Chapter 2 Retread

Disclaimer: Trying to trick Mr. Black into a quest could result in your early and painful demise.

"We've arrived in Amsterdam," Henchgirl called out. "You can port down any time you wish."

"Thank you," Harry replied. "Was there anything you or the Professor wanted to do while we're here?"

"Nope," Henchgirl said. "Nothing."

"Same here," Harry agreed. "I'm still not sure why I listened to that bloody shopkeep."

"Sooner you leave the sooner we can be on our way," Henchgirl prompted. "And the sooner you can drink the yummy vitamin potion that I'll be making."

"I'll be back as soon as I can then," Harry said with a fond grin. "Port me down."

Harry appeared on the street in front of a couple of very surprised Staatstovenaars. "I don't bloody believe it," one of them whispered to his companion. "What are the chances that Mr. Black shows up when we're out practicing how to tail people?"

"Zero," the other replied. "He's just checking up on use, making sure we're practicing what he showed us."

"That must be it," the first agreed. "You go back to headquarters and tell the boss who's here, I'll follow Mr. Black."

"Sounds good," the other man replied. "Tell me how things turn out."

Harry walked a dozen steps down the street then paused to take a bit of air through his nose. "You may as well take off that invisibility cloak," Harry said to nothingness.

"How did you know?" The Staatstovenaar asked in awe, "I know I didn't make a sound. I know I didn't leave any indentations in the ground. And I know you didn't use your mage sight."

"I smelled you," Harry explained. "You used no scent soap but it wasn't good enough, nice try though."

"Thank you sir." The man said with a smile, "it is always a pleasure to have you in town. I take it they decided to send you a message then?"

"Not yet," Harry replied calmly. He didn't have a clue what the man was talking about but he wasn't going to admit that. "You may as well tell them I'm here."

"Yes sir, I already sent my partner ahead but I'll call to tell them that you're ready." The man agreed. Harry watched as the Law Enforcement Officer pulled out a Zippo and began whispering into it. "If you'll come with me sir, we can get the situation resolved as quickly as possible."

"Alright," Harry agreed. "Why don't you give me the background information while we walk?"

"Don't you know sir?"

"Never let them know what you know," Harry replied. "It is always enlightening to find out what they want to say."

"I understand sir," the officer replied. It was great to get another chance to learn a few tricks from the best. "We've got an enchanted painting that we need to authenticate, the charms on the canvas are so old that it's difficult to be sure of anything."

"Are there other representations of the caster's work?" Harry asked quickly, "I'd like to have something to compare it with."

"Yes there are sir," the man said quickly.

"I'm no art expert," Harry began. "But I'll do my best."

"We appreciate that sir," the Staatstovenaar replied. "It's this building right in front of you."

Harry followed the Staatstovenaar into the small building to find a group of people waiting for him. "Staatstovenaar Van Der Mijer, how good to see you again."

"It's good to see you again too Mr. Black," Annie replied. "Thank you for coming."

"Where's the painting?" Harry asked quickly. "I hate to be rude but I have a few other things I have to do today."

"Of course," Annie replied. "We wouldn't think of delaying you any longer then we have to, it's right this way."

Annie motioned towards an open door and followed Harry in. The center of the room held a large statue of an enormously fat man sans clothing and Harry felt a bit put out that they'd want him to examine something like that. "Is this it?" He asked.

"It's a piece that was enchanted by the man that we believe may have enchanted the painting," Annie replied.

"Alright," Harry squinted at the statue for a few minutes. "Where is the painting?"

"It's the one to the left of the door," Annie replied.

"Rembrandt?" Harry asked with a thoughtful look as he examined the painting.

"We think so," the museum director replied. "But we haven't been able to authenticate it."

"You hope that if you can match the charms to the caster then you'll be able to get a bit more evidence?" Harry asked as he squinted at the painting.

"Yes we do," the director replied. "There are only a few known cases of muggle painters working with magical painters to create works of art, if this was indeed painted by Rembrandt then it is likely that the patron tried to hide the fact to avoid going to jail for violating the statutes of secrecy."

"Most of the enchantment appears to have been cast by the same person that enchanted the statue," Harry said slowly. "Though there are a few patches that were cast by at least one other person, can't say who that could have been."

"Thank you Mr. Black," the museum director said with a smile. "It has been a pleasure working with you."

