JKR, and Blizzard Entertainment are Pleased to present...(Okay not really) This was a work of an overactive imagination that was assisted by writing fanaticism.

There is no profit involved save for the removal of this one shot that just wouldn't leave me be...even though I'm not all that happy with it...Still it'd be fun if I did take it farther.

Tales of Singularity

Of Magic, Broods, and Blood

Dudley grinned as he tapped a couple commands on his computer. He had his main base well defended with several hydralisks, and a large squad of zerglings were to be the main push against the Terran player "Eternal". His grin faded slightly as a grotesque voice announced that his base was under attack. Thinking nothing of it he sent his zerglings and Hydralisks against the onslaught. Even a squad of Goliaths wouldn't do that much damage against him. Seven Goliaths however, were doing decent damage to his force. However, Dudley's confidence in fending off the attack faded and his heart quailed in terror as the sound of thunder began to roar in his headset.

Siege Tanks. The most terrifying ground unit the Terrans had to offer the Siege Tank was only decent in Tank mode, but once it put down it's grips and switched to "Siege Mode" The Arclite Shock Cannon would fire superheated tungsten at a target, and deal splash damage to adjacent units. The damage was incredible and it's range was the longest that any race had to offer.

At that Dudley knew he had lost. The Seven Goliaths were merely a distraction, and while he might have been able to defeat the small squad and even the tanks the damage he'd receive would be too much for him to recover from. However, several marines marched in from the north, and into the view of Dudley's army.

"Damn." Dudley snarled.

Marines were basic units for the Terrans. They had low Health, and did paltry damage. To make them even less incredible their best upgrade was one that increased their speed and rate of fire was one but it that sacrificed a fourth of their already meager HP and it only lasted for a few moments. However, they were strong in numbers and they were only acting as a guard/ assault force as the tanks ripped through the defenses of Dudley.

GG

Dudley typed angrily before he logged off.

Eternal was good Dudley conceded. He excelled at using the Terran Race and proved it in their match. While Dudley wasn't the best Zerg player he wasn't bad and for him to lose like that...

Suddenly Dudley noticed that Eternal sent him a message requesting to meet in a private channel. Interested, Dudley entered the channel.

GG CoonSlayer. I haven't enjoyed a set of games like that for a while. You caught me by surprise when you launched that guardian strike on my expansion.

Dudley smiled faintly.

Thanks. I was really shocked when you managed to hit me from behind with Siege Tanks. How'd you do that?

Tank Drop.

Oh yeah, Drop Ships.

Yeah, they can help sometimes :D

Dudley nodded. It made sense. He dropped his Tanks on the cliff above his base he was able to begin a bombardment and Dudley couldn't even see where he was attacking from.

Anyway, I wanted to ask can I make you a friend. I'd like to play you and any other good SC players that you know.

I don't know any I'm afraid.

Do you have any relatives?

Just my parents and cousin...why?

Teach your cuz and s/he will be able to help you get better too.

If he'll play

Why wouldn't he?

At that Dudley stared. A thousand thoughts flowed through his head such as 'He's a loser' and 'Freaks don't play Starcraft'. When suddenly he smiled.

Maybe freaks didn't play Starcraft. Maybe...He'd be able to make his freakish cousin normal when his parents failed. That'd be kinda cool.

I'll try teaching him

Cool once hes good we can have a 2v2 match. I got a bud that is a pretty good 'toss player and he wants a good challenge. I think if u teach him u'll get better too.

Dudley thought about that before he nodded in agreement.

And so History Changed.

Dudley entered Harry's room with a newly purchased battle chest.

"What are you doing Dudley?" Harry demanded as Dudley sat down and began booting up the old computer.

"I'm getting something installed and you are going to play it."

"It isn't porn or anything Illegal right?" Harry asked with narrowed eyes.

Dudley laughed.

"No, It's just a game. A very good game."

"You want me to play a game?" Harry asked dumbstruck.

"Yeah. I'll even teach you how. Eventually I'll want to play you so you better learn so that you might be able to give me a challenge...Oh wait. You're too stupid to give me one of those. Maybe I'll be able to laugh at you as you try uselessly at trying to beat a simple idiot AI."

Harry's eyes narrowed.

"Get me set up and I'll learn and beat you in whatever game that is."

Dudley grinned internally. He knew Harry was feisty but he didn't realize he was that competitive. With a shrug Dudley began the instillation process.

"Hey Harry, go get a folding chair, tell mum I told you to get it. You'll need it to learn."

