Title: The Innocence Of Guilt
Author: ENSIGN
Chapter 05 – I'm Flying Jack… Er… James
Location Unknown – Aerial Combat Training Center: Rally Point
"So why are we being tied down again?" The man asked nervously.
Said man flinched when Mary yanked on her end of rope, tightening the knot, further securing her flying partner to the already hovering Firebolt.
"Just precaution in the event that you do black out, it wouldn't look good on our reports if our passengers fell off during mid flight." Mary replied out of sympathy. Her flying partner really was too tense.
The guy who Harry had chosen and had yet to know his name merely snorted but winced when Harry himself tightened the ropes a bit tighter than his liking.
The other three squads of three Operatives each laughed at the man's reaction. Since they needn't have partners who needed strapping down and was each flying their own brooms, they had taken to watching Harry and his partner tie their flying companions down securely.
"The drill will last for the duration of an hour. This does not include the initial ten minutes that you all will get before this exercise begins." Serpent Twenty Three called out when everyone was ready for take off.
"Ready… 3… 2… 1… Begin!" The man shouted and immediately all eleven brooms shot off into the air.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Was the resounding scream from Mary's passenger as her Firebolt torn towards the heavens at breakneck speeds.
Serpent Twenty Three barely turned his head towards the man beside him. "So how many you suppose will need to be hospitalized for the night?"
"Knowing the rumors of how good Pathertrory is at anything he does, I am guessing an even six." Phoenix Twelve replied not taking his eyes off from the retreating back of the flyers.
The tactical expert gave a dry chuckle. "Would you care to bet on that my friend? I'm guessing an even number of ten."
"You mean to include Mr. Pathertrory's partner among the injured?"
"No. I mean to include the idiot who got saddled as his passenger."
"Very well, you're on, say a bottle of Odgen's?"
"Deal."
With that the two men conjured chairs and awaited their monitoring globes to flash red in the case should a flyer be downed.
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level Nine: Department Of Mysteries – Head Unspeakable Office
A knock on the door indicated the presence of someone demanding his presence. Seeing as he didn't have any appointments scheduled anytime soon and that Potter was off entertaining himself by making the noobs piss their pants, Nicholas was puzzled.
The Head Unspeakable himself had made specific orders that he was not to be disturbed as he had a fair few of forms to fill out.
'Whoever it is, they had better have something important to tell me.' The man thought as he drew his wand and deactivated the charms and wards securing his office.
Not bothering to look up he growled out. "This had better be important."
"Hello Nicky." A seductive female voice greeted.
The famed Alchemist snapped his head up at such a speed that he was surprised that he hadn't given himself a case of whiplash.
'Oh bugger.' He thought as he took in the way the standard Unspeakable robe clung to the lady's figure. 'There was no way he was going to finish his paper work today if she was here.'
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Aerial Combat Training Center: North Forest
As earlier planned. Harry had immediately shot off towards the North end of the training course. Mary with her already pale partner was keeping up fairly well.
One of the teams had decided to trail them and wait for the time limit for immunity to expire before moving in.
It was an opportunity that Harry was not going to allow them.
Waving his arm, he pointed to the forest that they were soon approaching.
Mary, understanding his hand signals briefly nodded and accelerated ahead of him.
Harry merely smiled in anticipation of what was to come. Of course his musings had to be interrupted by the wanker who was flying behind him.
"So you got a plan? Or are you just gonna play this by ear."
"You know that when they say observer, they mean you observe, not comment?" Harry snapped at the man.
"You know I've heard rumors about you." The man pushed on ignoring him.
"And so have I. So what?" Harry said rolling his eyes.
"I've heard you're a pretty good dueler, however there has never been anything special about your flying skills." The man drawled.
"Really? Who came up with that last one."
"I just did." The man smirked.
"Really? I guess I'll just have to show you by myself then, won't I?" Seeing as he could see Harry's face, the man never saw the look of maliciousness spreading.
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Aerial Combat Training Center: North Forest
Griffin 13, codename Burton was currently on the trail of the infamous Pathertrory James. Finally his day had come.
When he and his team had heard that the infamous Pathertrory James would be joining their flying session today, he was ecstatic. The man may have been a demon in the dueling platform but he had clocked a complete zero hours in the air.
His team was the best when it came to aerial combat and they would finally be able to say they had beaten the man at something.
Burton was just about to signal his teammates to move up when ahead he saw Pathertrory point off towards the ground. His teammate Mary Sue immediately took a sharp dive into the forest below.
Signaling for one of his men to trail her he called the other closer to him.
"What is it Sir?" His wingman called over the sound of the wind.
"I've sent Charlie after the girl. We'll take on Pathertrory himself. Without him the girl should be easy pickings."
"What about the other teams Sir?"
"We'll let them fight it out. They'll reduce their numbers for us. Pathertrory's the real prize here. They other teams will be easy pickings for us."
"Roger."
Burton accelerated his broom onwards towards his target. He was momentarily surprised that his Nimbus 2002 would be able to catch up to a top of the line Firebolt. Then again it only went to show that Pathertrory did not know just how to pull out the true power of a broom. After all the man was what? Sixty years old? Someone of his rank had to be ancient.
A loud crack went off signaling the end of their ten minutes of peace.
Immediately drawing his wand Burton traced it to the ever closing figure of James Pathertrory.
Suddenly before he could cast out a spell the man had taken a near vertical dive towards the trees below. The sound of his companion's scream could be heard echoing off the mountains.
"After him!" He yelled out spurring his broom onwards.
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Aerial Combat Training Center: Rally Point
"So how goes the skirmish so far?" Phoenix Twelve questioned his companion who was paying attention to the viewing globes.
He himself was gazing through a pair on enchanted Muggle binoculars.
The other man grunted. "How'd you think it would be going? The signal just went off a minute ago. So far did you expect anything to happen?"
"Sure. Both teams five and nine went East." Phoenix Twelve commented as he spied said team performing aerial maneuvers whilst throwing jets of light at one another.
"Idiots." The other man snarled. "They should know by now that unless you want to make yourself a clear target should you head for flat terrain."
"So how goes your end?"
"Nothing yet. Team one's globes are all lit, so are Pathertrory's and that partner of…"
Serpent Twenty Three's sentence was cut off with a small ring coming from the assembled globes.
"It would seem, my dear friend, two members of team one are now out of the running."
"So it would seem. I do wonder what happened to them?"
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Aerial Combat Training Center: North Forest
Burton was definitely regretting following the man into the forest as of this moment. Just where had it all gone wrong?
He and his partner had gone after Pathertrory after he had pulled a seemingly insane nosedive. That was when the trouble began.
James Pathertrory was definitely not a beginner at flying and he definitely was not an average flyer either. The man was certifiably insane.
Burton considered himself an excellent flyer, and here he was having trouble simply keeping sights with the man as he weaved through the trees at breakneck speeds. However, despite all this, both he and his partner had kept up, just barely.
This was the way it was up until Pathertrory had turned his broom a perfect ninety degrees and lost them. Puzzled they had continued flying straight, when out of nowhere his partner shot by perpendicular to his flight path.
It was at this point that the memory would burn itself into his mind forever. His life practically flashed passed his eyes as he narrowly escape a mid air collision with his other partner that was trailing the girl.
Only years of flying had enabled him to pull off a barrel roll just in time to avoid becoming a human conker. The same however could not be said for his partners.
Both men had impacted with a sickening crack and shattering of wood that spoke volumes of the broken bones they had no doubt acquired. Protective suits or not, colliding with something at 150 miles an hour would no doubt leave a mark.
Burton's instincts immediately screamed at him to duck.
And duck he did, narrowly escaping a jet of red light to his head. Turning in the direction he found the infernal man calmly watching him. Mocking him.
"Argh!" He let loose with a string of curses, blowing splinters of wood about as he gave chase.
Burton's mind screamed for revenge as he blasted the man ahead of him with every destructive curse that he knew. Whole trunks were splintered with his very spells as he chased Pathertrory down.
