Shadow Council 128 Complete

Chapter 128

Harry was exhausted when he stumbled back along the drive to the Dursely’s home, as well as deeply confused by the events of the day. The political situation was such that he wasn’t certain that he ever would… or ever wanted to… fully understand any of it.

“Harry!”

He looked back to see Hermione and Xander arriving on the motorcycle and waved wearily as they pulled to a stop and Hermione quickly hopped off.

“How did it go?” She asked in a rush, taking in a breath to start asking what would no doubt be a machine gun burst of questions before he stopped her with a hand.

“confusingly,” He admitted simply, “but my wand wasn’t snapped. Most of it wasn’t even about me.”

“It wasn’t?” Xander frowned, “What was it about?”

“Hogwarts.” Harry shook his head, still piecing that all together. “Andromeda said that she thought the whole attack on me was probably just a distraction, the real intent was to get people together to setup a plot at Hogwarts.”

“Well that’s not worrying at all,” Xander replied dryly.

“A plot? What kind of plot? Did you stop it?” Hermione asked quickly, “What was their reaction when you revealed your regency?”

“Yes, they wanted to slip a spy into the school, and no I didn’t stop it,” Harry answered in order. “Shock pretty much covers their reactions, I’d say.”

“What do you mean you didn’t stop it?” Hermione’s eyes widened as she drew in a deep breath.

“It’s complicated,” Harry said, shaking his head. “We voted against it, but it passed anyway with Dumbledore’s support.”

Harry took some minor amusement in the look on the pair’s faces when he dropped that bomb.

“The Headmaster voted to put a spy in Hogwarts?” Hermione tilted her head, her face screwing up in puzzlement. “So it was his plan? Why did you vote against it then?”

“It was Malfoy’s plan,” Harry corrected. “And it’s complicated. I’m not even sure I get it, really. We’re going to have to deal with another bad Defense against the Dark Arts teacher though. Pretty sure she doesn’t like me… and if she did, threatening to challenge her to an honor duel probably won’t exactly work in my favor.”

Xander grinned, “You did?”

“You didn’t!” Hermione blurted, shocked and horrified.

“She all but called me a liar in front of the entire Wizengamot,” Harry said, getting a wince from Hermione. “After I revealed my regency.”

“Damn,” Xander shook his head. “I’m surprised you got away with only threatening to challenge her then. That’s a serious no-no, if I’m recalling correctly.”

“You are,” Hermione said grimly. “I don’t like it, but you probably did the right thing. What’s her name?”

“Umbridge,” Harry said. “She’s an Under-secretary to the Minister, whatever that means.”

Hermione nodded, pulling a notebook out of somewhere as she started scrawling in it, “I’ll find out what I can.”

“Andromeda has promised me a full brief on her before school starts,” Harry said.

“Good,” Hermione said, “we’ll be able to cross compare our information then.”

Harry just stared before he finally sighed and shook his head, “Guys, not to be a bad host or the like, but I’m beat. It’s been a long day.”

“Say no more,” Xander nodded, clapping him on the shoulder. “We’ll be in contact.”

“The Headmaster pulled me aside after the session,” Harry said with a snap of his fingers, “Offered me some time at the Weasleys for the rest of the summer.”

“Taking them up on it?”

“With some negotiations, yeah,” Harry said. “I’ll be free to come and go, part of being a Regent and all, but the Burrow is… relaxing.”

“Good enough,” Xander said, looking past him to the suburban prefab home the Dursely’s lived in, “Better than here, I’d guess.”

“You have no idea.”

“We’ll see you at the Burrow then,” Hermione promised. “Get some rest.”

“Thanks, for everything you too.”

Hermione hugged him, not quite tearfully but close enough, while Xander just threw him a sloppy salute or wave.

“Of course, Harry,” Hermione said after they separated. “What are friends for?”

“What she said,” Xander said as he casually straddled the bike. “See you at the Burrow, bud.”

Harry nodded and waved goodbye again before he turned and trudged up to the house.

One more night.

He could handle one more night.

*****

Zero Zero One Cemetery Lane

Wednesday Addams looked over her packed clothes and sundries with satisfaction. This year would prove to be a pivotal one for her, she had no doubts, and the thrill of it was a pleasant tingle of energy moving through her veins.

“Wednesday, love?”

“Mother,” She tipped her head without looking around.

Morticia stepped easily into the room, smoothly gliding across the floor with near to no sign of the steps she had to have taken.

“Ready to leave us so soon?” Morticia asked calmly, though there was a hint of sadness there… as well as a hint of worry.

“Only for school, mother,” Wednesday said simply.

“There is some time before classes start…”

“Things are… afoot,” She said, a slight hint of concern entering her voice. “I have a feeling.”

Morticia straightened slightly, “A bad omen?”

“Possible,” Wednesday admitted. “I cannot see what is coming, but I can feel its presence moving ahead of its arrival.”

“Ah,” Morticia breathed out the syllable slowly, “I understand. Alexander?”

Wednesday hesitated.

“Not… directly?” She said finally, sounding uncharacteristically uncertain. “But connected to him.”

“Then I suppose you must go. Will it happen this summer?”

“I do not know. It is close, but…” Wednesday growled in frustration, shaking her head.

