The moment my foot touched inside the cave I felt a rush of energy and force pushing and pulling me somewhere else. I was transported into another realm entirely. Unlike “The Dase run” that my people had used to travel the stars. This form of travel had been a particular means of instant travel from one point of origin to the next.
I felt the magical heat of raw power all around me. I knew I was a vast distance away from my people and could feel it then urge to go back quickly. I resisted as I followed a narrow path in front of me deeper into the cave.
The cave was cast in darkness with glimpses of color on the narrow walls around me. Every half step I took showed vibrant colors of ruby and Jasmin occasionally coloring the walls.
The dusty ash red path lay before me darkness behind me. I walked on carefully but my steps were with purpose. The urge to find the Lava Tooth and be done with the mission to return to my people was my only desire now.
I traveled on. It felt like hours passed though I sensed time was very different in the micro realm of ancient magic.
I stopped a moment took a breath and just took a leap forward until I arrived center of the core room. A place of living glowing rocks and a pool of ruby magical waters lay before me. I felt presense of a being here. Invisible to my naked eyes but my soul gazed back at the creature.
“Greetings Ancient one. I come to obtain the Lava Tooth to protect my people.” I said.
The ancient being stired in the silence. I sensed silent amusement. It reminded me of Rolle.
“You are a mortal seeking power as every mortal before and the ones that will come after you. Are you any different from Crowley young one? I ponder your words though.” The ancient power spoke with the words. I felt the words in soul.
I bowed to one knee lowering my head. It felt right. Though I was surprised by the ancient power’s mention of Crowley. He had come to this place as well?
“Yes. Yes. Your Lord and Master came here once. He walked the same path as you did. He made the leap here and he spoke to me but he left empty handed as you will. What now?” The ancient power said with no emotion or verbal sound.
What could I say. I was no Crowley. He had been the strongest of his generation of my people. I wasn’t even of his line to rule. I would fair the same as he did. I had failed. Still I wanted to know something.
“What do you wish to know young one. Stand your ground as a man and ask of me what you will.” The Ancient One said.
I stood facing the pools of magical waters. I stared in to the depths. “I wish to know, to know…” I said and then paused. I wanted to ask for wisdom but then something else came to me. I could gain wisdom from Rolle and living my life. There was something I wanted to know. That couldn’t gain naturally. “Who are you?” I asked.
Laughter and life. I felt it in my soul and I felt it all around me in this place of ancient magic. I had my answer. I knelt down by the pools of magical pools. I still needed to have something to take back to my people to encourage them inspite of my failure. “Ancient One. May, I borrow your powers for my Iron Fang knife?” I asked.
“Do as you will. You are a man. You know the path to take. But, be mindful. I am lending you away. You will return to me.” The ancient power said.
I got out my knife and dipped the blade into the pools of magical waters. It came out glowing ruby red in magical energy. This would do.
“Thank you, Ancient One. Until we meet again at the end of my journey.” I said.
The Ancient power’s laughter warmed my soul. “Safe journey.” The ancient one said.
I got to my feet. A hand touched my shoulder I turned and Rolle’s kind face greeted me. I felt a pang of guilty at failing in my mention. I showed him the blade of my knife though. “I have-” I started to say but Rolle shook his head.
“It is time. Let us go fetch your bride.” He said.
Angus was the first to step out unto the streets with James following close behind him. James took in New York City for the first time in his life. His head kept turning looking at the mixture of buildings and construction sights every where. What he found the most strange was the open show of the magical world being shown around them.
It was in the buildings that had ward marks on them and project spells on the side of the buildings that took framed along side non-magi technology for news adds and information being transmitted.
Every once in a while he would see a wizard walking around in non-magi clothes or outright with wand viable or with an old school wizard staff. James moved closer to Angus.
“Dad. Is this legal?” James asked carefully.
Angus frowned looked around them as they crossed a side walk. “What’s that?”
“Ah you know. I see a lot of our world and non-magi cultures mixed into together out in the open. What about the magical code of order.”
Angus snorted in laughter. “I should have taken you around the homeland of the magi more. What better way to keep something hidden then to have it in plain sight. The non-magi have evolved their world to a point with technological advances that their coming pretty close to achieving some semi on par to what the magi have got going.”
James frowned. “It’s still strange though and I can tell the difference though the lines are crossed and seem to be blurring things.”
“Yeah. It’s cool isn’t it?” Angus said.
“Cool?! It seems more dangerous to me of exposing us the non-magi. Where are we going?” James asked.
“Hawk Landing building. We’re going to be taking a port key short cut to the main building. Let’s go.”
Angus walked up to a construction site mobile portapotty. He knocked on the door on the side and then opened it a crack to threw some flew dust inside from back before he went inside waving James to follow him.
James frowned and then followed his father inside and then he stepped outside in another part of the city outside where Angus was waiting for him. He frowned closing the door behind himself.
Angus grinned. “Let’s go.” He said walking down the street toward an old bookstore front.
James hurried to catch up as he held the door open for him and waved him inside. James walked inside the old bookstore. Angus was quiet as James took in the room a man with dark hair and silver blue eyes in a blue suit at the welcome desk staring at Angus and ignoring James altogether.
“Sir. You are Mr. Potter.” The man asked addressing Angus in a stiff English accent.
“Yep. You can pretty much guess the reason I am here. I met one of his employees yesterday. I’m here to talk with your Boss.”
“Talk? I was given the impression from Mr. Wells that you were here to take something that belongs to him currently.”
“Yeah. Well. A bit of change of plans. I did send Mr. Wells a note to see if I could get an audience with him. So we could talk a bit and skip all this fighting violence stuff.” He said and smiled.
