A/N This seems to be my most popular story.
Well Yay (Thank you very much) and all that but I can't help but sulk seeing as my other babies don't get near the same love Hahaha.
This is the result of a torrid affair between me and the plotbunny of Sharkteeth. :D
This will be slow going so hang in there! I update as fast as I can so there's no good in annoying me to hurry up.
Con-crit, questions and appeals welcome. Anything at all, feel free to drop me a line. Beware though, if you ask a question it will more than likely be answered so no complaining if get spoilered.
No yaoi (gods no) and no guarantees. This is a WIP after all. :D
Thank you all very much for your support.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all its' properties belong to JK Rowling. I make no profit from this.
'The floor' Harry mused to himself 'is surprisingly comfortable'. Despite the small pain in his back he really was feeling quite at home there but he knew that he wouldn't be able to enjoy a short nap as the other occupants of the carriage would protest so he'd better get up.
-break-
Someone was slapping his face, none too gently too. His hand shot up and grabbed the offending limb and squeezed warningly on the wrist.
"Don't do that."
He was pleased to note that his voice was calm and confident.
Ron winced apologetically as Harry released his hand. The boy-who-lived made an impatient flapping gesture with his hand telling Ron and Hermione to back up a bit before he sat up rubbing the back of his head.
Hermione bristled "That's not very nice Harry. We were very worried you know."
Harry removed his hand from his head and stared at her in amazement. "I'm sorry Hermione but what have I done that you feel the need to rag on me? Was it because I stopped the slaps because they hurt y'know or was it because I waved you back because I couldn't get up with you in my way."
Hermione's mouth flapped soundlessly as she blushed furiously.
Harry sighed inwardly 'She means well but sometimes she doesn't seem to keep her brain hooked up to her mouth.'
He got up and returned to his seat sitting down heavily beside Ginny who blushed
'God, give it a rest. Girls at this age are so annoying. Then there are those who never grow out of it. Remember the little naive Plum blossom?'
Harry shook his head and sank back into the cushioned back of the carriage.
"Um, Harry" a particularly pale Neville ventured "Are you feeling alright?"
Harry glanced at the round faced boy and it felt like a transit train ran through his head before he could answer.
"I'm fine Nev," he smiled reassuringly "Just really, really tired and I've got a bit of a headache from hitting the floor."
Hermione took her seat with a somewhat abashed expression and Harry extended his reassuring expression to her.
'Everything's all right, no need to rock the boat. Don't ask me questions I'm unwilling to answer.'
Ron gave Harry a pensive look and opened his mouth to speak when the scruffy, tired looking man that they had earlier identified as 'Professor Lupin' re-entered the carriage.
'Corrupted essence. Similar to hollowification. A disease? A wound? Either way he's earmarked to become a hollow. Look at him, drowning in his negative emotions. He won't be killed, he'll be euthanized. Shall we offer him the chance?'
Harry wondered if he should be appalled at his seriously pissy subconscious and the almost casual disregard for life it seemed to be exhibiting today but he just couldn't muster up the energy to care. He folded his arms and shuffled to a more comfortable position with every intention of going to sleep and hexing everyone who tried to stop him. The scruffy looking man passed out pieces of chocolate pushing a particularly large piece in the hands of the 'boy-who-lived'. He glanced at the lump of chocolate and gave Lupin a somewhat disdainful look. The man seemed somewhat taken aback at his indolent expression which was an interesting reaction but Harry decided to file that away for later and with a long suffering sigh downed the chocolate before pointedly settling down to sleep.
-break-
Harry's eyes snapped open and stared at Ginny Weasley who was much to close for comfort.
"I'm already awake." He stated leaving the 'so stop invading my personal space' unsaid. She shuffled backwards blushing furiously. He sat up and yawned, scratching ruffling his hair into even more of a mess. He glanced at his watch and noted with annoyance that he had only been asleep for ten minutes
The others were picking themselves up and leaving. "Feeling better Harry?" Hermione asked a little nervously "You didn't have much time to nap."
He grunted and stood up rolling his shoulders trying to shake the feeling that he should be taller somehow. "Mmm, I'll go to bed early tonight. That'll sort me out."
She nodded looking relieved as they disembarked.
-break—
Harry didn't speak for the rest of the journey. He just looked incredibly tired and enforced this by dozing against the wall of the carriage. He stopped once to look at the front of the carriage before shaking his head and practically hurling himself into a seat
He drifted in and out of sleep until they reached the castle. As they stepped down, they were 'greeted' by Draco Malfoys' delighted drawl.
"You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?"
Ignoring Rons indignant splutters he positioned himself in front of Harry with a gleeful expression. The boy-whose-name-people-kept-on-insisting-to-hyphenate blinked sleepily for Malfoy for a moment before smirking. His face took on the condescending smile of an adult mocking a particularly stupid child.
