I do not own any of this. Thanks for all the comments and such.
Enjoy.
Chapter 4: A Long Day
Harry was already regretting his agreement to start boxing with Dudley. His cousin hadn't told him just how early it started until he was rudely awakened by Dudley this morning at 5 AM. Apparently, the gym was a little over two miles away and we had to be there by 7 AM. So they half walked half ran their way to the gym. It was a mix because Dudley only had about a month or two of workouts under his belt unlike Harry's years of Quidditch practices. At least he got 200 XP for making the quick breakfast of eggs and toast for his relatives.
Inside the gym was sparse like half the equipment was missing. It still had everything they needed like weights, treadmills, boxing ring, punching bags, and other various specialized equipment. An older man in at least his mid-fifties hobbled towards. "Good, you on time fat boy but why did you bring your scrawny girlfriend with you."
Before Harry could deliver an indignant response Dudley quickly spoke ignoring the insult. "He's my cousin. I asked him to join me."
"You know I don't train girls. Ex-wife took that half of the business in the divorce."
"I am not a girl you old codger." But before Harry could truly work up a temper Dudley elbowed him in the ribs and gave him a look that told him to shut up.
"What's your name girl?" The man said looking down at his clipboard as if he was looking for it on the list.
"It's Harry." He said through gritted teeth.
The man never looked up from his paperwork. "I am sure it is Susan. Now strip down to your skivvies and hop on the scale. I need to see what I am working with."
"I can see why you're divorced," Harry mumbled quietly before he spoke up. "What about Dud?"
"He's already done his weigh in at school and they already faxed his files. Now hurry up I am an old codger remember I can't just stand here all day."
Harry went down to his boxers and stepped on the scale. Dudley's brow rose at the muscle on his cousin but he noticed there was no fat, his joints we're too nobby and his bones showed were they shouldn't. The scars were another thing that Dudley and the old codger took note of though neither said anything. Dudley did his best to try and guess what they were from, the one on Harry's shoulder left him stumped but the one on his bicep looked like a knife wound, the pockmark on his stomach was result of thrown rocks after a game of Harry hunting and finally the two linear scars that stretched almost the entirety of his back. There were hints of others on his back but they had faded over the years to the point they were not nearly as noticeable. Dudley had known they were there but had never seen it. His mum always took him out on those nights when his Da got too into the scotch. It happens when he lost a client or did not make a sale.
"So, what are you? forty-three, forty-four kilos?"
"Thirty-nine and a half."
There was a brief pause then the man scribbled something down. "Alright, get dressed. You two eaten breakfast?"
"I have but he hasn't," Dudley spoke. They snuck out after Harry had made breakfast for his family. He had tried to convince Harry to eat but Harry would not touch it.
The old man grimaced and reached into his pocket to pull out some sort of breakfast bar. "I will supply breakfast from now on." The old man took another look at Harry. "Maybe lunch sometimes too. Dudley, you know your morning routine get to it."
"What do I do?" Harry said in annoyance. He was tired and hungry and this man was pushing his buttons.
"Eat this and meet me in front of the gym. He tossed Harry the chocolate and granola breakfast bar and headed towards the back door.
The bar did not stand a chance as Harry ripped it open and gobbled it down. He only stood outside the front doors for a few minutes when the old codger came driving up in a golf cart.
"Where we going?" Harry curiously asked.
"We aren't going anywhere, Karen. You are going to run until I get tired. And since I am an old codger I am going to sit right here and watch you. If you go too slow, I will run you over. When I say Down you will drop and do 10 push ups then the next time I say Down you will drop and do 15 sit-ups so on and so forth. If you are too slow to drop, I will run you over. If you take too long, I will run you over. Do you understand?"
"Not r-"
Quest Alert!
Quest: Run as if your life depends on it. It kinda does cuz of the nutcase on a golf cart.
Survive the run!
Rewards:
+500 XP
+4 Vitality
+1 Strength
+1 Agility
+Extreme Conditioning Passive Skill: Doubles your Sprint time.
Bonus: Complete 8 of 10 Exercises correctly
+2 Intelligence
+4 Agility
+Moving Target Passive Skill: Your Quick Damn Quick. Your enemies will find you even harder to hit when you are on the move or dodging.
"Good, now I have a bit of a lead foot when I get distracted so pay attention. And Sally, my name is Coach. If you refer to me as anything else you will regret it." Coach saw Harry glaring at him almost hard enough to set him aflame. "I like that look but if you think you hate me now just wait to see how much you hate me at the end of the week. Now get going Jessica I am not getting any younger."
"I am going to kill Dudley when we get home," Harry mumbled as he set off. He set a decent pace, one that he used for Quidditch practice. It was going fine for the first five minutes until he heard a high pitched horn and that stupid machine ride up on his heels. Harry stumbled in pain.
Harry's cursing was interrupted by his new trainer. "You're slowing down Annabelle. Speed it up."
Harry grunted as he sped up and wondered how long he would be running today. Coach had definitely moved up to old bastard from old codger.
"Down!"
Do 10 push-ups! You have 45 seconds to pass.
Rewards
+100 XP
Harry dropped to the ground and got to work. He had only been running for ten minutes so it was easy for him to knock them out in thirty-eight seconds. He had a smug grin as he popped back up into a run.
+100 XP
Coach was already on his heels as he started to run again honking his squeaky horn. Harry jumped forward to avoid just being clipped by the front of the cart.
Successful Dodge!
+50 XP
Harry sprinted ahead to put some space between himself and that damn cart. But just when he thought he might get to run at a normal pace he heard the old bastard shout.
"Down!
Do 15 sit-ups! You have 45 seconds to pass
Rewards
+100 XP
Harry was not phased he would show this bastard he was not going to give up. He dropped down and did his sit-ups with time to spare. Then started to run again.
