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Balance Factor Chapter 31

Year Five

Possession

A/N: Thanks for reviewing!

The balance was stable. All Harry needed to do was recycle the elements.

Harry allowed himself to sink into his core. He placed his hand on top of his Factor and sighed deeply. His Factor pulsed, Dark and Light twisting, recombining and dancing with each other. Ryuuko was also in Harry's core, watching him, back in his adult form.

"You're very good at this," Ryuuko said quietly, moving closer and reaching for the Light. The Light twisted, pulling away from the Dark and gathering in Ryuuko's hand. "I suppose you've been working at this for years though, hm?"

"Yes," Harry agreed, letting the Darkness go. The Darkness slipped back into the earth and swam around, vanishing out of sight. "Shirogane taught me Darkness. You taught me Light. Of course I'm good at it."

Ryuuko smiled, releasing the Light from his pull. The Light swam back to its place, calling Darkness to gather to balance it.

"Ryuuko…? Are you really getting stronger?" Harry asked. He looked over at his Father. His proud, strong, one of a kind father. Direct King of Light. Powerful beyond belief… And yet… so weak now…

"Yes, Kazuki," Ryuuko said patiently. "I really am. You may not be able to see it, or tell, but I am." He smiled kindly at Harry, pulling him into a hug. "It's thanks to you…"

Harry beamed, pressing his face against Ryuuko's strong chest. "Ryuuko? Do you think Shirogane's been trying to contact us for a while now? We did kind of dump him in the sack…"

Ryuuko laughed, nodding a little.

They withdrew from Harry's core together. Ryuuko took on his little form and Harry fell back into his body.

There was an unpleasant lurch and Harry gasped, feeling his body react to something pressing against his mind. He resisted, but the pull was too strong. Ryuuko's worried voice entered his mind, calling his name, but Harry barely heard it. He got the flash of something sinking its teeth into Arthur Weasley's throat before he shoved it out of his mind.

Tiny Ryuuko was holding his hand, looking very worried. "Harry! What in the world…?!"

"Mr. Weasley's gotten bit," Harry said, his eyes wide. He couldn't explain how he knew it, but he knew. Instinctively, he knew it.

"What are you-" Ryuuko started, but Harry jumped off the bed. Ryuuko grabbed Harry's sleeve and held on for dear life as Harry ran to the curtains and yanked them back.

"Mr. Weasley's gotten bit," Harry repeated, louder. "I think it was a snake… Ron! Wake up! Your dad's in trouble."

Ron jerked awake. "Wha? Harry? What are you talking about?"

"Your dad is bleeding to death in the Ministry of Magic," Harry said quickly. "Hurry! He's going to die from snake poison."

Ron was wide awake after that. Harry slid Ryuuko into his pocket and hurried down the stairs, bursting out of the common room and into the halls. He made his way swiftly through the corridors, his eyes determined. Ryuuko ducked out of sight, unsure of what was going on.

He bowed to the gargoyle once and the gargoyle sprung open for him. Harry ran up the stairs, ignoring the stares from the portraits. "DUMBLEDORE!"

By the time Harry got to his office, Dumbledore was sitting behind the desk. He looked very tired, but alert.

"Mr. Weasley was bit by a snake. Hurry, or the poison will kill him," Harry said clearly. Dumbledore blinked at him before nodding. Harry took a deep breath when Dumbledore vanished, sliding to the floor, looking at Ryuuko who was peeking at him from his pocket.

"Harry?" Ryuuko asked, looking worried. Harry smiled at him.

"Yeah?" Harry asked.

"You were… possessed right then. Just for a split second," Ryuuko said quietly. "I hope you know that." He looked immensely worried, his face serious.

"I know, Ryuuko. It's strange how I can be possessed though," Harry said softly. "I wasn't able to before…" He recalled Moody's class and Snape's teachings.

Ryuuko paused. "There are many reasons that possession can occur. I don't think that it would have happened normally, or this would have occurred before. You were withdrawing from your core at the time. When we're in your core, you're not in your body… They took over then. Whoever possessed or attempted to possess you."

Harry looked at Ryuuko, eyes wide. Ryuuko ducked back out of sight as McGonagall and the Weasley children entered.

