Dead Reckoning By: GrandMoffPooky
Summary: Harry is being called down to a strange part of Hogwarts he's never ventured into, one not even the Marauder's Map has listed. There he is contacted and given a gift by a being looking to ensure the continuation of the world as he knew it.
Known Pairings: HP/OC, HR/RW
Harry James Potter slowly made his way through the halls of Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches. Yes, there is such a school, and there are such things as wizards and witches. They are quite adept at staying hidden however, and this has allowed them to hide for thousands of years. Harry was a student of this fine magical institution, and a damn fine one at that, though some may argue that this is because of his friendship with the resident smartest witch of this age, Hermione Jane Granger. But we must concede that friendship help shape a person into whom they are.
Unfortunately, Harry hasn't had much in the way of positive interaction with humanity. His parents had died many a year ago, killed defending his life from Voldemort, the worst Dark Lord to have ever risen. Their sacrifice was not in vain, as it activated ancient magic that saved baby Harry's life from the killing curse, the only being ever to do so. Sadly, this in turn caused a prophecy to come into effect, forever controlling the poor boy's future.
He was put with his only living relatives, his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. Since the day he arrived, he was treated with disdain and open hostility, while their own son, Dudley, was spoiled and could do no wrong. As he got older, their disdain for him grew, as did their level of abuse. Physical and mental abuse was heaped on Harry, causing the poor innocent child to become closed off, only opening for people he felt he could trust. And he was a fairly good reader of people, as he had quickly had to learn to read his 'family's' emotions and act accordingly.
Fortunately for the world, this did the exact opposite one would think would happen to someone in his situation. Instead of becoming cold and unfeeling, caring only for himself, he became even more sensitive to others plights, and if you ever became his friend, though there were few, you could count on him for anything. He would march into hell for you, and carry you back out on his back if needed.
But Fate had to test the boy, had to ensure that he was up to being the savior of humanity, its protector if you will. From the first year he stepped into Hogwarts, she through numerous trials his way, and each he passed, some alone, but most with the help of friends and allies. He was a natural born leader, though a bit headstrong. He was never angry, though many would say he has been. No, they have seen him upset, but never angry…and they should be thankful for it.
Anger is an emotion Harry has felt, but has kept tempered, he has a vice like grip on his anger. With a history like his, you would have to be. Just think of what would happen if he spoke out of turn with his Uncle? No, he knew exactly what would happen, and so he kept his anger in check, burying it in his mind. Anger however, is a strong emotion, it leads to rage, to hate, and to pain. To keep gathering it, to keep it bottled up is dangerous, for one day, it will explode. But he knew this, and he waited, waiting for the perfect moment to just…let go. Let go of his anger, his magic, his soul in an epic magical storm, a power house of lethal energy that will tear the world around him asunder.
He, of course, would never unleash it when his friends would be in danger, no as stated earlier, a friend of Harry's will be protected with his very life. He felt that soon, however, soon he would be able to use this energy, or at least he hoped so, as even his control was slipping. This was most shown during the revealing of the prophecy to the young man. His control had slipped at the audacity of Dumbledore to keep this information from him. Dumbledore has been the only one to witness the power of his anger, and even then he only saw a miniscule amount.
So we come back to Harry's wandering of the castle, under a deep depression at the loss of the only father-figure he had ever known, his Godfather Sirius Black. He had been tricked by Voldemort into coming into a trap, and his Godfather had paid the price for it. But Harry was comforted by the words of his friends, and the fact that he could not have prevented it. He had tried to warn the headmaster, even gone to Professor Snape, whom hated Harry with all his being. He tried to tell them that Voldemort had captured his Godfather, that they needed to go help him.
After exhausting his options, he had no choice but to go attempt to save Sirius himself, and was joined by loyal friends from his illegal club, the DA. Led by Harry, they fought their way into the Department of Mysteries only to be ambushed by Death Eaters, servants of the Dark Lord. To cut this short, Sirius came to rescue Harry, and indeed helped save him, but it cost him his life. Another person dying for a young man that they loved so much.
