Chapter 1: The Unexpected Summer

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine of course; I am just a minion playing in the sandbox of the JKR.

Mind Speech/Foreign Language, $Parsel Tongue$,

Enjoy the thrilling ride.

Ulluka

The Train Journey:

Leaving the Scottish summer, a train was leaving for England. The return was uneventful. Of course if one compares the last week's activities, a simple train journey will always fall short of the mark.

The roller coaster emotional journey started with the scheduled execution of buck-beak. Then came the attack of the grim. The grim dragged flame haired lanky boy to the most haunted house of the hogsmeade, the shrieking shack and that too under the murderous whomping willow. Going anywhere near willow was suicidal, he already knew that, experienced that still the loyalty didn't waver, he followed them along with his best friend. Then came the shock of life. The grim was an animagus, and when the reverse transformation was completed, the animagus was revealed to be a gaunt looking Sirius Black, the betrayer of his parent. He was ready to attack him, save his friend, kill the betrayer if possible consequence be damned. But the revelation was not over yet.

They say some people can't stop hooking their nose in to other's business. He was in middle of getting information from the betrayer along with the Professor Lupin, the hook nosed grease haired Professor Snape jumped in and started accusing Professor Lupin as betrayer also. Strange thing was how Snape knew about this impromptu meeting? But alas, he didn't think of thatat that time and he couldn't let everything slide without knowing the full story. So when Snape become unreasonable he stunned him without thinking further. Then came the story of the final animagus, the true betrayer, the Rat, Scabbers aka Wormtail aka Peter Pettigrew. How unthinking were the Marauders, if one's inner animal is Rat then even if he is your friend you should be wary of him. You never know when he is going to turn on you. He suppressed the thought thinking it's his paranoia speaking.

He was happy. He caught the betrayer who is now restrained. He had a passionate talk with his Godfather, the supposed betrayer, the prisoner of Azkaban. He chuckled thinking of the irony. The faithful grim was thought be betrayer whereas treacherous rat considered to be Hero. Still he was happy, because after all this time he found someone who was happy for him, who was happy to have him. Alas he forgot that fate was a bitch to him. The moment his god father suggested to live with him for this summer after his exoneration as the Rat has been captured, fate started her cruelty. Professor Lupin had forgotten his wolfs bane and he started transforming and all hell broke loose. They were successful in saving themselves from the bloodlust of the were wolf & kiss of the dementors by sheer amount of luck and some unknown help but the Rat escaped and his god father got captured. Another ray of happiness got snuffed prematurely.

Still he believed that headmaster will listen to his story. Then the strangest thing happened, though the headmaster believed his story but didn't help him in anyway. Snape had woven a wonderful story, Sirius Black has confounded three 13yr students and the silence of headmaster and unavailability of Professor Lupin made his story more believable to Minister Fudge, he bought the story hook line & sinker. What headmaster did though is to guide two 3rdyrs.' student to use time-turner to save the day. Isn't that a bit irresponsible? Still he had no alternative. He and his best friend Hermione had to take that responsibility as the third member of the trio Ron Weasley was bed ridden due to the broken ankle received from attack of the grim. Then he had the realization that the unknown help he had received earlier was from their future selves. He produced the biggest patronous (though he didn't have any reference to compare still it was by far his biggest one), the bright stag to repel the dementors. Then he rode buckbeak along with Hermione to save his godfather from the hasty dementors kiss. Finally, after a game of hide and seek from the guards he was successful in liberating his only family alive from being a soulless husk. Who knew that Weasley twins' product works better than advertised. The guards were silenced and distracted in a dreamy state when he rescued his god father. After 5 mins when the effect got away then the panic started. But he was proud that in 5 mins window he save his family and kept the ray of hope alive.

"Harry! Harry! Are you still in this planet?"

The screeching of Hermione brought Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived back to earth from reminiscing the past week memories. "What! Oh! Yeah, I am still here. I guess we will be arriving kings cross in 30mins or so. Right."

"Yeah, mate. You, kind of looked like lost there."

Harry chuckled after listening to Ron. "Anyway what were you asking Hermione?"

"What are you going to do in summer?"

"No Idea! Probably the same as previous ones. Though I would be happy with less drama & adventure." He grinned and slowly a laughter ensued.

