AUGUST 11, 1994
3:15 PM
"You know, if you're still feeling tired Hadrian we can come back later," Thomas said quietly as they walked through Diagon Alley. He wasn't in his disguise and instead went as himself. The disguise he had used when he went to the Dursley's made him look like Jason Momoa though his daughter felt the need to point out that he was much more handsome than Jason. Her brothers thought she was being a suck up. Not that she needed to be because she had Thomas wrapped around her finger since the moment she was born. "When it's less crowded." Thomas added as he noticed so many eyes looking in there direction. Only he, the Harry of 94, the older Harry- who was under his cloak again- and Artorius headed to the alley and some of the others stayed behind.
"No," Harry 94 said firmly. "I feel fine and we all agreed that this needed to happen. And stop calling me Hadrian."
"It's your name," Thomas pointed out. "If things go how we wish them too then you better get used to it because you will be addressed as such. And..." He paused and tried not to glare at people who stopped in front of them to stare at Harry before pressing on. "It's the name your parents gave you and I think it would be good to acknowledge that."
Harry said nothing but he considered Thomas' words as the reached the steps of Gringotts.
"Move faster," Thomas hissed suddenly at Harry with glazed eyes. "The aurors that I saw earlier are closing in. They want to take you to the Ministry. Dawlish and Warrington are leading the charge. Damn the old man works fast." He muttered to himself as he thought about Dumbledore. He knew that he would call in a few favors to have people search for Harry but he didn't think it would be this quick. They weren't getting Harry though because they would probably send him to the Burrow and as much as Harry liked most of the Weasley's; he doubted that he could be civil to Ron and Molly right now. Not after he remembered everything that they did or rather, could do.
"Once we touched the steps we entered sovereign land," Harry 94 reminded him. "they couldn't touch us."
"That wouldn't stop them from summoning us back down the stairs," Thomas countered. "And besides the Goblins do not meddle in the affairs of wizards unless it involves them or if they have something to gain. Us getting summoned by aurors on the front steps do not count for either."
"Once we get inside we will be fine," Artorius murmured as he bowed to two goblins who were at the front door. The goblins looked startled before composing themselves. They wondered if this human was mocking them but didn't get to think more about it because Harry and Thomas bowed as well.
"Honored guards," All three intoned. Some people walking by stopped to look at what they were seeing. Harry Potter and two strangers...bowing to goblins? They blinked and rubbed their eyes at what they considered to be a strange sight.
"Well met honored...customers." The goblins replied with bewildered tones. The three men nodded though both Harry's hid their reluctance and bitterness when speaking with the goblins. He may have explained what happened to king Ragnok in the last timeline but he did not trust the goblins; at all. The others understood his apprehension to an extent but not completely. Artorius in particular had no problem with goblins though that may to do with the fact that he got along with the goblins in the US. A few of whom were fellow students who attended Salem with him and the others. They taught him some goblin customs and a few phrases in their language.
Thomas had no experience what so ever with goblins. Apart from fantasy books and films; he knew very little about them. He considered Harry's experience along with Artorius' but wouldn't use those to form an opinion of his own. Knowing the basics of them; Thomas knew that they had one major thing in common and that was the prejudice wizards had against them. The difference was Thomas could hide his nature and the goblins couldn't. Another difference was, while Thomas wouldn't be considered human, wizarding Britain had no laws against shape shifters of any kind. This was mainly due to the existence of Metamorphmagi because they were human's who could change shape and could not be classified as anything but human. Still didn't mean that everyone here would treat him fairly should his secret get out.
As they entered the bank; the four of them caught sight of the Malfoy family. Narcissa and Draco from the future had come to the safe house at eleven in the evening when Lucius Malfoy had gotten an 'urgent' call from some of his 'friends' that he needed to attend to. They said their past counterparts were drained from the experience of getting their memories from the future but promised to be at Gringott's the following day or they would contact them to let them know what day would be good to do what was about to be done.
"Lord Malfoy," Artorius said neutrally, gaining the man's attention. "Lady Malfoy; young Draconis." He nodded respectfully to the two who acted weary but nodded back. Harry and Thomas did the same much to the confusion of those watching. Their children had mentioned in passing that Potter and Malfoy detested each other yet they were looking at each other with neutral expressions. Sure they were in public and it would be in bad manners to start a altercation but they knew that the scion of the Malfoy family had no problem with doing so. They had witnessed it themselves but could not really do anything as it was nothing more than minor arguments between children and Lucius practically owned the Minister for magic thanks to all the money he 'donated' to the ministry.
