Harry Potter and the Avatar of Dragons
Disclaimer/Plot/Challenge Information/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Recommended Reads: Emerald Dragon, Silver King, Hydrus Black and Trickshot by JustBored21, A Song of Lightning and Fire by Curse-04, The Rise of the Last Potter by HPfanfictioner66, Master of Death in Fairy Tail by Enjali, Harry Potter the Protector of Magic and The Protector and the Four Guardians by TigerSwarm9122, Hadrian Potter- The Snake like Lion, Hadrian Potter- Black and the Gauntlet of Gryffindor, Harry Potter and The Chronicle of Lord Black and Harry Potter and the Tribe of Mystics and Harold Peverell and the Order of the Snow Leopard by Lord of mystics and Magical Origins by Dante 2K-25
Key Pairing: Eventual Harry/Luna/Fleur
Other Pairings: To be determined
Normal Speech
'Thoughts'
/Parseltongue/
Review Answers:
Xerzo LotCN: You realise what a challenge is, don't you? And what Guidelines, as in Optional Additions means too, right? Cause, if not, then I have to wonder what you're doing reading a challenge-response-story;
Nagiten: And who says that things didn't keep Lily from meeting her mentor and master two years before Harry was born? Hello, there was a war on, in case you forget your Harry Potter History;
WhiteElfElder: If not now, then definitely when they learn what's about to be hinted at here;
Little did either wizard know, however, that, as Harry ran into the bookshop, he was also about to run through the gateways of destiny, which would lead him into a world filled with far greater wonders than any other in history.
And, come the end of it, Harry James Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, would be able to claim that he understood the true meaning of the Hogwarts creed.
Draco…Dormiens…Nunquam…Titilandus…
BOOK 1: FIRE
Chapter 2: The Boy In The Bookstore
Harry stared in abject disbelief, as well as wonder and amazement, as he looked around the vastly-occupied shelves within Flourish and Blotts.
Nearby, Professor Flitwick was making his own way along the shelves, using his wand to pull down each particular book that was on Harry's list while, to Harry's amazement, he had given the young boy permission to go explore, so long as he didn't leave the store. Professor Flitwick also gave Harry full permission to pick up and buy any book that caught his eye, so long as the boy limited himself to a number that wouldn't deprive him of spending time with friends.
Friends…
It was such an alien concept to Harry, and yet, the idea of actually being able to make friends at Hogwarts helped guide his feet through the maze of hidden knowledge and potential greatness contained within the pages of the tomes on the shelves.
As he explored the shelves, Harry made sure to only pick up the books that really caught his interest and not just those that would sound cool, or make him into some sort of lone bookworm who the other kids picked on because he was, apparently, smarter than them. Among those he chose, Harry picked up a book on Magical Botany – which he recalled was a term associated with gardening: one of the very few chores he liked doing while living with the Dursleys.
He also found a funny-sounding book full of what he assumed were joke-based spells that were to be used on your enemies, though he guessed it was more mischief-sort of enemies and nothing fatal, given the description, which read: Bewitch your friends and befuddle your enemies with the latest revenges: Hair loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying, and much, much more…
As he wandered into the back of the store, where less-newer books were kept, Harry stopped suddenly when he felt something really strange pass through his mind, his body and even deep down in the deepest parts of his heart and soul.
It was…a feeling…no…that was wrong.
It was a sound…
An eerie, but enchanting sort of sound that seemed to creep out from the darkness, where it wrapped itself around Harry like a snake, coiling him in its embrace and flooding his ears, and his mind and heart, with its alluring sound.
As he heard the sound, Harry didn't know why, exactly, but, all of a sudden, he imagined himself hearing a choir of beautiful red-and-golden-feathered birds singing in perfect harmony.
As he moved to follow, if not simply find the sound, Harry also imagined a large pack of white wolves raising their heads to the moon and howling in synch, filling the night with their beautiful crescendo.
Then, eerily, the image in his mind changed, this time forming a large cluster of enchanting, but also dangerous-looking half-human creatures, all of which swam up through the dark masses of their watery world, only to breach the surface and, like the wolves and the birds, they too opened their mouths and sang to the heavens and the earth, further flooding Harry's mind with the song he could hear calling out to him.
Finally, a new image filled his conscious mind: a very large horde of black, scaly dragons, all of whom roared to the heavens, and yet, just like the birds, the half-human creatures, and the wolves, the dragons' roars also turned into a beautiful, enchanting song, which called out to Harry.
