Timeline Info: Chapter 15 takes place directly after Chapter 14 and before episode 1.11

Chapter 15: Huaka'i Pō

Friday December 18, 2009; Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area; Oahu, Hawaii

The forested area that Steve decided they would camp in smelled like citrus. It confused Harry a little because there were a lot of pine trees, and despite American commercial advertising, he didn't believe that pine trees were supposed to smell so similar to lemons. When he had commented on it Chin, who had been standing closest to him, had laughed warmly, ruffled his hair, and told him the smell was due in part to the many lemon eucalyptus trees in the area. That had confused Harry even more because he had smelled eucalyptus before in potions class and it hadn't smelled like this. Chin had slowly stopped laughing and proceeded to spend the next twenty minutes giving Harry a lecture on local flora, stopping only when Danny interrupted.

He had never been so grateful for Danno.

Chin had smiled knowingly, but allowed Danny to drag Harry over to where Sirius was trying to set up one of the tents. Steve had already set up the tent that Danny and he would be sharing, and Kono and Mary were smoothly putting up their own while Chin had turned to deal with the fire. Why Danny, let alone anyone else, had left Sirius alone to set up the tent that he, Chin, and Harry would be sharing, was a mystery. Harry was given to understanding that wizarding tents were of the variety that popped up the moment you unfolded them. So it was no surprised that Sirius was currently cursing a blue streak as he tried to get the flexible posts into the tent to make it form the proper dome shape.

"I think your dogfather needs a little rescuing," Danno said in a not-so-subtle whisper.

Harry giggled but moved to help the older wizard, Danno following beside him. The two of them quickly got the poles sorted out, and with Sirius' assistance they were slid into place and hammered into the soft earth. Sirius turned a good natured grin to them both, and Harry was suddenly sure that if Mary hadn't been there he would have turned into his canine form and pounced on them. Since she was, Sirius seemed content to merely grin like a mad man.

Harry smiled shyly back at the older wizard, still feeling a bit shy around him despite how much he liked Sirius. He supposed part of it was his reluctance to trust adults, though that didn't make a great deal of sense since he had so easily come to trust Steve and the others upon meeting them. Admittedly it had taken a few weeks to really allow himself to fully trust them, but still. Sirius seemed like a good guy and he was more than willing to share all the stories he had of Harry's parents while they were at Hogwarts anytime Harry asked him to. He was also turning out to be a decent teacher as well. He had been teaching Harry prank spells, charms, and all manner of other helpful spells that his other tutors hadn't gotten to. Though he somehow doubted Professor Snape would be teaching him how to curse someone so that they only spoke in riddles, or how to charm glitter to stick only to people after exploding out of an envelope.

Harry was secretly excited about the last one as he was planning to write a letter to the twins and fill it with the exploding, sticking, glitter. Maybe in Slytherin colors? Or maybe in purple and lime green? Either would be funny, especially if Ron managed to get Colin to agree to take of picture of it happening for him.

"Earth to Harry," teased Steve.

Harry blinked rapidly as he was jolted from his thoughts by the feel of Steve's hand coming to rest on his head. Harry looked up at his cousin, giving him a warm smile. "Yeah?"

"Camps been set up and we've got your bag put in your tent."

"Alright."

Steve eyed him a moment longer. "You doing ok?"

"Yeah. I was just thinking of my friends back at Hogwarts."

Steve nodded. "Well, there should be a holiday break not too long from now, right? We can see about asking Professor Dumbledore if they can be brought over for a few days to visit."

"Really," Harry cried out, excited by the prospect.

"Yes, really." Steve gave Harry a noogie quickly before releasing him and giving him a gentle shove towards Danny. "We have to show them how much fun you've been having after all."

Harry grinned as Danny gave him a brief one-armed hug as he guided him to where Chin had set the fire up. Mary and Kono were already pulling out the cooler and rifling through it's contents, excitedly producing a bag of hot dogs and metal spears. Despite the smoke making his eyes water, and the unpleasant knowledge that he would likely wake up with bugs in his hair, Harry was happy. So very happy.

He had his cousins, their friends, and even Sirius, all together laughing and talking. He wasn't pushed away into a cupboard watching it all happen through the tiny little grill in the door. No, this time he was right in the middle. Getting to enjoy the fun for once. He didn't even have to worry about Death Eaters or Voldemort for the moment. Despite the Dementors attacking the other day, he felt safe. It was a good feeling. One he hoped stayed with him for a long time.

