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Balance Factor Chapter 9

Year Two

Release

A/N: Read and review, as always. Thanks for the support!

No, Dumbledore is not a manipulative old coot. He won't be. I personally believe he never was in the book. Though his methods were questionable, I always thought he had good intentions.

"Hey Harry?"

Harry looked up at Draco. Draco had a contemplating look on his face. It was early morning, before breakfast. There weren't that many students up yet, but Hermione had woken Harry and Ron up early to work on homework.

"I… Um… heard your conversation with Dumbledore yesterday." Draco looked a little bit embarrassed. "I was curious and I know you keep the mirror on you at all times… So…"

Harry cursed himself silently for his slipup. He had gotten so used to wearing the mirror that he had completely forgotten it was there. He looked at Draco patiently, waiting for his question.

"What is it that even Dumbledore does not understand?" Draco asked, curious. Harry took a deep breath.

"Draco… You certainly do not need to know such a thing. You would not want to know. The knowledge would drive you mad," Harry said quietly. "There are things you take for granted. Know that."

Draco looked curiously at Harry, frowning a little. "But why do you know them? I know you said that the universe sung to you. But that's not really it, is it?"

"The balance wants me to know. So it shows it to me." Harry said, his voice pleasant, though his eyes serious. "Why do you ask me such a thing, Draco? If I cannot tell Dumbledore, what makes you think I'll tell you? Though we may be friends, I do wish to protect you. From truth. And from yourself."

"How do you know I won't be able to handle it?" Draco asked, slightly insulted. Harry smiled sadly.

"Have you ever thought about where magic comes from?" Harry asked. Draco's brow furrowed, but Harry looked back down at his textbook. He wanted to finish this chapter before he left to go back to the dorm and pick up the rest of his school books. Ron and Hermione had both left to go to the library to finish up McGonagall's transfiguration essay.

"I thought magic just… existed," Draco said. Harry shook his head without looking up.

"There is a source for it," Harry said. "Like all living things, there is a source."

Draco pondered it. And pondered it some more. He had never given a thought to where magic came from, or what the source potentially was. He looked at Potter across the table and stood up.

"I'm going to the library," Draco said suddenly. Harry nodded, not looking up.

-0-

Harry felt his skin crawl. He glanced at the wall, frowning as he heard a voice. They were headed to the Great Hall from Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday Party. Harry, though a little pleased to be invited, quickly decided that he didn't really want to be there.

"Rip… Kill… Tear…"

Harry paused, looking at Ron and Hermione. "Did you hear that?"

Hermione looked up from inspecting her time table. "Hear what?" Ron frowned, straining to listen.

"That voice," Harry said, pointing to the wall. He closed his eyes and traced the path he heard the voice move. "It's going that way."

Ron frowned. "I don't hear anything," he said. Harry shrugged, following the sound, but keeping his eyes closed. He turned the corner, but only after hearing Ron and Hermione gasp in shock did he open his eyes.

Mrs. Norris hung by her tail. There was water on the floor, pooling around them. Someone had flooded the bathroom. But Ron and Hermione were staring at the huge message written on the wall.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.

"Oh… no, no, no," Hermione moaned. "We really don't want to be caught here."

Students filed in the hall from the Halloween feast and stopped short in front of the three and the message. There was a sudden hush over the crowd, but Harry barely noticed. He strode up to the message and touched it.

"Paint," Harry said, frowning. "Is this some sort of practical joke?"

"You've killed my cat! I'll… I'll… I'll kill you!" Filch howled launching at Harry. Harry looked at the cat briefly.

"She's not dead," Harry said clearly. "But something has frozen her. She's in stasis." He didn't seem to notice the other professors show up, or the fact that Filch had grabbed him by the collar.

"Argus!" Dumbledore's voice cut through the murmurs. Filch let Harry go. Harry frowned, as if he just realized he had been suspended slightly in the air, landing on his feet.

"This stasis is powerful though," Harry said, looking at the cat again. "She cannot be revived like one would wake up. My guess is a draught made of Mandrake root."

Dumbledore levitated the cat and said, "Potter, Weasley, Granger, come with me. Argus, you come as well."

Harry paused and followed. Snape sneered at him, but he ignored it. He refused to be provoked by the Potions Master, as even though Snape did not like him, he was alright with him.

"We can use my office, Headmaster!" Lockhart declared. "It's closer."

"Thank you, Gilderoy," Dumbledore said, sweeping swiftly down the halls. Harry followed, his strides confident and calm, despite people whispering about how much trouble he was going to be in. Harry spotted Draco as he passed, but didn't speak to him. Draco looked concerned.

Harry walked calmly to Lockhart's office, closing his eyes along the way there. His Factor pulsed once, twice, but then rippled with power.

