A/N: What's up guys. I apologize for the long wait. For those of you who reviewed, thank you. I really appreciate reviews of my writing. For those of you who didn't please consider leaving a review. Thanks to all my readers and enjoy the next chapter. Happy Hunting, Fenris.

Chapter 4: A Reckoning

Kyle looked up at Hogwarts' massive gate. It had been over a decade since he had been there last, but now he had to stay focused. As he walked closer to the castle his walk became smoother, predatory, and lethal. To an outsider he would simply seem graceful but to a warrior, he was hunting.

He crossed the last few meters and threw open the doors and walked into the entrance hall. As he did Professor McGonagall came down the stairs. She stopped at the bottom and stared, mouth open in shock. 'Kyle?'

'Hello Minerva.'

'Oh, my goodness. How long has it been, what happened to you, why are you here?'

'Breath Minerva.' Kyle was somewhat amused to see the normally strict Professor flustered.

'So, while it is good to see you, you never do things for no reason. Why are you here, and why now?'

Kyle's eyes narrowed and he growled low in his throat. 'I'm here for the old man. It's time for a reckoning.'

Minerva's eyes widened dramatically. 'You're angry.' Her animagus form's instincts kicked in. 'No, you're hunting. Why? Why Albus?'

'Two words. Harry Potter.'

Minerva paled. 'I knew something like this would happen. I told him that they were the worst humans imaginable but he didn't listen. I'm sorry Kyle. I should have done more. Is he ok?'

'No, he's not, but he will be.'

'Good. You know where his office is. Password is Hershey's.'

'Thank you.'

Kyle turned and headed for the stairs when a maliciously smooth voice came from the entrance to the dungeons. 'Well, well, well. If it isn't the barbarian himself.'

Kyle growled, 'Snape.'

'Why are you here Gunderson?'

'Why I'm here is no concern of yours Snape.'

'Of course, it is. I am a Professor here, you barbaric fool. Anything you do here is my concern.'

Kyle's eyes lit with fury. Turning around he stalked towards the greasy haired man, every muscle and tendon screaming with fury. Getting right in his face Kyle spoke. 'I suggest you fuck off Snape. I remember quite vividly what happened the last time you challenged me, and I promise you I've only gotten more dangerous to people like you.' Kyle turned and walked away.

Snape sneered. Moving like a striking snake he pulled his wand from the depths of his robe and cried 'Sectumsepra!' Yet for all his considerable speed Kyle was faster. With reflexes that had been honed through years of combat, Kyle spun around dropping to his knees, the curse screaming over his head. Launching to his feet he serpentine towards Snape, who continued to throw curses at the charging Marine. Snapping his wrist, a long KBAR dropped from the magical sheath on Kyle's arm into his hand. Lunging the last three feet, Kyle deflected Snape's wand up and to the left, launching it from his hand, while bringing the knife to the man's throat. Kyle drove him backwards into the hard castle stone.

'You think you could beat me of all people? I was always the most dangerous of us and yet you think it's smart to challenge me, despite my heritage and my background? You fucking idiot. Give me one reason I shouldn't gut you like the fucking pig you are. That was without an ounce of magic yet you're the one pressed against a wall with no wand and a knife at your throat.'

Though pale Snape still sneered. Kyle pushed harder. 'I know what you did you bastard, I know you turned over the part of the prophecy you heard. I blame you just as much as I blame that traitorous scum I called friend.'

Minerva grabbed his arm as a small trickle of Snape's blood stained his blade. 'Kyle, this isn't what you came for.'

Kyle glared at her but slowly released Snape who was even paler than he had been. Kyle turned his cold gaze on him. 'One day I will come for you in as punishment for your actions. Here and now, I, Kyle Gunderson, declare a blood feud against House Snape from this point on till the death of Severus Snape in satisfaction for his actions against my family. I will blood eagle you, you son of a bitch and I swear to God I will enjoy your suffering.'

He turned towards McGonagall, 'Deal with this scum.'

Then he turned and stalked away.

o00O00o

Kyle was still furious by the time he made it to the gargoyle that was guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office; but, like all warriors of his caliber, his anger burned cold, allowing him to control and use it instead of it controlling him.

'Hershey's.'

