Chapter 6: We Shall Walk In The Light

THE BINDING OF FATES

CHAPTER 6

WE SHALL WALK IN THE LIGHT

Summary: Harry recruits his Gryffindor mates to help him with butchering the dead threstral. Master Ollivander gives them vague information that makes Harry suspicious to his true intentions.

"Jon. Wake up."

Jon opened his eyes. The wounds were feeling much better. However he still felt slightly ill, as if he were poisoned from too much Wildling wine.

"Harry." Jon groaned as he sat up, his feet touching the cold floor. "What time is it?"

"Quarter to eight. You alright?" Harry asked. He was dressed in a white t shirt and blue jeans. "Get dressed. I will wait for you to get ready and take you for breakfast downstairs. We also need to swing by the library. Remember we got to get you to Gringotts. You should mail ahead, just in case we reach a bit late for your meeting."

"All right." Jon got up, frowning at the flimsy medical gown he was wearing. He picked up his overnight bag and made his way to the showers. The chair was still in the stall, an old ratty robe hanging on the shower curtain rod.

Ignoring it for now he showered, dried and was taking out the other apprentice robes he got at World Wizarding Gear when he realized that the ratty old robe was actually the ones he wore last night.

"What?" he inspected the robes. It wasn't ratty. It was actually camouflaging with the background where the blood stained it. He tried it on. There were patches where the robes were normal: dull black with the grey trim, but the majority of it was camouflaged. It was nowhere as absolute as Harry's magic cloak, but it gave him good ideas of how it could be used in the future.

He took it off and folded it into his bag. He dressed in his spare robes and left the showers.

"Ready?" Harry said. Jon nodded and they left the hospital wing. On their way down he noticed the suits of full plate armor decorating the halls. He slowed down, inspecting it.

"These knights were awfully small," he noted.

"These weren't worn by knights," Harry said.

"What?"

"The armor is alive all on its own. Sometimes they move from place to place when no one is watching. I'm pretty sure Hogwarts uses them for protection if it feels threatened. I don't know if that has ever worked against wizards, but they definitely weren't worn by real people. Oh that reminds me, I think there's a place here you would like to see! "

Jon nodded. There were walking up a flight of stairs. "I thought you said breakfast was downstairs," Jon said.

"Making a quick stop at the library, then the Room of Requirement. Need to get info on the Diablo claws. You might find something you like in the room of requirement."

The library visit was indeed short. The Class B restricted items that they would be ranging for was easy to find. The Wild Bog Boar was the French version of a Nogtail. Harry made quick notes about where it was found and different methods to deal with it. The Elfen Bat lived in caves and was well known to the local populace. The Diablo was the hardest to find information on, but all references to it were indicating that it was a larger, nastier Erlking; a creature he, Ron and Hermione faced before.

Piece of Cake.

The Wild Bog Boar urine was used to boil the animal hide to make leather. In this case, the hide would be the threstral wing once Mr. Ollivander said it was ok to do so. The Elfen Bat Wing was used to make the bracer magically malleable and snug fitting to the user's arm. And the Diablo claw was used as the blade for any cutting.

"All right," Harry said. "The rest of the ingredients can be found locally so we should spend our time there looking for these three specifically. "

"Agreed," Jon said, taking his notes and folding it into his robes. They left the Library. "Harry look at this. What do you think happened?" He took his other robes from his overnight bag and showed it to him.

"Whoa." Harry held it aloft. "The blood from the threstral had a reaction with this. A bit dodgy looking but... this could be very, very useful." He gave it back to him. "Come, let's go to the seventh floor quickly." Jon was breathing hard by the time they reached the top. Harry opened the door that magically appeared after pacing in front of it. "I assumed you might want to take a look at the stuff here, see if there's anything you want that could help."

Jon looked at the rows and rows of junk and other things that filled the room.

"What is this place?" he said in wonder, walking amongst the stuff. He kicked at a discarded suit of armor. "This one actually looks like it was used by a knight." He looked up the cross corridor. "Ah. This is what we are talking about, Harry of House Hollow!" He immediately walked down one of the lanes perpendicular to the main middle aisle.

There were other suits of armor, full plate, mail, half plate, cuirass, all different types. Even some hard leather chest pieces. Then, on a rack further down, he saw weapons. Swords, poleaxes, maces, whips and a couple shields. He touched a few of them, checking for the quality. He picked up a massive great sword, smiling at the weight and feel.

"Ah. Weapons of war littered about in a school for children. I can't wait to enroll." Jon nodded grimly.

