AN: Sorry about the delayed chapter. I got hung up on Harry's semblance. I really wanted something that could help him both in his universe and RWBY, also I didn't want something that could just be duplicated by HP magic as we know it. I think I've hit onto an idea. Let's see how well liked the idea is.
Welcome to Beacon
The days leading up to leaving for Beacon flew past. Harry spent his time trying to activate his aura, having a cussing match with Voldemort, and withdrawing the aura before the Dark Lord could hurt him too much. The twins were upset with him for putting himself at risk but they were also distracted by going to school after such a long time. Even Melanie, who always made fun of her sister for wanting to be a huntress, eagerly bought school supplies and 'cute' clothes.
The three of them sat at a bus stop waiting for the bus that was going to take them to the airpad. The girls were still in their club clothes that were out of place during the day. Harry sported his new gifts and was reading from a book entitled Aura Arias. Professor Goodwitch had left it with the girls so that Harry could familiarize himself with aura. The cover of the book was black with the title simply in white. Each page had an aria, a poetic chant that could possibly mold aura in a certain way. From what Harry understood it was a style of aura manipulation that had fallen out of use in favor of quicker forms. Nowadays the only aria commonly used was the one for unlocking aura.
"You know I'm going to miss all our minions from The Club at Beacon," Miltia said as she tapped her red heels on the pavement of the bus stop.
Melanie patted Miltia's back and said, "Don't worry, sis, first we will take over our year, then the school, and finally the world!"
"You've been reading manga too much again," Harry said and scratched the new burn scars Voldemort had given him on his face and neck. It was irritating that the dark soul in him would burn him again just after his aura healed the wounds.
Idly he watched a blond in white armor walk past the bus stop for the third time with a map in his hand. The boy was mumbling to himself: "I connect here and t-then there, and then the plane. I don't want to fly, oh, I hope I don't throw up again."
Harry was getting a little annoyed because the frantic and, slightly high, whiney voice kept interrupting his reading. He was trying to memorize a few aria just in case. The girls noticed Harry frowning at the blond and then going back to his book.
"Hey!" Miltia shouted suddenly. The others who were waiting at the bus stop turned to give her irritated looks, but aggressive glares from Melanie and Harry had them looking away fast.
"Me?" The blond squeaked and pointed at himself. He walked over and held out a hand. "I'm Jaune Arc, at your service."
Miltia didn't take his hand and simply stared at him with the blank disinterested look the twins had perfected. "I'm thirsty, Jaune Dork."
"It's Arc." The boy laughed nervously. Harry sighed internally at the twins having found a mark.
"Didn't you hear her, Jaune Dork, she said she was thirsty," Melanie said.
"Oh…um…uhh." Jaune looked right and left at the others hoping for help. "I'll go get you something from the vending machine?"
"Cold coffee," Miltia said, sharpening her claws on the metal bench they were sitting on. Jaune's eye twitched at the screeching noise.
"And Ginger Ale," Melanie added.
"Right, don't despair, ladies, Jaune Arc will be right back." The blond beat a hasty retreat and could soon be heard harassing people on the sidewalk for the location of the closest vending machine.
"I scored our first gofer at Beacon," Miltia said and smiled happily. Harry gave her a flat, unimpressed, look but the girl was too pleased with herself to care.
"What do you think we should call our gang, Harry?" Melanie asked, trying to get the quiet boy to talk.
"Jaune Dork and the Dorkettes," Harry answered.
Melanie stomped on his foot but he slipped away and her heel plunged into the concrete instead. She cursed and pulled her leg out and shot a glare at the boy who was now smiling to himself as he read. She turned her head away and smirked. At least he wasn't sulking like he had been the past few days.
That girl, Donna, had really made him lose faith in people. As far as Melanie was concerned it was about time Harry realized what the world was like. If it hadn't been her and Miltia shielding him, he would've been chewed out by Remnant. The thought made her cringe inside because it reminded her of Crimson's orders. She buried that memory. Hopefully, it would never become a problem. As long as she and Miltia stayed close to Harry, they would be good. Crimson wouldn't do anything to jeopardize...Melanie stood up and stretched, trying to physically remove the concerns from her mind.
