Demon's Providence
Chapter 1
Demon's Providence
Helltanz's notes: I've rewritten most this chapter simply because it needed it, I'm hoping it improves readability.
-Story begin -
Prologue begin
– Scene break-
This fateful October thirty-first would be the day everything changed for England. Today the dark lord who, along with his followers had terrorized the English Wizarding world had been vanquished.
"James! Lily!" Shouted Sirius hurriedly looking around and rushing through the wreckage of the collapsed building. "Harry! Michael!" The Animagus continued to yell for his friends and godchildren despite the possible risk. Sirius rushed through the remains of what presumably been the hallway and stumbled over something. "Oh – James!" He exclaimed excitedly, "Come, on, come on buddy don't be dead."
Luckily for him James Potter merely had a concussion. Voldemort had caught him off guard and banished a vase into the back of his head. The charred remnants of the flowers were still nearby in fact.
Still unknown to the animagus and the half giant, a group of robed figures had arrived at the destroyed house and quickly found the scared boy. "Find the boys, and Lily pad I'll be alright," James tried to stand, and fell back onto his ass.
Hagrid and Sirius both moved to stop the strange wizards from taking the older of the two Potter children. "The boy is far more important," A raspy voice remarked, "he will not be wasted on the likes of you." Stated the apparent leader who was holding Harry.
"The boy's potential is to great to ignore. We can not afford for you to interfere the boy will be accompanying us." Stated a second, like the first he was dressed in heavy clerical robes of saffron.
"Harry!" "'Arry" Sirius and Hagrid had shouted at the same time from different sides of the ruined house.
It was to late the robed figure carrying Harry had vanished, whether it had been it had been by portkey or apparition or some other unknown method was not known.
The remaining figures quickly erased Sirius and Hagrid's memories of seeing them, this would change the course of events; Sirius and Hagrid proceeded to seek out the two members of the Potter family who were, like James, surprisingly enough alive despite the 'Dark Lord' attacking the house.
Of course the west would not realize their obliviousness for a while yet and the dark aestics well they had acquired what they had been seeking.
-Scene break-
Prologue conclusion
– Scene break-
Chapter Begin
"Li what is going on we are under attack?"
The dark haired teen turned, "I know,"
"Of course you know boy what is going." The monk responded exasperated, "Stop standing around. We have to fix this mistake." After all it had to be a mistake, this whole mess made no sense.
He turned around, "Yes this mistake is going to be fixed, but I'm not Li. He's busy."
"What-" that was all the bald monk got as the teen's body rippled European features were replaced by ethnically Han ones. "Cheng what is going on?" The teen slammed the scholar's pen through the monk's right eye. The shapeshifter returned the concealed weapon to his sleeve.
Elsewhere the actual 'Li' was confronting another monk, "You think to frighten me with death pupil of mine. I do not fear this has been my fate. The student must always the master for their to be growth, and you are the dragon." Li narrowly ducked under the blast of focused energy, this had been a lot easier in his plans. "What knowledge do you seek? You've seen your file, we took you from Hong Kong when the British were still ruling, gave you a good name, and the education you needed." The monk remarked, reflecting the incoming tornado, "Always my favorite student, but still my own attack?" The monk faltered as the tornado exploded outward, before nodding, "Yes, as I said the student must surpass me. I suppose it would be reasonable to concede to my loss," Li had already let the iron spears fly. A grunt and the two hundred and fifteen year old monk collapsed to the ground as several slammed into his chest. "Very good, mindless loyalty to tradition gets people killed."
Li looked around, and cursed irritably, this had taken too much time, and he was still short answers. The temple chambers were torn apart by magic energy, with holes having been torn through parts of the ceiling and walls.
"Who do you have as your decoy? Ai perhaps? No, no that would be to obvious, Jiang, no you have him leading the special teams, yes?"
Li nodded, "Jiang is good at it," He admitted,
"The tea then, one last time, then."The room was destroyed, or at least wrecked, and was dangerously near collapse, and yet the tea set was miraculously intact, slowly, achingly slow, the water came to a boil.
-scene break-
The bodies of the monks lay strewn about the area each laying where they had died. "Commander Li your orders?" asked on the stammering soldiers as he looked at the magic user.