+1 Agility
+100 XP
+Running Skill Gained: Reduces the stamina cost for action.
+1 Vitality
This went on for the next hour and a half. Harry had only screwed up one of the exercises and had dodged that damn cart at least two dozen times. Harry himself felt like he was going to die. He did not understand how he could still put one for in front of the other. He had pushed himself beyond his limit but one positive was that it was pushing his Vitality stat through the roof. He had gotten ten Vitality just from this run.
"Down!"
Harry dropped to the ground sluggishly and did his sit-ups just barely making it in the time frame.
+100 XP
+1 Strength
He stumbled forward, he was done, he just could not do this turned to tell this old bastard were here could stick this training.
"Alright, Rebecca, you're done. Walk it off for a bit and head inside." The old man checked his watch and did a few mental calculations." It's 9:30 now so we will hit the weights for a bit before I send you two home."
Harry had not noticed that he was standing in front of the gym doors. He legs and arms felt like dead weight. "How the hell am I going to lift weights? I can barely move," he mumbled as he watched Coach speed off in his cart.
Quest Completed!
Run as if your life depends on it. It kinda does cuz of the nutcase on a golf cart.
Survive the run!
Rewards:
+500 XP
+4 Vitality
+1 Strength
+1 Agility
+Extreme Conditioning Passive Skill: Doubles your Sprint time.
Bonus Completed!
9/10 Exercises Completed Correctly
Rewards:
+2 Intelligence
+4 Agility
+Moving Target Passive Skill: Your Quick. Damn Quick. Your enemies will find you even harder to hit when you are on the move or dodging.
"Observe," Harry said as he looked at his new skills. They were the first ones he had gotten since he met Gaea and became the Gamer. Last night still felt surreal to him despite how natural it felt during the moment. It was very strange to him that he felt so free in the Mystical Realm as Gaea called it. Even now Harry felt freer than ever. His worries were not so monstrous as he thought they were. Voldemort was still hunting him down but now he was the Gamer. It was all settling in that this is all very real. He had just gained real skills from the game and now that he thought about it this is just what he needed. His entire life he just scraped by barely surviving his encounters with death. Gaea and the Game may not be able to stop Voldemort for him but she was giving him a fighting chance. That was more than anyone else has ever done for Harry since that fateful Halloween when it all began. She wanted him to train hard this summer and focus on learning his magic. She had given the tools to him to do just that. Harry decided at that moment he was never going to let her down.
Running (28/100)
+Increases running speed, endurance, and sure footing while running.
+Increases adaptability to the terrain.
+Sure footing and terrain adaptability will increase at a higher priority than speed.
Sprinting (15/100)
+Current Sprint Time 30 Seconds
+Increases sprinting speed, endurance, and sure footing while sprinting.
+Increases adaptability to the terrain.
+Speed will increase at a higher priority than sure footing and terrain adaptability.
Extreme Conditioning Passive Skill
Doubles your Sprint time
Moving Target Passive Skill (1/100)
+Gamer Aided Dodging System
Harry went into the gym to meet up with Dudley. His strength had already returned to him and any fatigue he felt at the end of his run had already been washed away. Dudley was doing jump rope at the back of the gym.
"Grab a rope Harry and give it a try." His cousin said as Harry approached. Dudley was drenched in sweat from whatever his morning workout had been but there was a smile on his face. It was not like the smug smile he got when the Dursley gave him a toy or sadistic like when he was pushing other kids around but instead he looked content. It made Harry want to try harder. He hated the training aspect of Quidditch he just wanted to go out and play the game but to see Dud enjoying his training really made Harry want to be the same. So not wanting to disappoint his cousin Harry grabbed a rope. Before he started Harry studied Dudley as he had never jump roped before.
"Well, Lisa what are you waiting for?" Coach spoke up from behind Harry startling the boy. "Never jump roped before?"
"Erm...No," Harry responded awkwardly as he shifted his stance.
"Just do as he is doing. Take a moment to practice then I will time you."
Harry just nodded and took a moment to observe his cousin. Dudley's stat screen popped up without him even uttering the word.
Status
Name: Dudley Dursley
Race: Human
Titles: Harry's Cousin, Amateur Boxer, Big Dud, Butterball
Level: 11 Class: Muggle
Experience 620/ 8800
HP: 574 MP: Null
Strength: 25 Attack PWR: 10.80
Agility: 10 Crit Chance: 0.86%
Intellect: 3 HP Regen: Null
Wisdom: 5 Mana Regen: Null
Vitality: 8 Stam Regen: 0.50/hour
Harry imitated Dudley's stance to jump rope with him but be he could he Observed his new Coach as well. He decided that he was going to abuse this skill because with the number of people hunting him it would be good to know just who they were at a glance. And it seemed the Game agreed with him.
+1 Wisdom
Status
Name: Coach Douglas Morgan
Race: Human
Titles: the Coach, Former Pro-Boxer, Gym Owner, Divorced
Level: 21 Class: Muggle
Experience 16479 25200
HP: 1200 MP: Null
Strength: 62 Attack PWR: 37.60
Agility: 44 Crit Chance: 1.64%
Intellect: 32 HP Regen: Null
Wisdom: 45 Mana Regen: Null
Vitality: 50 Stam Regen: 6.64 /hour
"Hurry up and get started, Anita. We aren't baking a casserole here." Harry grunted and only got two jumps before he tripped over it. "Clear it and keep going. The longer you take the longer you'll be here. And I got all day girlie."
It took several more tries until he got into a rhythm. He still messed up but he was becoming more consistent with it as coach shouted out things he needed to do to jump rope properly. After a few minutes, he was worried that the old man was not even keeping time. His calves and arms were starting to burn when the stat points started to come in.
+1 Agility
It was like clockwork after a minute another stat point would hit.
