AN: Super long hiatus, I know. Apologies, my lovelies, but a RL PhD has taken over most of my writing mojo the past year. But, to reward all of you sticking with me, here is a longer than normal chapter for you all. Will try to update in less time, next time. Happy new year! Love, Insie

Chapter Six

In an abandoned castle on a cliff in Wales (1), sat one Harry James Potter. The wizard had come to the training room to release his anger, and release it he did. Dozens upon dozens of dummies were now bits of fluff and cloth. Not even the walls remained unscathed. Deep scars bit into the stone like claws from a dragon. And in the middle of it all, Harry sat, feeling alone as ever. He didn't even try to wipe the tears from his face, knowing it was useless. Only more would come.

His dad was dead. He was orphaned, again.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

When Gabriel had picked him up from the ashes, the angel had done more than collect a baby phoenix. He had touched his heart and helped him see how life was worth living.

Harry had welcomed death twice that day. Once to Voldemort's wand and then to the angelic smiting. Upon waking from his first 'death', he had been surprised at the power that pulsed through him. Taking advantage of the boon, he continued to slay the demons, becoming wild as fiendfyre in his demonic obliteration. When the smiting came, he thought it was some demonic power finally gaining the upper hand and did not try to fight the awesome surge within him. He had accepted his role as a weapon, and now fate determined his task complete. Harry had felt relief, as he had never any intention of surviving the war. What use was the shell once the explosives had detonated? He welcomed death a second time and burst into flames.

What he had not expected was to transform into a black baby phoenix and be struggling for air in the ashes.

All around him was chaos. Harry had been half convinced that he was in hell with all the terrible giants around him, nearly stepping on him in his makeshift nest. There were terribly loud shouts and screams, and his arms weren't working to let him cover his ears. Not to mention the red mist that covered everyone and everything.

Suddenly, a large hand picked him up, and he was flown away from the carnage.

Days later, Harry awoke from a deep sleep to a face centimeters away from his own. Starting, Harry backed up the bed before he slammed his head on the headboard. The face started to laugh and introduce himself.

Gabriel. The archangel now imposter-trickster had saved him.

As the angel explained to him the prophesy and all of the angelic actions that led to this day, Harry knew he should become angry, furious even that his life had been controlled in such a way. He had no mother; his sire had abandoned him and let him die; he had been smote by the very angels that had created him; the list went on. But all the boy felt was numb.

"Then why am I alive?" Harry finally asked. "If God wanted me dead, how have I survived? Am I just some freak –"

"Never call yourself that again," Gabriel said firmly, becoming serious. The angel took Harry's hands in his and looked him in the eyes. "You have been blessed. Your first resurrection was a trick of the horcrux. The curse killed the shard of Voldemort's soul that resided inside you. But the second – that was blessing from Father. Phoenixes are rare because they are the souls of the resurrected of God's chosen, gifted with eternal life."

"So Fawkes -?"

"Her name was Ariana Dumbledore. Even in her addled mind, she knew that her brother and his lover Grindewald were going down a dark and dangerous path. Nothing but a serious shock would shake Albus from the path – and what was she but a burden? At least in this way, she would be of use. So she stepped into the fray and sacrificed herself to save her brother's soul. She succeeded. Albus became a pillar of light as he pursued redemption. In return for her sacrifice, God granted Ariana life renewed as the phoenix, where she stayed as protector and confidant to her brother. Upon his death, she chose to follow him."

"How do you know all this? Does He – does God speak with you? This all seems so fantastic –"

"More fantastic than your own life? But no. Father has, well, left the building of sorts. However, it was always my duty to attend to the martyrs, those granted new life. Even though I left home long ago, that is one duty I cannot give up. As I was with you, I was with Ariana. You call to me, and I come – gladly. Just by your existence, you are proof that Father has not abandoned us, albeit being slightly neglectful."

"Why? Why would he save me? Especially if I am an – abomination. Why would he do so?"

"That I don't know. But I won't question it. He decided you were worthy enough. And now, it is my task to help you."

