Phoenix Hawk Chapter 11
Disclaimer: Same ol', same ol'. Do not own, it all belongs to JKR.
A few weeks passed in relative calm for the camp. The dig continued, Harry's attention focused in his tasks. Hermione tried being friendly to him whenever their paths crossed, but she wasn't sure she ever got through.
Harry largely ignored the archeaologists, and worked around them, establishing his perimeters and stalking through the camp and dig site at all hours. He never kept the same pattern that anyone could see, something he preferred. When he wasn't visible to the others, he was in his animagus form, coasting on thermals high above the dig site. He watched the five scientists at their work, digging like gophers.
He had to check himself against the bird form he wore. Instincts briefly roiling out of control at the comparison. Mentally he checked the time and swore. Well past lunch, no wonder the instincts were so strong. He circled the dig site once more before throwing himself into a long, arcing dive back to his tent. He landed on the ground and morphed back to his human shape.
Yuku waited for him in front of the tent with a tall glass of iced tea in hand to offer. "Yous late. Winky not happy," the elf huffed at him.
He blushed at the gentle reprimand, leaning forward from his crouch to take the drink from her. "She knows how I get on the job. I will attempt to do better," Harry admitted, draining the glass and handing it back.
Yuku huffed again, dismissing his words, "Yous always saying that." And she popped away to other duties.
Harry pushed into the tent, and found lunch waiting on the dining table, along with a note. He seated himself, dismissed the stasis charm to begin eating, and flipped open the note with his free hand. The note was from Hermione, asking if he had time to talk with her. He debated over his corned beef sandwich and crisps. Conjuring a quill and bottle of ink, he scrawled a reply, inviting Hermione to tea the next afternoon. Fudai appeared, backwinging to land on the table. Harry petted the dark barred Snowy for a few minutes before offering the reply. The owl simply clamped his beak around the bit of parchment and flew off out of the opening at the tent.
Harry went to wash up and write another report. He had to go update Elliott later that evening, and needed a summary to take along. His report included the details of everything he'd seen over the last week.
Most of the time, the procedural work was just enough to keep the details straight. Belfry wasn't paper happy, it just cared about the successful completion of each agent's job. Harry kept detailed notes purely for his own sake, using the information to alter his training as he thought he needed it. It was especially helpful when missions went pear-shaped.
His meeting with Elliott to look forward to, Harry began writing the brief, mentioning the odd habits of his suspect wizards, and going over the ward scheme. Those wards were tested every other day, forcing Harry to replace the weaker stones every third, and the anchor points every fifth. The anchors were due to be changed tomorrow. He sighed, acknowledging that he'd have to send one of the elves for more of the black stone.
Two hours later, Harry met with Elliott just outside the other man's tent. They enter, and Harry cast the same protective spells as in that first meeting, before they got down to business.
AN: I'm putting this story on hiatus while I try and come to grips with my characters arguing when I hadn't planned on it. This chapter was incredibly difficult to write, and is not up to my usual standards. Feels like a place holder. I hope I can get back into the flow of things here.