Mahou Shoujo Kaleido Amethyst: Summons

(Staff Room)

"Ah, Harry. There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

It was the end of the final staff meeting of the school year. All the grades had been tabulated and the appropriate notices were ready to send to the families of all the students. Lupin had announced his resignation from the Defense post, as expected. Hermione had returned the Time Turner to McGonagall without issue. The dementors had been completely destroyed by Harry's rampage two days before.

Harry turned to Albus. "Is there something wrong?" Harry hoped not. The Grail War was due to begin within a week.

The headmaster shook his head. "No, no, nothing's wrong. I wanted to ask if you would be willing to teach Defense again next year."

"Sorry, not interested. I'd rather not take up a teaching job again, no offense." Harry rejected the offer without a second thought.

Albus stroked his beard in thought. "I see. Well then, I'll have to look for a Defense professor, again." The headmaster broke into mutterings for a minute, before turning back to Harry. "Ah, yes. There is one more issue I wanted to bring up. Sirius Black has been cleared of all charges. He'll be recovering from long-term dementor exposure in St Mungo's. You should give him a visit."

Harry frowned in thought for a minute. "Already? I figured he'd be sitting in a holding cell for months, if not killed by that buffoon Fudge before he could testify."

The Headmaster shook his head with a laugh. "He doesn't inspire much confidence, does he? Anyways, Sirius is in the Rehabilitation Ward and would like to speak with you."

The hybrid hummed. "Alright, I guess I can go see what he wants to talk about."

(St Mungo's)

Harry hid a look of disgust as he looked around the hospital reception area. There were people with all sorts of bizarre injuries and ailments. 'OK, what the FUCK!? Why in the Hell does that guy have cow udders growing from his armpits!?'

Holly was just as disturbed. 'There's a kid with three arms, a woman with five boobs, a… I don't know what the heck that thing is. Is he the spawn of Cthulu or something?'

Yes, the pair was rather perturbed by the range of issues the people came in for.

'Oh God, I could have ended up like this… trash if I had stayed with the Dursleys!' Harry thought, horrified. 'We've got to get away from these… people before they contaminate us, Holly!'

Out loud, he spoke to the receptionist. "Where is the Rehabilitation Ward? I need to speak with Sirius Black."

The bored receptionist didn't even spare him a glance as she rattled off a set of directions.

The hybrid/spirit pair swept down the hallways, afraid what they might see if their eyes wandered. Finding the correct ward and room, Harry entered with a knock. He frowned as he looked at the emaciated ex-con lying on a hospital bed. "You look like shit, Black."

The gaunt face turned to look at him. "I feel like shit, too." Black looked more closely at his unexpected visitor. "Take a seat, Harry. You look a lot different than when you were a baby."

Harry snorted at that. "Time will do that to a person."

Black laughed at the witty remark. "True, true, just look at me. I'm a Hell of a lot different than I was 13 years ago. Still, your changes go a bit deeper than that. Would you care to explain?"

The hybrid shared a look with Holly. She gave him a small nod. Harry turned back to Black to answer. "I went through a blood-adoption ritual after I was rescued from the Durseley's."

The man flinched at that. "The Durseley's!? What kind of idiot dumped you with those shits!?"

"Dumbledore."

Black's jaw hung open. "Dumbledore put you with them!? What the Hell was he thinking!? I remember meeting them around the time your parents married. They were some of the worst people I've ever seen. Hell, they were almost as bad as my mother!" Sirius shook off his anger, focusing on the other thing Harry mentioned. "Blood-adoption, you said? Are they good people, at least?"

The young man held in a chuckle. "I don't know if I'd call them good people, but they're good family."

Sirius relaxed in his bed, hearing the conviction in his godson's voice. "Good. I'm glad that something good came out of this mess. I'd like to meet them some day, and thank them for being there for you when I couldn't."

Harry grinned. "Even if they aren't human?"

Sirius shrugged. "I don't give a damn about that. People are people, even when they don't look like people." Harry's shoulders relaxed slightly at that. Sirius grinned wickedly, shedding years off his face. "Do you have a girlfriend yet, Harry?"

