Chapter 7
Two days later, students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were still gossiping about the infamous trial of Harry Potter. It was those same days that Harry Potter's unconscious wish and desire had been answered, though no one knew at the time. During lunch break, the entire school heard a sweet irresistible voice singing. Singing a song no one could understand. Albus swiftly stood from the Head Table, followed by the staff members and then the students. They all hurried from the school to the lake outside. And there they stood, entranced by the sight before them.
A lone woman, sweetly singing, was gracefully gliding atop the water's surface. Dressed in a flowing, simple, white gown, she almost seemed to fly across the waters. They could barely see the pale bare feet beneath the gown's hem. Her pale skin seemed to glow against the bright sun as the light reflected off a mass of mahogany curls. Berry colored lips moved with the strange words as a light breeze fluttered through the pair of large white wings that were at first hidden behind her, before she spread them out, coming to a stop before the large group.
Albus gasped with the group as sightless white eyes peered out at them, "Impossible."
"Albus?"
The aged wizard couldn't believe what his mind was seeing. The winged being standing before them, gracing all with her beauty and song, was a myth. At least that's what the Wizarding World had been led to believe. A legendary myth passed down through the centuries, but if she's real, then wouldn't The Powers That Be exist as legends say? "She's from a mythical race called Avians. A race controlled by ancient Gods and Goddesses, The Powers That Be. They are the ones who control the heritage of magic, or that's what we were led to believe long ago."
Minerva frowned, "Aren't Avians a word to describe flying objects or birds?"
"That's what they are, my dear. The Avians were said to be ancient begins with wings. They are said to have been born on the day of an innocent baby's laughter for the first time. The Avians are what we call White Witches and Wizards. They are the purest examples of 'light' magic. It is believed that if an Avian is present then someone must have called them."
"Called how?" Everyone was curious of how this woman had been called and who could have called her.
Albus was uncertain who it could have been, only the Avians knew who could have called. A tugging of their magic would lead them to the nearest place of their intended target until another tugging led them to the chosen person. "I'm not sure but legend says that only someone pure of mind, body, heart, and spirit could call. Those of wizards or witches must also be pure of magic. No one knows exactly how pure one must be but it is required for an Avian to visit. The person calling will tug at the 'light' magic embedded in an Avian, leading one to their side, no matter where they are."
The woman lightly walked towards Albus, sightless eyes pinned on the entire group as tendrils of her magic reached out. "Who be the one? Who be the chosen?" She had come at the wish of a chosen child, a child the ancient Gods and Goddesses wanted, a child betrayed and harmed by those they trusted and believed.
"We do not know, my dear lady." She frowned, her magic had not found the chosen among them. And until the call came again, she must remain. "This is a school of witches and wizards, training in their magic."
Her head tilted to one side. "Magic. Yes, I can see that. Not many on the level I am searching for. The one we wish for has the power and innocence, left unchecked could ruin all."
The staff froze, afraid of who that person could be. Albus had his suspicions but it couldn't be true since the boy was corrupted in many ways, "How can we help?"
"Nothing. I must remain until called again. No matter the time length."
"Very well, my dear lady." He turned to the staff and students, "Everyone, we will finish classes as scheduled. Students will leave the Avian be. She is here of her own mission. Anyone found bothering her will be severely punished." They all knew he meant what he said.
The Avian said nothing as she walked back out onto the lake. Once in the middle, she opened her mouth to sing another song. Hope filled her being as the song began to slowly reach out for the chosen child. The Fates had told her that their chosen child would soon call. A child needed to guide the power of the Gods back into a world of chaos and uneven balance.
Miles away, hidden in a dark cell, a lone figure laid curled upon a hard mattress on the wet stone floor. Untouched food lay, rotting away, near the door. The Dementors took turns in retrieving the boy's meals and shoving them inside the cell. But made sure one Dementor stayed at the cell door at all times. And Harry Potter remained unconscious to the world, dreaming the pain and horror of every bad thought his mind knew. Though the pain rushed back as every good emotion was slowly drained away, a small sliver of hope flared lightly, a flame that begged softly for someone.
For four weeks the two beings were calling out for each other before The Avian was able to find her target. As soon as his calling touched her song she vanished from the Hogwarts Lake to a dark place, Azkaban. Four black shrouded figures immediately glided forward, anxious to suck out the good emotions from the female. She merely stood her ground, staring at the jabbering Dementors, Dementors. Still infesting the world with your greed.
The instant her musical voice rang clear as she fell into the ancient tongue of the Powers That Be, the four Dementors fell back with high pitched shrieks. Her 'goodness' was not worth losing their undead lives, not when there were others who could be used as 'food.' The Powers That Be are not happy with you. We allowed your greediness to survive the afterlife but when you dare to infect the chosen child, it's not taken lightly. Be glad they are willing to let you live, for a price.
They jabbered among themselves and to her. She tipped her head at their incoherent voices. They trembled in fear and hope, all wishing she would just leave and let them do their job granted by, not only the Gods, the Magical World.
Bring me the boy. And you will free the other, Sirius Black. The Gods have decided in payment for infecting the boy you will allow Sirius Black to be free. You will not chase him. Nor will any Dementor be allowed to administer the Kiss. Should anyone, and we mean anyone, do him harm or murder him for a crime he had not committed, every Dementor will be sent to the Underworld with King Hades and Queen Persephone. He will remain free!
Two Dementors were quick to obey. They soundlessly fled the lone hall, searching for Sirius Black's cell, leaving behind two other cowering Dementors to deal with the Avian's anger. Free him!
