Wow! First of all can I start off by thanking you all sincerely, nearly forty reviews on the first chapter! It warms my heart, thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate all your suggestions and for answering my questions! I see we are very eager for the Dursleys to die most painfully and believe me, they shall. You all seem to be somewhat even on the Ginny side of things. NO they will not ever… EVER be together!
Just briefly stating that this fic is rated M due to strong language, mentions of rape/abuse/torture, dark themes and of course some gore. I'm giving a fair warning.
The Harry Potter universe also belongs to JK Rowling, Skatha/Dorcha, Laini and Vanilor remain mine.
Sorry for the delay! Family visits and all that jazz, time of year you know?
THERE IS A QUESTION AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER!
Breathe your life into me
I can feel you,
I'm falling,
Falling faster!
Breathe your life into me,
I still need you…
I'm falling, falling.
Breathe into me!
-Red, Breathe into Me-
AWESOME SONG!
A week had passed since his return to the Isle and Harry made his way down to visit Skatha for the first time in months. He entered the room and walked up to the marble statue, eying each detail carefully. He placed his hand on hers only to jerk it back in shock when the stone felt warm.
"Skatha?" he murmured. "Skatha I need you to come back…"
He shook his head sadly and traced a finger down her warm stone cheek.
"Please Skatha…" he said brokenly, finally feeling the pain. "I need you!"
The tears spilled over and Harry finally rid himself of the emotion he had kept trapped inside.
"Come back soon." Harry said and walked to the door, seeing Patch waiting for him.
"She is going to be returning soon Master Harry!" Patch said happily. "Very soon!"
Harry nodded and proceeded outside to the garden, finding Neville tending to a patch of snapdragon flowers.
"All right Harry?" Neville ask and Harry nodded, smiling at him before continuing further down to the Den. The Den was where Vanilor, Skatha's familiar, rested during the day.
He had finally plucked up the courage to go and meet the great dragon for the first time but not before casting Flame Repelling Charms on his clothes and face.
"Vanilor?" Harry called into the cave, nervous about meeting the dragon. "It's Harry."
"Osiris… you were called once…" a deep rumbling hiss replied. "Come closer Shade Child."
Harry obeyed and walked through the tunnel, eventually coming into a huge antechamber filled with lighted torches.
"Welcome young one, I have waited some time for you to enter my domain ."
Harry turned his gaze to the fearsome dragon and it lowered its head to look him in the eye.
He gulped audibly.
When Skatha had described the beast to him, he had never expected this. A black-scaled dragon with ivory spikes trailing down his back, ending in a Stegosaurus type tail.
"Hello Vanilor." Harry greeted. "Nice to meet you."
"And you Harry."
The dragon seemed almost happy to see him, which was odd. He was still waiting for the dragon to snap him up and swallow him whole.
"Do not fear me Shade Child, I am Skatha's oldest friend and I will protect what she values most when she is unable to protect it herself."
Harry started, the dragon could clearly sense his fear but his words brought comfort.
"Thank you… uh, Sir."
Vanilor snorted. "Sir? No need to waste petty titles from the race of men on a dragon! If you so desire to give a title of respect to a dragon, point out a feature of sorts. For example, were you a dragon, with that eye colour of yours, I would greet you as Brighteyes."
Harry nodded in understanding. "So… I could call you Nightscales?"
Harry looked up at the great dragon, worrying he had made a fool of himself.
"Very good young one, that is a good title. Now, I sense a question burning the tip of your tongue?"
"Yes Vanilor… forgive me for prying but what kind of dragon are you exactly?" Harry asked interestedly and the dragon made an odd rumbling sound deep in his chest. Vanilor was laughing!
"Never apologise for curiosity young one, just exercise caution with it. As for your question, I believe your world knows us as Hellfires. A bit unimaginative if you will but what do you expect from this world?"
Harry smiled and nodded. His smile faded as he realised that he had never heard of a Hellfire Dragon. Sure, he had read up on dragons, as well as listen to Draco ramble on about his favourite species for hours but he had never heard of a Hellfire.
"Check Skatha's room. She has a few select texts in there, including a text about my species. Just don't touch anything else." Vanilor said, noting the boy's confusion.
"H-Her room?" Harry gasped. "But… I can't just go in there!"
