A/N: Hi! I got threewarnings for you guys! First : the chapter contain sex scene. Not the most described of all, but well this is still just the beginning of this fanfic, isnt it ;). Second : I decided to switch the mages invocation from English back to Japanese. I feel like it make more sense to keep this "exotic" difference, against the latin origin of the wizards spells. Three: it's a big chapter =) Now, I hope you'll enjoy this one =)
Two kinds of magic, one scent of blood
There had to be something magical about that kitchen. And not magical like the talking painting that kept screaming at night, or the spoons and knives that seems to be cooking by themselves. It was magical because every time she walked into it, Lucy was greeted by a delicious, incredible smell. Her stomach rumbled.
It had to be late in the morning, although she could not be sure. At the end of the night, Sirius had led them upstairs, and gave them two rooms, one for the girls, one for the boys. Despite the dreading feeling of being observed, looked at, by something, someone, hidden in the night, she had fallen asleep next to Wendy.
Now, she was walking down the stairs, the blue haired girl by her side and the red haired leader on her heels, and the boys not so far behind them. Every step closer to the kitchen, she was getting overwhelmed by the smell, so much she could have just jumped all the way down.
When she opened the door, a thin smoke escaped, with it an even more heavenly scent.
- That smells so good... drooled Wendy.
Inside the kitchen, the young witch, Hermione, was reading a newspaper, on the frontpage of which some pictures seemed to moved by themselves, and next to her, Ron, seemingly still sleepy over his coffee mug.
- Damn damn damn that smell awesome! yelled Natsu, jumping in the room, pushing Erza and startling Hermione in the process.
- Oh! Hi! Hello! tried to cheer the young woman, catching her spirits. I... I made breakfast for everyone. Something very local, not sure if it's something you have where you came from. Bacon and beans, toasts, sausages... A classic english breakfast.
- Thank you very much, that is very kind, thanked Erza as she was finally letting Natsu go, his face smashed into the floor to punish his blatant lack of politeness. Hermione, is it?
- Yes, Hermione Granger. And this is Ron Weasley. Sit down, everyone. I'm... We're... Well, sorry for yesterday. Ron and I talked, after, and, well, it was not correct nor polite, and not smart of us, to behave like that.
Erza raised her hand to interrupt her.
- You don't have to. I understand. If we had lost anyone at the guild, and found out later that we could have gotten help to prevent it, but Master Makarov deemed it not necessary... I'd be pissed too.
Lucy and Wendy both nodded their agreement vigorously, and Gray crossed his arms in front of him. With a smile, Erza introduced herself and the rest of the team properly. Then, quickly, they started discussing the Kingdom of Fiore from where Fairy Tail was, and the differences between the two worlds. Of course, Hermione was now excited like a little girl in front of her Christmas presents, and the questions flooded faster than the answers. Ron was looking at her, a gentle smile on his lips. For an instant, it felt good to see her so... excited. Involved. Eager. Just like she used to be, back at school, when McGonagall would indulge her by answering all she had to ask about the most complex things the young witch could think about.
Also, Natsu Dragneel, this weird pink-haired young man, sitting next to him, was devouring the bacon and toast with a ravenous hunger that reminded him of the meals on the benches of Hogwarts, when Seamus would disgust everyone around him the same way the Dragon Slayer was disgusting the little Wendy.
- Can we see a bit of this magic of yours, then? he finally asked.
Natsu grinned, a bit of bacon falling out of the corner of his mouth, looking even crisper and cooked than it was in his plate... But before he could answer, a voice came from the door.
- I'd rather not, Natsu. Please don't bring the ceiling down on us.
Sirius was standing in the frame, smiling, happy to see Harry's friends mixing up with the strangers they had just welcomed.
- Nah, don't worry old man. I can also show just a tiny flame.
- As tiny as your brain, flamehead, teased Gray with a deadly grin.
In a quick gesture of hand, the topless man engulfed his right fist in a pale blue light, and just as quickly opened it, revealing a magnificent rose flower entirely made of ice. He had done the same trick to Lucy, years ago, when he had introduced himself for the first time to the blondie.
- Oh... whispered Hermione in awe. Wandless...
- Hum, scoffed Ron. Not sure how your flower will help us.
Just as quickly, Gray turned the rose into a dagger which he threw on the wall in a swift move, almost shaving Ron's emerging beard.
- Merlin! he yapped, almost falling of the chair, causing Natsu to forget the tease and laugh, while Hermione put her hand in her mouth in horror and Erza shaking her head in despair.
- I got an old friend, Leon, who specialized into living ice. Birds, wolves... But his magic is less stable. I prefer the old ways.
- Hum, repeated the red haired, scratching his jaw to hide his fear. Yeah that's nice. Not sure how this can be useful, though.
- It's because you haven't seen Miss Scarlet with her wings made with swords! laughed Sirius.
- Don't worry, tried to reassure Lucy. We're all pretty used to battle. Not something I'm really happy about, to be honest... When I joined Fairy Tail, I thought I'd be taking contracts here and there, helping people out. I didn't think I'd be going from one war to the other, collecting deadly enemies faster than I'd collect Celestial Keys... Long story short, we're good. Real good. That's what happens when troubles keep finding you.
Hermione let out a small chuckle.
- Yes, that reminds me of someone...
A cold silence settled right away. Ron lowered his head.
- This Harry Potter sounds an incredible person, gently said Erza, with all the empathy of her heart.
- Yeah he was.
- Were you... you and him...
