Author Notes: Here are the revised chapters one through five; I hope these are much better! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling; anything you don't recognize from the Harry Potter world belongs to me (like Cassander... he's mine).

Warning(s): This contains Slash! You don't like hit the back arrow, any flames will be served to Phoenix. This will also contain Mpreg in later chapters (and reviewers, I am fully aware that it is physically impossible for a guy to get pregnant but we women have to go through it... I thought I give a little back to them). There will also be a threesome in later chapters as well. Now, if Slash, Mpreg or a threesome bothers you, please hit the back arrow and leave; if not, don't go complaining to me... I gave you fair warning.

Note: Translation at the end of the story

Chapter One:

The Valley of the Kings…

June, 2000…

The golden Egyptian sun hung high in the clear azure Egyptian skies; its light turning the sand dunes gold that surrounded the Valley where Egypt's mighty Pharaohs had been laid to rest. A hot desert wind snaked and twisted its way along the dunes towardthe arge gathering of tents and people. It trickled through open doorways nd peered around the corners of the tents. It, along with the hot ras of the sun, carressed and tickled the bronze skin of the Archaeologists and workers that were bet over ecavation pits, digging and dusting.

At one pit, sat Dr. Cassander Ioannides, a handsome young man of twenty-three. Golden curls were hiden beneath a green bandana while striking electric violet eyes, wide and almond-shaped, stared out of a youthful bronzed face. A pink tongue darted out from full lips, licking at them nervously; Cassander was carefully sweeping away sand from the priceless artifact that was embedded into the sand. His entire focus was focused upon what he was doing. Cassander Ioannides was one of the youngest at the dig; he was the youngest Doctorof Archaeology, however. Havng been a child prodigy, Cassander had rose through the ranks of Archaeologists, gaining a reputation and prestige. However, there was something uncanny about Cassander; his eyes were one specific thing but there was something otherwordly about Cassander; he had a habit of looking at you and knowing everything. It was as if your very soul was laid out in front of him. What most didn't realize or even knew was that Cassander was a little different then most.

Cassander Ioannides was a Wizard, born to a Grecian Wizard of the prosperous Ioannides family of Greece and a Spanish Witch of the prestigious De la Vega family. He was wat one woul call a Pureblood; his wizarding heritage going back thousands of years on his father's side, going back as far as Ancient Greece. His mother's side dated back to the early twelfth century but origins could be traced back to the early years of the reign of Emperor Augustus of Rome. Despite his illustrious history, Cassaner hated it; his parents were always preaching about their superiority over first generation wizards and witches. As far as Cassander was concerned his parents, as well as his brothers and sister, were closed-minded bigots. Thankfully, the rest of the family didn't seem to care about the superiority of Purebloods. Many of the older generations had seen the horrors and found in the Wars against the Dark Lords, Gregori Rasputin and Gellert Grindelwald.

Cassander had gained both a Magickal and non-magickal education; he graduated head of his peers at the age of fourteen in both. He gained his doctorate and mastery in Archaeology from the Institute of Olympus, a Magickal school that wnet from regular school to University. As such, Cassander was able to work with both the Magickkal and non-Magickal governments in securing magickal items and keeping them from the hands of non-magickals. Cassander gained quite the reputation that came from his positio; he had done serious excavation work in Atlantis, recovering several lost texts for the Atlanteans. He worked on the Isle of Avalon, excavating the ruins of several old temples there; his most recent work was in Lyonesse, excavating the remnants of a Castle there that was thought to belong to Sir Tristam of the Knights of the Round Table. Of course, that was just a few of his Magickal sites.

"Oi! Sandy!" came a shout.

Cassander managed not to jump as he was disrupted from his work; he pulled away from his work, looking over his shoulder at one of the Archaeologists that meandered up. Canadian James Troake was the dig's resident Hieroglyphic Specialist, and he was pretty decent, Cassander mused, for a non-Magickal.

"What?" Cassander asked, rather irritated. His violet eyes were narrowing.

