Summary: Shikamaru Nara, after passing peacefully in his sleep, expects a relaxing place to meet his father once more. Instead, he lands in the body of a toddler, who has just witnessed his mother die. Shikamaru knows how bad things are since he listens to Dumbledore speak with McGonagall before he is left on the porch, before he decides to take charge. Almost ten years later we have a highly manipulative boy who would rather study mythology all day long.

Chapter 01: Reacting Without Any Intention July 31st, 1991

Shikamaru never listens to his aunt or his uncle with the way they seek to make him feel less than human with their hateful words, jeers, and glares. He knows his parents did not die in a drunken car crash. He remembers what happened clearly that night and has barely withheld comments about dark wizards or any kind of magical themed things.

However, he has learned how to make things happen, even if they didn't make sense to anyone else. Mostly causing his neighborhood's plants and flowers to grow enticingly while his aunt's flower bed is mediocre. Other things have also been done, like learning how to use his shadows again. He has created a few extra techniques.

The first shadow technique he created had been the Hidden Shadow Art: Hidden Room. There he is able to see despite the lack of light and shadow, but he mostly has used this space to escape from his ruddy aunt and uncle on more than one occasion as a toddler. Petunia had been so angry that he kept vanishing whenever she wanted him to do chores, but when he reappeared with a huge law book he recited laws about child abuse and neglect, even going as far as to let them read those passages.

Ever since then he has been left to his own device, even being given the money he knew Vernon was hoarding from his accountant. Petunia threw a downright terrifying fit when she found out Vernon had been spending his money on Dudley. Then Shikamaru asked if he should look up laws about theft. Vernon had quietly handed the envelopes over to him, expecting him to not know how to cash a cheque.

The next day Shikamaru explained that the attic was his and they had three hours to remove their belongings or he'd claim them for whatever he wanted. Vernon didn't believe him, but Petunia quickly scurried to grab a trunk or two of heirlooms from her parents. Shikamaru, once the hour was done, burnt Vernon's newspaper clippings and Vernon realized that he wasn't frightened of any threats from the likes of him.

Then he tried introducing Marge to him to get a payback. Her rabid dog avoided him like the plague from the moment he laid eyes on it with an irritated glare. Mostly because it knews Shikamaru was the top dog in the house thanks to his light use of chakra control to raise his power around him like a cloak. The dog hadn't even tried to bite him and Marge accused him of drugging her mutt.

Shikamaru told her that he'd pay the bills if she could find evidence in his biological tissue that suggested he even knew where to get sedatives. She tried claiming the fact that he knew about those drugs as evidence but he told her that he had studied how to care for abused animals and understood that sedating them calmed them enough to allow their handlers to care for them. She was fuming, but decided to take her claim to the Dog Kennel. She showed them how her dog was rabid at anyone besides her family and Shikamaru and explained that Shikamaru sedated him with illegal drugs.

They tested the unruly dog for drugs but sued her for misinformation. She hadn't been honest about which dogs were breeding and she also lied about the drugs. Kipper was euthanized for biting a child as he was about to be released. Then she got sued by the child's mother for her mutt's actions and the police took an interest in her breeding kennels.

Then they discovered the dog fighting ring full of dried animal blood. To be honest Shikamaru planted that, but suspected that it would keep her out of his hair until he was of age. Once Shikamaru told Vernon that he actually punched him in the face, breaking his jaw from his anger fueled rage. Shikamaru's Killer's intent was enough to give the man a fatal heart attack.

Shikamaru was five at the time and it was only a month later that he demanded to be allowed an education. Petunia, being worried for her son's health, sent Shikamaru to a behavioral specialist where he radiated a lazy genius attitude, even going as far as to complete a complex, college level programming puzzle. Shikamaru glared once he realized what he had done, knowing they now had high expectations of him. So they told him he might have less school years if he allowed them to test his intelligence. Shikamaru pondered it, before asking a few questions.

In the end, only his history and grammar was bad. The rest were already college level according to many excited teachers. So Shikamaru started High School instead of Primary School. He eventually took and excelled in every class, taking the time to actually do the work carefully. He also took any classes where he excelled and spent them as free periods where he had to complete the school's normal work for the class, but he was allowed to do whatever he wanted once complete.

