Chapter 3

Sister Gisele hugged Harry as he went to go off 'alone' with Hagrid. This was very odd for Harry, as all of the times that he wished Petunia had hugged him, she never had, until now.

But Harry knew it wasn't really his aunt, just looked like her. Brother Paddy had gotten the hairs from the original family. Including Dudley if needed.

"I'll be back at seventeen hundred, um, six o'clock." Sister Gisele fumbled.

"Five o'clock, Auntie. I'll be here, even if we are not done yet."

"Right. Stay safe, now. Mind your manners!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

That last was all Sister Gisele, and no doubt!

Hagrid was a friendly enough fellow. Clearly Dumbledore's man. Pointing out the obvious, skipping the most important, and glossing over the rough edges of the scene.

Still, even with all of the practice for this day, Harry was definitely overwhelmed.

The plan for the bank went right out the window when Hagrid added a stop at a vault. 'Business for Dumbledore' could be anything, but the boy was rather intrigued by the size of the small packet.

Unsure of any safety protocols in place, Harry left well enough alone.

He had been sorely disappointed by his own visit to his vault. He had been looking forward to this for months! The Potters were supposed to be excellent Potioneers, and his mother had invented several improvements to Wolfsbane and other potions in her short time on Earth.

Where were her books? His family's books? Notes? Family Grimoire? Here there were only disappointing coins. Only money. No pictures, no diaries or journals, no old weapons or treasure boxes.

Nothing even remotely like a family school chest that Brother Paddy had assured him had been put in his vault.

Harry stopped at the counter, and made an appointment to talk to a manager about this. Maybe there was a mistake, or maybe James and Lily Potter had other vaults.

Or maybe everything that wasn't gold was destroyed that night, and he should be grateful for what he had.

Harry dutifully went with Hagrid, but was secretly overjoyed when the man took sick.

"Hagrid! You don't want to leave some package sitting on a table with you feeling unwell! Here, let's go get a high security trunk, and then you can have a pick-me-up knowing that it's safe."

Pressing a couple of coins into the large man's hand may have been going a bit too far, but Harry remembered not having money for a chocolate bar, or other things.

It was not a pleasant feeling.

Harry went to the loo of the trunk shop and opened Hagrid's package. He took out his emergency kit, and picked a small ruby. It had flaws, and was meant to be sacrificed for a ritual. Well, it shouldn't be destroyed doing this, but transfiguration wasn't his strong suit. Getting a reasonable copy of the crystalline structured whatever, he sighed, and wrapped it up in the paper. As for the original, he dropped a portkey on it, and sent it to the boffins back at the school.

Let them worry about what it was and did.

Harry took time to talk with the trunk maker to see if he remembered the Potter family trunk, which the man did.

"Oh, yes. I'm surprised that you are not using it. Someone brought it in for you when you were a baby, make sure the enchantments still worked and all."

"Well, until it's found, I will suffice with this. I may have to post something in the paper." Harry stated, and the man nodded, approving that plan.

"Yes, someone likely stored it for you, and then forgot all about it. Well, with you going to school and all now, they'll be in touch! You'll see!"

The shop owner clearly wasn't responsible for the missing trunk.

Just then the chime rang at the door, soft and melodic. Harry thought it should have been completely different music for the monster that just strode in.

Harry gave his mirror the quick double-tap signal of danger. Even the shop manager recognized the potential for disaster here. Not everyone had believed this man as innocent as he claimed to be.

"Well, well. Who do we have here, and all alone?" The man known to Harry as Lucius Malfoy purred. His snake handled cane was thought to contain poison on the fangs, and it was coming far too close to his face!

But the shop owner hadn't sorted Gryffindor because he preferred red and gold.

"Mr. Malfoy. I thought that you already picked up your son's green and silver decorated trunk."

"It's Lord Malfoy, shop-keep."

