Hey everyone,
A new challenge and this is – again – from DZ2's Forum. That man has so many challenges written on his forum if you haven't visited it, you are missing out when it comes to what ff . net has to offer you. In fact, his forum and his Den of Delights are my inspirations to actually starting this series, so check him out.
I mean it, do it,
Venquine1990
Challenge #18
Of Myths and Magic
Harry's POV
"Well done, dear boy."
Those four words say it all, even though I cannot see the one who spoke them as everything around me seems to have become an endless cloud of white, the structure of the power itself not really being tangible, yet at the same time feeling as if the whole thing is restricting my every move and pressing in on me from every angle.
I try to look around, my eyes having opened being the only thing I have felt myself capable of actually doing in this dense and highly oppressive atmosphere, but when I want to turn my head even a little bit, does it seem as if I just cast a spell on the atmosphere as the oppressive feeling vanishes with a powerful gust of wind.
This wind, somehow, almost feels as if it comes from every fiber of my own body and while I can feel this power pushing the oppressive feeling of my surroundings far away, allowing me to move around freely, do I continue to look around, my eyes still not seeing anything other than the endless white cloud and so I ask:
"Professor Dumbledore?" And the same elder voice comes from behind me as it says: "Over here, Harry." making me turn around, the last year making me instantly reach for my wand even though I don't raise it, only grasp it, yet the man still tenses at seeing this and raises his hands, his expression shocked as he asks:
"Is there something I did wrong, perhaps?" But while I lower my wand a little more and before I can answer the man, does a strong voice that has my timbre and is almost similar in tone to my own say: "You can certainly say that again." And I again turn around, Dumbledore turning a little white as we look at the source.
A man with hair that is messier than mine, who has great muscles in his arms and shoulders, yet not enough to show through his lean and slightly tall form, who stands strong despite his wobbly-looking knees and who has strong hazel brown eyes covered with some glasses, even if these do not hide the emotions within the gaze.
"D-d-dad?" I ask, my mind whirling with shock and disbelief as I really hadn't expected to see one let alone two people who died before I did and while the fact that I am seeing these people makes it all the more real to me that Dumbledore's plan worked, does the idea that I am dead make me feel highly uncomfortable with myself.
The man smiles at me very shortly, yet with so much love and care it almost blows me away before he turns a furious glare back at the man behind me and says: "Stop with the lies and deceit, old man. Your gig is up and you chose the wrong path. Trying to end my ancient line this way was the worst mistake you ever made."
At this I turn shocked glances between the man in front of me and the man behind me, who looks at my dad with apathy and a strong composure as he says: "James, I don't –." But the man gets interrupted a second time, this time by a female voice that says: "Of course not, you're not dead so you can't join our talks."
And a woman with long auburn red hair that reaches to just above her elbows, who has a slim neck and a gorgeous figure that is just barely slim enough to make her look as if she has an hourglass waistline and who has my emerald green eyes that are practically burning with an intense and heartfelt rage appears behind my dad.
"Mum?" I ask, feeling much more at ease with seeing the woman than I did with my dad and the woman sends me the same look dad did before Dumbledore gasps behind me and this is the only warning I get before a very familiar, slightly emaciated hand lies itself on my shoulder, making me look behind me.
A thin looking face, a healthy tan, long brownish black hair that has a few curls here and there and looks alive and healthy enough it almost looks wild and a pair of grey-blue eyes that sparkle with a hint of mischief which is almost hidden by a deep and passionate sense of love and loyalty. Sirius Black stands beside me.
The sight of the man who's death I believed myself to have been responsible for is almost too much for me and I ask: "Am I – dead?" But the man shakes his head and says: "Not quite yet, kiddo. You're on the very line between it, as is a right that is only passed down to some members of your line." Sirius then turns and says:
"Something our old Headmaster knows like no other, don't you Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." And the more the man speaks, the more anger and spite are heard coming through his voice, until at the end if almost sounds like a butcher's knife cutting through a new stock of pork, beef and other kinds of meat.
The man he speaks to reels back, as if stabbed by a knife or shot by a spell and I ask: "What is he talking about?" And before the man can say anything in his defense, does another voice sound and say: "Don't ask him, my young, for no answer from his lips will ever hold the truth." Yet this voice is different from the others.
Powerful and with a sense of existence and magic that feels almost similar to how the white cloud tried pressing itself against my entire body earlier, this voice doesn't even sound as if it has any source or belongs to anyone I had seen passing in the almost 18 years I have been alive. This voice almost sounds as if its owner is everywhere.
