As Harry stepped into the sunlight soaked brick patio, he saw an Irishman yank Kent to her feet and hold a switchblade stiletto to her delicate throat. "Listen here, Bitch, You will hand over everything you have on this Maveth person. There are consequences for rolling on our Business Association."
Kent, spotting Harry and Hedwig over the guy's shoulder, smirked. "And you think that your Association is what stills everybody's hand. They are held by the by-laws of the Continental. In fact, the only reason you are not dead is because no human can cause harm to another."
" Oh shit. " Harry spoke aloud to John. "That idiot just bacon-blocked Hedwig."
Berk?
John turned to look at the Lad. " You do mean because there's no bacon until Kent takes care of the idiot."
" There's that." Harry nodded. "Then there's the fact that Kent is the only one who can get Hedwig free bacon daily… "
The owl sprung from Harry's shoulder and ghosted across the twenty metres to strike at the Irishman's face with her talons. As the mobster saw a flash of ivory talons flanked by white feathers from the corner of his eye, he flinched, and Kent slid from his grip. As he fell back, Hedwig followed him down, beating him with her wings and scratching him with her talons, screaming
The second the man hit the Hotel security faded into view and waited for the bird to finish kicking the guy's ass.
"Sir " Zeus appeared at Harry's side opposite of John. "Please call her off. Our Security would like to take him into custody while he can still talk."
"She doesn't always answer to my orders. Three commands she has hardwired. Bacon, mail, and Harry."
"So if I said I had a Bacon delivery for Harry… " the small man stopped as his eyes locked into the yellow glare of an angry Hedwig inches away from his face. "Garsón. two orders of bacon. crisp. Do Not Burn."
Berk.
Hedwig turned and glided from Harry's shoulder to the back of a chair at Kent's table. Once perched on the back of 'her' chair, she fluffed her feathers, shook her tail, and preened before the Humans around her.
"And now she is going to be a Royal Bitch of a Queen." Harry sighed before turning to Kent. "Ma'am, I am afraid that until I need something mailed, you now have a white shadow. She sees herself as not only your bodyguard, but as a Status Symbol. As you are for her. Not only are you the Keeper of Bacon but you are the Alpha of the Roost. If she is not working, she will be at your side, preferring to sit on your shoulder when you are walking around. Unless you have me at your side when either I or Hedwig have no job elsewhere."
While Harry was talking the men in black suits had handcuffed the Irishman, and dropped him into a chair in the center of the courtyard. With all eyes on her, Kent kistepped into his line of sight.
"So you are looking for Maveth. Do tell us why you and your Association want him, and why you thought it was good Business to breach the Rules of the Continental.?"
" Our tech-heads spotted him burning his way through one of our Associates safehouses. Our Security picked him up announcing Himself. Just before the Clifford exploded."
" Clifford.?" Kent asked.
"Slang." Harry stepped up. "Clifford is a big red dog. A Big Rover. He is talking about the wheels that I popped while I introduced myself. I learned the basics at my boarding school. Someone asked for a Referral and I accepted Appointment. Do you have concerns about the Operation? "
" You? " the redhead male sneered at the Lad. " Don't make me laugh."
"I don't need you to believe. Just accept that Maveth just closed your Associates Safehouse. What was so important to risk a Referral not only from Maveth but My Associates? "
" They were tracking the wanted Murderer Sirius Black." The overgrown leprechaun sneered. "Cunt by the name of D. Umbridge has issued a bounty for his head. 500,000 Euro dead or alive." He lost the sneer, "Preferred Dead."
"So… amongst the paperwork would be the location of Black?" Harry shifted his feet.
" Had to find him before he found someone named Potter. If he finds Potter, he could flee to the continent ."
Why would Potter help him?" Harry felt something stir in his gut.
"Black is his Godfather, honorary uncle, and cousin."
Harry stumbled to a chair and sat down heavily.
Kent blinked. "You risked your life and the lives of your Associates over half a million? Are you that desperate or just crazy?"
" What is a hotel going to do?" The Irishman's accent fell heavy out of his mouth.
Kent smirked. "Maveth, I think you just got your next Appointment."
" Yes Ma'am." Harry answered. " If I were to request an intervention appointment for Mr Black, what would it cost?"
" Depends. Who is paying for the Appointment?" Kent turned to look at the Lad.
" Ultimately, that would be me." Harry stood and adjusted his coat. "I would be willing to offer up to three favours for Him to be brought before me. Of course those favours have to be run through you. I call on you to judge the favor acceptable and completed. They can cash in two or three favours if you find the requested favour beyond the value of a single favour."