“Do not try to force it,” Morticia advised her. “You will push the vision away.”

“I know, mother, but it is… difficult.”

Morticia was quiet for a time, looking more and more uncomfortable.

“is it, perhaps, tied to your plan?”

Wednesday stiffened, her instant response being to almost snap back at her mother’s implied criticism. Unfortunately, her own self honesty would not allow her to refute the suggestion out of hand. What she had planned for herself and Alexander could certainly go very, very, badly indeed… and it was one of very few new variables she knew of in play.

Morticia caught her uncertainty, of course.

“If you are feeling uncertain, daughter, then you should not trust Alexander. He is a young man, and temptations…”

Wednesday calmed, holding up a hand, “I cannot say that the omen I feel is not what you suggest, not with any evidence to support the statement… but I am completely confident in my judgement and Alexander’s character, mother.”

Morticia stared challengingly at her, and Wednesday just met the gaze without flinching.

Finally, it was the elder who backed down with a simple nod.

“If your faith is that strong, then you have my support.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Morticia nodded again before looking over the gear spread across the old bed.

“Let us get you fully packed, then, shall we?”

*****

Malfoy Manor

Narcissa was not having what one might call a ‘good’ summer.

The return of the Dark Lord was honestly not something that she had ever expected to happen, the rhetoric of her Husband notwithstanding. It was, she knew, not something that Lucioushad ever truly believed would happen either.

Death was death, even in the Wizarding World, or it should be.

For him to have been resurrected, he must have delved into the very depths of the blackest magics, Narcissa knew with certainty.

Coming from the Black family, she was well aware that certain magics out there did provide ways to cheat death, for a time at least. None of the ones she knew of, even in the vaguest of ways, were without the darkest of consequences, however. Consequences that far exceeded any possible gain, in the opinion of anyone with any education of the subject.

That the Dark Lord had ignored that did not surprise her nearly as much as it should have, the man… or former man, she supposed, was quite obviously insane.

There were reasons why the strength of the young Purebloods had blossomed onlyafter the Dark Lord met his fate in the Potter’s cottage.

Now, however, she found herself back in those dark times before that fateful night, and that meant that she had a great deal of work to do.

Lucius was providing a buffer between his family and the Dark Lord, the price he was paying for that was not to be pondered on too deeply, but she knew well that it would only hold for just so long. The Dark Lord would not be denied, and if her family were to survive this, they would need to give him reason to leave them be.

Draco was her current concern, however. The young man had been too sheltered, too pampered. His father assumed that he would grow up with values suited to his station, but had forgotten just how hard won those values were in his own life.

And she, in her own foolishness, had allowed it because he was her only son and she had feared that their time together would have been far shorter than it had proven to be.

His foolish bluster will draw the Dark Lord’s ire, sooner than later if left to Draco’s own initiative, Narcissa knew without doubt.

The recent events in the Wizengamot had illustrated that quite clearly.

Really, I told Lucius that my sister was managing young Harry. How could he have thought that weak trap would have a chance? Even as a distraction, they were incredibly lucky that the splash back had been limited to Fudge.

That Cornelius somehow believed that he had escaped the worst still amused her.

Andromeda had told him that she was gunning for his career, did he really believe that she would forget it simply because the boy had easily sidestepped the trap?

Laughable.

Quite frankly, they were incredibly lucky that the Boy hadn’t demanded satisfaction then and there, as he had threatened. The Minister’s toad couldn’t have stood against him on her best day versus his worst, of that Narcissa was quite certain.

Why Andromeda allowed her to escape, Narcissa still wasn’t entirely certain. She would need to ask her sister for more details when they next managed to meet. For the moment, however, it was clear that Potter had earned a significant slice of respect from the Traditional Families for merely calling her on her temerity.

The Dark families would have preferred to see him follow through, of course, but Tradition dictated that you warn someone that they were treading close to the line before you brought down the wand on their skulls.

An owl arriving shook her from her thoughts, and she snapped her fingers twice to draw it over to her where she relieved it of its burden.

“Treats are in the normal place,” Narcissa said, not looking up from the scroll she was unfolding.

The owl hooted twice before hopping away and taking flight, presumably to retrieve some of the treats she kept a supply of for this very purpose.

Oh my, this is interesting indeed. I had nearly forgotten…

Narcissa rolled up the scroll again, considering it for a moment before she crossed the room with purpose. The scroll was tossed into the fireplace as she passed, its contents consigned to the smoke as she focused on what to do next.

*****

The Burrow

“Welcome back, mate,” Ron grinned as Harry approached with Auror Tonks at his side. “About bloody time they got you out of that place.”

“Can’t say I wouldn’t have preferred to be here,” Harry admitted with a smile, “but I’ve had things to do.”

“Bloody right you did, we heard. Did you really challenge someone to a duel?” Ron asked, hands spreading wide in a questioning gesture.

“Nah, just said that I might have to it she kept calling me a liar,” Harry said. “Mrs Tonks said that she wouldn’t take me up on it.”

“Blimy,” Ron said. “Mental, man, you are mental.”

Tonks snorted, “The toad wasn’t going to take a chance. Not sure I’ve ever even seen her cast a spell, and ickle Harry here has a reputation, especially for a midget.”

