A.N.: hello everyone! As always this chapter is not betaed so please don't look to closely at grammar errors and the like! Lol I acknowledge I'm not to good when it comes to those things! O.O; so anyway this story has gotten away from me it seems my fingers aren't listening to me! Lol anyway I hope you enjoy the story and I'm happy I got so many reviews! I guess I'll keep the next one hostage too! So review and I'll update! I hoping for a least fifty reviews lol! Ja Ne love ya guys hope you like my story!
Harry stared at the bleach white walls of the infirmary in detest, he had awoken when they had tried to divest him of all his clothes to get to his injuries but thankfully he had stopped them in time. After a wise use of his silver tongue and an amazing display of power on his part Harry had convinced the healer to rid him of his pants and nothing more.
That was of course after he had gotten everyone else out of the room completely, it wouldn't do for anyone to see him this weak as it left him to open for attacks for his tastes. Growing up basically alone with constant threats of harm had given him an heightened sense of paranoia something he had no desire to rid himself of.
His paranoia had saved him a few times, Harry knew the most important lesson about life: in the end you're alone. Harry had surrounded himself with allies, 'friends' and pet companions for a reason after all. All the people or things that hung around him were his lines of defense, he knew Logan at least had turned away plenty of troublesome people who've tried to approach him.
Now though he was injured, he had shown a weakness to potential enemies and his defensive wall was more hindering than helping him in this state. It was after they had all left him alone finally that Harry had faced the healer, a young looking woman (never can tell when it comes to magical people) with blonde hair and a stern mouth.
It had very uncomfortable striping from the waist down because even with the current injuries drawing her attention he was sure as a trained healer she could see the numerous scars his legs he had. Truthfully Harry had been rightly amazed when she had fixed him up within minutes not leaving a single new scar.
They learned a lot in healing class but the removal of all those individual glass fragments alone was way above his level as of now. Not to mention the fact that to heal completely the torn tissue without even a trace of scared skin was something only the most experienced healer could achieve.
Closing cut were complicated because the injured flesh is immersed in it's own traces of instinctual healing magics that could react negatively to the healer. Then there was cleaning out the various infections that open wounds like his would have, sealing it was not easy either because if you didn't do it properly it could rupture on the inside bleeding you out.
All in all her handy work was impressive and the pain from before was just a dull numbness now as the nerves were regrown and tendons reattached. She was very experienced, and very professional throughout the entire thing something he had appreciated as he adhered when doctors sought to comfort.
Sighing he looked to the healer, Stephanie he believed, once more trying to decide if he should ask her or not. The old scars on his legs had remained untouched through the entire thing and he was curious to see what she could do to them. While Harry had already worked the past few years to fade them slightly with his various ointments they were still extremely noticeable if not a bit softer then before.
Shifting a bit in his cot he let a small barely noticeable scowl crinkle his forehead, it just wouldn't do the magics to heal his body were beyond him at this point. As much as he hated to even think it he knew if he wanted to rid himself, or at least fade his scars he would have to ask for her assistance.
The question was now, if he could or not. If he didn't ask for her help then he would have to wait a few more YEARS to gain the knowledge he needed to heal himself. Opposed to the few awkward minutes he would otherwise in asking for her to do it. Eventually he settled on a compromise, if she could heal the scars on his legs then he would ask her to tutor him in her art.
Medical magics had always had an appeal to him anyways with all it's untapped potential. Noting that she had returned to check up on him Harry saw his chance and took it. "Healer Stephanie, may I ask for some assistance?" she looked up startled for a moment, "Of course what is it? Are your legs troubling you!" She looked around in alarmed panic.
"No, I was wondering if you could tell me what can be done for the scars on my legs?" She looked at them then, brow furrowed in concentration as she trailed her fingers down them studying them with enough intensity to leave Harry shifting uncomfortable.
Not that she would need to look at them very much to make him unsettled normally anyone just glancing at his exposed skin was unnerving to him just not enough to make him give a visible reaction to it as he was doing now. "I think I'll be able to fade them a little, I can't vanish them completely I'm afraid the scared tissue has been left like that for too long now the skin would spilt open if I tired."
Harry nodded understanding, "Please do what you can." He hated having to ask for help it gave him a queasy feeling usually it was people asking him for help not the other way around. A few flicks of the wand made his thick rope like scars into thin silver marks that blended in with his skin.
It startled him for a little while as he ran his hands up and down his legs with no interference just smooth skin. He looked at his legs in wonder…he knew magic made a lot of impossible things possible but never had he thought he could almost rid himself of the disgusting symbol of muggle cruelty on his skin.
He had thought he could fade them, make them less like bulging bumps to slightly less ones and he realized he had been holding himself back a little. Magic was a very contradictory thing, it served but ruled, it did the impossible and limited you at the same time. Just like when Harry had thanked his own magic, something various religions had been doing for years, and gained magic's favor.
Belatedly he realized it was not so much that he thanked his magic than that he appreciated its role in his life and acknowledged that he owed it gratitude for the power he had. In fact he wasn't entirely sure if what he was now, thanks to that incident, was entirely 'human' because of various little things that he'd think over later.
The point was magic had so much potential, he had so much potential and he wasn't challenging himself enough he needed to devote himself more into his magic. Looking up he saw the Healer's eyeing him, "Do you think if I came on here sometimes you'd teach me some things?"
She looked startled again, something she seemed to be most of the time around him but nodded her assent. Two hours later he was sent back to classes with a clean bill of health. Leon was outside the door waiting for him though he didn't say anything just stood by him the rest of the day. He looked like he was still torn up about his brother, anyone who looked could see the devastating sadness in his eyes but it seemed like he had taken Harry's word's to heart.
