Harry sighed, feeling a bit lost. "So, Merlin was the same as me… and he wasn't evil, right?"
"Nope! Not one mar on the man. Bit of a waste if you ask me, but to each his own I suppose… Next question?"
"You said my magic was strong… but I'm just a regular wizard. And how come I don't look like you— like at all?" Harry paused, thinking to himself "In the Great Hall you mentioned Dumbledore suppressed my abilities or something?"
Crowley growled "Yeah, Dumbledore and Lilith worked together to suppress anything you inherited from me, and apparently some of your magic." He added angrily "Who knows what else that fu—" he cut himself off, not wanting to swear in front of his son. "Uhh—"
Harry suppressed a laugh at his expense, deciding to take pity on him. "Is there any way to undo it?"
"Yeah of course. I was going to take you tomorrow to Gringotts…" Crowley paused self-consciously "That's only if you wanted to of course…"
"I— I want to. I want it to be like it was supposed to… I want to be how I was supposed to." He said seriously, looking to his father. "So… tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow." Crowley agreed.
Harry thought back, "You mentioned that Aunt Petunia signed off custody… the Dursleys… they're still alive, right? You haven't hurt them, have you?"
Crowley blinked, then frowned. "No…" A sinister smile appeared on his face, "Well, not yet…."
"Don't…" Harry said, looking into his father's eyes steadily.
Crowley looked at Harry curiously. "You can't actually think I'm going to let them off… not after what I've seen, and what they've done… which, by the way, we will be talking about."
"We'll talk later— I promise… but for now, please don't do anything— they're my family."
Crowley narrowed his eyes and growled harshly. "No… they're not."
Harry sighed, he couldn't really disagree. "At least wait… please" He turned pleading eyes on his father. Crowley wavered immediately, that look should be illegal.
"Alright, I'll hold off— for now… but I'm not very patient." He warned.
Harry sighed in irritation, but he knew just from the look on his father's face he'd get nowhere by pushing further.
"Those black dogs then where in the Great hall with you… What where they?"
"Oh, those? Hellhounds. Beauts, aren't they?" Crowley said, looking cocky. "They're the most vicious of the three litters, and the biggest, too." Hellhounds? He should have guessed…
"Actually, I figured if you wanted you could pick one out for yourself later. I'm out of the house for work quite a bit, so I thought that a dog would be a nice companion…" Crowley continued uncertainly when Harry didn't say anything "Aren't boys supposed to like dogs? You know, like white-picket fence, a big backyard and a dog?"
Crowley sighed disappointedly "Listen kid, I'm new to this whole father thing… If you don't want one just say so."
Harry decided to speak up, hating the despondent look on his father face "No!" Both males jumped at the loud sound, Harry trying again in a normal tone "I mean, no. I would like one… really. And— and I'm new to this whole son thing too." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "So, I guess we are just going to have to get used to this whole father-son thing together." He gave his father a hopeful smile.
Crowley was silent for a moment, just staring at his son. Harry fidgeted, watching, before Crowley burst into action, rushing to Harry and enthusiastically rubbing the top of his head "Oh you are just so adorable! If you were anyone else I would say it was just sickening— but look at this face!" Crowley squeezed Harry's cheeks, stretching them into a smile. "And when we go tomorrow to get all those suppressions off I bet you will be even more adorable because you will look just like your daddy!"
Harry laughed loudly, swatting his hands away. He rubbed his abused cheeks, still smiling widely. "Yeah right… if anything my looks will get worse."
Crowley gasped loudly, placing a hand on his chest and stumbling back a step in mock agony, but the effect was ruined by the bright smile that was on his face. "My own son! How could you say such a thing? I feel betrayed! Oh, the anguish…"
Harry and Crowley laughed together at the dramatics, enjoying the silly moment. "Alright, alright. Enough. I have something else to tell you…" Crowley paused, uncertain "How do I say this delicately…" he paused again, before rushing out "the Apocalypse is real and is happening now..."
"…Seriously? That's your version of 'delicately?'" Harry wasn't even fazed. He's been dealing with a lot of… surprises… his whole life— although the Apocalypse is on a whole other level. But still, Harry wanted to know the details, it wasn't going to be another Dumbledore situation if he had anything to say about it.
"Explain." He ordered, wanting as much information as possible.
