If you recognise it… I don't own it.
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"Power Rangers" & "Harry Potter"
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Charlie Weasley had spotted the fight as he was walking though a muggle town. Unlike his muggle obsessed father, he had actually taken the time to learn about muggle objects and people directly from the source. This meant that unlike most pure-bloods he did not attract a single second look from anyone. Well, apart from those that were from those more interested in his build and looks than his dress sense.
Quickly realizing that Death Eaters were attacking some muggles, he charged in. His wand slipped quickly out of its sheath up his arm, hidden by his denim jacket. He quickly ditched the jacket, realizing that it would just hinder him. Firing spells off left, right and centre, Charlie tried to get as many muggles out of the area as possible. He didn't care about the secrecy laws, the Aurors would understand.
However he was distracted, when he was hit in the back by a Crucio. Slumping to the ground, he realized blurrily though the pain, that he had succeeded, most of the muggles had gone and those that were left were fleeing.
"A Weasley." A familiar voice broke through the pain, but Charlie couldn't quite pin it down.
"Leave him alone!" a young male voice declared. Charlie forced his eyes open, to see his defender. The pain stopped as the Death Eater was knocked unconscious, by a kick. Charlie could tell that this wizard was young, he moved freely and athletically, a trait most wizards had lost by their thirties. He also had to be a local, he was in disarray and his green robe wasn't done up; it was one of the currently fashionable designs, which had buttons down the front. He didn't see anything else, as he fell unconscious from a Stupefy.
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"Hey!" Charlie could hear a young voice trying to get his attention, "Come on, Red! Ginger? Flame-Boy? Burny? What am I supposed to call you anyway? Can't you just wake up?"
"Charlie," Charlie gasped out, "Charlie Weasley."
"Nice to meet you Charlie," the voice seemed impossibly cheerful, "I'm Harry Oliver Green. Tommy Oliver's brother. Call me Harry or Green. I answer to both. And a whole lot of other things, now I come to think about it. Including six different kinds of screams. Which is slightly disturbing, and very weird."
Charlie couldn't help himself, he started to smile. A chuckle almost escaped his lips, as he fought to get himself under control. This was no time to be laughing; he was currently a prisoner of the Death Eaters. He was hanging from the ceiling by chains, his feet barely touching the ground. He was wandless and defenceless.
Turning to face Harry, he realized that this was the wizard who had defended him earlier. Dressed in a pair of jeans and red t-shirt, he looked like any ordinary teenager. However the rather large and baggy green checked shirt, which had been pulled over the top, had given the appearance of an undone wizarding robe at first glance, especially as it reached past his knees. The kid, for he was about Ron's age by Charlie's estimation, had black hair, hanging down past his shoulders, along with bright green eyes, shielded by a pair of glasses. A broad smile seemed to be permanently stuck on his face. His eyes sparkled with laughter, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. Unfortunately for Harry's sake, he was smaller than Charlie, so all his weight was being supported by the chains around his wrists.
"By the way," Harry chirped up again, not seeming to mind the chains, "Are you with the white mask guys?"
"No!" Charlie stared, "I'm not a Death Eater."
"Is that what they're called?" Harry queried, "Weird name. I mean you can't eat death. Or are they cannibals?"
"You're a muggle." Charlie sighed, realizing that he had no hope of escape.
"What's a muggle?" Harry pressed, "It doesn't sound complimentary."
"It means 'without magic'." Charlie explained, "You're not a wizard."
"And you and these Death guys are?" Harry frowned slightly.
"Yes." Charlie nodded, "Our culture hides from your world."
"Well, you're doing a great job then." Harry laughed, "Right up until they blasted it out of the water."
"No," Charlie retorted, "Every witness will not remember the wizards. There are spells that can…"
"I get the picture." Harry interrupted, "Your kind looks down on us. What do they want?"
"Not all of us!" Charlie leapt to the defence of his people, "Just the traditional Purebloods. Those without muggle blood."
"I get it." Harry nodded, "I've seen this kind of thing before. Well, Mister Wizard…"
"Charlie." Charlie insisted.
"Charlie," Harry agreed, "Can you magic us out of here?"
"I need my wand for that," Charlie confessed, "They took it away."
"So you're just a muggle right now?" Harry teased, "Looks like it's up to me."
"What can you do?" Charlie asked, "You can't even reach the floor."
"My family's taught me a few tricks." Harry snorted, "I'm going to use one of Andros'."
Charlie watched as Harry twisted his wrists so that he could grab the chains. Putting all his weight on one hand, Harry moved his other hand over the lock on the manacle. Staring at the back of his hand, Harry appeared to be concentrating very hard. Suddenly the lock opened and Harry's wrist fell out.
"Goldar!" Harry swore, as all his weight was placed on his other wrist, before he could compensate.
Using his now free hand, to take the weight off his wrist did not take long. Then Harry freed his other hand. Dropping lightly to the floor, he stood proudly in front of Charlie.
"Can a wizard do that?" Harry taunted gently.
"Not this wizard." Charlie laughed, "This wizard would bow to his equal."
"Too right." Harry looked up, "Let me get you down."
"I don't think you can reach." Charlie pointed out.
"Maybe," Harry looked upwards, "Maybe not." Leaping upwards, Harry managed to sit on Charlie's shoulders, "Am I hurting you?"
"Get them off me," Charlie retorted, "And we're equal."
"Gotcha!" Harry placed his hands on the manacles, and seconds later they fell off.
"Thanks kid!" Charlie rubbed his wrists.
"You're welcome." Harry landed gently on the floor. "We need to get out of here."
"No one's ever escaped a Death Eater prison before." Charlie admitted, "It's impossible."
"Look, Charlie," Harry was determined, "Either we get out. Or my family comes in to get me. And I get teased for the next three months."
"They can do that?" Charlie stared.
"Well," Harry confessed, "More like fourteen years. I'm still hearing about the time I got captured when I was three."
"I meant," Charlie sighed, "Break in here."
"Yeah," Harry nodded, "Tommy's pretty over-protective. And I know that Kat will contact him. If she hasn't already. I don't want to get teased."
"We can't get out." Charlie declared, "It's impossible."
"In my family," Harry grinned, "We make the impossible happen." He flexed his fingers, "Let's break out!"
"Your family's really close," Charlie realized, "Aren't you?"
"Yeah," Harry breathed, "Really close. Rito!"
"What?" Charlie recognised a curse, even though he didn't understand the word.
"I'm bleeding." Harry was staring at his wrists, "So are you."
"I didn't even notice." Charlie stared.
"Here." Harry tore several strips of fabric off the bottom of his over-shirt. He quickly used them as bandages around his and Charlie's wrists. Finally he tore another strip and used it to tie his hair back.
"Sorry about your shirt." Charlie apologized.
"Don't worry!" Harry smirked, "Its Tommy's anyway! I don't think he's noticed that it's missing yet."
"Now you sound like my brothers." Charlie laughed.
"Brothers?" Harry raised an eyebrow, as he turned to the door.
"Yeah," Charlie nodded, "I've got a large family. I'm the second son of six. Plus my little sister."
"Hah!" Harry snorted, "Mine trumps yours."
"How?" Charlie frowned, "We're the largest family in the wizarding world."
"You want a run down on my family?" Harry was studying the lock with intense concentration, "It'll take a while."
"Please," Charlie taunted, "I've got Bill, the eldest, a curse-breaker with Gringots, the wizarding bank. Percy the next down from me, he's working with the ministry. Fred and George are twins, and pranksters extraordinaire, they want to run a joke shop. Ron's the youngest of us brothers, and doesn't know what he wants to do yet. Ginny's our little sister, a real firebrand."
