It was a quiet night in Surrey, especially on Privet Drive. Nothing would seem out of the ordinary.
Except that one Cat, who was looking at the House of a small Family in Privet Drive number 4. The man of the Household, a burly man with a neck so small you could not see it, came just home 5 minutes ago. He looked at her like he could not believe that it was the same Cat as he saw that Morning, reading a map. The Cat rolled her eyes, this man seemed a little dump for her taste, after all she was not looking for a home. No, she was watching the Family the whole day and judging it.
It did not impress her, not at all.
The son, as little and young as it was (a little bit more than a year it seemed) was already spoiled to his core. She was sure of it, or otherwise he would not have kicked his mother all the way to the car, because he would rather sleep than go shopping. But if the new toy was any indication, he even got something from it.
The Cat shock her furry head. And this is the sister of her most beloved student? She could not believe it. Not after all that what she saw. But there was a solid reason why she was here. She waited for someone. Someone very powerful. Or at least he was powerful once, after all he was getting old.
Tilting her head to one side, she listened in the still evening. She was sure he would soon be here.
Suddenly, the light vanished and put the whole street in Darkness. First, she was afraid, but the mild climate was still around, so it could not have been these foul monsters who watchet over the Prison of her People. She looked around once more and there he was, the man she was waiting for.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledor
The Strongest Wizard of her time.
And the Headmaster of Hogwarts, the School for the magical Children.
His silver Hair and Beard only showed his wisdom and age, but his steel blue eyes were still of youthful mirth.
Albus Dumbledor was walking down the street, looking at the houses. Then he saw the Cat and smiled.
"Well, hello there Minerva. What a lovely evening, is it not?" asked Albus the Cat.
The Cat growled and looked up at him. Then she changed to her Human form and glared at Albus.
"How did you know it was me in the darkness?" asked the former Cat, Minerva McGonagall.
"I never saw a cat this stiff sitting on a street Minerva. I always said you should lose up sometimes. But please tell me, were you waiting for me?" Albus was known looking at the House Minerva was looking before.
"As a matter of Fact, yes I did. But please tell me, is it true? Is the Dark lord really gone? And are the Potters dead?" she asked him, with a light shiver in her voice.
Albus looked downcast and nodded. "Yes, Voldemort is gone, for now. But I don't think he is gone for good; something was off about the whole thing. So, I am kind of glad you are here, so we can discuss further things. Because not all Potters are dead. Harry survived somehow."
Minerva looked surprised.
"He did spare a Child. That is not like him. After all I know, he did not spare anyone, not even a baby."
"Your guess is as good as mine, Minerva. For me, that is a mystery all on itself. But right now, we must discuss where should we put the little Harry. I take it you were watching the Dursley? What do you think?" Albus now looked back at the Women, who was shaken by the things that happened.
With a shaking voice, she responded.
"Yes, I was. And if you even think about it to put Harry here, I'm even more shocked about your decision. You can't be serious about that."
"Well, Minerva…. They are all what is left of his Blood relatives…. but I have someone else in mind too. A Pair of People in fact. But I wanted you opinion on these too, so please hear me out first."
Minerva was raising an eyebrow. Well, that got her interested.
"Why are you asking me, Albus? If you have others in mind, why don't we go them right away? And where is Harry right now anyway?" Minerva was now looking at Dumbledore's Robes, as if he hides a little baby inside.
Albus chuckled at that and smiled. "Well, if you ask me this way, it's because you have as much a say as any other Person, as you are the Godmother of his father after all. Now, of the place Harry is right now. He is with Hagrid, and you know how gentle he is. I'm sure he is quite safe."
At this Moment, they heard a motorcycle nearing the place they are. As they looked down the street, they did saw nothing. Suddenly, there was a light from above and a big Motorcycle landed right in front of them. On top of this Motorcycle was a giant man, easily twice the high of Albus.
"`Ello Mister Dumbledor, Miss McGonagall. I got him here." The big man looks down the street and scoffs.
"I 'hope we don't leave the little guy 'ere with these Muggles. It looks like they don't know anything about us."
"Well Hagrid, we were just to start to discuss it. But first, where did you get this bike? It is familiar."
Hagrid looked down at the bike. It was an older American model, in black. "The young Sirius Black came to the Potters on it, for the same reason as me. He gave me the bike after I told him that I bring Harry to you."
Albus nodded. "Ah, now I know where I remember this bike from. James liked it very much and gave it to Sirius, so it would be driven. Now to the matter at Hand, Harry. We were discussing about the living arrangement. And if we can conclude a way of action, we will act according to it. Well, as I said before, I have multiple options. And if they are even willing, they can all watch over Harry, until he is old enough for Hogwarts." Albus watched the moon, as if it would have an answer to his Question. Then, he smiled again.
