Now, before I get onto this, I have to say, on a pretty unrelated note, I loved the latest Death Battle episode, pitting Rick Sanchez from Rick & Morty against the Doctor from Doctor Who. I'm glad the Doctor won, and not just because I am a hardcore Whovian. As much as I identify with Rick's cynicism and nihilism, the Doctor is who I'd want to be, someone who, despite his (or her) bad experiences, tries so hard to find the good and wonder in everything in the cosmos. Plus, he has millennia of experience over Rick and is better at improvisation, that much I know without really knowing much about Rick & Morty.

Why does this matter to me? As a writer, when writing Harry, I try to adhere to former Doctor Who script editor, script writer and author Terrance Dicks' famous creed about the Doctor. Harry and the Doctor are somewhat alike in terms of attitude and morality, and while sometimes, my take on Harry veers towards the darker end of anti-heroism, and does some acts that contradict this creed, I try to have him close to this creed...

"He is still impulsive, idealistic, ready to risk his life for a worthy cause. He still hates tyranny and oppression and anything that is anti-life. He never gives in and he never gives up, however overwhelming the odds against him.

The Doctor believes in good and fights evil. Though often caught up in violent situations, he is a man of peace. He is never cruel or cowardly.

In fact, to put it simply, the Doctor is a hero. These days there aren't so many of them around."

You can't say the same thing about Rick Sanchez at all, though you could say the same thing about Rick's inspiration, Doc Brown from the Back to the Future movies. And you can say the same thing about Harry Potter, or indeed many other heroes in fiction.

With that preamble out of the way, let's get onto this story fragment.

After Pulled From an Angel's Wing tanked, I wanted to do another Harry/Rias story. My next attempt, Your Soul is Mine, went nowhere, as I found it way too dark and wangsty. I do still intend to post it in the Cauldron, as part of the December mass-update, so you'll soon see why I refer to that story in these sample chapters without you guys knowing anything about it. I was struggling with the ideas, until I hit upon something else.

In Pulled From an Angel's Wing, Harry became a Nephilim due to a feather from Baraquiel's wing being used in the ritual to save him on that fateful Halloween night. In this, I decided to go down a novel course without having James being cucked. I don't mind him being cuckolded in WBWL stories where I'm bashing the hell out of him, but here, Harry's parentage is due to a plan that involves IVF and a Blood Adoption potion (to ensure a sterile James actually has some genes in the mix), not knowing that the sperm donor was a Fallen Angel.

I also wanted to emphasize Harry's relationship with Akeno here. Akeno is a character I do have some mixed feelings about, despite her being part of the pairing in previous DxD crossovers I have done. I eventually decided that, with Akeno as the half-sister, it actually works better.

I also wanted to reconstruct Rias, something I began in Oskmey, continued in Pulled From an Angel's Wing and Your Soul is Mine, and furthered in this. There seems to be a tendency to bash Rias somewhat in fanfics, so if this fic (or any other future Harry/Rias fic) sees the light of day as a full story, she'll be a considerably more rounded character than the fanservice fuel in DxD canon.

Of course, as always, there's no guarantee this will become a full fic. But if it does, I hope you enjoy...


6 DEGREES OF SEPARATION

CHAPTER 1:

FAMILIES OF BLOOD, FAMILIES OF CHOICE

Dear Akeno Himejima,

I'm sorry to send a letter to you out of the blue, but I recently discovered something interesting about my family, and that led to me sending this latter to you. I'm sending a translated copy in Japanese, in case you need it.

My name is Harry Potter. Recently, I undertook a genealogical test with an exclusive bank called Gringotts. I am not sure whether or not you are aware of said bank or what it means, but the upshot is, we share a biological father. I've enclosed the pedigree written up after the test.

I was told by my godfather that my supposed father, on learning he was sterile, was persuaded by my mother to use IVF. By coincidence, your father's sperm was what was used, after having apparently been donated to a clinic. I grew up wholly unaware of this, as my parents were murdered by a terrorist back on Halloween, 1991.

I'm writing to you for an initial contact. I was told to be wary of our biological father and the organisation he works for. But I thought I'd reach out to one of the few family members I have left. If you don't want anything to do with me, let me know. Otherwise, I eagerly look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Harry Potter


Dear Harry,

Oh my, what a surprise to be contacted out of the blue by none other than the Boy Who Lived. Yes, I am aware of the supernatural in general, and the wizarding world in particular (and I can read English well enough too: tell your translator their translation was a touch rough in places, and not in a good kind of rough way). Nice thought, mentioning Gringotts as a clue. But my mother's side of the family are a line of famous, at least in Japan, mages. As for our mutual sperm-donor…well, I imagine it came as something of a shock to learn that for you. I do not wish to discuss him, though, if that is all right by you. What few happy memories I have of that man have been tainted by his abandonment of myself and my mother.

