Chapter 33
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The crowed was both happy, and murderous at the same time. Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt and his aid Percy Weasley tried their best to calm everyone down but they would have an easier time training dragons to brush their teeth after meals. The reason for this contradiction in emotions was being escorted by none other than Harry Potter and his squad of Aurors. They pulled and shoved the criminal up the steps of the magically makeshift stage in front of Gringotts bank.
Why these emotions were so contradicting was that Kingsley had just announced that they had finally caught the last of the death-eaters. The sound of jubilation and the shouts of anger aimed at the criminal scared the death-eater more than being tortured at his master's feet because he knew the rest of his life was over. How had his life come to this? At this point in his life he should have been worshipped as one of Voldemort's elite. Instead he would be spending his life in the cells of Azkaban being tormented by dementors. He was broken from his thoughts by the Minister's next words.
Lady's and gentlemen I give you the Aurors who bravely brought the war criminals to Justice Harry Potter and his squad. Please Harry, say a few words.
Normally Harry would be furious that he was singled out yet again especially, since he wasn't even the Auror in charge of the squad. After all these years he was still subject to his celebrity status and he knew how this made his fellow Aurors resent him. This time however, he had a surprise for everyone. He took his place at the podium and began the speech he had made for this very occasion."
"Gentle witches and wizards of Great Britain, when I was a young boy and first set foot in the wizarding world, I had learned that my father was an Auror. I wished to be an Auror just like him. Yes, my father was the reason. Then in my fifth year at Hogwarts after being subjugated by that pink toad of a woman Umbridge who told me I'd never be and Auror. I knew I'd be one if only to show the ministry how wrong they were. The ministry became the reason I wanted to be an Auror. Then when my friend Albus Dumbledore died I swore that I would not only defeat Voldemort, but become an Auror just to bring in each and every death-eater I could. However at no time did I ever believe that I would do it alone and I'm not the only Auror in this squad, nor do I lead it. We're not the only squad to bring in all the death-eaters. As a matter of fact for a while there, the teams of Aurors squads were tied in number of how many death-eaters we had brought to justice but toward the end it had been getting more difficult to draw them into the open. What you see before you is the last death-eater and I had very little to do with brining him in as I was knocked out in the middle of it all after slipping in some mud and hitting my head on a log.
Yes that's right, not very heroic I know. But for some reason I am the one singled out each and every time for their capture and the ministry shoves me to center stage for the masses to gawk at. Don't get me wrong you are all lovely people but from the time I walked into this world and found I was a celebrity all I wanted was to be 'just Harry'. I've never considered myself to be anything special. I just wanted a quiet life. One where I pull my own weight and not have the credit and praise I don't deserve shoved upon me. It takes away from the hard working and highly skilled men and women of the Auror force that has been more responsible for your safety in the past than I have."
The people clapped and cheered, the Aurors where applauding at finally having the spot light of recognition they deserved being shined upon them. The minister however, was feeling slightly murderous and embarrassed at Harry's words but wouldn't show it in front of the masses. He would be having a private word with Mr. Potter in the very near future. However, as Harry continued he realized how far his political popularity would soon be falling.
"On a slightly unrelated topic, everyone knows as a Potter I have a rather large family vault. As A Potter I can afford to buy things at retail. But all anyone sees is the-boy-who-lived the chosen-one or the-man-who-defeated-Voldemort. Because of this I can't have a normal experience of being 'just Harry'. I can't walk into a shop to grab a cup of coffee, a defense book or potion ingredients without people telling me it's on the house. Don't get me wrong, it's very nice of you but there are people who could use that kind of assistance that deserver it so much more. After the war I opened my vault for humanitarian aid to get families back on their feet and while people were eager to give me things to make them and their business look good they were less inclined to help their fellow wizard." Harry paused to let that sink in before he continued to his grand finally.
"And while it 'is' unrelated the next topic has forced me to make some final decisions about my future. When I was at school I found that I had a trace put upon my wand. Not just the trace that told the ministry when I used it under aged magic but one the headmaster put on to tell him where I was. Not that I didn't stay where he put me, even though I didn't like it. Since then the ministry removed the trace…only to put their own on. At first they told me it was because I was out in the field so much. But I argued that there were other Aurors out in the field much longer than I have been and they don't have any traces. As a mater of fact after testing every other Aurors wand none of them have a trace. It is my belief that it was put on because I'm a war hero that the ministry didn't want anything happening to as the last couple of administrations had handled the whole business so badly. When I brought this up to the ministry they then did an about face and began to deign there ever was a trace on my wand but I've done the detection spells and know they are there. I then demanded they take it off and was told I'd receive a letter with a scheduled appointment to have it checked and if one was found they might possibly be able to remove it. I could do nothing but wait. When the letter arrived it said due to a back log my appointment was scheduled for February 30, 2016… of which is a leap year. Obviously they hoped I would forget about the whole thing. Well here is my answer to this mess. Now that my dream of 'Helping' to bring in every last death-eater has been realized, I have decided to retire from the Auror corps."
