Magic Will Find a Way

By: Ryu Katanna

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Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Twelve

"Surprise!" The shout came from several different voices and directions as they entered the feed shed.

Harry visibly jumped as he looked up to find Barry and Hamada standing in front of several of the keepers and other workers that Harry had met on the island since his arrival. He hadn't thought much about the fact that today was his birthday. He had almost forgotten about it completely. Usually, his birthday hadn't been a day other people liked to celebrate. He had spent so many years not expecting anything from anyone just because he had been born on that day.

Yet, like most things since coming to this world, it looked like this time would be different.

"Thank you." Harry replied with a shy smile as he looked around at the interior of the feed shed that had been cleaned and sparsely decorated with a few colorful streamers and a banner that read Happy Birthday Hadrian.

Looking around he could see that there was a cake placed on the prep table with a pile of presents colorfully wrapped in Jurassic World wrapping paper. He could see several different dinosaurs on the wrapping of the different packages, some with the park's logo, but the velociraptor was the most common. He could see gift bags on the table as well that had been stuffed with colorful tissue paper and bows with brightly colored confetti dinosaurs stuck to them.

"Happy Birthday, Hadrian." Hamada said with a smile and a nod; drawing Harry's attention back to the group that had gathered and away from the decorations, gifts, and food.

"Thanks, Hamada. This really was a surprise." Harry replied with a glance toward Owen.

"Happy Birthday, Harry. Have fun." Owen said as he reached up and ruffled the teen's hair before pushing him toward those who had gathered for his birthday.

The next two hours passed quickly as Harry spoke and ate with those who had come to celebrate with him. He couldn't stop himself from smiling and the warmth he felt in his chest. Never had he ever thought there would be so many who wanted to wish him a happy birthday. His birthday had only ever been acknowledged by himself until Hagrid had busted through the door of that shack to deliver his Hogwarts letter. Even during the last few years, it had only been Ron, Hermione, and Sirius, once he had escaped from Azkaban, that had bothered to write to him or send anything for his birthday.

Yet here, in an entirely different world, many people he knew had taken time out of their busy schedules to celebrate with him.

Soon, Harry had blown out the candles on the cake amidst, to his embarrassment, the singing of the Birthday song he had only ever heard on his cousin's birthday or on the telly. It was after the cake was served that it was time for presents; at least according to Owen. He made sure he thanked each person after he had unwrapped each gift.

He'd received different things from each of the Keepers, all with a common theme of dinosaurs. Most were collectible figurines of the dinosaurs that they were responsible for while others were things like a velociraptor throw blanket, some clothing like shirts and socks, a retractable reel that would clip to his belt loop and hold his park ID better than the lanyard he currently had, a compsognathus plush, a deck of Jurassic World playing cards that had the images of different dinosaurs on the cards, and books from those that knew he was interested in animal behavior and wildlife biology. Finally, there were only two packages left on the table.

Picking up the larger of the two, Harry noticed that it was heavier than he'd expected. Checking the tag, he found it was from Hamada. He glanced toward the Commander of the ACU before he tore the paper away. His brows raised as he found a thick black plastic case. Flipping the tabs on the sides to unlock it, Harry opened it. His jaw went a little slack as he looked inside to find a handgun with two replacement clips inside.

"Your dad told me he was going to start teaching you how to handle one of these for self-defense. This is a Third Generation Tokyo Marui Glock 19. It should fit well in your hands, but be careful to keep the safety on until you learn how to handle it properly. All three clips are already loaded." Hamada said as Harry picked up the gun carefully.

"Thank you, Hamada." He said as he considered its unfamiliar weight in his hand before he laid it back down in the case and locked it closed.

"This goes with it." Hamada said as he reached around and unclipped an empty holster from the back of his belt and set it on top of the case.

"Thanks. I'll make sure to keep it on me once I learn how to use it properly." Harry replied with a small smile and Hamada nodded.

"It's been registered in Owen's name until you turn eighteen but is logged in the park's security logs under your name. There is paperwork for a carry permit inside the case that you and your father will have to fill out and send in to make sure all of the paperwork is covered." He said before clasping the teen's shoulder and stepping away to get a drink.