Incidentally, while I do not follow your exploits religiously, I will admit I was glad you were released from Azkaban, even if it took the Ministry a couple of years to get a clue. The Purebloods in Magical Britain needed a culling, especially given how many of them followed Voldemort. Still, you mentioning that man as our mutual sperm-donor does put things into context. I'm guessing your powers awakened in that graveyard, right? Not that the Japanese Ministry of Magic is any better than the British Ministry of Magic.

In any case, while I was bemused to get your letter, it was far from unwelcome, once I got over the shock of having a half-brother. You don't look much like that man, so I'm guessing James Potter used an adoption potion, right? In any case, while I will never forgive our mutual sperm-donor, you have done nothing that needs forgiving from me. If anything, I'm pleasantly surprised to have a half-brother, and at least it was through some coincidence rather than our mutual sperm-donor sleeping around.

I do know something of your story, but I doubt you know mine. I lived rather happily with our parents until that man abandoned us. He was allegedly on a mission when it happened, but the timing was all too convenient for my mother's family to try and murder us. My mother, like yours, sacrificed her life to save mine, and I was forced to go on the run. I was eventually rescued by another girl involved with the supernatural, who adopted me into her family. I still live at the shrine my mother used to run, and the Himejimas know better than to attack me, as my new guardians are somewhat influential in certain circles, and would come down on them like…what's the English idiom? A ton of bricks?

In any case, I'm not averse to exchanging more letters with you. But do you have email? Here's my address. That way, it's quicker than using post, even owl post.

Yours sincerely,

Akeno Himejima


It was strange to think that a correspondence started on a whim thanks to that Gringotts inheritance test was leading to this day, Harry Potter thought as he was being driven by taxi from Kyoto Airport to a Japanese town called Kuoh. Then again, he wanted to get away from Britain for now. He'd been meaning to for some time, and the end result of this correspondence was a convenient excuse.

True, it had been several months since he was finally released from Azkaban, pardoned by the current Minister of Magic, Amelia Bones, and he was grateful to her and to Dumbledore for working to try and free him. Most of his friends or at least friendly acquaintances had stood by him, albeit with a few notable exceptions. And the Goblins at Gringotts refused to let the Ministry (and more specifically, the surviving Death Eaters) from seizing Harry's accounts.

But the fact remained that he spent over two years in Azkaban for the crime of self-defence against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He didn't know how Sirius endured over a decade without going completely crazy. As it was, he still had nightmares of that time. He was going to therapy, taking Dreamless Sleep when necessary, but he was still something of a mess at times.

Given how they treated him, most of Magical Britain could go fuck itself with a splintery wand, sideways.

True, it wasn't like he didn't feel the same way towards some of the actions of those on his side. Dumbledore in particular, he still had mixed feelings about, what with how much the old man kept from him, about the Horcruxes, about the Blood Wards over the Dursleys' home, about the prophecy Trelawny uttered and Snape leaked to Voldemort. But Dumbledore worked hard to get him released, and to get rid of the remaining Horcruxes, the one in Harry's scar having been destroyed somehow when he killed those Death Eaters and Voldemort in a berserk state. So he had to give the old man that much.

But in the end, once the dust had settled, he wanted to get away from Magical Britain for a while. He needed to find himself, and he wasn't sure he even wanted to go back to Hogwarts. Thankfully, Hermione and her parents, with help from Remus, had worked on an education plan to get him back up to scratch on both magical and mundane subjects. Honestly, after everything that happened, he was strongly considering attending a normal high school if he could.

But for now, he was taking a break from it all. It was just after the new year, and Akeno had suggested something…


Dear Harry,

Merry Christmas to you too. Thank you for the present. I hope you enjoyed mine. Doctor Who isn't as popular over here as it is in the West, but I hoped the book I ordered was to your liking. I did actually enjoy reading the Terry Pratchett book. It makes a nice change from the light novels and manga here. Rias has been meaning to get me on that series for ages. She may be something of an otaku, but there's quite a lot of European and American things she still enjoys.

Anyway, we're currently on something of an extended holiday for now. The school we intended to attend is still in the process of transitioning from an all-girls school to co-ed, which means it's more convenient for Yuuto and Gasper to join us. Then again, Gasper would have no trouble fitting in, given how cute he looks in a girl's uniform. Rias suggested that you come over for a holiday, as she wishes to meet you. The others want to as well. Well, save for Gasper, but I told you he's a recluse thanks to his family's abuse, poor boy.

I'd love to finally meet my half-brother in person, I know that much. Honestly, that means more to me than meeting the Boy Who Lived. Even if you are his son, you showed yourself to be better than him by giving a damn enough to reach out to me. You even offered me a share of your inheritance, even though I am not related to the Potters by blood.

