Like any other day in the life of one Ethan Mason... Er... Ethan Potter now, he awakens around the normal time that was five in the morning, making the eleven year old reincarnation of the Messiah of the American Wasteland to yawn slightly as he stretches out his limbs. Blinking a little, his memories come back with a great flash of rearealization, making him look to the side and spot the great giant of a man from last night, snoring loudly on the couch that looked worse than any back in the wastelands.
With a slight grunt of exasperation, Ethan gets to his feet, dusting off his pants before looking at the coat. The thing was thick, heavy, and likely had a hell of a lot of things hidden within... Probably even living things, making him hope they were animals... Damn, one night with his old 3000 back and his Wasteland paranoia came back in full force...
After about three hours of silent enjoyment, the sun was soon in the air and Ethan could hear a tapping at the window. Spotting the owl on the other side, Ethan opens it up, watching it drop a newspaper on the Super Mutant sized lugg before flying in a nosedive for his coat and began its fierce attack.
With a raised brow, Ethan comes over, and flips the coat to see all its pockets, before looking at the owl. "Treats?" His simple question recieves a good nod from the fellow, making Ethan smile at his rare ability to befriend animals. With a thorough look, he discovered a dead rat, earning a good hoot from the owl. Tossing the fella the rat, it ate it, before looking at him expectantly.
Ethan stares back for a moment, before blinking in understanding.
"Payment for the paper?" A more thorough nod makes Ethan look in the pockets, before pulling out some familiar coins. "Well I'll be..." He found himself muttering, having found tons of these back home, good to know he's good on money now...
After giving the bird five of the coins, which turned out to be a great guess on his end, the owl flies off out of the window, making Ethan nod as he stands back up and glance at Hagrid, who was now up and giving a broad smile. "Friendly, ain't ya?"
Ethan gives a simple shrug. "I'm just good with animals is all, always have been." That made Hagrid smile wider. "So, what's on the paper?"
Hagrid chuckles. "Well, best be off to get yeh yer things."
Ethan nods as he stretches out again, before the two head off to get to work. "Question... Where first?"
"Gringotts, Wizard Bank-"
"I'm good."
"...Pardon?"
"Bad experience with banks, mainly the vaults themselves."
"That so..."
"Besides, already got plenty of cash."
"Since when?"
"Long story and a specially modified device?" Ethan says as he raises his Pip-Boy with a grin.
"Oh?"
Ethan grins wider as he taps on the device, causing green particles to form over his hand before having about twenty of those coins in his hand, leaving a wide eyed Hagrid. "Been finding these thingthings long time ago, I'm set."
Hagrid stared at my device in amazement. "That run on magic or-"
"Nope." The giant's eyes widen even further. "This is what you'd find... 'Muggles', making in the far future if they so choose to."
Hagrid whistles as he stares a bit more, before clearing his throat. "Regardless, we best get on our way, got a long road ahead of us." Ethan nods as they reach the boat.
Upon noticing the lack of a second boat, Ethan glances at the giant. "Magic?" He asked ina tone that suggested otherwise.
Hagrid chuckles and nods his head. "Quick on that accaptance, ain't ya?"
Ethan gives a snort. "See half of what I managed to and you'll learn to just accept things, safer for your brain's health." That recieved a chuckle alongside a curious gaze. "Let's be off then, I'm not interested in just standing around here." He looks to the ocean as he silently mentions to himself. "I'd be a poor Wanderer and Courier if that were the case..."
Later...
The two odd duo of giant and reincarnated messiah continued to wander down the streets of London as Ethan examined the letter in his hand, mainly the list of required items, things making him glad to have his trusty Pip-Boy.
1. Uniforms - 3 Blank Robes (Black), 1 Plain Pointed Hat (Black), 1 Pair of Gloves (Dragon Hide or Similar), 1 Winter Cloak (Black with Silver Fastenings): Name Tags are a Must.
Ethan couldn't help but stare blankly at the massive list of Black, making his head wonder why he couldn't do something unique, like... Black Main, White Secondary, and Gold Trimmings? That sounded oddly pleasant to him in color scheme...