"I'll just run through the names of mine," Harry opened the cell door, "Tommy, Jason, Zack, Billy, Trini, Kim, Adam, Rocky, Aisha, Kat, Tanya, Justin, TJ, Carlos, Ashley, Cassie, Andros, Zhane, Karone…"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Charlie cut in, as they were making their way down the corridors, "I make that nineteen already. They can't all be your family."
"I'm adopted." Harry confessed, "Tommy took me in when I was about three. I just spent the next fourteen years collecting brothers and sisters."
"That makes more sense," Charlie smiled, "But you're close?"
"I'm a common tie," Harry shrugged, "There are others. And we all get along. Well… as much as a family ever does."
"And they'll come after you?" Charlie pressed.
"Yeah," Harry admitted, "We'd go after anyone who harms our family. And I'm the baby. Of our generation anyway."
Harry held up a hand, stopping Charlie before he could speak. A small, faint tune could just be heard. Da, da, da, da, da, da. Then it repeated. Charlie was surprised at the simplicity of the tune, as it seemed to hold great importance to Harry.
"My phone." Harry's face was almost split in two, by the huge grin that he now sported, "Probably all of our stuff! This way!"
Charlie had to put on his best speed to try and keep pace with the much shorter, but definitely faster teen. He could barely keep Harry's shirt within touching distance. Harry was honing in on the source of the tune, as if he was some strange kind of blood-hound. Harry charged through a door, so fast that Charlie wasn't even sure that the kid had actually opened it first. Harry grabbed a small mobile phone, just as the cheery tune died.
"This yours?" Harry twirled Charlie's wand in one hand.
"My wand." Charlie breathed in relief.
"Here you go." Harry went to hand it over, as sparks trailed from the wand.
"Do that again." Charlie demanded.
"Do what?" Harry was confused now.
"Give it a wave." Charlie explained.
"Alright." Harry complied, "Wow!" he exclaimed as sparks shot from the wand, glittering in a rainbow of colours.
"You're a wizard, Harry." Charlie declared, "I thought you said you weren't."
"I'm not!" Harry countered, "At least I never knew I was."
"You didn't get a letter?" Charlie claimed his wand, "When you were about eleven? Inviting you to a school of magic?"
"I don't remember anything like that," Harry shrugged, "Are you sure?"
"Only wizards can cause sparks like that from a wand." Charlie replied.
"Let's worry about that later." Harry decided, "Let's work on busting out of here."
"Agreed." Charlie nodded. Harry's phone started to ring again.
"Let me just get this," Harry picked it up, "It'll tell us how panicked Tommy is. And when's he's going to arrive." Holding the phone to his ear, Harry listened for a bit, "Twenty one new messages." he announced calmly. "Kat. Kat. Kat pleading. Kat. Kat's ultimatum. Tommy. Tommy. Tommy. Tommy. Tommy swearing. Tommy. Tommy losing his temper."
Harry fell silent, a look of shock and fear on his face. Charlie panicked for about three minutes before claiming the phone to listen to the conversation himself.
"…don! I'm coming in! We know where you are. And we're getting you out! I'm bringing help! Don't get yourself killed! Stay alive you little brat!"
The message ended, finishing all the messages left. Charlie stared at the phone. For a moment listening to the message he had almost heard his brother Bill. He guessed that all big brothers sang off the same hymn sheet when it came to their little brothers' safety.
"Snap out of it kid," Charlie reprimanded, "You wanted to get out of here, remember?"
"Give me the phone," Harry insisted, "I'll need to warn them. Which spells should they avoid?"
"Red and green lights." Charlie answered simply, "Red hurts. Green kills. No counter."
"Gotcha!" Harry nodded, before making his call. "Hey Tommy…… I'm fine. Where are you?... We'll get out!... Yeah, a guy I met. He's called Charlie. He's wearing blue jeans, and a white t-shirt. He's got hair that's sort of a cross between Hayley and Chip. Really intense. Conner's style though. I'd say… Zack's build. But Blake's personality, maybe with a touch of Rocky. Huge overtones of Katie, though. I'm also getting a similar feeling as Cole. He's got green fabric round his wrists…… Yes, he's a good guy!…… They call themselves Death Eaters…… They use magic wands. Get rid of them. Red hurts. Green kills. No second chances…… Charlie? I'd say a Blue and Yellow mix, more Yellow than Blue though…… You didn't…… Messagog!" Harry put his phone in his pocket. "He's coming in. And he called up a good sample of the family. Typical over-reaction."
"What was that about blue and yellow?" Charlie queried, as they both started to head out of the complex again.
"That?" Harry snorted, "It's my own personal personality description. Only my family have more than the basic understanding of it. It's rather complicated. But summed up, you're intelligent, perceptive, passionate, determined and a carer. You're the heart of your siblings. The one they go to for help, for advice. The one they trust not to tell their secrets."
"That's scarily accurate." Charlie almost tripped, "How'd you know?"
"I'm thinking of becoming a psychologist," Harry neatly sidestepped the question, "It's a knack. Come on! I need to be at least half-way out of here. Or I'll never live this down."
"Right behind you, kid." Charlie nodded, "How will I recognise your family?"
"Look for the people who are kicking butt," Harry smiled, "And not bothering to take names."
"Right." Charlie declared.
"Stick with me," Harry insisted, "My family's friendly enough once you get to know them. But we're vicious if one of our own is threatened. If they think you're dangerous, they'll take you down. And no magic will stop them."
"How will I spot them?" Charlie was slightly worried; the description was slightly frightening when combined with Harry's manic grin.
"The guys not wearing white masks." Harry declared peaking round a corner, and spotting Death Eaters. "We've got putties…"
"Putties?" Charlie frowned.
"Hostiles." Harry explained, "Low level minions. You take long range, I'll get up close and personal."
"You can't…" Charlie tried to stop Harry, but was too late. "Merlin!" Charlie swore, as he went to help Harry.
Much to his surprise, Harry was holding his own. Dancing though the curses and hexes, Harry was a whirlwind. Taking down those who opposed him, Harry was always moving. Charlie provided some small support, taking down Death Eaters on the edges. Soon the twenty followers of the Dark Lord were down.
"Shall we move on?" Harry asked.
"You're good." Charlie was in awe, "Where'd you learn?"
"Jason runs a dojo." Harry shrugged. "We've got to keep moving. This is a big base. Probably the central complex."
"How do you know?" Charlie followed Harry obediently, "You can't possibly tell."
"Twenty putties in one place," Harry counted off on his fingers, "Prison. Winding passages. Chains. No real guards. It's the main base. They don't expect anyone to get this far in. Or in our case, this far out."
"You've done this before." Charlie looked at Harry, slightly freaked out.
"I told you," Harry sighed, "I'm still getting ribbed about the time when I was four. I've been captured a handful of times since then. Got out, by myself, every time. When I was eight, the bad guy actually let me go."
"You're serious." Charlie stared.
"As a heart attack." Harry nodded, "Although most of the navigation around here is guess work. No two bases are the same."
"So you're just randomly picking a direction?" Charlie frowned.
"No," Harry shook his head, "I'm trying to follow the noise. That'll be Tommy."
"How do you know?" Charlie laughed slightly, picking up the faint sounds of a fight.
"You ever see Bill go mad?" Harry retorted, "Because… you were hurt by someone… Someone insulted you… Someone made you cry… Even if you were just a little kid."
"Yeah." Charlie nodded, "Done the same myself, for my brothers."
"You ever notice that your fire burns a little… hotter… when it's Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Yeah!" Charlie agreed, "I never really noticed. But you're right. We all do."
