Chapter Nine

Harry smiled happily as he leaned up against the stone gargoyle and enjoyed his ice cream cone, his gaze on the city stretched around him.

No longer was Harry the scared, abused little boy that Raven had found locked in a cupboard three years ago; the boy who had replaced him was the complete opposite of the one who had spent so many days kept in a state of perpetual starvation and fear, surrounded by those who only had hatred in their hearts for him.

Harry had spent three years with the Titans, and it was perhaps the greatest three years of his young life; as each of them had something to teach Harry, and the young boy soaked up whatever they taught him with an almost unlimited excitement that made all of the Titans incredibly proud.

Cyborg had taught Harry computer skills and automotive repair, and Harry had applied himself so well that within two years, Cyborg seemed to have nothing left to teach the boy.

Beastboy had given Harry a crash course in animals and veterinary training and had been amazed at how proficient Harry was at it, so much so that Harry seemed to be able to interact with almost any animal almost effortlessly. Even the most violent and wild of creatures seemed to calm themselves around Harry, to the amazement of nearly everyone who witnessed it.

Starfire had taught young Harry astronomy and the secrets of the stars, and of all the planets she had visited; Harry had been fascinated by her stories and the myriad of other civilizations out there that humans had yet to discover.

Robin had taught Harry how to fight and how to think tactically; at first, Raven had been against her little brother being taught but had relented when Robin told her that it was better he learns and not need it than need it and not know what to do. To the surprise of all, Harry had taken to his martial arts training with surprising gusto and, within three years, was well past any belt color. Yet, despite his training, Harry had yet to land a single hit on Robin, something Robin would often tease Harry about.

Harry's most challenging class by far, however, had been learning magic from Raven and Jinx; for the first year, all they would let him do was study out of books. Finally, after he had read the interminable number of books that they had given him, they agreed to teach him practical application and how to control the incredible power that Harry had within him.

Two years into his training, Harry had been trying a purification spell that Jinx had taught him when he promptly collapsed for some reason. After a thorough examination, it was discovered that Harry had dark magic embedded in his scar, and Raven and Jinx immediately performed a ceremony to remove it. Unfortunately, Harry didn't remember much about that night, just that he felt his head would split open and that he had heard what sounded like a man screaming as a black cloud of smoke emerged from his head.

After that, Raven examined her little brother again and discovered to her rage and horror that someone had placed a block on Harry's magical core, limiting how powerful he could become and how much magic he could use. Raven had immediately removed the block, and Harry felt strange, as though he could take a full breath for the first time in his life after living with only small gasps; everything felt lighter. Afterward, his magical training became much easier as he learned new spells and magic three times as fast as he had before, to the amazement and pride of Jinx and Raven. Harry's 'protectors,' as he called them, seemed to listen to him more now, and he could control them far better than before; added to that, the spells and magic he was learning made him a little intimidating at times. But the thing that Harry loved best was discovered a few weeks after Raven removed the block around his core; Harry could fly!

Harry had been up on top of the Tower with Starfire gazing at the stars when he had gotten too close to the edge and accidentally fell over. Starfire had freaked and dove after him, only to stare in surprise as Harry floated above the ground with a shocked look on his face.

Raven had been frantic when Starfire told her and checked Harry over to ensure he was okay before congratulating him on his new gift, with the promise to teach him how to fly properly. Harry took to his further training with an almost obsessive mindset; he loved being in the air, it was so free, and Raven had laughed when he told her how flying made him feel, saying that he was "Exactly like dad."

But, no matter how much Harry learned or how much he begged, Raven refused to let him go out and fight crime alongside the Titans; for over two long years, Harry had begged and pleaded, gradually wearing down his sister's resolve until at last, she agreed, but only with the stipulation that he remain by her side at all times while they were out.

Harry had gone by the name Arcane for six months now when he was out with the Titans, Jinx had picked out the name for him, and he immediately loved it, thinking it was "so cool!"

The next thing to do was to choose how he would look while out fighting crime; Harry had no wish to be the cause of jokes or ridicule and so had asked Jinx and Raven for help picking out a costume that looked cool but also intimidating.

To the surprise of everyone in the Tower, the two girls had taken the job with a strange level of excitement and commitment, locking themselves in Raven's room and allowing no one entry for over a month. Harry was beginning to grow worried when Raven finally allowed him to come in and see the product of their hard work. Harry was amazed at what they had made for him.

