Animal I've Become
Chapter 3
Answers
A/N: The character of Desmond White belongs to me.
Ever since finding out what the consequences were after making the deal with the devil to save his father, Johnny Blaze had been on the run. He was hoping that during his travels he would be able to either find a way to control the spirit of vengeance that dwelled within him; or find the answer to rid him of the curse. So far however, luck wasn't on Johnny's side. It wasn't as if you could flip a switch and get rid of all the evil and bad in the world. If that had been the case, Johnny wouldn't have gone on the run and ended up staying in the backwater motels. Whenever Johnny was around evil, especially at night, the Rider would take over and as the Rider, Johnny would punish whoever he found. It didn't matter to the Rider how little or insignificant the crime was.
At the present moment, Johnny was in an old eastern European village. So far he'd been able to go a couple weeks without transforming into the Rider. That was only thanks to a tremendous amount of willpower. After making sure his bike was secure, Johnny headed over to the only pub in the village and walked inside, intent on having a couple strong drinks before retiring to his room at the Inn.
Sitting up at the bar, Johnny ordered a couple shots of whiskey and began to drown his feelings of failure, and his fear about being stuck with the curse of the ghost rider forever. It was only after the fifth shot of whiskey that he heard frantic, quick whispering from a pair of people down at the end of the bar.
"Yes that's right. I heard the exact same thing about what happened to her. Do you think it's true though?" one of the voices whispered.
"I'm not sure, but it cant be a coincidence though can it? I mean you heard the gossip right? Umbridge gets attacked by some student or dark creature that makes her eyes go charcoal black and she goes into a coma?" the other voice said.
Hearing this, Johnny's grip on his shotglass tightened before breaking in his grasp. A few people glanced up but said nothing as Johnny handed some money to the bartender to pay for the broken shotglass.
'So there's another rider in this part of the country? That's interesting, as I was positive that I was the only Rider in the area. Guess I was wrong. Whoever this Umbridge woman is, she suffered from the Rider's penance stare, which leads me to believe she must have done something really bad to incur the wrath of a rider.' Johnny thought to himself as he left the bar, wanting to go to his bedroom to think.
Johnny knew that he'd have to track this new rider and it was up to him to teach them about their new powers and how to focus and master them. With a heavy sigh, Johnny went to bed fully clothed, aware that when morning came he'd be gone.
...
Harry Potter couldn't believe it. He had to stop himself from jumping up and down in joy in the compartment that he shared with Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Luna. Before the Hogwarts express had left the station to begin its journey back to London, Hermione had recieved her copy of the Daily Prophet and it was only after Hermione had unfolded the paper did they see the front page headline.
Sirius Black Innocent? Peter Pettigrew actually alive?
In the early morning, a startling revelation was found down in the department of mysteries at the Ministry of Magic. At half past four in the morning, a wizard was found trying to force his way through into the hall of prophecies.
The wizard in question actually had a heavily modified glamor charm, disguising his real features. The wizard was then taken by members of the Department of Law Enforcement for both questioning and removal of the glamor charm.
To say that those accounted for to see the charm removed would be shocked is an understatement. When the glamor charm was finally stripped away, the witches and wizards at the scene were shocked to see none other then Peter Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew was believed my many to have been killed along with several muggles by Azkaban escapee Sirius Black.
Once the initial shock wore off, lead investigator Desmond White, went and retrieved a vial of Veritaserum. After administering three drops, the wizard who appeared to be Pettigrew was asked a series of questions. Among these were, Are you Peter Pettigrew? How are you alive?
Peter answered yes that he was in fact Peter Pettigrew before explaining that he'd actually been the Potter's secret-keeper and not Sirius Black. He went on to also explain that he had betrayed James and Lily Potter to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, before explaining how he had framed Sirius for his supposed "Murder" and the murder of twelve innocent muggles. Upon further questioning, Pettigrew told those present about his master's plan to be reborn and how last year's Tri-Wizard Tournament would be the perfect cover.
In light of this new evidence, Cornelius Fudge; Minister for Magic cancelled the manhunt for Sirius Black and offered him the ministry's most deepest apologies. Fudge went on to publicly apologize to both Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter for his treatment and behavior towards them during the summer and the now ending school year.
