Summary: Continues right after HBP (including spoilers). Harry is about to leave Hogwarts for good by himself against the will of his friends when a memory of something Dumbledore said before pops into his mind. Deciding to take action based on this memory, Harry decides to remain at Hogwarts for a while longer and train a bit more before going into the world on his own. What he discovers afterwards about himself and the world marks the beginning of a war of unimaginable proportions. This is a story inspired by Warcraft 3, Reign of Chaos. Also, bits of other shows and books are involved such as Matrix, Lord of The Rings, and Full Metal Alchemist (not enough to actually make it a crossover).
Arthur's Note: Wow, 8 reviews in one chapter, I never thought I could do that really, but I guess I don't really know anything about myself after all. It does seem to be better than my last Harry Potter story though. It's also because of this that I'm updating right now instead of next week (which I will do another update). I'm glad to see that people like it. To be honest, I didn't like the first chapter much, it was dull and I'm sorry to say that there would be at least 2 more boring chapters (not necessarily in the beginning) so I can set things up right. I had planned to make the first chapter longer, to compensate, I'm giving you guys this update right now, hope that makes everyone happy. I'll skip the review answers until the end, so on to the story for now.
Disclaimer: I do not own any aspects of Harry Potter other than perhaps the actual books that are published. This is written for fun and definitely not profit.
The Gathering Series Book One
The Gathering Twilight
Chapter Two:
Hogwarts, Help Me
From last time:
Harry felt as though he was under the cruciatus again before it was all gone in a flash. Harry opened his eyes wondering when he had closed them and looked around. Sure enough, this was the Hogwarts kitchen. Harry shook his head a little bit before looking a Dobby who was gazing at him with a worried glance.
"I'm all right Dobby," Harry said though it wasn't exactly the truth. "Thanks for your help, I have to go now. I'll hopefully see you in the future again Dobby." With that said, Harry left a confused house elf and began his trip to the Headmaster's… ahem… Headmistress's office.
Deciding to actually think before taking any action, Harry unshrunk his trunk that he had in his pants pocket and took out his father's old invisibility cloak and the Marauder's map. He was then able to cloak himself just as professor McGonagall strode past, apparently distressed about something.
'This must be my lucky day,' Harry thought as he looked at his mp and saw that there wasn't anyone between him and Dumbledore's old office, nor was there anyone in the office. Taking off at a dash, Harry failed to see the assembly of teachers and staff at the entrance hall who were beginning to depart towards the nearby village with a certain green skull above it.
The trip wasn't anything exciting or special, but he had a feeling of apprehension over him as if he was given a potion similar to the Felix Felicis. Remembering hidden passageways and trick stairs, Harry made it to the stone gargoyle in about just five minutes. Opening his mouth to start guessing the passwords, Harry was surprised to see the gargoyle smirking at him as if it knew something that he didn't.
"Ugh… Lemon Drop?" Harry guessed, hoping that McGonagall would have used Dumbledore's favourite sweet to honor his memory in some twisted way. Seeing that this didn't work, he went through every sweet that he knew, muggle and magical alike. Getting frustrated, Harry felt something snapping inside of him and that apprehension Felix feeling took him over again.
Feeling like talking to the gargoyle, Harry followed his instincts and asked a question that had been bothering him for a while now, or rather, a series of questions. "Are you alive or are you just an enchanted piece of stone?" The gargoyle took to life as though the password was given but soon looked indignant and sneered at Harry. 'How very Snape-like of you.' Harry though bitterly as he waited for the stone statue's answer.
Giving what Harry thought was a kind of squawk; the gargoyle's eyes turned red and spoke in a painful sounding voice. "Little Non-Acolyte talk big to mighty Ke'Tha. Me live, me serve." It screeched, apparently offended. Somewhat confused, Harry decided to let this entire conversation go with his instincts. "I'm sorry, little non what?"
"Light user! Be gone!" It screeched, staying in a somewhat fixed manner. Deciding on another approach, Harry spoke again. "Who do you serve?" The stone creature looked at Harry in disbelief before becoming confused. "White skull." It replied, nodding approvingly to himself. Still not understanding anything so far, Harry gave up and just asked one thing.
"Can you let me through please Ke'Tha?" He asked, trying to show respect though he would much rather just blast the damn thing. When the stone guard didn't move, Harry thought that perhaps it was thinking or judging him, but it turns out that it returned to its original state and was ignoring him.
Feeling anger towards the sentry, Harry drew his wand and pointed it as the gargoyle. "I guess I'll have to let myself through." He said, about to use the reductor curse. What happened next was something that he didn't expect. "Arg! Protect the crypt!" It shouted before its rocklike skin was shred to reveal a dark blue and gray skin. Its eyes took on a very light blue colour with red tinges on the sides.
Before Harry could recover from his surprise, it took flight and threw a sickly green blade at him. Dodging at the last second, Harry began to fire multiple curses and hexes at the creature, hoping to stop it. The only thing that seemed to have any effect was the reductor curse. When the red light impacted, the gargoyle screeched in pain before charging at Harry to strike with its front claws.
The very moment that he was face to face with Ke'Tha, he fired three more reductors right into the gargoyle's face and two more in the chest. The gargoyle was thrown backwards before throwing another green blade, which headed towards Harry's chest at an amazing speed. Barely having the time to dodge, Harry shift to keep his heart from being damaged…
"AAARRRGGGHHHH!" Harry screamed as the long attack hit his shoulder… and severed his entire right arm. It wasn't over yet as a faint trace of the end of the blade cut his right eye, making Harry see nothing but the colour red in that eye. The force was so strong that felt his entire body smash through the wall behind him.
