From Fantasy to Reality
Chapter VI: Special
(Play Kingdom Hearts: End of the World)
The next few days were hell for the residents of Grimmauld Place.
It had finally sunk in what went on that night, and Harry was quite emotional. But not his usual…this time…it was worse. Instead of blind rage, there was calm. In the place of loud yells, there were soft spoken, but hard edged words.
Harry Potter had become cold. Not only that…but he became a danger to nearly everyone around him.
It started the second day after the battle. Harry had taken to reading wherever he felt most comfortable, be it the kitchen, be it the living room, the library, or his room. He would sit, read, and do little else. Various books on many different subjects, runes, potions, charms, Defense, even Dark Arts books, were scattered throughout the manor.
It was Ron who became the first example. His mistake was a simple one. He touched Harry at a bad time. It was a small gesture; the boy was tuning out the world for a few hours straight, and looked as if he'd not gotten any sleep. Ron placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, and was immediately blasted backwards when Harry's AT Field shot into place. Other than a lump at the back of his head, where he impacted the wall, Ron was fine.
His was one of the better injuries.
The next victim of Harry's wayward emotions and raging magic, was Dumbledore himself. Funnily enough, his mistake was being present before Harry. The moment Dumbledore made his presence known in the same room Harry was in, most likely to attempt to talk to the boy, the old man was blasted off his feet THROUGH a wall, and onto the kitchen table where everyone excluding himself, and Harry were eating.
What made that event humorous to a few members of the house, was that when the old man got up, he had a fork stuck in his ass.
After that, the old man made a point not to approach Harry unless it was a dire emergency, or when his emotions righted themselves. Whichever one happened first.
The next event involved no personal injury, just a revelation. It was one of the days that Harry had taken to reading in the living room. Remus Lupin, friend of the Potters, and ex-Professor at Hogwarts, had attempted to talk to Harry about the deaths of his remaining relatives. The soon to be Fifth, and sixth years were all present, along with Beatrice. What surprised them, was that he had made no move to stop them from sticking around, or even talking to him. His answers were short, and toneless…but they were answers none the less.
However, what amazed them even more, was that when Lupin began on a weak lecture of bottling emotions, Harry did no more than turn the page in his book, and blink. Of course a vase not far from him shattered, but there was no outward showing of emotion. Lupin apologized, and then stated he'd wait until Harry was ready to speak of such matters.
What shocked everyone, even Dumbledore who had peeked his head in when he heard the shatter…was that the vase repaired itself, and the dying flowers that were once in it, suddenly grew brighter, as if they had just bloomed.
Again, Harry did nothing more than continue reading.
Dumbledore beckoned the group to the kitchen.
"Might I ask what just happened?"
Hermione answered. "Well sir, it looked like Professor Lupin was going to force Harry into talking about two nights ago, when Harry blinked and a glass shattered. Then Professor Lupin apologized and said he'd wait till Harry came to him about it. Then the glass repaired itself, and the flowers came back to life."
"I thought that's what I saw…"
Hermione hesitated, but then spoke.
"Sir…I think Harry's a lot worse off than we see."
Luna spoke.
"Harry is no worse than we are."
Everyone turned to her.
"And how would you know Miss Lovegood."
"It's simple. He's dealing with his turmoil the only way he knows how. Silently, alone and within his own mind. He reads to increase his knowledge, and to keep his sanity."
"Then why do things keep happening?"
"That night…he opened himself up to the world at large. His magic flows freely now. That's why it seemed like he became nearly godlike in that fight. No longer does his subconscious suppress and forcibly channel his magic, the way most wizards do. His magic now flows through his body, through his mind, freely, unhindered, and relaxed. As such, it allows for nearly instantaneous responses to certain things. Like when Ronald touched him, his annoyance at being touched spoke to his magic, and it reacted, without Harry even moving a muscle."
"So Harry's been WILLINGLY doing all that?"
"I'm not sure…I think it's more like he's asking his magic to ward off anyone that would impede his progress, even in the slightest. Since it flows so freely, it does what his subconscious wants. The vase shattering was his way of telling Lupin not to speak about that right now. The vase repairing itself, and the flowers blooming again, was his magic's way of saying that he was happy that Lupin took the hint. Knowing Harry, he believes Dumbledore to be part of the cause he now is truly the last of his line. As such, his magic reacted the moment Dumbledore spoke, as he probably hasn't been able to lock your aura to his memory, and banished him in quite the forceful way."
"So we leave him alone."
This time Beatrice spoke.
"I…don't think so. I think he doesn't mind the company, I mean, he hasn't really kicked anyone out of the rooms he's been in unless we annoy him…and if what Luna said is true, he'd be able to before we'd even be conscious of it."
"That is true…"
Ginny piped up. "So what do we do?"
