Hi, here is the next chapter. I also put up a new story today, so if you're interested check my profile. Happy reading.
New Threat
Harry sat in a compartment of the Hogwarts express with Ron, Neville, Hermione and Ginny. Hermione, Ron and Harry had just returned from the prefect meeting where Harry and Hermione had just briefed the prefects of their duties in their function as head-boy and head-girl. With Harry getting the spot as head-boy, Ron had been given prefect status for Gryffindor. Hermione's replacement was Parvati.
Harry was glad that his best friend got a bit of attention now. He knew Ron had some problems with jealousy. In fourth year, after Hermione had been the hostage in the lake of Viktor Krum, even if she had been Ron's date for the Yule Ball, he had bickered with her some. Thankfully Harry managed to smooth things enough to prevent an all-out argument. And Ron normally stood in Harry's shadow. Harry couldn't do anything about it. He was famous and he couldn't change that. But since the Ministry had been remodelled by Minister Bones and Arthur Weasley was Senior Undersecretary to the Minister now, the Weasleys got more positive attention all over the wizarding world in Britain.
Ron had the goal to become an auror when he graduated from Hogwarts and since Slughorn had taken over teaching potions things were looking good for Ron. Harry hoped he would be accepted for auror training. His friend had worked hard for it and overcome his laziness of the past.
"And, how was the meeting?" Neville asked.
"Okay. Though how Harry will manage all his duties this year is a mystery to me." Ron admitted.
That much was true. Harry was head-boy and Quidditch captain for Gryffindor.
"The keyword is organization, my dear Ron." Harry gave a good imitation of Sherlock Holmes.
The Holmes series was Harry's favourite reading material at the moment.
"Ah, stop speaking like that muggle detective you tried to tell me about. I simply don't get why you enjoy those books so much. I mean the things the muggle villains do we can easily do with magic." Ron complained.
"Ah, I could say the same about the 'Martin, the Mad Muggle' series." Harry replied.
Neville shook his head grinning slightly. Harry was different, but he was one of the best guys he had ever met and he was honoured to call him his friend.
"So, ready for our last year?" Neville asked.
"Yes, it's strange to think after this year we'll start our careers in the world outside of Hogwarts." Hermione said.
She was especially torn. She hadn't completely decided yet if she would start at the MI6 or if she wanted to work in the wizarding world. Having to keep her job a total secret from her friends was hard. She didn't really know how Harry could do it so easily.
"Have you decided what you'll do after school?" Ginny asked them.
"Well, I'll apply for the auror training program if my NEWTs are good enough." Ron said.
"I'll take up an apprenticeship with a Herbology Master from Nottingham. I have talked to him over the summer break and after I got my NEWTs I'll start the apprenticeship in September. He is one of the leading experts in Herbology worldwide and he travels a lot to find new magical plants." Neville said.
"Hey, that's great, Neville." Hermione said.
"What about you, Harry?" Ginny asked.
"I'm not sure. I guess I'll travel for half a year; there are some places I want to see before I start working. I have offers to play Quidditch professionally, I could start auror training, but I don't know if I want to hunt dark wizards all the time. Curse-breaking also has its own charm to me after Bill told me what he did on his job. I'm not completely sure, that's one of the reasons I'll probably travel, to figure that part out." Harry said.
Hermione had to admire his acting skills. She knew Harry knew exactly what he would do after graduation. He would start his career as a secret agent full-time. He would be in the thick of things and be the shield between the people of Great Britain and those that intended to harm them.
"Lucky you to have so many opportunities to choose from. With your marks and your name you could start anywhere you want." Ron said.
Ron was right. For the past two years Harry had been top student of his year, surpassing Hermione because he took one subject more and still aced all his exams. Nobody knew how he did it, but Harry had managed to get straight O's on all his eleven subjects in his OWLs and he didn't stress out like Hermione had done. No, the wonder-boy of Gryffindor had managed to coordinate it with playing Quidditch as high-skilled as ever before, if not better, his prefect duties and one or another girlfriend at the time.
"And you Hermione?" Neville asked.
