kiddokiddoDisclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter either. It belongs to its creator J.K. Rowling and probably Warner Bros. too. I'm not too sure about that. This piece of literature is simply the work of a humble fan.
:Author Notes:
This will be leaning more toward alternate reality. It will have the same characters just a different spin on things. If you're not a fan or strong cursing or maybe even violence and bloodshed then there is a good chance that this story isn't for you.
""It's an adventure, great. But for me, it's destiny. It is something that I can't change, something that I can't escape. I'm stuck!" Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Potter
Chapter KillianTwo: A Destiny, My Destiny
By: Water Mage
Blake Adams, an Archangel, stiffened at the name of Hogwarts that erupted from Harry's lips. Killian saw the movement and narrowed his eyes at his longtime personal guard. Blake was a tall muscular man about thirty with blond hair and ice blue eyes. Killian looked from the owl perched on the table to Harry who was staring into space with a glaze look in his eyes, then finally at Blake with a raised eyebrow.
"Blake, you know that I can detect certain things by body language," said Killian to Blake who stood in the doorway with the three other Archangels on guard.
Blake's eyes widened and he paled slightly at being addressed directly. "I know, sir."
"Is there something you want to tell me? You obviously know something judging by your reaction to the word… Hogwarts."
"I think I would rather tell you in private," said Blake softly, gesturing to his fellow guards who stood beside him.
Killian nodded and with a gesture the guards nodded and left the room, closing the doors behind them. Blake walked across the dining room and joined Harry and Killian at the long dining table. Blake shifted slightly as Killian trained his piercing green gaze onto him. Harry had finally snapped out of his thoughts to grace Blake with a look of supreme curiosity.
"Now, what do you know?" questioned Killian. "What is this," he waved his hand to the owl and the letter. "About?"
"My daughter received an owl like that a year ago when she was eleven," started Blake slowly. " It was the same exact letter that young Harry just received."
"So, the letter is for real?" said Harry interrupting Blake's sentence. His eyes were wide and held a wide range of emotions stemming from curiosity and a gleam of… hope.
Blake nodded in response. "Yes, the letter is real. The school, magic, witches, wizards… the whole thing is real, I assure you. There is a hidden magical community living right beside us, unknown to any of the public. My daughter is an honest to god, wand wielding, spell-enchanting witch and has been attending Hogwarts since last year. This will be her second year at the start of the upcoming September term. If you look there should be another letter telling you about school supplies and how to attain them."
Harry eagerly dug into the envelope to look for the papers. Sure enough there were two additional letters that he didn't notice earlier in his haste to open the acceptance letter. The first paper told him the books and supplies he would need for the school year and the second paper told him how he could purchase them. He frowned as he read about going to some place called the Leaky Cauldron then into a place called Diagon Alley and finally how to exchange money for gold coins at a bank named Gringotts. Once finished Harry handed over the papers to his father to look over. Killian read over the papers then looked again to Blake who was sitting patiently waiting to be addressed.
Killian put down the papers. "Is this safe?" he asked giving his son a brief look of concern.
He could tell by the glint in Harry's eyes that he was truly interested in learning about the newly informed magic that has been inside him all this time, unknown. He himself was intrigued of the possibility of a whole new world that was full of magic.
"I had the same question when my daughter was accepted. Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster, assured me Hogwarts was the safest place in England. He gave me a brochure, as well as an informational packet concerning the school. According to the Magical Education Board, Hogwarts is the top school of magic in the country."
Killian paused considering the information. He looked at Harry and the black haired boy was looking at him with a pleading expression. Harry desperately wanted to go to Hogwarts. The opportunity to learn magic was every child's dream.
"Can I see you a moment," Killian requested, looking towards Blake.
The man nodded and together the two of them adjourned to a quiet corner of the room. Harry watched the scene with open curiosity. Obviously his father was grilling the Archangel about the school and more of the hidden magical world. His father was very protective of him, always putting extra security on him when he deemed necessary to keep him from harm, which was necessary considering how many times threats had been made to his life in the past eleven years.