Arcane's outfit consisted of only two colors, black and red; he wore a sleeveless black shirt with red trim along the neck and shoulders and an equally black pair of military-style pants with red trim down the sides; both had been charmed to repel any object thrown or shot in his direction, a person could fire a shotgun at point-blank range at Harry, and the bullets would magically move away from him.

Adding to this ensemble were a pair of midnight black combat boots with red trim; the final piece of Harry's outfit was a special gift that Raven had been working tirelessly on and had looked at Harry in worry as she presented it to him; she needn't have worried though, as Harry had stared at it with awe before hugging her in thanks.

Raven's present was a midnight blue (almost black) cloak that seemed to bend the shadows to Harry's whim; when the hood was raised, it would make Harry's face disappear entirely, leaving behind only a glowing pair of emerald green eyes. So even if someone were standing right in front of Harry, they would be unable to see his face, only his eyes. The whole outfit seemed to give him a shadowy, otherworldly image that Harry was happy to cultivate.

Ever since joining the Titans on patrol, Arcane had become the talk of the city as people made wild speculation on who he was; somehow, word had finally gotten out that he was Raven's little brother, and that just seemed to make things worse as villains seemed to target Harry more in an effort to hurt Raven. Still, thanks to the training he had received from his new family, it hardly ever went well when Harry was attacked.

At school, Harry would grin and try to keep from laughing as his friends would say how 'badass' Arcane was and how he was 'so lucky' to get to live in Titans Tower; Harry knew he couldn't tell anyone who he was, so he instead just enjoyed the game of hiding in plain sight.

Now, as Harry leaned up against the gargoyle and enjoyed his tasty treat, his thoughts went back to the letter he had received two weeks ago; Harry knew what Hogwarts was, Raven and Jinx had told him about it many times and Harry really did want to go there like his parents had. Still, he was worried after hearing everything that Jinx and Raven had told him about the Headmaster, Dumbledore.

According to the pair, Albus Dumbledore was an incredibly hypocritical man who only seemed to care about the "Greater Good." However, what the greater good was, was anyone's guess as he didn't seem to share that particular nugget of information.

Finally, after a few days of indecision, and with Raven's agreement, Harry decided that he would like to speak to a representative from Hogwarts before deciding whether to attend or go to his second choice, Illvermony.

Harry had received an answer surprisingly quickly, telling him that Albus Dumbledore himself, as well as two professors, would be coming to answer any and all questions that he might have with the school.

As Harry watched the light reflect off a nearby building, his communicator buzzed on his hip, and Harry lazily reached for it before pressing the button to activate it,

"Sup?" Harry asked, popping the P, with a grin.

"They're here. Where are you?" Raven's voice replied, and Harry felt a rush of excitement course through him as he eagerly tried to get to his feet and not fall off the gargoyle,

"I'm heading home from school, be there soon," Harry replied, staring sadly as his ice cream fell out of his hand and hurtled to the street far below.

"You little liar," Raven replied mockingly, "You went flying again, didn't you? Bet you're at St. Patrick's cathedral again,"

Harry grinned at the words; his sister knew where his favorite spot was and how often he visited it,

"I admit nothing," Harry replied with a grin.

"Just get back here as quick as you can," Raven replied, and Harry could hear the smile through the communicator, "Jinx isn't the biggest fan of our current guests, and we wouldn't want her going back to her villainous ways on them, would we?"

"No, we would not," Harry laughed before hanging up the communicator and jumping off of the gargoyle; for a few seconds, he let himself freefall, spreading his arms and letting the wind rush by him before activating his abilities and taking off like a bullet towards the Tower.

XXXX

Dumbledore frowned as he sat on the couch and stared at the ones who called themselves "The Titans," who were either sitting or standing in front of him. Remembering the reports of those he had sent to spy on Harry's new family over the years, Dumbledore initially thought the messages were greatly exaggerated. Still, seeing them with his own two eyes, he had to admit how wrong he was, and judging by how his companions were reacting, they were equally shocked. On his side of the aged Headmaster sat Minerva McGonagall, his deputy headmistress as well as Professor of Transfiguration, and on his right sat Professor Snape, professor of potions. Behind the group stood Alastor Moody, who had been brought for 'added protection' by order of Cornelius Fudge, who didn't want Dumbledore going to America without it. Moody was staring hard at Jinx, but rather than be intimidated, Jinx seemed amused at the way Moody was staring at her, remembering how intimidated HE had been of HER when he saw what she had done to those pureblood filth who had accosted her.