"I'm the youngest." Harry shrugged, "Tommy took me in when I was an abused, terminally-shy, frightened, battered little three-year old. He's looked after me ever since. I mainly phone my other siblings about once every two months. Tommy? I call him once a week. Never forgotten once."
"You're closer." Charlie realized, "What about your adoptive parents?"
"I send them a Christmas card." Harry said offhandedly. "Come on!"
Charlie stared at the boy. A Christmas card was the only indication Harry's parents got that he was still alive? What made it worse was that Harry didn't seem to think it unusual or a problem. Both of them entered a room that had a collection of unconscious Death Eaters in it, as well as three other exits.
"Great!" Harry sighed, "He could have gone anywhere."
"What do you suggest?" Charlie looked around, "I can't track him. I can only track people I know. Or have a possession of."
"I take it the shirt doesn't count." Harry declared, "Seeing as how I stole it about four years ago."
"Yeah." Charlie agreed. "Little out my league. An Auror might be able to... Our version of the police."
"What's your speciality?" Harry picked a random direction, as he could no longer hear fighting.
"Dragon keeping." Charlie admitted.
"Cool!" Harry chirped. "Sounds fun. Dangerous. But fun."
"Just what do you think you're doing that is dangerous?" A blonde dressed in pink asked, as she entered the room. A man with very light blonde hair followed her, wearing a grey t-shirt and jeans. "Harry?"
"Nothing, Karone." Harry held both hands up in mock surrender, "Nice to see you, Zhane."
"You alright?" Zhane smiled broadly, "You aren't hurt?"
"I've had worse from sparing." Harry retorted. "Charlie, this is Karone and Zhane. Guys this is Charlie. He's a friend."
"You sure?" Zhane asked, "I mean, really sure. I mean, not like Leelee. Well, like Leelee."
"He's…" Harry fished for the correct description, "Ernie! Lt Stone! Adele! Philips! Willy! Kelly! Toby!"
"I can't work out," Charlie cut in, "Whether I've just been complimented or insulted."
"Complimented," Karone declared, her face breaking into a positively beaming smile, "Definitely complimented. And of the highest order."
"The kid," Zhane agreed, "Just compared you to a few of the people in his life, outside his family he actually likes. And that's something. There aren't that many of them."
"I'll say." Another voice chimed in. Charlie looked up, a girl with blonde hair, wearing a grey long sleeved top, with yellow decoration and yellow cuffs. "He pretty much snapped at us, the first time we met."
"Be fair," A dark-haired boy matched her pace, wearing a black and white t-shirt, "He wasn't exactly expecting us to be at Dr O's place."
"Kira." Harry nodded at the girl, "Trent. Nice to see you. How are you doing?"
"We're doing okay," Kira smiled, "My first album comes out in two months."
"And my comic book," Trent was calm, "Hits the shelves next week."
"That's great!" Harry dashed over to give both of them a hug, "Sorry, I forgot the introductions. Charlie, this is Kira and Trent."
"Nice to meet you," Kira smiled, "Harry, couldn't you pick a bad guy with a little taste? I mean, these guys are better looking than the triptoids. Way better than the tyrannodrones. But snakes? They're everywhere! It's just tacky!"
"They aren't even drawn very well," Trent critiqued, looking closely at the tapestries and paintings, which all displayed snakes, "I could do better when I was seven!"
"It's nice to meet you, too." Charlie was wondering at what point he'd left reality. These muggles were wandering around a Death Eater lair, without any cares in the world. And they were making comments about how tacky the place was. They were not sane.
"Who's babysitting Tommy?" Harry inquired, "Kat?"
"Don't be silly." Zhane smiled, "She's keeping the car ready."
"Dr O's with Jason." Trent declared, "I'm surprised you haven't seen them."
"So am I." Harry sighed, "I've heard them though. Why'd you'd put those two together? Tommy's bad enough on his own… but put him with Jason? They egg each other on. It's always been like that. I'm not sure whether its worse when they're working together or against each other!"
"They're that bad?" Charlie laughed.
"They're worse." Karone answered, "Much worse." She shuddered, "Even worse than the last time I let Zhane and Andros look after the kids for Halloween."
"Oww!" Harry winced, "I remember that. They were bouncing off the walls for almost two days! And that was just Andros and Zhane. The kids were worse!"
"Hey!" Zhane protested.
"Not wanting to interrupt or anything," Trent cut in, "But aren't we meant to be getting out of here?"
"Wait a few more seconds." Zhane instructed, "Jason and Tommy are coming. It's best to leave the Dark Fortress en masse."
"Ohh!" Harry pretended to be impressed, "Someone's been studying."
"Shut up, Green!" Zhane mock hit Harry, "You're no better."
"Maybe," Harry teased back, "But at least I don't play dress-up, like a seven year old."
"Harry Oliver Green!" a voice declared from behind Charlie. Charlie saw Harry instantly cringe, before turning around. "What were you thinking?"
"That people were getting hurt." Harry retorted bluntly at the approaching pair, "You know I couldn't leave them. That's not who I am."
"You could have gotten seriously hurt!" the man dressed in brown slacks with a green t-shirt pointed out, his hair spiked up like a porcupine.
"But I didn't, Tommy." Harry countered, "I'm alright. Hi Jason. How's Trini?"
"She's fine," the other man smiled slightly. His red t-shirt was visibly damp from sweat. "Looking forward to seeing you."
"After you see Dana." Tommy cut in.
"Alright," Harry held both hands up in surrender, "Alright. Chill already! Can we leave? Before you sort out how long you're going to try and bed-ride me. I've had worse."
"That doesn't make me feel any better, kid." Tommy's voice had a kindness and a softness to it, that Charlie couldn't quite associate with the man, who could probably have Snape cowering at his feet with only a few words.
"I've had worse," Harry was obviously rephrasing himself, "Since I came into this family. I've had worse when you spar with me. I'm alright. I just want to go home."
"Let's go then." Tommy placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Race you?"
"You're on." Harry grinned, "Counter at zero?"
"Agreed." Jason was smirking.
"I'm in." Zhane declared.
"Sounds like fun." Trent chimed in.
"What are they doing?" Charlie asked the girls.
"Organising a competition," Karone sighed, "Whoever takes down the most wins."
"This is normal?" Charlie frowned slightly.
"For us?" Kira looked at him, "Yeah. Pretty much. Although the whole snake thing is different. Then again, it's similar to the dinos."
"Less chatting, more moving!" Tommy announced, moving towards an exit. Jason matched his stride.
"You in?" Harry turned to the girls, "Wouldn't want to deny you."
"Nice to see that you're still a gentleman, Green." Karone smiled.
"You bet!" Kira laughed, "Can't let the boys show us up."
"In which case," Karone smiled, "We'd better move."
"You're all insane." Charlie declared, shaking his head.
"We're citizens of Angel Grove." Harry retorted, "It's a requirement. Keep up!"
Charlie dashed after them. His wand was ready, but had been rendered obsolete. This family, crazy though they were, were very, very good. The Death Eaters didn't stand a chance. Each pair moved in sync, their limbs never tangling. Harry had attached himself to Jason and Tommy, fitting perfectly with their teamwork. He was even used as a weapon at one point. Charlie just stood and stared.
"How do you do that?" Charlie asked, as the final Death Eater fell to the floor unconscious, "How do you do that?"
"Come on," Jason put a careful arm around Charlie, to guide him to the van, "Everything's alright."
"Harry!" Tommy turned on the younger boy, "You didn't tell us he wasn't used to this!"
