Harry Potter and the Wizards of Malta

Chapter 11.

Harry stood in the yard of the Leaky Cauldron, staring blankly at the sign on Hannah's door. After some time an uncomfortable feeling finally took control of his attention.

Thinking that George might know something about this mystery, he headed straight-away to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Only a few customers were in the shop at this time of day. Harry nodded to the new female clerk and stuck his nose in the door of George's workshop. The ginger haired wizard was employing all his concentration on some gadget on the workbench and didn't look up until he heard the scuffing of footsteps.

"Harry!"

"Hello George," Harry said, calmly.

"Merlin's beard," he said after a short recovery. "Good to see you mate. What in the world brings to my door today?"

"Well, I was taking a weekend off and stopped by the Leaky Cauldron – and it's closed?" Harry said and looked baffled.

"Oh, yeah," George said and smiled. "Hannah left you a note Harry," he added and lifted up from the chair.

"A note?" Harry asked as he followed George.

"Sure mate. She said that bloke you ran off – "

"Yeah?"

" – well, he came back."

"Is she okay?" Harry asked as his concern ratcheted up a notch.

"She's fine," he said and dug out a small envelope from a desk drawer and handed it to Harry.

Harry ripped open the note.

Harry,

I had to close the shop and take a bit of

holiday in the country. The hooded wizard

showed up again. Things were slow anyway.

Send me an Owl if you get this.

Later,

Hannah

"Says here, she's taking a bit of holiday," Harry said, musing.

"That makes sense. You two have plans or something?" George asked, with curiosity getting the best of him.

Harry shot back a grin. "Your post Owl – has it dropped in yet?"

George shook his head. "Don't think so."

"You got something to write on?"

Harry penned a quick note telling Hannah he was in town and reminding her of the dinner date. He told her he'd check back at the pub again at six.

‡‡‡‡‡

Killing the rest of the day at Grimmauld Place turned out to be easier than he would have imagined. There was plenty of time to clean up and relax before making the trip back to the Leaky Cauldron. He said so-long to Kreacher and departed Grimmauld Place via the back door. From there he apparated directly into the yard behind the pub.

Immediately his spirits lifted as one glance confirmed Hannah had returned and removed the sign off he door. He gave the latch a turn and the this time the door didn't resist.

The dimly lit dining hall was ghostly quiet with all the chairs sitting upside down on the tables. There was a long tube with a horn on the end located behind the bar. He'd seen Charlie use it to call Hannah several times.

"HANNAH – can you hear me – it's Harry?" he spoke clearly into the tube. He put his ear close to the horn and thought he hear the shuffling of footsteps.

"Hello Harry is that you?" came the hollow reply.

"Yes – yes, it's me."

"Well come on up. I'm getting ready. It's the door at the end of the hall."

"Okay."

The stairs wound around to stop at the upper level of rooms above the pub. The floor boards creaked loudly, breaking the sepulchral silence, as he neared Hannah's door. A gentle rap was all it took to get a reply.

"Come on in Harry."

Hannah had converted the large room into a flat sized apartment with a cozy sitting area, up front.

"Be out in a minute Harry," she announced from the adjoining room.

"When did you close up?" he asked and found a seat.

"A few days ago." She entered the room wearing a fluffy terrycloth gown with a towel turbaned atop her head.

"So, George tells me the wizard – "

" – Yeah he came back Harry," she said and disappeared, except for her head and shoulders, behind a wicker screen. "Really nasty this time. Business was off and we had no boarders, so I just closed the doors."

She threw the terrycloth gown over the top of the screen while she smiled and talked to Harry. He could imagine her nakedness behind the screen. The whole thing was a turn on.

"Did you tell Kingsley?" he asked.

"I started to. But I thought you had enough on your plate," she said. He could see she was getting into a bra from her movements.

"Hannah – next time – call him, okay?"

"For sure Harry."

Harry shook his head at this casual omission that could have ended this whole business if Hannah had reported it.

"So what do you feel like for dinner?"

"I don't know, but I'm hungry. Been walking in the country at my Aunt's place."

Harry studied her image, silhouetted, from behind the screen. It looked like she was stepping into an item of clothing.

"Your Aunt's – in the country – is it nice this time of year?"

