The Adventure Begins
Harry and Hercules go on a journey, trying to discover who they are and where they belong, and make new friends along the way. James and Lily come to realize the consequences of the choice they made nearly ten years ago.
...
"Where is it you've always wanted to go?" Harry asked Hercules the next day as they sat in their cave, trying to figure out where to go next.
"Well, whenever people read the plaque on my tank, they always say my kind is supposed to live in a place called Brazil. I would kind of like to see it, but I have no idea where it is."
"It's really far away. On another continent actually. We'd have to travel across the ocean to get there." Harry told him, then explained what the continents were and a little about the ocean to a curious Hercules.
"It might not be possible then." Hercules agreed, though Harry could tell he was a tiny bit disappointed about his homeland being so far away.
"Maybe it could be." Harry told him, not wanting him to be sad. "I mean, we could sneak aboard a boat or plane or something. I'm not sure if it would work or not, but we could always try." He then explained to Hercules what boats and planes were and what they did.
Hercules listened carefully, his eyes alight at all the new things he was learning about humans. He paused for a moment before speaking again. "I would like to see it someday, but from what you said, it might be a little risky to sneak aboard a boat or plane. I don't want you to get in trouble just because you're trying to make me happy. And we can always find someplace else to live. Here could even work. There's a lot of woods to explore, and we have a nice cave for our home and a good source of water."
"It would definitely work for the summer. But during the winter, it'll get really cold. We'll need to figure out someplace warmer for when wintertime comes." Harry said.
Hercules nodded. "Good point. I'm more resistant to cold than most snakes, but freezing cold wouldn't be good for either of us. You have any ideas?"
"We probably would have to head south somewhere where the climate is warmer, or find a human home we could live in. We'll have to find someplace we'd be able to easily get food and water as well."
Hercules nodded. "Definitely. The Brazil plan might be our best bet after all, unless we find someplace better." The two discussed possibilities and plans until the rumbling of an empty stomach interrupted their conversation. With both of them needing something to eat, Hercules headed off to hunt while Harry gathered stones and wood for a campfire.
It was when he had finished setting up the campfire pit and was about to light it that he felt a wave of shock and terror from Hercules's side of the bond. "Hercules!" he gasped. Feeling a pull that he somehow knew would guide him to his best friend, he bolted off to rescue him.
...
Hercules's hunt had started off very well. After finding a den of rabbits, he quickly killed two, one for him and one for Harry.
He smiled at his capture, glad he still knew what to do despite spending his whole life in captivity. He quickly ate the rabbit that was slightly smaller, saving the bigger one for Harry. His young friend needed some proper food; he was so dangerously thin that Hercules could feel his ribs when cuddled around him. Yet another thing he needed to rip out the throats of his relatives for, and if he ever saw them again, that's exactly what he would do.
But for right now, it was his duty as Harry's amigo to make sure that Harry had the best life possible. He knew Harry had gone through a lot of horrible things, and that pain like that couldn't be healed right away, but what he could do was make sure Harry was fed and happy, and that the abuse of his so called family would become nothing more than a bad memory.
He picked up the rabbit and carefully made his way back towards the camp, keeping watch out for any predators or humans that could hurt him or Harry. There was no scent, sound, or bad feeling of anything dangerous in the area, though he still kept alert.
But while Hercules knew how to keep watch for predators and humans, he had never dealt with hunter's traps. While slithering through the grass, he unknowingly pressed against the trigger of a net trap. The net quickly pulled itself from the ground, wrapping around the shocked snake and hoisting him into the air.
Panicked, Hercules struggled, only getting himself more entangled in the net as he tried fruitlessly to get free. Not knowing what to do, he cried out for help.
And his cry was answered in only a few minutes.
"Hercules!" he heard the very welcome voice of his best friend shout and Harry burst out of the woods. Quickly assessing the situation, Harry climbed the tree and started to untie the rope, slowly lowering the net to the ground before scrambling down to cut Hercules free and untangle him.
"Thanks." Hercules said shakily as Harry pulled the net off of him. "How'd you find me so fast?"
"I could tell you were in trouble from the mental connection. And...somehow, it led me right to you." Harry explained.
Hercules smiled warmly. "I'm glad. I told you your powers were incredible." He gave Harry a nuzzle and Harry hugged him. "What was that thing anyway?"
"It's a net trap. Probably from a hunter. Which means we might not be as safe here as we thought." Harry said softly. "We'd better get out of here and find another place to live."
Hercules nodded worriedly. "Good idea."
But before they could get far, there was a cracking sound coming down a nearby trail. "Human." Hercules warned Harry, catching the scent as the sound of footsteps came closer. The two quickly and quietly hurried to hide or run away. But the closest place they could get to was behind a tree before the human appeared.
It was an unshaven man with brown hair dressed in hunter's clothing. Harry and Hercules watched from their hiding place as he came to inspect the trap, hurrying over when he saw it lying on the ground.
After a moment he let out an angry growl. "This wasn't broken, it was cut! What bloody fucking arsehole destroyed my trap?!"
He looked around, clearly furious, and Hercules looked up at Harry worriedly. They wouldn't have time to get away without the hunter seeing them...
...
Harry held his breath, desperate not to make any noise. The hunter hadn't seen them yet, but he didn't leave either, looking around and checking other traps while muttering about killing the person who had destroyed the trap he had worked so hard to set up.
It was then that the sun came out from behind a cloud, the light hitting them at just the right angle that Harry's shadow was visible.
And the hunter saw it. "Who's there?! You're going to pay for destroying my trap!" he yelled as he started to storm over.
Harry was terrified. The hunter was angry at him, and if he saw Hercules, who knows what he'd do to the snake. He had to protect his friend!
At the thought his power came rushing to the surface. Afraid of the consequences, he wanted to fight it back, but then remembered what Hercules said. You need to trust yourself and trust your powers.
Harry embraced the power, let it flow through him. Hide us. he begged it.
The power burst out of him, rushing over him and Hercules just as the hunter made it to their hiding place. Harry tensed, prepared to grab Hercules and run, but while the hunter looked right at them, his eyes passed right over them like they weren't there. Clearly seeing nothing, the hunter checked around for a bit, then grumbled as he headed up the trail.
Harry made sure he was truly gone, then motioned to Hercules. The two of them quickly and quietly ran away,
As soon as he knew they were out of range and the hunter wouldn't come back. Harry released the power, feeling tired.
"You all right?" Hercules asked worriedly.
"Yeah, just tired." Harry told him. He stumbled a bit and Hercules reared up, putting his head under Harry's arm and helping him keep his balance.
"Let's get you someplace safe." Hercules said worriedly. The two managed to find another cave, and after checking for predators, Hercules guided Harry into the cave to rest, coiling around him and lowering him gently to the ground. "Sleep. I'll keep watch."
Too exhausted to argue, Harry nodded and closed his eyes.
...
