Never Return

Damian was pacing back and forth as he and everyone waited for Harry, Dowd, and Black talk to Ras and Talia. He had no idea they started talking to them the first thing in the morning before everyone woke up. Pennyworth was the one who let them to Ras and Talia. Damian wanted to be a part of the interrogation because he wanted to know why they hadn't told him about his wizarding side. Of course Damian knew Ras is a squib, but he still wanted to know why. However, Pennyworth did assured him that he would be the one to teach him, since he knew about the wizarding world, which it does make sense. However, he couldn't get the feeling that Harry might get hurt by his grandfather and mother.

"If you keep walking like that, you're going to make a ditch," Richard said.

Damian ignored him as he kept on pacing. He knew Harry has Black and Dowd, who are obviously skilled, but at the same time this was his grandfather and mother. They could do more damage to Harry than the other two. Dowd's family was with them. They seemed to be confident about Dowd and his skills as a wizard, which Damian hate to admit, but Dowd is very skilled.

Then Damian heard the door opened as Harry, Black, and Dowd walked out of the grandfather clock entrance. The three of them looked completely fine. Damian couldn't help and let out a sigh.

"What happen?" Father asked.

Dowd took out a vial of green liquid. "Good news is that this is what's left of the pits."

"The bad news is that Pettigrew was the one who killed all the League members," Black said. "He took the al Ghuls potion book."

"The other bad news is that Riddle is going to alter the potion to his liking," Dowd added. "He's intelligent enough to do that and I wouldn't be surprised if he knew how the al Ghuls made it. Alfred, Sirius, and I will try to see what the pit was made of. I have some theories, but it might take a while to extract all of the ingredients."

Damian couldn't help and noticed that Dowd called Voldemort by his true last name, Riddle. He didn't know why all of the sudden Dowd started calling Voldemort that. Damian was sure that fearing Voldemort's name was useless since the wizard is pretty much still in a weakened state.

"Why are you calling Voldemort, Riddle now?" Duke asked.

"We all figured that since Bernard was knocked out by the Death Eaters," Harry explained. "they might've put a spell on him - a taboo spell. If he says Riddle's name, Snape would have his location."

Black nodded. "Harry brought it up this morning and I can't believe I forgot about that! You muggles should be fine, since you all have no magic. We're just doing it just in case."

"Since we're also involved it's better to call him, Riddle," Father crossed his arms. "If Riddle is willingly to attack no-majs, then any no-maj who knows the existence of the wizarding world would be his first target. Then the ones who don't know would be his second."

"I'm not sure if he's aware if his horcruxes are gone," Dowd added. "but so far, he's just buying time until he goes into full power. We only know Snape needs to capture me to make Harry go into the tournament. I don't know why he needs Harry to regain his power, but the Lazarus Potion is one of the key to regain his power. I woke up early to read into dark potions and so far, I found nothing. I only know it's a dark form of a regeneration potion. The problem is that there is many dark forms of a regeneration potion. There are dark ones that isn't so bad. There are the sort of dark ones, but not that dark, the dark ones, the very dark ones, and the dark ancient potion. There's at least seventy of them."

"Bloody hell, he could've use any of them." Harry said.

Damian nodded in agreement. Every time Dowd or anyone else discovered something, something gets in the way, and things just get more complicated to the next. However, they are dealing with an intelligent wizard who also is insane.

"Luckily, I'm looking into the dark, the very dark, and the ancient potions," Dowd sighed. "There's like forty of them and one ancient potion."

Cass frowned. "Why would he need Harry alive for this potion? Isn't his goal to kill Harry?"

"It's most likely that Harry needs to be a part of the potion for some reason," Dowd explained. "I don't know which one, but the forty potions I am looking at, do involved the enemy alive."

"Let me guess," Damian said. "the other thirty is where the enemy is dead?"

Dowd nodded. "Pretty much."

Damian pinched his temples as Harry patted his back. As much as he shouldn't be surprise about everything wizard related, but sometimes he couldn't help it. Having forty potions with the enemy alive was like asking to be torture for the next twenty-four hours!

Damian raised a brow. "How did you even look into these books without being shock by all of this?"

