AN: First of all... I'M ALIVE! This story is not going to be abandonned any time soon, it just may take time for me to update as I have other responsibilities.

Welcome to the last chapter of the childhood arc. Please feel free to post your thoughts. My only request, is that should any negative thoughts be constructive criticism as to why my story could be off for any reason. Also, I hope you liked the Lantern Dog. I assume that it may be a DnD monster, but have not really checked as I simply saw it on google images when looking for hell-hounds and it just struck me as something interesting. Don't know if I've mentioned this at all, but Rias and Harry are the same age, though

Thank you for all the reviews, follows and favs, as well as all the views. I am super grateful and will continue to hopefully keep it up.

Also, starting in this chapter is a poll that I propose to you all. Answer by PMing me or through reviews. This is to Decide Harry's romantic partner for the future chapters.

Options

Rias: 0

Akeno: 0

Koneko: 0

Hermione: 0

Luna: 0

Daphne Greengrass: 0

Ravel: 0

And that's all, please feel free to let me know your thoughts. The poll will be open till I reach Harry's third or fourth year, so you have plenty of time.

Now, on with the chapter!

Disclaimer: If it isn't apparant, anything recognized by you, is not owned by me. I am simply putting all these different things together in the hopes of satisfying my creative streak and sharing something that is hopefully interesting. I own nothing related to Harry Potter, Highschool DxD or any other mentioned item.

Chapter four: Making Friends in Low Places - Part IV of Childhood arc

December 22nd 1988.

Harry Potter woke up this fine cool morning not to his alarm, but to his new familiar licking his face. "Gah! Stop that!" Harry said, vainly attempting to persuade his familiar to stop his assault. Thankfully, this lasted only a few minutes, and Harry soon only had to deal with the Lantern Dog's hot breath rather than its super-heated moist tongue.

Getting up, he quickly turned to face the spot where his alarm would appear, and watched as it did. The moment it came into existence, Harry slapped the blasted thing so that it wouldn't go off. Waiting to make sure it didn't, Harry got out of bed, and got dressed, satisfied that he had finally outmaneuvered the blasted alarm clock.

Then, the previous night came back to him, and he realized as he placed a normal emerald t-shirt on that he had forgotten to name his familiar. Turning around, he saw the Lantern Dog sat comfortably on his bed, watching him. "What are you waiting for?" Harry asked.

"I thought it would be obvious," Was his familiar's reply.

Harry jumped back in surprise, not used to having anyone other than Lymrei talk to him in that fashion. "You can talk?" Harry questioned.

"Nope, all your hearing are my thoughts translated through the use of the bond," The Lantern Dog replied.

"Can I do it too?" Harry asked.

The Lantern Dog nodded. Harry decided to go inward, and began trying to communicate with his familiar. He tried his best, but he had no idea how to directly form the connection that was required. "The connection is there master, you simply have to think and I'll hear you. Imagine talking in your head,"

Harry blinked, and nodded. "Like this?" he asked mentally.

"Like that," The lantern dog replied.

"Hmm, well now that we've established that, I guess we can pick your name," Harry stated.

"I'd like that,"

Reaching out with his left arm, Harry picked up a book that lay on his bedside table. It was a book on spirits and held a list of names of those that had come down to this plane to be amongst the living.

Harry quickly opened the book and then began looking over the list of names. Finding a few he liked, he began proposing them to his familiar. "How about Rayth?"

"No," was the reply he received.

"Vitali?"

"No"

"Harro?"

"No"

And so the list of names went on and on until Harry proposed one that he felt he rather liked. "Malone?" he proposed finally.

"Malone..." The Lantern dog thought though it sounded like speaking. Seemingly tasting the word in his mouth, the Lantern Dog finally nodded his head. "Malone," he agreed.

Harry smiled. Placing his hand atop Malone's head, Harry began petting him. They stayed there for a while, until Harry heard a knocking on the door. Looking towards the entrance to his room, Harry saw Lymrei standing there, her amber eyes studying him closely.

