Unlikely Savior – Chapter 1 (The Transfer)

Desmond hadn't hesitated in asking to be switched to another Brotherhood. That he wanted to be relocated somewhere else, somewhere else in the world. Somewhere not in the United States that he may run into his parents. Especially his dad…

He doubted that his dad even saw him as a son anymore. So, he requested to be relocated. He didn't even care where he would be placed. Though he was glad when he was sent overseas to England. It was easier to use an international portkey than go through the hassle of going about the muggle way. And he preferred using his magic to get to places.

Though he wasn't expecting to get sick when he arrived. That usually didn't happen with regular portkeys. But apparently international travel was quite different.

There wasn't even a hint of scorn on the man's face that greeted him.

"Sorry…" Desmond groaned.

The man had a sympathizing smile, "first time with an international portkey?"

Desmond nodded.

"It's a bit more intense than regular portkeys," he said before vanishing the mess.

"I am Sirius Black, one of the Assassins at the British Brotherhood. You're Desmond, right?"

Desmond nodded slowly; he had heard a little about Sirius Black. Even back in the United States, he was a bit well known. Though he imagined that the truth was stretched a bit. If he had truly killed and betrayed one of their own, he would have been killed for being a traitor. He wondered exactly what part of the story was true. Perhaps he could get the full story later.

But the first thing he noticed were the grounds. They were much more open than back home. He could already see Assassins training out in the grounds. He couldn't really remember actually training with other Assassins when he was younger. He had always been isolated in his youth. Something he had hated his parents for and part of the reason of why he ran away. Though it had been his own stupidity of not believing the templars were still around. He had believed that they were nothing but a story. Until the day he had been kidnapped by them and was almost killed. It had been his own intuition that had saved him. And had killed the man that was responsible for being a captive and forced into the Animus. He hated that blasted thing.

He still had nightmares about it. He had no guilt about killing Warren Vidic after everything. The man had deserved it and so did the rest of the Templars. So, maybe that was what made Desmond go back to the Brotherhood, but that didn't mean he liked it. Especially since it meant he had to deal with his father until he couldn't. Which is why he was glad for the relocation. But he found he already liked it here better already.

Then he went inside the dark doors of the sanctuary. The halls were brightly lit, and it was eerie silent. The walls were decorated with portraits, most likely assassins. He recognized the one of Ezio, Altair, and Connor. He did recognize some of the names due to studying the history about the Assassins. He wondered how many were also wizards and witches?

He wasn't sure where Sirius was leading him to, but that didn't stop his curiosity. Then he came to a center room, where the British Assassins probably met for meetings and such.

There was only one person in the room.

"Sirius, I trust this is the Assassin," a woman spoke.

Sirius nodded.

"Welcome to the British Brotherhood, young Desmond," she greeted warmly. "I am Dorea Potter, Mentor of British Brotherhood. I am sure you will find things much different than you are accustomed to."

Desmond shook her outstretched hand, "Long as my father is not here, I know it will be."

Dorea nodded, "I imagine living with William Miles would be nothing short of a hardship."

Desmond made a hum of agreement.

"Have you been made of aware of what you will be agreeing to here?" Dorea asked.

"Nobody really talks about the war that happened. Though everyone knows about legend about Harry Potter," Desmond said.

Dorea nodded before looking at Sirius, "it's your story too."

"It all started with the war that Voldemort started. Using the cover that wanting to kill all of the muggleborns and muggles. That their blood was filthy, which he may have believed to an extent. He was more concerned with killing Assassins and trying to win the long war against them."

"He was a Templar," Desmond realized.

Dorea nodded, "not just him but countless others as well. But two of his targets had been Lily and James Potter, my son and daughter-in-law. They say there was a prophecy that their son would defeat him, but it was all orchestrated by Albus Dumbledore, which he is no better than some of the Templars."

Desmond scowled, he had never been a fan of Albus Dumbledore, and he never met the man. He didn't really want to either.

"Are any of the stories actually true about him?" Desmond asked.

"That he is basically a normal wizard? Yes, he is. That Dumbledore tried to have my grandson tortured by his relatives…" she hissed.

Desmond didn't even know the kid, but he could feel the stem of anger run through him. He had the mental image of when his father had hit him and not for the first time either. He knew what Dorea was implying and he didn't like it.

"Is he still living there?" Desmond asked.

Dorea had a satisfied smirk, "I think they'll have a lifetime to learn to not mess with my family."

"Is he an assassin?" Desmond asked.

