Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Fate/Zero or anything in the Nasuverse, any resemblance to any other Harry Potter/Fate Zero fan fiction is coincidental and plagiarism is not intended. No flames please, constructive criticism only.
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"Alright! I'm not gonna lose today you just watch." Ilya declared as she walked across the snow-covered grounds of the forest with a determined look on her face.
Illya was currently wearing her winter ensemble which consisted of a collared, purple long-sleeved shirt with a purple jacket over it and a light purple scarf to match, a long white skirt and purple boots. She was also wearing white gloves and a purple papkha hat.
They were playing what was called the walnut game; the winner was the one who counted the most walnuts buds in the forest before time was up.
Illya had a cute look of concentration on her face as she looked around for any signs of walnut buds.
Kiritsugu Emiya also known as the Magus Killer followed behind her at a more sedate pace wearing black jeans and a black shirt with a black trench coat over it.
Kiritsugu smirked as he caught sight of a walnut bud near the top of a tree. "Ah! I've found one!"
"Wah?!" yelled Ilya in confusion before running back to him. "No way! Where is it? Aw gee I'm sure I didn't overlook it!"
Kiritsugu pointed at the walnut bud which was so high up on the tree that the shorter Ilya probably missed it. "It's right there, near the top of the tree. That's the very first walnut bud today. First point to me"
Illya huffing childishly and ran ahead "I'm not gonna lose!" Ilya yelled running off ahead determined to find more walnuts than her father.
Kiritsugu chuckled at her actions and followed at his normal sedate pace.
The father and daughter duo continued their game with Ilya desperate to find a walnut bud to match her father. Eventually, she succeeded, finding a walnut bud at eye level (for her) in a nearby tree.
"Here's one" yelled Ilya happily "Right here. You see I found one too"
"I've found my second over here" came her father's amused voice.
"Huh!" Ilya quickly ran back to her father who was staring at her in amusement.
Illya blinked when she saw the branch which looked nothing at all like a walnut branch.
"Hey! That isn't a walnut branch" Ilya whined puffing her cheeks to express her annoyance.
Kiritsugu chuckled and kneeled so he was at her level. "It's kind of Ilya. That branch is actually from a tree called a wingnut. It's almost like a walnut. So as far as I'm concerned it's a walnut bud."
Illya froze before waving her arms around in annoyance. "That's No fair! No fair, no fair, no fair! The whole time we've been playing you've been cheating"
"Yes but, your daddy can't win this game against you otherwise." Kiritsugu explained nervously
Illya huffed and turned her back on him. "If you keep on cheating like you've been doing I won't play this game with you ever again!"
"I don't want that I'm sorry Ilya. I apologise" Kiritsugu said with as apologetic tone as he could manage
Ilya looked at him from the corner of her eye as she tried to see whether he was being sincere. Luckily, Kiritsugu had a very good poker face and she was convinced
"Do you promise not to cheat like that anymore?"
"Yes I do" said Kiritsugu promised holding one hand up in a begging gesture.
Ilya sniffed disdainfully but turned back to him.
"Ok then. I challenge you to one more round. A true champion accepts all challengers"
"Indeed, I am very honoured..." a mischievous look came to Kiritsugu's face. "...your highness!"
Ilya squealed as Kiritsugu lifted her up and sat her on his shoulders. Ilya had a wide smile on her face as she looked around from her new viewpoint. "Wow I'm so high up!"
From a window of Einzbern castle, a pair of green eyes were watching over the father and child, playing in the forest.
The young woman by the window looking out of the window to whom the eyes belonged had blonde hair, light and soft, and was wearing a medieval styled dress, which wrapped around her slender physique.
"What's got your attention out there" Asked Irisviel Von Einzbern as she set down some tea on a table and sat down "Saber?"
Saber the blue knight of the sword turned around.
"It's interesting your daughter and Kiritsugu are playing outside," replied Saber with a curious expression on her face as Irisviel walked over to join her looking out the window
"Are you surprised?" Irisviel asked
"I was under the impression that my Master had colder heart than he's showing now" Saber replied.
