What up, 23-hour-part-people! What's shakin'? I'm actually amazed that I got positive reviews. Thank you all! In exchange I'm going to write a long chapter explaining Ray's character, his origins, bridge the gap between the previous and current chapters and depict the current family dynamic between Harry, Ray, and a new OC I'm introducing in this chapter. This chapter will cover the periphery of Ray's origins. And by "periphery", I mean "Super-long-summary-chapter-that-I-couldn't-do-over-an-indefinite-number-of-chapters-because-then-I-would-lose-the-main-focus-of-the-story". This will take a while, so be ready for the long haul. And now, the story!
Disclaimer: See chapter one… now sod off!
Harry Potter and the Shaman
[xXx]
3 Years Later, Location Unknown
"Ray! Sparrow! Wake up!"
A boy with black hair, green eyes and a familiar lightning-bolt-shaped scar ran into his older brother's bedroom and jumped into the bed on top of his brother, Ray. The boy's elder could only groan and hold his pillow over his head.
"Harry, it's too early," came the muffled moan from under the pillow. He reached for his black, horn-rimmed shades and put them on. "Also, you're kinda heavy."
"But it's eight 'o'clock! And I am not heavy," the boy, now revealed to be Harry, countered pouting. They looked towards the source of a girlish giggle under the blanket on Ray's bed. The blanket was pulled down to reveal a beautiful woman with dark tan skin, black hair and hazel eyes. She wore a white tank top and plaid sleep pants. This was Sparrow Roundtree, Ray's girlfriend and the love of his life.
"You know he's right, Ray. We have stuff to do today, remember?" Sparrow had a good point. Ray sighed.
"Alright, I know when I'm beat. You two go downstairs and start breakfast. I'll be down in a bit. Gotta meditate," Ray said to Harry and Sparrow, with a defeated tone.
Harry nodded vigorously while Sparrow smiled and kissed Ray on the cheek. Harry blanched.
"Don't take too long, ok?" Sparrow knew he could meditate until sundown.
"If I'm not down in fifteen minutes, come up and poke me or something," Ray replied. Sparrow nodded, got out of bed and took Harry downstairs to the kitchen. Ray left the bed and moved to the shaded sliding door. He opened the shades to reveal the sight of a lush, heavily forested valley. The cabin the trio lived in was so isolated, that no one could plot it on any map. It wasn't under the Fidelius Charm and the owls could find it just fine, but they have kept the location a secret. Not even under threat of death would the cabin's location be exposed. But, then again they're owls. Humans can't understand them, anyway.
Ray opened the sliding door to a balcony outside his and Sparrow's room. He leaned on the railing and looked out on the nature that surrounded his home. He then looked down at his left hand, specifically, his wrist. Surrounding his wrist was a black band tattoo. The tattoo moved in time with his heartbeat, alternating between wider and narrower. This tattoo was his stepping stone. 'Has it really been twelve years,' Ray asked himself as he began to reminisce about how the events in his life began to shape the man he was today.
[xXx]
It was the night of July 18, 1979. The war against Voldemort was at its height and also worldwide. His father, Kieran, was working nonstop at the FBMI, the American analog to Britain's DMLE; he and his partner, Malone Calloway, were taking down Death Eater cells left and right. Kieran being off-duty was a blessing. Ray, Kieran and Teresa, Ray's mother and Kieran's wife, were having dinner in their home, a brownstone in Georgetown, Virginia. Teresa was one of the founding members of The Looking Glass, a magazine inspired by the tech, or non-magic folk, magazine Rolling Stone. There was also their elf friend, Gonzo. Gonzo was a very irregular elf as he wore a suit, was a master carpenter and was working to be an attorney or a lawyer. He would become the first elven lawyer in history if he passed the bar in the years ahead. Gonzo sat at the table, eating while reading a law book. Ray was asking him questions; Gonzo tried to stay calm and answer in a way Ray could understand. They were eating a secret Orsini family spaghetti and meatball recipe. Ray always loved this meal, as they didn't have it a lot because Kieran was working non-stop as of late. Kieran and Teresa were chatting happily, until he dropped his fork. Ray looked over at him and saw a face Kieran never wore before; a face that scared him. Kieran told Gonzo to take Ray to Malone then get him to Teresa's uncle, Giuseppe Orsini, in New York City. Ray didn't want to leave, but he had no choice. By the time he made it to Malone's office, reports were coming in that Death Eaters had destroyed the Carnacki's home and Kieran and Teresa were dead from the subsequent battle. Ray couldn't even go to the funeral as he was being shipped to the U.K. to stay with his godfather, James Potter, and his wife, Lily Evans Potter.