"I don't know yet. Starting at the Ministry to further more changes in the wizarding world is one thing that interests me. But I also like doing research on different topics very much. Much magic was lost over time and rediscovering it would interest me a lot. I'd like to further my knowledge, studying at a university would be great. I know there are three famous magical universities, perhaps I'll try to get a place there." She said.
Harry understood. For Hermione it was hard to decide if she wanted to join the MI6. It was a big change in life. For him, not so much. He had had the option to stay with the Dursleys, whom he absolutely detested, or joining the MI6, live with his godfather, and train to one day be strong enough to fight Voldemort. While Voldemort was dead now, Harry knew without the MI6 things wouldn't have worked out as well as they did. Sirius wouldn't have been free for all those years but having rotted in Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit. Harry wouldn't have had the information to destroy Umbridge when she tried to make life miserable for Remus Lupin and the other werewolves in Britain. He wouldn't have had the necessary training to get through the Triwizard Tournament without them.
Voldemort's plan for resurrection would have worked and they wouldn't have known about the horcruxes to destroy him as early on as they had. Perhaps Dumbledore would have figured it out, the man was a genius after all, but he was sure he wouldn't have got the information as straight and directly as he had with the MI6. There wouldn't have been a solution to get rid of the horcrux in Harry's scar that didn't involve killing him and their world would probably have gone through war again.
And Harry had come to like his life as a secret agent in the service of her Majesty. He never was bored; there always was something to do. He got to see the world, meet interesting people and knew he was doing something to make the world a better place. He had always wanted to have a family and for him, the MI6 had become that family. He knew he was different, he had always been. But by now he had accepted that.
Albus Dumbledore sat in his golden, throne-like chair at the head table in the Great Hall and watched the sorting of the new first years. The number of children that started their education at Hogwarts had risen massively over the last years. A consequence of people feeling safe again after the fall of Voldemort in 1981. While in 1991 only about forty children had started, now there were ninety. He doubted that the numbers would rise much more than this for some years because so many young witches and wizards lost their lives to the Death Eaters in the war that would have had children that would attend Hogwarts now. And the next generation needed to grow up before they could give life to new little witches and wizards.
His eyes were on the young man that had a prophecy concerning him. From Severus he knew that the Dark Mark had faded from his arm. It was only a scar now that remained. It seemed like Voldemort was dead, but how did it happen? Harry had told him that Voldemort wasn't a problem anymore. How was Harry involved? Sadly Harry wouldn't tell him more. Things didn't work out with Harry like they should have done. There had been too many mistakes that had been made in Harry's early years. Mistakes that had cost the staff the trust of the boy. It was obvious that Harry was always on guard when one of the teachers was around. This shouldn't have happened, but he couldn't change it anymore.
Harry behaved politely in his classes, did outstanding work in all areas he put his mind on, and was popular all over the school. The only ones disliking him were the seventh year Slytherin pureblood elitists. The younger years were more open. Probably because Mr Malfoy wouldn't budge from his position. The punishment of his father for the involvement in Harry's kidnapping during the third task of the Triwizard Tournament didn't help either. He blamed Harry for it, but Harry just ignored the blond boy.
Now Harry Potter was in his last year. Head-boy like his father before him. He had come far. How Dumbledore wished that he could say he had been a major influence in the growing up of the young man. And with his grades the world was open for Harry. He hadn't heard a definite career plan from Minerva. Harry was undecided and would travel for some time to find out what he wanted. It was not uncommon. While most students had an idea what they wanted to do, some didn't. And Harry had so many options that he obviously liked that he could choose.
He would keep observing the young man, more he wouldn't be able to do.
It was the first Hogsmeade weekend. The students from third year and up were all filling the village. Many were going to Honeydukes and the newly renamed former Zonko's. Now the Weasley Twins had set up a branch of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes there. They had bought out Zonko's in August and started renovating the shop to their liking. Harry was quite happy with the development as he was shareholder in the business for having provided the start capital after his fourth year with his Triwizard winnings and a bit of extra cash. The twins had developed many useful items for Defence Against the Dark Arts that the MI6 had taken over for their agents.
