Harry Potter and Along Came Shadows

Chapter 1: Twilight Shadows Part I

I like to call it want-to-be-black: what's supposed to be the blackest black isn't really black it looks green, red and blue-ish white at the same time; almost like closing your eyes and seeing those dots and specks. Well not only was I staring into that weird dark abyss, I felt like that abyss; suspended, weightless like I was out in space, and no immediate feeling of any arms or legs and time ceased with no shortage of what felt like static electricity flowing through me.

"What's going on? Why am I here?" I shout to the darkness but what came out was but a whisper.

"I wonder Mr. Potter. Why indeed are you here?" A disembodied voice said. The voice was light barely a whisper as well.

"I uhh. I took the second train…" That was the last thing I remembered; talking to the old bright profile of Dumbledore before being shipped off to god knows where. "Who are you?" I add.

"You should stop asking for the "what" in life Mr. Potter and start looking for the "why's", you'll find life starts becoming more interesting that way. As for the why I am, that's a story later down the road." The voice sounded as lovely as a harp with each delicate word a blessing from a heavenly song. It paused waiting for an answer from me. I couldn't tell the intentions or motivations of whatever the thing in front or rather around me was, yet I was feeling unlike anything I have ever felt before: content and free.

"Stories happen to good people where bad things occur. Good stories happen when those good people overcome those bad things. Or learn from them. What do you think about stories?"

"I think I'd love any sort of story that lets me have a good life."

"Well some would say you did have that type of story, Mr. Potter just a matter of recognizing when bad starts being good. I wonder… since we're here for a while, mind if I ask some questions?"

"Where is here, if you don't mind?"

"It's called… the Nexus an Information Highway and space time and pretty much everything else passes through here. Once, twice, three and even all at the same time and then also never ever meeting. You know what a black hole is? It's almost exactly like that."

"Umm… no. I'm uhh more into spells and charms, you know… wizard stuff."

"Oh, me too."

"Akashic Addendum: Sage Unlocked," a female voice said.

"Interesting…," he said before I can ask what that was, "Tell me Mr. Potter if you could go back to the beginning of your life and relive it all… would you?"

I thought for a while. Would I? Life seemed so unnecessarily harsh. Despite having lived a life that most normal people would only dream of; a world dominated by magic unseen, being targeted by what people would describe as evil incarnate was a drawback. Is that worth going back to?

"I took the train because I didn't want to be there any longer. I appreciate what I've gone through don't get me wrong but I didn't have a normal life then, I'm not going to have one now. I was tired of the fighting and backstabbing, tired of seeing people killed and all this after winning the war. I want this... pain to end. I want to see what happens when it does end."

"I see…" was all the voice could muster. After a long pause it continued with renewed vigour. "Well Mr. Potter this is what happens when it ends. We see the universe in this form blind as bats. All information is passed and stored here as all information is also at the same time lost."

"Lost?" I ask.

"When all information is subjected to the force of infinite gravity then things start to grow… let's say dark. Even light would have trouble passing mediums if such mediums were packed as such. Darkness is a thing to behold however, a solution therefore is to release those holds on mediums for energies to run and try to make sense of things. Life would otherwise be astronomically boring."

"What you're saying is…" I felt- something, the influx of otherworldly power and knowledge came into my being before I can finish the sentence. A light flew into me solid as ice and it's magic starting to work. Then I started to understand: I knew everything before I can even think about it. Knowledge, all knowledge, came at me at the speed of thought like reading a stop sign but not really reading the full word on the octagon but knowing having to stop… at the speed of light but multiplied by infinity.

"You can call me Warden. Are you ready for a good story Mr. Potter?"

I sat in space as dumbfounded as I think you can be at my collected intelligence. That at once I knew my answer, color started to come back emerging right above me. The want-to-be-black slowly swallowing and squeezing me whole from what I guessed to be my head down to my toes as a bright white light poured over me. How warm and forgiving this sensation was I thought. I couldn't look up however, the light too bright, my body was being lost again like a dream fading behind the back of your mind.

