Training and Pain
August 26, 1991
Harry's alarm went off just as annoying as ever this morning. Cracking open his eyes to read the clock. It was 430AM. Getting off his mattress he stood and looked at the calendar. At least it was Monday. Universally held as the beginning of the week, this day of the week always held hope for Harry. Dressing in a grey T-shirt and shorts sitting on the chair next to his desk he sits down. Pulling on his socks and running shoes Harry heads down stairs and for the front door. Once outside he looks around with concern.
"Great, he is up before me again." Completing a couple stretches to warm-up he began his run. His mind began to drift. Letting the magic flow through his body allowed his body to deal with the task at hand while reminiscing. Thoughts of the past coming unwanted in favor of prepping for the day.
"No," Petunia repeated to a silent room, "he will not be leaving."
The shock to everyone was evident on all the faces present. Paul was expecting to fight a stubborn Vernon and had expected the rest to willing let Harry come with him. Petunia's unexpected resistance caught him off guard. He had to change his plans on the fly. Not something he liked to do it left to many holes. These could come back and bite you later.
Vernon was surprised as well by the development. He knew she had no love for the boy. She had said it often enough to him in private. Vernon had been prepared to go round and round with this man about keeping the freak around. He, of course, could not care if the freak lived or died. This man had taken an interest in the boy. He had to stop the man from helping the freak. An easy life would probably allow the unnaturalness of the boy to come to the surface. No, this boy needed a firm hand, a very firm hand, and hard work to keep that at bay. Most good honest people did everything through hard work. None of the freakiness was needed. Here was his wife showing a united front against this man and the boy's freakiness. He could not be more proud of his wife at the moment.
Harry himself could not believe this turn of events. Vernon he could see being against him having anything positive in his life on general principle. The Dursley's as a whole he expected would want him gone from past comments each had made about him. So, why was Petunia stopping him from leaving? He could not understand. He could not ask either.
"But, mom, why?" asked Dudley. He most of all wanted Harry to go. Not just to get his room back. He wanted all the attention of his parents focused on him. Granted most of the attention remained on him; it was not all directed towards him. This change would not only get rid of the other boy in the house. It would make Dudley the complete center of attention. He could not think of why is mother is trying to keep Harry around. He had to convince his mother to get Harry out.
Petunia seemed calm to all in the room. She had taken in all the stares. All the confusion around the room was what she needed and planned on. Harry would be staying regardless of what any of them thought.
"I must confess to surprise at your refusal." Paul stated simply trying to dig for information and time.
"Mr. Thomas, you came into my home and have told us nothing besides your desire to take Harry." Petunia calmly relayed. Just a few minutes ago she was nervous and now she was ready.
"If it is a matter of my intentions-" Paul started before being interrupted.
"No, it is a matter of why. Why do you want to take him and educate him? Harry can go to a public school just like Dudley. His higher education is none of your concern. I am his blood. What happens to the boy is my concern not yours. What is good enough for him is my concern not yours. So, considering that you say you're not one of those freaks. Why are you here?" Petunia demanded.
Paul was not enjoying this turn of events. Too many questions were unanswered as of this moment. There was not enough time to reason this all out. Why was she resisting this? How can he adapt? Which direction should he go? Gathering his thoughts he began.
"I have already said I have entered into a binding agreement to elevate Harry to become much more than he is now."
Petunia sighed, "So it is true you are a wizard." A statement not a question directed at the newcomer. Vernon had been right that is the only explanation for this turn of events.
Paul laughed, "No, I am not a wizard. I am aware that both you and Vernon know of Harry's heritage. I have taken certain oaths to train, educate, and supervise him. He will no longer go to any public school. His human and magical training will be accomplished at my discretion."
"Again you have not said why you want to do these things. You expect us to just release him into your custody with no explanation given. We are just supposed to trust you?" Petunia inquired.
All eyes turned to Paul even Harry wanted to know why. Paul had explained to him in a general sense why; maybe more would be covered or mentioned.
Paul debated for a minute as he watched Petunia sip on her tea. What had happened to her? Earlier she was scared and nervous. Now she was calm, resistant, and fighting for something she could not possibly want. He wanted to know why she resisted. Nothing about her character explained this reaction. She had despised her sister for being a witch. Yet now she would not let go of her nephew. What explained this? A new tactic against the woman would hopefully buy time to figure this out.
"Mrs. Dursley, can you do magic of any sort?"
"What, no of course not!" the outraged Petunia began before being cut off.
"Then the public school you intend Harry for him to attend can teach him?"
"He does not need to be taught any freakiness," Vernon interrupted.
"I beg to differ with you. However, if you interrupt me again I will slice off fifty pounds of fat off you Vernon using that freakiness." The malice in his voice by the end was unmistakable. Looking back to Petunia he continued, "Mrs. Dursley, I have trained several in Harry's position before. It is my recommendation that you allow me to train Harry as well." He held up his hand to forestall any interruption. "Allow me to explain the why as you so delightfully put it."
After taking a sip of his tea and a deep breath he continued, "Currently, I am sure you have no idea of the magic surrounding this house."
"What!" Vernon exploded from his seat while staring daggers at Harry.
"Vernon, sit down immediately!" Petunia countered seeing Paul raise his hand towards her husband. Vernon sat quietly while his face started turning red. Never once taking his eyes off Harry and narrowing them slightly. Harry had a bad feeling.
"What magic is surrounding our house Mr. Thomas?" Petunia demanded.
"I have no idea as to the specifics; however, I can tell you that Harry is the battery feeding it." Everyone looked to Harry. Harry looked scared at the looks of hostility directed at him. "While I can't take it down, I believe removing Harry from the premises will have one of two possible effects. One, it will instantly shut off. I find this unlikely as anytime Harry left it would have shut down already. Two, the weave in place will fade eventually after the current charge is drained."
"Mr. Thomas, how am I a battery?" Harry wondered.
"Simple Harry, someone or something tied it to you and this place. Again this is not my area of specialty so I cannot with only a cursory glance tell you more. I sensed it a while ago. I know it is not harmful to Harry. I know it is drawing power from Harry. Why I cannot tell you. Whatever it is I can tell it is a protection for you and those inside."