Harry slept for a few hours, exhausted from his use of the powers. After he had awoken, Hercules went out again, coming back with no incident this time, having caught another rabbit for Harry, which the young boy accepted with a grateful thanks. He never thought he'd think this, but he was now glad for the times his uncle had gone shooting and forced Harry to clean and cook his catches. It meant he actually sort of knew what to do now, even if it was difficult with a small Swiss Army knife(and gross).
"What happened back there?" Hercules asked as Harry managed to skin the rabbit and prepared it for cooking. "It was like that hunter didn't see us."
"I don't think he did. I used my power again. I felt it come rushing up when we were in danger, and I remembered what you said and trusted it. I asked it to hide us." Harry explained.
Hercules looked at Harry in admiration. "Did I mention you were incredible?"
Harry chuckled a bit at this and looked down shyly. "Thanks. I'm just glad it worked." He smiled as he thought of something. "Maybe that's our ticket to getting into Brazil, or wherever we decide to go. If I can figure out how to control it, we can keep ourselves hidden from humans until we find a safe place to stow away."
Hercules's eyes lit up. "That could work!" He then looked worried. "But we need to be careful. You were exhausted after using your powers for an extended period, and I don't want you to drain yourself. We'll have to figure out how to train them first."
"I know. I wish I could figure out what exactly they were though. What exactly I am. Maybe if I did though, I would know exactly how to train myself."
"It seems like your powers change depending on the situation." Hercules mused. "Today you wanted to hide us, and the hunter wasn't able to see us. And when you wanted to free me yesterday, your powers vanished the glass."
"And when I tried to get away from Dudley and his gang, I teleported." Harry said as he finished preparing the rabbit and skewered it over the fire to cook. "But it doesn't work all the time, even if I am in danger. It...It never stopped Uncle Vernon from..."
He trembled a bit and didn't finish the sentence. His breathing quickened and he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the horrible memories.
And then Hercules wrapped around him gently, comfortingly, and nuzzled his hair. "It's all right, Harry. Just breathe. You're safe." Along with those gentle words, waves of pure peace and comfort seemed to flow from Hercules through their bond, gently grounding Harry and reminding him he was in the woods, safe with someone who would never let him be harmed again.
Harry caught his breath, feeling much better and calmer from the comfort surrounding him physically and emotionally. "Thanks, Hercules. How'd you do that?"
"Do what?"
"It was like you used the bond to wrap me in a soft, comforting blanket, but with feelings." Harry tried to explain awkwardly, but he couldn't find the correct words to describe what just happened.
"I just wanted to comfort you and it happened." Hercules said, managing to get what he was trying to explain.
"That's amazing. You're amazing, Hercules."
"I know." Hercules said playfully just to make Harry laugh, which it did.
"So we know our bond can project feelings, and when you were trapped, it acted like a tracking device that led me to you." Harry mused.
"What's a tracking device?" Hercules asked curiously and Harry explained as he cooked the rabbit. "Interesting. I wonder if it works both ways? Or without the need for danger. This would be useful to keep us from getting lost or separated."
"We can try it. I'll hide and you come look for me." Harry suggested, eyes shining at the idea of the experiment. "We'd better check the area for any traps beforehand of course."
"Good idea. Eat first, though. You're way too thin." Hercules told him.
"Yes, mum." Harry joked.
Hercules playfully swatted him with his tail.
...
Hercules slithered through the woods, intent on the hunt. He had successfully tracked his prey, and while he could smell it only faintly and couldn't see or hear it, he knew exactly where it was.
He heard the faintest rustle coming through the bushes and knew it was trying to slip away from him. But there was no escape! No matter what his target did, he knew exactly where it was.
He gave the snake version of a smirk, silently creeping up on his target, watching in amusement as it looked around. Then he pounced.
And as he did, his "prey" reached out, pulling him into a hug. "Got you!" Harry cheered.
"No fair. I was supposed to be the one to get you." Hercules mock whined, though happily cuddled into the hug and coiled around his amigo.
Harry grinned happily. "That was fun. And we know the bond works as a locator both ways, and without there needing to be danger. You were able to track me, and I was able to track you tracking me. I even knew when and where you were gonna pounce. This is so cool! I wonder what else it can do. I wonder if we can talk to each other in our thoughts. Like a mental walkie talkie." Harry closed his eyes with an expression of concentration. Hercules tried to see if he could actually hear him in his head, but couldn't, though he did feel a slight buzzing sensation, like something was trying to get through and couldn't yet.
"Did you hear that?" Harry asked aloud after that.
"That, yes, but I didn't hear anything before that." Hercules admitted, then described the buzzing feeling he had felt.
"Huh. Maybe it takes time to develop or something." Harry mused. "You'd think nothing at all would happen if it didn't work."
"You might be right. We've only had the bond for a day." Hercules agreed.
"I wonder what we'll be able to do when we're older and stronger."
Hercules smiled, meeting the excited eyes of his best friend with the same light shining in his own. "Who knows? The possibilities are endless."
...
The next day passed without incident as the two moved on, with no signs of any humans or traps. It gave them a lot of time to talk, and Hercules opened up to Harry about his life before the zoo.
"Cam sounds like he was a really good friend." Harry said with a soft smile after Hercules told him about the human who had cared for him while he was in the breeding center.
"He was." Hercules agreed softly as he slithered beside Harry. "He took care of me ever since I was a hatchling. I wish you two could have met. I bet you would have liked each other."
"I know you must miss him. But maybe someday you can see him again. I'll do whatever I can to help you find him." Harry offered. "Do you remember his first and last name? The name of the snake breeding center you used to live at?"
"Yes, but I don't know if he'll still be there, or where he lives." Hercules admitted. "I know he wasn't happy working there, and I don't blame him. Some of the people there weren't the nicest, and the owner cared more about something called money than sending us to good homes. I almost got sent to people who wanted to hurt me, and would have been if not for Cam's actions. From what I heard him say, he got the zoo to pay more for me so that I was at least taken care of. I know he wanted to do more but couldn't."
Harry bent down and gave Hercules a hug after hearing what he went through. "I'm sorry."
Hercules nuzzled him. "It's all right, Harry. I'm happy with you now, and I think he'd be happy too if he knew that."
Harry smiled softly, stroking the snake's scales. "From what you told me, I know he would. And...I still will try my best to find him for you."
"Thank you."
They found yet another cave to rest in that night, and midday the next day, they ended up seeing a road close to the woods. Having Hercules stay back as he went to investigate, Harry saw a town close by.
Quietly, he went back and told Hercules. "We're pretty close to civilization."
Hercules looked worried. "We'd better head further back into the woods."
"Actually, I've got an idea. We need to know where we are, especially since we kind of ran aimlessly that first night. If I go into town and find the name, I can figure out where we are on the map and what direction we took. I can also pick up some supplies that way, and see if I can find where that breeding center was so we can see if we can track down Cam." Harry suggested. He was nervous about going into town and being around other humans and far from Hercules, but it was true that they did need some sort of plan and idea to where they were going.
Hercules saw his point, though was still worried. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
Harry gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
...
