A/N – Chapter a bit on the Long Side, not my fault I got carried away, really! Now in this chapter I have a surprise for you all, just know this, everything will -eventually- be explained! Fear not! Now to be bitchy. 175 hits and only 6 reviews! Are you people mad? I demand more reviews! laughs I hope you like Dewin! Oh! On another note, the rune on "Dropping the Facade" will eventually be explained as well. Just wanted to let you all (my 13 people on alert to be exact) know.
Thank you for all the reviews, and I'm sorry if I didn't answer one of you. (I know I skipped one, dunno who).
Title: The Sons of the Gods
Chapter: 01 – Trouble
Word Count: 3098 (I got carried away!)
Warnings for this chapter: AU, language, mentions of child abuse.

Trouble

- Oh my, excuse me for intruding but, I was wondering if I could talk to the Lady of the house, I'm a new neighbour and I'd like to introduce myself.

Harry heard as his whale of a cousin walked around the house looking for his aunt, it was like the very floor seemed to shake under the weight.

- Ah yes, you're the new neighbour right? - he heard his aunt, he could already see the false look on her face as she invited the woman in – I'm sorry buy I didn't catch your name dear. You're living on Mrs. Whitewood's house right?

- That's right, you must be Petunia then, Charlotte complimented you so much that I could barely wait to meet such a fine lady – Harry could also hear the false pleasantries even if he was sure his aunt would mistake those fore politeness – it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Ruhi Dewin Lancaster.

At this point in time Harry tuned out the conversation, returning to the rather exhausting shore of baking chocolate cookies during the summer in a kitchen heated to feel like a desert. Harry began to think about the letter he wrote, was it alright to go against Dumbledore like that? He was sure that going to the enemy for information was a big no-no during war. Or at least during the pre-war time. Maybe he shouldn't have sent that letter, he was sure that if Dumbledore ever found out about it he was in for Expulsion at least, and maybe get the Dementors kiss after a lifetime in Azkaban, just like his godfather.

He was beginning to regret his decision to send that damn letter when his cousin's pitiful whines reached his ears and distracted his line of thought.

- But mom! He's a freak! Why do I have to call for him?

- Oh shush Dudley! Just tell the boy to come here, you might even get the pre-cooked cookies if you hurry!

'Oh joy' was the thought that passed through Harry's mind as his cousin attempted to run to the kitchen, maybe he would be lucky and Dudley-whale would fall and break his neck on the way. He fought the urge to groan as his cousin's face appeared on the door frame, without thinking he let go of the almost empty bowl of cookie dough, carefully placing it on the sink as he waited for his cousin to say something, anything.

- Mom wants you there, said that the guest is asking for you. - Dudley said with disgust as if asking for the freak was the most disgusting thing ever. He passed Harry, bumping hard on his shoulder, reaching the bowl and seating down to eat. - Probably wants you to do work for them – Dudley shock his head, it was no use to try and get rid of Potter that way, oh well, nothing he could do. Better return to the cookies!

The Potter child walked to the living room, searching for his aunt and guest. 'Dudley's probably right, that's the only reason they would call for me.' He glared at a 'family' portrait before he entered the room, oh how he hated the Dursleys! If he could just... just... just use his bloody wand!

- You called Aunt Petunia? - he asked as politely as he could, looking at the ground, there was no need to have his attention called for the cheekiness he really didn't have.

- Yes Harry, this is Mrs. Lancaster, since she was so nice to compliment our gardens, I thought it would be nice to offer your services to her, you know how Mrs. Whitewood left her garden, it would be really nice if you could do her that favor. - She gave the boy a nasty smile (well hidden from her guest of course) there would be hell to pay if the boy refuse. She could always find a way for her Dudders to break something and make Harry the guilty party. Of course that Harry was also well aware of that.

- Of course I'll pay you for it, it's Harry isn't it? Anyway, I just loved the garden and maybe you could help me with my own, Lord knows it's dreadful as it currently is! - Mrs. Lancaster sighed, just for dramatics, she knew the boy would be... persuaded... into accepting her oh so kind offer. She also knew what she would do with the boy once he was within reach, and was declared fair game.

- I... I... - Harry wanted to shout, and groan and just wipe that sickly smile off of his aunt's face, preferably with the floor. He did neither. - Of course Aunt Petunia, when would you like me to go over there Ma'am?

- Oh, such a polite boy! You're so lucky to have him Petunia, dear! Tomorrow would be wonderful Harry, if you could come around 7am? It's settle then, and I'm so sorry Petunia but I must be going, my daughter is coming up tomorrow and I must have her room ready, heavens knows she'll throw a fit if she has to sleep in the couch! - Ruhi smiled, while deciding to invite the hyena into the dragon's lair. If he letter held truth and the boy was really curious about her master then she would gladly make things easier for the boy, maybe she could persuade Voldemort to use imperio on the hyena's lair? If he was serious it was well worth a try!

