A chapter! *gasp* I know it's been a while, and I'm sorry. But please enjoy. The rest of the author's note is at the end. I figured I'd save my ramblings for after you guys get your chapter which I have withheld for so long.

2. BIRTHDAY CAKE

Komui had gathered all he could from the bookman about the wizarding world and this wizarding magic. It was amazing how many forms of 'magic' existed in the world, for all unexplainable powers were undoubtedly classified as magical; the innocence, the Noah's power, the power wielded by CROW and so much more…. This form of magic, he had learnt, was some innate ability to channel and utilize energy to much higher degrees than normal humans, or what the wizards called muggles.

After going through information the finders had brought him from the wizarding world and putting it together with the cornucopia of knowledge he had gathered from bookman, he had concocted a genius plan to get an exorcist into Hogwarts to keep a continuous eye on the situation there, and now, he could put it into action; he had finally found an exorcist who had the ability to channel this wizarding magic, and thankfully it was one who was a quick learner.

Yes… this would be much better than just sending someone out to lurk around the area and risk being spotted and perceived as an enemy by those in Hogwarts; this way, he would be provided with food, shelter, and inside information without much effort.

Allen Walker walked through the moonlit streets of Surrey. It had been a quiet few days and he was due to meet his master in London the next day. He decided to take a break from his trek and enjoy a few moments of peace under the starry sky while it presented itself.

The little balls of light twinkled merrily above, casting the illusion of serenity, of a world that was not in turmoil, where one could just sit and let their worries flow away in the gentle night breeze. Soon, it would be so, soon Allen and his friends would have the opportunity to sit together under the stars like this, chatting happily away without a care in the world. All wars had to end sometime, and Allen was determined to come out on top, with all his comrades. He smiled up at the stars, silently vowing this, reaffirming his resolve.

It had been two weeks into the summer holidays, and Harry Potter hadn't had any contact with the wizarding world. Oh, he knew that there were those standing watch over him, that Hermione and Ron had both written to him, but he couldn't be bothered. He hadn't opened the letters, he hadn't opened his windows, he hadn't even turned on his lights once. He got up, did whatever his aunt and uncle asked of him as quickly as possible and returned to his room, replaying one moment in his mind again and again.

Sirius… falling through the archway. He was gone. It was all his fault…

Countless tears were shed night after night. Harry couldn't take it, why him, why Sirius? The pain was too much, he just wanted Sirius back, he'd do anything to get him back, anything. His life had been at a standstill since that day, not even the prophecy had been able to shock him back into action. If Sirius were here, he'd be able to keep moving forward. He'd be able to digest the prophecy, to understand what he had to do, and then take action…. But as things were, that all seemed so far away, so unimportant…

Unable to bear it anymore, Harry snapped, slicing the stillness of the dark room.

"Why?" he screamed, dropping to his knees, tears leaking down his cheeks, "Why? I can't take it, I want him back. I'll do whatever it takes, please, can't you just give him back?"

Harry did not know who exactly it was he was pleading to, he didn't care. God, destiny, the universe, the magical bunny who rules all…. Whatever it was, he just needed to let the pain out and hope his appeal was heard by whatever greater power there was out there, and pray that power would take pity on him.

"I've lost so much. I love him, can't you return him. If he comes back to me, I'll do whatever you ask of me…. I'll win this war, I'll lose this war, I'll become Malfoy's slave, anything… anything at all…"

His voice began to crack, giving way to miserable sobs.

"Anything?" a high pitched voice brought Harry back to reality. Depressed and withdrawn as he was, his reflexes were still functioning. His hand made for his wand at once, while he got up and flipped on the light switch. The light blinded him momentarily, but eventually, a man came into focus.

The funniest looking man Harry had ever seen… fat, ugly, and those teeth…

"He's pointing his weapon at us, relo~"

And did that umbrella just TALK?

The presence of the weird man seemed to pull him out of his spiral of despair a little.

"Who are you, what do you want?" he asked, wand still pointed at the man, face still streaked with tears.

The man's grin widened a little.