"Been a long time, Moody," Jinx said softly, "Surprised to see you still alive,

"Ha!" Moody laughed, "It will be a cold day in hell before some dark magic prick kills me!"

"Indeed," Jinx said with a grin, "You're too stubborn to die."

Moody said nothing, but a grin spread across the old Auror's face, and Jinx chuckled softly; it had been Moody who had kept her out of Azkaban, making it seem like he didn't trust her while at the same time defending her from those who saw her as dangerous.

"Will Mr. Potter be along soon?" Dumbledore asked no one in particular,

"He should have gotten out of school a little while ago," Robin replied quickly, "So, he should be here soon."

Dumbledore nodded in gratitude at the young man, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Snape, who was looking at one of the Titans in barely concealed shock; the teen in question looked to be made of metal and was currently leaning against the refrigerator with his arms crossed as he looked at the wizards with curiosity.

"If I may ask," Professor McGonagall said softly, "Where are your parents? You're all far too young to be alone, and I've yet to see a single adult since arriving here."

"Ain't got none," Beastboy replied from where he sat cross-legged on a swiveling chair, slowly spinning him in a circle, "And we don't need any either. We've got each other."

Professor McGonagall's eyebrows rose in shock at that, something that was shared by her two companions (Moody, as usual, showed nothing as to what he was thinking)

"But…." McGonagall said, trying to think of what to say, "But Mr. Potter has been living here for three years now, and if there are no adults, then who has been raising him? Or any of you, for that matter?!"

"We've been raising Harry," Raven replied testily, and McGonagall felt her expression soften as she looked at the little girl who had once affectionally called her 'Aunt Minnie,' "And we've been doing a far better job of it than those he was left with originally, would you agree Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore sighed in annoyance at the question as everyone's eye turned to him; the Titans, he noticed, looked at him with barely concealed contempt, and Jinx was looking with pure hate. Professor McGonagall's lips thinned at the idea of so many teenagers living without adult supervision for so long, but she was cut off by Dumbledore before she could say anything.

"I did what I thought was best at the time," Dumbledore said softly, "You were too young to raise him, Raven. And Harry needed to be raised away from the fame his name would have brought him. It would have turned his head."

Raven opened her mouth to retort when the doors to the living room slid open, and Harry walked in, grinning like a Cheshire cat at the reactions that his appearance had caused.

The Titans were looking at him fondly, as they always did, while the visitors were staring at him in surprise and, in the case of one of the professors who looked like a human-bat hybrid, open dislike.

Dumbledore felt his jaw drop and looked almost comical for a moment as he took in the boy he had not seen in nearly ten years; Harry still had his father's messy black hair, but it now had streaks of red dyed into it as well. His left earlobe was pierced, and a silver raven hung from the earring; the clothes the boy was wearing were also quite peculiar. He had on a pair of baggy black jeans that looked like a seatbelt for a belt and a dark shirt that read 'Evanescence,' and a pair of black combat boots with multicolored strings on his feet.

"H-Harry Potter?" Dumbledore asked the strange-looking boy, "Is that you?"

"Well, who else would I be?" Harry asked with a laugh, tilting his head slightly and making the Titans chuckle at his antics, which they were used to by now.

"Harry, behave yourself," Jinx said with a wry grin, "We don't want our visitors to think we raised you without manners, do we?"

Professor Snape snorted at that, and Harry looked at him with narrowed eyes for a moment before turning his attention back to Jinx and giving her a hug before offering one to Raven as well.

"How was school?" Raven asked, ignoring the wizards who were studying Harry intently

"It was okay," Harry shrugged, "Mrs. Halloway gave me a B for my report on Thomas Jefferson; apparently, I put too much favoritism into it."

"I told you so," Raven said with a smile, laughing when Harry stuck his tongue at her,

"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said, trying to regain the boy's attention, "Perhaps we can begin now with our meeting."

"Sure thing," Harry replied as he jumped into the air and began to float crossed-legged in front of the stunned visitors.

"H-how are you doing that?!" Dumbledore asked, his eyes bulging as he took in the floating boy grinning in front of him.

"What? Floating?" Harry asked, bemused, "With magic, of course. Can't you do this?"

