I have not created or claim to have created the Wizarding World, or any of its characters used below. The aforementioned are copyright by their respective publishing companies as well as J.K. Rowling. No monetary gain has or is being generated by this piece of fiction, and no copyright infringement is intended. I offer my sincerest thanks to Miss. Rowling for her sheer brilliance, discipline and talent.
Remember, "Duplication is the sincerest form of flattery".
Okay, I'm taking a shot at fan fiction here. I have trouble with clarity and simplicity when it comes to the sentence structure in my stories, so feel free to use constructive criticism to improve my writing capabilities or just plain leave a review!
I am inspired by wonderful writers such as Miss Rowling, Dragenphly and many other HP/DM shippers out there, who have contributed many beautiful works to the world of fan fiction.
On with the show!
Harry Potter and the Universal Truth
Chapter 1 - A Ghost Not Long Dead
"Harry..."
"Harry..."
"...The time is coming for you to be strong."
"Horrible things are a brewing, you can stop them, you can stop him..."
"Stay safe Harry, stay safe..."
Harry Potter awoke panting, sweat dripping down his face with a wild, disbelieving look in his eyes. The blankets were rising and falling in response to his raged breath.
'It couldn't have been Dumbledore, he's...gone!' Harry thought as he tried to make sense of the swirling silver, twinkling blue eyes and half moon spectacles that had been his dream.
He got up and noticed a letter on his dresser, glancing over he confirmed his suspicion that Hedwig was back. Her head was crooned beneath one of her snowy wings as she slept.
He opened up the brown manila envelope to find a piece of paper. It read "To: Harry" accompanied by, of all things, the Malfoy family seal. Harry looked around in surprise and saw a package beneath the paper he held in his hand. Inside the brown wrapped rectangle was a picture of Lilly and James Potter. Their arms were wrapped around each other, smiling brightly. In the background was Harry, asleep in his godfather's arms. It had been taken right before his parents had died...
Tears swam in Harry's eyes, as his fingers traced the ornate patterns that were carved into the wood of the frame.
'What would possess Malfoy to do such a thing?'
A wave of nostalgia hit him, as he curled up with the picture on his bed.
Halfway through his sobs he drifted off to sleep, oblivious to the fact that he had just turned seventeen and had four remaining gifts sitting in his room.
Harry awoke that morning and placed the cherished picture gently on his nightstand before he tore into his gifts. Mrs. Weasley had sent him a tin of his favorite tea, while Hermione had given him a book entitled 'Accepting the Loss of a Loved One' as well as a guide to brushing your teeth, courtesy of her parents (whom happened to be Muggle dentists). Ron had sent him a pair of self-writing Quidditch quills and Hagrid's gift had been most unusual, even for Hagrid. Instead of the annual rock cakes (which were much too literal as far as Harry was concerned), he had received a piece of old, yellowed parchment and a fine silver chain which bore an intricate looking quarts pendant.
His glowing smile of appreciation was interrupted when he heard his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and his cousin Dudley leave the house. The young wizard heard them pull away in their new Citroen (a very posh European car from France) and breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't so much that they still bothered Harry, having out grown the whole idea of separating Harry from his magical roots (which was a very daring task); they simply weighed on his mind. Harry had recently become very sensitive to his surroundings and the every day sounds of Dudley raiding the refrigerator or his Uncle Vernon watching the daily news made him anxious.
'Half way through Harry, in a month's time you'll be gone from this place forever.'
One Month Later...
Draco Malfoy had been kicking himself for the past month, completely at a loss when it came to explaining to himself, why he had sent Potter a birthday present. Not just a birthday present, but a picture ofPotter and hisdead parents. He must have been crying out for ridicule. He was becoming soft, there were no two ways about it --- he would have to obliviate himself.
Draco smirked at the image of his wand, pointed at his temple.
'Really, a Malfoy obliviating one's self?I really must be off myrocker.'
