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The Favor	By : kitten7315 Category: Anita Blake > Crossovers > AB/Harry Potter Views: 8278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I don't own the Anita Blake characters or the Harry Potter ones. All I am doing is twisting their worlds in my mind's eye to make my muse happy. I am not making any money from this, just a purely entertainment factor.

Chapter List
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Chapter Three – Introductions and Surprises
Traveler glanced at the Triumvirate of St. Louis noticing the subtle weak link in their power chain. He also noticed that there was another attached to Anita. ‘This is interesting’ he thought.
“There was not a need for any formal audience Jean-Claude. I am only here to bring a training resource to Anita if she chooses to accept.” The Traveler glanced between the two keeping his face void of all expressions. He knew that this was the first ‘olive branch’ that was extended since his last visit. Traveler knew he needed to be cautious, but with Harry at his side he couldn’t help feel a little invincible.
Tension was still thick in the room; the bodyguards had lowered their weapons but were not put away. Anita looked over the group that stood in her line of fire; three of them had some sort black robes with hoods pulled up. They seemed to be in the shadows even with the room lit. Leaning on the side of caution, Anita also lowered her Browning but kept it out – just in case.
“Why are you and your friends’ faces covered?” Anita decided she was glad she could just ask instead of playing any ‘courtly’ games.
“I have several enemies Ms. Blake. I try not to reveal myself in a new situation until after I know what or who is in my surroundings.” The shortest robed figure stepped forward to stand next to the Traveler.
Anita assumed that it was he that had spoken, the voice sounded like it came from everyone around the room at once. She watched as his hood slowly lowered itself and revealed a beautiful teen with black messy hair and jewel toned green eyes.
Harry had a smile on his face at the intense look Ms. Blake had on her face when he revealed himself. When people first meet him, they tended to underestimate him due to his small and delicate like stature. Harry had a feeling that Ms. Blake would not be one of those people.
Anita looked at those beautiful green eyes and saw sincerity with a touch of humor reflecting back in them and recognized that Mr. Potter knew she wouldn’t underestimate him. An understanding passed between them on within that look.
What did shock her was the youthfulness of his appearance. He didn’t look a day over sixteen, if that. That gave Anita pause, dealing with vampires, it was almost impossible to determine their true age due to the fact they stopped aging after they are turned. Anita started to send out a small tendril of her magic to determine what he was.
“I’m a human mage Ms. Blake. You can save yourself some time and magic.” Harry was nonchalant about the attempt to probe him. He knew she was curious due to his age, and he also saw the questions flash across her eyes like teleprompts. Due to his Legitimacy skills, it was automatic that this happened. Harry tried not to ‘read’ people’s thoughts because he felt that everyone had a right to privacy in their own head. In unknown situations, he found himself slipping into his training of analyzing the situation, finding all possible scenarios and getting them out alive. Not that he thought this would turn out to be a life threatening situation, but tensions were running high and anything was possible.
A small frown appeared on Anita’s face at the word ‘mage’. “I have never heard of that type of magic user. There are not any that I know of here in the United States.”
A huff of irritation sounded from one of the other two cloaked figures standing behind Harry and Traveler. From their vicinity, something that sounded like ‘Huggles’ or something sounding similar was spat out like expletive from one of them.
Harry tried to keep his facial features the same as a laugh threatened to take over his demeanor. Trust Draco to be insulted over something the magical community has taken great pains to hide.
“There is a whole community of magic users world wide that is hidden from the rest of the world. We hide for safety reasons, especially after the various Witch Burnings that took place throughout history. The United States has become a ‘testing of the waters’ so to speak, to gauge how the world as a whole takes to us.” Harry went on to briefly explain the different magical governments that were embedded into the muggle governments.
“All the leaders of these governments have a magical liaison that tells them of any threats that might have an impact on their people. We are governed by different laws than you are.”
“So ‘muggles’ are what your people call us that don’t practice magic like you do?” Anita asked still feeling slightly confused over the whole explanation of the ‘muggle’ vs. the ‘magical’.
