"Harry Potter and the Power of Faith"
Chapter Five
- Well, that was sudden. -
A/N: I don't own squat, save for the plot.
"Speech"
Thoughts
'Telepathy'
{Foreign Language}
Flashbacks will be italicized, so speech and thoughts will be reversed in those instances.
For the record, I originally got the idea of a neutral power gaining paired Avatars from 'Rise of the Phoenix' by GypsyDruid. It was a BtVS/SG1 crossover and was Buffy/Willow. I just took the idea and twisted it on itself. Hopefully, I'll do it justice. At any rate, you can find that one here or at tthfanficdotorg under the same author name.
Explanations as to what happened to Faith and Harry will come in the story, but people have been asking. Yes, Faith was given a magical core, but not as large as Harry's. Yes, Harry was given 'slayer' abilities, but not as pronounced as Faith's. Faith is stronger, but Harry is faster. Harry has more raw magical power, but Faith will have a finer control... eventually… hopefully. Basically, their abilities will complement each other.
For those that are wondering where the 'Red Witch' is… Well, Willow will not be discovering magic in this universe. She's busy learning all she can about computers, and gaining Air Force attention from both her grades as well as her forays into hacking. Instead, a certain bushy haired witch will have a similar… uh… drive to what Willow had in the Buffyverse to learn everything she can, just no snappy titles like 'Red Witch'.
Don't piss her off though.
Gringotts San Francisco – Morning
His forays into Muggle Britain didn't prepare Harry for the sight of San Francisco at all. The skyscrapers were way too tall to be normal, in his opinion at least. Still, the overall atmosphere of the Magical Quarter of the city was different and more optimistic than Diagon Alley. This wasn't even including just how much larger it was overall as well. Wesley had explained that it took up four natural city blocks, and had a significant amount of expansion wards in place – on top of the wards that hid the area from mundanes and most demons.
Quite frankly, the place was gigantic.
The oddest part of the entire thing, was that this branch of Gringotts was similar in size to the one in London, and with just as odd angular pillars. The 'poem' about thieves that was above the main doors was identical as well. A wild guess had their vaults under the city, like the London branch.
Hand in hand, Faith and Harry looked back to see the befuddlement on Wesley's face. It was actually quite funny, as the man was rather obsessive in knowing what was going on. The fact that the poor former Ravenclaw was so in the dark about things had them both stifling their snickers. Exchanging a quick glance with each other, they both remembered the look on his face when he heard the prophesy.
Flashback – Wesley's House
They watched Wes mull the words and stanzas over. It was rather comical with the expressions of curiosity, thoughtfulness and lastly, confused disgust. "That's a horrible prophesy, and even worse poetry! Who channelled it?"
"Trelawney," Harry said with a raised brow.
Wes matched the brow with one of his own. "This is a Cassandra Trelawney prophesy?" he asked disbelievingly and in a rather dead tone of voice.
Harry shook his head. "Her granddaughter, Sybil."
Wes blinked stupidly a few times at that bit of information. Looking back and forth between the two, he snorted. "Pull the other one, Mr. Potter. I went to school with the woman, and I'm fairly certain the Oxford Dictionary has her picture under the word 'Daft'."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the quite accurate description of the silly drunken sot. Sharing the humour with Faith, he shook his head. "A more apt description I've never heard, sir. However, the prophecy was supposedly genuine. She made another one two years ago, which came about not five hours later. Can't teach Divination to save her drunken blind arse, but technically she did give a genuine article. Whether or not it was an actual channel is up for debate though."
"Wonders will never cease," Wes said primly. "So, what are we going to do about this prophesy of yours?"
Grinning, Harry looked at the man. "Nothing."
"Pardon?" Wes blurted. That was absurd and it showed on his face.
"It is – or was – a self fulfilling prophesy," Harry explained. "One that can either be followed or ignored completely. Since Moldywart and Dumbles both believed it, it was 'supposedly' set in motion."
Faith smirked as she added her two cents. "The guy is just another Big Bad with an anagram fixation." Her voice then dropped to frigid temperatures at this point. "And if he comes after my man, his head is going to be introduced to the floor with an axe."
