Scion of Sorcery: Phase One: Potter-Strange?

Disclaimer: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Plot: Strange Things Response: When Lily was pregnant with Harry, she knew that he would grow up to be someone special in the world of the mystic ones. But then again, why wouldn't he? After all, his Father is the Sorcerer Supreme!

Author's Note: So, admittedly, I'm 'dusting off' a former idea and altering it in places to work with the challenge with this one, but what can I say? I couldn't resist the chance to have some fun with the challenge and use someone that is, without a shadow of a doubt, my ALL-TIME FAVOURITE Marvel character be it comic, animation or the FANTASTIC movie, so let's see what sort of fun we can have.

And, as always, if you don't like it, then don't read it.

Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this story to everyone that continues to support and encourage my ideas; my recommended reads are Harry Potter and the Lightning Lord and Harry Potter and the Power of Two by Colt01, Master Potter of Kamar-Taj by Ryuko monogatari, Agamotto's Eyes by Otsutsuki no Yami, Harry Strange: Sorcerer Supreme by VexingFate, More Than Equal by Ordinarily Prudent and Harry Potter and the Prince of Slytherin by The Sinister Man;

Key Pairing: Stephen/Christine; Others TBC

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

'Telepathy'

/Parseltongue/

Review Responses:

WhiteElfElder: Look again at the challenge information and you'll get your answer;

Comodo50: I know: it's one of my recommended reads;

Otsutsuki no Yami: I get that everyone has their likes and dislikes, but if I put something in a story, I do it because I feel it fits the overall idea; however, that being said, I can guarantee that Hermione won't be an ally, but as far as anything else goes, just remember what I say at the start: if you don't like it, don't read it;

"Stephen…" Wong began, but before he could finish, the Sorcerer Supreme vanished through the portal, leaving Wong both curious and a little uneasy about the power he'd sensed connecting to Stephen's mystical energy.

If it was anywhere near as powerful as the Sorcerer Supreme himself, then it was essential that they find it and help the owner tame his powers.

The last thing they needed was someone else like Kaecilius…or worse with powers like Stephen's.

Chapter 2: All Hallows Eve

3 Months Later

When Lily and James Potter heard the tell-tale sound of their Floo Gate being triggered, the two of them were, admittedly, a little surprised as, for all intents and purposes, the two young lovers had expected to have a quiet night enjoying their son's first Halloween.

It had been James' idea to give Harry the fun and games of the night, although he was only three months old as of that day, and try and keep their spirits up as they savoured the warm glow of parenthood and indulged the old Muggle belief.

James even got dressed up in a Halloween costume, making what a laughing Remus called a very convincing werewolf – Remus also taking the initiative and dressing up like a wolf – while Sirius also joined them, dressing up – to Lily's amusement – as James in his Quidditch gear, glasses, Head Boy badge – although Sirius' read Bighead Boy – with a pair of antlers on his head to symbolise the man's Animagus form.

As for Lily, she used her own initiative and dressed up as a pretty-convincing fairy queen: from the regal white gown to the sparkling wings and sense of purified light, she was a real gem and, when they saw her, Sirius had to take Harry – who was dressed in a cute little lion cub outfit – aside for a moment when James whispered promises to Lily to corrupt this fairy later.

Thankfully, they were spared any further embarrassments on the part of the Potter Lord when the Floo Gate reared up.

For a moment, Sirius thought that it was Peter, who was again conspicuous by his absence.

However, to the surprise of the group of friends, it was Dumbledore, dressed in his official robes of office as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and, to the shock of the Potters, he had a grave, focused look in his eyes.

"Albus!" gasped James, a note of delight and surprise in his voice as he took Harry from Sirius while he looked to the old man as he asked, "What a pleasant surprise: is everything all right?"

"No James, it most certainly is not," replied Albus, his words alarming Lily while the ominous, formal tone in his voice made James frown as he looked to his two friends.

At the same time, Dumbledore cleared his throat as he went on, "I wonder if we might adjourn to quieter pastures? I have some troubling news and I would feel safer telling you and Lily."

"And us," insisted Sirius, his words edged by determination as he added, "Whatever you have to say to James, you can say to us too, Albus!"

"Sirius," Albus began, but he was cut off by Lily as she walked towards her husband, taking their son from his arms and, crossing the room, she held out the infant to Sirius, who looked at her in surprise.

