Chapter 4: A matter of dreams and shipping

The crowd is jeering, screaming, laughing at the happenings on the endless stage. Moved to tears by the fatalistic nature of the play happening two places to the right of the main attraction, a story of an ordinary human with an ordinary boring life suddenly transported into the fantastic and bizarre.

I watched with anticipation and amusement, I have seen many plays with the same premise before, each one a breathe of fresh air no matter how corny the actual writing and pace, to be able to see how the ordinary interacts with the fantastical, the clash of moods was such an interesting sight to behold. Each ordinary human reacted differently to the circumstances they found themselves in, this one with a magic ring that ran off avarice became a hero and changed the vary way the Earth he landed on worked, this other made a wish in the throes of depression and was answered by a goddess and transported to a world where wishes were given to those with down trodden lives the man grew and rose up from his depression with the help of a bad luck magnet and two other Goddesses. I sighed as I remember various other works, my eyebrow quirked upwards as I heard the Omnipresent voice that usually accompanies such stories tell the person that they were in a play and were in fact being watched at this very moment. That was certainly new, I wonder where this play is going to go?

I blinked as I savored the various sounds of the endless crowd and my brow furrowed as I felt the seat beneath me vanish. My eyes snapped open to see what the problem was and I noticed I was on stage. The Omnipresent voice seemed to be closed... how curious. Why was I on stage? I was just a part of the crowd! Speaking of, where did the endless sea of voyeurs go? This isn't right. This is all shades of wrong. I feel a tug as my head is forced to the right and my mouth opens on it's own accord to speak a line of denouement and outrage, my my hand flicking across the empty space in front of me with wild abandon. I shudder as I spot the strings all over my body and take a glance upwards to see such a endless mass of them that they appeared to be a series of endless stars on a clear night. My eyes travel to one close to be to see that it was on a set piece that soon turned itself into a castle of wonder and magic. I said my lines with the Omnipresent voice without really hearing anything as I tried to make sense of my predicament, what exactly was going on here? I was just a part of the crowd! I can feel the eyes on me, almost hear the mocking laughter a force like thunder from a Skyfather.

This is wrongwrongwrongwrong! This isn't supposed to happen! This isn't right! My hands move swiftly to cut the strings that bind me to act out this twisted play, trying desperately to free myself from this mockery of choice and life. No matter how much I pull and prod the wires don't budge a single inch refusing to snap and set me free from this nightmare. I open my mouth to cry for help and plead for mercy yet no noise comes out, I try again and again to no avail. I do it once more in a hysterical fit and open my mouth as wide as I can-

"AHHHHHHHH!" I shudder as I jolt awake, my eyes still closed and heart racing. my voicing comes out a shuddering and faulty mess "Fucking hell, that was more vivid then anything I have ever dreamed of before. It's a good thing I won't ever have to deal with something so implausible. I mean the vary idea that someone could be transported to a land of fantasy is absurd, sure it's fun watching others do it with fics but those are just that. Words strung together to form a elaborate fantasy others use for entertainment and escapism from the shoddy nature of reality. I can't believe I had two nightmares back to back, that hasn't happened to me since I was 12..."

I stay in bed awhile longer to make sure my breathing comes under control, my lips form a smirk as I let out a self depreciating laugh, "I'm so silly. Thinking of such outlandish possibilities. Oh well, what else is new? Time to face another boring day."

"This...isn't my room. Wait a minute... fuck me. That first nightmare wasn't a nightmare at all. Hahaha! Just my luck huh? I wonder if that second one was me trying to cope with my situation? I wonder if you lot reading this saw my dream?... I suppose it doesn't matter one way or the other. Now what exactly did you lot decide I should do while here so I can go on yet another fun filled adventure?"

I rub the sleep from my eyes as I reach out with my right hand to grab my glasses and the list next to them. I put them on and took a deep breath as I debated the pros and cons of actually flipping the paper over. I let it out slowly as I flipped the paper over before I could chicken out.