“Oi,” Harry objected, “I’m not that small anymore.”

“Still pretty small, if you ask me, Mate,” Ron grinned down at him from where the lanky Redhead was clearly close to topping six feet compared to Harry’s decidedly slimmer and shorter five foot nine.

“Traitor.”

Tonks laughed at them both, but stopped and held up a hand, “Before I forget, Mom passed me this for you, Harry.”

Harry looked at the letter that had appeared in her hand, noting that it had a wax stamp that looked familiar sealing the envelope shut.

“What is it?”

“See the seal?” She asked.

Harry looked closer and his breath stopped.

“What?” Ron blinked, “What is it? I don’t get it.”

“It’s the Seal of the Realm, Ron,” Harry said. “That’s a letter from her Majesty.”

“If Mom is right, it’s an invitation to a party,” Tonks told him. “But you’ll need to confirm.”

“Right.”

“Her Majesty?” Ron looked confused. “The Muggles’ Queen?”

“Our Queen, Ron,” Tonks reprimanded sharply. “Her power is reduced in the Magical Realm, much as it has been in the Muggle, but she is our Queen as well.”

She turned her focus back to Harry, “Mom expects that her Majesty is aware that you’ve revealed yourself to the Magical World, so she wants you to present to the Muggle as well.”

Harry had an ashen look as he accepted the letter, “I… suppose that does seem the right thing to do. I’ll check in private and contact Mrs Tonks.”

“Good boy, now go on. No need to be too worked up over it,” Tonks shooed them both away. “I don’t believe her Majesty is too put out with you just yet. Though, best to keep it that way, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Harry nodded fervently as he pocked the letter. “thanks, Tonks.”

*****

Harry spent some time with the Weasleys, basking in the warmth the family exuded without half trying, but ultimately he made his excuses and ducked up to the bedroom he would share with Ron in order to open up the letter from Her Majesty.

It was hand written, with the sort of calligraphic scrolling lettering that you normally only saw on the telly, if then, but it was much as Andromeda had suggested it might be.

An invitation to the Mage Knight of the Realm.

Ostensibly it was only that, a sort of come if you want to heads up, but between the lines even he couldn’t miss the message.

He served at Her Majesty’s pleasure, and she would be pleased if he presented himself.

The alternative was quite obvious.

More of an issue, though, was that the invitation was for him, yes, but also for a date… and, as the Mage Knight he was expected to have attendants slash bodyguards as well.

Harry tried to think of who could fill those roles, but few names came to mind. In the Magical world, any of the Weasleys would be able to fill the roles but Harry didn’t want to think of what would happen if he brought Ron into a state party hosted by Her Majesty.

I need some advice…

He reached for a pen and paper, “Hedwig, I need a letter delivered to Mrs Tonks.”

The snowy owl hooted easily as she hopped over to him.

*****

Andromeda sat in silence as she contemplated what to do with the information she had at hand. With the return of the dark lord and Harry’s ascendance to the Regency, the magical world was on the precipice of great changes, changes that would certainly make or break the Wizarding World as it currently stood.

The old order was still in control, but she could see the writing in the skies, as it were. If The Dark Lord were victorious there was no question that he would drag the Wizarding World back to the dark ages in ways that only the sickest of minds ever even thought existed. Harry, however, was quickly becoming a potential leader of the other side of things.

Whether he was a leader for the traditionalist ‘light’ side, or something else, she was uncertain of at this point, however.

Dumbledore’s Order of the Phoenix was rumbling again, she knew thanks to his attempts to recruit Nymphadora. Albus wouldn’t come to her, not this early at least, but the day would undoubtedly come. When he felt he had the advantage or he was pressed hard enough to need her.

Which came first, well that was yet to be seen she supposed.

For the moment, Andromeda had other concerns to address.

Cissa, what am I to do with you?

Her sister was in an unenviable position at the moment, there was no arguing with that. Her husband’s support of the Dark Lord during his foolish youth was coming back to roost in their very own home. That put her family at risk, and while Andromeda felt that Lucius could damned well pay the piper he’d personally helped establish, she still had loyalty to family through everything.

Narcissa can handle herself, but Draco… that foolish boy will get himself killed if he does not learn to grow up.

The missive from her sister had made that quite clear, but what could be done with any of it… she was far from certain.

The arrival of Harry’s snowy owl, Hedwig, with a letter was a welcome distraction.

She quickly retrieved the attached letter and provided the owl with a rewarding treat while she unfolded the parchment and began to read.

As I suspected, her Majesty has lost patience with the boy’s lack of social action.

It was inevitable, after Harry fully presented himself, that this letter would arrive. That it came so soon showed that her Majesty had better contacts in the Wizarding World than Andromeda had known, to be honest, but only the speed of the missive was in anyway surprising.

The party in question was a good choice, she recognized. It showed that her Majesty was fully aware of young harry’s limits, and hadn’t lost any steps in the political game she’d been born too. A public event, yes, but small and relatively unknown. Other Knights of the realm would be there, along with the small smattering of hereditary Knights that remained active in the current day.

No Papparazi would be crowded outside the event, and every person within would be carefully scrutinized.

Yes, it’s a good choice… in fact…

Andromeda paused, considering it for a moment before she smiled tightly.

