Warrior Mage - Chapter 2
Lesea, Warrior City
When Remus got back to London, he was exhausted and worried. He had never stopped to think about how Harry was taking Sirius' death. The boy had seemed to be taking it in his stride, and Remus couldn't help but feel that he should have known better. He knew that blaming himself wouldn't do any good, but he promised himself that he would start watching Harry more closely. He never noticed that there was a small spill of Harry's blood on his robes until Tonks squealed and asked what was going on, and why there was blood on his clothes. He sighed and began to explain what had happened, barely noticing when Dumbledore joined them.
"Oh Remus! He didn't!"
"He did. He blames himself for Sirius' death, and according to his tutor, if they see blood on their hands then it the blood appears on their hands for real."
"This tutor of Harry's, what's he like?"
"He is a she. I think she's already quite attached to Harry. Although she has no idea about either Voldemort or what Harry's been through - and she used Legilimens on him. I don't think she'll be doing that again though."
"Did Harry block it?"
"Spectacularly, I think. He says he's been practicing." Remus put his head in his eyes, remembering Harry's empty eyes.
"Remus, he'll be fine. He just needs time to grieve." Albus said evenly.
"NO! That's what everyone thinks! He's human, Albus. He shouldn't have to be 'fine'. He shouldn't have to put up with the expectations of everyone!"
"He shouldn't, but he does. He needs you both to be strong for him. Tonks, you're his friend and confidant, Remus, you are too. You are one of his last links to his parents."
"He said that I was the closest thing he had to a father - along with Sirius." Remus remembered suddenly.
"Exactly. This last year has been rather hard on Harry. Especially the last few weeks. You should probably know that I told him something rather important on the night Sirius died. He...well, it's a lot to think about."
"What is it? What did you tell him?"
"That, I cannot tell you. It is Harry's choice as to whether anyone else knows. I would ask that you don't mention it at the moment. He does seem to have a lot on his mind, and he will talk when he's ready to. I believe his new tutor may be just what he needs - someone who has no idea what he's been through and what he's facing."
"Maybe." Remus conceded, "But he's asked if I'll visit him at least once a week - you don't have any objections, do you?"
"Not yet, but the Order may require your attention for a job or two over the summer."
"Of course."
"So, what about this room?" Tonks asked, "Does time really stop inside?"
"Well, no time passes while Harry's in there - when Leona came to get me, everyone was frozen. It was rather bizarre, really."
"Ah yes, I am most interested in this room. It sounds rather fascinating."
"It is - Harry can use magic there, there's everything he could ever want or need - the library is much more extensive than Hogwarts'. There's every conceivable type of weapon as well. I suppose that he'll be learning how to use those - being a warrior and everything..."
"Yes, I believe you are right, Remus. It should be interesting to see just how much Harry changes over this summer."
***
Harry crept out from behind the cupboard to find Uncle Vernon in his room, glaring at him.
"What are you doing, you little freak?"
"Nothing, Uncle Vernon." Harry replied in a flat, monotone voice.
"Don't lie, freak, I know you were up to something. Now tell me, before I have to force it out of you!"
"I wasn't doing anything!" Harry said, getting slightly angry. His Uncle was towering over him now, his glare intensifying. Harry could smell the alcohol on his breath, and gulped. His Uncle always got angry when drunk.
"Hah! Doing nothing! As if! Come here!" The man swung for his nephew, slamming a fist into his stomach before Harry could do anything to stop him. He put his full weight behind the punch, knocking both Harry and himself over. The fifteen-year-old went out like a light, unconscious from the blow, and the internal damage that it had caused.
"That'll teach you to be smart with me." Vernon growled, standing up and leaving the room.
***
When Harry awoke, he took in a deep breath and nearly blacked out again because of the pain. It felt like someone had put a sword through his stomach. He looked about him, his vision blurry as he dimly recognised his bedroom at Privet Drive. He leaned up shakily on his arm, stubbornly pushing himself to get to the hidden room. If ever he needed to do magic, it was then. He could feel blood seeping into his gut. The great Muggle idiot had caused internal bleeding. Sheer determination got him to the entrance at the back of the wardrobe, and he gratefully slid in.
***
"Leona?" Harry called. No answer. He sighed and took a deep breath, focussing on his stomach. He saw the shattered blood vessels, spilling blood inside him. He was losing a lot of blood, he knew. Too much blood. If he didn't stop it soon, he would die. The thought scared him, but he wasn't going to give up that easily. He focussed in on the blood vessels, imagining them fusing back together, repairing themselves. Slowly, very slowly, they did just that. Harry's magic was healing his injuries. It seemed to take forever, but soon every blood vessel was repaired, and all that was left of the injury was the small puddle of blood that remained in his stomach. He conjured a tissue from the air and imagined it soaking the blood up. When he opened his eyes again, the tissue was dripping with blood, and Leona was standing beside him, looking very green.
"Why is that tissue soaked in blood?" She asked faintly.
"Internal bleeding. It was the first thing I thought of."
"There was a reason I didn't become a healer." Leona said, still looking decidedly queasy.
"Oh? You're not very good at it?"
"Yeah, but there's also the small detail of being squeamish about blood and guts."
"You definitely chose the wrong student then - I get into scrapes pretty often."
"Typical. So, what happened just now then?"
"My Uncle was drunk and decided that I made a good punch bag. Keeping in mind that he weighs about twenty stone, he can put a lot of power into one punch."
"He did what? How many times has he done this before?"
"A couple. Usually when he's had too much to drink. It doesn't happen that often, thankfully. And he has never made me bleed internally before."
