La Paz del Mundo

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He saw that their room was decorated in the exact same style as their own. He looked to the kitchen and saw Matt sitting on a stool, drinking red wine and watching the local news on TV.

"Baby, get Harry a glass. What would you like to drink?"

Harry still couldn't find the words to speak. He just kept starring at her eyes; the more he thought about it, they really did look like his frosted over.

"Harry Potter, I KNOW you're not deaf, and that you drink. I saw you at the restaurant."

"How did you know it was me?"

She laughed. "Call it feminine intuition. What do you want to drink?"

Harry snapped out of it. "I'll have whatever you're drinking."

Kate nodded to Matt for him to pour the drink. "Good choice. Best wine in all of Chile." She took the wine glass from Matt and handed it to Harry. "Here you go."

"Thank you." He took a sip. "You still have to answer my question. How did you know it was me?"

"First off, you got here in a group of twelve. That's what tipped me off in the first place. And secondly, I saw you with Hermione. They can change you're looks, but they can't change THE look in your eyes when you're around her."

Harry blushed. "It's wonderful to know that my face is so easy to read."

"And that you still have the grace to blush." He nodded his consent. "Harry, it'd be best if you'd call the rest over; it'll be easier to explain it all at once."

"Fair enough." Harry set down his wine glass on the kitchen counter. "Just don't run off; that goes for both of you."

Matt spoke. "You have our word, Harry."

Harry left, and a moment latter, returned with the other eleven in tow. He stepped in, Benny close on his heels.

"Kate, is it really you?"

She picked up her wand off the counter, closed her eyes, and tapped the center of her forehead while saying, "Parte posteriore ancora." From where her wand touched, her skin began to lighten; it spread to her hair, changing caramel brown to strawberry blonde, and her freckles became more apparent. Her eyes were the last things to change, and even when it was finished, little flecks of the frosted green could be seen in the sea of baby blue.

"Yea, it's me, Benny." They threw themselves at each other to hug. Until then, it had been Kate and Matt staring at them as they piled into the room; but when Kate and Benny hugged, as if on cue, Shannon threw herself at her brother.

"Kate, you are so, so goddamn stupid." He dropped a kiss on her forehead, right where her wand had been. "What the hell were you thinking, with that stunt you pulled back in England with Voldemort? We thought you were dead."

Kate thought his voice sounded weepy; she'd save the smartass comments for later. "Benny, it's okay. Its okay, honey. I'm alive see? But, can I request something from you?"

"Yeah."

"Can you PLEASE change back to you? It's kinda strange to call you Benny but see someone else."

"Sure." He picked up her wand, performed the same spell, and passed it to Dani. Matt followed suit with his own wand, finally passing it to Shannon. When she was done, Matt wrapped his sister in a strong hug again.

"Shannon, you're shaking."

"I thought you were dead... I had to tell Mom and Dad that I had lost you in England."

"Shannon, you're not responsible for me."

"Yes I am. I'm your big sister."

Matt laughed. "By two minutes, and that's a high estimation."

Hermione was quiet; Kate could see that she was thinking. "What is it, Hermione?"

"How did you do it? How did you survive the curse?"

"Oh, that. Matt, explain."

"We turned our wands into portkeys. We knew that Voldemort would most definitely be using the Avada Kedavra curse, so we charmed the wands to take us back to Chicago as soon as anyone spoke the words. We got to the apartment, reported to Victoria, and then took off for here. We didn't even spend a night in Chicago."

Benny looked shocked. "Do you two know how fucking lucky you are?! You could have spliced yourself!"

Kate rolled her eyes and pushed Benny away. "Jesus, Ben, we knew the risks. But when it comes to being spliced or being dead, I'd rather be spliced. At least THAT can be fixed; not even wizards have found a way to bring back the dead with out serious consequences. We should know that better than anyone else."

"Kate, that's no excuse..."

Ron cut Benny off. "Kate, where's my sister?"

She rounded on her ex. "What makes you think that we know where little Ginny Weasley, no, make that Malfoy, is?"

Ron looked pissed. "Stop dicking around. Where's my sister? I know you wouldn't be here with out a real reason, and Victoria wouldn't have sent us to fetch you. Now where is she, and that little fuck of a man Malfoy?"

Matt smirked. "Someone's panties are in a twist."

"Matthew, let me handle this. Yes, Ron, your sister is on the island. The Hilton, if you want an exact location, and "that little fuck of a man" is indeed with her- as her husband," Kate explained.

"Who the hell would marry my cousin to a sixteen year old? That bastard oughta be shot."

"Hey Lauren. I see Jarrod's attempts at a reformation aren't working too well."

"No shit."

"Lauren, I told you to stop swearing."

"She been giving you problems too, Chris?"

"When has she NOT given us problems, Kate?"

"Hey! I'm in the room, you know!"

