Ab Initio
Fin
The beginning is always most difficult to write. How much to give away – is it too much of a rambling prologue – is there enough action to keep a reader interested. Who, what, when, where, why and how? Those types of questions will always pop up and admittedly this particular tale has plenty of questions and not a whole lot of answers.
After all who is they that the Harrisons kept referring to? I mean, Harry fought off (well – sort of) a witchy pagan goddess with little more than iron poker wrapped up in a bull's horn covered in blood. Not really a weapon of mass destruction and seriously – only one of the they. So who are they? Yet a three-fold pagan goddess is more than just the one sucking off entrails. She's a three-fold goddess after all.
Also, what's going on at Hogwarts? Or with Sirius and Remus – that last one is an interesting case but he's fairly introverted. Then again, there are plenty of differences between the werewolves the Winchesters deal with and their magical counterparts. The whole corruption, power and all that which comes with free will or what have you. Mind, there are plenty of questions on how demons could take over Ministry officials pretending to be working class professors despite being overrun by demonic forces – sort of like that one guy who accepted the Devil – or wait is that even in this timeline? I completely digressed at this point.
Mainly because, I'm not sure why I am even writing this here – I mean Carver Edlund is my name in print. Of course, the stories I have for Sam and Dean never had a Harry in it – excluding that ghost buster guy who doesn't even know about the supernatural at this point. In fact he's somewhere still going through puberty – aka – acknowledging women exist and he likes them. That isn't to say that this Harry, the one who is the second youngest son of one John Winchester has any clue around the opposite sex.
He's still too busy angstying (angst isn't a verb but for the sake of these notes I'm writing it is) over what happened before coming to America. Oh and the year he spent with the Harrisons after the whole bloody business of his relatives getting killed (except Dudley who could possibly make an appearance in the future). Not to mention his deal with the goblins. Wait – did I mention that yet? Hm. I think – right I'll just copy and paste down that section of the past here.
THEN
Non-descript Alleyway
Charring Cross
London, UK
"You will call me." Nathan stated – the threat in the air. The teen nodded solemnly. He had decided to wear a dark hooded cloak, slacks and covered the lower half of his face with a scarf that would hide most of his facial features excepting his eyes. Those were now behind a pair of blocky glasses. His scar was hidden by the growing fringe of curling hair that kept growing. Mark kept pointing out how annoying it looked and badgered the older boy to cut it off.
No more words were exchanged between them.
Nathan would park and keep close to the café nearest the Leaky Cauldron entrance. Harry quickly exited the vehicle his guardian drove. Dashing through the drizzling rain, the teen managed to get indoors of the classic old pub. It was cool for mid-October. Yet Harry didn't have much time to think. He had plans. Plans he needed to put to action even as he dodged skillfully through the magical crowd of Diagon Alley.
He knew people were seeking him. He knew he couldn't afford to be found. This journey itself was painfully risky.
Up the gleaming steps and into the bank he went. Harry's eyes darted about until he saw a familiar face. Without ado, he stood in line to see the goblin he'd met since his First Year. The tiny thing looked up when he finally came to the line. Leaning forward with the key that never left his neck on a magically extending chain, Harry whispered: "Griphook, I am here to meet with Bloodclaw."
Beady eyes looked once before the figure hopped off the bench. There were no further words as the till was closed. Harry had had a formal meeting with his account manager. He had set it up once he was in a safe place to do so after the events of Privet Drive some eleven weeks prior. From the teen's basic understanding of goblin culture – names were important as was well as poker-faced directness.
There was a groan as an older wizard wheezed behind him. "Bloody goblins, service is going downhill nowadays – to a bloody hag."
Harry scoffed when the older wizard shuffled into a longer line at the next till over. It would be funny yet cruel if the man had to wait in that one but the goblin left his place just before the older grump got served. It didn't take long for Griphook to beckon him to follow. Harry mentally thanked whatever being was listening for the book on simplified Goblin customs he had procured back in Third Year. That had been about the time after he blew up his aunt like Violet Beauregarde from that one book.
They walked quickly (for goblins were deceptively fast) through the main chamber of business to the customer meeting hall. He ignored some of the odd looks he received. While not rare, wizards in general didn't meet with their account holders at Gringotts. In fact the elite often had the goblins see them. Harry was taking a rather large risk at that moment but needs must.
