A/N: When I first started typing this chapter out, I was in hospital. This, was last November. Since then, I have started two other stories, posted some more chapters on them, caught up on all of my school work, and completed my end of year exams. (Major ones – GCSEs of which OWLs are the magical equivalent of.) So yeh, I have only just found the time and inspiration in which to continue writing this chapter. (Last time I did – it got deleted. Major inspiration wiper.) So here is the fourth chapter – enjoy!
Summary: Leaving his past behind, Harry Potter lives in the muggle word, albeit handicapped. There he raises a family, trying to ignore the pains of his past. But when the past catches up for him, and the world calls out for his strength, what will he do? HPGW
The Memoirs of a Hero
Chapter IV: Black Hearts and Pure Souls
By The Morrigu
'You Misunderstood.
But Don't Be Naïve.
Even Heroes Have The Right to Bleed.
I May Be Disturbed.
But Won't You Concede.
Even Heroes Have The Right To Dream.
It's Not Easy To Be Me.'
– Five For Fighting 'Superman'.
I remember once many years ago in an almost different time and place, me reading something, which at the time wasn't greatly important to one such as myself. It was the writings of a sick little boy in Romania, who couldn't speak English fluently and his ability to read and write was limited. I met him on my travels there, as did Hermione and Ron. I felt pity for the boy and visited him in the hospital everyday, and increased his abilities to read and write at his request. My friends thought I was being strange, having one of my 'moments' one could say. But, I guess I could relate to the boy, both of us trying to survive something inevitable. Both of us knew that we were similar; it was something, which didn't have to be spoken.
So upon his death, he had left a note for me. It was a strange note. He warned me of things to come to pass, and the death of a loved one, also the finding of great power and the darkness that was approaching. He spoke of the darkness as something to fear, yet this coming from a boy who was brought up on stories on Vampires and Werewolves, meant that what was coming would be far worse. I thought he was speaking of Voldemort, now I know different.
It seems to me as though a boy who was dying from an incurable disease, in a hospital in the middle of nowhere knew what was to happen. Hell, he warned me of it when I could have prevented it. But I didn't act; because I thought that what he spoke of I already knew. This was the first of many messages from the higher beings, who wanted me to act, and prevent what was to happen. They wanted me to die, in order for the balance to go back to normal. But as everything else in my life, nothing every works right.
I didn't see what was coming, and ignored the many warnings, which I was given by the 'great powers.' Warning which now, in hindsight, I see and understand. But, alas, it is too late. People who could have been saved are now dead and buried, and there is nothing I can do about it. Not now. But, there are millions of people whose lives I can still save, if I act now. If I act now, I cans stop useless deaths, all from only working in the shadows. This is my goal. To save the world, without them knowing it. Should be easy. Right?
Kieran was back in his home, giving the twins one last hug goodbye before they went back to Hogwarts through the fireplace. The flames turned green, showing that the two had gone. Nicholas remained behind, staring at his long time friend, and brother-in-law in concern. Ever since the funeral Kieran had been acting oddly, more edgy, as though waiting for something to happen. This is something his friend of twelve years never did.
"Kieran." Stated Nicholas, causing the blond haired man to look at him. "Take care of yourself, okay? Kendra wouldn't want you to do something stupid. Remember, I am always here to talk."
Kieran nodded mutely, and watched as Nicholas went back to Hogwarts as well, leaving the man alone in the foyer. That was until he was joined by a young, dark haired girl.
"Father." Said Jasmine, jovially. "Please come play with me." The girls mother had died a few days before, but you wouldn't have thought that. It was as though she knew what was to happen, and had accepted it long before.
"Not now Jas." Murmured Kieran, as Jasmine turned around to walk back out. "Jas."
The nine year old turned around, giving him a questioning look.
"Do you think of me as a good father?"
Jasmine grinned. "The best daddy in the world. No matter what other duty you have, or whatever, you are always the best."
Kieran focused his green eyes upon his daughter.
"You have always been the most intuitive." He held his arms out, and Jasmine jumped into them. "I might be going away for a while, to attend to these duties you speak of."
"Where will you be going according to everyone else?" questioned Jasmine, playing with her fathers blond hair, so different from her own jet black, but at the same time, very much the same to the young girl.