"A bit heavy for a wizard to be walking around with that, Snow," Harry laughed. "It's almost your own height."

"I was never good at this weapon anyway," Jon said. "I prefer the long sword, or better yet, the gladius. My father had a massive great sword just like this called Ice. He never used it in battle because its practicality in real combat was limited. It was a ceremonial sword meant to put the guilty to death." Jon assumed a fighting stance with the sword. "The balance of something like this is too much for a person my size and strength." He put it back on the rack. "Ah. This I will take." He picked up a heavy dagger which had a sturdy belt case and sheath. "Perfect."

Harry picked up a smaller one.

"This could be useful. What are these?" he asked Jon, looking at a pile of long, slightly curved pieces of wood with the centre wrapped in a tight piece of leather.

"Longbows. I will take one and keep it by the workshop until I have taken ownership of the place later. It looks like a walking staff to the untrained eye... I will use that excuse if anyone asks what it is."

"Ok cool. Ready?"

"Wait. I saw a particular piece I would like. Ah," he marched a dozen feet back where they came. "Here, this," Jon proclaimed, blowing off the dust of a brown piece of light leather armor. He picked up a nearby cloth and wiped it. "It needs slight repair and adjustments, but it will suffice. I am getting a bit fed up of being stabbed," Jon actually smiled, laughing at his own joke.

Harry smiled back even though he thought that Jon might be seriously losing it.

"Sorry that you got hurt. Good thing we were close enough to get you healed. How is it now?"

"The wounds feel good, remarkably. I'm just a bit short of breath. Feeling weak."

"A night in the hospital wing usually does that to you. You'll be ok by tomorrow. Katie and the others are already down having breakfast." They made their way down. Harry paused briefly on the ground floor to hide away the weapons and armor they found behind a hidden passageway portrait.

"Hogwarts is littered with these secrets," Harry explained. "I'll show you a map when we come back." They entered the main hall.

"Wondered where you two went off to," Tonks said in relief. She was dressed in an airy, flowing silver-white robe. Harry smiled. For a moment he contemplated sitting in the tiny gap between her and Angelina but squashed that line of thought.

"Hey, morning folks," he said in greeting. "Just a quick stop to the library, what's to eat?" he sat next to Ron, who was sitting next to Hermione. Harry took a plate and handed it to Jon, who promptly sat down next to Katie who had her right arm in a sling. She was directly facing Ron across the table. Jon bid her a good morning and asked to her well being. They made polite small talk.

"Pancakes. Eggs. Scones," Ron said through his full mouth. "Toast. Pudding. Beans. Everything!" he grinned. He caught Jon's eye. "Jon how goes it? You got mad skills mate!"

Jon smiled, accepting his praise with a single nod. "I know some things. Harry also deserves much of the credit. The Light blinded it, the beast injured its foreleg severely upon landing. It was the only reason I was not brutally gored to death." Jon nodded grimly, cutting his sausage with the Hogwarts knife with a quick efficiency. He pointed lazily with the Hogwarts knife to the group. This got the others' attention alright. "Harry has told me regular wizards cannot see the threstral. It put up a good fight. Almost too good... "

"Only those who understand and have witnessed Death can see them," Hermione explained. "And Angelina was spot on with the whole rivalry and mating season behavior," she added. Angelina simply nodded in acknowledgement.

"Thought you didn't know anything much on them, Granger," Oliver teased. Hermione waved her hand in dismissal.

"Are you crazy? After what happened last night I couldn't be left in ignorance! I visited Hagrid very early this morning and asked for references to check up in the Library. Also, I sent mail last night and I got back some post this morning from my...um... Knowledge group," she blushed. Her expression made Harry think that she didn't want the fact that she was in the Arithmancy guild to be known as yet. Smart girl. He would keep it quiet, for now.

"You mean the Arithmancy guild?" Jon asked her, biting into his bread and sausage. Harry shook his head in amusement. "The clerk said a young girl with bushy hair joined, a first year, last week. It was you, Mistress Hermione?"

Hermione subconsciously ran her hand along her hair, trying to flatten it. "Yes," she admitted. "He's a bit rude, in my opinion," she said under her breath.

He's a bit of a snake, in my opinion, Harry thought.

"He's a student here?" Jon asked.

"Yes. Seventh Year Raven. Michael Ellewyn-Sayre or something. "

"Him? I always thought he was a brown-noser to Snape," Tonks added. "How do you guys know him?" Tonks asked Harry.

"Talked to him at Flourish and Blotts," Harry said. "Seems he has interest in Potions," Harry stressed the word, glancing at Katie. Jon's eyes narrowed, and Tonks caught on, her hair cycling to its original Black colour. She snarled.