"Then he will stay here until you can take it down." Vernon said as way to reinsert into the discussion.
"I would recommend against that as his removal-"
"Mr. Thomas, Harry will stay here until that occurs otherwise how are we going to get it removed," questioned Petunia, "you want to train him go right ahead. We will treat it like normal schooling. Once the magic is gone we will sign the forms and you can take him with you, permanently."
Turning to Harry Paul began, "You see now Harry, and this is why your mother wants you away from them."
"What," Petunia shouted, "she died years ago. How could she still want something?"
"Because, she is a genius," Paul gloated, "your sister found a way through magic to keep parts of her mind around just for her son."
Petunia turned pale. Her sister was dead and through freakiness still remained lingering around somehow. She was scared to know how, and curious to see and hear her sister's voice. "I want to see her… now."
Harry had started to reach for the knapsack.
"No," anger seemed to radiate from Paul, "by what right do you think you can demand anything?"
"She is my sister!" roared Petunia.
"You're kidding me right," Paul's voice was lower and more hostile now, "you who can't stand the mention of your sister, you who hates her son. Sitting there demanding to talk to your sister's gift to her son believe you have the right to ask anything from her?"
Facing Harry, "You will not give her access to anything belonging to you. I am your guardian, master, and teacher now. You will listen and obey me are we clear?" A quick nod was all he needed before turning to stare at Petunia.
The oppressive weight in the room grew heavy. Vernon was sweating his instincts told him to lash out. Fear was holding him in check for now. Petunia was scared as well. This "man" scared her. He had told her Harry had something of her sister's. She was about to demand it from Harry.
"You can't have it Petunia," as if reading her thoughts, "I won't allow it, Harry won't allow it, and most certainly 'she' won't allow it." A satisfied smile crossed his face with that.
"Why not she is my sister?"
"You're her sister? What an interesting idea you have. Tell me, do sisters treat each other with scorn, or hate their children? Do sisters ignore each other? Do sisters make mention to never leave their child with the other? No, I do not think they do. I do believe that familial relations can cause this set of circumstances, but not sisters."
She wanted to cry. She could not argue most of what he said. She had loved her sister once: before magic took her away from the family, before her jealousy drove a wedge between the sisters, before she died. Then anger, regret, and self-loathing filled the hole. And what better way to deal with these feelings than take them out on the orphaned son dropped into her lap?
"Now let's get to the matter at hand as I am weary of you… people," the disgust becoming more evident in is hostile tone, "Greed. You Vernon don't want Harry to leave because of the money supplementing your income granted by the human side will of the Potter's."
Dudley and Petunia looked shocked at this development. Harry was confused. He only knew of the magical side never having thought of anything else. "However, I have cancelled that allotment," Vernon stood quickly but was stopped by the continuation, "the matter of fraud to the account will be ignored unless pressed by me."
Vernon froze, but Petunia asked, "What fraud, there has been no fraud committed by my husband?"
"Hmmm. Seems I may need to change the lawsuit. As it stands it was against the both of you. However, your clear lack of knowledge on the subject means either your ignorance in the matter or fine acting skills. As I want to win the legal proceedings I will revise and split them.
Let me explain. Currently, there are six filings against this household covering child neglect, fraud, slander and libel, each against both parties Vernon and Petunia Dursley, concerning young Harry. Now I have every intention of adding additional suits until I get satisfaction." Paul slid the guardianship papers towards the Dursley's again.
"All this over the freak," Vernon hissed, "I will not be threatened in my own house."
"Threatened? I am not threatening you Mr. Dursley," an evil smile coming over Paul's face, "no, I am not threatening you at all. I am hoping. Hoping you attack, imagine the lawsuit I will have it you attack me. You attack me and I get to defend myself and ruin your house and family."
Vernon didn't know what to do know. He wanted to hurt this man. Hearing this gave him pause though. He could not attack the man. He seemed too willing to ruin his family over that boy. Looking at Harry he realized it was that freaks fault. If he could not get the man he would get the boy. With a sudden rush of anger he felt the need to kill the boy. He lunged for Harry.
Vernon didn't move more than a foot from his spot standing in front of his chair.
"Really Vernon, do you think everyone is a stupid as you? You overgrown tub of lard, how about we conduct this meeting without you for a few minutes," Vernon quickly tried to yell and no sound came out, "Mrs. Dursley, I believe earlier you and your soundless husband dared call me a wizard? Let me be blunt, I am not one of those cowards. Do I have magic? Oh yes I do. Am I afraid to use it or be seen using it in front of humans like you? No. Will I kill with it? Yes. Have I killed with it? Yes." The glee and dark look on Paul's face was more than enough to convince them he was telling the truth.
Petunia, Vernon, and Dudley were terrified. Dudley ran to his room and closed the door. Vernon stopped struggling. Petunia cowered. Harry was even a little scared.
"Are you going to kill us," the shaking voice of Petunia asked.
Paul leaned back into the chair staring at the ceiling.
"You know it would solve so many problems." He distractedly replied, "Is there any certain way you would like to go? How about you Vernon, right silly me, here sit down and answer me Vernon." A weird gesturing of his hand and arm allowed Vernon to sit once again.
Paul was smiling at Vernon with anticipation and eagerness now. Harry was concerned how things would develop. Sitting quietly seemed the best idea for now. He wondered if Paul was truly hoping they would supply a preferred method. Maybe he was just joking with them to scare them. He hoped he was just messing with them. This was going to be his teacher. He already said he was a killer. Would he make Harry a killer too?
"You don't seem to have a preference. I think I should consider a more natural passing then," finally speaking after what seemed to be hours of silence, "but first maybe you will consider signing the forms and I will make it a painless end?"
"You won't really kill them will you Mr. Thomas?" Harry inquired.
"Would you prefer that Harry, I would see them pay for everything they have done and would most likely do to you? I have every faith they would make your life a living hell. Just the differences between you and Dudley are proof."
"They haven't been that bad to me." Harry's weak reply did not seem to change Paul's mind at all.