Vanilor snorted. "Can't, shan't, shouldn't… but you will."
Harry arched an eyebrow at the dragon and shrugged.
"Very well. Thank you Vanilor."
"Shade Child… do visit me more won't you? I tire of stammering elves." Vanilor asked and Harry smiled.
"I will."
Harry left the cave and headed up the stairs, asking Patch to guide him to Skatha's room.
"Master Harry, you must be careful, many things is not safe to touch in Mistress' rooms!" the elf warned and Harry nodded.
"I know Patch, I just need one book, that's all."
The elf nodded and paused outside large double doors with dragon head handles.
"How do I open it?" he asked Patch and the elf frowned.
"I is not sure Master, maybe try pushing it?"
Harry shrugged and pushed the handle inwards, jumping as a hiss echoed around him.
"Who… disturbs?"
"Harry Potter." Harry replied firmly.
"Password?" the voice hissed and Harry groaned.
"Oh Master Harry! Patch is knowing that Mistress was using a name as a password… he is having trouble remembering the name though."
Harry patted the elf's head. "Great Patch, at least it got narrowed down a bit. Okay let's see… Vanilor!"
"Wrong. Two more tries or you will suffer the punishment."
Gulping Harry wracked his brain. "Um… Cerrunos?"
A brief pause and… "Wrong again… you have one try left."
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Great… this is bloody brilliant. What name would she have used?"
Patch bowed his head. "I is sorry I is not being more help to Master."
"It's fine Patch, I guess I'll try… Sk- wait! Is it… Osiris?"
"Lucky guess…" the voice hissed nastily and the doors swung open.
Patch clapped for his Master and they entered the room cautiously.
"MASTER!" a high pitched hiss echoed and Harry was slammed into from behind. "Where have you been! Laini has been searching and searching and… why is Master in Skatha's room? Is he sneaking yes he is! Laini wants some part in this!"
"LAINI! Calm down and… what's with the singing? he asked the excited snake and rolled on to his back. Laini coiled up on his stomach and swayed.
"Laini senses some shift in the magic in the air and it has given Laini energy! Laini will shed her skin tonight and grow even bigger!"
Harry frowned. "A shift in the air?"
Laini nodded furiously, bouncing on his stomach. "YES silly Master! Magic like this has not been felt by Laini since Skatha was awake."
Harry frowned even deeper. "I see… okay look I'm searching for a book on dragons. Help me?"
Laini nodded happily and scoured the lower bookshelves for the book.
The room was majestic at the very least. The bed was huge and surrounded by midnight blue hangings while the rest of the décor was in a theme of silver, black, creams and blues.
Following Laini over to the bookshelves, Harry checked numerous books before sitting down on the floor in defeat.
"This is ridiculous! I can't even summon the book." Harry growled.
"What is the name of the book being Master Harry?" Patch inquired.
"I dunno, it just has some information about Hellfire Dragons in it."
Suddenly a book shot out of the shelf Laini was looking at and sent the hissing snake flying into Patch. The two tumbled across the room and the book hovered in front of Harry.
"Dark or Demonic, a Guide to Rare Beasts, Serpents and Leviathans." Harry read aloud. "Ah."
"HOW DARE THAT STUPID BOOK MAKE LAINI FLY!" Laini spat. "LAINI ONLY FLIES WHEN LAINI WANTS TO!" Harry chuckled at the irate snake and the house elf that was struggling in her coils.
While they tried to get free, Harry flicked open the book and read through it, finally finding what he was looking for.
"The Hellfire Dragon, a rare and ferocious dragon said to be born from the very fires of Hell. Guarding the Gates of Hell, very few inhabit this plane if any. They are amongst the largest of all dragons… and the most merciless. Their appearance was long ago documented in a journal centuries ago and remains the only description to date as seen below."
