Uncle Harry
Chapter 8A/N: Things have been hectic but I wanted to be sure to keep this rolling. I know I've taken a few extended breaks during this story and I'm sorry for that. I hope you'll bear with me and please enjoy he story.
We were greeted at the door by both Mister and Mouse before pushing our way into the bright and warm little house. Simone dutifully carried Lash's bags into her room while I escorted her to the couch.
I sat next to her and rubbed my eyes as the day's revelations and lack of sleep were catching up to me.
"You look tired… Harry, what happened?" Lash asked noticing the patchwork I'd done on the back door and the quarter sized holes around the door frame.
"It's nothing for you to worry about. I had some uninvited guests drop by. They were rather chatty with Thomas, so that was nice." I told her vaguely.
"I see. Simone must have been a bit shocked." Lash said, a shadow of concern brushing over her lovely face.
"She was a trooper. With a little training, she could have likely sent them packing by herself." I replied half joking.
"She does have a certain inner strength. I'd noticed that in her and find it quite appealing. Do you think Thomas would agree to let us train her?" Lash asked unexpectedly.
"I already have one apprentice and she's more that I can handle most times. That and Simone has her own life to lead and special challenges that magic might simply make harder." I told her honestly. "That and I don't sense the talent for magic in her. Not that I'm an expert at that sort of thing but I'd hate to get her hopes up and find that she reaches her full potential before she runs out of enthusiasm for the arts."
"I'm not so sure I'd agree with you there Mr. White Council Wizard." Lash said giving me a challenging smile, "I think that like Molly, Simone has a quiet flow of magic within her that runs deeper than you'd think." She said leaning a little closer to me. "That and she is adorable! Think of it Harry, having a child around the house, going to school and learning to play an instrument while learning to make potions and charms. I'd so love that Harry, and not with just any child. She's special, I feel something of a connection to her already and I'm afraid that if she were to leave us at the end of this case, we'd all be the worse off for it."
With that Lash wrapped her arms around me and snuggled close, her cheek resting against my chest. I put my arm around her and sighed. The prospect although new to me wasn't necessarily an unpleasant one to consider. I too felt the house livelier and brighter since she had arrived. I couldn't help but smile when she talked to me with her shy and innocent smile. I wasn't wrapped around her finger or anything, but I did have a soft spot for her. Then I thought about the mercenaries and 'monster' that was after her, such a small, frail and defenseless little girl.
It was about this time that Mouse plopped his ham sized head onto my thigh and looked up at me with a thoughtful look. He puffed a heavy sigh looking up at me as if to ask if this was really the best for her or just my own selfishness. It's at times like this I wonder what it would be like to have a normal pet…
"I understand how you feel and I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't thought the exact same thing." I told lash stroking her silky, golden hair. "Still, she's a person not a puppy. She has her own life and destiny to fulfill. I don't want to see her leave any more than you do but I think we both know that the right thing to do is to let her return to her normal life." I said softly not wanting little ears to overhear our conversation. "I think it's best, at least for the time being that we clear up this matter and let her go back to where she came from." Lash lifted her face to start at me with a look of surprise and anger and just as she was about to speak I hugged her close, "That doesn't mean we can't watch her from the sidelines and shadows. We can always have her over to visit on school breaks and long weekends if Lara and Thomas approve." I told her, clarifying my statement but not back peddling.
Lash puffed a breath against my chest before looking at me again. "Would that be enough for you, to watch from the sidelines and shadows?" She asked downheartedly.
"And to see her regularly… It's not that it's what I want, but it's what I think would be right. For now at least." I told her holding her close.
"Well it's not like we have to make a decision tonight and we'd need to have a long talk with Thomas and Lara before we even suggested it to Simone." Lash said thoughtfully.
"Suggested what?" Simone asked with a bright smile coming back from our room.
"What you really want to eat for dinner tonight?" I asked as Lash and I both looked up smiling warmly at her.
"Ooohh… I don't know about dinner but can we have another banana split for dessert Uncle Harry?" She asked already excited.
"Well, those are reserved for the Very Best of Good Girls. I don't make those for just anyone you know." I said with a scowl on my face. "Do you think you've been a good girl today?"
"She has and so have I!" Lash interjected. "See she put my bags away for me and kept me company while you ran off with the other boys, doing who knows what, at the hospital. So yes, I think we're both worthy of the Dresden special banana split!" Lash said scooping up the giggling Simone as she rushed over to us.
