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Balance Factor Chapter 35
Year Six
Akira
A/N: WE FINALLY GET TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON VOLDIE'S SIDE! YAAAAY!
"Have you found anything, Wormtail?"
"My Lord…" Pettigrew gave a small weak squeak. "According to this painting that a muggle drew, his name is Ryuuko, King of Light."
"That tells me nothing of his weaknesses, you useless rat," Voldemort hissed, his eyes flashing. "Crucio!" Pettigrew screamed, but gave a small whimper when the curse was lifted.
"I'm sorry, my Lord…!" he sniffed. "Forgive me, but… if he is the King of Light, then there must be a King of Dark, right? By nature, wouldn't they be enemies?" He curled up, trying to hide from Voldemort's wraith. Voldemort eyed his Death Eaters and then Pettigrew before turning away.
"Find me this King of Dark!"
-0-
Meanwhile, the said "King of Dark" was with Akira and Kou at Aging Bar. The Master of the bar was wiping off a glass, smiling calmly.
"Ryuuko seems to be content," Shirogane said out of the blue. Akira snorted, drowning his glass of juice.
"You went to go see them, didn't you?" Akira asked. Master put down the glass and took a deep breath.
"You met Ryuuko again?" He asked calmly. There was a certain tone of longing in his voice, proving that Shisui wanted to see Ryuuko very much. Shirogane looked at them and took a deep breath.
"Ryuuko and Kazuki," he said. "I was searching for them ever since I realized they were still alive." He took a deep breath. "Well, I knew Kazuki was alive, but Ryuuko… That was a pleasant surprise." He smiled a little and looked at Akira. "Very pleasant."
"You found them too, huh?" Kou asked, somewhat oblivious to the implications his statement had. It wasn't until he saw Akira staring and felt Shirogane's aura pressing down on him did he realize what he had just revealed. "Ah…"
"Kou…!" Shirogane's voice was razor sharp.
-0-
Harry tapped his hand against his knee. Considering that Sirius was preoccupied for a long time in the foreseeable future, Dumbledore had decided to come personally to read Sirius' will. Of course, the first thing that Dumbledore had mentioned, Vernon Dursley had jumped on.
"He's got a house?" Vernon asked, his eyes glinting with greed. Harry crossed his legs, folding his hands on top of his knees.
"Sirius is not dead. I don't think he'll appreciate me taking his house," Harry said. "He might not be back for a while, but he's certainly not dead."
"Ah, but the matter would be… If you do not accept it, then the other relative who would inherit this property would be Sirius' closest relative. Bellatrix Lestrange," Dumbledore said.
"No," Harry said, speaking a little too quickly. He collected himself and then spoke again. "Alright… I will accept the house."
"With the house comes Kreacher," Dumbledore said calmly. "Sirius has told me his attachment to you. Why don't you try summoning him?"
There was a pause as Harry looked skeptical at Dumbledore. Then he cleared his throat and said, "Kreacher!"
A CRACK echoed through the room. Kreacher bowed low to Harry, his old frame covered with a tea cozy, looking much neater since the last time they saw him. Aunt Petunia still screamed and Vernon pointed with an indignant "what the ruddy hell is that?!"
"What can Kreacher provide for his Master?" he said, his voice still croaky. Harry blinked and slid to the floor, placing his hand on Kreacher's shoulder.
"Keacher? I would like you to care for the Black Family House while Sirius is gone," Harry said calmly. Kreacher bowed again and Harry continued. "In addition, I may call upon your services later." He hesitated. "Would you mind teaching a new House Elf? I would like Winky to join you." He glanced at Dumbledore and Dumbledore nodded with a smile on his beard.
"If that is what Master wishes," Kreacher said. "Master Ryuuko's books are waiting for him."
Harry smiled and lowered his hand. "Thank you. You may go." And Kreacher vanished with a snap of his fingers.
"That settles things then," Dumbledore said calmly. "You are the rightful heir of the Black family house."
