Harry Potter the God Slaying Sword
ESKK: Ok let's start the next chapter folks since I have no witty comments of announcements at the moment.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Demonbane, enjoy.
(Start)
As the group of first years made their way to the boats Al was trying to adjust to her new robes as she growled every so often. "Damn this thing itches." Al said as she hadn't worn robes in hundreds of years.
"Better than your normal outfit since it can give a bloody panty shot." Harry countered as Al smacked him upside the head.
"Not funny pervert and besides my normal outfit makes me adorable." Al countered as Joseph laughed a bit.
"Is that a whip I hear?" Joseph joked as Ron and Hermione jumped in on the conversation.
"Harry and Al you two act like an old married couple." Ron joked as Hermione chuckled.
"I have to agree there." Hermione said laughing into her hand in an attempt to muffle her rude laughter.
Soon they arrived at the boats as they quickly saw it was four to a boat save for Hagrid who got a boat to himself do to his large size as Harry and Al already agreed to share a boat together with Ron and Hermione. "Hey I'll take that boat over there Harry that way you can Al can get to know you're new friends." Joseph said being understanding as possible as Harry nodded.
"Thanks Joseph." Harry said before Joseph and Elisa took a different boat for their journey to Hogwarts as they had quiet the trip there.
The four boarded the boat as Ron and Hermione had to ask as Hermione spoke first seeing as she knew of Dagon from the Lovecraft Books she had read before coming to Hogwarts or getting her letter. "So all those Eldritch Gods from H.P. Lovecraft there real?" Hermione asked as she knew how just looking at those Gods affected humans.
"Yeah they are, in fact I found out Lovecraft's books aren't work of fiction there his research journals of the Eldritch Gods turned into works of fiction to hide them better. I don't know how he was able to research it but the Organization is currently trying to decipher them so they can get a better understanding of what we're dealing with." Harry said as he looked to Ron and Hermione. "I was barely lucky enough to beat Dagon during my last summer after I met Al so I would know that I underestimated the thing even if Dagon only gained his power from worshipers who followed him." Harry said as Ron was shocked.
"Wait you beat an Elder God blimey Harry that's just mental." Ron said as he didn't think Harry could pull that off.
"I only got lucky those guns you saw me use they had a prior form that made it impossible for me to channel them, I got those guns later to better allow me to channel their power but the point is there powers helped me beat Dagon that day." Harry said as he looked to his new friends remembering that battle. That was the first time Harry had killed a God who was abducting woman for power and had met one of the members of Anti-Cross Master Therion's loyal elite guard who answer straight to him.
"But still you did what everyone considered to be impossible so you should be proud of yourself Harry." Hermione said trying to cheer up Harry.
"Yeah I killed one Elder God by pure dumb luck and barely even got passed some of my first fight. Though I was lucky to get training on both using Demonbane and physical combat." Harry said as he honestly might enjoy his time at Hogwarts.
"Hey Harry if you don't mind me asking if your group is top secret why don't you guys have a cover so not only would you get an steady income for your operations but also better get recruits like a real-estate agency or an investment firm." Hermione said as when Harry and Al heard this they looked to each other and then face palmed themselves as they were mentally kicking themselves for that.
"We should tell Chief she'll probably be mentally kicking herself later but we should have thought of that sooner." Al said as she really hated when the obvious solution evaded them so much like that just now.
(Later Hogwarts)
The group began to climb the steps as the first years were surprised at the huge castle that was here as Al had seen better but she had to admit this was a close second to the past one she was thinking about. Of course Al had to stop her new friends and Joseph a couple times to keep them from walking through the wrong stairs when said stairs began to move which surprised even Harry. Ron hoped none of those Eldritch Monsters show up at Hogwarts but Hermione told them that if they are truly Gods then the wards protecting Hogwarts would be child's play to them.
They soon arrived before a stern looking woman as Al saw an Animagus possible a cat type before them as Harry stood next to her. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Professor McGonagall," the stern-looking woman a few steps above addressed them. "Shortly, you'll pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you take your seats you must be sorted into your Houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While you're here, our House will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup…"
Al heard a croaking sound as she looked down and gasped in shock at a Toad close to the Professor's leg as Al was too close to it as Elisa saw it and gasped in shock as well. It was soon followed by a shout of "TREVOR!" resounded in the entryway, interrupting the professor. A dark haired boy no doubt the one who lost a toad before lunged forward from behind that Hermione girl and went to the Professors feet and picked up his toad now known as Trevor. The toad croaked and Professor McGonagall looked rather perturbed, who looked down at the boy reaching for his toad.
Joseph hissed in a mock pain as he looked to the boy and that episode there. "Well that's embarrassment and long term school labeling in the making." Joseph said as Elisa nodded in agreement at what she saw happen just now opting Harry to elbow his friend right there for that rude yet partially funny comment.
Thankfully, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and continued to talk. "The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily." She then turned swiftly on the heel of her boot before she walked toward the two giant doors in front of them.
"How exactly do they sort us?" Harry asked Ron.
"Some sort of test I think," Ron responded. "Fred said something about battling a mountain troll, but he might have been joking."
"Doubt it young Wizards and Witches like us don't have the capabilities to battle a Mountain Troll. If I had to guess though it's probably an ancient mystical item involving this school that decides which house we all get sorted in based on our traits." Al said as she had crossed paths with many Merlinian Wizards who wanted her power but she was kind of picky in those times like a wand seeing as like Ollivander said a few months back, a wand a Grimoire picks the master it's never been the other way around period.
