Recent workings.

a reply to: bananashooter

ok, so bolt of blue isn't going to post like this...nuts.
I'll switch puters and manual load to usb. back in a few,

a reply to: bananashooter

BOLT OF BLUE
February 16, 2012 at 5:04pm
RE:
James William Booth.
Chief of Security.
TO: Ministry of Magic .In reply to:
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION UPON OUR NEW SECURITY OFFICER, THIS TRANSCRIPT OF HIS HISTORY AND RECALL TO OUR SCHOOL IS HEREBY FORWARDED.
 UPON COMPLETION OF OUR EXHAUSTIVE INVESTIGATION, WE FOUND NO ONE BETTER SUITED FOR THE JOB.
 
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE,
HEADMASTER, HOGWARTS SCHOOL
OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY.     


2 Febuary, 19-- ?
The Duel.
********
 
 
**************************************************************
THE BOLT OF BLUE-WHITE ENERGY CRACKLED THROUGH THE AIR IN THE BACK HALL OF THE STADIUM. JAMES WILLIAM BOOTHE BARELY MANAGED TO PARRY THE SHOT WITH HIS WAND, AND SUFFERED A GLANCING BLOW TO HIS RIGHT THIGH, GOUGING THE SKIN AS IT RIPPED HIS TROUSER LEG.
“THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND, FAST! GOT TO END IT, QUICKLY!” HE THOUGHT.
 
THE DUEL HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR BUT MOMENTS, YET IT SEEMED LIKE CENTURIES TO “J-DUB.”
HE’D BEEN CHASING SIR LOUIS D’ATROIS SINCE HIS EARLY MORNING DISCOVERY OF ATROIS’ PLANS TO UNDERMINE THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC, AND REPLACE IT WITH THE DARK COUNCIL, SO LONG FEARED BY ALL J.W. KNEW. WITH THE INFORMANT, WHO ARRIVED AT HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF MAGIC THAT DAWN, WAS A JOURNAL, OUTLINING ATROIS’ PLANS THAT THE TEACHERS OF THE SCHOOL WERE EVEN NOW COUNTERING. ONE PARAGRAPH, HOWEVER, ESCAPED THEIR ATTENTION, PROMPTING DEPUTY PREFECT BOOTH, FOURTH YEAR UNDERSTUDY OF ETHICS, TO ABANDON HIS ASSIGNED POST FOR THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME IN HIS YOUNG AND UN-EVENTFUL LIFE.
****************************************************************
BOOTHE HAD BEEN, IN MOST CLASSES, A MEDIOCRE STUDENT AT BEST. TWO SUBJECTS STOOD OUT, HOWEVER, MARKING HIM AS THE YOUNGEST UNDERSTUDY OF THE HEADMASTER TO DATE. ALBUS DUMBLEDORE HAD NOTED J.W.’S SKILL IN WOOD SHOP, AND ALMOST PERFECT MARKS IN ETHICAL APPLICATIONS OF MAGIC AT LARGE, AND QUICKLY BEGAN TUTORIALS, AIDED BY PROF. SNAPE, HEAD OF HOUSE SLYTHERING, IN THE WAY OF THE DARK LORDS, PREPPING J.W. FOR A FUTURE IN THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC, ENFORCEMENT DIVISION.
NEUTRAL OF ALIGNMENT, BY NATURE, J.W. HAD THE ABILITY TO SEE THROUGH BOTH SIDES OF A COMPLAINT, AND IN MOST CASES, TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF A DISPUTE, LEADING HIM TO BE PICKED AS AN ASSISTANT TO MADAME HOOCH AS ASSISTANT REFEREE AT THE SCHOOL’S QUID DITCH MATCHES, A DUBIOUS HONOR AS BOOTH GOT FRIGHTFULLY AIR SICK ON A GOOD DAY.
 
 
 
NEVERTHELESS, HE QUICKLY EARNED A REPUTATION AS UNBIASED, CAUSING PEOPLE TO TRUST HIM, AND MANY TO SEEK HIS ADVICE ON PUBLIC MATTERS.
    WHEN THEY LEARNED OF HIS DISCRETION IN NOT SPEAKING OF OTHERS ILL, HE QUICKLY BECAME THE “EMOTIONAL SPONGE” AND UN OFFICIAL COUNCILOR OF THE SCHOOL, ANOTHER PLAGUE TO HIM, AS HE WAS ROUSED AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT BY PEOPLE SEEKING ADVICE.
THIS DID NOT TROUBLE HIM SO MUCH, AS THE WISH HE HAD SOMEONE TO TURN TO SO AS TO UNLOAD SOME EMOTIONS HIMSELF. FRUSTRATED BEYOND BELIEF, [UNTIL HIS THIRD YEAR WHEN HE MET SH’REE O’HARA, A LOVELY RED HEAD FROM HIS HOME IN DONNEGAL, IRELAND], HE TOOK UP FENCING, AND AFTER DEFEATING EVERYONE SOUNDLY, TO EXPERIMENTAL WORK ON WANDS, LEADING TO HIS PRESENT SITUATION.
*************************************************************
ATROIS WAS SLOWLY PRESSING HIS SPEED ADVANTAGE, TO MOVE THROUGH J.W. OUT THE DOOR INTO THE PACKED STADIUM. THE SOCCER NATIONALS WERE BEING HELD TODAY AND SH’REE WAS HERE, WITH HER AFFIANCED, A MUGGLE NAMED TIMOTHY. BOOTH HAD TO GET OFF THE DEFENSIVE AND END THIS MATCH SOON OR THE LAW WOULD BE BROKEN BY ONE SWORN TO UPHOLD IT. GOING INTO A SABER LUNGE WITH HIS CUSTOM WAND, HE PRACTICALLY SCREAMED HIS CHARM; “DEFENCE ENTRÉE!”
A GREEN BOLT SHOT FORTH AND FILLED THE SPACE BETWEEN THE OPEN DOOR WAY SEPARATING HIM FROM ATROIS. SMILING, HIS NEMESIS, A SIXTH YEAR STUDENT, TOP IN HIS CLASS, WAVED HIS HANDS SERPENT-LIKE. “ALOHMORA” SAID ATROIS. THE LOCK PICK SPELL, WHEN USED ON AN ENERGY BARRIER, PRODUCES A MOST REMARKABLE RE-VERBERATION ALONG THE SENDING PATH. HIT BY WHAT SEEMED LIKE A THOUSAND LIGHTENING BOLTS, BOOTH WAS FLUNG THROUGH THE AIR, LANDING MID-FIELD, JUST IN TIME FOR THE HALF-TIME BREAK.PART OF THE BOLT CREASED HIS LEFT CHEEK.
THE CROWD WAS LOOKING AT THE SMOKE TRAIL AND THE DISHEVELED FIGURE AT THE END OF IT. PREVIOUSLY, THEY HAD NOT SEEN OR HEARD THE BACK-HALL FIGHT, AS THE NOISE OF THEIR CHEERING HAD DROWNED IT OUT, BUT THEY WERE FOCUSED NOW.
 