"Right. Lord Malfoy of the Wizengamot. How can I help you?" The shopkeeper's tone reminded him that his courtesy title came from the seat he occupied. One that had been given him by Minister Fudge after the whole fiasco with the Boy-Who-Lived claiming the Black seat. One Malfoy didn't have to pay a million galleons to maintain, as it was held only for so long as the Minister allowed. And clearly, the owner of the shop didn't think that the next Minister would be so unwise in his choice of supporters!

The shopkeeper had physically blocked Malfoy from coming any closer. Bless him!

"Please remove yourself. I was about to meet someone that I was told was important to this world. But it can't be him. Can it? This mu-muggleborn?" Malfoy sneered.

"Don't mind the clothes. Just muggle fashion." If you're a whale and into rags, that is. Which he was neither. Harry spoke quite calming as Charles Hector entered the shop and was directly behind the Death Eater.

"It's rude to speak to your betters without saying sir!" Lucius Malfoy drawled.

"Oh, no need to call me sir. I'm not a knight. Well, not yet. Let see what the future holds."

The man went red, and started to pull his wand.

"Mr. Malfoy, if you are not here to buy anything, please leave. I have a customer that needs kitting out. Thank you for your patronage, and have a nice day!"

The large shop owner had put Harry behind the counter at this point, and was practically shouting by the time that he got to the magically opened double doors. Lucius finally noticed the large dangerous looking man who had his wand out behind him. The dark-skinned man was far too obviously a bodyguard not to be taken as one, even if he was dressed as a British auror.

People were peeking in, and a couple more burly aurors were coming their way. Frustrated and red, Malfoy glared at Harry, turned and stalked off.

"You have a dangerous enemy there, young Master Harry. And all for things you did as a babe. I daresay you won't remember naught of it."

"Only the green light, and high pitched laughter. And then hunger sir. Please, my relatives, they don't like me much. Can I please get a second trunk that's like a muggle cooler? Do you know what that is?"

"We can do better than that lad, we can do much better than that. Now, what's your budget?"

"After what you just did for me sir? Keeping me safe? I'm happy to spend what I need to." Harry said, as Charles smoothly went back invisible again.

"Oh, twert nothin' lad. Malfoy won't dare do anything to me directly. But his wife? She's a Black. All dark wizards them. Not a good one in the bunch. Beware of 'em."

"I will sir. Now, I am a hungry lad, and hoping to get something that will help with that!"

The shop owner laughed, and went to get some samples.

**OO**

"It's good of you to make time to meet with me, Prime Minister." Lieutenant Granger said.

"Nonsense. National security, and dealing with them can be tricky.

"Yes sir. I came here to give you a gift, one that I hope that you never need. This one is part of a single pairing, meant to be used in case of dire emergency only. The other half is somewhere secret but monitored. They are expecting a test call and I will show you how to use it."

"Do you expect a dire emergency?"

"Not at this time, but projections are in the next three to five years. Yes sir. Small terrorist attacks, followed by random disappearances will signal the start of hostilities."

"We have that now. How will we know?"

"When it is odd disappearances and unusual terrorist activity." Dan Granger handed over a folder. So far, they had carefully avoided using the words 'Magic' or 'Ministry of Magic' both known to get the attention of the sleeping portrait in his office.

The man read the file, and at a wave, the room was secured magically for a few minutes.

"A magic mirror? How am I supposed to activate it? I'm surely not the most beautiful of them all!" The man laughed.

The Prime Minister was shown how to use his mirror. There had been enough problems with the British Ministry that it had been voted by the Knight's High Council to offer this to the muggles. It would give the knights legal sanction to operate in their borders, even without the British Ministry of Magic knowing.

The Prime Minister signed the agreement, and gave it to now Captain Granger. He would be the official liaison officer to the Order. The wizard in the room now revealed himself, and made a copy for the muggle to keep.

The Grangers had no intention of allowing their underage daughter back into Britain without them coming as well. Which was just as well, and allowed them to meet up with Professor McGonagall. Why Harry got the groundskeeper, and Hermione the deputy of the school, they could not figure out.

Neville had decided to try and build some kind of relationship with his grandmother and had gone to Cherry Hill.

