Title: Wisdom From The Dark 06
Author: Jyrnn
Spoilers: All four books.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any of its characters. They are the sole intellectual property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. I gain no monetary reward for this exercise and do not intend any copyright infringement.
Summery: A child has suffered enough, an intruder encounters unexpected resistance, and the careless words of Voldemort have the most unexpected results. Harry Potter is about to take a stand.
Chapter 6: Like Sand in Your Grasp
Understandably Harry slept not at all that night. Everything since the Third Task replayed in his thoughts. His disgustingly docile nature, his childish fears, and his anxiety. Now they seemed so far away, so remote. It was if he had become a different person. And why not, hadn't the adversity he faced defined him. He was The Boy Who Lived, a savior for overcoming an evil that claimed all others. He slew a basilisk and braved Aragog's hollow. He faced down Dementors and dueled Riddle himself. But these things were in the past now. Perhaps that was Riddle's flaw. He was so entangled with the sins of his father and his future hope of immorality that he lost sight of the now. The more he thought about it the more plausible it seemed. Glory and power sought in the future to wipe out the blemish of his past? It was actually quite infantile. As if hundred's of murders could teach a lesson to a uncaring bigot. A man long dead and past reasoning with. Riddle's hate must have grown like a cancer because he refused to accept himself. Refused to live as he was. Harry sincerely doubted that pure blood or muggle bigots cared if you hated them, in fact they probably preferred that you did.
But now was not the for introspection. Action must take precedence over thought when time inexorably moved on. He had a week to get ready. Leaving Britain was actually not a big deal. He'd be away from the Dursley's and any price was worth that. Despite their efforts Falstaff and Fudge had actually done him a favor. A week was all the time in the world for what he had to do. He summoned a guard to fetch something for him. He wouldn't need a week.
***
Percy hurried into the containment area. It was early but he needed to see Harry soon. He needed to reassure the boy and start making arrangements. A week wasn't that much time. For not the first time Percy cursed himself for a coward. He should have done this last night before going home. He could only sigh and shifted back and forth on his feet to alleviate his frustration with the slow progress the guard was making with the locks. Upset he brushed past the man and slide into the cell when the door was only half open. Turning back he glared at the unnaturally slow guard who could only shrug unrepentantly. With a groan of exasperation that bordered on a growl he flicked his wrist in way of dismissal. Steeling himself he waited for the door to close before he turned to wake Harry. The heavy slam of the huge door seemed unnecessary to Percy. He swallowed and breathed deeply and did a crisp about-face turn while saying softly "Harry time to wa..." As he turned he saw Harry not sprawled out on the cot like he'd imagined but perched on the edge looking at a scroll. A half a dozen more files lay discarded beside him. He looked quite intent on whatever he was reading.
"What's that your reading Harry?" Percy for the life of him couldn't figure out what the document was or where Harry got it.
"My parent's will and a few other document I convinced the Ministry archivist to pull for me last night. When are all the departments open?" He asked without pause. Overall he spoke in a unmistakably direct manner. He looked haggard and he actually needed a shave.
"Well, about ten minutes ago I suppose. The Minister is convening a Department-wide meeting after dinner though. Why?"
"Ah. We'll have to be quick. I can travel the building so long as I'm in your custody right?" Harry asked. His brows were furrowed in concentration. Whatever his troubles was it certainly wasn't the current conversation.
"Well yes, But" Before the response had left Percy's mouth Harry had continued wit his out query. Actually it seemed like a command.
"Come on then. After dinner you day? Well if that's the case I'd need in transit by noon. " He sprang up and gathered the documents. Now by looking at them Percy could tell that they bore the marks of an official Ministry copy. Harry walked around a rather dumbstruck Percy after placing the copies in Percy's hands and thumped loudly on the door and then beckoned for the bailiff. Almost immediately the door was opened and Harry stepped into hall past the threshold of confinement that cloistered him the past two days. He inhaled deeply as if the air outside the cell was fresher and cracked his neck. After unbuttoning his large flannel shirt Harry removed his thin wire frame glasses and rubbed them clean with his white undershirt. After Holding them up to light he nodded to himself when he was satisfied with their cleanliness he then glanced back at his stupefied lawyer. With a amused smirk on his face and a smoldering fire in his eye he called over his shoulder, 'You coming?"
***
For once in his life the scar worked for him. Everyone in the Ministry knew about last night's events, office gossip assured that. So it was with gasps, whispers, ad murmurs that his passage was met in the vast hall' s of the Ministry building. Behind him trailed a bewildered Percy Weasley though few saw the young man. All eyes were on the boy who strode over marble floors with an air of determination. For three reasons nobody barred his path. Firstly because any who were inclined to do so were in conference with Fudge in preparation for his next big coup over the fifteen year old Potter. Secondly, nobody had any right to halt the boy because of the protocols regarding banishment. Lastly, the exile's loping yet serene stride was kind of spooky.