He had finally gotten a good shot when it was at this point that the man had swiveled his broom a perfect one eighty and sped towards him spinning in an out of controlled barrel roll.
Wand blazing, Burton raced towards his opponent.
"Reducto!" The spell went wide.
"Stupefy!" The man's barrel roll dodged it.
"Occido!" It, too, was avoided.
The man was no more that five meters from him when he suddenly pulled up and shot towards the canopy.
Suddenly everything seemed in slow motion for himself. Burton could easily make out every single detail as he shot by Pathertrory on his broom. From the weave of the man's cloak to the limp unconscious body behind him, everything was strangely clear.
Mesmerized by this, Burton turned his eyes upwards following the man as he vanished into the shadowed darkness of the forest ceiling.
Turning back in front of him, his eyes widened.
A sickening crunch echoed throughout the forest as the last thing Burton saw before he blacked out was the strangely detailed grain flow of a tree's bark.
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Aerial Combat Training Center: North Forest
"That was somewhat disappointing." Harry commented to Mary who pulled up beside him.
"Disappointing? As in he actually flew into a tree disappointing, I can't fly as good as you disappointing or that he was unawares that I snuck up on him and cast an awareness charm on him disappointing?" Mary said with a raised eyebrow as she pulled up beside him.
"Disappointing as in he didn't fully take note of his surroundings. The man's team may have been the best when it came to aerial combat but they still have a lot to learn about maneuvering within a forest. Trees tend to blend together to confuse and hide your enemies even when you're not moving at high speeds. Let that be today's lesson." Harry said in a lecture tone.
Mary snorted. "And here I thought that my training with you was all over."
"Training, my dear Miss Sue, never ends." Harry stated imperiously. "Anyhow, on a lighter note, how goes your passenger?"
Mary made a show of looking behind her at the limp person she was ferrying. "Out cold. Probably from shock when I started weaving through those trees. How about yours?"
"A branch took him out." Harry deadpanned. "Idiot didn't duck when I said to."
"And that makes him an idiot?" Mary questioned as she moved closer to inspect the growing lump on the man's forehead.
"No the fact that he said 'where?' makes him an idiot." Harry said pulling a pocket watch out from his robes and inspecting it.
"You mean he actually said that?" The girl asked incredulously as she snapped off a branch before using it to prod the man.
"Like I said the man's an idiot. Anyhow it worked out alright in the end. I was going to shut him up sooner or later."
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level Two: Wizengamot Administration Services Subdivision: Minister Of Magic Office
"Minister Scrimgeour, I think I might have found something that would be of interest to you." His aide Percy Weasley commented.
"Yes?" The Ex-Auror said looking up from the Head Of Department report that he had been reading.
"I have here a warrant to conduct an inspection of a Ministry personnel's home from the Wizengamot." The man held up a piece of parchment.
"What inspection? Why have I not been notified of such a thing. The Aurors should know by now that every single Ministry endorsed raid goes through my office before approval can be given." Scrimgeour said in annoyance.
"That's why I brought it to you Sir. The Department that requested and obtained the warrant isn't under our jurisdiction Sir."
"WHAT!!!" The man yelled in outrage. The mere thought of a Department not under Ministry control was unacceptable. There was only one Department that could do this and it was time that he put his foot down.
Pulling out a fresh piece of parchment the Minister Of Magic began drafting out a new decree. "Weasley, please inform the head of the Department Of Mysteries that whatever future raid or deployment including this one are to go through me unless he wishes to face the consequences."
"Yes Sir."
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Aerial Combat Training Center: Rally Point
"Oh thank Merlin, thank god, thank Jesus!"
Mary just looked upon the man with a raised eyebrow.
Harry simply rolled his eyes at Mary's now unbound passenger that was kissing the ground in relief.
His on the other hand was thankfully still out cold.
All in all the old man definitely owed him one. Some R&R that flying joint turned out to be. It was completely disappointing and boring. He hadn't even gotten to pull off his more daring moves yet.
Ignoring the medic rushing about carting the injured Operatives, he tapped Mary on her shoulder and indicated that they should leave.
The battle in the East plains had been a cake walk. Both teams had completely exhausted both their physical and magical reserves trying to take each other out without the aid of cover. In the end all it took was Harry and Mary showing up and a few simple well aimed spells to knock the four remaining men to the ground.
Like the thought before. Pathetic.
Tapping his cloak Harry muttered, "Return." and was whisked back to the familiar desk outside the rotating chamber.
Both Unspeakables behind the desk immediately stood to attention, their hands on their wands. A slight twitch followed at the appearance of his partner.
"State you name, rank and purpose." The one to the right spoke up.
"Griffin, codename James Pathertrory. I work here."
"Griffin Zero Eight, codename Mary Sue. I work here."
"Identification." The men on the left pointed to a small tray with a needle and a piece of parchment.
Harry removed his identity card from within his robe. Making sure to keep the details covered he pressed it to the charmed parchment which glowed blue.
"Everything seems to be in order, you may proceed."
Like wise Mary did the same and was accepted.
"Just out of curiosity James, What is the needle for?" Mary asked as they waited for the rotating walls of the Chamber to stop spinning.
"You mean for a reason other than sewing?" Harry said innocently.
Mary huffed knowing full well that he knew why she had asked. "Yes other than sewing."
Harry smirked seeing the small amount of irritation that he had caused. "The needle is used to prick ones finger when they wish to place a drop of blood on the parchment. It's this Department's method for identification if the visitor is not an Unspeakable."
"Yeah but why blood, wouldn't a wand signature or magical signature be enough?" Mary pressed on.
"Think about it. Wand signatures are useless because I could nick your wand and Polyjuice myself. Magical signatures are useless as well as certain individuals have magical signatures that are almost completely similar." At this Harry thought about both his and Voldemort's magical and wand signatures.
"Ah…" The girls trailed off in understanding. "So blood is the only substance that cannot be fooled."
"Only if you aren't a twin." Harry noticed that the walls had finally stopped spinning. "Griffin, Unspeakable Offices."
A door popped open and he gestured Mary towards it. "Ladies first."
"But what if someone nicks your card and uses it to get into the Department." Mary's hand shot out blocking the doorway.
"Hmm… Good point." Harry scratched the back of his neck as he rolled the question around his mind. "I suppose the cards have some sort of protection on them, I guess." Harry waved pried her hand away and stepped through.
Mary just goggled at his ignorance and dismissal of such a security act. "Bet the bastard wants me to find out myself." She mumbled under her breath as she stared daggers at the back of his head.
Once inside he pointed towards the corridor leading to the Head's office. "You go on ahead first, I have to check a few things out at the Armory. The old man would no doubt want to get the unedited version from you first. Oh, before I forget here's a pass that will get you into his office without the wards bugging you."
Mary looked at the piece of red card like it was a bomb.
"Oh for god's sake woman, it's not like it really matters whether you bypass the wards or not, the old codger will let you in anyhow, he'll no doubt enjoy listening to how bored I was with this flying thingamajig." Harry pressed the card into her hand and headed for the Armory before she could change her mind.
Heading back into the Chamber, Harry waited for the room to stop spinning before calling out for the Armory. Once again it was the same man that was there when he had brought Mary here for her first time. Harry for a moment wondered if the man ever took a break and got someone to cover for him.
"Unicorn Seven." Harry greeted as he approached.
"Griffin. I take it you're here to pick up you little order you made a few weeks ago."
Harry's eyes widened in anticipation. "You mean they are complete."
"Yes, yes, yes. I still don't see why you're so obsessed over them, surely there are more interesting things in my division that I can interest you in?" The man commented. "Besides you already have two."
"I fancy myself a collector of sorts. Besides, being an Operative, one can never have too many wands." Harry stated.
Unicorn Seven just waved him off. "Whatever makes you happy. Anyhow the other Unicorns managed to get it done, it did cause a few complications but overall it was success." The man pulled a small mahogany box out from under the counter and passed it to Harry.
