A/N Hello my wonderful readers I am back with another update in 'Cause of insomnia' wait wait wait that's not right. 'Better a Freak Than a Monster' there we go.
And a special hello to Paxloria, it's good to see you're still around. I want to thank you for the questions that you ask because they've forced me to put more thought into how I write. You've been a lot of help to me so thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope these answers satisfy your questions and to those of you who haven't read the questions in the comment section I paraphrased them.
1) How was Harry able to walk off getting stabbed through the stomach and act like everything was alright? A combination of adrenaline and magic allowed Harry to keep fighting after he pulled out the piece of metal. When Harry's magic spiked it started to heal the damage done, focusing on damage to the organs and skin. Whenever Harry's boost started to wear off and he got kneed he realized his magic hadn't completely healed him. As for how he's able to pretend everything is fine until he collapses: he has the Dursleys to thank for that. He was abused on a daily basis and forced to do chores and go to school, all while maintaining the image that everything was perfectly fine.
2) Since Sherry admitted in his intro that he was the one able to track Harry, why didn't Harry or Jason just kill him? Jason has been killing Death Eaters as a dark alley assassin for years but this is the first time he's had to think about how many more will come after someone that isn't him. If Jason killed the group there was a large chance that the Mages' Association would allow people to kill Harry. The only mage so far that has wanted to hurt Harry was Dante. As for the reason that Harry didn't, he learned just how vile Voldemort and the Death Eaters were from Jason. He is doing everything in his power to not be like them.
3) Sherry only said that he would do what Harry asked; why would any of them trust that? Did you really think Jason wouldn't do something. Read through the chapter and you'll see what I mean.
4) Sherry has been a guy the whole time. I inserted an author note in chapter 3 that said I liked being a jerk to antagonists.
5) How have the mages not investigated and found out who Harry really is? Sherry and the other 3 have been waiting for Dante to fully recover before doing a full investigation into #4 Private Drive. Going after Harry was an unauthorized move that didn't go well for them so they're going to sweep it under the rug. Even if they do find out about Harry's true identity it wouldn't change anything. As far as the Mages Association is concerned the wizarding world are a bunch of backwards idiots. (they aren't exactly wrong) So when the backwards idiots believed that a one year old child was responsible for the death of the all powerful dark lord Voldemort the Mages Association brushed it to the side. Hardly anyone in the association is aware of the-boy-who-lived.
6) Finally, why would Sherry be afraid of Harry's eyes changing color from green to red, being a mage hasn't he seen weirder and scarier things? Normally you wouldn't be wrong about this. However, this is a special case. Harry has started to recover and strengthen his magic, in doing so the soul fragment in Harry's scar is trying to take over Harry's body like how Tom possessed Ginny in the 2nd book. But this isn't a teenage Voldemort, this is the version of Voldemort that has massacred hundreds of innocent people in the name of his goal. Sherry went from looking at the scared and determined eyes of a child to staring down the eyes of a monster straight out of hell. For that brief moment He was staring down Voldemort himself. No one couldn't be scared their first time seeing that.
Since no one else had any questions let's get started on chapter 8.
Inside Harry's mind
I felt a familiar throb in my scar but when I opened my eyes I wasn't in a void. I was in my old bedroom in Godric's Hollow. At least I think that's what Jason called it. "Do not doubt yourself." I turned and saw the red-eyed 'me'. "You are not wrong, this place is the last place you saw your mother." It looked clean and new, like nothing tragic had happened here.
"Why is it like this? It was destroyed when Voldemort attacked. At least a portion of it was." He smiled at me the way a child smiles at their parent. What's wrong with him? His face suddenly turned sad.
"So you still don't know who I am. I was hoping you would the next time I spoke to you. It's really sad when someone you care about doesn't even know you exist. Though maybe I'm wrong in phrasing it like that."
"Listen you seem like a nice guy and all but you're not making any sense. You can stay here if you want but I'm leaving." I walked over to the door and opened it only to find the black void from before.
"It isn't possible for you to leave through there. If you stay there to long you won't be you anymore." Red said softly. "You can leave just not through there. I wish I were like you. I wish more than anything I could leave here but that is not meant to be. Could you go out and see the world? If you did that I think I could find a bit more happiness." I stared at him just as confused as when I got here. Nothing he said made sense and I have no idea on how to get out of here. "But I know how you can leave."
