Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl: Weapons of Magic Chapter Twelve
Okay, I realized that when I wrote last chapter, I made a mistake. If Mulch helped Aeron and that had been a few years ago, American Horror Story would not have been on TV yet! It would be on now. So I'll go back and fix the last chapter later.
Anyone wondering about the chocolate covered ants, they actually do exist. I think you have to order them online. A friend of mine got some for his birthday several years and I think that is just disgusting. But it sounds like something Mulch would eat.
There some scenes near the end, but don't worry, there's no actual sex scenes.
Artemis got a video call from Foaly, explaining about the book in the Magic Museum and the book.
"Aeron must have somehow got past the spells to the book," said Foaly.
"But it's guarded," said Hermione, looking over Artemis's shoulder. Everyone was in Artemis's study. "And the book is still there, right?"
"Yeah, but he could have just copied down the spell he wanted," said Foaly. "Stealing the book would have attracted attention. He wouldn't want that."
"But how did he get in," said Foaly.
"Well, I found out that the outside of the museum is heavily guarded," said Foaly. "The spells are tough to break and send alarms ringing through the Ministry if someone tries to break in. The stuff in there is priceless and they don't want to take chances. The spells spread out from a five hundred foot radius from the building. Buuut-"
"They made a mistake didn't they?" said Artemis. He had a feeling he knew what.
"They didn't put any spells on the stuff inside," said Foaly. "From what I learned, they didn't think anybody could ever get past the outside protection and the left the inside completely unguarded. Plus, there are no spells on the underside of the building."
Holly blinked. "Somebody could get in through the ground-Mulch!"
"Or somebody like him," said Foaly.
"Where is Mulch now?" asked Artemis.
"Um, last I heard from him, he was in Paris, living it up on that money you gave him," said Foaly. "Why'd you give him that anyway? I thought Fowl never just gives his money to people. Aurum est-"
"I'm not that greedy," Artemis cut him off. "I gave it to him for past services to us. He helped us out a lot, you know. Mulch said he wanted to take some time off, so I gave him enough money to live off of and keep out of trouble."
"That didn't last long," muttered Holly under her breath.
"Mulch wouldn't work for such an evil wizard, would he?" asked Juliet.
"Knowing Mulch, if anybody put a large amount of money in front him in exchange for services, he'd do it," said Holly, sourly.
"Aeron's only started doing all this evil stuff lately," said Foaly.
"He must have sent Mulch in with a way to get the info, like a camera or something," said Artemis, thoughtfully. "Where is Mulch now?"
"Last I talked to him, he was living in Canada," said Foaly. "But he may have moved. We really haven't been keeping tabs on him. He's been good, lately."
"Well, I think we need to pay him a little visit," said Holly, narrowing her eyes. "See what he's been up to in the past few years."
Seattle Washington
Mulch was living in Seattle Washington, in a big Penthouse, under the name Matt Digger.
He took walks at night, doing the usually breaking into people's houses, stealing very small things, and moving stuff around to annoy the Mud People. Other than the occasion piece of jewelry or such, he hadn't been stealing anything big and had pretty much kept out of trouble since the Aeron incident.
He'd heard, of course, about the attacks from creatures around the world. He subscribed to a wizard newspaper and a Mud Men one as well, to keep up on events around the world. Of course, the Mud Men newspaper mentioned nothing of the attacks. The LEP would have any regular people mind wiped after seeing a monster go tearing through their neighborhood. The one in New York City had been the most massive one. LEP had been busy for days mind wiping everyone. They hadn't been able to revive the ones that had died, unfortunately, but when peoples mind were wiped and there were unexplained events, the brain created memories to fill in the gaps. The human newspapers had talked about it being a terrorist attack. Some people wrote in saying the terrorists were having revenge on America for Osama Bin Laden having been killed and that was why this had happened.
"Terrorist attacks my bum," Mulch had muttered to himself, reading the article.
The wizard paper, of course, told the real events, and had tried to interview members of the LEP. Before now, the wizard and fairy world had never been in so much contact.
Mulch felt guilty. He remembered seeing some spells in the book to create hideous creatures. He'd got that info for Aeron, and it him making all that stuff happen. What had he done?
Mulch was now kicked back in his recliner, watching his big screen TV. Despite losing his house in Paris, he'd had enough money socked away to get new living quarters and all his necessities.
He was now eating chocolate covered ants, which he thought was one of the best culinary inventions ever. He sat there, eating a bucketful and watching American Horror Story: Asylum.
He was watching the episode where you find out something about the head Nun's past.
"What an evil wench," Mulch said to himself, popping a handful of chocolate covered ants in his mouth. "Didn't even check to see if-"
The doorbell rang.