+1 Vitality
Then after another minute, there was another stat point.
+1 Strength
This went on for another ten minutes before Coach called time. In that time Harry had picked up four more in Agility, and three in Strength and Vitality. He could not believe it just a few simple exercises and some of his stats had already doubled.
Coach dragged the two of them over to the free weights. They went through three sets of each different exercise. Harry did not gain much in the way of stats until the last set of the exercise. At the end of the weight training, he had only gained three in strength. Between the sets, Harry tried to figure out why he had gained so few stats. It was then he noticed he was not physically tired like he had been during the run or jump rope. His Vitality stat was quite high in comparison with the other one and he figured that was working against him.
Coach pulled him from his thoughts. "You two did good work today. I expect you here tomorrow at 7 AM. Charlotte, you will follow your cousin's warm-up routine since you should be able to handle it. I will show you how to punch then we will hit the bags. Now, do 30 push-up, 30 sit-ups, and 30 crunches. Then stretch and you free to go for the day. Oh, don't forget 100 quid by Friday."
They were in there for another half hour before they were out the door. "Dud, a hundred pounds a month to get trained by that nutter? Where am I supposed to get a hundred pounds sterling?"
"It's a hundred quid a week. Boxing ain't cheap."
"A week." Harry squeaked out.
"And I don't know. I could tell Da it went up to two hundred then I pay for the both of us. It's not like they don't owe ya."
"No, I don't want anything from your parents," Harry said harshly before he just sighed and wiped the sweat from his face with his shirt. "Sorry Dud. I know you are trying to help. I will figure something out. My parents left me money I just have to figure out how to get to it. You good to try and run home? I don't feel like walking. It feels like someone is watching me."
"Ya but let's take it slow. By the way, you did really good today. Coach was just testing your level that's why you jump roped and ran for so long. I think you impressed him."
Harry snorted. "I am sure I did which is why he kept calling me a girls name."
"It made you want to prove him wrong dinnit? That's why he was doing that. Anyway, I can see if we have some vitamins at home for you to take. It might help. We should have a whole cabinet full cause that one time Mum got on that pill craze to help me lose weight." Dudley kicked a rock in front of him. Talking about his weight was still a sore subject even if he was trying to get better.
Quest Alert
Dudley is ashamed of himself and your malnourished state is embarrassing. It makes people think you are a girl. If only there was some magical potion that could help you two.
Go to Apothecary in Diagon Alley and find help!
Rewards:
+Potions you need.
+500 XP
+?
Bonus:
You are being watched! Don't get caught going to Diagon Alley.
+1000XP
+Silent Steps skill
Harry quickly agreed to the quest as he and big Dud set off. It confirmed that he was being watched not that he was surprised. He had felt their eyes on him all morning. Whoever it was were not attacking so it was not death eaters. They made good time back to the Dursleys where they split up into their respective rooms.
Harry went through his quest log. He remembered there was one about getting money without going to Gringotts. The very anti-goblin quest stated that there was someone very loyal to him that would be willing to retrieve his money. His mind immediately went to Hermione but that was impossible. There was no way the Goblins would let her into his vault. As far as he knew the Goblins would never let a human in his vault except him. Wait. It hit him. Someone completely loyal that's not human.
"Hedwig! Can you carry a message to Gringotts and bring me back the money?" She gave him a look that made him feel little for questioning her. He scribbled a note then searched his trunk for his key. Harry did not have it. It was still with either Professor Dumbledore or the Weasleys. "Well bollocks. Sorry, Hedwig no message after all."
The snowy owl did not look pleased and flew over to his shoulder to yank on his hair. "Stop. Stop that Hed. Okay, I will write another letter for you to take." This time it was to Hermione. There were some questions he had for her from those advanced transfiguration books, anyway. The very pleased looking owl took off as soon as it was attached to her leg.
Harry flopped back on to his rickety bed. His stomach was rumbling from all the morning exercises and no food. "Ugh really wish I could have a Hogwarts lunch right now. I wonder if Dobby would make a delivery?"
"Great Harry Potter sir has called for Dobby! Dobby is so lucky! What can Dobby do for the great Harry Potter?" The house elf was bouncing on the balls of his feet with his ears flopping as he did.
"Dobby you're here!" Harry's stomach rumbled. "Erm could you bring me some lunch."
"Of course!" The tiny elf shouted. "There are many leftovers from the feast. Not many were in the mood for eating after the Headmaster Beardy's speech." Dobby disappeared and reappeared a moment later with a large basket. Dobby snapped his fingers. Harry's bed shifted to turn into a long bench and his three-legged desk extended out making a dining table. The contents flew out of the basket to settle on the table. There were chicken legs, sausages, rolls, peas, mashed potatoes chocolate cake and Harry's favorite, treacle tart. It was way more food than he could possibly eat.
Harry opened his door to call Dudley over when the boy in question stepped out of the bathroom. His hair was still wet as he had just gotten out of the shower. "Dud, a friend brought me too much lunch. Do you want some?"
"If that is what that smell is then for sure."
I waved him into my room. "Just don't freak out the one who brought it is a house elf. And he can be a bit emotional."
"What is a-" Dudley trailed off as he saw the gray creature.
"Dobby this is my cousin Dudley. He is going to join us for lunch. Now let's eat I am starved." The two boys dug into food but Harry saw that someone was missing. "Dobby you can join us for lunch. I mean you're the one who brought the food."
"Y-you would let a house elf sit at your table?" Dobby had taken off one of his hats to crush it between his hands. The nervousness was written all over the elf.
"Of course you are my friend."
Before the elf could break out into tears Harry pulled out the bench next to him for Dobby to sit.
