Hey everybody, two new stories in one night?(Edit: Now just one.) How about that? This is another, "what if?" spin-off idea my brain had that quickly got out of hand and needed to be put into a story. At this point, I only have a gauge direction of where this is going, so some of the early chapters may seem a bit short and not as meaty as others. But it's like fine wine: it gets better as it ages.
So some things to note, this story will follow RWBY up until a certain point, and then start on the Harry Potter books.
Pairings have been decided, but the options were:
RubyXHarry (Which is what will happen)
YangXHarry (No)
HermioneXHarry (No)
or GinnyXHarry. (No)
Also this will include some Weasley bashing, but the amount depends on stuff that happens. Oh, and Manipulative/Greater Good Dumbledore, which is the most common kind, which is a little strange if you think of it. Why do so many people like that he's not a good person... Getting off topic...
There will be slight time travel, and obviously Hunter!Harry. And this will stay mostly with the HP books, but may touch on movie events on occasion.
Updates will be a little sporadic, but hopefully no long waits... heh, heh...
Okay, on with the first part in this epic!
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or Harry Potter. They are owned respectively by Rooster Teeth and J.K. Rowling.
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Last Edit: 10/10/17
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was eager to see what Hogwarts brought in this year; especially since this is the year that the penultimate stage of his master plan was about to begin.
Seeing new students brought in and sorted always reinforced the feeling of authority he had of deciding what they were going to learn, molding them the way he saw fit. As Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, he was deep into politics of the British Ministry of Magic and everybody looked to him for guidance, even Prime Minister Cornelius Fudge. Although he had been offered the position of Minister, he knew it was in reality only a figurehead position in the Ministry and as such declined the offers. And besides, there were other, more influential positions he now held, rather than an easily replaceable Minister.
As Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, he was party to every major decision that affected the wizards around the world; and because he was from Great Britain, he had the most influence on the minds of the wizards of his homeland and most of Europe. He often butted heads with the (relatively recently) over-inflated stuck-up representatives of the Magical Congress of the U.S.A, but he often overruled them on almost every major decision due to his name and reputation, which he cultivated and nurtured into what it was today.
That reputation began when he defeated his former friend and lover Gellert Grindelwald, who rose to prominence as a so-called Dark Lord during the 20's and was largely responsible for the Muggle's second world war (along with that deranged German Muggle, Adam Hidolf, or whatever his name was) and the first major Wizarding war in many years. Albus still felt a little chagrinned how Gellert decided to take his own path instead of the one they had mapped out, with growing disagreements and slightly different views about The Greater Good coming into play, as well as the tension after Ariana's death which Dumbledore still felt partially responsible for.
They had such great plans… But it was for the Greater Good that they came to blows (and Gellert was coming dangerously close to revealing their world to the Muggles before their plans were ready). It was for the best that their disagreements came out so that they could be resolved and the Wizarding world could move on, more united obviously under his vision which stayed true.
Any mention of their past relations had been carefully buried. It wouldn't do for the Leader of the Light to have a past with one of the greatest Dark Lords in recent history.
Dumbledore's reputation and prestige grew even greater when Tom Riddle, who had assumed the mantle of Lord Voldemort, rose to prominence in Britain and started gathering followers amongst the Pureblood supremacist faction. Here was yet another Dark Lord that everybody looked to Albus Dumbledore to take care of. While Dumbledore was slightly disappointed with this new 'Dark Lord', though credit was given for sheer power and charisma that was growing close to Gellert's own, this time a proverbial rapier was required instead of a claymore to handle Tom, since most of his followers were Purebloods and were instrumental in keeping the Wizarding world intact. It wouldn't survive without them. On the flip side, there were some Purebloods keeping the Wizarding society from achieving their rightful place on both sides.
Dumbledore planned to wait before acting, when the situation reached a critical juncture, and those that he needed eliminated were. Clear lines needed to be drawn before any action could be taken. The 'Death Eaters' needed to see the folly in following Tom, who would sooner see their destruction than their salvation and instead follow himself. Severus Snape had, but in a rather forced manner. Albus wished others saw enlightenment in a more natural way. Everyone knew he was powerful and even Tom was hesitant to fight him. The plan originally was that once he defeated Tom and became the savior of the wizarding world again he would offer the remaining Death Eaters redemption and have them indebted to him, allowing Albus to reveal his grand design for a Wizarding utopia to all and gain massive support.
