AN: Welcome! First off, this is a Harry Potter/High School DxD/Shinmai Maou no Testament crossover that borrows elements - not characters - from at least one other anime/manga, that being Negima Magister Negi Magi. Secondly, not even counting the crossovers, this Harry has followed a different path in life, leading to an entirely different outcome.

HoldingtheLine

ONE: Maybe You're Gonna be the One that Saves Me

- HTL -

Harry

"Harry Potter, the 'Boy-Who-Lived'."

My hands shook as I stared into crimson eyes, ignoring the jeering of the black-cloaked, silver-masked figures circling me. Green flashed in my memory as the scar on my forehead flared with pain, feeling as if there was something trying to claw its way out.

"I trust Dumbledore has taught you to duel, yes? First, we bow."

It felt like there was fire in my veins, I was so angry. My relatives may have been the ones who tried to make me nothing, but this bastard is the reason they ever had a chance in the first place.

All I knew was that I wanted him to burn.

Sudden pressure on my back forced me into a bow, which increased the jeering his followers threw my way.

I wanted him to suffer.

"Now, we begin, Harry." I dove out of the way of that familiar, sickly green light, no longer just in my memory. The cloaks' jeering continued as I barely avoided that green light more times, throwing back my own arcs of yellow or red energy when I could.

The fire in my veins only grew, rising to a crescendo.

I barely got behind a gravestone before the green jet of light smashed into it - obliterated into bits of stone that went flying every which way, even cutting up my exposed skin.

I wanted him to break.

My arms burned, and as my vision faded, I saw the dark violet miasma wafting off of them.

-0-

I shoot up in bed, sweat pouring down my face. I wish I could call it nothing more than a nightmare, but a memory could never be just a nightmare. Especially that memory.

I sigh before kicking my feet over the side of the bed, taking a glance at my clock as I rise.

4:30 A.M. peers back at me mockingly.

"Of bloody course."

Knowing that another memory would wake me even if I somehow managed to get back to sleep, I run a hand over the pale scar on my forehead as I exit my bedroom, heading for the bathroom before all this sweat dried. A shower is just what I need, even if it can't wash the grime off of my soul. Unlike the sweat, though, I've gotten used to that.

I don't particularly feel like going to school, but I get more than enough attention already just by being a foreign male at a school that was females only until the previous school year. Not to mention, the student council president or her underlings are bound to be on my case as it is for cutting my last class this past Saturday. And I really didn't need her or her rival in school to stumble on any more hints than they already had.

No way in Myrddin's name am I getting involved with the supernatural again; not after I'd already lost everything that mattered because of it.

I yank on the pants and jacket of Kuoh Academy's uniform, forgoing the striped dress shirt and black tie in favor of a green hoodie while I slip on a pair of black and green trainers rather than the dress shoes.

It's as I am about to leave so that I can stop somewhere for breakfast that the letter catches my attention; in the same place they always wait on the stand by the front door, right next to my glasses. The contents, however, are about as different as they could be from my expectations after what her last letter said.

H,

Be back within a few days. Something interesting came up, and I'll have a few guests with me. Make sure to head back as soon as you're done at Kuoh the next few days, just to be safe. We need to talk. As soon as possible.

- P

I can't help but worry over what in Morgana's saggy tits could interest her of all people, but that's not what holds the majority of my attention. Rather, that honor belongs to her mention of guests.

Taking into consideration her last 'guest', I have no idea just what to expect. What I do know is that I will definitely not enjoy it. Anytime she's brought up a need to talk, it's only meant bad things. And my gut is telling me to be ready for anything.

Only Monday, and my week is already well on its way to being horrible. Bloody wonderful.

-0-

A few things about Kuoh Academy: as I mentioned, it used to be an all-girls school, and even then was one of the most prestigious schools in the country - despite the fact it called a town, albeit a large one, home. The entrance exam could easily attest to that fact. Even a year after the change to co-ed, the ratio of male to female students was about one to four or five.

I imagine that's the only reason the student in front of me had chosen to transfer, which leads me to the next thing: while most of the people here are fairly normal - or as normal as any person can possibly be, anyways - the oddballs stand out even more than they had at Hogwarts.

I wish I could say that thought boggled my mind, but with who sits in front of me, it really didn't. And as his two friends walk up to him during the lunch break, I could only lament that this was where I had to sit.