"I can't believe this - can't you go somewhere where you're safe from these animals? You have friends, right? What about the werewolf guy - you seem pretty close to him?"
"I need to stay here. It's one of the few safe places for me."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember Voldemort? The Dark Lord we were talking about earlier? Yeah, well he and I...well, put it this way; he has a major grudge against me."
"But you're safe here?"
"Yup. Blood magic, or something. Anyway, it means that I'm stuck here until someone decides I can leave."
"Oh. Well, it's still ridiculous - don't you have any other relatives?"
"Apparently not." Harry said in a voice that warned her not to question her further.
"Well ok then, but I'm going to take you back to my home to get my sister to check you out and make sure that there's no lasting damage, ok?"
"Your home? What's it like? Where is it?"
"Well, it's on exactly on this planet, but it's not really on another one either. It sort of border's on the equator. I think you'll like it."
"Are we going now?"
"Yeah, no time like the present - although time will pass when you're there, it still passes slowly. I mean like, if we stay for a day, like an hour will have passed in your world."
"Great - I'll just go an leave a note in case anyone gets worried. They've probably fixed something so that they know when I'm in the house and when I'm not."
"Right. You do that - hurry up though. Just a quick note."
"Sure."
***
Harry arrived back moments later, having left a note for whoever it was that came to see him. Leona smiled at his eagerness, and took his hand.
"I'm going to sort of apparate us there. You'll be able to do this on your own soon. Pay attention and feel the way the magic behaves."
"Right." Harry said. Then they were gone.
***
Tonks looked at the huge map of Privet drive that Remus and Dumbledore had made. It was similar to the Marauder's map, only with much more detail about the people on it - for instance, right now, Harry's dot was very close to Vernon Dursleys, who registered as 'too drunk for coherent thought'. This worried Tonks, but not half as much as when Harry's dot paled slightly, and winked out for a moment before returning. She breathed a sigh of relief for a moment, just before Harry's dot disappeared completely.
"REMUS! PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE!" She yelled. Molly Weasley, Remus and Dumbledore came running immediately. "Harry's gone. Just disappeared from the map - you don't think - a Portkey?"
"Harry's not stupid enough to touch anything that looks slightly suspicious. He checks everything." Remus said resolutely, as Molly gasped.
"What happened before this, Nymphadora?" The headmaster asked gravely.
"His Uncle was in his room - drunk. Then Harry's dot paled. But it winked out and came back normal. Then he just.disappeared."
"Remus, Tonks, Molly, you will go to Privet Drive. Check Harry's room for anything that looks suspicious, no matter how small."
"Yes Professor Dumbledore." They chorused, disapparating on the spot.
***
Harry landed right next to Leona in what seemed to be a large hallway.
"This is my parents' house. I still live here."
"Right." Harry said, looking around him.
"Did you feel what the magic did as we tripped?"
"Tripped?"
"Our form of apparition."
"Oh, yeah. We went straight through about six layers of ancient, powerful magic, got dismantled, then at this end, we went through another six layers, plus a few extra, and were put together again."
"Wow. You're pretty good for a kid."
"Thanks." Harry said, once again overlooking the fact that she had called him a kid.
"Leona? Is that you? What are you doing back here already? Oh - is this your student?"
"Yeah, Harry, this is Gemini, my older sister. Gem, this is my student."
"He's a bit small, isn't he?" The other woman said. Harry looked up at her, getting slightly angry that everyone kept judging him. Then the woman gasped as she saw his scar. Recognition flashed across her features and she smiled warmly.
"Harry Potter. We didn't know you were a warrior."
"No one did. Including Voldemort." Harry said. The woman flinched slightly, and Harry raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know his full name?" Leona demanded, looking slightly put out.
"He's famous, Leona. Are you telling me that you didn't know who he was?"
"Erm...no, I didn't. What are you famous for?"
"Living." Harry said abruptly. "Weren't we here for a purpose?"
"Of course - Gem, can you take a look at Harry for me? He's been a little...battered. He's been healed, but I want to make sure that there's nothing else."
"Of course. Harry, take a seat. I'll be back in a moment." She strode away, leaving Leona and Harry alone.
"Sorry about her - she's a very good healer, if a little...off with her bedside manner."
"No problem. How come she knows so much about me and you don't?"
"I don't know. If you're famous, then you might have been included in our lessons - all I can remember is them always going on about some kid.the Boy Who..." She trailed off, realisation hitting with the force of a ten-ton truck.
"Lived." Harry finished for her. She nodded silently, staring at him.
"But you're so...normal!"
"Thanks."
"You know, I bet mum would love to meet you - she's been teaching about you for like forever. I can't believe this - we're all taught about you when we're younger. It's an example of what we can do when we put our minds to it - I mean, when you were an ordinary human, you cheated death. I can't believe I'm training the Boy-Who-Lived. How old are you now, anyway? About eighteen, nineteen?"
"Try fifteen." Harry said, feeling slightly confused. "Would you call someone who was eighteen or nineteen a child?"
"Yeah - it's not so much age as training. You, as an untrained warrior, are classed as a child. Fifteen? You must be the youngest warrior in...at least two hundred years. The usual age is twenty-one or so. I started to get trained when I was twenty. Fifteen is amazing. And you didn't grow up in Lesea, either!"
"Lesea?"
"This place - the world of warriors. It's like a huge city - I'll show you around sometime."
"Right." Harry said, just as Gemini returned.
"Hey Gem, do you know how old Harry is?" Leona asked, looking smug.
