Chapter 1

...

A dismal unremarkable alley. The disturbance began with whipping winds, unusual but not impossible, soon large discharges of static electricity were added, this being something that shouldn't have been possible in the moist air and ended with a bright flash of light. And it all went unnoticed by everyone except a dog that howled and was then yelled at.

The figure that left the alley shortly thereafter would have caught anyone's attention. Tall, strong and very naked. But by then the that had yelled at the dog had his head firmly back on his pillow and the thick blinds covering his window were undisturbed.

...

Half an hour later, as the first figure was approaching the parking entrance of a police station wrapped up in rags, in a small inner suburban street a some distance away that same strange phenomena was reoccuring. Localised winds and static discharges sparking off scrap metal and trash cans. Likewise it ended with a flash of bright light, this time the flash was centered on the front yard of a fairly small house. However this time it woke up someone. The still inebriated Victor Meadows, who had been sleeping on the couch of his small unit, groaned and rubbed his eyes as he stumbled to his feet. His unimpressed wife of only a few months remained blissfully asleep and unaware in the bedroom.

Victor stumbled to the front door and opened it and blinked stupidly at the naked man with long blonde hair who was hopping about and gritting his teeth just a few steps from his door.

"Eh? Wha' da hell? Hey.. No.. keep away from me you…" The Victor's surprised exclamation followed by shock as he caught the naked man's attention and then fear as he was charged was cut short by a swift uppercut to his left cheekbone.

...

"Hey, you can't come in here. You need to take all enquiries to the front desk. Just head back the way you came and then turn right."

"Hey! I'm talking to you. You aren't allowed down here."

Officer Preston unsnapped the clasp on his truncheon as he approached the strangely dressed man who had so far ignored everything he had said. He blinked a few times as he got close enough to notice that what he was wearing barely fitted the description of clothing. Roughly torn material seemingly formed in the fashion of clothes, little more than rags. If it wasn't for the man's large healthy physique and styled hair he would have presumed him a beggar. The incongruous clothes sparked his suspicion that this might not just be another person how had wandered where they shouldn't have.

"Stop right there and identify yourself." He snapped, all attempts to politeness gone.

Preston, who had just recently parked his car in preparation for starting his shift, was no small man but the man in front of him was half a head higher and carried a lot more muscle bulk. The officer had his truncheon half drawn but even so it wasn't enough for when the other man suddenly turned and took two huge strides towards him, fist swinging.

Preston only managed the beginning of a yell before his jaw shattered and his head smacked backwards fast enough to snap his neck.

...

There was a faint click as the door unlocked then a faint crack soon accompanied by the smell of burnt plastic and fried electronics. The door was quietly eased open and a dark figure edged into the side and shadowed entrance of the pistol and rifle club.

The figure quickly made his way through the premises, through another heavier and better locked door. After closing that door he switched on a light in the windowless room. The tall blonde man, now wearing some slightly short slacks and a slightly oversized sports jacket moved towards the gun safes which were little more than lockers with flimsy locks that didn't slow him down at all. Once he had collected everything he wanted he turned his attention to the large automatic shotgun shell reloader.

He emptied one of the shot feed containers into a large tray and then reached for the first aid kit he had taken off the wall mount. A few minutes later he turned on the reloader grimacing at the loud noise the machine made. He waited impatiently picking at the bandage now wrapped around his left hand.

By the time the man had collected his shells and stored them alongside his newly acquired collection of shotguns and pistols the sun was starting to rise and rather than return to the car he had driven here in he picked another car and departed.

...

"What the hell did that?"

"Well, it looks like a fist punched through the door and then ripped the lock off."

The superintendent snorted, "Right, and so what do you think really happened."

The inspector paused for a moment thinking about it, "If I wanted to replicate this I'd use a door ram, gas powered, with its head cast to resemble a fist. Then some modified jaws of life to take the lock off. Half a day at a forge and another half a day at the metal shop and I could put together something that could do this. They'd be heavy though. Take a few big guys to cart it around."

The superintendent nodded, "Metal workers. Maybe mechanics. Now armed. How many guns were in there?"