She didn't need to finish her sentence. Hermione's gentle laugh was filled with an incredibly deep sadness.
- No. We were... family. He was the brother I never had, and I... we, were his family. The one he never had, either. He would have died for us.
- He did, whispered Ron.
- Yes... Yes he did.
Natsu jumped out of his chair. His plate had been empty for a moment, now. He smashed his fists together.
- Then we will avenge him with the full strength of Fairy Tail! he claimed with force. I swear on my mark, I will not let the bastard who took out such great guy get away!
Hermione laughed through the tears that had started to run down her face, again, as Ron approached to take her in his arms.
- Sirius, asked Lucy next to him. Is there a place where we could maybe... Do a demonstration? Show you, and Ron and Hermione, what we can do? That may help everyone figure things out.
He smiled at her.
- That's a good idea. There's no place like this in the house. Let me talk to Remus when he's back. Maybe he knows a place...
Ron Weasley was sitting on his arse, in the grass, and that was not for comfort. He had fell backward in front of the immense display of power that had just happened. Hermione, right behind him, was shaking, her legs unsteady and both her hands in front of her mouth.
Remus had brought them all in a glade, in the middle of an unknown forest, where a small wooden cabin was standing in between giant trees.
- So this is where you come, on fullmoons? had asked Hermione.
- Yes. The cabin has been secured by Dumbledore himself... And we're far away from any population. No one will bother us here.
So, with Erza's blessing, Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster agreed heartily to have a friendly spar, to showcase their powers. Of course, with the rivalry that animated them both, the sparring quickly turned into an all out battle, and soon pillars of flames were battling giant spears made of ice. Heat waves hot enough to make the spectators tan rushed over them, soon replaced by an arctic cold drowning them in shivers. The fire fist of Natsu exploded a massive ice wall that Gray had summoned in an instant like it was a wedding cake, dodging counter attacks with the speed of a cheetah and the agility of a snake. Gray was no less gifted in the art of battle.
In the end, after a fight that could have lasted few seconds or several hours just the same, it concluded on a draw. Gray had taken a seemingly weird break in his tempo, invoking something that never came, and Natsu didn't wasted the opportunity, knocking him out cold with a single, fiery punch to the jaw. Surprised by the victory himself, he stood in place for a second, boasting loudly, when the massive iceball Gray had invoked just fell from the sky, straight on his head, like in a cartoon. The pink haired head smashed into the ground, creating an imprint of his face in the dirt.
Remus and Sirius were both horrified, and had rushed to the young man, but Erza had stopped them with a laugh.
- Don't worry for them, they're just fine. Matter of habits.
- How can he still be alive, whispered Ron, ignoring the annoying feeling of the morning's dew wetting his robe. His skull should be crushed right now.
- Don't ask me, answered Hermione. Look at Gray! He barely got a scratch, when he took a fire stream in the face! It should have melted his skin...
- Master Makarov explained us, smiled Lucy next to them. It seems it has to do with how our magic works. Yours is a manipulation of the magic around you, ours is a summoning of the Ethernano within us. Our bodies are infused with magic, so it makes us more resistant. At least that what he said.
- That makes sense, answered the bright witch, thinking out loud. But them that raise the question of how you would react to our magic. Or if we could even control your bodies with our wands, since yours are infused with magic.
- Then I guess it would be in our best interest to figure it out, concluded Erza with seriousness while coming back to them. Maybe one of you would like to challenge me, while the boys recover?
- Oh! I would love to! rose the voice of Sirius behind her.
The field had been cleared, spots of grass turned into ashes and scorched earth. The ice would have resisted the summer morning sun for hours, if not days, so Hermione had to summon the best of her abilities to get rid of it.
Sirius was facing Erza, his cocky grin on his face. The sun, heating his skull to the limit of his tolerance, was casting a shadow three times his size. He was twisting and twirling his wand between his fingers, in the darkness of the long sleeve of his robe. It was a good mix of impatience and excitation, the kind he had not felt in a long time. When was the last time he had dueled for pleasure ? Was it with James, decades ago? Had he ever done it with Harry? He was not sure.
The young red-haired woman was still, like a statue. What was she preparing, by Merlin? Remus gave the signal, in the corner of his mind. His arm reacted on its own, like string-pulled by a cosmic puppet master.
- Bombarda Maxima!
The explosion at Erza's spot was massive, the blast almost pushing him backward. The dirt and the smoke rose from the ground, hiding everything in front of him. The wizard tensed, expecting a counter attack to come from behind the curtain, but it never came. When the smoke cleared, after a few seconds, it revealed the warrior, still standing, unscarred, dressed in a massive metal armor covering all of her body. The black and silver of her armor would have been noticeably impressive, if it was not for the giant shields mounted on each of her arm.
- I must admit, she yelled through the field, I was expecting more! The Adamantine Armor is made to withstand the strongest of attacks, but it was not even needed.
- Bombarda Maxima!
This time, Sirius's spell was not just a reflex. It was prepared, focused on, and in result much stronger. Still, Erza's reflexes were on point, and she joined her two arms together in front of her, turning the two shields into an even bigger one, so big it it was covering her entire body. Her feet dug into the ground, pushing her for a few centimeters, leaving a trail in the mud. Sirius pushed his advantage, and hit again, pushing her further with an even bigger spell, but the giant metal shield hold firm. The Cutting Spell did not do any more good.
- You won't win anything if you keep hiding behind that shield our yours, Miss Scarlett! he teased, loudly.