-0-

It was a rather gloomy Christmas. Harry was too distracted by the thought of someone attempting to possess his body that he missed the feeling of being cheerful. He didn't even notice Ryuuko meeting Sirius for the first time in person, or Ryuuko meeting Kreacher.

Kreacher had hesitated to approach Ryuuko at first, but after a reassuring smile, started some sort of odd friendship. Ryuuko would often ask for books and Kreacher would provide them.

Harry leaned back and closed his eyes, a little bit afraid of entering his core again. Ryuuko saw his hesitation and placed a hand on Harry's.

"Harry… Don't be afraid to enter your core to check the balance," Ryuuko said calmly. "I want you to remember that I'll be here to protect you. If you are hesitant to enter now, you don't have to. I will check the balance for you every few days, alright? For now, why don't you relax?"

Harry smiled at Ryuuko and picked him up, sliding him into his pocket. "Okay, Father. Let's go see what Sirius is up to."

The environment in the dining room was almost stifling. Snape and Sirius were glaring at each other with utmost loathing. The rest of the guests had cleared out; not wanting to be caught in the screaming match if one ensued.

"Potter," Snape said looking at Harry when he entered. "The Headmaster has requested me to teach you Occlumency."

"Did you not teach me already?" Harry asked, confused. Snape sighed, his shoulders dropping.

"The Headmaster wants me to help you build mental shields against possession," Snape said, shaking his head. "I taught you Occlumency in your second year, but you need to keep your mental barriers strong."

"If this is about the possession," Ryuuko's voice said from his pocket, "then it won't be necessary."

Snape raised an eyebrow at the tiny Ryuuko emerging from Harry's pocket. Ryuuko landed on the table, looking up at Snape.

"Potter, who is this?" Snape asked, his eyes narrowed.

"How rude, Severus Snape. It's me, Ryuuko," Ryuuko said, without a hint of malice. "You met me last year and even gave me some ingredients to brew a potion."

"You were a lot larger at the time," Snape said, his eyebrows raised. Ryuuko sniffed in distain.

"This is the effects of that potion I brewed," Ryuuko said calmly. "When I limit my powers, I limit my size as well. It can't be helped in this case." He strode across the table and sat down on a coaster. "Harry was successfully possessed for a fraction of a second because he was not in his body at the time. It has nothing to do with his mental shields."

You could hear a pin drop. Sirius' mouth opened and Snape crossed his arms.

"I think you are aware of this, Potion Master, but Harry must maintain the balance between Light and Dark," Ryuuko said. "To do this, he needs to withdraw from his vessel and sink into his essence. His presence usually becomes unnoticeable by regular people, as when he does this, he moves to a higher plane. Much like another dimension."

"And so he does that every time?" Snape asked. Ryuuko nodded.

"Someone tried to possess Harry's body while he was in that other dimension. Normally, this isn't possible," Ryuuko said. "Unless the person knew the target and was powerful enough to see Harry while he's in that dimension and had a way of channeling the power. It's not so much the mental shield issue, but the fact that they channeled their power through something."

"And what would this thing be?" Snape asked, his eyes narrowed.

"I am unfamiliar with this world, so I cannot say. Something tainted," Ryuuko said, pausing. "But Harry cannot simply give up his job just like that. I can assist him in his essence, but I cannot help him much in this form. He has a duty he must fulfill and there is nothing anyone can say to stop that."

"Professor, could it be that it was Voldemort?" Harry asked. Snape flinched as if he was burned.

"Very possible," Snape said slowly. "If that is the case, then you certainly do not need my help."

"Ah, wait, Professor Snape," Harry said quickly. "Can you see if Legilimency works on Ryuuko?"

Ryuuko blinked. He looked up at Harry and then at Snape. "Harry…? I don't think-"

"Please, Ryuuko?" Harry asked, looking at him. "I need to know." Ryuuko sighed deeply and nodded slowly.

"Alright," Ryuuko said. Harry threw up a barrier that sealed off the entire room, just in case things got messy. Sirius blinked as Harry pulled him to the ground so that they were sitting.

"This might get messy," Harry said. Sirius looked rather lost in the conversation.

"Old Snivellus is going to use Legilimency on a half foot tall Ryuuko?" Sirius asked. "This I got to see. Ryuuko did duel Voldemort without a wand and forced him to flee."