He had to glance questioningly back at Percy to make sure he was in the right place. Percy nodded in affirmation. Harry swiftly turned down into on of the tributary corridor with Percy in tow. Following the signs and arrows he made to the right place. A perky yet inattentive secretary welcomed him Department of Magical Education. "I was wondering if you could please provide me a list of Magical schools in continental Europe and a application to each. That is if its not too much trouble."
The cheerfulness seemed to drain out of the young woman. The enormity of the task was far out of the range of her experience. "Now see here, what kinda of ... Oh my! I'll do my best Mr. Potter." Suddenly the summer job didn't seem so bad to Selene Blair. *The girls are just going to die with envy when I tell them I've met Harry Potter!* She kicked her wheeled office chair towards a cabinet behind her and rummaged through the contents of few drawers. Ten minutes later she surfaced with a stack of papers which she hurriedly stuffed into a plain brown envelop. Harry smiled back and offered profuse thanks. He peeked inside and thumbed through the pile. "Oh and could you get about fifty copies of my Hogwart's transcript owled to me please?" The girl merely nodded her assent as stared dreamily at the young celebrity. She was humming a tune and cracking her gum long after Harry and Percy had left.
***
"Where to next Harry?" Percy had now grown used to Harry's inexplicable demeanor.
"I need to pick up my trunk and wand. Will I get my cloak back?" the boy in question asked.
'Eventually. Your trunk and wand should be in the evidence lockers. That Two left as a right that way." Weasley pointed. They made their way to through the parting ranks of officials that had crowed around them. Since the trial had been concluded the previous night, there was no trouble in reclaiming his possessions. Percy assured him that the cloak would be returned to him when his exile was revoked in, hopefully, a year. The loss of his father's cloak saddened him but it had served his purpose.
"Next?" They had stopped for a break in the main entrance of the Magical Law division.
"Last actually." Percy did a double take at this. "I need to dart over to Nexus Portways. I don't want to give Fudge a chance to get his hands on me. I've had quite enough of his "protective custody. Lets go."
"Your leaving now?!" a shocked Percy asked. The suddenness of all this sent the man's thoughts in a spiral.
Harry grimaced. "I need to. There is no other way. Tell Ron and the family I'm sorry. I'll owl you when I'm settled." With that he liberated some powder from the nearby fireplace and traveled to magical the equivalent of Heathrow Airport.
End Chapter 6
Author Notes
Thanks to all my reviewers: Nighttime Sunshine, peeweepotter, Lady FoxFire, Relle, Them Girl, Cricket and AJake. You people are great.
Author: Jyrnn
Spoilers: All four books.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any of its characters. They are the sole intellectual property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. I gain no monetary reward for this exercise and do not intend any copyright infringement.
Summery: A child has suffered enough, an intruder encounters unexpected resistance, and the careless words of Voldemort have the most unexpected results. Harry Potter is about to take a stand.
Chapter 6: Like Sand in Your Grasp
Understandably Harry slept not at all that night. Everything since the Third Task replayed in his thoughts. His disgustingly docile nature, his childish fears, and his anxiety. Now they seemed so far away, so remote. It was if he had become a different person. And why not, hadn't the adversity he faced defined him. He was The Boy Who Lived, a savior for overcoming an evil that claimed all others. He slew a basilisk and braved Aragog's hollow. He faced down Dementors and dueled Riddle himself. But these things were in the past now. Perhaps that was Riddle's flaw. He was so entangled with the sins of his father and his future hope of immorality that he lost sight of the now. The more he thought about it the more plausible it seemed. Glory and power sought in the future to wipe out the blemish of his past? It was actually quite infantile. As if hundred's of murders could teach a lesson to a uncaring bigot. A man long dead and past reasoning with. Riddle's hate must have grown like a cancer because he refused to accept himself. Refused to live as he was. Harry sincerely doubted that pure blood or muggle bigots cared if you hated them, in fact they probably preferred that you did.
But now was not the for introspection. Action must take precedence over thought when time inexorably moved on. He had a week to get ready. Leaving Britain was actually not a big deal. He'd be away from the Dursley's and any price was worth that. Despite their efforts Falstaff and Fudge had actually done him a favor. A week was all the time in the world for what he had to do. He summoned a guard to fetch something for him. He wouldn't need a week.
***
Percy hurried into the containment area. It was early but he needed to see Harry soon. He needed to reassure the boy and start making arrangements. A week wasn't that much time. For not the first time Percy cursed himself for a coward. He should have done this last night before going home. He could only sigh and shifted back and forth on his feet to alleviate his frustration with the slow progress the guard was making with the locks. Upset he brushed past the man and slide into the cell when the door was only half open. Turning back he glared at the unnaturally slow guard who could only shrug unrepentantly. With a groan of exasperation that bordered on a growl he flicked his wrist in way of dismissal. Steeling himself he waited for the door to close before he turned to wake Harry. The heavy slam of the huge door seemed unnecessary to Percy. He swallowed and breathed deeply and did a crisp about-face turn while saying softly "Harry time to wa..." As he turned he saw Harry not sprawled out on the cot like he'd imagined but perched on the edge looking at a scroll. A half a dozen more files lay discarded beside him. He looked quite intent on whatever he was reading.