"How could he be?" Harry fired back, "He's normal. He's never even been to Angel Grove!"
"I don't want to know how you know that." Zhane laughed, "But I'll ask."
"I said I was Tommy's brother." Harry shrugged, "He didn't blink. He doesn't know anything. I thought the rule was to treat Norms with caution!"
"What about the muggers?" Jason teased, "You put five out of six in the hospital!"
"They had guns," Harry defended himself, "It was dark. And there were other people in danger. I was perfectly justified. Even the police said so."
"Was that before," Karone cut in, "Or after Carter bailed you out?"
"Both!" Harry confessed, "Although I didn't realized I had required bail, until Carter told me."
"When was this?" Kira pressed, "And why wasn't I told about it?"
"He was ten," Tommy stated, "The muggers were mid-twenties. Apparently the police couldn't stop sniggering."
"They didn't even put me in a cell." Harry shrugged, "I just sat behind a desk with a comic book."
"You didn't pull your punches?" Trent frowned.
"I was ten!" Harry growled, "I didn't think I needed to!"
"Not that old story!" Kat grinned as they all entered the van. "I thought you didn't like to talk about it."
"I don't." Harry fired back, "Jason does. He finds it funny."
"Strap in," Kat instructed, "I want out of here. There's a chill in the air. Reminds me of the bad days."
"Yeah," Tommy nodded, "Same here."
"Floor it!" Jason ordered, "I'm remembering things, I wish I couldn't."
"You're not the only ones." Karone shivered.
"I thought I was past this." Trent rubbed his arms.
"We never are." Tommy buckled up, "Even when we say we are. We can't just forget. It leaves too many scars."
"This is morbid." Harry muttered, "Step on it, Kat. Right now! I'm hearing voices. And they're dying! Move it!"
"Desert chaser," Kat shifted into gear, "Ready to howl!"
"Kat!" Tommy hissed
"Don't worry." Jason declared, "He's in shock."
"Harry," Karone instructed, "Snap him out of it! We don't have time to deal with him."
"On it!" Harry smacked Charlie's check, pulling a great deal of the force behind it.
"What was that for?" Charlie grabbed Harry's wrist.
"You zoned out." Harry shook himself free. "We didn't have time for it."
"You're bleeding." Charlie noticed some blood on Harry's face.
"Where?" Harry twisted his hands to look at them, "I can't see anything."
"Let me." Charlie pulled a hanky out of his pocket, and spat on it. Dabbing at the blood to clean it off, he moved towards the source. "You must have been hit by spell shrapnel."
"That happens?" Harry was dead still next to Charlie.
"When a powerful spell hits stone," Charlie shrugged, "The stone can fracture and form shrapnel. I think I've got it. It must have hit your forehead."
Charlie swept Harry's bangs out the way, and wiped the blood away. He revealed a strange scar on Harry's head.
"How long have you had that scar?" Charlie frowned, a half forgotten memory being stirred by its image.
"The lighting?" Harry shrugged, "All my life."
"Harry James Potter!" Charlie gulped, "You're Harry Potter! The Boy-who-lived! The saviour of…"
"Tommy!" Harry yelped, "What'd you do that for?" Tommy had hit Charlie across the back of the neck, knocking him out.
"I didn't like what he was saying." Tommy growled, "It sounded too much like he knew you. As in knew who you were."
"Before you were ours." Jason cut in.
"If so," Harry looked at them, "Then I want to know. I have a right."
"We know." Jason replied, "But…"
"I swear," Harry shook his head, "You guys are just plain paranoid."
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Charlie, once again, found himself in that blurry half-awake stage of regaining consciousness. Only this time there was barely a sound to be heard. Opening his eyes slowly, he started to prop himself up on the pillows of the bed he was lying in. He yelped and almost fell out of the bed when he spotted two men in the room with him.
Jason was sitting on a chair next to the bed, his arms resting on the back of it, as he leant forward to look at Charlie. Tommy had his arms folded as he leant against the door.
"What's going on?" Charlie started to panic, neither of the two were looking particularly friendly, and Tommy appeared to be channelling Snape with vengeance. Neither man spoke, their glowers intimidating Charlie completely, "Where's Harry? What do you want?"
"Green is safe." Jason spoke, his voice low and threatening.
"What we want to know," Tommy came in, "Is what you want with him."
"Me?" Charlie was wide-eyed. "Nothing!"
"Don't give us that!" Tommy marched over to the bed, slamming one hand down on a bedpost at the bottom, "You called him by another name."
"What do you know?" Jason took over.
"Did he tell you of the wizarding world?" Charlie asked. At a pair of nods he continued, "Not too long ago there was a wizard who wanted to rule the world. Kill all the muggles and the muggle-borns. Anyone who was not of Pure blood. No one could stand against him and live. The wizarding world was in terror. Scared of both him and the Death Eaters he led.
"Finally he went after a young couple and their child, who were in hiding. The couple were Lily and James Potter. Their son was called Harry. He was only a year old. On Halloween he came to their house. He had been informed of where to go by a traitor among their friends. He killed James, and moved to kill Harry. Lily refused to stand by, and died for her love. Then he turned to the child. He cast the Killing Curse. A spell that kills on impact and there is no chance of survival.
"But Harry didn't die. The curse… bounced… and the wizard was banished. Harry was named the Boy-who-lived. The curse left a scar on his forehead, in the shape of a lighting bolt. He was sent to live with his only remaining family; Lily having been a muggle-born witch. He vanished before he was due to start at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The wizarding world has been searching for him since then."
"Why?" Jason demanded, "Your people did nothing for him."
"The wizard is back," Charlie responded, "The people expect the Boy-who-lived to save them again."
"How dare you!" Tommy's eyes flashed in fury. For a moment Charlie tried to work out whether he'd seen or imagined them turning solid green. Jason's eyes also flashed briefly, but his were red or so Charlie thought.
"Not me!" Charlie defended himself, "Others! I see Harry, a kid. He's no older than my youngest brother. I don't see a saviour. They are looking for the Boy-who-lived. Their Saviour. They haven't thought this through. He's just a kid. Merlin, he doesn't even know magic!"
"We need to think about this." Jason declared, "Thank you for telling the truth."
"How'd you know I did?" Charlie frowned, watching the men with the same wariness he gave dragons.
"We're a large family, Charlie." Tommy retorted, "We have a wide variety of interests and abilities. One has a contact into your world."
"Then why…?" Charlie frowned as the pair opened the door.
"He's yours, Trent." Tommy declared.
"Alright, Dr O." Trent declared as he walked in, a sketchpad and pencils in his hands. The door was shut after him. Trent settled himself on the chair, next to Charlie.
"What's going on?" Charlie was confused.
"Calm down," Trent instructed, "Dana got a look at you. She said you needed to rest. You've been running yourself ragged. Have a break."
"How is Harry?" Charlie asked, "And where am I?"
"Wondered how long before you'd get to that." Trent laughed lightly, "Harry's fine. I think he's in the garden. You're at Jason and Trini's. Angel Grove. California."
"Why am I here?" Charlie queried.
"You freaked Dr O out." Trent confessed, "Harry says he's a little overprotective. But I'm not entirely sure it isn't justified. Harry can find trouble without trying."
"Why'd you call him Dr O?" Charlie kicked the covers off, being too hot.
"Because he is." Trent declared, at Charlie's confused look he explained, "I'm one of Harry's more recent brothers. I first met Dr O, my high school science teacher. He's got a doctorate in palaeontology. So we called him Dr O. Short for Doctor Oliver. We didn't even know he had a brother, who liked to adopt people 'till the kid turned up."