A few minutes later and Ruhi was out, heading to her own house, heaven's knew that if her little serpent's room wasn't ready her daughter really would throw a fit! Now if she could just find that nice Luna Sea poster!

Inside Petunia barked orders to Harry, the cookies were in the oven and he was supposed to be watching over it! Not lazying around and sipping tea! (not that he was sipping tea to begin with! The fake china Marge gave the Dursleys was out of Harry's reach, unless it was to wash them) And so the night came, and with it the failed prototype of a human hippopotamus that was his uncle, Harry never managed to understand just how his uncle could walk around with that heavy layer of fat obscuring his vision, or how he managed to never hit the car, or reach the pedals. He guessed that his uncle ate to much to compensate for the lack of sex, God knew his uncle just had to be drunk when he went to bed with her (Dudley being the final product), for no man would have the courage necessary to bed the woman. He was in Gryffindor and he knew of no house mate brave enough to do, even for all of his weight in gold.

All in all it was a nice calm night, Vernon complaining about the government and how all the problems with it was to be blamed on 'those fucking freaks that should know better than to mess with normal, decent people's lives', about the French and German and general international laws and how unfair they were! Petunia pretending to be paying attention to her husband and Dudley, well... Dudley was pretending to be studying (Harry knew he was looking at dirty magazines, he looked at it while getting up to go to the bathroom) and Harry... Harry was praying that the end of the summer came sooner! It was a good evening, he didn't even get slapped around for no reason!

The next day came all too soon for him though. It was 6:15am when he was yanked out of bed and forced to do his uncle's breakfast of omelet, bacon, coffee, juice and bread. He groaned, he hated the smell of greasy bacon in the morning! 7Am came too early for him Harry decided when he knocked on Mrs. Lancaster door, his stomach was complaining from the lack of food, those damn Dursleys! He swore that someday he would make them pay, pay for all the – dare him say it? - all the ab..

- Ah Harry! Please come in, I'm guessing you didn't eat yet did you? Come on, let's fix this! And before anything, since I'm calling you for your first name please use mine. I'm Ruhi Dewin Lancaster.

Harry thought his neighbour was awfully nice to him once he saw the breakfast table; bread, butter, jam, cookies – were those his cookies? Where did she get them! - fruitcake and fruit salad and was that... pumpkin juice! Harry stared at the orange liquid for a full of five seconds before he turned to Mrs. Lan Ruhi.

- You're a witch. - He wished he had brought his wand! But no, it was just yard work! How stupid could he be?

- Yes I am, and you're a wizard, a hungry wizard and now we must get to breakfast! Come one chop chop I want to see your mouth full in ten seconds! Start with the fruit salad. - The woman sat down, serving herself a glass of pineapple juice and a serving of salad before she turned to the teen with her free hand on her hip glaring at him as if she was insulted – Mr. Potter I assure you that nothing in this table is poisoned! From the food to the chair, and I promise not to bite either, so come one and eat! I'm sure those attempts of human beings did not feed you today, honestly, how could the old man place you with them I'll never know! Why are you still standing? - the woman glared, deciding to use her 'teacher voice' – Mr. Potter, sit down this instant!

The boy hurried to the table, sitting down and reaching for the salad. He didn't want (or need) to have a teacher on his tail even before Hogwarts. Wait...

- You're a teacher! - By now the teen thought he should really stop stating the obvious!

- I'm your Ancient Runes teacher yes, and before anything I must say I was a bit disappointed when you didn't take my class this year. But what's done is done, now tell me. Do you know why I'm here all of a sudden? Think before you answer Harry. - she warned, returning to her breakfast and iddly wondering why her house elf Plimy bothered with jam, she certainly didn't like the stuff.

Doing as he was told, Harry thought about his answer as he ate (also wondering why there was jam on the table). Professor Ruhi had just moved. But why did she move? She was a teacher at Hogwarts, with a daughter. Why would a teacher move to Private Drive? It didn't make any sense! But... what if...

- Are you here on Professor Dumbledore's orders? - he asked with a hint of mix of hope and dread. Maybe one of the teachers would keep an eye on him! Or maybe he found out about the letter, he was so dead if it was about the letter!

- Dumbledore is my employer only during the school year, during vacations and summer break I answer to another person. - There! Maybe the boy could figure out? Or maybe not, but just maybe, maybe Severus was wrong about the boy. (as he usually was about Gryffindor's in general)

Harry nodded, if not Dumbledore... who else had an interest in him? The Ministry? But they already had the headmaster taking care of him. Who else? Who else? Who... Harry could have hit his head on the table or the wall! Who else but the person who the letter was sent to! But if she worked for Voldemort... This time Harry actually did hit his head on the table. He was on a Death Eater's house, without his wand! He felt like crying.

- You work for him don't you? For Voldemort...

- Clever, I thought it would take another question from your part for you to figure it out. Anyway, the Dark Lord sent me to answer your questions, since he wouldn't like you to see him in the state he's in now. But, we'll leave that for later, first eat your breakfast!