'There is little hope left for us, a Hellfire has surfaced, tainting this earth. No weapon can pierce its hide and magick seems to have no effect on this foul thing. It is unlike any beast known to man, its scales are darker than winter's moonless night, and its eyes like molten lava… almost a glimpse of Hell they say. Its underbelly is the colour of blood from the bed of corpses it sleeps upon and its wings are of a similar hue, yet slightly darker. They say its breath is not of Dragonfire but of Hell's deepest pits of fire itself. Poison coats the spikes at the ends of its tail, a toxin so fierce it can corrode the strongest gems. Truly, they are the Demon Dragons of Hell, here to bring about the end of all things. Their cry pierces the night as I write this. It is a promise from Satan himself that blood will be spilt this night and fire will consume us all…'
"No further entries were made to this journal thus there is little else known about these seemingly evil creatures. None have been seen since not even since the Great War."
Harry sat back in awe and looked over at both Laini and Patch. They had freed themselves of each other and had been listening with rapt attention.
"Patch feels privileged to know of the history of Vanilor's kind… but Patch fears for his life even more now!" the elf squeaked.
"Skatha has a worthy familiar and guardian." Laini concluded.
Harry nodded in agreement and replaced the book. "Yeah… just remind me never to piss him off."
It had been a long time… over half a year if she was not mistaken. Too long to have been kept in this condition… yet it was helping. It had given her time to think, time to adjust to who she really was, to unite what had been broken.
"It seems that I misjudged your ward." Dorcha mused grudgingly. "He does have power… and that familiar…"
"What did you expect, a Squib?" Skatha sneered at her darker self. They were in her mindscape, where there was nothing but them.
"No but still, the dark energy he hit me with was unexpected." Dorcha replied. "I haven't felt power like that since we found–"
"DON'T mention him! You forget that while we rarely forgive… we never forget. The wounds are still raw from his betrayal." Skatha snarled, glaring at Dorcha.
"Ah… so therein lies your true pain, the reason you shut us away from the world." Dorcha said, smirking. "Coward."
"I am no coward!" Skatha roared.
Dorcha merely smirked. "Don't attempt to lie, you forget that I know you better than you now yourself. I wish that weren't the case you know."
Skatha frowned. "Elaborate."
Dorcha shrugged. "This… division is not right. It weakens us. Had we been one, we would have awoken months ago. You think I enjoy being separated from you? It is agony, being only half of who you are. You know and feel it to, don't you?"
Skatha nodded sadly. "It is difficult. I miss the power, I miss the freedom, not having to exercise control over every small thing."
Dorcha stood and walked to Skatha, pulling her to her feet.
"We should merge. Together we can become what we once were but… better, more a person than the demon. There is only one thing stopping us however." Dorcha murmured.
"The guilt." Skatha nodded, knowing full well that the guilt she still felt for the death of the child was what separated Dorcha from her, it was the barrier between them.
"You know why I was able to take control?" Dorcha asked. "Because you began to forgive yourself. You began to open our heart and accept that it wasn't completely your fault."
Skatha growled. "Yet… you tried to get rid of Harry, the one thing good I've done with my life."
Dorcha lowered her gaze. "I lost control. I hadn't been free in years… the anger pooled together and I directed it at Harry, I saw him as the thing that was keeping me from you… I lost control."
Skatha glared at her darker counterpart before sighing and nodding.
"I understand and I… forgive you."
Dorcha looked up in surprise. "You do?"
Skatha nodded and clasped the scaly hand that belonged to Dorcha. "Yes. Now give me space. I need some alone time before we do this."
Dorcha nodded and dissolved into the darkness that was her mindscape.
July passed quickly and both Neville and Harry turned twelve, having a joint birthday celebration. Draco had demanded that Harry and Neville host it at his Manor but they declined, choosing instead to spend the day in Diagon together.
Harry had let his hair grow out and it now thankfully covered his scar. He kept his glasses in his pocket when he went to Gringotts Bank but it was difficult to see whom he was dealing with.
"Mr Potter what may I ask is causing you to squint like that?" a goblin asked and he balked.
"Y-You know who I am?" he asked and vaguely saw the goblin nod. "Oh… I can't see all that well. I don't want to be recognised so I took off my glasses."
"Silly boy, you realise there are simple procedures to fix these things? A simple glamour could have sufficed too don't you think?" the goblin asked and Harry flushed, mentally slapping himself. In all reality, he hadn't used his wand since Hogwarts and had forgotten about glamours.
'Wait… procedure to fix my eyes?'
"Really?" he asked aloud.
"Yes," the goblin replied exasperatedly. "We goblins can do it in minutes… of course… wizards don't allow us to use our magic on them."