Chris pondered this for a second. "Yes, we do know, and that is why we continue. Any other stupid questions?"

"Can we please get back on the goddamn subject, and find out where the fuck my sister is?!"

Kate rolled her eyes. "Ronnie, you're being repetitive; we already told you where she is. If you want to know what she and dear old Draco are doing here, on the other hand, you can take a trip with us down to the Hilton tomorrow for a time share talk."

"Kate, you just said that twelve people showing up at the same time tipped you off; think about what'll happen when fourteen come knocking on the Hilton's door?" Dani was practically tapping her foot as she spoke.

"Dani, babe, that's easy. Me and Matt can go on our own, same for you and Benny. You're a native speaker, so that shouldn't cause any problems, and my mother has Spanish drilled so well into my head that I should be covered too." She rounded on Hermione, Harry, and Ron. "This place is covered with people who speak with a British accent. Even if Shannon goes along and keeps her mouth shut, there should be no problems with you going on your own. The rest of you need to stay put."

"Kate, we may not be part of the "Elite Eight", but we have every right to go along."

"Adonis, calm down. Think about it this way; someone has to get back home if we get caught. Draco wanted to kill us back in England, but Voldemort stopped him. No one will be there to stop his rashness now. And someone has to get back to the Replacements, just in case."

"Um, excuse me? The Replacements? Somebody care to explain?"

"The Replacements... its common sense, if you know the system." Kate smiled. "We weren't always the Elite Eight. There were eight people before us that held that title, and when we leave, or if something happens to us before then, there are eight more Americana agents/students to take our places. They're rated in ability, same as we are; if something happens to one of us, the highest rated moves up. That way, someone is always moving up the ladder. For example, my Replacement would be Patricio Rojas, a senior this year at Americana. If one of us dies, or when we leave, Pat is the first guaranteed to move up." Hermione just nodded. "Okay, now that the pleasant chit-chat is over, we should get to bed. Our appointment time is around ten tomorrow, and I know I wont get up."

Everyone nodded their agreement.

"Now, who's sleeping where?" Matt asked. "Look, we know Adonis is sleeping on the porch, so he can bunk in here; that leaves one bed, a double pull out sofa, and a couch; who wants it?"

When all was over, it was decided that Adonis and Aeneas would take the pull out sofa, and Nikola and Lauren would take the double beds. Kate ran around the condo, gathering spare blankets and pillows and distributing them. Benny watched her, noticing an almost maternal change, and how Matt hovered a few feet away, always touching her. Benny thought that he was in prime alpha male form, and wanted to know what was going on. And he wanted his answers straight from his surrogate sister's mouth. He waited until everyone else had gone back to the other room, and Matt had headed for the one he shared with Kate before making his move.

"Kate, can I talk to you?"

"What is it, Ben?"

"What... I mean... what I want to say is... Jesus, Kate, what's going on with you?"

Her blue eyes seemed confused and amused at the same time. "Benny, what are you talking about?"

"You're... you're different."

"For the better or the worse?" She gave him a smile. "Sit down. You wanna drink?"

Benny plopped down on the love seat in front of the TV. "Anything non-alcoholic, please. I think I've had enough for one day."

"There's a first. I remember a time when you'd drink you self unconscious, wake up, puke, and do it all over again." She handed him a Pepsi, grabbed one for herself and sat down next to him. The local news was still playing.

"I had an angel intervene. But now, that angel has questions to answer."

"Like what?"

"What's with you now? You're acting like more of a mother than ever. You're not pregnant, are you? I swear, he'd better be marring you if he knocked you up, Kate."

"And if he didn't, you'd do some knocking up of your own, I take it?" She smiled at the light blush showing up on his cheeks. "Relax, big bro. I'm not pregnant; I was in the same health class as you, remember, and I know all of the charms. Plus, I make him use the muggle stuff too." She looked at Benny drinking from the corner of her eye, and saw him nearly spit up his pop.

"That was SUCH an over share!"

"You're the one that brought it up!"

"That didn't mean I really cared."

"Fuck you, Benny."

"I wish. "He looked over at Kate. "But only in my dreams, right?"

"Exactly. Who ever said boys would never get it never met you. Grant it, it took you three years to get there, but better late than never."

"Hey!" He put down his pop and tickled her until she was giggling too hard to breath. His look became serious. "Is he going to marry you, Kate?"

She looked down. "If I let him."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means exactly what I said. He asked, I'm considering." Kate wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Kate, he loves you, and you know it. Why won't you marry him?"

"You remember our little 'incident' a few years ago."

"Yeah, I do. But, shit happens, and people change."

"And who knows that better than you and me, big bro?"

"No one." He drained the last of his pop and set the empty can down on the coffee table. "You want me to stay or you want me to clear out?"