Goal List

1. Kill Voldemort before Harry and Co do.

2. Make a Space Colony on the Moon.

3. Steal the Philosopher's stone.

4. Get the Founders artifacts and make them not Horcruxs.

5. Make the Basilisk into a pet.

6. Make the Twins secret agents.

7. Make Harry King of moon wizards.

8. Make Snape's hair not greasy.

9. Find Atlantis.

ROB Challenge: Infiltrate and destroy a sect of Wizards and Witches that have made a breeding ground for special Nundu they have enhanced with magic and made completely loyal, they plan on attacking the Wizarding world to break the Masquerade since they are tired of living in secrecy and think the wizarding world as it is is corrupt and just waiting to topple to the ground.

"You people seriously want me to make a space colony? What. I mean if I had any of the hyper intelligent aliens I could do that in like 3 months at most. As it stands? That probably isn't going to happen unless I figure out a way to do so with magic. Which might be possible with how little magic was explained in the movies/books. Compared to that the rest sound easy enough, what the hell is a Nundu ROB and what is this about a challenge?"

{"That? Nothing more then a way to incorporate that whole unlocking a new alien thing from the show. It's entirely optional for you to do, of course if you don't do it the effects might be more then a bit shocking. If you do in fact complete the Challenge you will get another RNG alien with the same rules as before. As for what a Nundu is? Well I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise."}

"Of course not. Why would you? I still can't believe this is actually happening. I'm now fictional. None of my actions really matter since they all effect a fictional place with fictional people and fictional feelings. Still... I might as well make a list of the Pros for this fucked situation. It might cheer me up. Where did the room put the quills and parchment?"

My gaze sweeps across the room lazily as I took note of the various piles, finally spotting ink wells, quills and rolls of parchment next to the night stand.

"Huh, convenient. Thanks Room. There is no way I am going to use quills for long. I'm going to get pens and mechanical pencils as soon as I can. Now then... pros. What are the pros."

List of Pros and Cons

Pros:
1. I get to learn magic, so that is a plus, with enough knowledge I could do a bunch of damage, that and I can fuck with physics more then the watch already lets me.

2. I can punch Ben Tennyson in the face, he needs a good one. After that I can give him his well deserved 'Reasons you suck' speech. Hell I can do that to a lot of fictional people. So many deserve it...

3. I get to time travel and go to alternate universes. That is something I have always wanted to do, I wouldn't even have to make a time machine if I ever get Clockwork.

4. I have the chance of holding the world at ransom, that would be fun... I'm fictional so I don't really have to worry about silly things like morals. That and I have always wanted to reenact that scene from Austin Powers I might even do that pinky to lip thing. Of course I am going to have to be view able to the masses... eh I will get to that when I'm ready.

5. I get to save the world/universe if I feel like it. Not many people can say that. I could even form my own team if I wanted.

6. I get to meet various fictional people and go to various fictional places... after a fashion anyway. I really need to get started on that therapy group idea for beings that know the true nature of their surroundings. Maybe it will stave off the insanity?

7. I have the Omnitrix, and with it one of the most abuse-able items in all of fiction I could easily reach godhood by going to mainline Marvel or DC and getting samples of Aliens. Even without that I somehow lucked my way into getting Alien X as one of my 10 so if anything gets really hairy I should have one free request if things are like the show. I should also be very hard to kill with it on considering it has the Life Saving Function that was quick enough to react to a point blank Big Bang that was quickly dealt with by Feedback in the finale of Omniverse.

Cons

1. No real free will or privacy, all of these words are just that. Words on a screen. The scary thing is that I'm starting to not care... I mean it's not like I can change it even if I wanted to. ROB already pointed out that my thoughts won't ever be secure even if I somehow got my hands on a Absolute Metal Defense.

2. I will in all likelihood be Shipped with people and places, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they have started do so already. I just hope none of them are depraved enough to ship me with ROB. That thought alone make me want to put a bullet in my brain. For all the good that would do...

Hah~ I knew the pros wouldn't outweigh the cons but I wasn't expecting it to be so lopsided. This wouldn't be nearly so bad if I could make myself forget that I was ever real in the first place.

