Title: The Flames of Change
Summary: After the mess at the Department of Mysteries, Harry Potter was just trying to come to terms with his Godfather's death. It all started with an 'innocent' wish… Honestly, he hadn't meant to set the ceiling on fire, it just sort of happened. Join Harry for his 6th year… It's gonna be a doozy.
Warnings for this Chapter: Uh… aftermath of abuse and, as always, the threat of naughty language.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Sue me, and you shall get a total of six pennies and a bit of string.
A/N: I bumped the rating up, just in case. It's now T.
I know I said two or three weeks, but I had honestly thoughtI could do it in two. So much for that, huh? There's an explanationat the bottom as to why it took me longer.
Thanks to Hot-Salsa (Thanks for the vote of confidence! Have I mentioned how cool I think your penname is? Sorry, I'm a dorky New Mexican who loves all things salsa. XD Thanks for reviewing, I hope this chapter was worth waiting for!), The Female Nerd (Hahaha! Yeah, it would be very awkward. Erm… well, I checked the front of HBP and didn't see any mention of the Order guarding Harry. So… ehehehe… we'll just assume that Dumbledore is completely comfortable with the letter system to keep Harry safe. Or maybe he's giving Harry some freedom. Thanks for reviewing, enjoy the chapter!), and hey (Hahaha… I wouldn't say he's an idiot… He's just a bit dense sometimes. Thanks for the review!). You guys are awesome.
So, erm, I'm not British, so please, please, tell me if I've made a mistake with the usage of any British words. Much obliged.
And onward we go…
------/-----
Last time:
Dumbledore held up a hand, stilling further protests. "Remus, I understand you're concerned for the boy. Not to worry. I will send someone over tomorrow. I'll inform you of what happens. For now, I think you should head home…" This man was hopeless! Hedwig decided it was time to leave. She could do no more here.
"You know I hate that house, Albus…" Remus was saying. Hedwig launched from his shoulder, startling him. "Hedwig!" She flew to the high window used by owls, hooting a farewell to Fawkes.
She needed to check on her human. The bad feeling that had sent her out to get help now was urging her to return.
-----/-----
Hedwig flew swiftly towards Little Whinging, the beautiful white owl the only thing visible in the warm night. She had been flying for hours, but she was nearing her destination now so she didn't- couldn't- stop. Her human was in trouble. He needed her.
Hedwig knew she was quite fast when compared to other owls. Other… less gifted owls. Like that little heathen Pig. He aught to take his duty more seriously! His wizard counted on him to deliver letters, and he just treated it like a joke! Not like her. Hedwig hooted proudly before giving herself a little shake. She needed to focus. Harry was in trouble, and here she was, flattering herself! Disgraceful. Hedwig flapped her wings a bit harder, gaining in speed.
She had never flown as fast as she was going now. As a result, Hedwig arrived at the town in record time. The sun was peeking from behind the houses, just beginning to rise, and was shedding its morning light across Privit Drive.
She spotted her human's window easily. There was a bit of light smoke wafting lazily out the window. Strange… Surely the smoke from that fire wouldn't have lingered this long? Hedwig wheeled down towards the window, landing on the sill and peering inside. The room was lit with a dim glow, but Hedwig wasn't too worried about it. She did belong to a wizard, after all. Things like that were in the job description. Harry was surely its source, so she glanced around for her human.
She looked first to the bed, expecting her human to be lying on it, either reading or brooding as he often did instead of sleeping like a regular human. Hedwig disapproved of Harry's sleeping pattern, but her human often muttered about his 'damnable insomnia,' and she supposed that was the reason he seldom slept. Even if she didn't know what this 'damnable insomnia' entailed.
The wizard was not on the bed.
Her perch was still standing, so Hedwig flew to it. She hooted confusedly, clenching the perch tightly between her talons. The room was warmer than usual. Hedwig thought it was rather reminiscent of the Gryffindor common room, which always had a lovely fire going to keep the tower warm. Much better than the drafty owlery.
Thoughts of fire led her to remember the smoke. She looked up, and, seeing the thin smoke at the ceiling, Hedwig searched out its source. She let out an undignified squawk when she noticed her human's figure in the corner near the door. Or rather, when she noticed the flames dancing over his still form.