"Mate! Don't forget about the World cup. I will inform you once Dad gets the ticket. Same for you Hermione. Please do add this on your planner." Ron winked.

"Ron! I don't plan everything." Hermione rebuked sternly.

"Anyway when is the World cup?" Harry tried to diffuse the ticking bomb. Of course a bomb will be doing less damage than the iconic arguments of Ron & Hermione.

"Seriously Harry! You are youngest seeker in century yet you don't know when is the world cup?" Harry shrugged.

"It's on 25th Aug. We might be leaving the same day morning for the camp site. I will send you the details over owl. Whatever might be the case we will be meeting you by Aug 20 any case. You both are invited to the Burrow for the last week of the holidays."

"What's your plan for summer Hermione? It looks like you are also excited for the world cup?"

"Of course, I am Harry. It's a momentous event of the history. Whether I like the sport or not still Quidditch is an integral part of the wizarding culture. During the world cup hundred thousands of wizard & witches come together. Different cultures, Different traditions merge together at one point. It's amazing to witness such event."

Ron was stomped. Harry was astonished about the facts. "Wow! I had no idea about all these." Harry smiled. Hermione was every bit proud of the fact that she knew the trivia about the world cup.

Finally, the train reached its destination. They got down and after a quick good byes and promise of meeting later they went through the portal back to muggle world.

"Boy! Let's go." Barked Vernon Dursely, epitome of the normalcy. Harry sighed. Now started the 2 months of the prison, he thought.

Oh Boy! Was he wrong? He should have thought that fate is not always a bitch. Sometimes she can bring a total turn around to your life and Harry was in for such a ride.

The Meeting with a Stranger:

The summer started same as the previous one. The moment he entered home from the station. The mount Dursely blasted. The instruction came through like hot lava.

"Boy. I want no funny business. Do you understand? Your aunt will assign your chores. You have to do it first then go back to your room. No freakishness or corrupting anyone with your types of non-sense. Understood?"

"Yes. Uncle Vernon." Harry replied almost mechanically.

"And no mixing with my Duddykins. And if I find that you are breaking rules then you will pray that you would have never born. And be sure to look your freaky owl. Any sound, any sound at all from that infernal bird. Then you will know what hell looks like."

Harry was not a coward. He knew how to take stand for himself. He knew what's right and what's wrong. What's moral and what's immoral. Still he becomes almost catatonic whenever his uncle starts berating him. Same went for Professor Snape, subconsciously Snape reminded him of Uncle Vernon. May be it reminded him of the beatings he took over the years. The insults over the years. Comparing his father to a drunkard & mother to whore. Stamping out any inquisitiveness with thorough beating. No medical help after broken ribs or arms. He was thankful for his magic. It kept him alive even though he didn't know that before his 11th birthday. Collectively it had affected his self-confidence. One thing was unique about him was, he was more stubborn than Goblin steel. No matter what happens he will not break. He will not complain these things to anyone, He will not let crumble under their pressure. He will overcome this on his own. No Never, He is not a sighed and silently took his trunk to his room.

After unpacking he fell down on his bed. The worn-out bed creaked. He looked towards the roof. The old thoughts, hopes creeped back. The wish of having a loving family. The wish of having someone to love, wish of having someone who cares for you and having a future with then. All those suppressed wished crawled back to mind and a lone tear escaped.

"Hoot. Hoot" "I am not crying Hedwig."

"Hoot. Hoot. Hoot." "Of course. I know I am strong. You can never choose a weakling as your wizard."

"Hoot. Hoot." "I know. I love you too."He caressed her feathers lovingly and both fell in deep sleep.

The distress of a wizard and his familiar got picked up by another wizard familiar pair. The said pair woke young wizard Astika, apprentice of Master Udhhava, from Bharat (Magical India) was startled. He knew he was an empathy and his familiar Chandini, the most vain Chakora (Moon Phoenix)can only feel anyone's emotions if the said person is powerful to broadcast his distress as his abilities have not been developed fully.

"Chandini. Did you feel that?"

"Of course I felt that. It was like a beacon of sadness. I feel like one my kind is trapped in another form. We have to help them, my wizard."

