Some of you might remember me talking about an old PA fanfic a while back. Here it is. The first chapter is really short, but I want to see how people react to the idea/style, as well as get feedback from people on how I use their characters. The story is Keith centric, but hopefully I'll bel able to involve most, if not all, the PA characters to a certain degree. If you want your character to appear, simply post here and tell me what you think your character would be doing. So without further ado, chapter 1.
Homecoming
It’s been 7 years since I left for America, and I’m just now coming back home.
“Keith!”
A voice called my name - a familiar voice, or at least a voice that I think should be familiar. It’s hard, after so long. The voices are the first thing you forget.
I turned to see an older redhead walking towards me, a huge grin on her face. I smiled back, though mine was a bit more forced. “Jack,” I say. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”
Jack grinned wryly at me, and it wasn’t difficult to see how much she’d changed. The friend I left in London 7 years ago was a complete mess. She had just gotten out of a bad relationship, her buisness was failing, and her life was falling apart around her ears. I had felt bad about leaving, but in all honesty I was glad to get out. I had had enough on my plate without having to help take care of an old friend.
The Jack now however...well, she was obviously doing something right. Or had done something right. Her clothes are expensive, she was in great shape, and she was smiling - not just with her mouth, but with her eyes. It was a very genuine smile. It fit her.
“That’s an understatement,” she said. “You were only supposed to be gone a year. I knew that exchange student program was a scam.”
“There were distractions,” I said, adjusting the baseball cap on my head. “Like girlfriends, and shopping, and maybe a civil war or two.”
Jack shook her head. “I heard. We all did. Andrew was sure you were dead.”
I laughed. “Such an optimist. I would’ve written or something, but pretty much all communications were cut when the war started. And I’m not about to try intercontinental apparation.”
Jack nodded knowingly. “Of course. You’re good Keith, but nobody’s that good.” She nudged him slightly. “And if I remember correctly, you aren’t even all that good, Mr. It took me three times to pass the apparation test.”
I chuckled. “I’ve matured. I only splinch myself about half the time now.”
“Thank God for that,” she said. “Look, now that you’re back if you need a place to crash...”
I smiled sadly. Jack was a good friend. I don’t think I would’ve done that for her, and she probably knew that. It’s a testament to the kind of person she is that she offers anyway. But I don’t want to intrude on her life. “I’m good actually. I have an apartment set up, I think, and what I really wanted to do is visit Khaat.”
Jack paused. “Keith-”
I held up a hand. “I know I left on kind of a bad note, especially with her, but seven years is a long time. I just want to let her know that I was being stupid.”
Jack gripped my shoulders, and I the first thing I noticed is that I was a good bit taller than her. The second thing I noticed was that she was giving me a very un-Jack like look. Like she was about to cry, except Jack never cried. “Keith,” she said softly, “they killed Khaat 4 years ago.”
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The B**** who killed Khaat was currently locked up Azkaban, or so Jack told me. It wasn’t like I could just walk in to the third most secure magical prison in the world unannounced, so I had some calls to make. Metaphorically speaking of course. When I had left England, I had some friends in the Ministry. hopefully I still did.
A quick apparation had me outside the pay phone that led to the underground headquarters of the British Ministry of Magic. I had to admit, I had a strong sense of nostalgia upon entering the cramped pay phone - when I had left England, I had thought the Ministry was as ineffective and corrupt as you could get. Then I had met the American Wizard’s Bureau, and had realized just how wrong I was.
A few punched keys later, and I was standing in the lobby of the Ministry. The last time I had been here, there was a huge statue of a snake curled around a wand. Now however, the room was mostly empty, occupied by only a plaque which told me that he room was empty to honor those who fell during the Death Eater Wars. That dragged me out of the past and reminded me why I was here. I walked up to the main desk, the only thing in the main room. A girl, reddish-brown hair, blue eyes, was sitting behind the desk, older than me, but not by much. I thought I recognized her, and a quick scan of her name tag confirmed my suspicions. Though I didn’t know her well, we had gone to school together for about three or four years.
“Natasha,” I said smiling. “You look great.”
She looked up at me in surprise. “And you are?”
“Ouch,” I said, clapping my hand over my heart. “You really know how to get to a guy. I’m Keith...we went to Hogwarts together? I was a couple years below you.”
She smiled and titled her head. “Really? I’m sorry if I can’t remember...”
I waved my hand. “Nah, it’s ok. I’ve been gone for a while.”
“Well then welcome back,” Natasha said with a warm smile. “Do you have an appointment?”
“Not exactly,” I said, leaning over the desk. “I’m Keith Nicholas, I was hoping to speak to-”
“Keith Nicholas?” Natasha said, interrupting me. “Really? What a coincidence. The Minister sent me a note just 10 minutes ago to somehow get in contact with you. He’d like to see you at your earliest convenience.”
Ah. The Minister.
Wonderful.
“Of course,” I said through gritted teeth. “Anything for the Minister.” I walked over to a very official looking elevator and stepped in, giving Natasha one last wave. “And by the way,” I called out to her, “Who is the minister right now?”
The door shut, and I didn’t hear her answer. Curses.
I fought back an acute sense of nausea as the elevator wound its way across the ministry. I passed at least a half dozen checkpoints and twice as many more scanners - security had really been upped since the last time I had been here. The Ministry wasn’t just an office anymore, it was a fortress. That was definitely something worth noting. Maybe the Death Eater Wars had been worse than I thought.
Meh. Couldn’t have been worse than what I had gone through in the states, so I had limited sympathy.
The doors finally opened, greeting me with a long stone hallway. No windows, no doors except for the one at the opposite end. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled uncomfortably, and I was acutely aware of somebody’s eyes on me.
Creepy. I walked towards the door for a few minutes before I realized that I didn’t seem to be getting any closer. I looked back at the elevator but it was at least as far away as the door to the minster’s office now.
What in hell...
I smacked my forehead. Obviously a security measure. The hallway was magically folded into itself several times so that the walk was much longer than it appeared. That, combined with whatever was watching me, meant the minister would have plenty of time to prepare if there were ever any unexpected guests. I frowned slightly at that revelation, and focused on the doorway, attempting an apparation.
Just as I thought, nothing happened. What I hadn’t expected however was the intense pain that shot through my head - it sent me to my knees with a harsh cry of pain. “Alright,” I said, getting back to my feet and grimacing. “Somebody is really, really paranoid.” Shrugging, I resumed my walk. It took me a good ten minutes to get to the minister’s door, and I was not in a good mood. I raised a fist to knock, but before my hand met the door it swung open.
“Hello Keith,” Jess Potter said, smiling. “Welcome to my office. Tea?”
by Keith Nicholas Sun May 01, 2011 5:31 pm