When Harry first saw the article he was a little skeptical. Sure he read it over several times but he wasn't a hundred percent positive. Harry's doubts were put to rest soon enough. For within a couple hours, a letter addressed to Harry arrived from a small postal owl. The owl was somewhat similar to Ron's small owl Pigwidgeon.
Slitting open the letter, Harry pulled it open and quickly read it.
Dear Harry
I imagine that you've most likely seen today's edition of the Prophet. If you haven't I apologize and I will not say anymore now. Let this be a surprise. If you have then allow me to put your mind at ease. Yes it is true about what is written in the article. I was as surprised as I'm sure you are. It looks like Voldemort failed when he chose to use Peter in order to try and get the prophecy. This is all I can say for now. Dumbledore will explain it all to you later tonight at Headquarters. Thank god I can actually leave the house now, and thank god its nice and clean thanks to Molly's help.
Be seeing you soon.
Sirius
Harry felt himself smile before he looked at his friends and he nodded his head. "It's true, he's finally free."
As the Hogwarts's express continued it's journey to London, Harry found himself anxious and more excited the closer he got to King's Cross. Finally at half past one, the scarlet train pulled into platform 9 and 3/4 and the disembarking began.
Once he had his trunk and Hedwig's cage, Harry got off the train and onto the platform where he waited for his friends to join him. While waiting, his emerald eyes were scanning the crowd looking for Sirius. Within a few minutes of searching, Harry spotted his godfather making his way through the crowded platform, Harry seeing that he was accompanied by Lupin. Grinning to himself and not being able to wait for his friends, Harry launched himself at his godfather, embracing the older man in a tight hug.
"Mmm hey pup" Sirius said ruffling Harry's hair when Harry pulled away from him.
"I can't believe its finally over and that you're free after so long" Harry says before hugging Lupin as well.
"I know I've dreamed of this day since I first escaped Azkaban" Sirius said.
"So any luck on getting your mother's portrait off the wall, I mean during the summer she was pretty loud and would go off if there was a loud noise" Harry asked as his friends caught up with him.
"Actually yes we were able to, thank god although it was no small feat believe me".
"How'd you do it?" Hermione asked, remembering how much of a pain it was to have to be quiet when moving through the main hallway when the portrait of Sirius's mother was up.
As the group made their way through the crowded platform, Sirius explained that the portrait had been set up with a permanent sticking charm, and that they ended up blasting the wall apart to get rid of the portrait before rebuilding the wall. Once at the barrier, Harry said his goodbyes to his friends before joining Sirius and Lupin at the fireplace that would take them back to Grimmauld Place.
Once Harry, Sirius, and Lupin arrived at Grimmauld Place, Lupin went down to the kitchen to begin making a late lunch while Sirius led Harry up to his bedroom to help him unpack.
"So has it sunk in yet?" Sirius asked as Harry began to unpack his trunk and put his things away.
"Has what sunk in yet?" Harry asked as he hung up his school robes in the wardrobe before putting his school books on the bookshelf next to the desk.
"That you're finally home and that you're not going back to those monsters" Sirius said.
"Sirius that sunk in when I saw the article in the prophet, and I'm extremely happy to be away from them after so many years" Harry says.
Half an hour later, Remus called Sirius and Harry down to the kitchen for lunch. Harry having finished unpacking twenty minutes before Remus called spent the remaining ten minutes talking with Sirius.
"So when is Dumbledore coming over to explain this prophecy thing to me?" Harry asked taking a sip from his goblet of pumpkin juice.
"He should be arriving around dinner time, so after lunch you can go take a nap or start on your homework if you'd like" Sirius says.
"I'll most likely take a nap, and get started on the homework tomorrow. Now that I'm not living with the Dursleys, I don't have to worry about sneaking my books and homework out from the cupboard under the stairs. That and I really want to do better this year, pay more attention to my studies".
"That's very good Harry, I know in the past you've gotten good grades in Defense, Charms, Herbology and Transfiguration. However your grades in Potions has been lackluster and if you're still considering on becoming an auror after Hogwarts, you need to pick up the Potions grade." Sirius says.
"I know Sirius, hopefully within a few weeks, I'll be able to see how I did on my O.W.L.S." Harry says as he stood up and took his plate over to the sink and rinsing it off before placing it in the sink.
