The Moon's Glow in the Hunter's Midst

by Titan Potter

Harry Potter is the product of an ancient ritual by the Potters summoning a goddess to assist them in their fertility woes. When Artemis responds, she blesses them with a child, her child. Years go by and with the passing of James and Lily, Harry is alone. But as he gets older he catches his mother's eye and as he moves forward with his life, he learns demigod life is never easy.

5. Chapter 5: The Pre-Hogwarts Program - 2

Chapter 5: The Pre-Hogwarts Program - Gringotts

13:00 - (Monday) - August 5th, 1991 - 27 Days Before

Charing Cross, London, England

Getting off the Number 14 bus headed towards Putney Heath, Daphnis, Daphnae and Harry got off the bus, they looked around the city which they were in. For Harry, it had been over four years since he had last been in England. Looking around the tall buildings that stood like concrete and metal trees, Harry closed his eyes trying to calm his senses from being overloaded by the sheer amount of noises and smells filling the world around him. Daphnae was no better if the sneer on her face was anything to go by and Daphnis outwardly seemed alright but inwardly was no better than the two aforementioned.

Looking down at the notes issued to him, he looked at 'The entrance to Diagon Alley is found via the Leaky Cauldron.' Looking for a sign which pointed them in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron, Harry saw a small building tucked in between two giant buildings.

But the state of the building disgusted Harry to a horrifically large degree.

Standing across the decrepit building that lay ahead of them, the old building polluted the beauty of the buildings surrounding them. A filthy sign hanging off the aged pug, it hadn't been clean in a while, centuries of the way it looked, the wood looking rotten. A sneer built on Harry's face as he looked at the facility contemptuously. Harry could feel his skin crawl at the horrific sight of a mess that could be on the inside. Letting out a puff of discontent he looked upwards in the direction of Daphnis who was blissfully unaware of the mess that was held right out in front of the two other members of his party who had sight. Daphnae's face held the same look Harry did, as the two straightened themselves out before making a move to enter.

Before they could cross the road to enter, Harry heard a conversation between two passersby regarding the building ahead of them.

"Ugh!" One groaned out in disgust, his voice just emanated the posh tones of someone born with a silver spoon lodged in their mouth, "When will they update that building, it doesn't suit the area it would be better off up north than here," his voice grew more and more disgusted with each word.

"I know right," his female complains speaking in a similar tone of voice, "Anyways I hear the owner of the establishment claims the land is owned by his family and he won't move it regardless of what they offer him." Her voice picked up in the level of disgust she spoke, reminding Harry powerfully of his Aunt Petunia, the rotten horsed-faced bitch. Harry rolled his eyes at their pretentiousness, reining in the desire to kick out their legs.

"And there it is, the entryway from the non-magical mortals to the magical ones, the Leaky Cauldron," Harry said dryly in Ancient Greek his voice showing the disinterest he had in visiting Magical Britain to pick up his supplies.

Walking in it was light someone had turned the sun off in favour of candlelight. Candles stood from different levels in the room, some rested on the tables and others in random places all over the room, on top of a coat rack, the stair railings, above a clearly unused dart board, by a picture of a group of people flying on a set of brooms and some floating in the air.

The room was dimly lit and heavily relied on the three fireplaces which gave fire from the consistent floo arrivals and departures with its green fires of notice, and the other larger fireplace roaring out a large orange flame covering the room in warmth. The tables and chairs were made of dark oak wood which like the sign outside didn't look clean or well-kept. It seemed that wizards relied too much on magic to keep things clean instead of doing it themselves. And if anything the physical state of these wizards didn't do much to help the trio's first impression of Wizarding Britain.

As the trio walked in further, Harry moved towards a clear spot, Harry rubbed his hand under the table before withdrawing it, looking at the dust that accumulated on his fingers he looked like he had heard a member of Camp Half-Blood insult his mother, the disgust painting his face causing those nearby to cringe, "For a place so busy, you'd expect them to value their hygiene but no. Already a point lost for Magical Britain," his cultured South British voice spoke but with strong hints of a Greek accent seeping through. Pulling out a tissue from his pocket Harry wiped his hand clean before turning to Daphnae and Daphnis who didn't know how to react, a part of them wanted to laugh - his mother would say the same thing and they had been victim to her rants about cleanliness or to be annoyed Harry had been far more insistent on high standards of hygiene and cleanliness that they doubt Artemis could deal with it, however, Hygieia would love the boy. Two people they knew must never meet, because Olympus couldn't survive it.