"Harry, look at me?" the boy looked at the future instructor, "Your own mother wants you nowhere near them. If I knew nothing else that would be enough to kill them. Whether it was a good idea or not she wanted you to get some money and strike out on your own as a child rather than stay here. Do you understand what that means? The things you would be exposed to as a child without a home."
A deep sigh escaped him, "Harry, I will look after you as I promised. I will not let these people get in the way of that. I will do what I must. They can willingly accept you're leaving or unwillingly accept their own deaths. I care not which. You have a long road ahead of you Harry. I will make as much of your life happy for as long as I have a breath in my body. I will crush anything in the way of my task mercilessly."
Harry turned to find Petunia signing the papers. Vernon's choice of life or death hung in the air with everyone present waiting. Vernon hesitated only a few seconds before signing.
Harry returned to the task of running with a smile on his face. It had been awhile since he thought about those events. After getting them to sign over custody Harry almost broke his stride trying not to laugh at what Paul said to him right after leaving the Dursley's for the final time.
"Harry, remind me later to get a solicitor and file a few lawsuits against them." Paul had remarked casually as they walked away. It would be months later over a dozen lawsuits were surrounding the Dursley's.
Finishing up the run near the obstacle course Paul had so kindly put in for Harry's benefit brought forth a groan. Harry knew he was being watched. He started on his sit-ups while reaching out with his magic driven senses. He heard nothing within a hundred feet. He smelled his own sweat and the dew in the morning air blocked out most of the rest. He didn't bother with taste for now. Touch was still too difficult to even consider using right now. Until the potion sequence was concluded sight was out for enhancement.
Getting up and looking around, he saw no one around. That didn't make the feeling of being watched go away. With a little smirk he walked over to the monkey bars and climbed on top of them. Instead of hanging from them and going from one end to the other like a normal child would he used his magic. After getting into position and locking his legs in the bars he reclined over the side like inverted sit ups were going to be done. The only difference was while he had actually gotten to be able to do a few on his own; with magic he could do several sets as magic lifted him up.
In fact no exercise he did was without magic use in some way. He smiled as he continued to "work out". After finishing the sit-ups, transitioned to pull-ups, and then dropping to the ground for some push-ups. Harry was glad he could use magic to enhance his body's performance. Learning to manipulate the magic without foci had been hard for him. He had spent three months trying to do the simplest of things. Paul had almost given up on him and was ready to send him back to the humans as a lost cause. The fear in Harry cause a reaction Paul had been looking for the whole time.
"It's about time Harry. I was truly beginning to think you could not do it."
"Can I stay then?" sounding scared and pitiful Harry looked at his teacher.
Approaching Harry and kneeling, "You were going now where, and you most certainly were not going back to them. Yes I made it seem like that. I needed you to focus and try as hard as you could to break the barrier you had set up in your own mind."
"What barrier," Harry asked with confusion and a bit of anger at being tricked.
"The one you had in your mind about using magic. Granted I had just as much a hand in it as you. Remember I once told you of different types of magic practitioners?" Harry nods the goblins had mentioned something similar to him as well, "Well, I seemed to have helped you believe that you needed a focus of some sort. An unintentional error on my part, but an error none the less that needed correcting. Fear was as good of a motive to get you going as anything else. Fear that you would be leaving. Fear of failing. Fear of returning to them. It was unkind of me perhaps, however it was quicker than waiting for you to believe deep down that you could do it."
"You could have just told me I could do it," retorted an angry Harry.
With a smirk Paul giggled, "Funny, I remember saying that for the entire first week we practiced trying to lift the rock." Paul looked at the rock that was imbedded at least four inches into the tree.
Harry blushed remembering the same thing, "then why scare me about leaving?"
"Listen close Harry," seeing the close attention given he continued, "fear is a powerful tool. It can be used for positivity and negativity. More often than not it is used negatively. You let it drive you to succeed. You could have given up. I am very proud of you for your choice."
Harry smiled.
"Now," Paul stood up, "Go find another stone."
Harry frowned.
The last stone had to be one pound in weight and smooth. It took him almost a week to find one like that to satisfy Paul.
"Make this one 3 pounds and block like."
Harry groaned and started to the stream bed nearby. His teacher just smiled knowing it would be a bad idea for Harry to head to the stream.
"That is enough Harry," Paul had snuck up on him again because of his memories distraction, "let's see if you can go through the course faster this time." Pulling out the necklace and reaching towards Harry.
"Do I have to wear it?"
"Yes," Paul smirked, "or you can wear it for the rest of the week when not exercising."
Grumbling he took the necklace from his teacher and put it on. Instantly he could feel the drain on his system. All his senses returned to normal. He felt weaker, slower, and barely registered the magic in himself.
"All ready then," Paul got out the stop watch, "time to beat is 23:15"
A deep sigh from the young man put a smile on his torturer's face. "You're going to up the resistance aren't you?"
"How many times did you use magic outside of studies last week?"
Before he could stop himself he responded with, "only twice." Realizing he was conveniently leaving out his play with Perth. He wanted to groan.
"Ok then," his instructor looked at the course again, "let's make it and even 23 minutes."
This time he let the groan escape. Paul smiled and moved to his normal observation spot. This was his signal to get into the starting position. How long would this lesson take to sink into Harry the man wondered? For that matter, which lesson would he even pick up on?
Mumbling to himself, "Does he really watch everything I do?"
After getting into position, Harry raised his hand over his head briefly. The course came alive a couple seconds after that. With a shout of begin from his observer Harry took off.
Harry dashed onto the path in front of him and noticed the ground gave like mud while still looking like a grass cut path. Each step saw him sink up to his ankles and look normal after moving on. It was only a short thirty feet to the "first" obstacle. The climbing wall was easy. A twenty foot tall wall stood there in front of him.
"Please be easy today." His prayer went unheard by the wall as it started to move. The wall leaned towards him and as if that was not enough three inch thick horizontally logs started moving down as new ones moved into place at the top.
"Really," he shouted. The faster he climbed the faster new logs were added.
