Hey everyone! Here is the next chapter in Furyan's mate. Sorry for the wait but geez, who knew writing three stories at the same time, plus school and work would be such a pain in the ass?

Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Magic reappeared on a beach surrounded by jagged rocks and cliffs, large waves crashing loudly against the rocks and sending up large walls of water. The wind carried the salty spray further up the beach to caress Magic and her new, young charge who shivered at the cold. Tucking Hadrian further into her robe Magic strolled down the beach to a large cave cut deep into the side of one of the cliffs. She grabbed the train of her dress and robes in one hand as she walked across the water of a shallow pool whose depths were murky and unseen. She stepped onto the very soft sandy beach and maneuvered through the piles of rocks to an arched entrance cut further into the cliff that led to a much larger cavern that dwarfed the size of the cave's entrance.

"The Grotto", as it would come to be called, was filled with the rank smells of dead fish and other animals that had gotten caught in the cave during high tide along with seaweed and mildew lining the walls. Now, with just a wave of her hand, Lady Magic began to transform the cave into a livable home. Bones, mildew and mold disappeared along with the filthy sand that absorbed the fluids and remains of the dead bodies and was replaced with fresh clean sand. Transforming a nearby boulder into a crib for Hadrian and laying another blanket she had transformed from a pebble over him to keep the chill away, Magic set to work turning the cave into a home. Boulders were broken down into multiple different pieces in size and were transformed into various items and furniture: chairs, tables, cabinets to hold food and other supplies, shelves in the cabinet and on the walls to hold gear and any trinkets Hadrian would find in the future, plates, spoons, knives, forks, cups, blankets and pillows, sleeping mats, candles and matches.

Finally, Magic cut a large hole in the roof all the way to the top to view the sky, as well as a deep pit in the ground that gave way to a cave that led out to the open ocean. Setting runes around both openings, as well as round the entrance to the larger cave to raise a barrier in case of high storms, she disappeared from the cave to reappear outside in the front to set an activation rune tied to a detection rune that would measure the weather patterns. After making sure that both runes were connected to the ones set inside, Magic reappeared back inside just as the sun was beginning to rise. She was pleased to see Hadrian still sleeping; the little angel had been through so much in the last six hours he needed to be able to sleep as much of it off as he could. With a few more waves of her hand, Magic changed her clothes to jeans, white blouse, a black winter overcoat, and brown boots, then transformed some leftover rocks into a purse, wallet, credit and debit cards and some cash, and finally created a copy of herself which she gave instructions to, to watch over Hadrian. Everything set in place Magic turned on her heel and disappeared to do some shopping for Hadrian.

Three hours later Magic returned to the cave to see that Hadrian was still sleeping and her clone, who she banished away as soon as she reappeared, had made a few more modifications to the cave. A fence had been placed around the pool to keep Hadrian from wandering in, crystals that changed color at will were inserted in the walls of it so that they could go swimming at night. A carousel made up of seashells and figurines of a dolphin, fish and starfish made from real sapphires and emeralds hung above Hadrian's crib which had been transformed form stone to pine wood with fish nets draped around the bars and legs and decorated with the same figurines as the carousel hanging from the nets. The candles transformed from before hung in different colored glass fish bowls from the ceiling by fishing line, and were also inserted in the veiling in the shape of the constellations. Runes for winter, spring, summer and fall were set in four corners of the ceiling to show the constellations during their time of the year. A wardrobe and bed for herself and a dresser for Hadrian were set next to the crib, each made of the same pine wood. There was no bathtub, but there was a large sink to bath Hadrian in with baby and child soap, shampoo and conditioner next to it; Magic made sure to buy some for herself while she was in town. On the other side of the pool next to the entrance was a large desk covered in glass spheres the size of a pea strung together on a long line of wire with smoke on the inside of them. These glass spheres monitored every magical sentience in the world, from the people to magical creatures and even magical plants and places. The spheres' smoke would change colors ranging from white indicating pure and untouched souls to black indicating evil souls that had no right to possess her power.

While the worst punishment she could give out was to recall her power back from any host, she didn't have the power to take their lives; she left that to an old friend, Death. Instead, all she could do was keep every magical sentience in line. Luckily, thanks to the spheres, she could work at home and keep an eye on Hadrian as well and raise him. Speaking of which…

"Oh my little raven, did you enjoy your nap?" cooed Magic as she lifted a now crying Hadrian into her arms. She bounced him a little in her arms, softening his cries to sniffles as she cradled him. "Did you get scared dear heart? I'm sorry I wasn't here."