- Neither will you, if you keep attacking like a child! she teased back.
Natsu, on the side of the field, shook his head with a grunt.
- What the hell is she doing, he muttered. She could end this in a second!
- Don't be stupid, flamebrain, croaked Gray next to him. She's studying, she tries to learn what wizards can do, how they fight. She's gathering intels, for us.
- Yeah, don't be stupid, Natsu, repeated Happy cheeringly.
Natsu didn't answer, weirdly enough for him. Instead, he leaned forward, and watched the fight with a renewed interest, as were Hermione, Ron, and Remus.
Sirius Black suddenly changed his tactics figuring that the heavy armor and shield could maybe lack in mobility and reflex. His summoning of a giant snake, one of the few spells he took from this Slytherin-loving family, was quick and flawless. The beast, was cast mid-air, launched like a rocket toward the girl.
But just as swiftly, the bright blinding light engulfed her, and she came out, dressed in a very revealing japanese outfit, wielding a bisento, a massive spear with a cleaver as a tip. With a graceful twirl, as it it weighted nothing, she rose and lowered the blade, cutting the head of the snake like it had never been there. It disappeared on the spot.
Sirius wanted to take the time to appreciate the spectacle in front of him, the magnificent cleavage revealed by the Robe of Yuen, her long, perfect, powerful legs left bare, the blue tattoo of her guild on her shoulder displayed for the first time in the open. But he really, really didn't have time for it. The warrior maiden finally went on the offensive, diving toward him like an arrow, so fast she had closed half the distance in the blink of an eye. The only reflex he had, the defense that came instinctively in front of this charging bull, was not the one he would have expected.
- Wingardium Leviosa!
The Levitation Charm caught Erza, surprising her, and had she not being sent up in the air she would have tripped and rolled around. Her battle-hardened sense triggered on the spot, and far from being baffled, she changed again in a second. The purple dress turned into a black armor which could have belonged to a Templar. A hellish templar. Two giant wings ornated her back, and as she could control them with her mind, she gave a powerful blast, rising higher in the air like a hawk.
- Nice trick, she congratulated. But with the Black Wings Armor, flying and fighting in the air is not a problem! You'll still have to do better that this, Mr Black, if you want to have a chance with me.
Sirius was taken aback for a brief moment, by the use of "with", and not "against". Could it be a flaw in the Universal Language charm ? Still, his pride was stung, and he bit his lips.
I'll show you better, he thought, as Erza landed back gracefully and changed back into her favourite Heart Kreuz Armor.
She readied her sword in her right hand, slightly leaning forward, and in a single jump, strong enough to leave her print in the ground, dashed to her opponent.
- Impero!
- Sirius, no! screamed Hermione and Remus in a single voice, horrified.
Erza's rhythm had completely changed in a split second, her run turned into an hesitant walk. Sirius smirked, and his wand hand made a small gesture, something that looked like a "come to me".
- Sirius! ordered Remus with a loud commanding voice. Stop this at once!
But at the same time, Natsu, still sitting on the ground, prevented him from moving into the field by spreading his arm in front of the man's knees, without looking at him.
- No! I wanna see how it goes!
He leaned forward a bit more, his grin turning almost cruel.
- This is finally getting interesting...
Erza was moving slowly toward the wizard, her eyes empty, her hand barely holding her sword anymore. She looked like a shell without any spirit inside. Natsu shoot a quick enquiring look to Gray. Compulsion magic, or mind control, was not unknown in their world, but usually required a very high level, and to bind a mind a strong as Erza's would be borderline impossible for any mage.
- Drop your sword! ordered the wizard, as his opponent had come close enough to touch with his hand.
But to his surprise, Erza's sword did not hit the floor. She didn't move a single inch. Unsure whether he had mumbled, or maybe slightly misspoke, causing the Language Charm not to work. So he repeated, clearly. As soon as the last word had left his mouth, suddenly, strange crackles in the air surrounded Erza, like bright blue and light red lightings breaking the fabric of reality, and a split second afterward, her fist tightened on the grip of her sword, hard enough to be heard from the sidelines. Her whole body tensed, and there she was, the tip of her blade under Sirius's chin, close enough to cut a few hair of his beard, and the life fully back in her eyes.
She was smiling.
- What in Merlin's name... muttered Sirius, his wand now aiming at nothing. How...?
Remus, Hermione and Ron were all staring at her, gobsmacked, their mouth opened to the floor in disbelief.
- Did she just...
- I think she did, confirmed the professor.
- Maybe Sirius' spell was weak? He didn't really want to do it?
But Remus shook his head.
- Something tells me he did want it... I can't believe that she broke out of the Imperius in just seconds! That should not be possible!
- Why? asked Natsu, now up as well, and seemingly disappointed in the actionless ending of the fight. Erza's unbeatable, there was no way a stupid mind control spell could work on her!
- In our world, added Lucy while a gentle smile, there are several types of Compulsion Magic. Rare, but not unheard of, and all of them requires a lot strength of will to resist. But controlling an S-Class Mage like Erza or Natsu is pretty much impossible.
Remus shook his head.
- Technically, this spell can also be resisted with a strong mind and practice, but the number of known cases of we know of can be counted on your ten fingers. This is a very, very powerful and dangerous spell!
- We have three Unforgivable Curse, added Hermione, her inner teacher rising to the top immediately. The Torture Curse, which cause unspeakable pain in all your body, the Killing Curse, which, well... kills. On the spot. And the Imperius Curse, which Sirius just used... AND HE SHOULDN'T HAVE! she added loudly to his attention. It gives total control over the mind of your victim, making him or her your slave. This is very grave offense, using is punished by life in prison!
