Chapter: Mirror, Mirror
A/N : Time to start picking up speed. The sample chapters of other stories will be up by the end of the day. Poll on my profile, running till chapter six of DRWGMGTW.
Harry woke up suddenly, gasping for breath. He was back in his bed, sweat soaked through the sheets. Grabbing his toiletry bag from his bedside drawer he rushed into the bathroom. Hastily, he removed his contacts, which he wasn't meant to sleep in. Intense green eyes stared back at him, the same shade as the strange light in his dream. The context of this dream had been different, but the light had appeared in his dreams before. As much as he loved being a part of a family, he could not bring himself to ask what it meant for fear of rejection. He had accepted Dean's invitation without much thought, they could have been bad men, they had killed his uncle after all, and he had let Petunia go off on her own, he was rich now, surely he should find her and help her out? He had kept him alive all those years, and had helped with particularly nasty wounds. Did leaving the Muggle world make him a bad person? He heard the shufflings of his housemates and quickly placed in a set of new contacts.
"Morning" Seamus yawned as he entered, attempting to run a hairbrush through his unruly hair. Harry nodded and started to get ready for the morning.
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"How do I look?" Dean asked, spreading out his arms. He was wearing his FBI suit, without the jacket, tie a bit loose. Cas glanced over at him and gave an approving nod. "I'll see you in the Hall buddy." Dean said as he activated the floo. The green flames spirited him away and Cas went back to choosing his own attire. He figured he should dress similar to Dean, as to not stick out. He removed his trench coat, and unbuttoned his black jacket. He ran a hand over his face, feeling the stubble. The body he was inhabiting was in the words of many older women, just adorable. It was nothing like his massive and fear inspiring true form. But in that form he could not feel the things he did in this host. He had gone back to place protection on Claire Novak, but had been unable to do so for her mother. It had been too late. He had made sure the right people walked into Claire's path to get her somewhere safe, but now he simply did not know.
"What is your opinion James?" He asked to his reflection. He listened very carefully, for the voice was faint. Cas' face fell. "We cannot. I apologize." Another pause. "Thank you for understanding."
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Harry rubbed at his chest as he sat between Neville and Ron at the Gryffindor table. It had been aching lately at random times, mostly when he was in the Great Hall. Maybe there was something in the air that made it hard to breathe. He decided to ignore it and piled his plate high with bacon and eggs, pouring a glass of pumpkin juice. Professor McGonagall came by with their timetables, and Harry was delighted to find that they had all their classes with Slytherin. He would be able to see Draco today.
"History of Magic today, Fred and George say that class is a joke." Ron muttered, looking over the schedule. Harry shrugged. He would be seeing only one of his guardians today, at the end of the day in DADA. That was alright he figured, he could always go down to their rooms if he wanted. Harry felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around, grinning at the twins.
"Heya Harry. Boy is that weird, Harry, Harry, Harry. No offense but mind if we call you Winchester instead?" George asked. There was really no offense meant, but Harry was he name of their savior, he didn't really know why it bugged him, it just felt strange.
"Uh, I guess." Harry answered. "Can you show krkrkkaaeeee" Harry clapped a hand over his mouth. The noise he had just made was not human. Everyone in the Hall openly stared at him. George caught the first hint of tears in the boy's eyes.
"HA! I told you the candy wasn't ready Freddie! That wasn't German at all!" He said loudly. Everyone quickly became disinterested, not willing to become test subjects to the Weasley twins. Harry gave him a grateful look and removed his hands, but did not speak further. At the Head table Cas had shattered his glass in surprise and his 'Mentor' was in the process of drying the tea that had spilled over his lap.
"Please tell me that's like, a wizard thing." Dean whispered lowly to Severus.
"Hardly." Severus said, throwing a privacy bubble around the four of them.
"His power level spiked sometime last night. I rushed to his side, assuming it was from distress. I found him asleep in the common room. Perhaps he had been feeling some intense emotions to cause such a reaction. Most likely fear."
"But of what? You think the other kids are bullying him?" Sam questioned.
"According to Draco, Weasley couldn't find the benefit of keeping his mouth shut even if it were to hex him in the face."
"They seem pretty chummy though." Dean said, pointing to where the redheaded brood and dorm mates were cheering Harry on as he stuffed as many pieces of bacon in his mouth as he could. Sam gave a snort.
"Maybe it was jut a nightmare." Sam suggested. The others grudgingly accepted this answer and went back to watching their charge.
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"I think it's this way." Ron stated, as they reached the next floor. Harry nodded to show he was listening. He should have sought out Draco to lead them, Severus could have most likely given him directions. They finally reached a door, the only one for a long stretch, and Harry got a sense of unease. Ron attempted to pull it open only to find it locked.
"What do you lot think you're doing?" Harry whirled around in alarm. A old, gnarled man was peering at them with a sneer, a mangy cat at his feet. "Ooh, just wait until I tell Albus about this."
"We're lost." Ron said. "Looking for charms." Harry nodded in agreement.
"Eeh. Up another flight." he mumbled, walking away.
"Thank you!" Harry chirped, unable to be rude about the advice. He and Ron rushed off, missing the surprised look and subsequent smile on the squib's face.
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Lilith had spent the entire night keeping watch over the street the boy had told her about. She clicked her long nails on the steering wheel of the car she was in. There was something there, she knew, but it was being elusive. A tap on her window drew her attention. It was an officer. She rolled down the window.
"I've gotten a report of suspicious activity from you ma'am. Want to tell me why you've been sitting out here?" Lilith frowned. She really hated British accents.
"I'm waiting for someone."
"Since last night?" That's when Lilith saw it, the nervousness, and the quick flicker of eyes to a few of those around her.