"To Africa to help various other Forensic teams out there in unearthing several of the bodies they have found out there. I should be gone for several months."
"Will me and Gabriel be staying with Grandma Penelope?" asked Jasmine.
Kieran nodded his head, stroking the back of the little girls head.
"I will have to start packing now." Stated Kieran, getting up. "I will tell Gabriel in the morning, as well as your Grandmother."
With that he left the room, leaving the nine-year-old girl watching him.
"Good Luck Daddy. You are going to need it to save the world."
Monozu Haku thought of himself to be a very well known and influential man. He owned a bar, which gave him a steady income, and the latest news on the current politics of the world, and the war against the unknown Dark Lord. A Dark Lord who acted in shadows, but whose followers killed muggles, and massacred them. Killed unknown wizards, and worked their way up the magical ladder, towards the top. He knew all of this because the bar he owned, The Dancing Dragon, was a neutral bar. Where anyone on either side of the war can go for refuge, or just a good drink in a bar. People came there to get information on the other side, though they couldn't do it actively. Haku was there to kick out any spies, while in return he was a trusted member of both sides of the war. He knew inside information, and only passed them onto the right people when it became vital to do as such.
So, on a cold November night, the pub was predictably crowded. The atmosphere was neither tense, nor welcoming. Just cold. The customers tried not to socialise with one another, so as to note get accused of being traitors. But they all spoke to the kind barman about their problems, about their lives. Haku knew everything. He knew all about the parts of the war, which weren't being reported to the public. How over the past ten years, the population of the planet had dropped by twenty percent. People were vanishing from left, right and centre. Another twenty percent of the population had contracted this new disease, and were slowly dying from it. In order to keep the public from getting panicked, these figures were kept from them. A bittersweet thing really, as they with their dying breaths are cursing the politicians for not informing them. The only place on the planet which hadn't had a single reported case was at Hogwarts – it was believed that the wards were keeping the disease out.
So, the Ministry was trying to convince the Headmistress to turn Hogwarts into some kind of camp. Where everyone could live, a city of survivors. Anything to try and keep the population as high as possible. At the moment, it seemed as though the Headmistress was relenting.
It was even rumours that parts of the planet were like Ghost Towns, as though the people just disappeared. These rumours caused people to remain indoors, curl up in bed and hope that the monsters would go away. That all the bad things would be gone by the time they lifted up the covers. But it was almost too late. To someone like Haku, who had lived through two wars, he could spot the signs. The seeds of destruction were already woven. It was nearly too late.
Children were disappearing, only to reappear with loss of memory, and suddenly be very intelligent. No one, especially the muggles put much thought into this. But to those with highly suspicious minds, there was something serious going on. Like a game of chess, where whichever move you made, were being carefully watched. As though you were caught up in a web, and were already too trapped to get free. This is what the life was like for those who were constantly alert, and watching the signs. Everyone else was living in a world of lies.
Haku was brought out of his musings when the door opened, and a cloaked person entered. They walked up to the bar, sitting down on a stool. Haku spotted a few strands of blond hair, a shade which he had only ever seen on one person. MalfoyAs he approached, a pair of green eyes met his, causing him to stop. He had only seen those green eyes on one person, and one person only. Shaking off his feeling of unease, he walked up to them.
"What can I get you?"
"Glass of firewhiskey, limejuice and vodka, please." Stated the man, with an amused pair of green eyes pointed at him.
Haku frowned slightly. There was only one person who would drink that sickly concoction. But they were dead. Nodding his head, Haku set about making the drink, before setting it down in front of the customer. He watched them like a hawk. The customer picked up his glass, and swirled it around three times in his right hand. Haku knew only one person who did that as well. His eyes widened a fraction, before turning into a scowl. That idiot.
Haku continued on serving for the rest of the night, before locking up when everyone but the blond customer had gone. He put up the wards, before leading the customer into the back. Pressing a panel on the wall, it moved out of the way, revealing a set of stairs, going downwards. The two made their way down, into an underground cave of sorts. Stalactites and stalagmites were all around the area, as well as signs that it was inhabited. There was a large bookshelf of books off to the side, a duelling dummy, various weaponry around the room, as well as a duelling platform. Haku quickly conjured two chairs, and the two sat down. Haku fixed a glare on the other.