His reaction had Harry thinking, Leon his previously wary ally was now without a doubt his most devoted follower. Harry thought about the possible factors that had led to this and reviewed the possibilities. It couldn't be because he had touched him as he had touched every member of his group in dance class, however that was much more distant professional touch.
It was with dread he realized he'd made this boy his most devoted because he had shared with him something that he hadn't done with anyone previously. Harry had opened himself up in those few moments in that hug, had done something he had detested for this boy and he returned that in kind with his complete loyalty.
It brought up something that he'd been thinking about since the formation of this group and made him very uncomfortable to say the least. When his identity was discovered, he wasn't deluded he knew it would come to light; he would need someone on his side to defend him. If it happened before he was of age he could be forced back into his despicable family line and he liked his freedom.
The truth of it was that 'technically' this school had 'kidnapped' him and as he had not been adopted by any means father and mother could lay claim to him. Harry had known from the beginning that he would have to expose this part of himself to them sometime he just didn't want to do it so soon.
But with this development with Leon he knew he needed to do it now while they were young and forgave him easier. Harry wasn't a fool if his identity was discovered while they were still in the dark they would view it as a betrayal something he did not want. He also realized he would need to introduce or hint at some of his future plans so he could have the time to convince them to see it his way.
Today had been far to long, he felt way to exposed at the moment with the dairy and now Leon he felt way to open to try it doing that now. He made it to his room and glanced at said book brow furrowed in concentration, something was not right with it.
He glanced at the enchanted ring he had made and back at the book, maybe it couldn't hold off ALL of the books enchantments. After all he talked so openly with this memory 'Tom' then he had with anyone or anything else…maybe the book had been spelled to force people to do that.
And as quickly as that thought had entered it left leaving him vaguely confused as to what he was thinking, oh yes, next week he would tell them about his real identity. It was time to stop hiding, at least around them but it could wait a little longer until Sunday.
The week was harder then most, Leon was having a hard time dealing with his brother's death and it caused a lot of tension within the group as a whole. Harry made sure he was always available to listen when Leon needed to talk but Harry didn't talk very much still feeling very exposed to the boy-who-he-hugged.
Sunday night rolled around and after a long day of intensive study with Morgan Harry was very nervous about going through with it. He paced his room flustered, unnerved, and slightly panicked about exposing even this to the group. Harry didn't trust anyone, people especially as they tended to betray you so easily.
However, it was entirely necessary that he knew Harry wasn't stupid he knew that potentially if all his plans even half succeeded he be a ruler of a lot of people. Leaders were characterized most blaringly by one/two things they were either well-loved barely ruling leading to corruption of their ranks or they ruled through fear.
Harry found both faulty, as both would not be wise for him; nevertheless, he realized it was better to be loved then hated. A leader who ruled with fear, and violence ruled well for a while before someone came along to 'save' everyone. Then again that kind, loving, caring leader bullocks didn't work for him either as he could never force himself to be so…soft.
There in lays his strategy, he would be loved but not loving. He needed them to like him, to love him even without being weak in return but in order to that he needed this one exposed moment to cement their caring for him. If he was loved, if they loved him they would not hesitate to die for him something he wanted…he wanted them to be that devoted to him.
Realizing he was going in circles again, he took a deep breath calmed himself and pulled his blank mask on before stepping out to head to the common room. Simon was there, surprisingly, he was he only one left that hadn't been fully inducted into his little group mostly because he had no idea how to approach him.
Simon was very introverted and didn't open up as easily as the others; truthfully sometimes Harry even forgot he was there. Maybe this would help to solidify his place in the group he could be trusted, Harry knew that much at least because of the elvish sense of unbreakable honor. Maybe that was how he would get him…his honor, since exposing a part of him had gotten Leon into his influence maybe the same would work for Simon.
Though that was something he'd think over later he didn't really like the idea of exposing himself to more people at the moment. They all stared at him intently wondering why he had called them here, as it was rare for Harry to exercise his authority so openly.
"I have something to tell you all…something I want you to know that MUST be kept secret no matter the circumstance…okay?" They nodded weakly as they had never heard Harry speak so severely before and they fought to hold down their joy at Harry finally opening up to them even just a little.
"I won't delay then, the truth of it all is that my name isn't Tristen Stillnight…its Harry Potter and I need your help." Their expressions were almost comical, almost everyone looked like a fish or chicken with their heads chopped off. The Twins spoke up first, "What do you need Tri-Harry?"
"First don't call me Harry in public I meant what I said when I told you this needs to be kept between us. As to what I need help with…it's complicated I need a guardian…I need to be adopted."
"But you're not an orphan…" Cleo said weakly as Harry gave her a cold look.
"I think she means to say why do you need one?" Ophelia said to redirect the question.
"Simple really I don't want my parents to have any legal pull over me…"he said with venom.
"Well, I don't know about a guardian but my parents know some Lawyers who could probably get you emancipated…" Simon volunteered trailing off at everyone's sudden appraisal. Then Harry graced them with something they hadn't ever seen from him, his blank emotionless face shifted and a hint of a small grateful smile adorned his face. (Inside Harry grimaced, he needed Simon to open up to him perhaps this was the only way.)
Everyone sucked in a sharp breath, Harry had always been beautiful but with that smile it was like looking at something not of this world, a god. They shot Simon jealous looks to whom the smile had been directed to, all resolved to do whatever it took to be graced with a smile like that.
"Thank you, I'd appreciate it very much."
"Harry you never answered the question…why do you want to leave your parents?" the twins said alternately.
"They abandoned me I don't want nor need them. I am trusting you with my identity and this task please do not disappoint me." They all nodded solemnly wanting more then anything to prove his trust in them was not a mistake. Everyone looked at one another a silent message passing between them as a hardened resolve shifted their expression to determination.