Everyone at the dig knew better then to irritate Cassander; he had the worst temper that anyone had ever seen. One of the Norwegian Archaeologists had joked that Cassander was like a Dragon of the Norse myths. Thus earning himself the nickname of Fafnir; after the legendary dragon in the Myth of Sigmund.

"Professor MacDougall wants ya" Troake said, reaching down to help Cassander out of the pit; the brawny Canadian had no trouble plucking the shorter and more slender Grecian-Spaniard out of the excavation pit. The blonde only came to Troake's chest, afterall. Cassander moved passed his co-worker, heading toward the main tent, yankingoff his bandana; his golden curls were slick with sweat and dust but Cassander could care less. He was irate; if the way that the others were scurrying from him was any indication. He entered the tent, stopping for a brief moment to allow his eyes time to adjust to the dimness of the tent. He made out of the greying red hair of the Head Archaeologista squib by the name of Caelan MacDougall. The aging Scotsman was standing next to a tall brunette with striking green eyes; the sight of the lightning bolt scar on the young man's forehead alerted Cassander to the identity of the brunette.

Harry Potter stared around the tent that he would be sharing with the legendary Cassander Ioannides. Harry looked at the grumbling Grecian-Spaniard; he had to admit the man was a beauty but what Harry liked more then Cassander's beauty was his mind. Harry had chosen to go into the field of Archaeology because of Cassander; not that the other man needed to know that. This was Harry's first excavation since graduating from the University of Avalon and Professor MacDougall wanted him paired with a more Senior Archaeologist; and since Harry was a Wizard (and rather famous one at that), the Scotsman felt it was best to pair him with Cassander, who was doing all the work for the Magickal artifacts.

Cassander looked up at the sound of shuffling; he felt something in him soften when he saw the out of place look on the younger man's face. His Abuelo, Reyes De la Vega, had informed hm of the stupidity of the British Ministry of Magick's attempt in banishin but Harry had chosen self-imposed exile that circumvented the Banishment. Harry had instigated his exile on the eve of his defeat of Voldemort; there were differences in Banishment and Exile. Banishment meant that there was a spell placed upon the soul of the Banished that refused them entry to the place that they were banished. Exile meant that the person was free from the spells but out of their own volition kept away. They could return if invited but Exiles usually didn't; it was too painful.

"You'll be having this room" Cassander said, gesturing toward the spare bedroom. Cassander's tent was just like a Wizarding one; only it was charmed to look like a non-magickal one to anyone that didn't have an Magickal blood in them. "Sit… I have questions" Cassander, pointing to the chair that was opposite him. Harry obeyed; Cassander pulled out several thick piles of paper. One pile was handed to Harry, immediately; "read and sign those". The other two piles, Cassander kept for himself.

Harry quickly read the documen; it was the standard non-disclosure that Harry wouldn't reveal anything to the non-Magickal, in specific about what he and Cassander would be working on. There was also a clause that stated while he was in a country for a dig, he was working for both governments.

"Dr. Ioannides" Harry sad, pulling Cassander's attention away from his own pile to him. "I'm afraid, I don't understand this clause". Harry showed him the indicated clause.

"I told them they need to speak plainer" Cassander said, "to put it simpl, you are working for both he Magickal and non-Magickal governments of whatever country you are in. As such, you gain immunity in return". Harry nodded and continued reading; he accepted the pen from Cassander the moment he reached the last page. He signed and dated it. It rolled up and disappeared. "It went to the Archaeology Guild in Geneva" Cassander said, answering the silent quetsion on Harry's face. One of the piles that Cassander had also disappeared; Harry looked curious. "Standard mentor form. Required for a Magickal Archaeologist's first time out in the field". He picked up the last pile; "this is for my own records".

"Oh" Harry said, accepting the first few sheets. Cassander kept the last few.

"Now… questions… where did you graduated from? School and University" Cassander said.

"Uh… Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1997" Harry said, "and University of Avalon, 2000". Cassander nodded, making the proper notations.