It may well be a verygood choice indeed. Yes, this might solve a couple problems in one fell swoop. I have some work to do.

*****

Xander casually dismounted the bike as he looked over the Weasley’s home with some interest.

Magic has GOT to be the only thing holding that together, He thought with some amusement as he examined the deceptively ramshackle nature of the home. It rather looked like someone had tried building a five story home on top of an old farm building, but did so without any skill in carpentry, geometry, or common sense.

Somehow, though, it still managed to look homey and welcoming in a way that his own parent’s suburban home could not have managed on its best day.

“Oh look…”

“It’s our favorite test subject!”

Xander snorted as the twins appeared, cheerfully mocking him as he casually cast an impervious charm on his bike in case it rained.

“Fred, George, don’t you darebe rude to our guest,” The shrill voice of Molly Weasley reprimanded them from inside the Burrow before she appeared at the door.

“it’s fine, Mrs Weasley,” Xander smiled at the woman as she stepped out. “the poor copies here can’t help themselves, between you and me I think all the backfired pranks did some damage upstairs.”

The twins bristled at that, but Molly Weasley just smiled, “Much as I might hate to admit it, you could have a point there. They did spend far too much time in their room with noxious fumes spilling out the windows and under the doors.”

“Mum!”

Xander grinned as Mrs Weasley winked in his direction before turning on the twins.

“Oh hush, the pair of you. This is young Harry’s guest, and you’ll not be harassing him. Save it for school, if you must dabble in such foolishness.

The pair exchanged glances before they sighed in unison.

“Alright, mum.”

They turned and waved to Xander, speaking in unison, “Welcome to Burrow.”

Then they looked past him to the bike and one went on, “And might we say…”

“That you’ve certainly come up in the world. Where did you…”

“Come by such a magnificent toy?”

Molly snorted. “Boys.”

Xander tipped his head, “Sirius Black helped build it for me as thanks for helping him escape at the end of last year.”

That caused Molly to shirk back briefly before she clearly shook her initial reaction away. The twins, however, had no such instinctive reaction.

“Bloody…”

“Amazing.”

Xander chuckled, walking forward, “It’s been useful. Harry, Hermione, and I used it to hunt out his family home a while back. He around? His letter was a little light on details.”

“Harry’s inside, finishing breakfast,” Molly said firmly. “I told him he couldn’t get up until he cleaned the plate.”

Xander laughed, “Good. That boy needs it.”

“Right this way.”

*****

The inside of the burrow was cluttered and well lived in. That was the best description that Xander could manage, if he were being honest about things. Not dirty in the slightest, it was clear that Molly was a dedicated keeper of her domain, but the building had a sense of life that existed beyond the mere fact that people lived there.

He was led to the kitchen where he quickly found that much of the family were still in the process of polishing off their breakfast.

Harry was picking at what was left on his plate, looking unenthusiastic but determined, while Ron was piling up his own high with what Xander assumed was his second… or third… serving.

“Xander,” Harry looked up, “You’re earlier than I expected!”

“Hermione had some things to do with her mom today, so I cut out early.” Xander explained. “What’s up anyway? Your letter was a little light on details.”

“Sorry about that,” harry told him, “I really don’t have a lot myself. I just know that I have to go to a party and I need to have a date and a couple body guards, or… something like that.”

“Harry, I know we’ve been through a lot, but I’m sorry I just don’t think of you that way.”

Harry stared in confusion for a minute before it clicked, “Bugger off you berk, I’m not asking you out!”

Xander grinned as the Twins broke up laughing and Ron appeared to be choking on his bacon, instead just taking a free seat across the table. “Shouldn’t you get a real bodyguard?”

Harry sighed, glaring at him, before reluctantly going on, “It’s not a real thing, just for… you know, looks?”

“Ceremonial.”

“Right, that.” Harry sighed. “I figure you could stand in.”

“Sure, I can do that,” Xander nodded.

Ron, who was still wheezing as he sucked in air to replace the food he’d inhaled, “You didn’t ask me, mate?”

Harry looked uncomfortable, “Mate, it’s at a Royal party in the non-magical world. The Queen will be there. You don’t know enough about the non-magical world to fit in, or I would have.”

“Oh,” Ron slumped, thinking about it. “Guess that makes sense.”

“It’ll probably be all fancy stuff anyway,” Xander said. “Doubt it’ll be a fun time. Any ideas for the other two?”

“No clue for a date,” Harry admitted. “Finding someone else to stand in for a bodyguard shouldn’t be too hard?”

Xander shrugged, “Ask Hermione to join you as your date…”

Whatever he was expecting from that comment, it wasn’t the straight shock from Harry that rapidly turned into a reddening blush, or the sudden blast of food exploding across the table as Ron screamed something unintelligible at him.

The death glare from the littlest Weasley went almost completely unnoticed as Xander was trying to wiped the spatter off his face and clothes.

“Gross.”

*****

The magic of the portkey dissipated, leaving Wednesday Addams standing in the center of the secure reception point of the London Diplomatic Attache’s Office. The Marines on duty didn’t react to her presence, other than to gesture to the door as she walked past them.

“Addams, Wednesday?” The secretary at the desk in the next room asked, not bothering to look up.

“That is correct.”