Hedwig fluttered to the floor and approached Harry carefully, maneuvering around the charred blanket and… was that a piece of ceiling? When did that come down? She shook herself a bit, trying to pay attention to the task at hand. As she neared, the flames flared up, flickering wildly. For a moment, they seemed to observe her, as though they were assessing her trustworthiness. No, no, no! They weren't analyzing her; that was just silly. No need to be paranoid.
Small tendrils of fire stretched towards her. She eyed them uncertainly, wondering if she really should be tempting fate like this. Soon the decision was taken out of her hands. They jumped forward suddenly, surrounding her in a ring of fire. Hedwig, instead of burning to a crisp as expected, merely felt warm… and oddly secure.
The flames gave off the feeling that Hedwig associated with Harry, her wizard. It was the feeling that he was happy to see her and grateful for her company. Was this Harry's doing? She was amazed at the thought. A wizard who can control fire…? I've never heard of anyone able to do that…
The flames abruptly took on a blue tinge and were suddenly much less warm and inviting. Hedwig was startled at the change. They jerked away from her, withdrawing back to the wizard, chaotic in their movements.
With a drawn out hiss, the flames flickered and slowly shrunk, giving Hedwig her first real glimpse of her human.
-/-
He floated in a warm place. A protected place. He was surrounded by darkness, but it wasn't a threatening darkness. Just peaceful.
Then… a presence. It felt familiar and safe. He reached for it, as a child reaches for a mother's welcoming embrace.
The presence was uneasy, he could sense, so he decided to share the comfort he felt. He stretched out a hand and touched it, heat flooding from his fingertips into the presence.
He felt its pleasure and awe… He smiled emphatically; he was happy too.
This place was good. Nice. He would be sad when he left.
Wait… Leave?
Leave for where? For what? Why did he have to leave…?
He tried to remember... Dim memories of a barking laugh and a smiling face… and something else…
An obligation?
That's right…
His responsibility. To live for Sirius. For everyone…
He felt the comfort leave him. And with it, the warmth.
He was so cold… But he could remember, and that was all that mattered.
-/-
Hedwig cooed anxiously over her human's huddled form. His body was sprawled on its side, against the wall. Vivid bruises stood out starkly against his pale skin. They were everywhere: on his arms, his face… Harry's baggy shirt prevented her from seeing his chest, but she would bet a whole bag of owl treats that it was black and blue as well.
She stepped closer, trying to determine the full extent of his injuries. His head lay in a small puddle of blood. Hedwig brought her large eyes nearer to his face, attempting to find its source. There. It was a cut on Harry's cheek, small but bleeding sluggishly. Hedwig could have sighed with relief. It wasn't serious.
She turned to look at the rest of Harry's body again. One of his arms was swollen and heavily bruised. Poor dear…That's going to hurt. Hedwig made a sympathetic noise and turned back to the boy's head, preening his hair gently, in the way Hedwig's mother had done to comfort her when she was small.
Her human stirred a bit before letting out a quiet groan. Hedwig paused in preening and hooted softly, trying to encourage the boy to awaken.
-/-
Harry swam slowly into consciousness, fighting against the tide of darkness that was threatening to overwhelm him. Finally, he broke through the surface… And suddenly wished he had stayed unconscious.
Pain was everywhere. His head, his legs, his chest… He whimpered quietly, keeping his eyes shut tight, as though that would hold off any hurt. A quiet sound reached through the pain. Harry opened his eyes, keeping them slitted against the light. Even if said light was admittedly dim.
Everything was blurry. Where were his glasses…? Must have fallen off when he hit me the first time. Brilliant.
A white mass suddenly engulfed his vision. It was Hedwig. Well, probably. He couldn't really see what it was, but he didn't have any other white things that could move around, or fly, or hoot, or deliver mail. He blinked several times, trying to force himself to pay attention. Focus, Harry. Focus... The boy mentally groaned. ...Focus is so underrated.
Harry opened his mouth to speak. "Hed…wig…?" His voice was distressingly raspy. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Hedwig?" Much better.
