Sanctuary
Space – The New Beginning
Chapter 1:
Harry didn’t know which was better or worse, being able to finish a summer assignment because of a bloody nose or a bloody nose. Granted the bloody nose was ‘caused by his raging Uncle as the man was getting a demotion, his wife thought it was fitting for what Vernon did, no one was sure what Vernon was being very tight-lipped about it (Harry’s bloody nose was a hint to what it was about). That being said Vernon had taken a great pain to hold back his fury and only broke Harry’s nose since they, the Dursley’s, were already being scrutinized by the neighborhood due to their ‘incident’ just after Harry left for Hogwarts for his first year and Child Protection Services had been called when Harry hadn’t shown up at St. Bosco’s Boarding School, he’d been attending for almost three years, the Teachers were awesome there (and were well within their rights to be concerned about his safety). So, Harry had slid away from the Dursley’s and their attention as they started to argue who was going to pick up Vernon’s Sister Marg.
He collected some blood into a vial, taking the time in plugging his nostrils afterwards, before turning around on his ‘chair’ and opening a drawer which contained both a potion and a sheet of Charmed Parchment. Harry carefully uncapped and poured the potion into the vial, capped the vial and shook lightly.
Harry smiled, wondering what Professor Binns/Snape/Flitwick would say to his extra credit work he’d been working on. That being said Snap would probably scoff and fail him. While Binns would give him a barely passing grade. And Professor Flitwick would rake him over the Coals a few times for doing a Seventh-Year project before giving him a passing grade.
The potion went from Matcha colored to a Shimmery water-blue color that seemed…weird. Harry stared at it for several seconds before remembering he now had a deadline and sat the capped vial into his pen holder. He reached into the still open desk drawer and pulled out the (swiped) tape that sat there and pulled small pieces off stuck two ends of each piece together before attaching them to the four corners of the parchment, then sticking the parchment to the desk surface taking care to not make a hug wrinkle (that would destroy the assignment altogether). After checking that everything was flat and not about to popup, harry grabbed the vial, uncapped it, (and remembering the teachers warning about pouring the potion at arm’s length) shifted the ‘chair’ so that his arm was stretched out and his body sideways… And Poured.
The effect was instantaneous. The liquid in the vial hit the parchment, spreading out the width and breath before turning into a Galaxy Nova of colors and triggered the parchments charm to extend several more feet in length, shimmered an’ glowed for several minutes before the liquid evaporated away. The parchment continued to shimmer and glow and look like a Galaxy Nova. Harry stared at it and instantly thought he had done something wrong. He went for the info sheet and instantly began scanning it before finding the relevant information near the bottom… and slumped. His assignment was useless, but for an entirely different reason.
His lineage had been magically cloaked by his ancestors (or someone else in the family) and thus couldn’t be shared nor seen without the assistance of Gringotts. Harry slumped and thought on how he was supposed to finish the (admittedly extra credit) assignment with a cloaked Lineage. It wasn’t like he could run to Diagon Alley for the day and return. … Harry straightened -- or he could go down and then spend the rest of summer cruising the Alley, even see the London sights, even celebrate his birthday quietly in a nice ice cream parlor for once and not just in a dusty room with locks on it.
He grinned, cleared everything, binning the potion bottle and used vial into the trash before rolling the Lineage parchment up tightly before snaping a rubber band around it … then realized he forgot to grab his bag from under his bed. He knelt and reached for the lose floor board and started wiggling the large bag around until it came out. Once it was out he replaced the floor board, and he stood, opened the Randoseru and observed the contents with a critics eye, the contents and containers (all were spelled to be bigger on the inside) were unusual to say the least: three Altoid Mint Tins (held his collection of books and clothes respectively and the last held miscellaneous (most notably his Nimbus 2000)), a tin pencil case (held all of his ink pots/quills/pen/pencils and paper/parchment), several advanced textbooks, a few composition notebooks, and a large reusable shopping bag (also extended internally). He added the lineage scroll and a few things from his desk drawers before closing the Randoseru bag.