He sighed heavily. It wouldn't matter now, school would be starting up within the next couple of days and he would make it up to himself by being particularly nasty to Potter and his little friends. Thoughts of them brought a red tinge to his cheeks as he stormed through the cold halls of Malfoy Manor. Intent on kicking the first house elf he came across.
The start of term was only a day away, and Harry had awoken early that morning, excited at the prospect of seeing his friends and being back at Hogwarts. He hoped he'd run into them at Diagon Alley as he went about packing his personal belongings into his trunk. He scoured the room, collecting his Firebolt, quills, parchment, robes, and books before stowing them in his school trunk. He took extra care and attention when packing his newly acquired gifts. He didn't pack his wand, preferring to keep it on hand at all times. With the impending war, he could not afford casualties.
With Hedwig safely caged, Harry threw on his invisibility cloak, and apparated with his belongings to the back alley of the Leaky Cauldron.
He entered the inn and was waved over by Tom, the owner of the well-known wizard establishment. An old warlock sat at the back, puffing on a pipe that twisted and turned impossibly far into the air. Novelties such as this escaped Harry these days. Things that would have made the scared eleven-year-old boy he once was 'ooh' and 'aah' were simply mundane to him now that he was so immersed in the wizarding world.
"Harry! Harry? How ar'e ya?" Tom asked through his gap-toothed grin.
"Not bad." Harry replied before letting Tom take his belongings.
Harry exited the way he had come in, and with a few well-placed taps of his wand, he was granted a view of Diagon Alley. The street was fairly deserted except for a few older witches and wizards doing their children's school shopping. No one let his or her children out of the house more than was necessary. The threat of You-Know-Who had become too strong.
Mr. Ollivander's wand shop was dark and dusty looking. It had been closed for about a year and a half now. No one had seen or heard from him since the beginning of Harry's sixth year.
Harry opened his school list with a sigh and read the things he would need for his seventh year at Hogwarts.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Requirements for Seventh Years Taking:
Advanced Potions, Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, Advanced Charms, Advanced Transfiguration, Advanced Herbology, Theoretical History of Magic, Alternative Magiks, Magical Healing 101, and Meditative Balancing and Theory
Restricted Magical Brews by: Georgina Motsberry
Abreham's List to a Successful Store Cupboard by: Abreham Malkstrom
War Tactics by: Amanda Bruckwheat
Hand to Hand Combat by: John Hemmingway
1001 Curses and Counter curses by: Eddy Ridgeback
Charming Dangers by: Newfort Eckle
Advanced Magical Charms by: Allister Mahony
The Ever Changing Object by: Oriel Soolstine
Guide to Becoming an Animiagus by: Minerva McGonagall
Deadly Plants and Their Applications by: Florian Oulliet
A Complete Account of Wizarding History by: Alice Horn
Alternative Magiks, Beginners to Advanced by: Schilah Abdano
Medical Healing 101 by: Poppy Pomfrey
The Source of All Power by: Gina Phillips
The Ramblings of a Magical Mind by: Gina Phillips
Balancing the Complex Energy System by: Hallard Orent
Note:
Hand wraps are needed for Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts.
class. These cannot be purchased at Diagon Alley and will need to
be ordered by owl.
An attunement session for Alternative Magik Classes must be
completed at 'Wandless Wonders' located in Knockturn Alley.
NO EXCEPTIONS
\Sincerely,
Deputee Headmistress
Minerva McGonagall
"Harry!"
Harry looked up from his school list to see a bushy haired girl waving emphatically at him from the entrance of Flourish and Blotts.
Harry walked over to her and wrapped her in a warm hug.
"'Should have known you'd be in a book store, Hermione!" He laughed at her, as she cast him a scandalized and snatched his booklist from his hand.
She gave it a once over before pulling him into the shop, starting her search. If it weren't for Hermione, Harry would have spent an extra hour scouring the long, dangerously rickety shelves of books.
She came back a few minutes later with a sparkle in her eyes. Harry cringed knowing what was coming.