So Harry wandered, not paying attention, but throwing an eye to the Marauder's Map in his hand to ensure he didn't run across anyone. He was using this time away to think, to remember the good times, and say his goodbyes to the man he loved as a father. He had traveled these very halls years earlier, himself a student of this magnificent school, as did Harry's father and mother. So he immersed himself in the magic of the school, feeling comfort from the ancient stones that pulsed with magic older then any normal human or wizard.
But then he heard a woman's voice calling him. Her voice was smooth and caring, but carried with it power, power beyond anything Harry could imagine. So naturally he was cautious, you didn't survive 5 meetings with the Dark Lord without being so. He reached into his pocket, fingering his wand, looking around him slowly, scanning the map as well.
"Who's there?" Harry asked in a strong, yet quiet voice. He was tired, having been without a good night's sleep in almost a year, always interrupted by nightmares sent to him by Voldemort.
He was answered by a chuckle, and then the voice responded again, "Come to me, I mean you no harm."
Harry could feel the truth coming off those words, and so he put his wand down, but kept it in his hand. He would not fully trust the being calling him just yet. The voice gave another laugh, but seemed pleased with his cautious nature. And so he followed the voice, walking to a door that he had never seen, that lead to a part of the castle he had never heard of. He looked down at the map, and saw that even it wasn't listing the new discovered area.
He shrugged and entered the torch lit hallway, which lead to another door, which he approach and knocked on, being polite as was his way. The door opened revealing what looked like an exact copy of the Gryffindor Common Room. His eyebrow raised, but as he scanned it, his eyes landed on a woman who looked to be in her thirties. She was amazingly beautiful, black hair and crystal blue eyes, which were staring at him with intensity.
He knew what she was looking at. He hadn't been doing so well these past few weeks, but as he had come to terms with the his loss, he knew he would improve, though he would definitely start studying occlumency as soon as possible, as that would help with his sleeping problem. She seemed to nod, following his train of thought.
"Please, sit down Harry, we have much to talk about," she said, nodding to one of the chairs across from her.
Harry looked at her for a few more seconds, then nodded himself and putting away his wand, sat down in the offered seat. He slightly relaxed, able to feel that she wouldn't hurt him. This cause the woman's smile to grow as she continued to stare at him.
"This room and the hallway attached to it are not an actual part of Hogwarts, but I made a connection between the two so that we could meet, as I have wanted to do so for a while now," she began, answering his unasked question about where they were, and seeing his nod, continued, "I am a Goddess, Harry, the Goddess of Night, or the Night Mother as my servants call me."
This broke through Harry's calm, shattering it as his eyes wide and sat up straighter. He knew of the Gods and Goddesses, but had never really practiced the rights of worship, as many wizards and witches did. He had never been a fan of higher beings, as his life had been hard. Of course, he never blamed them, he just didn't want to worship them and beg them for a better life, opting to instead try and improve upon it himself, make it more worthwhile.
How did he know this was true? His ability to read things, ability to listen to a person and tell if their lying, no matter how good they are at hiding it. He hadn't been able to pick out the lies in the vision sent to him by Voldemort, but that was due to his weakened mental state by Professor Snape's 'teaching' of occlumency. But he knew, just from the way she said it, the emotions coming of her, and the power she emitted that she was the real deal. This caused him to be embarrassed by his appearance.
She giggled at his discomfort, her liking of the boy increasing now that she could meet him face to face. The Gods and Goddesses had all been interested in the boy's fate as he would eventually be the greatest wizards to ever be known, and would also decide the worlds future. Either for it to be destroyed in his anger and pain, or to be forever protected in his loving embrace. So they all watched him, smiling when he was happy, and frowning when he was sad. They had of course obeyed the rules, only fate was allowed to directly affect the boy, and that was through tests.
Only deities directly connected to the boy could interact with him, which begs the question, how was the Night Mother directly connected? Let us listen in on the conversation and find out.
"Erm, Sorry bout the appearance and all, been a rough year…," Harry said nervously, now understanding why the amount of power coming off this woman was beyond his imagination.
"Relax Harry," she soothed, her eyes alight with amusement, "Your appearance is fine, in fact, I feel that you have kept yourself amazingly together for what has been thrown at you by my sister, Fate."
"Thanks…I guess…," Harry managed a small awkward smile, "Now, um, what can I do for you Night Mother?"