"Where the hell have you been, I thought you were meant to be dead?" hissed Haku.
"Hi Haku, nice to see you too." Replied the other man, dryly.
"Don't you start with the niceties. You are supposed to be dead, the martyr and all that. Last I checked, most dead bodies don't up and start walking around."
"Maybe I am not like most dead bodies?"
"Cut the crap Harry." Said Haku, massaging his temples. "Sixteen years. You have been gone for that long. Where the hell have you been? Merlin Harry, you decide to come back, when the world is going to hell." Haku paused. "You came back to be the hero. Not to see the little red number you got?"
"I've been playing the muggle." Stated Harry. "I came back now, because on some level, it is my fault everything is like this."
"Right." Said Haku, disbelievingly. "Why fake your death, if you were gonna come back."
"I thought everyone was dead."
"Oh…Why come to me though?"
"I need your help." Stated Harry. "You know everything about everyone, I thought you would be a good person to start with."
"True." Murmured Haku dismissively. "But you could have found out everything I could tell you on your own."
Harry nodded his head.
"So, you must have come to me to use this training facility."
"Yes. I require a place in which to test my magic. It has been unused, and has changed. Also, this is the only place I can use safely, it has magic dampening wards on all of the walls."
"But I still haven't heard you say please."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Why are you blond, anyway?"
"Magic gone wrong, decided to mess with my DNA."
Haku suddenly turned serious, looking at Harry intensely.
"Everyone is dying out there. Or they will do. Whoever this new Dark Lord is, they are very good. I hear even his own supporters have never met him. They are just afraid of him, and take orders from his subordinates. All you hear is that they all feel stronger, more powerful than ever. This new one, is giving his people power, unlike the previous ones. Rewarding them, as they wanted to be. It's odd."
"He isn't human." Stated Harry. "They are losing their humanity, the more powerful they become. That is what is happening." Harry sighed. "It is happening quicker than I thought." Harry stood up abruptly. "I must take my leave."
"Where are you going?"
"To pay a visit to the master of spies: Severus Snape."
Ivy stared down the table, towards the blond haired figure of what was Alexander Pearce. She had heard that both him and his sister, Aurora, had been taken out of school due to the death of their squib mother, who was also Professor Williams' sister. She felt pity for the blond, but everyone in her life whom had died she had never met. From the way things were going with new disease, she doubted anyone she knew would die from anything except natural causes. And war. Talks that were going on between the Headmistress and the Ministry into turning the grounds and the castle into some form of Magical City – to keep everyone safe from the disease. It was rumoured that the Headmistress refused to unless the families of the Muggleborn students could come as well – in order to keep the muggles alive.
Ivy sighed softly. She had been raised in the muggle world, but with the knowledge of the magical world at the same time. Due to this, she could pick out the faults within both worlds with ease, and something that both worlds had was prejudice. In the end, they were all human. Well, except her. Her eyes flitted around the hall slightly, catching a few of the younger years staring at her with hopeful eyes. She hated eyes like that, especially when they turned into ones of despair. It seemed as thought everyone expected her to work some kind of miracle. From the old wizards who remembered the deeds both her grandparents, parents and their friends did, or the young children who were brought up on stories of her father. She hated these stories; it was what led the younger generations to stare at her like some form of living god.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for this new Dark Lord too attack, and for her to finish him off with a flick of her wand. She would end all of their problems for them, just like her father did, while they all sat on the sidelines and let children fight for them. From all of the stories she had heard from her mother, her uncles and aunts, and her Great-Uncle Remus, she could understand a lot from what her father was like. He was a hero through and through, while she was just ordinary. When she was younger, she used to dream about Prince Harry riding on a white stallion called Firebolt, saving Princess Ginny from the basilisk and they lived happily ever after. But this wasn't the case. Prince Harry died, leaving Princess Ginny pregnant.
It was times like these, which caused her to think bitter thoughts about her own well-being. No matter how everyone tried to phrase it – she understood that she was an accident. No one expected her to be born. Her father died doing his hero thing, leaving her mother to raise her. She knew that everyone knew this; they knew that she was a bastard child. The second she disappointed them, the second she let everyone see that she was human, not some demi-god, they would throw this in her face. She was the bastard and unwanted child of the great Harry James Potter.