"No." Gemini replied, frowning slightly. "About twenty?"
"Fifteen." Leona said with a grin.
"Impossible. He grew up as a human. It takes every warrior who grew up as a human at least twenty years to manifest their powers."
"Actually, I am fifteen. Well.sixteen at the end of July." Harry said.
"Nonsense. Of course you aren't."
"Oh really?" Harry mumbled something beneath his breath, reading over the slip of paper that appeared in his hand. "Here you go, Harry James Potter, date of birth the 31st July 1987." He handed her the copy of his birth certificate, and she read it carefully. Her eyes widened as she realised that it was the truth.
"Place of birth - Godric's Hollow. You weren't even born in Lesea!"
"Nope. He's going to be brilliant. Imagine, if he manifests power at fifteen!"
"Yes, well, we have to make sure that he's ok. Harry, if you would lie back." He did so, watching in interest as she placed cold hands on his stomach and frowned slightly.
"Who healed this wound? They didn't use the normal methods. Effective, but unusual. I'd say they were quite a skilled healer. Slightly messy, but I guess that on the inside, it doesn't matter." She smiled at Harry. "I suggest you thank whoever healed you, and while you're at it, get whoever created this wound thrown into Azkaban. It was a nasty wound. You could have died."
"Great." Harry said. "Maybe if I knew the normal healing procedures I would have done those, but it was the best I could do at short notice and in a hell of a lot of pain."
"You healed yourself?" Gemini repeated faintly.
"Yeah. Well, I had to do something. My stomach was filling up with blood."
"Indeed. You did very well. If you don't mind my asking, how did you heal the wound?"
"Well I could see the burst blood vessels, so I imagined them healing - it took ages, but I got it eventually. Then I mopped up the excess blood with a tissue."
"That was gross." Leona chipped in.
"I never knew that my little sister was such a good teacher." Gemini said, looking rather proud.
"Erm...well, I can't really take the credit. He did it himself, without me telling him anything or teaching him."
"Uh huh." Gemini now looked floored, but recovered relatively quickly. "Well, you're fine. There are no other injuries, except those on your hands. Would you like them healed?"
"As long as the scars stay." Harry said firmly. Gemini nodded and soon his hands, which had been throbbing painfully, were pain free once more.
***
Once they were finished, Gemini made her excuses to leave, telling Leona that their parents would be back within an hour or two, along with her brother, Arian. Leona nodded and began to show Harry around. It seemed like no time before the door opened.
"Stay here, I'll be back in a minute." Leona told Harry as she ran down the stairs two at a time. "Mama!" He heard her cry, "Daddy!" He sat down on the top stair, tapping his fingers to an unknown beat.
"Who are you?" Harry looked up to find a man looking down at him with a frown. He looked to be a few years older than Leona.
"Arian, right?" He asked.
"That's right. Who are you?"
"Harry Potter. I'm Leona's new student."
"Ah. Yes, she was telling us about you. Promising but a little stubborn, were her words, I believe." He sat down next to Harry, his eyes flicking to his scar every so often.
"Yeah, stubborn is probably right." Harry agreed with a smile.
"Sorry, but your scar...it looks familiar. I just can't place it."
"Well I suppose that's one difference between this place and the wizarding world." Harry mumbled good-naturedly. He found himself liking the man's easy-going manner.
"You're from the wizarding world?"
"Yeah. I'm a wizard and a warrior."
"But I'm sure you look familiar." Arian said, getting quite frustrated.
"It's quite bizarre being a legend." Harry said thoughtfully. "Especially when you're alive."
"You're a legend?"
"Certainly feels like it. I am famous - in both worlds, apparently."
"Huh?"
"Well Leona said something about being taught about me?"
"Uh...well...I...nope. Doesn't help."
"Supposedly your mother teaches about me."
"Er...well, she usually teaches history...but you don't look old enough to be in history."
"I've been in history since I was a year old." Harry said.
"A year old? What did you do? Kill someone?"
"The opposite, actually. I lived."
"Of course! Harry Potter! The Boy Who Lived! I feel such an idiot."
"Actually, it's kind of a relief not to be noticed immediately. You have no idea how quickly it grows old."
"No. I don't envy you. So, how is everything in the wizarding world?"
"Hellish is a good start, I guess. Voldemort's back." Arian flinched too, and Harry looked strangely at him.
"Is that reflex or something?"
"I suppose. Him I can remember - he killed a lot of people."
"Yeah, and it's starting all over again."
"Oh dear. Everyone thought he was dead though."
"Nope. He was just banished from his body. He got it back just over a year ago. It took the wizarding Ministry all that time, and an appearance from Voldemort himself, to believe it though." Harry's voice took on a bitter edge as he remembered the hell that the world had put him through - yet they all expected him to be their oh-so-perfect saviour.
"Hold on. You're the Boy-Who-Lived, yes? But.he's only sixteen. I remember, cos I was fifteen when it happened. Mum was in a right tizzy because she had to find as much out as possible before teaching us it. Only it was a mystery. Even now, very little is known about what happened. But we have learned all about you."
"Right. Actually, I'm fifteen. I won't be sixteen until July."
"Dear Lord."
"Oh yeah, this is the whole - 'you're not old enough to be a warrior' thing, isn't it? I've heard it before - in both worlds. I don't particularly like being told what I am and what I am not capable of doing." There was a pause, and Leona chose that moment to come bouncing up the stairs.
"Oh! You two have met already!" She said.
"Yeah." Harry said, standing up. He extended his hand to Arian and they shook hands.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Harry, and you do whatever it is you want to. But give Voldemort hell while you do."
