Harry "it's Saotome" Potter Part 6
Title: Harry "It's Saotome" Potter,
Genre: Harry Potter / Ranma 1/2
Rating: I dunno, probably T or so.
Author: LassyD/Obakahime (split personality ya)
Summery: Lily Potter was not born an Evans. In fact, she wasn't even of English ancestry. So when she died, Harry was sent to her birth sister, whom had married Genma Saotome.
Ranma ½ and Harry Potter Crossover, Nothing that is recognizable belongs to me.
Ch. 19 Letters
To Hari,
The Owl is really cool. I thought it might be something like that from all those letters we received before you left. So Hibiki turned up did he? Sure bring him on, I’m always ready for a good spar and pops hasn’t been able to give that since you were six. We’ve been traveling around Tibet. The monks are fairly decent at the arts so I know you’ll get a whipping when you get back.
From Ranma
Harry could feel the ego oozing out of the letter and smirked. It wouldn’t be his bro if it weren’t there.
To Ryouga,
Hey there, I was so glad you made it by my school. You don’t know how boring this is. I wish Genma would just come and steal me away, but knowing the lazy bum, he won’t. I’ve instructed Kazema to lead you to Ranma for that honor match you’re hunting him for. Please when one of you wins remember to write to me.
From Hari
Harry received two letters in reply, one just screamed ego while the other held a promise for
revenge.
To Hari,
Pops somehow managed to get us kicked out of the temple we were staying at for a short while. They were yelling about some sort of seal, but then again, they’re just superstitious monks anyway. After hiking for quite a while we found the perfect spot to stop and train for a bit and then Ryouga found me, we fought and I won, as if there was any doubt. He’s bent on training harder and coming back for more. That’s great, I’ll just have to keep being better.
From Ranma
To Hari,
Thank you for helping me find that cousin of yours. Unfortunately he defeated me so I will have to train harder. I now swear off schooling and will only train from this day until the day I defeat that egotistical bastard. When I am ready could you please send Kazema to help me find him again?
From Ryouga
Harry laughed briefly before making his reply.
To Ryouga,
No troubles, I will have Kazema help you out. Did you know that these people fly on broomsticks. It’s a very odd sensation and I’d love it if I wasn’t so dependent on the broom. Maybe I can figure out how to do it without the broom. Well, I hope to hear that you’ll be back in school soon, but then you realize you’d leave nothing for Ranma to do and he’d then have to come for retribution. It might be easier just to stick with them and keep trying to pound him into the dirt. It’s your choice.
By the way, you wouldn’t happen to know how to get rid of annoying people whom keep latching on to you? I saved a boy from a nasty fall and now he won’t leave me alone.
From Hari
To Ranma,
Woah, take it easy there, I don’t think your ego can handle any more boosting. You do know Ryouga will be back for more. And I can just mentally see you smirking and saying ‘bring it on’ This place is so odd, did you know that these people fly around on brooms? They can’t seem to do it without the silly piece of wood. Maybe I can figure out how. And what’s this about a seal? Those can be bad business, remember the demon cave seal that we broke? How we had nothing but bad okinomiyaki chefs on our journey for more than a month. Makes me miss Ukyou and his yatti.
From Hari.
To Hari,
Flying? You can’t be serious. I’ll have to see it to believe it.
I’ve been training on my own and feel that it’s time for a rematch, please have Kazema lead me. I just know I’ll beat Ranma this time. The forest here is so different than the ones in Japan. It feels not right. Maybe I can find my way back and we could have a rematch.
Getting rid of annoying people? No can’t say I have any experience with that. I’d just try avoiding them.
From Ryouga.
To Hari,
It’s not an ego when you really are the best. So bring him on. I can take him, it’s good practice. What do you mean by flying? That’s not possible. It’s probably just really good air time.
You’ll never guess what happened, this really big wolf found us while we were camping and instead of attacking thanked us for breaking its prison. It ran off into the trees before we could reply. A wolf, Japanese, I didn’t think it could be done. Other than that it’s just been the same, training as usual.
From Ranma.
To Ranma,
Well at least it didn’t attack, saved you a bit of a bite didn’t it.
For some reason, the end of October these people hold a large matsuri (party/festival). I’m not sure why and they just told me it was because of this Harouiin, but no one would explain what the kami (divine spirit) did. A bakemono (generic word for monster) got into the school and I had a great match with it. It did manage to get a few good hits, so I’m going to have to work harder. It’s so difficult to keep my skills when there’s no other fighters.
Give the old man a few good whacks for me. Ryouga’s on his way for a rematch. Have fun.
From Hari
To Ryouga,
No problem, just follow Kazema. You wouldn’t happen to know what Harouiin is? These westerners celebrate it and it’s very strange. A bakemono got into the castle and I haven’t had so much fun in since you visited. Remember after you fight, try to stop by, It’s so boring here.
From Hari.
Harry smiled as he sent Kazema off with the most recent two letters. Over the past couple weeks all his free time was devoted to mimicking the feelings that being on the broom had given him and taunting Draco. He was sure he’d get the flying down sometime soon. Just as long as people didn’t continually interrupt him. For some reason Hermione couldn’t seem to grasp the concept that he just couldn’t say certain syllables and often cried out in frustration. His spell work in class was getting better. Or at least in his opinion it was. He no longer blew things up as quickly. So that was a positive. Then there was Neville. Harry couldn’t get rid of the boy. Maybe he should have just let the boy fall back during the first week of school. He mentally slapped himself at that thought. It’s a martial artist’s duty to protect the weak, but did they have to hound him for it?
Harry left the owlery and headed for the dungeons, he hadn’t totally explored there yet and the dank decor was great for practicing his stealth. The opportunity to continue to avoid Neville was an added bonus. As he passed by the potion’s classroom door, a smirk eased onto his face when he remembered the look on professor Snape’s face when Neville melted yet another cauldron. He was merrily making his way when one of those things appeared. He could feel the terror crawling up his spine and he swore he wouldn’t scream.
“I mustn’t run away. I mustn’t run away.” He kept telling himself, but it saw him. It moved closer. With a frightened squeak he jumped strait up and clung to the ceiling. Maybe if he stayed here long enough it would go away.
Harry had no idea how long he clung there quivering in fear when he heard the voice of the potions master.
“That boy is a menace. He must be expelled for the good of the school.”
“Now Severus, the boy is not that bad. Are you sure you’re not being a little prejudiced because of his father.”
“He’s worse than his father ever was, he’s got no respect for the school rules and regulations. Have you ever seen what he does in the mornings? And when that other boy was here, they nearly killed each other. Did you even see what he’d done to that troll? He cracked its skull and five other bones. What if he turns on his fellow students? They must be protected. What if he ever does accept one of the continual challenges that the Malfoy boy keeps issuing. I do not want to be put into the position of explaining to Lucius exactly why his son was beaten to a bloody pulp.”
That caught Harry’s attention. Were they talking about him?
“He’s a good boy,” The headmaster’s voice was soothing, but the effect was ruined by a snort from Snape.
“He’s a menace to this school and from what other professors are saying, he’s a squib, he needs to be out on his ear.”
“You don’t know how much I agree with you.” Harry quietly whispered to himself. Their voices were becoming softer but he did manage to hear Dumbledore’s last statement.
“The boy must remain here, even if he ends up being a squib. We cannot expel him.”
Harry dropped to the ground in shock. WHAT???? Cannot be expelled? He didn’t think he could survive being cooped up in this castle for all that time. Suddenly the walls of the dungeon seemed to be shrinking in on him. He had to get out.