Mulch went to look through the peephole that he installed at his eye level. As usual, he could only see legs, and wondered why he bothered. Then the legs moved and suddenly Holly face came into view.
"Open up, Mulch."
Mulch unlocked the door and swung it open.
"Ah, a visit from my friends! Long time no see!"
"Yeah, hi," said Holly, entering. Artemis came in behind her with a black haired boy.
"Enjoying the money I see," said Artemis looking at the huge TV.
"Oh, yeah, I got American Horror Story and I'm watching that. I just finished the last season of Family Guy on DVD." Mulch looked at Harry. "I know you. You got a lightning bolt scar. OH MY GOSH! YOU'RE HARRY POTTER! CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH!? CAN I TAKE A PICTURE!?"
Harry, thinking of Colin Creevy, sighed,
"Just kidding," said Mulch. "I don't want your autograph, even though you did defeat old Voldybutt. I was just being annoying."
"Have a seat, Diggums," said Holly, squinting her eyes.
"You don't look too happy," said Mulch, plopping on the couch. "What's up?"
"Listen, Diggums," said Holly. "I know you've been keeping out of trouble lately, or at least not doing anything to attract attention-" Mulch put a hurt look on-"-don't give me that look. I bet you've been doing some small pilfering. Anyway, we need to ask you if anyone had asked you to go in the Magic Museum in Paris, and get any spells from a book."
Mulch felt anxiety blossom in his stomach-or maybe it was gas from the ants.
"Uh-"
"Don't try to run," said Holly, putting her hand on her Neutrino. "I could just drag you to Haven and have Foaly hook you up to the retina-mager."
"No!" said Mulch. "I-oh crap."
He explained about Aeron and the money and how he broke into the museum. Holly looked ready to explode.
"You helped him!" she shouted. "It's your fault he's got those spells and knows how to make those monsters! People have died because of that! I'm arresting you're a-"
"Holly," interrupted Artemis. "Aeron would have found someone to get it for him, if not Mulch. There are other dwarves, willing to do some dirty work for cash. Or he would have figured out a way to make those monsters. Don't take it out Mulch. Aeron is resourceful and will find a way to get what he needs or wants."
"And I didn't know!" said Mulch. "He just told me he collected ancient spells."
Holly growled. "Still…"
"Look, I've been good, I promise!" said Mulch. "After that, I just stayed out of trouble and I've been living here. That's it."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" asked Harry, who looked angry.
"I would have gotten in trouble!" said Mulch. "What was I supposed to do? Go to someone and be like, 'hey listen, I broke into this museum to get something for somebody, but that's not the important part, this Aeron guy tried to kill me…' They would lock me up for committing a crime."
"Like you deserve," said Holly.
"Well, now we know," said Harry, grimly. "Thanks a lot Mulch."
Mulch looked hurt. "I'm sorry! You think I don't feel guilty when I read about stuff in the paper about the attacks, even though the Mud Men papers think it's a terrorist attack? Besides, Artemis is right, Aeron would have a found a way or he'd hire a big team of wizards to go on a killing spree or something."
"All right, all right," said Holly. "Just-stay out of trouble for a change! If Root was still alive, he'd have your bum on a platter right now. You better be thankful I don't tell Trouble. He'd probably do the same thing."
Mulch looked droopy. "I'm sorry."
Holly sat down. "Did he mention if he was going to anything with the spells, or anything odd, anything at all?"
Mulch shook his hairy head. "Nope, just told me he was a collector. My cousin used to work with him, and he's locked up."
"He hasn't tried to come find you and kill you again, has he?" asked Holly.
Mulch shook his head again. "No, thankfully." He looked at Harry. "Why you got all those other scars on you?"
Harry scowled.
"Don't look so glum," said Mulch. "Want some chocolate covered ants?"
They left Mulch to his TV and snack. Holly warned Mulch that if he so much as farted wrong, she'd come back and lock him up.
Back at Fowl Manor, the information was relayed to everyone else.
"You should have locked him up," said Ron.
"No point, really," said Holly. "Like Artemis said, Aeron would have found a way."
Harry went upstairs and found Ginny watching TV on their bed. Harry had told her she could move into his room if she wanted, since they always ended up cuddling together and going to sleep anyway on his bed anyway. Ron teased Harry saying he better not get her pregnant yet, he wasn't ready to be an Uncle just yet.
"I haven't even got kids of my own yet," he had joked.
"W-what-were not even doing anything like that!" Harry had stammered.
Ron had laughed to see the look on his face.
Harry gave Ginny a kiss and sat next to her. She was watching Futurama. Bender was telling someone to bite his bum as usual.