"How do you know what I'm thinking?"
"Personally I think it's rather obvious. The question I have is why don't you know how I know? I am one but I am two, I am nothing but I am everything, and most importantly I symbolize life and death for kindness and hatred. If you cannot figure out who I am fast enough, I am afraid that you will not be able to survive." He walked over to the crib and pulled out a small doll. I looked at it but the details were blurry . . . no the doll itself was blurry. Red placed it in my hands and I felt warmth flood through my body. "I can never leave here but if you are happy then I can be happy. Please never forget what it feels like to be loved by someone." He smiled as tears fell down his face. I don't know why but it felt like my insides were being torn apart as I watched him. "Goodbye for now _"
I felt my body being pulled into the doll as the cruel red eyes and grim smile appeared behind him. I watched a withered hand wrap around his neck before finally escaping that place. This time I was in a mismatched place filled with random buildings. A warehouse was to my left, a huge library with books on the steps was behind me, and the mall was to my right. Surrounding everything was a large forest with orange and red leaves. Above us were the sun and a bright baby blue sky but ahead of me was the black void. I felt drawn to it . . . I felt power radiating from it. If I touch it then maybe I can- "Are you sure he'll be alright? I know you said this has happened before but maybe we should take him to a doctor." Sheska.
I turned and saw the library doors were open though I could only see a white light inside. But sure enough it was her voice and she sounded worried. I took a step away from the darkness and heard a loud thud. I turned around and saw a pale almost skeletal hand banging desperately. My whole body went cold as I watched it bang against something that was keeping it out. I ran for the library as fast as I could and jumped through the doorway.
Outside of Harry's mind
"How can it be normal for a kid to pass out in the middle of the day? He looked like he was full of energy right before he passed out." I heard Sheska rant in a worried frenzy. I also caught a grunt from Fran. Opening my eyes I looked into Fran's beautiful mismatched eyes and let out a soft chuckle.
"Sorry to worry you guys like that. Jason warned me that I should be careful." I attempted to sit up but Fran pushed me back into her lap and glared lightly. Yeah, she knows something happened. Sheska moved over me and I could see the tear stains from where she had been crying. Man, how can I be such an idiot? With all the magic I used in the fight it would have taken a miracle for me to not pass out. "You really don't have to worry. I was just exhausted is all; it's nothing to cry over." I smiled at her but she teared up again.
"When you passed out I helped Fran pick you up. You were so hot I was worried I would get burnt holding you. Fran told me that you would wake up soon and that it had happened before. But I was still so scared that something bad was happening. I thought we should take you to the hospital but Fran was sure you'd be alright. And here you are completely fine but if it hadn't been alright there was nothing that I could have done to-" I put my hand over her mouth to shut her up. I wiped away her tears and I smiled brightly at her.
"Nothing bad could have possibly happened to me. I'm a lot tougher than I look, so please don't cry over something like me. I'm sure I can get through anything that comes my way, because you and Fran are my friends." That seemed to cheer her up significantly but I wasn't lying. Whatever that magic or spell was that let me fight Sherry, it activated because I wanted to protect them. If I hadn't met them I would be in the hands of the Mages' Association right now. "Sheska thank you for worrying about me. I promise that everything is going to be alright."
"I'm glad. I wish that our outing didn't have to end like that though. That was the first time I've hung out with anyone outside my family. You could say I was more than a bit anti-social when I was younger." She said with her nervous chuckle. I was able to sit up this time but I instantly regretted it. My head felt like it was going to split open but I managed to hide it.
"I take it this is where we have to leave each other? Our house isn't exactly near here so Fran and I should probably get going." I said as I turned to face Sheska.
"You shouldn't push yourself but I hope we can do something together on Sunday. That's one of the few days I'm off. I have to work the rest of the week though, but something tells me I'll see both of you tomorrow. I hope I get to see you both soon. Make sure you get plenty of rest Harry." Sheska said while doing a little twirl and walking off. I took one last glance at her and noticed the earrings that I bought dangling from her ears.