"That didn't really help all that much. I might as well get started on learning how to cast spells. Now what exactly am I supposed to learn this year?" I say as I place the parchment with rather horrid writing on the night stand so I can look at it whenever I wake up to remind myself of my situation should I ever start to get complacent.

After a bit of searching I found the schedule the Room made for me and a stack of books I would need to be able to learn effectively next to it hidden behind a surprising large mound of wands.

Year 1 Schedule

Monday: Xylomancy, Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms.

Tuesday: Potions, History of Magic, Herbology, Transfiguration

Wednesday: Double Potions, Charms, Double Magical Theory (class)

Thursday: Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions,Transfiguration, Flying (class)

Friday: Herbology, History_of_Magic, Charms (class), Magical Theory

Saturday: Double Potions, Double Transfiguration

Necessary Books for subjects:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble

Well time to get reading then. I wonder if any of the wands are going to react to my Terraspin transformation? This is going to be a long 12 hours... Oh wait I can't start now. I have to go secure a steady supply of food and drink from the Kitchen's first. If I remember right it's near the Hufflepuff Common Room in the basement level of Hogwarts. Something about a giant pear...

I walk towards the door while shifting through my aliens until I once again land on Ghostfreak. I transform moment before I open the door and phase through all the floors between myself and my destination.

I should explore this place when I get the chance... That and start interacting with people. It would make it easier to be "entertaining" and exist just a bit longer. Hah~ This situation is so ridiculous. Now where is that giant pear at? Thia fruit bowl painting looks like a nice candidate. Your supposed to fondle it or something right?

I let go of my phase as I keep myself invisible to fondle the pear, and after a moment doing so the pear turned into a green doorknob and with a twist I was in. The various House Elfs were hard at work on the feast that was due to be eaten that day, some noticed the door open on it's own accord and when one of them went to close it I inspirited them.

This is a rather strange feeling. I better act normal for a bit before I get anymore looks.

I move the body that was currently mine and closed the door. I spent quite a few minutes more cooking before making up some excuse about making sure the various dromitaries were clean for the arriving students.

The others bought it easily enough and with that I vanished to the 7th floor and quickly entered the Room of Requirement and my safe haven. Once the door was shut I quickly phased out of the body I was using and with a flash of black light and a BWOOSH my form changed from a Ectonurite and transformed into the Vladat Whampire.

Before the elf could get it's bearings I grabbed it by the and looked into his eyes.

"Cease your struggling. That's it. There is no need to be afraid. This is all perfectly normal. Your going to stay perfectly calm as I ask you a few questions which you will answer truthfully understand?"

"Yes, Oogie understands Sir."

"Excellent. When you go back into the Kitchen's you will say that the dormitaries are all in order and ready for the students to arrive, once you leave here you will go and check just to be sure understand?"

"Yes sir."

"You will keep tabs on Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasly, Draco Malfoy, Cedric Diggory, Fred and George Weasly and Haggrid without them noticing you or the other House Elfs finding you suspicious. As you do so report any note worthy things you find, from letters they receive, friends they make,and how they behave in and out of class when they think no one is watching understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Excellent Oogie, you are to drop off food, drink and a set of form fitting robes here at 12PM everyday, the door will open for you and you will be able to get in understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Excellent Oogie, should I ever need you in this state again you will go back to this state when the being who resides here says 'Oogie Boogie' you won't remember anything wrong or amiss from the time after your first step towards the open Kitchen door understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Excellent Oogie, I expect my first shipment during the feast that is to be held today. You may go now and return to your normal self unaware of the conversation we just had as soon as you apperiate into the first Common Room."

Once the Oogie left I let out a shivering sigh and in a flash of black I was my normal human self again.

"That was something else. Being able to see his life force and organs was a really strange feeling. I'm surprised I held out long enough to say what I had to say before I gave into the urge to suck his life force..." A hand shakily swept across my hair.