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

Over the next few months, that was just was Gabriel did. He helped Harry train and control his powers. Until the final battle, the nephilim powers within him seemed to be dormant within the boy, and to the outside world he looked 'normal'. Gabriel believed this was because the angelic grace was fighting the horcrux from taking over his body, and with so much effort there, the angelic traits receded. After the horcrux was removed, the grace became uncorked and began to change him. His magical core increased, he became taller, and his control over his anger decreased.

The last change was a surprise. Harry had thought that his angel blood would cause him to be more peaceful, not to reduce his already short fuse.

Gabriel laughed at that statement.

"Angels are warriors first and foremost – soldiers for the Lord. Violence is nothing to us, as long as it is with purpose. Throw in your pesky human emotions, and that makes you a dangerous opponent. It is why most nephilim were destroyed and why they wanted to destroy you. Great power with little control means 'Danger Will Robinson.'"

"What?"

"Man, you really haven't seen that film? So good. Anyway, what you and I will do is work on meditation. If it works for Bruce Banner, it'll work for you."

"Who?"

"You're useless, kid."

After months of mantras, breathing exercises, and seventeen destroyed windows, Harry finally reined in his temper. The key he found was not trying to squash his anger down – that only led to it building up and releasing with only a little pressure. No, he let his anger simmer constantly, but never letting it reach a boil.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

Until today, that is.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

Over the years, Gabriel and Harry had bonded. The archangel got him through his post-suicidal depression and gave him purpose. When the demons started to return to the island, Harry could feel their presence. As the only being that both had the ability and the willingness to purify the demons and rescue the poor souls promised away, the boy felt he had no other choice but to attack the evil in his land. Gabriel fully supported this endeavor and helped train him. While Gabriel had punished 'douchebags' in his day, the angel felt it too dangerous to attack demons. They would sense his angelic grace and blow his trickster cover.

The first bout against the demons only left Harry with one stab wound in his side that healed quickly enough. By the third and fourth, he was able to destroy them seamlessly, and soon the demons learned from the lesson of others.

Harry James Potter was now the guardian of the island, and demons feared him too much to return.

Sure, every now and then there were pop-ups in demonic activity, always having to do with a deal about to be realized. Given the hellhound activity before each event, Harry had enough time to track down the souls and the crossroad demons before the deal was fulfilled.

When Gabriel asked him why he released the souls, some of whom deserved Hell, Harry answered that every being deserved a chance at redemption. Severus Snape had taught him that. It also didn't help that he acted as Death himself when he smote the demon and told the soul this was their chance to make things right and that he would know if they continued down their damned path.

The threat he made wasn't a light one. To release them from the deal, he found that he left a mark on their souls. He thusly knew which ones were those he saved and was able to check up on them from time to time. Only two of the hundreds he had dealt with turned their noses up at his warnings and continued their ways (a politician and a TV chef), and Gabriel punished them in his stead, wanting a piece of the action. As stated, all the rest turned their lives around. Some genuinely regretted their decisions. The good majority, however, were terrified of Harry returning.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

Harry made an imposing figure. At 6'3", his flyaway raven hair and porcelain skin contrasted his jade green eyes magnificently, at times making them seem to glow as green as Avada Kedavra. But what always struck fear into the hearts of those who saw him was his scar. Not his lightning-bolt scar – that one was mostly covered by his fringe and had actually receded since the horcrux was destroyed. No, the scar that transfixed them was a tree-like scar that ran from his forehead down to his chest. (2)

The mark of the angelic smiting.

Gabriel said he had barely been able to save his eye and found the scar was too deep for him to heal. Harry didn't mind though. He had come to accept his scars, and it served as a reminder of his place in the world.

A discarded weapon.

His conception and birth were all for the purpose of creating a weapon to fulfill a prophecy. Although he had accepted his role as a weapon in the war, it still burned him that he had been used in such a way. What especially pained him were the actions of his sire: the angel had used his father and knowingly impregnated James, abandoned James after the conception, abandoned Harry to the Dursley's upon the deaths of James and Lily, and did nothing to stop his brothers from smiting his son from the Earth.