The gargoyle sprang out of the way as he swept forward. Reaching the top, he blasted the door apart and stalked through. Behind the desk was a wise looking old man who many would liken to Gandalf. 'Kyle!' the man exclaimed, 'it is good to see you again my boy.'

Kyle said nothing, choosing instead to stalk forward, seize the front of the man's robes and haul him over his desk before unceremoniously dumping him on the floor.

'Harry Potter. You left him at the Dursley's, AFTER you had meet them personally the year before Harry was born. WHY?!'

'Now, now, now, there is no need for violence my boy. I was simply….'

'Cut the fucking crap old man. I want to know why you left him to be starved, tormented, and beaten by people who could care less if he even existed. Now you better start giving me some fucking answers. NOW!'

Dumbledore paled and visibly deflated. 'I placed blood wards, it was the only place he would be safe! I knew they wouldn't love him, but I didn't think they would abuse him!'

'Bullshit! I can see it in your fucking face Dumbledore! What the fuck were you trying to do?! I kicked in the front door because his Uncle was beating him bloody with a belt. And it's not the first time! For fucks sake the kid has about as many scars as I do, and I've been in combat for the last eight years!'

Dumbledore sighed. 'I was trying to protect him. I built blood wards, but he had to live with his aunt, she was the only person who shared his blood. I had hoped the abuse would be minimal and that he would be stronger for it'

'You are a fool.' Kyle's words hissed out. He raised his right arm and showed the old man the long thin scar that ran down his forearm. 'Don't you remember the night I got this? The night that Charles and Dorea were murdered by that bastard. I am his uncle in every way, INCLUDING blood! And don't try to feed me that bullshit! You wanted a weapon, someone who would follow your biding. It's the same thing you tried to do with Sirius, the same thing you tried with Remus.'

Dumbledore's shoulders sunk. 'I truly had forgotten that you and James had undergone a blood ritual that made you brothers in both families. I needed to protect him, and this was the only way.'

'Well you didn't. Now I will. You are going to stay the hell away from him with your fucking manipulations. He is coming to live with my wife and I in the US. You will not contact him without my consent unless it is in your official capacity. Do you understand?'

Dumbledore hung his head, but he nodded. 'I understand.'

'I doubt it. Meddle in his life again and I will declare a blood feud against you as well as Snape. Do not test me Headmaster, my life has been one of violence. Goodbye Headmaster. Perhaps I will see you in the future.'

With that Kyle turned and left, leaving the older man on his ass, beaten and defeated, on the floor of his office.

o00O00o

Kyle returned to the hotel to find Caroline and Harry sitting in the room deep in conversation. Smiling to himself he leant in the door frame and watched them. Harry noticed him soon after he arrived and his change in demeanor alerted Caroline to his presence.

'You guys having fun bonding?'

Caroline laughed before getting up to give him a kiss. 'Harry here is a very intelligent and observant young man.'

Kyle raised his eyebrows. 'Oh really? Tell me Harry, was school ever boring for you? Was it hard to do well because you were so far ahead.'

Harry blushed and nodded, 'Yes sir' he muttered. Kyle frowned. 'Call me Kyle, Uncle or Uncle Kyle if you want but not sir. I am family, real family, not a superior. I may punish you, or be angry with you at times but I will never, ever, hurt you.'

Harry nodded. 'Now, are you ready to go?'

Caroline nodded. 'Everything is packed and ready to go. I'll be getting our tickets in just a minute.'

'Ticket's?'

'Yeah, we're heading to the States. Come on, let's go.'

o00O00o

They landed in West Virginia after a two-hour layover in New York. Harry had been ecstatic about flying for the first time. But the emotions off the last couple days had caught up with him and he had fallen asleep just three hours in. Now they were driving through the mountains in a black mustang. Caroline was sitting upfront, talking softly with Kyle, while Harry slept in the back. 'So where are we headed?'

Kyle grimaced before he answered. 'My grandfather's home.'

Caroline looked at him. 'You seem nervous or hesitant. Why?'

Kyle sighed. 'My grandfather was a brilliant and kind man, but he was human. A human with a lot of money. So, his home is rather… extravagant.'

They turned the corner and Caroline gasped. Sitting on the hill above them was a massive building that resembled a wooden palace. The land around it was a plethora of woods and meadows. Caroline thought she had stepped from the 21st century into a medieval period.

'Oh my god. That's the house?'