One Dementor quickly opened the cell door as the other swept inside and dragged out an unconscious Harry Potter. She pulled the boy close, warming his shivering body with her warmth. Remember our words. Sirius Black will not be hunted by Dementors. I don't care if you are obligated to find him, we will not hesitate to vanquish you to Hell.
With those words she vanished. Left behind were two cowering, jabbering Dementors, staring into an empty cell as their two comrades opened another cell door. Inside this cell was a large black dog with dark eyes. The Dementors said nothing as they left the door open and fled to spread the news of what The Powers That Be decreed.
One very confused Sirius Black, in Animagus form of a black dog, did not question his sudden freedom. He had already been planning his escape since he saw the papers of the Weasley family with a very familiar rat. He tore out of the dingy, cold prison and hurried into the water, swimming for all his worth for the chance to run for freedom, knowing exactly where to go, Hogwarts.
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Harry murmured as a bright light peered into closed eyes. His ears could hear a soft voice singing. Slowly he allowed himself to be pulled from the nightmares to wake. "Wha?"
"Shh. Don't speak. You've spent a month with Dementors in a single cell. You are quite weak. It seems you have quite the violent reaction towards them, wouldn't be surprised that they're your greatest fear. It's what most Dementors inspire in people."
Emerald eyes widened at the sight of the winged female. He couldn't believe he had been taken from Azkaban. She smiled at him, silently giving him a glass of cold water to soothe his dry throat. Then followed the glass with simple healing touches. Harry sighed as he felt the cold drift away.
"Sleep, child." When she noticed he was fighting her suggestion, she began to tell a story, "I am what is called an Avian. We are winged beings born of innocent baby's first laughter. We are called by those chosen of the Gods to be their child. Called by those pure of mind, body, heart, spirit, and sometimes magic. When we find the chosen one, an Avian is sent to gather them. I have brought you here to be trained under the Gods as an Assassin Vulcan."
Still struggling against the call of sleep, Harry wanted to know more. But his throat refused to work properly. And the Avian smiled at the sight, taking pity on him. "This is the Hall of Purgatory. It is the place between Life and Death. It is here souls are sent to their rightful place. It is here Avians live. I brought you here to heal you. Within a week I will take you to Mount Olympus of Ancient Greece. There you will spend a few years with the Greek Gods and Goddesses to hone your skills and magic. From there you will be taken to Rome to meet the Roman Gods and Goddesses. Finally, you will spend time with Merlin and Morgana of Camelot and Lady Circe."
Harry blinked. He was quite surprised to hear what he would be doing but he wasn't sure what an Assassin Vulcan really was. The Avian seemed to read his mind quite well, for she was answering him again. "An Assassin Vulcan is a chosen warrior of the Gods. They are the ones who appear every few centuries to do the Gods' bidding. It is they who balance the scales of Good and Evil. It is they who are given the power to make changes to better the world around them. It is they who incorporate the justice truly desired by the Gods. The training for Assassin Vulcans will be painful, difficult, stressful, and sacrificing. But the reward from surviving the training is worth the shedding of tears and blood."
Harry wasn't keen on bleeding for anyone, let alone ancient Gods. But he knew that as Harry Potter nothing was simple. His family had been attacked, murdered, by a psychotic wizard bent on domination, all because of him, though he had yet to understand why. His life changed forever, living with hateful, neglecting Muggle relatives and being accused of murdering his two younger friends. He had been thrown aside by the world who looked to him as the answer to their problems, thrown away without ever having a chance to give his own part of the story.
The Avian knew what was on his mind. She could feel the turmoil of emotions. "Do not worry, my dear child. You will avenge what was taken from you. The process has been started. Because of the world's betrayal and infecting you because of the Dementors, the Gods have decided to grant an early gift to you."
Emerald eyes pleaded to know what could be so grateful that would make him remain. "Your godfather, Sirius Black, has been freed from Azkaban as a partially free man. I know you know of this man. You have seen him through your mother's eyes. He is innocent of a mass murder he never committed, set-up by the one man he once called friend, Peter Pettigrew. But if Peter's friends have given the boy the time of day or even the help, Peter would have never fallen so easily. The boy was weak, but so loyal to his friends. That weakness caused his downfall, beneath hours of torture."
Tears filled Harry's eyes. He wanted to see the man who was promised Harry should anything happen to the Potter's but he never would. "Peter was taken from his home to Voldemort, who tortured him until he broke. There was no one around who could have helped Peter, nor was there anyone before who was there for him. Your godfather and Father were two of his friends but they had a hand in his upbringing. They constantly left him out, endlessly used him to no end, and they even allowed him, unwillingly mostly, to take the fall for most of their tricks. That was one of many that can break even the most loyal."
The Avian then vanished from sight. Harry was left to think of the three men his mother talked about. Even she had once written that it wasn't fair to see Sirius Black and James Potter use Peter to their whim. She believed that Peter did not deserve what they did to him, which was why she balked at using him as the Secret Keeper. She had believed that the constant abuse during the seven years of school would take its toll on the shy, stuttering, bashful boy. And Harry knew she was right. It all took its toll the night of October 31, 1981.
All Harry was left with now were hot tears of frustration, anger, sorrow, and helplessness. All at the public at large, his own father, his godfather, and Voldemort. But one thing was clear. He would do whatever it took to go through this training. He would become an Assassin Vulcan. And he would do anything to change the past, if he could. He would stop Voldemort at all costs, even with his own life.