"It seems, we have a visitor. And as it happens, it's one of the People I wanted to talk about Harry."
Minerva was puzzled, who does he mean? There was nothing around, not a single Person that she saw. But she heard something. Shocked, she turned around and saw an orange Circle in the middle of the Air, just little down the Road. Out of this Circle came tree People, one almost as big as Hagrid.
He was encased in futuristic Armor, but there was no Sound emitted from him. It was if he was just there. But by just standing there, he was intimidating. In the right of him was another man with two swords strapped to his back. He looked to his right at the black-haired women angrily.
"How often do I have to say, I hate Portals. Why are we here again Yen?"
"Because we sensed that something important is to happen here after we got that strange letter with that Owl. And just in Case your Swords doesn't work Geralt, we took John with us too. You know, you could learn how to use these rifles too." Said Yen, telling the other who they are. As Yen looked back up, after padding the dust of her clothes, she looked straight at Albus and was surprised.
"So, it was you who send that Owl? How did you know where we are?" Yen asked. Albus was chuckling as he answered.
"Oh, I have my ways. But please, lets us introduce ourselves before we answer any other Questions."
"I have one first" came a female voice from the giant armored Figure. Minerva was taken aback, she thought it would be a man inside that, alone from his big form. As this figure looked at them, the female voice spoke up again.
"How do we know we could trust you? You know, this hunk of metal and man I reside in just holds himself back to attack, because he sees you all as an unknow. And he was trained to fight it. So please, tell us. Do we have to fight you three?"
"Well, that's an easy answer, because we are four on our side. You see, there is a baby in the hand of my friend and no, we won't harm it or use it as a hostage. We won't attack you or your friends." Albus showed his empty hands in a sing of peace.
The armored Figure nodded and relaxed his posture.
"Now to the Introductions. I am Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Wizardry. The Woman to my right is Minerva McGonagall, my Deputy of the duties I have in this school. And to my left is our gamekeeper on the Grounds, Rubeus Hagrid. He is a half giant, that's the reason for his grand frame. Now I know you, Miss of Vengerberg, but who are your Companions?"
"Well met, Mister Dumbledore. As you know, I am Yennefer of Vengerberg, a witch. This portal hating man to my right" the man chuckled on this little banter "is my Husband, Geralt of Rivia. He is a Witcher or monster hunter, whatever you prefer."
"Please Yen, I don't slay every monster I come across, only those who are a danger to the people. As long they stay away and don't attack anyone, I leave them be." Gerald said, looking at the giant man on Albus side of the street. He knew that reserved eyes of a man who thinks that not all monsters are evil from just say.
"Ah yes, only when they attack you or our home. Or you get paid for it. But that's another topic. In case of that giant Armor to my left, I think the female voice can explain who they are. I still did not figure out everything."
They heard a chuckle and a bang, as the figure hit his Head with his metal gloves. Now that the moon wandered a little on the night sky, they all saw the numbers 117 on his chest plates
"Yeah, yeah, I know, I get on with it. Well, I am not really a person, I am an Artificial Intelligence. My name is Cortana. The silent man you see is called John-117, but please just call him John. Any more information is classified. The only thing I can say is, that we do not know how we ended up here. On time we were fighting on another planet and getting sucked in a portal, the next thing we know is that we are in front of a castle, with this two over there looking puzzled. And until we find a way home, we decided to help them to get something to do. But now I want to know, why did you call us here? It's pretty suburban here."
"Yes Albus, why did you call these people? Are those the ones you want to give Harry if we decide against leave him with his relatives? I have to say, at least there is a witch, so he will know about the magical world." Minerva assumed.
"That would be correct Minerva, but as you see, she does not have a wand. There is a different kind of Magic here that she uses. So, Harry would learn a different kind of magic. And if my information's are correct, he will also learn a great deal of magical creatures and will be physical fit. And please correct me if I am wrong Mister of Rivia, but would you also teach him how to use a sword?"
"IF we take him in. I think I should tell you that I am no normal man, to become a Witcher, one must go under certain rituals to get certain mutations. Because of that I have better senses then normal and am stronger than other human beings. Well except John over here. He lifted a boulder once as big as that man and did not even break a sweat. And that was outside of his armor. So, if you think you can trust us with this child, you have to tell us why." Geralt looked into the Eyes of Albus, staring right at him. Albus was not phased from the catlike Eyes but decided to tell the truth.