Slowly The-Boy-Turned-Unspeakable opened up the casing. There nestled between the fine velvet interior were two beautifully crafted wands.
"Eleven and a half inches, made from the wood of the holy Oak tree and soaked in Phoenix tears till saturated, contains the core of a single Phoenix tail feather." The man gestured to the deep brown wand. "All the protection runes have been carved into the wood itself.
"The other would be also eleven and a half inches, made from the wood of the tree of death, life and rebirth, the Yew and soaked in Basilisk venom till saturated, contains the core of a powdered Basilisk's eyestalk."
Harry traced his eye onto the other now blackened wand. Despite being originally white the Basilisk's venom had clearly affected it.
"That one too has the protective runes, however how you're gonna hold it is something that puzzles me. You do know that the venom is still potent and that anyone who holds that wand will develop a nasty case of death?"
"Of course." Harry reached out and removed both wands from their casings. Holding one in each hand, he felt a jolt of power surge through his arms. Giving both wands a flick they released a shower of blue sparks. "Excellent." Harry complimented replacing the wands and pocketing the case. "Tell your R&D people that I appreciate the final product."
As Harry made to leave he was stopped by the man calling out. "So how did you hold the second wand."
"Now that would be telling." Harry said mysteriously as he left.
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level Nine: Department Of Mysteries – Unspeakable Offices
Harry on the way to the Head's office met with a fidgeting Mary waiting outside the man's office.
Curious as to her behavior he decided to pierce her concealment charms to discover that her face had gone as red as a tomato.
"So what's got you so flustered?" He asked startling the girl who had been previously looking at her shoes.
"You, you… argh… Here take this, I'll rather wait till he lets me in next time." Mary growled at him.
"Woah!" Harry said lifting his hands in mock surrender. "Who went and killed your cat?"
Mary huffed and glared at him. "Remember how you always wanted to walk in on our Head of Department getting a lap dance?"
"Why you volunteering to give him one?" Harry teased.
"No, because I just walked in on him." She deadpanned.
Harry eyes practically bugged out as his thought processes screeched to a grinding halt. She couldn't possibly be serious. "Eh?" Was his intelligent reply.
"Using your stupid pass I was hesitant to enter the room so I slowly opened the door so as to not disturb him. Now thanks to you I am forever scarred." Mary continued.
Harry scoffed. "You're probably just misunderstanding things. The old man's a fossil. The idea of someone jumping his bones is just… urgh… bad mental image… Look I'll just go in there and everything will be just as normal."
Harry refusing to accept the card pulls open the door as per his usual method and step into the room.
Silence follow as Mary stood outside waiting as she counted.
"1 second."
"2 seconds."
"3 seco…"
"HOLY SWEET MOTHER OF GOD!!!"
'Booyah' Mary thought in mirth.
The sound of furniture cluttering could be heard coming through the still ajar door followed by someone scrambling to get out.
The door burst open as a frantic Harry Potter flew out of the room.
Slamming the door behind him he reached within his hood to no doubt clutch his eyes in pain.
"Sweet Merlin. That has got to be the most emotionally scaring thing I have ever seen." Harry moaned as he banged the back of his head softly against the door.
"Told you so." Mary said in a smart assed kind of way.
XXXXX
London – Number 12 Grimmauld Place
"Apart from Severus and Alastor's reports are there any other topics that anyone would like to bring up?" The Headmaster of Hogwarts questioned.
As usual the Order was meeting at Grimmauld Place to discuss the current war effort. As of late, even with the help of the Ministry now on their side as well as the Unspeakables, the tension within the Wizarding world was high. The Ministry could only station Aurors at prime target locations to deter an attack. They just didn't have the man power to patrol the entire country. The same went for the Unspeakables whose effectiveness only contributed to raids and information gathering. However as of late the number of raids had decreased, as Voldemort was becoming more and more cautions.
"What ever happen to that Pathertrory fellow?" The question was brought forth by one Nymphadora Tonks.
"Alastor over there would be in the best position to answer that question." Albus motioned to his old friend.
"Aye, Albus. Mr. Pathertrory has been rather quiet as of late. Me thinks he's either planning something big or he's currently stationed in some other distant country and the rumors he's caused have yet to reach our ears."
"Let's hope that's true then Alastor." Dumbledore looked around. Seeing as there were no more issues he rose from his chair. "As like I requested in previous meetings, anyone who gets in contact with James Pathertrory is to extend him a welcome to our Order."
"The meeting is hereby adjourned as I would like to sample a slice of the wonderful pie I smell in the kitchen."
Mrs. Weasley blushed at the compliment as she left to cut the man a piece of pie.
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level Nine: Department Of Mysteries – Head Unspeakable Office
"Come now Harry, it wasn't that bad was it?" The woman shamefully smiled at him as she pressed into his personally space.
He gave an internal sigh as she grabbed his arm and moved her face close to his ear. "Did you like what you saw?" She whispered through the fabric of his cloak.
Harry ignored the fact that his arm was now firmly pressed between her cleavage and sighed again. "I believe the term would be, psychologically traumatizing." He dryly replied as he arched an eyebrow in challenge, not that she could see it of course.
"Oh poo." She pouted cutely and relinquished his arm and skipped behind Nicholas who was calmly sitting on his chair enjoying the spectacle.
"No offense Madam but the very idea of that old coot getting any would be a serious offense to justice." Harry sniffed as he glared at his boss who was developing a smirk.
"Oh Harry be nice. He's not old, Nicky's just experienced." The drop dead gorgeous blond replied.
Harry took this time to admire the woman. Long blond curls, tall, long magnificent legs, a C cup definitely if that red oriental dress wasn't lying. It provided a magnificent view with that low cut as well as the side cut. Too bad he wasn't into women who could pass for his mother.
"Now, now Pear. Stop teasing the poor boy, I can see how red he is." Nicholas decided to finally speak.
"I am not blushing." Harry deadpanned. "The very idea of a naked Nick nicking some no good knocking has left me all pale."
"Hey! At least I'm getting some." Nick countered.
The blond simply rolled her eyes at the blossoming argument and decided to nick it in the bud.
Showing she was a true woman with mood swings she did a complete one eighty and glared at the old mage. "And you wouldn't be getting any if you continue this childish behavior."
"But…" Nick started to defend himself only to be cut off by her.
"Who's older?" She glared.
"He started…"
"Who's older?" She pressed.
With a sigh the Head of Department conceded. "I am."
"Good boy." The lady gave him a mocking pat on the head.
Harry took this opportunity to pull off his hood and stick his tongue out.
"And you young man, don't encourage him." She turned around to glare at Harry who had quickly returned to normal.
Harry rolled his eyes as he tuned her out. Mary was still waiting outside. The girl refused to enter till he had given her the signal that the room's occupants were completely clothed and decent. The poor girl had walked in when the blond was down to her underwear. Thank god Nicholas was still completely clothed else he or she would have been extremely traumatized.
"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME MR. POTTER?!?!" She growled in his face.
"Yes Mrs. Flamel." He smirked enjoying the twitching of her eyebrow at the title.
"It's Perenelle." She snapped.
"Now, now Pear dear. Give the boy some slack he did just come back from an assignment." Nicholas decided to calm his wife down.
"Really?" She seemed surprised. "What'd he do?" She seemed genuinely interested.
"It's classified." Harry smirked.
"Oh poo. Don't let that stop me dear. I'll find out some how." Perenelle grinned as she moved towards Harry once again grabbing onto his arm.
Once again Harry rolled his eyes as Flamel mouth "PMS" to him.
Harry discretely nodded as he fought against the teasing woman as he was dragged towards the couch.
XXXXX
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry – Room Of Requirement
"Wait, so you're saying that Harry's this James Pathertrory person the Order has been discussing so much about?" Ron asked in disbelief.
"Yes Ron it fits. The man practically appeared two months after Harry disappeared. Beside if Harry weren't working with anyone but the Unspeakables he would have been spotted by now, don't you think?"