"Your Father is waiting at the table for you," she stated, pointing out Harry's unusual absence from his morning routine. Leaving moments after, she closed the door for Harry, leaving him with the privacy he liked.

Harry's eyes widened a little, and he quickly jumped out of bed, leaving Malone atop the bed as he hurriedly got dressed. Pulling on a pair of decent clothing that was by no means cheap, Harry barreled out of the room. Watching from behind, Malone laughed in a barking manor, than got off the bed and followed his new master out.

The two arrived at the table and found Damascus in his usual form, sitting peacefully with a book in hand. Harry couldn't see the title, but he assumed it was something related along magick or Engineering as Damascus seemed to love to read those kinds of books.

"Good morning" Damascus commented, not raising an eye from the book he was reading.

Harry sat down, and began to place food on his plate. "Morning Dad," Harry replied. Beginning to eat, Harry remembered about what had happened the day prior, how his dad had become a woman, how he apparently had talked to the Lucifer of the underworld, and how his father was considering his offer.

"Dad, are you going to accept that Devil's offer?"

Damascus finally raised his gaze from his book. "Why do you ask?" he replied curiously.

Harry turned his gaze to his food, "Well, I was curious," Harry muttered.

"I'll need a better answer than that,"

Harry looked up again, Unsure of exactly how to phrase his reasons for wishing to know. Damascus looked back at him, unblinking and slightly unnervingly. Deciding to go with the answer that came best to mind, Harry said, "I'd like to know, because the idea of serving another being leaves a sour taste in my mouth," Harry said, finding that he indeed, did not wish to carter to the whims of someone again after having lived that with the Dursleys.

"I see... I was leaning on accepting though," Damascus mused.

Harry's eyes widened and he turned to face his father rather quickly. "What! Why?" he shot off rapidly.

Damascus seemed unfazed though, and merely smiled. "Because you could benefit greatly from learning more types of magick,"

Harry didn't seem so convinced, "But I'd have to serve another," he pointed out.

Damascus merely shook his head, "Son, did you hear what I told the current Lucifer before we came home?" Damascus asked. Harry nodded slowly.

"Yes, you said that you were a Planeswalker equal to Ophis and Great Red," Harry replied. "Who are they by the way?"

Laughing lightly, Damascus then began explaining, "Ophis and Great Red are both Planeswalkers like myself, and are immensely powerful. I know I said I was equal to them, but that doesn't mean it would be an easy fight. In fact, I could very well die by Ophis or Great Red's hands,"

Harry looked surprise, "But you said you were nigh immortal, that nothing in this world could kill you,"

Damascus shook his head, "And I wasn't lying. Ophis and Great Red are Planeswalkers though, and so have the potential to kill me,"

Harry's gaze went to the floor. Damascus reached over with his hand and began to ruffle his already unkempt hair. "Alright, enough about me dying. Let's get back to this deal I wished to sign. To clairify, you wouldn't be serving the young devil per say, more like you would be working for each other. She would be your ticket to go around the underworld and learn more magick, and you would offer her your protection should any danger arise," Damascus explained.

"But why would she need protecting?" Harry asked.

"She's the sister to the current king, a powerful bargaining tool should she fall into the wrong hands. My guess is that she also plans to leave the underworld, and that would make her a prime target for any other faction wishing to hunt her," Damascus answered sagely.

Harry simply nodded. "I guess that makes sense. But does that mean you'll be leaving me alone?" Harry asked.

Damascus burst into laughter. Harry just stared at him oddly. Thankfully, he calmed down fast enough. "Hell no, I will not leave you in the underworld with devils as your guardians, and I don't care how different they are from the demons of hell, they still are devils," Damascus stated.

Harry smiled, "Thanks Dad,"

"No problem kid,"

Harry got up from the table and hugged his father, something which surprise both Damascus and himself.

"So when will you go make this deal?" Harry asked.