"We will help them my friend. We might have to break some laws but we will surely help them."

Harry woke up as usual and the routine followed for next week. Cooking breakfast, weeding out the garden, taking care of aunt petunia's preciousss roses, washing garage etc. etc. Unknown to the green eyed boy another wizard from different part of the world was watching him, evaluating him and formulating a plan. Astika still had no idea of how to help him. After following Harry for a week, he had a pretty good idea of what the young man has endured over the years still a niggling thought was there that it's just tip of the iceberg. He was still contemplating how to approach the young man.

"Why aren't you trying to talk to him directly?"

"Do you think that will work? He is clearly abused. He will not trust us easily."

"Then we will earn his trust. You are just wasting time. And you know that's a luxury we can't afford."

"Ok. Ok. I will approach him tomorrow. Thank you for straitening me up. Chandini."

With that simple idea a young man's life was about to change forever. The next day was grocery shopping day for Harry. He thanked Merlin for the small mercies, at least he will be out for sometime and will see the streets beyond his prison. He was engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't recognize he was about to collide with someone.

"I am sorry. I didn't meant it to happen." Harry blurted.

"Of course, young man. Accidents are never meant to be happened but it does. I am Astika."Asitka smiled and offered his hand.

Harry somehow felt normal and relaxed around the young apprentice. "Hi, I am Harry. You don't seem like you are from this neighborhood. Sorry, If I sounded bit forward."

Astika laughed at Harry's question. "No, young wizard. Indeed I am not from here. I am from Bharat." After seeing confusing look from Harry, Astika explained, "that is Magical Unified India or as per muggles India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh. I am here for my mandatory world tour or vacation." Seeing the alarmed look from Harry after knowing he was wizard also, Astika tried to make him comfortable. He mentally called Chandini to diffuse the situation. Moon Phoenix can be vainer than the modern world glamour models and Chandini can be considered the vainest of than all and she arrived in style, doing series of acrobats. It was a good thing that it was early morning and the alley in which both wizard were conversing was empty (of course that was because of the muggle repelling charm & notice me not charm). Harry was pleased to see the magnificent bird and was mentally comparing her to Hedwig.

"She kind of looks like Hedwig, except the face." Harry blurted out while admiring Chandini.

"Of course She looks like me as she is a moon phoenix." Barked Chandini. Astika laughed.

"Harry, Chandini is saying that your Hedwig is a moon phoenix."

"No, she is a snowy owl, just a snowy owl."

"Like you are not just Harry, Harry Potter. She is not just an owl."

Harry became alarmed as he never told his full name to Astika. Astika knowing full well that though Harry seems trusting to everyone in reality his upbringing made sure of being wary of everyone started explaining his knowledge about him.

"I, Astika, Apprentice of Master Uddhava, do solemnly vow that I will not harm Harry Potter. I will help him on his quest. So I swear so mote it be." The vow was accepted with a white light.

"What was that?"

"That Harry is a magical vow and the light at the end of the vow is magic accepting my vow."

"Thank you Astika for being interested in me. But what can you help me? How do you know that I have a quest?"

"Can we go to that nearest park? We are standing in the same place for last 15mins." Astika said smilingly.

Astika led Harry to the nearest play area. After sitting down comfortably on a bed of grass, Astika warded the particular area against the eavesdroppers & unwanted visitors. He explained Harry about his empathic abilities. He also told him those moon phoenixes are more attuned to their wizards, until the wizard fully accepts his magic, they do not attain their true form. He told Harry that though everyone know his history there are so many blank spaces in it, so many plot holes that one can doubt whether it's fact or just a fictional story. Astika believed that the war is still not over. One day Harry will be at the center of it. He offered Harry training for a month.

"Thank you Master Astika. I know the war is not over and I am not prepared to be in it for a near future. I have to train, I have to be strong enough to change the outcome of it." Harry said with respectfully & with conviction in his voice.

"So Master, am I? I can assume you have accepted my proposal then. But before accepting you as my student, I need something from you."

"I will try Master. If it is something I can do, I will do it."