"Oh I will." Harry promised. "You have my word on that."
"Right, c'mon Harry. We're going to meet mum and dad."
***
Harry and Leona made their way down to the living room in silence. Harry could feel that Leona was nervous, although he wasn't quite sure why. He soon found out. Her mother was standing in the room, looking very prim and proper. She looked down at Harry as if he was an insect, and Harry couldn't imagine her being in a tizzy about anything, much less him.
"Mama, daddy, this is my student."
"He's very small, isn't he?" The woman said. "I told you sweetheart, a Warrior Trainer is no job for a young lady. They gave you the runt of the litter. He'll be an embarrassment to you." Harry gritted his teeth and counted silently to ten - although a million might have been more effective - who gave this woman the right to judge him based on his height? He glanced at Leona, who was watching him warily. He guessed his rather shortly leashed anger wasn't very hard to see.
"He's a human, sweetheart. You could do so much better. Look at your sister, dear Gemini, she's so successful. And that lovely boyfriend of hers. I really wish you'd give up this nonsense idea of Warrior Training. Young ladies aren't suited to fighting. It's not proper." Harry stared incredulously at this woman. She was telling her own daughter to give up her dream!
"You might as well give up on this one right now. He obviously won't go anywhere. So short and skinny. He'd break in half if someone so much as touched him in the wrong way!" Harry had had enough. He didn't care anymore. All of his life he had had people judging him, making assumptions. Not anymore.
"Excuse me, do you know I'm standing right here and that I can hear every word you're saying?" He said sweetly, though his voice had an edge to it.
"Be quiet, child, no one was talking to you." The woman snapped. Harry's short temper exploded.
"No, they weren't. They were talking about me. Judging me without knowing me. The last person that did that spent thirteen years as a shadow. Your daughter is a good trainer, actually, though god knows I'd hate to be in her shoes. As for your ridiculous comment about women, they are fully capable of fighting. Do you seriously think that Voldemort's forces are all-male?"
"Don't talk about things you don't have the faintest idea of, child."
"On the contrary. I know more about Voldemort than you would ever want to know. You might know my name. Leona tells me that you teach your oh-so- perfect purebred warrior children about me. My name is Harry Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived."
"Don't be ridiculous, he's only fifteen."
"Really? I hadn't noticed my own age. I am fully aware that I am fifteen. I am fully aware that it's unusual for fifteen year-olds to be warriors, but guess what, I have never been, and never will be normal. I'm sorry if you think that I'm not good enough for your daughter to be teaching, but all my life, I have been judged and I've had enough. You don't know what I can do, you don't know half of what I've been through and you sure as hell don't know ME. So keep your judgements to yourself." There was a stunned silence as Harry stared at the woman with open dislike. He knew he shouldn't have lost his temper with her, but she had done what annoyed him most about fame - believing that she had the right to judge him.
"Well I couldn't have said it better myself, Harry. Come on, I'll show you around." Leona said, looking slightly shocked.
"Right." Harry replied uncertainly. He cast one last glance at the woman, just as a plant behind her burst into flames.
"Oops." He murmured, waving his hand and putting the fire out. Leona laughed at her parents' stunned faces and steered Harry from the room.
***
"In all my life I have never seen anyone stand up to them like that - oh, Harry that was priceless."
"As I told your brother, I don't like people telling me what I can and can't do." Harry said, still smouldering with rage.
"No, me neither." Leona agreed. "We'll prove our point together huh?"
"You bet." Harry grinned. "How long does it usually take to do the course?"
"Three years was the quickest time, I think. It varies a lot."
"Well then, I'll do it in two." Harry promised.
"Two? Are you sure?"
"Of course I am - what's the problem? The room means that I can stop time, and spent a week or two practicing at a time."
"You'll exhaust yourself."
"So much the better. The more exhausted I am, the less likely it is that I'll have a nightmare."
"Very well. I'm up for it if you are. Who knows, we might even cut it down to one year, at this rate."
"You never know. I live to prove people wrong, you know."
"Good. I'm going to have a lot of fun teaching you then."
"And I'll enjoy learning from you. But first, I think I'll tell you my life - from my point of view."
"Great. How about we go into the city for a snack, and then we can go riding."
"Sounds good."
***
As promised, Harry and Leona went into the city to eat, and spent a little while looking around the shops. Harry saw a new watch that he fell in love with immediately and bought it, glad that the warrior city used Galleons, Sickles and Knuts too. It was some sort of metal, which didn't seem to have any one specific colour. In the face of the watch, a phoenix was engraved, with it's tail trailing around the band. Leona smiled as he picked it, and the jeweller threw in a ring made from the same metal for free, deciding that it should go to someone who appreciated it's beauty. It too was carved with a phoenix. Pleased with his purchases, Harry and Leona left the shop to go riding.
***
The riding school wasn't what Harry had expected at all - he had expected it to all be very formal and stiff, whereas everyone seemed very laid back and welcoming. A quick tour of the stables proved that it wasn't the largest, nor the grandest riding school, but Harry immediately liked it. Leona showed him to the horse that he would be riding - Erin. She seemed like a very sweet horse, and probably the perfect horse to learn to ride on, but Harry found her very...uncomfortable. Maybe it was due to his lack of experience, as he began to feel more at ease as time wore on, and he learnt how to ride. It all seemed very easy when he had watched others do it, but now it seemed much more difficult, and he wasn't getting the hang of it the way he got the hang of the healing and the way he was intuitively able to do other things, like flying. Yet even then, he knew that there was something about riding - something that he could find useful and enjoyable.