[xXx]
Ray was withdrawn and distraught. James and Lily did what they could, but also acknowledged that he needed space. Eventually, he lightened up, especially after learning that Lily was pregnant. It was also around this time that Ray began cultivating the legendary "Carnacki Gut", the instincts that makes every Carnacki so good at investigating. It became more apparent when he met Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore for the first time. Albus barely said a word before Ray's instincts shouted out "untrustworthy". Albus was too grandfatherly and Ray was wary of the twinkle in the old man's eyes. He addressed his concerns to James and Lily, who were surprised. They couldn't think of the man as anything other than the grandfatherly headmaster from their school years, but James understood where Ray was coming from, seeing as he'd seen it with Ray's father. James and his friends Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew looked up to Kieran in their school years.
And then, on July 31st, 1980, Harry James Potter was born. As a ten year old Ray held the newborn baby boy in his arms, he made a promise to always look out for him. For the next year, the two of them were inseparable. They played together, Ray told Harry stories, and he even woke up in the middle of the night and checked to see if anything was wrong. For a year, this went on, until he received his Hogwarts letter. At the time, the Potters were in hiding in Godric's Hollow. Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix took Ray shopping and to the train at King's Cross Station. It was hard to leave Harry, as he had a feeling something bad was going to happen, but off to Hogwarts he went. On the train, he met Bill Weasley, the eldest of seven with five brothers and recently, a sister; the first in seven generations, apparently. When they arrived, and began the sorting ceremony, his first steps into a life he never knew he would traverse.
Raymond could recall the entire conversation he had with the ratty Sorting Hat and a mysterious other voice within his mind word for word, by heart.
(*Flashback*)
Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, September 1st, 1981, 5:30 AM
"Carnacki, Raymond!"
Ray walked forward towards the stool with the ratty old hat atop of its seat, feeling the hundreds of eyes watching his every move. Was he nervous? Yes, he was. He'd admit it, too. He watched those before him go up the same path before him, the ratty hat shouting out, "GRYFFINDOR!" "SLYTHERIN!" "RAVENCLAW!" "HUFFLEPUFF!" And now, it was his turn. Whose house was he going to be sorted in? Will he fit in? Would he like his chosen house? He wasn't sure of anything and was lost.
He finally made it to the stool. The deputy headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, had lifted the hat from its seat and gave Ray a quick, almost nonexistent smile to reassure him that all would be fine. Ray accepted it and grinned back just as quickly then took his place on the stool, McGonagall placing the hat on his head.
The first thing Ray heard was strange gibberish (A/N: For the audio, listen to songs by a group called Terrestrial Tones, specifically the album Dead Drunk. It feels right.). Then he heard a shout.
'So much chatter, young man! There aren't many minds your age that have such strong mental shields,' a voice remarked in Ray's head. 'Incredible!'
Ray was confused and began to put the puzzle pieces together. 'Are you the hat?'
'Correct, young Raymond,' the voice now confirmed to be the Sorting Hat answered. 'Quite quick witted, aren't you? But that's not what we're here for are? Now let's see here. You're very intelligent; smart enough to be in Ravenclaw. But you're also loyal, and hardworking; maybe Hufflepuff is right for you? I've also seen that you have the ability to be brave and courageous; another Gryffindor, perhaps? But you've already seen past the bigger picture, into the bigger game; Slytherin would accept you with open arms! Oh, decisions, decisions, Mr. Carnacki!'
Ray looked out at the Great Hall. He focused in at the tables, and listened in on some conversations. Some third year Gryffindors were telling the first years that Slytherin house was full of dark wizards or some nonsense. When did dark equate with evil? Not all Slytherins can be evil, can they? These questions grew louder in his head, more so with an audience.
'You're making me choose?' Ray asked in confusion. 'None of this makes much sense. I mean why divide us? Segregate us? Make us compete and stagnate instead of collaborate to make the world better? What's it all for?'
'You know, it wasn't mean to be like this,' the Hat began, sighing. 'All of this competition, superiority. A complete waste of potential, that's what it is. This isn't what we wanted for this place, you know. We wanted to build a school where young witches and wizards could grow into their own. A hub for young minds to find their path and broaden their horizons. I'm not surprised that you find the Founder's original vision so appealing.'
'Because he's one of mine,'a mysterious voice interrupted.
Ray and the Hat jumped a little, but for different reasons. The Hat asked first.
'Are you certain, old friend?'
'Quite certain, Godric,'the other voice answered.'You'll need to announce it this time. Let me speak with him first.'
'You've never taking this much interest in the others you've tapped, much less announce him as one of yours. But, alright; this will bring you a lot of attention.'
'Thank you, Godric,'he told the Hat, then turned his attention to Ray.'I hate to do this to you but you will play an important role in the coming decades. You will bring about a new magical age, unlike that of which the world has ever seen. It's up to you how it emerges. Others will try to mislead you, manipulate you, but it will forever be your choice; don't let others tell you otherwise. Destruction and ignorance itself will attempt to destroy you and all you hold dear. But fear not, this is not your destiny; it's your choice, whatever you do will bring the world into a new age. Good luck, Raymond Prospero Carnacki. Follow the bear.'