But she didn't have long to focus on her fears because the pale boy from the train pushed himself between two rather large boys before approaching the Boy Who Lived. "It's true then. What they're saying on the train," the boy spoke with an arrogant confidence. "Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." He said as Al glared at him as Joseph didn't like that tone from him on his part but the minute the boy said that whispers began as Al was ready for a possible fight.
"Well mate going to start introduction or are we just going to let everyone know my best friend Harry goes to school here." Joseph asked being the nice guy as the boy glared at him instantly knowing what he is.
"A mud-blood should have guessed as much." The boy said as Joseph's eye and the side of his mouth twitched showing he was getting annoyed and far from offended but let it go.
"He's right you know are you going to introduced yourself or not?" Harry asked as he looked to Draco as Al snickered at the pale boy's response which didn't take very long to get.
The pale boy's face contorted at Harry's response as several children in the crowd snickered, but he wasn't to be distracted. Instead, the boy took a breath before pointing toward the two larger boys beside him. "This is Crabbe and Goyle. And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
This of course caused Ron, Joseph, Al, and Elisa to snicker at this as this caused Draco to narrow his eyes at Ron and the other three. Clearly he wasn't happy about something. The blonde boy took a step closer toward Ron before he raised his eyebrows. "Think my name's funny do you?" he hissed. "There's no need to ask yours. Red hair? Hand-me-down robes? You must be a Weasley." The boy spat Weasley as if it were some sort of insult. Leila looked back at Ron who was tightly clenching his fist, trying his hardest to ignore Draco's insult.
"And you your robes may be brand new but your entire demeanor betrays you." Draco said to Joseph and Elisa who the prior just kept his smile up. "Clearly a Mudblood trying to pass off as some sort of pure blood." Draco said as Joseph smirked as his eye twitched again showing that was strike 2 on Draco.
"Well I may be a mud blood by Wizard Standards but I can assure you I'm a pure blood by Muggle Standards since my father's company has enough money to literally trump all your pureblood families put together." Joseph said as clearly he was keeping himself in check.
"Likely story mudblood." Draco said showing he wasn't buying it.
"And you." Draco said as he looked to Al who didn't really care much for Draco. "I've been hearing some rumors here and there, Al Azif the last descendant of Abdul Alhazred she was born to half bloods and muggles but since she's his last descendant she was given his vast fortune as one of the most powerful Light Wizards in the world though he was also the first Blood Traitor in the Wizarding World and was even commented among some circles as being the second coming of Merlin." Draco said as Al smirked.
"Why angry you don't get my great grandfathers fortune Malfoy?" Al asked as Draco looked.
"Just giving you a fair warning Azif there are those in some circles who would go to any lengths for your grandfather's infinite fortune." Dracon said as Al smirked.
'If only you knew they can't touch me or do any marriage binds on me.' Al mentally smirked as she knew as long as she was contracted with Harry she wasn't getting hitched any time soon without Harry's ok on it. After all she was basically his property even if he keeps saying she was her own person if she can think and feel for herself.
From his spot atop the stairs, Draco looked rather pleased with himself after insulting Ron. The boy then turned his attention back to Harry. "You'll soon find out that some Wizarding families are better than others, Potter," Draco said matter-of-factly. "You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort like Mudbloods. I can help you there." Draco said as he didn't realize Harry's best friend was a mudblood.
The boy stretched his hand out for Harry to shake as Harry looked at the hand as Al could already tell Joseph was on this. "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks," Harry said when he looked to Draco before giving off a smirk. "After all I think I'm already looking at the wrong sort right now." Harry said as Al smirked.
"So run along now after all Professor is here." Al said as she pointed to the returned Professor McGonagall who then tapped Draco's shoulder with her scroll and gave him a stern look saying to get ready to enter.
"Nice one Harry." Joseph said as he and Harry knuckle bumped each other which was a trick Joseph and Harry picked up when they were 8 on Summer Vacation to America and met some kids who showed it to them.
"We're ready for you follow me." Professor McGonagall said as everyone understood.
"Moment of truth." Elisa said as she was ready for anything before them.
Soon the doors opened and the group entered the Great Hall as they saw floating candles as well as four long tables with plenty of room for the first years once sorted to their houses. Joseph looked amazed by this place as it was like he jumped back in time here as Al didn't seem impressed but she had to admit it was pretty neat in a super retro sort of way here. Harry though was amazed all the way as he saw this place was his parents Alma Mater so it felt incredible to walk down the same path they did when they first arrived here many years ago.
"Hmm neat enchantment up there." Al said from next to Hermione as she looked.
"Yeah I've read about it in Hogwarts the History." Hermione said as she then smirked. "Is it a friend of yours?" Hermione joked to the Grimoire before Al used the robes to her advantage and sent a swift but hidden kick to Hermione causing her to silently yelp at this.
"You walked into that one Hermione." Harry said as he looked to her as he did the same joke but compared to them Hermione's assault from Al was far tamer then his was when he made a very similar joke way back after they first met.
Once they arrived at the front of the school they were met with an old wizarding hat as Al saw it wasn't normal since the folds on it made it look like it had a face while she could already tell it was sentient and enchanted. "Hey Hermione see that Hat?" Al asked as she pointed to the same Hat.
"The sorting Hat yeah?" Hermione asked as Al smirked.