2. Course Books - The Standard Book of Spells G1, A History of Magic, Magical Theory, A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungai, Magical Drafts and Potions, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Dark Forces - A Guide to Self-Protection.
Another list of oddities, though Ethan found the books on Theory, Herbs, Beasts, and overall history pleasant. The idea of Dark Forces made him frown slightly, given how things are given the title of dark when used as such. It's like a loaded gun, it's only evil if the one holding it uses it as such, basically, a tool that one must decide whether to use for light or dark.
3. Wand, Cauldron (Pewter, Standard Size 2) Set, Glass or Crystal Phials, Telescope Set, Brass Scales.
Ethan had to cover his mouth at the first item in column three, while giving a blank stare at the materials for the cauldron and phials, then sweatdrop at the scales, making him wonder just how backwards in the backwaters these magic folk are. Besides, he has far better materials for the required items to be honest. He still has that chemistry set that he used to make platinum, so...
4. Optional: Owl, Cat, or Toad.
Ethan gives a blank look once again, before sighing softly. Glancing at his 3000, he re-read one of God's messages to him.
'Ethan, making some small adjustments for you, keep an eye out for a specific baby in a pet store, you'll love 'em.'Now, if Ethan was a betting man, he'd put his money on Dogmeat or Rex, but given the fact this is an almighty diety, odds are the guy pulled some strings, so Ethan prays that whoever it is, make sure to keep the brain of Dogmeat, Rex is a no go because of the odds of people with hats wandering everywhere.
"Hey, Big Green Giant?" Hagrid grunts. "Where in London are we gonna buy this? It's not like they sell most of these things on every corner..."
The giant laughs. "Yer right on that, Ethan. We're go'n to a place they would deffinitely be found."
"In what? A Draconian Alleyway?"
Hagrid snickers. "Yer pretty close there."
Ethan instantly facepalms, already hearing wizarding and fantasy puns all around.
Walking by the rappidly dispersing crowd, they arrived at a pub, making Ethan's eyebrow twitch violently. A pub, like the Prospector's Saloon, but as dirty and sin-filled as Moriarty's... It's like the Pre-War version of a shithole.
"Hagrid... Not that I personally care, but people normally can't drink till 21..."
Hagrid laughs again, before leading Ethan in. Once in front of the bar, the keep spoke. "The usual, Hagrid?"
"Can't, Tom, I'm on Hogwarts Business." He then pats Ethan's shoulder, thankfully being saved by his oddly still present adamant skeleton.
"Good lord." The keep breathed, peering at Ethan. "Can it be?"
Silence reigned in the pub as Ethan narrows his eyes at the man, gold eyes glowing ever so slightly towards the man's own, making the fellow nervous ever so slightly.
"Bless my soul..." The man whispered. "Harry Potter, it's a real honor."
Ethan groans as the floodgates burst, rearealizing he'll have a good work ahead of him to ensure his preferred name... Maybe just between friends and such? Sounds about right...
Snapped out of his thoughts by the man grasping his hand, the keep continues. "Welcome back, Mr. Potter, welcome back."
After plenty of the usual, a jittery, pale man with the aura of a cowardly snake approached, making Ethan instantly glare at the man, who seems to brush off the harsh golden glow.
"Professor Quirrell!" Hagrid beamed, the poor naive giant. "Ethan, Professor Quirrell will be one of your teachers at Hogwarts."
Ethan instantly found this suspicious, a man who gives off such an aura, bypassing a so called great wizard as this 'Dumbledore'? Either the old man is loosing his edge, or he's hiding something... Life in the wasteland makes you realize what's in front of you is only what one wants you to see, and this snake making it into a school of children shows that there are strings in the shadows running things along...
"P-P-Potter." He stammered, reaching for Ethan's hand, who instantly moves it away to where a gun holster would be, which makes the man jump, but pushes it aside. "C-Can't tell you how p-pleased I am to meet you."
Ethan keeps glaring at the fool, but manages to ask in a calm tone. "And what, pray tell, do you teach?"
"D-Defense Against The D-D-Dark Arts." He muttered. "N-Not that you n-need it, eh, P-P-Potter?"
"Knowledge is power, Professor, one cannot expect to succeed through life on brute strength and luck alone." Ethan states the fact that ahould be obvious to all teaching personnel, god this man is letting out small mistakes already.
