Just some side notes: This fic is not a Manipulative!Dumbledore, Dark!Harry, or Super!Harry. This fic will be updated every Thursday, and somewhere deep inside... Xiaoue has become a nutcase in my eyes.
007..."The Answer is Surely Somewhere Ahead."
There was a small tussle upstairs, Lily figured, as the boys began to come into the common room one by one, their robes and hair a mess.
Sirius raised an eyebrow at the look on her face and scoffed, tossing his head to the two behind him, "It was their fault. Refused to wake up," he explained shortly.
Harry and James flushed a light pink and tossed Sirius a sharp glare (or at least James did...).
Lily smiled in good humor and ran her hands down the front of her robe, pressing it down neatly and turned around for the door.
Whether the boys followed her examples or not, she didn't know. But she saw their lame attempt to place their wild hair neatly against their scalp where it belonged, it really didn't help any.
Breakfast was normal, chatter around them, among different people, about different topics. Lily snagged Harry's attention before any of the boys got to him.
Harry was their group's favorite conversation partner. He had an air about him that felt like one an adult would have. Someone older, but someone who understood.
"You seemed very busy as of the late Harry. What are you studying?"
Harry smiled and and laid his eggs on top of a slice of toast neatly, "Mm, just something to get me ahead in classes. I reckon I need it since I'm slow the first time around."
"I doubt that Harry. You're a super genius," James commented from the side, his grin brightening up Harry's mood considerably, "Haha, super, maybe... genius, no."
"So what are you super in?" James asked, adding a creative flourish of his hands.
Harry laughed in good humour, "I'm super," he imitated James's intricate hand movements, "in being a Gryffindor."
The response was something amazing as an upperclassman from just across him raised his goblet with a loud, "Hear that table? We have ourselves a super Gryffindor! To the Super Gryffindor!"
Harry and the rest of the first years watched in shock as the rest of them copied the other's maneuver and lifted their golden goblets, "Hear! Hear!"
It was only a good idea at this point that the first-years all raised their own class and with their high-pitched voices of adolescence repeated their seniors' motion, "Hear! Hear!"
Harry looked to the High Table and caught Dumbledore's smiling face and McGonagall's proud expression. The other House Tables have gone silent from where they sat and Harry grinned to the Slytherin group with a feeling of accomplishment that he hadn't felt towards them in ages.
Despite what the professors tend to believe, this rivalry between both houses proved itself to be healthy to Harry. The war was not Gryffindor version Slytherin. In fact, Harry had more than once found himself under the hex of fellow housemate.
And with the school-day spat between the two houses, things ran smoother with allies. Slytherins that fought against Voldemort knew their enemies as well as their allies. Seven years of childish banter taught them what they had to know about the people around them.
So Harry's battle with Draco, wands pointed at the other's head, had been one of the hardest to fight.
Harry smirked at Snape's amused expression standing out from the rest of the confused and disgusted faces. He raised his cup to his lips and muttered, "Hear, hear."
It was is the midst of Potions class when Severus told Harry to meet in the library after classes. Although he was stalled by Peter who wanted to have a friendly chat with the other boy. Harry did feel bad about cutting the boy off short, but he knew Snape wasn't known for his patience or forgiving nature.
So Harry wasn't really surprised to find Snape actively ignoring him for the first fifteen minutes after his arrival, "I'm really sorry Snape. It happens sometimes y'know? Being late is a man thing, I'm sure you understand."
At this Severus raised a dark eyebrow and his eyes narrowed in disbelief, "On the contrary Riddle, I do not understand."
"What are you then? A woman?"
It came from Harry's mouth before he could stop himself, and a hand immediately slapped itself over his lips a second later. Severus stared without a word, black eyes piercing the other boy like knives, and he swiftly gathered up his books and hitched his bag over his shoulder.
Harry gasped and slammed his hands over Snape's books and notes that spread out over the table and shook his head, "No, wait. I'm sorry, Snape. I didn't mean it," Harry tried, allowing the desperate tone to slip past, "We have to get started on that potions soon, you know it too. I didn't mean to say it. Please... I need your help on this."
"I don't know why you need my help to look through silly potions book and jot down useless, pointless information," Severus hissed, nostril flaring in irritation.
Harry cocked a grin and gently pulled Snape back to his seat by his wrists and waited until the boy gave in and sat, "I know you think we're going nowhere with simple research, but we do need the basic information before we take it up a notch."
Severus leaned back into his chair and let his bag slide off his shoulder to the ground with a heavy thump as he peered at Harry with raised eyebrows, "A notch? Meaning practical experiments," he guessed, "And how actually exactly do you intend to conjure up a lab to work in?"