When she was finally gone and out of earshot I turned to Berserker and saw an overly sweet smile. I don't know why but some part of my brain told me to run for the hills but I'm not sure why. She held up her notebook and turned to the last page. What happened to you? I will give you one chance to tell me the truth. I laughed nervously and looked away. "Is there any chance that you could just forget that ever happened?" The smile disappeared and she let out a small growl. "Yeah that was what I was afraid of. The mages found me but Jason and I fought them off. On the bright side we were able to win and I have a new way to use my magic. On the downside . . . they have a way to track me." The second I got the last syllable out she let out a rage filled cry and punched out a chunk out of a tree. "Fran it isn't that bad. Now we know we can fight back and win if they come after us."
They will hurt you Harry. No matter how you look at it this is very bad. I couldn't say anything against her because she was right. It was a hollow victory. I managed to win this time but the next time they come after us if Dante's with them . . . I don't want to think about what'll happen. "I know it's bad but we'll find a way to come out on top. With my magic, your strength, and all of the shit Jason can do . . . I'm sure we can win. I know it might be hard but I also know that I won't lose. No matter what they do, they won't beat me; so what do you say Fran? You wanna take on the Mages' Association with me?" She looked down at me and I could see all of the conflicting emotions in her eyes. After a few minutes of thinking it over she took my hand and nodded. I smiled before holding up the ring Jason gave me. "Salvation."
Once more I felt like I was dragged into a tornado as the world spun around me. Soon the scenery changed from trees and benches to white walls and a hardwood floor. I felt a bit dizzy so I held onto Fran. She walked me into the kitchen where a shit to of food was piled on top of the table along with a bottle and a note. I picked it up and sat down.
Harry,
Drink the potion, eat the food, and get some rest. You've had a hard day and you've earned it. I'll come by the house around noon so don't leave until we talk. I'm sorry that I wasn't good enough to prevent this but I promise you it will not happen again. Please believe that.
Your ally and hopefully friend, Jason.
I crumpled up the note and stuffed it in my pocket before looking at the vile liquid. Jason, I'm sure you're a good person but right now I think I want to kill you. "Down the hatch." I drank the potion and tasted the very gates of hell themselves. We ate and then went to bed.
The next morning
Just like the morning before, I woke up in Fran's embrace. It was very comfortable but I felt the obligation to do something with my time. I got out of the bed without waking her up and found a box at the foot of the bed. When I opened it I found a note on top of some clothes.
Ruby and I realized you only had the clothes on your back so we made these for you. We're sure they fit because we measured you while you were sleeping.
That last sentence creeped me out but I tried not to think about it as I pulled out the clothes. Four pairs of pants and five shirts, all of them were plain but that didn't matter to me at all. I took one of each and went into the shower to get cleaned up. As I dried myself off I got a good look at the latest scar to adorn my body. It was rough and more defined than the others but it also had a more jagged shape than the ones from my time at #4. I traced it with my hand and hissed at the pain. It definitely hasn't healed completely yet; this adds another thing that I have to keep from Fran. She doesn't need to know how bad it got for me at the warehouse. I put on the new clothes and went downstairs.
The clock said it was around 8 so I still had a few hours before Jason showed up for our talk. I should probably try to find a way to warn him that Fran knows about what happened. . . . Never mind, by the times I found out how to do that he'd already be here. Might as well fix something for me and Fran while I'm at it. I opened the fridge and felt my jaw hit the floor. It was stocked with eggs, milk, a few different meats, and some fruits. I shut the door and went to the pantry only to find it was stocked as well. The three of them really go all out don't they? I think Jason might be trying to buy back my trust. That or he's hoping I won't leave the house for the next 3 years. Whatever the intention I started to make eggs and bacon for the two of us.
I was thankful that there wasn't a smoke alarm in this place or it would have gone off several times. The eggs were all done so the only thing I had left to cook was the bacon. I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. "Hey Fran, I'll have breakfast done in a minute so go ahead and sit down." I was barely able to hear her grunt over the bacon's sizzling but I saw her sit down in the corner of my eye. I tried to entertain her by throwing the bacon in the air and catching it with the skillet. For a second I thought it wasn't doing anything but then I heard her giggle a bit. It might seem strange for someone so strong to act that way but I was happy knowing that she was able to let loose around me.