The student’s of Hogwarts did not see Harry for the rest of the day.
Ch20
Harry quickly looked around and made sure that there was no one there to notice him making his way toward the third corridor. He’d been coming here more often to spar with Rlocky since he heard the headmaster say that he wouldn’t be expelled.
As he neared the door he realized that it was ajar and he could hear shouting and growling. Harry pulled himself into the shadows a moment before Professor Snape tumbled out the door. As Harry looked over the Professor’s wounds, Snape lost some respect in Harry’s eyes. It was obvious the man was really slow. He had a slash along his side, his arm looked like one of the heads had gotten a good bite in and his leg was obviously damaged. The man limped away slowly.
Harry waited for the professor to disappear around the corner before rushing through the door. Rlocky was a right mess. Professor Snape had obviously used a couple of cutting charms and the results looked painful. One of the eyes in the center head was swollen shut. Harry was appalled and dodged right away as a swipe came. No one should hurt an animal, people at least can heal themselves. A few minutes later, Rlocky seemed to either be too tired or in too much pain to continue.
Harry quickly started to pet the undamaged parts of Rlocky’s hide. After a couple moments the dog fell asleep and Harry ran to go get some healing supplies. It took several hours and it was after curfew when he was done, but Harry was sure Rlocky would make a full recovery.
Soon enough the whole school seemed to be distracted by Quidditch and Harry decided to go to the first game to see what all the fuss was about. Half an hour of watching Slytherin pounding on Gryffindor was all he needed to know that it was absolutely dull. Sure the bludgers were good, but overall there wasn’t anything Harry found interesting. Harry used the rest of the Quidditch games as a distraction for the rest of the populous so he could practice without all those eyes on him.
The days grew shorter and snow started to cover the ground. Christmas was coming and all of the classes were excited. Harry was getting better with his English, but still couldn’t hold a conversation. He did get to the point where he could read and write very simple phrases. He was getting more stir crazy after being in the same spot for nearly four months and with the poor weather conditions he couldn’t send any letters to Ryouga or Ranma. He flat out refused to endanger Kazema just to keep in touch.
Everyone was absolutely excited about the holiday and going home to see their family. When the list for those whom were staying in the castle for the season came around, Harry noticed his name was on the list. His mood fell and he went to go ask Professor Dumbledore why he had to stay when most of the other students were going home.
“Harry” Dumbledore greeted him with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.
“Sir, Why do I have to stay over the recess?” He really wanted to see Ranma and Ryouga. He’d even be happy to see Genma at this point. What he wanted most was to get out of this castle.
“As we had trouble with getting you back to your family the last time, we’ve decided that you’ll stay here. We’re doing research into how to get you back, but so far we cannot find anything yet.”
“Just drop me off in China, I’ll find them.” Professor Dumbledore looked startled by the idea.
“We simply cannot do that, you’d have no protection and you wouldn’t have your guardian with you. I cannot allow it.”
Harry’s visible eye darkened, No protection. . . the nerve of that man.
“I’ll have you know that I can protect myself, I don’t need Genma’s” he barely prevented himself from spitting his uncle’s name. He might have to do what the man directly commands if he wanted to keep his name, but he didn’t have to like the man. “Protection.”
“Weather you can or not is not your decision to make, we can’t leave an eleven year old boy in China. Especially when we don’t know where his guardian is.” Albus’s eyes were twinkling evilly, or so Harry felt. “We could send you to your aunt.”
Harry growled slightly.
“She’s dead.”
Professor Dumbledore’s face fell.
“Dead?”
“Yes dead, now can we change the subject to WHY I can’t visit my family when everyone else can visit theirs?”
“I told you, we simply don’t know how to track them yet. How did it happen, you’re aunt I mean.”
Harry shrugged, his anger calming down somewhat. It isn’t healthy to stay angry for too long.
“I dunno, she died when I was really little. Genma never talks about her. Are you sure I can’t go to China, I’m sure I could find them.”
“The answer is still no and it’s not about to change. Your uncle sent you to us and we must keep you safe.”
Harry glared a little, Genma wasn’t ever concerned with his well being unless it meant that food or money would be scarce. He was starting to feel resigned to staying the holiday, but he would leave for the summer, weather he had the headmaster’s permission or not.
“Thank you.” He said cooly and left.
Soon exams came and then the Hogwarts Express left with one of Harry’s prime pieces of entertainment. Christmas would be dull without Malfoy attacking him all the time. Although with the exit of his entertainment also came the exit of Hermione and Neville, so Harry was happy he wouldn’t have to do his English lessons. Ron Weasley was staying, but Harry didn’t know him very well.
Harry spent his holidays snooping around the castle and forest, and playing with Rlocky.
“‘arry? what you doin’ out here in the forest.”
Harry turned and tugged on his rat tail while trying to look innocent. He knew he wasn’t supposed to be in the forest. Then again, they wouldn’t expel him, so he could investigate all he wanted.
“Ehhtouuu, I was just. . . ehh. . hehe. . . “ he paused at Hagrid’s slightly suspicious look. “Looking for some herbs.” He brightened when he thought of something. “I needed some more after I had to use my supply of salve on Rlocky.”
“Who?” Hagrid’s voice was slightly confused but he didn’t seem quite as suspicious anymore.
“Rlocky.”
“Rocky?”
“No, Rlocky.”
“Lucky?”
“No, no, Rlocky, he’s a good friend and . . .” Harry wasn’t sure if he should tell Hagrid about Professor Snape hurting his friend. “He was injured a while ago. I had to use most of my stores to heal all the cuts.” He stopped talking when Hagrid’s face jumped to realization.
“You’re the one who healed fluffy.”
“FRU-FFY??” Harry looked at Hagrid incredulously. Hagrid nodded.
“Yep, ‘e’s a beute, bought him off of a Greek chappie I met in a pub last year.”
“How could you do that to him?” Harry’s voice nearly squeaked. “He needs a strong name like Rlocky, not Fruffy!”
“‘ow do you know fluffy anyway? No one’s supposed to go to that corridor.”
“I ran into him at the beginning of the year, we’ve been roughhousing ever since.” Harry replied with a shrug.
“Yeh shouldn’ be out here, ‘ts dangerous.” Harry started to glare.
“I can take care of myself.”
“Maybe around the muggles, but this ‘ere forest is different. There’s many nasties in this forest, not even full wizards would want to meet.”
Harry’s interest was peaked.
“What sort of nasties?”
Thus a quasi friendship was born between the two.
Christmas came soon enough and Harry was wondering what the fuss was about. Sure he heard it was a western holiday, but never heard what the specifics were.
On Christmas morning he woke to find four packages at the foot of his bed. He looked over at Ron’s sleeping form and noticed the boy also had some packages at the foot of his bed.
It seemed that today was the only day that Harry’s early morning rising caused enough noise to wake up Ron.
“Merry Christmas,” Ron’s sleepy voice interrupted Harry’s musings. Harry looked at him for a moment.
“Meri Kurisumasu too. What are those for?” He asked pointing to the packages. In reply Ron’s eyes went wide.
“You’ve never gotten Christmas presents before?”
“No, never celebrated Kurisumasu before.” If possible, Ron looked even more stunned.
“But. . . but. . “ he trailed off in speechlessness.
“So, they’re for me?”
Ron just nodded.
“And I’m supposed to open them?”
Ron nodded again,
“I can handle that.” Harry said before moving to the small pile.
He first went for the smallest box which was wrapped in glittery paper with a little card attached to the bow. It said To: Harry From: Hermione. Harry was curious but opened the paper carefully. The concept that anyone would just give things to him because of the date was odd, but it felt nice.