Shikamaru, to his amusement, started studying mythology and magical studies. They never told Petunia that because he was always comparing different patheon to each other and finding similarities and differences between them. Eventually he realized that he could use the wiccan runes to perform some magic. Shikamaru instantly took to purchasing a small building near the edge of town to practice with the money he saved from his allowance, which totaled 1,000 pounds a month.

He never actually did any potions, he wasn't stupid enough to do that without a tutor, but he did design a device that measured the space for each rune in the rituals he wanted to perform on himself. To his shock, he had a mishap because a fox's hair had floated into the room while he was undergoing a ritual to gain traits. He somehow gained the heightened senses that allowed him to identify what he later learned were squibs. Some of them didn't know this, like Petunia. Others, like Dudley, had a fairly sized energetic core. Shikamaru suspected these cores developed based on Genetics and some form of luck. Shikamaru also discovered that his former babysitter was one of these people, so he asked her about anything unusual happening when she gets upset.

She revealed the world of magic to him in a very reluctant way. Almost like she refused to be a part of what she was denied. So Shikamaru asked for cultural study books.

Eventually Shikamaru discovered the Knight Bus and took it to Diagon Alley. Shikamaru gave the goblins quite a few profitable ideas, including getting a mission board for those who needed money and would actually work for it. Shikamaru posted a few jobs, which became regular once Shikamaru realized he could publish any book in his name and people would believe him. So Shikamaru hired a few to correct the grammar of his Harry's Muggle Style series. The first was a cookbook, followed by how to actually knit, eat healthier, and how to extend one's lifespan with a healthier outlook on life.

Many of his books sold out quickly, but a few only had muggleborn purchasing them at first. Among those muggleborn were dozens of Hogwarts students, muggleborns with jobs requiring high fitness levels, such as curse-breaking, and sometimes a few muggleborn who simply know the benefits of living healthy. Other half-bloods followed along after they saw the increase in the muggleborn's spell endurance and spellcasting skill.

Then, when Harry hired a few people for the study to show how it worked, a few pureblood adults, former members of Ravenclaw, became much more interested. A payment bonus allowed them an additional 5% payment for each additional test, regardless of how it turned out. The Ravenclaws have always valued the truth and many purebloods began to sweat when tests repeatedly proved that those following the book were among the healthier and stronger magicals, both with magical exercises, like summoning charms, and with muggle exercises.

Then they decided to test if following the suggestions in the book would boost memory and other basic human elements. When other races discovered the paperwork on testing the ideas, they quickly mimicked the healthier lifestyle choices. It was irritating how many pureblood adults still refused to believe it, though the children decided to follow the book's goals. Within a period of three years Headmaster Dumbledore noticed these things, among a few requests for different types of supposedly healthier meals. Dumbledore decided to allow the elves to serve a few students healthier alternatives, for those who were eager to try it out.

Dumbledore himself followed the light regime, instantly noticing a lot of the exercises made him feel refreshed and that the change in diet gave him more energy to complete his tasks as Headmaster. Once he neared the end of that school year he started looking for a 'health instructor' among muggleborn students following the regime. He found one easily enough and discovered that the books were written by Harry. He bemusedly chuckled, before starting to help a few having learning trouble.


Of course, these things bring us back to the here and now.

Shikamaru has opened his Hogwarts letter, with an additional letter from Headmaster Dumbledore asking to meet him before Hogwarts. Shikamaru raises an eyebrow. "Troublesome, Petunia, I'm going shopping." She mutely nods as she continues dusting the living room. Shikamaru goes outside, calling the Knight Bus in plain view of Petunia's sight, and he turns to glance at her, winking in mild amusement as he gets on and hands the driver a galleon.

"Leaky Cauldron, please." He tells him before he sits down on the chair rack nearest him. A row of three chairs it is, and usually it causes him to bump into things as it rolls with the wheels it has for whatever reason it has them. Even the bed versions have wheels that cause them to go flying everywhere.

It takes only a brief moment to arrive outside the door before he senses a wizard with far more power than he has. Shikamaru has above average power compared to most adult wizards, so this confuses him greatly. He enters cautiously before realizing the older man, staring at him, is likely Dumbledore. Shikamaru continues through the crowd with his pineapple style hair as he makes his way through the crowd. He knows he is almost late for his book signing, but he ignores it, knowing this will be the first time anyone has a chance to meet him as the author.