It was then that he realized.
It was dark out and from experience he knew that the bus stopped running after six o’clock pm in Little Whinging.
Harry stared at the bag and had the sudden urge to scream in frustration. Before Giving it a ‘fuck it’ and continued packing. He’d walk to London if it came to it, Harry wasn’t about to spend a week with Marg of all people, he was bound to do something that would harm her. Not that she wouldn’t deserve it, however the Ministry frowned on the magical harming of Muggles…even if they deserved it.
As he finished packing, he glanced around, both making sure he had everything and that the room held nothing incriminating by the Dursley standards. It didn’t and Harry shouldered his bag and thought about his trunk that sat – locked - under the stairs, it was empty of everything. However, Harry wasn’t keen on needing to buy a new one. He wasn’t keen on anything right now. He headed out the door and walked quietly as possible down the stairs and out the front door.
After that it was as simple as cutting through alley’s and through parks before arriving at the town limits of Little Whinging and stopping. The road wound away towards London where Harry could spend several weeks unincumbered by rules. He paused long enough to rummage in his bag for a hat before continuing… only to stop when he heard a growl from behind him.
‘Please don’t let it be Ripper. Please don’t let it be Ripper.’ Was all Harry could think as he slowly turned around. It wasn’t Ripper the Bulldog but a larger black dog, one that looked like it hadn’t had a good meal it several years. It was staring at Harry with curious eyes, Harry froze as it moved toward him to sniff him, the second time it growled was when harry flinched when it came too close for comfort. Then it turned and left, harry blew out a breath he’d been holding. He watched the Black Dog disappear around a corner before moving. He started his trek to London and the Leaky Cauldron pub.
Three Long Hours later, Harry stepped into the Leaky Cauldron and sighed, seeing that it was thankfully near empty and that his being there would remain quiet. He had zero wish to be bombarded with Fans ever again. He quickly got a room and dropped his things, kicking off his shoes and stood indecisively, he glanced at the bed then at the door to the Bathroom. Sleep or a really hot shower. He lifted an arm and sniffed… immediately pulled his nose away from the smell. Shower first, then Bed. Dilemma solved, Harry retrieved his Pajamas and toiletry kit before heading to the bathroom and the shower it contained. After a twenty-minute shower under a very hot shower and had dried an’ dressed. Harry slouched over to the bed and slide into it and fell asleep in seconds.
The Next Morning …
Harry woke with sunlight streaming against his face. He lounged for several seconds before hauling himself up right and observed the Room he’d been checked into. It was very much an old room, worn down in the area’s used most often by the occupants. Most telling was the wear on the armchair that was occupied by his bag, it looked like it was about to collapse in on its self.
Harry clambered out of the bed, wincing as he did so, the bed was groaning and creaking as he moved and there was a large dip in the middle that was worrisome, not to mention the sheets were grey. Wincing as he changed into last year’s uniform – it was the only clothes that fit and didn’t make him look poor (at least he looked like he had money with them on).
He then gathered everything he needed for a trip to Gringotts before heading out to shop. After double checking that he had everything, he grabbed his hat and bag before striding for the door. Thankfully the pub was empty and Harry was able to slip out to the back court yard and into Diagon Alley without any fuss. As walked toward Gringotts Harry watched as the stores slowly open up and people filtered in through other alley entrances. He glanced toward the wizarding bank and watched as goblins unlocked their doors, signaling that they were open for business.
Harry turned toward it and started toward it dodging the few people out that morning. Upon entering, Harry noticed that many of the tills weren’t even open yet. So, he kepted walking forward until he reached the far end where the till was open and a Goblin sat there looking peeved.
“Mr. Potter, your late to the scheduled meeting by an entire week.” Was the first thing out of the Goblins mouth, making Harry freeze mid-stride. “You didn’t even have the courtesy to send a letter to cancel or change the day to a more convenient time.”
The Goblins’ annoyance was palatable to Harry, the Teller was quite angry and annoyed.
