The Runes of Fate
By: Chupacabratamer
Disclaimer: The usual. I don't own anything in the Harry Potter Universe. Thank you to J.K. for allowing us to play in your sand box. The characters are just too amazing not to be dusted off and sent on other adventures.
Also, this is totally a stream of ideas that hit me at one point after a few months of living in the fantasy world of fanfiction. This starts a year before JK started with Harry and Hogwarts. What if Harry discovered Runes just before his tenth birthday. I picked the date to match the real calendar so this starts on a Sunday.
Any character you recognize are JKs. Any that you don't are mine and I do hope you like them. Thanks to my muses for help with ideas and plots. Just talking to you has helped me direct the possible story lines. This is just a start and I have no idea how far I will take this. For now enjoy the ride with me.
I do not and would never make any money from JKs world. Your feed back is all I receive. I'm writing this because I want to read it. I hope you do too. Thank you in advance.
Thank you for all the reviews, likes and follows. It makes me smile when I see the comments and read that you are liking the story and want more.
A/N: There is a bit of somewhat graphic violence in this chapter. For those of you commenting that Vernon needing a good thrashing, I agree. Not gonna ruin it but if you don't like these kind of scenes scroll down to the first reference to DMLE.
Chapter 4: Dursleys Demise
The sun was starting to dip towards the horizon as the group of four walked the few blocks to Privet drive. Harry could see the lights were on in the house and Vernons car in the drive. Erik and Harry walked to the front door and it was locked. Harry knocked while Erik waited a few paces behind him.
The door was flung open and Vernon grabbed Harry before registering that there was someone else with him.
"Get in here boy. You have some explaining to do." He bellowed and pulled Harry inside ignoring the startled look on the older mans face as he slammed the door.
Harry had just turned to say good night to Eric and didn't see the door opening. The next thing he was aware of was hitting the stair railing with the side of his head. He could feel his lip splitting and taste the blood. He shook his head and it felt clear. Too bad he hadn't activated any of the Runes yet. Vernon was already into the purple phase of his anger and as yet couldn't form a coherent word.
Harry ventured a look into the living room and he could see Dudley looking smugly at him with a huge bandage covering his forehead. He had a black eye just below the bandage and his left arm was in a sling.
"We feed you, provide a room for you, and let you have Dudleys old clothes and this is how you repay us. Beating Dudley with a bat when he was all alone." Vernon bellowed.
Harry tensed and pushed power into his two Runes. This had been a long time coming and he wasn't backing down now.
"Alone. That fat tub of lard had his four buddies intent on beating me again. Just like they beat up and steal from all the other littler kids at school and the play ground." Harry screamed back.
"My little Dudiekins would never hurt anyone." Petunia said hugging Dudley to her. Dudley looked at Harry with a smug look expecting to see Harry get a good beating.
The front door exploded in and Eric stood there with his wand out. He was so angry you could see his aura flaring around him.
"Eric. Let me deal with them. Please." Harry said.
Vernon looked back and forth between the two of them. "Deal with us. Like you could deal with anyone you pathetic little runt. Just like your father and mother, to stupid to stay alive. So you want to deal with us. You threatening me boy?" Vernon spat the last part, spittle spraying from his lips.
"Just leave me alone. I will not be beaten by anyone ever again." Harry said. Eric could see Harry pushing more power into both of the Runes decorating his palms. He was starting to glow red like the stories of the Berserkers in the past.
"Harry I won't interfere but you need to relax a little." Eric said nodding to Harrys hands. Harry looked and saw they had a slight red tint so he took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"Well Vernon. Are you just going to stand there. You're as useless as that fat tub of lard you call a son." Harry said provoking Vernon to throw the first punch.
Never one to walk away from a fight Vernon took two steps and threw a wild right cross intent on caving in the side of Harrys head. The Runes had a slowing effect on the world around Harry when the fight started. Harry could see the punch and where it was heading. However, it was in slow motion, to him. In the time it would take the punch to get to him Harry could have run around Vernon several times and returned to where he was. So this is how that Rune helped. His mothers journal said this would help since he didn't have any fighting experience.