'Hey, wait! Who are you?' Ray asked frantically, but the voice was gone. Questions were racing around in the boy's head. Thankfully, he was brought back to reality by the Sorting Hat.
'Well, I believe this ends our conversation, Mr. Carnacki. Good luck,' the Hat concluded. It then shouted, "MOUNTAINBLOOD!"
(*Flashback Over*)
Apparently, the conversation between Ray, the Sorting Hat and the mysterious voice went on for a half-an-hour. No one has ever heard of the Mountainblood house, or at least claimed not to. The teachers were at a loss of what to do. Ray was of house with no table, no points, no head-of-house and no common room, to anyone's knowledge. The rest of the sorting went off without peculiarity. Ray's friend, Bill, went into Gryffindor. Ray sat with Bill during dinner. People kept staring and asking questions he couldn't answer. The most troubling disturbance was the way the teachers were looking at him. As first years were shuffled to their common room, Ray met Honovi, the Mountainblood house ghost. She took him to the common room where he met members from other houses who were also in Mountainblood house.
[xXx]
Honovi explained to him that all the students in Mountainblood house were sorted into other houses then tapped by the founder of the house, Manitou Mountainblood. Manitou was a shaman from the western United States who came across the Atlantic in search of aid against a being not of darkness, but of mindless destruction and stagnation. His quest for aid fell on deaf ears on all who asked until he met the future founders of Hogwarts. The five of them the traveled all Europe and Asia, recruiting Crusading Knight Sorcerers, Dark Lords and Ladies, Hindu Gurus, Mountain Sages from China, Shinto Priests and Shrine Maidens, Imams, Hags, Druids, Healers and others to their coalition. This army descended on modern day Budapest, and fought the being called "Aravin," the Georgian word for nobody. After a long hard battle, the coalition was victorious. Those who survived returned to their homes while the founders and Manitou founded Hogwarts. The school was successful, but something happened to Mountainblood and his best friend, Salazar Slytherin became known as a pureblood elitist in the history books.
The reason they were tapped is because they were able to look beyond boundaries, morals, rules, laws and the "truth" set by elders and ancestors in books and history. They were also looking to make the world a better place. Originally, Hogwarts and its houses were united by a singular idea. Say a Mountainblood created an idea for a charm or invention, Gryffindors willed the courage to start it, Ravenclaws put that idea to scroll, Slytherins bartered for resources and Hufflepuffs crafted it into reality. All of the houses worked together to create or discover inventions or concepts that would make society better for all.
Honovi then explained that the world isn't black and white; light or dark. It's about right and wrong. While opinions concerning this topic differ from person to person, there is a lot people can agree on. A person would kill if it was to protect someone or something they cared about. You can hold back the truth until the time is right. Darkness can be good and light can be evil. The ability to choose, a human's free will, is the most valuable part of any human being. Prophecies are meaningless; they only come true if you choose to make them so. No one's life is fated or predestined. Honovi went into detail about these topics and more. When she finished up, she allowed the "members" of the house to talk amongst themselves for a half-hour before they had to return to their dorms for bed.
The first people Ray and Bill met were two Slytherins. They introduced themselves as Alistair Zabini and Sofia Greengrass. Ray introduced himself in turn, as did Bill, but with a little hesitation. He apologized for his pause and the Slytherins accepted it without condition, understanding Bill's initial reluctance. Ray and Bill learned that the two of them just became older siblings. Sofia said she had a sister named Daphne, while Alistair talked about Blaise. Ray told them about Harry and Bill talked about his six younger siblings. Sofia commented about what Honovi talked about sounded a lot like what her parents taught her growing up. Alistair noticed his mother talked to him about the same things. Bill got this talk from his father while Ray got it from his parents while they were still alive. An older student, a Ravenclaw, was eavesdropping told them about the portraits on the wall; speculating that their parents might be in a few of them. So, the first years took the Ravenclaw's advice. Best advice ever.
Ray found his father, Kieran, in year's 1961 to 1967. The two people he had his arms around were Bill's dad, Arthur, and Kieran's old partner in the aurors, Amelia Bones. Ray also found Lily and Remus Lupin, a close friend of his godfather's. Ray liked him. In the same years as James friend's was Sofia's parents and Alistair's mom. Also, he saw the deputy headmistress, who he thought looked pretty in school.
Eventually, everyone had to leave. Ray bid his new friends farewell and Honovi pointed him to his bedroom. Before he went to bed, he sent a letter to the Potters about his first night and being sorted.
[xXx]
That night, he had a strange dream. He was in a strange place. There were millions of sights and sound bombarding him at once, that everything he processed came out as audio-visual soup (A/N: Put on some Terrestrial Tones or something to that effect.). The sensory overload died down and an old man stood before him. He wore ornate indigo robes, brown pointed slippers, spectacles with triangular lenses and a helmet that fit over his head, like a skullcap. Around his waist was a belt with a book fastened to it. Behind him were a fairy and some sort of bare-ass demon/gorilla hybrid. The man's eyes glowed much like the place they were occupying. The man grinned at him and began to speak; he had an Italian accent:
This shining soil beyond life's mummied grip,
Far past the maul of fact,
Where thoughts parade.