Harry watched them all silently, they had taken this better then he had expected and now only time would tell if this risk was worth it. He left them silently wanting very much to just relax, paint a little and then sleep it had been a long day.
--x--
To say Tom was frustrated was a dire understatement, by now he should have at least a little more power over this boy Tristen but all he managed to do was put a compulsion web on him. He wrote in the diary, got attached like he was supposed to but his plans stopped there.
Tristen, he was sure, had something stopping him from tapping into Tristen's magic thus gaining his body back by draining his life force. From what he had managed to gather from Tristen, somehow he had died or something of the like now it was time to use this dairy to come back. But he couldn't do that while something was stopping him from accessing Tristen's magic.
Truthfully he had a begrudging respect for the boy, he was powerful as powerful as he had been at his age maybe more so. Also his school fascinated him as he had never even heard of its existence, not surprising but it vexed him to no end. Then there were the disturbing similarities in their childhood; Tristen hadn't actually admitted to anything but he knew from experience what could have happened to him.
Tristen reminded him much to much of himself to not get interested on how he would turn out if he left him alone for the moment. It was inconvenient though that all he would talk of was his ambitions and not anything close to personal because Tom really wanted to figure this boy out.
His frustration was reaching another peak when he felt Tristen's mind turn suspicious of him once more, and he had to put more energy into that compulsion web once AGAIN. Really that boy was very paranoid, a good thing normally but not now when he continued to waste energy keeping him from questioning the dairy.
He growled there was nothing for it he would just have to wait and take the excess magic from the room to survive for now. That decided his thoughts turned to Tristen once again, really it was getting ridiculous how much that boy captivated him and then there was that disturbing pull he felt whenever he held the book.
It felt almost like something was calling to him but he was unable to answer the call as something was interfering. Not for the first time he wished he could actually SEE what Tristen looked like, learning what his magic felt like was doing him no good. He still didn't know how he was going to get out of answering Tristen's questions next time the magic it took just to keep him relaxed and open when he wrote was taxing as it is without adding that to the mix.
Well, maybe he could answer some things what harm could it do it's not like he was at Hogwarts and Tristen could figure out who he once was or was going to be. This split soul thing was getting confusing best just say who he is because he was Lord Voldemort just as Lord Voldemort was Tom Riddle.
Hello.
Hello Tristen how was your day?
Good. How was yours?
Just as well in a book and all.
Yes, why did you put yourself in there anyways?
So something of me would always exist, simple really I don't fancy dying all that much.
Who does? There are plenty of other ways to go about not dying I'm sure.
Oh, such as?
I'm not sure but I'll have to research that. Not that I find it at all appealing.
Really and why is that? I assumed everyone wanted to live forever.
Yes I suppose so, but life is worth living because it is so fleeting…not that I plan on dying anytime soon I'll live long enough to obtain my goals not a moment more.
Shouldn't you live after that so that you can enjoy that fact?
Why? After you've reached all your dreams and you have none left what is left in life?
I couldn't answer that.
Well, I didn't expect you to…tell me Tom have you ever had a dream? A true dream one you wanted to become reality more then anything?
Yes…(he didn't elaborate disturbed with this openness)
I haven't…not truly…I know of nightmares, I know of unnamed longing, I know of a consuming hatred but I do not know of a true deeply desired wish. I have ambitions, not wishes or desires…and I don't want them. I can't see how such things could benefit me in the slightest.
(Tom wanted to make him wish, make him want and was unsettled by the desire so he choose instead to remain silent.)
Tom, Who are you really?
I'm Tom Riddle no one else.
We'll see, Goodnight Tom.
Goodnight Tristen.
--x--
The dream started off just like all the rest feverish and filled with confusion. He didn't know where he was or what was going on just those haunting crimson eyes. Then a blinding pain like nothing he'd felt before shot through him and he woke blood pooling in his mouth from biting his tongue to keep from screaming.
It was nothing new, these dreams, and the scarlet eyes taunting him, the cold numbness and the pain. Harry forced himself into wakefulness noticing it was barely four in the morning night still had its inky claws into the earth, he sighed. He needed to get up early anyways it would not due to have anyone see him in the showers and ask uncomfortable questions.
Once he was there, standing naked before the wide mirrors of the bathroom he couldn't stop himself from looking upon his shame, his mark, and his taint. His back was a network of knotted scars, silver in color that stood out even with his pale porcelain skin.
He faced the wall; back fully exposed to the unrelenting reflective surface and expression impassive as he stared from over his shoulder at his spider web of scars. His arms hugged himself as he fingered the thick protruding lines; the word was beyond his reach though the one that marked him for all to see. FREAK, it was still an emblazed red scar that stood out stark against the rest of him.
Yes, he was a freak even in this world he was abnormal. Things came too easily for him, magic flowed through him like water and complicated theories/concepts were like childish toys to him. It made him stand out even in this unusual world and he could never be just Harry.
Perhaps he didn't even want to be, after all it was better to be feared/revered then ignored at least then he felt he existed. His 'friends' wanted to know him, would do anything to do so and he found that he was disgusted by it. Why would they want to know him, he was tainted and he was a freak.
Not that it mattered he would never let them become close to him, ever, he wouldn't give anyone that power over him ever again. Every bond he formed with someone always, always ended in disappointment. When he was young he'd fancied a tentative bond with his 'dead' parents only to find them alive and happy without him.
Suzie was the last after that and even she left him no matter how loyal she left too. Everyone leaves him eventually, whether of his or her own violation or of his demand they all leave. He was alone, now and always he was alone. And somehow even though he knew he shouldn't, even though he thought it foolish, he wished for someone who wouldn't leave.
