So...here I am with yet another attempt at a Harry/Raynare story for a High School DxD crossover. This is a pairing I have been struggling with for a while now, as my first attempt in Azrael Rising, while a decent story, didn't quite have the right oomph that I wanted. I might go back and revise it if this story falls through, but for now, this one seems promising.

While primarily a Potterverse/High School DxD crossover, there's a number of other elements in there too. I'm revisiting the Library of St John the Beheaded, which I used for my Nasuverse crossover Gorgon and Thanatos, and which itself came from a crossover: namely, the official Doctor Who/Sherlock Holmes crossover novel All-Consuming Fire by Andy Lane, and easily one of my most favourite books of all time. There's also going to be elements from the Nasuverse, and we will be seeing, in a supporting role, a certain character from the PS4 God of War game.

The title of the story is actually, albeit coincidentally, the name of another Whoniverse spinoff, though the title for this story means Raynare, Harry and his adoptive daughter's respective situations. Raynare has Fallen from God's Grace, while Harry and his adoptive daughter are without protection or grace in Magical Britain...

EDIT (17/12/2020): Well, I have to admit, I went off this idea, or at least part of it. TBH, I felt that the pairing had no chemistry, the way I had written it. I was eight chapters in, and Raynare and Harry were no closer than they were. I was taking too long to get to the meat and potatoes of the pairing, and so, I decided to break off this version of Graceless.

I have started another version, albeit without the Library location, and with a different start to it. Time will tell if it actually has legs, as I do really want to do a Harry/Raynare fic. The next version will be out soon...

GRACELESS (ORIGINAL)

CHAPTER 1:

THE LIBRARY OF ST JOHN THE BEHEADED

Raynare scowled, even as she approached the seemingly non-descript door in the old apartment building, her arms filled with books. As much as she had wanted to be recognised by Lord Azazel, even given important assignments, returning overdue library books seemed beneath her, to say the least. Azazel may have claimed this to be an important job, and she did understand that to even be allowed to enter this library was a considerable privilege, but it still rankled at her all the same.

She was a Fallen Angel, a member of THE elite race. Not as vile as one of those Devils, or as indolent or self-righteous as her former brethren in Heaven, and certainly not as weak as the mouthbreathing humans she was currently walking amongst. True, she only had a single pair of wings, but that wasn't the point. Fallen rule, and all others drool, as her bratty friend Mittelt liked to say. At least Mittelt, once she got over the initial laughing fit, comforted Raynare over this menial assignment. Dohnaseek and Kalawarner were on assignment elsewhere.

Dohnaseek had been her mentor on the battlefield during the dying days of the Great War, that apocalyptic clash between the forces of Heaven, the Devils, and the Grigori. A battle that ended in a ceasefire that was not even a real peace, that threatened to start anew with the slightest cinder. Kalawarner had been her comrade in so many seduction and assassination missions. Mittelt, despite looking to be in her mid-teens at the oldest (and that was being generous: she could pass for a pre-teen), was actually about twice her apparent age, a Pureborn Fallen Angel, and ageing patterns tended to be tricky for them. She couldn't even shapeshift until she was mature, to change her body's apparent age. Raynare could shift it between her teens and a more…vintage appearance, though her preferred appearance was the same one she took ever since she Fell.

Said appearance was of a woman of ambiguous but fairly young age, perhaps twenty-something. Long dark hair framed beautiful features that nonetheless had an element of cruelty to them. Her figure was buxom and slender, and in Raynare's mind, the epitome of perfect beauty. Certainly, men and women alike would die for her, or kill for her figure. Topping this all off were her violet eyes, a feature common to most Fallen. Her wings were currently hidden, folded away into a dimensional pocket, while she was dressed not in her habitual battle outfit, which was a skimpy little number consisting of latex and leather that had many people comparing her to a dominatrix. Instead, she wore jeans, and a slightly snug T-shirt bearing the Latin word 'Peccavi'. This meant, in English, "I have sinned".

As she knocked on the door, carefully, to avoid dislodging the rather substantial pile of books she was carrying, she thought back to what led her here…

"Library books," Raynare had said flatly, her elation at being handpicked for a mission by Lord Azazel evaporating as quickly as snow under a blowtorch. "You want me…to return your overdue…library books."