A tall bus pulled up at the station. Melanie checked the scrolling message for the destination. It was their bus. She breathed in relief, she didn't want to brood and riding the bus would distract her. Miltia skipped to the bus, pulling her luggage behind her haphazardly. Melanie smiled at her twin; it was nice to see a dream come true for one of them.
Harry helped the girls with their luggage. He was the last one on and stood by the door because the girls had decided to hang out by the back bench.
"HEY! WAIT!" the whiny voice of Jaune interrupted all conversation. Harry pushed the door open even though the bus had started to move. Jaune Arc was running with a can held out in each hand. "DON'T LEAVE ME!"
"Too late now, close the door, kid. Last thing I need is you falling out," the driver said to Harry as he entered traffic.
Harry slipped out his wand. "Accio drinks!" The cold coffee and ginger ale flew from Jaune's grasp to Harry.
"Thanks!" Miltia said taking the floating beverages. "Oh, and can you grab my mook too? It'll be embarrassing if we lose our only mook."
"Mook," Harry said in a deadpan. "Right. Accio, mook!"
Jaune felt some eldritch power grab him around his chest and lift him. Suddenly he was flying as fast as cars. "Aieeeeeeeeeeee!" he screamed in terror. He flew through the door of the bus and slammed into the metal floor by the twins' feet. "Oh my God! Oh my God!" he muttered, holding himself.
Miltia patted him on the head. "Don't worry, Jaune Dork, we got you."
Harry shut the door and shrugged at the incredulous looks he was getting from the other passengers. He got a thumbs up from some kids who looked like they were headed to Beacon as well. "The things I do for my friends," he sighed.
(Break)
The bus took them to a skyport where an aircraft unlike Harry had ever seen before was docked. It had four wings and did not seem especially aerodynamic. In the press of all the new Beacon students Harry got separated from the twins. He saw Jaune carrying their luggage in, so he presumed they were already on the ship.
Again he was at the tail end of the group boarding and simply chose to lean against a wall in the open standing area of the ship. There were doors at either end leading to other passenger holds. The girls must be in another hold, Harry figured.
The ship took off vertically and began flying at a ponderous pace. Harry, who was used to much faster flying, wasn't impressed. A lot of his future classmates were glued to semicircular windows that showed the view outside. They were talking to each other excitedly. It looked like most people knew each other from before.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry for disturbing you," a feminine voice cut into his thoughts.
Harry looked away from the window in the distance to the girl who had walked up to him. She was tall, perhaps six feet, with deep red hair in a ponytail going to her waist. Her entire posture exuded strength, from her straight back to her lean muscles, but her eyes were hesitant. Harry pushed off the wall he was standing against and smiled at the girl, trying to put her at ease.
"Yes, how can I help you?" he asked, meeting her green eyes.
"I couldn't help but notice how you pulled those cans and that boy into the bus earlier," she said with an awkward smile. "Is that your semblance?"
"Semblance is an aspect of your aura, right?" Harry asked.
"Yes," she paused, "in a way... I'm sorry to ask, I know it's a very personal question," the girl said. "It's just that it looked similar to mine."
Harry smiled again to show he wasn't offended. "I'm sorry, I'm very new to aura manipulation. I don't actually know what my semblance is."
"Oh," she looked down as if to hide her disappointment. "Well, mine is polarity, perhaps yours is the same?"
"Polarity? So you can magnetize things?" Harry asked.
She smiled and her eyes showed less hesitancy. "Yes, amongst other things. May I ask how you pulled the cans and that boy to you if you didn't use a magnetic power?"
"Um, it's…magic," Harry said. "He didn't really know how to explain what he did. No one had pressed him on it before, they just presumed it was normal. "There's a spell called the summoning spell."
"Accio, right?" she said, stepping closer and seeming excited. "I heard you call it out."
"Yeah."
"Well," she said with a nervous laugh. "Semblances come in a lot of forms. I've heard of people who use words to activate them or use symbols. It's a lot like magic. Maybe it's telekinesis?"
