Categories > Books > Harry Potter > A potter's death: Last chance
Disclaimer: Character from the Harry Potter's series are not mine and will not be for the next two hundred years... so go figure; also, this story is my response to reptilia28's challenge: "Don't fear the reaper" from portkey.
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:6:
The ride ‘home’ was eventful to say the least, they sat inside a black Hummer truck with its interior conditioned to look like a limousine, crossing fields full of people wearing military outfits, though Harry thought he had seen a few SWAT guys around.
“The Count is the head of an organization that’s been around for almost five centuries.” Drake smiled at Marco’s explanation “It’s known as the ‘Dragon Force’ and is devoted to the training of special and tactical armed forces, magical or otherwise, from all around the globe.”
Outside of the black jeep Harry spotted several groups of people wearing uniforms of different colors and training in different areas: Martial arts and self defense, light and heavy weaponry, plane and helicopter flight lessons, Tank maneuvering, tactics… the list was endless.
A particular nasty bump in the road made the boy jump in his seat while smacking his nose against the cold glass; He looked at the Count to find him unfazed and unmoving, smiling as if nothing had happened.
“You might want to fasten your seatbelt” patronized the driver looking through the mirror.
“Now, back to track: Apart from this business, his highness has a tendency adopt stray children as his own, as well as training them into grownups who will someday affect the world’s course-”
“Quite a stupid tendency if you ask me” interrupted Lady Silver, who also rode with them; Drake merely shrugged and drew her closer to him.
“Perhaps, but you must admit that we still owe this world for taking us in. It’s just a matter of balance, dear. To give others the opportunities we were given.” The woman frowned but nodded none the less.
“As I was saying” continued the proud father, whose daughter was comfortably sleeping on his arms “This was the case for people like Alastor Moody and Gellert Grindelwald, among others you might find yourself knowing of” by the end of the last sentence, Harry was staring wide eyed at the nobleman.
“You trained Alastor Moody?” Drake nodded “Wow!”
“You’d be amazed to know that he wasn’t the most gifted of the children we received that year, most thought he might as well be a squib for the poor level of magic he showed… but after a few years he was the first of his class, outdoing all the bullies that had bothered him.” The man smiled and looking straight at him, added “Harry, I wish to make you note that being here doesn’t make you great by itself, it takes time, effort and a will strong enough to keep you pushing forward to the very end.”
“I understand sir” Harry nodded. He was already thriving to start eith the training.
“Also, you don’t have to call me sir; I would be glad if you could consider calling me ‘father’” Drake grinned at Harry’s astounded face “I know you love your parents very much, and I do not wish you to forget them at all. I too loved them both when they were my students at Hogwarts.” The boy nodded gravely “I have no doubt that they would have been thrilled to know you were training with us, but would surely understand if you ever wanted to be adopted into a new family.” Seeing as the boy was about to argue, he added “I do not expect for this change anytime soon, just consider it, alright?” Harry merely sighed and reassumed his occupancy of staring at the exterior of the car.
---
After nearly an hour of dirt tracks, the car finally pulled away from the road. As everyone got down, Harry noticed they were currently standing near a high cliff that fell directly into the frozen sea… nothing else was in sight.
A sudden tremor got him on guard.
“Here it comes” claimed Drake closing his eyes while slowly raising his hands into the air.
The force of the tremors grew until a booming sound was heard, from the bottom of the cliff started rising a white tower… and another, and another. Five towers rose from the endless waters of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, closely followed by an enormous white wall lighted by flaring torches and lamps. The Castle had been built over a floating island which only access were either by air or through the draw bridge that was being lowered at the moment.
All in all, the place had to be almost as big as Hogwarts itself.
“Welcome to my humble home” Drake grinned at Lady Silverfang’s rolling eyes before walking over the bridge and into the castle, the cars forgotten outside.
---
Once inside, Harry found himself staring at a great hall with pearl colored marble floors, and a red carpet parting straight from the door to the stairs on the other end, and from there to the upper floors. Along the hall could be seen only three doors, two to each of his sides, and the last at the top of the first flight of stairs. Directly on his right was a waiting room, where several important-looking people waited, surely to have a word or two with the Count.