Harry grinned. "I'd allow it if you wouldn't mind doing it."
He could easily see the goblin's pointy-toothed grin.
"Very well Mr Potter, come inside this room."
"Wait, what's your name sir?" Harry asked and the goblin spluttered.
"D-Did you just call me… sir?"
Harry gulped. "Sorry if I offended you…"
"Ha! Offend me? Mr Potter perhaps you are unaware but we goblins are not shown much more respect than house elves nowadays. Your courtesy is welcome, it was just unexpected. I am Ragnok."
"A pleasure, please call me Harry."
"As you wish Harry, now… shall I fix your eyes?"
"Yes please!"
Ragnok placed his hand over Harry's closed eyes and began muttering in a guttural language. There was a brief flare of pain and Harry winced before he felt the hand leaving.
"Open your eyes." Ragnok said and Harry obeyed.
Everything was fuzzy at first before it suddenly sharpened to a staggering clarity and Harry gasped.
"Wow… thank you!" he said gratefully and the goblin nodded.
"We can also rectify any past damage to your body in the past few years also, if you so wish it."
Harry frowned at the goblin. "Meaning?"
"Your growth, the different breaks in your bones and muscle damage." Ragnok elaborated.
Harry nodded slowly. "I guess I wouldn't mind that too much."
Ragnok nodded. "Shall we proceed?"
"Yes." Harry replied. "But… leave the scars."
"May I inquire as to why?" Ragnok asked.
"They remind me of what I have endured and that I survived." Harry said, his voice low as his anger resurfaced.
"Very well Harry, please, lie down and I shall proceed."
The goblin conjured up a low table and harry lay down, letting the creature work his magic on his battered body. It was an hour long procedure and Ragnok was gasping for breath when he finished.
"F-Finished…" the goblin panted. "You may get up, slowly."
Harry opened his eyes and took a deep breath before slowly sitting up. He stood but stumbled slightly, unused to his new height. He had gained a full foot!
"Ragnok… you have no idea what you've done for me, really. I thank you. Can I repay you in some way?" he asked.
"No Harry, thank you but… if you would remember what goblins have done for you in the future… perhaps we would not be so mistreated by wizards." Ragnok said bitterly.
"I understand. Thank you once again sir, may your gold flow in unending rivers and never run dry."
The goblin inclined his head and Harry walked out of the room, still slightly unsteady but feeling better than he had in a long time.
He made his way to the Leaky Cauldron and found Neville with Blaise, Draco and Hermione.
"H-H-Harry?" Neville spluttered but Draco grabbed Harry in a bear hug.
"You're okay!" the blonde whispered and Harry tensed in the hold.
"I'm fine Draco, thank you."
Draco stepped back, eyeing Harry suspiciously before Blaise stepped forward and grasped Harry's hand.
"It's good to see you looking so well."
"Thank you Blaise. It's good to see all of you." Harry replied and glanced at Hermione.
The girl had tears welling up in her eyes and her lower lip trembled slightly before she dove at Harry, embracing him tightly, much to the raven's discomfort.
"Um… Hermione… could you please let go?" he gasped out and the girl jumped away.
"Harry James Potter I was so worried about you! How could you not write to us all summer?" she cried.
Neville felt the atmosphere grow tense as Harry locked his fiercely burning emerald eyes with Hermione's.
"Granger… I suggest you stay far away from the subject of my summer." Harry bit out and Neville gulped. This new Harry was a lot more intimidating. Now he looked physically different. Without his glasses his Killing Curse eyes bored into his gaze, almost like he could see right into the very soul. He had grown taller and filled out slightly, of course he was still dreadfully scrawny from his stint with those Dursleys but there was a bit of muscle to him now. His hair seemed blacker than ever, with an almost blue sheen to it and his cheekbones seemed more prominent.
Of course… Harry was so much more different in regards to his personality too. Often times Neville would stumble upon him gazing deeply into the fire with a mix of both agony and fury on his face. Harry was far from broken… but it didn't mean he wasn't hurting, and Neville was damned if he was going to let anyone mess with his brother this year!
"Nev? You okay? You look ready to kill." Blaise asked worriedly and Neville snapped out of his reverie. Harry was now looking at him, his hard emeralds softening slightly as he met Neville's soft brown eyes.
