Harry Potter and the Wizards of Malta
Chapter 6.
With eyes acclimated to the dark, the flash of the curse left Harry momentarily blinded. What he saw, or thought he saw when the flash dimmed, was hard to believe. The wizard appeared to stretch horizontally until he became two, and the curse went between the two images, striking the corner of Penny's flat. When the smoke cleared, the wizard was nowhere in sight.
Temporarily confused and with a mind for defense, Harry went to guard with the Holly wand, now wielded by his right hand.
"Protego." A plume of defensive energy erupted from the Holly wand while he made ready the black wand for the Expelliarmus, which would be the only remedy for the green jet of the Avada Kadavra. Standing motionless in the evening darkness he craned in search for the hooded wizard. All he could see from the dark corner of the terrace was thin air. Nothing at all. The wizard must have apparated away after managing to evade the first attack.
Penny's flat was not so lucky. The corner of the building where the wizard had been standing was now disfigured with a smoldering hole the size of your fist. He glanced toward the glass doors and could see Penny standing up now. He carefully took several steps into a well-lit area of the terrace and waved sheepishly. One more quick check confirmed the threat was gone and he stepped toward the doors. Penny was holding her short gown together tightly to make up for the few moments it had been hanging open. She raised the blinds, unlatched the door and tentatively took a step out onto the terrace.
"Harry – what the hell? I thought you were cutting out when we got back?" she said and straightened the crumpled black hair.
"Sorry..." he said and went back for the invisibility cloak. "I couldn't leave. And I spotted your wizard."
"So, you saw him," she said, shaking hair away from her eyes.
"Yeah, he was right there," he said and pointed to the black patch on the wall.
"Okay," she said and frowned when she spotted the hole. "Then what happened then?"
"I don't know," Harry said and scratched his ear in puzzlement. "He just vanished."
"Disapparated?"
"Damned if I know – after the smoke cleared, he was gone."
They looked at each other quizzically while Penny clutched at the dressing gown."
"Sorry about the wall," he said at length.
Penny looked at the wall and back at Harry and finally smiled.
"Well... will you come inside for coffee?" she asked and motioned inside with her head.
The proper thing would be to leave now, but there was nothing proper about the sight of Penny standing there in the short gown that barely covered the goal line.
"Yeah, I guess so," he heard himself say.
Once inside, Penny excused herself for a moment and came back out with a full-length dressing gown with a functioning belt.
"Colombian, Irish crème, or French roast," she announced. "Any of those work for you?"
"Hey, you don't have to go to all that trouble," he said and thinking now he should have left.
"It's no trouble – see," she said and lifted little individual brew cup dispensers.
"Colombian then," he said and grinned.
Penny opened the machine and inserted a little brew cup. Immediately, steamy water began to dispense and the smell of coffee filled the room. She handed Harry a cup and started one of her own. Tightening the belt on the gown, she dressed her coffee and returned to the big leather chair.
"What was the wizard doing – when you attacked, that is?"
"He was looking at you – checking you out."
"Oh, I see... was I the bait?"
"I wouldn't exactly say it like that," Harry said with a grin. "But you were fetching," he heard himself say and flushed slightly.
"Imagine. All that drama – right on the terrace. He just disappeared, you said?" she said in a chatty way and sipped the coffee.
"Yeah, he just split apart – the curse missed him and then he was gone," Harry said shaking his head.
"What does that mean," she asked, and looked concerned.
"It means he no ordinary stalker – wouldn't you say?" he asked and tested the coffee.
"I don't have much experience with stalkers - magical or otherwise. How tough is this wizard? In your experience, that is?" she asked tentatively.
"I don't know – he could be a tough bastard to kill."
"Oh," she said while changing the handle of the coffee cup to the other hand. "Did you get it cleared with Kingsley to follow us on tour?"
"Yes. I did. Where are we going by the way?"
"Amsterdam – have you been there?"
"Yeah, last summer on vacation," he quipped and Penny shot him a face. "No, of course not. Romania was my last vacation spot."
"That sounds fun," she said, managing to stay upbeat
"Yeah, I'll have to tell you about it sometimes."
"Well. You'll be ready by next Tuesday then," she said and put the cup away.
Harry nodded and then stared at the bottom of the empty coffee cup.
"Sorry about the wall – but I'll get your stalker," he said solemnly.
"I'm sure you will," she said, encouragingly. "What he did to your friends has really ground your gears hasn't it?"