However, his attention was drawn to bottom of the stairs where Drake’s voice boomed: “Children, come meet your new brother” the upper floors corridor’s suddenly filled with the sounds of hurried steps, as three children appeared.
Harry was amazed to discover that Irene’s description of the other three boys was more than accurate. Rob had indeed a gentle air about him, but Harry wasn’t fooled, for behind his loose shirt he could see we was already a muscle wall; the other boy, Michelle reminded him of Snape on his worst days… only much less greasy, as this boy seemingly knew what a bath was; as for the girl… well, let’s just say that Irene had forgotten to tell him of the girl’s intense, electric-blue eyes, and that her magical aura packed a punch he had only once felt from Dumbledore.
'To be so powerful at such a young age...' Harry pondered, thinking that he would probably need someone like her if he was to face Voldemort one day.
Drake smiled at the sight of his ‘children’. “Everyone, say hello to Harry Potter; he will be staying with us from now on.” As unexpected as it was, the kids didn't react at the mention of his name “Harry, let me introduce you to the rest of my family.” He motioned the children to approach. “This young man here is Robert” the ten year old boy approached Harry and shook his hand with an iron grip.
“Call me Rob” his voice was grave even for a child, but his smile never faltered
“This is Michelle, whose parents left in our care for a while.” The boy moved as if he was walking on air, he only nodded, deciding that he was better than a Potter any day… and Harry found himself already disliking him. ‘Just what I needed, another Malfoy’
“At last, but not least, is our beautiful Elizabeth”
“DAD!” she reproached “I’ve told you not to call me that! Geez!” Harry smiled at her… she was really like Tonks. Her eyes left the older man’s face to focus on Harry, inside them he saw a light grow as a small smile painted her lips. “Sorry about that, the old man gets senile at times. The name is Liz”. Harry was a little surprised when the Count roared in laughter clutching the sides of his stomach.
“A pleasure” the boy answered shaking her hand “So…” he yes the man and the others.
“Father, shouldn’t we take Harry to his room?” Rob intervened smiling at the old man.
“Yes… yes, you are right Rob.” The man calmed down and took a glance at Harry “Come” The count stopped, looking as if he had suddenly had a reveling idea; he grinned “Race you to the room” and he sprinted forward and up the stairs.
“No fair!” shouted Liz, giving chase
“Get him!” shouted Rob grinning while inviting Harry to follow them. Michelle shrugged and went away to the other side of the room.
Harry ran to the top of the stairs and into the second floor right corridor, which was as wide as a car. Rob was right in front of him and they where closing on Liz whose dirty blond hair swayed with every step. Suddenly she stopped and both boys had to apply air brakes as to not crash into her.
“Where did he go?” she asked looking all around; They were standing on one of the furthest corners of the corridor, around them there were only two doors and another corridor leading to a flight of stairs that headed up. The whole place was illuminated by the few rays of the sun coming through the windows and electric lamps that turned on when you walked by.
In short, he could have gone just anywhere.
“Not fair” the girl fumed “he knew he haven’t had time to investigate all the twists and turns of this place, while he’s had years of practice.” Rob nodded
“Never mind that; I might have an idea of where Harry is going to sleep...”
“WHAAAAT!” The girl’s shout made the boys cover their ears “Why didn’t you say that before?”
“You never asked” Harry grinned while the girl mumbled to herself about stupid boys.
They followed the older boy into a secret passage that led to the fourth floor; he shushed them before crossing another corridor. Robert followed the new corridor until it bent right, from there he risked a glance around the corner and quickly turned with a big smile painted on his face “Bingo” he whispered.
The three children looked around and found Drake looking smug while walking to the only room with its door open. They shrunk back when the older man looked around.
“Ok, we need a plan to get him before he gets us?” Liz stated and Harry looked confused.
Rob explained “We always play these games with the Count; he claims it to be part of our training.” Harry nodded, deciding he would do his best for the sake of the team.
“Eureka!” the girl shouted, gaining a smack in the head from the dark-skinned boy.