"Leave him alone pretty much. Stick around, do some homework or something, just…don't bother him. In the off chance he asks us something; obviously we answer…but don't try to distract him. It's pretty obvious he wants to read…"
"Yeah…but…some of those books…"
"Yes Miss Granger…some of the books he has been reading have been Dark Arts books. If I were to hazard a guess…he either wants to learn them for himself…or wants to learn how they work so he can defend against them."
The younger ones went back in, while Lupin stayed with Dumbledore.
"You don't think he's…"
"Planning on changing sides? No…I have heard about this, Fluidity in magic in a few books. It doesn't go into detail…but it mentions that such a thing is quite rare in anyone, wizard or no. One has to have a great deal of acceptance…before one can reach that state."
"So he'll be alright?"
"I dare say he will be. The reactions are becoming less violent…so it would seem that his emotions are righting themselves."
"I hope so…"
However…before they could…one last event would take place.
Molly Weasely had gone to the living room to fetch Harry for dinner. Everyone had told her not to bother him, but she denied their attempts to dissuade her by stating he was thin as a rail and needed to eat, even if she had to drag him there herself.
"Harry…dinner is ready dear."
He didn't even look up. "Not hungry."
"Nonsense dear, you're far too thin, you need to eat."
He turned a page. "Not hungry."
Being a Weasely, and not only that, being one of two females in the family, her temper was quite short.
"Harry Potter, you put that book down and come to dinner!"
Page turned. "Not Hungry."
Her face grew red with annoyance. She looked at the book he was reading. What could POSSIBLY be so interesting that he'd refuse to-
The book's title…
Sifting through Shadows.
A Comprehensive Guide to the Darkness by Amadeus Black.
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! YOU PUT THAT BOOK DOWN RIGHT NOW!"
He blinked and looked up in irritation.
"No."
"YOU WILL DO WHAT I SAY YOUNG MAN! THAT BOOK IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE READ BY A CHILD!"
He ignored her and went back to reading.
As soon as the first shout was made, everyone abandoned their meal to rush in…only to see Molly stomp over and attempt to wrench the book out of Harry's hands.
That…was a near fatal mistake. The moment her hand made contact with the book, Harry looked up. His eyes immediately turned a fierce blood red.
CRACK!
A shrill scream of agony shot out of the red haired woman's mouth. The bones in her arm had shattered completely, and not only that, but she was immediately knocked away by a wave of force so strong that it dropped even Dumbledore to his knees, though he was flaring his own magic to attempt to counter Harry's.
The sheer aura of anger and hatred Harry was emanating was suffocatingly powerful. Beatrice, who had been present when the Dark Lord was in a rage many a time, even dropped to her knees in fear.
However…one still stood.
Harry slowly stalked over to where Mrs. Weasely had landed. Everyone watched as a wall of translucent light appeared around Harry, and then wrapped itself around Mrs. Weasely, raising her into the air and pinning her to the wall.
Of course, the portrait of Mrs. Black began screeching.
"I don't care WHO you think you are, you have no right to stop me in ANYTHING I chose to do!"
CRACK!
Her other arm broke.
"You are NOT my Mother, nor my guardian!"
CRACK!
Her leg broke.
"You are nothing more than a STUPID woman who is so pathetically blinded by her own fears that she can't see the reality of what's right in front of her!"
CRACK!
Her other leg broke.
"You may be the mother of my friend, but you have NO ties to me, OR this house! And I SWEAR if you raise your voice at me or someone else who is NOT a part of your family again, I will remove it, PERMANENTLY!"
The portrait had continued screaming.
"DAMMIT HARPY STOP YELLING!"
He swung his left arm and pointed at the portrait, a sphere of the darkest black appearing in his hand as he swung. The sphere launched itself and slammed into the woman's portrait, turning into a black flame that quickly burned away at it.
It was here that he noticed someone still standing, despite the intentional aura of rage he was giving off. He wished not to involve anyone else but the woman in front of him, for they had learned. She did not. Regardless of her knowledge of his past, hell even of her children's past and actions, she continued to treat them as if they were naught more than babe's fresh off the teat. He turned to her and glared one last time.
"In case you haven't noticed Woman, there is a war going on, and your precious Dumbledore is at the center of it, along with myself! Your children are no longer exempt from the horrors that Voldemort and his followers can unleash! They have seen it FIRST HAND!"
(Play Kingdom Hearts Complete: The 13th Reflection)
The oppressive aura faded, though nobody rose.
He turned to leave, letting the sobbing woman drop to the ground. "Oh get over yourself woman. You can regrow those bones in a night. Stop sobbing like a pansy. You know nothing of pain."
He walked to the door. Everyone rushed to Molly's aid. He stopped. Everyone froze. Unseen to them, he had called forth an orb of blue light.
He whirled around and fired. The light streaked its way to one of their members. There was a flash and the orb had stopped, struggling against a transparent white barrier…a barrier that was in front of Luna Lovegood.
