A/N Thank you to everyone who has been supporting this fic! We hit 100k on a03. It's such an amazing adventure with everyone!
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Excitement and happiness flooded Harrison as he turned slightly to face the Entrance. Even as his mind began to realize the voice didn't belong to Master Keller. He was still a familiar face but not the person he had been looking for.
Battle Mage and Director of Magical Security for MACUSA Percival Graves. The man was looking a little ragged but he stood tall and proud in his battle robes. Harrison remembered how hard the man worked them in their Battle Magic classes. He was a task master but one that Harrison had respected for years.
Harrison greeted in a sickly sweet voicr even as he eyed James Potter, "Battle Master Graves it has been awhile. How are you?"
From the corner of his eye he saw James's face lose a significant amount of color. Not many outside of MACUSA or Nightingale had met the man. Fewer still could name him on sight. His reputation on the other hand was well known throughout the world. He had faced off against Grindelwald many years ago losing only by the skin of his teeth. It was said that the Dark Lord still bore the scars from their duel.
Graves eyed him suspiciously as he knew that tone and the trouble it usually brought, "Heir Potter. Always causing trouble wherever you go."
"Oi," he tried to retort, "It's not my fault! I was the one who was challenged."
Graves gave him a look that said exactly what he thought of that, "Potter I still remember what you did in your first year. Now what is going on here? Report!"
The last part came in a snap that made them all stiffen. Harrison dutifully reported, "I was challenged for my Heirship by my youngest sibling Jacob Potter. I accepted his challenge with a few stipulations. My stipulations were Heirship and Future Lordship will go to the victor. There can never be a second challenge. It was accepted under the eyes of the Blessed Mother and Lady Magic. He accepted."
Graves nodded his acceptance of the report. There was a light of respect in his eyes when the two locked eyes. He approved of what Harrison did and how he handled things without his Master being there.
The man began to walk up to them. His dark eyes went between Harrison and his father. James Potter still held his wand in his hands. His grip was too tight and would hamper him if it came to a duel. The other members of Nightingale relaxed slightly as they recognized their once Battle Master. He had been away from the school for a few years.
Even being gone for so long every member of Nightingale still had trust in him. The teachings of the Battle Masters were the reasons they survived. Without it, more students and professors would have died.
"Hunter," XIII didn't jump but it was a near thing, "Report."
"I was called on to be Heir Potter's second," he reported like it was second nature, "I was not needed in the duel. Heir Potter did not need my assistance as he took down his brother expertly."
Graves gave another short approving nod. Then the dark eyes turned to Harrison. He looked the green eyed teenager up and down critically. Harrison did not move under the gaze.
Then the man took his forearm up in a firm grip and greeted Harrison properly, "Heir Potter well met."
Harrison's face was wiped of all emotions as he replied tilting his head in respect, "Well met, Battle Master Graves."
A sharp nod was given. Then he turned so that he was directly facing James Potter. His body was directly between Harrison and his father despite the fact Harrison could fight his own battles. Graves never was one to let an underage student face a full adult if he could help it. The only exceptions were battle magic classes. There he believed fairness was an illusion. You had to be prepared for anything. The number of bruises, broken bones, and curses Harrison had to have seen by the healer was more than he could count. Though he could proudly say that it was never the same mistake twice.
He barked clearly annoyed, "Lord Potter put away your wand," once more than man hesitated something that would prove ill for his health if it continued, "Unless you plan on trying your hand with a full registered Battle Mage."
What little color was left in James's face immediately fled much to Harrison's amusement. There were few better to put someone in their place than Graves. Reluctantly James put away his wand glancing at Dumbledore who was glaring daggers at Harrison as if it was his fault.
How in the name of Merlin could this be his fault? It wasn't like he had summoned his former professor. Harrison hadn't spoken with the man since he left Nightingale.
Once he was sure the Lord Potter wouldn't try anything stupid Graves fully faced Dumbledore and declared loud, "Headmaster Dumbledore in accordance with your agreement with the French Ministry I'm reporting in. Headmaster Durant has requested my services as a replacement teacher as his previous Battle Magic died in the attack by Grindelwald."
Oh things could not get any better today could they? Dumbledore had agreed to house professors as well as students from Nightingale. Those at least that could be spared from repairs on the school. Graves coming signaled Nightingale was headed in the right direction.
Dumbledore tried to refuse, "We don't need any extra professors, Mr. Graves."
Graves gave the man a withering look as he snapped, "Don't even think about it, Dumbledore. You had an agreement with the Ministry and you have to abide by it. Meaning I am here to stay until Durant no longer needs me."
The old man's jaw worked and his eyes no longer twinkled. Nightingale's students didn't so much as twitch. They would stand by Graves no matter what.
Dumbledore finally conceded after a moment, "Well then, welcome Mr. Graves."
Before he could continue further Graves interrupted him, "Battle Master Graves, Headmaster Dumbledore. Do try to use proper etiquette and remember my title."
Riddle snickered, "I like him. No one has ever dared to talk to Dumbledore like that."
"Wait until you see him duel," whispered back Harrison.
