Harry Potter and the Spell of Sagittarius: A Harry Potter Fanfiction
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its associated characters: all rights belong to JK Rowling. I do not own any crossover references used in the story: all rights belong to their original creators. I do own any OC spells explained at the end of a chapter.
Plot: Emerald Arrow Response: In a very different beginning, Harry not only discovers the truth about his family, but, in trying to deal with it, he also discovers a very unique form of therapy to help him face the demons of his past and the shadows that cloud his future.
Challenge Information: DZ2's 'Emerald Arrow' Challenge: When Harry discovers the art of archery, he decides to explore this new form of combat: guess what? He's actually pretty damn good.
Rules: Light, Grey or Dark Harry
How Harry discovers the art is up to you
When the story starts is up to you
When Harry goes to Hogwarts (even if it's before or after first year), his bow and arrows go with him
Harry somehow discovers Archer's Magic what this may be is up to you
There MUST be those envious and/or frightened of his abilities
Sirius becomes free
Harry CANNOT side with Voldemort
All pairings are welcome
Guidelines: Crossovers
Super/OP-Harry
Dark-Lord Harry
Harry discovers the art before Hogwarts
Harry adapts his archery for other 'ranged/projectile' weapons e.g. shurikens, throwing stars etc.
For some weird, but funny reason, Harry NEVER misses his target
Somehow, Harry's abilities are hereditary
Slash
Harems
Harry/Multi
Harry doesn't fight Voldemort or Dumbledore, but prefers to be a silent observer - like an archer, silent and ready
If/When Harry draws Gryffindor's Sword, it somehow fuses its magic with his bows/arrows
Forbidden: Evil Harry
Harry relying solely on magic
Harry deciding he's done with archery
Others convincing Harry to abandon his hobby
Sirius on the run
Even if he's Dark, Harry doesn't side with Tom
Harry's skill with the non-magical weapon being accepted by everyone
Other than that, it's up to you…
Author's Note: So, inspiration's a weird thing, am I right?
One minute, I was openly deciding to make absolutely certain not to post any more new works for the time being and, the next thing I knew, this sneaky little plot bunny crept through the cracks of my resolve and made itself known. So, I hope you all enjoy it, especially since it has a few twists not normally seen in fanfiction, some interesting surprises and a load of fun – fingers crossed – for both me, the writer, and you, the reader.
And, as always, if you don't like it, don't read it.
(Be warned: flames and negativity will be used as target practice for Harry's arrows…and they will not miss them either.)
Recommended Reads: Harry Potter, Squatter by Enterprise1701-d, Trickshot and Silver King by JustBored21, The Rise of the Last Potter by HPfanfictioner66, Arrow by dannyrockon122, Harry Potter and the Founders' Vault by CharmedMilliE-Karry Master, Black Archer by Radiant Arabian Nights, Son of the Archer, Son of the Archer and The Boy Who Lived and Son of the Archer and The Year of the Egos by Melancholy's Sunshine, My Beautiful Huntress by Quatermass, The Archer and Canary Mages by Musicman2013 and Sun of the Archer Book I, Sun of the Archer Book II and Sun of the Archer Book III by digisovereign
Key Pairing: Eventual Harry/TBD
Other Pairings: To be determined
Normal Speech
'Thoughts'
/Parseltongue/
Chapter 1: Shot Through the Heart
Harry James Potter was not a normal boy.
Far from it, he was, perhaps, unique in his own special ways, different from everyone else around him and full of questions, thoughts and curiosities that made him something of an enigma to those who knew him.
Now, in another time and place, this abnormality would have been the source of extreme prejudice, hatred, fear and suspicion from those who knew him, while Harry would be forced to keep all those niggling little thoughts to himself. In the meantime, he'd be forced to work like a dog, treated as less like family and more like a slave at the beck and call of his family, as well as friendless, alone and confused in a world that he didn't fully understand, nor did he understand what it was that made him so different.
Fortunately, I am pleased to say that this is not that sort of story…
Sagittarius
"Harry?"
It was Harry's ninth birthday; a day that was filled with presents, fun, games, joy and laughter all round.
However, while Harry was meant to be celebrating in a party with his neighbourhood friends, as well as his cousin – though, if anyone asked, the two of them would swear blind that they were more like brothers – Dudley Evans – formerly Dursley – and his Aunt-slash-Mother-figure, Petunia Evans, it was the sound of said slender-bodied woman calling out to him that cut off Harry's fun.
