Hey everyone,
This will be the first CR chapter and I decided on a new way to put down the CR parts. I know many of you have complained about how my previous method didn't make much sense as not everyone had the same versions of the book and I got to admit, the method has started annoying me as well, so I decided to change it up.
HOWEVER! Do know that I am taking a risk with this new method and that, if the story gets taken down, I will revert it all back to the old method, as annoying as it is. I do believe that this new method is already cutting it close, yet I once told a loyal reader I might implement this new method for CoS, so here it is.
Pray with me,
Venquine1990
Chapter 34
Different Worlds, Different Evils
30th of June 1995
Great Hall
Riku's POV
The last two days before the reading restarts – or starts for the sake of my friends and I – have been very intriguing, even if they were also filled with moments where I worry for Harry and his friends as they are all very easy to get along with, even if they have the same protective streak to Harry as that I do to my beloved Sora.
The one person I have grown closest with, shockingly enough, is Ginny as she recognized my secret crush for what it was and even confronted me on it, yet at the end of the conversation had she confused me as she had just smiled and said: "Don't let him get away now." Before she walked away to speak to a friend of hers.
Part of me wonders why she thinks I have a chance with my longtime best friend, yet another part of me really feels respect for her as it's obvious that she is still slightly crushing after Harry and that she is struggling with the acceptance that another – Viktor Krum – has been accepted by Harry's mother to go through a 30 day courting course.
And Viktor has definitely come through when it comes to one of the requirements Sirius had set for him as, at every meal, Harry had found a small wrapped gift standing next to his plate, to which Sirius had smiled at the boy in question, who had kept his distance even though, according to Sirius, this was in no way required.
The gifts had definitely been special as there had been three that had proven the boy's talent with Charms and Transfigurations, three that had proven that the boy was quite well off and willing to spend good money on proper gifts and three that had clearly been made with the boy's own two hands and nothing else.
Harry had been touched by all three and I know that the boy is just dying to thank his courting partner for all the gifts, yet his own schedule had kept him plenty busy and Krum had been constantly catching up with his own friends over the last few days, yet I have no doubt that they will be meeting at the reading today.
Harry's lessons in Pureblood ways of life had definitely captivated the boy, yet after the first meeting, he actually needed Erika to join in on them as there are apparently aspects of coming from a Pureblood line that Harry didn't believe he would ever be able to live up to and that actually made a phobia he seems to have increase in power.
This is definitely a fact that worries both his parents as well as the others that care about him, yet Erika apparently already knew of this fear of the boy and told them she had promised him to help him through it, thus getting Sirius and Remus' permission to handle it her way as well as Narcissa's to join in on the sessions.
Since then Harry's sessions have been going much better and I can tell that, together with talking with Erika every night has done the boy a lot of good, but even with all that I really worry for him as, over the course of the last three days, I've had the feeling as if Harry is pushing himself much harder than I think he should be.
And while it causes me a mixed batch of pride and concern, does this happen again as Harry comes into the Great Hall, a strong hand on Sirius' shoulder as the man is slightly sustaining the boy's weight while he slowly walks in, Remus wheeling his wheelchair behind him and many students looking shocked before they start cheering.
Harry smiles as he hears and sees this, but by the time he reaches halfway down the first half of Gryffindor Table, is he already panting and the Lions at this part of the table look at him worried before they share a look and instantly they get off their seats. Yet Harry tries to object before the girl that got up said:
"Sit down before you hurt yourself." And Harry smiles at her before Sirius helps him into the across the bench and while he vanishes that bit of the bench, does Remus then help Harry back into his wheelchair before Harry says: "I'm glad I can walk, but I hate how having taken down all those Glamours has drained me."
And this makes many of those groan before Sirius sighs and says: "You should have never had reason to have those Glamours up in the first place." And Harry's answer of: "Yeah, I know." Makes most of us smile as it's proof that the boy is indeed learning and healing of every emotional scar others have left with him.
"Just a shame we'll probably be reading about my main – well –." And the Weasley twins chorus: "Abusers." Yet this makes Harry cringe before he turns down and whispers: "Yeah, them. Just a shame we have to start these books with content like that." And many of those around me nod in agreed sympathy with him.
Then several bright lights shine just outside the Great Hall and from them several adults appear, a few of which I saw on the night of my own arrival, others who must have left this place before Sora and I came here and one of them, who has a bowler hat, says: "Your Port Keys are a brilliant hit. Well done, Fillius. Well done, indeed."
And the smallest of teachers smiles before McGonagall speaks up and says: "Minister, Headmaster Karkaroff, Headmistress Maxime and members of the Ministry. Please come over and have some breakfast. The reading will start in half an hour and we have good news in regards to the research we have done on the spell cast."