The hybrid shot a grin right back. "I've got three, actually." Sirius looked impressed. Harry continued, "One of them is a succubus."

Black's jaw dropped. "You lucky bastard." Harry's smile was smug.

(An Hour Later)

Harry walked out of the room with a smile. He had promised to introduce Black to his family after he finished his summer business and Black was in better shape. 'That went a lot better than I expected.'

Holly smiled. 'I think he might be able to fit in with the rest of the family rather well. It's worth a try, at least.'

Harry nodded. 'I wonder how well he will get along with Grandpa.' The pair stopped, and shuddered. 'Maybe a little too well…'

(Harry's House, Fuyuki)

"Do you all have to go?" Harry asked his family. The vampires were leaving Fuyuki for the course of the Grail War. Zelretch believed (quite correctly) that Aruceid and Altrouge wouldn't be able to keep from interfering in the war should they stay. Waver too, had stayed at the Clock Tower. One Grail War had been enough for him. Zelretch's mutterings about the upcoming Heaven's Feel being a strange one sealed the deal for him.

The Gorgon sisters were forced to leave, as well. Harry was unhappy, but understanding, about the situation. Neither of them were fighters and some heroes might be willing to attack them because of their Divine origin. Harry promised to bring Medusa to visit once he found her.

Harry had set up a Summoning Circle in the house with Zelretch's help. He was well-stocked with healing potions of all kinds. The boundary fields were at full power. The town had been scouted out thoroughly enough Harry could teleport to most areas without effort. Everything was ready.

Zelretch patted Harry on the shoulder. "I'd like to stay and help out. Unfortunately, my geis prevents that. We've already given you what help we can. Come back alive."

Harry nodded resolutely. "I will. We all will."

The old vampire gave one last smile. "Good boy. We'll see you in a few weeks." With that, Zelretch vanished.

Harry turned to his lovers. "Well, we've got a few hours until the Summoning. What should we do?"

The three shared a grin, before dragging Harry and Holly to the bedroom.

(Later that night)

Harry stood before the Summoning Circle. He waved his staff, cleaning himself of any foreign objects he may have picked up, like cat hair from Len. He took a deep breath, before beginning:

"Let Silver and Steel be the Essence,

Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation,

May you place your trust in me as I will trust you,

My fate shall be yours to determine,

Your self be mine to maintain,

Let the path of right and wrong lie before you,

That you may choose of your own free will,

Open the gate. Shut. Shut. Shut. Shut.

The four cardinal points are accounted for,

Now may you come forth at my call."

The summoning circle lit up with a purple-tinted glow.

Harry grunted, feeling the drain of the summoning. A set of Command Seals on his arm bled. He could feel a presence respond, coming forth at his call. Harry frowned slightly. It wasn't the familiar, comforting presence he felt the first time he had tried this two years ago. Neither was it the vile feeling that interfered that time. He felt loneliness, a need, a burning hope within the shining circle. Harry smiled sadly. 'It isn't Medusa, but I think this person will become a new friend.'

The circle flared, making Harry turn away. A cloud of dust was kicked up, formed from the excess prana. He turned back, looking at the dust cloud. It was blown away, revealing the figure standing within it. The person came forwards and bowed. With a cheerful voice, the person proclaimed: "By your summons, I have come forth. It's nice to meet you, Master!"

Harry took in the figure's appearance. A large blue bow held pink hair up in twin tails. Brown fox ears sat on her head. Expressive yellow eyes were set into a lovely, smiling face. An odd collar rested around her throat. An expensive blue kimono top revealed her pale shoulders and impressive breasts. A black obi wrapped around her slim waist. Her legs bore thigh-high blue socks, and platform sandals adorned her feet. A fox tail wagged behind her. All in all, she was a beautiful fox-girl. Harry was reminded of the old tales about fox-wives as he looked her over.

Harry bowed and introduced himself. "My name is Harry Potter. I'll be in your care during the Grail War. Please take care of me."

