This story came about because I wanted to do one that focused on a Harry/Medusa ship from the Nasuverse. I did, admittedly, do a harem with Medusa in it for Perils of Magical Investigative Journalism, but I wanted to do something different. While this seems a little like Ex Umbra in Solem, this story doesn't have a Master of Death Harry, though he does have an interesting link to Death. This story will, if it does become a full story, have Harry as a big brother figure to Illya, and inject some much-needed critical thinking into the von Einzbern household.

Incidentally, this story would never have come about without a challenge by Gabriel Herrol, probably the only one I have decided to take inspiration from (incidentally, that is NOT an invitation to send me challenges: do so at your peril). Although this story would bear little resemblance to the challenge, titled Everything For My Family, it was inspired by it. It also inspired another story which I am posting with this Christmas Update. It basically answers the challenge, but instead of Harry Potter, it is Kuja from Final Fantasy IX. The story is Kuja von Einzbern, and the first two chapters should be up by the time you read this.

For anyone who wants to take up Gabriel Herrol's challenge, well, here's the link:

s/12185872/1/Everything-for-my-family-challenge

EDIT: (31/12/2016) Gorgon and Thanatos will be posted later today, but in a radically different form, though some parts will be taken from this story. However, it begins with Harry already in Fuyuki, will have him adopt Sakura before she is sent to the Matous, and was considerably more enjoyable to write. Hopefully, it will be as enjoyable for you to read.

GORGON AND THANATOS (ORIGINAL)

CHAPTER 1:

AVALON

"What a desolate place this is," he murmured, as he walked around the Shapeless Isle, his purple-haired lover by his side.

His lover scoffed quietly. "You can thank Athena for that." Her voice was a musical hiss, even when they weren't using the serpent's tongue.

"I know. But there is little I can do. As it is, she's complaining to her father about my being here for one last time. But after that whole business with Sisyphus, Zeus gave me what he called compassionate leave. I hope Hades makes that smartarse suffer. Sisyphus used his own shackles on me, and they hurt." He closed his eyes. "This will be the last time we can see each other, until you die. And when you do, the part of me that loves you will die with you. I am sick of the gods and their games with the mortals. First the Primordials to which I belong, then the Titans, and now the Olympians. Of them all, the only one I respect is Hades, and not just because I work with him. He at least can keep his cock in his pants, unless his wife is involved. And Artemis. She's got a temper, but at least her attacks on others are mostly justified. And you three, of course. I used to respect Athena until she did those things to you and Arachne, and out of petty jealousy. She's spreading word that you and Poseidon had it off in her temple."

His lover scowled. But then, something changed in her eyes, which began to glimmer with tears. Those beautiful eyes, now turned into something deadly. If it weren't for his divine nature, not to mention his position, he would have been petrified on meeting her gaze. "I…don't know for how much longer I can protect my sisters. Humans come here to slay us, their love for us turned to hatred. I feel like you are the only one who still loves us. My sisters…and you. Three people who love me in all the world. And my sisters love to tease me for my growth."

"They shouldn't. Stheno may be the most mature in mind, but her body is that of a child still. It's rather disturbing. Whereas you, you are truly beautiful and desirable, inside and out. Athena has made you a monster out of jealousy. One day, she will send someone to slay you. When she does…the part of me that dies with you will take you to Elysium."

His lover smiled, wiping away the tears. "You know how to say things to comfort me, but Hades' domain is not what awaits me, and you know it. Still, if you wish to take me to Elysium…" Her smile became a little lascivious. "Why not do it today? You've done it before."

He laughed at her little euphemism. "As you wish. We have a day. I think I can certainly try taking you to Elysium as many times as I can today…"

Emerald eyes flickered open. For an instant, the pupils seemed darker than the blackest void, the colour of oblivion. And then, the moment passed, so quickly that it would have been dismissed as illusion or delusion to any onlookers, had there been any. The young man with the messy mop of black hair framing handsome, if weary features yawned.

A year had passed since that fateful battle. Ever since he had held the three Hallows, Harry Potter had been getting dreams like that, apparently of Ancient Greece. Of arrogant gods, and a purple-haired beauty who deserved the title of goddess more than any of those on Mount Olympus. But the dreams were only half-remembered when he woke, her name never recalled.