Sirius let out a loud barking laugh as he dropped down next to Harry on the grass. His dark hair was a windswept mess that looked more like Harry's own, than the almost regal waves it usually fell in. His blue eyes were bright and twinkling in a manner that had Harry feeling a bit twitchy. He usually only saw that look in the eyes of the Headmaster, or the twins. Occasionally Kono, when she tried to kidnap him and smuggle him into the gun range to try out whatever new weapon she was trying to get the Governor to approve for Five-0's use.

Steve sat down on the other side of Danny, who was seated next to Harry. Harry watched them from the corner of his eyes as Steve shifted, leaning his body slightly closer to Danny's own. For a moment Harry was sure their shoulders would touch, but Steve seemed to pull himself back at the last moment. Obviously still unsure about his feelings regarding his partner. Harry rolled his eyes and looked over at Sirius, who had watched Steve as well, and gave Harry a knowing look and a nod. Harry smiled widely, glad to find that the other wizard wasn't bothered by the idea of two men loving each other, and by the fact that he was sure he could convince Sirius to help him get the two together. He was really very tired of all the looks and touches they shared but didn't acknowledge. They would both just be so much happier if they stopped pretending and actually admitted what they felt.

He knew that most people would likely assume he hated homosexuals simply because his Uncle had. But if there was one thing Harry had learned since going to Hogwarts and coming here...It was to do the opposite of whatever Uncle Vernon had said because the man was a bigoted idiot and Harry did not want to end up like him at all.

"Here, Harry," Danny handed him one of the metal rods. Harry looked at it confused for a moment as there was a hotdog jammed onto the end of it.

"What am I supposed to do with this," he asked in a whisper.

Danny smiled and draped a strong arm over his shoulder, pulling Harry comfortably into his side. "You put the hot dog portion into the fire, rotating it, so that it cooks. It's an American camping tradition."

"Oh. Thanks, Danno." Harry smiled up at the blond man, still leaning into his side, and pushed the end of his metal rod towards the fire. The fire popped and crackled as some of the juice from the sausage dripped into the flames, and a tantalizing aroma begin to fill the air as his, and the others, hotdogs began to cook.

"So, Sirius," Mary called out from next to Kono across the fire. "Where have you been all my life?"

Steve let out a choking cough, as he looked at his sister's amused, flirtatious grin. Sirius let out another barking laugh and leaned forward, grinning manically. "Why, I was in the dog house, I'm afraid."

"What," Mary asked with a giggle.

Sirius grinned, and pushed his long hair behind his ear. "I was in prison, my dear."

Mary's eyes widened and she glanced over at her brother who smirked at her.

"He was," confirmed Steve.

"Wrongfully. Of course," Sirius continued.

"Of course," murmured Mary. "What for?"

Sirius pulled his hotdog from the flame, checking it over for any burnt spots before sticking it back over the top of the flames. "As an accomplice to the murder of Harry's parents, and for the murder of thirteen bystanders."

"What," Mary shrieked, jumping up and nearly dropping her poker.

Kono grabbed her arm and gently pulled her back down to the ground. "He was framed. The real killer was captured recently and Sirius was exonerated of all charges."

"Oh." Mary blushed and glanced nervously at Sirius. "Sorry."

Sirius shrugged, unconcerned. He had, after all, gotten a bit used to that reaction. "It's quit all right. That's hardly the worst reaction I've gotten."

Mary shifted nervously as Sirius stopped talking. For once she seemed not to know what to say. Something very unusual for her as far as Harry knew. "If you don't mind me asking," Mary licked her lips nervously. "How did that happen?"

Sirius took a deep breath, and focused on carefully turning his hot dogs over the fire. "I worked for MI6 at the time, along with Harry's father. We were part of a task force trying to take down a local terrorist cell called the Death Eaters. They were responsible for quite a few unexplained deaths and bombings. Some of which got blamed on the IRA."

Harry reached out, placing his hand atop Sirius' larger one, a gave it a reassuring squeezed. Sirius glanced down at him and gave him a soft smile.