"Promise me Harry, you will not hide your intelligence. I can feel your emotion Harry so no need of hiding this from me. If magic has given you something then be proud of it, use it. You have a dream, an ambition then do something to achieve it. If you feel that there is no one for you in this world then create your family, your own pack or coven. You can't win against world alone. Find your true friends, leave the pretentious ones. Don't hold back yourself; if someone leaves you just because you are going not what they expected then don't worry. Its life, you get some, you lose some. A cunning snake is more dangerous than a lion. At least honor your parents memory, be what you will expect of your children."

"I solemnly promise you Master. I will not hide behind the situations anymore."

Harry now was sporting a new determined look. After the discussion he left to get the grocery. He was going to train for a month with Astika at his rented apartment which was just two streets away. The only worry now was how to get away from his prison without anyone knowing. Life was just staring to be good for the green eyed boy.

The Summer Training:

All day only one thing was on Harry's mind. How to get away from the prison? At the end of the day he sat down on his bed thinking that.

"Hedwig. Did you know you still haven't got your true face? Did you know that you are a phoenix? And that I am holding you back to achieve your full potential? I am sorry Hedwig."

"Hoot. Hoot."

"I will do my best my friend. By end of this summer you will get your true form. But how to escape from here? Do you have any idea?

"Hoot. Hoot."

"But which friend I will give a call? Hermione & Ron are only two friends I have and they haven't written yet. I can't impose on them like this. I can't leave from here also, don't have any valid reason also I don't want anyone to know that I am training."

"Hoot. Hoot."

"I don't have other friends. You know that Hedwig."

"Hoot. Hoot."

"No need to be angry. You know that I am dense sometimes. But How can Dobby help?"

"The great Harry Potter called Dobby." With a pop Dobby came bounced excitedly.

Harry recovered from his shock quickly. "Hi Dobby! How are you? Please have a seat."

"The honorable Harry Potter sir be a great wizard. Dobby is knowing it. Dobby be well sir. But Dobby be not finding work sir. No one be interested in paying Dobby."

"I am sorry Dobby. Because of me you are in this situation." Before Dobby can protest, Harry continued. "I have an idea Dobby. How much do you want as salary?"

"Is Great Harry Potter sir be needing an elf?"

Harry scratched the back of his head. "Kind of like that Dobby. I am in a situation that needs a bit of external help."

"Dobby not needing any payment to be Honorable Harry Potter sir's elf."

"Please Dobby. I can possibly enslave you."

"Dobby want to be Harry Potter sir's elf. Elves are not slaves Harry Potter sir. We be needing the bond. Without bond we be dying slowly. We need magic to survive."

"I didn't know that Dobby. I am sorry. If you want I will bond with you. Still I will give a galleon a week. You can do whatever you want with it and you must take one day leave per week."

"That be too much Harry Potter sir. But I accept. Dobby be taking one day leave per month."

"One day leave per two week. That's final. Now tell me how to bond with you?"

"Master Harry Potter sir must be placing his hand on Dobby's head and be saying 'I accept Dobby as my elf'."

Harry placed his hand on Dobby's head and recited, "I, Harry James Potter is accepting Dobby as my elf & friend."

"Dobby accepts."

"Thank you Dobby, now on to business we go." Harry explained the meeting of Astika and his planned training and the need of leaving private drive without anyone's knowledge.

"Dobby be knowing the solution Master Harry."

"Please Dobby, no need to call me master." Harry interrupted.

"As you wish Harry Sir. Dobby can put glamour to look like you sir. Sir can finish the training and Dobby can do the works. Don't worry sir these whale muggles be not knowing anything."

"Thank you Dobby. You are a lifesaver."

"Hoot. Hoot."

"Yes. Yes. Hedwig. You are awesome. Dobby, can you sleep on this couch?" Harry pointed to the worn out couch in his room.

"Yes. Harry Sir. No problem."

Harry went on to sleep peacefully. After all this time he had a plan to follow now.

The morning came too early for Harry, yet he was excited for the new chapter of his life. By the time Harry finished his morning ablutions, Dobby had already prepared the breakfast. After the breakfast, Dobby applied his glamour & popped Harry to outside of the Astika's apartment. Astika cordially invited Harry. When Harry entered the room, Astika told him to start running on the treadmill. After a healthy 5 km run. Astika started explaining.

