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Chapter 3
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It had been a few months since that incident and so far, Luna, Neville, and Draco had found nothing in the library about creatures who couldn't feel. Luna even checked in the Restricted Section. She felt terrible that she had to tell Draco and Neville that she had found nothing. Other than that, they watched Harry and Snape more closely. They noticed some things, hardly anything that could be considered out of the ordinary. They just found that they shared some looks in class, the halls, or at dinner. However, such looks could be considered just the animosity between them. Halloween was coming and they had come up with nothing.
Heaving a great sigh of frustration, Luna lugged another great book onto her table in the library. Her companions, Neville and Draco, looked up at her with sympathy. Luna had been killing herself trying to find answers. If it had not been for them, Luna would skip meals and not attend class. Draco had to call in a favor from some of the Ravenclaws to keep an eye on her, otherwise she may not sleep and hole herself up in her dorm.
"I can't find anything," Luna began. "Nothing. I've searched through almost every book in this library and have even asked a few ghosts. There is nothing here about creatures with no feelings, except for vampires and the like… However, despite the fact that Professor Snape is a complete dungeon bat, he does go out in the sunlight every once in a while." Neville and Draco snickered at that. Uncle Sev does like the sun but he likes his potions more. Draco thought.
"We may have to ask some of the professors about it. For all we know, creatures like this didn't exist until recently," Neville tried. At the mention of this, Draco sank further into his seat. He didn't want to think about all of this to begin with. Yes, Draco was curious about what was happening with his Uncle Sev and Harry, but he was beginning to think that he didn't want to know. It was still unsettling to Draco to refer to his godfather and Harry as creatures. It was rude and insulting. But, Draco had to admit that they didn't exactly act like normal wizards.
"I could try to find something out from Umbridge," Draco offered sullenly. "She likes the Slytherins, so she'll answer any questions we have. The rest of the houses she won't listen to." Neville scoffed.
"She won't spare us a second glance more like, unless it's to get us in trouble," Neville said with equal bitterness. "I mean, look what she's done to Harry! He's banned from Quidditch for the rest of his years! That and I swear she's hurt him some way in those detentions. He's been quieter than usual in the common room."
"I don't exactly fancy her either. Even I think that a Quidditch ban is too severe of a punishment. I've also noticed that the Hufflepuffs have been the same. I would ask but they're all scared of me, not that I blame them," Draco commented, mumbling the last part to himself. "But, I'm not blind. I'm about to go to Uncle Sev about what she's doing." Luna and Neville both gave him a look of great confusion.
Draco wasn't surprised that they didn't notice. Gryffindors tended to only notice things within their own house (except for Harry), and Ravenclaws really didn't have the time to pay attention to their surroundings to really take notice of anything. Have their head stuck so far up those books that they can't see what's around them. Draco thought but didn't dare voice it without hurting Luna's feelings. Draco heaved a heavy sigh and sat up a little straighter.
"It is a Slytherin trait to be overly observant. So when we get into mischief, we're not caught. But, Slytherins are always watching others, waiting for opportunities that suit them, such as speaking to another, bringing up gossip. We're attentive and we know when someone is out of sorts," Draco started. "Haven't you noticed that we have not bothered the Hufflepuffs in a while?"
"Yeah, but I just thought that you lot got bored with bullying them," Neville commented.
"Sometimes, but that's not the case here," Draco corrected. "We haven't bothered them because they're already upset and hurt. They all act like wounded puppies really. Believe it or not, but Slytherins aren't as cruel as to kick someone who is that wounded. Clutching their hands protectively and looking nearly dead-eyed. It's quite sickening."
"And yet you can say that with a straight face," came a voice a little ways away. They all looked over and noticed Ron and Hermione had entered the library.
"Watch it, Ronald," Hermione warned. Ron huffed and sat down at the table next to them. Hermione turned back to them and smiled. "Sorry, old habits die hard as they say." Draco didn't look all that convinced but he brushed it off.
"Have you all seen Harry? He has a Potions Essay to work on that's due Monday," Hermione asked.
"Last I saw him, he was going up to your common room," Luna said with a smile that sent a chill down Draco and Neville's backs. Hermione didn't notice the iciness and just nodded at the information. Luna turned her back and began to put up the huge book she had just sat down. Neville stood and helped her put it away while Draco cleared the dust off the table and straightened all the books on it.
"Come on, Ron," Hermione began. "Maybe he's in the Room of Requirement." As they left, the trio threw harsh glares in their direction.
"Cunt," Draco hissed, earning a hard slap to the back of the head. "What the hell, Neville? You don't like her either!" Neville just gave him a harsh look that rivaled his own.
"I don't like that word," Neville stated and sat back. "Anyway, Luna why did you lie. You and I both know that we saw Harry go down to Hagrid's hut."
Luna sat down and laid her head in her arms. "Harry didn't look like he wanted to be bothered. I mean, if he wanted someone to come with him, he would have asked." Draco and Neville didn't argue and they finally found themselves back on the subject they had been before their rude and unwanted interruption.
"You know, Harry's been clutching his hand a lot lately," Neville commented. "It's almost like it's in pain."
"That's because it is," Draco said. "As I was saying with the Hufflepuffs, they are clutching their hands and look deathly depressed. I think I know what she's doing to them. And it's completely illegal. She could be thrown into Azkaban for it."
"What do you think she's doing?" Neville asked. Luna gasped and bolted upright. Her hands came up to cover her mouth in horror. Neville stared at her in confusion and wonder while Draco averted his gaze to the desk with a grim expression.
"She can't," Luna whispered. "That's terrible. She can't do that! We have to tell Dumbledore."
"I don't think Dumbledore's going to be able to help in this, Lulu," Draco interrupted before she could continue further. "He has no power in the Ministry anymore and is being kept under a close watch. Even if we tell him and he informs the Minister, Fudge will probably call him a liar just like in the papers."
"But maybe we could still do something! Anything at all-!" Luna tried again.
"Don't bother, Luna!" Draco snapped. "At the moment, there is nothing we can do. We can't do anything considering the fact that we're all just fifteen. We're kids in their eyes."
"Shut up! The both of you!" Neville bit out, standing. Both of the quickly deflated and sat back down after that and a harsh scolding from the librarian. "What are you two talking about?" Luna and Draco both looked at each other, silently agreeing that Luna should tell him.
"Blood Quills, Nev," Luna answered softly. "Umbridge is using them of the other students."
"I don't understand," Neville said. "What do they do?"
"You write with them," Draco said with venom dripping from his voice, but it wasn't directed at Neville. "When you write with them, they use your own blood as the ink and then it magically etches the words you wrote into the back of your other hand. It's a foul and despicable item to use, especially if the crime they committed is as simple as running in the halls." Draco grit his teeth.
Neville's look turned sympathetic instantly and full of shame. How had he not realized this sooner? He had heard his grandmother speak of such an atrocious item before but she never told him what it was. Now that Neville knew, he suddenly grew sick. To etch words into a person's skin was… wasn't that the same as marking them? Marking them with a constant reminder of their crimes. It should only be a punishment for the worst of people. Not someone like Harry…
"We need to find a way to expose her," Neville said finally. "We have to get everyone to see what is going on."
"How can we? Everyone has too much pride to come forward," Draco asked halfheartedly, not really expecting an answer from him. "Even, Harry has too much pride to do such a thing. He would see it as, in the bluntest way, becoming Umbridge's bitch. There's no way he would submit to her intimidation and barbaric tactics of getting him to squirm like a little brat. Umbridge challenged him; he won't lose even if it killed him." Neville gave him a small smile.
"That's our Harry, right? He wouldn't be Harry if he wasn't like that," Neville commented. "As for exposing her, I was hoping that maybe you could find some way to do it. After all, you're the Slytherin in this group. Cunning, manipulative, observant, and above all the sneakiest bastard in the school."
"Flatter will get you nowhere, love," Draco said dryly, but soon had a small teasing smile playing on his lips.