He strides into the store before making his way toward the Manager. "Konichiwa." Shikamaru greets him with mild amusement as the man stares at him in shock.

"You're right on time, Mister Potter." He smiles again as he leads him toward the table where he will be signing the books. He sees the stunned looks as he takes his seat before he smiles softly at the muggleborn girl who is getting her first book by him for Hogwarts.

"Blimey, you're my age!" She whispers and Shikamaru chuckles, earning a vivid flush from the other eleven year old.

"Not a problem, people probably thought I was a fraud and just wanted the books because it has my name on the front." He tells her casually. She relaxes, having been worried that she offended him.

"Thank you! I didn't realize that. It is quite a shame if they don't want the books for actual knowledge." She scowls at that thought. Shikamaru sighs, knowing this might be an issue.

"Well, with the experimental study I paid for, people are already starting to get the facts." He tells her with mild amusement. "Otherwise they usually just test the book for usefulness and to see if it fits ministry guidelines before publishing it. Usually the ministry is justified, but I don't see a reason to control people's rights to become animagus. My father was a Stag and I'd like to follow in his footsteps one day." He tells her, knowing the beetle nearby is listening with rapt attention like a news reporter.

"What's an animagus?" Another muggleborn first year asks from behind her.

"A user of a very interesting magic. Typically animagus stands for animal shape mage. Magus typically refers to shape change, like the metamorphmagus, the magus at the end stands to shape and the anima stands for animal. The meta in the other stands for power and morph means to transform. In the case of the animagus it means you have the ability to transform into your inner animal spirit. Some consider them to be our guardian spirit, mine is a stag like my father's was so I'll likely become a Stag animagus too. The Metamorphmagus is a rare bloodline trait that can act as a way to disguise yourself or make yourself so bland that nobody notices you. Potentially you could look like a professor and sneak into the library for extra study time." The girl raises her hand like she has a question.

"Go ahead and ask your questions." He tells her with some fond amusement. She has a fiery look of determination. "But do step to the side so I can greet others, please." She blushes despite obeying rather quickly.

"Are there other bloodline traits?" Shikamaru gives her his full attention.

"There is and I have one. Because of the magical backlash when I was a toddler I stole some magic from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Just call him the Dark Bunny for easier reference." A few chuckle at his joke. "Anyway. I stole his ability to speak with snakes, however, because of latent magical abilities, I can speak to almost any type of reptile. I have tested to see if I can speak with Dragons but I think that would be a very interesting conversation. Lizards are a little dry, though they're very witty." Several wizards whisper with excitement to each other as the girl's parents wave for her.

"How do you know if you have any latent abilities?" She asks with such a hopeful gaze.

Shikamaru chuckles before pulling out a card and handing it to her. "Only you can read that because of the magic used to make it." He informs her before she studies the card. Her eyes light up in hope as she strides toward her parents, insisting on going somewhere for an ability test.

A few overhear her whispering with them, but he charmed the card to prevent people from understanding what she speaks of when she is holding it unless she is talking to them. He motions the next forward before the line quickly makes their way forward. Shikamaru patiently continues writing thoughtful notes based on what he observes of each person before they arrive. A few moments later he notices an elderly man with a well used copy.

Shikamaru smiles, "Ah, you must be Headmaster Dumbledore." Shikamaru greets him with amusement as his mental barriers prevent him from reading his mind. The man gives him a surprised look, either from the recognition or the failed legilimency.

"Yes, I'd like to arrange a meeting soon." Shikamaru leans back, admiration for the man clear in his eyes.

"I'll send you a few times for the appointment and let you find one to fit into your busy schedule." Shikamaru takes the textbook before flipping it open and signing his name with a note. "Have a good day, Headmaster." Shikamaru says with respect to the man. He nods at him, once again looking happy like he did when he first arrived. He turns to leave with a happy skip in his step.

"Headmaster?" Dumbledore pauses to glance at him, quite confused at being called back. Shikamaru bends his shadow, spitting out a makeshift case. "Before I forget, I heard you're a candy connoisseur?" Dumbledore blinks at the sharing. "I figure that it is a good idea to share some goodness with the people who work so hard to improve the education of the children of our country." Dumbledore stares at him, with twinkling eyes as he gently takes the case.