Harry nodded and as he went to get the chair Dudley input the code that allowed the game to be played. He then registered it in Harry's name. Once Harry got back and sat beside his overly fat cousin Dudley began a simple game. He played as each of the three races and explained their strengths and weaknesses before handing the controls over to his cousin. (He kept the nice chair of course.)

Harry frowned thoughtfully for a long moment before deciding on Terran. They were apparently the ones to learn the basics with since they had good defense and could easily switch their fighting style.

His first game ended poorly for him. He didn't realize that Terrans also had a couple severe drawbacks, and the worst was their tendency to "Turtle". This meant that Harry had focused too long on building up that he never expanded and was eventually exhausted resource wise. Once that happened it was just a matter of time until Harry's beleaguered defenses crumbled.

Over the next couple hours Harry played as each of the races and eventually decided to go back to Terran. They were well rounded and while they didn't have shields of the Protoss or the regenerative abilities like the Zerg he found them the best style for him.

A few weeks passed before Dudley finally decided he was ready and so Dudley and Harry sat down and did battle.

Harry remembered that Dudley had watched Harry's style evolve and he knew that Harry liked using a squad of Marines, Medics and a couple siege tanks with Firebat support, and so Dudley focused on Teching up to Guardians which could and would tear apart Harry's ground forces.

However, Harry didn't use the marines, medics, firebats, and tanks that Dudley expected but instead teched up to Battlecruisers. And they tore Dudley's attack attempt to ribbons. Then Harry sent the four massive ships to Dudley's base and with a few well placed Yamato shots Dudley's air defenses were crushed. After a few more minutes of futile struggle by the exhausted Zerg Harry triumphed.

"How did that happen?" Dudley gaped.

Harry merely grinned smugly.

Then Harry realized something. Unpredictability was what won him his battle with Dudley. Dudley expected a ground attack and so Harry attacked via air. Dudley expected Siege tanks and Marines and he built the highest tier units he could. Voldemort was predicable you could expect him to use an unforgivable first and then a few more. They were effective certainly, but they were still predictable and so Harry could muster a counter to that. Dumbledore was predictable too though. You could expect him to let you strike first. He had a counter strike pattern. So if you could exploit that initial pause...

Well, that would explain why they'd stink at Starcraft.

Towards the end of Summer Harry found an email inviting him to the English branch Starcraft competition. He'd somehow made it in by partaking in enough ladder matches. Dudley had also been able to get in somehow.

Harry rushed over to Hedwig.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

I will be unable to arrive on September 1st due to some unusual reasons. I will be at the very earliest be able to board sometime in December.

Please do not ask. This is a personal matter.

Sincerely, Harry Potter

"Hedwig, I need you to deliver this to Dumbledore after next week. Then stay with the Weasley's. Make sure to give Ron his letter before Dumbledore's though."

Hedwig looked at him impatiently.

"Oh right." Harry said sheepishly.

Harry sat down and took a quill and began writing.

Hey Ron

I need you to go to King's Cross (Muggle Side) on Wednesday. I'll explain then.

Harry Potter

Once Harry completed the letters he gave them to Hedwig and let her out.

After she soared off into the skies he turned, went downstairs and found his uncle sitting on the sofa, flipping through channels.

"Hello Uncle Vernon." Harry began the next difficult part of his plan.

"I heard you got in a ruddy Stercaft tournament or something." Vernon replied.

"So did Dudley." Harry added with a smile.

Vernon blinked.

"He got into-"

"It's a video game tournament." Harry explained to calm his Uncle's fury.

Vernon calmed down instantly.

"Video Games you say?" Vernon asked cheerfully.

"That's right."

"That's a lot better than...that." Vernon smiled.

"And I was wondering since you'll probably take Dudley if I could go too. We can register as a team and since we know each other's abilities we'd be able to support each other better and it'd help him win in the 2v2 part of it."

"Fine." Vernon agreed.

Harry knew it was only for the sake of Dudley.

"I'll be heading out for a while so I can keep healthy so I can react quicker for the tournament."

"You do that." Vernon agreed as he turned his head back to the Television.

...

"Sire, we've confirmed that he's begun getting better."

"We can wait a few years. Let his skills sharpen and become more deadly."

"Yes your excellency." The man bowed before he left the ornate throne room.

"Not even she will be able to defeat me after I have his aid..." The elderly man wearing a crown stated with a smirk.

...

"Harry? Is that really you?" Hermione gasped on the other end of the pay phone.

"Yeah. I figured I should call you."

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked in concern.

Harry laughed lightly.

"Yeah, Never better really. I'm going to a tournament in a couple days and I'd like you to come with. There's something there you should see."