"Yes very, but it won't last for long."

"You never said what you fancy for dinner?"

"Thinking on it. So, how 's your job? Protecting Penny Penthane and all that?" she asked slyly.

"We've run down three wizards. It's an Order of some kind?"

"An Order? What on earth is she mixed up with?"

"No idea. Bit if you've no place in mind, I know a spot that might be about right."

Hannah removed the turban and pulled the pins out her hair to let it fall and then shook it out straight. When she did step out from behind the screen she reappeared wearing a simple cream colored wrap that tied around the waist with a nice split at the hem and deep V neck. The outfit was very becoming and contrasted beautifully with her light bronze skin.

"That'll be fine," she said. "Let me get some shoes and I'll be ready to go."

She walked barefoot into the bedroom and came back out holding a pair heeled sandals by the straps. She sat down on the chair opposite Harry and crossed one leg over the other and slipped into the sandals.

"You look nice," he said at length. She looked up and gave him a brief smile.

"I'm glad you could make it back," she said, struggling a little with the last sandal. "So, how long are you in for?"

"Just a day or so. I'll have to get back for their next show."

"Which is where, by the way?" she said and pulled herself up from the chair and tugged the frock out straight. She glanced sideways at a nearby mirror for one last vanity check.

"Rome. The next show is in Rome."

"HARRY POTTER... you dog. I always wanted to go to Rome," she said and reached for a small bag on the table by the door.

‡‡‡‡‡

Harry had explained to Hannah carefully not to let this wizard ever into her establishment again without notifying the Ministry immediately. She nodded sheepishly and promised to do so, but Harry doubted her sincerity.

They went to a cafe, which was an old favorite if his, with the nice balcony and soft lighting. They had to wait for a few minutes to arrange seating on the balcony. Hannah was a little put off by the wait, but it had been a long time since Harry had been there and he didn't want to miss it.

She looked great under the soft lighting of the candelabra and seemed very relaxed after the glass of wine. Neither one of them were under any illusions here. This was simply an evening out and nothing more. Looking back to when Hannah first took over the Leaky Cauldron, she'd always been friendly and he now realized they'd been on a collision course for some time. She listened to him more than most, and she knew his moods and his guilty feeling over Sandy, and she knew he had an edge that only a woman could take off.

She had all but offered herself up to him on more than one occasion but he had clumsily sidestepped it or bungled the advance in some way or another. Well tonight he wouldn't sidestep it or bungle things if he could help it. He was damned lucky she'd given him a second chance and the timing couldn't be better. Most would not have, and he was deeply appreciative she'd overlooked his awkwardness.

The deep V of her frock went down well past most collars yet she was still tanned. He wondered just how far the tan went, and the wine had loosened him up enough to ask.

"So, your walks out in the country?"

"At my Aunts?"

"Yes, how does that go exactly – I mean you seem very fit and I can't help but wonder..."

"Wonder what?" she asked, and grinned.

"...about your tan," he asked and pointed to his breastbone to demonstrate.

"It's a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?" she asked.

"I'd love to."

Hannah paused as if looking for a place to start.

"I've always enjoyed visiting my Aunt, since I was very young. She has a lovely place with an old farmhouse surrounded with large grassy meadows and rolling hills behind beyond. You always seemed to feel better after a visit there. After the gent from Durmstrang quit writing – I was kind of down for while so I got to visiting a little more, I suppose." She paused to scratch her ear though layers of dishwater blonde hair.

"Trying to keep the pub going, I was working every day. I was growing pale and losing weight. My Aunt noticed this and convinced me to hire some help, so I could stop by on a regular basis. This is when I picked up Charlie. She said she'd help me if things didn't work out financially."

"It seems like they did," remarked Harry and leaned back, inviting her to tell the rest of the story.

"Yeah well, she's the one that suggested I should walk in the hills. So I took her advice to heart and do it just like she described her walks when she was young. It's best to take the hills early in the morning. They're shaded by tall wood and the morning air is very cool – very nice. But by mid day your legs are killing you and the Sun down below – in the meadow is very warm and soothing. I carry a rucksack with a couple bottles of water and a big terrycloth towel. The grass in the meadow is waist high. So you just find a place for your towel and take off your clothes. The hot sun is good for the sore muscles and it feels good to bask naked."