Harry put the case and holster aside with another look before picking up the last of the presents. He could see that this one was from Barry according to the tag. Tearing away the paper the first thing he noticed was the sharp bone-white edge of teeth. Pulling away the rest of the paper he found that there were two things inside. The first looked like a band made of some kind of reinforced cable cord with sharp little teeth that had been fitted to the length of the cord. The other had a sharp tooth that was much bigger than the others and looked more like a necklace. He looked up when a dark-skinned hand came into his vision; picking up the smaller band.

"I have been collecting the pack's teeth since they were young whenever I could find them. These were some of the baby teeth the girls lost." Barry said as he moved to Harry's side and brought the band to his upper arm, tying the band around it, before motioning to the one Harry still held in his hands.

"That is the first of the adult teeth I found though I'm not sure which of the girls it belonged to." He said as Harry pulled the loop of the cord over his head and Barry helped him adjust the length, so the tooth laid at his collarbone.

"Thanks, Barry. Did you make them yourself?" Harry asked curiously as he ran his finger along the baby teeth woven into the armband.

"I did. You share a bond with those animals, unlike anything I've ever seen before. I thought that these would be best." Barry replied with a smile as he could see how much the teen appreciated the gift.

"These are great, Barry. Where's Owen? I want to show him." Harry said as he looked around to see that the man wasn't in the room.

"He stepped outside a moment ago. Come, he wanted me to bring you outside for the last of your gifts." Barry said as he motioned for the teen to follow.

"I just finished unwrapping everything though." Harry replied with a little confusion as they stepped outside to find Owen waiting.

"This one was a little too big for me to wrap." Owen said as he motioned the teen closer before gesturing to something on the other side of the feed shed.

Harry's jaw dropped as he looked to where Owen had motioned expecting to see his motorcycle there since he knew that was where it was parked. Owen scrambler was still parked there, but now there was also a similar motorcycle next to it. It was all black and chrome except for the detailing of a running velociraptor on the tank that looked an awful lot like Blue. On the handlebars was a black helmet with a red giant ribbon bow stuck to it.

"I'll need to teach you how to ride it, but I figured you'll need your own wheels so you're not always stuck at home all day while I'm working." Owen said lightly as he watched Harry's mouth close even as he turned to look at Owen with wide eyes.

"Really? It's mine?" He asked with a bit of a squeak in his voice as Barry chuckled behind him.

"It's really yours. Happy Birthday, Harry." Owen replied as a bright smile came to Harry's face as the teen almost launched himself at the man.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Harry said as he hugged him tightly; knowing better than to object to just how much this gift must have cost.

"You're welcome. Now go take a closer look." Owen said as he squeezed the teen gently before releasing him from the hug and nudging him closer to the bike.

"So how long did that take you to have delivered?" Barry asked lightly as he couldn't help but smile at the teen's enthusiasm over the bike.

"I ordered it a few weeks after he arrived. It arrived yesterday." Owen replied with a shake of his head at how long it had taken due to their remote location, and the detailing.

Barry whistled at the answer.

"Well at least it arrived in time, and now you don't have to feel bad about leaving him at home with no way to get anywhere. I also couldn't help but notice what Hamada got for him." Barry said casually as they watched the teen kick up the stand and sit on the seat of his new bike.

"That kid wants to be a wildlife biologist, Barry. He has a love for any and all of the animals I've seen him interact with. He also has a gift when it comes to those animals. Even the predators are attracted to him without any hint of aggression. He's gotten a lot of attention because of that gift, and not all of that attention is innocent. Hamada knows that as well." Owen replied quietly so as not to attract Harry's attention to their conversation.

"You are worried about Hoskins, and others like him." Barry replied with a nod of understanding.

"I'm teaching him how to protect himself. A gun and hand-to-hand won't do anything to protect him from most of the dinosaurs on this island. He's proven time and again with the raptors that he's safe around them. It's the other dangers I have to worry about. He's my son, Barry. Come hell or high water, my kid isn't going to end up as some test subject in a research facility. Not if I can help it." Owen said firmly, and Barry nodded at seeing his friend's expression before looking back to the teen they were talking about.

