Harrison Van Helsing: The Dark Hunter Chronicles

by DZ2

doctor3027's Harrison 'Harry' Van Helsing Response: Consumed by grief and madness, James Potter made a terrible decision. One that will have serious repercussions for anyone who thinks Jamie Potter is the one with the power to vanquish the Dark! Grey Powerful Harry/OFC; Good-ish Dumbledore; WBWL

2. F Ch 2: Chain of Command

Harrison Van Helsing: The Dark Hunter Chronicles

Disclaimer/Plot/Challenge Information/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Recommended Reads: Damaged Raven by JustBored21, The Rise of the Last Potter by HPfanfictioner66, Xenogenous Souls by Quatermass, Dark Prince Rises, Argent Knight of Pendragon and Nephalem of X by Ronin2106, Harry Potter, Dark Legacy by The Fallen One 2012, A Family of My Own by Fire-Wolf Warrior, Harry Potter and the Hidden Truth by KingFatMan25, Who Dares Wins by OlegGunnarsson, Harry Potter The Protector of Magic by TigerSwarm9122 and Harry Potter and the Prince of Slytherin by The Sinister Man

Key Pairing: Harrison/Selena; Remus/Artemis;

Other Pairings: To be determined

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

'Mental Speech'

/Parseltongue/

Review Answers:

Doctor3027: You'll find out that bit in this chapter;

BillBrink: Well, get ready for more fun as the adventure continues;

Winged Seer Wolf: Could be, but won't be: however, when you read what's coming in this chapter, you might agree I've found another possible way for that to be in the story;

HVH

ALSO:

Before I continue, let me just say my idea of splitting this story into 'books' is so I can try my hand at some world-building and separate the main adventures piece-by-piece.

So, this first book will go up to Harry receiving his letter and going to Hogwarts.

Then the next will be first year, followed by second year for the next and so on.

Anyway, enjoy…

HVH

BOOK ONE: FORSAKEN

Chapter 2: Chain of Command

Artemis Selene Van Helsing.

Unofficially – in other words, as far as her Father, Gabriel, was concerned – that was her name, and it was one she wore with half-pride, half-shame, especially since, officially, there was a name missing from that impressive-sounding title.

And that was the name of Lupin.

However, because of The Code, as her Father claimed, Gabriel had never been able to fully-acknowledge, or accept, that Artemis was in love with and the fiancée of a Lycanthrope, let alone one whom she had known, as had he, as long as she could remember. One who'd risked life and limb many times over for the sake of the Legion and done all in his power to not only prove himself to his prospective Father-in-law, but also earn the blessing that he had been denied for nearly five years now.

Even though the two of them had given themselves to each other, and consummated their relationship, Artemis agreed with Remus when he said that the only way they would be able to fully-acknowledge each other as husband and wife was when Gabriel gave his blessing. In the meantime, as far as their nearest-and-dearest friends were concerned – and, rather-begrudgingly, Gabriel too – Artemis and Remus were just each other's fiancés and nothing else.

HVH

It was because of the old man's stubbornness to accept his daughter's choices – though, when asked, Gabriel always said The Code wouldn't allow it, though Remus and Artemis knew differently – that Remus had finally introduced Artemis to his closest friends, Lily and James Potter, as well as Sirius Black, Frank and Alice Longbottom and even Lily and James' parents, before they'd both died – Lily's parents dying due to cancer, in the case of her Father, and an accident with a motorcyclist, in the case of her Mother, while James' were murdered by Death Eaters.

Over time, the others had accepted Artemis, though not before being surprised when she told them her surname; in Sirius' mind, this made her someone he did not want as an enemy, while Lily and James seemed to be on the fence, because of how Artemis' allies – the Legion – not only associated with known dark forces, but also refused to give any support or signs of fealty and allegiance to the Order.

And yet, when Remus and Artemis had made a very big request of Remus' old friends, Lily and James had both consented.

The deal was simple.

If James donated his seed, so that Remus and Artemis could have a child that Gabriel would accept as a Van Helsing Heir – with Remus vowing to Blood Adopt the child when the time came for Gabriel to, as he said, pull his head out of his own ass and give Remus his blessing – then Artemis would try and convince her Father, if not some associates of hers, to aid the Order in the fight against Voldemort.

