Harry Potter and the Flip of a Niccal

By: KKM

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or any associated characters. Harry Potter is © J. K. Rowling. I also do not own the Gorillaz or any associated characters/songs. Gorillaz are © Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett.

Comments:

*The sound of a lonely cricket and a tumbleweed blowing in the wind.* D:

Last Time:

"Don't let your past become a weakness. Use it to build a foundation of strength so you can tell all those wankers to piss off."

"I'll try," Harry replied with a frown. He wasn't honestly sure how he could go that, but he was really trying to move on from it. The abuse always lingered in the back of his mind like an oppressive shadow waiting to envelope him in his pent up emotions. But now he at least had someone in his corner who seemed to understand.

"You'll figure it out," Murdoc assured him, patting him on the shoulder before standing and scooping up his pensive and heading for the door. "Get some rest, kid. It's been a long day."

After Murdoc had left and the door clicked shut, Harry flopped back on his bead with a sigh and stared up at the ceiling as if looking for answers. He still felt somewhat lost and not sure what to do about it. But very slowly he was starting to understand that he now had people who cared about him and wouldn't judge him anymore. He thought about what all had happened today and frowned. "I will not become a chess piece," he said to the empty room before closing his eyes and allowing sleep to take him.

Chapter 8: How to Catch a Werewolf

Murdoc let out a low chuckle of amusement as he watched Harry look around with his eyes wide in wonder. Because Harry had decided to stay with the Gorillaz to be homeschooled instead of attending Hogwarts, the green man had decided that a trip to Diagon Alley was needed to gain the proper supplies. Even though he hadn't had the luxury as a kid, there was no reason that his new son had to do without. With this in mind, Murdoc had let the others wonder off to amuse themselves as he'd steered Harry toward the golden atrium of Gringotts Wizarding Bank. He himself didn't have enough galleons to necessitate an account in the prestigious vaults, but he figured that the Potters had and that they could use some of it to fund anything Murdoc could not personally afford for Harry's education. Plus, he was sure that Harry wouldn't mind having a little extra spending money for himself if he found something he enjoyed in one of the many shops that lined the cobblestone street.

Harry was completely enthralled with the place as he gazed in every direction. This place was enormous! There were Wizards and Witches bustling in every direction garbed in robes of all colors. There were even non-humans walking about. Harry had been completely shocked to learn that this establishment was owned and completely ran by Goblins of all people! If he thought Goblins were short, they had nothing on the small elves he'd seen weaving through the crowds on errands of some sort. Gringotts appeared to cater to all sizes of beings as Harry could have sworn they'd passed a huge harry giant with a big fluffy beard and a humorously tiny package clutched in his grasp. But Harry's favorite part about the entire decor of the building was the painted vaulted ceilings which depicted a rather graphic and gory battle between Goblins and what Harry assumed to be Wizards.

Eventually Murdoc and Harry made it to the front where a Goblin teller greeted them with golden rimmed glasses and an almost mocking pointy-toothed grin. "State your name and your business please," he directed, getting straight to the point. It appeared that Goblins were rather blunt when it came to business and would usually skip the pleasantries.

"Ah, yes. Me name's Murdoc Niccals and I need teh switch ou' a few Muggle Pounds fer some Galleons. Also, this here's me son 'Arry Potter-Niccals. He'll be needin' teh see his vault," the bassist explained as he pulled out a wad of wrinkled bills and tossed them onto the counter. The Goblin snatched them with a sneer and hastily tried to smooth the abused bills flat before snapping his stubby little fingers together causing them to hover into the air a moment before disappearing completely. Then he pulled out a small cash drawer from somewhere beneath the partition and tapped it with one of his long yellowed nails. Harry watched in astonishment as coins started to appear in gold, silver, and bronze. When it stopped the Goblin rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath before he tapped the drawer harder and it coughed up a few more coins. He then nodded in satisfaction and re-focused his attention on Murdoc.

