Stranger Than Fiction

Stranger than Fiction by Pseudonymous Entity

"ADVANTAGEOUS. An adjective.

Involving or creating favourable circumstances that increase the chances of success or effectiveness.

Beneficial."

Summary: Harry receives a set of books on his birthday detailing the life of a boy with the same name. The summer he turns 11 Harry discovers not only does he share the main character's name - he IS the main character. The books tell the future! Now, what would a fairly clever 11-year-old who has lived a hard life do with this knowledge? Something responsible and mature for the greater good? Maybe not. Oh dear.

AN: I've been waiting for this chapter and had so much fun writing it. The plot really jump starts from here. And those of you wondering why he ran into Percy of all people will get some of your questions answered. There is a method to my madness.

ANx2: Pseu is making an effort to lengthen the average chapter for Stranger than Fiction.

Pseu (Still good looking and reasonably talented]

"What is right? What is wrong? What is here today could soon be gone

Who's to say that I can't take what's left behind, what's yours could soon be mine

...broken words, broken bones, broken windows in our broken homes

Can't you see? You should never come too close, believe me cause I know

If you think that you can handle this, gotta know who you been messing with..."

-Savages

"I'm glad I could help with your letter," said Percy. "Though I will once again point out if you lead with I'm Harry Potter and I'm a Seer you'd end up at wand point less often."

The two of them were once again sat at a table, this time with a small privacy ward erected and some bread and jam on the table between them along with a carafe of water with lemon wedges in it. Healthier than lemonade and classier than plain water, according to Percy. He really was a bit of a ponce. Harry liked him.

"No one else has done it yet." Harry defended.

"Yet."

Harry couldn't argue with that. Fictional Harry got a lot worse than a wand to the face. Fictional Harry died. "Yet," He agreed. "I'm not exactly keen on following in my future self's footsteps." Not if he could help it. Not if there was any way out of it.

Percy leaned back in his chair, while still maintaining perfect posture, and pondered that for a moment. "Are your visions set in stone, then?"

"I'm not sure. So far, it seems like I can have a choice of whether or not to go along with things. But I also haven't changed anything that big yet."

"What if I could help you?"

Harry frowned. "Help how? You don't put much weight on crystal balls or card reading."

"This will take some getting used to." The older boy muttered.

"What will?"

"A complete stranger knowing everything about me and my future. It feels rather exposed."

"Ah. That. I didn't even mean to. Should I -er- try to stop?" He asked, unsure.

Percy waved a hand. "I don't mind, now that I understand what is happening." He paused and leaned forward. "But maybe you should consider whether it is wise to do so around everyone."

"Am I that annoying?"

"No, no. What I mean, Harry, is that knowing the future and knowing information about the people around, information no one knows that you have, is powerful. When you let people in on it some of its power goes away and they might try to take the power for themselves. You should think carefully how much about your abilities you reveal, when you do so and to whom."

The redhead slid a basket of rolls toward Harry's side of the table, eyes flicking over him. "I know that might seem unnecessary and maybe it's uninvited advice but I felt it my responsibility to put it out there."

Harry chewed and swallowed. "I get it. You're right. And you, you want to have a career in the ministry, it makes sense that you think about things politically."

"That's one way of putting it." He said, dryly. "Regardless, yes I want you to consider these things. Being who you are there are already people in the world who want to use you, your face, or your name, to get the things they want. Even something as simple as-"

"Posing with them in a picture or saying a certain thing in public."

"Precisely." Percy sounded approving. "Returning to the topic of deciding one's fate against visions of the future. Having another set of eyes -so to speak- to look at and analyze with you can help you figure how to work the visions to your advantage even if they do seem to lean toward happening as seen."

"...what?" Harry scrunched his eyebrows.

Percy took a breath and his shoulders relaxed. "Forgive me. You have such a good grasp of language and reserved demeanor I forget your age. What I mean is, there are ways for things to seem as if they happen mostly aligned with what you saw in your vision without it being so. Appearances can be deceiving. Swapping out things like time of day, the people involved, the location, and so on can have a drastic difference in consequences. Therefore-"

"It technically happens as fate intends but I've changed it just enough that it goes in a direction that suits me."

"Yes," Percy agreed. "Or at least, suits you better than the alternative."

They fell quiet for a moment. Harry chewing on a roll thoughtfully.

"I don't know why I never thought how helpful you could be," said Harry. "I mean, I always knew you were smart. Prefect, Head Boy, some assistant to the minister. You have to be smart to do all of that right? And I knew you knew about a lot of things and could rattle off facts if someone only asked, and how dedicated you could be, even with something as potentially dull as the thickness of cauldron bottoms. I think I should apologise? I'm not sure."

Percy held up a hand as if to ward away the flow of words. "One moment. I'm not sure what cauldrons have to do with anything but you needn't apologise. You may have Seen me but you hadn't met me yet so you didn't have a chance to take my knowledge for granted. And obviously given the opportunity that isn't what you chose to do, as we're sitting right here speaking." He trailed off. "Did you say the ministry?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. You totally kick butt in school, work your arse off, get the Head Boy position, and get a job in the ministry straight out of Hogwarts. You even work for the minster himself at some point."

Percy's posture got even straighter, something Harry didn't know was possible, and his chin lifted just a tiny bit with pride.

"Be careful," Harry said seriously. "I wouldn't want you to go down a path that takes you away from your family too late to save them when they need you."

"Merlin forbid," Percy whispered, face paling His blue eyes raked over Harry as if he were following the words Harry spoke out of the air and memorising them, analyzing them. Reading the warning between the lines.

"And we really do need to work on making certain you don't spill out things like this around everyone else."