“Not quite, muggles are those that cannot do any magic. You don’t quite have a magical core; you really have only a specific type of magic. Witches and wizards can do almost anything with magic because of their core; they use incantations or spells coupled with their own magic to achieve that. The witches you probably know are able to gather the magic in their surroundings, but that comes with a price and there are stringent rules they have to abide by. They are what we call the magic practitioners. Then we have our ‘squibs’, they have a magical core but cannot access it.”
After Harry’s explanation on the different type of magical users she was still confused but curious that there were so many classifications. Anita had only known of ones that that he calls practitioners and was surprised to find out that there were others that had their own magic.
“But I feel my necromancy in me; won’t that count as me being your type of witch?” Anita asked still trying to figure out what type of magic user she was according to Harry’s Magical Chart.
“In a way, you only have one type of magic – necromancy. I have a core as well as that specific type of magic. You could not do a summoning charm because you do not have that magical core, but you could control the dead. This is just one of the many things that I could help you understand. People mainly know that necromancers could raise the dead and control them somewhat, but that is not the only thing they were capable of. That is why I am here to offer my help in guiding you.”
Harry watched Anita’s face and saw the interest growing with every word he spoke. He knew she wanted to know how to control the necromancy she had; she would be a fool not to. Glancing around the room, he noticed that almost everyone there still had confused looks plastered on their faces from his explanations.
“Enough of that for now,” Harry said trying to move on from something that would just cause more confusion of he kept explaining. “Allow me to finish the introductions, my companions Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy.”
Each stepped forward and lowered his hood as Harry gestured toward each after saying their names. Both had their Slytherin masks on when they revealed their faces to the room. Severus and Draco inclined their heads slightly toward Jean-Claude, their way of showing respect for his position as Master of the City. After Harry removed their Marks, they vowed to themselves never to bow to anyone ever again.
Jean-Claude returned the acknowledgement and was amazed at the likeness that the one called Draco Malfoy had to Asher. A brief glance in Asher’s direction confirmed that Asher was thinking the same. Outwardly, the two never showed any expression at all, after all, they had centuries to perfect such masks.
Jean-Claude took his cue from Harry and began his introductions, starting with Anita and working his way through the entourage that was gathered. After introductions, etiquette that was ingrained into Jean-Claude had him offering refreshments and seating to his guests. Everyone arranged themselves around the room backs against the wall facing their guests.
Breaking the silence that had filled the room for several minutes, Harry addressed the Ulfric. “May I ask you a pack related question?”
Richard looked to Harry in surprise. Still on his guard, he nodded his consent, curious to find out what this kid wanted. His bodyguards Jamil and Shang-da shifted slightly closer not knowing how to take this sudden interest in their Ulfric.
Pausing briefly, Harry rolled the question he wanted to ask around in his head to make sure he did not unintentionally offend the leader of the werewolf pack.
“What is your stance on new werewolves in the city? Do they need to ask permission to come here? What if they wanted to move here? Do they need to join your pack?”
Harry rapidly fired off the questions one after another his thoughts turning to the man that had become another father figure in his life. He didn’t like the fact that he could not have Remus here with him until he could settle the politics of entering someone’s territory.
Remus was extremely nervous about how to deal with the pack structure of the werewolves; he had always been an outsider with them. Majority of wizards that are turned into werewolves are not welcomed in most European packs so all become loners – ostracized by both their worlds. Harry took it upon himself to make sure he could find a way with the pack that was in the city he was to live.

When Harry finally stopped the barrage of questions, Richard was surprised on what he was being asked. Richard’s eyes snapped to Harry’s two companions, not feeling any lycanthrope vibes coming from turned his gaze back to Harry.
“They are not the ones that I am asking for.” Harry’s face showed a seriousness and wisdom that were beyond his age. “I wanted to find out for my honorary godfather. He is a wizard and a werewolf. I wanted him to come here to live with me but we wanted to make sure he would not be in any trouble with the local pack when he did.”
“That was a very smart decision.” Richard looked back at Harry, his respect for the kid going up a notch.
Harry’s face broke into a grin as he pointed to Severus and Draco. “Those two have been trying to curb my jumping feet first into situations habit.”
Severus and Draco gave Harry playful glare at his statement, knowing full well the headaches he caused them when he decided to exorcise this ‘habit’. They were determined that one day; they would permanently bring out his Slytherin side.