"Truth serum still brewing, Harry. Have no fear." Tonks said with a determined expression. Harry nodded once.

"Mates." Harry addressed the boys as breakfast came to a close. "I have a job I need to do and I might need you guys to help. Its bloody nasty, smells bad, and you're going to have to get your hands dirty. Six gallies a head. Who is in?"

"What's the job?" Fred and George asked at the same time as Oliver said, "I'm in."

"Butchering and draining the dead threstral. This morning. In time to package and get ready for shipping. An hour, hour and a half, tops."

Oliver froze for a second, then nodded. "Ok. I'm in, as I said."

"In!" Fred and George chorused.

"In?" Ron shrugged, a bit dubious.

"I've had enough of that smell from you two," Tonks said. "I'll just be up in the library for a bit. Need some more info on the counter potion."

"Are girls invited?" Katie asked.

"I'm definitely in if it's ok," Angelina added. Hermione also nodded.

"Katie, I think you should take some more time to recover but if you want you could watch. That's is if your stomach could handle it." He finished up his breakfast. "Oh and guys, no magic! This is down and dirty stuff."

Katie simply stared at Harry in disbelief.

"Why would you want to do this by hand?" she enquired.

"Don't want to contaminate it," Harry replied. "We'll get gloves that the sixth years use for herbology, if that's ok Oliver?" Harry suggested.

"No problem. Pretty sure Hagrid got the keys for the storage rooms by the greenhouses."

"Can you three bring up some containers- need vats, and some air tight barrels. Check Hagrid. If he has some empty bottles with cork stoppers we would need that too. Hermione, you go with them and convince Hagrid to loan us his pumpkin cart."

"Okay," Hermione agreed. "Who's pulling it?" she asked.

"I have a suspicion Jon would be able to recruit some ...friends. Angelina, come with us. We're going to get some texts to help with us determine how to do the actual cuts, and retrieve some tools upstairs."

"What can I do?" Katie asked. Harry thought a second.

"Can you ask Madame Pompfrey for some medicine or potion that helps stop nausea and sickness from bad smells? Also anything that could help us prevent smelling it for too long. Tell her that you still feel sick from certain scents."

"Roger that." Everyone was murmuring excitedly with the impromptu project as they finished their breakfast.

"Angelina, Jon, with me. Let's go get what we need."

Ten minutes later the crew was assembled at the side of the castle facing the Whomping Willow. Harry had his arms full with a heavy leather satchel filled with cutting tools, butcher hooks and metal funnels. The wooden cart was brought up from Hagrid's place with barrels, vats and large multi-gallon bottles sitting in the tray. Hagrid himself was trudging up the hill, a sack containing what Harry thought must be the gloves. A wooden picnic bench was hitched on his shoulder, his massive arm easily holding it in place.

"Here ya go, Harry." Hagrid said as he placed the table down. "Oh, so there really was a dead threstral outside last night. Knew it couldn't just be you two." Hagrid nodded."I'll be back down with Ghost. Let me know if you need anything more."

Angelina opened the book they got on Magical Animal dissection and cast a spell at it. "Engorgio, winguarduim lleviosa," she said. The book grew large and the instructions that was diagrammed across the pages was big enough for everyone to see clearly. She set the book to levitate over the lawn. Harry retrieved the bloody carcass by levitating the snitch towel out the hole under the tree. Katie gave each of them a sip from a vial of potion to help them deal with the horrible smell.

The twins arranged a few barrels under the table so that dripping blood could seep between the slats into it. Harry maneuvered the carcass unto the picnic table. Jon and Harry took the unstrung Longbow, wrapped one end of the towel around it and began to pull it out from under the body, rolling the wooden bow. When they were finished the blood stained towel was now wrapped like gift paper around the wood. Jon began wrapping wire around the towel to squeeze the blood out. He did this process while everything was propped up in a barrel to drain.

Blood was steadily seeping into the table and fell inside the barrels. Harry gave cutting tools and the butcher hooks to Oliver, Ron, Hermione and the twins. "Here: the twins would work on the tail and hindquarters. Ron you're with me, we are doing the sectioning and skinning of the wings. Hermione you would do the gutting. Oliver would do the front. Angelina you got the process ready?"

"Yeah." Angelina started calling instructions from the manual and who should begin first and where to cut. The process was methodical and after the initial spurts and sprays of threstral blood subsided, the surgical team began to operate smoothly.

