A/N I've been waiting to write this for a while now and it has finally arrived. The official meeting between Jason and Harry, though I might have been a tad bit cruel to the former. Oh well live and learn. Before I forget, gregorian12 pointed out that it as confirmed that the Dursleys couldn't abuse Harry this badly without turning him into an Obscurus which is completely accurate when you look at it from a cannon standpoint. There's also the fact that abused Harry fics are everywhere, unoriginal, and make Harry look like the only decent human being. I promise that is not what I am doing. Gregorian12 also said that my handling of Dumbledore was poor and the only way I will respond to that is asking all of you to wait for a time when Dumbledore is shown.
I've read a few hundred fics for Harry Potter alone. Almost all of them revolved around an abused Harry with plenty of bashing to go around. The only ones I intend to bash are the Dursleys. Could they have been influenced by the horcrux in Harry's scar? Yes. Does that mean I have to like that answer? No.
I don't expect everyone to enjoy what I write. I was happy to see that gregorian12 took the time out of his day to leave that review even if he was basically saying that I've got a lot of things wrong. But I want to tell everyone what I told him. I grew up being bullied and ridiculed by everyone around me. The only support that I had was my parents and my siblings but when you spend 7 hours at school and your parents work night shifts it's hard to feel like you have anyone with you. I want to write stories where even if the main character is the strongest person in the world they don't have it easy. I want to write this in a way where Harry has to crawl his way from the bottom to the very top only to fall down and start over again.
Even if what I've written seems bad right now I hope you'll give me the chance to write better chapters in the future. As always please leave an honest review so I can improve for the sake of everyone.
hahahahahaha I found out how to use the horizontal line . . . sorry . . . got a bit too happy about that.
I continued to hold onto Fran, basking in the warmth that pooled off of her. I'm sure that my mom . . . that Lily would have liked to meet Fran. I could have fallen asleep like that but she jerked up and stared at the door. I strained my ears and heard the faint creak of the stairs. Someone was here and they were trying to be silent. Fran held out her hand and her giant weapon appeared from a flash of blue light just like when she fought the mages. I put my hand on her back and focused on the magic pulse. "If there's more than one we should make a run for it. If it's only one guy then we should catch him, they might know something about what happened here." She nodded her head and prepared for whatever outcome was waiting for us.
Every second that ticked by felt like an eternity but eventually the creaking came to a stop. In a heartbeat the door was thrown open and a man rolled into the room with a wand drawn. "Jason Colt with the Ministry, what are you doing here? wait a minute-" She didn't waste anytime and rushed him. She slammed the shaft into his side and pressed him against the wall. I didn't see anyone else coming so I ran and ripped his wand out of his hand. I wasn't sure how it worked but I pointed it at him nonetheless.
"Who are you and why are you here?" I questioned as the man's eyes turned from confusion to happiness. He let out a choked laugh and gave me a smile.
"I'm someone who owes your mom everything. If you could call off your friend I'd be happy to answer any questions you have." Fran glanced at me and I nodded. She pulled back and he fell to the ground coughing. "Damn, you are one strong woman. Do you bench press cars or something?" I kept the wand trained on him despite his friendly attitude.
"You said you'd answer my questions." The guy chuckled and stood up while dusting himself off.
"My name is Jason Colt. I'm a wizard that works for the Ministry of Magic for now. I will answer your questions but we should go somewhere else. If someone notices that you're here then we could both end up dead." This guy could be telling the truth but he could just as easily be lying. I picked up my blanket and looked at Jason.
"Turn around and put your hands behind your back." Jason nodded and complied so I walked up and tied his hands together as best as I could with the baby blanket. "Berserker, if he tries anything feel free to hit him as hard as you can. And if you don't mind could you take us to the forest as fast as possible?" She gave me a quick nod.
"Wait she was holding back? I was worried about your safety and you had a biological fucking tank. What the hell?" Jason said, clearly freaking out as Fran picked him up with a bored look on her face. She grabbed me and jumped high into the air, above the buildings and all the unsuspecting people below. I smiled but I heard Jason let out a girlish scream as we fell into the forest. Fran put us down gently, though Jason's legs were shaking like leaves in the wind. "Lily, James, I take back everything I said because your kid has some kind of superhuman bodyguard!"
