Preface: We all know why Harry Potter was sent to live with his rotten Aunt and his delusional Uncle, and while I agree that the reasoning was valid given the circumstances I have never the less wondered: What if Harry had been raised by someone else? How would he be different? How would certain events playout? What might he have done differently at certain points of the books. This short story of which this is only chapter one will be my attempt to answer those very questions to the best of my own ability.
That having been said, I don't expect this to appeal to everyone. If you like it, Great! If not, oh well! Also! The Character Thalomus is an OC of mine and I will not be delving much, if at all, into his background, history, and Character. This story is still about Harry Potter.
Obligatory stupidity (Disclaimer): is a non-profit website which promotes and provides a place for writers of all types and skill levels to post their versions of legally copyrighted material a.k.a fanfiction, on the basis that because it is legally not for profit, it is therefore not in any REAL sense harming either the author or the publishing company. In short….get a real hobby
Chapter one: Number 12 Grimmauld Place
Harry Potter was an unusual baby boy for a number of reasons. First of all he had a shock of untidy flyaway hair which refused to cooperate. He had two parents who had come from two very different worlds, and an aunt and uncle who are mortally afraid of anyone learning that they were related but most peculiar of all was a strange scar on his four head, just above the orbit of his left eye.
It looked as though someone had branded a lightning bolt shape into the skin. This scare was in fact the only physical evidence that Harry Potter, though just barely a year old was indeed—different!
Though how different he couldn't have guessed, nor could he have guessed that at that very moment all across the country there were feasts and parties going on to celebrate something he would not remember; indeed something he was too young to even understand or care about.
Instead he was fast asleep under a bundle blankets inside a beautifully decorated wooden cradle which was rocking gently side to side as though moved by invisible hands.
Sitting next to the cradle in a wooden armchair was a black haired man, who one might have thought, based on how he was dressed, had just been to a Renaissance Festival and mascaraiding as some sort of fantasy Black Knight, if the black clothes and visible chain mail sleeves were anything to go by.
His face although nicely shaped was ghostly pale. The skin was very smooth and oddly free of blemishes like the picture of a model on the cover of a magazine after it had been airbrushed. To tell the truth his face would not have been unbecoming of a pretty woman accept for the odd fact that his lower lip was colored with black lipstick while his upper lip was colored a deep red.
Both eyes were wide and a pointed at the upper and lower edges so that he looked almost like an Egyptian painting, but the most striking thing about is eyes were not their shape but there color. The irises were a mixture of deep purple with red lines in-between and all around the large patches of purple.
This man's name was Thalomus Malcoff, though there were a few knew him as Thalomus Melcova Black, a name he hated almost as much as he hated Lord Voldemort, the man who was responsible for giving little Harry his scar.
Thalomus was leaning his head back against the headrest of the chair he was in and gazing tiredly off into space.
The only sounds in the room that could be heard were the soft creaking of the wooden cradles rockers and the occasional loud pop or cracking sound coming from the nearby fireplace which was the only source of light in the otherwise dark and gloomy living room.
It had only been a few hours since he had arrived here, carrying Harry in a bundle of blankets and slowly making his way to the Library softly cursing when his shin accidentally hit a coffee table, a wand in one hand and Harry held carefully but firmly in his other.
"Lumos!" he whispered softly, causing the tip of his wand to shine brightly and allowing him to see more clearly that the room, though dusty and cobwebbed was none the less empty.
Once convinced that no one was around and there was no immediate danger he'd pointed his wand at the empty fireplace and two huge balls of flame came shooting out of it creating the roaring fire they now had (he'd since added wood to the fire and was allowing it to burn naturally).
After placing the still sleeping Harry in a cradle he had brought down from one of the upper floors he then unbuckled a sword that was hanging from his belt and placed it softly on the floor between himself and Harry knowing it wouldn't really do him much good here, unless it was to for intimidation purposes, or desperate need.
It was a pretty thing; black handled with a jewel encrusted pommel and gold trimmed guards. The Sheath of the sword was a black as coal with a slightly glossy look to it as though it had been painted over in lacquer. On the handle itself were carved a series of strange slanting symbols that obviously only meant something to Thalomus as he was the one who had cut them into the material.
Stranger still was that blades were his preferred weapons; though he was a wizard and not a half bad one at that, Thalomus still preferred to have a more traditional melee weapon rather than simply relying on a wand.
But there wasn't much chance he would need them here. Only one person in the world knew where he was currently and that one person was also his strongest ally and the only man he truly trusted.
Besides, the room they were in was not really ideal for a sword use and swords were by their very nature usually best kept as outdoor weapons.
Since having arrived and putting Harry in a more suitable bed, he'd started to lower his guard somewhat. He knew it wasn't necessary to be totally on guard now, no one apart from Dumbledore knew he'd already fetched little Harry from what had only hours ago been his parents' home or that he was now hiding in the Long abandoned home of the Black family.
The Irony of which would have made him laugh if he were not so tired at the moment.
