ATtD Ch 52
Awakening To the Dream
CH52
Over a week had passed before Harry was let out of the cupboard again. Food had been shoved through the slates, more than Vernon had wanted to give him, but not enough to keep him actually ‘fed.’ Harry was feverish through the most of it, something he was later grateful for once he finally did regain enough consciousness to realize he was covered in his own filth with no way to clean it up until he either got hold of his wand that he had left in his bedroom upstairs, or a sponge and bucket. He felt horribly weak, and he was pretty sure there was something wrong with his head beyond his cracked nose and the gash on his forehead. Horrible things kept flashing before his eyes… things of torture and pain…
“What have you done, boy?”
Harry blinked up, his eyes still refusing to focus in the sudden light from the door. Ignoring Aunt Petunia’s question, he struggled painfully to his feet. His wounds were painful, and his new healing technique wasn’t very useful when he couldn’t concentrate properly from all the pain, and weird feverous delusions. That would have to be the next one he learned… overcoming pain…
Aunt Petunia quickly stepped back when Harry stumbled forward. The boy was a mess, reeking of blood and human waste, not to mention a fair share of puke from his last real meal. She would not be deterred though, and she followed as he hobbled towards the stairs. “Tell me. Why is he so angry with you? You must have done-”
Harry stopped, and turned on the woman. “Just what… exactly… would have warranted this?”
He watched Petunia pale for a moment before continuing towards the stairs and the bathroom. From the light outside, it was around mid afternoon, meaning he had a few hours before Vernon got back from work and decided Harry should be back under the stairs. He’d use the time to clean up, collect his things, and get the fuck out of there.
“…Please boy, just behave yourself around him. He’s a good man; he’s always been good. I don’t know what’s happened, but he must have had his reasons…”
“Don’t touch me!” Harry hissed, pulling away from the frantic hand trying to get his attention. “What the fuck is wrong with you?! First you blame it on me, and then you want me to help make excuses for him- that fucking excuse for a muggle that can’t even take care of his family properly? Has he hit you yet? What about Dudley? Is that what it’s going to take for you to see what’s going on? Look at you!” He pointed to the large mirror by the living room where Petunia’s emaciated form was clearly seen. “In one school year you’ve turned from a busybody gossip that has to be beating the Joneses to be happy, into a dower, skeletal… what? Unhappy-what happened this year? You could have told me, you could have warned me! He beat my skull in!”
“Don’t say-”
“It’s only the bloody truth! What the hell did you think caused this?!” Harry met Petunia’s eyes; his Aunt looked so desperate for some sort of excuse, any reason to explain Vernon’s actions beyond that the man was out of his mind. Harry wanted nothing to do with it.
“Well, you have nothing to worry about. I’m leaving, and Vernon will have no reason to be angry once I’m gone. I’ll just clean up, pack my stuff, and be out of here before he gets back.” He turned and began the painful journey up the stairs, not caring what, if anything, Petunia had to say about the matter.
“Please… please don’t kill him.”
The quiet words struck him like a whip, and Harry turned, nearly falling on the stairs. “What did you just say?”
“Don’t kill him.” Petunia looked up at him, her hands clenched to her sides and trembling with something Harry didn’t want to even consider. “This isn’t him. I don’t know what’s happened, but the man that hurt you wasn’t my Vernon. My Vernon is a good, caring man.”
Harry just stared at her, dumbstruck for a good minute. “…Why would you-why-what sort of monster do you take me for? That I could kill so easily? He’s a bastard, but I wouldn’t kill him.” He searched his aunt’s face, hoping to find some sort of recognition there, but there was only hardness. She actually expected him to kill Vernon. Just like that.
“…Listen, I don’t know what sort of wizards you’ve met, or what rumors you’ve heard, but killing is just as bad a crime with them as it is with muggles, even if the actual act is as simple as a flick of the wand. Hell… hell! Quit staring at me like I’m the sort to step on kittens! All these years under the same roof and you don’t know a damn thing about me… No wonder I hated you all.” Turning once again, Harry made his way up the stairs, his mind swimming with unhappy thoughts.
*******
He got a surprising amount of resistance at the front door, Aunt Petunia standing tense and unmoving, her eyes flicking to the clock on the wall, and inadvertently to the dark cupboard that she had spent a good forty-five minutes scrubbing clean.
“What?” Harry let the handle of his trunk slip from his hand and thud against the floor, not strong enough to carry it for long. He stared down the taller woman, waiting for her to get to the point, and then get out of his way.
Eyes fixed somewhere over Harry’s head, Petunia finally spoke. “…I made a promise to always have a place for you here.”
Harry sighed and rolled his eyes skyward. “Listen, I don’t care what Dumbledore has on you. I’m leaving.”
“Not the man… my sister. Your mother.” Petunia met his surprised gaze. They didn’t talk about Lily; they didn’t really talk much at all over the years. She had hoped it would make things easier, but somehow the resentment she felt towards the boy had only seemed to grow, and she’d had a hard time seeing past it. Until a week ago.
“…What are you trying to say?” Harry crossed his arms defiantly, but didn’t make a move to leave just yet. If his mother had some pearls of wisdom from beyond the grave, than far be it for him to dismiss it because of the messenger.
Petunia sniffed lightly, but her knuckles began to gain a little more color. “Exactly how it sounds; I promised my sister you would have a place in my house.”
“House or home?”
“…What?”
“Did you promise a place in your house, or in your home?” The question seemed to fluster Petunia, but Harry wasn’t leaving until he had an answer. “Well? Which was it?”
“I, um, I really don’t remember…”
Harry snorted and picked up the handle of his trunk again. “Fine. You’ve wasted enough of my time already.”
“I can’t let you go.” Petunia said stiffly, taking a step back closer to the door. “I can’t let the others get you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Harry growled, having lost his patience long before he had woken up that morning. “The Order will take care of me just fine.” Harry paused after the words were out, wondering just how true they could be.
Petunia didn’t budge. “It is my duty to see that you are protected until your sixteenth birthday. It was my final promise to my sister, and loathe as I am to do it, I understand my duty.”
“Son of a-Well You’re Having A Hell Of A Time At It!” Harry shouted, throwing his hands up. “You can’t just decide to start playing at being my aunt all of a sudden, after fifteen years of silence! I don’t need your help, and I sure as hell don’t want it. Now get out of my way!”
Petunia flinched back from the raw anger directed her way, but she didn’t leave the doorway. She met Harry’s gaze, and stayed where she was, her voice strained but level. “Listen to me carefully. Your sixteenth birthday is almost here. Until that day, I cannot let you leave here. Outside of here you are not safe. They will come for you.”
“Is that supposed to scare me? Do you think that’s going to stop me? They’re always coming for me! Voldemort and his Death Eaters have practically been my shadow since my eleventh birthday!”
“This is not the same!” Frustrated, Petunia stepped forward and grabbed Harry’s arm. “Listen to me! You will not be able to protect yourself! You think that little wand is going to save you against creatures with powers far closer to those of a god than what those little wizards can imagine? You are a pebble right now, a weak, powerless boy that can’t even protect himself from an even weaker muggle. How do you think you’ll stand against what is lurking out there in the light at this very moment? You will die, or worse, be captured! Are you so irresponsible to welcome that?!”