"Eventually our cover was blown and Harry's folks went into hiding to protect themselves and Harry from the head of the Death Eater. They were hidden away under the best protection anyone could ask for. Unfortunately for all of us, we didn't realize that the person we put in charge of keeping their location secret, was a traitor. Peter Petegrew, who we had known since we were eleven, had joined the Death Eaters. He waited until the rest of the task force was out on a raid, and led the self-proclaimed Lord Voldemort, head of the Death Eaters, to where James and Lily were hiding."

Sirius closed his eyes, trying to ignore the ghostly flashes of memory playing before his eyes. his voice wavered with the grief he still felt so many years after their deaths. "He killed James first, then went after Lily and Harry. Sadly we don't know what happened at that point other than that Lily died, and supposedly so did Voldemort. I arrived shortly after only to find one side of their home blown apart, debris covering Lily carefully managed garden. I found Harry in the wreckage and about that time, a trusted friend and ally, Rubeus Hagrid arrived. I realized then that only Peter could have betrayed them, and I handed Harry off to Hagrid."

Sirius chuckled in a self deprecating manner. "We had underestimated Peter's craftiness. By the time I had caught up to him he had worked out everything he needed to do to frame me. Before I could confront him he yelled out in front of witness that it was my fault so that when I attacked it seemed even more concrete that I was the villain. He then set off an explosion that destroyed a gas line, killing thirteen of the bystanders. In the chaos that followed he cut off his own finger and disappeared into the sewer."

Sirius sighed. "I was taken into custody and eventually thrown into a Maximum Security prison without a trail."

"What," shrieked Mary. "How could that happen!"

Sirius shrugged. "There were dozens of trails going on and departments all throughout the Ministry were being rummaged through by MI5 and MI6 looking for moles for the Death Eaters. They likely missed one or more of them."

"I don't understand how you can be so blasé about that. They kept you in prison for what ten, eleven years?"

"I'm not being blasé about anything. I'm just trying not to be angry about it anymore. People I trust are in power now and are going back through everyone who worked at the Ministry during that time, looking for who was missed. If someone was missed." Sirius shrugged again and cursed as he caught sight of his hot dog, now a charred black ruin.

"Don't get me wrong, Mary." Sirius looked up at her, his silvery-blue eyes reflecting the firelight in an eerie manner. "I still am angry, I'm just trying really hard not to be. For Harry's sake. I need to be dependable. Someone he can know he is safe with. Just like he knows he's safe with your brother and the rest of Five-0."

Steve smiled at Sirius, knowing how hard it was for the wizard to acknowledge that Harry had someone else to depend on besides him. "Hence the reason for the camp out."

Mary turned to look at her brother, arching an eyebrow in skepticism. "As if you really needed an excuse to go roll around in the dirt."

Steve made a scoffed, offended sounding noise, and turn his nose up at her playfully. "I don't roll around in the dirt."

"Really," Mary asked. "The dirty exercise clothes in your hamper the other day say you are a liar, liar, pants on fire."

Steve's mouth dropped open in surprise, his tan face flushing bright scarlet in embarrassment as he realized that Mary was referring to the clothes he worse the day he might have had a private moment thinking of Danno in an unfortunately public place. "What are you doing going through my hamper?"

"I thought I'd be nice and do your laundry for you since I was doing some of my own." Mary shrugged, a wicked gleam in her eye. "Did your Navy gal pal come for a visit? Is that why you had dirt and grass stuck to your jogging clothes?"

"What," Steve tried valiantly not to shriek. "I haven't seen Catherine in months!"

"Whose Catherine," Harry interrupted to ask.

Mary's smirk grew wider. "She's Steve's BFF, and his tail on the side."

Harry blinked, scrunching his face up. "I have no idea what that means."

"It means-"

Steve jumped up, lunging past Chin and the fire towards his sister, knocking her out of her camping chair. The two tumbled to the ground in a pile of tangled limbs, Steve's hand clamped over her mouth. "It means nothing! Nothing you need to worry about, Harry!"

Chin and the others chuckled, and Kono leaned behind Sirius to whisper in Harry's ear while Steve was too busy untangling himself from Mary to notice. Harry's eyes widened and he blushed nearly as scarlet as Steve had.

"Oh," he whispered. "I thought Steve was dating Danny?"

Everyone around the fire seemed to freeze as they realized what Harry had said. Steve blushed, risking a glance at Danny. Danny made a choking sound, a blush stretching over his cheeks and up his ears. The blond glanced at Steve, catching his eyes and the both of them quickly looked away. Mary, still partially trapped under her brother caught the look and smirked all the wider.