"If there is a way, we know you will find it," Neville said finally, rolling his eyes. He was used to Draco flirting with him. Whether it was a girl or a guy Draco talked to, he flirted with them. It was just part of his personality. He flirted with everyone, even Harry before they became friends, not that they all picked up on it. Gryffindors were pretty thickheaded at times.
Draco shifted his gazed between his friends, studying them for a couple of minutes. Finally he closed his eyes and let out a sigh, for what had to have been the thousandth time that day. "There's no way I'm getting out of this, is there?"
"Nope," the other two said in unison.
"Fine," Draco said and stood. "I'll try and come up with something to get the old, ugly toad in trouble. But whatever I do, you have to trust me. Don't question what I do and don't ask me about my plan. If you do, I'll act like I don't know what you're talking about. Got it?" The other two nodded. Although Neville thought he should have felt a little offended, he knew better than that. Draco wasn't doing this for spite, he was going to do it so that they wouldn't be involved in case something went wrong. "I'm going back to my common room to study a little. Neville, why don't you send a letter to your grandmother? As I recall, she is good friends with some of the researchers in the Magical Creatures Department in the Ministry. They may know something that could help."
"I thought you were going to go talk to Umbridge," Neville spoke. Draco shrugged.
"I doubt an incompetent bitch like her is going to know anything. Not really worth the effort to be honest," Draco said and waved them goodbye. He picked up his bag and left to go plan.
"You know, I think I should go send a letter to her," Neville began again. "She doesn't ask me many questions of what I'm doing anyway. If I just tell her it's for a research paper for Umbridge, then she probably won't ask me any questions except on when it's due." Neville turned to Luna and smiled.
"Okay, Nev," Luna replied. "Hopefully there will be something there."
"I hope so," Neville agreed. "Otherwise, we might just have to give up."
"Why don't we go to Dumbledore then?" she wondered. "Surely he might know something, or maybe even find out." Neville looked apprehensive and looked away, unsure of what to say. He didn't spend as much time in the Headmaster's presence as Harry. Harry seemed comfortable around the old man, but Neville always felt so… nervous around him. It was worse than he felt around Snape when he was in first year.
"I think we should wait," Neville said decisively. "Let's go to him as a last resort. And even if we do, we need to make sure to leave Harry's name out of it."
"Naturally," Luna replied. "Otherwise, he might inform Harry and that will get us nowhere. Even if he believed our concerns were to be true." Neville blushed a little. He hadn't meant to say that last bit, but it just came out.
"Well, I'll go write my grandmother," Neville murmured, and scratched his head.
"Okay. I think I'm going to start my own little research myself," Luna informed. Neville's brow furrowed.
"What are you going to research?" Luna just smiled and waved him off.
"I'll tell you if I find anything." Neville nodded and left, Leaving Luna time to write her own owl.
» § «
Harry exited Hagrid's hut quietly and scanned the area in case there where students about. When he saw none, he slipped behind the hut and made his way into the Forbidden Forest. He went in only a few hundred yards so that he could find his way out again. He raised his hand and with it came a door that was pitch black. It was unlike what his friend's created. This one was designed to change his clothes and remove any spells that had been put on him during his time at Hogwarts.
The door opened and he slipped though it quickly. Everything was dark only for a few moments. He pushed open another door in the darkness and was almost blinded by the light that met his eyes. His eyes had grown used to the change by now and he stepped out, the door disappeared behind him. He looked at the room around him. It was a large room, grey, with about four couches, and a couple of armchairs. It was empty of any other occupant.
Harry went over to one of the walls and tapped at the hidden keyboard. When he had finished, the wall slid back to reveal a bar. He went behind it and searched through the drinks to find out what he wanted. He picked up a small bottle of Butterbeer, making a mental note to have Xemnas hide the Firewhiskey from him. He didn't need to get that in his hands today… or anytime soon for that matter.
The raven haired teen popped off the top on his Butterbeer and took a large gulp out of it. He sat on one of the many couches and pulled out his bag. He quickly made himself comfortable, propping up feet on the coffee table and pulled out his Potions essay. He set to work on it, knowing that Severus would be 'angry' at him if he didn't turn it in. He remembered the last time he didn't turn something in on time. His dorm mates hated him for weeks.
He wasn't working on it for long when a dark corridor appeared in the same place his had not long ago. Two people stepped out of it, followed by more corridors popping up in various other parts of the room. People filed in one after another until Harry counted twelve. Of course, Severus cannot leave the school without being followed by someone. And then there's Vexen who never comes out his lab unless it's to eat and do recon on a new world. Harry thought.
All six pairs walked in looking rather irritated and bickering a little to each other. However, Saïx's form of bickering was just punching the irritation in the face, which was unfortunate for Axel today. As they all came in, they all took a seat and heaved a large sigh. Some looked like they had been through the ringer while others just looked tired. Saïx was one of the few where wasn't sweating, panting and wheezing. They all looked exhausted. Xemnas had given them all some harsh missions. Probably out of pure anger at one thing or just irritation at them all. The thought of Xemnas throwing one of his tantrums made Harry's lip quirk. Then the image of him abusing the other members as a punishment for what was probably something stupid, Harry bust into a fit of giggles.
All eyes turned to him in that moment. None seemed to have even noticed him when they entered. Several smiled and ran over to him. Harry was pulled into a bone crushing hug from a certain blond, spiky haired boy and a certain blond with a mullet. Disregarding his things, the two swept him off his feet.
"Ahrxri!" they cheered.
"Demyx, Roxas, let me down! You're crushing me!" Harry protested. They set him on his feet and loosened their hold on him, but didn't let him go.
"It's been so long!" Roxas said. "We were worried about you!" Harry patted his head and smiled.
"Nice trick kid. Didn't think you were capable of feeling," Harry joked and patted the younger boy's head. Then a sudden realization kicked in. "Hey, wait a second. You've been with us for a year now, haven't you?" Roxas nodded enthusiastically. "That's great! Keep it up kid. I'm sure we'll complete kingdom hearts in no time with you here." Roxas smiled and sat down next to Harry once the two decided to let go of him.
"Hey, Ahrxri, where have you been this entire time?" Demyx asked. "I mean, was it the same place you go every year?" Harry just nodded, picking up his discarded items and put them back into his bag. The he took a drink of his Butterbeer again, wishing he had something a little stronger. Maybe the Fire- No! Bad Ahrxri! You don't need THAT.
"I think what Demyx is trying to ask is," came the voice of a tall pink haired male who sat opposite of them. Harry just kept himself from narrowing his eyes. Marluxia… he thought and gave a big smile. "Where exactly do you go every year? What do you do there?"
"We're all curious, love," came the voice of another man who stood against the glass wall behind the pink haired Nobody. He had short blond hair, a goatee, and quite a few ear piercings.
"Hello, Luxord, Marluxia. Haven't got yourselves in trouble lately, have you?" Harry asked innocently.
"Oh no," came a small voice from beside Harry that made him smile a little. He looked to his right and saw a boy even shorter than him, but Harry knew better. Zexion is older than me after all. He mused. The short, emo looking guy had purplish-grey hair that fell over one of his eyes. He carried with him a large book that Harry knew to really be his weapon of choice. "You can't change the subject that easily," he said, giving Harry a small glare.
"And you can't keep denying how cute you are, little Zexy," Harry teased, causing a small blush to form on the other's cheeks. Harry stood, narrowly dodging the Lexicon that was thrown at him. "Easy there. I'll tell you. I'll tell you! Just don't hit me!" Harry laughed. Zexion deflated from his anger and sunk into his seat, sulking.
"So, where have you been going?" came the deep and deathly calm voice of Saïx from behind him. Soon Harry found himself surrounded by all the members.
Axel even piped up, saying, "What? Not even you know Sai? Is the Superior keeping secrets even from you?" Saïx scowled at him. Harry could tell that Axel was a couple of words away from getting the shit beaten out of him by Lunatic.
