Master Xander

Chapter 18

Sanctum Santorum de Harris

"…Wait! How is that even possible? Planes fly overhead all the time! How could they not see them?"

XXX

Alex Harris had to smile at the gob smacked look on Agent Stokes' face. "This magical community are superb isolationists and it goes both ways, especially here in Britain. Plus, there is the general belief that non-magicals can't achieve anything at all because they don't have magic. Therefore, if they even cared to look up, planes must have magic to work. Most of them are about as curious as sloths having an interest in jogging. Another point is that the same magical that keeps them from being detected prevents them from seeing the outside world. If they remain in the magical section all of their lives, then they won't see anything."

Stokes picked up Alex's thoughts. "Thereby reinforcing their beliefs about non-magicals," he finished. "It's created a superiority complex."

"Given their abilities, you're exactly right. Now getting back to your original comment. From what we were told, there appears to be an attack on free-thinking, speculative fiction as well as creating tension among the religious communities. If they can suppress and fracture nations, it serves their agendas. Stifling imagination, research, and faith in higher things than themselves can cripple a person. That's what they want. These Inheritors are wary of science, and they should be. The regular wizarding world's terrorists haven't figured that out yet."

MI-6 and other agencies were about to be put on notice. "I'm sure that our people will be taking a very close look into this," he promised.

"I know you will and that brings us to the next set of problems. Until you can devise a way to keep your people from being wiped, I have several gifts." Alex gave the man several nondescript rings. "These rings will keep your memories from being wiped until you develop counters of your own. I have the frequencies and wavelengths used to wipe memories and it will be made available to you for study.

"Next is your security problem. Let's assume that you have moles in your service. And they need to be routed out. I suggest closed-circuit cameras everywhere in your buildings will be your friend. Also, electromagnet jammers will prevent teleportation called an apparition. Don't worry, I have all this info prepared for you to access. Bio-energy manipulation is easier to counter than the supernatural. I dare say your R&D will be very busy in the coming days and that brings me to my next point. Your organization isn't ready to handle these Inheritors. Not only are they wizards, but they have a massive organization that will overwhelm you. You need to step up your game, and for that I have a few gifts for you to help do that."

Opening a small cart, he pulled out two items. One was a small black rectangular object and what looked to be a larger version.

"Ah, the famous communications device we've heard of," Stokes said. "I know a lot of people who are salivating to get a good look at these. Good to confirm you're the source of these devices."

"Well first, it's more than a communication's device. It's what we call a smart phone. And its larger cousin is a tablet that be used as a phone and live video comms, although that isn't its primary function. Both can be used to communicate with another device on the network and the phone function can be used with your smart phones all over the world. They can also connect to line phones. They have text capability, can store information, and have access to a vast database that spans this world. History, art, video, and photo capture with enhancement capabilities are just some of its functions. These devices are security conscious. No one can use the device unless they meet the security protocols which you will create. The database is self-contained but also is connected to my server that has the sum total of millions of books, all at the touch of a button and is voice operated. These will help to get you up to speed. I have also placed in the tablets six specific movies of interest to your agencies and specifically to MI-6. There are some innovations you will find interesting. You need to develop a Double O program to help prepare your nation when you confront this organization and other threats."

"And what is a Double O program?"

"Look at the movies and they'll explain it to you," smiled Alex. "It is my intentions to be a liaison between the magicals and normals. The people that were here know how critical this is," Alex told him as he gave him the box. "I want us to work together if this world is to survive. Now my specific job, and others that I choose, is to keep more dangerous supernatural and demonic elements off this planet." He waved his hands into the air. "I guess I'm about to become one of your assets." He smiled. "And your people are about to become one of mine."

Stokes just raised an eyebrow. Clearly, he was irritated by the low opinion Alex had of his service. "From what I've seen, I believe we will need help with this endeavor. If my superiors agree to it." He looked around at the impossibly large room. "It's a whole new world."

"Actually, Mister Stokes, the world is older than you know and there are things trying to get in. Think you this world as a body and I'm a white blood cell making sure that the body is kept safe from very dangerous germs and viruses trying to infiltrate. More about this later."

He took that as a clue that is interrogation, and that was what it was, to leave.