Lesea, Warrior City
When Remus got back to London, he was exhausted and worried. He had never stopped to think about how Harry was taking Sirius' death. The boy had seemed to be taking it in his stride, and Remus couldn't help but feel that he should have known better. He knew that blaming himself wouldn't do any good, but he promised himself that he would start watching Harry more closely. He never noticed that there was a small spill of Harry's blood on his robes until Tonks squealed and asked what was going on, and why there was blood on his clothes. He sighed and began to explain what had happened, barely noticing when Dumbledore joined them.
"Oh Remus! He didn't!"
"He did. He blames himself for Sirius' death, and according to his tutor, if they see blood on their hands then it the blood appears on their hands for real."
"This tutor of Harry's, what's he like?"
"He is a she. I think she's already quite attached to Harry. Although she has no idea about either Voldemort or what Harry's been through - and she used Legilimens on him. I don't think she'll be doing that again though."
"Did Harry block it?"
"Spectacularly, I think. He says he's been practicing." Remus put his head in his eyes, remembering Harry's empty eyes.
"Remus, he'll be fine. He just needs time to grieve." Albus said evenly.
"NO! That's what everyone thinks! He's human, Albus. He shouldn't have to be 'fine'. He shouldn't have to put up with the expectations of everyone!"
"He shouldn't, but he does. He needs you both to be strong for him. Tonks, you're his friend and confidant, Remus, you are too. You are one of his last links to his parents."
"He said that I was the closest thing he had to a father - along with Sirius." Remus remembered suddenly.
"Exactly. This last year has been rather hard on Harry. Especially the last few weeks. You should probably know that I told him something rather important on the night Sirius died. He...well, it's a lot to think about."
"What is it? What did you tell him?"
"That, I cannot tell you. It is Harry's choice as to whether anyone else knows. I would ask that you don't mention it at the moment. He does seem to have a lot on his mind, and he will talk when he's ready to. I believe his new tutor may be just what he needs - someone who has no idea what he's been through and what he's facing."
"Maybe." Remus conceded, "But he's asked if I'll visit him at least once a week - you don't have any objections, do you?"
"Not yet, but the Order may require your attention for a job or two over the summer."
"Of course."
"So, what about this room?" Tonks asked, "Does time really stop inside?"
"Well, no time passes while Harry's in there - when Leona came to get me, everyone was frozen. It was rather bizarre, really."
"Ah yes, I am most interested in this room. It sounds rather fascinating."
"It is - Harry can use magic there, there's everything he could ever want or need - the library is much more extensive than Hogwarts'. There's every conceivable type of weapon as well. I suppose that he'll be learning how to use those - being a warrior and everything..."
"Yes, I believe you are right, Remus. It should be interesting to see just how much Harry changes over this summer."
***
Harry crept out from behind the cupboard to find Uncle Vernon in his room, glaring at him.
"What are you doing, you little freak?"
"Nothing, Uncle Vernon." Harry replied in a flat, monotone voice.
"Don't lie, freak, I know you were up to something. Now tell me, before I have to force it out of you!"
"I wasn't doing anything!" Harry said, getting slightly angry. His Uncle was towering over him now, his glare intensifying. Harry could smell the alcohol on his breath, and gulped. His Uncle always got angry when drunk.
"Hah! Doing nothing! As if! Come here!" The man swung for his nephew, slamming a fist into his stomach before Harry could do anything to stop him. He put his full weight behind the punch, knocking both Harry and himself over. The fifteen-year-old went out like a light, unconscious from the blow, and the internal damage that it had caused.
"That'll teach you to be smart with me." Vernon growled, standing up and leaving the room.
***
When Harry awoke, he took in a deep breath and nearly blacked out again because of the pain. It felt like someone had put a sword through his stomach. He looked about him, his vision blurry as he dimly recognised his bedroom at Privet Drive. He leaned up shakily on his arm, stubbornly pushing himself to get to the hidden room. If ever he needed to do magic, it was then. He could feel blood seeping into his gut. The great Muggle idiot had caused internal bleeding. Sheer determination got him to the entrance at the back of the wardrobe, and he gratefully slid in.
***
"Leona?" Harry called. No answer. He sighed and took a deep breath, focussing on his stomach. He saw the shattered blood vessels, spilling blood inside him. He was losing a lot of blood, he knew. Too much blood. If he didn't stop it soon, he would die. The thought scared him, but he wasn't going to give up that easily. He focussed in on the blood vessels, imagining them fusing back together, repairing themselves. Slowly, very slowly, they did just that. Harry's magic was healing his injuries. It seemed to take forever, but soon every blood vessel was repaired, and all that was left of the injury was the small puddle of blood that remained in his stomach. He conjured a tissue from the air and imagined it soaking the blood up. When he opened his eyes again, the tissue was dripping with blood, and Leona was standing beside him, looking very green.
"Why is that tissue soaked in blood?" She asked faintly.
"Internal bleeding. It was the first thing I thought of."
"There was a reason I didn't become a healer." Leona said, still looking decidedly queasy.
"Oh? You're not very good at it?"
"Yeah, but there's also the small detail of being squeamish about blood and guts."
"You definitely chose the wrong student then - I get into scrapes pretty often."
"Typical. So, what happened just now then?"
"My Uncle was drunk and decided that I made a good punch bag. Keeping in mind that he weighs about twenty stone, he can put a lot of power into one punch."
"He did what? How many times has he done this before?"
"A couple. Usually when he's had too much to drink. It doesn't happen that often, thankfully. And he has never made me bleed internally before."