"It's not what you can do for me, Harry, but what I can do for you?" she countered, "Someone that worships me, and is a member of a race I had a hand in creating, shall soon be approaching you, and will offer you something I know you will accept."
"And how do you know I will accept this?" His voice was polite, but had an undercurrent of challenge. He didn't like being controlled, he had enough of that when he was younger.
She smiled wider, not at all offended by his tone, instead pleased with his displeasure of being controlled, and will to fight even a Goddess over being in control of his own life.
"She will offer you something precious, and something you have been searching for a long time," the Night Mother explained, "But that is not for me to tell, she will see you soon, within the week if she has heeded my guidance."
Harry looked at her carefully, before nodding, not bothering to fry his brain trying to figure it out now, he was too tired and emotionally drained, "Then may I humbly ask how you may assist me, my Goddess."
His head was respectfully bent after stating what he thought was polite and proper, but her hand reached out and lifted his chin so he faced her, "There is no need to bow your head or any other such thing to me from you Harry."
"You have seen so much, and will do so much for this world, and yet you have asked for nothing more then to be freed from your false home with the Dursleys," She smiled gently at him, keeping her eyes locked with his, "I have seen many that have been through Fate's trials, but none as thoroughly or harshly tested as you."
"I doubt there have been many that will decide the future of humanity as I must, and if I have my way, there shall never be another unlucky soul that will suffer as I have," Harry said strongly, his conviction and passion making his eyes actually alight with green spell-fire, "There is too much pain in this world, and I will change it, for the better, so that the weak are protected, the sick healed, the mistreated avenged."
Her smile turned into a small comforting smile, "You can't save everyone, Harry."
Harry's eyes didn't lose their passion, instead glowing brighter, "I can certainly try, and that's all some of them need."
She looked at him in contemplation, then nodded, "Yes, that is true."
"Now, enough of this, I came here to give you something," she said, lifting her hand where a book appeared, "This book contains spells and rituals that haven't been used for over a thousand years, but are still considered to be the darkest of all dark magic, the wish of every Dark Lord since its disappearance."
"Bah, magic isn't dark, it's the user that is dark," Harry said, eyeing the book with interest, though he had a bit of trepidation, wondering what it would contain.
"Now I see why the God of Magic is so pleased with you…," the Night Mother teased, causing Harry to blush, but kept on looking at the book.
"May I ask what spells it contains?" Harry said, finally looking back to the Night Mother, whom was holding the book in her lap now.
"Here, look for yourself," she replied, handing the book over, which he handled with care, bringing closer to his body.
"Thank you," he mumbled as he looked at the black cover, which was covered in strange runes.
He traced them with his finger tips, not understanding them, when suddenly the began to make sense to him. He looked up at the Night Mother, to see her smiling at him mischievously with her finger pointed at him, before crossing her hands in her lap. He smiled in thanks, before going back to the book.
He looked up sharply at her, "Necromancy?"
"That is an art that was perverted into what the world views it as today, it used to be used to awaken ancestors to defend the living family members, or to contact a being in the Realm of the Dead," she explained, "This book is the most comprehensive book you will ever find, written by myself, as the art started within the ranks of my servants"
"So this is a book, written by yourself?" Harry asked rhetorically, "I shall take care of it Night Mother."
"I have no doubt you will, but you wont have to worry much, only you and my servants will be able to see it, well, my loyal servants," She said with a slight scowl, and at his questioning look, explained, "Some of the newer vampire families have renounced me and are siding with Voldemort, though their numbers are no where near the older, more powerful families."
"Is it a vampire that will be visiting me?" Harry asked, curious about his supposed visitor.
"If it is, would you be worried?" the Night Mother challenged, her eyebrow raised.
"I have a half-giant as a friend, a werewolf, a house elf, and a centaur, and you think I would care if a vampire wanted to be my friend?" Harry chuckled, "I thought you have been watching me?"
This caused the Goddess to giggle, "I know, but had to make sure."
Harry went back to the book, browsing through it, "This will take me years to master, but if it helps me get rid of Tom, I'll spend the next one hundred years preparing, though I doubt he'll wait that long."