"Guys, cool it," Harry calmed. "It's not like that. Besides, you all should have been told a lot sooner." Axel looked back at Harry and smirked.
"By the way, Ri-kun," he began. "Since when do you wear black leather pants with a matching tee?" Harry glared at him and bit his own tongue. He refused to retort to the insufferable man.
"Hey! When did we get a bar here?" Harry sighed as he heard the all too familiar voice of Xigbar.
"I am going to need a drink when this is all over," Harry mumbled to himself. None of the Organization could really pay attention long enough to listen to anything other than when Xemnas was around. But, today was different. Everyone ignored Xigbar in favor of hearing what Harry had to say though. And Harry couldn't have been more grateful. Not seeing any room anywhere else, Harry sat down on the coffee table and looked at them all.
Taking up his bottle of Butterbeer, he took a big gulp and calmed himself. He briefly wondered what Xemnas would have thought about him telling the others without consulting him, but he pushed it away. It's my decision. Besides, I'm the one who really calls the shots. It was on my order to keep it a secret. He looked around the others and pulled a smile and an air that was half serious air and half joking.
"Well, to be honest," Harry began. "I've been staying at the world I used to live in." Everyone just stared at him, dumbfounded. "Um… guys?"
"So," came a high pitched voice from the other side of the room. He past Axel to see the only blond girl within the Organization. Truth be told, she was the only girl in the Organization. "You are saying that you've been sneaking out of the castle to stay within the world that rejected you?" Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Not exactly," Harry said. "I am on a serious mission as well. But, that I cannot tell you about. All you guys really need to know is that I've returned to my other world and am attending school there."
"School?!" said Xigbar. "Why are you going to school there?"
"Part of my mission," Harry retorted.
"What kind of mission requires you to go to that school for the entire year every year?" Zexion asked with a scowl.
"The kind that one needs to discuss with their superior before they go sharing with their coworkers…" said a very deep voice from the door. Harry felt a shiver run through his body, the sensation of fear came to mind and Harry scowled only for a moment. But it disappeared within an instant.
"Hello, Superior," Harry greeted, not even lifting his head to look at the other. He knew better. He knew that Xemnas was angry. Harry knew that he was in trouble now. But it irritated him for some reason. He didn't know why but, he was getting angry.
"In my office. Now," he said with deathly calm. Harry sighed and stood up.
"Yes, Superior," Harry answered, in a soft, challenging tone that only Xemnas was able to pick up. He scowled at the boy and continued.
"Watch yourself, Number-…"
"What?!" Harry snapped, making everyone stare at him. "'Number' what?" When Xemnas said nothing, Harry continued. "Keep in mind that we are not all exactly ranked according to the correct number." With that, Harry grabbed his bag and swept past the silver haired man. Tension rose in the room and Xemnas turned around to follow. As soon as the two left, an awkwardness filled atmosphere.
"Um… what just happened?" Demyx asked.
"Ahrxri," began Xaldin, a tall man with purple eyes, black dreadlocks, and sideburns. "Just payed for his death ticket.
» § «
Harry was roughly yanked into Xemnas's office. He stumbled a little as he entered. Regaining his balance, he whipped around just in time to see Xemnas lock the door. He glared at Xemnas, an awful scowl plastering itself onto his face. Xemnas only glared back. Harry hesitated a little, his scowl melting away and a small shiver a fear ran through him. Xemnas hadn't ever done that before. Xemnas was always defiant, but not so much that he would treat Harry hatefully.
"What were you thinking?" Xemnas bit out, stepping closer to Harry by just one small step. Harry regained his composure and glared at Xemnas again.
"Let me out, Xemnas," Harry commanded. Xemnas felt that wonderful melody hit him, but roughly shrugged it off. Now was not the time to revel in such a feeling.
"I will not move until you tell me what you were thinking," Xemnas snapped. "How can you just show up, no warning, and decide on your own to tell them the truth? You haven't talked to me about it at all." Harry flinched at the harshness of the silver haired man's words.
"I shouldn't have to!" Harry snapped back. "It was my decision! I shouldn't have to talk to anyone about the decisions I make!" Harry's anger rose quickly and the window cracked in many places. Xemnas looked at the window and then at Harry, who was still fuming. "Why should I have to consult with you every time I want something?! Why?"
"Ahrxri," Xemnas began, in a much calmer voice. He didn't wish to anger the boy further. He had heard what happened to the last replica when he left Harry alone. It was shocking to say the least. "You need to consider the consequences of your actions before you act. You have a head and a brilliant mind. Use it for once, otherwise you will get yourself hurt!" Harry's eyes widened in absolute shock and horror. Xemnas immediately noticed the reaction and felt curiosity creep up inside him. What had caused that reaction? Then Harry's eyes narrowed and he put as much venom as he could muster into his voice.
"Last time I checked, I am the Superior here! I am the leader! I am the original! I was the very first Nobody!" Harry said, his voice rising with each word he spat. "So if I am the Superior, why do you look down on me like I'm shit? I am well aware of what my actions can cause!" Xemnas quickly grew irritated by this. He knew that something he had done unsettled the boy, but he knew he couldn't have done anything to upset him to the point of a tantrum. Since when has he ever thrown a tantrum anyway? Xemnas wondered.
"Clearly you don't," Xemnas started. "Do you know how they will treat you when you tell them? How they will change. Do you have any idea the danger you will be in? What if they rise up against your control? What if they stab you in the back because they believe you to be an easy target? Think, boy! Before you get yourself hurt!" Harry looked appalled and disgusted at Xemnas for several moments.
"You… In all the years I've known you, I never thought you could sound like HIM!" Harry roared and turned away from the other man. To say that Xemnas was shocked would be an understatement. Who on earth was Harry talking about? Who did he sound like? Was Harry hiding something from him? Impossible! Harry told Xemnas everything! Xemnas stopped those thoughts immediately. Of course Harry didn't tell him everything… There was one thing that Xemnas didn't know about Harry, and he didn't dare ask.
But, it did leave him concerned.
"Ahrxri?" Xemnas began softly, not wishing to anger the other anymore than he already had. In the back of his mind he was combing over which words set Harry off and what words would be best to avoid entirely. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you…"
"Offend? Offend?! Does it look like you just offended me, Superior? Honestly, we both know you're not deft yet, you insensitive, buggering, bloody-!" Before Harry could finish, Xemnas was standing in front of him and grabbed his shoulders.
"Shut up for one damned minute, would you?!" Xemnas snapped. Harry stopped instantly. He flinched a little under Xemnas's intense gaze. But he didn't just feel anger off the man. He felt something else off him that harry couldn't place. "Not everything is about you, you know… You can't just do as you like and expect there to be no consequences. It wouldn't just affect how they treat you; it will also affect how they treat me."
"So you're saying what I want doesn't matter!" Harry tried, but Xemnas cut him off before he could continue. His grip tightened on Harry's shoulders.
"I'm saying that they could hurt you, if they see you as weak! If they found out about your ability, then they would never trust you again! What you want does matter, but you need to think about what would happen if you just mindlessly do something like that! I know you a brilliant, Ahrxri. We've come this far because of you. You're happy self always bring cheer to everyone in the room, even if most of us can't feel happiness. You make us all laugh and just enjoy our non-existent lives. When you smile- really smile, it's so infectious that everyone around you just has to smile. I don't want to lose that! I don't want them to change you."
"Change me?! Xemnas, you don't even know me! You have no idea what I was like before I was a Nobody. I changed long before I even met you!" Harry argued.
"That's not the point, damn it!" Xemnas yelled. "Honestly, I compliment you and this is how you take it? Why is it that every time someone shows you the smallest bit of love, you push them away or take it as an insult?!" This really got Harry to shut up, but not in the way that Xemnas expected. Harry just stood there. There was no shock, anger, and anything negative on his face, just as there was nothing positive either. He stood there is Xemnas's hold, his body no longer tense, and his brows knit together. The look on his face was one the silver haired man had seen many times before.