Killian came back with Blake trailing behind him. "I've decided that you can go."
"Yeah!" yelled Harry excitedly pumping his fist into the air. He jumped up from his chair and threw his arms around his father, hugging him with all his strength. Killian laughed at his exuberance, hugging him back with equal force.
"Now," said Killian, pulling out of the hug. "I want you to go on and go to sleep. I'll send our reply with the owl, seeing as that's how they deliver mail in the magical community. Tomorrow we'll wake up bright and early to go to Diagon Alley."
Harry nodded quickly then paused for a moment. "Um… Is Blake going to be there? 'Cause we need someone to show us around."
"Of course," answered Killian. "He and his daughter will meet us at the Leaky Cauldron."
"Thank you so much, Dad!" said Harry hugging his father one last time before dashing out the door.
He ran to his room, shedding his clothes and taking out his hair band, that he used to pull his hair into a ponytail, as he went to his bed. A smile was on Harry's face as his head hit his pillow. He couldn't believe that he was actually going to go to a school of magic. It was so unbelievable and yet it seemed so right. Almost like this place, Hogwarts, was the place he was supposed to be. Now, his next challenge was to say the school's name without having his lip curl up in disgust.
Harry jolted from his dream, bolting up in his bed. He put a hand to his sweating forehead breathing raggedly. Vaguely he could remember screaming, someone chanting, and a lot of green light. If he concentrated enough he could recall a female voice praying to someone or something named Tuatha Dé Danaan.
"To much jolt before bed," muttered Harry wiping his brow. "I really have to cut back on that soda."
Harry pulled himself out of bed and groggily did his morning routine. He slipped out of his room, while tying his hair back into its traditional ponytail. Harry was often glad that all males in the McKnight family were bound by custom to tie their hair back. He had seen some of his childhood pictures of himself with short hair and it was not a pretty sight. According to his father, when Harry was a child his jet-black hair absolutely refused to stay down no matter what he did to it. Harry had thought he was joking till he pulled out the pictures.
His father was in his usual place in the dining room, paper in hand, and half eaten breakfast on a plate in front of him. Harry had enough sense to know that his father wouldn't be ready to leave till after he had finished eating. So when the cook, Mary, delivered his food he gobbled it up under the amused gaze of Killian.
"I see you're done," said Killian dryly, as Harry dabbed at the corners of his mouth with his napkin. He glanced at his watch and said, "And in a record breaking two minutes too."
Harry smiled up at his father cheekily. "What can I say, I'm a growing boy. So can we go now seeing as we're both done eating."
"It is about time that we should be heading out," agreed Killian.
He folded his paper and stood up. Harry got up and they walked to the direction of the garage. While other people had two car garages and single car garages the McKnights had a whole building dedicated to automobiles. There was a section for sports cars, family cars, motorcycles, racing cars, and vintage cars. There was even a gas pump outside on the side building. They got into a blue jaguar, which was Harry's favorite next to the BMW's.
Harry glanced out the window behind them as they drove along a main road. "I don't see Archangels behind us," he said, referring to the fact that the usual black SUV carrying the Archangels was nowhere in sight.
"We don't want to attract any unwanted attention by having them around us. Blake will be there and he's qualified enough to watch out for both of us," replied Killian. He lifted his black duster revealing two Desert Eagle pistols secured in holsters on his chest. "Just in case."
Harry nodded turning his eyes back on the road. While Harry knew how to shoot, his father had forbid him from carrying a gun until he was sixteen and responsible enough to carry it without accidentally shooting his foot off. The drive from the McKnight Estate to downtown London wasn't a long one, seeing as they lived just on the outskirts of the city. Harry could feel anxiety build within his gut as they walked along the street among the crowds of people. Soon he was about to see his first glimpse of the magical world.