“Passport,” the woman asked, extending a hand.

Wednesday dropped it in her palm without comment, watched as it was stamped and cleared, then retrieved it casually.

“Anything to declare?”

“Merely my pet Crow, and the pet wolf of student Alexander Harris.” Wednesday said simply, “Both registered familiars.”

The secretary checked off a couple box, then dropped the paper into a box where it automatically folded itself into an airplane and took off down the hall.

“Everything seems in order,” She said, “Welcome to London. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you.”

And, with that, the entire process for entering the country was completed. Wednesday had travelled the normal ways a few times, and had to admit that the magical community certainly had things streamlined down to a much simpler operation.

She was directed to the way out of the offices, and within a few moments was on the streets of London. Casually setting down her luggage, she opened up the top of the case and was greeted by an irate looking raven that glowered mildly at her as he hopped out, as well as an annoyingly cute, charming, and… bubbly wolf.

Not quite a puppy anymore, Fenrir had not yet begun to properly fill out his adult bulk either. It left him lanky and somehow looking too big for his size, if that made any sense at all. Wednesday tolerantly put up with him snuffling at her hand for a moment before she passed a note to the Raven.

“Take this to Alexander,” She said. “I will be waiting for a response.”

The bird cawed once, then winged away as Wednesday looked around the streets of downtown London briefly before she closed up her case and picked it up casually, turning to start walking toward Diagon Alley with Fenrir at her side.

*****

At the burrow, Xander and Harry were tossing out ideas on what to do about the party, along with ignoring the various suggestions from Ron and the Twins. Ron, because while he was well meaning his ideas were about as useful as jello baseball bat. The Twins, because they were actively trying to cause chaos, which didn’t seem like much of a good idea at a Royal Party.

They were startled by a loud caw that came out of nowhere, causing them all to turn to see the rather large raven perched, somehow, on the back of the chair Xander was sitting on.

“Bloody hell,” One of the twins blurted, “How’d he get there?”

“Odin?” Xander blinked, extending his hand as the bird dropped a note from its beak. “You’re a ways from home.”

The Raven cawed impatiently, nudging Xander’s hand, and he got the message quickly.

“Waiting for a response, is she?” Xander nodded, “Hold on then.”

He unrolled the note, skimming it quickly, his mouth opening with some surprise.

“Wednesday’s in London, probably at Diagon by now,” Xander said, looking up at Harry. “I better go meet up with her, we can finish the details on his later.”

“Right,” Harry nodded, “Yeah, I need to talk with Mrs Tonks anyway, this is way over my head.”

“All our heads,” Xander laughed, “You’ll be fine.”

He started toward the door before he paused, thinking about something, “Hey… Harry, can I ask a favor?”

*****

Hermione was feeling worn out, but pleased with the outcome of the day’s shopping excursion. It wasn’t her normal fare, but spending a day with her mother had more than made up for any of the reluctance she might normally have with the whole shopping thing.

“I am so beat,” She moaned as she fell into the big comfortable couch in her living room. “That was torture, mum.”

Emma smiled slightly in her direction, “Too tired for cheesecake?”

Hermione opened her eyes, looking over sharply, “We didn’t buy cheesecake.”

“Not when you were watching.”

Hermione groaned, but pulled herself up, “I can muster the strength.”

“I thought you might,” Her mother said, amused, as she dug the cake out of the groceries and headed for the kitchen with it.

In a few minutes they were seated at the table, both quietly enjoying the confection as they tried to relax their muscles from the day’s efforts.

“Your father has quietly put out the word that we may be willing to sell our practice,” Emma said after a time.

Hermione’s breath hitched, and she swallowed hard, suddenly not tasking the cake.

“Are you sure?” She asked.

“No,” Emma said, “but for now it’s just seeing what the market is like. If you could check with your friend Harry about what Xander said?”

“The Tax thing?” Hermione nodded, “I’ll look into it.”

Emma nodded, looking a little sad, “We’ve been at this practice a long time. It may be time for a change, especially with you coming of age and all.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Don’t say it like that, it makes my life sound like a bad youth novel.”

Emma chuckled, holding up her fingers, “Magical school, check. Evil bad guys, check. Two, or is that three young love interests?”

“Don’t go there,” Hermione scowled at her, setting her mother off into peels of laughter.

The sound must have gotten her Dad’s attention, as he stuck his head into the room in the middle of her mother’s fit, smiling confusedly.

“Did I miss something?”

“No!”

******

Wednesday had appropriated a seat in the corner of the Leaky Cauldron, ordering a simple drink that was not overly disgusting, and then opened a book to read while she waited.

For all that Fenrir was too much like his partner for her liking, he was also just enough like Xander in some ways. While she was reading, he quietly lay there and made not a single sound… until someone approached her table.

At that point a low, nearly subsonic, growl send a shiver through the air that quickly turned around whatever pest had been intent on disturbing her.

She found herself rather neatly pleased with the young wolf, despite her earlier irritation.

She heard a rumble of a familiar motor a little over an hour after she’d arrived and neatly set her book aside as the door to the Cauldron opened up to reveal Xander meandering in. He looked around, spotting her, and waved to the barkeep on his way past as the man seemingly tried to warn him about the wolf.