China despite supposedly being communist had changed little at least in the magical world. After all governments came and went tradition tended to remain with each. The two sides cooperated well enough after all let the muggles have their fun after all there was no one bearing the mandate of heaven right now.
The emerald-eyed demon turned. "Get these corpses out of my sight." He ordered and the People's Liberation Army Officer scrambled away to carry out the order.
'Two hundred dead, and no more troublesome monks to bother me.' 'Commander Li' rubbed his tattooed chest, and best of all the mission had been carried out with the official sanction of the State.
For sixteen years he had been poked and prodded. It had steadily shaped him into an efficient killing machine all because he, unknowingly just like his brother, was the subject of a prophecy. Harry Potter, know known as Li to most people who knew him, knew about the prophecy and he accepted it, it was fate after all.
Cheng stepped beside him, "The senior monks are all dead, that is what we wanted correct?" He asked unsure for the first time in a while, "At the same time they knew it was coming just not when. Even the intelligence service didn't know we we're doing this, and the monks still knew. Was this destiny? For us to kill them all."
"Cheng I think Europe will be good for you, the assignment will give you plenty of fresh air."
Officially Military service in China was compulsory however due to the numbers of volunteers to serve in the Armed Forces drafts were unnecessary. Li was eighteen, just recently, officially he should have just been entering military service. IN truth they had all been what had amounted to a child soldier. His official rank listed him as an OF-4 lieutenant colonel or commander for army or navy respectively, there was a reason for this.
The loud noise of a 'Helix', as NATO called the craft, combat transport helicopter could be heard approaching. Li set off to board the craft the ascetics had gotten on the bad side of the State Council as well as the Magical Imperial Court. By doing so and doing nothing to amend the situation they had guaranteed their destruction, a destruction carried out by the most powerful living weapon they had ever trained. Then again they had apparently known their end was coming, at least the older monks, so what did that mean?
– Scene break -
Hong Kong was still separate from the rest of Mainland China, officially it was going to become a Special Administrative Region. The last decade had seen a lot of changes, the great soviet union had fallen due to internal strife. Even with the planned handing over of the city in July Hong Kong was one of the places an Anglo could walk around fairly inconspicuously.
"You know general Kwai I typically shoot people who enter uninvited." Li remarked, pointedly ignoring his guest held a rank higher than his own in traditional structure. Then again traditional structuring meant little given the differences, and of course Li was joking.
"You knew it was I, and besides your weapon isn't even drawn." The larger man remarked, "Still I thought you might want help settling in, but it would appear I've been beaten to it."
"True." He remarked settling into the rather basic couch. Li had just moved in recently anyway so the accommodations were rather sparse, which was actually how he preferred things, but he'd have guests who would prefer more comfort. Still he'd much prefer to have guests meet in this apartment rather than his other place. "Jiang already gave me a hand moving the furniture in." He remarked gesturing to the chairs, and table.
After being gestured into an unoccupied seat Kwai spoke again, "The magical community is planning to enter a tournament held by the foremost schools of magic." Commented the rather large general also settling into a seat. He did not care about the sparse furnishings they were just fine for his tastes.
"I have already graduated general." He responded. That wasn't a completely true statement. The ascetics, besides a small handful of classes, had for the most part educated him and in the end his state graded tests. Still the little tidbit of information didn't particularly concern him for that very reason, unless his government wanted him to do something during the tournament, which was in line with his regular work.
Kwai shook his head acknowledging the statement. "And I am aware of that, but it would be a good way to bolster ties with the other magical governments, something that the State Council would like" He raised his finger with a smirk before continuing. "and the regulations for this get together do not necessarily state you have to be a student of the school returning from the previous year."
"I would rather hunt down and fight Jason Bourne." He grunted in disgust, as far as things went the idea of being assigned such a mission simply to show up struck him as unwise considering what he normally did for his government.
Jason Bourne was not unlike him, an assassin, though one who worked for the American Central Intelligence Agency. The man was a real potential threat even beyond the threats posed by his fellow agents.