"W'ere Mama?"

Magic's heart twisted at the broken question, but she didn't know how to tell him in a way his age would let him understand. But Hadrian did understand from her silence and sad face: his momma and dada were gone, and Unca' Paddy and Unca' Moony were gone also. Even 'Thammy was gone; was he with Unca' Paddy or Moony? Were they coming to get him?

Magic could see the questions running through his head in his eyes and drew him tight to her, placing a kiss on his head.

"My sweet little Hadrian. I'm so sorry for what has happened to you." Magic sat on the bed and moved back until she sat against the headboard with Hadrian resting against her chest, her fingers running through jet- black locks.

"Are t'ey all gone?" asked Hadrian as his little hands clutched at her shirt. Magic laid her cheek on his head and nodded.

"Yes Hadrian, you're parents are gone," she said in a soft voice.

"Unca' Paddy and Moony? 'Thammy?"

"Sammy is alive, but I don't know where he is. Your uncles are stuck right now, but I'm sure they'll come to you when they're ready."

"Can you th'ake me now?" Those wide green eyes so filled with hope made Magic waver. How could she tell him yes, only for the babe to find Unca' Paddy in jail, Unca' Moony isolating himself because of what he called his "furry little problem", and Sammy was with the man who was responsible for his parents' protection? Oh Magic knew exactly why Dumbledore had Sammy staying with him at Hogwarts, the meddling old bastard, and it wasn't just for protection. But she let Hadrian keep some of that hope.

"Not right now, but I will in the future."

"Why not now?" Magic bit her lip to hide a smile at Hadrian's pouting.

"Because little one, like I said, they're stuck right now and they can't come to you. But let's give them some time, and then we'll go to them. Okay?" Hadrian didn't look happy with the plan, but accepted it.

"O'tay. I not weave?"

"No little one, you don't have to leave. But would you like to stay here with me though?"

Hadrian studied the woman in front of him. He didn't know her from anybody else, and he didn't recognized her from the other people that came over to his home. But he did remember feeling somebody like her, not with as strong as her but stronger than both of his parents, from time to time in his bedroom with the same air of warmth, love, and protection surrounding them as her. But, she did tell him the truth about his parents and she promised to take him to his uncles and brother. She was never going to be his mama at all, but she made him feel safe and wanted and loved. So he knew what his decision would be.

"O'tay."

For the next five years Magic and Hadrian, whom she started calling 'Harry', or 'Raven' when she was being exceptionally loving, lived together in the cave surrounded by rocky shores and jagged cliffs. Every day Magic and Harry, who started calling her Emmie or Aunty M, would spend part of the day on the beach where Emmie would teach Harry the basics of reading, writing and magic before they would head into the city of Portland, Maine and spend the rest of the day there before having dinner and returning home. Every day was something different from playing or having picnics in the various parks to going to movie marathons. Some days, the two of them would spend an entire afternoon at the local library as a way for Harry to improve and expand his vocabulary knowledge, but also as a way for them to relax.

Emmie was impressed, but not surprised to see that Harry soaked up knowledge like a sponge and at a quick pace as well. Lily Potter had always been a fast learner when it came to her studies as well. By the time Harry's third birthday arrived he was reading at the level of a seven-year-old, and his levels of comprehension were continuously growing. While developing Harry's English, Emmie had begun teaching him Latin as well to help him with his spell casting. Harry caught on to learning secondary languages quickly so that by the time his sixth birthday rolled around, Harry could speak English, Latin, Spanish and French fluently. Most days though, Emmie and Harry couldn't spend the day together because the Magical World couldn't behave itself, especially Magical Britain, and Emmie was up to her ears in errands to keep the people in line. This left Harry to being left behind while she went around the world to fix the mistakes of the foolish. Since these days when Emmie herself had to leave didn't happen very often, Harry didn't mind when he was left by himself for the day.