Dowd rolled his eyes. "It's part of my job, Damian. May I remind you that a curse-breaker is allowed to look into and use dark magic when necessary as well as the Three Unforgivable, but I try not to use that."

Damian looked at Timothy. "I see why you like him."

Timothy looked at him as if he was insane, while Harry just chuckled. All of his life, Damian did wondered what Dowd saw in Timothy and vice versa, but now he knew. Aside from being a skilled wizard, Dowd also knew and how to use dark magic. 

Then Dowd's house elf, Kreacher came into the living room, bringing in some tea, coffee, and snacks. Kreacher set the tray on the coffee table, glared at Black, who also glared back, gave Dowd a smile, and went back into the kitchen. Dowd shook his head at Black, which Black ignored him. On the tray was a cup of tea, coffee, and many empty tea cups. Damian suspected that Dowd was doing some hospitality for Isley and Crane, considering the fact that he was their former student. Damian was still trying to process all of that.

"So back to Ras and Talia, how did they handle wizard interrogation?" Jason questioned.

"Quite well, actually," Black answered. "First they freaked out because I'm here, then they were happy to meet Harry and Bernard. We pretty much had no trouble asking them what happened when Pettigrew attack. I've done my fair share of interrogation back at the war, but this was the most easiest interrogation I ever did."

Damian couldn't help it and let out a sigh. He was glad that the interrogation went well. That meant his grandfather and mother did had respect to the community that their family used to belong to. However, even though that the League of Assassins was no more, Damian knew there was a chance for them to want to regain their power...or at least try to.

"I also asked them why they didn't tell you about your wizarding heritage, Damian," Harry said. "They just thought that you and your future children wouldn't produce any wizarding children for a while, so they thought it was unnecessary to tell you."

"Of course!" Pennyworth snapped his fingers. "I remember reading about who if two muggles, who are both descendant of a squib would most likely produce a wizarding child. It does take many generations, though."

Damian nodded. He hated to admit it, but that does make sense. He knew for a fact that he won't have wizarding children in the future anyway. The only way he can have magical children was that if he married someone who was from a squib bloodline or a...magical person. Damian's cheeks turned pink as he glanced at Harry, but he noticed Dowd was glaring at him and was one step away to use his wand at him.

Suddenly, the door knocked. Everyone turned to the door. Pennyworth walked over to the door and opened it, revealing Pamala Isley and Jonathan Crane. Damian made a sour face, Father was neutral, and everyone else had some mix emotions. As much as he knew these two were respected in the wizarding world as professors...it was something that Damian and pretty much his whole family had to get used to all of this.

"Professor Isley, Professor Crane," Dowd greeted. "It's good to see you again."

"Oh Bernard, it's good to see you again!" Isley hugged him.

"I see you made a name for yourself, kid," Crane smirked and he turned as he saw Harry and Black. "Holy Merlin! Harry Potter and Sirius Black?!"

Isley turned as well and the two rushed over to Harry and Black, shaking their hands. Mostly Harry's. Black looked like he didn't want to be around them. Not that Damian could blame him. After all, they are Father's rouges.

"I'm honor to meet you, Harry Potter!" Crane exclaimed.

"I've heard so much in the papers!" Isley said. "I'm actually shocked that Dumbledore did all of this.

"I heard in the papers that you successfully use the patronus charm at age thirteen!" Crane beamed. "That is amazing! I couldn't do that until my six year!"

Harry smiled uneasily. "Th-Thank you? We made your fear potion in class before. I think we use dementor essence." 

Crane nodded. "You got that right, kid." then he turned to Pennyworth. "I'm not surprise you live here. You work with the Bat, huh?"

Pennyworth shrugged. "Something like that."

"He's always been working with him since day one," Isley sighed. "How else does Wayne get cured from all of our jinxes, charms, and potions? Mister Pennyworth is just lucky that we can't attack him."

Crane eyed at Pennyworth. "To be fair, I really don't want to go up against the Alfred Pennyworth. I heard he is a really good duelist."

Pennyworth scoffed. "I am an excellent duelist. By the way, I knew Isley figured out about Master Bruce, but I'm surprised you already knew about it, Crane."