"I thinks so too Uncle Harry!" Simone squealed as Lash began tickling her.
"In that case… I suppose this once I can do it. Just don't get too used to having your way girls." I said in a stern voice with a half smile on my face. Still somewhere deep inside there was a part of me that winced at the thought of saying goodbye to the girl smiling so innocently and giggling about ice cream. I wanted to protect that innocence and even more I wanted to protect her. She wasn't a blood relative but she was already family.
….
The thick oak door creaked open slowly and the smell of decaying flesh and stale air mixed with the thick oily smoke from the braziers flowed around the portly man as he kneeled at the threshold of his master's room.
"You called for me my lord?" The man rasped with his head only inches from the ground.
The sound of cloth rustling and the slightly wheezing sound of breathing was all he heard for a moment as his master composed himself.
"Ah, yes Abram." the masters voice came in a somewhat harsh baritone voice. "I assume you've tied up all loose ends as I've requested?" The voice was no longer raspy or as scratchy as before and the words better enunciated. Abram assumed that meant that the rejuvenation process was proceeding nicely.
"As you know, we were unable to get the girl or dispatch Dresden or his girlfriend. However, all the men who were captured and not killed have been dealt with as you requested." Abram said in a clear but fear tinged voice.
"Ah yes Dresden and his associate. I'd hoped we could dispatch them before they become a problem. At this point they are already aware that someone is after the girl but they don't yet know who." The master said pulling the robes around him, the hood of the robe dropping farther over his face. "At this point let's see what their next move is. I don't want to confront him until I'm stronger, especially with that new blonde girl attached to his hip. Since the mercenaries were such a disappointment let's let them stew for a while, but be sure to keep a close eye on them. Let me know of their activities and if anything changes." The master said leaning back into the small island of pillows and cushions and putting the tip of the hookah into his mouth and taking a long draw of the spicy scented smoke.
"Yes my Lord, it shall be done." Abram groveled.
"One more thing, Dresden has an apprentice does he not?" The master asked meaningfully.
"I believe so sir."
"Have someone follow her as well… You never know she may be the leverage we need. However, don't approach her and don't get caught. Just watch her and make sure to note any routines." The master said blowing out the smoke as he spoke. "This may get interesting after all…"
….
With dinner finished and baths taken I was just setting out the Dresden special banana splits when the phone rang. Simone was eagerly sitting at the table as I slid the parfait dish filled with ice cream and bananas topped with caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, hot fudge then whipped cream and crushed nuts topped with a single red cherry.
Lash picked up the phone and then turned to me holding out the receiver. I set her dessert on the table and stepped into the living room to take the phone.
"It's Thomas." Lash said handing me the receiver before quickly heading into the kitchen to sit with Simone. They glanced at me then giggled and started eating.
"Harry, it's me." Thomas said in a hushed tone. "I wanted to let you know that Lara has pulled a few strings and she's gotten you a grounds keeper/janitor job at the Simone's school. I'm not sure how she did it but she said it was the only opening she could manage for you."
"Why is Lara trying to help me?" I asked confused.
"After giving it some thought Lara decided it was better to help you rather than have you trying to get in on your own and possibly cause a problem for her." He said, the sound of loud music down the hall nearly drowning out his voice.
"Why the hushed voice? Are you at the club?" I asked still a little befuddled.
"Lara and my other sisters are here, they are hosting some special guests. It's the favor she offered in exchange for getting you into the school with no questions asked." He said in a conspiratorial tone.
"Ah so when do I start?"
"Monday, oh and you'll need to stop by here before then as I have your ID card and other credentials you'll need to get into the school. Since the name Dresden has appeared in multiple news articles and police reports, you'll be going in as Mr. Draco." Thomas said in a serious tone.
"Mr. Draco? Seriously, Smith or Jones was taken? Even Potter would have been a better choice." I said with an annoyed sigh.
"It was Lara's idea and the deal was done before I heard about it." Thomas said apologetically.
"Fine I actually appreciate the help, things being what they are and all."
"I need to run but call me tomorrow and we'll talk more."
"Sounds good, thanks for the call." I said and then hung up.
Looking into the kitchen I saw my own dessert was drooping significantly and two women eyeing it with bad intent.