Chap. 7 – Decisions

The boy was floating.

At least, that's how it felt to him. Gentle green waves washed over him and he was filled with a kind of warmth, a kind of calmness he had never before experienced. His jumbled mind tried to make sense of the situation, but thoughts of 'How? And Where?' vanished as rapidly as they formed to be replaced with the same tranquillity that enveloped him.

He thought it was a mere trick of the mind when he first heard it. So faint and distant was the sound that it could have been mistaken for whispers riding the wind, but in a place of absolute stillness, there existed not even a slight breeze. Then as it grew louder, the child cocked his head, straining to hear the words that accompanied the soft sweet melody that was now very real and distinctly drawing closer.

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
pretty baby,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.

Cares you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While over you a watch I'll keep.
Sleep,
pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby.

Visions of soft auburn hair and lively green eyes filled him, unknown memories long forgotten surfaced and along with them came a sense of safety, of being cherished, of being loved and of being held in arms so strong and at the same time, so gentle.

He was not sure how long he stayed there, curled up in this place so far removed from the brutal reality he had escaped. The boy lost all sense of time; content to stay where he was - safe and protected and away from anything or anyone that could harm him. A small smile graced his face as he finally drifted off, all the pain forgotten for the moment in this place of hope and dreams.

'Mother.'

Xian Pu was fuming. Arms crossed tightly over her little chest and a scowl in place on her face, she stood leaning against the closed door of the building glaring at anyone unfortunate enough to pass by. The whole effect, however, was ruined as every few minutes the girl would bounce up and down like a three year old on sugar high hoping to catch a glimpse of the happenings through the too high windows of the old house.

'It just wasn't fair.' She silently sulked. She had helped great grandmother find the boy. She was the heir of the most powerful and respected matriarch of the village and yet here she was skulking around outside of Lan's medicine hall like some insignificant urchin trying to catch wind of any news concerning their late night discovery two days before.

Inside the building, the elders have gathered, called together by Kuh Long, the oldest and wisest of them all. The village healer herself, Lan, was also seated towards the back of the room closest to the door that led to the recovery bay. Dark shadows hung under weary eyes, hair in a messy bun at the back of her head and a look of exhaustion settled over her face, Lan stifled a yawn and snapped herself to attention as a little old lady balanced on her walking stick pogo-ed her way to the centre of the room. The sight was quite ridiculous to be truthful, but looks can be deceiving and Lan reminded herself that this same harmless looking elder had once single handedly wiped out two whole legions of invading Musk warriors to save the village from destruction.

Positioning herself at the centre of the room, Kuh Long cleared her throat and began to speak. Her voice was clear and authoritative as the respected elder looked at her audience seeming to address each of them personally.

"As you would all know, and would have all felt, there was an unknown power surge only two nights previously. Fearing it was a threat I quickly made my way towards the source of the disturbance only to find a small child, no more than Xian Pu's age. There is no doubt he was indeed the source of power I had felt as the impressive display of fireworks that accompanied this surge was only just dying down as I arrived. The child, a boy, was unconscious and upon examining his condition I could see why. A multitude of cuts and bruises marred his body and after the green light that surrounded him finally faded and along with it the reek of power, I could barely detect his life force. Said child is now residing in the recovery bay and his many injuries treated by our expert healer, whom I expect is doing a wonderful job as per usual."

With that Kuh Long nodded towards Lan and the healer felt a flush of pride heating her pale cheeks.

"For his inner potential to explode outwards as such was the case, the child must have been placed in a very dire situation. I am not one to judge easily, but upon closer examination our healer has informed me that the child is seriously underweight probably resulting from years of malnourishment and his body littered with old scars. I therefore have reason to believe that this boy did not grow up in a happy home and that whoever was responsible for the ill treatment of this child was also responsible for the situation that awakened the boy's sleeping powers. As you are all aware, an individual's potential slowly develops as he or she ages, gradually coming to life as they gain better control over their selves. To have one's full potential suddenly and violently come awake this way could hold severe consequences. The child may be physically or mentally damaged beyond repair, he could never awaken from this coma, or his inner power become so depleted as to never recover from this outburst so that he is forced to live life as only half a man."

At this soft sympathetic murmurs filled the room and Lan unconsciously clinched her fists cursing the inhuman beast that had mistreated the poor boy.

"However," Kuh Long shushed them with a glance. "There is also the very rare case that the boy's inner core, the source of his life and power, become expandable from this experience. Most of us have a fixed well of energy that we can access, if the child survives and by some miracle is left in tact as whole, it is likely that his well of power will be able to develop to immense proportions. But the chances of this circumstance is slim to none, in my long life, I have only ever heard of one occurrence and even that ended in tragedy as the poor man became so overwhelmed by the prospect of his power that he became totally consumed by it. However, it is pointless in worrying about any of this until the boy awakens and we are able to accurately determine his state of being. Now I must inform you of something more pressing which I found to be even more disturbing than what has already happened."

At this many elders sat up straighter in their seats. Eyes focussed intently on their leader who suddenly sighed and appeared more weary than they had ever seen. A common strain of thoughts fluttered wildly in their minds, what could be more alarming than the state of the boy? So young and so powerful…yet so broken?

