[Discontinued] When Shadows Collide, The Game Begins

Chapter Ten

There was another boom, shaking the floor they were standing on. Sherlock grabbed his gun from inside his jacket and raised it at the door. It was hit another time and Harry saw cracks forming in the surface. He could see that it would only take two more hits of the same force before it was broken open. 

There were another two hits and the door broke in two. Standing in the doorway was a massive figure. It took a moment for Harry to register what he was seeing as the man was so large. 

Standing at over two meters tall and at least a meter wide, the bearded man in the doorway was quite a terrifying sight. Harry hid behind John who grabbed Sherlock's hand. 

"Who are you?" asked Sherlock. His voice and hands were shaking. "You're trespassing on private property. I will warn you, I am armed!"

The giant ma stepped through the doorway and looked at the ruined door sadly. He picked up the two pieces and placed them back in the doorway. Then he muttered something under his breath and pointed the pink umbrella he was holding at the door. Suddenly, the door looked brand new. Sherlock and John gasped. Harry smiled slightly. So magic was real, he thought to himself. 

"Couldn't make us a cup o' tea, could ye? It's not been an easy journey."

"Usually, I would be happy to," said Sherlock coldly, "but you are trespassing on my brother's property and just destroyed his front door, so I must say no." The giant smirked.

"S'pose you're right, Dursley," said the intruder.

"I am not Vernon Dursley, and if you had any part in placing Harry in his 'care' then I would kindly ask you to leave, and if you refuse, I will not hesitate to call the police," said Sherlock sharply. The giant looked quite taken aback. 

"If you're not Dursley, then who are ye?"

"I'm Sherlock Holmes, this is my husband, John Watson, and our son, Harry Holmes." The giant looked quite shocked.

"Why're you looking after Harry Potter?"

"Because, as I said, the Dursleys were not fit to take up the job. And his name is Harry Holmes," Sherlock said. "Now, I would like to know why you, an animal lover from Scotland who most likely lives in a small wooden cottage on the edge of a forest, have broken down my brother's front door in the middle of the night. I would also like to know who you are."

"I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. And this," he said, reaching into one of his hundreds of pockets, "is for you." he brought out a slightly crushed box and handed it to Harry. The young boy analyzed it quickly and, once he saw that there were no traps or dangerous things, opened it. Inside was a large chocolate cake with 'Happy Birthday Harry' written on it in green icing. Still wary, Harry closed the box and put it down on a side table.

"Thank you," said Harry. "But what exactly is Hogwarts?" he asked.

"It's a school where kids with magic go to learn how to use their powers. You're a wizard Harry." Hagrid looked at Harry expectantly, looking for surprise or disbelief. Instead, Harry had a wistful expression on his face.

"I suppose it makes sense. I've done some strange things that I always put down to circumstance, but I suppose it could be magic," Harry said.

"Just before we send Harry off to some school so secret the Prime Minister barely knows what it is, would you be able to prove the existence of magic?" inquired Sherlock. 

"I'm not supposed ter do magic, 'specially not in fron' of muggles, but I guess you're not gonna let him go if I don'," Hagrid sighed and raised his pink umbrella, pointing it at an innocent vase. He muttered something under his breath, and the vase exploded.

"Jeez!" exclaimed John, grabbing Sherlock's hand. 

"Cool," said Harry, examining the remains of the vase. He looked at his fathers. "Can I go?" he asked.

"Perhaps. I think we might need a bit more information first. I don't want you to be in any danger," answered Sherlock. Harry and Hagrid nodded. 

"Well," said Hagrid, "We need to buy your school supplies tomorrow, so I'll just stay overnight, if that's okay?" He raised an eyebrow at Sherlock who nodded. Then the four of them went their separate ways, Harry, John and Sherlock back to their rooms, Hagrid to the nearest sofa. It sank down slightly as he sat down. He sighed and pulled his coat closer around himself. There was something strange about Harry, Hagrid thought, he's going to do incredible things.