Harry would be glad if they could get this over with and maybe have a normal life for a change. Harry and Ginny couldn't even go on a date now. After the last incident, it wasn't safe. It was too dangerous.
"Mum sent an Owl with a letter for each of us and some brownies," said Ginny, pointing to a package on the table.
"Oh, goody," said Harry reaching in and grabbing one. He took his letter and read it. Mrs. Weasly asked him how was doing and wrote about some stuff her and her husband were doing for the Order. She told him to eat some brownies because he was too skinny in her book and needed to fatten up. She wrote for him to stay safe and she would send more brownies next time, and maybe a pie.
"I'm not that skinny," said Harry, finishing his brownie.
"You got more muscles," said Ginny. "She hasn't seen you a while. She'll be surprised to see you don't wear glasses anymore."
"Nice not having to worry about them breaking or anything," said Harry, lying on the bed.
"Harry!" a voice called in the hallway.
"In here!" yelled Harry.
Artemis opened the door. "Foaly sent an email. There were some LEP taking care of a rogue troll in Surrey that went raging through your old neighborhood. Just a regular rogue one, but they seen a balverine hanging around number four, Privet Drive. They killed it and took it down to Haven."
"That's where I used to live," said Harry, sitting up.
"I know," said Artemis. "The troll was an accident, but why would a balverine being hanging out in the bushes by your old house? Nobody was around in the house, probably at work or something, but a few people in the neighborhood had to be mind wiped."
"Maybe I should go see them," muttered Harry, although the prospect did not thrill him. He had planned on never seeing them again when he last left. It was like they had treated him lovely.
"Would Aeron target them?" asked Ginny.
"Probably," said Artemis.
"It's not like there near and dear to me," said Harry, bitterly. "I hated them. But I'll go see them, warn them I guess. Hermione could help put some spells around the house. I don't like them, but it wouldn't be right to let them get killed by Aeron or something. They're still human."
Number Four, Privet Drive, Surrey
He went the next day with Hermione and Juliet, using Artemis's plane. Juliet had recently learned to fly, and Harry and Hermione had been apprehensive, but Juliet had assured them she wouldn't send them spiraling to a flaming death.
"I can do more than fight," she had said, rolling her eyes and flipping her ponytail with the jade ring over her shoulder.
She was actually good and they arrived in one piece at Heathrow airport and took a train to Surrey and then a cab.
The house was the same as usual, except Aunt Petunia's flowerbeds had been trampled, no doubt by the troll that had gone rampaging through the neighborhood. Everybody had been mind wiped so nobody would be able to tell her what had happened to her precious flowers. Harry had heard that someone's house had been half destroyed and the Telekinetic Division had fixed it. But they hadn't bothered with the flowers.
The trio went to the door and Harry rang the doorbell. He heard heavy footsteps and the door being unlocked.
Uncle Vernon stood there, portly and mustached.
"Hello," he began. "What-"
He cut off, recognizing Harry.
"Hello, Uncle Vernon," said Harry.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Ah, we need to talk to you," said Harry. "It's important."
Uncle Vernon hesitated for a moment and then opened the door wider. "Come in. We didn't expect to ever see you again."
Juliet exchanged a look with Hermione and Harry and they entered the house, following Uncle Vernon to the kitchen.
Aunt Petunia was making tea in a kettle on the stove. Dudley was sitting at the table, munching on a grilled cheese sandwich.
Aunt Petunia turned around and seen Harry and his friends. Her boney, horsey face didn't look too happy.
"Oh, it's you," she said, pursing her lips. "What do you want?"
"Nice to see you, too," said Harry.
"Have a seat, I guess," said Uncle Vernon, gesturing to the table. Everyone sat down.
"Harry said he needed to talk to us," said Uncle Vernon, gloomily. "Well, hurry up, out with it boy!"
"I'm not a boy," said Harry, looking angrily at his Uncle. "Let's all try to act with respect, shall we?"
Dudley stared at Juliet, and when she caught him looking, he pretended to be absorbed in the book open in front of him.
Harry cut to the point. "Listen, there are some problems from my world, and we need to take precautions to keep you safe. There are some, ah, creatures that are lurking around, and, uh-" he wasn't sure how to explain it. He didn't want to go into a big long explanation of Aeron and everything. "You may be in danger. Since you are related to me, you may be targeted."
"What do you mean targeted?" asked Petunia, slamming the kettle down the table. "What did you do? Did you get involved with-with some-wizard mafia or something?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "No. Listen, you probably wouldn't understand the whole thing. I'll put it simply: there are some bad wizards, I and others are fighting them. Since you're my only living relatives left, you could be targeted. There was a balverine here, yesterday."
"A what?" asked Uncle Vernon, looking pissed.
