The Whirlwind in the Thorn Trees

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything. All Harry Potter stuff belongs to J.K. Rowling. Also, this story is heavily influenced by Good Omens, which is written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. The title comes from the song "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash.

A.N: Wow, I haven't updated this story in months. Sorry guys (to the few who actually read the first chapter). I blame everything on RL. It's a bitch. Um, so if anyone is still even a little interested in this story, then here is the second chapter! Yay! ^.^;

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CH. 2: Biscuits and Bacon: The Early Years

Harry Potter was not an ordinary boy. Strange things happened around him, much to the chagrin of his Aunt and Uncle. The Dursley's were the epitome of a perfectly ordinary family, and an abnormal little boy did not fit into this image. In his first few years living with them, they tried to stamp all the weirdness out of Harry. However, strange things still happened around him, and they were unsuccessful. Instead, they locked him up and kept him away from other people, stating that he was a problem child, or outright denying they even had a nephew. They hoped no one would notice the one flaw in their otherwise faultless household.

One such attempt to turn Harry into an ordinary boy was Harry's first (and last) religious service. Petunia and Vernon had been going to this church for years. It was where they had their wedding, and where Dudley was baptised (not Harry; they didn't want to spend the money on getting him a nice suit for the ceremony). They were on quite good terms with Father Conway. They thought it would be no trouble to bring Harry; they thought maybe they could mould him with religion. They were wrong. What happened in that Sunday morning service left Petunia and Vernon so mortified that they didn't go to church for almost a year, only able to drag themselves back at Christmas time when mostly everyone had forgotten about the incident.

Their first sign (warning) that things were going to be different was that Father Conway was away. Apparently he won a trip for two to Hawai'i in a contest. He and his wife were ecstatic and left immediately. The strange thing was that he never remembered even applying to said contest. His temporary replacement, Father G. Malachi, assured them that he was qualified and to not worry, Father Conway would be back before they knew it.

It was obvious when Father Malachi started the sermon that he knew his stuff really well, but his delivery needed a lot of work. Also, it seemed he spent an abnormal amount of time on Book of the Revelation and such, stating how it was foretold that Heaven won the Final Battle, not Hell. He expressively declared that people should remember that good always triumphed evil and that people should keep that in mind when they're making important decisions. For some reason, he stared straight at Harry when he said that, though no one noticed, but Harry himself.

Nothing really went wrong until it was time for Holy Eucharist, the receiving of bread and wine, which represents Christ's sacrifice. Now, it must be noted that throughout the whole mass, Harry had not cleansed himself with the holy water in the lobby, nor had he picked up a bible. Harry, in fact, was quite bored and didn't really understand anything that was going on. His Aunt and Uncle would not let him speak or move and he was quite tired. Also, he was slightly freaked out by the intent looks he kept receiving from the priest. Dudley was sleeping beside him, though the Dursley's didn't seem to care, but he was starting to snore and it was annoying Harry. He just wanted to leave.

He did perk up a bit, though, when people started to line up. The priest seemed to be handing out wafers to everyone. Harry hadn't had a chance to snatch breakfast this morning and was quite hungry. When his Aunt pushed him into the line, Harry actually started to feel happy about being in church. Apparently, people got free food. Also, his Aunt had shoved him in front of Dudley (who was woken up, but still seemed asleep on his feet) which never happened in his life. Usually, it was always Harry who went last.

When it came time for him to receive his wafer, Father Malachi paused, opened his mouth to say something, but seemed to change his mind. All he did was place the holy biscuit in Harry's hand. The boy thanked him and immediately stuffed the wafer into his eager mouth. This turned out to be a big mistake. Harry suddenly felt his mouth burning, and immediately spit the wafer out. It landed by the priest's feet, a soggy mess that was tinged with red. He could feel blood welling in his open mouth and out of the corners, but could not taste it. His eyes watered from the pain. Everyone was a blur. He felt hands on him pulling and noise around him which sounded like panicked shouts or shocked noises. He didn't remember much after that, except for a doctor telling his Aunt and Uncle that there was no permanent damage, but it would be weeks before he could taste food again. The eventual explanation that anyone could come up with was that Harry had a weird allergic reaction. His Aunt and Uncle didn't think it was an allergy, though. It was just more of Harry's strangeness. Also, the Dursley's decided that he was too weird to be trusted alone and that they needed a babysitter (Before, they hadn't bothered getting someone to watch Harry. They didn't want to waste money on him and Dudley didn't need one because they never left him alone). Harry decided he's never going to eat wafers again.