The general humphed amused, "That means little you're immortal." He responded. "There isn't any real danger in you doing that, not that we have any idea where the American spy is mind you. He dropped back beneath the radar." He wasn't actually immortal rather he was just extremely hard to kill still it did ultimately amount to more or less the same thing. Kwai sat back reaching for the drink that had been placed on the table, "I feel ten years younger when I drink this," He pronounced, "Li you were born here in Hong Kong right?"
"So my birth certificate says," Li responded,
Kwai nodded, "The tournament shouldn't be a big deal, but the west is restarting it, and opening it to Eastern Schools. Its important..."
It was thus the reason why he found himself on a flight to Europe. From there he made his way to England and then onto a train leading to the so called premier institution of magic on the European continent. He was ordered to. So he was on his way to the English magical school Hogwarts.
– Scene break-
United Kingdom King's cross-station, Hogwarts's express
"Hello? Are you new, I'm" began the bushy haired Girl who had rudely entered the compartment he had elected to occupy.
The soldier barely cracked his eyes, and only did so, so that he could glare at the nuisance. "I'm here for the tournament, I'd very much like to be left be."
"Well I never. I will have you know I'm head girl." She all but snapped at him huffing angrily.
He quashed the urge to cause an international incident, beside maybe she would be his opponent people died in these things apparently. "I do not care." The living weapon responded, dealing with people his age irritated him.
"Li, nice to see you." Another female entered the compartment waving over the bushy haired girl's shoulder.
He spared the new entrant a slightly more genial look, his glare lessening. "Yayoi." He went ahead and made the connection that she would be Japan's representative for the tournament. "I would have thought they would have sent one of the Tohsaka siblings?"
"Don't tell me your being a sourpuss again." Chided the mystic, in training, waving her finger in his face in a scolding gesture. "And no I'm our entrant, a sure win!" She pronounced.
The dark haired teen's glare resumed full force. "Stop that." He demanded.
"Oh come on, don't be so gloomy." She complained flopping down on the seat next to him with little concern for her surroundings. "Are you hungover? Is that what it is?" She exclaimed volume rising again.
He closed his eyes, "I am not gloomy." The soldier remarked with an air of finality, she elected to ignore his tone. "Nor am I hungover."
"You don't like being away from home." The young woman remarked crossing her arms over her chest nodding emphatically as she did so.
This was becoming a nuisance; his mediation was all but wrecked. "Yayoi stop it you are being annoying."
"I'll turn you into a cat again." Yayoi threatened him even though all the while she did so with a smile and there was no actual malevolent intent behind her words.
Not much of a threat considering he could shape shift fairly easily. "That doesn't last long you have realized that haven't you?"
"Its still funny your such a cute little kitty cat. Can I braid your hair?"
He kept his tone neutral "No." He stated flatly.
"Please." She pressed. Li glared, his eyes opening. She responded with a wide eyed begging look.
"No." He responded completely blowing her off.
The girl pouted, and he faintly caught her whining, but she finally dropped the request. This disruption to his mediation was unpleasant to say the least. As far as things went this assignment irritated him, but ultimately was something which would help the Middle Kingdom.
She apparently thought she could get him to acquiesce by using another angle. "You'd let Ishizu braid you hair."
"I would not." He remarked firmly in response to the statement. As far as things went he wouldn't let anyone touch his hair if he could avoid it.
The Japanese school girl shook her finger in his face again moving it from side to side slowly. "Yes you would." Protested Yayoi childishly.
"I most certainly would not." Li stated calmly his voice not once losing its monotone, his face did not change expression. He wasn't going to get a reaction out of him.
Seeing she wasn't going to win she elected to give up and change subjects. "So who do you think will represent the other major magical countries? I mean can you believe it the American School didn't send anyone."
"I do not know," He remarked, "nor do I care." It wasn't completely true seeing as he had seen the information on the likely participants from each of the schools, by accident of course. Still she had a point Salem was impressive for its occultists, even if some of them were... odd.
Yayoi blinked in surprise, "Oh come on aren't you the least bit curious." She questioned staring at him. "I mean I thought Martin, or his sister might come from Salem to represent their school, or maybe Sabrina? Have you met her? She's nice."
"No."
Again she changed the subject and deciding on another question to indulge her curiosity. "Did you get a new tattoo?"
"No."
