Once a Leader Always a Leader
By Elvina Potter a.k.a Elvina P.
Warning = This chapter is strictly unbeta'ed. All the Spelling mistakes, grammar, punctuation and anything else that I am not aware of are purely mine. Hope you guys don't mind them much and enjoy the story.
Chapter Eight.
July 29, Four Hours before Midnight.
Harry sighed as he lies back in his tub. The water was soothing to his aching muscle and the aroma that he smells calms him. The bathtub was full with all sorts of aromas, herbs, perfume and even with flower petals. It was supposed to be his ceremonial bath in preparation for his coming of age slash heritage ritual. Aleesia would have Liam bathe him and scrub his back if she had her way, but Harry put a stop to that nonsense and preferred to bathe himself.
Harry frowned. He will never understand the full preparation process for the ritual. It all seems ridiculous even to him. He just doesn't get it, why the inheritance ritual had to be done immediately upon your sixteen birthday? It is fortunate for him since his birthday is during the holidays. But what about those who birthdays falls during school in session?
Harry dipped lower into the water. He wishes he had someone to support him. As it is, he is totally on his own. He had no prior knowledge to the ritual ceremony. No one tell him while growing up what to expect from it. It was mind blowing having to listen to Liam and Aleesia explain them to him.
"All will be well, Harry," Harry sighed heavily. "No point thinking about it now."
Harry hummed a tune to distract himself while tapping his finger on the edge of the tub. In his mind, he was busy dancing with all the steps he'd learnt. Harry snickered remembering the lesson. Had he was not so horrified at the time, he would have to admit he was being silly. He must have look like an idiot when Aleesia first mentioned dancing lesson too.
*Flashback*
"You gotta be kidding me," said Harry horrified. He was staring at Aleesia like she has suddenly transformed into a Blast-Ended Skrewt! Her suggestion was so sudden that he felt his head spin. Okay, maybe it wasn't sudden. She had just inquired about him dancing. When he replied he sucks at dancing she decided to take matters into her own hands. Aleesia was smiling widely that it makes him nervous.
Harry knew he'll be in a total nightmare. Aleesia had cheerfully told him she wants to see him dance! And since he can't dance, she'll be the one to teach him!
There is no bloody way he'll want to dance after what happened in his fourth year.
"No. No! Definitely not!" Harry protested vehemently. He refused to make a fool of himself by frequently stepping on Aleesia's toes. No way! Once is enough.
"Why not? It couldn't be that bad?" Aleesia said with her eyebrow raise and her hands fold in front of her.
"Bad? Bad? It's worst!"
"You're completely exaggerating, Young Master. I'm sure the tale it's not how you portray them to be."
Harry looked at Aleesia like she has finally lost her marbles. "Want to bet on that? I stumbled and stepped on my partner's toe more than once while we dance in front of the audience! How is that not bad?"
"Didn't you have dancing lesson prior to the event? It's completely natural for a beginner to stumble every now and then when he doesn't know the steps."
"A few lesson wasn't enough. And our head of the house certainly was just showing us the steps for a particular dance. She never taught me to dance properly."
"Yes well, it certainly won't do for people of your status to be a wallflower at a social event. How you carry yourself determines your position in society. Sort of." Aleesia try to persuade her young charge. It was not an easy feat considering her lord looks like he might fall over in faint.
"Aleesia, I never cared about what people's perception of me at the Wizarding World. What difference does it make if I start now?"
Aleesia could roll her eyes at the silly question. Can't her little master be more ignorant and stubborn as a mule? It was just a dance! "Even though you don't care, people's perception of you can be your advantage. Think of it, My Lord. When you interact with people at social event, you will hear things that are going on. You can find out who's connected to whom, who is your enemy... so on and so forth. Rumours and gossips are useful tools. Being a good dancer is a way to charm people and being sophisticated. Have you seen a person who come to an important event but didn't dance? I'm telling you, dance is an important aspect as any other. And as to the matter why you should start now, let's just go with the reasoning that you are just a commoner before? Likelihood is that, they assumed and expected that you already know how to dance. Now, you are a Lord. The way you carry yourself while you dance spoke volumes."
Harry raises an eyebrow. "You do know you sound so pureblood-ish for a moment there? You're turning me to a social butterfly?"
"I'm just giving you a short course of becoming the Lord you are born to be. Like it or not, what we've been teaching you is your... your duty. Being born a lord is not without its responsibility, you know. You just have to bear them with dignity."
"I am not convinced. I know there are some people who don't dance."