"What was the name of the establishment we need to go to?" asked Killian, glancing at the different shops and stores. People bustled about on the streets going about their business no one suspecting that these two were looking for a way into a world full of magic. To the passerby's they saw just a father and son looking at the sights of London.
Harry reread the letter in his hands that give directions on where to go. "The Leaky Cauldron."
"I don't see it."
Harry's eyes slid from a bookstore then to a record shop. Suddenly a building he hadn't noticed stood out from in between the two shops. It was a tiny, old looking pub with a run down sign that proclaimed, the Leaky Cauldron hanging above the door. The people hurrying past it paid it no mind. They merely walked past the establishment as if not seeing it at all. Harry had a feeling that they didn't and only those born with magic could see it, hence the reason that his father hadn't seen it.
"There is it, Dad," pointed Harry.
Killian followed Harry's hand and for the first time he stared at the pub that was in front his eyes. He knew for a fact that that pub hadn't been there before. He grabbed Harry's hand and steered them inside the shop before people could ask him why was standing there gawking at air.
The inside was a little better than the outside. It was dark and shabby but it was an overly friendly atmosphere. Here and there people occupied the tables, talking and laughing without restraint. They paid them no mind as Harry and Killian stood in entranceway gazing about. Evidently people staring curiously about was a common thing that happened here.
"Its like we stepped back in time. All we need now is Merlin to make an appearance," muttered Harry. He looked over to the corner to see Blake sitting at the table with a young girl. He was waving wildly to get their attention.
"Hello, sir and Harry," said Blake as they seated themselves at the table. The girl beside him nudged him with her elbow.
"This is my daughter Rilana."
The girl scowled at the name. "I prefer Riley. I'm a second year Gryffindor," she said the second part to Harry. "I hear you're starting at Hogwarts this year."
Harry nodded liking this girl already. Her outgoing nature appealed to him. She was the same height as him. Her hair was pale blond and pulled back into a braid and her eyes were a dull hazel. Vaguely Harry could hear his father and Blake engage in conversation.
"That's right, I'll be a first year. I'm Harry Potter-McKnight, by the way."
Riley's brows furrowed in puzzlement. "Harry Potter," she mumbled to herself. "I've heard that name before somewhere."
"You've probably heard your Dad talk about me," supplied Harry.
Riley shrugged and answered, "I guess your right…"
They spent the next few minutes talking of Hogwarts. She filled him in on the Four Houses and their different qualities and traits. He also learned of the wizarding world's main sport, which was played on broomsticks, called Quidditch.
"We should be going now," said Blake, leading them out the back door to a small, walled courtyard, where there was nothing there but a trash can and overgrown weeds. Harry glanced around and was about to say something when Riley stepped forward and started counting bricks above the trashcan.
"This is only but one way into Diagon Alley. Personally, I think it's the easiest. You just simply count three up… two across…" she said loudly. "And here we go."
She tapped a certain brick three times in quick succession. The brown brick gave quiver at the touch. Quickly the other bricks started to wriggle as if set off by the other brick. Then suddenly the bricks began to move and rearrange themselves into a large archway that opened onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned so much that they lost sight of it.
Blake smiled at Killian and Harry's wondrous expressions. "I was like that the first time here. Welcome to Diagon Alley."
They stepped through the archway and at once it moved and reformed again into a solid brick wall. It was better than Harry had imagined. The different shops and stores reminded him of London's own streets. Except you couldn't find a place that sold pewter cauldrons, shape-shifting animals, flying brooms, or potions in London. Harry tore his eyes from a plump woman haggling with an old man over herbs.
"Eight knuts! Honestly, at these prices..." Harry heard the woman say vaguely.
Killian was a little quicker over getting over his shock. He took Harry's elbow and led him through the crowd with Riley and Blake guiding them. "We have to get our money exchanged to wizards gold first like the letter said."
Harry's eyes widened at the sight of the impressive snowy white building looming ahead of them. Riley hung back with Harry as they climbed the white stone steps of the building. "This is Gringotts, the wizarding bank," she explained, nodding at a goblin whom wore a scarlet and gold uniform that guarded the imposing bronze doors. He bowed before them and opened the doors.