"I don't know Hermione. Harry's pretty resourceful, he can definitely stay hidden if he wants to right? Besides he can always disappear into the Muggle world without problems." Ron tried reasoning with the bookworm.
Hermione sighed. "Ron, Harry is practically lost in the Muggle world, he doesn't know his way around. Remember when he was training? I took him out to a Muggle department store and the poor boy was lost. I found him in the Woman's Department looking at Female shirts. He like other Purebloods has no Muggle fashion sense at all."
"Hey!" Ron protested.
"Be quiet Ron, you know she's right." Ginny supplied out of nowhere.
"Hey! Where did you come from?" Ron asked surprised.
"She, Ron, was standing behind you for the last two minutes." Hermione pointed out proving just how unobservant Ron was. "Also as to him being spotted, if he had escaped to the Muggle world he would have been found by now. Remus has managed to lodge a lost child report with the police and they should have at least spotted him by now."
"Didn't the Dursleys have anything to say about that?" Ginny asked in surprise. The Dursleys would never have allowed a police report to even be filed and seeing as they were Harry's guardians they were the ones that were supposed to be contacted.
"Oh believe me. They were very convinced and helpful after Professor Lupin paid them a visit." Hermione smirked.
"So why's Harry, James Pathertrory again?" Ron asked having lost his train of thought.
"Because she/I said so!" Both Ginny and Hermione snapped.
"Alright, alright. I get it." Ron held up his hands in surrender.
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level Nine: Department Of Mysteries – Head Unspeakable Office
Harry was at the moment cursing the gods that had probably decided that he was to be the Universe's personal spittoon. He was currently pinned down on the couch with a smirking Perenelle mounting him. He glared at the man behind the desk who was openly smirking at his discomfort.
"Oh Harry." Perenelle moaned seductively as she turned his head to face hers. "Don't pay the old coot any mind. Don't you like me?"
Harry's only satisfaction was when Nicholas frowned at being called an old coot by his wife. 'Take that old man, even she calls you a fossil. Wait, wouldn't that make her a fossil as well?'
With that though he was suddenly able to resist her advances and begin to push her off. However it was at this moment faith decided to throw him a curve ball as Mary decided it was time to check up on why her superior was taking so long.
"Hey James have you…" The newbie trailed off as she stared bugged eyed at the blond she had seen giving the Head of Department a lap dance earlier now on top of who she definitely knew as James.
"It's not what you think!" Harry shouted out almost immediately.
"And what should I be thinking Mr. Pathertrory?" Mary said suddenly noticing the hint of discomfort in his magically altered voice.
"Help?" He said weakly.
"Stupefy." Her wand was out almost instantly as she fired a stunner at the lady who she decided looked very out of place in the hooded and cloaked Department.
Despite her age as Harry thought, Perenelle was definitely very agile as was proven when she performed a perfect back flip off the couch and onto the side table.
Nicholas winced at the sound of his priceless Ming vase as it shattered on the floor. 'I love magic.' Was his first thought as he began going through the types of repair spells he could use to fix the object.
Mary surprised at her target's method of evasion was nearly hit by a returned stunner as she swayed to the left.
Cover was not an option in the small office and Harry decided to stop the impending unscheduled duel that was about to take place. Not to mention the amount of files and documents that could be damaged during the duel.
Quickly smacking both his wands together he cast one of his favorite spells.
A bright flash of light and a bang filled the office as he proceeded to relieve both ladies of their wands. As the light died down he wasn't surprised to see Perenelle still had her wand and was arching an eyebrow at him atop the side table.
"James, please explain." Mary said as she pulled out her second wand.
"While both you ladies may wish to see who the better dueler is, I believe the old man over there would appreciate it if we didn't."
"You told me to stun her." Mary asked in annoyance.
"I asked for help."
"And I did."
Harry shrugged, she was right in a way.
"Oh by the way before I forget both my husband and I would like to invite you and your partner to our Manor tonight for dinner." Perenelle stepped down from the table with a sway in her hips.
Harry rolled his eyes when he noticed Nicholas was staring.
"I'll see you tonight James." With that she disappeared in mid step.
Silence passed as Mary wondered what was going on, Harry sighed at how abnormal his life was and Nicholas pondered which spell to use on his vase.
Finally it was broken by Harry clearing his throat.
"Oh yes, how was the flying assignment." Nicholas said finally coming out of his thoughts.
"Pathetic/Easy." Both Harry and Mary replied respectively.
"I suggest that the other Operative receive further training in aerial maneuvers as well as tactics. They may be pretty decent fliers but that's no good when your opponent outsmarts you." Harry pointed out.
"I'll recommend it to the Head of Division. Anything else?" Flamel asked as he summoned the prices of the vase to him.
"No."
"Who was that woman Sir?" Both men looked at the only remaining female in the room.
Harry suddenly remembered that Mary wasn't all that familiar with who their boss really was. He shrugged. If Perenelle was inviting them both then no doubt Flamel was going to reveal his identity.
"That Miss Sue was my wife."
"Wife?" Mary asked again.
"Yeah, no idea what she sees in a shriveled up thing like him anyway." Harry taunted and had to duck as a Shriveling Hex was fired at him.
Ignoring Harry for now Nicholas replaced his wand. "Yes, wife as in spouse as in better half. Now seeing as you have the rest of the day off, you can go prepare for dinner tonight."
"Very well/Yes Sir." Both said together.
"Well what are you waiting for? My dismissal? I've got a vase to fix." He waved them out of the room.
XXXXX
Ministry Of Magic – Level Nine: Department Of Mysteries – The Chamber
"James?"
"Hmm…" Harry replied as he waited for the room to stop spinning. He had lately found that if he closed his eyes he didn't get dizzy from the blurring blue flames.
"Just how old is out boss?"
"The old man?" Harry wondered how to answer the question. "Old enough to have lived through both World Wars."
"His wife…"
"She's older than she looks. Magic tends to allow people who are potentially powerful to now only live longer, but age slower as well. Most Magical folk who are seventy look only thirty when compared to their Muggle counterparts." Harry gave an excuse. He didn't think Perenelle would appreciate him saying she was old, let alone enough to be his ancestor.
"Oh." Mary accepted the explanation. "Does it mean us getting invited to dinner mean we can go shopping?"
Harry inwardly groaned as he remembered that his only presentable robes were those back in his fourth year and decided to humor the girl.
"Very well. We'll Portkey back to our temporary quarters, grab some Polyjuice Potion then head to Diagon Alley."
XXXXX
No. 4 Privet Drive – Dursley's Residence – Harry's Personal Safe House
"Why do I have to be the younger sister?" Mary pouted as she stared the photo and piece of hair of the girl she was turning into.
"Because I'm your superior and I say so, that's why." Harry said as he searched through his Unspeakable issued chest for the required potion.
"At least I don't have to perform a cross gender switch. Say this is not out of some perverted fantasy is it?" Mary eyed him suspiciously.
"It is better that I disguise myself as a female as most Unspeakable Operatives are male. Also people tend to underestimate and let their guard down around females. Something that I believe you should use to your advantage." Harry reasoned as he tossed an empty potion phial onto the bed.
"So this has nothing to do with seeing which form is better the female or the male?"
"I'll have you know that posing as a female has allowed me to infiltrate certain places that most criminals can't even see."
"Really so what's it like being a girl?"
"If you are that interested in what it feels like to be a male then by all means I have a couple of male hair samples for you to pick from." Harry offered.
"I'll pass." Was Mary's immediate reply.
Silence passed for a few moments.
"So is sex better as a guy as a girl?"
Harry nearly choked but refrained from doing so. "Frankly I do not know." He did not mention he had yet to even know if it was good at all. The-Boy-Who-Lived sighed. With the stress he was constantly under, he really needed to get laid, sixteen be damned.
"Funny, I thought that that would be one of the first things that most people would experiment with." Mary wondered.
"May I enquire as to why you are so interested if sex is better as a man or a woman?" Harry pulled out a phial and sniffed at it. Ra'em's blood, expired beyond a doubt. He tossed it onto the bed. He really needed to clean out his chest more often.
