Wizards and Wands
Everything was going well, but Harry couldn't help but think that this was the calm before the storm: his tutelage of Remus and Sirius had been going well, it had started off rocky, especially since in the first few days they had made absolutely no progress in terms of even simple charms. But given a week, and watching the same sloppy wand movements and overt flourish too sloppy to even activate a spell, Harry had finally found the solution.
"You have to understand something," Harry had said as he sat the two down, the wizard had thought it would be much easier if he talked to the two at once. "You're not me," at least not in my body, the wizard had thought as he'd said this. Harry wasn't about to let himself too think that Sirius and Remus were not a part of him, aware or not. "Not matter how much you might remember, how much instinct you think you might have, those are no better than figments of the imagination."
"That's what I think is the problem," Harry had went on. "I can see that you expect the wand movement to come naturally. They won't. You have to work at them, and unfortunately the both of you don't have the childhood training that I, or at least this body, had; and to make things worse, I don't think you're liable for any accidental magic since your minds are fully equipped to control magic."
"What do we do then?" Sirius had asked.
"You hope you can distance yourself from the thoughts that delude you and speak of instinct," Harry had answered.
Things had taken off from there, it would take a few tries, but both the wizards were starting to pull off the charms they practised. Something Harry found he was a little proud of, then quickly shaking his head of such thoughts, they were still the enemies, even though he was starting to like Sirius a little. The man had that enthusiasm about him Harry found when he remembered his godfather, and the man at least tried to enforce a sense of civility between himself, Harry and Remus, something which couldn't be said for Harry's relationship with Remus.
But even with the rocky relationship with Remus, Harry admitted thing were going well: Alexander had visited Harry and informed the wizard that the hunt went well, and that Connor, much to Alexander's disgust, was showing some restraint in his kills; the hybrids in Godric's Hollow, even with Harry not watching over them for most of the time, were transforming, trying to break the Sire Bond. There were nine in the Hollow, but only four had agreed they would fight Niklaus with him, not that Harry minded as long as the other five didn't help Niklaus, Harry was happy with their decision.
All was going well. But again the feeling that this was the calm before the storm still settled firmly in Harry's stomach.
The wizard stood in a room packed with people, many of the in their teens, while a few looked older. There were podiums scattered across the room, all of them had glass cases covering objects with varying magical strengths. Harry found he revolved around those more than others. The exhibit, held in the local high school's gym, was held by a man named Atticus Shane, a man Harry could not help but feel interested in with how connected he was. The man knew two generations of witches, and above that, was hidden from the sight of spirits; Harry found he was interested in the man, that he found the man as curious as he had found Connor, only this time, his interest was in good with the local vampire populace.
"You like that?" Harry heard a voice, he took a second to look away from the gnarled rock in front of him and to the man who had just walked up to him. "Atticus Shane," the man said extending a hand.
"Harry Potter," the wizard returned, taking it, "and yes. It's quite interesting. The first tombstone, it says here," said Harry pointing at the little transcription written on a black plaque with golden writing.
The man seemed to light up, smiling broadly. "Stay until the presentation, and you'll get to know more about this beauty."
"I have nothing better to do," said Harry, "and I've always found magic to be the most interesting of subjects, and I get a feeling that this is something powerful," and Harry's eyes returned to the tombstone. He could feel the power coursing beneath it, swirling around the stone and just waiting to be used.
Harry looked back at Shane, seeing a curiosity close to his own reflected in Shane's eyes. "I'd…I'd better start the presentation," the man said. "If you like it, perhaps I could show you something really magical?"
Harry nodded. "Most kind of you," Harry said and walked away from the stone giving the man centre stage.
The man cleared his throat, the sound reverberating over the soft mutters coming from the people. He gestured toward the tombstone. "You're looking at what people believe to be the world's first tombstone. The item was donated to Whitmore College last month."
"Oh," Harry heard, one of the only voices speaking and talking soft enough that it didn't disturbed Atticus. "I just remember how I know him. Through my dad."
"That guy knew your dad?" asked a voice Harry was sure belonged to Matt.
"Yeah," said the woman's voice. "He taught a theology seminar at Whitmore last year."
