Viator

“Hey darl’, guess what I finally managed to nab?”

“Dear, you have such a vast collection of oddities that I wouldn’t be able to guess.”

“Glamor necklaces!” Harry exclaimed, extending his hand from which two stone-charm necklaces dangled. “They’re kinda like the one I got Pads, but these ones have a fixed look that they use.”

Taking one of the necklaces, Blaise tilted the small, stone tablet dangling from the cord, taking a look at the engravings.

“These look… rather complex.”

“Yeah, they usually take a couple more months to make, but when I mentioned I’d be okay with one look the dude making them said it’d only take two months.”

“I take it there’s a plan?”

“’Course there is. I was thinking we could pop by the UK, visit the rest of the Monster Club, plot and do some recon. Ya know, normal things.”

“It would be rather nice to see everyone. Where were you thinking of going first?”

“The Moon. I would say Grimmauld but I wanna avoid Albus until I’m getting the Wand.”

“Rather reasonable. Do we have any business that requires immediate attention before we visit?”

“Nope.” Harry replied, extending his hand. “Shall we?”

A second later, Harry and Blaise were standing in front of The Hunter’s Moon before walking in, immediately drawing Frank’s attention

“The guy finally finish them?”

“Yep. So, how’ve things been going?”

“There’re still a few guards over at Hogwarts, keeping an eye on ya pals. Gabriel’s been keeping an eye on them, though he ain’t sticking around. Some auror’s tried to question me and your aunt, but the wards I had my guys set up stopped ‘em and they can’t navigate for shit in London.”

“Good to know, good to know. Soo… how are things between you and Pads?” Harry asked, grinning into the bottle he was holding.

“Ya can ask him yourself.” Frank said, before leaning through the door to the backroom. “Hey Sirius! Kid’s here!”

In short order Harry was tackled off of the bar stool he was sitting on, being enveloped in a hug by Sirius.

“Harry!”

“Yeah, yeah Pads, it’s great to see you as well.” Harry chuckled, returning the embrace, giving a mock glare to an amused-looking Blaise.

“So, how are things going over in the US?” Sirius asked, releasing Harry from the hug and sitting behind the bar.

“Really well, actually. We’ve gotten into a nice rhythm. I handle the physical side of the investigation, Blaise handles the people side of it.”

“Yes, well, you aren’t exactly the most socially aware dear.”

“Too right darl’, too right. Other than the actual Hunting, we’ve met most of the big names in the stateside Hunting scene, seen some sights, met Gabe occasionally. Now, how are things between you two?” Harry asked, eyebrow raised.

“I have no idea what you’re on about.” Sirius said, looking up to the roof before collapsing into laughter. “We’re dating, if you must know.”

“And that happened how?” Blaise asked, sounding genuinely confused.

“I kind of started letting Hunters stay at Grimmauld, and Frank decided to visit one day, which sort of became a regular thing, then one thing led to another.”

“How does that work with the Fidelius?” Harry asked.

“Turns out that a Duplication Charm works just fine for when a written Secret is about to expire.” Sirius replied, grinning at the disappointment on Harry’s face.

“So… you just dupe a piece of parchment and it acts like the real thing? Length and all?” Getting a nod, Harry continued. “Fucken’ wizards. How’d Albus take it?”

“Not well.” Sirius replied. “Got him to drop it when I threatened to kick them out though.”

The four of them continued catching up for a while longer, until Harry and Blaise had to excuse themselves, before popping into Hogsmeade and heading to The Hog’s Head where Luna, Hermione and Neville had agreed to meet up.

“Hey y’all…” Harry started, trailing off as he glanced at where they were looking. “A vampire, human and… is that a centaur? Christ, it’s like the opener to a bad bar joke.”

“Before anything else, we need to verify your identity. What was used to kill Dolores Umbridge?”

“My Walther P99QA.” Harry said, sliding into the booth. “So, what’s up with, uh… alla that?”

“Honestly? We’re not altogether certain.” Luna began. “The human walked through the door about half an hour ago.”

“The vampire was the next to show up.” Neville picked up. “Walked up to the guy and asked to play a game of poker. Couldn’t catch what they were betting on.”

“The centaur was the last to arrive. Came through the side of the pub, about ten minutes ago.” Hermione continued. “Said something about owing a debt.”

Harry looked at the man. Dark, slightly coiffed hair, sharp jawline, distinct cheekbones, a slight hook to the nose bridge, and dressed in a suit.

“Anyone catch his name?”

“Uh, yeah, I think it was Patrick?” Neville replied.

“You don’t think?” Blaise asked, giving Harry a look.

“I do indeed, darl’.”

“Apparently they’ve developed telepathy while on the road.” Hermione muttered before raising her voice a little bit. “Would you mind explaining?”

“I’m fairly certain that that-“ Harry began. “Is the infamous Patrick. He’s real famous our side of the supernatural.”

“Why?”

“Cus he’s a witch.” Harry stated. “And I don’t mean a demon witch, or a wizard. He’s part of a unique group of magic users who have just enough of a spark that they can use reagents and the like to perform spells. Train long enough and they can do shit without any ingredients or foci.”

“Why is he infamous?” Neville asked.

“He can take and give years.” Harry said, enjoying the look of mild shock on his friends' faces. “He does it through poker. He’s somewhere north of nine hundred years old at this point.”

Looking over at Patrick again, Harry adopted a pensive look.

“No.” Blaise said.

“Darl’-“

“No. You are not playing him.”

“Ya gotta admit, having some years in storage would be handy.”

“I do not care. You might lose.”

“Oh, come on, you know how good I am.”

Blaise sat back, clearly thinking, after Harry’s statement.

“One condition.”

“Shoot.”

“You allow me the chance to play him if you lose.”

“Wouldn’t be fair to try and stop you.” Harry agreed.

It didn’t take long for the vampire and centaur to both lose to Patrick, visibly aging before the eyes. When both vacated where they had rested, Harry walked over to the booth, sliding in opposite where Patrick was sitting.

“Oh, another one wants to try their hand against me?” Patrick asked, his lilting voice colored with humor. “And who might you be?”

“James Evans.” Harry answered, amused by Patrick’s expression. “I take it you’ve heard of me?”

“That I have lad. I must say, I hadn’t expected to see you in a wizarding settlement.” He replied, eyes glinting when he caught sight of the small stone tablet Harry was wearing. “Nor to be wearing such a formidable glamor.”

“Well, I’m a bit wanted right now, so, ya know.” Harry said, shrugging as he did. “Now, you down for a game?”

“Why of course! And how many years as the blinds?”

“I was thinking ten. Don’t want to be too greedy.” Harry answered. “Though, I’d prefer them to be stored. My line of work, ya never know when ya might need some extra years.”

With a quick handshake, Patrick handed the deck to his companion, who he had introduced as Lia. The starting hand wasn’t the worst Harry had had, though it really depended on the flop. When Lia dealt the flop, he decided he might just have a chance of winning against Patrick.

The turn card made it so he wouldn’t have a Royal Flush, but that didn't particularly matter as, when Lia dealt the river card, Harry saw one of the cards he had been hoping for. When Lia called the showdown, Patrick revealed his hand first.

“Full House, lad.”

“Sorry Patrick, but Straight Flush.” Harry replied, showing his hand as well.

“Well, I suppose you’ll be wanting the chips to be the containers?” Patrick asked, looking put out at having lost to a teenager.

“If you wouldn’t mind.”