"I am afraid that you have us at a disadvantage," Lucius Malfoy said coolly. "You seem know who we are but we do not know who you are."
"Forgive my lack of manners," Artorius said silkily though on the inside he was having difficulty actually talking to this man in front of him. "My name is Artorius Black and this is my cousin, Thomas Black," He gestured to Thomas. Despite using their normal appearance, they agreed to only use their first names and not their surnames just in case people decided to do some digging. "You of course, know our cousin, Hadrian." He gestured to Harry. Lucius and his family frowned slightly though only the Malfoy patriarch's frown was genuine.
"Mr. Potter," Lucius nodded curtly.
"Lord Malfoy," Harry said sounding just as curt. "You seem to be in better spirits than when I last saw you. I imagine you were hurt quite badly."
"Your concern is unnecessary Mr. Potter," Lucius said smoothly as the others not involved with the conversation wondered what Harry was talking about. Lucius for his part was rather annoyed for being reminded of what happened with that blasted elf. He ordered several elves to punish themselves to get himself out of his funk. If he ever saw Dobby again he would wring the little creatures neck. "It was a minor fall that's all."
"Merely an inquiry," Harry replied with a tight smile though on the inside he was feeling rather sick at playing nice with Lucius. "I mean, it was after you lost your position on the board of governors was it not? I imagine the fall put a damper on things."
"Are you going to the world cup lord Malfoy?" Thomas asked pleasantly as he saw Malfoy narrow his eyes.
"Yes," Lucius said coldly. How dare the little half blooded bastard throw his dismissal from the board in his face so casually? He was lucky that they were in Gringotts or he would have been hexed by now."As a guest of the minister." He added as he glanced at Thomas.
"Then perhaps we'll see you there," Thomas murmured. "We are going as well and we wish to speak with your wife at a later date."
"My wife?" Lucius frowned. "For what possible reason would need to speak to my wife?" He demanded. Narcissa hid her annoyance behind a blank mask and Draco pretended to sneer at Thomas who leaned forward and whispered.
"Another time lord Malfoy," He said. "Away from those who need not know but I will tell you that it is a Black family matter." Thomas said that to peak the blonde lords interest which it did. Thomas glanced over his shoulder as he heard the front door to the bank open. The aurors had come in and were heading in their direction. "Thank you for your time lord Malfoy," Thomas spoke again."But we have business with the goblins today and we are sure that you have business elsewhere."
Lucius inclined his head as Harry, Thomas, Artorius bowed to him. They kissed Narcissa's hand as she as she curtsied. They gave Draco looks before moving towards the tellers. Lucius watched them with a calculating expression before signaling his family to follow.
"Come Narcissa, Draco," He said loudly. Thomas gritted his teeth as did Artorius. Both Harry's were itching to go for their wands but refrained from doing so.
"They're not fucking dogs," Thomas snarled under his breath but only his group heard him. "I have half a mind to gut the bastard right now," He paused and leaned closer to Harry. "Go to the nearest teller and wait; Nemeaus and will run interference with the aurors." Harry nodded and sped off as Artorius and Thomas spun around to talk to the aurors. "Gentlemen, how may we help you?" Thomas asked as he idly held his wolf head cane. This one was just a normal cane with some charms on it. He couldn't bring the one with the hidden blade because he would have been detained by the goblins and would have to potentially fight his way out of the bank. The older Harry stood in one spot where he could watch both his younger self and the other two in their group.
John Dawlish and Clifford Warrington looked startled before adopting a business like air to their stances. Thomas surveyed the two aurors. Dawlish was tall and he had a slight limp. Warrington was tall as well but he looked younger than Dawlish. He couldn't have been older than twenty five at the most. They weren't wearing red robes like they normally would but instead wore long brown coats over dark green suits with green ties. Harry said that red robes were more of a formality and that aurors could wear more personalized clothing if they wanted to though they had to at least have a year of working for the ministry under their belt before doing so. Harry said that he wore a blue suit with an aristocratic jacket that had silver designs sewn in to honor his mentor, Kingsley Shacklebolt who taught him and a few others personally while he was the minister for magic in the old timeline.
"We wish to speak with Potter," Warrington said with a slight sneer on his face. His brother told him that Potter was nothing more than an arrogant half blood who hid behind Dumbledore's robes so he didn't think he would be much of a challenge. "And you are in our way." He sneered at Thomas who merely raised an eyebrow.
