HP Book 1 – Midshipman Potter: Of Stones, Wraiths and Senile Meddlers
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by JKR and Space 1889 is the property of Frank Chadwick. The only thing that's mine is this story.
Prologue: Into the Æther without a Trace…
4 Privet Drive, Surrey, England; November 2, 2001
Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Grand Sorcerer and Order of Merlin First Class) looked down at the tiny bundle he'd just placed on the doorstep of muggle house and half smiled. The bundle – fifteen-month-old Harry James Potter – was being condemned to a childhood of hate and abuse but it was for the Greater Good; at least that was how the aged wizard justified everything he'd done in regards to the child and his late parents. He turned briefly to address his two colleagues and ordered them away before casting one last look at the boy.
Ever since he'd heard the Prophecy made by Hogwarts' newly hired Divination Professor, the Headmaster knew that of the two children that met the criteria of the predictions it was little Harry that was destined to save the Wizarding World from the worst Dark Lord in history at the cost of his young life. That was why he Confounded his former student, James Potter, into leaving the safety of his heavily warded ancestral home with his very pregnant wife to hideout in a modest cottage in Godric's Hollow under a Fidelius Charm. Albus even went as far as to suggest that Sirius Black – James' childhood friend – be used as the Secret Keeper. The old man had known for some time that there was a traitor within his Order of the Phoenix; naturally, the spy was Black because his family was known supported of Lord Voldemort and the Blood Supremacy cause.
In the end, he was proved correct as Voldemort had attacked the Potter's. James died trying to keep the fiend from going upstairs. Lily's body had been found between the door to the nursery and the crib that held her baby son. It was obvious to Dumbledore when he arrived on the scene that she'd been playing with the child when the attack occurred as she held a strange toy that was connected to a box on her belt. He ordered Hagrid to take the child back to Hogwarts to be examined by the schools Matron, Poppy Pomfrey. There was little time to set his plan in motion so he immediately left Godric's Hollow for the Ministry where he requested an emergency session of the Wizengamut. By dawn on November 1st, he'd managed to get the elder Potter's Wills sealed as Official State Secrets, become the child's Magical Guardian and had an arrest on sight order issued for Black.
As he spun on his heel and disappeared with a soft pop, it never occurred to him that he might be wrong or that there was another course of action that could be taken. After all, he was Albus Dumbledore – Leader of the Light and the Defeater of the Dark Lord Grindelwald – and only he knew what had to be done.
Fortunately for the child, Lily Potter nee Evans was more than everyone believed; a muggleborn only by the strictest legal definition, she never drank the Senile Sheep Shagging Meddler's Kool-Aid. That meant she'd figured out what he was up to and arranged to out flank his plans; said arrangement being the group of five men that looked like they'd just stepped out of the pages of a Jules Vern novel. After they made sure nobody was watching, one of them picked up little Harry then the group moved into the dense fog that magically rolled in.
Ch.1: The Return
HMS Devil's Luck – On Patrol: July 28, 2011
Captain Jonathan "Black Jack" Morningway sipped his steaming cup of Heaven, Earl Grey with a twist of lemon, as he watched as the Night Watch was relieved and the Day Watch took up their stations with a casual ease that belied the years of military precision of every member of his crew. The now off duty men and women gave him quick salute as the passed on their way to either the mess or their berths. In the few minutes that it took for him to finish his tea, each of the Bridge Station logs had been reviewed by the person that had taken over and a concise assessment was then given to the XO. He turned to face his Second as the man made his way over.
Commander Geoffrey Morgan, Executive Officer of the Devil's Luck, snapped off a crisp salute then made his report. "Captain, all stations stand ready. The Logs show that there was a minor power loss at 0300 hours but Engineering that resulted in a 2 Degree deviation from our course. Helm was able to get us back on the proper heading in short order; nothing further to report, sir."
"Thank you, Commander. Those power losses seem to be becoming a regular occurrence and I have a feeling that our Chief Engineer will be giving me an earful about them soon," the commanding officer began but a flash of flames interrupted any further comments he was going to make.
All activity on the Bridge stopped as the crew all turned to gape at the scarlet plumed bird that suddenly appeared. After the initial shock wore off nobody could've missed the wax sealed envelope that it clutched in one of its taloned feet. Even without being able to truly see the seal, the Black Jack knew what it was and gave it a caustic glare.
"Mr. Bilabby, please ask Midshipman Potter to report to the Bridge at once," he ordered his Percer with an irritated tone without taking his eyes off either the bird or letter.