"What do you mean 'love'?" Harry asked, confusion written on every inch of his face. Xemnas went on, merely mistaking this as just a normal occurrence, like when a normal person confesses to the one they truly care for.
"I'm saying that I love you, Ahrxri," Xemnas clarified. Again, the reaction he received was not one that he had been expecting. The teen's brow furrowed harder, like they did when he was really thinking about something or another. But, something wasn't right. And Xemnas knew it when Harry then looked up to him with that curious and confused look he was famous for feigning around the others. However, this time it was genuine.
Harry looked up at him, eyes big and round. He opened his mouth and his next words came out nearly as a whisper. "No. I mean to say: What does that word mean? What is 'love'?"
» § «
It was dark in the Malfoy Manor. Every light seemed to be dimmed due to one dark figure alone. He stood at the end of the dining hall, looking out at his gathered followers. Most, save some, were hideous to look at, reflecting their dark nature. The only ones he could really stand to look at were Severus, Lucius, Narcissia, and Bellatrix. However, one in particular that had shown herself today was especially offensive to the eye. Her pink garbs and ugly toad-like face was horrid to look at. However, it was expected of him to look upon his followers when they speak, not that he was interested in what they were saying half the time…
"Was there something you wished say, Umbridge?" he hissed, not pleased to have to listen to her boring Ministry drabble. Why is she even here? I didn't even summon her to this meeting. Tom wondered, running his hand through his thick, black hair. A few months after he returned, the ritual came into full effect, making his natural feature's return. However, he did have one small aspect of Harry Potter in him. His blood was used in the ritual after all. Besides, he couldn't really complain. It was only a minor change. It also seemed to intimidate the others for some reason.
"Yes, My Lord," she began, cringing a little under his gaze. After he came back, his eyes had changed. Well, to be specific, only one changed. It had turned from a ruby red to an emerald green. Now when he looked at people, it felt like there were two people watching them instead of one. It was unsettling, adding to his unique air and power. Pushing that aside, she continued on with a little more confidence. "I have brought you something of value, sir. I know you told us to wait, but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity when it was presented to me so prettily."
Snape shifted uneasily in his place. He had a feeling of what this was about and didn't like it one bit. He hadn't seen the real Harry all day. But, he had seen the newest replica strutting around the castle. This couldn't be good at all… Severus's shifting didn't go unnoticed. Tom was just about to question him about it when Umbridge levitated an unconscious body to the middle of the room.
"No one even noticed his absence," Umbridge informed.
Tom's eyes widened upon the sight of Harry Potter presented before his throne. Then he smiled evilly and laughed wholeheartedly. He looked at his followers, hearing them join in. Snape allowed himself to chuckle only a little bit. It would be suspicious if he didn't. On the inside, he began to feel the old feeling of despair course through him again. When Tom realized that this wasn't the true Harry, it would be all over, for all of them…
"Severus," Tom began, giving grin. "Would you like to wake up our guest?" Snape held in a wince. But he kept in mind that this was just another replica. He didn't know anything, or anyone. For all he knew, he was the real Harry and the real one was just someone who looked like him. This was a worthless replica that can only feel what he programmed to feel. His very existence isn't real. Everything about him-from his head to his heart- was created in a lab. Snape thought.
Severus briefly acknowledged one other thought before he whispered, "Crucio." Is this what Harry thought when he killed the other?
» § «
In another world, there was yet another man, clad in all red. He leaned down to converse with his companion, a mouse who wielded a blade in the shape of a key. They were in an old laboratory. It was completely abandoned, other than those two. Giant glass tubes were destroyed and books were strewn everywhere.
"Ansem," said the black mouse. "Are you just planning to leave your lab? We could wait for Sora and proceed together." The man clad in red looked down, his blue eyes shining and stingy blond strands hanging in front of his face and hiding his smile, looked down at the mouse.
"It is alright, Your Majesty. He is too busy working with the other worlds. He cannot catch up to us just yet with all of it. We will leave him a clue to where we are going next. If we wait any longer, the Organization will make their next move. We have to thwart them at every possible moment," the man named Ansem assured. He looked up at a large diagram of a heart on the wall. "They cannot be allowed to own Kingdom Hearts."
"Own Kingdom Hearts?!" the mouse said in utter shock. "Is that what they've been planning?" Ansem allowed himself to smile just to himself before whipping it off to look at the other, replacing it with a grave look.
"Indeed, King Mickey," he answered, as he lifted up a device of his own making.
"Then we must stop them!" said King Mickey.
"We will. We will stop them all. Especially their leader… The man who calls himself Xemnas," Ansem agreed. "Now let us leave this place and make haste. They are going to show themselves soon. It is no longer safe here." The King nodded and hurried after the man.
» § «
The replica writhed in complete and utter agony as the curse continued to affect him. No words, whimpers or even screams left his throat. It was so much that the replica thought that he would break. He had no idea how long he had been here nor how long they tortured him. It hurt… it really hurt… The replica was on the verge of tears, not that he could produce any…
Finally the spell was lifted from him. He looked up at Tom Riddle, who had a bored look on his face. "Why do you not cry, boy?" he asked curiously. Replica Harry winced at that word. He didn't know why, but it felt wrong. It felt like he had done something wrong. When he didn't not answer quickly enough, he felt a cutting spell hit his shoulder. He cried out softly and gently reached up to touch his bleeding shoulder. He finally found his voice, not wishing to invoke more pain.
"I cannot, sir…" he whispered, his voice hoarse from his earlier screaming. He looked over to where Snape was, and his eyes widened. But before he could say anything, he was given a sharp glare that told him not say anything.
"Why is that, Itty Bitty Potter?" Bellatrix giggled after spitting his name. No. It wasn't his. He was just a replica. Tom quickly gave her a look that told her to shut up.
"I wasn't made to cry," he said before he could stop himself. He could feel Snape's harsh glare sharpen. "I mean to say that I have no tear ducts to cry." Tom's brow furrowed. Replica Harry could feel the man study him, analyzing his movements. He could tell by the change in the air of the room that he threw everyone off with his statement. They had not expected that answer. That was bad. He wasn't programmed to be unexpected.
"And how exactly did that come about, Harry Potter?" he asked. The replica bit his lip, to keep himself from answering. He was again punished for not answering. This time, he looked at the clock to see how long he had been under the spell. He was proud so say that he lasted five minutes… until he cracked.
"I don't know! I was just made that way!" He screamed. "He made me that way! They refused to give them to me because the real one didn't have any! Please, just stop! Please, make the pain STOP!" Then the pain was taken away. He panted and whimpered. He felt his chin was snatched up to look the Dark Lord in the face. He had a scowl on it that would strike fear in even the hardest of men. The replica whimpered again at it all. It could be worse. He reminded himself. It could be much worse.
"What do you mean by the 'real one'." Tom hissed. It wasn't a question. It was a demand of the highest order. Harry cringed at the look. But, he was compelled to answer. It was not like when the other Harry ordered him to do something. Replica Harry feared what would happen if he did not answer.
"Master… had me made so that he could… roam around freely without being under the constant watch of the old man," the replica replied. He felt the grip on his chin tighten.
"How do I know you are telling the truth, little one? Explain," Tom commanded. The replica gulped and looking away. He looked shy to answer.
"My number…" he whispered. "It is on the back of my neck. It signifies that I am the newest replica and which one I-!" Before he could finish, his face was roughly slammed onto the floor. He yelped when he felt his hair pulled up so fast that he felt some of the hairs be pulled out of his head. Then it was all deathly still again. He could feel the hairs, that weren't trapped in the deathly grip, raise on the back of his neck.
"Number twenty-one…" was all Tom said. "If you are a replica, how were you made? Who made you?" Replica Harry felt the pressure ease off of him and the grip be lost. He slowly raised his head and looked Tom in the eyes.