Reaching the top made it stop. Taking a few deep breaths from the top he looked ahead. The balance beam was up next. Dropping down and turning right he ran another thirty feet in the mud looking grass. His legs were starting to burn already. It did not help the mud always seemed to resist letting him go with each step. He was regretting running this morning. He started up the stairs to the balance beam. It was only two inches wide piece of lumber that was extended out to fifty feet length. The annoying part was the actual mud below.
Every time he fell off he was required to start over from the beginning of the beam. Each failure meant more mud and a mud coated beam. He was determined to make it to the end without falling. He put his foot on the beam that was seven feet above the mud. He learned the first time he ever fell off how heavy that mud would be over the rest of the course. This mud was of course charmed like just about everything on the course. It was thick, cold, chunky, and most disturbing it would start to slide down you like it would fall off on its own. Only to slide back up into place that it had initially attached to upon falling into the mud pit. What Harry could not figure out was how it also would coat the beam if it kept sticking to him.
Harry made it about five feet before a gust of wind knocked him off the beam and into the mud. Sitting up frustrated he looked to his torturer.
"That is not fair," he shouted at Paul who was smiling while looking at the stopwatch. If he could have used magic he would have known the blast of wind was coming. There was no way he was going to make it across without falling again. On his third attempt across Harry was trying to guess when the wind blast was going to hit him. He guessed wrong. As he lay in the mud he looked up at the balance beam. He had made it half way across this time and it was coated with mud.
Making his way back to the beginning again he was determined to get across it this time. He wondered how much time he had wasted wading through the mud each time and the slow pace he used across the beam. An idea came to him and the cold mud seemed to draw out the heat of his body. What if he kept his legs bent to lower his center of gravity and leaned towards the blast? All he could do was see if it would work. When the wind hit him this time he kept his balance until the wind stopped. Staying ready for another attack he continued to move across though a lot slower.
"Yes." He finished the beam this time. The excitement was short lived as the monkey bars were next. He stared at the monkey bars for a minute after getting to them. There was no mud like grass this time between the two obstacles. He wondered why. He stepped up to reach the monkey bars. He hopped up to grab them and lost his grip on the first one and dropped to his feet on the ground. Looking at his hands he noticed all the mud on them. There was no way he could grab and hold on to these without falling each time.
There was no other way, "I quit."
The mud fell off him and the majority of the course descended back into the ground. Paul started to walk over to him. Harry decided to sit down and rest until he had to stand again.
"Why," the question from the man standing over him.
"I could not hold onto the bars without magic. I would not complete the course in time and would have failed anyway."
"So your solution was to just give up?"
"What else could I do?"
"That is for you to figure out. There won't always be someone around to give you the answers." Paul seemed upset about the failure as far as Harry could tell. So Harry just hung his head. "Then tell me what you could have done."
"If I used magic…" Harry began.
"No," Paul irritated voice said, "the point was to get through the course without using magic."
"How?" yelled Harry. "I tried, and the mud was on my hands I could not grab the bars and hold on."
"Meditate on it and come find me when you have an answer." Paul left after that.
Harry sat there wondering how meditation was going to help. He hated the meditation answer the old man would just toss out there like that would give him the answer. All meditation ever did was calm him down. It never gave him any answers. He decided he better try knowing Paul was probably watching him. He always knew when Harry was not doing what he was told.
Sitting on the ground he assumed the basic meditation pose and started regulating his breathing. He breathed in and counted down from ten. Breathing out at one, he started a calm and relaxed breathing pattern. He closed his eyes once his breathing was even. He thought about the monkey bars. There was mud on his hands. The mud caused him to lose his grip in the bar. How could he hold on to the bar? The mud does not wipe off. He was covered in mud as it was, so nothing to wipe the off on anyway. The bar was made of metal and was smooth and cylindrical. Magic was restricted for the course. Magic made the course easy. He could get through the obstacle course with ease.
Breathe out and in. He drifted into his own thoughts.
Paul told him to figure it out himself. What was it he needed to figure out? He could not grab the bars and hold on. At least with magic he could swing from bar to bar. Paul seemed to think he could do it if he came up with a way to grip the bars. What was he missing? Should he work on trying to grab the bar through the mud harder? Maybe he was looking at this wrong. How else could he look at it?
Breathe out and in.
If more strength was needed he would need to play with Perth more from now on. He needed to do it without magic though. The only way to keep up with Perth in the trees was with magic. Wait. I cannot use magic on the course. So I have to practice without magic following Perth. This will suck. Perth already swings around trees with easy. Well that is enough meditation. Harry smiled and opened his eyes.
"Hmmm," Harry stood up, "I need some food."
"Ah man, I have to run back now too." He began to stretch then it came to him. "What a day. You would think I left my brain in bed." He reached up and took off the necklace. The sweet rush of the magic returning to him coursed through his veins.
"Oh yeah," the magic returned and he felt the power filling him up making him almost drunk with it. "I hate this damn necklace."
He began to mold the magic. Feeling the connection to the house wards and transit circle he continued to mold. Just before completing the weave he opened his eyes. The rainbow of colors coming off the sun as it rose was majestic. Quickly closing his eyes before transit carried him away; he could never get used to traveling with his eyes open. Then completing the weave shot him to the transit circle.
With his eyes closed it felt like flying for that second. Landing in the transit circle in Paul's house Harry calmly opened his eyes. Once he opened them he wished he hadn't. There was no time to dodge the incoming spell. The impact hit him square in the chest and sent him flying. He crashed into the back wall. Sliding down to his rear with a thump he sat there.
"Damn it Harry! How many times do I have to tell you? Coming out of a transit is an easy way to get caught unaware," reciting to Harry once again the necessary need for precautions. They both knew the only one in the country using the transit would be Harry, but that didn't mean Harry could get sloppy.
Harry could not help but smile. Yes he forgot to put up the shield, but it was a good morning even with the failure earlier. The image of a magically viewed Sun still courses around his head. He took a moment to tell Paul how the Sun looked cresting the horizon. As an afterthought he also told of his discovery and how he may conquer the monkey bars in time with some physical training.
Paul turned and walked out his voice carrying behind him, "Good, then you can see your mother, deal with your familiar, resume your meditation, and turn off that damn book!" Harry could not help it at this point he started laughing. "It is not funny! That is my personal library not a garden." That was it Harry started laughing uncontrollably.