A serious look came across the Night Mother's face, "Harry, I'm truly trusting you with this book, it can be used for many great things, but can do terrible things as well."
"I'd AK myself before I began to fall that far," Harry said, his eyes showing the total truth of the statement.
The serious look went to a sad smile, "I know you would, Harry."
She watched him as he looked through her gift to him for a few minutes, then coughed gently to gain his attention, "It is time for you to leave, but I shall be seeing you again, have no fear of that."
Harry looked up, and then gave her a smile that struck her for a second. It was, for lack of a better term, illuminating. He seemed to light up the entire room, showing his gratitude for such a gift. Finally she shook it off, deciding now was the time to tell him the other thing she wanted to say.
"Harry, you also should know that, should you accept, I would like to make you my Champion, a being directly linked to me, who will fight for me when needed, and act as my voice on the mortal plane," the Night Mother informed, looking at him, hoping for a positive response.
Harry was shocked to say the least, "But…why me? I'm no one special, just good ole Harry, who happens to have a bunch of unlucky things happen to him."
The Night Mother chuckled, "Harry, you are indeed something special, something rare and unique, something to be cherished."
"Your strength and bravery in the face of unimaginable odds inspires others, your caring nature sooths many a soul, and your unmovable will provides a shield for others to find protection," she said, "Your magical strength is unmatched, and given time and experience, you shall be the most powerful being that is continuous on the mortal plane, not to mention being modest to a fault."
Harry looked at her for a second, still shocked, but pleased with her compliments, even though he didn't believe them, and he smiled, "Well, if you will take me, then I guess It can't hurt to be your Champion, though I reserve the right to get a vacation when I finally defeat Tom…gonna need one after all this stress."
The Night Mother smiled widely, "Great! And of course you can take a break, you will rarely be called upon, as the need has died down in the last few millennia."
"Have there been any other champions for you before?" Harry asked curiously.
"Nope, never really had a need, I have plenty of servants that would be willing to jump at the roll, but never really felt the right connection with any that would benefit me in naming them my Champion.," She explained, "With you, you have the right stuff to be the perfect champion, willingness to serve, but not the blind devotion I see in some of the other champions."
"Now, kneel before me so we can get this over with and you can go get some rest, I don't want my Champion looking so sick," the Night Mother joked, watching as Harry stood from the couch and moved to kneel in front of her, "I name you, Harry James Potter, my Champion, my sword, my shield, and my voice. Do you accept this and swear loyalty to me?"
"I swear," Harry intoned, and felt a connection be formed between his new Mistress and himself.
"My Goddess," Harry said with respect, and a little reverence, for she had helped him and chosen him to be the receiver of powerful gifts this night.
The Night Mother smiled gently at the young man kneeling before her. He was young, some would say too young, but she knew that soon, he would come into his own, soon he would show the world what he was really made up, what it really meant to be Harry James Potter.
Time-Skip
Harry placed the book gently in his trunk, covered by some old robes to add extra protection, which he was sure it truly didn't need, but felt it deserved anyways. Then he laid down in bed, feeling the last few months of barely any sleep catching up to him again, but this time…this time he felt his Goddess' magic creating a small barrier around his mind, guarding against the nightmare visions sent to him by Voldemort.
He sent a wave of gratitude at the link, hoping she felt it, and knew she did when he felt her response of soothing magic caressing his tired mind. Almost immediately his eyes became to heavy to keep open, and he finally rested, a small smile gracing his haggard looking face.
Time-Skip
When Ronald Weasly woke up the next day, he was surprised to find Harry still asleep in his bed, his curtains dawn around him to protect him from the sun. He looked over at Neville, whom had been released from the Medical Wing earlier in the week, to find him finishing his collection of his school books and preparing to head to breakfast.
"Harry stayed asleep all night?" Ron asked, to which the usually timid boy responded with a nod.
Ron looked back at Harry's bed, and then gave a comforted smile, happy that his friend had finally gotten the rest he so desperately needed, before going off to do his morning routine. When he returned, he found Harry still asleep, and decided that he was just gonna let the boy rest, before heading back down to the common room.