"I haven't been feeling well..." Lilith faked, letting her essence slowly slip out of her and into the person in front of her. Her old host slumped forward, the car horn blaring in the eerie silence. "Quick! Get her to a hospital." Lilith barked out, letting the others converge and handle the situation. The skin bubbled in agitation, making Lilith bend over in pain.
"Do not bend to the will of the spell. Do not bend to the will of the spell. I am Nymphadora Tonks, Auror in Training and will never betray my future battalion. I am 20 years old, and a former Hufflepuff, loyal to a fault. Do not bend to the will of the spell. Do not bend to the will of the spell."
"Spell? Oh a lovely witch! This isn't a spell silly. It's full on possession. Take a nap okay! We can get snacks after!"
"Such a nice skill you have here. I can be anyone!" Lilith said, changing into Tonks default and walking through the doors of the Leaky Cauldron.
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"Wingardium Leviosa." Harry recited, swishing and flicking his wand. The feather gave the tiniest hop. "Damn."
"It's alright Harry. Mine won't even move." Neville said, poking his feather. There was a boom and the class turned to see Seamus had managed to burn off his eyebrows. Dean Thomas sighed as his friend whooped in excitement. Draco was on the opposite side of the room, paired up with Zambini. This did not stop him from glancing over at Harry every few seconds, which was the only reason he had not gotten his own feather to float yet.
"So why are you friends with Winchester?" Blaise asked. Draco contemplated the question as Blaise tried to get his feather to float again.
"I admire him." Draco answered. It was true, Harry knew a lot about weird creatures and had lived with people who killed them for a living. He was also someone who hadn't been impressed by his last name, and Severus even liked him.
"So you like him." Blaise implied, with the grin that only one best friend could give to another. Draco didn't catch the emphasis as he had once again looked over at Harry.
"Yes. Wingardium leviosa." The black feather floated up and twirled above Blaise's head. "Just wait until you meet his family. You can hardly tell their Muggles." A small boom sounded and the class was surprised to see Blaise with ash on his face. A few Gryffindors laughed, and Harry titled his head in confusion.
"The Winchesters are Muggles?" Blaise hissed under his breath, so none of the others would hear. Draco nodded.
"Hard to tell, isn't it. Severus has done a good job making them blend in. Well, except for their idiotic American customs." Draco explained, pushing his feather closer to Blaise so the boy could continue to practice. Blaise gave an overdramatic gasp.
"Muggle I could deal with, but American?" Draco laughed along with his friend, the chimes for the end of class sounding.
"Alright, keep on practicing everyone! Have a good day!" Flitwick squeaked from atop his book stack.
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It was wonderful, this body. She could go wherever she pleased, be whoever she wanted to be, and it had finally granted her access to a place with an abundance of seals. The transportation, better than smoking out, or having his human hosts travel around. Currently she was back in America, finishing her duty to her Master. He would rise again, and then she would be free to steal the souls of children freely. Currently certain powers were repressed, until she could fulfil her task, only able to steal souls as the use of sustenance. Speaking of which, Lilith gazed around the park. A blond woman had just stepped away to take a phone call. Lilith gave a giggle at the tingle of her skin changing to match the woman. There was unfortunately nothing she could do about her clothes, but children were so easy to fool. She strode right towards the child.
"Time to go." The child looked up and nodded, gathering his toys. Lilith lifted the boy onto her hip and made for the woods.
"Ma, can we get ice cream?"
"Oh you`ll scream alright." Lilith joked, laughing at her own wit. The demon had just passed into the trees when the mother looked back to the playground to find her son nowhere in sight.
"Dash?" She called out, snapping her phone shut, no longer caring that her career depended on the call. It was a small playground. A slide, monkey bars and swings, nowhere for her boy to hide. "Dash!" She shouted, a few joggers stopping to look over at her. "My baby! Please!" she sobbed. A crowd started to gather, other parents bringing their children close.
A loud scream of agony came from the nearby woods.
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"Show me." The mirror glitched, refusing to locate Harry Potter. Albus set it down, steeping his fingers. The Winchesters were a problem. Dean Winchester, the seasoned soldier, Hunter extraordinaire. The man was a threat in himself, calculating the weakness and strength of all in a single glance. It was no wonder Severus trusted the man. Albus did not, especially since he could not enter the man's mind. It was extremely rare for a Muggle to be able to throw off a magical attack, particularly one of the mind. He had passed it off, an AnteMaj was bound to crop up at one point, but he could not find a reasonable way to bring up testing it. That was before he was unable to see into Sam's mind. At first impression the towering man might have been a Squib, what with the way he obsessed over learning the ins and outs of magic, and most notably the way he had leeched part of Albus' own magic. Squibs were squibs in the same way that some were lactose intolerant. They could intake it, but could not process it. Squibs could have a magical core stronger than average, but be unable to manifest it. The condition was quite literally a handicap. This however, was not the case with Sam Winchester. There was a tinge of darkness within the man, an impurity. As opposed to Castiel Winchester, nee Novak, whose thoughts were so blinding that he had retreated in an instant. It had felt like he was burning in an ice cold fire. He would have to go through the boy, Harry Winchester. Albus had had his doubts about the boy, showing up just as Harry Potter had gone missing, but Severus was his most trusted follower, the man owed him his life, and Albus made sure to remind him of it from time to time. Yes, the man was unjustifiably smug to have gotten the Winchesters here to spite him, but erasing John's memory had been necessary. Nevertheless, Severus' mind showed no deceit or hidden plan. Perhaps he was merely desperate, wanting an American boy to be their missing savior, but time was running out.