- I'm already a wanted criminal, chuckled Sirius, joining them, scratching his chin uncomfortably.
- Rightfully so, you pervert old man, slammed Erza.
Something in her pushed her to smack the back of his head with metal-covered fist, like she would have done to anyone at the guild stupid enough to try this trick on her. She resisted the urge just in time.
- Are you sure you're alright, insisted Remus, apologetic.
- Yeah. It felt weird for a second, but it's not much, to be honest. I was expecting... more.
- It's one of the most powerful spell in existence, laughed Ron, and she's disappointed? By Merlin, we might very well have a chance after all!
The muffled pounding on the wall was covered by the weird painting lady who kept screaming strange insults from under the blanket hiding it. Or at least, so hoped Lucy between two moans she was trying to bite back.
Natus's hand on her throat was making it easier to choke out any sound, while entering her slowly but powerfully, as if he was trying to break her in half with each thrust. Just like she liked. Her skirt up on her bottom and her panties down to her ankle, she could feel the clothes Natsu had kept on against her skin every time he smacked his body against her. She had wished him to take those off, feel his boiling skin against hers, but they didn't enough time for that. His free hand tried to find its way under her shirt to reach her breast, and she moaned a bit louder.
Lucy had always been a shy girl, no matter what her revealing wardrobe might suggest. But anyone who had seen her over the past years knew the attraction that tied her to Natsu. But the Dragon Slayer, in his blissful stupidity, had always seemed... asexual. Romantically empty, with nothing more than a blind and absolute friendship to offer to the world.
And yet, just after the battle against his older brother, the dark mage Zeref, and his death, he had started getting closer to her. Looking at her a different way. Brushing her body with the tip of his fingers when they walked past each other. And soon after came Acnologia, and the final battle against the titanous dragon.
The first night after their victory, he had appeared at her window, without Happy by his side, which was highly unusual. The only thing he had said was "I want you."
And so he had taken her, much to her pleasure. The first time had been awkward, hesitant, but quickly he had learnt what he liked, and what she loved. Just like his body and mind would learn and adapt in the heat of battle, he did in the heat of the bed.
And now, the fire in his blood, the excitation of his battle against Gray, all of it demanded more, and he had dragged the blondie to an empty room, as far from everyone else as possible. As soon as the darkness had swallowed them behind the closed door, he had pushed her against the wall, almost ripped her underwear in haste, and taken his prize.
- Hurry, she said almost against her own will. The others might notice.
- They might if you keep moaning like that, he whispered in her ear. Don't worry, even Happy never noticed.
He gently breathed her in, then licked her neck.
- Plus, I'm the only one who can smell and taste the sex off your skin...
A shiver electrified her whole body, and she started touching herself, her desire slowly dripping on her fingers...
- Where were you? asked Erza with more curiosity than suspicion.
- Exploring the house a bit, answered Natsu without blinking. This place is huge ! There's a weird painting with a nasty lady who keeps screaming insults!
- Aha! laughed Sirius. You met my mother then! Nasty piece of work indeed...
- Your mother...? squeaked Happy, terrified that he might end up trapped in a painting.
- A painting of her, don't worry, cat. Long story, I might tell you later.
- Anyway, cut Gray, while you were exploring, we were discussing the plan. We got some work to do.
On the table were spread a calendar, a map on which they had put a couple of chess pieces.
- In six days there will be the wedding of Ron's brother, summarized Erza to get them up to date. OUr first job is to handle security.
She put her finger on the calendar.
- On that day. 1st of August. We're currently here, 25th of July. In two days, the 27th, we will move out of this place to Ron's family house, where the wedding will be held, as both he and Hermione are expected to help out.
- How are we going to get there? asked Natsu, suddenly very pale at the thought of using a Portkey again.
- We'll come to that in a bit. Right now, Remus and Sirius were telling us about what we could do to help secure the site. Make sure there's no unwanted guests trying to ruin the day.
- Exactly, took over Remus. You were not expected, so even though I think there will still be more than enough food for all, knowing Molly, there might not be enough space for an extra six members. In addition, our enemies have also no idea who you are, and what you can do. In case of an attack, this would be a giant advantage, as element of surprise. We could really use the extra help, to be honest.
- Problem is, added Gray, that the whole field is out in the open. They could circle us easily if they'd send enough people. I don't see how the six of us can protect a zone this large against a full force.
- Remember that almost all guests there will be trained witches and wizards too. Most of them part of the Order just like us. But you could help gain some time for us to join the fight, then protect the kids and elders as they flee.
They spent almost a full hour discussing the field, retreat strategies, point of weaknesses and usable terrains. The older wizards were both impressed and terrified by the knowledges of tactical warfare from these young people. Even someone as young and fragile-looking as Wendy sounded like a battle-hardened veteran, the few times she opened her mouth to add a comment or propose a solution. Even the damn blue cat seemed to be used to it!
- Alright so we got the plan, no problem. Let them come! But now I'd like to know : how are we going there? We ain't teleporting again, are we?
Sirius smiled, with a hint of sadness still on his lips.
- As much as I'd love to, we cannot, at least not from here. I am still a wanted criminal, and this wedding will be a big Order gathering. Everything will be closely monitored, both by the Ministry and the Death Eaters. Anything unusual or suspicious, they would be there in the following minutes. Our best plan is to reach other locations, closer and directly related to the family, and then converge to the meeting point.