"I'm fine Blaise, just thinking 'bout stuff. Shall we get to our shopping then?" he said and everyone nodded. As they left, Hermione fell into pace beside him and he sighed, noticing her worried expression.
"Sorry Mione but the Dursleys were cruel to Harry over the summer, I wouldn't advise pressing him on the matter."
She nodded. "I feel dreadful, I attacked him. I should apologise."
Neville shrugged. "If you feel you should… just give him time and don't hug him."
Hermione frowned. "What?"
Neville glanced ahead at Harry before lowering his mutters to a whisper.
"He… he doesn't like being touched much."
Hermione nodded in understanding and they hurried to catch up with the three boys.
Harry was brooding, he couldn't figure out what on earth was making his temper so volatile. Normally he wouldn't have spoken in such a manner to Hermione but the damned Muggle-born irked him to no end when she interrogated him.
"Harry?" said Muggle-born called and he looked at her.
"Yes?"
"I… I wanted to apologise, I didn't mean to be intrusive or pry, I was just worried about you and I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.
Harry rolled his eyes, damn the little Gryffindor had to go and put on the watery doe-eyes that made him feel, only slightly, guilty.
"It's fine."
She nodded, looking relieved and they headed into Flourish and Blotts to buy their new books. Harry of course was disgusted at the amount of books they had to get for DADA from this blatantly obvious fraud that was to be their teacher. His name was more likely to make one flinch than Voldemort's… Gilderoy Lockhart. Really… it made him feel queasy.
He grabbed the necessary books and stood in line to pay amongst the gaggle of enamoured women waiting for the ponce to sign their books. Really, he just wanted to pay and go!
Draco, Blaise and Hermione had managed to get ahead of him and paid for their books quickly.
"We'll go to the Apothecary okay?" Draco suggested. "It's much too crowded here."
"I don't mind waiting!" Hermione said dreamily and Blaise rolled his eyes.
"Come now Granger, we might find some rare potions books in the Apothecary."
Hermione's eyes widened and she practically dragged the dark-skinned Italian out the door along with Draco.
Harry merely shook his head at their antics.
"It can't be Harry Potter!" the voice of blonde-haired, golden robe clad fool suddenly called out dramatically and a photographer yanked Harry to Lockhart's side before he's even realised what had happened. Lockhart wrapped an arm tightly around Harry's waist and pulled him tightly against his side, causing Harry's eyes to widen.
*Flashback*
"Now, now boy, where are you off to?" Vernon Dursley sneered. "You haven't brought me my dessert!"
'Like you need it you obese fucking hippo!' Harry thought viciously as he cut into a chocolate gateaux for his uncle. He handed the plate to his now standing uncle and the man smiled evilly.
"Good pet."
With that he put his arm around the boy's waist and pulled him tightly against his side, his pudgy hand drifting south. Harry felt ill as he was groped and touched by the disgusting filth before the man finally let go of him.
"I'll be up later for my… service."
Harry bolted from the room, barely making it to the bathroom before his stomach purged itself of what little was in there.
*End of Flashback*
Harry struggled viciously against the man, forgetting that it wasn't really Vernon that held him trapped.
"Let me go! Let me GO!" he shrieked and suddenly Lockhart was tackled to the ground by an irate Neville.
"KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HIM!" Neville roared and pulled Harry away from the fraud, holding the raven close.
Neville saw the photographer raise his camera before a very imposing Lucius Malfoy stood in front of the Daily Prophet worker.
"There is nothing to see here." Lucius sneered at the photographer. "Is there?"
"N-No Mr… uh I mean Lord Malfoy sir!" the photographer stammered before fleeing the shop.
"Filth." Neville heard the Malfoy head mutter before turning to face them.
Neville went back to comforting his brother, who now had his face buried in his chest and was trembling violently.
"Harry, it's okay, you're okay, it's just a memory, it can't hurt you." Neville whispered, familiar with Harry's flashbacks.
The raven looked up fearfully into Neville's eyes and the boy felt his heart clench at the sight of his terrified brother.
"Mr Potter?"
Lucius Malfoy bent down in front of Harry and shifted his cane slightly. The movement was not lost on Harry who violently jerked backwards and fled to the door, crashing into a pair of redheads in his rush.