"That's something I don't get, most of the weapons are still there. They had the time to pull this off and get away clean but only took a handful of weapons. Lots of ammunition though. They still doing a full count but at a glance at the racks it seems like they only grabbed a pair of Safaris, two of the Rugers and a pair of the High Powers."

The superintendent shook his head, "Two offices dead, a bunch of so called security doors wrecked and all that just for half a dozen weapons. No. There is something else is happening here. Double check the evidence lockup. Make doubly sure nothing was taken from there.

...

Someone knocked loudly on the front door.

"Can you get that dear?"

Chris moaned, "Oh for goodness sake. It's like.. seven thirty.. this better not be some salesman."

"It's probably Deidre here to pick me up early. Tell her I'm still only half dressed."

"Right." Chris grunted as he pulled himself out of bed and through on a dressing gown. He gave his wife a little smile as he his eyes roved over her partially dressed form. She rolled her eyes and waved him out.

"Coming." he called out when the knocking was repeating.

"Ohh… hello officer. What can I do for you?" he asked when he found it was very un-Deidre man.

The massive six foot police man stared down at him through dark sunglasses. "Mr C. Dursley?"

"Ehh yes? Is everything okay?"

"I just have a few questions. It won't take a moment. May I come in?" The police man however didn't wait for a response walking forward forcing Chris to step back.

"Ehh…" Chris didn't want to argue but he was sure that the police meant to wait for permission before entering.

"Where is Harry Potter?"

The policeman's abrupt question made him forget his partially formed question, "Ehh who?"

"Harry James Potter."

"I don't know anyone by that name."

The policeman just stared at him for a moment no expression at all on his face. Chris had a sudden thought that this would not be someone he would want to play poker with. The stare made him nervous and he really wanted this interview to be over so he decide to try and be as helpful as he could.

"I'm afraid I don't even know anyone by the name of Potter at all and the only Harry I know of it my wife's father, Harry Harmon, and he passed away a few years ago."

"Thank you for your cooperation Mr Dursley. Is there anyone else in the house?"

"Ehh.. no problems. Just my wife but she's getting ready for work."

Chris watched first with curiosity and then horror as the policeman reached into the large gym style police bag he was casually carrying and pulled out a massive handgun. He turned to run but he had barely turned away when the first round took him in the side of the head. He was already dead when the second bullet entered just beside it.

Susan Dursley nee Harmon had only just managed to finish dressing when she heard two massive bangs from the front of the house. Hoping nothing was wrong she entered the hall and turned to face the lounge when she heard another bang.

...

It was midmorning by the time the blonde man arrived in Little Whinging. He knocked on the door to Number 6 Privet Drive and nodded to the elderly lady that opened the door.

"Good morning Miss. Sorry to disturb you on this fine morning but I was attempting to deliver a parcel to your neighbours, the Dursleys, and was informed that someone would be home today to sign for it. But it seems I have missed them. Do you know where they might be or when they might be back? I am kind of hoping not to have to make a return visit as the depot is a good distance from here."

He beamed a pleasant and hopeful smile at the old lady.

The lady blinked up at the tall figure and returned the smile, "Well, it's Dudley's birthday today and they went off to the Zoo as a treat for the boy."

The man blinked twice before nodding, "Ahh. That would explain the reason for requesting the special Sunday delivery service. Well being that's it's likely a birthday present I'll leave a note and make an effort to get it to them before the day it out. My thanks to you. Have a pleasant day."

He turned, not waiting for a response, and headed back to his car.

It was only a few minutes later that the elderly lady realized that the man had forgotten to leave a note for the Dursleys.

...

Superintendent Fitzpatrick rubbed his forehead, "Let me get this straight. Husband and wife dead, each killed with two shots to the head and four Browning Hi-Power shells left on the floor of the lounge room. Shells that could easily be some of those stolen from our lockup earlier this morning."

Inspector Wiley nodded, "That's what I've been told so far. Neighbours report hearing four shots. Two then a very short pause then two more. Grahams stated that the gunman or gunmen were experts. Twin taps both times to the centre mass of the head. The husband, a Chris Dursley was shot in the lounge at close range, but preliminary evidence suggests that the wife, Susan Dursley, was shot down the length of the hallway. Probably as she investigated the noise from the lounge. Clear line of view from where the shooter would have been as he killed Mr Dursley and from where the shells were found."