Harry slipped into town, taking a deep breath as he looked around to quell his nervousness at being near humans again, and quickly checked the name on his map, finding it and outlining the route they had taken so far, which gave him a good idea as to what direction they had been going. As he walked, he could still feel Hercules's presence in his mind, though he knew the snake was still in the woods. Hercules was a little worried, but staying calm.
The empathy link, as he decided to call it, stayed just as strong as he continued through town and headed into a small convenience store. Carefully, frugally, he chose some cooking supplies and some fresh, inexpensive vegetables and some spices as well as a small first aid kit and matches. He then had an idea and picked up a cheap notebook and pencils, wanting to both have a place to keep notes on the changes in his powers and his and Hercules bond as well as have a place to write down any potential addresses for Cam.
He managed to find a phone book, and as it would be pretty heavy to carry with them, looked in it to find the numbers and addresses he might need. To his delight, he found the address of the breeding center Hercules had mentioned as well as whatever numbers and addresses he could find that had Cam or Cameron Wilson listed and wrote everything down in his new notebook. He wasn't sure how he would talk to the man, but desperately wanted some chance at Hercules having his friend back.
This done, he went to the counter to pay for his purchases. The cashier, Marianne, was very kind, but also curious and concerned to why he was here alone. His anxiety spiked, which made Hercules start to get anxious as well, but he managed to mentally reassure the snake, and smiled and told Marianne that his family had dropped him off so he could run in and grab some supplies for camping with his best friend, which was at least partially true, and she accepted his story. Still, after getting out of sight, he hurried away as quickly as possible.
He managed to find a compass in an army supply shop, then went to a charity shop where he picked out the cheapest trousers and shirt he could find as well as some underwear, a worn out backpack to replace the cloth shopping bag he'd been using, and a blanket, then made his way quickly back to the woods, though was careful not to attract any attention, somewhat worried Uncle Vernon or the zookeeper would have called the cops or wildlife services. Thankfully, there was no incident, and he made it safely back.
He met the snake at the little grove they had designated as a hiding spot. "I'm back."
Hercules slithered up to him happily. "Did you get everything you needed?"
Harry nodded with a smile. "I got some supplies and found out about your old breeding center. It's a few towns over. I think we might be able to get there in a few days. I wrote down all the phone numbers of anyone listed Cam or Cameron Wilson in the phone book, so maybe I can try to call him and figure out where he is if he's not still at the center." He could feel a pulse of happiness from Hercules as he said this. "It's only for this county though. Do you know if he lives in this area?"
"I don't." Hercules admitted.
"We can try other areas too if this doesn't work." Harry promised. "Though when we do locate him, I'll have to try to figure out how to tell him without it sounding bloody crazy."
"It is a pretty crazy situation." Hercules agreed. "I think he knew not to expect normal around me though."
"A ten year old boy being able to talk to snakes and do weird things with his mind is on another level of strange though." Harry said with a small laugh. "And speaking of that... It looks like our bond does work over long distances. I was a mile or two away from you at the very least and the empathy link was as strong as if you were right next to me."
"And I'm pretty sure I still would have been able to find your location at that distance too." Hercules said.
"Same." Harry opened his notebook and started writing a list of his powers down, hoping this would lead him to some answers.
My Powers
Teleportation (at least short distance, but how far I can go from my starting point is still unknown)
Ability to regrow my own hair and also change someone else's hair color(not very useful, though maybe I could use it as a disguise if for whatever reason I need one, provided I could learn to change my own hair color or length.)
Able to shrink things(gotta be careful with that)
Able to vanish glass(possibly other objects too?)
Hide myself and Hercules from view (Invisibility?)
Hercules and I
Mental connection/Empathic Link with Hercules(Can feel each other's emotion and track each other's location from over a mile away. Telepathy possible, but still unknown.)
Harry turned to Hercules. "Is there anything else I should put down?"
Hercules looked a little embarrassed. "I, um, sort of have an ability of my own I haven't mentioned yet. I…Well, it's hard to explain, but I have this power. I could tell if humans or the other reptiles in my area were lying or telling the truth and I can feel intent and occasionally even their emotions if they were strong enough. Sometimes it was just a matter of observation, but sometimes…it was like something told me, like some sort of instinct or intuition. I can't even comprehend why, but I've been like that since I was born. It took me all my four years to learn how exactly to use it and when. Let's just say it didn't make me very popular, probably because I was way too blunt about it. A lot of the other snakes thought I was annoying for analyzing their stories, so I had to learn when to reveal things and when to keep my mouth shut. It's...still a work in progress."
Harry's eyes were wide with awe. "Whoa, that's wicked! So you were like a living lie detector?"
"I don't know what that is, but yes, I could detect lies." Hercules said, then listened in rapt interest as Harry explained what a lie detector was. "Yeah, I think that's pretty close to how mine worked. I could tell by changes in heart rate sometimes, or emotions, or tone of voice."
"That's so cool!" Harry told him happily as he wrote it down. "You also said you were more resistant to cold than other snakes?"
"Yes. Heat as well."
"Anything else?"
"The humans at both the breeding center and the zoo said I grow abnormally fast. Snakes of my gender and age aren't supposed to be as long as I am or grow as quickly, and I'm still growing. I do need to eat more often than other snakes though, and I digest my meals more quickly and can move right after eating. I...didn't know that wasn't normal until I met other snakes."
Harry nodded and wrote those down, also adding, 'Extreme Intelligence.' "I wonder if there's some connection between your powers and mine. Even if we have different powers, maybe whatever weird mystical energy that causes mine also caused your powers, and it also helped us forge our mental bond."
"It seems like that could be the case." Hercules agreed.
"I wonder if you'll soon be able to teleport and turn invisible too." Harry mused.
"To be honest, I doubt it." Hercules admitted. "While our powers could be caused by the same source, the way they work, minus the mental bond, seems to be different. Mine basically seem to be enhancements of the natural abilities snakes have, like growing longer, being more resistant to heat and cold, and having the ability to detect threats more strongly by being able to sense emotions and intent. But you seem to be able to more directly, even without control of it, be able to tap into whatever mystical energy is causing this and make it do things. And while I don't know for sure, our mental bond seems like it's a connection or a compromise between our two energies that allows us to read each other and allows us to communicate even when we're apart. Maybe it has to do with..." Harry listened happily and wrote things down as Hercules continued on for several minutes in this way, listing every idea in his head, some that made sense and some that were off the wall bizarre(like his theory that some human females were capable of either telepathy or emotion projecting as he had seen them shutting up their bragging mates or disobedient children with just a look). Harry made sure not to laugh at any of them though, not wanting to hurt Hercules's feelings.
Hercules then stopped, looking embarrassed. "I was rambling again, wasn't I?"
Harry chuckled. "A little bit, but it's not like it's a bad thing." He then paused thoughtfully. "I wonder if others have these powers too. I know you said Sir Hiss isn't the most...reliable...source, but did he say anything about any of the Speakers he met having weird powers?"
