Chapter Four
Pain shot through his torso. He bit his tongue to keep himself from shouting in pain. Dodging a claw, he slammed against a boulder that was in the way. A burst of power surged from inside him, making him grin. It was time to do that.
Dragging himself to his feet, he spat the blood that had collected in his mouth and moved into a fighting position. Disappearing, he appeared behind the great Guardian Force, his katana sheathed. Ifrit roared and fell to his knees as seven diagonal slashes appeared on either side of his large body.
The boy raised his left hand. Ice shards, thicker than beanpoles, formed in front of him. They flew towards the great beast.
The Guardian Force slashed at the shards, breaking them, and growled. "Enough! You have already proven yourself worthy of my power, brat. Killing me would be unnecessary; it would take days for my corporeal body to recover."
Harry smiled sheepishly and moved his hand further upwards to touch Ifrit's forehead. The Guardian Force bowed and disappeared in a burst of lights which fluttered around Harry before sinking into his body.
(It's been a while…Ifrit.)
(It's nice to see you too, Quez.)
Harry listened to his Guardians talk—Quezacotl was going to give Ifrit a tour—before walking towards Donovan and offering the man a hand. "How long did it take?"
"Four minutes and fifteen seconds," Donovan, his instructor, said. "Not bad for a youngster; the execution of your limit break was top-notch."
"That's good to know." Harry said and grinned at his instructor. "I didn't want to get past the five minute mark."
"Why?" The man asked, dusting the dirt from his pants.
"Simon and I had a bet," Harry said offhandedly. "Where is he anyway?"
"He's in Galbadia Garden." Donovan answered. "Dr. Windspeed accompanied him there for the prerequisite exam as a support. Since he already has Ifrit as a Guardian Force, the Headmaster decided it would be best if he underwent a different test."
"Oh." Harry yawned as he followed his teacher towards the mouth of the cave. It was no surprise that Ifrit was a widely used Guardian Force. After all, he was one of the few that could be acquired at a low level. Since he was one of the oldest Guardian Forces, many people were junctioned to him. He was a very powerful GF, once upon a time, but his strength had been divided into his summoners, weakening him. Now, it was up to the people who carried part of him to strengthen him through experience in battle.
"Hey, Donovan," Harry called to his instructor.
Donovan who was a few steps ahead looked back. "What is it, Harry?"
"Is it possible to communicate to others through Guardian Forces?" Harry asked, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I don't know, Harry." Donovan admitted. "How did you come by this conclusion anyway?"
"Remember that lecture on Guardian Forces?" Harry asked.
"The power of a Guardian Force is divided by the number of people junctioned to it," Donovan quoted. Frowning, he said, "What does this have to do with communication?"
"Well, um…" Harry paused to organize his thoughts before continuing. "A bearer of a Guardian Force, or a summoner as we like to it, carries a physical manifestation of the GF. This means that communication between the summoner and the GF is possible, right? So, is it possible that this physical manifestation can communicate with its other parts?"
Donovan grunted and rubbed his head. "What you mean to say is: I can talk to someone else by conveying the message through a Guardian Force shared by two or more people. Is that it?"
Harry nodded. "Exactly!"
The man sighed. "I'm afraid I don't know if it's possible. Perhaps you should ask one of your Guardians?"
Simon stretched and leaned against the hallway. Grumbling at his absentmindedness—he had forgotten to bring a book—Simon contented himself in watching the scenery.
(Simon, I have a message for you.)
Simon closed his eyes. (What is it, Ifrit?)
(Harry says to tell you that he has passed the prerequisite exam.)
Simon almost fell to the floor in surprise. (How?)
(It seems that your friend has found a new means of communication.) The Guardian Force sounded annoyed. (Through us GFs, it seems. Honestly, what does he think we are?) Ifrit grumbled. (We are the mighty GFs, once feared by all men who walk this earth. Now we are simply tools of destruction and communication. How…absurd.)
Simon struggled into a sitting position. (Umm…can you ask him a question for me?)
The beast sighed. (I might as well.)
(Ask him how this new form of communication works. Also, please tell him that I have finished my exam as well and am heading home.)
(Whatever, Boss.)