"So I was right. You are surf buddies."

"We are not!" Steve left away from his sister, catching Danny's eye again only to blush once more, his cock twitching in his cargo pants at the considering, slightly hurt, look on his partner's face. "Danno doesn't swim!"

"Danno," Mary teased. "You've got pet names already."

Chin and Kono chuckled quietly, enjoying the by play. Sirius and Harry watched confused, but still slightly amused by the spectacle.

"When are the wedding announcements," Mary asked Danny with a grin. "I'll need time to buy a proper dress for the special occasion."

Danny's blush had slowly subsided and a grin equally as wicked as Mary's own began to stretch across his features. "He hasn't asked me yet, the goof." He wiped away fake tears. "He just came barging in, steals my heart, and now you've told me he's cheating on me with another army brat! Oh!"

Danny dramatically threw one of his arms up to hide his face, twisting away from Steve, who was watching them with a slack-jawed expression. "I should have known our love wasn't real! He hasn't wiped off his shirt for no reason in weeks! He never picks up the tab! He doesn't ask me to go swimming with him! Oh!"

Mary crawled closer to Danny, patting his knees. "I'm so sorry. He's obviously not worthy of your greatness." She winked at Danny, running her hand up the inside of his thigh. "But if you'd really like to marry a McGarrett…I -"

"No," yelled Steve, yanking his sister off Danny.

"Well, brother mine, if you don't want him…"

"He's mine!" Steve grabbed Danny pulling the smaller man partially into his lap.

"Am I," Danny asked, amused.

Steve glanced down at Danny and blushed once more. Swallowing back his fear, and all the mental training he had put himself through to ignore that part of himself for so many years, Steve spoke up. "If you, uh, if you want to be?"

Danny smiled, stretching a hand up to cup his partner's cheek. Looking into Steve's eyes he slid his hand around the back of Steve's skull, pulling him down towards Danny. "Sure, babe."

Their lips met in a soft caress, Steve's eyes fluttering shut at the contact. Around them the rest of the group cheered.

"It's about time," chuckled Chin.

Harry looked between the rest of the team confused. "I thought they were dating? Were they not dating? They said they were partners and Hermione said that means they are gay."

Sirius let out a loud barking laugh.

Danny pressed his fist to his mouth to try and hold back the laughter that was brimming in his blue eyes. "Oh, Harry." A laugh squeezed past his hand. "Partner can mean that but, in this case 'partner' just meant that Steve is my work partner, not that he was my romantic partner."

"Oh." Harry looked between the two and hesitantly asked, "But you are romantic partners now?"

"Yes," they chimed in unison.

Harry grinned. "Okay then. Now what were these s'mores you mentioned earlier?"

- - - HP - - - H50 - - - HP - - -

Saturday, December 19, 2009; 'Aiea Loop Trail, Hawaii

Harry was skipping about, excited about the hike they were on. The closest thing he had done to hiking before was walking to Hagrid's hut, or that one detention in the forbidden forest. Otherwise he just never really had the opportunity to hike before. The Dursley's certainly hadn't been "outdoorsy." The closest they ever got to camping was when they took Harry out to that rock with the pathetic excuse for a cabin on it when he was eleven. It was so exciting!

"Harry," Steve called out. "Try to stay in sight!"

"Okay," Harry called back.

The 'Aiea Loop Trail that Steve had taken them on was really cool. It was very well tended, very open, and so far hadn't had any really steep climbs or drops. So Danno hadn't complained yet. Well, not any more than he ever did about the bugs and the sun. They had started the trail inside the park, about 3/4 of the way in from the trailhead, since that was closest to their camp. When Mary had complained about how easy the hike was going to be, and suggested they take one of the turnoffs onto the other trails, Steve had given her a stern 'No.' When Sirius had asked why, Steve had pointed out that Danny, Harry, and Sirius weren't avid hikers and this trail was better for beginners.

In all honesty, Harry wouldn't have cared if it was the baby trail or not. He was just happy to be outside with his Ohana.

Of course, Harry knew that they were also hiking this trail because of the heiau that was on the trail. The heiau was closer to the beginning of the trail though, so they would have to wait to see the heiau until later on as they made their way through the looping trail, but that was okay. Steve had told him there was a B-24J Liberator crash site near the trailhead as well, that was from World War II. Harry really wanted to check that out. He'd never seen a warplane up close. Every time Uncle Vernon had taken Aunt Petunia and Dudley to one of the World War II air shows, they had left Harry behind either in his cupboard or with Ms. Figg.