"To be fair, we're wizards," Crane said. "A simple revelio did the trick and it would ruin the fun if I said anything. Besides, I like to see those other no-majs figure it out. It's fun. The no-maj way is fun."

Pennyworth chuckled. "Oh I know. As a muggleborn, I still use my shotgun than the Killing Curse. It's too easy."

Crane laughed. "I don't blame you there. We're all no-maj borns. Sometimes we just need to use the no-maj way."

"Okay!" Dowd spoke up. "As much as I would like to hear you guys discuss how to use the no-maj way against...well everyone, we do have a problem in our hands, which I assumed that you know the details from President Pham. Professor Isley, Professor Crane, please sit down."

Isley giggled. "Bernard you don't have to call use professor anymore."

"Kid, you make me feel old," Crane sighed.

"But you are old," Bernard said.

Crane glared at him. "I still see you still have that snark on ya."

Dowd just smirked and gestured his former professors to their seats. The two sat down and so did everyone else. Damian noticed that Harry was sitting with Dowd and Black. Usually, Damian wouldn't mind, but he couldn't help and noticed how serious Harry was today. Damian knew Harry had his serious moments, but he felt like something was up. He wondered if he should be concern.

"So, President Pham told us that this Severus Snape is going to be here," Isley folded her hands.

Crane groaned. "Urgh, I hate that guy!"

"Join the club," Harry crossed his arms.

"The first time I talked to that guy was when we were renewing our Potion Masters lisence," Crane explained. "It's just retaking our testes for every three years. Anyway, he just looked at me and said how my book, my textbooks had horrible instructions and how his way of making my potions was better! After that he called me a filthy mudblood! Merlin, I never wanted to hurt another wizard in my life. Hearing his name makes me want to punch him. I'm so glad that President Pham wants us to capture him."

Isley nodded. "Well from the papers, he seemed like a horrible professor too. Someone like him shouldn't be teaching if he's going to abuse children. Had you had any thoughts on how to capture him?"

Crane scoffed. "My potions, obviously. For you, plants, right?"

"Of course," Isley beamed and she turned to Dowd. "Bernard, since you had fought Snape before, do you have any ideas you like to share?"

Dowd gulped and fiddled with his hands. "I do, but...it's...risky."

Isley frowned. "Well, it couldn't be that risky. It depends on how well this plan could work."

Dowd nodded and he let out a sigh. He looked at Harry and the two nodded. For some reason Damian had a feeling that he wouldn't like this plan that Dowd had. Sure, Dowd had showed a lot of skills as a wizard, but from everything he did to destroyed those horcruxes was risky as well as his insane habit of getting into situations beyond his control.

"I was thinking about having seven of me and seven of Harry," Dowd explained. "by using the advance Polyjuice Potion - Blood Polyjuice Potion. Snape is likely going to use a blood tracking magic and since he knows that Harry and I are here, I do think he's confident enough to figure it out. Using this version of Polyjuice Potion, not only covers the tracks of being revealed as a fake, but keeps Harry safe for the time being until we capture Snape. Not only that, but unlike regular Polyjuice Potion - anyone who drinks the Blood Polyjuice Potion, becomes the exact copy, like a clone, even by blood and magic. No-majs who do drink it can preform magic too. Of course only for a limit of time. Also Snape wouldn't know which of us is real. It would be the perfect time for you guys and my family to capture him."

Damian tried to processed the plan. That meant any of them would need to be either Harry and Dowd. Also Dowd said Snape wouldn't know which is the real them...which meant that...Harry might be involved in this insane plan and would get hurt. Damian turned to Harry, who looked like he wasn't surprise about this idea. In fact, it looked like he knew about it. The only ones in the living room who didn't know about this plan was everyone else, except for Timothy of course.

"That makes sense," Crane said. "Using normal Polyjuice Potion - even the advance ones would make the blood tracking spell reveal who is the real and who is the fake. The Blood Polyjuice Potion would at least hide who is the fake one...but we only have two hours until the potion wears off. That should be enough time to capture Snape."

Isley nodded. "While Snape is distracted by figuring out who is who, you use your fear potion and then I use my plants. This plan might work, but making that potion is ten times difficult than normal Polyjuice Potion. The process is almost similar to became an animagus. It'll take weeks!"

