Shacklebolt hated his life right now.

Somehow he ended up with the laziest squad in the DMLE. And they could not be fired for incompetence. They ignored his requests, they ducked his orders, they avoided his roll call meetings.

So he did the only thing he could. He sealed the Break Room, the Loos, and removed the chairs from the desks.

He was reclining in his chair, sipping a Coco and eating a thick moist biscuit (cookie) when one of the more troublesome Aurors entered his cubicle.

"Why do you get a Biscuit, a Coco and a chair and we don't."

"Well, I get a cookie," Shacklebolt smiled, using the Colony term, "Because I have finished all my paperwork for the week, Get the Coco because I was on time this shift. And I got the chair because I signed the sheet to keep my chair." He sipped his Coco. "I mentioned it last Meeting during Roll Call."

"But we weren't at roll call!" The whiney voice carried across the Bullpen.

Shacklebolt grinned. "I know. Smitty was the only one who showed up during the Hour and that was for the Doughnuts."

"But you can't…"

"But I can. I can't fire you until you fuck up completely. But until you get your shite together, I will end your perks. If you have not gotten your shite together this time next week, I will hold your pay."

By the end of shift they had all quit.

SPRB

Albus was chuffed.

School started next week.

The 'Delumiator' was on the move again.

And Fudge was walking the path to the Greater Good.

All was good.

The Hat chuckled as it adjusted its place on the shelf, trying to hide the two envelopes under its brim.

SPRB

Hermione released Hedwig from her cage, tied the scroll to her jesses, before shrinking the cage. When Gryffin Harry trotted up, she slid the cage into a pouch, secured the flap, opened the cargo door and released Hedwig, only to follow right behind.

Harry was right behind her.

The two Gryffins followed the White owl through the night and into the predawn light over the Amazon Jungle. The Owl landed on the rail around the Patio of the Café. The Black Gryffin landed and retracted his wings. The smaller Gryffin touched down and slowly reverted to a human female.

"Oh, I am so … going to feel that in the Morning." She collapsed in a twisted iron chair. Harry bumped her leg with his head. "No, I understand why you did it this way. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Turn around here. I need the travel pouch."

As she was digging into the leather saddle bag style baggage, a waiter stepped out. "We don't normally serve his kind."

Hermione looked at him, before adjusting the wand in her boot. "Are you sure?"

"And he is…"

"Yes." Hedwig barked. "And the Owl has something for you."

As the server checked the scroll Harry shifted back to his human form. The Leather Harness shifted so that it now hung over his left shoulder. His wand was in the left/pouch.

"Two coffees, two beans and rice, and one side of bacon." The man read aloud before he nodded "Okay." He headed inside.

They were wearing their yoga togs, knee high boots and Panama Hats in hot pink (Hermione)and neon green.

They were just finishing up when two people arrived at the table side. A Male with Bright Baby Blue hair and a Busty Female with bright green, but not neon green, hair, braided to their hips with beads and wire.

"May we join you?" The Male gushed, before he dropped across from Hermione. "So… are you going to Snow Point also?"

Hermione blinked owlishly. "Yes… please sit."

The Woman, eased into the far chair. "Sorry. Soran has the Brain of a walnut."

"Yeah." Hermione smiled. "We have a… friend with the depth of a teaspoon." She sipped her coffee. "He's not much better, but at least I got him house broken."

"I think that's my cue for; Oi!" Harry grinned.

Over the next hour of small talk and ice breakers, Harry and Hermione learned a bit about Kyra and Soran. One that she was a Lamia as he was a dragon morphed into a human called a Drackon. She was Venomous and he had the body the size of a dog.

"Chihuahua or Great Dane?" Hermione smiled at the Male.

Kyra fell out of her chair laughing. "Doberman." She wheezed out as she climbed back into her chair. "Think of a baby blue Doberman with wings like a blonde's intelligence.

