Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ New Family ❯ Meetings and Letters ( Chapter 18 )

Disclaimer: Still don't own them.

Sorry, but the St. Louis group will not be going to England to help with the war, too many politics involved.

 

Chapter 18 - Meetings and Letters

 

 

Richard stared down at the piece of paper in his hand in disbelief. He didn't want to believe what he had read but all the evidence was there, he'd triple checked. Anything Harry could possibly need in a war zone was gone along with the teen himself, Kek and Hedwig. He'd already rung around a few of the groups' parents and they were gone as well. Why hadn't Harry waited? He had thought things were going well, had he been wrong? But Harry had opened up a lot more and other than visions his nightmares had decreased a lot. He rarely even flinched from physical contact any more. So why had he snuck away in the middle of the night when he knew Richard would be gone? A sad whine had him looking down to his feet where Padfoot was curled up mournfully. Smiling softly Richard picked the dog up and placed him in his lap, scratching behind his ears slowly.

 

“I know Padfoot. We just have to believe that he will come back boy.” Richard soothed although who he was trying to reassure was up for debate. He gathered the other letters and got ready to leave, there was only one person who would have had any warning to Harry leaving and who would be able to at least be able to say if the teen was all right. Breathing deeply and letting the anger course through him, Richard left to find Requiem.

 

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Harry stared silently at the man he had once looked upon as a grandfather and now hated almost as much as he did Tom Riddle. He could feel the Outcasts standing loyally around him, weapons drawn and half-aimed at the old man, and did his best to control his emotions. For his part Dumbledore just smiled warmly, blue eyes twinkling madly. Harry slammed his mental shields up to full strength and smirked slightly as the twinkle dimmed, even as he felt his own anger surging. So the old man had tried to read his mind after all.

 

“Harry my dear boy. I knew it was only a matter of time until you would realise you had made a mistake by leaving. I'll have the Order begin your training immediately. Do not worry, we'll have you ready to face Tom when the time comes.” Albus announced not seeing the looks from even the Ministry workers since they had been there, listening to Harry and the Minister argue for several hours now.

 

“What is he on?” Josh's question made several of the workers forget themselves and snort or actually laugh in amusement.

 

“Guys, meet Albus Dumbledore the Wizarding Worlds' biggest manipulator and fake.” Harry drawled and with that many lost it, breaking out into honest laughter for the first time in a long time.

“Albus, I give you my fellow Unspeakables for the American Ministry of Magic and the best fighters of our generation, the Outcasts.” Harry finished, not giving names. None of them wanted Dumbledore able to track their families down.

 

“Now Harry, you should know better than to try and pretend to be a government official.” Dumbledore frowned as he chastised the teen, making the Minister laugh this time.

 

“He's not pretending Dumbledore, his credentials are genuine, we've checked.” Scrigemour stated, still chuckling mirthlessly.

“The Americans were quite clear on the outcome should we do anything to `harass or hinder' this lot and frankly we have enough on our hands with Voldemort so I strongly suggest you mind your own business.” The Minister finished sternly, making it clear that his suggestion was not in fact a suggestion at all. This earned, him an appraising look from Rita. Perhaps he was more interesting than he first appeared, not to mention smarter.

 

“Look Dumbledore, I came back for one reason, to stop Riddle for once and all. After that I'm gone forever as far as I'm concerned. If it weren't for the fact that a lot of innocent children would die if I did nothing I would never have come back anyway. As far as I'm concerned this world created Voldemort through its own stupid prejudices so you should deal with him and screw the prophecy. But I won't sit back and watch as hundreds of innocent children are massacred.” Harry said fiercely.

 

“The only place with that many children is Hogwarts Harry and as you know it is very well protected. Hogwarts has never fallen and never will.” Dumbledore said calmly. Harry stared at Dumbledore as the Headmaster stated that before bursting out into almost hysterical laughter.

 

“Safe? SAFE!? Have you completely lost it you senile old man?! Every year I attended that school something happened, from possessed teachers to gigantic serpents petrifying students and you call it safe? Unless you take drastic steps Hogwarts will fall before the week is over.” He snarled.

 

“You can not possibly know that Harry.” Albus tried again.

 

“Yes, I can. I've seen it.” Harry stated firmly and groaned mentally at the flash of triumph in the old mans eyes.

 

“So you still have not mastered Occlumency. Surely you have learnt from the events of your fifth year.”

 

“Don't you dare bring that up you bastard!” All eyes turned to Tim, and even the other Outcasts looked surprised. The young hacker was not one for shouting let alone swearing but Dumbledore had gone too far.

“Harry has mastered it but that doesn't stop the visions! Ask anyone and they'll tell you Occlumency doesn't help that type of bond you idiot!” A hand on his arm stopped Tim before he could get even more worked up and he smiled sheepishly at Harry.

“Sorry.” The hacker whispered to the green-eyed wizard and he nodded in acceptance.

 

“I am perfectly capable of keeping Tom out of my head Dumbledore, he was not aware of my observing his plans and so we have the advantage. As for you, you are the headmaster of a school, not a war leader so stay out of this. Yes, you defeated Grindelwald but that does not mean you are able to lead a war.” Harry stated firmly.

 

“And you are Harry?” Albus asked stiffly, finally beginning to understand.

 

“At least I have the training and from some of the best in the business. And unlike you I have no intention to run everything, wether from the front or behind the scenes. So go back to Hogwarts and do what you are paid to do, run the school. If we see any of your Order members running around on little `missions' for you and they will be apprehended. Clear?”

 

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`Dear Jason,

 

Sorry about doing this in a letter but there is no time. Please don't be mad but I had to go back and fast. There will be an attack in three days, one that will all but obliterate the British Wizarding World if it is not stopped.