"Yes, give me a good story," I whispered pleadingly, I was scared and excited for I knew what was happening. I was being reborn and squeezed out into existence once more, "A love story!" I yelled before the nothingness of the light which overtook me but not before a chuckle was the last thing I remembered before hearing my own cries for air.

A good story… even with all my infinite knowledge I had… what is a good story? I asked myself. Indeed… why a good story?

As I hear my crying I became immediately aware of how stark naked I was. I also couldn't see very well. Or move very well either. Not for a lack of trying my limbs felt… stubby. Any knowledge I had gained evaporated as soon I came about, a voice softly whispering to me in my head, "Normal vessels are incapable of holding immense knowledge for too long, whatever you gained at the Nexus will be gone to come back gradually. But all your memories before the transference of the sage data will remain including any new ones."

One day I was able to open my eyes. I was in a blanket, incapable of movement. A young lady in a Nun's garb came by to pick me up feeding me my morning slop.

"Choo choo, in you get," the lady cooed. I obliged her spoon and ate the goop. Yuck. But like not at the same time, I had no teeth and it tasted fine texture was just weird.

"Tanya how's Harry?" Another lady in Nun's garb asked.

"Oh, he's just wonderful Anna! Never met a more well mannered boy. And such beautiful green eyes," she gushed.

The days became shorter with each hour of the day being spent fed and taken care of by Sister's Anna and Tanya, I had gathered quite a bit of information while I was here. I resided in the Saint Claire's Children's Home and Orphanage. A rather large area where foster children and orphans live in rather peaceful accommodations. The Orphanage is directly run by the Sister's of Waverly Circle. A rather eccentric group of nuns who had taken specific vows to protect and care for the youngest in need. All of this was new to me, again I had been born without knowing my parents (nothing new but still unfortunate) at least I didn't have to live with the Dursleys.

At night I shared my sleeping space with other babies, two others in fact. While most nights were good the sound of screaming would fill the night awakening me in a grumpy stupor. Other nights I'd be the one awakening finding my nether regions either wet or soiled. I decided instead of crying I would simply try my hardest to call out for Tanya and Anna. However with my baby mouth still too small and under used the only sounds that come out are Ah ah and Ta ah. I like to think the Sisters appreciated that I didn't rip their heads off as soon as they got to me. I would just stare at the beautiful complexions of Anna and Tanya.

Anna was a redhead whose hair fell to her waist when she didn't have her garb on, with a slender frame she was quite the busy body always performing cleaning duties. Tanya on the other hand was younger and blonde with big blue eyes. She performed several church duties during the day if she didn't help around with the babies. I had numerous other Sisters but they were my favourites as I was sure I was theirs. The best days were seeing them both together playing with me and reading me stories. They weren't fussy like the other nuns who would, I felt, rather do anything but clean up messy diapers. Tanya and Anna were great caregivers doting on every baby but having a soft spot for me. Always giving me attention and holding me close to their hearts, I couldn't imagine being anywhere better.

Tanya and Anna were best friends. One day I overheard them telling each other everything about their lives before they took their vows. Tanya had grown up in Germany. Before the age of thirty she felt her six figure job and fancy homes just didn't feel right to her. That an uneasiness had taken a hold of her was warranted, (and I have lived with the Dursleys a price of higher status in today's society meant putting up a facade one that meant being untrue to oneself and sacrificing certain freedoms.) In Tanya's case relinquishing people of their homes. Not being able to stomach the act of foreclosure on homes and businesses Tanya left the business world and donated everything she ever owned to at risk women and children. She then left for Saint Claire's when she had finished a mission to Asia and seeing the many destitute, a lot being children, had decided to take up the vow.