"Get yo' ass outta here. Dani probably thinks I kidnapped you." He got up to go. "'Night, Benny. And make sure you're here by nine tomorrow. Our appointments aren't until ten, but I want to get a look around the place first."

"A'ight. I'll see you in the morning."

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August 5, 2005

9:24 am

Kate was back as Natalia, and it seemed almost as comfortable as being herself. She looked over the tops of her sunglasses at the top of the Hilton as she walked around its pool with Matt. To the casual observer, they would appear to be strangers in this place, just glancing over the scenery to see if they like it or not. Careful not to be seen, Kate leaned into Matt, or more specifically, the collar on Matt's t-shirt, where a speaking charm was hiding.

"Benny, what you see?"

"A whole lotta people in swimsuits who shouldn't be."

"Be serious, Ben."

"I am being serious." He looked around. "And remember, right now, I'm your inside man. I don't see you up in here, Morgan."

"Benny, not only will I be "up in there" in a minute, but I'm gonna be up yo' ass to. Now do what I ask, please?"

"A'ight, a'ight. The agent just took up to the eighth floor. It looks like the penthouse is only accessible through the elevator and a key is needed, too. Do the twins have their shit?"

Kate whispered into Matt's collar some more, paging the twins who were a few blocks from the Hilton. "Did you guys get that?"

Adonis answered. "Loud and clear, babe. And yeah, we got our shit, as Benny put it. If you can get me into the elevator, I can have a key made in a few seconds."

"Great. Adonis, how soon can one of you get here?"

"When do you need us?"

"Matt and I start in about ten minutes. That gonna work for you?"

"It'll work, Kate. I promise." Someone tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned. It was Adonis. "See, I told you so."

But instead of being pleased, as Adonis had expected, she looked pissed. "How the hell did you do that?! Did you use a charm? If you get us busted, I'll kill you!"

"No one saw me, Kate. It's all good."

"They better not have." She saw a host coming over to greet them. "A'ight, its show time. Adonis, if he asks, you're Matt's cousin." She switched to Spanish. "Hola..."

Little did Adonis know that he had been spotted. But none of them had bothered to look up, and none of them had seen the redheaded face disappear out of the penthouse window.

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"Draco, they're here."

"I know, sweet."

"Well, shouldn't you have something done about it?"

"Ginny, we knew they were going to find us, that it was just a matter of time. Don't worry; I have everything under control."

Ginny looked at her husband, who was leaning over the bed examining the baby clothes they had bought. The baby wasn't due for another two months, but Draco wanted everything for his son. And they did know it was a boy. Draco was so protective of his heir that he had even brought one of Voldemort's old servants with them to Venezuela for the express purpose of caring for Ginny. She hadn't had to do a thing in over a month, and after her family, it was a nice change. Draco called for her now.

"Harlequin, ¡ven aquí!"

"¿Sí, señor?

"Harlequin, ponga éstos ausentes." He gestured to the baby's robes. Ginny watched the serving girl as she did her work. She reminded her so much of Harry, with her bottle green eyes and black hair. She shook her head to clear the thoughts. Her tutor would be here in an hour, and she still had furniture to pick out for the nursery. She snuck another look at the father of her child. He didn't look like someone who was out of control. Everything would be just fine.

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Kate, Matt, and Adonis stepped into one of the elevators at the Margarita Island Hilton, followed by their tour guide, Carlos. Adonis hated how close Carlos was; it almost felt like a sheepdog herding them into a pen. He saw Kate give him a small nod as the elevator doors closed. Suddenly, with all the quickness befitting his training, he turned and delivered a quick blow to the man's neck. Poor Carlos dropped like a sack of rocks.

"Jesus, Adonis, you didn't kill him, did you? You know what happened last time."

"Hey, it's not my fault," he said, gesturing to his hands. "I've already had these registered as deadly weapons."

Kate laughed as she pulled the emergency stop and cut the alarm. Matt just rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe you two. How can you joke at a time like this?"

"The better question, Matt, is how can you not?"

Matt leaned against the wall, watching his girlfriend go to work. "Because I really don't want to fuck this up."

"We won't, baby, we won't. A'ight, Adonis, get to work."

He pulled out his wand and a small kit. He opened it to reveal what looked like different colored balls of light. He placed the tip of his wand the keyhole for the penthouse suite and whispered a few words to himself; the tip of the wand turned orange. The kit came into play now, as Adonis removed his wand from the keyhole and prodded the little orange ball of light. It shot out of Adonis' hand, and into the keyhole.

Kate glanced at her watched. They had been up here for about five minutes. Even though she had killed the alarm, the front desk would be noticing, and soon. "Adonis, get a move on it."

"Just give me one more minute..."

"You have 30 seconds, and then we start to move."

"Wait for it... There, it's done."