"What's that your reading Harry?" Percy for the life of him couldn't figure out what the document was or where Harry got it.
"My parent's will and a few other document I convinced the Ministry archivist to pull for me last night. When are all the departments open?" He asked without pause. Overall he spoke in a unmistakably direct manner. He looked haggard and he actually needed a shave.
"Well, about ten minutes ago I suppose. The Minister is convening a Department-wide meeting after dinner though. Why?"
"Ah. We'll have to be quick. I can travel the building so long as I'm in your custody right?" Harry asked. His brows were furrowed in concentration. Whatever his troubles was it certainly wasn't the current conversation.
"Well yes, But" Before the response had left Percy's mouth Harry had continued wit his out query. Actually it seemed like a command.
"Come on then. After dinner you day? Well if that's the case I'd need in transit by noon. " He sprang up and gathered the documents. Now by looking at them Percy could tell that they bore the marks of an official Ministry copy. Harry walked around a rather dumbstruck Percy after placing the copies in Percy's hands and thumped loudly on the door and then beckoned for the bailiff. Almost immediately the door was opened and Harry stepped into hall past the threshold of confinement that cloistered him the past two days. He inhaled deeply as if the air outside the cell was fresher and cracked his neck. After unbuttoning his large flannel shirt Harry removed his thin wire frame glasses and rubbed them clean with his white undershirt. After Holding them up to light he nodded to himself when he was satisfied with their cleanliness he then glanced back at his stupefied lawyer. With a amused smirk on his face and a smoldering fire in his eye he called over his shoulder, 'You coming?"
***
For once in his life the scar worked for him. Everyone in the Ministry knew about last night's events, office gossip assured that. So it was with gasps, whispers, ad murmurs that his passage was met in the vast hall' s of the Ministry building. Behind him trailed a bewildered Percy Weasley though few saw the young man. All eyes were on the boy who strode over marble floors with an air of determination. For three reasons nobody barred his path. Firstly because any who were inclined to do so were in conference with Fudge in preparation for his next big coup over the fifteen year old Potter. Secondly, nobody had any right to halt the boy because of the protocols regarding banishment. Lastly, the exile's loping yet serene stride was kind of spooky.
He had to glance questioningly back at Percy to make sure he was in the right place. Percy nodded in affirmation. Harry swiftly turned down into on of the tributary corridor with Percy in tow. Following the signs and arrows he made to the right place. A perky yet inattentive secretary welcomed him Department of Magical Education. "I was wondering if you could please provide me a list of Magical schools in continental Europe and a application to each. That is if its not too much trouble."
The cheerfulness seemed to drain out of the young woman. The enormity of the task was far out of the range of her experience. "Now see here, what kinda of ... Oh my! I'll do my best Mr. Potter." Suddenly the summer job didn't seem so bad to Selene Blair. *The girls are just going to die with envy when I tell them I've met Harry Potter!* She kicked her wheeled office chair towards a cabinet behind her and rummaged through the contents of few drawers. Ten minutes later she surfaced with a stack of papers which she hurriedly stuffed into a plain brown envelop. Harry smiled back and offered profuse thanks. He peeked inside and thumbed through the pile. "Oh and could you get about fifty copies of my Hogwart's transcript owled to me please?" The girl merely nodded her assent as stared dreamily at the young celebrity. She was humming a tune and cracking her gum long after Harry and Percy had left.
***
"Where to next Harry?" Percy had now grown used to Harry's inexplicable demeanor.
"I need to pick up my trunk and wand. Will I get my cloak back?" the boy in question asked.
'Eventually. Your trunk and wand should be in the evidence lockers. That Two left as a right that way." Weasley pointed. They made their way to through the parting ranks of officials that had crowed around them. Since the trial had been concluded the previous night, there was no trouble in reclaiming his possessions. Percy assured him that the cloak would be returned to him when his exile was revoked in, hopefully, a year. The loss of his father's cloak saddened him but it had served his purpose.
"Next?" They had stopped for a break in the main entrance of the Magical Law division.
"Last actually." Percy did a double take at this. "I need to dart over to Nexus Portways. I don't want to give Fudge a chance to get his hands on me. I've had quite enough of his "protective custody. Lets go."
"Your leaving now?!" a shocked Percy asked. The suddenness of all this sent the man's thoughts in a spiral.
Harry grimaced. "I need to. There is no other way. Tell Ron and the family I'm sorry. I'll owl you when I'm settled." With that he liberated some powder from the nearby fireplace and traveled to magical the equivalent of Heathrow Airport.
End Chapter 6
Author Notes
Thanks to all my reviewers: Nighttime Sunshine, peeweepotter, Lady FoxFire, Relle, Them Girl, Cricket and AJake. You people are great.