Ten minutes later, Bilabby returned with a not-quite-eleven-year-old boy. The youth's close cropped raven hair was disheveled, his face had grease stains and his emerald eyes had dark circles under them. Grease stains also covered the t-shirt and the top half of the work pants that he wore; even his boots showed scuff marks from where he'd been crawling around. All of which were signs that he'd been in the Engine Room helping track down the cause of the power drop. Despite his obvious tiredness, the lad managed a proper salute before he assumed the Parade Rest position.
"You wished to see me sir," the Midshipman inquired with a barely noticeable slur.
Smiling at his grandson's bullheaded determination to not show how the lack of sleep was affecting him. He soon adopted an all business expression and then nods in the direction of the mysterious bird.
"This here Fiery Pheasant appeared on the Bridge not long ago and looks to be carrying a certain letter for you," the older man commented to the boy while the bird let out an indignant squawk and a hush fell over the room as the crew waited to see what their Young Gentleman would do.
The haze of sleep deprivation fell away from the youth as he stared from the bird – a phoenix – to the letter and back a few times. It wasn't like the letter hadn't been expected his whole life but he'd honestly hoped it would never find him. He already had his future mapped out and going to some Backwater Bastion of Pureblood Ineptitude had been a part of his plans. In fact, he was already slated to attend the Academy come September 1st. The Midshipman was about to tell the phoenix to take the letter and bugger off but a small voice in the back of his mind stopped him. That voice was the very small part of him that wanted to go to the same school his parents went to; to make a connection with them. While most of the crew present wondered why the boy hadn't made any attempt at retrieving the letter, their Captain understood all too well the child's dilemma and decided to take pity on his grandson.
"Harry, m'lad, just before we headed out on patrol I talked with the Commodore about your schooling. We both agree that since you already hold a Midshipman's Commission you're years ahead of the other incoming Cadets and can afford to take two or three years if you want to go to Hogwarts; as long as you keep up your regular studies and test out at the Academy during the Summer Holidays. Personally, your Gran and I think you need to do this; our Lily Blossom wanted you to be raised as a proper Ætherman. Between the two us and this motley bunch we honored that request. Never doubt that you've done her proud. If you think me and Dahlia were proud when you not only sat for the exam but earned your commission, you can damn well believe she and your Da were absolutely beaming in the Hereafter.
"I know that you're happy with the way your life is but anyone looking into your eyes can see the taint of sadness there from carrying your parents' loss. Lily and James wouldn't want you to hold on to that. It's beyond time for you to mourn their loss and the life that never was then lay their ghosts to rest. Go to Hogwarts and walk the halls they walked, breathe the air they breathed. Do your Da proud and raise a little Hell, show those inbred twats what an Ætherman can do – even if both his feet are planted squarely on the ground. Play some Quidditch, make some friends and when you're old enough – bed as many of those Pureblood Princesses as you can if that's what you want to do," Black Jack explained to the now teary eyed boy then continued with a smirk. "None of that now, none of that, you know Morningway's Rule Number 1: No womanish behavior on my Bridge!"
Of course nobody admitted that they were all a tad watery eyed themselves. Then the Bridge was filled with laughter as the Captain was smacked across the back of his head by the woman that had come in while he was talking to their grandchild.
"I agree with your grandfather on everything but that last part and Merlin, Morgan, Edison and Tesla help you if you do bed a girl and not use some form of protection because I'm too young to be a great-grandmother," Dahlia McKeirnan-Morningway added with an Irish lilt and a soft smile for the raven haired boy.
Commander Dahlia McKeirnan, as she was known whenever the Devil's Luck was on assignment, was the ship's Chief Engineer. A witch of Irish-Spanish extraction, she barely stood five foot five inches tall. Her petite frame held generous curves that were currently sheathed in her everyday uniform of heavy cotton pants with matching jacket, a white cotton undershirt and heavy work boots. A thick utility belt hung loosely off her hips to complete the ensample. Her deep red hair was pulled back into a braid that hung down to the middle of her shoulder blades and her emerald eyes – the same eyes she shared with her youngest daughter and grandson – shined with intelligence and a hint of mischief.
"Well, what are you waitin' for, take the envelope from that phoenix and open it already," the older woman gently chided which caused her grandson to blush scarlet.
The almost-eleven-year-old straightened his spine then reached for the letter and opened the envelope with a flourish just because he could. Harry glossed over the first of two sheets of parchment that he pulled out. He simply reached into his back pocket and pulled out a self-inking calligraphy pen then wrote a short acceptance at the bottom of the paged before he absently handed it back to the waiting feathered messenger. The phoenix gave a short trill then disappeared in a burst of flame, not that the boy had noticed as he was muttering about certain pointless items from the Supply List on the second parchment.