Dowd chuckled. "No need." he pulled his robe wide open, revealing that Blood Polyjuice Potion hanging from his robes. "I've already made it in advance - months advance."

Everyone stared at Dowd with pure shock. Timothy wasn't shock as always, since Damian was sure that Timothy knew that Dowd had that on him. Damian was aware that Dowd was prepare for any situation for being a curse-breaker, but he never thought he was that prepared. Now Damian thought about it, the only time Dowd wasn't prepared was dealing with horcruxes. 

"We just need my and Harry's hairs and then we're good," Dowd said.

Isley smirked. "Excellent." she turned to Harry. "Mister Potter, I assumed you knew of this plan and are going to be a part of it? Bernard did said Snape wouldn't know who is the real Harry, after all."

Harry nodded. "I am."

Damian looked at Harry with wide eyes. What? Why? Damian was sure, he was so sure that Harry wouldn't be a part of this plan. Damian wasn't surprised that Harry knew of the plan, but being a part of it...why? Harry had been through so much and suffered by Riddle and Dumbledore. Why would he want to be a part of a plan that could potentially be his doom? Damian was sure, he was so sure that he told Harry he wouldn't had to worry about everything anymore. Harry didn't need to fight anymore. Why would he want to keep fighting?

Damian stood up. "Are you insane, Harry?!"

Sighing, Harry stood up as well. "Yes, I am."

At once, everyone scooted away from both Damian and Harry as everyone eyed at them. All wizards and witches had their wands up for some reason. It was like as if they were waiting for Harry to do some accidental magic or if Damian would pull out a knife or something. In the corner of Damian's eyes, he could see Dowd looking at Harry, as if to say You deal with him.

"Why?" Damian demanded. "Harry, we can handle it."

"Fat chance, Damian," Harry said. "I'm not going to sit here and wait until it's over!"

"You're going to get capture by Snape if you join the plan!"

"I'll be fine."

"No you won't, Snape will figure out which is which by triggering you the most."

"I can handle Snape. I've done it for the last four years. I'll be fine."

"No, you'll get hurt."

"No, I won't!"

"Yes, you will!"

"I'm sure I won't!"

"You seemed so confident on that part."

"Well look who's talking!"

Damian glared at him. "You're going to stay in the manor, Harry!"

"I'm not going to stay in the manor!" Harry growled.

"Yes, you are!"

"No, I'm not!"

"I won't let you jeopardized this plan if you're there!" Damian shouted.

Harry glared at him with eyes full of fury. For the first time in Damian's life, he had never saw Harry this angry before. As much as Damian was alarmed by Harry's anger, he kept his composure, without showing a slight discomfort of Harry's anger.

"I'M JOINING WEATHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!!!" Harry screamed.

Almost everyone jumped when Harry screamed out at him. Damian stood his ground, trying not to be phase by Harry's burst of anger. Damian was aware of Harry's temper, but he didn't know Harry had that kind of temper. Damian knew he and Jason both have a temper, but right now Damian felt like he was fighting fire with fire.

"Go ahead!!" Damian hollered back. "We'll see what happens!"

"YOU SEEM SO COCKY WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN, YOU BLOODY IDIOT!!!" Harry shouted.

"What can you understand that being in this plan is the most stupidest thing you ever done, Harry?!!"

"YOU'RE IMPOSSIBLE!!!"

"So are you!"

Growling, Harry shoved his seat as he walked up the stairs. Without hesitation, Damian raced over to Harry and grabbed his wrist. There was no way they are ending this conversation like this.

"We're not done here," Damian snarled.

"Yeah, we are!" Harry yanked his hand away.

"If you go to your room, I won't speak to you ever again!" Damian threatened.

Harry laughed. "Go ahead, I had never spoken to other people aside from the Dursleys for ten years, I can do it again!"

"Fine!"

"FINE!!!"

With that Damian turned his back to Harry, walked passed the living room, and headed into the kitchen. As Damian opened the back door, in the distance he could hear Harry slamming the door, and Damian did the same. He marched into the Wayne gardens, fuming with rage. Damian couldn't believe it! What the hell was wrong with Harry? Damian was so sure that when Dowd got here, Harry wouldn't had to worry about being involved into anything, but here we are! He wanted to be involved!

