July 30th, 1980: Birth of Harry James Potter
July 31st, 1987: Birth of Nathan Sirius Potter
October 28th, 1988: Birth of Rose Petunia Potter
October 31st, 1988: Voldemort banished by Harry's latent mutant powers but Nathan hailed as Boy-Who-Lived due to lightning bolt scar on his forehead.
Potter Manor; July 10th, 1998
Harry James Potter, eldest son of James and Lily Potter, burst out of the fireplace and into the foyer of Potter Manor in a flare of emerald green fire. However, even the emerald flames coming from the fireplace paled in comparison to the emerald flames of rage seen in his eyes. Harry was angry beyond belief, though if one looked closely, one could see the deep pain in his eyes hidden beneath the anger.
Harry stalked toward his room in a rage, gripping the wand in his right hand tightly in his anger, almost breaking it in his blind anger.
Curiously, the wand in his right hand was not his own holly and phoenix wand. The wand looked ancient and seemed to be made of some type of wood that enhanced its 'ancient' look. It was fifteen inches long and was noticeably unique from other wands in its appearance, particularly because it seemed to bear carvings that resembled clusters of elderberries running down its length. What was truly surprising to all who asked was that Harry had just won it off its previous owner, Albus Dumbledore himself when Harry attacked him in anger and defeated him.
However, all this was in the back of Harry's mind as he remembered the cause of his anger and the subsequent duel with Dumbledore and he doubled his pace toward his room.
His angry walk had attracted the attention of the Manor's current occupants who had been playing outside in the warm weather when they heard the commotion inside. Sirius and Remus looked at each other in confusion, knowing it could only be James, Lily or Harry since they were the only ones in on the secret of the Fidelius that could bypass the Manor's wards and Floo directly into the Manor itself. Not even Dumbledore himself could do that meaning anyone not a Potter by blood had to apparate outside of the gates and wait to be let in.
They eventually recognized the feel of Harry's magic and grew concerned and slightly frightened at the sheer anger and power coming from him.
Worried about what could be making their usual quiet and considerate pseudo-nephew so angry that he was making such a racket, the two men walked into the house, trailed by two concerned children; 10, soon to be 11, year-old Nathan and 9 year old Rose.
Nathan looked a lot like his father, James Potter in facial structure but had red highlights in his black hair instead of James's complete black although he had the same hazel eyes. He had an air of being well cared for and walked with confidence that bordered on arrogance. The latter had been viciously curbed by his mother but not completely stamped out.
The one thing that set him apart more than anything was the lightning bolt scar on his forehead, barely hidden by his bangs. The scar was the only sign of having supposedly survived the Killing Curse cast by Voldemort all those years ago.
Meanwhile, Rose had the same thick, red hair of her mother but with the hazel eyes of her father. Those that knew her often said that she looked like a miniature Lily with her father's eyes. Rose secretly hated hearing that as much as her eldest brother hated being told he looked like their father with their mother's eyes.
Rose was especially concerned since Harry and her were closer to each other than they were to anyone else in the family. Despite this, Rose had never known her brother to be so angry. She could almost feel his anger and was slightly scared since she could feel his magic coming from the Manor in waves.
Meanwhile, Harry had barged into his room before flicking his newly acquired wand, causing everything to start to soar around him before neatly arranging themselves into a large trunk that was open at the foot of the bed. The trunk had five locks on it and each time one lock of the trunk was filled, the trunk would magically close before another lock would open, showing an empty trunk that was quickly filled to the brim.
The fact that everything in the room from Hedwig's empty cage and stool to an entire dresser somehow fit themselves into the trunk using only 3 'locks' should be proof that the trunk was magically expanded on the inside.
Harry paused slightly to take in the sheer ease it took to do such a complicated maneuver. Harry had always been very gifted at magic, more so than anyone in known history, even Albus Dumbledore, but that should have taken more magic than it had.
Shaking it off, Harry made a cursory scan around his room before nodding to himself and shrinking the trunk and putting it into the pocket of his robes. However, Harry stopped when he saw that one item hadn't responded to the magic calling it like all the other items in the room had.
The item in question was the family Invisibility Cloak. It was folded neatly beneath the pillow on his bed, where Harry had left it this morning. Harry had been planning on giving it to Nathan now that he was going to be attending Hogwarts this year and Harry himself had already graduated. Harry didn't need the cloak to become invisible so he had no need for it.
However, the Cloak had been passed down from father to the eldest son in the Potter family for generations. It was Harry's by birthright and after what happened earlier, Harry felt he deserved something for all he had done. He had lost everything else that was his by birthright already.
Harry was torn for a moment before coming to a decision and grabbing the Cloak before placing it over his shoulders. The Cloak shimmered slightly before, rather than making his lower body invisible, it turned transparent and Harry knew from experience that no one but him would be able to detect the Cloak until he took it off himself.
Harry wondered why no on else in the history of the Potter family ever figured out the many skills that the family Cloak had that no other invisibility cloak had but simply chalked it up to laziness. Everything done, Harry stalked out of his now completely empty room and back to the foyer.
Back in the foyer, Sirius and company had just entered the room to see what the commotion was about when the fireplace flared emerald flames and two people ran out of the Floo with harried looks on their faces.
The man who came through the Floo was none other than James Potter. James was a tall, thin man with hazel eyes and untidy black hair that stuck up at the back. He was wearing black robes that showed some wealth while still being comfortable and practical. He had thin round glasses on his face as he looked around the foyer for someone. His eldest son, Harry, was constantly noted to look very much like him, having the same untidy hair and eyesight, but having Lily's eyes. However, unlike his father, Harry didn't need glasses thanks to visiting a magical optician when he was young.
The other person was none other than Lily Potter herself. Lily was a beautiful woman with thick, dark red hair that fell to her shoulders and bright green almond-shaped eyes only a shade lighter in color than her eldest son's Harry's. She was also wearing robes that were cut to emphasize her figure while still managing to show off her wealth slightly.
