Never Return

Damian's eyes widened as he saw Evans disappeared in front of his eyes. Of all things Damian was preparing, this wasn't it. Did Evans just pulled out a cloak and turned invisible? Damian thought he was a meta human, but what meta human takes out a cloak of invisibility? He thought those were only in movies! As Damian got out of the abandoned building, he scanned around the area. He needed to know where Evans was and calm him down. Damian didn't want to know what would happen if he let Evans alone, but he didn't want nothing happen to him. Then Damian noticed blood on the ground. He remembered Joker stabbed Evans in the shoulder. That meant Evans was still bleeding and his wound was healed. If Evans kept running, he might pass out from blood lost.

Without hesitation, Damian ran as he followed the blood. To a normal person, a trail of blood could be anything, but to Damian it wasn't. This was different. If Damian couldn't find Evans on time...Evans might pass out any time soon. Damian put up his hood, trying to cover his face. He was aware that Jason and Richard was out patrolling - earlier than usual, but since Joker was floating in the air, that might buy him some time before they look for him. Besides, he might had a feeling that Joker might spew out about him and Evans. Also there are cameras in the mall and it will see them hanging out together - something that Damian couldn't make an excuse for, but if he comes back home before them - before anyone - even Barbara looked into the cameras - they wouldn't be the wiser.

As Damian followed the blood, he was lead into an alleyway. Cautiously, Damian stepped into the alleyway. He couldn't see anything, but he saw the blood stopped near the side of the wall. He could hear a faint breath. Gulping, Damian sat on his knees, and pressed his hand on the air. At first he didn't felt anything. As he moved his hand closer, he felt something - almost like fabric. Gasping, Damian pulled the cloak, revealing, Evans.

The green eyed teen was laying on the ground, gasping for air, and holding his chest. His eyes were widened and would clenched as if he was in pain. Damian knew right away that Evans was having a panic attack because of what happened. He was sure Evans had tons of emotions running through him, but Damian wasn't sure how to help someone with a panic attack. He never done this before. Usually his siblings were the ones who know what to do.

Without thinking, Damian laid on the ground and hugged him, hearing the rapid beating as he closed his eyes. He waited and waited. Please, please, please, Damian thought. Damian wasn't sure how long he waited, but when Evans' chest slowed down, Damian felt a hand on his back. Eyes opening, Damian looked up and saw Evans breathing slowly. Hesitantly, Damian lets go of Evans and gently helped him sat up. Evans held his hand and Damian didn't let go.

"Thank you, Damian," Evans finally spoke.

"Evans, what's going on?" Damian asked.

Evans looked at him and narrowed his eyes. He had a pained expression. Damian had never seen him like this before. For the first time, behind those happy and carefree emerald eyes, Damian saw a lot of pain in them.

"I'm a wizard," Evans finally answered.

Damian blinked. "A wizard?"

Evans nodded. "My real name is Harry James Potter. My parents James and Lily Potter were murdered by Voldemort, who tried to kill me. Voldemort tried to use the killing curse on me, but the curse rebounded and hit him instead..."

Then Evans - no - Potter explained his whole life story. Damian kept every information locked into his memory. A good thing was that Damian was already aware of a secret magical society since the Justice League knows about it too, but weren't allowed to interact with them. As Potter explained his abusive upbringing by his mother's side of the family, he told him about his first letter and how a giant called Hagrid picked him up. At first Damian thought this sounds very whimsical - a magical school to learn magic and being in houses by judging your personality didn't seemed too bad, but when Potter got to the ordeals he had to go through, Damian just turned pale and looked at him with shock. He thought the first year was a bit bad, but not that bad. Then it got worst in the second, third, and now the current fourth year. Damian couldn't believed what he was hearing. Giant snakes that petrified people, ghostly beings that sucks your soul, and a tournament that wasn't supposed to be brought back.

This school...should've been shut down...or at least have a new headmaster who would be the safety of the children first. Everything what Potter told him about his life made sense. Even though is was a cover up, but what Potter went through before Damian knew the truth, he wasn't lying. He just had to switch some things to make it more like a normal school than a magical one, which Damian couldn't blame him since there's a law to keep everything secret from non magical people.

"...Then Sirius and I escape Britain and move here," Potter continued. "It's the only safehouse that my parents made secret. Right now we're looking for my cousin, but I'm not sure where he is. If we find him on time, then he can take me out of the tournament. If not, I don't mind being a muggle - none magic folks. I lived as a muggle throughout my childhood. I can do it again."

"Do you feel safe here?" Damian asked.