Suddenly the fireplace roared with even greater intensity and the yellow flames turned to emerald green, filling the room with green light.
Thalomus leapt out of the chair and immediately put himself between it and Harry, his wand arm was fully stretched as he crouched into a fighting position, every muscle in his body was tensing up like a tightly coiled spring, ready to launch him into action at whoever it was that had somehow…linked this house with the fluu network.
A moment later a tall elderly man with half-moon spectacles, a very long beard, and a long crooked nose stepped out of the fire.
He didn't move for a moment, though that was because he was waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dim light and not because there was a man pointing a wand ready to attack if he made any sign of doing so.
After a moment the man looked around and upon seeing Thalomus, actually smiled!
"Good evening Thalomus," said the old man in a pleasant voice.
Thalomus was still crouched and looking like a wild tiger ready to spring onto its prey. After a few moments he lowered his wand slowly but didn't stand.
"What was my mother's real name?" Said Thalomus in a rough tone of voice.
"Not convinced I'm Dumbledore, are you?"
Thalomus narrowed his eyes but didn't speak.
Still smiling politely the old man replied, "Da'Shawnda". And with that Thalomus finally relaxed and stood back up convinced that this was indeed Albus Dumbledore and not an imposter.
"At what point were you planning on telling me you were coming? And how did you get here by flu powder anyway?" he asked Dumbledor sharply.
"I asked a friend of mine at the ministry if he would mind doing me a favor and temporarily provide me this connection. And I though it much safer then taking either a port key, or broomstick, or using apparition."
Thalomus turned around without speaking and sat back down in the wooden chair next to Harry who hadn't made a sound this whole time.
Dumbledore also came over silently and peered down at the sleeping infant in the cradle who to his surprise had shown no signs of even being mildly disturbed by the sudden commotion. After a moment or two he straightened back up and turned his attention towards Thalomus who was again resting himself in the wooden chair.
"How has he been?" Dumbledore asked
"Fine," replied Thalomus dully, not bothering to look at Dumbledore. "Considering what he's been through"
"Yes!" Dumbledore agreed sadly. "And how is that scar on his forehead?"
Thalomus gave a half shrug and grunted softly. "I'm not a Medi-Wizard Albus, but as far as I can tell it's harmless"
"So what so important you need to go dropping in on me unexpectedly, Or is this call a social one?"
Dumbledore suddenly look serious, as though whatever had brought him was weighing heavily on his mind.
"I need to sit down a moment. It has been a very long day today," he reached into his satin blue robes, pulled out his own wand and literally began to draw himself a wooden rocking chair on which he sat down heaving a deed sigh, "That's better!"
When he'd had the chance to make himself comfortable he turned his attention towards Thalomus who was still staring off into the darkness.
"To start off with-"Dumbledore began, "-there has been a good deal talk about the tragic events of today and particularly the reason behind Lord Voldemort's disappearance."
He allowed himself to pause and gauge Thalomus's reaction; the reaction was total indifference. It seemed that as far as he was concerned, people could say whatever they liked
"While most of them are accurate; that is to say, they know he tried and failed to kill little Harry here'', he waved his hand vaguely in the direction of Harry.
"The exact reason for this failure is unknown. Though that has not stopped people from wildly speculating. Indeed people are calling Harry the boy who lived, the hero who made the dark Lord vanish and other such things."
"Get to the damn point Albus!" Thalomus angrily hissed, clearly not interested in what 'people were saying'
"The reason I have come to see you Thalomus", said Dumbledore calmly, "is that while Lord Voldemort may be gone, many of his Death Eaters have no doubt gone to ground. Some will be arrested naturally and others will probably go into hiding."
"However, do not doubt for even a minute Thalomus, that among his most fanatical and devoted followers there are even now, those who are bending all of their will towards finding Voldemort and bringing him back to power."
Little Harry shuffled slightly in his crib and let out a soft sigh causing Thalomus to look down at him again.
"Which is why-" Dumbledore said solemnly, "I need to discuss with you about where Harry is going to stay from now on."
At these words Thalomus finally turned his attention to Dumbledore. His expression was one of impassive disinterest but not his eyes. His eyes had turned dark, as though he knew where this was going and didn't want to hear it.
"I'm his Godfather Albus!" he said in a low even tone.
"Yes!" Said Dumbledore bracingly, holding up a hand. "You are, and while I have little doubt Harry would be in quite capable hands—I feel that it would be better, indeed it would be safer if he were to go somewhere else"
Thalomus's face didn't change but he did slowly and without saying a word reach down and pick up his sword and placed it across his lap.
Dumbledore made no comment about this and instead continued on, "I have given this a great deal of thought as to where Harry should go—and I have decided that the best place for him will be with his Aunt and Uncle on his Mothers side."
Having finished, Dumbledore put his hands in his lap and peered ruefully at Thalomus who now seemed to be idly examining the sword in his lap as though nothing in the world were more interesting or more important than it!