"Wait here please." Griphook stated eying Harry sit down in the waiting area. The space wasn't big, more like a 200 Sq. Foot Hall where one large ornate doors. There was a dark marble stone with the words highlighted in silver inlay GOBLINS ONLY and beneath that, TRESPASSERS EXECUTED.
A long low, iron bench was on the wall to the right. It had multiple clawed legs holding it up. The bench reminded Harry of a sharp set of teeth. He gingerly sat on the thing. He clutched the strap of his ever present messenger bag hidden beneath his cloak. Across from him were two large doors made of oak with ornate carvings depicting goblins battling wizards. He saw one particular image of a goblin looking gleeful as he chopped off the hand of a wizard who had stolen. So it seemed. He was looking so closely at the design that he started when Griphook appeared. The goblin had opened the very same door Harry had been studying so astutely.
"He will see you now for one hour."
Harry nodded swiftly. Goblins did not say thank you. They were very much a feral society that was civilized for the most part. However, the quick submissive bow the teen gave to Griphook acknowledged Harry's standing. Little known fact –most magicals did not apply was that in goblin culture, if you were to meet with one on their grounds – you would have to comply on their terms. If they withheld information from you – they would do so in order to show you who was in charge. Knowing this, Harry justified the awkward bow he gave to the teller.
Griphook was technically a foot soldier. Not worth much but was still valuable on the long haul. While he wasn't under Bloodclaw's regiment – the creature didn't show his inward surprise at the respect given him. Harry strode through the door the goblin had opened receiving an acknowledging nod too quick to be have occurred.
Once within the space, the door behind Harry closed. The customer service office – that was the closest thing to describe it after all – was a warm stone room about 400 Sq. Feet with a roaring fire place to one end and floating candles similar to the ones at Hogwarts about the large stone desk that overtook the room. Two iron high-back chairs padded with dark red velvet were on one side of the table. A large, throne like one where the goblin he came to see sat was on the other.
Three leather bound ledgers were already on the table. Each bore the Potter family crest in different colours. Taking a deep breath, Harry bowed deeply to the goblin before him as way of greeting. He wasn't sure if he was doing this right. This was the first time he had had to do something like this.
"State your business." Bloodclaw commanded.
"The most important is to obtain the services of a trusted and powerful Curse Breaker. The second is to review and make changes to the Potter Accounts." Harry replied swiftly. He didn't rise yet from the bow as he had read that, goblins on their territory held the cards.
The being in front of Harry was stoic at the respect shown him. Apart from Dumbledore – most wizards didn't know the rites of conduct. If Bloodclaw recalled from his great-grandnephew Filius – they had a ghost who had been instrumental to that one uprising back in the nineteenth century teaching history! Most of it about the bloody revolts from a wizarding only experience. Apparently, the Board of Governors didn't want to exorcise the old Binns because it meant more money. No wonder relations between Gringotts and the Ministry were stagnating.
"Rise and proceed the request."
A bit ominous and not my usual fare for writing I admit but it could be important later on. As for the other questions like – whatever happened to Sam?
Oh Sam. He's always kept under the dark until the last moment when he's absolutely needed then he does an underhanded noble thing that ends up ruining basically everything. That is in future but since Harry's present – who knows maybe a bit of responsibility of a younger brother who has yet to receive any mail from because reasons. Honestly, I can't delve into that much yet. I have an idea what's going on but there are certain key players that have yet to make an appearance. I really should check in on that thing with the Kowalskis and their involvement with Hogwarts. Honestly, can't keep anyone related from the Scamanders away from imminent danger can I?
Obviously, there's the whole business with Tom. Goodness gracious me – Tom's a bloody mess. I think that's where I'm going to leave at this point. Spoilers I think – even for myself and I'm the one writing these notes. I suppose this particular document is never going to see the light of day because well, they're just an author's ramblings. Proven to be difficult to decipher and I needed time to just get my head in order with all their voices. So many voices asking for resolution! I'm not completely all powerful as much as I'd like to think I am. I just like getting to know characters.
Loudest of them all are Hermione and Sirius! They're all clamouring in my mind and I have no idea why they're making an extremely large deal over the whole thing with those abominations called horcruxes and of course the Men of Letters.