Simon scooted to the side to avoid passengers who walked back and forth in the large hallway of the train. There, he wrapped his arms around his legs and began reviewing his notes as a way of passing the time.
"A Chimera is a monster hybrid with four heads that use magic, physical attacks and Status changes. Their principle skill is Aqua Breath which—" He paused and frowned. "What did Aqua Breath do again?" He didn't have time to ponder because Ifrit had returned.
(That brat tells me that communication is only possible through two or more people who share a common GF. Further details will be provided later because I can't memorize the information he wishes to convey.)
"Sounds like Greatest Common Factor to me," Simon said pensively, referring to a math reference he had studied years ago.
Ifrit ignored him. (He also told me to tell you that you owe him fifty gil.)
"Here you go, child," Mr. Elden said, handing the Watcher a wooden box the size of his fist. "I hope it serves its purpose well."
The Watcher slipped the box inside his pocket. Giving the older man a small thin smile, he said, "Oh it will."
Turning around, he was about to leave the small house with its haphazardly arranged roof tiles, concrete walls and cardboard doors when he heard a crash from inside.
Forgetting his current task, the Watcher ran back inside and found Mr. Elden standing over a broken mirror. He blinked.
"Oh, Merritt! Did I startle you?" The man asked as he tried to retrieve the broken pieces.
The Watcher opened his mouth to reply but could think of no answer. He closed his mouth and shook his head.
The man sighed. "I was trying to look at young Harry's progress."
The Watcher crouched and placed his hand over the broken fragments. They quivered and slowly reconnected. He looked up at his former teacher. The man squeaked and placed the last piece on the floor.
"Show me Harry James Potter," he commanded.
Harry stepped out of the mirror and surveyed his surroundings with a critical eye, taking in the old room he had stumbled into years ago. The map he had so expertly drawn when he was a kid was long gone—probably thrown in the bin. Adjusting his grip on the rucksack he carried, he walked for the door.
It was surprisingly easy enough for him to arrive at his room without meeting anyone. He was glad for that although he couldn't help but wonder just where his brother and caretaker were. He stepped inside his room and quickly removed all of his things from his rucksack, methodically hiding them in different nooks and crannies, places he had found during his explorations around the house when he was much younger. The last object that came out of his bag was the box Dr. Windspeed had given him. Inside was a black leather cord with a single emerald stone of diminutive size. He hesitated before slipping it onto his right arm. Glad for his long-sleeved shirt, he pulled the cloth over the black band and took a deep breath. It was time to get the show started.
(Ifrit, Q, I need the two of you to stay in Balamb Garden.) Harry commanded.
(Why?)It was Ifrit.
(Is there something wrong, sir?)
(Just a gut feeling.) Harry explained. (I don't want anyone to find out about the two of you and well, I've always felt that Balamb was much safer than my own home.)
(Alright.)Harry watched as the two retreated towards the Balamb area of his mind. He heard a whisper of a good luck at his direction and couldn't help but smile.
(Thanks.)
About to leave, something caught his eye, and for a moment he simply stared as if trying to figure out why the old worn-out bear was there. It was Maverick's; that much he remembered. So why?
The living room was still the same as ever, expect the floor was a bit dustier and the wall had more framed photos than it had before. Harry carefully positioned himself on top of the carpet—he didn't want to get a head injury—and concentrated. Feeling the energy swell within him, he muttered the word that would release his spell. "Sleep."
"Is he alright, dear?" Harry's eyes snapped open. He moved to a sitting position and looked around. Ms. Banderwell stood on his left. She still had the same old weathered face and her salt and pepper hair was tied in a bun as it usually was. She looked like she had gained some weight though and her neck carried more jewelry than Harry could remember. On Harry's right was Maverick, taller and thinner. He had the built of a would-be Chaser which was ideal since the boy had always dreamt of playing Quidditch just like their father did. Harry was surprised to note that Mav's eyes carried an air of seriousness. He hadn't thought that his brother would grow up like this.
"What happened?" He finally managed to blurt out. "Where am I, Mav?"
"Oh dear," Ms. Banderwell said, sighing. "I'll have to contact Albus. Maverick, please watch over your brother, will you?"
Maverick nodded and helped Harry up. "You know, the least you could do was faint on the couch."