Harry bid Sirius and Remus good-bye before leaving the kitchen and heading up to his bedroom. Once in his room, Harry got undressed save for his boxers and t-shirt before he went over to his bedroom window and opened it so Hedwig could go fly and hunt whenever she pleased. After this, Harry crawled into his bed where he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. A couple hours later, Harry awoke to find a beautiful jet black owl with silver markings on its wings sitting on his desk. Grabbing his jeans and slipping them on, Harry walked over and removed the letter that was clamped in the owls beak.
Seeing his name written in a writing style he didn't recognize, made Harry cautious. After feeding the black owl that had delivered it some owl treats, Harry sat at the desk and slowly slit open the envelope, and pulling the letter out.
Dear Harry,
I realize that this is most likely the worst time to write to you. I saw the article in the morning prophet on the train ride home and I'm quite happy that your godfather is finally free. My father works on the Wizengamot and was one of the few people who tried to get a trial for your godfather. He took that failure really hard but enough about that, the key thing is that he's finally free. I'm kind of afraid to tell you who I am because when you learn who I am and what house I'm in that you won't write back. But then again I shouldn't let fear rule when and how I do things. First I'm a girl and I'm in Slytherin house. Now before you start tearing up this letter let me explain.
My name is Daphne Greengrass and I'm sure you might've seen me a few times in potions class. I know you probably think that all Slytherins are the same and that we all hate everybody else. This is absolutely not true at all. First off, I'm actually a half-blood and I get looked down upon in Slytherin house. Even my best friend Tracey Davis who is pure-blood gets crap just because she's friends with me. You'd be surprised how many Slytherins actually want to get to know you. They're just afraid of Malfoy and his pathetic father. I hope you will write back to me because I'd really like to get to know you.
Hoping to hear from you,
Daphne
Harry bit his bottom lip as he reread the letter several times. He was one hundred percent positive that this was a joke, it just had to be. Ever since he had started at Hogwarts, Harry had received nothing but negativity from Slytherin house. Chewing on his bottom lip, Harry decided to play it safe and write a reply. Grabbing a piece of parchment and his eagle feather quill, Harry began his reply.
Dear Daphne,
I hope you forgive me, but I must ask this right away. Is this a joke? Did Malfoy or one of his cronies put you up to this? I'm sorry but I must ask for during the last five years at Hogwarts, I've only received negative things from Slytherin house. No one has said anything nice to me in the last five years so I'm a little in fact this isn't a joke and you are writing to me in the hopes to get to know me, then i formally apologize.
But yes I have seen you in potion's class a few times, but in reality I'm to busy trying to do good so Snape won't fail me. Bit redundant really since he always fails me. I hope to change that this upcoming year though.
I want to do my absolute best this year. Since the only thing I know as of this letter is your name, How about in our letters we ask each other questions so that we may get to know things about the other? What is your favorite class at school? Your least favorite? As you can most likely guess, my favorite is Defense Against The Dark Arts, and my least favorite is Potions, although History of Magic can definitely give Potions a run for its money.
Harry
With his reply now written, Harry folded the letter up before holding it up to the jet black owl. Automatically, the owl took the letter into its beak before flying out the window. Once the owl was just a speck in the sky, Harry got dressed before walking downstairs. As Harry walked into the lounge, he saw that Sirius, Tonks, and Remus were immersed in heavy conversation.
Looking up from the conversation, Tonks smiled and said "Wotcher Harry, glad to finally be away from those muggles eh?"
"You know I am, so are you going to stay for dinner? Dumbledore's coming over to explain some things to me" Harry says.
"Actually Dumbledore requested that I come for dinner, although I'm not sure why" Tonks says as Harry sat down next to Sirius.
"Hmm I wonder why that would be?" Sirius says.
Before the group could contemplate further, Dumbledore arrived and bid everyone good evening. Turning to Harry, Dumbledore said that he would explain everything after dinner. With that said, the group exited the lounge and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Dinner was delicious, and it consisted of grilled pork chops, boiled potatoes and gravy, mixed veggies and a side salad.
Once dinner was over and the dishes cleaned and put away, Sirius grabbed a bottle of firewhiskey and some glasses before joining the others in the living room. Once everyone had a glass of firewhiskey, Dumbledore began.