In side of the package were a couple of chocolate frogs. Harry grinned and thought that it would be great to send one to Ryouga and one to Ranma, he just wished he could be there to see their faces when the candy frogs jump away from them.
The next package was in sky blue paper and was long and thin. He found a small note from Neville in it saying that the boy hoped he would have a Merry Christmas. In the box were a couple of sugar quills. Harry grinned slightly before taking a bite off of the end of one.
He opened the plain brown package next. On the package in messy scrawl was “To Harry from Hagrid” Harry opened it with a smile. It was good to know that even though the large man kept on scolding him for going into the forbidden forest, an act which he wasn’t about to stop, he liked harry enough to send him a present. Within the package was a hand whittled flute. Harry was sure that the large man had made it himself and was saddened when he thought that all the effort the man went through would be wasted. Harry didn’t know how to play.
Harry gently set the flute aside promising himself that he would try to play it anyway. The last package was unmarked and when he opened it something fluid and silvery grey slithered to the floor.
“ I’ve heard of those” Ron gasped, he’d obviously been watching Harry open his presents. Harry looked over.
“If that’s what I think it is, They’re really rare and valuable.”
“What is it?” Harry asked as he picked the fluid-like cloth from the ground.
“It’s an invisibility cloak,” the redhead said with a look of awe on his face, “I’m sure it is. Try it on.”
Harry looked him speculatively but humored him none-the-less. Ron gasped again.
“It is. Look down.” Harry looked down and sure enough, his legs were missing, but his aura was still there, it was rather intimidating. He shuddered slightly and took the material off. He noticed a note lying on the floor where the cloak had first fallen. Harry put the cloak away in his trunk and grabbed the note.
“I’d give anything for one of those” he heard Ron mutter. “Anything.”
Harry looked at the note and cast a translation charm. One of the few spells he could successfully cast.
Your father left this in my
possession before he died.
It is time it was returned to
you. Use it well.
A very merry Christmas to you
There was no signature or hanko mark. Harry was sure it came from one of the staff because they still considered him a Potter, and maybe he might be, but he spent too much time earning the right to the name Saotome. He wasn’t about to honor ancestors that never helped him out.
Fred and George Weasley bound into their dorm room. They were both wearing blue sweaters, one with a large yellow F on it, the other one had a G.
“Why aren’t you wearing your sweater Ron?” The boys bypassed Harry with their gazes. “Come on, get it on, they’re lovely and warm.” George demanded of Ron.
Harry slipped out the door just after hearing Ron moan about hating maroon. He quickly made his way to Hagrid’s hut to thank the man for the flute then spent the rest of the day practicing and sparing with fluffy.
Dinner soon came and Harry had never seen such an extravagant display. He quickly ate and left the room. The small mice that were running around everywhere were sure to draw the attention of one of those demons and he’d rather be elsewhere before that happened.
Harry worked at learning to play the flute that Hagrid gave him until he went to sleep later that evening. All in all, Christmas was an interesting day he decided.
Next Chapter
It was Boxing Day, but Harry didn’t know or care about a holiday celebrated in the west. The fact that the wizards didn't celebrate it either didn't help much. All he knew was that he was itching to find a place. He wasn’t sure where it was, or why he waited so long to look. He just knew that he had to find a private place for himself to practice. The feeling that someone was watching him kept haunting his practice sessions and he needed to be rid of it. He quickly got dressed and snuck a peak around the room before silently slipping out the door.
The forest seemed to invite him into its dark depths. Normally it felt as if the forest was trying to push him away, but maybe it had decided he belonged. He was stubbornly refusing to stay away even though both it and the humans around told him to avoid it.
Harry silently slipped through the trees. His passing was nearly soundless as he sought the sanctuary he knew was here. The canopy was getting denser and soon there was very little light. Harry started at the feel of something brushing by his leg, but was too slow to bound away before it ensnared his limb. It was a crushing embrace and he struggled. Whatever it the thing was started cinching on his lower body before he gave into the primal urge to scream. It wasn’t impressed.
Harry felt himself getting weaker as it cinched his arms to his sides. He was struggling weakly when a dim light appeared in his vision. Harry noticed that the thing that had him shied away from it and let up its grip a little. The light came closer and Harry was unsure if this rescue would not just put him into another problematic situation. Reasoning that if the carrier of this light was worse, it would be better not to be here, he struggled harder. It still wasn’t impressed.
Soon the light arrived to reveal Hagrid.
“‘arry? Wut’re you doin out here?” The friendly giant hadn’t noticed the predicament Harry was currently in.
“Being crushed to death apparently.” Harry tried to sound sardonic, but ended up managing to sound like he was a creaky rocking chair. Hagrid brought the lamp closer and the grip loosened fractionally.
“Yeh’ve found yerself a Devil Snare, Jus a moment.” He said.
Harry rolled his eyes while Hagrid pulled out his umbrella.
“Co’ver yeh eyes.” Harry didn’t and was blinded by the bright flash that came from the tip of the umbrella. The vine retreated and Harry could move again. He fell to his hands and knees and relished in the unobstructed breathing.
“. . . 'ow long 'ave aye been tellin yeh. Yeh canno go in'a the forest.” Harry sat on his heels and smiled cheekily.
“Oh, just as long as you've known me.” Hagrid scowled, “And you'll be telling me till the day I leave here.”
“Now see 'ere. Yeh don' know enough to be safe 'ere. Yeh canno come back.”
“I'm learning.” Harry replied with another grin, “And I've got you to help me.”
Hagrid scowled again, but Harry could see humor in his eyes.
“Yeh know I canno do tha. Yeh to stay away from da forest.”
Harry finished getting his breath back.
“You know I won’t. Thanks for the save.” He bowed and darted off before Hagrid could do anything.
Harry’s near death experience wasn’t enough to dissuade him from entering the forest and his next few trips were less eventful. He found a nice little clearing that gave him enough space to move around. It was near a half mile into the forest, without a clear path, but Harry liked it and soon went about to claiming it for his own.
It was during one of his trips back from the clearing that he found it. Harry stumbled across an injured unicorn. The poor creature was bleeding from a long gash in its neck. Harry immediately knelt and tried to stop the bleeding. His mind was working frantically trying to recall all he knew about first aid and how to apply it to animals. As he thought his hands were automatically taking the steps he knew would help the animal.
Slowly, the blood stopped flowing. The unicorn was fidgeting weakly but gave no resistance to Harry’s first aid. Harry looked around for any herbs he knew were good to make into a poultice and others he could use as a bandage. Unfortunately there weren’t any in visual distance and Harry didn’t want to leave the unicorn to look. Harry racked his brain again for anything that might help and remembered that he’d seen some of the priests heal by laying on hands. The only problem with that was, he wasn’t a priest. Maybe he could use magic. It would be worth a shot, he’d figured out that a lot of the way the spells they’d been casting worked was a combination of desire, concentration and the right patterning of magic.
The first two were easy. It was the right pattern that had Harry stumped. He had this dilemma and only two of the three resources. He’d hope that the desire and concentration would help the pattern fall into place.
After making some soothing sounds to the unicorn, Harry closed his eyes and found his center. He tried to pull some of his lively energy out slowly and gently brought it to the unicorn’s wound. The wound sopped it up like a dry sponge and soon Harry got woozy. He tried to stop the flow of energy but it wouldn’t. It didn’t take very much time before the world left him.
, . , . , . , (some time passes) , . , . , . ,
Harry woke up to the gentle nudging of his cheek. He groaned and tried to push the offender away but got a soft wicker and another nudge in return.