"He's a good kid. I'll help in any way I can. Just let me know." Barry promised as they watched Harry test the balance and weight of the bike from where he sat on the seat.

"Thanks." Owen said before walking over to the teen, picking up the helmet, and plopping it on Harry's head with two pats to make sure it was on, causing the teen to laugh.

Barry watched on as his old friend smiled as he spoke to his son. The kid had come a long way from the scared-looking teen Barry had first seen. The bright and happy smile was a good look to see on Hadrian now. Barry swore to himself he would help protect the kid as much as he could to keep it there.

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Harry grinned as he came to a stop on his bike just outside of the employee access gate. It had been a few weeks since his birthday when he had gotten the 2013 Triumph Scrambler, and it hadn't taken him long to learn how to ride it. Where before he had always been stuck at the bungalow while Owen was working; he felt free now. He didn't have to depend on Owen to go into the park or anywhere else on the island. They had started meeting at the restaurants for meals when they decided to eat out now that Harry had his own transportation and Owen didn't need to go back home to pick him up. It had given them more time together at meal times since they didn't need to rush as much for Owen to get back.

The restrictions Owen had placed on him visiting the different dinosaurs on the island had also eased a bit. He still wasn't allowed inside of any of the carnivore enclosures, with the Compsognathus being the only exception, and only when Owen or Hamada was there with him for safety measures. Harry could visit any of the other dinosaurs without Owen now, but he would need to clear it through Hamada to have people from his unit there in case anything happened or to work crowd control if he wanted to go inside the enclosure. The last one was only needed if he chose to go see the larger predators so there wasn't a panic with park guests like that day when he had visited Rexy. The one place he could visit alone at any time was the Gentle Giants where he was welcomed by the handlers.

Even so, today was the first time he had decided to go out on his own. The weeks since his birthday had been busy for Harry. Other than the times when he and Owen decided to eat out, or his visits to the raptor paddock three or four times a week, he had been busy with school and training. He hadn't taken a real break since his birthday, and even then he had spent the later half of the day learning to ride his motorcycle, how to hold a gun properly, and filling out the forms for his carrying permit.

Parking his bike next to where he could see Owen's, Harry waived to the security posted above the gate before pulling his ID away from his waist to scan the barcode that would open the door. He let it go once he heard the beep and latch release; the tether retracting on its own to pull the ID back to his waist. He made sure his keys were in his pocket before ensuring the door latched behind him. The last thing he wanted was to be blaimed for any park guests entering the restricted area and getting lost.

Checking his phone for the time, Harry almost groaned. If he didn't navigate the bustling crowd quickly then he would be late. He'd just finished another three courses and decided to take a break from school work for a few days when he had received the call requesting for he and Owen to meet with Mr. Masrani. Harry had only met the man once or twice, but he had spoken to him on the phone a few times. He had been interested to get Harry's thoughts on the park and the animals there after receiving reports from the handlers and security personnel. Harry had heard he was a very busy man who didn't spend much time at the park, so he couldn't help but be curious about what the man wanted to speak to them about.

Harry tried to hurry as he navigated the path to Shula's Steak House. It was a higher-end restaurant on the island that was mostly reservation-only. Harry and Owen had never been there because of this, and because Harry didn't like his dad spending that kind of money on him for a meal.

He was still getting used to having a parent who genuinely cared, but he also worried about Owen spending too much on him no matter how much the man tried to reassure him. Owen still refused to let Harry use his money from his Gringott's vault. They had started withdrawing 'muggle money' to be placed into a safe Owen had placed into the bottom of the closet in Harry's room that also held his Gringott's pouch and invisibility cloak.

"Do you have a reservation?" Harry heard as he entered the restaurant and was drawn out of his thoughts.