Hurt crossed Harry’s features, and he wretched his arm away from Petunia’s grasp. “…Y-You…” Gods, how could she throw that in his face like that? He hadn’t had his wand, that was all. Otherwise Vernon never would have gotten him. He would have… he would have… “How could you?”
“Damn it…” Petunia could only watch in frustration as Harry ran for the kitchen door. The boy was going to get himself killed running out in daylight like that… Damn it! Without another thought, she pushed away from the door she was blocking, and opened it, hoping to catch Harry before he left the property.
Harry was loping as fast as his strained muscles would take him, tears stinging his eyes as he hit pavement and headed towards Ms. Figg’s house. That stupid-gods, fucking hell! What did she care if he was killed?! Why did she have to say that!
Eyes scanning the yard and street beyond, Petunia caught sight of Dudley and his friends surrounding a mailbox down the street, likely planning to blow it up in a show of delinquency Vernon had been quick to encourage in their son. Traffic was non-existent; most of the neighbors were out to work. Where was he…? There! Harry ran from around a bush, heading straight for the group across the street.
“Oi-it’s that crazy cousin of yours!” “Quick, hide it.” Piers hissed, Jacobs shoving the loot into his bag before the boy running up to them could see. “What the fuck is he doing?”
Dudley was surprisingly quiet, watching Harry run, the small boy’s strides reflecting just how much pain he was in.
“Hey freak, just escape from the loony bin or something?” Piers asked with a cruel laugh, hoping to give Jacobs enough time to zip up his bag so Harry wouldn’t squeal on them. This was only the third mailbox after all, and they were trying to set a new record. Kemp laughed extra loud, horrible when under pressure, and Jacobs stepped on his foot to keep him from giving it all away.
Harry ignored them, didn’t even see them, his only goal Ms. Figg’s, and his final freedom from the Dursley’s. He hated it there, absolutely hated it. It was wrong of Dumbledore to keep sending him back there every year, when he knew he hated it so much. He’d prefer living under a bridge, to the Dursleys! Hell, he could live in the Shrieking Shack; that was probably safer than Vernon’s insane beatings. He didn’t need Aunt Petunia’s blood magic to be safe from Voldemort and the-
“Ahhhhh!” “What the hell-!” “Oh gods, g-get it away!”
Harry turned, eyes wide in horror as he finally noticed Dudley’s little gang. Some sort of creature was looming over them, its tongue wrapped tight around Piers’ foot as the boy screamed and struggled to be free. Hell, it had to be the size of a single story house! But Harry could only stare, hypnotized by the way the creature’s eyes rolled, spinning in opposite direction like Mad-Eye’s, except more frighteningly so because they were white with two pupils to each eye, and with thick red veins popping out in disgusting relief as they whirled and turned.
“No-Oh god, help me!” Piers screamed again, his whole body lifting from the ground as the huge, white, lizard-like creature, with dangerous spines jutting from its body, began to retract its tongue, pulling the boy towards its mouth. And suddenly Aunt Petunia was there, grabbing onto Piers’ dangling arms and pulling the hysterical boy, while the others stared in horror.
“Fire! Use a fire spell, boy!” Petunia shouted as she was dragged forward, her narrow bony arms no match for the huge creature’s tongue. “…Harry! Snap out of it!” Taking his cue from his mother, Dudley turned, and grabbed Harry, coincidentally blocking Harry’s view of the creature’s eyes and the hypnotic effect they had on him.
Shaking his head, Harry unsteadily pulled his wand out. Shit, he didn’t know many fire spells… nothing strong enough to take out a creature of this size. He knew Incendio, but that was more for sparking out little flames in a floo. What would work on-hello! Harry grabbed the familiar black backpack from Jacobs’ limp hands, shoving the other boys aside. Okay, first… “Diffindo!”
Aunt Petunia fell to the ground, Piers in her arms with part of the creature’s tongue squirming around his leg. The tongue fully severed, Harry ran in front of the group and cried out, “Defendo!” Just in time, as a monstrous leg came crashing down, bouncing off the magical shield he had just summoned. “Nobody move!” He ordered before anyone could get the stupid idea to leave the protective area, and then he stepped outside of the shield himself, leading the creature away from the muggles.
Now he just needed a clear opening… Harry spotted a large fallen branch, likely broken from the creature itself, and spelled it to float. Another foot came stomping down that Harry was barely able to dodge, his shirt torn from the deadly talons. The beast’s range of attack was severely handicapped without its long tongue; thankfully it didn’t have a tail to match, like normal lizards. Harry sent two small fire spells on the descending feet, the creature screaming in response. That was all Harry needed to send the tree branch flying into the gapping mouth and hold it open. With little time to relax, Harry ripped the backpack open and assessed what he had to work with.
About thirty cherry bombs, maybe more… this could actually work… Just like the tree branch, only timing was more important now… Or even better… “Incendio!”
The creature reared back, falling into the Coarsens’ tree and knocking it over, as the branch in its mouth exploded into flames. Harry hesitated for a moment, waiting to see if the beast would get back to its feet. It was struggling for its footing, but Harry was faster and he lobbed the bag into the crackling mouth. Hopefully it would be enough of an explosion. Hopefully the fire was hot enough and the salvia didn’t dampen the bag. Hopefully-
“Why in the world are you standing there?!” Petunia grabbed Harry from behind and pulled him back, both of them hitting the ground hard as the explosion of heat and fire roared over above them. Harry called out a hasty shield to keep the magically enhanced flames from burning them, but it was Petunia that had bought him enough time to cast it.
Which raised an interesting question… Just how did his muggle aunt know which type of magic a creature Harry had never seen before was susceptible too?
*******
How did the muggle woman know that?
Ealdian Dracis, descendant of the Blacks, and Candidate representing Ezella, pondered this while getting ready for his day. He’d quickly gotten over the novelty of his strange visions while he slept, and had instead tried to focus on the point of it all. Obviously there were things to be learned from these visions the Heir was sending him. Possibly, whatever it was would be the defining point in helping him win the Candidate Trial.
Oh, he knew the other Candidates were being shown the same things; he had been able to sense their presence while he slept, although he was pretty sure they couldn’t sense his at this point. The other two had not shown much talent in traversing the human mind in astral form, something he had learned when he was just a child. At seventeen, it was nothing for him to pull himself away from the dreams and have a little walk into Harry’s sleeping mind. It concerned him that the Heir had little defense set up to keep him from doing just that, though. The Heir should have better protection. But Ealdian had found many an impassable area while exploring the Heir’s mind, so perhaps he was underestimating him?
Harry had destroyed one of La Lune’s weaker scouts in a manner of minutes, without any casualties, before his power had even awoken, and while in a very poor physical state. It was a task Ealdian knew he wouldn’t have been able to pull off before his exritus. No, this Harry fellow had talent, had strength.
“Master Ealdian, sir, your parents have requested your presence before you leave, sir.”
“Thank you, Fleece.” Ealdian pulled his shirt on, buttoning it up while waiting patiently for his house elf to obviously get on with whatever it was she was hesitating to say. It was probably Janice again. Fleece had a soft spot for the girl and wasn’t happy with the standing orders he had left with her. He glanced over where Fleece was wringing her ears. “Was there something else?”