"I can't tell you that…" the replica replied. He could see the man's scowl deepen.
"Why not?" Tom asked as civilly as he could manage. This is not the real one. Therefore, I have nothing against him… he reasoned with himself when speaking. He watched the replica gather the rest of his strength and sit up again, crossing his legs in the process. He looked the other in the eyes and saw them darken with several emotions. There was sadness, pity, a small tinge of anger, but there was also fear. But the one that dominated them all was honesty.
"I cannot tell you because no matter what you do to me, or looking back at what you have done to me, I will fear him more than I fear you," the replica began. "You… I see a spark of humanity within your eyes. No matter how long your torture goes on, you will stop and give your victims some times to rest, even if it is only for a split second. You will also eventually give them death. And from what I hear, you do not disfigure the dead either. You have respect and sincerity in everything you do, good or bad."
"I am not sure where you learned this from, but I can assure you that I am not a good person," Tom assured, sitting back on his throne.
"No, you are not. I know that much from the memories given to me," the replica continued. "But, I can say that you have something he does not, both literally and figuratively. I have one too. He said that it was the reason why he killed the other replica."
"And what, pray tell, would that be?" Tom questioned with a sneer.
"A heart," the replica said simply. Tom stiffened at this. What does he mean? Tom wondered. "It is the reason why he envies you as well. But, I have a good reason to fear him as well." The replica could feel eyes prying into him, and a glare searing his very bones. "I wish I could tell you more, but if I do, he will not make my death swift. Even now it will not be quick. It will be long and drawn out, and very… very painful." The replica gave a small sad smile.
"You say 'he', but you actually mean… the 'real' Potter?" came the small voice of Lucius Malfoy. The replica looked to the blond and nodded.
"I'm not allowed to say his name. It is taboo," the replica explained. "He only goes by that name because it is expected. When it is not expected, he punishes the person who speaks that name. He thinks it his slave name… Only a few of his followers are allowed to speak his name." At this, Tom laughed.
"What on earth would give that boy a reason to change his name?" he asked, still chuckling, genuinely amused. "He is the famous Harry Potter after all!" The replica winced at his tone and looked at the ground sadly.
"Not where he comes from…" the replied. "If only you knew the truth… If only you-!" The replica stopped, his eyes widening in shock. He quickly grasped his throat with both hands. He gasped out in utter pain and that was all that was let out. He fell on to his back, his head hitting the stone floor rather hard, but he didn't care. He began to writhe on the floor in what looked like an attempt to breath.
"Whoever is doing this to the child, I would advise that you stop before you provoke my wrath," came the deathly calm voice of their lord. Everyone was looking around, trying to look for the perpetrator. The replica looked at Severus, who was feigning innocence and looking around as well. Suddenly, it stopped. The replica took in several gulps of much needed breath and was panting deeply. His eyes met with Severus's and the look he was given was one that struck fear into his fabricated soul. It was a look that said he had spoken too much and he was indeed scheduled to be eliminated, but not without punishment first.
"Someone take this boy to one of the rooms," Tom ordered. "He is still of use to us. No one is to go in his room lest it be me or the servant I assign to tend to him. Umbridge. Congratulations are in order. You have discovered quite the farce. However… You should be punished for acting without thinking." Umbridge's smile was wiped off her face with that last statement. Soon she was writhing on the floor, in absolute pain. No one even looked at her as she did. She was just too disgusting to look at, even for the Dark Lord.
» § «
"I found something!" exclaimed an excited Luna as she ran into the Great Hall. Many heads turned to look at her, but upon seeing who it was, most turned back to their own conversations. Others listened in out of curiosity and suspicion. The eccentric blond ran over to Neville and Draco, who actually took a risk to sit with each other that day. She grabbed their hands and began to pull them up. "Come on! Come on! You have to see it!"
"See what, Luna?" asked Ginny. Luna looked at the red haired girl, noticing that Ron and Hermione sat just a little bit away and were probably listening in. Luna gave her a genuine smile and the dreamiest look she could muster.
"I found a nest of Nargles in the library. I wanted to show Neville and Draco that I'm not as loony as everyone thinks," Luna answered. Ginny just sighed and put a hand to her head, as though it would stave off the oncoming headache.
"For the last time, Luna, there is no such thing as Nargles. They're just a child's story, used to scare kids into being good," Ginny scolded.
"Either way," Neville interrupted, standing up. "I'm sure I would enjoy her company over the kind that this table provides. Come on, Draco. Let's go see it." All three of them ignored the indignant look that Ginny gave. Draco looked at him with big eyes and whined.
"But, Nev~! Do I have to?" Draco asked, grasping the end of Neville's shirt in a childlike manner.
"Do you have anything else better to do?" Neville asked, raising an eyebrow. Draco smiled and let go of Neville's shirt but let his hand slide down the other's thigh.
"I can think of something," he replied suggestively. Neville blushed, shaking his head. Ginny gave a look of disgust, and Luna just smiled at her two friends. Neville grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him up.
"Come on, lover boy. It's bad enough that you've befriended a blood traitor. If your father finds out that you're flirting with will, it will be the end of both you and me," Neville reasoned. Draco just smiled.
"Whatever you say, Nev," Draco said, following along behind the Gryffindor.
The trio made it into the Library and hid in the back, near the oldest books that no one bothered to check out anymore. She got out what looked like the oldest book in the entire library. It was covered in dust and the pages had turned brown from its age. The leather had no life in it and even began to peel back a little.
"So, what do we have here? I suppose this is the real reason you have brought us here, Luna. By the way, that was a brilliant excuse," Draco commented.
"Thanks, Dray," Luna began. "And yes, this is the reason why I brought you here." Luna flipped open the book, sending dust flying everywhere. After all of them had coughed a bit, Neville stood and put a silencing charm around them. The other two gave him questioning looks.
"What? We don't want the wrong people hearing us," Neville explained. "No matter how little the information could be."
"Good thinking," Luna began. "This information isn't exactly little. It's extremely important and just shouldn't be taken lightly."
"Enough prattling on about it and just tell us what it is Luna," Draco said, trying to read the dusty pages. What was it? It looked like a… family tree?
"This is the first record of the noble pureblood houses' family trees," Luna began. "It is extremely accurate and should not be taken lightly. As it turns out, there were a lot of purebloods back in the day. I have everything here, ranging from Crabbe to Weasley. All I had to do was turn to Potter and there it was!"
"What is it?" Draco asked curiously. Luna smiled and flipped to the bookmarked page. Some more dust went flying making them all cough some more. Draco had enough the second time and cast a mild cleaning charm on the book. It removed all the dust from it. Both his friends thanked him before they got back to the subject at hand.
"It took me a bit to realize it, but you see this emblem next to some of the names?" Luna began. Draco looked closer and he saw what looked to be a pair of wings, in-cased within a cage. His eyes grew wide in disbelief. Neville just gave a confused look. "I didn't expect you to know, Nev. Your family doesn't have anything like that in their family."
Draco's look of horror grew and he gulped, backing away from the book a little. "It's the mark of a Veela. An enslaved Veela… Back in the day, they were captured just like both the House Elves and the High Elves. But, as you can probably tell. They were sold for a different reason than the House Elves, but practically the same as High Elves…" Draco pulled his eyes away is disgust. "It was a different time then. It was legal then for Veelas, but not anymore. I can't say the same for the High Elves."
"That's terrible," Neville whispered. "Although, this also means that Harry is part Veela. Which means I have to owl my grandmother and amend my search."
"Unless," Luna began, drawing their attention. "There is already information here on Veelas."
"Luna… Please don't joke with us," Neville began. "You said that there had not been any information on any creature that had no feeling whatsoever."
"Yes, but that's just it. This information isn't exactly new," Luna started. "Harry is part Veela, but I want you to read something." Luna took out another dusty book from the shelf. This time, it looked like a journal of sorts. As she spoke, she flipped through the pages to the one she wanted. "I found this among some new additions to the library. It is a journal from Charles Potter II. In this entry he wrote about his wife, who was also a Veela." Neville took the book and Draco strode over and read over his shoulder. They both could quite clearly see the tear stains that had survived all these years on the paper.