Kent nodded and pulled out her cellphone. Pushing the autodialer… "Kent. Bounty Request. Subject, Black comma Sirius. Must be alive, annd whole. Prize… three favors. Up to and including a Referral from Maveth… Yes, he likes to play Doctor when working. Okay, cash value… " she turned to look at the Lad. "one million euros." She closed the phone.
She turned to look at the guy cuffed in the chair. " That means that the Continental is not only taking over your hunt, but we raised the bounty. You are being sent back with a warning. Mess with the High Table at your own risk. "Kent turned to the head of security." Throw him out. "
The black man reached for his keys to the cuffs.
Kent snorted. "Did I say to release him?"
The guard grunted, "I have to replace the set anyhow." He twisted the key off the ring before grabbing the man's chin and forced the key down his throat. Once the key was past his ability to regurgitate it, the man waved to two of his men. They picked up the gagging man and drug him from the hotel.
PBPB
Hermione was finally able to match her avatar in his hand to hand combat. Dan stood at the door, leaning on the door frame, watching his princess dance with her instructor.
When Riddic broke away with a grin, Dan stepped forward, drawing his old combat knife, he ghosted up behind his daughter and with the dull side of his blade, slashed at her neck…
Or so he thought.
As his shadow crossed her shoulder, she spun, her foot knocking his blade away, as she spun inside his guard, and then he was on his back, staring at the sky, trying to remember how to breathe.
"Are you okay, dad?" Hermione's face appeared from above. Struggling to sit up, he realized that between knocking his knife aside and his next thought she had thrown him over her shoulder.
"I am going to be okay, give me a minute." He wheezed. A couple of breaths and he was able to fight to his feet. "Just a week and you are better than most first year army recruits." He looked his human daughter over before turning to look at her coach and instructor. " Thank you for protecting my baby girl. Most would think protecting her best would be standing guard, but I know my kitten. And now her best friend is getting involved in trouble that I know and trouble that I don't. For her it is best that she knows how to defend herself. Do you know long blades, or are you just short blades and in close kills? "
" In close is what I know, but from what I have seen from the other side, they are more likely to use swords to kill than knives." Riddic sighed, "if you can find her a teacher from the formal arts… but I would advise teaching her ballistic weapons first."
"She knows the basics. She has her own pistol in the safe. " Dan watched as Hermione ran through a Kata with her karambits flashing in the afternoon sun. "My biggest fear is something will happen at that school of hers." Turning back to the shaved headed man wearing 'glacier glasses' style shades that covers his whole eye. "And then there's the fact she is so close to that boy."
"I don't have any children that I know of," Riddic watched his student, seeing Kira/Jack in her every move. "What I do know is, that boy is to her what she is to him. If he can't stop harm coming to her, he will eviscerate any and every one and thing that hurt her. He has one like me at his back. He has only two weaknesses. His bird… and your daughter."
PBPB
He stood at the window of the Solarium, gazing out over the lawn, smiling at the improved lawn. Weedy had really come through with the idea of aerating the lawn. Even the hedges and topiaries had perked up and it was not even a week since he had issued the order.
"You are early this morning." Her voice causing him to raise his chin.
"Morning Gran." He continued to gaze out the window. "I was thinking about the future of House Longbottom. Do you know off the top of your head if I have any Contracts?"
The Matron hummed for a minute as she nestled into the wicker wingback chair. "Let's see. I think you have three courtship contracts. House Abbot has a girl your age, and with their Boy three years her senior getting ready to helm the House into the next Century, she is a good match. House Bones is in need of a Continuation Contract, as is Greengrass. There was something from House Carrow that Frank had to juggle to marry your mother." He could feel her scowling at his back. " Why are you asking? "
" Many of the witches at Hogwarts are starting to talk about 'cutting studs from the herd', and 'breaking them to lead while they are still young'. Because they were watching Potter while they were talking about this subject, I figured that they were talking about trying to rope him into something." He turned to look at her. " This led me to thinking if I had someone looking at me that way. With the Greenhouses taken care of this season, I have time to devote some attention to witches that might be contracted to House Longbottom."
Gran grunted. "After tea I will write Shivegrip to see what is in play. Do you have an eye on any witches?"
"Granger might be an asset to court, but she is muggleborn and in close contact with Potter. As such she is most unlikely to be contracted and from what I overhear, contracting her is not the best path. I just want to know what options are before me." He crossed to the ottoman beside her chair. As he sat, he adjusted his braid. "What are we having today?"