"That might be a friend of mine." Al said as she met many sentient Magical artifact in her time though she could never remember them all she did know how to spot one and the Sorting Hat was no different here. As they arrived at the front of the Great Hall they gathered in a group as Joseph looked at Dumbledore for a minute and swore the man seemed unnerved about Joseph and Elisa who both of which remained calm and collective. They were usually calm and collective but amongst their friends they would be happy and outgoing and also open.
Albus began to make announcement which Harry paid attention to as they found out the 3rd floor corridor was out of bounds and the dark forest was strictly off limits so basic school rules and safety stuff nothing major there. It wasn't long before all of sudden, the Sorting Hat came to life and began to sing. It sang about the four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. It certainly seemed easy enough and not at all painful as Al tried to cover her ears at what she deemed as annoying school songs.
"Obviously not a friend of mine there." Al said as she wouldn't be friends with a singing artifact like the Sorting Hat.
Professor McGonagall stiffened her stance before addressing the students in front of her. "Now, when I call your name, you will come forth. I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be sorted into your Houses. Hannah Abbott."
Hannah Abbott wore her blonde hair pulled back into pigtails and sat nervously on the stool as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head. After only a few seconds the Hat roared: HUFFLEPUFF! One of the tables to the right cheered and clapped as their newly sorted Housemate made her way over to the Hufflepuff table. Al, Elisa, Joseph, and Harry watched as the people at the table eagerly congratulated the girl and how the girl practically beamed to have been sorted with them.
After a few more which, Al found it was by last name they eventually got the AZ's. "Al Azif." Professor McGonagall called out as Al sighed and made her way to the front and got on the chair before sitting down. Soon Al felt the hat on her head as soon the Hat began to speak but seeing as it was on her head only she could hear it.
"Ah a Grimoire never seen your kind here before." The Hat began as Al saw the Sorting Hat was intrigued. "And a contracted one as well, very interesting to one Harry Potter." The Hat said as it looked around. "So separating you two into different houses would cause only problems later so I will have to sort you into the same house." The Sorting Hat said as it looked around. "But you do have incredible courage in you to face those Eldritch Gods but also a keen intellect accompanied by incredible loyalty to the light and protecting this world as well as your master Harry. It seems you also value the friendship you built with Harry over there year and may hold a deep sated emotion for him one you deny out of fear. Through all of these you have what might be aspects of all the houses." The Sorting Hat said as he looked around.
"But where to put you?" The Hat said moving Al's head looking at each of the Houses.
"Hey Harry's parents were Gryffindor's right?" Al asked as the Hat looked.
"Yes they were." The Sorting Hat said as Al decided.
"Put me in Gryffindor then I can already tell Harry is a Gryffindor by blood and nature." Al said as she was referring to James and Lily Potter.
"I see very well then and may you, your master, and your Demonbane aid the Marauder Organization in defeating Master Therion and the Black Lodge with the strength and makings of a true, GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat called out as the Gryffindor table cheered out at this as Al had the hat removed and ran over to her table.
Soon one after the other the students were sorted, the Commander of the Marauder Organization Daphne was placed with Slytherin just as planed the same could be said for Draco in his sorting while for different reasons on his part there. Hermione was of course placed in Gryffindor as Harry had noticed something after Draco was sorted into the Slytherin house.
"Slytherins," Harry scoffed toward Ron. "They seem like a rather unpleasant lot."
"There's not a single witch or wizard who had gone dark, who wasn't in Slytherin," Ron responded with his eyes narrowed toward the Slytherin table.
"Surely there had to be some from other Houses," Elisa questioned with concern in her voice.
"One would think, but just look at him."
It was obvious Ron was referring to Draco who was practically beaming as he sat down at the Slytherin table. Joseph smirked and chuckled before responding, "He looks more annoying than evil like a little bug trying to fight a toad."
"But he's a Malfoy." The way Ron spat Malfoy was just as disdainful as the way Draco had spewed Weasley. Clearly, there was something the three didn't know, but none of them had a chance to ask because Harry's name was called next.
"Harry Potter." McGonagall called out as Harry sighed and walked up as Joseph gave Harry a two thumbs up in encouragement which made Harry smile a bit to that gesture.
Once Harry was seated on the stool the hat was placed on his head as Harry felt the same thing Al did when she was wearing the hat. "Well, well, what do we have here…?" The Sorting Hat pondered on Harry's head as it looked into his mind. "Interesting, very interesting." That caught Harry's attention as he wondered if Al may have broken it with her self-proclaimed infinite knowledge when she was wearing the hat.
"Intelligent, very intelligent, I see… Determined, I see and hmmm...some nerve too. Resourceful...and a thirst to prove yourself. The very qualities of greatness adding the fact you are aware of Arkham and have contracted with a Grimoire you are destined for many great things in your future even facing that Master Therion fellow and living to tell the tale seems the Boy Who Lived is a title that wasn't a chanced earning you had faced two Dark Lords and lived. Now where to put you?" The Sorting Hat mused trying to figure out where Harry belonged in Hogwarts but already intended to put Harry in Gryffindor but wanted to make him squirm a bit.
"Not Slytherin, not Slytherin." Harry silently chanted as the Hat heard this.
