Rewrite chapter 1
Total Rewrite of the beginning. Perhaps I should have done this ages back, but now seems as good time as any. Sure majority of scenes will be copy and pasted on, a few things cut, a few things added. Hopefully it will be better. Currently chapters 1, 2 have been changed once again.
For those of you that are rather impatient, feel free to skip this chapter. Honestly, there was enough previous complaints about 'too many perspectives' that caused the original mess. You lucked out, sort of. These are simply rewritten, and not created over time. This is basically the old original chapters 1&2, hopefully written better. The next chapter is the 'real' start of the story, if you care little about backstory. Just keep in mind when I started it was on a whim, and I was recently getting back into writing after like, 5 years or something.
Extended Notes at bottom.
Initiating Restart Protocols, Please Standby.
Bug fixes implemented... Loot Re-Rolled...
OooOooO
Introduction
Godric's Hollow, a quiet little village, nothing much of note happened here. Unique in that a Magical Community resided here. Many notable names in both histories had their origins here. Still, a quiet little village, every now and again a wedding happened, sadly funerals as well especially considering the current happenings.
Unnoticed was a house hidden away by magic.
A wizened old man had brought hope to a soon to be mother, providing her the tools she needed to protect their unborn baby. A Ritual, said to protect one with Love, unconditional, pure love.
This hope soon spoiled, and festered the more this mother read through the provided information. The mother in question was Lily Potter.
Lily sat in the study surrounded by many books, tomes, and journals of times gone by. Married into the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Despair marred her beautiful looks, the lantern casting a fiery flare to her red hair.
Glancing through a family journal Lily noticed something strange, underlined was 'GAMER'. In plain english, a word that should have been unknown at the time of writing. Lily picked up the journal, translating as she went.
"This particular enchantment had come to me in dire times. The power required to learn it was immense, almost bordering on Legendary level in power! It had been cast upon me by my dying parents, a power of last resort. They claim that it was supposed to give powers known only to the recipient and those they choose. I had such an exciting and worrying life. Doomed to see what others could not. It had taken me years to understand the power, and it's limitations.
Sometimes the world would be still as I learned, something called a Tutorial for some new skill I learned. Sometimes average places would suddenly become something called a Dungeon with rewards and danger in it. Quests had to be completed. And other such fantastical things. My life was full of adventure, and now it comes to an end. I Must put this information in our family Grimoires, if only to aid those that truly need it. Be warned descendant, it is not an enchantment to be taken lightly. The power of The Gamer!"
The woman read through the more detailed description and instructions, it was exactly what was needed! Lily added it to her notes, satisfied with the enchantment. It required a sacrifice of sorts, and a rune scheme. It appeared flexible as well, able to be tied into others if needed. With that Lily went over more journals, grinning savagely as she found another family enchantment.
"Blood Explosion curse, for destroying your enemies completely. Single use though, requiring the use of a runic array. It will shield those outside of the array. Good." Lily Potter went back to work.
Well into the night the woman searched for one last enchantment. Until she came upon the perfect match.
"The only thing left to give you my baby. Power. I shall give you everything I can safely give." Lily's notes were starting to become tear stained as the horror started to overcome her once more. It was better than the alternative though. "Three of a Kind, a willing sacrifice."
Throughout, she never noticed the sigil of the Peverell Family on the various works she took inspiration from.
OooOooO
James Potter, some would call him a courageous person, a handful of others would call him an arrogant toerag. So far, he wasn't feeling any of those moods.
It had been a few days now, and he was well and truly worried about his wife. Albus Dumbledore had stopped by to give them hope, and so far, it was letting them down. It wasn't even a living victory, but a pyrrhic one on the small chance that his heir might survive. The man had looked through various journals and books for even a reference of the ritual.
There was only two mentions of it and it was in a Peverell Journal, it was meant to be a final measure ritual. The two times it was used, only one family survived the encounter, and both mother's had perished. Herald Peverell had lived with their mother's family and grew up mostly ignorant of their heritage until they were in their mid twenties. Anthony Peverell lived with their father, who grew bitter of the years of his son's survival.
In both cases, those supposed to love them, eventually turned to dislike and even hatred. Anthony had to duel his father to the death in the end.
This was not ideal, James had 'borrowed' the book while Lily was sleeping to overlook the ritual. The notes were smudged, a part here and there ripped away. He was quietly furious, it was as if someone wanted the ritual to go wrong. The magic required a loving sacrifice, and their bloodline relation would see them protected. Their love would power the ritual, but the part about that had been missing, as though it was carefully torn out.
The journals claimed that it needed a second component to be cast for it to work, and that part was missing. James didn't trust it, not one bit.
With that in mind, he decided to work on his own ritual, one that would help his heir should the worst come to pass.
He didn't know it, but it was the same one his wife was to use.
"Quill activate. Second of April, the year Nineteen Eighty. My project is almost complete, a baby crib converted to a blood ward empower ritual. My idea is to slowly drain power into my heir over a period of time. It should make my Heir strong, at the permanent cost of my power. There is knowledge, sure, but power is power."
With a furor, James went back to carving the runes out, making it so that they would burn out after use, leaving no evidence of them being there.
"Each rune requires a drop of blood, an easy price to pay at this point. The main activation cluster will require seven drops of blood daily for at least three full moon cycles. I should hopefully be done before our child arrives."
Continuing his work he thought some more before commenting, "I should leave behind a letter of some kind, to at least explain things."
James stopped working for a moment, somberly glancing at the runes. "I hope it doesn't come to that. Maybe a time delayed portkey, sending a expanded briefcase or maybe a rucksack would be better. Filled with instructional books. I want to be there damn it, but I fear that I won't live to do so. There's still room for two more enchantments. Luck, a flip of a coin, the roll of a dice. We Potters live in the most interesting of times. So too will my heir, Lady Luck please watch over him."
Looking through another family journal he found the relevant enchantment.
"Reader Beware, Luck may favor the bold, but even she can't be there to watch favorably at all times. There must be balance, for every good luck, there will be a bad to pay it back. When and where each strikes has yet to be fully studied."
Still he read, thankfully it was compatible for his preferred ritual. Thankfully the anchor rune could be shared with another. "Sowilo is the anchor for the luck enchantment. It serves multiple purposes than that obviously. Why not be efficient with magic."
James face slipped into a cruel smirk, one that a certain greasy haired git learned to stay far away from. "One more space for enchantment. What shall I put here, something to torment my heir's would be killer. A life force drain should do. Burning them as it does so. They will wish they hadn't laid a finger on my baby."
