Chapter 4
Harry, or, as his now-blood name was, Hades hummed thoughtfully as he looked at himself through the bathroom mirror. Thanks to the blood adoption potion, Hades now looked closer to actually being Jack’s sibling. His hair was now a dark brown-borderline black, and less messy, falling in delicate strands down his back. His eyes were closer to an aquamarine than emerald, which apparently was because jack originally had bright blue eyes when he was still human. Looking closely, his body shape was closer to Jack’s as well. Sticking out his tongue, Hades almost giggled. His tongue was slightly longer, and reminded the eleven-year old of a reptile’s. Exiting the bathroom, he couldn’t help the large grin that threatened to split his face in half.
Jack and him had decided to stay at one of the Peverell family homes, and with the assistance of Slender, moved it into the edges of the Forest. If this was a “family home,” Hades wondered just what a manor was, ‘cause the so-called family home was closer to being an actual mansion with a courtyard and everything. Heck, it even had freaking holding cells in the basement, which everyone was ecstatic about. Yeah, apparently the house became the designated “vacation from the mansion” place, if the fact they constantly got visitors were anything to go by. Seriously, just in the last week alone, Jeff had come over five separate occasions, Sally twice, LJ three times, Helen and Puppeteer four, and Ben a whopping seven times. Hades did have to wonder why the blonde ghost’s cheeks went pink around him though.
Jack had chosen a room right by the stairs to the ground level, wanting to be close to the one place someone could enter, save for the warded windows. The room had been painted a deep blue, fading to a sky blue the closer one got to the ceiling, with a maroon carpet. The bed was carved from a bloodwood tree, with black, kitsune fur blankets over one of the softest mattresses he had ever felt. There was a large window that overlooked the courtyard and forest, that also gave the room a large amount of natural light during the day. A corner could open as well to let messenger birds in and out. It was open at the moment, as his new raven pet, Nevermore, was out flying. Hades’ room consisted mostly of greens, with a similar window and setup, save for his ceiling. The ceiling in Hades’ room was charmed to look like a stormy night sky, and could be activated to have the same sounds if he so wished.
Their personal house elves, twins named Maxwell and Mason, had really outdone themselves with setting everything up to their liking. Both wore identical black cloaks engraved with Hades’ many houses and simple blood-red shirts and shorts. They would have looked nearly identical, if not for Maxwell’s large burn scar traveling up the side of his face. Both had been absolutely ecstatic about having a new Peverell to help, and had nearly been in tears upon learning that he had a demon on his side as well. Apparently the first three Peverell brothers had had a run in with several demons in their time, and had even captured/sealed one in the basement of the house. EJ and Hades had found the demon, named Kagekao, and, after getting a vow to not play with (harm) them, had freed him. The japanese demon had promptly moved in with them, and claimed part of the attic as his room.
Hades giggled at the memory. Kagekao had an obsession with wine, and could be bribed to help him prank the others with a few bottles. Upon seeing the chaos they had caused, Jack had simply backed away silently into his room, occasionally muttering about him having two brats to watch over and make sure they don’t destroy the world. Really, the world? They’d need a least three others to do that! Snickering softly as he sat at the table for breakfast, which consisted of mostly meat with a bit of bread and other sides, Hades almost let out an evil cackle. He would be heading to Hogwarts today, or at least the King’s Cross station, and couldn’t wait. He’d already met several fellow magicals that could be potential friends at Diagon.
Flashback
Harry huffed as he looked through all the cloaks before him at the shop. Most weren’t exactly his taste of clothing, but he supposed he’d have to wear them while at Hogwarts. It was one of the first things Jack had taught him; it didn’t matter how the clothing looks or feels, you want to easily blend in with the crowd. So if that meant wearing almost medieval-era clothing, then that’s what he’d wear, misgivings and all. Letting Jack pull him into the store, Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Harry let his eyes wander to the other preteen getting fitted.
He looked just as bored as Harry was while he stood there and the presumed Madam Malkin hustled about. She noticed them almost instantly, and motioned Harry closer, “Hogwarts as well, dear?” Upon him nodding his head, she bustled about more, moving him to the stool next to the blonde. Harry almost scowled at Jack’s amused expression, but was soon distracted as the blonde boy began to speak. “Hogwarts too?” Harry turned towards him, “Yeah, I take it you’re going there as well...?” The boy nodded and motioned towards his hand. “Draco Malfoy, I’d shake your hand, but seeing as we can’t exactly move…” Harry snorted. “Harry Potter.” He simply responded, ignoring the almost-choking sound coming from Draco. Apparently regaining his breath, Draco asked, “The Harry Potter? Where have you been all these years? I mean, no offence, but a large chunk of us thought you were dead!”
Harry snorted. “I was mostly traveling with my brother figure. We knew about the american wizarding community, but we haven’t been in the british one until now.” Draco nodded, “I suppose that makes sense. So the brunette over there is your… brother?” Harry smiled. “Yeah, that’s Jack, he took me in when I was about five or so. I really don’t remember my exact age, as I was recovering through my birthday.” Draco’s head tilted slightly to the side, and he looked like he wanted to ask what he meant by recovering, but Madam Malkin suddenly interrupted them. “Alright dear, you’re done!” Draco apparently had to leave after that, after promising to find him on the train.
Flashback End
Hades grinned as he finished the last bit of food. He had bought the most protected trunk he could buy, which was the most expensive one on the market, and it had several compartments with near-unlimited storage. So of course he was bringing an entire hospital’s-worth of blades. Professor Snape had even informed him of a “Room of Requirement” where he could train, as they had put it. (Because people really didn’t need to know he was practically raised by killers) On top of that, the others had given him gifts, since they weren’t going to be able to visit for a long time. Slender had given him a necklace that would block others from reading his mind, or using potions to control him. Jeff had given him a sword he had found in one of his well-off victim’s house, which could apparently only be used if one had demon blood.