Harry paused and then stood up. Ryuuko shifted in his pocket, his hand pressed against Harry's side. "Thank you for confirming, Headmaster. I assume we will be leaving shortly, so I must return to my room to pack." He bowed to Dumbledore lightly and then slid smoothly up the stairs, watching Dudley drink the liquid Dumbledore had brought with a "Hey! This is really good!"
"Dudders! Are you feeling ill?!" That had to be Aunt Petunia. And Dudley simply gave an exasperated "I'm FINE."
Harry slid Ryuuko out of his pocket and set him on the bed so he could get ready. Ryuuko looked at Harry and then at the trunk.
"It would be a lot easier to store these things if you didn't have a vessel…" Ryuuko said calmly. "Have you tried separating from your vessel willingly?"
"No. Partially because if I do, I'm not sure this body could survive another integration. This is not a natural vessel for me like your successor is for you," Harry said, folding his clothes quickly and closing up his trunk. "Let me change and we'll head out." He turned to a bag that held one of his nicer outfits and stripped off his current clothes, completely unbothered by Ryuuko's gaze.
By the time he came down the stairs with Ryuuko back in his pocket, Dumbledore had finished talking with the Dursleys. Harry left his hair unbound, the long black strands free and flowing in the wind. He stopped right in front of the doors, his trunk gently placed on the ground.
"Ready," he declared. The Dursleys all looked at him in surprise but Harry didn't bother looking at his Aunt and Uncle. Instead, he turned to Dudley and said, "See you, Dudley. I'll keep in touch." He waved and turned, walking out the door. For a split second, Dudley could have sworn that he could see Harry's clothes change to a monochrome outfit, his long black hair swirling with power. But then the door shut and Harry was gone.
-0-
Horace Slughorn was a boring man, Harry concluded. He looked around at the unusually decorated abode, ignoring the talk between Dumbledore and Slughorn. His eyes settled on Dumbledore's blackened, shriveling hand and he frowned a little. Dumbledore had been meddling in power he didn't understand, apparently.
Harry was left with Slughorn. Slughorn sighed.
"These are Dark times, Harry…" Slughorn said. Harry smiled.
"Not really. Someone out there is fighting for you. As long as you remember that, you have no right to be giving up." Harry spoke mildly, crossing one leg over the other, thinking of Shirogane and Akira eliminating kokuchi so very far away. "Besides, with Dumbledore in the castle, there is no safer place. Dumbledore can see right through Voldemort, after all."
"He's not infallible," Slughorn said.
"No human is," Harry replied. "But that is not such a bad thing. We learn from our mistakes. That's what makes us great."
Slughorn stared. Harry sighed deeply.
"One person may not have the power to do anything. But a hundred people with the same idea can make all the difference in the world. Do you understand, Mr. Slughorn?"
"I do not fancy the mortality rate, Harry," Slughorn said.
"The mortality rate is infinitely higher without allies. At least you can trust someone to watch your back in times of battle and prepare for it," Harry said smoothly. "Be wise, Mr. Slughorn. There are children in need of your assistance."
There was a pause and then Dumbledore returned. Harry stood up and took a deep breath, feeling Ryuuko's restlessness. Perhaps it had something to do with the balance, or perhaps Ryuuko was just sick of looking at the inside of Harry's pocket.
Harry strode past Dumbledore and Slughorn before saying, "I'll wait outside."
Dumbledore came out the doors looking pleased. Harry figured he must have been successful.
-0-
Harry looked at the paper he had received. He had gotten nine OWLS. He glanced at Ron's and saw Ryuuko peeking over his hand to see his grades.
"I always knew I was going to fail Divination," Harry murmured, looking amused, lowering the paper to show Ryuuko. Ryuuko tilted his head, smiling at him.
"Well done," he said happily. He leaned against Harry's hand and watched as Hermione squeaked out her ten OWLS. Harry laughed at Ron's expression.