Harry swept Vernons hand aside with his right hand and grabbed his wrist. Using Vernons momentum he pulled him forward and straightened his arm. This took Vernon off balance with Harry being the only thing keeping him standing. Harry took his left forearm and slammed it into the straight elbow of Vernons arm as hard as he could. The resulting snap and arm bending totally backwards told Harry it had worked. There was also the unholy scream from Vernon. Harry stepped aside and stomped on Vernons right knee causing it to bend in an unnatural angle.
Vernon was down and screaming at the top of his lungs. When he was down Harry took the opportunity to push as much of his magic as he could into the Rune Eric had drawn on his other palm and actually push his hand against Vernons head, forcing more magic into it.
Eric watched in fascination as Harry expertly dropped the man that was at least four times his weight and took a moment to force the truth Rune on him. Lily and James would both be proud of their son at that moment. Eric saw Dudley jump out of the seat beside his mother and moved towards Harry intent on finishing what his father couldn't. Eric was about to warn Harry when the boy turned to assess any other threats. He then stood calmly waiting for the attack.
Dudley was less skilled then his father at fighting. At least his father would have landed a definitive blow if Harry didn't have help. Dudley depended on his bulk to overwhelm his prey. He dove at Harry planning on using his bulk to down the smaller boy. Just like he and his friends had done so many times before. He didn't count on Harry stepping out of the way and tripping him and with a shove he couldn't stop himself from hitting the hallway mirror. It shattered against his palm and side of his face when his momentum drove him into it. He slid to the floor surrounded and covered with shards of glass from the mirror.
"Harry" Eric warned but he didn't need to. Harry turned to check for more threats and saw Petunia rushing from the kitchen with a cast iron fry pan. Aiming at Harrys head like she had done before. She would put the boy down and teach him a lesson. Harry had to give it to her. She had been fast getting the pan and taking aim. She even threw it instead of delivering the blow herself. Harry rotated his body to the right and took his left forearm and met the pan deflecting it off course and away from his head.
She was following up with a carving knife as she rushed him swinging down from on high she intended on burying the knife into Harrys chest. Harry deflected the knife by hitting her wrist just behind the knife and redirecting it towards her hip. He noted the resistance as the knife came to rest in her hip bone. Harry pushed with his hand on the hilt of the knife driving it in deeper. This would be very painful but not fatal. Her eyes were wide as the knife plunged into her while still in her own hand.
Harry missed Dudley swinging out with his foot and knocked Harry off his feet. He fell onto the glass and ended up with glass buried in the other side of his face. Harry rolled away to avoid the foot that followed and was on his hands and knees before the boy could finish the kick. Noting his chance Harry took one step and delivered a solid kick to Dudleys side. For some reason Harry knew to roll his toes back and used the ball of his foot. He made solid contact with at least two ribs at the bottom of Dudleys ribcage and heard a resounding snap. Following up with a quick step in Harry delivered an elbow to Dudleys chin and his screaming former tormentor went silent.
Eric was standing there in shock at seeing the almost professional reaction to the violent situation. He rushed to Harrys side and helped him to his feet.
"Are you ok?" He asked. Noting the swelling on the one side of Harrys face and the blood and glass on the other. Harry nodded and started to reach for the protection Rune on his neck. Eric stopped his hand.
"You need to look beaten up for what's about to happen next." Eric said quietly. Looking over the three downed relatives Harry nodded. Harry then went to Petunia and put his hand on her head and pushed magic into it. Following up with Dudley he did the same.
"Will this work if he is unconscious?" Harry asked.
"Yes. Almost better. Go sit in the kitchen and get a towel for your face. Maybe one of her favorite ones that she puts out for special occasions." Eric smiled as Harry smiled back with a little wince.
Sophia had waited a little ways down the street and started running when she heard the crash. She got to witness Dudleys kick and Harrys response. She turned quickly and grabbed Xylona.
"Xylona. Harry is fine. I can see him. You do not need to see this."
"But my Harry is hurt. I want to help." Xylona screamed.
"Harry is fine. I saw him walking to the kitchen." Sophia said trying to calm her daughter down. Harry was her first magical friend and she was very attached to him. After she realized the stories were all fiction she just wanted to get to know him. The whole house started shaking as Sophia held her daughter back.
"They hurt my Harry. I'll drop the house on them." Xylona screamed.