Harry stood up, obviously to leave. "Yeah. You can say that again."
‡‡‡‡‡
He'd immediately apparated to Grimmauld Place after leaving Penny's flat. Sleeping like a rock, it was almost one o'clock before he managed to get up for coffee. Kreacher was furious with his new schedule. There was something out of place with the whole story of Penny's stalker. And maybe something Penny wasn't telling him, but the wizard was certainly no ordinary stalker or peeping Tom. Maybe Ron could remember something. Anything could help.
He was a few moments away from the magical entrance to St. Mungo's at Purge and Dowse, Ltd. Stopping to pan around for any onlookers and seeing none, he quickly stepped through the charmed entryway and entered the hospital. It was the same receptionist as last time, a prissy little brunette.
"Ron Weasley – is he still in 305?" Harry asked.
"Oh no sir. He's been moved," she said and flipped through a little book. "It's room 117 – just down this hall on your left sir," she added and pointed with a pencil she pulled from her hair.
"Thanks," he said and managed a smile.
Navigating the long antiseptic corridor to room 117, he peeped in the door to see Ron reading the morning Daily Prophet over coffee.
"Never thought you'd go that far to get out of work," Harry said and grinned.
"Harry... damn good to see you," Ron said and laid the paper on the bed.
"Damn good to see you mate – how you feel today? Okay?" asked Harry.
"Better. A lot better, I can tell you that," he said nodding. "But for a while there it was pretty rough."
Except for the Hair that had been singed off, Ron looked almost normal now.
"Well you look better. I can tell you that," Harry said and Ron smiled and nodded.
"Hermione tells me you're on the case and she's back in Law Enforcement," Ron said and reached for the coffee.
"That's pretty much the story alright," Harry said as he found a chair along the side of Ron's bed.
Ron looked suddenly nervous. "Harry... I know what you're going to ask. And I wish so very much I could help..." Ron dipped and shook his head.
"Do you remember anything at all mate?" Harry pleaded.
Again, Ron shook his head. "Not much. Not much at all. I do remember Penny getting into the limo – a big Mercedes I think."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, that's right."
"I remember seeing Jerry motion me aside – and then it all goes blank," He said, sorrowfully. "Sometimes I have dreams – bad dreams, you know. And images come to mind, but I don't know if they're real."
"Oh I see. Well... I saw the bastard last night," Harry injected, not really sure what effect it would have on Ron.
"You saw him – so what Happened Harry?" he asked through a grim expression.
"I fired a curse at him. It was dark. I couldn't see too well, but it looked like he split apart. Like he became two. The curse missed him and he vanished," he said and waved his arms in wonder.
Ron sat quiet for a moment as if meditating on the last from Harry.
"That's almost like a dream I had. So... maybe I do remember something after all," he said.
"Yeah?"
"But that's all really – not much more," he added, solemnly.
"Keep working on it mate. I'm sure more will come back," Harry said, trying to be cheerful.
"Yeah, I'm sure it will," Ron said and managed a weak smile.
"If you get bored, I have a pile of crosswords you can have," he said and they both laughed.
‡‡‡‡‡
"Well now – this is what I call moving up," Harry said, looking around the interior of Hermione's new office.
"What – compared to that closet I had before," Hermione replied.
"So what do think of the case. I know you're looking at it?" Harry asked as he inspected a volume on the shelf.
Hermione was moving books from a cardboard box to a shelf behind her desk.
"Harry, I really haven't," she said at length.
"Oh come on, you mean Kingsley didn't ask?"
"I didn't say that. Just mean I haven't looked it over yet," she corrected him.
"Oh, I see. Well what did Kingsley's ask you about – the other day?"
"Just some general things really. So how long are you in town?"
"The band is leaving Tuesday."
"And where to – may I ask?"
"Amsterdam. You ever been there?" he asked and furrowed his brows.
"Of course not – have you?"
"No – never. And I really don't know much about Amsterdam," he confessed.
Hermione suddenly paused to reflect and dug a book out of the box.
"Here, take this. It might help," she said and handed the book to Harry.
The title read, Classical Cities of the World.
"I think Amsterdam is in that one," she added.
"Didn't think you were interested in worldly places," he said and thumbed through the book.
"Not terribly – that's why I'm giving it to you," she said and grinned.
"Well, thanks. I'll check it out," he said, unconvincingly and rose from the chair.
