Der Klang Der Stille
Summary: The mutant gene overrides one's magic- so when a mutant Harry Potter ran away from the Dursleys due to an accident, he disappears from the wizarding world. For years he grew up on the streets before becoming one of Magneto's most trusted agents, now known as Ergo. However, when one of his few friends tells him about his godfather's impending execution, he must learn about his past and decide his place in this new world- is he still Harry Potter? Is he still their Savior?
Chapter Four: Conversations (Part 1: Albus and Eric)
A/N: I'm doing a series of shorter chapters focusing on developing the characters and their relationships before we get to the big chapters. This way I'll also be able to update more frequently as well, as well as being able to delve into the characters motivations! Tell me what you think about it! (Sorry it was so short)
Well, everything was going fairly well so far for them; Eric couldn't help but let a wry smile come over his face. He wasn't sure exactly what to expect when he had decided to come along with Harry to England to discover his heritage, but this was going much better than he had thought. Everyone had gotten over their shock that Harry didn't have magic…. Well some better than others.
Regardless, they realized there wasn't much they could do about it and discussion had shifted to a more personal discussion between the groups, discussing their lives to some extent. Basic stuff really- no bonds were being forged over this conversation. Harry had left for a moment to go off with Snape someplace; those who knew about Draco's situation figured what they wanted Harry to talk to the boy.
Meanwhile, Eric figured that this would be a wonderful opportunity to talk to this Albus Dumbledore. To some extent he was angry with the leader of this little group for not making sure Harry was well taken care of if he was supposedly their "Savior", though he was not overly upset as it led Harry to him.
He and Albus had gone to Hogwarts, Stan in tow though he was getting a tour of the castle at the moment. They sat down, Albus behind his desk as Eric was given a fairly nice chair for himself. Eric smiled serenely at the man, "So, Mr. Dumbledore," he began.
The older man inclined his head, "Just Albus, Mr. Lendsharr, if you would permit me to do the same."
Eric nodded, "Of course Albus, we are just fellow old men after all," he said and both of them chuckled. He grew serious and leaned forward in his chair, "I am curious what you plan do with Harry however. From what I understand, the wizards view him as a Savior, a demi-god amongst men. However, with no magic, I am curious as to what their reactions will be."
The other man sighed, never a good sign in a discussion like this, "That is what I am most concerned with myself Eric. Unfortunately, our people have never been the most accepting of that which is new or strange. It has kept our people safe for hundreds of years, but I fear that every century that we stay in the past we move one step closer to a cataclysmic reveal to the world at large."
So much like mutants, yet so different. Even Charles was fighting to make sure that mutants weren't just swept under the rug and forgetting. These people wanted to be forgotten by the rest of the world and left behind in the dust. It was such an odd way of thinking, to the point that is was practically a novelty to Eric, one born of naivety.
"I see. So, what has been your excuse for Harry not having shown up yet? From what Cedric told us, you are normally sent to Hogwarts at age eleven. Harry is far past that age, so surely you have been feeding some sort of story to those expecting his return to the world at large," Eric asked, curious as to how a fellow leader was handling the situation.
Albus stroked his beard as he sighed, "I merely said he was off training in case of the rise of another Dark Lord. Not untrue, now is it?" He smiled, and Eric smiled back. He was unsure as to how this man would view his movement. The older wizard was very pacifist it seemed like, so his more violent revolution may be frowned on by him. Especially what Eric had done in his more violent youth.
"Regardless Eric, I will not ask him to stay or even reveal himself. Though Voldemort is returning from the dead, it is no longer his world he needs to worry about," Albus replied, though obviously his personal view was of the exact opposite. No doubt he was hoping to gauge exactly what influence Eric had on Harry by how Eric answered.
The thing was, Eric was actually inclined to help the man. Voldemort was not someone Eric wanted to let grow in power; Mutants were having a hard-enough time overcoming the relatively passive homo sapiens they dealt with on an everyday basis. If a power-hungry supremacist like Voldemort then started to try and take over the world, well, that would simply do them no good. No doubt Mutants would face increased discrimination due to a perceived link to these wizards.
However, perhaps they could work something out…. Hm, "I would not be opposed to lending you men and resources to help in your fight." Albus was certainly surprised by this statement, though he hid it fairly well, "Though they would not have the same abilities and would be likely be looked down on be most of the wizard populace, they would invaluable to your cause. I am not the type to suffer tyrants," Eric said, pulling back his sleeve enough for Albus to see the numbers tattooed across his forearm.