Well, it's now 1:54 in the morning and I really need to reorganize my notes.
There's so much to write and funny to me that I don't have enough time to write it all down! Ha! If only these folks were all real. They'd be clamouring for me to change the story and what a story it is! Supernatural – it's a snappy title but I guess for the purpose of this story isn't quite right. I don't know I like it enough.
His fingers paused over the blank document. He reached over to drink his beer. He needed a break. However the story needed to be told. He didn't know how far he had to go to tell it just right. There were so many factors to consider. He had begun the story at the most boring place too! He sighed. This is why this tale wasn't published yet. He desperately wanted it to be read eventually. However, some of the important things to the timeline had yet to occur!
He did know that Sam would be heading to Scotland just before he met Jessica and encounter Selkies. He also knew that somewhere in the present future – a case originally worked by Dean and Sam in New York about a few years from now revolving Edgar Allan Poe would be looked over by Harry and someone else. That particular someone else had yet to make himself known. He was still oh two years younger than Harry? Not that would stop anyone with Winchester blood going half-cocked into a fight.
Chuck groaned. He needed a break. He needed a really long break and possibly with someone with less inhibitions than a cold computer screen. There had to be some sort of woman willing to take on a half-pint writer with terrible sentence structure. Not to mention in future sequences which he jotted down on unused pieces of tissue paper where certain characters went full monty.
He scoffed and decided to distract himself from his own angst. He decided he needed a playlist for this crap. One that was filled with either cheesy music or the type Dean enjoyed blasting in his already selectively deaf ears. With a will, Chuck scoured the internet and got a legal pad. In his horribly, ineligible writing he scribbled down words on the neon sheets between bright blue lines that clashed horribly before him.
Music Playlist
Cherry Pie, Warrant
Carry On Wayward Son, Kansas
I Will Wait, Mumford & Sons
Magic, The Cars
Only the Young, Journey
Swear It Again, Westlife (giggling girls at mall scene)
Street Figtin' Man, The Rolling Stones
Baba O'Riley, The Who
Don't Open Your Eyes, Kansas
Somebody's Knockin', Terri Gibbs
Wind of Change, Scorpions
Who Are You, The Who
Life on Mars, David Bowie
As Bad As This, Styx
Pinball Wizard, The Who
Orion, Dustin Bentall & The Smokes
Slip Kid, The Who
Rock and Roll, Led Zeppelin
Hotel California, Eagles
On the Other Side, Phillip LaRue (was listening to this one before The Stokes'; this one fit better)
Satisfied with his "work" he saved his notes, reopened his word document for the tale. His eyes began blurring at the empty page before him. It would be later after he finished the task that some of the songs he listed down hadn't even gotten released yet. Ah well. He was a god after all.
Author's Notes: Breaking the fourth wall with this one. That said some long overdue review responses!
To the few asking about Sam: "I'm not falling behind or running late...willing to...wait for it" (Wait For It, Hamilton the Musical).
Guest who is possibly orionastro - thank you, there are werewolves in the future considering one of a lupine nature in cahoots with a certain black dog and a klutz with metamorphical powers.
Vengeance-Angel2010 - just full of surprises! Can you guess who the redhead is or is that too much of a spoiler?
Outofthisworldgal - Yeah, he was always going to give up his magic and whether he gets it back - only Chuck knows (theories are welcome gal). Still considering that last name for him - might play with that in future; thank you for the suggestion. John's an ass.
icyquest4 :D
a person d - Dean and Harry have always been similar in my mind. Also you're welcome about Luna! Glad you caught that! :)
Rosalind Fairchilde - Love your name. I hope you don't mind as I publicly ask permission to use it at some point? Additionally, thank you for your constructive criticism. I'm glad you were honest about what you thought especially about the magic bit. I know it's not exactly kosher in most HP crossover fics. Magic is such a huge part of his life. I hope you do try this fic again in the future so that it will be worth favoring.
lunaz - I know right; Dean and Harry are so alike it makes my cheeks hurt whenever I write their interactions. Their bromance is real.
Again many thanks to those of you who have read, reviewed, followed and favorited this story thus far. I really appreciate it. Thank you for your patience and while this was a short one - it breaks evenly to the next bit of this story. Thank you once again! Forwards oh!