PBPB
Potter stood at the curb three blocks from the Continental and looked around. Not seeing any muggles, he drew his wand and flicked it. He was wearing his black silk suit coat. With black shades. The Gladstone bag was strapped across his chest.
With a bang and a weaze the purple triple decker pulled to a stop, just a step off the curb before him.
"Hello Neville. Going somewhere special today?"
Harry just grinned and rattled off an address and passed over the gold coin in his palm. He sat behind Erine, as the bus took off.
Thirty minutes later he was catching his breath in Westport, as the demon-bus roared off into the haze of the afternoon.
John floating off to his left sighed. "And just how are you getting into that compound?"
"Gatekey." Harry smirked.
"Gatekey?" John asked.
"To be more precise, I am going to use the Gatekey mark II." Swung the Gladstone forward of his left hip, and pulled out the M79. Chambering a grenade round, he aimed it at the ironbound wooden gates of the rebuilt wall of the Keep compound. "Knock Knock! Fire in the Hole!"
He pulled the trigger and the grenade slammed into the center of the gates blowing them in. He rejected the hot brass and pulled a flechette round from the Gladstone. With a wrist action that seemed practiced only because of his wand skills, the barrel locked into place. He brought the weapon to his shoulder as twenty toughs came pounding into the courtyard. He stopped just inside the gateway, sighting down the barrel.
A redhead with a Mohawk and beard stepped to the front. "Who the Bloody Hell are you?" While he had the Irish lint, his English was Cambridge perfect.
"The name is Maveth. I was informed that someone here had requested an appointment."
The gun-thugs behind the redhead took a step back.
The guy from the Continental stepped past the group and froze at the sight of Maveth. "What's that little cunt doing here?" He pointed at Maveth with his glock.
"Says his name is Maveth." The mohawk turns to look at the newcomer. "Why does he think someone here has an Appointment with him?"
The bald chinned guy lost what colour he had. He swallowed. "Remember when you had me run that errand yesterday? Well.l, I was using the methods I was taught when I joined up, I tracked the information to the Continental Hotel."
A dwarf snorted as he let the AK he was holding drop. "You came back from that little adventure cuffed like a little bitch!" He turned and waddled back inside.
Mohawk frowned. "You brought violence into the Continental?" He punched the beardless guy in the face. "Everybody inside. Seamus, Sean, see to the gate. This is between Maveth and this asshole." He turned and walked off. "If he survives, I will take care of it."
Almost everyone followed, but two guys who slung their assault rifles and approached the gate.
Maveth popped the chamber and pulled out the shell. Dropping both into the Gladstone. He slung the bag around his back.
The man on the ground grabbed his pistol and stood. He looked around. "Do you have a death wish, you little cunt?"
"No, I have a contract." Harry crossed his hands, grabbing his right wrist in his left hand. "You disrespected the High Table. You disrespected the Continental. And you Disrespected my Boss. Now you fall into a grey area. You did not violate any of my big no-nos, but you threatened my protection from my abusers. The Rules are Ironclad. Rule One. No Violence on Continental Grounds. Rule Two. Always fulfill your Markers and Contracts. Rule Three. Dogs are not to be Targeted or Harmed."
" Now I know you are bullshitting me. " the man pointed his Glock at Harry/ Maveth.
A shot rang out.
A body fell to the grounds.
Harry took two steps forward, aiming down his revolver and put two in the man's head. He turned to look at the guys working on the gate. "Do you want me to call in a Dinner Reservation or will you cover it?"
The guy on the left shook his head. "We got it." He stepped over and picked up the Glock and tucked it in the back of his belt. "Ah… he was sent to inquire about some paperwork on a contract for Mr. Black. What is going on with that?"
"I found that Mr Black has a Consultation with Maveth. If your Organization finds him first you can collect through the Continental. Either a cash reward or up to three Referrals with Maveth." Harry turned and walked off to hide his revolver retracting into his sleeve.
PBPB
This time he took the Knight Bus to the Leaky Cauldron. He paid another five Galleons on his bill and collected his school books. He exited the Pub.
He went down to the cab stop and found his last cabbie. For a Gold coin, the cabbie took him back to the Continental.
Between one step and another, John appeared at his side.
"Not bad, kid." John nodded. "You upheld the Honor of the Table and the Hotel. You even took it further and defended Kent. That you were willing to wipe out everyone over this speaks of your conviction and your willingness to let the fool a chance to accept the blame and the illusion that he had a chance to survive shows you have a Code. That you did so without Kent saying a word…" John tisked. "That will come back to bite you."
"Where have you been?" Kent asked as John and Harry exited out into the sunlight of the courtyard.