"First off I want to start by telling you how sorry I am Harry for leaving you with the Dursleys. Now i want you to understand why I did in the first place. But for now that must wait". Turning to Tonks, Dumbledore smiled before saying "And Tonks, I've asked you to join us here so you could hear it from me first. I'm appointing you as the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher."
Tonks squealed in delight before thanking Dumbledore, and then leaving so she could start planning for the upcoming year. After Tonks left, Dumbledore reached into his pocket and pulled out a softball sized crystal ball and set it on the table between himself, Harry, Sirius, and Remus.
"Sir what is that?" Harry asked glancing down at the crystal ball.
"That Harry is the prophecy that was recorded by Professor Trelawney. This is the prophecy that made Voldemort decide to go after you when your were an infant" Dumbledore says.
Reaching forward, Harry grabbed the crystal ball before slamming it onto the ground. As he did a silvery blue mist began to rise up, as it did Harry, Sirius, Remus, and Dumbledore heard the voice of Professor Trelawney.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies ..
"So one of us is going to have to kill the other in the end?" Harry asked looking at Dumbledore.
"Yes but I'm afraid it won't be that simple Harry. During the upcoming school year, I will be teaching you not only about Voldemort's past, but also ways on how to defeat him when that time comes."
"Sir you also said that you would explain about why you left me with the Dursleys" Harry said looking at the aged headmaster.
Dumbledore's eyes no longer twinkled as he explained his reasons to the group before him. He explained that a part of him wanted desperately to put Harry up a with nice wizarding family, but he couldn't because he knew that whichever family took Harry in, would most likely bring up what happened to his parents, and that as a baby, Harry shouldn't have been forced to have that be brought up. Dumbledore went on to also explain that since Petunia was Lily's sister then the protection that was created by Lily's sacrifice would also go on to protect the Dursleys since Petunia was Lily's sister.
"I had hoped that they would take you in and treat you as if you were their own. To teach you love and respect but instead they chose to treat you as an outsider, as a stain on their very existence, and I must say Harry that I'm more then surprised at the man you're becoming because of the way you were brought up" Dumbledore says before leaving, wanting to give Harry and Sirius time to process what he said.
"Well at least I know now why that bastard came after me" Harry says looking at his godfather and Remus.
Both Sirius and Remus nodded before Sirius said, "Pup I know Dumbledore said that he'd teach you and I can only guess that it'd be advanced spells and such. I think that during the summer you should perhaps train with some muggle weapons like knives, swords, perhaps even a gun".
When Harry arched an eyebrow at the suggestion, Sirius went on to explain. "Look Voldemort and the Death Eaters will be fighting with their wands only, so they won't expect you or anyone else on the Order's side to be fighting not only with magic but muggle weapons as well. Having them surprised and unsuspecting will put the ball in your court Pup" Sirius said.
"I'll think about it Sirius" Harry replied.
...
Meanwhile at an old run down shack in the middle of nowhere in Germany, Johnny Blaze; now transformed into the Rider, growled in annoyance as the squat, balding man who smelled like stale tobacco and rotten eggs was shooting jets of light at him. Now ever since Johnny first found out about his powers, He came to accept that magic existed, after all he was a man who would transform into a powerful demon whenever he was around evil. Getting annoyed with the squat man, Johnny grabbed him and slammed him up against the wall, fire flashing in his hollowed eye sockets.
"Which student did that woman hate above all else at that school Mundungus?" Johnny/The Rider growled his grip tightening on Mundungus's shirt.
"Harry Potter, she hated the boy and believed he was lying about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named coming back from the dead" Mundungus whimpered, trying his hardest not to look Johnny in the eyes.
"Where is he?" Johnny asked, gaining some control over the Rider.
"London, He's staying with his Godfather for the summer" Mundungus said.
Johnny released his grip on Mundungus before turning on his heel and exiting the shack. Parked a few feet away from the shack was Johnny's prized motorcycle, which at the present moment was the Rider's hell-cycle. Taking a moment, Johnny closed his eyes and within a few minutes, he had changed back to normal. As he became himself again, his motorcycle became itself again. Climbing onto it, Johnny kicked the bike to life before speeding away from the shack. As Johnny began the trip out of Germany and towards England, he knew that the sooner he found Harry and teach him, the better off Harry would be.
A/N: End of Chapter 3. Please Read and Review!