The man didn’t return the smile. “Indeed. Mr. Wells asked that you leave your weapon here? You son of course would be free to keep his wand but can remain here while you conduct your meeting with Mr. Wells.”
Angus sighed. “If I leave my weapon here. You have to promise not to touch it or allow anyone else to do so. It would very dangerous for anyone to do so.”
The man at the desk started sweating. “Mr. Potter. I have been well informed about the weapon you have crafted is dangerous. I can assure you I would not think to touch it or look at it or allow anyone else the ability to do so. Mr. Wells assures me to tell you that no hurt or harm would come to you or your heir if your intention is peaceful.”
Angus slowly reached for his weapon putting it in his bag and handed the bag over to James and then looked at the man. “If my son is not here when I get back or any harm has fallen to him for any reason I will hold you to an accounting. I’m will destroy you and make you wish you had chosen a better profession before you died here in this room and then I would burn this whole damn building to the ground. Have I made myself clear?”
James’ heart beat against his chest as the quiet lasted for far longer then he liked. There was a strange. Angus sighed. “I thought you were informed about me. Do you know who I am?”
The man nodded. “I do. You are the Dragon of the West. The future grand magi of the magi community.”
Angus nodded and laid a hand gentle on James shoulder. “This young man. Do you know who he is?”
“He is your heir to your family legacy. If anything were to happen to him your future would come to an end. No. I can not promise you his protection physically or mentally. It would be best that you take Young Mr. Potter home with you Sir.” He said.
Angus stared at him and then he smiled. He took his pack from James. “Honesty, that is refreshing. Tell Mr. Wells. He can keep the rock for however long he wants or can. I don’t give a damn. No. I’m not joking. I don’t get paid enough for this type of shit. All I wanted was a conversation. I don’t associate with men with no honor. I’m taking my son and I’m going home and hopefully Mr. Wells and I will never meet each other or encounter one another. Please tell him however that if he crosses the President or the safety of the magi community then I will be called upon to neutralize him otherwise I say let live. I took an oath to protect and safe guard our people here. If he cannot respect that then he is unfit to be apart of the magi community here and the magical wizard world at large.”
Angus turned to go but James looked back at the man. “Sir. What is your name?”
“Timothy Zane Oswald. Mr. Potty. Please have a safe trip back. Sir. It was an honor to meet you and your father.” He said with nod and serious face.
Angus nodded to him taking James’ shoulder they world shifted away into darkness twisting between time and space and then they were back in Angus’ workshop. James frowned as Angus set his bag down and looked at him.
“That’s it. Your just going to let Wells keep the mystic stone? What about your promise to the Count?”
Angus shrugged. “Of course. I failed. There is on way in hell I’m going to get that stone without putting down a lot of guilty and innocent bodies on the floor and Wells has proven himself to be a fool willing to test me by attempting to touch you.”
“Dad. I am an adult. We have a job to finish. I can take care of myself and we have a job to do. We have to get the stone.”
Angus shook his head. “No. We failed. I tried to be reasonable and discuss thing with the man peacefully even so there is something you have to learn quick. Know when to walk away if you can from a situation that just isn’t worth dealing with or a damn rock. Wells is old school. I talked with him to try to saddle the situation privately. I can’t even leave my seventeen year old son in his establishment so we can talk. No. I felt something wrong with this damn case from the job. I’ll explain the situation to my boss and send a message to The Count and that will be that.”
“Your just going to let Wells go. Because your afraid he’s going to do something to me?”
Angus shook his head. “We’re not letting him go. It’s just a matter of time before we’ll have to put him down. It ain’t now though. It’s going to be like this son. You don’t get them all in one go some times. You win some, you lose some but the name of the game is to keep living on to fight against the darkness. You have choice son.”
James stared at Angus. “What do you mean?”
“This isn’t a battle son, this is a war our family has been fighting sense Grandpa Harry faced Riddle on his first year at Hogwarts. I drafted into this war when my Grandfather died because I didn’t have a choice. I had to get stronger and my friend had enemies on all sides and needed just one person willing to stand with him and not stab him in the back. I accept my fate but you can choose different. I’ll teach how to get stronger and how to gain your own power but the choice to step into this war is one I want you to think about it first but hopefully you can avoid it altogether when I get done laying down the law and laying down my sword.”
James sighed feeling his heart hammering against the inside of his chest. “Why do they keep calling you the Dragon of the West?”
Angus snorted. “It’s because your old man is a bad ass coyboy that lays down for no man, wizard or beast.”
Angus lay on his back in a field of dandelions staring up at the cloudy sky. He heard rather then saw his wand being destroyed by his opponent. To the victor goes the wand and what he would do with it.
It was done. He had fallen into the same trap his father, uncles and all his brothers. Power and position. He had failed to resist it in a most damnable way possible. Now his family line would end with him. He didn’t know how to handle that at first. He had failed.
“Do you hate me?” Max Hellion asked still with his weapon drawn.
Angus frowned at the question and he wondered why Max even bothered with such an idiotic question.
“Angus. Come on mate. I need to know your thoughts here. It would benefit you depending on how this thing would continue on.”
“Continue on?! I have no idea what the hell your talking about bro. You won. I lost. That’s the general way of a duel goes. One idiot challengers another idiot and guess what happens? The idiot loses.” Angus said.
“I had to destroy your wand mate. No way around it.”
“I don’t feel like talk about my feelings bro. I challenged you. I lost. It is what it is. My girl is on going to my ass because of this shit.”
