Disclaimer: Not mine.

I think I'm playing around with the timeline a bit since I haven't read the books in a while but this is AU. Harry's presence in Ash's past and presence would change things. Also I have decided how to make Harry immortal, thanks to all those who made suggestions

Chapter 9

Julian paused as he recognised the head of messy hair in a nearby booth and then headed that way, Kyrian following him in confusion. "Hey Harry." Julian greeted and the younger man looked up and grinned.

"Hey Julian, looking forward to tormenting new students?" He teased and Julian laughed.

"Of course. Harry Potter this is Kyrian Hunter, an old friend of mine."

"Hi. So old friend or OLD friend?"

Kyrian stared in shock at the distinction the kid was making, he knew? "I…Julian?"

"Kyrian of Thrace meet Harry Potter, unwilling time traveller who happens to be good friends with Ash." Julian motioned to the empty side of the booth and Harry nodded so he pushed Kyrian down before sliding in beside him.

"Time traveller?" Kyrian asked, feeling rather off balance.

"I met Ash in Atlantis." Harry answered even as he waved Aimee over so the two could order. Once she was gone he leant back in his seat, studying Julian's friend. He'd read up on Julian's history which had included the famed warrior Kyrian of Thrace. His betrayal and death had been horrible so it was good to see the two had been reunited. It was amusing to see the one-time General's eyes go wide. "It was rather shocking to wake up on the beach when I'd been in Scotland. I met Ash while there but eventually ended up back in this time, figured I'd never see him again. I moved out here for college and Julian was my teacher and student adviser."

Kyrian was shocked, this boy had known Ash when he was mortal? It was utterly incredible. And yet…...he hadn't seen much of Ash lately but when he had seen him he seemed different…. happier. Harry explained that if they had been friends so long ago. But how could a human time travel? Someone or something had sent him back but why? To befriend Ash or for something else? Was it a good thing that the two had been reunited or would it lead to worse things for Ash?


Ash frowned, something was very wrong. Talon was not one to shirk his duties. And to say Ash had told him too…. He had a very bad feeling about this. Though it was amusing how the poor Celt had been run over by a float. Nick was being a pain over Valerius being the new Dark-Hunter in town to replace Kyrian and having Zarek around wasn't making life any easier. He hesitated before heading for Harry's, finding his friend sprawled on his couch with a book and a pot of tea. Harry put the book down and sat up as soon as he appeared. "What's wrong?"

"Everything?" He settled into the armchair with his legs stretched out in front of him, letting his hair fade from blue to his natural blonde. Harry was the only person he willing let see his true appearance.

Harry leant forward, worried for Ash. "What do you mean?"

So Ash explained about Mardi Gras and the normal threats during the city wide party. "You know; I've had a really wonderful night tonight. I got to tell Kyrian and Julian that Valerius is in town and spent, oh I don't know, three, four hours trying to keep them from going after the Roman. Then, just when I could relax and do my job, I find out there are Daimons in the swamp and no Talon to kill them. And why wasn't Talon here? Because Tarzan was swinging off a balcony to save Jane from Cheetah. Now all I can do is stand here and say, next fiasco, please, right this way." He groaned and Harry chuckled. "It's not funny! Thankfully the bears managed to fix things before he became too much of an internet star."

"What can I do to help?"

"Harry…"

"I'm serious. You need to relax and stop worrying about everything so tell me what I can do."

Ash seriously thought it over and then winced. Could he ask Harry to do it? "Think you could play Squire without killing Zarek? I need someone to keep an eye on him." He felt guilty for leaving him in that house alone but few could stand him for very long.

"My temper's not that bad, I didn't wipe out most of Atlantis did for their treatment of their slaves did I?" Harry smiled and the stood up. "So what does a Squire do?"


Harry knocked on the door and waited a while before knocking again, finally it was opened and Harry found himself staring into black eyes that held more rage than he'd seen in a long time. "You must be Zarek, I'm Harry. Ash sent me."

"Why?" He snarled, wanting the human to leave.

"Because you need a Squire apparently. I volunteered so here I am." He shrugged, not letting Zarek's attitude affect him.

Zarek frowned, he wasn't allowed a Squire. He was too dangerous and unpredictable; he might kill them. So what the hell was Acheron playing at? "Go home, I don't need you."

"Yes you do." Harry answered softly. "You don't want me here but you need me to be here. There's a difference." He simply slipped around Zarek and looked around the fairly empty place. "For starters let's get this place warmed up and then a nice hot meal. Ash gave me your number but you'll need mine in case of problems while you're out." Harry said as he turned the thermostat up and then headed for the kitchen with the grocery bags he'd been carrying. Zarek followed him in shock. What the hell was happening? Soon the smells coming from the stove had his mouth-watering in anticipation and he watched as…Harry set the table for one. He swallowed, clenching his fists in anger, he was going to eat in front of him? "Well sit down Zarek, almost done. Don't think I'm letting you go out without a good meal in you." He plated up and put it on the table before going to clean up. "I'm going to look around and see what else needs doing. Hope you like that." With that Zarek was alone in the kitchen with the marvellous smelling food.

Harry made it into the living room and then leant against the wall, eyes closed as he breathed deeply. He'd seen that expression before, on his own face as the Dursley's stuffed themselves in front of him while he starved. He saw the bedding on the floor and shook his head, gathering everything he headed upstairs and found the master bedroom. He finished setting the room up for Zarek and then claimed the bedroom two down the hall as his own, not wanting to crowd the older man too much. The townhouse was slowly heating up thankfully, it had been cold enough he'd been using a warming charm! He knew Zarek was used to artic conditions but he should enjoy the heat while he could. Harry was determined to do everything he could to ensure Zarek earned a reprieve from Alaska but he doubted it would be easy. Compared to the Dark-Hunter's past his was a fairy tale. A little bit of magic here and there had the place feeling homier at least so he went back downstairs to find Zarek had finished eating and was looking for his things. "They're in the master bedroom upstairs. There is no way I am letting you sleep on the floor or couch. I've got the room two down from it if you need me while I'm sleeping."

"You might want to rethink that boy." Zarek snarled and Harry drew himself up to his full height, staring him down with no fear.

"Do not call me boy again." He stated coldly and Zarek actually found himself feeling intimidated by the human. Which was just ridiculous, wasn't it? "I am here as a favour to Ash and because no one deserves to be totally alone. I am not here as a servant or slave."

Okay Zarek was a little impressed. But it didn't matter, he knew the real reason this Harry was there, to keep him out of trouble. No one wanted him in New Orleans, he knew everyone pretty much wanted him dead and this was his last chance. "Whatever. I'm going out."

"Call if you need me." Harry called after him and then sighed as the door slammed. He needed to find a way to get through to him, he didn't want Ash to live with the pain of having to have anyone killed and Harry didn't want him to die either. He wasn't against killing like Dumbledore, he'd seen how that came back to bite you in battle, but he didn't like needless killing.

TBC…