"Damn. This is going to be bad. I wonder…. Make sure to have Graham look into any sort of connections between Mr Dursley and any sort of police actions in the past. Maybe this is some sort of revenge trip by someone who has a grudge with both the Dursleys and us."

Wiley pursed his lips, "The break in was just to make us look bad?"

Fitzpatrick shrugged, "It makes as much, or as little sense, as anything else I can think of. Anything else?"

"There was a break in at South London Pistol and Rifle club house. Looks like a few shotguns and a couple of pistols were taken from the private lockers. First Aid kit and cash box were emptied as well but still plenty of other guns and valuables there were left behind. Also traces of blood on the shotgun cartridge reloader. Sounds like someone did a very rough job of cleaning up the blood with bleach."

"Sounds too similar to be a coincidence. Any signs of how they got in?"

"Nothing that makes sense. All the doors and even the individual safes looked like they had been opened normally. So either someone had copies of the keys from two dozen individual gun owners or they were able to pick and figure out how to open a dozen combination locks between two and seven thirty am. And I've saved the best for last. All the alarms were burnt out just like ours were."

"Right. I'm calling in reinforcements."

Wiley didn't even argue.

...

"Harry Potter? Never heard of him and wouldn't tell you if I did. You want to ask me anything else get a bloody warrant."

Probability subject's answer to primary question truthful 92.1%

"Erkk.. let go of me, You can't touch me. I have rights too you know!"

"Where is Harry Potter?"

"Let me go. I told you I don't know no Harry Potter or where he is. "

Probability subject's answer to primary question truthful 99.3%
Probability subject unable to further assist with mission 96.3%

"Thank you for your cooperation Mr Dursley."

"Yeah. Sure whatever. Now piss off before I.. hell look what you did to my jacket… I should sue.. what the.."

Bang. Bang.

...

Harry was doing his best not to smile. He was having the best morning he had had in a very long time and he didn't want to upset his uncle and aunty be actually looking like he was enjoying himself.

The zoo was an amazing place and he even managed to score a lemon ice pop. It wasn't bad. The only thing that had him a bit nervous was that he was sure that there was a tall blonde man watching him and his family. The man didn't look very friendly and had a massive scar that covered his right cheek, jaw and neck. It looked like a real bad burn and made the man look like he was always sneering. He was a bit surprised that people didn't seem to react to the man strangely. Even his uncle didn't comment on it and he was usually quick to comment on anything that he didn't like no matter how rude he might seem.

He didn't pay too much attention to what was happening at lunchtime. He was too busy enjoying his knickerbocker glory, well, what was left of Dudley's first one, still, it was the best desert he had ever had. He did catch the tall blonde man eating a few tables away. He guessed the man hadn't eaten for a while because he certainly ordered a lot and then ate it all but he didn't think too much about it or about the fact that his uncle came back from paying his food looking rather worried and then had them all stand around the front of the zoo keeper's office whilst he went in to make a, so called, quick phone call. Dudley certainly wasn't happy about having to wait around doing nothing and he and Piers were taking it out on Harry so he didn't get a chance to overhear what Vernon whispered to Aunt Petunia when he returned even more pale and looking around suspiciously.

...

"Damn it. Stop transferring me."

"Mr Dursley?"

"Yes. How many times do I have to repeat myself? I am Vernon Dursley and I just heard on the radio about some crazy is out there killing Dursleys and I want protection!"

"Good. Because that's just what we want to provide you. Now where are you?"

"Don't you people listen! I've already told you I'm at the London Zoo. Here with my family."

"Alright Mr Dursley. You're in a public place, you'll be safe. I'll send some officers out to you straight away. I suggest you and your family stay visible. Don't leave the zoo. Now can you tell me who is with you?"

"Damn straight you be sending out some officers straight away. I pay taxes! It's me, my wife and my son and his friend. Oh and, yeah, my nephew."

"Their names and the ages of your son, his friend and your nephew please?

"Ohh.. Petunia Dursley, Dudley Dursley and Piers Polkiss, they are both eleven, and Harry Potter, he's… eh.. ten."