"Honestly, after breakfast if you don't mind. I really don't think this should wait," Damascus answered with a kind smile. "Besides, I think that with a familiar at your side, it's about time you started learning magick and how to use it,"

"YAY!" Harry shouted excitedly.

Finishing their meal in silence, Harry was soon enough by his father's side in his secluded study, a place which he had yet to truly see properly. It was rather dark, containing many tomes of varying sizes that Harry assumed held knowledge on many, many subjects. Harry was waiting for his father to finish gathering his supposed important items. Throwing a robe at Harry, which he caught, Damascus said, "Put that on, it will make you look more like a magician's apprentice,"

Harry simply did as told.

-]l[-

Underworld

Sirzechs Lucifer was currently seated at his office, pondering over the events of the previous day. While glad that he had managed to get the young nekomata into his sister's peerage, he found himself displeased for being unaware to the arrival of the being known as Damascus Abysswalker.

Planeswalkers had not been seen in millennia, and the only ones who were currently known were Ophis and Great Red. To hear that a third being of their power had emerged, it was just plain terrifying. These beings for one, had no personal connection to earth and so were very hard to manipulate.

Sirzechs leaned back into his chair. Thankfully, it seemed that this Planeswalker was tying himself down. "I wonder if I'll ever see them again?" Sirzechs mused.

What he didn't know was, his question was about to be answered.

A portal soon appeared in the center of his office, moments after he had finished his question, which caused him to look up in surprise. Stepping through the portal, was the young human child from the previous day, and a tall man with black hair, crimson red eyes with a mustache. Sirzechs new not to mistake this man for anyone other than the Planeswalker, as he held the same aura and power level that he had sensed previously.

"I believe greetings are in order," Sirzechs said with a smile, rising from his chair at a respectable rate.

"They are. How goes your day, Lucifer of the Underworld?" Damascus returned.

Sirzechs was making his way towards him when he sighed, "It's alright I suppose, paperwork's a bitch though," he commented.

Damascus chuckled, "I agree, it's my personal reason for not getting involved in these types of things," he added.

Sirzechs nodded, relaxing only so slightly. His instincts were screaming at him to either run or be extremely cautious around the man. "I take it you have agreed to my proposal?" He inquired curiously.

"I have agreed to the idea. I've come to make the deal with you now though, and I have conditions that I wish to impose," Damascus replied.

Sirzechs nodded, expecting nothing less from a being of such power and intellect. One would have to be extremely lucky to gain anything favorable in a deal with one. Hoping for the best, Sirzechs offered his guests a seat so they could discuss business.

Damascus did so, though he quickly made a check on the chairs, something which disappointed Sirzechs but he understood on some level. He would do the same and more for his sister should he be bargaining for something involving her in the presence of a being he didn't know with her present.

Now seated, the two adults began their negotiations.

Damascus said that he would agree to sign the contracted magician agreement only if his few requirements were met. Sliding a piece of paper to Sirzechs, he let the devil read it. First, Harry would gain full access to devil magick knowledge with the exception to the anything familial that was not for outsiders. Secondly, Harry would not be with Rias at all times. Lastly, Harry was not to be treated as a servant, but as a partner.

"What is the partnership clause for?" Sirzechs asked, pointing to the third clause in the document.

"My apprentice was treated as a slave during his early childhood. He does not wish to be treated as such again, so he is to be treated as a partner by your sister, or aid," Damascus explained, skipping many details about Harry's past while giving the important bits.

"I see. Well, that shouldn't be a problem. In fact, I believe that over time he'll become part of the family," Sirzechs responded kindly.

Damascus nodded. "That's fine. Now, is there anything you wish to add?"

Sirzechs nodded, "I understand that he can't be present full time, however I would like to have him available at all times to be called upon should it be needed,"

"That is fine. do note that I will be present as well, so your sister should be perfectly safe," Damascus pointed out.

This actually surprised Sirzechs, "You'll be there as protection also?" he asked, making sure he was hearing correctly.