"Yes, that's what I said," Azazel said, giving her what he probably thought was a winning smile. His sardonically handsome features, framed by short black hair that turned blonde at the fringes, made it seem like he was up to something, not helped by the scruffy tuft of beard on his chin. And as much as Raynare admired Azazel, this wasn't what she expected. And not in a good way.

Raynare tried and failed to suppress her teeth gritting. All her time in the Grigori, she had been a minion, a footsoldier. At best, she was assigned to surveillance, seduction, or seek-locate-destroy missions. She had been given no opportunities for advancement, such chances going to those who mocked her, who put her down. Melchiah, for example, the one to make her Fall with false promises, only to cruelly turn on her. She got her revenge when he tried abandoning her to some Devils, only for their positions to reverse. She sometimes pleasured herself on the memory of his being torn apart while begging her to save him, something he had refused to do for her earlier. His betrayal was only the first of many.

And now, here she was, being mocked by her leader, the very man whom she admired, with only Lord Shemhazai approaching him. It took a monumental effort to calm herself. Hopefully, this was actually important, and she couldn't afford to screw this up, not if she was being noticed by the man she admittedly carried something of a torch for.

"Could you please elaborate, Lord Azazel? This appears to be a somewhat menial task, even for the rank and file of the Grigori," she said, managing to keep her tone calm.

"Sure. I just said that to see the look of shock on your face." Then, his expression became more serious. "Tell me…what do you know of the Library of St John the Beheaded?"

Now this actually got her to think. Deciding that honesty was the best policy, she admitted, "Not much beyond general terms, sir. It's supposedly a secret library, founded by the Vatican as a repository of all sorts of esoteric lore, books that they have suppressed or censored, but that it suited them to retain rather than to destroy. They've been known to allow select scholars to visit the library. However, I did hear that Gellert Grindlewald murdered the last known custodian of the Library during the Second World War, and nobody has been able to find it, as the custodian sealed it away to prevent Grindlewald from getting his hands on it."

"That's actually more than I expected you to know, Raynare, and what you said is broadly true, though it's not the whole story," Azazel said. "The Library was actually established by Nimue, as a repository of the writings, relics and library of Merlin Ambrosius after she herself had trapped him. She did so in cooperation with what eventually became the Catholic Church we know today. She created it as a dimensional pocket, a bubble on the surface of the Dimensional Gap, though the entrances latch on to certain discreet locations across the world. The library itself grew quite substantially over the centuries, with many organisations aware of it using it as a repository for dangerous works like the Vatican. Some are dangerous simply because they disagree with the authorities in charge of some part of the world or other, while others are dangerous merely by existing. You are correct in that it was sealed away by the last custodian to spite Grindlewald, a British wizard with no surviving magical family, at least at the time. But the Library itself has found a new custodian, and has been open for the past few years. A descendent of the previous custodian, through a branch of the family that were Squibs…until recently."

Raynare nodded. While this still stank of being menial work, returning books to the Library of St John the Beheaded was no joke, so now she understood there was some small importance to the matter. "And who is the new custodian now?"

At this, Azazel got an impish smirk touching his lips. "Let's keep that a surprise. He's rather nice as long as you don't get on his bad side. Unfortunately, the last time I was there, I let my tongue get away from me in front of his daughter. He all but threw me out, and I'm not sure whether I'm still in the doghouse. It's nothing too serious, Raynare, I'm just worried about him hexing my genitals, and I'm very attached to them in more ways than one."

Raynare snorted at the joke. "And will this custodian be hostile to me?"

"Suspicious, but probably not hostile. He's a little paranoid, and for good reason, but he won't attack you unless he thinks you're an immediate threat to his safety and wellbeing. I'll send you with a letter of introduction. Technically, you're meant to be a member of the Library, and you can only be one by invitation, but there are exceptions to the rule, and non-members are allowed in, albeit on sufferance, and usually only if they're associated with an existing member."

Raynare nodded, before it occurred to her to ask the most pertinent question. "Why me, sir?"