"Is it muggle candy?" He asks him curiously.

"Yes sir, I know that you love wizard candy but I'm not sure if you've had many of these. I sent payment for these to america, and henceforth this box has american candies. I didn't get just chocolate or fruit flavored. The witch I hired went around American candy shops buying a few cases before sorting them into that box that I paid to be built for your candy collection." Dumbledore's giddy excitement lets him know the gesture is appreciated. He offers his hand for a shake and Shikamaru easily takes it.

"I appreciate this, not many tend to look for things I like as many suspect I want more useful things. Despite this, I never turn away a gift as useful things can be very helpful." he tells him pleasantly

"Then you'll be excited at Christmas time. My favorite candies are Japanese, I don't have many left right now but I'm in the process of ordering more along with an assortment from different countries. I'm not quite an overly sweet loving person, but not all candy is sweet, like some versions of Dango. I also plan on buying a huge crate full of Dango sticks, Dango is often considered an after-course, but can be made from any number of ingredients. The Dango is a healthier snack a lot of the time so I'm sure you can still eat plenty of it with the eating plan you might have." Dumbledore smiles quite happily and Shikamaru knows the moistness in his eyes is true appreciation.

"I'll be delighted to find out who you purchase from. It might make my day much better." Dumbledore says with as much mustered calmness as he can make.

"If you have any business you might want to hurry, Headmaster." Dumbledore nods before turning toward the door and making his way out. Shikamaru sighs, knowing a lot from just that encounter. Dumbledore often gets thoughtful gifts that he always appreciates. However, rarely is it something that he actually enjoys. He briefly wonders if he should go ahead with his plan to change his name.

"My apologies for the disruption, who is next?" He asks as the people finally realize what a good person he is. Not many have ever seen Dumbledore so happy he has been brought to tears in their life. Looking at it from their perspective, he knows their respect for him has sincerely increased. Shikamaru just continues signing for the rest of day, knowing he might need to hire a person to help him with his next study idea.


Shikamaru sighs, knowing he is exhausted deeply from staying in the bookstore while dealing with fans. The signing was supposed to last an hour at most, but once he realized a lot of people had questions about some things, he decided to stay and answer as many questions as possible.

Now, thankfully, the Storekeeper is shooing them away, berating them for keeping him here hours after the signing finished up. "Honestly, he needs sleep if he is going to actually get anything done!" The clerk standing behind him looks a little disappointed.

"Before that, I'm aware many of you are kind of hopeful for one more signature. If any of you have any books for me to sign, I will do so now." The clerk waits until last, which means it is almost curfew for him by the time he arrives home. He hears silence in the house, knowing Petunia has likely locked the front door. He taps the knob in a similar motion to a key and it opens easily enough. Going inside he locks it back and heads upstairs to his domain.

In front of him, to his amusement, is his rescue. "You shouldn't have waited for me." Shikamaru reprimands the elderly elf with her broken legs that sits in the wobbly wheelchair. He barely found it at a yard sale in a child's size and she has been partially mobile ever since then.

"Tinky is always happy to wait for Master Shikamaru. Master Shikamaru saved Tinky's life and thus Tinky owes Master so deeply." She explains to him once more. He sighs, a little disturbed by her enthusiasm to keep sewing patterns while waiting for his return over the Hogwarts break.

"Tinky, I know I've tried to let you choose, but now I have an order for you to obey." Tinky sits up straighter despite her shattered legs. Shikamaru looks at her with sincere worry. "I'm going to task you to either help my accountant and remain there until I come get you or come to Hogwarts with me. I refuse to leave you alone here with my awful aunt. I don't doubt for a minute that she will be eager to murder you on her first chance." He tells her softly, she tears up, whimpering a little at the fact that he obviously cares so much about her. Shikamaru sighs before heading toward the cabinet where Tinky keeps her medical potions. Sometimes she needs a good sleep, and she has been restless here lately.

"Tinky, get ready to sleep." He orders her easily enough. She nods before her fluffy blankets start burying her under mounds of pillows and blankets. She opens her mouth, allowing him to give her three drops to help her a little. He sees her eyes droop and gently tucks her in. Once she is asleep he decides that she no longer has options.

