Disclaimer: I don't own it; just having a go at fanfiction to see if I can em-provvvee my Eeng-lish.
Dreamer's Note: No, I won't call myself an author. Every half an hour before I sleep, I'll have some idea popped up in my mind before I drift away in my slumber. Sometimes, I wrote and deleted paragraphs after paragraphs just to suit my plot in the future of the story. I'm not very good at writing a poem or such thing, so mostly when witchcraft is mentioned in my story, I'll just say, some verses were chanted or the incantation was there, but not the thing itself. Bear with me.
The True Journey of Harry Potter
Chapter 12 – A Horcrux?
Felix, the phoenix, was having a flight. In normal situation, flying this often or with much frequency like this would be times of his life, a feat much better than just flaming. However, as Harry, his future companion if the boy took the position his ancestors held, was in current state, he could not find this enjoyable much. Right now, after delivering the short note to the Dursley household, he was heading eastward. A very important message was to be sent. He dreaded the reaction of another ancestor of Harry.
King Intra of Chompu was held as a God for a reason. His temper was well-known in ancient time and it seemed to pass on descending. The current king, Devanate Intra-Kumar, was indifferent. True, he was very generous and amiable, but everyone knew well not to anger him, a fierce foe but hospitable friend.
Chompu used to be a grand kingdom covering most part of Southern Asia spreading to the east and west. However, it was now just a very small region of Himalaya. In a secluded area where the land was moved into a private dimension but still on earth, Himabhanta stood grandly. It was a great forest area surrounding the inner region. Himabhanta was divided into 4 layers of wards.
The outer furthest one was the jungle region, Shimpli, where all of land creatures, magical and mundane, resided guarding by garudas, half-human half-bird deity. In true, they were magical being who kept their being private and secret. Only those worthy were granted their presence.
The second outer ward was the wide water region, Ananda, guarding by the nagas. Nagas had their underwater city, Badala, at the deepest ground of the sea. Nagas were distantly related to dragons and serpents. Their serpentine body was their true form; however, being a magical being with their own kind of magic, they were able to shift into humans.
The third layer was the inner ward of land, Arama. Villages laid scattering around the boundary of the layer. Inhabitants were mostly humans and just like normal rural area in the world, though a bit outdated. The inner ward was guarded by dhanpires. Dhanpires were magical human being who lived in the area. Being a guardian of the land would honor each and every of them. However, very few were chosen in each decade for their life span was long. Dhampires enjoyed music and poems. They were fierce fighters, but preferred to live in peace. They specialized in Musical Magic and loves playing their musical instrument, which they had with them all the time.
The central layer of Himabhanta, the Bhiman, was a large city ruling by the Intra family. It was civilized with both magic and technology. Comparing to the outside world, they surpassed all countries and could be called Utopia. In the center of the city, there was a large circular space guarding by 5 different beings – sphinx, naga, garuda, singha (a magical lion), and phoenix - stationed in a five-side polygon. It was called the Pentagon Plaza, being a portal to Shangri-La, a mystical land only those invited could enter.
The Palace of Intra was hovering above the city. To seek entrance to the Palace, you would need contacts in the City Hall. Not that it would grant you entering easily, the approval from the Palace were also required. It may seem outrageous and too difficult, but those in need found the invitations in their houses unexpectedly.
Back to Felix, he was flying over Mount Everest. The icy wind had no impact, but still, his heart felt cold with dread. Once he found the coordinate, he flew in and was transported into Himabhanta.
"State your name, race and intention of entering!" a loud booming voice rang in his hearing.
Felix replied in his thrill, "Felix of phoenix, bearing message to King Devanate."
There was a silent moment and the phoenix landed on a branch of the nearby tree. He knew it might take some time before he was granted, a standard procedure even the inhabitants of Himabhanta itself had to pass. Only few were immune to the process, those with Intra blood or carrying the blood-pass namely the King himself and his men and women.
"Felix, my old friend, how have you been?" the booming voice came back following with a fluttering of wings. In a second, an entity presented itself in front of the phoenix flying above ground.
"Krulo, you old bird, still the leader of the guards, I see," Felix replied.
They chatted for a while waiting the grant from the inner ward. Being an airborne, Felix bypassed the requirement of Ananda's guards' approval. Once, Krulo received the grant, he told his friend and they parted their ways.
