Make A Wish By: Rorschach's Blot 35 *Chapter 35*: Surprise

Surprise

"Welcome back," the Professor smiled. "I trust you had a good time . . . how's the child."

"We had a good time," Harry nodded. "And the child is fine, they even made me her G.o.dfather."

"Congratulations," the Professor smiled. "If you don't mind, I was hoping to make a quick stop on the island so that you can put up a few wards and after that . . . well, you see it's like this . . . Henchgirl?"

"The Professor and I have a conference we'd like to attend in America," Henchgirl spoke up. "So we'll have to hurry if we want to get there on time."

"So we won't be able to make many stops between here and the United States," the Professor smiled nervously.

"Ok," Harry nodded. "I have to be in England in a few days so I don't mind us hurrying a bit . . . when do you have to be in the United States?"

"I was hoping to be there in the next twenty four hours," the Professor shrugged. "It's not a very long conference . . . at least not the part we're interested in."

"Sure," Harry nodded. "Will we be able to make it to England in the next few days?"

"Certainly," the Professor nodded. "Why?"

"Because there's something in Sweden that I'd like to do in three days and I have to be back in England for something long term after that," Harry shrugged. "Sorry to spring this on you."

"Quite alright," the Professor waved it off. "Henchgirl . . . full speed ahead."

"Why are you telling me that," Henchgirl glared. "You're the one hogging the controls again."

"Silence wench," the Professor screamed. "When I say all ahead full or full speed ahead or any sort of nautical term, you say aye aye Captain."

"No," Henchgirl turned up her nose.

"You will do as I say," the Professor walked up to Henchgirl and glared up at her.

"Make me," Henchgirl glared down.

"Alright I will," the Professor nodded. "Mr. Black, let me borrow your personal defence device."

"I'm staying out of this," Harry began backing away from his two squabbling friends.

"Give it to him," Henchgirl shrugged. "Little shrimp's gonna need all the help he can get."

"Bye now," Harry walked out of the room as fast as he could.

Henchgirl walked over to the door and stuck her head out, "he's gone."

"Excellent," the Professor nodded. "Now it's time to discuss that thing that we do not wish him to know that we are discussing because it would ruin the surprise."

"He's not here," Henchgirl blinked. "So you don't have to be evasive."

"Oh," the Professor blinked. "Right."

IIIIIIIIII

"The odd couple asked me to come down here and tell you that we've arrived on the island," the Doctor stuck her head through Harry's doorway.

"Thanks," Harry yawned. "I'll be right out."

"Been busy?" The Doctor glanced around the small cabin, paying particular attention to the piles of books and scrolls.

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I've been researching every ward I could find, some of the Egyptian ones are really nasty."

"Gonna put them up?" The Doctor raised her eyebrow.

"I'm thinking about it," Harry nodded. "Depends on if I can find a way to make all the wards work together."

"Good luck then," the Doctor shrugged. This wasn't really her area of expertise.

"Thanks," Harry put on his jacket. "Let's go."

"Right behind you," the Doctor smirked.

Harry walked out of his room and into the Professor, "I see that the Doctor told you that we've arrived."

"Yes," Harry nodded. "I've also been doing some research on wards, I think I've figured out a way to get all of these to work together."

"Let me see that please," the Professor held out his hand. "Yes . . . it looks like you've been able to work everything out."

"Will it work with the wards that you've been developing?" Harry blinked, "or the wards that the Architect is or has put up?"

"They should work . . ." The Professor squinted at Harry's notes, "give me a minute."

"Alright," Harry watched as the Professor made several additional notes.

"Henchgirl, take a look at this." The Professor bellowed.

"Not so loud," Henchgirl glared. "I'm standing right here."

"Take a look at this," the Professor handed Henchgirl the notes. "Tell me what you think."

"They should work," Henchgirl gave a slow nod. "I'd like to get the Architect's opinion before we start everything though."

"I'd appreciate that," Harry nodded. "I'm always happy to get a second, third, or even fifteenth opinion."

"Do you mind if I add a few . . . of my family's wards?" The Doctor cut in, "I'm also going to want to add a few things to the Hospital."

"Consult with the Architect," the Professor suggested. "He's the expert with wards . . . you might also want to look over his hospital designs."

"Thanks," the Doctor nodded. "I'll do that."