"You know cousin, I knew the magical law enforcement on this side of the Atlantic has had trouble finding recruits for sometime now," Thomas began loudly to Artorius as Warrington narrowed his eyes and Dawlish sighed at the stupidity his trainee was showing. The others in the bank watched the upcoming confrontation with their complete attention. The goblins seemed bemused though they were waiting to see if these humans would fight. "But I didn't realize that they hired wizards from upstart lines with no sense of decorum like Warrington here."
"And they say that we are uneducated," Artorius added as he saw Warrington open his mouth and go red in the face. "They say that we are uncultured. They say that we are barbarians yet our country is in the top three spots for education in the world while Britain doesn't even place in the top ten." He hid a smile when he saw the indignant looks that the wizards and witches had on their faces. "Don't believe me? Send an inquiry to the EMU; the European Magical Union in case you didn't know. They are a branch of the I.C.W. and are oath bound to tell the truth. Ask them about where Hogwarts places in the world and it won't be anywhere worth boasting about."
Magical Britain had not been one of the top fifteen schools in the world since the second world war. They at least had the fifth overall spot but lost it due to the lack of updates in the school curriculum which meant that they were becoming stagnant as the rest of the world learned from their mistakes and updated their teaching methods and schools. The results of the last fifty years in regard to a subject like potions and the position of potion master or mistress; Britain has only produced three under the tutelage of Horace Slughorn. One was killed in the war with the dark lord, another worked for the dark lord and became a teacher and the last one left the country because she wanted to learn more.
Other countries have produced a minimum of ten potion masters and mistresses. The majority ever produced was forty in Argentina.
"Just who-" Warrington started to say.
"Do we think we are?" Thomas interrupted. "We are descendants of Phineas Nigellus Black as is Harry Potter so drop the sneer you stupid worm. We may be Americans and we may not come here as often as we would like but our blood can be traced back many generations while yours hasn't even hit it's fifth." He twirled his cane before he held it under Warrington's chin. Artorius shook his head at Dawlish when the auror made the move to protest.
"You dare-"
'Does anyone ever say anything other than that in this community?' Thomas wondered in his mind before speaking aloud, "If you keep reaching for your wand to cast a spell, I guarantee that your body will remain where it is but your head will be elsewhere. In case you have forgotten boy you are in sovereign territory and you are forbidden from using your wand. Had you drawn your wand the goblins of this fine establishment would have been well with in their rights to kill you and put your head on a pike. They also could claim that the minor house of Warrington had broken the treaty that was signed between the two races and declare war. A war which none of you could afford because they hold all of your wealth."
Thomas paused to let that sink in.
"I am saving your life though frankly I should let the goblins deal with you," He continued. "but I will not allow these people to suffer for your arrogance and stupidity. I have no doubt that your family profited from the last war but there is no way in hell that I am letting something like that happen here today. So yes auror Warrington, I dare."
The crowd watching didn't know how to feel right now. On one hand; they were insulted by the earlier comments made about their great school. 'Honestly, these were two Americans, what did they know?' Had been one of the few questions that ran through their minds. On the other hand; they felt a little relieved that there wouldn't be a fight here today though those who thought highly of themelves were sure that they could deal with the goblins. Those that actually had brains in their skulls knew that there was a big chance that they would lose the fight just like with before.
The goblins for their part were deeply amused and for the first time in Gringotts history; stopped working and watched what was going on. One of the tellers had sent a message off to Ragnok to watch what was going on in the lobby. He was currently in his office chuckling up a storm at the scene before him that was playing in an enchanted mirror he had. He was impressed with these two humans and the way they basically insulted wizarding education here in Britain and managed to defang the snake that was Clifford Warrington II; a rather arrogant boy who wasn't even all that powerful to be honest. He wondered what they were doing here with the Potter heir and made a note to keep an eye out for him and his friends.
Thomas lowered his cane when he saw Warrington stopped reaching for his wand and hold his hand to the side though he did not relax his posture as Artorius began to speak.
"Now auror Dawlish," Artorius looked at the older man. "As you seem to be the more level headed of you two I will ask you this; what is your interest in my cousin Hadrian?"
"Pardon?" Dawlish frowned. "I know no one by that name."