“Shh!” he murmured while looking around the corner, and discovered that fortunately Drake hadn’t heard them “good, he didn’t hear us”
“Sorry” mumbled the girl biting her lower lip. “Anyhow, I’ve got the perfect plan. First, we’ll…”
---
The Count inspected the room and found it perfect, he’d have to praise the cleaning squads for their great job… they had had only two hours to transform an empty room into the living quarters for the boy-who-lived… he was clueless as to where they had got the furniture.
“Eureka!” he heard a shout from behind and smiled, instantly recognizing the voice; he hadn’t hoped they catching up with him so fast… perhaps Robert had been doing more exploring these days.
“Very well, I shall not disappoint them” the count murmured disappearing in a flash of fire.
---
Elizabeth and Harry walked calmly to his soon-to-be room pretending all was good.
“And here we are” she opened the door for him.
“Amazing” declared the boy with no need to fake his amazement.
The room was bigger than the whole Dursley’s house: it had a full size waiting room, a terrace with a table and four metal chairs, a kitchen with a small bar (ful of differend brands of non-alcoholic beverages); Liz entered the room to open a double door that led to what would be Harry’s bedroom, equipped with a four post bed with linen sheets and a chimney with an ever roaring fire, to its right was a clear crystal windows from floor to ceiling and on the exact opposite was a door that lead to the changing room and a bathroom with a shower and what appeared to be a Jacuzzi, but made completely of wood.
“Wow, they gave you an ofuro!” the girl squealed running to the bathroom and feeling the soft wooden surface “You’re busted buddy, because I’m definitely having a bath here every once in a while” she grinned mischievously, making him blush.
“Erm… ofuro?” Harry asked trying hard not to think anything of what the girl had just said; ‘I have to remember these are kids, while I’m not’; he walked slowly over to the shower.
“Japanese bath” she explained “You’re supposed to brush and rinse your body outside, and then lay down in the hot water of the tub. It’s so totally relaxing.” Her simple smile made him forget what ever evil thoughts he had had.
“I thought the Count was supposed to be here” he mused frowning, Liz was about to answer when somebody beat her to it
“And here he is” both kids turned to be received by a jet of warm water and a booming voice “got ya!” Liz jumped into the bathtub for cover while Harry did the same behind the crystal door of the shower. From his spot Harry could clearly see that the Count had not conjured water, as he had thought at first, but rather had a jet of water coming directly through an open window, water floated on the air, without touching anything until it reached the man’s hand, from where it was warmed and shot with mild force; ‘how the hell does he do that?’ he asked himself.
Unfortunately, Liz wasn’t doing as well as she had hoped, because the Count had only to raise his aim a little to make the water crash in the wall and pour inside the tub. Harry, opened the door to help, but the man had anticipated this and created a new jet of water that hit the boy directly on the chest; it wasn’t unpleasant, but man was it annoying.
At that very moment the count realized something he hadn’t noticed before...
“Hadn’t Robert come with you?”
“He did” answered the boy from behind the Count while smacking him on the head with a pillow, the sudden attack distracted him and his water cannons stopped.
“Hey! Whoever said anything about pillow fighting?” the man complained, but conjured a pillow out of thin air and hit the boy on the head “touché!”
While the others pounded each other with feather pillows, Harry ran to help Liz out of her predicament.
“Thanks” she murmured when she was finally able to climb up from the tub, looking like a nearly drown cat. “The man is soo going to regret soaking us” she grinned mischievously and wandlessly conjured a pillow of her own. “Bansai!” she roared entering the fight, with Harry close behind.
Less than five minutes later the three children where on top of the man, mercilessly tickling him into surrender.
“Hahahaha… Stop… hahahaha I-I surrender! hahahahaha” with smug smiles, the children collapsed to the floor.
The man glanced over at his children with happiness painted on his face “guys, what say you we give young Mr. Potter here a welcome, Drakengard’s style?” both Rob and Liz smiled wickedly while Harry could only look at them with mild confusion.
“Charge!” shouted the girl rolling to her knees and tickling Harry.
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A/N: I really enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to give Harry a 'taste' of what a nice functional family was like... and probably give him a chance to enjoy it. Hope you like it.