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"I can't believe you gave the Antichrist a holy wafer," Belial smirked.

"I didn't think that blessed objects affected him! After all, he's born a human!" Gabriel's voice had an edge of panic and embarrassment to it.

Gabriel had posed as a substitute priest in order to be closer to Harry and try to sway him over to the side of Good. Of course, he wasn't very successful. Apparently, Harry burned when touched with anything holy just like any other demon. And on the subject of demons, Gabriel should not have let Belial find out about his mishap. The fallen angel was sitting across the table from him in the coffee shop laughing. Really, it was making a scene.

Gabriel leaned over and said, with venom, "Well, at least I was able to get closer to the boy than any of your attempts! And this incident left me with the perfect opportunity to care and nurture the boy!"

Belial stopped laughing and just looked confused. "Look, Gabriel, you can't show your face again to the Dursley's. They probably think you're a psycho-priest or something." He paused, and then added, "And my attempts haven't been unsuccessful! Just a little...Well, at least I haven't almost killed the boy!"

Gabriel looks worried. "Dear…you…you don't think I could have actually killed him, do you?"

Belial opened his mouth to make a snarky reply, but he shut it again when he sees the genuine concern on Gabriel's face. "Okay, yes, the wafer could have done a lot more damage, or he could have touched a bible, or something. I think Harry could have had a lot worse injury, but nothing permanent. Angel, he is a powerful being. I don't think you could have accidentally murdered a boy like that."

Gabriel's shoulders slumped in relief. "Oh, good. I have been worrying about it all week. My superiors would have been so upset with me." A small smile appears on his face. "Thank you, dear. You really made me feel better."

Belial froze. He had been spending more time with Gabriel lately, and they have been getting friendlier with one another. It was only because they had no one else to talk or complain to (not that Belial was friends with his other co-workers. He'd rather be up here than in Hell). Watching Harry was a full time job and the only time they got to talk to others on their respective sides was when they did their progress reports. It was…kind of lonely. However, this was no excuse. They were still enemies. They were on two different sides of a war and Belial was struggling to remember that. Right now, seeing Gabriel smile at him filled him with an emotion that he can't quite place, but it made him uncomfortable.

Belial sighed and rubbed a hand through his styled hair, messing it up. A demon wasn't supposed to feel this way, especially about an angel. It felt as though he actually liked the sodding angel and that was so, so wrong. Demons, towards their decidedly less Fallen counterparts, felt anger, hatred, jealousy, or any other negative emotion. Any sinful thoughts were encouraged, even lust. However, the feelings he had for Gabriel didn't include disdain or any regular demon emotions (except for lust, but was obvious considering he felt that way about everyone). There was still dislike and annoyance, but it was overshadowed by the growing understanding and tolerance of the angel. It's not like they were friends though. They could never be friends.

"What's wrong, dear?" Gabriel's voice broke through his thoughts. Without really thinking, Belial snapped, "Don't call me that, Gabriel! You're always acting so fucking polite and familiar! It annoys the h- shit out of me!" He immediately regretted it as Gabriel's face turned stony. "Well, demon, then I must be going. Better things to do, and all that."

Gabriel made to stand up, but Belial caught his arm. "Wait, Gabriel, stay!" He paused, but continued on, "Please." Gabriel just looked at him for a few moments, and then slowly lowered himself back into his seat. Belial let go of his arm and couldn't meet the angel's eyes. He was sure that there would be understanding in them and he really didn't want to see that. Stupid perceptive angel.