With a deep chuckle James starts adding that to the crib. "My life and power given to my Heir should I live. Should I die, then a weapon and gift be given freely. Three of a Kind, a willing sacrifice."
His ritual would require a sample of the hostile caster's magic. The more powerful the attack, the more powerful the reaction.
OooOooO
Lily sighed as she finished adding another seven drops of blood to the activation cluster. She didn't start her ritual until after Harry was born, she needed to regain her strength and control. Something pregnancy interfered with.
Each rune had to be done with a drop of blood as well, so far it was complete and hidden. Although she had a sneaking suspicion her James was up to something as well involving Harry.
Surprisingly she didn't need to argue a case of putting a power lock on Harry as she originally feared. There would be too many questions, at least, that was the fear. Harry though exhibited much magic already, and he was only a couple months old. James had brought it up, and she readily agreed to it. She had miscalculated, instead of one third of her magic given, it was actually two-thirds. A price she was more than willing to pay regardless.
"My baby boy, everything I could have hoped for. Strong already, and growing stronger by the day. Of course you are. I've ensured it." Lily Potter was once again in the nursery, rocking a sleeping baby, she looked aged a bit. Something she told anybody was the stress. "I'm so tired Harry… I'm growing weaker by the day. But I do so willingly, all for you My Baby. I've yet to tell James that I'm doing this. I fear that I won't be able to see you grow up." Lily choked back a sob, as she cradled her sleeping baby.
"I shall leave you a expanded trunk, to be delivered on your fifth birthday Harry. It will be simple stuff, books and a letter. With your ability, it should prove handy in the future. I've done what I could for you, there is only so much information on your ability." Lily's ever present notebook was set aside.
"I'm thankful that James cast the child lock on you instead of me. I couldn't bear the thought of locking your potential away. He promised it would fade away in time. I made him set it to fade on your fifth birthday. He would have noticed your power, growing as fast has it has."
Lily thought back at the fierce arguments they had over the last few months. Of how Voldemort was killing off everyone they knew in hopes of bringing them out in the open. Her parents had died in a car crash, it was later discovered that the other driver was imperioused. Ever since they've gone into hiding, the number of Order members dying climbed.
Lily argued against changing secret keepers, Sirius was Harry's Godfather, sworn in by magic in secret. If there had to be a change, it would be Remus, not Peter.
James argued that no one would suspect Peter if they did change. He also argued that Remus was always missing, suspiciously when there were major attacks. James had talked with Sirius and Dumbledore many times about it.
"Rest now Harry, your Mum has work to do." With that Lily laid Harry back in the baby cot, she kissed his forehead before starting on the rune scheme for a trunk. It would be tricky magic, it would require more family specific magic, as well as a minor ritual or two.
With renewed determination, Lily went to work on her grim task.
OooOoO
James had searched for a runic brush and bowl. Null to magics, perfect to draw runes with empowered inks. Blood works just as well, if not better than ink. "The rune won't be too big, not with this much blood. A trigger rune has been painted across my heart, ready to be activated at a moments notice. I just hope I have enough time to complete the ritual."
With the gathered materials, James made sure that Lily was sleeping before continuing to the Nursery, his journal following behind in the air. "The last few bits of the ritual still need to be completed, the sacrificial requirement and the warning rune. I can't chance an object, so it will have to be drawn on Harry himself. My boy, please forgive me."
James set things up for the final rune, ensuring that Harry won't interfere by wrapping the baby's arms in the blanket. Hesitantly James spoke quietly to the quill. "I learned to draw this flawlessly as I could, until I realized I had to paint it on. I've been rushing to do this with a brush instead." cutting his finger, James let seven drops fall into the bowl with magical ink, he carefully mixed it together. "Hours of practice so that I don't mess this up."
With that he dips the fine tip into the bowl, and swiftly add the first part. The second dip went on well, the last tip took the last of the ink. It had to be drawn in a certain way. "Sowilo is complete, and the final drops have been applied. Now we wait." The blood rune glowed a crimson red before fading away. "Thank Merlin it isn't noticeable, not even a hint!"
With that James packed up the tools, ensuring that nothing was amiss. Harry slept on peacefully, unaware of the magic coursing through the room.
With a nod he simply sat in the rocking chair, contemplating what to add next. "Instead of a third of my magic, I had instead put down three quarters. I have no more magic to even do my animagus transformation. Thankfully I haven't had a reason to do so. It's a surprising price to pay, but one I pay gladly. Thankfully I still have enough magic to power the ritual if I need to. Slowly over the months what magic was stored has been steadily given to Harry. He will be powerful someday, already his bouts of magic is impressive. At least I didn't have to fight Lily on this, she too agreed that a power lock was needed. We agreed that it will fade when he turns five, by then his core should have stabilized enough."
He studied the runic array, "I couldn't take the chance that Vo... You-Know-Who wouldn't be the one to be sacrificed. Ideally that would be the case, realistically though not likely. It will be tricky to pull off the activation. I've decided that it should be me. At least then Lily might have a fighting chance of making an escape. Not that I've told her about this."
"I do worry though she has something else planned. She has become secretive about her notebook, and she guards it like a nesting mother." With a snort he amended himself, "A fair description though, no, what worries me is that she might have some grand plan that might make my work useless."
Harry stirred a little before setting once more, "I couldn't take any chances. Hopefully the warning rune is subtle enough when activated. Usually such alert runes simply glow... well, perhaps that might be an oversight, I should have drawn it on the back of his palm. Still, it is a fine enough anchor for the magics, a tool and a weapon."
With a groan he stood up and made his way over.
"I love you my son." James leaned over and kisses Harry over the rune, before sneaking back to bed. Unknown that in the previous morning, Lily had finished the Blood Explosion curse.
OoOoO
"Fine Dumbledore! Your incessant nagging has forced the issue! Remus can't be trusted, not after the last attack!" James was becoming cagey, fed up with the outside world, especially Dumbledore's empty platitudes.
"James my boy, you know that people change. Remus is a werewolf, it is inevitable that the curse will affect his mind. Reports are still coming in, and my spy claims that it was Remus who attacked Sirius. He almost died James, it was a miracle he didn't change Sirius in the attack! Sirius is vulnerable now that he is healing. Now would be the time to change secret keepers. Peter would be the best." Dumbledore sure knew how to make a simple explanation drawn out.
"You don't have to remind me Dumbledore! We shall do so soon. You will explain it to Sirius though old man!" With that James had closed the floo, forcing Dumbledore to back off before the flames burned his hair.