Richard mentally reviewed the questions the kid asked him over in his head before answering. He was unsure about this whole business of wizards, witches and magic practitioners but he understood werewolf politics.
“He wants to move here?”
“I would like him to. I rather have my family close to me.” Harry shrugged now feeling a small bit of apprehension over what might be asked of Remus for him to move.
“We don’t like to have lone werewolves roaming the city, which could potentially cause problems for the rest of us. First, before I can honestly answer any of your questions, I would like to meet him.” Richard was not going to put him and his pack in any awkward situation over a new wizard werewolf. He thought that if he met the man, he could determine what type of person he would be.

Harry mulled over Richard’s request for a brief minute trying to determine the Ulfric’s sincerity. He glanced over to Severus and Draco to see if they had any input only to find them give him a slight nod.
“I can arrange that, when would you like to do this? I only have one request, that the meeting is held at my home.” Harry watched the emotions play over Richard’s face when he made the request. Right now, home court advantage was the only thing that he could ask for in order to guarantee Remus’ safety.
Richard nodded his head in agreement without glancing at his bodyguards; he knew that they will do anything possible to defend him anywhere and against anything. He was not just relying on them alone; he planned to bring a few of his people along with him.

“Can he be here by tomorrow? I am available after one then it won’t be for another month before I will have the time.” Richard doubted that the kid could get the lone werewolf here in time so he was mentally preparing for the meeting to take place next month.
“Tomorrow is fine, I will serve everyone lunch. How many should I expect?” Harry only let a glimmer of his smirk appear. He knew exactly what the Ulfric was thinking when he threw out the date. The Ulfric didn’t know that Harry could have Remus here in the next few minutes if he wanted to.
Richard’s eyes widened slightly at Harry’s statement. Knowing he could not back down now, he gracefully conceded.
“Eight.”
Harry proceeded to give them directions to his home along with his home number not giving the Ulfric and his people a chance to change their minds. He wanted tomorrow’s meeting to take place so he knew what have to be done to have Remus here.
“I would like to also be there as well Richard. It would save time if I would meet him as your Bolverick and as a representative of the coalition. It would be helpful to know ahead of time about the possibility of any new lycanthrope that would be living here.” Anita had watched the procession of emotions that flicked across Richard’s face.
“You better make that twelve for lunch,” Richard stated to Harry knowing Anita will bring Micah and another of her leopards with her.
Harry nodded his acceptance at the count for lunch and turned his attention back to the vampires that were waiting patiently for their conversation to finish.
“I apologize for the interruption to these proceedings, but I did not want for the opportunity to go by without getting some information from your Ulfric.”
Jean-Claude watched the interaction of Mr. Potter and Richard with interest. He had a feeling that the coming weeks would be very intriguing.
“There is no need to apologize, I hope that you are able to come to some sort of agreement with mon lupe tomorrow.” Jean Claude gestured airily with his hand.
Harry gave a small incline to his head in acknowledgement to Jean-Claude’s nonchalance at the interruption. He turned his full attention to Anita, getting to the reason he was here.
“Would you like to be able to control your necromancy better? Understand how to use it?”
Anita felt slightly uncomfortable with the weight of Harry’s stare on her, but knew that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. She still was not comfortable with a stranger teaching her, especially one that comes recommended by the Council.
“I would…” Anita started, not knowing how to best explain her misgivings at the situation.
“But you would be more comfortable getting to know me first,” Harry stated finishing what Anita did not say aloud but by her body language. “I would feel the same way if the situation was reversed. I do not trust easily due to the nature of the years at war with a madman, so I know how you feel about trust.”
Anita watched Harry when he brought up the war and trust and saw a flicker of pain cross his green eyes. Harry smiled when he noticed that Anita was watching him closely and knew that she had briefly seen the pain that came to the surface.
“We can take things slowing, I have moved here on a permanent basis so I can be a resource to you for some time to come.”
Harry knew that things would take so time to build a foundation to their relationship before she would allow him access to teach her what she needed to know.
Teaching her control of her necromancy magic would require an intimacy of allowing him inside her to guide her in her quest for control. Harry knew that she only used a very small portion of her necromancy and it has caused her magic to be suppressed so tightly that even just cracking the lid to the proverbial bottle she has it stored would make it explode out violently.