"You'll be g-getting all your equipment, I suppose? I've g-got to p-pick up a new b-book on vampires, m-myself." He feigns terror at the idea.
After that, and a small scruffle out of the fan grasps, the two make it into the back, making Hagrid grin at Ethan. "Told yeh, didn't I? Told yeh you was famous. Professor Qurriell was even tremblin' ter meet yeh - mind you, he's usually tremblin'."
Ethan doesn't even glance at him. "He's a good actor, I'll give him that, if he can even trick that Headmaster you're fond of."
"Act'n?" Hagrid raised an eyebrow.
Ethan looks at him. "No man I've met is capable of being that nervous without bumbling around, making wrong comments, or such in a full encounter, I've also noticed his eyes, they lacked actual nervousness, but madmade up for it in calculative planning. Finally he made a mistake no teacher would make unless proven it, to dismiss the fact a future student, one who's only eleven, mind you, could have need in being taught the arts of self-defense."
Hagrid stared at Ethan for a while, before scratching his furry chin with crinkled eyes, until eventually nodding. "Ah suppose, that's some good points yeh got there... I'll take this up with Dumbledore at sum point."
Ethan nods before looking at the brick wall, then motioning to it. "So, some magic show'n'tell, or do I need to unpack some of my C4?"
Hagrid gives him a weird look, before going over the sequence, soon revealing a entranceway into a old styled alley, making Ethan's head hurt at the absurd lack of advancements... Maybe the wizards kicked all of their scientists out?
"Welcome, Ethan, to Diagon Alley."
'And there's another pun, but replacing the r in dragon with an i... Brilliant, I can see my sanity turning upside down and begin letting out puns like a guy that lacks the talent... Why do I feel like I'll be recieving a punch to the balls by a fiery blonde with a pair of shotgun gauntlets?'
Shaking his head in agitation at his already brimming in insanity mind, he follows Hagrid into the alley.
One shop already shows off some of the first listed pieces, Cauldrons -- All Sizes - Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver -- Self-Stirring -- Collapsible, said a sign hanging over them. Ethan actually questioned his growing insanity upon seeing the second to last.
A man of science has no business of entering a world of magic if he plans to keep what makes him sane.
"Yeah, you'll be needin' one." Hagrid began, before seeiseeing Ethan already walking inside. "Wait, he was serious about having the knutts?" Upon seeing Ethan come back out with said set, Hagrid almost mimics an anime face-fault. "An' I didn' belive em?"
Walking into another store, Ethan finds it filled with critters, gazing around before hearing the all too familiar snarl and clawed feet. Slowly looking to the side, he sees a baby deathclaw staring at him, with Dogmeat's collar on it and a letter on it.
'Yeah... God's insane...'
Ethan pets the deathclaw-ified dog he traveled with since he left Vault 101, and the boy instantly recognized him, leading to Ethan getting a good 5 Rads worth of licking before he calmed Dogmeat doen and read the letter, merely skimming it as he'll thoroughly read it later, before setting the knutts down and leaving with Dogmeat.
Stares, stares galore from All grades of students and adults alike as Ethan and Dogmeat follow a star-eyed Hagrid who managed to control himself so far over the new creature with no origins.
"Look! The Nimbus Two Thousand, Fastest ever!"
Ethan glances over, and spot the... Broomstick being displayed like a damned bike in a store window. Ethan snorts and continues onward, getting the telescopes and books before stopping at a place to get some much needed lunch.
Soon they arrived at the robes store, with Hagrid heading off to get some business done, and agreed to meet back up at a wands store as Ethan looks at the woman, a one Madam Malkin.
"Hogwarts, dear?" She asks the moment Ethan raises a finger, making him slowly lower it back down. "Got the lot here - another boy being fitted up just now, in fact."
Ethan simply nods numbly, feeling like he's back at Moira's, but with a greater lack of naive psychotics.
In the back, where a pale, narrow faced blond snob is seen on a stool, being fitted by another 'witch', making Ethan sigh softly as he gets on the other, back towards the rich runt as Ethan gets a robe slid on before it starts being fitted with pins. Such old fashion... Where's a machine where ya need one?