The girl frowned trying to think on what else she could question him on, "Any new scars you've gotten since the last time? I heard there was a fight between you and your teacher."
"No." He paused, or froze really at the last statement. "What?"
Yayoi looked up, "Your sensei I heard you and him had some kind of fight was it bad?"
"He's dead," Li stated, "He's dead," and that was all he had to say on that matter. It'd been so much easier to plan it out ahead of time, but carrying it out and the aftermath of it was harder to say the least.
-Scene break-
Three hours into the trip most of it having been filled by pointless babbling the train rumbled and came to a stop.
"Death Eater attack!" Some one shouted from up the train foolishly waving his arms around making himself even more of a target as he danced about in the open.
The food lady attempted to stop him from leaving the locomotive. "Hey you can't go out there." She protested. "Its dangerous, they're all fighting."
"Crucio." The death eater's spell sailed harmlessly past Li's head and the caster received a face full of flames for his trouble. The elemental assault melted flesh and boiled the man's eyes as the green eyed sorcerer moved past the unfortunate man as he flailed blind upon the ground.
Yayoi rushed behind him. "Li wait up!" She shouted trying to put her shoes back on, she having removed them sometime into the train ride.
Li focused on the energy deep within him the raw darkness which was a part of him,his summoning brought for the Shadow Khan, each humanoid though with blue gray skin and red eyes and dressed in nearly all encompassing black outfits, popped out of the ground and began attacking the Death Eaters at their master's command. Truthfully they looked like ninjas or forest demons though the latter was closer to the truth about their origins.
Waves of fire set the ground alight immolating a few death eaters. Li spared his minions little interest as flames struck out and assaulted his targets.
The Shadow Khan were not the only entrant to the battlefield that wasn't human, one of the Death Eaters screamed and has torn apart by huge masked monster as Yayoi added her own sorcerer to the mix.
China's representative to be scowled, "and she's delightful about this?" Yayoi's noh beast howled angrily at the criminals all a tangled mass of shadowy oily limbs and scything claws.
Li parted back leaping in between the stopped train cars dodging a banished piece of debris from a particularly adept wizard. The man had little time to try again. Yayoi's creature had too many arms, and one found its mark true even as flame and death erupted from Li's fingertips forcing him, the death eater, to dodge to the side.
By the time the aurors arrived it was too late. The death eaters had expected some resistance but not a counter attack of this magnitude. "You missed the barbecue." Li commented in a flat voice as he bit into a piece of roasted pork.
Beside him another teen stood his ethnically Han features set into a pleased smirk as he twirled the knife in one hand, while the other rested on the nearby box of food. "Hao wanted to invite you to the party, if you can get away it would be good to have you."
Yayoi giggled.
Li took another bite, "I would like that Jiang,"
"It would be good. Ai has his state test this year, perhaps you could help him study? Once your obligations here are finished or perhaps you can arrange a break."
"Where are the death eaters?" demanded the head Auror looking around. He had rushed in expecting a pitched fight with the train's auror contingent out numbered. Not a picnic in the midst of the wreckage, already a number of students had unfolded or conjured picnic blankets and settled in to snack at the urging of some of the prefects.
"I'll see," Li reluctantly looked up from his snack, and his own conversation. "The ones who survived long enough to escape are where ever they portkeyed to. Those who remained, or could not escape were killed or though some I suppose may have been eaten, an arguably worse fate."
"And who are you?" The sandy haired lead auror inquired, "You look like you got a good look at what happened, definitely going to need to get your report on what happened," He stated fishing out a pad.
He had wondered when they'd get around to that. "Li, I am here to represent the Peoples Republic of China in this annoying magical competition."
"And you are miss?" A female pink haired auror, or whatever their police force were called, inquired stepping up beside the sandy haired auror.
The Japanese girl bowed. "Yayoi Suzuka. Also here for the tournament!" She announced with a smile.
Jiang looked up, "Jiang, Li is my classmate, so you might say we're here for the same purpose."
Yayoi snickered, "He's your senpai, so I don't think your actually in classes together."