Harry looked up to see a man who looked to be in his forties, dressed neatly in pressed slacks and a crisp button-up shirt, staring at him with slightly pursed lips. He shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny as he glanced down at his own jeans, t-shirt, boots, and arm bracelet and necklace of velociraptor teeth. Harry hadn't thought about the possibility of a dress code or anything. Was that even a thing?

"Mr. Masrani's party." Harry replied after clearing his throat uncomfortably as the man's eye's widened a bit and he stood straighter.

"Yes, of course. This way." The man replied as his demeanor shifted to that of a host before turning to lead him further inside before going up the stairs to the balcony seating where Harry found Owen was already talking to Mr. Masrani.

"Very good. Have a seat, Hadrian. It is good to see you." Mr. Masrani greeted him with a smile as he motioned to the empty chair.

"Hello, Mr. Masrani." Harry replied as he took the chair that had been offered before giving his drink order to the host when asked for it after seeing that both Owen and Mr. Masrani had been served their drinks already.

The next few minutes were spent in 'polite' conversation as they perused the menu. The server had brought Harry's drink before the three of them ordered. The subject had shifted to Mr. Masrani inquiring about the raptors before their food arrived. Only then did the man turn toward Harry.

"I imagine you are both curious as to why I asked you both to meet with me today." Mr. Masrani commented lightly as they started eating.

"Yes, sir." Harry replied as he glanced at Owen who must have already known something from the expression he caught before the man took another bit of his steak frites.

"I've been hearing good things about you from the other employees here at the park. You have a calming presence with most of the animals and have raised some good points about their habitats. I've also been told that you are interested in wildlife biology. Is that the course of study you are thinking of pursuing?" Mr. Masrani asked as Harry's brows climbed higher at hearing that the man had heard so much about him when they had only met once or twice.

"Yes, sir. I became interested in animal behavior after watching the dinosaurs, but I also want to study wildlife biology to understand the environmental factors and how it affects them. I'm interested in the dinosaurs on the island, but I think I would like to travel when I'm older to broaden my studies. I think that living here while I'm still in school is actually a rare opportunity for me to learn before I decide if there's a specific field of study that I want to pursue." Harry explained what he had decided after a few conversations about his future with Owen.

"Very good. I've spoken briefly with your father about this, but I would like to sponsor your education. I would provide for your college tuition as well as any materials you would need for continuing your studies. To work as a wildlife biologist you will need to obtain a Bachelor's degree at the least. I am willing to sponsor you until you obtain it, and we can discuss support for further education afterward if you decide to continue for a Master's. You would also have clearance to the labs, and I would introduce you to a few of the scientists there to have you set up with your own space for any experiments. I'm sure their knowledge and experience would prove beneficial to learn from. Of course, there would be a few stipulations." Mr. Masrani said as Harry's eyes grew wider at the offer as he stopped eating to glance between the man and Owen who was now sitting up straighter.

"What kind of stipulations?" Harry asked as his mind whirled with the information.

"I would receive a report of your grades every four months, and you must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. While you live here on the island you may be called to help soothe one of the animals if the medical teams or asset containment are having issues. Of course, this would pertain only to the herbivores and smaller carnivores for safety concerns." Mr. Masrani said first, and Harry nodded as those two were simple enough though maintaining the grade point average might be a bit difficult.

"I would receive copies of any research or experiments you do with a confidentiality clause that I will speak to nor show anyone else your findings until after you have made it public. This would only last for up to ten years after you have completed your education. The final stipulation would be that I can call on you for your thoughts and expertise when needed after you've graduated." Mr. Masrani continued, and the table lapsed into silence as Harry thought about the stipulations.

It wasn't a bad deal. Harry had the money to pay for his education himself, but this offer would mean he would have a bigger nest egg for traveling after his schooling was done. It would mean more money for him to do what he wanted without taking any student loans. The stipulations were also reasonable.

Maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher may be challenging, but Harry found that he was up for the challenge. He'd found that learning and retaining the information was a lot easier after coming here. So much so that he had already caught up with others his age and would be ahead of them soon enough. As long as he was serious about it then he shouldn't have a problem.