Ivy had a sudden vision of years in the future, of her own very existence being erased, her mother being degraded into something far different, while her descendants were hunted down for having her blood running through their veins. The blood of Harry James Potter, proof of his humanity, and that he was around. Proof that even gods have their mistake. That was all she was, a mistake. A mistake that everyone expected to save them from evil. Failure was not an option. She was the reluctant daughter of Harry James Potter, who unknown to her, had many of the same thoughts in the dark of the night.
She was the ordinary daughter of an extraordinary man, who had a legacy, which would run on for many hundreds of years. So much was expected of her, but she had no idea where to start. Who to run to for help. She hated her father for all that her stood for, for everyone she had to live up to. For the boots everyone expected her to fill. It would never happen, and when they saw her fail, the disappointment would be the worst. Then it would be the end.
The end of the world her father died for, all because she was unable to follow in his footsteps. Be a hero. In her minds eyes, a man of average height, black hair and green eyes was smiling at her. His pale skin practically glowing in unseen light. He wore a pair of round glasses, and was grinning at her with his arms wide open. Ivy shook herself out of her daydream. Harry James Potter was dead. Her father was dead. She was here to watch the world he made go to ruin.
Kieran moved through the night like one that belonged there. It had been two weeks since his meeting with Haku. Two weeks since he had begun using the warded rooms beneath the bar. Two weeks since the barman began to report to him about the goings on within the war. It was amazing how much of this didn't reach the politicians, or the ears of the Saint-Clair clan. Within two weeks, he had discovered many things. Such as, he no longer required wand to do magic, nor an incantation. It was all done by thought, as though magic obeyed his will. From this, there was a limitless possibility of what he could do.
Whenever he pondered about the Dark Lord, any questions he had to ask about this new being were answer for him. It seemed as though the being of magic, which visited him at the funeral was saying the truth. Anything he needed to know was answered. He knew the nature of this new demon, as well as its name. Laezar, a demon of darkness. Had the ability to turn those dark enough into demons. This, Kieran theorised was how Laezar's followers were getting more powerful. Soon, the demon would move. Move upon its prey – his eldest daughter. Ivy.
He also discovered that he was far more agile. In fact, his body didn't seem to be that of a human. If it ever was after his defeat of the Dark Lord. It seemed as though his body was that of mere magic, constructed by magic therefore magic could control it. His body could do limitless things. Disappear into the shadows, go through walls, become invisible, change his looks, move faster and be stronger than any other creature. So many things that magic could accomplish, it was astonishing. But, Kieran had to keep reminding himself. Magic had to have limits. These limits will be met, this he knew.
Here he was, flitting through the darkness in a dense forest. The area outside of the forest, which was located in Germany, was at one point populated by small villages. It wasn't anymore. They had all fled the area, or died from the disease, which some are Virus A-JD. [Apocalypse – Judgement Day There were bodies of those affected by the virus littering the floor of these scantily populated areas. Some of them had fled to holy grounds, preying that they would be saved. Until eventually dying on the grounds they held so dear. But Kieran ignored all of these sights, moving deeper into the forests. Things like this were not new to him, as both Harry Potter and Kieran Pearce.
Eventually the trees began to thin out, and Kieran spotted a log cabin on a hill. He could sense various wards, most of which designed to keep everyone and anyone out. The blond haired man grinned, pulling up his cloak to avoid the cold end of November weather. He stepped forwards feeling the wards, he then propelled himself at them.
The rush of adrenaline Kieran got as he landed within the grounds of the cabin, the wards depositing him there, was more than any form of extreme sport could accomplish. Travelling along magic itself was the most thrilling thing Kieran had ever accomplished. 'Though,' He thought with a wry grin. 'The first time I rode a broom might compete with it.'
He continued up to the manor, his eyes scouting the area. 'Hasn't changed much in sixteen years. Except having more wards of course.' He knew that his bypassing of the wards wouldn't have been noticed, as that was the way magic worked. When he got to the front of the cabin, he walked forwards, his body turning into that of matter, as he walked through the door. At the same time, he went downwards, arriving in the basement of the cabin. The basement was dark, barely lit by a few candles here and there. There was various potions equipment around, as well as a large shelving area where hundreds of vials were stocked. It looked as though someone was preparing for a war.