When I finally got done she was smiling and waiting patiently for me. I put a plate in front of her and sat down. We ate in silence but it was a nice, peaceful one. I cleaned the dishes once we were both done and tried to find something to do in the house. My mind trailed to the book in the storage room but I quickly shook the thought from my mind and thought of something else. I went into the living room and looked around. There was a small fireplace with ashes in the center and a couple of couches sitting around it. In between the two couches was a small table with a lamp and a radio on top of it. I turned on the radio and searched for something good to listen to.
After a few minutes Fran came into the room to check on me. What are you doing? "I wanted to see what was playing but I haven't found a good station yet. If I find one do you think we could dance?" I wasn't sure why but she turned her head away before writing quickly in the notebook. Are you sure that you'd want to dance with me? I've never done it myself before. I only watched others dance from afar. "I've never danced before either. You don't have to if you don't want to but I think it would be fun if we danced together." I smiled at her and she just nodded her head before putting her notebook down. I kept tuning into different stations: most of them were talking about the weather or some political event but the ones that played music were playing that rap crap that Dudley listened to. Right when I was about to give up on finding anything good I heard classical music. It sounded like a violin/piano duo playing for a waltz.
I stood up and offered my hand to Fran. She looked nervous about the whole thing and didn't take my hand. I pulled it away and smiled softly at her. "It's alright Fran, we don't have to dance." I was about to turn around but she stood up and took my hands in her own. We started to dance slowly even though the height difference made things a bit awkward. I didn't know what to do and she didn't have any experience either so I didn't know if we were doing it right or screwing it up completely. We could only sway back and forth together but if I were completely honest with myself, it felt amazing. I stared up at her and saw that she was smiling through her embarrassment. "This isn't that bad is it?" I asked with a wide smile and she shook her head. This felt absolutely wonderful, maybe I should find a way for schools to make this stuff mandatory. Then the image of Dudley's fat ass attempting to dance with some poor woman crossed my mind and I laughed.
We were so caught up in our happiness that we didn't pay attention and tripped over each other. I landed on top of Fran and quickly went to see if she was alright. Her face was scarlet but other than that she was completely fine. I sat up with a wide grin plastered on my face and I laughed. It was another simple thing that had been robbed from me for so long but she gave it to me. I kept laughing but she seemed to misunderstand the reason behind it. She let out a growl and got up before trying to storm away. I grabbed her hand and she stayed still. "I wasn't laughing at you, Fran. That was a lot of fun and if it's ok with you I want to do it again. Can I have one more dance?" She turned and faced me but the second our eyes met the tension left her completely.
We went back to our pathetic attempt at dancing together but this time we were both looking at each other and laughing away. Being with her it was easy to forget all of the horrible things that happened to me. Being in her arms and staring at her, I felt like there was nothing else but me and her. It was a terrible and selfish thought but it was the truth. I wondered what it would have been like if my parents had been alive. A world where they introduced me to Fran so I would have a friend. A world where all of us could be happy together and no one was trying to hurt us or kill us. But that world didn't exist. I leaned in closer to her and took in her warmth. I don't know if it's bad or not but I think I love her more than I love my own parents.
I stopped thinking and let myself enjoy our dance. We kept at it until the duo stopped playing their music but when I looked at the clock it was almost 10. We had danced for about two hours but it felt like no time had gone by at all. Fran was now sitting on the couch with a bright smile gracing her lips. I wish we could go and see Sheska but Jason said we should wait for him to get here. I hope he gets here soon because I don't want to be stuck in the house all day.
With Jason in Knockturn Alley
"Boss are you sure we should be doing this? Every child is supposed to wait until their 11th birthday." Sapphire said in a hushed voice as hey made their way down the cold and dark streets.
"Sherry is tracking his magic signature so we need something that will alter his magic signature. Knockturn Alley is the only place that we can find something like that. I know what this place means to you but I can't afford to come here alone." Jason said to the two of them. This was the place where they were sold to a very cruel and vile family. The very family that Jason had killed on one of his jobs. Ruby and Sapphire followed him despite the unpleasant memories that stemmed from the wicked place. They passed many suspicious looking characters that deserved to meet death but Jason was there with a purpose and it would do Harry no good to cause trouble.
"Boss do you know where the woman we want is?" Ruby asked as she clung to Sapphire's side.
