Lightning Summoner

By James The Fox

"Hey, Harry."

Harry (LS): "Yeah?"

"I found out the name of your fear. You know, the ice and all."

Harry: "You're kidding. You searched for it?"

"Yep! It's called cryophobia."

Harry: "..."

Manaphy: "Cryophobia! Cute! Love you!"

Harry: "You taught him that word, just so he could taunt me about it at random times?"

"Nope. He learns stuff like that at random. I swear, he gets smarter every second. He's already become sort of a boss among my Pokemon, even though he isn't very high level."

Manaphy: "Phy!" (All of James' Pokemon are standing at attention as Manaphy does a military-school-like check of them.)

"... Just like me. Go get em, Manaphy!" (Performs a very Might Gai-style pose, complete with blinding teeth.) "Now, on to the next chapter!"

Chapter 6: The Third Floor on the Right-Hand Side
"Certainly not. I will not permit it."

"Ensiath, I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions."

"This is a matter of your safety, Harry. There is no way I'll let you risk your life like this. The Maesters would kill me for it."

"Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?"

"…"

"… Nevermind. Anyway, it's just Flying Class. No different from riding Valefor, and much easier than landing an Airship."

"Like the one you commandeered."

"Hey, I had to do something! The pilot was knocked out and the landing sequence had already begu- wait, you changed the subject on me! Anyway, this is much easier than landing an airship."

"I don't care. It's a broom. No safety harnesses, no mind of its own, no others to help you should you lose control."

"… You'll be there to catch me if I fall, and the instructor will be able to catch me with a levitating charm. Besides, I can take care of myself."

"…"

Ron, Neville, and Hermione stared at their friend and his teacher, who were currently debating whether Harry should go to Flying Class.

And it seemed Harry was winning.

A few hours later, Harry walked onto the courtyard with an excited Ron, a nervous Hermione and Neville, and a defeated Ensiath. Neville was fingering a Remembrall he had just gotten from his grandmother. The old lady was very proud of Neville's accomplishment of going to Hogwarts, and very happy to hear that her timid grandson had already made good friends. Standing a few feet away was Madam Hooch, the instructor for Flying Class. She had a stern look on her face, and proceeded to bark an order for everyone to stand next to a broom. Harry quickly rushed to a broom. When he looked at it, he raised an eyebrow at the poor quality of it, but said nothing.

"Ok, everyone. Stick your right hand over your broom, then say 'UP!'"

"UP!" The students chorused. The broom came up to Harry's hand instantly, but Neville's broom did nothing. Harry looked at his friend.

"Don't worry. The broom will come up if you want it to come up. Never lose faith in yourself." Neville smiled in response, and tried again. Hermione, who had had about as much luck as Neville, tried to follow the advice given to her friend, but the broom just rolled over, causing the Slytherins to laugh at her as again and again she tried to make it come up to her hand.

"Hah! Stupid Mudblood can't even make her broom come up to her!" Draco whispered to his 'friends,' Crabbe and Goyle. It wasn't loud enough for Hooch to hear, but Ron growled in warning to them, having been close enough to hear and had understood what he had said. Harry narrowed his eyes, his trained Spiran ears picking up every word, but instead of confronting them, he smiled at Hermione.

"Don't worry. I think the broom can sense your anxiety and reluctance to go into the air. Remember, Madam Hooch and Ensiath will be here if something happens." Still seeing fear in her eyes, he continued. "I'm afraid, just like you, but I know that, once I do it, it'll feel much more natural, and I won't be afraid anymore. Neville knows that, too!" Hermione looked down, so that Harry couldn't get a view of her eyes, but when she tried again, the broom rose a small bit and wavered before falling again. Harry's smile only got wider as Draco and his goons stopped laughing, turning into a smirk. After everyone got their brooms, Hooch instructed them in the proper handling of a broom. Harry couldn't help but chuckle lightly when Hooch heavily corrected Malfoy, who had only a few hours ago been bragging about his skill.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, kick off from the ground hard. Then rise two feet, keeping your broom steady. After that, lean forward slightly, and you'll come right back down. On my whistle- Three… Two…" Neville and Hermione, scared of being left on the ground despite Harry's words, kicked off the ground and flew up, higher and higher, before madam Hooch blew her whistle. Harry, sensing disaster, quickly drew his staff, going through the motions for summoning Valefor as quickly as possible, only to find that he had messed up along the way, and the Aeon didn't appear.