FROM WHERE BOOTHE LAY, HE HEARD THE FAMILIAR VOICE CALL HIS NAME. LOOKING BACK, HE SAW SH’REE, TIM CLOSE BEHIND, RUNNING FOR HIM. LOOKING UP, HE SAW ALSO, THE FORM OF ATROIS, LEVITATING IN HIS DIRECTION, A SMALL BLUE CLOUD ABOUT HIS STILL FEET, 3 INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND. EVEN AS HE CLOSED THE DISTANCE, BOOTHE WAS REACHING FOR HIS SECOND [OFFENSIVE] WAND.
 
 
“THAT TEARS IT,” HE THOUGHT DULLY, WITH EVERY BONE CREAKING WITH PAIN AND FATIGUE,” NO HOPE NOW…GOT TO END THIS BEFORE HE’S IN RANGE OF HER…”
 
DRAWING OUT HIS “SHORE- PATROL” HE AIMED AT ATROIS USING A TWO HANDED GRIP, SHOULDER HIGH, NOT HIS USUAL INSTINCTIVE ALIGNMENT FROM THE HIP. KNOWING HOW HE’D LOADED THE MUGGLE’S TOOL WITH A MIXED LOAD OF MAGIC AND ORDINARY ROUNDS, HE AIMED ACCORDINGLY. THUMBING BACK THE HAMMER, HE AIMED OFF THE WIZARDS’ RIGHT EAR AND LET FLY THE FIRST SHOT…
A MOTH BALL SAT ATOP A MIX OF FLASH AND FLOO POWDER IN THE CHAMBER, AND THIS MIX IGNITED WHEN THE HAMMER SNAPPED DOWN ON THE BRASS PERCUSSION CAP UNDER IT. THE RESULTING FLAME SENT THE MOTH BALL FLYING OUT THE 5-INCH TUBE, AND PAST THE WIZARD, GLOWING BRIGHT SCARLET. CONCENTRATION BROKEN AS HE FLINCHED, D’ ATROIS GRINNED.
“SO, M’SEIU. REDUCED TO MUGGLE FIREWORKS, CIE NON? SAD. BUT STILL, I WIN, FOR IF I CANNOT POSSESS THIS MOST LOVELY OF WOMEN, FOR MY QUEEN, NONE SHALL.”
 
?
 
 
 
BOOTHE  WAS THUMBING BACK THE HAMMER FOR HIS NEXT LOAD, THE ONE HE REALLY WANTED, EVEN AS TRIOS SPOKE. EVEN THEN, HE WAS TOO LATE. TWIN BOLTS OF RED FIRE SPRANG FROM  D’ATROIS’ HANDS EVEN AS BOOTH ADJUSTED HIS AIM TO CENTER THE BARREL ON HIS TARGET.
 
 
SIGHTING, HE PULLED THE TRIGGER, AND ANOTHER POWDER FLASH SPARKED FROM THE BARREL, AND A SMALL, GLOWING SPIDER FLEW FROM THE END OF THE COLT NAVY PISTOL. UN WRAPPING ITS LEGS AS IT HURLED THROUGH THE AIR, BY-STANDERS SWORE THEY HEARD A SOUND LIKE A SMALL CHILD CHEERING ON A SWING, AS THE ROUND FLASHED PAST. (THOSE CLOSEST ABSOLUTELY SWORE THEY HEARD LAUGHING, AND A REQUEST TO “DO THIS AGAIN”.)
ATTACHING ITSELF TO ATROIS’ FACE, THE LEGS BEGAN TO GLOW, AND A WEB FORMED AROUND THE WIZARD’S BODY, PINNING HIS ARMS AND GAGGING HIM. EVEN AS THE WIZARD FELL, BOOTH ROLLED AND LOOKED AT WHERE SH’REE NOW LAY.
 
BOTH BODIES SMOKED SLIGHTLY.
 
WEARILY FEARING THE WORST BOOTHE HOLSTERED THE COLT AND STAGGERED TO THE STILL FORMS. THEY WERE CLOSE AND FACE DOWN ON THE TURF, BUT, MIRACULOUSLY, STILL BREATHING.
KNEELING BOOTHE  SUMMONED HIS LAST ERG OF ENERGY. HIS GRANDMOTHER HAD BEEN FROM AMERICA, A FULL BLOODED CHEROKEE INDIAN, AND LIKE THE WIZARDS OF HIS HOME PUT FAITH IN THE LAND.
 
” EARTH, MOTHER. SUN, FATHER, HEAR MY PLEA.
IN LIGHT OF NOON, BY DARK OF NIGHT,
LET NO HURT ESCAPE MY SIGHT.
WITH JUSTICE, SURE, AND MIGHT OF STEEL,
TAKE THESE WOUNDS, AND MAKE THEM HEAL,”
 
AS HE SPOKE, A BRIGHT AQUA COLORED GLOW FORMED ABOUT HIS HANDS, EVEN AS THE SUN, SHINING BRIGHT IN A CLOUDLESS SKY DIMMED. LAYING HIS HANDS ON BOTH SH’REE AND TIM’S FOREHEADS, HE SAW THE ENERGY FLOW INTO THEM AND LIGHTEN THEIR UPPER BODIES. STARTING AS THE GLOW FADED, BOTH TWITCHED AS FROM A BAD DREAM. THEN SH’REE SMILED,

a reply to: Skid Mark

, HER HAND CREEPING FOR TIM’S.
 
 
 
BOOTHE  KNEW HE WOULD ALWAYS CHERISH THAT MEMORY, EVEN AS HE HATED IT. THE SMILE WAS ONE OF COMPLETE LOVE, TRUST AND RESPECT, FOR HER MAN. EVEN THOUGH HE’D WISHED IT WAS RESERVED FOR HIM, HE COULDN’T HELP BUT ADMIRE THE MAN WHO’D WON THE HEART OF THIS SPIRITED YOUNG WITCH. SHE’D MADE HER CHOICE…
 
AS THEY LAY THERE, BOOTHE  SAID SOOTHINGLY, “REST NOW CHILDREN. MEDICS ARE COMMIN’, THEY’LL SEE TO YOU.”
 