Natsu wiped his forehead, relieved.
- I like the sound of that!
- We're not actually going to walk all the way there, laughed Ron. My parent's place, The Burrows, is hundred miles away from here. Days of walking.
The pink haired mage frowned again.
- How are we going to get there, then? Not by train, I hope.
- Well, answered Sirius, the original plan was to get Hagrid, a friend of ours, pick me up with my old motorbike. I got a... special talent, one that our enemies don't know of. Should be good enough to keep me hidden. Meanwhile, Remus and Mad-Eye, one of our best fighter, were to take another route with brooms, to lure them out.
- And Ron and I were to take the Floo to my brother's place, and from there, straight to the Burrows.
- And so where do we fit in all this? asked Lucy.
- That's the hundred galleons question. If we assign you all to Sirius protection, it will tip them off.
The blonde girl put her finger on her lips, thoughtful.
- Then maybe we could double down on the lure. Make sure they don't actually go after Sirius.
Her face suddenly brighten up, and her hand reached for one of her golden keys.
- Hirake! Futago no Tobira!
At the tip of the key open a bright light, which quickly fade into two small, strange creatures. They were knee-high tall, blue, with a large head. They looked a bit like Axolotls, drawn into reality by a child.
- Everyone, meet Gemini. They are the Gate of the Twins. Gemi, Mini, you see this man here, with the beard? Can you take his appearance?
One of the little blue thing cheerfully jumped toward Sirius and grabbed him by the hand, before going back to his twin. And in a *pof* of smoke, they disappeared, and instead was standing the exact copy of Potter's godfather.
- Gemini, are you able to use his magic? she asked.
- Yes, replied the copy with the exact same voice. But I would need my wand.
- You mean, my wand, replied the interested one, half amused half worried.
- Gemini does not only take the appearance of the target. He can also mimic the powers, have the same memories and much more. He's incredible. Gemini, we might need you to take his form in a couple of days, so keep it clear in your mind!
- Of course Mistress! Whenever you need, Mistress.
It was really strange hearing the voice of Sirius speak those words, strange enough that Ron was still choking on his laughing tears when Lucy sent back her spirit to its world with a turn of the key.
- That's a brilliant idea! cheered Hermione. Remus! I'm sure Professor Moody has some Polyjuice left! We could set up several fake leads, leave in different directions.
- We could yes! Let me think for a second, but this might be the way indeed!
- Is it really necessary to this many precautions just to get Sirius from point A to point B? asked Gray, a bit suspicious.
- Absolutely! You need to understand that Sirius is both wanted by the government, even if it's wrongfully, and by the Death Eaters. Death Eaters who, I remind you, have infiltrated the government. And we're bringing him to the house of well-known opponents to the Dark Lord. If they catch us, catch him, and play their cards right, they could sent all of us to prison before the fight even begin.
- Then why bring him at all?
- Because I spent twelve years in prison, he answered dryly. I'm not going to let them put me in another one, even if it's my own house!
The Ice Maker didn't answer. He understood. The mages of Fairy Tail were known for putting their freedom far above their safety.
- So how do we do this? was asking Remus in his back, looking at the map. I think Erza could go with Sirius and Hagrid. She would fit in the sidecar with Padfoot on her lap, and she can use her armor to fight in the air.
- Natsu and Lucy could be a team, with their... euhm... Gemini?
- I could take Miss Wendy with me, and Gray with Mad-Eye.
- But we need someone to lead Lucy's team then! Overwise how would they know where to go? Should Ron and I go with them?
- No. We need you to take the Floo, make them think everything is normal.
- What about Tonks? proposed Ron.
Wendy didn't know who this Tonks was, but clearly it was someone important, as she saw Remus flush and hesitate.
- I don't know, Ron... If I can avoid bringing her in the field...
- But Kingsley will not be available, and she's a trained Auror. Come on Remus, you know your wife can take care of herself. Probably better than you.
- I know... I know. Alright, I'll send her an owl right away. I'll send one to Alastor too.
- That leaves us with one problem, though, said Hermione.
Everyone turned toward her. Things were going to fast for Happy and Natsu, but they didn't care, as long as they got the end of it.
- It seems alright for Erza, explained the witch. But the others... How do we get them to fly?
- Good point. Well, I guess tomorrow is Broom lessons then! We have one day to get them in the air!
As the Sky Dragon Slayer, Wendy was clearly a natural. Her broom responded to her every move as it was part of her own body. Clearly, with just a bit of training, she could be as good as Harry Potter in no time!
Lucy and Gray picked it up a bit more slowly, but they did it fast enough to impress the wizards.
- Damn, we could make such an insane Quidditch team with those guys... whispered Ron to his friend, the eyes up in the air as they were watching them fend off the sky above them.
The problem, as all from Fairy Tail had expected, was Natsu.
His broom took ages to finally obey his first comment, and when he had rose in the air by just a meter or two, he had become so pale, so sick-looking that Hermione had thought he was about to die. Instead, he just retched violently, and then fell off, crashing on the ground like a lifeless doll.
- Urgh... No... Never. Never. Never ever ever.
Erza sighed.
- That was to be expected... Once again he's going to be a problem.
- Happy! begged the young man. Can't you just carry me?
- Sorry Natsu... pleaded the cat with a small voice. Ron said it was a two hours flight, I can't carry you that long.. You're heavy!