It was grueling, disgusting work. Jon and Angelina filled bottles from the blood pooling in the barrels below the blood soaked table. It seemed that the copious amounts of blood were a trait winged magical equines had. The different limbs were arranged in barrels that were labeled. The organs were put in cauldrons filled with blood. Surprisingly, Oliver, Hermione and the twins were getting adept with the machete and curved blades. Harry and Ron were doing a cautious job on the wings, as the instructions were specific on how this process should be done.

When the two boys were finished with that, Harry looked over to Jon. "I'm going to fetch Tonks. Ron, walk with Jon and take him to Hagrid's. Keep a lookout for him. I'll meet you there."

Harry dropped the bloody gloves on the lawn and raced up to the library. Tonks was doing her research and smiled when he walked in.

"Hey, finished?" she asked. Harry couldn't help but admire how beautiful Tonks really was when she wasn't frustrated or bossing them around. Actually, Harry thought, she looked beautiful no matter what she was doing. Harry smiled. He hardly ever talked to her, alone, like this.

"Almost. They are finishing the packing. I need you," Harry said, then shook his head. "We need you," he corrected. "Might be a bit of action, but I'm banking it doesn't come to that."

Tonks waved her wand and the books stacked themselves neatly on the table. She grabbed her notes and folded them into a pocket. She approached close to Harry. "What is it?"

"I have a niggling suspicion that Jon and I could get one or two threstrals to help us cart the stuff. Even possibly take it straight to Diagon if this works. We need you for some magical backup. Just in case. But I doubt. Should be fine." Harry realized he was babbling. Why was he so nervous?

You died a virgin. You're technically eighteen years old in a twelve year old version of yourself. You are raging hormones in one confused little pervert.

Tonks embodied everything that he believed was great about magic. Beautiful. Spontaneous. Strong. Ambitious. Full of Adventure. A sense of humour. He held his breath as she walked towards him.

Tonks walked passed him with a simple, "Ok." She reached the doorways to the library and turned. "You coming?" she frowned. "Something on my forehead?"

"Nah, just a piece of chewed up sausage stuck in your hair," Harry covered up smoothly from being caught staring. He pointed, walking towards her.

"What?!" she exclaimed. "Take it out! Eww! I did find your mate Ron was a bit too eager. Did you hear how loud he smacked his lips?!"

Harry did a quick slight-of-hand with a bit of gore still present on the leg of his jeans, squeezing it between his fingers out of sight and pretending to remove it from her hair. He was so close to her face he could see the slight freckles across her nose. She smelled like shampoo, cream and heaven. He had to look up a bit into her eyes as he removed the small chunk and opened it in his palm to see.

"Evanesco," she said, pointing her wand at the tiny piece of meat. "Alright. Let's go," she commanded, turned on her heel and left. Harry watched her hips sway for a second then followed behind, his heart broken. He sighed.

I don't have a bloody chance with her. Twelve.

I'm still a bloody kid.

They picked up the armor, daggers and their luggage bags and reached the cart site. The twins and Oliver were finished. Angelina and Hermione were labeling the vats, barrels and cauldrons on the wagon bed. Fred and George were using magic to fix the wheels properly and repair the creaky and rusted harnesses. Oliver was using a water spell to clean the tools and the table.

"So," Oliver noted. "Talk about putting the cart before the Horse. If I didn't witness and filled it with my own hands, I would never believe all that blood and guts came from one threstral. The different parts' total weight is probably twice as much as the body!"

Harry nodded. It was eerily strange how much blood they harvested.

"You could be on to something there. These magical creatures and their total disregard for physics," Tonks said. "Harry says he might be able to get Jon to recruit threstrals. This I definitely want to see."

Harry grinned and shrugged. "Come on let's get ourselves a Prancer, Dancer and a Rudolph or two," he picked up the gloves and threw them in the back along the other stuff. They met Ron and Jon who were talking with Hagrid about Ghost. Ghost was still restrained. He was currently being fed a potion from a shallow bowl. He was lapping it up slowly, breathing deeply and eyes closed.

"How is he?" Harry asked them.

"Good. In pain, but the bone mending potion is working well. It will take some time." Jon said.

"Hagrid, do you have any more meat to feed the threstrals. And could you show us how to do the call?" Harry said. As soon as he said it, Hagrid frowned.

"How ya know bou that?" he asked.

"Read about it in Diagon?" Harry offered.

"Oh. Ok," Hagrid mumbled. "I thought that was a trick I made up, but probably someone else musta knew about that one." Hagrid opened a chest at the corner of his kitchen. He removed a large slab of bloody pork. Harry indicated that Jon take it.