This makes me look around, if for no other reason than to find some kind of point as to where I can talk to as I ask: "Who – who are you?" But then Dumbledore says: "Harry, you must –." But before he can finish does my mum ask: "Are you seriously trying to order a son around in the presence of his own two parents, Dumbledore?"
The man cringes again and then, while I pay only half attention to the strange squabble between them as I feel more intrigued in finding the source of the voice I just heard, do I see all three of my guardians turn to the man and to my amazement do they chorus: "I believe it's time for you to leave, old man."
And as if their words are a magic of their own, do I again feel that powerful wind that earlier blew the oppressing cloud of white away come back, only this time to blow Dumbledore so far away that he somehow seems to disappear into the whiteness, the suddenness of his disappearance making me realize that magic is at work here.
"Who did that?" I ask, wanting to know if it's the same person as the voice that spoke earlier and I get proven right as that same voice sounds again and says: "I did, child, for only those I have brought in the Realm-Between should have the right and responsibility to speak the truth." Which again makes me turn to my guardians as I ask:
"What is he talking about?" And the three smile at me, their anger apparently having been vanished alongside Dumbledore and dad asks: "Harry, I know you went to Primary School, son. What was your favorite subject of that time?" This shocks and confuses me, yet at the same time makes me feel warm and loved and I say:
"Well – ehm, I – I always loved History, really. especially –." And mum asks: "Especially Greek Mythology?" I nod, wondering whether or not she watched over me while I was in those classes and dad says: "That too has to do with the gift you were blessed with, little one, the reason you are now here and not on the Other Side."
This shocks me and I ask: "How does me loving Greek Mytho – the Gods are still alive, aren't they?" I ask with a deadpanned voice, my years of figuring out what a madman like Voldemort could be up to making me realize what could be going on here, but then my eyes widen as I realize something else and ask them:
"Wait, that – that voice that – that we're hearing, is – is that a –." Yet the answer Sirius gives me is not the one I expected as he asks: "A Titan, you guessed it, kiddo." And while I realize that this Titan will probably not like to be called a god, can I not help but ask: "Who – who's talking?" And the answer shocks me silent.
"Kronos, God of Time, father of the Olympian Twelve and the most Devious Titan to have ever lived." Dad says, the pride that sounds through his voice at the end confusing me and he asks: "You do know the story of Kronos, don't you?" I nod and ask: "I do, but what do you mean, devious? Did he – you know – pull a –."
And while I stop, does the voice return and say: "No, little one. I did not pull a Riddle. I need not to as my essence is one that will continue to exist as long as – in both life and afterlife – there are those that continue to believe in me, even if it is just my legend. Every mortal that believes in me keeps my strength alive, I can assure you."
This, while it should make me feel slightly awkward, actually makes me feel proud and makes me ask: "So what does dad mean with devious? What did you do, Lord Kronos?" And the answer astounds me as he says: "I knew Gods could be my downfall and so, while my wife fled with Zeus, did I move my own Divine Essence elsewhere."
"Elsewhere?" I ask shocked and the voice continues: "Into the most powerful female mortal I could find. I also gave her some of my own power by having her hold my Scythe as I magically imbedded my essence into her and because of that was she the mother of one of the most powerful beings of its time; a wizard."
"Merlin?" I ask in shock, but I can almost feel the very air around me shake as if the force controlling the area around me shakes its head and Kronos says: "No, Child. Merlin was not to be born of my essence. He came centuries later and was too far out of my reach and sight at that time. Others, however, were not."
This intrigues me and Kronos goes on: "After my sons and daughters betrayed me and cut me into the many pieces that they did, throwing it all into Tartarus, was I able to keep my connection with my Mundane offspring and by keeping that essence strong, did I create several witches and wizards that continued my line.
Of course, I had to be careful and had to tweak and twist the minds of my offspring as I could not take the risk of them using their gifts in such a way they would alert their more Divine relatives, yet after a few centuries of doing so, did I suddenly feel bored and so I send a boost of my own remaining powers into the presence."
"And from that a famous witch or wizard was born, wasn't there?" I ask, now feeling like sitting down, but not seeing anything on which I can sit as the whole area around me still looks like one big piece of unblemished paper that just seems to stretch around me from left to right and back to front without ending.
Kronos hums and says: "Yes, a very famous one indeed. One that you have done proud many a time and I mean not through your Tongue, Child." And this actually makes me want to look down, where I see that somehow I have been changed into my old Gryffindor Uniform, the robe with the lion on the chest feeling warm and comfy.