"Magic is like muscle. The more you use it, the more the capacity increases. Then again too much of anything is disastrous. I am going to teach you how to increase the reserve of your magic & how to be flexible. Physical fitness is a must to be a good fighter, be it magical or mundane. Then I will teach you History of the world. One who ignores history are bound to repeat it. So you must know about it. Analyzing the failures & success past, can help you in a long run. Then I will teach you occlumency & legilimency. The art of protection & attack of mind. Then each day you have to practice whatever you have learned till now in Hogwarts. I will also give you the idea of basic warding & spell crafting."

Harry was determined to learn it all. Harry had an eidetic memory but the scar on his head was blocking the formation of a full mindscape. On top of that the blood wards & the blocks to contain the dark residue from the scar was inhibiting him from magical growth. Astika was fully qualified Healer & curse breaker. While Harry was exercising Astika subtly ran the diagnostic charms to check Harry's health. He was appalled to see the result but he already had a plan to handle it. He didn't want to reveal everything to Harry. As he thought someone who knew Harry well had done this. Adding the blocks & ward so that Harry will not attain his full potential. He didn't want to break Harry's faith in society suddenly, but he will arrange it in such a way that harry will not face full brunt of the betrayal. He wanted to preserve the innocence of Harry as long as possible.

Astika continued his lecture. "There are three things that control a nation or war. Information, Communication, Resource. Control these three you control the outcome. I will teach you how to establish communication channels which are not regulated by ministry. I will teach you how to acquire information and how to be resourceful. Finally, at the end of the month, I will do a ritual to cure you of the malnutrition and any health you have." Thus started the training of Harry. While Astika was educating Harry, Chandini was transferring her wisdom to Hedwig. The ritual Astika had planned was the lynchpin which destroyed careful planning of a master manipulator.

For the next 30 days Harry's routine was same. First exercise to build up the strength, then meditation to build up the occlumency shields. Then some days for revision of previous lessons of Hogwarts, some days Ancient Runes for warding, some days for Arithmancy for spell crafting. Harry was now beyond OWL levels in practical aspect of these two subject in which previously he had no idea. Harry got an in depth lecture about History. It started with background of each magical country, the difference between them, the ruling structure and the British & European laws. He got the background of ICW, International Confederations of Wizards. Despite being named as an International Committee; it was actually comprised of mostly European & African country. The ICW promotes a healthy relation between Magical & Muggle government, which was not accepted by Eastern countries & American countries. Magical world though is in same earth but it is a different dimension. Anything that happens to mundane world is not going to affect the Magical world. This was theory evolved from India, which was accepted by all eastern countries and Americans also. But Europe never agreed on this theory. Even though during the world war two, When Europe was in war in two front, both magical & mundane. At that time the bombing of England didn't affect the Magical world. It was because it's two different dimensions. The same reason why none of the magical islands was discovered by muggles. The same reason why none of the magical areas were discovered by muggle Satellites. While European scholars thought it is because of their wards eastern world didn't agree. There were many scholars in India who had done extensive experiments regarding this, the final conclusion was had it been the wards responsible for hiding the magical world then there was no way you on same place you would be able to construct two different establishments. Just to prove this one of the Magical king of India built two temples in a forest near Aurangabad. There now stands Kailash Temple in all its glory for magical world where as in mundane world excavated Ellora caves is a world Heritage site.

Another thing that Eastern world realized early on is, everyone fears the unknown. Magic was unknown variable for muggles and one of the Indian scholar predicted that in time this fear will change to detest and hate. Magical India was one the first country that adopted complete separation early on 6-7th century, which was followed by China, Japan, Thailand & Malaysia. After the extremities by muggles on magical, the severe witch burnings, propaganda by Roman Popes Finally, in 1692 ICW forced International Statute of Secrecy by that time eastern world was self-sustained. American countries also followed the path of eastern countries instead of their European counterparts. Though eastern countries are a closed knit group, still they do not have inbreeding problems like Europeans. All magical student takes a journey around the world to meet their partner. This practice is encouraged in all of the eastern countries so as to keep new bloods being infused in to their bloodlines.

