Legilimens-Chapter 4

The next day Harry woke up, made breakfast which he made sure he helped himself with, returned to his room practiced his control, you could do only so much without spells, it was sad that he could not enlarge his cupboard without spells, expansion charms required theory, precise equations and a well structured spell. But really, why should he live in a freaking cupboard. Yeah right, because he was a freak!

The Dursley's will pay! Quit whining he scolded himself; he had better things to do than waste more thoughts on filthy no-brains. He had a recon mission today. With a shit eating grin he got out of his err. .. Room and went out for a walk. But the neighbors were giving him looks, yeah right he was the nasty potter boy, spawn of two good for nothings who got drunk and snuffed out in a car crash leaving their nasty son behind who did not have manners, and was grounded for more time then he was let out. In their eyes he was a thief who darkened their places just by being their, never mind the fact that he was not even 10 years old. He had some plans but they were vague for now and all depended upon his return to the magical world. Once settled his affairs their (relatively) he would make sure to put the pig-Dursley, the horseface-Dursley, and the Giant-Pig-cross-extraordinaire Dursley.

Well magic was special, he was special so why not use some of it, a quick notice me not charm later he walked in the door for number 1, the nastiest woman in all lived there who was the gossip distributor here. Now it was scanning time! He looked directly in eyes of the neighbor and willed himself to know her most kept secrets and was disgusted with the images he got there; she was cheating on her husband who was more of a guest in his own house. Poor man if he stayed there he would definitely know that his wife and one of his junior were REALLY-REALLY-REALLY good friends. Well no point in knowing more she was not some wizards toadie sent to monitor him. He almost felt sorry for the guy, well almost. It was his own fault after all.

Next came number two, husband was out and his wife was cooking nothing interesting here. A perfectly normal family, one Dursley's should emulate to appear normal.

He then scanned as many as he could and did not find anything. Now as the last one, the one he least suspected because the lady lived alone with some pet cats, probably was a cat breeder. The reason was if someone was sent for his protection he would be competent, Figgs was not at all competent. Yet he had to check. Soon the house came to view along with a black cat, now he carefully looked at it the cat was not a cat but rather a kneazle and from the looks of it, it was guarding the house. Kneazels were really intelligent specie and would have surely spotted his notice me not because it hid his appearance not his sound and smell. It had gone to warn her owner.

Hastily he dropped the notice me not. Sure enough the woman rushed out to greet him.

"Hello Harry, did you come here to play with my cats"

"No Mrs. Figg I was just passing by"

"Were you going somewhere particular Harry, children must not go out unaccompanied, Return to your home dear."

Harry pretended to be downtrodden and mumbled "My aunt said to get out and not return until it was time to cook food ''

He carefully watched what memories these words will bring out. He was appalled to see that this woman was planted by Dumbledore. She gave regular reports of how he was, to all about his mistreatment. She once tried to object and Dumbledore simply said that it was for the greater good that Harry does not know of wizarding world and remain humble. He went ahead to say that Figg was exaggerating about abuse and he had monitoring charms on Harry. That was the problem with most people, if Dumbledore said it was good it was, if Dumbledore said a person was evil, the people knew all along that the person was evil!

Dumbledore could go ahead and say that for the greater good Slughorn and Dumbledore must have sex, if Slughorn refused a new law would pass to allow Dumbledore use imperious on Slughorn. Dumbledore had enormous political clout, Almost all light families (if they refused they were declared as going-dark).And some minor dark families whom he had blackmailed (which incidentally were later declared light BECAUSE they were supporting Dumbledore)

Now he had to try and stay out of scrutiny AND find a way to neutralize this threat. For now he said his goodbyes and returned to his relative's house. Just as he entered he was met with a shriek and enquiries for where he was.

For his punishment he was to prepare food and return without eating. Dudley looked particularly smug until Harry returned a grin a goblin would feel proud of; this exchange went unnoticed by his aunt.

So a week went by and Harry practiced his control and took strolls. Now today Vernon had to return but was advised for rest. Vernon did return looking quite healthy much to Harry's dismay. (He was only on a wheelchair, which he would not need after a week)

As soon as he saw Harry Vernon felt fear and Harry who had a new habit of scanning surface thoughts caught it. Harry immediately started programming suggestions, one could not control another person with legilimency but one could plant suggestions. It was because if one forced an issue the person would react and fight but subtle hints and suggestions went unnoticed. It was the reason legilimency was banned subject without proper license (meaning one had to part with at least 5,000 galleons.).

Harry manipulated it start reacting like a defensive yet dangerous animal. In essence it meant that Vernon would mostly ignore Harry because he feared him and be content with it. Rather useful if you think about it, Vernon won't bother Harry and let him be he won't dare try beating him because that meant a repeat of last time.

He carefully started damaging some parts that controlled his right leg. Now the fat lump won't be able to move one of his legs forever and would need a crutch. "Serves him right for try to beat him, worthless child abuser", thought Harry savagely.

Two Years later

Two years had passed and Harry's life had improved, He still lived in cupboard but He was fed he had more privileges to do as he pleased. He scored well in classes, considered a good child he also read Figgs mind frequently to stay in touch with wizarding news and knew his status as the boy-who-lived. But most of all he practiced with wand less magic, performing which had become more efficient he did not need hand gestures anymore which were a boon, he grew tall, taller than his age. Not that he could do much other than a few detection charms, summoning and banishing.