"So how did you two meet?" Dudley asked between bites this was some of the best food he has ever had. Harry broke down the first time he met Dobby and all the other times Dobby helped him while leaving out the worst parts of it. Dudley liked Dobby the moment he heard that Dobby was behind dropping the pudding on his Da's coworkers head. It was hilarious to him when it happened and it is even funnier now.
"Harry why don't you have Dobby get you money for you. You said he can pop anywhere."
"You're right. Dobby could you go to Gringotts for me?"
The house elf looked to the ground as nervousness overtook him again. "Dobby could if he was your house elf."
Harry swallowed uncomfortably. He already knew the answer to the question he was about to ask he just hoped that Hermione will not kill him too hard. "Would you like to be my-"
Harry did not even complete his question before Dobby exploded with an exuberant reply. "Dobby wants nothing more than to be the Great Harry Potter's house elf."
"Okay so how do we do that?" Harry knew he was going to regret this maybe not today or tomorrow but someday he would be surrounded by dozens of little elf children screaming "Great Harry Potter sir!" at the top of their lungs.
Harry felt Dobby's magic latch on to his. It was almost like a leech feeding off tiny bits of his magic. The amount it took was not enough to make matter in the grand scheme of things.
-15 MP Permanently
"It is done Great Master Harry Potter sir."
Quest Complete!
Quest: Kill all Goblins!
Part 1: Due to your unique heritage and capabilities you cannot enter Gringotts unless you want a painful death. This means you cannot access any of your lovely gold or family heirlooms. Find a way around this inconvenience.
Suggestion: You already know someone who completely loyal to you and has a unique way to travel.
Rewards:
Access to your stuff!
1250XP
The next part of the quest.
A loyal Servant
+1250 XP
+Companion Gained: Dobby
You will receive 50% of any XP your companions have earned.
New Quest!
Quest: Kill all Goblins!
Part 2: A Loyal Servant! Dobby is more than a House Elf. He is your house elf! Assign him task as they come along and build a strong relationship with him! House elfs may be long-lived but they cannot function without work. Assign him enough task to keep him busy for the week!
Rewards:
+300 Reputation to Dobby
+800 XP
The next part of the Quest.
Dobby the Story Teller!
"Just call me Harry from now on." At Dobby's scrunched up face he added, "or Harry Potter but none of that other business." The elf nodded slowly as if to just agree but he would still do whatever he wanted.
"Umm Harry Potter sir do you think you could help Winky?"
Harry closed his eyes and the screaming elf children popped into his mind. Dudley's chuckle brought him back to reality. "Sure Dobby but I remember that she was in a bad place. So make sure she is cleaned up before you bring her here. You can still get into Hogwarts right?"
Dobby stopped bouncing for a moment and his eyes slid off Harry to look at something just behind Harry's left shoulder. Then just a suddenly the elf was back in motion. "Yes, Dobby can go back to Hogwarts. Does Harry Potter want Dobby to go to Gringotts for him?"
"Yeah, but can you get the Goblins to convert galleons into a thousand pounds and I will need at least 50 galleons. Wait a tick, can you get potions for me?
Dobby pulled at his ears in worry. "No, Dobby can only go places he is allowed to. Harry Potter sir would have to talk to the wizard in charge of the store."
As Dobby was about to smash his head in with the bottom of the desk lamp Harry grabbed him. "No Dobby the pounds and galleons is enough. It's fine I am not upset. As my house elf, I order you never to punish yourself."
"D-Dobby can do that. Anything from your parent's vault?"
"I didn't even know they have a vault. I guess anything you think I might want for now."
Dudley who had been following along in astonishment grabbed Vernon's list off the table. "Dobby can you do this too? My Da gave it to Harry as chores."
Dobby clutched the list to his chest like he was given a brand new toy. "Dobby will see it done."
"Just make sure you spread it out over the week. There is no need for the Dursleys to see that I am finished up early."
Quest Completed!
Quest: Kill all Goblins!
Part 2: A Loyal Servant! Dobby is more than a House Elf. He is your house elf! Assign him task as they come along and build a strong relationship with him! House elfs may be long-lived but they cannot function without work. Assign him enough task to keep him busy for the week!
Rewards:
+300 Reputation to Dobby
+800 XP
The overjoyed elf nodded his head and vanished. "You have made some weird friends at Hogwarts."
New Quest!
Quest Completed!
Quest: Kill all Goblins!
Part 3: Dobby the Storyteller! There is one way in which house elves resemble human servants. They both know their former master's deep dark secrets. There are many other stories a house elf can tell as they have no written history their histories are passed down by word through generations. Their history runs deeper and darker than many other magical creatures. They know things that you cannot and will not find in any of your history books. The only thing is that house elves are very secretive about their history they will not tell it to anyone but house elves. Become one of the house elves. Become family with Dobby. Learn their history.
Rewards:
?
"You have no idea."
"Thanks for lunch Harry I am going to take a nap before Mum comes home."
"Sure, I am going to get cleaned up."
As the water washed over him he planned how he was going to make it to Diagon Alley. He decided the Knight bus was his best bet since he did not know exactly where the leaky caldron was but if someone was watching him he could not just call it from outside his house. From there a plan was formed and hopefully with some help from Dobby he could pull it off."
Dobby reappeared as Harry was getting dressed causing the boy to almost jump out of his skin.
"Dobby has Harry Potter's money and things. The Goblins were very upset you did not have a key so they issued you a new one." The elf spoke his speech seemed to be less erratic than before.
"Thanks, Dobby put the stuff on the bed," Harry said as he put a bit of Petunia's makeup on to cover his scar. He had learned from the twins that magical glamours or transfiguration to yourself is alway hokey and going muggle tends to be for the best. Harry just wished he had some hair coloring.
Honey appeared in his hand. Harry ignored Dobby widening his eyes which remained locked on the wand. "Crinus Muto." He said as he waved Honey over his head.
