A/N: As you can see, I'm failing miserably with my new year's resolution...
Chapter 12: Another Beginning
"Good morning, Captain," Beckman greeted when he saw Shanks, oddly hatless, sitting on the figurehead, before his task of rousing the hung over crew. "We missed you last night."
Shanks chuckled. "Well, the lot of you just missed Harry's good-bye."
Beckman paused, his rifle smacking down onto Sou, who wriggled and cursed before sitting up to give the first mate a bleary-eyed glare.
"That was rather abrupt," Beckman finally responded, sounding somewhat amused with Harry's rude behavior. "I wonder if we'll meet again."
The pirate captain hopped onto the deck, sweeping his straw hat from off the floor to place on his head. "A guy like that can't stay quiet for long," he replied with an anticipatory tone of voice. "We'll meet him again on the Grand Line sometime."
Shanks looked over his staggering crew under the rapidly rising sun. "Oi, you lazy louts! The sea is waiting. I've got a lot of places I'd like to visit before the Addagator bails on us too," he teased with a grin. The Red-Haired Pirates were adventurers of the ocean, and there was no doubt they would cross paths again with their newest friend in the near future.
The metal circle glinted as Harry raised it up into the sky, lounging in what had been a purple tree. Apparently, when autumn passes through, purple trees turned pink. Albus would have approved, Harry thought, as he charmed a few of them with temporary green polka-dots.
But returning to the talisman. Harry turned it over a few times, admiring the symbols carved on the one side. The objects overlaying the triangle corners apparently represented the three abilities of haki, which was quite appropriate, considering what Harry believed the disc was currently holding.
He had many questions of course. Was that green fire really haki? What was it trying to do as he entered this world? How would he get it out of its new home? Could Harry use this new power, and if so, how would it affect his already weakened magic?
Questions for another time, Harry decided, when jolting the metal circle with magic had no effect. Wouldn't it be just typical of the Potter Luck if it only responded to haki, like back in the cave with Shanks?
Mm, Shanks. The thought pleased Harry as he stretched languidly to feel the lingering soreness from their night together. There was something incredibly heady about the experience of having sex with someone so close to his own power level. The haki and magic and pure lust that hung in the air was so delicious that Harry was tempted at another go.
Which was why he left without waiting for the other pirates to wake up. The last time he favored a fuck buddy too often, she grew attached, leading to a rather uncomfortable breaking of relations when Harry was unable to make it clear he didn't feel that way. Harry always regretted it. She was a good friend and a passionate lover and his own carelessness with her feelings led to a great deal of emotional pain for the woman.
Harry wandered back into town, smiling at the look of shock on the baker's face at his sudden return after so long. He chatted a bit with the man, spinning a simple tale to explain both his disappearance and return, before buying a loaf of bread and moving on. The grocer was similarly shocked, as well as somewhat relieved.
"Well hello again," she greeted. "Thank goodness. For some time I was afraid the pirates had taken you."
Harry suppressed a grin at how accurate that statement really was and instead displayed casual reassurance. "Oh no, I apologize if I worried you, but I met a fisherman willing to take me on his boat for a few months. He had to leave more permanently yesterday, though, so I've returned, hoping to find some other way of traveling around. It seems I should have planned ahead a bit more," he continued sheepishly, his mind weaving a yet incomplete plan. "With fall passing so quickly, it's harder to find someone willing to humor my carefree ways, and I never bothered to buy my own boat."
"A boat," the grocer echoed thoughtfully, wiping a red apple until it gleamed. "How big a boat were you thinking?"
Harry shrugged. "Nothing too big, I don't think. It's really just for me, and I'm rather confident in my fishing abilities so I won't need much room for carrying food supplies. As long as it can hold a sail, I'd be pretty satisfied."
"Hmm, I might be able to help you there," the woman finally offered. "It will depend on Jacob, but I don't think he'll disagree. He doesn't have much time to go out sailing anymore, but hasn't the heart to throw away our old craft. It has a few years left in it, especially with how carefully my man takes care of it."
"Really, you mean it? That'd be wonderful, ma'am! Thank you ever so much," Harry gushed, making the other woman blush with embarrassment.