“Miss M-M-Maze is uh… Fleece is telling her to go away, Master! B-But she is not listening! If Master would only see her, than maybe Miss Maze w-w-would stop her crying…”
Ealdian sighed, letting his tie drop back onto his bureau. “…It’s all right, Fleece. I’ll speak with her. Why don’t you go get her settled, while I see to my parents?”
“Of course, Master Ealdian, of course. Fleece is doing that right away!” Fleece popped out, looking much happier than when she popped in, leaving Ealdian to mope in peace.
Well, it was best to deal with it now instead of waiting till Christmas break. He had to return to Beauxbatons if he wanted to catch up with the rest of the seventh years. He had already missed a week of study because of his collapse, and as stressful as it was, dealing with Janice now would take a bit of the pressure off in the long run.
He looped his tie on, hand unconsciously brushing the bureau where a small gold ring he hadn’t had the heart to throw away still rested. Mother was likely devastated. He’d have to put on a strong front for her. Father… well, Father had probably left for work already. They’d had a short talk last night, enough for him to get the gist that his father was proud of him, even if he wasn’t particularly happy about the events he was caught up in. But that was Father for you.
Huffing softly, Ealdian took a final sweep of his room to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind, and then left, closing the double doors behind him.
He was in trouble. That Darel girl had been giving off powerful energy, even with her power sealed. Musa… well, he had the distinct feeling Musa was able to mask his power, something that could either work in his favor or against it. Musa could be a weakling afraid to show his power, or he could be a champion, hoping to gain an advantage by not showing his cards just yet. Whatever it was, Ealdian had gotten the clear impression that Musa had the cunning to know how to work it either way.
As for him… well, he was in trouble. He wasn’t the sort for killing, which was what was needed if he wanted to survive the Trial and be a successful Soul Vigil. It was likely why the great Fae Ezella had chosen two Candidates from her bloodline. He hadn’t had a chance to get an impression of Draco Malfoy, but he could have sworn that the boy had shown up when he was blacking out. And if Malfoy could have been standing when all the other Candidates were knocked out from the pain… well, trouble wasn’t even the word, if that was the case.
Hopefully it had only been a hallucination. He still wasn’t sure if Malfoy was a true Candidate- really, what sort of fool went out and announced his Candidacy to the whole world, La Lune included? It was like pleading to be killed before you even got a chance to fight! Either Malfoy was lying for some huge purpose, which was very possible when everyone knew Voldemort was looking to have the boy. Or Malfoy was making a huge power move, trying to show the Heir from the very beginning that he had enough power to take care of himself, therefore worthy of protecting the Heir once his seal was removed. It was tricky, and insane… and more trouble for Ealdian.
“Forgive me, Master! She would not-!” “Ealdian!”
Ealdian closed his eyes, and took a deep, calming breath, before turning around to the staircase he had just passed. “It’s alright, Fleece. Please, kindly tell my mother I will be with her shortly.”
“Ealdian, please, why won’t you speak with me…?”
“Ms. Maze, would you kindly follow me to the sitting room?” Ealdian ignored Janice’s teary face, and clinging hands, walking past her towards one of their more comfortable rooms, and incidentally away from his mother’s prying ears. Mother meant well, but she had no subtlety in these matters. She’d have poor Janice’s name trailed through the papers and tossed out of society, as if it were the girl’s fault that Ealdian’s fate had changed that summer. Ealdian wished to be kinder, even if the current display would leave him looking like quite the cad. This was his fault, not Janice or the Maze’s family.
“Where is Mrs. Tenin?” Ealdian finally turned to face his ex-fiancé, noting that she had once again disobeyed her guard to come here.
“Don’t not be so cold, Mr. Dracis. She is better set with her family.” Janice reigned in her emotions, hoping to use the time she had fought for so long to turn things right. “I want an explanation. I deserve an explanation.” She pulled out a lacey handkerchief and dabbed it carefully around her makeup.
Ealdian nodded. “It’s true, you deserve many things, Ms. Maze, an explanation one of them. But you will not travel in my company again unescorted. It is unseemly, and very wearing on my parents’ nerves. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Ealdian, I understand. You father will destroy my future, etcetera.” Janice waved her had airily, obviously unimpressed with her potential social downfall. “I don’t see why-”
“Janice!”
Janice snapped her mouth shut, surprised by the anger in the younger man’s face.
Ealdian ran a hand through his blonde curls, at a lose of what to do at this point. Common sense seemed to have left the girl completely. “I have warned you constantly. You obviously do not understand or you would not be here right now! You cannot be seen with me ever again. There is no negotiation, no leeway; you are risking your life at this very moment, and you are too foolish to even see it!”
“Why must you do that?” Janice stared at Ealdian haughtily, her hands on her hips. “This is not a life or death matter, Ealdian. I wish you would stop these childish notions of saving the world, and just face the fact that you are engaged, and to marry me once you graduate. I warned Father that you were too immature for this, but he insisted, naturally, because of your bloodline-Ealdian! W-What do you think you’re doing?!”
Ealdian rolled his eyes and continued unbuttoning his shirt. “Obviously you will not take my word for it. I get that you’re twenty, and so mature for your age, Janice, and this has been very trying for you and your reputation, but I cannot be a part of your life anymore. I cannot be a part of anyone’s life, and your persistence is only putting you in a position where you will be killed.” He pulled his shirt from his belt, casting it off and turning around to reveal Ezella’s seal shimmering on his back. “Does this suffice? Can you finally move on with your many years, and great potential for happiness, and leave me to my fate already? I cannot marry you, or anyone else. Go home, Janice.”
“…I didn’t-Ealdian… I… I’m so sorry.” Janice handed him his shirt, her eyes revealing only concern. “Please, forgive me. You… you’ll make a magnificent Soul Vigil.”
He shook his head, slipping back into his shirt and buttoning it back in place. “Don’t be naïve, Janice. I’ve never killed a man in my life- to think that I could kill two, possibly three peers of my own age? It is unlikely, and we both know it. I don’t have it in my nature to kill.”
“Do not joke, Ealdian.” Janice sighed, straightening his shirt. “You’ve followed the laws of balance from birth. I know you can bring death when balance calls for it, if not your whole life has been pointless. Are you so willing to let it all slip away?”
Ealdian laughed, a harsh sound for his naturally kind demeanor. “How many have you killed, Janice? Don’t tell me how simple it is to bring death in the name of balance.” He looked away, ignoring the comforting hand on his arm.
“I have to leave for school. Make sure there is no more confusion in the future concerning us, Janice. For your own protection.”
“Yes, I’ll go away like a fair meek maiden, and you can play the brave hero and protect my honor. Honestly, Ealdian, what sort of girl do you take me for?” Rolling her eyes, she gave the boy a light pinch before pulling away. “We cannot marry, of course, but you are still a dear friend of mine, as childish as you can be at times. I expect to see you at my Christmas party, or I will be greatly enraged.”
“Janice, it is not safe…”
“Many things are not safe, darling. It doesn’t mean we should all huddle up in our houses and never live a day of life. No, no more excuses. I will see you at Christmas, and so help me, Ealdian, if you die before then, I will make sure you suffer. I’ve planned too much on this party to have you ruin it by making me sad.”
