Disclaimer: 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.

"Truth hurts. Maybe not as much as jumping on a bicycle with a seat missing, but it hurts." Drebin, Naked Gun 2 1/2

Potter

Chapter Three: Reality is Truth

By: Water Mage

Harry stood there with the book in his hands, staring down at the words in stunned shock. All thoughts in his mind were jumbled and running together. Never would he have thought his parents were murdered in such a way. Nowhere in his memory had such a horrid thought ever crossed his mind. His first feelings were sadness and anger, then bitterness and sorrow, then finally resolve. Harry was upset that his parents had died in such a way, but he was glad that he finally knew the truth. The real truth on how they met their fates. Vaguely he could feel someone taking the book from his hands then after a moment of numbness; arms pulled him into a warm hug.

"Oh, kiddo," whispered Killian into Harry's ear, arms wrapped around his son. "I'm so sorry."

Harry shook his head. "It wasn't your fault. You don't have to be sorry."

Killian reached up and brushed away tears that fell down Harry's cheeks. Harry started in surprise, he hadn't even known he was crying. He wiped his eyes hurriedly looking around the bookstore. No one had noticed them since the shop was so big, and they were in a secluded corner. Riley and Blake were standing together in front of the father and son using their bodies to shield the private movement from any prying eyes.

"At least I know how I really got my scar now," muttered Harry rubbing a finger along the lightning bolt, shaped mark that marred his brow. It was a thin red scar that stood in the middle of his forehead and was visible for all to see, since his hair was tied back.

Killian took the finger that Harry was rubbing along his scar into his own large hands. "Your parents didn't die in vain son. Their deaths were with honor and hope. Hope that you would live. Wear that mark as a symbol to honor your parents and their honorable deaths. Bear the scar proudly, son."

Harry nodded straightening his back. He would do precisely that. His parents Lily and James Potter died so that he would live on. And that was what he was going to do. Live. From now on he would wear his scar to honor his parents that had loved him so much. Killian smiled at Harry and he gave a small smile back. He wasn't upset anymore but still sadness lingered in his heart.

Harry glanced down at the stack of books at his feet. These were the books he had picked at earlier. They were magical history books, in depth spell and theory books, mythology books, and a book or two on Hogwarts itself, concerning some of the schools alumni and history of the castle itself. If he was going to the school he wanted to know a little bit more about it. Harry was about to pick the books up, but Killian held up an arm stopping him and put them in the basket himself, surprisingly the basket had magically remained feather light despite the many schoolbooks piled high inside.

Riley stayed by Harry's side offering him silent comfort as they walked behind their parents, whom went to register to pay for everything. She hadn't known Harry but a few hours and right now she could tell that he was brooding. He didn't need to talk or have an intervention. Harry just needed time for himself to let his own mind sort his emotions and feelings out. Harry let himself be steered out of the shop and into another one. Before he knew it he was walking into another shop. This one was a large shop too, a clothing store this time. Harry barely heard his father say something about getting him a school uniform. He tuned in fully when Blake started to talk.

"—Riley has to get a new uniform too," remarked Blake. "You two get fitted and Mr. McKnight and me will be outside getting some air. I met the witch last year and she's a nice enough lady so it will be safe if you're by yourselves for a moment."

Killian gave Harry a small smile and walked with Blake outside. Riley rolled her eyes at Harry as a skinny witch with purple eyes escorted her off behind a curtain. A squat witch in shinning blue robes, smiling brightly stuck out her hand to Harry.

"I'm Madam Malkin. Starting at Hogwarts this fall, dear," she said still smiling. Before Harry could answer she spoke again, while leading him to a low stool. "I have quite the shop full. All over behind curtains they are, getting fitted for new uniforms. Kids just grow up so fast nowadays."

Harry stood on the stool as she suddenly threw a long black robe over his head. With a skill that came with practice and time, she began pinning at the right length with quick speed. Harry took the time to look over the shop. It resembled a muggle tailor shop slash clothing store. Many curtains were around the room where as Madam Malkin said many more kids were behind getting fitting.

"Going to Hogwarts too?" asked a drawling voice.