Hercules thought about this for a few moments. "Actually, yes, during the fifty foot mongoose story. Considering he was lying about the mongoose, I just assumed that this was a lie as well, but supposedly the Speaker shot fire out of a stick. I don't know if that means anything or not."
"I don't know." Harry admitted. "For all we know, if the Speaker existed at all, they could have been using a torch or a lighter or even a gun, or it could have a more supernatural cause. I won't rule anything out." Harry then looked thoughtful. "I might have met some weird people too though. Sometimes I would see people dressed in strange clothing, and they didn't seem to understand how everyday objects worked. One was even loudly trying to figure out the function of a rubber duck. I...thought they were just strange people, but... I can't help but remember they vanished when I looked away for even a second. I thought I just missed them leaving, but there was some cases when I would have had to have seen them leave. But after what I did with making us invisible in the woods..." His eyes widened. "Hercules, what if they're not human at all? What if I'm not human? What if I'm actually an alien?"
Hercules blinked. "I...have no clue what that is."
"A being from another planet." Harry explained, then told him about other planets and the possibility of life being on them.
Hercules listened with interest, then thought this over. "I don't know if you come from another planet, Harry, but you still have a human scent, granted it does seem to be very slightly altered from the scents of other humans. You're definitely human though, just with something that makes you different from others. And maybe those others have the same powers as you." he suggested. "And if that's the case, maybe we should look for them. Maybe they'd be able to train us, or find us a safe place to stay."
"Do you think they'd really be willing to help us? I...I don't want to run into people that are like the Dursleys but with superpowers." Harry said softly.
"We won't know what they're like until we find them, but most humans I've met aren't like your family. And even if they were... I won't let them hurt you, Harry." Hercules told him soothingly, nuzzling him in comfort.
"But I don't want you to get hurt either!"
Hercules snuggled close. "I won't. Plus, remember my powers? We can observe from a distance, and I'll be able to tell if they're safe to be around. It'll be okay."
Harry felt a little better at this. "All right. But how do we find them? I can't just ask random people on the street if they have superpowers! They'll think I'm barking mad!"
Hercules's eyes lit up as he got an idea. "Then we won't ask humans. We'll ask other snakes. Considering they'll be able to hear you talk to them, they'll know we aren't crazy! And if wild snakes have a name for people who can speak the snake language, they might also know a lot more than us about what's going on."
"That's a great idea!"
...
As they headed through the woods on their way towards the breeding facility that once housed Hercules, the two kept their eyes open for other snakes during the next few days. England had very few snakes, most being grass or garden snakes with a few small adders, and most were intimidated by the much larger Hercules, so they were rather hard to find, though most of them became more friendly when they found out Harry was a Speaker and Hercules wouldn't hurt them. ((Though one snake did think Hercules had gotten hold of a rat that had eaten fermented berries and was imagining that there was a human who could talk to snakes and had refused to believe him until Harry himself had walked up.)) And while most didn't know what was going on with Harry's powers, they were supportive and offered other advice, such as where to find water and ample prey, and how best to avoid predators, invaluable information for living in the woods. In exchange for all of their help, Harry and Hercules helped the snakes in return, like Harry transporting them somewhere or helping them build a nest, or Hercules helping hunt for prey. They always left having made a new friend and ally, which made them both very happy.
And there was a few snakes who did know something about Harry's powers. A grass snake had seen some strange looking humans vanish with a crack sound right in front of her eyes, and a nearby viper also confirmed this, and said she had heard that most Speakers had strange powers, and advised them to find either one of those humans or a three headed snake called a Runespoor to train him. The viper didn't know where to find the humans, but said she had seen a Runespoor a few miles to the west, thankfully in the direction that they were now heading.
After a few days of traveling, they did indeed make it to the town where Hercules's breeding center was. Harry got Hercules as close as he could while still being in the woods and remaining hidden, then nervously made his way to the center, trying to think of a way to tell Cam what was going on without freaking him out.
But when he went through the doors, he got a less than warm reception. "Don't you think you're a little too young to be here, kid?" the guy at the front desk grumbled.
"Sorry to disturb you, but I'm looking for a friend of my brother's." Harry said, again telling a half truth as he did consider Hercules his brother in all but blood, though he hadn't told Hercules this yet, at least not verbally. "Does a Cameron Wilson work here?"
"Don't know anybody by that name." the guy grumbled, and Harry's heart sunk.
A worker who had been heading towards the back rooms, a pretty blond haired lady, turned as she heard the conversation. "Oh, I remember that guy. He quit a few years ago. I think he moved away too." she said, heading up to him with a friendly smile. "Whatcha looking for him for, kid?"
"My brother was one of his best friends and really missed him. They lost touch when we moved away." Harry replied, again half telling the truth. "I wanted to surprise H...Henry for his birthday by reuniting him with Cam."
The woman smiled. "Aww, that's really sweet. I'm sorry we couldn't help you more."
"It's okay. Do you know where he lives now? Do you have his phone number?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Sorry, kiddo, I don't, and we're not allowed to give out that kind of stuff anyway." the woman said sympathetically.
"It's all right." Harry reassured her, though he was saddened at not being able to reunite Hercules with his old friend. "Thank you so much for trying."
"No problem, kid."
Harry thanked her once again and headed back to Hercules, who was waiting for him in the woods. While not having heard the conversation, Hercules had felt from Harry's disappointment that Cam wasn't there, and while a bit dejected that his friend had moved away, was also happy Cam had left to find a job he liked more.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out, but it means a lot how you tried so hard to help me." Hercules told Harry, cuddling up to him.
"Maybe I can find him for you someday." Harry said, still not wanting to give up.
"While it would definitely be great if we could, and I'd love to see him again, right now we'd better focus on finding our new home. I do feel better knowing Cam's out of that place too. What matters most to me is that both you and him are happy. So I don't want you to worry you've disappointed or upset me because we couldn't find him." Hercules told him gently, knowing what Harry was feeling.
"I just...I know how much he meant to you. I wanted you to be happy." Harry said softly.
"You mean just as much to me and I AM happy." Hercules reassured him. "These days in the woods with you, traveling and having adventures and talking to you about all the cool stuff we see have been the best days of my life. You're an incredible friend...no you're more than that. You're family, Harry." Hercules looked a bit shy. "Snakes may not have much of a concept of family...but I've always been different, and I was raised around humans, without much closeness to other snakes. I saw Cam as a friend, and in a way as a parent...but you... I see you as my brother."
Harry smiled widely. "I see you as my brother too."
...
"Here, I got it. Hold still." Harry told Hercules, holding onto him as the boa constrictor thrashed around and tried to rub his face against the ground in a panic. It was a week and a half into their journey, and Hercules had started to shed the day before. The poor snake now had a piece of skin on his head that was blocking his eyes, leaving him unable to see, which made him freak out a little.