So having the heiau and the bomber at the end of their four mile hike was kind of like a prize for making it that far. Harry liked that idea too. They were so close to the heiau now, and Harry just wanted to run. He was tired for the long hike, but the pack lunch they had on the over look had given him a burst of renewed energy. It was more than the sandwiches in his belly that made him want to run ahead. He could feel energy up ahead. It felt somewhat similar to the warm, welcoming feeling that seemed to pulse through him every time he arrived at Hogwarts. Every now and then he thought he felt something similar when Steve took him to other places on the island, or when he went for training with the Kahuna.

"Come on," he called out. "It's just up here!"

There was a startled shout from behind and suddenly a large black dog was running up the trail past the rest of the group. Harry's eyes went wide as he realized Sirius had just transformed in front of Mary. Oh, but Steve was going to lecture him tonight!

Harry grinned and spun around as Padfoot run up to him, jumping around and circling him.

Harry laughed loudly and ran with him further up the path. Behind him he could just make out Steve's voice as he tried to explain to Mary what she saw was just a hallucination brought on by heat. By the sound of her voice, Mary wasn't buying the excuse.

"You are in so much trouble, Padfoot!"

Padfoot gave him a wide doggy grin, tongue lulling out the side of his mouth. Amused, Harry allowed his dogfather to lead him up the trail to where they could just see a lava stone plaque.

He shivered as they arrived. the power swirling around them was nearly tangible. Harry licked his lips and walked closer. The heiau was in the middle of a well tended clearing surrounded by large trees and a low wall made up of lava rock. Just outside the wall was the lava rock boulder they had seen, the metal plaque inlaid into it's front. The air around them was filled with a light citrus fragrance from the lemon eucalyptus trees mixed in with the koa and ohi'a trees that surrounded them.

In the center of the circle made by the lava rock wall, was a rectangular mound of piled lava rock. It was from here that Harry could feel the strongest pull of energy. He could practically see the energy rolling about the circle, a soft green like fresh spring grass, with fluttering spots of pale white, like flower petals blown about on the wind.

"What is this place," Sirius said in an amazed whisper.

Harry couldn't look away from the sight to where his godfather stood, once more in his human form, next to Harry.

"It's a Hawaiian holy place." Harry took in a deep breath of the clean, lemony air. "Kahuna told me that the Keaiwa Heiau is a medicinal or healing heiau known as a heiau ho'ola. He said that it was used by a Kahuna specializing in healing, who would diagnose and treat various illnesses and injuries. I guess they would also train haumana, students like me, in the practice of la'au lapa'au; medicinal healing using plants, fasting, and prayers."

"Kind of like a cross between herbology and mediwizardry," muttered Sirius.

"I guess so."

"I thought I told you not to run out of sight," came Steve's voice behind them. "And you! I thought you weren't going to do the whole animal transformation thing in front of Mary"

Harry and Sirius turned around. Harry looked at the ground, scuffing the toes of his shoe in the dirt, while Sirius laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head with one hand.

"Sorry."

Steve huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "You've got to remember not to do that in front of people."

"That. Was. Awesome!"

The three men turned to look at Mary who was standing a couple feet behind Steve, hands on her knees, panting lightly. She had obviously run to catch up to them as Danny, Chin, and Kono were still a ways down the trail, walking sedately towards them.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me he was a werewolf," she growled, slapping Steve on the back of his head.

"Ow. Stop that," Steve demanded.

"No!" She smacked him again. "You gotta stop keeping secrets form me! Or I'm just going to start digging through your personal life every time I come to the house!"

"Mary!"

"I mean it, Steve! Dad hid a lot of crap from us when Mom died, and I don't want you to start doing it to me too!"

"Okay! Okay!" Steve rubbed his head and dogged another attempted smack, bumping into Sirius' shoulder, and nearly tripping back into the plaque for the Keaiwa Heiau.

Harry giggled softly and froze briefly at the ripple of power rolling out from the heiau, twinning about his legs like a happy cat. He tilted his head enough so that he could catch sight of the alter from where he was standing. He blinked as a shadowy figure flickered suddenly in and out of his vision.