The smirk that spread over Harry's young face seemed out of place and arrogant, almost Malfoy-ishly smug, "I know of a room."
And it was only within minutes that Snape found his jaw loosening and hanging wide open as Harry opened the door to the Room of Requirements that had conveniently turned itself into a potions lab.
Harry watched silently as Snape walked around the room, running his hands all over the golden cauldron centered in the middle, "... well... you exceeded my expectations, that's for sure."
"What? You figured I'd raid Slughorn's lab didn't you?" Harry laughed loudly, only having it dim when he saw Snape's expression become as sheepish as it got, "... you did."
Severus and Harry left each other as they departed from the Room of Requirements, heading for their respective houses.
"Harry," Xiaoue grinned up at the boy from his place on the scarlet couch when Harry walked into the Common Room. Returning the smile, Harry nodded and walked over to the other, "Hello, what are you doing?"
Xiaoue pulled a face and showed Harry the parchment in his hands, "Letter from my old folks. Salutations and congratulations and all the other proper stuff that a good and loving parent should do."
He sounded sarcastic and unlike himself, Harry fell down into the space next to him, "And what else?" he questioned softly. Xiaoue didn't look surprised at Harry's question, only troubled as he folded the letter back into the envelope and bit his lip, "My eldest sister, Brenda, is going through divorce with her second husband. They're fighting over custody of her children."
"Why not share custody? They can switch back and forth."
"Well... they really don't want anything to do with the other... seeing as Brenda's ex is a muggle. Didn't take too well with Brenda's true disposition. So he wants the children with his normal, mugglish life. Conflict. Drives the family wild."
Harry smiled weakly, Xiaoue's scorn was strong as he talked of his eldest sister's husband. The hate was unsettling, "Brenda, hm? I expected something a bit more... oriental."
Running his hand through black hair, Xiaoue shrugged, "Eh. It's complicated," he finished stiffly and Harry nodded, "I understand if you don't want to talk about it."
"No, I figure I might have to at some point. It's not a secret or anything so I don't really care," he motioned Harry to make himself comfortable as Xiaoue was already was in the process of doing so.
The common room wasn't empty, but they were the only two sitting in front of the fire, their legs propped up towards the gentle flame. Xiaoue sighed and replaced the letter back into his robe pocket, "I originally born in China. Complications arose, my blood parents were arrested for defying the government when I was around two."
"So your 'Mum' and 'Pa' aren't your real parents?"
Xiaoue flushed slightly and shook his head, "No, but they're great. Brilliant people, though they clash. Arguments all over the place," he laughed fondly at memories, which faded as quickly as it came, "... I was adopted by muggles. And I... guess I scared them off. Y'know... children and accidental magic," he shook his head grimly and Harry laughed, knowing what he meant, "I set their house on fire."
The confession was a splash of cold water on Harry, "You... what?"
"Set their house on fire. They lost me in it. Hid in the closet, scared to death. Cried for what I was worth... scared to death," Xiaoue repeated, gathering his hands into his lap and tentatively licked his lips, "Mum found me in the closet in the midst of everything burning down and I went home with her. I owed her my life, and now my life debt is to live in her house as her son. Good deal if you want my opinion," his breath hitched in laughter, "Can't really say that I'm pureblood seeing as Mum and Pa aren't by blood. So I could be a muggleborn... can't be sure." he trailed off and Harry caught the underlying comment. It wasn't his sister's divorce or his family's current banter that concerned him...
"... Sirius's comment affected you didn't it?"
Xiaoue smiled sheepishly and shrugged, "But... I'm glad that you stood up for those people Harry."
It was heartwarming to say the least and Harry couldn't help but to hold the taller first-year in a friendly hug, one that Xiaoue awkwardly returned by patting Harry's back, "You're a good friend Xiaoue," Harry commented.
Xiaoue shrugged in response and flipped his fringe back, "I know I am."
Harry opened his mouth to counter Xiaoue's pompous statement, but was cut short when the common room door swung open soundly and Professor McGonagall stood in the center of the gaping hole in the wall, "Mr. Riddle. If you have a moment."
Harry pursed his lips and nodded. He waved to Xiaoue as he left and trailed behind McGonagall like a pet, "Where are we going Professor?" He silently wondered if she was listening to their conversation. By the tight look on her face, Harry could only guess that she had.
"To the Headmaster."
With a curt nod, the boy silently walked behind his transfiguration professor from time forward and time back. The walk to the Headmaster's office was quick and familiar and with a password in the form of a sweet, the protector gargoyle leapt out McGonagall's way and let the witch through, "Come Mr. Potter," she called by his true name, sure that no one was listening.
Harry didn't need the prompting as he was waiting patiently for the winding staircases to stop and lead their way to the Headmaster's office. It did so in a matter of seconds passing and McGonagall opened the door after a short series of knocks.