I pointed the wand at him and Fran brought out her weapon. "I advise you start talking before I decide to let Berserker take you apart. Normally I wouldn't be pro violence but today has been really fucking stressful so cut the bullshit!"
"Alright, ask away. If I know the answer I'll give it." Jason said as he matched my gaze without any fear.
"Tell me everything you know about me and my family." I demanded.
"You really don't pull punches do you? I don't know that much about you or your family. Your mom and dad were students at Hogwarts, a school that teaches young witches and wizards how to control and use their magic. After they graduated they joined an organization that wanted to put a stop to the dark lord Voldemort. You're father was an amazing fighter and your mother worked as a nurse. That was how I met her. She treated my wounds and convinced me to do something with my life other than kill people. Shortly after that she got pregnant with you, they went into hiding, and on October 31st, 1981 they were murdered by Voldemort himself . . . no one knew what happened to you. There were theories but all of them seemed too far fetched to be real. That is . . . until I found you at the #4 Private Drive. I'm the one that told you to run."
Looking at him now he does look like the guy from before, I guess I wasn't able to get a good look at him last time. I leaned against a nearby tree and let the information sink in. He said the name of the man who killed my parents was Voldemort. "Who is Voldemort?" Jason looked reluctant to answer but he gave me a nod.
"Voldemort is an evil man that desired the death of muggles and their children as well as anyone who sided with them. Muggles are people who were born without magic. Preaching that . . . he was able to amass a lot of power and a lot of followers. They were known as Death Eaters. Murder, kidnapping, rape . . . there wasn't a crime they didn't commit. Voldemort was their undisputed leader whether because they admired him or because they feared him, in the end it didn't matter at all. They were still the scum of the earth. Voldemort was infamous for using a curse to kill his enemies. A bolt of green light hits you and you die. No ifs ands or buts. However, there is one exception." Jason looked at me with nothing more than absolute pity. "He tried to use it on you that night but you were able to survive. You're known as the-boy-who-lived because of it. The title is almost as famous as that scar of yours."
I brushed my fingers over it and felt it throb slightly. If everything he said was true then there were people who wanted me dead and buried. "Wait, if the Death Eaters followed Voldemort wouldn't they have been arrested?" Jason laughed like a madman and got a dark look in his eyes.
"That would have been the right thing to do. Unfortunately the Death Eaters had a lot of money to back up their titles. So with the slip of a bit of gold followed by the line 'I was under the Imperious' the Death Eaters were able to stay out of prison. Most people just accepted it with resentment, I on the other hand; decided to work as a behind the scenes vigilante that would either kill confirmed Death Eaters or frame them for crimes that they couldn't weasel their way out of. It's a horrible truth but it's the honest one. I'm sorry Harry but the moment you caught the attention of the Ministry was the moment you stepped into this pathetic hell. Magical Britain is a total hell hole littered with corruption and bigotry." I grit my teeth and stepped right in front of him.
"How do I know you aren't one of these Death Eaters?" Jason didn't give a response, he just remained silent. I turned around and felt him sweep my legs. In an instant Jason had his arm around my neck and his wand pointed at my head. Fran let out a rage filled scream but didn't do anything.
"There are two possibilities about who I am. Possibility #1: I am a Death Eater that believes you are the best candidate to become the next dark lord because you defeated the previous one as a mere infant. Possibility #2: I am telling you the truth as I know it and I am someone that just wants to help you. Either way I am your ally for now. If there comes a time in the future where you go down a path similar to Voldemort I will stop you." He pushed me to Fran and offered us his wand. "I don't know how to convince you I'm telling the truth and quite frankly that's a good thing. If you stay suspicious of everyone you meet there is a better chance of survival for you."
I stared at his wand and back to him, I pushed his hand away. "For now I'll believe that you want to help me. If you ever betray me or Berserker understand that you will regret it." Jason let out a sigh and picked my blanket up before offering to me.
"Live your life without harming an innocent and we won't have any issues. I don't care if you go on to kill Death Eaters . . . if I did I'd be quite the hypocrite. Anyway, I'm sure you'd like to talk in a place that isn't surrounded by trees so let's go to my apartment and get you something to eat." I think this guy might be a bit crazy but I don't think there's another option here. As I debated the pros and cons in my head my stomach growled loudly. "I guess I was right on the money. Will you two be coming with me or not?"