"Not Slytherin eh? Are you sure, you could be great you know? It's all here in your head and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness there's no doubt about that." The Hat said as he turned Harry's head to the Slytherin table as it seems all the houses were at the edge of their seats in anticipation to see who got the famous Harry James Potter. "Anything but Slytherin please anything but Slytherin." Harry silently chanted as the Hat saw this. "No? Better be… GRYFFINDOR!" The house called out as everyone on the Gryffindor table cheered as they got the famous Harry Potter in there house. This also got a smile on Harry's face as he not only began to progress on his mission here but also got into his parents old house as well.
Joseph smiled at his friend as the smile Joseph gave though was a sad one as he knew that now something had begun as Elisa took Joseph's hand and held it tight knowing that there was now no going back from this path like times before. As Professor McGonagall called out each student after P they eventually got to the TH's and with it Joseph. "Joseph Theo." The Professor called as Joseph sighed as he passed by Ron and got to the stool and sat down by himself like a man on his way to his execution ready to face his fate.
Albus saw this and the way the boy walked it reminded him to much of another one Tom Marvello Riddle Jr. as the resemblances in the air around them was uncanny… no it was different Joseph seemed to be on a whole different level then Tom was at that age. Joseph fixed his cloak for his robe and sat on the stool before the hat was placed upon his head that it began to sort him.
"I've not sat on such a mentally disturbed student in a long time…" A voice spoke out in his mind, causing Joseph to have a sudden moment of clarity as his every memory flashed before his mind, before he clamped a steel hand down on the flow of information.
"I suppose there's no hiding it from you huh?" Joseph said as the Hat was astonished he didn't hide this face.
"I can't tell anyone, so calm your nerves you brat. You are so much like Riddle… but I do admire that honesty… wait a minute." The Hat began as it looked closely. "Oh I see yes you are mentally disturbed but you do not wish to be so. You have no loyalty but you value your friendship with Harry one that somehow you know fate will force you to break." The Hat said as Joseph smiled sadly to this fact know it would come eventually. "So in response when realizing you can't defeat Fate you decided to stall it for a time and cherish what you currently have before that promised time arrives. You have my condolences." The hat said as it looked deeper. "But you do have blood of Wizard in you one belonging to Nero the only Witch in Hogwarts history who wasn't a Slytherin but had gone dark she died in both sides bringing you into the world so perhaps she wasn't all dark." The Hat said as no one can hear him.
"Can we move on please?" Joseph said as the Hat understood as this boy was the type of disturbed that he was simply a tragic one who did not wish for any of what was to come.
"Very well then. I do see courage in you but that is only to face the fate you cannot deny so Gryffindor wouldn't do you any good. No loyalties but to your life mission on this Earth so not a Hufflepuff. The only qualities you truly have is Ambition and Intelligence so either Slytherin or Ravenclaw is best suited for you in this lifetime judging from the memories locked deep inside you." The Hat said as it saw them all and being as it was an artifact it wasn't affected by when the memories showed a sort of horrifying beasts.
"I'll take Slytherin." Joseph said as the hat saw this. "Ravenclaw wouldn't do me any good after all." Joseph said silently as the Sorting Hat understood and took his personal choice for this. "So be it I hope for you when it all ends you will know peace that has been denied for you in many of your life times." The Sorting Hat said as Joseph mentally nodded thanking the Hat for wishing him well in his path. "So allow me to introduce you to your house for the next 4 years SLYTHERIN!" The Hat invoked as seeing as Slytherin was a pureblood centered house there cheering wasn't as major as Harry's was as Joseph was freed from the hat and allowed to join his new house.
Joseph passed by Harry and gave him an apologetic look of sorry as Harry understood it seems his best friend though was more Slytherin then they both thought. Soon it wasn't long till it came to Elisa as she looked to Joseph with a sad expression and gave a hidden glare to Harry as it was happening all over again in her mind. "Elisa Ulrich!" The Professor called as Elisa sighed and calmed her nerves before sitting on the stool and once the hat was on her head she waited.
Though Elisa didn't have to wait long as the hat seemed intent on keeping her and Joseph together like it did with Harry and All. "SLYTHERIN!" The Sporting Hat called out as the Slytherin merely applauded for appearance sake as they were now stuck with two Mudbloods. Elisa got off silently and sat next to Joseph who had his hands interlocked before his mouth no doubt holding deep contempt within him as he gave of the aura to his house, 'don't talk to me unless spoken to first and we'll get along swimmingly.' The demeanor of Joseph spoke as some Slytherin's even had to lean away from Joseph for their own sakes.
IT wasn't long till Ron got sorted as he was placed within Gryffindor with his friends as after the last few names the sorting ceremony was over. "Welcome to Slytherin." Joseph said silently as he looked quiet uninterested with the rest of the ceremony after Elisa got sorted into the same house as him while Harry got to be with his friends and in his parents old house in their old alma mater before the war.
"Joseph." Elisa said as she put her hand on Josephs arm.
"Don't worry Elisa… I just pray things will begin to change." Joseph said as he glanced at the headmaster. "But I fear Albus doesn't trust me that well." Joseph said as Elisa nodded to Joseph.
"So we should play the game of chess with him." Elisa said as Joseph nodded.
"Yeah." Joseph said as Elisa understood now that he and Harry are in different houses but were childhood friends.
(At the Gryffindor Table)
After Harry was congratulated by his new house Ron looked to Harry with worry. "Hey Harry you aren't regretting Gryffindor now are you?" Ron asked as Joseph looked.
"No not at all its just me and Joseph have been friends since we were 8 years old so before Hogwarts we had 3 years of Friendship in all we even shared the same birthday so seeing him in another house is saddening." Harry confessed as Ron looked.