“You didn’t use Avada Kedavra. Why not?” Max asked in confused voice.
Angus frowned up at the sky. “What the hell are you talking about now?”
“You know Avada Kedavra. You didn’t use the spell. It’s a duel.”
Angus glared up at the sky. “Now I get to listen this bullshit. Your a damned asshole for rubbing it in like this bro. You can’t let me go down like real G. You have to rub my face in the shit.”
“Bloody hell would you answer my damned question.” Max demanded.
“We agreed to using Stupefy. Asshole. So I used Stupefy. What the hell are you on bro? It’s just a duel it ain’t a damned war or something. I can’t believe I challenged you to a duel. What the hell was I thinking? This is the most embarrassing day of my life.” Angus said as he stared at the sky now realizing the full idiocy of his situation. “I blame you for this?”
Max sighed and put away his wand to sit down on the ground next to Angus. “Okay. Ah. I got something to ah tell you.”
Angus shook his head. “No. I can feel your about to say something that is going to add to me feeling like a bigger jackass then I already feel like right now.”
“Just listen to me first. Barney came to last night telling me you had wanted this to be a real duel. You had some rumor that I had tried to seduce your lady. He said you were getting serious ideals about going for rising for power. So I had to use serious force and destroy your wand.”
“Good old Barney likes to talk shit Max. He always has sense forth year at Hogwarts when we had to get him out of jam because he had talked himself into being thrown in a trash bin on Diagon Alley. Don’t go trying to tell me you believed him. You still blasted my ass into the air with Stupefy on the first draw. I’ve never seen you draw that fast in my life. I never had a chance.” Angus said as he realized the distance he really did have from being a great wizard as his grandfather was to faraway from him to touch. “I never had a chance.” He whispered softly.
“Shit. You can get a new wand mate. Hell I’ll even pay for it for you to get a top one.” Max said.
Angus shook his head. “No. This ain’t going to work. I have to find a different way. I’ll just keep hitting the same damn wall if I keep going down this path. If this is as far as I go as a wizard so be it. But, I can’t end my life like this. I have to change. I have to find a way to win.”
“No you don’t.” Max insisted. “Your the last descendant of Harry Potter. You’ve got me and Ava to back you up. You got great skills as at dueling and hunting dark wizards and combating dark creatures.”
Angus shook his head. “No. Grandpa Harry told me not to coast along on his name. He told me to not lean on my friends to much but be someone they can lean on. He told me that I had to find my own way and make my own name. He told me I had to become great for myself sake not to make for some bullshit legacy.”
Max stared at him. “He didn’t say that last part.” He said. Angus sat up and looked at Max. “Yes he did. Grandpa Harry was a real one. He was nothing like the bullshit stories people told us. That’s why he was a great man because he wanted me to be my own man. I’ll never be what he was but I will obtain my own greatness. My story isn’t going to end up like my father and brothers or uncles.” Angus got up to his feet. At the same time Max did.
“Are you going to be alright?” Max asked in concern.
“I don’t know yet. I have to go away for a bit. I’m going to see Ava first to tell her what I’m going to do. If she’s willing to wait for me then they’ll be something for me to come back for.” He said and stared off.
“Angus. Where are you going?”
Max smiled. “East. I’m going as far East as I can go until I find them.”
“The Far Eastern Wizards? We’ve got plenty of their wizards here and we have all the books from the masters in the Far East. You should know, you studied them in Hogwarts. You are a scholar on them.”
Angus grimaced shaking his head. “Am I? Learning from books ain’t the same as being instructed from the people that wrote the damned books. It’s time I upgraded my training. Come on. I’m going to need emotional support when we meet my girl and tell her I lost against the future minister of magic.” He said and disappeared.
James and Angus had been walking on the road in silence for half an hour. James looked at Angus who seem perfectly at ease.
“Dad. Did you just pick this road for us to have a moment of privacy to talk a bit before we move on to the next location?”
Angus held up two fingers. I nodded. “Not really. There was supposed to be a location out here for us. It’s gone now. So I used this opportunity for me to answer your questions as best as I can. We’ll be moving on to the next location. I’m just waiting a bit trying to get my baring and-”
Angus turned pushing James behind as he drew his peacemaker and fired. An explosion of a fire storm shot out of the noose of his weapon as another blast of dangerous magical energy came racing toward them. Both spells met clashing. Angus stood his ground as the ground shook with the clash of masters contended in a duel for supremacy over the other.
Angus snarled as blood came from his nose. “Damn it.” He said as he started being pushed back and the spell came closer toward them.
James shook head. “Dad.”
Angus shook his head. “I got it.” He said and lifted his other hand that was glowing gold. He pointed two toward his enemy and a circle of light surrounded him.
James stared at him wide eyed. “Holy shit!”
Angus smiled. “Damn straight.” He spoke in an echoing voice before golden flames came out of his weapon punching against the dark magical energy. The golden flames quickly overpowered the dark power. A second later there was a loud scream and the battle was over.
James stared wide eyes at Angus. Angus turned to him holstering his weapon. There was still an afterglow of golden energy around his body as he smiled at James. “That was scary. I’m a bit of energy for the moment we’ll have to walk over toward that jackass that tried to sneak up on us. We maybe able to get something off him that will help us.” He said turning and started walking back down the road.
James was frozen for a few a seconds until his father looked back. He started following after him just then. Down the road they could see a body on the ground dressed in dark robes.
“What the hell was that spell he used?” James asked.
“Avada Kedavra.” Angus said frowning. “He was pretty strong one too by the amount of energy he put into it. Still he was a bit slow on the draw. If he had been faster he would have caught us in the back.”
