Chapter Four

Emblem

Thick, dark grey clouds blanketed a small suburban area on the outskirts of Birmingham. Their ominous approach had promised more rain, which one of its victims found soothing; its sporadic patter on the pavements, windows and leaves were almost melodic to him. The combination of the weather and dawning sun cast a blue hue upon the scene gave it a winter-esque atmosphere. Perched high in a tree, he stalked a house across the road. There was nothing visibly significant about it; to its left was a house coloured in burgundy paint and a newly refurbished house to the right. All were terraced, although a small gap separated it and its absolute upgrade – a massive conifer tree marking the border.

His trance snapped by a sudden break in the air; then another, until two more made him anxious. He gritted his teeth, awaiting the arrival of whoever caused the Apparation cracks. From the gullies in between the houses, four wizards emerged and regroup with each other. They spoke between themselves, their spectator watching them intently. He recognised the tallest one immediately, the unmistakable Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Two of his party seemed familiar but he had no idea who the man with the dancing eye was.

After mulling for several minutes, they approached the very same house he had been watching over. Panic swept over him and without hesitation, lunged out of the tree, nothing but the rustling of the trees giving his action away. The scarred, battle-worn wizard saw him first. His wand was drawn instantly but the pouncer had already landed in the middle of them. In an instant, all five of them were gone in a flash of green light.

In the same flash of colour, they landed in a hall made of metal, filled with a plethora of vehicles and gadgets. It was more or less the same size as the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Its ceiling, a breathtaking view of thousands of stars, captivated all four of the newcomers. Their attacker stormed away from them before turning violently to face them. "What were you doing!?" he exclaimed, his angry voice muffled by the mask that covered his face, his eyes glowing brightly. "You could've ruined everything!"

Dumbledore grimaced. "Pardon me?" He looked puzzled as did his party.

"They're not supposed to know I'm here," said the figure, his green and brown cloak fading into maroon.

The headmaster eyed the turquoise emblem around the man's neck then stared at the stranger's turquoise green eyes. "According to that symbol around your neck, you're a Knox," Professor Dumbledore deduced stoically; as usual, his unsurpassable knowledge caught his companions' attention.

"He said I couldn't get anything past you," he sighed, removing his disguise. His long brown hair fell just short of his shoulders; it was shaggy but stylish although the revelation knocked his fringe askew, which he corrected immediately. Short facial hair followed the shape of his jaw but wasn't prominent enough to be a beard. "Come with me, Mr Dumbledore," the familiarity shocked everyone. "I have something that you need to see."

"Albus, no!" Moody implored.

"Alastor," said Dumbledore humbly, "this young man could have killed all four of us in an instant. The Knox are a very powerful family and if this person is indeed a Knox, I trust him."

If Dumbledore's statement was meant to sober Moody, it didn't work; if anything, it unsettled him further but he maintained silence. Knox wordlessly took point and the headmaster followed until they walked side by side. "I don't like this at all," growled Moody.

"Is he sure it's the right person? His hair were red in Harry's memory, a very dark shade of red," Tonks mused, fiddling with her own metamorphic hair.

"I'm positive," Lupin affirmed. "His clothes were almost exactly the same apart from his cloak; the eyes, the emblem ... they all fit. But if this family are as powerful as the headmaster says, and they're indeed our allies ... why didn't he recruit them earlier?"

Professor Dumbledore walked tentatively alongside the young man, who led him down several corridors until they reached what looked like the bridge of whatever containment they were in. "Where are we, Mr Knox?" asked Dumbledore, stopping to allow the boy gain a several step gap.

He turned around, crossing his arms. "We're in the Aphex, our intergalactic transport."

"I see," the headmaster responded, nonchalant. "I can safely assume you are Nethen Knox's son, Tegon?"

"Yes, but I am Tegon's younger brother, Lenor," he answered. Dumbledore's face showed sudden wonderment, looking as though he was about to interrupt Lenor, who continued regardless, "I have a letter that will give you a better idea." Knox proceeded to the front of the bridge, particularly the left chair from which a black leather satchel hung from. From it he procured a rather creased envelope, which he handed to Dumbledore.

After taking the parchment, the headmaster commented immediately. "This ... cannot be true," he gasped, looking astonished at Lenor. "I recognise this handwriting anywhere."

"I assure you that it is very true, Professor," said Lenor.

The professor read the remainder of the letter, soon turning to stroking his long wispy beard. When he finished, he turned his bright blue eyes to the young man in front of him. "Please," he paused, "you must tell me everything."

Knox nodded. "Let us take a seat."

Author's Note: Oooft, I am a tease, aren't I? Wanted to keep this one short and maintain Lenor's mystery; reviews and criticisms are very welcome.

Update: Any Stargate SG-1 references were purely coincidental. Although I was fully aware there was a starship called the Daedelus; my choice was more based on Daedelus, a Californian electronica musician who is a favourite of mine. "Nox" is Latin for night; it is indeed the spell to reverse the "lumos" spell in the Harry Potter universe; I had no idea it had any association with aforementioned television programme.

To avoid any future confusion, I will change both names; and thank the reviewers who gave me the heads up.