There was a lot of murmuring from the crowed. Kingsley who had been squirming at the public announcement of how they not only were keeping tabs on Harry but how they lied to him, had paled at the announcement of not only loosening his best Auror but his shot at being voted in for another term as minister. However he had seen a loophole that he immediately pounced on as he stepped forward to address him and get the crowed back on his side.
"Mr. Potter I can only tell you what I've been told. The same thing I've told you all along, that in all honesty there isn't a trace on your wand but I'll digress as you see fit not to trust me but ask that you stay an Auror for a little longer as you still have not achieved your goal of capturing all the death-eaters. Lucius Malfoy is still at large and perhaps the most dangerous of them all. Don't you feel he should be brought to justice as well?"
"Actually Minster, Lucius Malfoy was the one Death-eater I did bring in single handedly the last time. He was brought to justice and sentenced to life in Azkaban. That you lost him is no longer any of my concern and leave it in the capable hands of the rest of the Auror corps. However I wasn't done speaking and have yet another announcement. As I've said I may appreciate the wizarding people but I don't appreciate my celebrity status. I feel my view on wizarding life has been skewed living with all the good will towards me. I know it certainly affected my wife. You've all given me such good will while others struggle in getting the help they need so desperately. Because of this it's my decision that I'll not only be leaving the Auror corps but wizarding Britain as well."
Murmuring had broken out once more. This was something no one expected. Their hero becoming so disappointed in them that he would leave their society was unheard of but the die had been cast they knew nothing would change for Harry if he stayed. Any merchant that didn't give the war hero merchandise on the house would be seen as a disgrace by the others.
"Pardon me Harry but where in the magical world do you think you could go that you wouldn't be recognized?" Percy asked.
"Well, I planned on traveling for a while but afterwards I may stay right here in Britain and live in the muggle sector."
This was almost an outrage as people started yelling their disapproval.
Harry raised his hands and calmed the masses down.
"As many of you know, after my first year of life I spent ten years living as a muggle knowing nothing of my magical birthright. I still retain some skills that might get me a decent muggle job. You'll still see me around every now and then as I may need some things, a pepper-up potion, a bottle of fire whisky, or just to catch up with old friends. I truly love the magical world but I need to get back to my roots and ground myself. After a few months or years there, I may decide to rejoin you but it won't be in the U.K."
Many people in the crowed had tears in their eyes as they felt they had failed their hero. Harry then turned to the minister and asked.
"Seeing as you deign there is a trace on my wand you won't mind if I use one of my nefarious contacts to find someone who specializes in removing the traces to remove the one I found on my wand."
"Taking a government assigned trace off of a wand is a highly punishable offence." Percy announced with a slight smile and a wink to Harry that went unnoticed by everyone else. After all this time he still felt he had a lot to make up for, after helping Fudge ruin and defame Harry. This was his attempt at helping him prove that they were watching him. Suggesting this in a pubic venue made it so Harry wouldn't look as paranoid as Mad Eye Moody had been, which; was obviously what Shacklebolt was trying to do.
Harry smiled as he replied." But as I don't have a government sanctioned trace on my wand then no one in the government should be looking for me to punish me should I have it removed. After all putting traces on private citizens without their knowledge is just as illegal and just as punishable."
"Yes… umm… yes, you're correct." Percy said trying to look like he misspoke.
"I believe I left this world better than the way I found it. I would like to thank wizarding Britain for its hospitality and ask that you continue to look after each other. I will remember each and every one of you with fond memories in times to come and wish everyone well in the future. Effective immediately, I'd like to say… goodbye." He said and quietly walked off the stage, through the crowed and out of the alley, leaving wizards to stunned to speak and witches sobbing into their handkerchiefs.
Once Harry left the leaky caldron he crossed the street and he met up with Hermione and Willow.
"That was a very nice speech Harry." Hermione said.
"You heard?" he asked.
"We were at the entrance to the alley in case you ran into trouble."
"Well in any case I'd like to thank you both for coming on such short notice. When I realized that this was the last death-eater and that the Minister was going to shove me to center stage once again I knew that this was the moment to go. That's when I sent word to you both to be here. Do you really think you can do it Willow?"
"Easy peezy," Willow replied as she slipped off the ring from her finger, a ring of gold with four stones and four slivers of crystal evenly spaced around the ring. Harry handed his wand to her and she simply passed the wand through the circle of metal and stones as she mumbled what Harry thought sounded like a prayer. She then handed it back to Harry.
"That's it?" He asked in amazement.
"Sure, it actually feels lighter now that the weight of the trace has been taken off. Didn't you notice?"
"Actually I did for a second but I just thought it was my imagination."