"Hello." The boy says with a kind of punchable voice/tone. "Hogwarts too?"
Ethan does not respond, not having any desire to indulge the boy.
"My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands," He drawls in obvious nobility boredom, proving that House was one of the more decent rich men. "Then I'm going to drag them off to took at racing brooms. I don't see why first years can't have their own. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."
Oooh... Ethan can hear the Dudley within this one, strong too. Dudley somehow managed to create an entire category for people Ethan might meet.
"Have you got a broom of your own?"
"No." Ethan bluntly grunts.
"Play Quidditch at all?"
"No, sounds dull." Ethan drawls, instantly thinking of baseball mixed in with hoverbikes and football.
"Does it?" He inquires, seemingly intrigued at Ethan's lack of interest in sports. "Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say, I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?"
Ethan gives a dry, cynical chuckle. "A house? Sounds like something meant to split up the children into rivalries, I have no interest in such, I'm more of a Lone Wanderer anyways."
"Loner type, then?" He inquires again, seeming interested in Ethan. "Well, no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been -- imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"
Ethan thinks on that for a moment. Slytherin sounds like the Silver Tongues of the school, so Hufflepuff would be...
"So you dislike the humble, friendly, and hard-working?" Ethan asks, having done his research in animals, poetry, religions, and the meanings behind figures and names.
This sermed to cause the boy to blink for a moment in surprise. "Pardon?"
Ethan glances at him. "I've done my research on subjects such as religion, poetry, animals, and what most of thrm stand for." He glances ahead with a bored tone. "Slytherin sounds like it resembles those with the traits of cunning, ambition, resorcefulness, and pure leniage, yet the downsides are high senses of self-preservation, the ends normally justify the means, and are hungry for power." Ethan hums softly. "I dislike the views of getting things done and the hunger for power, but then again I'd search for power of it ensures the safety of all, and I personally lack such high ambitions."
The boy, while having a faint sneer, seemed intrigued at Ethan's analysis.
"As for Hufflepuff, they stand for the good traits of being humble, benevolant, friendly, and hard-working. I see myself within the hard-working, I am friendly to those who deserve it, but I lost most of mu humbleness long ago, alongside my ambition, but I see myself in the line of benevolance." The boy snorts.
"Benevolance? You see yourself as noble?"
"Many missunderstand the meanings of benevolance." Ethan drawls boredly. "Benevolance means one would do the right thing because it's the right thing to do, and not for glory or greed." Ethan glances to the boy. "I just happen to find things along the way that aid me in my future days."
The boy stays silent for the time being, before looking at the window. "I say, look at that man!" Ethan glances, seeing the BFG standing outside with two cones of ice cream, lifting them slightly to indicate the inability to enter.
"That's Hagrid." Ethan says calmly. "A friendly fellow, working at Hogwarts as the grounds and key keeper."
"Oh, I heard of him. He's a sort of servant then?"
"Servant?" Ethan can feel an enraged energy within the timelines. "Please, a title means nothing, what matters is the man or woman under the title."
"Really? I heard he was a savage, lives in a hut on the grounds, occasionally drinking, and his magic tends to set things on fire."
"Have you met him or even seen him do such?"
"I..." He is silent for a moment. "Well father told me so-"
"Slytherin indeed, they have the cunning and ambition, but lack the intellect of a raven." Ethan grunts.
"Well, what of your parents, hmm?"
"Dead."
"Oh, sorry." The lack of emotion is strengthening in this snot nosed brat. "They were our kind though, yes?"
"A witch and wizard you mean?" Ethan snorts. "Does it matter?"
"I really don't think they should let the other sort in, do you? They're just not the same, they've never been brought up to know our ways. Some of them have never even heard of Hogwarts until they get the letter, imagine. I think they should keep it in the old wizarding families. What's your surname, anyway?"
Ethan glances at him. "Racism is what started the civil and world wars, you know." His jaw shuts. "As for my surname, it's Mason, doubt you heard of them."
Madam Malkin then comes in, "That's it, you done, my dear."
Ethan nods and steps down.
"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts, I suppose," said the drawling boy.