It took a few more moments and nudges until Harry groaned and sat up. He started spitting once he noticed an bitter metallic flavor in his mouth.
Opening his eyes was a mistake. The world seemed to have turned into a vast collection of colors with distinct shapes in the middle. The trees had a light hazy green obstructing them. Harry felt queasy as he looked towards a bright silver glow. He could see a unicorn within it. The unicorn nudged him gently and whickered again. The movement made his head spin.
Harry ignored the beast and focused on taming his queasy stomach. It settled down after a moment and he stood. Just to fall over again, his limbs felt weak and detached. The unicorn nudged him again.
'What?' He asked irritated, he wasn't sure what was going on and it kept interrupting his attempts to sort himself out.
It whinnied and moved away, then looked back. Harry grunted and tried to get up again. While he still felt weak and detached, he managed to keep his limbs under him. That is until he tried to take a step. The unicorn came closer and stood by him while he dragged himself up again. It nudged him with its shoulder and he put his hand on it for balance.
The unicorn gently moved forward and Harry barely managed to keep his feet while using the creature's help. As time passed and they got closer to the edge of the forest, Harry's footing became surer and he stopped leaning on the mare. He still felt horribly clumsy when they reached the edge, but he could walk on his own. The mare stopped walking and watched as Harry looked back at the castle. Harry didn't want to go back there now, the colors the walls were spraying everywhere were making his eyes hurt and his stomach remind him that it wasn't up to snuff.
The unicorn gestured toward the castle and whinnied once more before turning around and trotting off into the forest. Harry stood staring after the mare for a while before he turned and headed for the castle. His gait was wobbly and slow and he hated it. He couldn't figure out why he was so weak and his center of balance was off, but he vowed that he would fix it as soon as possible.
Harry spent the next couple days in rigorous training. He had to master his body before the rest of the students came back, specifically Draco. The colors wouldn't leave his vision and he was getting headaches from them. Harry hoped the headaches would leave in time but until then he stubbornly bore them. It was when he was walking back from dinner that he stumbled across it. Harry was at first entranced for within the mirror's glass there were no bright and interfering colors.
He could see the image clearly. The image did not show himself standing in front of the mirror, but it showed an image of him sparring with Ryouga while Ranma sat off to the side. Harry moved closer to the mirror so he could touch the surface. He felt a great surge of longing fill his heart. He slowly tore his eyes away from the sparing pair and looked at the image of Ranma.
It was the creature sitting in Ranma's lap that made him jump away from the mirror. It couldn't be. Harry shook his head to clear out the fear. Ranma would never hold one of those demons. He was just as afraid of them as Harry.
Harry looked back to the surface in time to see the image Ranma hand the demon to his image self. Harry couldn't believe it. It was wrong. It was evil, whatever this mirror was he had to get away from it. It took scares moments for Harry to back peddle and retreat from the room.
Harry avoided that room for the rest of the break.
Twenty Two (maybe)
The Hogwarts staff piled into the professor's lounge.
“Alright,” Albus said to quiet the chatter down. “We're here to do the bi-annual problem child review.” The rest of the professors quieted.
“Any comments about the first years?”
Professor McGonagall was the first to speak.
“Albus, I've been talking with some of the teachers,” she glanced at Professor Flitwick before continuing. “It seems that young Potter is having an enormous amount of difficulty with even the simplest spell.” All of the first year professors excepting Professors Snape and Sprout nodded and made noises of agreement.
“And what do you two think?” Albus directed his question to Professors Snape and Sprout.
“He's not gifted, but he's also not having any undue problems with Herbology.” Professor Sprout spoke when it was obvious Professor Snape was happy with glowering for the moment and wasn't speaking up.
“Aside from his total lack of respect, superior attitude and disregard for the rules he has an” the professor sneered the next two words “adequate talent for potions.”
“Is there any way we could get him help?”
“Albus.” McGonagall's voice was tense. “His problems are unlike anything I've seen in a student before. He has magic, otherwise all of his projects wouldn't be blowing up all the time.” There was a round of affirmative noises while Snape's lips twitched ever so slightly. “But to figure out how to teach him without blowing up the school, I'm stumped.”
“We can't help him until we figure out what's wrong with him.” Professor Flitwick's voice continued. “And until that happens, we can't let him practice.”
“Has anyone ever wondered if it's because of his language?” Madame Hooch piped in. All eyes turned to her. “The first day of flying, he had no trouble getting his broom to move, but he didn't use English.” She stopped as if just saying something really stupid.
“Do go on Madame,” Albus said “I think you might have something here.”
“Well, Look at what he's having trouble with. All the magic that requires incantations, but he isn't having trouble with flying, herbology or potions. None of those require him to speak.”
There was a long pause.
“Albus, If she's right, then he shouldn't be here. We can't teach him when he can't pronounce the words.” Professor McGonagall spoke.
“I agree.” Professor Flitwick entered, “He should be going to a school in the east. Where they speak the language and can teach him properly.”
Anything else they were going to say was interrupted by the sound of crashing coming from the corridor. It was getting louder.
“YOOOOOOSH”
They piled out of the room wondering just what that shout was where it came from. They made it into the hallway just in time to be buzzed by a flying figure that was merrily dodging statues and suits of armor. It was laughing triumphantly.
“PEEVES” Professor McGonagall shouted and jumped when the poltergeist's voice came from right next to her.
“What?”
“That's not. . .” her voice drifted into silence as the figure made it to the stairwell.
“YATTA” another shout and yells from the stairwell took her attention back to the problem at hand. Namely whatever it was that just zipped through the corridor. All of the professors spared a quick glance between themselves before running at full speed after whatever it was.
When they reached the stairwell the blur paused for a moment revealing Harry Potter. He had paused for a moment in the middle of the air to get his bearings before zipping around some more.
“HARRY POTTER GET OFF THAT BROOM THIS INSTANT.” professor McGonagall shouted. He ignored her.
Madame Hooch gasped. “He's not on a broom.” Her voice was quiet but all of the professors caught what she said.
A moment of stunned silence followed and was quickly broken by a squeal of a Ravenclaw first year as Harry jetted by her and out a window.
“Well it's obvious he's not a squib.” Professor Snape deadpanned.
, . , . , . ,
Boy-Who-Lived is Boy-Who-Can-Fly?
Recent reports state that the Boy-Who-Lived was sighted flying without the aid of a broom. While this skill is not uncommon in Leprechauns it is unheard of for a Wizard to do so without the assistance of a broom or other charmed object. Harry Potter is the son of James Potter. A wizard of clean bloodline and his mother, Lily Potter was a muggleborn. According to genealogist Haziam Feneral, it is impossible for him to have blood history to be able to fly. Has the Boy-Who-Lived managed to preform another impossible feat? Or is the reported sighting by multiple Hogwarts students a sham.
When asked, the Boy-Who-Lived responded that he did in-fact fly. When asked how he did it he replied with “Go ride a broom and figure it out yourself.” This is ambiguous answer led to the questioning of the Hogwarts staff and students. Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy a member on the school board, stated that Potter probably snuck in an illegal broom and had someone glamour it. Cho Chang, a 2nd year Ravenclaw stated that she saw the boy as he buzzed her when leaving out a window and it didn’t look like he was ridding a broom. The staff had no comment to make but we have it from a reliable source that the Boy-Who-Lived is not doing well in his classes and cannot preform even the simplest charm. More page C6.
The long manicured fingers of Lucius Malfoy slammed the paper down and glared at the headline. A slight growl escaped his lips as the paper started to smoulder a little.