James shook his head. “How did you know? How? I didn’t even hear him speak it.”
Angus shrugged his shoulders taking out another sandwich from the bag. “Nether did I son. I just felt the spell go off.” James flinched. “You felt the spell go off?”
Angus nodded chewing on his sandwich. “Yep. It’s something I picked up in part from being unlucky enough to get myself into some dumb situations like this over time so I had to pick up a means of being alert when a spell like that goes off into this realm of existence.” James frowned at him. “Did you learn it from your master in The Wuixa?
“Yes. Master Chen had interesting way of instructing me toward listening for shift when magic is activated.” Angus said with a grin. “It was not easy learning it.” James shook his head at Angus. “I don’t understand what I just saw. I thought your weapon just shot fireballs or bullets and then I see you firing off a type Fiendfyre spell and then it changes to golden flames. How?!”
Angus shook his head. “I wasn’t using a spell. It was pure wuixa flame element. It’s the element I can work best through the peacemaker. however lightning element would have worked better just as well.”
James frowned and started to say something but Angus drew out his peacemaker. He followed Angus’ lead pulling out his wand and looking around for danger as they slowly approached the body of the wizard on the ground.
“Why did he attack us like that?” James whispered.
Angus shook his head. “He was probably put here to watch for us and he’s dark wizard. Killing people is what they do best. There are no rules in battle. Be watchful but relax a bit so you can be quick to draw on attacker.” He said as they quickly neared the body on the ground.
“Yes, Sir.”
Angus had the peacemaker aimed at the body frowning at it. He noticed the wand was still in hand of the wizard on the ground. “Your in a lot a pain. I expect. I could relieve you of that pain right quick if you want.”
There was no response. James frowned but kept his eyes darting around. He didn’t know what Angus was about but he kept to his assignment.
“Listen. I don’t fault you for sneaking up on my back door to put me down. It’s the name of the game but you tried to kill my son and good buddy over here. I’m willing to let you go though if you tell me who stole the stone from The Count. I don’t want it personally. This is just a job to me.” No response.
“I know. I know. Your thinking I’m talking out of my ass but I’m being real with you Mr. Killer. I just want to finish this job and get back to my business and spending time with my son. You’re probably feeling sore about loosing to an American Magi but it is what it is. No fault on your end. I been around. I learned some stuff from the Wuixa.”
The wizard opened his eyes staring up at Angus. “The Wuixa do not welcome outsiders of the West into their sect with your power and name. How did you learn holy light?”
Angus smiled. “My Master Chen taught me. He took a liking to me because I made him laugh and I am a very patient man.”
“Damn you.” The wizard cursed Angus. “Damn you and your entire mudblood family legacy. Your are a disgrace to the pure bloods and magical world.”
“Tell me where your master is and where I can find him or I’ll destroy your wand and leave you here for wild animals or the next passing dark wizards to play with. I’m not leaving without the information. We can do this kindly or I can squeeze the information out of you. I’ll do it. Don’t push me. But besides all that. I won. You lost. It is what it is. You know the rules of the game” Angus said cold.
“Your a liar. You have defeated me. My wand is yours.” He said.
“I don’t want your wand. I don’t need it. In fact I want you to keep. You can work out. Build your muscles and maybe one day you’ll be strong enough to attack me from behind again and or catch me with my pants down on toilet. Then you can pat yourself on back for much of a strong brave pure blood you are.” Angus said and then snorted in to laughter.
James flinched shaking his head. He said nothing but kept his eyes on watch for danger.
“Damn you, Dragon of the West. Damn you to hell. He said I’d never be able to beat you but I had to try. His name is Hector Wells. You can find him in the East Coast City of the Capital of the congress. Now leave me to my failure and disgrace.”
“James. Grab hold.” Angus said holding out his hand he kept his gaze on his target and peacemaker leveled on the wizard on the ground.
James pocketed his wand and grabbed a hold on Angus’ arm.
All four were seated at a table with James and Angus seated together and Ava and Nickolas facing them. James used to hiding his emotions in front of strangers smiled but he was quiet as the atmosphere felt strange but bot Angus and Ava acted like old friends reconnecting.
Angus turned to Nickolas. “Count. Your letter was rather vague on details of the item that was stolen from you. If you could give me just a little more details on what it is and when you noticed it stolen then I can get to finding the item and the possible thief or thieves that stole it from you.”
Nickolas studied Angus’ face closely and he nodded his head. “Of course I meant the letter to be a little vague being I didn’t want to entirely trust the details the relaying of it into letter no matter the magical protection and wards you have on your owl. Ava if you would be so kind as to present the file to Mr. Potter.”
Ava bowed to him slightly and with a twist of her a few whispered words barely heard her wand appeared in her hand. She spoke barely above a whisper again and a document folder appeared in Angus’ hands.
“Thank you, Ava. Alright. Let’s see what we have here.’ Angus said almost to himself as he unfolded the document and started quickly scanning the contents humming lightly. He stopped on one page frowned and brought it out. It was large page moving photo of private home museum that was wrecked while men in dark scarlet trench jackets looking around the area scanning it with their wands.
“How many Aurors do you have on your case currently?” Angus asked carefully.
“I have five. A great many value items and relics of the past were taken from my private collection. None as important as the one you will be seeking and the wizard and killing for the annoyance he has caused me.” He said firmly.
The Count glanced at James. “Mr. Potter. I found it very odd that your father introduced you as James Potter. Yet, your mother has referred to you as Harry Potter. A name sake of your ancestor the one lived and slayer the Dark Lord.”