"Anyway Hermione can redo the detection spell to prove that it's gone but first we should take off the one they put on your person."
This was something he didn't tell the people or the Minister that he knew about and it really bothered him. He watched as Willow grabbed the ring between her thumbs and forefingers of both hands and seemingly pulled and stretched the ring to a much larger size. Harry figured that in reality she used some form of enlargement charm on it. Once it was big enough to encircle his body Willow put it over Harry's head and brought it down to his feet where Harry stepped out of it. All he felt was a slight tingle but when it was over he felt that some form of grime had been washed away and that he somehow felt lighter.
"So what will you do now?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I was thinking that I might see what kind of job openings the Guardian Council had." He replied.
"Oh, I'm sure we can find something that suits you." Willow replied.
Ten minuets later back in the alley the Minister found himself trying to calm the people down again. Once the shock wore off they started to shout about the ministry's mishandling of their favorite hero. The Minister found himself trying to answer questions he didn't have answers to. That was when one of the ministry workers in charge of detection of underage magic and traces showed up at the minister's side. He whispered in his ear. The Minister paled and looked as if he were going to be sick. The ministry workers didn't notice this as he asked. "Did you hear me sir? All traces on Harry Potter and his wand are gone."
/Scene Break/
Two hours later Harry found himself in Giles office discussing different job opportunities which wasn't going very well in Harry's opinion. He wasn't very good at research as Hermione had been in school, and training slayer sounded too dangerous without someone to train him how to do it without breaking his neck. Being a watcher seemed to entail all of the above so that wasn't something he could do as he didn't want to get his assigned slayer killed. He was worried that he wouldn't train her properly if he didn't know the demons weaknesses because he couldn't find the research material need for the job. Giles had told Harry that he could be schooled in the ways of the watcher at the Academy in Africa once they moved there. Then they would have more time for it.
It's not that Harry didn't want to be schooled but he knew that the end of the world was coming and he definitly wanted to help with something in that area. Maybe if they survived he would look into being a watcher, but right now he wouldn't be able to keep his mind on it. He wondered if opening his vaults could help but Giles told him that it wouldn't be necessary.
"Maybe I could be of some service trying to obtain goods and supplies."
"We have thirty Sunnydale slayers as well as our core group doing that. I don't know if one more person would make that much of a difference. What about your people perhaps you can help gather more magical items. Or are you afraid that your government might already be looking for you."
"I'm not really worried about that. The way I left them, the ministry couldn't afford to come looking for me. The voters would be at the Minister's throat. If the Auror were told to go looking for me they would know that what I said was true and be even more livid than the voters. The last thing Shacklebolt would want is his Auror's against him. As for obtaining magical items, my friends have got that covered. They've been obtaining mass quantities in deferent countries so no one country would notice anything suspicious. Neville has been traveling around the world using his family money to get different specimens of magical plants. He was really excited that Hermione was able to bring back cuttings from the Dunker lilies. He didn't even want to think about the trip to the middle of the Okefenokee Swamp which is where he thinks she got it."
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom seems to be quite an accomplished botanist. What of Miss Bell?"
"Katie has been trying to obtain potions and magical healing equipment from different areas of the world with Hannah Abbott's help."
Just then Giles secretary buzzed his phone. He picked up and put it on speaker out of habit.
"Sir Xander is here to see you."
"Ah yes, his weekly report, Send him in." Giles looked to Harry and said.
"I hope you don't mind. I just thought you might like to hear where we are at with the situation in Africa."
"Absolutely, I'd be very interested."
There was a quick knock on the door and then Xander strode into the office. Both men could see the tension in him.
"Giles those guys are just wasting my time. They don't want to sell to an American and are giving me the run around." He growled.
"Still? I thought you straightened them out. I'm the one purchasing the land not you." Giles replied.
"I thought I did too but the situation is like I said before, they want to see an Englishmen there. You are the only one they are interested in selling to. Even then at this point they would probably want you to show three forms of I.D. so they won't think I was pulling the wool over their eyes." Xander explained.
"It's out of the question. It would be impossible for me to leave the school at this time. There is just too much to do."
"Then I don't see how I can accomplish what you want me to do. They are very protective of their land and having even one building falling into foreign hands would be considered a great loss."
"Who are these people, Xander?" Harry asked.
"The English, Giles people, yours too. Real-estate agents." Xander announced.
"Then wouldn't any Englishmen do?" Harry asked
"The other two men looked at Harry as if seeing him for the first time."
"I know you said that the G.C. could purchase the things they need but by adding my money should ensure that we can get a sizable property. I mean the witches and wizards will be living there as well and I feel responsible for them. They should feel secure that he they have a permanent home as well." Harry said.
"First of all we would never think of something which boils down to eviction on the people that are helping us as much as you have."
