Title: Prince of Light
Author: Mysterious Phantom Shyraz
Disclaimer: what's not mind isn't mine. What's mine is mine. Gods and Goddesses aren't mine, neither are those of HP. Plot is mine, Sena is mine, Zephyr is mine.
Thirteenth Night- It's Feasting, Not Fasting
Two days in the Infirmary was one too many for Harry. He had thought staying in the Infirmary during school was bad, now this was even worst. Sure, Hermoine, Ron and Zephyr came in and left only for lunch and dinner but he still doesn't like the overall feel of the Infirmary. Or maybe it's just because he's been here one too many times. This time he even broke the record of coming in here before school even started. Harry was more than glad when he was allowed out, but who wouldn't let him when it was the start of year feast?
The feast started, as usual, with the first years arriving into the Great Hall. Harry still couldn't believe that they were once that small when they first came into Hogwarts. When all had settled down, Professor McGonnagall pulled out a three legged stool, which seemed more unstable than usual, along with the sorting hat. The hat's voice boomed through the Great Hall.
"Greetings children young and old,
Words of advice I should show.
One should not follow the other
In footsteps of thy father.
Do not meddle beyond control,
In those that bring and had foretold.
Watch thy steps should they guide
Listen to thy heart, let emotions fly.
Gryffindors are strong at heart
And at all times should have a start.
But ending those will be defined,
By those of cunning, of deceit, of Slytherin.
Ravenclaw should shed some luck
Whenever little knowledge should struck.
Then the ones to bring them all,
Hufflepuff, of great and small.
Now this piece of clothing had sad all.
Doing what's best through its sorting song."
"o….k…" Ron had whispered as McGonnagall called out the first name on the list ("Cohen, Kantar"), "now I'm even more confused. And since when did the Sorting Hat speak in old English?"
"Sush!" Hermine just said ("Jones, Benedictine" followed by a "Ravenclaw!")
They sat in near silence until the end of the sorting ("Zeta, Amber", "Gryffindor!") and Dumbledore stood up once again.
"There are more start of term notices. This year, Hogwarts are proud to have a few transfer students amidst our population. Two of which are from the Asian School for Ancient Arts."
The Kageyama twins walked into the Great Hall through the doors at the back of the Teacher's table.
"Kageyama, Akari." McGonnagall called as she put the hat onto the Kageyama sister. The hat quickly called out in return "Slytherin!"
"What?" Ginny, Ron, Hermoine and Harry exclaimed softly. They now had serious doubt about the hat's intelligence.
"Kageyama, Akira." Then came a whisper at the back of them.
"I bet this one's gonna be in Slytherin as well. No doubt. I mean just look at them. Darkness is written all over them!" It was one of the Ravenclaw fifth years.
"Gryffindor!" The hat yell. Almost all of the students were shocked to say the least. Normally twins go to the same house. Of course there are exceptions. But to put a pair of rivalling house was somewhat strange.
"Ok. The hat has officially lost it." Ron declared. Harry was speculative and did not make much of a comment. Though his eyes are a bit unfocused.
"Another is from Lady Dana's Tower for Gifted." Duumbledore announced, still standing up and waiting for the sorting.
"Morelle, Zephyr." McGonnagall announced once again. Harry raised his eyebrows. As far as he knew, Zephyr did not have a last name. Or maybe he just made one up to avoid suspicions.
"Gryffindor!"
"Now that the sorting is through. Let's eat." As soon as Dumbledore pronounced the words, food appeared on the table. The students tucked into the food.
"It's quite weird really," Hermoine commented through the bites of her Coleslaw, "to have twins in two different houses."
"Well, it's not as if it hasn't happened before." Harry said when he finished his share of Shepard's Pie. "I mean the Patil twins are in two different houses."
"Yea, but they aren't in two rival houses now are they?" Ron said just swallowing his mouthful of food.
"True." Hermoine taking a sip of pumpkin juice. And with that, they dropped the subject. When all the food had been consumed and the dessert plates had disappeared, Dumbledore stood up again.
"And a few more notices. I am unfortunate to announce that Professor Umbridge could not return this year, no doubt many of you had grown quite fond of her." The students groan as a whole at this comment. They had grown fond all right, that is trying to kill her in the crudest was possible. "Would we please extend a warm welcome to Professor Sena." At that, Sena stood up and presented himself to the students. The students clapped, the loudest amongst them were Harry and Zephyr. "And as older students know, the Forbidden Forest is, as the name suggests, forbidden. Caretaker Filnch had told me to remind you all that magic is not allowed in the corridors. And before we sleep, let us sing the school song."
With a tap of the wand on the table the students and teachers picked their favourite tune and sang the song. The first years looked confused, Akari ignored the rest of the Slytherin stares and sang the words, Zephyre looked hopeful at Harry for an answer. Harry just shook his head and mouthed the words "Just sing along" with a smile.
"That was exhausting…" Zephyr commented as they reached the Gryffindor common room. Akira nodded in agreement.
