1) This story is inspirited by Corwalch's HPSG story: Two Shall Be As One.
2) Disclaimer: Honestly, I own nothing. Don't sue.
3) Please forgive my grammar. English is not my first language, and I'm without a beta.
One Plus One Equals One
by novacarta
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Chapter 04
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[…Mental conversation…] "…Verbal conversation…" '…Thoughts…'
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The cupboard dissolved into a whirlpool of stark vacancy, and when the world finally stopped spinning and everything calmed down, Daniel and Harry were floating up high, with poles of puffy and cotton-like clouds passing by.
.
[Well, blue sky, daylight, at least the weather is good.] Daniel looked around then stated calmly, secretly wishing for something to bang his head on.
[I hate to ask this, but…] Harry poked his head out from Daniel's embrace, peered down at the ground below, which remained unseen, then looked back up at the older man with a mischievous smile. [Are you lost again, Mr. Jackson?]
[I'm not sure…] Daniel answered uncertainly. By all appearance they were high up in sky, but he didn't detect any effect from the high altitude. There was no wind, and the air didn't even feel cold.
When a particularly thick cloud brushed by him, it popped like a bubble and shattered into a mist of vapor. All of a sudden something slipped into his brain then leaped out of his mind, started to replay in a first person point of view. Ran away from Privet Drive, escaped to a rock in the sea, met the kind hearted giant, learned of the wizarding world. The memory involved a daylong event, yet only a few second passed in real time. As the memory ended, the mist of vapor reformed to its shape of cloud and floated away.
[Oh my god!] Daniel gasped. [Harry, it is your memory! All of them!]
[What?]
[Come on. Just touch one.] Daniel urged him. [Poke it.]
Harry was curious why Daniel froze when a cloud burst, so he poked one nearby as he was told. As the cloud broke with a quiet pop at his fingertip, he found himself suffering his mathematics final exam once again. He had too many chores to do and no time left for revision, as soon as he laid eyes on the exam paper he realized he might not need to worry about outdoing Dudley. It was too embarrassing that Harry sighed with relief when he got out from the memory.
The day was getting weirder and weirder.
[How could this happen?] His puzzled eyes settled on Daniel.
The older man scratched his head, thinking hard as he spoke. [Since we are in a dimension filled with your memories, we could safely assume that we are in your mind. It was just like how Buddha likened our mind to. A clear blue sky represents our mind, vast and unobstructed, while these clouds are our thoughts and feelings, keep arising and dissolving inside our mind.]
[And the cupboard?]
[The cupboard probably was some place you feel safe to hide in that your subconscious replicated it in your mind as a safe haven. When your uncle attacked you, you must had retreated into your mind and hide in there.]
Harry had to admit he did feel safe back there whenever he stayed in his cupboard. Uncle Vernon was too fat to get in, Auntie Petunia refused to be near it as it was too filthy, and Dudley preferred to jump at the stairs above it since dusting Harry was funnier. Nothing bad, except the lack of foods and freedom, had ever happened to him as long as he stayed there quietly.
Seeing the boy was following him so far, Daniel continued. [When I healed you in your cupboard, I was actually healing your spirit instead of your body. When I brought you out of the cupboard, instead of getting out of your uncle's house, I was bringing your consciousness out of reclusion.] He gave Harry a comforting smile. [I would need to heal your body as it is most likely still injured, but as soon as you return to awareness, you would awaken fine.]
Harry silenced for a moment and then wondered aloud. [How come you get into my mind in the first place?]
[Yeah, how come indeed.] Daniel echoed dryly. To tell the truth he blamed Morros for his poorly written magus portal creation manual. However figuring out the reason was not his first priority. [Anyway, you had better prepare to wake up. It only takes me a minute or two to heal you.]
[But I don't know how.] Harry said. [How can I wake up when I am not sleeping?]
Daniel opened his mouth to start his explanation, but then he furrowed his brow. The technique of deep meditation was too complex to simplify into simple words. It took a lot of practices for a child to get into basic meditation, and it took them even longer, if possible at all, to achieve a deeper status. He made up his mind after a brief consideration.
[I could try to bring you back to awareness, but the feeling would be very intimate.] Daniel smiled at his pouting face and gave the spiky hair a ruffle. Harry nodded in agreement and buried himself deeper in Daniel's arms, in case it would be another spinning trip.
Daniel focused on his energy pattern to match Harry's human life source into harmony. In an instant he established a linkage between Harry, himself and corporeality. He pulled Harry along with his sentient probe toward outer dimension. A bodily limitation binding his being like clothes over skin as he arose from subconscious, while Harry tucked at the back of his mind slowly connecting to the body. Daniel seized a hold on the nervous system and isolated it from Harry because he planed to mend all damages at once and it was by no way painless. With a blast of pure energy, the body was as good as new.