STANDING, HE TURNED TOWARDS THE STADIUM TOWER. HE COULD SEE DUMBLEDORE, SNAPE AND MCDONNAGAL THERE. SIGHING, HE TURNED HIS BACK ON THE GIRL HE’D COME TO LOVE, AND TRUDGED UP THE STAIRS, MORE TIRED THAN HE COULD EVER REMBER BEING IN HIS LIFE, READY TO FACE THE PUNISHMENT HE KNEW WOULD BE COMING…
HE COLLAPSED HALF WAY UP THE STAIRS.
***** ***** ******
TWO DAYS LATER, THE OFFICIAL HEARING TOOK PLACE. A TRIBUNAL HEADED BY DUMBLEDORE, MCDONNAGAL, AND HOOCH, WITH SNAPE ACTING AS COUNCIL FOR THE SCHOOL, HEARD EVIDENCE. J.W.CHOSE TO HAVE NO REPRESENTATIVE.
“ THE CHARGES ARE MOST SPECIFIC, DUELING OFF THE GROUNDS, WITHIN SIGHT OF NON-MAGIC FOLK, USE OF LIFE THREATENING FORCE, AND USE OF MUGGLE EQUIPMENT AGAINST ONE OF PURE BRED WIZARD BLOOD. THE PROSECUTION ASKS FOR MAXIMUM SENTENCING, BANISHMENT AND REMOVAL OF ALL POWER, BY MEANS OF MEMORY CHARM, TO PREVENT ABUSES IN THE FUTURE.” SNAPE WAS CONSIDERABLY LESS ANIMATED IN HIS SPEECH THAN USUAL, BOOTHE ONE OF HIS, STILL.
 
“YES, THE SITUATION DOES SEEM TO CALL FOR HEAVY ACTION,” SAID DUMBLEDORE, PROMPTING A SMALL WHIMPER FROM PROFESSOR HOOTCH.
“WILL THE DEFENDANT NOT SPEAK? HAVE YOU NOTHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?” ASKED MCDONNAGAL.
 
 
“I ACTED AS I DID, ON INFORMATION FROM THE JOURNAL PRESENTED AS EVIDENCE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TRIAL. YOU ALL HAVE SEEN WHAT I HAVE SEEN. FROM THAT YOU MUST JUDGE. IF I SPEAK, THE FATES OF OTHERS MAY BE AFFECTED, AND IN KEEPING WITH THE ORDER OF MY CLAN, I CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THOSE NOT OF OUR KIND IN THIS WAY. IT IS FOR YOU TO DECIDE THE MERITS OF MY ACTIONS, AS COMMITTED TO HISTORY, AND NOT FOR ME TO SAY THE RIGHT OR WRONG OF IT. I AWAIT YOUR DECISION.”
 
  DUMBLEDORE LOOKED PUZZLED, AS DID THE OTHER THREE. THEY WERE USED TO STUDENTS EXPLAINING AWAY THEIR ACTIONS, MERELY SAYING, “YEAH, HERE I AM” WAS TOTALLY UNNERVING TO THEM, WHICH WAS WHAT J.W. WANTED. IF THEY HAD OVERLOOKED THE CRIMSON LETTERED PASSAGE, HE COULD KEEP HIS PERSONAL MOTIVE QUIET.
GLANCING AT EACH OTHER ,THE THREE AT THE HEAD TABLE OF THE BANQUET HALL CONVERSED BRIEFLY. DUMBLEDORE SPOKE AT LAST.
“THERE BEING NO NOTICEABLE DEFENSE FOR THE ACCUSED, WE FIND IN FAVOR OF THE PROSECUTION. SENTENCE OF BANISHMENT AND RESTRICTION TO BE CARRIED OUT FORTH WITH. WE WILL NEED TIME TO PREPARE, AND MR. BOOTHE TO GATHER HIS PERSONAL THINGS. PROFESSOR SNAPE, WE PLACE MR, BOOTHE UNDER YOUR GUARD. YOU WILL ESCORT HIM TO HIS ROOMS AND SEE TO IT HE HAS NO UNDUE CONTACT WITH STUDENTS EN-ROUTE…AT ONE O’CLOCK YOU WILL ESCORT MR. BOOTH TO THE FLYING FIELD FOR THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY.”
 
 ALL FOUR PREFECTS FORMED A BOX AROUND BOOTH AS THEY MARCHED TO THE DORMITORIES. STUDENTS LOOKED ENRAGED, SAD OR SHOCKED AT THE RUMORS OF THE TRIAL, IN EQUAL PROPORTION. SOME TRIED TO SHAKE HANDS IN FAREWELL, TO BE WARDED OFF BY PREFECTS. [NO TELLING WHAT COUNTER SPELLS HAD BEEN PREPARED, SNAPE HAD WARNED THEM PERMIT NO CONTACT.] SOME FEW GIRLS BOOTH HAD COUNSELED HERE AND THERE WERE CRYING, AND YOUNG MEN WHO’S HONOR HE HAD HELPED, OR SKILLS HE HAD ASSISTED TO SHARPEN LOOKED ENRAGED. BOOTH TWITCHED THE CORNER OF HIS MOUTH. AT THE DOOR TO THE COMMON ROOM, SNAPE LOOKED PUZZLED, AS DUMBLEDORE HAD EARLIER.
 
“SOMETHING WRONG, JAMES?”
“NO. NOT IN THE WHOLE BLEEDIN’ WORLD.” HE JERKED HIS THUMB AT THE CROWDED HALLWAYS.” A MAN WITH THAT MANY FRIENDS HASN’T A CARE IN THE WORLD. I’D LIKE TO THANK YOU PROFESSOR. YOU’VE BEEN A HARD TEACHER, BUT TO MY WAY O’ THINKIN’ THAT’S NO MORE THAN NEEDED HERE. YOU HAVE BROUGHT HONOR TO SLYTHERIN HOUSE THIS DAY, AN’ THAT’S NO ERROR.”
SNAPE ARCHED AN EYEBROW AS HE LET BOOTHE IN. [THE PASSWORD HAD BEEN CHANGED AND BOOTH UNDER GUARD]. GATHERING HIS OLD STYLE MUGGLE CLOTHES [ ALL BLACK SAVE FOR THE CRIMSON PATCH ON THE SHOULDER, A COILED COBRA ABOUT TO STRIKE ] HE PUT ON HIS BATTERED GREY HAT, IT’S WHITE AND BLACK BADGE, TWO HALF MOONS CHASING EACH OTHER IN A CIRCLE] HE PUT THEM IN A CANVAS BACK PACK AND SHOULDERED IT.
IT TOOK ALL OF TWO MINUTES.
 
 
AN ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE IN THE HALL WAYS OUTSIDE.
“ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF TO THE FLYING FIELD TO WITNESS PUNISHMENT.
ALL STUDENTS, THIS WAY..”
 