"There is a difference between people who don't dance and people who can't dance. And when you are attending elite functions by the high and important people of the society, like it or not you will need to dance at some point. It is very rude to be a grouchy wallflower towards your host. Believe me, high class function like that, people dance and they dance gracefully. And be honest with me... you don't want to look like a fool if you are ask to dance by someone you like, don't you?"
"I hate it when you pull that card to motivate me. I don't feel comfortable with such strict rules-"
"They are not strict. You just have to learn the steps. The rest is all about enjoying yourself."
"Yeah right... like memorizing the steps of different dance are not strict. You know what, I'm apologising in advance. If I seem like a hopeless case, that is your funeral!"
"Don't you worry. You just didn't have a proper training and dancing lesson. I'm sure with proper guidance; you'll enjoy dancing as much as the rest of them. Dancing will come naturally to you."
"I hardly doubt that," Harry muttered under his breaths. Out loud, he said, "Fine, fine. Let's get this thing over with."
Later, Harry was in the ballroom and was looking at Aleesia sceptically.
"Just so you know, I'm still not sure about this." Harry grumble under his breath. But he got to his feet and take position as Aleesia starts their lesson immediately. After a few hours of explaining the steps and how to dance different type of dance properly, Harry grudgingly admits that it was fun to dance, and without pressure of any kind looming over his hand, it was easier to remember the steps. Oh, Harry still stumble a lot and more than once he step on Aleesia's feet, but it was an enjoyable lesson.
After a few sessions in ballroom dancing, Aleesia decided he also need to learn how to dance the dance of the old ways. Like the dance done in ancient and medieval times. To Harry's pleasure (and confusion), he practically mastered the dances on his first try. The dances came easier to him like he had danced the dance before. He felt like it wasn't his first time. It is as if, he had forgotten about the dance, and was reminiscing with nostalgia.
He swore as he dances the steps, he saw himself dancing gracefully in a vivid imagination.
"Well done, My Lord. Now that wasn't so bad. All is left is for you to practise your steps to make it perfect."
"You're referring to Waltz?"
"Yes. Waltz is the most popular dance. You seem to catch on quickly. You just need to work on Tango."
Harry face heated up. He knew about Tango. Who doesn't? but Tango is more suited learning with someone you like or with your lover. As exciting as the dance is, learning Tango with Aleesia somehow makes him uncomfortable. Not because he was learning it from Aleesia, no. He was horrified if he suddenly got carried away if you understand his meaning. "Tango is an intimate dance, Aleesia. I don't think I can master that dance easily."
"You won't say that once I'm through with you."
*End Flashback*
Aleesia taught him well. Not only he knows how to dance, he can now dance with confidence and grace and won't tremble or step at his partner feet. Had he knows how to dance in the forth year, he would have enjoyed the Yule Ball immensely.
Harry jumped when a loud knock resonates throughout the whole room. "Yes?"
"My Lord, time for you to get ready." Liam voice rang through the close doors.
Harry sighed deeply and he rose from the tub. Here is another task he dreads. Getting dress! Apparently, he was not allowed to do anything on his own today. Aside from the bath, Liam must assist him with getting him clothed. A task which Aleesia and Liam insisted Liam must complete. Embarrassing or not, Harry have to endure the exposure of his person to Liam for one night.
Harry stared solemnly at his reflection on the mirror. As the hour draws near, he was dreading more and more by the minute. "Liam, are you absolutely sure I am not going to die from this?" Harry asked nervously.
After all the training and the research and the learning and studying that he'd done, he couldn't help sweating buckets and feeling butterflies in his stomach. He was a nervous wreck! Getting his inheritance was never a leisure stroll by the beach!
In half an hour, he would be in agony!
Liam looks up from fastening his master's rope. "After all this time, you still worry too much?"
Harry would have snorted at Liam's comment. Considering what he was about to go through, he settle for fidgeting instead. "Hell yes. It is by no means reassuring when you know the process is a painful experience. I thought the inheritance supposed to be a joyous thing. Getting your inheritance during your coming of age was supposed to be an important and happy occasion. How come I miss the memo?"
"With the sweet comes the sour. Nothing in this world is easy. If you want the inheritance, proof yourself worthy with the test first. But I'm sure with you, you'll come out alright."
"Only half the time," said Harry sarcastically. "The other half mostly means it is a disaster! And in my case, that's probably going to be it."
Liam bit his bottom lips from laughing out loud. "You don't have to be a drama king about it."
Harry mouth twitched in amusement. "I thought the word was drama queen?"
Liam smirked. "I don't remember you being a girl, My Lord."