"Alright, alright, young man. Come back at around noon; my husband never outgrew that honeymoon period and likes to visit during the lunch hour so I'll ask him then. Just have a bit more foresight next time, yes? You can't charm everyone out there with your sweet-boy airs," she mock scolded.
"Why ma'am," Harry exclaimed with exaggerated shock and confusion. "I'm sure I haven't any idea what you mean."
The pair shared a laugh before Harry left. The wizard wasn't under any misunderstanding that the boat would come free, so he had some major counterfeiting to do before the appointed time. He had learned from Beckman the value of a beli, and his current stash duplicated from the baker all those weeks ago really was just pocket money. Perhaps he could find some larger bills to duplicate in the wallets of traders. They bought goods in bulk after all, so it wasn't too far a stretch to assume they had large denomination money as well. A light Confundus and some permanent Geminios would go a long way.
Perhaps a bit too long a way. Harry left the main stockroom in a state of confusion as the head trader mixed a few orders before recovering enough to start yelling at his workers to pack the boxes the other way around. The counterfeit mission, though, was a success.
The ten grand bills were quite funny looking, in Harry's opinion, and a bit confusing. Decorating such a high value with the image of a skull in a hat and high collared coat clashed with the World Government's well-known hatred of pirates. Surely it wasn't supposed to represent some politician rather than the Jolly Roger of the outlaws? Even the hundred beli coin had a skull, though the ten beli coin had a seagull like the ones that symbolized the marines. The wizard decided not to dwell on it too much, lest his mind weave some sort of conspiracy theory involving secret pirate communication through a planted agent in the official printing factory of the green notes and bronze coins.
"An apple, please," Harry ordered, offering a coin in payment. The grocer looked up and smiled when she saw the wizard, happily finishing the transaction before turning towards the back of her shop.
"Jacob, he's here."
A stocky male with blond hair and blue eyes emerged from the shade of the shop to blink a few times with interest at Harry before furrowing his brows in confusion at the wizard's strange dress. For those who weren't familiar with the concept of battle robes – pretty much everyone in this world – they did have the effect of making him look more delicate by hiding his muscle structure. Perhaps he should have refitted it into something more masculine by muggle standards? Well, it was too late for that.
"I'm Harry," he introduced himself, holding out a hand.
"Jacob," the other replied, grasping the offered limb in a handshake that Harry was careful to return firmly with confidence and strength, but no aggression. He wanted to make the impression that he could take care of himself but had no interest in provoking anyone.
"It's good to meet you Jacob," Harry smiled. "Your wife speaks fondly of you, and mentioned that you might be able to help me in this little predicament I've found myself in."
"Ya need a boat, yeah?" Jacob confirmed. "Well, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say my wife speaks pretty fondly of ya as well, but, uh, how much experience ya got with sailing?"
"I'm no novice, if that's what you're afraid of," the wizard chuckled, as he stretched the truth a little. "I can navigate by the stars and handle a sail on my own." It was partially true. His knowledge of the stars was rather extensive as a result of his astronomy education in Hogwarts and his time with the pirates lent towards many observable instances of one or two people sailing a vessel about the size of a rowboat. He had just never done it himself before. With the ability to conjure wind, though, Harry wasn't too worried about his lack of experience.
"I think I can make ya an offer then. Come on, and I'll show what I've got."
Jacob stepped onto the worn road and gestured towards the docks. "I've the boat stored in a friend's stockroom as a favor to me, and I'm sure he'll be glad to get that space back again," he chuckled.
"How big is the boat?" Harry asked as he followed, not too worried since he could tweak that with magic, but wanting to maintain polite conversation as well as present himself as someone respectfully interested in the business they were negotiating.
"It's a small sailboat built for two. One sailor is enough to handle the sail, though, and I've squeezed in three additional passengers before," Jacob replied, taking a turn upon reaching the port towards the large storage buildings that stood in a line facing the sea. "This way."
"Oi, Mars!" Jacob called out from the door before weaving his way through the bustle of laborers carrying crates and barrels of goods. "Ya here, or what?"