{"My~ That was interesting. It's a shame you didn't give in. I wouldn't have minded seeing what a drained House Elf looked like. So now that you have your clothing and food troubles out of the way are you going to crack open one of those tomes?"}

My eye twitches in irritation as I look at my watch, "Do you always have to have something mildly sadistic to say? Honestly. As for getting started on my education... I think that can wait a bit before I get started. I want to get a few supplies first. It's a good thing I have Whamphire, his speed should allow me to do my errands pretty quickly."

{"Errands? Are you going to go get some stress relief? You know there are easier way to do so then going to Knocturn Alley and getting a hag there to-}

"Are you serious right now? What on earth would make you even think that?! People better not start shipping me with Hags from Knockturn because of this! For fucks sake, I wasn't even hinting at something like that! If you must know you pain in the ass, I plan on stealing myself a mechanical pencil and erasable pen."

{"Stealing? My, what a great example your setting for the people reading this. Surely they are going to think of you as moral and wholly a benefit to society at large."}

I roll my eyes and huff in exasperation as I say, "Please don't give me any of that moral superiority crap. You have no high ground to stand on or do I need to remind you that your the reason I'm in this mess!"

{"Now we both know that isn't true. You were perfectly in your rights to refuse and I would have taken you back to your boring little life were you would have done nothing of significance and died having aboat load of regrets about things you should have done. You chose to hear me out. This is all on you and your selfless little heart."

"You are so fucking lucky I can't actually hit you right now otherwise I would be pounding you in the face until my hand broke. You know damn well that you fucking blackmailed me with the not-so-thinly-veiled threat of going after other mes if I didn't hear you out. It's not just your fault though, the me currently writing this shit is the one to blame. Your nothing more then a convenient patsy that I can yell and rave at. If you think about it I suppose we are in somewhat the same boat..."

{"Heh, are you developing Stalkholm Syndrome already? You really are pathetic you know that? Hm~ Here I thought you would have a touch more mental resilience."}

I stare open mouthed at my watch and growl as I say, "I don't know what the hell your trying to go on about but I don't have Stockholm Syndrome! The very idea that I have become complacent in this madness is absurd!

You know what? I'm done talking to you for the day. I have things to do before Oogie gets back."

I walk to the door and turn to Ghostfreak moments before opening it and phasing through the walls to find myself a mundane civilization. I sigh in relief as I note that it's still dark outside thus removing the possibility of the sun hurting me in my next transformation.

BWOOSH

With a wave of displaced air I was off. I flew low to the ground once I spotted a village in the distance in case my Omnitrix times out so the landing wouldn't be too rough. I got to the village just a few seconds before my Omnitrix started to time out.

I groan as I shake my head to try to ward off the pain of my rough landing, "Note to self, let your Omnitrix recharge after switching between aliens rapidly. I can't believe I forgot that doing so makes the 10 minute time limit come faster... I can't wait until I unlock Master Control. I hope this place is a muggle town or at least sells muggle things as a sort of curiosity. Not that I'm planing on buying anything..."

I look around and get a better look at the picturesque looking town that could have come straight off a Christmas card. I shiver as I head into a nearby store that sold wands, passively noting it said Olivander's on top. I sighed as I felt the heating charms take effect and jumped when I hear a cough to my right.

That usually happens to people who enter these shops for the first time doesn't it? Another cliche checked off then...

I look over the man and don't see anything particularly off about him, white, with brown hair and eyes, with black rim glasses with purple wizarding robes with a red tie over a grey shirt. I clear my throat and say, "Sorry I didn't see you there, don't mind me any I'm just hear to ward of the cold. I came ill dressed for the weather you see."

The man smiles and says, "You know, I can usually tell when a customer is going to enter my shop. Are you sure you don't want to try any pf the wands? I see that you aren't carrying any with you at the moment."

"Oh, no that won't be necessary, I'm a Squib you see."

The man momentarily looks startled and smiles sadly, "I see. You must have had a pretty rough life then. Most people don't seem to take to kindly to Squibs. If you aren't here for a wand, why did you come here in muggle clothes that don't provide any protection from the cold? Surely you have heard that Hogsmead is snowy year around."

I thought that might be where I was... Damn.