"I am the Millennium Earl, and I'm here because you called me."

Harry looked at the man, puzzled and wary.

"What are you talking about, I didn't call you. Are you a Death Eater?" At that thought, rage welled up in Harry. He couldn't have his godfather back, but he should be putting his efforts into dealing with these evil bastards who killed him, these people Sirius spent most of his life fighting against, the real reason for all his pain and sadness…

"Reducto!"

There was an explosion in the room, blasting the wardrobe to splinters. The dust cleared, revealing the man standing in the middle, never having moved, yet unharmed. How could that be… Harry knew his aim was true.

"Aaaaaaahhh… he really did it! He tried to blow us up, relo!" the pumpkin umbrella shouted.

The Earl dusted off his shirt a little, "Harry, don't be so hostile, you did call me here. Don't you want to see Sirius again?"

Harry hesitated a moment, then berated himself for doing so; he should just learn to accept Sirius' death, why was he clinging to childish hope that he could be returned, when he knew it was impossible. This bastard was messing with him, and it was enraging him further. He shot a Confringo, directly at the man's head. The man pirouetted out of the way of the blast and appeared behind Harry's shoulder, yanking his wand out of his hand.

"Now now," he said, brandishing the wand at Harry, "Play nice, don't you want to hear what I have to say?"

Harry lunged at him, but he twirled out of the way.

"Earl-tama can bring back your friend, relo~" the pumpkin umbrella said.

"What? Don't mess with me, nothing can bring the dead back to life. Nothing!"

"Are you sure about that?" the Earl said, steering Harry to take a seat on his bed.

Harry struggled, but not as much as before, part of him secretly wished this man was telling the truth.

"Let go of me, Death Eater!" he said, trying to shake the Earl's hand off his shoulder.

"Harry, I already told you, I am not a Death Eater, I am the Millennium Earl."

"The who?" Harry said, giving up on struggling as there seemed to be no immediate threat to him, instead opting to garner a better grasp of the situation. He was, however, fully prepared to resume his resistance as soon as he heard enough.

"The Millennium Earl. I am the one who hears the pleas of the sorrowful and grants their wishes. I am something far bigger than your Death Eaters."

"Really… I've never heard of you before."

"So, are you ready to get your dear godfather back?"

"Umm… how do I know I can trust you?" Harry retorted icily, "Anyhow, there's no way to bring the dead back to life. None. He's gone…." Harry broke back into sobs, "He's gone, and he can't come back… it's all my fault... IT"S ALL MY FAULT!"

The Earl let Harry fall right back into his depression, regret, guilt and anger before speaking again..

"But Harry, you can make it better, fix it. You can give him a second chance. All you have to do is give me a little assistance, and I can have him back to you in a few minutes."

"C…can u really?"

With a wave of his hand, the Earl brought out a skeleton, with a star and the name Sirius engraved on its forehead.

"All you have to do is call out to him Harry… just say his name. If he hears you, and the pull of your bond is strong enough, he'll come to your side again."

Harry stared at the skeleton, a vortex of thoughts swirling in the chaos of his mind. He was at a loss, he wasn't thinking straight, he couldn't make out much in the confused state of his mind, but he could make out the battle going on in there…. Should he, or should he not?

The thoughts swirled…

Sirius was a call away, if he could bring him back, shouldn't he? No, interfering with the natural order of life was wrong, it had to be. Sirius would want to be back with him. No, Sirius died fighting, that's how he'd have wanted to go. Wouldn't he want to fight some more, to help Harry, to see their victory? Would Harry bring him back, possibly for him to suffer an even worse fate this time? Would this ceremony work? If it didn't, well, he wouldn't be any worse off than before, but if it did…. No, there had to be a catch, it couldn't be this easy. Would Harry have to sell his soul to this man in exchange? But he did say he would do anything. Would Sirius be glad to be brought back, or would he be disappointed in Harry? A ritual like this, surely it was dark magic, dabbling in dark magic…. Sirius would definitely be disappointed… everyone would be disappointed. He couldn't… It was wrong. He shouldn't. He wouldn't…

"SIRIUS!" Harry heard himself scream his godfather's name, not even realizing it at first, tears falling faster now. It was done, he waited….