“THEY NEVER LET YOU OFF EASY, DO THEY,” SNAPE MUTTERED.
“MY REQUEST, I’M AFRAID. THEY DIDN’T TOTALLY CATCH THOSE IN THE MINISTRY WHO SUPPORTED D’ATROIS. LETTING ME OFF COULD LEAD TO CHARGES AGAINST THE SCHOOL. I TOLD DUMBLEDORE HOW TO PROCEED LAST NIGHT.”
SNAPE CHUCKLED AND ALMOST GRINNED.
“CAME TO YOU, DID HE?”
”AYE. IN TROUBLE OR NO, I’M STILL THE BEST ETHICS STUDENT AROUND. HE WANTED TO GET ME TO CHANGE MY MIND AND DEFEND MYSELF, INSTEAD I ARGUED MORALITY WITH HIM HALF THE NIGHT. WISH YOU’D BEEN THERE. YOU’D HAVE ENJOYED IT IMMENSELY.”
SOUNDS FROM THE HALLWAY STOPPED AND THE HALL BELL SOUNDED ONE.
“IT’S TIME, UNCLE.”
SNAPE COULDN’T RESTRAIN HIMSELF, BUT HUGGED HIS NEPHEW.” I’LL WRITE YOUR MOTHER, FIRST OPPORTUNITY I GET.”
“RECKONED YOU WOULD. TELL HER I’M FINE BUT A BIT BUSY RIGHT NOW; RECKON I’LL NOT BE HOME FOR A SPELL. HAPPEN I’M LUCKY, I’LL HAVE A FAMILY, NEXT WE MEET.”
SNAPE LOOKED AT BOOTHE SIDELONG. “WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SPEECH?”
“STUDIES. I CAN’T STAY HERE, REGULATIONS, SO I BEEN BONIN’ UP ON MY LANGUAGES AND HISTORY. FIGGURED I’D LIGHT OUT AN’ SEE ME SOME OF THE RANGE WHILE I’M AT IT. AMERICA IS RUMORED TO BE PRETTY THIS TIME OF YEAR. “LOOKING UP TO SNAPE HE GRINNED. “SEE YOU THEN” HE SAID.
AS THEY BEGAN TO LEAVE, BOOTHE USED A THUMB TACK TO POST A NOTE ON THE DOOR. AS A JOKE, HE COULDN’T RESIST.
 
“GONE TO TEXAS.
BOOTH.”
 
IT WAS THE OLD TIME MESSAGE OF A MAN RUNNING FROM THE LAW.
IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THAT STATE. AS AN INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC, C. 1837-1848, A MAN WANTED IN THE UNITED STATES COULD NOT BE TOUCHED IN TEXAS, AS IT WAS AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY AND NO TREATY EXISTED YET. MANY AN OUT-LAW RAN TO TEXAS TO PILLAGE AND MAIM. JUST AS MANY, SOUGHT A CLEAN START, AND BECAME RESPECTED CITIZENS.
SNAPE LOOKED AT BOOTH WITH THAT SMIRK OF HIS. “HA-HA” HE SAID.
BOOTH CHUCKLED ALL THE WAY OUT SIDE…
 
 
THEY DRUMMED HIM OUT OF THE SCHOOL, OLD STYLE. THE ROGUES MARCH SOUNDED CADENCE AS THE PREFECTS WALKED HIM TO THE GROUP OF THREE AGAIN. STOPPING 3 PACES FROM THE TRIBUNAL, BOOTH STOOD TO ATTENTION.
“ SENTENCING FOR THE FOLLOWING BREAKAGES OF THE LAW OF MERLIN WILL COMMENCE.
 
CHARGE: USE OF MAGIC, OUT OF CAMPUS. CONVICTED IS BANNED FROM USE OF MAGIC OFF PROPERTY, AND WILL BE STRIPPED OF ALL RANK AND PRIVILEGES THEREUNTO PERMITTED.”
AS DUMBLEDORE READ FROM THE SCROLL, HOOTCH STEPPED FORWARD AND REMOVED HIS WAND FROM HIS BELT LOOPS. HIS WAND, HAND MADE AND FASHIONED WITH A CLAYMORES’ BASKET HILT, REMINISCENT OF A CUTLASS OF OLD, WAS SNAPPED IN HALF, BREAKING HIS POWER CLEAN.
THERE WAS A COLLECTIVE GASP FROM THE AUDIENCE, THIS PUNISHMENT WAS NOT MUCH DONE, AND IT CAME AS A SHOCK.AS THIS OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT OF HIM, MCDONNAGAL REMOVED HIS DEPUTY PREFECTS BADGE FROM HIS LEFT.
“CHARGE: CONDUCT UN-BECOMING A STUDENT, BY DUELING IN SIGHT OF MUGGLES, CONVICTED WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUNDS, AND HAVE A MEMORY CHARM INVOKED, SO AS TO PREVENT HIS HARMING OUR PEOPLE. THE CONVICT

a reply to: Skid Mark

“CHARGE: CONDUCT UN-BECOMING A STUDENT, BY DUELING IN SIGHT OF MUGGLES, CONVICTED WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUNDS, AND HAVE A MEMORY CHARM INVOKED, SO AS TO PREVENT HIS HARMING OUR PEOPLE. THE CONVICTED HAS CHOSEN A PLACE AND TIME FOR HIS …”DUMBLEDORE COULDN’T SPEAK THE WORD; HIS VOICE HAD TIGHTENED, SO BOOTH DID HIM THE FAVOR.
 
”EXILE.”
 
 DUMBLEDORE CONTINUED ”LIFE, THAT MAY BE SUITABLE FOR HIS TEMPERAMENT, FAR AND AWAY FROM US. FOR THAT HE WILL HAVE HIS MIND ADJUSTED TO FIT IN. HAS THE CONVICTED ANY LAST REQUEST?”
“NO, SIR. JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED. PROCEED.”
“VERY WELL, THEN.”
 
 
THE THREE BEGAN A CHANT, AND HIS MIND SWIRLED. MIST FORMED A 6 FOOT VORTEX IN FRONT OF HIM, SWIRLING VERTICALLY. HE STEPPED INTO HIS NEW LIFE…
          
 
      
 
…HIS HORSE WENT DOWN, AND THE AIR CHOKED WITH POWDER SMOKE. FRENCH BEGAN MARCHING TOWARDS HIM, A COLUMN OF AT LEAST 300 MEN, TEN WIDE AND 30 DEEP, barely VISIBLE IN THE EARLY DAWN DIMNESS.
“THIS REALLY DON’T LOOK LIKE TEXAS,” HE THOUGHT. THEN HE LOOKED AT THE WALLS AND FLAG FLYING FROM IT. A GREEN WHITE AND RED TRI-COLOR, THE NUMERALS 1824 CENTERED IN THE VERTICAL WHITE BAR.
 
‘Great.. It’s February, 1836, and I’m caught between Santa Anna’s Mexican army and the walls of the Alamo mission, in San Antonio de Bexar..
“YOU DON’T SUPPOSE THEY COULD HAVE CUT THAT ONE ANY CLOSER, DO YA?” HE MUTTERED, AS THE LAST OF HIS MEMORIES FADED…
 ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
 ?
 
 
**** ***** ****
 
 Recovering his Palomino mount ,  he scanned the dimly lit area quickly. Flashes of gunfire broke the darkness. ”General Sam’s up north, so that’s where I go. Santa Anna’s cannon got a gap just to the north east though, so..” Turning his horse, he galloped off quickly in the gathering light..
 