"That'll be 165 Galleons, 15 Sickles, and 20 Knuts for 500 Pounds," the Goblin said in a haughty voice as Murdoc scooped up all of the coins and shoved them into his pockets. Harry gave them both a confused look considering it sounded like Pounds weren't worth much here. He made a mental note to ask Murdoc about Wizarding Currency later. Then he nearly jumped out of his skin when the Goblin turned its sharp gaze on him with eyes narrowed. "And does Mister Potter-Niccals have his key?" he asked in an almost dangerous voice that would have left Harry shaking in his trainers had Murdoc not placed a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Actually, we don' actually know who has me son's key," Murdoc admitted, not at all affected by the Goblin's suspicious glare. "However, we're both willin' teh provide a drop of blood to prove our lineage," he added, knowing that the Goblin would not take kindly to any lesser form of identification.

"Is that so, Mister Niccals?" the Goblin replied, looking curious before shrugging and shouting behind him. "Griphook! Take these two in the back for identification verification," he ordered as an annoyed looking Goblin appeared next to them and motioned for them to follow.

Griphook led them through a maze of hallways within the bank before he settled on a particular room and waived them in. Once they were all seated with a large mahogany desk separating them, Griphook took out a tattered looking scroll and a small dagger. "Your identities are being called into question," he explained. "You will need to prick your fingers and allow a drop of blood to drip onto the parchment unaided and it will show us your true lineage. Any spells or potions used to tamper with one's identity become useless. Do you understand?" Both of them nodded, though Harry admittedly looked a bit pale. He wasn't sure if the adoption bond would be valid here or not. But when he looked beside him and saw nothing but confidence radiating from Murdoc, he sat up a bit straighter.

Murdoc reached for the knife first and Harry offered him his hand as the older man lightly pricked his index finger and did the same with his own. When that was completed they both lifted their hands above the parchment and allowed a drop of blood each to fall. As soon as the liquid fell, they watched in fascination as it dissolved into the parchment. Then the parchment appeared to ripple with magic as a family tree began to become visible showing Harry's name with Lilly Evans and James Potter's family surrounding him. Then a third bar appeared linked to Harry's name showing Murdoc Niccals as his third blood parent.

"Hm, it appears you are truly Harry Potter. Though now I suppose it's Potter-Niccals?" Griphook questioned rhetorically before nodding and filling out a form from a stack that Harry hadn't noticed him taking out before. "A blood bond adoption ritual, I see. I will update your vaults to show your name and relationship change."

"V-vaults, sir?" Harry asked, clearly not expecting the Goblin to be so flippant about what Murdoc had explained was initially an illegal practice. Apparently the Satanist had been right when he'd said the ritual itself was illegal but not the outcome.

"Oh yes, you are the main heir to the Potter vaults as well as the vaults to the house of Black. I suppose you'll also need to be added to the Niccals account too? You are setting up an account with us today, yes?" he looked at Murdoc with a scrutinizing gaze as if daring him to suggest any other outcome. When the older man nodded begrudgingly in affirmation the Goblin nodded again and muttered something to himself in Gobbledygook as he pulled out yet another form. Murdoc knew that his tiny supply would be pennies compared to the other two in Harry inheritance, but it didn't really bother him. He hadn't realized that Harry would have two vaults to himself, but in the long run he supposed that would be a good thing to help Harry have a better future. After a moment, Griphook sat up and looked toward Harry again. "The Potter vault is currently accessible to you, however the Black vault has a hold on it until you reach the age of 17 per request of the previous heir Sirius Black."

"Sirius Black?" Harry questioned, looking up at Murdoc who shrugged. Besides the major unavoidable news in the wizarding world, he hadn't really paid all that much attention. His real home was in the Muggle world so he was as unfamiliar with the name as Harry.

"We have him listed as your legal Godfather, however his rights have been revoked due to a life sentence in Azkaban for murder," Griphook elaborated, reading over the file with an air of disinterest. Both Harry and Murdoc looked a little uneasy about that little tidbit of news.

"Got it, thanks," Harry said awkwardly.

"What about his key?" Murdoc asked, changing the subject as he cleared his throat. "We didn' know 'e had one ter be honest."

"Everyone has a key, Mister Niccals," Griphook intoned, looking annoyed again as he shuffled through his documents. "It says right here that Albus Dumbledore has the key as he was young Mister Potter-Niccals' legal magical guardian. Though now that you are his legal guardian, a notice will be sent out to reclaim your key and any possessions taken. We'll also forward a copy of the updated family tree to the Ministry of Magic for record keeping."