"Professor Goodwitch thinks what I do is transmutation of matter and energy," Harry offered. "I thought it was just my aura that let me do these things...but the way you're talking it sounds like it may be my semblance?"
The girl nodded. "Yes, Semblance is linked with Aura, after all, and our auras help us do incredible things. Your semblance sounds...incredible."
Harry shrugged, he didn't know if he deserved the compliment. Transfiguration was just one aspect of magic and he wasn't unique in being able to perform it. "I'm Harry Potter, by the way."
"Ah." She grabbed his offered hand. "I'm...Pyrrha Nikos."
Harry wanted to frown but didn't. The girl was a contradiction, at some points she was so confident and other times became suddenly hesitant. "Well, it's nice to meet you Pyrrha. Can you tell me why you didn't want to tell me your name?"
Pyrrha blushed and looked down again. "Oh, no reason."
"You're acting like I would've judged you or something," Harry said.
Pyrrha raised her head to give him a confused look. "You really don't recognize me, do you?"
Harry groaned and smacked his head. "Sorry, Pyrrha, I don't know who you are. You see, I'm suffering from amnesia. I don't remember anything past a couple of months. I hope you're not offended that I don't recognize you."
"No, that's great!" she exclaimed with a big smile. Suddenly her face fell and she started apologizing, "I mean it's not great that you have amnesia but that you don't know me."
Harry chuckled and debated using legilimency on the girl to find out what her problem was. Except, that would be going too far, so he resisted. "Either way, it's nice to meet you, Pyrrha."
"Likewise, Harry. So is that stick your weapon?"
With that question both leaned back against the wall of the aircraft and Harry found himself once again defending his wand. I need to get something that looks like a weapon to these people.
(oOo)
Pyrrha was easy to talk to and time passed easily. Soon Harry was telling her about his training regimen and she was sharing her own insane routine. When they disembarked from the plane they kept walking together. Harry figured the girls would be fine without him.
Beacon Academy was built on the edge of a cliff that showed gorgeous views of the estuary that the City of Vale was built around. The Academy itself had a tall tower as its focal point, large arches connected to smaller towers. Everyone was heading to the base of the main tower. The clear skies and views from the cliff made it a beautiful place to be.
Harry took it all in with Pyrrha quietly at his side. After a few minutes she broke his reverie, "We should go in. We shouldn't be late."
"I wonder what it will be like," Harry said, wondering how different the place would be from Hogwarts. His heart ached for his home and friends. "I think I will be far behind everyone."
"Oh, I don't know," Pyrrha said with a confident smile, "I can tell you are very strong. The way your eyes move, the way you walk. You hold yourself like a warrior."
Harry stared at her, feeling stunned by her evaluation. "I think you're being too kind but thank you."
Pyrrha pushed him with her shoulder. "Besides, didn't you tell me you can turn people into ferrets. I can't wait to see that. Don't worry, Harry, you'll be fine. Trust me."
Harry only smiled in turn as he walked into the base of the tower with her. Do I really look like a warrior? Maybe it's the scars. Harry spied the twins closer to the front of the room. Melanie waved back and sent him a questioning look about who he was with. He shrugged in answer, it wasn't as if he could introduce them right then.
Before he come make his way up to them, Goodwitch appeared on stage and introduced the headmaster of the school. He was a very tall man with gray hair, clean shaved face and round glasses.
"I'll...keep this brief," he began in a disinterested tone. "You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skill. And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people." Harry could just imagine what the twins would think of that idea, they would rather work for the highest bidder. Ozpin continued, "But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free of you this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
Harry frowned at the speech as the man walked away from the mic. A school teacher saying knowledge wasn't enough? What did he expect them to take the first step toward? Pyrrha shot him an uncertain look, showing she didn't understand the point of the speech either.
Soon their attention was taken away by Goodwitch telling them about an initiation ceremony that would take place the next day. Melanie and Militia made their way back to where Harry and Pyrrha were standing. Trailing after them came Jaune Arc.
"Hey, Harry, who is this?" Militia asked, bored and haughty look in place.
Internally Harry sighed, why did they always have to act like this? "Girls, this is my new friend, Pyrrha."
"Hello!" Pyrrha waved awkwardly.