[You are breathing and your heart is beating. Everything is good. ] Daniel released the control back to his protectee, nudged Harry onto the forefront. [Now go, give it a try.]
[Hey! It's my body not a new car!] Harry protested playfully. He was just about to work out his body part when someone ran into his bedroom. He could not see yet but his hearing was as sharp as he could be, he could hear the panting and footsteps approaching closer to him.
"Mobilicorpus." The voice, which belonged to an aged man, stated calmly.
[It is Latin. It means "move" and "body".] Daniel translated the words instinctively. However, Harry could understand its meaning perfectly even without a translation. He was floating in the air! Not the same way he floated with Daniel in his mind but actually floating in the air without clinging on anything. Before long he was settled down to his bed.
[Not really.] Daniel told him after observing the energy flow. [There is some kind of energy coming from the man when he spoke the word.]
[The Mobi- word must be a spell.] Harry said. [Is he holding a wand?]
[Yes, he has a stick in his right hand.] Daniel confirmed. [And…he has a firebird on his shoulder.] He detected a high amount of pure energy radiated from the bird, and it puzzled him greatly. It was impossible to contain power with such intensity in a corporal form, attempting it would usually would prompt the entity toward ascension. Yet the bird was still here ruffling its feathers. It made Daniel thought of the Phoenix mentioned in mythology, and wondered if it was one of them.
[I don't know anything about a firebird, but if he has a wand, he should be a wizard.] Harry was a bit put off that he still could see nothing.
They stopped talking and observed with childlike curious as the old man continued to hit them with spells. Daniel connected the wording with Latin and suggested that those were for medical purposes.
"Fawkes, please give him a drop of your healing tears. We have to make sure he is alright."
The old man spoke to someone, but Daniel didn't locate another person in the room. Their jaw was held open so fast that Harry and Daniel hardly reacted until they felt a drop of fire slid down their throat. Energy burst into their veins and limbs, burning toward their inner core and drowning them with strength.
Harry was overwhelmed by the drunkenness and draw back to the calmness of his mind, while Daniel feared for his life as his ascended essence, which basically was the soul of an ascended being, started shrinking in an alarming speed. Unknown to Daniel, at least for now, that instead of weakening him, reducing volume led to a higher density and thus allowed his energy manipulation to be more precise and efficient.
However it also left him a big problem. The shift in power structure and the pressure in compressed power always guarantee energy fluctuation, and fluctuate it did. Not longer peaceful and calm as lake water, energy rampaged to all directions ripping Daniel apart. Painful did not start to describe it.
"Evervate" was all he heard. A bolt of magic struck him in the chest like a defibrillator shock and pushed him over the edge of losing control. He gasped and jerked and suddenly opened his eyes, a face seamed with wrinkles came in sight.
"Mr. Potter?" The old man asked in a soft voice.
"Um…yes?" Daniel masked his uncertainty with shyness. He couldn't simulate Harry well as he only just met the boy, luckily this old man obviously did not meet Harry before either.
Nevertheless Daniel only paid half-attention to the conversation, his other half attention was searching for the poor boy back within the boundary of Harry's subconscious. He had yet listened from Harry and he began to worry if he somehow had squeezed the boy out of this body.
"I am Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The old man introduced himself with a hint of superior. Daniel could tell that he tried to tone it down but not successful to concealed it completely.
"Yeah, I remember your name in my Hogwarts letter." Daniel recalled the ridiculously long name and its attached titles in a school letter. His suspicion raised immediately. "If you are the headmaster, then why are you here?" He waved his hand at his bedroom. "I mean, shouldn't you do your home visit in daytime…sir?"
It was clear that the "sir" was added as a second thought, but the old headmaster still gave him a grateful smile for the gesture. "My visit is not for Hogwarts business. Earlier this night the protection ward around your home alarmed me of your safety, thus I came to see if you are alright."
"Protection Ward?" Daniel paused. He assumed that ward was a magical ward, which he knew absolutely nothing, and he didn't dare to use his power while it's still unstable. So he did the most logical thing. Ask. "What is a protection ward? Why is it here? And what is it for?"
"For your protection, of course." Albus Dumbledore chuckled at the eager questioning. "Voldermort demised at that night, yet not all of his followers faced justice. Some of them were in prison, some of them search some ways to bring back their master, and some of them seek for revenge." He looked into Daniel's eyes, continued sternly. "Yes, they would go after you if they know your whereabouts. That's why I set up this protection ward around the house. As long as you stay here with your auntie, the magic would protect you and other residents from magical harm."
"But not from non-magical harm, obviously." Daniel found his mouth retorted sarcastically, however he was not the one speaking. It was so strange to feel your body move without your own consent, he couldn't really complaint though. This was not his body to start with.