“uhuh. M-My apologies Sir. But I haven’t received any Letters for any meetings or Letters of any sort.” Was what Harry stammered out and almost regrated it when the Goblin started growling at him and glaring. Harry wanted to sink into the floor and disappear from the sheer intimidation.
The pressure seemed to intensify for several seconds or even minutes before it letup suddenly. Harry breathed in quietly and tried to remember when he had stopped breathing. Harry chanced a glance up at the Goblin Teller and it was surprised to see that the goblin was silently Fuming.
“Mr. Potter, if… IF you are telling the truth.” The Goblin Teller glared sharply at Harry. “Then there has been a serious breach of Trust and the Treaty that keeps the peace has been defiled.” At that, Harry flinched, he hadn’t come here to cause trouble for people. “May I see what key’s you have Mr. Potter?”
Harry hurriedly dragged the key he got when he first came to Gringotts with Hagrid out from beneath his shirt collar and presented it to the Goblin Teller. The sudden feeling that he was about to be eaten or killed was terrifying and Harry couldn’t take his eyes off the, now rage filled, Goblin Teller.
“Bloodfang, what are you doing scaring Customers.” Another Goblin appeared, smacked the now named Bloodfang with a rolled-up piece of Parchment (of all things), who turned toward the interloper and snarled. Harry was released from Bloodfangs blood lust and breathed deeply (and quietly wondered if the Goblin wars were fought entirely with fools or idiots that couldn’t feel fear). The two Goblin’s had started to argue in their native language heatedly. Which looked like the new Goblin was winning the argument.
Finally, the argument came to an end with the new goblin seemingly victorious.
“Mr. Potter, I am Golddagger Head Manager and Accountant here at Gringotts. Please follow me so things may be sorted out properly.” Golddagger turned towards Harry, both to introduce him (or her) self and motioned for Harry to follow.
Harry followed hesitantly, after a quick glance around at the still empty room, was led through doors, halls, and several long stair cases. All which lead upwards, before finally terminating their journey at a huge office that seemed to be filled with ledgers and loose parchment. Golddagger snapped his/her fingers, and watched in amazement as everything flew around and reorganized its self on shelves that lined the walls. The room was an enormous space, the clutter had made it seem much smaller.
“Come. Sit, Mr. Potter.” It hadn’t been a suggestion, as seconds later Harry was suddenly swepped of his feet and the chair continued forward until it was a few feet from Golddaggers desk before stopping. “Now Mr. Potter it would appear that you are missing all of your key’s that are right fully yours. But that’s not why you came this day is it?”
Harry swallowed, glanced at the reusable shopping bag that he’d somehow kept ahold of until now and carefully extracted the lineage Scroll that it held.
“I was doing an extra credit assignment for school and…” Harry didn’t get to finish as Golddagger had swiped the scroll from his hand and was now unrolling it.
Golddagger gazed at the Galaxy Nova that covered it.
“Mr. Potter, Do you know the three reasons that a Linage would be Cloaked like this?” At Harry’s headshake, Golddagger sighed and released the two edges he/she gripped, rubbed the bridge of it’s nose before continuing. “The Three reasons are as follows: Illegitimacy, adoption, or line theft. The first is quite normal with arranged marriages, your parents were not in such an agreement. The second is only viable when both are unable to conceive. And the Last is essentially Kidnapping.” Golddagger glanced up at Harry to see he was pale, but understanding.
“Mr. Potter, Gringotts have a standing law, created and signed by none other than Merlin himself, to never reveal what is found to outside forces for the safety of the child. In fact, if –and I do mean if – you are adopted then you are intitled to the entirety of the Potter fortune and we would do our best thwart anyone attempting to steal it until your Coming of age. Or IF you are stolen (kidnapped) then the same thing will apply, however we will also see to it that your Biological parents are found. We will also screen any mail, letters and packages, for compulsions. Along with making sure there are no spells or compulsions on you already. That being said… do you want me to reveal what’s on this?”