The matriarch took a deep breath and began again.

"I travelled in abundance in my youth and made many acquaintances. On one of my trips to England I met Albus Dumbledore, a man who later became one of my oldest and dearest friends. He is a powerful wizard responsible for the defeat of the Dark Lord Grindelwald and from what I am aware of, is the current headmaster of a wizarding school known as Hogwarts.

Unlike our village where magical and non-magical folk live side by side in harmony, the structure of society in the outer world segregates the non-magical folk known as 'muggles' from the magical. In fact they are kept completely oblivious to the existence of real magic. I disagree strongly with this type of government and believe that this maybe the sole cause of the many conflicts that has occurred and is present today."

Pausing only slightly, she continued. "Several years earlier a new Dark Lord rose, he called himself Voldemort and proceeded to wreak havoc all across England intending on the 'purification' of blood as he called it and was moving forces across Europe before he was banished. Voldemort was immensely powerful, to the extend that his very name was feared to be uttered. I know a little of his history due to my correspondence with Albus and am aware that a sad life filled with discrimination and fear had shaped the man he was to become. Once again I stress the terrible consequence of the segregation of the common people, centuries of misunderstanding and mistrust has led to the terrible mindset the folks have of one another and has given rise to many more wars and tyrants. As Voldemort gained power I lost contact with Albus whom I believe the people looked to as an icon of hope. But in the end he was not the one responsible for Voldemort's downfall, from what I have gathered from travellers the person responsible for the feat was but only a small child. Nobody knew how, but little Harry Potter survived the deadly killing curse and Voldemort in turn was stripped of his physical form and has not been heard of since. I know little of the boy in question, only that through the encounter he was left an orphan and marked with the sign of destiny. "

Lan gave a start in her seat. 'The sign of destiny? But that would mean…' Her eyes widened and she turned her stunned form towards the recovery bay where at that very moment a small boy with a lightning shaped scar slept.

"I have no more news from the wizarding community of England since the news of Voldemort's downfall. I know not what happened to the boy but only that Albus Dumbledore had taken matters into his own hands. Needless to say I was completely stricken with surprise to find an abused, near dead Harry Potter laying practically on our doorsteps."

At this the room erupted. Some of the elders gathered sat stunned, gaping like fish out of water. Others leaped off their seats questions bursting rapidly forth one after the other. A babble of voices filled the room as one elder looked to the next in confusion.

"Silence." The word spoken was not loud but the effect was immediate as the hubble died down and under the watchful gaze of Kuh Long, the disturbed elders returned to their seats.

"From all my years of association with Dumbledore, he did not strike me as a cruel man. I do not believe he intentionally harmed the boy in any way, and if he did then I am filled with sorrow to have misjudged his character so. It is, however, still true that he has placed the boy in danger. Although Harry Potter is not directly associated with our village in any way, it is our duty to shelter and guide those chosen by the gods."

Here the most respected elder paused. A piercing gaze swept through the room as if daring anyone to object to her next statement.

"Hence I have decided that the ritual of adoption shall commence at the next moon festival as soon as the boy awakes."

Shocked silence blanketed the room. Moments later a lone figure erupted from her sit.

"That's blasphemous! He is an outsider. An outsider male. Surely you do not intend to break tradition for him!"

Kuh Long sighed, she had expected something of the sort.

"Elder Tien Sha, believe me if you will. But I have contemplated this matter seriously, I have meditated and sought advice from the spirits. This is not some spur of the moment decision I have made and I stand by what I said."

The elder known as Tien Sha flushed angrily. "Respected elder Kuh Long. Please reconsider what you have just suggested. Such an act is completely unheard of. Yes, he may be powerful but he is still an outsider. Your irrational proposal can only serve bring sorrow to our village."

Another elder stood. "I am doubtful myself, matriarch. I see the points that elder Tien Sha is trying to make. Perhaps it is better to send him back to your friend? As you have said, this Dumbledore may not be a bad man, surely he will take better care of the boy once he learns of the kind of treatment the child was put through?"

Lan felt anger surge within her. These argumentative old crones didn't know what they were talking about, if only they had seen the boy, seen the condition he was in, then they would never suggest to send him back. No child deserved what the boy had been through.

Kuh Long obviously held the same sentiments as she narrowed her eyes and rapped her staff sharply against the ground. Once, then again.

"Do I not hold any authority here any more? That you would rise out of place to argue so against me. The boy will not go back to England, not anytime in the near future. Albus has lost him once, I will not give him the chance to do so again."

Silence fell again as the two elders who had spoken lowered themselves back into their seats. Eyes cast downwards the elder named Tien Sha spoke.

"I apologise for my outburst Matriarch. It was indeed out of place. You alone were chosen to lead our people and I trust you will do what you feel is most suitable and of the best interest for the village." She spoke in stiff tones, body tense.

"I shall do just that." Kuh Long spoke softly, words laced with steel. Head high, her ancient eyes glittering with determination she announced.

"Harry Potter will stay."

A/N: Well… you know the drill! R&R if you want any more!