James and Lily caught sight of Sirius and the others entering the foyer and James quickly spoke. "Have any of you seen Harry? We need to talk to him and explain things."
Sirius was about to answer when someone else answered for him.
"Don't bother, I'm leaving," said a just returned Harry as he stalked into the room, his magic reacting to his anger and almost suffocating the people in the room with its presence.
Everyone turned at his entrance only to freeze at the near suffocating feel of his magic encompassing the room. They had known that powerful magic-users were capable of releasing their auras and therefore, affecting the people around them. However, not even Dumbledore at his peak could match the sheer power being radiated from the soon-to-be eighteen year old man standing in the doorway. It really brought home the fact that Harry was in a completely different league from them.
Harry was going to increase the pressure of his aura when he froze at the sound of a very familiar whimper. Harry froze and turned slowly to see his baby sister, Rose, shivering in terror at the feel of his anger through his aura. Shame filled Harry at the fact that his beloved sister, who always came to him for comfort, was now looking at him in such fear and he instinctively dissipated his aura to spare her more pain.
Once the aura dissipated from the room, James managed to gather himself before standing up straight and looking at Harry with pleading eyes. "Harry, where are you going?"
Harry's eyes became emerald chips of ice as he turned to look at his former father and mother blocking his way to the Floo and escape. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm leaving. I've had enough of this! Today was the last straw. YOU TOOK AWAY MY BIRTHRIGHT!"
James and Lily flinched before the latter started to speak. "P-Please, Harry. You have to understand. It's for the best. Yo-"
Harry quickly interrupted. "FOR THE BEST?! For who? For you or for me? Becoming Lord Potter is my BIRTHRIGHT! And you took it away and gave it to Nathan! Who's not even old enough to take over if anything happens!"
James tried to console Harry unsuccessfully. "If something does happen to me, you'd be named regent until Nathan became of age-"
"I shouldn't be named REGENT!!! I should be named Lord Potter! It's my birthright as the eldest!"
Lily tried to interject with a question of your own. "Does being Lord Potter mean so much to you?"
Harry became eerily quiet as he seemed at a loss of words and Sirius took advantage to clarify a few questions he had. "I don't understand. I know you three were going to the Ministry today to settle the business of the naming of the Heir of House Potter. I thought you guys were going to finally give Harry his Heir ring, which should have been his when he turned 17 by the way. But instead... you guys named Nathan your Heir?"
The afore-mentioned boy looked uncomfortable under his eldest brother's burning gaze of anger and disgust. Despite the fact that the two boys rarely interacted due to their age difference and because Harry was always busy with various magical projects, Harry had always looked at him with caring before. He even gave Nathan tips when he began to be trained by Professor Dumbledore when Nathan turned 7 and told him stories about Hogwarts every time he returned for the summer.
But now, Harry was looking at him with barely concealed loathing and anger and it hurt Nathan deeply.
Sirius' question went unanswered but the look on the elder Potters faces said enough. Sirius personally couldn't understand it. Who wouldn't want Harry as their Heir? An accomplished alchemist trained by Nicholas Flamel at 15, Master of Runes at 16, perfect grades in school above even Dumbledore when he attended, Prefect, Head Boy, and considered by many as the second coming of Merlin; Harry Potter was the pride of Hufflepuff House where he was sorted. He managed to bring his Hogwarts House honor and fame that had been absent for centuries and made sure that Hufflepuffs were no longer looked at as leftovers.
The question became: Why would they not make Harry their Heir?
Sirius had a sinking feeling that it had to do with Dumbledore, if the familiar wand clenched in Harry's right hand was any indication.
The silence was broken as Harry finally calmed down enough to speak. "It's not the title that matters to me. I want to earn my titles on my own either way." Harry continued before Lily could speak. "It's the fact that this is just another sign that you favor Nathan over me."
The room was silent as Harry spoke in a deathly angry whisper. "For almost 10 years, ever since Nathan was named the Boy-Who-Lived, I watched as you slowly started to pay more attention to Nathan over me. I stayed silent when you convinced me to start learning magic early so that I could protect Nathan from attack instead of playing with kids my age like I should."
"I stayed quiet when I was sorted into Hufflepuff and saw the favoritism become more blatant all because I wasn't sorted into Gryffindor 'like all Potters were'." The last part was said mockingly and scornfully as his parents flinched at his accusations.
"I stayed quiet when I, not either of you, had to comfort and basically raise Rose because you were too busy taking Nathan all over the world to be either trained or seen by so-called specialists about what power he could have that allowed him to defeat Voldemort. Did you know I was forced to learn how to apparate at thirteen so that I could sometimes sneak out of Hogwarts and apparate home just to make sure Rose was being looked after? House-elves can only do so much, after all and toddlers need human contact."
Harry stepped forward as he continued to hurl accusations. "I stayed quiet when I heard you discuss leaving Rose with those bastard Dursleys during the school year, because you didn't have time to watch over her. It was me, who became worried about her a week of no form of contact from them only to find them treating her like a fucking slave and not having eaten in two days! She was fucking 5 years old for Christ's sake and her parents never came to check on her in all that time she was suffering!"
Harry took a deep breath before continuing. "I stayed quiet... as I won award after award, won accolades and respect from the entire magical community yet you two couldn't even be bothered to bring yourself to care. Too worried about some far-off future to even be aware of what was happening around you, much less what was happening to your Hufflepuff son."
Harry closed his eyes momentarily before opening them and glaring at his now sobbing mother and the pain-filled face of his father. "So tell me, father," asked Harry scornfully, causing him to flinch. "Why did you not name Heir? Was it because I was sorted into Hufflepuff instead of Gryffindor like all other Potters simply because I value loyalty and hard work over reckless bravery and honor?"
