The end (is just the beginning)
Skull watched from the sidelines as Harry and his relatives exited the station and drove away. Then he watched as Hermione was gone too. He hummed, turning away and tugging at Reborn’s hand.
”Okay, let’s go,” he said. Reborn nodded, and the two began to walk away with linked hands. Some people did double takes as they saw two men holding hands. Others merely smiles and shook their heads in amusement. Some sneered in disgust. And others watched in envy.
”Neh, Renato, tomorrow, I have a show. Can you come watch?” Skull asked suddenly. “Please?”
”If that’s what you want,” Reborn said softly. Skull grinned happily.
”En, it’s what I want!”
A FEW WEEKS LATER...
”Skull. Reborn. An owl came for you two... and for us,” Vioer said, holding up a letter. Skull narrowed his eyes and took the letter as everyone crowded around the cuddling stuntman and hitman. Skull cleared his throat and began to read.
”To Skull and his fellow Family,
”Good day, Skull. I hope all is well after this year. I thank you greatly for all you did while posing as a teacher’s assistant. Truly, the year could have been an utter disaster if not for your and Reborn’s quick thinking. I apologise for contacting you out of the blue. However, I feel as if this is of the utmost importance.
”As you know first hand, Lord Voldemort has risen. The ministry, however, refuses to acknowledge this, and have said that he is still dead. Because of this, I believe a few measures have to be taken.
”I have brought back the Order of the Phoenix. The Order is a group of wizards and witches who, back when Voldemort was at large, made it their priority to bring him to justice. And I, Albus Dumbledore, ask you, no, beg of you, to help us in our cause. We need all the help we can get, and I ask you to bring your friends along as well.
”Signed, Albus Dumbledore.”
Skull looked up at his friends grimly. They looked back. “Well... I’ve always wanted to beat Death Eater asses,” he said. “So I’m going.”
”I shall be going too,” Reborn said, sitting up straight. Lal sighed, rubbing her rather swollen stomach rather regretfully.
”I won’t be going. But Colonello will be,” she said. And glared at the other rain as he began to protest. Colonello shut up and nodded meekly.
”I would like to see how these.... wizards... do things,” Verde said. “It would be an... interesting experiment.”
”Getting a chance to mock those who made fun of me for being a squib?” Viper snorted. “I thought you’d never ask. No payment needed.
”Well,” Fon sighed wearily when they looked at him expectantly. “Someone’s got to keep the lot of you out of trouble.”
Skull nodded.
”Its decided then. On the back, it tells us how to get to the HQ. We’ll go tomorrow. First thing after breakfast.
THE NEXT DAY...
Skull knocked on the door and a few seconds later, a voice growled, “Who is it?!”
”Uh... my Family and I were invited by Dumbledore. He asked for our help,” he said.
”...you Skull de Mort?”
”Yes.”
”...how can I trust you?”
”Well... I dunno,” Reborn asked sarcastically. “Couldn’t you use one of your goddamn spells to do something?”
”...a muggle?”
”Is it that obvious?” he snarked, and Fon coughed.
”Reborn. I think that’s enough.”
There was a scuffle behind the door, and the door opened slowly. Mad-Eye Moody And Arthur Weasley stood at the door. Moody growled, gesturing in and stepping aside.
”Better come in then,” he snapped. The six ex-Arcobaleno trooped in gracefully. Or, well, five trooped in gracefully, Viper floated in. Moody looked more than a little suspicious of them.
They were shown to the kitchen, where Dumbledore stood up to greet them.
”Ah, Skull, thank you for coming,” he said warmly. Skull nodded.
”No problem. As you know, this is Reborn. That’s Viper, Fon, Verde, and Colonello,” he said. Dumbledore nodded.
”Thank you all for coming. I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts,” he said. There were various murmurs from the others. Skull looked at the members of the Order who looked at them all warily. Skull saw Remus and Sirius looking at him oddly.
Remus was sniffing the air discreetly. Then his eyes widened, and Skull looked away. Well, things just got interesting.
The stuntman grinned widely at the Order.
”Hello~” he sang. “My name is Skull de Mort, and these people are my Family. And, just so you know, they’ve already got dibs on old Voldemort.” He laughed at their dumbfounded expressions and winked. “We hope to work well together with you. Be prepared though... we’ll put on a show you’ll never forget!”