"I can't believe this - can't you go somewhere where you're safe from these animals? You have friends, right? What about the werewolf guy - you seem pretty close to him?"
"I need to stay here. It's one of the few safe places for me."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember Voldemort? The Dark Lord we were talking about earlier? Yeah, well he and I...well, put it this way; he has a major grudge against me."
"But you're safe here?"
"Yup. Blood magic, or something. Anyway, it means that I'm stuck here until someone decides I can leave."
"Oh. Well, it's still ridiculous - don't you have any other relatives?"
"Apparently not." Harry said in a voice that warned her not to question her further.
"Well ok then, but I'm going to take you back to my home to get my sister to check you out and make sure that there's no lasting damage, ok?"
"Your home? What's it like? Where is it?"
"Well, it's on exactly on this planet, but it's not really on another one either. It sort of border's on the equator. I think you'll like it."
"Are we going now?"
"Yeah, no time like the present - although time will pass when you're there, it still passes slowly. I mean like, if we stay for a day, like an hour will have passed in your world."
"Great - I'll just go an leave a note in case anyone gets worried. They've probably fixed something so that they know when I'm in the house and when I'm not."
"Right. You do that - hurry up though. Just a quick note."
"Sure."
***
Harry arrived back moments later, having left a note for whoever it was that came to see him. Leona smiled at his eagerness, and took his hand.
"I'm going to sort of apparate us there. You'll be able to do this on your own soon. Pay attention and feel the way the magic behaves."
"Right." Harry said. Then they were gone.
***
Tonks looked at the huge map of Privet drive that Remus and Dumbledore had made. It was similar to the Marauder's map, only with much more detail about the people on it - for instance, right now, Harry's dot was very close to Vernon Dursleys, who registered as 'too drunk for coherent thought'. This worried Tonks, but not half as much as when Harry's dot paled slightly, and winked out for a moment before returning. She breathed a sigh of relief for a moment, just before Harry's dot disappeared completely.
"REMUS! PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE!" She yelled. Molly Weasley, Remus and Dumbledore came running immediately. "Harry's gone. Just disappeared from the map - you don't think - a Portkey?"
"Harry's not stupid enough to touch anything that looks slightly suspicious. He checks everything." Remus said resolutely, as Molly gasped.
"What happened before this, Nymphadora?" The headmaster asked gravely.
"His Uncle was in his room - drunk. Then Harry's dot paled. But it winked out and came back normal. Then he just.disappeared."
"Remus, Tonks, Molly, you will go to Privet Drive. Check Harry's room for anything that looks suspicious, no matter how small."
"Yes Professor Dumbledore." They chorused, disapparating on the spot.
***
Harry landed right next to Leona in what seemed to be a large hallway.
"This is my parents' house. I still live here."
"Right." Harry said, looking around him.
"Did you feel what the magic did as we tripped?"
"Tripped?"
"Our form of apparition."
"Oh, yeah. We went straight through about six layers of ancient, powerful magic, got dismantled, then at this end, we went through another six layers, plus a few extra, and were put together again."
"Wow. You're pretty good for a kid."
"Thanks." Harry said, once again overlooking the fact that she had called him a kid.
"Leona? Is that you? What are you doing back here already? Oh - is this your student?"
"Yeah, Harry, this is Gemini, my older sister. Gem, this is my student."
"He's a bit small, isn't he?" The other woman said. Harry looked up at her, getting slightly angry that everyone kept judging him. Then the woman gasped as she saw his scar. Recognition flashed across her features and she smiled warmly.
"Harry Potter. We didn't know you were a warrior."
"No one did. Including Voldemort." Harry said. The woman flinched slightly, and Harry raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know his full name?" Leona demanded, looking slightly put out.
"He's famous, Leona. Are you telling me that you didn't know who he was?"
"Erm...no, I didn't. What are you famous for?"
"Living." Harry said abruptly. "Weren't we here for a purpose?"
"Of course - Gem, can you take a look at Harry for me? He's been a little...battered. He's been healed, but I want to make sure that there's nothing else."
"Of course. Harry, take a seat. I'll be back in a moment." She strode away, leaving Leona and Harry alone.
"Sorry about her - she's a very good healer, if a little...off with her bedside manner."
"No problem. How come she knows so much about me and you don't?"
"I don't know. If you're famous, then you might have been included in our lessons - all I can remember is them always going on about some kid.the Boy Who..." She trailed off, realisation hitting with the force of a ten-ton truck.
"Lived." Harry finished for her. She nodded silently, staring at him.
"But you're so...normal!"
"Thanks."
"You know, I bet mum would love to meet you - she's been teaching about you for like forever. I can't believe this - we're all taught about you when we're younger. It's an example of what we can do when we put our minds to it - I mean, when you were an ordinary human, you cheated death. I can't believe I'm training the Boy-Who-Lived. How old are you now, anyway? About eighteen, nineteen?"
"Try fifteen." Harry said, feeling slightly confused. "Would you call someone who was eighteen or nineteen a child?"
"Yeah - it's not so much age as training. You, as an untrained warrior, are classed as a child. Fifteen? You must be the youngest warrior in...at least two hundred years. The usual age is twenty-one or so. I started to get trained when I was twenty. Fifteen is amazing. And you didn't grow up in Lesea, either!"
"Lesea?"
"This place - the world of warriors. It's like a huge city - I'll show you around sometime."
"Right." Harry said, just as Gemini returned.
"Hey Gem, do you know how old Harry is?" Leona asked, looking smug.
"No." Gemini replied, frowning slightly. "About twenty?"