"As far as I know we haven't done all that much?" Harry said confused.
"Miss Granger has helped with the research. She's opened our eyes to magic we had no knowledge of and she and Luna have not only identified two of your kind and have been tutoring them but have helped me in overcoming my addiction. I could keep going but I think that's enough."
"I think you and your people have done more for our society than we have done for yours with this document zero business."
"If it hadn't been for Document zero we would never have found the safe land." Giles added.
"Guys, guys, enough with the complements and the mutual respect, what about it? What if Harry came with me to help secure some property? With him by my side we may get somewhere." Xander said optimistically.
Giles thought about it for a moment, he didn't know how much Harry could help money wise but decided that if it would make the wizarding population feel more secure it might be worth it, especially if they could secure a large hotel with more floors or more wings, with some property to expand.
"Very well Mr. Potter welcome aboard. Consider yourself a partner. I can only hope you know what you're getting into. If not you can count on our support to get you through it." Giles said.
"This will probably make me the very thing I just ran away from but this time I suppose I'll have deserved it and I just feel it needs to be done." Harry responded.
"Well things are looking up. I believe we can now secure a place very soon. That might give us enough time to refit and reinforce the place for Slayer habitation." Xander said rubbing his hands together in anticipation of picking up his tools again to construct such a place.
/Scene Break/
Ginny Weasley was anything but happy. As a matter of fact you might say she was on the other side of the spectrum. After that scene where Harry had publicly humiliated her she had spent several weeks in her old room at the Burrow hiding from public view and being consoled by her mother. When she read the Profit and heard that Harry had left the wizarding world to live with the muggles she began to panic and finally decided to go home to the Potter house. She soon realized that none of the house elves came to see if she needed anything. She called them but they didn't respond. She then began to panic even more. She decided to venture through the house to see if it was in order. With an inspection of each room she found that many of Harry's things had been removed. Now she was frightened. How would it look to others if she couldn't hold on to her husband or house elves? She almost decided to turn around and head back to the Burrow to cry in her mothers arms some more but decided she imposed on her enough already. A few more days had passed and by this time she was nothing but angry. How could he have done this to her? She was to be worshipped as a wife should be. She had done nothing wrong. She was even ready to be mother to his children. But now she wouldn't get the chance.
"I'm his wife damn it. I'll be damned if I'll let him get away with this. If I have to I'll stun him and then make love to him. If I'm pregnant with his child he'll have to come home." She said with conviction to an empty house. "But how do I find him in the muggle world?"
After some pacing in deep thought she stopped with a smile of realization as she said. "Follow the money."
An hour and an half later, she had finally convinced the goblins to let her have the information of where Harry had transferred the money. It wasn't easy, she had argued that she was his wife and after jumping through their hoops and wiggling through some loopholes she discovered she finally got the information she came for. She may have been barely able to hold her anger in but she had done it and after that experience her anger burned like a furnaces in hell. She went to the portkey authority to make her way to Switzerland. Why Harry would put his trust in a muggle bank she would never know but she was sure it would be easier getting information out of them than it was the feared goblins of Gringotts. She entered the bank and stood in line. When she got to the teller she asked to be seen by the manager. They pointed her to a waiting area where she sat and let her anger simmer for forty-five minutes until she was led into an office to speak with the manager she began giving him the same song and dance she gave the goblins when she decided it wasn't working the same way as it did at Gringotts. Her frustration had finally brought her patience to an abrupt end. These were only muggles. She was a highly respectable witch. She was at the battle of Hogwarts. Not that these muggles would know anything about that. She then pulled her wand and pointed it at the manager and said Imperio!
What happened next startled her. Once the spell hit the manager, sirens sounded and she felt the anti-apparition ward snap into place and she suspected anti-portkey wards as well. When she looked back at the manager she saw that he was throwing off the curse as his eyes began to focus. Now she was scared. She ran for the door but it was locked and she heard people approaching. There was no way out. She turned back to the manager to find him pointing a wand at her. She herd him say Expelliarmus, Petrificus Totalus, and as an after thought he bound her with ropes coming out of his wand and finally said Stupefy to make sure she was secure and all went black.
It would be a week before Harry found out what Ginny had done as he just missed the Daily Prophet with the story as he left for Africa and his subscription hadn't caught up with him. The Weasley family wondered if he even cared now that he left the wizarding world. It was Hermione who found out that Harry went to Africa and never heard what happened, who then called Xander's phone. When Harry was informed he apologized to Xander telling him he'd be back as soon as possible and made his way back to England to meet up with the Weasley family.
Xander knew it was useless to stick around Africa for the time being so he called Giles to ask what he wanted him to do now that Harry was otherwise occupied. He told Xander that Willow wanted him to come home for a special project that she would tell them all about when everyone came together for the scoobie meeting she was calling.