Regaining control several minutes later Harry left the transit room. Looking around to see if any changes were made over the weekend all he saw was the same rust colored painted walls. How Paul could like rust as a color Harry would never figure out. It was better than the lima bean colored furniture. Paul just had no taste in, well, anything. The only nice looking piece of anything in the house was the dining room table and chairs. Of course, Paul had not bought it. One of his previous students had made it. It was a very nice Mahogany frame with gray marble center. The accompanying chairs had nice soft seats and a lighter gray marble backing than the table. Meaning the table really stood out and looked odd in the odd looking house.
Making his way to Paul's library Harry smiled at the burgundy vines encasing the book shelves. Paul's library was by far the largest room in the place. Containing twenty-two bookcases each with five shelves in a half circle next to the table for the magically expanded room. The fact the room was round and had a round table in the center seemed to amuse Paul for some reason Harry could not figure out. Now it looked like a jungle had been growing into the library. Harry walked to the first book case that lined the wall of the library by the door.
"Well, let's see what you have been up to this time," Harry opened the cover of his first present to see his name reflected at him. Under the title of:
~Property of~
Harry James Potter
This had shown up after getting some blood on the cover after training. Harry kept the book in his room at Paul's training ground. Harry did not want to be separated from the book. As he would be spending most of his time at the training grounds so would the book. Initially he would not let it out of his sight after Paul's meeting with the Dursley's. A couple of weeks after starting his training he had been exhausted and fell asleep studying in the library. Harry had laid his head down to rest for a couple minutes. He promptly fell asleep and his cut lip reopened just enough for a drop of blood to get on the cover. Paul discovered the sleeping Harry and moved him to his room. Paul cleaned up Harry and tucked him in for a nap. When Paul grabbed the book with the intent to put it on the book shelf he noticed an ornate silver H on the cover. Thinking nothing of it he placed it on the shelf.
Waking up later Harry went back to the library to get his book. He was a bit panicked to see it was not with him when he woke up. He was quite surprised to see several vines had grown from his book and into other books. When removed from the shelf the vines disappeared instantly. Putting it back the vines reappeared just as quick. Harry amused himself removing and reinserting the book into the same spot several times laughing. Then trying something different he opened the book and was surprised. Seeing his name in an elegant red inside the cover brought tears to his eyes. Turning the page brought another surprise. Instead of words circles of various size some filled in and black, some empty, some with circles in side of circles, and some with part of a circle filled. Each of these connected to others by lines.
Touching a circle discovered something new. The circle exploded pages from the book. Startling Harry he dropped his book. The book never hit the floor. Floating in front of Harry as if on an invisible podium was not only his book, but several pages from a circle he had been reading earlier. Individual pages circled Harry. He touched one of them and the words on the page seemed to appear directly in his mind. Letting go of the page the removed the words from his mind.
Paul had since come in to the library. He was quite shocked with what he saw.
"Harry what is going on," the surprise clear in Paul's voice.
Smiling at Paul, "My book has other books in it. Watch this." Harry touched the same circle and the pages were absorbed back into the book. He touched another circle in the book the pages flew out of the book and started circling around Harry like before. Harry touched two more circles and watched as they orbited around him under the first set of pages. "If I touch the page the whole page of words goes into my mind."
"Fascinating," the genuinely curious instructor said, "when you remove your hand does the information stay?"
"No."
"Interesting, Harry read the information," wanting to test a hunch.
Pages passed across Harry's range of touch one right after another almost instantly. "I thought as much," sighed Paul, "Harry you can stop now."
"Ok."
Touching the circles put the pages back into the book. Harry grabbed the book and closed it and held it to his side.
"Harry, where did you get this book?"
"I got it on my birthday a couple weeks ago. I thought it was from you." The happy young child smiled at his friend.
"That is one hell of a present. Unfortunately, I did not send it."
Confused the child asked, "You mean someone else sent it to me?"
Nodding his head in the affirmative, "Yes, looks like I am not the only one trying to look out for you. Who else is I don't know. Tell me though, how did the pages from other books get into that one."
Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I think the book did."
"What do you mean?"
Harry walked over to the shelf and replaced the book. The burgundy vines instantly regrew into the several books around it regardless of shelf they were on.
"What the…"
Taking one of the books from the shelf that had a vine in it he examined it. The vine had not stopped its removal or even added any resistance. It merely faded out. Opening the book and flipping though had shown no damage to the book. All the pages were still intact as well. Nothing was missing either. Leading Paul to conclude "the book" had only copied the information.
"Hand me your book," Harry passed it over and watched Paul try to open it. Putting his own book back and giving Harry his back, "open it please." Doing as asked Harry opened it. Paul noticed that he could not see anything but blank pages. "What do you see on the pages?"
"Some different type circles attached by lines headed to the center where the pages meet."
"I see nothing when I look at the pages. They are completely blank to me. You will have to explore this . . . grimoire, on your own."
Harry had not spent much of his free time exploring the grimoire's secrets. Now was a good time to check out the book's growth. Activating the grimoire and touching multiple pages and circles let Harry summon forth not just pages anymore. Now whole books of information appeared; he spent a couple minutes evaluating the circling books. Placing his hands near the copied books would cause them to open and pages flip one after another. The information flying directly into his mind he learned to read it at this speed. He had also noticed as long as a completed book was open even it if was on the last page the knowledge was still there until the book was closed or put away.
Finishing up with the grimoire he closed the favored book. Before putting it on the shelf he turned the ornate H upside down. With the H inverted the vines were no longer visible to the naked eye. Harry could see them still the vines just appeared ethereal to him. His prank on Paul complete he went to see his mother.
Mondays were typically slow at Paul's. Getting to his bedroom he went to the trunk and pushed magic and felt the needle take a sample of blood once again. The smiling image of his mother appeared again.
"Hello son." The standard greeting was repeated once more.
"Hi mom," Harry replied as usual, "How was your weekend?"
Giggling the image continued, "Has the weekend come and gone already? I hadn't noticed. How was your weekend Harry?"