Harry tried to sit up and nearly passed out again. Agh… Bloody hell, that hurt! Trying again, slower this time, Harry managed to make it into a sitting position. He leaned against the wall, panting softly. Truly pathetic, Potter; you can't even sit up without exhausting yourself, whispered a voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like Snape.
Harry resisted the urge to laugh. He just couldn't live without those snide little remarks, could he? No Snape around? No problem! A little bubble of laughter escaped him. Harry hoped it didn't sound hysterical.
Hedwig hooted concernedly, obviously thinking he'd been too long without saying something to her. Or maybe she thinks I belong in the loony bin. Harry let out another giggle and tried to reach out a hand to comfort her, but stopped when he realized one of his arms was oddly numb. Harry looked down, concerned at the lack of feeling.
His left arm was swollen terribly, and bruised besides. Harry stared at it for a moment, swallowing the urge to vomit. That was most certainly not normal. He swallowed again and looked around; trying to ignore the tingling feeling that had started in the afflicted arm.
Harry looked blearily around at his out of focus bedroom, trying to decide what to do. Well, first thing's first. "Hedwig?" An answering hoot. "Do you think you could find my glasses?"
The fuzzy white mass that was his owl hopped away. Harry hoped that she was looking for them. It was a couple of moments before Hedwig made a triumphant sound and returned to him, pushing something into his palm. "Thanks," muttered Harry gratefully. He brought the glasses shakily up to his face, slipping them on and looking around.
The sun was rising, bathing his room in the morning light.
His room seemed even messier than it had the night before. With the growing light of dawn, Harry could see that the smoke had left a greasy layer of black soot on the ceiling. Combined with the hole… Well, it wasn't looking particularly presentable.
He shifted his attention to the floor. The blanket was still there, looking as pitiful and mangled as it had the night before. And there was the broken piece of plaster that was the fallen ceiling. Looking beside himself, he noticed a bit of blood where his head had been. Startled, Harry brought his hand up and felt around on his head until his hand met something sticky. Harry moved his hand away and examined his fingers. It was blood all right. He again brought his hand up to his face and gently probed for the cut.
Ah, there it was. On his cheek.
Harry sighed darkly and let his hand drop. Hope it doesn't scar. I sure as Hell don't need another one on my face. He stared sightlessly at the ceiling, trying to absorb everything that had happened to him. A dull pain began to creep into his left arm, distracting him from his thoughts. He eyed it wearily and sighed again.
"So… Now what, Hedwig?" Harry said. Hedwig eyed him appraisingly for a moment before moving over to the door. She turned back to Harry, giving a quick hoot, and again looked to the door.
"Alright then. I assume you think I should get out of here." An affirmative hoot. Harry snorted wearily. "And do what? Shower?" Hedwig gave him an affronted glare. "Actually, a shower doesn't sound like such a bad idea…" Harry mused thoughtfully, looking at the blood on his fingers. "The Dursley's won't be up for a couple of hours yet, I'd have plenty of time."
Taking a deep breathe, Harry steeled himself. He stood slowly, bracing himself on the wall with his good arm. Once he was fully standing, Harry took a shaky breath and let his arm fall from the wall. He swayed a bit before regaining his balance and limping towards the door, one arm dangling uselessly at his side.
On the floor, Hedwig was doing a good impression of a mother hen, hooting anxiously and crowding his feet. After nearly stepping on her, Harry politely asked her to move. She hooted a bit sullenly, but obligingly flew up to land on his shoulder. Hedwig only gripped his shoulder lightly between her talons, which Harry was very thankful for. He didn't want talon injuries on top of everything else. He again braced himself on the wall; she seemed heavier than usual.
As he reached the door, Harry noticed that something was wrong with the door knob. It looked as if it had been heated at a high temperature. The metal in some places seemed to have liquefied and dripped down, making the knob look slightly uneven in its thickness. He blinked at it wearily, fleetingly wondering what had happened to it, before grabbing the knob. Harry spared it a brief thought, hoping that its apparent melting hadn't rendered the thing useless, before he turned the knob.