Perched over one cauldron, which was emitting a deep purple coloured smoke, was a tall man, with sallow skin and black greasy hair. Kieran approached him until he was right behind the man. He watched the potions maker, until he completed the potion. When the master finished, Kieran spoke, startling the man.
"Potions Master and Master of Spies Severus Snape. You would expect your wards to be good, but I found them to be mediocre." Hissed Kieran, backing away to give the sallow skinned man some room.
Severus spun around, his wand in hand as he did so. Less than a second later, Kieran had a wand pointed at his chest.
"Tell me how you got in, and how you found me, as well as who else knows. I shall then make this as painless as possible." Whispered Severus, in a scathing and sinister tone.
Kieran smirked beneath his hood.
"I found you rather easily for a spy master." Said Kieran casually. "From the way you act, and from the sheer amount of words around this home, you sound as though you loathe the very idea of socializing with anyone. Like a hermit, a man on his own island. Yet, from the look of these shelves, you a preparing for war. Surely that would imply that you are communicating with someone from the outside, and perhaps care for the fates of those beyond the wards?"
"Whoever you are, I have no interest in whatever cause you represent -..,"
"Except a cause, which benefits yourself. Correct? In fact, I don't think anything makes more money for a Potions Master than war." murmured Kieran. "Many of your old pals who escaped prison, as well as many of those whom you taught are all working against the cause you once secretly worked for."
A curse came at Kieran, intent on silencing him. But it passed right through the blond. Severus took a step back in shock.
"What are you? One of Laezar's spies? Intent to gain favour by killing me." Stated Severus, lifting his chin in defiance. "Go on then, kill me. But you will not get out of here alive."
"What made you so sure that I wanted to kill you?" asked Kieran.
"You sneak into my house, surprise me, know too much about me to be ordinary and my spells do not affect you. I cannot think of any other reason for you to be here."
"Then it is a good thing that I am not." Replied Kieran. "You are a man of logic. But I need to ask you a question, do you believe in the impossible?"
"You are going to have to be a little more helpful then that." Stated Severus in a condescending way.
"To everyone else you are dead. Both your allies, so few, and your enemies, so many. You are hidden away here, so what you must ask yourself is, whom knew of this location, and would be brave enough to ask for your help."
"Draco has already tried to enter the property once, but the wards stopped him. I think he took the hint and hasn't been seen since." Answered Severus.
"Think of the impossible. After all, if you were to appear, wouldn't you be in effect coming back from the dead?"
"Potter." Spat Severus. "You are working for Potter."
"In a way." Replied Kieran, mysteriously. "Things blur on who I am working for, whether myself, or others. It is hard to comprehend. But in the end, it is always for one goal. The 'saving people thing'."
"Potter!" hissed Severus, lowering his wand slightly, his eyes widening. Kieran grinned beneath his hood, before pushing magic into his features, allowing magic to change them back to what they should be. Questions about his changed appearance would cause too many problems. He brought his hood down, causing Severus to gape slightly, until he regained his composure.
"Prove to me that you are who you say you are. Harry Potter died sixteen years ago." Said Severus in a cold voice, his wand levelled at Kieran.
"You knew my mother before she came to Hogwarts, and told her she was a witch before the letter came. You tried to save her, and in turn my father and I when you heard Voldemort was going to kill my parents. That was why Voldemort gave my mother a chance to live." Murmured Kieran. At this, Severus' arm dropped, and he looked distinctly like someone who didn't know what to do with themselves. Sorting himself out, he spoke.
"Firewhiskey?"
Kieran nodded his head, and the two walked up to the cabin itself. It was neatly and simply decorated, with only the bare necessities within. They sat down together, a silence stretched out between the two.
"How have you done this? Sixteen years you have been gone, and the Weasley girl and all you Gryffindor's think you are dead. I am assuming that they do not know?" asked Severus, Kieran nodded. "Why?"
"I thought they were dead."
Severus sat back, staring at him with a pair of onyx eyes.
"Dead? You were scared of what you might see, so you faked your own death and ran off? That is the most un-Gryffindor thing I have ever heard of."
"The Sorting Hat wanted to put me into Slytherin." Said Kieran swiftly.
"That's a whole other matter. What have you been doing for sixteen years?"