Knowing his mother had no real concept of time in this form he smiled at her. "It was really boring all I did was work." Harry sat on the end of the bed and talked about all the training he had been doing for a few minutes.
"Are you working with Paul this morning or afternoon?"
"I think he is getting his plan for the week together." Both magical humans let the image believe Paul was lazy outside of training and made Harry clean and pick up after him as expected of the old trainer as a price for the training. While Paul grumbled about being called old he let the remark slide so Miss Box would not get her knickers in a twist again. For some reason the image of his mother did not know about the human side of the Potter's investments and holdings. Having no idea how the mother figure would react meant keeping all information quiet concerning human side of Harry's life. There was never any talk of Dursley's, humans, or non-magical events in general. Who knew what protocol would get enacted.
"So we can continue where we left off on Friday…"
"Mom I haven't even eaten yet or fed my familiar." Harry interrupted while whining.
"Alright we will continue after Paul is done with you for the day. Now go get something to eat and I will see you later. Don't let the lazy good-for-nothing teacher of yours make you do all his house work again. You're my son not a house elf."
"He doesn't mom trust me. I will see you in a bit."
Heading into the kitchen Harry saw Paul making some tea.
"Mom says you can't make me do all the house work again," smiling at the old teacher.
Sighing deeply, Paul sat down with his tea and began to drink. Paul composed his thoughts before beginning.
"Harry, when you see Perth be happy. You know he still feels bad about . . . It was not his fault Harry."
Sitting down at the table the student looked at his teacher with tears forming in his eyes. He would not cry again. Seeing his familiar die had been hard. Being young he wrongly blamed the other as the two were playing. Both instantly knew that Harry blamed the silly monkey.
It had been no secret to anyone in the house that Harry favored the Macaw at first. The beautiful colors of the bird had instantly attracted him more to the bird. This didn't mean he didn't like Perth as well. Guinevere had just taken first place in the boy's heart. From the moment they had met she was constantly preening herself and showing off. You would have thought she ruled over Harry. So the name just fit. Even Paul had been made to "serve" the entitled wannabe.
No.
Harry would not think about this anymore. He was having a hard enough time not blaming Perth. It was not Perth's fault. He could not help it though. He missed her. Losing a familiar was like losing a family member to an orphan like hm. Pain, it was a constant reminder of getting too close. He knew pain was in his future. Paul had told him his life was going to be very rough at times.
No, stop it.
Gathering some fruits for Perth he headed outside to Perth's favorite tree. He would make every effort to have fun and be happy around his familiar.
"I will be back for lessons after lunch."
Paul was really concerned for Perth. The bond between familiar and owner was a powerful one if treated well. Harry and Perth had a strained relationship. Perth always treated his master the same, however, his owner had negative emotions feeding through the bond. Perth could feel them. It was obvious to Paul. He was never as happy and excited as the first year. Harry didn't seem to notice, but Paul had. Perth needed Harry to treat him the same in emotions as he did before or it would wear on the little guy and he would die. Harry didn't need to lose another familiar. Or more precisely, lose another family member.
Paul watched Harry head out to the trees. The large oak that Perth decided was his was just a few yards into the tree line. Paul wondered if Harry noticed the similarities in his familiar's behaviors. One had thought she was queen of the house and all would serve her. The other thinks he is "King of the Jungle". It made him laugh.
"Good luck Perth. Fix your servant," he laughed as he went back to his breakfast. "I wonder what I should have Harry work on today. This is the last week before school starts. Maybe I should not let him go. No, I had better. He needs more than just an old man and a monkey to hang around to develop properly. Not to mention he will need allies. I just wish I knew what he was going to face exactly. Damn it, I am getting old. I am sitting here talking to myself."
"Perth!"
"Hey, Perth," called Harry, "it's time to eat." Looking around he could not see the monkey.
"Perth if you don't come down I will just eat by myself." It was then Harry heard a sound, and turned to see Perth biting into a plum from the bowl while hanging from the low branch of a nearby tree.
"How did you," started the boy, "never mind." Moving over to the big oak and taking a seat he grabbed an apple for himself and started eating. Perth dropped down and ran over to the bowl. After finding what he wanted pulled a cluster of grapes out and started eating.
"Hey," Harry raised his voice a touch, "you didn't finish the plum."
Perth dropped the grapes and scrambled back to the plum. Making a whimpering sound Perth just sat there.
Harry just sighed, "Alright, alright, just next time don't take the plum if you're not going to eat it, OK?"
Perth walked over to the grapes picking them up with his tail and walked over to Harry. He sat on Harry's lap squeaking as he ate. Harry ended up finishing the fruit in the bowl with Perth's help.
"Perth I have a new job for you," the monkey looked at him waiting, "we are going to start running through the trees without me using magic. You have to not out run me too much. I am trying to get better on the monkey bars."
Perth started shrieking.
"Yes, I know they are not trees so calm down. I still have to beat the course without magic. This means I will be slower in the trees." Harry would swear he knew exactly what Perth was thinking sometimes.
Perth began to climb up Harry and then the tree. Stopping and looking back at Harry with the standard look of "are you coming or not" in his eyes. Harry almost laughed at the expectant look. Deciding to follow Perth into the tree he stood up and began the task of rising through the tree limbs after Perth.
Perth waited until Harry caught up. Then with a leap he started for the next branch. Grabbing it and swinging through the trees from branch to branch occasionally pausing. Harry looks down and decided not to think about the drop. He had done this before after all so it didn't scare him at all. Sure it didn't. After all, it is not like he used magic or anything.
Harry grabbed the next branch and slowly started to follow. Noticing the distance Perth was ahead encouraged him not to take his time. He started swinging through the trees like Perth for a couple minutes before getting really tired.
"This really sucks without magic."
The monkey screeched making Harry think Perth was telling him the furry creature never used magic in the trees.
"Yea, well, I am not you," Harry called out, "and I don't have a tail either!"
Perth's answer made Harry stop following.
