Shadow Council 130E

*****

Narcissa watched quietly as the four made their way back to the limo, the flash from the bulbs of the cameras setting afterimages in her eyes even through the heavy tint of the car’s windows.

“Harry’s looked better,” She observed mildly.

Romy chuckled softly, “Are you surprised?”

Narcissa shot her sister a dry look, “I’m more surprised that he’s still walking under his own power.”

“Myself as well,” Andromeda admitted, “Why do you think I sent Nymphadora along?”

“I had wondered,” Narcissa said, “I suppose she could carry him in a pinch.”

“Ideally without being too obvious about it,” Andromeda smiled thinly. “I told her to make it look like they were snogging.”

The blond held back the urge to cackle in amusement, “I’m almost disappointed that we didn’t get to see that.”

Andromeda shrugged as the door opened to admit the four, “Perhaps at the next one.”

“Perhaps what at the next one?” Harry asked, eyeing the pair of them suspiciously.

“Nothing, Harry,” Andromeda assured him, “Merely a little smalltalk between sisters.”

He didn’t appear to believe her, but clearly didn’t want to push any further just then.

Not that she blamed him, he looked like a house elf had mistaken him for the laundry and wrung him out to dry. Draco and Harris, on the other hand, both appeared more than slightly smug about things, while Nymphadora was putting on her ‘professional auror’ face.

All in all, about the best set of reactions she could have hoped for. At least it doesn’t seem likely that anything went too horribly wrong.

“Did everything go as we discussed?” Romy asked as the foursome settled into the back of the limo and they got underway amid the wash of flashbulbs.

“I guess,” Harry grumbled. “I think I’ve forgotten at least half of what people kept wanting to talk to me about.”

“We’ll have to work on that,” Andromeda said. “By this point you should have forgotten probably ninety percent of it.”

“What?” Harry blurted, blinking in surprise.

“She’s right,” Narcissa confirmed. “At parties like this, very little of what people have to say is of any value whatsoever. The important details will be discussed in private, before or after the event.”

“Huh.” Harry slumped a little, thinking about that, “Explains some things.”

“And you two,” Narcissa shifted her attention. “Nothing out of the ordinary?”

Harris just shook his head, “Don’t know about Draco, but I may as well have been invisible.”

“Excellent. You did well then,” She confirmed. “Draco?”

“Same,” Draco said with a twist of his lips.

“Perfect, No one suspected that either of you were anything more than the bodyguards you were pretending to be. Very good.” Narcissa sat back with satisfaction, exchanging a glance with her sister.

Romy nodded curtly and leaned forward in turn, “Harry, did anyone ask to meet at a later date?”

Harry nodded, “Yeah… hang on…”

He fumbled in his pockets, retrieving a few business cards that he’d hurriedly shoved away when they were given to him.

“Uh…” Harry said, staring. “I… can’t remember who wanted what?”

Andromeda sighed, but took the cards, “I’ll deal with it and will get back to you. Now, though, it’s time for you to return home. Harry, I believe that plans are in motion to move you to the Weasleys, or perhaps somewhere else of security in the near future. Depending on the warding, we may have issues getting in contact.”

“Hedwig can always find me,” Harry said confidently.

“Good, send a missive to me as soon as you can in that case, and I will see what can be arranged for a meeting,” She told him. “I do expect that Dumbledore will likely… resist such a meeting, but between the two of us I believe we can force the issue. It is also, far past time, that we get the old coot in a room and force at least some words out of his mouth by way of explanation.”

Harry just nodded.

“Let me off anywhere,” Harris said, patting his ‘briefcase’. “I’m going to stop and check in on Wednesday before heading to the Grangers.”

“Very well,” Andromeda nodded, turning to her sister. “Cissy?”

Narcissa sighed, “I am expected to return home tonight, with news as to young Harry’s actions.”

“Remember,” Andromeda said firmly. “Do not lie to the man. Not even with your shields up.”

“I know all too well, Romy,” Narcissa grimaced. “Luckily, what I know is limited enough to be pleasing to him, but worthless as well. We must take care that it remain that way.”

Andromeda nodded softly as she touched a button and the car slowed, pulling over to a stop near an alley.

Harris popped the door and slid out, followed closely by Narcissa, and in a moment she was alone with Harry and her Daughter as the door closed and they began to move once more.

*****

“You met with the boy?”

“I did, Ma’am.” The well dressed man said easily, almost but not quite slurring his speech to sound more like he’d said ‘mum’ than ‘ma’am’

“Thoughts?”

“Over his head, at least in that crowd,” The man said. “From the reports, he’s more of a doer than a talker. Bad home life, I would wager from the look of him. Trusts his friend, less so the other two.”

The Queen nodded absently, “Yes. One was the Malfoy scion. Curious that he was here at all. The other, We do not yet know. Possibly a true girlfriend, but likely another guard playing the role.”

“Almost certainly,” The man confirmed. “She walked like she was armed. So did the blond boy, though… Bit off there, he reached for something that he was not carrying, more than once.”

The Queen smiled tightly, “Did he now? Very interesting, We shall have words with Our Mage Knight about that in due time.”

“And the friend?”

“American, has been by the Potter’s side for some time,” She answered. “His dossier will be made available to you. The Potter took your card?”

“Yes, Ma’am. Universal Exports has been advised to expect a call from him.”

“Good. Go then, I’m sure you have more important affairs to conduct than talking with an old woman.” She said, dismissing him.

He didn’t, quite, smirk at her but saluted sharply, bowed crisply, and stepped out of the room with near perfect form.

The Queen watched him leave with fond amusement, as well as a touch of nostalgia for days of adventuring long since past.

Not that they’d let her out of their sight anymore, even if she weren’t an old lady who couldn’t quite move the way she used to any longer.

*****