Irony of ironies, this song made him think of the old story of Odysseus and the Sirens, but, weirdly, he didn't feel that the song he heard was out to harm him in any way.
Surrendering to the song's pull was strangely-easy and, as Harry embraced the sound, letting it know, albeit silently, that he heard it and that he was coming to find it, he barely noticed his feet stepping up onto a low stepladder, which allowed him to reach a higher shelf where, somehow, he didn't know how he knew it, exactly, but Harry knew that the song's source was here, waiting for him.
Then, with one hand, Harry stretched out towards one particular shelf, hearing the song filling his ears, warming his heart, even making his belly feel warm, tingly and empoweringly-strong. Every breath he took seemed to slow down, becoming a slow, deep inhalation that he then released with a slower, but warmer gust of breath. He could even feel his blood pumping through his veins and arteries, a feeling of anticipation, excitement and wholeness accompanying the sensation while, as it flowed through him, Harry could have sworn blind that he also felt his muscles and bones tensing up, like a snake preparing to strike, as though his physical body was awaiting the song's acquisition.
And yet, the song was more-important: he didn't know how else to explain it, apart from saying that.
Just one more inch…
He almost had it…
With a grunt of exertion, Harry leaned forwards on his tiptoes, as far as he could go…
His fingers brushed over the spine…
And, suddenly, his body fell from the ladder, bringing half the books on the shelf down with him while, to Harry's immediate alarm, his fall was broken by a warm, messy-haired cushion, which also cried out in alarm, though not as much as Harry.
Fear, instinct and even a hope that he hadn't hurt whoever it was he'd landed on caused Harry to kip up with surprising agility and strength, where he reached out with his free hand as he asked, "Oh my God, are you all right? I…I'm so sorry; I didn't…I didn't mean to land on you; really. Oh God, talk about a rubbish first impression; you're not hurt, are you?"
"Ugh…no…" replied a soft voice, though Harry also heard a note of annoyance in their voice as the owner rose up.
This allowed Harry to see that said owner was a brown-haired girl with eyes that made him think of chocolate, who looked just as surprised as Harry at the fall, though her surprise faded quickly as she bent down and scooped up the books strewn around them as she added, "Although, next time, you might want to consider asking for help if you can't reach. I know we can't use magic outside school, unless in certain places like…well, like Diagon Alley, thanks to that archaic Trace law I read about, but still, there are grownups who can help you."
'She's a bit bossy, isn't she?' Harry asked himself, before he bent down and helped the girl pick up her books, though not before his eyes widened briefly when he also saw he was holding onto the book that he'd been straining to reach. A quick glance up to the shelves above also told Harry that, somehow – magic, he guessed – the other books that had fallen with him had now returned to their own shelves, which didn't even look too dishevelled, despite the fall and Harry removing one of their number from the shelf.
As he offered the girl the last of her discarded books, Harry gulped hard before he said, "Well, I…I didn't actually know that; I don't even have my wand yet. Flourish and Blotts was our first stop, but thanks for the info…and, listen, I owe you an apology, so…why don't you let me pay for your school books?"
"Oh, these aren't school books," argued the girl, earning a surprised look from Harry, especially since, now she'd gathered all her books together again, he also noticed how her pile almost obscured her face with their large number, and yet, the girl continued. "I read and memorised all our school books by heart; I even managed to practice a few spells, and they've all worked for me. No, this is just extra stuff, you know, for a little light reading."
"This is light?" asked Harry, earning a stern look from the brunette, before he blushed softly as he added, "Sorry…I didn't mean anything by it; I just wanted to make it up to you."
"Well," said the girl, grunting in exertion as she adjusted her hold on her books before, with her free hand, she actually held it out to Harry as she asked, "How about we start with a name for my clumsy classmate? Mine's Hermione Granger…and you are?"
"I'm Harry, Harry Potter," said Harry.
This time, it was Hermione's fault that she dropped her books, even as she shook Harry's hand before, to his surprise, she gasped, "Holy cricket! You mean you're Harry Potter? Of all the boys in all the bookshops to fall on me, you just had to be him in this one, huh? My God, I can't believe it; I mean, I've read all about you…"
"You should be wise to ignore some of the things you read, young lady."
Now, Harry's blush deepened as he saw Professor Flitwick standing in a space near where him and Hermione had been introducing themselves; with her, Harry was also surprised to see a messy-haired, but also curiously-humorous-looking man with dark hair standing next to the nearest shelf, where he was actually leaning on it, his arms folded and a smug smile on his face as he chuckled softly.