Realizing this was about to get out of hand Sophia did the only thing she could think of and pressed her palm to Xylonas forehead and pushed a sleep command into her. Xylona wavered and tried to fight it. Usually she would drop off immediately but she was fighting it and Sophia was loosing this time. At least the house had stopped shaking. Deciding Xylona wasn't going to be stopped she said "You can go around back and have Harry let you into the kitchen with him. Be careful."
She had hardly finished the last word when her daughter was off racing around the small house. Looking from the front doorway where she had stopped she saw the back door explode off it's hinges and the Xy-nado entered. She saw Harry sitting at the table with a wet towel on his face and she raced to him. Launching herself at Harry she jumped into his lap and hugged him tightly.
Sophia waved her hand and the door to the kitchen closed.
"Did you notify the DMLE?" Sophia asked.
Eric nodded. "Yes. I know I shouldn't be proud of what he did but it was masterful. He was in total control of himself the entire time yet he was answering their attacks like a trained Auror. Probably better considering he has no wand."
Sophia surveyed the carnage in the front hallway. It would all be painful to recover from but nothing would be fatal. Maybe permanently damaging she thought when looking at the large mans knee and elbow. She was tempted to give them a little more and she had to look away.
"Can you take care of this? I don't want myself or Xylona to be around when the Aurors show up."
Eric nodded. "I met Mr Potter walking alone on the street and decided to follow him home to be sure he was ok. I have a habit of taking walks in various and different places to clear my mind and the park down the way is a perfect apparation point. Rather lucky I found Mr. Potter. I think."
Sophia smiled. "Thank you. Please keep me informed. Also tell him to charge the protection Rune as soon as the muggle healers are done with him. I have reason to believe that there a magical elements that might try to change peoples minds about events."
Erics eyes flashed red for a second. "Are you sure?"
"Not totally but based on some stories Harry told me I think it's possible." With that Sophia went around the house and gathered up Xylona and they left through the back yard. The muggle police had arrived and she didn't want them to know about her either. She felt bad about abandoning Harry but Eric would be sure things were handled correctly.
Eric fixed the front and back door so they were just open and not demolished. Xylona had done and excellent job on the back door. He would have to keep an eye on her when she got to school. He was standing at the door as the police arrived.
On the way through the kitchen Eric pulled out a special biro he always kept with him. "Harry, I'm going to add a new Rune to your arm. It will vanish in seconds. Is that ok?"
"What will it do?" Harry asked. Eric smiled and nodded. "Always ask first. Good lad. It will protect you from mind magics. No one will be able to wipe this memory from your mind no matter what."
Harry nodded and Eric pulled up Harrys left sleeve and drew a quick Rune array. Harry was impressed as it was very complicated and yet it was completed within thirty seconds. "Are you ok with me powering it?" Eric asked. Harry nodded and Eric pushed as much power as he could into the Rune. Harry's entire body glowed green with swirls of pink for a few seconds and the glow and Rune faded to nothing.
"What happened here?" the first bobbie asked as the second one stepped through the open door.
"Hello officer I was walking by and I saw the small boy in the kitchen knocking on the door. I looked because of the knock when the door flew open and the boy was thrown in the house and against the stair railing. The door had been slammed so hard that it bounced open and I stepped forward to see if I could help calm the situation." Eric had turned his suit into that of a priest. "When I looked in the large man on the ground attacked the boy. Some how the boy subdued the large man only to have what I believe is the large mans son attack the boy too. The poor little boy had to subdue the large boy when the woman threw a cast iron fry pan at the boy, which missed, and then tried to stab him with a large sharp knife. I've never seen such brutality aimed at a small child. It's amazing he wasn't killed."
Eric laid it on thick. He had also projected his voice and with a little help from his hidden wand made sure that Harry heard what he said before the other police man closed the door to the kitchen.
Eric hoped that Harry would tell the officer the truth about everything. Eric didn't want to be dismissed by the police so he offered. "Officer, I've had special training in abused children. Maybe I could be of assistance. At the minimum I can offer him a safe place to stay for a few days until this can all be sorted out."
With that Eric walked to the kitchen and joined Harry and the other police officer.
The head of the DMLE, Amelia Bones, had arrived as the priest entered the kitchen. She impersonated a Detective Inspector as did her two Auror escorts and interviewed the police officer and looked over the damage that had occurred.