"Was it because Rose considers me more of a parent than either of you and you're jealous of that? Which is why you've been spending more and more time with Rose these past two years when you finally realized what you had done?"
"Is it because I don't follow Dumb-as-a-door like a loyal dog and that offends your fanatical sensibilities? I bet he was the one who gave you the idea, probably saying something about me not being ready for some stupid reason, wasn't it?" His parents' flinches told him that Dumbledore had been the one to give them the idea, cementing Harry's utter hatred for the meddling old man forever.
Harry stepped forward, his eyes now blazing emerald flames of righteous anger as he launched his final volley. "Or is it... Because I'm a mutant?"
At his final accusation, Lily looked away in shame while James clenched his jaw and refused to meet Harry's eyes.
Harry gave a sardonic smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Well, well. The so-called 'pinnacle of the Light' family is a bunch of bigots just like everyone else. Who would have known? I guess you don't want your precious Potter family to have an Heir who's a mutant, am I right?"
Lily quickly tried to explain. "We don't care that you're a mutant, Harry! We love you! But... having a mutant heir isn't the best thing right now in this political climate! The magical world just discovered mutants not so long ago and you're a very public and well-known mutant. Naming you our heir would be akin to throwing our support behind pro-mutant movements and we're not ready for that right now. It would alienate us too much from most of the magical world and we need as many allies as possible for when Voldemort comes back."
James stepped forward and nodded. "It's true, Harry. Dumbledore says that Voldemort is still out there and I believe him. There was no body when Nathan defeated him and Snape's Dark Mark hasn't disappeared. Faded, yes. But not disappeared as it should have if Voldemort was dead. We need to gain as many allies as possible for when he returns and making you, a well-known mutant, our Heir would get us more enemies than friends considering the current view on mutants. This isn't about you or our personal feelings, Harry, and you should understand that. We're sorry about how we've treated you in the past and we'll try to make it up to you but that doesn't change our decision. It's for the best."
Harry gave a mirthless chuckle. "Don't you mean 'for the Greater Good'?" asked Harry mockingly. Harry shook his head and scowled at his parents. "Of course it's not about me. It's never about me. My entire life has been about other people. Nathan, the wizarding world, the Potter family. You guys dictated my life around other people, never once thinking about what I wanted. Well, I've had enough. I'm leaving and I'm going to magically take myself out of the Potter family. From now on, I'm going to care about me first and the rest of the world second."
James and Lily looked pained at his words and the latter spoke. "Is there nothing we can say to change your mind? We're your family."
Harry's eyes flashed angrily and the ground shook as Harry's anger caused his mutant powers to escape his usual iron-clad control. "Other than Rose, I have no family."
With that final statement, Harry flicked his newly-acquired wand, blasting his parents toward Sirius, Nathan and Remus, causing them to fall into a tangle of limbs.
Harry stepped forward toward the Floo only to stop as he saw Rose standing in front of the fireplace, blocking him.
Rose had tears in her eyes as she looked up at her favorite brother and the only real parental figure she'd had her entire life. While her parents had become more active in her life in the last two years, Harry would always be the most important person in Rose's life.
Rose looked up at her beloved brother as she spoke. "Are you... really leaving? Leaving me?"
Harry closed his eyes in pain but nodded. "I'm sorry, Rose but I can't stay here any longer. I might commit patricide if I stay and I don't think you want that, do you?"
Rose shook her head sadly before looking up at him in determination. "Then take me with you."
Harry smiled sadly and shook his head. "I'm sorry but I can't. I barely have the money to support myself let alone both of us. However," Harry kneeled until he was looking Rose in the eye. "I promise to come back for you someday. And if you ever need anything, you know you can always contact me, right?"
Rose looked conflicted but nodded tearfully before engulfing him in a hug which he eagerly returned. The two siblings were brought out of their hug when they heard the sounds of their parents ('former parents,' thought Harry viciously) getting up from where they fell on top of Moony and Padfoot.
Harry gave Rose a quick smile and, ignoring the cries to wait by his former parents, threw Floo powder into the fireplace and disappeared in a flare of emerald flames.
He promised himself that he would never allow himself to be hurt like his parents hurt him again.
Peverell Communications and Biomedics private jet approaching JFK International; February 17th, 2002
A burly security guard with a badge on his suit marking him as Head of PCB Private Security walked towards the only two passengers in the jet.
John had been a bodyguard for his boss for two years and his loyalty was unquestioned. For that reason was one of the few trusted to carry weapons around the plane. John had a shady history, having been in and out of prison several times due to his mercenary status before trying to clean up his life. Unfortunately for him, his 16-year-old daughter contacted a rare illness at that time and John had had to pay a large amount of money for the cure. John had tried everything to help pay for the hospital fees only to be turned away at every job offer due to his prison history. He had been about to return to his old job as a mercenary when his current boss approached him.
He had not only offered John a job as one of his personal bodyguards but also offered to pay off his daughter's hospital fees. When he heard this, John had thought the young man was one of those shady characters that needed someone to do his dirty work and wanted John to be the one to do this for him. Despite this, John but had been willing to work for him due to his paying off his daughter's bills up-front instead of holding it over John's head like most would.
Surprisingly, John's boss did not want him for that and the only thing he asked for in return was John's unwavering loyalty. John had been more than happy to give him this and since then, John had never regretted a single choice he'd made. He even managed to win a place on his boss's black ops team and John didn't regret it since he knew he was doing good. His daughter was completely cured and currently studying medicine in Columbia University and since his boss often visited New York City for business, John got to see his daughter quite often.
However, John had known his boss long enough to know that he didn't truly need a bodyguard. In fact, his boss could probably hand John his ass, despite the latter's extensive experience as both a mercenary and fighter. So when he noticed his boss's stormy countenance as he looked out the window, he wisely turned to the female sitting beside his boss with his message. "Ms. Hellstrom? The pilot says we'll be arriving at JFK in 20 minutes."