"Look at this!" she screeched as he winced, pitying his ears.
"What is it, Hermione?"
"This book here, it shows you everything that's ever happened in wizarding history… as long as it's contributed on a large scale! It's not even done being written, it constantly writes it's self. Oh, Harry, I bet you're in here!" She said referring to 'A Complete Account of Wizarding History'.
She struggled with the small mountain of texts she held and pulled out a beautiful deep green one triumphantly.
"Aha! See this one can never be vandalized, ripped, scratched or broken! It constantly heals itself. It's real expensive." She huffed as she flipped through the pages of 'Medical Healing 101'.
Her cheeks were flushed with excitement as he paid for the heavy stack of books and left the store. She continued to ramble as they passed Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Wow...a Honey Suckle R1! The fastest yet! Point second turning, zero to two hundred in three seconds, and maximum speed of 450 km/hr!" Harry drooled as he looked through the glass window.
He entered the broom store with Hermione closely in tow. The dark haired Gryffindor went and observed the light, honey coloured, glossy wooden handle. The twigs in the tale looked like straw spun gold. Harry had it bought and packaged faster than Hermione could complete an essay. She, of course, was admonishing him for the price.
"How much was the last book you purchased?" He asked smiling humorously at her.
"Oh let's not talk economics to death! Let's check out the sports bar in the back shall we?" She asked, quickly, knowing it had cost her about as much as the Honey Suckle was worth.
They walked towards the back of the store and into a Quidditch bar, which was seventeen and up. Harry sat up at the bar and Hermione took the seat beside him.
"What can I get you today?" A young looking man had asked Harry.
"A glass of fire whiskey please."
"And for you pretty lady?" The bartender asked Hermione not realizing she was only sixteen.
"I'll have a fire whiskey as well, thanks."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Hermione, never having thought of her as a drinker.
"Ah, a woman who can handle her alcohol, I like that in a gal" He quipped, in an overly flirtatious, charming sort of way.
Hermione blushed profusely and stuck out her hand, which bore the promise ring Ron had given her during the summer.
"Ah should'a known a gal like you would be taken already. Just my luck! Le' me go grab your drinks for ya." He smiled smoothly.
Harry just snickered while Hermione looked appalled and started smacking him on the side of the head.
From behind them, they could hear the Chudley Cannons losing horribly to Romania on a crystal ball up in the corner of the ceiling. There were a few fans with their eyes glued to it ranting and raving over the plays. Halfway through their drinks (Hermione tired of being hit in the back of the head with Cockroach Clusters by unruly fans) they left.
"Looks like the fans turned out to be fanatics." Harry laughed.
"Honestly Harry, there should be a law against horrible puns like that!" She chuckled back.
They strolled along, having resorted to shrinking their heavy purchases not too long ago. Regardless as to whether or not the Dark Lord was out for Harry's blood, the sun was shining and he was with one of his best friends. He had decided it was a glorious day.
Not wanting to break the jovial mood but knowing he had to do, he turned to Hermione.
"Listen Herm' I hope it's alright, but I have to have an attunement session at Wandless Wonders for my Alternative Magiks class. You don't have to come if you're uncomfortable. I coul..."
"Honestly Harry! And leave you to have your wrists slit open in some barbaric ritual. I'm coming with you.," She cut in, casting him a glance that said the conversation was over.
They walked past Weasley's Wizard Wheezes to find a sign pointing them to Knockturn Alley. They turned and continued until the air around them began to feel heavier, the light dimmer and the atmosphere colder.
They passed many shady looking people who were crowded around a shop called The Vibrating Wand. 'A store dedicated to the hotter side of magic'. Hermione blushed at this while Harry was busy searching for Wandless Wonders.
"Over here Hermione, come on!" Harry pointed to another sign displaying the shop's title; it looked old and worn and had an arrow pointing up.
"Up?" Hermione asked, still flustered from Knockturn Alley's previous display of blatant sexuality.