Later..
Ethan enjoyed the ice cream in the brilliant silence, while gently patting Dogmeat who was currently eating one of Hagrid's currently dead owls... Which Ethan chose not to ask why he carries around owl carcases.
"Hagrid?"
"Aye, Ethan?"
"What's Quidditch?"
"Blimey, Ethan, I keep forgettin' how little yeh know - not knowin' 'bout Quidditch."
"Sounds similar to a mix of baseball and football..." Ethan mutters. "But obviously has additions such as brooms andagic."
Hagrid nods. "It's our sport. Wizard sport. It's like -- like soccer in the Muggle world -- everyone follows Quidditch -- played up in the air on broomsticks and there's four balls -- sorta hard ter explain the rules."
Ethan folds his hands. "I also heard mentions of houses, but all I picked up were Slytherin and Hufflepuff."
Hagrid nods. "There's four. Everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o' duffers, but --"
"What they lack for in courage and cunning, they make up for in hard work and morals."
Hagrid smiles at Ethan and nods. "Someone tell yeh that?"
"No, I've researched the animals, religions, poetry, and even bits of history, each animal stands for something, and additional segments of said name change some aspects."
Another brilliant smile from Hagrid. "Intelligent, ain' cha? You'd make a fine Ravenclaw." He coughs into his fist.
Later...
After a trip to Flourish and Blotts, a store that put most book stores to shame, but stood no chance against the DC Library, Ethan had managed to purchase a copy of every single book within the store before Hagrid realized it, and it took a good bit of explaining to how they dematerialized into tiny green particles on Ethan's part, before they had finally left, Ethan literally reading through his books faster than a robotic bookworm with the speed of the flash in both brain power and perception, before getting a bonk on the head through his 215th book by one BFG.
"Yes, Hagrid?" Ethan asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Ah know yer curious an all, but how d'ya expect to rememberanything at such speed?"
"I'm a voracias reader, and a very dedicated bookworm." Ethan answers calmly, since books come and go in the wasteland which meant he had to get through them quickly on the fly while keeping an eye on the surroundings. With a lack of needed paranoia at the moment, Ethan, could put his full attention on it, leading to a much quicker read.
"Well, yeh could make good friends then." Hagrid laughs out, while Dogmeat was picking at his teeth with a claw.
Ethan then got the scales, mainly to satisfy the giant in the simple minded methods. A trip to the apothecary led to Ethan having a fully loaded stock in his Pip-Boy, and a great deal lighter in the metaphorical pockets, before the two finally headed for the wand... After Hagrid decided to do a birthday present and start bending rules...
Ethan stares blankly at the snow owl as it stares back, Dogmeat having zero interest as he picks his teeth, which seems to get the bird to like him enough to land on his head and begin grooming itself.
"You didn't have to, Hagrid..." Ethan said slowly, examining the bird, definitely a 'Her'.
"Ah know, now c'mon, need teh get yeh a wand."
One Olivanders comes into view as the two head inside, discovering the room filled with small boxes, dust, grime, and the odd aura of trials...
"Good afternoon." Ethan's instincts kicked in as he spins, a 9mm materializing within his hand as he took a couple steps back, pistol aimed and ready as the safety flicked off within mere moments. The man raised his hand in surprise, while Hagrid was both shocked, and had the narrowed eyes of suspicion, seems he's not all naive...
"Ethan... Tha's some, war-like reflexes... Where might've yeh gotten them?"
Ethan sighs softly as he slowly lowers the now gone gun. "We can talk aboit it after this, when we're alone."
Hagrid slowly nods as the old man adjusts his collar. "Ah, ahem, yes, well. I had been wondering when I'd be seeing you, Mr. Potter, or Mr. Mason, as I heard you call yourself."
"Long story."
"I can only imagine." He raises an eyebrow. "You lack anything of your parents, but I recognize those eyes, eyes most long forgotten."
Ethan narrows said eyes. "That so?"
"Only in fairy tales and myths, the eyes of those chosen by god, the eyes that are said to evolve over time. Yours seem to have skipped the nearly black phase, and jumped over the silver faze..." He rubs his chin. "Interesting..."
Ethan stayed silent as the man goes behind the counter into the isles.
