Title: Human
Author: Metis' mischief
Summary: Harry Potter's life changed drastically, turning around 160 degrees completely. In an accident, he turned into a creature of the dark, feared by all. When the temptation for the call of the blood and flesh becomes too much for Harry. He becomes desperate and seeks help but many of his friends and colleagues, turned away from terror and disgust. True bonds are revealed. Friendships are tested. Draco Malfoy, an old enemy, unexpectedly, becomes the light of Harry's dark world.
Disclaimer: This scripture was based from the characters and scenes from the astonishing novels: Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling, and as an aspiring writer, I have no rights and claims to these fantastic novels but I dare say, what I only own are the ideas in this tale: HUMAN
Author's notes: This tale focus in the darker aspect of life, such as blood, flesh, temptation, betrayal, hatred and revenge along with it is hope and love. You have been warned!
Message: I am so sorry for the super delay for the update. I am have been traveling for awhile and been busy with my job hunting along with my schooling. So I am hoping for your consideration. Thank you for the support and love.
And let's get down to business!
From the previous chapter:
"HARRY! HARRY!" came a voice, awaking me from the darkness. That voice! It was Hermoine!
I rouse from my slumber trying to leap up and twist to turn away from her but my body wouldn't bulge from where I lay. As I open my eyes, I saw thin silver chains had wrap around my body, that was hindering me from moving.
"Sorry about that, Harry. I want to make sure to kept us both save. Don't worry, I will remove those chains when I am sure that you are fully control of your urges." Hermoine said she came sitting beside me.
Trying to calm down my instinct, I kept myself from fighting the chains but instead settled down to sit up as I tired to gazed upon Hermoine, now my only friend. "It's alright, Hermoine. I understand."
"How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Hell!" I answered with a grunt. "Surprise that I am in control for the first time but still disgustingly hungry."
"That's good!" Hermoine said in a cheerful tone. "That meant that I am on the right track."
I stared at her, unbelievingly as soon as she said those words."What do you mean by 'your on the right track'? And why are you here?"
"I have been researching these past few days before I escape from Hogwarts. In those books, there have been clues on what might have happen and what have you become, Harry." Hermoine stated as she absent-mindedly reminisce her facts hunting in the library. "I tried feeding you fresh animal blood and it seems like it kind of work out. And I am here because I am your friend, Harry. What a silly question!"
I almost smile at Hermoine's chattering. Trust Hermoine to be calm at these kind of situations. "I am not silly, Hermoine." Then I froze. "Escape?"
"Ah...Well, they left me with no choose, so I run for it." Hermoine blushed as she sheepishly twirl a bit of her hair.
Even though my situation is very dire, I was able to laugh at Hermoine. Then Hermoine joined me into laughing our worries away.
Thank you for being here, Hermoine!
"I have other theories that I want to try, Harry. Is that alright with you?" She asked me.
"Yes, Of course." I said with much vigor. Her being had given me much courage to live on.
"Let's find something to break this...thing off you, Harry" Hermoine declared with so much conviction.
I hope too, Hermoine. I do hope so...
End of the previous chapter.
Chapter 12: The Hunt
I jerk up, awaken suddenly, as the sound of rustling of the leaves and, a group of footsteps can be heard. Every thought of mine was in high definition as my eyes focus at the entrance of our tent unto the thick woods of the forest of Dean. My heart was pumping, my mind was empty as I was still dazed from being startled awake but my instinct was at its edge. As my head lose its cloudiness and everything became cleared. My newly upgraded senses tells me that we, Hermione and I were not the only one in the woods, right now. I could hear it from the outside of the tent, the sounds of breathing that wasn't mine or Hermoine's. I don't know how did they have found us even with Moine's quick thinking that we should set-up a tent surround by a concealing charm. I listen intently, as I slowly move to Hermoine's sleeping area to wake her up.
I saw Hermoine lays awake as soon as I reach her, upon seeing me, she immediately put a finger on her lips - signaling me to be quiet. She began to slowly rose from her bed and took her beaded bag, her long coat and, her wand.
"Let's get our things, Harry. I felt an alarm that I have set eight meters away from us was triggered by someone or something. Its best if we get on packing before they could reach us." She whispered with authority as she moves around with agility.
"Eight meters away from us?" I asked in shock. Then why could I hear them as if they were very near.
"Yes..." Hermoine answered but came into stop as soon as she saw my expression. "Is something wrong, Harry?"