"My wife, Gale, has become very closed off. She will not speak to me and just gives me this blank, empty look every time I speak to her. She has been like this ever since our only daughter's passing. It breaks my heart to know that she is suffering. No matter what I try, I can do nothing to help her. She has now stopped going to work, and refusing to eat. I knew that Veelas grieved heavily, but I never imagined this. She is withering away before my eyes. Even now, she is just lying in our bed. I am at a loss of what to do. I called the doctor, but he refused to tell me what was wrong with her. He had just given me a sharp glare and told me that what happens to her is my fault. What had I done?" Neville read, holding back tears of his own. He passed the book to Draco, not willing to read anymore of the book. Luna gesture for Draco to continue on the next page and Draco just nodded.
"This is the end… I know it is. My wife is dead. I had called all of by boys to say goodbye to her before her passing. They all loved and adored her. I feel terrible, knowing that I had caused them such grief. I am a terrible man… After they said their goodbyes, one of my oldest noticed my confusion and sorrow and pulled me aside. He told me something that I have never in my life considered. He said to me, 'The reason my mother grieves so much is because she feels that she has lost her only joy.' I asked him to explain further and was horrified when he did. He said that Gale loved them all so much, but all she ever wanted was a little girl and her freedom. My son also told me that she wasn't really suffering at this point anymore anyway… What did he mean?" Draco also stopped. It was so sad, yet so true. He looked as Luna with pleading eyes. He did not want to continue either. He knew what this was leading to, but he didn't want to admit it. Luna took the book away from him and continued reading, looking over the tear stained pages.
"Once my sons were gone, I went to her room. I did not wish for her to be alone while she passed. I sat at her bedside and held her hand gently. For the first time in weeks, she looked at me. Her eyes were dead, as though she could feel nothing. As though she was empty inside. She looked at me with those eyes that I had adored for years and spoke. 'You have to let me go…' she said. 'I have belonged to you for over thirty years. You have given me and my children everything except what I need… Please, Charles, let me have my freedom now… Please?' Who was I to deny her? I cast the necessary spell to lift her slave bond, and our marriage. She gave me this small smile before her passing, but even I could see that it was empty. Her heart died when our daughter did… She was my love – my life. Now… I think I'll leave her with her freedom, and live until the Lord decides it is time for me to join her…" Luna finished. There was a long silence between all three of them.
"Well," Draco began. "That was depressing. May I ask you what exactly we were supposed to learn from that?"
"Nothing," Luna sated simply. "And before you get on my arse about it, I gave it to you guys so that you can modify your searches. Especially you, Neville."
"Care to explain?" Neville asked, taking a seat, followed by Draco. Luna sighed.
"You guys…" Luna took a deep breath before continuing. "Gale Potter was a Veela. She was suffering from immense grieving. Need I quote how he explained the dead look in her eyes again?" When she got no response, they could see how her fingers itched to throw something at them. But then she got that dreamy look in her eyes again and she smiled. She looked at Neville and said, "Are they not currently researching the effects of immense grieving on a Veela, Neville?"
Neville's eyes went wide and he blushed. He covered his eyes with a hand. "I am such an idiot…"
» § «
A soft music played in the background of this room, occupied by only one man. He made a small hum, not really sure where the music was coming from. Nonetheless he enjoyed the soothing tune. He let his lip quirk upward by just a fraction, but soon let it drop. With bright, yellow eye he looked up the stairs at the last door in the hall. He studied it for a long while. Earlier he had heard faint screaming through the door, even through the soundproofed walls. He was anxious and oddly concerned, but he knew that the Superior wouldn't hurt the other too terribly.
The man sighed and ran ha hand through his blue locks. He shifted his gaze just a bit to the right and his eyes landed on another door. It was one that he was familiar with, but it was rarely used. Its owner was always away. He strode over to the door and glanced over it for what had to be the thousandth time. "The Original…" he read, the scoffed.
"The Enigma would probably be more accurate," came the normal arrogant voice that he was so familiar with. "Why do you always stare at his door, Saïx? I know you like him but you don't have to stalk him." Saïx reigned in that spike of irritation before speaking.
"You and I both know that even if that statement where true, I would not have a single chance with him. But, as it stands, it is not. I have no other interest in him other than curiosity," the blue haired man explained without even turning around. "You of all people should know that. Axel." He could feel the redhead's eyes bore into his back. He didn't need to turn around to know the look on the other's face.
"Damn straight," Axel replied, with more than a hint of arrogance. "So, what has you so curious about the guy? Other than the fact that he has the superior wrapped around his little finger…" he asked as he came closer. He stopped right behind his blue haired friend and stopped. He didn't dare make another move. He knew that the last time he did something while the other was concentrating, he nearly lost his head to a Saïx's Lunatic.
"I think there's more to him…" the other began. "Aren't you at least a little curious as to why this one is the only one that has nothing to control? Absolutely nothing. At least I have the moon, be he has nothing." Axel chuckled a little.
"It's not that special really. I mean, Xemnas controls Nothing. It shouldn't be that much of a surprise," Axel commented.
"No, Xemnas controls the element of Nothing," Saïx corrected. "Ahrxri has worked with us for the past five years and we still know nothing of what it is he controls." Axel thought for a few minutes.
"Maybe he doesn't want us to know," Axel suggested. "Maybe he wants to stay an enigma." Saïx turned to glare at the other and saw Axel's bright smile.
"You're an idiot," Saïx stated simply. Axel's smile dimmed a little but it still held as genuine. He wrapped his arms around his friend and hugged him tight.
"Yeah. I know," Axel began. "But, I'm your idiot." The blue haired man scoffed, but did nothing to remove the other's arms. They were silent for a long time. But, the silence was eerie. There was nothing to be heard.
"The music stopped," Saïx commented. Axel perked up and listened.
"So it did…" The both turned to face the door at the end of the hall. "I wonder what happened…" Saïx silently agreed. It was rare for the music to ever stop in the castle. They had heard it only once before and that was when…
"Do you think he's alright?" Axel seemed to have read the second in command's mind. Said man only sighed and began to pull the red head to the door numbered VII.
"I don't really care to know," he answered as they stepped through the portal to his room.
» § «
Harry stared at the tan man for the longest time. He just stood there, not saying a word for what had to have been at least five minutes. About three minutes before he had noticed that the music in the castle had stopped completely. But that wasn't important at the moment. What was important was the fact that Xemnas was still standing there, eyes wide and unmoving. Shifting uncomfortably, Harry stepped a little closer.
"Xemnas?" Harry asked gently. "Are you okay?" He got no reaction. Harry moved closer still until he stood right in from of the silver haired man. Harry waved his hand in front of Xemnas's face. No reaction… again. The other's sunset orbs never left the spot that Harry had been in previously. Great, Ahrxri. You broke him. His mind commented. He frowned a little at that annoying voice in his head, but chose to ignore it. He reached out and touched Xemnas's arm lightly. "Xem?"
Sharp eyes came into focus on his instantly. Harry squeaked loudly when hands came up and seized his upper arms. Those sunset eyes locked on him with such clarity and concern that Harry felt more than a little uncomfortable.
"Raven," Xemnas began. "Please tell me that you are just playing one of your games again… Please." Harry just stared at him with a look of confusion and anger.
"No, Xemnas. I am not playing games here. And, don't change the subject. You never answered my question. Must I repeat myself?" Harry spoke, his eyes narrowing. When he got no answer, he sighed. "Looks like I have to. What is this 'love' that you keep talking about? What does it mean?" Harry still didn't get an answer from the other. It grew irritating to just stand there and have a staring contest with this man. But, Harry could tell that the other was process what he was saying, as though he didn't understand a word of it. It just went on until Harry almost knocked the other in the head with a sarcastic comment to insult his intelligence. But, he was stopped. After standing there for several minutes in stillness and silence, Harry jumped a little when Xemnas moved suddenly. And when he did, it left Harry breathless and shocked beyond what he previously believed possible. Xemnas fell to his knees.