Hercules continued to try frantically to rub it off, seeming to not quite register Harry's words. It looked like he had to try another tactic to calm his amigo down so he could fix the problem. Remembering how Hercules had comforted him after his flashback, and done so again whenever he had nightmares, Harry closed his eyes, projecting feelings of warmth and comfort through their bond, with a mental reassurance that it was okay and that Harry would help him.
Hercules instantly relaxed and calmed, and Harry placed the boa constrictor's head on his lap, carefully cleaning off the caught skin and clearing it away from his eyes and eyelids.
"Thanks." Hercules said, a bit sheepish now that he had calmed. "Wow, that was embarrassing. I shouldn't have freaked out like that, but it's terrifying not being able to see."
"I know. I feel the same way when I can't find my glasses." Harry told him sympathetically.
"I know the feeling. It's bad enough when it happens with one head, but try having it happen with three." an amused female voice said, making Harry and Hercules jump. Boy and snake looked towards the direction of the voice, finding a three headed snake, about six or seven feet long, with vivid orange scales and black banding along its body.
Recovering from his shock, Harry smiled politely. "You must be the Runespoor we've heard about. It's really nice to meet you. I'm Harry and this is Hercules."
Hercules nodded to this. "Some snakes in the woods mentioned you three. We were actually hoping to run into you."
The left head, the one who had spoken, smiled. "It is very nice to meet you both as well. You've been the talk of the woods. I'm Elina, by the way, and these are my sisters Ashlyn and Mara." She indicated the middle and right heads respectively.
Ashlyn leaned over to inspect Harry, a dreamy look in her eyes. "It's very nice to meet you, Harry. The other snakes told us of your kindness, and it's evident in your very soul. Maybe you'll be the one to heal the pain the corrupt Speaker caused in our world."
"Really, Ashlyn? Could you have greeted the kid any more awkwardly? We've known him for like five seconds and you're throwing all this bloody crap at him?" Mara complained.
"Mara, there's no need to be so critical." Ashlyn replied calmly as Harry and Hercules looked at each other in worried confusion.
"Of course there is! You're an idiot and being a critic is my bloody role, dumbarse!" Mara growled.
Elina nipped at them both. "Will you two knock it off?!"
"Don't fight." Harry pleaded. "What's going on? What corrupt Speaker?"
"Some dirty, rotten smelling arse with a really stupid name that was here like twelve years ago or something. Tried to force us into going to kill some humans he called mudbloods, which is ironic since he smelled more rotten than any of them. We refused. Ashlyn and Elina are too softhearted to go after humans, and I'm not taking a bloody risk like that." Mara explained, though her eyes averted slightly when she said she had refused just because it was a risk, indicating she might be just as softhearted as her siblings. "He didn't take it well. Tried to kill us with some green light spell thing, but we dodged and escaped, then went to go get help. Thankfully, we found our friend and he was able to give the humans a warning for us."
Harry shivered at the story, his mind instinctively going back to a bright green light and a high, cold laugh in a recurring nightmare he'd had ever since he was young. Hercules sensed how upset he was and wrapped around him. He wrapped an arm around Hercules. "I'm so sorry that happened. I'm so glad you guys are all right. Is this corrupt speaker still around? Do we need to watch out for him?"
"Don't worry. From what we heard, he died. Got blown up by some kid or something." Elina reassured him.
"Good riddance." Mara muttered.
Ashlyn nodded seriously. "You and Hercules are in no danger. At least not right now."
"Ashlyn!" Elina scolded as Harry and Hercules gave each other a nervous look.
"What?"
Elina sighed and shook her head. "What Ashlyn was trying, and failing miserably, to say was that we're not in any danger from the corrupt speaker, so you have nothing to fear here." she told them kindly. "Now, some of the snakes told us you were looking for help and advice about your powers?"
Harry nodded softly. "I...um, have these weird powers where I can do things with my mind. Like...I ended up teleporting once, and I think I turned Hercules and I invisible, and I managed to make the glass of Hercules's tank disappear and released him. I know it sounds crazy and freaky, but..."
"Relax. We believe you, and you're far from the only person who has magic." Elina reassured him as Hercules wrapped around him comfortingly.
"Magic?" Harry asked softly.
"You really don't know much, do you?" Mara asked point blank.
"Mara, could you be a little less blunt?!" Elina scolded before continuing. "And yes, your powers are called magic. You're what the humans call a wizard."
"Didn't anyone ever tell you? Your family?" Ashlyn asked softly as Harry sat down in shock.
Harry shook his head, but it was Hercules who actually answered. "His so called family were not good people, Ashlyn."
"Oh." Ashlyn said softly, though thankfully didn't press any further.
"Want me to bite them for you?" Mara asked. "I'd be more than happy to, and my venom would give them a slow and painful death."
Harry eyes widened at the gory offer. "Um, thanks, but there's no need. I'm as far away from them as possible, that's all I care about." He quickly changed the subject. "Do you know where any kind wizards are? I need help to train my powers. Hercules and I know nothing about them."
Elina nodded. "Yes, we actually once lived near a school for wizards called Hogwarts many years ago. A wizard named Hagrid found us when we were young and being hurt by some bad humans. He rescued us and took care of us until we could take care of ourselves, then he and his familiar made a home for us in the woods. We eventually left there to see the world, but we still remember where our old home was. It'll be a long journey, but we can take you there."
"Thank you." Harry said gratefully as Hercules thanked them as well. "Is there anything we can do for you in return?"
"Eh, don't worry about it." Elina said dismissively. "It's been boring in the mundane woods. It will be good to finally have another adventure."
"And to see our old friends in the Dark Forest." Ashlyn added.
"And of course if those two go, I've got to get dragged along too." Mara grumbled, though she didn't sound too annoyed.
Harry was still worried. "I'm sorry, Mara. We didn't mean to make you go somewhere you don't want to. We can find our way on our own. I.."
"Quit apologizing, kid. Not your fault. I would have probably been dragged on some weird adventure in the next few weeks regardless. The two weirdos that share my body don't like to remain still for long." Mara told him.
"You complain all the time, and yet you always have fun." Ashlyn reminded Mara. Mara grumbled under her breath and glared at her, but didn't argue.
Elina ignored the two and turned to Harry and Hercules. "So you two okay with having us three join you?"
"Of course." Hercules told her while Harry nodded with a smile.
Elina and Ashlyn smiled back, well, at least as well as Runespoors could, and Elina started telling them where to go. With that, the group of five continued on their way.
...
"So you were held in captivity by the humans before Harry saved you?" Elina asked Hercules as they traveled together.
"Well, sort of...I think the humans said zoos were meant to protect endangered animals from getting hurt in the wild and teaching other humans about us, but it still meant living in a cage." Hercules told her. "It wasn't as horrible as it sounds," he quickly added when Ashlyn started to look worried. "I mean, they always made sure I had plenty of food and water, but it was confining and lonely until Harry freed me."
"And right after that, Hercules saved me from my uncle, and we ran into the woods. We've been traveling ever since." Harry added.
"That's amazing." Ashlyn said in awe.
