Chapter 02- Future Changed
Summary: Harry gets some much needed advice and decides to take a new look on life. Harry Potter/ Tracey Davis.
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London
Military HQ
Staring up at the building in front of him, Harry couldn't help but stand there. The building itself was a true wonder to the former British Empire. Once, men walked these halls in search of adventure, fortune, and the defense of the Empire. With the image ingrained him his head, he walked in the building.
"Ma'am," Harry said as he approached the security desk. "Is there any way I can see someone in charge. I'm not really sure who it is that I need to speak with, but that it is someone high enough to deal with what I have to tell them. I have some information that I think Her Majesty's Government will find useful. It pertains to a threat to the country."
Giving his state of dress a once over, she immediately dismissed anything he had to say as too important. Nothing to bother the higher ups over. "I'll see if I can get someone for you."
"Thanks," he said as he took a seat.
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Lieutenant Howard Brown's Office
Walking down the hall, the secretary couldn't help but wonder what kind of scam the boy was going to try and pull. Maybe he wanted to try for some food and a place to stay.
"Lieutenant," the sectary called out as she knocked on the door. "I have a young man here who says he has something that we need to know. Something about a threat to the nation. And before you get up, I'm not too sure that his information is credible. He looks like he lives on the street. Though, the clothes are slightly better than the usual homeless I've seen. It's possible that he is from one of the lower class neighborhoods."
"Take his name and information and I'll get back to him in a week or so," Brown said as he leafed through his papers. Anything that went on in those neighborhoods was nothing of consequence. If there was anything to report, it would most likely fall under the jurisdiction of the local constables.
"Yes, sir."
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Entrance Hall
"Sir, I'll need your name and information for the lieutenant. He said he'll get back to you as soon as possible."
"I don't need to speak to a gopher; I need someone who can pass up what I know. This information is important enough that I'm risking my life and future by telling anyone at all."
"Sir, our officers are too busy just to talk with everyone who walks in these doors. If the problem is that bad, speak with the local constables and they will ask for assistance if it is beyond their means to handle."
"Ma'am, this can't wait."
"Sir, if you aren't going to fill out the forms, then I'll have to ask you to leave." She waved to the guards standing a few feet away.
"Has Britain fallen this far? Not caring if the Crown is in danger?" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. Barring, she was only a secretary, but she should show a little more caring.
"Sir, if you don't leave, these guards will arrest you."
"I don't think so," Harry said as he drew his wand. He was about to cross a line that would change everything. There was no going back now. "I've come this far and I'll not leave until I've spoken with someone. You're going to call someone here, someone of rank. Understood?"
"What's going on out here," Lieutenant Brown demanded as he stormed out of his office. "What's the meaning of this ruckus? People are trying to work here."
"Good morning, sir," Harry said as he held his wand towards the sectary. "I'm here to bring a problem to the attention of Her Majesty's government. Would you like to hear it or would you prefer to stonewall me like she is trying to."
When the guards tried to tackle him, he quickly stunned them both which was enough to convince the Lieutenant to talk to him. Albeit, grudgingly.
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A little while later
"You expect me to believe all of what you just told me," Brown said. He knew this was going to be a waste of his time, but he didn't think that it would be this bizarre. "I've read better in my children's books. In fact, I read a better one to my son last night."
Looking at the man, Harry could only sigh in frustration. He thought getting in was going to be the hard part. That was easy, once he turned the lieutenant into a goat and back he was taken back to his office instead of talking in the front lobby. Even with it being a weekend, he didn't expect he had long before there were soldiers trying to arrest him or shoot him. In fact, he had expected that they would already be here. That was worrying him somewhat that they hadn't showed up yet. All he needed was to speak with someone higher up. He was sure the old man's name would start something, he hoped.
"Look," Harry started again. "Everything I've told you is true. I've broken more than several laws in telling you. You've seen the evidence, what more do you want."
"Parlor tricks are all they were," he replied. "I've seen stuff like that down at the local magic shop."
"Get me someone with a few more brain cells than you have," Harry ranted. He had finally lost his patience with the idiot sitting in front of him. He thought he had done pretty well by not blowing up before now.
"Will a captain do," a voice said from the doorway.
Looking up, Harry spotted a middle-aged man in a captain's uniform along with several armed soldiers. Soldiers with their weapons trained on him. "Captain, I need to speak with you. I've some important information that I believe you will find useful."
"How about you start with why you've taken Lieutenant Brown and his secretary hostage?" the captain said. "That might be a good place to start. Or you might wish to start why the two guards out front are not moving yet we can tell they are alive? Either is fine by me."
"Captain, I was told to come and talk to someone down here," Harry said.
"Who told you?"
"Brigadier John Cook, sir."
A look of recognition flashed across the captains eyes. "Cook, you say? I've not seen him for several years now. You've earned yourself several minutes to explain yourself before I have you arrested. Though, if the story is entertaining enough, I'm sure that we can work something out."
"We met the other day," Harry said. "He listened to several things I had to say and told me that my best answer would be to come here."
"Sir, he says that magic is real," Brown shouted. "He's delusional. He doesn't just belong in a cell; he belongs in a padded cell."
"Did I ask for your opinion, lieutenant?" the captain asked. "When I want it, I'll ask for it." Turning to Harry, he said, "The names Wells. Captain Wells."
"Harry Potter, sir."
Turning to one of the guards, Wells said, "Take the lieutenant and his secretary to be debriefed."
"Aye, sir."
Once the room was clear, Wells said, "I know about magic. I'm part of a special division in Her Majesty's Government that researches it. We also collect any and all magical artifacts that we come across."
Stunned at the news he was hearing, Harry could only muster out, "What?"
"We've been worried that the Magical World might one day decide that we are no longer welcome here. And as seeing that we have a large magical nexus here in London, we thought it best to prepare for the worst case scenario."
"And how can you help me?" Harry asked. "I don't think bullets will work on most wizards. You might kill some of the untrained ones, but those who are trained will be harder to get."
"Before I get into that, I'd like to hear your story," Wells said as he took a seat.
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An hour later
"And that's my story, captain. That is why I've come to ask for help."
"That's an interesting story," Wells said. "It varies greatly from the one we've been told."
"Someone has already told you something about it," Harry asked. "Who?"
"Your minister sends updates to the Prime Minister. He in turn sends them to us."
"Oh. I take it that his reports state that everything is fine and there is no need for you all to intervene in anything?"
"That about sums it up," Wells said. "I'm more inclined to believe your story because it matches up with the little we have been able to gather on our own."
"So, I ask again," Harry said. "How can you help me?"
Taking his time in thinking of what to say, he said, "We've been working closely with a corporation called Weyland Industries. They have a strong interest in weapons and communications. The project itself is a joint one between us and the Americans."
"Still, I don't see how they can help me."
"They've been experimenting, you might say," Wells said. "They've captured several magical creatures and have been studying them. We've also had several volunteers join up. They have allowed us to run tests on them and their magic. The only thing we are lacking is human test subjects. We've not been able to get any volunteers for that."
"What would these subjects have to go through?" Harry asked.
"DNA alteration is the main issue at hand. They would have their DNA combined with that of the magical creatures we've caught."
"I've already got DNA from two magical creatures in me," Harry said. "Phoenix and Basilisk DNA."
"Are you volunteering for the program?" Wells asked. "It will be dangerous. You may die."
"I've come to understand the prophecy as stating that only Voldemort can kill me," Harry said. "So, the experiments might cause pain beyond anything I've felt before, but they won't kill me."
Standing up, Wells said, "Glad to have you on board."
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End Chapter 02
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Edited on 04-02-11