Ben had given him a wrapped box that he had made Hades promise not to open until he was at Hogwarts. Sally had, of course, given him a hand drawn picture of everyone, which was adorable. LJ had given him a prank kit and a subscription to his side business. Liu had given him a scarf after hearing how cold the winters could be at his new school. Tim, Jay, and Brian had given him several camcorders, so they could see if all electronics fried, or if the ones warded against most interference would still work. Clockwork had given him a new knife care kit, as he had gathered quite a collection of knives. Toby had found out about preservation spells, and had given him a large supply of waffles to last him a while. The Pianist had sent him a few songs (not done by him) to learn, along with a doll from the Doll Maker, who couldn’t send it himself, as he was currently having to lay low. Even the Candle Cove crew had sent him a few things to take care of his new bird.
Jack soon joined him downstairs, his brown hair tussled from sleep. Hades counted down from three, and sure enough, Kagekao crawled downstairs… using the ceiling. Jack let out a sigh and grabbed his morning coffee. “Use the stairs…” He grumbled, drinking his usual dose of caffeine. Kagekao simply stuck out his tongue, grabbing some bacon. “Shinai!” (Never!) Hades snickered, but also felt a pang in his chest. While he was at school, he’d miss this. All three of them had only lived here for about two months, but Hades had grown attached. He’d miss mornings with his brother figures, and visiting his friends at the Ark. But he’d already accepted going. Jack ruffled his hair, seemingly sensing his thoughts. “You’ll have Hedwig…” He rasped, reminding Hades of the fact that he could easily contact him via his owl.
Giving his older brother a small grin at the reminder, Hades raced upstairs to grab his trunk. They had all agreed to go to the UK early, and spend part of the day in London. (Though it had taken a while to convince Kagekao, as he’s have to also use a glamour and not wear his mask.) He’d already said goodbye to the others the night before, so today was going to be spent with his family. Besides the inherit dizziness, using Slender-Ports was actually pretty nice. One just had to think of where they wanted to go after it was activated, and bam! It would spit you out at the closest port away from prying eyes!
It was… nice actually, to be able to act like your average family and simply go sightseeing. With Kagekao’s glamour making him look more human and him also having dark hair, they all truly did look related. The two of them spent all morning dragging Jack around, but he didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, he was smiling softly up until they had to head over to the train station, then he was scowling. Though, if it was because of the people, or the wizarding family being oblivious and shouting about muggles was to be seen. Withholding a sigh at the blatant stupidity, a pet peeve he had gained from Jack, Hades followed the wizarding family at a distance until they led him to the brick wall Professor Snape had told them they’d have to go through.
So here he was, saying goodbye to his brothers and boarding a red train. Waving goodbye as it started leaving, his nervousness resurfaced ten-fold. What if someone found out about what part of his meals were? What if he got kicked out? What if he failed? But at the same time… excitement also filled him. He was gonna’ learn magic! True, most of it probably wouldn’t help in hunts, but still! He was going to learn magic! Hades suppressed his near-giddy squeals, but still let a wide grin split his face. After all, he was going to Hogwarts!
It didn’t take long for him to find Draco. The blonde boy was in one of the last compartments, with two boys he introduced as Crabbe and Goyle, whom he had been practically raised with. As they chatted, another boy, Blaise, joined them along with a girl named Daphne. They were both amazed at the differences between the British and American magical community. Like the fact that creatures, and by extension, those with creature blood in them, were treated equally and even little things like the general style of clothing.
“I find it kind of nice, y’know?” Hades looked at the countryside passing them by. “You don’t have to worry about how you were born, or who your parents are, and can just… live your life….” His friends nodded. “Yeah, it’s not really known, but both mine and Blaise’s family has Veela blood in them, though mine’s quite a few generations farther back,” Draco agreed, causing the others to turn towards Blaise. Daphne tilted her head. “Didn’t your mother just go through another husband?” Blaise smirked. “It was ruled to be natural causes” “Oh?” Hades was definitely interested. “Yep. Falling down three sets of stairs and onto a pile of knives is perfectly natural!” Hades let out a guffaw of laughter, while the others stared at them incredulously. He then snorted. “That seems like something Kage would do…” This caused Draco to tilt his head in confusion. “Dare I ask?” The blackette waved the question away. “Kagekao is my other… brother/cousin figure…” he paused for a dramatic effect, “Who may or may not be a demon from Japan!”
Conversation continued quite happily after that small bombshell, most of them clamoring to learn what a demon was really like, as the British magical community only heard rumors. Hades laughed at quite a few of them. Really, the thought of Kage acting like an overgrown dog was both hilarious, and rude. Demons had pride in their culture, and insulting them was a sure way of dying. They had to pause to change into their school robes and to get off the train. Riding on the boat was… interesting, to say the least. Hades had never really been on a small boat, and he was pleasantly surprised to find it didn’t rock too terribly. Though, Draco explained that it was because there was enchantment on each boat to make it safe for the first years to ride in.
Letting out a quiet gasp of amazement, Hades’ eyes widened in awe. The castle looked absolutely breathtaking at night, lit up in the dark night sky as it was. His expectations of the school rose slightly. Then again, he hadn’t seen Dumble-dork, so his mood hadn’t gone sour yet. Professor Snape had warned him about how Dumbledore will most likely try to slip him something or try to find out where he had been. Hades let out a huff of muffled laughter at the thought. If he told him he was with his brother, then he wasn’t lying!