Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the authors. The authors are in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Gali_Girl's Words of Advice: It has been suggested that the first sign of madness is talking to your head. That is in-fact false; the first sign of madness is when your head starts talking back in a voice which is clearly not your own… then again, I'm a cosmically aware super-being from beyond the stars, I hear everyone's voices in my head, so who am I to dictate what is normal among lesser beings? Perhaps the real sign of madness is when you start following the advice of those other voices, it certainly hasn't done Deadpool-kun any favors, as it keeps resulting in him earning new bullet holes among numerous other injuries that would be fatal to nearly anyone else… Do please remember to keep an eye out for your friendly neighborhood Microfauna and provide them all the courtesy that such wondrous beings deserve. TTFN.
xXx Harry Potter and his Collective xXx
xXx Arc 00: Prologue / Ch. 01: Signs of Madness xXx
xXx Hogwarts Express; in-transit xXx
xXx Sunday, June 12th, 1994 xXx
xXx Early Afternoon xXx
Harry James Potter was currently utterly and completely bored out of his mind. Here he was, stuck on a train for at least another three to four hours, and his best friend in the entire world had just abandoned him to spend the remainder of the train ride with only his 'best mate' as company. She didn't even tell him what she was running off to do, only that it was important, and that she would be back before the train arrived at King's Cross Station.
The real reason that Harry was bored out of his mind, however, was because Ronald 'the Mouth' Weasley, had fallen asleep almost as soon as the train had started moving. Which was understandable, given that he was heavily sedated due to the fact that his parents couldn't afford the School's medical coverage to get him treated for a broken leg. Sometimes Harry wondered just how expensive the School actually was, and just how it was that the Weasley's could afford to send all their children to the School, but not to get them proper medical care.
Suddenly Harry felt a shiver go up his spine as a soft whisper entered his ear, "They are all probably on a scholarship for the family of victims in the last war or something…"
Harry looked around to try and locate who had just spoken, it had sounded like a woman, but there was no one else in the compartment. He waved his arms around the compartment a little bit only to hear the whispering voice issue out a delighted giggle, and respond, "You won't find me like that, Sweetheart."
Harry scowled and hesitantly asked in an equal whisper, "Where are you? Who are you?"
The voice issued a sigh before saying, "I really wish I had been there with you while you were growing up, but this is the best I can do… I only just figured out the trick to talking to you. Harry, this is your Mum."
Harry blinked as he processed that statement, "Okay, I'm going insane…"
The voice giggled again, "Well yes, there is always that possibility. But before you rationalize it in that manner. I am going to have to explain just what happened on the night that I apparently died…"
Harry hesitantly nodded his acceptance of that statement. So the voice, apparently Lily Potter, continued, "Now, first thing you are going to need to understand, is that I never approved your father performing that switch that resulted in our location being delivered into the hands of Tom Riddle. I knew he was going to do it, but I told him flat out that we'd likely die if he did . I was flatly ignored, as I usually would be in anything involving that damn school yard gang of his; as such I went about taking matters into my own hands."
"Okay, I follow that, I kind of understand most of what you just said, though I don't particularly like the picture that paints of dad…" Harry stated.
Harry heard a soft chuckle, "I fell in love with your father pretty much the day I first saw him. However I was appalled at the behavior he and Sirius displayed towards my childhood friend, simply because he was sorted into Slytherin. And before you ask, no, being sorted into Slytherin does not make that friend evil; at least not on its own."
Harry scowled, according to Hagrid there hasn't been a Wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin. Then according to Ron, and various other people in Gryffindor, all Slytherins are slimy disgusting snakes. Then there was of course the School's Potions Master who was in Harry's mind, the embodiment of evil.
Harry heard another sigh as his train of thought was broken, "You do realize why the Sorting Hat wanted you in Slytherin, don't you?"
Harry frowned, "The Hat told me it was because I would do well there…"
"Naturally, because you would be reunited with the one other member of your immediate family who is still alive," Lily stated.
Harry nearly shouted out the exclamation of "I HAVE A FAMILY?" which would have unfortunately ended the conversation due to awakening Ron. Fortunately he managed to bite his tongue.