James was used to this type of behavior. “My father named me James Potter Heir to the house of Potter, defender of the old true ways, The last Hallow of the past.. So that is my official house name and title. My mother can call me whatever name she pleases. It is her right. It is the name she gave me in respect to my ancestor and her hopes for me becoming a great Auror as my ancestor was in his day.”
He said speaking in calm tones. Though his voice didn’t carry the same echoing power as his father it was clear and direct. The Count nodded stiffly and tried for a social smile. “Yes. Yes. I did forget that his career in the ministry as a Auror had been impressive after his defeat of the Dark Lord. Would you or your father care for a drink or something to eat before you and your father head off to your task for me?”
James looked at his Angus was smiling but shaking his head at The Count. “My apologies, Count but we’ll have to get going so we can handle your case.” He said.
The all started to rise from their seats. The Count shrugged and waved them outside back the way they had entered the restaurant. “I will live you to it then. Oh. I do apologies if the announcement of my engagement to Ava came as a surprise to you Mr. Potter.” He said addressing Angus.
Both James and Ava looked toward Angus. Angus shook his head. “No need to apologies Count. Ava is her own woman and entitled to her own happiness. I wish you both well.” He said with nod of his head. “We’ll be off then.”
James felt it again. Unease. He glanced at his mother one last time to her smile. “Mother. I will see you soon.” He said and leaned toward her. Ava met him half way the distance and he kissed her cheek. “I love you. Obey your father.” She said to him.
James nodded. “I will. I love you to.” He said and followed Angus out the way they had come in.
Angus wrapped his around James pulling him close while James notice his father hand a hand on his peacemaker. His father shook his head. “Close your eyes son. Nothing bad is going happen to you.”
James obeyed and they went into apparition. The feeling twisted apart to being pulled into yourself was worse because short period he had to rest his mind from it but soon enough they were somewhere else. James forced his eyes opened as Angus took his hand leading him into a store front shop.
James head hurt but kept quiet about it because seemed physically upset about finding out about Ava’s engagement. “I didn’t know mom was getting married.”
“She isn’t getting married, son.” Angus said in a distracted voice going to the front of the store and started looking around the small bookstore. James froze. “What do you mean? Your not going to do something to him are you?”
Angus looked at him and shook his head. “What?! Of course not. Son. Listen. We’re going to finish this job as fast as humanly possible send the item to that jackass by Owl and hopefully your not going to be connected to anything related to him. Remember son. You only met that man once in passing. We have nothing to do with him and ill feelings for him. Understand?!”
James stared at him. “Dad. You looked you were going to kill him.”
Angus snorted and shook his head. “Son. I don’t care about that little shit. He’s an obvious jealous hater and an annoying fan boy still whining and moaning about his idol being blasted to hell by my grandpa when he was seventeen. What a joke?!” He said laughing loudly.
James stared at his father and then burst out into laughter. “Dad. You can’t be serious.”
“Son. Riddle’s fanboys always call him the Dark Lord or refer to us as the descendants of the slayer of Dark Lord. They never call it for what it is. They all have the same damn pattern. They simply just don’t get.”
“What is it then?” James asked paused in middle of his laughter.
Angus had that glint in his eyes and stared at his son with a spark gaze and a funny grin on his lips. “Tom Riddle was a middle aged psycho that had been taken out by a seventeen year old wizard because he was a loser. His fanboys can’t accept the facts. Grandpa Harry beat him in the duel but Albus Dombledore and Severus Snape assassinated his ass with a daring nerve and a cunning planning.”
James nodded silently and patted his chest with his fist at the same time Angus did in memory of the true heroes that saved the wizarding world in the last war. He looked around the book store in question. “Why did you bring us here? Where are we by the by.”
“London!” Angus grinned. “Where here to get some information and visit an old friend while we have the time.”
“What’s noise?”
They turned to the back to see a two elderly females one with wild orange and gray long hair with large glasses on her in brown dress on and her companion a slim woman with blond hair and gray blue eyes that studied them both in surprise.
Angus grinned coming over as they’re stared at him in shock. “Aunty Hermione. You’re looking good. I wasn’t expecting to see the wonderful Luna with you as well. I’m back.” He said coming over to them.
They cried hugging and laying kisses on his face and head as they cried. James stood in place surprised and not knowing what to do. Though he hadn’t met his great great aunt in-law before he had met Luna.
Luna looked over at him and put a finger to her lips giving him a wink and waved him over. James nodded and quickly over to join in the greeting.
James sat by the fireplace waiting as an image of a beautiful woman in her early forties appeared in the flames of the fireplace. She smiled at him.
“Happy Birthday Harry. Today your real journey begins today.” Ava Nightingale said in voice filled with warmth and pleasure.
James smiled at her. “Hello mother. Your looking well. Dad tells me you have some job offers to talk to me about. I’m up for hearing them but I also have somethings I wish to discuss with you.”
Ava’s image blinked in confusion at him and then studied his face closely and her smile faded away. “Something happened. Are you alright? Is your father with you?”
James nodded and tried to keep up his smile on his face in order not to overall worry his mother. “Yes. We got a visitor to our home looking for dad. He and I dealt with it there was also something else that happened.”
Ava shook her head. “Can you give me a little bit more detail on what or who came looking for your father?”
James looked over at his father who was now busy repairing the large hole left by the destruction of the Dementor. Angus glanced back at him and smiled and waved him back to his conversation with Ava.
James looked back at his mother. “It a creature Dad had been hunting for the-his boss. It was a dangerous creature. He had to use his hybrid weapon on it. I used my Patronus. We destroyed it so now we’re all safe now.”