He needn’t have bothered.

Fenrir was already on his feet and charging, a silent padding that would have taken any prey animal by surprise when they were inevitably body slammed by the massive canine. Xander, though, just caught the dog and casually swung him about, laughing as he evaded the unnaturally long lolling tongue that kept trying to lick his face.

“Ok, boy, we’ll catch up in a bit. I know, I know, I’m sorry but I didn’t know where I was going to be staying and… well, you’re getting kind of big,” He said, casually chatting with the pup as the pair ambled over to Wednesday’s table.

Xander dropped in across from her, grinning, “You didn’t tell me you were coming early.”

“It was a… spur of the moment decision.”

“Right. Well, I have good news,” Xander said in an effusively cheerful manner that set Wednesday’s teeth on edge.

“Oh? Do tell,” She replied, her tone ice cold as she dared him to give her any news that warranted such a disgustingly sweet presentation.

“I’ve found you a place to stay,” He told her, grinning.

“That is not necessary.”

“Oh it was a pleasure,” Xander countered. “Really, no problem at all. Harry was only too happy to let you stay at his place.”

In that moment, Wednesday was quite honestly debating the merits of killing her friend.

She’d raise him after, of course, if only so that she could kill him again, but still.

*****

“So what brings you across the pond this early in the summer?” Xander asked curiously as he took a sip of his butterbeer and nodded thanks to Tom for delivering the drink.

Wednesday just looked at him evenly, not speaking for a moment.

“I believe that you may require some more work before All Hallows Eve,” She finally said.

Xander rolled his eyes, “You still haven’t given me a good reason to go along with your insanity.”

“Most boys wouldn’t need much of one,” She replied with a twist of her lips.

“Would you trust most boys with this ritual?”

Wednesday flushed ever so slightly, looking away briefly before returning her gaze to his face.

“I would not,” She admitted.

“Then find a good reason.” He told her dryly as he took another sip.

Wednesday sighed, but reminded herself that he did in fact have a point. The only reason she was willing to trust Xander was the fact that he wasn’t merely interested in anyone in a skirt.

Ok, bad example at our school, She though with rare amusement.

“I am not concerned,” She said finally. “In the end, you aren’t foolish enough to ignore advice from someone who’s smarter than you are.”

Xander rolled his eyes, but didn’t really have a rejoinder for that off the top of his head. She was smarter than he was, and they both knew it. That didn’t mean that she was right all the time, however, and he wasn’t about to let her have a free pass just cause of that. He’d learned the hard way with Willow that would be a bad precedent to set.

Instead he finished off his drink, “Another time, then. For now, we should probably get you to Harry’s so you can settle in.”

Wednesday glared at him, “I believed that you were joking about that.”

He just had the audacity to smirk at her, “I’m not that funny.”

“I know, but I wasn’t aware that you knew.”

Xander winced, holding her chest, “That hurt.”

“What will hurt is what I’ll do if this is some practical joke on your part.” She informed him simply.

“I’m rarely practical.”

She glared at him but, as was becoming more and more normal, he cheerfully ignored her as he stood up.

“Come on, let’s get going.” Xander said as he produced his door and pulled it open to the full size and opened it up. “Come on, boy, hop in.”

Fenrir yipped a little reluctantly, but finally went into the magically expanded room with some reluctance. Xander closed it up and nodded to the door as he glanced back at Wednesday.

“Ready?”

Wednesday sighed, but followed suit, leaving a few coins on the table for the proprietor. They went outside to where Xander had parked his bike and he hopped on, gesturing to the rear.

Wednesday sighed audibly, but casually slipped onto the stiff seat and leaned against Xander’s back as she slipped her arms around him, gripping tightly despite having no need to thanks to the security charms on the bike.

Xander reached down, cupping her hands for a moment before he smiled and grabbed the handlebars, making sure that the muggle repelling wards were on as he kicked the engine over and guided them out onto the street. Traffic was light, so he easily rolled up to speed before pulling the bike back and up, the wind rushing over them as they climbed over the buildings and rapidly put London well below them.

“We could portkey,” He said over his shoulder, “Or we could drive it.”

“Drive,” She said into his shoulder, quietly but enough to be heard.

“Just what I hoped you’d say.”

*****

The flight to the South East was a fair distance, Wednesday had been surprised to learn, but at the speed the motorcycle could manage in the air it hadn’t been either a long trip, nor an uncomfortable one.

She was surprised, again, though when they circled an old tower in the middle of a forested area instead of heading to some random home much closer to other people.

“Potter lives here?” She asked as they dropped down, heading for a landing near the front of the tower.

“Nope.”

Wednesday glared, knowing from his tone that he was enjoying himself and uncertain whether she should be correcting that or not.

Let’s get all the facts before I decide, Wednesday finally though. “You said that you had arranged for me to stay at Potter’s place.”

“I did, yes.”

They touched down, and she gave him a moment  to add to his statement, but realized quickly that he had no intention of doing so.

“Alexander, I will hurt you,” She said finally.

“You’ll try,” He said over his shoulder as they rolled to a stop and he kicked the stand down.

Wednesday realized, in a flash of insight, that he was being far more confrontational than he normally would be. She wasn’t entirely certain of his reasoning, but couldn’t help but like the shift… up to a point.