He had lied to Tom yesterday, he did have a wish, and a desire: it was to have someone who would never leave him alone again. But no matter if Tom was fictional or not he couldn't bring himself to admit that particular weakness to anyone but himself.
Harry had always made it a point to know his weaknesses so that he could work on them and guard them from those seeking to exploit them. This desire for a true companion that would never leave was one of his biggest, so he had compensated by surrounding himself with people. However, it had not the desired affect instead of relieving him of this ache it only intensified it, in that sea of people, he had never felt so alone.
No one could match him and there was no challenge in his life it made living so boring. School was enlightening but not thought provoking, his allies strong but not strong enough and everything was just too EASY. He was used to hard, used to working to keep his presence unnoticed and working for everything he got now it was all given to him. He HATED it.
Harry may be a prodigy, may be a genius but he worked hard for everything that came to him and this easy loll his life had turned into was…unacceptable. He knew what he had to do he had to go back into the society he hated he needed it to learn about his enemy, to test himself and most of all…to find a challenge.
It was time he'd stepped up in this game and put his abilities to the test in the real world, who knew maybe he'd even get to kill a few people. Harry hadn't killed anyone in a while, maybe that was what this sudden slump was, maybe not but he still needed to venture out to put some of his plans into motion.
Though this would all have to wait for later when the school year ended for now he would step up his studies again and search for a new challenge. Morgan should be able to provide him with something. That resolved he dried and dress ready to face this year with conviction and a promise to improve.
--xTimeSkipx--
Suzie clutched at her locket; like she always did when she was nervous ever since the say she left the orphanage. Holding it, the last connection to her brother, she felt safe his magic humming beneath her hands. Suzie was so nervous standing there just outside the great hall waiting to be sorted.
She wondered how they would do it, would they really have to fight a troll like that horrible red haired boy said? No, they were just first years it would be something else. For not the first time Suzie found herself wishing her big brother was here to protect her like he had always done.
But he wasn't at Hogwarts she knew that much, Harry Potter not going had made front page news last year for crying out loud! No one would ever suspect for her to know him, that he was her big brother, her rock and Suzie planed to keep it that way. Whenever someone asked (someone always does) about her locket that she let no one else touch Suzie just said that her big brother gave it to her.
Then that stern looking professor came to collect them for sorting and Suzie squeezed her locket harder in her fear. It was all for not though a few minutes later they were lined up facing a funny old hat that was singing a song and she giggled at it. Then the professor was calling out there names to be sorted.
It took a little while to get to her name, "Suzanne Forester." She ran up to the stool in her excitement pulling the tattered old hat firmly on her head.
Hmmm, interesting mind now where to put you. Intelligent, loyal, and a longing to make you brother proud, yes, yes its all here in your head…well I know just the place for you, "RAVENCLAW'
Well that was certainly a very weird experience but Suzie happily ran straight to the clapping table eager to join her new house. A spaced out looking girl joined her a while after, Luna Lovegood, Suzie thought, would make a great first friend in this new school. She only listened half heartedly to the rest of the sorting until, "Clark Potter!" The hall was draped in silence and an arrogant looking boy strutted up to the hat whispers of 'Harry Potter's little brother' following him.
While everyone else was looking at him in awe and envy Suzie was glaring at him with all her might, it was no wonder she had disliked him from the start! It was him; the boy her brother said had taken his place while his family abandoned him! Oh, Suzie never wanted to hurt someone as much as she wanted to hurt him.
Harry had been very distant and cold to her at times but he was also very kind. He had taken care of her and had protected her from the bullies at the orphanage. Harry had even seen to it that she went to a great new home with parents that loved her and treated her well. Suzie would do anything for Harry, she knew she would see him again she just had to be patient.
That's was part of the reason she hated this boy, they had left him, her big brother in that orphanage and she would never forgive them for what they had done. No excuse could justify it, no story, and no ignorance this boy, his family deserved whatever her big brother gave them!
The locket thumped against her chest perhaps it was agreeing with her and she stroked it with her hand for a moment to calm it. Ever since Harry had first cast his magic on it placing protection on it for her Suzie has had the best luck of anyone she's ever know. She never once had gotten hurt above a knee scratch, she never got lost and she never felt alone. Whenever she was nervous or getting frightened the locket would warm and then she would feel so safe/comforted.
Later in her new room in the Ravenclaw tower when she was sure Luna was asleep she opened her locket to gaze at the picture within. There he was her big brother holding her small hand in his big one smiling so small only someone who knew him like she had could see it.
Suzie missed him but she never lost hope not once she knew she would see him again. Harry rarely made promises to her back then but he had always, always kept them and he had promised they would meet again. Suzie had absolute faith that Harry would never lie to her or break promises she would see him again.
The next week as very exciting, classes were very interesting and she excelled in charms making her head of house very happy. She had made great friends with Luna and Suzie loved her quirky attitude it was like nothing could touch her. A few of the other girls had tried to bully her but Suzie had seen to them!
She'd met Ginny Weasley next, she was a nice girl but obsessed with her brother it was a little disturbing (she even talked about love potions!). Suzie found it easy to make friends with everyone no matter the house her brother always did say to not judge people by the outside but by their power.
To the great surprise of everyone she even made friends with a second year Draco Malfoy, he was a Slytherin but Suzie loved his sarcastic humor. That made her somewhat an enemy of Ron Weasley but the twins/Ginny made sure he didn't do anything. By the second week she had was much more comfortable with the school and managing homework, classes, and friends.
The first mayor trouble happened a month in, Suzie had been walking back from the Library just before curfew and had taken out her locket to fiddle with it while she walked. Then Filch and his cat found her; she wasn't out past curfew yet that didn't stop them though from trying to make her miserable.