They sat like that for a while, with Gabriel looking at Belial, while the demon examined his own hands. The silence was a little tense, but not too uncomfortable. Finally, Gabriel, a little hesitantly and quietly, said, "Dumbledore wanted Mrs. Figgs –you know, the cat lady who lives two streets away from the boy? – to watch Harry for him. She was to do this by becoming Harry's babysitter."

Belial looked up, "And?"

"Well, the Dursley's thought that a Ms. Ryder was much more qualified for the job." Gabriel looked a little smug, but Belial couldn't figure out why. He frowned and said, "Ms. Ryder? I don't think I know her, and I made sure I knew everyone in Harry's neighbourhood. Who is-" He cut off, his eyes widening as realisation struck him. "Gabriel? You got the job as Harry's babysitter?" Belial was completely floored. Gabriel may be an angel, but he lacked the ability to act normal. And his dress sense was horrible. "How the h- in the world did you convince the Dursley's to give you the job?"

Gabriel suddenly couldn't look him in the eyes. Belial smirked. "You cheated, didn't you?"

"It wasn't cheating! I just…let them see what they wanted to see in a babysitter," Gabriel protested. "Also, they won't let Harry around animals, especially pets, because apparently animals don't like him. I think they can sense what he is. Mrs. Figgs was glad to take care of Harry, but she wouldn't give up her cats." He shrugged. "It just…worked in my favour."

Belial groaned. "Of course you're able to get a job as Harry's babysitter. What am I supposed to tell my superiors?"

Gabriel looked slightly guilty. "Well, um, there is always my failed attempt at priesthood. That will go over well with them, don't you think?"

Belial looked much happier. "Yeah. Okay." Then he frowned. "Wait. If you are going take care of the boy, how are you going to do it without a place to baby-sit him in?"

Gabriel's eyes lit up. "I just got a house across the street from Harry. The old couple who lived there won the lottery, which I'll admit was my doing, and are going to move closer to their children. I move in next week! Well, I don't really have any possessions to speak of, so I'm not really moving anything into the house, but it is still an exhilarating experience! I convinced my superiors it was a good idea, and they agreed that it would make an easier job of watching Harry." He practically glowed (which, for an angel, is entirely possible to do).

Belial shook his head and said, "You thought of everything, didn't you? Where did you get the free time to think about this?"

"Ah. Well. I don't really have any extra time. I spend nearly all my time watching the boy. I don't even have time to watch my favourite television programmes…" the angel looked slightly pained about this. "And about being Harry's babysitter, well, I sort of panicked right after the…church incident and I had to do something…"

Belial lifted an eyebrow. "So you're saying this was mostly improvised?

Gabriel looked a little embarrassed. "Er. Yes. Basically."

Belial snickered, but then the thought of Gabriel living right across the street from the Antichrist fully sunk in and he frowned. "I'm going to have to do something big before I report this to my superiors. They'll think that you have a much greater advantage than I do." He then hastily added, "Which you don't. It's just that Downstairs will be riding me to get something productive done."

Gabriel looked thoughtful. "You could do the same thing I did. Get a job that puts you close to Harry. Like a…oh, I don't know, a milkman or something."

"A milkman? That sounds hard. And a little outdated. Is that job even available anymore? What else gets deli- Aha! Mail! Everyone gets mail!" Belial looked enormously pleased with himself. "I'm going to be a mailman!" He checked his watch and before Gabriel could respond, the demon bounced up from his chair. "Well, I better get going, Angel." He suddenly looked uncomfortable. "And, uh, about earlier-"

"Don't worry about it, dear, I understand." Gabriel smiled, though it seemed slightly sad.

Belial cleared his throat, his cheeks reddening. "Well, uh, see you next week?"

"As always."

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Harry's little hands clutched the broom tightly as he swept the driveway of number four, Privet Drive. He was out early enough that dew still clung to lawn and bushes. He had accidentally dropped the toast on the floor so Aunt Petunia shoved him out the door with a broom, telling him to not come back in until the driveway was spotless.

"Hello, Harry."

He looked up in surprise and saw the mailman, Mr. Apple, had been watching him. Harry wondered how a person could be so quiet. Mr. Apple sauntered over to where Harry was standing and bent down to look him in the eyes.