"It's not that far away from where we are now." Jason said as he kept looking forward. If he were to turn and see the face of a Death Eater or something similar he wouldn't be able to stop himself from going after them. They were here to do business with someone who had more than a few illegal magic artifacts. They went through a few twists and turns before arriving at a shop had a sign above the door. The Blue Rose. Jason gave a small chuckle of appreciation at the meaning behind the words. A blue rose is supposed to be impossible to find growing naturally in the wild so this woman thinks she can gain access to any kind of object. They walked into the store and saw nothing in view.
There was some shuffling in the back of the shop before a woman with blue eyes and short blond hair stepped out. She glanced over Jason and gave a rather seductive smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure of having such a strapping young man in my establishment?" She asked as she ran a hand over his arm. It took all of Jason's willpower not to pull away from the woman but he managed it.
"My name is irrelevant, I heard from an old friend of mine that you can get me anything in the world." Jason said without missing a beat. The woman circled him, eyeing him like a piece of meat.
"Perhaps I am the woman you are searching for but even if you are right, there is still a price that must be paid." She whispered into his ear before sitting on the counter and crossing her legs.
"Name your price and I'll tell you if I can afford it." Jason said knowing that the price for her services wouldn't be cheap. After all, she was a professional that no one, not even the Death Eaters, dared to cross.
"I will accept one of 3 things: 20,000 galleons, a night of passion, or your darkest secret. I'm insulted that you didn't think I wouldn't know who you are. Jason Colt, to many you are nothing more than a ministry worker that cares deeply for the children you save. To a select few; however, you are the dangerous assassin responsible for the deaths of many innocent people." She placed a cold hand on Jason's cheek and he closed his eyes.
"I swear on my magic that my darkest secret is the fact that I am the reason that the woman I loved is dead. So it has been said so mote it be." There was a small pulse of magic before Jason pulled out his wand and cast lumos. She grinned like a demon before letting out a small cackle.
"Who would have thought that you of all people had such a dirty little secret. Don't worry, I won't reveal the memory of this to anyone as long as you don't go to the DMLE about my little operation. You'd be surprised at the number of secrets I've collected over these last few years. Now then, what is it that you want from me."
"I need something that will let me alter someone's magic signature. Do you have anything like that?" Jason asked unable to hide his desperation. She found it to be quite amusing. The few that knew of his true identity feared him as if he were an avenging angel but here he was in such a pitiful state.
"There is nothing that I know of that can alter a magic signature but there are a few that can hide it." She went to the back of the shop and came back with a pendant. There were a few Norse runes on the front of it but Jason wasn't sure what they did. "If you place your magic in this pendant and your friend wears it they will constantly be cloaked by your magic. Will this suit your needs?" Jason took it and nodded his head. He left the shop without saying another word to the woman.
Jason kept the pendant hidden as they left Knockturn Alley and apparated to his apartment. He threw his cloak off and sat at the table. "Boss, do you think it will keep Harry safe?" Jason looked it over and poured a small amount of magic into it.
"Sapphire, I need you to take this to any place in London." She gave Jason a nod and left with the pendant. He pulled a map of London off of a bookshelf and lied it flat against the table. "What was the incantation for the scrying spell. Oh right, Invenire Scopum." He drew blood from his hand and placed it on the map. At first it was going in one direction but then it split. One stopped at his apartment and the other stopped at an . . . adult book store. It took a few minutes for that to register in his head. "Sapphire!" He yelled in embarrassment when it finally dawned on him.
She appeared with a loud crack with the pendant in one hand and a book in the other. "Sorry boss but I couldn't help but go there. Ruby and I have been waiting for this to come out for a while." Jason didn't or couldn't say anything to her. He just took the pendant and looked at the clock. He decided it would be best to go and see Harry a bit earlier than he intended.
With Harry
I used to think that listening to a teacher explain something I had learned two years ago was boring but that had nothing on this. While I wanted to go to the storage room and read more of that girl's diary I couldn't risk losing track of time. If Jason walked in on me reading that he might get really pissed and I wouldn't have a way to defend my actions. So I condemned myself to staring at the clock to pass the time and after a few minutes I realized how soul crushingly boring it was. However I did not move because a part of me felt like I would be losing to the stupid clock if I left. This was a battle of patience and wit, and no matter how boring it became I would not lose to the damned clock. Another minute ticked by. "God damn it Jason where the hell are you?" I yelled in frustration before hearing a knock on the door.