"It's all coming together now. Soon the Prophecy shall be fulfilled Tom. Now to finish the last part." With that said, the man took a lemon drop, infused with various potions. Making his way to the hospital wing he contemplated his various plans, the trip went by quick. "Ah, Sirius my boy, how are you doing?"
"It could be better headmaster, that werewolf almost got me, thankfully I managed to portkey out in time. I thought Remus would have been able to take them on." Sirius replied, glancing down at his arm in a sling, the wound was magic resistant, and the scars would be minor at least.
Unnoticed Dumbledore, hit Sirius with a minor hysteria curse, slowly increasing it's intensity.
"That's the thing Sirius, it was Remus who might have set you up." Dumbledore watched as he glanced up in shock. "My spy tells me that it is a ploy to weaken you enough to get the secret from."
"What are you saying Albus? Sure not! Remus had been busy with another objective at the time!" Sirius was slowly succumbing.
Dumbledore nodded gravely, "Currently it is the only plausible explanation, after all, he is suspiciously quiet as of late. He had missed his correspondence a few times already. Perhaps it is a ploy to get to you."
"No... NO! Albus, we must do something! Maybe we can bring Remus in, mission be damned! There has to be a reasonable explanation for his actions! It just can't be!" Sirius was now in the throes of the spell.
"Silence my boy! Perhaps it might be wise to give the secret to someone else. A bluff if you will." explained Dumbledore, now slowly decreasing power to the spell.
"But who Albus! Alice and Frank went into hiding already, and last I heard Dorcas Meadows was killed by You-Know-Who himself!" Sirius' world had just been wrecked, he was reacting rather than thinking rationally.
"Perhaps the last of your group then. Mister Pettigrew." Dumbledore suggested wandlessly adding a dim twinkle to his eyes, now cutting power to the curse.
"Peter? Albus, you know as well as I he would tell the secret in a heartbeat!" Sirius indignantly said.
"Maybe so, but if he was sent into hiding nearby the Potters, you could keep in touch with him. Sort of ensure that nothing happens. No one would think twice about it, many have gone to ground as well. Just until you are well enough to take back the secret. Besides, this should allow you to settle in with the Potters, sort of an in home guard if you will."
"I need to think about it Albus." Sirius stated in deep thought now.
"That is all I ask." With that Dumbledore left him to it.
A few days later Sirius agreed, they had changed secret keepers. To ensure that no one knew, Lily cast the spell this time. They were all wary, in that moment Dumbledore obliviated them of his involvement. It would look to the world that Sirius himself suggested it.
OoOoO
The rucksack was complete. It had all that a young wizard would need to be self taught. Along with that was five hundred galleons and that much in muggle money. James didn't count it, trusting his account manager to be honest about it. Inside also was the Potter Heir Ring, locked in a box that would only open on their eleventh birthday. James couldn't remember what happened to the invisibility cloak, which was troubling. Only five others knew about it, and Lily didn't have it. Sirius would never ask for it, and Remus hadn't been seen in ages. Peter might have taken it, or Dumbledore did. Neither one a good thought.
"Twenty-Ninth of October, Nineteen Eighty-One, I hope that I'm not making a mistake here. This is supposed to be a precautionary measure. I've added the Heir ring to the rucksack. Today I've officially took up the Lordship of House Potter. I've sent the notification to Gringotts, I should receive a reply on the first. Of course I've also forwarded our wills, they probably wont be official until next week most likely. Pending review and all that. Lily said she might have some news, said it could wait until after Halloween. Hopefully it isn't something outrageous. She wanted everyone together, even Remus. That might be hard to pull off, he's been sent abroad often by Dumbledore for whatever reason."
He was looking through the bag once more to make sure things were settled. "Sirius has some business to attend to, apparently Gringotts forwarded that his brother had passed away, he would need to go and deal with that tomorrow. Hopefully he will be alright, especially since his wretch of a mother will be there. He should return in the evening, these events take a while, especially in Gringotts."
There was another thought as he added another book to the bag, "The ritual finally settled as well, the last of the runes on the crib has been absorbed into Harry. The only thing left is the sacrificial component and a sample of the attacker's magic. I've dual layered that to the activation, it should take a sample of the magic, and hopefully that will be all that is needed. Still, in the off chance that doesn't happen, the attacker's spell will activate the sacrifice anyway.
Right, redundant backups. This means however that if Harry is attacked, the component will act as a kill switch for me. I may drop dead suddenly should that happen. It is a low probability but one that I felt necessary. I've explained that in the will should that come to pass. Still, hopefully this won't be needed."
With that James stashed the rucksack in a hidden box, protected by many spells, and timed to be delivered when Harry turned five. It would be work to cancel the spellwork, but he figured by then he'd have it disassembled. He had gone to bed knowing that things will work out, one way or another. It was a bit freeing actually the more he thought about it.
The next day dragged on by, they all stared wistfully as the village prepared itself for the holiday. So far the town was yet to be touched by Death Eater activity, and there were strict curfews implemented. The Town Watch was out in force. Still, the day pressed on, Sirius had left to Gringotts, they made sure Peter was still secure, it was temporary, they would be switching Keepers back tomorrow. Currently they were waiting for Sirius to return, night had fallen.
James was walking in the living room waiting for Lily, tonight was the night he would tell her what he had done. It was only moments later when it happened.
The wards came crashing down, making James stumble at the sudden snap. A moment later James looked out the window, and the Dark Lord was there, coming up the walkway. He turned to yell, "Lily, take Harry and go! It's Him! I'll hold him off!" She took off up the stairs with Harry. James slices his palm with a spell, smearing blood on the trigger rune. "By my Blood, I complete the Ritual. So Mote It Be!" James could hear Lily slamming a door upstairs.
The rune flashed taking the last of his magic, James Potter fell to his knees gasping for air, his body failing from the sudden shock. The door burst in, an explosion hex. It sent James to the foot of the stairs. "Avada Kedavra!"
It seems like the world slowed down, the spell coming at him quickly. As it strikes, James felt his life force leave, heading to the crib and Harry. Success! was his last thought before suddenly darkness.
The activation array self destructed after sending the sample on, appearing to any forensics as an unknown spell attack.
OoO
Moments earlier
Lily was somewhat content now. Her trunk for Harry was prepared, tonight she would tell James about her preparations. To her last breath Lily would defend Harry. 'If only, we could escape like this forever. To be done with this mess. To be a Family.'
James was up to something she knew, for the last week Lily knew. She just hoped it won't interfere with the ritual.
Suddenly the wards snapped, the fidelius charm backlashing in her mind, forcing her to stumble in shock. "No!" Lily grabbed Harry as James yelled for her to run.