In any case, while Kuoh itself is a fairly quiet town, it's easy to go to Tokyo and look at some of the attractions there. It's been some time since we have been there, and we can have some outings. We could all do with a break


The letter continued in a similar vein, before ending. Harry hoped that this Rias girl wasn't a bad sort. Akeno had hinted she was part of the nobility, hence why she hadn't given the girl's surname. Harry hoped she wasn't a Malfoy or a Black.

They had sent a photo of the group, dressed in casual clothes, save for Gasper, who was apparently very shy and skittish. They did so so that he would be able to identify them when they met him at the hotel, one they recommended. They were even able to get a discount for him through Rias' family.

It was pretty much at that moment the taxi pulled up outside the hotel. He'd brought enough luggage to look the part of a tourist, even if most of his stuff was inside an Expanded Trunk. He took the luggage out, and went into the hotel, checking in, before heading up to the hotel room, sending a text message to Akeno as he did so.

About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door to the hotel room. He opened the door, and the quartet of teenagers were at the door, with Akeno at their head. "Hello, Harry. Was the flight over pleasant?"

"I took First Class on Hermione's advice. It was worth it, thankfully," Harry said, noting the girl's excellent English, even if it had a slight Japanese accent to it. "I normally would take a Portkey, but honestly, I've had enough of those for now. You want to come in?"

"If that's okay."

Harry let them in, closing the door behind them. "I'm surprised you didn't use magic to come straight over," he said.

"True, but we wanted to give you time to settle in, and finding the right spot to use our means of teleportation without drawing attention from mundane humans is tricky," said what had to be Rias. "So we thought we'd take the long way."

"Okay…but 'mundane humans'?"

"Would you prefer I called them Muggles or No-Majs?" Rias asked, her accent sounding vaguely British, and RP English, at that. "Those sound condescending at best, and at worst, like slurs."

"Fair enough," Harry conceded, before he took a good look at his guests. It was his first time meeting them in person, though Akeno had described them in the letter accompanying her photo.

The sole boy, aside from himself, reminded him painfully of Cedric Diggory. True, he was blonde, and a little more effeminate compared to Cedric, but Yuuto Kiba seemed to be born to be a heartthrob. Then again, despite his Japanese name, Kiba looked European, and Akeno had hinted that it was a long story, something everyone in their circle, barring Rias, had.

Koneko Toujou was a petite girl in her mid-teens, though she could have been younger. Silver hair cut short in a bob framed adorably cute if stoic features, while golden eyes peered at him appraisingly. She had a chocolate bar in her hands that she was nibbling at.

His half-sister, Akeno Himejima, was about his age or maybe a little older. She had Japanese-looking features, her expression demure and gentle, her dark hair tied up in a ponytail. Oddly enough, she had violet eyes, which she chalked down to her non-human part of her heritage. She was also quite buxom, her bust straining against the T-shirt she was wearing.

And last, but certainly not least, was Rias. Her waist-length hair was crimson, almost like blood, framing aristocratically beautiful features. And yet, the expression on that face, the look in her teal eyes, was not of haughtiness, but a casual friendliness. And she was almost as buxom as his half-sister.

"Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter," Rias said after the others greeted him. "My full name is Rias Gremory. I have to admit, Akeno has been like a sister to me ever since she was adopted into the family. So I was surprised to find out she had a half-brother, and through Baraquiel, no less."

"It's not something I want advertised," Harry said, wondering what kind of name was 'Gremory'. He'd never heard of it before. "Dumbledore has apparently encountered members of the Grigori years ago, and he wasn't pleased with their actions. I'm still coming to terms with the fact that Angels, especially Fallen Angels, exist. You don't hold that against us?"

Rias shook her head. "While I am wary of the Grigori for various reasons, their leader is something of a pacifist, thankfully, from what I know, and as long as a Fallen or a Nephilim does not harm me or mine, then I'm fine with it. Besides, you're Akeno's half-brother. That, and what your reputation was like prior to the sheeple of Magical Britain turning on you, is enough for me to give you the benefit of the doubt. If anything, I wanted to get to know the real Harry Potter, rather than the Boy Who Lived."

Harry chuckled. He had to admit, he liked her already. Though time would tell if that would be the case later on…

CHAPTER 1 ANNOTATIONS:

Wait, what? Akeno and Harry are half-siblings? What?

In some ways, this is me taking elements from my abortive prior DxD crossovers Plucked from an Angel's Wing and Your Soul is Mine, and putting them together. I took Harry being a Nephilim from the former, and Harry being incarcerated in Azkaban from the latter, even if I took out a lot of wangst. Harry's damaged goods, and he's far from okay, but he's not the near-suicidal wreck he was in Your Soul is Mine.

Akeno, after discussing it with Rias, has refrained from mentioning Rias' last name to Harry during their correspondence. They weren't sure whether Harry had any familiarity with the Ars Goetia or not. Rias wants to befriend Harry or at least make a start on it before she reveals she is a Devil.

No numbered annotations this time.