While his friends, and brother, were enjoying a game of tag, or helping themselves to party food and just lounging in the garden as good friends were known to do, Harry turned to the French doors that led out into the aforementioned garden where he saw his Aunt standing there, an ominous, if not uneasy look on her face.
It was a look that Harry used to see whenever his Aunt was asked about, or mentioned, her ex-husband, Vernon Dursley, or during a time that was very different than the birthday that was being celebrated on this particular day.
Either way, it was a look that Harry couldn't ignore, "What's wrong, Mum? Did…did I do something wrong?"
"No, sweetie," replied Petunia, before she gulped hard, a look of pain and fear in her eyes as she looked from Harry to Dudley, who'd stopped when he too noticed his Mother and honorary brother chatting in a non-celebratory manner.
"I…I need to tell you something; can…can you and Dudley come inside for a moment?"
"Err…sure," said Harry, a small part of him feeling uneasy as he heard how this was something that both him and Dudley needed to be told.
Indicating for his brother to follow, Harry tried to smile through his unease as he explained, "Hey guys; we need to speak to Mum for a little bit. Why don't you guys go and dig out the swingball set or help yourselves to some more cakes and stuff while we're inside?"
Thankfully, their friends seemed willing to accept this, even as Dudley ran to the doors where Harry was waiting.
Sagittarius
Nearly forty minutes later, Harry and Dudley's friends – a small group of boys and girls, all of whom had become good friends with the Evans boys at school – all seemed to sense a shift in their two male friends, mostly because of how Dudley seemed to be supporting Harry as they walked out into the garden.
At the same time, Harry's eyes were slightly-reddened, suggesting that he had been crying, while Dudley seemed to be fighting back the urge to follow suit as he held up his leaner-bodied cousin-slash-brother.
As the two boys returned to the group, Dudley looked up to their friends, noticing their curious, questioning and even sorrowful looks, before the larger boy smiled thinly as he said, "Sorry, guys; we didn't mean to be so long."
"What's up with Ry, Big D?" asked Malcolm Jones, whom was Dudley's best friend – save his honorary brother – and always seemed to keep an eye on Harry in times such a this, earning a dismissive wave from Dudley.
"It's a family thing, Mal; don't worry, though, he's going to be fine."
"Do…do you want us to go?" asked Leah Whitney, a dark-skinned girl who'd been one of Harry's first friends, even before things had taken a turn for the better for the brothers.
"N…no," said Harry, wiping his eyes before he looked up at his friends as he smiled softly, "This…this is a party, right? So, come on, let's have some fun; and, since you guys didn't get the ball out, I guess that leaves one question."
"What's that?" asked Brian Lewis, a strawberry-blond-haired boy whom, like Leah, had been more Harry's friend than Dudley's, but, thanks to the changes that had taken hold of the house as of late, the gang had added to their number.
"Who's It?"
Weak laughs, followed by the sounds of kids laughing and enjoying themselves, soon filled the back garden.
Sagittarius
As she watched her sons and their friends go back to their games and the party atmosphere, Petunia Evans, formerly Dursley, felt her heart clench almost as tightly as her fists, which she'd had to stick in her pockets, if only to avoid the urge to smash something with how annoyed, angry and more than a little hurt she felt after what she'd just had to say to her boys.
At the same time, harsh though it may sound, Petunia felt a modicum of gratitude for whatever angel of fate and mercy had to have been watching over her family the night that Vernon had, in a drunken rage that she knew had been aimed at Harry, driven his car into the rear end of that double decker bus.
Sagittarius
On that particular night, Petunia Dursley – as she had been – had gone through an epiphany.
For four years, she had sat back and watched with a vile, pursed-lips expression as Vernon made their nephew, her sister's son, earn his keep and be less of a normal boy and more of…of a word she'd vowed to never speak again – well, not in Harry's direction or about her sister, at least.
And, for a long time, Petunia had done nothing, if only out of some small-minded sense of personal satisfaction, if not relief, that Vernon was punishing and venting on Harry, and not her or Dudley.
Yes, he had always had something of a temper, and, more often than not, Petunia had been on the wrong end of it – especially when Dudley had been conceived, which had been both the best and worst night of Petunia's life – but now, thanks to that meddling old man, Dumbledore, and a world that Petunia had hoped she could keep away from, if only to avoid having to listen and deal with anymore of Vernon's xenophobic hatred, the two worlds had come together.