The scarlet-haired woman was brought out of her depressive thoughts by the guard's words and turned to him with a smile. "Thank you, John. We'll gather our stuff for when we disembark."
Despite himself, John couldn't help but discreetly eye the beautiful woman in her dress as she spoke.
The woman had beautiful scarlet hair that reached her waist and was arranged in a way that it fell in graceful waves. She currently had on a tight black dress that hugged her in all the right places and left the sides of her hips as well as most of her back bare. At the front, the dress covered her breasts while revealing a modest amount of her very impressive cleavage with two thin straps over her shoulders to connect to the back. The dress went down from her breasts, covering her stomach before going down to her ankles. The dress had a thin slit for her right leg which she currently had crossed over her left, revealing her soft milky skin and delectable thighs.
Combined with her exotic red eyes and the aura of seduction that she effortlessly gave off, Satana Hellstrom could have posed for the cover of any magazine and sold out every copy. She was the epitome of seduction while still maintaining an air of class.
Satana noticed his discreet look over but was so used to it that she didn't even bat an eyelash. "Will that be all, John?"
John flushed slightly as he realized she had noticed him looking and sent the man beside her a slightly scared glance. John knew how annoyed his boss got when men eyed Satana that way and did not want to give his boss an excuse to give him another private training session. The last one still gave him nightmares and phantom pains.
"No, Ms. Hellstrom, that'll be all." With that, John nodded at her and walked back toward the cockpit. As John entered the cockpit, he sat in the co-pilot's chair beside the pilot who was currently scowling in displeasure. While the pilot's clothes were baggy like most pilot's clothing was, even they couldn't hide the fact that the pilot was distinctly female.
John sighed at his partner's actions before speaking. "I told them, Jade, and they're getting ready for Ms. Hellstrom's departure."
The pilot, now revealed as Jade, scoffed as she continued to pilot the plane. "The boss is too good for her. He should have left that bitch in Paris after what she did."
John rolled his eyes and internally sighed. Jade had a similar past to John's, he'd actually come across her a few times in their jobs as mercenaries, but her past was far worse. John didn't know the details but he knew that whatever Harry did secured Jade's absolute loyalty in every fashion and she became downright murderous when others did not show him the same loyalty, especially when she believed they owed him. "He's not going to do that just because she said no. He still loves her, after all."
Jade almost snarled. "She doesn't deserve his love. After everything he did for her, she does this to him. I saw the boss earlier. He's completely heartbroken even if he's trying to hide it."
John sighed and nodded. "Yeah but there's nothing we can do. Ms. Hellstrom's arguments are solid and we can't deny it." John looked at Jade with a scrutinizing look. "Are you angry at her for saying no... or at yourself because you would have answered the same way?"
Jade's silence was answer enough.
Back in the passenger area, Satana watched the door to the cockpit for a minute before turning to her companion with a loving yet sad look in her eyes.
The man sitting beside her looking out the window was considered handsome by many women around the world. He had wild, black hair that was artfully combed so that it was spiked slightly on top while combed neatly back along the sides. He was wearing a tasteful designer suit that had the top two buttons of the white shirt underneath unbuttoned, showing some of the muscular chest hidden underneath. His face was one many would call ruggedly handsome with a slight 5 o'clock shadow along his face that only increased the "rugged" look. All in all, there was a reason Hadrian Ignotus Peverell, once Harry James Potter, was consistently in the top ten most eligible bachelors in the world.
The only form of accessory he had on his person was in the form of a black cane with a silver dragon's head that had a silver marble in its mouth lying on his lap and a ring on the middle finger of his right hand. The ring was ornate and looked distinctly Welsh in origin with tiny runes inscribed on the inside of the band. It also had a pure black stone fitted into it that, if one looked closely enough, one could see a symbol inscribed on top of it.
Hadrian Peverell had taken the world by storm ever since he appeared almost 3 years ago. At age 18, he appeared as the new Lord Peverell with the blessings of the British Queen and had taken over all the responsibilities this entailed. This included becoming Governor of the Falkland Islands as well as managing the many estates that had been held in trust for the next Lord Peverell and hadn't been active in centuries. After managing to gain complete control of all his assets, he had further shocked the world by forming his own company that in one year and a half managed to revolutionize the business world with cutting-edge communications gear and medicines. The latter especially managed to cure diseases that were previously thought incurable.
'One could almost call the cures magical,' thought Satana humorously.
He stabilized his political position by doing what no other could do before and convince Argentina to give the Falkland Islands undisputed control of the sea surrounding it and therefore, control of the oil in that area as well. Needles to say, Hadrian Peverell was on the top of the world's most successful businessmen, above even Tony Stark. He had good relations with both the U.S. and many other countries and was being considered to be the official ambassador for the UN to the rest of the world.
Currently, Harry's deep emerald eyes that were usually bright and soul-piercing were currently stormy due to his tumultuous thoughts and Satana couldn't help but feel ashamed for being the cause of it.
They had gone to Paris to celebrate Valentine's Day together and had spent the entire week, from the 8th to the 15th, visiting both the magical and non-magical sections of the beautiful city. Whenever they weren't sightseeing, they had spent it making love on their hotel room, cementing their 2 year relationship further. It had been perfect in every way.
However, all that had come to a halt when two days ago, Hadrian had asked her a question that he didn't receive the wished-for answer to.
Satana gently placed a hand on Harry's right thigh, gaining his attention. "Love? John says we'll be there in 20 minutes."
Harry grunted his understanding and continued to stare out the window with a stormy countenance.
Satana sighed in frustration. "Are you going to continue to ignore me even though we might not see each other again? Is that how we're going to spend the last of our time together?"