"I see – so you don't bother with a bathing suit then?"

"Harry, do you wear clothes when you take a bath?"

Harry shook his head, "No."

"Well neither do I when I sunbath – there's no reason to," she said flatly. "You should give it a try Harry."

"You've convinced me – you should take me along," he said and put his hands in surrender.

"Well, if my Aunt doesn't have a problem with it – then you're invited on the first sunny day next week."

"Naked uh?"

"Uh huh," Hannah replied and nodded, authoritatively.

After the meal, they apparated back to the Leaky Cauldron. There were no awkward moments as they reached the door to the pub. Hannah kept chatting as if to pull him in verbally. She quickly unlocked the door and they both ducked in.

There were only a few gas lamps lit and the pub was dimmer than ever. Hannah lit another over a small table and quickly poured them a couple of beers. She sat down, throwing one bronze leg over the other, breaking the split hem open to mid-thigh. The soft yellow light of gas lamp was flickering over her soft and reflective skin.

Harry was convinced, that the wrap style frock she was wearing was possibly the greatest invention of the human mind. With more material in the middle, the belt would effectively cinch the waist when tied firmly. By removing material from the top and bottom, you have a V neckline and a nice split hem.

It wasn't long before they were both was running out of clever things to say. He reached out to take her hand and began to massage and play with her fingers. She responded warmly so he slid his chair next to hers where they began to snog. It wasn't long before his hands felt the irresistible urge to go roaming. Starting with the deliciously bronze leg, he rubbed and ventured further up hoping the thighs would part, but they didn't. The roaming hand then moved to her breast, where he massaged it over the dress. Reaching inside the dress he felt her warm and bare breast. He was sure he saw her put on a bra behind the screen earlier in the evening. He guessed she'd pulled it off during a trip to the loo. He played with her nipple, tweaking it until it was hard and swollen.

Breath short and irregular now, Hannah suggested they go upstairs. Hannah had always been very kind, and Harry first though she'd agreed to this arrangement as an act of altruism. Actually, it turned out both of them had been single for too long and Hannah had built up quite a head of steam. She turned out to be a real Tiger in the sack; one that it took all night to tame. But in the morning, when he leaned down to give her a little kiss goodbye she was purring like a kitten. He didn't know how to classify his on performance, but he'd been nothing like a Tiger.

Back in Hanna's room, they had snogged for a while and finally found themselves wallowing in the sack, intertwined like a couple of eels. Harry was reaching under her dress and then untying the belt to the wrap. He opened the frock and slid his hand along her flat tummy and then inside the flimsy pants. Gently probing between her silky folds Hannah was already wet with desire. They spent very little time getting out of their clothes and under the covers. Harry rolled on top of the witch and with a few gentle thrusts he was completely inside of her. He began slowly and deliberately with controlled motions and Hannah responded with coos and soft moans. He tried to take it slow and hold it for as long as he could, but he'd been without a woman so long he wound up apologizing a few minutes later.

"Don't sweat it sweetheart – we've got all night," she whispered in his ear and they did.

After some heavy cuddling and kissing they were back at it again. This time he almost had the witch to the point of no return but then lost it again and was forced to apologize for the second time. He took quite a bit of time to recover, but before the morning light Hannah was well on her way again.. Her orgasm began gently in a series of rolling waves, and finished like a tidal storm crashing along a jagged shoreline. Calling his name several times, she punctuated the moment with a muffled scream and collapsed into a puddle of post-coital bliss. The third time had indeed been the charm. After she fell asleep he gave her one final kiss, grabbed his clothes and dressed downstairs before leaving.

"What address sir?" the taxi driver asked impatiently and awoke Harry from the dream.

"Grande Hotel de la Minerve," Harry shot back.

"Do you know the street address?" the driver fired back.

"Are you kidding? It's near the Pantheon."

"Okay – I know the hotel." the driver replied and said nothing else.

The use of a portkey back to Rome was a no-brainer. Being very unfamiliar with it's surroundings made a jump of that distance very dangerous using apparition. The portkey had left him on the outskirts of the city and the long taxi ride was a necessity. The long ride gave him a bit of time to mull over his options. What were his options? None really. He'd have to keep on with the original plan unless Hannah rang the Ministry with news of her obnoxious hooded customer. In a few more days, he would check back with Hermione. She might have been able to turn up something useful on this mysterious Order.