Uncertain with what I am actually experiencing or what could Hermoine's reaction be, I mumbled out. "I can...actually hear them. Those people... T-the footsteps. The rustling of leaves... Their breathes. Hermoine, I can hear them, loud and clear."
"I see..." Hermoine finally said after a long silence reign between us. Then she suddenly snapped out of it. "I have a theory for that but before anything else, Harry. Let's get out of here."
"Okay!" I said as I followed her.
Waving our wands to shrink everything into Hermoine's beaded bag that was charmed with Undetected expansion spell. In about ten minutes, we were all done and we move out from the area to a different location with Disapparation.
We lurched into one another as we landed in different part of the forest, under us were dried up leaves with brown, black, orange and, yellow in shades. The woods were thick as they grew near each other and even though it was morning, almost no light can past thru the dense canopy above us. I began to breathe in the cool air of the forest, the scent of the earth, and could hear the slight sway of the branches felt heavy on my ears. I couldn't anymore hear the heavy footsteps, only the forest's sounds.
"Harry" Hermoine whispered. "Are they're still following us?"
"I think... They are not following us." I said as I still listen for any movement out of the ordinary. "I can't hear them anymore."
Letting out a sigh of relief, as Hermoine relaxes then she turn to me. "How about you? Are you alright? Hungry yet?"
I contempt for a while. "Not yet."
"Okay." Hermoine uttered. "After all, I feed you almost half of the meat supply I had. I think we should really consider of what is the most of your diet? how many hours or days before your next hunger strike? or Can you still eat other things?"
Hermoine started marching across the woods, thinking deeply. I followed behind, listening to the sound of her voice - it reassured me beyond my imagination. Trying to contribute a bit, I told her. "You forgot about my enhance senses or what could have really happen to me when I attack Michael Corner after I went down?"
"That's another thing!" Hermoine hollered suddenly. "And those men that were following us, who are they?" Realizing that she was shouting at the top of her voice, she blushed then turn to me. "Sorry... I just got a bit of...carried away"
"Its okay, Hermoine." I smiled at her.
"We need to talk about those but first, we need to find a perfect spot to put the tent and set-up alarms, concealing charms and maybe - add abit more of undetection charms." She breathed as she grew tried from the hike.
"Let's do that" I said as I hurriedly march infront of her, trying to find an area to camp as soon as possible.
"Hermoine, your really a genius!" I laughed as I held both of her hands with glee.
Blushing as she was embarrassed with my praising, she just shyly pats my right shoulder. "Stop that, Harry."
"No, I really meant it. Hermoine, thanks for the clothes, the soap for the my bath and the food." I smiled at her. "Without you, I would die, helplessly."
With her faces still in ablaze, she cleared her throat, trying desperately not to be affected with my words. And Hermoine was failing to hide it. " Anyway, I already showed those things to you, yesterday. Your quite late for the praising," She teased me.
"Sorry! I was kind'a off, yesterday." I said sheepishly at her. "I was too relief to actually think about those stuff that I end up sleeping during our conversation."
"I know. You were too tried and you needed the sleep." She said as she sat across me, between us was a small table. "No harm done."
After our escape from whoever was trying to break into our camp that morning, Hermoine and I, were able to set-up our tent on another site that perfectly hide us from animals and humans, alike. Under the concealing charms, undetection charms, alarms set around the camp and add to that- the cammouflage that both of us created from the leaves, branches and bushes, I think we'll be safe for now.
I grin at her.
"So, Let's get unto our main agenda for the day." Hermoine said as she brought out her beaded bag, opening it. She grab something from the inside - books. Of course, Hermoine and books, they are inseparable.
"I took these books under the permission of Professor Dumbledore from the library." She uttered as she place the stacks of books on the wooden small table and took one for herself then began scanning it. "Here, Harry." She said as she took another book and gave it to me. "We need all the resources, we could get to find any clue or any information on regards your condition."
Timidy reaching for the book, I also began flipping the inside of the said book. After a few minutes, I laid the heavy tattered book on the table with a sigh. "Hermoine." I called out and waited for her to look at me, away from her book. "I am not even sure of what to look in these books."
"Okay." Hermoine rasped and took out a quill, ink and, a parchement. "Then tell me, Harry. What are the things that you have observed about yourself or what did you feel these past days before I found you?"