"Godric Gryffindor. Godric Gryffindor was your Heir. He was an Heir to the Lord of Time." I say in shock and then Kronos throws me for a loop I could have never expected as he says: "And Salazar Slytherin was a son of Zeus, one who knew and who recognized my child for who he was, thus causing the Legendary battle."
"Wait, the Legendary fight between Gryffindor and Slytherin was about their actual parentage?" I ask shocked and Kronos says: "Yes, Child, it is just because of wizards like Dumbledore, Fudge and witches like Umbridge that your world no longer really believes in us Divine beings and so have adapted the tale."
"Why?" I ask, shocked to hear that Dumbledore is amongst that list and I say: "That changed tale is the main reason Slytherin and Gryffindor House hate each other. It's the whole reason behind the feud between my father and Professor Snape. It's what –." And then Kronos makes the whole thing make sense as he says:
"What makes the Muggleborns rely on people like Dumbledore and the Purebloods on people like Riddle, causing for a feud that can only be ended by someone who has a true sense of pride and care, something Dumbledore is very proficient in faking to have." And these words finally make me cave in and sit down.
The cloud under me catches my fall, making it so that I still fall on my buttocks and then on my back, but also that I don't feel anything hard or painful as I land and I ask: "Why – why would – why would he want to behave like that? What – other than other's loyalty – could he possibly gain from causing such a thing?"
And then dad, who has apparently gone to sit down next to me, speaks and says: "Harry, the reason Dumbledore does this I because he knows there are still Demigods and Children of the Titans left on this world, yet the honor and respect he has gained throughout his life has made him believe that he stands above the Divine."
"Why?" I ask and mum answers: "Because of an old saying. With great Power comes great Responsibility. Dumbledore believes that the Gods and Titans have abandoned Magical England and that it's up to him to make sure the Magical World becomes a paradise only he believes in – one that will ruin it for everyone else."
And while the idea of this all being true sounds terrible and ridiculous, do I feel in my heart that it is the truth before I ask: "But – but what – what do I have to do with all this?" And when Sirius asks: "What do you think?" Do I suddenly feel something that is not the flesh or cloths of my mum appear on my side making me look at it.
A gorgeous silver sword, the blade itself made of Goblin metal, rubies encrusted into the hilt and the hilt itself made of silver which is wrapped around the hilt in very thin bands of silver metal. The sword of Godric Gryffindor, which I believed to have been lost back in Gringotts thanks to Griphook now lies besides me and I say:
"I'm Heir to Gryffindor." And dad goes on: "And with that the last Heir to Kronos, Lord of Time and the Father to the Olympian Twelve, a fact Dumbledore can't stand because of his own beliefs." Yet while his words shock and astound me, do I keep my ever wider-growing eyes on the silver and ruby encrusted sword besides me.
"My Child, allow me to show you what will happen if you chose to go along with Dumbledore's plan." And while the words of my apparent first ancestor make me sit up with a gasp of tired shock, do I suddenly feel the entire area around me change and does the white make place for a gorgeous set of grounds and a gigantic castle.
"Hogwarts." I whisper and Kronos says: "Five minutes after you accepted Voldemort to kill you. Watch this, my little one." And as I look, do I see something that absolutely terrifies me. Voldemort himself, looking strong and without even a single injury visible stands at the edge of the forest with Hagrid carrying me beside him.
The deformed man has my actual wand aimed for his throat and shouts loud enough I could have heard it on the other side of the mountains surrounding the castle: "Hogwarts School. Your savior has fallen. Come to me and I will prove this to you." This shocks me and I ask: "Prove this to them? What is he planning?"
But then Kronos says: "It is not him you should worry about, Child, for his plan will fail where that of the other will succeed." And while part of me feels that he means Dumbledore and another part of me feels he doesn't, do I see all of those that fought on my side enter the other side of the fields, all of them shocked as they see me.
Looking at how devastated and destroyed their forms now look emotionally, do I try to seek out those that have stood beside me the most, yet when I find them, do I feel confused as Ron smirks and snaps one of his fingers, shockingly enough causing for a House Elf to appear, grab Hermione and apparate her out of the area.
Wondering where my best friend plans to take my best female friend, do I feel worried and confused as I see the look on his face, one that changes from smirking gleefully and devilish to that of a defiant hero and warrior before he steps forward and says: "Harry's not dead. He's just fooling you, like you fooled us for years."
And while I wonder how Ron knows that the body in Hagrid's arms is still alive, does Ron then raise his wand and say: "Here, I'll prove it. Lacanum Inflamarea." And while my eyes widen at hearing that same spell that stopped Snape from his attempt to save me 6 years ago, does the spell hit my body making Hagrid drop it with a yelp.