"It a bit like a werewolf," said Harry. "Aunt Petunia, I'm sure you noticed your flowerbeds."
"That was some stupid animals, probably the people down the street let their dog out again-"
"That was a troll," said Harry.
"A-a troll?" asked Aunt Petunia. "I think somebody would have seen that."
"Mind wiped," said Harry. "So they wouldn't remember."
"This is your entire fault!" said Uncle Vernon, going red. "You've brought danger to our family!"
"Don't try and blame me!" Harry snarled. "You're lucky I'm even here, trying to protect you! You don't even deserve it! You treated me like crap all my life! There is a dark wizard trying to kill all non magic people, so if wasn't for me and others fighting him, you'd be dead anyways!"
Uncle Vernon looked annoyed. "Well, what are you going to do about it?"
"Hermione can put a protection spell around your house," said Harry.
"I don't want magic things or whatever all over my house," said Aunt Petunia.
"Would you rather be dead?" asked Harry. "Would you rather have a balverine rip out your intestines?"
Aunt Petunia was silent.
"Thought not."
Hermione got to work while Juliet and Harry remained seated. It was kind of awkward. Harry looked at Dudley who was writing something on paper.
"You're still in school?" he asked, wondering how many times Dudley had failed grades in high school.
"College," said Dudley, which surprised Harry. He didn't think Dudley would ever be smart enough to make it to uni, he barely made it through the private school he had been going to, but he kept that thought to himself.
"Our little tyke is studying to be a video game maker," said Uncle Vernon proudly.
"Dad, I'm not a little tyke."
There was definitely nothing little about Dudley. He was still fat, but not as bad as he had been a few years ago, when he'd had about five chins. Harry remembered the pictures in the den, of Dudley as a baby, looking like a beach ball in a bonnet.
"He's going to be so good," said Aunt Petunia, adoring of her son as ever. "I heard you can make a lot of money in that."
Dudley finished off his grilled cheese, sneaking peeks at Juliet. "Is that your girlfriend?"
"No," said Harry, feeling embarrassed. Juliet glared at Dudley.
"What about the other one?"
"No," said Harry. "She's married to one of my friends. I have a girlfriend, but she's in Ireland right now." Aunt Petunia muttered something under her breath about witches.
"Oh."
"I got a girlfriend at uni," he said. Another surprising fact. Harry wondered if he should feel sorry for the girl, but Dudley didn't seem as mean as he used to be. "She's studying to be a nurse. She's really smart."
Aunt Petunia didn't bother to offer them any tea.
"I suppose your one of them, too," said Aunt Petunia.
"I'm not a witch, if that's what you mean," said Juliet.
"Harry," came Hermione's voice, from the hallway where she was chalking symbols on the wall. She sounded scared.
They got up and moved into the foyer. Hermione had been chalking over the door of the cupboard where Harry used to sleep before he started getting letters from Hogwarts, before his Uncle decided to move him into Dudley's second room, where all his old and broken junk was. Aunt Petunia complained that they had just painted recently.
Hermione was looking through a window by the front door.
"There's balverines!" said Hermione. "In the yard."
Aunt Petunia gasped. "You led these things to us!" she screeched, pointing at Harry.
"Shut your trap," said Harry, looking out.
"I didn't get to finish!" said Hermione, holding her chalk. "The spells not done."
"I got a pistol in the upstairs bedroom," said Uncle Vernon, tugging his mustache.
Harry snorted. "That won't do much. "
"What we do?" asked Dudley. "You're the-the wizard. Wave your wand and make them go way."
Still stupid, Harry thought. "Magic doesn't work like that. We'll have to fight them."
"Theirs four," said Juliet, on her cell phone with Holly.
It was the middle of the day, and no one seemed to be around in the neighborhood, either at work or off elsewhere.
Hermione and Harry had their wands ready. Two went to the side of the house. Harry knew they would climb up.
Why were they sending four? For simple Muggles, one, maybe two, would suffice.
"Stay down here," said Harry. He ran up the stairs, two as a time, letting his blades out.
He heard the window break in his Aunt and Uncles room. Uncle Vernon came up behind.
"Get back below!" Harry hissed, blades glinting.
"What are those?" asked Uncle Vernon, looking at Harry like he was some kind of freak.
"Get downstairs!"
"The pistols in my room under the bed!" said Uncle Vernon, pushing past Harry.
"No-!"
Uncle Vernon threw open the door and there were two balverines standing in the room. One was on the bed, rumpling the covers; another was sniffing at the closet. They seen the humans and snarled. Harry noted they were not silver clawed.