He smiled weakly, but nodded for the girl’s benefit. He would not be attending her party, no matter how much she begged. Now that this was settled, he planned to move away to protect any and all he once held ties with. The NEWTs held no importance anymore, not where he was heading, but he would finish out the semester, keeping up the appearance that nothing was amiss. Christmas he would disappear, go off to prepare while leaving the world with the impression that he had just become another casualty to the war brewing. His return would signal that he had won the Trial, and if he didn’t return than he was most likely dead. Either way, all ties would have been severed, and his friends and family would be left safe, in not a little sad.
“Take care, Janice. Give my regards to your mother and father, although I’m sure they’re quite furious with me.”
“You can’t even imagine…” Janice hesitated, turning back and looking up at him. “This won’t change anything… I’ll always love you, Ealdian. Don’t ever forget that. No matter how cold you grow, I still hold a piece of your heart.” She carefully pulled a familiar gold band from her finger, tapping it with her wand and transfiguring it into a slender pendant. She looped the necklace around her neck, her hands shaking in the light. “You will win, because the world needs a hero more than ever. And I will cheer you on, no matter whose ring ends up on my hand.” She searched his eyes for a long moment, turning before she let any tears spill.
“I’ll see you at Christmas.”
“…Goodbye, Janice.”
*******
They weren’t coming. No owl, no Auras, no Ministry officials, no Order, no Dumbledore; they had abandoned him. Someone had to have noticed. A small battle in the middle of a muggle residence in broad daylight-he had fired off at least a dozen spells that day! What was happening in the wizarding world right now? Were their sensors off, or something? How could they have not noticed that Privet Drive had just been under attack?
The only reasonable explanation was that someone had noticed… and couldn’t be bothered to care.
Piers was babbling, traumatized, the others in Dudley’s gang hardly any better. He didn’t know what Aunt Petunia had told Vernon, but somehow Harry and Dudley’s group had been left to camp out in the backyard, giving Harry the tedious job of Obliviating the event from the kids’ minds. Great. More magic that no one wanted to pay attention to.
“Come on, hold him still!” Harry hissed as Jacobs continued to struggle like a madman.
“Can’t you just- zap’m or something? Ooff!” Dudley asked as he fought the boy to the ground, eventually getting him into a wrestling hold he usually reserved for kids not in his gang.
“I could, but I think he’d like to remember his name after all this.” Harry snapped back, grabbing Jacobs by the hair so he could see his eyes.
He only knew the basics of Obliviating; amateurs were able to use the eyes as a center for what was being locked up. At least he had bothered to learn a bit more about it since second year. He really didn’t want to kill these kids’ minds like what had happened to that asshole, Lockhart. He was a careful as could be and once done, all the boys had a new phobia of lizards and Dudley’s weird cousin, but beyond that they remembered nothing else from the event.
“Hell, I don’t think they’re ever going to come to the house again.” Dudley said, not blind to the fear his gang had shown once freed from the tent Petunia had set up. Each boy had run off to his respective house, not even staying till the night was out. “So you’re sure they won’t tell now? ‘Cause, dad will blow a gasket if he ever found out about what happened today.”
Harry sighed from his slumped position, sliding his gaze over to his sweating cousin. Dudley was being civil at least, and he had helped with his gang when the boys had become so petrified of Harry’s wand that they wouldn’t cooperate at all without their leader. “…They shouldn’t tell, since they can’t remember a thing of what happened today. So, are you ready?”
Dudley paled, squirming in his seat. “I-I uh, I think I’m gonna keep my mind, if that’s alright.”
“You sure?” Harry asked, surprised. “I mean, you’ll get nightmares or worse, you know. It might mess you up, for real. Not many people get a free chance to forget your worst memory.”
“No… I…” Dudley looked up, a small smile on his face. “My mom was really cool, huh? There was that huge monster and she just ran up, just her, and tried to save us.”
Staring, Harry nodded slowly in understanding. “Yeah… that was pretty cool.”
He didn’t know what he was going to do next. Obviously the Order wasn’t in a hurry to save his ass. Once the incident had passed, Harry had tried Ms. Figg’s door, only to get no response. He wasn’t in a hurry to climb on the Knight Bus when Voldemort was looking for him… actually, he wasn’t sure if leaving Privet Drive was a good idea after all, at this point. The Death Eaters must know where he was, likely watching the place at this very moment. Someone had to have sent that creature, and it was hardly a coincidence that it only acted the moment he was on the street and outside of the safety of the wards. They knew he was there, and they were waiting for him to move.
Getting up, Harry crept to the zipper flap of the tent and pulled it open.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing. Stay here.”
“W-Wait! You just can’t walk out there! What if there are more of them?!”
Harry growled lowly. “Then they’ve probably eaten your friends, and are too full to bother me.” Dudley went still at the words, and Harry immediately regretted it. “…Damn it. Listen, they’re probably fine. That creature was sent for me; you guys just got unlucky by being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“But… but they could still be out there…” Dudley persisted anxiously, twisting the hem of his shirt.
“Yeah, but they were probably out there from the beginning anyways.” Harry turned, sitting back on his legs. “I can still wipe your memory if you want. It won’t change if the creatures are there or not, but at least that way you won’t have to remember that they could be there. But… you’d have to forget about how brave your mom was.”
It took a moment, but Dudley shook his head. “No, I don’t want to forget. Just… why… why was that thing after you…?”
“Err… it’s sort of a long story, really.”
“Oh.” Dudley pursed his lips and looked down. “…Well, um, well could you just tell me why it was…?”
Harry sighed, thinking of the best way to say what needed to be said. “Remember last summer, when we were walking home and you suddenly felt all weirded out, cold, and really sad, like you could never be happy again? You thought I had done that, remember?” Dudley shivered at the memory and nodded. “Yeah, well a creature did that, not me. It looks differently, but there is this group of wizards-evil wizards, and they sent that creature to kill me. And they sent that big lizard to kill me today. So really, if you want to be safe, it’s best not to be near me, right? So I’m going outside, and you should go back into the house where it’s nice and safe and-”
“Wait, where are you going?!”
“Geez, Dudley, will you calm down? I’m going to look for the bad guys, you idiot, and I don’t have time to look after you. Go inside the house and don’t come out tonight if you want to live.” Fed up, Harry threw the tent flap open and remerged back into the fresh backyard air, leaving Dudley to decide what he wanted to do.
First business was looking for any signs of who or what was out here. He’d look for magical signs, as well as muggle, since wizards tended to follow the rules when trying not to be noticed among the muggle world. Sirius had taught him that… He’d have to find a safe place away from the house, as well. If they had somehow found four Privet Drive, then that would become the main target. He’d need a place to lead them away… away from the whole neighborhood, if possible, so no innocents got caught in the crossfire.
After that he didn’t know. It seemed like waiting was the only real option until he got some information. Something was keeping the Order from knowing he was in trouble; it could be as simple as a spell, or something a lot worse, like the wizarding world at odds with Voldemort and no one being left to help… but that was unlikely… right?
No, they were fine; it was all going to be fine. It was just some sort of misunderstanding. If there really was a war, someone, Ron at least, would have owled him. No, there was nothing to worry about. Just make sure he scouted around here, and just wait to be picked up when it was safe for the Order to move. It couldn’t be that long.