"Yes up." Harry laughed as he started to climb a contraption with stairs. It much resembled a Muggle invention called a 'fire escape' except it twisted at impossibly angled corners and lead to a frightening height.
When the top was finally reached, they were well above many of the other shop's roofs. They entered the attunement store panting slightly from the strenuous climb.
"Hello sweethearts! Hogwarts students, right?" A woman of about thirty asked with a pleasant laugh, "Been having a lot of those lately! Here for an attunement session right?"
"You can't possibly climb that every day, where's the elevator?" Hermione asked rudely.
"A what dear?" She asked with a peculiar look on her face.
"Err, attunement session!" Harry said, elbowing Hermione in the ribs.
"Oh yes! The name's Genevieve Strongthorn, I'll be with you in a moment!"
They looked around the shop as the woman went into her private rooms. Harry looked around and found that the store looked nothing like the rest of Knockturn Alley. In fact, it appeared to be quite cheerful with it's warm colors and assorted African didgeridoos. Musical instruments, knives, paints, crystals and books littered the shelves.
The dark haired woman came back holding an ornamental looking didgeridoo. She had a bright smile on her face and when she laughed the many beads, stones, and crystals that hung off her in various places, jingled.
"Umh, Miss Strongthorn?" Harry asked tentatively.
"Oh dear, call me Genevieve!" She said with a wave of her hand.
"Oh, well, Genevieve...why exactly are you set up in Knockturn Alley...I mean... you don't look like you're into the Dark Arts." He inquired.
"Oh, it's the damn Ministry and that idiot Scrimgeour! In times like this anything but wands, brooms, and main stream thinking are considered daaark maaaagiiiic.," She said while fluttering her fingers spookily before she continued with a sigh, "Sadly he's not an idiot when it comes to getting what he wants. He ended up talking to Jackanut Sorfield, the organizer for Diagon Alley; convinced him that I was a Dark wizard bent on corrupting the place! Even after I showed him my reference letters! I've been forced to set shop up here. Bad for business it is…"
"Oh..." Harry replied.
"Anyway come here dear! The attunement session is only meant to ground your magical energies, letting you start off with a 'clean slate' if you will." Genevieve explained pointing to Hermione.
Hermione looked at Harry and shrugged before walking over to Genevieve.
Genevieve picked up the didgeridoo and began to play a low, vibrating thrum. It sent tingles up Harry's spine; he could sense the power in the room. It held a distinct African beat and felt very comforting.
She set down the instrument and it continued to drone, rattling the windows of the store. Genevieve put her hands over Hermione's eyes and a shudder went through the younger witch. The drone of the instrument immediately stopped and Genevieve smiled removing her hands.
Hermione walked back to Harry and grinned. She seemed to be the same old Hermione except whenever she tried to touch anything little strings of electrical energy would come from her fingertips. Not to mention items would repel from her hands like reversed magnets.
Hermione looked horrified.
"Oh, yes dear it will do that decreasingly for the next hour or so, it's not permanent!"
She breathed a sigh of relief, the horrible idea of never being able to read a book again had crossed her mind.
Harry chuckled at her.
"Harry, would you come here a minute?" Genevieve asked while turning her head as if listening to a far off, faint noise. Her voice had held much curiosity.
Harry walked over and Genevieve gasped, "No, no I'd rather not! Much too risky! Never seen this before…I've heard about it but I never imagined! Oh my, oh my..."
Harry gave her a puzzled stare but Genevieve shooed them out of the store with a hurried "Thanks for coming but I don't think you need an attunement, Harry. Don't worry I'll make sure to cross both your names off the list telling Hogwarts you've had them. Good bye!"
The two looked at each other sharing a bewildered gaze before they shrugged and hurried out of Knockturn Alley. Neither of them fancied the place much at all.
A/N
I started this story a while ago and let it sit. I hope to breath new life into it, clarify a few things and actually FINISH it. There may be changes for those of you who have read the first three chapters before.
James