Harry's thoughts raced as he tried to figure out what to say to the two purebloods. There were obvious things he could mention, but Harry didn't think Orion and Romulus were interested in them. Harry opted to start speaking and hoped that it helped him think. "Well, obviously we've got a lot of disturbances here."
Romulus and Orion nodded, paying Harry their undivided attention.
"Each disturbance is caused by a similar sort of people. Young, not long out of Hogwarts. When interviewed or spoken to, they usually mention a lot of the same things."
"True," Orion said carefully, arching his eyebrow. "What else do you see?"
Harry winced internally. He wasn't doing well. A ten-year-old could have told them that. "If they're saying the same sort of things that means that what they feel is a common problem or concern to them. To be honest, I can see where they're coming from, though their solution is obviously not particularly wise." Let them chew on that, Harry sighed. Regardless of with who they sympathize with, I'm correct in saying that the behavior is silly.
Orion sighed. "Yes, too true."
The Black patriarch was about to say something else, but Harry was suddenly inspired and extended his observation, though cheating a little. "Not only are these feelings there, but someone or something must be actively festering them." Harry supposed that a really smart person would have gotten that without knowing about Voldemort's future rise to power, but he was willing to take any breaks he could get.
"Impressive," Romulus said expansively. "You weren't born yesterday, Ashworth."
"Quite," Orion agreed. "Now examine the handwritten accounts."
Harry did so and discovered copious notes on various attacks that had been made on Muggles. The injuries were more serious, though the Ministry had been able to set some things right. He wondered how it was that Orion had gotten his hands on the reports. There was really only one observation Harry could make-largely because he couldn't have an opinion, not when he already knew the answer. "Organization," he said at last.
"Indeed," Orion said. "Organization."
Harry sat and looked at the two older wizards, unsure what to say. "So what do you suppose is behind it?" he asked. He didn't want to comment on whether this was good or bad, because he wasn't too sure about how Orion and Romulus felt on the subject of Voldemort.
"It's not good," Romulus said. "Very little that happens in the dark is on the level."
"True," Harry said, being a little coy.
"We had hoped by placing you at Hogwarts that you might be able to keep your ears open," Orion said quietly. "Romulus and I would like to know more details about what is going on behind our backs-or even in front of our faces. Obviously, Lucius doesn't tell his father everything, as you have demonstrated tonight."
Harry nodded. "I could do that."
"I think I'm right in saying that my friend here is not thrilled about Lucius being as close as he is to the Lestrange brothers," Orion said as Romulus nodded affirmatively. "We fear that the Lestranges are definitely the wrong sort of people."
"Very well," Harry said, "I can especially keep an eye on what they're likely to be up to."
"Excellent," Orion said. "You can see what needs doing and get back to us as necessary.
....
Though lingering with you would be very enjoyable," Orion announced to Romulus and Harry, "I must go, or else my wife will be very irate with me. " He stood, nodded very formally to Romulus, and then spoke to Harry directly. "We will meet from time to time to discuss your observations. If you discover anything… malignant, contact us immediately. Otherwise, wait, and we'll contact you when we determine it to be best."
To be polite, Harry also stood. He then replied in what he hoped was a respectful tone of voice. "Yes, of course."
Orion made to turn and leave the room, but he hesitated. "If anyone's life were to be in immediate danger, you of course would need to notify the headmaster and proper authorities, but otherwise, we'd prefer that you don't mention anything to anyone. If you do discover something amiss, we'd rather have the luxury of considering our options before anyone takes… drastic action."
"I understand," Harry said slowly, turning Orion's request over in hid mind. He reminded himself that he could always notify Professor Dumbledore later if there was something serious that Black and Malfoy weren't going to handle appropriately.
Malfoy, who was still sitting in his chair and not looking at either Harry or Orion, spoke as Orion exited the room. "Should we have Ashworth coordinate with your niece at all?"
Orion turned around a final time and looked at Romulus with an unreadable facial expression on his face before responding. "I would hope that Harry is skilled enough to do what we ask without help."
There was silence as Orion made his way to the main fireplace. Harry began to wonder if he ought to also excuse himself and leave Malfoy Manor. Unfortunately, the elder Malfoy didn't seem to be providing any cues for Harry. He sat in his chair ignoring both Harry and the departing Orion in favor of studying the small tumbler that had contained his drink. However, as soon as the crackling of the fire announced Orion's departure, Malfoy started to laugh loudly.
"Is there something funny?" Harry asked, afraid that he'd become the butt of a joke.
"Don't worry about it, Harry," Malfoy said expansively, waving his hand for Harry to sit down again. "I was just having a little fun with Orion."
"I see…" Harry said, even though he didn't. He sat down and tried to think of something to say, but was coming up empty. Fortunately, Romulus spared him the task by starting the conversation.
"Definitely do keep an eye on those Lestrange morons," Romulus instructed. "They're just the sorts that are stupid and belligerent enough to cause trouble-even if it has nothing to do with anything of consequence."
Harry nodded. After all, he was familiar with the Lestranges. "I reckon I can handle any trouble from that quarter," he said confidently. In the future, he had been able to hold his own against the above-average Death Eater. Dealing with them while they were still students didn't seem especially daunting.
"Maybe you can and maybe you can't," Romulus said. "You certainly seem powerful, but you're too young to have become a master dueler. If I were you, I'd be sharpening up my skills. It never hurts to add new spells to your repertoire. One of the best magic libraries in the world is at Hogwarts. You should make use of it."
"You're probably right," Harry said, feeling strange to be receiving such advice from a Malfoy. It seemed the sort of thing a fellow member of the Order would have said, but not someone from a family he considered dark. Harry committed to himself that he would visit the library as soon as possible and see if he couldn't start learning a couple of new spells a week.
Romulus made an extra effort to put a broad smile on his face to counter the somber mood that the subject matter had invoked. "Enough of this serious stuff. There's no point in thinking about anything until it happens. Now tell me Harry, have you heard of the Chudley Cannons?"
Harry groaned silently, but was resolved to remain polite. "An old friend of mine supported them," he admitted cautiously. "I'm afraid that I haven't really kept up."
"With your friend or the team?" Romulus asked, smiling knowingly.
"Err… both," Harry said, feeling a pang of sorrow for his separation from his friends. Though Harry had never really been that enthusiastic about Ron's team, talking about the Canons reminded him of Ron. Thus, Harry could hardly resist the opportunity. "How are the Cannons this season? Do you think they have good prospects?"
....
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