Jon Morningway disguised his snort of laughter at his grandson's grumble about robes being bedclothes not a proper uniform as a cough then adopted a professional demeanor. He cleared his throat to get the lad's attention.
"Midshipman Potter, it is indeed fortuitous that that missive found us when it did because we a scheduled for a three day layover at Victoria Station on Luna and should arrive just before midday. We shall catch a fast transport back to our outpost on Earth and have plenty of time to get whatever is on that list in Diagon Alley. In the mean time, I hereby relieve you of duty so that you can use the time to pack your things. I would suggest, however, that you go take a shower, change into a clean uniform as I believe that Commander McKiernan still has another hour before she needs to report for duty. Unless I miss my guess, she is going to want to review your class work," he stated. The Young Gentleman snapped a quick salute before he left the Bridge for his berth.
"Not that I expect it to be anything less than exemplary. That boy is a prodigy at Runes and Arithmancy, not to mention how well he does in the mundane subjects. I'm almost afraid of what's going to happen when he starts learning Charms or, Saint's preserve us, when he puts it all together in Technomancy. The way Harry's mind works, he'd make one hell of an Engineer; too bad he's going to waist all that talent by becoming a Line Officer. Sure'n ya all look fine in yer fancy blue coats standing around the Bridge preening like peacocks but anyone with an ounce of sense knows tha' it's me and my ilk that do the real work," Dahlia commented mirthfully and earned several irate huffs from the crew.
The Captain gazed at his wife of sixty-two years then replied snootily, "As I recall, my Dear, it was this Peacock that won your heart and convinced you to marry him."
"Well I did say that you looked mighty fine in that pretty blue coat, but to honest I was a wee bit drunk and decided to take pity on ya and say yes," she laughed back.
It wasn't often that the married couple bantered in front of the crew but they enjoyed those times because they all remembered that dark time after news of their youngest daughter's murder reached them. The only thing that stopped the couple from using the Devil's Luck's weapons to level either Diagon Alley or the Ministry of Magic was that the goblins managed to confirm that their grandson still lived. While the ship had been docked at Point Freedom, the outpost just outside Cardiff, Wales, a small raiding party borrowed an airship and rescued that toddler from the doorstep of his Aunt's home. Once they returned, it was straight to the Infirmary to have the child checked over. Needless to say, what was found after a thorough examination reignited the anger of the elder Morningway's. That time carnage was diverted because of the need to get the tiny lad as far from a certain Goat Fucking Bastard as possible.
The lighthearted moment passed and the Captain and his Chief Engineer held a brief but terse conversation about the now frequent power losses and what needed to be done to ultimately correct the problem. Due to the rising tension between the Æther States, the Commander's recommendation for a complete refit that would gut the ship then rebuild it from the keel up was quickly rejected. Eventually, the Captain agreed to six months in Dry Dock at the Mars Space Dock to take out the old solar boiler, power plant and engine so that at least the latter two could be replaced with newer models. It was unspoken between the two that it was only a temporary fix or that the engineer was going to squeeze in as many system upgrades as she could in the allotted time.
Dahlia left after that to meet up with her grandson. No matter that she had agreed with him going to Hogwarts, the older witch was going to miss him something fierce. She was also feared for his safety so there was going to be a quick stop to give some special orders to Mapes before sitting down with Harry.
Diagon Alley, London: August 5, 2011
Daniel Granger, much like his wife and daughter – Emma and Hermione respectively, was unimpressed with what he'd seen so far of the Wizarding World. While the family of three had been ecstatic to learn the reason behind all the bizarre things that happened around Hermione, a grimy pub that screamed Health Code Violations and a street crowded with people dressed like the bastard lovechildren of a Jane Austen novel and The Lord of the Rings hadn't exactly made a stellar first impression. Even the very brief explanation of the magical monetary system their guide, Professor McGonagall, had given them was more confusing than helpful. As they waited in the Gringott's Bank lobby waiting for next available goblin teller, he was giving serious thought to pulling the plug on the trip then see if they couldn't find another magical community that was more in touch with reality.
He was about to say just that when he noticed Hermione was staring at something on the far side of the room. That something turned out to be three people, a couple which looked to be in their late thirties or early forties and a boy around his daughter's age. What set them apart from the rest of the Renaissance Fair rejects was that all three wore Victorian Era naval uniforms. From the rank insignia on the collars, Dan noted that the man was a Captain, the woman a Commander and the boy a Midshipman. At the site of them, the Granger patriarch's impression of the Wizarding World went up a couple of notches.