Lily ran up the stairs, tears running down her face, she closed the nursery door just as an explosion happened downstairs. Carefully she set Harry down in the crib, she pressed her forehead against his, whispering her love to him. "Harry. Harry, you are loved. You are so loved. Harry, Mama loves you. Dada loves you. Harry, be safe. Be strong."
She pricked her finger to draw blood, smearing it on the curse runes. "By my Blood, I complete the Ritual. So Mote It Be." She whispers, hearing Him at the door. It is blasted open, and he walks in, hood over his face. Only two red eyes glaring out.
At the sight of him, she threw her arms wide, as if this would help, as if in shielding Harry from sight she hoped to be chosen instead. Lily could already feel the magic fleeing her body, "Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!"
"Stand aside, you silly girl... stand aside now." Her heart was clenching painfully.
"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead—"
"This is my last warning—" Lily's life force was draining away to the runes just in front of her. Still, she needed a moment more longer, it was getting hard to breath.
"Not Harry! Please… have mercy… have mercy... Not Harry! Not Harry! Please— I'll do anything— "
"Stand aside. Stand aside, girl!"
He could have forced her away from the crib Lily thought suddenly. But it seemed more prudent to finish them all… The green light flashed around the room and she dropped like her husband. No slowing of time, just instant darkness. Lily's last thought was that she succeeded. Unnoticed the runes glowed faintly across the room, and the crib. Every condition nearly met.
The dark lord oblivious to the danger stepped in the middle of the circle. Voldemort pointed his wand, unknowingly at the rune of power. "Avada Kedavra!"
A flash of green absorbed back into the rune, satisfying the first ritual it opened skin signifying its completion. It's enemy in such proximity. A second later the Circle activated, detonating the blood in Voldemort's body. Causing an explosion that blew a hole in the wall and trashing the room. Voldemort's body simply vaporizing, his soul sent fleeing in shock and agony.
Only a moment later a popping was heard, a man dressed in full black appeared down the road. He ran in, fearful of what he'll find. The body of his rival was only a hesitant step, then up the stairs he found the first love of his life. Severus Snape cradled Lily's body, crying at the agony of a broken heart. The only survivor was her son. Before Snape could do much, he heard the sound of a slightly distance motorcycle, the man left in grief before anyone could see him.
The new comer, Sirius Black skidded to a halt, jumping off the bike and rushing inside. Where he collapsed at seeing the body of his best friend James. He howled into the night at the loss. He would have continued if it wasn't for the crying upstairs. With some hope he ran up the stairs, only to come to a stop at the sight of his other friend, her red hair laid like a halo around her head. She looked angelic. Another cry tore his attention to the baby who was trying to get to his mother. "Harry! Oh Harry what happened!?"
He picked up his godson, they needed to get to safety, quickly.
Another pop announced the arrival of someone else. A giant of a man. They had a quick confrontation before Sirius gave him Harry and the bike to use. He had another friend to check on.
OooOooO
Up in the land of Scotland, in the Headmaster's Tower stood an old wizard. He had just sent off various messenger patroni, sending Minerva McGonagall to investigate a family for a recent orphan. She would surely figure out who it was at some point. The other to his groundskeeper, Hagrid to fetch the Potters and bring them to Hogwarts. Never mind that he could have just as easily sent the Potters an owl, or even floo call them. Hagrid didn't even question it.
Dumbledore turned back to the monitoring wards of Godrics Hollow, perplexed at what they reported. A fleeing 'person' and an infant. 'There shouldn't have been anyone alive! What had happened?'
The man gripped his head suddenly, as though struck by a sudden migraine. He steadied himself after a moment, running through a breathing exercise.
He reaches for a lemon drop, laced with specially made potions to calm the mind. With that, the old man made his way to the site, sure that the giant of a man had left by now. He sent a few forensic spells, a fair bit of detection spells. There had been a heavy concentration of dark magic, especially surrounding James Potter and the entrance, followed by a heavy concentration upstairs on Lily, and the surrounding room.
To his shock, Dumbledore finds out that the Dark Lord still lives! "The Prophecy was not fulfilled! Damn it all! It seems that it's your lucky day old boy, your next adventure has been put on hold."
With that Dumbledore erases his presence there. It was time to report this.0
OooOooO
London, November 1st, 1981
He was a man on a mission, after Hagrid had left Sirius had gone to the apartment where Peter was supposed to be. To his surprise all seemed secure, the wards weren't breached, the doors and windows were locked. The only thing missing was Peter and the escape bag. Perhaps he was taken on the way to the house? Was he still alive?
Sirius was determined to find out, and surprisingly the Point-Me spell worked, and it was slowly and steadily moving. At least he would be able to save Peter!
The night was long, he'd apparate ahead and cast again, slowly getting closer. He was quite baffled though, it appeared as though Peter was going on vacation? Was he being controlled?
Eventually he caught up, and had become wary, his friend was alone at a bus stop.
Sirius paid no mind to passing people, he had tracked down Peter, alive and well. It seemed he had plans of running away. Still, it doesn't hurt to check anyway. "Peter Pettigrew, what are you doing out here I wonder."
The man in question freezes on the spot, before yelling in fear, spinning about. "HOW COULD YOU SIRIUS! MURDER JAMES AND LILY POTTER!"
It had stunned Sirius, his thoughts running in circles in his head, 'Was it indeed my fault? Did I lead them to their death?' Before Sirius could reply there was a blinding flash, then another as the world erupted in fire. Peter had blown a hole in the street, hitting a gas line, before igniting it. The blast had killed many that had frozen in confusion, others gathering around to see what was going on. They didn't stand a chance. Peter had a few burns, he cut his finger off in the confusion and panic before turning into a rat, joining the flow of other rats.
Sirius was concussed by the blast, slower to regain his equilibrium. He let out a pained sob, "The bastard! HE tricked me! Oh James what have I DONE!" He soon broke into hysterical laughter. It was only moments before more pops announced the arrival of the Aurors. Sirius wouldn't remember much, thinking that he had indeed caused the death of James and Lily.
Before Sirius knew it he was cuffed and brought in for questioning. It didn't seem to last that long before he had been stunned. When Black awoke it was in the Wizarding Prison Azkaban. Sirius got up and paced, remembering that they were in wartime footing. "I just have to wait for my trial, but something isn't right. This is the High Security wing of the fortress, why am I here?" Soon his nightmares came to haunt him, forcing Sirius into howling in despair with the others. The Dementors had arrived. It would be a long time before Sirius had coherent thought.