Genre: Harry Potter / Ranma 1/2
Rating: I dunno, probably T or so.
Author: LassyD/Obakahime (split personality ya)
Summery: Lily Potter was not born an Evans. In fact, she wasn't even of English ancestry. So when she died, Harry was sent to her birth sister, whom had married Genma Saotome.
Ranma ½ and Harry Potter Crossover, Nothing that is recognizable belongs to me.
Ch. 19 Letters
To Hari,
The Owl is really cool. I thought it might be something like that from all those letters we received before you left. So Hibiki turned up did he? Sure bring him on, I’m always ready for a good spar and pops hasn’t been able to give that since you were six. We’ve been traveling around Tibet. The monks are fairly decent at the arts so I know you’ll get a whipping when you get back.
From Ranma
Harry could feel the ego oozing out of the letter and smirked. It wouldn’t be his bro if it weren’t there.
To Ryouga,
Hey there, I was so glad you made it by my school. You don’t know how boring this is. I wish Genma would just come and steal me away, but knowing the lazy bum, he won’t. I’ve instructed Kazema to lead you to Ranma for that honor match you’re hunting him for. Please when one of you wins remember to write to me.
From Hari
Harry received two letters in reply, one just screamed ego while the other held a promise for
revenge.
To Hari,
Pops somehow managed to get us kicked out of the temple we were staying at for a short while. They were yelling about some sort of seal, but then again, they’re just superstitious monks anyway. After hiking for quite a while we found the perfect spot to stop and train for a bit and then Ryouga found me, we fought and I won, as if there was any doubt. He’s bent on training harder and coming back for more. That’s great, I’ll just have to keep being better.
From Ranma
To Hari,
Thank you for helping me find that cousin of yours. Unfortunately he defeated me so I will have to train harder. I now swear off schooling and will only train from this day until the day I defeat that egotistical bastard. When I am ready could you please send Kazema to help me find him again?
From Ryouga
Harry laughed briefly before making his reply.
To Ryouga,
No troubles, I will have Kazema help you out. Did you know that these people fly on broomsticks. It’s a very odd sensation and I’d love it if I wasn’t so dependent on the broom. Maybe I can figure out how to do it without the broom. Well, I hope to hear that you’ll be back in school soon, but then you realize you’d leave nothing for Ranma to do and he’d then have to come for retribution. It might be easier just to stick with them and keep trying to pound him into the dirt. It’s your choice.
By the way, you wouldn’t happen to know how to get rid of annoying people whom keep latching on to you? I saved a boy from a nasty fall and now he won’t leave me alone.
From Hari
To Ranma,
Woah, take it easy there, I don’t think your ego can handle any more boosting. You do know Ryouga will be back for more. And I can just mentally see you smirking and saying ‘bring it on’ This place is so odd, did you know that these people fly around on brooms? They can’t seem to do it without the silly piece of wood. Maybe I can figure out how. And what’s this about a seal? Those can be bad business, remember the demon cave seal that we broke? How we had nothing but bad okinomiyaki chefs on our journey for more than a month. Makes me miss Ukyou and his yatti.
From Hari.
To Hari,
Flying? You can’t be serious. I’ll have to see it to believe it.
I’ve been training on my own and feel that it’s time for a rematch, please have Kazema lead me. I just know I’ll beat Ranma this time. The forest here is so different than the ones in Japan. It feels not right. Maybe I can find my way back and we could have a rematch.
Getting rid of annoying people? No can’t say I have any experience with that. I’d just try avoiding them.
From Ryouga.
To Hari,
It’s not an ego when you really are the best. So bring him on. I can take him, it’s good practice. What do you mean by flying? That’s not possible. It’s probably just really good air time.
You’ll never guess what happened, this really big wolf found us while we were camping and instead of attacking thanked us for breaking its prison. It ran off into the trees before we could reply. A wolf, Japanese, I didn’t think it could be done. Other than that it’s just been the same, training as usual.
From Ranma.
To Ranma,
Well at least it didn’t attack, saved you a bit of a bite didn’t it.
For some reason, the end of October these people hold a large matsuri (party/festival). I’m not sure why and they just told me it was because of this Harouiin, but no one would explain what the kami (divine spirit) did. A bakemono (generic word for monster) got into the school and I had a great match with it. It did manage to get a few good hits, so I’m going to have to work harder. It’s so difficult to keep my skills when there’s no other fighters.
Give the old man a few good whacks for me. Ryouga’s on his way for a rematch. Have fun.
From Hari
To Ryouga,
No problem, just follow Kazema. You wouldn’t happen to know what Harouiin is? These westerners celebrate it and it’s very strange. A bakemono got into the castle and I haven’t had so much fun in since you visited. Remember after you fight, try to stop by, It’s so boring here.
From Hari.
Harry smiled as he sent Kazema off with the most recent two letters. Over the past couple weeks all his free time was devoted to mimicking the feelings that being on the broom had given him and taunting Draco. He was sure he’d get the flying down sometime soon. Just as long as people didn’t continually interrupt him. For some reason Hermione couldn’t seem to grasp the concept that he just couldn’t say certain syllables and often cried out in frustration. His spell work in class was getting better. Or at least in his opinion it was. He no longer blew things up as quickly. So that was a positive. Then there was Neville. Harry couldn’t get rid of the boy. Maybe he should have just let the boy fall back during the first week of school. He mentally slapped himself at that thought. It’s a martial artist’s duty to protect the weak, but did they have to hound him for it?
Harry left the owlery and headed for the dungeons, he hadn’t totally explored there yet and the dank decor was great for practicing his stealth. The opportunity to continue to avoid Neville was an added bonus. As he passed by the potion’s classroom door, a smirk eased onto his face when he remembered the look on professor Snape’s face when Neville melted yet another cauldron. He was merrily making his way when one of those things appeared. He could feel the terror crawling up his spine and he swore he wouldn’t scream.
“I mustn’t run away. I mustn’t run away.” He kept telling himself, but it saw him. It moved closer. With a frightened squeak he jumped strait up and clung to the ceiling. Maybe if he stayed here long enough it would go away.
Harry had no idea how long he clung there quivering in fear when he heard the voice of the potions master.
“That boy is a menace. He must be expelled for the good of the school.”
“Now Severus, the boy is not that bad. Are you sure you’re not being a little prejudiced because of his father.”
“He’s worse than his father ever was, he’s got no respect for the school rules and regulations. Have you ever seen what he does in the mornings? And when that other boy was here, they nearly killed each other. Did you even see what he’d done to that troll? He cracked its skull and five other bones. What if he turns on his fellow students? They must be protected. What if he ever does accept one of the continual challenges that the Malfoy boy keeps issuing. I do not want to be put into the position of explaining to Lucius exactly why his son was beaten to a bloody pulp.”
That caught Harry’s attention. Were they talking about him?
“He’s a good boy,” The headmaster’s voice was soothing, but the effect was ruined by a snort from Snape.
“He’s a menace to this school and from what other professors are saying, he’s a squib, he needs to be out on his ear.”
“You don’t know how much I agree with you.” Harry quietly whispered to himself. Their voices were becoming softer but he did manage to hear Dumbledore’s last statement.
“The boy must remain here, even if he ends up being a squib. We cannot expel him.”
Harry dropped to the ground in shock. WHAT???? Cannot be expelled? He didn’t think he could survive being cooped up in this castle for all that time. Suddenly the walls of the dungeon seemed to be shrinking in on him. He had to get out.
The student’s of Hogwarts did not see Harry for the rest of the day.