Harry made a face. Ok, so he's still the trying hard comedian we all know and love. "I'll remember that next time." And here I was, hoping that he had actually matured.
"Still sarcastic as ever?" Maverick asked, a small smile on his face. "It's been so long since I've seen you, Brother. For a long time, I felt like a part of me was missing. Maybe it was because a part of me was missing you."
Harry was shocked at Maverick's sincerity. Well, that explains the bear. He thought, avoiding those hazel eyes. "You've changed."
"And so have you." Maverick said. "You're smaller than me and you've got the build of a Beater. Thinking of joining the team?" He teased.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Still a fanatic of Quidditch?"
"Not much has changed, huh?"
Harry was about to disagree—Maverick had changed, in Harry's eyes anyway—when he felt a great power source around him. Turning his head, he saw an old man with an overflowing robe filled with stars and a pair of twinkling eyes behind half-moon glasses. His magic tingled with a sense of urgency, as if telling him to watch out for this man.
"My name is Albus Dumbledore," the man said, introducing himself. "Ruth here has told me of your alarming situation. Tell me, Harry; is it true that you have lost your memory?"
Ruth? Did he mean Ms. Banderwell? Harry nodded. "Only some though," he spoke. "I still remember my brother and Ms. Banderwell."
Dumbledore stared at him as if deciding what to do. At last, the man said, "There is something I am about to do, Harry." His words were measured and chosen carefully. "I might be able to do something to help you but first, you have to agree to my doing this."
"Doing what, sir?"
"You're not thinking of entering his mind, Albus?" Ms. Banderwell asked, startled. "He is a minority after all and surely you would find nothing there!"
"If someone obliviated him, I should still find traces of the spell on him using Legilimency. I can then contact my Potions master and ask him to create a potion that can restore his memories." Dumbledore explained. "Please trust me, Ruth. I know what's best for the child."
Harry frowned. "Can I at least have a say on this?"
"Well, go on," Ms. Banderwell said. "We haven't got all day, boy."
"What if, the reason why I can't remember anything was because my mind doesn't want me to?" Harry ventured. "What if something bad happened and I've unconsciously pushed the memories away?"
"You mean, you don't want to remember because it's too painful or something?" Maverick asked.
"Exactly."
"The boy's got a point, Albus." Ms. Banderwell said. "Besides, the Ministry would throw a fit if they found out that you've attempted to do such a thing as to use Legilimency on a child." Ms. Banderwell, it seemed, was willing to argue with this authoritative man if it meant staying on the Ministry's good side.
Dumbledore nodded. "Very well." He gave Harry one last look before turning to Ms. Banderwell. "I'll consult my books and see if I can find a way to help him. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to." Handing Ms. Banderwell a letter, he continued. "This is Harry's school letter. I hope to see these two come September. Good bye, Ruth."
Harry felt himself relax as the man's commanding presence disappeared. If the man did indeed try to enter his mind, he might have discovered Q and Ifrit. Although the two were hidden, Harry had a feeling that the man could easily find them. He didn't want to know what would happen next and thanked Ms. Banderwell silently for defending him. Adding Legilimency to the list of things he had to research, he looked at Maverick questioningly. "Do you think you have any clothes my size?"
Mr. Elden placed his hand over the mirror, dispelling the magic on it. He looked at his old pupil curiously. "Do you still have trouble controlling your power, Merritt?"
"What do you mean?"
"Because you used too much again; instead of showing the present situation, we're watching the future," Mr. Elden reasoned. "It happens quite frequently, you know."
The Watcher blinked. "Oh, I can actually explain that. I already knew what was going to happen so I decided to move the time a bit forward."
"Could you at least have me watch the boy in action?" The old man grumbled. "I am curious about his progress."
The Watcher laughed. "Well then," he placed the mirror on the wall and tapped it. Harry's image reappeared, "you'll just have to wait."
A/N: Yes, I'm sorry to disappoint you but there are no fight scenes in this chapter (except the brief one on top). I don't really remember Final Fantasy 8 so I couldn't think of any kind of mission I could give to Harry. It might get mentioned later on but I won't go into detail because of it.
Also, the chapter is shorter than usual. Terribly sorry about that. I will try to write longer next time. (Hopefully, updates will be faster as well since I'm not writing that other fic for a while.)