"Aren't you in the least curious? It's the age old question, is sex better for a woman or a man."
"Look Miss Sue if you are that curious I can always lend you an extra phial of Polyjuice and a male hair sample and an address to a very reputable pleasure house in Knockturn Alley."
"I don't think the idea of having sex with a woman is that appealing to… Wait, why do you know the address of a whore house in Knockturn Alley?"
"If you haven't noticed, I am an Unspeakable. It is my job to know where the best locations at which criminals and other undesirable persons gather and frequent." Harry found something that looked a lot like Polyjuice. Tilting the phials he examined the viscosity of the liquid. Nope, too runny, ointment for healing bruises. He wondered where he had lost it. That too went on the bed.
Looking at the growing pile of phials on the bed Mary couldn't help but wonder. "I didn't know you were this disorganized?
"As the items in your chest accumulate in number, due to time restrictions you forget to place a Sticking Charm on the items you, the jostling of movement in the life of an Unspeakable Operative causes most of your items to become rearranged. Thank god for strengthening and Unbreakable Charms." Harry tossed a couple of daggers onto the bed after examining that they were in good conditions.
Mary shrugged. "You could always put them into pouches which are stuck on. That way you can easily identify as well as put in and take out the phials."
"I believe that I shall take your advice into consideration and seek to obtain such an item."
"What's with the sudden detached way of speaking?"
"I am trying to remember where I placed the pouch containing my Polyjuice potions."
Mary suddenly had an idea and decided to try it out. "Accio Polyjuice Potion."
Harry looked up when nothing happened. "My items are charmed against the Summoning Charm. It wouldn't be beneficial should an enemy summon your weapon and use it against you."
"That reminds me, where did you get the runes on your wand from? I need the same thing as well. You've disarmed me twice already by simply summoning my wand."
"You'll be surprised how often that technique works. Better to do it when the opponent is in the midst of performing the wand movement for a spell. It's the point when they have least grip on their wand." Harry finally found a loose phial of the potion.
"But it surely isn't as easy as it looks right?"
"Of course not. The Wizard or Witch personal magic interferes when something so personal to them such as a wand is summoned. Therefore you need a decent amount of magic. Not to mention summoning something they don't want you to summon when it's on their person makes it even harder. Don't even think about summoning a person themselves. It's almost impossible. Doable but near impossible unless the target is willing."
"Hmm… Never thought about it that way." Mary said filing the information away into her brain.
"I have had a few experiences with Summoning Charms. You could say I'm a bit of an expert on them. Speaking of Charms, if you place the Runes on your wand you'll probably have to constantly overcharge all your spells as the runes themselves drain magic not to mention your wand might not be compatible to being overcharged so often."
"You sound like you've seen it happen."
"I overcharged a wand once. It blew up in my hand."
"Ouch."
"Yes, ouch." Harry finally found the object of his quest and pulled it out. "Bingo, five Polyjuice doses for each of us in one phial that should last us more than enough for the shopping trip and another five more for the dinner."
"We're going disguised to Dinner?" Mary seemed surprised.
Harry gave her the look but realized she couldn't see it. "I am not ready to reveal my identity to you despite you being my apprentice and partner. If it is any comfort only the Head of Department and his wife know who I really am.
"So who is the Dragon really? Wait… Did you say his wife?" Mary said incredulously.
"Yes. His wife, no idea now she found out, stupid old man probably bragged about it her when he was drunk. As for the Dragon's identity I think it something you'll have to find out for yourself." Harry smirked but realized it was lost on the girl.
"Now we have the Potions and the hair samples. We'll pose as sisters. I'll be the elder one and you the younger one. You're eighteen and I'm twenty. A cover story is not needed except that we need the dress robes, one female and one male to match yours as your escort. Everything else we can make up on the fly. If they somehow interview us individually which I doubt will ever occur just blast your way out and Memory Charm them."
"You're kidding about the last part right?"
"Just the blasting. Don't worry about dosage each time you tilt, the phial only lets out enough for a dose." Harry popped the phial open dissolved a hair sample in it and drank. "Damn." The potion still tasted as horrible as it did in his second year. You'd think after drinking it numerous times he'd get used to the taste. "Horrible."
"Likewise." Mary offered as she conjured up a glass of water for the both of them.
Harry accepted and downed it. "Just remember to take another dose every hour and do it discretely when in public."
Mary nodded as she greedily drank her sky juice.
XXXXX
Diagon Alley – Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions
When it said 'Robes For All Occasion' Harry never did realize it was in the literal sense. He had only been to Madam Malkin's a couple of times and each and every one had been simply to get his Hogwart's school uniform, even his currently only existing dress robe had been obtained for by Mrs. Weasley. Getting his dress robes for the dinner was easy enough. All he had to do was pass the assistant his measurements that he constantly updated and pick out a nice dark green generic common dress robe. That was a simple enough procedure that lasted at most twenty minutes.
Mary's dress on the other hand Merlin be damned. Harry didn't even know the store was twenty stories high. Stupid expansion charms. The Dress Robes For Women Going To A Dinner Party section had taken up an entire floor. Harry had already seen enough weird sections to be too bothered. There was the Robes To Wear When Breaking Up section and the Robes For Fighting A Dark Lord section. Harry was somewhat tempted to looking that section but decided his Unspeakable cloak was all he needed. Besides he didn't want to know what other weird sections lay in wait.
However the final thing that was testing Harry's patience was not the wait for Mary to find a dress robe that was both to her liking and would match his. Oh no, it was the irritating cockroach of a sales assistant that was trying to flirt with him.
He was starting to get annoyed, didn't this idiot get a hint? If his one word answers were not getting through he was seriously considering drawing his wand and start cursing.
Harry wondered for the fifth time if intentionally castrating a civilian could be reported as collateral damage as he fingered his hidden wand.
Running his hand through his raven locks as a habit when he was getting impatient Harry nodded. Unfortunately in his female disguise it looked like he was flirting back.
Harry sighed as the man renewed his flirting with vigor. He just had to pick this disguise of all things. Basically the disguise was of a lady who would look exactly like him if he were to be born a female. Green eyes, dark raven hair almost the same facial structure except a bit longer.
It wasn't that hard to find a person looking like that once you were an Unspeakable and had access to both Ministry and Muggle Government records.
"So how about we grab an ice cream, I'm off in five minutes." The worm had finally popped the question.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry, but I am here with my sister, we're looking for a dress for her." Harry tried to let the man down nicely.
"Wow in that case you can invite her as well. The more the merrier I always say." The man interrupted.
Harry internally snarled and looked around. No one was looking in their direction. A smile appeared on his face.
"It just so happens I was thinking of getting some lingerie as well, perhaps I could get your opinion of them?" Harry said coyly as he leaned into the man. Internally he was disgusted but it was going to be worth it.
As expected the man became putty in his hands as Harry seductively led him towards the changing rooms. No one ever said Perenelle's constant shows of seduction weren't educational in the least.
XXXXX
Diagon Alley – Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions
Thirty minutes later Mary had finally found a dress that was to her liking. "Excuse me Miss but have you seen my sister around?"
"Oh, she wondered off towards the Robes To Get For Your Boyfriend section a while ago." The Assistant said as she tiptoed to look over the racks of clothes in hopes that she would spot a lump of black.
"Don't bother." Harry said as he rounded the corner. "Are you done yet Marriott?"
"Oh hello Harriet. Did you see anything you like?" Mary asked looking at Harry's hands.
"Not really." Harry said dryly.
"Wasn't Simon with you?" The sales assistant asked.
"He said his shift was over about twenty minutes ago, besides I didn't really need his help." Harry answered with a small smirk.
"Still, he should have recommended another assistant to you. That man is probably gone off chasing some unfortunate girl. I hope he wasn't too rude to you."
"Absolutely not. He was a perfect gentleman the entire time." Harry said innocently. Maybe a bit too innocently as Mary was giving him a pointed look.