 
… AT HOGWARTS, RUMORS FLEW AS THE ASSEMBLY BROKE UP. SNAPE APPROACHED DUMBLEDORE. “BUT WHAT OF THE LIFE THREATENING CHARGE?” HE ASKED.
ALBUS LOOKED BACK AT SNAPE. “NOT REALLY MUCH THERE, IS THERE, PROFESSOR, AS MERLIN SERVED ARTHUR IN TIME OF WAR. I’M STILL NOT CONVINCED WE HAVEN’T OVER LOOKED SOMETHING.”
SNAPE BLINKED.
“ THIS WAY, WE CAN MAKE GOOD OUR ERROR, NOTHING IS PERMANENT HERE. YOUR NEPHEW’S E.. EX… AHEM …TRIP, IS SELF IMPOSED. WE MAY YET RETURN HIM TO SLYTHERIN.”
SNAPE RAN BACK INTO THE CASTLE….
 
 ?
 
 25 YEARS LATER
 
1861.
EL PASSO TEXAS WAS GEARING UP FOR WAR.
JAMES WILLIAM BOOTH, TEXAS RANGER, WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHERE HIS FEELINGS LAY. HIS LOVE OF THE OPEN RANGE, WITH HIS BLOOD LINES SEEKING JUSTICE FOR BOTH THE IRISH IMMIGRANTS ALONG THE COAST, AND THE INDIAN TRIBES WEST AND NORTH OF HERE, LED HIM TO WANT TO STAY AT HOME. HE WAS 41 YEARS OLD, AN ADVANCED AGE AS HE LIVED, AND HIS SKILLS IN SEEKING OUT THE TRUTH BEHIND VARIOUS UPRISINGS HAD LED HIM TO THE POST OF CHIEF OF STATE SCOUTS, A POSITION OF SOME AUTHORITY.
YET IT WAS HIS LOVE FOR HIS ADOPTED LAND THAT HAD HIM THINKING OF JOINING THE COMING FIGHT WITH THE NORTHERN STATES OVER THE ISSUES OF STATE LAW AND FEDERAL JURISDICTION. GRANTED, HE HAD NO LOVE FOR SLAVERY, BUT TO A MAN NOT TIED DOWN TO ANY ONE PLACE, THAT MATTERED NOT. ONLY ABOUT 300,000 PEOPLE OF 9,000,000 OWNED ANY SLAVES DOWN SOUTH, AS THE LAST CENSUS REPORTED. ONLY THOSE WHO OWNED LARGE PLOTS OF LAND, A LEGACY LEFT OVER FROM THE COLONIAL DAYS WHEN ALL AMERICA BELONGED TO THE CROWN, WORRIED OVER THIS ISSUE.
THE BIGGER WORRY WAS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD TELL PEOPLE OF THIS LAND WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO BUY, OR NOT TO BUY.
J-DUB, AS HE WAS CALLED, FRETTED MUCH OVER THIS.
AND OTHER THINGS.
RECENTLY, HIS SLEEP HAD BEEN TROUBLED, UNEXPLAINABLE DREAMS OF A DISTANT LIFE, ATTENDING A STRANGE SCHOOL, ENGULFED HIS NIGHTS, AS DID THE MYSTERIOUS LETTERS FROM AN UNCLE, HIS FACE A DIM MEMORY, NAMED SNAPE, WHICH APPEARED, WITH NO RETURN ADDRESS, OCCASIONALLY IN HIS BEDROLL.
 
RIDING OUT WITH HIS STRING OF 5 HORSES, HE HEADED SOUTHEAST AT DAWN. HIS TWO RIDING MOUNTS WOULD EAT GROUND QUICKLY, AND HE’D BE ON STATION AT BROWNSVILLE, IN THE NEUESSES STRIP, SOON. THE OTHER THREE HORSES PACKED HIS SUPPLIES OF COFFEE, HARDTACK AND BEANS, WHICH HE’D SUPPLEMENT BY HUNTING, ELK AND ANTELOPE, ALONG THE WAY USING HIS COLT’S MODEL 1855 HALF STOCKED REVOLVING CARBINE. THE .36 CALIBER RIFLE MADE A TRUSTY COMPANION TO HIS TRIO OF NAVY PISTOLS, AND HARDLY EVER FAILED TO PROCURE FOOD.
 
 
 
 
 ?
 
HE HEARD THE SCREECH OF THE OWL ABOUT TWO HOURS OUT OF EL PASSO. LOOKING UP AT THE NOMINALLY NOCTURNAL BIRD, HE WONDERED WHAT HAD UPSET IT. BRINGING HIS HORSES TO A HALT HE UNBOOTED HIS RIFLE, AND CHECKED HIS PISTOLS FOR ACCESSIBILITY. Two of The Navy Colts,
?
 
IN CAVALRY TWIST DRAW HOLSTERS, SPORTED 5 INCH BARRELS, THE ‘SHERIFF’S’ MODEL, CARRIED BY “J-DUB” AS A JOKE. HE FREQUENTLY PATROLLED BORDER TOWNS WHERE THE NAVY WAS, AND COULDN’T HELP TEASINGLY SUGGESTING WRITING A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO “OL’COLONEL SAM” ABOUT THE IMPROPER NAMING OF THE PIECE, POINTING OUT THE NAVAL TITLE FOR SHERIFF WAS “SHORE PATROL…”
THE THIRD, CARRIED IN HIS RIGHT BOOT SPORTED THE 3” ‘POCKET BARREL. DESIGNED FOR CONCEALMENT, IT OFFERED PROTECTION AGAINST SNAKES, AND OTHER “VARMINTS” AT CLOSE RANGES.
HIS LEFT BOOT HELD A POINTED HUNTING KNIFE KNOWN AS AN ‘ARKANSAS TOOTHPICK’. TWO CARTRIDGE BOXES FOR 30 ROUNDS OF PAPER CARTRIDGES FOR THE RIFLE AND A THIRD FOR THE PISTOLS, PLUS 3 CAP BOXES FINISHED OUT HIS BELT-ON GEAR. THE REST WAS STRICTLY WORK CLOTHES.
A GOOD J.B.STRATTON HAT IN BLACK, LOW CROWNED, AND DECORATED WITH A BLACK AND WHITE BADGE, SAT ON HIS HEAD AT A “JACK-DEUCE” ANGLE FAVORED IN TEXAS. HIS BOOTS, DESIGNED FOR BOTH RIDING AND HIKING, HAD MID SIZED SQUARED HEELS, TO BOTH GRIP THE STIRRUPS AND GIVE BALANCE AFOOT. THEY WERE THE WORK OF OLD JOE GAYLIN OF ELPASSO AND WERE THE BEST A RANGERS’ MONEY COULD BUY.
 
