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(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He felt Lucius cling to him as he headed for the trees expertly jumping over anything in his way and avoiding anyone still left in the open. Once in the safety of the trees he slowed his gallop to walk, picking his way through the darkness easily.
He heard voices a ways off and headed straight for them. As he stepped into the clearing he found ten wands aimed at him. They all lowered as they realized he was a horse and not an attack. The group appeared to be a group of older teens, most in their early twenties.
"Hey, dude, there's a man with the horse." One piped up.
Lucius let out an exasperated sigh already. Harry gave a whinny of amusement.
"Is there a healer around?" Lucius drawled.
"I know a few spells." A girl said stepping forwards. "I'm still an apprentice but you don't look to hurt."
"My shoulder is cut and my ankle is twisted." Lucius said blandly.
"Easy." The girl snorted.
Harry lowered Lucius to the ground and stood by as he waited for the girl to finish.
"This your trained pet or something?" One of the other guys asked holding a hand up for Harry to smell.
Harry snorted at him. Lucius glanced at him. Harry shook his head in a way that Lucius took to be an 'okay'.
"He's an animagus." Lucius said shortly, wincing as the wound on his shoulder slowly closed.
"Cool!" The boy said more eagerly, looking at Harry.
Harry threw his head as if to say he wouldn't be changing back at the moment.
When Lucius was fully healed he offered his thanks and the two headed off again, this time Lucius walking with a hand to his back instead of riding. Once out of view Harry shifted seamlessly to his grim form and sniffed the air. He turned slightly and led Lucius off to where he smelled Narcissa and Draco. As they reached the area where the other two Malfoys were waiting Lucius caught on.
Harry stopped when Lucius understood his family now waited just behind a few trees. Lucius paused with him. For a long moment Lucius was silent.
"You're not returning to Hogwarts are you." Lucius stated.
Harry shook his head in agreement.
"I will be taking my OWLS as soon as possible." Harry said, changing his voice box back to human.
"If you run into any problems, contact me." Lucius said. "I'll get you in within an hour of a call."
Harry smiled, though it looked more like a dark grin in his Grim form.
"Thank you Lucius."
Lucius paused.
"That's the first time you've called me by my first name." He said.
Harry raised a brow at him. The blonde smirked then nodded once. He then straightened, brushing his robe smooth.
"Wait," Harry called as he took a step.
Lucius raised a brow at him but paused all the same.
"Next time you come to my café, could you bring Snape?"
"Severus?" Lucius asked, a slight frown tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Yes. I have to talk to him, but knowing Snape he won't come just because of that."
Lucius's lips twitched at the description but he nodded all the same. And then he was through the trees and meeting a relieved Narcissa and Draco. Harry watched as they vanished with a crack.
The demon woman he had summoned appeared with nary a sound not even a second later.
"All the men are dealt with." She said in a soft voice. "They have been restrained and left for your people to retrieve."
"Thank you." Harry said, still in Grim form.
He lips twitched into a smirk.
"It was fun, call me again should you need any assistance in battle."
Then she grabbed his left paw and nicked it with her finger. He felt the familiar spark of magic and then she vanished with a puff of smoke. Harry knew when he changed back to human he would have another tattooed band on his left wrists.
He breathed out in a rush and looked to the sky. He'd have to go find the others before they started to worry
Harry found himself face to face with a 'Knife Bird'. It chirped mechanically.
"Please lead me to the other summoner here."
Tracking Demon Beasts had the ability to sense necromancers which were fairly uncommon. The knife bird squawked but took off at a pace Harry could follow.
.-.
"Harry."
His name was only a breathless whisper of relief from the tall redhead. Valentine picked him up like he was nothing but a small child and stroked his hair with on free hand as he hugged Harry close.
"We were worried." Valentine breathed as he buried his face in Harry's hair. "Your magic was tied to your wards in a way and we felt it flare in one brilliant burst."
Harry shrugged the knowledge away as he clung to the tall vampire.
"I missed you." He admitted.
Even if it had only been a day he'd missed his friends. He felt Valentine's natural wild magic brush against his own and took comfort in the familiarity. Harold clapped him on the back as he absently examined Xi-Wong from the corner of his eyes. Dudley had appeared amazed at Xi-Wong's appearance and was shyly sitting next to the demon at the table. The tent they had set up was nice, but not extravagant. It had two bedrooms, a large living room, a small cooking area, and a bathroom.
We'll have to set up a bed on one of the couches for our new guest." Valentine said softly.
"I brought my own tent." Harry replied.
"Ah." Valentine said. "Do you wish for help setting it up?"
"That would be nice."
They slipped from the tent and right next to it set up Harry's smaller one. When it was set up and the magic activated Harry stepped in. It was the same from Egypt with a small sitting room and kitchen, a bedroom and bathroom. The sitting room had two chairs and a small wooden table. The bedroom had a twin bed. Tan rugs covered the floor to match the tan walls. Harry lit the lamp hanging above the table as it was around six and from their position in the valley of the hill the sun was fading.
"Hey!"
Harry jolted at the familiar cry.
He hurried out the door, Valentine hot on his heels. He stepped out to find Ron Weasely pointing at Dudley with a frown. Ron himself was standing in front of the next tent over. Arthur Weasely was crouched beside him happily trying to light a fire with muggle matches. Ron caught sight of Harry while Dudley frowned in confusion.
"Harry!"
Harry grinned at Ron and hugged him back as the boy clamped him in a hug.
"Harry's here?" Came a familiar voice.
Hermione flew from the tent and squealed launching herself at the two boys. They all went down in a heap, laughing.
"Harrykins is here?"
The two twins quickly joined them in the dog pile while Arthur watched smiling but bemused and Percy sniffed. Ginny stood beside them smiling slightly. When they stood Harry smiled at all his friends.
"How lucky can you get?" Ron asked with a grin, "Camping right next to us?"
Harry laughed and clapped him on the back.
"I thought you couldn't come Harry." Arthur frowned. "Dumbledore said you couldn't."
"Last minute change of plans." He said smoothly. "And I ended up with my own tickets, but thanks for inviting me."
Arthur relaxed and smiled.
"And who are your friends Harrykins?" George and Fred asked together.
Valentine mouthed the nickname back at him and Harry shot him a frown.
"This is my cousin Dudley." Harry said easily pointing to Dudley who waved shyly.
The twins frowned and Harry sent them a stern expression and they held their hands up in surrender.
"And this is Valentine and Harold. They're both friends of the family sent to watch over us while we're here."
The two gave short nods of their heads and shook Arthur's hand.
"And this is Xi-Wong, a neighbour." Harry smiled. "He decided to camp with us instead of alone."
Xi-Wong gave a curt bow of his head.
"Ah, well, I'm going to keep trying to get my fire going." Arthur said jovially.
Harry waved to Dudley and handed him one of the bags from shopping. Dudley looked at it confused.
"It has hotdogs, marshmallows, and some smokies in it with all the buns and condiments." Harry grinned at the boy. "You can share with the Weasely family. Arthur will love it. Put the extras in the icebox."
Dudley nodded quickly and hurried over. Harry got dragged back to the Weasely side of the camp where Fred and George started in on some story, Ron eagerly helped Dudley with the food, and Hermione helped Arthur with the fire. Valentine dragged a chair over and watched the chaos with a smile and Harold disappeared back in their tents. Xi-Wong sat silently next to Valentine and the red head soon drew him into a soft spoken conversation
Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.
You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.
Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!
http//patreon.com/BLAKE025
(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~