(School sucks. Can't write. No time. Leave reviews, you cool people you.)
Into the Eye
Harry knocked on the dormitory door where he was supposed to be meeting Leto. He was not in the best of moods to begin with. Hermione was now officially with Leto. Ron and Harry still had no date. The only thing that seemed to make sense to him was Quidditch, and practices wouldn't start for a while. His whole world seemed to be in a whirl wind.
Harry knocked on the door again. "Leto, are you in there?" What did Hermione see in him, anyway? I mean, yeah, he was a nice guy. So what if he was easy on the eyes. Harry and Hermione had much more of a history. That's the most important part of a relationship, right?
Harry was getting tired of this. It wasn't just Leto's dorm. He opened the door and walked in. "Leto, you said meet you at the rooftop. I can't get to the rooftop until you let me in!"
"HARRY, SHIELD YOUR EYES!" He heard Leto roar. Without asking questions, Harry did. He heard a high pitched screech, and then a crunching sound. Harry's heart was beating through his chest. It was just then he realized how hard he was breathing.
"It's okay Harry," Leto said in near whisper. "It's over."
Harry opened his eyes and saw a dead snake in Leto's hands. Only, the snake didn't look like one you would kind in a zoo. It looked...like a smaller version of the snake he killed in the Chamber of Secrets four years ago.
"Leto...is that..." Harry tried to get out.
"A basilisk...yes." Leto answered. He removed a dagger from inside his cloak and with one smooth stroke removed the snakes head. He moved the bleeding body over a vile and collected the blood.
"How...how did it get in here?" Harry asked, bewildered. "Did Voldemort-"
"I made him." Leto said, finishing off the snake's blood.
Harry couldn't believe what he just heard. "What?"
"I made him. I breed them. I've bred a couple this year." Leto said, putting a stopper into the valve, he gently swirled and shook the blood.
Harry thought for a minute. "The missing eggs. Why Neville can never find Trevor."
"I didn't mean to use so many eggs, but I messed it up a few times. It's a very delicate process." Leto stopped swirling the blood. He place the vile down and picked up the snake head and body. He muttered something, and the pieces of snake levitated, spun around, then vanished into thin air. He then pointed a finger at the floor. Blue sparks shot forth, and what blood that was on the floor evaporated.
"Leto..." Harry gasped. "This is...illegal...in so many ways...do you know-"
"Harry, I've been doing this secretly for years. I've never been caught, not by the toughest aurors. They can't locate me, they can't spy on me, they know none of my actions. I'm off the book."
"The what?" Harry asked.
Leto pulled off his mage cloak, leacing only h is white pants on. "The Book." Harry was still confused. Leto took the hint. "Deep within the Department of Mysteries, there is a book that keeps track of all wizards and witches. Each wizard has a page that is continuously being written on, erased, written on, erased. It's how an auror can know where any wizard is...if your name is in the book."
"Let me guess...you're not?"
"Good guess. I ripped my page out." Leto went to his trunk, and spoke in Parseltounge. "My page please." The large silver snake in the top of the trunk came alive. It slithered straight in a vertical position before lowering it's jaw and dropping out a rolled piece of parchment. Leto unrolled it and showed it to Harry. Harry stared at the pale parchment with silver writing. The writing on it was constantly being written as another line was erased. "It took some heavy work, but I got it done. Only one other wizard has done it."
"Voldemort?" Harry asked, still staring at the page.
"Right again." Leto said. "That's why Voldemort connected himself with his Death Eaters. None of them can be seen as long as they are in his presence."
"What happens when you die?" Harry asked.
"The page goes blank." Leto responded. He then took his page, rolled it up, and fed it to the snake. The snake went back to his former position. "And as for the snake...I need the blood."
"Why?" Harry asked.
Leto coughed slightly, and then spoke. "My Dad died when I was 5. He was always reckless, especially after mom died. He left me with only my trunk and my power. One night, after a particularly fierce battle with a Basilsik, I realized I had no food. When faced with starvation, I took a chance. The Basilisk glare had no effect on me, maybe the meat would not be poisonous. I ate." Harry felt an awful taste in the back of his mouth. "That night, I could not sleep. I found my conscious being torn from this world...it's hard to describe. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, my consciousness was no longer with my body. I had entered the Nexus...a place where time and space mean nothing. The Nexus, the place where all Phase Shifters travel too when they teleport. The Nexus, where the powers of the Voice are derived."
"Wait...the Nexus...has to do with Phase Shifting?" Harry asked.
"Yes Harry, it does. There was no doubt in my mind what you were the moment I met you. You are the Hand of the King." Leto smiled. "Just as I am the Eye."
Harry felt his skin crawl. "I...am Godric Gryffindor?" Harry asked. Leto nodded. Harry had let a lot sink in over the years...but this would not. "I don't believe it. How can you know?"
"Because I have seen your destiny, Harry. You are destined for greater things than any of us could imagine." Leto smiled. "Nobody can believe...without some inspiration. A gift from the faith." Harry couldn't take it all in.