"But he's the enemy now and." Ron began only for Hermione and Al to slap Ron in the back of the head.
"Yeah I get it a lot of bad and evil Wizards came from Slytherin house but that doesn't mean Joseph will go evil also. He and Harry have been friends for years so I think their friendship will win out against any dark or evil influences." Al said as Hermione agreed with Al.
"She's right Harry and Joseph are close friends so if Joseph had to choose between his house and his friend Joseph might sabotage Slytherin to stay friends with Harry." Hermione said as Ron gave an apologetic look on his face.
"But still maybe we should keep him out of the loop you know to keep Master Therion away from him." Ron said as Al laughed.
"That's probably the smartest idea you've said since we met." Al said as Ron smiled.
"Thanks…" Ron said before he realized what Al was implying. "HEY!" He called as Hermione and Harry laughed at their antics quite a bit there.
(Scene Break after the Feast Joseph at the Headmasters office)
Joseph was brought in by his head of house Severus Snape as the greasy looking man paid Josephs attempts at conversation no mind. After they were all settled Joseph found that their common rooms and dorms were in the dungeon with perfect view of the black lake which Joseph once saw what looked like a kraken swim by the window. They arrived at a Gargoyle in the hall which then began to spin to allow them entrance as Joseph felt Albus wanted to meet Joseph personally no doubt suspecting something. "So Professor Snape." Joseph said as Snape sighed once more at Josephs attempt to spark a conversation between them here. "I've been hearing rumors of a new Dark guy in town. Bloody Hell if he's real I'm hoping he doesn't come after my arse if I ever be a Git to him." Joseph said as he tried to spark a conversation but it was just silence between them.
"Wow tough school am I right?" Joseph joked as that didn't spark anything either. "Man you must really hate me or something." Joseph said in a joking manner but got nothing out of it either causing him to sigh. "Well I meet my head of house and now I'm wondering if it's too late to switch to Ravenclaw." Joseph said as they soon arrived at their destination.
(Inside Dumbledore's office)
Joseph entered the room as Snape waited outside as Joseph looked around the huge place and saw many things. "Cool." Joseph said as he walked around calmly and saw a Phoenix that saw him. "Hi there." Joseph said but the Phoenix cawed as snapped at him defensively as Joseph reeled back. "Ok not friendly I get it." Joseph said as he walked around the room a bit.
Joseph looked around and saw many books and old artifact as well as magical items that Joseph felt at home here. "Mr. Theo." Came an elderly voice as Joseph looked and saw Dumbledore dressed in robes that seems to have stars moving in them as this caused Joseph to straighten up and drop the quill he was messing with prior.
"Oh professor Dumbledore sir!" Joseph said straightening up his posture.
"No need to be unnerved young man." Albus said as Joseph relaxed a little to that ok but still kept some of his posture up to respect the ancient Headmaster. "Please sit." Albus said as Joseph nodded and sat on a chair.
"It's an honor to meet you Professor Dumbledore." Joseph greeted as he tried to shake his hand which Albus accepted as Joseph was really glad to meet the man who had heard so many good things about at least on the surface of his mind and demeanor. But Albus saw this situation was different from when he first met young Tom. Albus knew of Joseph's friendship with Harry seeing as the wards he had placed on Harry's home informed him of the boy's wellbeing on a regular basis. Of course he had checked them again and found that in the recent year someone had tampered with the wards not enough that would put Harry in danger but just enough to allow the person to visit Harry on a regular basis and used a Floo. Though the Floo there was only connected to one other spot one that he nor the Ministry had set up as it was very well hidden. He investigated it of course but had in turn found nothing that would point to any dark forces so he had left it be but kept close tabs.
But in the past 3 years the Wards had alerted him of a dark presence entering and exiting the house as if just coming by for a simple visit. The Wards should have reacted and pushed the dark being out or at least destroyed it but the dark being broke through without so much as an effort made on his part. Look at Joseph and the small ward he placed under the table Albus has reason to believe Joseph isn't who he says he is. But for now Albus would need to play it smart in hopes it's not another case of Tom Riddle or worse someone who works for Tom or is Tom.
But Joseph was a mud blood so why would Tom even consider what he would deem as a foolish and idiotic notion of working with this young man who had no blood ties to any major wizarding families in the Ministry.
"Joseph tell me a bit about yourself." Albus requested as Joseph mentally saw what Albus was doing as he reached behind his mind and saw that Snape was also trying to enter his mind with Legitimacy.
'So that's how he wants to play keep my attention pre-occupied while he has Snape delve into my mind well played but not good enough. But I guess I can give him a trail to follow.' Joseph thought as he also had to keep Albus from other information he should not be aware of. "I don't know where to start." Joseph began as he sighed. "My father told me my mother was a very powerful Witch who left the Wizarding World because of the War not seeing any point of fighting it and decided to let history prove who's right." Joseph said as that was true on his part. "But when I was born… she died there was complication and if she carried me to term she would die so it was either her life or mine to sacrifice and she chose to sacrifice her own life." Joseph said using the tragedy of losing his mother at birth to the cold cruel hands of death to draw Albus in.