Crinus Muto Charm Learned
12/4689 Magic Check Passed
It was the first spell he had used with his one his new wands. It took no effort at all to cast even with his Holly wand there was a bit of resistance. He had to be firm in his thoughts of what he wanted. Honey just knew what he wanted as if she was apart of him. Harry's raven black faded out turning dirty blonde to match Dudley's dirty blonde. "So Dobby what do you think? Can you recognize me?"
Dobby finally looked away from the wand. He seemed to study Harry Potter intently. Harry was wearing some non-descript black robes that his mother had made him. They were still very fine compared to anything he had bought in the past. He also had on a pair of dragon hide shoes that were for casual use almost like sneakers. "The great Harry Potter is the great Harry Potter."
"Great." Harry deadpanned. "Thanks, Dobby. Can you tell me if anyone is watching the house?"
"Dobby will check," he said before he disappeared. Harry picked up the galleons and the book Dobby brought back and shoved them into his inventory.
All Currency Entered into Inventory will default to Galleons! The permanent rate is Five Pounds Sterling to One Galleon. If you need money in a different National Currency request it upon retrieval.
Current Balance: 250G
There were also two keys which Harry planned to check out when he got back. Dobby was back almost as soon as he disappeared. "Harry Potter sir, there are two. One in the bushes at the back of the house and another watching from the yard across the street. I will make it so they will see nothing strange in your room. They cannot see Dobby unless Dobby wants them too. It is house-elf magic."
"Any house-elf magic that will allow me to get through the window without opening it? Like you used to stop me from getting on the Hogwarts Express, you know but like the opposite." Harry took out his Firebolt and canceled the shrinking charm on it. The window frame glowed blue for a split second.
Finite Charm Learned
9/4689 Magic Check Passed
"It is done Harry Potter sir. But can I ask where you are going?"
Harry kicked open his trunk and pulled out his cloak. It shimmered like liquid as he draped over his shoulders. His inert Holly wand was sitting on top. It may not work for him but she was his first and maybe, he thought, she could still be a good luck charm. He grabbed the wand and slid it into the pocket of his robes. "I am going to Diagon Alley. I need to pick up some potions and such."
Harry got on his broom and pushed himself up and out his window. He took it slow as to make sure his cloak stay over him and his broom. He slowly flew out over the trees once he was a few miles away he settled down into an open field. He pulled his cloak out and walked up to the street with Honey held up. There was a loud bang and a purple triple-decker screeched to a halt in front of him. "Welcome to the night bus!" the man called out from the doorway. "My name is Stan Shunpike and I will be your conductor today."
"Thanks," Harry said as he stepped on board. He fished a galleon out of his pocket and handed it over to Stan. "I am heading to the Leaky Caldron."
House is Dusted +100 XP
The alert brought a smile to Harry's face. So with his newly received change in hand, Harry headed to a seat at the back of the bus avoiding the beds and braced for his life. He may love to fly like a mad man but the Knight Bus was a different beast altogether. He struggled to pull the book Dobby brought him from the vault. The bus jolted to the right just as he got it out and open. It then made a breakneck stop. He caught the name on the front page as it slipped through his fingers. Lily J. Evans Potter. Harry's seeker reflexes snatched the book from the air and held on to it as if his life depended on it. It was her Diary. They were her words written. He wanted to call off his plans on going to Diagon Alley and just devour everything that was in that little book. Harry stared at it so intently he had not even registered that the bus stopped once again. It was not until he heard the shouting that he was clued into reality.
"Oi, you. Reader in back I ain't got all day. Leaky Caldron out the door." Harry scrambled to his feet sliding the journal back into his pocket. He knew the man was doing his job but he couldn't help but glare at Stan Shunpike as he passed him on his way out of the bus.
Harry made his way through the Leaky Caldron into the alley. He was on a mission and did not want anyone to recognize him so there was no sightseeing, no shopping around and definitely no talking to anyone. Luckily the alley was rather slow as it was a weekday and the children just got out of Hogwarts so it was just business as normal.
He passed Slugs and Jiggers, it was the more popular apothecary for students, instead, he went to the apothecary that Hagrid had taken him to the first year. There was nothing special about the shop there was just a faded plank of above the window that stated "Apothecary". The bell rang as Harry entered the store. It smelled just as bad as it did the first time, bad eggs and rotten cabbages.
House is Vacuumed +100 XP
"Yes, make it quick." The man who came through the back door said with disinterest. Harry wondered if being cantankerous was a requirement to be a potioneer. At least this man was a decent looking bloke, unlike Snape. He did look familiar to Harry but he could not place it.
"I need a weight loss potion. Do you have something like that?" Harry browsed the ingredients they were more interesting now that he knew what they were for.
"I do but you look like you need nutrient potions."
"They are not for me they are for my cousin."
"Shut up you idiot boy. You think I don't know who you are. Just a bit of hair color and you think you are invisible." The man rushed passed Harry to pull the curtains closed and locked the door. "Are you trying to get me closed down? I get enough of that shit from the dark wizards who have been showing up."
"What are you talking about?" Kimiko had fallen into his hand at the man's burst of action. The situation grew tense at the mention of dark wizards.
"Everyone knows you live with muggles. So if you need a potion for your cousin I would be selling it to a muggle. That's illegal and my license would be revoked."
"What about the dark wizards showing up?" Harry asked drawing the man's attention. The man eyed the wand in Harry's hand.
The potioneer raised his hands. "Look, Potter, I am not going to sell you out to the death eaters. My niece told me about what Dumbledore said at the end of the feast. And for what it's worth I believe you two. I would have to be a fool to believe what the Daily Prophet published the last few days, not after all the death eaters coming into my shop."
Kimiko vanished from Harry's hand causing the man to raise his brow in suspicion. "Your niece? And what did they print?"