Harry yanked Uncle Vernon back, which was hard considering his bulk. He did it just in time because a balverine jumped forward and would have stabbed Uncle Vernon in the chest if Harry hadn't pulled him back. Harry stabbed his claws into its chest and drove it backward into the other, who was also attempting to rush forward. They stumbled into the bed and Harry pulled his claws out and reared back for another attack. The balverine slashed his shirt open at the stomach.
Harry heard something like glass breaking downstairs and knew the other two would be downstairs.
The second balverine grabbed Harry as he was aiming his claws for the first and threw him across the room. Then it lunged.
Uncle Vernon was shouting and yelling as both the balverines went for Harry. Harry was slashing at them and managed to sever the ones neck partially. Him and the other kept fighting while Uncle Vernon frantically felt under the bed.
Harry and the other balverine ended up in the hallway, slashing at each other. Harry knocked it down the stairs and jumped after it. It fell hard at the bottom and was dead in the next instant as Harry stabbed it in the head.
Hermione and Juliet were fighting the other two. Aunt Petunia and Dudley were crouched under the table, shrieking. Uncle Vernon came running downstairs, pistol in hand.
Hermione got knocked into the wall and fell unconscious. The balverine responsible flipped the table that the two Muggles were hiding other. Aunt Petunia screamed and Harry and the balverine lunged for them. Harry got their first and tried to push the two out of the way. He felt claws stab him in the back. Uncle Vernon yelled and fired a shot. The bullet found its mark in the balverines arm and managed enraged it. Harry shoved Aunt Petunia and Dudley away, who scrambled into the living room on their hands and knees, screaming frantically. Aunt Petunia went behind a book shelf and Dudley tried to wedge his ample bottom between the armchair and the wall. The rest of him was back there but his bum was still sticking out.
Harry and the balverine that stabbed him moved into the living room still fighting.
One balverine was still fighting Juliet and she whipped her jade ring around and it smacked the nose of the creature. It howled like a dog after getting its nose smacked with a rolled up paper and grabbed a knife holder and flung it toward her. Juliet ducked and some of the knives came out of the holder. They were flying toward Dudley's bottom, poking out from the armchair. Harry released his wings and the knives and the holder hit them.
Harry and the last one were fighting. Uncle Vernon went into the living room to see if his wife and kid were alright. Harry and the balverine crashed into the hearth of the fireplace and the balverine stabbed him in the gut. Harry yelled it wrapped its claws around his throat and he felt the tips sink into the back of his neck.
Harry heard the gun fire again and the bullet hit the balverine in the eye. It wasn't enough to kill it, but getting hit in the eye with a bullet would be enough to distract anyone and it howled and reached for his face. Harry took advantage of that to stab it in the throat, killing it. He pushed it off.
Juliet had seen a butcher knife lying in the sink now the knife was sticking out of a dead balverines head. It was never wise to pick a fight with Juliet.
Aunt Petunia looked out warily and took a step out from behind the bookshelf. She saw Harry, bloody claws, wings, and bleeding from wounds. She screamed and fainted on the carpet.
Uncle Vernon spoke first.
"You saved me and my wife and son. Tha…thank you."
"Well, I wouldn't let some wretched creatures kill somebody," said Harry getting to his feet wincing. Little sparks were dancing around his body.
"Some kind of weird wizard stuff?" asked Uncle Vernon, pointing at the sparks and the claws and wings.
"Uh, yeah, sort of," said Harry, retracting his claws. He winced as the wings went in. His back had been stabbed and wasn't fully healed.
They heard the front door bang open.
Juliet and Harry tensed. Uncle Vernon raised the gun as a woman walked in.
Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Huh, so you came to save your precious family," she said. She pointed her wand at the gun and the barrel melted. It was useless now. Uncle Vernon looked at it in horror and dropped it.
"Guess I'll just do it myself," said Bellatrix. "Avada-"
Harry lunged at her, knocking her down. Harry felt something stab him in the chest and he was surprised to see a set of claws.
"I'm like you now!" hissed Bellatrix.
Harry swiped at her face and she screamed as cuts opened on her face. She kicked Harry off her.
Harry grabbed the platinum ring off the chain around his neck and put it in a cut on his arm. His hair, and eyes went platinum and his wings popped out. He lunged for Bellatrix, and they crashed into the fridge and began fighting. Bellatrix had dropped her wand and had only the one set of claws to fight with.
Juliet and Harry were ganging up on Bellatrix. Juliet got cut across the stomach, but it wasn't bad. Bellatrix did a wordless spell to blast Harry down but he held onto her and dragged her down with him. Harry and Bellatrix rolled for a moment on the floor, and Harry drew back his claws for the death strike. With the platinum in him, he was better at fighting and quicker. Bellatrix wasn't good at hand to hand combat.
Bellatrix seen her wand on the floor and made to grab it but Juliet kicked it way.