He had told her he was going to confiscate her LOCKET and when he reached for it Suzie wasn't quite sure what came over her then. She bit his hand…hard…all Suzie could think of was keeping her promise to her brother and she ran. The next day she had been called up to the headmaster's office, (never liked the guy) eyes twinkling he told her not to do it again and keep her locket under her robes.
By the end of the week everyone had heard what she had done and wouldn't stop bugging her about the Locket. It seemed much to her dismay that Clark had a crush on her and more then once Suzie spotted him following her! Clark even sent other people to ask who had given it to her…she of course had refused to answer.
When their first flying lessons came around a month later Suzie felt fidgety and nervous, just the thought of being in the air on nothing but a stick with nothing to catch you if you fell made her sick with fear. Understandably she was very pale standing there next to her broom with her sweaty hands and yelling UP in a strained voice.
Then when it was time to mount them all she could think of was falling from very high up with no one being able to catch her, the broom shook, she screamed and it took off. The air rushed past her, her eyes were squeezed shut and Madam Hooch's calls for her to stop didn't reach her.
She went up for what seemed like forever and she dared not look down. Then her broom wavered, trembled and… dropped right out from under her, her hands were to slick with sweat to hold on anyways. She screamed then, long and loud as she pawed at her robes as she tumbled down to earth desperately trying to reach her locket.
Suzie was falling head first to the ground faster even then when she had risen above it when her hand grasped her warm pulsing locket and everything went dark.
--x--
Harry felt it, he blotted upright and ran from the classroom the tails of his tailored coat slapping against his ankles as he ran. He made it to his room in record time barely reregistering his disgruntled Vixi tangled in his hair as he sat on his bed and activated his 'gift' from Morgan.
Emerald eyes glowed silver as he saw what he'd come to label the 'Suzie connection' tremble in distress…Suzie was in danger. Concentrating he followed the magic and felt…knew Suzie was falling from an undistinguishable height and would die if he did nothing. So he pushed the well of his magic into saving her hoping this foolhardy idea would work.
--x--
Madam Hooch watched in horror as a student's broom blotted out of her control flying straight up into the sky her shouting to no avail as she became a speck up in the distance. Thinking quickly she cast a charm to alert the teachers that she needed aid before turning back to her pupil only to pale horribly as her student came tumbling back to earth…without her broom.
The girl was screaming, so was everyone else, and the teachers all came rushing wands drawn Hooch already had the cushioning charm halfway done when there was an explosion of light. Everything seemed to go in slow motion, Dumbledore, Mcgonagall, Snape and Flitwick reached her side, the student was engulfed in a bright glowing deep emerald sphere and everyone held there breath.
She was warm…and she felt safe. Slowly consciousness came back to her and Suzie dazedly looked around to discover everything around her was a deep green. Knowing she should be alarmed she couldn't bring herself to be as all she felt was a safety that hadn't been there since her brother gave her their one and only hug.
"Suzie are you alright." She whirled around searching for the face that matched that hauntingly familiar voice, "Yes, who are you?" was her tentative reply. "Have you forgotten your big brother so easily?" She gasped, "No NEVER of course I know you Har- " "Shush, Suzie, what happened? Why were you placed in danger?"
She gave a sheepish grin feeling utterly foolish, "I'm sorry I got nervous and the broom got away from me." There was a silence and she felt like such a fool. Suddenly everything cleared and she was sitting on the ground facing a human shaped green mass.
Everyone watched as the orb descended gently to the ground, "What is that Albus? Accidental magic, maybe?" "No, I'm afraid not Minerva if I am not mistaken that is little Suzie in there, her Magic doesn't feel anything close to this." The teachers all nodded in agreement, Suzie had a strong aura and would become a wonderful witch. But this, this feel of being totally outclassed did not come from her they were sure.
They watched transfixed as the orb shifted and took shape…into that of a small boy they couldn't distinguish features just a basic outline that was completely green and glowing.
Harry decided it was best he confront Suzie face to face so to speak, he wouldn't REALLY be there of course and this was a great challenge for him. He knelt before her on the ground placing a careful hand on her shoulder to draw her attention, she'd grown, he saw within his mind's eye.
Still her big honey brown eyes were the same and for that he was grateful. "Suzie you are to never ride another broom, understood?" His voice was stranger, distorted and coming from seemingly everywhere on his 'body' (he had to work on that). Suzie nodded her accent ashamed she had failed at this and having her powerful brother know.
"Good, now no moping remember to make me proud and become powerful." His astral projection slid a hand to her locket and disappeared just as the teachers swooped down on her. In the end Suzie ended up in Dumbledore's office with Snape, Mcgonagall, and Flitwick staring down at her while she fidgeted in her seat. Hooch would have come too but she was supervising the flying lesson still.
"Now what I think we all want to know is: What happened? If you would be so kind Suzie?" Dumbledore asked with that damnable sparkle in his eye. Suzie really hated him at that moment because she wasn't sure what she was supposed to say so she decided to wing it, while keeping her brother's identity secret of course.
"Well sir, I was very nervous sir about Flying you see? And well it would seem that the broom didn't take to kindly to that and took off, slipped off fairly high up if I recall correctly. Then I was falling and my big brother saved me, that's about it, of course. Can I go now?" She said it in a rush hoping they wouldn't question her more but knowing it would do no good.
Twinkling blue eyes seemed to get an unknown gleam in them that Suzie decided made her entirely to uncomfortable and made her shift uneasily to the side. "Oh-ho who is this brother? Have we had the pleasure of meeting him before?" "No sir." "Why not? He is obviously magical. Yes?" Mcgonagall asked brow furrowed, "Come to think of it I don't think Jack and Cathleen have any other children."