"Jacob!" A tall and muscled man emerged from an upstairs room and quickly descended the steps with a grin. "And what brings you here on a workday? You aren't slacking off, are you?" he teased.
Jacob snorted and gave his friend a playful shove in return when he stepped close enough. "It's my lunch hour, Mars, I ain't slacking. And even if I was, which I ain't, ya should be happy for it, 'cause I'm here for the possibility of clearing out that space I've been borrowing off of ya."
"Oh-ho," Mars chuckled, "and is this prospective heir?" he asked, leaning sideways to peer at Harry who was standing back to the side of Jacob during this conversation, examining the workings of the building.
"My wife found him," Jacob explained wryly, as Harry introduced himself to Mars with a handshake. "Said he was looking for a boat so here we are. Where've ya got her tucked away now?"
"This way," Mars gestured, nodding his head towards the near wall. In the corner by the door was a cloth covered object. Jacob pulled away the sheet with a large, sweeping motion, revealing a small sailboat with a tall mast, the sail rolled neatly in a plastic bag under one of the seats.
Harry laid a hand on the side of the boat and rubbed the wood, pleased to feel it's smooth and dry, waxed surface. It was indeed small enough for him alone to sail. He had no need for extensive storage room since he could shrink anything too big and fresh water was always just an Aguamenti away, so this was perfect for his needs.
"How much?" the wizard asked, crouching down to feel the bottom.
"Twenty five grand," Jacob replied.
Harry chuckled, standing up to lean over the side and examine the interior. "This is hardly a new boat," he trailed off. He was unwilling to state too low a counteroffer since he wasn't certain how much a boat like this should go for, but knew enough about marketing to never go for the first offered price. It's times like these when Legillimancy would come in handy, but Harry was, quite frankly, awful with the mental arts.
The boat was well made and maintained. The bottom was freshly caulked to prevent water leakage, the sail was sturdy, and Harry found a pair of oars on the boat floor as well.
It's not like Harry couldn't afford to part with the money, right?
"Twenty grand if you help me get it in the water," Harry finally offered.
Jacob shrugged. "Fair enough. Ya got a spare dock for us to use, Mars?"
"Season's almost over, Jake," Mars clapped a hand on the other man's shoulder. "I've got plenty of room. Take the third post to the right. How long will you need?"
Jacob looked at Harry for an answer.
"Just for the day," Harry replied. "I'll buy some food and be on my way."
Jacob and Harry each grabbed an end of the boat and slowly lugged it to the sea. Dropping it into the water, the vessel was tied to the dock and the money discretely handed over. It wouldn't do for someone to see and attempt to rob either of them later today.
Rations were obtained easily enough, the town being experienced in the food sailors need. As the sun set, Harry climbed into his new boat with a bag of apples, two barrels of water, half a barrel of smoked meat, a bag of hardtack, and a loaf of fresh bread. There were few people around, so he collected the rope, lifted the sail, and – eyes on the rising stars – kick-started his travel with a steady Ventus to take him away.
"Outta the way, move it! Someone get the doctor!"
"What's going on? Did those hoodlums get into another fight with each other?"
"Hah! Yeah, right. You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Harry ducked around the gathering crowd. From the occasional gaps in the people, he saw a bunch of teenage boys on the ground, all rather beat up. Whatever it was that happened, it certainly looked like they lost.
The wizard kept walking, soon finding himself wandering through the woods on this island. Thankfully, the trees resembled the oak trees back home in both shape and color, so he wasn't blinded by his surroundings. East Blue apparently wasn't crazy enough to have neon vegetation.
As winter approached in South Blue and he started waking up in the mornings with frost on his sail, Harry decided it would be best to travel elsewhere. He reached the edge of the Calm Belt and apparated himself and his belongings north the hundreds of kilometers Addams estimated as the combined width of the Grand Line and Calm Belts. The trip to East Blue was successful, though draining, and Harry managed to skip the winter season altogether.
"Ace!" Harry heard a voice yell and followed it out of curiosity. "What did you do down there in town? There's a right ruckus going on – everyone's talking about how the town hoodlums got half-killed by a child!"
It was an old man in a Hawaiian shirt, yelling at a small boy who had his legs dangling off the edge of a small cliff.