The spell instantly sets my cloths aflame and while many look at the body in shock, do I turn from that to my best friend, wondering what on earth he could be planning, only to feel a new wave of fear and betrayal as the flames coming from my burning, dying form actually show a grin of evil, dark victory and a strong sense of arrogance.
All together the grin and the face look terrifying and while I wonder why I am not doing anything to cast out the flames and fight Voldemort, do I then see how Ron still has his wand aimed at me and to my shock, do I see that the tip of the wand is still alight, something Kronos further comments on with the words:
"The Petrification spell. Ronald faked being terrible with Silent Casting in his Sixth, so that when it mattered the most, you would underestimate him and he would be able to end you. My Family Line has one safety clause that was, long ago, added against our will and that is that if the last Heir is killed, the inheritance goes to the killer."
This shocks me and I ask: "What? WHY?" And dad answers: "It was done by a Child of Athena, during a Game of Chess. He found out where our family line came from and, like Dumbledore, he felt our line should end. However, he knew he was no match for us and so tricked us into making the oath during a game of mental strength."
This makes me sigh and I ask: "Let me guess, our family sucks at chess?" And mum asks: "Why do you think Ronald was a master in the game long before you guys even met?" And while the answer to this question hurts me more than words could ever explain, do I say: "Because he was trained to rival me and to be my friend and killer."
The three around me nod and Sirius says: "And not just yours, kiddo. Ron was meant to be the killer of anyone who could make you discover where your lineage actually came from or what your powers truly include. Whether he played a direct or indirect role didn't matter, anyone bothering the plan was a spare meant to be killed."
This shocks me and I ask: "So – Cedric?" And Dad says: "Ron knew that Cedric would be Hufflepuff enough to support you were he to get the chance, so he tried making you too Gryffindor – too proud in your own skills – to even think of going to him for help and by first hating and then befriending you, he got your dependence on him."
This makes me put a hand in front of my eyes and I ask: "And what of you?" And Sirius answers: "Molly was in on it all and drove me mad all year, making it easier and easier for me to reach for a glass of wine and drugging that with all kinds of potions that made it hard for me to keep my conscious in the present."
And while this reminds me of how the man called me by my dad's name before Bellatrix killed him, do I ask: "What about Dumbledore?" And this time Kronos is the one to answer as he says: "The tower, Child. A location that is build in the very center of Hogwarts, of which –." And before he even goes on, do I say:
"Of which Dumbledore is Headmaster, allowing him full use of the Castle's abilities." And while I cannot believe how I got tricked like that, do I pull my knees up and put my elbows down on them while burying my face in between my hands, wanting to just ignore all that is around me and all the ways that I have been tricked.
"Child, I am very sorry to say this, but there is more. There is one vital reason Dumbledore chose to make my line end with you." And while I answer: "The prophesy." Does Kronos shock me as he says: "Yes – and no, my Little one. As the one that he showed you at the end of your fifth – was one he altered himself years before that."
"A-a-altered?" I ask, the idea that the one reason I have been fighting this war for the last two years not being real or valid making me feel sick to my stomach and Kronos seems to pick up on this as he says: "Yes little one, altered. Altered in order to make sure the prophesy concerned a child of mine and Voldemort – but not him."
"Wait, the original prophesy concerns Voldemort, myself and Dumbledore?" I ask in shock and the voice of my ancestor hums, the sound surrounding me and making me actually feel the worry and dread that the Titan feels as he has us all here and I ask: "What does it say?" Kronos sighs in pain and then chants:
The Heirs to the Lord of Time and the Lord of the Sky
Together against Darkness and Manipulation they will fight.
But only when things seem to have ended
Will the Child of Time come back to get things mended.
With those he holds in this heart he will see thing clear
And with those loyal to him, his future will draw near.
Clearing the mind of the one with the tongue of the Snake
Both shall have new powers that will soon awake.
Together they fight, apart they shall fall.
And with them, the future for all.
I look shocked at hearing this as the whole thing sounds nothing like what Dumbledore made me hear two years ago, yet when I rethink both of the prophesies that I heard, do I feel like hitting myself on the head as this one actually sounds like a true prophesy, while the other was just some vague and clear messages put together.
"I can't believe I fell for that. Dumbledore tricked everyone. Snape, you guys, the world and even me. I can't believe he – that he's got that much power." I then moan and Kronos says: "He does not really, child. He draws it only from one thing; the loyalty others have grown to give him since he went against Gellert Grindlewald."
