Quoth the Raven, Nevermore
Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't. Special thanks to Phil who has been a god-sent in Brit and military speak.
Chapter 14: So Gently You Came Rapping
A slender man, whose dark auburn hair and blue eyes that betrayed his part-Scandinavian ancestry, stood at parade rest in front of a very unusual review board. At least, it was unusual in his experience.
As a loner, and somewhat of an independent thinker, Sergeant-Major Paul "Wolf" Wolfram
couldn't understand why he was up before this particular board.
They were asking some very interesting, not to mention puzzling, questions. The panel of three senior officers had been screening five other Royal Marines besides him. He and all of his fellow interviewees were all past or present Commandos with unique and special talents - in other words, they were all wizards.
"Do you like children?" asked the general in the middle of the panel.
"Yes General, Children see and know more than adults think they do. So Yes, sir, I like children. I have several nieces and nephews."
"Would you be able to make military training fun for a child of eight?" another asked.
Now, there's a question . . . "Yes sir, I think I could make many training exercises fun for a young lad of eight."
On and on went the questions for all five who stood in front of the review board. What were his views on the WW's current leaders? He and the other four who stood beside him were all Muggle-borns who had become disillusioned with the Wizarding World and had decided to seek their fortunes elsewhere.
Wolfram explained he had left the WW for a number of reasons, and two of them were the incompetence and corruption of the leaders of that world.
"Do you agree with those leaders' current policies?"
His views about the current political climate in the WW bordered on absolute contempt. The pure-bloods had had it their own way far too long, and the Muggle-borns and those raised in the Muggle World were getting the shaft. There was no incentive to keep them in the WW after they finished school. The pure-blood monopoly on all the key positions in the Ministry was killing their world's future.
Of course, he didn't tell them that. He knew better than to completely express his opinions to his superiors.
"No sir," the Sgt. Major replied. "The magical world is stuck in the Victorian age as far as morals and world-view. As I had no hope of changing their policies, I figured I would make my fortune in the real world." He really did hate the word Muggle.
"Do you actually believe that a fifteen-month-old toddler could take down a very powerful Dark Lord who had steeped himself in the Dark Arts?"
"Begging the General's pardon, No sir, not really." He had studied what public evidence he could find after the incident and learning how brilliant Lily Potter was, he was of the opinion that she had done something to protect her child. Sad, really; she was the one that should be lauded as the hero, not the child.
He let his service record speak for itself. He had top honors in his fields of expertise. He was very proficient in weapons, black ops and martial arts. He was also a wizard whose NEWT results were in the top 10 per cent of his class, including DADA - not bad for a muggle-born Gryffindor.
Wolfram wasn't sure what was going on, it could be anything but it sounded like a new assignment. He was too cagey to play all his cards at once. Not very Gryffindorish, perhaps, but he was more seasoned now and very much aware how the military worked.
Whatever the review board was after, Wolfram soon found himself heading for Number 10 Downing Street along with two others. He only knew the other two by reputation - good men to have at your back, for sure, but he had never personally worked with them.
The meeting with the Prime Minister was brief. They were being screened to take on a ten-year mission of a very important and highly secret nature. Being wizards, that shouldn't take much out of their lives. Wizards in the military, unless injured or killed, could expect a very long career.
"You three were picked because one, you are single with no family commitments; two, you are wizards; and three, you are capable of training raw recruits," the Prime Minister said. "However, we can't decide which of you will do the better job,so we are going to your potential new assignment to let him choose."
The three men straightened, refusing to take their eyes off the Prime Minister as she continued, "All three of you have taken an oath to the Crown to serve it in any way possible; and we do need that service. Come, gentlemen."
0o0o0o0
John Hadrian peered into a small snow globe that rested beside the one containing his parents on their wedding day. The globe had been another present from the Lady last Solistice. She told him that this man would be a great teacher and trainer for him. In time, the man would even become like a big brother.
John smiled as he shook the globe. He could not wait to meet the man later today. What fun they would have! Then he'll be a soldier like Uncle Ben!
0o0o0o0
The trip to the Tower was uneventful. The men did not speculate on the assignment among themselves. All three of them knew what top secret meant. . .
However, the trio paled when they walked through the Tower Gate. They could feel the heavy wards testing their intentions and it was not pleasant.
"Come along, gentlemen, you are safe thanks to your oaths," the Prime Minister chided. Her high heels clicked on the concrete as she lead them along the pathway to the Waterloo Barracks.
It was late afternoon; most of the tourists were gone as the Tower was closing for the night. A young boy was playing on the greens quietly with a Yeoman Warder standing nearby. The lad looked to be about eight.
"Prime Minister," the Yeoman said with a slight bow. "These the men?"
"Yes, Yeoman Warder McIntyre. We feel that they represent the best the military has to offer," she said.
The child looked up and shouted, "Aunt Margaret!"
She laughed as the child ran up to her. "Hello, John Hadrian. And how are you today?"