"Became a muggle. Married, had kids. Did the family thing." Kieran smiled slightly. "I did, however, marry into the Saint-Clair Clan." Severus' eyes widened. "Nicholas Williams is my brother-in-law."
"That sounds like no accident."
"No, it doesn't. It is as thought someone is pulling the strings in my life." Kieran sighed. "I wanted to escape it all. You used to call me an arrogant and an attention-seeking brat. Although you know that I am not that, I am neither the hero that everyone remembers me for. I am only now taking action against this, because the reason why all of this is happening is because I survived. If I had died, none of this would have happened, and everyone would have lived happily ever after or whatever."
"You do not know that." Said Severus quietly. "If you look at wizarding history, there is a Dark Lord every generation or so. Humans are curious creatures. What they are told they must not do, they do. The Dark Arts being labelled so, is just asking for those curious and power hungry teenagers to learn them. Every once in a while, one is powerful enough to do some damage, and thus Dark Lords are born."
Kieran made a hum of agreement, drinking a bit of the burning liquid.
"You are here for a reason. Going to save the world again or something?"
"Sure." Murmured Kieran. "One Dark Lord at a time. They must run out of them at some point?"
Severus smirked, and the two downed the remainder of their drinks in one. Now was to talk business.
Kieran was in Italy at that moment, driving along an open highway. It was mid-December, and soon the twins would be coming home from school, and it would be Gabriel's fifth birthday. The twins' twelfth had passed without much notice, the passing of their mother the week before their birthday showed that fact. He was unsure whether or not to head back for that time. Sighing slightly, he picked up the phone in his car and pulled over to the side. It was odd, sure, but ever since he had regained the use of his voice some month and a half ago, he had taken to using it as much as possible. No one was sure how it happened. The damage done to his vocal cords was gone, something neither magical or muggle medicine could cure. Kieran's thoughts turned to his youngest, whom he had a vague idea had done something to cure him, not that he could prove Gabriel had done something.
Kieran dialled a number, waiting for someone to pick up.
"This is Doctor Pearce's Office, Hayley Lucas speaking." Came a feminine British voice on the other end.
"Hayley, it's Kieran." Said Kieran, causing his assistant to nearly jump down the phone.
"Sir, it is good to hear from you. How is Africa?" asked Hayley.
Kieran looked around the drab countryside outside of the car.
"Nice – ish. Look, you know the drill? If anyone comes asking for me, tell him or her that I am out of town. If it is anything administrational, Janine can deal with it. Otherwise, I think Jack and the others can handle it. If it requires myself to look at it, I would like you to do so as best you can. If you feel that it is out of your reach, call up the nearest Forensic Anthropologist in the area. They should be able to do it just as well as myself."
"Yes sir, anything else?"
Here Kieran hesitated, unsure of what to do. Then he spoke.
"Please inform my family, using Madam Williams' number, that I will be home for Christmas. That is all."
"That will be done sir. Take care." With that, the phone call to his assistant ended. Kieran sighed, continuing to drive for a while. Eventually, he reached a built up area, full of large manor houses, with grounds. He pulled in at one, the guard at the edge of the property recognising him and immediately letting him through.
Over the past few weeks, Kieran was preparing himself for the inevitable. Telling the family who he really was. He had been travelling Europe and parts of Africa, reaching his old contacts, uncovering as much information as possible, and getting them ready to start gathering support. But, if he could get the support of Carlo Saint-Clair and Anton Williams, then they were one step forwards in gathering an army to match that of Laezar. He pulled up at the doors, handing the keys to one of the chauffeurs who had appeared to take the car to the garage.
"Master Kieran sir!" Came the voice of a House Elf. "What is you doing here?"
Kieran smiled at the creature, causing it to practically beam in pride.
"Is Master Carlo in? I need to see him."
"He is sir." Replied the House Elf. "Howie will show you the way!"
The House Elf led Kieran down a few corridors to a large office, where Howie knocked and entered. Carlo was sat at his desk, and looked up to see his House-Elf and his nephew-in-law enter.
"Kieran, this is a surprise." Came Carlo's voice as he stood to greet the man. "All the way here in Italy, what are you doing here?"
"I am sorry to intrude." Replied Kieran, picking his words carefully. "But I think there this has gone on long enough. Carlo led him to the leather couch, and the two sat across from one another.