Walking off from some of the gawking guests, Harry ran a hand through his hair exposing a faint scar on his forehead. A scar that caught the attention of many of the onlookers of the stranger young boy in front of them. The legendary scar was only associated with one person, the young boy who saved them all and he was right in front of them. The lightning bolt scar was only borne by Harry Potter.

Gasps filled the room, as people started to whisper Daphnis and Daphnae immediately picked up on the situation and made their way to flank Harry. Lodged between them, they prepared to evacuate Harry out of the room into Diagon Alley to Gringotts.

"Bless my soul, it's Harry Potter," came from the man behind the bar who looked like an ageing balding walnut. He was dressed like a bartender from the early 20th century, with a shirt, black pinstripe slacks paired with a matching waistcoat, and arm garters.

Silence enveloped the pub as people gained excited expressions on their faces. Suddenly the room was filled with chairs screeching as people clamoured from all over the room trying to get a peak at him and to get close to him. Some tried to reach out a hand to him, trying to get a hold of him or shake his hand, but Daphnis and Daphnae blocked people from getting close to him. An old withered room got close enough to where Harry could hear her introduce herself as, "Doris Crockford, Mr Potter. I can't believe I'm meeting you at last."

Harry barely acknowledged her, as he heard multiple voices call out "Welcome back, Mr Potter. Welcome back." Harry continue to not pay them attention, as Daphnis was getting rocked about some people trying to use his blindness against him, but they were met by particularly hard hits to the shin courtesy of Daphnis and his silver walking stick. Harry also made a point of walking straight past a nervous well-dressed man with a purple turban on his head who looked like he was scared of his own shadow. Daphnae's eyes had hardened to an inexplicable degree as her demeanour kept the large majority of people away from the trio as they made their way towards a brick way, known to be a barrier between the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley.

As they walked towards the wall, the three were greeted by the presence of godly energy. But it was cold, magical, dark and carried the undertone of death. Looking towards the source of energy they were greeted with the sight of a beautiful regal woman, with the blackest hair, that of the darkest night, and bright green glowing eyes, which matched Hadrian's green eyes but outshone his own with godly energy billowing out of them. Her face looked to be cut by a diamond, with a sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and clean pale skin. She wore a dark wine-red dress which dived past her feet, with her manicured hand wrapped around a torch line staff.

Stood in front of them was Lady Hecate. The Goddess of Magic, the Mist, Crossroads, Necromancy, the Night and the Moon. Queen of Witches.. Or as Hadrian knew her, his great-grandmother, three generations back.

Hecate had like Artemis gifted the Potter family as a child through similar means of a ritual due to the family's historic loyalty to the old gods of magic, however, she did advise them to avoid straying too far from the magic gods considering the actions of other gods who could pose a threat to the family. It was during the meeting with Artemis, Daphnae, Daphnis, Phoebe and Harry, she entered the meeting to discuss her relationship with the boy when she could finally sense him.

-Line Break-

Standing within the shadows of the surrounding forest, Hecate looked at the Temple of Artemis Agrotera. Swiftly making her way past the statue on the outside, she followed the scent she could smell. It had been a long time since she could feel a pull on her magic by one of the citizens of Magical Britain. However, the power coming from Greece piqued the interest, and now the demigod was in Artemis' temple, but not only that Hecate could feel the presence of a titan Phoebe caused her interest to overflow.

Artemis and Hecate had a strong working relationship, especially since they shared the domain of the Moon. Since Artemis had a strong relationship with all gods and goddesses who shared her domains, Hecate was no different, if anything their relationship was the strongest. And beyond that, they were both the grandchildren of Phoebe, which had allowed for them to have somewhat of a familial relationship, however, neither broached the topic without having access to Phoebe herself they didn't find themselves discussing it much. Apart from the few times Artemis asked about her when she was a young godling.

Following her was an eagle, the eagle was named Icarus, after the old story - from what she knew of the Potters flight was something all male Potters were fascinated with so probably given her grandson an eagle would probably be a few brownie points in her favour. And since eagles were animals who hunted, Hecate knew Artemis herself would appreciate the gifted her son would receive.