Potter shrugged. "I did, but I don't know now. I use magic by accident, Damian. They might find me and put me in the Triwizard Tournament."

The thought about Potter being put into a death tournament made Damian wanted to go up to this Albus Dumbledore and punched him in the face. Of course Damian suspected he might not be the first person wanting to punch Dumbledore, but he will do it. However these events that happened to Potter - Damian couldn't help and felt like it was a test. Dumbledore had all the power to stop everything from happening to Potter, but didn't. It was like he wanted Potter to experienced all of this pain and suffering than he already did.

Damian took out a spare key and put it in Potter's hands. "That's a spare key for my safe house. If you ever felt unsafe, you can go there and put on some wards. You can even go to the manor too." Then he added. "If you want, you can tell Black about me knowing everything. If you're not ready, I understand."

Potter blinked. "What about your family?"

"I'll explained everything to them when the time comes," Damian said. "Besides, I'm sure you'll get my brother - Jason, you will get his respect for blowing up that insane clown. He hates the Joker."

Potter made a painful smile and chuckled. "I don't even know why you're willingly to put up with me, Damian. I'm a freak."

Damian sighed and put a hand on Potter's shoulder. Even after telling his whole life story, Potter was still holding his hand. Damian wanted to tell him - tell Potter about himself - about Robin. Potter already told him his whole entire secret and Damian just sat and listen. It was fair if Damian told his story - his secret life too. After all, him and Potter weren't that much different when it comes to their childhoods. Even after hearing all the magical stuff, Damian could tell that Potter never got to experienced any normalcy until he came to Gotham.

"I'm Robin," Damian declared.

Potter looked at him with eyes widened. "What?"

Damian took out a bat-shaped communicator. "I'm Robin, but before that, I was a deadly assassin who kill..."

Then Damian told his story. His whole life story of how his mother got his father's DNA, who he was born, and raised in an assassin cult. Damian told Potter his former surname and how he went to Father's home. He told him how his father "died" and how he became Robin. Damian didn't sugarcoat anything. He made it clear to Potter what kind of person he was and how he was trying to change. The more Damian explained about his life, the more he thought he wondered if Potter would be fine with all of this. Potter had went through enough and the young wizard would probably think he wouldn't be safe around Damian.

"...I still tried to make sure I don't revert back," Damian said. "I know I did so many bad things in my life and I don't want to turn back to the person I was before."

Damian glanced at Potter, who just sat there with wide eyes. Damian waited for Potter to say something - anything. Out of all the connections Damian had from Father and his siblings to make friends, Potter was the only person who became his friend without any connections. They were just two teens who happened to meet and became friends. Something that Damian never got to experienced. Even after hearing all of Potter's life, all Damian wanted was Potter - no - Harry to be at his side.

"I'm glad you told me, Damian," Potter said. "You're still my friend."

Damian blinked. "I am?"

Harry nodded. "Of course! You're my friend. Don't worry about your secret. I'm good at keeping secret and I'm sure you know how to keep a secret."

Damian scoffed. "Tt, of course." with a deep breathed, he stared into those emerald eyes. "Y-You're not a freak. To me...you're just Harry."

Harry's eyes widened as he blinked a few times. Damian couldn't help it as his ears and probably his cheeks turned a bit red. Without a word, Harry smiled. It wasn't like any normal every day smile, but a smile without any worries and all the pain Harry had to go through. Damian hoped he could see more of that carefree smile in the future. 

Then Damian helped Harry up onto his feet. Damian looked at his communicator and saw that Jason and Richard were far away from the abandoned building. Damian could only guessed that they were trying to make the Joker float down or Richard trying to stop Jason from literally popping the Joker. However, given what happened to the Joker, Damian knew Father might be out soon. It was almost dark, but not dark enough for Batman to be out. However, Damian knew there were rare times for Father to be in the suit during the day.

As Damian opened his mouth, he stopped and looked at Harry's shoulder, that was still bleeding. Damian cursed to himself of how he almost forgot that Harry got stabbed in the shoulder and ran. It was like as if danger finds Harry.

"We should get going and fix your shoulder," Damian said. "You're lucky I know how to do stitches. Do you want to go to my safehouse? I can make some dinner if you want?"

Harry nodded. "I like that."

"Good," then Damian looked at the cloak. "So how does this cloak works? Just put it over us?"

Harry chuckled. "Something like that."

"Is it okay, I can borrow your textbooks too?" Damian asked. "I do want to learn about your world."