"Ryuuko is no pushover," Harry said. He watched Snape raise his wand.

"Legilimens!"

There was a tremendous BANG that shook the windows, even in the shield. A blinding flash of light illuminated the entire house, blinding everyone in the room briefly. Harry peeked over the table spotting Ryuuko standing on the table, looking bewildered. Snape was on the floor, unconscious.

"Ah… so that's what would have happened if I was in my rei form," Harry said, looking at Ryuuko. Ryuuko smiled a little, walking over to him and sitting against the edge of the table.

"That… was… amazing…!" Sirius said, his face showing nothing but awe. "Amazing!"

Harry slid Ryuuko back into his pocket just as the doors burst open. Harry knelt on the floor, placing his hand on Snape's chest, making sure he was alright. Mrs. Weasley followed suit, but Sirius' eyes were shining like he had just won the lottery.

"Bloody amazing! I need one of those," Sirius said.

"You can get them in the muggle world. They're called flash grenades," Harry said, laughing lightly as Mrs. Weasley woke up the fallen Potions Master.

"I'm never doing that again," Snape said, looking a bit sour. Harry smiled.

"Sorry," he said, sounding only half apologetic. "But it'll be great knowledge to have when I face against Voldemort."

Snape scowled.

-0-

"Ryuuko!"

"Ah, Shirogane. Nice to see you," Ryuuko said, smiling down at the fuming Shirogane in the mirror. After all this time, Harry finally decided to take the mirror out of his extendable sack. Ryuuko called Shirogane in the mirror and he showed up, furious.

"I see you took the mirror from Kou," Ryuuko said calmly, completely oblivious to Shirogane's anger. "You know, I'm surprised you haven't smashed it yet."

"Ryuuko…!" Shirogane's tone dropped to a very dangerous level. Harry sighed.

"I apologize, Father. It's my fault we haven't been able to contact you," he said, willing to take the blame. Shirogane's pissed off expression turned to him and Harry felt a nervous chill crawl down his spine. "You see, I had classes to attend to, as well as the balance."

"Classes…" Shirogane did not sound any happier, but his tone dropped from being lethal to a 'well, perhaps I'll kill you later'. "You are in school then?"

"Winter vacation just started," Ryuuko said. "Kazuki's been busy. I'm sure you have been busy too, Shirogane."

"He's been pissed off for the past three weeks," Akira's voice came from behind Shirogane. "Hey Ryuuko… Again."

"Hello, Akira-kun. I'm sorry that I put you through so much," Ryuuko said, looking apologetic. "Shirogane, please don't put blame on Kazuki. There's a lot going on at our end."

"And you won't tell me?" Shirogane asked. Ryuuko paused.

"Nope. I can't right now," Ryuuko said, cheerful. Shirogane's face darkened and Ryuuko laughed. "Oh, don't be like that. If I tell you, you'll come charging in, murder everyone on sight and then the balance really will be tipped. Oh, also, Akira-kun?"

Akira's face was seen over Shirogane's shoulder. Shirogane relaxed, just a fraction, as Akira spoke.

"Yeah?"

"I found someone potentially suitable for Light," Ryuuko said. "She can see factors."

"See them? Like… honestly?" Akira looked surprised.

"Yes. She sees Light and Darkness. Both," Ryuuko said. "We need more Children of the Light. So it might be good to recruit her. Not now, but in the future, if we ever meet. I'll point her out to you."

Shirogane huffed, his anger fading. "Ryuuko, will you be strong enough to re-enter the Light Palace soon?"

"Not likely," Ryuuko said. "I wish to conserve my powers for the impending battle Kazuki will face."

"Battle? I can help," Akira said, blinking.

"I will likely call on everyone for the battle," Harry said, looking at Akira, smiling. "Thank you. It is going to be rough. I'll give you a general outline of what's happening when it comes to that time." He leaned back and smiled, closing his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Is Kou there with you?"

"Hiya!" Kou said, grinning. Harry smiled.

"Can you do me a favor, Kou?"

"If it's a favor from Kazuki, then I'll do whatever," Kou said, clapping his hands on Akira's shoulders. "So, what is it?" Judging by the way Akira smiled, Kou and Akira got along well.

"I want you to help Akira maintain the balance," Harry said. "I will refrain from using my powers for a couple months." He glanced at Ryuuko and Ryuuko smiled encouragingly at him. "I need some time to figure out some things."