And the Ministry of Magic, after Percy had shown Minister Bones some of his brothers' inventions, also ordered a great number of shield products. They were also exporting them to foreign ministries after Minister Bones had praised their quality in meetings with her colleagues. Harry at the moment didn't have a girlfriend, so he went to the village in company of Ron and Hermione. He had the impression that Ron still was interested in Hermione, but he didn't really say something. Harry wouldn't interfere with his friends' relationships. While he was quite experienced, he wasn't the best person to ask about advice for lasting relationships due to his job. He never had tried to keep his girlfriends for longer than a few months. He just didn't want to bind himself if he knew he couldn't stay faithful. Missions like his last one to Italy could always happen.
They reached Honeydukes and Harry noticed a tall black haired man in a black trench coat in the area with the unusual tastes. He was looking at the blood pops. From his appearance Harry decided he was suspect and needed to be observed. All his senses screamed at him that this man was not what he seemed to be. Harry went over to the part and looked at some of the products.
"How unusual to have somebody like you looking at this kind of tastes." The man addressed Harry.
"No more than seeing someone like you in a sweet shop at this time of the day." Harry answered, now knowing that the man was a vampire.
"I assume you're Harry Potter?" The man asked.
"I am, would you please tell me your name too?" Harry asked politely.
"My name is Dray." The man said.
Harry knew that name. Dray was a magical vampire that was a freelancing MI6 agent. Vampires were notorious for not working under anybody but some had decided that they didn't want to have trouble with the respective country's secret service and therefore offered to pass on important information when they came across some.
"Dray Magnus?" Harry asked to be sure and got a nod. "I guess you have information for me then?"
"Good to see you were informed about my position already." Dray said. "That makes things easier. Can we go somewhere undisturbed? I'm lucky enough that today the sky is hung with clouds, otherwise it would have been difficult to contact you."
"Sure, just let me get some sweets I wanted to buy. Then we can go to the Hog's Head. A pub in the village where rarely students come to." Harry suggested.
"Sounds like a plan." Dray agreed.
Ten minutes later Harry ordered a butterbeer each for him and Dray, after asking discreetly with looks if normal drinks were okay for the vampire, from Aberforth and led Dray to a table in the corner of the room and cast a muffliato spell around them.
"Nobody can hear what we are talking about now. What is the reason you came to Hogsmeade, Dray?" Harry asked.
"I'm currently working with some guys as an investigator in strange occurrences in L.A. Normally my team works in Europe but this one case got us to travel across the Atlantic. Some other vampires have caught our interest as most of us simply want to be left alone. But the black sheep among our people are dangerous to our cover so we keep a close eye on them. During our last job we came upon information that a massive group of vampires is planning to attack somebody here at Hogwarts. The date was sometime in December. As the only target we could think of was either you or the girl you asked the slayer to help you protect, we thought it would be best if we warned you of the impending danger. I also sent a warning to M, but it was safer to also warn you directly. As I didn't know how to contact you from a distance without causing you too much attention I came over. Not to mention that this way I could get an idea of how the wards are working against vampires." Dray explained.
"That's a real problem. How many vampires are we talking about?" Harry asked frowning.
"At least thirty. They are non-magical vampires and not overly old. The oldest one is one hundred and twenty or so. The real problem are the numbers and that they are organized pretty well. The idea we had to help you prepare would be that you sparred against me to get used to fighting a vampire. From what I have seen of the wards around the school they are strong enough to keep vampires off the grounds. But here in the village there is no such protection. And even if you and the girl stayed in the castle in December there is still the possibility of them just attacking the other students or villagers if they don't get their main target." Dray said.
"I just can't get a normal year here. Okay, I need to contact my superiors of this. This is too much for me to decide alone how to handle. Are you able to stay in the Forbidden Forest, Dray?" Harry asked.
"Yes. The wards don't reach that far." Dray confirmed.
"I'll inform you about the plans tomorrow at the latest. Thanks for the warning." Harry said.
"No problem. But we would need a place for me to stay during the days if I stayed longer. While I can stay in the forest for some time, I need a place to store blood bottles." Dray said. "And there are no vampire hideouts in the area as the Ministry keeps too close and eye on the school and the village."