THE BELT ALSO WAS A SIGN TO RANGE WISE EYES. ALSO A GAYLIN, IT TOLD A RANGE HAND SOMETHING. GAYLIN CHOSE THE MEN WHO WORE HIS BELTS. HIS BOOTS, VESTS AND HATS HE’D SELL TO ANYONE WHO COULD MEET HIS STEEP PRICES. HIS BELTS WERE NOT JUST GIVEN TO ANYONE; TO WEAR A GAYLIN BELT YOU HAD TO BE A TOP HAND. A BLACK SHIRT, VEST AND JEANS, ALL GOOD QUALITY, COMPLETED HIS ENSEMBLE.
BEFORE SIGNING ON WITH THE RANGERS, HE’D WORKED SOME WITH A PACK MASTER, HAULING SUPPLIES TO MINING CAMPS IN CALIFORNIA, COLORADO AND OTHER PLACES. DOWN SOUTH OF THE BORDER, NUMEROUS FRIENDS CHEERFULLY CALLED HIM ”EL CARGADORE”, THE CARGO MASTER. BY THE TIME HE RETURNED TO TEXAS, HE’D SAVED UP SOME MONEY, AND COULD VOLUNTEER FOR RANGER SERVICE, AN UNPAID POSITION IN THOSE EARLY DAYS. NOW HE WAS FAIRLY INDEPENDENT AND LOOKING FOR ANOTHER
 SMALL RANCH…BY 1854, HE’D FOUND ONE, A HUNDRED ACRES ON THE BRAZOS .HE’D SOLD OFF PART OF  HIS CLAIM FOR 640 ACRES, GIVEN TO HIM FOR SERVICE IN THE WAR WITH Santa ANNA , FOR LIVING MONEY BACK WHEN HE WAS STARTING OUT. HE HAD KEPT 440 ACRES, AND NOW WAS LOOKING TO EXPAND..
 
LOOKING ABOUT, HE SAW NO IMMEDIATE SIGN OF TROUBLE. AN INDIAN SAT HIS HORSE ON A RIDGE ABOUT A QUARTER- MILE AWAY. NOT CARRYING A LANCE, WHICH WOULD BE VISIBLE EVEN AT THIS RANGE, THE MOUNTED RIDER WAS OBVIOUSLY HUNTING, AND WOULD NOT STOOP TO ATTACK THE OWL, BELIEVED TO BE A MESSENGER BETWEEN SPIRITS AND THE MEDICINE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE TRIBES. BOOTH STOOD UP AWAY FROM HIS HORSES, LETTING THE STRAPS OF THE BRIDLE DROP. HIS MOUNT WAS TRAINED, AND WOULD WAIT.
MAKING SIGN WITH HIS HANDS, BOOTH IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS CHEROKEE BLOOD, [EVEN THOUGH ONLY ¼] THE INDIAN REPLIED WITH THE BACKWARD SLITHERING SNAKE MOTION OF THE COMANCHE TRIBES.
 
 

a reply to: Skid Mark
[SOMEWHERE IN THEIR PAST TWO BRANCHES OF THE TRIBE HAD DISAGREED OVER THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL THEY WERE TAKING. OTHER TRIBES SAW THE DISCUSSION AND NAMED THEM “ BACKWARDS SNAKES.” THE NAME HAD STUCK.]
 
KNOWING HE WAS SAFE, AS NO HUNTER WOULD BOTHER TALKING IF HE PLANNED TO RAID HORSES, BOOTH LOOKED BACK TO THE OWL. A FINE, HOOT TYPE, IT DESCENDED TO HIS SHOULDER AND PUSHED A SEALED LETTER INTO HIS HAND.
 
“SO YOU’RE THE CULPRIT THAT’S BEEN LEAVING MESSAGES ALL OVER, HUH? ‘BOUT TIME YOU UP AN’ SHOWED YOURSELF, I’D’ A BEEN ‘HARD WINTERING’ FORE I’D FIGGERED IT OUT.” BOOTH SAID, USING THE RANGE TERM FOR A RETIREMENT. “OLD TIMERS” WOULD SIT AROUND THE COUNTRY STORE, SPINNING TALL TALES ABOUT THE HARDEST WINTER THEY COULD REMEMBER AFTER GETTING TOO OLD TO WORK.
OPENING THE LETTER, HE READ:
 
“MR. BOOTH.
        THE MINISTRY HAS COMMENCED A FULL INQUIRY INTO YOUR CASE. YOUR PRESENCE REQUESTED HERE AT HOGWARTS, TO GIVE TESTIMONY, AT YOUR EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. THIS MESSENGER WILL CARRY YOUR REPLY.
“ALBUS DUMBLEDORE,
HOGWARTS. [S.O.W.&W]”
A SOFT PINK GLOW ENGULFED HIS HANDS AS HE READ, AND MEMORIES CAME BACK WITH A FLOOD. SIGHING, HE DUG A STUB OF A PENCIL OUT OF HIS POCKET.
ON THE SPACE UNDER THE MESSAGE, HE WROTE:
 
“CAN NOT PROMISE ANY WORDS OF VALUE, BUT WILL TRY TO ARRIVE. REQUEST INFORMATION UPON WHEREABOUTS OF MISS (MRS.?)
SH’REE O’HARA BEFORE DECIDING. ALL MY BEST.
J.W.B.”
 
LOOKING UP HE ASKED HIMSELF, “WONDER IF OL’ HAGRID’S STILL THERE? DECENT SORT, OL’ HAGRID.”
THE OWL RUFFLED HIS WINGS, LOOKING AT BOOTH AS IF TO SAY, “YOU’RE JOKING, RIGHT?” BOOTH GRINNED, AND ADDED A POSTSCRIPT.
“SEND HAGRID, IF AVAILABLE, TO ‘YELLOW ROSE, TAVERN’ BROWNSVILLE TEXAS, 10 A.M. TWO DAYS HENCE. I SHOULD BE READY FOR TRAVEL, WITH HIS HELP, BY NOON. J.W.B.”
 