"So how'd you bust him out?" Mara asked Harry curiously.
"I, um, vanished the glass. I'm still not sure how I did it." Harry admitted sheepishly. "Hercules looked sad and I wanted so badly to help him that my power, I mean, my magic, started building up. My cousin ended up knocking me down and it just exploded out of me. The next thing I knew, there was no more glass."
"Sounds like accidental magic to me." Elina said. "Uncontrolled magic that bursts out whenever a wizard or witch is under extreme stress or really wants something. Don't worry, it's normal for young witches and wizards from what I heard." she added when Harry looked confused.
Harry felt better at this. "Thanks. Wow, you guys know a lot about magic."
"Not that much, but we learned some from Hagrid and Aragog- that's the familiar I told you about." Elina said.
"What's a familiar?" Hercules asked curiously.
"You don't know...wait, of course you don't, why'd I ask?" Mara sighed, making Hercules and Harry look embarrassed. "A familiar's an animal who bonds with a wizard or witch. Their minds, souls, and magic connect and tie them together. From what I heard, it happens when they touch skin to skin for the first time."
Harry looked to Hercules in shock. "That's what happened to us... The flash of light, and then we developed our mental link!"
Hercules nodded. "So I'm your bonded familiar..." Harry was at first worried that this bothered Hercules, but then realized the feelings from their mental link were nothing but happiness. The excited boa constrictor then turned back to their Runespoor friends. "So what do we need to know about this? Right now, we can feel what each other is feeling, project emotions, and find each other no matter how far apart we are. Will the mental link progress any further? Will we be able to talk through our thoughts? Are any more powers coming? Is that why I was born so different from other boa constrictors? Is..."
"Whoa, slow down! We might be three heads on one body, but we can only answer one question at a time!" Elina protested and Hercules sheepishly apologized. "First, yes, it will progress. You two are only in the beginning stages right now from the timeline you told me."
"And you'll definitely be able to talk to each other in your heads. We've seen Aragog do it. He always zoned out when he's "talking" to Hagrid when they were apart." Ashlyn added.
"And I think Harry's magic will make you live as long as he does as well." Elina added. "And yeah, from what I know, familiars are usually born different from the rest of their species. Like acromantulas are supposed to be vicious, but Aragog's really gentle and kind. Familiars normally grow bigger and stronger than the rest of their species too, which was a good thing for Aragog, as when he met more of his species when he and Hagrid traveled to another forest, they attacked him for being too "soft."
"I'm sorry that happened to them." Harry said softly. "Though, if you don't mind me asking, what's an acromantula?"
"Big spider. REALLY big spider. He's bigger than Hagrid, and Hagrid's half giant." Ashlyn answered. "And don't worry, they were both okay." Harry felt better at this. Aragog seemed nice, so the fact of him being a giant spider didn't phase him.
He had always liked the spiders that were his quiet cupboard companions after all.
"So yeah, you being different from others of your kind is completely normal. It's apparently something that happens to all familiars." Elina continued to explain to Hercules.
"I also can tell what the emotions of others are, what their intentions are, and if they're lying. Is that normal for familiars too?" Hercules asked.
"Dunno." Ashlyn said. "Could be. It'd be a good way to detect predators, especially since you were in captivity and Harry was in a dangerous situation."
"Will Hercules get any powers from me?" Harry then asked shyly. "Will he be able to use magic too?"
"Doubt it. He's not a magical snake to begin with, and even magical snakes like us can't use magic in the way wizards can. Probably the powers he already developed will be enhanced, but he's not going to be able to cast spells like you can." Elina explained. Both Harry and Hercules nodded, understanding, and thanked Elina, Ashlyn, and Mara for their information.
...
"I wonder how wizards cast spells." Harry mused later that evening when the group stopped for the night.
Ashlyn was eager to answer. "They use a stick, point it at stuff, wave it around, say some weird words, and then magic happens. We should try it! I'll go get you a stick!"
"This isn't a good idea. We know literally nothing about casting spells." Mara grumbled as Ashlyn dragged her and Elina to the nearest tree.
"It can't be THAT hard. Harry's already been casting magic from what he told us, and he didn't even have a stick." Ashlyn pointed out as she plucked a stick from a low hanging branch.
"I think Mara's right. Maybe we should wait until we know what we're doing." Harry said nervously.
"You've cast spells before, Harry." Hercules pointed out. "You told your magic to hide us and it did. Maybe if you use the stick and do something small and easy, it will teach you how to focus your magic and get it to do what you need it too."
"Hercules is right. It won't hurt to try." Elina told Harry as Ashlyn gave him the stick.
Hercules looked to Mara, who sighed. "They're not going to let it go, trust me. Go for it, I guess. You can blame them if it goes wrong."
Harry's eyes widened in panic. "I don't want it to go wrong and hurt anyone!"
Hercules nuzzled him as Elina and Ashlyn glared at Mara. "You're not going to hurt anyone. You never have. Your magic isn't dangerous." the boa constrictor soothed. "Even when you didn't have control over it, it never caused anyone harm."
Elina nodded. "Learning to cast at will should help you feel a little more in control."
Harry finally nodded. "What should I try to cast?"
"Try just making a little ball of light." Elina suggested. "That should be easy enough."
"All right. All right. I'll try." Harry waved the stick around awkwardly. "Light!" Nothing happened. Harry sighed. "I look as ridiculous as I feel, don't I?"
"Yes." Mara said matter of factly.
"Mara, you aren't helping." Elina scolded. "Hmm... Try concentrating on how your magic felt the last times you cast accidentally. Maybe if you bring back the feelings, the magic will come too."
Harry nodded and closed his eyes. He remembered how it felt the last time he willed his magic to do something, the burning desire to protect Hercules. He focused on this desire strongly and felt his magic build up aside him. He waved his stick again, making sure to point it away from the snakes just in case something went wrong. "Light!" he called out.
And the stick lit, though not in the way he intended. There was a white flash of light, then a small fireball appeared, incinerating the end of the stick. Harry yelped and instinctively dropped the stick before he could get burnt. The grass under the stick started to burn, and panicked, Harry felt his magic build up inside him again. Quickly, he willed it to put out the fire. A stream of water shot out of his hands and extinguished the tiny fire he created. Gasping in both shock and relief, Harry checked to make sure the fire was fully out and that the snakes were okay, then he plopped down on a rock, taking deep breaths. He felt a little tired, but not nearly as drained as when he had made himself and Hercules invisible. Mostly he felt ashamed.
The Runespoor sisters and Hercules rushed to his side. "Harry, are you okay? I'm so sorry!" Hercules gasped.
"It's my fault. I didn't know what I was doing..." Harry murmured.
"And neither did your "teachers," which was the actual problem." Mara muttered.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pressured you into casting a spell." Elina apologized.
"It DID work though." Ashlyn told Harry, trying to cheer him up. "You made a light!"
"I made a fire!"
"Which is a light with heat." Ashlyn pointed out.