Damian sat down at the bench, arms crossed. Damian knew he could handle magic. He had done it before and he could do it again. He knew it would be different since he was dealing with a magical secret society, but he could learn. The more he thought about it, the more he remembered his conversation with Harry the night when everyone found out about his friendship with Harry. Harry was concern about his safety, but Damian knew he assured Harry about it. Harry didn't need to worry about him. Harry just needed to worry about himself and stay safe. That was it.

Then Damian realized that every year whenever something happened at Hogwarts, Harry wanted to help people. He couldn't back down and let others get hurt. Even if it didn't involved him, he still tried to help others. No matter how much he suffered, no matter how much no one thanked him, no matter how much people wanted to help him, Harry still wanted to help because he doesn't want others to get hurt because of him.

Damian groaned. "I'm an idiot, aren't I?"

"Yeah, you are." a voice spoke.

Damian looked up and saw Timothy. Sighing, Damian looked away as Timothy sat next to him. He really didn't want to talk to Timothy right now. Timothy was the last person Damian would want to talk to. As much as Damian wanted to tell Timothy to go away, but he didn't felt like it. Harry would probably not want to talk to him again. Damian's heart clenched. He didn't want that. Yeah, he knew what he said, but he was just upset and angry that Harry was putting himself in danger. Damian never meant it...he just hoped Harry knew that too. What if he really won't talk to him? It would be Damian's own fault for messing everything up.

"Tt, what are you doing here?" Damian scoffed.

"Thought you might want someone to talk to," Timothy said.

Damian raised a brow. "You?"

"Look," Timothy placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know I just found out about this whole wizard thing since last year, but from my experienced, moping won't help. Just talk to Harry."

"He hates me," Damian stated.

"No, he doesn't." Timothy sighed. "Look, I know dealing with all of this is hard. I've dealt the same thing with Bernard and I know I don't show it, but I am worried about his safety too. I'm just used to Bernard getting into ridiculous situations. The thing is that, you just need to be there for Harry. The good and the bad. The wizarding world is cruel and I won't deny that, but so is our world too. You just need to be there and help him along the way. Harry may make stupid decisions along the way, but you're his b - uh, friend. You may disagree with his choices, but all you need to do is to support him and be prepare if things do go bad. Harry needs us and we all need him."

Damian lowered his head. He hate to admit that he was scared. Scared for Harry and what might happen to him. He didn't want his friend to be dragged into the Triwizard Tournament and die. Harry was his first friend he made that wasn't connected to Father. He never judged him about his past and pretty much everything about him. Loosing Harry was like loosing someone he held dear to him. He couldn't help and think what might happen. However, maybe it was best to talk to Harry. After all, Harry knew from first experienced about everything that had happened and Damian was sure that Harry would understand.

"I'll talk to him," Damian finally said.

Timothy smiled. "Good."

As Damian got up form the bench, he took a few steps and stopped. "Timothy."

"Yeah?" Timothy asked.

"Th-Thank you," Damian stammered.

Then there was silence as Damian's ears turned red. He knew it was rare for him to thank Timothy or listening what he has to say, but he did. He listened what Timothy had experienced with Dowd and now he's having the a similar experienced with Harry. The first time in Damian's life, they were having a civil conversation. Damian wondered if he told Timothy about his insecurities about being Robin...he wondered if Timothy would listen too.

"You're welcome." Timothy finally said.

Right away, Damian hurried back into the manor. As he got inside, he headed straight upstairs. When he got to Harry's room, he stopped. Behind the door, he could hear some sniffling. Damian narrowed his eyes. He was sure Harry was crying because of him. With a deep breath, Damian knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Harry called.

"It's me," Damian answered.

"Go away," Harry mumbled.

Damian sighed. "Look, Harry. Please open the door. I just want to talk."

Harry scoffed. "Yeah, sure."

Damian pressed his forehead against the door. He slid onto his knees and turned as he rested his back against the door. He knew Harry won't open the door, but he knew that won't stop him from talking to him. Even though Harry was still angry at him, but he still wanted to hear him out.