Harry looked to his left and was greeting with the sight of a blond boy. An extremely blond boy. His slicked back hair might as well been white it was so blond. The boy had a pointed face and that held a pair of gray silver eyes. Harry wasn't really up to talking at the moment. Not more than ten minutes ago he had learned the true facts of his parents deaths, and how he came by the scar on his brow. Now really, really wasn't a good time for social talks.

"Can you hear me, I asked if you were starting at Hogwarts?" asked the boy again sharply.

Harry shot the boy an uninterested look. "Gee, was I that obvious?"

"I'm starting too," said the boy instantly.

Harry inwardly drew in a deep breath. Evidently the boy didn't catch the sarcasm laced in his statement. The peroxide he used to dye his hair must kill brain cells or something. The boy prattled on and on about this and that. Something about purebloods and then a weird word that sounded like cadditch.

"—My father says that Slytherin is the best house and that all the other houses are not even worth it. Oh, can you imagine if you got sorted into Hufflepuff?" the boy rambled on in that same drawling, bored voice.

Harry had had enough. Something inside him snapped. He normally didn't do the evil bitch routine but right now called for it. He turned his head sharply so that his green eyes bored deeply into the boy's gray silver ones. The boy blinked surprised at Harry's glare.

"Listen," whispered Harry coldly. "I don't give a flying fuck about you or your bloody father. Either back the hell up with the chatter or be prepared to feel my hand slapping you into that back wall. 'Cause. I. Am. Not. In. The. Mood. Do we understand each other?"

At that moment the sunlight streamed through the window and caught Harry's form. Silver gray eyes flicked to the scar that practically waved in the bright light of the sun.

"You're Harry Potter!"

Harry raised his eyebrow. "Thanks but I already know who I am, Helen Keller."

Madam Malkin snorted with the pin held in between her closed lips. First when the boy made his announcement to Harry's identity she had jumped with shock and her eyes lit up for an instant. Then just as quickly her face had settled into one of professional calm. Riley came out just as Harry was proclaimed all done by Madam Malkin. He hopped lightly down from the stool and he and Riley walked to the counter to pay for their robes. Riley turned her head and found the boy, who was still getting fitted, glaring a hole in the back of Harry's head.

"Whoa, can we say anger management," said Riley under her breath so only Harry heard.

Harry gave her a confused look. Discreetly she cocked her head to the boy. "That boy is staring at you in a creepy, 'I'm a psycho and I want to rip out your intestines' kind of way."

Harry turned around and gave the boy the finger just as the wizard behind the counter pricing their robes. He put them in bags and they walked out of the shop. True to their word their parents were standing outside the store waiting for them. Harry was in brighter spirits as they walked down the cobbled street. More people were out now than they were earlier. The street was crowded but it seemed that it magically stretched to fit them all. After hours of shopping they finally came to their last shop. The pet shop, Magical Menagerie.

Harry sat on his bed book propped in front of him and his two new pets sat before him. Perched on the knob of his wooden bedpost was his brand new owl. It was a great smoky, gray barn owl. It's eyes seemed very intelligent to Harry as if the owl knew some hidden secret that he didn't. Harry flipped through the pages of the mythology book he had bought trying to come up with a name for the first of his new pets or familiars as the book had called them.

"How about Rhea?" asked Harry talking to the owl. The owl was female and it seemed to glare at Harry when he suggested the name.

"Hope?"

"Serenity?" The owl hooted in an appreciative way. Harry stopped, giving the owl a puzzled look. "Do you like Serenity?" the owl hooted again. Harry smiled widely rubbing the top of the owl's head. She made a noise of pleasure. "Serenity it is then."

Harry felt something rub against his arm. He grinned down at the small kitten that was rubbing his soft fur covered chin against his bare forearm. The kitten was pure white with not a mark on him. Its eyes were a very odd shade of blue that Harry thought looked too pretty for a feline.

Harry scratched the cat behind his ears. "Hmm… Serenity was the Goddess of the Moon in Greek Mythology so how about a theme." The cat meowed and Harry grinned taking it as a yes. "I'm thinking Zeus?"

"Ra?"

"Thor?"