"Enjoy Amsterdam Harry, and be careful," she said with a wry grin.
"See ya later and don't work too hard," he said and shuffled off toward the Auror office.
Hermione's excuse for not digging into the case was weak and unconvincing. And he didn't buy into it. Not a bit. Kingsley must have given her instructions. And whatever the instructions were, they weren't for Harry's ears. The Auror cubicles were a quiet and lonely place now. He threw the remaining crosswords on the floor and delved into the chapter on Amsterdam.
‡‡‡‡‡
"Grand Hotel... Krasnapolsky," Harry said, reading the note to the English speaking Taxi driver.
"Very good sir," the man said and pressed the time counter button.
Electing not to travel with the band, Harry arrived by portkey to the Netherlands then hunted for a taxi to take him into the heart of Amsterdam. Passing by the many concentric canals around the city, he hoped they wouldn't turn out to resemble Dante's rings. He tried to push the thought out of his mind. He was just a little nervous being so far from his home turf. Anyway, the city was beautiful. Not at all like London.
"How long are you staying?" the driver asked, doing his best to be pleasant.
"For a few days. I'm security for a band playing this week," he said. The driver looked at him a little suspiciously.
"Yeah – what band is that?"
"Electra Penthane and Bells of Elysium ," Harry said, defensively. The man's eyes lit up with that tidbit of information.
"Hey I know them – yeah she's hot," he said with a little twinkle in his eye and fat lipping a cigarette.
"Yes she is," Harry said with a little sigh.
He paid the fair and tipped the driver while two bellhops scurried over to help with bags. They insisted they help with the meager luggage and directed Harry to the desk attendant. The concierge was just in front of the hotel entrance and the desks were just a little further along on the right.
"Your room won't be ready until three Mister Potter," the pretty blonde attendant informed him. "We can hold your bags until your room is ready," she added while entering the information into a computer. "Please feel free to enjoy our lounge and dining facilities," she said with a welcoming smile.
"Thank you," he said. "And check back around three?"
"Yes sir. We should have your room ready then."
"Oh by the way," he stopped and said. "I'm with the 'Bells of Elysium' staff. Has any of the band arrived yet?"
The girl looked at him curiously. "I haven't seen them. Perhaps another attendant?" she said with a shrug.
The first order of business would be casing the building and the surrounding area. The hotel was a rather spacious affair on five levels. The two front sides of the hotel were located in a street corner with an alley down the remaining side off the front. Nice and clean. No problem here. The back of the hotel was a different story. There were tables in a garden in the back for drinking and dining. If someone wanted to slip inside that would be the way you'd expect them. Of course a wizard could enter about any way he chose. But even a wizard wouldn't apparate into a crowd of guests.
He wasn't particularly hungry, but a bit of lunch would help kill some time while he waited the two hours for the room. As it turned out, the garden cafe in the back was the only hotel restaurant serving anything less than a three course meal. It was somewhat isolated and quiet. The perfect place for a couple to enjoy a meal and drinks in a cozy environment. But in his present situation, the scene felt depressing. The street would be the proper place for a man to get a meal, he reasoned.
Not too far down the street, he settled on lunch at Gaucho's. The place specialized in grilled food with an obvious Argentine flair. Settling on fish soup and a salad, he chose a local beer to wash it down. Sitting at a table by the street, the scene was pleasant but a long way from Diagon Alley. The people seemed the same, perhaps a little more festive, but that made him feel even more uncomfortable. He couldn't allow himself to be lulled into torpidity, and by forcing himself to stay on the edge he felt uneasy.
How many wizards were in Amsterdam, he wondered. Were there any on the street now? He panned around the street looking for signs but found none. He almost laughed at the silly attempt, but then looked again. This time looking deeply into every little detail. For a moment he felt like a vampire character in an Ann Rice novel, looking for other vampires and finding none.