After knowing these Harry was determined to change the thinking of the British magical society. After his analysis he got to know that there is no Magical orphanage in England. Also there are less job opportunities in Europe in comparison to Eastern world. Though eastern world does not reveal themselves to the ruling authorities of Mundane world but they do business with mundane world. Of course with heavy secrecy laws. Whereas it was just opposite in Europe. There was no business transaction between muggle & magical. This somehow curtails the job opportunities. Europe was becoming stagnant where are Eastern & Americans were thriving. European were first to invent floo service in 13thcentury and they stopped there. Eastern countries never used floo, they preferred the connected portals, vanishing cabinets. But after the floo invention, they went one step further to create long distance portable communication devices. Astika gave instructions to Harry how to create one. These Rune engraved crystals were not only capable of transferring voice but also the live pictures. Harry was simply amazed by it.

Astika was a Parsel-mouth. He was able to remove the stigma from Harry's brain. He also trained him in some Parsel magic. Harry got an in depth lecture about Parsel wards & healing spells. He became proficient in healing spells. He has to learn runes in depth first before trying the varieties of Parsel wards.

Astika made friend with Dobby also. Each weekend was holiday for Harry to get recharged. The same was for Dobby. But instead of taking a leave, Dobby went to Astika to know about how he can help his master. During this month Dobby learned how to speak properly. As a former Malfoy Elf Dobby knew inner workings of Magical Lords. Astika refined that knowledge so that it will help Harry in long run. He also instructed Dobby to check whether Harry has any property or not. House elves has a different brand of magic. They sometimes are capable of doing extraordinary things. Dobby searched for any property Harry might have or not through his bond. When he arrived at Potter castle, the potter elves were happy to see Dobby. Dobby promised them he will bring his master as soon as possible. The foremost thing that Harry learned was not to take anyone by face value. Don't trust easily. Don't believe anything from single book or text. To make his point across, the travelling wizard gave Harry multiple books of History as example, in which each book were contradicting each other. Astika cramped as much knowledge he can give to Harry in that short amount of time. He knew even if Harry forgets something now, after his mindscape id repaired, he will again get back the knowledge.

At the end of the month, the quintessential Gryffindor has been moulded in to perfect blend of all four houses. The bravery without stupidity, Hunger for knowledge without obsession, hard work, Cunning & Resourcefulness, the perfect model student of all four founders. Astika prepared his room for the ritual. On the 14th birthday Harry was going to be reborn again.

"Harry. This ritual is for mending any health issues you might have. So for your broken bones, it's going to restructure it. So it's going to hurt like hell. After the ritual you might be sleeping for some days and I will not be there when you wake up. So this is good bye from me. I hope you will be successful in your quest and someday you will come to India to meet me." Then Astika opened an box and told Harry to put his hand over it and then to go in meditative trance to reach his magic. After doing the same two beads and one wood got stuck in to Harry's hand. "Harry, after doing the ritual, your magic might change, so if you fill your wand is not behaving properly then go to Ollivanders and give him these two items to make a wand. I would suggest using a feather from your phoenix & binding it with your blood. It would be more responsive to your magic. This is my gift for you on your birthday. Happy Birthday Harry."

"Thank you Master. I will make you proud." Harry replied defiantly. Astika nodded and started the ritual. The dark residue was a part of soul. Removing it might be difficult for a common wizard but for Astika it was a game. But the only thing Astika didn't calculate was the blessing of the Magic & Fate. The soul was removed but Harry gained a valuable gift from the magic which became an ace in the hole. Each of his broken bone was restructured; the basilisk venom & phoenix blood also gave unique gift. After five excruciating hours Harry stopped convulsing.

"Dobby, Move Harry to his actual home. The castle might help me to recover earlier. Help him and guide him my friend. He will need you more than you can imagine."

"I will do as you have suggested Master Astika. Good bye Master. I hope your journey will be successful."

"It has already been successful my friend." Astika said smilingly.

One month of training by a wizard across the sea changed whole future of a nation. Fate was being bitch to Harry but finally gave a gift which changed his life for the best. Unknown to him, the higher sentient beings were able to gauge the change in the stars. They were waiting for their lord to accept his destiny.

V

(o o)

( V )

...m.m...

AN:

This is the end of the first chapter. Next chapter is about the next month of summer holiday, quidditch world cup and journey back to Hogwarts.

Thanks for reading.

Ulluka