Doing A Number 2
Chapter Six
Summary: He really shouldn't have been so surprised. He was a Noah after all; reincarnation was inevitable. Just not a hundred years later into the future with a letter addressed to his exact location…In a public bathroom. Set in Marauders' Era.
Author's Note: VERY IMPORTANT NOTE AT BOTTOM PLS READ
November 6, 1971 Age 11, Whereabouts: Hallway
It's during the quidditch season that Allen can feel the animosity in the air; pure, unfiltered house rivalry. Albeit his thoughts on small rivalry being healthy, he does not appreciate it when people are harmed.
He's only a first year with little experience and knowledge, he knows this very well of course, and he knows he's most likely out of his league. Yet when his eyes catch sight of a group of Slytherin and Gryffindor students throwing spells in the hallway, and a few Hufflepuffs caught in between the crossfire (one was sobbing on the floor with a curse that's erupted multitudes of painful, burning boils across her hands and face), he does the only thing he can and incapacitates the closest to him (which had been a Gryffindor who had obviously not expected being tackled to the ground by a significantly smaller individual). The shock gave Allen enough time to knock a few of the students over with flipendo.
"Stupefy!" He'd barely had enough time to dodge the ray of light that whizzed passed his head, catching a few stray hairs in his movement. His small and inexperienced limbs had caught the end of his own robe causing him to stumble, but quick recovery allowed him to mirror the nondescript Slytherin, thus sending a successful stupefy.
Allen speeds towards him in order to take custody of the wand, and he steps cautiously in front of the two Hufflepuffs on the ground. At this point he's pointing two wands at the two remaining students who'd started the quarrel. The three were at a stalemate, and begun to create distance. Sweat dripped from his brow, knowing his next move may not work.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" He cried as he sent the Gryffindor flying into the Slytherin, both falling unconscious as he turned to the Hufflepuffs.
They had been slightly older than him, perhaps third years, nonetheless he'd knelt down with them. The girl had been a brunette whose eyes were red from sobbing, looking down he gently took hold of her boil covered hands and suppressed the urge to wince. They were sweltering red and enlarged to the point of looking like they could burst at any moment. She wouldn't be able to even hold her wand during that fight to protect herself. Tears still streamed down her caramel eyes, and he moved his hands to wipe the tears with small hushes.
For once in a long time, he'd felt his true age.
"We'll get you to Madam Pomfrey, don't worry…" The girl could only nod.
The other was on the ground, a male with ebony hair, Allen wasn't a health expert so he'd have to relocate them fast before the unconscious students woke up. He stood up quickly, and took the liberty of confiscating their wands and shoving them in his pocket. As of now, he didn't know how to tie them up with a spell, so this would have to do. Then, he lifted the unconscious Hufflepuff with magic, and the girl followed by his side.
When they reached the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey was already on their tail, and set them aside for inspection. "What happened?!"
"Students fighting in the hallway, their crossfire injured these two." Allen informed almost instantly.
The nurse let out a frustrated noise. "Dunderheads, the lot of them!"
"Go inform a professor, quickly now!" She ushers Allen out, and the latter complies without reluctance.
McGonagall would've been the closest professor so he rushes to the oakwood doors of her office and does not do her the courtesy of knocking, instead, simply opens the door in a hurry.
"Mr. Walker? Please knock—"
"Professor, students had been fighting in the Hallway." In an instance, her gaze hardens and she nods, looking just seconds away from cursing.
Allen directs her to the students just a few corridors down, who'd slowly begun to stir into consciousness. He watches as her eyes turn to steel, and a firm expression that clearly exuded disappointment and anger formed.
"Detention all of you! To my office, and that's 50 points docked off of each and every one of you!" There's outrage but not unprecedented, however her demeaning presence mostly keeps them in line.
Accusatory eyes turn to him, "He took our wands!"
Then a speculative look from McGonagall is sent his way.
"He's the one who attacked us!" A Gryffindor with bright blonde hair exclaims.
Allen urges himself to not roll his eyes, "It was obviously to stop all you from causing more damage—be glad I didn't even hex you."
"All of you to my office. Now!" A few grumbles but they eventually follow the professor, "You as well Mr. Walker."
"What—" He stops himself, and reluctantly follows.
November 6, 1971 Age 11, Whereabouts: McGonagall's Office
The office was finally cleared of the students, however Allen was asked to stay behind, it's at this moment that he sits across the professor's intensive gaze.
"You'll be serving a night's detention with me, Mr. Walker." Silence.