There were a couple of ways to spot another witch or wizard but it wasn't easy. Ms. Rosemarkie had tried to beat this into his head in her fiery lectures at the Ministry. For one: all wizards and witches carried a wand. It was like a link to their soul and they never left home without it. Sometimes, the presence of the wand would betray their identity if you knew how to look for it. A piece of clothing would wrinkle in the wrong way or not wrinkle at all. Men carried them in different places than women, so the trick required looking in the right places. And two: Wizards and witches were generally out of their element in a Muggle world. Even if they were comfortable in a non-magical environment, which most were not, they would pay too much attention to trivialities and the nonessential – like when Author Weasley asked him about the function of a rubber duck. Of course a Muggle would know its value is childish amusement and that it has no real function, but Author didn't know that. If you threw a rubber duck on the street then a Muggle and a wizard might give two very different reactions. Of course you had to look hard for these subtleties. And you couldn't be caught doing it. You had to look like you weren't looking, or you would be the one to stand out to another wizard. And perhaps an enemy would spot you and get the jump on you and maybe kill you. But this is what Harry was trained to do. Working in Muggle and international environments was his job now. But this was first time for the Netherlands, but there was always a first time. The trick was living through it.
"Oh, Mister Potter," the cute desk attendant called out.
"Yes," he replied with a soft smile.
"The band... the band you're with. They're here," she said and smiled professionally.
"Thank you. Have they been here long?"
"Oh, no sir," she said. "Just a few moments ago. And your room is ready. Room 305 sir," she said and handed him a little folder and key-card.
Harry thanked the girl and started away with the little bundle.
"Oh, almost forgot – there's a note," she said and handed him a small ivory envelope.
"Well thanks terribly," he said, smiling and leaving the desk and pretty attendant behind him.
He took half a dozen steps toward the lift and ran into Jimbo, one of Penny's guards.
"Well hello there... Potter, right?"
"Good afternoon... Jimbo isn't it?" he said and the big man's smile vanished.
"Yeah, didn't figure you'd already be here," he said and raised a brow. "Just exactly what is it you do for Penny anyway?" he asked. The big man stood there, blocking Harry's way to the lift. Jimbo's melon shaped face was turning pink. His crew-cut scalp was furrowed with concentration. The suit jacket looked a size too small.
"Well, Jimbo... that's kind of between me and her, but it is related to security. And it's really none of your business," Harry explained.
"Look, let me tell you one thing here," he said, shoving a finger in Harry's face. "Harley and me takes care of Penny. So it damn well is our business," he said with the face now growing red.
Harry stood there as if having a disagreement with a child. He was cool and calm, much to the chagrin of Jimbo who was growing angrier.
"Well Jimbo, I'm glad to hear it..." Harry said and looking around the big man toward the lift. "but you're blocking my way," he said and motioned toward the lift.
Jimbo clenched his teeth and stormed off. Taking the lift to the third level, Harry found room 305 and slid the key card in the slot until the green light was shining. He unlatched the handle and peered in before entering. The room had that 'just been cleaned' smell and his garment bag and rucksack were laying on the bed.
He almost forgot the note and threw it on the dresser. Thinking it might be important he went back and tore it open.
Harry,
We'll be having a little kickoff and dinner get-together
tonight at 6:00. Not sure where now, but the desk
will direct you.
Don't be late.
Thanks,
Penny.
A little get together – well that should be interesting, he thought and remembered his encounter with Jimbo. The guy was fanatically protective. Or something like that.
He showered early so as to arrive in the lobby at five o'clock. He prowled the hotel and grounds for a quick security check before arriving at the desk at a quarter to six.
A young male attendant had replaced the cute blonde at the desk.
"Can I help you sir?" he asked, eagerly.
"Yes. Miss Penthane's band – I believe they're dining somewhere?"
"Oh yes sir. At the Reflet – just right down the hall behind you sir," he said.
"Thanks," Harry said and nodded.
The 'Reflet' as the attendant said was not the kind of place you'd expect to see hard rockers gathered for an evening out. The place was ornately arranged with gilded ceiling and columns and looked like something out of 'La Belle Epoque'. He could make out Ace, Beatty, and Marco sampling the hors d'oeuvres and rakishly dressed with dinner jackets over the silk print shirts and faded jeans.
Penny was off to the side and dressed in a tight grey trousers with a black silk button top and matching heels. The raven-black hair was hanging like a fine drapery. With the thick blocked fringe, she resembled an Egyptian priestess.
He mingled his was into the dining room, hellowing and nodding as he went. His new acquaintance, Jimbo was hanging along Penny's left and giving him a hard glare. Harley had his back turned, sampling the wine, from the way it looked.
Penny turned to take notice and motioned to him with a smile.
"Harry," she said. "Good to see you – you have any trouble?"
"None," he replied and gave Jimbo a curt smile
"Well that's good," she said. "I hope you won't mind the arranged seating."