**OO**

Hagrid was relieved and grateful at the end of the day when Harry pulled his special package from the locked chest. Harry had all of his books, telescope, potions ingredients, extra potion making supplies as recommended by the shop owner, and three additional beginning brewing guides, and several extra things not on the approved list.

Harry drooled on but did not buy the newest English broom. The one that was supposed to be in his tent was better in most ways, but this one would be what Paddy would call sexier. Prettier. Sister Gisele was nearby and would know he thought that. Yeah, his broom was just fine. Um, better, yeah better.

Harry did get a catalog though, just in case the wrapped package was a dog biscuit. With Brother Paddy, one never knew.

Tom the barkeep came over and gave Harry advice on how to pack his new trunk. Harry wound up adding in three cases of butterbeer and three cases of various snacks in stasis. Then his auntie arrived right on time.

"Got all your things? And your stick too?"

"Yes, I got my wand and things. I suppose you want to hold onto it?"

"No, put it away."

Tom allowed Harry to stow the wand, and he shrunk the trunk. The barkeep showed Harry how to unshrink it without getting in trouble for underage magic.

"Let's get going. The car is on top of the meter." Sister Gisele's voice in Petunia's body said.

"On the meter, Auntie." Harry whispered. "Unless you're having parking problems. Again."

Giving him an all too familiar scowl, Harry picked up the now shrunken trunk and put it in his pocket.

They were heading out the door, just barely in the ward line of the Leaky, when the Death Eater came back.

Harry's real Aunt would never be so cavalier with magic. Of course, his real Aunt wouldn't stare down Lucius Malfoy like he was a bug.

"So you're Petunia Evans. You look nothing like your sister. Now, I have to say, she was gorgeous. For a mud...muggleborn."

"Thank you, Lord Malfoy. I've never been called ugly quite so clearly before without the words. You are called many words as well. Handsome, devilishly so. I can believe the devilish part."

"Watch your tone, woman, or you'll suffer the consequences. I didn't get a chance to talk to Harry here a little while ago, and wanted to introduce myself. No wonder your manners are so poor. No, you do have that in common with your sister. She was a little toe-rag herself, and didn't know when to mind her manners. Look at where that got her."

Harry wanted to duck. He had seen grown knights turn to blibbering jelly. Lucius Malfoy didn't recognize the look on her face or the dangerous look.

"Lily Potter was brave and beautiful, and faced bullies like you with her wand in her hand. What exactly do you think she was doing wrong the night she died? She was at home, with her husband and son. She had just given her baby a bath, sang him a lullaby, and then your master came to call. He couldn't break her spirit, he could only kill her body. You don't frighten me, Death Eater. You're a cockroach that runs away when the lights come on. Let me tell you, little man. Run away. Fast and far. Leave me and mine alone, or you won't like the consequences of YOUR manners!"

Lucius Malfoy paled at this. He looked up, noticed where he was, and walked quickly back into the Leaky Cauldron.

Tom started the clapping. "Bless ye, mum. Bless ye. Never thought I would live to see the day when that man was put in his place."

Several people came up to shake 'Petunia's' hand, but one woman, a blonde, stopped short.

"You may think that you have won here, tonight. But you have made dangerous enemies, when we could have been friends."

"And you are?"

"Narcissa Malfoy, born under the House of Black. A House that I intend to see is never ruled by a half-blood." She looked at Harry as though he were less than dirt.

"Well, isn't that nice. Tell me, if someone had lost half of their blood, wouldn't they be dead? And doesn't marrying a man who is your cousin, 2nd cousin, brother and uncle going just a bit far on the blood purity? When your family tree is a bush, or worse a raggedy branch, don't you think that there are going to be issues? Serious issues? Just how many children did you have before Draco, and how many are in Hogwarts? Did you know that those are recorded publicly. Don't annoy me, Mrs. Malfoy. I know how to use the internet, a telephone, and how to do all kinds of genealogy research. And publishing said in a newspaper isn't illegal as long as it is true. Did you have four grandparents? Or did you just have the one set? You don't scare me, and neither does your husband. Annoy me, and I will publish, even if I have to do it in the muggle world."