"OK, Plan B," Harry muttered, knowing he had no more time to try and summon again, for the two of them had lost control and were slipping off the brooms. "Float," He whispered, and a small cushion of magic caught the two and lifted them gently back to a steady position on the brooms and, after calming down, they lowered back to the ground, to the applause of the other students. Draco just huffed as almost all the Gryffindors and some of the Slytherins crowded around the two of them.

No one but Ensiath, Harry, Hermione, and Neville had even noticed the spell that had saved them. Harry smirked at them, the look on his eyes showing that he liked it that way. He waited patiently for the crowd to disperse, then gave a thumbs-up to the two of them. After that, the rest of the class went well. Ensiath even (reluctantly) brought out a few large balls that the students threw to each other in mock quidditch-style moves. Harry seemed to stand out, though, hanging from the broom casually, showing true natural talent with the broom in every movement he made. As he played, forgetting all worries, all the sadness and memories of his training session that was now about a week ago, and, for once in his life, his horrible, horrible destiny, Madam Hooch looked at Ensiath.

"Has he ever flown a broom before?"

"No. Why?"

"He has to be one of the best flyers I've ever seen in his age group… It's as if he was born for it…"

"Humph."

"You disapprove?"

"… I… have issues entrusting a small, thin piece of enchanted wood with my student's life."

"Then don't."

"Hm?"

"When riding a broom, it's the rider who controls his own destiny, his own future. Right now, Harry's survival depends only on his own ability… So entrust Harry, not the broom, with his life."

"…"

"It would be a shame if he stopped flying, though… I think he has a very good build for Quidditch…"

A few yards away, in her office, Professor McGonagall was thinking very much along the same lines.
"You wished to see me, Professor?" Harry asked that evening to his head of house. McGonagall took a serious face.

"Yes. Tell me, Harry: have you ever seen a game of Quidditch?"

"No, but I've heard of it. It's only recently been catching on in Spira."

"Well, I saw you in your flying class, and you have a natural talent for a broom. I was wondering if you'd enjoy playing Quidditch, since we do need a new player…"

"I thought first years weren't allowed brooms."

"We can make an exception." Harry raised an eyebrow, contemplating.

"… I see. It's that bad?"

"We haven't won a tournament since Charlie Weasley, our previous Seeker, left school. We have a Chaser who can play Seeker, but we wouldn't have a good Chaser either."

"Ah… That's a thorny situation for you, eh? I guess I can take a position, but I can't let it interfere with my work…" Harry said. The woman before him sighed, as though she was filled with relief.

"Saturday, bright and early, Oliver Wood, our Keeper and Captain, will scout you, and see which position you'd do well in."

"I've got it. Now, if this is all, I have another appointment to keep. Thank you," Harry said, bowing and leaving. After he was gone, the professor got out of her chair and looked out her window. She smiled, as though to an old friend.

"Lily, James, can you see him? If you could, I'm sure you'd be proud…"

"The Sorcerer's Stone?" Harry asked, sitting next to Ensiath and across from Dumbledore. "I've heard of it, but I thought it was a myth… The crazed fantasy of some psycho blonde alchemist and… Opps, I was about to go off topic. Anyway, that's what is in this Forbidden Corridor…"

"Yes," Dumbledore said.

"And you'd like me to help protect it?" Harry asked.

"That is the case in a nutshell."

"… Fine… I know a few people who specialize in protection. With their knowledge, I can make a puzzle defense that is cunning to the extreme! Only those who know its workings will be able to solve it, though." He took a fifth lemon drop and tossed it in his mouth.

"Good… How soon can you do this?"

"Actually, I can send for the materials tonight and handle it by, at the latest, Sunday." His smile was infectious, and in spite of the serious subject of their talks, Dumbledore smiled in response.

'What is it about him that makes me smile? He is so much like his father, and also like his mother…' Dumbledore shook his head. "That is good. As you can guess, Mr. Flamel is counting on this stone's safety."

"Yeah… And though one cannot escape death forever, it is best to try so that you can do more good in this world." Harry said. "And with that, I must depart to make arrangements. I have two letters to write, after all." He stood, leaving in a blur of crimson robes.

Two days later, Harry stepped onto the Quidditch Pitch. A burly fifth year whom Harry assumed was Oliver Wood was standing in the middle of the pitch with two broomsticks and a chest. Harry bowed before speaking.

"I'm here, as has been arranged. So, let's see if I'm really the type of guy you want and need on your team."