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"I appreciate ya comin' out teh help me." Hagrid said. "Fang seems the like ya." Fang gave a deep bark, drool flying around. Castiel calmly wiped it off his face and resumed petting the dog. "We'll need to be headin' into the Forest there. Something has been spooking the unicorns."
"So they did survive..." Cas said to himself. He gazed into the depths of the forest, his angelic aura flaring slightly. "Yes, let us go." He strode forward, catching Hagrid by surprise. The half-giant picked up his lantern and came up behind the supposed Muggle. Despite it being midday, the forest was dark, unnaturally so. "Killing a unicorn is unforgivable, as they were the preferred steeds of angels for thousands of years. Why would one want to provoke them, they may be symbolic of peace and hold purity, but in the end they are still warriors."
"Er, I don't know much bout that M'afraid. Guessing it's some kind of rogue beast, no thinkin' being would hurt 'em. 'Less of course they were desperate." Hagrid said, looking for signs of claw marks.
"What leads you to this conclusion?" Cas asked, looking for hints of Sulphur. Hagrid scratched at his beard, looking off in the distance.
"Well, the blood of a unicorn can cure just bout anything. Bu then, you just can't stop. It's a curse." Hagrid explained, Dumbledore had explained this to him thoroughly before he start of term, and told him to make the unicorns his priority. "The stone is the only thing better, years o' life , and more money than you need. Flamel will tell ya that. 'Cept they're worrying bout that too."
"Are you referring to the Apple of Eden?" Cas asked. It was the only heavenly object that had remained on Earth. After the banishment of Adam and Eve, the blood red stone had been forcibly disassembled and scattered around the earth, some elements disappearing completely.
"Nope, I've said too much. The protection of the stone in Hogwarts in strictly between Albus Dumbledore an' Nicholas Flamel." Hagrid hit his forehead lightly with his palm. "Should not have said that, should not have said that..."
"It is alright. I do not care. I have larger, more important things to occupy my time with." Cas responded.
"You're worried bout Harry are ya?" Hagrid asked. "S'okay. I'm worried bout a boy too. Little Harry Potter...I was the one who took 'im to Dumbledore, ya know? And he was so small, fit right in my hand. Just a babe, crying so loud I could hear it over Blacks bike. I was hopin' to meet him again. Spent a couple'a years gettin pictures of his family, glued 'em all into a book an' everything." Tears formed in the Gamekeepers eyes. "They were good people, the Potters." Fang gave a soft whine, and a rustling was head nearby. Hagrid picked Cas up by the back of his jacket. "Time to go."
"What is-" Cas was silenced as Hagrid threw him over his shoulder, running towards the edge of the forest. Fang was following behind, watching behind them. Cas peered through the thin spaces between the trees, and suddenly Harry was there, only he was older, and armed. "Harry?"
"Jus' ignore it!" Hagrid yelled.
"Abomination!" The replica yelled, an angel blade lighting up in his hand. Green eyes burned with fury, as Sam stepped out of the gloom, brushing off a pristine white suit.
"Hello, brother." Sam smirked. "We've been looking for you." Hagrid dropped Cas down was they were back in the sunlight, rushing to his hut. The hallucination stopped right at the edge refusing to come out. "I'm surprised you lasted longer than Dean without your powers, but then again, he has always been a self sacrificing idiot."
Hagrid came back out, and began to spray his slug repellent towards the forest, keeping his eyes shut. There was a whine, like a balloon leaking air and the vision was gone. Fang whined and moved over to Hagrid, leaning against him.
"Boggart, nasty buggers. You Hunters don't know howta get rid of 'em, do ya?" Hagrid asked. Cas shakily got up from his knees, staring out into the forest. He had felt...fear?
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"Are you unwell?" Draco asked Harry. Harry shook his head. He had this feeling in his chest, as if his heart were skipping beats. "Do you need the nurse?"
"Or your Dad?" Ron asked from his other side. "Or your...other Dad?"
"No...no." Harry gave a small sigh as the sensation stopped. "It's alright." The bells chimed signaling the end of the lesson. Professor Binns stopped mid sentence and floated away.
"Time for Transfiguration class." The trio packed their bags quickly, moving into the hall. Hermione Granger rushed to catch up to them, stuffing papers in her bag as she walked.
"You should all pay more attention in class." She reprimanded. Ron pulled a face at her tone. "Whatever you were gossiping about could have waited."
"For your information Granger, Harry was feeling ill." Draco stated.
"Yeah, Hermione. We were making sure he was alright. Or is school more important than our friend being sick?" Ron added, crossing his arms. Hermione blushed a bright pink, and seemed to actually be debating the question with herself.
"If school is such a priority, how did you even notice us talking, you were in the front." Draco rebounded.
"I...I was just..." Hermione lifted her chin. "I don't need to explain myself to you." She stormed off, Ron and Draco sharing a look that was a silent agreement to never support each other again.
The walk to Transfigurations wasn't very far, but during that time Harry had spotted several places to hide, should the need ever arise. That was Dean's part of the training, always know your exits and hiding spots. Bobby had pulled him aside afterwards, sitting him down on the sofa while the other adults did the daily perimeter check.
'Bobby didn't know where to begin exactly, and sat for a few moments simply gazing towards the window. Harry fidgeted in the silence, afraid that he or Dean had gotten in trouble.
"Hidin' It won't help with the monsters. That's for the people who don't appreciate what we do and try to put us away. That's for the humans who are looking to hurt you."
"Why would they want to hurt me? If I just stopped to explain-"
"Explanations didn't stop your Uncle from hurting you. There's a fair number of bigoted idjits out there who don't give a rat's ass about WHY. To them we are killers, off our rockers. Hell, maybe we are." Bobby looked at Harry in the eyes. "Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster."