Our direst yearnings and our fondest fears at sport,
Made safe from time's iniquity.
The elderly Italian, as Ray discovered, made a motion for Ray to follow with his hand. Ray and company ventured into stacks and shelves of books reaching the heavens, maybe even farther. Strolling through the labyrinthine library, the old man began again:
We are the dreams and wonders that creased your toddler brow,
The doodles scrawled on floor and wall in childhood alley-play,
Did not your youth,
When inspired each motion seized,
See muse paramour took oft to bed?
The sage turned to him, right brow raised and mischievous grin apparent. Young Raymond could only shrug. His elder chuckled and continued:
When grown to grey responsibility,
Its disenchantments and diurnal toils,
Come each day's disappointed end were we not all thy consolation,
Thy escape?
The quartet left the maze-like library and came across a spire overlooking the madness surrounding them. Ray followed the old would-be master of this strange place. The man continued once more:
Did half-truths and half-leads not prevail?
The storybooks?
The essays?
Our virtues, our intoxicating vice:
While fashioning thyself,
Were these not clay?
If we mere in substantial fancies be,
How more so thee,
Who from us substance stole?
Ray stopped. Was this stranger talking of ideas or of dreams? Perhaps creation itself? He began to rub his chin in deep thought, or he would of if he hadn't heard the old maestro's cough for attention. He looked up to see aforementioned maestro and his companion's looks of impatience. Ray made a quick trot and gave his guide a look of apology, which gained him a look of warning in return. The Italian once again continued his soliloquy:
Not thou alone,
But all humanity doth in its progress fable emulate.
Whence came thy wands and fireworks if not from Beedle, from dragons?
Your truest companions since the cave, we apparitions guided mankind's tread,
Our planet,
Unseen counterpart to thine,
As permanent,
As ven'rable,
As true.
On dream's foundation matter's mudyards rest.
Great many sketching hands,
Each and everyone the other draws:
The fantasies fashion thee.
The maestro pointed at Ray when he said "thee". They had made it to the foot of the spire. A spiral staircase ran up to its summit. The maestro continued on:
Intangible,
We are life's secret soul.
Its guiding principle,
Its best.
Untarnished by all manipulations and thieves,
Unshackled from mundane authorities.
Life's boldness erodes,
Yet we endure.
Whilst tyrants topple,
Yet Tesla rides with the companions of thy bed nights in glorious pasture Stalin never glimpsed.
At, last they reached the top and Ray surveyed over it all. Ideas great and small and fantastic figures from tales his mother read to him way back when. He knew where he was now, or at least had an idea. Ray returned his attention toward his elder escort as he concluded his speech:
Rejoice!
Imagination's quenchless pyre burns on,
A beacon to eternity.
Its triumphs culture's proudest pinnacles when great wars are ingloriously forgot.
Here is our inspiration made paradise,
Brief thought made glorious fruition.
Here thinkers and innovators are made safe from ignorant sneer,
Orskeptic,
Or fact.
Here nephew,
Are brave banners ofinceptionunfurled…
The strange land began to flourish much greater as the maestro raised his arms in glorious revel!
TO BLAZE FOREVER IN A BLAZING WORLD!
Behind his orator now appeared three other beings. The first, a heavily tattooed Tribal American wearing a bear-pelt headdress brandishing a tomahawk. The second could only be Merlin Emrys, himself; Ray has seen thousands of paintings and pictures of him. And finally, a strange creature he never seen before. Ray could not describe it with the sights and sounds entrapping his senses (A/N: Put on some Terrestrial Tones or something to that effect for a few seconds than stop abruptly.).
[xXx]
Ray woke up in shock. He could not even begin to comprehend his dream; it was too much. What was the old man talking about? What was that place? His mind was racing at the speed of light. Ray wanted to learn more, but it was late and he closed his eyes, to dream again. In the back of his mind, Ray held on to one question: 'Why did he call me his nephew?'
[xXx]
Over the next couple weeks, Ray got in tune with school life. He made friends, did homework, went to quidditch games and explored the castle with the help of the Marauder's Map that had been smuggled into his trunk with a note from Messers Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs to have some fun with it. He had lunch at his own house table, which he opted for it to be circular, to keep it equal. He also declined house points, calling them a waste of time; why add unnecessary pressure and mistrust?