Anna had a similar upbringing having grown up originally in the United States however. There she met and fell in love with a British man named Mark. She was an English and French teacher and he was a sailor. Eventually Anna and Mark married and moved to England where they sought to create a family. Anna and Mark however were unlucky to say the least. Numerous still births had Anna distraught and Mark a once bubbly and happy man a shell of his former self. They both had lost any confidence of a happy marriage and called it quits deciding it was for the better. Anna went throughout Europe, depressed, but trying to grow and continue despite the tragedy. She went on teaching for schools in Spain and Portugal as English was a popular in demand job there. That was when she had been found by Saint Claire's Director of Operations while on vacation. There Director Tory explained Saint Claire's and Anna immediately fell in love with the project. Anna was deeply religious praying to God every day and night for her babies that she lost. Even now after she got us into bed she would bless us and ask God for protection.

These women were the closest thing to a mother I never had but couldn't wish for any better other than my own. And I found myself crying for the both of them. Even though I was still a baby my mind was that of my former self. Memories of my past self were shifting back and forth and however memories of wandless and wordless magic stuck in my mind. Everyday I looked inward into my barely developed magic core to find ways to perform any sort of miracle even small ones. Anna had gotten a rose in a vase and had placed it beside my crib when I had gotten a brilliant idea. One flick of my finger and presto-magico I flew a charm that made it impervious to decay. Baffled the ladies thought it was a godsend. Eventually when they had started bringing others to see it I decided to lift the charm much to the dismay of the excited Sisters.

I did find other ways to mess- I mean entertain- the Sisters. Every once in a while I was being carried around the grounds we would be taken to the garden a run down little thing no one really had time to care for especially the flowers or grass. So I flew a little spell to help the plants grow. That same day Tanya took me into the kitchen to find me a bottle. Perfect I thought. Meat had been a rare commodity in the Children's home. Or well food in general. I sent a transfiguration spell to multiply the food whilst Tanya's back was turnt. When she came about she agaped to find so many ingredients that weren't there the second before. She shook her head in disbelief and left the kitchen thinking maybe she was simply not paying attention. The cooks couldn't explain the increased food and everyone else simply thought God had blessed them. Whenever I did that the Saint Claire's would be a lot more jolly.

I would do this any time I was picked up. Moving from room to the other I'd cast a room cleaning charm. Diapers would clean themselves. Potatoes peeled and washed. Cracks in walls repaired. At one point some of the Sisters thought a demon had inhabited the buildings. The director took command of the situation and merely explained that all the things that had happened were nice and thoughtful. That these were acts of an Angel meant to help carry our burdens and that we should honor these blessings. Eventually everyone took these surprising acts to be nothing more of someone working hard for no reason other than to be helpful if only to calm the nerves.

But Tanya was a smart cookie; she started to get the feeling weird things occurred at the places I have been. She had started watching me for anything unusual. I made sure to only throw out spells when I was on her shoulder. She became flabbergasted but never afraid. Like a little girl curious about who's been placing candy in odd places.

"You're a little miracle aren't you," she would ask while changing me to my pjs. I felt like she was expecting me to make out words like a grown man. I would just tilt my head and make a goo goo sound and snippets of gah gahs and by the one high brow stare she gave me I couldn't help but laugh inside. Eventually she gave up and gave me a raspberry. God I hate those.

I observed my body was much more sensitive to bright imagery and often I was drawn to sensations in my mouth. I would find myself often literally with my foot in my mouth without knowing.

"You know. It'd be cool if you turned this water into wine," Anna chuckled as she drank from her cup. Amused I quickly did so. Her eyes widened looking back and forth from me and the cup. "No," she whispered, "Communion! Yes. Communion wine that's it! I got to lay off this stuff," I couldn't help but chuckle at her baffled mutterings as she went to dump the wine out the window.

Of course my baby hijinks didn't just end at the Sisters and kitchen supplies. Whenever a baby was wailing profusely I would send a charm of lullaby to calm my neighbours. If that didn't work then a quick vanishing spell aimed at their diapers was in order. I often used it on myself up until I was able to feel my puckerhole. By that time my legs had started to have better motor skills and I was kicking everyday as much as I can. I had a plan set up and I wasn't going to waste a minute of it enjoying the baby vacation life. Or so I thought.