"Ah, Minerva, Mr. Potter. Please, take a seat," Dumbledore motioned to the plush, cushion chairs in front of him. Harry eagerly fell into the scarlet one, sighing comfortably when it swallowed him up. Dumbledore smiled gently, "Thank you for joining me Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded dumbly, "Professor Dumbledore... can you promise me you'll keep these chairs 'til I'm in Hogwarts again?" he asked hopefully. Dumbledore chuckled fondly and lightly shrugged his shoulders, "We shall see."
"But..." Harry straightened, face becoming straight with seriousness, "Why have you called me here?"
The elder wizard inclined his head tiredly and looked out the window, "How has it been so far, Mr. Potter?"
"... I've supplied myself with a decent room for potion making. Although I do require some ingredients, perhaps later. Research is going along quickly. I have S... Severus Snape and Peter Pettigrew helping me out with that. ... it is Severus, right?" Harry asked. He had no reason to learn his unlikable Potions Professor's given name before.
Dumbledore nodded, recognization twinkling in his eyes, "Ah, yes. Mr. Snape, a Slytherin, no?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, good," the wizard pushed his half-moon spectacles up the bridge of his nose, "It is good that you are making friends, Mr. Potter."
Dumbledore said this before as well. During their dinner in the summer where Harry had blown his top and ran off. A cold chill ran down his stomach, "... Professor..."
"Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"... You've... all you've been is... kind to me. I understand your distrust and these weekly—daily... occasional visits are necessary. But... even so you have brought me to Hogwarts and taken me under your wing.. I—thank you. I've been an ungrateful, little prat."
Dumbledore stiffened, feeling some warmth come to his face and heart at the boy's apology and his shoulder shook with silent laughter, "Yes, you have. But Mr. Potter... I forgive you. Afterall... time travel is stressful business."
Harry's young face looked bright and full with pleasure at receiving Dumbledore's forgiveness and looked down to his shoes awkwardly.
"But," The aged wizard continued, "Frequent visits are still necessary... and encouraged."
Harry rolled his eyes and flashed a smile, "Yes, sir."
"Now," Dumbledore ran his hand through his beard in rote, "I've called you in to discuss Mr. Lupin. I assumed you knew about him. Am I correct?"
"... about him being a werewolf, sir?"
"Precisely, now, Mr. Lupin needs a location for his transformation. And although I did say that I don't care much for the future at this moment... where exactly did we place him?"
It was somewhat... charming. Dumbledore was fidgeting with his beard, flipping it between his fingers like a toy. Harry hid his face as to not tell the man he was smirking, "Um... well. You put him in the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. But, I don't know if that was the same before the Wolfsbane Potion..."
Dumbledore nodded, his head bouncing up and down rhythmically like rubber ball, "Yes, yes. Although the Shrieking Shack is rather aged, it does have many protection spells keeping it from falling down after a light storm."
"So that's what it was. I always thought it was suspicious to see that lump of rotten wood still standing after Volde—" Harry gulped and placed a hand over his mouth in surprise. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, but let it slide, "I shall talk to Madam Pomfrey and have him moved immediately."
"H-Headmaster," Harry winced at his stammering, "Could I... Could I come with you?"
The Headmaster looked down at Harry with his pointed nose, meeting the boy's wide, wishful eyes. Dumbledore shook his head negatively and his former Golden-Boy slumped in disappointment, "I'm afraid we still need you here Mr. Potter. It is not yet time for you to leave Hogwarts."
"... yes sir."
"Now, Minerva, if you wouldn't mind taking him back to the Gryffindor Commons?"
Harry shook his head and headed for the door without waiting for McGonagall, "It's fine. I'll lead myself back," he grumbled.
He was pouting, and acting like the 11-year old he was. Perhaps the body and its hormonal imbalances was affecting his mind? Harry rubbed his arm as he walked back down the winding staircase, something he used to do back in the war when he had a giant gash on it. It soothed him, feeling the bumps of his healing skin... but it was no longer there and the scratchy robes rubbing over his smooth arm was a bad replacement.
Harry met the Fat Lady and gave her the password, stepping into the Common Room when her portrait swung open.
He saw everyone, huddled together what looked like a bunch of Harry's notes that he gave out to Sirius before classes.
"Oh! Harry! You're back!" Lily looked up to greet the boy who smiled in return. Everyone else stayed where they were and lifted their heads to wave or recognize him.
Seeing his Book of Light placed near the couch, Harry picked it up and fell back into the scarlet sofa, the sixth year on the other end ignored him skillfully and continued to do something that looked like homework.
Minutes passed with rustling papers, quiet conversations, and the occasional loud noise that would come from the dormitories.