Ch20
Harry quickly looked around and made sure that there was no one there to notice him making his way toward the third corridor. He’d been coming here more often to spar with Rlocky since he heard the headmaster say that he wouldn’t be expelled.
As he neared the door he realized that it was ajar and he could hear shouting and growling. Harry pulled himself into the shadows a moment before Professor Snape tumbled out the door. As Harry looked over the Professor’s wounds, Snape lost some respect in Harry’s eyes. It was obvious the man was really slow. He had a slash along his side, his arm looked like one of the heads had gotten a good bite in and his leg was obviously damaged. The man limped away slowly.
Harry waited for the professor to disappear around the corner before rushing through the door. Rlocky was a right mess. Professor Snape had obviously used a couple of cutting charms and the results looked painful. One of the eyes in the center head was swollen shut. Harry was appalled and dodged right away as a swipe came. No one should hurt an animal, people at least can heal themselves. A few minutes later, Rlocky seemed to either be too tired or in too much pain to continue.
Harry quickly started to pet the undamaged parts of Rlocky’s hide. After a couple moments the dog fell asleep and Harry ran to go get some healing supplies. It took several hours and it was after curfew when he was done, but Harry was sure Rlocky would make a full recovery.
Soon enough the whole school seemed to be distracted by Quidditch and Harry decided to go to the first game to see what all the fuss was about. Half an hour of watching Slytherin pounding on Gryffindor was all he needed to know that it was absolutely dull. Sure the bludgers were good, but overall there wasn’t anything Harry found interesting. Harry used the rest of the Quidditch games as a distraction for the rest of the populous so he could practice without all those eyes on him.
The days grew shorter and snow started to cover the ground. Christmas was coming and all of the classes were excited. Harry was getting better with his English, but still couldn’t hold a conversation. He did get to the point where he could read and write very simple phrases. He was getting more stir crazy after being in the same spot for nearly four months and with the poor weather conditions he couldn’t send any letters to Ryouga or Ranma. He flat out refused to endanger Kazema just to keep in touch.
Everyone was absolutely excited about the holiday and going home to see their family. When the list for those whom were staying in the castle for the season came around, Harry noticed his name was on the list. His mood fell and he went to go ask Professor Dumbledore why he had to stay when most of the other students were going home.
“Harry” Dumbledore greeted him with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.
“Sir, Why do I have to stay over the recess?” He really wanted to see Ranma and Ryouga. He’d even be happy to see Genma at this point. What he wanted most was to get out of this castle.
“As we had trouble with getting you back to your family the last time, we’ve decided that you’ll stay here. We’re doing research into how to get you back, but so far we cannot find anything yet.”
“Just drop me off in China, I’ll find them.” Professor Dumbledore looked startled by the idea.
“We simply cannot do that, you’d have no protection and you wouldn’t have your guardian with you. I cannot allow it.”
Harry’s visible eye darkened, No protection. . . the nerve of that man.
“I’ll have you know that I can protect myself, I don’t need Genma’s” he barely prevented himself from spitting his uncle’s name. He might have to do what the man directly commands if he wanted to keep his name, but he didn’t have to like the man. “Protection.”
“Weather you can or not is not your decision to make, we can’t leave an eleven year old boy in China. Especially when we don’t know where his guardian is.” Albus’s eyes were twinkling evilly, or so Harry felt. “We could send you to your aunt.”
Harry growled slightly.
“She’s dead.”
Professor Dumbledore’s face fell.
“Dead?”
“Yes dead, now can we change the subject to WHY I can’t visit my family when everyone else can visit theirs?”
“I told you, we simply don’t know how to track them yet. How did it happen, you’re aunt I mean.”
Harry shrugged, his anger calming down somewhat. It isn’t healthy to stay angry for too long.
“I dunno, she died when I was really little. Genma never talks about her. Are you sure I can’t go to China, I’m sure I could find them.”
“The answer is still no and it’s not about to change. Your uncle sent you to us and we must keep you safe.”
Harry glared a little, Genma wasn’t ever concerned with his well being unless it meant that food or money would be scarce. He was starting to feel resigned to staying the holiday, but he would leave for the summer, weather he had the headmaster’s permission or not.
“Thank you.” He said cooly and left.
Soon exams came and then the Hogwarts Express left with one of Harry’s prime pieces of entertainment. Christmas would be dull without Malfoy attacking him all the time. Although with the exit of his entertainment also came the exit of Hermione and Neville, so Harry was happy he wouldn’t have to do his English lessons. Ron Weasley was staying, but Harry didn’t know him very well.
Harry spent his holidays snooping around the castle and forest, and playing with Rlocky.
“‘arry? what you doin’ out here in the forest.”
Harry turned and tugged on his rat tail while trying to look innocent. He knew he wasn’t supposed to be in the forest. Then again, they wouldn’t expel him, so he could investigate all he wanted.
“Ehhtouuu, I was just. . . ehh. . hehe. . . “ he paused at Hagrid’s slightly suspicious look. “Looking for some herbs.” He brightened when he thought of something. “I needed some more after I had to use my supply of salve on Rlocky.”
“Who?” Hagrid’s voice was slightly confused but he didn’t seem quite as suspicious anymore.
“Rlocky.”
“Rocky?”
“No, Rlocky.”
“Lucky?”
“No, no, Rlocky, he’s a good friend and . . .” Harry wasn’t sure if he should tell Hagrid about Professor Snape hurting his friend. “He was injured a while ago. I had to use most of my stores to heal all the cuts.” He stopped talking when Hagrid’s face jumped to realization.
“You’re the one who healed fluffy.”
“FRU-FFY??” Harry looked at Hagrid incredulously. Hagrid nodded.
“Yep, ‘e’s a beute, bought him off of a Greek chappie I met in a pub last year.”
“How could you do that to him?” Harry’s voice nearly squeaked. “He needs a strong name like Rlocky, not Fruffy!”
“‘ow do you know fluffy anyway? No one’s supposed to go to that corridor.”
“I ran into him at the beginning of the year, we’ve been roughhousing ever since.” Harry replied with a shrug.
“Yeh shouldn’ be out here, ‘ts dangerous.” Harry started to glare.
“I can take care of myself.”
“Maybe around the muggles, but this ‘ere forest is different. There’s many nasties in this forest, not even full wizards would want to meet.”
Harry’s interest was peaked.
“What sort of nasties?”
Thus a quasi friendship was born between the two.
Christmas came soon enough and Harry was wondering what the fuss was about. Sure he heard it was a western holiday, but never heard what the specifics were.
On Christmas morning he woke to find four packages at the foot of his bed. He looked over at Ron’s sleeping form and noticed the boy also had some packages at the foot of his bed.
It seemed that today was the only day that Harry’s early morning rising caused enough noise to wake up Ron.
“Merry Christmas,” Ron’s sleepy voice interrupted Harry’s musings. Harry looked at him for a moment.
“Meri Kurisumasu too. What are those for?” He asked pointing to the packages. In reply Ron’s eyes went wide.
“You’ve never gotten Christmas presents before?”
“No, never celebrated Kurisumasu before.” If possible, Ron looked even more stunned.
“But. . . but. . “ he trailed off in speechlessness.
“So, they’re for me?”
Ron just nodded.
“And I’m supposed to open them?”
Ron nodded again,
“I can handle that.” Harry said before moving to the small pile.
He first went for the smallest box which was wrapped in glittery paper with a little card attached to the bow. It said To: Harry From: Hermione. Harry was curious but opened the paper carefully. The concept that anyone would just give things to him because of the date was odd, but it felt nice.