The cat made a loud noise that Harry guessed was a meow, but the kitten was young and didn't know how to fully control its vocals yet. Harry smiled affectionately at the small kitten. Looks like Thor would be his new name now. Harry gave both of his new familiars a bright smile. The moon shinned down its light through the windows of his room bathing the large room in a soft light. Harry yawned suddenly the events of today had tired him out more than he thought. Glancing at the clock on his bedside he noted that it was only nine o'clock. He normally went to sleep till after midnight. Yawning louder Harry stripped of his clothes and got ready for bed. He untied his hair and slipped into his black silk pajamas. Serenity flew to his windowsill that was large enough so that he could lay in it. She turned her gaze to the cloudless sky outside eyes seeming to glow with the soft light that flooded the room. Thor cuddled up to Harry as the boy settled down in bed, closing his eyes and breathing deep one last time he was fast asleep.

Hours later Harry found his eyes snapping open as a cold voice whispered, "Don't fucking move."

A hand was wrapped around his mouth keeping him from screaming. Harry's surprised and frightened green eyes stared into icy hazel ones. The stranger was a young man with light brown hair a light build dressed entirely in black. In his other hand was a long wicked looking knife that was pressed against Harry's temple hard enough to draw blood. Harry's heart raced wildly in his chest. He forced himself to keep breathing and not let panic take over before he went into shock, just like he had been taught to do. This was not the first time that he had been in a life-threatening situation.

The man glared down at Harry. "Now be a good boy and don't make a sound or I might just rip out your throat right here and leave it on daddy's desk."

Harry just stared at him schooling his features, so that they appeared just as cold as the strangers did. The man blinked in surprise finding the sight of a small boy looking at him in hate a little disturbing. Harry's eyes were chilling as they stared unblinking at the psycho.

The man raised his eyebrow. "Nice trick, kid. Now get the fuck up and lets go."

Harry moved to get up but a loud hooting noise and an echoing meow sounded through the room. Suddenly the man let out a loud yell. What happened next was fast and quick. Serenity flew through the air landing on the man's head clawing at his exposed skin with her talons. Thor jumped on the man's hand sinking his sharpened teeth into flesh drawing lots of blood.

"Owww!" screamed the man in pain.

Harry took advantage of the man's momentary distraction. Using all his strength he kicked up foot catching the man in the gut. The man let out a whoosh of air feeling all breath leave him. Harry reached blindly for the clock on his beside nightstand grabbed it and bashed it against the man's skull repeatedly. The stranger fell to the ground on his knees moaning in pain. Harry didn't the let the moment slip through his fingers. Bringing back his foot he gave a loud yell as he kicked the man square in the face. A sickening crack filled the air as the bones in his noise broke and fractured. His head snapped back blood gushing down his face in torrents. Harry quickly ran to the intercom attached to the wall near his door and pressed a red button. Immediately alarms started blaring loudly throughout the whole mansion.

It wasn't minutes later before Harry's door was thrown open and men wearing black cargo pants, tight black shirts, and thick vests carrying CB radios in pockets, flooded the room. Three instantly made a wall around Harry and the others surrounded the attacker who laid moaning and bleeding on the floor. Blood covered his face and drenched his cloths a deep red color. The Archangels picked the man up forcefully as Killian strode into the room wearing a silk lavender night robe. His face was fixed into a mask of fiery anger as he stared at the intruder whom had just tried to harm his only child.

"I am going to ask this once," began Killian in a hard voice that bellied no lying would be tolerated. "What the fuck are you doing in my house? And why in Hell's name were you trying to abduct my child? Lie to me and I'll show you the true meaning of castration."

"I won't tell you shit," said the attacker his voice coming out in a low whisper.

Killian nodded to Tobias, one of the Archangels who held the man. Tobias took the queue and without warning he reared his arm back and punched the stranger in his nose... his broken noise. More bones broke and more blood oozed out faster and thicker this time. The man screamed in pain as waves of agony flooded his whole body. Killian gave the attacker a chilling smile.

"Now, let's try this again," replied Killian.

The man nodded and quickly began talking. His voice came out wheezy sounding, as was expected because his nose was broken. "Titan sent me. He wanted me to kidnap the kid. He wants to hold him for ransom."