OoOoO
Dumbledore had sent Hagrid back out with Harry, he had to obliviate Pomfrey about treating the boy. Something about how scars could be useful. The boy was drenched in dark magic, especially around the scar. The man had a hunch that the ritual worked as intended, but not as effective as proven previously. Perhaps it had something to do with how Riddle survived? Regardless he had to make preparations.
He didn't know it but the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was now on the scene at Godric's Hollow, and they had performed their own forensics. It was a flaw in magic, there was no such thing as completely all encompassing. With no Potters under the spell it failed, allowing any and all to know where they were. Also, with the berayal of trust, the secret woud've fallen regardless. The spell assumes those visiting aren't there for ill intentions, and would know if the secret keeper was found wanting.
In theory, with the fall of the secret, the inhabitants would have time to escape to safety, since usually the keeper and the secret should be distanced apart. The Keeper could not reside within the Secret, a flaw that balanced itself out. A hard law of magic, nothing was all encompassing, there had to be an opening. It's why the spell wasn't heavily used, especially in these trying times.
Anyway, the investigators were going through the house. They determined that Voldemort was indeed dead, and that perhaps he was going to attempt some ritual on the Potters, if all the dark magic was any indication. The runes were too badly damaged to get a read on. So it went, Voldemort was Defeated somehow, the only thing to remain were the tattered remains of their clothes.
There were no autopsies in the magical world, it was sacrilegious to cut open a body, usually that fell into taboo territory of Necromancy. No, diagnostics spells and what not seen to it that no one would think twice about questioning what kind of magic was in use that night. The Potters would be sent on to the morgue for final rites.
The Aurors were quick to spread the word, Voldemort was Dead!
Dumbledore's insistence that it was Harry who done it hailed him as a hero. No one would take it serious that he merely retreated, and was gone for good.
Days later, before the house would go into lockdown, a nondescript rat with a missing toe made it's way through the house. It left with a wand that had been flung in the explosion out the window. The house would stand as a monument days later on.
OoOoO
It would be another sleepless night, with one situation looked over, there was another.
Distraught and broken, his spy came to him with accusations. It took some doing, and some quick words before they were dismissed. Dumbledore would need to keep the man close by. Perhaps it was time for Slughorn to retire soon.
With that done, Dumbledore tells Hagrid to make his way to #4 Privet Drive in Surrey the next evening. To bring Harry and not be seen. With that done Dumbledore attended other duties, one such included spreading word of Voldemort's retreat. Too bad though it worked like the whispering chain, where it changed to Voldemort's death and the boy hero. Made all the more confusing with the mouthy Aurors. There was also the letter to Petunia he had to write.
With the sudden celebrations, no one would think to look twice about the incarceration of one Sirius Black. The incarceration notice forwarded to the Chief Warlock to sign off, one of many that were absently done. Albus too busy to notice that there wasn't any trial transcripts attached, merely seeing a means to an end.
Dumbledore made his way to Little Whinging to finish off his self appointed tasks. Setting up the second part of his supposed 'blood ward' when he was sure Professor McGonagall and Hagrid had left. Unaware that the first part wasn't even used.
The boy was found in the morning by a screeching aunt who woke up the baby, sending him crying.
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#4 Privet Drive, Nov 2nd, 1981
Petunia had a fierce argument with her husband Vernon about their nephew and what it could mean. They were not dropping the boy off at some orphanage. She remembered that there was mad men out there, and that they had moved here to hide away from them. That Dumbledore had put additional protections in place, or so he claimed in the letter.
Vernon was having none of it, already he could tell that the boy would be a problem child, being born as one of Them he did not want him infecting his Dudley with his freakishness!
As they fought Harry was sitting in the play pen with his cousin Dudley, who was watching him. Both curious and wary. Another that might take his Snacks away!
Harry though was confused, and afraid, Da and Mum weren't nearby!
"Fine then! We do things your way, but he steps one toe out of line then we'll do things my way!" With that Vernon stomped upstairs, turning a bit dark red in anger. Petunia on the other hand burst into quiet tears as she finally realized that her sister was dead.
Dudley deciding that Harry wasn't a threat was in a playful sharing mood, so held up a biscuit towards him. "Snak!" The boy looked hungry, and Dudley knew that snacks help everyone!
Harry took the biscuit and quietly munched on it. It was tough and fun to chew on. Still the question remained. "Da? Mum?" He looked at the crying lady, who cried like Mum did sometimes.
Petunia looked over at the boy, her nephew, and seen only a confused toddler, not the freak her husband insisted he was. "Oh Harry!" With that she gathered him into her arms and cried some more. He would never understand for years to come.
OoOoO
Hogwarts Castle, Nov. 5th, 1981
Remus Lupin was exhausted, he had been sent away on a mission from Dumbledore once more. This time to seek aid of foreign werewolf pacts against Fenrir Greyback. Remus was just now recovering from a recent alpha battle, having lost to another pack. It seems some force was ensuring neutrality from the continents, the leaders would hear nothing of joining Britain's troubles, even if some of the pack members disagreed. There was no hint of any recent death eater activity. Only now did he have some free time thanks to the injuries. The first thing Lupin would do was brief Dumbledore, that there was no change with the rest of Europe's packs.
"Chocolate Biscuits." The guardian statue leapt out of the way, allowing Remus entry.
"Come in Remus." Once more before he could knock. An ongoing game Remus and the rest of the Marauders play with the headmaster, to knock before Albus could call on them.
"One of these days we'll figure out how you do that." Remus says ruefully before noticing the lack of a twinkle. Sighing Lupin slumped his shoulders, another list of the dead no doubt. "Who did we lose this time Dumbledore?"
"Oh Remus, just terrible news. It seems that things have spiraled out of control. Would you like something to drink before I get started." Albus waved over a tray of drinks.
"Just get on with it! I'm a bit tired of such news, on top of that Europe's werewolf packs won't even consider joining our cause to defeat Greyback! So get to it." With a deep breath Remus apologized. "I'm sorry Headmaster, it's just been a trying month for me. Only now am I recovering from wounds sustained from Alpha Trials. Please, continue."
"Very well since you insist. We lost Dorcas, Marlene, James and Lily Potter, and Peter. Sirius Black betrayed them all we believe, the only thing left of the Potters was their son Harry Potter. The only thing left of Peter is a finger. Aurors on the scene witnessed Sirius Black laughing hysterically, claiming that he had killed them all. Witnesses claim that Peter blamed Sirius for the death of the Potters before an explosion occurred. The current body count is 12 muggles and Peter himself. Many have been injured. Voldemort himself had visited the Potters, there was nothing left of him, Voldemort has been defeated for now." Dumbledore only stopped upon hearing a wail coming from Remus.