"With all due respect ma'am," he doesn't exactly understand why he was being punished (though a night isn't exactly that much of a punishment), "but I don't understand? I did what I did to help my housemates who could have been further injured."
Something flashes in her eyes, something so quick and perhaps a little foreign to Allen, he doesn't know if it had been pride.
"Yes, I know."
"So why—"
"Because even with your good intentions, you still attacked your fellow students. While they were not harmed too badly, it could have been worse. You sent a fellow student flying into another, and both had been an inch away from getting their heads knocked against a stone pillar." Allen's pale eyes widened with realisation, and began to form a sense of guilt as they drop to his hands on his lap.
"These actions, regardless of intention, need some type of retribution. There are more than one way of dealing with opponents, Mr. Walker." There's a pause.
"Though, I would say that was very Gryffindor of you." When Allen's head rises, he sees McGonagall smiling gently at him. She may not be his Head of House, but here Allen could clearly see it; the pride in her dark eyes. "It was also very Hufflepuff, your Head of House would be proud."
He grins, brighter than ever and he rises out of his chair in glee.
"Your detention is Friday night, do not forget." And if Allen's demeanour falls slightly, and he begins to pout instead, well, McGonagall stops herself from laughing.
"Good day, Professor."
"You're an idiot."
Allen whines in protest, "But Severus—"
"Allen," Lily admonishes, "you could've been hurt!"
"I'm fine! No injuries—"
"You didn't even check with Madam Pomfrey!"
"Listen to Lily, Allen."
"But—"
"You have to be more careful!"
"Okay, mum!"
"You'd better listen to your mother, young man!"
The three burst into laughter.
November 7, 1971 Age 11, Whereabouts: Courtyard
Allen had just finished his morning jogging routine, when he stops by the Gamekeeper's hut. The half-giant turns around from patting the canine, and his coal eyes shine in recognition.
"Ah! Walker! C'mere, how've ya been?" Allen grins up at him.
"I've been well," the pair enter the hut.
"Wha' were we up ta?"
Allen pauses in thought, "I think it was the Bowtruckles?"
"Think tha'd be mor' of a Professor Kettleburn lesson." Allen shakes his head in response.
"Hagrid," he drawls, "you know he's in the hospital wing...again."
"Fine, ha' it your way."
November 11, 1971 Age 11, Whereabouts: Hufflepuff Common Room
It's when Allen is about to leave for his inevitable detention that he's confronted by a pair of familiar housemates.
"A-Allen, was it?" The girl starts, fidgeting in her spot, eyes shying away as though they were undecided whether to stare at him eye to eye or rooted to the ground.
"Yes that's me," he makes sure his tone is soft and it seems to calm the girl in front of him, "I'm sorry, but I never caught your names…?"
"O-Oh, it's uh—" The girl looks like a deer in headlights as she stammers, and she's looking back and forth between him and the other Hufflepuff as if the other would save her sudden loss of words. Allen laughs.
"Well, this mess over here is Emma Miller," the other teases and the aforementioned, Emma, snaps her gaze back at the ebony haired Puff in flustered betrayal, ferverently growing red, "I'm Oliver Williams."
Allen exchanges handshakes with the two, finally meeting officially instead of the dangerous fiasco that it had been beforehand.
"Well, how can I help you two?" He asks before adding, "I could go hex those involved if that's what you need."
Their eyes widen, and Oliver grins, "Oh, would you be so kind, sir?"
They fall into laughter (though Allen really would if they wished).
"W-We just wanted to thank you," and there's a form of sincerity in Emma's voice that makes Allen beam, "for helping us, even though you're a lot younger."
"I would do it again in a heartbeat."
(As the first year walks away, the two are left awed. For a moment they had seen not a first year, but someone older than they were; wiser, braver and kinder.)
November 11, 1971 Age 11, Whereabouts: McGonagall's Office
"Good evening, Mr. Walker." The professor guided him towards his seat in front of her.
"To you as well," he greeted, "what will I be doing…?"
His question is greeted with silence, and he watches as pieces of parchment are levitated along with a quill and ink in front of him. Accompanied with this is a thick transfiguration textbook; the one he'd been reading at the library.
"You'll be copying lines from this. Of course, no magic. You'll do this for the hour."
Without any protest, he writes. Minutes pass by, and he isn't really paying attention to the time anymore, and while he'd already read this area of the book about animagus, he can't help but feel that same unrestrained interest.
…
McGonagall has been considered a genius and absolutely remarkable at transfiguration in her years at Hogwarts. It's what she's known for, and she was fortunate to have Albus Dumbledore as her mentor, who taught her to embrace this talent and encouraged her to pursue more than what the school could offer.