Emmie realized this was actually a good thing to leave him by himself for a few hours since it brought out Harry's creative and adventurous sides. Whenever she came back from her all day errands, she would find multiple drawings and paintings or creations made from either his Legos or blocks scattered around the cave, and from the clone's memories she found out that Harry had done either rock climbing (inside or outside) with a makeshift harness, rope and stake at the top with his mattress at the bottom, swimming in the pool, or practicing magic ahead in his books. These new sides of him also made it easier for him to make some friends for him to play and tussle around with whenever he was at the city, but he also began to get picked on because of his intelligence. Emmie had made sure to begin teaching him some basic self- defense as soon as he turned three, but Harry didn't want to fight back unless they started getting physical with him, which was definitely bound to happen. Harry got into several fights in the next few years, all of them surprisingly in defense of the same bushy- haired girl.

Hermione Granger and her parents had moved to Portland when she was four to set up their dentist's practice and to get away from England for some time. Like Harry, Hermione was years ahead of her peers in intelligence and this caused them to shun her and call her a smart- aleck. For a child her age it was seen as a negative and mean word between each other, and her classmates in preschool and even the older kids began to tease and pick on her. It was only after eight months of this happening that Hermione's parents yanked her out of her school with promises to the principle and staff that their daughter would never attend this school again so long as they allowed their older students to pick on the younger ones. Harry and Hermione's first meeting had been when he first stood up for her at the park.

/FLASHBACK\

"Look at this little bookworm boys. Reading by yourself again nerd?"

Hermione only buried her nose further in her book hoping it would hide her from the boys. She had never bothered to remember their names since she knew that all bullies were the same.

"Go away please," she mumbled into her book which was immediately yanked out of her hands as soon as she finished speaking.

"You know why you're over here by yourself nerd?" sneered the leader as he dangled her book in front of her. "Because no one can stand to be around a know-it-all who thinks she's better than everyone else." Hermione's lip quivered as the other boys laughed at her; she thought coming here would get her away from everything that happened in England. But it seemed her back luck followed her across the pond.

"And nobody likes a jerk, tough guy."

Almost from out of nowhere a black blur slammed into the leader and they both went down into the dirt. Bully #2 ran over to help his friend out while Bully #3 took off running. Hermione grabbed her dropped book and quickly hid behind the nearby tree, but still watched the fight. Bully #2 tried to grab the new boy from behind, but he only received an elbow to the face when the new boy brought his arm back for another punch and went down howling with a bloody nose. The leader finally managed to get the new boy off of him and took off running. Bully #2 managed to get to his feet as well, but he didn't leave without receiving a well- aimed kick to his behind as a parting gift. It was only when the two were out of the park that the new boy spoke up again.

"You can come out now. They're all gone." Hermione hesitantly peeked around the tree to see the new boy by himself. His hands were bruised, his lip and knees were bleeding and he had dirt all over him, but other than that he looked unharmed.

"Sorry about them," he said, scratching the back of his head, "they can be real jerks to newcomers, and haven't learned their lesson apparently." Hermione was too much in awe to respond; a boy just a little younger than she had beaten up two boys three years older than himself like it was nothing. "My name's Harry by the way. Would you like to be friends?" That question brought Hermione out of her stupor.

"You want to be friends with me?" Harry shrugged and held his hand out to her.

"Sure. Why not? Everyone could use a friend, and you could especially since you're new to here." Hermione stared at his outstretched hand before looking up to see an inviting smile and a friendly look in his eyes.

"Okay then. My name is Hermione."

And they shook hands.

/FLASHBACK\

For the next two years Harry and Hermione were inseparable. Hermione's parents had bought a small house five miles from the beach, and every afternoon after Harry and Hermione finished their studies they would meet up at one of the parks to either play or simply enjoy each other's company while reading (both of them) or drawing (Harry). Even though they couldn't go explore the city on their own, there was a chain of Mom and Pop stores called "Bellalitas", an Italian restaurant, deli and bakery near every park coincidentally that the two of them would go into for a snack or when they were tired of playing. Emmie had become good friends with the grandparents and leaders of the family business, Arturo and Matteo Giordano, step- brothers who had found love with each other after their parents had divorced each other and never married again. They had come to an agreement that Harry would bring them the fresh fish living near his home every Saturday, and in return for his spoils he would get anything free in the stores. That didn't stop him from slipping whatever pocket money he had into the registers from time to time when no one was looking though.

Harry eventually gathered the courage to show Hermione his home after he had her cross-her-heart-and-hope-to-die promise and pinky swear never to tell her parents about it. Hermione hadn't understood why, but she made the promise and swore to not tell her parents before Harry took her. Thankfully Emmie was out that day so there wouldn't be any interruptions. Hermione had been in awe of the beauty and how domestic the cave was setup. The two of them spent hours in the cave talking about each other, Harry about growing up in the cave and on the beach and Hermione about England. Harry wanted Aunty M to apparate himself and her to England as soon as she came home so he could give those girls a piece of his mind, but he had a feeling Hermione wouldn't want him to do that.