Hagrid cleared his throat. He then made a weird creaking call that resonated in the hut. Jon listened, nodding.

"It is similar to the dragon call I heard-," Harry shook his head desperately. "In night time tales when I was young," Jon finished smoothly. "I can do it."

"Offer a piece of meat to it, directly from your hand. When it eats from it, touch below the jaw, and on top of the crown in a firm manner. If he or she likes ya, the threstral will kneel. I like to acknowledge them with a name. That seems to work. "

"And if they don't show favour upon me?" Jon asked the half Giant.

"Jump back so they cannot take your hand, I bet."

Harry brought Jon his bag. "Maybe you should throw this robe over that one. "

Jon pulled it out and put it on. They all made their way outside and unto the lawn. Harry had a gut feeling that they would need some more space. Harry kept walking until they had a suitably large area in front of them.

"Okay Jon." Harry announced, the whole team standing behind them, wands drawn. "Let's hear it."

Jon tilted his head back, his hands cupping his mouth as he let loose a long, blood-curdling call.

There was a reply in the distance, then another, and then many other joined in the cry, making high pitched noises similar to a flock of crows crowing over a battlefield.

Around sixty wild threstrals came out from deep in the forbidden forest, swooping low in a structured formation similar to birds' pattern of group flying. They circled above once, then began darting down one by one unto the lawn in front of them. The Threstrals formed neat even rows even as they hoofed the ground and flapped their wings restlessly, all of their eyes on Harry. The Hogwarts crew, jaws dropping, backed off a few metres while brandishing their wands, while at the same time Hagrid rushed in front of Jon and Harry, his own umbrella at the ready. Some of the threstrals flapped their wings in an annoyed manner.

Jon drew his knife, dropping his stance, ready to fight.

"Wait, don't do it Hagrid." Harry warned, stepping forward in front of Hagrid. He approached the closest one, his palm holding the slab of meat. He drew his wand, pointed at the meat, and put some extra magic into the paper cut jinx . It cut a neat chunk off the bloody steak. He fed the first threstral, and it accepted the treat. Harry put his wand hand on the top of the crown. With a gentle but firm hand, he pressed down.

The threstral bent one of the forelegs, the birdlike snout almost touching the ground, the large black wings spreading flat over the grass. The whole herd followed suit.

"Name him, Harry," Hagrid instructed, his voice teary with emotion. "And feed some more. Then you would be able to call them when needed."

"Very well. I name you..." Harry deliberated a few seconds. "Shadow Wing." The threstral made a sharp cry, almost as if pledging knightly service to Harry. Shadow Wing got up, and began smelling Jon. It mewed at Jon's robes, then began sniffing at the meat in Harry's hand. "Shadow Wing, go there," Harry dismissed the creature. He pointed behind him towards the wooden cart. The threstral flapped its wings and hopped towards the cart, hoofing the ground and sniffing the Hogwarts students grouped there.

Harry cut more strips of meat, and fed it to the first six threstrals that approached.

"Rudolph." This one had a shiny nose.

"White Star." He named an albino threstral with a star shaped pattern on its head .

"One Ear," he dubbed another for obvious reasons.

"Tornado," he christened another who was disposed to regularly flapping with his wings, making circular gusts of leaves and dust along the ground.

"Banshee," he named another, whose cry was so high pitched only Ghost and Fang barked when it opened its mouth. No one else heard its cry.

"Star Scream," he named another, whose peculiar habit was to throw back its head and howl at the sky whenever he made a sound. After he fed Star Scream, the meat was done.

Jon looked at the rest of the pack, who were advancing restlessly, wanting their share.

"Be gone. I shall call you again when needed. Go!" Jon commanded with a bark.

As one, the rest of the threstrals took to the air, the wind blowing dust and leaves amongst the Hogwarts crew. Fred and George were petting Banshee and Star scream affectionately. Ron was examining the creatures intently, alongside Angelina. Hermione, Oliver, Tonks and Katie just kept a respectful distance, their wands still drawn but not held at the ready. Tonks was staring at Harry intently throughout the whole process.

"These two are twins," Fred said, grinning. George was examining the wings and flanks of Banshee and Star Scream. "Yep."

"We can tell," George claimed as he petted Banshee.

"How?" Ron asked.

"It's a twin thing," Fred explained. "You won't get it ickle Ronnie."

Hagrid was overcome with joy. "Harry, it took me years to befriend the twelve we have here for the opening feast! What a promising lad, no, a wizard you are becoming! And Jon, you too. I will look after Ghost, have no fear, until you return for 'im."