"Okay. When is it and where is it?" Hermione asked intently.

"Well..." Harry went on to explain where and when to her.

...

Several days passed and Harry and Dudley grinned at each other as they entered the Blizzard convention grounds. Ron had arrived ahead of Harry and Dudley (Somehow. Harry guessed that one of the other Weasley's gave him a lift...) This was the largest StarCraft event ever held in Europe. While Dudley spent most of his time bragging about his not so great skills Harry observed the opponents that were playing friendly games and taking notes.

"Harry!" Hermione squealed as she saw him in the crowd.

He turned and was nearly knocked over by a brown headed missile that wrapped it's arms about him.

"I'm glad you could make it!" Harry grinned.

"Did you ask Ron to come along too?" She asked as she pulled back from him.

Harry nodded and pointed to a computer where Ron was feebly tapping at some keys.

"He's trying to learn how to play. You should too. If we three became a team...well we'd be unstoppable."

"You think so?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded enthusiastically.

"Sure, Ron seems to love playing as the Zerg. He isn't very good with 'em yet but that's to be expected."

"I have a cousin who taught be about it and I found that I liked the playing as Protoss." Hermione added quietly.

Harry's eyes widened.

"You play too?"

"No. I only played about three hours is all. I just liked the 'Toss the best." Hermione demurred.

Harry nodded in understanding at that and a few moments later Harry and Dudley began their part.

Several games passed, Dudley was knocked out in the fourth round. (halfway through the 'weeding' stages) However, thanks to Harry he managed to make it to the tenth round in the two versus two matches before Harry couldn't save him and he was defeated. This in turn forced Harry to find a new partner or forfeit. Sadly, Hermione wasn't invited to the tournament so he had had to find another player who was missing their teammate. He eventually met a french girl and the two of them continued on to the quarter finals when they were completely outclassed by England's champions of last year.

Harry manged to make it all the way to the Semifinals when he was stomped by a Finnish Starcraft expert.

He later met back up with his teammate Anna and the one who had defeated him: Finland's Champion David Aalto.

"You're good kid. How long have you been playing?" Aalto asked.

Harry muttered his reply.

"How long?"

"Only this summer." He admitted.

Which of course led to many gasps and eyes widened in shock.

"You show promise. You might even take the gold away from the Koreans once you learn up some more." He nodded in approval.

Just as Harry was about to respond a knock caught their attention.

"Hello Mr. Aalto, are you ready to receive your reward and go on to the world Championships?"

"Sure." He nodded.

Over the next hour the award ceremony dragged on. Harry was sitting beside Hermione and Ron who was still questioning Harry about how those corsairs destroyed his Overlords so easily.

At least Ron's questions kept Harry occupied.

Eventually the ceremony ended and David ran back up to Harry.

"Harry, I'd like to take you and your team with me to the world Championships."

"Huh?" Ron gasped.

"Yeah, Harry's a natural. What about you two?" David turned back to them.

"Well...There's no way I'd leave Harry behind." Hermione said firmly.

Ron nodded.

"This is even better than chess! I'd sell my pet rat for this chance in a heartbeat!" Ron agreed.

"You'd give him away." Harry muttered dryly.

Hermione giggled lightly.

...

From there Harry, Hermione and Ron became a fearsome team. The three of them eventually became known as the "European Starlords".

However, they did eventually attend Hogwarts, just to nearly be killed by Ron's pet who turned out to be a man, as well as nearly having their souls removed by dementors, and so the three turned to full time Starcraft tournaments where they won accolades and triumphs unlike anything the world had ever seen.

Sirius became a supporter of their team, he acted as their cook, driver and more. Because they were rarely in England anymore he wasn't hunted by the Wizarding Population, and so he found himself enjoying life. Eventually he began dating David's supporter. A nearly thirty year old muggle woman named Alicia. She was originally a yank but moved to Finland and got involved with David's Starcraft support team.

And so the months passed with the group getting their names well known in the Starcraft Circuit. Harry became known as 'Therran'; a play on words of 'Thor' and 'Terran'. He eventually selected the screen name "Thor's Arm" or Thor for short, Hermione became known as an incredible Protoss player known as "Immortal", due to the fact that she used her units in such a way that she seemed invincible. While Ron was merely known as "Bane" for he was indeed the bane of many other player's existences. His flooding tactics of Zerg units made the foe fearful and they only prayed that they wouldn't have to encounter the ever so fearsome Ultralisk Charge that Ron was so found of.

Life continued in a similar vein for many months until the unveiling of Starcraft2. It was on their first game that everything truly, truly changed.