Hermoine was looking at me, expecting my answer. Her face that had held a curious expression turn into shock as her glance met my gaze, and I saw my reflection in her eyes. My face had twisted with overwhelming sadness and anger. An expression that I never saw on myself. Compassion spread on Hermoine's face as she abruptly stood up from her sit and went to my side. Her arms encircle my shuddering body without fear of what I have become.
Only Hermoine was my ally now.
My best friend. And I am grateful for that.
I don't know on how many hours that Hermoine and I had stayed like that - lock in each other arms. I needed her support and she needed my courage as we had each other's backs.
We had a productive afternoon that day as we actually listed down and summaries the things about the possibility of what creature I may have become and the list of the observed abilities that I have gain. Hermoine jot it down on a long parchment - written with remarks on parenthesis. I took it to re-read it again, not wanting to miss anything.
New abilities:
1. Heighten senses (Hearing - I can hear very clear, eyesight - I don't need my eyeglasses anymore, smell- I guess?, taste- ? by Harry) (Hearing and eyesight: not yet measured properly but had been improved greatly as Harry could hear up to 10 meters away, smell: more detailed than an average human also can distinctly separate animals, things and humans scent , taste: N/A)
2. Strength (Hermoine made me carry a boulder, so yeah! by Harry) (The boulder weighted around 200 kg and Harry can easily carry it by Hermoine)
3. Speed (I can run faster than before by Harry) (Around 28 seconds for an approximately 100 meter dash by Hermoine)
4. Stamina (I didn't get tired with an three hours hike by Harry) (Increase stamina with no signs of being tired after running with increase speed during three hours by Hermoine)
5. Appetite (Not an ability, Hermoine!) (Harry, stop it with the comments) (Raw animal blood, Raw animal meat and needs more information by Hermoine)
Possible creatures:
1. Inferi/ zombie (heart stop then restarted but not a corpse, still breathing, not soulless by Hermoine) (REALLY, MOINE! I still look handsome by Harry)
2. Vampire (Cool but no. I'm good with the sun by Harry) (No sunlight reaction, yes to Hunger for blood, Not pale or gaunt, no fangs by Hermoine)
3. Jiangshi (I am not hopping around, Moine by Harry) (Stop that, Harry. not an Undead that hops, I don't know if Harry takes life force from the living creature by Hermoine)
4. Lich (Are you serious, Moine? by Harry) (Yes, I am by Hermoine) (dead with magical enhance ability, intelligent, reawaken by a dark wizard/witch - so it could be?! by Hermoine)
5. Werewolf (This could have been a better option by Harry) (No transformation per full moon, eats raw blood and meat, enhance senses, infected by a bite - so its a NO by Hermoine)
As I have scan the whole list, I felt that we have many clues on what creature I have became but we never got the answers and List on what are the abilities that I might have attain but for the other questions that we have noted on the very end of the paper, we still have no answers.
How did this happen?, Who was the one responsible for this? and, What is the purpose of this person?
Sighing heavily, at least Hermoine and I have came up with ideas and that's a start! I didn't want to be more depress with my situation. I needed to be strong for myself and for Hermoine. It was the least, I could do for her, she have been sacrificing her education, her time and her dedication - to be with me.
I slowly look up in the darkening sky, as the stars started to appear. I stood there just hoping.
And its the only thing I could do is to hope.
The grey sky grew more dark as it restlessly grumbled. The clouds were thick and blackened as they float above the sky, they struggle to withstand the heavy weight as they held the rain, that was soon to fall. Then the rain poured down; the drops fell on the leaves and to the ground.
The raindrops fall on to our tent as it - pitter-pattered. And as the rain grew louder and stronger, every now and then birds would chirp as the thunder would roared, the wind would howl and, the lightning would flashed across the sky. The cold air from the forest would swipe inside our tent, while Hermione and I had sat across each other with a cup of cocoa in both of our hands.
It was relaxing morning, that I could say as both of us were mesmerized by the pouring rain outside our tent. It has been a week since Hermoine had found me, all of those days had been spent on understanding what had happen to me but alas the mystery has yet to be solve as both of us has only came up with an idea that the change I had undergone into a dark creature, who craves blood and flesh - was no accident but was orchestrated by someone and I have a nasty suspicion that my demon was the one behind this. It was really frustrating because with all the clues that were right up on our faces, we cannot go on with our research and the reason why is I have no idea who the heck or even the name of my demon. Add to that was our limited reading source materials and time that we spend on researching had lessen since we still have to find food and move from one place to another to prevent us being caught by the ones that were hunting us.