Rolling her shoulder back, Hecate knew that this would be a difficult meeting ahead of her. She hadn't been involved with the Potters for a long time, since the death of her child, Charlus Potter, this child's great-grandfather.

Meeting the door, the only door that could change everything. And right now it was locked to her. If she was to walk through this door, she would have to confront feelings she had long since buried. Hecate hadn't allowed herself to think about Charlus let alone the Potter family since his passing to Dragon Pox. What had hurt her was the truth he was millimetres from curing it and she couldn't tell him how close he was due to the Ancient Laws she was bound by.

Her hand ran over the door, as pain overcame her body as she further mourned the loss of her son. Rubbing her hands over her face, she could feel the need and want to throw up, her nerves were starting to get over her, and she wanted to run. But she needed this. This was something that could help her. Deciding to push through the door, she did just that. Hecate pushes her way through the door but not in the conventional sense.

Hecate used her magic to make sure that she would appear in the room from the darkest corner of the room. Looking upon the scene, she could see an emotional mess play out as Daphnis and Daphnae watched/listened on, Phoebe watch with a small smile on her face, as Artemis held Harry in her arms, crouched in front of him as he listened to her heartbeat his small frail hands clutched onto the silver wax jacket she wore, seeking all sorts of comfort from his mother. Playing with the sleeves of her jacket, she walked out of the shadows gathering gasps from the room and seeing Harry, Artemis and Phoebe still.

Unsure of how to begin she looked towards her grandmother, bowing in her presence, "Grandmother, it's good to see you, it has truly been too long," she spoke acknowledging her walking around Artemis and Harry though her eyes never left Harry absorbing the details that lay ahead of her, he looked so much like Charlus when he was young. The messy hair, the wide eyes - although they were green instead of his brown, the face was built the same and the glasses, they screamed Charlus it seemed he was cursed with the same Potter eyesight curse.

Artemis though she still held Harry close, kept her eyes on Hecate, unsure as to why she was there but she seemed to chalk it up to Harry being a wizard, but an unannounced visit from Hecate to Artemis was extremely rare, let alone the two conversings alone away from other deities.

As she moved to stand beside her grandmother, she decided to speak further, "Artemis and this must be your son," both Harry and Artemis both tensed at her words. Both for different reasons, Artemis because now another immortal deity knew of her son and Harry because a stranger knew of him. "A Potter at that, it seems we're more linked than ever, niece." She spoke strangely getting Harry's attention more on her as he turned his head to face her.

"H-ho-how do you know my name," he stuttered out nervous at who this powerful person was.

Artemis eyed her carefully, "Yes, I'd also like to know how she knows who you are."

Holding her hands up in a bid to show she was not here to cause problems, "Peace Artemis, I'm far more connected to this family than anyone here could know," she spoke speaking slowly. "Please allow me to explain myself, but first if I may what is the boy's name," Harry stilled at hearing himself being called boy, panic did begin to set in him feeling the memory of Uncle Vernon fill him. Noticing him still Artemis turned Harry's head towards him, her hands cupping his face to let him know that he was safe. That no one would hurt him anymore and that she was there to protect him.

Mumbling to Artemis he asked her to tell Hecate his name, he didn't want to speak. "Hadrian James Artemis Potter, that's his name." Artemis spoke looking at Hecate sharply as if telling her not to use the word 'boy' around Harry.

"Well Hadrian, there is no easy way for me to say this but I am your grandmother, three times over yours." She got the attention of everyone in the room, "Your great-grandfather, Charlus Ralston Potter was my son." She spoke painfully, her voice strained by emotion, "Tha-that m-makes you," giving herself a quick pause to think, "That makes you my legacy Harry. You're not only a son of Artemis, Hadrian. You are Hadrian James Artemis Potter, son of Artemis, a legacy of Hecate. My legacy."

-Line Break-

Leaky Cauldron Entrance to Diagon Alley, London, England

"Hello, Hadrian," Hecate spoke smiling down at Harry, he had changed since she had last seen him, he had grown taller, filled out a bit more and his face had taken a bit more after Artemis.