Drake's presonality is based in mine... when I'm surrounded by kids (family or not). Even if I like videogames, sometimes we just need a good pillow fight or a water-baloon war ;)
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:6:
The ride ‘home’ was eventful to say the least, they sat inside a black Hummer truck with its interior conditioned to look like a limousine, crossing fields full of people wearing military outfits, though Harry thought he had seen a few SWAT guys around.
“The Count is the head of an organization that’s been around for almost five centuries.” Drake smiled at Marco’s explanation “It’s known as the ‘Dragon Force’ and is devoted to the training of special and tactical armed forces, magical or otherwise, from all around the globe.”
Outside of the black jeep Harry spotted several groups of people wearing uniforms of different colors and training in different areas: Martial arts and self defense, light and heavy weaponry, plane and helicopter flight lessons, Tank maneuvering, tactics… the list was endless.
A particular nasty bump in the road made the boy jump in his seat while smacking his nose against the cold glass; He looked at the Count to find him unfazed and unmoving, smiling as if nothing had happened.
“You might want to fasten your seatbelt” patronized the driver looking through the mirror.
“Now, back to track: Apart from this business, his highness has a tendency adopt stray children as his own, as well as training them into grownups who will someday affect the world’s course-”
“Quite a stupid tendency if you ask me” interrupted Lady Silver, who also rode with them; Drake merely shrugged and drew her closer to him.
“Perhaps, but you must admit that we still owe this world for taking us in. It’s just a matter of balance, dear. To give others the opportunities we were given.” The woman frowned but nodded none the less.
“As I was saying” continued the proud father, whose daughter was comfortably sleeping on his arms “This was the case for people like Alastor Moody and Gellert Grindelwald, among others you might find yourself knowing of” by the end of the last sentence, Harry was staring wide eyed at the nobleman.
“You trained Alastor Moody?” Drake nodded “Wow!”
“You’d be amazed to know that he wasn’t the most gifted of the children we received that year, most thought he might as well be a squib for the poor level of magic he showed… but after a few years he was the first of his class, outdoing all the bullies that had bothered him.” The man smiled and looking straight at him, added “Harry, I wish to make you note that being here doesn’t make you great by itself, it takes time, effort and a will strong enough to keep you pushing forward to the very end.”
“I understand sir” Harry nodded. He was already thriving to start eith the training.
“Also, you don’t have to call me sir; I would be glad if you could consider calling me ‘father’” Drake grinned at Harry’s astounded face “I know you love your parents very much, and I do not wish you to forget them at all. I too loved them both when they were my students at Hogwarts.” The boy nodded gravely “I have no doubt that they would have been thrilled to know you were training with us, but would surely understand if you ever wanted to be adopted into a new family.” Seeing as the boy was about to argue, he added “I do not expect for this change anytime soon, just consider it, alright?” Harry merely sighed and reassumed his occupancy of staring at the exterior of the car.
---
After nearly an hour of dirt tracks, the car finally pulled away from the road. As everyone got down, Harry noticed they were currently standing near a high cliff that fell directly into the frozen sea… nothing else was in sight.
A sudden tremor got him on guard.
“Here it comes” claimed Drake closing his eyes while slowly raising his hands into the air.
The force of the tremors grew until a booming sound was heard, from the bottom of the cliff started rising a white tower… and another, and another. Five towers rose from the endless waters of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, closely followed by an enormous white wall lighted by flaring torches and lamps. The Castle had been built over a floating island which only access were either by air or through the draw bridge that was being lowered at the moment.
All in all, the place had to be almost as big as Hogwarts itself.
“Welcome to my humble home” Drake grinned at Lady Silverfang’s rolling eyes before walking over the bridge and into the castle, the cars forgotten outside.
---
Once inside, Harry found himself staring at a great hall with pearl colored marble floors, and a red carpet parting straight from the door to the stairs on the other end, and from there to the upper floors. Along the hall could be seen only three doors, two to each of his sides, and the last at the top of the first flight of stairs. Directly on his right was a waiting room, where several important-looking people waited, surely to have a word or two with the Count.