"Fifteen." Leona said with a grin.
"Impossible. He grew up as a human. It takes every warrior who grew up as a human at least twenty years to manifest their powers."
"Actually, I am fifteen. Well.sixteen at the end of July." Harry said.
"Nonsense. Of course you aren't."
"Oh really?" Harry mumbled something beneath his breath, reading over the slip of paper that appeared in his hand. "Here you go, Harry James Potter, date of birth the 31st July 1987." He handed her the copy of his birth certificate, and she read it carefully. Her eyes widened as she realised that it was the truth.
"Place of birth - Godric's Hollow. You weren't even born in Lesea!"
"Nope. He's going to be brilliant. Imagine, if he manifests power at fifteen!"
"Yes, well, we have to make sure that he's ok. Harry, if you would lie back." He did so, watching in interest as she placed cold hands on his stomach and frowned slightly.
"Who healed this wound? They didn't use the normal methods. Effective, but unusual. I'd say they were quite a skilled healer. Slightly messy, but I guess that on the inside, it doesn't matter." She smiled at Harry. "I suggest you thank whoever healed you, and while you're at it, get whoever created this wound thrown into Azkaban. It was a nasty wound. You could have died."
"Great." Harry said. "Maybe if I knew the normal healing procedures I would have done those, but it was the best I could do at short notice and in a hell of a lot of pain."
"You healed yourself?" Gemini repeated faintly.
"Yeah. Well, I had to do something. My stomach was filling up with blood."
"Indeed. You did very well. If you don't mind my asking, how did you heal the wound?"
"Well I could see the burst blood vessels, so I imagined them healing - it took ages, but I got it eventually. Then I mopped up the excess blood with a tissue."
"That was gross." Leona chipped in.
"I never knew that my little sister was such a good teacher." Gemini said, looking rather proud.
"Erm...well, I can't really take the credit. He did it himself, without me telling him anything or teaching him."
"Uh huh." Gemini now looked floored, but recovered relatively quickly. "Well, you're fine. There are no other injuries, except those on your hands. Would you like them healed?"
"As long as the scars stay." Harry said firmly. Gemini nodded and soon his hands, which had been throbbing painfully, were pain free once more.
***
Once they were finished, Gemini made her excuses to leave, telling Leona that their parents would be back within an hour or two, along with her brother, Arian. Leona nodded and began to show Harry around. It seemed like no time before the door opened.
"Stay here, I'll be back in a minute." Leona told Harry as she ran down the stairs two at a time. "Mama!" He heard her cry, "Daddy!" He sat down on the top stair, tapping his fingers to an unknown beat.
"Who are you?" Harry looked up to find a man looking down at him with a frown. He looked to be a few years older than Leona.
"Arian, right?" He asked.
"That's right. Who are you?"
"Harry Potter. I'm Leona's new student."
"Ah. Yes, she was telling us about you. Promising but a little stubborn, were her words, I believe." He sat down next to Harry, his eyes flicking to his scar every so often.
"Yeah, stubborn is probably right." Harry agreed with a smile.
"Sorry, but your scar...it looks familiar. I just can't place it."
"Well I suppose that's one difference between this place and the wizarding world." Harry mumbled good-naturedly. He found himself liking the man's easy-going manner.
"You're from the wizarding world?"
"Yeah. I'm a wizard and a warrior."
"But I'm sure you look familiar." Arian said, getting quite frustrated.
"It's quite bizarre being a legend." Harry said thoughtfully. "Especially when you're alive."
"You're a legend?"
"Certainly feels like it. I am famous - in both worlds, apparently."
"Huh?"
"Well Leona said something about being taught about me?"
"Uh...well...I...nope. Doesn't help."
"Supposedly your mother teaches about me."
"Er...well, she usually teaches history...but you don't look old enough to be in history."
"I've been in history since I was a year old." Harry said.
"A year old? What did you do? Kill someone?"
"The opposite, actually. I lived."
"Of course! Harry Potter! The Boy Who Lived! I feel such an idiot."
"Actually, it's kind of a relief not to be noticed immediately. You have no idea how quickly it grows old."
"No. I don't envy you. So, how is everything in the wizarding world?"
"Hellish is a good start, I guess. Voldemort's back." Arian flinched too, and Harry looked strangely at him.
"Is that reflex or something?"
"I suppose. Him I can remember - he killed a lot of people."
"Yeah, and it's starting all over again."
"Oh dear. Everyone thought he was dead though."
"Nope. He was just banished from his body. He got it back just over a year ago. It took the wizarding Ministry all that time, and an appearance from Voldemort himself, to believe it though." Harry's voice took on a bitter edge as he remembered the hell that the world had put him through - yet they all expected him to be their oh-so-perfect saviour.
"Hold on. You're the Boy-Who-Lived, yes? But.he's only sixteen. I remember, cos I was fifteen when it happened. Mum was in a right tizzy because she had to find as much out as possible before teaching us it. Only it was a mystery. Even now, very little is known about what happened. But we have learned all about you."
"Right. Actually, I'm fifteen. I won't be sixteen until July."
"Dear Lord."
"Oh yeah, this is the whole - 'you're not old enough to be a warrior' thing, isn't it? I've heard it before - in both worlds. I don't particularly like being told what I am and what I am not capable of doing." There was a pause, and Leona chose that moment to come bouncing up the stairs.
"Oh! You two have met already!" She said.
"Yeah." Harry said, standing up. He extended his hand to Arian and they shook hands.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Harry, and you do whatever it is you want to. But give Voldemort hell while you do."