"Fainted?" Harry purred "I wouldn't exactly call it that. I remember being trapped in a swirling mist hearing the echoes of people screaming in agony. Strange really, for the Dementors to have such a powerful effect on me, you'd think my parents were murdered in front of my eyes or something…."
Draco blanched, unused to such a reaction. The expression on the Gryffindors face was something new, cruel and positively Slytherin. He opened his mouth and Harry arched an eyebrow amusement dancing within his eyes. Thoroughly confused now, he eyed Harry speculatively and retreated into the castle with a whirl of robes; Crabbe and Goyle following in his wake.
Ron gaped and Hermione gasped but Harry paid them no need and casually strode into the castle. He never once looked back.
-break-
Ever since the Dementor had entered the compartment, (without so much as knocking. Really, being an otherworldly creature is absolutely no excuse for poor manners.) Harry James Potter had been feeling out of it. That is to say, he was feeling strange. Tired, for one thing and his subconscious seemed to be pretty vocal in its' casual disregard to human life. Harry knew that if he was feeling normal he would be freaking out about voices in his head worrying if Riddlewart had something to do with it and generally assuming that he had finally gone mad after all of the emotional abuse heaped upon him by the Dursleys. (And now he was seriously considering the walrus thing again.)
Harry just wasn't able to get angry or upset about it. He felt drained and groggy but otherwise pretty damn good. It was something like the feeling he had when he first held his wand. He had firmly decided that it would be best to just roll with it for now and have his episode after breakfast which is why when he saw the admittedly freakish looking horses attached to the carriages he promptly ignored them and hauled his skinny undernourished ass into the carriage.
Harry felt different. He just didn't know how. His exhaustion blotted everything else out. His thoughts were entirely focused upon getting something to eat before going to bed so Draco's interruption was most unwelcome.
He felt nothing. That's when he knew that something really had changed.
Draco Malfoy was amusing in a pathetic way. A small boy playing at alpha.
…So far beneath us…merely an insignificant child…
-break-
Madame Pomfrey clucked around him serving only to aggravate his rapidly darkening mood. Honestly, did the woman have to be so condescending? He was sitting right here and in possession of all his mental faculties. Did she really have to act as if he some sort of handicapped three year old?
'She's convincing herself that she can patch everything up and then it'll be alright but we know better don't we? A body, once broken will never truly be whole again.'
Harry took a deep breath and smiled disarmingly at the staff members.
"Professor, Madame Pomfrey. Really, I feel fine. Professor Lupin gave me some chocolate and the only side-effect of the whole experience seems to be that I'm perhaps a little more tired than usual. I really would like to get to dinner and catch up with my classmates before bed."
The two women started and Harry knew he wasn't imagining the misty, far-away look in their eyes.
'Christ,' he swore internally 'not this B.S. again. The way they carry on sometimes, you'd think they were expecting a clone of James Potter instead of his son. No wonder Snape hates me if this is the way they all think'
'People see what they want to see and we can show them what we want them to see. They rarely look beyond what is right in front of them. You know this well, partner.'
Minerva McGonagall shook her head and nodded.
"Well, off you go Potter. If you feel anything off then you're to head directly to the hospital wing. Miss Granger, a word please."
Harry nodded respectfully and swept out of the room and on towards the hall. The transfiguration professor paused minutely. Strange, for a moment there, he hadn't moved like a teenage boy but rather….a grown man?
-break-
'Anything off?' he spat 'Gee, I wonder what that could be? Could it be my home life or perhaps the horrendous behaviour Snape bestows upon us. Yeah, thanks there. Great Staff at this establishment.'
He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. All day he'd been feeling more irritable than usual and had about reached his limit for the day. He sighed and strolled on pretending not to hear the classless clatter that Hermione made as she chased after him.
'Really, Hermione.' He groused 'is there really any reason for you to run like a bull elephant? Take up jogging woman.'
He paused when she caught up with him panting heavily. He raised an eyebrow. She can't really be that unfit now, can she?
"Harry!" she gasped "Why didn't you wait for me?"
"You didn't ask me to."
She bristled "You're my friend. You should have done so anyway."
"I had no idea how long you would be. It would be foolhardy to risk missing dinner considering my collapse earlier on."
Her mouth flapped silently and she blushed.
'That's two for two Miss Granger. When are you going to start properly using that magnificent brain of yours?'
He gestured towards the great hall and they continued on in silence.
-break-
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Something was off. He just couldn't put his finger on what exactly it was but he had a feeling that someone on the wizarding world did something incredibly stupid….again.
-break-
The Gryffindor table was piled high with glorious cooking (as per usual, great kitchen staff.) Harry didn't pay any attention to any of the whispers, queries or glances in his direction.
'Does no one in this school possess any discretion?'
'Obviously not. This turn of events proves them untrustworthy but conversely extremely malleable. Useful in its' own way.'
