A/N: Well, it's been a little while since I updated but I've had a REALLY bad week. My co-worker for morning shifts disappeared so I had to do his work and mine because my boss was too cheap to get anyone else. Plus side, we found out where he is – bad news, somehow he got himself committed to a psychiatric ward. 0.o So because of that, I'm getting sick. Yup, that's been my week.
Ruth – I love Bran too, and I still haven't decided how much he's going to be involved with the rest of the story. Since you miss him, I'll try to give him a bigger part. I re-read the books and as far as I could tell, Bran's unique colouring wasn't a result of his travelling through time – so I decided the colouring would be genetic. And what is Friday teatime? Is there really a time when you have tea? (I'm serious, I didn't know this). As well, I hate you – I REALLY want to go to Wales. I have relatives there and I'm full-blooded welsh though I'm Canadian. Sigh, maybe someday.
L'Ananda – I'm really glad you're enjoying not only this fic but the prequel as well. (I'm not entirely sure anyone has actually read it). I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
Starr Light1 – To tell you the truth – I actually haven't read that much Harry Potter. I've only read the first two books and that's why everyone's in the third year :p. My roommate is in charge of informing me of any major Potter errors.
MaraWeaves – LOL I agree with you, most adults are clueless with regards to children's actions. I must admit, Munin is one of my favourite characters – mainly because he's my inner sarcastic child let loose. I'm glad this is one of your favourites, it makes me all warm and tingly inside!
Obdormio – I'm having a little trouble with Dumbledore's reaction to Will, so for now I'm keeping their interactions to a minimum – but I got an idea that should bring Dumbledore's feelings about Will into the open. From what I gathered from re-reading the books, the warestones could be used for spying – and all Will is doing is listening so it shouldn't conflict with what Cooper wrote. If you re-read the chapter, you'll notice that I did say that the boys left Dumbledore's office, so they were walking when Will bumped into…well, Will. I hope that answers your questions – they really make me think and get a better understanding of my own story!
I know I've kept you all waiting so here's the next chapter
Chapter 5 – Butterfly wings
Merriman once told Will that most events were not coincidences. True, because of the unpredictable nature of the wild magic and the Earth magic, coincidences did sometimes occur; they are more of a rarity than most mortals would think.
Will had an uneasy feeling that this moment was not once of those occasions.
Before him stood a near replica of his best friend, down to the unique colouring that made Bran appear as special as he was.
Well, former best friend, I guess. It's hard to be best friends with someone who thinks your dead.
Quickly, the Old One brought himself back to the present situation and shook the outstretched hand of the boy.
"Hallo, I'm Will."
"I know," the boy laughed, "I don't believe there's anyone in the castle that doesn't know who you are, English."
Harry and Will laughed at the boy's comments, though the Old One still felt uneasy. He had managed to spend the last thirty years avoiding his former family and friends, and now he's in the same house as the son of his best friend! Will rubbed his temples tiredly.
Harry looked at his friend with worry. Will had appeared shocked by Davies' appearance – which wasn't all that unusual. Everyone stared the first time the met the white-haired boy, but with Will it seemed different. It was if there was something else about Davies that startled the younger boy.
Realizing that Will was probably tired from the day's events, Harry said, "Will has had a long day, so we're heading to the Common Room."
"Ah, that's where I'm heading, too."
The three boys walked in silence for a while. Harry realized he didn't know much about Will Davies, other than the fact the boy was a fourth year Gryffindor.
"So, Davies, what are your parents like?"
Davies paused to consider the question, and both boys noticed that Will seemed to perk up at the question. Harry assumed it was because the younger boy had no parents of his own.
"My Ma and Da are great for muggles, and they were pretty understanding when I got my letter from Hogwarts. In fact, when I was younger my Da always called me a dewin, which is Welsh for a wizard. The only problem he had was that it was an English school."
Both Will and Davies burst into laughter again. Harry was confused until Davies explained his father was very Welsh. Though, that didn't explain to Harry why Will understood the joke right away; it's not as if the younger boy had ever met Davies' father.
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The school year progressed smoothly for the Old One, as he slowly began to adapt his new powers with his old. The rest of Hogwarts slowly became accustomed to his sudden disappearances – since Will was still responsible for investigating possible Dark incursions. However, unlike when he had lived with his family, his house mates and teachers were fairly accepting.
Except for Dumbledore.
Familiarity hadn't softened the headmaster's curiosity or suspicions about the strange boy. Will would return from an investigation to find the professor watching him carefully. The Old One knew that Dumbledore would be a dangerous enemy, even for an Old One, but it also wasn't the right time for them to be allies. Not until Will understood the danger Voldemort represented.
Harry had told Will about the Dark Lord and his own experiences. Unquestionably evil, the Old One knew that he couldn't interfere with Voldemort unless the Dark was involved. The boy wished he could visit Voldemort directly.
Christmas approached and the students began preparations for their return home. Understandably, Will and Harry remained unmoved. For Harry it was because he never had any memories of a happy family Christmas; for Will it was because it was his birthday – and the anniversary of the day he left his family.
Harry and Will were in the great hall, playing wizard's chess as they bid their friends good-bye. Will Davies stood behind Harry has he watched the younger boy decimate Harry's pieces. Even Ron, the resident chess master, couldn't defeat Will. The boy wizard sighed and knocked over his king, admitting defeat. He turned around as he noticed Davies' presence.