"Tell me, Harry, do you have a broom?"

"No, but I ordered one from one of Spira's companies recently. A Jewel Wing 4X. It's fast, sturdy, and can turn really well, but it takes a while to get up to full speed. In the right hands, it's supposed to make a good broom for any position, but you have to be able to be constantly moving if you want to move at full speed..."

"Sounds like you've got your facts down straight."

"I did a little research. So what? That means nothing if I can't use it." He changed outfits with his dress sphere, swapping to some comfortable robes, and sat on the ground. "Let's start with the specifics. I know the basic gist of how Quidditch works, but I still don't know exactly what I'd do as a Chaser or Seeker." Oliver quickly went over the basics, and Harry listened with such attention that it made the elder boy nervous. Finally, he gave Harry a Cleansweep.

"Okay, let's start with Chaser training, since our other Seeker-candidate isn't here yet." The two of them took to the air.

"Now, I want you to try and get the Quaffle past me. You've got 30 minutes." Harry nodded, and flew back a bit. The next two minutes were spent by Harry testing Wood's limits and his own, seeing how fast his broom could move. Once he found that and got attuned to the conditions, (which wasn't hard, since the broom he was using was the same kind as the one he had used in his first flying class.) the real trail began. Harry moved with a style all his own, like a dolphin playing in water. As the rest of the Quidditch team arrived to watch alongside Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ensiath, Harry pulled a feint and sent the Quaffle flying past Oliver to the right hoop when Oliver thought he was aiming for the left one. The shot made it in, and Harry caught the ball easily. The next few shots were similar, but always with a catch that made them almost unpredictable. When Oliver finally started becoming wise to Harry's tricks, Harry pulled something new out of his hat. He threw the ball not at a hoop, but into the air ahead of him. What happened in the next 3 seconds seemed to happen in slow motion for all.

Harry jumped lightly off of the broom, twisting like a graceful dancer as he did so, heading the ball up a little more before performing a flip, kicking the ball at the topmost goalpost, which was completely unguarded. As Oliver rushed to try futilely to block the bullet-quick ball, Harry landed back on his broom and caught the ball that had passed through the hoop. A few minutes later, Harry had gained 150 points in 30 minutes. Wood shook his head. The kid was pretty good. A little wet behind the ears, but he had some serious talent.

"Not bad. Now, how about we see how well we do as a Seeker." Katie Bell, a second-year student, came onto the field, flying up on the same kind of broom as Harry. "Now, this will be a race with three matches. The one who catches the Snitch wins the match, and the winner of the majority of the matches wins the competition." Oliver opened a chest, and the small golden ball flew out, wasting no time in getting away from Harry and Katie. "Ready… GO!"

What happened next could only be described as a slaughter. Harry had natural talent, but Katie had experience, and although Harry managed to catch the Snitch once, Katie demolished him all other times. After this exhibition, (Which Harry later said was an embarrassment beyond anything he had ever felt) it was decided that Harry be a Chaser. ("After all, the ickle Summoner's much better at kicking a ball past unsuspecting Keepers!" George mentioned.) Later, Ron confronted Harry on something that had been bugging him since the match.

"How in the world did you DO that?"

"Do what now?"

"You know, the flip and kick thing? I've never seen it before!"

"Oh, the Sphere Shot. I learned that playing Blitzball."

"Blitz-what?"

"Blitzball. The true Spiran pastime. I played a little. I'm not on any professional teams, but Ensiath insisted, you know, as a hobby and because it keeps me in shape."

"Wow…" Harry explained the basics of Blitzball ("So you play underwater?" "Yeah." "Do you use bubblehead charms or something to breathe?" "No, the water has something in it that makes it breathable… I think. It also slowly, yet permanently, alters a person's organs, allowing them to filter water and oxygen naturally… Not exactly sure how it works, but it does.") Meanwhile, Neville and Hermione talked together, Neville giving tips about Herbology, and Hermione advising Neville on Potions.

Meanwhile, Ensiath simply watched from afar.

"… Hm. I have nobody to talk to…" He muttered to himself. He then turned to the fourth wall. "… And I have nothing to say, even if I had someone to talk to..." He shrugged and observed, all the while making sure no one was doing anything that would endanger his charge, especially that man in the third row.

"My masterpiece… IS COMPLETED!" Harry crowed triumphantly, holding up a large piece of parchment. On it was a very complicated diagram, filled with various labels in the Al Bhed language.