Damian wanted to help Harry in some ways, but he didn't know anything about the wizarding world aside from what Harry told him. Also it was best for Damian to know the magic and identify what magic would be casted at them if that Ministry of Magic or Voldemort ever find Harry in Gotham. Damian wanted to be prepared in case if something happens. There was no way he was going to let Harry to be put in that Triwizard Tournament. That headmaster, Dumbledore should be questioned for child endangerment. If Damian ever saw that headmaster, he would punch that guy

However, Damian was sure that this Voldemort - Tom Riddle was still alive, maybe barely. There was some things that Damian could tell Harry didn't know. It was best if Damian learned everything he could to protect Harry.

"Of course!" Harry exclaimed. Then he asked. "By the way, since you're Robin...did you already know about me? My real name?"

Damian nodded. "I would be lying and said I never did. I found out after we met. I didn't want to say anything and kept everything to myself. It wasn't right for me to pry on your personal life. I thought it was best for you to tell me on your own time."

Harry's eyes softened. "Thank you, Damian."

With that, Harry stood next to him and put the cloak over them. As they walked out of the alleyway, Damian noticed how no one saw them. Damian text Alfred not to pick him up since he would be at the safehouse. However, Damian couldn't help it and smug at the thought of his two eldest brothers would be searching for him. Sadly for them, they wouldn't be able to see him, even through the cameras.

When they got to Damian's safehouse, Damian right away patched Harry up. Harry head a healing potion on him, but Damian wanted to at least stitch him up first before the healing potion. Damian wasn't sure what limits the healing potion had, but he didn't want to take any risks. Besides, it might only stop the bleeding. Harry took off his shirt and Damian use alcohol wipes and stitched him up. Harry winced a bit, but Damian made sure he tried to be careful and gentle as he could. He knew stitches weren't fun. After he was done, Harry drank his healing potion. Right away, the potion healed his wound and in seconds what remained there was a very faint scar.

"How are you feeling?" Damian asked.

"Never better," Harry answered.

Damian let out a sigh. "Good. You really had me worried when you ran while bleeding."

"Sorry."

"It's fine. Just be careful next time."

Harry nodded and asked. "Damian, since you're Robin, how come you weren't out at nights now?"

Damian blinked. He didn't really thought Harry would noticed Robin wasn't out at night. Damian was certain it was because Timothy's Robin suit was different from his and people were able to put two and two together. If the public did noticed, so that meant word got around and Harry probably heard about it among his coworkers.

"I'm just taking a break," Damian answered. "I realized there were many things in my life that I never got to do or experienced. I never really made my own choices in the past and I always did what people expected me to do. I never got to explore my interests, so that's why I'm taking a break. Also remembered I told you how I became Robin?"

"Richard made Timothy give Robin to you," Harry said. 

"That's right. Timothy was a better Robin than me - better Robin than Jason and Richard. He's pretty much the ideal Robin. I know it and everyone knows it. Every time I swore that suit...I felt like I never deserved it. Another reason why I'm taking a break."

"Had you tried talking to Timothy about this?"

Damian narrowed his eyes. That would be the last thing he wanted. Of course Damian knew Harry meant well, which was something Damian would never blame Harry on. However, talking to Timothy...Damian was a hundred percent sure that might ended up in disaster. Damian spent years trying to be civil and stay away from Timothy. Besides, Timothy was probably prancing around and bragging how he loves being Robin again.

"I-I don't think that's possible," Damian said. "He might think I'm weak."

Harry placed a hand on his shoulder. "You never know until you try, but it was just a suggestion, Damian. If you have any problems at home, I'll lend an ear."

Damian blinked a few times and stared at Harry. He never thought that someone like Harry - a civilian - wizard civilian, would go out of his way just to listen to Damian's daily problems. Usually Damian would had to go to Father's connections to have a bit of a rant and sometimes he would have to talk to Jonathan about it. Sometimes he would go to Richard and Alfred, but he only told them little of his internal problems. With Harry, he felt comfortable about it and Harry never judged him. Some people will because of his background, but Harry never did.

"Thank you, Harry," Damian smiled.

Harry smiled back. "Anytime."

Damian got up. "I'm going to make dinner. You can help if you want."

"Brilliant!"

It didn't took long for them to prepare the meal. Damian instructed Harry to cut the vegetables, while he use the vegetable broth he made the other day to heat it up. While the two were cooking, the two waited for the vegetables to cook."

"Hey Damian," Harry spoke up.

"Hm?" Damian asked.

"Sorry about smacking you with my satchel," Harry apologized.

Damian huffed. "Tt, you're lucky I forgive you, Harry."