Harry could believe his eyes. Confusion and questions filled his mind so fast that it felt like it was racing over a million miles an hour. He was growing dizzy. His head was over heating. He started to sweat as he tried to wrap his mind around what it all meant. For a moment he was concerned that he may pass out.
What are you doing? Harry asked himself, his mind coming back into focus. You are a Nobody. Act like it. If Xemnas is going to sit there like a silent idiot, then let him. We have things to do and places to be. We cannot waste any time on a man who is not going to answer our questions. Besides, we've been away from that castle long enough. Harry had the urge to argue with that voice in his head, but he knew that he couldn't. He couldn't argue with his own reasoning. Knowing that he needed to leave, Harry still felt the urge to stay.
Harry heaved a huge sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, Xemnas, I don't have time to deal with this. I have to get back to that castle as soon as possible. If I don't, people will get suspicious." Harry stepped away from Xemnas and began making his way to the door.
"Harry?" came the Xemnas's small voice. Harry hissed at the name, but did not reprimand the larger man. He stopped at the door and waited for the other to speak. "Will you ever tell me? What happened in your other life?" Harry turned to look at the other with curiosity and shock. Xemnas had not turned around at all. When the other made no move to get up or follow him, Harry turned around.
"I…" Harry bit his lip and began to walk again. He left without another word. Xemnas kneeled in that one spot for what seemed like hours. Finally he stood up, not turning to look at the door.
"Why can't you trust me?" Xemnas asked to the empty air. Xemnas laughed a little to himself in the silence. It was so ironic. Normally he would get on to Harry for talking to himself. Now he was doing the same. He felt a pang of sadness go through him when he thought about Harry. It hurt him to no end to see that dead look in his eyes. Xemnas laughed again. What he wouldn't give to have one of Xigbar's sarcastic comments at the moment. It would make him feel a little better…
» § «
Dumbledore was sitting in his office, enjoying the calm and quiet of the day. It had been quite the nice day. He got to sit there and talk with Fawkes, telling him of his plans and getting his thoughts in order. He needed everything to be perfect before his next step. He had just popped a lemon drop in his mouth when his door burst open.
"Headmaster!" came the panicked voice of one annoying, bushy haired girl as she strode into the office. Her eyes were wide and panicked. Her hair was all over the place, tangled and frizzed. She was sweating and panting like she had run all the way here from the Quidditch pitch.
"Blimey, Hermione! Wait up!" came Ron's voice from the stairwell. Soon Ron appeared, looking just as disheveled as Hermione. "We need to talk to you, Professor Dumbledore," Ron panted, leaning against the door-frame.
"Please, take a seat," Dumbledore said, taking on a calm look despite the feeling of anxiousness rise in his chest. One they were seated, he took his seat across from them at his desk. "Lemon drop?" They both took one, making Dumbledore smile. As soon as they popped them into their mouths, the two visibly relaxed. The Calming Draught was working. "What seems to be the matter?"
He could see their bodies tense up as they looked down. Ron remained stiff, looking Dumbledore in the eye, while Hermione squirmed in her seat and couldn't meet his gaze. "It's about Harry," Ron stated, making Dumbledore chuckle.
"Of course it is. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't," Dumbledore laughed.
"Sir," Hermione said quietly. "If I may… This is no laughing matter." Dumbledore's eyes grew sharp and an air of seriousness set in.
"What's the matter?" Dumbledore found himself asking again. Hermione and Ron both looked to each other. It seemed like they were deciding on who would tell him. Ron would.
"I know how you feel about us beating around the Tentacula, so I'm just going to say it," Ron began. "We cannot find Harry anywhere."
"What?" Both of them flinched at the coldness on the statement. Now Ron looked down at his lap, not willing to look the professor in the eyes either. Hermione began to shake in fear.
"We searched the entire castle…" Hermione whimpered. "Ginny is still looking for him actually…" They heard the door behind them slam shut suddenly, making them both flinch. Neither of them looked back. They knew that no one was at the door. Hermione bit her lip so hard that she was sure that it would bleed but she was too scared at the moment to care. The air in the room began to crack with magic desperate to get out and unleash itself.
"What do you mean? He cannot just disappear into thin air. Not yet at least. And he will die before that," Dumbledore asked as he stared down at the two students in front of him. "If he had gone anywhere the wards would have notified me that he had. No living being can leave the wards without me knowing." He stood up and began to pace. He pinched the bridge of his nose in a vain attempt to stave off his oncoming headache and fury. He reeled his magic in, not wishing for the consequences of lashing out at the children and hurting them.
He stopped pacing abruptly and turned to them again. His voice became deep and menacing. "I want the both of you to go out there and search for him again. Have the whole Gryffindor house search for him if you need to, but don't you dare come back until you find him. Now leave. I have a few things to do myself." Hermione and Ron didn't need to be told twice. They got up as quickly as they could and fled the room.
Dumbledore smiled to himself. He could still strike fear in people, even if those people were his loyal followers. With a smile on his face he went to the fireplace and threw some floo powder into the fire. "Head of the Department of Surveillance of Underage Wizard." He waited for a few moments before his call was answered.
"Hello?" came a rich voice of the Department Head.
"Hello, Mefelda," Dumbledore greeted cheerily. He could see her smile through the flames.
"Hello, Albus," she greeted happily. "What can I do for you today?"
"I was just wondering if you had any information about Harry Potter's whereabouts at the moment. The wards here have been very fickle lately and we cannot seem to find him," Dumbledore explained with a smile. She returned it yet again. She left the frame for a moment and came back with a rather thick file in hand. She sat her desk and set it down gently. She flipped it to the back and read over what was there.
As she read, Dumbledore could see her brow furrow and her eye sharpen in concentration and confusion. She flipped through a couple of pages, as though trying to find something. She closed it and looked at Dumbledore with an expression showing many emotions.
"I'm sorry, Albus," she began. "I cannot find anything here about where he might be." Dumbledore frowned.
"Do you mind me coming to your office?" He asked.
"By all means," she answered. Dumbledore walked right through and stood in from of her desk.
"What do you mean you could not find anything?" Dumbledore said with concern and irritation.
"I mean that, and this is just the strangest thing, there is nothing in his file. It looks like there hasn't been anything in his file for-" She took a moment to flip to the back of the file and scroll her finger down the page. "-little over eight years. The last thing that we have in here is his seventh birthday. Then it's blank. It's almost like he's thrown off the trace, but for a seven-year-old that should be impossible. Someone must have done it for him or…"
"Or what, Mefelda?" Albus asked, a little concerned now.
"Well, unless…" she hesitated quite a bit at this. "Judging by the extent of the injuries documented, the only other possibility would be that Harry Potter died. But, that is also completely impossible as well, since he is quite clearly been alive for years. I don't quite understand. I'll need to consult with my advisors and see what we can do about it. For now, I'm deeply sorry, Albus, but there is nothing that I can do."
"Thank you, Mefelda. But I do hope that we could deal with this matter with the utmost discretion," Dumbledore began again, putting on a smiling face. "I don't want poor Harry to have to deal with any rumors muddling about the school. It is bad enough that this year the papers are labeling him a liar."
"We will do everything we can, Albus. I assure you that the papers will not hear a thing about this," she replied. "If that will be all, I really must set a meeting for me and my advisors. I believe, with the situation at hand, it would be best if you sent out a small, unnoticeable search party after the boy, if no one has seen him."
"And what sort of search party do you speak about? Of whom should it consist of?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, I do remember that Hogwarts has house elves. Maybe you could send some teachers? Or perhaps even some of the boy's friends. Spread the word that you must speak with the boy. That always seemed to get the attention of everyone, that way he's not just avoiding your little search parties," she suggested.