"We would also like a list of any comings and goings in me son's account over tha' past ten years to be mailed ter us directly," Murdoc requested, his eyes narrowed into slits as soon as the name Albus Dumbledore had been uttered.

"Certainly," Griphook agreed as he hopped up from his chair. "Now that that's settled, let's go visit your vaults."

Meanwhile, on the other side of Diagon Alley, 2D found himself comfortably seated in a shabby looking tavern called The Leaky Cauldron. Normally, he'd have been slightly depressed about being left behind while the others explored but honesty he thought all the bright colors and people would have given him a headache. Instead, the dim lighting of the bar complimented his poor eyesight and he was enjoying sitting among the hags and other strange folk that accompanied him at the bar. Here, no one really paid much attention to his odd hair color and deep-set sunken in eyes. They didn't even recognize him as a celebrity. He was just a normal bloke sipping a strangely sweet beverage he'd found called butterbeer as he listened to the barkeep, Tom, tell jokes about the strange patrons he'd seen in the past.

Everyone was so enthralled with Tom's story, that no one paid any attention as a tired looking man in shabby robes carrying a moth-eaten briefcase walked in through the Muggle-side entrance. He was a thin man that looked to be a little bit on the unhealthy side considering he appeared to have not been well-rested in some time. He probably would have looked fairly decent except his face was littered with several old looking cuts and scars that he tried to offset with a small mustache. He had limp straw-colored hair and pale blue eyes that reflected a man who had been through more in his 31 years than most had in a lifetime. And yet through all of that weariness, he still somehow maintained a positive outlook about him. Instead of looking around the room in loathing despair, he seemed relieved to have made it there at all.

Remus Lupin had been a werewolf most of his life having been bit by Fenrir Greyback at the tender age of 6. Though he was no fan of the condition himself, he had tried to make the most of it and for the most part ignored his 'furry little problem' until it reared its ugly head once a month like clockwork. Wizards were not overly fond of werewolves so he tended to keep a low profile and did several oddball jobs in both the Wizarding and Muggle world to gain income any way that he could. He, unlike some of his wolven brethren, preferred to be thought of as a wizard instead of the beast and tried very hard to live up to his own internal standards in world that was very clearly against him.

As his eyes scanned the tavern looking for a place to sit, he gasped when he saw a familiar shock of blue spikey hair sitting up at the bar surrounded by patrons. "2D?" he muttered under his breath in confusion. The summer before, he had answered an ad in a Muggle paper to work at a place called Kong Studios to help build the recording studio and lug in the band's equipment. He and about five other men had taken the job and helped build the place to what it was today. The pay had been rather descent and he'd enjoyed getting to know the members of the band, though the leader had been slightly out there in his opinion. But from what he could tell, he'd thought they'd all been Muggles. Weird Muggles, but Muggles all the same.

"Stuart, is that you?" he asked as he approached the bar and stole a seat next to the eyeless wonder. 2D blinked in confusion for a moment before turning to him with a blank look on his face. Remus remembered that 2D had poor eyesight, but that did not stop the slight reddening of his cheeks when the younger man suddenly leaned so close to his face that he could actually make out the fractured pupils in his seemingly endless gaze. They were both still a moment before 2D suddenly flashed a toothless grin and grabbed the frail man into a surprisingly strong hug that smelled of butterscotch and cigarettes.

"Remus!" 2D exclaimed happy before releasing the now obviously blushing man and talking animatedly. "How did you ge' here? Mudz said only Wizards could. Are you a Wizard? Wot 'ave you been up to, mate?"

Remus coughed to cover a chuckle at the singer's excitement before trying to tackle all of his questions at once. "Well, Ive been staying at a room here between jobs," he explained. "Yes, I am a wizard, though I didn't think you lot were," he admitted looking slightly bemused.

"That's cuz fer tha' most part we aren't," a deep voice chuckled from behind them as Murdoc clasped both men on the shoulder. "Firewiskey fer me, Tom," Murdoc ordered as he allowed his mismatched eyes to wonder towards a sweet looking waitress that was helping some patrons a few tables over. He licked his lips a moment before refocusing on the two men in front of him instead. 'Business first, pleasure later,' he mentally reminded himself.