Harry shook his head and looked around to see name tags at each table setting.
"This way you'll get to meet the rest of the band," she said.
"That's fine."
She leaned in as if to divulge a secret. "We'll be going out later so don't eat too much," she smiled coyly and turned away.
Part of their agreement before he took the job was that Penny wouldn't slip off without first giving him a heads-up. He browsed around the tables until 'Harry Potter' showed up between 'Mary Ann Russel' and 'Alan Wilson'.
Mary Ann smiled warmly as he redundantly introduced himself. She immediately began to explain her job with the band. The 'Bells of Elysium' was a symphonic metal band and carried a small orchestral accompaniment. Mary Ann explained she was a backup vocalist and chatted unabashedly until the orders were taken. Being a vegetarian, she persuaded the waiter to serve her Crepe Suzette, which had not originally been offered on the evening menu. Harry ordered the cote de boeuf but wasn't feeling it and worried a little about Penny's warning. Alan finally drifted to the table with a wine glass in each hand. He muttered his order and remained monosylablic throughout the meal.
"So Potter, what exactly is it you do?" he finally blurted out.
"I'm a security consultant," Harry replied, remembering Penny's inventiveness.
"Well, what's that," Alan asked, indelicately.
Harry quickly realized that sometimes the simpliest questions are the most difficult.
Before the meal was over Penny stood up and put spoon to crystal. Except for a few, who had perhaps indulged in too much wine, she had gathered everyone's attention.
"Just a quick announcement – I promise I won't hold you," she said. "As most of you know, we'll be performing tomorrow night at the Paradiso. We'll begin setting up around four and beginning early, so everyone try and show up on time. This is our first show in Amsterdam, so let's everyone take it easy tonight and we'll have a great show tomorrow," she concluded to a small round of applause.
A few immediately began to leave and Penny interrupted once more.
"Oh, Harry," she said, craning to see over the crowd. "See me after the meal – we've got a little security issue," she said and smiled.
What the hell was that all about, he wondered. Jimbo was the first thing that came to his mind. The côte de boeuf was delicious but a little rare. He finished his drink and said a pleasant goodnight to Mary Ann. Alan never looked up to notice him leaving. There was a empty chair now at Penny's table. Jimbo and Harley were at the next table but paying little attention to Harry.
"So what's the problem?" he asked and plopped down in the chair.
"We have a little security issue. We'll be going out for drinks later and I need you along," she said and grinned.
"I thought you were asking everyone to turn in early?"
"Yeah, I always do, but we're going out anyway, if you want to go?"
"Sure," he said and rose to leave. "I'll wait out front by the car."
After a short walk back to the garden tables he took a quick look around and everything appeared normal. It was all quiet, inconspicuous, and best of all, there were no hooded wizards. Walking leisurely and taking complete notice of everyone he met, he pushed through the lobby and out to the front of the hotel. The doorman was helping a young couple with luggage.
"Can I help you sir?" he asked Harry.
"I'm waiting for Miss Penthane's car. Do you know it?" Harry asked.
He eyed Harry cautiously. "I believe it's the silver Mercedes – just there," he said pointing down the way.
"Thanks," Harry said and nodded politely.
After five minutes or so, a sleek black figure pushed through the revolving door. Behind Penny, Ace and Harley wiggled out a few seconds later. They spotted Harry and began toward the car.
"You're going to love it Harry," she said.
"You look a little uptight old man," Ace quipped, eying Harry amusingly.
Harley, Penny, and Ace piled in the back seat of the Mercedes while Harry played navigator for the driver.
"Alright," Harry said. "So where are we going?"
"To a 'Brown House' Harry – it's where they serve gin. They have a different gin over here. It's really good," she explained.
"It'll take a bit of the edge off Harry – you should give it a try," Ace interjected.
The street lights were zipping by as they crossed the interior canals of the city. The roads that led away from the city fanned out like the spokes of a wheel. They finally made a left turn and stopped at a building that looked older than Dumbledore. They unpiled out of the car and Harry took a quick look around while Penny and Ace made their way to the door. Harley entered next as Harry pulled up the rear.
Everything inside the cafe was aged, warm, and wooden. A long history of good times had indelibly left its mark everywhere with scuffs, scrapes, and dents. The old building smelled of tobacco smoke mixed with the redolence of sawdust on the hardwood floors. Around the walls a bar ran the full length and a few customers were bending over their drinks in a curious fashion.