"I have full trust that Ghost would recover, Master Games-keeper." Jon bowed in gratitude.

"Thanks again for the help, Hagrid," Harry beamed. "Can I borrow the cart for a few days? Got to play Santa Claus now. Jon is going to be late for a meeting."

"Yeh, sure you ca- Santa? What?" Hagrid mumbled, confused.

"Thanks!" Harry said, waving as he walked back up the hill with the rest of the crew.

"You two are nuts!" Tonks breathed. "Did you know for sure that they would not attack?"

"Yes," Harry said. "Threstrals can be tamed. Just need certain conditions for it to work."

Tonks just stared at Harry and Jon as if they were insane. Harry dug in his bag and pulled out the money bag inside. He paid all the students, even Katie, who gave him a quick hug with her good arm.

"Guys," he offered his hand to the twins first. "We're not taking the train. Jon and I got to get back to London a.s.a.p. Thank you so much for the great effort and everything!" Harry gushed.

"The galleons were also a nice touch," Fred chimed in, trying to look serious as he shook his hand.

"Best hourly rate, in like, ever!" George reinforced grabbing his hand. Angelina laughed, shaking Harry's hand after, then grabbing him in a big hug.

"Can't go wrong with that! A great hour's pay and all the knowledge we gained," Angelina beamed. "Plus seeing all those Threstrals bow like that- Priceless!"

"For sure!" Oliver stated. "Hit me up anytime if you need work done, I'm your man." He shook his hand as well. "Jon, sorry, Lord Black. You are one bad Son of a Witch!" He offered his hand to Jon, who shook it with a smile.

"It is my pleasure, good man." Jon added. Ron gave Harry a handshake and Hermione stepped up to him timidly, hesitantly. She was watching him with a suspicious tilt to her chin.

"You've, changed," Hermione said , taking his hand in both of hers. She was watching his eyes intently, anything on his face to decipher what was different about him from only a few months ago. "Even how you cast magic. That isn't your wand," She noted."This one is bigger." Ron also took note that Harry's wand was the same holly colour of wood, but it was thicker, longer.

"Hermione," Ron interjected . "Hasn't anyone told you it's a bit rude to be, comparing blokes wands like that," Ron snickered. Hermione protested.

"What do you mean? Of course it's different! And I was using comparison to show him how I know!"

"Never mind," Ron said in exasperation, shaking his head. Harry and Jon were unrolling the drained snitch shaped towel. They used the red stained towel to cover the goods in the back of the cart.

"Tonks," Harry asked. "Can you use a charm or something to keep this stuff safely tied down to the cart?"

"Hm. let me try..." Tonks thought a second. "Cache dors bien Au lit!" The towel tightened down over the cart, securing itself together with the wings on the underside. "Huh. That's a Malfoy family spell, if you could you believe that." And in an undertone so only Harry could hear, "Alectrono is the counter spell to release it. Cheeky bastard."

"Noted, and thanks," Harry said. He and Jon found a way to harness Rudolph, Storm Wing and White Star nose to tail to the cart. Harry laughed as it really did resemble a red sleigh with three reindeer pulling the harness. Ollivander did say this wand was very good at the hair growth charm. He tried the beard growing charm on himself. He then used a lightening spell on his full bushy beard. Now he had a full white beard.

"Ho Ho Ho! What do you think, Hermione?" he grinned.

"Maybe a red suit and two hundred more pounds and you'll be perfect," she smiled.

"Next time, maybe I will!" Harry climbed up front and took the reins.

"Milady?" Jon asked, looking over to Tonks. He stood next to the front bench, his arm gallantly inviting her over. She came across and to her amazement, Jon hitched his two hands together to boost her up. She stepped into it and sure enough Jon lifted her inside. Jon double checked that they had everything and then he himself climbed in the tall pumpkin cart.

"Ahoy Shadow Wing! Ho White Star! To the sky, Rudolph! " Harry shouted, and the threstrals began to run a few steps then flap their wings. The ensuing speed burst was phenomenal. Tonks began to scream in glee as they shot off into the sky, leaving the rest of the Hogwarts crew waving up at them , laughter ringing through the morning.

"Ahem. Well, seeing as we are all here, we may begin," Galroop said, walking into the meeting office. It was a sizable board room, with a very long oval table which could seat sixteen people.

Harry, Jon and Tonks were already seated, patiently waiting for the Potages to arrive.