Felix
spent the next couple hours flying in the night. When he reached the
gate of
Arama, he was greeted by Alampire, the Dhanpire leader.
"Felix, the phoenix," the human spoke, "you are granted to pass, but heed the…"
"I know the speech by heart now, Alampire," Felix cut him off. They had never got along. Something about this particular dhanpire enjoyed having dinner with magical creatures' heart on a plate was well-known. The phoenix could not understand why this human was still around doing the job. Part of him feared, but knew that he was safe as long as he was granted to enter. The dhanpire grinned maniacally without saying anything and moved out of the way.
Felix flew right pass in with haste heading straight to the Palace above Bhiman.
-o0o-
In a marvelous office, a man sat behind an elegant table. He looked young, about twentyish. However, if you looked closer in his eyes, they looked old. His eyes were full of wisdom. A wise man you would not want to cross. A man, even the fiercest goblin bowed to in respect. A knock on his office door broke him from his muse.
"Enter," he told whoever out there.
"Master Fane," a goblin entered and greeted with a deep bow, "I am Cornak, your new assistant."
Master Fane raised his eyebrows. "What happened to Mingali?"
"He died last night, Master Fane," Cornak answered ruefully.
"Very well, then," Fane said absentmindedly, "what's my schedule for today, Cornak?"
"I am sorry, Master Fane," the goblin dropped his face, "I was told only a few minutes ago and have not get everything organized."
Master Fane's eyes twinkled showing his amusement, though with a stony face, he said, "alright then, Cornak. Go sort things out and come back as fast as you can. Don't let this happen again."
"Of course, Master Fane," the goblin bowed deeply again before scurried for the door.
Fane let out a laugh after making sure the room was soundproof. Showing emotions was not a very clever thing to do in company of goblins. He, of course, knew his own schedule for he had his own profile on the table, but giving the job for his new assistant would guarantee a few more minutes for his privacy. It would not take Cornak long to get back to him, Goblins always be prepared as he knew too well.
A buzz on the table announcing the incoming call on his mobile phone, a new muggle technology that was very useful, only need a few adjustments and they would be working fine in magical atmosphere. The small trick was not really well-known, but soon, Master Fane was sure, the Guild of Magic would do something to get it done.
"Fane," he said answering the call. After a pause of listening, Fane's eyes flashed dangerously for a second before returning to a wised one's.
"I'll get back to you after I cleared my schedule, Your Excellency," he said with a calm voice. "No, it wouldn't take long… Yes, that will do. I'll be there… I wish it was not the case, too. Thanks for calling, Suwan."
Pressing the 'end' button and put the mobile phone back on the table, Master Fane let out a sigh and sat down. He looked out of the windows watching the view of central London absentmindedly. A Horcrux? Tom Riddle, you absolutely amaze me. What should I do with you? No, I'll let the boy be your demise… he thought before waving his hand at the door to allow entrance of Cornak, who was raising his hand to knock. "I need to clear my schedule for the next few months, Cornak, and no more appointment until further notice - not even the King Ragnok himself. Am I clear?" Master Fane told his newly instated assistant. The room temperature lowered and air seemed to be squeezing around the just-entered goblin.
"Yes, Master Fane," the goblin answered trying to steady his voice. He heard of the only human in this high position from his own colleagues, but never faced it himself. The pressure in the room seemed to vanish after a blink of his eyes.
"According to the list, today, you are meeting…" Cornak began his job while Master Fane just sat there as though listening, but his eyes said otherwise. He was in deep thought.
-o0o-
Harry slowly came out of his coma state. His eyes were still closed, but his senses became clearer and clearer. He tried to think about his location. Then, everything came to him. He recalled the reason of his state and the memory of the rituals and beyond started to play to him in fast pace.
Flashback
"Are you ready, Harry?" Merlin asked his many-great grandson. They just finished preparing the sacred circle space off the cliff of Avalon. To the right was the grand ocean of Atlantic and the forest of Avalon was to the left. There were eight stone pillars surrounding the circle. Each pillars had different runes sculpted. In the middle was a low oval shaped stage.
Harry nodded his head and pulled down his clothes naked and only put on the pure white ritual robe. He stepped into the circle and lied down on the stage. He breathed in and exhaled slowly and went into meditation state.
Merlin, Morgana, and the Flamel couple stood around their heir and started chanting in the lost druid language. Harry body started to twist. At first, there were red light started glowing around the boy and then when the red color started to dim, blue replaced it. The blue color started to fade after about fifteen minutes later and the chanting ended.