"Well I can see why you might think that" Irisviel said walking back over to the table
"If that really is Kiritsugu's true self. Then I'm afraid I must have gravely offended him when we first met" Saber said frowning
Irisviel gave out a giggle.
"Irisviel you really don't have to laugh at me" Saber said with annoyance
"I'm sorry" she apologised "I was wondering if you were still concerned with our reaction when you were summoned"
"Somewhat" she admitted. "But truly there is no need for you two to be so shocked when you saw me"
Irisviel sat down after pouring a cup of tea.
"I'm so sorry but, we just couldn't help it" Irisviel said apologetically "Your legend, I mean King Arthur's legend, is extremely famous."
"Well if that's the case" Saber looked away "Do you think he might underestimate my ability simply because I am a woman?"
"No never" Irisviel denied "Not at all. Then again, if he's upset as you think he is, I'm certain that there's a another reason."
"Such as?" Saber asked turning back to face her.
"He's probably upset at all the people who were around you at the time" Irisviel replied adding milk and stirring her tea "The selfish ones, the ones cruel enough and uncaring enough to force the role of king upon an innocent little girl"
"It was inevitable that would happen" Saber stated seriously"I resigned myself to that fate, when I drew forth the sword from the stone."
"I believe that upsets him more than anything else" Irisviel continued to stir her tea "Your resignation to your fate"
"Well then" Saber turned back to the window "He forgets his place, he hasn't the right to question decisions made by those of my time. Including those decisions I made myself"
"That's why he says nothing about it to you" Irisviel pointed out "I'm afraid that Kiritsugu Emiya and the Heroic Arturia will never get along with each other. He must have resigned himself to that fact."
Saber was silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
"He wants to use the Holy Grails power to save the world." Saber changed the subject "That is his ambition and yours correct?"
"Yes" Irisviel confirmed "But you must understand I get my beliefs directly from him"
"My own desire for the Grail is exactly the same. It is my fervent wish to save Britain, since I could not protect it in life." Saber said turning back to face Irisviel "I think what you and Kiritsugu seek is right and just, something to be proud of."
Kiritsugu continued walking through the forest with his daughter Ilya riding on his shoulders.
"Our next match won't happen until you come back from your trip to Japan will it?" Ilya asked looking down at her father
"That's right" Kiritsugu replied shortly.
"How long do you think that your work will keep you and mommy away from home?" Ilya asked "When will you come back?"
"I should be back here…" Kiritsugu began calculating in his head "In two weeks or so. Your mom won't be back for quite a while though"
"Yeah mommy told me about that already" Ilya said as Kiritsugu sighed pensively "She said we'd be apart for a long time, she also told me that even if we don't see each other for a long long time she'll always be right here by my side. So I shouldn't ever feel lonely, she told me that before I went to sleep. I'm gonna be together with mommy forever and ever and ever"
"I see" Kiritsugu said as he knelt down and let Ilya off of his shoulders and onto the ground. She turned and saw the sad look on his face and paused "Listen Illya"
Kiritsugu embraced his daughter tightly.
"Daddy?" she said his name in confusion
"Can you wait for me Illya?" Kiritsugu asked "Even if you're lonely, can you last till I come home?"
Illya made a noise of confirmation and nodded her head.
"Good, then I promise you, I'll be home" Kiritsugu vowed "Before you know it"
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Rider was currently in spirit form as he and Waver looked up at the stars near the forest that was adjacent to the Mackenzie's farm. suddenly the bushes began rustling causing Waver to panic thinking an enemy had found them.
"W-whose there" he stuttered "S-show yourself"
The rustling got more intense and Wavers panic began to rise. He wondered why Rider hadn't materialised yet. Seconds ticked by and the source was revealed to be...a child?
"Woah" he tripped over a branch and rolled onto his face "Ouch"
The boys was young, he could be older than seven, but he was small and scruffy enough to be around five years old.
"What tripped me?" he asked in small voice while rubbing his face as he stood up
Waver was stunned, he honestly didn't know what to think. The boy was wearing clothes that were too big for him. HIs hands were concealed by the gloves he wore. The boy was clearly a foreigner like himself, English if he was not mistaken.