"What was that?" asked Killian as they entered the building. The goblin had been only four foot tall at most with a pointy beard and long fingers and long shoeless feet.
"That was a goblin. They are the only creatures you would want guarding your money," replied Riley smiling. "We learned about them in History of Magic last year."
They came to a second pair doors. Silver this time only these were engraved with forbidding writing that had Harry cock his eyebrow questioning. These silver doors were guarded by a pair of goblins not unlike the entrance doors outside. The goblins bowed them through the doors and they were in a vast marble hall. Killian sucked in a breath at all the goblins in sight. Nothing in his life would have prepared him to see a room full of goblins behind a long counter, counting coins, and examining shinning gems and trinkets with thick eyepieces.
"This is different," Killian commented quietly.
Harry chuckled quietly and retorted, "No kidding. I feel like I'm in the Neverending Story."
Other humans were here too, currently they were being led in and out of doors too many to count. This was all going quickly and smoothly with no errors or conflicts in sight. Together they made for the counter to a goblin with no line in front.
"Good day," said Blake to the free goblin. "I've come to exchange muggle money for wizarding gold."
"Of course sir."
"Muggle?" asked Killian.
Blake quickly explained, seeing the curious looks etched on Killian and Harry's faces. "Muggle is a term for normal folk. People who can't use magic."
The goblin took the offered money and pressed some buttons on a calculator like machine that was in front of him. "At the current exchange rate that will be 49 Galleons, 16 Sickles, and 6 Knuts." He reached into a cabinet and pulled out a metal box and a brown leather bag. He opened the safe and counted out the money, while placing it inside the bag. When done, he tied up the bag and handed it to Blake.
Killian and Harry stepped forward. The goblin's eyes flickered from Harry's eyes to the scar on his forehead. Harry unconsciously rubbed the lightning bolt, shaped scar on his brow. Sometimes he wondered about the possibility of getting cosmetic surgery to get rid of it. People always asked how he got it and he always replied with, 'I don't know. I've always had it.'
Harry wasn't sure but he had the feeling the goblin knew him somehow. They exchanged the money and quickly left. Riley confessed that being around goblins too long got her nervous. She too was a muggleborn witch like Harry and had only found out about her magic last year, so being around magic was still sort of new in a way for her. She explained this to Killian and Harry whom listened intently.
"So there are people who have lived with magic all their lives?" inquired Harry as they walked down the cobbled street outside of Gringotts. The sun shinned down from above and gave light to the bustling area full of witches and wizards going about their day shopping. His head still swiveled in all directions as he tried his best to take in the sights all in once.
"Sure," said Riley simply, smiling at his fascination of the shops. "Some people are half and half. One parents a wizard the others a muggle. Or there are purebloods whose whole family dating back generations are all magical folk. The last are muggleborns like me. Both parents aren't magical but I have the ability to do magic."
"Here we are," voiced Blake, stopping in front of a narrow and shabby shop. Letters above the door in fading gold proclaimed the shop Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Through the window on a purple cushion lay a gleaming black wand, so dark that it looked painted but really wasn't.
"Man, this guy gives me the creeps," muttered Riley.
Blake gave her a stern look opening the door. "Hush."
They entered the shop, the tinkling bell above the door signaled their arrival. Boxes. A whole lot of boxes, was the first thing that came to Harry's mind as she surveyed the shop. They lined the walls and were packed together tightly. It was a wonder how anything was found in this dusty place.
"Good afternoon," said a soft voice.
The kids jumped but the adults merely raised their eyebrows. They had seen the old man with the white hair and silver eyes come around the corner a long time ago. He peered at them slowly as if judging their worth with his very gaze. Finally after a while he spoke.
"I am Mr. Ollivander," he looked to Riley. She fidgeted under his scrutinizing gaze. Harry chuckled quietly as he heard her mutter, "Gosh, what a perv!"