"For the next five years my father had to raise me and run his company The Dark2 Corporation and as I grew up my father told me I was gifted and told me that with these gift it was my responsibility to learn how to use them so for the next 3 years after age 5 I began to experiment and got to the point that I can time my 'Accidental Magic,' just right to work in my favor in dire situation." Joseph said as Albus listened. "Though when I was 8 I met Harry when he was being bullied and came to his defense and chased the bullies away. My father met with his uncle and Harry and I had a sleepover that same night which ironically was the same night Harry's uncle died of a heart attack." Joseph said as the tone he used Albus caught it.
'Did he cause Vernon's Heart Attack while Harry was asleep?' Albus wondered as if Joseph did do that he may have been extremely gifted even more so then Albus first thought.
"My father always told me I was gifted but I knew I was different and when I met Harry 3 years ago I… I found someone who was just like me both gifted and different so I didn't feel so alone anymore." Joseph said honestly as other kids and people feared him and Joseph knew they had good reasons to beyond his magic because of what he is and who he was blood related to. "I could do almost anything, I could make things move without touching them, make animals do what I want without training them before they run away from me in fear, and I can hurt people who are mean to me and do worse if they hurt me first and before I met Harry I had set a house of these bullies on fire just by glaring at it. I call the fire department of course and they were ok but when I was scared of what I could do for a time." Joseph said as Albus looked.
'If he speaks the truth on that it may have set him up as an Obscurus especially after that fire.' Albus thought but he knew the boy was hiding more then he let on.
"Though there is one other thing I noticed." Joseph began as he looked. "I did research before the term started and when I found it out I didn't want to tell people out of fear." Joseph said as Albus saw it may be the moment of truth. "I learned… I could talk to snakes but when I do they were deathly afraid of me I talked to them and they keep telling me to leave them alone calling me an abomination that shouldn't exist." Joseph said as Albus now knew this boy was more then he let on. But he also saw the truth in his words normally snake speakers would have a snakes loyalty like nothing but Joseph is the first of his kind who the Snakes openly feared and do there hardest to try and avoid by any means necessary even going for the basic fight or flight function of their instincts. If Joseph's mother truly was a witch then it would explain where his Snake Tongue came from but why would, the snakes fear him instead of help or show him loyalty.
"Joseph if you mind what was your mother's name again?" Albus asked as he would have heard of a Witch who chose to stay neutral in the War against Voldemort.
"My father told me her name was Nero and he said she wasn't like any Witch he had met after meeting her." Joseph said throwing Albus bait right there as he was banking on Albus taking the bait there.
'Nero… why does that name sound oddly familiar?' Albus wondered as he then remembered of another Witch like Tom who later renamed herself Tyrant when she discovered two Grimoire and two giant humanoid machines she called Dues Machina. Tyrant was a powerful Dark Witch even more so then Voldemort but right when she could have taken over Wizarding Britain she vanished just like that never to be heard from again as if she just vanished out of thin air but the fear she instilled upon the world was enough to tell them that if they try to seek her out and destroy her she will send the hunters bodies back to them mutilated and beyond recognition by even their families. 'But Nero died bringing Joseph into the world so it should be impossible for her to teach him the dark arts but it could be a completely different Nero as well though not a very common name there can be others with the same name.' Albus thought as he may be trying to harm an innocent young man who was just a victim of coincidence since it is said a dark taint would always follow the offspring of Dark Lords and not always manifest or make itself obvious or known.
Joseph looked to the side as he knew Albus was deep in thought as Joseph then saw a book in particular that brought stars to his eyes with its title. "Professor I didn't know you enjoyed reading H.P. Lovecraft's novels." Joseph said as Albus looked and was surprised by this.
"I didn't know you were an avid reader of his research." Albus said as Joseph looked confused.
"Research I was always told they were works of fiction." Joseph said as Albus looked straight at Joseph as he may have found a hitch to Joseph's mask. "I simply enjoyed the novels and all the creatures involved especially the ones on Cthulhu and Yog-Sothoth. By the way did you know Yog-Sothoth is considered one of the Outer Gods which according to the lore there are only 9 of such creatures while Cthulhu is actually a rank below them called a Great Old Ones?" Joseph said as Albus saw it this boy knew more about the Eldritch Gods then Lovecraft had left behind. "Though it says that the Eldritch Gods were banished from our world when humanity gained the power of the Grimoires and used that power spawned off from the Eldritch Beasts and were able to defeat them with a weapon called, Shining Trapazahedron which had vanished as well never to be seen again." Joseph said as Albus now knew this boy was hiding something.
'No one his age should know such information yet he knows it like its second nature. It could very well simply be that he has a gift for such information and may be able to decipher Lovecraft's notes and even find evidence to prove or disprove some of his theories.' Albus thought but it also be bad. 'Or he could be hiding something completely dark but to know this I would need to know his ancestry and most of all what Nero did after she vanished to see if Joseph is related to the very same Nero I knew once." Albus said as he looked to Joseph.
"Very well then Professor Snape will return you to your house sorry for troubling you." Albus said as Joseph nodded.
"It's no problem but if Lovecraft was a Wizard then is it possible I can find his research in the library?" Joseph asked as Albus smiled with that twinkle in his eye. "We shall see wont we." Albus said as he gestured to not wanting to spoil the surprise for a young scholar like Joseph.
(Scene Break later that Night)
Snape had returned to Albus as Albus was deep in thought that much Snape knew. "Tell me Snape were you able to see into his mind?" Albus asked as Snape looked.
"No I did not in fact it seems the boy is highly skilled in Occlumency, he's had prior formal training but clearly not from those any of us would know." Snape confessed as the boy was hiding something.