"No, no he's not my REAL brother just my…brother," Suzie's big eyes showed her confusion and conflict in the end she decided she might as well tell them some things just not all. "You see, I'm adopted and when I was at the orphanage my big brother took care of me. We weren't related in any way and he'd been there a bit longer then me before I had came."
"Well, they other children didn't like me too much I was shy back then and weird stuff happened around me all the time. One day they ganged up on me and there was my brother, he saved me you know?" her eyes took on the look of complete and utter devotion. Snape shifted uncomfortably he'd seen a look similar on Bella's face a few times and it made him nervous.
"From then on he took care of me, bought me clothes, make sure I got enough to eat…that sort of thing. He even got me into a daycare! He taught me to read and write, all the things you needed to know." She said it in a rush; her eyes had a far off look like she wasn't paying much attention to them anymore.
"He was cold to everyone else though but he was never cruel with me, protected me from all the others when they tried to hurt me. Until that time…" Small glittering tears made her eyes shine, "He took me to Diagonally for the first time before I was adopted, it was the first time he let me go with him…"
They stood up at attention at that all wondering about this mysterious little boy. "Oh, he knew he was a wizard then?" Flitwick asked curious. Most muggleborn's don't even consider magic until they get their letter and the wizarding world had their own orphanages so he couldn't be a pureblood.
Her attention was on them again and her chest puffed up in pride the smile she had almost split her face in two, "OF COURSE! My big brother knew everything! He was so smart! And so powerful he learned a lot of magic on his own he could be loads more then me! Of course he taught me a few things too but I don't think I'll ever be anywhere near as good as he was."
"And what, pray-tell did he teach you?" Snape asked in his usual snarky way.
"OH would you like to see!" Suddenly humming with excitement. She never really got a chance to show off those particular talents as no one ever asked and she never got a chance after she got her wand. Suzie loved the fact that her brother could do something so impressive, she really hadn't grasped just how special it was until she had shown her new parents and had gotten used to the wizarding world.
"Please do." Even Dumbledore's twinkling couldn't dampen her mood and she just nodded enthusiastically. Suzie raised her hand and everything on his desk flew up in the air to dance around. She giggled at their stunned faces, "you know my brother could do so much more, mostly all I can do is make things float around."
Snape cleared his throat dramatically, "so Forester tell us about this amazing brother of yours?" Suzie didn't hear the sarcasm apparently as she got a reverent look on her face that made Snape shift awkwardly against the desk. "Yes, he is amazing isn't he? He could change anything into a toy for me when I was bored he didn't even have to move his hands at all!!"
"My big brother is amazing, I bet he even refused to come here 'cause he learns so fast on his own! Yeah he always did say wands were a troublesome and he preferred doing it on his own. Then again magic loves him, at least that's the impression I got 'cause he's always happier when he uses it. At least I think he's happy it's kinda hard to tell sometimes 'cause he never really smiles but when he gives you that hint of one it really makes him beautiful. Did I tell you how pretty he is?"
Mcgonagall seemed to be between shocked amazement and laughter at the hero-worshiping girl, "You never did tell us his name Suzie?" "oh, his name's Tristen he's really brilliant you'd love him, most adults do. He can be really charming sometimes…" she sighed wistfully, "He even got me my parents."
"How did he manage to 'save' you then Suzie?"
"That, oh that's easy enough he gave me this," she pulled out her locket that pulsed with power, "made me promise not to take it off and he put some of his magic on it for me so I'd never get hurt."
"How old was he when this happened?"
"Hmmm, I think he was almost nine." They all looked a little pale, a NINE year old made that powerful amulet hanging innocently around her neck. "Would you be so kind Suzie as to let me examine it?" Dumbledore asked kindly, twinkle and grandfather vibes on high.
In a flash Suzie went from cute, big-eyed innocent smile to snarling and clutching her locket to her in a death grip. "NO! YOU CANNOT! I promised, PROMISED, not to take it off! If I break my promise maybe my brother will break his and I'll never see him again! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!" in an impressive display of magic everything in his office exploded from her anger.
--x--
He had a headache, and his entire front was soaked in blood from his nose. Harry stared lethargically at the door as it burst open revealing Simon, who surprised him more then his sudden rescue mission for Suzie. Simon tended to avoid him, though ever since he revealed his identity he'd been hanging around the group more, him especially.
Harry knew something was up with him though, ever since the beginning of third year he could feel Simon watching him and he didn't know why. That scared him.
Simon almost had a heart attack when Harry blotted out of the room like the devil was on his heels and quickly followed. He lost sight of him half way and had to back track to get his magical signature to follow. He had finally admitted to himself a while ago that his attraction to him was not going to suddenly go away no matter how much he wished it would.
Harry…Tristen was just so beautiful and so powerful just so perfect that he had desired him from the start. He knew he wasn't the only one, Logan and Leon did also at least he thought they did. He'd kept his distance though, Tristen hid a lot about himself and he couldn't be with him anyway his parents expected him to comply with his arranged match after all.
However, when Tristen had started to open up and had even told them of his true identity as Harry Potter Simon had begun to hope. Where his parents wouldn't have accepted the orphan Tristen they would definitely consider the famous Potter, and when Tristen had gave him that hint of a smile he found all his resistance had washed away.
Now, it all came down to winning Tristen over, not an easy thing to do when he hated to be touched and refused to be open with any of them. Panting he stood outside his door wondering if he should just barge in wondering if it would only cause trouble but when he felt Tristen's tremendous flow of magic being reigned in he couldn't stop himself.
Barging in made him wish he'd done so sooner, there was a lot of blood and Tristen was barely able to stand when he came in. He stumbled and just as he was about to fall Simon caught him holding him close not wanting to let go. "What has happened? Are you alright Tristen?"