"As you may know, we had a war in our midst, Wizard against Wizard. That you remained neutral in all of this was remarkable, especially as I know that Voldemort asked you to join him and his Followers."
"So that man was called Voldemort? I think he called himself a Lord. Well, we did not join him because we felt the darkness in him, so we refused. He was not happy and left with the warning that he will come again, with more people. Let's just say he lost some of his Followers that day he wanted to subdue us. And speaking of darkness….. Yen, you feeling it? I don't think that my medallion reacts only because they can use magic." Geralt pointed at the bundle in Hagrids arms.
"Yes Geralt, but I can't say what this is. I have to study it, but it is not good. He will survive, even if whatever it is still resides in him, but it will be better to remove it. Do you know what the darkness is, Mister Dumbledore?" Yen got closer to Hagrid and the baby to look at the baby Harry.
"I have my suspicion, but I am not certain. But feel free to study it, I even give you access to the Library of Hogwarts, its pretty big and has tomes of all kinds inside. But if we must read up on Dark Magic, you must come to my office. I removed some books that contains explanations to the darkest of Magic. No student needs to know them. If this is acceptable with you, I would like to give Harry into your custody until he can come to Hogwarts for his education in our Magic." Albus explained, reaching out to Yen and Geralt.
"…. Just that we are clear, my Mission will be to watch over a baby until he comes of age?" a deep and serene voice asked, stunning Albus and Minerva.
"Oh, he speaks. What joy" Cortana was laughing wholeheartedly, until John smacked his helmed again.
"Ah yes, that would be nice if you could do that. I can even arrange some quarters in Hogwarts, if you want. I think you would be a good security for all students, if someone tries to hurt them. But please, do not follow him everywhere. after all, he should have a normal childhood. Well, as normal as a young wizard can be. Also, if you all could like taking some kind of teaching position inside the School that would be lovely. Now to other matters. Here is a letter for him, if he asks about his parents. He has the right to know." Albus hold a letter out, made from old Pargament. Yennefer took it, while looking at Geralt and John.
"What do you both think? Ready to raise a little boy?" Yen grinned at the man in her company. Geralt smiled back: "well it can't be worse than Ciri. But there is one last Question. As you now know, me and John are not normal people, even for magical beings. Is it all right with you to make sure that boy will have the chance to make the Rituals that I did, if he wants and if he is compatible? Thanks to John and his little digital Friend we now have nearly a 100% success rate with the candidates."
Albus smiled a little. "Well, if he wants before he is 11 years old, please contact us first. And if my information's are correct, he would be infertile if it succeeds. Is there a chance you found a solution to remedy that?"
"Oh yes we did. There are even studies from volunteers who have now children, if the effects of their mutations are inheritable. Some are, for your information. But not like a real Witcher. So Geralt will have some work left for him" she giggled at that. She took Harry out of Hagrids arms and looked in his face. "Ohh he is cute when he sleeps. I just hope Kaer Mohen is not too much for him."
John was walking to Yennefer, watching the surroundings. "Something is not right here. We should move. Geralt, can you hear something?"
At that, Albus and Minerva looked shocked. Suddenly they realized that the nice warm night air got a little chilly. And all sounds were like drown out. "I have to say, that is unfortunate. It seems that our Ministry does not have full control over those creatures. We have to drive them away." Albus was drawing his wand, so did Minerva.
Geralt was drawing his silver sword, standing right before Yennefer. As he was watching his surroundings, his eyes shone bright. He tensed up and was ready to fight.
"What are those creatures? Wraiths? Can they be killed?"
"As far we know, no. But there is a spell that can disperse them and drive them away. That is normally enough."
John was scanning the trees and down the street, his rifle drawn. "I see nothing. They must be invisible. But something is on the Thermals. So, I think I could hit them, if they have a solid body. Cover your ears." He shoots into the air, aiming thanks to the Thermal image sensors in his Helmet. The bark of his rifle was echoed down the street.
"If you can hit them with your rifle, I can fight them with my sword. Yen, stay back."
"I will, with Harry in my arms I am counting on you." Turning to Albus, she had a question where she needed the Answer for.
"Now Mister Dumbledore, why are they here? As I understand, they should not be attacking us."