"Hey this isn't the park" he said looking around in confusion "So where am I?"
"This is my grandparents' house" Waver said grabbing the boy's attention "What are you doing here?"
"I was looking for the park" he said "But I got lost and wound up here somehow. I don't know the city too well."
"Is that where your parents are?" Waver asked "What's your name?"
"My names Harry" he said "And my parents in a car crash. My teacher said she'd wait at the park for me. She takes care of me now."
"I-i see" this conversation was getting awkward fast
"Hey that mark on your hand" Waver froze. Harry had seen his command seals visible on his hand.
"T-this it us uh...erm" Waver struggled to answer
Harry stumbled closer and grabbed hold of Wavers hand and looked closer. He had a thoughtful look on his face that was sort of cute.
"So...that mark must mean that you're..."
"W-wait I can explain this it's...its" Waver was trying and failing to come up with something, anything that would throw Harry off.
"You're in a gang" Harry nodded cheerfully.
Waver face faulted as he heard Rider chuckle at his expense.
"Wait that's not...I'm not" Waver tried to deny it.
"Boy" Rider said suddenly "Need I remind you that you can't let people know about this war. It's best to just let the lad keep his conclusion no matter how far off he is"
Waver was rapidly going red from embarrassment. He knew the rules and this kid would probably be killed if he discovered the truth. He had no choice.
"Yes" Waver conceded in a defeated tone "I'm in a gang"
Harry tilted his head and smiled.
"Really?" he asked "Well you don't look like you really belong in one. You look more like a teacher or something than a fighter. If you really want to be close to fighting why don't go join the army as a strategist or something?"
"Well you see...er...fighting's not really my thing" Waver chuckled nervously
"That makes sense" Harry nodded "You look very...what's that word she used?"
Waver leaned in closer, wondering what the word Harry was looking for was.
"Weak?" Waver suggested knowing that was what most people thought of him
"No that's not it" Harry shook his head, then his face brightened "I got it, I remembered"
"Well what is it?" Waver asked "I look very what?"
"Effeminate" Harry replied cheerfully "You look very effeminate"
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Rider's chuckling became a deep bellowing laughter; it could have woken quite a few people up if he wasn't in spirit form.
Waver's face abruptly met the ground, though he did pull himself up after a few seconds but couldn't find anything to say to counter what Harry had said.
"Uh say do you have the time" Harry asked suddenly changing the subject.
"Uh yeah" Waver glanced at his watch "It's just after six thirty"
"Oh man" Harry panicked "I should have been there ten minutes ago she's going to be mad. Do you know where Maison street is?"
"Er...yeah it's just down that way" Waver pointed down the street to the right from the farm.
Harry began running down the direction Waver had pointed.
"Thanks...hey you didn't tell me your name" Harry called out as he stooped
"Its Waver" Waver replied "Waver Velvet"
"Thanks Waver bye bye" Harry ran away and out of sight
Waver glared at Rider who materialised after Harry had left sight.
"Stop laughing Rider it wasn't that funny" Waver said annoyed
"Actually it was" Rider chuckled
Waver sighed, this was going to be a long war.
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As Harry left Waver behind and ran down Maison Street Archer came out of spirit form.
"So did you confirm it?" She asked
"Yep, he had the command seals" Harry replied "He's a master alright. Not a very strong one, or brave for that matter."
"Indeed?" she raised an eyebrow "Do I sense a 'but' in that statement?"
"His servant stayed in spirit form, but I got an impression of...how to explain it" Harry looked thoughtful "Whoever it was I could sense that has a presence about him an aura of charisma. I think he might have been a great leader in his life. If he spends enough time with that servant, then Waver could be a good leader, if gets over that timidity that's holding him back and grows a spine."
"Indeed, not a bad observation for a child I suppose" Archer said neutrally as she turned to walk away, her long hair swaying in the wind "Let's go home now, we've done enough scouting for tonight"
Harry sighed, Archer had really high standards, he hoped to impress her one day. At least she wasn't needlessly cruel like the Dursleys were. Every single one of her actions had a purpose even her whims.