Fran put her hand on my shoulder as I stared at Jason. He could actually have all the answers I've been searching for my whole life. I just have to take one more risk. I leaned against Fran and held my hand out to Jason. "I'm ready." He smiled at me and took my hand. Without any warning there was a pulling sensation and where there had been trees there were sky green walls and a checkerboard floor. Jason threw his jacket onto a nearby table and opened his fridge. I was hesitant to move but I assumed if he was going to try something he would have done so by now. Fran and I sat at the table and waited for Jason to get done. He walked over to us with three bottles of water, he opened them and drank from each one before handing them to us.
"I only did that so you knew they weren't poisoned." I nodded my head in understanding and drank the cool liquid. It felt nice after the day I had. Unfortunately, if Jason's face was any indicator I still had some more to learn. "There are a few other things I need to tell you but I'm not sure how to do it."
I crossed my arms and gave him a cold stare. "Just start from the beginning."
"Yeah that would probably work the best. Ok here goes nothing. During what muggles call WWII magical Britain had a dark lord named Grindelwald rise to power. He was so powerful that no one could stand against him. That was the case until a man named Albus Dumbledore fought him and won. He was hailed as the hero of Britain and offered many positions of power. Far too much for one man to posses. Although the thing he's most famous for being is the headmaster of Hogwarts where he runs the school with questionable success. Skip ahead a few years and Voldemort replaces Grindelwald as the most evil dark lord. Everyone looked to Dumbledore for guidance and he was more than happy to offer it. However, because there were so many government positions corrupted by Death Eaters Dumbledore created a secret organization to stop Voldemort." He stopped to drink his water. "Any questions so far?"
"Why are you telling me about Dumbledore?" His eyes turned dark at that question.
"I'll get to that in a minute. The organization was called The Order of the Phoenix. Your parents and many others joined it in hopes of ending that damned nightmare. The level of success they had varied greatly. On one hand many Death Eaters were taken down but on the other Voldemort was forced to use even worse tactics to combat the order. It was an all out war that no one could see an end to. Before you were born your parents went into hiding but Voldemort hunted for them relentlessly. It all came to an end when Voldemort failed to kill you. He was dead and the Death Eaters were too terrified to make anymore moves without their leader. However, when the wizarding world asked about your whereabouts, the official statement from Dumbledore was you had been put with your family overseas. So there's a good chance that Dumbledore put you with the Dursleys because Petunia is your biological aunt. Which begs the question; was Dumbledore aware of their abusive treatment?'
So that's how it is. Someone who had a lot of power in the magical world could have known what was happening to me and did nothing. Someone that my mother and father followed before they died. I felt sick but I couldn't let that get in my way. "Do you think Dumbledore let it happen?" Jason gave me another pitiful look and I snapped. "I don't want your pity! I just want to know if that man is the reason that I suffered for seven damn years! . . . I survived it but if he was responsible then I'm still in danger."
"I know that, and I don't pity you. I'm pissed because I can't give you an answer. Is it possible that he let it happen? Yes, but I find it unlikely. I hate the man for more than one reason but I don't think he would let that happen to you. Sadly, we can't just go up to him and ask 'hey, did you let me get abused by my monster relatives?' We have to assume that he did know and he let it happen. It's better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I will keep investigating to find out the truth but for now I need you to be patient. Harry I am begging you from the bottom of my heart to let me help you." Jason stood up and met my stare with his own gaze. I saw it in his eyes . . . he knew the pain I felt just like Fran did.
"If you promise that you'll protect Berserker then I'll listen to what you say."
"Very well then, from this day forth I swear on my life, soul, and magic that I will protect her to the best of my ability. So it has been said so mote it be." A faint white light emanated from his heart. "That was a magic vow. The moment I break this vow my life will come to an end." I'll risk it one more time. I will put my faith in him for her sake, but if he ever tries anything . . . I'll take him down.
Jason went into more detail about how the Death Eaters were able to escape prison and the rage in his tone was more than enough to convince me that he wasn't an ally of theirs. He also talked about the politics of the government and I realized quickly that the best way to influence anything was by getting the neutral families on your side while manipulating the media. It shouldn't be too hard if this Rita Skeeter woman wrote lies in the newspapers for shits and giggles. My mind was already working on how to bring down Dumbledore if he really was aware of my life. I had a lot of work to get done if I wanted to be free. He had been talking for hours and I was more than happy to absorb the information. Finally he stopped talking and stretched in his seat. "Jason, thank you for telling me what you know." He looked surprised but it quickly faded only to be replaced with a confident smirk.