"Had a minor errand to run down town." He set his books on the table, beside her ledger.
She picked up his charms book, and looked at the cover. In embossed gold it read; 'book of spells, grade III'. She hummed. "Ethics of the Modern Man and his Rights and Responsibilities." She looked at Harry, "Sounds a bit dry."
"Yeah. The Professor only needs us to use the book for facts, his teaching style is more… off the cuff." Harry evaded.
"Yes, well Miss Davis called for you about twenty minutes ago. Twenty coins for a Referral. One T. E. Nott. She even had a place and time for the Appointment."
"For Miss Davis, I will take it. Keep the fee yourself, but do fill out the paperwork. Give John the location I need, I will be wanting something from the Sommelier. Something special for Mr Nott." Harry turned and headed for the wine cellar.
PBPB
As the black car pulled up to the address, Maveth exited the car dressed all in black, carrying his Gladstone Dr.'s Bag.
{Hey, John. Pull around the block. I will mind-call you when I have need of you.}
He was passed through the security with the guard raising an eyebrow as he passed through the gate, the wand sweep, and his bag was scanned as empty.
"Why the Doctor's bag?" The chubby man behind the desk asked.
"It was used as a prop for My Father when the nanny wanted to play Doctor. But Mother did not like how she played Nurse. Now I use it as a Messenger bag. The lad with the Doctors bag, then just a London Messager." He trotted over to the lifts and pushed the button.
He exited three floors below the top floor, and made nice with the attacked dog of a secretary. The goon from the Davis Office looked out and waved him in.
As the door closed, Davis smiled at the man standing across the board room table from her. "Just sign the Contract Nott. We don't have time to deal with this shite."
She was in a lavender skirt suit with a baby blue blouse. Two inch heels and a gold chain belt finished her outfit.
He was wearing white wool suit… but Harry could tell just by the cut it was a transfiguration cast on a set of Robes.
"Just think about what my son can give your little girl. She is a half-blood in Slytherin. She will need protection." He took up the quill and scratched something on the sheet of parchment before him.
Davis read it over. Nodded. "No, Nott. She has protection. She is covered by the guy courting My Niece." She filled the sheet in her leather folder. "I don't think your son is going to worry about my daughter. He is going to have to worry about who is trying to Take over his House since his Father died."
Nott went for his wand…
Bang!
Nott dropped his wand as his left hand clutched his shoulder and he looked at the young man… no, the lad, who had entered just as he finished signing the contract. The Bitch had out stepped him. How she got a gunman through the guys that he had paid to be unbribable, he had no idea. "You Bitch!" You'll never get away with this!"
Bang!
His other shoulder started to bleed.
Maveth looked over the two revolvers pointed at the bleeding wizard.
Nott glared at the shooter, before seeing the scar above the right eye. "Potter!" He sneered, "You are dead, and I will sue for your estate!" He spat "As for you Bitch, Your daughter will spread her legs for my son as you will bend over for me! I will owe you, Cunt!"
"Only if you, Live… Death Eater.!" Davis snapped back.
Maveth emptied both revolvers into his chest. He then stepped over to look at the man gasping on the floor. "By Merlin's beard, you are a tough goat. Why you didn't Portkey or Apparate away when I first shot you? "
"Wards." The man's gasped, trying to reach for his wand with his weak hand.
Harry nodded before he removed all the rings off the man's fingers, but the House Lord's Ring. He then placed a M67 grenade in each palm, tightened the man's hand around them, and pulled the pins. "Hold tight."
Taking the pins, the rings, and the coins the wizard had in his robes, Harry all but ran out of the room closing the door behind him. Seeing as Davis and her goon were chatting with the secretary, Harry trotted up to them. Looking at the woman, "He has his hands full at the moment. If you could get him a hot tea form floor three, he then will need a Dinner Reservation."
The four of them got into the elevator and passed the city floor, an explosion rocked the building. Forcing the door open, the goon saw that the lift was a cubit off the floor . He dropped out before turning to help Miss Davis and the Secretary out before he grabbed Harry's hand and yanked him out.
The four followed the herd of people out into the street.
"Damn! We will never catch a cab in this mess." The goon grumbled.
"Please. Maveth is a full service provider." Harry smirked as he led the way to the black car where John was waiting. He opened the door for Miss Davis to climb in, before climbing into the front seat of the car.
John raised an eyebrow before pulling out and blending into the traffic heading away. "Where to?"
"The Continental. I need a drink and a conversation with Kent." Davis looked out the window as the city drifted by. "The boy is good, and he has a way of throwing shite into the fan."
Tbc