Revisited 29.12.2021: Still fixing...

Chapter 8. Out in the open

Harry tried his best to show everyone in the room that he was as surprised at this new development as them. He was pretty sure that the goblin didn't really care about Harry's reaction, but Charlus was a completely different case if the looks the young boy was getting from him were anything to go by.

Thankfully before Charlus could ask a question Ranlast came out of his shock and began whispering, "It really is impossible, but our tests don't lie. Yes, they might not know something, but not lie. To think that another one of them would appear in this age and in form of someone who should be completely human..."

Of course, the rest of the occupants of the room also could hear the goblin and Charlus instantly followed up with a question or at least tried to. "Ranlast, you are not making any sense. Hell, the test is just as confusing. Tell m-"

Ranlast raised his hand to stop the elder Potter before he could say more. "I am sorry Charlus, but I can't tell you anything before you sign something for me."

Charlus frowned. "Sign something? How is this," Charlus pointed at Harry's test. "Connected to some documents?"

"Patience please," the goblin tried to placate. "All will be explained after you sign the document. For now, I just can't tell you anything."

Even though he was visibly annoyed, Charlus accepted Ranlast reason and the Potter duo was left waiting as the goblin prepared something on his desk. Harry wasn't sure what was really going on. He was new to all of this and if it wasn't for the constant lessons during dreams and the System, he probably wouldn't be so calm right now.

The boy just hoped that all of this wouldn't bite him in the ass in the nearest future. His "good" luck already caused him enough problems...

"Here it is," Ranlast said before passing a large document to Charlus. "You are free to read it before signing, but you need to understand that without your signature I won't tell you anything."

Charlus accepted the paper, his eyes scanning it from top to bottom. "Still there is one thing I don't understand. Why only I have to sign this?"

"Ah, you see there are certain individuals that can't be bound by this contract," Ranlast explained with a quick glance at Harry. "Again, I will explain why after you sign it."

Charlus sighed and went back to the contract in his hands. As Harry was sitting pretty close to his grandfather, he tried to glance at the document to see what it was all about.

Unfortunately, he only caught some mentions about something called "Underworld" and terms he couldn't even understand. Harry might know a lot, but obviously anything regarding official laws or business was beyond him for now.

"So that's the real reason why Edward couldn't tell me anything. I thought it was something special regarding the Hunter Guild..." Charlus muttered.

"It is the standard contract for anyone who wants to be a part of the Underworld community. Hunters obviously deal with it daily so they are all required to sign it before getting the job," Ranlast once again explained.

"I see," Charlus replied before looking back at the goblin. "So this will stop me from releasing anything about Underworld and its occupants? Nothing else?"

Ranlast nodded. "That's right. It is a very old contract and even we don't know how it really works. Fortunately, it keeps the secret safe so we never tried to change it."

Charlus ran a hand through his hair and finally signed the contract. The document glowed briefly and Harry concluded that it did its job in binding Charlus to whatever the contract was about. He really needed more information about the wizarding world if something like that was going to happen every day, and knowing his luck it would...

"Now tell me why Harry didn't need to sign it and how Underworld is even connected to all of this," Charlus asked after leaning back in his chair.

The goblin released a long sigh. "It is a pretty long story but I will try to shorten it as much as I can without missing any key information. You can find out more on your own, I don't have the time to be your guide of the Underworld."

Charlus nodded. "I can agree to that."

"Let me begin with what Underworld really is as am I not sure how much you know about it... The Underworld is a very large community spanning the whole world. It was created over millennia ago to give sanctuary to all magical beings that weren't accepted in the wizarding world. It is also a safe haven for races that are almost extinct, but that's not important now.

The Underworld, just like the wizarding world, has multiple hidden locations similar to Diagon Alley. The whole community is governed by a council. I won't go into detail as again it is not important now and you can find out more on your own. Just don't rush into the Underworld as even though some wizards and witches live there, they aren't well-liked."

Charlus snorted at the last comment. "So it is pretty much the opposite of the wizarding world?"

Ranlast shrugged. "In some cases, yes. But it is still much more accepting than any wizarding community. You will find out on your own... Now as to why your grandson didn't need to sign the contract. Well to put it simply, it would never bind him as it was his race that created it, even if the divine part is something completely new," the goblin murmured the last part, but both Potters could hear it.

That was completely new information for Harry. He knew a lot about his new race, but he was pretty sure that the visions he got were far older than anything Ranlast talked about. Still, he would be lying if he said that he wasn't curious about this new development and thankfully Charlus asked the questions for him.

"You are talking about the Divine Akiari part, right? And you still haven't told us what it exactly means."