This seems to intrigue those in the Entrance Hall and they move in as the woman says: "There are currently three people in this room that aren't just not from this country, they are not even from this world, yet one of them has the ability to travel between his own world and this one as well as other worlds he knows.
Therefore, even with the new spell that will be tested on the Great Hall after the Time Spell activates and with the plans we have to keep our students and guests entertained even through the reading, we might still have a back-up plan in regards to accommodation and entertainment." And this makes all of them smile widely.
The whole group then moves to sit down and while the man that has a bit of a haggard look joins Viktor and the other Bulgarians at Slytherin and the incredibly large woman joins the French girls at the Ravenclaw table, do the last two wizards and the single witch join Minerva and the other teachers at the Head Table.
Breakfast then commences as normal and while I keep watch a little here and there, do I feel mostly relieved and pleased as the Bulgarian Headmaster seems to take great pleasure in hearing about Krum and his courting and does the French Headmistress seem to actually gossip with her girls as well as a few older Ravenclaw students.
And just when breakfast ends and the tables clear up, do the doors close and does a wave of magic go through the entire hall, yet it actually all gathers together with Harry and the boy, to my relief, seems to get a boost as this happens, making me feel a little more confident that this whole event won't hurt him too badly.
I then focus on the reading itself and move over to where the books lie, McGonagall having already assured me that there are no rules against guests reading and because I really don't like the idea that someone like Harry was raised by people the Weasley twins call abusers, do I feel I need to reassure myself or confirm my fears.
And with that do I take the second book over to where Erika told me all readings took place and while I stand behind the Owl stand, do I then see all students stand up before the sound of a swishing wand sounds behind me and all tables and benches get changed for couches, sofas, recliners and chairs, making me smile as I start to read.
The Worst Birthday
And instantly I feel as if all of my concerns and fears have been confirmed and I glare at this, hating the idea that there could actually be people who would not only want to abuse a hard, honest working like Harry, but who would also actually try and ruin his birthday and I think: "That won't happen anymore." Before I read on.
Not for … Harry's room.
"Hedwig's never loud, unless she's annoyed with you. What's with that?" Hermione asks and Ron says: "Hermione, she has to share her partner with a whale, a pig and a horse. It's just that simple." But Hermione shakes her head and says: "But she'd never want Harry in trouble. So what's up?" And I read on, wanting to know the same.
"Third time … to explain, making sure he stayed small and that he didn't raise his voice.
"She's bored," … bushy mustache. Harry would have answered positively if he wanted his cheek broken and bruised, but he knew better than to talk back to the man during arguments like this.
"I know … to Harry. Harry fought a flinch, years of being bullied not over and done with after parting with the fat boy for only a year, but he was sparred any beatings.
"No one should fear their own families, let alone their own cousins." Andromeda Tonks sniffs angrily, even though this, for some strange reason, makes her sister's husband cringe in guilt and her daughter says: "Oooohh, why did I spend all of my time hanging out here, when I could have used it arresting those fat Muggles?"
But then Madam Bones says: "Be glad you didn't, Auror Tonks. Now we have more time to get facts and with that cases against these Muggles. And with the facts we're collecting, we can catch them red-handed when we go and arrest them." The young woman, her hair turning from furious red to positive purple, smiles at her boss and I read on.
"Pass the … Harry irritably, having been sure he could have won the argument with his uncle and given his owl a freedom he just couldn't get if Dudley hadn't been selfish and interrupted the conversation.
The effect … Harry quickly, already moving to duck below the table.
"I didn't … his fist, which Harry was sure would have broken if not for the inconvenient spot where his fist landed.
"I just -"… THIS ROOF!"
And while the words are shouted, does my voice turn softer and softer each shout, as I can barely believe this man. "He better not have tried doing anything to make true on that warning. Not when he needs a freaking reality check and a common sense transplant. Honestly, how could someone like Harry ever get raised there?"
"I know we read of their stupidity last book with how that bastard tried escaping the letters and all, but I guess I thought Hagrid had installed a sense of fear against witches and wizards in them for life, not just for a single summer." Cedric growls and his mother hugs him as many of those around him nod and then his dad says:
"I can only imagine that it's a mix of them not being around anything magical and thus having a year where they can pretend to be perfectly normal and Dumbledore increasing whatever he does to make them behave like this. Two factors that would lul them in a false sense of security can install that much overconfidence in anyone."
"And that overconfidence will definitely make it easier to get confessions out of them. Arthur, would you mind if I borrow Fred and George when we do go arrest them?" Madam Bones asks and while I wonder how I know her name, does Mr. Weasley carefully say: "Depends on what you want them to do while there, really."