"Exhausting? It's just the beginning mate!" Ron patted the shoulder of their newest members to the sixth year with a yawn. "I don't know about you, but I'm gonna head up first. You guys wanna come?" Harry, Zephyr and Akira gave him a negative answer. Hermoine went away with Ginny saying something along the lines of 'Girl Talk' and headed up towards Hermoine's room. Sixth and Seventh years can have their own rooms because it was said to be easier for them to study and because N.E.W.Ts are taught over the last 2 years. There was also another common room on the last two floors in both the girl's and boy's tower for those attending the last 2 years. Sometimes, it is used for games and such but when come the exams or when an essay or project is due, the place will be filled with people trying to cram their last bit of knowledge or fill up that last few inches of parchment.
"I wonder if nee-chan is ok…"Akira muttered aloud.
"Who?" Harry turned away from the fireplace.
"My sister. I'm just…concerned. Actually, come to think of it, I should be more concerned with the Slytherin house…"
"Why's that? I mean there's Malfoy there and his cronies. As well as a bunch of would-be Death Eaters. There's not much to worry about them." Harry thought he might be better to put all his efforts in worrying about his sister being an outcast.
"I'm just afraid of what my sister would do when provoked without me to stop her…" Akira sighed. He often worry about his sister. She is, after all, family as well as reckless amongst other things that the Slytherin house will find out. "Well, no use worrying. I mean there's nothing I can do here. It's not as if I can go to their common room now. I'll head off to bed. Yes, that might be better. Bed would definitely be good…" He continued to ramble off as he approach the stairs. Just before he took the first step, Harry shouted back at him.
"It's on the top floor!" He reminded the still muttering boy who didn't give any sign of hearing the comment. The remaining boys sat in silence until it was Zephyr who spoke up, unable to remain silent anymore.
"When are you going to tell your friends?"
"Tell them about what?" Harry question. He had a fair idea of what it is about but unwilling to admit it.
"About you, your guardians, the realms etcetera. They are your friends and I can see they trust and care for you. A lot."
"But the thing is I don't know what to say to them. Not to mention I dread at their reaction. Especially Hermoine's."
"The earlier you tell them the better. Or it might turn out to be really bad. They may think you've betrayed them."
"If it weren't for the fact I know you're around the same age as me, I'd have thought you to be older."
"My sis often say I'm too mature for my own good…" Zephyr's eyes focused on the flames in the fireplace. Harry sensed now would be best to change the subject.
"Akira's right. Sleep definitely sounded good." Harry yawned.
"Yea. It's been a long day. Though how could you still feel tired after two days in the Infirmary?"
"Must be the side effects of the sleeping too much." He yawned again. He is near to fully recovered. Physically, he is fine. Mentally…well, Harry is no normal boy nor wizard so you can never tell. Magically, his powers are all back and no longer strain to do a simple spell. It was his spirit that is tired. Too much had happen in the span of two months and it felt even longer in Harry's case. And maybe he still suffers from the effects of Realm Travelling. Similar to muggles travelling on planes and crossing different timelines, those inexperienced will suffer Jet-Lag.
'Or should I call it Gate-Lag.' Harry mused as they stepped through the doors that led to the upper years discussion room. There were two big oak tables with matching chairs in the middle. Five sets of doors, no doubt leading to a corridor that leads to their rooms, were on the sides. The space between the doors were not empty either. They were filled with bookshelves and corresponding books. Harry had an odd feeling that instead of being in the library like his previous years during the time when a research essay is due, this is the place where he will stay the longest. And he doubted that even the actual common room will see much of the upper years much less him.
"Wow!" Zephyr exclaimed. Although this place isn't much compared to the two libraries in the Tower, but it was the feeling in the room. In libraries, it was more of a 'silence is golden' feel. But in here, it was more communal and warm.
"You said it." Harry couldn't agree more. He could sense tiny amounts of mind relaxing spells lingering in the air. 'It could be incense that they are burning. It could have the same effect.' But he highly doubted. After all, they are in Hogwarts, a place where people practically breath in magic.
"Ok. So which door? Or do we have to play the guess game?" Zephyr asked as they were confronted with three doors.
"I wonder what's behind door number one…" Harry tried to open the first door on the left but found it locked.
"Wait, look." Zephyr pointed at the note that was attached to one of the shelves on the bookcases in a relatively easy to spot location.
"Lets see…Guess correctly would lead you to sleep. Guess wrongly and you'll stay for the night. One thing you must remember is what's not yours will never be yours. Two years you will stay in this place. Three flights of staircases you will climb. This is only for your eyes only. And last but not least this note will not change five times for each individual…Great. More work. Can't they just have a list saying who should sleep where?"
"Well, maybe it's to ensure that no one will invade the other's privacy…"
"More like Professor Dumbledore had finally cracked…"
"Well, what's you're guess?"
Harry pointed at one of the doors. He really didn't want to use his mind to think so he pointed one that felt most 'comfortable' to him.