"What has gone on long enough?"
"I am sure you and the others are wondering how both of the twins were able to go to Hogwarts?" asked Kieran.
"We were wondering that, the chances would be astronomical. Unless of course, one of the parents were magical. Kendra certainly wasn't, so that left yourself. Li was all up for getting it out of you, but both Anton and David stopped him." Carlo looked at him with curious eyes. "We figured that whatever it was, you had your reasons why you hid the fact that you were magical from us."
"I also think that both Jasmine and Gabriel are magical. In fact, Gabriel healed me, and that is why we are having this conversation out loud." Stated Kieran.
Carlo frowned.
"For him to be able to do that as such an age, would be nearly impossible. He would have to be really powerful to focus that much accidental magic to do something like that. The only per..son..." Carlo leant back, and really looked at him. "You told Kendra you were in a really bad car accident, one that killed your Grandmother. This happened about August 1998. You were born in 1980, and you are a wizard. Why did you run away, Harry Potter."
Kieran sat back, his eyes wide at Carlo's intelligence.
"It all makes sense." Said Carlo. "Just it's the why that I do not understand."
Kieran nodded his head.
"I didn't want to play the hero anymore. I am no hero. Those who die are the true heroes. I thought everyone was dead, and so I disappeared. I had no intention of coming back, but if I hadn't had married Kendra I wouldn't have." Here, Kieran sighed. "But I promised Kendra that I would stop running. I promised her, just before she died. It was the last few sentences I shared with my wife, and I full intention of full filling them."
"But why did you come here today to tell me who you really were?" said Carlo.
"Both Kendra and Anton explained this to me. For years, this family has avoided every single war the world has waged with one another. The rules were simple, you don't kill us, and we won't join in. But someone is dead, so therefore mustn't you join in?"
Carlo sighed.
"I wish it were that simple. But all of the others must agree, and not only that there is so much work that needs to be done, organising it all, then squads of wizards we have whose training will need to be changed. I don't know."
"People are dying." Hissed Kieran. "Hundreds, thousands. We could stop it."
Carlo smiled slightly.
"You see, Harry, Kieran or whatever. You are a hero. You just proved it in what you just said. All heroes are, really, are good leaders with good morals. I will give you your fighter or whatever. Anton has the unplottable island in the Scottish Highlands he uses to train the EMF [Elite Magical Force. I am sure Li, David, Michel and Jean could spare quite a few of their people. I could probably pull in a few favours." Carlo smiled. "Kendra's death will be avenged. Be at the training island in – two months shall we say? That should be enough time to sort everything out. Now – you go to your family. Enjoy Christmas, celebrate Gabriel's fifth birthday. Heroes are allowed families. They are also allowed to survive."
"Daddy!" shouted Gabriel, launching himself at his father, as he entered the Williams Manor. Penelope smiled at the picture father and son made. Jasmine appeared from upstairs, and the nine year old gave her father a hug.
"You been off being superman?" she whispered into his ear, before walking off to the kitchen smiling to herself.
"Anton isn't here yet, and the twins are due at the station in about an hour." Said Penelope.
"I will go and pick them up if you want, to save you the trouble?" said Kieran, acting as though nothing had changed between them. He knew by now that Carlo would have informed all of the adults within the clan of whom he really was. It was up to him to tell his children.
"Thank You, I will help sort out some rooms for them. Nicholas is coming home in a few days. It will be good to have the house full for Christmas." She said with a smile, before walking out of the room.
Kieran looked at the almost five year old boy in his arms, who was smiling brightly at his father.
"Does Gabriel want to come with me to collect Alex and Rora?" asked Kieran.
"Yes!" Said Gabriel, squirming in his father's arms.
"Okay." Murmured Kieran, taking Gabriel upstairs to get ready to go out into the cold winter. Then, he disappeared from the manor, Gabriel clutched to his chest firmly. He arrived at the busy station, where families were greeting and saying good-bye to one another for the holidays. Some unsure whether they would ever see one another again. Kieran walked towards the barrier, Gabriel's hand in his own. They crossed it to see a smattering of other families waiting for their children to arrive. He recognised a few, as he saw the train come around the corner. Especially the large mass of red heads on the other side of the platform.