The sales assistant seemed surprised but shrugged it off as a one time thing. Simon probably had some pressing matters to attend to or had already targeted some other female.
After paying, the two disguised Unspeakables were sitting down at Diagon Alley's only ice cream parlor with a sundae each.
"Alright, spill. I know you did something with poor ole Simon." Mary prodded.
"What makes you think that?" Harry said as he ate a spoonful of ice cream. He didn't know what it was, but eating the stuff as a girl was like eating the food of the gods. Something just made ice cream and chocolate so much more better when eaten as a girl.
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" Mary poked him with her waffle.
Harry retaliated by snapping half the cracker off and eating it.
"Hey! That was mine!"
"I don't care. What did you say again?" Harry said munching on the biscuit. Stolen food also seemed so much tastier as well.
"I saw the smirk on your face and your too innocent answer led me to believe you did something to the sales assistant. Besides my assistant said the man was an absolute cockroach."
"I did no lasting harm to him." Harry stated taking another spoonful of the liquid goodness.
"Let me guess, he hit on you?" Mary said grinning.
Harry simply grunted in annoyance.
Mary laughed at the confirmation she received. "So what'd you do. Surely it wasn't nice."
"As if." Harry snorted. "Nothing harmful, just stripped him naked, tied him up and hung him upside down in one of the women's changing rooms."
"That's all?" She said in disbelieve not quite buying the story.
"I did make him grow a couple of tentacles out of his head and gave him a nasty case of acne." Harry added.
"You didn't think to gag him?" Mary pointed out.
"I wouldn't leave someone in a situation where they couldn't receive help. The idiot can call for help if he wants, provided he doesn't mind everyone in the entire stall hearing him."
"Sonorus Charm?"
"Yup"
"You're evil, you know that right?"
"I know." Harry smirked as he ate another mouthful of chocolate goodness.
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Flamel Manor
With a slight distortion of air, the two Unspeakables appeared in the waiting room of Flamel Manor.
Harry's hand lashed out and promptly caught the shoulder of his traveling partner. Once again thanking the person who invented stability charms proceeded to brush down his already clean robes.
"I still don't get your sense of morbid humor." Mary said every once in a while staring at his Polyjuiced face.
"What? The old codger always said he wanted to invite THE Harry Potter over for dinner. I just decided to allow him the pleasure." Harry said as he pulled a piece of lint off his sleeve.
"You're just sick you know that?" She replied in a semi disgusted tone.
"Hnn…" Harry grunted.
"One might think you were actually happy when our Wizarding Savior died. Not only do you convert the home he lived in to your personal safe house, you use his face for a disguise."
Harry shrugged. "A face is just that, a face. Besides I doubt Mr. Potter would mind me using it."
"Of course he wouldn't. He's dead."
"As if I didn't notice, what with all those headlines in the Daily Prophet. I mean, that's all they printed for two whole weeks straight. Irritating is what it was, there was practically no news for an entire two weeks, all they printed was dead Potter here and dead Potter there."
"There was an article about the Minister and his Undersecretary getting fired and jailed if you wanted to know."
"Really?" Harry said sounding genuinely surprised. "Besides it's not like your disguise didn't come from someone dead as well."
The girl's face paled so rapidly that Harry curiously wondered where the blood had gone.
"I'm joking you do know that right?" Harry said grinning.
Mary regained her color and simply glared at him. "For a moment there you had me thinking you were going around digging up graves."
Harry watched in amusement as his partner seemed to realize something.
"Hey how'd you get Potter's hair? You didn't do what I think you did, did you?"
Harry raised an eyebrow at Mary's insinuation.
"If you're referring to me digging up Mr. Potter's remains then no. Despite how disrespectful I may be, I draw the line at exhuming the remains of the deceased."
Mary raised an eyebrow in askance.
Harry sighed in annoyance that he had to explain. "I have access to his bedroom. Hence I have access to hairs that can easily be found on his pillow."
"Oh." Mary said as an uncomfortable silence fell upon them.
Uncomfortable for Mary that is, Harry on the other hand not being so reserved had taken to inspecting the trinkets on display above the fireplace.
He was interrupted of course when the door to the room opened and a child no older than six bounded in.
"Hewo there pretty lady are you here for dinner?" The child flashed an immensely cute grin at them.
To Harry's credit he merely raised an eyebrow at the boy who was dressed in a perfectly fitted blue dress robe.
Mary on the other hand had problem controlling her maternal instincts. "Aw… Look at him James. Isn't he just adorable?" She cooed as she bent over to get a better look at him.
"And who might you be?" She smiled kindly at him.
"My mummy and daddy called me little Nicky, but I didn't like them to."
Mary smiled in amusement. "So what do they call you now?"
"Nicky, no little, just Nicky." The boy declared as if he was announcing he had been elected the Minister Of Magic.
"Aw… How cute, look James, isn't he just precious." Mary proceeded to pick the boy up and hug the life out of him.
Harry simply rolled his eyes and mumbled two words. "Stupid Brat."
Apparently Mary had heard him as he gained a smack on the arm..
"Pay no attention to the mean gentleman, Nicky. I'll protect you. Now where are your mummy and daddy? Hmm…" Mary questioned as she bounced him.
Harry gave a long sigh and ran a hand through his partially tamed hair. "Six feet under and long since rotten, last time I checked." He said as he gave the boy his best Harry Potter Glare.
Harry didn't know if Mary's looked of shock and outrage was at Harry's harsh comment or at what followed his comment.
"Oh go get laid Pathertrory." The little boy snapped out in a somewhat annoyed tone.
"I don't know which is worse, my partner not realizing the way you used past tense when speaking about your parents or you de-aging yourself just to cop a feel of her breast."
To Mary's horror the toddler was indeed as Harry put it 'copping a feel'. Letting out a shriek she dropped the boy and backed away as she drew her wand.
"Very nice, definitely a C cup and you're not even wearing a bra." The boy said as he flexed his fingers with a perverted grin plastered on his face.
"Who the hell are you?" Mary held an arm over her chest protectively.
Harry simply burst out in laughter at the stupidity of the situation as well as the look on his partner's face.
"Mary, I'll like to introduce you to our boss and Head Of The Unspeakables, Mr. Nicholas Flamel." Harry said once he caught his breath.
"Pleasure to meet you Miss…" Nicholas never got to finish his sentence as a vicious stunner was blasted at him.
Harry grinned in satisfaction as he saw Nicholas narrowly dodge the stunner and drew his wand in one fluid motion.
"You asshole." Mary fumed as she sent another stunner at her boss.
Nicholas awaiting such an attack easily countered and returned a spell of his own.
The girl shrieked as her skirt was blown upwards by a sudden gust of wind.
"My, my, my, black and a thong none the less." The six year old smirked and flashed a perverted grin that looked out of place on someone his age no less.
Mary gave a scream of fury as she unleashed a barrage of curses on the perverted old man turned younger. With skill that defied his looks the child deflected them all, while non lethal they would hurt a lot had he been hit by them.
Harry shrugged his shoulders, chuckled and moved to a chair by the Floo fireplace to get a view of the duel.
Snapping his fingers, Harry summoned one of the Flamel's House Elves.
"Greetings Master Pathertrory. I is Milly. How can I's be helping to serve you while Master Flamel tests angry lady." The Elf bounced from foot to foot happy to serve.
"A Butterbeer while I wait will suffice." Harry smiled.
"Make that two." A new voice made both Harry and the Elf twist their heads.
Somehow Perenelle had managed to sneak into the room undetected as Mary and Nicholas went about their duel.
"Why hello there Mrs. Fla… Perenelle." Harry corrected himself as he stared down the wand point of Perenelle's wand.
He stood up and offered his hand only to be grabbed and kissed on both cheeks. "Don't be such a stranger Harry." She whispered seductively sending shivers up Harry's spine.
Harry pulled away gently and pasted a blank look on his face. "You look well my lady." He commented. She was still wearing the same oriental styled dress as she was earlier in the day except she had decided to change the color and style her hair into a bun with two chopsticks holding it in place.