The four elders looked at each other and walked out of the circle for a short break. The easiest part of the ritual was done. Only did they left the circle, Harry started to scream. The blue light was now replaced by pure white illumination. The scar on his forehead was glowing in bright red and seemed to be bleeding. Penerelle panicked, but a touch from her husband stopped her from disrupting the ritual. Merlin told them to take their rest while he took the first duty chanting the next phase of the ritual.
An hour later, with hoarse voice, Merlin walked out of the circle only to be replaced by Nicholas and then Penerelle took the round after her husband and Morgana following her. Then the round started again and went on for about five hours and the chanting part was done.
The most difficult part, other than chanting continuously, was to draw more runes of purification on the boy's body. What made it so hard was that he was constantly writhing and screaming in pain. Penerelle had to be exempted to do the runes as she seemed unable to concentrate enough.
After all the runes were applied, it was already six hours since the ritual started. Harry was still occasionally screaming in agony and his body was started to heat up until the adults could see flame consuming him. From a normal red flame, it changed colors darken and darken and lasted at pure black. Merlin, who was watching at the time, got up from his seat seeing the abnormality. "It shouldn't be this color," he muttered to himself. Then realization came to him. "MORGANA! COME QUICK!" he shouted for his wife.
"What's it, dear?" she asked walking out of the small makeshift hut they had constructed near the ritual circle.
"LOOK!" he just pointed at the black fire that was consuming their heir.
"Oh, my!" exclaimed both Morgana and Penerelle who had just arrived after hearing Merlin's shout.
"That means IT is being purified, isn't it?" Nicholas asked from behind.
"Yes," Merlin answered, "and it is fighting with all its might, too."
"Poor dear," Penerelle muttered hearing Harry's scream once more and sat on the floor weakly.
While the adults were watching astonished, Harry was experiencing the worst pain in his life. He felt his body burnt and then frozen just to be burnt again. He wanted to let it go then, just to be released from these pains. Then, he felt like his body split and there was something came out of it. He did not see it, rather felt it, but he was sure it was someone. That someone was screaming with rage swearing and promising his death for whatever he had done. It was disconcerting at first, but the voice was slowly fading. At that moment, unconsciousness consumed him.
End Flashback
"How do you feel, Harry?" Grandmother's voice asked him, "Your Granny Penny just wrote a message to your family today. We hope you wake up soon, my dear."
"I'm awake, Grandmother," the boy whispered. His voice was hoarse and his throat was sore. "I… I need water."
"Harry!" Morgana exclaimed and handed him a glass of water. "When did you wake up? How's your feeling?"
"I felt pain all over, Grandmother, but it starts to go way now" replied the boy taking a sip of water. "Thanks."
Seeing her heir up and about, they proceeded to talk about what happened after Harry was out and the period of it. Harry was panic at first, but calmed down after hearing about the letters.
"Is it gone?" Harry asked unconsciously raising his hand to his forehead where the scar resided.
"The test was negative as of this morning from the report of your Granny Penny," Morgana answered him soothingly. "But we'll do another check afterward. Are you really alright, my dear? Would you like to lie down and rest a bit more or come out to greet your other grands with me?"
"I'll kip a bit, Grandmother," Harry said lying down mumbling something that she could not catch. Unknown to both, Penerelle, the residence healer had added some mild sleeping potion in the water for she knew, as a healer – of course, that even though Harry woke up, he would still need more rest and she would not let him get up for at least another few days afterwards.
-o0o-
There was a knock on the door of number four, Privet Drive. Petunia Dursley got up as fast as she could and hurried to the door. They had been waiting for about fifteen minutes after the last message was read. Petunia reached the door and opened it hastily. There stood someone very familiar, Petunia was sure she knew who it was, but she could not be sure.
"Good evening, Petty," the stranger said, "how have you been?"
Petunia was shocked hearing the pet name. Even Vernon had never used it. He would call her 'Pet', but not Petty and the only one who used that name was… Oh, my! She thought. "Aunt Penny? How? What…"
"Easy there, my dear. Aren't you going to invite me in?" Penerelle asked smiling sweetly.
