Harry exited third into Longbottom Hall in his new manner, rolling on exit and a step forward. The robe/coat over his shoulders added to the effect of his entrance.
Tonks nodded proudly. Not only was her entrance workable, but the theory was sound enough for others to learn.
Padfoot, having returned to Grim form, woofed and wagged his tail.
August frowned. "Still showy, but I can see the tactical reason. And for Social Occasions?"
"Either I be showy or paranoid." Harry smiled, "I am playing three personas at the same time. There is Lord Potter-Black, The Boy Who Lived, and Just Harry." He ran his hand through his hair. "Lord Potter-Black backs Down only to his Witches. The Boy Who Lived feels like everyone is out to get him. And Just Harry wants to avoid the spotlight all together."
"You took your time getting back." The old woman was not happy.
Harry turned to Neville. "You can tell her as much or as little as you want. I stand with you as you stood with me."
"Yeah." Neville looked at the Lad. "Just next time don't yell 'Thief' in Gringotts and draw your wand."
Padfoot was human and pale…
Gran was stiffer than the Vulture on her hat.
"Pup… I think I need to have that explained to me." He swallowed. "Preferably over a few fingers of Scotch."
"Good idea." Gran turned to the doorway. "I have a GlenDronach that Frank bought on the lad's birthday and was going to open it when he got his wand. This seems like a good time. Join us." Two steps towards the conservatory. "And I want the Whole story."
Neville looked at Harry and breathing deeply, stiffened his back and followed. Harry quickly to the spot Neville had taken, when following Harry about.
Tonks and Sirius trailed behind.
Gus and Sirius each took a tumbler with three fingers of Scotch. They both sipped… and reacted to the 'burn' differently.
Gus 'hmm'ed.
Sirius coughed…,"Smooth."
Neville squared up. Harry took his spot just a step behind and to the left of Neville.
"When we arrived at the Leaky, Harry got to see Tonks doing her entrance. He looked thoughtful. Then he led us to Olivander's. The old man recognised us by the wands we were carrying. Only he said that Dad's Wand was a bad fit." He flicked his wrist and he had Frank's wand in his fingers. "This either is to be returned to Dad or Mounted in memoriam."
Gus sipped her drink, and then took her Son's Wand and set it beside her. She nodded to Neville to continue.
"After some time and destroying half the store, I ended up with my new wand." Again he flicked his wrist. He brandished the stick. "Cherry Wood, thirteen inches, Unicorn hair." He stroked it and it sparked lightly. Another flick and it vanished up his sleeve. He looked over his shoulder at Harry.
Harry smiled. "Your call. You are my Best Mate. They will only know what you tell them until I need to devulge it to save you from something you deem … excessive."
"I deem… by which scale?" Neville hissed.
Harry just smiled.
Turning back to Gran. "Harry led us into Knockturn Alley. A little shop that crafted bespoke Wands and cuffs. He bought both me and Tonks new wand cuffs and we returned to Diagon alley. Where for some reason he was able to identify a future wife of his being forced into the Bank."
Sirius raised an eyebrow at Harry.
Neville shifted his weight into a more aggressive stance. "After learning that the witch was under duress, he dropped the foreign wizard with a bludgeon hex to the stones just before stunning him." He inhaled. "Leaving Tonks to take the Girl Home, we entered the Bank to retrieve her sister." Neville licked his lips. "Her Twin sister."
"You said future wife… and her twin?" Gran sat up, her glass sloshing dangerously.
"Yes, Ma'am." Harry smiled at the Matron. "I am contracted to four Witches and dating a fifth when she gets back from France."
Neville twisted to look at Harry. "Five Witches, including Hermione?" He snorted. "You Dog!"
Sirius snorted…while sipping his Scotch. Needless to say, he burned his Nares.
Harry and Tonks chuckled.
"You're laughing at the waste of good whisky?" Gus glared at the Lordling before her.
"A Potter Secret. Told to my Brother in Arms." Harry stepped further to the left, giving him two paces from Neville. He squatted down and pulled on the Fu.
The Longbottoms blinked. Neville reached over and took Sirius's drink and swallowed the last full mouthful.
No reaction.
Gus slammed the last of her glass and then refilled. "Your laughing is excused. Neville… good timing."
Neville perked up even further. He handed the empty glass to Black. "Potter stepped over the downed Wizard and entered the Bank. Without warning, He yells 'Thief' and every English Wizard and Witch hits the floor. Bonequill sneers and asks what his Claim is. He pointed to the sash-wearing Wizard trying to muscle an obviously muted Witch into the back. Harry objected. He dropped his robes, which I caught, and as he strode over the worming masses he drew his Blackthorn wand."