When the train came to a stop, he saw a group of red haired children, with a mixture of other colours occasionally, walk towards where the Weasley family was. With them, he spotted two heads of hair identical to his own. Alexander and Aurora. Sighing, he made his way towards the large group, Gabriel on his shoulder looking at all of the wonderful things around him. When he got close enough, Aurora spotted him.
"Father." She wheeled her trunk to him, giving him a hug, as well as doing the same for her younger brother. "I thought you were in Africa?"
"I was, I came home for Christmas." Stated Kieran, as Alexander joined them. Kieran's eyes shifted to the adults, and recognised Bill Weasley, the twins, Percy Weasley. With them was Hermione, who was talking too two children who looked about Alex and Aurora's age, and Ginny. Ginny was talking to a pale skinned, dark haired green-eyed teenager, who was nearly the same height as her mother.
"You must be Alex and Aurora's father?" asked Hermione, as she approached him with the two children she had been speaking to before. Kieran guessed that they were her own.
"Yes." Stated Kieran, smiling slightly as Alex and the boy began to whisper to themselves. "Aidan and Meghan I take it? You must be there mother."
"I'm Hermione Weasley." She held out her hand.
"Kieran Pearce." He shook her hand.
It was odd, reacquainting himself with people he knew so well at one point. Kieran's eyes flittered onto his watch.
"Your Grandmother is arranging everything back at the manor, and she is expecting us at any point." Said Kieran, causing both the twins to look up.
"We're spending Christmas there?" asked Alex.
"Is Uncle Nicholas coming?" asked Aurora. Kieran distinctly heard a silver haired girl state that she would be glad if 'Uncle Nicholas' came. But he ignored it.
"Yes." Stated Kieran, turning to Hermione. "It was nice meeting you, I shall probably see you again some time soon, good bye."
Kieran and Aurora began to walk out; Alexander followed them out, until a voice stopped him.
"Owl me, okay Alex?" shouted Ivy, as her and her mother were set to leave.
"Sure." Replied Alex, as the three of them walked out of the station, Gabriel perched on Kieran's shoulders.
"How are we getting home?" asked Aurora, looking around for any sign of a car.
Kieran grinned.
"Would you believe me if I said magic?"
Telling the twins was, in his opinion, the hardest thing to do. They had both been quite shocked with the news, Alex threatening to lock himself in his room. Aurora then informed him that he had been thinking that Ivy and him could be more than friends. But the fact that they were half-brother and sister would put and end to that. The holidays, apart from that, had gone quite smoothly. They had celebrated Gabriel's birthday on the 22nd, and then Christmas. New Years was spent setting off magical fireworks. But now the twins were back at school, Jasmine and Gabriel were with their grandmother, and Kieran was preparing a way for everyone else to find out, without having to tell them. Well, inadvertently anyway.
So here he was, in the village of Godrics Hollow. He stood outside of the house, which for all intents and purposes, was blown up. But the house which everyone was to see was the fake one. An illusion. There was a house, a manor in between that and the one next to it, which no one knew was there unless they knew it was. Kieran looked away from the memorial to himself and his parents, as well as what he could make out, wizards taking magical photographs. His parents memorial had become a tourist destination. He looked to the house next to it, seeing the true home of his parents. He entered it and walked towards the door. Resting the palm of his hand on the door, he prepared himself. Let the trail of breadcrumbs begin.
I know, a very long wait for a chapter. But I hope that it was worth it. I enjoyed writing this chapter, and have lots of the next chapter written as well [which I wrote months before I wrote this one I am sorry for the unbelievably long wait. Just, the chapter got deleted, and I get really annoyed when this happened, and I lose my inspiration.
There are a few Deathly Hallows hints in this chapter, but nothing major. Just think of my story as being, the seventh book happening, minus all of the deaths. [Except those of characters who I don't mention and there being no such thing as Deathly Hallows. Add in more Harry being Slytherin etc.
I must say, DH was a great book read it before some of you American's got it :P Then I was asleep all of Saturday [21st catching up on my sleep. Gah – but it was a great book. Good end to an era. But the film is going to be soooo long. 3 years until Harry Potter is over:(
Anyhow – please review. Be kind. Next update should be before September. Probably around August 23rd, so I can moan to you about my GCSE results [which come out that day.
Review
Love Morrigu-chan x