Chapter 11: Why Bats?

Knockturn Alley, La Cantina Buia (Italian Mafia Headquarters)

"I need you at the docks on Thursday" said Zabini in the pub located in the classier part of Knockturn Alley. It was mostly the reason that Knockturn was never closed despite its dark reputation. Those on the Wizengamot were known to frequent here as well as have several establishments located in the alley.

All around the pub powerful members of the British Wizard Community could be seen: from prominent lawyers such as Macmillan with his chick of the week to respected judges like Yaxley as well engaged in intimate relations with young witches, not caring of their families back home, even groups of Quidditch stars were in the premises getting high with their girlfriends. It was evident why despite not even being part of the original British nobility in the wizarding part Francesco Zabini could never been pinned to any crime and continued to maintain a good profile even with the rumours that circulated about him. A man with no seat of power but powerful enough to even make those in their seats shiver and obey him for all the information he has on them and the haven he provides with his businesses. Sex trafficking, drugs, hit wizards, elf-trafficking, export of exotic and highly illegal animals, any sort of business, name it, he had it.

Taking a sip of the finest Ogden's Firewhisky, the Auror Dawlish asked, "Problems?"

"I don't want any problem with the last shipment" replied the mafia boss.

"Sure"

Taking another sip of the whisky and turning back to his Francesco Zabini he said, "Word on the street is you got beef with somebody in the Justice Department"

Zabini swiftly leaned closer to the table asking, "Is that right?"

"Yeah, and that there's a big fat prize for anyone willing to do something about it"

Impatient and eager to leave the Auror's company he said, "Get to the point Mr Dawlish, I am a busy man."

"Yes, yes sir. Have you seen the girl?"

"It's a cute little assistant DA"

"Think that's wise boss?" asked Dawlish sceptical.

"She's got friends in high places. Longbottom and Potter among them. Might bring a bit too much heat…" continued the Auror.

"Even for this community," finished Dawlish

"Never underestimate the Magical Community Auror" said Zabini the last part said with a condescending tone to it.

Slightly cocking his head, a to the side Francesco asked, "I mean you are here, aren't you?"

Leaning back on the chair Zabini couldn't help but let out a smirk come on his aged face, "People get mugged at home every day of the week; kidnappings are on the rage this season too. Sometimes… Sometimes things just go bad," finishing his explanation with a chuckle.

Knowing he'd heard everything that was needed Harry moved from his crouched position on the roof and cancelled the spell he'd cast to overhear what was happening in the pub; as well as returning the device the spell was transmitting to back to his utility belt. His face gave nothing away as he stood shrouded by the darkness. Harry knew he had to do act before someone else made their move on the bounty placed on Hermione. For a second, he contemplated telling her of his purpose, of his soon to be identity, knowing due to her work she would be in danger anyways but opted not to. She would be in even more danger if his alternate identity was ever connected to her. Tired from his bit of detective work of the day he disappeared with a pop back to a part of the alley he'd placed under the fidelius before activating the portkey back to Potter Manor, on his utility belt.

Potter Manor, Batcave

Shadows of the two individuals deep underground could be made as they meticulously worked on crafting a helmet, its indestructibility was the goal. And here they were, sure they were making the names the forefather came with for their family proud. The light that brought forth the shadows slowly dimmed before the ceiling was showered in an illumination of light. Harry nodded to Richard who quickly picked up the mace next to him, swinging it back and struck the helmet with all the subtlety of a bull. The mace had been inscribed with various runes, all of which were aimed at causing more destruction wherever it struck. The force that it hit the helmet was akin to a Bombarda Maxima from point blank range. The damage inflicted? Devastating. With a shattering sound the graphite helmet broke into a thousand smaller pieces on its edges, sending its shards everywhere in the cave at incredible speeds that no human eye would be able to see.

Smashed into pieces except one part. One part of the helmet lay untouched. The part covering the eye. Inscribed with indestructibility runes of old which seemed to have held against the mace. One flaw lay in it, however.

"It's a problem with the graphite, sir," remarked Richard.

"The next 10,000 will be up to specifications," continued Richard.

Harry could do nothing but smile though at the success of the runes on the one part of his mask. It showed promise and filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

A lopsided grin on his face Harry couldn't help but say, "At least they gave us a discount."

"Quite"

Turning back to what lay of the helmet and bringing it closer for examination, he turned back to Harry for a moment, saying, "In the meantime, sir, may I suggest you avoid spells heading for your head. Might prove fatal."

Harry could only laugh whilst nodding and turned back to looking at the schematics he'd made for the mask.

Sighing after he got his laughter under control, he could see he had his work cut out for him with all the plans he'd made and what lay ahead.

Richard's footsteps echoed along the marble floor, as he moved towards the cave deep underground. The portraits from Potters long gone, hang along the hallway to the Master's study, eyeing him with a hint of pride. He'd served three generations of the Potters dutifully, unfortunately they had died young. Too headstrong, too brave, courageous for their own good. The first Potter head he'd served had died in the hands of the Dark Lord, before his son too was struck by the Dark Lord and now here lay Harry who was now on a mission for vengeance. On a journey to satisfy the anger he held deep inside by taking down the criminal organisations that allowed for his parents to die in the hands of Voldemort and his godparents to die on the hands of a muggle. The system was broken and only outside the system did his young charge feel as though he would be able to make a difference.

Inside the study lay a piano that belonged to the previous lady of the house Lady Lily Potter nee Evans, she loved to play it for her husband during the few months they lived in Potter Manor before fleeing to Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow where they would apply the fidelius charm but be betrayed by one of their friends.

The man shook his head taking his thoughts away from the memories and went in search of Master Harry to inform him to come up for lunch.

Even before entering the little workshop Harry had made in the cave, he could hear a distinct whirring sound even with the sound of the waterfalls in the cave overpowering it.

He leaned on the doorway, watching the young man he'd be proud to call a son working on some piece of metal as he crafted it into the shape of a bat. Sharpening it.

For a second the sound of the metal being cut stopped before Harry let a smirk slip on his face. He turned back on the chair to face Richard before showing him the weirdly shaped bat shuriken he'd made. One question persisted on his mind.

"Why Bats, Master Potter?"

"Bats… frighten me. Its time my enemies shared my dread," said Harry stone-faced.

Nodding his comprehension, he was startled as the batarang whizzed past his head going straight for the wall behind me.

A look of shock on his face at the audacious action, Harry had just completed, he moved outside, a look of mock outrage on his face.

Remembering just why he'd headed down here he called Harry up for some lunch.

Harry stood from his workstation going to the eastern side of the cave where he'd conjured a glass cabinet to hold the suit he'd wear on his nightly excursion. The suit lay finished, adding long bat ears on his helmet for intimidation purposes. Pressing his finger up on the cabinet, it opened up, allowing him to run his fingers along the Kevlar material as well as the cape, which was in fact his invisibility cloak.