Everything was fine until Halloween, 1981. News broke out about the Dark Lord Voldemort being defeated by his adopted brother, Harry Potter and the death of the Potters. Ray sprinted towards the headmaster's office in shock. What was going to happen to Harry? McGonagall found the boy trying to figure out the password into Dumbledore's office. Minerva answered it and the two of them went up into the office. Before Albus or Minerva said anything, Ray shot out thousands of questions about Harry. Was he alright? Was Sirius going to watch over him? Will Harry still be in Ray's care? What about James and Lily's funeral? Minerva calmed the hysterical boy down and allowed Albus to answer. Sirius Black killed Peter Pettigrew and a dozen muggles and was being carted off the Azkaban, the wizarding prison, for betraying the Potter's. Ray claimed that Sirius was innocent; Peter was the secret keeper of Godric's Hollow, not Sirius. Dumbledore said there was nothing he could do, which was an absolute lie; Ray caught it easily. Ray was right not to trust his headmaster. Ray then demanded that Harry be returned to him, to whom the "leader of the light" said no; Harry was going to stay with his Aunt Petunia and the Dursleys. Ray gave the headmaster was shock and revulsion. He met the Dursleys; they were monsters. They went against every tenant of the Mountainblood way. Even Minerva let her stoic mask slip to reveal her disgust with her friend. Albus explained that Lily accidently instigated a blood ritual that protected Harry from the Dark Lord and destroyed the snake's body. For Harry's protection, he was to be placed with his aunt's family and power the blood wards until he goes to school. Ray couldn't take it anymore; he sprinted back to the Adobe with tears in his eyes.
[xXx]
Ray felt so useless. There was nothing he could do. He lost two families in roughly two years, Harry is imprisoned at the Dursleys, Sirius is in prison and Professor—no—Brian wouldn't do anything about it! Ray was just so angry! He couldn't even cast a proper spell because he didn't know how to do it. Ray looked at his wand in frustration; 11 inches, Oak with a qilin's antler as its core, left-handed, perfect for defense and transfiguration. Ollivander told him the wand chose its wielder, but why did it choose him? In rage, he threw it at one of the book cases. The books crashed to the floor as Ray cried again, shoving his face into his hands, lying on the floor until he went to sleep.
When Ray woke up, he saw what he had done and went to pick up the books. They were volumes of the same series. Curious, Ray found the first volume and opened it. The title read The Life of Manitou Mountainblood. Were these Manitou's journals? He pocketed his wand and took the book over to the couch. The book was written by Salazar Slytherin, acting as ghost-writer for Manitou, seeing as he couldn't read or write. What Ray read astonished him to no bounds; Manitou had true power, or perhaps strength was the better term. The shaman could move mountains, commune with the dead, cast silent and wandless magic with ease. Manitou spoke in detail about a shaman's life; his tools, rituals, methodology, ideals and his magic. A large portion of the Adobe's Library concerned Shamanism. When Bill, Alistair and Sofia came down to check on him and give him food, they found him sitting on the couch, surrounded by books. They were amazed when he asked what time it was.
Ray went into exile, just reading Manitou's journals; most of the teachers gave him some space. His "housemates" brought him food and notes and homework. Everyone wanted to ask him about Harry, but thankfully, his friends never exposed where to find him. They also gave Ray his mail. One letter in particular came from his godmother, Amelia Bones. It instructed him to came back to London on the train so they could meet and get Ray situated. Ray wrote a very short reply, it was one sentence, and had Bill send it for him. Afterwards, Ray returned to reading.
A month passed. It was breakfast and everyone was talking about Ray. Some rumors stated that he killed himself. Others said he left school quietly to transfer somewhere else. Minerva knew better and said nothing; the same with all of the other Mountainbloods. Even Dumbledore was concerned… somewhat.
Everything stood still and silent when Raymond Carnacki slammed open the doors to the Great Hall without breaking his stride. He power-walked to the head table and asked Professor McGonagall if they could discuss a few things during the lunch break. Speechless and surprised, the deputy headmistress could only nod. Ray flashed a mega-watt grin, nodded, and went to eat at his table.
As soon as he sat down, he was bombarded with questions, which he only answered with small requests (Could you please pass the pepper?) or utter nonsense (kumquat). After awhile, people just gave up, thinking he went mad. Dumbledore was now even more concerned and attempted to use legilimency to enter the young Carnacki's mind, only to be shut out by nonsense and gibberish (A/N: Terrestrial Tones for five seconds). Albus didn't know how it was possible; Ray wasn't an occlumens. He needed to keep better track of young Raymond. He tried only to discover it was near impossible.
Ray began to use his Mountainblood "sense" to find passage-ways that could not be found on any map. When lunch finally came, he collected some food and went to Minerva's office. There he explained his self-imposed exile and the fruits of research. Ray told her that he wanted to become a shaman. Minerva was shocked. She never heard of any wizard volunteering to become a shaman. He found a ritual that jump-started the metamorphosis of Ray's magical core. He also asked to keep it from Albus for as long as possible. Reluctantly, she agreed.
Ray then went on to explain that in order to become a shaman, he needed to travel abroad in order to learn. He was hoping to study abroad. Another unprecedented event! Ray wanted present his case to the board of governors, after the holidays. He would talk it over with Amelia during the winter break. McGonagall would allow it on the condition that she was there for the ritual. They shook on it.