Sirius chuckled and grabbed Steve's arms, righting him, never noticing the surge of power behind him. "I'm not a werewolf, love." He winked at Mary, giving her his sauciest grin. "I'm an animagus."

- - - HP - - - H50 - - - HP - - -

Later that Night

Harry shifted about uncomfortably in his sleeping bag as the dream he was having involving Ron, the twins, and a carnivorous flying cheese wedge, faded away. Blinking he froze in the dark of the unfamiliar place. He could hear breathing next to him and turned to look at the two figures curled up next to him in the small tent. He could barely make them out in the dark, but seeing them reminded him of where he was. Sirius was sprawled at an angle across his sleeping bag in his canine form, his head resting on Chin's stomach. Rubbing at his eyes, Harry grinned at the sight. Sirius' four legs were kicking slightly in his sleep, as if he was running. The tip of his pink tongue was peeking out of the front of his mouth as well, settling a warm feeling around Harry's heart at how adorable he looked.

Sitting up, Harry crawled out of his sleeping bag, being careful not to wake the other two. His bladder was insistently calling out to him to get up and relieve it. Outside the tent the air was humid despite the late hour, and he felt comfortable enough to walk into the bushes away from camp to relieve himself without having to struggle to find a jacket. The pressure of his bladder was nearly painful as he stumbled past the tree line.

With a soft groan he tugged himself free of his sleep pants, letting out a thick stream into the grass and bushes in front of him. In the serene darkness of the camp, it seems to take an endless time for his bladder to empty itself. Slowly though it trickles to an end and he is able to shake off and tuck himself away. With a sleepy yawn he turns away and stumbles back through the trees to the clearing they had chosen to camp in away from the main campgrounds.

As he made his way out of the tree line, he paused. On the other side of the clearing, between the trees he can see a line of shadows moving closer to the clearing they are camped in. They move slowly but steadily towards him. Harry swallows nervously and freezes in the middle of the clearing near the fire pit. The shadows continue to get closer little by little until he can start to see that they have a humanoid shape to them just like the shadow man he had seen back at the house. As the first shadow breaks the tree line and steps into the moonlight, the shadow melts away leaving a glowing blue-white figure of a ghost. But not just any ghost, a Polynesian warrior. Six more shadow figures move out of the trees, each one becoming a glowing ghost warrior like the first. As one they stand before him, quietly watching him.

Swallowing thickly and remembering Kahuna's teachings, Harry looks away, not meeting them eye-to-eye. Though he does not see it the first ghost grins at him, then turns to look at his fellows before walking closer to Harry.

A part of Harry screams that he should move. That he should scream to warn the others. And yet…and yet Kahuna's words hold him in place, despite him knowing these ghosts aren't the same friendly ghosts of Hogwarts, there to watch over and protect the students. These ghost are warriors, guardians of the land. Ghosts who would have no real reason to trust a haole like Harry. Still, he remains as is, looking away from them towards the ground, trusting the Kahuna's words to protect him.

Feeling the cold touch of a ghostly hand sink through his shoulder briefly, Harry looks up. Harry's magic surges beneath his skin, forcing the hand out of his flesh, so that it rest atop his shoulder. His eyes widen and he turns his head to look at the hand, seeing the cold, transparency of the appendage slowly growing warms and more solid. In seconds it changes from a ghost hand to the heavy, warm weight of a real hand resting on his shoulder. Surprised, and still afraid, Harry follows the hand up the arm, watching as the solidity of it seems to fade back into the ghostly transparency the closer it gets to the ghost shoulders. Still the ghostly warrior is watching him, a small grin tugging at the edges of his lips and for a moment Harry is lost in the spiraling tattoos on the chest and shoulders, and the small smile on the full lips. When finally he meets the ghost's eyes, he finds he cannot look away. He is trapped in it's gaze.

Finally, he is not afraid.

"Greeting, little Kahuna," the ghost said with a voice like a whisper of the wind. "We have been waiting."

"Who are you," Harry asked, his curiosity outweighing any natural fight or flight instincts he still had left after years of living with the Dursley's.

"We are the Guardians, the Huaka'i Pō."

Harry blinked and looked away. As he did so his gaze caught the sight of the other six men all standing behind the first.

