Harry looked around at the lush study room where he was taken to earlier once he was given breakfast by the obviously mafia men. It seemed that he just saved one of the most powerful men of the underworld last night. Well, Harry wondered if he should reveal what he really was to the man or lie. Since the man, Darren has already seen what Harry could do, he could only hope that the mid forty years old boss would not sell him off or use him for some dangerous and illegal 'business'.

He noticed from last night, had Darren's man that he called Julius not chided him and brought up the subject of his gaining age, he won't have thought that the man was already in his mid forty. Darren has a harsh face, proud and cruel at the same time like a tyrant. He didn't look his age or even shaped like most men his age until you saw the thin lines on his face. He looked like he was in his early to mid thirty.

The door opened and the man from last night entered; his body a little stiff and he winced slightly with every move yet his face shows none of the pain that he was having. He didn't even limp; forcing the pain out of his mind and walked as though having bullets shot into his leg was a norm, which probably was. Harry watched him warily, not knowing if he was in a good or a very bad situation.

Darren may have a head full of hair, but since it was obvious that he wasn't a blond due to the slight brown hair poking from somewhere near his ears, he has silver hair. His face was clean shaven but pale. His shoulder was wide and Harry noticed that he must have been quite the body builder in his younger years. The man was huge!

Darren looked at Harry, "What was your name again?"

Harry gulped; knowing that to lie would make things worse because they could probably check up on his validity through hacking the network, he's seen that a lot on TV, "Harry James Potter, sir,"

Darren nodded, "What were you doing out so late last night, Harry?"

Harry frowned, wondering what was the motivation behind the friendly use of his name, "Looking for a way home,"

Darren looked sceptical, "Not running away?"

Harry shrugged, "I ran away from prison,"

Darren was taken aback, "Are you a juvenile?"

Harry shook his head, "I would have been if I hadn't run away,"

Darren laid back against the chair, rubbing his chin in deep thoughts, "What was that last night? It definitely isn't laser or anything of the sort. Mick woke up late last night and was in pain like all the air in his lungs was shoved out of him," He stared at Harry, "I don't believe in psychic abilities either. We checked that stick of yours and there was nothing special there but the obviously semi precious stone and the weird crack inside that looked like a lizard with wings,"

He leaned forward, his eyes assessing Harry, "What are you exactly, Harry?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably, "I can't tell you,"

Darren narrowed his eyes in clear warning, "And why is that?"

Harry shifted again, "It wasn't just my secret to tell," It was the plain truth. He does have friends in the magical society and Harry don't think that sharing such an important thing with a completely and dangerous stranger would be welcomed. Darren shifted as he brought out something from his pocket and placed the thin stick onto the polished black wooden table before him, "I can guess though,"

He looked at Harry right in the eye, "Wizard, really?"

Harry bit his lower lip, "I can't answer you,"

Darren shifted and relaxed against his chair, "Why worry? It's not like I can do anything to you," He watched as Harry's eyes peered at the guns collection on his study's wall and rolled his eyes, "Kid, you can mark my word when I said I won't hurt you,"

Harry frowned, "How do I believe the words of a…underworld dweller like you?" He bit his lips, wondering why he said that. Darren raised his eyebrows at Harry's choice of words, "Although it sounds odd, I suppose you can call us that since it was obvious that we deals in the less than legal dealings," He shrugged, "I won't deny the fact that I have killed before but I indulge less and less in the art of killing these days that some of my…'acquaintances', as you may call them, seems to think that I have lost both my fangs and claws. An old tiger, as you would put it,"

Harry shifted uncomfortably at the fact that the man just admitted that he kills for a living. Darren noticed this and sighed, "Actually, Harry. I just wanted to return the favour from last night," He smiled, "You see, I'm an old school criminal. I keep to my words and am honour bound,"

He shook his head with a dark amused smile, "Nowadays, honour seemed to have lost its place and not only among us...underworld dwellers as you well put it. Even in the bright world of the so called justice, honour have lost its footing,"

The two sat in companionable silent for a moment before Harry broke it, "I escaped from my aunt and uncle's house. My parents were killed by a…crime lord so to speak in your language, leaving me to live with my only living relatives. Although they didn't send me to an orphanage and into the system, it was only because they didn't want to get into trouble with my parent's lot," He nudged his chin toward the wand. Darren asked, "They aren't…?"

Harry shook his head, "We are freaks to them,"

Darren nodded in understanding before frowning, "It seemed that there's more to the reason why you must stay with them,"

Harry shrugged, "The night my parents were killed, I sort of…killed the crime lord. So his enemies were out looking for a way to revive him or have me dead," He sighed, "Although I hated living with my relatives, I can't live with my own lot since it was easy to just kill me whenever I walk outside. At the very least, among my relative's lot I was sort of protected by the overly nosy neighbourhood," He shrugged again, "It seemed that as long as I'm underage, the protection my mother placed on me through my aunt's blood relation with her will keep me hidden from the crime lord's minion,"

Darren rubbed his chin, "Interesting story. So, since it was obvious that you are still underage, what prompted you to leave your security?"

Harry sighed, "Let's say that it was a combination of I am tired being a free slave to my relatives and that I found a place where I can live among my own lot and stay hidden from my enemies,"

He shrugged, "The school headmaster who was sort of in charge of my well being gave me green light to stay away from my relatives as long as I remain safe and hidden from my enemies. I was heading there when I got tangled with you," He then added after a moment consideration, "I also found out that my godfather was innocent from the crime that he was framed of. I was thinking of inviting him to stay with me through the summer,"

Darren nocked an eyebrow, "Your godfather was a convict?"

Harry nodded, "He proved to me he was innocent just this year when he broke out of prison to hunt down the actual person who betrayed my parent's secret hideout,"

Darren shook his head in amused disbelief, "Your life story was quite the adventure and mystery. I am thrilled to get to know you more, Harry," He chuckled before leaning forward, his face serious, "Since it was obvious that you have no one that would fight for you in court without revealing who and WHAT you really are, I have something to ask of you,"

Harry tensed and Darren allowed the solemn atmosphere to sink into him to show how serious he was before continuing, "As you can see, I am aging and I have no one that I can trust with my holdings to not be used for anymore illegal dealings. At the end of my days, I wanted to be a cleaner man than I am now, if you can understand me," He looked at Harry as the boy frowned before understanding dawned on his face. Darren smiled and started before any argument could begin from Harry, "I wanted to take you in as my adopted son,"

Harry frowned, "What? Are you serious? I mean, this is not something to be made a joke of," He gulped when he saw Darren's eyes became serious and quickly re-track, "I didn't mean that you meant it as a sick joke or anything. It's just that it was very hard to believe,"

Darren chuckled, "And so it will fit right in with you life's script,"

Harry sighed, "I don't know," He worried his lip, "Can you…let me think about it?"

Darren stared at him in the eye, "I really like your personality, Harry. Besides, I doubt your enemies would actually expect you to be living among us mafia, would they?" He grinned, "Best hideout would be the most dangerous hideout of all. And where else would be better beside a nest of criminals?"