And the woman answers: "I want one of them faking to be Dumbledore and offering them a lemon drop, which the other will constantly enchant to cause the Dursleys something bad. I know the twins are off age, so this will give the Albus Weasley the chance to undo the magic and that should inspire them to talk easier and quicker."
Here the twins hum and one of them says: "Getting revenge on the Dursleys for their disgusting behavior –." And then the other twin says: "As well as ruining Dumbledore's little reputation at the same time." And the two chorus: "We're in." Making both their father and Madam Bones smile at them before I read on.
Harry stared … his feet. He could easily detect a shimmering smirk beneath the shuddering lips of his fat cousin and knew Dudley had only irritated him to get him in trouble – something Dudley kicked on since they were young and an urge Harry knew hadn't decreased during their year apart.
"All right," … to be.
Harry looks down and Sora says: "Never believe a word of that, Harry. It's all a load of bull." And I say: "Besides, compared to you and this world, we've seen places much crazier." And before reading on, I mutter: "Places where your uncle would even drive those residents totally bonkers." And I think about Hades and Jack Skellington, snickering a little.
Harry Potter … Harry felt.
"I can imagine." Sora says, lying his hands in his neck like he always does and looking up to the blue sky above us in the Enchanted ceiling, before he goes on and says: "After all, the three of us went on a three year long journey and all I wanted the entire time was to catch up with my friends and get back to the Island.
I imagine you must have felt the same." Harry nods, while others seem shocked that we were away from home so long and says: "I really think you know how I felt. Going to all those different worlds and all. Coming from a place so magical and home-like and then coming back to those Dursleys is like going from heaven to hell."
This makes Sora and I share a look and I know we both think the same. "Wonder what Harry thinks Hades is like. Will he get a shocker when he finds out." And Sora winks at me, making me smile at him as I know that, as protective as the brunette has become of Harry, he still is a happy-go-lucky guy before I read on.
He missed … on broomsticks).
"Why exactly are we told all of this? Don't we already know it?" A Hufflepuff asks and Harry mutters: "I knew the reading would reveal who was behind the whole thing with my name coming out of the Goblet and that there was a chance of others also getting replaced, but I also knew of the spell's magic of switching readers.
Because of that, I made sure to constantly have a small summary of the important bits at the start of the story. And yes, I know there is a chance that others will come in at later parts, but I felt the start was the best spot for the summary." And while the Hufflepuff seems put off with the competent explanation, do I simply read on.
All Harry's … come home. Uncle Vernon had even made an eerie move towards Harry on that day as if he wanted to grab and throw him in there too, but Harry's plan had worked out just fine.
"What was your plan?" Kairi asks, while I can tell that Sora as well as Erika and her friend Fiana are all furious at the idea of Harry being locked in a cupboard alone. Yet the black-haired boy smiles and says: "I kept it secret that I wasn't allowed to use Magic." The group looks at him shocked and I snicker before reading on.
What did … all summer?
"You?" One of the twins asks and the other goes on: "Lose your place?" And they chorus with their friend: "You?" But Harry lowers his head and says: "Don't forget what I was like back then. I had no self-confidence and most of what I showed in self-confidence was often enough an act to make sure I wouldn't be bullied."
The two turn grim and chorus: "Oh right." But Sora says: "Hey, cheer up. That changed over the years, right?" And while Harry happily nods, am I again amazed at the innocence of my best friend and his amazing capability to make people see the best in any situation, no matter what. I shake my head at him and read on.
What was … deepest shame.
"Your very existence is a matter of deepest shame. No wonder Petunia and Lily never seemed anything alike, with her actually being my sister. Only better for the girl too." Sirius growls, softly stroking Harry's hair and obviously quite in his own world of anger. Hoping he won't lose himself in it, I read on.
Uncle Vernon … wizarding world.
"WHAT!" All the animal lovers, all of Harry's friends, Sora and Hagrid shout and then a Hufflepuff girl shouts: "But that's animal abuse! That's illegal! That's –!""Something written down for when they're arrested." Tonks smiles, holding up a quill with a grin and making the Hufflepuff girl smile before I continue the story.
Harry looked … lightning-shaped scar. He knew most of his features came from his parents, mostly his father, but the fact he was as skinny as he was he blamed to years of starvation; something a year of feasts at Hogwarts just couldn't undo, just like the school nurse couldn't take away his scar.
It was … kill Harry.
This shocks me deeply and Erica asks: "Is that what happened?" I look at her as well as several others and she lowers her head in shame as she says: "The principal of Harry's primary school always told me Harry's parents died in a car accident. That's what he and the teaching staff must have been told by those disgusting Muggles."
This infuriates me as a car crash sounds like nothing more than a ridiculous excuse of Magic-hating Muggles to explain why their family is dead. But to say that, while the death of said relatives is so much more heroic is what infuriates me and I whisper: "Those Muggles just got onto our list of people to send to Hades." Before I read on.