Fran rushed to my side as I slowly crept to the door. "Harry it's me open the door." It sounded like Jason but was it really him or just some cheap mage trick.
"What was the first thing Fran did to you?" I asked as I motioned for Fran to bring out her weapon.
"Smart thinking. I'm pretty sure the first thing she did was slam me into the wall and then you picked up my wand." I let out a sigh of relief before opening the door and seeing Jason holding a necklace.
"What's the necklace for?" I asked as he walked inside only for Fran to pick him up and slam him into the wall. "Fran what are you doing?" I yelled as I tried to pull her off of him. She didn't even glance at me, all she did was glare at Jason as she tightened her grip on his throat.
"You let them take Harry." Fran said in between a snarl and a growl. I was shocked until I saw the look in her eyes. There wasn't any trace of anger in either of her eyes, the only thing I could see was pain and fear.
"Fran the only reason I was able to come back to you was Jason. If he hadn't showed up I don't know what I would have done." Whether it was my words or the desperation in my voice, but she threw Jason to the ground. "Are you alright Jason?" He gasped for air and nodded his head.
"Honestly . . . I thought . . . I deserved worse." Jason said as he rubbed his throat. "I knew it was a bad idea to piss you off. Do you mind if we just talk here?" I glanced at Fran and shook my head. The sooner we got this over with the better. Fran and I sat on one of the couches and Jason sat across from us. "Now that you've gotten some of your anger out I'll tell you what I found out."
"What do you mean?" I asked slightly confused but Jason gave me a confident grin.
"Did you honestly think I would let those mages go without doing a little interrogation?" Honestly I thought he would have killed them but more information was always better than nothing. "I questioned them using a truth serum developed by wizards a few centuries back. I used to do it to my targets to make sure they were guilty before killing them but that isn't really relevant right now. I found out how they were tracking you." Leave it to him to find out something like this. "Sherry is using a spell his family developed to track your magic signature. Every time you use or release your magic the area where it is used is marked on a map. So far he's only been using a map of London so they have no idea that you've been here because this place is just outside the city limit."
"So if I don't use my magic they won't be able to track me." It seemed like a double edged sword, on one hand I don't get tracked but on the other I can't practice magic.
"Thankfully I found a way around that." He held up the necklace for us to see. "This pendant will cover your magic with mine. No one will be able to track your magic specifically. And if someone tries to track my magic they'll see that it's in two different places and assume that the spell didn't work. Therefore you will be able to use your magic as much as you want. It's a pretty sweet deal if I do say so myself." Jason said with a smirk plastered on his face. He offered it to me and I slowly placed it around my neck. The pendant felt warm to the touch but it was a comforting warmth almost like Fran.
"What did you actually do to the mages though?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I wiped their memory of the interrogation and used a compulsion charm to make Sherry look for you in London only. You've apparated here so if they ever used a map with this place on it, it would light up like a christmas tree. I would have normally killed such a big threat to us but if they died the Mages Association would do one of two things. They'd send stronger mages or they'll put a kill on sight order for you." For a second I saw Fran's eyes go wild with rage but they calmed down quickly. "I wish there was more I could do for you two but right now this is all I've got." He stood up and went to the door.
"Jason, you've already done a lot for us. If it weren't for you we might be on the streets with the mages coming after us on a daily basis. I'm sure we'll have to fight them again soon but for now we can prepare and grow stronger. If you are ever in any trouble please tell me so I can help you." Jason and Fran's eyes widened at my words but I didn't care. Every bit of it was true.
"I appreciate the sentiment kid but if I ever need help you should leave me to die. I would rather die and keep you out of danger than live because you get hurt." Nothing else was said. He left to do whatever he had to do and Fran and I prepared to go to the library. I hope that this peace is able to last for a while because if anything else happens I don't know how Fran would take it.
A/N This brings chapter 8 to a close. I tried to answer everything that Paxloria asked about and I think I did a good job of covering it. If there are any questions you have about the story feel free to leave a comment or PM me. I will answer any PM I get and any comment will be answered in the next chapter's Author Note. Expect chapter 9 to be up next week.