A drowsy silence lay over us, as it continue to rain. The grass that spread over the forest's floor were once emerald green had turned to dark green - almost black as they drown from the water that came from the rain. Deprived by the sun's ray, we retreated to our favorite past time, listening to the old radio that Hermoine brought along with her. The radio aired the recent news in wizardry world, once in a while would pop out some interesting topics. That's how we spend our whole morning until out of nowhere in the middle of an advertisement - a breaking news was announced.
In my horror, the news was referring about me. Apparently, Rita Skeeter got a hold of an interview with few of the students of Hogwarts, retelling her the events that happen on that faithful day. The story scaled from facts to absolute made-up details on my appearance as one commented - I was randomly changed into more monster-like feature and I can really tell that Rita was having a field day as she added more and more - making me to look like a demon.
Unknowingly, as I was listening to the news; my fist balled up and I was unconsciously growling under my breath which I did only notice after Hermioine change the station of the radio. Like waking up from being trance, I look up to Hermoine and she gave me that apologetic smile.
The station that she turn into was airing an old classic song, with its flute, piano and drums - it was lively one. Maybe because of the drastic situation that we are in, had made my brain gone hare-wire, I took Hermoine's hand and pulled her in the middle of the tent.
"Harry?" She asked confused.
I smiled at her then decide to make her twirl. Gasping, she manage to caught up with what I was trying to do. Jokingly and awkwardly, trying to dance with her as the rhythm of the song speed up. Taking turns to make each other twirl into the music, jumping and bouncing like a couple of children. Laughing once awhile as we trip with our careless steps. And as the song slowly comes into an end, we end-up embracing each other; knowingly trying to comfort one another.
Hermoine is my best friend and my sister - the one who understands me the most and nothing could change that.
The next day as the sun starts to rise, a small ray of light was able pass through the gape of the tent's entrance - the ray of light filled my face of its warmth, waking me up from my slumber. It had been four days straight that the rain poured, denying us of the heat and light. It filled me with happiness to finally have a bit of the sun. As I stood out from my bed and change my clothes, I went over Hermoine's bed to find out that she wasn't there anymore. Sensing some movements from outside and smelling her scent, I assumed she must have awoken earlier than me. I slowly went outside and shield my eyes from the sun's ray as I was adjusting to the brightness of the daylight. Walking more, I soon spotted Hermoine sitting against a tree as she was reading some thick book.
"Hermoine, good morning." I called out as sat across her, leaning against another tree.
"Good morning." She murmured with lingering sadness in her voice.
As soon I heard her voice, I turn to her. Staring at her pale face, as she force a smile. I asked her. "Are you alright?"
"I think." She uttered after a few moments of silence. "I just...miss him." She finally confessed.
"Yeah, me too." I sighed as the mix emotion inside of me unravel. Ron is also my best friend and my brother. We are brothers not by blood but by bond. His family had become my second family. We have been together through all the struggles and danger, that is why I couldn't possibly known what should I do or how should I feel about Ron. When it was easy for him to push me away.
Should I understand him because I might really endanger his family and even Hermoine or should I see this as way of his little faith and trust on me as one of his best friend? I guess I'll find out sooner or later because I am certain that Hermoine and I can't stay hiding forever. And when the time comes that I really need to present my self to my love ones once again. I will have to face them on how will they react. Will it be acceptance or rejection? I realize that I fear that confrontation more than death itself.
"Harry." Hermoine gently called out to me.
"Yes." I answered as I refocus my mind to Hermoine, away from the negative thoughts that have entered my head.
"I wish we could forget the outside world. Stay as we were." Hermoine muttered as she flip the pages of the book without actually reading it. "Grow old, the three of us. Together."
"Yes." I answered again. Sadness dwelling inside of me. Silence then ruled over us as we tried to nurse the growing pain inside of us. Only the birds that tweets as they past us by and the rustling of the leaves on the trees as it sway from the gentle breeze were heard.
Then out of nowhere, the alarms sound out. Hermoine and I were on full alert as we immediately stood and pulled out our wands.
Something broke through our perimeter. I started hearing the clicking and the crawling sounds.
The hunters found us!
Author's message: It would be a great pleasure and help, if you would give a bit of advice or comment about this Chapter 12: The Hunt , as a way of giving me support and a form of guide in the improvement of this story. Stay tune for the next update. That's all.
For now, adios!