"Now, how did I not guess that you'd have bought yourself way too much, like you tried to do when that McGonagall woman brought you here last October, eh Princess?" asked the man, his voice as amusing and warm to the ear as his looks suggested.
Hermione, meanwhile, blushed herself as she added, "I…I tried to limit myself, Daddy, but…but there's just so much to learn…so many books…"
"And you have seven years to learn as much as you may want to or desire to, young lady," argued her Father, while, to Harry's surprise, Professor Flitwick suddenly chuckled as he nodded once.
"Ah, now I remember Minerva telling me about an ambitious little knowledge-seeker, who had a dream of seeing the world of Non-Magic from our perspective and helping heal the rift…I suppose that makes you Miss Hermione Granger, am I right?"
"Uh…y-y-yes, sir," said Hermione, her blush deepening while, despite his own embarrassment, Harry couldn't resist smiling as, like him, he picked up on how Hermione held those in authority and station with the highest respect.
Given what Professor Flitwick had done for him today, how could Harry do anything less for the goblin teacher?
As Harry had his moment of personal thought, he also heard Hermione address Professor Flitwick directly, "And…and I've read alla bout you, sir; you're Duel Master Filius Flitwick, also known in the World Circuit as the Duel Giant. An ironic turn of phrase, seeing as how you're only the third goblin-blooded wizard in recent history…well, say the last one hundred and fifty years, with the other two attending Hogwarts back in the 1800s. You're also a seven-time Duelling Champion, Charms Master and recognised the world over as a warrior to be both feared and respected."
She said all this quite quickly, and yet, Harry took it all in with an interested ear, while Filius smiled as he nodded, "It is a pleasure and a privilege to meet such a studious soul, Miss Granger. And yes, you are correct on all fronts, something I imagine I should get used to saying around you, but, I digress. As I was saying, you should be careful not to take everything you read as holy writ and the absolute truth. Books and cleverness are crucial for an aspiring witch such as yourself, but, never forget, especially at such a young, vulnerable, spiritually-speaking, age, there are going to be more important things…like friendship, for example."
Hermione couldn't help but blush again as she looked to Harry before she gulped as she told him, "Sorry, Harry…is it okay if I call you Harry?"
"Only if I can call you Hermione," said Harry, again shaking Hermione's hand as he added, "And if it's okay for me to pay for your books; believe me, Hermione. I can afford it."
"You don't have to do that, Harry," said Hermione's Father, though, when the two kids looked to him, they saw him smiling as he explained, "I know it might sound strange for someone from the non-magical world to say it, but we're not exactly short of cash ourselves. Besides, from the looks and sounds of things, I think my daughter has already forgiven you for whatever it is you thought you'd have to, literally, pay for, right, Princess?"
"Yes Dad," said Hermione, before she looked down at the books around her as she added, "I…I guess I can also pick only a few of these; want to help me put the rest back, Harry?"
Harry nodded, though not before he turned and handed the book he'd picked out to Professor Flitwick.
When Filius nodded in understanding, he looked at the book…
And his eyes widened in abject disbelief as he saw the title;
EMPOWERING THE DRAGON
By Zuko Dragneel
"Harry?"
As Filius went to question his student on his choice, however, he looked up to see Harry retreating into the stacks with his new…friend…
Given what Filius had seen in Little Whinging, he couldn't bring himself to disturb such a tender moment for his favourite student's son.
Especially not since they'd have other opportunities to talk later-on.
AoD
3 ½ Hours Later
"Phew…finally!"
Even Filius had to agree with the sentiment made by Garrick Ollivander, as he watched his protégé nod in response to the old wandmaker's words; even with everything else they'd had to take care of in the Alley, it seemed like finding Harry's wand had taken forever – when, in reality, it had only taken about 45 minutes, tops – but, finally, the emerald-eyed scion held the wand proudly as he went to set it back in its carry case.
Ollivander, meanwhile, sighed deeply before he explained, "After that mishap with the holly-and-phoenix-feather wand, I was concerned, but it looks like we have finally found your equal, Mr Potter. An unexpected, but also most-unusual mixture here: English Oak, a material I have only heard was rumoured to be the wand, and later, the staff of the great wizard, Merlin: but what is even more unusual about this is the core. Curupira hair, which is a core that holds a powerful, if not eternally-loyal affinity for witches and wizards whom are powerful, but, themselves, unpredictable."