Wes stared at the hard glint of steel in Faith's expression. "Slayers aren't supposed to kill humans," he chastised.
"No worries, then," Harry said absently. "Tom Riddle created his new body and doesn't even resemble a human being. I'd say he's more reptile than mammal, actually. Definitely a magical construct, though."
Confused at the apparent non-sequitur, Wes blinked some more. He was doing quite a lot of blinking lately. Then again, he didn't remember being so befuddled since he first met Faith. "Who the devil is Tom Riddle?" he eventually asked.
After retrieving some paper and a Biro from the living room, Harry did the 'Tom Marvolo Riddle = I Am Lord Voldemort' anagram. "A shade of him showed me this in my second year."
Even more rapid blinking from the Watcher. "I–I don't seem to recall a wizarding family by the name of Riddle," he stuttered.
"There isn't one," Harry said with a shake of the head. "His mother was a witch, though, from the Gaunt family."
"Are you telling me," Wes said slowly with large eyes, "that the leader of the Blood Purity Movement is a Half-Blood?"
Nodding with a wry look, Harry tried not to chuckle. "Amazing what wizards believe, isn't it? Malfoy would most likely have an aneurysm if he realized he was kneeling to an 'improper wizard'." Giving up on holding it back, Harry quietly laughed at the stupid irony.
Stunned, Wes just sat there and stared at the far cupboards with large eyes. After a bit, Faith waved her hand in front of his face a few times. "I think we broke him, Harry," she grinned impishly.
Gringotts San Francisco – Present
Climbing the steps to the door, Wesley noticed that both of the guards stiffened at the sight of Faith. No, wait. They were staring at both of them? After they went through the doors, he saw the one on the right smack something on his belt. That can't be good, he thought.
For the goblins, two dangerous people just entered the bank. They could see it in their walk, the way they moved and looked about for threats… and the fact that they were holding hands and smirking wasn't lost on any of them either. Nor was it settling. These two twigged their senses as Apex Predators.
While they watched the pair, the Head Teller pressed a runestone that called for more guards – then was completely disturbed when they came to his kiosk. The male slapped a key on his desk and smiled. "Good morning, Head Teller. Hope your profits are up. Would it be a bother to talk to a general account manager? I accidentally found myself half way around the planet, and find that I like it here. Hoping there was a way to transfer my British Vault or Vaults over. Is that possible, sir?"
The goblin cleared his throat rather noisily. "Name of the account?" he croaked.
The wizard grinned like one of the horde! "Potter, as in Harry James, sir."
"Relax your sphincters, fellas," To her credit, the female was attempting to not snort at the wide eyed expression on his face. And all the same, her grin was just as bad as the other one. "We're here for business. No need for sharp pointies."
"Is this possible?" the wizard prodded.
Catching himself, the Head Teller finally blinked. "Are you sure you wish to do this Mr. Potter? I mean – I need to verify your identity before we proceed."
"Certain, Master Goblin," Harry said firmly. "There are plenty of people in England that would like nothing more than to either seal, steal or otherwise seize my money and possessions. I consider either possibility as Theft of the Highest Order. Seems that there are quite a few that were put out that I offed their dark master, while the rest are right petrified that I might either be more popular than them, or that I will refuse to cooperate with the decimation of my House." The pause and snarl was quite goblin in appearance. "Why in Gaia's name should I submit myself to that sort of treatment, Master Goblin? Personally, I think I should let Magical Britain burn for their presumption!"
The magic enhanced growl that came out of the Potter Scion at his declaration unnerved everyone that heard it except Faith, who looked to be getting quite randy over it.
"Very well," the goblin quietly said. "I assume you wish to move this to a private venue?" The nods of both of them was different to the older male behind them, who was simply gaping like a fish at the Potter Scion.
Closing down his kiosk, the goblin led them through a maze of hallways. Faith and Harry read the name on the door as {Feltch Direclaw}, then both baulked that they were able to read goblin script.
The Head Teller knocked on the door. It opened enough for him to speak through it. {Account Manager Direclaw, the Potter claimant is here and requests audience for transfer of his accounts.}
{What? Send them in,} was the response.
'How can I understand goblinspeak?' Harry thought.
