Chapter 11
"For eleven years, my boy, you have trained well to be an Assassin Vulcan." The Avian's voice droned on as the sweet sound did nothing to distract the calm and collected male before her.
Twenty-four-year-old, emerald-eyed Harry Potter stood before Berry, staring forward, not focusing on anything. He was remembering all that had happened to him over the years. The constant training gave his thin body a lithe and muscular build while the sun turned his slightly pale skin into a dark olive color. He had allowed his unruly black hair to grow into a thick mass of dark locks, tied loosely at his nape, giving him a dark pirate look.
Dressed in a silky, emerald, long sleeve shirt; soft, brown, leather-like pants; calf-high, black, dragon hide boots; and a very dark, almost black, hooded cloak, Harry played the part of a very dangerous man. Even without the dark colored clothing, one only had to look at the four strapped daggers wrapped about his arms and legs, the thick black silver buckled belt with various vials of poisons, and two swords strapped tightly to his back to sense the dangerous aura. And that didn't include the unnoticed weapons or objects upon his person.
But there was more to the young man. It seemed Harry Potter was forced to live out the curse that if you're a Potter, things could become worse. No one had seen fit at Hogwarts to inform Harry that there was more to his family heritage than he knew. Deep within the Potter line was a very unique gene that rarely woke. Upon Harry's twenty-first birthday he suddenly sprouted fangs and his eyes turned a birghter shade of green. A hunger for hunting prey appeared seconds later, as did the natural grace, speed, and strength of a feline predator. His senses were overloaded by his surroundings, delighting him at the time. But the one thing that irritated him was the constant tugging at his magic and heart. It seemed Harry had turned into a Dark Predator, a feline-humanoid, who searched for its mate upon changing. Not only that, since Harry was a very powerful wizard he became an alpha Dark Predator, an alpha only submissive to its two mates.
He couldn't believe it when Berry explained that an alpha Dark Predator always had two mates. She also told him that a Dark Predator's instincts were highly dangerous around other Dark Creatures, which was why they had a separate category. When around other Dark Creatures, a Dark Predator would draw out the other's genes, forcing the bloodthirsty beast to try and dominate Harry, as well as physically harm friends or enemies since the Dark Creature wouldn't know friend from foe.
She had also explained that the hunt was simply a need to release the beast from within. All Dark Predators could willingly change shape, without the need for spells or training. The hunt would give the human better control over its beast after appeasing the hunger and need in the beast, otherwise he would need to consume large amounts of raw meat while in human form. But he would also need to be very careful; should Harry ever find his mates, and they were threatened or he was, the beast within him would be quite impossible to control until the threat was over.
"For all the blood, sweat, and tears we caused you to shed," her words suddenly jerked Harry's attention back to the present, "for all the pain, harshness, and early mornings we put you through, The Powers That Be have granted you one gift. With the power of Time Jump, you will be allowed to enter the last year of your parents' schooling. You will be allowed to know them and then take steps in order to save them, within reason."
Harry knew about Time Jump. It was a very taxing ability to jump into various time-lines at will, but the larger the time-line jump the more energy and magic spent. He would need to rest his magic for a week after each Jump, if he made that big of a Jump, otherwise he would only need a day or two at best. "The past must come to play. Fate will not allow it any other way. We give you a year to decide how to save your parents. But it must also let them die for your time to happen. It is a reasonable gift we grant you before embarking you onto your true mission."
"Thank you." Harry knew Fate was quite the fickle being and she knew the outcome of every past, present, and future. But Harry was ecstatic to learn he could try to save his parents. He also realized that in order to give his parents a new life, he would need someone or something to take their place. That kind of research could take time. He had never heard of any spell or potion with the ability to create such a suggestion, at least none that any where telling.
"But," he heard her stress the word, "no one must know of your true identity nor must they be told of the future. Though, we will look the other way should a very smart witch learn of the truth by accident." Berry felt terrible for doing this to their child but it was the only way Fate would allow Harry to save his parents. She also felt bad that she could tell Harry how to save his parents since a similar device had already been created and used during Harry's time. The Powers That Be were calling this mission a trial run, wanting to see how Harry would deal with his parents and the ideas he could procur to save his parents.
Harry smirked. It seemed The Powers That Be had a sense of humor. They didn't care if Harry accidentally on purpose let out details of his parents' future as long as he didn't out-right tell them, unless they figured it out on their own. "Fate has amplified your connection to your scar, connecting it further through your ring. She knows you wish to keep your friends, your siblings I should say, safe from harm. Go to them should they call to you but do nothing more than help."
"Thank you." Harry was glad when Berry had told them of his siblings. They kept him updated on their situation as it happened. They were the ones to keep them safe as long as possible, especially since no God ever interfered with mortal upbringings without a Chosen to do their bidding. He also felt that he shouldn't keep secrets from them, even if he knew they were keeping secrets from him.
"You have made us all proud, my child. You have earned the name Assassin Vulcan Shadow. The year will be 1977, the summer. You will be left outside your bank, Gringotts of Diagon Alley. We have already cemented your way into Hogwarts. And remember, a Dark Predator always knows its true family from potentials." Gratitude barely flitted over steady features. She knew how much Harry worried that his senses would chose his family as a mate. And now that those fears were laid to rest, she stepped back to allow him to leave.