"Harry, let's play a game. A three way free for all." Ron suggested as the three friends sat down at the computers with their newly installed copies of the game.

Harry grinned.

"You think as I do." Harry intoned hollowly.

"Use your own race's quotes." Hermione grinned playfully as she began booting up her copy of the game.

And so they began their battle into the new game. The three races eventually teched up to their higest tiers of Thors, Motherships, Ultralisks and more and once Ron and Harry began attacking the central expansion (which belonged to Hermione.) she was forced to use her Mothership's ultimate technique to reduce the sheer number of Battlecruisers and Vikings that were attacking her from the east. That was when it finally happened. A man's plot took root and reality began spiraling out of control. The screens fizzled out and the room began to warp.

"Hold on guys!" Harry leaped over to his friends and the two of them clutched his arms determinedly.

The room faded into blackness and then Harry fell into the void, Ron and Hermione at his side.

...

"Are they awake?"

"I thought there was only going to be..."

"She's a quite a looker for being just a kid."

"They're just kids...They couldn't."

Harry slowly opened his eyes and saw men that if he hadn't been familiar with the game play of Starcraft he wouldn't have known who they were.

Marines...

A few moment's passed and Harry's two friends awoke tiredly.

"What's goin on?" Ron asked.

"That's what I'd like to know." Hermione agreed crossly.

"Our emperor desires to speak to you." The marine explained.

"Okay." Harry said hesitantly.

A few minutes more passed and they were led through several winding corridors. The halls themselves were elegant, beautiful and richly decorated. However, because of all the marines flanking him he couldn't tell where they were heading. But, eventually the group approached a golden door with two wolves etched in it's surface.

The door itself was massive, large enough for the nine foot armoured marines to enter ten at a time with plenty of shoulder room. After they entered the marines pulled away from the three young teens.

"Welcome young generals." The man greeted.

He was what Harry assumed to be the Emperor. Again he cursed himself for not playing the campaign or following the story. If he or his friends had done so then they might have known what a dangerous man he was indeed.

"I am Emperor Arcturus Mengsk the first, and you three are of vital importance for the safety of Humanity." The emperor now identified as Mensk explained.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked suspiciously.

Mensk chuckled lightly.

"I want you three to lead the Terran Dominion in several things. First: Capture the Rebel James Raynor; a traitor to humanity and a man that plots the destruction of the Dominion. Next, lead our armies to victory over the Zerg and Protoss before they overwhelm us."

"Is the situation so grim?" Hermione asked seriously.

Mensk nodded and turned to a large monitor before he pushed a button on his throne.

A news announcement declaring that the Zerg had invaded the fringe worlds. Kate talked about the death toll and how it had already passed the millions mark. Harry, Hermione and Ron mere stared in horror at the images of the fearsome Zerg tearing through the homes of civilians. After a few moments more Mensk turned the monitor off and turned back to them.

"Will you assist us in stopping the Zerg?" Mensk asked seriously.

Harry stared.

"You see, thanks to my leading scientists we discovered a way to send a downgraded combat simulator to Earth Circa 1990 A.D. and implanted it with a tracking device. Once we discovered a worthy tactician, or group of them we would release an updated version with a chrono rift device that would allow us to pull the targeted individuals forward in time. You can help us stop the Zerg." Mensk urged.

Harry stared into the older man's eyes, his eyes were truly sincere and the sparkle reminded him of Dumbledore.

"I think we can trust him." Harry finally said.

One of the Marines chuckled behind him.

"Indeed, he's a great, great man." He assured.

Hermione hesitantly nodded with Ron.

"Excellent, your first mission is to capture the criminal James Raynor. If you can do that we will be able to provide a more united front against the Zerg and Protoss."

"I understand." Harry nodded in agreement.

"You can take Vengeance Company to defeat him General Potter. General Granger, you and General Weasley will provide logistics support and take command over our support divisions. General Granger. You have command over the Ghost Ops and intelligence. General Weasley you may take command of base logistics, supplies, defense, and all defensive weapons emplacements."

"Why not put Ron in charge of attack?" Harry asked.

"If you encounter Zerg General Weasley's knowledge of them will prove invaluable. He needs to stay to hold the lines against the Zerg."

Ron, Harry and Hermione nodded in understanding.

I actually combined several ideas that wouldn't leave me be. The first was a Starcraft playing Harry, the next a general Harry. (and betrayed Harry, etc)

It's not my best and the only reason I posted this one was because it was bothering me and more importantly, I wanted your input.

All comments are welcome!

Btw, the reason I haven't posted in a while is because my computer died...

:(

Defender Paladin.