Working at the park to help the asset containment and medical units would also be beneficial for him. It would give him something to do around the island outside of his studies or visiting the other dinosaurs for his own enjoyment. Most of the stipulations were easy enough to agree to for the benefits he was being offered. Even having Mr. Masrani call him for assistance after graduating was agreeable as he would still be able to help the animals there.

"Why would you want copies of any research and experiments? The confidentiality contract would restrict you from using any of that information until it's made public. It would be useless to you until then." Harry said with a confused knit to his brow as he finished his plate and sipped at his drink to rinse it down.

"It's true that I wouldn't be able to use to information before you have it published, but it would allow me to watch your growth. I believe you have the potential to do great things to improve the lives of the animals. I would like to see what you find both before and after you've finished your schooling if given the opportunity. I will admit it was seeing your easy interaction with the velociraptors a few months ago that piqued my interest, but it was your suggestions to the keepers that made me think about offering to sponsor your education. You have the potential to go far, and I would like to help you do so." Mr. Masrani said as he sipped his wine after his meal was finished.

Harry was quiet for a moment as he thought about it. Mr. Masrani sounded like the offer was more of a whim for curiosity's sake. The problem was that, as much as Harry wanted to believe his explanation was genuine, he was having a hard time doing so. A man like him did not build the wealth he had without planning how he could use his investments. Harry didn't know what he wanted, but the stipulations of the sponsorship didn't disadvantage Harry himself. Glancing at Owen, Harry took a breath as the man spoke.

"Could we have some time to think about it and discuss it? It's a good opportunity for Hadrian, but he's only just turned fifteen. He's just started the high school classes, and I think he should have time to think about his career options. I would like for him to be sure of what kind of career he wishes to pursue before he commits to anything." Owen explained as Harry let out a silent breath of relief that he didn't need to decide right then.

"Of course. I just wanted to put the offer out there as an option. High school is the time to start exploring such things, and there is time before he needs to worry about what to study in college. I have another meeting I must get to, but I do apologize for not attending the celebration for your birthday a few weeks ago. I have had a belated birthday gift sent to your home. I hope you enjoy it and make good use of it." Simon said as he stood, and both Owen and Harry followed to shake the man's hand.

"Thank you, sir. I promise to give your offer some thought." Harry replied as the man smiled before turning away to leave the restaurant; the bill having been paid for before the meal.

"You ready to head home, or is there anything you need while we're here?" Owen said with a look that said they wouldn't be discussing this meeting until they got home.

"I didn't need anything. I was just planning to chat online before I got the call to come here." He said as he followed Owen outside of the restaurant.

"Are you talking about that chat forum Barry found for you to meet other kids your age? Be careful about what information you share. There are some weird and dangerous people in the world. Have you found anyone you like talking to?" Owen asked as they made their way through the crowd to the access gate for the area restricted to employees only.

"A couple. Oh, think you can help me? I've been talking to this guy named Zach. He said something about video calling. Sky or something... I have no idea what he was talking about." Harry mumbled as Owen chuckled and scanned his ID for them to get past the gate.

"I think you mean Skype. I can help you set one up when we get home. It will let you talk to online friends face-to-face using the camera on your computer. At least that way you can be sure they're someone your age and not some old pervert." Owen replied while they both kicked the stands on their bikes in order to head home.

"Old pervert?" Harry asked in confusion about what an old pervert had to do with talking to people online.

"Barry found this site but didn't warn you about the dangers to be aware of online?" Owen scowled before remembering that Barry probably thought his son already knew.

The man didn't know that Harry was still learning about technology and other things created after the mid-nineties. Even then, he was behind the times when it came to such things. Damned magic schools seemed to be stuck in medieval times, and his relatives whom Owen knew in his gut hadn't treated the kid right.

"We'll be having a long talk about online dangers when we get home."

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Well, it took quite a while, but here is chapter twelve. Sorry for the wait, but I've been occupied with other stories and life in general. Don't know when the next will be. I am trying to do my best to rotate through my active works, but sometimes I just have more inspiration on certain fics so those are worked on a lot more. Anyway, let me know what you thought!

~Ryu

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