Dorea shook her head, "which is better, I don't want him to have to have a life like this. He doesn't need to know what its like to kill someone and know that you have to. The constant reminder that we have blood on our hands and live with it. To constantly live a life constantly on guard. He deserves a life away from all of that."

Desmond nodded, there had been days where he wished he had never been an assassin. That he would never have to be a target for the Templars. That he would never been kidnapped and held captive. But he had to become accustomed to it.

"What's the story about Sirius?" Desmond asked.

"Do you know what a Secret Keeper is?" Sirius asked.

Desmond nodded, his home back in the US had been under one.

"That will save some explaining. My best mate, James, and his wife, Lily had their home under one. I was supposed to be their secret keeper…"

"But you entrusted the wrong person…" Desmond guessed.

Sirius nodded, a sad look in his eyes.

"I was mad with rage and wanted him dead, but I was reckless… Pettigrew escaped, and I was left to blame. It was only by Dorea and Charlus that I was able to prove my innocence. I would still be in Azkaban if not for them. Though I was expecting to be exiled and killed. Or be left to my fate, but they didn't. But I lost James and Lily and I basically threw away my godson for revenge."

Desmond nodded, it made sense. Much more sense than the rumors, especially with Sirius killing all those muggles. It finally made sense on why Sirius wasn't killed. He wasn't a traitor after all.

"Do you think he is still alive? Even though everyone said he's dead?" Desmond asked.

Dorea's lips thinned, "I have had my suspicions. But that doesn't mean I am going to let down my guard. Dumbledore will say different, but it's hard to believe him nowadays. I would never believe a word that old fool will say. Voldemort's followers are still a problem, that I am certain of. And will always be something the Assassins will fight against."

Even with growing up with magic, it was a lot to take in. It was one thing to hear about the rumors and stories and another for someone to tell you their stories. To tell it from their own perspective. But never before had Desmond actually wanted to fight for someone's side. He did so because he had to. It was never a matter of wanting to.

"How can I help?" Desmond asked.

Dorea nodded in approval, "I need some help at Hogwarts and watching over my grandson. They are bringing back the TriWizard Tournament. I am unable to be there to help him and I know that any Templars will use this to their advantage. They may not know that his parents were Assassins, but Harry still is believed to bring down Voldemort."

Desmond nodded, waiting for Dorea to continue.

"But you will be a liaison for the Ministry in my behalf. You need not to take any part in the classes at Hogwarts unless you wish to do so. But you do get to help know the tasks and be an inside eye. But remember, he may not have the skills of an Assassin. But you are protecting one of your own," Dorea warned.

Desmond nodded, "it would be my honor. But, does he know… about the Assassins?"

Dorea nodded, "he is knowledgeable about them. Maybe not their everyday lives. But enough to know their history on who he is to trust. I don't expect you to tell him on who you are, that is your decision. But I will let Sirius show you were to sleep. Tomorrow will be busy."

Busy had been an understatement.

Dorea had wanted to know how well Desmond could fight. She also wanted to test his agility and stealth. It reminded him a bit of the days back in the Animus and gaining Ezio's abilities.

Even after her supposed test, she had taught him some new tricks. Like he didn't even know there was a way to blend so well into your surroundings to become invisible. It was like wearing an invisibility cloak. He didn't even own an invisibility cloak; they were too expensive to begin with. Not to mention his father liked to mention things like that to his face. Another reason why he was glad to away from him.

He actually didn't know if his father had one to begin with. And if he did, he liked to rub it into his face that he was too much of a disappointment to earn it. Though he did like the idea of owning one, but he was content enough to survive without one. Maybe that was bit of a hint of his father's skills, that he needed a cloak to be an assassin.

Where it was possible that Desmond wouldn't even need one to have its capabilities. If he was being honest, he rather have that over any dumb cloak. A cloak that someone could steal or the chance of losing it. Why have it if you already had the ability?

"You have to tap into your inner assassin. Envision yourself as you walk without being seen. It is a skill that can be mastered with practice. You have to learn how to tap into it like your Eagle Vision," Dorea instructed.

"Like my Eagle Vision," Desmond repeated. He could remember the days he thought he was going nuts at seeing the symbols on the wall. He didn't know how to turn it off before it would drive him insane. Back then, he didn't know how to control it. There were some days he still had some trouble with it, but felt he had a grasp on it for the most part.

It wasn't just the Assassin skills that she wanted to see. She wanted to see what he was capable of with his magic. Which was a lot of potions and healing.