"Adopt people?" Charlie latched onto the word.
"Harry doesn't have a normal concept of family." Trent shrugged, "Dr O blames the guys he rescued Harry from. Harry blames Jason. The girls think it's cute and sweet. Anyone Harry likes, he calls family. At the last count, we were sixty odd. His birthday parties are serious weird! Everyone turns up!"
"That must be chaotic." Charlie smiled, "Sounds worse than my family. I'm the second of seven."
"You don't know the half of it." Trent declared, "Conner, a friend of mine, is family. While his identical twin brother isn't."
"That doesn't make any sense." Charlie frowned, "Who decides who is family and who isn't?"
"Harry." Trent laughed, "He says he's drawn to family. He's yet to be proven wrong."
"What's your family name?" Charlie asked, the questions flowing now, "Why do you call Harry Green? How did you meet Harry? How much danger am I in? How long will I be forced to stay here? Where did Tommy and Jason go? Why are you watching over me? What do you want? Why is it that I want to trust you? Did you contact my family? How did I get to America? What's going on? Why did Jason and Tommy question me when they already knew the answers?"
"Slow down." Trent instructed, "My family name is Fernadez. But the overall family name? It doesn't exist. It'd be too complicated. We call Harry Green, because that's his name. He chose it. Harry for all that he could remember of his own. Oliver for Dr O. Green for his own reasons. You're in no danger here. We don't harm those that don't harm us. And we don't harm those who can't defend themselves. I assume that Dr O and Jason went over to Adam's with Trini for a meeting of the Elders. I'm watching over you, because I'm probably the best person left around. And I'm deemed to be as scary as Dr O when I need to be. We want what's best for Harry. I don't know why you trust me. We don't know how to contact your family. Karone leant on her brother Andros for transport, very useful. And as for what's going on? I really have no clue. I'm not always brought up to speed on everything. Harry's the one to ask. He's on the pulse of the family. Him and Zack. And Zack's only on it for the betting pools. They questioned you to see if you'd tell the truth."
"Is all your family insane?" Charlie pressed.
"Probably." Trent shrugged, "I haven't met everyone. Kira has though. My girlfriend. And I think she said they'd fit right in."
"You didn't tell me how you met Harry." Charlie realized, "Would you mind telling me?"
"Ah!" Trent thought back to the day.
*Flashback*
All the Dino Thunder Rangers were over at Dr O's early one Saturday morning. Kira was practising her guitar, while Conner and Ethan fought it out on a games console Ethan had set up there. Trent was idly sketching all three of them, a faint smile on his face. Dr O was still upstairs asleep. The four kids had gotten used to entering the house with or without Dr O's permission, so this had become a regular event for them.
The doorbell rang, startling them out of their relaxations. Pausing the game, all four made their way cautiously to the front door. It couldn't be Hayley, she had a key. In a little over four months no-one had ever rung the bell. They stood in ready stances in the hallway, as Conner opened the door.
Standing on the porch was a thirteen year old kid, sheltering from the rain. Long black hair was swept back from his face in a half pony-tail, causing a feeling of deja-vu in Kira. A pair of water-splattered spectacles was perched on his nose. The black tracksuit bottoms and a yellow t-shirt the boy was wearing were soaked, muddy and dishevelled, and his trainers were invisible under the mud he had gotten on them. A large rucksack was on his back, maybe at one time it had had a colour, but the elements had worked their magic, and it was now a collection of yellow, brown and green blotches, stains from dirt and grass. A second bag, more of a kit bag or satchel, was draped over his shoulder, it was brown leather, obvious well worn and used; the strap had several obvious patches.
The bright sparkling green eyes looked all four of them over, before sighing and raising his hands in mock surrender. Somehow Trent got the feeling that the boy was only tolerating them, and was patronising them slightly, despite being younger.
"Can I speak to Tommy?" the boy spoke first.
"Who are you?" Ethan queried.
"Harry Oliver Green," The kid responded, "Tommy Oliver's brother. Can I talk to him?"
"Dr O doesn't have a brother." Kira cut in.
"Yes, he does," Harry fired back, "And I'm it. Or at least one of them. Now let me in."
"No." Conner declared, "We don't know you. And I don't trust you. You could be from Mesagog."
"Now that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Harry retorted, "Cool your jets, Red. I'm one of the good guys." As Conner did a double take, Harry sighed again, "Yes, I know. Red. Blue. Yellow. White. I'm here to talk to Tommy. And I will talk with him."
"How'd you going to get past us?" Conner asked.
"The way I've gotten past everyone else." Harry smirked. As Conner went to punch him, Harry dropped, loosing his pack in the same motion. Dancing to the left, Harry kicked his luggage into the doorway, tripping Conner with it.
Stepping over Conner, Harry entered the house. Ethan moved next, utilizing the movements that worked so well against the Tyrannodrones, he attacked Harry. Only Harry was faster. Cartwheeling out of reach, Harry's face split into a wide grin. Bouncing off the walls, quite literally, Harry dived at Ethan's knees. Kira and Trent both winced at the cracking sound that happened when Ethan's head hit the floor.
Kira dived in next, remembering the other's mistakes she only stood in Harry's way, waiting for him to make the first move.
"Tommy!" Harry yelled up the stairs, "Get your butt down here! Or I'll have to play with all your Rangers! I swear, I will!"
"You'll have to get past me." Kira declared.
"Ptera," Harry smiled, "I've been getting my way among Rangers, before you started Middle School. What makes you think you can stop me?"
"I will try." Kira stated.
"I know." Harry smirked, "You Yellows are all the same." He leapt into action. Ducking under Kira's defences with lighting fast movements, he landed a single blow in her midriff. She flew backwards, into the nearest wall.
Moving up the stairs, Harry was surprised when Trent's arm appeared out of nowhere to grab Harry's wrist. However Trent was equally as surprised, when Harry threw him over the banister with barely a thought. Conner had just come round to see Harry disappearing up the stairs.
There was a thud as Tommy landed on the floor, thrown out of his bed. Then raised voices made their way to the Rangers downstairs.
"Harry!" Tommy could clearly be heard, "What are you doing here?"
"Crashing." Harry was blunt.
"You didn't tell me you were coming!"
"I called! Five times! You didn't tell me you enlisted again! And don't try denying it. I know the signs."
"It's embarrassing. I didn't have a choice. I couldn't let those kids get killed."
"I know. I know. But you're Black now."
"I don't want the guys teasing me. You know what they'll say."
"Say? They won't say anything. They'll die with laughter on the floor."
"Don't I know it. Keep quiet? For my sake, Green?"
"I'll try. But they know the signs as well as I do."
"I know."
"Just tell me why."
"Why what?"
"Why you Chose."
"I didn't."
"All teams are Chosen and Chose, Tommy." Harry's voice was slightly confused and a touch condescending.
"Not this one. It's different. They were Chosen. But they didn't Choose. They had a choice between death and life. To live they had to fight."
"Rito!"
"I know, kid. And I don't want the others to know… Because this team's come miles. I don't want them to be dismissed because they had a veteran. They earned every step. Sometimes twice over."
"They're good. A little stiff with their moves. A little predictable. You've drilled your own faults into them."
"There are no faults in the style. You just mix everything up, to poke holes. No one can compensate for your style. It's one of a kind."
"No. It's everything of a kind. The Anything Goes School of Martial Arts."
"That sounds like a quote. Where'd you get it from?"
"Cam. Man, the guy's as bad as Billy some days."
"Don't insult Billy."
"Hey, I like the guy. He's my brother. I'm allowed to insult family. Remember?"
"Do the rookies count?"