RE-SEALING THE LETTER, HE GAVE SOME JERKY TO THE OWL, PATTED HIM A BIT AS HE ATE, AND THEN SECURED THE NOTE IN IT’S SLING.
“YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, EH?” HE SAID.
THE OWL LAUNCHED ITSELF FROM HIS SHOULDER AND WAS SOON OUT OF SIGHT…
TWO DAYS LATER…
J-DUB ENTERED THE LIVERY STABLE, AND FOUND OLD FESTUS MCGEE, AT HIS CHORES AS USUAL, IN A DECENT MOOD. “HEY THAR JIMEE, YA’LL RIDIN’ FER TROUBLE, OR YEH JES’ PASSIN’ THROUGH?”
“PASSIN’. BEEN CALLED OUTTA STATE FOR A SPELL. QUESTION FOR YA. YOU STILL GOT THAT MONGOOSE ‘ROUND HERE?”
“SHURE. HE’S A SIGHT TER WATCH, RUNNIN’ THEM THAR RATS, BUT AH REALLY NEED TA GET HIM A HOME. YOU INTERESTED?”
“YEP. OLD FRIEND O’ MINE’S IN TOWN, AN’ HE’D LOVE HIM. LIKES ALL MANNER OF PETS, HAGRID DOES.”
“WALL, AH’S GOTS A CARPET BAG HE LIKES T’ SLEEP IN, AN AH KIN GET HIM DOWN WITH A BIT OF CHEESE. AH’LL BE RIGHT BACK, IFFN YOU’LL JES’ WAIT THAR…”
AN HOUR LATER, WITH THE AID OF SOME FLOO POWDER DELIVERED BY OWL, BOOTH SAT HIS MOUNT ON THE HILL OVER LOOKING THE GROUND AT HOGWARTS, CARPET BAG SUSPENDED ON HIS SADDLE HORN, IT’S PASSENGER FAST ASLEEP. THUMPER, HIS BAY STALLION, PAWED THE GROUND AND SNORTED APPROVAL.
“I KNOW, BOY,” BOOTH SAID PATTING HIS NECK. “I MISSED THE PLACE. SEEMS FOREVER, NOW. WELL, LET’S GET TO MOVING, HAGRID’S PLACE IS DOWN ON THE COMMONS…”
RIDING SLOWLY, BOOTH TOOK IN THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF HERB LOGY CLASSES AND QUID DITCH PRACTICES AS HE PASSED. A FEW PEOPLE STOPPED TO LOOK, STAFF IN SHOCK, AND STUDENTS IN AWE. IT WASN’T OFTEN A TEXAS RANGER SHOWED UP IN ENGLAND, MOUNT AND ALL. YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THE GROUND SPLIT OPEN AND SPIT HIM OUT, FULL GROWED, AND WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A BURP…
BOOTH RECALLED THE NOTE HE RECEIVED THE EVENING OF HIS REPLY.
 
“HAGRID DOWN WITH TERRIBLE COLD AND UNABLE TO TRAVEL OFF PREMISES, BY DOCTORS ORDER, BUT REQUESTS YOU SEE HIM IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL. DOCTOR SAYS COMPANY PROBABLY GOOD MEDICINE FOR HIM AT THIS TIME, TO GET HIM TO STAY STILL AND REST. FLOO POWDER IN CAPSULE ENCLOSED IN THIS LETTER.
UNCLE SNAPE.”
 
BOOTH HAD JUGGLED IDEAS AROUND ON HOW TO HELP HIS FRIEND, AND THEN HIT UPON FESTSUS’ PROBLEM AS THE ANSWER. NOW ALL THAT REMAINED WAS TO ENGINEER THE DELIVERY. AT THE FRONT DOOR, HE DISMOUNTED, AND ROPED THUMPER TO A TREE BESIDE THE HUT. TAKING HIS SADDLE BOOT AND CARPET BAG FROM THE HORSE, HE WENT TO THE DOOR AND KNOCKED.
THE REUNION WAS HEARD IN THE DUNGEON, WHERE SNAPE’S POTION CLASS WAS HARD AT WORK ON AN INVISIBLE INK. THE PROFESSOR STOPPED MID-SENTENCE AND GRINNED. THE STUDENTS THOUGHT HE WAS SUFFERING A MOMENTARY BOUT WITH GAS, BEFORE HE RESUMED HIS LECTURE…
 
“YER EARLY YET. TH’ HEARIN’ AIN’T TILL NOON. TOOK SOME DOIN’ BY YER UNCLE AN’ ME, BUT WE GOT IT TOGETHER FER YA, AN’ YER DON’ HAVE A WORRY. GOTS IT ALL FIXED UP, THAT BOOK DOES. SHAME NOBODY SEEN IT ‘FORE NOW.”
“YOU LOOK FIT HAGRID. REMARKABLY FIT FOR ONE DYING OF SNIFFOLOGY.”
“EH?”
“I’D HEARD YOU COULDN’T TRAVEL DUE TO A COLD.”
“OH, THAT. YER UNCLE’S IDER, HIM WANTIN TO PUT UP A COUPLE OF WELCOME BACK SIGNS AN’ ALL, BUT LOOKEE HERE, YER UP AN’ SHOW UP ‘AFORE WE COULD GET OUT TH’ LADDERS, EVEN…”
“FIGURES. HOW IS THE OLD GEEZER, ANY-HOO? STILL HIS CHARMING SELF?”
“AYE, AN’ STILL TH’ TERROR O’ THE STUDENTS, THAT’S RIGHT ENOUGH. BUT HERE, I’M FERGITTIN’ ME MANNERS! COME IN, AN’ LET ME TAKE YER BAG, AN’ FIX SOME TEA, YER MUST BE STARVIN AFTER THA’ TRIP…”
“ I COULD EAT. ACTUALLY THE CARPET BAG’S FER YOU, THE BOOT I’LL PUT IN A CORNER.CAN I ASK A FAVOR?”
“SURE.”
“DURING THE HEARING I NEED TO PUT AWAY MY GEAR, AND MY HOSS OUT SIDE COULD DO WITH SOME WATER. KIN…?.”
BOOTH NEVER GOT TO FINISH. “YER TOOLS IS SAFE HERE, BEEN CONJURING’ UP A ‘SAFETY’ SPELL WAITIN’ FER YA AN’ I’LL GET TER TH’ HOSS IN JUST A SNAP.MIND IF I ASK WHAT’S IN HERE?”
“OH..A ‘GET WELL’ CARD, OF SORTS. I REMEMBERED YOU’RE FONDNESS FOR PETS AND…”
“OH BLESS YOU, A SNAKE CHARMER! WON’T UNCLE BE SURPRISED. NOT NECESSARILY HAPPY, HIM BEIN’ SLYTHERIN’ AN’ ALL, BUT SURPRISED.”
THE LUDICROUSNESS OF IT HIT BOOTH ALL AT ONCE. THE SNAKE CATCHER FROM INDIA, AND A HOUSE SLYTHERIN STUDENT BRINGING IT HOME. IT TOOK A HALF-HOUR FOR BOOTH TO CATCH HIS BREATH AFTER THE FIT OF LAUGHTER….
*****************************************************************************************
 
 
THEY entered the great hall by way of the main door. Students packed the place, taking their customary places at the long dining tables. Booth had washed quickly and had changed into a dress uniform of the Rangers’ earlier days, a forest green short jacket with stand up collar trimmed in gold, and trousers of matching color, with gold seam stripe. The circle and star badge was polished and pinned to his left breast. Today, he wore polished black knee high boots, instead of his usual moccasins. He’d left his belted pistols behind and was again escorted by the 4 prefects. Hagrid, walking beside him, sported the Mongoose upon his right shoulder.
Nearing the speakers podium, he saw the tribunal he expected. In the front row of spectators, though were 3 people he did not expect. Sh’ree Tim and a young child, about 8 years of age were there. The couple had matured, and Sh’ree looked more beautiful than he’d remembered. He grinned through his trimmed beard, and nodded. Folding his hands behind him, he stood upright as possible.
‘This hearing is merely a formality. It has been discovered that James William Boothe, formerly of this school, was wrongly accused at his trial, some 12 years ago..” Dumbledore intoned.
“Twelve and a half, sir.”
Dumbledore looked askance of Booth at the interruption.
“Ethics major, remember? Just to keep the tally books straight,” Booth said.
This drew a chuckle from everyone, and a smile from Dumbledo

a reply to: Skid Mark
“Twelve and a half, sir.”
Dumbledore looked askance of Booth at the interruption.
“Ethics major, remember? Just to keep the tally books straight,” Booth said.
This drew a chuckle from everyone, and a smile from Dumbledore.
“Twelve and a half years ago, for the record.
“We intend to right that wrong, today. Documents uncovered reveal the nefarious plans of that week to have only been averted by Boothe’s actions. Had he not acted with dispatch, great harm would have been done. As a result, he is here by reinstated to status, and his ….
“Exile,” Booth said for him yet again.
“..revoked. Mr. Boothe, you may return to us, continue your studies, and join the staff as Head of security here at Hogwarts.”
 