"Well kid I'm not done helping you yet. Unfortunately you can't stay here with me but I can work something out after we have supper. Ruby, Sapphire, we have a guest and I think he would like to eat." I tensed up when I heard a loud bang come from behind me. Standing there were two small somethings. "Harry Berserker these are my house elves Ruby and Sapphire. While most old families use them as slaves I keep them here as my friends."
The one on the left stepped forward and gave a small bow. "Hello child, my name is Sapphire and if there is anything you need simply ask."
The other one crossed her arms and smirked. "I'm Ruby, It's a pleasure to meet you and if anyone gives you trouble, tell me and I'll take care of it."
"Is there anything you'd like to eat Harry? They might not look like it but they're amazing cooks. Actually, there really isn't anything they're bad at." Jason said as he looked at me with a soft smile.
"I need food with lots of nutrients. As long as that's covered I don't really care what you make." Jason looked me up and down.
"Harry I want to use a diagnosis charm on you. It'll tell me if any spells have been placed on your body." I glanced at Fran before nodding. With a wave of his wand I was covered in a faint white light before he let out a few curse words I couldn't understand. "There are a few spells on you that would take a highly trained medi-witch to remove. They aren't directly causing you harm but they make it hard for people to notice you. The spells make it to where hardly anyone can notice you. The best way I can describe it is camouflage. You blend in to the point where anyone that sees you has a hard time understanding that you're there. The only ones this doesn't apply to seems to be the Dursleys, Dumbledore, Minerva Mcgonagall, and someone I don't recognize. Harry I know this might be hard but I need you to lift your shirt and tell me what you look like."
I was somewhat confused but I listened nonetheless. I lifted my shirt and looked at the scars. "There are scars littered across my body and my ribs are almost visible." Jason grit his teeth and slammed his fist into the table.
"Harry, I know you're telling the truth but I can't see any of it. You look like a perfectly normal kid. With those spells on you only a very powerful wizard could see what you really look like. I have something that can help you but it will take about a month before any real progress is visible." He left us alone and stormed into his room. I put my shirt down and tried to wait patiently but Sapphire put her hand on my arm.
"I know that it can be hard to trust others after you have been hurt for so long but don't lose hope. Jason can be a bit forward at times but you will find no one more willing to help you than him. He saved us from our old masters. They would beat us and order us to beat ourselves for no reason at all. He was the reason we were able to be free. So even if it is hard, please trust in him." She walked away and took Ruby with her. I looked at the door to Jason's room and saw it get kicked open. Jason was carrying a box and it was clear he was having trouble.
"Fran can you help him out please?" I whispered to her. She gave me a small nod and took the box from him only to sit it on the table.
"Thank you Berserker, now Harry the stuff in here will taste like shit but that's because all potions do." He pulled one of the potions out of the box and showed it to me. It was a dull orange color and it didn't have a smell. "It's a nutrient potion. Plenty of magical children have been saved from abusive parents or guardians who believed they were doing god's work by cleansing them of evil. This was made to treat any malnutrition they suffered so it's perfect for you. I only have enough in here to treat you for half a month but I can get you some more from Saint Mungos. If I didn't say it earlier they're a magic hospital."
"How should I take it?" It sounded like a dumb question but I had never seen a potion before.
"Just drink a bottle a day before a large meal and you'll be fine. Girls we're gonna need a meal large enough for six people alright." Jason said and not even a minute later Ruby and Sapphire were working in the kitchen.
"It'll be done in a bit boss." They replied. I continued to eye the strange liquid before tilting my head and drinking the whole thing. I fell to the ground and almost threw it up but Fran and Jason helped me up.
"Sorry kid, drinking potions never gets easier." I glared at him but kept my mouth shut. If this really worked Fran could be where she's supposed to be in no time. I sat at the table and waited for the food to get done, which happened sooner than I expected. I guess magic can help with just about anything.