As Albus was turning around, his wand drawn and ready to cast the spell. "It seems that some in the ministry are still on the Side of Voldemort. Now please go, if your friends are as good as they say, you can protect Harry better than we do. I am sure we can catch up later"
Yen nodded and opened another portal, ready to sprint trough. As this is happening, John had some hits on the enemy. "Geralt, take the ones on your left, I try to kill the ones on the right." – "All right, don't overdo it. I may need one in one piece to study, so we can learn about them some more." – "Acknowledged"
Geralt was ready. He sprang to his pray, ready to strike. His sword struck true, hitting something solid. Slicing through it, he was sure he killed it. He was surprised as that monster did rise again, trying to grab him. Geralt sprung back. "Hmm. They seem to be immortal… what about you John?" – "They stand back up, but after about three times they stay down longer. But we need to retreat, if there is more coming, we stand in a bad position. Go, I cover you." John shoots more rounds into this beeings, as it only slowed them down.
"Expecto Patronum" Albus and Minerva casted their spells. A bright, white light emitted from the wands they were holding straight up. This light let the beings disperse, but they were still outside its reach, waiting. "We go now. Minerva, take Hagrid and apparate back to Hogwarts. I will take the Bike and see Sirius, I think he wants it back. Miss Vengerberg, I hope you are willing to come to me afterwards, so we can discuss this matter further and how we stay in contact." – "Yeah, I come to your Hogwarts afterwards. Geralt, John, come on, its time to go." Geralt and John sprinted to the Portal, as Yennefer sprung through it. Minerva took Hagrid's arm and vanished. Albus was staying and stared down the Attackers. "Now you foul creatures, tell your Master I will find out who was it to put you up to this. And then I will expose him." He put more Magic into the spell. The light shone brighter and finally, the beeings vanished out of sight. "Damn Dementors. I need some hot chocolate later. Now, where is Sirius?" And then, he vanished with the Bike, leaving the streets without a trace what happened. The residence of the streets will never know what happened this evening.
As the Portal opened in the Castel ground of Kaer Mohen, the home of the Witcher's and their friends, tree people and a little bundle came out, half falling from the mad dash they just had to make from the other side, where the Portal was casted. Yen closed it again and did a deep sigh.
"I think we lost them. We are lucky that Kaer Mohen is not really known, or else we would have the Wild Hunt all over again. I go to the big hall and look what I can find to make a little bed for Harry. Geralt, could you call the rest together? They should know that we have a newcomer in our midst."
"Yes Yen. I will look in the Armory. Maybe the others found out how to make your ammunition suitable for our work John. After that, we need to discuss how we make those Rifles of yours. They are becoming handy, if the fight before was an indication. My Crossbow could not have done that. If you agree with that John." – "Fine by me. I go and ask Miss Merigold if she found out how to send me back. I have my own war to fight. But if we find a way and my superior Officers say that I can stay, I will continue this mission with Dumbledore."
With that said, John walked to one of the Towers. As he climbed the stairs, he was wondering how this wooden construction could hold his weight so well, even after these 6 months since he landed before the Castle gates. First, he thought that was a trap of the Covenant, but after seeing these Humans, he knew that it was a Forerunner Gate to this world. The only problem was, there was no return gate. So, his priority was to return to his Fight, even if the War with the Covenant and the Flood was over after the Explosion of the Arc. But he needed to know. He needed to have orders to operate. He was a soldier since childhood, he does not know anything else anymore.
Not that Cortana, his AI Friend, tried to make him socialize like a Human being. She had to be honest, this Triss Merigold was a beauty. But John, her Spartan Super Soldier, was a bit of a special case in that regard. She had time until that Portal technique they are using would bring them home to get John to open up with other people. Until then, she had not much to do. There was not much of a digital Infrastructure in the castle she could divulge in. So, she just analyzed what footage she had since they came here. It seems like earth, just not their earth. She looked especially at these "Wraiths", she still needed to name them. Maybe Yen will find the name for these beings when she visits Dumbledore. As she was looking trough the footage in her storage, she saw that certain hits with the rifle resulted in longer downtime from these…. until she knows better, she will call them black ghosts. She will tell John, when she is certain and the other are nearby, then she is sure it was not the last time they had to fight those.
In the Towers, Triss was sitting on her desk and was looking over her notes and tables for that one Universe, where the green behemoth came from. Her Friend Ciri was running through every single one they found, with help of her powers. The only thing was, they were looking for 6 months and until now, they only found a small lead. But it was at least one. When she heard the telltale sound of the wooden door opening, she smiled a little. "Coming for an update? Or are you just checking up on us?" She turned around and looked up to John, still in his armor. Next to finding his world, they where also looking into getting him out of his gear, it can't be too healthy to stay so long in there. Even if he said that there is no problem, as long that there is no damage to his Suite.
"I don't wanna bother you, but yes. Any progress?" John tilted his head. He was still not sure if he should have told them as much as he did. He still was silent over the biggest Secret of his Military. Nothing he told them was in a way classified.