"You're not to bad yourself Mr. Potter." She said commenting on his disguise which really wasn't one.
Harry simply shrugged.
"Have a seat Perenelle." He offered up his chair.
The lady smiled. "But there is only one chair."
Harry quickly conjured another incase she suggested he take the only chair only for her to sit on him.
While the idea was somewhat appealing to him, the fact remained that not only was she married but she was THE Perenelle Flamel. Despite her good looks the fact that he knew she was old enough to be his ancestor turned him right off.
The blond Witch smirked as she took a seat and accepted the Butterbeer that arrived by the House Elf.
"So how's life Harry?" She whispered.
"Dead, according to the Daily Prophet it would seem." Harry smiled.
"You're still not mad at them printing your whole life story on how you stood against evil despite the setbacks you encountered."
Harry snorted. "Seeing as how they were the ones discrediting me and causing all those setbacks as you would put it, they could have at least gotten the story right."
"Actually none of the books written about you are right, seeing as how you never did give any sort of interviews to their writers." Perenelle pointed out.
"That's actually a great money making idea. I should write an autobiography, it could become an instant bestseller." Harry suggested.
"Could? More like it would. Of course seeing how complicated your life is, I suggest splitting them into separate books. That way not only will you make more money, it will be easier writing your life experiences out in segments instead of one whole blob. Trust me I should know."
Harry nodded seeing how Perenelle's life story began in the 14th Century. Her autobiography, if she had one would be massive. So far she was still helping Nicholas with his.
"So how far have you gotten with Nick on his life laments."
"Seventeen Eighty Six." Perenelle deadpanned.
Harry scratched his head as he tried to remember if anything important happened on that year.
As if reading his mind Perenelle answered. "The year he forgot my birthday."
"Ah." Harry stated.
"Yes, Ah." Perenelle replied.
"I take it that was not a good year for ole Nicky."
"Ever wondered why we don't have kids?" Perenelle asked.
Harry stared at the woman in horror. "You didn't." Seeing the humor in her eyes he let out a breath of relief.
"So why don't you have kids?" Harry delicately asked knowing it must be a sore subject.
"Have you ever wondered why you don't see any mini Dumbledores running around Hogwarts Harry?"
Harry thought about it and realized that Dumbledore didn't really have any family members he could remember.
"You see Harry, while the Elixir Of Life does extend one's life it has the nasty side effect of leaving one sterile. The three of us, Dumbledore, Nicholas and I all can't reproduce."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore's name.
"Yes Harry, Dumbledore as a youth did in fact try some of the Elixir against his better judgment. Call it curiosity if you will but that man was pretty impulsive and idiotic in his youth. Thus he would probably live on a few decades more after his natural time comes."
"Interesting." Harry said noticing the duel was ending.
"Come Harry. Let's go entertain the two of them, the Elves should have dinner ready in about ten minutes." Perenelle got up and moved towards the two combatants who were groaning.
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Flamel Manor – Waiting Room
If anyone had told Mary a minute ago that she would be engage in a serious duel with an eight year old, she would have committed them to the Irreversible Spell Damage Section of Saint Mungo's Hospital. However it was not the case now. Not only was she engaged in a duel with an eight year old look alike, she was loosing.
Badly.
Come to think of it, she had never had the chance to duel with anyone younger than her seeing as how she was the youngest graduate in her Auror group. This was, of course, barring any of the Unspeakables that she had competed against. However despite her not knowing how old they were she was pretty confident in the fact that she would still be the youngest there considering she was the new recruit.
Then again the brat as she was now referring to him mentally was no ordinary eight year old. Six hundred year old Mages stuck in eight year old bodies were extremely hard to come by. Due to his size, it was proving a rather challenging task getting any spells near him. Not only did she have to aim downwards rather than straight, her spells being shot off at an downwards angle rather than straight were striking the floor rather than trampling on through the air like it normally would. Because of this not only was he restricted to dodging left and right like normal duelers would he had the advantage of easily dodging a spell simply be taking a step back.
Add the fact that all the brat's spells were fired off at a waist level making them extremely hard to jump over or duck under.
Mary gave a yell of anger as she released a special concussive spell that blew out as a shockwave rather than a simple bolt of light.
To her frustration the Alchemist simply smirked, raised an eyebrow and conjured a purplish shield that reflected the wave back at her.
Mary unable to react so soon after the spell draining effects was lifted off her feet and thrown across the room.
She cursed as the perverted old man had no doubt taken this as a chance to sneak a peek at her knickers as she flew through the air.
"What a simply delightful view I must say. Perhaps I should consider stringing you up. Now if I could only remember the blasted spell." The boy pondered rubbing his chin as though in thought.
Mary flipped up both wands glowing as she sent two bolts of magical energy at him.
"Not good enough lass." Her opponent fluidly twisted his body allowing both the bolts to pass by him. He wasn't however prepared for the pissed off girl to physically charge him during his moment of evasion.
Mary easily shoulder charged his followed by a swift knee to the groin.
"Take that!!!" She growled smirking.
Due to this she missed the twirling of Nicholas's wand as he too sent a Bludgeoning Curse at her solar plexus as he was sent backwards.
The spell connected leaving both the combatants wheezing and clutching their stomachs. To Mary's satisfaction, Nicholas seemed to be the one having more trouble breathing.
Her attention was pulled away from skinning the boy alive when she heard two pairs of hands clapping.
"Well done, not quite what I was expecting but well done none the less. Not bad considering this was just an evaluation test. Not many can have the pleasure coming out in a draw with the famous Nicholas Flamel." Harry commented as Perenelle went to help her currently de-aged and limping husband.
"That was a test." Mary massaged herself, the Bludgeoning Curse was a lot more painful that what she normally received from James himself.
"Of course you didn't think you could take me on in a real duel did you, besides, it's not like I go around doing perverted things just to pick fights?" Nicholas snapped, his childish voice somewhat higher than before.
"Yes you do." Harry and Perenelle immediately shot back.
"Hey! It's not my fault, damned teenage hormones." Nicholas complained.
"Hormones? You do realize that you're in an eight year old body right?" His wife countered sarcastically.
"I'm an early bloomer that's all." He insisted. "You know how some women go through adolescence at eight."
"Unless you're aware old man, you're no girl." Harry pointed out.
Nicholas pouted. "Well she started it."
Perenelle rolled her eyes at her husband's remark.
"Real matured Nick." Harry mumbled.
"Who's older Nick." His wife stared at him.
"I'm a child."
"Mentally."
"Some might say that's the same thing." Harry interrupted.
Mary simply nodded as she used a Numbing Charm on herself.
Seeing that everyone was against him, Nicholas pouted.
Perenelle just rolled her eyes as she picked him up as one would a child and slung him over her shoulder.
"Hey! Put me down woman! I say put me down!"
"If you're going to act like a child, I'll treat you as one." She then proceeded to give him a slap on the arse.
"Ow! God damn it woman! I said put me down!"
"You know the way James. Dinners in twenty minutes I suggest both you and Mary go freshen up." She ignored her husband's further threats as she carried him out.
Both remaining Unspeakables just grinned in amusement.
"You ever wonder why he just doesn't use his wand." Mary asked.
"Apart from the fact that he would only be making things worse." Harry smirked as he held up a small stick in his hand.
"Is that his wand?" Mary asked eagerly.
Harry just smiled and tossed it to her. "Enjoy." Was his only comment as he moved out of the room.
Mary grinned evilly as she started thinking up curses she could enchant the thing with as she followed her partner.
XXXXX
Location Unknown – Flamel Manor – Drawing Room
"So I don't suppose that you have any intention or revealing your identity to your partner Miss Sue."
Harry rolled the glass of Fire Whiskey between his palm as he considered the question.
"Is Mary Sue even her real name?" He answered after a sip.
"As real as yours is James Pathertrory. Now I believe that I asked you a question first." Flamel said pouring himself another shot of the potent drink. "More?" He held the flask out.