"Grandmother," he nodded stiffly, the tone of voice he often used had warmed not enough for the regular person to notice but enough for those close to him to notice. She put her right hand onto his shoulder slightly shaking it, getting a stiff smile from him, as everyone turned towards the brick wall that lay ahead of them ignoring the eyes watching them from the pub. And the forming crowd that came from the floo network word got out.

Tapping the head of the torch staff against a brick on the wall, three up from the rubbish bin and two across the wall began to slowly disappear as the whole started from the contacted brick into a large opening, showing Diagon Alley. A large cobbled alleyway, a bustling place with large groups of people traversing up and down the alleyway going into the large differently shaped and oddly positioned stores. Bright gaudy colours filled the site of the visually-abled members of the godly school shopping group. An assortment of restaurants, stores, and multiple other sites filled the alleyway.

Amanuensis Quills, the Apothecary, Broomstix, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Flourish and Blotts, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and Ollivanders to name a few.

"For now, we'll head towards Gringotts to get money to pay for this from Hadrian's trust fund," Hecate spoke up, procuring a key from her hand, and passing it over to Harry, who stuffed it into his pocket on his pant leg, buttoning up the pocket.

Following his grandmother she led them to a tall white marble building with large white marble columns, with large grand-oak doors. Stood outside, dressed incredibly well, like the magical equivalent of Queen's Guard, were a pair of goblins armed with large four-foot-tall bronze spears. A white marbled plaque with golden cursive writing carried a poetic warning;

Enter, stranger, take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn,

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure here

Reading it, Harry huffed at it unamused at the thinly veiled threat. Daphnae had an amused smirk on her face, as she followed Hecate through the door. As they entered they were welcomed to another sign;

Gringotts Bank

The Safest Place for You;

Gold, Jewels and Magical Artefacts

-Since 1474-

Secure a vault today

Harry and Daphnae both didn't voice their doubts that Gringotts was the safest place possible. As they walked into the hall, which was full of goblins and mortals alike. The goblins were dressed in suits and sat behind bank teller stands. Each bank teller stand had a scale made out of blindingly shiny gold, they were made of a deep oak standing at 2 feet tall. A giant chandelier made of shining silvery glass hung from the ceiling, as it slowly swayed lightly, its light moving freely all over the room. Each stand had a light behind it which turned off when a teller was engaged with a customer or work. The floor reflected the light from various light sources back up at the people in the room.

"Goblins," Daphnis spoke distastefully, "They're as smart as they come but as manipulative as can be." As he turned his head around the room, marking the location of each goblin in the room.

"Good warriors, though," Daphnae said to Daphnis thoughtfully. Daphnis begrudgingly nodded at her words but clearly, the acceptance of that left a sour taste in his mouth if that was anything to go by. Harry's eyes travelled over the goblins of the room, as his fingers twirled into fists before re-opening them, Harry didn't trust the goblins and he was prepared for today to head towards a shit-storm should the goblins try to deny him his birthright. Stood in between Daphnis and Daphnae the two stood slightly behind at the 45࿀ angles, all three subconsciously had their hands fingering their knives.

Waiting for the guest in front of them to be done. The three had their right hands in closed behind them, hidden underneath the jackets they had on, their hands holding onto the hilt of the knife, their bodies positioned so if they needed to get into a fighting position they could. Hecate stood behind the three, her hand roughly gripping the torch staff she always carried with her. The sight did get the attention of some of the other guests as they looked at the strange group of people waiting in the bank.

Walking up to the teller, Harry noticed the goblins eye watching him greedily, assuming he was a muggleborn that he could take advantage of, "Hadrian Potter, I'm here for my vaults," he spoke looking at the goblin with cold eyes, watching his face as it turned into a hideous sneer, it's filthy yellow fanged teeth make an appearance, his hooked crooked noise creased with its hideous face. Needless to say, it was a horrific site to see.

Furthermore, its eyes flashed with more greed, as he leaned over the desk on the stand to speak in its disgusting voice scoffing, "Please, do you know how many people have come here claiming to be Harry Potter?" Not giving Harry a chance to speak, "Please everyone knows Harry Potter has a lightning bolt scar on his forehead, you don't have that. So don't waste my time and get-"

Before the goblin could speak Daphnae cut in "You will hold your tongue goblin before I remove it for you." Her hand gripped Hadrian's shoulder, preparing to fight their way out. Daphnis prepared to get into a fight. The goblin looked indignant, at her words, as some of the armed guards stood to attention preparing to attack.