Harry giggled and Damian rolled his eyes, but his eyes softened and smiled. Harry's eyes were now full of life. Even though there was a hint of worry. Damian did wondered how could Harry be smiling and after everything that had happened to him. Damian knew Harry was stronger than he looked. However, if there was one thing Damian knew, it was that there was no way he would let Harry get hurt and he was willingly to go back as Robin for Harry.

~OoO~

Tim yawned as he walked through the halls of the manor. He had been up all night researching on dark magic and there were so many books. So many. The books were so different from the magic Tim was used to. Then again, wizards had been in here and hidden for so long, so it made sense why their magic was different from every magic user Tim had known. Tim had some theories about what Voldemort was planning to return and what he should asked the al Ghuls. However, they were only guesses. Tim knew he'll need to talk to Bernard about it. He knows his boyfriend knew more than him. However, even Bernard told him that even some wizards don't know everything.

As Tim passed Damian's art studio, he stopped. He noticed the lights were still on and the door was a tiny bit open. Tim checked his phone and saw it was one in the morning. Tim knew Damian wasn't a stranger to staying up late, but usually around one was when Damian goes to sleep. Tim peaked through the opening. Damian was painting and surprisingly, humming to himself. He was smiling...like a very happy smile. It was creepy.

Then Tim's eyes went over to the painting. Eyes widened, Tim covered his mouth. Damian was painting a snowy owl, but also the owl was with a person. The person he was painting was a splitting image of Bernard's uncle; James Potter, except with green eyes. There was a lightning bolt scar on his forehead too.

Tim knew right away, who that was. Tim knew ever since Bernard asked him to look for Harry, he had been looking everywhere...well technically parts of Gotham, since he was theorizing which safe area in Gotham Harry and Sirius might be, but this...this! Tim had no idea Damian already met Harry. Now Tim thought about it, Damian was in his room all the time and talking on the phone. Tim always assumed it was Jon, but Damian never talked to Jon this much. Also the safe proofing his room...Damian was probably planning to invite Harry over too. Even the frequent visits to his favorite cafe after school...Harry was probably meeting him there. That meant Harry was right under his nose the whole entire time! Well, at least Bernard would know that Harry was indeed safe. The kid has Sirius and Damian on his side.

Then Tim noticed a neatly stack of books. Not just any books. Textbooks about the British wizarding world. He could tell because the pictures were moving. There was even a monster-looking book too. Tim pursed his lips. That meant Damian already knew that Harry is a wizard. Then Tim remembered the news of Joker being blown up like a balloon and how GDP had to tie him so he wouldn't float into space. No one found a cure. Tim wouldn't be surprised if Harry somehow did that by accident. Although, he wouldn't mind if the Joker stayed like that forever.

After all, Bernard told him that wizarding children were still learning magic, so it's possible for them to have accidental magic even outside of school. Would Harry still be safe? Tim wasn't sure, but for precaution, he knew he needed to keep an eye on Harry. Tim knew he has Sirius and Damian, but it's best if he watched over Harry when Bernard comes back. It's better to have more eyes on Harry. If anything happens, Tim would be ready to use those portkeys to help Harry and teleport to his safehouse. It doesn't have any wards since it's purely a no-maj safehouse, but it's better than nothing.

Quickly, Tim closed the door and quietly speed walk through the halls before Damian noticed. When he got to his room, Tim pulled out his laptop. He looked through the cafe that Damian always went to and hacked inside their system. A smirk grew across Tim's face as a profile pic of Harry Aster Evans.

"Of course," Tim muttered.

He should've known Harry would be using a fake name...or at least a sort of fake name. Tim only assumed Harry and Sirius would use their full names because no no-maj would heard of Harry Potter and Sirius Black...well maybe except for Sirius. Tim did heard a news about a criminal breaking out last year in Britain, but he wasn't too concerned at the time. It made sense that Sirius didn't go out as much as Harry did. He's probably in his dog form.

Tim looked at Harry's work schedule. The kid worked in the mornings and get out around four. Also Tim knew on Mondays, Damian has his art club going on. So that meant Damian wouldn't be able to get to the cafe until around four thirty or four forty-five. Which means Tim has enough time to talk to Harry.

Damian was so going to kill him.

~OoO~

Sirius was watching some T.V as Harry slept. He knew Harry had a good time hanging out with Damian since the boy was practically skipping in the halls and humming to himself. Sirius wasn't sure what happened, but he was glad Harry made a friend - a muggle friend, but a friend no less. Besides, Sirius had to give these muggles some respect. Their technology was amazing and how they dealt with crazy villains on a dialing basis surprised him. Even those cellphones were amazing. He could hear Lily telling him that she told him so.