What none of their patients and only a few of their friends knew was that Dr.'s Daniel and Emma Granger (DDS) had paid for college then later Dental School by serving active duty in the SAS. Where his wife retired from the service after giving birth, Dan still held a Reserve Captain's Commission. Not that Emma hadn't actively kept up with her skills; she was at the Dojo three times a week and went to the shooting range twice a month. In fact, both spouses had made sure that Hermione got away from her books enough to learn Aikido and to shoot; among other things. The bushy haired girl that would celebrate her twelfth birthday in just over a month often competed in Biathlons during the winter (a mix of cross country skiing and target shooting).
The SAS Reservist became confused after his wife pointed out the uniformed trio to their guide and commented that it was good that there was a magical military as it meant they took their safety seriously and the professor told her that there wasn't any such military. Normally he would've accosted the family because he hated posers as they disrespected everyone that ever wore a uniform and served their country. The only reason he hadn't was because his trained eye noted the subtle body language that only came from military training of the three strangers. Before he had a chance to ask Professor McGonagall to explain further, a little redheaded girl shrieked.
"Look Mummy, that's Harry Potter!"
The young Midshipman turned to the girl with a harsh glare and stated icily, "I am not now, never have been nor ever shall be the Harry Potter you speak of. That Harry Potter never existed outside the fevered imagination of a Sheep Shagging Senile Reprobate of a Headmaster with delusions of being the Second Coming of Merlin that was very loosely based upon my likeness. I am Midshipman Hadrian James Potter-Morningway-Nelson of Æther Britannia and Junior Officer aboard the HMS Devil's Luck. If you cannot get that through your skull then, by all means, jump off the nearest cliff like the good little lemming you are so that we can start draining the shallow end of the Gene Pool!"
With those words, he turned sharply on his heel then marched out of the lobby along with the older couple. Two things were obvious to the three Granger's: One, the raven haired Midshipman was some kind of celebrity in the Wizarding World. And two, he not only didn't like that status but went out of his way to verbally cut down an obvious fangirl and point out that whatever story about him that was out there was false. Dan spotted an open teller and used the shock of the crowd to take care of business. With more efficiency than mundane bank employees, the goblin teller very quietly suggested that a Trust Vault be opened for Hermione for the paltry sum of one pound sterling. The diminutive banker had vault paperwork finished, key issued, exchanged their remaining pound for galleons at a better exchange rate than they'd initially been told and slipped the dentist a packet of information full of all the services Gringott's offered its clientele in both worlds in under five minutes.
The family of three looked at one another and shared a brief silent conversation before they nodded at the decision that was made. Emma took point on the plan. She gently patted the still shocked Professor McGonagall on the shoulder and told her that the family was going to finish the shopping trip on its own so that they wouldn't take up any more of the older witch's valuable time. Once the message was delivered, the trio exited the bank and headed straight for the bookstore. Luck was with them because they ran into the uniformed family and they cautiously made their way over to them. They were noticed straight away and had been initially met with wary gazes which soon changed to welcoming expressions.
"Good afternoon, I believe I saw you in the lobby of Gringott's not long ago. I'm Captain Jonathan Morningway and this is Commander Dahlia McKeirnan-Morningway – my wife and Chief Engineer. You already heard our grandson introduce himself in the bank. How may we be of service," Jon greeted the younger family and introduced his own while offering a hand.
The Granger's gaped at the admission that the boy hadn't been their son but their grandson but Daniel quickly recovered; he shook the proffered hand and introduced his own family.
"Dr. Daniel Granger – Reserve Captain SAS; my wife, Dr. Emma Granger – SAS Retired – and our daughter, Hermione; it's a pleasure to meet you, please call us Dan and Emma, although I must admit that the two of you don't look old enough to be grandparents."
"Thank you for the compliment and call us Jon, Dahlia and Harry. Don't let what you've seen so far fool you as far as appearances go. Those with the active ability to manipulate magic start to age slowly between the ages of 18 and 21 which means they remain in their prime much longer than normal. Not that there aren't potions out there to help out the rest of population that achieve the same results," the other man answered then continued after a short pause to gather his thoughts.
"As your family has essentially been thrust Through the Looking Glass without so much as a By Your Leave or any real information by which to make any type of educated choices, might I make a suggestion?"
"Please do," Emma spoke for the first time as her husband and daughter nodded in agreement.