"I am Hadrian James Artemis Potter. You goblin know nothing about me, do not presume you know who I am. Unless you wish for me to move my vaults to the dwarfs in Switzerland, I hear that they have the safest vaults in the world," Hadrian spoke, his voice becoming unnaturally cold as his eyes hardened to an unbelievable degree, the atmosphere around him became as cold as a winter's night, his eyes flashing between silver and green.

Hecate immediately picked up where Hadrian finished, "Or we could move them to the Centaur Banking Society in Athens, I hear they have an uncanny ability to make sure their clients are well taken care of and have financial advisors on deck to assist in helping their clients make more money. I mean Hadrian it would be a smart decision for you to make the change."

Immediately the goblin and his nearby co-workers paled immediately the idea of losing the Potter vaults, would short them of the richest families in Magical Britain and it alone could cause their bank to collapse to a horrific degree and when word got out other houses would follow. The goblin floundered for words as he stuttered all over the place trying to regain control of the conversation before he could speak, Daphnis joined in on the verbal beatdown, "I'm sure we could move forward with a blood inheritance test to make sure Hadrian is Hadrian, to you. And I assume Gringotts will be waiving the fee to make up for the disrespect they showed my s- charge." Stuttering at the word, gaining a raised eyebrow from Hecate and a slightly amused look from Daphnae, Hadrian showed emotion on his face but internally he was smiling at the slip-up.

"Of-of c-course," the goblin said meekly, "Just run the blade over your hand and let the blood drip into the basin below."

Cutting the knife over his palm, Harry let the blood drip into the silver basin with the glowing blue liquid swirling in the basin. Immediately a folded-over piece bubbled up as the goblin greedily snatched it his clawed hands grasping the parchment as it scrambled to open it up;

Blood Inheritance Test: Person Identification

Name: Hadrian James Artemis Potter

Date of Birth: 31st July 1980 (31.07.80)

Parentage:

Father: James Fleamont Potter (Deceased: 27th March 1960 - 31st October 1980)

Mother: Lily Juliet Potter (Deceased: 30th January 1960 - 31st October 1980)

Mother: Lady Artemis - Goddess of the Hunt, Archery, Wilderness, Animals, Forests, the Moon, Radiance, Maidenhood and Childbirth (Immortal)

Legacy Heritage: Lady Hecate - Goddess of Magic, the Mist, Crossroads, Necromancy, the Night and the Moon. Queen of Witches

The goblin looked up at them jaw dropped at what appeared on the parchment. Looking at him, the four looked unamused at him, waiting for him to move forward. "I assume you can no longer deny who Hadrian is," Daphnis spoke a smirk on his face.

"Of course." He spoke nervously his eyes watching the group carefully. "If you'll follow Griphook over there, he'll take you down to your trust vault." He spoke his tone of voice matching the way his eyes watched over them."

"And his vault key?"

"Ah yes. One will be procured for you by the time you return from the vault. Griphook will be made aware." As he finished he yelled over to Griphook speaking in a foreign language to the younger goblin barking out instructions Griphook's eyes watched over the group as they made their way over to where people left to travel down towards the vaults.

Immediately a ricketty old cart made its way toward them, it was certainly contradictory to the grandiose decor of the bank, and it led down into a dark tunnel which was barely lit by candles that were fixed onto the walls of the carved-out hole. Settled into the back of the cart, Griphook told them to hold on tight but he seemed amused while saying it. Once he settled, the cart set off at speeds unknown. The cart followed an impossible track as it went left, right, up, down, and in every direction that one could think possible. As Hadrian travelled at such a fast velocity which would only go faster and faster Hadrian could see a variety of different goblins standing around different vaults standing guard, large waterfalls were pouring silvery water over nothingness, Hecate seemed interested as she muttered in Ancient Greek a spell that would protect them from whatever charm that the group would encounter.

The cart slowed down as it made its way to a vault labelled, 'Potter Family Trust Vault'. "Vault 697 - Potter Family Trust Vault," Griphook called out, looking towards the goblin standing guard. "Lamp please!" Following Griphook as he ran his shrivelled goblin hand over it as the door melted away to large stacks of silver, bronze and gold coins.