"Yes. I need to make sure my Apprentice doesn't hurt himself to badly,"

Sirzechs found that he couldn't ask for more after that. "Well, that concludes our deal then, just sign hear," Sirzechs said, handing the contract over to Damascus. Damascus signed, and handed it back. "Remember Lucifer, These magically binding contracts don't affect me in any way,"

Sirzechs sighed. "I would assume so, and please, call me Sirzechs,"

Damascus nodded. "Alright then... Sirzechs,"

Offering what he hoped was a winning smile, Sirzechs then rose from his chair once more. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to get your apprentice and my sister properly acquainted,"

"That would be lovely," Damascus replied, grinning.

Harry though, who had remained quiet during the entire meeting, perked up at the mention of meeting the one he'd be working with. "What's she like?" he asked the Maou curiously.

Sirzechs was caught off guard, but he quickly covered it up. "She's quite amusing. I believe that you'll find her fun to be around..." Sirzechs began, only pausing as he tried to find Harry's name. Thankfully, Harry caught on to what the devil king was alluding to. "My name's Harry Mr. Lucifer sir,"

"Right then Harry, she's a pleasant devil to be around, so you don't have to worry at all. Also, please call me Sirzechs,"

Harry nodded.

"Would you mind going ahead? I don't know the location of your home, and so cannot get there yet," Damascus replied.

"Of course," Sirzechs replied.

Vanishing in a bright magick circle, Sirzechs Lucifer was no more, and Damascus quickly took to his example, remembering to take Harry with him.

-]l[-

Gremory Household.

Rias Gremory was currently with Akeno and trying to help her newest peerage member. The young Nekomata was in a depression that Rias was sure was not healthy, so she stayed by her side since the previous day. Lost in thought as to how she would get the young Nekomata to open up, she was brought out of her thoughts by Grayfia calling her.

"Rias-sama, Sirzechs wishes to see you," Grayfia stated.

Rias quickly nodded, and followed the head maid to their destination. Once they arrived, Rias immediately spotted the little boy from the previous day, as well as her brother and a curious looking man who seemed to radiate power.

"You called Nii-san?" Rias inquired.

"I did Ria-tan. Now, let me introduce you to Harry over here, he is to be your contracted magician," Sirzechs said, smiling all the while.

Rias though, began eyeing the young boy curiously. Coming closer to him, Harry found himself feeling nervous as Rias was inspecting him. Sirzechs found it prudent to inform her now about the contract's details. "Rias, you need to know though, that he will not always be present and is to be treated as a partner or friend, not as a servant,"

Rias looked up at her brother, surprised at this, though completely fine with it. She decided though, that she'd do the introductions, "Hello Harry-kun, I'm Rias Gremory, pleasure to meet you," she said with a kind smile.

Harry smiled cutely, "Nice to meet you too Rias," he replied politely.

Rias raised an eyebrow at his usage of her first name. Harry caught on, and worried a little. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked, turning his gaze to his feet.

Damascus came to his rescue. "Not at all son, she is just surprised that you used her first name instead of her last as is common in Japanese traditions," Damascus explained.

Rias turned to face the man. "You know of Japan!?" she asked now excited.

Offering a kind smile, Damascus nodded, "I do, as well as it's culture, customs and popular locations,"

Rias sighed wistfully, "I wish I could go to Japan," she said.

Sirzechs intervened there, "I believe that can happen another time Rias,"

Damascus coughed into his hand. Sirzechs turned to face him. "I'll take my exit now, if you don't mind. Harry and I have much to do, so if it's all the same to you Sirzechs, I'll see you another time. Contact me through the paper I gave you," he said happily.

Creating another portal, Harry and Damascus soon vanished, leaving behind the Gremory devils.

Alright! Hope you enjoyed. This was the last childhood before Hogwarts arc.

I only have one notice for now.

1) Malone: Harry's Lantern dog familiar. (Image can be found in google images) It's abilities are to become entirely shadow, so none corporeal, and has a lava like core on the inside of it's body and mouth. Harry is immune to the Malone's bite and breath even if it can reach up to 100 degrees Celsius.