 

There is so much I'd like to say but there simply isn't time. Take care of Richard for me; make sure he doesn't do the whole depression thing. I swear that if there is any way then I will be back. Thank you for everything, for just being there when I needed it. You're my best friend and I hate leaving you but I couldn't ask you to come. This is hard, even just to write but I have to tell you just in case. I care for you Jason in a way I have never felt for anyone before. This is probably the lousiest way to tell you but I could never work up the courage to say anything before.

 

Jason put the letter down, unfinished, and buried his face in his arms. Harry had cared for him too but neither of them had had the courage to say anything and now Harry was gone, possibly for good. It just wasn't fair! He started at the touch of a gentle hand and then buried his face in Nathaniel's shirt, accepting the offered comfort of a friend.

 

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Harry spun, dodging a curse and returned fire but with his gun, taking the Death Eater completely by surprise. He forced down his emotions as the body dropped to the ground and continued to fight, relying fully on his training. Luckily Voldemort had yet to make an appearance since Harry had no desire to face him yet, because he knew he wasn't ready for that battle. Around him Aurors and Outcasts alike fought to protect the Alley and its inhabitants. Most had been evacuated in advance but there were still many civilians present, the majority huddled inside the buildings for safety.

 

Harry rolled out of the way of some falling debris only to gasp in pain as a Death Eater fell on him, intent on killing him with his bare hands. He fought back but whoever was on top of him had the upper hand. Suddenly his attacker was gone and a hand was reaching out to help him up. He grabbed it and let the other pull up, a flash of surprise crossing his features as he recognised the young Auror. Of course, his classmates from Hogwarts had already graduated; he'd forgotten that they attended one year less than he did.

 

“Nice to see you Potter.” The Slytherin said with a smirk.

 

“Thanks for the hand Zabini.” He smirked back and then they were back to back, fighting again.

 

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Harry groaned as he collapsed onto his bed. His whole body was throbbing in pain and his magical reserves had been taxed almost to the limit but they had succeeded, none of the targets had fallen to Riddle and that was all that mattered at the moment. He smiled and reached out to run his fingers over warm scales as Kek slithered over to rest on his chest, absorbing the heat from Harry's body to keep warm in the cool English climate. He hated being here so much and yearned to go home but he knew he couldn't. One way or another he was staying until the end. Sighing he made himself sit up, hissing an apology as he dislodged his familiar. He dragged himself over to the bathroom and ran the bath, as hot as he could stand it. He set to cleaning his body of the reminders of the battle and only wished he could clean his mind of the memories that were sure to visit as soon as he slept. Being back in this house wouldn't help any either. All it did was bring back painful memories of Sirius and that one happy Christmas they'd had here together. He choked back a sob and sank deeper into the water. He wanted to be back home with Richard and Jason and all of his friends, his cousins' pack. Without thinking about it he reached out with his magic and his mind.

 

`Requiem.' He called hesitantly, not sure if he could reach him over such a distance.

 

`Harry.' He smiled as Requiem's voice filled his mind.

`What has happened young one?' He could feel the vampire's concern and instead of answering verbally he simply opened his mind further, allowing his memories and emotions to surge across the link.

`You did what you had to Milord. If you had not stoped them how many innocents would have died? This is what you have been training for.”Requiem's still and calm tones flooded through his senses, and Harry sighed, relaxing a tension in himself he hadn't known he was holding as something in Requiem's response gave him the answer to questions he struggled to form even subconsciously.

 

`I know… How is everyone back home?' Harry asked to change the subject.

 

“Richard showed up the day you left, very angry and hurt. He passed out the letters you left though. Since receiving your letter Jason has spent most of his time in his room.' Requiem told him and Harry winced, shame filling him.

`He misses you a lot, anyone can see it.' Requiem continued.

 

`I miss him too, I miss everyone. I just wish this war would end soon. I need to go get some sleep. Can I call in a few nights?'

 

`Of course Harry. Would you like me to deliver any messages?'

 

`Just let them know I'm okay and that I miss everyone. Goodnight Requiem.'

 

`Goodnight Harry.' Harry broke the connection and got out of the now cold water, drying himself off before falling into his bed.

 

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“Draco?” Remus questioned as he looked around the entrance hall at the packed suitcases.

 

“You can't tell me you're not thinking the same thing. Harry gave me a chance when no one else would have, I'm going to back him up” The blonde stated calmly but firmly as he checked his gear. Remus pretended not to notice the slight tremor in his hands.

 

“What about Hana?” Remus asked, knowing that the two were very close.

 

“She said that she'd wait for me. I…I asked her to marry me Remus.” Draco said, and Remus smiled to see that the normally calm and coolly collected boy's cheeks were tinted a decided pink. He chose not to mention anything about that.

 

“Congratulations. I know you'll be happy, she really loves you.” Remus said with a smile even as Draco's blush deepened.

 

“Thanks. So, ready to go?” Draco asked to change the subject.

 

“Lets go help the cub.” Remus answered with a grin, picking up his case and motioning for Draco to go first. He smiled as he watched the teen vanish into the fireplace, Lucius would have a fit if he knew his son was now engaged to the most delightful muggle girl. But the two truly loved each other and she was good for Draco. She didn't care that he was a Wizard either which was good. Hopefully Draco would survive to return to his fiancé and Remus intended to do whatever it took to make sure both Harry and Draco survived the war.

 

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“Harry is fine.” Jason looked up at the sound of the familiar voice and stared at Requiem.

“He is exhausted and misses everyone but is otherwise all right.” The vampire continued and Jason nodded.

 

“Thanks.” Jason said quietly.

 

“I'll let the others know.” Requiem turned to leave the room.

 

“Do you think he's coming back?” Jason asked softly.

 

“I know he will do everything in his power to come home.” Requiem answered just as softly and then left.

 

TBC…