Was it her fault that Gabriel, as well as the Big Man, had said no?

No, it wasn't.

And yet, despite James' ranting as a result of Lily's death – and whatever dangerous, unfortunate moves he was intending to make next – when little Harrison Harry Orion Van Helsing – aka Harry James Potter, as James had dubbed him for appearances' sake – had been born, James had been over the moon and all too eager to raise the boy alongside his half-brother, Jamie, who'd been born the day after Harry on July 31st.

Harry, meanwhile, had shared his birthday with Neville Longbottom, the newborn son of a friend of both the Potters and Remus and Artemis, though Remus silently wondered what was going to happen on that front too.

If James got to the Longbottoms.

Did his son have to lose out on a possible friendly family there too?

No.

He wouldn't allow it.

HVH

As he watched Artemis sit faithfully by Harrison's crib, the sleeping babe inside now recovering from the ordeal of the Soul Cleansing Ritual that had been used to remove the Horcrux from him, Remus wiped a tear from his eyes before, clearing his throat, he saw Artemis look up at him.

"I'm going to go and try again speaking to James," said Remus, walking over to his son's bedside, where he clasped Artemis' shoulder, earning a sad look from the young woman as she kissed his fingers before she looked up at him.

"Remy…I think he's too far gone…depression, guilt…pain…anger…they've made him someone you won't recognise," said Artemis, though she didn't need to have the abilities of certain associates of hers to know Remus wouldn't be swayed.

It was just one of the things that had made her fall in love with him to begin with: even so, she kept going, "Besides, you heard what Father said before the ritual. Harrison's magical core seems to have dropped in potency, which can only happen if James recalled any and all power boosts that came from our baby being his illegitimate child. How Harrison even survived…I can only imagine the Hunter Force had a lot to do with it, but…still. Our baby's going to need some special training…and you know both Father and…and The Grandmaster will be watching him very closely in his training and…and his progress. One to ensure he is still worthy of his rightful name and…and the other because…because you know what being born with the Force in him means…"

"I have to try, Artie," said Remus, kissing her brow before he leaned over the crib and brushed his lips against Harry's forehead, right where a very pale, lightning-bolt-shaped scar now resided on the infant's brow. "He's my friend…just like Lily was, but…but I promise; if it doesn't work, I'll come back and we…we'll never speak of it again."

"You're damn right you won't!"

Suddenly, Remus' head snapped up to see Gabriel Van Helsing standing in the doorway to the nursery, a firm, unyielding look in his eyes as he stared down Remus, who didn't back down himself.

Instead, Remus drew himself to his full height, making him look as large and proud as he possibly could, as he explained, "Don't try and stop me, Gabriel, I might have shown you respect outside, but now, I'm warning you! If you're here to try and blackmail me into surrendering my cub to you and your…ways, you can forget it! He's already lost one Father to that man's arrogance and ego; if I have to risk even Artemis' love for my son, you can bet your soul that I will."

Even Artemis was shocked by the fire brewing in her beloved's belly, while Gabriel sneered as he slowly moved a hand to the hilt of his sword, but, again, Remus didn't back down, "You're a Father, Gabriel: you know I'm not kidding around. I'm grateful for what you did for Harrison, but don't try and stop me trying to help him now."

Gabriel's sword clicked loudly as the clasp on the scabbard was released, earning a growl from Remus, "Gabriel, I'm not kidding!"

"No," agreed Gabriel, drawing his sword from its scabbard as he nodded, "I know you're not…Remus."

Artemis' head snapped up: in all her time being in love with, and closely-affiliated with Remus, Gabriel had only ever called Remus Mr Lupin, and never even bothered using his name. And yet, he had not only done that, but, as Remus and Artemis both watched in surprise and curiosity, the Lycanthrope saw Gabriel step forwards before he dropped to his knees, laying his sword flat across his palms as he held it out to Remus.

"What are you doing?" asked Remus.

"Orders from On High," said Gabriel, earning a surprised look from Artemis.

"The Grandmaster?"