"This is for my Godfather," spat Harry, driving his claws into Bellatrix's head.
Bellatrix screamed and the scream died off.
She was dead, for the second time, and hopefully, the last.
Harry got up, blades dripping with blood.
"She's gone," said Juliet, gingerly touching her stomach. Harry took out the platinum ring and put in the bronze one. The sparks healing him went faster and he laid his hand gently on Juliet's stomach, and the cuts started to heal too.
Uncle Vernon was standing in the living room. "Who was that?"
"An enemy of mine," said Harry. "She killed my godfather."
"Who else is coming?" whined Dudley from behind the arm chair.
"Hopefully no one." Harry went to Hermione and healed up a few injuries on her. She woke up and jumped. Harry assured her there were no more balverines.
"And I killed Bellatrix."
Hermione looked at the dead body. "Oh, my. She's gone. Thank goodness."
Juliet's phone rang and she answered it. After a minute she hung up.
"LEP," she whispered.
Harry made Uncle Vernon and Dudley drag Aunt Petunia upstairs. He told him them that a group of wizard police were coming to clean up the bodies but they had to be upstairs.
Up in the bedroom, Aunt Petunia revived and said she wanted Harry and his meddlesome friends out.
"He saved us," said Dudley, having some sense for once in his life.
"He brought them!" screeched Petunia.
"He didn't," said Uncle Vernon. "He came to warn us, and in the nick of time. If he hadn't come, those things would have eaten us!"
Aunt Petunia was silent.
Downstairs, Holly and a LEP team had come to take care of the damage. A neighbor down the street had called the police saying she heard gun shots. Holly had to mesmerize the two cops that came to make them go away and Holly went to the neighbor and mesmerized her to forget what she heard. Nobody else had heard anything and it was safe.
The team got rid of the bodies, including Bellatrix's.
"Good riddance," said Harry.
Hermione finished her protection spells on the house.
Holly spoke to Harry after most of the blood and broken items were repaired.
"Aeron used your family, knowing you would try to protect them," said Holly.
"I don't consider the Dursleys to be like a real family," said Harry. "They abused me growing up and tried to keep me from going to Hogwarts. I only did this because they are people and Aeron can't go around killing people as he pleases. Aunt Petunia is my mother's sister and my aunt by blood and that is it. I don't love any of them."
"Well, I placed a small Danger Tracker on the house," said Holly. "Foaly made it. It will tell him if any Creatures or anything dangerous comes within thirty miles of the house. This way, no more balverines can come back. Hermione, I took the liberty of sending a LEP agent to place one on your parents home as well."
"Thank you," said Hermione. "I was afraid Aeron would find out where they live and send something to them."
Holly and the LEP left and Harry went back upstairs. Aunt Petunia was having a lie down because she didn't feel well. Uncle Vernon and Dudley met Harry in the hallway.
"I won't ask about the claws and stuff," said Uncle Vernon. "I'd rather not know about it. But um- I just wanted to say-"
He looked like he was having a hard time getting the words out.
He finally got the words out. "I'm sorry I didn't treat you very well when you lived with us. Thank you for coming back and warning us and protecting us. We didn't deserve it."
Harry was rather shocked by these words, but tried not to show it. Uncle Vernon held his hand out and Harry shook it.
"Sorry about all the times I punched you in your face and broke your glasses," said Dudley suddenly. "And all the times I made fun of you and-and everything. I acted like such a tosser and I hope you can forgive me."
Again Harry was flummoxed. Dudley had acted like a tosser, but he seemed to have grown up a bit. Harry realized Dudley's actions as a child and teenager weren't exactly all his fault. Seeing his parents treat Harry the way did would encourage his Dudley to think it was okay too. His parents always spoiled him and mostly let him have his way in everything. Now, being an adult, Dudley seemed to have matured a bit. Maybe his girlfriend encouraged it.
"Don't worry about it," said Harry, as Dudley reached to shake his hand and Harry accepted.
Harry left the house and returned to Fowl Manor with Hermione and Juliet.
Aeron's lab
Amadae screamed and flung a bottle of perfume across the room. It hit the wall, shattering the floor with glass and droplets of Armani Code.
"Amadae, calm down," said Aeron.
"THAT WAS MY SISTER!"
Amadae and Aeron had learned from a lackey that Bellatrix had been killed. Her body had been taken below to Haven, to be guarded that way nobody could get it back and revive her.
"We have to get it back," said Amadae, biting her nails. "We have to bring her back."
"It's too dangerous," said Aeron. "You can revive a person once, but a second time… she might not be the same. She could be retarded, and useless to me."
"Is that all you care about!?" asked Amadae. "Her worth!? She was my sister. We have to try."