In side of the package were a couple of chocolate frogs. Harry grinned and thought that it would be great to send one to Ryouga and one to Ranma, he just wished he could be there to see their faces when the candy frogs jump away from them.
The next package was in sky blue paper and was long and thin. He found a small note from Neville in it saying that the boy hoped he would have a Merry Christmas. In the box were a couple of sugar quills. Harry grinned slightly before taking a bite off of the end of one.
He opened the plain brown package next. On the package in messy scrawl was “To Harry from Hagrid” Harry opened it with a smile. It was good to know that even though the large man kept on scolding him for going into the forbidden forest, an act which he wasn’t about to stop, he liked harry enough to send him a present. Within the package was a hand whittled flute. Harry was sure that the large man had made it himself and was saddened when he thought that all the effort the man went through would be wasted. Harry didn’t know how to play.
Harry gently set the flute aside promising himself that he would try to play it anyway. The last package was unmarked and when he opened it something fluid and silvery grey slithered to the floor.
“ I’ve heard of those” Ron gasped, he’d obviously been watching Harry open his presents. Harry looked over.
“If that’s what I think it is, They’re really rare and valuable.”
“What is it?” Harry asked as he picked the fluid-like cloth from the ground.
“It’s an invisibility cloak,” the redhead said with a look of awe on his face, “I’m sure it is. Try it on.”
Harry looked him speculatively but humored him none-the-less. Ron gasped again.
“It is. Look down.” Harry looked down and sure enough, his legs were missing, but his aura was still there, it was rather intimidating. He shuddered slightly and took the material off. He noticed a note lying on the floor where the cloak had first fallen. Harry put the cloak away in his trunk and grabbed the note.
“I’d give anything for one of those” he heard Ron mutter. “Anything.”
Harry looked at the note and cast a translation charm. One of the few spells he could successfully cast.
Your father left this in my
possession before he died.
It is time it was returned to
you. Use it well.
A very merry Christmas to you
There was no signature or hanko mark. Harry was sure it came from one of the staff because they still considered him a Potter, and maybe he might be, but he spent too much time earning the right to the name Saotome. He wasn’t about to honor ancestors that never helped him out.
Fred and George Weasley bound into their dorm room. They were both wearing blue sweaters, one with a large yellow F on it, the other one had a G.
“Why aren’t you wearing your sweater Ron?” The boys bypassed Harry with their gazes. “Come on, get it on, they’re lovely and warm.” George demanded of Ron.
Harry slipped out the door just after hearing Ron moan about hating maroon. He quickly made his way to Hagrid’s hut to thank the man for the flute then spent the rest of the day practicing and sparing with fluffy.
Dinner soon came and Harry had never seen such an extravagant display. He quickly ate and left the room. The small mice that were running around everywhere were sure to draw the attention of one of those demons and he’d rather be elsewhere before that happened.
Harry worked at learning to play the flute that Hagrid gave him until he went to sleep later that evening. All in all, Christmas was an interesting day he decided.
Next Chapter
It was Boxing Day, but Harry didn’t know or care about a holiday celebrated in the west. The fact that the wizards didn't celebrate it either didn't help much. All he knew was that he was itching to find a place. He wasn’t sure where it was, or why he waited so long to look. He just knew that he had to find a private place for himself to practice. The feeling that someone was watching him kept haunting his practice sessions and he needed to be rid of it. He quickly got dressed and snuck a peak around the room before silently slipping out the door.
The forest seemed to invite him into its dark depths. Normally it felt as if the forest was trying to push him away, but maybe it had decided he belonged. He was stubbornly refusing to stay away even though both it and the humans around told him to avoid it.
Harry silently slipped through the trees. His passing was nearly soundless as he sought the sanctuary he knew was here. The canopy was getting denser and soon there was very little light. Harry started at the feel of something brushing by his leg, but was too slow to bound away before it ensnared his limb. It was a crushing embrace and he struggled. Whatever it the thing was started cinching on his lower body before he gave into the primal urge to scream. It wasn’t impressed.
Harry felt himself getting weaker as it cinched his arms to his sides. He was struggling weakly when a dim light appeared in his vision. Harry noticed that the thing that had him shied away from it and let up its grip a little. The light came closer and Harry was unsure if this rescue would not just put him into another problematic situation. Reasoning that if the carrier of this light was worse, it would be better not to be here, he struggled harder. It still wasn’t impressed.
Soon the light arrived to reveal Hagrid.
“‘arry? Wut’re you doin out here?” The friendly giant hadn’t noticed the predicament Harry was currently in.
“Being crushed to death apparently.” Harry tried to sound sardonic, but ended up managing to sound like he was a creaky rocking chair. Hagrid brought the lamp closer and the grip loosened fractionally.
“Yeh’ve found yerself a Devil Snare, Jus a moment.” He said.
Harry rolled his eyes while Hagrid pulled out his umbrella.
“Co’ver yeh eyes.” Harry didn’t and was blinded by the bright flash that came from the tip of the umbrella. The vine retreated and Harry could move again. He fell to his hands and knees and relished in the unobstructed breathing.
“. . . 'ow long 'ave aye been tellin yeh. Yeh canno go in'a the forest.” Harry sat on his heels and smiled cheekily.
“Oh, just as long as you've known me.” Hagrid scowled, “And you'll be telling me till the day I leave here.”
“Now see 'ere. Yeh don' know enough to be safe 'ere. Yeh canno come back.”
“I'm learning.” Harry replied with another grin, “And I've got you to help me.”
Hagrid scowled again, but Harry could see humor in his eyes.
“Yeh know I canno do tha. Yeh to stay away from da forest.”
Harry finished getting his breath back.
“You know I won’t. Thanks for the save.” He bowed and darted off before Hagrid could do anything.
Harry’s near death experience wasn’t enough to dissuade him from entering the forest and his next few trips were less eventful. He found a nice little clearing that gave him enough space to move around. It was near a half mile into the forest, without a clear path, but Harry liked it and soon went about to claiming it for his own.
It was during one of his trips back from the clearing that he found it. Harry stumbled across an injured unicorn. The poor creature was bleeding from a long gash in its neck. Harry immediately knelt and tried to stop the bleeding. His mind was working frantically trying to recall all he knew about first aid and how to apply it to animals. As he thought his hands were automatically taking the steps he knew would help the animal.
Slowly, the blood stopped flowing. The unicorn was fidgeting weakly but gave no resistance to Harry’s first aid. Harry looked around for any herbs he knew were good to make into a poultice and others he could use as a bandage. Unfortunately there weren’t any in visual distance and Harry didn’t want to leave the unicorn to look. Harry racked his brain again for anything that might help and remembered that he’d seen some of the priests heal by laying on hands. The only problem with that was, he wasn’t a priest. Maybe he could use magic. It would be worth a shot, he’d figured out that a lot of the way the spells they’d been casting worked was a combination of desire, concentration and the right patterning of magic.
The first two were easy. It was the right pattern that had Harry stumped. He had this dilemma and only two of the three resources. He’d hope that the desire and concentration would help the pattern fall into place.
After making some soothing sounds to the unicorn, Harry closed his eyes and found his center. He tried to pull some of his lively energy out slowly and gently brought it to the unicorn’s wound. The wound sopped it up like a dry sponge and soon Harry got woozy. He tried to stop the flow of energy but it wouldn’t. It didn’t take very much time before the world left him.
, . , . , . , (some time passes) , . , . , . ,
Harry woke up to the gentle nudging of his cheek. He groaned and tried to push the offender away but got a soft wicker and another nudge in return.