The next day, they were set to get books from Diagon Ally. The atmosphere was cold and Harry shivered, despite Ryuuko's proximity and his reassurance. Harry looked at the deserted Alley and then spotted someone familiar. It was Draco, sneaking around into Knockturn Alley.
Harry paused, but then followed, stepping into Borgin and Burkes. Both Draco and Borgin looked surprised to see him.
"We'll continue this another time," Draco said, standing up straight. Then he turned. "Potter!"
Harry tilted his head and eyed Draco's left forearm before giving him a grin. "Malfoy," he said smoothly. "I trust you've been doing well then?"
"In a manner of speaking," Draco said, walking up to Harry and gripping him by the arm hard. He pulled the other out of the store and into a deserted corner. "Potter. I have a problem."
"Meet. When and where?" Harry asked. Draco hesitated before saying, "Room of Requirement. Second day of school, after dinner at six."
Harry nodded, holding out his hand. Draco shook it quickly and let go before vanishing back to Diagon Alley. Harry paused for a full minute before heading out as well.
"Harry?" Ryuuko murmured, tugging on his pocket. Harry placed a soothing hand on his pocket, letting his Light pass to Ryuuko gently. Ryuuko murmured a soft 'thanks' and then shifted again in his pocket, getting to a more comfortable position.
"Harry! There you are!" Hermione said, spotting him. "Where were you?!"
"Meeting with an old friend," Harry said, looking amused at the tricks that were on display. "It seems Fred and George are quite successful. That's good. My Triwizard winnings really helped them out, then."
He had been awarded a thousand Gallons with Cedric during the celebration party. Harry could still recall Ryuuko's amused smile when he saw Harry's MU uniform and the twin dragons. Ryuuko had outright laughed when Harry told him what it had stood for.
"Harry, can I tell mum? She's been raving about them selling illegal products and things for months," Ron said with glee. Harry smiled.
"Sure."
-0-
Harry sipped his pumpkin juice at the Great Hall start of term feast. He passed a small plate of food to Ryuuko, slightly amused at Ryuuko trying to bite off pieces of a large piece of chicken. Ryuuko suddenly stiffened and peeked over the table, his ruby red eyes wide.
"Ryuu-?" Harry started, but then he felt it too. Someone was approaching the hall. Someone with a powerful Light factor.
The doors slammed open. In walked a man who looked very much like Ryuuko, except he had short hair, walked in, his strides confident. He was almost swaggering, walking like a delinquent made king. He had a long cape that was held together by a thin silver chain and his military coat was as white as snow. He had several black belts across his waist, his boots making a soft clatter on the ground. The black collar around his neck gleamed in the candlelight. The whole room hushed, staring at the newcomer. He looked remarkably like Ryuuko from two years before, though his aura was much colder.
Ryuuko smiled a little and said, "That's Akira's rei form."
"Akira…? What is he doing here?" Harry asked. Dumbledore stood up, but Akira ignored him, walking straight up to Harry.
"Huh, so this is your strange wizarding school, hm, Kazuki?" Akira said, stopping in front of Harry, looking around. Ryuuko squirmed into Harry's pocket to avoid being seen by the other students and Harry simply stared at Akira.
"Wha… What are you doing here?!" Harry asked, his eyes wide. Akira crossed his arms.
"I was bored," he said simply, as if that explained everything. "And wizarding school seemed interesting when Kou explained it. Do you really do all that wand-waving and wearing pointed hats? I heard you guys use owls for mailmen. I want an owl."
"You can't just break into people's school because you're bored!" Harry exclaimed, looking alarmed, his hand flying to his pointed hat to pull it off.
"Excuse me," Dumbledore said slowly. "May I ask who you are?"
Akira tilted his head towards Dumbledore and thought about his question. Then he answered, his red eyes glinting a little. "Nikaido, Akira. Ah, the English would say Akira Nikaido." He gave Dumbledore a wave and then looked back at Harry.
"So, are you going to show me around?" Akira asked, though his tone implied it as a statement rather than a question. Harry groaned, almost face-planting into his dinner.