"I am always happy to get a chance to visit an art museum," Harry replied. "So I thank you for giving me the chance to do so and call it work . . . port me up."

Harry was greeted by two curious looks when he arrived on the bridge of the Zeppelin. "Well?" Henchgirl asked.

"They wanted me to take a look at a painting," Harry replied with a shrug. "That's all."

"Well that's that then," the Professor said. "Shall we be off to Norway then?"

"Sure," Harry agreed. "The shopkeeper said that I should talk to one of his cousins."

"Do you have any idea what part of Norway?" The Professor asked with a frown, "it is after all a large country."

"Just head to whatever part you want," Harry replied with a shrug. "And if that isn't the correct place then I'll call the shopkeeper and look for another."

"Excellent idea," the Professor agreed. "Off we go, into the wild blue yonder . . ."

"Do you have to sing?" Harry interrupted.

"Yes . . . yes I do," the Professor agreed. "Now where was I? Oh yes . . . Off we go into the wild blue yonder . . ."

IIIIIIIIII

"Come on Remus," Tonks demanded.

"I just wanted to be sure that we had everything ready," the older man replied. "It doesn't hurt to be careful."

"I know that," Tonks said quickly. "But we can always come back for anything we forgot, I want to get to Black's island as fast as possible."

"I understand your eagerness," Remus conceded. "But getting careless will just cause us to waste more time later."

"I know," Tonks agreed. "But you're taking forever."

"I'm sorry," Remus said contritely. "I am finished now."

"Then touch the portkey," Tonks commanded. "And let's go . . . to fantasy island."

"Fant . . ." Remus's question was cut off as the portkey activated, " . . . tsy Island?"

"Where all my dreams will come true," Tonks agreed.

"Ah, Auror Tonks." Percy called out in greeting, "right on time."

"Percy?" Tonks asked in shock.

"Pencil actually," Percy replied. "Most of the permanent workers in Mr. Black's service choose to go by code names. Yours is no face if you should choose to use it and your companion's is Moony."

"How did . . ." Remus began.

"He's Mr. Black," Percy interrupted. "I find it best to not be surprised by anything he does."

"Right," Tonks said quickly. "Could you show us to our rooms?"

"Right this way," Percy agreed. "I hope you don't mind but I've decided to take you to your rooms via the scenic route."

"The scenic route?" Tonks asked.

"Through the hall of badges and trophies," Percy explained as they entered the hall. "The Hall of Badges and Trophies is so named because it contains all of the badges that have been awarded to Mr. Black by various organizations around the world."

"Texas Department of Public Safety?" Remus read from a brass plaque below one of the badges.

"I understand they sent it because Mr. Black was once a member of their organization," Percy said. "Something about wearing a mask but not crossing the line . . . if you'll walk this way, you'll see a small assortment of Mr. Black's most recent trophies."

"Why is there a roll of cable there?" Tonks asked.

"It's a Cabal of Death Eaters," Percy replied. "I'm not sure what that means but I have seen several people giggling when they walk by it, I'm sure you could find out if you were to ask."

"Thanks," Tonks said. She was a bit overwhelmed by the size of the complex.

"Your mother was a Black was she not?" Percy asked as the continued down the hall.

"Yes, why?" Tonks asked coldly.

"Because rumor has it that Mr. Black himself has taken an interest in your career," Percy replied. "I normally don't concern myself with such things but I thought you may like to know that little tidbit."

"Oh . . . thanks Percy."

"The Pencil," Percy reminded gently. "And it was the least I could do."

IIIIIIIIII

"We are here," the Professor called out.

"Good," Harry said with a fake smile. "Coming Henchgirl?"

"No," Henchgirl shook her head. "I'm going to be working on a potion that causes deafness."

"Have fun with that . . . and save some for me please."

"I will," Henchgirl promised. "And then I'm going to start working on a pair of earplugs."

"Sounds good," Harry said. "Port me down." Harry appeared on the ground in front of a large curio shop. "What an amazing coincidence," he muttered to himself. "What are the chances that I would land in front of what is probably my destination . . . frigging shopkeepers."

"Hello?" The woman behind the counter called out as Harry entered, "what can I do for you?"

"Your cousin said I should talk to you," Harry said. "And you had better not be planning to send me on a quest."