Instantly, Harry doubled over. He took deep breaths, trying to hide the strain on his face. But Hermione and Ron had seen. The witch shot him a worried look and Ron placed his hand on Harry's back. Harry smiled gratefully at his friends. He stayed behind them, ignoring Snape's look.

"Harry…? Harry, are you alright?" Hermione whispered, placing her hand on Harry's arm. Harry nodded.

"Disturbance," Harry said softly back, looking at his friends. He stood up straight and looked at Dumbledore examining Mrs. Norris, the caretaker hovering over the animal. Gripping the cursed artifact, Harry suppressed a moan of relief as Shirogane's cane head soaked up the extra darkness rippling from his Factor. His shoulders visibly relaxed.

Snape was still eyeing Harry suspiciously, but turned away when Harry turned towards him. He didn't seem to trust Harry, which Harry was completely fine with.

Lockhart was babbling to the other professors, completely oblivious to the exchange going on. Harry was thankful for that, at least. At last, Dumbledore stood up straight.

"She's not dead, Argus," Dumbledore said softly. Lockhart froze in the middle of his speech. "She's been petrified."

Harry looked completely blank at the accusations Filch spun at him for petrifying his cat. He closed his eyes and let out a soft breath.

"If I really wanted to hurt you for being a squib, I'd actually have killed your cat. With a knife. Through the skull," Harry said bluntly, ignoring the looks of horror. "Why use something so impractical and traceable like a curse when I could have just stabbed her to death? Plus, the Chamber of Secrets can only be opened by the Heir of Slytherin, as the legend goes. The Heir of Slytherin, that is, Salazar Slytherin's descendent, is not me." He opened his emerald eyes and looked at Filch, a small smile on his face. "I think you better rethink your statements before you accuse someone of petrifying your cat."

"How dare you speak that way towards a staff member, Potter?!" McGonagall asked, looking shocked. Harry turned to her.

"Oh? I'm being accused of murder and now petrifying someone very important to the caretaker of Hogwarts," Harry said, his eyes flashing. "And I have lost the right to defend myself? Might I remind you I am not a criminal, nor have I been formally accused of anything just yet. I am presenting my side. The rest is up to Professor Dumbledore." He looked up at the elderly wizard, waiting.

"…Innocent until proving guilty," Dumbledore said softly. Harry nodded slowly.

"I will be heading to bed then," Harry said, turning, his robes brushing the ground very quickly. "Good night." He placed his hands on Hermione's and Ron's shoulder, moving towards the door. Snape blocked his path.

"Potter, you need a Calming Drought," he said. Harry frowned, looking at Snape's neck, refusing to meet his eyes. "Come with me. Granger, Weasley, go to bed. I will escort Mr. Potter back to the tower."

"I'm fine, Professor Snape," Harry said calmly. "I just need some rest, that's all." He closed his eyes, refusing to show emotions on his face. He needed to meditate. He needed… to feel the calmness of the balance.

But he wanted Shirogane. He wanted Ryuuko. And he wanted…

He wanted to go back home. To the Light Palace.

Harry knew it was impossible at the state right now. Not until the Light Factor was in good hands. Not until the Shadow Factor was back with Shirogane.

Snape grabbed his arm. Harry didn't fight it as Snape dragged him into the dungeons. As soon as the door was shut, Harry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Snape pulled out a bottle in his cabinet and passed it to Harry. Harry stared at the bottle, but didn't take it. He slid into a seat and slumped into it, hanging his head. Long black strands of hair covered his face.

"Potter?" Snape said softly, his voice quiet. Harry looked up at him, meeting his eyes. There was a pause between the two, but then Snape pressed the bottle into Harry's hands. "Drink. You'll feel better."

"Professor Snape," Harry said quietly, "when you look at me… What do you see?" He clasped the bottle in his hands, his eyes vulnerable. "Do you see an… echo of James Potter? The spirit of Lilly Potter? Or Harry Potter?" He stood up, popping open the bottle, drowning the contents. "I knew nothing of my parents. I never got a chance to know them." He placed the bottle on the table, his shoulders relaxed. "Perhaps I should not celebrate the day of their passing."

He paused, looking at Snape's face, bowing to him lightly. "Thank you, Professor Snape. I will see you tomorrow in Potions." He swept out the door and shut it behind himself.

Snape slid to the floor, guilt hitting him full force. He buried his face in his hands and closed his eyes, taking deep breaths.

-0-

"Are you… Alright, Potter?"

Harry looked exhausted. But content. He glanced at Draco and sighed deeply, nodding. "I'm fine Draco. Thank you. I'll go to bed after classes today." He closed his eyes, having meditated the entire night. The balance was stable. And that made him feel good.