– Scene break-
United Kingdom, Alba (Scotland), Hogwarts's School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, Grounds
Li walked up to the older man one of his eyebrows raised. "Any particular reason I didn't see any of the other representatives on the train. Jiang came at my instance, and Cheng to, but I sent him back to the embassy as soon as the attack started."
"Well you didn't have to actually have travel by the train. It would not have been unheard of for you could have simply walked from Hogsmeade." Stated the senior Chinese representative with an amused shrug, Li wouldn't retaliate for this he'd understand. It was a snub on the English to watch their weakness, a problem in their own country they couldn't handled.
The sorcerer glared. "You mean you intended to have me deal with the attack." He hated when people did this sending him in without all available information.
"We suspected they're would be an attack but we were simply not sure." The man waved a hand dismissively, "In any case you act like this is the first time we had you stop a terrorist attack. Or Jiang for that matter, he's good at it too you know."
His glare intensified, those situations were completely different. "That was in China though operating on foreign soil is a completely different matter."
"Yes, yes, perhaps, but what about when you've done it elsewhere, or were those not attacks, we should be on our way though," The middle aged wizard said as he waved his hand toward the castle. "Besides the Intelligence branch wasn't even sure whether they needed to forward it to you, being on foreign soil and all." He remarked as he set off, it was true; he wasn't stupid enough to lie. "As you said its a different matter, were those attacks the ones elsewhere. You are the dragon, order is your way."
The great hall was great, yes that was a good way to describe truly it was aptly named. It was sufficent to hold five very large tables, four sat the four houses of the school, and the fifth could seat all the teachers of the school and still have room.
The rather tall bearded teacher at the high table stood up to address his school. "Ah welcome everyone back to another year at Hogwarts." He greeted pleasantly. "I must inform you all that this year's Quidditch season has been cancelled," This pronouncement was met with the students in shock, and surprise. The professor waited for the noise to die back down, "however I am pleased to announce that instead we here at Hogwarts will be hosting an international competition based on the Triwizard Tournament. In this tournament members of some of the finest magical schools of Europe and Asia will be coming to Hogwarts to enter and compete this year. Also another announcement Alastor Moody will be this year's defense against the Dark Arts teacher. Now tuck in." The headmaster of the school, Li recognizing him from his intelligence dossier on England, stated as the food appeared.
That was how dinner began. Simply put dinner was a very noisy affair as the students discussed loudly the announcements made, and other matters.
"Li where are you going?" Yayoi questioned as he stood up.
His answer was succinct and simple. "Out."
"Wait up." She exclaimed following after him.
The soldier settled down beside the lake, yes this would work fine. "Come out." He barked annoyed at the figure in the bushes.
"And what do we have hear a couple so early in the year. Oh you must be here for the competition. I'm Sirius, Sirius Black nice to meet you." Yayoi giggled at the rather pathetic pun. "Sorry most couples go up to the Astronomy tower."
"We are not a couple."
The man seemed amused, "Oh is that so?" teased Sirius, or at least he attempted to the sorcerer had his typical response. Li's face was set as if stone.
Sirius raised his hands in mock surrender, "Okay, okay if you say so." He stated knowing he was beat.
"I'm Yayoi Suzuka and Mr. Sourpuss is Li."
Li turned his head, "I am not a sourpuss." He remarked, her name calling was wearing at him. She wore hear emotions on her sleeve and he didn't.
The sound of wet sloshing footsteps was heard approaching. "Li!" The new arrival shouted in greeting. Beside the wizard another pair of figures.
Li greeted him fairly blandly. "Kon." He turned to the other two, "Jiang, Cheng. You took your time, did you enjoy it."
"Its interesting," Cheng remarked "Is all of Europe like this?"
"You'll see," Li responded, and that was true, once Li was confirmed as Champion, a farce in itself, Cheng would have other obligations to handle, and he would be elsewhere in Europe.
"Isn't he your teacher?" Sirius asked staring at the rather soaked wizard.
The slightly older man flushed. "Oh me no, Li is far to wise be taught by some one as lowly as I. Li is a great sorcerer while I am a mere court wizard."
"He has confidence problems." Explained Yayoi patting Kon's arm sympathetically, who did look rather pathetic drenched to the bone.
"So where's your teacher or whoever's watching you?" Inquired Sirius wondering what their respective schools were like.