The skeleton started to move, the Earl was grinning even more. It was dragging itself across the floor, toward Harry.

Harry inched forward, all the regret and fear he felt when he realized he had shouted Sirius' name vanished, being replace with hope.

"Sirius?"

"Harry?" Sirius' voice was strained, as though he was fighting to speak, "Harry, what have you done?"

Harry was confused, Sirius was mad at him, disappointed, he seemed pained. Mulling over these thoughts, it was only his naturally quick reflexes that allowed him to barely dodge Sirius' clawed hand.

His eyes opened wide, and he started to step backwards from the animated skeleton.

"Sirius, why?" he asked, as he dodged another strike. It seemed as though Sirius was trying hard to not attack Harry. Almost like he was fighting an Imperius curse.

"Because you made me an akuma, his slave. The Earl is making me do it."

Harry looked at the Earl, who was giggling.

"You! What have you done!"

"It's what you've done… you called him back. Now akuma, stop tarrying and take his skin for your own!"

The Sirius skeleton held its head in pain for a moment, before lunging at Harry.

"Harry, I'm sorry…" it mourned, as it flew toward him. He was too shocked, to scared, and to slow… he just couldn't dodge this one. He closed his eyes… prepared to go… to atone for what he did to Sirius. Now, in the afterlife, he'd be without his godfather, he'd be too ashamed to greet his parents. Even in death he'd be lonely, but that would be his penance…

Harry heard a crash. He opened his eyes, surprised to be standing alive still. He saw a blur of white, and a long black claw slash at Sirius who began to disintegrate, saying "Harry, I don't blame you. I'm happy… now… I want you to live on and be happy, I love you," then, before the last of him disappeared, he turned to the newcomer, and said "Thank you," before leaving Harry once more.

Harry sank to his knees, exhausted from the ordeal.

"Millennium Earl," the white haired stranger said, turning to the earl with a grave look on his face, before shooting toward him.

"Edge End!" he shouted, sending explosions toward the Earl who pulled a huge broad sword out of nowhere, and deflected.

"Allen Walker, must you always meddle in my plans?"

Harry started to hear sounds… people, calling his name, suddenly realizing that during his entire negotiations with the Earl, it had been eerily silent, a little too silent…

The Earl seemed to notice as well, for he said "We'll play later Allen, now is not the time."

"Bye bye Allen, relo~"

Spinning on the spot, the Earl disappeared.

The voices were getting closer. Allen walked toward Harry, asking "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Harry didn't respond. He could hear footsteps coming up the stairs. Most likely, they were Order members, or Dumbledore, maybe ministry officials… they could even be death eaters. Ironically, he'd prefer the last option the most. He should be glad that his allies were coming to his aid after such a traumatic experience, but he wasn't. He couldn't face them right now… he wouldn't.

Eyes still wide and wild, he ran toward the window… and jumped.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

Allen jumped after him, catching him mid fall and landing expertly on his feet.

Harry forced his way out of Allen's arms, not even curious as to the identity of the strange boy.

"I have to get out of here!" Harry said, ducking through the hedges and into the neighbour's yard, before breaking off into a run. He just wanted to keep running. How long could he outrun the Order for, he could already hear them back out in the yard and streets, searching for a sign of him. He ducked into an alleyway to catch his breath for a minute.

"Hey! Wait up, what are you – "

Harry slammed his hand over the other boy's mouth, silencing him.

"Would you be quiet, they'll hear you!"

The alleyway was dark, Harry couldn't see the stranger very well. They were about the same height, that much he could tell, but not much else. Either way, he'd had enough of strange people for the day. He tightened his grip on his wand, which he had instinctively picked back up before jumping out the window.

Allen removed Harry's hand, and spoke, softer this time, "Are you hurt?" he repeated.

"No."

The boy seemed to scrutinize him, despite the darkness.

"Are you sure? The akuma didn't get you anywhere?" the boy asked, with a strange curiousity.