So Harry … something smelly. Back to a place he had asked the Headmaster not to send him to – a request that fell to deaf ears.
The Dursleys … twelfth birthday.
This infuriates me further and I ask: "Are all chapters about those Muggles this infuriating?" And Sirius answers: "We only read the first book and a single mention of them in a different book, but we have yet to find one that isn't, sorry." I grumble about this and curse myself for reading the first chapter, before carefully reading on.
Of course, … it completely ... that thought made Harry give up and he walked over to get the frying pan with the bacon.
At that … looked up, almost dropping the pan in shock, but his year of training as a Seeker helped him save the pan and the bacon without spilling a single drop of grease, hardly daring … back to his seat, put the pan down on a coaster and returned to his toast. … made drills). Harry secretly thought that if Vernon had to do it with his personal skills and his kindness to others alone, he would have been fired years ago. But somehow, whenever that nearly happened, Vernon was able to wave around with a lot of money and donated it to the firm, them allowing him to keep his job – no matter how horrible he was at it.
Harry always wondered where the money came from, seeing how much they spend on their house, Dudley, garden, Dudley, food, Dudley, holidays and Dudley.
Now the adults look at each other and Professor McGonagall says: "No way, he wouldn't. Even he wouldn't sink that low." But then Snape rolls his eyes and says: "Minerva, you are letting your former loyalty to him get the better of you again. I'm really not surprised in the slightest, seeing he approved of the boy living in a cupboard and all.
After all, if the man had money, he'd be arrogant. If he was arrogant, he'd dare to hurt Harry. If he hurt Harry, Harry would listen to anyone saving him from that pain. And who did Dumbledore want that to be?" And all teachers glare at the middle of their table, where a large empty seat is standing, as if proof someone now gone before I read on.
"I think … Uncle Vernon.
"Schedule?" Percy Weasley asks, while some of the French girls and a lot of those who are wearing blue or sitting with large bookbags near look up and he goes on: "What schedule?" And Harry answers: "You'll see. And trust me, even the strictest librarian or receptionist isn't this organized – or should I say, isn't this boring."
The young man looks at him confused and Madam Pince, the librarian of this school asks: "Not even me and my Library, Mr. Potter?" But the boy scoffs and says: "Even with all of your rules to keep the books well preserved, I don't believe you even half as bad." I quickly read on and say: "Totally agree." Before reading out loud.
"We should … our home."
"A hosting schedule for how to treat guests during a work meeting?" One of the Ministerial members asks and the woman goes on: "I mean, I can understand discussing a few of the things that will have to be spoken about, but every single step?" And what I believe to be every organized person in the room shakes their head as I read on.
"Good, good. … Petunia rapturously.
"I would rather you keep the door open so I can run through it." Draco then snarls and many around him agree. "Seeing someone fat enough to have his butt lean over both sides of the chair and who has the same disgusting looks as Vernon asking for your coat wouldn't really make me love that person, you know?" Sora asks and I say:
"Please don't make a habit out of that. You'll sound just like Ray." And I shake my head as I remember the week I spend keeping an eye out for Roxas and learning all about his friends and his adversaries, including the idiotic strong-muscle Ray. Sora grimaces and says: "That will never happen. Not a chance."
Again I'm reminded of Roxas as Sora would have said those things differently and wouldn't have even known of Ray and I wonder how much of the Nobody is still present within my best friend since their union. Deciding to find out later and to just see where this goes as the story progresses, do I continue reading.
"Excellent, Dudley," … Harry tonelessly. This was something he was forced to say every single time Vernon had a dinner party to get a big deal in for his company and Harry had been learning the sentence from heart since the age of four. He did not want to know how his relatives would describe him if their guests were to see him.
"Out of fear of your uncle or just plain curiosity?" I ask the boy, only as an attempt to keep my own anger at bay and he shrugs and says: "Probably a bit of both. Too bad I found out a year later." He ends with a growl and while this makes many of those around him share worried looks, do I read on, not wanting to know.
"Exactly," said … invisible woman.
"As if people still do that nowadays." A Gryffindor spats and Draco Malfoy sticks his nose up in posh disgust as he arrogantly says: "Even us of the Most Noble and Most Ancient Houses only do that at yearly parties and even then it's the family leading the family to their seats, not hosts leading their guests." Other Purebloods nod and I read on.
"My perfect … about you." '
"I can already find several ways in which that can go wrong." Percy says and his twin brothers chorus: "Please amuse us, brother dear." To which the boy smiles before he sums up the things as he says: "Mrs. Mason could be wearing a suit or a skirt, Mr. Mason might like some other sport and he might even ask Dudley if he could see that essay."