"Okay. Thanks my Dursley. Our officers are on their way. When you see them please approach them."

"Make it quick!"

Click.

Intercepted signal: end
Query return: London Zoo: Location: Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, 51.5352875° N, 0.1561027° W

...

The reptile house was cool and dark and Vernon refused point blank to go in and it was only after Dudley threw another tantrum did he allow Petunia to take the boys in whilst he waited at the entrance.

Harry's attention was caught by the huge Brazilian Boa Constrictor that Dudley considered boring when it wouldn't respond to his and Pier's pounding. Harry moved close enough that his nose was almost touching the glass and stared at the massive snake as it rested trapped in the large enclosure.

Suddenly the head uncoiled from the rest of it's body and lifted up to it could look directly into Harry's eyes. The snake shifted its head ever so slightly and Harry was sure that the snake had just winked at him though he didn't see any eyelid move.

Harry blinked and looked around to see if anyone was watching. Dudley and Piers were staring and laughing at some small brightly patterned snake and Petunia was staring daggers at a young couple holding hands. The tall blonde man was a good distance away and seemed to be almost smiling as he stared at Harry. Then he too winked at Harry before shrugging slightly.

Suddenly Harry was sure that man didn't mean him any harm and so he turned back to the Boa and winked back.

With a look to the ceiling and a nod towards Dudley and Piers the snake gave Harry a look that quite plainly said, "I get that all the time."

Harry whispered back, "That must be really annoying."

The snake nodded back.

"Have you been stuck in there for long?" Harry asked.

The snake uncoiled and jabbed its tail at the small sign.

Harry peered at it and read down until he found the part that informed him that the snake was bred in the Zoo. "Ohh. So you've never been outside the zoo then?"

The snake shook its head and a deafening shout behind Harry made both of them jump. "Dudley! Look at the snake! You won't believe what it's doing!"

Dudley waddled over and punched Harry in the ribs sending him hard to the concrete floor. Dudley and Piers pushed up against the glass and start banging it again. Then suddenly the glass wasn't there and Piers and Dudley, their weight pushed against the now non existent glass suddenly tumbled forward with a yell.

...

Score watched with amusement as the Boa quickly disappeared out through the back door of the enclosure sending the visitors scattering in Terror. Piers had already managed to climb out of the enclosure but his and Harry's Aunt's efforts to pull the grossly overweight Dudley over the barrior were failing miserably.

He watched Harry as the bemused boy looked around and when their eyes met again he winked again and then slowly walked forward and reached down to give the boy a hand up. This seemed like as good as time as any.

"Hi there. You okay?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah. Just a bit bruised. Aren't you afraid of the snake?"

Score shook his head, "It's already gone and Boa's don't typically go out of their way to attack people."

"You know about much snakes?" Harry asked

"A fair bit. Favourite animal you know. Would love to be able to speak to them."

"Yeah. that'd be cool." Harry mused.

The smirk briefly returned to Score's face before he grimaced and started his speil.

"I know you are aware I've been following you. I've got a lot to tell you and most of it you're probably not going to believe it at first. I know you're Harry Potter and I know how your parents died, and it wasn't in any car accident. I'm not here to hurt you, that I promise." Score paused and waited for the reaction.

Harry just looked at him for a moment before glancing back at Petunia who, assisted by one of the zoo staff, had managed to pull Dudley out of the enclosure.

The Harry turned back and asked, "How did they die?"

Score winced, maybe he shouldn't have started with that after all, "A dark wizard killed them. He also tried to kill you but his spell backfired."

Harry stared at him with emotionless eyes, "Is that what you wanted to tell me?"

Score blinked, "Eh.. Not really... well I guess it is part of it." He frowned. Hell, he was getting all flustered talking to a ten year old boy. Even if he was Harry Potter that wouldn't do. Surely he was better than this. "Look Harry. You are in great danger. I'm not the only one who has been looking for you. How about we sit down somewhere public and I'll explain and show you a few things to prove what I am talking about and then if you're satisfied I'll take you somewhere safe."

"And if I'm not satisfied you'll take me anyhow?"