Later that day once he portkeyed back to England he entered Giles office to find not only Giles, Dawn and five Sunnydale slayers but was surprised to see Buffy had been called in from Cleveland. Faith made an appearance and Hermione also seemed to be inducted into the group. He figured Giles invited her as an observer. Willow then entered the room, sealed the door and began the meeting.
"Yesterday Julia the girl we put in charge of collecting weapons for the armory at our future facility came to me to approve the list of weapons she had gathered so far when I notice something. "
"Wasn't she able to acquire or secure the quantities on the list"?
"It's not that. She got everything on the list and I'm sure she'll get as many as we asked her to collect in time but there are things I realized we never put on the list. We have enough melee weapons but except for the scythe we don't have any other mystical weapons. I think the few we have stored at the other schools should be brought together and stored here for the time being before being shipped off to Africa. But the real problem is the weapons we don't have and really need to get."
"Such as?" Giles wondered.
'Did you forget about the troll hammer?" She asked.
"I thought we lost that. Buff stated. Even if it wasn't lost in the fight with Glory wouldn't it be at the bottom of the sinkhole where Sunnydale used to be?"
"Actually, after your… death we boxed it up and put it in a vault at a bank outside of Sunnydale. It took four of us to carry it in there."
"I felt like a pallbearer for the second time that week." Xander announced.
This comment stunned Buffy. She had never wondered about her funeral what it must have been like for her friends to watch her body being lowered into the ground. She supposed it was a lot like watching her mother's had been. She was brought out of her thoughts as the conversation continued.
"Who has been keeping up the payments on the vault?" Xander asked.
"It's automatically taken out of the G.C.'s account these days. But the fact remains that the four of us have to retrieve it because that's the way we had it set up so no one from the other side could steal it."
"The Other side? You mean demons do banking?" Hermione asked.
"he means more like the old Council. They would have locked it up in one of their vaults for the slayers use, only no one would see it again. They didn't want the slayer to have something that could increase her longevity." Xander replied.
Hermione then looked as if she ate something sour.
"Which is why we hid it in a vault that needed at lest four of our consent to obtain it. If one of us died the others would need to bring proof of death and appoint someone else fill in. Originally it was me, Xander, Giles, and Tara. With Tara's death Dawn will need to come with us as she was picked as an alternative should one of us die. But regardless of the troll hammer, what I'm trying to say is that we need to find and collect mystical weapons before they're beyond our reach." Willow explained.
"The only problem being is that we don't have a place to ship or securely store them in Africa yet." Giles said looking at Xander.
"Hey I've been trying. It's not my fault that Harry's wife got herself in such big time trouble that he had to leave and I've already told you that without an Englishman there they won't sell to me."
"I believe I have a solution to your storage problem." Hermione announced. "Willow has yet to move her Gringotts vault to the African branch in Egypt. She could store the hammer there along with any other weapons as long as they aren't dark. The Goblins frown on that. The only way Harry and I didn't get banned from Gringotts after our adventure there, was that we proved to them that we took only one of the darkest artifacts that was illegally stored in their vaults. They didn't exactly look at us as heroes but they allowed us to keep our vaults."
"But that's a fantastic idea. Thanks Hermione." Willow said.
"Don't mention it." She said with a smile.
"So I guess since we have some time while we wait for Harry to come back and while Xander's here we can get started gathering the magical weapons."
"After you move your vault." Hermione reminded
"That shouldn't be problem. I can go this afternoon." Willow said.
"Oh, can I come with you. I need some potion ingredient." Dawn asked
"Sure no problem." Willow replied.
The meeting continued as they talked about the different types of weapons they would be seeking. Giles was impressed with the mystical weapons Xander found in his journey though Africa. The meeting came to a close and Willow and Dawn got ready to go. Dressing in dresses that looked similar to robes but obviously weren't. They came together in the transport room. Willow told Dawn that Hermione asked if they would meet her at the leaky caldron so that she could take them to dinner. Willow also told Dawn that she had already agreed and hoped she wouldn't mind.
"Are you kidding, I have a choice between eating out in a pleasant restaurant or in a cafeteria full of hungry slayers whose table talk usually revolves around the blood and guts of the latest demon slaying. Hmm. Let me think about that. I'd say hell yes Hermione." Dawn announced.
With a smile Willow transported them across the street from the Leaky Caldron. They made their way into and down the alley. After a half hour in the bank to make the transfer they walked out of the building to hear their names being called. They looked toward the wand shop to find Mr. Ollivander beckoning them over. They quickly made there way to his shop. Once inside he pulled out some butter beer from beneath the counter and offered it to the women which they took thanking him.
"I asked you here to give you both some information I didn't feel comfortable giving you with Miss Granger here. Not that I don't trust her but I felt the information should be only yours to divulge to the people you see fit and not for me to be blabbing to every Tom, Rick and Harvey as the muggles say."