"Pyrrha, these are Melanie and Militia. Don't let their tough act fool you, they are some of the kindest people I've ever met."
"He's lying," Jaune muttered, "ooof!" he exclaimed, finding an elbow in his stomach for that remark.
"It's very nice to meet Harry's friends," Pyrrha said, trying to ignore Jaune moaning in pain.
Melanie and Militia exchanged a glance then stared back at Pyrrha. "You're Pyrrha Nikos, right?" Militia asked.
"Ah...yes," Pyrrha said with great reluctance.
Harry shot the twins a glare and mouthed, 'Be nice.'
"Well, since Harry is vouching for you, I suppose you can be part of our gang," Melanie said with a flick of her hair, as if the matter was settled.
"Gang? What gang?" Pyrrha rounded on Harry.
"Really?" Harry snapped at the twins who gave him angelic smiles.
"Of course," Melanie said. "Harry is our head enforcer. You will be working under him. Don't disappoint us."
"I'm not sure I understand…" Pyrrha began but trailed off when she saw Harry had planted his head in his hand.
"You're Harry Potter!" a new voice cheerfully interrupted the awkward moment.
Harry looked up to find a perky girl with a large pink bow in her hair. "It's very nice to meet you!"
"It's nice to meet you too. May I know your name?" Harry asked.
"I'm Penny! Professor Goodwitch sent me to find you. Please come with me." She clasped her hands behind her back and smiled widely at him, as if it was the greatest joy in her life to be speaking to him.
"Do you think she's all there?" Jaune asked no one in particular.
"I'm not there," Penny turned to answer him. "I'm here, obviously."
"Clearly," Harry agreed at everyone's dumfounded expressions. "Well, Penny, lead on. I will see the rest of you later. Girls, please be nice to Pyrrha."
"Bye, Harry!" Pyrrha waved while the twins just nodded.
oOo
"Sooooo, you have a aura parasite? That's so exciting," Penny said as they rode an elevator up.
Harry raised a brow and just stared at the girl. Was she stupid? "I don't think it's exciting."
"O-oh," she faltered, "I just thought it's unique."
"I guess it is. So are you a student here?" He changed the subject.
Apparently it was the wrong thing to say because her shoulder dropped. "No, but I would love to go to school. Professor Ozpin says I can stay if General Ironwood agrees." Her hands flew to her lips as if to stop the words that had already been spoken. "I shouldn't have said that, I should be grateful for what I have."
"Do you usually spill your guts to any stranger who happens to be near you?" Harry asked. He sighed. "Sorry, that was mean, I've been tense lately...anyway, sorry to hear about your school troubles."
Penny nodded, now subdued. "Thank you."
The elevator doors opened to reveal the top floor, which was a large office. Gears clanked and ground against each other in the ceiling. Harry glanced up at them in curiosity before looking at the people waiting for him. He recognized Ozpin and Goodwitch but there was another man there in some sort of white uniform.
"Penny," Goodwitch called out. "Thank you for bringing up Mr. Potter. Why don't you stay in the hall with the other new students tonight. Make some friends?" she smiled softly at the girl.
"Oh could I?!" Penny blurted and jumped in joy.
"You may," the stranger said.
Penny saluted. "Thank you, General Ironwood, sir. Bye, Harry!"
The elevator doors closed and Harry walked forward. "Good evening," he directed at Goodwitch.
"Mr. Potter, I would like you to meet General Ironwood, head of Atlas's military and Professor Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy."
Ironwood stepped forward and shook Harry's hand. His grip was strong and his face showed premature signs of aging. The man had led a stressful life. "Mr. Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you. Professor Goodwitch has told us of your affliction. We may have a solution."
"Now, now, James, let's give Mr. Potter a moment to get to know us before we jump into such grave matters." Ozpin came around the glass desk he was sitting behind and shook Harry's hand. Harry had to look up quite a ways to meet the man's eyes.
"Thank you, sir. Pleasure to meet you both."
"Please, have a seat." Ozpin drew out chairs for all of them.
As he sat Harry briefly met Ironwood's eyes and used legilemency on him. He saw a brown haired girl with scarring on her face lying in some sort of chamber. He broke the link as Ozpin cleared his throat.