"I'm sorry," Damian apologized. "Harry, I'm really sorry. It's just...you're my first friend, outside from my Father's connections. From everything that had happened so far, I don't want to loose you. I'm scared, Harry. I'm scared what might happen to you and I can't stop thinking about it. That's why I want to fight in your battles. I want to save you. I won't stop you from being in this plan, you're too stubborn anyway. Just let me be a part of this plan by your side."

Then there was silence. Damian lowered his head. He wouldn't be surprised if Harry never forgave him. After all, he did messed up. Not like the first time Damian had messed up his friendships with other people...well mostly the people who had connections to Father. However, he just hoped that Harry would understand his side of everything and why he was against it.

Suddenly, Damian heard the doorknob turned and the door creaked opened. Damian froze for a bit. He wondered if it was safe to turn around or not, but instinct took over him as he turned. His dark green eyes met emerald green. Harry was also sitting against the door and his eyes were red too. He glanced to the side, rubbing his neck.

"I-I'm sorry too," Harry stammered. "I-I just." He sighed. "Damian, I didn't know you felt that way. You always had everything put together and I didn't know all this time, I was scaring you. It's just that, I'm scared too, but I know what I'm doing is risky. I know what I'm doing might scared everyone and I'm glad that I can finally rely on adults who do care, but at the same time, I want to help. I just can't let myself stand on the sidelines. I already lost my parents. I don't want to loose everyone. Damian, I don't want to loose you too."

Without a word, Damian pulled Harry into a hug. He held him tightly as he could. Damian couldn't help and chuckle a bit. So they were both thinking the same thing. Wanting to protect each other.

As they pulled apart, Damian heard footsteps coming their way. Damian and Harry looked at each other and the two stood up. Dowd was running up the stairs as if his life depends on it. He had his phone in his hand. When he approached them, he was breathing heavily and Damian swore he saw Dowd glaring at him. Damian grumbled. Dowd just had to ruin the moment, huh?

"Hermione, just text me," Dowd said. "She just saw Snape talking to Slughorn."

"What else did Hermione say?" Harry asked.

"Well, I'm not sure how she did it, but I'm impressed," Dowd answered. "After Hermione saw Snape and Slughorn, she basically snuck into the potions classroom, found the plane ticket, and use the duplication spell. She went to the no-maj village, took a picture of the plane ticket and sent it to me. Without getting caught."

Harry chuckled. "I'm not surprised Hermione didn't get caught. She's not a rule breaker, but she will break rules if things don't go her way."

"Snape's plane is ten hours and it has a layover. I'm not sure how long that layover will be, but I already told Professor Isley and she's already using magic on her plants to alert her if Snape shows up. Also, Alfred is giving everyone fake wands for everyone - mainly anyone who is a no-maj to practice magic. It's the closest thing they can do to perform magic. Anyway, Harry, I need all of your memories from your childhood to Hogwarts. We haven't decided who will be us yet, but right now, we just need everyone to practice our mannerisms and study magic before Snape arrives."

The thought of Harry teaching Damian magic made his cheeks lightly pink. Damian wouldn't mind if Harry taught him some Defense the Dark Arts. He knew that subject was Harry's favorite subject and he was sure that Harry wouldn't mind teaching him magic as well.

"Do you mind teaching me magic, Harry?" Damian asked.

Harry smiled. "I don't mind!"

"Actually!" Dowd grinned, showing his gritted teeth as he pulled them away from each other. "Harry, you and I are going to get some dueling training from my mom. Right now."

Harry blinked. "Right now?"

Dowd nodded. "Right now!" he shoved a fake wand to Damian and made a shooing motion. "Alfred wants you downstairs! Now go! Bye!"

"I'll teach you tonight," Harry whispered.

Damian noticed Dowd's eye twitched when he heard that. Nodding, Damian watched Dowd taking Harry's wrist, and dragging him downstairs, leaving Damian alone. Damian couldn't help and wondered if Dowd came up here on purpose. The more he thought about it, the more he was sure Dowd did it on purpose. Damian wasn't sure what Dowd's deal was. He and Harry are just friends. However, Damian was glad that Harry forgave him. He would do anything to make sure that he would keep Harry safe and he will make sure no one would stop him from doing that.