The Phantom of Hogwarts

Chapter Three

Author's Note: As you may have noticed I have changed Anatoli's name and given him a normal face. The name change simply because I prefer the spelling and giving him a normal face to help readers better grasp why Madeline turned to him. Again my original story will remain posted for those of you who don't agree with my changes. Enjoy!

Erik was roused from his drug induced slumber by the sound of voices nearby and a sharp stinging pain in his injured wrist. The voices did not sound happy. Charles and Madeline were arguing again. That brought Erik to as much awareness as his foggy brain could procure.

'Oh, God, he is going to kill me this time.' Erik thought frantically.

He couldn't just lie here he had to get away. Erik's pained moans stopped the voices and his movements were halted by a pair of strong arms firmly pinning him still. Erik's ribs protested sharply at the movement. Still the boy didn't dare open his eyes for fear that he would see Charles's angry face glaring down at him.

"Mama, don't let him hurt me anymore. I'll be good. I'll never take my mask off again. I promise." Erik pleaded.

The familiar feel of his mother's hand against his forehead succeeded in making Erik stop straining against whoever was holding him down.

"He won't ever hurt you again, Erik. We're at Marie's house. Charles does not know where we are. Elaina is here as well and all three of us are safe. Please be still, Erik." Madeline whispered soothingly.

"He is delirious. That's a normal effect of the laudanum. He'll need another dose soon." the gentle voice of the doctor explained.

"Well I brought something that will actually help him. It will mend his wrist and bruises in a heartbeat. How you can stand using backwards Muggle medicine, Etienne, is beyond me. Lay still, child. No one is going to hurt you. Open your eyes for me." a new masculine voice spoke up.

Someone else was there and it wasn't Charles or anyone else Erik knew. Erik's eyes slowly fluttered open but quickly grew wide as he discovered that the owner of the new voice was the one holding him down. Erik felt himself growing weak but his constitution was far too strong to allow him to pass out again.

Erik felt as if he were looking at how he himself might look if he had been blessed with a normal face. The stranger had short black hair that was combed back in a similar style that Erik preferred, and ice blue eyes which seemed able to pierce through his soul. A look of genuine concern was evident on the man's features.

The stranger smiled kindly, "There now that's better. Just calm down and I'll let you go. All right?" the stranger asked gently.

Erik slowly nodded and the stranger let go of him. The stranger then reached into the folds of the black cloak he was wearing and pulled out a small blue glass bottle that was half filled with a dark liquid and topped with a small cork. The stranger pulled out the cork and the contents of the bottle began to bubble merrily and emit a thin wisp of silver smoke. Erik eyed the bottle warily.

"It's nothing to be afraid of. This will mend the bone in your arm and bruises within moments of drinking it. Unless you'd prefer to wait weeks for your arm to heal and your bruises to fade." the stranger said calmly.

The thought of having his arm in a sling for the next six weeks did not appeal to Erik, however, he wasn't prepared to drink whatever that substance was in the bottle. Erik looked over at Madeline. Madeline favored her son with a small smile and gave him a nod of approval.

"Will it hurt?" Erik asked.

"Save for a bitter taste that's as much discomfort as you'll feel. I promise." the stranger answered.

Erik nodded, took the bottle in his uninjured hand, and downed the liquid in one swallow. The stranger had not been wrong about the taste. It was very bitter like a newly picked blackberry but other than that it had been painless. Erik's entire body suddenly felt very cold as if it had just been dipped in ice water. Then as quickly as it had come the cold sensation passed and was replaced by a soothing warmth and Erik suddenly realized how cumbersome the bandages had become.

The stranger clearly noticed this and chuckled lightly, "We can remove the bandages now. There is no need for them."

With Etienne's help the stranger gently removed the bandages that had once encased Erik's wrist. Erik was stunned. The swelling had vanished and the ugly black and blue bruises had faded away. The pain was gone from his arm and Erik was overjoyed that he was able to breathe without feeling pain.

Erik's ice blue eyes were gleaming with grateful tears, "Thank you, sir. I'm sorry that I fought you." Erik said blushing.

The stranger moved his hand in a dismissive motion, "It's all right. I'm the one who should apologize. If I hadn't been such a fool you wouldn't be in this predicament. I'm deeply sorry, Erik, and I won't blame you if you can't forgive me." the stranger said quietly.

"What are you talking about?" Erik asked.

Madeline cleared her throat and began, "Erik, nearly eleven years ago I was desperate for a child. So in my selfishness and desperation I sought out an old friend, whom I had courted before Charles, and came back to him under the guise of wanting to rekindle the relationship. When this 'rekindling' got me what I wanted I cut off the relationship and never spoke to him again until a few minutes ago. Erik, this is Anatole Garron, your birth father." Madeline explained as she gestured to the stranger.

Anatole Garron sighed and locked gazes with Erik, "I'm truly sorry, Erik. I never knew that you even existed. When Etienne sent the message describing your face and your features I knew that there was no mistake. Very few people outside of the Garron family have been known to have your birthmark and bear such a close resemblance to me." the older man said softly.

Erik simply lay there allowing all of this to sink in and when it did the ten-year-old boy concluded that he didn't know whether to cheer or cry. Charles Harquin wasn't his true father! However, his beloved Elaina was only his half-sister and his mother had committed adultery to conceive him and had only wanted him so that the Harquin linage could continue.

'Fat chance of that ever happening.' Erik thought bitterly as his eyes filled with tears.

No one let alone a girl would ever want to be his friend. Erik's high class upbringing had taught him that the world did not look kindly upon an illegitimate child much less a deformed one.

Before he could stop himself Erik covered his face and broke down into a fit of howling sobs. His mother seized him in a tight embrace and rocked him slightly as he sobbed.

Madeline softly ran her fingers through her son's hair and fought to avoid crying as well, "I'm so sorry, Erik. I truly am." she whispered.

"Why did you keep me? Why did you let me live and treat me as if I were normal? I failed you. I wasn't born perfect." Erik demanded through his tears.

"All I've ever wanted to be was a mother. After two miscarriages, I prayed that you would survive to full term. When you were born, I resolved to be the best mother I could regardless of what you looked like. You have never failed me, Erik." Madeline said firmly.

Erik's cries began anew and he allowed his mother to cradle him close as if he were a baby. Gradually his cries subsided and Erik was able to free himself from Madeline's grasp and face Anatole.

It was hard to believe that this man was indeed his birth father. For as long as Erik could remember there had been a gap in his life, which had longed to be filled with a father's love and guidance. Charles could not fill that gap but could Anatole?

"I realize that this is very difficult for you to accept, Erik, but it is the truth. You are my son." Anatole replied.

Erik wiped his eyes, "Is it true? That this birthmark runs in your family."

Anatole nodded, "On my father's side to be exact. My father has a birthmark similar to yours. I am one of the few Garron men who did not inherit it. However, it is not the only side effect of Garron blood in your veins." Anatole explained.

"What do you mean?" Erik asked nervously.

"Erik, have you ever been able to do things you couldn't quite put your finger on? Did you just imagine it happening then suddenly it happens? Did it ever happen when you were feeling something strongly whether it be fear or anger or happiness?" Anatole inquired.

When Erik nodded an affirmative to all the questions Anatole uttered the words that would change Erik's life forever, "The explanation for all of it is quite simple. You're a wizard, Erik." Anatole stated.