looked to Raze. "What's going on? You haven't left Magnadane since you created it…"
It took two turns and one long hallway before he was answered by the powerful figure walking next to him. "Two reasons."
"And they would be…what?"
"I had been in there long enough. There was only so much more I could have done, and none of it I haven't done already a thousand times."
"And the other?"
Raze brought up his hand and traced the old scar on his face. "Harry Potter told me Gibbon got thrown into Azkaban but most likely won't stay there long. It's long past time he and I settled an old account. Besides, can't let those two kids have all the fun. Come Robert! There are great magic's to work, life threatening situations to escape from, and people in serious need of killing! What more could you ask for from life?"
"Er, a twenty year old rich red-headed nymphomaniac who owns a liquor store?" Robert answered.
Raze threw back his head and laughed heartily. "And what better way for the fair maiden to noticed your fugly ass than to hear of your conquests and glory being sung and immortalized by bards everywhere!"
XxXDaRXxX
Dumbledore heard the chime from the gargoyle sentry at the foot of the stairs to the Headmasters suite. He had spent the last five hours bogged down in paperwork that Minerva had said she was too busy to do for him involving the administration of the school. He would welcome anyone coming into his office at this point to tear him away from the endless reports, assessments, logs, and supply lists that required his signature for approval. He recognized the voices of Alastor and his Deputy Headmistress long before the door was opened by the old Auror himself.
"…fine. I told ye before it's nothing life threatening. I got those patched up before I caught the international Portkey back."
Dumbledore felt his Grandfatherly mask fracture when he took in the appearance of his old friend. "Good Lord Alastor, you look dreadful. Did you encounter trouble before you arrived at Hogwarts?"
The grizzled man shook his head. "No, I got these a couple of days ago when I corned Potter and Granger in South America."
The hobbling Auror took seat before him while Minerva waved her wand a few times over him obviously checking to see if he was in fact going to be alight. Dumbledore slumped in his chair. "I take it then you were unable to secure them and bring them back."
Mad-Eye chuckled. "Not a chance. Those two are good, and as a team, Damn good. I've passed trainees into the Auror ranks that were nowhere as good as those two. You sure Potters really James's Son? I'm not saying I ever had a shot with Lily, but I swear that boy is mine, the way he fights."
"In your wildest dreams Alastor. You're old enough to have been Lily's father, and I don't remember her ever having any inclination to suicidal paranoid Aurors. If I remember correctly she liked her men slightly younger, and far less insane." Quipped the Head of Gryffindor house.
Alastor twisted smile flashed at her. "You would have been proud of your cubs. I was."
Her wand waving stilled for a moment while she looked at the haggard man sitting before her. "They are well then?"
He nodded. "Very. Fitter than I have ever seen them before. And they fight like Lions with bites just as nasty." Mad-Eye addressed Dumbledore. "I was lucky. They had me dead to rights and I can tell you of at least four moments I thought they had me for sure with only luck keeping my skin on my bones. I'm getting too old for this Albus."
"What happened Alastor?"
"I messaged you they bamboozled me into hunting ghosts in Peru and Mexico. The information I got said they were heading out to the Galapagos to do some sightseeing. When I caught up with them they were doing just that. They declined my advice that they should return for their safety. Then we had a proper battle the likes of which I can only count on one hand that I have ever had the equal of. They beat me Albus, cold as shite. They've learned a thing or two this summer and I have no doubts they were holding back their full potential. They wanted to defeat me, not kill me. I am under no delusions that if they wanted me dead, they could have done it at any time."
Dumbledore placed his face in his hands. It was going too far. Harry was growing far too powerful to be controlled and all his plans were falling into ruin. If Alastor couldn't capture Harry or convince him to return, it was likely there was just no chance of them being able to salvage anything from this situation. "I see." Without any of the old Potter things from the Vault to use as a new focus to track Harry, Mad-Eye had been his last hope. The aging Headmaster raised his head up knowing that this battle was all but lost but had to ask anyways. "I don't suppose you know where they have gone to ground now?"