Leto spoke in the Voice. "All things, Harry, are part of one greater thing...magic. It's magic that rules time. Magic that rules space. Magic that commands life to it's destiny." He pulled a small vile about three inches long from his pocket. "You will need this." Leto said, returning to his normal voice.
Harry took the bottle. "What is it?"
"Searinox Blood. To counter the stare of a Basilisk." Harry looked up from the bottle his eyes wide. "Don't be afraid, Harry. That is the worst thing that can happen to you. The only time the magic will ever leave you is if you don't trust in it." Harry nodded. He drank the blood. It was incredibly bitter. When he drank it, he felt numb. It reminded him of his foot falling asleep, but it was felt all over.
Leto waved his hand and opened the window. He then walked onto the roof. Harry followed behind clumsily, effected by the Searinox. He stepped onto the roof and kneeled in front of Leto. Leto took the bottle of Basilisk blood, pulled out the stopper, and swallowed it all. He closed his eyes, lowering his head. When he opened them, they were glowing a strange blue. The glow intensified, and Harry began to feel dizzy. He tried to move away, but Leto grabbed him. Leto's eyes changed to a green color. The world actually began to spin. Harry felt sick and scared. Leto closed his eyes, and the world stopped.
Harry let out a breath of relief. Leto then shot his eyes open, and they glowed yellow...like the eyes of a Basilisk. Harry's felt his breath pulled out of him as the world around him was ripped away. He closed his eyes, unable to look. When he opened his eyes, he was no longer on the castle roof.
He was in a large vortex of swirling blue light. It was like a long tunnel. And at the end he, saw a golden light. As Harry reached for the light, a silver ball of energy when whizzing by him. He backed away, terrified.
"I wouldn't go to that if I were you." Harry turned to see Leto, standing behind him. "Not even I can see there."
"Where am I?" Harry asked.
"The Nexus." Leto said. "See the puffs of black smoke in the light?" Harry looked into the walls of light, and occasionally saw a quick puff of black. "Phase shifters." Harry looked back at Leto. "They can't stay here very long...it's would kill most people...except for me. If I wasn't here with you, your consciousness would be ripped apart by it's very threads." Leto smirked. He then reached his hand out, catching one of the silver balls of light in his hand.
"What is that?" Harry said, pointing to the golden light at the end of the tunnel. "Is that...heaven?"
"Of course not." Leto said. "That's the future...well...the far future." Leto showed Harry the beam of light he had caught. "See this? This is the Silver Lining. It's a path to the Golden Age ahead. It is there that even my mind can't comprehend the choices. Only one man can read into the Golden Age."
"Merlin." Harry said.
"Yes. Merlin will see again, when the King returns." Leto released the light, and it zoomed off into the distance, heading towards the Golden Age. "It is my job to see the path for you, Harry. I will show you the path, and you will take it." Leto took a deep breath, his yellow eyes till glowing furiously. "Are you ready to see what I'm about to show you?" Leto asked. Harry nodded. "It will not be pleasant Harry."
"I'm ready."
Leto nodded and waved his hand. The blue light disappeared, and they found themselves in what appeared to be a war camp. Harry was surrounded by what appeared to be men...only very different. These men had long arms, down to their knees. They has three fingers and two toes. They wore very little clothing, some not even covering their genitals. They all had two large tusks growing from their mouths. The most distinguishing factor was the skin...it was a dark blue.
Harry saw these creatures building spears and swords and other crude weapons. They grunted and roared as they worked and labored. They occasionally would pick fights with each other; all fights leaded to a death.
"Harry, come on." Leto had walked further into the camp. "Don't be afraid. You're not here, only your consciousness is." Harry stepped forward, and walked to Leto, who was waiting for him.
"What are these things?" Harry asked.
"Troggs." Leto responded. "They were once men. Not wizards...muggles. Those who gave their life to discovering our existence. Once they learned of us, they wanted our power. Their very minds and bodies were twisted by the search, leaving them mindless and feral. They fell to this...sickening, isn't it? What men will do in their quest for power." Leto continued to walk. Harry could not help but stare.
"They are led by their Alpha Male, Twinblade." As they reached the center of the camp, Harry immediately recognized Twinblade. He was about 12 feet tall, as compared to most Troggs at five foot. He, unlike the others, wore armor, but only on his legs and arms. He had huge, bulging, muscles. In each hand, he held a blade the size of a normal Hogwarts student. A much smaller male Trogg rushed up to Twinblade.
"Mighty Twinblade, Lord Malfoy arrives." The creature spoke.
"Malfoy?" Harry asked.
Twinblade lifted his blades high into the air and thrust them into the rock ground. "See to it that the camp is made ready for the inspection."
Harry shivered at the sight of the beast. Leto and Harry followed Twinblade as he walked to what seemed to be a huge cage. Inside...were Trolls. Hundreds of them. Twinblade walked to another Trogg, this one armed and protected. Clearly a guard.
"How are they?" Twinblade asked.
"Vicious as ever. Their Chieftain, Bloodbelch, is keeping them that way."