“Now that the reason that we are here is taken care of, we can talk of some other things.” Traveler spoke up after an understanding was reached between Harry and Anita.
“There is a reason I had asked for this to happen between these two, what I am about to say here cannot be repeated to anyone, no one must know.” Traveler said urgently, feeling edgy knowing what has to be said next.
“Do you want me to put up a privacy charm to keep unwanted ears out?” Harry asked knowing what was to be said next was going to have a huge impact on everyone.
“That would be helpful if you did,” Traveler stated with relief.
Harry waved hand and everyone felt a strange pulse of magic surround them.
“You all know that Mother of All Darkness has been stirring and becoming more active.” Traveler looked at everyone in the room gave some indication of agreement before continuing.
“What the Council has kept from everyone was that she had a family at one time…”
Shock showed on all the faces there at this statement. Everyone knew of Marmee Noir, but to know that she had a family as well was truly a shock.
Traveler let that sink in before he continued, “She has a Consort and a son. They are a ruthless duo that ruled in her stead after she went to sleep. You have to understand, we were loosing so many vampires because of their killing sprees.”
During his explanation, Traveler had risen from his seat and started to pace the room in nervous energy. Jean-Claude had never seen Traveler show insecurity coupled with helplessness in front of anyone for as long as he has known him.
‘This cannot bode well for all,’ Jean-Claude thought, feeling the tension as it rose around the room.
“We could not kill them, so the Council asked for the help of the Wizarding Government. The wizards came up with a way to put them into an enchanted sleep. It was unknown how long the enchantment would last, but we heard back from the caretakers we have in place to watch them. They are slowly awakening.” Traveler resumed his seat like a puppet whose strings were cut.
Silence reigned the room as Traveler’s words seeped into everyone’s thoughts.
Jean-Claude was the first to speak, worry in his tone, “What does this mean to us? The first ones they will go for will be those of the Council correct?”
“We believe they will come here to try and kill Anita.” Traveler stated sounding defeated.
“Why would the Council believe that? Anita is no threat to them; she had nothing to do with their enchanted sleep. Why would they come here?” Jean-Claude spat out the questions rapidly, his anger rose.
Anita had gotten extremely tense and fear started to creep in her thoughts like a slow moving fog. She had a feeling why they would be after her. Some of the encounters with Her made her almost sure of the reason.
“They probably feel that Anita will take their place in her affections. They know that she has been visiting Anita’s dreams and trying to mark her as her own. It was one of Marmee Noir’s ambitions to have a necromancer as a Human Servant. She always believed that it would bring her even more power.” Traveler was feeling relieved to get this off his chest.
It was as Anita feared – this so called family of hers did not want her ruining the hierarchy of power. Then a thought caused her to straighten.
“How do they know what she has been doing? I thought they were sleep?”
Traveler cringed, “This is why we could not kill them and she did not reawaken when we placed them in this sleep. They are deeply connected; they knew what she was up to because of this connection. This is why they are awakening, they feel the connection between class=SpellE>Marmee Noir and Anita getting stronger and theirs weaker. It also does not help that Anita has not taken the Fourth Mark from Jean-Claude either.”
Anita felt the truth slam into her at what Traveler said about the Fourth Mark. This was one of the things that she was trying to avoid; the last step to loosing her humanity was staring her in the face and laughing. This was the one thing that would probably save her more problems in the long run, but it had her running as fast as she could in the opposite direction.
Not only did she carry marks from Belle Morte but also from Mother of All Darkness – queen of the vampires, both sets on top of the marks from Jean-Claude. This can’t be good, life just couldn’t work that way – could it?
Anita was brought out of her musings when Traveler continued, “They have also been heard by our caretakers speaking her name in their sleep. Honestly, if they were just going to wake up and deal with Ms. Blake then go back into their sleep; the Council would not get involved. It would have been a territorial dispute, but we know that they will try to rein all vampires and lycanthropes as they once did. It would ruin many things, especially here in the United States with the rights the preternatural community has gained.”

Anita knew there had to be a reason that the Council was sending help in a round about way. They were not going to come right out and offer their assistance, but they were just going to send me a few resources and pray I take care of their problem - typical vampire politics.