It had been ages since Petunia last seen her Aunt Penny. Well, it was just about twenty years or something, but to see the elder once again was quite a shock. Aunt Penny looked as same as ever. She did not look any bit older than Petunia herself at the moment. Penerelle was introduced to Petunia when she was about ten or was it twelve.
Petunia stammered out, "Oh, please come in," before stepping aside to let her guest in.
It was a dazed Petunia who was leading the guest in. Everyone in the kitchen was waiting expectantly. Vernon got up from his chair to help his wife to a seat before turning to the stranger.
"Good evening, ma'am," he greeted, "I'm Vernon Dursley." He held out his hand.
Penerelle smiled taking the hand, "Greeting, Vernon. I am Penerelle Flamel."
The name caused all seated to look at her in shock. Out of her stupor at last, Petunia gasped. "Aunt Penny! Oh… I've never thought…"
"There, there, Petty," Penerelle chided playfully, "before we continue, why don't you introduce your guests?"
Petunia blushed and started introducing everyone.
"You're Penerelle Flamel… as in the alchemist Flamel?" Marge asked after everyone settled down once again.
"Right in one, Marge," was the answer.
"So, the philosopher stone was real?" asked Mr. Granger.
Penerelle smiled mysteriously without saying anything about the topic. "Now, I'm sure you all are waiting for the great news, I presume?"
"Oh, yes!" Petunia exclaimed, "You're the visitor?"
"Indeed," Penerelle replied, "I actually have two messages to deliver." Seeing their eager looks, she smiled thanking the 'power that be' for their moral support to her young heir. "Firstly, Harry has woken up and about. He would be returning very soon, but no earlier than tomorrow morning."
All gathered were sighing with relief. Marge seemed to snap back at their visitor's words though, "And the other message, Madam?"
"He'll be leaving your house for the coming year and return in time before the letter of Hogwarts arrival," Penerelle told her promptly.
"WHAT?" every ones at the table shouted.
"Aw… dear… I'm not deaf," Penerelle said jokingly, "and you all heard me."
"But, Aunt Penny" Petunia said from her place behind the counter. She was making tea for everyone. Luckily, she was not holding the tray at the moment of the second message announcing. "Harry was saying he would need to train together with his friends before they head off to the school."
"I've known about that, Petty," Penerelle replied smiling. "Thing is, Harry needs to travel across the world to visit his other family."
"Wait a minute," Mr. Finch-Fletchley piped in, "I don't want to sound rude and prying, but how many families does Harry belongs to? I mean, well, he's a Potter, of course. Then, there's the Evans line and it seems Flamel is also one. There's still another family?"
Petunia was also thinking in the same lines and it seemed to have picked interests of the rest, too. Penerelle looked at Mr. Finch-Fletchley amused. "You all know, of course, that blood purity is an issue in the magical world. The Potter line was once also in the scheme and though they were not really that bigotry, the family did do inter-marry with other pure-blood families. However, this is not the case. Harry has only four main families to belong to. And that's not my place to tell you."
"Four families," Vernon said out loud while the others were thinking to themselves.
"Four main families, Vernon," Marge corrected her brother, "meaning that there are lesser families he might be accounted to."
"A clever inspection, Marge," Penerelle smiled at her. "But let's just leave it at that now, shall we? Here, I know about the Occlumency training Harry wanted to have his friends do, namely Hermione and Justin. Am I right?"
Getting the nods for the answer, Penerelle told them what was decided for the period of the coming year. Their conversation took almost of the night. Tea was switched to coffee and the squibs witnessed the use of wand for the first time after so many years. After a few cups of coffee each and delicious conjured cakes and desserts, it was four o'clock in the morning and Penerelle said her farewell. The hosts and guests of number four, Privet Drive bid goodnight to each other and adjourned to their beds.
The children woke up in the morning to find their parents still asleep with a note pinned to the refrigerator.
Children, help yourselves for breakfast. There are some sandwiches in the fridge. Harry should be home soon, so no need to worry. If he does, wake us up.
Dudley, 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacons and 3 slices of hams only. No more!
Hermione, leave the books in Harry's room alone. Alright, your mum said 2 books are fine.
Justin, the laptop is in your father briefcase. Check the market and call Veronica if you think there should be any stock worth buying. And no selling until you consult with me, young man!
-o0o-
Ending Note: Another chapter, everyone. I really need a beta, you know. So, someone out there, HELP!
Thanks for everyone's reviews, by the way. I really appreciate them.