"Thank you very much for your help, Mefelda. I don't know what I'd do without you. Perhaps I could make it up to you sometime?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, maybe with those Muggle theatre tickets again would be nice," she mumbles to herself, but the old man heard it nonetheless.
"Consider it done. Whatever 'movie', as they call it in the Muggle world, that I think will interest you, I will send you some tickets, as many as you wish. Again, thank you. It really is a big help," Dumbledore insisted. With that, tossed some Floo powder into the fire and left. When he arrived back into his office he began to do just as Mefelda suggested. All the while he was muttering to himself, trying to figure out why exactly the trace was no longer on the boy. He must find Harry first and then question his knowledge about it. "I don't understand… The boy is acting so strangely of late. It's like he's going against me or something." Dumbledore stopped on that thought. "No… No, it's probably just him being a rebellious boy. He is at that age. However, I was almost sure that Mr. Dursley had squashed it out of him. I suppose that it will affect every teenager no matter what." Dumbledore made a mental note to question the boy on his actions later as well. But, needless to say, he needed to find him first.
» § «
In the Room of Requirement, Neville and Draco were sitting down playing a game of chess. Since the research began to go into more private matters in Harry's life, they decided to meet there regularly. Now, all three of them spent more time in there than they had in their respective common rooms.
To say people had noticed them spending time together would be an understatement. Also, it was uncommon for two people of different houses to be friends, but three? And from the houses of snakes, lions and ravens? That was just plain suspicious. Everyone in their common rooms kept bugging them about it. So they just drifted away from the general populace.
Draco had just let slip a nasty cuss word to Neville's victory when they heard a signature knock on the door. When the door opened, they saw a rather upset Luna lingering in the doorway. The two boys looked at each other with concern before Draco stoop up and slowly walked towards her.
"Lulu? What's the matter? Is everything all right?" Draco asked softly and as gently as possible. He really didn't want to scare her. Ravenclaws were like that. Sure, they were sharp witted like the Slytherins, but that was only in conversation or debates. Ravenclaws were unique because they were also sensitive like the first year Hufflepuffs. The sad part was that they never seemed to grow out of it.
And when a Ravenclaw was upset, Draco learned from experience that you have to treat them like you would a scared animal. You have to be slow and gentle with them, otherwise you would send them running. In extreme cases, you could send them into hysterics. Cho Chang being an example… Draco knew Luna was rather quiet, so he didn't really want to risk scarring her off. Actually, he wasn't sure what she would do. But, he definitely didn't want to find out.
Luna slowly stepped into the room, letting the door slam shut behind her. It was now that Draco realized that Luna had a letter in one of her hands and what looked to be a book in the other. Looking down at the letter and then back to her eyes. He gave her a reassuring smile. "It's all right, Lulu. No matter what, it'll be okay." Draco watched as Luna looked at him, the back down at the letter. She looked at it, almost like she couldn't really see it. Then she looked up at Draco with calm eyes.
"No," Luna said. "It won't."
"Lulu, what do you mean?" Neville ask softly, still looking at the paper. Then he felt a chill go up his spine and something akin to fear rose inside of him.
The envelope was addressed to him.
» § «
Replica Harry found himself yet again in front of Tom Riddle and his followers that night. He looked round and noticed the absence of two in particular. The horrid pink woman and the other… One of his men. He didn't bother to remember any names he wasn't told to. But that man, he couldn't remember, After all, he was still only a few months old. How was he supposed to remember a man he rarely ever got to spend time with? Not that he wanted to spend time with him…
The replica was placed in front of Tom yet again. Only, this time, his hands were bound behind him. He looked up at the Dark Lord, sitting on his throne. What did the man want with him now? Was he going to be erased like the other replica? Or would this man just take pleasure in torturing him? But… in all the people I have met, who hasn't taken pleasure in that? Taking on a sullen look, his bowed his head, not even bothering to fight.
"Untie him," Tom said suddenly. His followers look at him in confusion and curiosity. When no one made to move, he snarled and said it again. "Unbind him. Now." They all rushed to get their wand out, however Lucius was the quickest to comply. "He isn't going anywhere. Besides, this isn't the real Potter. We have no reason to treat him with disdain." With that, Tom snapped his fingers and a table and a chair appeared in front of him. "Tell me, Harry. Do you like chess?" It did not go unnoticed by everyone that the replica flinched at the mention of Harry's name.
"Not particularly. I'm not very good at it. I'm always losing to Ron," the replica instinctively, not moving from his spot. Tom narrowed his eyes at this.
"How old are you?" Tom asked suddenly.
"Fiftee-…" the replica tried but was interrupted.
"Seeing as you are the twenty-first replica that Potter has created, I highly doubt that," Tom stated. "Now, let's try this again. How old are you?" Replica Harry hesitated and then tried to remember the months he had been aware of since he had been created. It was almost time for the Christmas holidays. Almost time for them to switch for a week or two. Oh. He was not going to be pleased with his absence. He would definitely get erased now, judging by the short temper his original had.
"About four months, sir…" the replica said sadly. If the original, or any of the Organization found him, he was dead. He would never get to see Christmas, which he truly wanted to experience for himself. Although, he knew better then to tell anyone that.
"That young…" Tom said more to himself, but disregarded the fact that he said it aloud. "You haven't even had time to experience anything for yourself, have you? It must be hard. Having to live as someone else's shadow. To never be able to be yourself, express who you wish to be. Doesn't it make you tired, my boy?"
"Tired, sir?" the replica asked.
"Tired of pretending to be someone you are not," Tom answered. When he was given another confused look, he went to explain. "Why, haven't you ever realized? It's really simple, my dear boy. You act as though you are Harry Potter." The replica's brow furrowed.
"But I am Harry Potter. I was created to-"
"That's just it," Tom interrupted again. "You are not Harry Potter. You are a replica of him. You may look like him, but as you said earlier, you two are not the same. You have something he does not and that makes you unique. In my book, it does not make you a replica either, seeing as you are not exactly the same as your original."
"I was created to the specifications of what is to be expected. I cannot diverge from that. That means I am the same as the other twenty replicas that The Original has made over the years. I am not unique," the replica argued. Tom chuckled this time. A genuine chuckle as he looked at the other.
"The same and yet unique. You want to know the difference between you and all those other replicas?" Tom asked. "Do you not know what makes you so unique from the rest?" The replica frowned and shook his head. Tom set his eyes on the replica's green and stated with such conviction that it sent chills through the other. "You are the only one alive. You are here. And you have a choice."
"What… What choice would that be?" the replica asked uncertainly, his face softening. He was growing timid and self-conscious quick.
"You can go back to your room and wait for one of my men to take you back to Hogwarts," The Dark Lord began. "Or… you can sit down and talk with me, actually talk to me. You may say whatever you wish and I assure you that I will not judge. You can break away even further from you original task. You can be someone more than just a Harry Potter look-a-like. You can be whoever you wish to be." The replica stood there in awe at the words. It was a very tempting offer. He didn't know why the man had given him such a generous offer; he didn't even know him. All the past memories that he had of this man seemed to be a lie in comparison to the real one. He looked back at the ones he was given and the ones he recently obtained in his few and short months of life.
He looked into Tom's eyes and could see that this man understood. He could see the honesty in his eyes. The replica knew that if he went back to the castle, he would no longer exist. Here, he had a chance. His decision was quick. He sat down in the chair across from Tom and smiled.
"White or black?" he asked as the chess board appeared.
» § «
...TO BE CONTINUED...
» § «
-NOTES-
There was a review on the original story asking if they had missed the whole trace not being on Harry. Well to put it bluntly, when Harry 'died' and became a Nobody, the trace was lost since he no longer exist, however he has an idea on how to throw off the tracer but that will come up in the next few chapters. I hope that helps some. I am in the progress of writing out an overview on the whole trace thing. Well hopefully no promises though.