There he met Hermione Granger, who had been waiting slightly impatiently for both of her best friends (though she fancied Ron could become more then best friend someday). "Where's Harry? Is he alright? And what took you so long?!" She said exasperatedly, before gently rubbing her stomach, where she still felt the bandages for her wound from the trip. Harry had felt terrible about all their injuries, even more so about the loss of Sirius, but they had explained to him that they all would gladly do it again.
Ron smiled gently at her, "He's finally resting 'Mione, decided to let him get some sleep, besides, he just looks so damn comfortable I couldn't in good conscious wake him."
She looked shocked, before a happy smile graced her face, "He's finally sleeping? Fantastic!"
"Now, lets go get some breakfast," He happily said, before stopping and looking at Hermione, who was about to say something concerning Ron and his obsession with food, "How you doing 'Mione, feeling all right?"
She closed her mouth, shocked a little, but his gentle, caring eyes never left her, and she smile beautifully at him, "Just itches sometimes, but Pomphrey says I'll fully recover, without even a scar."
Ron returned her smile happily, though he had a slight blush to his cheeks, "That's great news 'Mione!"
He turned to walk out the portrait gateway, before he stopped and turned back to her, still smiling, "Coming?"
She nodded and walked to catch up with before they both made their way to breakfast, side by side.
They arrived and seated themselves in their standard spot around the middle of the table, keeping a spot open for Harry just in case he woke up and wanted some food. Fifteen minutes after they arrived, Dumbledore walked up to them, concern on his face.
"May I ask where Mr. Potter is today?" Dumbledore asked, looking at the said boy's two best friends.
"He's finally resting, Headmaster, sleeping like a baby, even has a smile on his face!" Ron supplied, "I figured it do him some good to finally catch up on the sleep he has been missing."
Dumbledore's face cleared and a happy smile formed, "That is a good idea indeed, Mr. Weasley, a glorious idea in fact."
Dumbledore nodded to the two, his smile never leaving as he made his way back to the head table, sitting next to Professor McGonagall, whom smiled when she heard about the situation.
Time-Skip
It was lunch time, and Ron and Hermione were sitting down chatting with Ginny and Neville, talking about the DA meeting that was to occur later that night. They shouldn't have any trouble now that Umbridge had been removed, and with Harry finally rested, they might actually get their charismatic leader back.
When the Great Hall doors gently opened, whispers broke out as the young man on everyone's mind walked into the room. He had been missing from breakfast, and given the condition the school had last seen him in, there had been many a rumor of his sickness and/or death spread around. However, instead of the walking shell of a man they had all seen just a day previous, they now saw a lively, upbeat, if a little under nourished, boy walk in.
He stopped and looked around the Great Hall, a beaming smile on his face, and waved at the DA members that waved at him. He walked over to his friends at the Gryffindor table, clapping people on the back in greeting on the way.
"Man I'm starved, how you two doing?" Harry asked, already gathering a mountain of food on his plate.
Ron and Hermione smiled happily, glad to see the old Harry back. Ron clapped him on the back, "Good to see you're doing good Harry."
"And I'm fine, though it was a surprise to see that I woke up before you this morning, never seen that happen before, usually you yelling in my ear to get my arse outta bed," Ron chuckled.
"Language Ron, and I'm doing great today Harry, how bout yourself?" Hermione asked, gently seeking to see if Harry was truly doing ok.
Harry just looked up at her, before finishing the food in his mouth to reply, "I'm doing great 'Mione, fantastic even."
He looked down at his food intent on eating more, before he paused and looked up with a gentle smile, hoping to assuage his friend's worry some more, "I had good dreams last night, good memories, and I finally got my emotions sorted through."
"That's great news Harry," She said gently, happy that the boy she considered something of an older brother was finally on the road to recovery.
"Now if you excuse me, I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogryph," Harry stated before returning to his plate.
Ron laughed, "Isn't that my line, Harry?"
Harry shrugged, and continued to eat, enjoying the fine food that the Hogwarts elves supplied. He only stopped when he felt the presence of Draco Malfoy behind him, with his two lackeys trying to look menacing behind him.
"Well if it isn't Potty, the Weasel, and the mudblood, missed you at breakfast today Potty, missing your Godfather?" Draco said maliciously.