"I do not need a tail so I can sleep well! I have a bed for that." Harry getting angry at the mention of his nightmares decided that was enough for today. In his frustration he did not pay close enough attention as he descended and missed a branch. Luckily, a convenient branch decided to break his fall from his right thigh across to this left cheek. Spinning Harry over and allowing gravity to still assist with his now front first landing.
Grunting at the effort Harry rolled over and looked up at the tree. I hate not using magic he thought. Stupid necklace he thought, Stupid Paul, Stupid Perth, and Stupid me falling out of the trees.
"Harry," a distant voice called. "Are you alright?"
Figures he would see that groused Harry reclining on the ground. Well it would not get any more humiliating. Rolling over and sitting up evaluated the condition of his body. Perth seemed to be giggling in his tree. The monkey's superior skill in the trees kept coming to Harry's mind unwanted. He would show that monkey one day. Meanwhile, Perth seemed to be dancing to that human song "You can't touch this". Harry glared at the monkey. It had to be his imagination. He watched as Perth did seem to be dancing among the tree limbs.
"Harry, are you listening to me?"
When did Paul get that close? Sneaky old man could probably sneak up on death. "What?"
A sigh escaped his teacher.
"You really need to pay more attention around you. I asked if you will be alright staying here for the week by yourself."
"Me alone," Harry questioned startled, "you're leaving?" This caught him completely unaware. Where was Paul going? Why the whole week?
"Yes, I have some business to take care of before you go to school. I had planned to do it after you left but things have changed. Now before you get to excited, I am leaving your mother in charge for the whole week. I should be back in time to get you to this 'school' she insists you attend."
Harry's questions evaporated. He was so excited to here no training for a whole week. No restrictions on magic use. Then finding out his mother was in charge the whole time about made him cry. A whole week of Potions and Runes, insanity was close behind he could feel it. Merlin! Please mercy on the tortured soul with a sore backside.
Wait!
He said school!
"Yes!" He jumped up and pumped his fist high into the air.
Paul laughed. "I am to assume that you would rather go to a school then stay here with me to learn?"
"Well, I like it here and all," Harry weakly attempted.
"Don't worry, I know what you mean. Alright so let's get this week set up. We have a few things to discuss concerning your packing. Your mother will be staying at my house. I don't think it is a good idea to take her with you. The school, not to mention the goblins, should not get ahold of a 'living pensive' as she calls herself."
They walked back to the house for the training grounds. Harry tuned out most of what Paul said. One week. No training. Studying with mom would make the week fly. Ok, maybe that wasn't quite that great, but he would take what he could get. Then he would be off to school with teachers and students surrounding him every day. His mother had often talked about the school and the things she had learned. Hogwarts, it was where she went to school. She had met his father and his friends.
It occurred to him that she had never talked about her friends at school. Paul had been relaying several things for Harry to accomplish while he was gone. Harry absently nodded to the instructions. Why had his mother never talked about her friends? Harry finished dutifully following Paul around the house as he packed. He wished Paul well on his trip.
"I will be back on the first of the month. We will head to the school and get you enrolled then if you wish." Paul stated waiting for an answer from his pupil.
Harry nodded again. Paul nodded his head in return and summoned up a transit circle. With a wave Paul left in a flash of circling runes on the floor.
Just like that Harry was alone in the house. Not that Harry noticed at all. He headed to see his mother and ask some questions. He walked through the training ground house groaning at the ugly furniture again. Wondering if Paul would notice some burnt furniture having it replaced with something better. No, he would somehow find more a horrid color.
Entering his mother's room he placed his hand on the trunk and waited. Process complete he asked, "Can you tell me about your friends at Hogwarts?"
The image of Lily flickered and a sad expression covered her face. For the next few hours he listened to the story of his mother's time both at home and then moving on to school. How her one friend ended up turning on her and bad mouthing her in front of others. They had been friends for years, studying, completing, and generally hanging out together when their schedules and studies allowed. It had started with his father dating her. He had bullied Lily's friend. Lily had defended her friend from James and his friends. James would later admit to liking her for a long time and thought to show her how much better he was that her friend. It had been totally juvenile in Lily's mind and had let him know. This had made James change for the better and Lily and he had started to date. Lily's friend became jealous and joined "the wrong crowd".
Harry interrupted the story and asked his mother, "Who was it?"
"It does not matter, Harry. You won't meet him in school since he has long since graduated and moved on." Lily ended the topic.
"Ok, but what about other friends." He inquired.
Lily's image giggled, "Harry, I was a bookworm. I had more time spent in the library during school and working for the goblins in the summer that I had very little time for friends."
"Oh."
"Don't worry, Harry. I became good friends with your father's friends. They were certainly a cheer bunch, well minus Peter."
Enthralled with more personal information about his mother he asked, "What was wrong with Peter?"
"Nothing, he was just the shy and meek one of the group. He hung out with James I think mainly because he was a Potter. Add into that Sirius was from the prestigious Blacks and Remus was a near genius and you had a group that he was dying to be around."
"Wait, what is the big deal with the Potters and Blacks?"
"The Blacks were many things but first and foremost they were excellent merchants in every sense. This made them wealthy. Very wealthy, this of course made them arrogant. That is where Sirius came in; he had all their arrogance, but none of their superiority and sense of entitlement. After he was sorted into Gryffindor his troubles started at home and he spent more time with James after Sirius's mother removed him from the family. Sirius moved in with James and his family."
"His family tossed him out?" Harry was shocked.
"I don't know all the details. Sirius kept most of it to himself. I know at some point James let Sirius stay summers at his home. Now how this ties into the Potter's is simple. The Potter's as you can gather from their name started out as craftsmen. From this they expanded into more than just master craftsmen. They are noted fighter's too. In a way this is to be expected. After all being craftsmen, in multiple areas both magical and non-magical worlds, means at some point someone is going to want what you have.
Potter's initially were just very defensive protecting what was theirs. In time, their prowess as duelers made some of them good livings as soldiers and bounty hunters. It was once a joke by James that fighting was just another craft to the family. The family never forgot its roots. James told me that every Potter is a craftsman at heart. It was this that drew others to them. Not only did the Potter's have wealth they protected what was theirs. Even going so far as to think friends were owned and needed to be protected by them."