With a flick of his wrist, barely noticeable had she notclosely watched, Harry was surrounded by a thick cloud of shimmering smoke. Seconds later, he quietly vanished. "Good luck, my child. Be well."
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Wrapped tightly in a dark hooded cloak, a mysterious man suddenly appeared in a shadowy alley off a very busy street. Emerald eyes glanced up to see the huge white building of Gringotts, the wizarding bank. "Ah, Gringotts." Harry's eyes flickered slightly as he mentally concentrated, casting a small glamour over his features. He knew some people would not enjoy seeing such feline-like features on a wizard. He respected their feelings, needing to be accepted so he could do his assignment.
He barely took a step forward when something fell behind him, thump! Turning, Harry slightly smiled. A small owl, a very familiar one, seemingly belonging to a certain Greek Goddess, fluttered before him. Gently, he received the letter and the owl vanished,
Shadow,
We leave this to you. We leave your earnings found over your years of training in your hands. Be well.
"Leave it to you, Berry, to remember the things I had collected over the years." With a wave of his hand, the small chest that had fallen from the sky floated after his graceful stalking form into Gringotts. He ignored the gasps and stares of the occupants in Diagon Alley, as much as he deliberately ignored an Auror suspiciously watching him before hurrying off, no doubt announcing his sudden arrival.
Far from Diagon Alley, deep within the stones of a magnificent castle, a small owl was delivering a rolled parchment to a very aged wizard, at the request of its Mistress. Seated in his office, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was enjoying a small luncheon with his Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, when the tiny owl dropped something into his cup of tea. "Albus?"
The blue eyed, white haired wizard blinked as he read the letter. "It's a letter. It simply states that someone has come to fulfill our Defense position."
"Who could it be?"
Before Albus could speak, a head suddenly appeared in his fireplace, "Headmaster! Someone has suddenly arrived in Diagon Alley. It seems no one knows of this mysterious man. He broke through the Non-ApparitionWards."
"Thank you, Auror Garner. I shall see to it immediately." Albus had set the wards up himself, trying to keep the section a safe haven for young wizards and witches. Times were growing more dangerous as Darkness was growing more powerful. And if someone could break such wards, then it could mean that the darkest wizard known could be there or someone on his side. "Shall we, Minerva?"
The younger witch, by several years, nodded. Following the Headmaster to the fireplace, they quickly flooed to Diagon Alley and then were directed towards Gringotts, where Albus placed a powerful invisibility charm upon the two.
Harry felt the sudden rush of powerful wandless magic in the air, annoucing Albus Dumbledore's arrival. He knew that the older wizard was here to see who the new dark wizard was but Harry didn't care, even though he would have to play nice. After all, this isn't my Dumbledore. He doesn't know what he will do to me. He simply carried on, sweeping through the doors with dangerous grace. He grabbed the first Goblin he saw, growling deeply, "I need a vault created within the highest security tunnels."
The Goblin frowned. No one had ever asked for that type of security, it was offered. "You are?" Two invisible and one visible pair of eyes watched as the young man swept back his hood and cloak, slightly turning so Albus could see the silver stitching upon the emerald shirt, an outline of silver flames surrounding a bleeding red heart.
The Goblin immediately stepped back in fear. That signature picture was rarely ever seen. Even Albus suddenly understood who the dark wizard was, slightly relaxing. Minerva was quite confused until the deep voice purred, "I am Assassin Vulcan Shadow. The first in twelve hundred centuries."
"One...one moment, p-please." The terrified Goblin fled to find the Head Goblin of Gringotts, hoping not to make the Vulcan wait too long. Harry simply re-covered his head as he waited patiently, watching as two very familiar young wizards swept inside, followed by their parents, one a pale blonde with blue eyes while the other was a black haired with onyx eyes.
Albus stayed longer to ensure that the arriving family wouldn't cause trouble. He knew that the Malfoys and Snapes cared only for themselves, not others, not when others could threaten their reputation or power. The two fathers looked about, disgusted that a Goblin hadn't arrived to greet them as demanded. "Whatever happened to the Goblins' respect these days to make us wait with common trash?"
They stalked forward to demand help, followed by two gossiping females. One such female, a very pale brunette, ran into Harry, crying out as she stumbled back. Both males turned to see the other woman glare at the hooded figure. Harry coldly glanced at the two women, not bothering to help the fallen woman. "Now, see here. You will not treat my wife in such a way. Nor should you treat a Snape in this fashion."
The other male glared darkly, adding his arrogant thoughts, "Nor a Malfoy. We demand an apology."
Their two sons stared, eyes wide, at the confrontation. Harry's voice simply rolled out in a cold, detached growl, "I respect whom I choose. I do not pander to simpering, weak, arrogant people."
Before either male could retort, two Goblins suddenly appeared. One deeply bowed to one knee before the male, shocking all who saw. "I am Head Goblin Thanos."
Harry swept a deep bow back in respect to the creature, "I would like a moment in private."
"This way, sir." Albus watched as the young man made a discreet sweep of his hands, causing the two older male Snape and Malfoy to suddenly blink and then release their anger on not being immediately waited upon by a Goblin. He suddenly realized that the younger man was not about to let either family walk out knowing a Goblin bowed to someone they considered beneath them when they refused to help the Dark Lord in any way nor bow to him. This was definitely a man to meet.