Even the wizarding world had abandoned Harry after all he had done for them. When Harry had mentioned to Gabriel that he wanted to contact the Weasley's and Ron and Hermione to let them know he was alive, the archangel had told him the bad news. Even after his death, they had betrayed him, giving interview after interview on how they were glad that Harry Potter had died that day, else they would have had another Dark Lord on their hands. Harry had refused to believe Gabriel, screaming and shouting at the angel and ruining all the furniture in the east wing's sitting room. Once he calmed, Gabriel showed him all of the Daily Prophet articles.

"Golden Boy Not So Golden, Best Friend Claims"

"Potter Became What He Swore to Defeat, Granger Claims"

"Ginny Weasley Broke Up with Potter, Fearing Safety"

The articles went on, each one worse than the last.

Harry lashed out, destroying every object in his path.

"How could they?" He seethed, his anger rolling from him in waves. "After everything I did –"

"Calm yourself, little one," Gabriel said, putting his hands on the nephilim's shoulders, keeping him still. "You must forgive them."

"Why?" Harry spat, struggling in Gabriel's hold. "They don't deserve –"

"Precisely," Gabriel interrupted. "They don't deserve it, which is why you will grant it. It will take time, but you must start to try. They are misguided fools. They do not deserve your wrath; they deserve your pity. Wrath will only do more harm to you instead of them. It will eat at you until you become what they think you've already become."

"What is the point, Gabriel?" Harry cried, slumping in the angel's hands. "Why did God save me? To punish me? I'm alone, after all I did for them – I don't understand! My friends – they were family! They betrayed me – and even my real family betrayed me – Castiel –"

Gabriel embraced the boy, and Harry leant into the touch. He could feel warmth radiate from the angel and, with a whoosh, felt invisible wings enclose around them.

"I don't know, Harry darling," Gabriel said softly. "But I know it was not to punish you. Together, we'll get your life back on track, and fuck the rest of them. We're a family. You are my nephew, and I will take care of you. I promise."

Whereas Severus Snape taught Harry the importance of redemption, Gabriel taught him forgiveness. He would never forget the betrayals (hence, welcoming his scars), but he would endeavor to forgive.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

The archangel fulfilled his promise to take care of Harry. Aside from giving Harry purpose as a guardian, Gabriel had become his dad. The archangel trained him, fed him, watched films with him, and some days just spent hours upon hours talking with him about his hopes and dreams. For the first time since Sirius, Harry felt loved by a father figure. Over time, Harry began to call Gabriel 'dad' in his head, and one day it slipped out. Instead of being offended or making fun of him, like Harry feared he might, the archangel merely smiled and said, "Love you too, son."

The smile that Harry had was so wide, his blushing cheeks hurt.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

After the first year of stabilizing Harry's powers and anger and getting him set up to protect the island from demons, the pair didn't spend all their time together. Gabriel went back to his job trickstering, but he made sure to visit Harry often, usually bringing a present. As much as Harry wished he could travel with Gabriel, it was too dangerous to do more than the odd demon hunting. Although Gabriel had carved into his bones sigils preventing angelic location, the chances of being spotted by the increasingly active angels were too much.

It wasn't too terrible being cooped up on the castle grounds. It was an unplottable location with wards so strong it would take an army of angels to penetrate. Harry tended to his gardens, selling potions ingredients under a false name. Over time he gained familiars, a raven named Branwen and a snake named Anani, so he didn't lack company. Mostly, he enjoyed flying as his phoenix form. Feeling the air between his feathers was better than flying a broom any day.

Harry's life was peaceful now. Since the tenth anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, the demonic activity on the island had become nonexistent, all demon deals being destroyed and no new demons daring return to create new ones. So, most his days were relaxing in his garden or amongst the clouds.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

Then Gabriel came with news of the Winchesters and the scuttlebutt on Angel Radio.

The angels, having seen Harry's prophecy fulfilled, decided to put the apocalypse into motion using the Winchesters and brought the Righteous Man out of Hell. The seals were broken, the Four Horseman roamed the Earth, and Lucifer was released from his prison. The only hitch in the plan was the Winchesters themselves, who refused to submit to their respective angels.