“Hybrid weapon? Is that what he calls that silly monstrous weapon now?”
Angus started laughing in the background as he started to his work with some plywood, hammer and nails. He said nothing else so James focused on his mother.
“No. That’s what how I think of his 1911SC. A hybrid of magi craftsmanship and non-magi technological advance. It is very powerful weapon he uses to focus his power.”
“Angus allowed you to go into battle with him?” Ava asked in a strange tone.
James nodded. “Yes. I am of age. I told him so and he accepted me as an adult.”
“Harry. Your father did not need your assistance. He is a powerful wizard in his own who has not yet even reached his full measure of his powers. He will become the most powerful wizard in the modern era. You come a long line of powerful lords of magic and you are his heir. You have decades to go before you even touch his level and you are his heir.”
James nodded but still stared at his mother. “I know. But I am an adult now. I am a man. If I am to achieve me promise then I must-”
“-If?!” Ava said at him in shocked surprised. “You are Harry Potter. You will become every bit of strong wizard as your father and his fathers before him. Why are you doubting yourself at the beginning of your rise?”
James looked away. “I-I felt dad’s power when he took hold of his weapon. It was like a blanket of raw power and intent to destroy anything that got in his way. I don’t know. I know if I can live up to it.” He said honestly.
“James.” Angus called out to his son.
James looked up toward his father. Angus stared at him. “You are your own man now I’m proud of who you right now.. But, your still my son. Your mother and I didn’t leave nothing out in raising you. You hear me?”
James stared at his father and then nodded. “Yes Sir.” He said and then turned back to his mother that was studying him.
Ava was quietly staring at him as he finished explaining to her his thoughts on his father’s weapon. “Indeed. Did something else happen before the Dementor arrived.”
James frowned. “Yes. I had a dream about the night you sent me to live with father.” He said calmly.
Ava stared at him. “Did your vision involve me or my parts of the events that night.”
James grimaced but shook his head. “No. The dream was centered around Professor Longbottom, Tan Tan and dad having a short chat before they handed me over to dad and left. It doesn’t make any sense. Why am I having dreams like this now of all times?!”
“It wasn’t a dream. I made a mistake and underestimated how jealous people are of the Potter name and how many enemies your father has. Your father is a powerful wizard. Your father could have had any woman he wanted before after me.” She said staring at him.
Angus snorted in laughter and James looked at him. “What? Mom likes you a lot.”
“Tell your mother if she’s so grateful toward me then she can come around the house and I can provide her couple more kids for my grand legacy.”
James stared at his father. “Dad. Are you serious!?”
“Tell her!” Angus ordered.
James turned his head back to Ava’s concerned face. He smiled. “Dad says sense your so grateful to him for giving you a child then he would gladly provide you with more children if you were so inclined.”
Ava stared at him. “Harry. Now that you are in your adulthood. You’ll have to decide the course you need to take in life. I have positions in my company in the entry level of magical spell engineering. You can have it any time you want?”
“James. What’s her answer to my question.” Angus asked.
James’ face flushed with heat. “Mother. Ah Dad would like an answer to his question.”
Ava sighed. “Tell your father I will consider it when you have figured out your course in life and gone off on your own however, I will be around later in the week to have a cup of tea with him when I have finished my work. Remind him I still have the port key he crafted for me.”
James turned to his father. “Mom said she has to finish up some stuff at work and send you an Owl when she’s freed up but she also still has the port key your gave her so be ready when she comes by for a cup of tea.”
Angus nodded. “Alright. That’s good. I’ll do my best to convince your mother in bed when hit the sheets. Does your mother know about the Horn Serpent Patronus of yours?”
James nodded his head silently. “Yeah. Dad could give us a moment.”
Angus held up his hands. “Alright. Alright. I’ll leave you and your mother be. I got to go get other tools in the back down go near the front until I get back.” He said and then held up his hand a magical shield went up around the front of the entrance before he turned and left.
James turned back to his mother to see her smiling at him again. “What?”
“Your not coming to London.” Ava said with a nod her her head. “Your staying in the States?” She said with and assurance in her voice of it.
James sighed. “No. I’m not sure right now about it. I’m interested in getting an Auror position here. The plan will still be the same. I’ll work my way up the ministry and then head into the position of President like we’ve planned out.” James said.
Ava nodded. “I hear a but somewhere. What do you want?”
“Power.” James said softly. “I want what Dad has. Mother. Dad is powerful. He has real power.”
Ava pursed her lips but nodded. “Yes he does.”
“Have you seen him use that weapon he has. He killed a Dementors with it. He shoot fireballs of lightning out of it without being drained of any energy it seems. It was wicked. I have seen or read about anyone do what he does without using a phoenix core wand. He’s even the president here. How is that possible.”
Ava shrugged. “Maybe you need to ask him but at this point I wouldn’t ask him why he never chose to become the President of the American Congress of magic.”
James froze. “Why wouldn’t you?” He asked her.
Ava narrowed her focus on him. “Because it’s not a good question. Your father has his own reasons for why he’s in the position he’s in. Your a back sight you have the power to see into the past events of peoples and hear their thoughts. It’s a gift that takes time to develop over time and your going to end up working out the gift backwards and and present. No. I can’t explain it to you. You’ll have to experience it yourself. You’ll eventually find out the reason for that question but a better question that serves your purpose of gaining power is-”
Ava paused to give James time to think of the answer. He frowned shaking his head. He couldn’t think of it the only thing that came to his mind was-”
“Say it!” Ava said.
“Why did he stop using a wand?” I asked. “Did you ever use your back sight to see into his past? Did you ever find the answer?”