Harry sat for several minutes in silence, thinking about everything he’d just been told. How do you make such a life altering decision? Harry wasn’t sure. However, Harry did know that running away from the truth – whatever it may be – was never going to help him in the long run and might even be used against him in the future.
Harry breathed deeply, looked up at Golddagger and made his decision.
“Yes, Head Manager Golddagger, I would like to know what’s on that parchment.”
Golddagger grinned a toothy, terrifying smile that made Harry nearly regret his decision. Golddagger spread the parchment out and grabbed a gold encrusted quill and, using the tip of the quill, pricked a finger and held it there for several seconds. The gold encrust-mints turned red. Golddagger grinned again and promptly slashed the parchment length-wise with the quill, the red having bled out during the slash. The blood mingled with the potions residue and slowly, ever so slowly it turned into red words upon a Galaxy Nova background.
Golddagger observed the parchment for several seconds before picking up one end and began to quietly read it. Golddagger started to quietly growl, Harry froze with a quiet squeak. The Goblin glanced at him quickly and stopped growling. Golddagger sat the parchment down, fussed with it for several seconds to ensure it laid flat on the desk, before looking at Harry fully.
“It would appear Mr. Potter. That you are indeed a Stolen Child. Or as Muggles would call it -- Kidnapped.”
~~~
Harry - no he was Leonardo now (or just Leo) – stared out the window of the Hogwarts Express’ compartment and thought that about what he’d learned over the Summer. The escape of Sirius Black had thrown a wrench in his plans in being free until school started. However, Leo had more than enough time to have his fun. The only other problem being is that Leo now had two names.
Harry James Potter
Leonardo Sol Carter
It had taken some time to get used to a new name. One that he could only use outside of school and among non-magicals. That being said Leo had found more information on his parents.
His mother was an astrophysicist, engineer, and pilot in the United States Military. She was currently a Captain and was amazing. She had several papers published in her chosen field of study and she had been previously stationed at the Pentagon, she was now stationed at Cheyenne Mountain doing Deep-Space Telemetry for several months now. The amount of pride and happiness he felt when he realized he’s Mother was Amazing was immeasurable. He wasn’t even sure he was describing what he felt right, but most importantly he knew who he was.
His Father was largely an unknown, other than his first name, Johnathan. There wasn’t much on him. And that wasn’t without trying, his Fathers last name had been written in another language altogether. And it wasn’t in a world known language but in a dead-dead language that hadn’t been seen in hundreds or even thousands of years. It wasn’t like his father was a vampire or lynch. He was only five or six years older than his mother, and his family had the same thing going on with their names.
However, despite all of this Leo still couldn’t use his real name. He had to remain Harry Potter until his seventeenth Birthday and could disappear. It was either that or faking his death and disappearing into muggle society and re-emerge as his real identity. However, he wouldn’t be able to attend Hogwarts as he wouldn’t be a registered student and would have to pay almost a thousand galleons a month to attend. Thus, wasn’t advisable.
So, Leo was stuck. If he wanted to meet his mother/father then he’d have to fake his death in Britain and hope he never meets anyone he knows from his time there or wait until he’s seventeen to disappear. If Leo could last that is. However, with the way things were going Leo wasn’t sure if he’d make it to Seventeen or sixteen at the rate things were going.
Leo had decided that if things got worse by his fifth year he’d just disappear and try not to be too suspicious reappearing in America. Leo wasn’t sure how that would work out through.
He sighed and turned his head to look at the other two occupants, Ron and Hermione. The two of them had found him in Diagon Alley just after his birthday and had been rather cross ever since. Apparently there had been a breakout from Azkaban and Aurors had been sent to his relative house to guard him only to find him gone.
That had made everyone very worried for him and had thrown everything (and everyone) into chaos trying to find him. The three-hour lecture Leo had gotten from the elder Weasley’s had made Leo leery of them for the remainder of the Summer days. It also meant Leo couldn’t do a bunch of his shopping done until night when everyone was asleep. And he had to go back to sleeping in the Leaky Cauldron.