Harry scowled. "How am I supposed to act when I find out that the woman I love doesn't love me back?"
Satana recoiled and hurt shone in eyes as tears started to gather. Her lip trembled as she answered. "You know that's not true! I love you, Harry, it's just..."
Harry angrily turned to Satana, his eyes glowing with emerald flames to show his anger while trying to ignore the moisture gathering in his eyes. "If you love me, why won't you marry me and why are you leaving me?"
Satana looked down in pain before looking up at him as tears left her eyes. "You know why, Harry. I'm a succubus, a demon, and you're... a relationship between us was hard enough as it is. But a marriage?" Satana shook her head sadly. "Your patron would never allow it. She hates demons and I haven't proven myself to be free of my father's influence."
Harry grit his teeth as he tried to hold back his tears. "I don't care! I love you, Satana! If she doesn't like it then I'll just leave her patronage!"
"NO!" denied Satana angrily. Satana took a deep breath to calm herself before gently placing a hand on his left cheek. "No, Harry. The world needs you. Especially if what your patron says is true. If something happens to the Phoenix... the coming years will be harsh and your patron will need you."
Harry scowled once more. "She's Death, Satana. She doesn't need me."
Satana shook her head as tears fell from her eyes. "You know that's not true, especially with her out there. You said yourself that things are moving again and you'll need Death's help for the coming years."
Harry grit his teeth as he tried to ignore the truth in her words. Once again, the greater good came at a personal cost for Harry. He had promised himself that he would never allow himself to be hurt this way again yet here he was, being hurt once more for the greater good."Fine, we can't marry. But that doesn't mean we can't stay together. Why are you leaving me if you love me?"
Satana smiled thinly as tears feel heedlessly down her face. "Because, Harry. I don't want to just be a pretty face. I want to be able to help you and that means gaining control of my powers. As it is, I'd be a hindrance more than a help. You can't train me because my powers are very different from yours. The only one that can train me is Stephen."
However, Harry wouldn't give that easily. "But that doesn't mean we have to break up! You can train under Stephen and we can still be together!"
Satana shook her head. "No. I'd be a distraction and a weak link. I need to be completely focused on my training. Stephen told me that gaining control of my abilities will be hard because I've been depending on you for too long. You're immune to my soul drain kiss but you still give me the energy I need to survive and so I've become dependent on you. As long as you're around I won't be able to gain control."
Harry shut his eyes in pain before giving Satana a kiss. "How long will it be till I can see you again?"
Satana smiled sadly. "I don't know. Maybe years. That's why I want to break up. I can't make you wait for me."
"I would," stated Harry fiercely. "I would wait for you forever."
Satana smiled lovingly and gave him another kiss. "I know, love. But you need three wives, remember? Your position as Lord Peverell hinges on you taking a minimum of three wives to continue the line and you won't do that as long as I'm here."
Harry sighed in defeat. "Fine, love. But I only need two more wives. Whether Death likes it or not, you're going to be my fourth." Harry gave her the same roguish smile that caused her to fall in love with him all those years ago. "So you better gain control and get Death's approval cause if you don't, I'll ignore Death and marry you anyway."
Satana giggled and smiled at him lovingly. "Isn't it the guy who's supposed to gain the parent's approval for the girl's hand? Guess that makes you the girl in the relationship, huh?"
"Oi!" yelled Harry in denial.
Satana just giggled and gave him another scorching kiss. She got up and put Harry's cane aside before sitting herself on her lover's lap causing him to wrap his arms around her waist to hold her. "I love you, Harry. You're the only man I'll ever love."
Harry smiled mischievously. "Well ain't that something to brag about? I managed to get a succubus, beings infamous for sleeping around, to become monogamous. I guess I'm just that good, huh?" Harry yelped when Satana slapped him upside the head.
Bleecker Street, New York City, NY
A black limo rolled up Bleecker Street before stopping in front of a tasteful two story mansion. The side driver's door opened, letting John out before he walked toward the passenger door and knocked on the glass. He waited till he heard Harry say that he could open the door before opening the passenger door.
Satana gracefully came out of the car and smiled at John as she gave her thanks. John nodded at her and walked to the trunk while ignoring the fact that her red lipstick was now ever so slightly smudged and her dress was slightly askew. It wasn't as if John hadn't ever had sex at the back of a limo before, after all.
Once Satana got out of the limo, Harry followed behind her and stood beside her as they took in the sight of the mansion. For Harry, it was nostalgic as he remembered the time he spent training here under Dr. Stephen Strange. In fact, he met Satana while still training under Dr. Strange and they officially started dating soon after he completed his training under the Sorcerer Supreme.
Harry offered Satana his arm while trying to hide the sadness in his eyes which she gracefully took. The two then walked up the walkway toward the mansion and past the wards which let them through before Harry used his cane to knock on the front door.
There was a slight pause before the door opened, revealing Wong standing there.
Wong was obviously Oriental in origin, wearing oriental clothing and holding himself with grace that only master martial artists could pull off. He had brown eyes and looked to be around 5'8" but still managed to look both kind yet intimidating. Harry didn't know his hair color for the simple fact that the man was bald.
Wong smiled at the sight of them before speaking. "Young Master Harry! It is a pleasure to see you again. How have you been?"
Harry smiled at his old martial arts mentor. "I've been good, Wong. Is Dr. Strange home?"
"I'm here, Harry."
Harry and Satana turned toward the stairway and saw a man standing there. The newcomer was a man dressed in black pants and boots, a blue tunic, a yellow sash and a red cape with gold trim. The man was Caucasian with a dark hair and mustache that went down to create a thin beard on his chin. He also had silver streaks on either side of his head that made him look dignified and wise.
Stephen smiled as he looked at his old apprentice. "Hello, Harry. How have you been?"
Harry smiled and nodded at Stephen. "You know how it is Stephen. Our work is never done. I see that you got Satana's message?"