"And this masterpiece would be?" Ensiath said, rubbing his ear out of annoyance.

"Oh, just the diagram to the defense that I'm adding to Dumbledore's little obstacle course. What do ya think?" He showed it off, and Ensiath checked it.

"… What about this passageway? The sphere is right there. You should swap that sphere with this one, right here. That increases the difficulty tenfold."

"That's preposterous; I mean, it's completely… correct." Harry took the scroll back and made a few adjustments. "There, now it's perfect!"

"That door is unopenable. You need to either add one more sphere, or change the sphere type this door needs."

"… Oh, yeah!" The scrubbing sounds of an eraser could be heard throughout the room. "So, Ensiath, what was it you needed?"

"… You do realize that your detention with Professor Snape is in 5 minutes."

"WHAT!" Harry rolled up the parchment and stuffed it into his pocket, hurtling out the portraithole.

"… Well, that sent him running."

Severus Snape looked at his watch. 'Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen... three, two, one…' Harry instantly burst through the door, panting from running from the top floor to the dungeons in an effort to get to the detention on time.

"Am-am I late?" The Summoner asked.

"No. Actually, I expected you to arrive just now. You realize you always show up exactly five seconds before the appointed time, don't you?"

"Really? I didn't know that. You see, I was kinda preoccupied with something, and I lost track of time." Harry rubbed the back of his head, laughing sheepishly. "So, arm… what are we working on today?" He asked, changing the subject.

"I will be handling a rather simple cough potion. You, however, will be working on a very potent elixir, one that can allow a werewolf to maintain control of himself during the full moon. I know someone who will require one soon, but I haven't had the time to work on it. Besides, I am relatively certain you can deal with what's left." He guided Harry towards a simmering cauldron that was filled with an odd-smelling mixture. "Do you know at what point this is?"

"Well… I'd say it's on the final stages. All I really need to do is stir in the moonflower roots," Harry did so, stirring in the plant part. As he did, the potion became a foul-smelling, umber black mix. "Ugh… Always did hate making this stuff…" He said, plugging his nose. He turned towards Snape. "Who's the unlucky guy who has to drink this?"

"An old classmate of mine, a man by the name of Remus Lupin. He was a friend of your father's."

"… From the stories I heard, you had a bit of a grudge against my father, but you still have the kindness to help one of his friends. Gotta respect that." Harry said, stirring the monstrous mix before him. "I really don't see what it was that made him dislike you."

"Where'd you hear these stories?" Snape asked, pausing in his work.

"My old mentor. He got to know my parents before they died. They apparently mentioned you, once or twice. When I arrived here, I was a little on guard. After all, if you and my father didn't get along, you might have a bit of a grudge going on." Harry replied. The potion was finished for now, and Harry was currently next to his Potions Teacher. The older man thought for a moment.

"… I have to admit… I wasn't quite the way I am now… I was on a path that I now regret…" Snape didn't say anymore, so, Harry didn't push him. After a while, the conversation started again.

"So, who is this old mentor? How is he?"

"… He's gone to the Farplane." Harry said after a long silence. Snape could only assume from the mournful tone he took that this 'Farplane' was a bad place indeed, and didn't pursue the matter. After a while, the potions were finished, and Harry brought the cough potion to the Hospital Wing. Afterwards, he was excused, and he returned to the Gryffindor Tower, his mind lost in thought…

Manaphy: (Singing softly.)

(James is listening happily.) "I love this song…"

Harry: "I dislike you."

"It makes me feel content, like all is right in the world, even when it's not…" (Sighs) "I can even forget that other people likely hate me for the evil things I've done to the characters in my fics…"

Harry: "Like those last few paragraphs."

"… Did you say something, Harry?"

Harry: "I said that I dislike you!"

"… What was that? Ah, whatever. It's probably not very important. Especially since you just said it and I already forgot what it was. Anyway, I've made a few references that may not make sense. Allow me to explain them. The Jewel Wing 4X, the name of the broom Harry uses, is also the name of a F-Zero GX custom vehicle. More specifically, it is the machine I currently use. The stats of the broom and the stats of the vehicle are similar (both being fast, sturdy, and good at turning, but not being able to reach full speed instantly.). I chose the name because… well, I wanted to! Also, 'the man in the 3rd row' refers to an old Loony Toons cartoon, in which the bad guy told the audience that if they tried to interfere, he'd kil them too, especially the guy in the third row. In the end, it was that same guy in the third row who defeats him by throwing trash at him. Now, I have a few self-made omakes here."