Hermione looked at Erza, wondering.
- In his twisted logic, Natsu says that Happy is not transportation, but a friend. So he's not sick when Happy carries him in the air. But he's not strong enough for such a trip. An hour maybe, at best.
The best compromise they could find, in the end, was top get Natsu on Lucy's broom, and Happy on his shoulder, using his own wings to help keep him in the air. This solution only made him very nauseous, but not purely sick, and Happy could save his strength for a longer time, especially if they had to fight at some point.
- Why don't we just get him through the Floo as well? asked Ron. That would be over in a second.
- I'd rather have him with Lucy, smiled Erza. She's capable, but Natsu is the best bodyguard one could hope for, and they were always a very good team together. Better to have him sick for two hours than splitting them up. Plus, he keeps complaining, but after all this time he should be used to it. At least a little.
In the sky above us, Gray was teasing Natsu on and on, flying around him, nagging him, knowing his rival was too sick to answer back. Until he had enough, and decided to jump out of the broom, almost knocking Lucy out of it too, and onto his black haired friend, grabbing him by the collar. The broom went on a spin, out of control, while they were insulting each other. Natsu got even more sick, and both brawlers crashed down on the floor ten meters below, in a fall that should have broken anyone's bones to bits. But even that was not violent enough to stop them from bickering.
Erza sighed heavily, again.
In the meantime, Wendy was up there, so far above everyone else, flying with the wind in her face, laughing in the clouds. Never had she been this close to Grandine, the Sky Dragon who had raised her. Never had she felt so much in her element. It was pure joy, pure freedom.
During the rest of the afternoon, Fairy Tail trained with Hermione and Ron, focused on nothing but trying to dodge the spells out of their wand. The wizards were shocked to witness the speed with which all of them could move, but still managed to catch them once in a while. Gray discovered the feeling of the Petrification Spell, fueling Natsu's laughs and teases. Then he himself was stung by a Jelly-Legs curse, and fell to the ground unable to stand anymore.
In the end, only Erza Scarlet was untouchable. Invincible. She could dodge anything with barely a single move, even diverted a Stunning Spell with a swing of her sword. Ron and Hermione both knew that she could have reached them without any trouble if she had wanted to, and stick her blade in their throat just as easily. And that terrified them.
On the evening, they were joined by Remus wife, Nymphadora Tonks. The young fiery woman got along immediately with everyone, especially Erza, and as soon as Happy discovered her powers as Metamorphmagus, he could not get enough of her changing her hair, her face, her eyes, and kept coming up with requests all evening long. Grimmauld Squared had not been this liveful, this joyful, in years now, if ever. For the first time in a year, Sirius's laugh were real, genuine, and not a facade he had to keep on. The heat in the heart of Fairy Tail was intoxicating, it remember him of his time in the Gryffindor Tower, long before, with his friends Moony, Wormtail and Prongs... The way they talked, the way they laughed, the way they bickered, it was like an glimpse into the past. A short look at Remus, and even Hermione and Ron, and he knew they all felt the same way. A brief moment back into some better, happier times.
Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was something else. The sample of wizards that they had met was maybe a little restricted until now, counting only four, but number five was a totally different breed. His stature, for once, was bulkier, stronger. He looked more like a warrior than the thin-as-twigs, fragile looking wizards. The scars on his face, on his hands, showed a life of battles maybe more intense and dangerous than Master Makarov himself. There was the constant cursing too, and then, of course, the eye. The all seeing, self-moving, terrifying eye. It scared Happy to death, so much that he hid under a chair. Then, Moody said, without even turning toward him :
- I still see you, blue cat.
Happy flew upstairs in panic, and didn't get out all night.
The wizard had obviously been warned about the mages presence and powers, as he did not pay them any specific attention. Not a single question, not a single concern, nothing at all. The only thing he seemed to be interested in was the map.
- I set up Portkeys here, here and here, he explained. The first one is kept by Ted Tonks, the second one by Mr Weasley's aunt, Muriel. Fletcher got the third one.
- Portkeys? Again? No! Never! complained Natsu loudly.
- Fletcher? You trust that low-life? asked Remus, skeptical.
Moody just ignored both Natsu and the question with a quick shrug.
- The first team will go straight to Portkey A. That is Hagrid, Padfoot, and Mrs Scarlet, if i am not mistaken?
- You're not.
- Second team, that is Mrs Tonk, Mrs Lucy and Mr Natsu with their doppleganger invocation, you will go to Portkey B. It's the closest from here, only an hour flight from here, as Mr Natsu seems to have a problem with transportation. Remus, you will take Mrs Wendy straight to the Burrows. Finally, Mr Gray and myself will head to Portkey C. And as planned, Mrs Granger and Mr Weasley will take the Floo at 9pm, once the night settles in. Which mean we have 5 hours left.
- Do you have the Polyjuice?
- I do. We only need two doses: one for Remus, one for Mr Gray.
The Ice Mage froze a second.
- Wait what? You want me to drink... what's the name again?
- Polyjuice. So you would look perfectly like Sirius.
- But why me? And will I still be able to use my magic?
- That's a good question... muttered Hermione. I have no idea. You should, but well, there's no telling if mages react the same way we do to the potions.
- This has to be you because they are expecting me to be on bodyguard duty! roared Mad-Eye. Try to follow, boy! They won't take us seriously if i'm not there.
- I ain't getting up there without my magic you crazy old fuck!