"What are you waiting for boy?" Archer yelled "Do wish to be ambushed? Hurry up"
"Sorry" Harry apologised and ran to catch up with her.
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Later that night Kirei Kotomine stood overlooking Fuyuki city from a highway near a forest, more specifically he was looking down at the Tohsaka manor. Now occupied by Archer and his new master.
"The church has contacted me" he said aloud "They said the seventh servant, a Caster has finally appeared"
"The final servant has been summoned" Assassin known in life as Hassan-i-Sabbah materialised behind the priest "Then its time"
"Indeed" Kotomine confirmed "You are to leave here now and to head immediately to Tohsaka manor"
Assassin walked towards the edge of the road and looked down at the manor himself. He was already beginning to analyse its defences and possible points of entry.
"And once I arrive?" Assassin asked
"The manor is protected by a number of powerful bounded fields" Kotomine informed the servant of stealth "but they should be child's play for you especially considering Tokiomi's demise"
"I see, so are you targeting the boy in order to avenge your masters death and the theft of Archer?" Assassin asked
"Nothing like that" Kotomine replied "If my information is correct, then that boy is probably the most dangerous master in the war especially considering the identity of his servant. So remember to stick to the plan"
"Oh?" Assassin had an interested tone "And what makes this boy such a threat?"
"According to some information gathering we have performed the boy is a wizard and not a Magus" Kotomine informed "Because of this he can supply Archer with far more Prana than any of the other masters who are all most likely Magus."
"Yes I did hear something like that once" Assassin said recalling a memory that had long past "The Wizards have a larger supply of Prana inside of them than Magus do and the supply recharges quickly when emptied, but in return their spells aren't very powerful and they require foci to actually do their magic. It would take decades of training for one of them to do magic without a wand and even the spells they could do wouldn't be all that impressive"
"He is a child, he probably only now knows of magic because Archer will have told him" Kotomine replied "But he can still supply Archer more Prana than any other Magus in the war can supply their servant with. However he is still just a child and that is a weakness of itself for any servant. So you need not fear Archer too greatly. You know what to do now go."
Assassin jumped off the ledge and landed in the forest. He began speeding towards the manor. As he ran stealthily towards the manner his thoughts drifted to a wizard he once killed while he was still alive.
"Ah memories" Assassin mumbled as he reminisced to himself.
He remembered Balfour Blane. A wizard who established the British Committee on Experimental Charms. A rival of his hired him to assassinate Blane so that the client could have control of Blane's committee. Assassin was paid most handsomely to kill the man not only because the Hassan were known to be the best but because the client who was from the Black family wanted Blane dead very badly.
The sixty three year old Blane had been at home when Assassin paid him a visit. The only defences the fool had over his home were a few muggle repelling charms and a few basic defence wards. So Hassan made his way into Blane's home, after dark and literally strolled in through the front door after taking the repelling charms down.
The arrogant fool had earned himself many enemies when he founded his precious committee. Many of them were wizards that were angry that they had to go to a collection of 'experts' and demonstrate their charm and hand over all notes on it before they were allowed to actually use their charms legally.
A member of the Black family had hired him to kill Blane. The reason was that the Black in question was in a position to control the committee should Blane be unable to perform his duties. The Blacks were very adamant about not being connected to Blane's death, hence hiring a skilled Assassin from a foreign land.
He had found his arrogant fool of a target drinking some tea after only a few seconds of sneaking around the house. So Hassan snuck up on him and slit his throat quickly and quietly. It was so easy that Hassan was almost embarrassed. Almost.
'To think that this wizard is just a child' Assassin thought to himself 'this won't be much of a challenge. After all I have no need to fear Archer, his Masters lack of experience should hold whoever it is back'
When Assassin approached the fence he leapt into the air and flicked a few small spheres which destroyed the rubies that all worked in conjunction to power and sustain several of the bounded fields, causing them to weaken.