Remus was doubled over, grasping his hair, tears flowing freely. The very picture of a destroyed person.
"I'm sorry Remus, there is nothing that could be done. Harry is in hiding now, there are still Voldemort's supporters out there, we are rounding them up now, but I fear many will still be loose. Harry is in great danger and I can not allow anyone to visit him, even myself for the time being. I forbid any contact until the situation stabilizes. To prevent any problems I've been forced to seal the Potter Wills, we do not want any assets going to death eater accounts. If I were you, I would lay low until things settle down. Many might remember you as a friend of the Potters and will try to use you to get to Harry. Please Remus." The old man stared down the werewolf.
Remus could only whimper as the implications hit him, werewolves were considered beasts. He effectively had no rights to Harry. He croaked out, "Of course Dumbledore I'll take my leave then."
He had missed the brief flicker of triumph before a mask of sympathy replaced it. "Very well Remus, I wish you luck out there. I am very sorry you have to go through this alone now."
With that Remus left the school, Albus Dumbledore continued to plot.
OoOoO
#4 Privet Drive, 1983
Petunia was grateful of one thing, Harry showed no signs obvious magic yet. Having a younger sister who could do it though left it's mark on her. She knew there was power in the boy, there was no doubt magic will show itself in time. Harry got along mostly with her Dudley, so long as it wasn't snack time. With Harry there Dudley seemed to mellow out some. There were less tantrums, and he was more open to sharing things. It was then she realized that she would never come to love him like her own, but she wouldn't hate him. He was too kind, even now.
That wouldn't stop Dudley from loving him as a brother though, and if the so called wards accepted that, then she was satisfied. Lily didn't have the self control to keep her powers hidden. Perhaps though her nephew might. Petunia would be vigilant, hoping to train her nephew to be sneaky when he needed to be. There was after all a madman after him. She did not want to lose the last link to her sister, and if it meant instilling secrecy into the boy, then she will do so.
She had started a journal of sorts, writing out her plans to aid him. If she's too busy trying to keep him safe, then she would have no time to think about the anger and hurt that he represented. Sooner than later he wouldn't need her help. She called them over to play a game. Peekaboo may be a bit childish, but if it helps, then so be it!
She always picked Harry to hide when someone was looking for him, and how to hide better. Not that it did much, but he was learning. Dudley too was enthused with the old game. She had survived Lily and that Snape boy, she would be able to handle Harry.
Had only the Love Shield been used, the new blood wards would have twisted them unrecognizable. However since James' sacrifice was done first and correctly, it took precedent, followed by Lily's work. Dumbledore's ward was nearly snuffed to the four corners, taking a weakened grip upon Vernon and a light grip around Petunia. Not loving, but not hateful, merely wary. Black magic does not play nice with other's, unless it was family oriented, cast by family. Dudley was left untouched by Dumbledore's ward, simply slipping off him.
The trinkets that monitored the house were barely functioning, not that Dumbledore noticed, assuming that they were working as intended.
Still, there were moments, thankfully Vernon wasn't around to witness them.
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Some Hidden Bolt hole, 1983
It had taken months to get this far, he had grown weak once he had reached the Channel. He had been forced to possess many creatures, shortening their lifespans. How many had perished as he took on their pitiful lifeforce. Still, it was enough to get here finally. He hadn't the magic to possess a human, not even the weakest of muggles. Disgraceful! The strongest wizard of the century and he couldn't even do a simple task!
Albania, steeped in black magics over the ages, it would be difficult for anyone to track him here. Even that old fool Dumbledore.
Still, he never thought he'd need to use this bolt hole anytime soon. It was assumed he would be barely alive upon arrival, not this half life he was currently in. Blast that Potter woman! He had time to reflect upon that night, there were runes placed about. He had been a fool to let ego overlook such a thing. No doubt upon Dumbledore's orders!
In his rage he had lost his current host, a serpent that had gotten loose from some house. Still, it had served it's purpose. He had settled his being in a minor containment wardstone, slowly and surely building his magic reserves. It would be a slow process, the soul could only convert so much wild magic before it petrified the spirit into a inert rock.
'Soon, I shall return.' was his final thought before slumbering. In the off chance that he did return as a spirit, he had erected minor expelling wards, to awaken him in time before over saturation of wild nature magic.
Tom Riddle was biding his time, dreaming of the return of Lord Voldemort.
Over the years he would be ejected, would possess some wildlife for a short while, plotting all the same. Raging that his followers didn't even think to resurrect him. That he didn't have any here to do the same. An oversight he might have to correct.
OooOooO
Azkaban Prison, 1983
Bellatrix watched in haze as the dementor's left. Her childhood fading away, the crucios, the house elf beatings. Father would never lower himself to the beatings muggle style. She looked up, Mr. Crouch was there with a guard, it wasn't inspection time yet.
A sobbing woman, all but being carried by the man. He was waving away the guard, once the guard was gone he turned his wand upon the boy.
"Imperio!" Crouch Sr called out.
Darkness overcame Bella's mind for a moment, she opened her eyes once more, barely a moment. Just in time to see the woman change into a familiar person. Was that, the Crouch boy?
"You will follow me, and you will cry just as your mother was. You will make no other sounds." She watched as Crouch took control of his son. "You will take this potion and follow me." Barty Jr chugs the potion, changing into the woman. His Mother! The copy changes out of the prison robes, switching with the double.
The 'woman' started crying, as the guard came back to close the cell door. Leaving behind the real disguised woman behind.
'Crucio! Frekky! See to it that she's punished appropriately, leave no marks though, then see to it you're punished as well.' Her father declared walking off.
The dementors were returning, the woman(?) in that cell started crying harder, curling into a ball on the cot. The dementors swept in, frenzied by a new body to feed from, surrounding that cell. Then madness returned, Bella's hands bloodied once more with the blood of the innocent, the abuse, every terrible thing brought to the front of her memory. She shrieked in outrage and insanity once more.
In a cell nearby lay a man, grasping to his sanity, now sure that he was left to die here. He was innocent, he knew it! He started to yell as well, trying to declare his innocence to an uncaring ghastly guards.
By the next day, the human guards returned to check on the inmates, finding the body of Barty Jr., Bellatrix knew they had been deceived. The Crouch family would pay when the dark lord comes!
That wasn't all that was happening.
A wizard slowly came to his senses for a brief moment, he was confused about it. The world was cold, uncaring, oppressive. So he curled up tighter, covering his muzzle in a vain attempt at staying warm...
Muzzle?