Breakfast was a quiet affair in the Lancaster house, Harry was nervous, would she kill him and hand his head on a silver plate for Tom? Could she do that? She was close to him, that was for sure, was she part of his Inner Circle? Was she his friend? Maybe lover? Maybe her child was the heir of the Dark Lord! He wanted to leave, but he couldn't! At least here he was eating... and here there was no beatings, though the thought of yard work... Before he even knew it breakfast was over and he was pleasantly full.

- Let's see what questions you have now shall we? - Ruhi smiled, she could practically feel the tension clinging around Harry, it amused her to no end that the child she was supposed to be taking care of was so afraid of her. - You asked about the whole propaganda right? That whole 'let's kill muggles, muggle-borns, depreciate half-bloods and praise the purebloods' rubbish as you so gently put it. - Dewin saw the boy blush and drop his head, oh she was going to have so much FUN with him! - It was just amusing to see his face when you called his fake propaganda rubbish, I must thank you for that Mr. Potter! To see Voldemort snort was just amazing! And a great job to you too Harry, information on Tom Riddle is not easily found.

Harry stared at the woman, the dark lord, the evil dark lord snorted at his letter? And she found it amusing! Good God, what was the world coming to? (and damn if he felt old thinking like that!)

- Anyway, let's just say that it is rubbish, and Voldemort sends his compliments for figuring it out! Now for the real propaganda. Have you ever heard of the Pegasus League? - here Harry shock his head, though Dewin wasn't really surprised about that – Well, the Pegasus League is a very closed society, ruled by none other than Voldemort himself, under the disguise of Lord Granian of course. There, they preach that our Magical Community must be kept secret from the Muggle World, that all wizards and witches should at least be familiar with said world and that magical creatures, while under the Ministry jurisdiction, should be as free as wizards, and should receive punishment if they break the rules. It's a bit more complicated than that I'm afraid, but that's simply the base. Are you with me so far Harry?

- Yeah... but, how are those... punishments any different from the Ministry? And by magical creatures you mean all of them? From the unicorns and centaurs to the Dementors!

- I told you you were clever! And those punishments should be different simply because we also preach that, if it's the Ministry of Magic, then every single magical creature should have a representative within the Ministry, and, in theory, if a creature... say, a werewolf, was in the wrong for something, than they would be judged not by a human judge, but by a werewolf judge. You get the idea? Magical species judging themselves what the best course of action should be for their own species.

- Sounds nice... the ministry doesn't like you too much do they?

- I must say they don't, in fact it just stayed a closed society because we test every member with Verisaterum and Legilimency before they join, then there's an oath to never betray our secrets.

- that's just the cover right? I get a feeling that you're hiding something... I mean, come on! That's Voldemort we're talking about! He's supposed to be that evil git from hell who marks his followers and casts the Cruciatus as if it's something fun to do when you're bored!

Dewin smiled sadly at the boy, pinching the bridge of her nose and trying to regain her calm, she liked Tom, she really did, and she couldn't stand the thought of someone badmouthing him like that!

- Harry, I'm here because you asked, I'm here to answer your question. But I ask of you to not badmouth my leader, I'm here out of courtesy, not... not to have Tom insulted at my face! - she added with a fierce look that the teen thought would put Mrs. Weasley to shame.

- I... I'm... I'm sorry Mrs. Lancaster... but I always... You could say I was raised to believe Tom was an evil git from hell, the bane of my existence and all that... – he lowered his head again, looking at his way too big shoes. He shouldn't be here, he shouldn't have sent the letter – I'm sorry, maybe, maybe I should just... go...

Dewin's eyes softened as she looked at the boy, yes, he was raised to hate Voldemort with his very soul. She decided it was up to her to change that conception! And to wipe that sad 'I was just kicked out of my house, pick me up!' sort of puppy eyes look off of his face.

- Nonsense Harry, I just ask of you not to call him names before you know what he really did and why. - she lifted the boy's head with a finger, still looking at that dejected look on his eyes with fondness, it reminded her of herself when she was a pre-teen, and before she met with Tom – Tell you what, my sources told me that in a few weeks the Weasleys will come and pick you up from the Hell Hole. While they don't come, you'll be spending time with me and my daughter, I will not ask you to devote your life to Tom or anything. I ask you to keep an open mind, that's all. Deal?

Harry nodded, he could do that, as long as no one mentioned his parents he could do that. It always helped that he now knew that the Dark Lord had a reason for all the murders, even if he had no idea what those reasons were. He was about to announce that yes they had a deal when a voice interrupted their conversation.

- Mom? Are you home? - the girly voice asked, moving closer to the kitchen – Mother?

The voice stopped.

- What the hell? POTTER!

Harry looked at the door and froze, there, on the door stand, dressed in muggle jeans and a black tight shirt with Slytherin green letters (Harry noted that it had a snake, and the saying went something like 'Knowledge is Power, Power corrupts. Study hard, be evil!') stood none other than, holly shit was Ruhi the girl's mother!

- PARKINSON!