Killian raised his eyebrow. "Sir Titan Manus thought he would really get away with this. Your boss is nothing more than a crime peasant trying to play with the big boys. Though I admit you must be good to make it through security."

"I've been training for this for over a year," admitted the bleeding man.

"You would make a fine asset to my team," said Killian. The man offered a weak smile that faded when he looked into Killian's eyes that were still cold and calculating. "But I don't like my men telling my secrets to enemies." He turned to the Archangels. "Take him to the firing range and use him for target practice. When you're done cut off his head and send it to Sir Titan. I want a note pinned to his head that says, 'Don't fuck with a McKnight'."

"No, wait!"

"Take him."

The Archangels dragged the screaming stranger from the room, his wailing protests echoing off the walls of the hallway. Killian dismissed the remaining Archangels and moved with Harry to his bed. The familiars sat nearby watching as the father tucked in the son. Thor leapt from the floor to the high bed and settled near his master, cuddling up to him. Harry smiled wrapping an arm around the small, white kitten.

"He didn't hurt you did he?" asked Killian.

Harry shook his head. "No, he didn't get that lucky. I hope the Archangels torture the bastard before they kill him. He scared the fuck out of me the way he woke me up. If I wasn't used to situations like these I think I would need some intensive counseling."

Killian smiled at Harry. If his son was fine enough to joke around then he was normal. He ran a hand through Harry's long black tresses. "I don't know how he managed to get past the security. Sir Titan must have trained him extensively. I wonder how that fucker got the nerve to try something like this. I don't play when someone threatens your life, kiddo. I'll make sure by tomorrow that that fat bitch knows the true meaning of pain."

Harry shivered a little. His father had that light in his eyes. The light he got when he wanted someone truly dead with every fiber in his being. Harry saw it occasionally and it never failed to creep him out. Oh, he didn't care about Sir Titan. In fact he hoped the bastard rotted in Hell. But when his father went all avenging angel people who hurt him better duck and run for cover.

"I'm fine, dad. No need to turn into the Punisher on me."

Killian gave him a tight smile. "You know that no one hurts you, kiddo. No one." He stood up and kissed Harry on the forehead where his scar rested. "Good night." Harry returned the goodnight and Killian left the room turning off the light and closing the door behind him.

Harry shook his head turning over trying to get comfortable. He closed his eyes and muttered, "Hell hath no fury like a McKnight scorned."

The last month passed quickly for Harry. He spent much of his time between studying the books of magic he bought and training. Studying heavily wasn't new to Harry, the private school he attended was very prestigious and the classes he was in were all honors classes or advanced placement courses. Harry tried simple spells in the book just for practice and they all seemed to work perfectly for him. Along with spells Harry read the history book of the magical realm and also the books on Hogwarts, dealing with its history and past students. Harry's parents were even in the book. Tears had came to his eyes the first time he saw their smiling faces looking at him and actually moving too. His training was more intense now than ever before. Killian wanted Harry ready for any threats or surprises that came his way in the new foreign environment.

"Alright, so lets go again."

Harry sighed tightening the black belt around the waist of his sky blue gi. Before him stood Dylan and Todd both dressed in black gi's. They were his teachers in the martial arts and firearms marksmanship, since both were the best of the best out of all the Archangels. His father trusted and held these two above all the rest. They were the commanders of the Archangels because their skills combined and separate were unmatched by any. Primarily they were the best assassins Killian had on his payroll, which is how they earned the nickname by other crime families the Angels of Death. When Killian's avenging angels went on the prowl someone would surely turn up dead because those two always got their mark.

The three currently stood in the mansion's gym. The gym had a high vaulted ceiling with benches that lined the walls to the left and right. In the middle of the room were mats and a large circle for sparring. Off to the right were the uneven bars, balance beam, and other equipment. Lining the wall to one side of the room was various weapons that most people only see in movies and television shows. Harry settled down into a fighting stance, facing Todd as Dylan watched on to critique his moves.