"This way," the Professor gestured. "The Architect put in a dock for the Zeppelin so we won't be porting down."

"Cool," Harry shrugged.

The group walked towards the nose of the Zeppelin and emerged on a large raised stone platform.

"Glad you could make it," the Architect smiled. "We've just finished the foundation and we're ready to lay the corner stone."

"Great," Harry nodded. "I a.s.sume we're going to tie the wards to the cornerstone?"

"Yes," the Architect nodded. "The first few layers anyway. There are several fingers of rock jutting out of the ocean around the island. My current plan is to erect several towers on these fingers of rock to extend the reach of the wards and to put in a few more layers."

"Sounds good," Harry nodded. "Could you take a look at these notes? I think we've managed to get all these wards to work together but I'd still appreciate your opinion."

"Let me look at that," the Architect nodded. "Do you mind if I make a few changes?"

"Please," Harry nodded.

"All of these will work with the Goblin wards that I'm planning to erect," the Architect made a few notes. "But I think you can tighten them up if you make these changes, it also closes a small gap you left here."

"I see," Harry nodded. "Thanks . . . when do we start?"

"To make things as effective as possible, you're going to have to start casting the second the stone falls into its final position and you won't be able to stop until all these wards are placed."

"I'm not sure I have that much energy," Harry admitted with a frown. "I'll do my best but . . ."

"We've already taken care of that," the Doctor smiled. "Over the past two weeks, Henchgirl and I have been brewing a few potions to take care of that little problem . . . the minus side of that is that you won't be able to cast more then the most basic spells for about a day after the casting."

"That's fine," Harry took a breath. "Show us the way."

"I'll give you the tour," the Architect smiled. "To start with, this is not the Zeppelin's permanent berth. We've incorporated a dock in the main building's final design."

"Excellent," the Professor nodded.

"This way," the Architect led the group down a narrow path. "To our left is some temporary housing for the workers and for the people you've sent us."

"What people?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Several Yuki Onna," the Architect smiled. "They're a G.o.d send, without them we wouldn't have had a chance to get so far along. They've managed to keep the worst storms away, with them around there is no chance that we'll miss a day because of the weather."

"I'm glad they're working out," Harry nodded. "So they're happy here?"

"Oh yes," the Architect nodded. "Tremendously happy."

"Good," Harry smiled. "I'm glad."

"And here we come to the building site," the Architect smiled.

"Wow," Harry stared down at the large pit. "Why did you dig so deep?"

"I wanted to put in a few underground levels," the Architect replied proudly. "And I guess I got carried away, eventually I hope to have tunnels and vaults under every square inch of this island . . . it's enough to keep me busy for years."

"Great," Harry shrugged. "Where's the cornerstone?"

"That's it right behind you," the Architect's grin nearly split his face."

"That is the cornerstone?" Harry's eyes widened as he took in the fifty ton rectangular rock, "It's bigger then the house I grew up in."

"Megalithic construction is the only way to go," the Architect smirked. "When it's finished you wont be able to fit a razer blade through the seams. It is more difficult then normal methods but it will last forever and it's much stronger."

"How are you going to get it in place?" Harry couldn't believe it was possible to build anything with things that big.

"It's already been heavily enchanted to allow me to do this myself," the Architect smiled. "It took three teams of goblins two weeks to get it right . . . construction will speed up after this when I bring in the machinery and allow the construction teams to do their jobs."

"Why didn't you have them help you with this?" Harry couldn't tear his eyes away from the giant stone.

"It's traditional for the builder to set the first stone," the Architect shrugged. "Who knows if that tradition is there for a reason . . . better safe than sorry."

"And it gives you a bit of the glory right off," Harry smiled. "Ok . . . let's do this."

"Alright," the Architect began chanting under his breath in an unrecognisable language.

"It's moving," Henchgirl cried out.

A line of sweat made its way down the Architect's forehead as the ma.s.sive stone took flight, "be ready . . . I can't hold this up much longer."

"I'm ready," Harry drew his wand.

Harry began casting the second the giant stone made contact with the ground, for hours he kept up the pace allowing himself only enough time to down one of the Doctor's potions every time his reserves began to get too low.

Rivers of sweat pored down Harry's face and neck as he cast wards that hadn't been used in generations in dead languages that hadn't touched a human tongue in just as long.