As Harry's sixth birthday loomed closer, his and Hermione's worlds came crashing down: Hermione and her parents were going back to England. The two of them were devastated at the news, but there was no changing Hermione's parents' minds. Neither child would talk to Mr. and Mrs. Granger since they were so ready to tear the two kids apart; Harry considered the two of them running away together, but then realized that Aunty M would find them in an instant if they ran. They spent every last waking moment together, doing anything they could find to do to keep their minds off of Hermione's impending departure. The day of the move was going to be hard on both children, but Mr. and Mrs. Granger made it worse.

/FLASHBACK\

Hermione thought she was going to have a meltdown. Her parents didn't tell her what time their flight was to go back to England the day before, and she only found out this morning when they pulled her out of bed while she was still sleeping and in her pajamas. When she woke up, they were halfway to the airport.

"What the heck! Mom? Dad? Where are we going?"

"Stop your screaming this instant Hermione. We're going to the airport to catch an earlier flight back to England," said Jean Granger stiffly.

"But I told Harry we were taking a later flight. Why didn't you tell me this yesterday?" asked Hermione as her lip began to tremble.

"That boy has been nothing but trouble Hermione," said Robert Granger as he pushed the car to go faster, as though trying to put as much distance between his daughter and 'that boy' as quickly as possible.

"'That boy' as you put it is my friend daddy. He's done nothing but help me out ever since we came to the States."

"He's done nothing but get into fights and I've seen him around those brothers at that restaurant," snarled Mr. Granger as he grip tightened on the steering wheel. Now Hermione was starting to get mad.

"Don't say anything bad about those two brothers; they have been very kind to me and Harry, who has defended me in those fights against the other kids. Which is far more than you two ever did in England."

SMACK

Hermione's head whipped to the side from the force of the blow. Her reflection showed the shocked and hurt expression on her face as well as the beginning of tears. Her chin trembled as she stared at her right cheek as though expecting to see the flames from her burning sensation she was feeling. She spent the rest of the drive in silence, a vacant expression in her eyes. Her parents didn't speak to her again the entire ride and she didn't bother speaking to them when they arrived at the airport. She knew Harry would eventually figure out what was going on and so would his Aunty M. However as the time counted down, drawing closer and closer to her departure time Hermione was almost in hysterics as she realized she would be leaving Harry without saying goodbye. She hated that her parents looked so proud of themselves for keeping Harry and her apart. It was when there were only five minutes left that Hermione heard him.

"HERMIONE!" Half the airport along with Hermione whipped around at the scream. If she wasn't so relieved at seeing Harry she would have laughed at the entourage behind him. The tiny six- year- old was sprinting at her like the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels, which she guessed were the ten security guards running after him. Bringing up the rear was his Aunty M and the Giordano brothers. Dodging around her parents outstretched arms Hermione rushed forward and met him halfway, the force of their bodies coming together in a desperate hug sending them both to the ground. Hermione's parents made to pull them apart, but a warning look from Emmie stopped them. If it was one thing they knew about the woman it was that she guarded Harry fiercely. The two friends hugged each fiercely and were speaking to one another in low, whispered voices that the others couldn't hear. The guards left after Emmie apologized to them for Harry except for one who was going to escort them back to the entrance. However, the reunion had to end.

"All passengers boarding Flight Number 9365 to London, England please line up to hand over your boarding passes." Hermione started crying when she heard the boarding call and her parents made another attempt to retrieve their daughter, but this time it was Harry who glared at them angrily. He tightened his hold on Hermione, but he was forced to relax when Emmie put a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on Harry. It's time." Harry tightened his hold around Hermione one more time for a last hug and said loud enough for everyone near them to hear them clearly.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure to keep in touch."

Emmie and Hermione smiled at his words, but Mr. and Mrs. Granger did not look happy. They couldn't say anything though with everyone in the airport watching them. And slowly, reluctantly, Harry and Hermione separated.

/FLASHBACK\

It had been heartbreaking to watch Harry watch his first ever friend literally fly away from him, and Emmie decided to hold her news for him off till later.

His birthday was already ruined as it is.