Alastor Moody's eye started turning and twirling around in his socket at high speed in all direction, living up to its name. Hermione watched in shock, her hand on her mouth, ready to see the old Auror blow up in fury. For a second it looked like he would, his face turning red, his shoulders raising an inch, and, just like an overcooked souffle would fall back disappointingly, they lowered back.
-Alright alright! Let's do a test then.
Apart from the clothes, the resemblance was more than uncanny : perfect.
- Damn, long hair feel so weird! was the first thing Gray said. And beard! Look Erza, I got beard!
The transformation had looked painful, but quick enough.
- There's no telling which is which! admired Lucy. As good as Gemini!
- So you say, smiled Natsu. He still has the same smell. Wouldn't fool me, or a dragon.
Gray ignored the remark, and tried summoning a new ice rose, which came without delay. He tried invoking an ice blade, then a giant hammer, and all worked just a perfectly as usual.
- I suppose that will do, he concluded. How long does it last?
- The dose you took? An hour. You will need to take another dose before leaving. I also brought some old robes, that should help with the disguise.
- Gray? asked Erza with a stern voice. You'll be alright?
- Of course!
- Don't worry, miss, grumbled Moody. I'll take good care of him.
- You'll keep an eye on him? asked Natsu with a gigantic smile.
Sirius and Ron scoffed, biting back a laugh, and Erza facepalmed. Alastor's magic eye turned toward him while his face was still focused on the map.
- You didn't get it? Or you're turning a blind eye?
- Natsu! cried Lucy, horrified.
Now Sirius and Ron both had to bit their fists, and even Remus started to smile.
- Now, look here, tried to continue the old professor, pointing at the map. This would be a good place for an ambush and...
- Oh yeah! I saw it too. That caught my eye!
- Natsu stop it!
Even Hermione and Wendy now joined the wizards in their laugh, but clearly Alastor did not share the humour. He stepped away from the table and looked at Natsu.
- I've heard them all, kid. Now please focus before I lose my temper.
- Oh? You're an eye for an eye kind of guy?
He grumbled, clearly trying to refrain from exploding.
- Come on! I'm sure we can see eye to eye!
The only thing that prevent Natsu from trying more puns was the iron fist of Erza smashing his face into the wooden floor.
The half giant was a friendly, loveable creature that everyone had instantly liked. The old school, magical motorbike he brought along with him was also an immediate hit with Fairy Tail's members, except for Natsu who would not touch that with a ten-meters pole.
Sirius transforming into a dog, however, excited him much more, at least as much as Gray's transformation into Sirius. With the clothes on, it was much more credible, in the dim light of dusk. The big, furry black dog jumped around for a bit, exciting the crowd, teasing Erza by trying to sniff her legs. A single, terrifying gaze from her stopped any other attempts.
A few minutes after the sun had disappeared behind the earth, Hermione and Ron disappeared with a blinding green flash into the massive chimney. Five minutes later, Remus, polymorphed into his best friend, rose in the air with Wendy by his side, and flew straight north. Then, despite Natsu's protests, Lucy and him got onto the broom, helped by Happy.
Gemini, masquerading as Sirius, waved the wand around a brief second.
- Don't worry, he said to the dog. I know how to use it. I'll give it back to you.
Armed with both his skills and his memories, the fake Sirius jumped onto the broom next to Tonks, and the four flew toward the west in the sunset.
-Alright'! You ready? asked Hagrid with his heavy accent.
Erza, in the sidecar, was still trying to find a comfortable position to fit with the massive dog on her lap.
- As ready as I can, she grumbled.
As loud as a roaring thunder, the motorbike jumped into the sky, heading south west. For a minute or two, Erza was ecstatic, almost forgetting the pain in her knees, squashed against the metal. She was not in the air for the first time in her life, but with it was the first time she was without magical effort to do, or a deadly enemy trying to bring her back down.
The speed, the loud sound, the sunset in the corner of her eyes, for a long moment it felt like a dream. She was woken up with the sound of an explosion, and the thunderous curses of Hagrid.
Out of nowhere, two dozens of cloaked silhouettes were flying after then, like held in the sky with divine threads by a celestial puppet master. A flash a green erupted and missed her by a few hair. She bent forward to cover the dog with her body, protect it with her life, as was her job.
- Hold on! screamed the giant. I got something for them!
He smashed a big green button in the middle of the handle, and out of the exhaust appeared a massive wall a red bricks, setting itself up in the air. A couple of their attackers ran straight into it and smashed their brooms with a loud crack, falling with screams toward the unwelcoming ground. A few other turned back and dived fast to go and help them before they die.
- They're still coming! screamed the battlemage.
Hagrid snarled and pressed another button, sending a giant net behind them, without catching any of them.
- It's not enough! Damit! Padfoot, don't move! Stay here! Hagrid, stay out of range!
With a swift, graceful move, she rolled over, putting Sirius in the relative safety of the sidecar, and her standing in balance on the metal. Fearless, she jumped into the air, and in a flash Re-Equipped the Dark Wings Armor. She was now flying, equal to their pursuers, moving in the air with no efforts to dodge the couple of spells that came her way. She tightened the grip on her sword, and breathed deeply, slowly.
It wasn't the first time she faced so many opponents. She was almost used to it, and used to tear them a new one without breaking a sweat. But this time, all of them could murder her with one single words and a good aim, and that, that was new.
She smiled. And she dashed forward, her blade shining with the last glimpse of the sunlight.