"Yo, Issei! The new mags arrived today!"

And that led to the third thing: I'm quite sure I could spend the rest of my life searching, and would never find another school with its own nicknamed 'Perverted Trio' among the student body.

"Awesome! The tits are as great as I hoped, right!?"

I slump against my desk, trying to hide the shaking of my shoulders while smothering my laughter, as I hear all the girls currently in the classroom start cursing said perverts. At least, I did until I heard a throat clear next to me.

I lift my head to meet the light brown eyes and matching hair of Kusaka Reya, a fellow second-year and a member of the Student Council.

"Kusaka-san?"

The soft-spoken girl shuffles on her feet for a second before meeting my gaze.

"Shitori-Kaichou would like to speak with you, Potter-san."

Well, I suppose I have to give the first point this week to Souna; I was expecting to find myself dragged to detention at the end of the day, not the Student Council Room during lunch.

Knowing I'm left without a choice unless I want even more attention brought on me, I rise from my seat and wave a hand in front of me.

"Lead the way, Kusaka-san."

-0-

"You skipped classes again, Potter-san." is spoken nearly in monotone by the girl sat at the desk in front of me. Bright violet eyes peer at me from behind her thin glasses, and her shoulder-length hair was just as dark as my own. Slender with just enough curves in the right places (according to the breast-obsessed pervert that sits in front of me), Shitori Souna is the third most popular girl in the entire school, only behind her rival and said rival's best friend. A pile of papers sit neatly stacked in front of her, obviously awaiting her attention, but all of it is on me at the moment.

"Sorry, Shitori-Kaichou, but I don't exactly see the point in me attending an English class. Especially when I can speak the language better than the teacher." I offer with a small shrug of my shoulders.

Those violet eyes slightly narrow at me, looking like the beautiful girl was trying to peer past my eyes and into my mind. I'm rather thankful that she has no clue just what Legillemency and Occlumency are.

That doesn't change the fact I know her, her rival, and the members of their groups (the Student Council for Souna and the Occult Research Club for her rival) are far from human, though. Or that I know they had tried following me after school before.

What I don't know is why they're interested in me, or just what they are. And I've no way to find out without giving my own knowledge and secrecy up in the process. That would damn me to being involved with the supernatural again, and that isn't happening.

"Detention for an hour after school this entire week, Potter-san. That is what your teacher told me to assign you on Saturday. No more cutting, even if you can speak the language better; otherwise, you'll be under attendance requirements. You may head back to your class, now." Souna's voice rouses me from my thoughts. Looking up, I see she had already started on that stack of papers.

I nod and, with a short bow, I'm walking back to class.

The only option I have is to avoid them as much as possible, and I get the sense that won't last me much longer. I guess it's a good thing she'll be here soon. Although I'm not looking forward to telling her I've been lying; not after what I've seen that woman do to her husband for it.

An involuntary shudder runs down my spine as I open the door to my classroom. So long as she doesn't get to the house while I'm serving detention, I'll be able to handle it. I hope.

Oh, Myrddin! Now I have to actually go to English class. I was right, this will be a terrible week. Bloody hell.

-0-

I can safely say that I was prepared for just about anything I would have for detention with Souna not having said just what I would be doing. I should have known she would take the opportunity, though. This girl definitely would have been in Slytherin.

So here I sit in the Student Council Room, sorting papers with the only First Year member, Nimura Ruruko, while Souna is at her desk, looking over some papers, and the rest of the Council are taking care of whatever work they have.

I was hoping that whatever had her attention would keep Souna busy until my detention ended, but that wasn't meant to be. What caught me by surprise, however, was her speaking just about bloody perfect English.

"So, Potter. Why should speaking the language mean you can skip the class?"

I look up from the stacks I had been sorting to see Souna calmly sitting at her desk, still looking at whatever papers are in her hands.

"Well, considering I could likely teach the class…" I trail off, a smirk tugging at one end of my lips.

The bespectacled girl glances at me for a second before setting her papers down and focusing on me, her bright violet gaze analytical.

"For all you know, I could too. I wouldn't be surprised to find others. Do you see us cutting class?" Most would probably think Souna was blank-faced as she says this, but I caught what was definitely the smallest smirk I've ever seen as she met my eyes.