Harry laughed softly then he face fell and he took a deep melancholy sigh. "I hated being the last of the bloodline. God knows when the time comes such as this it is bloody bothersome."
"I sincerely wish that things could be otherwise. Over the years, your family have gone through many wars. It isn't a surprise that you ended up as the last of your bloodline. I would be most happy had you have siblings with you."
"My, Liam," Harry purred. "You sound concern. Are you saying you grew soft on me?"
Liam grins lopsidedly at his Master. He will certainly not tell his master how much he really does care for him. His ego doesn't need to grow any bigger. His master was a good young man and he certainly feels honoured in serving him. He inspected Harry one last time before he stands straight, giving Harry his nod of approval. "There. You are ready."
Aleesia was standing at the centre of the ritual chamber by the circles surrounding the pentagram. She was murmuring softly while preparing for the ceremony to begin. Every symbols, markings and runes inside the chamber silently vibrates with anticipation and power and the chamber itself beginning to feel very heavy under the weight of magic in the air.
Aleesia look over the entrance as Liam and the young master, who was wearing a hooded cloak covering his face in the shadow, entered the chamber.
The moment Harry entered the ritual chamber, he immediately feel light headed. Magic was certainly heavy in the air and he nearly swayed at the intensity of it all. It hummed silently within its walls. Harry look around the chamber. Aside from the chamber being cleaned, it is also filled with candles scattered in various parts of the chamber. It was readied for such occasion and it certainly looked the part. Even the runes look wet like it was traced with water.
Harry turned back and looked over at his butler and his cook. Harry eyed them apprehensively. They were all in their ceremonial attire and everything else seems to be in order.
It finally hit Harry like a ton of bricks that this is really happening... and there is no turning back!
Aleesia wore a floor length sleeveless dress that was woven out of wool. It has a heart shape bodice with a flaring skirt. The bodice looks like it was woven to look course and uneven and also look very tight like she was wearing a medieval style corset. The skirt was splits unevenly on all sides. It was deep dark purple in colour and on the edge of her skirts, there was a runic pattern trimmed up near the slits. Oh her waist, there was a deep gold rope like belt tied in place. She wore no outer robe. And on her wrist and ankle, there was a painted rune all around. (AN = sort of Nimueh's purple dress from BBC Merlin. But instead of plain, it has runic designs on it)
Liam's attire was simpler. His outfit was made from cotton. The top was sleeveless vest with 'V' neck that splits right on the middle and it was held by a string on the front. He wore tight fitted pants with no pockets. On every edge of his outfit, Liam's was trimmed with thin gold pagan like pattern. Like Aleesia, his outfit was in dark purple and wore no robe.
"Nervous?" Aleesia asked Harry. He motion for him to lie at the centre of the circle within the pentagram.
"Do you really have to ask?" Harry replied dryly. He licks his bottom lips. If this ritual has no significant to him, he would have avoided this ritual all together.
Harry took off his cloak, showing his outfit. Harry was wearing an outfit similar to Liam. His vest had a 'V' shape front. They were button-less and no zippers. Like Liam, it has strings tied together to whole the vest together. A string tied at the front, and two strings tied on each side underarms. It was tied loosely, showing a peek of his white skin through the opening on the front and both sides. It was a sheer material so nothing much was covered. His pants was fitted and it flair slightly at the bottom. On every edge of Harry's pants and Vest, it was trimmed with golden markings. His outfit was black in colour, with the undertone of purple.
However, what standout the most and what really differentiate Harry from his companions were the visible rune markings painted on all over Harry's person. On his face, arms and chest area, rune markings were painted everywhere. It covered his face all the way to his chest, his hands and arms; even his foot was full of runes. They were all the ancient language long forgotten. Some of them are Narnian, the rest are not. On the centre of his chest, the phoenix insignia was painted. On his wrists and his waist, the markings are intertwined together making it look like runic lines. One the upper side of his face, particularly around the eyes area, the marking was painted so tick and so tight around each other that when Harry looked himself in the mirror, it looks as if he wore a mask. Never in his life has Harry felt like some sacrificial lamb!
Harry went straight to the middle of the pentagram. The moment he set foot inside the circle, the pentagram and all the runes markings vibrates softly like they were in tune with him. They hummed in Harry's presence.
Harry lies down and stared at the phoenix insignia on the ceiling, directly above the pentagram. From what he had read, it was the same symbol that was represents his original family crest in ancient times and the same insignia that was painted on his chest. He knew there was more to the symbol. But so far, there weren't many facts on it. Harry is content just by gazing at it.