They had delayed enough to miss the announcements regarding the Dementors but after getting up close and personal with one earlier on Harry felt he had a pretty good idea as to what they did. Ron dug in with his usual gusto (didn't he need to breathe?) but Harry held back and inspected the choices first. Everything seemed so heavy and unappetizing. He selected a few pieces of fish, vegetables and some baked potatoes, avoiding anything with butter. Ron looked at him as if he was mad but to fair he did that whenever Harry did or said something outside of what Ron expected. He wasn't the type that really dealt with change all too well now was he?
Harry ignored dessert and merely served himself a cup of tea. Ron peered over his trifle watching as Harry poured the beverage. It was exceedingly strange to notice but Ron couldn't help but see. Harrys movements, were extremely graceful.
-break-
As Dinner came to an end and the students began milling around, moving towards their dorms Hermione and Ron called Harry back.
His expression was somewhat and dopey once more, clearly looking forward to bed and in no mood for nonsense.
"What is it?" he yawned
"Harry," Ron huffed, somewhat exasperated "you missed the announcement but we told you during dinner remember? Hagrid is the new professor for Care of Magical Creatures."
"So?"
"Aren't you going to congratulate him?"
Harry blinked and scratched his head yawning at the same time "Yeah, I suppose we'd better."
He followed his two friends up towards the staff table to greet an overemotional Hagrid. The Groundskeeper, for all his faults, wasn't entirely stupid. He took one look at Harry and bustled them off to bed citing his familiarity with the effects of Dementors, not at all offended by such a lacklustre greeting from the-boy-who attracted-far-more-trouble-than-he'd-like.
-break-
Harry swept down the corridor a few strides ahead of Ron and Hermione who gave each other worried looks. They fell back a few steps and Harry didn't wait for them.
"I'm worried about Harry" Hermione whispered "He's been acting strange ever since the…y'know."
Ron studied the retreating back. "Don't." he muttered "It was horrible, we know that and it's only been a few hours. Give him a chance to recover before you jump to any conclusions. I've noticed a few odd things too but that doesn't really mean anything. Harry is Harry y'know. No matter what changes happen to him, he'll still be our Harry."
Hermione nodded "I'm just afraid that the Dementor hurt him somehow."
"It probably did." Ron snorted "But like I said, it's only been a few hours. Let him rest up and deal with what he can by himself first."
They rounded the corner and were surprised to see Harry examining one of the paintings in the hall leading up to the Fat Lady.
"I don't know the password." He admitted before turning to look at the picture once more. "I don't think that violet really suits you in this canvas m'dear. Unless you're trying to hide from unwanted guests in which case it'd be perfect. A brighter colour perhaps?"
The lady in the portrait tittered and simpered promising to show off some nicer coloured dresses later. Harry smiled and inclined his head in the barest of bows before looking over his shoulder.
"Are you coming or what?"
They jogged up the hall to catch up with the crowds. "What was that about mate?" Ron nudged him in the ribs
Harry shrugged. "The Lady in the portrait of the dressmakers asked my opinion. I gave it."
"I mean, the way you spoke to her. It was all…" Ron trailed off embarrassed.
Harry grinned "No need to be rude now is there?"
He clambered inside of the portrait hole and Ron shot a look to Hermione as if to say 'see, he's fine really.'
She nodded in response and followed them inside.
-break-
Harry waved goodnight and disappeared up the stairs. He quickly got ready for bed and spared his roommates no more than the basic courtesies. He called out a good night and drew the curtains around his bed ensuring to charm them silent and shut, just in case.
…His hands were covered in blood…
…A silver haired boy following behind him…
…A man shouting in rage…he cuts him down…
…Mist swirling all around…
…Fire…blood…death…
…Everything was swirling around and no one but him could see…
…An infuriated teenager standing over him. Ah, he was dying wasn't he? But he kept smiling smugly. It didn't really matter did it? After all he had achieved what he desired even if they didn't truly realise it. The orange-haired teen was very angry. He couldn't understand why he hadn't stopped wearing that sinister smile.
He could see others approaching, either to lock him up in stocks or to finish him off. Not that it mattered, he'd be dead in a moment. Everything had burned in glorious ashes.
His vision was growing hazy now. 'Ah. So that's what it's like.' He smiled broadly. This war was over and this life was done but he was far from complete. He felt a hand on his squeezing reassuredly. 'Yes, I know. You're here, like always. Isn't that right partner?'
Aizens breath ceased.
Harry Potter grasped his chest and sat up with a gasp.
A/N
Now there's no intention to character bash in this story (no matter how easy it would be)
Hermione is a great character but she does tend to be dreadfully overbearing and Ginny is only 12, she needs to do some growing up before her character can stand on her own two feet.
Aizen had to become an Englishman. They appreciate tea. Fact.