Behind Harry, Filius' eyes narrowed curiously, while Garrick continued in a soft, eerie voice as he explained, "Then, when you add in the English Oak's affinity for how it demands partners of strength, courage and fidelity, especially those with powerful intuition, and, often, an affinity with the magic of the natural world and you have an eleven-and-three-quarter-length wand that, I strongly suspect, will make you a force to be reckoned with, Mr Potter."
Here, Garrick's eyes looked to Harry's scar as he added, "After all, although you may not like hearing this, Mr Potter, I admit it regardless: He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was, himself, a force to be reckoned with…one whom was capable of great things…terrible…oh, yes…but great!"
A shiver ran through Harry's body as he took the box from Ollivander.
As he went to leave, however, Filius cleared his throat as he asked, "Harry, why don't you go over to Eeylop's Owl Emporium and see if you can find one to catch your eye? Don't worry about your wand, I'll pay for it, and I'll also get you a holster to keep it safe: call it a birthday present…well, an early one."
"Thank…thank you, sir," said Harry, tucking his wand under one arm as he walked out of the store.
A part of him grateful for the offer of choosing his own owl, since he knew that his new friend, Hermione Granger, would never believe it when he told her about his wand.
AoD
"Why do I suspect there is more to your gift than meets the eye, my old apprentice?"
"Because there is, Master," said Filius, reaching into his pocket where he pulled out the book that Harry had picked up in Flourish and Blotts.
Setting it down on the counter, Filius saw Ollivander's eyes widen in disbelief, awe and wonder before he looked to Filius, "But…but I thought these were all stripped and burned from the shelves here in Merry Olde England?"
"I can honestly claim that they were," said Filius, scowling at the memory as he added, "I saw the book-burning myself, but earlier, Harry found this one in Flourish and Blotts."
"Found…by chance?"
"What do you think?" asked Filius, earning a hum from Garrick, who stared at the book for a moment before, gently, pushing it back to Filius.
"Does the boy know what magic this book holds?"
"Not yet," said Filius, smiling at the memory of Harry with his new friend, "He had a more important thing to deal with: I shall speak to him at Hogwarts about it all. Merlin be kind, he'll end up in Ravenclaw; at least then, nobody will question me keeping an eye on him."
"You could always claim him as your apprentice," suggested Garrick, earning a slow shake of the head from Filius.
"Not yet, Master…first, I need to see it with my own eyes; what he may be capable of. That's why, until he comes to Hogwarts, I've asked him to let me keep a-hold of this book; he believes I am looking into other parts of the series of educational texts, which, of course, I intend to do, which will bring its own problems if the wrong ears learn of this book's existence in the country. But, for now, Harry is content being himself and, in his Mother's name, I promise to do all I can to help keep him that way."
Garrick was silent, but only momentarily.
"You know the Guild needs to hear about this: if a newborn has been hatched here in the UK, he will need mentoring from those who understand all the aspects of the power within this book, Filius."
"Why do you think I wanted to be left alone with you, Master?"
Garrick's lips turned upwards in a knowing smile before, taking the money owed for Harry's gift, Filius left the old man to his thoughts.
And his next objective.
"Great things indeed…good luck, Mr Potter; believe me, you're going to need it…"
To quote a certain brunette: holy cricket!
So, as if being Harry isn't mysterious enough, now, thanks to a chance moment in the bookstore, he seems to have a greater destiny than we thought ahead of him, but what is this destiny?
What, exactly, is the Guild and what do Ollivander and Filius know about it that'd make it so awe-inspiring and dread-inducing?
Next Chapter: After a very different sort of summer, Harry Potter is off to Hogwarts, where an old-new friend waits to hear about his studies and his hopes for the future, while new friends, and foes, await to try and put a dent in that future…including a very nice surprise for Harry and for you too, friends…
Please Read and Review
AN: Portrayal
Mr Granger – Nathan Fillion
AN2: Weird Thought
Also, I know this is REALLY going to sound weird, but when I imagine the 'song' that Harry heard, my mind goes to Frozen II and the sound of Ahtohallan's song to Elsa;
Weird? Maybe.
Do I care? Nah.
Just thought I'd share
AN3: Hermione
Finally, let me stress this before anyone asks:
Hermione is NOT GOING TO BE PAIRED WITH HARRY!
The pairing for this story is decided and it is staying that way.
Who will she end up paired with?
Haven't decided yet; keep reading to find out…