Stephen nodded and turned to the woman in question. "Yes and I'm glad you've finally decided to gain control of your abilities. I can't promise it'll be easy but I promise that I'll do my best to help you."
Satana smiled thinly and curtsied slightly at man. "Thank you, Stephen. You're too kind."
Stephen waved her off. "It is no problem. Wong? Can you help John with Satana's luggage? I imagine the lady has quite an amount."
Indeed, John was standing behind the limo trying to carry five suitcases at once, all of which seemed to be almost bursting at the seams. As they watched, they saw John almost trip and fall as he almost lost balance of the suitcases. Seeing this, Wong quickly walked forward and took the two largest suitcases so as to help the poor man.
Satana blushed and pouted as the two sorcerers chuckled. She huffed and looked away as their chuckles increased when Wong sent Satana a bewildered look due to the weight of the suitcases.
"It's not my fault. It was Paris! How could I resist all those beautiful clothes?" complained Satana.
Harry just shook his head as he stepped aside in order to let John and Wong through. "Of course, Satana. Whatever you say."
The chuckles stopped as the two lovers realized it was time to say goodbye. Luckily, Stephen was perceptive enough to realize they needed to be alone and excused himself.
Harry looked at Satana in the eye before drawing her into a deep kiss. Satana eagerly returned the kiss as the two lovers lost themselves in each other's love for a few minutes before they were forced to part.
The two eventually separated and Harry looked deeply into Satana's eyes. "I'll love you forever, Satana. I'll wait for you."
Satana smiled and shook her head in exasperation. "Oh, what am I going to do with you?"
Harry smiled and winked. "Why, marry me of course."
Satana chuckled and gave him another kiss before smiling at him sadly. "I hope that we do someday. Goodbye, my love."
Harry smiled sadly. "Goodbye... my crimson mistress." said Harry, calling Satana by his pet name for her.
Satana gave him one last smile before walking into the mansion.
Harry stood in front of the doorway just staring at the closed door before coming back to himself when the door opened once more, showing John walking out. John gave Harry an understanding look before placing a hand on his shoulder. "If it's meant to be boss, then you'll see her again."
Harry chuckled and looked at John in bemusement. "Since when did you get so wise?"
John shrugged. "I read it off a fortune cookie the other day."
Harry burst out laughing at his words and shook his head before starting to walk towards the limo.
However, both men froze when they saw a white limo park behind theirs and five suited men, all armed, come out. John stood in front of Harry and glared at the slowly approaching men while Harry seemed to be more interested in the limo itself. He distinctly felt someone brush against his Occlumency shields only to disappear when Harry tried to pinpoint the origin.
As the group of men approached, Jade stepped out of the driver's side of their limo, now wearing clothing more appropriate for a chauffeur than a pilot. Though Harry couldn't help but do a double-take when he noticed she had added fishnet stockings to the uniform which did a great job of emphasizing her long legs.
Shaking his head of such thoughts, Harry discreetly signaled her not to interfere and let John deal with it before turning back to the approaching men. He vaguely noticed Jade scowl at being forbidden from attacking the approaching men before reentering the car, completely sure that John could deal with these idiots.
The leader of the group of men stepped forward with a false smile. "Excuse me, are you Hadrian Peverell, CEO of Peverell Communications and Biomedics?"
Hadrian cocked an eyebrow at the man even as John tensed, ready for action. "I am. May I ask who's asking?"
The man simply smiled as he continued to speak. "My boss would like a private word with you, please."
Harry just looked at them in boredom before waving them off. "Since your boss doesn't seem to have manners, I should teach you them. It is considered good manners to introduce yourself before asking someone else to. It's also good manners to make an appointment first instead of simply approaching someone on the street. I am quite a busy man and do not appreciate being accosted on the streets. Tell him that he can make an appointment and I'll see him when I can."
The man lost his smile and very ugly look came to his face. "I'm afraid that it wasn't a request." With that he stepped forward and tried grab Harry's arm.
Unfortunately for the man in question, John didn't appreciate that and quickly grabbed the man's arm before viciously breaking it, causing the man to scream in pain. The other four men were quick to react and tried to pull guns, only for John to push the wounded man towards them and close the distance between him and them.
In a beautiful display of CQC, John had all five men moaning in pain on the floor with various broken bones all within one minute. John dusted himself off while looking down at them in contempt. "Trash like you shouldn't touch the boss. I doubt he'd ever manage to get the stink off if you did."
Harry smirked before looking toward the white limo when he heard the passenger door open once more.
Stepping out of the limo was a woman that wouldn't have looked out of place on a runway... or a Playboy magazine cover considering how she was dressed. She had long blonde hair that, if the brown roots was any indication, was dyed that way and grew in ripples. Her deep blue eyes seemed to sparkle with untold secrets and her generous lips were parted in a seductive smirk that enhanced her sex appeal.
Her sex appeal was further enhanced by her clothing which consisted of a white corset that was slightly loose down the middle, showing off her generous cleavage, thigh high white boots and white panties (or where they shorts?) that barely covered everything it needed to. She also had a white fur coat over her shoulders and Harry came to the conclusion that this woman had a serious obsession with the color white.
Of course, the woman also didn't need to be introduced. As the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company based on communications and medicines, Harry's company often made use of the woman's transportation ships to transport bulks of medicines to places in need. In return, her company installed the best communications gear into their planes and ships. Since Harry's company was the best hands-down, that meant they often traded use of transport ships for cutting-edge communications equipment. It wasn't hard to recognize his fellow multibillionaire even if he was slightly surprised to see her in this area.
After all, who would expect to see the beautiful Emma Frost in Greenwich Village of all places?
Emma Frost gave Harry an apologetic smile as she walked toward him. "I'm sorry for my guards' actions, Mr. Peverell. They are just overenthusiastic and seem to have forgotten their strict orders to not use force under any circumstances." The last part was said toward the group of groaning men and caused a glare to form on Emma's face as she sneered down at the men.