"How dare you?" The witch demanded, losing her disdain, and displaying true anger.

"I dare just fine, Mrs. Malfoy. How dare you?" Sister Gisele didn't even break a sweat.

And with that, 'Aunt Petunia' took Harry's hand and started to walk away. They both quickly whipped around at a noise, but it was just a few of the people from the cauldron, warning the witch against making a fuss so close to the muggles.

Several sets of eyes had watched the whole thing.

Harry waited to get back to the car and inside before he spoke again.

"Aunt Petunia, you may not like me very much, but I just want you to know that I think that you are wicked. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart."

"Good to hear, freak. You're in trouble for causing me so many problems. I'm sure I can find some windows to wash, and the car. And the mats need to be shaken out, or better yet, sucked clean."

"Hoovered?"

"That too."

"Yes ma'am!" Harry said, far too cheerfully. They turned down a side street, and then another. Stopping at a small corner grocer, she parked and had him activate the device. Glowing lights lit up all over them.

"Kreature!"

"Yes Master Harry Potter and scary Mistress who looks like muggle."

"Take these, fourteen, fifteen. Wow. Take these seventeen trackers, and put them in the suite."

"Yes Master Harry. Are you going swimming tonight? It might get dangerous."

"I have the gillyweed potion, a knife, a speargun, a wand, and a small battle axe. I guarantee, if I am invited to the pool party..."

Harry grinned evilly at the little man.

"It's going to be. Dangerous. Very, very dangerous."

Kreature cackled before popping away, taking all of the glowing spots with him.

"Brother Paddy wouldn't let you go tonight, even if he was here. And I am, so that is a definite no young man. But you did very well today. I listened and watched the whole time. Well done."

She gave him a rare smile, and a pat on the shoulder.

Harry's first mission for the Order was complete. He sighed.

He just wished he was old enough for the 'pool' party tonight.

Harry prayed that no innocents were hurt.

And no one of the Order as well.

**OO**

"You didn't tell him yet." Regulus accused the man over the mirror.

"No. What am I supposed to say? He thinks that his godfather died in Azkaban. I can't let him know that Peter is alive and well in Britain. Harry would go rat hunting, and he's too young."

"But he won't know to be on guard for him, either." Regulus argued.

"True. But Lucius acted more Gryffindor than Slytherin today. What is the point of trying to attack a child in public?"

"I think that was the point. That they could get away with such. He was likely trying to scare the lad. You saw the article that that Skeeter woman did. Accused the muggle woman of being 'disrespectful' of a great house, and painted Harry as a spoiled brat expecting the world to bow down to him."

"Sister Gisele is a practical no-nonsense woman who has kept warriors in line for decades. I doubt that Cousin Narcissa could ruffle her feathers - with or without a wand in hand."

Sounds of a distant explosion were too close for comfort.

"Well, that was one of the traps. I'd better go." Brother Paddy said, pulling on his fighting robes.

"Be safe, brother mine. I don't want to have to explain all of this to him."

"Let's just get him back, and soon. I don't like him at Hogwarts with so little backup."

"Amen, Brother Paddy. Amen."

**OO**

September 1st came, and Harry Potter was there on the platform with his Aunt 'Petunia' and a large man that had a physical resemblance to but was not Uncle Vernon.

They got him on the train, a simple trunk with most of his first year books and supplies in it. His real trunk was shrunken and in his pocket.

"We'll see you at Christmas. Mind your manners. Make lots of friends." 'Vernon' chided.

A pair of blond adults, and an equally blond child walked by.

"How vile is the air? What is that smell?" Lucius Malfoy drawled.

Sister Gisele wasn't going to put up with racist comments. She fought Grindelwald's forces as part of the underground when she was in her prime. She wasn't for putting up with a wannabe.