Sergeant-Major Wolfram stood to one side as the child chatted animatedly with the Prime Minister. In his experience children had no sense of protocol, but he couldn't deny that the child was happy to see her.
"Gentlemen, this is His Grace, Lord John Hadrian. He lives here at the Tower. You three will be staying here for a week to see which one of you will take on the role of bodyguard and mentor. John, Her Majesty wants you to decide which of these men you feel can teach you the best."
"Him!" John said, pointing to Wolfram.
Both the Yeoman Warder and the Prime Minister frowned. "Surely, John Hadrian, you can take a week to get to know them?"
The boy shook his head. "I already know. The Lady told me that I would be getting a new teacher. She even showed me what he looked like. She said I would like him."
The Prime Minister sighed, but looked resolved. "My apologies, gentlemen. I thank you for your time and service. Please report back to your regiments. You will find a substantial compensation for your time. Again, thank you. Also, remember your oaths. What you saw here today is classified and not to be discussed."
The other two men saluted and left with puzzled looks. Both were well schooled not to question orders.
"Sergeant-Major, let me formally introduce you to His Grace,Lord John Hadrian James Potter McIntyre, Duke of Gryffindor, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and the Boy Who Lived. Your new charge."
0o0o0o0o0
A stunned Sgt. Major found his new quarters within the Tower Barracks quite comfortable. They were close to the married couples' barracks and offered plenty of privacy.
While his oaths to Q and C protected him from most of the Tower's blood wards, he had been given an amulet keyed him into the rest. He was thankful for the small token, as the wards were starting to get on his nerves, since he was not going to be a full-time Yeoman.
A thick file lay innocently on his desk taunting him. He couldn't believe when he learned what his mission truly was. He would go over it again later with a glass of scotch. Right now, he was due for a meeting at Yeoman Warder McIntyre's apartment.
0o0o0o0
The apartment was compact, but large by military standards. There was ample evidence that a child lived here - toys neatly stacked in a play box by the bookcase; workbooks and pencils waiting to be used on a side stand by the kitchen table; and pictures of said child and the elderly couple that were raising him dotted the walls.
"Ah, Sergeant-Major, come in," came the gruff voice of the Yeoman Warder. "Maggie is overseeing John's washing-up before tea."
"Do you always allow him to play outside on the public green?" Wolfram asked as he shook the man's hand, before following him to the kitchen table.
John and Maggie made their appearance before Ben could answer. Maggie headed for the kitchen to check the water as John sat down across from Wolfram. "Hello, sir."
"Hello Lord John Hadrian," Wolfram said as he took the offered seat across from the boy.
Ben cleared his throat as he sat at the head of the table. "Have you read your brief, Sgt. Major?"
Wolfram nodded as Maggie set the tea service before them. She poured tea for the three adults first. John sat quietly, waiting his turn as he had been taught.
"How was your day, John?" she asked, letting the men talk quietly among themselves.
"The same Aunt Maggie," John said as he watched the plate of biscuits being passed around. "Thor says there's a cat taking up a cubby-hole by the west wall and she's about to have kittens!"
Ben nodded. "I'll check it out. Good lad. Cats are a bane to the ravens here," he explained.
John beamed with pride as Ben turned to a confused Wolfram.
"John here is an Animagus. His form is a fledgling raven. He's quite the hit with some of the tourists. Thor and Hardey, the leaders of the flock, have taken him under their wings." Ben paused to stir sugar into his tea. "From time to time, John passes on information that he hears from the birds. He helps us keep them safe from predators."
"I see," Wolf said as he waved off the plate of sweets. A slight frown creased his brow as he took in the information, but something was still puzzling him. "Earlier, he mentioned a lady. Who?"
John smiled, looking up from his plate of biscuits. "She is The Lady," he said with his mouth full. "Aunt Amanda calls her 'The Morrigan.'" John ducked from Aunt Maggie's frown as she passed him a napkin. Wiping his face, he continued. "Sorry. The Lady calls me her 'little raven' and She tells me things She says I need to know."
Maggie gave him a look that said he should finish his tea quietly. John nodded as he looked longingly at another chocolate biscuit. She smiled and gave a nod.
"Sgt-Major, as you are a Muggle-born, you were probably Church of England? When you were at Hogwarts did you get a chance to take a wizarding culture class?" Ben asked.
Wolfram nodded, not sure where this was going.
"John here was brought to us by the goddess - 'The Morrigan'. She has made him Her 'Chosen' and visits him from time to time, mostly on the Solstices," Ben explained.
"She gave me a 'globe with you in it. It's in my room." John piped up, as crumbs flaked down his chin. Maggie handed him another napkin as she quietly scolded him about his manners.
"Merlin!" Wolf choked on his tea.
"Quite."
0o0o0
Sorry no Hermione yet. She is coming up soon. We promise. As for Harry going to Hogwarts, you'll just have to wait for it.
Summer is still being a bear. Hopefully about mid-August, it'll let us go. Thanks for the reviews, they are greatly appreciated.
Until next time. -GF and the Frau