It took a few more moments and nudges until Harry groaned and sat up. He started spitting once he noticed an bitter metallic flavor in his mouth.
Opening his eyes was a mistake. The world seemed to have turned into a vast collection of colors with distinct shapes in the middle. The trees had a light hazy green obstructing them. Harry felt queasy as he looked towards a bright silver glow. He could see a unicorn within it. The unicorn nudged him gently and whickered again. The movement made his head spin.
Harry ignored the beast and focused on taming his queasy stomach. It settled down after a moment and he stood. Just to fall over again, his limbs felt weak and detached. The unicorn nudged him again.
'What?' He asked irritated, he wasn't sure what was going on and it kept interrupting his attempts to sort himself out.
It whinnied and moved away, then looked back. Harry grunted and tried to get up again. While he still felt weak and detached, he managed to keep his limbs under him. That is until he tried to take a step. The unicorn came closer and stood by him while he dragged himself up again. It nudged him with its shoulder and he put his hand on it for balance.
The unicorn gently moved forward and Harry barely managed to keep his feet while using the creature's help. As time passed and they got closer to the edge of the forest, Harry's footing became surer and he stopped leaning on the mare. He still felt horribly clumsy when they reached the edge, but he could walk on his own. The mare stopped walking and watched as Harry looked back at the castle. Harry didn't want to go back there now, the colors the walls were spraying everywhere were making his eyes hurt and his stomach remind him that it wasn't up to snuff.
The unicorn gestured toward the castle and whinnied once more before turning around and trotting off into the forest. Harry stood staring after the mare for a while before he turned and headed for the castle. His gait was wobbly and slow and he hated it. He couldn't figure out why he was so weak and his center of balance was off, but he vowed that he would fix it as soon as possible.
Harry spent the next couple days in rigorous training. He had to master his body before the rest of the students came back, specifically Draco. The colors wouldn't leave his vision and he was getting headaches from them. Harry hoped the headaches would leave in time but until then he stubbornly bore them. It was when he was walking back from dinner that he stumbled across it. Harry was at first entranced for within the mirror's glass there were no bright and interfering colors.
He could see the image clearly. The image did not show himself standing in front of the mirror, but it showed an image of him sparring with Ryouga while Ranma sat off to the side. Harry moved closer to the mirror so he could touch the surface. He felt a great surge of longing fill his heart. He slowly tore his eyes away from the sparing pair and looked at the image of Ranma.
It was the creature sitting in Ranma's lap that made him jump away from the mirror. It couldn't be. Harry shook his head to clear out the fear. Ranma would never hold one of those demons. He was just as afraid of them as Harry.
Harry looked back to the surface in time to see the image Ranma hand the demon to his image self. Harry couldn't believe it. It was wrong. It was evil, whatever this mirror was he had to get away from it. It took scares moments for Harry to back peddle and retreat from the room.
Harry avoided that room for the rest of the break.
Twenty Two (maybe)
The Hogwarts staff piled into the professor's lounge.
“Alright,” Albus said to quiet the chatter down. “We're here to do the bi-annual problem child review.” The rest of the professors quieted.
“Any comments about the first years?”
Professor McGonagall was the first to speak.
“Albus, I've been talking with some of the teachers,” she glanced at Professor Flitwick before continuing. “It seems that young Potter is having an enormous amount of difficulty with even the simplest spell.” All of the first year professors excepting Professors Snape and Sprout nodded and made noises of agreement.
“And what do you two think?” Albus directed his question to Professors Snape and Sprout.
“He's not gifted, but he's also not having any undue problems with Herbology.” Professor Sprout spoke when it was obvious Professor Snape was happy with glowering for the moment and wasn't speaking up.
“Aside from his total lack of respect, superior attitude and disregard for the rules he has an” the professor sneered the next two words “adequate talent for potions.”
“Is there any way we could get him help?”
“Albus.” McGonagall's voice was tense. “His problems are unlike anything I've seen in a student before. He has magic, otherwise all of his projects wouldn't be blowing up all the time.” There was a round of affirmative noises while Snape's lips twitched ever so slightly. “But to figure out how to teach him without blowing up the school, I'm stumped.”
“We can't help him until we figure out what's wrong with him.” Professor Flitwick's voice continued. “And until that happens, we can't let him practice.”
“Has anyone ever wondered if it's because of his language?” Madame Hooch piped in. All eyes turned to her. “The first day of flying, he had no trouble getting his broom to move, but he didn't use English.” She stopped as if just saying something really stupid.
“Do go on Madame,” Albus said “I think you might have something here.”
“Well, Look at what he's having trouble with. All the magic that requires incantations, but he isn't having trouble with flying, herbology or potions. None of those require him to speak.”
There was a long pause.
“Albus, If she's right, then he shouldn't be here. We can't teach him when he can't pronounce the words.” Professor McGonagall spoke.
“I agree.” Professor Flitwick entered, “He should be going to a school in the east. Where they speak the language and can teach him properly.”
Anything else they were going to say was interrupted by the sound of crashing coming from the corridor. It was getting louder.
“YOOOOOOSH”
They piled out of the room wondering just what that shout was where it came from. They made it into the hallway just in time to be buzzed by a flying figure that was merrily dodging statues and suits of armor. It was laughing triumphantly.
“PEEVES” Professor McGonagall shouted and jumped when the poltergeist's voice came from right next to her.
“What?”
“That's not. . .” her voice drifted into silence as the figure made it to the stairwell.
“YATTA” another shout and yells from the stairwell took her attention back to the problem at hand. Namely whatever it was that just zipped through the corridor. All of the professors spared a quick glance between themselves before running at full speed after whatever it was.
When they reached the stairwell the blur paused for a moment revealing Harry Potter. He had paused for a moment in the middle of the air to get his bearings before zipping around some more.
“HARRY POTTER GET OFF THAT BROOM THIS INSTANT.” professor McGonagall shouted. He ignored her.
Madame Hooch gasped. “He's not on a broom.” Her voice was quiet but all of the professors caught what she said.
A moment of stunned silence followed and was quickly broken by a squeal of a Ravenclaw first year as Harry jetted by her and out a window.
“Well it's obvious he's not a squib.” Professor Snape deadpanned.
, . , . , . ,
Boy-Who-Lived is Boy-Who-Can-Fly?
Recent reports state that the Boy-Who-Lived was sighted flying without the aid of a broom. While this skill is not uncommon in Leprechauns it is unheard of for a Wizard to do so without the assistance of a broom or other charmed object. Harry Potter is the son of James Potter. A wizard of clean bloodline and his mother, Lily Potter was a muggleborn. According to genealogist Haziam Feneral, it is impossible for him to have blood history to be able to fly. Has the Boy-Who-Lived managed to preform another impossible feat? Or is the reported sighting by multiple Hogwarts students a sham.
When asked, the Boy-Who-Lived responded that he did in-fact fly. When asked how he did it he replied with “Go ride a broom and figure it out yourself.” This is ambiguous answer led to the questioning of the Hogwarts staff and students. Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy a member on the school board, stated that Potter probably snuck in an illegal broom and had someone glamour it. Cho Chang, a 2nd year Ravenclaw stated that she saw the boy as he buzzed her when leaving out a window and it didn’t look like he was ridding a broom. The staff had no comment to make but we have it from a reliable source that the Boy-Who-Lived is not doing well in his classes and cannot preform even the simplest charm. More page C6.
The long manicured fingers of Lucius Malfoy slammed the paper down and glared at the headline. A slight growl escaped his lips as the paper started to smoulder a little.