The door opened quietly and Harry stuck his head out of the room to make sure the hallway was clear. He didn't expect any of the Dursley's to be up at the crack of dawn, but he sure as hell didn't want to meet any of them when he was in this condition. It was clear. Stealthily as he could, Harry crept down the hallway. He heard naught but his relatives' snores, which was greatly comforting. Reaching the bathroom, he slipped inside and shut the door with a quiet click.
He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard no sudden yells of rage or stomping footsteps. Hopefully his relatives would stay asleep while he took his shower. If they hear the shower running though… With that unpleasant thought, Harry decided to forgo the shower. He motioned for the snowy owl to get off of his shoulder and wet a wash cloth with warm water instead. This simple task was far more difficult than he expected. …Then again, he wasn't reallycomfortable with using only one arm in everyday tasks.
After flicking on the light, Harry examined himself in the mirror briefly, holding the dripping cloth over the sink. He looked just as bad as he felt, with bruises scattered across his face and arms. The graze on his face had bled a lot, leaving a horizontal streak of blood across his cheek and into his hair. Harry grimaced. He wasn't going to be able to get that out without a shower.
Vernon was kicking me... Which means that this is probably a scratch from his toenail. Ugh. Harry made a face at the thought. Would've been better off not thinking that. Urgh… Now he reallyhad to get it clean.
Harry brought the wet cloth to his cheek, cleaning away the blood as best he could. That done, he turned his attention to his arm. In the light, he could clearly see that it was broken, not just bruised. He decided it was probably not a good idea to wash it. He didn't want to make it worse.
"What should I do, Hedwig?" Harry asked quietly, dropping the wash cloth into the sink with a wet smack. Hedwig merely cocked her head at him, obviously feeling he should make the decision. "I guess I should get out of here before everyone wakes up." He looked about himself, a bit doubtfully.
How would he get his wand? It was still locked in the cupboard downstairs.
"I'll stay nearby," he decided. "Then, if Uncle Vernon decides to burn my stuff, I'll be able to see the smoke." Harry laughed half-heartedly at his poor joke, sincerely hoping that his uncle wouldn't actually think to burn his things. He opened the bathroom door anyways, in spite of his misgivings. Flicking the light off out of habit, Harry tottered down the hallway, feeling much more tired than he aught to. Hedwig flew ahead of him, down to the first floor.
The stairs seemed to be a lot longer than he remembered. Regardless, the Boy-Who-Lived doggedly descended, clutching at the railing with his good hand.
When he reached the bottom, Harry glanced at his cupboard door. He was a bit disappointed that it was still locked up, even though there wasn't any logical reason for it to have opened. Harry sighed and turned away, facing the front door with a sort of grim determination. Hedwig hooted encouragingly from the floor and followed Harry to the door.
Taking a deep breath, Harry opened the door and crossed the threshold, stepping out from the dark living room into the new light of dawn. Somehow, amazingly, he felt a weight lifted from his shoulders and he stood taller, able to ignore his injuries for the moment.
He was free, at least for a little while. Harry decided he was going to make good use of that time. He took a step and swayed suddenly, making his arm throb, and decided that a nap would be a good idea. He was exhausted.
A cloud drifted lazily over the sun, casting shadows over Privet Drive. Harry Potter stumbled to the sidewalk and down the street, following the retreating light.
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Okay… that was kind of a weird ending to the chapter… It was written very late, and I suppose I thought I was being very profound. Hahaha. What'd you think of the chapter as a whole? It was a bit longer than the last one…
If you have questions about Harry's little spectacle with the fire, feel free to ask. I'll do my best to answer.
I had hoped to get Harry rescued by the end of this, but, alas, it was not meant to be. Next time for sure though.
I'm really sorry for the wait. Everything kind of tackled me at once… four essays, two books, frantic studying for the midterms, a test in tae kwon do, computer trouble… not to mention the death of my grandpa last Sunday. Very depressing, and the rest of my familyleft for Oklahoma for his funeral. I was left behind at a friend's house because of the upcoming midterms, which meant no computer and no working on this.
So… yeah. I'm sorry, but I hope you can understand.
Please review! Constructive criticism is lovely, as are comments, but please do not flame me.
Thanks,
-Lovel