The boys had to go to Madame Milkin's after they landed the threstral carriage behind the property building. They each bought a set of robes off the shelf. Harry so that he wouldn't show up to the meeting in a blood stained white t-shirt and jeans, Jon so he wouldn't show up in his apprentice robes. Harry was now wearing an elegant white robe that somehow reminded him of a High priest robes, with the exception that the pointed wizard hat had a low, wide brim. The cuffs had white and gold trimmings, and there was intricate golden embroidery going down the front. Harry at first hated it, but when he put it on it he found that it completely suited him. If there were multiple stars and moons or some other sort of weird pattern, he could picture Dumbledore rocking these threads.

Jon, true to his name, bought a severe black robe that fitted him like a muggle suit. The only major difference was that he also bought tall black leather boots from WWG instead of fashionable shoes. Tucking in the pant legs into the boots turned the outfit into something looking far more militaristic than originally intended. Harry grudgingly admitted it suited him.

Tonks was all business chic in a deep blue robes that squared her shoulders and cinched at her narrow waist. It was a high neck affair, with a single stitch pattern accentuating the curves of her chest and hips.

Harry invited her along because he knew she had more legal experience and technical knowhow in her training to be an Auror. Also she was of age so she could ...

Harry stopped rationalizing it and simply looked at the woman. It didn't matter what skill set she brought to the table, Harry just knew that he wanted her around him as much as possible.

In the back of his mind he knew it was bordering on an unhealthy obsession.

Mr. and Mrs. Potage walked in after Galroop, along with a wizened old wizard wearing very old fashioned, but immaculate robes. In his hand was a briefcase and file folder. Jon immediately got to his feet, nodding his head slowly in acknowledgement to the elegant yet plain Mrs. Potage, and then stepping forward to offer his hand to Mr. Potage. Pavel Potage blinked, caught off guard, then greeted Lord black with a firm handshake.

"Mr. Potage," Jon greeted watching the man in his eye.

"Lord Black," Pavel returned.

Walking in behind the elderly wizard was a teenage witch. She was taller than average height, shocking green eyes and a full dark head of hair. Her hair was done in an up style, making her seem taller and showing off her young, expressive features and full lips. Her makeup was tastefully done to accentuate her features, and Harry took note that she missed nothing in the room, scanning everything and everyone with a glance. She was wearing a lilac sleeveless dress, cut with a heart shaped bust. Her outfit and her hairstyle gave her a princess-like appearance. Her eyes stopped on his momentarily, then focused on Jon. She overheard the greeting and was now focusing on Jon and his mannerisms.

"My wife, Eleanor, and my daughter Alexandria. This is my legal counsel, Mr. Farnworth," he introduced. Jon clasped his hands behind his back and bade Good day to each of them. "And this is Lord Jon Black, of the Ancient and Most noble House of Black. Thank you for your patience Lord Black," he added graciously.

"It is not a problem, Mr. Potage. We only arrived a short while before you did." He opened his hand in introduction to Harry and Tonks. "These are my associates, Mr. Harry Potter, and Miss Nymphadora Tonks."

"Good day," Harry said simply. Tonks nodded briskly. Mr. and Mrs. Potage just stared. Alexandria's eyes opened wide.

"Shall we?" Galroop cut into the silence as the goblin invited the arriving party to sit. Jon took his seat between Harry and Tonks.

The meeting went on for around half an hour. Bilgrumble came in once bringing refreshments in the form of tea, scones and a cold pitcher of water. Jon was frequently glancing towards Alexandria, who was studying the three of them in turn. Miss Tonks was listening to every word the legal counsel was saying, taking notes where necessary.

"If there are no questions?" Mr. Farnworth asked after the discussion on terms and conditions were finished. There was none.

"Who will be the witness signing the agreement alongside Lord Black?" Galroop asked.

Harry nodded that he would be the one to sign.

"Who will be the witness signing the agreement alongside Mr. Potage?" Galroop repeated.

"I will," Alexandria spoke for the first time in a melodic soft voice. Jon's eyes met hers again. Tonks watched her with narrowed eyes. The respective persons signed after Jon and Pavel signed. Jon was presented with the deed to the property and Pavel was given a Gringotts note with the agreed down payment printed on it and signed by Jon. There was a shake of hands all across both parties and Galroop clapped once in excitement.

"So! Congratulations to both parties. It is done and agreed. I thank you on behalf of Gringotts bank. Allow me to escort you out."

When they were in the main lobby and the goblins had left, Alexandria came up to them.

"My Lords, and lady," she said with a small courtesy."If it pleases you, please call on us so that we may become friends." She gave them an elegant card with her name and address. She gave Jon the card. "Whew, thank god now that the formalities are done. Can I get the two of you to sign this? My mates would not believe me when I said I had to come to this stuffy meeting."