Once Gabriel finished ranting and raving about how the brothers would not take their rightful places, Harry spoke his mind.

"They do have a point," Harry said, causing Gabriel to whip his head toward him, bug-eyed. "The Apocalypse will destroy life as they know it, and how do they know if there really will be peace in the end?"

"What, you're on their side?" Gabriel accused, huffing into the armchair across from Harry.

"Hear me out," Harry replied, holding his hands palms up. "I'm just saying I understand where they're coming from. I know what it's like to be created to fulfill some angelic goal and the consequences of that. It sucks."

"Yes but you went through with it," Gabriel countered.

"All I was sacrificing was myself," Harry replied. "This would mean sacrificing the world."

"That's not true –" Gabriel refuted.

"Isn't it?" Harry replied, steepling his fingers together. "Why do you insist that I stay here except for my few patrols around the country? We don't know whether all the angels coming down on me as one will destroy me, phoenix or not. In a war between Michael and Lucifer, what do you think would happen to this planet? Even if some survived, what would be left for those 'chosen' in their new paradise?

"Plus, you have to admit that the angels in charge are being a bag of dicks about the whole thing," Harry continued. "They know that this is not God's will since he has been gone for so long, yet that is their justification to their army. It's a mess of lies and corruption."

"How do we know that's not what Father wants?" Gabriel replied, play devil's advocate – poor word choice. "He has not tried to stop it at all, there has been no signs or messages –"

"Or He believes in free will," Harry answered. "Isn't that why angels were not supposed to interfere after a certain point? To let mankind make it's own mistakes –"

"And look at how many there are," Gabriel interrupted. "Maybe taking away free will would be the best thing for them."

"You can't mean that," Harry snapped. "Yes there were and are mistakes, but overall there has been more good than bad. If given the opportunity, humanity will rise to occasion. Just look at those Winchesters. They have faced so much adversity, they have every right to turn tail and run. Yet, they persevere."

They sat in silence for a few moments before Gabriel sighed, putting his head into his hands.

"You're right, I didn't mean that," Gabriel said and then looked up at Harry. "When did you become so wise?"

"I had a good teacher," the nephilim quipped, making the archangel laugh.

"You know this means I'll be putting my neck on the line," Gabriel said, all mirth fading from his face. "And I may not come back."

"It is better to die defending your friends than scurry away like a rat and let them perish," Harry replied and stood up, offering Gabriel his hand, pulling the angel up out of the chair. "And I'll go with you."

"No, you can't do that, Harry," Gabriel objected. "It's too dangerous."

"And I haven't faced danger before?" Harry scoffed.

"Nothing like this," Gabriel insisted, taking the young nephilim into his arms. "Michael and Lucifer – they have powers beyond normal angels. Even if your phoenix gift saves you, it would be so easy to capture you and lock you away. You can't risk that – I can't risk that. And if you're there, I'd be too focused on protecting you than doing what needs to be done. Promise me you won't follow."

"But, Dad –" Harry protested.

"Promise me," Gabriel ordered sternly. After a moment, Harry gave in and nodded, leaning into the angel's embrace. "Good boy. I'm so proud of you. Always remember that."

"Come back," Harry pleaded. "Please come back. Be safe."

"I'll do my best, kiddo – and hey, I still have my lucky necklace," Gabriel replied, giving one last squeeze of the hug. "Love you, Phoenix Child."

And with a whoosh he was gone.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

It had been a fortnight and a day since Harry sent Gabriel off to war. In that time, Harry had begun to regret his honesty. He should have lied. He should have said that it was best to stay out of the whole thing all together. He should not have let his dad go out there alone. The shouldas went on and on and on.

And now Gabriel was dead. Harry was sure of it. The archangel never went more than a fortnight without contacting Harry. What's more, the lucky necklace Gabriel mentioned was one that Harry had charmed to let the nephilim feel the angel's heartbeat in the necklace attached around his own neck and vice versa.