"Of course I was talking about it, do you know any race that is called unknown?" Ranlasd answered dryly. "And there is not much I can tell you about them apart from the fact that they are powerful and if they didn't go extinct, they are definitely in hiding. I never thought I would meet one, but well here we are."

"I guess you won't tell us more?" Charlus inquired when the goblin stopped talking.

Ranlast shrugged. "As I said, I am not your guide. While discovering an alive Akiari is a surprise, I won't go out of my way to help you. I am old and prefer a simple life. I can give you directions to the nearest Underground district and keep today's conversation a secret. But that's all you will get from me."

That's pretty disappointing. Harry really hoped to find out more about his race in current times, but it looked like Rigna was right and his race really was almost extinct.

Charlus chuckled. "I guess I should have expected that from you. We will take what you can give us and be on our way."

"Good answer," Ranlast said with a toothy grin. "Now take this, it has the address of London district that only you can read. And before you go, I will leave you with one last piece of advice. When you finally go to the district, don't tell anyone what the boy is apart from the gatekeeper. While most already forgot about Akiari's role in Underworld creation, others still remember and might cause some problems."

Charlus nodded accepting the small file before standing up. "Thank you for your help Ranlast. I will be back in a few weeks to talk about my holdings, but for now, we will be leaving. Come, Harry."

Harry bid the goblin goodbye just like his grandfather and walked out of the room.

The rest of their trip to Diagon Alley was quite uncomfortable for Harry and it wasn't because some people looked at him like he was a big celebrity. He could feel the constant calculating looks he was getting from his grandfather and Harry was pretty sure that the older Potter wanted to ask some questions regarding what they discovered in the bank.

After all, Harry told him about his "dreams" and saw him training with magic and sword. If the man didn't connect Harry's new race with his overall weirdness, then the boy didn't know what it all was about.

Only when they returned and arrived in the living room did Charlus break the silence. "Harry please sit down for a moment."

Even though Harry was dreading this moment during the entire trip back, he still sat down on the couch and waited for his grandfather to continue. He just hoped that the old man wouldn't be mad at him for keeping secrets. He really didn't want to go back to his aunt, not when he found a new family member that already was much better than his relatives.

"I think we can both agree, that you weren't that surprised about our discovery in Gringotts, eh?" So he did notice... well, no one could expect a ten-year-old to be a good actor. The system didn't help with such things.

Harry tried to find a way to answer, maybe deny all of it, but he just didn't know how, so in the end he stayed silent.

"Harry, look at me." He didn't want to, but the soft tone of his grandfather's voice convinced him to at least try.

To the boy's surprise, Charlus' face held none of the anger Harry expected to see. Instead, the man smiled at his new charge. "You don't need to worry about anything Harry. I understand that you had a rough childhood and trust isn't something you give away easily. When we first met, I knew that you had secrets, after all, what normal child trains with magic and sword when they shouldn't even be aware of magic... Look, I want us to be a family that you always should have and if you don't want to tell me your every secret, that's fine. But with the recent development, it will be much easier for me to understand if you just tell me something. Not everything, but something."

Harry gaped at his grandfather. The mad had to know what he was scared of and gave him an out from this situation. Harry really wanted to just stay silent, but he knew it wouldn't be fair for the old man that tried so hard for him.

With his decision made, Harry started talking. He told Charlus more details about Akiari, while still keeping some information for himself. He explained more about the night when his parents were killed and what his "dreams" exactly were. Harry again decided to keep his sword a secret and of course, he never told Charlus anything about the System. The fewer people knew about it the better.

This whole conversation took almost half of an hour and when Harry finished a comfortable silence fell upon the room. Still, Harry needed to know what his grandfather would do now, so he was glad when Charlus broke the silence.

"That's a lot to take in," he said slowly. "Thank you for telling me this, and know that this changes nothing between us. You are my grandson and I will take care of you for as long as I can. Remember this."

Harry's heart soared at those words. Maybe his luck wasn't so bad in the end.

"Artemis," a gruff, elderly voice spoke. "It has been what? Hundred, two hundred years?"

Artemis looked at the visage of the ancient man and smiled softly. "Almost two hundred, Vitus. I see you are still doing fine."

The bald, wrinkly man smiled widely, letting Artemis through the door. "Of course I am. I might be centuries old, but I plan to live for a few more, even if my current existence is quite boring... Nothing happens in this district and my condition doesn't allow me to get out."

Artemis chuckled lightly before sitting down in the offered chair. "I could ask Apollo to check if he could do anything about it."

Vitus snorted. "Bah, better than the Sun god tried and failed. I am beyond saving, now tell me why are you here. I am happy to get a visitor, but you never really come to me without a reason."

That was true. Vitus might be one of the few males Artemis liked to some extent but she was never one for casual visits. It just wasn't worth her time when she could spend it with her hunters."