"You two get statements from these three and call for three ambulances. I'll check on the other one in the kitchen."
Entering the kitchen Amelia didn't expect to find Saul Croaker dressed as a muggle priest. For the first time in a while she stopped in her tracks. She listened to the boy explaining in a very calm manor the happenings of this evening. Getting a closer look at the boy she realized it was Harry Potter. This was about to get very sticky. Albus had assured her and everyone that Harry was happy, healthy, and loved. She could tell from looking at him, even without the bruises and blood from tonight, that he was none of those. The somewhat haunted look in his eyes. The lack of emotion as he was describing the events of this evening was disturbing. It was like he was describing what happened to someone else or a show on the telly. There is no way he would be this calm if this was the first time these people had attacked him.
"Detective Inspector. I'm sorry I didn't see you there." the officer said.
"Proceed officer." She said. Amelia looked at Saul who non verbally responded later.
She had arrived as Harry was describing his Aunt attacking him and finally his cousin attempting one last attack. She looked over his injuries and was surprised. She expected more based on the size of the people in the other room. When the officer had completed the interview she told him she would be sure this boy was taken to hospital immediately. The officer left and the door closed.
"What the hell is going on here Saul?" Amelia asked.
"Amelia meet Harry Potter. Harry this is Amelia Bones the director of Magical Law Enforcement."
Amelia looked at Saul. "I now understand why you contacted me."
"Nice to meet you Madam Bones." Harry said reaching out his hand. She shook it automatically and quickly released his hand when she saw him flinch.
"I'm sorry Mr. Potter. I didn't realize your hand was hurt. May I look at it?" She asked.
He looked to Saul and got a nod. This didn't go unnoticed by Amelia but Saul didn't care. He was to angry to care about things like that right now. She took his hand and could see the results of landing in a pile of glass and having a fight. She looked around and pulling out her wand did a quick swish and his knuckles looked and felt like new.
"Thank you. I didn't know magic could do that." Harry said.
Looking at Harry in amazement she asked. "Haven't you ever been seen by a healer? You should have seen them when you were five and again on your tenth birthday."
"Nope. Only went to hospital once and that was a week after I broke my arm." Harry said.
Amelia looked shocked. "Your magical guardian should have seen to that."
"I guess I don't have one. Didn't know about magic until this summer." Harry said.
Amelia was doing her best to look like a fish out of water as her mouth opened and closed several times. She had been told several times over the past nine years by Dumbledore that Harry was growing up and doing fine.
"Do you know who Albus Dumbledore is?" She asked Harry.
He shook his head. "If that is a movie star or some celebrity I wouldn't know. I'm not allowed to see movies or watch the telly so I wouldn't know who that is. I'm a freak so I don't get to see those."
Amelia was shocked at what she was hearing. "A freak. Who said that?"
Harry pointed to the closed door. "Them. All the time."
Saul noticed with some trepidation that some shelves in the kitchen were starting to shake. It would seem that Amelia was not as unflappable as she would like people to believe. Not that anyone in this situation would be able to hold their cool.
"Madam Bones. Maybe we should get Mr. Potter out of here and to the healers." Saul offered.
She nodded and asked Harry to come with her. Saul nodded when Harry checked with him.
"Can Mr. Croaker come with me?" Harry asked. Amelia looked between the two of them and nodded once.
They walked out the back door and were gone before the rest of the house knew what was happening. Amelia knew her Aurors would hear the crack and know she had left. They were collecting memories and taking statements from the muggles along with the bobbies. Her Aurors were always instructed to have the police take notes too.
Arriving at St. Mungos Harry was amazed at what he saw. It wasn't like the hospital he had seen before. He arrived in a small room. The trip was nauseating at best. He leaned over and put his hands on his knees trying not to spew. "Take a few deep breaths Harry. It will pass." Saul said.
He was right and by the time someone rushed in he was feeling better. They may have been a doctor or a nurse he wasn't sure. When they left that small room he was told that room was an apparition point for the Aurors and they needed to keep it clear. Since he could walk the healer, he figured that out because Amelia used that title, led them to an exam room next door and closed the door behind them.
"Hello Amelia, I understand you requested me?" Healer first class Andromeda Tonks asked.