"Hmm, let's see... Need something special for one such as yourself, hmm..." The sound of shuffling, banging, and grunting is heard. "Ah, here we go." Now locks could be heard opening, dropping, and shifting. "And... A little more and... Ah, here we go." The man returns with a box, before popping it open.
"Hmm?" Ethan glances.
"Something most would die to be chosen by. The wand chooses it's wielder, and this specific wand only chooses the ones it deems worthy."
Ethan takes it, gazing at it for a moment as it seemed to connect to him instantly, making his eyes narrow as a mixture of memories and beliefs became visible. After some moments, it settled, allowing Ethan to smile softly. "I'll take it."
The man nods. "I've never seen it choose one in my lifetime, but the fact it gave no negative affects, means it chose you." He gazes at Ethan. "You've been gifted a brilliant, yet also terrible curse, to walk among the lines between realms and reality, and to take on the missions of god himself... Yet, I sense your legend will be more complicated than that."
Ethan looks at him, then the wand, before putting it away. "Okay..." He looks down slightly, feeling a sense of knowledge increasing among melee weapons, and the odd image of a hill of swords merging into his subconscious...
Later...
The late afternoon sun shined down on Ethan, Hagrid, Dogmeat, and the newly named Hedwig as they out of the alley, and back into the sane world of London. After a good bit of walking, at a restaurant, Hagrid eyed Ethan as said man was eating a Burger.
"So, before the train leaves, Ah got some questions for yeh."
Ethan sighs softly, lowering his burger. "Fair enough, but only if you keep it from anyone else, as it's my story to tell."
Hagrid nods.
"It all starts when I was born... The first time anyways..." Hagrid raises an eyebrow. "Back then the year was 2258, my father was named James Mason, my mother was Catherine Mason. Back home the world went into what was known as the Great War, lasting only a few minutes as all sides of the world began firing nukes, turning all, at least we assume, of the world into nothing but wastelands. Mother died giving birth to me, so Dad took me to Vault 101 shortly after, abandoning a project meant to purify the radioactive sludge of water."
Hagrid was wide eyed as he listened intently.
"I lived in the vault for nineteen years, before dad up and left to try and make it right, which ironicly led to the vault's Overseer going nuts and killing anyone who might've been involved. I escaped with the help of Amata, my childhood friend, and wandered the wasteland, searching for dad while helping out everyone around me. Eventually I found Dad, only to lose him shortly after thanks to the remnants of the US Government known as the Enclave. After some time, I found the project's missing component, got kidnapped by the Enclave, blew up the base, and fought beside a group of US Deserters known as the Brotherhood of Steel to take the project back."
"Some time after, alongside some other adventures involving slaves, hillbillies, simulations, and aliens - yes, crazy as it sounds, I'm serious - and ended up founding the Terran Starship Command. Then I traveled West to Nevada, ended a war between Caesar's Legion and the New California Republic, took over New Vegas and founded the New Vegas Empire, allowed NCR free reign in exchange for cooperation and trade with the NVE and TSC, and even managed to deal with some other things, alongside visiting Russia, China, Alaska, Japan, Aferica, and even most of Europe, I finally met my end with an ill prepared visit to a guy with a gun to my head. Accepted an offer from God, and now here I am, a guy who's now known as Harry Potter with the past knowledge, experiences, and resources of my first life."
The silence was long and deafaning as Hagrid slowly wrapped his head around all of this. "And that was..."
"The shortened and less detailed summary."
"Blimey..." Hagrid cups his head. "Ah'm need me somethin' to get my bearin's around this."
"Fair enough, after all, the dimensional theory may be in existence, but it's not fully accepted quite yet."
Hagrid gives a dull nod as the two finished their meal before heading off. Upon reaching the train back to the Dursleys, Hagrid offers Ethan a ticket.
"Yer ticket fer Hogwarts, first o' September - King's Cross, everythin's on teh ticket. Any trouble with the Dursleys, send a letter to me with yer owl. She'll kniw what to do, see yeh soon, Ethan."
Ethan nods, and gets some shuteye as the train leaves, while his mind wandered, and began dreaming of swords and silver eyed reapers...