"Can't it wait until the weekend? I still have classes, you know," Harry asked. Akira took a sigh, as if the things he was asking for wasn't completely unreasonable and Harry was just being difficult.
"I suppose it can," Akira finally said. Harry let out a sigh of relief, but stiffened when Akira continued. "In the meantime, I'll just train with that bastard Ryuuko. Where is he?"
Harry sighed, shaking his head.
"Oh yeah, he's miniature, isn't he?" Akira said rather rudely. "Guess I can't train with him then. Think you can amuse me for a while, Kazuki?" He flopped down on the seat next to Harry, causing students to scoot back away from him in alarm. "Now, I want you to start by jumping off the roof. That'll be interesting."
"I think your terms of interesting is skewed," Harry said, groaning a little in irritation, holding up his dinner plate. "Here. Have some?"
Akira eyed the food and then picked up a biscuit, biting into it. He gave a small hum of approval and nodded. "It's good. Better than what Aya makes. I swear, she's trying to poison me."
Harry sighed and stood up, walking up to Dumbledore. He bowed to him and said, "I think we should talk about my friend's arrival and stay… Ah, privately." He nodded to the Royal Rei, who was stuffing his face, making the students around him nervous and wary.
Dumbledore nodded and beckoned Harry away from the Great Hall, leading him outside to the hall to talk. After the doors shut, he looked at Harry expectantly.
"First, I wish to apologize for his behavior. He's not very… ah, refined as he should be," Harry said.
"My dear boy, that is not of your fault," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. Harry smiled in return, feeling Ryuuko poke his head out of his pocket.
"He's my successor," Ryuuko said blinking up at Dumbledore. Dumbledore gave a small start and looked, eyes wide, down at the tiny Ryuuko before kneeling on the floor and extending a hand to Ryuuko. Ryuuko climbed out of Harry's pocket and onto Dumbledore's good hand, brushing himself off a little. "Akira is the Direct Royal King of Light right now," he said, looking up at Dumbledore.
"What… is this?" Dumbledore looked half awed, half confused. His eyes were shining and Ryuuko gave a small 'Humph!'
"It's me," Ryuuko said, "Ryuuko. I'm in this form to conserve energy and-"
"He's very cute!" Dumbledore said, amused. "Very, very cute. Harry, my boy, is he yours?"
"Yeah," Harry said sighing, picking Ryuuko up by the clothes and setting him down on his hair. "He's mine. Anyway, do you mind if Akira stays a bit? He probably won't go away until he's satisfied. Or whenever Shirogane comes to collect him. One or the other."
"Of course he may stay," Dumbledore said, looking very amused at Ryuuko. "Would he like a guest room or would he like to sleep in Gryffindor tower with you?"
"I think I better ask him. Perhaps I should drag him to my classes and he'll sit in the back and listen," Harry said, sighing a little as Ryuuko buried himself into his hair. "As Ryuuko said, Akira's his successor. It would not do to anger him by trying to chase him away."
"His successor?" Dumbledore echoed, finally paying full attention. "What does this mean for the Order? Is he willing to join?"
"Most likely not, from what I've seen," Harry said, shrugging. "He fights for what he believes in, not for anyone in particular." He paused, feeling Ryuuko roll on his head and reaching up to grab Ryuuko before he fell off. "Ryuuko. Stop that. Why are you so strangely hyper?"
"Mm, I'll tell you later," Ryuuko said, nuzzling Harry's sleeve as he was picked up.
Harry slid him back into his pocket and then looked at Dumbledore. "I'll let you know about Akira."
-0-
As it turned out, Akira was completely fine sleeping on a bed next to Harry's bed. Ryuuko had poked his head out and hopped on Akira's lap when Harry pulled the curtain shut, just to chat with him. Akira had found Ryuuko's tiny frame highly amusing and spent a good ten minutes laughing about it, much to Ryuuko's embarrassment.