"Trakeena! Tommy! Of course they do. You know this family follows the Lighting. It flows in their veins. I'm branded with it. I don't understand how or why. I just know that this is my family. This is my duty. And I would do it even if it wasn't. I'm here. Can I have a couch? I'll even take the floor. Can't be any worse than Africa."
"I think I can do better than a couch, kid. Come on. I'll introduce you to the team."
"I've already played with them. I told you that, Tommy."
"How bad?"
"Red tripped and hit the porch. Blue went down rather forcefully. Yellow, I had to instigate. She hit a wall. White went flying… off the stairs."
"Green!"
"Sorry! They wouldn't let me in. I just hope they've not destroyed my stuff. It's on the porch."
"How'd you get here?"
"After the plane… I walked. Well, did a bit of a ninja-streak at first. But I can't keep that up for great distances with my stuff. So I got the end of your track, and I walked. Do you know its raining?"
"You're freezing! You're having a hot shower. I'll get your stuff. And sort out the team. Just get in that shower! Right now!"
"I'll be fine, Tommy! I've been worse!"
"I know. But it doesn't make me feel any better, Green. Shower. Now."
"Alright. Sheesh, I don't know whether you're a bully or a mother hen."
"Green!"
"Fine!" Harry opened the door and laughed with surprise as all the Dino Rangers fell in. They'd sneaked up and listened in during the argument.
"What were you?" Kira asked as she got up.
"The tag-along." Harry replied, "I'm not a Ranger. I'm just family. Now, I'd better have that shower, before Tommy forcibly sticks me in it."
With that phrase, Harry walked past the Rangers, dripping water and mud as he went. Entering the bathroom, he closed the door behind him. The Rangers turned to Tommy expectantly.
"I'd better explain." Tommy sighed.
*End Flashback*
"We were at Dr O's house," Trent decided on his lie, "For homework help. Harry just turned up on the doorstep, dripping mud. It was raining. We had a rocky start, but soon fixed everything up."
"What's he like?" Charlie asked, "Do you think he'll want to learn about magic?"
"He likes to learn." Trent shrugged, "What he decides on will be his decision. I don't know his mind. For all that I'd like to. Very few people can predict his actions beyond a certain point. I do not dare to presume I am one of them. I know a few triggers and that is all."
"And it's enough!" Harry declared, standing in the doorway, a tray in his hands, "I brought lunch."
"Who said you could…" Trent started, "Forget it. The Originals are still in conference, aren't they?"
"Yep!" Harry grinned, "I sorted lunch. The others can sort their own."
"Where are they?" Trent frowned.
"Kira's in the garden," Harry set the tray down on the bedside table, "Working on her songs. Ethan went to Ernie's. He's determined to hook Ernie up to the internet. Conner found the park. I think he's teaching soccer. I couldn't quite make out what he was saying."
"Conner never was too coherent about soccer." Trent sighed, "And Ethan's not much better."
"You're one of the saner of that bunch," Harry laughed, handing the other two a plate each, "Which isn't saying much."
"You're telling me." Trent started to eat.
"How'd you manage to carry all of this?" Charlie frowned, looking at his laden plate. The tray still contained five more plates of food, as well as glasses and a water jug.
"Practice," Harry shrugged, "I've waited tables before."
"When?" Trent looked up, "And why?"
"Why?" Harry snorted, "For money. Well when I was eleven and over I was doing it for money. I started serving tables for Ernie. That was when I was four."
"Why?" Charlie stared.
"Look," Harry turned to Charlie, "I had best childhood a kid could wish for. Independence. Freedom. Love. Acceptance. My babysitters just had this little annoying habit of running out on me. Quite literally. I ended up being left at Ernie's more often than not. No fault of theirs. Things would come up. Things that they couldn't take a kid to. They wouldn't put me in danger. So I got left at the local Juice Bar. It was safe enough. Ernie took a shine to me. I was friends with his best customers. At first I just bussed tables. Then he taught me to cook. Before long I was serving tables. Made good profit in tips. Stopped when I seven. It wasn't fun anymore. Not with Ernie gone. Not without the guys there. I was too busy looking after myself."
"What do you mean?" Charlie cocked his head to one side.
"Never mind." Harry dismissed the topic, "Eat up! Dana'll have a fit if you don't. You've not been looking after yourself the past few weeks. She can tell. And while you're under one of our roofs, we're looking after you. With a bit of luck and patience, you'll go back to your family in better nick than you left them."
"Dana?" Charlie was confused, "She a healer?"
"A doctor," Trent corrected, "A member of the family. She checked you over, just to make sure that Dr O didn't do any permanent harm."
"Don't worry," Harry was sat on the floor with his food, "Dana over-reacts. She's a typical Pink. She cares."
"I still don't get your system." Charlie declared.
"Join the club," Trent snorted quietly, "I only know the colours: Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Black, Pink, White."
"It's a game I play," Harry laughed, "My own invention. By the way, Charlie… Will you teach me?"
"What?" Charlie dropped his fork in shock.
"Will you teach me magic?" Harry looked upwards, "I want to learn."
"I thought that was what the conference was about." Charlie frowned.
"Sorta," Harry shrugged, "It's actually more about what I'm going to do. They're refining options. They can't make a decision. I have a say. And yes, they're the Elders, but the rest of the family has a say as well. So, no real decision about whether I go to your world will be made until we can all get together and talk it out."
"How long will that take?" Charlie stared.
"Depends how urgent it is," Trent stated, "We could be together in a week or in under two months. Maximum is six weeks at this point."
"And I'll get the final say," Harry pointed out, "It's my life. I get to choose. They'll just limit my options. 'Bout standard in this family."
"Why do you want to?" Trent pressed, "I mean… isn't this enough?"
"Yes," Harry replied softly, "It is. And I would be satisfied with it, if I didn't know there was another world. My parent's world. Trent, you remember your parents. You know what they were like. I don't. I don't know their names. I don't know their faces. I have no idea how much of me is from them and how much is from this family. I want to know. I want to know how they met. How they lived. How they died. How they loved. I need to know. I would have been satisfied with not knowing. Until Charlie turned up. Before I had no chance at knowing. Now I do. And I want to. I need to. Please understand. It's not that I'm not happy. It's that I have a chance. This family is the best I could have. I have had a childhood that I would not change for anything. But now I have a chance to learn, more about myself and my blood heritage. I will not surrender my family heritage. I belong here. But I want to know about where I would have been… Could have been."
"That's really intense," Kira was leaning against the door, her guitar in her hands, "Do you mind if I steal? I think I've got just the tune for that sort of song. Really would expand my repertoire."
"Go ahead." Harry fired back, "Food on the tray."
"Thanks, kid." Kira ruffled his hair. Harry whacked her wrist playfully.
"If I teach you," Charlie spoke carefully, "I can't teach you everything. I didn't study all the options."
"Reasonable." Trent pointed out, "We wouldn't expect you to know everything."
"I would like to get Bill," Charlie stated, "My older brother to help. I'm sure he'd be willing. He knows stuff I don't. And can probably get hold of the texts for every option, by borrowing them off my youngest brother's girl-friend. She's trying to learn everything."
"Sounds reasonable." Kira declared, "But we'll have to check with Jason and Trini. They'll be putting you up for a while."
"I'm crashing at Adam's, probably." Harry sighed, "Oh well, at least I can chill in the dojo."
"You'll do more than that." A male voice came from the doorway; black hair, dusty green t-shirt, black trousers and a broad smile.
"Adam!" Harry smiled, "I take it that the conference is over?"
"For now," Adam agreed, "By the way, Charlie. Tommy and Jason send their apologies for intimidating you. But will not admit that it wasn't necessary."