When it met the flesh of the first man who stood in front of her, this too was a first time. The way it just sliced through it, like it was nothing, the brief resistance of the skin, then the bone, the splash of blood that stained her metal glove, the instant smell of iron in the air, the head detaching from the body and now obeying to nothing but the laws of gravity, this was a first. An instant, bloody, terrible kill.
"Don't stop moving" she thought. "Don't stop."
She didn't take a split second to contemplate her work, ignoring the sick feeling in her throat, and already dashed to the second one, planting the blade straight into his heart. She sliced the broom of the third one, and smacked a fourth out of his with a massive spin kick in the head.
She moved like lightning, invisible in her black armor in the growing darkness, untouchable.
The Death Eaters almost stopped immediately, terrified, and she used that brief rest to burst her magic, and gain enough speed to reach back Hagrid's motorcycle, standing again on the edges of the sidecar, braving the speed.
- How are you so fast? screamed Hagrid through the wind.
- Later! she yelled back. Something's wrong!
A wave of pressure rushed over her, strong enough to make her choke. A magical energy like she hadn't felt since facing Acnologia, the World-Eating Dragon. The Death Eaters had resumed their flight forward, now joined by a new cloaked puppet, far above them.
- Hagrid! We gotta go! Now! I can't face that guy here!
- Sit tight!
She dived back into the sidecar at the last second, crushing the poor man-dog under her armored legs. Hagrid smashed a purple button on the board, and immediately a gigantic push squashed her against the back of the cockpit. Flammes roared from the exhaust, and at the exact same moment, a spell hot just between them, almost splicing the metal in two. Barely attached anymore to the main engine, Erza feared they would be cast out.
- I'm gonna repair that! yelled the giant, getting his umbrella out of under his jacket.
Padfoot barked, in panic, three times.
- Reparo!
Everything then seemed to happen at the same time. A massive explosion deafened Erza and pushed her around in all direction, Padfoot's barking of terror as she grabbed him tight and tried to get him out, the screams of Hagrid, the sidecar now falling toward the ground in the middle of a rain of spells, another explosion almost knocking her out cold, the ground coming fast toward her, the crash.
The darkness.
Natsu really tried his best not to barf. Happy pulling him up once in a while on his wings helped a little, for a moment. Tonks was kind enough not to mock him, but Gemini loved the sound of Sirius laugh too much to refrain himself.
Thankfully for Natsu, and sadly for everyone else, a dozen of flying Death Eaters appeared right behind them after half an hour of flight.
- Finally some action! he grinned. Happy, get me in the air!
- Natsu no! screamed Lucy, terrified.
A green flash lit the night and she barrel-rolled on her broom to dodge it, screaming her lungs out the whole.
- I'm gonna puke! groaned Natsu, holding her tight, too tight.
- If you barf on me, I swear i'll kill you!
Gemini-Sirius was laughing out loud, casting spells with the original's wand. A red flash caught one of the Death Eater in the chest, and he fell backward on his broom, all the way down to his death.
As soon as his head was back in the right spot, the Dragon Slayer decided it was too much for his heart to handle, just jumped out of the broom, confident Happy would carry him.
- Natsu! screamed his blonde partner.
Tonks was too focus cursing and casting spell to protect them while leading the way to even react.
- It's been a while since we've last done that, Happy! cheered the pink-haired man. Let's do some damage!
- Aye Aye sir!
- Karyuu no Houkou!
His cheeks swelled like his mouth was overflowing, and then bursted the gigantic stream of fire out of his mouth, a deadly breath of flames that engulfed the unfortunate first two souls in front of him, dozens of meters away.
Despite the speed and the wind, the smell of burnt flesh and the screams of agony of his victims reached his overdeveloped nose and ears. The shock froze him for a second. The cat emitted a brief, disgusted sound.
- Natsu! begged Happy, as he moved to the right to dodge a new spell, his white wings trying to hold on penibly. Natsu! We gotta move!
- Right! Right! Let's charge then!
- You sure? They...
- Happy! Straight ahead. Karyuu no Yokugeki!
Giant wings of fire sprouted out of his back, just beneath where Happy was arduously holding him, and with a burst of magic and fire out of his feet, he charged forward, knocking two foes out of their handles, setting their robes ablaze with his ardent wings. Both fell with horrible screams of terror and pain.
Now in the middle of the melee, causing panic among the few Death Eaters left, and kept alive only by the magic strength in Happy's paws and wings, he fought like a devil, using fire-invoked claws and talons to shred them to pieces. Mists of blood clouded the air, the distinct smell of iron mixed with the scent of burning flesh and hair. He was not used to it, not used to see his magic cause so much damage, so much death.
- Well that was easy, he still said when the last two remaining foes ran (or flew) away in panic, trying to look brave and unphased.
- Natsu! I won't hold much longer!
He looked at the three shades further away, waiting for him on their broom, and sighed. He didn't want to go back on that devil's invention.
- Alright let's go... bring me back to my doom, Happy.
- Aye Aye, Sir!
When he joined Lucy back in her broom, not yet sick as long as she was still immobile, he hold her tight.
- You alright, Natsu? she asked, concerned.
- Yeah, yeah. I'm good. Let's end this nightmare...
- You did a damn good job, Natsu, congratulated Tonks. I've never seem any Auror take out ten people so fast...
- Thanks.
He tried to smile. The stench of the burnt flesh was still sticking to his skin. Again, he felt like throwing up.
A/N2 : Hey folks! Long chapter! Much longer than i anticipated! I hope you like it =) See you soon for the wedding!