Omake one: DH spoilers: Enter the Potternator!

Harry watched as Snape spoke with Voldemort, and just when Voldemort was about to kill the Potions Master, he decided on what his plan was. He pulled an Uzi out of nowhere and, armed with Magic-Piercing Rounds, blew the snake to hell. He then rushed up to the Dark Lord, sending him reeling with a punch to the face. He then turned around, almost mechanically, reaching out with a hand to Snape.

"Come with me if you want to live." His voice was strange, and had an accent Snape had never heard on the boy. Harry picked the man up, and spun on his heel to face Voldemort. "I'll be back." He then left a still-stunned Voldemort trying to get up. A few minutes later, Voldemort heard a rumbling noise, and he tilted his head in confusion.

"What the-" His question was answered before it had even been asked as the Hogwarts Express, taken off the tracks, barreled into the Shrieking Shack.

(Sorry. After watching Terminator, I couldn't resist.)

Omake two: The difference between AU Harrys!

"Okay, folks, in this special Omake session, I am here to explain the difference between my two completely AU Harry Potters. On the left, I have the Harry of Lightning Summoner, and on the right, I have the Harry of Pokemon Wizard!" James spun around, his Manaphy clinging to the top of his head like a hat. "Now, first off, we have the Lightning Summoner Harry! This Harry is a nice guy, but beneath the constant smiles, he suffers from a few terrible secrets and the horrors of the childhood trauma of being frozen alive. He has access to the Magic of Spira and the Magic of the Wizarding World. He has no fear in stepping into the arms of death, if it can help others. He dislikes the cold, and sometimes envies the free and undoubtedly long lifestyles of his friends, while he's trapped in the chains of fame in two worlds. However, this doesn't stop him from always protecting them, no matter the cost to himself. Something interesting to note is that, because he was never locked in a cupboard, his eyesight never deteriorated, so he doesn't have glasses. Now, a quote that defines the Lightning Summoner!" James brought a microphone to bear, and extended it to the LS Harry.

"Lady Yuna, from Final Fantasy X: 'I've learned to smile… even when I'm sad.'" Harry bowed, and stepped back as James once again addressed the audience.

"Well, that's pretty cool! But a bit scary… I mean, how do I know whether you're really smiling because you're happy or not?" James asked.

"Phy!" Manaphy chimed in. Harry smiled, further infuriating the Author.

"It's quite simple, actually. There is no way to tell." Harry replied, giving a V for Victory sign.

"… Grrr. Anyway… On to the Pokemon Wizard Harry. While the LS Harry is sulky at times, weighed down by his burden, the PW Harry has practically nothing to make him emo, save for the abuse he sustained with the Dursleys. However, Uxie wiped Harry's memories of the Dursleys, and there's no way to restore those, so he's good to go. Interesting notes that have yet to make an appearance in PW about him are as follows. In the year he's been a trainer, Harry has started up a business to sustain himself, traveling across the Pokemon World and delivering Pokemon Eggs for new trainers and veteran trainers alike to hatch. He does this by way of his many contacts (most of which he has attained because of his apprenticeship with Prof. Conifer). He is a well-mannered kid, and enjoys his travels, especially if they help him train his Pokemon. He is never seen anywhere without his starter Pokemon, Ralts. All of his Pokemon have been hatched from eggs. He happens to be an acquaintance of the Global Pokemon League Champion, and got one of his Pokemon eggs from him. An interesting AU note is that unlike in canon, Harry's parents survived with the help of Mew, a legendary Pokemon. Now for a quote that defines this Harry!" He glanced at the Pokemon Wizard. "But please, don't let it be disturbing…" He gave the Microphone to Harry, who grinned, Ralts sitting on his shoulder.

"Alrighty then, my quote is from Ash Ketchum of Pokemon: 'I have my own method of bending spoons. Hah! Muscle over mind!'" James stared at Harry, and Harry stared back.

"… You realize that has nothing to do with your nature, right?"

"Yeah, but I like it!" Harry smirked. "Smell ya later!" He turned around, leaving as, strangely enough, the Rival's theme from Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow plays in the background.

"Bada!" Manaphy said.

"… Okay, I've had enough of this! I'm out of here! Adios, muchachos!" James said, and he disappeared in a flash of lightning. A few seconds later, the Original Harry arrived.

"What on earth happened to my living room?"

"I hope you enjoyed them!" (Goes back to listening to Manaphy's Song.)