"Not again!" Harry muttered, getting up, and handing out dessert to Kira, Charlie and Trent.
"You attract trouble, Green." Adam reminded, "We're just looking out for you."
"I know." Harry declared, "Let me guess… My options come as two types. One is whether I learn magic or not. The other is whether I go to Charlie's world or not."
"Are we that predictable?" A boy dressed in blue jeans and a red t-shirt asked.
"Of course you are, Rocky." Trent retorted, "Harry's had years to study you lot."
"I choose to learn." Harry spoke with a slightly formal lilt in his voice, "The other decision can wait till I know more."
"You sure?" Rocky pressed, "You don't know what this will lead to."
"I choose to learn." Harry repeated, "You cannot stop me. I have learnt from you all. Each of your arts I know. I'm a Jack-Of-All-Trades. I wish to learn. And learn I will. Whether you want me to or not. I'm an adult."
"You're a kid." A woman appeared between the two men, "You're our little brother."
"Exactly, Aisha." Harry shrugged, "I'm your little brother. And I've grown up."
"Can we discuss this in private?" Adam suggested, "I think, family only?"
"Agreed." Harry rose up, "Catch you on the flip side, Charlie."
1234567890
Harry stood in front of all the Mighty Morphing and Zeo Power Rangers, his head held high, as he refused to feel small.
"I will learn." Harry declared, "You can't stop me."
"Harry," Tommy demanded, "Think about this! They're expecting a hero, not someone who can't do magic."
"And when did that stop Rangers?" Harry fired back, "I can learn. I learn quick. I know more than you think. Mr Trueheart taught me. Mr Trueheart is smart, he shows me something and lets me figure it out. Astromena and Karone taught me. Ryan taught me. Udonna and Leanbow taught me. I may not have accepted it as magic, in the way Charlie does. But I know a fair bit. Charlie said he'd teach me."
"You don't know how bad this is." Jason pointed out.
"Then tell me!" Harry insisted, "I wasn't going to ask Charlie until later. All you said was that there was a prophecy. Please. Fill me in?"
"Sit down," Kim instructed, "We'll do our best."
"We're only trying…" Kat came in.
"To protect me." Harry shrugged, "I know. You always do. But this is about me. And I've got you."
"That you have," Trini smiled, "It's just hard, Green."
"It's that bad?" Harry raised an eyebrow as he sat on the floor.
"Worse." Zack declared, "Much worse."
"'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches'," Tommy started to recite, "'Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies, and the Dark Lord will mark him as equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not, and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.'"
"I have to kill?" Harry gulped, only Rocky's steadying hand, keeping him upright on the floor. Rocky knelt down to support Harry in a hug.
"Seems that way," Tanya agreed, "I'm sorry, Harry."
"Hang on." Harry frowned, "Does that mean my birthday's on the thirty first of July?"
"I would appear to be that way." Billy agreed.
"Stuff that!" Harry retorted, "It stays where and when it is. That's when I was born into this family. I'm not changing that. Nor my name. I'm Harry Oliver Green. Not this Harry Potter kid. The Potter's may have been my parents… But I know who my family is. And always will be."
"We'll stand by you, kid." Jason swore, "You're our brother. No matter what these Wizards say. We know the truth. You're ours. Not theirs."
"How am I going to cope?" Harry looked up, "I've never even taken down a monster. I don't think I can kill. Not a human."
"We'll find a solution." Trini promised, "There has to be another way."
"We'll sort it all out." Tommy declared, "We're the Rangers. We've done the impossible before."
"Kill or be killed." Harry muttered, "What's this 'Dark Lord' done anyway?"
"Kill," Rocky was blunt, "He leads the Death Eaters. He inspires their ideals. He kills. He tortures. You apparently beat him once, as a child. He killed your parents. And tried to kill you. It bounced on him. He lost his body. But he's back, and picked up from where he left off."
"Oh great," Harry was miffed, "That tears it. If I go there… I'm going under my name. Not what I was born as. That'd be the equivalent of Tommy walking into a Big Bad's Lair, having left his Morpher behind and declaring that he was Tommy Oliver… Only I'm not as good at fighting."
"Don't say that!" Trini insisted, "You're as good as us."
"But I use lots of different styles." Harry pointed out.
"And that's why!" Trini retorted, "You don't stick to one style. You're unpredictable."
"We'll train you up." Jason decreed, "We're not having you die on us."
"You could hide." Kim reminded, "That's always an option."
"Where?" Harry demanded, "Briarwood? K0-35? Aquitar? The Lost Galaxy? You know I'd never survive off-planet. I need family. And I won't stay in one place. That's not my nature."
"We know." Tommy said, "I didn't understand when Mr Trueheart told me that. But I do now."
"We'll look after you." Kat stated, "You're family."
"Charlie wants help to teach me." Harry blurted out, "Wants to invite his brother to help. Is that acceptable?"
"If," Jason came in, "They don't say who you are. You are staying alive, kid. No arguments. If necessary… we'll sic Tommy on them."
"In full Green mode!" Zack declared, "Plus every other Ranger who's gone evil. And the rest of us will be back-up. If they don't surrender from that…"
"They'll deserve what they get." Rocky added, "Every last bit of it, if they hurt Green. He's ours! Not theirs! We raised him!"
"Thanks." Harry looked up at all of them.
"The Power," Jason spoke solemnly, "Will protect you, always."
"I know." Harry nodded, "Now, who's going to tell Charlie to contact his brother?"
"I'll do it." Trini declared, "You're… you're going to be okay, kid."
"I'll schedule the breakdown for later, then?" Harry joked.
"Don't!" Zack fell on his knees melodramatically, "You're our psychiatrist! We don't know how to cope with a breakdown!"
"Okay, Zack," Harry got up, "By the way? Who won the pool?"
"Which one?" Zack teased as he got up as well, "The 'when will Harry next get into trouble', 'how many people will be dragged to rescue Harry' or the 'how far out the bad guy's lair will Harry get'?"
"Any? And all?" Harry retorted.
"In order," Zack announced, "Ryan, Xander and Alyssa."
"Hey!" Kat yelped, "I thought I would get the first one!"
"A day late," Zack pointed out, "And a dollar short, Kat."
"Bother!" Kat muttered, "Anyway, I need to get back to my ballet school. Coming Rocky?"
"I'd better." Rocky agreed, "I've got classes tomorrow."
"We'll be back for your birthday, squirt!" Kat promised, "Just stay out of trouble, hey?"
"I'll try." Harry nodded, "And if I end up in London again, I'll come over."
"You'd better!" Rocky ruffled Harry's hair, before he and Kat left.
"I'm crashing at Adam's?" Harry asked.
"Hope you don't mind sharing a room." Adam shrugged, "I'm still putting Bridge up."
"Haven't the Blues sorted him out yet?" Harry stared, "Never mind… I like Bridge. I can't wait to meet him in the future. Along with the rest of his squad."
"You go talk with him," Jason suggested, "We need to hash out rules and expectations with Charlie."
"Over-protective much?" Harry fired at them, before going towards the door, "I'm only doing this, because I like Bridge, and haven't seen Alpha for a while."
"We know." Tommy agreed, "Now scram!"
"Don't scare him anymore!" Harry insisted, "He's absolutely terrified of you two!"
"Damn it!" Jason muttered, "Trini?"
"I'll sort it." Trini agreed, "You stay down here. Us girls will sort this all out."
Trini, Tanya, Aisha and Kim all entered Charlie's room.
"Trent, Kira," Kim addressed the young couple, "Can we have some privacy?"
