Author's Note: I have a proper title now, thanks to keeperoliver. I hope the time frames are not too confusing. Please please review… I also have an OC here, the one who guesses correctly first gets to create the OC I would use in the next chapter.
Flashback, Lotus Island
Harry sat in a meditative state. Jace Beleren, Mind Sculptor and Magic Prodigy, thought him the basics of Mind Magic. Apparently, Occlumency and Legilimency barely scratches the surface. He remembered Jace's first lecture.
"Mind Magic is more than reading minds, or what you call Legilimency. A true Mind Sculptor can read minds without even trying and without being bothered by even the strongest shields. We can cause insanity without the need to torture, we can cure any mental illness, create false memories, inflict hallucinations. The list goes on. The only limit is your mind. The human mind is extremely complex. It cannot be dissected, it cannot be destroyed. Even insane people have their minds intact, if a bit distorted." Jace looked at Harry, his eyes glowing azure.
September 2, 1996. Gryffindor Common Room, 5:12 A.M.
Harry sat in front of the fireplace, his eyes closed in meditation. It may not seem like it but he is still very much aware of his surroundings. You have to be if you are to survive at Lotus Island, with Koril teleporting (not apparating and is therefore unaffected by wards.) every now and then behind you and taking a swipe with his scythe handle or Sorin Markov planeswalking in front of you before punching you in the face with his vampire strength. There are a lot more examples but that would take a long time to list. Harry still couldn't remember how many times he almost had a heart attack because of someone suddenly appearing next to him.
Harry opened his eyes and looked at the watch Master Soban made. It was unique in the sense that it works by both magical and muggle means. It can run on the magic in the air or by muggle sources. Of course, it was not Soban's prized creation. It was maybe the 423rd or something like that. Noting that it was already six o'clock, he stood up and went out for his morning run. He didn't doubt that Elspeth and Garruk would track him down if he didn't keep up with his exercises.
September 2, 1996. Voldemort's Dark Hovel
"CRUCIO!"
Lucius screamed in agony as Voldie put him under the Cruciatus Curse for the 12th time…that hour. He twitched and shivered on the floor.
"You mean to tell me that Potter is already in Dumbledore's protection?" he asked softly. Too soft, for that matter.
"Pardon, my Lord?" Lucius asked, knowing that it would cost him. He wasn't disappointed.
"CRUCIO!"
September 2, 1996. Great Hall, 7:06 A.M.
Harry entered the Great Hall, feeling wide awake. Of course, he is. He got used to two hour sleep on Lotus Island. He scanned the room, noting possible threats including every sharp and pointy silverware. Feeling satisfied, he walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down. As he ate, he couldn't help but think. Bugger, I remind myself of moody…this is bad.
As people started entering the Great Hall, he decided to watch the students. His friends were not yet up, but he caught Malfoys eye. They stared at each other, one glaring and the other indifferent. After all, petty rivalries are nothing compared to being outclassed by a twelve year old. Then again, Issyl is a very old man stuck in the body of a twelve year old so it might be a different matter entirely.
Ginny entered the Hall and found Harry sitting at the Gryffindor Table. She approached him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips piling her plate high with sausages. Harry smiled at her before resuming his staring match with Ferret-face. He saw Malfoy's eye twitch and the blonde finally blinked. Harry smirked as he saw Malfoy scowl. Potter one, Ferret-Face zero.
September 2, 1996. Dumbledore's Office, 7:58 A.M.
Dumbledore looked at the boy he considered a grandson. He seemed to have changed. The usual intemperate boy was replaced by a calm and collected one. He noted that Harry's emerald eyes were rolling in their sockets, scanning the room instead of watching him. He sighed.
"Care to tell me where you have been, Harry?" he asked gently. Harry's eyes flicked towards him with a speed that could overtake a bullet, before resuming its scan of the room.
"Running away from Death Nibblers." Harry replied impassively. Dumbledore watched the boy, his eyes twinkling slightly. Harry sighed.
"Legilimency won't work on me, Professor. I perfected my shields while I was on the run." He stated. Dumbledore looked surprised.
"Excellent job, Harry. Now, you can use Occlumency so Voldemort will not be able to enter your mind." Dumbledore congratulated the young man. Harry smirked inwardly. He could use Occlumency, yes, but he said shields, not Occlumency. A Mind Sculptors mental shields are a thousand times more powerful than anything a normal wizard can use.
Flashback, Lotus Island.
Jace Beleren looked at his student, his eyes blue with power. They have already finished discussing the differences between the different kinds of mental defense. Occlumency is the clearing of the mind so the reader will not see anything. The mind is still penetrated, however. Jace is currently teaching Harry how to create a mental wall to prevent penetration altogether.
"Try again, Harry." He said. Harry nodded and set up his shield. The last time, he managed to last a couple of minutes under Jace's full power before his shields crumbled. This time, he lasted for five minutes.
End Flashback, September 2, 1996. Dumbledore's Office, 8:14 A.M.
Dumbledore smiled as he chatted with Harry. He noticed that Harry is no longer depressed at Sirius' death. What he didn't know was the fact that Harry had ten years to mourn.
"Well, Harry, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to be late for your first class so off you go." Dumbledore said. Harry stood up, said goodbye and swept out of the office, Snape style. Dumbledore couldn't help but laugh.
September 2, 1996. Transfiguration Classroom, 8:34 A.M.