"No, I'm fine," Harry panted, sinking to the floor once more.

"Well then, I know what just happened was traumatizing, but don't go jumping out of second storey windows!"

Harry chuckled, surprising himself. Did the boy think he was suicidal? "Don't worry, I would've been a little bruised, but fine, my body's used to things like that."

Allen raised an eyebrow at the boy, but Harry didn't see it in the darkness. He slid down to the floor, at Harry's side, silently, giving the other boy some time with his thoughts. Harry didn't know why, but he found the other boy's presence to be somewhat comforting. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Who are you?"

Allen, who had been staring at the floor in thought before, looked up, and plastered a smile on his face, "Allen Walker, nice to meet you," he said, holding out his hand. Harry looked at it a while, before shaking it, "You?"

"I'm… I'm Harry, Harry Potter." Harry awaited a reaction, but none came.

Silence fell upon them again, Harry clenching and unclenching his fists repeatedly, looking away from Allen, as tears silently slid down his face. Every so often, he tried – and failed - to subtly wipe them away.

"It's okay to cry, you know… to let it out…" Allen comforted. He hesitated a bit, before daring to ask, softly, "Who was he?"

Harry looked up, eyes swollen.

"He's… He was, my god father…"

He pulled his knees toward himself, and rested his head upon them.

"What… I still don't understand what happened…"

Allen placed one of his hands upon Harry's, and began, "That man… is very bad. He uses the souls of our departed loved ones to create his weapons…"

"Souls… weapons..?"

"Yes, he preys on the suffering of those left behind, and uses their despair to manipulate them into calling their loved one from beyond the grave. He uses their desire to be reunited with those they love. When the soul is called back, it is trapped within the dark matter skeleton he provides. It is tied to him, and forced to do his bidding. It attacks the loved one who calls it back, and assumes their form, bound to the Earl, suffering, obeying his every command despite not wanting to. They lose their free will, become slaves… weapons…"

Harry's eyes opened wider, and his sobs were audible now. He buried his face in Allen's shirt, crying, and blaming himself.

"I… I knew it w..was wrong. I told myself that I sh…shouldn't try to bring the dead back to life, but I still gave in… I'm h…horrible. I made Sirius suffer… I took away his freedom again… and I d..didn't even g..get to apologize. I'm the worst…"

Allen just let him cry it out.

"I'm weak… he must be so mad, so disappointed… everyone will be disappointed…"

After Harry's sobs began to die down, Allen spoke.

"You're not week… you were strong enough to fight against the temptation, even though in the end, your desire to see him won out. But that's because you love him, not because you're weak. It's just that the Earl is despicable for playing with people's emotions like that."

Harry didn't respond, his head buried in his arms upon his knees once again.

"Also, he's not mad… he said so when he was leaving… he loves you, and he wants you to live happily... are you going to ignore his last request?"

Harry raised his head, saying "No, I'm going to fight. I'm going to make him proud no matter what! And when I'm done, I'll find a way to repent…"

He was ready, he'd hear that prophecy one more time, and he'd double his efforts in taking out snake face and protecting his friends.

Allen smiled at the boy's spirit.

"… I'm just sorry I had to make him face the pain of death again though…"

"You didn't, I didn't kill him, I purified him. He was smiling when he left."

"How do you – "

Allen just smiled and stood up, offering Harry a hand, which he took.

"We should probably get out of this dark alley, and you should head back home."

Harry followed Allen out of the alleyway.

"I'm all for getting out of the dark, but I don't think I'm ready to see my friends yet… or to go back to Number Four…"

Harry walked out of the alley and Allen followed him.

"You're sure you're not hurt anywhere, right?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Well, I'm sure you didn't get infected with akuma oil, you'd have been dead already, but no other injuries?"

"Nope. If you didn't catch me before, I might have had a few minor ones from fa – "

As they stepped into the light, Harry saw his savior properly for the first time. He was too scared and stressed during the encounter at the house to really look at him; but now he could. The boy was about his height, and looked to be about his age. But he was the strangest boy Harry had ever seen. Lightning bolt scar? No way, try pentagram shaped scar, running down over his eye and down his cheek. Add that to his snow white hair, and his long black claw of a left arm, and well, did he need to explain anymore?