Ava shook her head. “No. No matter how many times I’ve tried. I can’t figure it out and I don’t know the reason he chose me. It’s like he walks outside of our reach to see into the events and patterns of the past or the power of oracles to see into the future. I don’t know. But, if you want to become like your father or gain his level power then you need to ask him or-”
“-I need to ask him to teach me become just as powerful as he is.” James said softly.
Ava nodded. “Yes. You can become his apprentice and shadow him and you’ll find your answer.”
“Mother. I read letter. Do you still think that way about yourself?” James said.
Ava stared at him. “It doesn’t matter.”
James pursed his lips. “I think your a powerful and a brilliant wizard. I think that’s the reason Dad choose you and wanted to start a family with-”
“-I have to go Harry. I love you. If your father approves of taking you on as his apprentice then you must obey his ever command and never doubt any decision he makes is to protect you because he loves you. We both love you and that is the only thing that matters. Remember that.” Ava said before her image disappeared and the fireplace became empty.
James stared at the empty fireplace and wondered if he had gone to far but then he knew that nothing was going to stop him.
James jumped at the sound of someone knocking on front door. He noticed that Angus didn’t move but his focused had locked in the direction of the front entrance.
“Are you expecting a guest?” James asked.
“No one but your mother or Professor Longbottom are welcome on my property and both them have a key so they wouldn’t be any need for them to knock. Hold on!” He said and walked over to his bookcase easing a book from the shelf and removing it. He looked inside and opened it to remove his 1911SC and silver magazine.
He checked the magazine that was loaded with ruby glowing bullets and then he eased it inside the weapon. James noticed that the hybrid magi/non magi weapon glow for a second before it returned to normal.
The presence of danger around Angus intensified making the hairs on James arms and neck stand up. Angus had changed.
James took out his wand, that was blue Horn Snake core but Angus held up his hand. “That won’t work. Put that away. I need you to stay in here. I’ll deal with it and come back.”
James frowned. “I got top marks in dueling and mother paid to have me tutored by retired Aururs in London. I can help.”
Angus smiled looking at his son. James stared at the cold stare. James stared back holding his father’s steal gaze. Angus nodded then as the knocking continued. “Your man now. So you got your say. Just remember. Follow my orders. Don’t use any any disarming spell if your going to use that thing then you better intend on harming or to kill because whoever is at the door is intending on doing the same to you.”
James nodded. “Yes Sir.”
Angus started forward with his Hybrid weapon aimed in front of him and that level of dangerous energy around him expanding out as he went on the hunt.
James frowned as new strange understanding of his father came to him from where he didn’t know but he trusted in the knowledge knowing it to true. They came to the front as whoever was at the door continued knocking with persistent knock though not overall pushy.
“Turn around and leave my propriety you are not welcome here.” Angus said in a commanding and dominating voice.
“Angus! It’s Ava. Honey my key doesn’t work. Will you let me in.” Ava voice called from the other side. Angus stopped James from going to the door with a raised hand. “If you have the key it should work just fine for Ava. I need you to turn around and leave my property. I will not repeat myself.”
“Angus I-”
The door was blown apart. Angus fired his weapon. A fireball of gold flames and electrical energy came out the nose of his weapon hitting whoever it was in the chest and sending them flying backward outside. James stared in shocked surprised. He had never seen anything like that show of raw power in duel or sparring match.
“Easy son. It ain’t over. It’s coming back.” Angus said calmly.
“It?! What?” James began but stopped as feeling fear shook him to his core at the tall figure that came back inside through the whole in the front of the house. The creature was in the figure of a tall man but wrapped up in a cloak of darkness and then suddenly it was Professor Longbottom stood before them.
“James I came to-Ah!” The creature screened as Angus fired another fireball of lightning hitting it in the body and setting it on fire this time. The creature screamed and screeched out in horrible blood chilling sound of pain and rage.
“James. You going to use that wand or pick your nose with it?” Angus said in deadpan serious voice that woke up James from his stupor.
“Dad. What the hell is it?” James asked.
“Dementor of course.”
“What?!”
Angus nodded as he studied the creator. “The court of Owls sent me to hunt down the last remaining of their new breed that had come over from the old country. I thought I got them all that’s why I came back early form my job. Well if you not going to do anything I’d best.” James straitened up away from his father and thought of one spell. Raising his wand he pointed at the focusing his mind on the happy memories of he had of being with his mother and father all together and shooting at the gun rang home.
“EXPECTO PATRONUM!”
Ah loud bang came from his wand as a pale blue horned snake flew out of his wand’s end and slivered around the room and around the Dementor wrapping around it smothering it in it’s body before biting down on it. The Dementor roared in pain before exploding into pure light as Angus fired one more time at the deadly creature and exploding it into nothing. Angus finally turned to face James and nodded to him. “A bit slow but you did good for your first battle. A horned Serpent Patronus. Nice. You’ll make a fine Auror.”
James stared at his father. “Who are the court of Owls? Are they a magi para-military group in the Magical congress of magic?” Angus grimaced but he shook his head. “Yes and no. The President is the primary Chief of the court.” He said in a somber tone. James frowned. “I’ve never heard of the Court of Owls. They must have been established recently.”
Angus smiled shrugging his shoulders. “In a way yes. Listen son. I think you should have a talk with your mother today and hear her out on her job offer.” He said.
James studied his father closely. “Okay so does Mother know about the Owls?”
Angus sighed. “I don’t believe so. But, son I think it would best you didn’t mention anything regarding the Court to your mother. It’s not that I want you to keep secrets from your mother but I’m not really ab liberty to reveal any of this to the general magi public.”