Gus gagged on her Whisky. "He wields a Blackthorn?"
Harry returned to Human and drew the Blackthorn with his left hand, before walking it across the back of his hand into a cane mode before he passed it to his right hand. When he caught it, it was a six foot staff.
"He breaks the arm holding the Witch, tricks the wizard to turn his head, and clubs him."
"Not very Honourable."
"Honour is not for those who try to kill a man and steal a his daughters." Harry snarled. He blinked. "Sorry. The Fu is bleeding through."
"Padfoot does the same." Black was peering into the empty glass in his hand. "Our method of learning that skill is quicker than McGonagall's, but the Beast can bleed through. I shake my rump if I get too excited. James used to prance. Peter would huddle and scamper, but we just thought that was Peter."
"So my 'Protect Everyone' sense is just intensified." Harry twirled the Staff and holstered the wand. "And after our Birthdays, Neville will be offered the opportunity to join me."
"A whole month?" Neville whined with a smile.
Harry clapped him on the shoulder, "Well, first you have a Witch to Woo, two Balls to prepare for, and a Wand issue to Master. Frank's wand taught you some bad habits. You are going to have to run drills after your time in the Greenhouses."
Neville now had a look of Fear on his face.
Gus was on her feet, 'loomimg' over the boys. How could a five foot witch loom over two lads almost six feet tall is a trick known only to Witches of a certain age.
"What's this about a Witch?"
Harry smiled at the Regent. "A witch has expressed an interest within my hearing about him, and when questioned, he shared an interest in her. Now that he knows of her interest, and she will know by the weekend, the rest is up to him, and if she doesn't share the news with her Friend… let's just say that I will come share my knowledge of combat with him."
Neville paled even further. "Gran, with permission, I have a letter to write and Owl." He bolted from the room.
"Regent." Harry bowed his head. "If you will excuse me, I have Homework and Letters to write, myself. I would like to wish you a good night and see myself out." He turned at her nod and the three of them returned to the Floo and the Black Townhouse.
POMP
It was turning dusk when the Gutter Wizard landed outside the wooden picket fence of the Burrow. Easing past the squeaky gate, he wondered why Arthur insisted on charming the gate to squeak.
As he Knocked on the door, he shifted the Sack of Cauldrons on his back. The Door was answered by a pair of Gingers. Not quite identical but close enough to confuse the issue.
"Ah. The Twins. The Masters of Mischief. I was told you might be interested in some Cauldrons, second hand but cool?"
The twins exchanged a look…
"Boys! Who is it?" Molly's voice sounded from the Kitchen.
"Tell her Dung from Potter-watch."
"A Dung…"
"With Potter-watch!" The yelled over their shoulders as they stepped aside.
Molly came bustling into the Room. No one could Bustle quite like Molly Prewett Weasley. "Potter-watch?" She frowned at the polyester wearing wizard in the doorway.
"Yes.. Arthur is supposed to be watching the Boy in the House in Little Whinging." The Wizard cleared his throat… "So why should I bump into him in Knockturn Alley?"
The House-witch turned and bolted to the Floo yelling for the Headmaster.
As she disappeared into the green flames, Dung 'dropped' the sack beside the door. "I was told that you were looking for some… teapots? Having come into some coin?"
The twin half a step behind the other frowned. "We'll need to inspect the…teapots."
"What are you asking?" The other blurted.
"Retail. Twenty five knuts to the Sickle." The man licked his lips.
"Doable." The eager twin smiled as he reached out to shake Dung's hand.
"Upon inspection. Await our Owl." He collected the sack.
Dung was going to complain but the Floo flared, and the twins cracked away.
"I hope that the boy knows what he is doing." He muttered.
Molly was there. "The Headmaster wants to see you. Head on through."
"Great, now I have to go see Him." Dung grumbled as the Green Flame engulfed him.
POMP
Harry had just finished his Potion Homework when his Potter Ring spoke to him.
"Snuggles. Come. Aunty needs you."
"Dobby. Tell Doggy and Trippy that I had to make a RUN." He twisted away and pulled on the Fu.
He landed in the Foyer and jogged to Amelia's side. The smell of Boot Polish, Parchment and Coffee… heavy on the Irish, was easy to follow.
As he entered the Library, he saw Lords Nott, Avery, and Trask holding the Director at Wand Point as they tried to force her to sign something.