ATtD Chapter Index Links
CH52
Over a week had passed before Harry was let out of the cupboard again. Food had been shoved through the slates, more than Vernon had wanted to give him, but not enough to keep him actually ‘fed.’ Harry was feverish through the most of it, something he was later grateful for once he finally did regain enough consciousness to realize he was covered in his own filth with no way to clean it up until he either got hold of his wand that he had left in his bedroom upstairs, or a sponge and bucket. He felt horribly weak, and he was pretty sure there was something wrong with his head beyond his cracked nose and the gash on his forehead. Horrible things kept flashing before his eyes… things of torture and pain…
“What have you done, boy?”
Harry blinked up, his eyes still refusing to focus in the sudden light from the door. Ignoring Aunt Petunia’s question, he struggled painfully to his feet. His wounds were painful, and his new healing technique wasn’t very useful when he couldn’t concentrate properly from all the pain, and weird feverous delusions. That would have to be the next one he learned… overcoming pain…
Aunt Petunia quickly stepped back when Harry stumbled forward. The boy was a mess, reeking of blood and human waste, not to mention a fair share of puke from his last real meal. She would not be deterred though, and she followed as he hobbled towards the stairs. “Tell me. Why is he so angry with you? You must have done-”
Harry stopped, and turned on the woman. “Just what… exactly… would have warranted this?”
He watched Petunia pale for a moment before continuing towards the stairs and the bathroom. From the light outside, it was around mid afternoon, meaning he had a few hours before Vernon got back from work and decided Harry should be back under the stairs. He’d use the time to clean up, collect his things, and get the fuck out of there.
“…Please boy, just behave yourself around him. He’s a good man; he’s always been good. I don’t know what’s happened, but he must have had his reasons…”
“Don’t touch me!” Harry hissed, pulling away from the frantic hand trying to get his attention. “What the fuck is wrong with you?! First you blame it on me, and then you want me to help make excuses for him- that fucking excuse for a muggle that can’t even take care of his family properly? Has he hit you yet? What about Dudley? Is that what it’s going to take for you to see what’s going on? Look at you!” He pointed to the large mirror by the living room where Petunia’s emaciated form was clearly seen. “In one school year you’ve turned from a busybody gossip that has to be beating the Joneses to be happy, into a dower, skeletal… what? Unhappy-what happened this year? You could have told me, you could have warned me! He beat my skull in!”
“Don’t say-”
“It’s only the bloody truth! What the hell did you think caused this?!” Harry met Petunia’s eyes; his Aunt looked so desperate for some sort of excuse, any reason to explain Vernon’s actions beyond that the man was out of his mind. Harry wanted nothing to do with it.
“Well, you have nothing to worry about. I’m leaving, and Vernon will have no reason to be angry once I’m gone. I’ll just clean up, pack my stuff, and be out of here before he gets back.” He turned and began the painful journey up the stairs, not caring what, if anything, Petunia had to say about the matter.
“Please… please don’t kill him.”
The quiet words struck him like a whip, and Harry turned, nearly falling on the stairs. “What did you just say?”
“Don’t kill him.” Petunia looked up at him, her hands clenched to her sides and trembling with something Harry didn’t want to even consider. “This isn’t him. I don’t know what’s happened, but the man that hurt you wasn’t my Vernon. My Vernon is a good, caring man.”
Harry just stared at her, dumbstruck for a good minute. “…Why would you-why-what sort of monster do you take me for? That I could kill so easily? He’s a bastard, but I wouldn’t kill him.” He searched his aunt’s face, hoping to find some sort of recognition there, but there was only hardness. She actually expected him to kill Vernon. Just like that.
“…Listen, I don’t know what sort of wizards you’ve met, or what rumors you’ve heard, but killing is just as bad a crime with them as it is with muggles, even if the actual act is as simple as a flick of the wand. Hell… hell! Quit staring at me like I’m the sort to step on kittens! All these years under the same roof and you don’t know a damn thing about me… No wonder I hated you all.” Turning once again, Harry made his way up the stairs, his mind swimming with unhappy thoughts.
*******
He got a surprising amount of resistance at the front door, Aunt Petunia standing tense and unmoving, her eyes flicking to the clock on the wall, and inadvertently to the dark cupboard that she had spent a good forty-five minutes scrubbing clean.
“What?” Harry let the handle of his trunk slip from his hand and thud against the floor, not strong enough to carry it for long. He stared down the taller woman, waiting for her to get to the point, and then get out of his way.
Eyes fixed somewhere over Harry’s head, Petunia finally spoke. “…I made a promise to always have a place for you here.”
Harry sighed and rolled his eyes skyward. “Listen, I don’t care what Dumbledore has on you. I’m leaving.”
“Not the man… my sister. Your mother.” Petunia met his surprised gaze. They didn’t talk about Lily; they didn’t really talk much at all over the years. She had hoped it would make things easier, but somehow the resentment she felt towards the boy had only seemed to grow, and she’d had a hard time seeing past it. Until a week ago.
“…What are you trying to say?” Harry crossed his arms defiantly, but didn’t make a move to leave just yet. If his mother had some pearls of wisdom from beyond the grave, than far be it for him to dismiss it because of the messenger.
Petunia sniffed lightly, but her knuckles began to gain a little more color. “Exactly how it sounds; I promised my sister you would have a place in my house.”
“House or home?”
“…What?”
“Did you promise a place in your house, or in your home?” The question seemed to fluster Petunia, but Harry wasn’t leaving until he had an answer. “Well? Which was it?”
“I, um, I really don’t remember…”
Harry snorted and picked up the handle of his trunk again. “Fine. You’ve wasted enough of my time already.”
“I can’t let you go.” Petunia said stiffly, taking a step back closer to the door. “I can’t let the others get you.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Harry growled, having lost his patience long before he had woken up that morning. “The Order will take care of me just fine.” Harry paused after the words were out, wondering just how true they could be.
Petunia didn’t budge. “It is my duty to see that you are protected until your sixteenth birthday. It was my final promise to my sister, and loathe as I am to do it, I understand my duty.”
“Son of a-Well You’re Having A Hell Of A Time At It!” Harry shouted, throwing his hands up. “You can’t just decide to start playing at being my aunt all of a sudden, after fifteen years of silence! I don’t need your help, and I sure as hell don’t want it. Now get out of my way!”
Petunia flinched back from the raw anger directed her way, but she didn’t leave the doorway. She met Harry’s gaze, and stayed where she was, her voice strained but level. “Listen to me carefully. Your sixteenth birthday is almost here. Until that day, I cannot let you leave here. Outside of here you are not safe. They will come for you.”
“Is that supposed to scare me? Do you think that’s going to stop me? They’re always coming for me! Voldemort and his Death Eaters have practically been my shadow since my eleventh birthday!”
“This is not the same!” Frustrated, Petunia stepped forward and grabbed Harry’s arm. “Listen to me! You will not be able to protect yourself! You think that little wand is going to save you against creatures with powers far closer to those of a god than what those little wizards can imagine? You are a pebble right now, a weak, powerless boy that can’t even protect himself from an even weaker muggle. How do you think you’ll stand against what is lurking out there in the light at this very moment? You will die, or worse, be captured! Are you so irresponsible to welcome that?!”