Up until now, Severus had been silently watching everyone and just listening to the reasoning behind this whole meeting. When the Wizarding world was brought up, his attention was pulled sharply on that notion.
“And why would the Wizarding government help the vampire Council put them in an enchanted sleep?” Severus’ voice held a sharp edge of ice and suspension.
“They owed us a favor for helping them get control of the Dementors, the favor did not infringe on the current treaty we held with them so they accepted.” Traveler knew what Severus Snape was thinking, that wizards would be next on their agendas for the revenge factor if they were not stopped. Vampires tend to have very long memories and plenty of patience.
Several looks passed between Harry, Draco, and Severus. They almost seemed to be communicating telepathically with each other.
“We may need some help with some of our sources in the Wizarding world,” Severus stated, the obvious question unasked.
“Only those that will be relevant and could be trusted,” Traveler conceded, giving the unasked permission to tell those that would be help taking down the threat.
“I can ask Albus to research the method the wizards might have used to put them in that enchanted sleep. Maybe we could strengthen it before they wake fully?” Harry asked looking at Traveler and Severus.
“That would have been the ideal solution, but I am afraid that is not an option anymore. The rooms have been sealed and the caretakers no longer have access to them. They were put to sleep with their human servants and they have already awakened. They are the ones protecting their masters and we no longer have access to them. We don’t know when they will awake or if they already have.”
Traveler knew that they had time, not much but a little. Life is so much more different than when they were awake. Technology and laws were going to be the first layer of defense that they use in their arsenal.
Being in another country helped Jean-Claude and Anita, the laws that governed the preternatural community and gave them the civil rights the rest of the world envies, will help slow them down. They might have been ruthless, but they always did their research and found their opponents’ weakness before striking.
Because so much time has past, hopefully they would be occupied with getting up to date with what changes took place since their enforced sleep.
“I have a question,” Harry interrupted, turning to Traveler with a slight frown on his face. “Do these two have names? Can you describe them so we know if we ever come across them?”
From the looks of everyone around the room, they all had the same question.
“The Consort is called Ishmael and the son is Kain. Kain was one of the first vampires to be born. No one is sure how class=GramE>She managed that, but it was rumored that there was a necromancer involved in the conception. Ishmael was turned several hundred years after our Mother became what she was.” Traveler sighed and glanced around the room before continuing. “I had a photograph taken of their portraits that were done before they were enchanted.”
Traveler passed several copies of the photos around the room before noticing that he did not have enough for everyone there. Harry also noticed this and took his copies and magically made duplicates for the rest.
Traveler gave Harry a small smile of thanks, “I don’t know if they will change anything about their looks, but they cannot change their facial structure. That is one thing that they did not get from Her. They are extremely strong vampires, holding several different powers that are prevalent in certain style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Sourdre de Sang’s lines.
They both have several animals to call, able to rot and reform themselves, and also able to call up the ardeur as fast and as potent as Belle Morte could. Ishmael and Kain also are extremely deadly with swords and daggers; it is their preferred method to inflicting pain and death.
Their human servants were extremely accomplished warriors in their time, but Kain’s human servant dabbled in Black Magic from time to time. Ishmael’s human servant is Gabriel and Kain’s Michael. They were called Avenging Angels at one time. Nothing more is known about them besides their utter devotion to their ‘masters’.”
Traveler went silent letting everything he said soak in. They discussed Ishmael and Kain for another hour with Traveler answering any questions that he could. The tension still had not eased after the question and answer hour that had taken place, if anything, the tension seemed to rise.
“There is no need to continue with this tonight, we will not solve anything now. I propose we all think on this and talk more at a later time.” Jean-Claude stated feeling the pressure of the evening become unbearable. This news that Traveler had brought in their midst was disheartening and could end everything that he worked so hard to accomplish.
With everyone in agreement to come back together at a later time, Harry opened a portal for home after confirming plans with Richard and Anita for lunch the next day. They all had much more than Anita’s training to think about as they went their separate ways for the evening.
‘At least there is one thing I have in common with Anita,” Harry thought sarcastically, “We both have a habit of attracting evil madmen.’
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The Favor