"Number of Masteries for Archaeology mastery?"

"Five".

Cassander looked up, surprised. Harry blinked; "is that… is that uncommon" Harry asked.

"Somewhat" Cassander replied, sitting back. "Most don't tred to go over four; those that do tend to be particularly well skilled in certain areas. That's not to say those with four masteries are not unskilled". Harry nodded; "your five masteries… can you list them?"

"Uh, History… Curse-Breaking… Defense Against the Dark Arts… Charms and Transfiguration" Harry said. Cassander accepted Harry's part of the pile.

"Any questions?" Cassander inquired.

"What is it that we do exactly?" Harry asked, "my Professors were never quite

clear". Cassander grumbled for a moment about incompetent professors.

"The purpose of a Magickal Archaeologist is not only to protect ancient magickal artifacts from non-magickals" Cassander explained, "but to also protect magickal artifacts from falling into the wrong hands".

"Thank you, that was very clearer" Harry said.

"Anything else?"

"My duties? I know I help you…" Harry said, trailing off.

"Same as mine… though you'll need to check in with me about certain things" Cassander said, "we'll get into a more indepth of duties later…you can set up your room and don't call me Dr. Ioannides" Cassander got up from the chair.

"Could you show me the dig?" Harry asked, attracting Cassander's attention back.

"If that what you want sure Cassander said, "come on". Cassander lead Harry out from the cool tent back into the hot desert sun; Harry squinted against the bright light unti something fell onto his head. He looked up at the hat then at Cassander. One shouldn't be out in this sun without the proper protection". Harry blushed and nodded; he followed behind Cassander. He had this to say about the older man; he had a damn fine arse.

Night had fallen on the dig; cool night breezes danced happily around the tents and around retiring Archaeologists. Within Cassander tent, a fire happily burned; licking out flames and dancing merrily. A cast-rion kettle bubbled and whistled cheerfully as the water inside boiled. Harry sat in one of the chairs, staring at the crackling fire; Cassander was in the kitchen preparing their evening meal.

Harry was surprised, to say the least, when the Archaeologists of the dig called Cassander either Sandy or Doc. With the occasional Fafnir thrown in; he didn't understand that paricular nickname as he did with Sandy and Doc.

"I have the temper of a Dragon, or so everyone tells me" Cassander said, from the kitchen. Harry looked up at the slightly accented voice; the Grecian-Spaniard looked at the younger. "You'll learn by the end of the week how irritable I can be". Harry got up from his chair, moving to the table so he had a proper view of Cassander.

"How'd you…?"

Cassander looke at Harry, eyebrow raised. A plate carrying what looked to be shish-kabob floated out followed by a bowl carrying salad. "My gifts" Cassander replied, carrying a pot of rice. He moved to the table, resting the pot down; the cast-iron pot poured the hot boiled water into a ceramic kettle, which floated to the table. "Everyone has certain gifts that are theirs… you honestly don't know this?" Cassand said, resting the pot on the table.

"First I 've heard of it" Harry answered.

"You think in a place like England, whois so hung up on their Purity of their blood" Cassander said, "that they teach about this". He sat down at the table with Harry joining. Bread came floating out as they began to dish up their supper.

"What… what is this?" Harry asked, gesturing to the shish-kabob.

"Pork souvlaki" Cassander said, taking two while serving up some rice and salad. He gestured for Harry to take up some.

"So, what were we talking about… these gifts?" Harry asked, taking two as well as rice and salad.

"There are three types of Gifts" Cassand said, "first type is Familial Gifts which are heritary.. they skip generations but are kept within the family. The second type is Spontaenous Gifts; a person that has these Gifts are usually the first in their families. And the last type is Magickal-based Gifts, whch fomes into play when a person has two gifts of a smiliar category". Harry looked interested. "Two f my gifts are of the Familial Type… I inherited my Empathy from my mother's family the De la Vegas".

"Wait, as in the De la Vega Familia of Spain? Those De la Vegas?" Harry said, shocked.