"Well, you are the Student Council President. It wouldn't be very presidential to skip, would it?"

It definitely looks like she wants to roll her eyes before she looks away, glancing at Nimura, who was still sorting her stacks despite obviously keeping an ear on the conversation as well as she could.

"And the potential others?"

I didn't fight my smirk this time.

"You'd have to point them out, first. I'm not the only student that skips class, after all. For all you know, someone else feels exactly like I do."

The smallest twitch of a finger before her eyes barely narrow at me. As much as I wanted to avoid the supernatural world - and as such Souna and her group - I couldn't deny it would be hilarious to be able to consistently get the stoic girl riled up. But that wasn't even close to being enough to outweigh everything else that came with it.

Souna glances at me again as she returns to her papers.

"You're insufferable."

A crooked grin crosses my lips at her blunt statement.

"Why, thank you!"

This week's score: now one even.

-0-

"Potter-san!"

I turn around after hearing my name called, despite wishing I could just keep walking - just him calling my name would bring attention I didn't want.

Walking towards me is the 'Prince' of Kuoh, his remaining 'fans' trailing after him. Slim and a good handful of centimeters shorter than me with pale blond hair and blue-gray eyes, Kiba Yuuto is a Second Year like me, and a member of the Occult Research Club.

"You need something, Kiba-san?"

The most popular male at Kuoh glances around for a moment before mumbling his response, low enough for only me to hear.

"Just needed an excuse to escape."

I just about grin.

"What's this, the 'Prince' is being honest about his feelings towards his adoring fans?" The normally friendly, if politely distant, boy shoots me a glare, his narrowed eyes promising retribution.

"Oh? I'm sure I could find a way to sic them on you, if you'd like, 'Ghost'?"

I feel my hand twitch in my pocket, knowing there was more to that name he used in response to 'Prince'. Thankfully, I kept my expression cool, and he will remain none the wiser to my knowledge. But I still shoot him a glare as I continue walking towards the entrance of the school.

"I swear, if that name sticks, 'Prince'…"

"If you tried something, I'm sure my 'fans' would get back at you if I somehow couldn't." He smirks my way.

I roll my eyes as I keep walking to the entrance while he turns onto the path heading for the Old School Building. As I glance that way, a wave of red catches the corner of my eye, and I look up to meet curious eyes.

Long crimson hair that falls all the way to her waist - aside from the shorter strands that couldn't be tamed just above her forehead, bright blue eyes set in a pale, heart-shaped face and a buxom figure that would make even a Veela jealous; Rias Gremory. The most popular girl at Kuoh, a Third Year, and President of the Occult Research Club. Also, most definitely part of the supernatural. Ironic, considering her school club.

I arch an eyebrow at her, but she only waves before turning around and walking away.

"See you tomorrow, Potter-san."

I look over as Kiba is leaving comfortable speaking distance to see him offer a wave in my direction.

"Later, Kiba-san."

I sigh as I leave the school grounds. I'm really not sure how much longer the avoidance game will work before they start pushing even more. Shite. It'd be bloody fantastic to know just what they want from me - and it's something, since they didn't start approaching me until after the block on my magic broke.

-0-

I breath a sigh of relief when I walk through the front door of the house and see that she isn't here yet. That means I have at least another day before she murders me. Quite possibly literally, I muse to myself while walking into the kitchen and towards the door next to the stove. As I step through and start to walk down the steps, a smirk crosses my lips and I speak after the door closes behind me.

"Potter's Training Grounds are in the basement of Harry Potter's house in Japan."

Reaching the bottom of the steps, I take in the area that shouldn't be possible. The ceiling looks to be at least a mile above me, and the three walls that aren't the one right behind me are at least a mile away. Of course, right now I wasn't here for what the name of this 'room' implied.

I grin as I take a few steps to the left and reach for the broom hanging on the wall. Running my fingers over the shaft, my grin only widens as I read the name: Firebolt. I turn and - with a running start - throw the broom ahead of me before leaping onto it, soaring through what space I had to imagine as the sky.

"I bloody fucking love magic!"

I let myself just enjoy the feeling of being off the ground, take in the bit of freedom I can actually allow myself to have. Especially when I have no idea just what will come in the next few days. The way my life has always been assures me of that.

