Slavic Huter [OC PJO Crossover]

Chapter 6 - Operation: Gray Montgomery

London, 10 August 1995

WARNING - slight  adult content - swearing (seriously? Need to announce it?)

     I walked down a dark, narrow corridor, preceded by two goddesses and one archer, silently watched by the figures in the paintings; however, immersed in my thoughts, I did not pay attention to my surroundings. Over 50 years... So much time has passed since my last stay in this area. At home, in the country, we did not see the difference between "us" and "them": it does not matter if "they" were from the world of mythology... or the latter; The one to which I returned again, after 5 decades. Whatever we say about the invaders, we owe one thing to them – they united our society... It is a pity that recent years have changed it...

     My thoughts were interrupted by the creaking of the door; so I came back quickly from my head, and began to observe the surroundings: we were in the kitchen-dining room; on the walls of the cabinet with jars or plates, the room was more long than wide, while in the middle stood a long table; after him there were various documents and newspapers, from which (from the photos to be precise) I was observed by a well-built (i.e. slightly overweight) man in a jacket and bowler hat.
I shifted my gaze from the newspapers to our hosts... and there were quite a few for this room, as many as nine: two black-haired men, one of whom probably had not heard of the comb, and the other of the shampoo; a couple (married couple, by the eye) with red hair, a powerfully built black man, next to whom stood another guy with one artificial eye that swirled without order or composition; To the left of the marriage stood 3 people: two women (one older with a serious expression, the other younger in pink hair) and a man who looked sick.

     - May I present to You our hosts: Sirius Black, Severus Snape, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur and Molly Weasley, Kingsley Shackelbot, Alastor Moody, Minerva McGonagall, Nymphadora Tonks and Remus Lupin. At the sound of their name, the named people nodded their heads politely, only the pink-haired woman grimaced at her name.
- You already know me, but here are my companions: Artemis, her deputy Zoe Nightshade, and her deputy's deputy...
- Sparrowhawk. Just Sparrowhawk. Nice to meet You.
- Feeling is mutual. We are about to start our meeting, but we are still waiting for the Director. McGonagall replied - The situation at the Ministry stopped him. He should be there any minute.

     As if on cue, a hundred-haired man in a long robe and an equally long, gray beard entered the kitchen. I looked at him... then I looked again... And I flinched: the beard and time did their job, but these glasses... broken nose, eyes.... Half a century is a long time, especially between meetings of people.... But I hoped I would never see him again. The newcomer closed the door behind him, and it seemed to me that I heard a kind of shuffling of feet, which passed between the door and the empty corner of the room.
- Please forgive my lack of etiquette and being late, but unfortunately – the minister is becoming more and more stubborn every day.
- No problem, Dumbledore. – replied Hecate, and at the sound of the name I squeezed my hand into a fist under the table; Unfortunately, the patroness of magic confirmed my suspicions.- You asked me to meet. What's the problem?

     Dumbledore sighed
- The problem lies with a wizard who has returned to the physical world and threatens to kill all non-magical people and wizards from those families, in all of Britain. A decade and a half ago, he caused us a lot of pain and suffering, and we do not want a repeat. His name is Tom Riddle, although he is known to the world as Lord Voldemort.
- I understand Hecate, she's your guardian after all, but what do my Hunters have to do with that? - Artemis asked.
- In the past, Riddle has allied himself with many creatures that some, even among us, consider mythological or legendary. If we fail to convince them diplomatically... We will need the help of people who know them.

     - I understand... Unfortunately, like Hecate, I cannot personally take part in it, due to the Ancient Laws that bind my hands here. It is therefore up to my comrades to decide. Zoe? Sparrowhawk?
We looked at each other, and then with a wave of my eyes I gave her primacy.
- The hunteth'rsses shall wend wh'rev'r our Lady tells us. If 't be true, on the oth'r handeth, the dang'r is what thee claimeth t is. – we'll help
Dumbledore thanked me with a movement of his head, then looked at me. I, on the other hand, sighed, trying to suppress my emotion.
- If the request came from someone else, I would agree to help: whether it was Hecate or someone here. But since it came from you, Dumbledore... It is with a heavy heart that I must refuse my participation in this.