"For when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." Harry finished. "Nietwhatever. Bobby...can I ask you a question?" Bobby inclined his head. "Why didn't Dean shoot me instead?" It had been a question that had been plaguing him for months now. Bobby remained silent, the sounds of Dean working on his car outside heard in the distance.
"He saw a child in need, before a potential dark witch." Bobby said. He clapped his hands onto his knees as he got up. "Come on, chores need to be done."
"Harry, isn't that your cat?" Draco asked as they entered the room. Sure enough, KitKat was sitting on the teacher's desk, meowing with another Tabby cat. KitKat noticed Harry and turned towards him, and the tabby lightly smacked the white kitten on the nose. Harry laughed and moved forward, placing his hand on the table for his cat to climb up. KitKat rubbed against his arm before jumping off the table and running off, just as the bell rang. Harry shrugged and turned to the other cat.
"What's your name?" He asked reaching forward. The cat jumped over his hand and to the floor, changing into their teacher right before their eyes.
"Professor McGonagall, come now Mr. Winchester, I know you to have an excellent memory." Harry flushed bright red upon realizing he had just tried to scratch his teacher behind the ears. "Seats everyone."
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"This is for you." A soft voice said, making Sam look up from cataloging potions ingredients.
"Miss Lovegood, return to your seat and make the assigned potion." Severus snapped, moving to berate another student. Sam carefully took the bundle of small white flowers with his gloved hand, giving the girl a tight smile.
"Thank you."
"It's Oshra." The blond said. "It will keep you safe."
"MISS LOVEGOOD." Severus growled. Luna turned to the man slowly.
"Professor, my potion is already done." She responded, pointing to the concoction bottled on her desk. Snape swept over to it, lifting the small vial up to the light to inspect it.
"This is not the potion I assigned Miss Lovegood." Severus said slowly. "Otherwise it is flawless."
"Thank you." Luna acknowledged. "Can I revive a few ingredients?" She asked, tapping a few lids in interest. Sam looked over at Severus. The man stared at the blond girl for a few moments, seemingly processing the request in his head. In reality, Severus was seeing aspects of his own young self in the girl. He figured that the interest in potions and self-curriculum were the only similarities, otherwise she would not have so many friends.
"No." Severus decided. There was no reason for the girl to turn sour. "Head back to your seat." Luna followed his instruction and sat down. Severus peered down at the plant Luna had given his assistant and quirked an eyebrow. Oshra was meant to force out evil while attracting angelic presence. It was utterly useless in potions. His dark eyes returned to Luna. Where then had she gotten it from?
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"Do you think your Father will start his lessons the way he taught you, or only be able to comment on Quirrel's curriculum?" Draco asked. Harry shrugged.
"I don't really know. I think he'll at least have the pictures of Dora as Muggle monsters."
"There are Muggle monsters?" Ron asked in amazement. "Wicked."
"Mind the salt people!" Dean announced from down the hall. The boys sped up, slipping into seats near the front. Dean was leaning against the desk behind Quirrel, looking bored.
"H-Hello, student. I-I thou-ought, I c-could start with a-a-a story a-b-bout vampires." Quirrel said, looking around almost hopefully. His face fell at seeing that no one seemed interested. "U-unless, Professor W-Winchester has one."
"You bet your weird hat I do. But first, pop quiz." The class groaned. "Anyone know how to kill a vampire?" A few people raised their hands. "You with the butterfly clip."
"Padama, uh stake through the heart?" The Indian girl asked.
"Who doesn't that kill? But no. Point to Gryffindor for trying." Dean said, he pointed at another girl. "Daisy."
"Pansy, Sunlight."
"ERR, all it does is give em a nasty sunburn. Point to Slytherin. You, toad boy." Neville paled, as he had not raised his hand. "Go on."
"Uh, well, I suppose you could, maybe...behead one?"
"Bravo! Two to Gryffindor. Beheading a vampire is the most dependable way to kill a vampire. Stake to the heart won't be worth squat unless it's covered in Dead Man's blood. It's like poison to vampires. Sunlight, eh they don't care."
"Do they sparkle, like in Twilight?" Lavender asked.
"That book is garbage and you should feel bad." Dean replied, causing a few students to laugh. "Okay, so beheading, I'm not expecting you to be out there fighting anytime soon. You lose your wand, what do you do? You look for something, anything sharp and aim for the neck. Better situation, you have your wand, get creative, even if you can't do the spell now, say it."
"Cutting hex." Crabbe blurted.
"Not so creative, but you're not dead, so point to Slytherin." Dean looked around the room. "You frizzy."
"Hermione. You could use Wingardium Leviosa, we've just learned it." Theodore Nott, a Slytherin, gave a snort.
"That makes things float, what good will it do you?"
"Point from Slytherin. Go on Hermy, explain." Dean said, a wondering look in his eye. Hermione sat up in her seat.
"You said if we were without a wand, to aim for the neck with any sharp object. Once we learn to do spells wordlessly, you could cast the floating spell on something sharp from behind them, and direct it, then sort of yank your wand quickly, and the object will cut through their...neck." Hermione turned a bit green at the last sentence.
"Five points to Gryffindor. Sneak attacks are best attacks. Alright, story time." Harry tuned out as he knew what story his Dad would tell. The one with Gordon, the maniac hunter who killed vampires out of spite. The man had killed his own sister because she had been turned, and had gone on a murder spree, killing innocent vampires. Harry took this time to instead watch Quirrel. Now that the man was out of the spotlight, he seemed at ease. He seemed to be muttering to himself, casting a glance at Dean every few seconds. Dean at this point was moving around the room to build suspense, and one of Quirrel's sweeping glances got stuck on Harry. Harry gave a sharp yelp, hand rushing to his chest.