"Sure, no problem," Kou said confidently. Harry smiled at him.

"You've become so mature, Kou," Ryuuko commented, his ruby eyes smiling. Then he turned his gaze to Shirogane, "Shirogane, I know that you're probably searching for us. In the sidelines, perhaps. I do wish you'd hold off your search until we've shared the information with you."

Shirogane sniffed with distain. But he didn't deny it.

"I will not," he said. "Not until I find you two. And when I do…" His icy blue eyes flashed.

"Ah, Shirogane, don't be so bad tempered," Ryuuko said, smiling in spite of the very obvious threat.

-0-

Harry crossed his legs, looking across the table at Rita Skeeter. She had suffered, it seemed, from Hermione's blackmail. Now she was willing to finally write truth for once. Luna giggled, poking Ryuuko in Harry's pocket under the table. Ryuuko was squirming with discomfort at the prodding.

"Alright then. You want to know what happened in the graveyard," Harry said, his eyes sparking. "Let's talk business, Skeeter. You might actually become popular after this."

The very next day, the story was published. Umbridge had spent most of the year breathing down teacher's backs and neck, looking for some excuse she could use to sack them. Hagrid and Trelawney were pretty high on the list.

Harry didn't pay much attention. It wasn't until the first owl landed on his plate did he notice the amount of mail he got. Letters piled up on the table.

He picked up the first letter, opening it and reading the contents.

"Hem hem!"

Harry didn't even bother turning around. He knew Umbridge wouldn't approve of it, but it was well worth it. Even if she gave him detention again for it.

"Why do you have so many letters, Mr. Potter?" she asked in her sickly sweet voice. Harry shrugged and tore open another package.

"Is that a crime now?" Fred asked loudly. "Getting mail?"

"Be careful, Mr. Weasley, or I will put you in detention," Umbridge threatened. "Well, Mr. Potter?"

"Don't know," Harry replied shortly. "I don't see why they feel the need to reply to me if they don't believe me." He threw another letter into the pile of rejects and picked up a package.

Umbridge snatched Harry's copy of The Quibbler. Her face went very white and then very red. "Mr. Potter, I've told you time and time again not to spread attention-seeking lies. Obviously the message hasn't sunk in yet," she said, her eyes cold. "Fifty points from Gryffindor and a weeks worth of detention."

Harry snorted. House points meant nothing to him anymore. Not when his life was on the line. Ryuuko gripped the inside of his pocket hard, evidently worried.

Three nights in, Harry came back with a bloody, oozing hand. Ryuuko instantly took a washcloth, rinsing it with some difficulty due to his tiny size and dabbing it over Harry's hand.

"That horrid woman!" Hermione said, placing a bowl of something or other for Harry. Harry looked at the bowl and picked up Ryuuko, petting him. Ryuuko grabbed onto the front of his robes hard, looking at Harry's hand with some level of masked anger. Harry sank his hand into the solution, the stinging pain replaced with a cool sense of relief.

"I will not stop Shirogane if he comes to kill her," Ryuuko said quietly. Harry looked at Ryuuko in surprise, but Ryuuko didn't seem to see it. "I have never wanted to kill a person this much…"

"Ryuuko…" Harry said softly. Ryuuko smiled a little, trying to be reassuring, but failing. Harry held the little Ryuuko close to his chest and Ryuuko pressed his cheek against the warm fabric.

"Fair warning to her," Ryuuko said gently, closing his ruby eyes.

"It's rare that you actually admit that you don't like someone," Harry said softly. Hermione looked at Harry and then at Ryuuko.

"Harry… Maybe you should tell Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.

"Why bother?" Ron asked, stepping in the portrait hole. "It's not like he can do much. All she has to do is pass another one of those stupid Decrees…"

"Considering that she has brought such a barbaric torture weapon to the school," Ryuuko said softly. "She likely has permission to use it. As the Ministry is none too fond of you, Harry, they probably sent her here and hoped she used it on you."

Harry sighed a little. Ryuuko has purposefully not taken the potion and was waiting for the current six drops to wear off. It had been five days already, so hopefully, it would have worn off by the sixth. In the meantime, though, Harry would endure it. It wasn't as if he was a stranger to pain, after all.