"No of course not," the woman replied with a nervous grin.

"Good," Harry said coldly. "Because if I find out any differently . . ."

"Heh heh," the shopkeeper tossed a bundle of papers under the counter. "I may have a few old maps and what not, but that doesn't mean I'd send you on a quest . . . I just thought you liked maps and what not."

"Good," Harry replied.

"My cousin sent you here because I have some things that might be useful," the woman continued. "And I can also give you some old treasure maps and some old sagas, you know stuff that could be used on a quest but would be much better doing . . . something that has nothing to do with a quest."

"What are the items you wanted to give me?" Harry prompted.

"Well," the woman began. "The first thing you have to know is that the curse is stronger in some of us, I just get feelings."

"Go on."

"I have a feeling that you could use this hand axe," the woman put an old Viking axe on the counter. "Along with this knife, and this leather bag."

"What's in the bag?" Harry asked.

"I had a feeling that you would be spending time in the wilderness," the woman replied. "The bag is filled with things that would be useful."

"Great, anything else?"

"This book on Sami spells," the woman said as she put a book on the counter. "And this book on White Russian magic, traded for it with one of my cousins in Finland. I'm told that you got a book on red magic from one of my other cousins?"

"Yes I did," Harry agreed. "I'll take it all, thanks."

"Including the stuff that has nothing to do with quests?" The woman asked hopefully.

"Fine," Harry said through clenched teeth. "Including that stuff."

"Great," the woman said. "You might also want to take a course from a man named Kochanski in Canada, just a feeling but it might come in handy."

"Thanks," Harry replied as he gathered up his purchases. "Port me up."

"Well?" Henchgirl demanded, "what'd you get?"

"Couple of spell books," Harry replied."And some stuff that'll be useful for living in the backwoods."

"That's all?" Henchgirl asked with a frown.

"And a bunch of treasure maps," Harry corrected himself. "Almost forgot about those."

"Gimme," Henchgirl commanded. "Hmmmmm, looks like they're mostly locations of old Norse settlements."

"Cool," Harry said with a grin. "Might be fun to look into that after I become an Archaeologist."

"I think it would be even more fun to build a pirate ship and hunt for the pirate treasure on these other maps," Henchgirl said with a grin.

"Why don't we put that off for now?" Harry suggested.

"Ok," Henchgirl agreed. "Back to the island then?"

"Yeah," Harry said with an evil smirk. "I think it's time Mr. Black taught his first course."

"Mwahahahaha," Henchgirl cackled.

"Why are you doing that?" Harry asked with an odd look on his face.

"Because it's fun," Henchgirl explained. "And because I'm a mad scientist, the rules state that I must cackle at least three times a day."

"Oh," Harry said dumbly. "Don't let me stop you then."

"Now where was I? Oh yes . . . Bwmahahahahaahah."

IIIIIIIIII

"We still haven't decided where to go first," Hermione groused. "You'd think we could figure that much."

"The beach," Luna shouted. "Let's go to the beach, oh it'll be so much fun."

"And what does this have to do with finding Harry?" Hermione asked with a forced smile, "or Mr. Black."

"Nothing at all," Luna replied happily. "But I think we'll have an easier time figuring out where to go if we're relaxing on the beach."

"How about a place that will help us find Harry or Mr. Black," Hermione suggested.

"Bulgaria," Luna replied quickly. "It's as good a place as any."

"Why's that?"

"Mr. Black sated an entire conclave of Veela," Luna explained. "And he's worshiped as a living god of fertility."

"I guess," Hermione wavered.

"It's also close to Transylvania, the home of one of Mr. Black's good friends . . . we may want to have Remus along when we visit him."

"That makes sense," Hermione said suspiciously.

"And I think I can get Daddy to pay for it all," Luna finished. "If we can't get Mr. Black to tell us what he did to those Veela and how then maybe we can get the Veela to tell us what Mr. Black did to them. Anything we were able to pass along would almost certainly make quite a bit of money, money we could use to help us look for Harry."

"Fine," Hermione agreed. "Let's go get a portkey."

AN: For those that don't know, Tyche is the Greek Goddess of luck and she is often associated with Nemesis the Goddess of Justice.

From FanOfAGoodStory: All author notes (AN) are from the original author, aside from ones specifically labelled that they from me.