The first month and a half of my time in Hogwarts passed without much of an issue. I did spend most of my nights in detention for one reason or another usually with Snape. This year I kept up on homework so my grades were higher than ever. It was nearing the end of October and I was wary of the ever present Halloween disaster that happens every year.
I was in DADA when the first disaster of the year happened. I had raised my hand to answer the elder Malfoy's question, and when I went to speak it came out a blaring roar causing most people to cover their ears. I clamped my mouth shut and my mind was racing at a million miles per second. I wasn't supposed to be able to do this yet!
The elder Malfoy who had been standing the closest to me had been knocked completely over, and was picking himself up off the ground. He gave me a heated glare before he returned to the lesson leaving the question unanswered. Neville on the other hand looked slightly dazed at being so close to the technique. He didn't seem to be hearing anything the man was saying. Noticing my worried glances Dean raised his hand. When the man waved at him to ask his question Dean said," Sir I think Neville may be suffering from hearing loss. May I take him to the hospital wing?"
Malfoy smirked at me and said," Mr. Potter will take him. Oh and Mr. Potter I expect you to be back here at 630 for detention." Retrieving my bag I gave the man an acknowledging nod. I helped Neville to the hospital wing where Madame Pomphrey screeched her questions to me since Neville couldn't hear. She gave me a worried look when I mentioned the roar that I hadn't meant to use.
After she let me go I went straight to the owlerly intending to send a message to Tiger. If I was already receiving my roar his end was not far off. To my surprise I ran straight into Tweanly. She looked down at me as if to say something when her eyes glazed over. I knew that look it was the same look when she said a prophecy almost two years prior.
She said her eyes completely glazed over and in a trance," The Tiger will fall at the hands of the Dragon. The cub will rise to take his place and seek his revenge. The snake will try and gain control over his five beasts. The Tiger shall fall before the end of All Hallow's Eve." She came out of the trance seconds later and panic overtook me. I shoved the door closed behind me locking it magically so I wouldn't have any unwanted visitors. I said biting into my thumb till it bled and rubbed it over my disciple tattoo," Hear me Demon in the name of our contract lend me your power!" I did not notice the obsidian black eyes watching me in surprise.
Snape's POV
Severus had gone to the owlerly during his free period in an effort to send an owl to his ingredient supplier. He saw the insane divination teacher walk out of the room. There was a solid thud as if she hit something. Deciding he didn't want to know he made as if to walk away from the door. When he heard her speak in that dazed voice speaking a new prophecy. He sat there dazed as he heard it. It sounded as if one of the elementals that his lord was looking for was about to come into their mastery.
Once she stopped her prophecy he moved away from the door. He noticed a very pale Potter come through. He watched in amazement as the boy said rubbing something across the top of his back," Hear me, Demon in the name of the contract lend me your power!" Severus had to take a step back in order to keep from being electrocuted by the lightning the surged through the room. He looked at the boy and was immensely surprised that instead of the child's normal green eyes they were azure blue instead.
Out of the lightning came out a white Bengal tiger. The boy smiled tiredly at the creature before placing his hand on its nose and closed his eyes. When the boy opened his eyes were no longer electric blue but jade green. He said rubbing his hand through the beast's fur," Please take the message to Tiger. I don't want to lose him too. He was the first person to acknowledge my existence."
The beast gave a soft growl bumping the boy almost knocking him over and with that it was gone. Potter turned rubbing an arm under his nose as if wiping something away. When the boy saw him there was absolute terror in his eyes. He said his voice shaking," Professor Snape... Ummmm..." The boy couldn't seem to articulate his thoughts and Severus sighed saying," Potter follow me."
He spun out of the room unlocking it with his wand turning slightly to be sure the boy was following him. He took the boy to his office pushing him slightly so that he sat in one of the chairs. He sat opposite of the boy giving him a look of contemplation before he asked," Potter what was that?"
The boy looked away not wanting to answer him. Severus said trying to control his temper," Potter look at me when I'm talking to you. I heard the prophecy that Tweanly gave you." His face paled considerably at that statement. The boy shook his head still not willing to speak to him. Severus sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. He said softly trying to draw the boy out," Mr. Potter I can't help you unless you tell me everything."
Potter's head lifted and looked the Severus in the eye. He said with such conviction that Severus almost believed him," You can't help me professor. No one can." Potter made to get up but Severus stopped him with a hand on his chest. He said his voice calm trying to get through to him," Mr... No, Harry listen to me," Harry's head came up at his name. He had never called the boy by his given name before.