The covered sleigh was slowing, and he was glad he had woken up. It wouldn't look good to be napping while he was escorting something very valuable for some very important clients. This was to be his last job for the Goblins as restitution for that fiasco involving the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff. They had him as their little errand boy. At least the jobs were high profile. Even the Goblins baulked at making the Boy Who Lived do menial work. And they at least acknowledged he was trying to destroy a Horcrux. Which was why he got off lightly.

It was just as well. It was only a year since Voldemort had been vanquished, and things were still pretty chaotic. Harry had knocked back Ginny, and that had caused some friction between him and the Weasleys, a friction that had Hermione going to some place called Clock Tower to further her studies. She still kept in contact with Harry, and it was through her that he first learned of the Magi, the 'cousins' of wizards and witches. Perhaps more progressive than wizards and witches in some regards, Magi were more prone to cruel experimentation with magic, and certainly with a different type of magic. And still conservative and obsessed with blood lineage, even if the latter was for a surprisingly good reason. Even if it still wasn't good enough. Hermione was no Magus, but apparently Luna had a contact in Clock Tower, an honorary uncle called Zelretch, who could find her a position. The last Harry heard, she was dating some guy called Waver Velvet.

The sleigh came to a halt. Harry got out, taking the box with him, an elongated thing with a number of security charms placed on it. He was glad he was wearing a thick coat, as he stepped out into a winter wonderland like something out of a fairytale. So too was the magnificent castle in front of him, whose courtyard he was currently in. It was almost worth travelling to the arse-end of a remote corner of Germany for.

He walked up to the doors, to find a pair of pale woman with red eyes looking at him, standing guard. "You are expected. Enter," one of them said.

He nodded, and opened the doors, to find himself in an entrance hall, opulently decorated with statues and paintings of all kinds. Standing at the head of a staircase was an ancient-looking bearded man in robes. Not like Dumbledore: no, this man was a chilling, paternal presence that reminded Harry more of Lucius Malfoy or Snape. Of the horrible scrutiny that found you wanting on some level. He had seen a photo of the man before he came here, so that he could identify the client, but they gave little of the presence of the man. It was like meeting Old Man Winter in the flesh, with the snow white hair and cold, dark eyes.

"Are you Jubstacheit von Einzbern, Elder of the von Einzbern family?" Harry asked.

"I am," the man said with a deep voice. He descended the stairs with a calm grace. "You are Harry Potter. The Goblins informed me that you were the one to deliver the item we requested. You are not what I expected, but fame does tend to distort expectations."

Harry relaxed slightly. The man was not in awe of his reputation, so that was something, he guessed. He put the package down gently, and said, "I need to check for things first. Your magical signature, whether you're a Metamorphagus or using any kind of polymorphic potion. That sort of thing. The Goblins insisted, as what I've brought here is apparently very valuable."

"Very well," Jubstacheit said resignedly, and Harry cast the appropriate charms with his wand. He nodded, satisfied, picked up the parcel, and handed it to Jubstacheit. "Do you even know what it is you were delivering?" the old man asked.

"All I knew was that it was valuable, had been found in Cornwall, and has some link to King Arthur," Harry said. "I have to open it myself, by the way. Security." He waved his wand, and the box sprang open.

He whistled when he saw what lay within, a wedge of metal, made of gold with blue patterns. He realised it was a massive scabbard or sheath of some kind. He had to wonder what sort of sword was sheathed in that, though given the link to King Arthur that it was supposed to have, he had a rough guess.

After a moment, Jubstacheit said, "My contact with Gringotts said that this was your last contract with them in restitution for the mess you caused last year. They also said that you are somewhat eager to get away from Britain for a while, given that your fame has soared since Voldemort's demise."

"Yes. Why do you ask? Do you have a job offer for me?" Harry asked, a bit worried about where this was going.

"Not I. However, as you have delivered something very valuable to us, I would ask that you stay here as our guest. Indeed, I am sure you would like to witness some true magic, not the petty parlour tricks of wizards and witches. It is why we wanted this. This is Avalon, the scabbard of Excalibur."

Harry's eyes widened. "Really? So…why do you need it?"

"You shall see. Are you aware at all of the Holy Grail Wars, Harry Potter?" Jubstacheit said, handing the box back to Harry.

"…No. I only recently learned of Magi. A good friend of mine got recruited by a guy called Zelretch to work under him at Clock Tower. Why?"

