CHAPTER 2 / WAKING UP TO MAGIC

The little boy woke up to his aunt ramming on the door and shouting. He obviously had to prepare breakfast. He rubbed his eyes with his small hands and blinked a couple of times to come around. He pulled his unruly hair in front of his eyes in an unsuccessful attempt to straighten it out. He had a beautiful smile on his face. Last night he had this wonderful dream, and—

It wasn't a dream, Harry…

"Marvolo! You really exist!"

That's true, little one… But better not shout it out loud. We wouldn't want the unworthy Muggle to hear you and get you locked up in a mental institution now, would we?"

The small boy clasped his hands on his mouth in fear, but the happy look in his eyes still remained. There was nothing quite as exciting as to know that magic exists. He lowered his hands to whisper in anxiety.

"But how can I speak to you, Marvolo? I have to do the chores my aunt and uncle give me all day. I cannot reply to you…"

He pouted in sadness. It was so nice to talk to Marvolo, he just couldn't wait for the night to arrive.

You know I can hear what you think, don't you, Harry?

Nodding slowly, the boy felt the answer approaching and smiled. But he didn't understand exactly how they were going to talk.

You only have to form sentences with your thoughts… Harry… Very easy… I'm sure a boy as clever as you can do such an easy thing…

Hearing the compliment, Harry blushed. Nobody ever told him before that he was clever. For sure, befriending Marvolo was the cleverest thing. To form words from his thoughts… How?

'Can you hear me, Marvolo?'

I can hear you quite clearly, little one… You did it…

Jumping up in glee, Harry gathered himself when he heard his aunt calling. He had forgotten all about his aunt and breakfast while talking to Marvolo. He better got out the cupboard now if he didn't want to stay hungry all day. His aunt and uncle didn't at all like tardiness.

Walking into the kitchen, he started taking everything necessary from the refrigerator. His small hands quivered as he raised the plates. He had to get up on a stool to reach the counter. He gave tremendous effort to stay away from the flames that were warming his wrists while he tried not to burn the omelettes. When he set up the table, he filled a plate with all he could eat and retreated back to the cupboard. His uncle didn't want him wandering around while they eat.

Sitting on the bed, he brought the table up to his lap. He was quick because he had to clean up after that. His thoughts were still on Marvolo and magic. He imagined how wonderful it would be to cast magic. Suddenly, he decided to ask one thing he was curious about to his friend through his mind.

'Marvolo?'

He had repeated his name so that he could prove himself that he can still talk in his mind.

What is it, Harry

As much as he knew it wasn't a dream, hearing his friend's voice was nice.

'How come I became a wizard?'

How many wizards were there on earth? Seeing that he never heard of them before, there had to be quite a few.

By blood, little one. Your mother and father were wizards, too.

According to the Dursleys, his father was unemployed and her mother was a fool. It was unbelievable to hear that they were also wizards. Obviously aware of hıs thoughts, Marvolo cut in angrily.

Are you still going to believe the words of the unworthy Muggles?

Harry was sad that he made his friend angry. Of course Marvolo was right. His mother and father had to be wizards. Or else there wouldn't be any explanation as to how Harry could do magic. But then how could they have died in a simple car accident? Shouldn't they have found themselves on the top of a roof or something, just like Harry?

Your mother and father didn't die in a car accident, Harry. I want you to forget about everything the foolish Muggles told you from now on.

'I am sorry, sir.' The boy couldn't help but think that Marvolo knew something about his mother and father. He had even forgotten about his questions of how his family died.

'Did you know my family, Marvolo?'

Marvolo had to be an adult before he got stuck in his mind. Maybe wizards knew each other.

I didn't know James and Lily Potter in person.

The small boy's heart filled with excitement when he heard the name of his parents. Setting the plate aside, he pretty much begged.

'Please, Marvolo, please tell me more about them.'

James Potter was a full-blood wizard coming from a noble family. He was a powerful man of honor. He was an Auror in the Ministry. Lily Evans was, unfortunately, coming from a Muggle family. But from what I have heard, she was a clever and successful witch.

The boy was so happy to be hearing about his parents that he didn't even care about the tears filling into his eyes. Or, for that matter, the fact that he had to get out of the cupboard and clean up the kitchen in a minute…

Unfortunately, oblivious to this touching moment, his aunt rapped hard on the door and called for Harry. Taking his plate, the small boy quickly got out of the cupboard. Putting the plate on the counter, he got his uncle's newspaper and put it on the table in the saloon. Taking the plates on the table, he put them in the dishwasher. He cleaned up the table and put the remaining of the food in the refrigerator.