"I am Franklin Abbott. I believe you know my niece Hannah, she is a bright girl when she is not gossiping. I fear she may not believe you." Franklin went back around his desktop get today's paper. "This is how I recognized you so easily. Your picture had been front page for months due to the Triwizard and such. But yesterday it took a dark turn."
Harry grabbed the paper from his hands. The headline read, "Harry Potter A Liar and a Cheat. How the Champion cheated to the top."
"W-what the hell?"
"Yes and yesterday was worse stating that you and Dumbledore are lying attention seekers. That You-Know-Who is dead and you are using the lie to destabilize the ministry."
"This is ridiculous. Why would I lie? It's not like I want him back."
"I know kid but they are afraid. It's stupid but people do stupid things when they are scared. Listen, Harry, it would be best if you keep a low profile. I will give you a portkey out of here so no one sees you on the streets. So you might as well cancel the hair color you look stupid as a blonde. Take a seat and I will get the potions for you."
Harry plopped down on a stool by the counter. He could not believe that people would believe the nonsense being printed about him. Hopefully, there were others like Franklin who knew he was telling the truth.
Harry spoke as Franklin came back into the front of his store. "The sad thing is that I didn't even want to be involved in their political spat but Dumbledore basically forced me to make a statement to Fudge."
"That sounds about right. Dumbledore is a political machine. I don't know why he would force you but I am sure he had something planned. That man always has plans." He set the potions on the counter. "You will need to take one nutrient potion a week for four weeks. Your cousin just needs two potions. One, he will take before breakfast tomorrow then the second before breakfast in two weeks. If you need more of the diet potion make it yourself. It's an easy enough potion to make. That will be five galleons in total."
"Sorry but I don't know how," responded Harry as he paid up. He was running out of pocket space so Harry secretly dropped the potions into his inventory.
"What do you mean you don't know how? No, don't tell me I already know Snape is a shite teacher." Franklin rubbed his forehead. "And you look enough like your father for him to hate you too."
Franklin gave Harry a good hard stare as if judging him for something Harry did not understand. Franklin grunted before he spoke, "come back tomorrow at 1300. I will tutor you in potions." The potioneer grabbed some books from his shelf and set them on the counter. "I expect these books to be read and returned by Friday, understand?"
Harry was surprised, very surprised but he was not going to let this opportunity pass him up. Harry grabbed the books and tucked them under his arm. "I understand Mr. Abbott."
"It's best you get going you have homework to do. Where do you live?" Mr. Abbott popped a cork top off a bottle.
"Surrey sir."
House Gutters have been Cleaned +100 XP
Mr. Abbott whispered an incantation as he waved his wand over the cork turning it a silvery blue color before fading away. He did the same to the vial. He wrote something on to slips of paper shoving one of them into the vial. "These are you portkeys the cork takes you too Dorking Station, it's the only place I know in Surrey. There are feral Kneazles there so be wary. The other brings you back."
"I can't thank you enough. What do I owe you for tutoring me?"
"Nothing. You will be working it off in the back of the shop. Now read the paper and off you go."
Harry took the portkeys and read the sheet that came with them. "I fart cheese."
Harry could hear Mr. Abbott laugh just before an overwhelming sense of nausea took him. The world spun as he was hooked from his navel to be pulled through what felt like a straw. Colors flashed past him and in seconds he left the void. Harry landed in a heap beside a vending machine just outside of the platform. Harry struggled to stand upright but the seasickness passed quickly.
Alert! A Dark Territory is Nearby!
New Quest!
Quest: Investigate! Find the dark territory but be careful as dark creatures will guard it against intruders.
Rewards:
200 XP
Harry quickly realized he still had no idea where he was. He was used to suburbs and this looked like the wilderness. It was not like the Dursleys would ever go hiking in a park.
"Well, I guess I should have a look around." As soon as the words left his mouth a chill went up Harry's spine. It was summer and there was no wind so there was no reason for the chill he just felt. Harry opened his inventory to switch into something more comfortable to explore in. A pair of jeans and a dark purple shirt with a picture of a venomous tentacula that said: "let's hug it out". In his opinion, his mobile wardrobe was one of the best things about the gamer system. Not only that when he put dirty clothes in they came out clean.
Gaea is pleased with your sincere compliment. She is planning an upgrade to your Wardrobe as a gift. Check it again in 12 Hours!
Anyways, Harry left the small train station and ventured into the woods on a small hiking trail. After a half, an hour in it was still very non-magical. He turned off the trail. There was a light in the forest that he assumed lit up a different trail. The light was much further than he thought as he had not reached it after five minutes. After he stopped he realized that the light kept moving on its own.
Kimiko slid into his hand, the woods were dark and gloomy without whatever had been providing the light. It was strange because Harry knew for a fact that it was only early afternoon. He stumbled to a stop as a screen flashed before his eyes.
New Dark Territory Found!
Dark Surrey Gardens!
+500 XP
During World War II England used a series of bomb shelters to protect itself from the German Blitz. The onslaught of bombs destroyed the lives of many magical and nonmagical sentient beings. That hate, fear, and death has tainted the land ever since. Nonmagical humans and light magical creatures have an aversion to this dark territory. The miasma has warped and twisted magic changing the landscape, buildings and the shelters themselves. The dead have risen from the ground once more to feast on those who would stumble into this dark forest.
Harry dismissed the message quickly as he heard groan that came from behind it. A man in biker gear, helmet included, shambled towards him. He moved slowly in an uncoordinated stumble, his jaw was dangling as if only connected by skin, one eye was completely missing only leaving a gaping hole that went all the way through his head. He was so slow that Harry had enough time to get over his shock. It was probably the Gamer's Mind ability that reeled him back in so quickly.
"Observe."