Harry toppled to the floor along with the two people with similar yelps of surprise and pain before he heard familiar voices.
"Well, well,"
"If it isn't,"
"Our dear Harrykins!"
Harry looked up to see the two grinning Weasley twins and they slowly helped him to his feet.
"Sorry…" he mumbled and they frowned.
"You okay?" they asked and he nodded shakily. Things seemed clearer now, the last few minutes were a bit of a blur.
"Harry!" Neville yelled and Harry turned to see the poor boy looking extremely worried, along with Lucius Malfoy.
"Are you okay?" he asked and Harry nodded.
"Yeah… Mr Malfoy I am so very sorry."
Lucius nodded. "No apology necessary Harry, shall I escort you and Neville to the Apothecary?"
They nodded their thanks and Harry bid farewell to the twins before they left the shop.
In all honesty, Harry was disgusted with himself, how could he have let himself be seen so vulnerable? It was sickening, it was just so Hufflepuff! Shaking his head, he followed Neville and Lucius into the Apothecary where the met up with Draco, Blaise and Hermione. The rest of the day was spent gathering school supplies but nothing really registered with Harry. He was too busy brooding over his actions.
He was so withdrawn that he didn't look where he was going and slammed into someone, sending both of them sprawling to the ground.
"Ow! Oh, sorry." Harry said and got up, extending his hand to the fallen girl. She had bright flaming hair and bright blue eyes, like a certain someone else her knew…
"Are you a Weasley?" he asked and the girl blushed before nodding.
"Y-Yes, sorry."
Harry waved her apology away. "My fault. I wasn't looking where I was going. What's your name?"
"Ginny. Ginny Molly Weasley."
"I'm Harry James Potter, nice to meet you."
The girl blushed again and they shook hands before Ron Weasley bustled in.
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed and Harry watched as Ginny seemed to turn even redder.
"Ronald! Go away!" Ginny snarled but her brother ignored her.
"How are you mate? Looking forward to going back to school? I can't wait for Quidditch tryouts!"
Draco snorted. "Tryouts? Weasley even if you make the team, which I doubt, how do you plan on paying for a broom?"
"Shove off Malfoy, nobody asked for your scum opinion." Weasley spat and Harry glowered.
"Do not assume to talk to my friend like that Weasley, you will regret it." Harry growled and Weasley paled.
"B-But you heard what he said!"
Harry smirked. "And your point is? Look Weasley, I don't have time for, nor do I feel like participating in this boring verbal spars. So if you don't mind, I'd like to be getting home. Ginny, a pleasure to meet you, I look forward to seeing you in Hogwarts."
Ginny nodded, smiling slightly and Harry shouldered past Ron wondering why his life was plagued with fools.
And that wraps up Chapter Two! So sorry for the delay. Happy New Year everyone, I hope you had a nice Christmas. Hmm… I wonder where this story will be this time next year?
ONE QUESTION FOR THIS CHAPTER!
WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS ON THE BOYS' NAMES WHEN THEY ARE ADOPTED. WILL I HAVE THEM CHANGE THEIR NAMES COMPLETELY OR WOULD YOU RATHER THAT THEY REMAIN NEVILLE AND HARRY. THEIR NAMES HAVEN'T BEEN DECIDED YET EVEN IF I DO CHANGE THEM SO SUGGESTIONS AND OPINIONS ARE WELCOME! THANKS GUYS!
MOVING ON! So I see lots of you are eager to see lots of bloody torture for the Dursleys and I've had offers for the writing of the scene which is great but it will be a while before that scene is written. I still haven't planned this year out exactly so if the story seems a bit all over the place I'm sorry!
PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING! Your reviews inspire me when I seem to be stuck or even don't feel bothered. I read them and think 'Wow, they actually like it, they want more… okay I need to write more of this!'
It gives me motivation to make this something worth your time to read. I am eternally grateful to you, all of you. Especially if you took the time to read this!
DROP ANY SUGGESTIONS INTO A PM OR REVIEW! IF YOU MAIL ME I WILL REPLY AND DON'T BE SHY ABOUT ASKING QUESTIONS! THANKS AND BYYYYYEEEE!
-Dorcha-