He shoulder-checked Avery into Trask as he went for Nott's Wand.
He missed.
Nott's hand came off in his mouth.
Bones used her Dragonhide boots to kick Trask in the stones as she rose and called her wand from across the room, to hand, before having the two wizards bound in braided leather cords.
"You Bitch!" Nott screamed from his knees. "I will have your Job over this!"
"No, you won't." The Director grinned at him. "You will either face charges of Line Theft or you will face Lord Potter in a duel. He is the one whose bride you just tried to steal."
"Like the brat can do anything!" The wounded wizard spat.
"Seal his arm, raise the War Wards, and give him his wand." Harry snarled. "Ask his co-conspirators if they stand with him, would rather face the Courts, or what."
"You think you can take the three of us?" Trask gasped.
"Two and a half.' Harry grinned. "And yes."
"Duel." Nott sneered
"Duel." Avery smiled.
"Duel." Trask sighed.
Ten minutes later the six of them, Amelia, Susan, Nott, Avery, Trask, and Potter, stood on the front lawn.
"Why did you call for the War Wards?" Susan leaned on Harry.
"One, until the Wards are dropped, nothing can pass through them. Two, War Wards going up triggers the sensors in the DMLE and being the Director's Home…" Harry trailed off as understanding bloomed in her eyes. "Three, under War Wards, we are in a Combat Situation… and certain Rights of the Defender are in play. Normally raising the War Wards requires paperwork. Being the Director of the DMLE has certain perks. Just drawing their wands without her permission is Justification."
"Are you sure you got this?" Susan stepped away to look at Harry.
"I would make a bet on it, but I fear what Mione would say about taking advantage of You."
Susan swatted his arm and moved to join her Aunt.
The three men were shaking themselves out as they watched the 'boy'. Two thought that he was an easy target. The Third just wanted to crawl home and forget tonight ever happened.
Amelia tossed the three wands at the Wizards as Harry dropped his robes as Holly and Yew appeared in his hands…
Two wands snapped into the Hands of the Wizard that owned them. The third hit the sod, as did the Wizard.
Four spells lit the night.
[Bombarda Maxima] Nott.
[Confringo Maxima] Avery.
[Sectumsempra] Harry from each wand.
Trask just crawled into a ball and waited out the battle.
The dark cutting spell slashed through the exploding spell, causing them to detonate in the air, before continuing to their targets and ripping the throats out of both wizards.
"Well… that's a mess." Amelia brought down the War Wards, just as Shacklebolt and Runcorn arrived.
"Hey Chief." The black man greeted Amelia as his Eyes landed on Harry. "Potter. What are you doing here?"
"My Contracted Duties." Harry flicked the Holly wand before allowing it to vanish up his sleeve so he could catch his robes. The Yew he kept in hand, hidden. "Do report it to the Old man… he will want to interfere."
Shacklebolt flickered a glance at the Director, who was busy looking over the two dead wizards. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Yeah, we'll come back to that." Harry held out his empty hand and Trasks' wand jumped into it. "Walk with me. I need a witness for this."
Harry picked his way around the gore to Squat by the head of the huddled wizard. "You first choose to Duel and then you play dead. Explain."
"I am just a quill pusher. I was brought along as a witness. Nott had a Ward Pass, Avery knew that the Director was alone, and her Floo would be down. A charge of Line Theft would ruin me. I thought that if they won, I would let them Bask in the Glory of taking you Down, If you won, you might hear me out before..." he swallowed. "No one knew about the Beast."
"A Fu." Harry smiled. "My betrothal gift to the younger Bones. Now what to do with you." He tapped the wizard's wand on the back of his hand. "It's my experience that little guy Quill Pushers like you can cause the greatest damage." The stolen wand flicked out and the sleeve of Trask's left arm was ripped to the shoulder.
The Arm laid bare… and unmarked.
Harry stood. "When I make up my mind… I will come looking. Don't make me chase you." He dropped the wand. "Begone." He turned to look for Susan.
Trask grabbed his wand and vanished without standing up.
Harry approached and engulfed Susan in a hug. "You have no idea how long it took Hermione to get me to do this. And Merlyn, I am glad she took that time." He borrowed his face into her neck and hair.
"Just what were you thinking? Doing?" Susan returned the hug.
"My Duty. Saving your spotted ass." He gripped her bum, "My spotted Ass." He lip-nibbled her neck.
She pushed him back, just long enough to hit his arm before hugging him again.
TBC