By my first "birthday" it was customary for everyone at Saint Claire's to celebrate with me. The cooks put out a small feast, the other babies were dressed in party hats, the cooks were invited and Director Tory was there as well. I even got a cake. When my Sisters brought it out I couldn't do anything but stare at it. Everyone had gotten worried when I started to shed a tear but no crying came out of me. Of course I was already known as the baby who didn't ever cry but this was only because of everyone's ignorance to my actual maturity. This time though I couldn't help it. My… family was celebrating and I mean ACTUALLY celebrating my birthday. It was different from when the Weasleys and Hermione and everyone else did it, but I remember my last life's first 10 years as being truly awful experiences. Times when all I would get were Dud's handy downs, let alone a cake… and never even a crack of a smile

I laughed suddenly which I think made everyone even more worried, but imagining from their perspective I think I would've been a little freaked out over the silent crying then laughing baby too. I once again became a baby becoming animated and pointing and giggling at the cake. This put everyone at ease.

Directory Tory a lovely little woman spectacled with wispy graying hair came up to my side and said, "Time to blow out your candle. And wish for something nice Harry."

I closed my eyes and did exactly that, "Please, please keep this going," I thought to myself. I readied up a spell, a simple breeze spell that'd blow it out for me. I timed it with the Director who ended up inhaling some air and just as she exhaled I performed it.

I gave it a few months before I started walking not wanting to seem too freaky a child. Afterwards I started talking using mostly nouns, my first words were of course going to be Tanya and Anna. A clearly good choice as they all together screamed in unison when I said both names.

I was reading high school books and by one and a half I was walking and running, using the loo all by myself. My magic flowing through me helping whenever I faced a road block (or getting stuck in the toilet) I was simply biding my time, I knew this wasn't going to last. A year and then another and I was the fastest growing and most accelerated child at Saint Claire's. Saint Claire's was very interested in my development often having me take tests and meet with numerous talented Mothers and Sisters who taught me things like the piano, science, and math. It was all rudimentary at first like two plus two equals four but when I started to do algebra things quickly escalated. Boy did I absorb knowledge: engineering and sciences were the big ones; quantum physics, anatomy, robotics and music stuff of nightmares became a breeze.

Director Tory thought Saint Claire's had gained a prodigy. At age four numerous schools had sent scholars and teachers to meet Saint Claire's tiny genius. All of them offered to provide housing for me. But I refused throwing tantrums and saying I wanted to spend time with my friends and be adopted the normal way but never pushing it too far. Fortunately Saint Claire's was under no obligation to give me up to anyone. Director Tory was also very capable in her position. She knew if I stayed longer more resources and donors would visit simply to hear me play the piano or to check on my progress with math and science with each visit a showing of my growing intellect.

Normally I wouldn't know any of these. I mean had trouble doing simple ingredients for potions class but when I was two I had learnt that the Nexus had given me an "upgrade." A sort of cheat code. It was called Sage Mode. The concept was simple. I would play with an instrument or read a book and my understanding of said item or concept would unlock in this memory bank of mine called the Akashic Library. Along with the Akashic Library I also gained an assistant of sorts called Ahri. Ahri explained the Akashic Library to me.

"Everything you do, everything you play, read about, or experience will be skills unlocked in the Library. This will help streamline your story progression in an efficient and meaningful manner. You'll be allowed to excel and refer back to prior experiences."

So in a way I was given the ability to learn things quickly, memorize things quickly, and most importantly understand things. Sage Mode proved to be already very useful. Between my prior memories and the ability to learn everything I couldn't help but be giddy at the thought of this new life. I was starting to live in a fantasy, you know… despite having lived in one already, a fantasy within a fantasy if you will. But as quickly as everything seemed to be going, reality hit and it hit hard...

A/N: I'm not an experienced writer, I'm just someone with a bit of time on their hands. This story idea of mine has been stuck in my head for a very long time and needs a release. I hope you enjoy despite my pacing.