Faith looked at him with wide eyes. 'The real question would be how did I hear you think, eye-candy?'
Confused, they followed the Head Teller inside the office to see a goblin at his desk. Thinking it appropriate, Harry bowed lightly. {Greetings, Account Manager Direclaw. I hope our business is profitable for the both of us.}
Faith copied his move and added, {You really don't need all the guards, though. Blood on the floor is fun, but money is better,} she grinned.
Direclaw had a look of surprised glee on his face, which unnerved Wes, as it looked like he was about to go on a rampage. {Indeed! Come in, come in! After we settle your identity, we can discuss business.}
Faith and Harry sat in the chairs in front of the desk, while Wes sat in one of the side chairs. He was doing his best not to have an explosion of questions. Seeing this, Faith smirked at him and got a 'you WILL explain this' look in response.
Turning to glance at Wes, Harry switched to English. "Apologies, but if we do not converse this way, I believe Wesley will quite likely burst a blood vessel."
There was a rumbling chuckle, and Direclaw nodded. "Wouldn't do, to have that. Now for identification purposes, a bit of blood is required."
"So long as it's destroyed after, I have no problem with that," Harry replied. Faith nodded in agreement.
Nodding, Direclaw explained. "The few drops of blood go into the magic of identification and cannot be utilized later. Take these lancets and pierce a finger, then allow three drops to land on the parchments before you.
Faith didn't question why she was involved, and mimicked Harry when he did as asked. What was interesting, was the fact that the Potter Crest appeared at the top of each of the parchments. Underneath that was their names, along with any disbursements of vaults and hereditary titles that were involved.
Both of them were surprised. They read Faith's first and almost wet themselves. "Spouse?" they both blurted. That got Wes out of his chair.
Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter
"Audaces Fortuna Iuvat"
House of Ó Liatháin
"An Conair de Scáth"
Lady Dorothy Faith Potter
née Lehane
Spouse: Earl Hadrian James Potter-Black
Father: George Patrick Lehane (squib)
Mother: Phyllis Adele Lehane, née Marks (mundane, deceased)
Closest Living Relatives in Order of Importance:
Grandfather: Aiden Conor Ó Liatháin (Patriarch)
Grandmother: Ciara Anna Ó Liatháin, née Finnegan
Cousin: Liam Aiden Ó Liatháin
Cousin: Dylan Sean Ó Liatháin
Cousin: Conor Niall Ó Liatháin
Vault Access Rights
Tertiary Ó Liatháin: Vault 825 (Patriarch to be informed)
Tertiary Potter: Vault 70
Tertiary Black: Vault 71
Tertiary Ross: Vault 77
"I have money?" was Faith's dumbfounded response, before turning to Harry. "What's this Hadrian business, anyway?" A shrug was all she got, so she looked back down to the parchments.
Staring blankly, they looked Harry's parchment over. Wes was standing behind them at this point and was just as gobsmacked as they were.
Harry stuttered out "Ross? What the bloody hell is going on? Mum's last name was Evans!" He paused. "Wasn't it?"
"She may have been adopted," Wes commented, confused as to how Faith could've gotten married without him knowing about it.
Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter
"Audaces Fortuna Iuvat"
Most Ancient and Noble House of Black
"Toujours Pur"
Ancient House of Ross
"Intentus Extollentiam"
Earl Hadrian James Potter-Black
Spouse: Lady Dorothy Faith Potter, née Lehane
Father: James Charlus Potter (deceased)
Mother: Lillian Marie Potter, née Ross (deceased)
Father by Blood Adoption: Sirius Orion Black (deceased)
Closest Living Relatives in Order of Importance:
Twin Sister: Marian Elizabeth Potter
ALERT: Blood Identified as Hermione Jane Granger
Great Aunt: Augusta Anne Longbottom, née Ross
Great Aunt: Minerva Louisa McGonagall (House of Ross)
Cousin: Andromeda Taurina Tonks, née Black
Cousin: Bellatrix Carina Lestrange, née Black
Cousin: Narcissa Elektra Malfoy, née Black
Cousin: Nymphadora Estelle Tonks
Cousin: Neville Franklin Longbottom (House of Ross)
Cousin: Draco Lucius Malfoy (House of Black)
Access Rights
Full Potter: Vault 13, Vault 70, Vault 502, Vault 687
ALERT: Multiple Keys Detected for Vault 687
Full Black: Vault 14, Vault 71, Vault 503, Vault 688
Tertiary Ross: Vault 77
"TWIN SISTER?!" Harry roared, tripping several alarm wards with the force of his voice alone, just before his magic flooded the room with a rather bright green aura and tripping several others. "Hermione is my Twin Sister?!" Standing abruptly, the room shook with his next question as he glared at Direclaw: {Who Did This To My Family?!} he demanded in goblin.