"2D! Look at all this money I was able to get!" Harry said excitedly as he bounded up to them. "Dad gave me some too for school books and stuff."

Remus was struck with a strange sense of deja-vu as he and Murdoc listened to the child chatter away to the singer who was answering back just as rapidly. A sad smile curved his lips as he thought of how odd it was that the boy reminded him of a long departed friend. Harry would be about this age too wouldn't he? He silently wondered what Harry was like and if he'd be able to recognize him if he saw him. He tried to ignore the aching feeling in his chest as the boy tugged 2D from his barstool and toward the door apparently to go school shopping with him. He allowed a nostalgic sigh to escape his lips as he watched them disappear and nodded at Murdoc as the green-skinned man took 2D's place beside him on the stool.

"I didn't know you had a son," Remus said awkwardly as he realized Murdoc was giving him a rather calculating look. Knowing the man from before as he did, he knew that kind of look didn't bode well for him.

"I didn't until a few weeks ago," Murdoc admitted, taking a sip of his whiskey and grinning as he felt the burn in his throat and the steam in his ears. "The kid'd been left with abusive relatives. Damn shame too. Kept 'im in a fuckin' cupboard all of 'is life," he spat, looking somewhat moody thinking about it.

"They did what?" Remus asked looking horrified at the thought as he turned his attention back toward the door with a frown. "No child deserves that…" Even he as a werewolf had never been treated like that by his family. His parents had known his life would be hard and yet they still tried to offer him a loving home.

"Especially no' that one," Murdoc agreed, hiding his Cheshire grin as he watched Lupin's concern. "Do you know who tha' boy really is?"

"Well no, I just figured he was yours since he called you dad," Remus replied in confusion wondering what on earth Murdoc was getting at. How would he know a child he'd literally just met?

Murdoc leaned a little closer so that no one would hear him as he confided his son's true identity. "Tha' boy is Harry Potter," he whispered. "I found 'im abandoned and all alone afta' escapin' his Aunt and Uncle's house. Tha' cupboard was the least of 'is problems with them."

Murdoc prided himself as a rather observant man. While the other members of his band did not know what to look for in a person, he always had. Back when Remus had worked for them before, he'd known about the man's lycanthropy. As someone who knew about magic and as a Satanist he'd been able to practically taste the dark magic that surrounded the man's soul. But he'd also been able to spot the man for who he was; a misunderstood loner. Murdoc knew that werewolves had hard lives that were hardly what one would consider stable and he knew that Remus was softer when it came to subjects like that than others so he was banking on the other man taking pity over the boy's past living situation.

So as he looked at Remus' devastated face he had no idea that it was for reasons completely different than what he'd predicted. He had no idea that Remus had been friends with the boy's parents or how guilty the werewolf had felt all of his life for not being there for his best friend's child. Murdoc's words magnified that guilt tenfold in fact.

"Dumbledore, Hogwarts' headmaster, tried to put 'im back in their care. But I din' let'im," Murdoc continued casually on with his plan. "The kid's grown on me an' he deserves betta'. He decided 'e doesn't wan' ter go teh Hogwarts but he'll still need an education."

"I'll do it," Remus said so suddenly that Murdoc's eyes widened slightly before returning to their calm observant gaze. "I'm not good at everything, mind you. But I can tutor him in Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense against the Dark Arts at least. I can even help with dueling if necessary."

Murdoc stayed silent a moment as he mulled this information over. He'd merely been trying to guilt-trip the man into coughing up some useful names, but if he himself could assist in tutoring Harry that would almost be perfect. Remus already knew what Kong was like and knew the other band members so he'd get along with everyone and Harry hadn't seemed to mind him moments ago. It wouldn't be hard for Russ to give him the address as secret keeper and for Murdoc to key him into the wards. But he was still bothered by something.

"Tha' could work," he said after a time. "But why do yeh want ter help 'im so bad?" he asked suspiciously.