"He's starting to tire," the Doctor cried out. "Watch him."

"He's almost done," the Professor checked the notes. "Just one more layer to add."

"Klap tu verada," Harry's voice was horse as the last ward snapped into place. "I'm done, how do they look?"

"Magnificent," the Architect smiled. "Alone they would withstand an a.s.sault more powerful than had been seen on this world, when we finish adding the goblin charms . . . they'll be impenetrable."

"Try not to let anyone hear that," Harry felt faint. "Unsinkable s.h.i.+ps tend to come to a bad end."

"As you say," the Architect nodded. "I'm afraid that we haven't been entirely honest with you when we told you that we brought you here to complete the wards."

"Oh?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," the Architect nodded. "We had another, more . . . sinister reason to bring you here today."

"It was all Henchgirl's idea," the Professor smirked evilly.

"Happy Birthday," Henchgirl screamed.

"What?" Harry blinked.

"Happy Birthday," Henchgirl repeated herself. "Oyuki will be here with the cake in a few minutes."

"I hate to say it," Harry gave a sheepish smile. "But my birthday was about a month ago."

"And we didn't have a party," Henchgirl nodded. "So we're having one now, it's more of a surprise that way."

"Oh," Harry scratched his chin. "I guess that makes sense."

"How do you normally spend your birthday?" Henchgirl was bouncing with excitement.

"Well," Harry sighed. "I usually spend it alone, in the past few years I've had a few letters."

"You've never had a party?" Henchgirl's lip started to quiver.

"I've had a party," Harry smiled. "It was great."

"Just one?" Henchgirl's eyes started watering.

"I had two . . . sort of," Harry frowned. "Does it count as a party if there's only one other person that doesn't hate your guts . . . oh, and there was some cake too."

"You're having a party every year from now on," Henchgirl's hands balled up into fists and she thrust them in her pockets. "Here with us . . . ok?"

"Ok," Harry nodded.

"I got the cake," Oyuki smiled.

"I'll transfigure some chairs and a table," the Professor volnteered.

"I'll . . ." Harry blanched at Henchgirl's glare. "Just stand around and enjoy my birthday?"

"That's right," Henchgirl nodded. "What kind of cake is that Oyuki?"

"It's a Baked Alaska," Oyuki smiled. "What else?"

So this is what it's like to have a family, Harry mused to himself as he ate his portion of cake.

"Have you given any thought of what you're going to do with your Nundu?" The Doctor smiled across the table.

"No," Harry shook his head. "Why?"

"I was hoping that you'd be willing to leave it here," the Doctor smiled. "I've decided to stay so I can personally oversee the construction of my Hospital and I'd like to keep the Nundu around so I can continue my research."

"Is there a place to keep it around here?" Harry looked around.

"I had the workers construct something temporary while you were putting the wards up," the Architect nodded.

"Temporary in the sense that it'll only last a few hundred years," Oyuki giggled. "The houses he put up to house us are quite shoddy, a few good hurricanes and a dozen earthquakes and they'd fall to the ground."

"I told you that you'll be getting more permanent quarters in the fortress when I have that built," the Architect groused. "You only need to wait a few months."

"I'm just playing with you," Oyuki smiled. "Anyone else would have considered what we have to be good enough."

"Oh," the Architect turned back to his cake.

"What do you need to do in America?" Harry turned towards the Professor and Henchgirl.

"We have a convention we'd like to attend," the Professor smiled.

"It shows all the newest advancements in Magical Law Enforcement and Military spells and equipment," Henchgirl smiled.

"Not to mention the strong civilian contingent," the Professor nodded. "The Americans are much more interested in dueling and lethal spells then most other groups of people."

"We're presenting a few things," Henchgirl smiled.

"Would you mind speaking a few words of introduction before we present?" The Professor smiled hopefully.

"Sure," Harry shrugged. "If you think it would help."

AN: Harry missed his birthday by about a month ago story time, he missed it. I wouldn't think he'd pay too much attention to it without his friends around and since he'd spent his entire life without really celebrating it. The Return to England is coming up, stay tuned.

*Chapter 36*: Trip to Sin City

Disclaimer: Not every male in Oz is named Bruce, just most of them.