"Burn-Healing Paste?" Desmond asked one day.

It was a minute before Dorea responded, "do you know what one of the tasks that the Tournament will be having?"

Desmond shook his head.

"Dragons, the Ministry has decided it was wise to bring three dragons to Hogwarts to test the chosen champions," her lips thinned.

Desmond could feel his eyes widened.

"Now do you see why I am wanting to know what you are capable of?" she asked.

He nodded, "do you believe that someone would force him into this?"

Dorea sighed, "I am not for certain. But it is very possible. But it also gives you a way to treat the wizards and witches if they do get burned. You took some healing courses, did you not?"

Desmond nodded, not sure if he should actually answer. He did run away when he was fifteen and finished his fifth year. He had already taken his OWLS, so it wasn't like the MACUSA would care too much about his NEWTS.

"Do you wish to take your NEWTS here?" she asked, a smile on her lips.

"Am I really that easy to read?" he complained.

Dorea laughed softly, "your eagerness to go to Hogwarts besides the fact on who is the Headmaster is a bit revealing."

Desmond groaned.

"Despite that, I hope you will not forget your mission," her tone went stern.

"Of course not," Desmond said quickly.

She nodded, "good, then I will tell you about the Hogwarts Library and what you will need for self-study. You are of course allowed to observe the classes if you wish. Though I do ask you sit in a few with Harry, hopefully you won't be too bored by being in fifth year classes. Consider it a refresher. You may be seventeen, but that doesn't mean you should miss out on his opportunity. You will also have access to the library while you are here until September first."

Desmond perked up at that. He knew the library back in America was pretty lacking in itself. It made him curious on what the library here would look like. Not to mention the library of Hogwarts. He honestly couldn't wait to get his hands on the tomes there. He could just imagine the amount of knowledge they held there. Even back home, the Hogwarts Library was pretty legendary. Though he supposed he couldn't say it was back home, since he never saw it as a home. But it wasn't like he really had one to begin with.

Before he knew it, he was enjoying these little training sessions with Dorea and the other Assassins. Some he still didn't know the names to. He was more familiar with Dorea and Sirius. Who, he found was really good at dueling, defensive, and offensive magic. Which made sense if Sirius had trained to go into Curse Breaking. He would have figured Auror, he definitely had seemed like the type.

Though he wouldn't really meet Harry until Hogwarts. Dorea was adamant that he wouldn't meet her grandchild until then. Though he doubted that she would let him leave before he learned the skill of being invisible. And she hadn't been satisfied until he was able to fool her. Which he still hadn't managed to do, but he knew she probably had decades worth of experience over him. But she hadn't held that against him. Though she did help him get better control over his Eagle Vision once she realized that his control had slipped several times.

"Loss of focus may sign your death, especially something as important as your sight. You will never know when it may save your life. It could be as simple as someone who viewed as a friend and it sends you a warning of a potential enemy. Trust your instincts," Dorea had told him.

Despite that Desmond had learned a lot from his ancestors. That didn't mean he was prepared for what he learned at the British Brotherhood. It honestly made him wonder on how he survived for so long. He may have learned a lot of the abilities due to the Animus and what he had learned as a child. But it was different when he was actually putting them to the test. He actually felt better prepared and her words even gave him more purpose.

"We may be Assassins, Desmond. Known as murderers and killers to most. But we have a purpose, since nobody else will rise to the fight. And so, we must do that honor. Our ancestors are proof of this. Our previous homes have been destroyed because of this. But we do not kill for the joy of it. You have not met these Death Eaters, who are allied behind Voldemort. There may be some that have no idea of his plans and intentions. But they are not considered an innocent either. They have chosen down the path of the Templars and will not stop until we are dead. They will try to kill you, just like any Templar would. But even as Assassins, we do not just blindly follow the Creed. Follow it like a guide. It comes with sacrifice, whether it be good or bad. But you are a Brother here no matter if I am Mentor or not. I do not consider myself above my fellow Assassins, as I would not be where I am without them. We still follow on not harming an innocent, but how do we determine that? That is all in interpretation but can be punishable if found an Assassin acted in the wrong. But even as killers, we do not do so for show or fame. Become with the shadows and it will guide you. And just like your brothers and sisters will protect and guard you, you will do the same."

Desmond nodded, "so I swear."

Dorea gave him a proud smile, "you have come far in your short time here, Desmond. You are a very capable Assassin. One I had the pleasure of passing down my skills. Do us and yourself proud. Just know, that your eyes will never fail you. The best weapon is yourself."