Aeron studied Amadae. He knew she hadn't been loved much by her mother as a child. She had sex with people because she thought that was loved. She had been angry that Harry refused her, even when she offered him food and such, during his treatment as Aeron's prisoners. She probably thought Aeron loved her, but to be honest, he didn't. She was just somebody to use, for his work and for his personal needs when he wanted.
Amadae flung a glass of water at the wall. "I will kill him! I swear I will rip his intestines from his body!"
"You've failed so far," Aeron state calmly, as if they were discussing the weather. "You and Bellatrix, and all the creatures. Harry, Artemis, all the others, they keep foiling you."
Amadae turned toward him. "They're strong. They've got magic too. And you made Harry as strong as he is. So that's your fault!"
Aeron looked at her. "Then I'll go deal with them."
"You couldn't even make Harry do your bidding with that machine thing stuck to his head!" Amadae spat. "You couldn't keep him there with Ginny and make him kill her!"
Aeron twirled his wand in his fingers. "Yes, you're right. I need to stop playing games with them. Harry is too strong for me to control. He is worthless to me. I thought I could get him back and control him, use him as my weapon. But I shall just have to kill him. He's a nuisance, always getting the Pimante that I need."
He got up and left the room without another word, while Amadae lay on her bed and sobbed for her dead sister.
Fowl Manor
Christmas came and there had only been one chunk of Pimante that fell on the 22nd. Harry and the others had gone to get it and there had been no Amadae or anybody to stop them. It had been too easy.
Holly took the chunk down to Haven for Foaly to tinker with. He had found now how to use it to use to cure acne, but not anything else.
Holly spent Christmas at Fowl Manor and everyone was glad they were all still there to celebrate.
Christmas was fun. They were able to forget about their troubles for a little while in light of the holiday. Madeline had enjoyed immensely.
Artemis had found online where her family lived in America, and told her they should take her back, but Madeline refused.
"I can't go back without my sister," she had said.
"But your parents miss you, and need to know you're okay," said Artemis.
"No!" said Madeline. "I don't know where my sister is, I can't go back without her. I failed to protect her."
"Madeline," said Holly. "You're just a little girl yourself. You can't hold yourself responsible. Nothing that happened is your fault."
"I just can't," said Madeline, tears in her eyes. "Please don't send me back yet. And-and I'm not the same. How will I explain the claws, and my healing ability? They'll think I'm a freak."
They had agreed to wait and see if they could find her sister. They didn't know what else to do.
Some days Madeline was okay and would play with the twins. Other days it was like she stuck in a black hole and would become quiet and close in her on herself. She wouldn't talk much to anybody and would stay in her room, not eating. Harry was the only one who could coax her out of it sometimes and make her eat something.
On Christmas, she had been fine all day. Angeline had made a big dinner and they opened presents and it was fun. In the evening though, she started getting quiet and went to bed early.
Later after everyone had gone to bed, Harry and Ginny cuddled in the living room, still watching TV. The Christmas tree was on in the corner, the lights twinkling and reflecting off the ornaments.
"I wish this whole thing with Aeron would end," said Ginny. "I thought after Voldemort died, we would have peace."
"I know," said Harry.
"At least I still have you," said Ginny and they started making out.
Holly was spending the night in Artemis's room on a blow up mattress on the floor.
Holly would have slept in the remaining guest room, but the twins had removed several springs from the mattress for one of their experiments and the Holly had walked in that night to see the gutted remains of it.
"Great," she had muttered.
Artemis had gone and scolded the twins.
"The mattress's are for sleeping, not cutting and removing parts from," said Artemis.
"Sorry," the twins had said in unison.
So Holly had to camp out in Artemis's room, which didn't bother her. Artemis had gotten a TV in his room and was watching some boring science show when Holly came from the bathroom, showered and teeth brushed. Her hair was messy and hung down just past her face. Artemis caught himself looking at her and thinking she was busy. He focused his eyes back on the TV. They both knew they liked each other, no, loved each other, but there was still the thing of them being different species and from different worlds. Holly had her job too, so they hadn't acted on anything yet. It was difficult for both of them.
Holly combed her hair. "Do we really have to watch this?" she asked.
"No," said Artemis. "I already saw this once. We can watch something else."
Holly lay on the blow up bed, and Artemis switched the TV to a different channel. Holly fidgeted a bit on the blow up bed.
"It's to, I don't know, rolly," said Holly. "It's like the air is coming out."
Artemis reached down and poked it. "When I blew it up, it was firm, now it's softer. There must be a leak somewhere. You can sleep in the bed with me, so you don't wake up with the bed flat on the floor in the morning."
Holly hesitated a moment, and then crawled into the bed with Artemis.