"Hope to see you soon Mister future Bond," Ceraine said while Alex suppressed his smirk. "Oh, and please ask two of your associates outside to come and pick up a couple of boxes I have for your people. Please be careful and don't drop them. Here are the setup instructions."

He glanced at the Box. "I'm not familiar with that company."

"I would be shocked if you were, Mister Stokes."

Anthony looked at the cover in more detail. "A television? LG? Never heard of it."

A few minutes later, both masters were sitting on the couch going over the day's events.

"That went better than I hoped for," Ceraine said. "Do you think he noticed the hints we threw at him?"

"This world? Your world? Oh, yes. He noticed everything. They'll connect the dots soon enough," Alex said. "He knows we left him with a lot more questions than answers."

Alex stretched. A very long day was over. "We have a lot of work to do. By the way, have you picked anyone yet?"

"Yes, I have a candidate or two. What about you?"

"I have someone in mind."

Ceraine just shook her head at the cryptic answer. He really channeled Hoggoth too much sometimes.

Xander's Magic

Last night's meeting turned out better than Alex and expected.

The Gringotts clan had joined with the United Fae in declaring war against the Inheritors. It went without saying that their agenda pissed off every non-wand user and other magical communities weren't going to take it lying down. The people were aware of the threat and they had a name to go with it.

The Inheritor's agenda was very similar to Voldemort's but much further reaching, but both had the effect of bringing the magical community together.

He was pleasantly surprised by the goblin's reaction. The cultivating of friendship and respect had borne fruit. They were powerful allies and Alex would exploit that as much as he could in the coming weeks and months. Not only had they stepped up when dealing with the Wolfram and Hart situation, but they pulled in the Gnomes, the Dwarves, and the ever-loving human banking institutions in their battles. The old axiom was true. Money did indeed talk and made strange, but solid allies. That mutual alliance wasn't about to break anytime soon. They were this world's antibodies fighting against foreign bodies. Unfortunately, this world didn't have antibodies to defend against entities that were coming through Glory's portals that manifesting all over the world. But even in this, there were inviolate laws.

The ruling entities such as Dormammu and his nutcase sister Umar, and other rulers in the Purple and other dark and hell dimensions weren't allowed to interfere directly with this Earth. As powerful as they were, more powerful forces kept them at bay, even daring them to try to interfere. But even here there were loopholes. And this was where Alexander's responsibilities lay because there were others coming.

Alexander and Ceraine were preparing for. The smaller entities were supremely dangerous, but there were ways to deal with them. The two weren't alone. Other members of the magical communities in-the-know were being gathered and trained so they could defend their own world from these abominations.

This unification was not without its problems. Magicals and no-mages would have to come together to survive what was coming. That would be a tense time and there was a strong possibility that war might break out unless the situation was carefully handled. This world was about to be tested. He hoped cooler heads would prevail and he would do what he could to help.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore was somewhat pissed off that Alex and Ceraine had told Molly and Arthur of the charms placed on them and that they were now canceled. Albus' near obsession with his concept of the 'greater good' was going to get his people killed. Alex had laid into him about the charms unknowingly placed on the Weasleys.

Arthur and Molly noticed nothing amiss. The charms worked perfectly, which is why they hadn't noticed their boys attitude or remembered any of the darker events that the boys and Henny had let slip. Needless to say, the couple was enraged about the loyalty charmed placed on them and swore to confront Albus as soon as they could.

The old man, expecting to hear news about the mysterious meeting, went pale when Alexander had confronted him. Dumbledore was concerned and surprised that the American had removed the charms with his unique magic. Alex had given him a chance, but he hadn't had the time and truthfully, he didn't like being pushed to a wall. But he couldn't afford to antagonize such an asset, not after what Xander had told him later when things cooled down.

But in the hour that Dumbledore spent at Alex's home after everyone had left, the man stressed out having yet another problem to deal with. As he said, he was very vexed with his two professors who could have cared less at how he felt.

All of them would talk again when Albus had the time to get together with them and try to justify his actions and deal with the consequences. Naturally, Alex knew that the old man would be more careful but wouldn't change his plans. But he also knew that Dumbledore knew he couldn't easily get away with actions that directly affected Alex's interests. The trust factor was seriously cracked but not broken yet, simply because they needed each other. All of them would get through this with a few broken bones and harsh feelings, but they would get through it.