He couldn't kill Tom directly though. Since Ariana's death he was hesitant to raise a wand with the intent to kill. If he were to have that intent however, it would have to be a last resort measure or to further the Greater Good. He was still hopeful that Tom would come around and join his plan. All it would take were a few duels and well placed words and Tom would come to the light after unifying the other wizards under Dumbledore's cause.
However, the unexpected prophecy from that near fraud threw a ward scheme into his plans. Both the Potters and the Longbottoms had children that fit the prophecy's description and it wouldn't do for their children to become the ones that everyone looked to as the leaders of light... so soon, if at all. Not before he had finished his mission of creating a unified magical Britain and mentored them into maintaining his ideals. It saddened him that he had to do what was necessary, as both families were ardent supporters of his (not to mention purebloods, or close enough) and either of their losses would be felt dearly in the community.
Eventually he found that the Potters were the ones Tom was hunting so he made good use of them while he could, strong arming them with the prophesy, and put their money to his own goals for the future. It was good that he reached the point he was at before that Halloween, as he didn't like how suspicious Lily became over the years. She was always bright, too bright for his purposes, and he didn't hold as much guilt over her necessary death as he had her husband's.
She would've never been accepted at large into the world he would create anyway.
In the aftermath of that Halloween night however, he knew that Tom wasn't as gone as many would believe, and that the prophecy had yet to be fulfilled as young Harry Potter had survived, marked as an equal. Somehow Tom had achieved a way of cheating death, and Albus didn't exactly know which method he used (since there were many supposed methods), but he strongly suspected Horcruxes, with the dark mass he detected in Harry's scar leading credence. And with that prophesy, it meant that Harry needed to die to end Tom; but in the right way, by sacrifice to further the light side's struggle.
That was his plan now, with several threads cast weaving together to create a greater web. Lily's protection over her son was bent to cast blood wards over her sister's house to keep Harry safe from leftover Death Eaters who hadn't completely renounced Tom for some reason (such as the insane Bellatrix Lestrange neé Black), and also his relatives from him as the ward would siphon magic from the boy to keep his bouts of accidental magic to a minimum. Or rather to a normal amount even after Albus had placed a block on Harry's magic. Harry's magic was already strong for someone of that age, and it would've been even greater due to the nature of the Prophesy without the wards and block, which wouldn't do. The way it was now, Harry won't have as much built up power coming to Hogwarts as he should have. A powerful Potter was a scenario Albus didn't want because that was one reason Tom became so uncontrollably influential: his power. The stronger the wizard (or rare witch), the more pull on other's magic they would have.
If Albus hadn't done what he did, Harry's magic would have been as strong as Tom's upon exiting Hogwarts… if not stronger.
Since Harry's magic would be restrained, that would mean less accidental magic for his relatives to react to and to be in danger from. Accidental magic was unpredictable and reacted to emotions. If Harry's magic wasn't restrained then either he would escape and/or kill the Dursleys, or the Dursley's would beat him for showing magic. He would hate to have to explain to the public why the 'savior' had died under his caretaker's roof.
Yes, Dumbledore knew that Harry was in a magic hating household, but that was so he would be malleable to his designs. That was why it was imperative that the Potter's Will be sealed and Sirius Black be placed in Azkaban so he couldn't raise Harry, though it saddened Dumbledore to have to do that to the Black boy. The Black family had always been dark, except for Sirius who was proof that the dark side could be redeemed. To have him in Azkaban while Peter Pettigrew roams free gave him heartache, but it was for the Greater Good. Black was a little too uncontrollable and impulsive to be a good guardian and role model for young Harry, unlike himself.
His plans for the boy were progressive and needed to be carefully crafted so Harry would be ready to give his life for the Greater Good. Dumbledore's Greater Good. Harry would come to Hogwarts, alone, confused, and meek, yearning for someone to look up to -which would be Albus himself- and be completely ignorant of the Wizarding world until Hagrid was sent to get him. Then he would mold the boy to be the martyr needed for his new Wizarding world.
It had been interesting and a tad surprising when Minerva McGonagall, the transfiguration professor and deputy headmistress, came into his office upon receiving a letter from Harry asking to explain the Hogwarts Letter he'd gotten, thinking that it was a joke. I suppose it might have been possible for Harry to receive and send a letter without the Dursleys knowing, he reasoned. After assuring McGonagall that he would take care of it and she should focus on the incoming muggleborns, he waited without responding back. It was sooner than expected, but the Dursleys eventually left their house like a Cerberus was after them, unexpectedly leaving Harry all alone in their house. He'd thought they would've taken him with them, but that was minor.