"Hey, Davies, are you heading home now?"
The boy nodded.
"Yeah, my da is coming to pick me up at the train station. We'll make a stop and then head home."
Will raised his eyebrows at that, knowing full well where that stop would be.
"Where are you going before heading home?" an oblivious Harry asked.
"My da's best friend died when they were fourteen, so today's his birthday and the anniversary of his death so we're going to stop at his grave. Since I'm named after the guy, da always makes me go."
Harry looked sympathetic while Will kept his eyes downcast.
So he still visits my grave…but naming his son after me is the greatest respect I could ever be paid.
Davies noticed Will's sudden quiet. They had become good friends in the last few months, but the younger boy always became quiet whenever the Davies talked about his family. At first, Davies thought it was because Will had no family of his own. He didn't even have a last name!
But lately Davies had begun to wonder if it wasn't something else. There were times when Davies would have sworn he saw nostalgia in the other boy's eyes when he talked about his dad or mom or uncles. But that's impossible – there was no way they could know each other.
His train of thought was disrupted when he heard someone shout, "Everyone look at this! It's snowing!"
Immediately, the doors were opened and the students piled out into the yard. It was rare for it to snow before winter, and was only the third time in Will's memory.
Using his Earth magic, Will realized that this snow was not a natural phenomenon. Though he couldn't detect the power of the Dark, there was another magic at work. The other students laughed and ran through the snow but the Old One searched for danger.
A sense of power enveloped the Old One's senses. With a cry, Will called the student's back to the castle. They were startled by the sudden shout from their peer. The teachers looked at the young boy who suddenly launched himself from the doorway into the field. He placed himself between his classmates and the Forbidden Forest when suddenly animals appeared.
They were smaller than wolves, but were grey unlike foxes. The Old One recognized them as milgwyn, creatures of the Dark that had tried to stop his quest. They stared at the Old One with malevolence, and eyed the students hungrily. Students screamed and headed for the castle, all except for Harry and Davies. They stood slightly behind Will, wondering what was going on.
Why are you here? You're masters have been banished and your power is gone, Will said outloud in the Old Speech.
We have a new master, and we are no longer alone, unlike you, Watcher.
They inched forward, but stopped when they heard the cry of Munin. The phoenix landed on the boy's shoulder, returning their glare.
Voldemort is nothing! He merely a human playing at being powerful, he has no chance against an Old One. Right now, he isn't even human but nothing more than a phantom.
The five animals chuckled like hyenas, causing a shiver run down Harry and Davies' spines. They didn't understand why Will was able to talk to the canines, or how he had known they were coming; they watched as Will's face darkened and he appeared older and wiser.
Perhaps, but because he is no longer entirely human, he can places humans can never go. Like outside of time where the Dark was thrown?
The Old One froze. If what they said was true – then Voldemort would have access to knowledge that would give him an advantage over his enemies. But he still using his own magic – instead of the Dark – so technically Will be bound by the laws of High Magic not to interfere.
With an epiphany, the Old One realized that was why the Earth sought him out. As an Old One he could do nothing, but as an agent of the Earth…
The Old One laughed to the astonishment of the onlookers. The canines quit their laughing and snarled. The snowfall stopped and Will smiled at the milgwn.
Tell your master that I am free from the binds of the High Magic, and I will make a greater enemy than he could ever imagine.
The milgwn disappeared – not leaving a single footprint.
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Will Davies stood looking at the grave of his namesake. He didn't hate visiting the cemetery exactly, but he always felt awkward. It was not as if he had ever known the guy personally. His father and mother stood beside him, along with his uncles. For some reason, the snow had reminded his family of their old friend.
His father reached down and traced the letters gently. He then reached into his pocket and drew out a picture.
"It snowed today. Remember how you always wished for it to snow on your birthday? Jane and I are doing well, and our son is in his fourth year at Hogwarts. Well, dewin, I was searching through my closet and I found this. It's a picture of the five of us when we were twelve and we spent our spring vacation in Wales. I thought you'd like a copy."
He laid the picture gently against the tombstone and headed back towards the car. Will moved to follow him but glanced down at picture. What he saw made him stop – shocked.
There, with his arm around his twelve-year old da, was Will – who looked exactly like his new friend.
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Resting in Sanctuary, Will pondered his duty as an Old One. But Will was no longer just an Old One, but the Earthan as well and he knew the true power of Earth magic.
When describing the types of magic in the world, Earth magic was often overlooked; most often, because it was considered to be ineffective. But that was because no one understood how it worked.
Before returning to the Sanctuary, the Old One had remained at Stonehenge to receive his power from the Earth. The Earth had also passed along knowledge of its will and memory. Even for an Old One, the knowledge was almost too much.
Like the wings of a butterfly causing a hurricane across the world.
The analogy was more apt than Will had known. Earth magic was powerful because so little was used to accomplish its objective; the Earth was a master of the use of cause and effect. A single gust of wind carried an Old One's scent to a dragon near by; the dragon then travels to meet the Old One, causing the Old One to seek Sanctuary; to search for answer and ultimately become an Earthan, the objective of the Earth.
All because of a single gust of wind.
The Old One recognized the precarious nature of his current existence, and though he was determined to succeed – he felt pensive.
And in the end, I still won't see the butterfly on the other side of the world – flapping its wings.
TBC
There, I hope everyone is happy! The next update should be quicker – as long as I don't get any sicker. Stupid Canadian weather.