"Healer Tonks. This is DMLE top secret and top priority and yes I wanted you specifically. No one outside of this room is to hear about this patient, including his name. Unless there are legal issues of course his law wizard can be informed. Are we clear?" Amelia said with a commanding voice that made everyone in the room, including Harry stand a little taller. The healer gave her a look like she was crazy for reminding her. Amelia nodded her head to Harry and the healer paled. "I understand Madam Bones"
"Good. I want a full workup. I'm told by Mr. Potter that he has never seen a healer." To her credit Andromeda only did a quick double take when she looked at Harry then back to Amelia.
The healer looked appalled when what she had said sunk in. "I will run a full diagnostic and get him what he needs."
Harry had a feeling that something had happened there that was important. He looked at Eric with a furrowed brow. Eric smiled and mouthed later and winked. That made Harry feel better. He hadn't misinterpreted the interaction between the healer and the head of the DMLE.
Harry was directed to the usual exam table with at annoying paper over it. He hopped up and laid back as directed. The next occurrence did surprise him. The healer pulled out a feather quill and scroll and with a waive of her wand they snapped to attention and floated beside her right shoulder so that she could turn and review what was written.
"Pause." she said looking at the scroll to confirm.
"Mr. Croaker. How are you involved and should you be here?" Andromeda asked giving a sizzling look at Saul. Saul appreciated the look. It was at least a seven on the intimidation scale.
"I was with Mr Potter when he was attacked. I think he would feel safer with me near by. Is that right Harry?" Saul said.
"Yes. Please. It was so frightening having all of them attack me." Harry said catching on quickly to Sauls idea. "I was also wondering about the Law Wizard the Bones lady mentioned. Do I need one?"
Andromeda smiled knowing this would be far easier than expected. "You may want to find one and I wouldn't be surprised if your family has one on retainer. Do you want me to make inquiries for you? My husband is a Law Wizard that works in both the muggle and wizard worlds."
Thinking for a moment Harry was interrupted by Eric. "Maybe your husband could join us here for a consult when you are done with the exam? Harry can decide at that time."
Harry nodded.
"Quill Resume. Healer First Class Tonks recording legal record for DMLE investigation and Law Wizard of record for Harry James Potter." She said.
"James? Is that part of my name?" Harry asked.
"Yes. You are Harry James Potter. Please let me continue and I will answer other questions after the exam." she said.
Harry nodded his assent and laid back and closed his eyes. He was a little tired and was about to fall asleep. He didn't know that Healer Tonks had sent a relaxing charm his way and mixed with his adrenaline crash it caused him to sleep.
He woke to see Eric sitting next to another man chatting on the other side of the room. He couldn't hear anything so they must have done something to stop their conversation. Harry coughed and both men got up and joined him by his bedside.
"How are you feeling?" Eric asked.
"Better actually. Did she give me something?" Harry asked
"You needed a couple of potions. She decided to place them directly into your stomach as apposed to waking you to drink them. Not the usual way but you are an unusual case." Eric said.
"Hello Mr. Potter. I am Ted Tonks Law Wizard. I understand you might want some representation. I might also add you are lucky with the potions. I know some of those taste like old socks." Ted said and shook his head with a disgusted face.
"Am I in trouble?" Harry asked.
Both men shook their heads no.
"Then why?"
Ted nodded to Eric and walked out of the room for a minute.
"As a Law Wizard Ted can't tell you if you need represention or not. I'm not so restricted. There is a lot going on and having a shark of a wizard like Ted on your side will help you considerably. I would recommend that you accept him at least for this incident and decide if you want to keep him on retainer after you find the Potter family Law Wizard." Eric said.
"So you think I have a family lawyer?"
Eric nodded. "I'm almost one hundred percent sure."
"Since they have never seen fit to contact me I think after this incident I'll have Ted find them and extract my records and then fire them."
Eric smiled. "Sounds like a good plan. Do you have any money on you?"
"A couple of pounds. Not enough to hire Ted I'm sure."
"It's enough for a retainer. A knut would be enough but I like using muggle money for it."
Eric got Ted and made to leave the room. "Please stay Eric. I may need your consul along with Ted. If you don't mind. Harry said.