Todd settled into a fighting stance too mirroring Harry. Harry saw Todd was ready and charged at the older man full speed. At the last moment he jumped in the air, delivering a flying kick. Right as he was about to make contact with his target, Todd grabbed his ankle in mid air and twisted sharply. Harry's whole body spun three hundred and sixty degrees before he landed roughly on the ground.

"Ow!" cried Harry, sitting up and rubbing his ankle.

"Again," Todd said patiently. "This time don't leave yourself open to a counter attack. And stop watching so many movies. That jumping in the air crap will get you kiled."

Dylan nodded in agreement from where stood. He swept back his chin length blond hair before resuming his stance with his arms crossed. "The point of this was to work on surprising your enemy, Harry. Anyone could have saw that kick coming miles away. Let's go again."

They settled back into fighting stances. Harry charged him directly again at an incredible speed. Todd sighed, expecting Harry to do the same flying kick. Harry surprised Todd by going low and doing a sweeper kick, knocking his legs from under him. Todd grunted in pain as his back collided painfully with the ground. He looked up to see Harry's foot hovering an inch away from his face.

Clapping filled the room coming from a smiling Dylan. "Bloody wicked that move was!"

Todd accepted Harry's offered hand and pulled himself up. He clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder giving him a wide smile. "I see you learned. I really wasn't expecting that, little man."

Dylan joined them giving Harry a sad look. "I'm going to miss my favorite student. What type of school is called Hogwarts anyway? Sounds like a school for crackwenches if you ask me."

"No one did," replied Todd.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Ha ha. Let's try to keep the fact that I'm going to a magic school a secret. Not everyone can know."

"We know how to keep a secret," grinned Dylan "If we didn't my fiancée still wouldn't think that I sale insurance for a living."

Harry and Todd both laughed loud. It was a running joke that Samantha, Dylan's fiancée, would one day turn into Nancy Drew and actually follow him to work. Dylan putting on a hurt look spun on his heel and left the room.

Harry stopped laughing, concerned. "Don't tell me we hurt his feelings."

"Yeah right, bitches," said Dylan walking back into the room. "I just had to go and get something. My acting skills are tight right?"

Todd grinned as Dylan walked to where he stood. Together they faced Harry both wearing wide smiles that were the opposite of Harry's confused expression. In Dylan's hands the blond carried a long wrapped object that he didn't have when he left.

"We both pitched in and got you something," said Todd.

"A going away present," replied Dylan

Harry took the offered object, curiosity getting the best of him. Underneath the folds of the cloth was a short red scabbard holding a thin sword. A Roman looking shortsword actually. Harry stared at stunned, gripping the red handle he unsheathed the blade. The steel blade was two-edged, and had a sharp taper point. and shinny and above the handle where he gripped the sword was a crystal blue hilt that glittered. Harry turned the sword in his hands and the light caught the gleaming blade.

"Its beautiful," whispered Harry smiling gratefully at his teachers.

"We expect you to practice your kata's every chance you get," remarked Todd.

Dylan nodded in agreement. "I don't want you to come home during Christmas Holidays completely out of practice. If you expect to move up another degree in black belt you have to continually train and practice."

"I will," agreed Harry. His arms snapped to his side and he executed a low bow. They returned the bow then after a moment's pause; Harry threw his arms around them both. Dylan and Todd hugged him back with equal enthusiasm. Harry was like a son and little brother to them both. They were the ones who brought him to his father all those years ago that late night, so they felt a special connection toward the boy that they helped raised.

That night Harry went to his calendar that sat on the desk near his window. Red X's marred the paper covering the days that had already passed. Picking up a pen he crossed off August thirty first. Harry stared at the ticked off dates with glee. Today was the last day of August and tomorrow was September the first. The day he would leave for school — Hogwarts.

Harry sat down on his bed to look outside his window. The window was open and Serenity flew out into the night sky to hunt. Thor settled down in Harry's lap and he contended himself to petting the white kitten, rubbing the soft fur between his ears. The stars shinned and the full moon was blue in the sky as Harry gazed out into the heavens. A small smile was fixed on his face as he stared.

"One more day," he said to himself in a whisper.

A streak of light flew through the darkness of the sky in answer. Harry saw the falling star and made a wish.

'I wish that for once I can go through one school year without kicking someone's ass.'