Doing them ever since he was five, the chores had become a routine. His uncle had told him that he had to earn his place in where he was living.

After he was done in the kitchen, he started gathering the laundry. He started the washing machine and then set off to the garden. Aunt Petunia had the tidiest garden in the neighborhood, and that was all thanks to her nephew. Pulling out the weeds first, he then watered the flowers.

He watched as his uncle went to work, his aunt was dressing up his cousin. You needed a full proper hour to get Dudley ready for school.

That one hour was the time for Harry to dust off the house. If he wasn't quick with it, he wouldn't be able to go to school. The little boy loved his classes and the books. He knew he shouldn't best Dudley in the classes but he followed up with his schoolwork. He had no friends but it was still nice to watch the children play. Fortunately, now there was Marvolo. Harry wouldn't be alone.

He had apparently forgotten that he could talk in his mind while doing the chores. He was waiting to be alone to talk to Marvolo. Apparently, his friend didn't find it necessary to correct his mistake.

After he finished dusting, he quickly changed his clothes. His school outfit was old and patched up. Still, his aunt didn't want him to look untidy. His clothing aside, though, Harry wasn't able to do anything with his hair. Getting in front of the mirror, he wetted it and tried to part it in the middle. If that was possible, his hair got even frizzier.

The famous Potter hairdo… Never stays straight…

Hearing Marvolo's voice once again, Harry was happy to learn another thing about his family.

'Was my father's hair like this, too?'

Yes… and his father's… Potter household always stood out with their unruly hair.

Smiling, Harry gazed carefully at his own face. He was trying to find the traces of his father in him.

Apparently, sometime during history the Potters forgot that they are wizards. With a simple spell you can make your hair grow and tie it. That way, it straightens up easily.

He wasn't sure if long hair would suit a boy. He didn't want Dudley and his friends making fun of him. And his aunt would surely understand there was something abnormal with his hair growing so fast.

'Thanks, Marvolo, but I better not.'

Marvolo didn't bother to reply. Seeing that he only had a few minutes left, Harry jolted for the door. Under the scrutinizing look of his aunt, he got on the school bus. Dudley shouldered him as he passed by, making him fall, and putting a smirk on the faces of the other kids. But Harry wouldn't let anything get him down today. His first friend was always with him and he could hear him. He didn't need anyone else. Not caring about the watchful eyes, he sat down on the always vacant seat. Thanks to the stupid rumors his cousin had spread, no one sat beside him.

He was watching the streets flow past from the windows like he did every day. But he was not the same Harry from yesterday. He was a whole another person today.

'How many wizards are there in the world, Marvolo?'

I don't know, Harry. How many people are there on Earth? How many stars are there in the sky?

'But we can't count all of them, Marvolo!'

Yes, little one. Some things are hard to count. This doesn't mean it is impossible. We can guess.

'And if you have to guess…?'

Okay, let's see. Just in Britain there have to be ten million or so wizards. Around the world, this number could be fifteen times more than that.

'Wow! That's quite a lot!'

It was nice to hear that there were so many wizards in the world. To know that he was not alone… Maybe there were wizards hiding in secret underground caves. Or in tree hollows… Or under the sea…Or on the stars…

'Where do all those wizards hide, Marvolo?'

You confuse wizards with magical beings, little one. Mountain trolls and giants live in hidden caves. Forest fairies live in tree hollows. Mermans live under the sea. Not much is known about the stars yet, but star dusts are used in potions. The full-blood wizards, on the other hand, live in either mansions or castles belonging to their ancestors. The others live in regular homes… Hogsmeade is the only entirely magical settlement in the entire England. There are also magical alleys and magic schools.

Magical cities, alleys, castles… Harry wanted to see them all. The existence of magical creatures had just made the magic world a lot more amazing.

'Unbelievable! I never knew giants, fairies and mermans exist.'

Now you know the existence of magic, why couldn't the other imaginary things exist?

'Is Santa Claus real too?'

With his question, he could feel the mirth radiating from his friend. Apparently, Marvolo found the question funny.

I am sorry to disappoint you, but no.

'But then why do we celebrate Noel?'

The silly Muggle holiday doesn't mean anything for us wizards. In that same day, we celebrate the Yule.

Harry's thoughts were still on the magical cities and magical creatures. He didn't really listen to all the things about Yule. He wanted to talk to the giants, swim with the mermans and fly with the fairies. He wished he had wings.