Allen Walker is a small first year, even for his age, with white hair, and dazzling, pale violet eyes—he's becoming known for his bright smiles and exceptional kindness. She even suspects that he'll become known as the school's sweetheart given the next few years, judging from many students' growing fondness of the boy, who she notes with amusement, treats everyone equally.
Perhaps it was a product of being exposed to a new environment? Unaware of the traditions heavily rooted in the magical society, either way the boy showed no house rivalry or bias. He was polite to all, and handed consequences to students he deemed deserved it no matter what house, blood or family they were in.
His unlikely friendship with Severus Snape and Lily Evans also stood out in her mind, and perhaps, to many others. That even when the boy, Snape, was growing closer with his Slytherin housemates, and Lily with her own, the boy treated them no different, was no less distant, as well as no judgement for their choices.
She thinks of all the times Allen Walker quarrels with James Potter and his group of friends in defence of his own—that for all the bravery, cunningness, and wisdom he displayed, McGonagall could see most clearly that this boy was truly a Hufflepuff.
When she takes a glance of the first year, attention being lifted from her own task of grading papers, she sees eyes that are lit with whirling, uncontrollable interest—and she has a feeling. Allen Walker, a first year who has proven to be more than simply satisfactory in her class, has piqued her interest. Call it intuition, but there's something akin to an untapped potential, an unpolished gem, something much greater—She's not a Ravenclaw, but she wants to know.
Minerva McGonagall wants to witness the lengths this boy will go.
"You seem to be fixated on Animagi."
Allen flinches in surprise, suddenly taken out of his dazed stupor. He realises he hasn't been writing lines, and instead was simply absorbing the words of a book he had already read. "That I am." He feels slightly exposed under her (what could be seen as) scrutiny.
"Do you want to become one?" It's this that causes Allen to snap his head up to meet his Professor's gaze.
He licks his lips uncertainly, "...I do."
"I could teach you."
"You could what—?" With slight awe and horror, Allen was transfixed at the sight of McGonagall morphing; watches as dark hair—fur—grew all over her body, her form was shrinking, ears and tails sprouting, and eyes narrowing.
His professor was an Animagi; a sleek, black cat.
"You should close your mouth, Mr. Walker." She'd quickly morphed back into human.
"C-Could you teach me?" She nods.
"Though, you'll have to wait until you're older."
It was a line that sent a wave of heavy disappointment coursing through his body. Of course, he understood, it could easily be one of the most dangerous practices—he could be unable to transform back, or even stuck halfway—but that didn't stop the disappointment.
It was as if McGonagall sensed this because she added, "But I can help you advance your transfiguration if you wished, and when I've deemed you ready, I will guide you through to becoming an Animagus."
"You...You'd be my mentor?"
"If you'd like."
Minerva would be a fool to stare directly at the sun, but here she was—the boy was blinding. Even as she told him he could talk to her if he ever had questions, and to come back the same time the week after for a lesson—as she watches the boy get up from his seat (detention long over) expressing his gratitude as calmly as he could (though his excitement was quite obviously coursing through him like adrenaline)—she could not find it in her to regret it.
Allen Walker, the first year exiting another detention, had become her protégé.
June, 1971 Age 11, Whereabouts: Hogwarts
It was exam week for Hogwarts. Lily had been an anxious wreck, but Allen knew she'd do fine (well, more than fine). Severus, like usual, showed indifference, though the albino could tell otherwise. He, himself, was reasonably confident, or at least, the subjects that weren't potions. Prior to this, he'd come crying to the two about how he was going to flunk potions, and begged them to teach him how to make one even remotely decent.
Like the good friends they were (Albeit, Severus calling him a dunderhead) they'd taught him in the potions classroom. After having explicit permission from Professor Slughorn to use it who'd been utmost...Reluctant, eyeing the albino with caution, his promising potions students had coerced him through the comfort of the idea that the albino would finally learn how to make a potion that would not explode (for once).
("Just follow the instructions, Allen!" Severus' eyebrows twitched.
"I am!"
"You're not!"
"Life's just against me!"
"You—"
"Down, boys." Two huffs resounded.)
When the results came, the three cheered. Unsurprisingly, he completed Transfigurations with flying colours, and he, to the alarm of most students, tackled McGonagall in a hug. His second-best had been charms (he guessed all those magical duels in the halls did wonders), and most importantly, he passed potions (exactly at the borderline, but he wasn't picky).
("A pass is a pass."