"Take Harry into the nursery," said Lily, earning a troubled look from Sirius while, to his outrage, Remus didn't even argue against the point.

While he tried not to curse his friend into next week for being so obedient, Sirius looked back to Lily as she went on, "I don't need his emotions rising up because of how he might think we're somehow unhappy. You know how special he is, Sirius."

"Lily's right, Padfoot," agreed James, although he kept his eyes on Albus as he added, "Not that it'll matter because, once we've heard it, I'm letting you two know as well: if it's dangerous, then I'm sure that our little one's godfather and honorary uncle won't mind swearing vows of silence, right?"

"No," said Sirius, although he hugged little Harry close to him, the small boy's paw-covered hands brushing against Sirius' chin like a cat would play with a ball of string.

Smiling warmly at the cute sight, Sirius looked to Remus, who just nodded silently as the Black Lord then added, "Come on, Moony: let's go and play with our little cub."

Once Remus and Sirius were out of the room, James heaved a sigh as he turned and, seeing Albus' still-grave expression, he asked in as calm a voice as he could, "Me, Lily, Sirius or Remus?"

"I beg your pardon, my boy?" asked Albus, earning a smirk from James as he shrugged.

"You wouldn't come over here in your work clothes if it wasn't about one of us specifically," explained James, moving to wrap his arms around his wife's waist while he continued to address Dumbledore, "After how you gave me what I asked for two months ago when I entrusted you with the secret of Harry's birth and also asked you to help me keep my son's powers under control, I know that you mean it when you say that you have our best interests at heart, Albus, so which one of us needs to be on guard and watch their back in the coming days?"

"Harry," said Albus, earning what had to be the world's most-horrified glare from Lily while James dropped his casual demeanour and, for only the second time since his son's birth, his mature status caught up with him as he drew his wand and, sealing the room with several powerful wards, he indicated the chair nearby.

"Sit!" commanded James, a part of him loathing how he was speaking so coldly towards the man that was like family to him for the longest time.

However, hearing his son's name coming from Albus' lips was like putting a red rag in front of a bull as far as he was concerned.

As Dumbledore obliged the man's rough command, James took a seat of his own, Lily standing behind her husband, her hand on his shoulder in a calming gesture while James looked right into Albus' eyes as he said, "Now, start talking."

Clearing his throat, Albus linked his fingers together as he explained, "Well, as you both know, I have been trying to find a suitable replacement for the Divination Professor after Professor Cathica left our employ last year and, after so many failed applicants and false leads, I had half a mind to scrap the lesson altogether: however, a week ago, I received a recommendation from none other than Cassandra Trelawney herself!"

"The Seer?" asked Lily, earning a slow nod from Albus as he continued.

"She recommended her great-great-granddaughter Sybil for the position, accompanying a letter and memories showing her expertise with the arts."

"Hold up," argued James, holding up a hand as he asked, "Cassandra Trelawney did this for her great-great-granddaughter? Albus, no offence, but she'd have to be nearly two hundred to even still be alive: that's older than you!"

"That is correct, my boy," said Albus, smiling warmly as he added, "And I had my doubts too, which is why I checked the signature and the magical trace on the memory myself and, impossible as it may seem, the memory and the letter both came from the hand of Cassandra, whom, for the record, is actually one hundred and eighty four years old this winter."

"Blimey," gasped Lily, swallowing hard as she looked to her former deputy headmaster before she asked, "How can someone with her gifts live so long? I know you had yours partially because of the blessings from the Elder Wand and people like the Flamels have the Elixir of Life, but how…"

"I have no idea, my dear," answered Dumbledore, letting out a soft laugh as he added, "However she did it, the fact remains that she has done it and, just this morning, before the sun was up, I met with her great-great-granddaughter in my brother's tavern, which I thought was better suited than Hogwarts, just in case anyone might be out to use Trelawney's gifts."

"And?" asked James, gesturing for the old man to get on with it as he asked, "What did she say? And what does it have to do with our boy?"

"Well that's the thing," admitted Albus, swallowing hard before he dabbed at his forehead as he explained, "At first, she seemed to be just another failed-applicant-to-be: she talked about Cassandra and how she had The Sight and graduated at the top of her class, but every time that I asked her to prove herself true, she quickly changed the subject or took a drink from the glasses my brother provided for us. Then, just as I said farewell with the intention to investigate her claim, Sybil…she gave a prophecy!"