Going over to his stationary, he pulls out a proper quill, dips it in ink and begins his first draft to Dumbledore. It takes him nearly an hour to write a proper pureblood invitation to his aunt's house tomorrow evening.

Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,

I am inviting you to my house to review a request and for you to meet someone I dearly adore. She's in a wheelchair, meaning she can't walk on her own anymore, but she is definitely a magical being. I'd rather she tell her story to you, but I can't leave her at the house for most of the year.

I remember riding Sirius' bike with Hagrid that night and McGonagall has been absolutely correct in her assumption that the Dursley family are the worst. If I hadn't been aware of some laws about child abuse and neglect causing people to go to prison I likely would have been starved and beaten to death by now.

I'm afraid that I may have had an emotional fright that had my magic react. My Uncle Vernon died from fear of me after he had deliberately broken my jaw. I am lucky in a way but I had never meant to frighten him that much. All I did was give him a reprimanding stare and he started choking. I was immature at the time and was disappointed that I'd actually have to call the police and get myself removed from the home. Somehow my magic reacted and forced his blood to stop flowing, causing him to die within minutes.

I don't feel his death was necessary, as I could have easily just moved to another home. I am absolutely positive that my magic felt like he was the greatest threat to me, I don't know why or how he could have been the worst threat, especially when I feared learning nothing new from classes beneath my mental level the most. Fortunately that issue had already been resolved when I was allowed to take a placement test and skip both primary and secondary school in favor of high school.

I took in my friend because I want to repent. I don't really know if I have, but I'm hopeful to make the world a better place. I'm aware that some things happen, mostly in times of self-defence when a life is on the line. However, I didn't see him as a major threat since my suggestion of calling the police was enough to command them to stop trying to treat me like a slave.

I've always felt that I need more control since then, maybe if I had some sort of training to focus or calm down I wouldn't have killed him. You're a much better person than I am, I truly respect you greatly for I doubt you have ever lost control of your magic like that. I went around in a daze for a few hours before realizing that my Aunt Petunia was scared of me. I've been distant with both Petunia and Dudley, my cousin, ever since then.

I guess that is enough from me, I can share the memory with you when you arrive. I'd rather not relive it, but it will be quicker and less painful for my friend if I don't actually talk about it. I haven't told her much about that and I'm afraid that she'll hate me.

Shikamaru winces when he realizes that he has started crying at this point. Tears are splattered across the rest of the page.

I'm sure that focusing on different things, like the things I have been learning for my book, have prevented this from happening again. I'd also like to ask you to make the entire staff aware of my situation and how dangerous I am so someone can try to calm me down if needed. If I could I'd just take my friend with me everywhere, but her chair has wheels and must roll while I'm sure your establishment has stairs of some sort.

I'm so afraid that I'll hurt someone else again because my magic reacts on its own again. I can't stand the thought of hurting another child, for that would be so much worse. I'm also aware that I may require my own dorm, so my friend can live with me. I don't want to be dishonest with you after having met you today, but I refuse to attend unless precautions can be taken against me.

I'm so sorry to burden you with this,

Harry Potter

Shikamaru takes a deep breath, remembering the dread of not being able to control his own abilities. He literally has to repeat his essence-calming trait-balancing ritual every month while here in the muggle area. There isn't much stress here, as he is aware that he doesn't use his magic regularly. However, he also needs to ask him about using the ritual at Hogwarts weekly as a precaution.

He shudders, more than aware that he now needs a dreamless sleep potion. He quickly labels the envelope before putting it into the Gringotts box for delivery with an extra galleon to make it priority mail.

He silently grabs his usual potion and settles into his comfy bed, with the nightstand next to it, before he gulps the potion down, setting it down before falling unconscious.


August 1st, 1991


If he were to be honest, Dumbledore felt ancient and defeated after reading the letter from Harry. The boy obviously does his best for others to repent, as he has heard of an orphanage being funded by the boy for any abused muggleborns.

With the wizengamot seeing it was him putting forth the motion they quickly agreed to test homes once the student gets to Hogwarts age. Dumbledore just knew that he made a mistake by choosing to ignore Tom back when he started his Rights Awareness Activities. Tom was an orphan quite similar to Harry. He just never repented for killing Myrtle and for pinning the blame on Hagrid and his acromantula.