"The best place would be the Shrieking Shack here in Hogsmeade. It is connected to the school grounds by a tunnel. That way I could come there to train with you without being suspicious. And the shack is avoided by the villagers all the time so nobody would find you there." Harry said.
"Sounds good to me. Then I'll wait for your answer tomorrow. Is there a way I can contact you if something comes up?" Dray asked.
"I'll send you an owl with a communication device when I get back to school." Harry answered.
Both finished their butterbeers and then left the pub.
Harry went back to school after having lunch in the Three Broomsticks with his friends. They wondered where he had been and he told them he had met an acquaintance of his and talked to him a bit. When Hermione seemed to want to ask more he gave her a meaningful look and she stopped. She understood it was about his job. When he reached the school he went to Professor Sinistra's office and knocked on the door. He was called in and opened the door.
"Mr Potter, that's a surprise." She said. "I thought you would be in Hogsmeade today with the other students. Please come in."
Harry closed the door behind him and Sinistra secured her office with some privacy spells and locking charms.
"What's the matter, Harry?" She asked.
"We have a problem, Aurora. When I was in Hogsmeade I met a vampire called Dray. I confirmed his identity as one of our freelance vampire contacts." Contrary to Harry Aurora was only a middle class agent and therefore not privy to all information about magical agents or contacts. "I went to the Hog's Head with him to talk and he informed me of plans of a group of vampires to attack somebody in Hogsmeade in December. From what he knew from headquarters he thinks the most probable targets would be Julia or me. I think it is more probable that it's me they're after. There were no indications that the vampires or werewolves have found out that Julia and her mother didn't move away from Britain. From the information the CIA had they were still searching in Australia and Canada." Harry reported.
He had been kept up to date in the case as he was the highest ranking agent around Julia and the one that could act easier as Aurora was needed to keep her cover except in absolute emergencies like a full-out attack on the school.
"That really is a problem, Harry. It wouldn't help if you stayed at school in December either as they could attack other to lure you out. It's well known that you always try to protect others." She said.
"I know, Dray saw the same problem. He offered to help me train as my sparring partner to prepare me for an attack. But I think in this case we'll have to involve more agents. As good as I am, I can't take on thirty vampires on my own, not even if Dray helps me in the fight. I'm no slayer." Harry said.
"Yes, it would be best, but there is the problem of Dumbledore. He would know something was up if there appeared skilled fighters that are not from the Ministry in Hogsmeade to help against the vampires. And Dumbledore is somebody that we don't want to have suspicious of us." Aurora pondered.
"True. And asking him for help would bear a similar problem. But perhaps we can invent a story that comes close to the truth without compromising our cover." Harry suggested.
"And how would we do that?" Aurora asked.
"Let me think about it a minute." Harry said and thought what could work with Dumbledore.
Finally he looked like he had an idea.
"We tell him about Dray and offer him to meet him. Of course we inform Dray first that he can't tell Dumbledore about me being a secret agent in any case. He can tell Dumbledore that he found out about the attack planned and deducted from what he read in files he copied from the rogue group that I'd be a probable target. To prevent me being killed he came over to warn me. As he can't get into the wards he contacted me and asked me to inform Dumbledore and arrange a meeting. That way we won't be open to suspicions but still get preparations done. We'll have to keep Julia in the castle in December; she wouldn't be able to defend herself properly. I think Dumbledore can make portkeys to the castle; that would be a way to evacuate the students if it becomes necessary." Harry explained his idea.
"Okay, I'll contact M to get the go ahead. When are you going to meet Dray again? And where will he stay?" Aurora asked.
"I suggested the Shrieking Shack. For now he is in the Forbidden Forest." Harry replied.
"Good. I'll inform you once I have orders from headquarters." She said.
Harry nodded and stood up from his seat.
"I'll go to the owlery to send Dray an owl with a communicator to be able to contact me if something comes up." Harry said.
"Okay."
Harry left the office and went to the owlery.
Okay, that's it for today. Till next time.