- HTL -

Rias

My time is running out; I have no doubt of that. The signs are there whenever my mother checks in with me, however subtle they may be.

A sigh leaves my lips as I stare aimlessly out the window of the room occupied by my Peerage's front before the call of a familiar voice catches my attention.

"Potter-san!"

Letting my eyes trail over the grounds of Kuoh, I spot my only Knight walking towards one of his fellow Second Years - one that had held my slowly increasing attention for months now.

His untamable raven-colored hair - curling and pointing every way imaginable - and pale skin almost make him look like the vast majority of the students; Japanese. His emerald-colored irises and taller frame, however, tell the truth of his being an exchange student just as well as his name does.

Despite being one of the first male students of Kuoh, I hadn't really noticed or paid attention to Harry Potter until a couple months before the end of last school year.

To this day, I don't know how Sona and I hadn't noticed the sheer potential for magic that might as well be wafting off of him until nearly a year after his arrival here.

I focus as Yuuto catches up to Harry, and despite my inability to hear anything from this far, it's obvious that they had become acquaintances at the very least.

Upon arriving at the intersection in the pathway, Yuuto pauses and speaks a final time before offering a wave and heading in the direction of the building I currently stand in.

I watch as Harry turns to reciprocate before something seems to catch his- oh.

My thoughts race as his emerald eyes meet mine and he arches his brow. Different options cross my mind, some I very much wish I could actually go through with, but - to my annoyance and rising fear - I don't have nearly enough information.

So, I raise my hand and offer a simple wave as I turn to walk away from the window. I take in the dark wood panelling that makes up the walls of my club's room as I cross the room to the equally dark desk, taking a seat in the dark red-upholstered Victorian-style chair I had chosen myself. I simply soak in the room I had redesigned myself, unsure if I'll be forced to leave it and so many other things behind in the near future.

Footsteps reach my ears, growing louder each second. I look to the door and the only normal entrance into the room opens; a small smile upturns my lips as I meet violet eyes.

"Good afternoon, Akeno."

My Queen offers a smile as she enters the room, a serving tray bearing a pot of tea, four cups and some pastries in her arms.

"Good afternoon, President."

A second, monotone voice stating the same line brings my attention to the side of Akeno, and I take in the blank, yellow-amber eyes of my only Rook.

"Hello, Koneko-chan. How are you today?"

The petite girl offers me only a nod as she sits to my left, on one of three couches placed around the table ahead of my desk, a pastry with a bite taken out of it already in her hand.

"I'm the last one, then?" Yuuto's voice sounds from near the doorway before a soft click signals that he had closed the door.

I sit quietly while the three members of my Peerage exchange greetings and Akeno goes about pouring tea for the four of us, my thoughts trained on Harry and the other potential solution that make up my current options.

What I know about Harry consists purely of hearsay and - thanks to Sona - the bit of personal information in his student record. With the things I've heard about other people from the students here, I highly doubt that the hearsay has any grounding in reality.

That limits the knowledge I have of Harry Potter to the corner pieces that make up the puzzle. And one of those isn't even a full piece. At that thought, I feel the recently ever-present tension in my body worsen.

I lift my eyes to my Knight when I hear the three of them quiet.

"Yuuto?"

His gray eyes shift to me, along with Akeno's and Koneko's on the couch across from him. The only male in the room lowers his cup from his lips and speaks.

"Yes, President?"

"Have you managed to learn anything else?"

The blond lowers his head slightly, and that's all the answer I need. I sigh as I rub a hand over my forehead. That leaves option two.

"Koneko-chan, anything about Issei's Sacred Gear?"

My Rook pauses in eating her pastry and sits quietly for a moment, so I take the time to nod my thanks to Akeno and sip at my tea.

"...smelled something, not sure if I'm right." she pauses to take another bite of her pastry, slowly chewing and swallowing. After, she lifts her head so that her eyes can meet mine and speaks, her seriousness showing in the almost-gold orbs despite her monotonous tone. "Think it was dragon."

I fight to not let my hopes up. While that could very easily mean one of two among the thirteen strongest Sacred Gears, it could also mean a simple Twice Critical - something that would not be able to handle what I desperately need some way to handle. Of course, those options are just the extremes at either end of the somewhat limited possibilities should Koneko be right.