Rome seemed a strange place to hold rock concerts. That was his first thought when he first heard the band was coming there. It appeared most tourists came there to enjoy it's history and the city was certainly full of that. To his mind, history and rock music didn't exactly go hand in hand. But he knew very little of Rome's night life. Perhaps after the first show, which was on for this evening, he would have a little better feel for Rome after dark.

With a feeling of apprehensiveness, the trek to Penny's suite felt a little longer than normal. Hopefully the band queen kept her cute bum out of trouble in his absence, but he wouldn't bet a sickle on it. It was mid-morning and it was highly possible sleeping beauty had not arisen from slumber at this hour. After a few gentle raps on the door with no answer, he was about to curl his fingers into a fist when he heard the latch working from the other side and the door cracking open.

"Oh Potter... you back"? Harley asked rhetorically and immediately turned his back to Harry as he strolled off.

"Yeah, I'm back. Did Penny stay out of trouble?" he said to rear of the man's head.

"For the most part – nothing serious at least."

"Well that's good. Is she up?"

"I think so. There's coffee ready if you need some."

"Thanks," he said and followed his nose toward the java. He didn't really feel like coffee, but it might him help adjust to Penny's world, which started three hours later than everyone else.

He had just finished dressing the coffee when the pitter-patter of bare feet could be heard on Italian marble.

"You finally make it back?" she said, brushing the raven black hair out of her eyes. She was wearing a loose frumpy Tee shirt and a pair of snug, well-worn, jeans.

"I was only gone for couple of days," he said, defensively.

"Well, we stayed at the hotel the whole time and it was boring," she said and pulled her hair behind her and tied it with an elastic band. The loose frumpy Tee shirt got a lot tighter against twin protrusions.

"What was the trouble Harley mentioned?" Harry asked.

"There was no trouble," she said and glared hard at Harley who was looking innocent.

"She went skinny-dipping after they closed the pool," Harley said through a huge grin. "Management threatened to throw her out."

Harry quickly turned to look at Penny, but she offered no defense in her expression.

"Who works for who here?" she asked Harley. "We've got a big day today. "They've been on a long layoff and I'm sure the band will be a little sluggish."

"What's the name of the venue?" Harry asked at length.

"The Orion Club," she came back quickly.

"Do you know anything about it?"

"No – never played there. How was London?" she asked.

"Fine. It seems like your old admirer was spotted there."

"You mean our stalker, the hooded wizard creep?"

"That's the one."

"Bloody hell. Is there any coffee left?"

‡‡‡‡‡

Less than an hour into the show, Harry had no doubt as to the band's readiness or the enthusiasm of the nightlife in Rome. Penny started off with a popular number titled 'In the on-side' and the place came alive within minutes. As Ace Varney rattled the walls with amped percussion, he looked out over the room to see a rabid, rocked out swarm.

Slipping away from the deafening percussion, he went out to the foyer for a break. He's already checked over the perimeter of the place and the long grounds that led up to the venue an hour or so before the band started it's warmup. Feeling confident with the layout he concentrated on the interior and lighting of the venue. He spoke with the lighting technician to make sure there was no problems like the one they had in Amsterdam. Most of the lighting would come from behind the stage anyway. The bouncers and coolers seemed like a professional bunch without the chronically violent tendencies of the creep he tangled with in London.

There was a seated area just off the stage at the Orion, which made security a little easier to manage. The stage itself was bigger than most. Rob and Beatty were positioned further away from Penny, who was taking advantage of the extra real-estate with a lot of over the head high kicks. She was packed like sausage into a silvery skin tight jump suit that worked well against the Raven-black hair. It was difficult to tear his eyes off the stage to look about the room for bad guys.

The evening went well. The band went through two intervals and three costume changes for Penny. She ended the show with a sheer and tight, pearlescent, white jumpsuit that appeared to be straining under the load. Harry continued, through the night, checking the venue and the grounds but never saw anyone that faintly resembled the hooded lot he was after.