Willow and Dawn didn't correct him about the old saying but smiled and continued to listen as they figured if he felt that it was urgent enough for him to call them in here it must be important.
"Miss Rosenberg I needed to tell you that before you came into my shop I have never met a witch or wizard more powerful than you. If I were to guess I'd say you were slightly more powerful than five wizards. When I found out I thought you would never find your equal let alone someone more powerful than you.
That is until I met Miss Summers here."
Dawn gasped.
"Miss Summers, you're so powerful you blew up my measuring instrument. There isn't a way to gage how much magical power you possess and I must say that scares the hell out of me. I lied about what the core of your wand was as well. Yours is something so rare and special it's more precious than gold or diamonds. A long time ago my father and I went to the site where a meteorite had impacted with the earth in Romania. The rock we found was of a fossilized animal of unknown origin. If you don't get what I'm saying I'll come right out and tell you it was alien. Maybe from a world that had long since blew up and had flung its debris out into the universe or maybe it was from a life form that lived in space. It's anyone's guess really. But the most significant point is that it had a magical signature. That is why I was able to use it as the core of your wand. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe that I would find someone powerful enough to use it let alone need it to channel and control the magic they would wield. I understand why Miss Rosenberg's has the power she does but you Miss Summers are beyond belief. I can only guess that you were born here and now with the power you have because it would be needed for something incredibly important and only wish you well with what will come. I didn't tell a soul about either of you because I didn't want anyone trying to use either of you for their gain. But at the same time I thought you both should know."
Both women were stunned by this information and really didn't know how to respond except to say thank you as they left the shop. Mr. Ollivander could only imagine what had been running through their heads and didn't begrudge them for their lack of conversation. Nor did he expect an explanation even if they knew how or why they were powerful. He was just happy to be able to get the information to them.
Willow and Dawn didn't say anything to each other as they made their way to the Apothecary. They seemed to be locked inside there own heads thinking about what they were told. It wasn't until they exited the shop that they both had filed the information away for later examination and looked forward to dinner.
As they entered the Leaky caldron they spotted Hermione at the same time Hermione spotted them. She walked over and asked the women if they were ready to go.
"But I thought we were going to have dinner here?"
"We could but I thought you might like to eat at another wizarding establishment for a change of atmosphere."
"Sure lead the way." Willow said. As she thought it was somewhere within walking distance. That was until Hermione walked over to the fireplace.
"Oh, I've never done this before." Willow told me it's kind of disorientating.
Hermione looked Willow straight in the eye and said. "Tattle tail. You've ruined all my fun."
Willow smirked as Hermione told them the place they were to call out was the three broomsticks. She walked into the fireplace and showed Dawn how it was done. Dawn went next and Willow followed. Once there Willow saw Dawn was hanging onto the back of a chair for support and breathing heavy. She looked a little green and like she might be sick. Madam Rosmerta was there forcing a drink into her hand and told her it would make her feel better.
Willow looked to Hermione who was looking sorry for Dawn and said "see, I didn't ruin anything."
Hermione had the decency to look ashamed.
Rosmerta sat them down at a table and asked what they would like to drink as she handed them some menus. Hermione ordered the drinks for the women she wanted them to try to expand their magical culinary experience. She then explained some of the more unusual items on the menu. As she finished explaining the taste of dragon steak being so succulent, they both jumped at the chance to try it.
They weren't disappointed as they both raved about their meal. Hermione then told them that they were in the town of Hogsmead and that if they wished they could do some sight seeing or shopping before they left for home.
This appealed to the women and they set out to see what this village had to offer. They both took notes of the names of shops that would be useful for the up coming cleansing as well as the ones they wanted to shop in for their own wants and needs. After what had happened in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Dawn had no wish to enter Zonko's Joke Shop. Hermione convinced them to at least buy some of the chocolates from Honeydukes sweet shop even though nether of them was big on sweets. Willow made sure to take notes on Dervish & Banges because you never know; maybe they could fix some of their broken magical items. And Dawn bought socks that scream when they get too smelly from Gladrags Wizardwear, just so she could sneak them into Xanders bag before he left for Africa. That should get him back for helping Andrew with that prank on Saint Patrick's Day. As they made their way back to the three broomsticks Willow and Dawn thanked her for everything. Not just for the dinner, but for how helpful she had been since they met. Hermione blushed but told them that they had been just as helpful to her and the rest of the wizarding populous. She excused herself to use the rest room. As Willow and Dawn waited they had the most unpleasant experience of seeing Ron Weasley enter the establishment. His peach color robes were threadbare and looked like he slept in them as they were wrinkled. Ron took one look at Willow and remembered her instantly.
"You were the bird I saw with Hermione the night she ruined me." He said in a slightly drunken state.
Willow just stared at him defiantly, waiting for him to do something stupid.
"I saw you come in here with her. Where is she?" He demanded.