Cowley was proud of his son, his assertiveness. But just thinking about the cause of that nonplussed demeanor made Crowley want to rip someone's head off.
"Well, I'm not sure how well you know the Bible, but while most of it is rubbish, the fact that if 66 seals are broken Lucifer will rise is accurate… and well a certain Samuel Winchester just broke the last seal, while the angels just stood by and let it happen." Crowley tried to backtrack, seeing his son's wide-eyed scared expression "On the positive side— because Lilith was the final seal, her death is how I was able to find you."
"Lucifer? Like— Satan… the devil?" Well this is certainly a step up from Voldemort… Harry was out of the frying pan and into the fire.
"The very same… "
"Great." Harry said sarcastically
"Don't worry about it. I'll protect you, love. That's a deal, and I don't take my deals lightly." Crowley told him sincerely.
Harry gave a short nod, not entirely convinced. After all, who had a chance against someone as powerful as Lucifer? "Okay. I just have one more question… who is Samuel Winchester?"
"Why don't we walk and talk, hmm? It's a bit of a long story." Crowley suggested, moving to the door. Talking about the Winchesters made him feel… restless "I'll give you a tour."
Harry quickly stood up, moving into the hallway when Crowley opened the door for him. He noticed Julian standing by the door, but his attention snapped back to his father when he placed an arm around his shoulders. "Come on, this way." He steered his son further down the hallway, Julian following at a respectful distance.
Crowley started talking as they walked, naming the rooms as they went along "I suppose I should start with Hunters. Hunters well— hunt things that go bump in the night— wendigos, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches…" Crowley stopped walking, turning to face his son "demons… cambions."
Seeing Harry opening his mouth to question him, Crowley decided to interrupt as he resumed walking, moving up the stairs from the foyer "Creatures aren't as… benign in America as they are across the pond. The 'witches' that Hunter's come across sell their soul for their power, and use that power for less than good purposes. The wand-wielding type that you are, are more hidden in America. They have greater regulations for magic near muggles, and muggle-born children are brought into the Wizarding World at the first sign of magic, so accidental outbursts are basically nonexistent."
Crowley opened wide double-doors, showing off an impressive library "Feel free to use the library at any time. Ask Julian or me if you ever need any help." He moved to the next door, opening it and motioning for Harry to step inside "What was I saying? Oh yes, so creatures are much more dangerous in America. And if Hunters get even one indication that a human was hurt by something supernatural…" He trailed off, knowing Harry could fill in the rest for himself.
"This is my room." He explained, watching as Harry looked around. He took a seat on a sofa, placing his feet on the coffee table. Harry followed suit, sitting on a matching chaise lounge, noticing as he did that Julian wasn't in the room, he must have stayed in the hallway. "Your room is one over from mine. Guest rooms are in the other wing, on the other side of the staircase."
Crowley continued, "As I'm sure you guessed by now, Samuel Winchester is a Hunter, he and his brother Dean, It runs in the family. And they are both right in the middle of this bloody Apocalypse mess." He sighed, stopping there. He didn't want Harry to know many details, he already had a huge target on his back… or multiple targets— Voldemort would be after Harry because of the prophecy, and many people wouldn't like that a Cambion had been born. He didn't want to add another target by giving Harry important details that many people would kill— or worse, to know.
"Oh, that reminds me…" Cowley followed his line of thought "We need to establish a set of rules, for your safety."
Harry nodded, knowing it would be for the best. He was out his depth with both Voldemort and the Apocalypse, and his father seemed a lot more equipped to handle it. "Alright, but we will negotiate terms."
Crowley chuckled, Harry sounded like him. He snapped his fingers, a blank piece of parchment and a silver pen appearing on the table. "I'll write the first draft then, and then we will discuss it, and revise it if needed." He explained, moving over to his desk to start.
I really like my Dad!Crowley, and one thing I am really proud of in this story right now is his and Harry's dynamic and relationship. This chapter felt a little rushed, but it was basically a filler for Harry to become aware of the basics on what's going on anyway, and I think I managed to accomplish it without ranting too much, I figured it would be boring adding everything because most of my readers already know about all the Apocalypse rubbish.
Also, I apologize but updates might get a bit slower as I started work. I will still try to update as soon as I can though. I already have the next chapter partially outlined, so hopefully you guys won't be waiting too long :P