It was technically the truth, but Harry still felt terrible. "I could have hurt you guys..."
"But you didn't." Hercules comforted. "That fire wasn't anywhere near us."
"Not to mention, you put it out as soon as it started by shooting water out of your hands! That was so bloody wicked!" Ashlyn cheered. She gently nuzzled Harry. "Don't worry, your magic's still doing everything you asked it to. You made a light, and then you made water to put it out after it caught fire. And you didn't hurt anyone or anything. And I know you'll make a light exactly the way you want it soon! Failure's just a step to figuring out how to do it successfully. You just have to keep trying."
Hercules nodded, snuggling against Harry. "I know you'll learn to control your magic. Maybe just without the stick next time. You did a lot better without the stick."
"Maybe wizards and witches use a special stick." Ashlyn mused.
Harry felt a little better at her words. "I will keep trying, but I'm not going to try to create light or fire again until we're out of the forest and I've got a teacher to keep an eye on me and make sure I don't light myself or anything or anyone else on fire."
"At least you have more brains then my sisters." Mara muttered.
"Hey!" both Ashlyn and Elina protested, and Harry and Hercules tried not to laugh.
Harry felt much better now, knowing no one held his mistake against him. He would be much more careful the next time he tried to intentionally do magic, of course, but the thrill of what he had just accomplished filled him. He had made fire AND water! He quickly wrote this down in his notebook among his list of powers and added everything he had been told about magic while he could still see enough to write.
As they all settled down to sleep a little while later, Harry cuddled next to Hercules, listening to the quiet breathing of his sleeping companions. Now that he knew what his powers were, while he knew he needed to be cautious, he did want to get them under control and be at least somewhat competent so he could convince the magic school that it was worth training him, and so he could help his friends. He definitely wasn't going to practice with light or fire again though until he had someone who knew what they were doing to help him. Teleportation was out too as he didn't want to end up accidentally sending himself somewhere dangerous or teleporting through a tree or something, not to mention he didn't know how to do it. Vanishing or shrinking things could also be dangerous. Changing hair length and color might be useful if he went into town again, but he'd have to figure out how to do it first. And while he wanted to try to practice the invisibility spell, it was really draining, and might be safer to do with supervision.
But the water spell; THAT he could practice.
...
The next few weeks were marvelous. Harry had never known he could feel this joy or freedom that he felt journeying with two(four?) snakes through the England woods towards Scotland. Traveling with Hercules, as always, was fun, and the Runespoor sisters also proved themselves to be excellent company. None of them ever minded when Harry asked them questions, and they were full of stories of the places they had been and the things they had done. The magical world through their eyes was wild and beautiful, even if some of the creatures were dangerous, and Harry couldn't wait to explore it with Hercules.
He just hoped the wizards and witches they would inevitably meet would be kind, and not like the Dursleys with superpowers, or the corrupt Speaker Ashlyn had told them about. But whenever Harry fretted about it, Hercules was always there, letting him know things would be okay, and reminding him of the boa constrictor's own little superpower of reading the intentions of those around him. And he knew Hercules would never let him get hurt, and that Elina, Ashlyn, and even Mara, despite her grumpiness, would be there for them as well.
In the evenings when they settled down to rest, Harry practiced his magic. He meditated as best he could with the knowledge he had, letting himself clear his mind and feel the magic within him. It always took his breath away when he did manage to touch it. It was an intense and almost fiery glow, yet warm and soft at the same time somehow, comforting and empowering. It almost felt sentient somehow, like it knew him and could protect him, now that he was letting it rather than fearing it and pushing it away.
Using it when he was calm however, was more than a little difficult. When he wasn't feeling intense surges of emotion, it was hard to pull out and control. He would often sit in front of the fire when he was ready to put it out, concentrating and trying to summon the water again to douse it. Sometimes it just wouldn't work, or would only produce a tiny trickle of water. And there was one incident where Harry miscommunicated with his magic about what he wanted to do, and thinking "Put out the fire," had ended with a huge pile of dirt lifting itself off the ground, covering and effectively putting out the fire like he had wanted, but also sending a shower of dirt onto himself and Hercules as well. It was the hardest he had ever heard Mara laugh, at least until Hercules had gone over to her and playfully shaken the dirt all over her as well. Harry had, of course, apologized over and over, but both snakes had easily brushed off the apology as they had the dirt, and told him it was fine. And Ashlyn, with her eternal enthusiasm, had told him that lifting the dirt had meant he had mastered earth, and that he had only air to go before he mastered controlling all the elements.
That sounded pretty bloody wicked to Harry, though he decided to try mastering water first, and doing air when he could test it in a field or someplace safer, just in case he made a tornado or something.
His persistence did finally pay off one morning, and he finally was able to summon the stream of water, dousing the fire. Ashlyn had been so excited she started bouncing, making Mara annoyed at her, and Hercules had proudly brought Harry a giant trout he caught to congratulate him for his accomplishment, which meant he needed to relight the fire, but that didn't matter.
It was one of the happiest days of Harry's life, next to the day he had met Hercules, the day Hercules had called him his brother, and the day they had met Elina, Ashlyn, and Mara. He had cast a spell, and he had done it on his own, completely calm and without whatever special stick the other wizards used! And he was so excited to learn more, to learn all the magical world had to offer. Magic was amazing, and it was on this day, he felt he could be a true wizard.
And he would definitely need that power only two days later.
...
"Are you absolutely sure this is the only way to go?" Hercules asked uncertainly as the group looked at the precarious, narrow cliff path they would need to take to get to the other side.
Elina nodded with a sigh. "The only other way to get through here is to climb all that way down and either swim or walk that slippery path by the river, and that's just as dangerous if not more."
"Is there a way to turn around?" Harry asked. "That path looks pretty narrow and I don't want to cause a rock slide or something."
"I don't think so, but it'll be okay. We can slither on that path pretty easily, and you're pretty small and agile, so I don't think you'll fall." Ashlyn told him. It wasn't very comforting, but Harry guessed it was the best thing she could do under the circumstances.
Harry glanced at Mara. "I hate the idea too, but I'm pretty sure it's our only option kid." the Critic sighed.
The Runespoor sisters headed onto the path, and hesitantly, Harry followed, carefully keeping hold of the cliff walls. Hercules was right behind him.
And then, right as they were in the middle, disaster struck. There was a rumble, and cracks began appearing in the cliff between Hercules and Harry. Harry cried out and tried to get to him, only for Elina to hold him back.
"The cliff's unstable! Don't move, you could cause it to fall faster! Hercules, hurry!" she called.
But it was too late. The cliff was falling around Hercules and he had nowhere to go.
Harry cried out. His magic pulsed inside him and flowed out, whipping around him. He reached out his hand towards his familiar, and just as the last of the cliff Hercules was fighting to stay on fell underneath him, Harry's magic surrounded Hercules, floating him through the air and into Harry's arms.
"Thanks." Hercules said shakily.
Elina tugged on Harry. "We need to get going! This whole cliff could collapse!"