His friends growled, even Hermione reaching for her wand, before Harry stopped them with a look, and calmly finished chewing and swallowing the food in his mouth.
Then he turned and looked at Malfoy, and said in a voice that carried clear across all of the Great Hall, "How many times must I tell you Draco, I wont go out with you! I support your decision to be gay, but I don't bat for that team."
Draco's mouth opened in shock, and began to sputter, then the whispers that had broken out among all of the student body caused him to growl and pull out his wand, only to be stopped by the comforting voice of the Headmaster.
"Mr. Malfoy, there is no need to get hostile if you are turned down, I myself have been turned down many a time, the thing you must realize is that there are plenty of fish in the sea, and you must move on to go find them," Dumbledore informed.
"But…but…," Draco couldn't even formulate complete sentences in his anger and embarrassment.
Dumbledore gave a comforting smile, "Go sit down Mr. Malfoy, start thinking of another young man that you feel might interest you and then go about trying to win their affections, though I suggest changing your methods a bit."
Draco, his mind finally shutting down, just nodded and followed the mans advice, sitting back at Slytherin table mutely.
Harry returned to his meal as if nothing had happened, but his eyes, which were focused up at his friends showed a mischievous glint that seemed to be dancing around them. Everyone around him just stared at him, but he continued to eat his food, happily munching away.
Finally he looked up, finished with his food, and smiled, "Lets get to Charms, I think we have it in about ten minutes, right 'Mione?"
Hermione nodded slowly, before standing and getting her books, followed by Ron. The three made their way out of the Great Hall, but Harry stopped just outside the door, waited for it to close, then leaned against the wall, holding his stomach. His friends came closer to him worriedly, but jumped back in shock as he lean his head back and started to laugh. Not one of those fake laughs or those half-hearted laughs that he was prone to do lately, but a full blown belly laugh that lit up his face.
He continued to laugh hard, and finally lost balance, sliding down the wall, holding his stomach. His friends soon joined in, though not as hard has Harry. Hermione slowly calmed down, but would break out into giggles as she struggled to control herself, and her eyes shined as she watched Harry continue to laugh loudly. Almost assuredly the people in the Great Hall could hear him, but he didn't care, he just couldn't help himself.
"I…think…I'm gonna…puke…," Harry wheezed between laughs, but his voice and eyes told them that he didn't mind.
Finally he calmed down enough so they could head to head to Charms, and even managed to stay calm enough to make it through the class, though he would break into chuckles every once and a while as the memory replayed in his mind. Professor Flitwick didn't mind at all, as Harry did his charms work without any problem, his positive emotions giving his magic a more fluid and carefree feel to him, allowing him to accomplish the more light hearted charms they were working on this day, like common household charms.
Next they went to History, and even then Harry would chuckle a few times as he again thought of the memory that would be seared into his mind forever, as he made sure of that. Professor Binns just kept on going, not bothering to stop and reprimand Harry, as most of the other students were asleep anyways.
When dinner finally came around, Harry had sufficiently calmed to be able to look at Draco and not break into laughter. The Golden Trio sat down and ate, sharing tales with those around them of happy times and a funny story about Harry and his missing towel during shower time after a Quidditch game. This was all interrupted when the doors opened gently to admit a cloaked figure. Harry's eye's followed the figure, wondering if this was the figure he should be expecting.
Dumbledore stood up and politely waited for the visitor to arrive at the head table. He had felt the being enter the wards, but had felt no warnings from them, so knew that whomever it was, it meant no harm to anyone within the castle. So he let the being enter peacefully, and waited to see what it wanted.
The cloaked figure stopped in front of the head table before focusing on the standing Headmaster.
"What may I do for you this fine day…?" He left off there, hoping for the figure to identify itself.
"My name is Amaya," The figure, dropping her hood, to reveal a woman of oriental descent, who looked to be in her mid 20s, "And I am here to speak to Harry Potter."
AN: Okay, this has been bouncing around my Head for a while, please review and tell me what you think so far. I personally think I might have explained too and did little else, but hopefully I'll avoid that in the next chapter. Also, if you see any mistakes, like names misspelled, or other things, please tell me, and I shall endeavor to make it right.