"He said he was related to Nero but it seems it may be a different Nero then the one we knew back then." Albus said as Snape heard and knew of Tyrant. Voldemort tried to either destroy her or force her to join and at that day Voldemort was defeated but spared out of Tyrants whimsy. "If we wish to know more of him we should seek his family tree in Gringotts no doubt he may have opened a Vault but so did Nero long ago if we can request her Heritage Tree we can see if Joseph matches with the Nero we knew." Albus said as he wanted to avoid another Voldemort.
"Albus I feel that I should inform you, the boys scar… it has faded and is still fading no doubt it's been doing so for about a year." Snape said as Albus was in shock at this.
"With a quick charm would confirm it but if it's gone then Harry's part in the prophesy is over because he killed the Dark Lord so to speak and lived to tell the tale." Albus said but something troubled him as well.
"Or a form of powerful magic removed it and intends to use it for another purpose." Snape said as it stands to reason a soul fragment can track the other fragments if they spawned from the same soul.
"Very well then but have we been able to identify who this Master Therion is among Voldemorts followers?" Albus asked as the man looked.
"No it seems that Therion wasn't one of the Death Eaters but his followers who have been caught seem to believe he is some sort of offspring of an Eldritch God." Snape said as he looked to Albus. "Albus it doesn't stop there." Snape said as he pulled out a Muggle World Newspaper which showed the night of Halloween where the Mark of the Black Lodge was in the sky from a photographer. Albus began reading it and saw how it told of a cult who have become more akin to extremist terrorists and how they been preaching of their god and Messiah Master Therion. Apparently Master Therion is going the path of Grindelwald many years ago during WWII but he went above and beyond by recruiting Muggles into his group.
In other words Master Therion is purposely and knowingly exposing magic to his followers of none magical origin and it may point that he is attempting to tear down the barrier between the two worlds. "Snape you were once a Death Eater do you think Master Therion will try and gain recruitment from the younger and more impressionable generation from schools like Hogwarts." Albus asked as it would mean the set up for the Wizarding War was almost mirroring the one when James and Lily were students at Hogwarts all those years ago before Harry's birth.
"It would be logical for him to do so but it seems he cares little for Blood Purity and only acknowledges power, so if anything blood traitors, muggle born, and half-bloods are more than likely to join him of their own ovation believing he will provide some sort of equality for them." Snape confessed as that would make sense. But this also means this would look very bad for the Order of the Phoenix because that was what made up much of their original forces. In other words Master Therion was smart enough to go for the stronger recruitment demographic.
"The ministry still won't acknowledge Therion being real so we should proceed as normal and hope we can draw out either Voldemort or Master Therion." Albus said as he knew Voldemort was still out there biding his time. "Snape keep a close eye on young Josepha and Elisa it seems the two have a close nit bond and due try and keep Harry and Joseph separated." Albus said as he looked at his old Time Turner.
"As you wish." Snape said as Albus looked at the Time Turner.
'The two had met approximately 3 years ago in school together the boy Joseph it's like he's Tom but given more power than Tom had at his age.' Albus thought as he looked at the Time Turner. 'All I would have to do is keep those two from meeting that day and if worse comes to worse I can prevent a terrible event before it happens.' Albus said as he was being paranoid he knew this but looking at Joseph was like looking at Tom and Grindelwald put together into one body.
But the Grindelwald aspect of Joseph came from Harry and his close friendship with Joseph. Albus won't like it may hurt Harry losing a friend but for the greater good it must happen. Plus Albus wouldn't want to wish his fate of facing Grindelwald upon Harry with Joseph. So in a way for Albus this was both for the greater good and to keep Harry from feeling a terrible pain like Albus himself had faced.
But as Albus was about to grab the Time Turner and possibly change 3 years, worth of history to prevent a bigger threat and to stop a great agonizing pain for the young Potter boy. But as his hand neared it Fawkes screeched out as his Phoenix sounded scared as soon a feminine black gloved hand shot out and stopped Albus arm. Albus was wide eyed as he looked and saw the woman Harry had met Nya as she was holding a sinister smile upon her face. "I wouldn't do that if I were you Elder Wand holder unless you want to destroy the world and not have Voldemort defeated." Nya said as she smiled before for a split moment her face turned into that of some sort of monster before she vanished and with it he Time Turner.
Albus regained his senses as he saw this that woman wasn't human and whoever she was he feared Harry was a pawn to her but why and why did she stop Dumbledore from using the Time Turner to back track to the past and going as far as taking the Time Turner to stop him from undoing Harry and Joseph's friendship. "That woman who was she?" Albus asked before he saw a note where the Time Turner was.
"Just call me Nya a Bookstore owner."
"Nya?" He though as now he had a face and she claims to own a bookstore but he had never heard of a store owned by that woman, then again he hadn't need to buy books in a long time. Albus sat back down on his table and knew the woman wants things to progress but why Harry and Joseph why them specifically. So many pieces and so far they have yet to fit together but all he does know is that H.P. Lovecraft was involved and he may have found something all those years ago during his research of the Elder Gods. It seems that Lovecraft's old notes will once again need to be attempted to be deciphered and they cannot stop until it's too late or till they cracked the code. The only thing they did confirm was the only being who can decipher his notes are Grimoires and the Magius they are contracted to. But the chances of finding one of those will be like a needle in a haystack since many of them had vanished after the Witch Trials no doubt to hide their Grimoire power from those who would abuse it.