"Riley Adams, you came to me only a year ago. Mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Supple. Excellent for charms. I trust it's in good hands."
Riley nodded a little quickly. "Yes, sir."
Mr. Ollivander turned his silver gaze to Harry. "Mr. Potter. I thought I would be seeing you soon," he said softly. Harry stepped back slightly closer to his father. "I can see your parents quite clearly in you."
"You knew my parents?" he asked quickly. His wide green eyes were filled with hope and anxiousness.
"I did. You have Lily's eyes and James face. Quite a couple those two were. I can clearly remember the day they both came in here for their wands. Powerful wands they had too, but the wand chooses the wizard. They did great things with their powers. I must say that you'll do even greater with their power in your blood."
Harry looked up at his father questioning. Killian had done a search for Harry's parents when he was younger and had shared his findings with Harry. Harry knew they died but the papers never stated what the causes were. It was listed as unknown.
"Harry's parents were wizards?" questioned Killian to Mr. Ollivander.
"Two of the finest. Such a pity they died the way they did."
Harry stepped closer his curiosity growing. "What do you mean? You know how they died?"
Mr. Ollivander nodded, his silver eyes gleaming in the gloomy darkness of the shop. "I'm afraid they were killed by the same dark wizard who gave you your scar…"
Riley tried to remember where this information was coming from. For the life of her it sounded so familiar like she had heard it before, but she couldn't remember. She tried to recall the details but the memory was out of her reach. Only vaguely could she remember a mentioning of a Harry Potter.
Mr. Ollivander wasn't offering anymore details much to Harry's disappointment. He pulled out a long tape measure from his pocket.
"Which is your wand arm?"
Harry could write with both his hands so he held out his right arm. Mr. Ollivander took the tape measure and measured his arm in so many different ways that Harry lost count. Mr. Ollivander let the tape measure go and it came to life measuring on its own. Mr. Ollivander went to the boxes lining the wall and began to take down boxes from different spots. While he was doing that he started to go over the types of wands people used and why no two wands were ever the same.
"That's enough," he said. The tape measure stopped and fell lifeless on the floor. "Here you are, try this one. Cherry Wood and dragon heartstring. Eleven inches. Quite supple. Take it and give it a wave."
Harry took the wand and waved it around feeling incredibly foolish, only to have it quickly snatched out of his hand by Mr. Ollivander. "Oakwood and unicorn hair. Ten inches, willowy. Try it."
Harry waved the wand and it was quickly snatched out of his hand by the old man. Harry had to bite his lip to keep from yelling at the man that he didn't he didn't have to snatch things. Killian placed a hand on Harry's shoulder to calm him down as Mr. Ollivander quickly thrust another wand into his hand.
"Willow and pegasus feather. A rare combination, I must say. Ten inches and quite springy. Go on, give it wave."
Harry took the wand and immediately felt a shock in his fingers. He brought the wand up and quickly swished it down. Blue and silver sparkles shot out from the tip and slowly rained down on them like shinning raindrops. The three behind Harry clapped loud smiling happily, while Mr. Ollivander smiled in satisfaction.
"Another satisfied customer."
Killian paid for the wand and together the four travelers left the shop, happy to be out in the open air once again. Riley spent a whole five minutes ranting on what a pervert Mr. Ollivander was for staring at her for so long. Their next stop was Flourish and Blotts, the bookstore.
"Damn. This is a big ass bookstore," commented Harry as they stepped inside.
Their parents took their lists and started making their way through the shop. That left Harry and Riley to their own devices. Harry being the curious type starting to go through the bookshelves looking at the titles and occasionally pulling out a book that caught his eye. Really he was looking for a book that had some information on the dark wizard that Mr. Ollivander mentioned killed his parents.
"My Body is my Temple," said Riley reading a book title. Her and Harry grinned at each other and began paging through the book laughing at the pictures inside. Harry stuck the book back in the place where she found it and his eye caught the title of another book next to it, one that looked promising.