He held his hand there, a continuous stream of electricity linking the orb to his palm. Luna gave no sign of struggle, or even concern. The dreamy smile that was eternally on her face was present, her eyes shimmering.
Harry's eyes narrowed as the barrier gave a pulse, and the orb was sent into a wall.
He flicked his wrist a few times, and then vanished in a ripple of air. He re-appeared in front of Luna, arm back as if he were going to smack her with the back of his hand, when a red beam of light shot from his bracelet and stayed there, like a blade. He swung, and she ducked easily. He swung his arm down and she twirled to the side, still smiling. He spun his body to deliver a kick, and she twirled out of the way again. A second blade appeared on his other arm.
The smile grew wider.
He attacked her head with one arm, spinning himself. She ducked her head just under it, and then quickly arced her back as he followed with his second blade. She placed her hands above her head onto the floor and threw her weight backwards, a maneuver that impressed the females present, but still surprised every one. She cart wheeled backwards, the blade passing between her legs, and interestingly enough, giving Harry a nice look up her skirt…something that wouldn't register for a little while.
But what happened next stunned everyone.
She did a handstand, evading another swing, and then opened her legs. The action knocked Harry's next swing away from her. She then spun her body and hooked her leg around Harry's other arm, and immediately pushed off, redirecting his swing. He stumbled. She continued spinning herself, this time grabbing his leg with one of her hands. The momentum of her movements swept him off his feet. Immediately, she pushed using her free hand, off the ground, and pulled Harry's leg up, lifting him. She then twisted herself so her feet would be on his chest, and then kicked, knocking him into the air. Again, she sprung off her hands. This time she shot into the air, spinning like a corkscrew, delivering sharp kick to his chest.
She then placed her foot on his arm and pushed, rotating his body. She used her legs and wrapped them around his chest, and flipped twice in the air, and then slammed him onto the ground using her knees.
Everyone stared. Harry groaned. I just got my ass handed to me by Luna fucking Lovegood.
"How…"
She leaned forward and stared into his eyes. She spoke softly, in a tone that made the blood rush to Harry's cheeks…and other places.
"I told you before Harry…you're not the only one around here who's Special."
She smiled her dreamy smile at him, and then arced back again. She pushed her knees off his chest and back flipped to her feet. She dusted herself off, walked over to him and held out her hand.
"Surprised?"
"Ugh…very much so…"
Her eyes twinkled.
"Good…now…are you done?"
He blinked…then it became clear.
"Tomorrow…I'll be done tomorrow…"
"Good. Go on Harry…I'll see you in a bit."
"You DO know I'm going to grill you on what the hell just happened right?"
"Grill away Harold. Just don't forget the candles if you're going to take me to dinner."
He blinked and then laughed. The first genuine laugh since Dudley died.
"Planning on making your name a reputation huh?"
"Perhaps…you'll have to wait and see wont you?"
"Indeed I will Luna…" He limped off. Indeed I will…GOD DAMN THAT WOMAN HURT LIKE FUCK!
I heard that.
…WHAT THE HELL?!
And here it is. Some of you may not like what I did to Molly, but it had to happen. She's very pushy, overbearing and tends to ignore that Harry is anything BUT a child. Many would believe Hermione to be a better target, to an extent I agree with you. However, Hermione is practically a genius. And right now, Harry's powers are a big unknown. All she knows is that a lot of his reactions happen through his emotions. And with his emotions unstable…well, she knew something was bound to come.
Molly Weasely isn't such a person. She's so used to being obeyed by even most adults through her sheer force of will, that when Harry refused her she grew irritated, not to mention she is one of the many who sees in black and white. She may be a good mother, but she's not that smart when it comes to survival. Blindly loyal to Dumbledore, she even insulted Sirius a few times, and she was a GUEST in his home. All in all, I tend not to like her that much. She makes everyone cower in fear of her wrath…well now she's more than met her match.
M1lKy: Overbearing…the way I used it means that they're pushy, obnoxious, loud…just a very powerful presence, not so much power itself but more like they FORCE you to take heed to their existence. As for the Animal thing, it was to show that Harry was tapping into a power that hadn't been seen for a LONG time, and animals are very sensitive to supernatural things.
Aires Drake: Looks like you were wrong on the Hermione call, though a good guess. You were pretty close actually. I still think last chapter could have been written better, but I believe this one more than makes up for it.
D&S Master: Bout freakin time you showed up! And "Damn" pretty much summarizes things doesn't it?
Bandgsecurityaw: thanks.
Dragen Ranger: yes…poor Dudley. But like I said, his death set in motion the events of this chapter. Though now…Harry's got a new task…
Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Hope this chapter's good enough for you all!
"Luna Lovegood. Lovegood by name, love Very Good by reputation."