"After all that time?" asked Lily, earning a nod from Dumbledore while James put a hand over his wife's, soothing her worries while he also frowned as she asked, "How do you know that she wasn't faking it?"

"All the signs were there," said Albus, earning a frown from James while Lily suddenly gripped her husband's shoulder tightly as the headmaster went on, "Glazed eyes, faraway voice, sweaty pallor and the air of mystical energy that clung to her words."

"And what did she say?" asked James, his tone hardening with an element of fire that even Lily couldn't remember hearing as he said, "What did she say, Albus? This is my son we're talking about, so whatever you might think, I want you to tell me everything she said…word…for…word!"

"As you wish," sighed Albus, swallowing hard before he took a breath and, in a soft, but eerie voice, he began to recite the words;

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches; born to those who have defied him thrice; born as the seventh month dies; and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives; the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord shall be born as the seventh month dies…

For the briefest of moments, a cold chill blew through the lounge of Potter Manor as Albus took a deep breath while Lily's hand trembled against her husband's shoulder, earning another pat from James.

As for said Lord, however, his face was like stone as he looked from his former Headmaster to the flickering flames that danced in the fireplace, his free hand resting against his lips in a thoughtful manner.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, James looked to Albus as he asked him, "Did anyone else hear this prophecy? Even accidentally?"

"I don't think so," replied Albus, earning a frown and a raised eyebrow from James as he explained, "I checked the whole place and ensured that no-one could get in or out while I was meeting with Sybil: afterwards, I helped her out and checked the area for evidence of eavesdroppers, but I am relieved to admit that I found no evidence of anyone having been there."

"And…and…d-d-do you r-r-really think it…this prophecy re-refers to…to our baby?" asked Lily, tears now rolling down her face as Albus met her gaze, his expression solemn and pained as he nodded.

"Harry was born as the seventh month, the month of July, died, James," explained the Headmaster, his voice laced with sorrow and guilt as well as pain for two of his favourite ex-students as well as the young boy whose birth he had witnessed and whose power he had sensed to be greater than any other before him.

And that wasn't just because he was the son of the Sorcerer Supreme, whom Albus had heard rumours about being seen around London and at an emergency meeting of the ICW a few days after Harry's birth.

It was because of this meeting as well as Harry's unique circumstances that, two months before, Albus had met with James and learned of the fact that the Potter Lord had performed a powerful, ancient Blood and Family Magic Adoption Ritual on the young boy. As a result of this, Dumbledore was shocked beyond all counts to learn that Harry was the true master of the Elder Wand and the Deathly Hallows by extension. Such a thing had never been seen for many centuries, but Albus knew that this was no normal circumstance.

And so, at James' request, Albus had surrendered the wand to its rightful bearer, returning the legacy of the Peverells to Ignotus' heirs as well as ensuring the safety and security of a boy whom, one day, might indeed grow up to be the most-powerful sorcerer ever!

Maybe even more powerful than Albus himself.

To hear the fact and to realise that this same child might be in danger hurt Albus in a way that he had not been hurt since Arianna's death and that had been nearly a century ago now.

Taking a breath, Albus went on with the reasoning as he explained, "Given the evidence of the specific details of the prophecy, I have it narrowed down to you or the Longbottoms as the ones mentioned, although given Harry's incredible magical strength, his feats from within the womb and his destiny as the true heir to the Master of Death title, not to mention the fact that House Potter has defied all attempts for Voldemort to fall three times before now and Harry's unique status…I hate to say it, my friends, truly I do, but…"

"Our son is…what? The Chosen One," mumbled James, earning a slow nod from Dumbledore as he asked, "So what does that mean, Albus? Is he supposed to be Light's great champion and the one that stands between this world and the darkness beyond, is that what you're saying?"

"It is."

Lifting his eyes, James' expression darkened as, to Lily's shock, James seemed to turn completely cold at heart as he snapped, "Bullshit!"

Albus' eyes widened while, at the same time, James leaned forwards as he told Albus, "You spend all that time trying to get her to prove her claim and then, right when you feel that you're going to have to turn her down, she comes out with this prophecy claiming Voldemort's fall and that it's our son, whose birth was announced practically on the front page of the Prophet, albeit without the truth of his parentage, who will be the Chosen One?"