"Well, if you're sure," Draco said slowly. Harry smiled, touching the cane head in his pocket. The effect, like before, relaxed him, drawing the darkness out of his body only briefly.

He could feel his Factor pulse slowly. It had been bothering him before, but now it was bearable. Harry smiled weakly, getting up.

Harry stepped into History of Magic, looking as tired as he felt. He slid into his seat, next to Ron, but within five minutes, he was asleep. Binns explained the legend of the Chamber of Secrets to the class, but Harry was too exhausted to listen.

An hour later, Harry entered Potions. He simply gave a tired nod to Snape and sat down. Snape hesitated, but then the rest of the class filed in. A sneer crossed Snape's face.

"Potter, if you cannot stay awake in class, you might as well go to Madam Pomfrey," Snape said. Harry shook his head.

"I'm alright Professor," he said. "Just a little overwhelmed about what happened yesterday."

Snape gave a stiff nod. Harry glanced up and spotted Draco sitting next to him instead of with the other Slytherins. He smiled, sliding his books towards his side of the table.

"Potty's curse is taking effect! Potty will be dead in a week," Pansy Parkinson said nastily. Harry's sharp emerald eyes bore into the back of her head, but then he turned back and faced the front. Snape had put up instructions and stated that they should start the potion.

Harry stood up, halfway into class. He was very pale, his eyes covered by his hair.

"Potter! What are you…" Snape started with a deep sneer on his face. Harry looked at him with sapphire eyes. Snape flattered.

"I need a containment room. Now," Harry said clearly. The Darkness and Light was pulsing through his body at an unbelievably fast pace, his power rising up to the surface. So that was why he had been feeling so unwell these days. Why his body felt so… tired.

He struggled to contain the power he could feel just barely beyond his reach. Normally, he would have sparred with Shirogane and Ryuuko to exhaust his supply of Dark and Light. It had been over twelve years since then though. Twelve years of not exercising his power to its fullest extent. Twelve years of balancing the world as his sole duty.

He could not contain it much longer. Light and Dark was never meant to be contained, only veiled. Kazuki had been sealing his power for much too long and using much too little for his body to recycle the elements. As a result, the unbalance he felt, the pain, the pulsing, were all signs that his body had been harboring tainted elements. He was a few minutes away from separating from his body into his rei form. And he knew that Harry Potter's body would not survive a second integration.

"Professor Snape, you are a ward specialist, are you not?" Harry asked, stepping around the desk to face Snape fully. Snape took one look at Harry's pale face, his sapphire eyes.

"Class dismissed!" He barked, pointing to the door. "OUT!"

Harry grit his teeth to try and calm himself down. How could he have been so careless? How could he not have realized the consequences? Meditation back at home was usually as long as he needed it to be. In this world, harboring a human vessel, he could not remain in meditation for weeks or months. He cursed himself for his own foolishness, closing his eyes.

Draco shot him an alarmed look. Hermione and Ron stepped closer to him.

"Harry! Oh my… You're so pale! We need to get you to Madam Pomfrey." Hermione bit her lip, trying to lead Harry out. Harry shook his head.

"Go! Both of you!" Harry said. Snape waved his wand, dispelling all of the potions and scooting all of the tables and chairs back against the wall. Harry shoved them out of the door, slamming it closed and let out a breath of air. Sweat was trailing down his face as he watched Snape wave his wand to ward the room.

"You should get out too Professor," Harry said, his tone strained. "I may have to release it all at once… I will try to contain it best I can, but my magic is going to go wild."

"No, Potter," Snape said, looking towards him again, his obsidian eyes burning a little. "If you are to release whatever is hurting you, then I will be standing by in case you need any potions."

Harry pulled out the cane head, closing his eyes and dropping his head on his clasped hands. "Father, if you can feel my presence… Please come." His body glowed, the power spilling out of his core. "Ryuuko… Shirogane…" His Factor pulsed twice more and then was still.

Snape raised an eyebrow, but instantly shielded his eyes from a huge flash of light. Through it, he could see Potter's hair getting longer, his clothes changing from the black Gryffindor robes to a long white cape with gold and silver trimmings. His body glowed, black and white swirling around him. The wards shattered with one touch of the power, Potter's hair whipping wildly around himself. Potter had three white rings on each forearm, separated by only an inch or so. The light died down, darkness and light crawling against Potter's feet. His frame was only a few inches taller than Potter's twelve year old self, but somehow, it made all the difference.

In Potter's right hand sat a beautifully crafted spear. The dragons on the metal seemed almost alive, Potter taming them with his hand in the middle, separating the two.

Kazuki had returned.