'Yeah, he knew Tolkien and so when Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Rings he asked my grandfather about the Norse, which he used as a base for the Rohirim. My grandfather brought him here.'

Harry woke up as they slowed and parked. When he stepped out he gasped and stared in wonder. Then he turned to Kyle. 'Is King Théoden here?'

Kyle looked at Caroline and then laughed. 'No Harry, but Tolkien loved this place.'

Turning he lead them inside. The entrance hall was massive with large wooden beams supporting the ceiling. Custom lights made it seem as if it was early afternoon and gave the whole place a warm look and feel while still maintaining the feeling of power. Caroline turned to Kyle, 'Extravagant? I think this qualifies as something else.'

For all his bravery Kyle winced. 'Everything here was my grandfather's not mine. The money we will live off of is my grandfather's everything that is facilitating my ability to give you and Harry a home is because of my grandfather. I loved him dearly but I have always lived or died, succeeded or failed on my merits alone. Since the time I joined the Marines I refused to live with a crutch that was my grandfather's wealth and power. So yeah, I tried to spend as little time here as possible after I turned 17. I didn't want to be tempted.'

Caroline sighed 'Kyle you have to understand that sometimes its ok to lean on others for help.'

Kyle shrugged 'When you spend most of your adult life living or dying by your ability to survive and yours alone it becomes kind of ingrained.'

'Oh, my goodness! You guys have to come see this!'

'Apparently Harry has decided to explore without us.'

'So, it would seem.'

They walked hand in hand to the room that Harry was in. The large room was dominated by a massive floor made of martial arts mats and the walls were lined with every kind of weapon imaginable; from swords to throwing knives and all types of pistols, rifles, shotguns, and even submachine guns, all encased in locked displays. Kyle chuckled 'You like what you see Harry?'

Harry couldn't help but grin as his eyes followed the elegant yet deadly curves of a masterfully crafted katana through the glass of the display.

'These are awesome! Are they really all yours?'

'Yes, would you like to learn to use them?'

Harry spun around so fast that Kyle was surprised he didn't get whiplash.

'Can I really?'

'Not without Aunt Caroline or I here with you to make sure it's safe but yes we will teach you.'

'That's brilliant!'

Caroline and Kyle looked at each other. Their lives had just gotten very interesting.

o00O00o

For the next couple of years Caroline and Kyle trained Harry relentlessly. He was homeschooled which allowed for them to control his educational curriculum as well as his physical education. As soon as Harry was healed from his malnutrition and other ailments, curtesy of the Dursleys, Kyle taught him how to access his magic and then use it to enhance his mind and body for short periods of time. In doing so he could read faster allowing his already impressive intellect to retain and recall information at a ridiculous pace. The ability had other applications such as jumping higher, running farther, faster and for a longer period of time among other things. It was a skill that Kyle had used quite often over the course of his many deployments with the Marine Corps. By the time Harry's eleventh birthday rolled around he was a completely different person. With the help of skilled healers, honest friends, and a loving family, the physical and mental scars from his many years of abuse had faded, though not gone completely. At 4'11" he was tall for his age and he had filled out exponentially in addition to gaining a considerable amount of muscle thanks to his extensive training in jujitsu and krav maga. While he didn't have the body builder physique that most men crave, Harry had the lithe yet strong form of a swimmer. He was also a straight A student and had completed his muggle education through sophomore year of college thanks to using magic to enhance his already astonishing perfect recall and mental capabilities. The only area in which he was lacking was his standard magical education. Caroline had suggested that it would be best if Kyle taught him occlumency and other non-curriculum magic in order to avoid Harry being bored in his first-year classes. Something that was bound to happen anyways. So, Kyle had taught him to defend his mind and attack if necessary as well as his station in Britain's wizarding society, customs, and other necessary knowledge for the heir of a Most Noble and Most Ancient Magical family. They also encouraged him to express himself through his music and in doing so they allowed for a bright, confident, and loving personality to emerge from the cage that he had created in order to survive the Dursley's. When Kyle and Caroline came down the stairs on the morning of July 31st, they saw Harry dancing around the table with a wild smile on his face. In his hand was an old-fashioned letter written in emerald ink. Kyle turned to his wife. 'You think Dumbledore will know what hit him?'

Caroline smirked. 'Not a chance.'