The others nod at his intelligence, some of Percy's friends snickering at the idiocy their friend described of the blasted Muggles and then one of the twins says: "But, dear brother, you are forgetting one little detail." And his twin responds: "These are the Dursleys." And they chorus: "And Dursley equals stupid."
Everyone laughs and Harry seems to be the loudest, proving how little love there is lost between the boy and his supposed family, making me all the happier he no longer has to go there, not only because he's now adopted, but because the man that constantly forced him to go back is now facing trial. This makes me smile and I read on.
This was … he emerged. The thought of another birthday purposely forgotten by his family helped him immensely.
"I'll be … Vernon forcefully. His tone would have even made Harry take a step back, had he not faced crazier during the last year. "The Masons … that way.
"Those Muggles are right idiots. Even in the Muggle world, thanks to both Potter's mother as well as his great-great-grandfather, the Potters are a well-known family that still – according to my knowledge – earns a lot of respect. Hah, I can't wait for them to find out about that when they get arrested. Will be their just desserts."
"How do you know that, Heir Nott?" Harry asks cautiously, proving that the lessons he got from Narcissa are reaping their rewards before the other boy says: "There are always small things about all Ancient and Noble Houses – such as extraordinary accomplishments – written in Ancient Families And Their Findings."
This seems to shock my young friend and Nott says: "I'll lend you a copy sometime." But then Sirius smiles at him and says: "No need. The whole reason Harry doesn't have it is because I felt he should pick it up himself when he goes for his first visit to his true vaults. And with his wheelchair –." The Nott Heir nods and I read on.
When dinner's … Privet Drive if they even took him along, that is.
"Doubt it." Harry grumbled and then Sora lies a hand on his shoulder and says: "Don't worry, this summer you can go on holiday throughout the worlds. We'll even take you along on our Gummi Ship, alright?" Harry smiles and says: "Sure, if you tell me what a Gummi Ship is." The two boys laugh and I read on.
"Right - I'm … sunny day and he was glad that the Dursleys wanted him out of their way or he would have spent it cleaning and doing a mountain worth of chores and that was not something he wanted to do on his birthday – not that he liked doing nothing.
He crossed … to me. . ."
"That's just sad." Kairi says, holding onto Sora's arm and making me know the feelings Sora has felt for her since seven are more than obviously returned. I shake my head as I remember the way Sora adored and loved Kairi, but tried to keep their friendship at the same time and then read on and say: "Just wait, Kairi, it gets worse."
Kairi's hold on Sora's arm gets stronger while many of those who care for Harry start to growl in anger at hearing this and Harry groans, probably remembering all he thought of that day, to which Viktor pulls him on his lap and lovingly hugs him, softly kissing him on the temple, making girls coo before I read on.
No cards … so lonely, not even during the many long stays he had to endure in his cupboard when he was younger. More than … at all.
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" The two shout at Harry, while almost the entire school either looks at them shocked or glares at them in disgust, but then Harry lies a hand on each of theirs, making them calmly sit back down as they see him smile as he says: "I know, but to the me in the book it will seem that way for a little while longer."
The two nod and then one of the twins shouts: "Hey, stop glaring, bunch of Hypocrites!" And his twin goes on: "Yeah, you would only write if you could write with the famous hero, not just Harry." The glares turn into heads looking down ashamed and I shake my head with my eyes turned skywards at this before I read on.
Neither of … and stay.
Now Percy groans and says: "Don't I know it. We have a very small Owlery build just under the kitchen window especially for our – back then – two owls and I actually had to move Hermes from there to my room, just to make sure Ron wouldn't try and use him every day. And that was after the first week."
Everyone laughs and the second twin says: "And even then he tried to use Errol every day." Before the first goes on and says: "Just couldn't because Errol took three days for every trip." Ron's now almost as red as a tomato at the laughter going round and the twins high-five Percy, before I read on, shaking my head at their antics.
Countless times … and broomstick.
And with the anger of what Hagrid did to Dudley still looming, Harry doubted the chance he would ever be let out if it weren't for their fear. Then again, it was mostly their anger that Harry feared as he wasn't stupid – he knew that at one point in time that anger would overcome the fear and then – Harry didn't even want to think of that.
For the … Harry had, just to keep his mind of his fear for their anger escalating, enjoyed muttering … his birthday.
"That's not true, Harry." Mr. Weasley says and he goes on: "Ron stayed with her the whole week before, just to make sure she made a cake exactly the way you liked the cakes at Hogwarts and to make sure she made lots of treacle stuff. He wanted to send it all to you, but we didn't think Errol would be able to handle it."