Azazel's gaze was stern and searching. "I've heard whispers of your discontent, Raynare. I know you enjoy seduction and seek-locate-destroy missions, but you hunger for advancement, to be noticed. You don't understand what the responsibilities are needed for command."

Raynare bit back an angry retort. Azazel was one to speak of responsibilities, when he was a soft coward who would rather negotiate than take the fight to the enemy, to say nothing of him lazing around and playing video games when he wasn't obsessed with tinkering with Sacred Gears.

Azazel walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. "You want responsibility, Raynare, recognition, advancement. I'm giving you the former at least. It may be a minor responsibility, but it's important enough. Besides, I think you'd get along with the custodian quite well. He knows what it's like to be screwed over by those he thought were his allies. Just wear your normal casual wear than your battle outfit, okay? He's very protective of his daughter…"

She was shaken from her thoughts when a speaker next to the door crackled, a camera lens just above it. "Who's this?" spoke the male voice in a lilting accent that seemed like it was Scottish, though she didn't know why.

"Is this the custodian?" she asked.

"No, I'm the guard dog, lassie…which sounded a lot better in my head, I'll hafta admit," the voice responded sarcastically. "Well, I'm more of the custodian's assistant. Sorry if I seem grouchy, lassie, but the boss is currently stacking some of the shelves, and left me to man the gates. Luckily, he rigged up voice controls and eye-triggered sensors so I can do that, but still…I was enjoying an annotated edition of Paradise Lost that lovely lass with the bushy hair left me. So, who are you, and who sent you?"

Raynare bristled somewhat, but carefully, trying hard not to drop her load, plucked out the letter and showed it to the camera. "I am Raynare of the Grigori, sent by Lord Azazel to…return his books."

After a moment, she heard a sigh from the man. "So, he sent some poor bint as a meatshield so the boss wouldn't hex his bits, eh? Well, looks like it's in order. I'll buzz you through."

The door unlocked with a clank, and swung open, with Raynare walking forward to the reception area…which was empty. The whole place seemed to be panelled in dark wood, with thick luxurious if old carpet lining the floors. The dim light gave the library a paradoxically sinister and yet comfortable air.

But nobody seemed to be present. The only thing that resembled a human being was what looked like a severed head on a platter in front of a computer screen, and that had horns, plus a pair of eyes that glowed golden. A rather macabre decoration for a library, but…

"Hey, lassie, I'm right here," spoke the head.

It was to Raynare's eternal credit that she merely started a bit, instead of screaming, throwing the books into the air out of shock, and either fleeing, or, more likely, filling the head with Light Spears until it looked like a glow-in-the-dark hedgehog. Instead, she stared, before she sighed. "I'm assuming you're not the custodian?"

"More like his assistant. The name's Mimir, lassie. I know almost everything there is to know about life, the universe, and everything."

Raynare frowned as she considered the name. "Mimir…the Norse deity beheaded by Odin? But I thought…"

"Nah. It's a bit of a long story, but I ain't the Mimir from this world. The Odin of this world's nicer than the one I knew, and considerin' he's an old lech who disses his nicest underling as a spinster before she's even left her teens, well, that's saying something. Got my head cut off by another guy entirely. Nice clean cut too." The head then peered at her. "Nice pun on the T-shirt. Fitting for a Fallen. Now, I'm sure your boss has already told you, but there are rules to follow. They basically amount to don't steal or vandalise books, and don't start trouble, or he'll end it."

"He? You mean the custodian?"

"Aye. He's on his way. I pinged him while I was talking to you. Truth be told, he's probably glad for the interruption."

"I am, Mimir, though thankfully, I just finished when you sent me the alert," came the voice with a British accent from a nearby door. "Though Azazel is too much of a wimp to come here? He must have hated what happened last time he annoyed me."

Raynare turned to face the custodian, and scrutinised him while considering him. Only, she actually recognised him. True, she had only heard about his misadventures at one remove, idly flicking through copies of The Daily Prophet and the like out of boredom, but still, to the wizards of Britain, he was a celebrity, albeit one who had dropped off the map years ago. The messy thatch of dark hair and emerald eyes peering at her from behind glasses helped, though it was the faded scar, barely hidden by his fringe, that cinched it. The infamous lightning bolt-shaped scar that had marked him, and cursed him to fame.