It also appeared that he didn't actually need to vocalize his responses, because Lily let out an amused snort and responded, "Your twin sister was sorted into Slytherin a few minutes before you were. You wouldn't have recognized her as your sister due to the fact that she has officially been adopted into another family. I don't know if she even realizes she is your sister."
"Who?" Harry questioned.
"Relax Harry, we will get to all of that in time. First however, we have some important business to deal with. I really wish I could have managed to get this line of communication operating at the start of the year while you were in Diagon Alley so we could have taken care of all of this then. However we can still manage it now due to the Floo access found on Platform Nine and Three Quarters. You will never have to go back to my horrid sister's home ever again if I have my say about things," Lily explained.
"Sign me up!" Harry exclaimed in anticipation.
xXx Gringotts Wizarding Bank xXx
xXx Several Hours Later xXx
Harry approached the nearest available teller, and hesitantly asked, "Excuse me, sir, but is there anyone whom I could speak to regarding inheritances in my name?"
The Goblin sighed and put down his ledger before looking down at the young man. He then blinked as what he processed what he was seeing. He then grinned a very toothy grin, "Please follow me."
With that, the Goblin got down from where he was seated, and walked off. Harry swiftly followed the Goblin, who walked through a set of double doors. When Harry passed through the door, he felt as though some sort of liquid had passed over him, he then heard Lily explain, "Thief's Downfall, that does not bode well. If they had to use that, it means that others have tried to claim your inheritances for themselves. That potion will negate any form of magical disguise, and may even be capable of temporarily negating Ignotus' cloak, your father was never fool enough to test the cloak against the potion, and there are no records of such an attempt in the family grimoire."
The Goblin turned to gaze at Harry, and frowned, "Well, this is a first. Very well, Mister Potter, please follow me this way," and with that the Goblin marched off in another direction.
A few minutes later, they stood in front of an oaken door, with a plate emblazoned upon it that read 'House Malfoy.'
Harry paused, "Excuse me, sir, but why are we at the Malfoy Vault Keeper's Office?"
"You asked for your inheritances, did you not? Please enter, you will be briefed on the situation once inside," the Goblin then turned and walked off in the opposite direction to the one from which they had originated.
Harry opened the door, expecting to find Lucius Malfoy inside, except instead, he found one of the most breathtakingly beautiful women he had ever seen sitting in front of the residing Vault Keeper's desk. He hesitated when he heard Lily utter out "Oh crap!"
Blinking he mentally asked why she was worried, "That is Narcissa, the mother of your arch nemesis at the School, Draco. She is also one of my best friends… or rather was. She didn't particularly take my kicking of the aforementioned childhood friend to the curb well."
Groaning, Harry entered the room, and sat down in the chair that was apparently left vacant for him. The Goblin issued the trademark grin of Goblins everywhere as he asked, "Are introductions necessary?"
The woman, Narcissa, tilted her head to look at Harry through the corner of her eye.
Harry grinned slightly, "I have been informed as to Mrs. Malfoy's identity, and I doubt anyone in the Wizarding World actually needs me to introduce myself to them?"
Harry was surprised when he heard Narcissa cough in order to stifle what he assumed was an amused snort. The Goblin however nodded his ascent. He then continued, "Mister Potter, do you at this time wish to claim all of your inheritances? Are you prepared to fulfill all obligations that will be required of you upon doing so?"
Harry frowned, "Er… yes?"
"Is that a question or an answer?" The Goblin responded.
Harry nodded swiftly and affirmatively. The Goblin grinned, "Then congratulations on your new marriage."
Harry's jaw went slack, while heard Lily's mental shriek of "WHAT!?"
Narcissa relaxed in her seat slightly and said, "To think, I would end up the wife of one of the son of one of my friends from school?"
"HARRY! HARRY! Ask what the hell is going on?" Lily demanded.
Harry let out an amused snort at Lily frantic sounding mental voice, and asked, "How did this happen?"
"It is common knowledge among the women of the older families in the Wizarding World… Pure-Blood men are idiots," Narcissa stated in amusement.
Harry could visualize the blinking occurring as Lily processed this statement. "Oh… so that is what happened…"
"Could someone explain that a little more thoroughly?" Harry questioned.
"My mother and Lucius' mother drafted a betrothal contract between the House of Black and the House of Malfoy. Naturally, they had to get the approval of the presiding heads of both houses, as well as the approval of the prospective groom…" Narcissa stated.