"Harry?" Dean was in front of him, blocking Quirrel from view.
"There's something off about Professor Quirrel." Harry whispered. The hand on his arm stiffened. "But it has to wait." Incredulous green eyes stared back at him. "Trust me." Dean nodded and stepped back.
"Moral of the story is?" Draco raised his hand.
"Yeah, Draco."
"Just because someone is different, does not mean they are the enemy." Draco said, smiling brightly.
"10 points to Slytherin." Dean said. Harry smacked Draco in the arm and raised his hand. "More?"
"Just because someone claims to be on your side, does not mean you should trust them." Harry directed his vision towards Quirrel, this time ready for the small shock.
"5 points to Gryffindor." Dean awarded.
"S-Seems you h-h-have cap-t-tured their att-attention. H-homework?" Quirrel handed Dean the curriculum. Dean scanned it.
"Shit. Uh Harry, you got your journal?" Harry nodded and pulled it out of his bag. "Pass it around, you have the picture of a vampire right?" Harry decided to unclip the picture instead, and handed it to Ron first.
"That's a Muggle Vampire?" He squeaked. Quirrel grabbed the photo and cast a spell to enlarge it to the size of a poster board. There were surprised gasps and a few screams.
"The wizard one Harry." Dean said, and Harry grudgingly handed it to Quirrel. "Main differences, teeth and eyes. Muggle Vamps have series of sharp teeth that extend out of their gums, Magical Vamps have major Fangs and Minor Fangs built in. Magic Vamps have the whole blind eye thing going, which is just a reflective sheen in Muggle ones. Things they have in common, extremely enhanced senses. The only one I've been able to solve is scent. Burn saffron, skunk's cabbage, and trillium and it blocks their scent. The homework is, stay alive." Dean handed the paper he was writing on to Quirrel, who casted it for the class to see. The bell rang, dismissing class.
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"Fawkes, would you mind terribly if I were to ask a favor of you?" The Sorting Hat asked. The bird cocked its head to the side. Even though the hat had the magic of Godric in it and could technically command the bird, it didn't much like Godric never had. Fawkes respected that, as Albus did not always extend the same courtesy. "The mirror Fawkes, bring it to the boy, please."
Fawkes instantly swept towards the table, grasping the silver mirror in his talons. He was gone in a flash of flames, the Headmaster rushing into the room moments later. The old man frantically looked around, casting revealing spells and tracing spells. When neither worked he pushed everything from his desk in a search for the mirror. The Hat remained silent as it always did, not wanting the man try and use him for information. The portraits of former Headmasters were awoken and began to scold Albus.
"The mirror is missing." Albus announced.
"The one that does not work? Perhaps a house elf threw it away, good riddance." One portrait said. Albus sat in his chair, hand stroking his beard. Even if it were stolen the thief would not be able to use it in order to find Harry Potter. The question that needed his attention was, who was the thief?
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"I fear the Winchester runt suspects." Quirrel said to seemingly no one.
"He meansss nothing, once he is grown, he will sssee. Thossse Mugglesss they will turn on him. What excussse has Albusss given for the abssscence of Harry Potter?"
"He says the boy is training in a secure location." Quirrel responded. He didn't think it was an excuse, but his Master seemed so sure that it was. There was definitely something up with the Winchester boy. The runt had all but called him out in front of the class. But how, and why?
"The ssstone Quirrel. Have you a plan?"
"Yes sir."
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"Which prompt are you taking Harry? Making yourself undetectable to Vampires, or escape a nest?" Ron asked, rolling out a piece of parchment. Harry thought about it for a moment.
"Undetectable I think. How bout you?" Ron shrugged.
"Probably the same. So what the five senses. He told us about scent, he won't get mad if we write that, right?"
"He'd probably get mad if we didn't." Harry responded with a laugh. "Okay so smell is done, vision..."
"Well, I'd use Apparation like crazy. Technically they wouldn't see me coming." Ron said, scratching it down on his paper. "Guess I better explain what that is though, right?"
"Yeah, sounds useful though. I'm gonna use Disillusionment Charm, Severus says it works best in the dark, but I think I would benefit more during the day with Vamps."
"It's Professor Snape." Hermione stressed from a few seats away. Ron let put a loud groan, going back to his paper.
"It's Severus to me outside of class. Uncle Sevvy if I feel like getting on his nerves." Harry shot back, annoyed with this girl always butting into his personal business. "Snapemaggedon when he wakes up with no coffee around." Ron laughed loudly at this. Maybe Snape wasn't such a bad guy after all, if Harry wasn't turned into Potion's ingredients by now.
"I didn't realize you were related." Hermione continued.
"I'm not related to any of my family. Grampa Bobby says, 'Family don't end in blood.' "
"Doesn't." Ron rolled his eyes at the girl and turned to Harry.
"That make Malfoy your brother then?" Harry scrunched up his nose.
"No way. Can you imagine him as a brother?" Harry chuckled. "No, he's perfectly fine as a spoiled single child."
"We could be brothers then, yeah?" Ron asked. Harry smiled brightly.
"Yeah."
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"You okay Cas?" Sam asked, looking up from the first year potions text. Cas had been quite for most of dinner, seemingly lost in his own world.
"Do you know what a Boggart is, Sam?" Sam nodded.
"Uh, yeah. It's a shapeless being that can mimic your deepest fear. Adverse to sunlight, only way to kill it is Honeysuckle mixed with the dew of a sunflower." Sam explained. "Which is inconvenient, but Boggarts are not that high up on the danger scale."