"I'm guessing you already know who I am," he said.

Raynare nodded. "You're Harry Potter, if I'm not mistaken. I am Raynare of the Grigori. Lord Azazel has sent me here to…"

"Avoid getting quite literally stung for late fees," Harry muttered, shaking his head in annoyance. "Well, as long as you're not here to start trouble, I won't be hexing you in his place. Damned wuss. I have a fraction of his power, and he's afraid of a few hexes or curses. Nice to meet you, I guess, Raynare. Well, while you're here, would you like some tea? Not many Fallen get to set foot in here."

Raynare's first instinct was, if not outright refusal, then certainly reluctance. And yet, curiosity, despite herself, won out. Entering the Library of St John the Beheaded was certainly a privilege few achieved. And to tell the truth, she was curious to find out what the Boy Who Lived was doing as the custodian for the Library.

So, she nodded, and allowed him to lead her into the library, Harry carrying the books, as well as picking up Mimir's head and attaching it to his belt like a macabre accessory. If nothing else, today would be interesting, even if only in the cursed sense of the word…

CHAPTER 1 ANNOTATIONS:

So, Raynare's had to return some late library books for Azazel, and Harry's the head of the Library of St John the Beheaded. He also has a rather literal deputy head in Mimir, and yes, that is the one from the recent God of War game for reasons I will elaborate on soon.

Firstly, the Library of St John the Beheaded. This doesn't come from the Potterverse, but rather, the Whoniverse. Those familiar with my other stories will recognise the Library from my Fate/Zero crossover Gorgon and Thanatos. If you don't, well, the Library is not my creation, but that of Andy Lane, who created it for the Doctor Who New Adventures novel All-Consuming Fire, which itself is an official crossover with Sherlock Holmes, as well as including elements from the Cthulhu Mythos. It's a brilliant book that's nonetheless out of print, though there is an audio adaptation available from Big Finish that I recommend if you can't get the book.

I basically mixed the Whoniverse version of the Library's origins (as a repository for texts the Vatican wanted to keep secret, but not actually destroy), but mix it in with Potterverse elements, along with elements from the High School DxD universe and the Nasuverse. I also included elements that are similar to concepts from the Whoniverse spinoff Faction Paradox, namely the time-spanning Labyrinth appropriated by Mrs Foyle for first her brothel, and then an assassination bureau.

I actually was resistant to using this for my Harry/Raynare story, as this seemed to suit a Harry/Rossweisse story more, given Rossweisse's more bookish nature. But Rossweisse is canonically in her late teens, and besides, I still have the Lily-is-Hel-reincarnated idea to go back to if I feel so inclined. Plus, the Library is good for reasons we will learn when we learn the identity of Harry's daughter, who is adopted. Yes, Harry being a father to a daughter and getting involved in the events of High School DxD was partly inspired by Vimesenthusiast's FILFy Teacher, though this story will be different in many ways, not least of which is the pairing and the factional viewpoint (from the Grigori's standpoint rather than the Gremory Peerage).

As for Mimir, I've been playing the PS4 iteration of the God of War games. Now, some of you might know of my Avengers crossover Oedipal Recurrence, which was easily one of the most controversial fics I have published, if the reviews are any indication (many of which, I feel, missed the point, as I stated in my annotations that the story, being from Loki's POV, is biased and self-centred anyway). Here, Mimir will be a key supporting character, as Harry's story arc will be not unlike Kratos' in the game.

Unlike Kratos, Harry is a more overtly caring father, and is certainly better at raising his child, while Kratos, while he does care about Atreus, is pretty shit at showing it outside of potentially lethal situations, let alone teaching him. In fact, Harry all but spoils his adoptive daughter. But he's keeping some pretty explosive secrets from her, secrets that will be revealed to the reader at the end of the next chapter.

Mimir has shown himself to be an interesting character, and I thought I could get both humour and pathos out of him. Harry also has a better relationship with him than Kratos did. And considering the differences between the God of War Odin and the High School DxD Odin, I'd imagine Mimir gets along better with the latter, even if only in a snarky way…

No numbered annotations this time.