None of the band made it down in time for breakfast the next morning. Harry enjoyed some coffee while the waiter scurried off to scrounge up some toast. Mary Ann drifted in and found Harry at the table with one setting.

"You mind if I join you?" she asked, lifting the large sun glasses to expose two bleary eyes.

"Have a seat," he said. "I'm afraid we've missed breakfast."

"Oh, I couldn't do breakfast anyway."

The waiter came around and set a plate of buttered toast on the table.

"Can I get you something Miss?" he asked.

"A large glass of Orange juice please."

"Sure thing," he said and scampered off.

"You were away for a day or two?" Mary Ann asked and put the sunglasses in her bag.

Harry nodded. "Had some business to attend to in London."

"Business? Over the weekend. That sucks."

"Yeah," he said. "It wasn't all business," he added at length.

"I see. That's good."

The waiter arrived with Mary Ann's orange juice and then ran off again just as fast.

"Do you have someone – in London?" she asked after a sip of orange juice.

Harry looked up and glared.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked that," she said and looked embarrassed.

"No, that's alright. Friends – they're just good friends," he said, reassuringly.

Mary Ann nodded a series of short little nods.

"So how was your weekend? Alright?" he asked.

"It was okay. A few of us went sightseeing and did dinner and drinks."

"With you friend – the gent at the airport?"

Mary Ann looked a little bothered by the last.

"Maybe I shouldn't have asked," he said at length.

She smiled. "That was Jim. He's new. Yeah, he was with us. We have tonight off – you knew that, right?"

"No, I didn't."

"A few us will be going out again. Maybe you can come along – if you're not working."

Harry nodded. "I'd like to do that – if I'm not working," he said with a smile.

"Harry!"

He snapped around to see Penny standing by the table.

"Good morning," he managed.

"Morning Mary Ann," Penny said, casually.

"Morning Penny."

"You'll have to excuse me, but I need to speak with Harry," she said with mock apology.

"Now?" he asked.

"If you don't mind?" she replied and walked toward a table of her own.

He followed Penny to a corner table of the dining area. She took the seat in the far corner and he placed his coffee in the setting opposite hers.

"What's this about?" he asked and slid into the chair.

"Look, I'd like to go out tonight. I've been cooped up in the hotel since you left. I was hoping you'd come along."

"Hmm. Okay..." he said with a defeatist tone.

"I didn't want you to commit yourself to plans – that's all," she said and looked over toward the table where Mary Ann had been sitting.

‡‡‡‡‡

His instructions were to meet Penny in the foyer at thirty minutes after six. He was already cringing at the thought of Jimbo by mid-afternoon. Before six rolled around, he looked up Mary Ann's room phone number at the hotel desk. He explained a little of his situation and apologized for not being able to go out with her group. She seemed to understand, or she did a good acting job. He wasn't quite sure which.

He dug the midnight blue blazer out of the wardrobe and tried it on in front of the mirror. Kreacher had cleaned it okay, but one of the lapels was a little bent out of shape. He placed both wands in each pocket and practiced a draw or two with the coat unbuttoned. He rolled the troublesome lapel out a bit until he get his hand inside the jacket with no problems. With a quick check of his watch, he was out the door and headed to the foyer.

He saw Penny get off the lift and was mentally bracing himself for the sight of Jimbo to quickly follow. But there was no Jimbo and no Harley. Penny was talking with a girl Harry recognized as a band member and another girl obviously accompanying the two of them.

Penny walked up to him and looked him in the eye. She was wearing a pair of ballet flats and they were nearly even in height. She had obviously taken in a little sun. With little to no makeup her face had a fresh look and was framed by a silky curtain of Raven-black hair. She was wearing a pink touch of lipstick and the grey eyes were showing little reflections of quicksilver.

"Harry, you know Lydia and Dianne?" she said, "They're my backup singers."

"Nice to meet you."

"Girls, Harry here will be our security tonight," she said and started toward the limo with the girls in tow. "Don't let his size fool you. He takes care of business," she added and looked back with a smile.

"Where's Jimbo and Harley?" he asked.

"Taking a sabbatical – with beer, bangers and football," she said and three of the girls giggled.

‡‡‡‡‡

"Harry – you should try!"

"No, look, Penny, I can't. You'll have to trust me on this."