Score winced again. How did a ten year old get so cynical and so alert. Still he couldn't exactly lie. "That's the plan. I'd prefer you to come willingly so I can protect you without having to worry about you running away."

"HARRY!"

Score turned with Harry to look over at Harry's overweight uncle.

"GET OVER HERE BOY!"

Vernon Dursley was standing with his equally overweight son, his stick insect thin wife, the other boy whose name Score hadn't caught and a very large police officer.

It Score but a moment to pick up the fact that the policeman's outfit didn't quite fit and that it was a very familiar face staring straight at Harry.

...

Dursley spotted the police officer as he towered above the crowd of other zoo patrons. Vernon pushed his way roughly through the crowds his anger at having to wait building but when he finally got close enough to grasp the sheer size of the man it put pause to his prepared tirade.

"Officer. I am Vernon Dursley. Are you here to provide protection?"

The policeman looked down at him, pale blue eyes catching and transfixing Vernon's in their intensity.

"Yes. Where is the rest of your family?"

"They are in the reptile house. What's going on? Have you caught those responsible yet?" Vernon spoke the questions quickly as he struggled to keep up with the now swiftly walking officer.

"Is your nephew still with them?"

"What? Yeah. I guess so. But what's that got to do with anything? Hey what's happening"

Vernon stared at the crowds streaming out of the reptile house.

"Mr Dursley. Which are your family?"

Vernon frowned as he peered at all the people yelling and running, "I don't see them. They must still be inside. Why is everybody running around. Do you think the killer.. Hey. Slow down."

Vernon didn't like the expressionless look that the officer gave him however the officer did walk a little slower as they continued back to the Reptile house.

Inside Vernon found one two of the zoo staff surrounding his crying son and his very upset wife. Piers was sitting nearby face white. He didn't see Harry and didn't bothering looking once he had found his family. "What happened? Is everyone okay?"

"Oh. It was terrible. Dudley and Piers fell into the snake enclosure. They could have been killed."

The officer spoke up, "Which boy is Harry Potter?"

Vernon glared at the officer in anger. What was the deal about the useless boy. "Didnt you hear. This is Dudley and Piers. My son and his friend. I don't know where Harry is."

"I require to know the location of Harry Potter so I can provide your protection." Was the emotionless reply.

Vernon grunted and glared around. He needed that protection and now the useless freak was distracting his police protection. Then he spotted him talking to a tall blonde man. He gritted his teeth before yelling.

"HARRY! GET OVER HERE BOY!"

...

Target acquired.

The terminator pushed Vernon roughly aside so he had a clearer shot and withdrew the Ruger Mini 14 rifle. It already had the police modifications and hadn't required any conversion to turn it to fully automatic. The safety was off and all he had to do was aim and hold down the trigger. He noted the tall man with light hair was aiming a shotgun at him. A subroutine recognised the model as a Winchester Model 1200 and pegged it as a non-threat to his chassis so he ignored it as he brought the Ruger into position.

The Winchester fired and he noted both the stronger than expected impact and the amount of negative G's he was experiencing.

Gyros offline. Massive bruising of chest organics. Minimal internal damage. Damage nonconsitant with standard Winchester Model 1200 or ammunition. Non standard firearm and or ammunition. Probability ta02 enhanced ability human: 65.3%. Probability ta02 allied with enhanced ability humans: 98.8%.

As soon as the terminators internal gyroscopes passed the baseline compensation for movement he was sitting up and firing. There was only minimal probability that the target would still be in range but there was no negative to such wild firing as his gyroscopes continued their re-initialisation.

He scanned the room and being unable to locate his primary or target ta02 he turned towards the Dursleys cowering against the snake counter. He calculated probabilities on how their deaths could affect the success of his mission and how leaving them alive would affect his cover.

He lifted his gun and aimed it at Vernon Dursley. "Do not talk about me or I will come back and kill you."

Vernon shakily nodded.

"Say it." The terminator demanded.

"I won't talk about you. I promise."

Probability subject's will hold to statement 81.6%

He cut short any further determination when his sensors picked up the sounds of door closing that had a good chance of being caused by his primary target and ta02.

Whilst his gyros were still not fully re-initialised he was still able to set off at fast jog on an intercept course.

...