You can fly without wings, Harry… Magic has no boundaries…

With Marvolo's words, the little boy smiled. To fly… What a wonderful feeling that would be…

'Can you teach me how to fly, Marvolo?'

Just as Marvolo was about to answer, the bus stopped. Many of the students bumped to Harry on their way out but he didn't mind as he listened to his friend's answer. He was making his way to his classroom.

There are two ways through which you can fly. One of them is a wizard's broom, a little talent, and anyone can do it.

Harry didn't know where he could get a broom. And he didn't have money.

The other way is to direct your magic and persuade your body to fly. Only very powerful wizards choose this way. It is safe to say it's not known much.

The little boy didn't know yet if he could be called a powerful wizard. But if he grow up a little… He wished he could grow up quickly and go to the magical world. There were so many things he wanted to do…

Let's make a deal. If you can learn to control your magic and persuade your body to fly, I will help you venture into the magical world.

'But I'm not a powerful wizard!'

How did you know that?

Harry just knew that he wasn't powerful. He wasn't just not successful at magic, but much like anything. The Dursleys…

I remember I told you not to believe in the worthless muggles.

'I'm sorry, Marvolo.' said Harry, not able to hide his embarrassment.

Marvolo was right. He wouldn't think about the Muggles. Harry was a wizard and he could do whatever he wanted to do. He took his seat and for once didn't notice the teacher walking in. Even if he did want to participate, the teachers didn't give him a chance, believing that he was stupid.

Is that a deal? Asked Marvolo inside his head.

Putting all his worries aside, Harry answered with determination. It was one of the mysteries of the ancient world, how much a six year can achieve with his faith.

'Yes, Marvolo. I'll be successful.'

Good… Harry. Now pay attention to the class. Don't mind the stupid Muggles. I expect nothing but the first place from you.

HARRYTOMHARRYTOMHARRYTOMHARRYTOM

Marvolo, the horcrux of Lord Voldemort that was unknowingly placed in a child, could barely hide his surprise for the last two days from his host, a.k.a. Harry Potter.

Producing a flame ball in his hand wasn't impossible for a six year old. But it was extremely hard. Still, Harry Potter managed it in his first try. Marvolo hadn't even begun explaining him wandless magic.

It was apparent from the beginning that Harry Potter was a special baby. The child of the prophecy had somehow managed to defeat the killing curse. Still, to learn how to do magic without a wand was way beyond anything a normal, six year old could do.

At the beginning, Marvolo had denied that the child could really be powerful. He had thought his success was due to the child's faith and imagination. That was how he had explained it to himself;

Children didn't know the meaning of impossibility. They wouldn't grasp what it means to be unsuccessful, that there would be things they couldn't do. Their imagination knew no boundaries. So when they are told that they can do magic, as they couldn't think that they couldn't do magic, they can do.

But this theory had so many flaws. The first of which is the goddamn Dursleys. Harry Potter didn't grow up like any other child. His so-called family called him, for years on end, freak and an abnormality. They didn't even think it was possible for him to be successful at school. And so Potter naturally had little self-confidence.

The second flaw was that when Potter tried to open his door for the first time, he had succeeded. It was a clear sign that he was special that he managed to cast Alohamora!, a spell he had then just heard.

Yet another flaw was the one that differentiated Potter from other wizard kids. Kids below the age of eleven who unknowingly, accidentally do magic, usually have difficulties doing magic knowingly. In fact, not knowing how to control their magic, they could lose it.

The only example that defied that last information was he himself, Tom Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort.

Orphan Tom grew up knowing that he was special, manipulating animals, harming bullies that picked upon him. The existence of a magical world only served to prove him being special.

Marvolo had given the child this new task to test out the limits of his powers. Learning how to fly had been a huge success for Lord Voldemort, who had threaded on the borders of Magic. If Potter could manage this task, Marvolo could give him a chance and make him the right-hand man of the dark side instead of the puppet of the Light. With his kind of power, Potter could earn that place.

Marvolo knew that Harry Potter was so much more special than he believed. The six year old enemy had proven himself as a powerful foe.

This situation had proven that it was indeed useful for Marvolo to introduce himself. It would be easy to teach him the beautiful profits of the dark side and to tell him about Dumbledore's manipulations. It would just take a wizarding oath to overrule the prophecy and teach Potter amazing dark magic.

Harry Potter, growing up as the right-hand man of darkness instead of a powerful foe, would be his winning card.