Willow just kept staring at him. The last thing she was going to do was tell him anything about Hermione even if he did see her come in. It was Dawn that spoke up.
"She doesn't want to see you, Ron." She said in an unthreatening manner. There was no anger in her voice. She may have even sounded sympathetic to some. But Ron didn't hear it nor did he care.
"You shut up. Who are you two anyway?"
"We happen to be Hermione's friends. "Willow said.
"Yeah, well I've been her friend since our first year in Hogwarts. We were eleven years old and I saved her from a troll."
"Yes, but if you remember I wouldn't have needed saving if you hadn't insulted me enough to make me cry in the girls room for hours." Hermione said as she came out of the rest room. "I was the only one in danger because I wasn't at the Halloween feast. And if it weren't for Harry and his saving people thing, you wouldn't have given me another thought. I would be dead at the age of eleven. It was Harry that jumped on the troll's back while you just stood there and stared at the seen. You wouldn't even have thought of the levitation charm we just learned that day if I hadn't given you the idea."
"Shut up. Are you going to try ruining my life even more than you have every time you see me? All I did was walk in here."
"And yelled at my friends to shut up. I heard you from inside the rest room. And it's not my fault you remember our friendship differently from the way it really was."
"Hermione, I'm warning you."
"Of what, that you're too stupid to make rational decisions? That you'll spend your next sickle on a cheap bottle of mead? Or is it that you'll spend money you no longer have on a cheap hag. Well, I'm not impressed. Nor do I see you as a threat. Why did you even bother coming in here? Just so we'd yell at each other for old time sake, because that always seemed to be the extent of our relationship. But I no longer feel the need for it and want something more, something better. Better than you!"
Ron moved his hand to his wand. But before he could pull it Willow shouted loudly yet firmly.
"Ronald Weasley, Harry Potter would never forgive me if I let anything happen to the woman he calls sister. So, I formally challenge you to a duel!"
"Willow what do you think you're doing? You can barely work wand magic." Hermione hissed which was accidentally loud enough for Ron to hear.
"Don't worry I've read all the rules to dueling. I can do this." Willow said.
"I can easily take care of someone the likes of Ronald Weasley. I don't need help." Hermione said.
"This isn't about skill Hermione…" Willow whispered quietly, it's about fear. It's about showing him just how frightening your new friends can be and I don't need a wand for that. I can guarantee you after going against me he will never bother you again."
In realization of what Willow had planned her only comment was a stunned "Oh."
"Who did this bird think she was? He was part of the golden trio no matter what anyone said. He took down death eaters." He thought. After Hermione's comment of which he heard, Ron believed that this witch must be injured in some way so it should be an easy win if he accepted this challenge which he did.
"You're no Harry Potter; I bet you're not even in Dennis Creevey league. I was at the battle of Hogwarts and I was part of the defense association. I'll have no trouble taking you out. If you're sure you want to challenge me it would be my pleasure to humiliate you." Ron said.
"Oh I'm sure; I just hope you're not to drunk that you won't be able to give me your best." Willow replied
"Ha! I'll give you more than my best sweetheart. In the end you'll be on your knees worshiping me as your superior."
Willow turned to Hermione and asked. "Is he for real?"
Hermione just shook her head in disbelief as she replied. "It must be the alcohol he's never sounded this stupid."
"You shut up! And let's get this over with." Ron snapped.
"You're probably not good enough for American wizard dueling rules so I'll go easy on you and we'll use British rules."
"I can do anything you can do. What are the rules to American dueling anyway?"
"We keep our wands in our holsters. We then bow to each other. Someone counts and on the count of three we draw our wands and start firing spells."
"That works for me. I'll warn you now; by the time I'm done with you, you'll look like a lump of meat." Ron snarled.
"And I'll warn you. The last time you insulted Hermione, Harry told you the only reason he didn't skin you alive was that he didn't know the spell. Well I do and it's the only one I really want to hit you with." She replied
"Big words little girl, bring it on." Ron shouted.
"Willow you can't. They'll hunt down." Dawn shrieked.
"Relax Dawn I've got this covered." She said giving her friend a reassuring nod. Dawn still looked worried which worried Hermione and that in turn gave Ron pause to feel slightly worried.
Since Ron was at the front of the bar and was facing everyone Willow had her back to them. Rosmerta quickly put up wards to protect her customers. The duelists agreed that Rosmerta would count to three. Ron looked into Willows eyes with hatred. Rosmerta started the count.
"One!"
As Ron watched as those green eyes of Willows became black.
"Two!"
No one else but Ron noticed Willows completely black eyes and evil smirk. An unfelt breeze started to blow through the front of her hair. It was starting to freak Ron out as fear began to over take him.
"Three!"
