22 August 1994
By the prinking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.
The famous quote was delivered in Shakespeare's Macbeth by a witch and came from ancient Roman superstitions. The Romans didn't talk about feeling the hairs on the back of their neck raise when they sensed danger. Instead they spoke of prickling sensations on their thumbs as a harbinger of danger. This stayed with many of old magical families able to trace their lineage back to before the split between the magical and mundane world.
The three old witches sat around their fire happily gossiping about events that happened long ago in low voices broken occasionally by the loud cackling laugh. An iron pot supported by a wrought iron tripod hung over the fire and an odd green stew bubbled merrily inside. None of the witches cared in the least that they perfectly reflected a Muggle's view of stereotypical witches.
As one they suddenly stopped talking. They turned to face a small clearing not too far from their spot. Hands moving to wands as the three prepared to face a great danger.
An instant later, two men and a teenage boy appeared in the spot. One man was well-groomed with a tight goatee and close-cut black hair streaked with some white at the temples. He also wore expensive looking silk robes. The boy wore similar robes but his black hair was messy and defiant. The boy's eyes were a beautiful green shade but they could sense a power there waiting to be unleashed. The second man looked a bit worn as did his robes but he seemed cheerful as he pointed the other two towards the Ministry personal registering new arrivals. It did not escape the witches that the rumpled but cheerful wizard was also a werewolf.
The boy glanced over at the three witches and smiled. It was not a hostile or condescending smile. It was amused, excited, and more than a bit mischievous.
When the three had passed out of sight the witches turned to each other.
"Should we leave sisters?" one asked.
"It will be dangerous to remain," the second commented.
"I didn't sense evil from them," the third allowed. "The boy is a keystone."
"Should we ward our site and observe then?" the first suggested.
"By the prinking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes," the second witch cackled. Seeing the odd looks from her friends she said defensively, "What? It's tradition!"
"Right," the third replied. "You two start the wards. I'll go get us some more Firewhiskey. If we are going to have to watch this, we might as well enjoy it."
....
Harry was having his best summer ever. Since entering the Wizarding World, Harry spent almost no time with the Dursleys. The summer after his first year had been spent primarily with Ernie's family with only a few weeks with the Dursleys. His second summer he never even saw his 'family' as he bounced from Ernie's, to Ron's, and to Neville's houses. But this summer blew them all away.
Sirius bought a townhouse in the Holland Park area of London. The old dog bought the house and then promptly seduced the attractive estate agent to 'break-in' his new place he dubbed the Marauder's Den. The former prisoner collected a sizable payment from the Ministry to settle his claims for false imprisonment as he never had a trial. He also learned he also had complete control over the Black family estate. His mother had burnt him off the family tree before his Sixth year, but his father never completed the formal act of disinheriting him. A letter left in the vault from his father said the while the Black family supported the Dark Lord it was not a bad thing to have a member on the Light side in case the Dark Lord failed so that the family continued. The elder Mr Black died shortly after his only surviving son's arrest. Sirius's mother only died after Harry had started Hogwarts but lacked the authority to block Sirius's inheritance. While Magical Britain was sure of her son's guilt, Walburga knew her disappointing eldest son would never serve the Dark Lord or turn on "that Blood Traitor Potter and his Mudblood whore". Sirius suspected the old witch actually bribed Ministry officials to ensure his lack of trial never became known. However, with Walburga's death and Sirius's exoneration, the full Black inheritance was his. Sirius swore never to live in the old Black property again He planned on clearing the house out after Harry left for school before selling it to Muggles.
Harry loved being in the middle of London. There was always something going on. The three Marauders enjoyed exploring it all. There were museums, embassies, shops, theatres and all sorts of other places to see. Harry actually got to watch a film crew in production not far from his new house. He loved it when he was pulled in as an extra during a scene. He just had to sit at a table drinking tea while the scene was filmed. The young starlet in the film was just a bit older than he was and very easy on the eyes. And Kensington Park itself was great fun for a faux-werewolf at night. In fact, Harry's only complaint was his godfather was attempting to make up for his time in Azkaban when the single ladies of Britain were 'deprived' of his company in a single summer.
Thank Merlin Remus was around to cast the Silencing Charms or Mr Jack would have run away to the nearest forest.
"Any of your friends coming to the Cup?" Remus asked Harry as they made their way across the campgrounds.
"I know Seamus is here with Ireland playing," Harry answered. "Ron's father couldn't afford tickets and Neville's grandmother didn't want to 'mingle with the common folk'. Ernie and Susan are supposed to be here though."
"Not Padma?" Sirius slyly asked with a suggestive grin. Harry ignored the grin and frowned. His relationship with his 'girlfriend' of a year was an innocent thing- mostly handholding on Hogsmeade trips with the occasional hugs or kisses on the cheek thrown in. The girls gushed at the 'romance' while his mates took the mickey out of him every chance they got.
"No, she and Parvati aren't back from her grandparents in India. Her last letter said they wouldn't be back until just before school started."
"Our tent should be just ahead," Remus announced changing the subject. "Dobby set it up last week when the sites first opened up. Harry smiled at the mention of his elf friend. The little free elf had decided 'Great Harry Potter,sir' needed a personal assistant. Dobby was turning out to be a God-send to the trio of bachelors but sometimes Harry found his devotion a bit… frightening.
Spotting their tent, Remus said, "The match doesn't start until tomorrow so we have the rest of today to enjoy ourselves, explore the merchant stalls, and…"
"And scout out the local talent," Sirius inserted with a suggestive grin. "Well, those of us that are legal or not grumpy old men anyway."
"You are not setting a good example for Harry," Remus commented with a frown.
Sirius looked offended. "I am setting a very good example for my godson! Prongs was almost as good as the great Padfoot in pulling in the pretty birds! Well, at least until Lily put a leash on his… neck." Remus just sighed in resignation over his Peter Pan-like friend.
"Don't worry, Moony," Harry said as he patted the older man on the shoulder comfortingly. "I'm sure Padfoot will be on his best behaviour."
"And what makes you think a ridiculous thing like that, prongslet?" Sirius challenged.
Harry gave a particularly wolf-like smile. "Because Mr Moony, if Mr Padfoot wakes Mr Jack up again with his antics, then Mr Jack will provide some antics of his own."
Sirius grinned in return. "Little wizard thinks he's up to a prank war with the great Padfoot? Challenge accepted. Now if you'll excuse me, I feel I must go scout the territory so to speak." The former prisoner gave a little wave and disappeared into the crowd.
...
Want to read ahead. Then Join my Pa*treon for the mass release of 60+ chapters that has happened.
Even Free members can enjoy 2+ advanced chapters FOR FREE.
Link: p*atreon.com/Divine_Quill (Remove the *)
Join Right Now