Zombie Level 2
It's slow, it's stupid, and it's a throwaway baddie. And for clarification Inferi are risen by Necromancer and will only attack what the Necromancer tells them too. While Zombies arise by tainted magic and attack all of the living.
100/100 HP
"Fire, burn it," Kimiko whispered into Harry's ear with a disturbing amount of glee. He would have been bothered by it if he hadn't agreed with her. This thing needed to die. It needed to die in a fire.
Harry cast the only fire spell he really knew. "Incendio."
Incendio Charm Learned!
28/4689 Magic Check Passed
Incendio Charm Level Maxed
+500XP
He could feel Kimiko's disgust at the spell as a fireball four times the size of a regular Incendio shot out of the wand. The zombie lit up like torch illuminating the twenty or so zombies behind it. They were all level two or three.
Critical Hit
-700 HP
+50 XP
"Depulso," Harry said banishing the flaming husk into the group of zombies. The fire spread to six highly flammable zombies which then spread to the rest. The twenty of them dropped quickly. The fire died out just as fast proving that nothing lives for long in this dark place. Harry just hoped that he was the exception.
Banishing Charm Learned (3.6/10)
21/4689 Magic Check Passed
+50 XP(23)
"Damn, they went up didn't they. I thought it would be much harder." Harry skirted around the edge of the smoking remains. Just as he was about to pass it his attention was grabbed by some glittering object near the dead.
Would you like to Auto loot?
Yes or No
Harry figured it had to do with that shiny object so he accepted the Auto loot feature. The object disappeared from the forest floor as soon as the notification went away.
+27 Galleons
+1 Mundane Rusted Knife
Groans and moaning drew Harry's attention, more zombies were approaching him. He was circled by them. All approaching with slow-moving determination. He decided if his low-level fire charm worked so well before it would work again. He raised Kimiko to light them aflame but the disgust coming from her was overwhelming. She would not use another Incendio as such a fire charm was far beneath her. Kimiko hated these foul creatures that have tainted the land. It was so tainted it needed to burn. All of it the black grass, the dead trees, and the walking dead needed to be rendered to ash.
Harry was taken aback by the anger that his new wand had for the charm. He considered her opinion and realized that they were in complete agreement. This dead and dying place needed to be burnt down. Harry renewed his focus on his spell. He needed to not only kill the undead he also needed to scorch the dark territory from the Earth so that new life could be reborn in its place. Kimiko took his thoughts and will and made it happen.
Aduro Charm Learned!
Aduro Charm Level Maxed
+500XP
65/4689 Magic Check Passed
Red Liquid sprayed in an expanding cone from his wand and everything the liquid touched was set aflame. Harry spun casting the spell in all direction leaving himself at the epicenter. The heat was intense, far hotter than his earlier Incendio. The Zombies did not just die they melted from the heat as if it was chocolate baked in an oven. The groaning and moaning stopped as they had before but the fire did not. It kept burning just as hot as ever but unlike before this time the grass and the trees were burning down even if it took extreme effort to do so.
+50 XP (35)
++Level UP++
Level 14!
+18 Galleons
The Zombies were still coming with single-minded focus. Harry was the only thing living and they wanted to eat him. They were stupid and like their description said they were a complete throwaway baddie.
"There is really no reason for me to move really if they are just going to come to me." To make his point another six zombies stepped into the flame and died. Harry set to transfiguring an old stump to a chair. It resisted at first possibly due to Kimiko not wanting to do it or because it was corrupted. But it did not matter in the end as the wood was eventually shaped into an ugly blackened chair. It may not be a work of art but that was hardly Harry's fault.
22/4689 Magic Check Passed!
3.1/3.8 Transfiguration Skill Check Passed!
Inanimate to Inanimate Transfiguration Complete!
+50 XP (6)
Harry sat in the rickety chair and opened his inventory to pass the time. He tossed the old rusted knife he gained earlier into the fire and grabbed the forgotten apple he was given last night. Honey slid into his off hand as he sat Kimiko on his lap. He decided to go through some of the spells starting with his shield spell.
"Protego"
Protego Charm Learned (4.3/10)
29/4689 Magic Check Passed
A nearly transparent shield erupted in front of Harry but it paid it no mind. He just moved onto the next spell he remembered.
+50 XP (17)
"Expelliarmus"
Expelliarmus Charm Learned (4.3/10)
12/4689 Magic Check Passed
A scarlet light shot off into the fiery landscape. Both spells he had tried so far were first and second year spells. Their magic check was rather low so Harry decided he would attempt the highest level spell that he knew. He wanted to figure out how the Gamer's magic system worked as he had always had enough magic to do any spell he learned at school. He gathered all his happiest memories and bathed himself in their presence.
"Expecto Patronum"
Patronus Charm Learned (4.3/10)
305/4689 Magic Check Passed
Dual Wand Wielding Skill Gained! You can now cast a spell just as easy in your off hand as you can in your main hand!
A ghostly wispy light emerged from Honey to coalesce into Prongs. The stag landed in a run charging through the fire. Harry could not see what happened but he did hear some shouts of the undead. The spell by far required the most magical power it was no wonder that most Witches and Wizards cannot perform it. Harry also noticed that his mastery of the spells capped out at the level of his Charms knowledge. He swore to himself that he would reread all his Charms books over the next few days.
+1 Intelligence for testing the Magic System
+1 Wisdom for planning to gain knowledge
+50 XP (25)
+21 Galleons
Harry stood up dismissing the chair and took a bite of the delicious red apple. It had to be the best tasting apple he had ever had. It was the perfect mixture of a little sour, and a little bitter but mostly sweet. Harry had not even noticed that he ate it in its full entirety, core and stem included.
A Fruit of Knowledge has been Consumed!
+10 Intellect
+10 Wisdom
+Magical Analysis Skill: Enchantments can now be Observed. You will also learn a spell upon witnessing it.