But now, of all times, Dumbledore finds out that he wronged another person like he has his beloved sister. Tears are in his eyes, and he knows that he will be speaking with the staff. His comments will be about the requirements, why they need them, and he will be vague about which student it will be. He can at least do that much to protect him from his horrors. He will list his house and that he is a first year only. If they find out then he won't blame them for hating both of them, who continue to repent for their sins.

"What have I done, Fawkes?" He asks his friend with tears in his eyes. Fawkes also has tears from where Dumbledore has read the missive to the room. Many of the portraits are shocked that he would not be able to control his magic. That his magic has been reacting without any intention.

The dread multiplies when he senses Minerva climbing the stairs outside his office. He can't lie to her, she will ask too many questions of him. And to deny her the right to come with him… He couldn't do that to her after she lost three cubs, another cub betrayed them and the last lion cub broke down in deep sorrow. He looks up at her in tears as he waves the door open. She pauses, not sure how to react.

"Dumbledore, you look like you've seen something horrible." McGonagall says, before he sobs, silently offering her the letter to read. She reads it silently, before gasping at the names in the letter. She looks up at him, heart broken, looking at him with just as much shame and repentance as his broken gaze has. They both agreed to leave him there, even though she suggested not doing so. The blood wards protected him from wizards, but what person would harm their own family like that. Dumbledore feels guilt as Minerva sobs for a few moments before reigning it in.

"Albus, he needs a mind healer! And what of his friend, obviously we have to take her for his sanity!" She exclaims as she thinks about it.

"Where are there any staff suites near or on the ground floor?" Dumbledore takes a moment to focus, knowing this will likely be needed if he is to keep the two together.

"I believe there is one near the kitchens before you start going deep into the dungeons." Minerva tells him before a grim determination ignites in the two of them, starting as Fawkes finally begins to sing his song of hope. Phoenix songs can be of any emotion, usually targeting one group or another in most cases.

"We will have to prepare it carefully. Please send house elves to clean everything. Also, maybe ensuring the suite has at least two elves, one for Harry and one for his friend." Minerva suggests to him, earning a firm nod as they both stand, tears finally dry enough to see straight. Though their guilt still weighs upon them, it isn't dragging them down right now. There is much to do now and little time to prepare.


Shikamaru blearily opens his eyes as he wakes to the disorientation he remembers feeling when he first reincarnated. He sees a chakra outline of the Sage of Six Paths, recognizable only thanks to Sasuke's genjutsu showing the entire alliance what their progenitor looks like. So he knows that the sage has something to do with this. "The reason your magic is hard to control is because there is your soul, washed over Harry's soul, and there is a fragmented soul. Both of the others can share magic, thus making it impossible to control unless you accept your name, Mister Potter. I can't tell you much more, but you will likely lose control soon. I'm sorry, child."

Shikamaru's awareness of the soul fades as he sees Tinky looking at him with some worry and tears of her own pain. He takes a moment to calm the storm that is his magic rampaging through the room. Tinky sighs in relief as he stops channeling his magic. He looks at her shifted leg with so much guilt, he refuses to become emotional, realizing his soul might need to finish merging with the other two.

"Tinky, I'm going to tell you the truth before sharing what I just learned. Hopefully you can help me." she nods as he makes his way toward the cabinet, pulling out her pain potion and handing it to her. He is wary of hurting her again. Once she has her medication, he explains his past life, how he lived, how he killed, how he acted as his leader's advisor. He also explained that he expected to meet with Shikaku one day and that his real name, in this life, is Harry Potter.

"Now I just need to accept all of myself before my control shatters." he tells her, still doubting that he can see himself as anything but a life stealer.

"Master, it is possible that the killing curse brings back memories of a life once lived long ago. Tinky remembers frightening stories of the Moon Rabbit People with divine-like powers, they are likely what remains of your people. The eight remaining Biju gave up their essence to strengthen Humanity's Last Stand against the Otsutsuki Clan. While the people on the moon are considered wizard kind's ancestors they look more human than they once did. They only have horns resembling rabbit ears, created in honor of the human's faith in the biju as they faded from the world entirely." Shikamaru nods to her before pausing as a knock is heard on his front door near the living room. Shikamaru recognizes the presence of Dumbledore, but he doesn't know who is beside him.