Once Harry was ready, Aleesia starts chanting the incantation. The ritual has officially begun. As she chants, the runes vibrate a little strong, releasing its magic that was kept lock within its markings for so long. Harry let the magic wash over him. It was nothing threatening. In fact, it was soothing like water flowing. But powerful enough that it left Harry slightly disoriented.
At first, nothing happens. Harry wondered for a brief moment what will happen. Then he felt it. He saw the runes and the marking on the wall, glows brighter and their vibration stronger. Harry felt the pulsing of the magic. It got so powerful that Harry felt like drowning.
Harry breath hitched when he suddenly got hit by a small dose of pain. It centred mostly on his chest area, near his heart. The pain slowly becomes stronger. Add to that, Harry's body beginning to feel so hot. The runes painted on him were glowing and it burns! It was hot. Too hot. Harry feels like he is on fire. He clenched his teeth.
Harry suddenly aware that Aleesia's chanting had grew louder; at least he thinks it grew louder. Harry was disoriented at best. He can't focus. Harry heard more than one voice chanting in unison. It's like a crowd was chanting, but that's impossible because only Aleesia was chanting loudly.
Harry suddenly gasped and nearly turned over when his whole being was literally assaulted with a much grander and unimaginable pain. His blood feels like its boiling. Pins and needles were poking at him viciously everywhere. Harry groaned and gasped as he feels like his skin was peeling from him. His mother's blood, which are slowly poisoning him pulse strongly inside him. Killing him. His own flesh feels dry and rotten that Harry wishes he could do anything just to let the pain stop. Harry squirmed as he pants in agony. If he could, Harry would have grabbed his throat. It was so dry and he couldn't breathe. He finds it difficult and painful to breathe!
What Harry didn't realize was from the pores of his skin and from the markings of the painted runes, He was bleeding. His body was flushing the poisonous blood from him. The deep magic was judging him and testing him to see if he is worthy of its powers. And if he is found worthy, the magic would give him all their secrets, reward him with his family trait if needed and heal his body to its healthy state. It was changing him.
No wonder every Potter in existence takes Rituals and Inheritance so seriously. The Potters never had it easy from what Harry had read up a bit on his ancestors. The Potter bloodline had an impressive history. Up until the recent Potters, they each have their own story to share. Most of them involve a lot of fights and wars and some even have ridiculous conflicts (at least ridiculous by the modern standard). And all the hardship and pain that they had been through is enough to make them heroes. Harry grimaced a lot when he read them. He could sympathize with them. Either the gods have some sick humour, or they are just plain and downright sadist! No wonder they are hardly any other Potters left! All the things that happened to his family are not even funny.
All the while, the chants grew louder and louder. His eyes began to blurry and he was losing focus of the reality around him. They were right. The ritual was full of torment! It wasn't just a minor pain. It was agonizing! Far more intense than three Cruciatus Curse cast together. Heck, he even doubts Voldermort can inflict a pain as intensely at the one he is feeling now. They should have name it 'The Ritual of Torment'.
Harry was trashing now. The pain was unbearable. Harry nearly blacks out. He ache all over. His vision is fading and he is starting to feel numbed. Harry groaned, whimpered lowly as he feels like his bone was slowly re-arranging itself. His heart, his core, his very own spirit and soul was screaming in agony!
Harry tilts his head back and let out a piercing screamed. His blood splattered and flowing into the pentagram.
Elsewhere.
A man tosses and turns on his bed. His face scrunches up in pain. He sweats all over and he was burning with fever. In his sleep induced state, he groans as his nightmares get the better of him. It hurts like he was tortured. He wanted to scream, to yell for help, to do anything just to get the pain to stop or free him from his mind prison. But his voice won't obey him.
He pants. In his dream, he had done something unforgivable. He had become what he loathes the most… a monster. He had done horrendous things in which is brutal, disgusting and borderline evil in its purest twisted form that can make good people terrified and shuddered when mentioned or sent Death Eater green with envy. But that was impossible. He is by no means an evil person.
He had done something unforgivable. But he has no memory or no recollection of having done all those things!
"No... Please... No more..." He murmured as he continuously trashed in his sleep, tight in his nightmares clutches. "... Help... Me..."
TBC
AN = Finally! I go ahead and posted this chapter. The truth is I've finished this chapter months ago. I waited a while before posting so that I can look at this chapter fresh just in case I have some new ideas to add.
Anyway, Next we will see Harry's transformation and a little bit History. We won't see Draco for a few more chapters (maybe). But the crossover with Narnia is now coming into play.
Read and review. Anyone want to guess who the mystery man is? (It's one of my many surprises in this story ^^ )
-Elvina P.