Harry was startled from his thoughts when James fell on top of him, "What are you doing?!" he squeaked and fell off the couch from his frantic squirms. Xiaoue's laughter followed him.
James tossed Harry an apologetic glance as he picked himself off the floor, but laughed along with his friends and the few upperclassmen that managed to catch their antics, "Sorry, Harry. But you were being boring. Reading books all day long. ...why aren't you in Ravenclaw?" he interrogated playfully.
"Because he's in Gryffindor," Sirius snorted in disgust and gathered up Harry's notes neatly, handing them back to the boy, "Thanks for these Riddle."
Harry laughed and took the parchment from the sardonic boy, "Must you challenge everyone, Sirius?"
"Only idiots."
Later that night, when everyone else had departed for bed, Harry sat up alone leafing through his book of light on the couch.
The last Gryffindor had left about an hour ago and Harry sat in the Commons alone.
A howl came from outside, sending cold chills down Harry's arm and all sleepiness left him as he looked out the window in wonder. If that was Remus...
Unable to read, he pressed down the corner of the page and let the text fall out of his hands and onto the floor. He waited patiently. Weeks of practice allowed him to do it as he had to spend hours and even nights just waiting quietly without noise or movements in the shelter of the trees from Death Eaters.
The sun was seen, peeking out from behind a green hill and Harry started when a sound came from the portrait door. Remus tiptoed in, blood running down his face and wound down his naked body. He froze when he saw Harry on the couch, "H-Harry..." he whispered, face paling and trembling in fear. He was wounded and dirty with mud caked all over his bony body. He was almost as bad as Harry, ribs prominent under the waxy skin and his stomach caved in disturbingly. Harry sighed and kicked off the covers that were laid over his legs, "Let's get you cleaned up."
He helped the boy up the stairs and into the boys' showers. Pulling out the healing salve Pomfrey had given him, Harry let the werewolf soak under the warm streaming water and pulled off his own robes and shirt, "Why didn't you go to the hospital wing?" he waited for an answer, and sighed when he realized that he wouldn't get one.
Harry sat behind Remus and frowned at how the boy stiffened. He began to rub the salve over the larger gashes, it's clear globs sinking into the broken skin and beginning the healing process. The sound of running water was almost nerve-breaking for Harry as Remus shook under his hands.
"H-Harry..." the sob that was wrenched from the 11-year old was heartbreaking, "Please... please don't tell anyone... it happened w-when I was little... a-and... I didn't want... I didn't..."
"Shh... it's fine."
"No, no, no it's not. It's not fine. It's never going to fine. It's forever Harry... I'll be a monster my entire life. I should be locked up... you shouldn't be helping me... you should be hating—"
"Remus, shush. You're just confused and scared. I won't be hating you."
"You should... you should hate monsters. Mum and Dad did."
"You're panicking. Calm down... just... shush," Harry continued to spread the cream. Remus stopped shaking.
"... Harry, you're mad. Barking mad... no normal kid would stay up all night and heal the resident werewolf," Remus snorted weakly and watched as the wet boy came around him and began to wash the blood off his face... like a parent would do to a child. A warmth spread through Remus's chest.
"Well, the resident werewolf happens to be my buddy. I'd be barking mad if I didn't heal him. Especially since he didn't have sense enough to go to the hospital wing first?" Harry gave Remus a pointed look, one that the other boy avoided.
"... made me go into panic attack. You must think I'm barmy."
"Well you spilled your deepest secrets with me. Barmy or not, I now have a promise to keep with you."
"... I know you won't tell."
Harry stood and shut the water off, grimacing at his soaked trousers and handed a clean towel to Remus, "Here, carefully dry yourself off." Remus followed his instructions obediently.
Harry also took on drying himself off, stripping himself naked and unconsciously glaring down at his flimsy body. He walked over to the sink lined with cups and different colored toothbrushes all over. Harry pulled out spare robes from under the counter and tossed one to Remus, "No trousers or anything like that down here, but you can manage, hm?"
"Sure."
They changed and buttoned the robe shut. Remus allowed himself to lean on Harry as he was led out of the bathroom, limping and stumbling all the way.
The pair were exhausted by the time Remus was gently laid down in bed and his covers were drawn up to his chin. The pain in his eyes caused Harry to linger with the werewolf for just a few minutes longer, staring down at him with sad eyes, "... if there was a way to fix this... would you want it?"
The tears that he fought so long to hold back, erupted loose and Remus let them, "Yes."
Harry went to bed, blood rushing, adrenaline pumping, and heart screaming in his chest.
-be continued-
The chapter title came from "Hikari E" by The Babystars
Edited: Monday, March 26, 2007