"So that's why we had cake for dessert the first night of my stay there." Harry snickers and Ron shrugs and says: "I wasn't going to let that cake go to waste, you know." Harry smiles at his pall, who smiles back while others laugh at what is clearly a familiar Weasley antic and I read on, amazed at the friendship the two share.
What wouldn't … a dream ...
Now Draco cringes, but I feel confused as nothing over the last three days has indicated such a problem and ask: "Why was he your archenemy? I thought he was your cousin?" And Harry answers: "I didn't discover he was until we started reading these books. It was the end of the Fourth book that made us know."
I nod, remembering Sirius mention this feud on the first day and Kairi asks: "But why did you read the end of the Fourth?" And Harry answers: "Because those events were supposed to take place about 6 days ago. When we started reading it was on the day one of the last chapters started." My friends nod and then I notice something.
Hermione is being held by Andromeda Tonks while looking down as if disappointed about something and I ask: "Everything okay, Hermione?" Everyone looks at her and she says: "Just feel bad about the fact I didn't have an owl. I didn't dare use the Muggle mail-service, but it's the one way wizards use to deliver letters and stuff to each other.
I really had this amazing gift and me and my mum were in the middle of buying the ingredients for a huge piece of treacle tart when I realized this. I felt so bad, so stupid – I just." But then Harry slightly struggles to walks over and says: "So it's only for the best you didn't have an owl, right? Who know where it would have ended up."
The girl smiles at her best friend and then Harry turns giddy and asks: "Really, a huge chunk?" And Hermione giggles says: "Yes, about the size of a regular birthday cake." Harry actually squeals at this, making many of those around him laugh and he gets levitated back to his seat, smiling giddily as he sits back down and I read on.
Not that … mad eyes, burning with a need to kill and aimed straight at him, closing in further and further until they startled him awake.
Everyone looks shocked and then the twins shrug and say: "Ron's were worse." Everyone looks at them as if they've grown an extra head and Percy asks: "What makes you say that?" And they both turn serious, shocking their brother and making me know they barely ever do so as one of them responds and says:
"We heard him the first two weeks he was back home." And the other says: "And his nightmares were always the same." Everyone looks at them, worried about their solemn tones and as their father moves over to sit between them and hug them close in his own concern, do they chorus: "Always about Harry. Always about Harry – dying."
Ron whitens and actually shudders, obviously reliving the nightmares, while Harry looks at his best friend shocked and then Hermione cuddles up even closer against Andromeda as she says: "I had those too. My dad almost send me to a therapist to get rid of them. I convinced him not to with the stature of Secrecy and all."
Harry now has tears shining in his eyes as he looks at his best friends and then Ron says: "You've heard what it was like, mate. How you looked after that whole Dungeon event and all. It scared the crap out of us, you know." Harry nods, showing them both a grateful smile for their care and I smile at the trio before reading on.
Harry suddenly … the leaves.
"What the hell?" Most of the hall mutters, together with mutterings of similar nature and Harry says: "Don't worry, it's not dangerous. Just a good way to clean my record of underage magic casting." Everyone looks at the relaxed boy and I read on, wondering – probably like many others here – what he could be on about.
Harry jumped … had been.
"Good of you, Potter. Constantly keep an eye out for your surroundings. Constant –." But then all of Hogwarts shouts: "VIGILANCE!" The man seems shocked, but the teachers laugh and I wonder where they heard that as it can't be from the man himself. Deciding to ask about it once I finish the chapter, I continue reading.
"I know … Harry coolly, trying not to let his cousin get to him as the Dursleys had luckily enough stopped whispering terrible insults to him when they thought he was asleep.
Dudley hitched … fat bottom, Harry suppressed a shudder as he saw this from the corner of his eye.
"Why're you … fat face, causing a quick smirk to appear and disappear on and off of Harry's face as he was too focused on seeing whether or not the eyes would return – they had yet to, but he wanted to know who they belonged to.
"You c-can't - … squiggly wiggly -"
The first two cause quite a few students – mostly Slytherins – to start laughing, along with all teachers except Burbage and the last causes even her and all other students to laugh hard. Sora even almost falls from his chair in laughter and when youngest of Muggleborns are the last to stop laughing, does Blaise ask:
"Why did it take you so long to laugh?" And Hermione, who seems to slowly warm up to her potential partner, answers: "In the Muggle world, we have people called Illusionists and their most well-known spells –." She makes imitation motions in the air as she says the last word and goes on: "Are Jiggery pokery and Hocus Pocus.
But even they wouldn't use Squiggly wiggly." She then turns to Harry and asks: "Where did you get that one?" And Harry shrugs, yet he has a huge smile of obvious pride on his face as he says: "Made it up. Wanted to lie it on hard with that fat pig." Everyone laughs and the twins shout: "Good on you, mate." As I read on.