"I'd forgotten the prestige of my maternal family" Cassander said, sipping on his tea. "But yes, my Abuelo… that is, my grandfather, Reyes, is the current Don". Cassander munched his Souvlaki. "As the youngest grandchild, I am consiered the next in line. My mother, Hortencia, is his only child. Neither she nore any of sibling that I have inherited the De la Vega Familial gift". There was a dark smile on Cassander's face and Harry thought better inquire. I also possess Clairvoyance, in all cognitives, from my paternal family… which is quite odd as only the females of my father's family were the supposed to inherit".

"Fascinating" Harry said, "but…?"

"Coming out of my empathy and clairvoyance, which are both mental arts" Cassander said, "is my third gift, Telepathy… mild telepathy, though… I can only read general surface thoughts. It takes a while for a deeper probe but if you wanted to keep me out, you could".

Harry sipped his tea, contemplating. He wondered if his Parseltongue ability would be classified as a Familial Gift or a spontaenous gift. He looked at Cassander.

"How does one discover these gifts?" Harry askd, seriously. Cassander looked up as he munched on some of his souvlaki, looking thoughtfully.

"Tests, usually" Cassander said, "young Wizards and Witches undergo testing prior to entering mainstream schooling. Familial Gifts are usully tested within the family". Cassander grasped his tea cup and sipped on his tea. "Magickal testing is mandatory in much of Wizarding Europe. I take it that's not true in England".

"If it is, nobody's mentioned it to me" Harry replied, taking some more souvlaki. "The reason that I'm asking is my Parseltongue ability". He waited for the disgust, the recoil anything but Cassander just raised an eyebrow. "You're not digusted".

"I'm Greek… well, partly" Cassander replied, "only those influenced by Christian ideology. Has to do with the Christian belief that the Devil being a snake". Cassander shrugged; "I'e never given much hype to what s and is not Dark".

Harry nodded; "but the thing is, I have no clue if this ability is any part of those gifts" Harry explained, "according to Albs Dumbledore, I received this ability from Tom Riddle, or Voldemort, when he attempted to kill me as a child".

Cassander frowned. "I have never heard of such a transfer" he said, after a few minutes of contemplation. "Gifts are based on Blood… not magick".

"If not from Voldemort, I wonder where" Harry said, frowning.

"Hold on" Cassander said getting up from the table. He disappeared into one of the side rooms, which Cassander revealed to his personal study; the Grecian-Spaniard would be adding a study on for Harry tomorrow. The Blonde returned carrying a large tomb. "Here we are, The Self-Updating Book of Familial Gifts, expanded edition". Cassander sat back down; this time next to Harry. The book was open; "let's see… Potter… Potter… Ah, here, Potter of the Norman Conquest… two countries England and Wales".

"Try England first".

Cassander flipped through to the section containing information on the Potters of England. Harry stared at the beautiful pages with exquisite pictures and designs. "Nope… You aren't fo the English branch" Cassander said, "they died out in the 1100s of the Common Era… Welsh?"

"Welsh".

Cassander flipped a few more pages, ending the English branch and starting the Welsh. "Here we are, Welsh Potters… Harry James Potter, 1980 to present, son of James Henry Potter, 1960-1981, and Lily Marie Potter, nee Evans 1960-1981". The book was handed to Harry, who stared at the massive Family Tree; a Tree that had been lost since the early days of Voldemort.

"Three sub-branches" Harry read, "intermarried by eighteenth century… there's a list". Cassander watched as Harry skmmed it. "Here! Potter, Fredrick, born 1600… died 1702. Was the sixth and final bearer of the Familial Gift of Parseltongue until the birth of Potter, Harry in 1980".

"So, I guess it is your Familial Gift" Cassand said, turning to his supper.

"I wonder why I was told differently" Harry said, turning back to his supper.

"Who knows" Cassander said, "the designs of men in power are not for us in the real world to understand". Harry nodded.

TBC

Translations

Abuelo (Spanish): Grandfather