He stayed
"Mr. Tonks. I would like to retain your services for the duration of this event and possibly longer. What do I need to do?" Harry asked.
"Pay me a retainer. It can be anything. Once the money has changed hands I am your Law Wizard and I can do what you need." Ted said.
Harry dug out the bill and some change that amounted to two pounds and handed it to Ted. Ted counted it and waved his wand over it and it was gone.
"I am your Law Wizard until you ask for your retainer back. That will break our contract. Know that until then, and after, anything you tell me is strictly in confidence. You can have anyone with you when we talk but I will not. I will be using a dictaquill to ensure I don't miss anything. The recordings will be kept in a safe that is protected from Wizard and muggles. Do you understand?" Ted finished the required speech.
Harry nodded.
"I need you to say it Harry."
"Yes. I understand and accept you as my Law Wizard." Harry said formally.
Ted liked this kid. He was smart and quick on the uptake. He was also Andis cousin.
"First. Can you tell me what happened tonight in your own words." Ted said.
Harry looked at Eric. Eric nodded which Harry hoped to be permission to really tell all.
Harry started with dinner and ended with Madam Bones arriving. Filling in any blanks or additional information that Ted requested. By the end of it Ted got the full picture.
"So you anticipated a problem and provided yourself with protection so you would not be a victim again? You also stopped Eric from helping as you wished to be the one to deal with your own problem? Correct?" Ted summed it up.
"Basically yes."
"Where did you get the Runes you used?" Ted asked.
"I found the base in an old text book from my mother and others in some books from the local library. With some testing and many changes I came up with what I used. Eric actually drew it on my palm before we walked to my relatives home but it was my design."
"May I see it?" Ted asked.
Looking at Eric for confirmation but Eric shrugged.
"If I show you will this be covered and could anyone force you to give it up?" Harry asked.
"Good question Mr Potter. Yes there might be a way they could force me to reveal the Rune but it would require the entire Wizengamot voting unanimously to force me. If you are the least concerned I would recommend you refuse for the time being." Ted said. Yes he thought to himself. He was going to like working with this kid.
"Then for now let's just say it helped me overcome the massive differences in size and age to prevent myself from being beaten again. After the shock of the day I've kind of forgotten what it looked like." Harry said.
Both Eric and Ted chuckled at that. If it was ever forced out in court that is exactly what he could say happened.
"I'm going to get your medical records and let you rest. I understand that Andi, I mean healer Tonks, has recommended you stay here for two days. I would not recommend you fight that." Ted said.
"I've no where else to go. Not like they will ever let me back in that house and I don't want to go there ever again." Harry said.
That stopped Ted half way out the door.
"Harry. Your family is an Ancient and Noble house. I'm sure you have houses and elves that can take care of you for a time being. That is until a legal guardian can be found. You have no idea?" Ted asked.
Harry nodded no. "I've been told all my life I was a burden to my relatives and only allowed to live there by their giving grace. They made me think I was a pauper."
"May I look into your financial situation as well for the time being. At least get a look at your parents will?" Ted asked.
"Yes. Please do whatever you think is necessary to find out about my parents wills and my finances. I know nothing and I would like to know everything." Harry said.
That feral grin returned to Teds face. "I will do what is necessary." and he was gone.
Eric looked at Harry and shook his head. "You just unleashed a hell hound on both worlds. Thank Merlin he works for you."
"Did I do something wrong? And what do you mean both worlds?" Harry asked a little concerned.
"Nope. You did everything right. Ted is known for being totally ruthless in supporting his clients. Maybe that is why Amelia wanted Healer Tonks to help you. You are in three of the best hands you could be in with those three. As for both worlds. Ted works in both the magical and non-magical world. He will be hunting your relatives in the non-magical world to be sure they never have a chance to hurt you again." Eric said.
Harry chuckled sleepily. "Ted can do some Dursley hunting. Like Dudley and his friends used to Harry hunt."
"Thank you Eric… Saul… Mr Croaker. Without you and Sophia I would probably be locked in the cupboard for a week without food." Harry muttered as sleep overtook him.
Eric looked at Harry his mouth wide open. 'locked in the cupboard' The room shook for a few seconds until Eric got his emotions under control. Eric strode out of the room heading to the apparation point for the Aurors. He needed to talk with Amelia. Now.