"You know him as Harry," Artorius explained patiently. "However he was born Hadrian Jamieson Potter; the third of his name in the line of Micah for house Potter. First of his name in the line of Hercules for the house of Black. Now I ask again; what is your interest in my cousin?"
"He is needed at the Ministry," Dawlish replied but didn't elaborate any further.
"Is he under arrest?" Thomas inquired though he didn't take his eyes off of Warrington.
"Of course not," Dawlish replied with a frown. The idea of arresting the boy-who-lived was a preposterous idea to say the least.
"Is this an order from the head of the DMLE?" Artorius asked him, stressing the department name and title because though Fudge was the Minister, Amelia Bones was his boss and he answered to her first.
"Well no," DawLish grimaced. He had realized that this could be bad when his boss found out. He was going to look for the boy off duty but he saw him and didn't think twice about trying to reach him.
"And even if the minister made a request to see our cousin," Thomas added. "Hadrian would not be in anyway obligated to attend unless it was of the up most importance. I am afraid that you have wasted your time with this task of finding him."
"We are not leaving," Warrington snarled. "Without the boy."
"Then we are at an impasse," Thomas said coldly as he jabbed his cane into Warrington's chest eliciting a hiss of pain from the auror. "because you will have to get passed me to get to my cousin. But since you are virtually powerless here any attempt you make would be futile."
"I am an auror!" Warrington roared. "How dare you treat me like this you foreign bastard?! I am of noble birth!"
SMACK!
Thomas hit Warrington in the shoulder with his cane.
"Keep your voice down you spawn of inbred swine," Thomas hissed. "You are disturbing the peace within these walls."
"You've struck me!" Warrington gasped in surprise, clutching his shoulder.
"Gods above and below, have you only noticed that now?" Thomas said dryly while using a phrase that he picked up from Esmeralda who used it as an exclamation or a curse. "Not very quick on the uptake are you?"
Warrington drew his wand but Thomas hit him again; this time in the hand. Warrington dropped his wand and clutched at his hand before lunging at Thomas with a yell. Thomas side stepped and caught Warrington by the shoulder bent him over and hit him on the ass with his cane. He looked like someone spanking their child for doing something naughty.
The goblins started to snicker as Warrington yelped from each blow he received. Dawlish looked like he wanted to be anywhere but Gringotts right now. He was questioning whether doing this favor for Dumbledore was worth it.
"Hopefully that will teach you that your actions have consequences," Thomas commented as he dragged Warrington to the front door; 'accidentally' stepping on the wizards wand. "Oops." Thomas said sarcastically as he shoved Warrington towards Dawlish who caught the young trainee. "If I were you auror Dawlish, I'd leave before he," Thomas pointed to Warrington who was cupping his ass to try and quell the stinging pain. "does something even more stupid."
"We'll be leaving," Dawlish said. "Though I need to see your papers; to make sure you are here legally."
"But of course," Artorius replied as he reached into his jacket. Thomas did the same and they both handed Dawlish their documents that Esmeralda had 'procured' for them. Dawlish looked them over carefully so when he talked to his boss later on she could at least see the wording in her pensive.
"They seem to be in order," Dawlish murmured as he handed them their papers back. "Thank you for your time and I apologize for my colleague."
"Do not apologize for him," Thomas said sharply. "never apologize for the actions of others. All that will do is enable them to continue unchallenged."
Dawlish simply nodded and dragged the groaning Warrington away who spat out, "This isn't over you foreign prick! You will face the wrath of house Warrington!"
"Oh dearie, dearie, dear," Thomas said softly in a mock accent that carried through out the lobby. "How will we ever handle the wrath of a house that sells their women and children as slaves if they think it would be the best idea? A house that has siblings marry one another to produce insolent whelps? Dearest cousin, I do believe we have met our match!" He exclaimed to Artorius in mock horror before they started to laugh.
"How dare you mock m-" Dawlish clamped one hand over Warrington's mouth to stop him from speaking.
"It's difficult not to mock you," Thomas commented to Warrington's retreating figure. "it is quite easy in fact. As for your threats of facing the wrath of your house," A smile filled with malicious intent appeared on the young Alphas face. Warrington didn't see it but the smile was audible. "I eagerly await your supposed retribution for your imagined slights."
Dawlish shoved Warrington through the door before anything else could be said. Thomas and Artorius chuckled before they started to apologize for disrupting the proceedings in the bank. They were waved off as they headed towards Harry who was at the next available teller.