"Mr. Potter…." Professor McGonagall said in a soft voice, almost too stunned to speak, "There are very few who can actually fly without a broomstick in our world…."

"Oh…." Harry said thoughtfully, "Well, that's very unfortunate."

Snape's lip curled at the boy's words; so far, this brat was proving to be just as arrogant as his father and seemed to enjoy flaunting that he could do what others could not; the more he was around the boy, the more his hatred seemed to grow for him as he saw nothing of Lily in the boy, only the spoiled Potter.

"Um…getting back to the matter at hand…." Dumbledore said, slowly getting over his shock, "We have come to offer you a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and it is my hope you will accept."

"You're not the first to offer me a place at your school," Harry said softly, "I've received offers from Illvermony, Salem, and someplace in France with a name I can't pronounce. So, tell me why I should accept yours over theirs?"

Dumbledore cleared his throat for a moment before answering; he had never had to defend his own school before; everyone knew Hogwarts was the best after all.

"Well, while those schools may be proficient in their own ways," Dumbledore said softly, "I can assure you that Hogwarts is by far the best choice. It has stood for over a thousand years and is regarded as the premier school for magic."

Beside him, McGonagall nodded her head in agreement at the Headmaster's words, while Jinx narrowed her eyes angrily,

"Are you sure that you're not biased in your estimation?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow, "You ARE the headmaster, after all."

Dumbledore chuckled softly at that, making Harry grin at the old man,

"I suppose I am a bit biased, but my words are true, nonetheless. Hogwarts IS the best school you could attend, and I'm sure you'll love it there just as your parents did."

Harry and Raven's eyes turned sad at the words for a moment before they regained control of themselves,

"You remember our last conversation, Dumbledore?" Raven asked coldly; the Headmaster nodded slowly that he did, "Good. Then listen, well, I would prefer it if Harry went somewhere else, yet his heart is fixed on Hogwarts, much to my annoyance. So, if I allow him to attend and bear in mind that I have yet to make up my mind, there will be some conditions."

"Such as?" Dumbledore asked with a raised eyebrow as Snape glared at the boy,

"Such as a place at Hogwarts for myself and my team," Raven said quickly, making both the visitors look at her in shock,

"I'll be honest with you, sir," Harry said softly when it looked like Dumbledore might object, "I don't trust you after what you put me through when you sent me to live with the Dursleys. I want someone I can trust at Hogwarts to watch out for me."

Dumbledore was nonplussed for a moment before he regained control of himself. This was not going the way he imagined it at all.

"I'm afraid that I will not be able to accommodate that request, Mr. and Ms. Potter," Dumbledore replied sadly, "Jinx was expelled from Hogwarts and as such cannot teach there, and as for you, Raven….."

Dumbledore turned to the girl, and an expression of regret flashed across her face before he mastered himself, "I'm afraid that Raven lacks the required credentials to teach at Hogwarts."

Both women scowled at the Headmaster for a moment before turning to Harry with warm expressions,

"The old goat is right, Harry," Jinx said softly, "I couldn't go back, even if I wanted to. And I really DON'T want to."

"I never said it had to be a teaching position, Dumbledore," Raven said, narrowing her eyes, just one where I can keep an eye on Harry."

"Actually…." Professor McGonagall said softly, turning the room to her, "There are a few positions that these…. Titans could use if they so choose. I myself require an assistant to help with my classes when I'm otherwise indisposed. So if young Raven here could prove that she has enough knowledge in the subject, I'd be delighted to have her help me."

Raven's eyes softened, and a small smile appeared on her face before she softly said,

"Thanks, aunt Minnie."

Professor McGonagall felt tears prick her eyes for a moment before she blinked them away while Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully,

"Well, I see no reason to object if Professor McGonagall finds you acceptable," Dumbledore said softly, "But you'll need to show that you are capable of instructing and doing the work yourself. And as to the others, I suppose we could find someplace for them."

"Not me," Jinx said, crossing her arms angrily, "I've no wish to ever return to that school."

"I think I'll stay in Jump City as well," Cyborg said, "I doubt a magical school will interact well with my body, and someone needs to keep an eye on the city."

"I'll call the Titans west to help out while we're gone," Robin said, "Just until we're sure that Harry will be safe at school."

Raven nodded in understanding and opened her mouth to respond when Snape finally decided enough was enough and spoke up.