James stared at him. “Okay. But would it be okay for me to ask you questions regarding the Court of Owls?”
Angus stared at him. His lips shook a little. “If your new gift you’ll find out eventually and your witness to me finishing a execution order then it’s okay. But, please remember not to reveal this to anyone else outside of you me and a member of the Court of Owls. I got your word on it.” Angus said and held out his hand.
James smiled taking his father’s hand. “I promise not to tell mother or anyone else not associated with the Court of Owls. I got one more question though. How do I use back sight?!”
Angus opened his mouth then closed it. “Ask your mother she’s much more smarter on the subject and I got a lot of repair work to do now on the house.”
Angus Potter had been sleeping quite soundly in his bed when he head a banging at his front door downstairs. He frowned at the banging and then wondered how in the hell they gotten onto his ranch without the motion sensors hadn’t been set off and alerting to their presence. Damned Wizards.
Angus threw off his blanket as the banging continued and rolled to the side of the bed. He was naked all but for his boxes. He turned on his night lamp that sat on his nightstand and opened a drawer reaching inside for his special made 1911SC. The semi-automatic warmed in his hand and he pushed the release button on the side to discharge the magazine and check that it was loaded and ready to go. The lavender bullets glowed in the deem light.
He got to his feet putting the magazine back in the semi-automatic pistol and started for the open doorway of his bedroom toward the stairs.
“Lights!”
Every house light came on by his command and the house seemed come alive now as it’s master alerted it to possible danger near.
Angus frowned as he looked at his front door and put up his side arm aiming it at the door. “What the hell do you want Wizard? State your business.”
“Angus. Open this damn door this instant. I have something I must address to you.” Neville Longbottom said on the other side of the door.
Angus didn’t move but he did frown in confusion. “I gave a key to professor Longbottom to my house. Why didn’t you use it? What the hell are you doing here anyway? Longbottom never leave HogWarts. Everybody knows that.”
“We have a problem before us Angus. 1) I am an enemy of your family trying to trick you and gain access to your heavily warded property. 2) Something important has happened that has pulled me from my headmaster duties at Hogwarts and you changed your damned bloody lock and forgot to give me a new copy of your house key. You enjoyed multiple choice during school terms. What is the likely answer?”
“Damn it. Hold on.” Angus said as he quickly unlocked the door.
Angus then let in Professor Long Bottom into the house. Longbottom stood before dressed in none magi clothes with trimmed long beard. He wasn’t alone though. A female house Elf dressed in a leather vest and black skirt was with him with a child in her arms and two dwarf made swords behind her back.
Angus frowned at the baby and looked at Long Bottom opening his mouth to ask him what the hell he was here for but he froze at the sight of his family’s magical treasure. The invisible cloak. The ancient treasure of his family.
Professor Longbottom held it out to him. Angus took it and recognized it as his family’s treasure. He looked up at him. “Why do you have this? I gave this to Ava.” He asked.
Longbottom stared at him. “She has returned it back to you and this.” He said and then held out a letter to Angus.
Angus ignored the letter. “What happened to her now?! Is she dead or did she get locked up in Azkaban?”
Longbottom frowned. “She will be on an extended stay at Azkaban for either the next five years or unforeseeable future.”
Angus looked at the baby again and then back at Long Bottom. The older man nodded. “He’s-”
“I know who he is Professor. Did you know? Did she tell you when she-”
“She told me a few hours ago, Angus. Ava is in serious trouble. She has endangered herself and made put her into a position that she will have to resolve as best as she can before the ministry of the magic decision board in Europe.”
Angus was getting angry now. “Your not going to tell me. It most be real embarrassing for your star student.”
“This is not a game. Will you take your child.” He asked and Angus heard something strange in his voice.
Angus shook his head. “I’ll handle it from here.” He said and turned to the house elf.
The Elf grinned up at him and lifted the baby toward him. Angus took his child in his arms. The child was sleeping.
“Ava named him after your grandfather. I think it is fitting he looks very much like Harry. Well minus the scar you know.” Longbottom said trying to add some lightness to his voice.
Angus shook his head. “No. His name is James. I promised my Grandpa I would let it go. I don’t give a damn what Ava was planning. That ain’t the life for my kid.”
Longbottom grimaced. “Angus. You come from an honorable family. Your grandfather Harry was-”
“- a reckless asshole that liked to be to much in the thick of battles but he was lucky enough to live past the countless battles however he passed on that same shit to his children and they’re children. I lost two older brothers and my father who tried desperately to live up to his father’s legacy. My mother didn’t want that for me and I don’t want that for my son. James Potter is going to break tradition and set his own course. This trouble that Ava got herself into was my son there when she made the mistake?”
Professor Longbottom couldn’t lie to save his own ass. I saw it clearly. He shook his head though. “It’s not my place to tell you. It’s in the letter. She explains it all in detail. Angus. He’s your son. So I understand perfectly. When he is ready we will send him the letter.”
Angus grunted and nodded to the door. “It’s time for you and your girlfriend to get going Professor.” Angus said to the shocked faces of both Long Bottom and the house Elf.
“Angus! What the bloody hell are you talking?! Miss Sparkles and I aren’t in intimate relationship.” Long Bottom said in loud nervous exasperated voice.
“Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear. Please Sir. Mr. Angus Potter. Don’t tell anyone. Please. It is illegal in the magical it is. Mr. Longbottom will get in trouble because of Tan Tan.”
“Miss Tan Tan. Please. There is no need for such talk.”
Angus nodded his head. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t dare do so. Goodnight to you.”