Hurt crossed Harry’s features, and he wretched his arm away from Petunia’s grasp. “…Y-You…” Gods, how could she throw that in his face like that? He hadn’t had his wand, that was all. Otherwise Vernon never would have gotten him. He would have… he would have… “How could you?”
“Damn it…” Petunia could only watch in frustration as Harry ran for the kitchen door. The boy was going to get himself killed running out in daylight like that… Damn it! Without another thought, she pushed away from the door she was blocking, and opened it, hoping to catch Harry before he left the property.
Harry was loping as fast as his strained muscles would take him, tears stinging his eyes as he hit pavement and headed towards Ms. Figg’s house. That stupid-gods, fucking hell! What did she care if he was killed?! Why did she have to say that!
Eyes scanning the yard and street beyond, Petunia caught sight of Dudley and his friends surrounding a mailbox down the street, likely planning to blow it up in a show of delinquency Vernon had been quick to encourage in their son. Traffic was non-existent; most of the neighbors were out to work. Where was he…? There! Harry ran from around a bush, heading straight for the group across the street.
“Oi-it’s that crazy cousin of yours!” “Quick, hide it.” Piers hissed, Jacobs shoving the loot into his bag before the boy running up to them could see. “What the fuck is he doing?”
Dudley was surprisingly quiet, watching Harry run, the small boy’s strides reflecting just how much pain he was in.
“Hey freak, just escape from the loony bin or something?” Piers asked with a cruel laugh, hoping to give Jacobs enough time to zip up his bag so Harry wouldn’t squeal on them. This was only the third mailbox after all, and they were trying to set a new record. Kemp laughed extra loud, horrible when under pressure, and Jacobs stepped on his foot to keep him from giving it all away.
Harry ignored them, didn’t even see them, his only goal Ms. Figg’s, and his final freedom from the Dursley’s. He hated it there, absolutely hated it. It was wrong of Dumbledore to keep sending him back there every year, when he knew he hated it so much. He’d prefer living under a bridge, to the Dursleys! Hell, he could live in the Shrieking Shack; that was probably safer than Vernon’s insane beatings. He didn’t need Aunt Petunia’s blood magic to be safe from Voldemort and the-
“Ahhhhh!” “What the hell-!” “Oh gods, g-get it away!”
Harry turned, eyes wide in horror as he finally noticed Dudley’s little gang. Some sort of creature was looming over them, its tongue wrapped tight around Piers’ foot as the boy screamed and struggled to be free. Hell, it had to be the size of a single story house! But Harry could only stare, hypnotized by the way the creature’s eyes rolled, spinning in opposite direction like Mad-Eye’s, except more frighteningly so because they were white with two pupils to each eye, and with thick red veins popping out in disgusting relief as they whirled and turned.
“No-Oh god, help me!” Piers screamed again, his whole body lifting from the ground as the huge, white, lizard-like creature, with dangerous spines jutting from its body, began to retract its tongue, pulling the boy towards its mouth. And suddenly Aunt Petunia was there, grabbing onto Piers’ dangling arms and pulling the hysterical boy, while the others stared in horror.
“Fire! Use a fire spell, boy!” Petunia shouted as she was dragged forward, her narrow bony arms no match for the huge creature’s tongue. “…Harry! Snap out of it!” Taking his cue from his mother, Dudley turned, and grabbed Harry, coincidentally blocking Harry’s view of the creature’s eyes and the hypnotic effect they had on him.
Shaking his head, Harry unsteadily pulled his wand out. Shit, he didn’t know many fire spells… nothing strong enough to take out a creature of this size. He knew Incendio, but that was more for sparking out little flames in a floo. What would work on-hello! Harry grabbed the familiar black backpack from Jacobs’ limp hands, shoving the other boys aside. Okay, first… “Diffindo!”
Aunt Petunia fell to the ground, Piers in her arms with part of the creature’s tongue squirming around his leg. The tongue fully severed, Harry ran in front of the group and cried out, “Defendo!” Just in time, as a monstrous leg came crashing down, bouncing off the magical shield he had just summoned. “Nobody move!” He ordered before anyone could get the stupid idea to leave the protective area, and then he stepped outside of the shield himself, leading the creature away from the muggles.
Now he just needed a clear opening… Harry spotted a large fallen branch, likely broken from the creature itself, and spelled it to float. Another foot came stomping down that Harry was barely able to dodge, his shirt torn from the deadly talons. The beast’s range of attack was severely handicapped without its long tongue; thankfully it didn’t have a tail to match, like normal lizards. Harry sent two small fire spells on the descending feet, the creature screaming in response. That was all Harry needed to send the tree branch flying into the gapping mouth and hold it open. With little time to relax, Harry ripped the backpack open and assessed what he had to work with.
About thirty cherry bombs, maybe more… this could actually work… Just like the tree branch, only timing was more important now… Or even better… “Incendio!”
The creature reared back, falling into the Coarsens’ tree and knocking it over, as the branch in its mouth exploded into flames. Harry hesitated for a moment, waiting to see if the beast would get back to its feet. It was struggling for its footing, but Harry was faster and he lobbed the bag into the crackling mouth. Hopefully it would be enough of an explosion. Hopefully the fire was hot enough and the salvia didn’t dampen the bag. Hopefully-
“Why in the world are you standing there?!” Petunia grabbed Harry from behind and pulled him back, both of them hitting the ground hard as the explosion of heat and fire roared over above them. Harry called out a hasty shield to keep the magically enhanced flames from burning them, but it was Petunia that had bought him enough time to cast it.
Which raised an interesting question… Just how did his muggle aunt know which type of magic a creature Harry had never seen before was susceptible too?
*******
How did the muggle woman know that?
Ealdian Dracis, descendant of the Blacks, and Candidate representing Ezella, pondered this while getting ready for his day. He’d quickly gotten over the novelty of his strange visions while he slept, and had instead tried to focus on the point of it all. Obviously there were things to be learned from these visions the Heir was sending him. Possibly, whatever it was would be the defining point in helping him win the Candidate Trial.
Oh, he knew the other Candidates were being shown the same things; he had been able to sense their presence while he slept, although he was pretty sure they couldn’t sense his at this point. The other two had not shown much talent in traversing the human mind in astral form, something he had learned when he was just a child. At seventeen, it was nothing for him to pull himself away from the dreams and have a little walk into Harry’s sleeping mind. It concerned him that the Heir had little defense set up to keep him from doing just that, though. The Heir should have better protection. But Ealdian had found many an impassable area while exploring the Heir’s mind, so perhaps he was underestimating him?
Harry had destroyed one of La Lune’s weaker scouts in a manner of minutes, without any casualties, before his power had even awoken, and while in a very poor physical state. It was a task Ealdian knew he wouldn’t have been able to pull off before his exritus. No, this Harry fellow had talent, had strength.
“Master Ealdian, sir, your parents have requested your presence before you leave, sir.”
“Thank you, Fleece.” Ealdian pulled his shirt on, buttoning it up while waiting patiently for his house elf to obviously get on with whatever it was she was hesitating to say. It was probably Janice again. Fleece had a soft spot for the girl and wasn’t happy with the standing orders he had left with her. He glanced over where Fleece was wringing her ears. “Was there something else?”