"I would pity your friend. Zelretch is a fiend without mercy, and it is not because he is a Dead Apostle Ancestor, what you would call a vampire. He is harmless as far as vampires go, but he is an unrepentant gadfly and prankster who drives associates and apprentices to insanity."

"Hermione's dealt with the Weasley Twins for years, never mind the adventures I dragged her into. She's ready for anything Zelretch could put her through."

Hermione stared at the Kaleidostick sitting on the desk in front of her, and said, firmly, "No."

"Don't be like that, Miss Granger," Zelretch said in his deep voice. "It's not actually dangerous."

"I'm a witch already, I don't need to be a magical girl like out of that Cardcaptors show," Hermione said with a scowl. "And if you try to sneak one onto my person, I will use a Translocation charm to relocate it somewhere very painful, embarrassing, and inconvenient on your person, and it will take a skilled colorectal surgeon to remove it. Am I understood?"

Zelretch merely smirked. "Is that the best threat the 'brightest witch of your age' can come up with?"

"Well, how about a carrot? I knew two of the biggest pranksters from our time at Hogwarts. I think George Weasley would be elated to meet someone who is as big a prankster as you are."

"Ah, incentives. They do work so much better than threats. Very well. Incidentally, you had better stay close to me while that whole business with your boyfriend blows over."

"I don't know what Waver was thinking, if he was thinking at all! Stealing something from Lord El-Melloi? Given what El-Melloi is like though, I don't know whether to strangle Waver or kiss him when he comes back. It's like the sort of thing Harry would have done…"

Harry sighed. "So, where are we going?" he asked as they went down the corridors of the castle.

"To the von Einzbern family chapel. We are expected."

"By whom?"

"By those who need Avalon," Jubstacheit said.

He would say no more, until they opened the doors to a surprisingly large chapel, like a church back home, where two people awaited, a man and a woman. The woman was an albino, with pale skin, snow-white hair, and crimson eyes. She seemed eerily and even inhumanly beautiful. The man appeared to be Japanese, dressed in a dark suit and long coat, with a messy mop of black hair and handsome features marred by stubble and a strange weariness. He had a strange, red tattoo on the back of his right hand.

"Harry Potter, this is Irisviel von Einzbern, and her husband, Kiritsugu Emiya," Jubstacheit said.

Harry shook the hands of the woman and the man. The woman seemed warmer than the man, who seemed to appraise him, before nodding. "Pleased to meet you, Harry," Irisviel said, her voice a musical lilting thing.

"Likewise," Kiritsugu said. He didn't seem as sincere as his wife, but he did seem to mean it. "I would have come to Britain to deal with Death Eaters myself, but I had work elsewhere. And Magi don't get along with wizards, normally, so I doubt they'd appreciate it anyway."

As if sensing Harry's question, Jubstacheit explained, "Kiritsugu Emiya is infamous in Magi circles as the Magus Killer, a mercenary who kills rogue Magi that the Magus Association deem to be a threat. He has been chosen as our proxy in the coming Holy Grail War."

"Yes, what is that, exactly?" Harry asked.

"We will explain later," Jubstacheit said, before he turned to Kiritsugu and Irisviel. "Nine years ago, Kiritsugu Emiya, you were received into this family for this very purpose. We have finally obtained the relic we were looking for. Mr Potter brought it here. Using this relic as a catalyst, you will be able to summon the most powerful Heroic Spirit that falls under the Saber class. This relic is the greatest aid our family can offer you. This time, there can be no other surviving Servants. Destroy them all, and fulfil the Third Magic, Heaven's Feel!"

"As you command," Kiritsugu and Irisviel replied simultaneously, and with that, Jubstacheit left, with Harry wondering what the hell was going on. Soon, though, he would learn…

CHAPTER 1 ANNOTATIONS:

Well, there you have it. Harry's link with Medusa/Rider will be explained much later in the story, when the events of Fate/Stay Night happen. It was Irisviel, as we will learn, who suggested that Harry be brought in as Illya's bodyguard/big brother figure. Why? Well, without Kiritsugu, Irisviel wouldn't have been able to appreciate her life, short though it was, as much as she did. Kiritsugu, after researching Harry, agreed, and they helped convince Acht to ask for Harry to deliver Avalon to them.

While some of these chapters will resemble Ex Umbra in Solem to a degree, remember that this has different elements. Harry won't be heading to the Fourth Holy Grail War, nor will he be immortal…not all the time, anyway.

The next chapter will have Arturia's summoning.

No numbered annotations this time.