Judging by the way Akira spoke, Harry deduced that he had a disagreement with Shirogane and was taking a break from his duties. He smiled a little, recalling that when he was Kazuki, it used to be Shirogane who had to take breaks often to calm down from Ryuuko's casual attitude.
"I don't remember Ryuuko being so… energetic," Akira said, watching Ryuuko climb the pillows and tumble around on the sheets. "He's normally calm and relaxed, isn't he?"
"The amount of Light nearby is both powerful and plentiful," Ryuuko said, bouncing on the bed, his little boots vanishing from his feet. "It feeds into my existence. Especially since you, my successor, are here. We have a direct connection."
"Good. Maybe you can take him off my hands for a little bit," Harry said, looking at Ryuuko's hyperactivity. "The last thing I need is for a hyperactive Ryuuko to be bouncing all around my pocket during class."
"Ah," Akira said, nodding a little. "So, that means I can stay." He grinned a little. "Awesome."
-0-
"Tell me about this trouble?" Harry said, looking at Draco. Classes had ended for the second day and he had went to visit Draco in the Room of Requirement. Draco hesitated, but then started pacing.
"As you know, I have stopped using the mirror. That's because I've been trying to avoid Aunt Bella's Legilimency . She's been teaching me Occumency over the summer. So far, I've been successful." Draco hesitated again, but then plowed on. "But that's not the whole of it. I took the Dark Mark, as you might have guessed and the Dark Lord has given me a mission."
"Is it something ridiculously impossible?" Harry asked, frowning a little.
Draco scowled a little and looked at Harry straight in the eye. "Kill Dumbledore."
Harry took a deep breath, thinking. "Well, at least that's better than, 'Find the person who can beat Ryuuko in a fight'. How are you planning on killing Dumbledore?"
Draco looked stunned.
"You- You're not serious are you? You're completely fine with me killing Dumbledore?" Draco asked, looking shocked. "The man is a genius. He's got so much more experience than me."
"This will be a good learning experience for you," Harry said. "Dumbledore is only human. The only people who should be willing to kill are those willing to be killed. Are you ready to kill?"
Draco hesitated, but then shook his head. "I'm… not ready to die. But the Dark Lord."
"Draco, if you don't kill him, he'll kill you, your family, and hundreds more. Do you want to risk that for Dumbledore?" Harry asked. "Dumbledore's one man. He's old. With a solid plan, you'll be able to defeat him. Perhaps not in a duel, but at least in some underhanded move."
"Are you encouraging me to kill Dumbledore, Potter?" Draco asked, his eyes wide. "Granted, I never liked Dumbledore, but I never wanted him dead!"
"Well, then you're going to have to put up a convincing act, aren't you?" Harry asked, grinning a little. "Especially if you don't want Dumbledore to find out and start trying to convince you to betray your family or some nonsense."
"…What do you suggest?" Draco asked.
"Well… I'm no strategist… " Harry said. "And I'm certainly not as good as Ryuuko." He tapped his chin and thought about it.
"I… thought I would need reinforcements… So I was thinking of using the vanishing cabinet and transporting a group of Death Eaters here to assist me," Draco said slowly. "I already told Aunt Bella and she said she'd help me gather up a group and transport them when the cabinet was fixed."
Harry thought about this. "Ah. How confident are you that they won't attack the other children here?" He watched as Draco flinched.
"I… don't think they will," Draco said.
"But you are unsure. I can hear it in your voice. So, why don't you leave the protecting to me and you just continue on your merry way. Think for a minute if your plans will really work the way you want them to," Harry said, sighing deeply. "Contacting me is not a very good idea during this year, as you'll be playing on Voldemort's side. Let me know when they come and I'll be sure to station someone here. I suppose Akira will do…"
"Akira? That weirdo at the start of term feast that wanted you to jump off the roof?" Draco asked, his eyebrows raised.
"You try fighting him before judging him. I daresay, he's good with multiple opponents," Harry hummed. "And Shirogane wouldn't have accepted him if he was bad at fighting. Akira will be fine."