The empty silence dragged on for several minutes, during which time Thalomus kept fingering the handle of his sword as though inspecting it for blemishes or damage while Dumbledore watched him calmly, waiting for a response.
"I made a promise to Lily and James, Dumbledore-" said Thalomus at last breaking the silence.
"I swore to them that if anything happened to them I would take care of Harry for them."
"I don't doubt it!" Replied Dumbledore softly
"I even offered once to make an unbreakable vow,-"
"Did you now?" Dumbledore asked sounding slightly surprised
He nodded gravely, "-I did!"
"But James wouldn't hear of it, he said it was too much to ask, I tried to argue but Lily…Lily talked me down from it."
Dumbledore only nodded.
"I have no doubt that both Lily and James would be overjoyed to know you are doing your utmost to keep your word to them Thalomus, however!" He stressed the last part particularly.
"I fear you do not realize the danger Harry now faces, not to mention the enormous responsibility you are undertaking. It was because of Lily that Harry survived the killing curse. She gave her life to protect him and by so doing has granted him powerful protection."
"You know this how?" Asked Thalomus, and accusatory note in his voice.
"Know?-" Replied Dumbledore, "I know many things Thalomus. The fact that Harry is alive, alive with only a tiny scar on his four head when no witch or wizard has ever survived the killing curse, with perhaps one other possible exception, is proof that Harry now has powerful protection. I know that Tom Riddle never has and never will understand such things. Nor will many of his vile servants and based on that, I do not doubt that Harry will be protected while with his aunt and uncle."
"But some of Voldemort's followers, whoyou know are almost as evil as he is, will stop at nothing to find Harry and kill him"
"And if they try!-" Thalomus cut in; "I'll personally drag each one of them to the ninth circle-of Hell!"
"No doubt you would Thalomus! But you also know that they are among the most vile, and ruthless of dark wizards, and-"
Thalomus suddenly shot up out of his chair, drew his sword and held it at the low ready as he glared at Dumbledore, his eyes were now blood red and glowing, the sclera black as coal as he now began shouting.
"WHAT IN HELL IS YOUR POINT DUMBLEDORE?" "I'M RUTHLESS! I'M VILE! I'M EVIL AND I'M A MONSTER! ISN'T THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING ABOUT ME FOR YEARS! WELL—ISN'T IT!"
"No Thalomus, you are not!" said Dumbledore who surprisingly had maintained his composure this whole time, his expression was still calm in his hands were still resting in his lap, but the sight of him sitting there calmly seemed to somehow snap Thalomus out of it.
The color of Thalomus's eyes returned to their original state and for a few minutes all that could be heard with a high pitched sobs of the baby Harry who'd been woken up by his sudden outburst.
Thalomus calmly re-sheathed his sword and put it beside the fireplace, he then reached down and with surprising calmness picked up Harry and started to slowly rock him side to side until he finally calmed down.
Once Harry had finally gone back to sleep Thalomus put him back into the cradle and sat back down turning his attention back to Dumbledore and with a look of shame on his face.
"Thalomus," said Dumbledore doggedly, "Your intentions are both good and noble-,"
Thalomus's face turned very cold and he began muttering strange words in a guttural tone, words that no ordinary person, muggle or wizard would understand. For they were in a language that precious few have ever known and even fewer would have had the courage to speak aloud.
For the first time since he arrived Dumbledore frowned at Thalomus and shook his head.
"Now really," said Dumbledore sounding disappointed, "there is no need for that kind of talk!"
Thalomus was again silent for a time as Dumbledore allowed him to pour over this new information in his mind.
"If you intend to take him Dumbledore, then you're going to have to pry him from my cold dead arms, then he'll have doubled the protection, won't he?!"
Dumbledore heaved a deep sigh sounding very tired and looking if possible even older than usual.
"So that's your answer then?"
Thalomus nodded slightly
"And nothing I say is going to change your mind?"
"Nothing!"
"You really intend to die protecting Harry then?"
"Damn straight!" Growled Thalomus
"Well—Than I have no further business here,"
Thalomus didn't respond but instead looked up at Dumbledore who was wasn't smiling but seemed to have accepted this and said "You will keep me informed of how he is doing, won't you?"
"Yes!" Replied Thalomus, also without smiling
"Well then I really must be off. Do take care won't you!"
He stood up and reached into his pocket and took out a small leather pouch, dipped his fingers into it and through a bit of flew powder into the fire.
Thalomus didn't speak or move as he watched Dumbledore step into the green flames and call out, "the leaky cauldron!" And with a sudden whoosh! He vanished.
When the flames in the fireplace return to their normal yellow and he was sure that Dumbledore was gone Thalomus peered down at Harry who was miraculously still sound asleep.
As he did so he thought about everything that had happened that day and about what Dumbledore had said to him.
His last words for that night would be, "what have I gotten myself into?"
End of chapter 1
P.S. English writing might as well be rocket science to me as English is my worst subject and I know it, so don't waste your time bemoaning it to me, because it isn't going to change anything! Though we all know you'll do it anyway.