Harry smiled. Perhaps imitating the Snape effect was not a good idea. He put "invent signature exit" on his to-do list.
Ron was staring at Harry like he had two heads. Harry. Was. Smiling. In. Transfiguration. Something was wrong. He shook his head. Probably thinking about Ginny, he thought.
Hermione watched Harry wave to Professor McGonagall as she called his name on the roll call. She rolled her eyes and listened as McGonagall told them that they would be learning Conjuration.
Harry smirked. Conjuration was easy. He could summon a blade and say that he conjured it. Simple. And he did so.
Professor McGonagall made her way around the classroom, checking on the students' progress. She tutted as she saw Ron wave his wand wildly. She smiled as Hermione conjured a perfect needle. Starting small was the best way to learn, after all. She glared at Lavender and Parvati who were talking quite loudly. And when she got to Harry, she saw that he was just sitting there.
"And why aren't you doing your work, Mister Potter?" she asked sternly as Malfoy and his goons snickered at Harry. Harry looked at the Professor and smirked at Malfoy. Then, out of nowhere, a wicked looking dagger was in Harry's hand. It had a black blade, possibly made from obsidian, a dragonskin handle and a glittering white pearl was embedded just beneath the blade. All in all, it looked formidable. To say that Professor McGonagall was shocked would be an understatement. Harry pretended to chuck the dagger at Malfoy who proceeded to shriek. Harry heard Ron swear that his ears would never be the same.
September 2, 1996. Charms Classroom, 10:12 A.M.
Ron was laughing as Hermione scolded Harry for scaring Malfoy. She also asked Harry how he managed a perfect Conjuration.
"Practice, 'Mione, I had a lot while on the run." He replied.
Professor Flitwick asked them to do the Cheering Charm. Harry smirked for the 77th time that day.
Flashback, Lotus Island
Ankh Ciety taught Harry to be an empath, mages who can use emotion to their advantage. One of which is their total control of facial expressions. Fully trained empaths could mask their real emotions which could be an asset in battle. They are also inherently immune to Dementors for obvious reasons. In fact, the most powerful empaths could release their own Aura of Dementia. Simply put, it is the same aura that the Dementors create.
Harry stared at his teachers unnaturally blank expression. Unfortunately, Ankh decided to give a Harry a "pop quiz" and unleashed her Aura of Dementia. Harry, having gotten no warning whatsoever, fell into fits as he relived the worst events in his life.
He opened his eyes to see Ankh looking down at him and what he saw almost gave him a heart attack. Ankh Ciety was looking at him with a non-blank facial expression, concern. He smiled.
End Flashback, Charms Classroom, 10:27 A.M.
Harry looked at Ron, his partner for the Cheering Charm. Ron got a perfect score because Harry controlled his emotions into the exact result of a Cheering Charm. Now, it was his turn. If he can use the Aura of Dementia, a little bit of happiness is a piece of cake.
September 2, 1996. Defense Against The Dark Arts Classroom, 1:02 P.M.
Remus was back as the Defense teacher and they were about to start on dueling. Harry yawned. He could probably beat anyone here, even Remus himself. He made a mental note to challenge Dumbledore sometime. As Remus was explaining battle strategies, Harry zoned out.
Flashback, Lotus Island.
Harry dodged the fireball that was about to burn his head to a crisp. He got up and unleashed a torrent of win at his mentor. Aang was impressed. Both he and his student could use the four main elements with ease. Harry, however, was lacking one thing. Experience. Aang launched another fireball at Harry. Harry rolled under it only to find the earth shaking and he fell on his back. Ang released a ball of wind at Harry who summoned a bronze buckler to block the blow. It surprises Aang enough to allow Harry to get back on his feet.
Elspeth always taught Harry to use every trick in his book in a serious battle and Aang never said that only Elemental attacks are to be used. And sure enough Aang grinned at him before blasting his shield with a torrent of water.
Defense Against The Dark Arts Classroom, 1:45 P.M.
"Harry?"
Harry snapped out of his daze to see Remus staring at him and his classmates laughing.
"I'm disappointed Harry. You should know better than to zone out during an important class. Ten points from Gryffindor. Now, perhaps you and Mister…Malfoy could have a mock duel?" Harry grinned evilly at Malfoy.
"Draw your wands and bow." Remus commanded. Harry bowed mockingly at Malfoy who just nodded curtly. "Begin!"
"Stupefy!"
Harry summoned a sword and used it to deflect the spell. The sword was bronze with a silver hilt. The blade was lined with small diamonds and a bigger diamond was nestled on the hilt. Harry grinned at Malfoy before summoning a dozen daggers which sped off towards Malfoy. Draco yelped and jumped out of the way only to find the flat of Harry's sword connect with his face. Draco slumped to the floor, clearly unconscious.
Harry looked around the room to find everyone gawking at him. He beamed when he noticed that even Lupin looked stunned.
September 2, 1996. Number 12 Grimmauld Place, 11:48 P.M.
Dumbledore called an Order meeting to discuss Voldemort's plans. Severus reported that the Dark Lord has been doing nothing but torture Lucius ever since Harry disappeared. Minerva, Filius and Remus all told Dumbledore that Harry's running away seems to have done good as they told the Order of Harry's achievements.
September 3, 1996. A dark place somewhere in New Zealand.
"CRUCIO!" said a hissing voice. Lucius Malfoy screamed for the hundredth time that day.