(Scene Break Slytherin Common Room)
Joseph arrived back at common room and after Snape dropped him off gave him the fair warning of not sneaking out of his common room. Joseph simply smiled and then Snape was off as he then walked to the sitting area to find Elisa there. "Joseph Albus is suspicious of us." Elisa said as Joseph smirked.
"I know." Joseph said as he sat down. "I also know someone who is an enemy is part of Slytherin as well." Joseph said as he sat down a bit and crossed his leg over the other and rested his head on his fist as he looked to the fire place with a smirk.
"What should we do then?" Elisa asked as Joseph looked.
"We start making some new friends." Joseph said as Elisa looked to Joseph knowing his entire grand plan for Hogwarts.
Joseph stood up and began making his way to the boy's dorm as he didn't take long to arrive as there he found a bed free for him to use with his belongings there. But he had also found a note on his bed as he saw all is supplies were accounted for. Joseph sighed and opened the note and saw it was hate mail. Joseph gave it a dark glare before he decided to make his distaste for this known as he looked to all the sleeping boys of Slytherin deciding to get even.
"Lumos Solem!" Joseph invoked creating a bright burst of light his wand waking up his dorm mates of the boy's side. "Now that I have your undivided attention." Joseph began as he glared at his dorm members. "I'll start with by using a Muggle saying of lets acknowledge the Elephant in the room." Joseph continued as he pulled out the letter he found on his bed and saw the hateful worlds on it.
"False Slytherin or Mudblood am I?" Joseph began as he looked at his fellow Slytherin who saw and felt the cold ice child of Joseph's tone and demeanor. "I should just die also?" Joseph continued as he looked around and saw some of the dorm members began to shiver as he looked for the culprit. "Now I understand my blood holding and magic use upsets most of you inbred pureblood supporting supremacy's but I will make this as quick as possible so we may all return to bed. "Who is the one who placed this letter on my bed?" Joseph demanded in a cold tone that was one of a true Slytherin.
When no one answered Joseph glared at them as he wanted an answer immediately but it seems the fools didn't learn. "Right now I'm very tired and if no one confesses they will see how I am when I'm frustrated with ones such as yourself now answer me or else." Joseph said as the Slytherin saw it as they noticed Joseph's shadow was over shadowing them and it gave him an evil look as his eyes gave a small evil glow.
"I-I did!" Draco confessed as Joseph walked up to him as the Malfoy was scared. Joseph then pushed Draco to the wall and put his arm on Malfoy grabbing his hair from behind his head. "I'll be blunt as possible with you, you inbred pureblood. If you wish to strike at me then do it to my face and do so you are your own peril because I will not go easy on you nor will I be above underhanded tactics. But since I am tired I'll be merciful." Joseph said as Draco was honestly scared. "Now we can all go to bed and wake up in the morning and just tolerate each other and not try our hands at friendships outside of attempt Ambitions. Or you can continue this farce and I will make your next 7 years at Hogwarts a living hell and ruin your family once we are out. See I am in a position in both the muggle and Wizarding World to change things and you can either be my ally, or my enemy, or in this particular case." Joseph began as he let go allowing Draco to drop on the floor. "You can be on my good side or my bad side understood." Joseph said with a cold calculative glare as Draco and the other Slytherins saw how Joseph dealt with this.
'He really is a Slytherin.' Many thought as Joseph walked away.
"Now go to sleep we have classes tomorrow do we not?" Joseph said as he grabbed his sleep wear and began to change into them so he may rest and have energy for his classes tomorrow. As Joseph walked he saw he had a window spot for his bed as he looked at it and saw it there. "Hey buddy." Joseph said as everyone went to sleep afraid of Joseph. Joseph sat next to his pitch black Owl who looked at him. "Good owl Elvira." Joseph said to his owl as he rubbed his head a bit as the Owl enjoyed it.
"I guess you're like me though people feared you thinking you were a bad omen and you made a friend you refused to part with." Joseph said as Shadow hopped over to Joseph as Elvira rubbed up against his master. "You and Hedwig are just like me and Harry only hope your future turns out better than mine." Joseph said as he sat there by the window in his PJ's ready to sleep. "Sleep well Elvira." Joseph said as he then went to sleep as tomorrow his first classes of his first year term will begin.
(Meanwhile Gryffindor Common Room)
Harry saw in the window like Joseph was but Hedwig was to the right side of the window with Harry on the left opposite to Joseph as Harry was happy as for him things have changed again. Al was probably enjoying her blob familiar bed who was no doubt Al came up with some bullshit excuse as to why she had it with her.
As Harry smiled at the moon he knew he was being a normal wizarding kid but with Al Azif he was far from normal as he knew he can enter Arkham at any point with Al to pass the time. But Harry rubbed Hedwig's head as the owl enjoyed her master's touch which made Harry smile to the white owl who had a pure snow white color to her feathers.
One thing was for sure in Hogwarts nothing will ever be the same again for all those here and most of all for the 6 who had enrolled here the two who were the best of friends and the four who would discover adventure and secrets within these stone halls.
(TBC)
ESKK: Final Word Count: 9710 I hope you all enjoyed this chapter which yes I know it was shorter than the last two chapter but hey it's more to set up plot points for things to come when they arrive. Anyway I hope to see you all soon in the next chapter and remember reviews will bring my stories out faster for you all to enjoy. Now as you leave be sure there is a review left for me and like always ja ne.