Sirius could only blink, trying to comprehend what was going on. The need to curl up struck again, so he naturally did so. What did he care, apparently it wasn't feeding time, at least for the prisoners. Still, he longed for the sun, of the lush green forests. He let out a feint whimper. Even being back at his childhood home would be better than this, the dog let out a shudder at the thought, of it's upbringing.
The dementors have returned, but at least now they wouldn't have anything to feast from in that cell. Sirius closed his eyes, willing himself back to slumber in a weak attempt to escape the effects.
OoOoO
'For three years now, and the resentment was still there. No matter how much I turn the problem, the outcome is always the same, shame, hurt, and self loathing. Anytime there had been a hint of laying the blame elsewhere, or accepting the situation, it hit back like a bludger.' Severus Snape was beginning to suspect foul play was about. Discreetly he drew his wand, stalking about his room. Something was off.
Forensic and detection spells fired about. Some came back false, some positive. With a snarl, Snape left the room, it was no longer safe here.
He went to his bolt hole, an unused classroom nearby. Carefully making his way to a cubby, he withdrew his personal notebook. Recording what he had found, possible confounding spells, some questionable emotion inhibitors, and mood modifier wards. All meant to emotionally control someone. 'This room may now be compromised as well.'
Waving his wand about, Snape conjured a mouse, waving down his body he did a general spell switch. Moving any possible spells on him to the mouse. With a mental command the construct left the room at his usual speed back to the quarters. 'If there were no spells, then no worries, but it doesn't hurt to be safe. I have to move quick, erasing any of my involvement here.' Snape thought as he took off to find another hiding spot.
'I swear to Lily that whoever is doing this will pay.' Severus thought as he searched for another spot, notebook hidden in his robes. After a few winding turns and some back tracking, he found another room. No spells used, he made another cubby for the notebook. It wouldn't do to alert whoever was monitoring him.
Sure that it was safe, he made his way back to his room. Just in time apparently, the mouse wasn't meant to last long. He transferred the spells back to him, if there were any. There was a knock at the door before it was opened, letting in the Headmaster Dumbledore. "Good afternoon Severus, I trust you're having a wonderful day?"
'Those damned twinkling eyes of his.' Snape fought off a sneer, "As normal of a day as you can think of Sir."
Clapping his hands together Dumbledore smiled. "Good! I've just come by to see how you are settling in for the new school year. It hasn't been a trying couple years has it?"
Snape raised an eyebrow, before replying. "Some remember the proper potion safety procedures, there has been some... remarkable explosions from the dunderheads lately however. I insisted that you have Slughorn teach the younger years, they are a insufferable lot who can't be bothered to crack open a book. Why you didn't stop him from retiring at the end of last year, I'll never know."
"Come now Severus! Surely it can't be that bad." said Dumbledore.
"Whatever you may think Sir, I stand by what I say. Now if you excuse me, I have brewing to do. Madam Pomfrey needs these potions for the winter quarter, the budget has reached it's limit. Once again we are forced to make due." With a bow his head Snape went back to his potion's station.
"Very well Severus, just know that my door is open should you need it." With that the insufferable old man left.
The timing of it all, it sent many mental alarms off, with that Snape makes his way to the classroom. Transferring any spells once more to another mouse, sending it to the teacher's desk. Snape then went about waving his wand, casting as many detection spells as possible. The hallway lights up. 'Space expansion, Everlit torches, failing self cleaning wards, Relocation enchantment, unknown ward, color changing charm keyed to shirts. So many spells cast over the years.'
He knew the relocation enchantment was there, sometimes the corridor was near the kitchens, sometimes it was near the entrance to the dungeons. The color charm was recent, probably a prank waiting to go off, he leaves it be. He notes to bring up the cleaning charms at some point. The confusion ward though was bound elsewhere, Snape inspects it closer.
'Affects the eyes, confounding targeted symbols.' There was many other insidious spells and hexes woven into the bit of magic, and it only affected the Potions classroom. Tracing the magic he found a hidden panel that housed two House patches that looked torn off, one for Gryffindor, the other for Hufflepuff. With a growl he started to take down the curse, now and again there was an arc of sparks as the magic snapped. It was only then he noticed the aversion ward, should he stop for any reason, it could redouble it's efforts to make it impossible to find.
With a twist of his wand, he started to shunt the magic into the castle. He also noticed a timer ticking down after he cut off the trigger. Joy, clearly someone didn't want this taken down was his only thought as he finished up the original curse. The self destruct array was also taken care of. Whoever done this was an exceptional student, but they were no master, the oversight was the timer set to the trigger, and not the opening of the panel.
Still, the magic had been sitting for ages, and had mutated beyond petty revenge. It had absorbed many prank magics over the years, using them to add on effects to affect others beyond just confounding. There was no way the Headmaster done this, it takes decades, no, at least a century or two for this sort of thing to happen.
Moving into the classroom proper he cast more detection magics, appalled at how many there were. Majority of it was meant to coerce the professor to favor one symbol over the others. 'To even effect the Professor... what madness is this!'
Severus immediately countered the magic, another hidden panel hidden right under the Professor's Desk. It was there he found the 'note' left behind for the presumed professor of the time. Apparently it was supposed to have been a case of petty revenge. In it was more House Patches, one for each house. A fair few hexes were aimed at the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors, the favor aimed at Slytherin, it seemed as though the ones targeting Ravenclaw had dissipated over the years. If he had to guess, the patch was secondhand even before this person joined Hogwarts, it was fairly degraded at this point when compared to the others he found.
The effect wasn't quite immediate as he had hoped, especially from his older years. By this point it was already ingrained into them to sabotage, snipe, and what not. Still, incidents started to climb back down. No, the effect was more pronounced with the newer students. Something he would take as a minor victory. Still, this was too deep to just be his class. Snape decided that he would spend more time on patrols, hopefully to find more of these traps.
Severus Snape would spend as much time away from his quarters as possible, even if it meant after hours tutoring across the years. It would also mean more progress with the experiments and research he was doing. Less time spent with self loathing. Severus Snape would become more approachable, and a respected member of the staff.
It would be his efforts that seen the hostilities shrink over the years. It was after all a large castle, and whoever done this had plenty of time to set many points of aggression.
OooOooO
Privet Drive 1984
She had let her guard down, simple as that. Thankfully Vernon was at work, and the problem could be dealt with. Harry had a fit when Dudley wouldn't share his toys. Something happened, and Dudley was crying. Harry had ran from the room. When she got there, his favorite action figure had broken, it looked cut in half instead of the usual wear and tear. She had promised Dudley that she would fix it. She took the the two halves, and said he'll get it tomorrow. Mollified he went on to play with the others.