"My guess exactly." Zephyr turned the knob and the door opened, revealing another stoned corridor paved with lush carpet. The line of flaming torches suddenly came to life as the both of them walked. They stopped when they reach the doors with their names on. On the right hand side was Harry, Ron's room was next door and Dean's was just opposite. Seamus's was next to Neville just at the end. Zephyr's door was on the other side of Harry's. They both bid the other 'Goodnight' before heading into their own rooms.
As usual, the room was decorated with light tones of scarlet and gold. The carpet were scarlet, the curtains had a golden lining and just on the window sat Hedwig who fluttered her feathers to show Harry she's been waiting a long time. He gave her a light pat before changing out of his uniform. Everything was unpacked. It seemed the house elves did a good job.
'Though I wonder what Hermoine thought of it…' Harry mused. Hermoine, being a member of S.P.E.W is against elven slavery. But to have her things unpacked by those she wished to save, and those who did this willingly. That will give her a bad headache. 'To save or not to save. That is her problem.'
There was nothing much in Harry's room. In any case, he never had much to begin with. His books were lined on the small bookcase just sitting on the table. The clothes were in the wardrobe and his trunk is at the end of the bed. 'If only I could change the colour scheme a bit. There are too much red and brown all around…' The furniture in the room was all wood and the curtains and covering were all in scarlet with tiny speckles of gold. 'Well, at least it isn't in orange.' Harry thought as he lay down on his bed. He still remember Ron's room in the Burrow and hoped Ron had not yet found the spell for changing the colour scheme.
DREAM SEQUENCE
Four figures are standing in a clearing. Three of them a bit further back than the one standing in front of the cauldron who is now covered with orange soot.
"You know, orange isn't your colour." The shadow, apparently female, in the background said.
"Oh put a sock in it. Or do you wish to go without the weapons?" The male voice came from over the cauldron
There was a weak laugh.
"It's hard enough already with one person's weapons. But with all four…"
"I never said you all had to go." Another of the shadows said in a near commanding but worried tone.
"And miss out all the fun? Never!"
A pair of hand brought out shining weapons from the cauldron bottom.
"It's the best I can do for now…"
"Then it shall be enough."
The clearing changed into one of destroyed buildings. Fire was burning and there were many voices.
"HELP!"
"Save us!"
"AH!" A women's scream echoed through the air
"What are we to do?" One of the shadows asked.
"There's not much we can do but pray that it ends soon…"
Blood was on the ground, the once shining weapons are now broken and lay on the stained grass. There was a spear, bow and arrows, a dozen or so daggers and a set of swords. Another shadow heaved.
"If only I saw."
"There was no way anyone could see the outcome. It was too unexpected."
"But I was given a gift to see!"
"Look, no one blames you. You did your best." The focus went to the shadow knelt near the weapons. "And it wasn't your fault either. As you say, you did the best you could."
"This will no be repeated. I can promise you that."
"Then that it is enough." There was another shift in gaze to the figure with shallow breathing on the ground. "How are you doing?"
"At least better than yourself. You shouldn't move too much." The figure sat up.
"I'll try."
"So, what are we going to do now?"
"I'll track it down even through to the end of time."
"We'll…" the figure who sat up voiced out.
"No," an authoritative voice said, collective shakes of head was amongst the shadows. The voice continued, "I've risked enough. I can't risk more. When I'm certain, I'll tell you guys."
"As you say mate, it's risky. You're going to need all the help you can…"
"Then stay. Protect and defend. Keep a eye for the two of them for me."
"Very well." The shadow collected the broken weapons and went towards the other two. Touching them, the three disappeared.
"Now all that's left to do is clean this place up and inform the people." The last of the shadows were gone in a flash of light.
END OF DREAM SEQUENCE
Harry woke up from his bed, feeling disorientated and confused.
'What was that?' Sunlight was just beginning to seep through the curtains. It declared the start of a new day.
A/N: This is still a bit short from what I intended but oh well…can't think much right now. By the way, see if you can work out which door is correct. Hint: the left most door is the first door and it is definitely not the one you want.
In a room piled with paper and books i.e. writer's room
Phantom: That went well…
Harry: I never knew you were poetic
Phantom: I'm not. But what would a new school year be without the sorting song?
Hermoine: Though the grammar is still as bad as usual
Phantom: You can't expect much from one who is used to writing essays and assignments…
Hermoine: Point being?
Phantom: Never mind…
Ron: Am I glad I wasn't the one to solve that riddle like note…
Phantom: It took me a long time to write that
Harry: What were you thinking anyways? Who would leave something like that?
Phantom: Dumbledore?
>>Phantom receives a collection of glares ranging from low to high intensity>>
Phantom: But seriously, I've been to boarding and when you are in those higher years, you have your own room and you CAN lock your room. Though the wardens always have the keys…
Harry, Ron & Hermoine: Whatever… walks out of the room
Phantom: Hey! Don't forget to pick up the other script on the way out!
Harry: Great >>sarcastically>> more work
Hermoine: It was you who said that it would be no trouble…
Harry: Me and my big mouth