Instead of letting him go now that they had stopped, she tightened her grip and dug her fingers in like claws as she pressed her cheek up against his ear.

“Hallow’s Eve is a long way off, but I’m sure that I could make it seem much much longer, Alexander.”

“Peace,” He folded, laughing as he prized her arms apart and slipped off the bike. “This is Harry’s ancestral home. He’s at the Weasleys for the rest of the summer, and is hoping to move in here next year. For now it’s all yours, already got you entered into the ward scheme.”

She stared for a moment, then followed him off the bike, “Very well. Show me around.”

“Trust me, you’re going to love the basement.”

*****

Wednesday looked around, visibly surprised by what she was seeing.

“Potter has a home like this?” She asked, slightly unbelieving.

“So it would appear,” Xander chuckled, leaning back against one wall as she examined some of the old supposed torture devices. “We’re trying to decide if it was a literal dungeon for holding prisoners, or if Harry’s grandparents were just really freaky.”

Wednesday grimaced, withdrawing her hand from the rack as she turned to glare at Xander, who was just grinning at her entirely unrepentantly.

“I do not need that image in my mind, Alexander.”

“Neither did Hermione and Harry, but I needed to put it in all of your minds, Wednesday Friday.”

She rolled her eyes, huffing only slightly as she turned around.

The old Keep was a lovely place to spend the remainder of the summer, she decided. The spells maintaining the place were breaking down, which allowed it to be delightfully muggy and damp with the English weather, and the basement certainly had a vastly better personality than most places easily available.

“It will do,” She returned her attention to Xander.

“Cool,” He said, eyes twinkling.

Wednesday sighed, knowing that he was up to something.

“What is it?” She opted to ask him flat out, that being a simpler approach than attempting to decode Xander’s Xanderisms.

“Well Harry needs a favor,” He told her, that ear to ear grin starting to worry her.

“And now I’m considering that a hotel room may not be so bad,” She mused aloud.

“Oh don’t be like that,” Xander waved her off. “He’s going to a party and could use another bodyguard.”

Wednesday just stared, before she spoke in a flat tone. “Really?”

“Well, he could also use a date if you’d prefer.”

“I am beginning to think that may be preferable to my current choice of date.”

“Ooh, ouch,” Xander held a hand over his heart. “That hurts.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“True.”

She sighed, “What party are we speaking of?”

“Something with the Queen,” Xander shrugged. “It’s a coming out of the closet party or something for Harry.”

She just shook her head, “I am not Potter, Alexander. Those jokes mean nothing to me.”

“Damn it, you’re right. I wasted that one on you,” Xander muttered. “I need to save my good jokes for the right target.”

“You need to find some good jokes first.”

*****

Andromeda looked over her sister, worry in her eyes.

“You’re looking… well,” She said finally.

Narcissa shot her an annoyed look, “I look a mess.”

“Well, considering the circumstances,” Andromeda offered weakly.

“Leave it be, sister,” Narcissa said tiredly. “Since that monster came back, life has been rather less than ideal.”

Andromeda refrained from pointing out that her sister had, in many ways, made her own bed as far as that particular bit went.

Aloud she just sighed, “What is it you want from me?”

Narcissa closed her eyes, “I apologize, I haven’t been sleeping well. I need…”

She shook her head, “No. What I need doesn’t matter right now. Andy, could you find a place for Draco? Just until school starts again?”

Andromeda frowned, “I suppose, but why not just send him away? The Malfoy’s have homes all over the world.”

“Yes, and He has access to every one of them,” Narcissa hissed. “There have been whispers that he will be assigning missions to the children shortly.”

Andromeda nodded, “That would be a problem.”

“I need Draco out of the house, and away from Malfoy properties,” Narcissa insisted. “Ideally somewhere that the Dark Lord won’t want to remove him from.”

Andromeda stiffened, just then seeing where Narcissa was taking the conversation.

“Cissy,” She said warningly, “Draco and Harry do not get along. What you’re asking is… it’s asking for trouble, and you know it.”

“What about Alexander?” Narcissa asked. “I know he’s in the country already, and his family name will be of interest to the Dark Lord. I’m certain it will hold him off for the summer, just the idea that Draco is getting closer to the Harris line?”\

Andromeda shook her head, sighing, “I won’t make any promises, but I’ll check. In the meantime, Draco can have a room at my place until we figure out something more stable… but, Cissy, you know that we can’t exactly sit on him for the rest of the Summer. If he goes to the Dark Lord of his own accord…”

“He will not,” Narcissa said cooly. “I will see to it.”

“Fine. Fetch him, you know where to find me.”

“Thank you, Andy.” Narcissa slumped in relief.

“You should leave too.”

“I cannot,” Narcissa said simply. “If I do, the Dark Lord will be certain that something is wrong. He’ll kill Lucius, and likely become even more aggressive. We cannot hold him at bay for long, but while he is content to allow Lucius to make political moves…”

Andromeda sighed, “Yes I know. He’s not out actively murdering his way across the countryside. Fine, but I do not like this.”

“What is there to like?”

*****

Hermione stared, eyes a little wide when Xander arrived back at her place with Wednesday in tow.

“Wednesday? Why are you here so early?” She blurted.