He continued once he had the boy's attention," Harry I don't know what you have gone through but you can trust us. All we want to do is help you." Harry looked hesitant for a moment before he said the hardness in his eyes returning," I can't tell you professor. It's not my secret to tell and as long as my master is alive I cannot tell you anything professor."
The boy pushed past him heading for the door and was gone before he could react. He sighed sadly if the boy thought this was over he was sadly mistaken.
Harry's POV
Right after I left Snape's office I felt slightly guilty. :Maybe I should have told him. Maybe he could have helped," I thought. I shook my head at myself that was rich. I made my way to the library intent on doing my homework before my detention. A few hours later I left the library with homework in hand going to my detention.
I went to Malfoy's office hesitating a moment before knocking. A sharp voice said," Enter." I walked in noticing there was a single chair in front of his desk. Malfoy didn't look up as I entered just gestured to the chair. I sat opposite from him scratching at my left wrist where the Celtic tattoo was. The tattoo was burning immensely.
Malfoy looked up at me curiously and asked," Something the matter Potter?" I shook my head and was forced to clench my teeth to prevent from crying out. After a few more minutes the burning pain finally let up and I was able to unclench my jaw. I looked up to see Malfoy gazing at me with an unfamiliar expression.
He placed his quill down staring at me intently searching for something. Finally he asked," Potter what happened in class today?" I looked down avoiding the man's piercing gaze," Like I told professor Snape I can't tell anymore anything. If Tweanly has her way though..."
Malfoy stiffened minutely before asking," The fake actually had a real prophecy?" I snorted and almost smiled as I said," Technically this is her second one since I have been here."
He raised an eyebrow at that obviously asking for an explanation. I snapped my jaw shut I had already said to much. Malfoy said with an uncharacteristic sigh," Go clean the entire classroom no magic. You can leave when your done." Stunned I just sat there for a moment before the man glared at me and I rushed out.
Two hours later the classroom was finally clean to the man's standards and he let me leave. I was halfway to Gryffindor tower when Demon rushed to my side. Instead of jumping onto my back to return to me he bumped my head with his. Tiger had sent a message back with him. I placed my forehead against Demon's and Tiger's message resounded through me," Cub I know you worried about this prophecy, but you know as well as I do that many of them don't come true. Try not to fret my cub I'll be back for a visit on the 3rd of November. Liquid Shark says hello as well. Be good. Tiger."
I groaned I should have known that he would blow off my worries. It took me a moment before I realized the last part. What the hell was he doing with Liquid Shark?! Demon went back to his tattoo with a snort that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. When I got back to the tower Neville was there waiting for me. He smiled and said," Hey Harry. My hearing is back so Madame Pompfry let me out of the hospital wing. How was detention with the elder Malfoy?"
I groaned aloud before replying," He had me clean his classroom top to bottom without magic. Neville I have something to tell you and the others tomorrow. It may require me leaving the school this weekend." He nodded his understand and said," I'll have everyone meet us in the usual spot after classes tomorrow."
The next day passed quickly and I kept my speaking to a minimum. I did take notice that Theodore Knott was missing throughout all of his classes that day. :Could he be an elemental and was claimed last night?: that thought hit me early on. It was worrying but there was little I could do about it. Half way through the last class I felt a rumbling deep within my throat like I was getting ready to roar again. By the time I met the others at the far end of Black Lake I felt the nearly overwhelming urge to use the roar again. I motioned for everyone to step back and cover their ears. Once they were safely away I let loose the roar which was louder and more powerful than before. You could see the ripples in the water as it went across the lake just stopping before it reached the edge.
I collapsed on the ground near the waters edge and the others rushed to my side. Luna said her eyes wide," You are coming into your mastery." I looked up at her if this was true then Tiger would truly die on All Hallow's Eve. I punched the ground frustrated and let out a pitiful sound. Neville asked Luna quietly," Is there anything we can do?"
She shook her solemnly and said," The only one that can help him is his wizarding mentor. But he has to stop pushing the man away." I shook my head and said punching the ground again," I can't. I swore when I became Tiger's disciple that I wouldn't reveal myself to anyone without his permission."
It took a moment for my words to sink in. They realized that I must have received special permission from my master to tell them anything. Neville bent down next to me and said laying a hand on my shoulder," Harry everyone dies at some point. You told me once that you master had said if he was going to die he would die fighting. Maybe it's just his time or maybe there's something more going on. Either way he wants you to be happy."