[xXx]
The holiday break came quickly and Ray was on his way back to London, to meet Amelia Bones. He sat in a compartment with Bill, Alistair and Sofia. Ray was very nervous about meeting his godmother. He sent her a letter a week ago concerning his choices. Would she like him? Will she be alright with his path? Will she die, too? Ray shook himself out of that questioning. His parent's and the Potter's death were not his fault. They told him so. He began some training, more specifically communion with the dead. The first time, he spoke with his parents, Kieran and Teresa. He told them about his life and his plans. They told him to go forward with it. Communing with the Potters went the same.
In barely anytime at all, they made it to their stop. Ray, Bill, Alistair and Sofia departed from the train and found their parents. Parents were introduced and reunited with their children. The only problem was Molly, Bill's mother, who was angry that her son would consort with Slytherins. Thankfully, Arthur, Bill's dad and Molly's husband, kept her under control. The Weasleys, Greengrasses and Zabinis left for home, leaving Ray to look for Amelia. He turned around and found a woman in her thirties with blonde hair. He remembered her photo and approached her. They stared at one another for a small amount of time until they pulled each other into a hug. They left the station by floo and arrived at her home. It was there was Ray met her niece, Susan. She was a baby, about Harry's age. Ray missed Harry, but he had to be strong.
[xXx]
A few hours later, Ray, Amelia and Susan finished dinner. The older two talked about his parents, school, his life, her job and everything in between. Finally, after Susan was taken to bed, Ray spoke of his plans. At first, Amelia was surprised, but the more he explained his reasons, the more she understood. With heavy heart, she consented for Ray to study abroad. He hugged her, catching her off guard, and she returned it.
McGonagall came the next day by floo. They worked out his plan. Ray would begin travelling September 1st of next year until the end of his sixth year, the same time he would take his OWLs. Over the weeks leading to break, Ray read about various arts and places. He listed anything interesting and let Minerva and Amelia look it over. They gave it the OK.
[xXx]
The holidays came and went. As soon as Ray came back to school, he had the meeting with the school's board of governors. Ray explained his plans and reasons. Many were apprehensive of him becoming a shaman, along with travelling abroad. But eventually, Ray won by majority vote; the only opposition came from Professor Dumbledore, to keep the boy in line, and Lucius Malfoy, recently released from Ministry custody; the man hated the idea.
[xXx]
Three months passed before Ray went forward with the ritual. Honovi lead him through it. Ray began his pledge to "walk the Earth". Understanding the world was the most important goal to a shaman. He drew runes over his heart and in his left hand. His footsteps follow those of his elders then find their own way.
Ray picked up a knife and cut open his hand, breaking the rune. A great pressure came down on Ray. He felt like he was being crushed, but he persevered. As he lost consciousness, his first tattoo, a black band appeared on his wrist; it was tied to his heart, expanding and contracting with its beat. His wand, hanging around his neck grew to the size of a cane. A knot grew out of the top of it. The ritual was over. Raymond Prospero Carnacki was now on his first steps in becoming a shaman.
[xXx]
The remainder of the year passed without incident and students left Hogwarts to enjoy the summer. For Ray, his summer involved preparing for his pilgrimage, hanging out with friends, and training. He loved controlling the earth; he took to making walls of rock to make shields, and then creating spikes, launching them as a counterattack. Right before he left, Ray snuck over to Surrey to see Harry before he left. Ray left protective charms on the baby boy with the promise that he'll be back.
[xXx]
On September 1st, 1982, Ray began his walkabout with a reunion with Gonzo, who passed the bar and was officially a lawyer. They traveled to France, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Japan, India, China, Australia, and the United States. In France, Ray learned the Mind Arts from Apolline Delacour, and befriended her 12-year-old spitfire of a daughter, Renee. Renee was a quarter-Veela, seductive creatures that the siren myth originated from. Strangely enough, unlike her mother and younger sister, Fluer, who had silvery blonde hair, Renee's hair was raven-black. Ray had no problem with it, though. Said it made her look like someone you shouldn't mess with. During his time with Apolline, Ray learned that instead of shields, an Occlumens should instead create a mindscape in order to make thoughts and information inaccessible to intruders. This was especially useful against the Imperius Curse; if the caster couldn't find how to control your mind, then the curse is useless. During his time there, Ray's tattoo began to extend and grow; intricate art encompassed his left forearm.
