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Dear Readers, This plot has been taking up the majority of my creative muse the past weeks. I've never tried my hand at crossover fiction before, but I have had fun writing this so far. I haven't been fully pleased with what other Batman/Harry Potter crossovers I read have to offer, so hopefully this one is enjoyable. Please leave feed back as to whether or not you would like to see more of this story. I have the first few chapters ready if there is an audience.

A.R. Templar.

Prologue

30th December, 1990

Vernon Dursley glared angrily at the vehicle in front of him, the damn yank cut him off, nearly hitting him, then slammed on his breaks at a red light. If this was any sign as to how the family holiday would play out, he thought they should have stayed in England.

Vernon had been given a free family holiday in America, as a Christmas bonus from his boss at Grunnings. Having never been to America, he thought this would be a fine get-away for his family. But then, they had been unable to find a sitter for the boy, forcing them to bring him along, then their flight plan had been changed, meaning they would fly into Gotham International Airport at eleven at night, then take a rental up to their vacation resort. After only driving for ten minutes in the busy, American city traffic, Vernon Dursley was disgruntled to say the least. Then he had taken a wrong exit somewhere and they found themselves in the slums of Gotham. The traffic was lessened, and the snow had stopped, but now he had to contend with homeless bums, garbage, and abandoned vehicles.

"Dad, I'm hungry," Dudley whined.

"Oh, Dudders, we'll get some food shortly," Petunia cooed from the shotgun seat.

"I want food NOW," the fat eleven-year-old screamed the last word.

"Just be pati–blast it all!" Vernon slammed on the breaks as the light changed from green to red, barely flashing yellow, "this cursed, American traffic will be the death of– what the devil?"

A group of men converged around the car, one tapped on the driver's window.

Vernon slowly cracked it enough that he could speak to the tramp, "what do you want?" he demanded.

"Hey now, Govena," the man said, obviously making fun of Vernon's English accent, "my buddies & I are needin' some cash."

"You're out of your bloody mind if you think I'm going to give you any money."

"Let me make myself clearer," the man produced pistol, "I'm not askin' for money, I'm demandin'."

"You dare to threaten me? You filthy, no good–"

BANG!

Vernon was cut off as the bullet went through the window and into his face.

"Aaeeii!" Petunia shrieked her hands raising up to her face.

The thug outside, broke the shattered window and opened the door. The other men forced entry into the other side and pulled Petunia, Dudley, and Harry out of the car along with Vernon's corpse.

"All right, Lady, give us the dough."

Petunia was in hysterics, unable to reply. Dudley was frightened out of his wits and took off running from the murderous thieves.

BANG!

The fat boy fell to the sidewalk.

"NO!" Petunia raced to her lifeless son, wailing as she ran.

BANG!

Her body joined Dudley's on the snow-covered pavement.

Harry stood shaking, as he watched the thugs tear the car apart searching for valuables. One man walked over to where Aunt Petunia's body lay and stripped it of any jewelry. Another had taken Uncle Vernon's watch and wallet. The ten-year old hoped that if he stood still these men would forget about him like the Dursley's always did. It almost worked until he sneezed and drew their attention.

"What about the kid?"

"What about him? Might as well kill him like the rest of 'em."

"Fair 'nough–AAHHH!"

The man screamed as he was pulled into the air as if by magic. Two more fell to the ground as shots rang out. The remaining three all looked up with an expression of terror. Someone, or something jumped on top of the car, flipped into the group of men and began fighting. In what seemed like merely half a minute, the thugs all lay on the ground unmoving.

Harry watched as the figure handcuffed each of the living criminals to the wheels of the car, checked on Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley only to confirm they were dead. He looked around once more and spotted Harry. Harry finally got a good look at him. He was dressed in a leather jacket, black pants, and a grey Kevlar shirt with a red bat across the chest. On his belt he wore two visible guns, and a large knife, but that wasn't what caught Harry's attention. No, Harry's eyes were drawn to the red helmet he wore on his head, which concealed his face.

"Are you okay, kid?"

Harry nodded.

"Were they your family?"

He gave another silent affirmative, he couldn't seem to find his voice.

"Okay, kid, you're probably in shock, can't say I blame you, we need to get you looked at to make sure you're good to go, okay?"

Once more a nod.

The helmeted figure walked over to him, and wrapped an arm around his slim body, "Hold on to me kid, and I'll get you out of here," with that, he shot a grapple onto a roof and pulled Harry along with him.