Lily snorted in amusement, "What she means is that they created a contract that was so long and needlessly complicated that no one in their right minds could figure out exactly what was supposed to happen. Fortunately Gringotts has specialists for that sort of thing."
"So… that means what exactly?" Harry questioned.
"In effect, Lady Malfoy is married to the House of Malfoy, not to a specific individual. Due to events that transpired over the course of the past couple of years, you are the new Lord Malfoy. Therefore, she is now your wife," The Goblin explained.
"So… what does this mean for Draco and Lucius…"
"And Alya?" Narcissa questioned.
"Who?" Harry asked.
Narcissa shot Harry a confused look, "You mean to tell me you have never met my daughter?"
"I didn't know Draco had a sister," Harry answered.
"Interesting. I wonder what that girl was thinking. Then again, she does tend to be easy to miss…" Narcissa stated.
Lily seemed to figure it out, "Pink haired girl in your year, sorted into Slytherin, if I remember your first evening at Hogwarts correctly. I have almost never seen her anywhere in the castle except for classes, and she is very quiet, easily forgettable… but the Weasley Twins seem to avoid her for some reason, no clue why… oh I also have a rather good memory."
"Pink hair? Slytherin? And the Weasley Twins seem to be allergic to her?" Harry questioned.
Narcissa blinked, "Yes… that sums her up. And the Weasley Twins aren't allergic, they just know that pranking someone who is their equal is a generally bad idea. Doesn't stop them from including her in group pranks. She is also the prime planner for the various pranks played against Gryffindor, or so I have been told."
"Oh dear lord… a Slytherin Marauder…" Lily complained.
"Mister Potter, these are your new Lordship Rings. You would normally be expected to attend Wizengamot sessions, but you can appoint a Regent for your houses since you are below the age of Wizarding Majority. Now is there anything else that I can help either of the two of you with?" The Goblin asked as he handed Harry three rings, that when Harry donned them, all flashed bright, and melded into a single ring.
Narcissa shook her head in the negative, "No, I believe that is all we need. Now as to your question earlier, Harry. Alya will be living with us, as she tends to do… she will have quite the shock when you show up tonight, especially when she finds out her crush is now her stepfather… as for Draco… well he tends to live with his father, and I am inclined to let him stay there. Lucius has never been welcome in my home, and never will be. Draco is allowed to visit, but that is all he is allowed. He is not allowed into the private quarters, where you may remain during his visits should you not wish to deal with him. He need not ever know about your presence."
"Harry, ask her about her sister's… specifically, Bellatrix," Lily questioned.
"Uh… what about your sister's?" Harry asked.
Narcissa frowned, "That is a more touchy subject that may prove troublesome. The way my wards are set up is to allow members of the House of Black unrestricted access to the home, unless they attack a resident of the home with intent to kill. You are automatically granted access due to having been blood adopted by Sirius, as well as because your grandmother was a Black. Andromeda and Nymphadora are regular visitors, and both sided with Dumbledore against the Dark Lord. My other sister, sided with the Dark Lord."
"So… she might attack to kill?" Harry questioned.
Narcissa grinned sheepishly, "Not if she knows what is good for her."
"Huh?" Lily questioned.
"I am afraid I don't understand," Harry asked.
"You remember when I said that Alya is hard to miss?" Narcissa questioned.
Harry nodded his head.
"Well, I had to take her into the Muggle World and have her clocked by one of their speed traps for automobiles. Turns out she is capable of running at around 178 meters per second, and that is a casual pace for her," Narcissa explained.
Both Harry and Lily simultaneously exclaimed, "Holy Hell!"
As they were discussing this, Narcissa had been leading Harry back to the lobby, a path that she knew from long tried experience. "Now, I have ask, will your relatives be okay with you moving in with me?"
Harry's face pinched up, "Honestly, I don't know."
Narcissa sighed, stopped walking and grabbed Harry's shoulder, noticing his flinch at the contact, and turned him to look at her, "How bad was it?"
"I… I don't even really know how to explain," Harry responded.
Narcissa nodded, and said, "Since it looks like I will be your new guardian, I am going to take a liberty, that is technically illegal for anyone except for the guardian of the minor in question, do you understand?"