A glance at Akeno, her face pained, tells me about her success, or rather lack thereof. So, my knowledge of Harry remains what it is: sixteen - seventeen in a few months - years old, of British descent, and enrolled in Kuoh by a woman named Penelope Eld. That last piece left more questions than it answered.

I nod, more to myself than my Peerage, as I make up my mind for now.

"We keep watch on Issei, then, in case anything happens. Especially since Akeno sensed those Fallen Angels on the outskirts of the town last week. If they're after him, that tells us everything we need to know about his Sacred Gear."

Sona and I both loathed the idea of letting any crows wander about our territory freely, but I have to know why they are here. Thankfully, Sona was willing to accept that - up to a certain point, at least.

"As for Harry… just keep doing what you've been doing. Hopefully something works soon." I pause for a moment to make sure my orders are understood, and speak again only after Akeno, Koneko and Yuuto have all answered in the affirmative. "You may go handle any contracts or other work you have today. I'll see you all later tonight."

-0-

A soft sigh escapes my lips as I sink into the warm water, leading to a remark from my left.

"You certainly seem to have needed this, Rias."

I peer to my left, taking in my oldest friend as she sits a small ways down, already beginning to wash herself.

"You have no idea, Sona."

My rival pauses to look over at me, the beginnings of a worried expression on her face; more emotion than she shows to most, a part of my mind notes.

"Has the date been moved up?"

The words alone cause me to go rigid. I struggle for a few moments to calm myself and shake my head, but I have no doubt she noticed me tense the moment those words left her mouth.

"No, not yet. But I imagine I haven't much time left. He was far more vocal my last visit home, and I'm sure he's only gotten worse."

The Student Council President nodded as she resumed her bathing, leaving me to begin mine. My thoughts wandered over my two current options again, but sitting here with Sona reminded me just how much the Harry option was limited, even beyond my scarce knowledge. Sona and I had come to a simple deal in regards to the Second Year after finally noticing his potential: the first to him, gets him.

Thinking about that leads me to glance at Sona, now with her head tilted back to rinse her hair.

"How are things with Harry for you?"

The brunette finishes rinsing before she responds, the slightest hint of annoyance present in her voice.

"The same as you, I imagine. He's perfectly willing to respond should I or someone else start a conversation; he just doesn't offer anything personal. He answers without really answering. As I told him during his detention earlier, he's insufferable."

On one hand, the hint of annoyance in her voice is beyond amusing; it normally only comes out when she has recently spent time with her sister. To know that someone else is capable of even a fraction of that has me stifling giggles and Sona shooting a glare at me.

On the other, though, I know exactly what she means; I recall Yuuto telling me something similar a few weeks ago, minus the insufferable part. As I begin washing my hair - the longest part of my bathing - I'm once again hit by the irony that the two possible solutions I have at the moment have opposite problems.

I know everything I need to know about Hyoudou Issei as a person, but nothing in regards to what would have to happen for me to keep what freedom I had. I don't particularly care for the idea, but his lust is actually the perfect tool to motivate him. The current members of my Peerage would most likely get along with him, even if it took a little while. But with the smallest potential for magic I'd ever experienced, it all hinged on his Sacred Gear. His unknown Sacred Gear. I couldn't risk it. Not until I know for sure it's worth it.

As for Harry Potter, I know almost everything I need to know in regards to my freedom. I've never met anyone with a potential for magic like his; Satan, he already outclasses some of the upper Mid-Classes I've seen. As a human! He doesn't have a Sacred Gear, but his potential alone would make it worth it. Or, it would if I knew how I would need to motivate him and if my Peerage could get along with him beyond the acquaintanceship that Yuuto currently has with him.

A frustrated sigh leaves my lips as I begin rinsing my hair, and then a soft one meets my ears.

"You'll have to make a decision soon, Rias," Sona starts as she rises out of the water, "if you want any hope of getting out of that."

"I know." I lead with as I rise from the water myself, grabbing two fluffy towels from the ledge next to me. I speak again after wrapping my hair in one and beginning to dry my body with the other. "I'm giving it another week, at most. I want to know if those crows are here for Issei or something else. Maybe even Harry, for all we know."

The violet-eyed girl offers a nod as she bends over to pull on her underwear.

"Just remember our deal about Potter, Rias."

"I assure you, I haven't forgotten. And I've no intention of losing this one, Sona."