"How may Gringotts help you today?" Normally this question would be asked with barest amount of acknowledgement but the goblin sat up straighter and looked at the three of them intently.
"Would it be possible to speak with the account manager for the Potter family?" Harry asked politely. "I have a few inquiries to make however if the honored goblin is busy I will come back another time."
"Do you have your key Mr. Potter?"
"I-" Harry adopted a frown. "My apologies, I've forgotten to ask for your name."
The goblin eyed him suspiciously, "Most people don't ask goblins for their names."
The other wizards and goblins waited to hear Harry's answer.
"I'm not most people." He shrugged. "I'm just...me."
The goblin raised his thin eyebrows at the answer. It wasn't something he expected. Those who were watching didn't expect that answer either.
"My name is...Bloodclaw," The goblin replied hesitantly.
"Pleasure to meet you teller Bloodclaw," Harry said softly. While he didn't trust goblins he would be polite for the time being. "My name is Hadrian though I prefer Harry."
Bloodclaw nodded, "And your key Mr. Potter?" He asked Harry again.
"That is one of the things I wish to inquire about." Harry replied. Bloodclaw eyed him for a few moments before nodding slowly.
"I will see if the account manager is busy." Bloodclaw hopped off of his chair and headed towards a door that lead to a hallway. Harry and co. waited patiently for a few minutes before Bloodclaw came back. "Account manager Ironfang will see you know." He declared to Harry before turning to Artorius and Thomas. "Your cousins as well."
The three of them nodded their thanks and they followed Bloodclaw with the other Harry trailing behind.
A woman in a gold dress and wearing a gold crown frowned at the three men before her, "This is not right," She said. "and highly illogical."
"Athena," Zeus began. "It is the will of the fates. I do not know what their ultimate goal is but we cannot go against them."
"But father-"
"No Athena," Zeus said firmly, "We cannot challenge them but I do need your help with ideas to prevent any fighting that may occur."
Athena pursed her lips thoughtfully. She was thinking of many different scenarios of containing the other gods should things get out of hand or preemptive measures to make sure they didn't.
"The biggest problems would come from Ares, Thanatos, and Hecate," She murmured. "While Hecate doesn't normally fight; she will if Ares directly or indirectly interferes with the magic users. She didn't last time because Ares just watched the war and Hecate has never been one to interfere with another's domain. I'm sure that Ares will do something once he realizes that there will be no war like he anticipated but I am not sure as to when or what he will do. Thanatos would help either of them or both at the same time if I meant that he received the soul count that he was supposed to," She looked at Hades. "He has been raging hasn't he uncle?"
Hades merely inclined his head in reply.
"Morpheus is friends with Hecate," Athena continued. "He will aid her if she asks. Nemesis gets along with Ares and all the other minor war spirits and gods will take up arms if only to satisfy their thirst for battle."
She paused.
"We will need to bring more people into the fold," She declared. "The more people we trust with this knowledge will strengthen our chances of preventing war or containing it."
Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades nodded their heads in understanding and began to come up with ideas as to who should be included in this discussion.
Meanwhile a man with tan skin and glowing red eyes paced in his temple. He wore a coat made from a boars fur and black amour. His name was Ares and he was rather put out. He had planned to have a war break out again in Magical Britain and potentially the world. It would have been brilliant, he thought. The magicals would fight first then, when it reached the point where it would spill over to the non magical world, I would get the humans and their toys to come out and play. It would have been my greatest achievement in my immortal life. The war to end all wars. But now things have changed; I can feel it. He growled audibly as his thoughts about certain people made him more angry.
It started a day ago when he felt a shift in...something. He watched over Britain when he saw a group of people just appeared out of nowhere then scatter to different directions. It was strange at the time; Ares could have sworn that those people looked familiar. He watched them and when he saw them greet their younger selves to give them information on what was to come he nearly blew his top. They were time travelers! He had roared that day. In his mind, they were cheating and denying him his glory.
He watched them intently over the day and planned to deal with them though he had to do this quickly and carefully. He came with a few plans to counter their plans and if they failed then he would go himself; laws be damned. He smiled when he looked over to a black blade with red engravings. It was one item that he would definitely use to ensure his war.
He would not be denied the chance to bring about the war to end all wars. Oh no; he would not be denied, for he was Ares, god of War, son of king Zeus and Queen Hera, grandson to lord Kronos and Lady Rhea. Time travelers or no, he would have his day.