Harry and the helmeted hero swung onto a roof next to a spotlight, "Red Hood to the cave," he said to no one. Harry guessed he must have an ear piece like in the movies.

"Oh, come on, asshole, answer you damn com…Hey! Yeah, I have a situation here...It wasn't too big, just an armed robbery/homicide…Four victims total, three dead, one alive…does it matter how many of them are alive?...no he's healthy…he's a kid, younger than your Demon Spawn…he's with me, we're by the signal…why else do you think I called? I can't really have a kid following me around Gotham…Okay, I'll leave him here."

Red Hood turned around to face Harry, "Okay, Bud, here's the deal. I need to get the hell out of here, but there's a guy coming up, he's the Police commissioner, he's going to take you inside and take care of you okay?"

Harry nodded again.

"Alright, kid, don't go anywhere." With that, Red Hood ran to the edge of the roof and leaped to the next building, disappearing into the snowy night.

Moments later a hatch opened on the roof and a man stepped out into the cold night air. He was wearing a sportscoat & tie, he had a moustache and glasses, with a serious but friendly face.

"Come here, son, everything's all right."

Harry walked to him, shivering from standing out on the roof and from the adrenaline wearing off. The Commissioner led him down through the halls to a room where he sat Harry down and put a coat around him.

"Can you tell me your name, son?"

"H-Harry Potter," Harry finally found his voice for the first time since the crime.

"Alright, Harry, you're not hurt?"

"No, Sir."

"How old are you?"

"I'm ten-years-old."

"Are you thirsty, hungry?"

"Thirsty."

"Would you like some water or some hot chocolate?"

"Hot Chocolate, please."

He looked up at someone standing in the room who immediately walked out.

"Harry, while Officer Perkins is getting your cocoa, can you tell me what happened tonight?"

"I was in the car with my aunt and uncle. We were going on a holiday to Lake Jefferson, but my uncle took the wrong exit. We stopped, and some men came up to the car, they told my uncle they wanted money, then they shot him. My cousin, Dudley, tried to run away but they shot him too, then my aunt."

"But they didn't shoot you, you're positive?"

Harry nodded, "They were going to, but the Red Hood attacked them."

"Red Hood? And did the Red Hood bring you here?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Are you positive it was Red Hood, not Red Robin?"

"He said his name was Red Hood."

Officer Perkins came in with a Styrofoam cup of Hot Chocolate.

"Ah, here you go, Harry, some nice hot chocolate," Commissioner Gordon said handing it to the boy, "Harry, can you please tell me your aunt and uncle's names?"

"Vernon and Petunia Dursley."

"And your cousin's name was Dudley?"

"Yes."

"Where are you from, son?"

"Surrey, England."

"Do you have any other family, Harry?"

He shook his head no.

"How about any friends here in the U.S.?"

"None."

"Okay, Harry, I'm going to go put everything you told me on the computer. While I'm doing that, you just sit here and drink your coco. If you need anything, just ask Officer Perkins, he'll help you any way he can."

"Commissioner."

"Batman, I have the details on the kid. First off, I found this strange, he said the Red Hood dropped him off. I know you said he's reforming, but it still seems out of character, he's a wanted criminal if at least three countries."

"What else?" The Batman ignored, Gordon's comment about The Hood

"His name's Harry James Potter, he's an orphan from the U.K. He came over here on vacation with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. From what he told me, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The guys we picked up were all average bums off the street, no allegiance to the Mob or any of the crazies."

"Does he have any family or friends?"

"None, like I said, he's an orphan. From what I can find, his parents were James & Lily Potter, they died in a car crash back in '81. His mom's sister was his only living relative and now she's gone, along with her husband and kid."

"What are you doing with him?"

"The only thing we can do: keep him here at the station until someone from the State can get a hold of somebody in England and figure out what to do with him. He's a British citizen, so it's up to them in the long run."

"Thank you, Commissioner."

"You're welcome, Bats, wish I had better news"

"Master, Bruce, I dare say I've seen that look before," the butler said from behind his shoulder.

Bruce Wayne turned around and faced Alfred, "He's nowhere to go, Alfred, you heard Jim."

"Indeed, sir, but need I remind you that it may be more difficult than before, what with the boy being British and all."

"I understand, Alfred."

"Good then, sir, I must say you need to get to bed. After all, you don't want to meet the boy with bags under your eyes."

"Good night, Alfred."

"Good night, Master Bruce."