HQ
Across the channel, Albus Dumbledore crossed the empty town and headed up towards the medieval building. Instead of his robes, he sported a pale blue suit and a haircut both for his head and beard. It was the most muggle the man had looked in a long time. Once you hit 100 you gave up on fitting in. Before he could knock on the door, the giant slab of mahogany swung open to reveal a tall Romanian man in almost wizarding dress.
"Albus Dumbledore? What are you doing here?" he asked and Albus paused, stunned,
"You know who I am?"
"Of course I do. You're famous professor"
"Yes but not in the muggle world"
"But I am not a muggle"
"You're not? What's your name?"
"Alyster Krory, sir"
Albus blinked in surprise. He was on the list. But Kanda hadn't said anything about other wizards.
"I'm guessing the others don't know about your wizarding status?" he asked as Alyster led him inside the building.
"Correct sir, I lost it when the Innocence came and assumed it was gone forever. So when it came back, I stayed quiet since I would not require training and didn't have my wand, I decided not to make a fuss." he explained and Albus merely hummed in response.
"I am looking for Lavi, Howard Link, Johnny Gill, and Chaoji Han as well as yourself. Your friend Kanda believed that you would be able to help us search for information about some darker magic."
"I believe I remember Lavi explaining as such. I will look for the others. Would you like to sit and wait?" Alyster guided Albus to one of the many sofas and left to scrounge the order for its inhabitants.
Lavi was the first to appear.
"Are you Professor Dumbledore? I've read about you" the red head shook the man's hand.
"Are you a secret wizard as well?"
"Ah you referring to Crow? Nah, boring old muggle. I mean I say boring, I am a bookman so I know a lot about magic, I just can't use it.`` His rapid speech reminded the headmaster of a set of twins with a similar hair colour and he held back a chuckle.
"You knew about Krory then?"
"Yeah. He didn't say anything but I notice things" was all he said by explanation.
"Um, Alyster told me to come here?" A bulky Chinese man stepped into the foyer.
"Ah Chaoji! Yuu wanted you too?" Lavi grinned over at the man who nodded,
"Apparently. Is Kanda in trouble sir?" Chaoji asked Dumbledore,
"Not at all my boy. We actually asked after you for your physical training. Mr Kanda seems to believe that you would be a good fit for teaching some 'weak wristed wizards' how to fight with fists" he chuckled as Chaoji blushed,
"Um it would be an honour sir. I don't have any magic but I can fight" he admitted and Albus smiled kindly as Lavi grinned.
"Sorry to make you wait, I bumped into Howard on the way here and dragged him with us" Albus looked over to see Alyster leading a tall blond man and a shorter man in a lab coat and glasses.
"Howard Link" Alyster gestured to the blond who nodded,
"And Johnathan Gill" he gestured to the scientist.
"Pleasure to meet you both. Have you heard from Mr Kanda about a possible resurgence of an old enemy?"
"Yes sir" Johnny answered and the others nodded, suddenly serious.
"We were hoping that you three will be able to help us to identify information that would be able to prevent or explain its return" Albus gestured to Krory, Johnny and Lavi,
"And as one of my professors pointed out, we can cast spells and, in doing so, hinder any form of physical defence. You two, Mr Link and Mr Han would be teaching those that select to do so, physical training. Would this be agreeable to you?" he looked at the group as they glanced at each other, gauging each other's thoughts. Ah the closeness of war comrades, to tell thoughts from a glance.
"If it's to help Kanda and the others, then we will go gladly. Let us go pack and we will go with you. I'm guessing sooner than later is preferred?" Krory asked and Albus nodded.
"Then we shall sort ourselves and join you shortly. Ah Miranda, we're going away for a while. Is Marie around?" The taller man stopped a younger woman in a black dress.
"Oh to the wizard place? And yes, he's in the canteen. Did you need me to fetch him?" she asked. He shook his head and she gave him a timid smile,
"Will you be back for the wedding? Lavi asked Kanda but he never got a reply" she clasped her hands together and Albus pieced things together in his head.
"Wouldn't miss it for anything. August right?" Krory answered,
"Yes. I'll let him know you'll be going" and Miranda set off back down the corridor.
"About the letter, a lot of events happened at once and we've kept them a little too busy I'm afraid. But I'll let your friends explain when we return to Hogwarts" Krory nodded at Albus's reply and headed off after the others to collect his things.
"Crow's really come into his own nowadays." Lavi's voice startled Albus slightly.
"How so?" Lavi sat beside him, carrying nothing but a hoodie and a backpack,
"Well, when me and Moyashi first found him he got spooked by everything and was swindled out of all his stuff in poker. But he's proper responsible and careful now. Wish it didn't have to be war to do that though" he said, wistfully.
"War makes men out of children" came a voice behind them and the pair turned to see Howard with his own backpack, "The others are on their way" he gestured behind him and, sure enough, Krory, Johnny and Chaoji were heading down the corridor.
"You really don't have much" Albus said softly taking in the small bags they all carried.
"We have all the time to add to it" Lavi shrugged.
"Indeed. Shall we go?" Albus guided the group to the edge of town where he produced a large sheet of foil.
"Hold on tight" was all he said before the portkey activated and the group were transported to Scotland.