"It's slurping Harry – it's the way they drink gin here," Penny said with a grin.
"Slurping – really?"
"Yeah, they make a gin here called 'genever', it's different – believe me," Ace added.
A barman sped by, but Penny had no trouble gathering his attention. The barman hit the brakes hard and flashed Penny a helpful smile.
"We'd like a round of gin here," she asked pleasantly.
"Certainly, do you have something in mind? An Oude, Jonge, or Corenwyn?" he asked with a shrug.
Penny, with a baffled look, turned to Ace for help.
"A Jonge should do, but if you have anything special..." Ace said with plenty of arm motions.
"I think I do," the barman said with a polite smile and disappeared.
The cafe was neither crowded or loud but there was a noticeable level of din in the undampened wooden hall. By this time many patrons had noticed Penny and some were staring.
The barman returned with four small tulip shaped glasses and a bottle. He spaced them evenly on the wooden bar and began pouring each glass carefully to the rim.
"This is a Jonge we just got in – very nice. I hope you'll like it," he said.
"I'm suuurrre we will," Penny said, holding her hair back and bending over the glass. As she bent over Harry caught a glimpse of breasts cased in black lace before the scene vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Not being the bashful type, Ace quickly followed to gulp the top off his drink.
"Whoa... now that's different," Penny exclaimed and brushed a drop of gin off her lower lip with a finger.
"Yeah, that's a damn good Jonge," Ace replied, coming up for air.
Harry and Harley stood there as pair of inactive spectators. Harley was eying a pretty blonde in the corner and barely noticed his drink.
"Come on you two – don't be shy," Penny ordered.
Harry nodded and stepped up to the bar. Very carefully he bent over and sipped the top layer of gin. Harley, not being being able to remove his eyes from the blonde, moistened his finger in the gin and licked it.
Ace began to horse laugh Harley. "Man, you're killing me."
Harley only returned Ace an indifferent glare and remained quiet and aloof. Harry, now able to lift his glass, panned around the room coolly while sipping his gin.
"Not bad – kind of earthy. Nothing like London dry, is it?" he remarked casually.
"Nope, not at all," replied Ace.
Penny and Ace emptied their glass and both nodded approval. They began a chatty conversation about the band and their plans for the morrow. Ace was bit of a comedian. He was the only one Harry had seen that could make Penny smile with twinkling eyes. Ace had been with Penny in the corner of the terrace when Harry arrived at the get-together. He wondered what their connection was, if any. Ace did seem a bit more professional than the others. That was probably it, he thought.
"Feel like a head butt?" Ace inquired.
"What the hell's that?" asked Penny.
"A beer chaser, of course," quipped Ace.
She looked amused but then looked at Harry and Harley.
"You guys better hold back," she said and pointed a finger. "Hell, somebody needs to stay sober."
"Let's get it to go," Ace added.
Penny and Ace order two bottles of beers and left the glasses on the bar. They all thanked the barman then made their way to the Mercedes. In the back, Penny and Ace were still gabbing about band numbers and feeling no pain. Harry again noticed the city lights, so clear at going out, were now leaving a little phosphorescent trail behind them. Maybe the gin was little stronger than he thought.
"Oops – I'm dying to pee," Penny confessed as she and Ace laughed uncontrollably.
Back at the hotel and out of the car first, Harry stood by the side and watched Penny kick a long leg out of the car door to plant it firmly on the ground. Trying not to think about that and struggling to concentrate on the job at hand, he worried he was losing that fight.
Still cackling and laughing Ace followed Penny into the lift and Harley joined them reluctantly. Harry waved and continued on toward the lobby.
"See you tomorrow Harry," Penny blurted, before the doors slammed shut.
Thinking a little fresh air before he turned in would help; he made his way back to the garden cafe. He grabbed a table and ordered bottled water. The fresh green smell of things growing was a welcome relief from the smokey brown house. From out of the shadows a bulky figure sauntered his way. It was his old friend Jimbo.
"Have a good night out Potter?" he asked, mockingly.
Harry nodded but didn't respond. As Jimbo passed his chair on his way to the foyer, an arm came out and pushed hard on Harry's shoulder. From the almost reclining position in which Harry was seated, the front legs of the chair lifted and Harry could feel himself going back. Teetering for only a moment, he could feel the chair going over.
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A/N: Thanks for reading and remember to review.