"Some time ago I felt something very disconcerting," she began. "A pulse of power almost cut me off from one of my domains. I am not sure what it is, but I pinpointed it to Europe or more recently to the British Isles. Soon I will go there and find the one responsible, but before that, I need to know what is the situation with demons in these parts of the world. I don't want to risk my girls."

"So I was right," Vitus murmured. "A new Akiari was born, one with the power to almost take away your domain. Interesting development indeed, I will need to get in contact with Lempo again..."

Artemis just let the man monologue as it was a pretty usual thing for him to do. It definitely didn't hurt that he was giving her more information about her target than she previously had. Only when he fell silent did she ask. "So you also felt it. What can you tell me about my target?"

"Target?" the ancient man said with a raised eyebrow. "If you even dare to harm a new member of my family then you can leave now. I might respect you Artemis, but I won't let you harm one of mine, even if you are a goddess."

Artemis wanted to be angry at the old Akiari, but she couldn't. Her inquiry about her target didn't come out too friendly and besides she respected the elderly man too much.

"I won't harm them Vitus," she responded politely. "I just want to know what could have caused such a disturbance. None of you could ever do that."

The old man nodded. "As long as you don't report this to Zeus I will be happy. As to why the new Akiari could do that? I don't really know, the only thing I can tell you is that whoever it is, they are not normal Akiari. My race might be connected with each other, but that's all I can and am willing to tell you."

Artemis sighed, she really would like to get more information, but she could understand Vitus' reluctance. After all, if Zeus heard of a mortal that can steal someone's domain, he would order the poor soul's demise.

"Alright. I will take what you can give me, but I still would like to know about the demons in this territory."

Vitus shook his head. "I can't tell you much. Over one hundred years ago I made Lempo responsible for gathering information and he only sends me reports every few years. The Hunter Guild is doing a pretty good job from what I know and the remaining Akiari probably kill all the stronger Demons that appear. Unfortunately, it is nothing confirmed so I would advise going to Amsterdam and contacting Lempo. He should be able to tell you more."

That wasn't what Artemis wanted to hear. While she knew that Lempo was a good man, she didn't like going to the main district of the Underworld. Usually, other lesser deities of other pantheons lived there and Artemis didn't want anyone to see her.

"I will do that," she finally responded. "Thank you for your time Vitus, I will be on my way now. My lieutenant is waiting for me."

The old man waved her off. "Of course, after all, I didn't expect you to sit here and chat with me for hours. Still, I need a favor from you. When you find the new Akiari and gather enough information, please visit me again. I would love to hear about the new member of my family."

Artemis nodded in acceptance. She was going to do that anyway. The old man at least deserved that much from her.

The few next weeks were really life-changing for Harry.

He finally got used to his new home. He gained a new family member that was kind to him and wanted to help Harry with everything he could. Well, almost everything... Charlus wasn't too happy when Harry practiced highly dangerous magic or some moves with his sword.

At least the older Potter didn't ask about the weapon anymore. He just accepted that it was one of the things that Harry wasn't willing to share. Which in itself was pretty weird as Charlus already knew about Rigna, but Harry couldn't lie that it was amusing to see his grandfather stare in amazement as he summoned the sword out of nowhere.

All in all, Harry was happy with his life. Hell, he even progressed with the System.

Power: 760

Strength: E- | (37%)

Endurance: E- | (88%)

Agility: E | (31%)

Mind: E+ | (56%)

Magical Power: D- | (13%)

Luck: Good

His new stats proved that even for his age he was progressing pretty fast, even if most of his practice in the last few weeks was dedicated to reading books about the wizarding world. At least it leveled up his Mind to the next level.

Magical Power also progressed to the next rank and Harry could feel his magic soaring through his body after the level up. He didn't know how exactly that worked and the system wasn't willing to explain. And so Harry just accepted it and decided to look for answers at a later date. After all the system was created by Rigna so he shouldn't worry about it hurting him.

On the other hand, his skills didn't level up much apart from one rank in each ice and darkness mastery. It didn't unlock anything new but made the control of the elements a bit easier.

Now though Harry was lying on his bed thinking deeply about his first visit to Gringotts.

After the conversation Harry and Charlus had when they came back from the bank, the younger Potter forgot completely about anything else that happened back then. He preferred to just leave it behind and look forward to his new life, but just a few minutes ago Charlus again left for Gringotts, and Harry couldn't help but remember the day again or rather one thing that he saw on his test.

Sirius Black, his supposed godfather, or rather sworn godfather even if Harry didn't know what that exactly meant.

Was the man even alive? And if he was, then where did he go when Harry needed him. Those were questions that the young boy needed answers to and he would get them as soon as his grandfather came back.

For now, a nap sounded pretty good.

Have a good day/night everyone.