The meeting after the half-giant collected Harry and showed him around Diagon Alley had been enlightening, more so than Albus expected. The meeting was more for ceremonial show than anything else since Albus already thought he knew what transpired during the trip. Hagird had come to his office as requested, and after taking the offered lemon drop(s), Albus began his questioning. "So Hagrid, how is young Harry?"
"Ah, Professor, he's great. Curious 'bout everythin' tho'. He said tha' those Muggle relatives o' his kept him in tha' dark 'bout the magical world, so 'e had loads of questions. Wanted to know 'bout everything, an' seemed confused 'bout certain things in tha' Magical world. Had a lot of strange ideas, but I told him straight 'bout them."
Good, just as it should be. No idea about magic. It wouldn't do for Harry to have an inflated head. Albus looked over his half-moon glasses at the half-giant and asked, "And how did the meeting go without his relatives? Did Harry seem panicked or in denial at first?"
"Nah, Harry kept calm when I told 'im 'e was a wizard. Didn't seem all tha' surprised really, but tha' might 'ave been shock." Hagrid mused. "'E seemed grateful tha' they weren't there. Said it made things smoother without disruptions."
Albus nodded sagely, something nagging at him, but he ignored it. "And how did the visit to Diagon Alley to get his school supplies go? Did you get the 'you know what?'"
"Yes, I did." Hagrid reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package. Albus smiled internally, another one of his brilliant plans, though a little early in execution since young Harry responded, forcing his hand a bit. He would use the Philosopher's Stone to lure the shade of Tom Riddle to Hogwarts where he would set up a confrontation between Harry and Tom, which would eventually end up with Harry trusting Dumbledore more. And after, he might even be able to keep the stone from the Flamels with some slight of hand. A fallback plan so to speak. Long-term compulsions were vastly underrated.
"Thank you Hagrid, I knew I could trust you with this," Albus said with a slight smile. Those complements were all Hagrid needed to feel useful and stay loyal to him. Albus had built up enough goodwill with Hagrid to make him do whatever Albus wanted, and Hagrid would be happy about it! If there was no one else, Albus knew he could trust Hagrid -the honest, malleable, simple soul he was. Strangely enough, many others were like this, just not as dedicated.
Albus put the stone into a drawer in his desk to handle later. "And the trip?"
"Tha' trip to Diagon Alley went well. Took 'Arry to his vault, got tha' Stone-" Albus winced internally. Hagrid meant well, but could not keep his mouth shut at times. "-an' got all 'is stuff. 'E did buy a few more books than' were on tha' school list tho'. I told him not to waste all tha' money, but 'e said 'e just be wantin' to learn all 'e could. Didn't see tha' harm really. 'Ad to warn 'im off Knockturn Alley when we pass'd. Oh, forgot to mention!" Hagrid interrupted himself, "the wand choosing was a little odd. 'Arry seemed to not want the wand tha' he got."
That got Albus' attention, as it was something not within his permissible outcomes. "Which wand was it?" He asked, pretending to be ignorant. He already knew thanks to the letter Garrick sent immediately after Harry left. That's another thing that's going to plan. He wanted Harry to have the brother wand to Riddle's so he could highlight the differences between them so Harry would fight against Tom. After all, Tom was the one that directly killed his parents.
But the wandmaker didn't mention anything strange happening during the wand choosing, which was a concern for Albus.
"Ah holly with a phoenix feather, eleven inches I think," Hagrid answered.
"And you say that he didn't like it?" Albus queried.
"Well, he gave a right frown when it made tha' sparks and almos' dropped tha' wand, but he bought it anyway since it fitted 'im."
Albus pondered this with a slight frown. That may cause slight problems in the future. The wand bonded to him even though it seems he resisted it. Unheard of -usually it's the other way around- but if it works it should keep the plan intact until completion.
After a little more talk, Albus felt reassured that the plan was on track and bade Hagrid goodbye. Now all he had to do was wait for September first and let the Weasleys guide Harry onto platform 9 and ¾, introducing him to another family that were supporters of him, further pushing Harry into his guidance.
So currently Albus was sitting in his thro- chair, decorated in gold as it was, at the head of the staff table, waiting for McGonagall to lead in the first years with the second through seventh years already waiting in the Great Hall. After a while, the doors opened and McGonagall strode in with a new crop of students waiting to be filled with information.