"He isn't happy that a Van Helsing was bartered so easily, even if that offer was turned down because of The Code; he's also displeased that one of our sacred bloodline ended up being infected by one of those spiritual abominations," explained Gabriel, indicating his sword with a jerk of his head, though his eyes never left Remus' as he went on. "So, by his Command, as The Code demands I heed his will, I, Gabriel Michael Van Helsing, 31st Commander of the Legion of Dark Hunters, Bane of Blood-Drinkers and Nightwalkers, have been ordered to step down as Commander and, in light of my grandson's currently-young status, I've been ordered to…mmbmbmbble…"

"What was that?" asked Artemis.

With clenched teeth that reminded Remus of his friends' most-hated member of the Order, Gabriel hissed out his words in a clearer tone;

"I…I said I'm to…to surrender my role as Commander to you, Remus Lupin! By the Grandmaster's Command, you…you're to act as Interim Commander, Head of the Van Helsing Sect of the Legion and take charge of all associations with all our Branch Parishes and Clans across the world…so, con-GRATULATIONS, Lycanthrope…you've…you've finally won!"

Remus didn't take the sword.

Nor did he look smug or relieved or even the least bit proud.

Instead, Remus drew in a slow breath before, looking back to Harry's sleeping form, he looked back to Gabriel with a stern, but calm air.

"If my memory of the lessons Artemis taught me about The Code are correct, as Head of the Sect, I have the right to name a representative who acts with all powers accordingly, right?"

"Yes!"

"Then…I name you, Gabriel Van Helsing, as my representative," said Remus, earning a sharp jerk of the head from Gabriel, who now looked up at Remus in abject disbelief while, behind him, Remus heard Artemis sniff softly before she coughed out a weeping laugh as she watched her Father look up at the man who he'd hated, vilified and been so stubborn about being part of the Family for so long.

And yet, this same man had just willingly used the loophole of his new position to reverse the Grandmaster's wish and keep Gabriel's pride intact.

As he looked down at the man, Remus stepped back, keeping his eyes on Gabriel before, resting his hand on the edge of the crib, he continued in a soft voice, "You've only ever seen the beast inside of me, Gabriel, when, all the while, the man in me has loved and cared for your daughter and even found a way around your bias against me to give you a grandchild…one whom, apparently, is much more-powerful than any Van Helsing has been for…well, since the Grandmaster, I suppose. And now, you expect the monster you choose to think of me as being to take your power and…what? Usurp it? Abuse it, just so I can get my jollies making you look like a fool?"

Shaking his head, Remus gestured with his free hand as he explained, "No…my first and last request for you, Gabriel Van Helsing, is that you rise and, if you must have some sort of penance as the Code demands, then you can give Artemis and I what we've always wanted from you."

"Your blessing!"

Suddenly, even Remus gasped in shock, if not disbelief and amazement when he looked past Gabriel to see a newcomer had managed to slip into the nursery without him or Artemis noticing.

This man was dressed in a long, white, hooded cloak that had armoured plates on the shoulders and what looked like shimmering silk woven through the material; he seemed to be wearing a suit of leather armour under the cloak, covering pretty much all his body, save for a pair of white gloves on his hands and a pair of silver boots that looked to be made from the skin of a great dragon. In one hand, the stranger carried a staff that was topped by the full moon – or rather, a crystal that looked like the full moon – as well as a silver-and-black medallion around his neck, which was engraved with the same crest from the gates to the Van Helsing Estate.

As the stranger made his presence known, he removed his hood, revealing a pair of steely, all-powerful, electric-blue eyes that seemed to shine with ethereal power, from beneath a head of silvery-coloured hair that was stuck up on his head. His face was worn with age, and yet it maintained its sternness as he stared down the awestruck Remus and the shocked, but also worried-looking Gabriel.

"Grandmaster," said Remus, bowing his head before, for added emphasis, he also tucked a few strands of his hair aside, exposing his throat to the elder-looking gentleman, who looked from Gabriel to Remus and back again.

For a long moment, the Grandmaster didn't say anything; he just stared, breathing so softly, you could be forgiven for thinking he wasn't breathing at all before, drawing in a long, deep breath through his nostrils, he looked again to Remus.

"You are a worthy husband of my descendant, Master Lupin…and a true warrior of the Legion, despite your other side's disadvantages; it is for that reason that I told Gabriel to give you the rank of Master of the Van Helsing Sect. However, I also did so knowing you would either pass on the mantle to another or, just as likely, even question this, given that The Code is clear on Lycanthropes, Vampires and any other soul cursed by the Creatures of the Night taking a position of authority within the Triad."