"Damn," the kid cursed dryly, turning his head to reveal his scratched face. "They're not dead then?"
The man stared in shock at this cold reply before laughing it off. "Bwahahaha!" he roared. "Oi, Ace! I hear you've been getting up to some real tricks lately, eh?"
The boy turned back to watch the ocean, drawing up his legs from the edge to tuck them near his chest. "Hey, old man –"
"I told you already, didn't I?" the man interrupted. "Call me Gramps."
"… Gramps, you have a grandson, right? How is he? Is he happy?"
"Luffy? He's coming along nicely," the man said proudly.
The boy, Ace, didn't say anything for awhile, looking down at his feet in thought.
"Gramps," he finally spoke again, "do you think I really should have been born?"
'Gramps' looked at the boy with a solemn expression, letting himself fall down into a seated position a few feet behind the child. "That kind of thing," he sighed, "you only find out by living."
The two sat there for a bit before the elder swing himself up on his feet and cracked his spine.
"Well, my holiday's just about over."
Ace snorted. "You took three days off," he stated.
"Exactly! Just thinking of how many pirates have been roaming free these three days makes my blood boil. You take care of yourself, Ace." And with that, the old man left back in the direction of town.
Harry climbed up a tree and watched the boy who stayed put on the ledge.
Do you think I really should have been born?
What an odd question for such a young boy to ask. Then again, he'd asked himself that once before when Uncle Vernon tossed him in his cupboard for being underfoot and an eyesore. Harry, however, got lucky. No matter how much he loathed the prophecy the first year he knew it, those words gave his life meaning. With his existence, because he was born, there was the possibility of defeating a mass murderer that had haunted the Wizarding World for decades. For Harry, the answer to that question would always be yes, no matter how dark the world grew around him.
Harry swung himself down from the tree. For a moment he wondered if he should talk to the kid when the decision was made for him as the boy shot up to his feet at the sound of footsteps. When the boy did nothing but stare, Harry spoke first.
"Waiting for the sunset?"
The boy snorted. "Yeah right. Only girls watch for stuff like that."
"Is that so," Harry hummed. "I always thought of sunsets as a dramatic background for the ending of a great adventure. Well, if you don't like endings, that'd be a problem. Do you prefer sunrise instead?"
Ace gave Harry a confused glare before scoffing and walking determinedly past the strange man. "I can't believe I'm talking to some sissy about sunsets."
"Hey," Harry protested with mock indignity. "I'm not a sissy!"
The boy gave his robes a pointed look. "So what's with the dress? I bet you're really weak in a fight, too."
Harry looked Ace over in return. He was a skinny child, though not unnaturally so. He was probably just very active, and his many bandages and fresh scratches were proof of the fights his 'Gramps' had gotten upset over. He certainly wasn't a very friendly kid, maybe because the villagers didn't like him much either. Did he have parents?
"That's a bet you'd lose, I'm afraid," Harry teased, "and your failure to recognize that only shows your inexperience in real fights. Not that that's a bad thing – kids aren't supposed to be experienced fighters."
A glare was Harry's only warning before Ace leaped towards him with his fist cocked back behind his head.
An indulgent smile was Ace's only warning before that very fist was grabbed, the wizard literally snatching him from midair with a single step to the side.
Harry placed the boy back onto the ground as the boy tried to swing his legs up onto his arm and chuckled when Ace scurried backwards like a scorpion when his hand was released, glaring all the while at the elder male.
"Pretty quick," Harry complimented, "though you jumped unnecessarily high. Instead of aiming directly at me, you waited to fall back down to the proper height, which delayed your attack," he lectured. "Better luck next time," he added absently, his mind already occupied with plans for a night at an inn before restocking his boat to leave again.
He wasn't missing out on much, since Ace was now grousing about how it wasn't his fault the weird sissy was shorter than his usual opponents.
A/N: I'm sure many of you are disappointed Harry's officially parted ways with Shanks, but now we have Ace!
And of course, Harry will eventually get back to Shanks. He's just not into committed relationships right now.
Many thanks to RedValentino for looking over this chapter for me despite her very busy schedule :)
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