When Harry woke up, the necklace had stopped it's thumping.

Gabriel's heart had stopped.

Harry's shock turned into a volcanic anger, and the nephilim went down to the training room before he destroyed his bedroom.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

Amani slithered up his shoulder and hissed at his cheek, inadvertently tasting the nephilim's tears.

"Ech!" the snake expressed. "I do not like thisss tassste of the water coming from your eyesss. You are in pain. Why?"

"Dad – Gabriel – he isss dead," Harry hissed out, petting his familiar gently. He continued to sob.

"Oh, poor Ssspeaker," Amani hissed in empathy, wrapping his form around Harry's head. "He would not want his hatchling to be so morossse."

"What will I do?" Harry asked, finally wiping the tears from his face.

"You will fly," Amani ordered.

This made Harry laugh in spite of himself.

"But you hate flying," Harry said, and Amani slithered down back to floor and then faced Harry.

"I did not sssay that I would fly," the snake replied. "You are happiest flying. He would want you to be happy. Go be happy. And find me mice."

Harry smiled and transformed into his black phoenix form. Taking flight, he flew from the training room, through the castle, and out the open window.

Maybe if he flew high enough he'd reach heaven.

Or wherever angels go when they die.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

The sun was shining through the scattering of clouds, as if it was laughing at his mourning.

Branwen flew with him some of the way. She instinctively knew that he was in pain and that affection at that point would be unwanted; instead, she could be his companion, his silent vigil against complete loneliness.

As Harry flew, he let himself stop thinking. His feathers soaked in the sunshine and the sea-air. He flew up into the clouds until he could feel the ice around him and then dove until he almost crashed into the sea, pulling up mere centimeters from the waters crest.

He flew, and he flew, and he flew – until there was little strength left in him. He then landed on one of the cliff sides and splayed out on the grass. Branwen landed next to his head and nuzzled him with her head.

~I dislike your going so high and so low so quickly~ the raven chastised. ~One day I'm afraid you will fall into the sea like a block of ice. But what happened, fledgling?~

Harry told her what had happened, and she mourned with him.

~He was a kind Feathered One, and I will miss him, as well~ Branwen said and then trilled mournfully. ~Do not think of following him, fledgling. The Feathered One would not like that. And you have not lost him. He is with you always.~

~How do you mean?~ Harry asked, puzzled. The raven flapped her wings and took flight, hovering above him.

~He is everywhere you are, fledgling~ Branwen said, and then landed on Harry's chest. ~When my mother died, I was sorrowful, but then I felt her in the trees and in the clouds. She was with me and is still with me, just as the Feathered One is with you. Do not try to follow him, because through you, he is still here on this Earth. Time will come, but do not quicken it. Enjoy the magical spark that life is. And who would take care of the snake and I if you were gone? We would kill one another within a week.~

That last line made Harry laugh.

~True enough~ Harry said finally, and then sighed. Closing his eyes, he let the sea breeze wash over him. If he kept very still, he could almost imagine that Gabriel was laying beside him.

Harry felt a hand clutch his own and give it a squeeze.

As soon as his eyes shot open, the pressure was gone.

Harry smiled anyway.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

Weeks later, Harry felt something he had not felt in over two years.

Demonic activity.

Curious.

*DMAS*DMAS*DMAS*

After careful investigation, Harry discovered the hounds were afoot. Unless Hell had well and truly overrun, this means that someone has a crossroads deal coming to an end.

It would not be someone who took the deal in the country. Harry would have known of it a decade ago. No, this must have been a visitor who is spending his/her last days in – Wales?

This should be interesting.

(1) Llansteffan Castle

(2) Called a Lichtenberg Figure, this is the pattern on the skin that someone is left with when they survive a lightning strike. Imagine going from the forehead to the chest instead of on the arm. . wordpress 2012/03/lightning-strike-scar-Lichtenberg-figure-3 . jpg

AN: Hope you all like my characterization of Harry!Next time will be the meeting between the Winchesters and Harry Potter. See you then, my lovelies! Love Insie.