If Only You Knew
Written by Fenikkusu
Prologue: Ignis (Flame)
Number four Privet Drive burned. Since it occurred so early in the morning, the usually nosy neighborhood didn't know exactly how it happened. Some said it was a burner mistakenly left on. Others said it was a gas leak. Either way, this spectacle was one to behold. It took the officers a few hours to douse the flames and look for survivors. Unfortunately, all that was left was ash.
The headline of the next day's Daily Prophet read, "Is the Boy-Who-Lived Really Dead?"
"W-where am I?" Deep emerald eyes blinked open to meet only swirls of purple and black matter. The owner of the aforementioned eyes glanced around and only saw the same blackness extending endlessly around him.
"You, Chosen One, are within the Realm of Shadows," a baritone voice replied. The teenager took a step back as some of the shadows melded together to create a human-like form. But for some reason, his face was obscured by the shadows. Only the gleam of bright crimson eyes could be seen.
"I'm WHERE? And who are YOU?"
"You are in the realm between dimensions, where the shadows reside. My name is Keiichi." The man bowed slightly, one arm folding over his tanned stomach as he did so. It was then that the boy noticed the linen wrapped around his waist, adorned with gold. "I have much to explain, so follow me." Keiichi turned around and waved his hand. A linen-covered doorway was formed the same way the king was created by shadows.
The teen paused before following him. He wasn't stupid; he had survived enough assassination attempts to know better. It's not like he had much of a choice, though. The new arrival walked through the doorway and blinked at the table and chairs set up across from each other. Keiichi sat on one, legs crossed and eyes gleaming. If the boy didn't know better, a smirk probably settled on the other's lips. Still wary of this new person, the newcomer sat down on the other chair.
"Where would you like me to begin, Harry Potter?" Keiichi inquired. At the mention of his name, the boy squirmed.
"Um. Well," the Gryffindor stammered, his eyebrows furrowing. "How about starting with how I got here?"
"Very well. What do you remember?"
Harry closed his eyes. "Flames. I felt and smelled them. When I tried to open the door of my room to escape, I wasn't able to; even magic didn't work."
Keiichi chuckled, "That was my doing. My shadows made sure that the Hellfyre did not touch you, Chosen One. However, that meant that your magic was also nullified." The other paused. "You have too much to do to have died then."
"I guess I owe you one."
"I only ask for your trust," Keiichi replied. "But I digress. The fire incinerated everything, and everyone, in that household aside from you." Harry's head dropped. That means the Dursleys… Harry began to think. A solitary tear slid down his left cheek. "It is all right. I have seen why you feel this way. You did not have the most… blissful of childhoods." The boy gulped again. He said that so bluntly.
"Wait… Does that mean that everyone thinks I'm dead?" Harry surged up as he said this, eyes wide. The regal one across from him stood up and walked over. He placed one calloused hand on his shoulder.
"As of now, it is all speculation. But I have to warn you, time flows differently in this realm. I apologize, but I do not know how long you will be here. I thought that you would rather be alive than dead." Keiichi received a vigorous nod in response. "I could help you attain a new life in your realm, Mister Potter."
"Please, call me Harry. And what are you talking about?" Keiichi motioned for the boy to sit as he too sat back down.
"Since time flows faster here, we have the chance to alter your appearance without magic. We can also work on your mannerisms and such. If you are a good student, no one will even know it is you. The only feature we cannot change is the color of your eyes. It is up to you whether or not you want to use a Glamour or possibly a potion for that." Keiichi sighed. "The shadows decide when souls enter and exit this realm, so I cannot foretell when you can return to the Realm of Light. We might as well get started as soon as possible, if you are amenable."
Not being the Boy-Who-Lived? I guess I can still help in the fight against Voldemort without all the hype. Harry shivered, wrapping his arms around himself. Anything is better than here. "All right. I accept," Harry answered after a few minutes of thought. He extended his hand and gripped Keiichi's in a firm handshake.
"Good. The first thing we need is a name..."