"I promise I don't fart in my sleep," said Artemis.
Holly looked at him and laughed. "I never thought I'd hear the word fart come out of your mouth in a lifetime."
Holly nestled herself into the covers and they watched a movie. They both fell asleep and Artemis woke up a bit later. The TV had shut itself off and he realized Holly was nestled into him, fast asleep. He was on his side, facing her, his nose buried in her hair, which smelled like lavender.
Holly moved a little in her sleep and put her arm over him.
Artemis enjoyed being snuggled up to her. For a second he imagined them married together, always sleeping like this in bed. He sighed. Holly had her job and probably wouldn't be allowed to live aboveground and marry a human.
He decided to just enjoy the moment and fell asleep.
Harry awoke in the morning next to Ginny. There were clothes lying on the floor, and the disheveled state of the bed would clue anybody in to the passionate night they had.
Ginny was still asleep and cuddled into him, their legs tangled together Harry spent a couple of minutes watching her sleep.
He heard footsteps thumping down the hallway and the door opened suddenly.
"Harry, the gyms wai-whoa!"
Harry yanked the sheet over him and Ginny, trying to preserve their modesty.
"Juliet! Don't you knock!?" Harry yelled, and Juliet had to dodge a flying shoe.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" She slammed the door shut and went downstairs.
"Juliet, are you okay?" asked Butler, when she came into the kitchen. He was making pancakes.
Juliet mumbled something and got a cup of coffee.
Ginny stirred in the bed. "Who's yelling?"
Harry put a hand over his face. "Juliet came in."
Ginny looked mortified. "Oh my gosh."
"I flung a shoe at her."
Ginny giggled and yanked the sheet off him. "Don't hide that body from me." She climbed on top of him and kissed him.
"I'm surprised the scarring doesn't bother you," said Harry gesturing to his chest.
"Who cares?" asked Ginny. "You're still handsome. And everything is in marvelous working order downstairs!"
Harry blushed a little.
"Oh don't act so shy!" exclaimed Ginny. She traced a scar on his face. "Have you been using that lotion stuff?"
"No, I keep forgetting," said Harry.
"Some of the older scars are fading," said Ginny.
"Probably my natural healing ability makes them fade a bit quicker than the average persons," said Harry.
They finally went downstairs. Butler and Juliet were at the table, eating.
Harry and Ginny got a plate and sat down.
"Sleep well?" asked Juliet, trying not to smirk.
Harry should have known Juliet wouldn't let it go and would make fun of them.
"Ha ha."
Butler just looked at them and Ron ambled in for breakfast.
Butler spoke. "Myles and Beckett somehow got some springs out of one of the mattresses. Now it needs to be replaced."
"Probably not the only mattress that was broken," said Juliet, giggling at Harry and Ginny.
Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Uh, I don't want to hear about this," said Ron, catching on.
Harry was supposed to train with Juliet and Butler in the gym later. Ginny came to watch.
Juliet was sparring with Harry. Harry let his wings out and swooped around behind Juliet and lifted her up into the air.
"Hey! What are you doing!?"
Harry shot up and dumped her in the rafters and flew back down.
"That's for coming in without knocking!" yelled Harry, while Juliet crouched catlike on the rafter.
"I can get down easy from here," said Juliet. "Just wait. I'm going to beat you up!"
She scurried along the rafter to a rope hanging down and climbed down it.
She was still a better fighter, having been trained since the age of four. Harry found himself flat on his back on the mat several times that day, Juliet having flipped him or knocked him down.
When Artemis and Holly woke up that morning, they were still snuggled together.
Holly looked at him surprised. "Oh, I'm sorry."
"I liked it," said Artemis, hoping she wouldn't move away to quick.
Holly was silent a moment. "This…actually feels nice."
"Then don't move yet," said Artemis, putting his arm around her.
Holly nestled in closer to him. "What are we doing?"
"What do you mean?"
Holly looked at him directly. "We know we have feelings for each other. Strong ones. Why do we keep acting like-"
"The council would not like it," said Artemis. "I'm surprised Trouble lets you up here so much. We work together, but I don't think he'd let us be together. I'm human."
Holly sighed. "Well, then I don't work with LEP anymore."
"What?"
"I was thinking last night, when I fell asleep, I want to be with you," Holly told him. "I don't want my job if I can't be with you. Our lives are ticking away and what's the point if we never act on our feelings?"
"But you love you job!" said Artemis.
"Stop worrying about that for a moment," said Holly. "Think: What do you want most?"
Artemis looked at her. "To be with you."
"And that's what I want."
They kissed.
I know some people might think I had Uncle Vernon and Dudley act out of character, but I figured, with Dudley especially, people can grow and change.
Read and Review!