“Miss M-M-Maze is uh… Fleece is telling her to go away, Master! B-But she is not listening! If Master would only see her, than maybe Miss Maze w-w-would stop her crying…”
Ealdian sighed, letting his tie drop back onto his bureau. “…It’s all right, Fleece. I’ll speak with her. Why don’t you go get her settled, while I see to my parents?”
“Of course, Master Ealdian, of course. Fleece is doing that right away!” Fleece popped out, looking much happier than when she popped in, leaving Ealdian to mope in peace.
Well, it was best to deal with it now instead of waiting till Christmas break. He had to return to Beauxbatons if he wanted to catch up with the rest of the seventh years. He had already missed a week of study because of his collapse, and as stressful as it was, dealing with Janice now would take a bit of the pressure off in the long run.
He looped his tie on, hand unconsciously brushing the bureau where a small gold ring he hadn’t had the heart to throw away still rested. Mother was likely devastated. He’d have to put on a strong front for her. Father… well, Father had probably left for work already. They’d had a short talk last night, enough for him to get the gist that his father was proud of him, even if he wasn’t particularly happy about the events he was caught up in. But that was Father for you.
Huffing softly, Ealdian took a final sweep of his room to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind, and then left, closing the double doors behind him.
He was in trouble. That Darel girl had been giving off powerful energy, even with her power sealed. Musa… well, he had the distinct feeling Musa was able to mask his power, something that could either work in his favor or against it. Musa could be a weakling afraid to show his power, or he could be a champion, hoping to gain an advantage by not showing his cards just yet. Whatever it was, Ealdian had gotten the clear impression that Musa had the cunning to know how to work it either way.
As for him… well, he was in trouble. He wasn’t the sort for killing, which was what was needed if he wanted to survive the Trial and be a successful Soul Vigil. It was likely why the great Fae Ezella had chosen two Candidates from her bloodline. He hadn’t had a chance to get an impression of Draco Malfoy, but he could have sworn that the boy had shown up when he was blacking out. And if Malfoy could have been standing when all the other Candidates were knocked out from the pain… well, trouble wasn’t even the word, if that was the case.
Hopefully it had only been a hallucination. He still wasn’t sure if Malfoy was a true Candidate- really, what sort of fool went out and announced his Candidacy to the whole world, La Lune included? It was like pleading to be killed before you even got a chance to fight! Either Malfoy was lying for some huge purpose, which was very possible when everyone knew Voldemort was looking to have the boy. Or Malfoy was making a huge power move, trying to show the Heir from the very beginning that he had enough power to take care of himself, therefore worthy of protecting the Heir once his seal was removed. It was tricky, and insane… and more trouble for Ealdian.
“Forgive me, Master! She would not-!” “Ealdian!”
Ealdian closed his eyes, and took a deep, calming breath, before turning around to the staircase he had just passed. “It’s alright, Fleece. Please, kindly tell my mother I will be with her shortly.”
“Ealdian, please, why won’t you speak with me…?”
“Ms. Maze, would you kindly follow me to the sitting room?” Ealdian ignored Janice’s teary face, and clinging hands, walking past her towards one of their more comfortable rooms, and incidentally away from his mother’s prying ears. Mother meant well, but she had no subtlety in these matters. She’d have poor Janice’s name trailed through the papers and tossed out of society, as if it were the girl’s fault that Ealdian’s fate had changed that summer. Ealdian wished to be kinder, even if the current display would leave him looking like quite the cad. This was his fault, not Janice or the Maze’s family.
“Where is Mrs. Tenin?” Ealdian finally turned to face his ex-fiancé, noting that she had once again disobeyed her guard to come here.
“Don’t not be so cold, Mr. Dracis. She is better set with her family.” Janice reigned in her emotions, hoping to use the time she had fought for so long to turn things right. “I want an explanation. I deserve an explanation.” She pulled out a lacey handkerchief and dabbed it carefully around her makeup.
Ealdian nodded. “It’s true, you deserve many things, Ms. Maze, an explanation one of them. But you will not travel in my company again unescorted. It is unseemly, and very wearing on my parents’ nerves. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Ealdian, I understand. You father will destroy my future, etcetera.” Janice waved her had airily, obviously unimpressed with her potential social downfall. “I don’t see why-”
“Janice!”
Janice snapped her mouth shut, surprised by the anger in the younger man’s face.
Ealdian ran a hand through his blonde curls, at a lose of what to do at this point. Common sense seemed to have left the girl completely. “I have warned you constantly. You obviously do not understand or you would not be here right now! You cannot be seen with me ever again. There is no negotiation, no leeway; you are risking your life at this very moment, and you are too foolish to even see it!”
“Why must you do that?” Janice stared at Ealdian haughtily, her hands on her hips. “This is not a life or death matter, Ealdian. I wish you would stop these childish notions of saving the world, and just face the fact that you are engaged, and to marry me once you graduate. I warned Father that you were too immature for this, but he insisted, naturally, because of your bloodline-Ealdian! W-What do you think you’re doing?!”
Ealdian rolled his eyes and continued unbuttoning his shirt. “Obviously you will not take my word for it. I get that you’re twenty, and so mature for your age, Janice, and this has been very trying for you and your reputation, but I cannot be a part of your life anymore. I cannot be a part of anyone’s life, and your persistence is only putting you in a position where you will be killed.” He pulled his shirt from his belt, casting it off and turning around to reveal Ezella’s seal shimmering on his back. “Does this suffice? Can you finally move on with your many years, and great potential for happiness, and leave me to my fate already? I cannot marry you, or anyone else. Go home, Janice.”
“…I didn’t-Ealdian… I… I’m so sorry.” Janice handed him his shirt, her eyes revealing only concern. “Please, forgive me. You… you’ll make a magnificent Soul Vigil.”
He shook his head, slipping back into his shirt and buttoning it back in place. “Don’t be naïve, Janice. I’ve never killed a man in my life- to think that I could kill two, possibly three peers of my own age? It is unlikely, and we both know it. I don’t have it in my nature to kill.”
“Do not joke, Ealdian.” Janice sighed, straightening his shirt. “You’ve followed the laws of balance from birth. I know you can bring death when balance calls for it, if not your whole life has been pointless. Are you so willing to let it all slip away?”
Ealdian laughed, a harsh sound for his naturally kind demeanor. “How many have you killed, Janice? Don’t tell me how simple it is to bring death in the name of balance.” He looked away, ignoring the comforting hand on his arm.
“I have to leave for school. Make sure there is no more confusion in the future concerning us, Janice. For your own protection.”
“Yes, I’ll go away like a fair meek maiden, and you can play the brave hero and protect my honor. Honestly, Ealdian, what sort of girl do you take me for?” Rolling her eyes, she gave the boy a light pinch before pulling away. “We cannot marry, of course, but you are still a dear friend of mine, as childish as you can be at times. I expect to see you at my Christmas party, or I will be greatly enraged.”
“Janice, it is not safe…”
“Many things are not safe, darling. It doesn’t mean we should all huddle up in our houses and never live a day of life. No, no more excuses. I will see you at Christmas, and so help me, Ealdian, if you die before then, I will make sure you suffer. I’ve planned too much on this party to have you ruin it by making me sad.”