Trip to Sin City

"Hey Bruce," a man walked into the office of the Head of Australian Law Enforcement. "Got some news for you."

"What is it Bruce?" The Chief raised an eyebrow.

"Turns out that Mr. Black was here," Bruce scratched his chin. "Got into a fist fight with a roo and won."

"Anything else?" The Chief yawned.

"Found a few mil in opals," Bruce shrugged. "And the bushmen have been seeing dingos chewing on some strange white masks around the area that Mr. Black was thought to have been."

"Right, no worries." The chief shrugged, "let's go get a beer."

"Good idea," Bruce nodded. "I'll ask Bruce and Bruce if they can come along, I think Bruce might be off too."

"See if Bruce is out of the hospital," the Chief nodded. "Might as well have the whole department come along."

IIIIIIIIII

"We're here," Henchgirl stuck her head through Harry's door.

"How'd you do that?" Harry blinked.

"It's a new spell I'm working on," Henchgirl smiled. "Think how fun and useful it will be to be able to walk through walls."

"I guess," Harry put down his book and put on his coat. "Let's go."

"Ok," Henchgirl pulled her head out of the door to allow Harry to exit his room.

"What's all this?" Harry walked out of his room and into a pile of luggage.

"We're showing a lot of things at the convention," Henchgirl smiled.

"Cool," Harry nodded. "Sounds interseting."

"You've already seen it all," Henchgirl grinned.

"Do you need my help to carry it all?" Harry looked around.

"No need," Henchgirl shook her head. "We're testing out a new delivery system so we don't have to carry any of this down . . . and we hope to sell most of it so we don't have to carry it back up."

"Well," the Professor was getting a bit annoyed at being ignored. "Let's all get down then."

"Don't we need to leave someone behind to raise and lower the wards?" Harry smiled.

"We fixed that," Henchgirl smiled. "Now your cell floo sends up an encrypted signal that trips the wards and allows us to pa.s.s."

"Cool," Harry shrugged. "Let's go."

The three friends appeared in the lobby of a casino in front of a large bank of slot machines.

"Hold on a sec," Harry smiled. "I want to try this."

"You do know that the odds of winning are slim to nil?" The Professor smiled.

"Yup," Harry gave a cheerful nod.

"Ok then," the Professor shrugged.

Harry walked up to one of the machines and slipped a coin into the slot. The machine clicked whirred and blinked and then sirens went off and lights began blinking.

"Congratulations sir," one of the casino employees walked up. "You've just won our motorcycle in our motorcycle slot madness."

"That's nice," Harry smiled. "Is it ok if I try this again?"

"Whatever you like sir," the man nodded.

Harry placed another coin in the slot and pulled the handle, the machine lit up and sirens began sounding . . . again.

"What the h.e.l.l?" Harry's eyes narrowed.

"Congratulations again sir," the casino employee smiled. "I've never seen a person make two big wins in a row on the slots."

"It was supposed to go click whirr and take my money," Harry frowned. "That's the experience I wanted, why the h.e.l.l won't it do that?"

"Just lucky I guess," the casino employee had dealt with people stranger than this and kept his composure. "Perhaps if you try again?"

"One more time," Harry nodded placing another coin in the machine and pulling the arm. "Finally," Harry smiled. "I though it would take forever to lose."

"Yes sir," the employee nodded. "What would you like me to do with your winnings?"

"Can we play with the motorcycle?" Henchgirl perked up. "I've got some ideas to . . . improve it."

"Sure whatever," Harry shrugged. "I'm gonna want to ride it later though . . . make sure it can fly."

"Ok," Henchgirl nodded.

"And the money?" The employee asked quickly.

Harry sighed, "the Professor can give you the number of my bank account . . . still don't know how he got it but he'll give it to you."

"Right," the employee nodded. "Then enjoy your stay with us."

"Thanks," Harry nodded. "I guess I'll be in the convention if anyone needs me."

"I'm coming too," Henchgirl nodded. "Let the Professor deal with the money problems."

"And Happy to do it," the Professor smiled.

Henchgirl and Harry wandered towards the defence convention and the casino employee turned to the Professor. "May I ask why he was disappointed that he won twice in a row?"

"He just wanted a normal gambling experience," the Professor smiled. "Who wins at slots?"

"I . . . see," the employee blinked. "Who do I put down as the winner?"