Harry stared for a bit, and Allen smiled nervously back. Realizing he was being impolite, Harry shook himself out of it, and continued.

"Anyways, thanks for saving me… how did you know I was in danger? Wait, why didn't the Order members come in before…?

Allen didn't understand the last part of the question, or how the boy was affiliated with the Order, but he answered the first part.

"I was in the park over there," he pointed to the area Harry was steering them toward, "When I got a bad feeling from your direction, I was curious so I ran toward it. When I got there, your house was surrounded in a dark matter barrier, and I could sense the akuma inside. I used my sword to shatter the barrier, and then I purified the akuma, that's when the others were able to come into the house.

"Dark matter? You sensed the akuma? How did you free Sirius… why did you help me…?"

Allen smiled, "I helped because you were in danger, plus, it's my job. I'm an exorcist."

"An exorcist?"

"Yes, we are part of an organization called the Black Order, and our job is to protect people from the akuma and to save the souls trapped in the akuma. The Millennium Earl is our sworn enemy."

Allen surmised that the order Harry had referred to before wasn't the Black Order, for he genuinely seemed as thought this was all news to him.

"Okay…" he said, sitting in a swing. Allen followed suit.

"Hmmm… ahhh, I have a headache… enough of this… let's talk about something else… how old are you?"

Allen smiled at Harry, looked up at the sky and answered, "I'll be seventeen this year. What about you?"

"I'll be sixteen this month." Harry said.

Allen's eyes lit up, "When? If I'm still around, can I come to your birthday party? Will there be cake? And lots of food?"

Harry stared at Allen, marveling at the speed with which he spoke, and the transformation from mature to so childlike. Allen stared back at him and started laughing, and he began to laugh too.

"I was just kidding… in any case I probably wouldn't be around."

"No, I wouldn't mind. But there won't be a party. If my birthday is being celebrated at all, then I won't even be here," Harry replied, with a wistful look in his eyes, "Yeah, hopefully by my birthday, I'll be with Ron and Hermione. If there's one good thing to come out from tonight, it's that most likely, I'll get to be with them sooner."

It was the first time Allen had seen Harry smile.

"Are they your friends?"

"The best."

"Well, take good care of them."

"Always."

"Harry, if there was one good thing to come out of tonight, I'd say it was meeting you."

Harry looked startled, but eventually his face broke into a warm smile again, and he said "Same here Allen. If I ever have a birthday party, with lots of food and cake, I'll try my best to reach you and invite you."

Both boys smiled at each other and shook on it.

"Well, I should probably head back, before everyone gets a heart attack. Wonder if I'll be expelled…"

"Huh, why would you be expelled?" Allen inquired, getting up to escort Harry back home.

"Oh, it's nothing, don't mind me. By the way, you don't have to take me back, I'll be fine along the way. Plus, if they see you, they'll want to ask you questions, they'll ask me more questions…. And I don't think I'm ready to answer them just yet."

"Oh, don't worry, I won't let them see me," Allen replied, with his good natured smile in place.

"Hey, Allen, is it bad that when they ask what happened I'm going to give a very heavily edited story… in which you and Sirius play no part? I just don't think I can share what happened…. Not even with Ron and Hermione for now."

"That's fine Harry, everyone has private stuff that they have to come to terms with on their own. Just remember, you're not at fault. So keep moving forward and learn from this experience."

"Thanks Allen."

The two continued to walk in companionable silence for a while, until Harry asked, "Hey Allen, I don't mean to be rude, but what happened to your left arm, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Oh, I was born with this, it turned out to be my anti akuma weapon."

"Oh, well, it saved my life tonight. Thanks again."

"No problem, now, can I ask you something?" Allen's smile morphed into a serious expression.

"Um, sure…" Harry wondered what Allen had to ask him. The only thing noteworthy about him was his scar, and standing next to Allen, that was almost invisible.