"I would have thought you would have potty trained your son by now. Pity. Having accidents at his age under stress is completely normal, but the other boys will tease. I do hope that you can get that under control."

A small pool of pumpkin juice appeared at Draco's feet, though his robes were dry.

Seven invisible guards went into complete alert mode, but neither one of their targets took the bait.

Pity.

Sister Gisele gave Harry some final advice.

"Write often, but do use the normal way. Owls! Feathers and bodily fluids all over. At least they have an excuse for leaving messes everywhere."

Harry had trouble containing his laughter. Part of him wanted to burst into loud guffaws, the other part was on high alert for attack.

Again, the pointed comment was ignored, and the tension in the air was quickly dissipated.

The Malfoys moved on, scowling, but said nothing.

His farewells were sincere enough. He had no close relationship with Sir Jerome, who was pretending to be Vernon. However, Sister Gisele was the guiding female force in his life. A mother to all of the orphans at school, and she did love them all fiercely. But Harry knew that he had a special place in her heart, just has she had in his.

Now, he was fighting tears instead of laughter, but he was a warrior in training, and not one fell.

With quick hugs, Harry was on the train, contemplating the situation and that first night back at the hotel.

The expected attack never happened. One older wizard with a peg leg came by, but didn't stay. Jerome said that he could tell the man had seen him under his invisibility cloak by nodding right at him and mouthing "Constant Vigilance" but didn't linger.

That same wizard was on the platform today, practically begging Malfoy to make a move. No, these Death Eaters weren't going to attack in the light. They had to wear their masks and robes.

Harry pulled a potions supplement to review, and waited for Neville to arrive. Inside the book was a dossier on all of the first years that Gisele could find.

She was a gem!

Now a tear or two did sneak out. Christmas seemed so very far away.

Harry settled in to wait, unsure of what Hogwarts was going to be like, but quite sure of one thing.

He wanted to go home.

**OO**

Brother Paddy, once known as Sirius Black was in trouble. His group was the best, but one of them was bluffing, he was sure of it.

"Call!"

The men were betting with small amounts of luxuries. Cigarettes they weren't supposed to have, contraband liquor.

Paddy pushed in the small pack of lemon drops.

"What?I'll have you know that this is Dumbledore's favorite brand!"

The man holding the winning hand squinted and nodded, accepting the bet.

It was show time.

**OO**

Meeting up with Hermione and Neville on the train was nice, but making other new friends was even better.

"So, you play the game entirely on the ground? No brooms?" Ron asked again.

Dean Thomas was explaining football in the slightly crowded cabin that held himself, Neville, Hermione, Ron Weasley, Lisa Turpin, and of course the famous Harry Potter.

The fact that Ron was the only person not a member of their faith was not a coincidence. Harry had three main missions, but recruiting, while a minor one, was something he was going to start instantly. The Weasleys were a known light family, and Ron had five older brothers.

All with unique skills that the Order would love to have.

"Ron! Dean grew up muggle! Why would he use a broom?"

"Unless we were sweeping the ball into the goal. A sort-of hockey, I suppose." Lisa pondered.

"But, what is the point if you aren't flying?" Ron demanded. "Harry mate, back me up."

"I can't wait to fly. But there really aren't brooms that fly in most muggle neighborhoods. I never saw one in Surrey." Harry said, trying to avoid lying. He didn't want to lie to people he hoped to fight with one day.

Harry had looked at the information that Gisele had gathered. He really did.

For about three minutes, and got up and let magic choose.

Those he wanted to talk to were invited for snacks back in his carriage. And now they were bonding over a love of sport, flying, and magic. Except for Hermione who had abandoned them for a book.

The door opened, but there was no snack lady this time. It was Draco Malfoy and goons.

"Hey, hi Malfoy. Wanna chocolate frog?" Harry offered, pulling a special one from his pocket.

"What? Your aunt insults me and you offer me a treat?"

"Why not?" Harry shrugged.

"Was it that giraffe-necked lady? Oh yeah, she insults everyone." Neville shuddered. "You are not alone."