She gave them Friday's copy of Witch Weekly. On the cover were a picture of both young men seated in their apprentice robes at the Cafe in Diagon alley, their postures casual as they chatted before Tonks arrived.

Jon had a confused look on his face, but he gamely took the quill and signed. Harry signed as well.

"Cool, thanks. My sixteenth birthday is just before school reopens. Leave an address when you write so I invite you guys to the little get together we're having..."

"My address would be the property on Diagon, Miss Potage," Jon clarified to her. She laughed, embarrassed.

"Oh yes. Silly me. Well I will send the invites there. Hope you can make it. Ta!" She said, looking at the both boys. "Miss Tonks," she added in farewell, and walked back to her family.

"Well. That wasn't so bad." Harry said as they walked up to Jon's new place. They opened the double doors and brought the carriage in. "You will need to get a crew to fix up the place, Jon."

"Yes. I will definitely need new fittings."

"Mr. Bulistrode and Mr. Boot know all the craftsmen who do these sort of thing," Tonks advised. The three of them helped off load the carriage. Tonks and Harry wrote up a small inventory list, and mailed both the Hunter's guild and the Apothecary's guild to get going rates for these items. Jon wrote mail to the local hardware and made arrangements to at least have all the doors and windows fixed by tomorrow so he could secure the place.

Jon looked sad. Harry didn't know what it was, but Jon was bothered by something. Harry asked what was wrong.

"I believe celebrations are in order, but I cannot truly celebrate with Ghost being so severely injured. I thank you, Harry of House Hollow, and Tonks, for accompanying me to the Bank. You have been good friends to me."

"Aw. It's ok," Tonks said, giving Jon a warm hug. He awkwardly returned it, then shook Harry's hand.

"Let's go see if Master Ollivander is still closing up his shop. We could tell him about the threstral wing and tail hair we got for the bracers." said Harry.

"Yes. Better I keep my mind on getting armed properly."

"So your mind isn't on Alexandria?" Tonks ventured, looking at the list in her hand.

"The princess?" Jon asked. "She is nice on the eyes, I must agree. But I do not know her well. Who knows? She surely seems pleasant enough."

"Oh, ok." Tonks said without making eye contact. "You guys ready for the trip to France tomorrow?" she asked, changing the subject.

"As ready as we could be. We also got a good way to transport the stuff back," said Harry, indicating the patient and watchful threstrals. "Go back to Hagrid's," he ordered, and with some tricky maneuvering, they left the armory and took off. They closed the doors and walked out into Diagon Alley.

"Threstrals' limitation is the sea, Harry," Tonks corrected. "They could take us to the port at Dover, but cannot cross the ocean. From there we need to go by boat."

"Oh. Well, at least they could wait for us to carry us home," Harry conceded. Harry glanced at Tonks who seemed to be deep in thought, biting her lip.

They caught Ollivander closing the shop. On the closed sign was a notice saying that he would re-open next week Monday. The trio greeted him and asked him about the change in schedule.

"You didn't think I would let you three simply go ranging abroad without a clue, did you?" Mr. Ollivander asked. "Especially with your limited wands. I'll be coming with you, as a voice of experience. This is going to be grand," Ollivander rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Haven't had a bit of rough and tumble in a while."

"You expect trouble?" Harry said. "Supposed to be a simple routine mission as far as the woman said."

"Did she mention anything about the Diablo?"

"She advised us to have Hunters who knew what they were doing."

"Yes," Ollivander said, pulling his beard. "There is a secret to luring out the Diablo, and it is not well known."

"What is it?" Jon asked. Tonks was frowning at the Old Man.

"A bit of bother, mind you. It must be handled, delicately. It will only appear if a child is lost in its territory. Their natural fear and innocence attracts them into corporal form. From then on, we can defeat it. It is the hardest ingredient to get in the required list. You will need my help."

Harry went very still. He had no clue that this was a prerequirement. He didn't know how he felt about this.

"Isn't that, bordering on Dark magic?" Harry ventured.

"Yes, if you allow the Diablo to attack the child. But fear not. If you save them, return him to his parents and defeat the demon, you would not suffer the taint. Have no fear Harry. We shall walk in the Light."

Harry had a bad feeling about this. This was too close to dark magic. There was a high chance of any type of failure causing an innocent child to be cursed, or killed. Their mission tomorrow better go as planned.

Too much was riding at stake for this stupid bracer to mess it up.

Thank you for reading. Next chapter should be up 1st/2nd August 2017.

Until we meet again.

-TDLN