However, the interaction between Harry and Damian kind of reminded him of Lily and James. The only difference was that James wasn't an emotionally stunted person. Also Damian did acted like an adult in a fourteen year old's body. James didn't matured until he was seventeen. Sirius remembered James never had any interest in Lily until in their fourth year. In fact they didn't interacted that much unless Snape was getting pranked and Lily scolded them. The two only worked on one project together and after that James was in love. Of course Lily didn't had any interest in James until the seventh year, but during that fifth year, was when James did bully Snape. It was the year that the pranks got worst. Before the fifth year, it was harmless, but now Sirius thought about it, those pranks did got out of control.

Of course, Sirius could only sit and watch the two boys. He wanted Harry to act like a normal teenager and go out on dates. Sirius knew the boy needed some normalcy in his life and for the last two weeks of being in Gotham and despite all the craziness going on (both muggle and magical), Sirius was glad they moved here. Harry was able to act like himself and choose what he wanted. Sirius wouldn't be surprised if the two boys at least had a crush on one another, but Sirius hoped that it wouldn't be like those muggle romance shows. They drag on!

Maybe I should go on dates too, Sirius thought, but he shook that thought away. Sirius hadn't dated anyone since he was in Azkaban. He did a lot of dating back at Hogwarts. He even went on a date with Remus at one point, but of course they remained friends because it got awkward when they kissed. Besides, Sirius was rusty on dating and he was sure no one, even a muggle wouldn't want him anyway. Only someone crazy enough would had to deal with him. Besides, Sirius didn't mind if he didn't date. He wanted to focus on more important matters than dating. He can focus on dating after he deals with Dumbledore and everything magical.

With a flick of his wand, papers appeared. The papers were just plans to see if he ever find Bernard. He planned - a plan to protect not only Harry, but his family too. The remaining Blacks and Potters. Sirius knew that this plan would be a shock to everyone, but what other choices does he have?

Was it very old school? Yes, pretty much.

Does anyone do that these days? Not much, but some of the prestige wizarding family's still do.

The only problem he has was to have Uncle Charlus and Aunt Dorea agreed to this. Sirius knew his aunt and uncle would question why involved them, but the thing was that Andromeda doesn't want to deal with the family, Bellatrix is in Azkaban, and Narcissa is a Malfoy. They're the only ones, aside from Sirius that can hold the position instead of him. Sirius knew there was a good chance that Charlotte and Bernard might not like this, but with everything going on, he was sure they would agreed. Besides, with Charlotte and Bernard's high standing in the government, it shouldn't be a problem, along with their reputation too.

Especially Bernard, who worked hard to get the position he is now. Sirius didn't know much, but from what Charlotte did told him years ago, the American wizarding community had tons of high expectations on Bernard, since the last Potter died after America got it's independence. Sirius didn't know how famous the Potters were in America, but it did seemed that the American wizarding community didn't had a Potter until Bernard was born.

Tap, tap, tap.

Frowning, Sirius turned and saw a Nothern Saw-Wheat owl. His eyes widened. He knew this owl. Did Charlie read the letter? Sirius thought. Sirius knew this safehouse wouldn't allow any letters to go through and the only ones would be the Secret Keeper and the Second Secret Keeper. Sirius was aware that James and Lily secretly made Charlotte the second keeper, but only when she opens the letter, then she'll know the location.

Sirius raced over to the small owl and opened the window. The little owl hooted happily and jumped into his arms. Sirius chuckled and petted the small owl. He gently took the letter from the owl and opened it.

Sirius,

I opened the letter from James. Bernard knew what happened to Harry. He's in Britain right now because of his curse-breaking job, but he will be back on Wednesday. I'm not sure what Bernard found out, but he will tell you. Right now, I'm too preoccupied because of work, but there is one person you can talk to. Bernard's boyfriend, Tim Drake. He's a muggle, but he knows about the wizarding world and you can trust him. He's actually looking for you and Harry right now.

Talk to you soon!

-Your cousin, Charlotte

Sirius's mouth dropped. Bernard has a boyfriend and he's a muggle? Like mother like son. However, Sirius knew the muggle name. Timothy Jackson Drake. The famous muggle who got adopted by Bruce Wayne. Not only that, but Damian is Tim Drake's youngest sibling. Also Sirius knew Harry and Damian would meet up at the cafe. If Sirius was in his dog form, that meant he would use Damian's scent to locate Wayne Manor and locate Tim Drake. Sirius wouldn't be surprised if the young CEO knew he was an animagus. Besides, he was sure Harry wouldn't mind if he tag along. After all, Damian didn't know about the wizarding world. So he wouldn't be too suspicious.