However, his attention was drawn to bottom of the stairs where Drake’s voice boomed: “Children, come meet your new brother” the upper floors corridor’s suddenly filled with the sounds of hurried steps, as three children appeared.
Harry was amazed to discover that Irene’s description of the other three boys was more than accurate. Rob had indeed a gentle air about him, but Harry wasn’t fooled, for behind his loose shirt he could see we was already a muscle wall; the other boy, Michelle reminded him of Snape on his worst days… only much less greasy, as this boy seemingly knew what a bath was; as for the girl… well, let’s just say that Irene had forgotten to tell him of the girl’s intense, electric-blue eyes, and that her magical aura packed a punch he had only once felt from Dumbledore.
'To be so powerful at such a young age...' Harry pondered, thinking that he would probably need someone like her if he was to face Voldemort one day.
Drake smiled at the sight of his ‘children’. “Everyone, say hello to Harry Potter; he will be staying with us from now on.” As unexpected as it was, the kids didn't react at the mention of his name “Harry, let me introduce you to the rest of my family.” He motioned the children to approach. “This young man here is Robert” the ten year old boy approached Harry and shook his hand with an iron grip.
“Call me Rob” his voice was grave even for a child, but his smile never faltered
“This is Michelle, whose parents left in our care for a while.” The boy moved as if he was walking on air, he only nodded, deciding that he was better than a Potter any day… and Harry found himself already disliking him. ‘Just what I needed, another Malfoy’
“At last, but not least, is our beautiful Elizabeth”
“DAD!” she reproached “I’ve told you not to call me that! Geez!” Harry smiled at her… she was really like Tonks. Her eyes left the older man’s face to focus on Harry, inside them he saw a light grow as a small smile painted her lips. “Sorry about that, the old man gets senile at times. The name is Liz”. Harry was a little surprised when the Count roared in laughter clutching the sides of his stomach.
“A pleasure” the boy answered shaking her hand “So…” he yes the man and the others.
“Father, shouldn’t we take Harry to his room?” Rob intervened smiling at the old man.
“Yes… yes, you are right Rob.” The man calmed down and took a glance at Harry “Come” The count stopped, looking as if he had suddenly had a reveling idea; he grinned “Race you to the room” and he sprinted forward and up the stairs.
“No fair!” shouted Liz, giving chase
“Get him!” shouted Rob grinning while inviting Harry to follow them. Michelle shrugged and went away to the other side of the room.
Harry ran to the top of the stairs and into the second floor right corridor, which was as wide as a car. Rob was right in front of him and they where closing on Liz whose dirty blond hair swayed with every step. Suddenly she stopped and both boys had to apply air brakes as to not crash into her.
“Where did he go?” she asked looking all around; They were standing on one of the furthest corners of the corridor, around them there were only two doors and another corridor leading to a flight of stairs that headed up. The whole place was illuminated by the few rays of the sun coming through the windows and electric lamps that turned on when you walked by.
In short, he could have gone just anywhere.
“Not fair” the girl fumed “he knew he haven’t had time to investigate all the twists and turns of this place, while he’s had years of practice.” Rob nodded
“Never mind that; I might have an idea of where Harry is going to sleep...”
“WHAAAAT!” The girl’s shout made the boys cover their ears “Why didn’t you say that before?”
“You never asked” Harry grinned while the girl mumbled to herself about stupid boys.
They followed the older boy into a secret passage that led to the fourth floor; he shushed them before crossing another corridor. Robert followed the new corridor until it bent right, from there he risked a glance around the corner and quickly turned with a big smile painted on his face “Bingo” he whispered.
The three children looked around and found Drake looking smug while walking to the only room with its door open. They shrunk back when the older man looked around.
“Ok, we need a plan to get him before he gets us?” Liz stated and Harry looked confused.
Rob explained “We always play these games with the Count; he claims it to be part of our training.” Harry nodded, deciding he would do his best for the sake of the team.
“Eureka!” the girl shouted, gaining a smack in the head from the dark-skinned boy.