Emma then turned to Harry with a seductive smile. "Once again, I'm sorry for my men's actions but I really do need to speak with you. Perhaps we can take your limo and we'll talk on the way to where you're staying?"
Harry looked the woman over and couldn't help but be silently impressed. Whether or not she actually ordered the men to not use force, she must have known that they would if Harry denied them. Therefore, if they succeeded, she would intimidate him while looking innocent. If it didn't work, like now, she could wash her hands of responsibility while coming across as polite and remorseful. He didn't miss how entering his limo may seem like she was at a disadvantage but it also allowed her to know where he would be staying in case she needed to find him. He seriously doubted that she dressed like that and had no way of defending herself. The fact that he felt a few brushes on his Occlumency shields as she spoke told him who was the one causing it.
'Devious and beautiful,' thought Harry with an internal smile. 'I think I like her already.'
Harry smiled charmingly and was internally happy to see it affect her even if she tried to hide it. "Well, of course, my Lady. How could I turn down the company of such a cultured and beautiful woman?"
Emma smiled and took his offered arm as Harry led her towards his limo. John simply continued to watch the groaning men on the floor until his boss and the Frost woman entered the limo and he entered the limo at the side driver's side.
Harry limo quietly rolled out with the white limo silently following leaving the five groaning men to find their own way back to base.
Back in Harry's limo, Harry was sitting across from Emma, his cane laying beside him, looking at her with a curious glint in his eyes. "Not that your presence is unwelcome but may I ask why the chairperson of the board of Frost International and its chief executive officer has come in person to speak with me? I know our companies often work together but I didn't think we were that close as of yet." Harry gave her another charming smile that he was proud to see brought a slight rosy tint to her cheeks. "Not that I'm complaining, of course."
Emma smiled and crossed her left leg over her right and was internally happy when she saw Hadrian's eyes follow her very shapely thigh as it moved. She was glad to see that she was having as much of an effect on him as he did on her. She had seen his face on television many times and had always thought he was handsome but seeing him up close has gotten Emma hot and bothered under the collar. Considering Emma's extensive... experience with handsome and powerful men, that said something about the aura of authority that he subconsciously put out.
'Oh, yes,' thought Emma with a hint of predatory intent. 'He's perfect for the position of White King.'
Emma cleared her throat and explained. "I've come on behalf of a group of which I'm a part of. Well, more of a club than a group. We've recently come under a change in management and this has unfortunately left us with quite a few open positions. Our club membership is quite select and only caters to the best in their respective fields though additional... talents are also taken into account. I've come to extend an invitation for you to apply for an open position."
Harry sat back and thought about the offer while staring at the beautiful woman in front of him.
The fact that Emma Frost was the one to come offer him the position instead of it being sent through other means meant several things. One, the group was extremely secretive. Despite Harry's extensive information network, he hadn't found a hint of the chairperson of Frost International being a part of any club of some sort. Then again, his information network had bigger things to worry about than stuff like that. Second, the fact that they sent such an important person to give the invitation meant they truly wished for him to join. They were also giving him the courtesy of sending one of their top members as messenger instead of some nobody which would indicate that they didn't care whether he declined or not.
Third, this club obviously caters to the rich and influential. Emma Frost is one of the richest and most influential people in the world and the fact that she was sent as messenger meant she wasn't in charge. In a high position, yes. But not the leader. This meant that there was at least one other person with more influence and power than her in a higher position in the club. People like that could be counted on one hand and Harry doubted that whoever it was was benevolent.
Fourth and most importantly, Harry didn't miss how she stressed people with certain talents being given priority over others. This obviously meant that all the ones in positions of power had powers of some kind. Since it obviously wasn't magical in origin since Harry couldn't sense a hint of magical power from Miss Frost and he seriously doubted there could be that many unknown people with powers made from artificial means like the Hulk or the Fantastic Four, that could only mean they were mutants.
A secret society of wealthy and influential mutants with some unknown agenda.
How... quaint.
Harry looked Emma over and couldn't help but compare her beauty to Satana. While he personally preferred Satana, that was due to personal bias since he had a weakness for red-heads. Emma was easily in the same league as Satana when it came to looks and had that 'bad girl' aura that Harry couldn't help but be attracted to. It was a weakness of Harry's that he instantly attracted to those that would be labeled as 'bad girls' and found the goody-two-shoes women a turn off.
If he wanted someone to preach him the difference between right and wrong, he'd Floo his mother.
Harry mulled over Emma's invitation in his head as he weighed the pros and cons before coming to a decision.
Giving Emma his famous roguish smile, Harry spoke. "I think I would be glad to join any club that has such... distinguished guests such as you in it. And if they honor me by sending the beautiful Emma Frost herself with the invitation, it would be beyond rude of me to refuse."
Emma smiled seductively and winked at him. "I'm glad. I'm personally hoping you get chosen for the position of White King."
Harry cocked an eyebrow as an amused look came to his face. "White King, eh? That would be amusing considering my position as Governor of the Falkland Islands."
Emma's blue eyes danced in playfulness and the limo came to a stop as they reached the New York Palace hotel where Harry would be staying while on business.
Harry stepped out of the limo and gracefully held the door open for Emma. Emma smiled at Harry as she took the offered hand and stepped out of the limo gracefully and without a hint of shame despite her attire. They attracted quite a few stares from passerby when Emma stepped out of the limo, only partially due to Emma's attire. After all, it wasn't every day the world's most eligible bachelor and the world's most eligible bachelorette were seen together.
Emma smiled at Harry as he gave her hand a kiss. "I'm glad you've accepted the invitation and I'm sure you will not regret it."
Harry's danced as he smiled at her. "Oh, I'm sure I won't."