But before they could take more than a few steps, there was an ominous rumble again. Harry knew they had no time to get to the other side before it fell. His magic swirled around him, and he grabbed hold of Hercules and the Runespoor sisters. They had no other choice. Teleporting had the potential to be dangerous and he had never practiced it aside from that one accidental time, but it was either that or fall to their deaths. Get us someplace safe! he pleaded with his magic and closed his eyes, letting it out of him in a waterfall of power. Just as the stone beneath their feet collapsed, they apparated away.
They landed in a pile on the other side, Harry breaking the fall of the three snakes as they hit the thankfully very solid ground. Shaken but relieved, they checked each other and themselves for injuries. All limbs, heads and tails were thankfully intact.
"Are you guys okay?" Harry asked.
"We're fine." Elina reassured him.
Hercules nodded and nuzzled him. "You saved our lives."
Harry smiled and tried to get up, but his head spun and he swayed dizzily. He felt like he had been working in the garden in the summer heat for hours without a break, rather than using magic for only a few minutes.
Hercules and the Runespoor sisters reacted quickly, rearing up to help him keep his balance. He groggily thanked them.
Hercules nodded as best he could while supporting Harry. "Let's get you someplace to rest." he said gently.
"You did great. Your magic's getting stronger all the time!" Ashlyn said supportively.
Harry smiled at this and tiredly let himself be led until they managed to find a sheltered area among the trees where they could rest. Snuggled among his snake friends, Harry closed his eyes and slept, not knowing that the magical world they were searching for and the parents he thought he'd never see again were now headed his way.
...
"Albus, is something wrong? Why'd you summon us so urgently?" Lily asked worriedly as Dumbledore called them into his office. "Is...Is he back?"
Dumbledore shook his head, looking every inch the old man he actually was. "No, but when Minerva was looking up the names of the Muggleborns she needs to visit, she...discovered a name we didn't expect. Lily...James...I'm so sorry. I made a grave mistake ten years ago." He pulled out the list of names for the first year students and slid it towards them." Confused, Lily glanced at it, and her eyes widened.
There, right under Dan's name was Harry's. The child they had given up because they had been convinced he was a squib and wouldn't be safe or happy in their world, was proven to be a wizard clear as day.
Numb shock was replaced by searing anger as both she and James glared at Dumbledore. "You told us he had no magic! You convinced us he would be better off in the Muggle World!" Lily yelled at Dumbledore. "You convinced us to give him up, that it was best for him!" Tears filled her eyes. "We lost ten years with our son, all for nothing..."
"Lily." James said gently but firmly. "It's every bit as much of our fault. We're-We're the ones who gave him up..."
Lily looked down, knowing he was right. It had been her idea to send him to her sister's. Her that ran away as their baby reached out, crying for them. She had wanted to give him a better life, and when they had secretly checked on him for the first few months, he had seemed happy playing with his cousin or toddling after her sister in the house the way he had once crawled after her. She had hoped then that she had done the right thing, had given him the best life she could, and when reporters had started to secretly follow them around, they had tearfully decided to stay away, not wanting to risk Harry's safety. They thought he would be safer away from the chaos, away from the eyes of cruel purebloods and nosy reporters.
Away from what her sister had gone through, living with magic and being unable to have any of her own. Lily had known how desperately her sister had wanted to be a witch. How their relationship had for a long time fallen apart, and how Petunia had finally found security in normalcy, in a suburban life with a husband and beautiful baby.
She had also wanted him to escape prejudice and having to go through anything similar to what she had in a Wizarding World too consumed by blood status. A world that some days she wished she had left long ago, and would have if not for the fact that Dan was a wizard, that he needed training, and that there was no way to flee from a True Prophecy. The only thing they could do was give Dan every chance he could to survive.
She had wanted to keep Harry away from that hell, to make sure at least one child would be safe and free, but she had handled it in the worst way possible. She had left her baby rather than finding a way to solve those problems while still staying in Harry's life.
And now Harry was a wizard, part of this world whether it was safe for him or not, and he would need to go to Hogwarts to train his magic. She and James hadn't been there to guide him, and she was unsure if Petunia would have been able to.
She was a terrible mother. She should have visited. Sent letters. She and James had sent presents on Christmas and his birthday, but that was all they had done. While they had considered visiting under polyjuice, they had then felt it would be too hard on Harry if they suddenly entered his life just to visit and go away again without taking them with him or being able to explain why his brother could stay with them while he couldn't. And in trying to protect him from that, they hadn't been in his life at all. She couldn't imagine the pain they had caused him. And if her son never forgave her, she deserved it. She choked back tears, and James held her close. She could feel him shaking with suppressed sobs as her tears soaked his shirt.
Dumbledore sighed softly, speaking after a moment. He looked older than she had ever seen him. "No... she's right. It's my fault, and you both can be as angry with me as you want. I was the one who suggested it in the first place. I made a horrible mistake. I should have left things alone, and I'm so sorry for what I've done. I know it's something I can never make up for, and I hope Harry hasn't suffered for my choices."
Lily saw the genuine remorse in his eyes as she turned to him. "We're all to blame. The only thing we can do now is try to make it up to him, if we ever can." She wiped away her tears and tried to calm herself. "Where's his letter? We'll go to Petunia's and take it to him."
Dumbledore went and searched through the letters, finding Harry's and bringing it to them. Lily took it, but as she caught sight of the address, she noticed something that filled her with dread. The address on it was NOT Number 4 Privet Drive, but a remote area deep in the woods of England.
Her heart skipped a beat. This couldn't be right. It didn't make sense. Why wasn't he at Petunia's? What was he doing in the middle of nowhere?
Was he all right?
"Lily, what's wrong?" James asked.
"It...It says he's living in the woods..." Lily said softly. "This...This can't be right..."
"He might just be on a camping trip with Petunia and Vernon." James tried to soothe her.
"Petunia wouldn't camp out; she hates it, she always has." Lily said shakily. "And I can't imagine Vernon camping out either, plus, the area's not near any camping sites..."
She looked into James's eyes and she could tell he was now just as worried as she was. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll get an owl to send the letter and follow it on our brooms. We'll find him. I promise."
With that, they both said a hurried farewell to Dumbledore and hurried out, desperate to find their son and bring him home, leaving a tired old man with his head in his hands and ten years of regrets.
...
Wow! I just jumped from 4000 words to over 12K! I hope you guys liked it!
And this chapter marks some big changes in the world building for this universe. Familiars exist, and this changes some major canon events. Aragog is much different in this world, kind and gentle rather than terrifying, an outlier of his violent species, who, like Hagrid, has trouble finding a place to belong. More on what these changes caused will be shown next chapter. Also, in this AU, Aragog does not have Mosag or any of their children. He's the only acromantula in the Forbidden Forest.
((Elina, Ashlyn, and Mara are outliers too, though it isn't as noticeable as with the others.))
Please review and let me know what you think! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave them in a review or PM me!