"Tinky, I've got company, they are from Hogwarts and now I'm certain you are going to Hogwarts with me." She smiles softly at him as he makes his way toward the stairs to the second floor. Petunia stares silently at Dumbledore, Shikamaru winces, realizing he hasn't interacted with her in over a month. He waits silently out of sight for them to speak.

"Miss Dursley, I can't believe you attempted to treat Harry like a slave." The stern looking woman with him says in a clear tone. "I understand that you had issues with your sister but that is no reason to cause a child's magic to go out of control." Shikamaru sees Dumbledore calm his companion before he turns toward his aunt.

"I'm sure that you no longer wish to house him so I will be placing him elsewhere. In the meanwhile I want you to be aware of the destruction you almost caused across this whole town." He hands her a newspaper photo of a shadowy creature attacking all sorts of people. "This is an obscurial, it is formed out of children who cannot control their magic and fear themselves instead. Harry has already shown he is frightened of harming others and I'd be grateful that his magic deemed you harmless." She flinches at the thought, and Shikamaru knows that it will be easy enough to leave now.

"I'm sorry for eavesdropping." Shikamaru tells them as calmly as he can. He knows the two wizards probably had felt the backlash happening moments ago.

"Harry, I felt a disturbance a moment ago, is it getting harder to control?" He hesitates to answer, knowing this will likely ruin him if explained wrong.

"Can we talk while I pack? And I still need you to meet my friend." He says instead of answering. Dumbledore's eyes give him a sense that Dumbledore feels greater regret than he can imagine.

"Of course, Harry. This is Professor McGonagall, she is the deputy headmistress and the Gryffindor head of house who teaches Transfiguration." She smiles at him with a rather familiar fondness.

"Hi, Kitty." He greets her fondly, remembering how Lily tried to get him to say her animal form when he was a toddler. "Mom tried to teach me that word using you as an example." Shikamaru explains to her easily enough. However, despite this being an actual memory, he hasn't seen or heard of any from before his reawakening.

"Hello Prongslet." She greets him before he motions for them to follow after him. He leads them up the stairs and into the attic. There they gasp at the mess the place is in. "How bad is your magic getting?" McGonagall asks with extreme worry.

"This is just the beginning of the end." He tells her honestly. Now he realizes that Tinky is likely correct. "Tinky, tell them the story I told you a few moments ago. I'm going to try cleaning up." The two finally notice the tiny elf sitting in her chair and gasp at the sight of her legs. He quietly ignores them, not knowing how they will react to him. He doesn't notice when the story is finished or when they look at him. He is too busy focusing his energy into calmness.

"Shikamaru, Harry, you're both the same boy to me." Dumbledore tells him, understanding showing in his eyes. "I feel that you are surely mature enough to know. No matter what, Tinky is correct. It is likely impossible for an entire soul to attach to another without it intending to. Because of that I doubt you are a different soul than Harry." McGonagall sighs a little weary.

"I remember your mother said that you used to show such intelligence beyond your reckoning. I noticed the sorrow that would fill you whenever you discovered some things. James would be a rather extreme example of this when he turned into a stag." she tells him sadly. Understanding now that he raised those animals as a teen all the way up until he died of old age.

"My clan raised deer. We also bred them. Our clan was focused on them and their parts for healing use." He breathes carefully, already sensing that his power is rising.

"Harry is Shikamaru, and Shikamaru is Harry. Obviously babies have always known things they likely shouldn't. A few babies come out swimming if birthed in a pool and some children don't know how to swim." McGonagall explains to him calmly, he feels his soul calm, resonating with both parts of himself as they start to merge again.

"I am Shikamaru, and I'll never forget that, but I need to stop forgetting that I am also Harry." He says with tears, knowing it is true and that he disrespects himself whenever he believes otherwise. He feels his magic snap back into his core, now made larger than before with the acceptance, before he smiles as he feels whole for the first time in his entire life. He sobs, expecting to be rebuked for causing such an awful mess. Instead, they both hug him firmly, holding him as he lets go of some of his pain and regret.

He knows he is Harry now, he probably has always felt it, but now he can start living instead of surviving.