And, for a long time, Vernon had been happy making Harry suffer, though, mercifully, he hadn't done anything physical to the boy, other than make his ears bleed and leave him thin and gangly because of how little he was allowed to eat. This was more or less the same for Petunia, hence why she was so thin and her ex had been so fat, to the point where even the phrase morbidly obese didn't do it justice.
But then, after so many years of yelling and screams – mostly from Harry as he begged and pleaded for a second chance and vowed never to do it again – something had finally snapped inside of Petunia one fated night.
When Vernon, apparently content to blame Harry for the loss of some bigshot's drill contract, had finished yelling at the innocent child, and then going on to threaten the boy with being locked up over the summer without food if he didn't improve and apologise, Vernon had turned to Petunia and thrust a white-hot skillet into her hand.
"Make him learn, Pet…make this freak learn his place…"
Horror flooded Petunia's mind, heart and soul as she realised what Vernon had wanted her to do.
And, when she looked into Harry's tearful gaze, the only thing Petunia had seen was green.
Her sister's green.
Her sister's light.
Her sister's heart.
And now, in that one moment, all of that raw emotion, and a whole lot more besides, was staring up at her, begging her not to hurt him, saying that he would be a good boy and he would never do it again.
In that one moment, Petunia finally saw who it was that was being held against his will, threatened with pain and fear beyond any child's means, and her will, her diamond-hard wall of hatred and prejudice against the world that, in her mind, had stolen her sister from her, crumbled into grains of sand and ashes.
Throwing down the skillet, Petunia had roared like a lion possessed.
"Let go of my nephew, Vernon Dursley…NOW!"
Then, unaccustomed to his former-favourite punchbag and stress reliever talking back to him, least of all to defend the little freak, Vernon had let go of Harry and gone to attack Petunia.
Though not before the little boy screamed, causing Vernon to, somehow, slip on a perfectly-dry, carpeted floor, and land so hard and so suddenly that he broke his nose and chipped two teeth.
That was, in all honesty, the first time Petunia was reminded just who her nephew was, and what he would become.
Only, instead of fear, she felt a great swell of pride, love and awe, all of which she showed in her next move as she ran to Harry and, while he flinched and shrank back in fear – as though he expected her to hit him – Petunia did the last thing the boy was expecting. She hugged him close, shushing his fears and holding him to her chest as she turned to her purple-faced husband.
"Get out, Vernon!"
"You…you…you freak-loving bitch!"
In another first for her, Petunia silenced Vernon's bile further when she struck him, slapping him so hard that his chipped tooth flew out of his mouth, while Petunia hissed, "I said get out, you fat freak! I've put up with a lot of shit from you over the years, but I will not be party to you harming a child with something so dangerous! So, go: fuck off! Go back to one of your whores from work, or your watering hole, but if you don't sober up, I swear: this is the last time you'll call this place home."
Sagittarius
Not two hours later, Petunia had finally managed to get Harry calm enough to not only let her wash him and give him his first proper meal in a very long time, not to mention telling Dudley how Harry would now be sharing a room with him and, if he didn't like it, she'd gladly let his Father take him.
When Dudley screamed for his Dad, Petunia then emphasised how little she cared for his whining, spoilt brattiness when, for the first time ever, little Dudley Dursley was spanked, leaving him speechless, though not as much as when Dudley asked if the freak was responsible for this.
In retaliation, Petunia did the very thing all kids are warned about by their parents: she washed Dudley's mouth out with soap, before spanking him a second time as she told him straight, "If you ever call your cousin that word again, Dudley Evans, I swear you will regret it. And don't bother crying for your Father, he…"
DING DONG!
The sound of the doorbell not only cut off Petunia.
It cut off any thoughts Dudley might have had about going to his Daddy to protect him from his mean Mummy and the Freak.
And all thanks to two people in black uniforms and a flashing set of blue lights outside Number Four, Privet Drive.
Sagittarius
Vernon was dead.
Harry was safe.
Dudley…well, he was only a boy, so he'd need time to adjust, but, fortunately, Petunia was nothing if not patient.