The tears that had been whelling up behind my eyes burst forth. I said angrily swiping at the tears," If Tiger dies I'll only have Mr. Han left. And he's wanted by more people than myself, Tiger, and Liquid Shark combined and then doubled." They looked gobsmacked but they also knew that I was in emotional pain, and there wasn't anything they could do to help me. Later they helped me to the common room where I slept off my exhaustion. I spent all weekend outside the castle learning to control my Tiger's roar. By Sunday night I had it under my control for the most part. I had the feeling that if I became to angry it would come forth again.
On Halloween I was at the feast biting into one of the candies when I felt a sharp pain on the left side of my mouth. Feeling around my canines I noticed they were slowly becoming longer. I was entering the first stages of my animal form. It was in the middle of the week so I didn't have much of a choice but be at my classes the next day or risk detention. The Halloween feast was about to start when I felt an intense burning sensation on my disciple tattoo.
I stumbled and had to grab Neville's arm to stay upright. He looked at me with worry clear on his face as he asked," Harry are you alright?" I shook my head mutely and pointed to the left side of my back. His eyes widened in recognition then began to drag me away from the Great Hall. We passed by Snape on our way to find a quiet place where I could enter my mastery in peace.
Neville put one of my arms around his neck to try and move me faster. After taking a couple of steps another person put my other arm around their shoulders. I gave a whimper in pain as it flared. I heard a voice in my haze of pain," Let's take him to my office. He will be safe from prying eyes there." We walked down the corridors I vaguely remembered going down into the dungeons.
Soon I was pressed down onto something soft. The voice asked," Longbottom what is wrong with him?" Neville said tearfully," I can't tell you sir. It's not my story to tell."
I heard a sigh right before another bout of pain went across my back. I said through clenched teeth," Neville unbutton my shirt and pull it off if you..." I let out a scream of pain causing both figures to cover their ears and wince. Neville went to work unbuttoning my button down shirt. Once he succeeded in pulling it off my tiger tattoo had begun to change.
Lightning Tiger's POV
He was standing in a field surrounded by members of the Union and at the head was Fire Dragon. Years before he had considered the man his best friend. His wounds were fatal he knew there was no escaping death this time. He said coughing up some blood," I the fifth Heavenly Ways master, and Lord Lightning Tiger request a duel to the death with the first Heavenly Ways master Lord Fire Dragon. Do you accept?"
The man looked at his old friend with sadness and pity as he said," I Lord Fire Dragon accept the Lightning Tiger's challenge. What are your terms?" Tiger shook his head as he said," There are no terms beyond the winner leaves with his life."
He thought absently to himself,: there is no one I would rather have kill me, old friend. Even if you hadn't tracked me down I would have been dead before Christmas.: he sighed at the unhappy thought. He had found out right before his disciple returned from school that he was dying. The doctor who specialized in ki master had told him that his center was leaking ki throughout his body. This had caused rumors to spread quickly and that he would not likely see the coming year.
Instead of telling the boy he decided to send him away. He would rather not have his student slowly watch him waste away. Instead he pushed the boy away and it turned out for the best. The boy found a new teacher one that could possibly help fix his damaged lines in his shoulder.
Unlike his master's ailment his was fixable and nonlifethreatening. Guilt washed over him maybe he should have told the boy the truth. It was too late to change it now. His old friend was looking at him curiously as he asked," Are you okay, Tiger? In the name of our previous friendship I ask this. Not as your enemy but as your friend." Tiger said with a sad shake of his head," I was never meant to reach an old age. Dragon I would rather die here and now on my feet in battle. Than to waste away unable to care for myself."
Recognition came into the other's eyes. He knew what was wrong it was the bane of every master's existence. The thing they feared the most. A leaking ki center. He said solemnly," I will give you a quick death my old friend." Tiger smiled slightly and began to throw ki strikes. The movements were much slower than previous fights and the Dragon was able to dodge them easily. The exchanged attack after attack testing the other's defenses. Seeing an opening Dragon threw a fire ki strike aiming for Tiger's chest. It connected missing the heart by mere centimeters.
Dragon asked," Is there anything you want me to tell the boy?" Tiger coughed up blood and nod. His voice nothing more than a whisper he said," Tell him... don't go searching for revenge. That is not our path. Our path is that of freedom. Dragon tell him... tell him I was dying anyways. This is the path I chose."
The man bent down at his old friend's side and said softly," I will old friend. I will pass on you final words." The Tiger smiled one last time before he took one last shuddering breath and the world faded into black. The last thing he saw was a lone tear going down his friends face.