The Sorting Hat sang once again a terrible song that Albus pretended to enjoy. You'd think that as long as it's been doing this it would have at least gained some semblance of tone. Then the anticipated sorting began. There were a few notable names such as Susan Bones, Daphne Greengrass, Neville Longbottom, and Draco Malfoy; the last one was one that Albus needed to be extra gentle with to guide him away from his father's path. Lucius was one that still needed to see the error in his ways. Albus eagerly waited for Harry's name to be called since he had yet to catch a glimpse of the boy.
Eventually McGonagall called out "Potter, Harry!"
As Harry's name was called, Albus got his first glance at the boy he left at his Aunt's doorstep ten years ago. It was not entirely what he expected and unwelcome.
The boy was about average height for his age, and looked like a younger James Potter with Lily's green eyes. However, unlike James, Harry had no glasses to hide his eyes so they shone with a greater light.
Harry stepped up to the sorting hat, looking confidant in himself, but not swaggering in the way Severus claimed James walked (and in all honesty, James did swagger on occasion). It was a casual walk that bellied a certain level of self-assurance/confidence, something that Albus didn't exactly favor. He was definitely not nervous like the other first years and under those robes was a nicely dressed and slightly well built body. Albus was wary of him not being sorted into Gryffindor, but decided to wait and see.
As Harry came up, ignoring the whisperings that his name generated, he stopped right before he got to the stool and turned to Professor McGonagall, who was still holding the hat. "Professor McGonagall, I want to inform you that my name isn't entirely accurate on the roster," he said, causing more whispers to break out, more among the staff, mostly in puzzlement as few openly contradicted the stern transfiguration teacher. He wasn't loud, but his voice carried in the hall. And he had a strange accent, close to what the American Wizards have, or at least the ones who could talk somewhat proper English without mangling it as they do.
McGonagall herself frowned in confusion, "How so?"
"It should be Harry Xiao Long-Potter instead, but I wouldn't expect anyone to know that," he said, finishing softly to himself, sounding wistful. "It's fine to address me as Potter, but for the record could you officially change the rosters later after the sorting though please?" He asked in a respectful tone.
McGonagall just dumbly nodded and Harry sat on the stool. The Hat was placed over his head and the entire school waited, with waited breath.
Albus directed his mind to the Hat with subtle Legilimency. He always did this to see where a person was most likely headed and to halt that if necessary. He couldn't directly interfere with the Hat's decision, as the Founders made sure to avoid tampering by future headmasters, but he could make it focus on certain aspects in a person that would direct them to a certain house. Mostly Albus left the Hat alone to sort naturally, except for certain people like the third oldest Weasley (which strangely the hat wanted to put in Slytherin) and right now. Harry must be placed in Gryffindor. It would be a disaster if he were to be placed in any other house. While Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff weren't bad houses per-se, they weren't the ones needed to encourage Harry to follow his destiny. And if Harry went into Slytherin, it would be the light side apocalypse, since almost everybody believed that Harry had been training under Dumbledore.
Look at all the brave things he's done. The courage needed to live the life he's lived. The potential he has to be the best Gryffindor there is. There isn't enough cunning or ambition in him to warrant sorting him into Slytherin. He's a Gryffindor like his parents before him. Such were the thoughts Dumbledore pushed the Hat to look for.
It was silent for about a minute before the Hat finally shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Albus almost sighed in relief as the Gryffindor side exploded in cheers, the Weasley twins dancing around, chanting, "We got Potter, we got Potter!" It's a good thing that the plan is still going in the right direction, Albus thought as Harry went to join his new House. It was one of the shorter sortings (excluding young Draco's –though Dumbledore had a theory that the Hat just didn't want to be placed on that gelled hair) which Albus was thankful for.
However, instead of sitting alone, he went directly to Neville Longbottom and a muggleborn witch, Hermione Granger, if he recalled. When Ronald was inevitably sorted into Gryffindor, (the Hat needing little Legilimency push to settle on a house for some reason) those three excluded him when he blatantly tried to barge into the conversation. Something that would have to be remedied in the future perhaps after the boy's learned a little tact, Albus ruefully thought. After he called the feast open he kept looking over at Harry every once in a while, finding him in animated discussion with his other classmates.
Something is different about him, Dumbledore mused. I'm not sure what, but he's different than what I'd expected. I'll have to test him to determine his willingness to follow the path of the Greater Good.
It would be an interesting couple of years.
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And thus ends the pilot chapter of The Aura mage. Please tell me what you think! Remember it isn't YangXHarry; I'll get to the Xiao Long-Potter thing later.
Anyway: Read, Review, Favorite, and Follow! (R.R.F.F)
See you for now,
-OrangeGalen