"Perhaps you should re-evaluate." Cas said. "Sam, what you said about humans being monsters...is this an accurate statement?"
"Man, I gotta tell ya. I love house-elves." Dean announced through a mouthful of pie as he entered the sitting room. "What's going on in here?"
"Anyone can be a monster, Cas." Sam answered, confusing Dean.
"Even you?" Silence permeated the air, both brothers looking at the angel. "Even Harry?"
"That's enough. I don't know what the hell brought this on, but it ends. Now." Dean demanded.
"You saw a boggart today, didn't you?" Sam asked tersely. "What did it show you?"
"You had accepted Lucifer, and Harry had sided with him. It was years in the future, and I was human, and without Dean."
"I'm not going to accept him, cuz he's not getting out. Bobby has been helping me with finding a way to contain Lilith." Sam defended. There was the sound of a morning dove coming from their fireplace, right before green flames spat out a blond girl. Sam and Dean both sprang into defensive positions. Cas quickly pushed their arms down.
"Luna, what are you doing here? How did you even get in here?" Sam asked. Subconsciously he gripped the bag he had placed the Oshra in.
"Hi Professor Singer." Luna greeted. "Castiel, I think you know why I'm here!"
"The Apple." Castiel responded gravely, confusing the brothers. Luna nodded eagerly.
"I have sensed the Apple of Eden somewhere in the castle. Lilith believes it to be the last seal." Luna said airily. "You cannot let Harry near the Stone, nor Neville. You must let Voldemort rise, he is the only one who's magic is dark enough to trap Lilith."
"Do you know if an Archangel is watching over you?" Cas asked. Luna smiled and looked upwards.
"Do not worry about me Castiel." Luna gave a curtsey. "It is almost curfew, I must leave."
"Seeya Moonchild." Dean said as the green flames swallowed her whole. "Another angel?"
"She is the prophet. If her life were ever in danger, an archangel would come down to smite the danger." Cas said. He found it odd that there were so many children involved in this plan. Would God truly want this? Children could be volatile, and fickle, while also being compassionate and tolerant.
"Two birds one stone then. We get Moldybutt to trap Lilith, and Moonchild's protector kills Moldybutt."
"She did not say she was protected." Cas pointed out. "Merely not to worry."
"So then, we should be."
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Harry opened his bed curtains, yawning widely. Danny was curled up on the bed, KitKat laying next to him. The only thing off about the scene was that his owl was there too. She had taken up the role of scout, claws gripping the headboard. She gave a small noise of greeting, causing the other two to stir.
"Waiting for me, were ya?" He whispered, crawling under the sheets. A glimmer of light caught his eye and he carefully reached toward it, gasping when his hand brushed cold silver. He brought the object closer to himself, inspecting his face with it. Harry removed his contacts for the night, placing them in a holding container under his pillow. When he turned back his pets had all left, leaving just him and the mirror. "Uh Mirror Mirror on the wall?" Harry joked. " Show me-"
"Dump him in the river, no one would ever know." Vernon told his wife.
"What if he's normal Vernon?" Petunia asked, Dudley on her hip. Her blond boy gurgled in delight, reaching for the baby resting on the sofa.
"And if he isn't Pet?" Vernon countered. Petunia stared down at the sleeping bundle, a darkness in her eyes. "We leave him for dead."
The Mirror rippled slightly, and Harry threw it away from him, heart pounding.
"Mum! MUUUM!" Dudley called, the chubby toddler's legs kicking wildly from his highchair. Petunia smiled and pinched the boy's cheek. "H'rry. Play!" Harry peered at the mirror without picking it up. His Aunt looked unsure but had taken both boys to the playmate, a few toys about.
"Stop." The Mirror went black before retuning to it's normal function. Harry gripped the handle tightly, intending to throw it, smash it, maybe even try to use angelic powers. Then he paused. He looked back at his reflection. Bright green eyes stared back at him, seeming so foreign. This mirror could possibly be of his life. He couldn't remember if the things it had shown him were true, or if it was playing on his fears and hopes. "Okay Harry, think like a Hunter." Harry carefully inspected the making of the mirror, deducing that it was indeed pure silver, with a dark blue stone that was something other than sapphire. There were no engravings, only innocent designs. There was a creak of a floorboard and Harry shoved the mirror under his pillow, opening his bed curtains. Fred and George froze, then gave him mischievous smiles.
"What are you holding Fred?" Harry asked softly. George snickered at his brother's gobsmacked expression. It was rare for anyone to tell them apart.
"Just a bit of itching powder. He should be fine if he showers." Fred answered, wrinkling his nose in disgust. Harry made a 'go on' motion with his hand. Fred gave him a thumbs up and went back to his wrongdoings. George watched as Harry closed his curtains again. Dog and cat slipping in with him. George prided himself on his excellent vision, which made late night escapades more interesting, but right now he was doubting his skill. Because, just for a moment, he could have sworn he was wrong.
He could have sworn Harry had green eyes.
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The silence of the dorm was broken by the howling of their resident pup. The boys groaned, rolling out of bed at varying speeds. Each boy gave Harry a bleary eyed glare as they filed past the prepared boy and into the bathroom.
"Ugh, why am I so itchy," Harry heard Ron complain. He snickered and went about gathering his stuff for the day. He slung his bag over his shoulder and made for the door, but hesitated just before exiting. Harry moved back to the bed, lifting the pillow. The Mirror glimmered in the early morning light. Harry took a deep breath before tossing it into his bag.
"Come on Danny." Harry left the dorm room, his pup trailing behind him dutifully. He had Herbology today, instead of History of Magic, which he was grateful for. Harry tugged at the string around his neck, pendant feeling heavier than normal. He internally winced when he saw Hermione siting in one of the armchairs reading. Stepping lightly, he tried to move past her quickly, but she looked up and he locked eyes with her.