Thus, the rest of the summer was spent under the ever-watchful eyes of the Weasley’s.
Five weeks later Leo was sitting with two of his friends, silently debating whether or not he should tell them about what he found out about himself. However, as he sat in the train compartment as it chugged slowly towards Hogwarts, he slowly come to the realization that the three of them didn’t have much in common. If it hadn’t been for his up bringing - and the troll incident – the three of them wouldn’t be friends at all. He would be sitting with other people having fun. Hell, he’d be at the top of the class rankings (if he wasn’t so terrified of being called a cheater), and would-be frenemy’s with Hermione. Hell, if he wouldn’t even bat an eye in Ron’s direction – not with his attention seeking tendency’s – and the only reason the two of them where friends to begin with was Quidditch (which Ron had introduced him to, to begin with).
Leo ended up not telling them anything.
~~~A Month Later~~~
A month into the year, Leo found that some of the classes were rubbish and ended up sleeping or outright skipping them. He’d taken to exploring the Castle’s abandoned areas.
The areas no one went to anymore. The dust there was so thick that Leo had to tie a cloth over his mouth to keep from coughing. But he was finding things that suggested Hogwarts once had more things going on than just the classes it now had. So far, Leo had discovered a class that looked like it once taught actual English. Another class looked like it once taught Calculus – calculations were still written on the board. And yet another looked like it was a plain old cooking class that made actual food. There were others classes that were empty as well, the teachers having obviously had time to pack, while others didn’t have the time to pack at all (considering the amount of personal things Leo found, he thought this was rather accurate).
Then Leo found the Computer lab – it was an honest Lab filled with working (but outdated) computers. It looked like the computers were made in the 40’s (or earlier) – they looked like they belonged to a museum. Leo looked around the classroom and found outdated programming books and similar things. Leo tried flipping through one of said books - only to have it fall apart in his hands, crumbling and tearing easily.
Leo frowned and started to leave when something – a door? – caught his eye and he moved toward it, wondering how he missed it the during his exploration of the room since he’d stood practically in front of it mere minutes before. Which was strange as Leo didn’t feel any active or passive magic. So how had…?
The door shot open. Sliding sideways with the slightest of whirl sounding.
Leo froze.
Staring at the open doorway, Leo stared in shock. Motors of any kind, electric or gas powered, blow up without exception. Leo watched for smoke -anything that would show that it followed what he had experienced…no such luck. Leo pulled his wand and proceeded cautiously into the room beyond. It wasn’t very big a 7x5 a hexagon shaped space and the material was of – Metal.
Stepping inside he tried to figure out why someone would make a closet/storage room out of metal. As soon as he stepped inside, lights flared to life, illuminating the small space perfectly and as he stepped farther into the room the sliding door snaped closed behind him, making him spin around and promptly start trying to open it.
When his spells seemed to have no effect, Leo started to sweat and hyperventilate – a rare panic attack that he hadn’t had in a very long time. In several minutes he was curled up on the floor breathing harshly and wondering why he had to be curious all the time. During the entire thing the room had begun to descend down a narrow shaft – by the time it got to the bottom several minutes had passed and Leo had almost Hyperventilated himself into unconsciousness.
So, when the sliding door reopened Leo noticed real quick and shot out. He noticed the large room and slowly started to calm down. However, he kept his forehead pressed against the cooled, smooth floor and waited until the last waves of panic was gone for several minute before sitting up and looking around.
The room was huge at least five or seven football fields in length/width. Made from what looked like a combination of stone/metal material that blended seamlessly together. From Leo’s position on the floor chamber looked colossal in size. He did however, notice a staircase two meters to his left and shakily got to his feet. As he moved toward the staircase, he couldn’t help but look up and find himself gapping at the ceiling.
Hanging from the ceiling like stalactites were towers of all shapes and sizes. And the staircase zig-zagged all the way up the wall ending at a cat-walk that seemed to lead to the closest tower.