“Shh!” he murmured while looking around the corner, and discovered that fortunately Drake hadn’t heard them “good, he didn’t hear us”
“Sorry” mumbled the girl biting her lower lip. “Anyhow, I’ve got the perfect plan. First, we’ll…”
---
The Count inspected the room and found it perfect, he’d have to praise the cleaning squads for their great job… they had had only two hours to transform an empty room into the living quarters for the boy-who-lived… he was clueless as to where they had got the furniture.
“Eureka!” he heard a shout from behind and smiled, instantly recognizing the voice; he hadn’t hoped they catching up with him so fast… perhaps Robert had been doing more exploring these days.
“Very well, I shall not disappoint them” the count murmured disappearing in a flash of fire.
---
Elizabeth and Harry walked calmly to his soon-to-be room pretending all was good.
“And here we are” she opened the door for him.
“Amazing” declared the boy with no need to fake his amazement.
The room was bigger than the whole Dursley’s house: it had a full size waiting room, a terrace with a table and four metal chairs, a kitchen with a small bar (ful of differend brands of non-alcoholic beverages); Liz entered the room to open a double door that led to what would be Harry’s bedroom, equipped with a four post bed with linen sheets and a chimney with an ever roaring fire, to its right was a clear crystal windows from floor to ceiling and on the exact opposite was a door that lead to the changing room and a bathroom with a shower and what appeared to be a Jacuzzi, but made completely of wood.
“Wow, they gave you an ofuro!” the girl squealed running to the bathroom and feeling the soft wooden surface “You’re busted buddy, because I’m definitely having a bath here every once in a while” she grinned mischievously, making him blush.
“Erm… ofuro?” Harry asked trying hard not to think anything of what the girl had just said; ‘I have to remember these are kids, while I’m not’; he walked slowly over to the shower.
“Japanese bath” she explained “You’re supposed to brush and rinse your body outside, and then lay down in the hot water of the tub. It’s so totally relaxing.” Her simple smile made him forget what ever evil thoughts he had had.
“I thought the Count was supposed to be here” he mused frowning, Liz was about to answer when somebody beat her to it
“And here he is” both kids turned to be received by a jet of warm water and a booming voice “got ya!” Liz jumped into the bathtub for cover while Harry did the same behind the crystal door of the shower. From his spot Harry could clearly see that the Count had not conjured water, as he had thought at first, but rather had a jet of water coming directly through an open window, water floated on the air, without touching anything until it reached the man’s hand, from where it was warmed and shot with mild force; ‘how the hell does he do that?’ he asked himself.
Unfortunately, Liz wasn’t doing as well as she had hoped, because the Count had only to raise his aim a little to make the water crash in the wall and pour inside the tub. Harry, opened the door to help, but the man had anticipated this and created a new jet of water that hit the boy directly on the chest; it wasn’t unpleasant, but man was it annoying.
At that very moment the count realized something he hadn’t noticed before...
“Hadn’t Robert come with you?”
“He did” answered the boy from behind the Count while smacking him on the head with a pillow, the sudden attack distracted him and his water cannons stopped.
“Hey! Whoever said anything about pillow fighting?” the man complained, but conjured a pillow out of thin air and hit the boy on the head “touché!”
While the others pounded each other with feather pillows, Harry ran to help Liz out of her predicament.
“Thanks” she murmured when she was finally able to climb up from the tub, looking like a nearly drown cat. “The man is soo going to regret soaking us” she grinned mischievously and wandlessly conjured a pillow of her own. “Bansai!” she roared entering the fight, with Harry close behind.
Less than five minutes later the three children where on top of the man, mercilessly tickling him into surrender.
“Hahahaha… Stop… hahahaha I-I surrender! hahahahaha” with smug smiles, the children collapsed to the floor.
The man glanced over at his children with happiness painted on his face “guys, what say you we give young Mr. Potter here a welcome, Drakengard’s style?” both Rob and Liz smiled wickedly while Harry could only look at them with mild confusion.
“Charge!” shouted the girl rolling to her knees and tickling Harry.
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A/N: I really enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to give Harry a 'taste' of what a nice functional family was like... and probably give him a chance to enjoy it. Hope you like it.
Drake's presonality is based in mine... when I'm surrounded by kids (family or not). Even if I like videogames, sometimes we just need a good pillow fight or a water-baloon war ;)
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