He smiled weakly, but nodded for the girl’s benefit. He would not be attending her party, no matter how much she begged. Now that this was settled, he planned to move away to protect any and all he once held ties with. The NEWTs held no importance anymore, not where he was heading, but he would finish out the semester, keeping up the appearance that nothing was amiss. Christmas he would disappear, go off to prepare while leaving the world with the impression that he had just become another casualty to the war brewing. His return would signal that he had won the Trial, and if he didn’t return than he was most likely dead. Either way, all ties would have been severed, and his friends and family would be left safe, in not a little sad.
“Take care, Janice. Give my regards to your mother and father, although I’m sure they’re quite furious with me.”
“You can’t even imagine…” Janice hesitated, turning back and looking up at him. “This won’t change anything… I’ll always love you, Ealdian. Don’t ever forget that. No matter how cold you grow, I still hold a piece of your heart.” She carefully pulled a familiar gold band from her finger, tapping it with her wand and transfiguring it into a slender pendant. She looped the necklace around her neck, her hands shaking in the light. “You will win, because the world needs a hero more than ever. And I will cheer you on, no matter whose ring ends up on my hand.” She searched his eyes for a long moment, turning before she let any tears spill.
“I’ll see you at Christmas.”
“…Goodbye, Janice.”
*******
They weren’t coming. No owl, no Auras, no Ministry officials, no Order, no Dumbledore; they had abandoned him. Someone had to have noticed. A small battle in the middle of a muggle residence in broad daylight-he had fired off at least a dozen spells that day! What was happening in the wizarding world right now? Were their sensors off, or something? How could they have not noticed that Privet Drive had just been under attack?
The only reasonable explanation was that someone had noticed… and couldn’t be bothered to care.
Piers was babbling, traumatized, the others in Dudley’s gang hardly any better. He didn’t know what Aunt Petunia had told Vernon, but somehow Harry and Dudley’s group had been left to camp out in the backyard, giving Harry the tedious job of Obliviating the event from the kids’ minds. Great. More magic that no one wanted to pay attention to.
“Come on, hold him still!” Harry hissed as Jacobs continued to struggle like a madman.
“Can’t you just- zap’m or something? Ooff!” Dudley asked as he fought the boy to the ground, eventually getting him into a wrestling hold he usually reserved for kids not in his gang.
“I could, but I think he’d like to remember his name after all this.” Harry snapped back, grabbing Jacobs by the hair so he could see his eyes.
He only knew the basics of Obliviating; amateurs were able to use the eyes as a center for what was being locked up. At least he had bothered to learn a bit more about it since second year. He really didn’t want to kill these kids’ minds like what had happened to that asshole, Lockhart. He was a careful as could be and once done, all the boys had a new phobia of lizards and Dudley’s weird cousin, but beyond that they remembered nothing else from the event.
“Hell, I don’t think they’re ever going to come to the house again.” Dudley said, not blind to the fear his gang had shown once freed from the tent Petunia had set up. Each boy had run off to his respective house, not even staying till the night was out. “So you’re sure they won’t tell now? ‘Cause, dad will blow a gasket if he ever found out about what happened today.”
Harry sighed from his slumped position, sliding his gaze over to his sweating cousin. Dudley was being civil at least, and he had helped with his gang when the boys had become so petrified of Harry’s wand that they wouldn’t cooperate at all without their leader. “…They shouldn’t tell, since they can’t remember a thing of what happened today. So, are you ready?”
Dudley paled, squirming in his seat. “I-I uh, I think I’m gonna keep my mind, if that’s alright.”
“You sure?” Harry asked, surprised. “I mean, you’ll get nightmares or worse, you know. It might mess you up, for real. Not many people get a free chance to forget your worst memory.”
“No… I…” Dudley looked up, a small smile on his face. “My mom was really cool, huh? There was that huge monster and she just ran up, just her, and tried to save us.”
Staring, Harry nodded slowly in understanding. “Yeah… that was pretty cool.”
He didn’t know what he was going to do next. Obviously the Order wasn’t in a hurry to save his ass. Once the incident had passed, Harry had tried Ms. Figg’s door, only to get no response. He wasn’t in a hurry to climb on the Knight Bus when Voldemort was looking for him… actually, he wasn’t sure if leaving Privet Drive was a good idea after all, at this point. The Death Eaters must know where he was, likely watching the place at this very moment. Someone had to have sent that creature, and it was hardly a coincidence that it only acted the moment he was on the street and outside of the safety of the wards. They knew he was there, and they were waiting for him to move.
Getting up, Harry crept to the zipper flap of the tent and pulled it open.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing. Stay here.”
“W-Wait! You just can’t walk out there! What if there are more of them?!”
Harry growled lowly. “Then they’ve probably eaten your friends, and are too full to bother me.” Dudley went still at the words, and Harry immediately regretted it. “…Damn it. Listen, they’re probably fine. That creature was sent for me; you guys just got unlucky by being at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“But… but they could still be out there…” Dudley persisted anxiously, twisting the hem of his shirt.
“Yeah, but they were probably out there from the beginning anyways.” Harry turned, sitting back on his legs. “I can still wipe your memory if you want. It won’t change if the creatures are there or not, but at least that way you won’t have to remember that they could be there. But… you’d have to forget about how brave your mom was.”
It took a moment, but Dudley shook his head. “No, I don’t want to forget. Just… why… why was that thing after you…?”
“Err… it’s sort of a long story, really.”
“Oh.” Dudley pursed his lips and looked down. “…Well, um, well could you just tell me why it was…?”
Harry sighed, thinking of the best way to say what needed to be said. “Remember last summer, when we were walking home and you suddenly felt all weirded out, cold, and really sad, like you could never be happy again? You thought I had done that, remember?” Dudley shivered at the memory and nodded. “Yeah, well a creature did that, not me. It looks differently, but there is this group of wizards-evil wizards, and they sent that creature to kill me. And they sent that big lizard to kill me today. So really, if you want to be safe, it’s best not to be near me, right? So I’m going outside, and you should go back into the house where it’s nice and safe and-”
“Wait, where are you going?!”
“Geez, Dudley, will you calm down? I’m going to look for the bad guys, you idiot, and I don’t have time to look after you. Go inside the house and don’t come out tonight if you want to live.” Fed up, Harry threw the tent flap open and remerged back into the fresh backyard air, leaving Dudley to decide what he wanted to do.
First business was looking for any signs of who or what was out here. He’d look for magical signs, as well as muggle, since wizards tended to follow the rules when trying not to be noticed among the muggle world. Sirius had taught him that… He’d have to find a safe place away from the house, as well. If they had somehow found four Privet Drive, then that would become the main target. He’d need a place to lead them away… away from the whole neighborhood, if possible, so no innocents got caught in the crossfire.
After that he didn’t know. It seemed like waiting was the only real option until he got some information. Something was keeping the Order from knowing he was in trouble; it could be as simple as a spell, or something a lot worse, like the wizarding world at odds with Voldemort and no one being left to help… but that was unlikely… right?
No, they were fine; it was all going to be fine. It was just some sort of misunderstanding. If there really was a war, someone, Ron at least, would have owled him. No, there was nothing to worry about. Just make sure he scouted around here, and just wait to be picked up when it was safe for the Order to move. It couldn’t be that long.
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