The pinkette smiled in return. "I'm Servant Caster. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Harry took her around the house, showing her where everything was. He brought her out to the living room. Harry didn't notice Caster's twitching eyebrow as he introduced his lovers.

"Alright everybody, this is Caster. She hasn't told me her true name yet. Caster, the fairy-looking girl is my other half, Holly. I'll show you what I mean by that later. The blue-haired girl is Len. She's one of my familiars, and one of my lovers. The red-haired girl with the metal horn is Fran. Her full name as you would know it is Frankenstein's Monster. She's a Berserker class Servant and one of my lovers." Caster's twitch grew bigger. "And the other girl is Liz. Her full name is Elizabeth Bathory. She's a Lancer and my third lover." Harry glanced at Caster's face, and paused. "Umm, Caster? Is something wrong?"

The kitsune took a deep breath. "WHAT THE HELLLLL!?"

In his church, Kotomine rejoiced, hearing the cry of despair.

Caster pouted as she sat in a chair facing Harry. He sat on the couch, his lovers around him like usual. Harry asked, "Why did you react like that, Caster?"

Caster's ears drooped. "I'm not a normal Servant. My name is Tamamo-no-Mae. I'm originally a part of Amaterasu. I gave up my power and took up the role of a Servant to become a good wife. And now I find out my Master already has three lovers…"

Len got off of Harry's lap. The succubus walked over to Tamamo, rubbing her between the ears. Tamamo's bad mood faded under the petting.

Harry offered his new Servant a smile. "I don't know about you becoming my wife, but I'll be glad to be your friend, at the least. Who knows, maybe you'll end up joining us after the War is over." He shook his thoughts off. "Do you have any desire for the Grail itself, Caster?"

The kitsune pouted anew. "Mouu, call me Tamamo!" She thought for a second. "No, not really. What I want, the Grail can't really give me." She paused. "Wait a minute. Master, how do you have three Servants?"

He shrugged. "I summoned Fran and Liz two years ago outside of the Grail System."

Tamamo was thunderstruck. "Two years…? You've been supporting two Servants for two years without the Grail!?" Harry nodded in confirmation. "What an incredible Master I have!" She exclaimed.

Harry decided to change the subject. "We have to go to the Church to register as participants in the Grail War. Tamamo, Holly, and I will go alone. I don't want the Church to know there are two extra Servants running around." Fran and Liz looked ready to protest, but withheld their comments. Harry scooped up his staff and Holly, and then headed for the door with his new Caster.

(Outside of the Church)

Tamamo shivered as the trio left the Church and Kotomine. "Brr, let's stay away from this place, Master. It gives me the creeps! That priest isn't any better."

Harry wasn't any happier to see the fake priest. "I agree, that guy is unpleasant to be around." Harry frowned and stopped in place. "We have company, Caster."

The kitsune shifted her stance, feeling bloodlust in the air. She looked around for the source. "There!" Tamamo threw an ofuda at a rooftop. A blue blur launched itself away from the tag, which blew up. The figure landed on the ground before the pair. Harry called forth his armor, ready to defend himself.

"Ohh? It looks like I've been found out", said the young man before them. He wore a blue bodysuit, with steel shoulder pads. Long blue hair hung down in a ponytail. He had the aura of a beast, ready to pounce. He summoned a two-meter crimson spear into his hands. The spearman looked from one to the other. "What an interesting Master you have, little fox. I didn't think any demi-gods would still be around in this day and age."

Lancer looked more closely at Harry, seeing the rune arrays on his armor. He whistled in appreciation. "That's quite the armor you have there, boy. Those arrays… you could match most lower-level Servants with that armor in raw ability, if not skill." A wolfish grin broke across his face. "Care to test yourself against me, Kid?"

Harry stepped forwards, a matching grin spreading across his face. He knew he couldn't beat Lancer on his own, but he could buy Caster some time to take him down. The pair charged each other…

{And that's that! Short chapter, I know, but I wanted it out of the way. I won't cover much of the Grail War itself, beyond a few references by the characters. No smut this time, either. Don't worry; the next chapter will have some porn for you all.}