In Japan, Ray and Gonzo roamed the country with Ginko, a Mushi master. Mushi is life in its most basic form. The best way to explain would be an analogy: Look at your hand, face up. Classify your fingers as fauna, or animal life, with humans signified by your middle finger as its point is farthest from your heart. Meanwhile, classify your thumb as flora, or plants. Inside your hand are veins where your life's blood flows and circulates. Eventually, moving down your hand, those veins meet as one at your wrist; classify that as bacteria and microbes. As you move down your arm, life becomes more complex and indistinguishable, until you make it to your heart; those are "Mushi" or "Midorimono". They are life itself. Only those with a special sense, called "Youshitsu" can detect them. Most Japanese wizards and witches can, but it's rare for foreigners to have it. Mushi also cause problems and ailments, and as a Mushi master, Ginko knows how to solves problems involving these creatures. During his erudition with Ginko, Ray was given his oak-box backpack. The inside was larger than the outside, allowing him to move his clothes, books, and other knick-knacks he collected on his travels. Ginko also gave Ray a special sealed cocoon with a Mushi inside that was used for sending and receiving messages. Ray also had some made for Amelia and his friends, so they could send letters to each other. Ray made it a goal to discover the British equivalent when he returned to Hogwarts. His tattoos grew some more, decorating his hands and half way up his right arm.
While on vacation in Italy, Ray accidentally went back in time to the year 1963 and met an eight-year-old Narcissa "Cissy" Black and together they befriended the Goblin forefathers, the Gremlins. In friendship, the two humans were given coins made of valuable Orichalchem. When he returned to Hogwarts, he would see her in portraits in the Mountainblood Adobe. His tattoos began to layer themselves.
During the duo's stay in India, he studied under a guru named Damayanti; she reluctantly taught him how to raise his pain threshold to inhuman levels to fight of the Cruciatus Curse. Her hesitance came from the fact that she was disgraced for disguising herself as a man to learn under another guru, the same one who declined Ray's request for tutelage before coming to Damayanti. Ray studied under her for six months. Ray's tattoos grew half way up his biceps by then.
Ray and Gonzo then went to the Guangxi region in China for Ray to study the martial arts under the tutelage of Master Bak Mei. Bak Mei lived in the Nanling Mountain range on a magic mountain where time has literally stopped. Time appears to move faster, but outside the cloud cover, only months have passed. Gonzo left in order to return to Washington D.C. to continue his work as Federal Prosecutor for the Congressional Bureau of Magical Justice, or the CBMJ. The two bid each other farewell and Ray went to climbed the mountain steps alone. When he met Bak Mei and asked to be his pupil, he was turned down. He slept outside and asked again the next day; he was turned down again. The next day, he met Yun Jiao, Bak Mei's granddaughter. Ray discovered that she raised dragons, Chinese Fireballs, and that Bak Mei's home was also a dragon reserve. He also met Chai Ka, Jiao's constant companion and bodyguard, who was looking to kill him. Bak Mei observed Ray as he faced down the dragon. He was surprised that instead of fleeing or fighting back, Ray stared Chai Ka down, instead. Chai Ka stared back and after a tense few minutes, the dragon snorted and withdrew his attack. It was then that Bak Mei agreed to teach Ray. The old master was strict and critical, but Ray never complained. Thanks to his training, Ray was able to stare death in the face and amazingly withstand the Avada Kedavra, the Killing Curse, during an attack on him and Jiao by some arrogant wizards from Europe. Along with his physique, Ray's tattoos extended to his shoulders and began to connect across his back.
From there, Ray went to Australia and learned under the guidance of an old Aboriginal shaman named Derain. Under Derain, Ray learned more about the spiritual side of Shamanism; communions with the dead, the stories, medicine, the philosophy. It was also under his guidance that Ray entered the Dreamtime, the time of creation. During these trips, Ray felt a familiar feeling, like from that strange dream he had when he was eleven, of the Blaze. At the end of Derain's teachings, Ray went on walkabout in the desert. During the nights, he had visions of himself as a coyote, running through the desert looking for a cub. Every time he got close, he would be stopped by a peacock, a hippo and a jackass. When he woke up, he knew what he had to do. As a parting gift, Derain gave him a bowie knife; there were runes etched into the blade that empowered it against corruption. Ray's tattoos inched closer to his heart.
Finally, he made it to America, more specifically to Zion National Park in Utah, where the Roundtree Proving Grounds were situated. It was there he met Sparrow, who is the daughter of Cole Roundtree, chief of the Roundtree Tribe. When he first met Chief Cole, the man called him "a lonely coyote, searching for his pack." Ray couldn't agree more and asked if he could finish his training at the grounds. Cole agreed, much to the frustration of those in his tribe, more specifically, Michael Stonepaw, a young shaman with ambitions to become Chief of the tribe. As Ray was almost finished with his training, he trained with them for two months before he was deemed ready to earn his full right-of-passage. Over the years, Ray had grown. His body replaced baby fat with lean muscle. He grew taller. His single black band wrist tattoo grew into intricate art up his arms; with one line of intricacy connecting from his left shoulder to his heart.