Yayoi pointed toward the school. "Tachibana-sensei is inside. Li's responsible enough and has the highest grades so he didn't need a teacher to come."
"And the other two,"
"You do realize I am still present." He inquired rhetorically. "As these two I'm responsible for them. They are responsible, they will be fine."
She nodded exuberantly. "Of course silly we know your here. So Cheng what was your favorite thing you had for dinner?"
– Scene break-
United Kingdom, Alba, Hogwarts's School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, Hogwarts Potential Champion Briefing
"Everyone, please calm yourselves and take your seats." Professor McGonagal commanded in a crisp voice. "as you know Hogwarts will be hosting the tournament," Professors Snape, Flitwick and Sprout stood along beside her as they stood at the front of the transfiguration classroom. "The ministry has of course forwarded the records of the potential contestants from the other countries and I expect you to treat their instructors as you would any member of the Hogwarts staff, and treat the students with respect."
The room held nearly twenty students from all houses, with the majority from seventh year. There were however two sixth years present, Potter and Malfoy, and it appeared that everyone was a bit resentful that the two grandstanding Juniors would be included in this meeting.
After all, should Malfoy was chosen as champion, it would no doubt be because his father bought the position for him and if Potter is chosen it would no doubt be because he was the great 'Boy-Who-Lived'.
While the Potter boy may have been fairly advanced for his age due to tutoring he had received. The fact was definitely no more skilled than one of the average seventh year students at the school outside of transfiguration and defense. A lot of that specialty of course came from private tutoring from his parents, and their friends. Michael Potter had skill, but his sense of entitlement very much wore on people at times even those of his own house.
The cheery little charms professor stood and began to speak in his characteristic squeaky voice. "As you know, you are here because you are the most likely to be selected as Hogwarts's champion. While the magically binding regulations prevent us from assisting you on the various tasks that make up the competition, we are, however, permitted to help prepare you for the tournament as a whole. This tournament is an adventure, the first of its kind even though its based off of the triwizard tournament. You'll be particapting against students from other countries. Part of that preparation is knowing who you will be facing." With a wave of his wand a large stack of parchment appeared before each student and Professor Sprout took over.
"Before you is information on the capabilities of each student Beauxbatons plans to bring to enter their names into the competition. The studies at Beauxbatons are mainly academic however in practical studies they are a bit lax, but you would do well not to underestimate their capabilities. Now, due to the volume of candidates, you should study those files on your own time while we move on to the Durmstrang candidates." Professor Sprout indicated the next stack of parchment. "While the number of students from Durmstrang is almost as large, it is likely to be one of these two young ladies or this gentleman and while these three are very competent we really do need to move on." More stacks of parchment are passed out. "The next five students are coming from Egypt, which like Durmstrang emphasizes practical skills notably runes and dueling." A few minutes dragged by as the Herbolgy professor rattled on about the curriculum of the varying schools before McGonagal stood up.
"Now proceeding to the final set of students, Japan and China," This announcement was met with a round of scoffing. "have both chosen to send their potentials early all of them have exceptionally high grades. However I urge you to be especially polite with the representatives of China, officially the only thing the Chinese Ministry has decided to disclose are their transcripts, which are all impeccable. As some of you may already know the foreign delegates were of great help in fending off the death eater attack" Mcgongal's face became quite stern at the chatter from her announcement. The shift of their professor quieted all the students quite quickly. "The Chinese Ministry has only stated that Li will be victorious, and thus there is no reason to reveal anything more. They seem relatively confident he'll be chose as their champion."
"Cocky much." Muttered a Seventh year Gryffindor who had also participated in the defense of the train. "I mean yeah he was good, but still so was his mate, whats his name. Either one of them are good enough I'd say, and I bet the other one is just as good. Still to say he's going to win it all is cocky."
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Chapter Conclusion
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Helltanz's notes: I was too lazy to bring in more characters. So in any case Harry's got an Irish twin who is thought to be the boy who lived. Harry no longer has the scar, which will be addressed in the future. There were a number of edits in the chapter and it was done over several days so it might have problematic parts.
As far as a character list I'm removing it, but one might be posted in Personae dramatis format at a later date.