"I see you're hard at work. You know, the best way of doing things is to get other people to do them for you. Put in as little effort as possible. Understand?" Harry frowned and shook his head. That didn't seem right. The mailman sighed. "I tell you this because I know you are starting primary school soon and I want you to be prepared. I'm giving you free advice here, kid." He straightened up and wagged a finger at Harry. "That's another thing. Nothing in life is free. Unless you steal it. And it's perfectly fine to take things as long as you don't get cau-"

He was cut off by the door opening. Aunt Petunia stepped out and, with one look, had Harry scurrying back inside, broomstick and all. She smiled at Mr. Apple and he internally sighed. He had wanted to talk with Harry alone. On the outside, the mailman smiled right back and they both started to chat.

Back inside, Harry had put the broom away and made his way into the kitchen, where Dudley was whining and Uncle Vernon was drinking coffee. He sat down at the table where there was cold, burnt bacon on his plate. Uncle Vernon looked up from his cup and said in a gruff voice. "Where is your aunt? She said she was going to get the mail."

"She was talking to Mr. Apple when I came back inside, sir," Harry replied. His aunt and the mailman loved to gossip about everything, especially secrets the neighbours tried to keep hidden. Everyday they would spend a long time talking, which annoyed Uncle Vernon. Sure enough, at the mention of Mr. Apple, Vernon's face turned red and he placed his coffee cup on the table with more force than necessary.

"I don't see why that woman needs to talk with the blasted mailman. It's not like they talk about anything important," he sneered. This was a mistake. Petunia had just come inside soon enough to hear his comment, and was looking affronted. She strode towards the table and placed the mail right in front of Vernon, her movements quite stiff.

Vernon looked at Petunia, and then to the mail sitting on his plate. He didn't like upsetting his wife, but he wasn't the sort of man to back down either. Ignoring the mail for now, he sat back in his chair and said, "Well. Today, it seems your chat with Mr. Apple," he said the mailman's name like it was something dirty, "didn't go very long. I wonder if the man has finally come to his senses and realise that chattering like a housewife does not let him do his job properly. Like making sure people get their mail on time."

Petunia's beady eyes narrowed. This was the same moment that Dudley noticed no one was paying him any attention and was about to scream for attention. Then he caught the look on his mother's face and, in a rare moment of actually using common sense, decided to steal the rest of the bacon (except for the burnt pieces on Harry's plate. Apparently, even Dudley has standards on what he eats) before sneaking off to watch television. Harry didn't have a television to sneak off to, and he was hungry. Unlike Dudley, Harry didn't have the luxury of choosing what he wants to eat, so he would settle for cold, burnt bacon. He settled down to eat it, trying to ignore his aunt and uncle.

Meanwhile, Petunia and Vernon were staring at each other. Vernon was carefully considering if this was worth a few nights on the couch, but eventually wilted under Petunia's piercing glare. Petunia watched in satisfaction as her husband's shoulders slumped and as he tried to pretend that he hadn't just surrendered. He cleared his throat awkwardly, grumbled out an apology, and begrudgingly said that Petunia can spend as much time as she likes talking to the mailman. Petunia just smirked and sat down at the table. They both didn't seem to notice Harry.

There was a long moment of silence where Petunia savoured her victory. Then, as nonchalantly as she could, stated that it was Mr. Apple's last day anyway and that they wouldn't be able to talk anymore. Petunia, if she was that kind of person, would have burst out laughing at the look on Vernon's face. That taught him.

And Harry was just a little bit relieved. He didn't really like Mr. Apple. Harry didn't know exactly what it was, but there was something really off about that man.