 
 
Booth grinned briefly.
 
“I thank you for clearing my name, but it’s not my name any longer. As this life is no longer mine.”
A gasp arose from the crowd, loudest from Sh’ree..
“I have a home, on the Sabine River in Texas. I started anew, and rebuilt from there. You see the student you knew, but he no longer exists. My name is J. W. Booth, with no e or accent on it, a Texas Ranger, state law man, and rancher.  For You a  little more than a decade has passed. For me, it’s been two and a half. I’ve aged, and no one can take that back. I appreciate the offer, but I have taken, out of necessity a different path.”
Pandemonium threatened to break out, but the Headmaster silenced it quickly with upraised hands.
“This is to be the expected reply of our foremost ethics student. An honorable, if blunt statement of un deniable fact. With that said accept this diploma. While all of your studies were not completed, we , the Ministry of Magic, and every student who has seen your case, all agree.. you have most definably completed your studies in that field…”
Booth nodded and accepted the parchment.
“You’ll be returning to your life, then?”
“As soon as we can arrange it, sir. I can not do it alone, and would appreciate your assistance.”
“Very well. Tomorrow after breakfast, I think.’”
“Fine. I’ll stand the school  staff to a pint tonight.”
Dumbledore nodded. “A dance I think would not be out of place. Students note: classes will be suspended for the rest of the day, so you may prepare, and ask your ..ah.. ‘Dates’ I believe is the term. Informal, I think…’
The room broke into wild cheering. Which  Dumbledore quickly silenced.
“You must be quick and orderly, however, so off with you, back to your common rooms, quickly, quickly..”
The hall emptied in record time.
Turning to go Booth found Sh’ree looking at him. A faint scar separated part of his beard on the Left cheek , A  visible memento of that long ago day. Sh’ree caressed it lightly. “I heard about it.”
“That couldn’t be avoided, as you were the main attraction to the bad guy..’he started.
“No ALL of it. Including your feelings..”
Booth cursed silently. ‘Hagrid and that mouth of his..”
“Not his fault, I spiked his tea, “
“Ah. Well. that’s the past.”
“Yes, it leads to the future, though. I’d like you to meet and visit your God-son.’
Booth jerked up short. “God-son?”
“Yes. Come here..’
Leading Booth over to her Husband and son, She continued.
“Timothy you know,” she said as the older men shook hands and grinned at each other, “but this you do not. Timothy James, meet your God-father James William Booth.”
Booth looked down into blue eyes and offered his hand. T.J. took it firmly .[for a 8 year old] What’s a ‘God-father?”
Booth smiled. “Somebody like a big brother, or an uncle, who is not related.”
“Oh. Mum says you catch bad men.”
“yup. That’s my job.”
“Good. Can I help. Bad men hurt mum.”
Booth glanced up sharply, but Sh’ree just caressed the old scar again, shaking her head.
“Do not scare him , Timothy. That was a long time ago, and Mr. Booth was there.”
“I’m sorry…can I help? Bad men hurt Mum , a long time ago?”
Booth laughed.
“Well ya need a mite of growin’ but if I’m still around when you get out of school, I rekon you can.. anywhere you want to.”
“Goody…” T.J. tore off running up to Dumbledore..
“I’m going to catch bad men!
I’m going to catch bad men!”
Dumbledore smiled down at the child. “you are?”
“Yes! Mr. Booth my God father said so!”
Timothy the elder came over to reclaim his child. As he did so, Sh’ree looked up at Booth. “You just made his day perfect. We both told him so much about you.”
“Looks like a good lad to ride with. Hate to disappoint him.”
Sh’ree looked up sharply.
Booth looked back. “I won’t be back , girl. You know that. Not even for a visit. It’s too difficult to arrange. When I go this time..” he sighed…”It’s good- bye, forever.”
Turning, he looked briefly at her face, before returning to Hagrids..
Booth woke early, with a mild headache. The dance had been a success, and he’d racked out on one of the tables in the main hall, rather than wobble back to
Hagrids. Now he needed to make ready for the road.
Pulling on his hat, he stumbled out into a partly cloudy day. Rain was in the offing, he could smell it. Making his way back, he set about making coffee and saddling his horse…
    An hour later, after the school had served breakfast, they met on the flying field. Again the school had turned out. Booth looked over at Dumbledore.
“One last time..” he said.
“You are certain you won’t change your mind?”
“Can’t, sir. Folks are counting on me.”
“Very well, let us begin..”
?
 
 
Booth mounted. The vortex began to  form once again, and when it glowed brightly, Booth spurred his horse forward without a single glance back..

a reply to: Greywolf13A

Oh, man. I forgot to sign out when I was over at your place lol. OOPS!

Nada..

Under Consrtuction on the late night shift:
Book # 2 SHADOWS.

Awesome stuff. I hope you find a publisher. Good luck with everything.

a reply to: karmicecstasy

Probably lead off with an E-book, with PB and Audios to follow..
Traveler Series has a site at wix.com, I'll keep folks posted on updates.
Right now..pre-production publicity. Such as it is.

with a cabin building tossed in there somewhere.
If it's a work of your heart, no one 's rejection can take YOUR accomplishment from you. Do It for yourself, and take pride in it.

a reply to: Greywolf13A

Thanks, looking forward to reading the book when it comes out and becoming a fan.

Beware the "humor", though..

a reply to: Greywolf13A

I thought it was rather punny, myself. Ha Ha.

Well..I published Today. The book is out in paper and E-book form. maybe now i kin get geared for # 2..

a reply to: karmicecstasy

Amazon became my publisher...we be out today..

a reply to: Greywolf13A
And we'll have another adventure lol. I can't wait to see what happens next.

a reply to: Greywolf13A

Sweet, I will be getting it on Friday. I will make sure to put up a review on Amazon. Seriously can not wait to read this.

a reply to: karmicecstasy

That sounds like an interesting list in it's own right..
Escape from Apotheosis - Misanthropic Misread Prophet - [PAN2014] - Superhero Free Jazz - The Gang - Super Cool Awesome Girl[MAY2015] now that I got a minute, I'll see about checking them out. GW13A