First, she went through the Courts to not only have her name returned to her maiden name of Evans, and the same for Dudley, but, in the process, she also filed the paperwork to formally adopt her nephew as her child, giving him the name of Evans as well, if he so wished. To her delight, Harry eagerly accepted, but under one condition, which took some time to get out of him, but, finally, at Christmas, he said it.
"Can…can I call you…my Mummy, Auntie?"
That was better than any Christmas present Petunia could have been given.
Curiously, when she embraced her newly-adoptive son and told him that he could do so gladly, Petunia also thought she felt something akin to a great swell of warmth, protection and what – if she didn't know better – the thin woman could have called magic surrounding the home as she hugged Harry and Dudley – whom, by the time Harry had managed to ask his question, managed to realise things were going to be very different in Privet Drive.
The rest, as they say, is history…
Sagittarius
Now, as she watched her boys playing happily – or, as happily as they could, since, even from her view through the window, Petunia could see the hurt look still-present in Harry's eyes – the Evans woman felt her heart clench as she thought about why Harry looked so hurt.
Admittedly, she had considered waiting until he was, at least, ten years old before sharing the truth of Lily and James' deaths with their son, not to mention what had been revealed in the letter that had been left with the boy. However, those thoughts had been dashed, given how frequent the moments of what Petunia had recalled were known as Accidental Magic seemed to be happening lately.
Whether it was changing a teacher's hair colour, making bullies – more-often than not, Piers Polkiss and Gordon Walker – trip up or suddenly have strange things happen to them – like when, once, Piers Polkiss had somehow managed to fall off the top of a slide in the local park – or, on one such occasion, even managing to make the mangy cat belonging to that crazy woman, Mrs Figg, suddenly scratch itself instead of clawing at Harry, there was no denying that her young boy was getting stronger.
So, reluctantly, Petunia had made the choice.
And, now, thanks to that choice, Harry was hurting.
Worse than that, Petunia didn't know what to do; she didn't know any of Lily's friends whom she could contact – not that she dared, since the letter had cautioned her not to contact anyone magical, for fear of becoming a target by the Dark Factions, whatever that meant – and she also didn't know how to help her child deal with the pain he must feel, especially now he knew not only who he was, but what he was.
No matter how hard she tried, Petunia would never be able to forgive herself for saying the cursed words that day;
"They're not accidents, sweetie…the truth is…you're a wizard, Harry…"
Sagittarius
"Mum?"
It was four days after The Revelation that Petunia found herself approached by Harry, whom, to her pain, she'd noticed seemed content to keep himself busy outdoors, even by working on the garden – one of the few chores she let him do, since he admitted how he liked it – or by going on long walks, runs and even trips to the park.
When he'd been at home, he would wolf down his dinner, or other meals, and then go to his room; once, Dudley even said he'd found Harry sobbing into his pillow and, as much as the larger Evans boy wanted to help his honorary brother, he had no idea what to do.
On the fourth day, however, Petunia looked up from her crossword puzzle – a pastime she'd discovered she enjoyed as it helped her remember how her sister wasn't the only clever girl in their family – before she saw Harry shuffling awkwardly, holding what looked like a flyer in his hands.
"Harry?" asked Petunia, pulling herself upright from her reclined position as she asked, "Are you all right, son?"
Not to her surprise, the s-word made Harry flinch, before he quickly held out the flyer, "I…I…I want to join this club; Leah…she…she's a member and her Uncle's the…the leader; he…he said he'd even give us a discount because I'm her best friend and…and…"
"Ssshhh, it's okay, sweetie; slow down, take a deep breath and let me look," said Petunia, taking the flyer from Harry before she examined what was written there.
As soon as she did so, however, she couldn't help but show confusion, as well as a glimmer of amazement, as she looked up at a blushing Harry.
"Archery Club?"
So, a bit of an emotional rollercoaster to kick off this new idea and, yikes: talk about tickling the sleeping dragon, but can Harry find a way to deal with the demons of his past and face his future?
Also, what could have attracted him to such a random summer event and how will he fare in the first time session?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Harry gets his request, which leads to some interesting surprises, and not just for the young boy himself; also, speaking of surprises, time passes and a big shock awaits the boys as an inevitable event finally comes around…but not as you might suspect;
Please Read and Review
AN: Portrayals
Malcolm Jones: Josh Hutcherson
Leah Whitney: Maisie Richardson-Sellers
Brian Lewis: Colton Haynes