"Don't cock about Harry, get up off your arse and dance!"

The evening had started harmlessly enough with a quiet dinner with wine and classic Italian. The girls chatted endlessly but Penny never let him feel like an outsider. She often glanced his way to size up his mood. When it was so awful he didn't think he could stand it another moment, she'd flash him a smile with a twinkle in her eye to warm things up. After the dinner they took in a musical that was better than average. He grabbed the seat on Penny's left with the two girls were positioned on her right. There was a faint trace of perfume in the air and he thought was her's, but couldn't be sure. Later, they settled on a convenient club, pretty well arranged with a nice band and decent drinks. You'd think she got enough of it on stage, but for some reason Penny was determined to pull him out of the comfortable chair and off to the dance floor. Harry hadn't danced since the Tri-Wizards Ball, and even then he didn't stay on the dance floor for more than a few minutes.

With a pouty look, Penny beckoned with outstretched arms. This was finally enough to rouse him from the safe and comfortable seat. As she pulled him up she whispered in his ear.

"I won't let you make a fool of yourself."

"Thanks," he uttered back.

Penny did ninety percent of the dancing – at least it felt that way. And she did it instructively, with amusement in every move. As the music went in her ears to come out of her feet, Penny could translate music into dance moves in a way he could have never imagined. He knew he had two left feet, but after a while he stopped caring. Maybe that's what it took, he reasoned.

The band transitioned into a slower number, and he started back for the table. Penny's two friends, Lydia and Dianne had gone to powder their noses. He felt a tug at his jacket.

"Hey, not so fast big guy," Penny said, over the soft sounds of the band.

"You're kidding – more?"

"This one should be easy," she said and dragging him back.

Looking about the room and following the lead of others, he moved a little closer and nature began to take over. One hand reached for hers and the other found a place on her waist. It really had turned out to be easier than he thought.

"I'm glad you came," she said, inches from his ear.

"I was surprised Harley and Jimbo didn't."

"They earned a night off," she said and Harry nodded. "No doubt, those guys would lay their life down for me. But they can't handle a wizard Harry. Let alone two," she added.

"No, probably not. Your friends, I didn't recognize them without the costume," he said, trying anything to change the subject.

She laughed politely. "Really?"

"And I thought Mary Ann was backup too?"

"No, Mary Ann's chorus. Is she a friend?" she asked and pulled back to verify the answer in his eyes.

"A bit. Is there something improper with that?"

"No... but I wouldn't get too close."

"Oh really – why?" he asked, suspiciously. The slow dance number faded out and Penny didn't answer. Instead, she grabbed for his hand and pulled him back to the table.

"She's unlucky with men," she said at length and looked around for her friends who were still in the loo.

"She seems normal enough," he replied.

"Yeah, well maybe so – it's just talk you know."

"I don't have much room for talk – and I'm not too lucky with women. "

Penny glanced away and then studied him hard.

"I've heard about that."

"What did you hear?" he asked.

"That it wasn't your fault," she said, matter of factly. "And that you still blame yourself."

Harry shrugged. "Well..." he said and stared at something across the room. When he didn't answer she watched him for any reaction.

"What is it?" she asked. When he didn't answer she turned to look. Satisfied it was no one she recognized, she turned back with an inquisitive look on her face.

"It's those two men over there. They've been staring since we got here," he said.

She quickly took a look and then shook her head as if it were nothing at all.

"It could be fans Harry," she replied and grinned.

"Maybe, but..."

Lydia and Dianne were working their way through the crowd and were almost back to the table. Harry turned away from the two men and acknowledged the two girls.

"Are we up for another round?" Lydia suggested, and Penny remained mute.

Harry turned to the to staring gents who were still staring and pondered the situation. He hated guys that sat staring as they sized you up for a bar fight. Because, that's what this felt like. They didn't like the idea he had three women and they had none. They were picking the right time to come over and kick his arse or maybe catch him unaware in the alley outside. Or so he reasoned. It might be something else – maybe buddies of the guys in Amsterdam. But he didn't like it.

"I'll be back," he told Penny and he walked to the table when the two men were sitting with stern faces.

"HARRY..."

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A/N: Thanks for reading and don't forget to review