Allen dipped his hands into one of his coat pockets and pulled out some shiny stones.

"What are those?"

"These are anti akuma weapons."

Harry inched closer, wanting to touch the glowing gems, but looking wearily from the innocent [1] looking stones, to Allen's left arm. He liked his arm just the way it was thank you very much. Allen noticed and began to chuckle.

"Don't worry. They won't become part of your body if you touch them. I told you, I was born with mine."

He offered to stones to Harry, but as Harry's fingertips barely brushed an innocence fragment, there was a spark, and a small blast pushed Harry backward. Allen seemed very shocked at first, but quickly got over it and went to Harry's side.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen. I just thought you might be compatible. I guess I was wrong. Are you all right?"

"Hehe… you seem to be asking me that a lot today. I'm fine. But, what happened?"

Harry had noticed that Allen was trying really hard to mask an incredulous look.

"Nothing, I'm just surprised at the reaction, that's all. You see, only certain people can wield the innocence - that's what it's called. I thought you might be one. I'm just surprised you weren't compatible, that's all." Allen smiled back.

"Oh…" Harry was a little downhearted that he couldn't wield an anti akuma weapon. He wondered if his magic would work against akuma… it didn't seem to have any effect on the Earl.

"Don't worry, it's probably a good thing. Once the higher ups find out about compatible users, they force them to become an exorcist even if they don't want to..." Allen said, a dark shadow falling over his face.

"Are you..?"

"Oh, no," he replied, brightening up again, "I choose to be an exorcist, because I want to help protect this world."

Harry smiled back. They were at the corner of Privet Drive now.

"Well, I guess I'll leave you here," Allen said.

"Yeah, thanks again for everything," Harry replied, shaking Allen's hand, "I hope we can see each other again… without the near death situation."

Allen beamed, "Yeah, I hope so too. Maybe… one day… Definitely! You owe me birthday cake," he chuckled, "But until then," he pulled out a pen and a paper form his coat, "If something ever happens, and you're in danger, and you really need my help, you can call this number, okay?" he said, handing Harry a paper with Komui's phone number on it.

"Thanks," Harry replied, pocketing the number.

"Well, take care," Allen replied, and with one last flash of his brilliant smile and a leap, he was gone from Harry's sight.

"You too," Harry replied to night, sure that Allen was still watching him, as he completed the trek back to Number Four, prepared to be fussed over, interrogated and scolded all at once. It was going to be a long night. Actually, with what he experienced today, it was going to be a long forever, living with this new knowledge and memories, then, if you add on his usual life dramas… oh well… he had to face it.

[1] no pun intended, really. I only noticed when I was rereading.

So, there's the chapter. As previously mentioned, I forgot what I had originally planned for this story, but my mind's been concocting schemes, worry not. Originally, I thought my way of thinking hadn't changed that much from when I started this, so I thought I'd end up with more or less what I had originally planned, but after writing this, and based on the few things I have remembered from my original, I have realized this isn't so. This has only been confirmed by me finding the original chapter two, just a few moments ago, and realizing I had set up the story to be TOTALLY different. But as this is the track my mind seems to be working on at the moment, this is what I will go with. I'm really excited to resume this story.

For those of you who are wondering, when the Earl appeared in Harry's room, by the time the wizards around realized something was off, the Earl had already set up a kekkai to prevent them from interrupting [and slapping sense into young Potter], as he was aware of their presence. However, he did not consider that our favourite little exorcist would be passing through.

And… on to the excuses. Do I really have to list them? I can assure you, I've had a lot going on in my life, and when I did find free time, it was to relax, by READING updated fics, or manga. I've recently been obsessed with Rave Master. It's not that I was neglecting Accepted, ALL of my fics haven't been updated in years. Once again, I'm sorry… but only I can know how my time works out for me. I'll try to keep up the updates, because I do so love writing, but it all depends on how things are at home.

Hope you enjoyed the fic. I know this chapter wasn't much, but hopefully the story will start to fit perfectly together soon.