Emma pulled a card from her corset and handed it to him. "This is the location and date for the party that doubles as an audition. Don't be late." With that, Emma started to walk toward her white limo which had parked behind them before suddenly stopping and turning back to Harry. "By the way, what room are you staying in?"
Harry smiled knowingly as he answered. "I'm staying on the top floor, royal suite #2. May I ask why?"
Emma smiled seductively at him. "If you do pass the audition and become the White King then I should get to know you better don't you think?" Emma started to walk away as she continued. "After all, a White King should know his White Queen."
Harry smiled as he watched Emma Frost enter her limo and drive away. "White Queen, huh? Well... Satana did tell me to meet other women."
Emma had a smile on her face as she sat in the back of her limo. The meeting with Hadrian Peverell had gone better than planned.
When she had originally decided on approaching Hadrian, she had been both anxious and reluctant if it made any sense. A part of her was anxious to meet the man she had nursed a small crush on ever since he first entered international news. His rise of wealth and power was similar to her own and they had been compared many times due to this. In fact, there had been many rumors that they would make an interesting match due to both of them having such excellent business sense.
Of course, Emma's 'business sense' was actually called telepathy but that was just a minor detail.
However, she had also been reluctant due to the well-known fact that he was currently in a serious 2-year long relationship with some plebeian woman named Satana Hellstrom. The idea that such a powerful man was bedding some nobody from no known family was galling and Emma had to admit that part of her was jealous. Hadrian was everything she ever wanted in a man: decisive, confident, ambitious, charming and learned. Emma didn't even have to read his mind to know that he was quite the learned man. The fact that he was on friendly relations with Dr. Stephen Strange who, although retired, is still considered the world's foremost neurosurgeon, spoke volumes of his intelligence.
Geniuses tend to not get along with those not on their level, intelligence wise, after all.
However, she had seen the goodbye between him and the plebeian woman and had internally done a happy dance when she realized that they were breaking up. Now she wouldn't have to seduce Hadrian while being careful not to arouse the suspicions of his current girlfriend. Such a powerful man should be with an equally powerful woman, after all.
And he was hot. There was that too.
Emma was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of her phone ringing. Emma answered it without checking the caller ID, already knowing who it was going to be.
"Did he accept the invitation?" asked the familiar voice of Sebastian Shaw without preamble.
Emma smiled as she sat back to answer. "But of course he did. Did you doubt me when I said I could convince him to join?"
Sebastian chuckled over the phone. "Oh no my dear Emma. I quite remember your persuasive... *chuckle* talents."
Emma inwardly bristled at being reminded of her own entry into the Hellfire Club. Unlike Hadrian, Emma had yet to build her own company when she originally joined the Club. Due to her lack of wealth or influence, she had had to work her way up from the bottom. And the only way for women to work their way up was to go down... on many of the higher-ups.
Sebastian had taken a particular liking to Emma ever since she entered and often called for her services. It had disgusted her to bed him but on the plus side, it taught her how to hide her true feelings behind a mask and helped her perfect her telepathy in the bedroom. After all, the quicker he was pleased, the quicker she could leave.
She still remembered with horror when he chose her over two other women and brutally murdered them in front of her to prove his "devotion". In reality, it had been a subtle threat as to what would happen to her if she ever rose against him. It was a warning she got loud and clear.
Despite this, his attentions had helped her later on when he included her in his coup and eventually gave her her current position of White Queen.
However, that didn't mean the memories of sharing that man's bed didn't still give her shivers of disgust. The man had some dark ideas of what 'making love' was and she could only wonder how his former fiance could have put up with it.
Emma forced a smile as she answered. "Yes... quite. He'll be there and I just know he'll be our White King."
Emma could almost feel Sebastian's grimace at the thought. "I would have preferred Namor for the position. His position as King of Atlantis would have been invaluable. Not to mention his association with the Fantastic Four."
Emma scoffed. "Please. That overgrown sardine would be too proud to join us. He would never have accepted someone else as his equal. Furthermore, his associations with the Fantastic Four amount to him trying to kidnap Mr. Reed's wife for himself. Not exactly the kind of connections we need."
"Hadrian, on the other hand," continued Emma with a sly smile. "is de-facto ruler of his own land in the form of the Falkland Islands. He's also CEO of the largest and most influential communications and biomedics corporation in the world. The latter position basically gives him enough influence to rule the Islands as he sees fit as long as the British laws are followed. This give him a lot of wiggle room because ever since he became the de-facto ruler, living conditions on those island have improved and he even managed to maneuver Argentina into giving up all claim on the oil around the islands. A feat that has gained him many allies in both British and American government. The latter especially are a heartbeat away from officially giving him diplomatic immunity status almost like he's a sovereign king."
Emma took a deep breath and continued in a slightly admiring tone. "We have even heard rumors that he has his own intelligence network that trumps even SHIELD's which is no small achievement. His influence is slowly reaching even the Oval Office. That, my dear Sebastian, is the kind of influence the Hellfire Club needs. With him on our side, we'd basically control what laws would be passed in the United States through influence alone as well as have our private country where we can work in peace without having to be overly discreet."
Sebastian huffed over the phone. "I don't trust him. He appeared almost from nowhere and took the business world by storm. No one has ever managed to discover how to work any of his companies little gadgets and I believe he might use his mutant powers, whatever they are, to build them. All of this points to the fact that he seems to have his own agenda."
Emma smiled wryly. "Don't we all? You just don't like the fact that ever since he's appeared, he's beaten you as the world's most eligible bachelor every time." Emma put the phone away from her when she heard Sebastian slam the phone down on his end. "Touchy, touchy." said Emma mockingly as she put away her phone.
Emma smiled to herself as she thought about Hadrian Peverell as the car approached the hotel where she was staying. "Hadrian Peverell... I look forward to getting to know you better."