I shrug and smile abashedly as I say in embarrassment, "I have yes, but I forgot in my rush to get here. I'm not very good at directions you see, I was looking for a place that sold Muggle writing utensils since I was never good enough to write all that well with quills. You wouldn't happen to know where I can find some would you?"

The shopkeeper nodded his head as he went to the back of his shop behind the rows of wands ready to be bought. After waiting a few moments and being careful to not touch any of the wands in the unlikely event that they actually react to me, the shop keeper came back with one pencil worn with age and quite small.

"I kept this as a curiosity but I don't see any harm in you taking it. I can always get another after all. If you like I could also give you some winter clothes? The Doubling Charm is quite useful for situations like this even if the duplicates don't last for very long."

I stared at the man open mouthed for a bit before nodding my head in thanks and giving a smile, "I would appreciate the gesture greatly. I'm glad you haven't been treating me like how most others would."

The man raised his wand and said "Accio Winter Robes." Out from deep within the shop a padded winter cloak went to his outstretched hand and with a wave of his wand the cloak turned into two, as he gave one to me he smiled sadly and said, "I know first hand what Squibs go through. My sister was one and she was treated so horribly that she sought comfort from all the abuse in death. From that moment forward I have decided to help Squibs as much as I can, a little wand waving is the least I can do to help the oppressed. You can come to me if you ever need someone to speak to, not many people come into this store since they know of my favorable stance on Squib matters so you wouldn't be interfering with my business."

I shift around awkwardly not really knowing what to say as I put on the coat finally mumbling out a soft, "Thanks. Your type is pretty rare, I wouldn't mind having someone else to talk with, I'm new here in case my American accent didn't tip you off. I'm sure people will see the error of their ways in due time, most idiotic ideas such as Squib prejudice go away with time and a lot of sacrifice. My name is ... Edward Elric, nice to meet you."

The man laughs boisterously the sound itself seems to brighten up the dusty room, "A pleasure to meet you Edward, my name is Romero Rustenbach, most just call me Romeo. What are you doing so far away from America if you don't mind me asking?"

I smile at Romero before my expression darkens, "That... Well that is a long story. I have business to take care of here and I don't know how long it is going to take me to finish it but I'm going to try my best. While I work I will certainly keep your offer in mind. Thanks you for the pencil and robe, I have to go now. Stay safe yeah?"

With a wave I turn around and get outside as fast as I am able without appearing to suspicious and sigh, I take a while looking at my breath condensing into viewable fog and rising up into the air collecting my thought and thankful that the duplicate was as warm as the original looked.

Fucking hell. I have to keep reminding myself that all of this is fake, no matter how real the pain of someones face, or how sad the tone of voice... It's all an elaborate stage play. I can't ever forget that, not until I can forget I was ever real in the first place. Then and only then can I let go of the truth. I got what I came here for, mostly anyway. Still I should keep in contact with Romero, if for no other reason that more interactions with others offers more chances of people getting the desire to keep my existence real.

The irony. It's almost to absurd. The same people that are even now violating my most personal space are the ones that I have no choice but to depend on to keep existing. Even if this existence is my own personal hell... I can't help but hold on to some sliver of hope that I will find something to make this situation a positive one. It's going to be very hard indeed to tip the balance and make the loss of free will and privacy inconsequential, it might even be a pipe dream destined for the gutters.

I wish I could see your thoughts as easily as you see mine, at least then I would have some measure of payback. A mind for a mind and all that jazz. Hah~ Whatever, I should head back to the castle before I miss Oogie's entrance.

With a quick look around to make sure no one was watching I dialed up my alien of choice.

BWOOSH

Whampire! ...I really have to think up a better name for that one. It's so lame and it isn't even punny.

As I near the case I switch to Ghostfreak and have a look at the dining hall to see if the feast has started. It looks like the new students are just arriving, I contemplate staying a while but decide to go back to my room so I don't miss Oogie's arrival and my waiting food.

Once I arrive back into my room I head to my bed as my normal self and sigh, I frown as I look at my watch and say, "I'm surprised your able to be quite this long. Are you giving me the silent treatment?"