Shaking his head, James rose from his seat as he added, "No, Albus: I refuse to let that bitch get her reward, least of all at the cost of having to hide my son away rather than give him the life where he is safe, strong and loved by all, but no more than Lily and I."

"James," said Albus, his voice edged by a calm note of advisory emotion as he explained, "You said it yourself, my boy: Harry is incredibly powerful and destined for greatness, but if there was some way that I overlooked the security of my meeting…if Voldemort should, somehow, get wind of this prophecy's existence and Harry's role in it, then…"

"Don't you dare finish that statement!" spat James, his eyes flickering like sparks of lightning in his gaze as he snarled, "You have no right to come in here and dictate a world of what if's to me, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore! I'm not some student anymore, I am the Head of this family and I am telling you: get yourself back to that fraud and make her prove herself true in some other way, but not at the cost of my son and heir; not at the cost of any of my family!"

As Lily and Albus stared in shock, James pointed a finger at the fireplace as he snapped, "Go on: get out! And don't come back until you have proof of her truth: and if you still can't prove it, but believe that my son is meant to be some pawn in the game of the Greater Good you so nobly believe in, then, as Lord Potter, I declare that you are officially banned from ever setting foot anywhere on this estate ever again!"

While Albus stared in horror, the fireplace reared up, pulling him away while James just turned and, falling into his chair, he put his head in his hands, he sobbed heavily while Lily, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, placed a soft kiss against his neck.

"Oh…Merlin…forgive me, Lils," gasped James, lifting his head to meet her eyes as he asked, "What have I…"

Before he could finish his question, however, both him and Lily gasped when what could only be described as a flash of fire, similar to phoenix fire, lit up the space between James' legs and, when it died down, Harry was there, his eyes wide with terror as he held his tiny hands out to James.

"Papa!" cried Harry, earning a gasp from Lily and James as the Potter Lord scooped his son and heir into his arms, his tears now joyful as he turned to his wife, who was smiling despite the fear she felt.

"I'm his first word!" cried James, placing kisses against his son's cheek as he laughed, "Suck on that, Padfoot!"

Even with James' attitude changed by the startling events of his son using Accidental Magic once again, Lily couldn't help but feel frightened for what they'd learned.

When Sirius came downstairs and learned of Harry's first word, Lily laughed at the stunned look on the Black Lord's face, but as she looked at her family, the Potter Lady looked right into the eyes of her lovingly-innocent son, the bright, crystalline emerald glow of his eyes filling her with strength that she had lost when she heard the prophecy from Albus' lips.

As she stared into those eyes, Lily then put a hand on James' shoulder before, leaning in close, she whispered, "He needs us, Jay; who are we to selfishly choose belief over our baby's life?"

James' eyes turned to his wife while baby Harry, still dressed in his little lion cub outfit, cuddled against his Father's neck and closed his eyes.

At the same time, the Potter Lord then added, "I…I can't overturn my banishing him, Lil…what if we're wrong?"

"Well," said Lily, running a soft hand through the tips of her husband's shaggy, untameable head of hair as she kissed his cheek before looking into his furious, but focused glare;

"What about our old hideaway place in Godric's Hollow?"

Scion of Sorcery

The morning after they'd received the news, Lily left James sleeping with Harry in his arms and, walking to the edge of the property, she Apparated away from Potter Manor, straight into the graveyard that stood across the street from a Tudor style house that stood alone and empty, the gate that led into said house decorated with a shield that held an image of a stag and a doe, both of them circling a small, newborn buck with a small version of the Potter Crest stamped over the three animals.

Smiling as she looked at the image, Lily caressed the firmly-engraved shape of the buck before she whispered, "It's all for you, baby…because we will always love you…"

"Hello Lily…"

Turning on the spot, Lily's eyes widened as she found herself staring at what could have been described as a semi-transparent figure that was dressed in a skin-hugging black outfit, over which he wore a long, flowing red cape. Around his neck, the man wore a gold pendant that looked like an eye, which was currently closed.

As Lily saw the man, she gasped when he put a finger to his lips before, with a series of gestures, the man seemed to make the world around them shift, creating what looked like a wall of invisible glass windows that kept them in and everything else out. It was as he did this that the man became corporeal, his body standing across from Lily with a troubled, but otherwise-calm look in his green eyes.