"Sure thing." Kira agreed, "Tanya can I brainstorm with you later? I need some help."
"Lyrics or music?" Tanya fired back.
"Both," Kira shrugged, "Green's given me a topic and a feeling. This one could be big. Could be what makes me. I've got a hunch."
"Always willing." Tanya agreed, "Write down what you've got and I'll chip in."
"Same here!" Aisha promised, "And I'm sure everyone else who's good will help out."
"Thanks!" Kira smiled winningly, as she dragged Trent out the room, "Don't kill him."
"That's the boys' job." Aisha reminded, "We're the civilized ones."
"Yeah right!" Trent muttered, "Three Yellows? I'd be running."
"That's because you're smart." Trini declared, "Far more intelligent than Tommy."
"What do you want?" Charlie started to get up.
"Sit down," Kim instructed, "Dana said you had to stay in bed for another half hour, at least."
"You want to ask your brother to help teach Green?" Trini asked for clarification.
"Yes," Charlie nodded, "He's two years older than me. A curse-breaker for Gringots, our bank. He's a lot better at spell-work than I am. Particularly Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"The thing we want to know," Tanya cut in, "Is whether you'll tell anyone about Harry."
"No." Charlie shook his head, "He's just a kid. I know people think it's his job to deal with the Dark Lord. But it should be the job of adults. Not kids."
"Life's not fair," Aisha shrugged, "Can we have your word that you won't tell?"
"I swear," Charlie spoke formally, "On my life, my soul and my magic that I will not reveal Harry Oliver Green's heritage to any member of the Wizarding World without prior permission from either him or those he has claimed as family. I do so swear this on the life-debt I owe him."
"That's pretty comprehensive," Trini realized, "Do you get lessons in this?"
"It's one I've heard used before." Charlie shrugged, "And I do owe Harry a life debt. By magic's law, the debt will not be repaid until he acknowledges it null and void. Or I save his life."
"It's that serious?" Kim stared, "You weren't in any real danger. According to the boys, they barely broke a sweat."
"You don't understand," Charlie tried to explain, "The last time a bunch of wizards and witches went to rescue prisoners… They had inside information, a layout, guard timetable, protective amulets, dragon-hide vests. There were twenty of them. They were the elite aurors. The best of the best. They came out, with under half the prisoners and over a third of them with serious wounds… One of them died. Of the rest none was on duty again in under a week. And that was hailed as a great success. You had none of that, and you thrashed them. It was something."
"Your people need help." Aisha gulped, "We're going to have to discuss this."
"Not right now," Trini declared, "How can you contact your brother? And how quickly?"
"It's not easy," Charlie admitted, "Not from a muggle house, but… I have a system. I can phone the parents of a friend of my youngest brother. They'll send a letter to her. And she'll pass it on. Should only take about two days."
"Sounds good." Trini nodded, "Once your bed-rest is up, we'll take you to the phone. Sorry, I forgot to introduce us. I'm Trini Scott. This is Tanya Park…"
"I prefer Sloan." Tanya interrupted.
"This is Kimberly, 'Kim', Hart," Trini carried on, "And finally Aisha Campbell."
"Nice to meet you," Charlie smiled, "You know I'm Charlie Weasley."
"We got that." Kim grinned.
"Where's Harry?" Charlie asked, "I could teach him a few tricks now."
"No you don't!" Trini declared, "Dana'll have our heads. You're to take it easy for at least a day. Doctor's orders. That, and Harry's gone to talk with Bridge. He won't be back for ages. Those two really get along."
"What's scary…" Aisha put in, "Is that Harry understands him."
"No," Tanya countered, "It's that Harry can listen to Bridge ramble on and not lose his temper."
"Little strained?" Kim asked.
"I don't mind the guy," Tanya sighed, "He's a good guy. It's just that he's not all there. He's goes off on complete tangents. I have a hard time following him from one end of a sentence to the other."
"Worse than Billy?" Kim chipped in.
"Much worse," Trini declared, "You haven't heard him ask questions yet. Sorry, Charlie, you must have no idea what we're talking about."
"It's okay," Charlie shrugged, "Just… While I'm here…"
"Yes?" Tanya pressed.
"Can I learn?" Charlie looked at them with pleading eyes, "To fight your way. I don't want to die. And your style works!"
"Easily organized," Kim declared, "You can go to Adam's dojo. He and Jason run classes daily."
"I still don't quite get why it's Adam's dojo." Aisha pointed out.
"Adam set it up," Trini shrugged, "While Jason was still getting his teaching credentials. They co-own it."
"But we all refer to it as Adam's." Tanya finished.
"We'll sort it out." Kim promised, "Don't worry. You'll just end up bruised."
"Thank you." Charlie smiled.
Later, Charlie was presented with the phone, and he quickly dialled the number from memory.
"Hello Mr Granger," Charlie spoke politely, "Its Charlie Weasley. Could I ask you to pass a message onto Hermione, to send to my brother for me?...... Thank you. Do you have a pen and paper?...... 'Dear Bill. Charlie here. I'm okay. Sorry I haven't been in touch, but I met up with a few old friends. We went out for a few drinks. Got locked up. Don't worry. My mate's family bailed us out. All charges were dropped once we sobered up. Anyway, call me. I'm at my mate's house until the lighting stops flashing around my head. The number is 001 237 458 4728. Waiting to hear from you, bro.' …… Yes, it is important…… Probably better if you don't know……… Thank you."
He handed the phone back to Trini, who was half-way though cooking supper.
"A bit cryptic," Trini commented, "I assume that your brother can translate it?"
"We worked the code out about three years ago." Charlie confessed, "Although the reference to Harry, we've been using since we were kids."
"I spotted that one," Jason came in, "Lighting. Not too subtle. Chill mate." Jason noticed Charlie's flinch, "I've been told I'm overprotective. I'm not lashing out anymore. You're safe. If I try to hurt you without cause, Trini'll have my head."
"Sorry." Charlie muttered.
"It should be me apologizing," Jason replied, "Now, when Bill gets here, he'll be rooming with you."
"We don't have the space," Trini admitted, "Normally we would, but in about five weeks, we're being descended on. And we're going to need accommodation for a lot more. The house will be stuffed. It's easier to start sharing rooms now."
"We'll cope." Charlie shrugged, "And what do you mean?"
"Harry's birthday," Jason laughed, "Anyone who can't get a hotel room, gets put up by whoever's got a room free."
"Everyone comes?" Charlie stared.
"We've turned it into the family reunion," Trini smiled, "It's practically compulsory."
"We'll go missing for about three days," Jason declared, "We'll tell you when. For those few days, you'll have to look after yourselves."
"We'll cope." Charlie smiled wanly.
"Get a grip, man!" Jason sighed, "You're safe. The girls have declared you harmless. Therefore woe betide anyone who harms you. And earlier… I just wanted information, Tommy and I have found that the intimidation method works wonders. Even if it does get us hit by our respective partners later."
"We've pulled their teeth," Trini smirked, "They'll only get them back to use on you, if you hurt Harry."
"Thank you." Charlie felt a bit more confident.
"Don't mention it." Trini shrugged, "Now how do you like your steak?"
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This one has more bits of it done, which I might post in the future.
Now before anyone asks, Harry is not Super-Powered. He simply has some skills that Wizards don't learn. His unlocking of the locks is mainly due to his magic, but he thinks it is due to telekinesis, like Andros' powers.
And his ability to fight is from everyone teaching him. He knows a lot of different styles and mixes them together. The taking down of some muggers was due to their underestimating of him, and Harry being used to sparing with people who know how to spar back.
Thank you for reading this.