"As a matter of fact I do." Mad-Eye replied as his good eye slowly lowered from relief at the numbing charm Minerva had just applied to his ribs. He wasn't going to complain about it but they'd been aching spectacularly ever since the fight. After he took a moment to enjoy the lack of stabbing pain in his side he resumed speaking ignoring Dumbledore's hopeful expression. "Potter said he would be willing to return to Hogwarts this year, but he had conditions."
The Headmaster frowned at that statement. I was not in him to accept any terms delivered by a child, no matter who that child might have been. "I see. And they are?"
"He wants you to swear an Unbreakable Vow that you will never use magic, potions, or influence the Grangers in any fashion ever again. He wants Granger reinstated into Hogwarts with no prejudice nor marks on her record. And lastly he wants your vow that you will not do anything, be it through mundane or magical means, to separate him and Granger ever again. He gave me instructions to have you swear these things now while I am here and I am to go to a contact point to let him know it's done. He said he and Granger will be on the Train on September 1st if you do, otherwise, they're going to see how much longer they can out run both you and Voldemort. Granger thinks they can add at least a year to their time if they really put their minds to it."
"Where are you to meet Harry Alastor? Is there enough time to for us to set restraints to prevent him from running when we arrive?"
Mad-Eye chuckled darkly. "He said that would be your first reaction. And to answer your question, no. He won't even be there. I am to go where he told me and put up a piece of paper on a billboard saying 'Principle Accepted Clayman's Terms.' I've had a look at the place. With the right spell, he could be a mile away with a clean line of sight and not come anywhere near the place. If he doesn't just put up a spell to let him know the paper is there. Hell, there's lots of ways to get around being there but knowing if you accepted the deal."
Dumbledore sighed. "Clever of him. Very well Alastor, go ahead and post the notice and we shall talk to Harry when he arrives at start of term."
Still smiling his twisted smile Mad-Eye kept both eyes on Dumbledore. "He'd said you would say that too. He told me to tell you if I post the paper and you don't make the vow, he will know and will not show on September 1st."
"If Harry is not going to be here to see the Vow made how will he know any different Alastor?"
"Probably because Granger put a modified tracking charm on me before I apparated away that lets them hear everything we are saying right now."
Dumbledore blinked. "Pardon?"
Mad-Eye reared back his head and howled. "They got you too!" He spent several moments laughing before he could bring himself to calm down enough to answer Dumbledore's stunned question. "I don't feel so bad about losing to them now. Granger, the bird whose parents you turned against Potter? Smart one she is. She placed a modified tracking charm on me that lets them hear everything that is said around me and to know where I am at all times. Potter told me I wasn't allowed to remove it until after you took the vow. To do so would be the same as if you didn't take the vow. They would go back to ground and this time Potter said they would stay gone. He's only willing to come back for Granger's Parents, and only then with the guarantee that you will not muddle with them again. Both of them said if they can't have that, they will stay gone, gaining nothing, but losing nothing either."
Minerva smiled the entire time Alastor was talking, incredibly proud of her cubs. "It is not a difficult thing to do Albus. I would be more than willing to be your binder in this matter."
Defeated, and knowing he was soundly defeated in this matter Dumbledore slumped into his chair again. In his own way he too was proud of the both of them. Incredibly saddened by what this would mean in the future for both of them but proud of their abilities. In truth, if he could regain their trust the tasks ahead would be easier for them to accomplish together, if only more horrible for both of them when the end came. He had hoped to spare them the tragedy they faced but it was now very apparent it was not meant to be. The likelihood of Granger surviving the war was low before her status as Harry's significant other. They were nonexistent with it. He let out a long sigh. Harry was always going to have to die, but now it seemed Dumbledore would have both of the young people's deaths on his conscious.
"Very well Harry." Dumbledore spoke to the air before him. "I accept your Terms. Minerva if you would be so kind as to bind the vow for Alastor and myself?"
Author's Notes
Okay, Chapter Sixteen revision is done. For those of you interested in the story instead of my drivel, by all means leave a review telling me what you think of this chapter, and then hit that 'Next' button. Enjoy the read. As always thank you to all reviews and readers. You are noticed and appreciated.
Fic Recommendation: Wizards Fall by Bobmin356