Completely cowed, Direclaw held his hands up in an attempt to placate the incensed wizard. {We'll discover this and demand retribution, Lord Potter!} The door opened and he held a hand out towards the guards that were storming the room. {Stand Down! The Potter Lord has been Betrayed!} Turning to look at Faith – who was staring at Harry in awe and not a little hint of lust – he pleaded with her. {Calm your mate, before he renders this section of Gringotts to rubble!}
That seemed to register to her. Whether it did or not was immaterial, simply because she couldn't control herself. Standing, she wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, kissing him rather violently and forced her tongue as far as she could into his mouth.
Slowly over the minutes that followed, Harry's aura receded as he fell into the kiss with his apparent wife. Only after their lips parted did anyone make an effort to breathe. Resting their foreheads together, Harry sighed. "Sorry everyone. That was just a complete shock to the system." He looked first to Direclaw, then to the guards that were still a bit tense. {Forgive. I want my enemies heads on pikes. Not the Nations.}
Nodding in approval, Direclaw dismissed the guards. {Very well. You are dismissed. Inform the Manager that we will need his assistance.} They saluted before they left.
"The manager's assistance?" Harry asked as he sat down. Faith was annoyed at that, so she sat in his lap to stay near him.
"Yes," Direclaw said. "You want to transfer your vaults to be accessible from the North American Territory. Correct?" Seeing the confusion on Harry's face, even if he nodded, he explained. {Gringotts Vaults are accessible from any branch on the planet. Territorial Access of Origin secures another layer of protection, as well as voids cart fees. If you are accessing your vaults from a different territory of origin, one is charged five galleons. As an aside, transferring Territorial Access of Origin voids the rights of a Wizard Nation. This will subject you to the laws of the North American Alliance.}
Breathing easier, Harry nodded with a frown. "Seems I will need to be advised on the laws of the North American Alliance, then." Sighing, he put a hard look to the goblin. "I want my sister out of that godforsaken backward country as soon as possible. Fuck Magical Britain."
Direclaw nodded. "Understandable, milord, and I agree. I can contact our London branch to set up a retrieval."
Rolling his eyes, he smiled sheepishly at the goblin. "None of that Lord shite, sir. I'm just Harry to my friends. While I just met you, I'd still rather avoid the pomp and circumstance if at all possible."
Pausing, he thought about Hermione and what this would mean for her. "When you do, though, Hermione's adoptive parents will need to be informed. I doubt that she will want to leave them behind. However, I want to avoid any entanglements with Albus 'too many flipping names' Dumbledore or his Order of the Flaming Chicken. As it is, Nymphadora is already a part of that organization, so I can't even contact her without her having to report it to the wrinkled bastard."
Nodding, Direclaw rose from his desk. "We can handle that during our next meeting, which is in a few minutes."
Standing, all three of them were confused. Seeing that, Direclaw smirked. "We go to the Manager's Office, he doesn't come here. Don't worry. Assistants will bring all the relevant paperwork and etcetera."
Getting it now, the three followed Direclaw out of his office. Faith had yet to let go of Harry, though, and it didn't look like she was going to.
A/N: Translations and junk.
"Audaces Fortuna Iuvat" means "Fortune Favours the Bold" in Latin.
"An Conair de Scáth" means "The Path of Shadow" in Irish. Changed it, because I was called on my Google-Irish. Hopefully this passes muster.
"Toujours Pur" is "Always Pure" in French.
"Intentus Extollentiam" means "Determined Pride" in Latin.
Had to dig for middle names. Draco had one, but most of the others didn't. Went with the typical celestial names for those of the Black family.