I can't afford to. Not when my freedom and a life actually worth living are on the line. I'll go as far as I damn well have to.

- HTL -

'Penelope'

"Kuoh Line train due to arrive in five minutes. Again, Kuoh Line train due to arrive in five minutes."

I glance around the train station once again, assuring myself there isn't anyone following us. Just walking with these two is risking a lot now that he's gone. What I plan could easily cost even worse.

"Penelope-san?" a soft voice rings to my left, interrupting my thoughts and bringing my attention to one of my two current companions.

I take in thick, crimson hair tied into pigtails at the back, bright pink eyes and her short stature; dressed in a white apron dress over a purple blouse with black stockings that go a little above her knees, she looked every part the normal teenage girl. I find myself wondering once again how so many beings could want this girl dead or enslaved to them. The thought alone disgusted me in ways I hadn't been for decades, at the least.

Those eyes remind me of - focus, I yell at myself as I shake off my thoughts.

"Yes, Mio?"

The girl looks down at her hands in her lap for a moment, seemingly debating with her thoughts. Finally, she looks back up.

"Will your son be meeting us at the station or your house?"

A smile crosses my face at her question. How long I had waited to be able to call someone that! Of course, what I'm doing could ruin all of that.

Have faith, Nellie.

A line I've heard from my husband more times than I can remember rings in my head.

"At the house, since he'll likely just be finishing up with school by the time we arrive. Why do you ask?"

My young companion fidgets once again.

"Will he be upset?"

I feel the fingers of my right hand twitch at that question; I've no doubt he will. He swore he would never set foot in the supernatural world again, after all.

My heart speeds up at that thought. I had spent so, so long wishing for a son, and now I may just lose him only a few years after finally getting him. Just a few years after my husband…

Have faith, Nellie.

That line had slowly become my mantra the past week, even more so after sending my last letter.

"At first, possibly. But he'll come around, you'll see."

I had no choice but to believe that. I'm not betting just my life here; I'm betting what's left of my family, and quite possibly the life of the boy who had become a son to me.

"You could always tease him to make him more agreeable, Mio!" the slightly-higher pitched voice of my other companion finally chimed in.

I look over to see long, silvery-white hair held in two raven-colored spherical hair ornaments, violet eyes, and the even shorter stature of Mio's sister. Of course, her small size and the white-trimmed black gothic lolita dress with what looks to be a lock around her neck make her look even less harmless.

"Maria!" the redhead cries, her cheeks flushing to match her hair. A chuckle escapes my lips as the silver-haired girl giggles.

As the two girls bicker, I find my thoughts returning to my son. He's already suffered more than enough, yet here I am chancing having more brought on him.

Have faith, Nellie.

And then I think of the good this could bring him. I think back to the twelve year old boy I remember meeting as clearly as if it was yesterday. I think back to the response my daft husband got when he asked what that boy had seen in that damned Mirror.

I remember crying over that same twelve year old's broken body. Feeling beyond proud as he told the story of what happened in the Chamber. Him wielding magic with an ease that astounded even my husband. Crying over his broken body again, fourteen that time.

"Kuoh Line train arriving now. Again, Kuoh Line train arriving now."

The screeching of a train slowing down reaches my ears, and I watch as it stops. I rest a hand on one shoulder of both of the girls once the passengers are done disembarking.

"Time to go, girls."

As I step aboard behind Mio and Maria, I catch the small nod between the two of them and fight back the grin that threatens to split my lips. After all, they have no clue I know the truth, or that their plan failed right from the start.

I learned a long time ago how to tell a winning bet from a losing bet, or at least the best odds; I had to. Now, my hand is dealt and my bet is placed. Not a single option at the time was perfect or safe; all flawed in one way or another. As worried as I am - and not only for my son - this was the best hand I had to play.

Have faith, Nellie.

I remind myself just how much my son has survived. I recall every last time my son proved not only me or my husband wrong, but everyone who doubted him.

I'm betting on you, Harry.

- HTL -

AN: Cut! Now, one thing I want to clear up in case it wasn't obvious: 'Penelope Eld' isn't the real name of that character. It's an alias I've made for her to use in the 'normal' world; she is a character from the Harry Potter universe, albeit only mentioned in the original novels. Also, the meaning of the Swedish surname Eld is the same as her real surname.