This makes me sigh and I ask: "So even if I go back, stop Ron from killing me, save Hermione and clear Voldemort's mind, Dumbledore not being dead will make people believe him over me and will give him the perfect chance to convince people that I should die, which will in turn make my inheritance go to him, right?"
Those around me nod and I ask: "Then what's the point of that fourth line? It says I will go back, but if I do, Dumbledore will win." Yet dad seems to smile at me as I ask this and he asks: "Harry son, what are you called in that prophesy?" And I think back on the sentence, my eyes widening as I whisper: "A Child of Time."
Dad nods and Sirius says: "And it also says With those he holds in his heart. Why do you think we're here, other than to keep Dumbledore from sending you back to where you don't belong?" And with that do I look around, from my dad to my mum and then to Sirius, my heart screaming in disbelieving happiness as I ask:
"You – you – you're coming with me?" The three nod and then Kronos says: "And not just them, child. I merely send these three here because they were the most likely to have your trust and heart. I know I could have let the werewolf come too, but that would have extended my powers to a limit where I could not speak with you.
These three, together with a few others, will all go back to a certain point in your life, one where you will be reborn in your old body, but then with your powers of now and your powers to be ready and at your service. From that period onwards, it will be up to those you take with you to make certain you can truly fulfill what is your fate."
This makes me look at the three people who I have had to miss for the longest time, my eyes tearing at the idea that I am about to get a new chance with them and I can't help but ask: "Is – is there a – a catch?" And Kronos seems to smile as if he was expecting me to ask this and he says: "Yes, but I am bound not to reveal what."
This makes me sigh as I had feared for whatever could happen to those that come with me and I ask: "Who's coming along? Other than these people around me, that is?" And Kronos answers: "I will revive the spirits of Hedwig, Cedric, Remus, Tonks, Fred and George. I know George is not dead, but for the sake of his twin, he must."
At this I nod, understanding that things would have gone to hell in a hand basket if Fred suddenly started behaving highly different from his twin and I ask: "They will be safe, right? from Ron and Molly, I mean?" And when Kronos retorts: "Were they ever a threat to those twins?" Do I smile in relief and say:
"Let's do this."
Hey everyone,
Well, there is it. The challenge of DZ2, where you can have Demigods and a certain Pantheon, but no real crossover with Mythology based fandoms. Now it may look as if I am really pushing the Greek Pantheon down on you people, but the Pantheon does not make this a PJ crossover, just gives it a little Divine touch.
Now, if this story were to continue – and I might just make true to that myself – it will make everyone I wrote about – the Potters, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, the twins, Hedwig and Cedric – be transported to 1984, three years after Voldemort's defeat. Why there? Because that's when Dumbledore lets his guard down.
At least in my story,
Venquine1990
Challenge Rules:
Okay, so despite the fact that I said my latest Den installment wasn't a challenge response, I couldn't get the idea out of my head, so I've turned it into a challenge;
DZ2's 'Of Myths and Magic' Challenge: Harry Potter/Mythology
Plot:Harry's life has been full of darkness and encounters he would have rather avoided; just when he thinks he's alone, however, he finds help from those above Dumbledore, beyond the Ministry and outside mortal law itself.
Rules:Grey or Dark-ish Harry
The assistance must come from at least one member from any Mythological pantheon (Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, Mayan etc.)
NO Crossovers with anything to do with Mythology-based fandoms (Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus etc.)
The assistance and offer therein comes either during the summer or at a time where Harry needs power to help him get back up
As a sign of their aid towards Harry, the Powers That Be help clear Sirius' name
All pairings are welcome EXCEPT Harems
Only those most-trusted by Harry can know about the Powers That Be
Harry is NOT a Horcrux, but instead, he is 'meant to die' for another reason (what that may be is up to you)
Guidelines:Powerful Harry
Immortal Harry
Somehow, Lily and James come back
Harry meets the Powers That Be when he dies
The prophecy is false
Instead of just one or two, Harry receives assistance from the ENTIRE pantheon
Demigod Harry (just remember the rule about no PJO XOvers)
Slash
Harry gains a familiar
Time Travel is somehow involved
Forbidden:Harry siding with either Dumbledore or Voldemort
Light or all-dark Harry
Mythology-based fandom crossovers
Weak Harry
Sirius on the run
Other than that, it's up to you...
PS. Oops, didn't see first Forbidden Rule there. I've got it covered though, I'm discussing things with DZ2 as we speak and hopefully he'll accept how I twisted this whole thing. If not, I will post a different challenge and call that #18.
See yah,
Venquine1990