"Stephen?" asked Lily, earning a thin smirk from the man as she asked, "What…why are you here? And…and what…what did you just do?"

"I was projecting myself from the Astral Plane," replied Stephen Strange, his voice calm, but filled with explanation as he said, "By bringing you into the Mirror Dimension, I was able to pull my body here too so that we could talk without anyone from your magical world coming to arrest me, thinking me a Dark Wizard as they did the last time I was here."

Lily's eyes softened while Stephen gave her a half-hearted smile as he asked, "Have I ever thanked you for hiding me from them?"

"No, and you'll never have to," said Lily, her voice returning to its curious, but wary tone as she asked, "Why are you here now?"

"I know about the birth of your son, Lily," replied Stephen, earning a shocked look from the redhead as he smiled before he asked, "Or I should say that I know about our son."

"I…I'm sorry…" Lily whispered, her voice laced with an air of hope as she explained, "It…it was one night…and then…then James got back with me, asked me to…to forgive him and…and treated me like a queen."

"I'm not angry," Stephen assured her, folding his arms as he explained, "I just want you to know this: I also know of James Potter's bloodline and what it dates back to. Three days after the date of his birth, there was a magical wave that affected both my realm and yours, especially here in the Mirror Dimension; it was so powerful that it lit up the three bastions of power where mystic energy resides through the protection of my Order."

Lily stared in shock: three days had been when James had performed his ritual on Harry to name him Heir Potter and make him James' son in blood and magic.

Even then, Lily had known that her son would be more than just an ordinary wizard as James had infused him with more than just basic Potter Family Magic: he had called on the legacy of Ignotus himself to bless his son and heir, forsaking and sacrificing his rights to the Hallows in the process to give Harry the full power of the Master of Death.

But if someone like the Sorcerer Supreme had felt it and this had made things happen, Lily felt her heart clench as she realised what it meant.

Harry was Magic's Chosen One.

As his birth Father was the defender against mystical threats to the Muggle world, so too would her son be the Champion of the Magical World.

"What…" asked Lily, her voice filled with worry as she asked, "What are you going to do?"

"It has already been done," said Stephen, tapping the eye-shaped pendant around his neck as he explained, "Using the mystical power concealed within my Eye of Agamotto, I was given a vision of the future and, in it, I saw great things happening with our son. I shared this vision with the Archmage Rameses Wulfgarden himself and, as a result, he convened an emergency session of the International Confederacy of Wizards."

Lily's eyes widened while Stephen took a deep breath as he explained, "In that meeting, it was agreed that, in the unlikely event that anything would happen to you or your husband, then by Rameses' declaration and by magic's grace, the child known as Harrison James Strange-Potter would be transported to my home in Kamar-Taj where I, the Sorcerer Supreme, would take full responsibility for him and his actions."

Lily's eyes widened again, but this time, she wept slowly as she sniffed, her heart feeling warm and cold; as Stephen saw this, his eyes softened as he asked, "What? Why are you doing that? Is there something I should know?"

Brushing tears from her eyes, Lily gulped as she answered, "Thank you…"

"For what?" asked Stephen, earning a smile from Lily as she shook her head.

"You'll see…" replied the redhead, looking around before she asked, "Can…can you get me out of here now? I…I need to be with my family…"

"Lily."

"Please Stephen," pleaded Lily, her eyes looking back to his as she told him, "If the worst happens, you'll know everything you need to, but please, just trust me…like you did back then…"

She seemed to pause before she added, "If not for me…then please…for the sake of our son."

Heaving a sigh, Stephen cast the required spell to open a gateway back to the Material Realm, watching as Lily walked away and left him alone with his thoughts and more questions than even the Sorcerer Supreme had answers.

And that wasn't something he liked to feel…

Chapter 2 and Lily seems to have found a loophole she never expected, but what will happen if the worst should happen and Harry is left alone against the world?

Also, how will Stephen's promise and assurance affect the future of the boy-saviour and defender of magic against the magical?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapters: It's the fated night and Lily hopes and prays for her son's survival; also, Voldemort's destruction happens in a way that even he wouldn't have guessed while the result is something very different from canon…

Please Read and Review…