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They met again in a park. Belial was lounging on a bench and, through a pair of dark shades, watching people go past. He smiled appreciatively at almost all of them, especially a pair of joggers who looked as though they spent half their life working out together. They probably did. Belial hated exercise, but he could think of one work out he wouldn't mind doing with those two. Maybe-

"Belial. Are you listening? Excuse me!" An annoyed voice interrupted his thought pattern and, rather miffed himself, turned to the person who dared to- oh. Gabriel. Of course. Now that he actually realised who it was, Belial wondered how he could have missed the sheer amount of angelic power that was emanating from Gabriel. However, that wasn't the most obvious clue to his identity. No, the latest eyesore that Gabriel wore was the thing that stood out the most (Belial thought the lace and polka dots were going a little overboard). Belial rolled his eyes at the being who, after realising he finally had Belial's attention, sat down beside him on the bench.

"What, angel? Can't you see I'm busy?" Belial gestured to a rather attractive businesswoman and it was Gabriel's turn to roll his eyes.

"No, you're not. I was trying to get your attention because I was out for an early morning constitutional and received quite a shock when I noticed that the man delivering mail in Harry's neighbourhood was, in fact, not you."

Bugger. Belial tried, and failed, to act casual. "Ah, yes, that. I was, ah, fired." He cringed. "I didn't think you would notice."

Gabriel, being an angel, frowned upon finding amusement in others misfortunes. However, he thought there wasn't any harm in indulging just this once. Belial noticed right away. It was hard to miss the humour in Gabriel's face. And the giggle that escaped from his lips. And how his shoulders were shaking with mirth. Belial sighed.

"Look, it wasn't my fault! It was just so much work! I'm not cut out for menial labour. Or really any labour at all. And I figured it didn't really matter that much if I got it all mixed up. I mean, the house numbers are so close together, I figured, what would it matter if the package for house number nine went to number ten, or the bills for number six went to number five? I thought, close enough! And that crazy bitch that lives with the Antichrist! Just to get close to the boy even for a minute, I had to spend several hours talking to her! I should get some sort of commendation for that part alone!"

Belial leaned back on the bench and closed his eyes. Gabriel had stopped giggling, but Belial was sure there was still amusement in the angel's eyes. Gabriel, on his part, felt a wave of guilt overcome any humour he found in the demon's predicament. He now had more access to Harry than Belial did (therefore, more influence), which put Heaven at a greater advantage than Hell, but this also meant that Hell would not react well to this development.

He put a consoling hand on Belial's shoulder. The demon opened his eyes and glanced at this hand and then stared at Gabriel strangely. However, he didn't pull away. Gabriel gave him a sympathetic smile, tinged with a bit of guilt, and said, "Don't worry, dear. I'm sure you'll find something before you have to report Below."

Belial's eyes widened in surprise and an incredulous laugh bubbled out. Gabriel frowned in confusion, but Belial just waved him off. "Oh no, angel. Sure, I'm pissed off about losing the job and therefore wasting all that fu-" Gabriel gave him a look and then deliberately turned his eyes to a mother dragging her two children past. Belial hardly even paused, "-bloody effort, but I'm not worried about finding a new way to get closer to Harry." At Gabriel's questioning look, Belial smirked and explained. "The boy's starting primary school soon, and there just happened to be a job opening at that very same school."

Gabriel was suddenly filled with a terrible sense of foreboding. He was almost scared to know the answer, but asked Belial anyways. "And-and what, may I ask, is the position? A secretary or librarian, perhaps? Or," Here Gabriel sounded a bit hopeful, "maybe a janitor? One that works on a late shift so that they never have to come in contact with the students. Ever."

Belial's blue eyes twinkled mischievously. "Now, angel, could you really imagine me as a janitor? Think of all that work I would have to do! Nah, this job is much easier." He leaned closer to Gabriel. "I just got the job for," he paused, loving the way the angel almost shook with anticipation. Or, most likely, dread. "a student counsellor."

Gabriel's look of absolute horror was almost enough to make up for being literally kicked out of the post office. Almost.

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A.N.: Tada! Second chapter! This was originally going to include a lot more scenes and a lot more Harry. I just…don't know what happened. So yah. I'm writing chapter three, so it should be up in another few months…just kidding. Hopefully. I really want to update more often so I'm gonna try to finish the third chapter as fast as I can without it totally sucking. And what would really be encouraging is to actually get reviews! Even ones that are like, "Dude, s'alright." So, uh, ttfn!