"Are you feeling better today, Harry?" Hermione asked softly, surprising Harry.
"Yes, thank you." He replied, and she nodded, going back to her book. Harry gave a small sigh of relief and left. Danny trotted in front of him in the hall. His small husky was certainly growing fast, the top of his head reaching Harry's hip. It was disconcerting to Harry to feel all the eyes of the portraits watching him. He could hear the whispering to one and other, but could never make out the words. His mood was lightened however, when he saw the notice board. Starting next Thursday, flying would begin. Something that Harry really enjoyed doing.
"Harry." Luna greeted, petting Danny. "Are you doing well in your classes?" Harry shrugged a bit.
"I'd say so." Harry answered, finding it odd that no one else had passed them. In fact, the entire corridor was empty.
"You need to focus on your classes, and not be getting into trouble." She jokingly scolded, hands on her hips. Harry laughed a bit.
"You got it."
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Kingsley merely sighed as he heard his door slam open, followed by the clump of a wooden leg on marble floor. He set down his quill and rested his hands on his desk, looking up. Alastor Moody stood before him, eye whizzing around frantically, and greying hair more unkempt than usual.
"Nymphadora is missing." He barked out. Kingsley raised a brow at this. Such a claim from anyone else would mean the young Auror in training was being elusive on purpose. Though the girl had a rebellious attitude, education and authority were not things she played around with loosely.
"The last I heard of her was when she was sent out to investigate the Muggle woman who was posted dangerously close to the Leaky Cauldron." Kingsley snapped his fingers and the case file came towards him. He flipped it open, noticing that it was completed, except for Tonks' report. Brown eyes scanned the other documents that reported that the Muggle had been ill and pinned that as the reason she had not moved from her car for numerous hours. It also claimed that Tonks had been the one to give the order to take her to the hospital. "Expecto Patronum." A ghostlike cheetah appeared, circling the room before coming to stand before Kingsley. "Retrieve Monkerne, Willowsnap and Gensien." The patronus dashed off.
"That assignment was two days ago. Have you any clue how much information could have been drained from her since then?!" Moody exclaimed. Kingsley stood, towering over the old Auror.
"I have no concern for what she has given away. I simply want her safe return." Alastor had the decency to look away. A blaring alarm went off and time seemed to slow. Both wizards drew their wands, aiming towards the door as screams and shouts of panic reached their ears. Alastor blasted the door out of the way and the two rushed out. It was absolute chaos. "Status report!"
"Taleven went out unsupervised into the Muggle world after receiving a message from Tonks. He came back like this!" A trainee stated from her crouched position behind an upturned desk. Alastor's eyes whizzed around, finally locking on to Darrick Taleven.
"Imperio, no doubt." Even as Alastor made this deduction Taleven turned to him, eyes going black. The young man dropped from the desk, making his way towards the aging Auror, physically throwing those who did not move away fast enough across the room with a single hand.
"Not Imperio." Kingsley corrected as he shot several spells towards Taleven. Three cat patroni appeared through the walls of the far side that Kingsley knew belonged to Minerva.
"Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas." A deep male voice issued. Taleven stopped in place, twitching slightly. He gave a gurtal growl and continued towards Alastor, attempting to draw the wand. "Omnis incursio infernalis adversarii, omins legio." Taleven fell to his knees, black smoke pouring out of his mouth. The silence that followed was only broken by the drone of the patronus, continuing on, unaware that it had done its job. Cautiously several workers edged toward the prone Auror in training.
"Still alive." One confirmed.
"Take him to the medical bay. Do NOT leave him unsupervised at any time." Kingsley ordered. "You three repair damage. You two over there, send a reply to Hogwarts thanking them for their assistance and if they have any more information". Three young trainees came up to Kingsley, the cheetah tight on their heels. "My office, now."
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"You failed me." Lilith said with a scowl, looking down at the pudgy accountant. The man wrung his hands in fear.
"You didn't tell me they knew how to fight demons! I saw him! He was a few feet away from me, but then three ghost cats starting chanting an exorcism. I had no choice!" Lilith placed a hand on her face, contemplating the news. Slowly a smile spread across her face, teeth becoming sharp as her body reflected her blood thirst. The accountant demon took a few steps back in alarm.
"Alright, bye-bye, I don't need you anymore." Lilith transformed into Tonks' default. The demon smoked out of the accountant being dragged back down to hell. "Three seals down, sixty-three to go!" She began to skip away from the alley. "Sixty-three seals of hell to break still, sixty-three seals of hell! Break 'em down, let Luci out! Sixty-three seals of hell to break still." She passed the sweets shop, peering in to see the children. Pink hair became long and white, eyes a stunning purple. "Come, little children. I'll take thee away. Into a land of enchantment..." Several children dropped what they were holding, staring out at nothing. "Come little children, the time's come to play, here in my garden of shadows." Parents were frantically waving hands in front of their children's faces in panic. Lilith snapped her fingers and the parents fell to their knees, coughing forcefully. At once the children looked to her, parents trying their best to follow their gazes. Lilith opened the door, the chime clinking softly. Blood splatter starting appearing on the floor, even as some mother's desperately clung to their children's wrists. A few kids were broken from the trance, looking at their parents worriedly. "Follow sweet children, Ill show thee the way through all the pain and the sorrow. weep not poor children for life is this way murdering beauty and passion." All eyes were on her again and the children began walking towards her. Lilith smiled and led them out. The progression walked through the streets. "Hush now dear children, it must be this way." They could no longer control their legs, nor speak, but how their minds were free. Free to plead for mercy. Lilith stopped at the edge of the lake, where several people were watching. She smiled broadly at them. And then, one by one the children began to walk into the lake. There were shouts of alarm, and screams of terror, but they could not stop her. A man grabbed at her arm, only to pull away as he was burned. A few grabbed for the children, but could do nothing to stop their determination. A small Asian woman managed to spin her around and Lilith bared fangs in warning. Eyes flicked to black, and Lilith reluctantly stopped her attack.