"I shall practice keeping silent." Harry suggested."

"See that you do."

Harry stared at the remaining roll in the basket. "This seems a little one-sided. You're offering to help me even though we've just met and you haven't gotten anything out of it other than a good scare and a walk to the post office."

The older wizard, who had appeared deep in thought, snapped out of it. Blue eyes locked onto Harry. "If it'll alleviate your guilt, I propose a trade."

"A trade," Harry repeated.

"Yes. I will do my best to help you navigate the wizarding world using your powers and teach you how to look at things politically to best help you use the information you have. If in return you let me in on information that may affect my family or my career."

"You think it's that important that I know that sort of thing?"

"Definitely. When you have an advantage you don't give it up." said Percy, seriously. "Power in this world, actual power, is a rare thing. Hold on to it. Or else someone else might use it for you. This is an opportunity most people won't ever get. When you know what's coming you can better prepare for it or work to change it."

"That's what I want." Harry blurted. "I don't want to be stuck in a future I don't even want, making choices I don't always agree with. I want to be my own person and live my own life."

Percy hummed. "That's the most passionate thing I've ever heard you say."

Harry coughed and looked away for a second. "Sorry."

"It's nice. To be around someone who understands wanting to pave your own way and forge your own life. That sometimes that means using things to your advantage and that doesn't mean you're becoming an evil person you're just being logical."

"Ah, like your father wanting you to work in his department, right? Stuff to help muggles?"

"Yes. That." Percy nodded. "I love my father but my interests lie...elsewhere."

Harry thought of James Potter from the books. Arrogant pureblood jock. The man did become decent and tried to save Harry and his mom. Which was nice. Real Harry, however, had no intention of being any such thing. He didn't even want to be like his fictional self. Running into danger without thinking, rejecting help from people just because he didn't like them, never asking questions...not ones that mattered. Following along blindly.

"I understand."

"I know you do," said Percy. "Oh, we should decide if you're getting registered. If not we'll need to plan how to hide your ability."

"Like an Animagus?" Harry asked.

"Yes. Wizards with special talents like that or like being a Seer usually register at the ministry. The ministry will say its to protect the user of said talents and sometimes it does, but its mostly so the ministry doesn't have to be held responsible if you do something dangerous or stupid."

"And so they can keep tabs on you if they think you can threaten the ministry's power or if they're afraid of you. Like werewolves."

"You learn quickly." Percy commented.

"It's one of the only things I have going for me," said Harry.

"That and the whole seeing the future thing."

"And that," Harry said, softly. Remembering suddenly that he was lying to his new friend. "What do you think? Do you think I should register with the ministry?"

"Well I..."

"Go on," Harry encouraged when the pause dragged on.

"It's a little unconventional but you could go to the Department of Mysteries directly to register. Technically informing the ministry isn't required so long as you are on record with the Department of Mysteries."

"Aren't they the same?"

"Oh no, not at all. The Ministry of Magic, the building, is made up of different sects...organizations. There's the political hierarchy of course. the Minister and the undersecretaries. Then there's the Wizengamot and the Lords and noble families. But there are many factions outside of the directly political aspects of it that aren't connected. The Department of Mysteries was built around some ancient artefact and their scholars and researchers were there long before the Ministry building its self was built."

"The archway in the death room, right?"

Percy tilted his head, a small smile in place. "Us mere mortals wouldn't know, Harry. I will assume yes. The Department is a separate entity with its own rules and powers. The minster can't order them around."

"So, if I register with them they have no requirement to run around telling the ministry?"

"Quite," said Percy. "And there are benefits to it too. You can claim information is classified. Unable to share with others because it relates to your registry at the department. And you don't ever have to tell anyone outside the department why you're registered. If you work with the department on occasion, even something as vague as promising to let them know first if anything interesting pops up in your Sight, they'll give you a lot of protection you wouldn't get otherwise...especially as a parentless minor."

It was Harry's turn to stare. "I wish my future self was friends with you. It's turning out to be a very useful thing for present me."

"Glad to be of service," Percy said, dryly.

Harry grinned.

"You can focus on what you want to change and have a support system if you mess up or if you See that you'll need it. If you're framed for a crime or something, or if the politicians get interested in you. Not to say you wouldn't ever use all of this to help other people. I don't think you're utterly selfish or anything. I'm only saying you can't run around the rest of your life saving everyone elses."

"...you're my favourite person," said Harry.

Percy flushed, cleared his throat and began rearranging the silverware on the table. Uncomfortable, maybe, with such a compliment. "I have my moments."

"So...how long were you waiting to negotiate your trade?" Harry ventured, the notion only now dawning on him.

"Almost immediately after I discovered you were a Seer." Percy admitted.

"I'm not even surprised. How opportunistic of you, thinking ahead."

"I plan as well as I can without having the Sight," He said.

"Speaking of, when should I register?"

Percy pulled up his left sleeve and looked at his watch. "It's definitely time for me to head home. I can meet you here in two days, provided you still want my help?"

"Can we meet at night again?" Harry asked carefully. He could probably manage sneaking out now and again at night after his family ad gone to bed. There was no way he could get away with leaving during the day. Not unless all the Dursley we're going to be gone.

"Certainly. In fact, I think its better if we do. Less people around to discover what we're up to."

"Not that it's anything shady or illegal."

"Never." Percy agreed.

"Never say never." Said Harry, thinking of fictional Percy breaking into Hogwarts to fight the Death Eaters.

Rather than refute him Percy shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "As I said, I have my moments."

PseudonymousEntity

2020

Thoughts, questions, theories and limericks always welcome.

NOTES: Two ambitious young wizards making plans in the dead of night. Nothing to See here...

Ever Yours, Pseu