"This is ridiculous! No other student has ever been given such a condition for his attendance, and this brat should not be the exception to that rule!"

"Severus!" Dumbledore barked,

"Who the hell are you calling a brat?!" Jinx demanded, pink energy orbs surrounding her fists,

"Yeah, who the hell are you, anyway, dude?!" Beastboy demanded as his eyes turned into feline slits.

"I am Professor Severus Snape, professor of potions!" Snape answered haughtily and making Raven's eyes narrow dangerously,

"I remember mom and dad talking about you…." Raven hissed, "Dad said you were a douche who had a stick up his ass 'cause mom chose him instead of you."

Snape colored at the words and jumped to his feet, and his hand went for his wand when he was suddenly sent flying backward over the top of the couch by Harry, who had his arm raised and his eyes glittering dangerously, but what drew everyone's attention was the long black tentacle that had struck Professor Snape in the chest and was coming out of Harry's open palm,

"Harry…" Dumbledore asked in a horrified whisper, "What is that?"

"I never thought to give it a name," Harry replied as the tentacle retracted into his hand before disappearing entirely, "Suffice it to say that it protects me and anyone I so choose. But the main point that I want to emphasize is that NO ONE threatens my sister!" Harry said in a dangerous whisper that seemed to echo in the silent chamber; as Snape climbed to his feet, he saw that no one had drawn their wand in his defense and sneered angrily at the room as they were too shocked at Harry's 'protector.'

"I think it's time you took your leave," Robin said coldly, "We'll take Harry to this 'Diagon Alley' in the next few weeks to get his stuff and make sure we all get on the train. But you, Headmaster, should learn to keep a tighter leash on your dog." Robin glared at Snape as he finished speaking,

"I can only imagine how much you must suck as a professor if this is how you treat kids," Beastboy said with a sneer that made Snape turn red with rage.

"My teaching methods are none of your business!" Snape snarled,

"They are when they concern our Harry!" Starfire retorted hotly, her eyes glowing green and making the room nervous.

"Professor McGonagall, if you are still willing to hire the rest of my team and me, I will set up a time for you to test my knowledge," Raven said quickly, trying to diffuse the mounting belligerence. "The others can do so as well, so you can find a good place for us at Hogwarts."

"I see no problem with that," McGonagall replied, "How does next week when you come to purchase Harry's things sound? Then, we can all meet at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Excellent," Raven said softly, "Now, if there's nothing else, I think you all should go before this meeting turns violent."

Nodding his head in agreement, Dumbledore produced an international portkey that looked like a dog bone; as everyone touched it, Dumbledore cast one last look at the boy whose destiny he needed to cultivate before saying the keyword to activate the portkey,

"Home," a moment later, the group disappeared, and the Titans breathed a sigh of relief.

"That could have gone better," Robin sighed as he rubbed his face,

"No, it couldn't have," Jinx said with a smile, "Not with the company that old goat brought. I mean, really? Bringing someone who hated Harry's dad to a meeting with him?"

"Yeah, not very intelligent on Dumbledore's part…." Cyborg added,

"This is going to be a long year…." Raven said wearily; she felt a headache coming and seeing Harry's excited grin seemed to worsen it.

"At least we'll all be together!" Harry cried excitedly, making the room groan collectively.

XXXX

Later that night, Dumbledore paced in his study, lost in his thoughts; meeting Harry had caused more questions than answers, and he was not very happy with the end results of that meeting. Not only was he forced to now hire four new personnel for his school, but Harry also showed a dangerous affinity for Dark Magic; those tentacles were a clear sign that Jinx and Raven had been a poor influence on the boy. Dumbledore would need to find a way to try and subtly remove those he deemed dangerous to the boy's destiny from him; it would not do to have the chosen one surrounded by practitioners of Dark Magic, after all.

Author's Note:

At first, I was going to have ALL the Titans come to work at Hogwarts, but then realized how that could not work; Cyborg is a…. well, a cyborg, and the magic of Hogwarts would royally screw him up, so he was out. Also, Jinx hates Dumbledore for expelling her, so she's out as well, and someone has to watch the city while the rest of the Titans are gone. So, aside from Raven, I have no idea what I'm going to be having the other Titans do at Hogwarts so the next chapter might take a while, maybe I'll make Starfire an assistant in Astronomy with Professor Sinestra….