Draco accepted the gift. "Well, I don't know why you are hanging out with a squib, and as for Weasley you could do much better. This is Crabbe and Goyle."

"Well, everyone, this is Draco Malfoy. On my father's side, we are cousins a couple of times, and on my mother's side, we related if you go back a couple generations. So cousins are the best way to explain the relationship."

"Like Dudley?" Lisa Turpin asked. Harry had complained about his bullying cousin, and pegged Draco as one as well.

"Most definitely. Spot on, and ten points to your house, Ravenclaw, was it?"

"I hope so, my parents would be ever so proud if I made their house. I only hope I'm smart enough."

Hermione put down her book, and asked her a couple of potion questions. Draco started to interrupt, but his answer was wrong anyways.

Harry offered him no insults, and Malfoy became bored. He nodded to his erstwhile host, taking a few more frogs with him.

"I do hope he saves most of those for after the train." Hermione mumbled.

"Why? We've been putting a good dent in Harry's hoard." Lisa asked.

"I don't want him to get a tummy ache." Hermione tried to sound innocent, but had both Harry and Neville wanting to take cover with that tone of voice.

All of Draco's frogs had a special ingredient, and the boxes marked with a purple slash that was nearly unnoticeable, unless you knew what to look for. Which Hermione did. And these doctored frogs did not come from the snack lady.

Harry had bought a full case of the frogs from her, and several of each of the other treats that were available for purchase. Fortunately, the train was well-stocked. They had given her a heads up beforehand, but it was part of the image that he was trying to create.

One he hoped would help recruit others, especially when they saw how advanced he was. And not just him. Hermione and Neville too.

Huh. A pureblood, a half-blood, and a muggleborn. This was not a coincidence. Monseigneur claimed to be a Sytherin from long ago, so Harry had yet more proof that the man was not lying.

Harry turned to his friends, making sure that the 'special' chocolate frogs were secured, and asked about music at Hogwarts.

**OO**

The trip had gone well so far, a few more girls had stopped by, mostly peaking in on the 'Boy-Who-Lived' but Harry took it all in stride.

He was arguing a potion's theory problem with Lisa and Hermione, when suddenly, he felt as if cold egg yolks had been spilled on him. He felt faint, and since he was standing to allow the girls to all have seats, he sat on the floor.

Suddenly, he felt very cold. A wave of sadness overcame him. Pain. Loss. Grief. He heard a bark of grim, and a faint whisper that he was loved, and his family would be waiting for him on the other side.

"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione asked.

Harry shook his head, and shakily stood.

Hiding tears, Harry bolted to the loo and locked the door with wandless magic. The floor here was pristine. Well away from the toilet and sink, Harry sunk to the floor. He tried his mirror, but the wards were too strong, and he could not raise anyone, not even Charles Hector who was supposed to be on the train.

Something bad had happened, that he was sure. And he thought he knew who.

**OO**

Sir Charles Hector was a tall, broad, dark skinned man who looked like a bodyguard and he was a good one too when that was his assignment.

His mother was into spiritual healing, and all sorts of 'interesting' hobbies that included lots of intoxicants. But she didn't care much for her unwanted child. And completely lost it when her son started having 'episodes'.

Charles was six year old when he was abandoned at a church somewhere in the Caribbean Islands, where his talents brought him to Rome.

Sister Gisele hugged him! Right there in front of everyone! She didn't care that his skin was black, and hers was white, or that he was scared and alone. When she held him like that, he was no longer afraid. She told him that they were related, and in private he could call her auntie.

It wasn't until he was much older that he found out she told everyone that, but then, she truly loved all of the orphans and foundlings there.

Like Harry, Charles took to magic like a duck to water, and soon he too was on the path to being a knight.

Sir Hector had signed up for his initial ten-year contract, and then renewed that. He was a year away from making a decision to stay or go.

This plum assignment was meant to give him some downtime. Like other knights, he had cycled in and out from teaching. Once Harry was officially his squire, High Command had tried to keep his time away from the school limited so he could concentrate on Harry Potter.