"MUUUUUUM!" howled … frying pan.
"WHAT!" All of the females and a large portion of the males shout and then Hermione asks: "Wait, how did Harry even know he had to duck for her frying pan?" Everyone looks at her shocked and as the seriousness of the situation and the truth behind her question become a reality to the Hall, do I mutter: "Oh no. She didn't."
But Harry's cringing face proves enough and Remus asks: "Harry, is there more to this story?" Harry hangs his head and says: "Before Uncle Vernon decided to throw in his form of punishments, aunt Petunia would often be the one for the punishments. And if I ducked the frying pan, I would be punished even worse."
"How worse?" I ask, cringing as it's obvious that many others wanted but did not dare ask this question and trying not to let my anger at the woman awaken the Darkness that resides in me as strongly as the Light does, not wanting it to take over my person now, like it did when Sora and Kairi needed me on our first adventure.
The boy sighs and says: "I would be forced to stand in the middle of the kitchen and be hit with it on both sides of my head, front and back, five times for every time I ducked. That stopped and didn't change when uncle Vernon became in charge of punishing me, so I was further able of ducking her blows without being further punished."
Everyone around me is boiling with rage and I can see Kairi's hair shine in their auburn color, almost changing it to bright ruby, in her anger and this alone keeps most of my anger at bay as it makes me jealous of the girl still looking like such a Light person even when fueled with such a dark emotion such as anger.
Unlike I myself. I sigh, pushing down most of my anger and knowing I have to keep a clear head for the others and that I have to act as the stronghold which they can hold themselves onto to make sure they won't be taken in by the Darkness of their emotions. Taking this responsibility on me, I take a deep breath and read on.
Then she … garden bench.
"Excuse me!" Kairi shouts, absolutely furious and I run at her, holding her close and showing her how calm I am with all this, while whispering: "I hate this too, Spitfire. Lean on me. Let me receive your anger." She seems to calm down on these words and Sora smiles at me, making me smile back, while others are confused and I walk back and read on.
The sun … at Hogwarts ...
He shook his head and remembered how he had felt when they told him they would be going with him to save the Stone, but that didn't help much as it made him feel worse about himself and how much he could be worth to them.
The sun caused a heat unlike any other he had felt – not even when he trained for Quidditch on a hot summer day last school year and while it made Harry nearly collapse with what he recognized as a heatstroke, did he keep on, knowing he couldn't give up as it would only lessen his chances of going back. And going back and proving the Dursleys wrong was all that, currently, kept him going.
Kairi's anger has now completely disappeared and has been replaced with devastation and pain, her hair having lost its fiery glow that it had when she was raging with anger, but this time, Sora is the one acting as a stronghold, as he has Kairi on his chair, on his lap and is whispering words of comfort in her hair while rubbing her back.
The same, strangely enough, is happening between Sirius and Remus, Remus being the one to whisper to Sirius and I wonder how long they have been apart from Harry as they must have adopted him only recently, seeing the book describing Privet Drive as his home of that time. I shrug, wondering if it could be in the books and read on.
Ignoring the rest of the situation around me, which is only better as the Hall is almost filled to the brim with angry, painful, devastated or comforting whispers and the candles floating overhead seem to be fueled by the anger and dark emotions all around, causing them to flicker quite restlessly and for the residents' shadows to twist and swirl.
"I really wonder if the wards around this place are strong enough to protect these students from losing their hearts to the Darkness. Cause if not, this room might soon be filled with humans and Heartless." I think, but repress the shudder that comes with the thought and read on, trying to ignore the English, Bulgarian and French whispered curses.
Wish they … his face, that would definitely make sure people never more expected anything out of him. He quickly shook off the idea as it would cause a scandal around the Wizarding World that would get him more attention than he already had and that alone was already too much for his liking.
Still, the wish someone would come and pick him up – a wish he gave up long ago, after the death of Erica – was back and stronger than ever now that he knew he belonged in the Magical World and believed that his friends had forgotten about him.
It was … calling him.
"And when did you start, if I may ask?" Sirius asks his son, the tone clearly showing how he tries not to let his anger out on his son, even though I can also detect a very near non-existent tone of despair underlining the man's voice and the boy answers softly: "I believe somewhere between nine o'clock and nine thirty."
Sirius turns away from his son, but Harry seems only temporarily hurt by this as Sirius obviously tries not to show any signs of anger to his son. Yet the minute the man seems to have control of himself, does he turn around and hug the boy. Wondering what could be the cause behind that, as it must have been in the last book, I read on.
"Get in … gleaming kitchen. He was even more glad that his aunt seemed to have worked on the inside of the house all day as it meant he wouldn't be presented with more chores.