He nodded his head slowly and tried to retreat from Simon's arms but Simon wouldn't let him. "Let me go." He said softly. "No, not ever." Simon held him close hugging him. Harry started to panic and struggled more which made them both fall Simon slammed into the door closing it.
Harry was shaking, trying to calm himself by sitting on his bed to slowly rock. Simon had touched him, he HELD him and his skin was crawling at the affection. It wasn't right, he was tainted he couldn't get his filth on Simon. He wasn't supposed to be hugged, the tender touching didn't belong to him and it made the voices in his head start up again. Voices he'd thought he'd silenced, the voice of his Uncle screaming how FREAKS weren't supposed to be hugged but lashed.
And the laughter, the laughter he could hear it again and flinched in phantom pain. Simon watched him wondering what was wrong; Tristen's eyes were wide and panicked with a crazed look. He just kept rocking muttering under his breath words he could not hear, something was wrong, something was VERY wrong.
Slowly he approached and sat beside him, Tristen didn't notice lost in his own little world. He gently put in hand on Tristen's shoulder; it got his attention at least as he flinched away and turned his scared broken jaded eyes on him. His breath caught; never had he'd seen so much emotion on Tristen's normally stoic face it was so terribly breathtaking.
"Do not touch me." He said in his smooth quiet voice inching away from him. "No," Simon said as he tried to pull him back into his embrace. Something inside Harry snapped and he couldn't seem to stop the words from coming out of his mouth. "You do not understand! I'll taint you, I'm filthy can't you see that!"
"No! I don't your beautiful Tristen!" A hard glint came into his eye and he couldn't stop himself from going further to try to MAKE Simon see that he was not to be touched. That he could never be beautiful, a small twisted hallow smile warped his face. "You think me beautiful? I'll show you just how wrong you are!"
In a flash he was on his feet hands going through a flurry of motions as he unbuttoned his coat and shirt letting them fall to a puddle of blood on the floor. Turning he bared his back to him, moving his hair to the side to show him his back riddled with scars.
The small cruel smile never left his face as he turned his head to look at Simon from over his shoulder, "NOW DO YOU SEE! I'm Filth, I am a FREAK and my taint is not beautiful." He spat out at him and waited for his reaction. He waited for him to agree, to spit on him and tell him how ugly he was now in his eyes. He waited but it didn't come.
He froze as instead of doing all the things he had expected Simon grabbed him from behind placing his head on Tristen's shoulder. He could feel what could only be the taller boy's tears running down his back, and he just couldn't force himself to move. He was in shock and just let Simon hold him to his broader chest hugging him around his shoulder keeping him plastered to his body.
Then he mumbled something Harry couldn't catch and started to kiss his shoulder. His lips trailed down kissing his scars, hands were gentle, words were soothing and kisses butterfly light. And he couldn't move, he tried but he just couldn't do it. So he stood there frozen in his room as Simon knelled behind him kissing his scars.
"W-w-why are you doing this?" The words tumbled from his mouth, his voice faint and wavering like never before. Simon paused, golden hair shading his face and eyes. "Because I love you, because I care, because you do so much and never ask for anything in return. Because I need to." He trailed off as he hugged him around his petit waist firmly kissing his back as he did so.
Harry fell to his knees in shock and Simon quickly pulled him into his arms on the floor. He had never felt this before, in Simon's arms it felt warm and comforting something he had never had. He had held but he had never been held before. For the next few hours Simon just held him, he didn't kiss him, didn't talk, didn't even try to kiss him and just held him close.
Eventually they drifted from the floor to his bed and Simon still held onto him wrapping him up in his arms. For the first time in his life that night he didn't have nightmares and when he woke up in the morning Simon was still there…holding onto him. He was still sleeping so Harry was able to gently remove himself from him without much of a struggle and he made a beeline for the bathroom once he got some clothes/towel.
He made the water hot and scrubbed longer then usual disgusted with himself. He had let Simon hold him, let himself be WEAK and be held by him. An unknown sadness came into his eyes as he fingered his scars once more tracing them as he washed, he wouldn't allow it to happen again. He wouldn't taint another with his filth, his marks.
When he got back to his room Simon was blessedly gone the moment and he could be alone for a while. He pulled out the dairy quickly after warding his room he needed to talk to Tom it made him feel…freer.
Tom.
Tristen? Why so early?
Tom, something happened.
Oh, What?
Simon TOUCHED me…he held onto me last night and refused to let go…he…he touched my scars Tom.
(Tom growled, no one touched what was his, even if Tristen didn't know it yet he was his. After all this past year they'd both revealed a lot about each other to one another. Not that Tom had told him everything, just some, but a lot more then he ever had before to anyone.)
Did you try to stop him!
I…I couldn't…I let him hold me Tom. That's what frightens me; I hate this weakness in me!
You are not weak…just a little lost right now. But you mustn't let him touch you EVER AGAIN!
Okay…I won't. He has feelings for me Tom. Maybe I shall use that weakness to gain his loyalty.
NO! I mean… then you'd have to let him touch you more often could you handle that? Letting his skin touch your body, your scars, that WORD. Could you do that?
No, I couldn't but I could still use it just lead him on a bit. I have to go Tom school is in an hour and I don't have my work finished.
Tom was so frustrated, he needed a body and he needed one NOW! That boy would pay for touching what was his and pay dearly. He had enough energy built up he could do it, but not until tonight when Tristen slept so that he wouldn't be caught without energy for the compulsion web should the need arise.
Lately it hadn't come up as often and Tom supposed it was because Tristen had come to depend on him. Whether it was just for someone to listen to him, or someone to help run ideas by Tristen was increasingly using the dairy to talk with him. Tom hated to admit it but Tristen had gotten to him as much as he'd gotten to Tristen.