"Good." Twinblade left the cage. As he did, Harry heard a screeching sound. He instinctively ducked, and began crawling, looking for a place to hide. Leto just looked up. Coming down from the sky was a Thestral. On it's back was a figure in a black hood. The Troggs whooped and screamed in a mix of fear and delight. The flying horse landed with a roar. The rider dismounted. He surveyed the scene, before lowering his hood.
Harry screamed, though nobody could hear. It was Lucius Malfoy, yet it wasn't. His skin was cold and grey. His long blonde hair now looked ragged and silver. And, much like Voldemort and Wormtail, his eyes were missing. He pulled back the rest of his cloak, revealing spiked, obsidian, black armor. Twinblade stepped forward to greet him. The monstrous beast took a knee. "My Lord Malfoy." Twinblade grunted.
"Twinblade." The creature rose to his feet. They started walking to the edge of a cliff. Leto and Harry followed.
"I trust things are on schedule?" Malfoy asked.
"Yes, my Lord." Twinblade said. "Lord Voldemort will have his army within a few months."
"Excellent." Malfoy sneered. "My Master will reward you greatly for your loyalty."
"Magic. That is what my people crave, my Lord. The magic of the Death Eaters." Twinblade said, longingly. He spoke as he were dying of thirst in a dessert, the desperation was so intense.
"Patience, my good friend. Patience. The Dark Lord has planned this all...he has foreseen it." Malfoy and Twinblade got to the edge of the cliff. Leto and Harry stopped, not able to see over them. "Beautiful." Malfoy whispered. The two warriors then left the cliff to examine more of the army.
Harry and Leto looked over the side. Both lost strength at the sight. Harry fell to his knees, with Leto barely keeping on his feet.
"My God...I expected something big...but this..." Leto choked out.
Harry could not believe his eyes. Beneath them was an army that stretched out for miles. There had to be at least ten thousand angry, vicious, armored Troggs below them. It was a sea of silver and blue. The beasts roared and gnashed, clashing and stomping their axes and swords.
"Troggs breed fast...this number may double in a few months." Leto said, regaining composure.
"Is...is...this...army...for...for the ministry?" Harry forced out.
"Oh no, they could destroy the ministry with a quarter of this...no this army was bred for one purpose...the annihilation of every wizard on Earth." Leto muttered. Harry felt on the verge of tears. Nobody could defeat this army...nobody. "We do have one advantage." Leto said. Harry turned, desperate for any good news. "We can pick the battle ground. We know where they are. If we can..." Leto closed his eyes. From the distance, a silver ball of light rushed forward towards Leto. Harry dropped flat on the rock underneath him. The silver energy...the Silver Lining...passed into Leto's eyes. His yellow eyes glowed silver for a moment, then the energy left him and flew off into the distance.
"Yes...it's the only way. The only way." Leto said.
"What? What is?" Harry said.
"We must gather every Wizard that will fight at Hogwarts." Harry turned quickly.
"Hogwarts? No, no not there! There are young wizards there, children, they could get hurt!"
"Harry, they are coming for us! Not just Troggs and Trolls but Death itself! You saw Voldemort, Harry. You saw the power he now wields. His Generals...the Death Eaters...are now completely subservient to his will. He commands the Dementors now...we need all the advantages we can get." Harry still felt like arguing, but the look in Leto's yellow eyes silenced him. Leto spoke with the voice. "Harry this must go as I have forseen."
Harry understood. He stood up and looked over the vast army beneath him. "How fast can you teach me to fight like you?" Harry asked.
"It took me years to learn, Harry. Years."
"We have a few months...and I need to Phase Shift. I need the Voice." Harry stood up and looked Leto in the eyes. "No fear?"
:Leto smiled and nodded. "No fear."
Harry soon began to feel dizzy. He felt similar to how he felt before he entered the Nexus.
"The blood is wearing off." Leto's eyes changed to green, then blue. The Trogg Camp slipped away, the Nexus returning.
"Wait...no! No! We need to learn more! We need to see more!" Harry ran trying to stay within the Trogg camp.
"Harry, stop. You're panicking. You mustn't panic." Harry ignored Leto, still trying to avoid the Nexus. "Harry, stop! Harry, no!"
Harry blinked, and he was back in his body, in the real world...and his body was about to run off the side of the castle. Harry tried to stop, but the Searinox Blood had not yet worn off. His numb body ended up tripping, and Harry plummeted over the side towards the lake below. "Oh no..." Harry whispered in utter fear as he fell towards his doom.
"HARRY!" He heard Leto cry from above. Harry fell for what seemed forever. The lake came closer and closer. As he hit the water...it was like hitting cement. The pain was intense, and his bones were almost liquified by the impact. He sank to the bottom of the lake. He thought, "At least I won't live to see what is to come." He thought of Hermione as he slowly ran out of air, preparing to die. With his last few seconds of consciousness, he felt a hand grab him and pull him up towards the surface. The last thing Harry remembered was catching a breath of air before the pain put him in a deep, dreamless sleep.
(So, what do you think? Getting more intense. Leave those reviews. We'll get back to the personal lives in a bit...this was a plot chapter, much like the last one about Voldemort and the ring.)
Keep on hunting. -Demon Hunter-