The gazes of the dead guardians watching him felt as if they could see through his blood and bone to the very core of his being, making Harry shiver again in doubt and fear. Each of them was taller than Harry, with hair he could tell should be as dark as uncle Chin's if they were alive. Their features were strong and determined, but not cruel. No, in fact there was something almost welcoming about the eyes, even if the grim line of their mouths would have him think otherwise. Like the first man their pale, ghostly flesh was marked with intricate blue tattoos, which he began to think would be black on living flesh.

Harry swallowed thickly he looked back to the first ghost, whose heavy hand still rested on his shoulder. It felt familiar, that gesture. Steve, and the others, all seemed to do it whenever he was in range. He didn't feel threatened as he supposed he should have when having a stranger holding onto him so firmly. But he knew, deep inside, that all he had to do was take a single step back and the hand would dissolve away into ghostly light once more. He didn't step back though. Harry stayed there, confused about the seemingly life-like arm attached to a very not living being. He was going to ask but before he could open his mouth the ghost had leaned forward, pressing his nose to Harry's own in the same manner that Khauna, and even Kawika, did when greeting him. Acting on instinct he breathed out slowly and inhaled, feeling the tingle of magic against his skin where he knew, if he only opened his eyes, that he would see that the ghosts face was as real and solid as it's hand. They stayed there for a long moment performing the honi, before the ghost finally released him and stepped back towards the others.

Harry opened his eyes, tongue nervously licking his lips as he watched the life fade out of the ghostly warrior. "What are Guardians?"

"Guardians are those chosen by the Spirits to watch over the land and the people. Guardians are chosen ones meant to protect and guide."

"Oh," he said nervously. "But why are you here? Talking to me?"

The ghost smiled softly again. "We felt your arrival and knew a new guardian had come to the land."

"Me," Harry exclaimed.

"You."

"But I'm not Hawaiian."

"This is so." The ghost tilted his head to the side, looking Harry over. "You are also still young. But Fate moves at her own paces. You must learn swiftly, Keiki mai luna moana. Your people still need you to protect them from the Po'ele'ele."

"Voldemort," Harry sighed reluctantly. He might not know what Po'ele'ele meant, but he knew it had to be Voldemort. It was always Voldemort. He so didn't want to face Voldemort. He liked it here. He liked being normal. He liked being a real part of a family, of Ohana.

"One cannot turn away from their destiny. It is a hard path you travel, but do not forget that you have those who would travel it with you." The ghost looked over at the tents, were everyone else was still sleeping soundly. "Do not spurn their aid or knowledge. Welcome it as they welcomed you, and the burden shall not be so great."

"But," Harry looked down at his bare feet surrounded by the lush green grass. "I don't want to kill him. I don't want to kill anyone!"

The ghost smiled sadly, but knowingly. "There are worse things than death, Keiki mai luna moana."

Harry looked up at the ghost startled to find the ghost had turned away and was walking back to his companions. "Wait," called Harry.

"When the time comes, Keiki mai luna moana, you will understand. Let your heart guide you." With that the ghosts moved out of the clearing and back into the trees. Their glow once more dimming until they were nothing more than shadows moving through other shadows. Leaving Harry alone in the clearing with more questions than answers, and a ache in his chest that made him feel hallow.

Harry sighed when the ghosts didn't come back after several minutes. Standing around in the clearing in the middle of the night wouldn't solve anything, and he was still tired despite the strange encounter. So he pushed the strange encounter to the back of his mind for the moment, promising himself that he would talk to the Kahuna at the first opportunity, and went back to his tent. Sirius had shifted out of canine form and was now sprawled on his back, half atop Chin in his human form. His dark hair was a wild mess of black curls against the blue sleeping bag Chin was still sleeping in. Harry smirked and carefully shuffled over to his bag in the corner, pulling out the smart phone that Steve had given him.

It took him a moment to remember how to use it, but he soon had it turned on and the camera app open. With a grin that looked like it belonged on Sirius' face, or on Steve's just before he would do something to make Danno rant, Harry quickly took several pictures. Chin scrunched his face up at the flash of light and rolled over onto his side facing away from Harry, knocking Sirius back to the floor. Sirius grumbled and rolled over onto his sleeping bag, still angled slightly towards Chin.

Harry looked down at the pictures and tapped at the screen, sending them to Kamekona and Grace's phones. He was sure if Chin knew he had the photos he'd delete them, so after thinking about it carefully, Harry sent them to Hermione as well with a request to keep them secret. Glancing at the two of them, he quickly shut off the phone and crawled back into his sleeping bag.