The rest of the day was very hectic for Harry as he spent most of it trying to avoid Simon and fighting his urges to hide somewhere. That night he went straight to bed, just wanting the release that was sleep to escape from his reality. Fate, it seemed, wasn't so kind.
(Dream)
It was dark, dusty and he felt cramped. It was a strange sense of consciousness almost like seeing yourself in a distorted mirror while the world around you warped. Then there was a voice in this strange new darkness, a new awareness.
"Filthy blood traitors…Kreacher knows mistress…shame on the house of Black. Filthy muggle-lover not like his brother…"
His new place tilted and moved as the voice became louder. A new energy seeped in and he could feel magic once more.
"Mostn't let young master's locket get lost…trusted Kreacher with it so, Kreacher kept it safe, kept it hidden. See Mistress, Kreacher obeys."
"YESSSS" the hissing came from him but it was not his voice. He felt elated; at long last he would have a body once more. There was a yelp and the thudding sound of a body hitting the floor. He felt strange, feeling things, seeing things, and thinking things that were not his own.
Slowly as if awakening from a dream the darkness receded and he could feel his body once more. But it wasn't his body he felt and this all was confusing him more then he liked. Suddenly he whirled around and caught sight of 'himself' in the dusty reflective glass of a case.
It was not 'him' just as this dream was not 'his'. In this strange new place where he was a spectator he watched as a house-elf withered on the floor and 'his' body became more solid. This man appeared to be twenty, devastatingly handsome with his sharp features, dangerous ruby eyes (eyes he recognized but couldn't place), broad shoulders, tall with pale skin and short dark stylish hair.
He was alive once more, whoever this god-like man was, and he was thrilled about it. A jolt of excitement ran through him that Harry recognized as bloodlust and made him crave it himself. The sly knowing smirk on his features would haunt him even in his waking hours.
The man looked upon himself once more as Harry used his eyes to see from 'within' him and smirked, "Time to find my other half." He hissed out in what he recognized as parseltongue.
Harry woke up sweaty and confused not sure where he was for a few minutes. He was himself again and quickly moved to touch his face and body just to be sure. It was a strange dream, more vivid then any one he'd ever had and just left him with more questions then answers. Knowing it was no use to ponder the mechanics now Harry forced himself to sleep knowing he would need it.
When morning rolled around Harry found himself doing something he normally wouldn't do, looking at himself in a mirror. The dream had shaken him, even though it was just that: a DREAM. Still it reassured him to reach out and touch his face making sure that it was truly his eyes he was looking out of not someone else's.
It had been a long night and no matter what anyone else my think Harry was just an ordinary boy when it came down to it. He needed sleep like everyone else, he bled, he felt, he looked just like everyone else and yet there was always that something that made him stand out. He was a freak even here, he was abnormal, he was tainted but most of all he was alone.
Alone in this life, always completely and utterly A.L.O.N.E. Conceivably this fact was getting to him more then he had thought it was the only thing he could think of as an excuse to his previous behavior with Simon. He wanted companionship just like everyone else, but as always he was a freak in even that.
He couldn't let himself be with just anyone, couldn't relax and force his guard down so he FELT that he wasn't alone. That was his problem; he wanted to be with someone and yet didn't want to at the same time. How…hypocritical of him. Vulnerability frightened him and he refused to do what was needed so he no longer felt this gnawing painful loneliness.
Maybe that was why he never questioned the dairy, never questioned spilling his heart out to the fictional Tom because he wasn't real. Because Tom couldn't touch him and take advantage of his vulnerability maybe that was why he come to be so attached to the little worn book.
Harry no longer denied he was different, even in this unique and magical world he could not find his place. To be different is to be alone and to be alone is to be different something he had learned early on. He looked once more to study his face trying to find the evidence of his strangeness on it wondering if that was even possible while doing so.
He wasn't arrogant or cocky nor was he conceited in any way but he knew his face (unmarred save his disguised lightening blot scar) was somewhat angelic in its appearance. He just looked beautiful and if it weren't for his adam's apple one would almost think him female.
Yes, he had a face of an angel. A small smirked found its way onto his face: even the devil was an angel once. Maybe he had fallen from grace and become the inky blackness of evil with an innocent mask just as Lucifer. Then again Harry very much doubted he had ever been in grace's light, he refrained from laughing at the irony of his snake's name as he still despised laughter in all its forms even from himself.
The wizarding world had rested the hope of their world of light on his shoulders and Harry decided it would be soon that he would need to shatter that foolishness. As Aristotle once said: 'Hope is but a waking dream'. Harry had suffered at the hands of so many filthy creatures below him in status he refused to let the same happen to anyone else even if he had to bring down the world to do so.
Some say never to have suffered is to never have been blessed, Harry said that those who believe so hadn't truly suffered. What good was suffering, what good was pain to you other then used to breaking your mind and body? Nothing could wash away the years he had suffered under the muggles and not even Magic could smooth away the scars.
They had marked Harry, he had been given a fowl symbol of how cruel a creature muggles are and had found he should return the favor. Muggles had their uses, this he acknowledged, but they were like a plague killing the earth and everything around it. Pushing his thoughts aside he realized his face had become shadowed with hate, anger, and darkness.
Slowly but surely he suppressed this down until the blank serene mask was present once more. Idly Harry thought everyone was as the moon having a dark side that you hid from everyone showing the beauty instead but every so often that darkness appears seemingly out of nowhere. It lets you know that no matter how well you hide that darkness, how much you try to shine through with light, the darkness is waiting for you there behind that mask of beauty.
Shaking himself Harry got himself ready for the day somehow knowing it was going to be very long and tedious stemming from his trouble with Simon. Avoiding him had been far to easy yesterday and his paranoid mind told him today he would not be so lucky.