Ron reached for his wand as Willow raised her hand above her head. In doing so Ron felt the pull on his frame and the sound of tearing coming from all around his body. In a flash he saw his slightly pinkish skin fly up past his face ripping his wand from his grasp. Then burned in a flash of flame and was just gone. He stood there trembling in fear and looked out into the crowed to gage their reaction because he was too afraid to see the damage done to his body. The crowed looked at him slack-jawed some covering their gaping mouths with their hands in shock. He saw the brown haired woman he heard the others call Dawn, move closer to Hermione. In the stunned quietness of the bar he heard her say.
"I don't know Hermione, it looks like you dodged a bullet on this one. He doesn't look like he could satisfy small animals let alone you. No wonder he had to pay for it."
Hermione who was as slack-jawed as everyone else let out a great guffaw which got the others in the bar laughing as well.
Ron had wondered why he didn't feel more pain…or any pain at all for that matter. After these peoples reaction to what should have been his death he looked down at his body only to find he was now completely naked. It wasn't his skin that was pulled off his body it was his peach colored clothes. He looked back at the crowed and took another second before realizing he should cover himself which he did. With nothing around to cover himself with he put both hands over his crotch.
"Bloody hell!" He exclaimed.
"Language Mr. Weasley! I don't allow foul language in my nice clean family friendly establishment." Rosmerta reprimanded.
"Bugger off and get me something to wear." He shouted.
"How about I hit you with a bunch of stinging hexes wherever I see exposed skin?" Rosmerta laughed.
Ron mumbled something incoherent trying to think of what he could say or do. He sure didn't want to be chased outside.
"Did you hear that? I think he said he wants to go home to mother." A patron laughed.
"You say the Weasley family lives around Ottery St. Catchpole in Devon Right?" Willow asked Hermione.
"Yes, the east side, near the river. Why?" Hermione wondered.
"I think the customer is right. He wants to go home to mother so I'll take him there and he can explain to the rest of his family what he's been up to. You can take care of Dawn right?" Willow asked.
"Sure. Not a problem."
With that answered she walked right up to Ron who tuned away from her giving her a good view of his unflattering ass. Wiggling her eyebrows at the rest of the patrons she quickly and firmly grabbed a hand full of his fleshy posterior and transported them both away.
After everyone's laughter had died down Dawn looked to Hermione and asked. "Do we know if she's coming back?"
"Don't worry, I can get you home." Hermione replied
"I'm sorry but I'm not going by floo anymore today. I just had a nice dragon steak and don't want to taste it a second time."
"Don't worry, I think this is a good time to teach you one of the easiest transport spells you'll ever learn. Let's go outside. All you'll have to do is point your wand at the curb."
"That's it? That sounds really easy." Dawn said leading the way outside not noticing the evil smile spread across Hermione's face.
/Scene Break/
Meanwhile in Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon Willow and Ron appeared on the west side of town.
"Bloody hell woman get your hand off my ass." He shrieked.
"Don't worry the experience wasn't that pleasurable for me either." Willow replied letting go of Ron and wiping her hand in her skirt.
"Where are we anyway?" he asked.
"I brought you to your home town. Don't you recognize it?" she asked.
"This must be the muggle area, I rarely came here. Can I have something to wear please? It's bloody freezing out here." He angrily pleaded.
"Sure." Willow said and pointed her wand at him and casted a spell.
Ron looked down and found he was still naked.
"I thought you were going to give me something to wear or are you really that incompetent with a wand." He growled.
"Actually I did give you something to wear. I cast a warming charm, wear it in good health. And If I ever hear of you trying to make Hermione's life hell again… well, just keep in mind she's made hundreds of really Powerful friends in your absence, any of which would hunt you down and beat you into a stain on the pavement. As for me I'll leave what I'll do to you to your imagination."
"What about my wand?" he wined.
"Collateral damage, totally acceptable in a duel and I'm under no obligation to replace it." She replied.
"Wait you can't leave me like this. Can't you at least get me closer to my parent's house?"
"Goodbye Ron," Was her only reply.
"Wait!" He said as he went to grab her only to stop when she gave him a stony expression and her eyes became black again. Her hair began to toss to and fro from an unfelt wind. Black lightning bolts seemed to strike her. Ron jumped away as she disappeared. Ron didn't even look back as he high stepped his way through the town running in fear.
"Bloody hell! BLOODY HELL!" He screeched. He made it two blocks when a police car cut him off and an officer told him to freeze.
"Bloody hell," He said in defeat.
/Scene Break/
Willow appeared in the transport room of Guardian Council Academe England which is near the front door of the building. As she exited the room Dawn came in through the front door. Her hair was a mess she seemed to be shaking in fear and was out of breath.
"I'm going to kill Hermione." She growled.
With a knowing smile Willow said. "You must have ridden the Knights bus. So… how was your trip?"
A growl was Dawns only response.
A.N. (Reviews can make a story even better.)