Most of all he Discovered he was a metamorphagus, such gifts were common in more powerful of the magical population no one knew why the manifested and they only manifested in old families , this was the reason that blood purity mattered to those, yes blood did matter but not that much, The chances of a pureblood to have above average power were greater than those of a first generation witch of wizard but this advantage was wasted when you come from a bunch of people who were the sons of their fathers sisters , thus the grounds evened out and it irked the pureblood because even being pureblood did not bring anything more than a habit to sneer , money of ancestors if they left you any and a huge amount of ego. Sure if your parents were both powerful, the chances of you being powerful increased but being inbred destroyed it all.

Muggleborns had their own share of problems, they did not come with any ambition as all the future plans they had, they were in muggle world, and it took them a while to get accustomed to being magical.

Also muggleborns had their own share of logic, one would call muggle logic. If a muggleborns was to climb a wall, he would conjure a hook and rope and try to climb it, or maybe blast the wall cross it and repair it.

Muggles were destructive in that matter. While a wizard raised child would try for apparition, use a reduction charm to shrink a part of wall then simply climb over it and undo the charm. It was something you get used to only after living with wizards.

Every society has its own way to solve a certain problem native to them , muggles used what was available to them (rather efficiently given the circumstances), but wizards had a whole new set of options available that muggles only knew to exist in fairy tales.

Back to being a metamorph, his aunt once cut his hair (he dare not use magic in front of her, she would get ideas), and to his delight his hair grew back. His ability was not developed and he had to work hours, days, and weeks to bring it in conscious control. But it was immensely rewarding he could change his height to a limit, his features, namely hair and eyes.

OF course he was punished by his aunt, but who cared that he was not allowed food for the day; he was so absorbed in his new ability that he even forgot to acquire some food. He even snickered because no child should stay in front of mirror so long, even girls did not and he did.

Dudley had learnt to be cautious that Harry hunting was a really bad idea when while doing so he was known to be tremendously accidental prone, he lost balance more than a drunk did and many bad things happened from sprains to fractures. He learnt to stay away from Harry. Harry also had friends at school though he got bored with them because he was really mentally mature and children were really amusing but only for a short time. Not to mention magical beings matured faster to be able to handle magic.

That did not mean he did not have fun. He was rather popular because he was the only one of his age that Dudley Dursley's feared. Harry was mild mannered, polite and a charmer all things that Tom was and then some. People wanted to be in his company because he showed confidence.

He found that Figg did not report anything of this sort to dumbles because she really did doubt Dumbledore, while Dumbledore was known as champion of muggleborns and squibs their life rarely turned out to be better. While squibs were hunted in last war for being a shame to wizards and hence Figg owed it to Harry, as did most squibs. She simply "forgot" to mention that Harry's life had improved to Dumbledore because he only asked how he was treated and the answer was always that he slept in a cupboard. How she found out and monitored he did not know, but he suspected that those cats reported it to her, kneazles were cunning enough to even slip by his guard. And watch over him. They very smart and knew how to be discrete. The Squibs and some other non-humans had seen the dirtier shade of wizarding world and were quite a bit more insightful. They did not worship Dumbledore, they had no reason to, since he had done absolutely nothing for them in his 45 years of presence in Wizengamot. He did cast vote in their favor but never did he introduce any bill for them. Harry Potter had unknowing and as a baby saved them, they had no doubts about their fate if Voldemort was not defeated and allowed to take over.

Harry tried to find out his own animagus form and was not successful because his personality was not yet developed enough to be permanent. (He did not yet get Toms knowledge, and the influx was very slow. He only knew the third year (introductory classes which were started from third year and were optional) curriculum of wizarding arithmetic which did not teach anything useful such as creating rituals, spells and how to use numbers along with runes to enchant). It seemed like Tom had planned it in such manner, He knew that while Harry's mind would develop, he will be intelligent with knowledge far beyond his years along with experience that came with most memories of Vernon Dursley it did not make him too mature he was still childlike .

But he had erased most of the memories of Vernon through his well practiced occulmency he only knew the relevant information such as account numbers, contacts etc. No need for him to fill his mind with Vernon's memories.

Now Harry was contemplating what to do. Sure with his steadily growing magic he had to learn control both of his enemies had had years to do so, They would rip him apart, not only they had more power they had more control too.

Harry on the other hand only had surprise, deception and information on his side. He had no allies, none whatsoever, either they had abandoned him or they were dead. He knew of Black and how he was imprisoned (Harry does not know Tom's version yet. Tom has decided a schedule of knowledge so that Harry plans accordingly, In short Tom gave him skills and knowledge to master, while Harry was not as mature and cunning as Tom was because of being older, Tom had decided a schedule for Harry so that Harry being a child did not rush to do things that he had no chance of doing yet).

Harry had to tread carefully, plan all possibilities and get favorable outcome. He needed allies and information, right now only Tom's memories and Figg were his sources which needed to expand.

So for another year Harry practiced arithmacy and basic runes, controlled his magic. Read muggle fiction which he enjoyed as much as dumbledore enjoyed lemon drops, which if measured would produce disturbing results.

Harry decided that even if he tried to succeed there were many variables and might result in failure. So it was better to enjoy some time he had away from planning and actually enjoy his time , who knew what future would turn out like. Besides muggle fiction had varied themes, the library was a good place to read and some of those ideas harry decided to use in future. Wizards were stagnant because they lacked ideas, lacked drive to do something new and were lazy but muggles had to survive without magic. Some of those ideas were used by muggle scientists that were taken from fiction so why not Harry use them in magic. They surely would make up for his lack of power if he was able to achieve it.

With such thoughts in mind Harry lay down and went to sleep looking forward to another day, something he did not do 2 years previously.