"Oh I will." Harry promised. "You have my word on that."
"Right, c'mon Harry. We're going to meet mum and dad."
***
Harry and Leona made their way down to the living room in silence. Harry could feel that Leona was nervous, although he wasn't quite sure why. He soon found out. Her mother was standing in the room, looking very prim and proper. She looked down at Harry as if he was an insect, and Harry couldn't imagine her being in a tizzy about anything, much less him.
"Mama, daddy, this is my student."
"He's very small, isn't he?" The woman said. "I told you sweetheart, a Warrior Trainer is no job for a young lady. They gave you the runt of the litter. He'll be an embarrassment to you." Harry gritted his teeth and counted silently to ten - although a million might have been more effective - who gave this woman the right to judge him based on his height? He glanced at Leona, who was watching him warily. He guessed his rather shortly leashed anger wasn't very hard to see.
"He's a human, sweetheart. You could do so much better. Look at your sister, dear Gemini, she's so successful. And that lovely boyfriend of hers. I really wish you'd give up this nonsense idea of Warrior Training. Young ladies aren't suited to fighting. It's not proper." Harry stared incredulously at this woman. She was telling her own daughter to give up her dream!
"You might as well give up on this one right now. He obviously won't go anywhere. So short and skinny. He'd break in half if someone so much as touched him in the wrong way!" Harry had had enough. He didn't care anymore. All of his life he had had people judging him, making assumptions. Not anymore.
"Excuse me, do you know I'm standing right here and that I can hear every word you're saying?" He said sweetly, though his voice had an edge to it.
"Be quiet, child, no one was talking to you." The woman snapped. Harry's short temper exploded.
"No, they weren't. They were talking about me. Judging me without knowing me. The last person that did that spent thirteen years as a shadow. Your daughter is a good trainer, actually, though god knows I'd hate to be in her shoes. As for your ridiculous comment about women, they are fully capable of fighting. Do you seriously think that Voldemort's forces are all-male?"
"Don't talk about things you don't have the faintest idea of, child."
"On the contrary. I know more about Voldemort than you would ever want to know. You might know my name. Leona tells me that you teach your oh-so- perfect purebred warrior children about me. My name is Harry Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived."
"Don't be ridiculous, he's only fifteen."
"Really? I hadn't noticed my own age. I am fully aware that I am fifteen. I am fully aware that it's unusual for fifteen year-olds to be warriors, but guess what, I have never been, and never will be normal. I'm sorry if you think that I'm not good enough for your daughter to be teaching, but all my life, I have been judged and I've had enough. You don't know what I can do, you don't know half of what I've been through and you sure as hell don't know ME. So keep your judgements to yourself." There was a stunned silence as Harry stared at the woman with open dislike. He knew he shouldn't have lost his temper with her, but she had done what annoyed him most about fame - believing that she had the right to judge him.
"Well I couldn't have said it better myself, Harry. Come on, I'll show you around." Leona said, looking slightly shocked.
"Right." Harry replied uncertainly. He cast one last glance at the woman, just as a plant behind her burst into flames.
"Oops." He murmured, waving his hand and putting the fire out. Leona laughed at her parents' stunned faces and steered Harry from the room.
***
"In all my life I have never seen anyone stand up to them like that - oh, Harry that was priceless."
"As I told your brother, I don't like people telling me what I can and can't do." Harry said, still smouldering with rage.
"No, me neither." Leona agreed. "We'll prove our point together huh?"
"You bet." Harry grinned. "How long does it usually take to do the course?"
"Three years was the quickest time, I think. It varies a lot."
"Well then, I'll do it in two." Harry promised.
"Two? Are you sure?"
"Of course I am - what's the problem? The room means that I can stop time, and spent a week or two practicing at a time."
"You'll exhaust yourself."
"So much the better. The more exhausted I am, the less likely it is that I'll have a nightmare."
"Very well. I'm up for it if you are. Who knows, we might even cut it down to one year, at this rate."
"You never know. I live to prove people wrong, you know."
"Good. I'm going to have a lot of fun teaching you then."
"And I'll enjoy learning from you. But first, I think I'll tell you my life - from my point of view."
"Great. How about we go into the city for a snack, and then we can go riding."
"Sounds good."
***
As promised, Harry and Leona went into the city to eat, and spent a little while looking around the shops. Harry saw a new watch that he fell in love with immediately and bought it, glad that the warrior city used Galleons, Sickles and Knuts too. It was some sort of metal, which didn't seem to have any one specific colour. In the face of the watch, a phoenix was engraved, with it's tail trailing around the band. Leona smiled as he picked it, and the jeweller threw in a ring made from the same metal for free, deciding that it should go to someone who appreciated it's beauty. It too was carved with a phoenix. Pleased with his purchases, Harry and Leona left the shop to go riding.
***
The riding school wasn't what Harry had expected at all - he had expected it to all be very formal and stiff, whereas everyone seemed very laid back and welcoming. A quick tour of the stables proved that it wasn't the largest, nor the grandest riding school, but Harry immediately liked it. Leona showed him to the horse that he would be riding - Erin. She seemed like a very sweet horse, and probably the perfect horse to learn to ride on, but Harry found her very...uncomfortable. Maybe it was due to his lack of experience, as he began to feel more at ease as time wore on, and he learnt how to ride. It all seemed very easy when he had watched others do it, but now it seemed much more difficult, and he wasn't getting the hang of it the way he got the hang of the healing and the way he was intuitively able to do other things, like flying. Yet even then, he knew that there was something about riding - something that he could find useful and enjoyable.