"They actually made you work around the house?" Erica asks mortified and many of the girls, no longer able to take all the cruel abuse and slavery that the boy has had to go through, are crying on each other's shoulders, while boys all around the Hall are holding onto the silverware, trying to keep their anger at bay.
Harry on the same time has his head low and mutters: "Uncle Vernon believed that, because I wasn't going to school anymore, I might as well earn my living by working in and around the house. That kept going until my tenth, when a school nurse came by because Dudley was growing too big for their chairs to hold him.
Uncle Vernon was furious at her for calling his son fat, even though she had pictures of the pieces of furniture Dudley had broken due to his overweight, but feared she would consider my chores too much for me to take and so divided them from then on. I would either work in the garden all day or inside the house."
Erica shakes her head and says: "That still doesn't make it right. You shouldn't learn how to do so many chores until you are almost old enough to find your own home and no earlier. It's too much work for someone your age and will stunt your growth, not to mention all the other ways it can be dangerous for your health."
This seems to fuel the united anger of the Great Hall residents and I start to wonder if it will even be punishment to these people to send them to Hades. I shake my head and decide to meet up with Hercules at the first the best break we'll have, as the Olympian Hero would surely know the answer to that. And with idea in mind, do I read on.
On top … the oven. Harry severely doubted any of it was made by Aunt Petunia and a quick extra look on the pudding proved his theory; a small receipt was sticking out of the plate the pudding was on.
"Eat quickly! … kitchen table.
"A whole day of chores in the garden on a hot summer day and you don't even get a single glass of water? That's not just a serious case of child labor, that can even be seen as an attempt of murder. She could been charged with trying to have killed you!" Erica shouts and then does something I would have never expected of her.
She grabs onto Harry and hugs him close, shocking Harry for a single second, before he happily accepts the hug. But the sudden move did make him flinch and tense amazingly and I realize he is quite against sudden physical contact. Hating the Dursleys even more for doing this to the kind and amazingly talented boy, I read on.
She was … "Upstairs! Hurry!"
"At least let him have something to drink, you terrible woman!" Erica shouts and, if only to calm her down, do I motion Sora and Kairi over. The two walk over to me and I whisper: "I'm wondering, do you think we should introduce those Dursleys to Hades and let him punish them or would that not work on people like them?"
The two look at each other and then Sora says: "To be honest, I've been wanting to send them to Hades since I've got to know Harry that day when I tried healing his legs. But hearing what they're actually made of makes me indeed wonder if Hades is enough punishment for them. Maybe we should consult Maleficent."
This makes me smile and I say: "Now that would be a nice punishment, but let's first talk to Hercules and see if he knows whether or not Hades will be enough to punish those Muggles. He knows the devil best, after all." We all nod and Sora and Kairi go back to their seats, under the inquiring looks of almost the entire hall.
They smile at each other as they sit back down and I smile too as I wonder if we could perhaps move the reading to the Olympus Coliseum after the next break and if that could be our chance to ask Hercules about our plans. Then I remember that the teachers are hoping for something like that and this makes me nod at the idea as I read on.
As he … dinner jackets. In one way or another – Harry suspected a corset – Dudley actually looked at least 60 pounds thinner than he truly was. Uncle Vernon still looked as massive as ever and Harry realized Dudley only looked thinner to make him look like the perfect combination of bony aunt Petunia and massively fat uncle Vernon. He shook his head and went on.
He had … one sound -"
"That does it!" Sora shouts, shooting up furiously with his wild brown hair actually looking like a fireplace that just got lit or something and while Harry and many others, that of course don't know Sora, look at him shocked, he says: "I can stand a lot, but family threatening each other crosses the line in my book."
He then turns to me and says: "Both." And I whiten, wondering if the idea of letting Maleficent and Hades join forces is really the best thing to do – even though those Muggles really make me as angry as Sora – as I fear they will join forces for more than punishing those disgusting people. Deciding to talk this through later, I read on.
Harry crossed … sitting on it.
"What?" Half the school shouts and then the Bulgarians and French chorus: "Who?" Making me snicker, but then Erica asks: "Not anyone dangerous, right?" And Harry shakes his head and says: "Just my way to prove my innocence and get a clean Underage Magic record. Oh wait, next year." And he and Ron laugh, while others look confused.
Hey everyone,
So this chapter was actually quite fun editing and I even rewrote the opening part of the chapter. And while I may not have covered everything that happened in the previous version am I still glad that I got to emphasize on one thing; no matter who it is, Harry is just the kind of character that others find easy to like.
And because Sora and Riku are older than him and because they have both been through great and terrible things and because they first met Harry when he was at his lowest, physical wise, did that make it really easy for them to start considering Harry their little brother and become as protective of him as you see here.
Hope you liked,
Venquine1990
PS. Merry Christmas