Wednesday looked at her evenly before drawling, “Why Hermione, one might think you’re not ecstatic to see me.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Only Xander is crazy enough to ever be ecstatic to see you. I tend to rest more on the mildly pleased while majorly concerned range.”

Wednesday’s lips twitched as she inclined her head, “It’s good to see you as well.”

Hermione laughed, ignoring the slightly concerned looks she was getting from her parents, and actually embraced Wednesday for a brief moment before stepping back.

“I’m sorry for invading your space, but I think I needed that bit of dark humor,” Hermione said, “It’s been… trying here this summer.”

She shot Xander a glance, “I made the mistake of getting him invited over early.”

“That would be trying, I agree,” Wednesday said, unruffling her clothing from the unexpected hug. “You are forgiven your tresspasses on my space, this once, as a nod to my understanding of how it is to deal with Alexander.”

“I’m so confused,” Emma whispered to Daniel in the background, getting their attention.

“Don’t worry about them,” Xander said, rolling his eyes, “They bond over insulting me. It’s their way, I think. I’m just a convenient glue that holds their sordid relation- Ow!”

“No jokes like that to my parents,” Hermione snapped, shaking the sting from her hand. “It’s bad enough when you do things like that to poor Harry.”

Xander opened his mouth to object, then considered it for a moment and shrugged, “Yeah that’s fair.”

He carefully moved to keep Hermione between himself and Wednesday, noting the gleam in her eye.

“Also, I’m currently afraid for my life so, you know,” He chuckled nervously.

Hermione just rolled her eyes, not looking behind her, “You know as well as I do that she’s not going to kill you.”

“One should speak only for oneself, Hermione,” Wednesday said softly, not taking her eyes off Xander. “Besides, there are worse things to do to someone than merely kill them.”

Hermione pinched her nose, “Could you please at least attempt to not freak out my parents? They’re going to get the impression that you’re representative of the Magical world.”

“She’s… not?” Emma asked softly, something about the young girl making her nervous.

“No,” Wednesday answered for Hermione, “Most of the magical world are as uniquely cheerful as they are useless.”

The way she said the word cheerful left Emma wondering why it had sounded like the most vile epithet she’d ever heard uttered, and given that she’d heard people cursing after someone went to work on their teeth without anesthetic… well  it was saying something.

“Wednesday’s family are… unique,” Hermione said with a sigh. “They’re largely… feared by anyone sane.”

“Hey, I’m not afraid of them,” Xander objected.

Hermione just looked at him, “I stand by my statement.”

Xander sighed, “Also probably fair.”

Wednesday rolled her eyes at the pair of them, “Pardon the comedy show. Alexander believes he's funny, and Hermione doesn’t seem to have the heart to correct him.”

Daniel snickered softly, “I’d noticed.”

“Hey!” both his daughter and Xander objected, getting a laugh from Emma as well.

Xander sighed, but grinned in the aftermath as the two adults laughed openly at him.

“Anyway,” He said, “Wednesday crossed the pond today, and I got Harry’s permission for her to stay at his place. Figured we’d do a little visiting, and also need to let Hermione know about what’s going on with Harry.”

“What? Something’s wrong with Harry?”

“The things wrong with Potter are multitude,” Wednesday said dryly. “However none of them are, currently, a threat to his well being.”

“I dunno, the possibility that he may have to ask you to be his date for this party seems like a looming threat to his life,” Xander smirked at her.

“He will not.” Wednesday said firmly. “He values his life more than that.”

“You have a lot more faith in Harry’s survival instincts that I do,” Xander said idly, “though, as you pointed out, there are worse things than death.”

Wednesday paused, turning to fix him with a stare, “are you implying that dating me is one of them?”

Xander leaned in close to her, almost nose to noise, “Are you implying it’s not?”

They stayed like that for a long moment before Wednesday’s lips twitched again and Xander broke into laughter.

“I’ve missed you,” He told her between guffaws.

Wednesday merely shook her head, “As I you, with every shot so far.”

Hermione, watching it all, just shook her own head.

“Would one of you want to tell me why Harry would be asking Wednesday out?” She asked, seemingly pained.

“Oh yeah, right,” Xander settled, “He’s got an invite to a party from her Majesty. Needs a date and a couple bodyguards. I was joking about Wednesday, really, it’s not the sort of situation she would enjoy putting up with. I suggested he ask you as his date, while I took one of the guard slots. Not sure about the second, though. Weds could serve in a pinch, but honestly a bored and aggravated Wednesday Addams in close proximity to a bunch of Nobles feels like a bad idea to me.”

“Why Alexander,” Wednesday smiled just slightly, “Are you concerned for me?”

“More for me,” Xander told her. “Burying bodies is a lot of work.”

“Enjoy what you do and you will never work a day in your life,” She told him philosophically.

Xander grinned at her, while Hermione groaned and rubbed her temples.

“She doesn’t mean that,” She assured her parents.

“So sure of that, are you?” Wednesday challenged her before shrugging, “At any rate, all things considered, Alexander is likely right. It would be a tiresome way to end my time here in England. There are still some years left to my education as well, so removing some of your nobility would be counterproductive.”

Hermione looked troubled, “Harry is going to need so much preparation. I need to research.”

*****