+All Mundane Languages Learned!
Harry stumbled with his hand going to his head. It was pounding as the knowledge of all languages poured in. Before he could even cast something to help with the pain it faded out. Harry tested his new found language skills in excitement. He could not help himself as he thought of a silvery blonde as he went over French in his mind. It was not a complete mastery but he could read hold a conversation in it without making a fool of himself. Prongs grabbed Harry's attention as it emerged from the fire. The dark territory recoiled at the Patronus's mere presence. Harry even felt lighter than before and his thoughts wandered back to the beautiful French witch. He was honest with himself, he had a crush on the girl from the moment he saw her but luckily he did not fall under her allure like the other boys their age. Harry sighed clearing his thoughts, it was not the time to be thinking of that and resolved to write to her later.
"You get the rest of them Prongs?" He asked as he scratched the cheek of the silvery stag. Harry was glad that he retained his family's guardian as he had been worried it changed after his meeting with Gaea and then with Kimiko. Prongs pushed himself into Harry's hand then nodded before fading away into wisps of light.
"Time to get this show on the road. Kimiko. Honey. Let's do a little more exploring before heading home. Tempus."
Tempus Charm Learned (4.3/10)
05/4772 Magic Check Passed
1630 Hrs
The time hovered in front of him in red. "We have about an hour before I need to get to the Dursley's and make dinner." Harry waved Honey over him casting his the flame-freezing charm. A wave of fresh coolness washed over him.
"Arresto Incendium"
Arresto Incendium (flame freezing) Charm Learned (4.3/10)
53/4772 Magic Check Passed
A wave of fresh coolness washed over him. "It would be nice if I had a map so I can find this bomb shelter faster," Harry said as he made his way through the fire.
Map System Not Installed. Please Insert Map Prototype or Create one yourself.
Quest Alert!
Quest: Create the Map System
Embrace your inner stalker. Insert a Map into the Gamer System or Access the Console to Create one yourself.
Reward:
+2000 XP
+MiniMap
+Full Map in Menu System
+Directions and GPS Guidance
+Interest Marker
+Waypoint System
Harry did not come across any more zombies but the whole dark forest was practically on fire. It did not take long for him to come to a clearing. In the center of the clearing stood an old church but not like any church he had seen in England. It looked more like an old wooden American church that you would in a Western movie or show. The church was barely standing as most of its wood was rotten and the windows were all shattered. The windows and the doorway were bathed in red light. The Church was surrounded by a cemetery and a wrought iron fence.
Dark Territory Found!
Dark Territory The Cathedral
+500XP
Harry pushed open the gate which whined under the duress and made his way over to the church. The double doors were blown off their hinges as if someone or something had smashed through them to get out. Harry knew if it was not for his Gamer Mind he would be freaking out but he had stood up to the basilisk so no dark, dank and broke down church was going to hold him back. He did have to resist Kimiko's urge to burn the whole building down. The atrium was empty of everything so Harry headed towards the altar. The pews were all upturned and broken some had spots on them that looks suspiciously like blood. Behind the altar under the upside down cross, Harry found a set of stairs. Red text hung in the air just about the staircase into the basement.
Cathedral Level 1
There was something down there Harry could hear it. It was not the moaning and groaning of zombies but hard scraping and scratching. Wait now he could hear the groaning again. Damn Zombies. Harry heard it once more but it was closer.
"Zombies must have made it into the church," Harry said in annoyance. He stood up and backed away from the stairs deciding he did not have enough time to explore the basement tonight. That did not mean he could not at least clear the zombies from the building. The sound had been coming from the side room that he passed coming to the altar. Harry made his way back but the closer he got the less it sounded like a zombie moan and more like words.
"H-help," Harry could barely hear it through the shut door as he rushed over. The door was locked but that was not something that could stop a Wizard.
"Alohomora"
Alohomora Charm Learned (3.4/10)
18/4772 Magic Check Passed
3.4/1.0 Lock Strength Check Passed
Harry broke through the door to see an old man crumpled on the floor. He turned the man over as gentle as he could. "Hey, are you alright? What are you even doing here?" Harry transfigured a broken chair leg into a cup.
"Aguamenti"
Aguamenti Charm Learned (3.4/10)
35/4772 Magic Check Passed
"Here drink this," Harry held the cup up to the old man's lips. The old man gulped it down greedily and by the state of him, the man must have been locked up for days. He had shabby clothes, chapped lips and he was littered with cuts. "How did you wind up here? Wait I recognize you. You own that antique store in the strip mall."
Observe, Harry thought.
Status
Name: Emerson Carne
Race: Human
Titles: Owner of Carne's Antiques, Squib
The Carne family has lived in Surrey for generations. Their family has a secret duty.
"That's right," the old man spoke with a scratchy throat. "As for how I got here I do not know. I was doing my daily patrol and then I was knocked out. I woke up in this room yesterday."
"Can you get up? We should get you out of here."
"And why should I trust you? Who are you anyway?" The old man looked at Harry in suspicion.
Harry's eyes narrowed at the man. "The name's Harry Potter and the way I see you don't have much of a choice. Because it does not look like you can safely walk through a forest of zombies." Harry left out the part that the forest was probably still on fire.
"Zombies, you mean Inferi. Wait did you say H-Harry Potter?" The man stumbled through his words no doubt in shock.
"No, I meant zombies and yes I am Harry Potter." He added an eye roll for effect. "Now get up let's get the hell out of here. I still have to make dinner."
Harry pulled the man to his feet and helped to the entrance of the cathedral. Yeah, the dark forest was still on fire there was not going to be any walking for the old man.
"Did you set the forest on fire?" The man asked incredulously.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Harry deadpanned as he pulled out his Firebolt and got on it. "Hop on and point me the direction to your home."