"Mr. Black," the Professor grinned. "I'll give you the information needed to deposit it into his account in just a minute."

"Ah," the employee nodded . . . that explained everything.

IIIIIIIIII

"The master has ordered us to go after Black again," Wormtail sagged. "He says that if we stop trying to kill Black we'll be seen as weak."

The a.s.sorted death eaters shared worried glances and several made plans to turn themselves in.

"You three," Peter gave a disinterested wave. "Come with me."

IIIIIIIIII

Harry and Henchgirl spent several minutes looking through the a.s.sorted booths and networking before it all became a bit tedious.

"I'm going to go get something to drink," Harry smiled. "Want to come?"

"Sure," Henchgirl nodded. "Let's go."

Harry and Henchgirl made their way to one of the casino's bars and Harry ordered himself a drink.

"And for you?" The bartender turned to Henchgirl.

"Give me a soda water," Henchgirl nodded. "And a teaspoon of salt, half a table spoon of brown sugar, a shot gla.s.s full of lime juice, and three grams of lemon zest."

"Right away," the confused bartender wandered off to procure Henchgirl's order.

"I prefer to make my own drinks," Henchgirl shrugged. "They taste better then anything he could make."

"Well," Harry blinked. "You are a potions mistress."

"That's right," Henchgirl nodded. "I am . . . do you have any plans for the convention?"

"I was just planning to wander around and see what I could see," Harry smiled. "Maybe check out one of the other conventions in the hotel."

"Sounds like fun," Henchgirl nodded. "There are some interesting conventions in the casino and I'm sure there are a few parties to go to."

"Here you are," the bartender brought over a large tray covered in Henchgirl's orders. "And it's on the house if you'll allow me to watch you make . . . whatever it is you're going to make."

"Ok," Henchgirl nodded. "But don't steal my recipe, I'd be happy to sell it to the casino but I don't want it used without my permission."

"Of course not," the bartender nodded. "I just had to know what you were going to do."

"Ok," Henchgirl spend several minutes mixing her drink. "And you end up with a citrus soda that's much better than anything on the market."

"Wonderful," the bartender nodded. "I think I might be able to convince my boss to buy this from you, what was your name again?"

"Henchgirl," Henchgirl smiled.

"I definitely think I can convince my boss to buy this then," the bartender's smile widened. "The marketing aspect alone is astronomical."

"Ok," Henchgirl smiled. "Do you want a sip Mr. Black?"

"Sure," Harry shrugged. Grabbing the gla.s.s, Harry took a short sip. "It's good, thanks for letting me try it."

"No problem," Henchgirl smiled.

"Hmm," Harry glanced in the mirror. "We might want to get back to the convention."

"Why?" Henchgirl blinked.

"Because I think I recognise one of the people at that table," Harry smirked. "And I want to mess with his head . . . might be best if we leave the bar after I set things into motion."

"Ok," Henchgirl nodded.

Harry raised a finger to signal the bar tender.

"Yes sir?" The bar tender asked politely.

"Is that 'Mad Eye' Moody at that table over there?" Harry asked with a grin.

"I believe it is sir, why do you ask?"

"Just wanted to make sure," Harry gave a s.a.d.i.s.tic grin and tossed a bag of coins on the table. "Buy the table a round of drinks and give Moody a message from me would you?"

"Of course sir," the bartender made the bag disappear. "And who may I say the message is from?"

Harry gave an evil grin, "Mr. Black."

"I understand sir." The bartender nodded, "what was the message you wanted to send?"

IIIIIIIIII

"And get this," the Italian drained half his gla.s.s. "He was carrying a dagger that was over two thousand years old, 's no wonder he spotted all our tails. We were following the man that taught Flamel how to make his b.l.o.o.d.y stone."

"S' nothing," one of the j.a.panese shook his head. "I saw Black . . ."

"I'm sorry to interrupt you gentlemen," the bartender placed a tray with several gla.s.ses and one bottle on the table. "But someone has bought you all a round of drinks."

"Who?" Moody (and half the table) eyed the bartender suspiciously.

"Look at the label on the bottle."

Moody squinted at the offending object and began to read aloud, "Johnny Walker . . . . Black."

"He also wanted me to give you a message sir."

"What's that," Moody's eye was spinning as he attempted to find one of the most feared man in the world.