I wasn't sure what was all in front of me but I ate and kept eating. Jason convinced Fran to eat a bit of the food much to my surprise and gratitude. She seemed to enjoy herself. When I was full I was certain I had ate enough for a large family. For the first time today Jason seemed to relax so I cleared my throat. "Jason, earlier you said that we couldn't stay here. I want to know why." Jason leaned back in his chair and smiled sadly.
"I've made a lot of enemies over the last few years. They watch every move I make and try to kill me at least once a week. Honestly it's become a fun little game of mine. Sadly, if you stay here they'll find out and then I won't be able to protect you. However, pure blood wizards never check someone's muggle connections so I have a small place that you and Berserker can stay at. Ruby and Sapphire can go there every afternoon and cook you a decent supper so that you can properly recover. If I can find an opening I'll go and check on you myself but those will come few and far between." I nodded and looked down. I keep asking him questions and it seems like he hasn't lied to me once. If he didn't know who I was then maybe I could trust him but for now that isn't the case for now.
Jason took Fran and me into his bedroom where he started to dig through his dresser. "What are you looking for?" I inquired, he didn't say anything but he did pull out a small ring. The metal looked like it was made of silver and the gem was a dark blue.
"This is a portkey. It will take you to a single destination when you say the proper word. In this case, it will take you to a small house in London. It belonged to a friend of mine but she left it to me. All I ask is that you take care of it. Do that and you can stay there as long as you like. Put it on, grab Berserker, and say the word 'salvation'. You'll be in a two story house: one bathroom, two bedrooms, one storage room, one kitchen, and one dining/living room. I know you don't trust me kid and I don't blame you. However, please believe that I'll protect you no matter what." His eyes look so desperate but I can't do that.
"I'm sorry. I'll protect myself from now on so please focus on protecting Berserker. But Jason . . . thank you for doing what you've done. I don't trust you but I am grateful." I put the ring on and took Fran's hand. "See you around, salvation." The world spun like a tornado but it quickly came to an end. I lost my balance and fell onto the floor but it didn't matter. I couldn't see the difference but my body has more energy than ever before. I grinned and looked at Fran. "Should we see what this place is like?" Do you think we should trust him Harry? "I think he wants to help me. The only question is whether that's a good thing or a bad one."
Jason's apartment
"I can't believe you handed the place over to the kid." Ruby said as she cleaned the dishes alongside Sapphire.
"It's the only way we can help him without dragging him into my shit." Jason said as he downed a bottle of firewhiskey. "Tomorrow I'll be going back to the ministry. I need you two spying on the Clocktower when you aren't here or helping Harry. Write down anything you can find and if it's urgent bring the info to me immediately."
"Are you really OK with letting him stay inside that house?" Sapphire asked as she took the bottle from the table much to Jason's displeasure. He looked at her with tears in his eyes but he wiped them away.
"She knew Lily and everyone else in the order. One of the few things she told me about the group was that they were like her family. If she were still here she would have taken care of him herself. She probably would have taken out the rest of the Death Eaters just so he could have a normal life. God, I really have become pathetic."
"No boss, if anything you've gotten better. Not many people can say they're willing to make the rest of the world their enemy for the sake of someone they haven't even met. That's basically what you're doing right now isn't it?" Ruby told him with her arms crossed. Jason sighed and held his head.
"Maybe . . . but I should be able to do more than this. I'll have to pull some strings to get those potions for him. I don't know if I have the money to pull that off right now." Jason made his way to his bedroom but was stopped by a floating suitcase.
"Maybe it's time for the infamous Death Hunter to come back to Britain." said the two house elves in sync. He took it and opened it up. Inside was skin-tight dragon hide armor, a knife with a white blade, and a wolf mask. "What do you say boss, want to get back to work?"
"You girls might have a point about all of this." Jason picked up the mask and rested his head against it. "I owe it to that kid to keep going down this road. One day I hope you can forgive what I've done. Ruby send word in the underground that the Death Hunter is back in business." The two elves exchanged smiles that would have sent the whole goblin nation running.
"With pleasure boss."
A/N Thus ends chapter 5. I hope you all enjoyed it and I will have the next chapter published by next tuesday. As always leave an honest review and tell me what you think of the story so far. If things don't add up tell me because I am only human.
Next chapter is going to include a bit of backstory into who Jason Colt is and why he hates the Death Eaters so much. If there is anything in particular you want to know ask in a review or a PM and I will give an answer that won't spoil the future.