Petunia had to search for her nephew now. She didn't have to look far, he wasn't in his room that was next to Dudley's, but she could hear him sniffling somewhere else. Making her way downstairs, she stopped in front of the cupboard door under the stairs. For some reason he always hid here when he knew he was in trouble. It gave them a fright when they couldn't find him the first couple of times. His response was that it felt 'safe' there. She had fierce arguments with Vernon about giving the boy that space, Harry didn't know what he was saying. She pointed out that Dudley would try to flee out in the open when scared, Harry would flee somewhere small and hidden.
Huffing she waited patiently for him to open the door. When it was obvious he wasn't going to come out she knocked. "Harry, I know you're in there, we need to talk."
Slowly the door opened, a single emerald eye balefully looking at her. "I didn't do it!"
"I know you did Harry, I also know you didn't mean to do it. Now come out of there." It took a few minutes of gentle coaxing before he walked out. She led him to the living room. He wouldn't say anything, but he would glance nervously at her. Sighing she set up the cooling tea, setting a cup near him, gesturing towards the sofa as she took a seat in Vernon's chair. "Sit. Drink."
It was a few awkward moments as she pondered what to say. "Harry, I know you broke Dudley's toy. Quiet! I also know you didn't mean to. Things like this will always happen around you. Do you understand?"
He was conflicted, she softened up a bit. "I know you don't mean to, but it will happen again. It won't be the same Harry. When you are sad, angry, happy... Things will happen. It's like magic, and you won't be able to do anything about it."
"You are to show no one Harry. Tell no one. This is your secret for now. You must hide it. Do you understand? I will try to help you control it, but I can't do this." Petunia took a few sips of the tea, bitter and cold now. Setting the cup aside, he grasped his shoulders, as he looks me in the eyes.
"You have to promise me Harry, that you won't do anything like this in front of Uncle Vernon. You will not show him, you will not tell him. He doesn't like this stuff happening. Do you promise me Harry?" Petunia was making sure he knew that it he made things happen, but it wasn't truly his fault. "Remember Harry, you are special, and there are others out there that can do this. You are not alone."
It was a turning point for the three year old, one that no one realized. A simple act of kindness from the usually strict aunt would change him for the better. Instead of scorn, there was caution. Instead of loneliness there was now hope, he was not alone. He understood that at least, and he nodded enthusiastic.
"Good. Now, from what I remember it takes intent. You must really want something. I want you to wish to hide it, to hide you. There are bad people looking for you Harry. You can't let them find you." She would spend the next few years trying to teach Harry about hiding and being cautious. It would impact the future a tad, no one would know for sure what the boy looked like. His wishing to hide worked, wizards and witches wouldn't know who he was until he entered the Wizarding world in 1991. This in turn changed the Harry Potter adventure books.
Harry would be famous yes, but not well known, and many would doubt the fantasy books as truth. A few level headed individuals would go to the goblins, as loathe they are to do so, to get information on the young heir. Upon hearing of this, the Goblins would pretty much go to legal war with the authors. Some of which would request permission from them to continue writing with royalties going to the correct parties involved. Many others would be ruined.
OooOooOooO
Extended Notes:
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Greetings, once again. First off, I'd like to thank everyone for the follows, favorites, both the story and author thing. Much appreciated! I know that it's not expressed, but its there. It just feels... arrogant? to bring it up every chapter, something that is quietly acknowledged. But really, it is pretty cool this many are willing to take the chance to see how the story will go, especially after this amount of time. Now we're at Hogwarts things should progress faster hopefully. As of rewriting this, chapter 11 will release as well.
I will probably re-upload the entirety of the original work as an abandoned project, mainly to compare and contrast the two. At least in an effort to show that I have indeed rewritten many parts. I know some stories that done this, and have had seen them go abandoned. I'm hoping this isn't going to repeat history, but we shall see now won't we?
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Hopefully this will do the trick. Keep in mind, when I started this story that it was on a whim. The only Gamer aspects I was ever aware of was through reading, and vaguely about Dungeons and Dragons. Now I know a little bit better.
My previous writing style was heavily influenced by Crack!fics and stories of multiple perspectives with no real 'main character' and it has affected my works, until recently. From the stats I'm seeing, I lose about 80% of readers after chapter 2, and that is completely understandable. This will hopefully work towards fixing that. Keep in mind, this was originally going to be a slow burn up to chapter "10", when we'd start Hogwarts. This time, I'm hoping to cram more gamer stuff up to that point. Up to "Chapter 10", we might see longer chapters because of this. 'Chapter 11' and beyond will most likely follow my traditional word count of at minimum 5,000 words.
Now and again there will be 'Interlude' chapters to provide other side plots and perspectives. These chapters will show the past and up to the 'current' chapter of it's timeline. Mainly for the Secondary Characters and Secondary Plotlines that may impact the story.
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Mistakes, typos, and other such. I am writing this solo, and I will miss things. Please be patient, and feel free to expand on this point in a review if you wish. If you feel petty enough to say 'your writing sucks' without critical/relevant elaboration, please turn back now and save yourself some time. Anonymous reviews are on, but subject to approval, for now. Private Messaging is also open, though I may not reply depending on the message. As such, I do look forward to critical reviews, it helps me to improve. I started this on a whim, and as a hobby, and you clicked on this because it piqued your interest for a moment. Keep that thought in mind, Thank You.
As for encouraging one liners? Thanks! I hope to keep you entertained, and hopefully keep up to expectations.
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Gamer notes: I will not be posting 'Stats' at the end of every chapter. My reasoning? I skip those when I read such stories, why should I subject you to it? Also, it feels like unnecessary word padding. Perhaps now and again I'll set up a chapter where Harry goes through his stats a bit quickly, and show his progress. The Gamer in this story is to fast track some things, not to make Harry and whoever completely OverPowered in the opening chapters. I find such fics boring, please see relevant chapters in "Gamer Potter: Scattering Plots" for Omakes, random plot ideas, and cut scenes. I'm thinking of doing a hint of a Class System, feel fee to make suggestions. He will not be outright choosing a class at the start, and will likely choose one 'soon' after chapter 10 sometime after Hogwarts.
On that note, I will try to add more 'gamer' stuff to the story this time around.
-Should you feel Harry should learn so and so, please speak up. Any ideas welcome, and will be considered.
-I know Regulus died in 1979, but we're going to push that date up a couple years. Will this change a few things? Most likely not right now. Perhaps we might throw back to this point somewhere in the future. Probably when most have forgotten it.