"Mr. Potter, what do you think of my school so far?"
"It's very beautiful, the views from the cliff alone are worth coming here. It's strangely peaceful for a place that is supposed to teach warriors," Harry said.
"I felt the same way when I first visited Beacon," Ironwood said. "Atlas is a kingdom that emphasizes military discipline far more than-"
"Oh, not this old story," Goodwitch interrupted with an eyeroll.
"I didn't mean anything by it, Glynda," Ironwood said stiffly.
"What are your hopes for the future, Mr. Potter?" Ozpin said quickly filling the awkward moment.
Harry grinned. "I hope to find out why a school teacher thinks knowledge isn't enough and not be such a waste of energy."
Ozpin chuckled. "I hope you were not too insulted."
"Not really, just confused. All this is very new to me but I'm hoping to settle in. My friends have wanted to go to school for a very long time. I'm glad to be here with them. I will take the future as it comes for now." Harry was beginning to get tired of the 'ice-breaker' part of the conversation, he wanted to know why he was called up.
"I'm glad to hear that Mr. Potter. The present should be enjoyed to its fullest, while keeping sight on the future," Ozpin said. "Now, we must come to some more serious matters. Professor Goodwitch informed your friends that you are afflicted with an aura parasite. From what we can determine another soul has latched onto your body and is trying to subvert your soul. This is an unprecedented situation."
"It is quite worrying," Ironwood whispered.
Harry looked at him curiously. "It's worrisome for me, Mr. Ironwood, but what is your interest in my problem?" Harry used legilimency again, seeing the same brown haired girl he had before.
"If you allow us to help you," Ironwood said, "We stand to learn much."
Harry sat back and measured the man. "You have seen something like this before, someone you know is in this situation."
Ironwood's eyes grew large and he shoot a look at Glynda who shook her head to deny whatever he was silently accusing her of. Ozpin cleared his throat, apparently to break up the wordless conversation. "Not quite, Mr. Potter. We do not know of anyone currently in possession of two souls."
"Currently?" Harry began to get angry. "Maybe you should explain fully instead of dodging the question."
"That is none of your business," Ironwood said. "The only part of this situation that concerns you is that we have a possible way of separating the other soul from you."
Harry stood up as Goodwitch muttered something nasty about Ironwood. "Where I come from souls are sacred. To manipulate souls is the darkest of arts and the most dangerous. You're right, I need help getting rid of this monster inside me," Harry spat. "But you're mistaken if you think I'm going to help you learn how to do something so dangerous without knowing the full picture."
"Mr. Potter." Ozpin stood as well. "I assure you we have no nefarious purposes."
"But I don't know that, do I?" Harry scoffed. "I'm not going to let some General strong arm me into handing him a weapon." Harry glared at Ironwood and Ozpin. "You want to know how to split souls or break souls or pull souls from a body. Or some other variation of messing with souls. This is dangerous."
"Yes, it is," Ozpin said and he had a smile on his face. "That soul inside you has been hurting you. You were healed of the wounds you suffered and new ones are back."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean-"
"Doesn't mean you will help us with our research, if the danger is that we will misuse that knowledge, even if it means a cure for you," Ozpin finished, and he seemed to be inordinately pleased, given his big smile.
"Exactly." Harry frowned. Where was Ozpin going with this?
Ozpin sat down and looked at Glynda. "You chose well, Glynda. He is honorable."
Glynda simply nodded then addressed Harry. "Mr. Potter, perhaps, in time when we have gotten to know each other better you will come to trust us." Her voice softened with care, "Be careful of using your aura until we can find a solution."
"We do not have that much time," Ironwood interrupted. "If we were sitting in Atlast, he would've been conscripted and helping us."
"But we are not in Atlas," Glynda shot back venomously.
Ozpin raised his hand to stop their argument. Harry noticed that Ozpin had to play referee between the two quite a bit. "Mr. Potter, I'm very happy to have you at my academy. I will see you tomorrow at the initiation."
Harry gave a short bow. "Professors, General, good night."
He left the tower confused and disturbed by the meeting.