While they had been talking, the little ball of orange light had been growing and taking a solid shape. It was now a small key. Adonis grabbed it and shoved it into his pocket; Kate released the emergency stop and reinstated the alarm.

"Kate, I was thinking..."

"About what, Adonis?"

"That we may never have a better chance than right now to get them. Maybe we should just go up there now."

Matt looked panicked at the suggestion. "Hell no, not with out back up we're not."

"Fine." Kate stepped up to his collar. "Everyone, meet us in the lobby in ten minutes. We're in the third elevator. We're going up to the penthouse now." She stepped back and looked at her boyfriend. "That good enough for you?"

He just nodded.

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Five minutes later, they were back in the elevator.

"Kate, are you sure this one leads up to the penthouse?"

"It has one of the keyholes, right?"

Dani nodded.

"Don't tell me you're nervous."

"Never!"

"Good, 'cause here we are," Lauren interjected.

The doors opened, revealing no one to face them. Kate looked at the others.

"Okay, we know how we want this to go down. This is strictly fact-finding. We get pictures of the layout, staff, whatever. We only fight if we have to, civilian casualties to a minimum. NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE, goes after Ginny or Draco until I give the command." Here she looked pointedly at Ron. "We don't know what either of them are packing, or how they'll react. Let's go."

The stalked through the entire house, none of them encountering a soul. That was, until they got a bit too close to Ginny's rooms; an alarm suddenly sounded. Aeneas went off.

"Shit! How the hell did we forget about the alarms?!"

A chambermaid ran out, closely followed by none other than Draco Malfoy.

"Morgan!"

Kate did the first thing she could think of and grabbed the girl as a shield.

"Honestly, Morgan, with all that training they supposedly give you, I'd think that you'd know better than to grab a servant. There are plenty more where she came from."

Kate could feel the girl's body tense against her. She knew that Draco wasn't lying, but she didn't want a servant dieing either. The poor girl had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. She slowly backed away from Draco. Think, think, think...

"Yeah, but how many servants will daddy be willing to send you, if you keep misplacing them?"

While she had distracted Draco, Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest had made it back to the elevator. Kate continued backing towards the elevator.

"Think about it, Draco. If you keep pissing daddy dearest off the way you have been, will he really let you take over? I mean, I heard through the grape vine that Lucius is ready to just step down for his son; he won't trust you if you can't even keep a handle on your own small household..."

Just then, Ginny came through a back door.

"Draco, what is it? Who are you talking to? Kate!"

Malfoy turned to see his young wife leave her room, thus giving Kate ample time to dive into the elevator with the serving girl and hit the down button. When he turned back around and saw that the Americans and his school foes were already gone, he swore.

"Damn it! She's gone; and we have to get her back, before father gets here."

Ginny rolled her eyes. Her husband was being melodramatic. AGAIN. "Draco, she's just a serving girl. Your father isn't going to care either way. We can afford to find a new one."

"Ginny, you don't understand. We CANNOT afford a new serving girl. We need the one we had."

"Draco..."

He stormed over to her and roughly grabbed her by her arms. Ginny was suddenly very frightened of her mate. She had never seen the anger and pure unadulterated fear in his eyes.

His father must have something hanging over his head, Ginny thought.

"Ginny, didn't Harlequin look like anyone we knew at school?"

"She kind of reminded me of Harry... are they related?"

"Oh, you could say that..."

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They had managed to get out of the Hilton with out being stopped; how exactly, Kate didn't know, but it happened. Now, she sat in the backseat of the car, with some girl locked in a death grip.

"Do you speak English?"

The girl, young woman actually, wouldn't answer her or acknowledge the fact that she had spoken at all. Kate tried again.

"¿Hablas español?"

She got a slight nod this time.

"Bien. ¿Cómo te llamas?"

No answer.

"¡Dame tu nombre!"

Kate felt the moment that the woman's sprit broke. "Me llamo Harlequin."

"Vale. Y ¿dónde está tu familia?"

"No tengo una familia."

Harry looked to Dani while Kate continued her interrogation.

"Dani, what are they saying?"

"Her name's Harlequin; she has no family."

"¿No tienes un papá? ¿una mamá?"

"No, no tengo padres."

"¿Hermanos o hermanas?"

"¡No! ¡No tengo ningun!"

She was on the verge of tears. Kate apologized immediately. "Lo siento, mi vida, lo siento."

Through her tears, she managed to tell Kate their last name. "Su nombre era Potter. James y Lily Potter."

Kate pulled away and looked at Harry. "¿dejó a Potter?"

"Sí."

"Chica, pienso que tienes un hermano."

"¿Qué? ¿Quién?"

"Eso hombre allí. Se llama Harry Potter."

Harry looked at Dani, panic clear in his eyes. "Dani, I just heard my name. What are they saying?!"

"Harry, if I'm hearing right, you have a sister."

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