"Master says you are misusing your powers." The demon said. Lilith giggled.
"I need to build up all the power I can to crack the last seal. The next sixty-two will be a breeze with those pesky Winchesters hiding away." The demon raised an eyebrow at Lilith.
"What is the last seal?"
"Why the Apple of Eden of course!" Lilith exclaimed. "Luci is gonna be so happy!"
"I will let him know..."
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"So you saw a cloud of black smoke and didn't bother to report it?" Alastor shouted pointing his wand at Willowsnap.
"I thought Tonks had cast a spell on her! I thought she would put it in her report!" Willowsnap cried, blue eyes wide.
"If any of you receive a message from Tonks like Taleven did, you accept it and have an Auror trail you. I don't know what we're dealing with here, but it does not spread, got it." Kingsley told the three. They nodded frantically. "Dismissed." The trio left, leaving Kingsley and Alastor alone.
"Demons, Kingsley." Alastor told him. "We're dealing with demons." The old man hobbled over to a chair and sat down heavily. "We need to speak to Dumbledore."
"Demons Moody?" Kingsley said without humor. "Demons do not exist."
"You are wrong! They are! Hedonistic beings. I bet you that is what snatched up the Potter boy! Think of it! A damn demon probably made a deal with Lily as she waited to be killed! 10 years is the price and Harry Potter is the payment!" Alastor shouted, spittle flying from his lips.
"You are acting completely unbalanced Alastor...perhaps you have been in this line of work too long." Alastor fell silent.
"What are you telling me?" Kingsley sighed and pulled out a pink parchment from under a stack of folders. It was already filled out, lacking only one signature.
"I will let you choose...Either you wait for Tonks' return and retire, or I sign this form now." Alastor's real eye filled with the thinnest sheet of tears.
"You can't do this." He argued gruffly. "This is my life."
"I'm sorry Alastor."
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"Harry, stay after for a moment." Dean said when the bells chimed for the end of Defense. Harry paused in putting his things away, casting a silent glance towards Quirrel. Harry assumed that they would be talking about how Harry's sudden feinting spell in Herbology. Cas had of course been at his side immediately, and upon his waking Harry could only spew out what he had felt. It had felt like a blip on sonar before a flash of a large room with several persons was shown to him. Harry did not know what had happened after Cas had rushed to get Sam. Dean gathered his things and scooped up the rest of Harry's. "Alright, let's go." Dean pulled his son into the fireplace with him. "Winchester Quarters."
"What's wrong?" Harry asked once they were safely in the room. Sam and Cas were also in the room, sitting at the small table in the corner.
"Nothing. We just miss ya, scamp." Dean admitted, throwing his teaching case on his bed. Harry beamed, hugging Dean. Dean laughed, messing up the boy's hair. "Alright, alright." Harry took a moment to look around, never having imagined that he would feel this loved, or be this happy. Cas was an excellent father, even if he did at times take on the role of mother. While it was a bit disheartening that Severus had not told him more about his mother, Harry was slowly coming to terms with the fact that he did not need both a mother and father to be happy. Cas did coddle him too much, and sing to him when he was scared, things he had always imagined his mother doing when he was young and all alone in the cupboard.
"Come towards me Harry. I wish to squeeze you as well." Cas said, opening up his arms. Harry rushed over, loving hugs from his Papa. Dean was a great dad too, taking on the role quite stereotypically by teaching him how to do "manly" things. However, Dean did not make Harry feel like he was less of a boy if Harry was unable to do certain masculine things, or simply didn't like them.
"Stop hogging the shrimp." Sam joked, lifting Harry onto his shoulders.
"Stop calling me a shrimp, you sasquatch." Harry complained, covering Sam's eyes. Sam was like a cool uncle and big brother wrapped in one.
"Oh no! I'm blind!" Sam called out, stumbling around. Cas and Dean warily stood within catching distance of the pair, looking extremely stressed. "Oh god no!" Harry cleared his throat.
"TIMBER!" Sam went still and slowly let himself fall sideways. Cas and Dean gave twin shouts of alarm as Sam did nothing to stop their quickening descent to the floor. Harry's eyes lit up blue just as they were inches from the floor. Sam's long hair lazily floated upwards and Harry gave a holler of joy as they started to float upright again. Harry missed Cas' look of concern at the apparent trust between him and Sam. Sam stomped around the room with Harry, talking with the boy about the astronomy class he would be having that night.
"Dean..." Cas said quietly. Dean turned to look at Cas, immediately understanding what was bothering the angel.
"It's alright Cas. Backing away from this now will be what would make Harry side with Sam. We have to all be there for him, whenever he needs us." Dean said. Cas nodded. "Who's hungry!" Dean said loudly, receiving twin demands for Garden Salad from the youngest in the room.
Well, here ya go! This was actually originally longer, like another 3,000 words longer, but I couldn't stop writing, so a few scenes got shifted over to chapter 6. After this the chapters won't be so day by day anymore. It will follow the time jumps of the book more closely. I figure one chapter of HP will be about two here.
To reiterate, an AnteMaj, is the word for a Muggle who is not affected by magic of any kind. Dean will not be an AnteMaj. Another character will be though!
No, Lily did not make a deal with a demon. Alastor is just throwing out accusations because he is concerned.