[Um…hi.] Harry greeted him slyly.
[Harry are you alright? I was so worry about you!] Daniel wanted to say more but stopped in mid-sentence as Dumbledore started talking again. [Do you want to speak to him?]
[No, could you handle him please?] Harry asked. As a neglected child, he always got nervous when facing adults. Daniel was the only exception.
"I am sorry my child, When I left you in their care, I didn't expect your relatives would react so badly to your magic talent." Dumbledore signed.
"Why is orphan placement a school matter? Headmaster Dumbledore." Daniel raised his brow at the unusual procedure. While Harry might not understand the implication, Daniel had spent enough time in foster system to harbor suspicion against the action.
"As the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I held certain authority to act on behalf of the Ministry of Magic during a declared wartime." Dumbledore said in a dismissive manner. "I was good friends with your parents, they certainly would like me to take care of you."
"I guess it proved you won't work well in Child Service Department then." Daniel muttered darkly to himself. "Anyway, as you see it didn't work out, would you please relocate me to somewhere else now? Other relatives, some family friends, or maybe a register orphanage."
"Oh it is not necessary. There is no reason to separate you from your family just because you are going to Hogwarts." Dumbledore smiled with his twinkled eyes. "I would have a talk with you uncle about his behavior. Hagrid must have unsettled him if he lost his temper like this."
[What? Is he crazy?] Harry couldn't believe his ears. If he remained control of his body, he would be jumping up and down in fury. This old man claimed to have a protection ward set up around this house, which should show how close to death he had been tonight, and yet Dumbledore disregarded it as a loss of temper?
[Not likely, nor that he is stupid.] Daniel said calmly. He had met too many politicians to think them as incompetent, no matter how dumb they acted.
"No sir. Vernon Dursley didn't just throw a tantrum. It was an attack! It is how things have been going on within this household for the last 10 years. These people are not fitted to take care of children, not to mention a magical one!" Daniel yelled at the old man like a emotional boy, at the same time he observed Dumbledore carefully.
The Santa Claus grandfatherly smile dimmed.
"How could you remember?" He whispered, almost too low for Daniel to catch. Then he shook his head sharply. His wand moved toward the boy's forehead as he spoke. "It doesn't matter. As much as it pained me to sacrifice your childhood, your survival is most important to our world. You must stay here under the protection. I assure you, I would do my best to make your stay as comfortable as it could be."
"Look, with all due respect, it is not a wartime and you are only a school headmaster. You have no right to interfere any legal matter." Daniel said, eyeing the wand warily. He was putting the pieces together, although some questions remained unanswered, he had a dread feeling that Harry Potter was probably in a deep shit.
"It is for your own good." Dumbledore smiled weakly. "Obliviate!"
A corresponding Latin word popped into Daniel's mind.
Oblivisci.
Which meant 'forget'.
By the time Daniel figured out what the old man intended to do, the spell had already hit Harry at the forehead. Its magic pierced through the boundary between reality and mind, reaching one of those floating cloud-like memories.
Ascended power would stop the invasion with no difficulty, but Daniel hesitated as he did not sure if the interception would effect Harry's mind. And then, an idea came to him.
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Stared into the glassy emerald eyes, Dumbledore manipulated the memory as if puppeteers with their puppets. Dumbledore gave himself a pat on his back for a job well done. Erasing all pain and sorrow from a innocent boy, a painful night was now replaced by a sweet dream, Seeing the boy nestled into the embrace of Morpheus, his guilt of dooming the Potter Heir to a hell of childhood was eased. Might be tonight he could sleep in peace.
"All that's left is Vernon." Dumbledore murmured lowly, He closed the door behind him as he left the small bedroom. Footsteps led to downstairs, an outburst of anger exploded in the living room. While Vernon Dursley did not remember his numerous encounters with the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore had otherwise recalled all vulgar insults spitted in his face. He expected a fierce argument from the obese man, and he did get it.
Back to the smallest bedroom, the boy who lived slept like a log in the summer breeze and moonlight, though he was in fact in the middle of conversation with Daniel within his sky-like mind when the yelling stopped abruptly.
[I think Dumbledore used the Obliviate spell on your Uncle too.] Daniel told him. After a pause, he added. [I'm afraid last night may not the only incident between you and Dursley.]
[I know.] Harry finally spoke after a long silent, his jaw clenching. [I suspected as much after he said "how could you remember".] He looked up to the older man. [What's happened to his spell? Did you get rid of it? ]
[Well, I kind of…trapped it.] Daniel hooked his finger in the air and pulled in a cage of light. Several clouds in stormy gray were frozen within. [His spell was targeting several memories of yours. I didn't want to stop him and alert him of my existence, so I copy your memories and let the spell ran its course. Turn out that the spell does more than just make you forget.]