Sister Gisele was a contract courier for Gringotts, something that was in place well before she took her vows. Not something they used often, but the bank did work with them in secret. Their remit, his and Sister Gisele's, was to be here a few days, make sure that the children were going to be safe at Hogwarts, get something done with Harry's non-gold inheritance, and a few other errands.

It was an honor to watch over Sister Gisele, but she hated being shepherded, and would often disappear without escort.

And later be chided for it.

He would do his best to keep his auntie safe, but he knew that being here was dangerous.

The blood-war wasn't over. There were too many children that the Order hadn't rescued that had been recorded as magical, but were no longer alive. People like him, who didn't have several generations of witches and wizards in their line, who were looked down on by society. That was when they weren't murdered outright.

Charles had fought all over the world. He had seen innocents used in horrific rituals to extend life or try and bring back ancient powers. He knew that fighting the physical battle was only part.

And he didn't know how to overcome the prejudice. Violence solved some issues, but caused others. No, violence wasn't always the best solution, but somethings it was the only tool one had.

Evildoers were everywhere. Too often reading from evil books who just wanted to trap souls and whose promises would never come true. No,the actors of the rituals would never gain the powers or results that they really wanted.

Charles was thirty four years old by the calendar, but probably a decade older than that due to timing. He was debating staying in for another year, or getting married. Not that he had anyone in mind.

Sister Gisele had told him it wasn't a sin to retire and raise a family, but an honorable path. The Order would provide him a house when he left, and he could do anything he wanted. She promised to visit, and knowing her, seeing her visit her other 'children' knew she would keep that promise.

He strolled down the train corridor, keeping an eye on all of the progeny of known Death Eaters, and would check in again on Harry soon.

No one would be stupid enough to attack Harry Potter on the train to Hogwarts.

**OO**

What did happen in Argentina would take days to find out, but a new ghost joined the castle. A very, very unexpected help to Peeves, the Chaos twins, the Order and Harry himself for the time he was there.

But that was in the future. In the moment, Harry took time to feel his grief, and let tears flow. A knock at the door reminded him that other people would need the facilities. He used them, and washed his face, and then scented the air with one of the pranks from his pocket.

"I think I got a bad frog." Harry stated loudly, using another prank to spread the bad smell.

"Outta my way!" Draco screamed, pushing back the small line of boys waiting for the gents.

Charles was there in a second, helping Harry up, and checking on the other boys that had been knocked to the ground.

"I would recommend a different section of the train." Harry said, clutching his stomach.

The commotion had alerted Percy, who dispensed stomach soother and pats on the shoulder. He eyed Charles, and clearly thought better of asking the man in auror robes to move along.

Hermione came out of their cabin, tears in her eyes as well. Neville followed her out, concern written all over his face.

Charles waved the trio to the end of that section of train, and put up a privacy charm.

"Harry?" Sir Hector asked.

"What happened?" Hermione whispered.

"Brother Paddy. I'm certain of it. He was on that bad job in Argentina. The one that we aren't supposed to know about."

"The group of not-former-enough Death Eaters trying to resurrect their master?" Neville asked.

"Yeah, Monseigneur was tracking this group for a while. The Order was going to sabotage a ritual, I think. But it needed the blood of an enemy to work. But would then go kaboom in a big way."

"Big enough to kill everyone around?" Charles prodded.

Harry nodded. Having 'accidentally' seen the calculations, Harry was sure that Brother Paddy had slipped an order of magnitude, and Harry risked punishment by arguing with him about it. But Brother Paddy was sure it was fine.

Great at so many things, but it was maths that might have killed him, and Harry said so.

Charles Hector shook his head. He was terrible at arithmancy. Maybe he should brush up during his down time.

Hermione gasped, but it was Neville who added "I knew maths were evil and out to get us. Dangerous and evil."

"Neville!" Hermione whined, and chased him back to their compartment.

He meant it seriously, but it did help lift Harry's spirits a bit.