James certainly considered his friends something to fight for and protect. If you want to know if James believed his friends were his possessions; the answer is simple. Yes. Getting in with the Potter's was the same as becoming family at best or at worst a beloved and highly trusted friend."
Harry was amazed at what his mother said. He was confused though on a couple points.
"I thought slavery was against the law. Why would dad think he owned people?"
Lily giggled, "Yes, slavery is illegal, well, in the normal world. James only thought his friends were his possessions he never tried to tell them what to do or control them Harry. Think of it like this, James cared so much for his friends the only thing of more value to him was me."
"I guess, but how does that make them his?" Harry could not understand how this made any sense. His dad looked at his own friends as some kind of property.
"You're getting hung up on the words Harry. In the past James Potter's family was able to actually own their friends and allies. That practice fell out of favor and something new came along. Eventually, even that changed. In its current form the family merely keeps a protective hold over them to protect the family and friends. The tradition of believing that the family owns them is what is important. They keep that alive to remind them that the family has always looked after the ones that are closest to them."
"But why are you telling me this? Dad is dead. Even you are dead." Harry didn't see the relevance and tried to keep the hurt out. He did want to understand.
The image of his mother giggled and flickered, "Harry, you're a Potter." The statement delivered with a resounding this is so obvious I can't believe you missed it. "When you make friends you will be tempted to do anything for them to keep them safe. Now you will know why. Paul is teaching you to fight. It occurred to me you might be very good at it. I thought you should know about your family."
"So I will start to see my friends as some kind of possession?"
"Again Harry, don't get caught up on the wording. You can call it whatever you want. The ancient craftsmen in the family always thought of the works they made as their possessions. Including the friendships they made. It was a simple thing for them to transfer the concept from material things to mental things."
"I think I will have to look at this in my own way," Harry had only ever owned the grimoire so he didn't think any friends would like to be treated how he treated the book.
"However you choose to look at it is fine. I am just giving you some background," smiled the image of Lily. "Now that you have some food for thought let us continue with the stabilizing rune set."
"Ugh." She transitioned into that so easily.
Harry would spend the next week asking his mother all about Hogwarts, teachers, classes, and the houses. He would have spent more time asking about the friends of the family, but Lily was resistant to tell him more. Harry took what he could from their discussions. Lily proved to be very demanding. She would only give Harry tidbits of information until after he completed his assignments. The week had flown by with barely any notice. By the end of the week Harry had completed more tasks in runes than in the last two years.
While Harry didn't seem to notice Lily did. Lily had a comprehensive understanding of Charms, was considered a prodigy in Potions, but was passionate about Runes in all their forms. Harry was showing he could easily be a Rune Master at an early age. His problem was his lack of real interest in the matter. Like most young male wizards Lily knew he demonstrated a desire you use magic and play with magic directly. Lily tried many things to interest him in Runes. She hoped Harry would take an interest in runes more seriously; after all she would not be here to assist him at all if it was not for Runes. In the course of the week Harry had created many Runes sets on clothes, stones, even the training grounds themselves. During many of the more difficult exercises she set up Harry just breezed through them with the same effort as drawing a single rune.
Harry did not seem to really notice or care about the work. He was working quickly in hopes of hearing more of the stories from his mother. When mistakes were made it always revolved around improper translation of older runes not implementation. Some of the constructs amused both of them. Light-weight robes turning out to be robes that lit up, self-cleaning underwear that instead announced its need to be washed, and the ever sharped blade that continued to sharpen itself until the whole blade was sharpened away just left the pair laughing into hysterics. Harry's desire to learn more led to not giving his full attention to a project. Lily ordered the project remade before giving up more information on the family's past.
Harry spent most of Friday and Saturday packing and repacking his father's knapsack. Technically, he had inherited the knapsack. He pretended his father loaned the knapsack to him. As much as he loved the many storage pouches on his knapsack; being his father's meant more to him.
By Sunday afternoon Harry was beginning to panic it was already the first and no Paul. Harry was pacing in front of his mother. What was delaying Paul? Did he forget about Harry? Was Paul hurt? Would he remember that today was September 1st? As he continued to pace around with Lily just calmly watching her son.
"He will be here Harry. I am sure any reason for his late arrival will be explained." Lily tried to reassure her anxious son.
Just at that moment a transit circle lit up in the transit room. Come to think of it Harry thought that is kind of a dumb name for the room even if that was the only purpose of the room. In reality, Harry knew he would never get a man with lima bean colored furniture to change the name of the room. He sprinted into the room at the arrival.
Paul appeared drained. He looked like all his troubles were currently weighing on him at this moment. Paul took a moment composing his appearance. Looking at his young apprentice he almost laughed. The boy looked excited, nervous, angry, and worried all at once. Before Paul could even get a word out Harry began.
"What took you so long? We are late. We should have left already. Are you alright? Can we go now? We should not wait any longer. Have you been making me wait on purpose again?" Harry suddenly stopped needing air in his excited state.
Paul laughed. He really could not help it. Harry was frowning at him. This only made Paul laugh more. Once composed again, Paul explained his need to make sure Harry had everything.
"Seriously though, you will be gone for most of the year. Let me make sure you have everything before I drop you off. Unlike you I will be shutting up the training ground and letting my old bones rest until we train again next summer." Paul only had to wait a half second on Harry's reply.
"I have already packed," Lily interjected several times and Harry acted like she said nothing, "and the entire grounds are shut down already. We can go now"
Lily giggled from the corner and shutdown knowing Harry was overly excited about going to Hogwarts and would not notice her anymore at this point.
"Alright Harry," Paul smiled, "just tell me a couple of things and we will go."
"Anything," Harry groused.
"Where's Perth?" Paul serenely asked.
Harry paled. He had forgotten his own familiar. Not wanting to seem like he forgot he thought to lie. Paul stopped him before he could. The look on Paul's face was enough to make him remove the idea from his own head.
"I. . . I . . . I will go get him." Harry beat a hasty retreat outside.
Paul laughed again. Paul smiled thinking of all the little things Harry might have forgotten. Evening meal should be a good time to get him there. The thought of teasing the apprentice for a couple more hours should be fun.