"Constant Vigilance."

IIIIIIIIII

Harry and Henchgirl giggled as the walked out of the bar, imagining the expression on Moody's face when he got the message.

"Sorry to interrupt," a man walked up with a smile. "But you wouldn't happen to be Mr. Black and Henchgirl would you?"

"Yes why?" Harry nodded.

"Because you're scheduled to speak in about three minutes," the man waved Harry towards a raised platform with a podium.

"What do you want me to say?" Harry asked nervously as he followed the man to the stage.

"Just tell them what your favorite spell is and why," the man shrugged. "And then step off the stage so that the Professor and Henchgirl can present their products."

"I can do that," Harry nodded.

"Then do it," the man smiled.

"And now on behalf of Black Ink, we have Mr. Black who will give us a few words before we bring out his colleagues." The man gave Harry a short introduction.

Harry walked up to the podium and cleared his throat.

"In my opinion," Harry began. "The purpose of Law Enforcement is to defend the public from every dangerous and psychotic idiot that would do them harm. My favorite spell for this is . . ."

A group of death eaters appearing on the raised platform next to Harry caused him to lose his train of thought.

The thousands of Magical Law Enforcement, Military, Defence Contractors, and armed civilians watching Harry's speech blinked in surprise.

"Prepare to die," one of the dumber death eaters threatened.

"These are those idiots that I've been telling you about," Harry couldn't believe what was happening. "Notice the dark robes and white masks."

"Flee before the might of the dark lord," another dim death eater tried.

"I didn't call them here," Harry looked around the room. "Is this anyone else's demonstration?"

The convention goers eyed each other and drew their wands.

"Well . . ." Harry looked around, "I guess the only thing to say here is fire when ready."

The room lit up as nearly every spell known to wizard kind was flung at the death eaters, their hastily erected s.h.i.+elds might as well have been made out of tissue paper for all the good they did. The death eaters all expired within the first minute of what would end up being twenty minutes of constant spells.

"Well . . . " Harry's eyes focused on a small rat limping off the stage. "Wormtail," in a flash Harry's scythe was in his hand.

Peter screamed as his death loomed closer and closer. At the last minute, Peter man managed to activate his portkey and escape.

"d.a.m.n," Harry sighed. "He's always getting away from me . . . sorry about that folks." The a.s.sorted convention goers stared at Harry's scythe in shock, "as I was saying . . . I've found the most useful spell for every day dueling to be the Reductor curse. It is easy and quick to cast, it is legal in every country, and it will put a man down quickly. Not many people can move with a large chunk missing from their chest . . . thank you."

The audience applauded enthusiastically and Harry took a bow before he stepped off the stage.

"With the tough job of following Mr. Black's rather . . . impressive performance," the announcer paused to let the laughter die down. "Is the Professor and Henchgirl, the head Researcher and head Potions Mistress of Black Ink."

IIIIIIIIII

Seconds after Harry left the stage, dozens of operatives for dozens of agencies rushed to find semi private locations to make their reports.

"This is secret agent eighty six calling control, come in control." A man whispered into his cell floo.

"This is headquarters," a female voice replied. "And I've told you to stop reporting in like that . . . it stopped being funny after the third time."

"Still amuses me so I'm still going to use it," the Man smirked.

"What was so important that you ducked out early to report it?" The woman's voice sounded board.

"Our information that Mr. Black would speak was correct," the man whispered. "And our speculation that he'd provide a bit of entertainment was also correct . . . I've never seen so many spells cast at once."

"I'm still failing to understand what was so important that you had to report in now?" The female voice was starting to sound annoyed.

"After the battle, Mr. Black focused on a small rat and attempted to kill it with a large scythe," the man's tone turned smug. "The rat escaped by activating a portkey. Mr. Black then apologized and mentioned that he'd been after that rat for quite some time and that it was always getting away. It is pure speculation on my part but I know of only one figure that is said to use a scythe to reap his victims."

"I see," the female voice paused. "Return to the convention and report any other items of interest . . . you also have permission to buy anything you desire from Mr. Black's company . . . control out."

"I knew I'd be able to get her to do that if I kept pestering her," the man gave a satisfied grin. "I'll be placing myself in terrible danger if I continue my attempts to get her to make more references like that . . . and loving it, heh."