"No thanks, two's the limit." Harry declined. "I suppose it's up to her really."
"Up to her? I don't understand."
"Your under doesn't stand Nicholas at your advance age."
"Ouch, that was below the belt Harry. I'll have you know I still enjoy a good shag every now and then with the missus." Nicholas replied curtly at Harry's bad joke and butchering of the English Language. "Besides I'm getting more than you."
Harry grunted. "Apparently not enough if your wife's as horny as she is. Besides I'm sixteen."
"Old enough to kill, old enough to get laid. That's what I say." Nicholas stated. "Now stop avoiding the question I asked earlier."
"I'm rather good at that aren't I."
"Yes you… Stop doing that." The man glared at him.
Harry just smirked. "What I meant earlier when I said it was up to her was that I would only reveal her identity if she shows me hers first."
"You mean you haven't used your Mage sight on her yet?" Nicholas said in mock shock.
Harry raised his eyebrow. "Mage sight? While you may think me powerful, such a technique is extremely rare and would only develop after a certain power level of magic is reached. Stating that, only a handful of Wizards have such an ability. You, Dumbledore and Voldemort are some examples of such individuals."
"You mean to say you haven't unlocked your magical sight yet?" Nicholas seemed genuinely surprised.
"Not really, I've so far been only able to differentiate between enchanted and non-enchanted magical objects."
"The first steps the best step. Now get back on topic." The man pointed out as Harry once again grinned.
Eighty nine Potter. Twenty Flamel.
"Now while I don't have the benefit of Mage sight I can utilize my glasses to the same effect. While not as good as the real thing it is sufficient."
"So you've seen her face. Why haven't you researched her yet?"
Harry raised an eyebrow as he took another sip. "She's a Metamorphmagus, what's the point?"
"Ah, so you do know. How?"
"She was in my company for a duration of nearly a month and yet despite the time her hair did not change in length."
"Hair Care Charm, she is a woman you know." Nicholas pointed out the flaw.
"One's hair does not return to its original length as soon as a duel's over. I considered she either grew or cut her hair between training sessions, so I cut some intentionally with a spell and imagine my surprise when it returned to its original length immediately after the duel."
Nicholas nodded at the explanation. "So have an idea of who she is?"
Harry grunted. "No. Definitely not any Metamorphmagus that I've met and the only one is Auror Tonks."
"So rare a talent yet quite common in the Law Enforcement Business." Nicholas pointed out.
"I take it her pay is higher than the normal Unspeakable's much less Auror."
"Of course we did have to tempt her with something to join. You think Metamorphmagi are just going to join the Auror Corps just because they can make a difference do you? People with such talents could become famous in the modeling world."
Harry sighed as he leaned back in the soft leather chair and rested his eyes.
His host smiled and followed suit, enjoying the crackling of the flames in the fireplace and music of the Wizarding Wireless.
Both men were currently talking about random issues as the women went about their business together.
The dinner had been an interesting affair as Harry would have described it. After freshening up in one of the lavatories. Thank god for the wonders of magic. They had proceeded to the Dining Room where a smiling Perenelle and re-aged Nicholas were waiting.
The man had simply taken a calculated dose of Aging Potion and had assumed the body of someone in his mid thirties, much like his wife.
Mary had of course questioned how it was done in the first place. This lead to Harry explaining with the Flamels adding in a point or two about the way the Philosopher's Stone worked.
Basically the Elixir Of Life was as the Muggles considered the waters from the Fountain Of Youth. It was basically the opposite of an Aging Potion.
That was where Harry found the irony of it all. While the Wizarding World had been able to invent a Potion that aged them they could not come with one that countered the effects.
Harry had voiced his opinion and Nicholas had pointed out that his discovery of the Elixir Of Life was actually due to a research project he and his wife had that was to counter the effects of an Aging Potion. When enquired as to why no one else in the Wizarding World had attempted to reproduce his achievement, Nicholas had simply shrugged and said, "Since they believe that there is no counter they don't bother looking for one, despite the fact that one actually exists."
When asked about anyone else trying to create a working Elixir Of Life both Flamels had snorted and laughed. The fact was the other alchemists were trying to produce a product that allowed the drinker to life forever never aging. What he and his wife did was simply find a counter to the Aging Potion. The transmutating ability of the Stone was just a positively welcomed side effect.
The topic then of course moved onto Harry's adventures abroad. This had of course included much laughter when Harry described the numerous problems he experienced with Portkeys, Floo and any other method of Magical Transport apart from the Broomstick.
As dinner wound down both men had moved to the Drawing Room as Nicholas had something to discuss with Harry. Whereas Perenelle had dragged Mary off for a complete tour of the Flamel Manor, gardens, rooms and toilets included.
Harry was forced to open his eyes as he heard his boss addressing him.
"I'm reassigning you to England, Harry."
"What?" Harry said somewhat surprised.
"You heard me right brat. I'm assigning you to local missions rather than those in other countries."
"Wait let me get this straight. After months of keeping me away from England by sending me tripping across the whole of Europe, you are suddenly sending me back, and to the capital no less. Why?" Harry asked curiously.
"I did it because wherever you go, you cause destruction and political conflict." Nicholas snapped.
"Sure I do." He replied condescendingly.
"You do." The man insisted.
"So if I do, why now?" Harry pushed.
"Because you yield the best results and the Minister is being an ass by restricting us. Hence you are supposed to cause political turmoil for the stupid politicians and destruction for Voldemort. I mean just last week I received a letter from the idiot stating that we shall receive no more funding from the Ministry."
Harry raised an eyebrow at that last comment.
"We don't even get funding from the Ministry." Nicholas snapped. Seeing Harry's still raised eyebrow he added. "Well we do get donations once in a while but that's from the capture of dangerous criminals and favors to the Magical Law Enforcement Agency.
"Very well." Harry quipped.
"That's it? No arguments? No comments?" The man seemed surprised.
"Nope."
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely you old codger. I'm doing this to irritate the Minister. Not please you." Harry snapped.
"What about Voldemort?" Nicholas asked curiously.
"What about him?"
"Dark Lord, trying to take over Britain. Gave you that scar? Remember him?"
Harry scowled. "He's on my 'to do' list."
"That may be but every once in a while I might send you abroad. Can't have you trashing the country if you're left here twenty four seven."
Harry smirked.
"Now on to lighter topics. Wizard Chess?" The man said summoning a board.
"I suck."
"I know." Was the smug reply.
"Very well, bring it on old man."
Author's Note:
Wow I just noticed just how time flies. I haven't updated this story much less my others in a really, really long time. Just so you all know I have not abandoned any of them except maybe "A New Beginning An Old Life." But I believe that someone has already taken over the writing duties for that one. Anyhow the sudden urge to return to writing can be attributed to my loving sister who dragged me in front of the computer and demanded that I finish the story so that she could read it. When stated that I would complete it eventually she then proceeded to point out that I've now got plenty of time to spare for the next one month. i.e. I have no model kits arriving by post thus free from assembling commitments, no uni as I've graduated (YES) (Further Studies this March = No), I am on holiday (Not like I have school), have no new computer games to play (Supreme Commander comes out in February 22nd and Tiberium Wars in March 15th) and finally I keep complaining that I am bored. Thus finally here I am posting a huge 13 thousand word chapter and already halfway in the process of writing the next one.
Finally I would like to brag that I managed to trick my dad into thinking 512kb/sec internet connection was slow. The result 17mb/sec connection. O_o. Yeah that's what I thought as well. Bloody thing downloads faster than I can click let alone the computer process.
Didn't even know speeds like that were available to public residential houses. *shrugs* Oh well, my gain I guess. (p.s the bill that thank god I'm not paying for is simply scary.)
Oh yes and finally since this chapter was done in a rush I still haven't read through it yes to weed out the grammatical and spelling errors so if you can help, just point out the mistakes and plot holes in your reviews or email me at rtwj(at)hotmail(dot)com
ENSIGN
Nunquam Lamiae Morde "Me Ictus"