"James Potter was my best friend," Remus explained shakily. "Well, one of them anyway. He and Lilly were so supportive of me in my younger days. I'd have done anything for them. But then they died and my world came tumbling down. Si-None of my friends were left unscathed from that night. After that the Ministry put in new regulations towards anything they considered dark including w-werewolves," he whispered his affliction so that no one would hear. "I wouldn't have been allowed within one hundred feet of him without a death warrant to my name. I heard that he had gone to live with family and I stayed away. I've always thought about him though," Remus said in an anguished tone. After that they were silent again. Remus watched Murdoc polish off his glass and slap down a few Galleons on the counter.

"I believe you, mate. Bu' from now on there's no runnin' away. If yer gonna' be his tutor then you 'ave teh stay in his life and tutor 'im. He's 'ad enough shi' in his life and doesn't need someone who's going to be 'ere one minute an' gone tha' next." He said seriously.

"I understand," Remus agreed. "Please let me do this…"

"Fine," Murdoc said with a snort. "Get yer shit in order an' I'll send my familiar, Cortez, to you with the address inna' few days. It's protected by a Fidelius Charm so even though you've been there, you won't be able ter get in."

"Thank you," Remus said in such a breathless tone that Murdoc nearly sneered back at him for such a pathetic display of gratitude. But instead he gave the other man a smirk before disappearing from the tavern back into the crowded alley.

Just as he stepped out there was a loud bang of commotion as the apothecary down the way's door shot open and four bodies tumbled out dying of laughter as the shop owner cursed at them waiving his wand. He sighed in exasperation as he saw the mirthful expressions on Harry and 2D's faces along with the mischievous twin smiles of the pair of redheads that were on the ground in a heap beside them.

"And stay out!" the apothecary owner growled as a trail of purple smoke started pouring out of the doorway behind him. He gave an indignant sort of huff before returning inside and slamming the door shut. Seconds later a closed sign was slapped against the glass with gusto.

"That was wicked!" One of the redheads grinned as he and his brother slapped Harry and 2D's hands with high-fives. Though 2D looked a little less enthusiastic than Harry did about it.

"Nice one, Harry," the other brother complimented as he started to stand up. "It's too bad you won't be going to Hogwarts this year. We could use a little help from someone like you."

"FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY!" a very upset looking plump witch screeched as she marched over and grabbed them each by the ear. "What is the meaning of this!? Just wait until we get home and I tell your father!" she scolded, dragging them back to where three other redheaded children were standing and watching with amusement.

"Bye Harry!" they chorused with slightly pained winces as they tried to hide their smiles from their now fuming mother. Harry laughed and shook his head as 2D helped him up and they dusted their trousers off.

"And jus' wot was that all about?" Murdoc asked with a smirk when he reached them. "Can't leave you lot alone fer two seconds without yeh burning down a building."

"We didn't do it on purpose," 2D muttered, rubbing his sore hip from where he fell.

"Those were the Weasley twins," Harry explained, his slightly pointed teeth visible due to his wide smile. "Apparently they like to invent things and wanted to see what would happen if they dropped a few of their mystery ingredients into the apothecary owners tea. It was supposed to make him only be able to talk like a roaring dragon for an hour, but when the shop owner drank it he burped up a huge purple fireball instead that melted his best supply of cauldrons. It was so cool!"

"It wos downright terrifying," 2D disagreed with a shudder. "That coulda' been us."

"An' that's why yer supposed teh protect 'im from these things, Dullard," Murdoc said as he rolled his eyes and smacked the singer on the back of his head causing him to yelp. "Anyways, we need teh go ge' a wand. You won't be using it much cuz I'll be teachin' you how teh do things wandless like me mostly. But it's always good teh have a backup in case yeh get tired and need something to focus yer magic through."

With that said, Harry soon found himself inside of a rather small shop that seemed to be crammed floor to ceiling in wand boxes. There was nothing organized or tidy about the place and Harry found himself wondering just how the stacks had even remained upright with how far over some of them were leaning.

"Ah! Yes, I've been expecting you, Mister Potter," a voice wheezed from somewhere within the hoard. Suddenly an old man with wild looking long silver hair popped out from behind one of the piles causing all three of his guests to jump. He politely ignored their reaction as he straightened his glasses and took a step closer giving them each a gaze that gave them the feeling he was reading over the contents of their soul.