"I noticed that you received a certain packet from Gringott's. My advice would be to grab all of Miss Hermione's school books and Hogwarts: A History, then go to the checkout. While the clerk totals up your purchase, request a self-updating copy of the Hogwarts Charter and Handbook. After everything is paid for, go down to the corner and enjoy some ice cream while you go through the packet you were given. Somewhere among the first five pages you will find an order form for something called a Continual Use Two-Way Portkey. Fill out the form then go back to the bank and tell the teller you are a friend of the Noble House of Morningway and they will deduct the cost for the portkey from that vault (he held up a hand to forestall any questions or protests). You are a Military Family and we always take care of our own, so don't argue.
"Now, a portkey is a form of magical transportation used to move small groups great distances in virtually seconds. Contrary to what you might've been told, there are actually three other magical shopping districts besides Diagon Alley. You weren't lied to intentionally because your guide today is a product of her culture and the Ministry of Magic's heavy handed control of information so she might not even know that the others exist. Two are in Ireland; one is in Belfast in the North and the other is in Dublin in the South. As a general rule, the Ministry tends to forget about them because they are… well, Irish. The last district is Mage Way in Cardiff, Wales. All the shops, whether family owned or large chains are run by either muggleborns or half-bloods and offer their wares at very reasonable prices; it is also the district I highly recommend.
"Take tonight to review the section on Uniform Requirements and the alternate selections and then use the portkey to finish up the remainder of your school shopping."
Dan, Emma and Hermione nodded in appreciation of the advice but they were highly intelligent and understood what hadn't been said as well. From the moment they entered Diagon Alley, they'd caught the occasional dirty looks or muttered slurs that were directed at them and the other muggleborns and their families. Then there was the sly expression on the goblin teller's face and the quite way he helped them. What Jon had told them without words not only confirmed that they were dealing with a bigoted society but they were going to be overcharged on everything if the continued to shop in the Alley. The Granger's also noted the contemptuous looks their new acquaintances cast whenever a witch or wizard eagerly headed in their direction. Those looks caused the Groupies to turn tail and go back the way they came.
The store started to get more crowded so the elder Morningway's decided it would be best to leave before there was an incident. They left the Granger's with a promise from Harry to meet Hermione on Platform 9 ¾'s at ten on September 1st. The muggleborn witch and her family thought the other family had the right idea and quickly collected the books then made for the cashier. The clerk behind the counter sneered as he rang them up but reluctantly added the requested Handbook to the pile after Dan nearly broke one of his fingers when he originally refused.
Professor McGonagall found them as the trio exited the bookstore and apologized for being so out of sorts that she hadn't realized the Granger's had left the bank. Emma waved the apology off and told the elderly witch that they would come back to the Alley at a later date because Hermione wasn't feeling well. The professor finally left after repeated assurances that the family could find its way back home. Once they were positive that she was gone for good, the three made their way over to the ice cream parlor to follow the good advice they'd been given.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Ten minutes later
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore sat back in his desk chair with a sigh of relief as he sucked on one of his beloved lemon drops. An enraged Molly Weasley had just left his office with her youngest child, and only daughter, in tow. Harry Potter's appearance in Diagon Alley had been reported to him within moments of the boy was first seen. Not long after that, the irate Weasley matriarch had showed up and demanded that Albus do something because the Boy-Who-Lived had been rude to her little girl and embarrassed the young witch in public. Nothing he suggested calmed the mother of seven until he remembered that Potter was supposed to die in his future confrontation with Voldemort. Using his authority as the boy's Magical Guardian, he pulled out parchment, quill and ink then proceeded to write up a Marriage Contract between Harry Potter and Generva Weasley that gave Molly unrestricted access to the Potter Family Vaults until her daughter was sixteen, when the marriage would take place.
The three then used his floo to go to Gringott's to present the contract the Potter Account Manager. It was only after the goblin laughed in their faces as the document burst into flames that the so-called Leader of the Light learned the frightening truth. Dumbledore had never been Harry's Magical Guardian despite his manipulations because Lily Potter nee Evans had written a separate Will that was to be automatically executed within eight hours of her death or if something happened to the Joint Potter Will. The Account Manager had not been forthcoming with any further information so the group had been forced to return to the Headmaster's Office where Molly ranted at him to fix the situation until she was horse.
The aged wizard looked up when his longtime friend and colleague entered the room's organized chaos. From the expression on her face he had the sinking feeling he was not going to like what he was about to hear. He also had a suspicion that it was also going to involve child that was supposed to be his weapon.