Soran nodded along before he realized what she said. "Now it's my turn to say, Oi!" He grinned to show that he was not insulted by the comment. "And you two?"

"Human." Hermione smiled.

"With a pinch more than your average human. Somethings happened back in Ninety Three that left their mark…" Harry sighed. In a desperate attempt to change the subject. "So… Snow Point. All we got was a brochure promising Magic not taught anywhere else, and to be here… today by noon."

"Same here." Kyra smiled sadly. "My Grandfather went. All he could say was that it was intense. They have books for Magics not learned for centuries. But he also said that it will test you in ways you won't see coming."

In the Centre of the Square they were sitting on had a Statue with a staff raised high. The head of the Staff was a four faced clock like Big Ben.

At Half Eleven, people began to arrive at the Statue.

"Ahm." Kyra squared her shoulders. "The rules state that parties of up to five people are allowed. Would you two want to join us?"

Hermione smiled without looking at Harry. "I think we can be enticed."

Hedwig barked.

"No, love. They consider you a familiar, therefore not counted." Harry stroked the white feather chest. "But that means that they have overlooked the best part of my team."

Hedwig whacked him, before grooming his hair.

"Why do I think that he is married to the Owl?" Soran asked softly.

"Because he is her bitch." Hermione smiled as she finished the coffee. "The whole Dorm knew it by the end of our first year of Hogwarts."

"We went to R.C.A." Soran stood to stretch. "Rocky Collegiate of Arcanum."

"Nice name." Harry stood, digging another was of cash from his pouch, peeled off five high denomination notes, set them under his cup, and on his way out, towards, palmed the waiter two more.

"What was that?" Kyra hopped up, to walk beside him, slinging her pack.

"What was what?" Harry frowned at the Female.

"That handshake on the wayout."

"Muggle Custom. England and America have funny ideas about money. Bribery is frowned on but gratuity is accepted, and even expected in some places. Some places split the tip, some places it goes to the waiter. Leaving the tip on the table, allows for the splitting, but the palming of a few notes are his call to share."

"So… why?"

"He offered good service." Harry shrugged. "Besides, I'm Rich."

Soran, who was close behind blinked. "How rich?"

Harry stopped and looked at him. "Well, the other day, The Queen asked to bum a few Quid."

Hermione started laughing. "Now that is the answer you should have given Dad."

Soran looked lost as Kyra started snickering. "The Queen… bum a few Quid." Snorting laughter, "Good one."

Soran frowned. "I am afraid I am going to need you to explain."

Harry looked at the Drake. "Okay. The Queen, the Leader of England. Got it." Blue head nodded. "Our Money Standard is the Pound Sterling. Also known as the Quid. So…"

"The Queen asked you for a few pounds or Quid…" the Drackon nodded. "Now that you explained it, I can see the humour."

Harry glared at the other guy. "Hey, I am the straight man. Find your own gig.

"Oh dear Loki." Hermione whispered. "Let's not let them try to out straight eachother. Even Dad Jokes are better than that!"

Kyra snapped around and hada hand over her mouth. "Never bring up that subject again. Dung-Brain will not stop until I bite him and I am only allowed to bite once per day."

As the Clock struck Noon, a wall of energy rose up around the square to form a dome.

"And when they say noon…" Harry began.

Kyra slugged Soran before he could say anything.

Under the staff, a hunched little man with a hump under cloak and leaning on a staff. "All right. Sort yourselves into groups not exceeding five individuals. And line up around the edge of the perimeter."

The Assembled crowd rushed to group up.

"Now listen closely. You have One week from the strike of the Bell to find your way to Snow Point Academy. If you have not arrived by that time, you will have to try again next year." From his Sleeve, he pulled out a five sided wooden box. " This is your Wayfynder. It works like a muggle compass, with three hands. North. Snow Point, and shelter. Be Warned, shelter doesn't mean safety. You must also learn how to use the Wayfynder yourself."