He looked at Murdoc first, tilting his head a bit as he considered him. "I didn't sell you a wand, but for the longest time you used to carry one of mine that went missing. 13 inches, walnut, dragon heartstring, and bit springy… Hm, most likely not the best match but then you wouldn't have known," he shrugged, not really looking that put out about it. Murdoc looked slightly uncomfortable about the accusation, but said nothing to either defend or deny it.

He paused at 2D next looking rather intrigued about the odd looking man, though understandably it was not for the usual reasons. "Hm, a Muggle. Not someone I come across every day. But you managed to get through the wards and don't seem to be affected by the normal muggle-repelling wards. Fascinating." 2D gulped, trying hard not to tremble as he took a step closer to Murdoc looking nervous. This only caused the strange old wand maker's thin smile to widen.

Lastly, he paused in front of Harry and tsked shaking his head to himself. "Such a pity," he murmured as he reached out to brush Harry's bangs away so that he could get a better look at the scar beneath. He ignored Murdoc's growl of warning as he continued to gaze at it. "I'm sorry to say that I made the wand that gave you this. I remember every wand I've ever made and I know all of their qualities. Your mother's was made of willow. It was best made for charms as it was long and swishy. Your father's was a bit more pliable. He favored mahogany which always compliments transfiguration. But that wand…Hm," he sighed and turned away from Harry so quickly that the boy stumbled and nearly fell over. "Now, let's get started. Shall we?"

If Harry thought the spry wand maker was intense before, it was nothing compared to when the man was actually in his element. It turned out that Mr. Ollivander took his work extremely seriously. Harry felt like he was being ran through hoops with how many wands were placed just in his grasp to suddenly be yanked away again with a resounding, "Nope, not yet. Try this one!" The very few wands that he did hold for longer than one second seemed to always result in something smashing, breaking, or in one unfortunate case crashing into poor 2D.

Finally, after Harry felt that he had tried nearly every wand in the store, Mr. Ollivander pulled out a very dusty wand box from a safe in the back of the store and leveled Harry with a resigned look. Harry gazed at the box wearily and vaguely wondered why this one looked to be in the poorest shape of them all. The box was slightly yellowed on the outside and looked distinctly neglected. "I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but I see now that I cannot change fate. The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter, and I'd be shocked if this one hasn't had its core set on you."

"If you think so, sir," Harry responded nervously as he watched the older man uncover the lid to reveal a rather plain but nicely polished wand for the poor condition of its packaging. Harry hesitated a few seconds before carefully grasping the handle. At first nothing happened and then he gasped as a warm pulse of magic swept over him and the tip of the wand started glowing a pleasant golden light. He gave it a gentle flick and the contents of the messes he'd created before with the other wands righted themselves and mended. This wand felt distinctly right as if it were an extension of his very arm and perhaps more.

"11 inches and holly with a phoenix feather core," Mr. Ollivander dictated in a misty voice as if he were caught in a trance. Suddenly his eyes locked with Harry's once again causing the boy to feel distinctly uncomfortable with the intensity. "Very curious that this exact wand would choose you when it's brother gave you that scar…" he trailed off and moved forward as if to touch the scar again when Murdoc suddenly grabbed Harry's arm and stepped in front of him to block the old man's view.

"That's enough," Murdoc sneered, thrusting a small pouch of money at the wand maker. "Let's ge' out of here," he said before pushing both Harry and 2D out of the door.

"Pleasant seeing you. We shall meet again." Mr. Ollivander's voice called before the door closed swiftly behind them. Harry shuddered thinking that if that was true, it would only be too soon.

"Harry!" a gleeful shout caught the boy's attention and his frown melted into a blinding smile when he saw Noodle and Russel standing a little ways down the alley. Noodle seemed to be unable to contain her excitement as she bounced slightly when the trio approached them.

That was when Russel held up the bird cage he'd been trying to hide from behind his back. Inside it contained the most beautiful snow white owl Harry had ever seen. "Happy late birthday, little man!"

A/N:

Sorry that took forever. School and work has really been putting on the pressure this holiday. I feel like Murdoc was a little OOC for this chapter, but hopefully not too bad. I was also trying to have some parallels in there to the actual story which is why there was a brief appearance of Hagrid and the Weasleys. Anyways, let me know what you think!