"Yes, a tiny bit. Ciri is now in a World where we think, someone could know you. She should be back soon. Until then, lets talk a bit more. I am really interested to know more about you. When where you chosen to train how you did? Who choose you?" – "I am sorry, but both answers are classified until I get other orders from my superior Officer." – "Worth a shoot. I thought maybe you loosened up a little."
In that moment, a Portal opened, and 2 Persons were stepping out. One was a pretty, young, white-haired women. She whores the scar on her face with pride and her eyes had still the youthful spark.
The other Person in the other hand, had John stay rigid in his posture. She had also white hair but was much older. Her eyes seemed to say, that she wanted to know everything, even if she already known a great amount of everything there is to know. But more importantly, he knew her.
The old woman sighted. "Please tell me that we are back where you came from young lady. I still hope the others will find out how to get here when I go back with the Intel." – "Well, we are. And my name is Ciri, please try to remember." – "Oh, I know, but I like to provoke other people. The reactions fascinate me. But you know our deal?"
Ciri moaned. "Yes, you told me like 100 times, so I would remember it. If this really is a *shieldword* from your Forerunners, you and your people can study it, IF you don't disturb the residence in this world. But there is another reason I asked if you would come with me right now. Please let's look for…oh, he is here already."
The older woman turned around and swallowed. Her eyes filled with tears of Joy. Before her stands the only Spartan, that she would call a son. "John? We thought you were dead. I should have known that death can't hold you."
John raised his hand. Now he knew, this place was safe. He twisted a Helmet a little and lifted it above his head, hearing the gasp from the woman present with his own ears. The first time he saw them without the Visor in between. The six months in his armor left their mark. He had a beard not to regulation. He needed a shave, badly. And a haircut was in order too, they where too long. But even so, he was still good looking. Or at least, the two younger women thought that.
"Doctor Halsey, it is good to see you healthy. What happened back home?" – "Hello John. Thanks for that compliment. As for what happened back home, the war is over. We are at peace with the Sangheili. And even the Arbiter is still looking for you. He was sure you were still alive too."
John smiled at that. "Well, good to know. But is there a way to go back home?"
Doctor Halsey crossed her arms and was walking in the room, getting a feeling for the place. She was in awe at the architecture, what resembled older buildings on her earth. Fascinating.
"Yes, I think there is a way. But I am still waiting for something. If it does not happen in 2 days, I will return with miss Ciri here. Then we need another way to bridge the gap. I took a transmitter with me, if they can find us, we well have backup. Until then, what did you experience since you are here? How is Cortana?" – "I am still alive, thanks for asking." Cortana answered, a bit reserved. This was after all the woman, who did take the Childhood of her friend.
"I see you are as smart as ever. No wonder from you donor. Now, please John, answer the Question."
So, John explained what he did the last 6 months. His landings by the Castle gates, how he was greeted with a sword at first. The fights he had, first in close quarters combat with Geralt and later with the local Fauna. The only thing he left out was, how he saw the woman naked by accident. The others don't know, so his mother figure does not need to know that either.
While that happens, Geralt was going down to the Armory. He hoped that the other Witchers where down there and looking how this ammunition works. Even if he had to admit, maybe they should just go to a modern weapons store and try some out in one of those shooting ranges. Swords where outdated since at least 100 years. The first reason they still used them; the monster can only be killed by a weapon made from silver. And bullets out of silver are expensive. The second reason is, that some monsters are too fast for firearms, but they can still hit them with the sword in a counter.
Geralt turned around the corner and found his friends over the vials of different substances. A small explosion in the far corner catch everyone's attention. A black-haired man got back of the ground after being thrown down from his place.
"Damn, that was the fifth time today. Hey Geralt, back so soon?" Lambert got back up of the ground and stretched himself. He had the same eyes as Geralt, but his hair was short and black, in contrast to Geralts long and white hair. Also, Lambert let a small beard grow and Geralt don't like that on himself.
"Lambert, how many times do we have to remember you, don't use so much black powder. I can still smell it." – "Yeah Geralt, I know. But with what we have here, there is no way that we have Weapons with the same Power output as Johns rifles. Not even close. And he does not have many bullets left. But we will get it soon."
Geralt shaked his head. Lambert was always a stubborn one. But that seemed to be his recipe of success. He always got the job done.
"Well, whatever you are doing, we got something to discuss. Yen told me to get all of you back up to the big hall. I just hope Ciri is already back"
So, they walked back up the stairs, for what will be their biggest job yet.
A/N: yeah, i got another idea and still, english is not my first language ;) Please rate my attempt on a bigger Crossover. And please, tell me too if you think i should continue with this idea.