He Glared at the trio that had racing brooms on their backs. "No Flying Artifacts. This includes, but not limited to Brooms, Carpets, ectra. No Stealing. You will be watched. We See Everything. Teleportation is banned. Using any magic of this Branch for any reason will see you disqualified for the Fear. Any Items of this Branch will be destroyed before crossing into Snow Point territory. As well as any tracking Magic."

He then pulled out a clipboard, "Now, starting with the group Closest to North, Working East, step forward, Sign this Waiver, and collect your Wayfynder. No more Questions."

Harry and his team spent the rest of the hour making small talk and working on their Yoga.

When the Big Jaun struck One, Harry just shifted to the next pose and leaned into the burn of muscle pull.

"We should be running." Soran stood from where he was laying in the grass. "It is a Race."

Harry laughed. "Yes it is a race. It is a Marathon based Obstacle Race. We have a Week to get there. Hermione did the math. Just Walking, we would only cover a maximum of a hundred miles or a hundred and fifty kilometres. That's seven hundred miles or nine hundred fifty kilometres… give or take."

Soran's eyes glazed over.

"Yeah. I did the same thing." Harry shifted to the next pose. "It's not that easy. It won't be that easy, or more people would be finding the School."

"So…" Kyra led the question.

"I'm thinking we need to double the radius." Hermione slid to her feet as Harry mirrored her. "We are expected to use our magic, bodies, and even our minds." She patted Soran's cheek. "Don't worry. Just do what Harry does."

Soran looked at Harry, "She just insulted me, didn't she?"

"Sort of. Not sure if it is because we are males, or whatever, but she did say that she and Kyra are in charge of the thinking."

"Oh." Soran frowned. " Is that an 'Oi'?"

"If you want." Harry shrugged. "I find that it's not worth the hassle. But then, if I am seen as thick, they don't see the snake in the grass until I strike." He dusted himself off, "Weapon of choice… the Straight line."

"So… what do you bring to the Team?"

"Raw Power, a bit of money… I kidnapped her folks." Harry shrugged.

Kyra glared at him. "I don't know if you are joking or what."

"Technically, he did kidnap me and my parents." Hermione huffed. "He left them in a well stocked villa with an allowance. They spend the day drinking, rubbing oil on each other and then rubbing it off."

The two comers looked at her.

Soran looked at Harry. "And the Position of Best Friend is…"

"Taken." Harry grinned. "But the position of Best Mate is open at the moment." The frown on the blue haired boy brought a smile to Harry's face. "My Friend is someone I can call at O'Dark thirty to post Bail. My Mate is sitting beside me in the cell grinning and ready for another go at whatever that got us locked up."

"Okay. I can do that." Soran nodded happily.

Something occurred to Harry. "Hermione. What did he say about flying?"

"No artifacts."

"Nothing was said about airplanes, correct?" He grinned. "You're burning through your bankroll pretty quickly."

"Yeah, but I can get more if it is needed." Harry shrugged.

Hedwig returned to his shoulder from perching on the clock over the proctor. She looked chuffed with herself.

"You didn't!" Hermione scowled at the Bird.

"She did." Harry smirked, before a look of horror crossed his face. "Mynx. I am afraid that we have spent too much in depth time with Padfoot. And I left Kitty with him!"

"Easy Strom." Hermione placed her hand on his right shoulder. "Tasha and Moony are there to run interference and Mom has bonded with Winky."

Harry relaxed. "Okay. We will worry about it later."

"So… everyone ran southward, only taking different routes so as to not be taking the same road to The Academy." Kyra opened the Wayfynder in her hand. The base plate spun to point North.

The Golden Hand pointed Southward.

And the red hand pointed at the Café.

"So…" looked at the compass in her hand. "Somewhere between here and the Whaling Station in Antarctica." Harry smiled at the group. "So… where is the nearest airport or air fiel?"

TBC

AN: Soran and Kyra are from the original work. Swapped the i for a y.

From here I am going to be time jumping to keep the story moving quickly.