{"Don't be absurd. I was just honoring your wish of not wanting to talk to me the rest of today. Are you really so starved for interaction that your willing to talk with someone who made you storm off into a huff not to long ago? I saw the way you were reacting to that man's sob story, I never knew you were so emotionally fragile. If such a little thing like that is enough to make you doubt, what are you going to do when you see bodies of children who did nothing wrong but being in the wrong place a the wrong time? There is also the fact that the more people you interact with the more options you give for others to ship you with, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they ship you with Oogie and Romero at the same time~"}

A snort of disbelief escapes me as I roll my eyes, "Please, I highly doubt that was your actual reason for keeping silent, and don't remind me of that. It creeps me out. It's almost as bad as the casual mind raping they partake in every time they read my mind without permission. I still don't know how the hell I am supposed to actually make a space colony of all things. Compared to that, everything else on that list is easy as pie."

I sigh as I get up from the bed to collect the books I am supposed to read and a pile of wands absently seeing if any of them react to me with no reaction at all from an of them. As I set the books and wands on the nightstand the door opens and I smile as Oogie sets a tray of food on the bed. Before he had a chance to leave I said, "Oogie Boogie. Come over here, I would like to ask you a few more things before you leave today."

Oogie did as told with a smile on his face as he said, "Yes sir. What can Oogie answer for Master?"

I chuckle slightly as I say, "Calling me that isn't necessary Oogie, now I assume Harry, Hermione, Draco, and Ron have already been sorted? What House did they end up in and did you notice anything different or off about them?"

He shook his head, "No sir, Oogie didn't notice anything off about any of them yet, but Oogie will be sure to sir if anything pops up. Draco went to Slytherin, Ron went to Gryffindor, Hermione went to Ravenclaw and the Boy-Who-Lived went to Hufflepuff sir."

I frown at that information, "I see. Do you know if you are able to find me any House Elfs that aren't bound currently? It would be nice if I had more assistance then just you since you aren't always available to be of assistance considering that you need to keep a low profile."

Oogie bows his head in shame as tears well up in his eyes, "Oogie is bad House Elf! Bad bad bad! Oogie will be sure to find a better House Elf to serve sir! Oogie is sorry for not being able to help sir more then Oogie is able to do so currently!"

I hold up my hands and say in a tome of voice that hopefully calms the distraught self, "Hey, hey, no need for the water works. Your doing fine. Really. I know you won't be able to be as useful as I would like but that is only because you need to keep your cover. I'm not trying to replace you alright? I'm just trying to find more House Elfs that can help me is all. Your really doing a bang up job, understand?"

Oogie wipes a tear that slid out of his right eye and looks at me with a shy smile, "Sir really means that? Oogie is really helping?"

I kneel down to him and give him a hug, after I let go I look into his eyes and say, "Yeah, you really are. You can go now, thanks for bringing me food Oogie."

Oogie smiles and leaves with a pip in his step while I look at my food, my stomach rumbling reminding me that I haven't eaten since this whole thing started. I happily dug into my food without a care for how it actually tasted and sighed in contentment when I was done. I looked at my night stand with the various books, wands, and pieces of paper then at the bed trying to decide which I should head to.

I could start today... but what could a day's head start on everyone else really allow me to do that would be of any use, assuming that my theory of Terraspin actually being able to use HP style magic holds true? I can start tomorrow once I get some sleep, I just hope I don't get another one of those dreams again. Yeah, going to sleep now sounds like a great plan. Man the food here is great, I wonder if the magic does anything to the flavor?

I suppose I can ask Oogie tomorrow. I also need to figure out how to make the Omnitrix show me the time... it's annoying not being able to know what time it is. I wonder if it can translate Parseltongue? That is a rather interesting thought. No, I can't distract myself from going to sleep on that most likely actually magical bed. I hope I can take it with me once I go to wherever I go next, that and bring my House Elfs along for the ride. That would be fun...

I yawn as I head to my bed and immediately fall asleep as soon as my body is on it, my glasses thrown on the night stand without a care.