"I've never really been one for leading anyone anywhere, Grandmaster," argued Remus, indicating Harry, who was still blissfully unaware of the power in his presence, as he explained, "And now that James has forsaken him, all I really want is to raise my son, protect him, care for him and, sure, maybe make him a member of the Sect, but, between you and me, sir, I'd just as soon as let that be his choice…with all due respect."

"Noted," agreed the Grandmaster, before he walked past Gabriel, who kept his head bowed in the presence of the elder, as the Grandmaster approached Harry's crib.

Peering into it, the Grandmaster hummed once as he remarked, "However, as you yourself admitted, and as both Mistress Artemis and Master Gabriel are aware, one whom is born with the Dark Hunter's Force has their future set in stone. It is for this reason that there are so many generations between those born to the mantle: I, Abraham Van Helsing the Fifth was, as was my predecessor, Abraham Van Helsing the Third, as was his predecessor, the honourable and revered Michael Van Helsing, whose name we founded our Legion in and whose path we walk, in homage of his Father, the Great Daemonslayer…"

"Cadmus Peverell," chorused Remus and Artemis, before Remus' eyes widened as he looked from the Grandmaster to his sleeping son.

"Wait! Sir…apologies, I mean…your Grace…you don't think…"

"That the willing donation of James Potter, Last Son of Ignotus Peverell, Brother of Cadmus, was part of the equation for young Harrison being the newest bearer and recipient of the Force?" asked the Grandmaster, earning a weak laugh from Remus at how the Grandmaster had figured it out even before Remus had finished his question.

Then again, he was Artemis' Great-great-great-Grandfather, and even older than Albus Dumbledore – at nearly two hundred years old, not that you'd believe it if he went into battle against you – not to mention the most-powerful member of the Legion and a master of Mind Magic, amongst other things, so maybe it wasn't that surprising.

As for the Grandmaster, he just hummed before he mused, "Time will tell, I suppose, especially since Harrison has had his reserves weakened by the cowardly traitor, James Potter, letting grief be his guide. Until then…"

Here, he turned back to Gabriel as he explained, "I believe you have your punishment, Commander Gabriel: however, remember always…I am watching…and I do not offer a third olive branch, even one given in mercy and familial respect, understand?"

"Yes, Grandmaster," said Gabriel, sheathing his sword before he looked to Remus and, walking forwards, he held out his free hand to the wolf, who locked eyes with Gabriel, as the Van Helsing Commander smiled thinly.

"I am proud to give you my blessing, son…"

Remus shook Gabriel's hand…

Though not before Gabriel flinched as Remus seemed to grab on just a little tighter than he probably should have done.

As for the Grandmaster, he looked to Artemis before he smiled thinly, indicating the child in the crib.

"Train him well, love him always, care for him as long as you are able, my child…remember, he has a great and powerful destiny ahead of him, does young Harrison Orion Van Helsing."

"Yes, sir," said Artemis, leaning over the crib, before she picked up the sleeping infant, cradling him close to her as she looked again to the Grandmaster, "Are you going to train him, sir?"

"When the time comes for the Deeper Magic to be known to him…yes," answered the ancient wizard, before he bent down and, to Artemis' surprise, the Grandmaster brushed his lips against Harry's pale scar, before he tapped it with the head of his staff as he continued.

"Until then…sleep, little Hunter…the night may be falling, but a new day shall rise and, when it does, you, Harrison Orion Van Helsing, shall take your true and rightful place…as Grandmaster of the Legion!"

Even Gabriel bowed his head before he chuckled, as did Remus, when the Grandmaster spoke again;

"Trust me, you're going to end up hating it almost as much as we all do…"

Chapter 2 and, wow, talk about showing just how much family means to you, but now he's seen and known what's to become of…his son, how will Remus handle having to face the ones who helped make Harry what he is to become?

Also, is the Grandmaster right about Harry's power being weakened because he's lost a tie to his ancestor, or is it a case of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Remus tries to get through to James, which forces another member of the gang to make a very tough decision; also, time passes and Harrison Van Helsing grows up, but, one day, he meets a very interesting new friend, and learns of a fun future ahead;

Please Read and Review

AN: Portrayal

The Grandmaster/Abraham Van Helsing V: Terence Stamp