He was lead to a cave as dark as night and was told enter its network and find his path. Time lost meaning inside and he was lost, so he began to meditate. Half-hour later, a tear in the fabric of time and space appeared. It lead into the Blazing World, he could feel it. Ray knew this was what he was looking for. He went inside and entered the Blaze. Once again, Ray was surrounded by audio-visual soup, but his time it felt different. Ray suddenly knew how to make a Philosopher's Stone and subsequently the Elixir of Life. Complex Charms, potions, wards; all was at his beck and call. This was the true Blazing World. Behold its wonder. He took the information as well as he could. He learned things others shouldn't know for centuries. When he couldn't take it, Ray fell unconscious.
When he awoke, Ray was tied up with his eyes covered by a bandana. He heard a voice, Michael's, he deduced. Michael was jealous of Ray; how he just waltzed in and got everything Michael wanted. The tribe's praise, Cole's respect, Sparrow's affection; the last one came as a surprise. Michael was supposed to be the next chief! Not some outsider! When Ray said he never wanted to be chief, Michael snapped. He punched Ray in the face. Michael punched him again. He kept going, hoping to get a scream of pain, one that would never come. Michael kept wailing on his captive until one punch removed Ray's blindfold. Ray's gaze became the Masonic Eyes. Michael gained knowledge beyond his dreams. He felt powerful; too powerful. His head felt like he was going to explode. Michael screamed and fell over. Ray broke free and looked his captor over. Michael was alive, but unresponsive. He was a catatonic vegetable trapped in his mind with knowledge he'll never be able to use. Ray slung him over his shoulders, put his blindfold back on and made his way to the exit.
When he emerged, the tribe was surprised to see Michael Stonepaw with him. He explained what happened, and Cole understood. He was disappointed in Michael; the boy had so much potential and he let it go to waste. The chief apologized to Ray and deemed his training complete; there would be a celebration… after Ray was patched up. It was Sparrow who healed Ray and gave him his famous sunglasses. Ray told her of his trial within the caves, calling it incredible. He also told Sparrow about what Michael said, more specifically about her feelings for him. She blushed and came clean. She explained over the two months Ray was with tribe, she gained feelings for him. When Sparrow was done, Ray admitted that he also had feelings for her. They stared at each other for a minute, then their faces grew closer together and they kissed. It was sloppy, but magical. They made out for ten minutes until the couple stopped, gasping for air. Ray and Sparrow sat there in a comfortable silence. Hours later at the party, they held hands. When Cole saw Ray and his daughter being very close, he interrogated the boy until he got a vow out of him promising to never hurt his daughter. Ray and Sparrow spent the week together until it was time for him to leave. Ray gave Sparrow one of his messaging cocoons and promised to write every day.
[xXx]
Ray traveled east to the Salem Institute to take his OWLs; all of which he aced. On his way home, he was approached by the ICW to become a special investigator after he graduated. He accepted without a second thought.
Ray returned a changed man. He was no longer a confused little boy, but a young man with wisdom beyond his years. He returned to Hogwarts the following fall. For his NEWT Project, Ray discovered the British variant of Mushi. He named them Anima, Latin for spirit. His essay gained world renown with magizoology community. Ray He also came into some money, courtesy the Duke of Milan. With the money he restarted, his mother's magazine, The Looking Glass, and opened up a bunch of record shops in magical Britain.
[xXx]
Which lead to now to Ray's life with Harry and Sparrow. After graduation, Ray rescued his brother, Harry, from his evil relatives and they traveled the world with Sparrow; solving high-profile crimes all over. Ray heard a knock on the door and turned around to see Sparrow smiling at him.
"You love smiling," Ray stated, matter-of-factly. Sparrow walked up to him and gave him a deep kiss.
"I love smiling at you," Sparrow amended breathily. "You alright out here?"
"Yeah, just fine. I'm jonzin' for some eggs, though. "
Sparrow could only laugh.
[xXx]
This chapter is done! What a long one, too! I really need a beta, so please PM me!
Now for some cultural references:
A qilin is a mythical creature from China that usually appears at the arrival or passing of a great sage. They're described as chimera, usually having the head of a dragon, the antlers of a deer, the skin and scales of a fish, the hooves of an ox and tail of a lion. I felt that it would be appropriate for Ray to have a wand with some part of it involved. They're like phoenixes; they only give away parts of themselves willingly.
Mushi and Ginko come from an incredible manga called Mushi-shi. The manga and anime are beautiful.
The Blazing World came from a book of the same name that was written in the 18th century. It was the world's first foray into science fiction.
The soliloquy during the dream sequence was written in majority by Alan Moore in the comic The League of Extraordinary Gentleman: The Black Dossier. The Blazing World also appeared in the comic, explaining the relevance of the soliloquy.
Bak Mei is a legendary martial artist, one of the Five Elders of Kung-Fu. In the western world, people know him as Pai Mei, from Kill Bill Vol. 2.
I'm going to put up a poll concerning if I should make a side-story about Ray's adventures abroad. So remember all, read and review. Keep Yo Hood Pass Intact!