The sudden sadness in the man's gaze signaled he recognized what the tattoo meant. Dumbledore was alive during that time, so he likely had heard at least stories of what happened to them. Eric pulled his sleeve back into place as he shifted in his seat, "So I am inclined to help you. I am the leader of our own little revolution state-side, though ours is trying to get equality for mutants- wizards too if your people ever try and reveal yourselves," Eric said inclining his head.
Wizards were fellow evolutions in the human genome. They would be viewed the same way as they were, likely worse as many would view them as having made deals with demonic forces. Albus certainly seemed to be relieved to hear they were fighting for equality- the man may think he was good at hiding his emotions, but Eric had an uncanny ability to read people. He had to, so Charles didn't have as much of an advantage, Eric thought with a mental chuckle.
"I am glad to hear you are fighting for a good cause, though I must be cautious, you understand." Albus said and Eric nodded agreeably.
"Of course- freeing Harry's godfather will be a wonderful way to gauge your own capabilities and your methods. Perhaps you can lend a few men to our team to observe us in a mission of our own?" Eric suggested, Albus looking at him in interest. "One of our members was captured by a group of we sometimes clash with."
"You are not united in your goal?" Albus asked, curious about why that was. Eric bowed his head; now came the tricky part.
"In a way, we are, for we all seek equality with regular humans to be the end goal." Some of course would call him a liar for saying that (namely the young brats Charles taught) but he was completely serious. Sure, they may be the next evolutionary step in mankind, but they lived on the same planet as humans and were outnumbered by them. It was prudent to try and get along with them. The government however often made itself the enemy of the mutants and force was required.
"However, Charles, an old friend of mine, leads them and teaches a completely pacifist approach to the issue. Admirable of course, but sometimes self-defense is required- other times, we must forcibly remove that which threatens our lives. His group often tries to protect those people we target, people who would stab them in the back at the first chance they could," Eric said.
Albus obviously was much more a Charles character so before he could comment, Eric plowed on, "I would love to go about this peacefully, but when we are threatened with death, we have no choice but to fight back. Would you not defend yourself and your students if humans tried to kill those who go to school here to learn to control their innate abilities?"
The other man seemed to consider his statement so Eric went back to his original statement, "Anyways, in a recent altercation, one of my younger members were captured. He used to be part of Charles group and though he left and agrees with myself, no doubt they will try and recondition his way of thinking. Either way though, he is a powerful member of our group and his abilities are helpful to our fight. Also, he happens to be dating a certain boy you know."
Silence ensued as Albus looked at Eric temporarily confused before realization struck him, "Ah, young Harry?" Eric nodded and watched him for his reaction. Albus caught the look and chuckled, "I hold no hate for the idea- I envisioned myself in such a position when I was much more spry," he admitted to Eric, causing the man to blink before nodding in understanding and the two shared a smile.
"I well send a couple of our wizards to assist and observe if you prove yourself a friend during this next mission and if you would have them. We do need all the help we can get with this war- the government is not inclined to believe us," Albus said sadly. Eric nodded in understanding.
He shifted a bit, leaning back into the seat, "So where do you plan on housing us while we prepare for this operation? The Weasley residence seems a bit… crowded for this," he said, inclining his head.
Albus nodded in agreement, "We were planning on letting you stay here in Hogwarts. It has many rooms you can use, and you will be under the radar here. Now, if you do not mind sharing your abilities so I can begin taking them into account when panning our assault on Azkaban. It is not an easy place to break into."
Eric nodded, "I have control over metal, able to bend it to my will," he said, causing a gleam to appear in Albus's eyes, "I also have a way to protect my mind from telepaths," He said carefully, not revealing that it was all in his helmet and hats.
The other older man leaned forward eagerly, "The walls of Azkaban are made of iron. Would you be able to bend that?" Eric nodded, smiling in anticipation. Most prisons in the human world were made with concrete with metal inside of the walls- no building was made of pure iron. It would be a cakewalk to break in if it was the case.
Albus was smiling now as well, "That's a great boon to us- the only issue is that of the guards of Azkaban. The building is manned only by creatures known as Dementors- they suck out your happiness and force you to relive your worst memories. Plus, the Dementor's Kiss will suck out your soul from your body."
Eric was rather disturbed by the description of the Dementor's Kiss. "Your soul?! You all have evidence of the soul and you use it to destroy the most sacred part of our being?" He said absolutely shocked. He was never sure whether or not there was an afterlife, but to hear that yes there was and people were destroying said souls for whatever crimes they may have.
Albus was a bit taken back by Eric's sudden anger, unsure of what to make of it, "Well… yes? I suppose they do that." He said, rethinking his statement and why the mutant was so upset. Eric sighed and waved it off, filing it away for later.
"Well, shall we start planning?" Eric said shifting forward, Albus smiling and nodding, pulling out some floor plans.