- - - HP - - - H50 - - - HP - - -

10:00 AM, Sunday, December 20, 2009; Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts

Amelia Bones paced back and forth in front of Albus' desk, ignoring the soothing trills coming from Fawkes, who looked to be on his last leg. The phoenix's feather were dull and ashy at the edges, molting off him in clumps. She guessed he had maybe a week left before his burning day, something she really didn't want to see. It was always unnerving to watch.

Albus was sitting in his chair, leaning back, and sucking on one of his blasted lemon drops. He seemed amused by her pacing, as he always did. It was almost as infuriating as being unable to find enough evidence to prove that Delores Umbrage set the Dementors lose. They needed proof, more than what little they had found if they were going to be able to bring her before the Wizengamot and request a trail with veritaserem. If that wasn't pressure enough the Queen herself was hovering about the fringes of the investigation demanding answers so that she could ensure the American President that it wasn't a declaration of war between the two various magical nations.

"Are you sure you don't want a lemon drop, Amelia?"

"Damnit, Albus," she snapped, flicking her wand so that lemon drops in his hand went flying across the room.

"If you didn't want them, you could have just said so," he chided her in that smooth grandfatherly voice.

"This isn't the time for your bloody lemon drops!"

"On the contrary," he replied in a calm tone of voice. "This is a very good time for them. But, if you do not want them I can at least offer you tea."

Amelia sighed dramatically and walked back towards his desk, collapsing into the plush armchair he had conjured for her upon her arrival forty minutes prior. They had expended a lot of time, magic, and energy to find as much information as they had so far on Delores Umbrage, but the woman was surprisingly good at covering her tracks. Amelia was starting to think that the woman had something bigger planned now that her first try to discredit the Headmaster, and kill off Harry Potter, had failed. Amelia just didn't know what it was that blasted toad-faced woman was after.

She reiterated it aloud, watching as Albus sucked thoughtfully on a new lemon drop.

"I will need to check with Severus, but I am bringing to think she might be an unmarked Death Eater. Or at the very least a supporter of Voldemort's."

Amelia sighed. "I have started to think the same. Either that or she so strongly supports Cornelis that she is willing to kill innocents to keep him in office."

"That would not preclude her from being a Death Eater or a Pureblood supporter."

"True," Amelia said thoughtfully. "What should our next course of action be?"

"You have already updated the Queen and Prime Minister?"

"Yes," she stated. "They were displeased but will update the American Muggle President, and the President of the Magical Congress of the United States of America." She snorted. "I almost wish I could be a fly on the wall for that conversation just so I had a heads up on how badly fucked we are."

Albus thoughtfully looked out his window, the twinkle not present as usual in his blue eyes. "Adelaide Addersnip, the current MCUSA President, will likely throw a fit. She is a bit young to hold the position in this kind of situation without throwing some kind of tantrum. She is reasonable though, so once she calms down she will be a good ally to have."

Amelia snorted again. "I don't know about that. When I met her last at the Defense Conference in Belgium last year, she came across as rather high strung, easily swayed, and over eager to prove herself. Not a good mix for a leader of any nation."

"None-the-less we shall have to hope that she will not to be so eager to prove that she jumps into an unwanted declaration."

Amelia hummed. "You think Snape will be able to get anything on Delores amongst his contacts?"

"At the very least he will be able to find out if she is a Death Eater or one of the new prospects."

Amelia winced. Though no one in the Ministry wanted to admit that He-Who-Must_not_be-Named was back, they had already heard whispers that the old Death Eaters who had evaded capture one way or another, were starting to recruit amongst the Purebloods once more. They had no estimate what the current number of Death Eaters was, or even who all of them were. True, they had a good idea of who might be, and who would be the most likely recruits.

"Then we shall wait for Severus," she said like it burnt her tongue to admit they couldn't move forward without the cantankerous man.

AN: The honi is a Polynesian greeting in which two people greet each other by pressing noses and inhaling at the same time. This is very honorific as this represents the exchange of ha - the breath of life, and mana - the spiritual power between two people.

Keiki Mai Luna Moana - (According to the Internet) translates as Child from over the ocean.

Po'ele'ele - (According to the Internet) translates as Darkness.

Huaka'i Pō - or "Spirit Ranks," is the Hawaii name for the Nightmarchers. The ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors.

Heiau - A traditional Hawaii temple, or holy place.