Harry frowned, Lily however sighed saying, "She is going to perform Legilimency, I will have to allow her in… this will be weird…"
With that, Harry felt a mild pricking in his scar, as he felt another presence in his mind aside from Lily. And just as swiftly as it came, the presence was gone. Narcissa was now looking at him with a frown, "Okay, that probably explains why you showed up today. It has been a while, Lily. I can't say I have gotten over our disagreement, but I am willing to look past it for Harry's sake… I am however mildly disgusted by the other…"
"What other?" Harry questioned.
"We will cover that later, Harry. For now, just focus on getting accustomed to your new living situation, this was not what I had in mind when I suggested this idea, but it will do," Lily stated amusedly.
"Now, let us be off, we have a lot to do, and very little time to do it in," Narcissa stated as she started to gently guide Harry out from the bank, and lead him off to what men around the world have come to dub, 'Shopping Hell!'
xXx Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts Castle xXx
xXx Earlier That Day xXx
The Headmaster's fire flared green, warning the man in question that he was about to receive an incoming Floo call. Walking over to the fire, the Headmaster frowned as he discovered the face of one, Molly Weasley in the fire. "Yes, Molly, how may I help you?"
"Oh, Albus… it is terrible. When my children got off the train this afternoon, they weren't accompanied by young Harry. We spent at least twenty minutes waiting for him, but eventually were forced to leave without the young man, as we had a prior engagement to get to. I don't know where he is, but Hermione informed me just as our family was about to leave, that he was no longer on the train. What do you suppose has happened to the young man?" the concerned woman ranted to the old Headmaster.
"I am not sure, Molly. I will have to look into this independently. I will be sure to inform you and your kin if I discover our wayward charge. Alas, I do not have any answers at the current time…" Albus said in a resigned tone of voice. This was not at all according to his plans for the Greater Good. What had gotten into the head of young Harry that he felt the need to disappear like that?
"Oh, okay… then I will leave it to you, Albus. I really do hope that we find him soon. I would hate for the worst to happen to him. What would dear Lily and James think if we let anything happen to him?" Molly said as she departed from the Floo call.
Once he was again alone with his thoughts, Albus couldn't help but chuckle, "Yes, what would Lily and James think of our actions, I wonder?"
Walking over to a shelf that housed several diodes and doodads, Albus frowned as he noticed that several of them were no longer performing the functions that he had set for them to perform. Most notably, the monitor for the Bloodline Wards on #4 Privet Drive had gone silent, as had the monitor on the locator charm located on Harry's personage. Several of the monitors for the other locator charms that were located on various odds and ends that were in Harry's custody had also seemingly gone silent.
What is more, the beacon that he had placed on the front steps of Gringotts Wizarding Bank to inform him of when Harry or his sister entered the bank was blinking. Now he knew that Harry's sister rarely ever escorted her adoptive family to the bank except for at the start of the School Year, so that meant that it was likely that Harry himself had gone to the bank. The question now was, 'what had he discovered whilst he was there?'
xXx Chapter Concluded xXx
Author's Notes: There will be character profiles on my blog, starting within the next few chapters. I will notify you all when they start showing up.
Some of you may be curious who "Gali_Girl" happens to be, assuming you aren't already familiar with her… well as it happens, she is the daughter of the Cosmic Entity from within Marvel Comics that is known as Galactus. She will occasionally be popping in to provide comments at the beginnings of my chapters for this and occasionally other stories when it takes her fancy… don't expect her appearance with every chapter. There is a Twitter account in her name, which hasn't been updated in awhile, but it does give insight into her personality in case you are interested.
This story is a crossover with the Marvel universe, but the characters in that universe may, or may not, play a role in the actual narrative of the story itself, they are mostly there to provide background support to the story.
I have 8 girls pre-selected for the harem, one of which will not be making an appearance in person until towards the very end of the story. I am however, taking suggestions for the other 5 girls in the harem. I would list the girls that I already selected for the Harem, but that would very likely spoil the surprise, so instead, just suggest your top two or three in your first review of this story, and I will consider it. I may eventually put up a poll, when I have a pool of girls… oh and marvel comics girls are also viable candidates for the harem, don't just stick to Potterverse girls if you don't want to.