Assassin landed in the middle of a patch of flowers, he waded out of them and looked at the front of the manner for a moment before flicking another sphere causing the barrier which protected the final ruby which powered the detection system to become system to become visible.
Several blue translucent revolving rings appeared along with spheres which were floating in mid-air surrounding it. Assassin stepped inside the range of the rings and began gracefully side stepping them as they rotated near him. He stood on one hand and dodged around two of the rings as they rotated near him. Then he flattened himself and edged around one of the spheres. He danced around the rings again; he flattened himself against the ground. He then flicked more of his special spheres around, they impacted against the detection system, and the rings all gained a reddish tint, slowing down.
"This will be easy" Assassin strolled towards the ruby and reached out for it
Suddenly as his hand grasped it was destroyed as a spear nailed the hand to the altar on which the ruby formerly resided. The detection system it had maintained collapsed completely.
"You are nothing but a slimy worm" a female voice sneered.
Assassin looked up and saw Archer. She was a woman that wore golden armour and was glaring down at him; there were dozens of golden ripples in the air just behind her. Each one containing different weapons, swords spears, lances, axes. Every one of them deadly and all aimed directly him. Her waist length blonde hair swayed in the breeze that blew in Fuyuki evening.
"Who gave you permission to look up at me?" Archer demanded
Countless weapons were sent raining down at Assassin who felt fear for the first time in a long time. The weapons exploded as they made contact with the ground.
"No need to fear that? He says" Assassin grimaced cursing Kotomine in his thoughts.
A sword went through Assassins head and several more weapons impaled his body. The mask he wore dropped to the ground damaged. His bloody body was broken with several swords spears sticking in it. His head was twisted around so it was facing the ground.
"You are not worthy to gaze upon me" Archer snorted "A filthy worm like you should face the ground, crawl on your stomach and die"
The King of Heroes glared at the corpse of Assassin for a moment. According to the notes that Tokiomi had concerning the his plans for the Grail War this Assassin whose master was Kirei Kotomine had an Noble Phantasm called Zabaniya: Delusional Illusion that allowed him to split his multiple personalities into individual bodies, each with the power of an Assassin class servant and on top of it each one had the ability to use Presence Concealment.
Tokiomi's strategy had been to let one of these Assassins charge into the Manor and have Gilgamesh to defeat him, thus fooling the other masters into thinking Assassin and his master had been defeated. Then the master would take refuge with the church and Assassin who was now able to act freely with everyone thinking he was dead would act as an intelligence network which would report its findings to Tokiomi.
Undoubtedly this Kotomine had turned the plan to his advantage. He would probably have his Assassins watching all of the masters and servants. Waiting for an appropriate moment to strike out against the enemy, it was entirely possible that Kotomine simply intended to wait out the Grail War until only one enemy servant remained and then planned to strike.
Ultimately it was irrelevant to her, because no mere Assassin would ever get their hands on the Grail, no one was allowed to touch her treasures and get away with it. So Gilgamesh decided to a bit of house cleaning and sent a few swords to kill the familiars of the Magus who were watching the house, after eradicating them all she had set to work creating her own bounded fields around the house. Both to serve as a detection system and to make it impossible to spy inside the house via magecraft. She finished them a while ago and they were of superior quality to the magecraft of this era obviously.
As a precautionary measure she also shut all of the curtains and used furniture to block the windows without curtains. It wouldn't do to have her true master's identity as a child be exposed just yet. A child could have their own uses outside of being a prana supply, after all who would suspect a child of gathering Intel on the master's identity. Possibly even the servants own.
"And for good measure" Gilgamesh mumbled to herself before firing swords at seemingly random spots throughout the bushes and trees and even outside the manor grounds. The last sword skewered a rat that was hidden on the grounds watching the event.
She then strode back inside, her long hair blowing behind her as she went to ensure that the boy was still asleep.
As he approached the church Kirei Kotomine smirked to himself.
"Exactly as planned"
He gazed at briefly his three command seals which he had hidden and began preparing for the next phase of his plan, as his father came into view, standing just outside the church waiting for him.