Riley glanced at the cover confused. "Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts—Collectors Edition XC1," she read. "Looks depressing if you ask me." Riley watched as Harry flipped through the pages of the thick black book, stopping in the section that had '20th Century' written across the top in red ink.
"1920, the Fall of the Russian Dark Magician Ramsputein"
Riley glanced at Harry but the boy was not paying attention to her. His finger was going down the page muttering times and descriptions out loud to himself.
"1940, the Deceit and Manipulation of Grindelwald the Silver Tongue"
"1970, the Rising of the Deatheaters and their Master, You-Know-Who"
"1980, Harry Potter and the defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort"
"Harry that's your name!" said Riley astonished. Harry read the page number and flipped to the page concerning the date. The two of them crowded over the heavy volume and scanned the paragraph selection with rapid speed amplified by curiosity.
Harry Potter and the Defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort
At the time of 1980, the Dark Lord Voldemort's, You-Know-Who, was power at its peak.
Almost 60 percent of the magical realm felt the full force of You-Know-Who's might.
He and his band of followers known as Deatheaters killed and pillaged, destroying homes
and families in their wake. No one at the time was safe. You-Know-Who made it clear that
people either fell in line or died. Albus Dumbledore leader of the Order of the Phoenix, the
last resistance Against You-Know-Who was losing numbers fast, since the Dark Lord had
spies everywhere and Order members were found dead everyday.
The most notable Order members were Lily and James Potter, a young married couple
fresh from Hogwarts. James was an Unspeakable for the British Ministry of Magic and Lily
was a prominent Researcher of ancient lore and mythology for the Elysian Institute, an
establishment that seeks answers inside of paranormal events. The couple encountered the
Dark Lord thrice and escaped with their lives all three times, which is feat that none can claim
to.
The couple knew that the Dark Lord had set his sights on them, so with the help of Professor
Albus Dumbledore they went into hiding, with their young son Harry using the Fidelius Charm
in October of 1981.
Friend of the family and childhood best friend of James, Sirius Black, was chosen as the Secret
Keeper of the couple's location. As long as he kept their location a secret, no one could find the
couple or their Location. What the Potters didn't know was that Sirius Black was the right hand
man of You-Know-Who and was secretly spying on the couple. Black gave the location to the
Dark Lord, and on October 31, 1981 You-Know-Who attacked the young married couple.
James was found dead in the couple's living room wand in hand. The Killing Curse delivered
from the Dark Lord was the cause of death.
Lily was found in young Harry's nursery wand also in hand. In her other hand was clenched a
celtic cross. The Killing Curse delivered from the Dark Lord was deduced also as the cause of
death.
Harry, who was only a year old, was found hours later by a team of Hit Wizards. The Dark Lord
was gone, but young Harry was still alive and the only remainder of that night was a jagged,
lightning shaped, scar cut on his brow. Medi-Wizards at St.Mungo's examined Harry after taking
him from his home. The results were that the scar was caused by the Killing Curse. Harry was hit
by the curse and somehow rebounded it back on the Dark Lord casting him out of existence.
Harry was put into the charge of his relatives in Surrey where he will be brought up under their care.
The events of that night are a conundrum, but we do know this—Harry Potter vanquished
You-Know-Who and ended a reign of terror. For that the magical realm will forever honor Harry
Potter with the title, The Boy Who Lived.
Riley and Harry stared open mouth at the book, eyes staring ahead at the pages unblinking. Riley closed her mouth and looked at Harry with stunned shock and said slowly, "Now I remember! Harry Potter . . ." She cocked her head to the side, giving him an appraising stare. "I figured you would be taller . . ."
Now, this was a long chapter and twice the length of the previous one. I know that Harry has a different wand, but as Mr. Ollivander said, 'The wand chooses the wizard". Harry grew up differently, so he has a different personality, mannerisms, and experiences. That's what I take into account when I write scenes that change cannon. Not that I haven't already changed it by making this Alternate Universe.