Naturally, Xander didn't tell him everything which served to aggravate Albus, a man who needed to know everything while giving out the least possible information in return.

Albus was told about the various species of fairies, goblins and mages coming together to protect themselves. And Alex mentioned that another incursion had happened. Alex explained that he and Ceraine were looking into it.

Alex did not tell him of the Inheritors slaughtering magical communities. That conversation was for a later time. To be honest, Dumbledore had his hands full dealing with the death-eaters and the goblet challenge coming up and the visiting schools.

Alex's mind went back to the tournament.

For a civilized society, this kind of tournament was extraordinarily dangerous. Growing up on a Hellmouth, facing so many evils and outright craziness, he didn't want to say anything. This was their culture, their world, and besides, many of them were paying customers.

He was pleased that they loved his made by human hands food. A lot of his customers believed it had a special flavor. In Alex's opinion, it was just food, but the fact that it was handmade using non magical methods and ingredients made it exotic.

Ceraine was gone on one of her business/shopping trips and wouldn't be back until late Sunday night. Monday was the Goblet of Fire day and she wouldn't miss that. All the teachers were expected to be there and frankly, neither one wanted to miss it.

Alex was left minding the store, literally. He didn't mind and business was brisk as many of the patrons crowded the store on the few days it was opened. Hours were scaled back because of the classes, and loyal customers took advantage of the reduced shopping times. Alex and Ceraine weren't surprised by the response to their more consistent customers. Many were aggravated at the reduced hours, the most common complaint being that they were inconvenienced.

Other shopkeepers were overjoyed at first. However, those reduced hours made the store more popular during the times that it was opened, much to their distress. It did have a side effect. The older, more complacent shopkeepers were upping their game.

Several customers entered an hour before the store was set to close. Two were ministry officials including one Minister Fudge followed by his wife. Surprisingly, they were consistent customers, or more accurately, his wife was. Mrs. Fudge was a pleasant woman and some of the 'muggle' perfumes had captured her attentions. Fudge grumbled at being dragged by his wife to go perfume shopping at the American muggle-style store. However, he obviously liked the exotic scents judging by the glow he sent his wife when she wasn't looking. Plus, the stuffy little man always seemed to window shop when he came with her, usually lingering around the magazine section where there were both magical and non-magical varieties. Interestingly, he always bought least one of the non-magical varieties (usually the French ones, the dirty old coot). His wife pretended not to notice, but she knew what he was doing, and Alex sensed her approval.

Naughty political couple, heh, heh.

There was a phrase that Alex thought about that Sir Rupert Giles once told him after a particular long drinking bout after one of their great victories against a family of Okna'Drk demons. The clan tried to take over a city in Ohio. He said, 'Always beware of stuffy Brit couples that bring randy French literature home at night.'

Young Xander didn't need to know that. It destroyed his idyllic vision of the English.

Older Alex couldn't help but smile like an idiot.

Minister fudge was a blustering politician, with a taste in clothing that would have driven his younger self insane. The girls would have murdered him just to protect their eyes.

Alex didn't care. The man was spending good money and his continued patronage kept the others off of Alex's back for now.

That was certainly going to change in the near future.

Two other window shoppers came in, looked around and left.

The quaint little non-magical doorbell chimed as two potential customers entered the store. Whoever they were, they were looking like they were casing the place. Both men tried to look like they were interested in the items, but Alex saw through that. After a few minutes, they left.

It was starting. Alex wasn't overly concerned at this point. He had customers to tend. Smiling cheerfully, Alex went to greet his latest patron when he stopped. The blond woman wearing a little too much makeup, and a dark green button down two-piece long-sleeved suit gingerly entered. She glanced around the store and spotted Alex. For a moment MS Rita Skeeter looked terrified. Then she straightened up and boldly entered the threshold. Most other customers recognized her immediately. She smiled at Alex, which he thought looked totally fake.

She put on a brave front, but there was little doubt that she was terrified. "Mr. Harris," she said. "I wanted to talk to you."