A screen appeared in front of them and started to play a series of scenes. It started from his Diagon Alley trip, which he handed his trunk to Hagrid for safe keeping, and ended by his return to No4 Privet Drive, which he turned in early immediately once he stepped in the house.
[It's not what happened!] Harry was stunned at the fake yet realistic scenes. [So is it what wizard do? No matter what happened, just flick their wands, make the victims forget and leave the truth six feet under?] If that was how wizarding world work, no wonder Uncle Vernon and Auntie Petunia hated Magic so much.
[I don't know about wizards and witches in general, but this Albus Dumbledore held an unnatural interest in your life.]
[I….] Harry stopped in mid sentence as he realized something. [Oh no! Hedwig! The memories didn't show Hagrid giving her to me!] It went without saying that something happened to the poor owl if Dumbledore didn't want Harry to remember her.
Harry tried to fight back his tears but a few sobs escaped. He mourned for Hedwig not only because she was his first pet and his first birthday present, but also because he felt guilty for her death. He should not accept her when Hagrid offered her as gift, after all he knew Vernon would never allow him to keep a freaky pet.
[I don't want to go to Hogwarts anymore.] He whined in tearful voice. Even though magic seemed to be fascinating, other things that go with it were not as attractive.
[It never is a choice.] Daniel signed. [If Dumbledore had kept tag on you for 10 years, he would not let you slip through his fingers. He could track you down by magic even if I send you to the States. ] Seeing the despair on his face, Daniel pulled him into a hug. [Don't worry, if worst comes to worst, we could still go offworld. Now, tell e everything.]
The unspoken promise was enough to calm Harry down. He started to recite his story.
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[For some reason, a Dark Lord decided to go after a couple and a baby in person, instead of sending out his many minions. For some reason, he got destroyed after leaving you a curse scar. For some reason, while no one knew what happened that night, everyone hailed you as their savior. For some reason, you was left here by a school headmaster instead Child Service Department. ]
[It does sound suspicious when you word it this way.] Harry admitted.
[The aforementioned Headmaster monitored you via a magic ward, which had informed him of your living status, and yet he did nothing. The same Headmaster might have altered your memories, possibly covering some physical abuses. He also sent a school worker who, even though was nice, had been expelled and thus under-educated to introduce you the wizarding world.] Daniel continued to summarize all information in hand. [It should be noted that the school worker is extremely loyal to him and in his debt. Last but not least, the headmaster obviously held your vault key for 10 years until recently. He handed in to Hagrid who then passed it to you. ]
[The Goblin did not ask me to identify myself.] Harry recalled. [Actually, it was Hagrid who gave him the key, not me.]
[If anyone could access the vault with the key…we have to see if the bank keep any withdrawal record and bank statement. In fact we need a lot of information for further planning, and we could only get it in wizarding world. We have to go to that Alley, check your finance, get some books, and then we would start from there. ]
Harry nodded. If he finish his chores fast, he could have his afternoon free for a trip. [So what do we do now?]
[Sleep, of course. It's way passed your bedtime, kid. ] Daniel ruffled the spiky hair playfully, wrestling to keep the boy from running away. [Honestly, I have stayed in your body for too long. We should separate now when the old man has gone.]
[Now?] Harry pouted a little. Although having another person stunk in your mind was the strangest thing had ever happened to him, he really enjoyed Daniel's company and started to miss him already.
[Ascended power is too enormous for human body. I don't want to test your tolerance limit. Trust me, it would not be pretty.] Daniel said. He gave a final pat on Harry's head and changed back to his glowy self. [See you outside.] He rose skyward and disappeared in a flash of light.
As soon as he reappeared in the bedroom, he yelped in pain as he felt like he was torn from inside out. A tug in his gut pulled him away quickly as if hooked by a magnet. In a blink, Daniel slammed backward into something.
[Ow, it hurt.] A childish voice complained.
Daniel picked himself and faced the boy he just left. He was astonished and completely speechless. An ascended being could not return to his energy form? Never before he had heard of a case like this.
[It seems like you would stay a little while longer.] Harry smiled at him. [You are most welcome. I don't mind sharing with you.] Although they didn't share their thoughts the way a telepathist did, what he sensed from Daniel ensured him the older man would never possess him without consent.
[You won't want me tag along once you make a girl friend.] Daniel smiled weakly.
[Why?] Emerald eyes blinked innocently.
[No reason.] Daniel didn't want to talk about Birds and Bees, at least not now. He needed to think, and he needed to plan. [Anyway, it's getting late. You should rest. We have a lot to do tomorrow.]
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AN: Thanks a lot for all reviews. :)
Next Chapter: A Diagon Alley trip