Enraged, Harry got up amongst the falling debris aiming his wand at where he thought the gargoyle was. Going back towards the entrance of his destination, Harry saw that the gargoyle had reverted into his old form. Confused, Harry examined the creature that was now no longer blocking his way with his one good eye.
There appeared to be some kind of barrier around it and Harry thought that this was a defense position before confirming it by seeing Ke'Tha starting to heal. The tears and cracks in its skin were regenerating. Swearing softly, Harry headed towards the spiral staircase before falling onto his knees.
Harry began to feel light headed as he felt his heart rate slowing. It was then that he felt the cliché-ish replay of his entire life. He began to think of everything until he remembered the prophecy. 'No!' Harry thought, 'I can't die like this… I'm not going to die like this!'
Finding the renewed strength, Harry started towards Dumbledore's old office again. Harry knew that he wasn't going to die. Though this situation gave him another memory as well that he had missed before… from his second year…
FLASHBACK (DIRECT QUOTE FROM BOOK)
Dumbledore had not taken his bright blue eyes off Lucius Malfoy's cold gray ones.
"However," said Dumbledore, speaking very slowly and clearly, so that none of them could miss a word, "you will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me. You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."
END FLASHBACK
It was with this thought in mind that Harry arrived outside the door to the office. As he opened the door while wincing slightly from his major wounds, he heard a screech from below him. It seemed that the gargoyle was back for some more fun. Quickly deciding that he's in no condition to fight, he burst through the door and several portraits awoke with the noise, including the man that had caused him so much pain but he had forgive.
"Professor Dumbledore sir," Harry said, seeing Dumbledore's surprised face at his current state. 'Must not be an everyday sight to see the boy-who-lived in such a state.' Harry thought bitterly. "Professor, I need Hogwart's help…"
If the old professor had been surprised before, it was nothing compared to the look that he wore. This remained for a couple of minutes as Harry closed the door just in time to stop Ke'Tha. As Harry turned back towards his old mentor, he saw an amplified amount of twinkling light from Dumbledore's eyes as he broke out into a wide knowing grin with a bit of maliciousness that Harry had only seen in Bellatrix Lestrange and Voldemort before…
End second chapter.
A/N: There, I think that should do for now. I like this chapter much more than the first, I hope it's better for everyone. I'd also like to thank for everyone who've reviewed. It's because of those reviews that I'm updating early.
Review responses/acknowledgements.
Amscray: Thanks for the review, you shouldn't thank me for making Harry dump Ginny, you should thank God that J.K Rowling (sp?) came to her senses and make Harry break up with her near the end of the sixth book.
Adam: Thanks for the time you took to review, you don't have to wait anymore… as you can see…
shadow of the black abyss: Here it is.
Fredryck: Yes, Harry is going to become somewhat like Arthas, but you should all know that this is a story inspired by WarCraft three and is not exactly the same. It's not going to be the same. I'm going to change a lot of things but it's mainly the same thing. I'll give you a hint though, Dumbledore's coming back to life in another form, just like a certain "accomplice" of Arthas… any ways, thank you for your review.
AzureSky123: Harry's going to become somewhat like Arthas (read above) and I'm definitely giving him Frostmourne (in next chapter). However, he might not be necessarily dark and he's not just going to sit around and take shit from the dreadlords either. Thanks for your review.
Deadwilder: Thanks. Hope you like this chapter.
Potterfanforever: I'll keep what you said in mind, though I might still put Tonks in if people want her. But I'm glad that you agree with the black sisters though.
gold viper: Wow, you want more than four girls? Sure I guess, but I'll have to see what other people think about that, I don't want to come across as a pervert. I only want multiship because it's harder to write in my opinion. I do plan to make things permanent (relationships) but marriage may not come in this book (remember, it's a series) but there may be lemons if people want them and I can try to write them.
To all those who voted for pairings and/or are going to vote, please vote when you are signed in. That way people won't think that I counterfeited votes. However, I'm going to count this chapter's votes since I didn't say anything about it before.
Pairing standings so far (if you vote for "anyone is fine" then everyone gets a vote, if you vote that you don't want someone, that'll be minus one for that person):
Narcissa Black: 3
Bellatrix Black: 3
Fleur Delacour: 2
N. Tonks: 1
Patil Twins (I'm guessing this is what people mean by Padma or is it just her?): 2
Gabrielle Delacour (age modified): 2
I think that should be all. Please tell me if I forgot someone. There isn't going to be any romance for a while so the voting can go on for a while. I urge everyone who reads to participate because I need the people soon. Also I would like views on what people think about side pairings. Oh, did I mention that I'm bringing Sirius Black back as well? I'm going to do that unless a LOT of people don't want that. (Hint: Dumbledore, Harry, Sirius, maybe Lupin, will all become Warcraft heroes with special abilities) Just so everyone knows I do not like Hermione and Ron much, they may be against Harry.
That should be all, thanks to everyone who reviewed and please vote on the pairings and tell me what kind of talents, weapons, skills, and such you want Harry to have. I've got some ideas already though. Harry's new arm and eye are examples. This may become a super Harry but just wait until you see the equivalents of Archimonde and Stormrage. I also need people to tell me the names of the original Heroes from the game, like, I forgot the name of the pit lord that was killed by Hellscream
For those who do not know anything about the game, you're not going to miss much as I'll make it easy to understand without Warcraft terms.
That's about it for now, until next time, bye!
U-T signing off…