"Absolutely ridiculous…")
The end-of-feast was a grand event, students had been at their tables chatting loudly with all the renewed vigour that had been at the beginning of the year. Dumbledore rose and had begun to make his speech as the candles floated silently whilst illuminating the high ceiling of the night sky. Every student was on the edge as the House Cup points were being announced and then the winner—
"Ravenclaw with 762 points!"
Dumbledore raised his hands and the banners that had been previously rolled up, unravelled into an enchanting blue. The deafening roars of the Ravenclaw table spoke volumes beyond the congratulatory cheers of the other houses.
"We'll see each other next year."
"Don't forget to write, especially you Severus."
"We'll be seeing each other outside of Hogwarts, what's the point?"
"Sev…"
"...Fine."
June, 1971 Age 11, Whereabouts: Home
"Welcome back, little angel."
It feels like a dream.
"I'm home."
.
.
.
Author's Note: Dished out another chapter in less than a year and it's longer (not by much but still), are you proud? BAHAHA, well don't expect the next chapter to be so soon, I just had a random urge to write this chapter. That concludes Year One though, Year Two is gonna be wild, probably. Also, on the topic of Animagus, what do you think Allen's form will be? Like, give me suggestions. I have a few forms that I'm leaning towards but I'm not sure either. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I'm lost as hell right now so welp. Anyways, the ones I'm leaning towards and why are:
- Hippogriff (represents that proud nature, not sure abt this one though)
- Wampus (If he ever does interact with Lupin's werewolf form, it'd be easier to calm him down in this form + powerful)
- Kneazle (it's not too absurd, magical but common, easy blending, and also, they're known to "guide" people home [it would be symbolic as Allen will have a prominent role in guiding people], and are good judge of characters & they're just cute)
- Occamy (Again easy to calm Lupin, can change size, but idk about this one, probably not this one I'm just biased coz they're pretty, fun fact: they can speak parselmouth, idk if that'll be relevant at all though)
From that I'll probably go with either a kneazle or wampus, but please give me suggestions from both his form and the question in the previous chapter. Special thanks to everyone who did give me suggestions though, and even if I didn't include yours in this chapter, I'll most likely cover those in future chapters. In regards to the reviews though:
- Will there be appearance of other noah? Nope. Maybe brief mentions, but they won't contribute to this story, because, it wouldn't make sense. Even if they did reincarnate, it takes the focus off the character development and on the actual Wizarding World.
- Ships? All canon ships stay ofc, but in regards to ships with Allen, I'm not sure. I like the idea, esp. Sirius and Allen, but it really depends on how the story plays out in the future. So far I like the idea of just platonic relations right now—but you never know, war does cause people to rush into relationships as you never know when you'll get the chance :/
- Appearance of innocence? I may write a scene on that, but again, like the noah, it won't be major. The whole issue of noah and innocence will probably just be there to flesh out the history of this universe.
Also, on the topic of history, noah and innocence. On the wiki on the Holy War, it apparently actually took place in the 1900s, which would make no sense. So I contemplated making Allen reincarnate into another world, but now that's just lazy. In the end I decided with pushing back the war to the 1800s and maybe even before? The reason being, is because Japan is supposed to be 90% akuma in d gray man, but that wouldn't work in the HP world. In saying that, I lined up the Holy War with the Edo Period of Japan. Since the 90% akuma is in "Edo" Japan according to the wiki. Which ended in 1868 or something like that, therefore the war would end at the same time to signify a "rebirth", and allow time for Japan's human population to come back.
In the beginning I made Allen die, but who's to say his friends died in that war? Exorcists from different branches would have lived to use up the rest of their lives, most likely, to eradicate the akuma. With no Millennium Earl, they won't be able to multiply. There's also a wizarding group in Japan, and since Japan was isolated during this time anyway, it wouldn't be so much of a stretch to say they were able to contain this part of history, as the other 10% of humans (not including wizards most likely) will be able to get their country back together. Even with akuma in the rest of the world, they all would've been used in the war anyway, most likely taking place in Japan since it's the base (therefore it could explain why the rest of the world just like, doesn't know shit.)
Also if you're lost on how Allen's able to reincarnate, Neah was part of the Millennium Earl, for them to not reincarnate they have to be destroyed by the Heart of Innocence, none of them can be alive either (and allen didnt exactly destroy himself with the heart so...). So there's that. There's also the issue of if they ever do reincarnate, which they likely will—well, Allen's the Millennium Earl (or at least half) so he'd be able to reign them in.
There's still plot holes, I know, but this is the best I can do to rectify it.
P.S more suggestions to fill in the gaps of the main events please? It's hard since there's so little to go by in the Marauder's era.