Atticus, oblivious to this, continued, "It belonged to a very powerful witch. A witch so powerful in fact, that Silas, that was his name, created a spell that would grant him immortality. Now," he said and Harry could hear the excitement and passion in his voice, "legend says that Silas did the spell with the help of a lady witch who loved him, a woman named," there was an awkward pause that felt unnatural to Harry. "Sadly for," Harry missed the word, "Silas wanted to give immortality to another woman, so—killed her and buried Silas alive, leaving him powerless, immortal and alone. This might actually be the origin story of 'Harry hath no fury like a woman's scorn.'"
There were a few chuckles at that, but Harry didn't join in, his mind already running over why he missed certain words and how the man knew of this Silas, Connor wanted to kill so much.
"Now, it's said that Silas wants to rise again. Regain his power, wreak havoc in the world," and that explained well enough why a witch had taken her dying breath to try and put hunters into the world. "Maybe we should be afraid," said Atticus his tone serious and that emotion hanging over the room. "Or maybe it's all a bunch of crap and this is just an old rock," with that the atmosphere evaporated as chuckles started again. "Alright, listen, enjoy exploring the exhibit. I'll be around to answer any questions. Thank you for coming."
People started wandering, but Harry stayed still watching Atticus: Harry didn't like coincidence, nor did he find that he fully believed in it, and for this man to know so much, to be connected to so many people. Harry found this suspicious.
"Hey, you made it," Harry came back to himself as he saw the woman, Bonnie Bennett, and two of her friends, Elena Gilbert and Caroline Forbes, trailing behind her. She had on a bright smile as she looked at the slightly shorter, curly-haired man.
"Nice cautionary tale," said Bonnie. "—sounds like a badass."
"Nothing when compared to Silas," said Shane with an expression Harry couldn't quite catch, not that Bonnie noticed.
"Professor, you remember Elena," she said.
"Yeah, the girl who was talking in my lecture," the man said with no heat but a bit of mirth, said girl chuckle.
"Yeah, that's me," she said.
"This is Caroline," said Bonnie.
"Nice to meet you," said Caroline with the warmth of one very good at talking to people.
"Pleasure," said Atticus. "Well, I hope you enjoy the exhibition," he said. "Bonnie, I think you'll find the tombstone interesting."
Harry tried to make himself busy, searching through the different relics until he was stopped by a familiar sight. Connor's symbol.
"The hunter's mark," said Shane having somehow appeared next to Harry without the wizard noticing. "A powerful group of people cursed by a witch to drive out vampires," he continued.
"You're quite the collector, Professor Shane."
"Shane, please," the man said. "I don't like being called Professor out of class, it sounds presumptuous."
Harry smiled a little at that. "Tell me, Shane, how did you come by this, all of this?"
Shane gauged Harry for a few seconds. "I was lucky enough that I never lost the ability to believe from a young age."
"So you're a believer, then?" Harry asked. "You speak like one," he said, "but your ending statement threw me at a bit of a loop."
"Oh, right. I'm a believer," he said. "I'm a nerd for this stuff," there was that excitement again.
"I like that," said Harry. "You could say the say for, really. Though my particular subject would be spells and enchantments, like that immortality spell Silas made."
"You want to live forever?" Shane asked.
Harry shrugged. "I more like the dynamics of spells, power sources, conduits for magic, that type of stuff: fun fact, did you know that a variant of another Immortality Spell was first cast here?"
"I've heard the rumours," said Shane sounding surprised. "Can I ask you something, and I'm hoping it won't come out as rude."
"Go ahead."
"Are you a witch?" he asked in whisper.
Harry smirked. "I prefer the term wizard," said Harry, the man smiled even further.
"Wow. You know, I've been especially lucky these few days, I've seen more witches walking around than I have in my entire lifetime."
"You mean Bonnie Bennett?" Harry asked.
"You know about her?"
"I'd heard she'd been stripped of her power," Harry said his voice musing. "Problems with spirits and whatnot."
Shane hummed. "I can't say any specifics, but yeah…" They were interrupted as one of the teenagers approached Shane and started questioning Shane about his artefacts.
"Perhaps we should continue this conversation another time," said Harry when the man was done with the teenager, though Harry could see there were more who about to.
"I'll be in town for a couple of days," the man said. "Perhaps lunch tomorrow?"
Harry nodded, before finding himself being pulled back to Silas' tombstone. He wasn't the only one, Bonnie was staring at it intently.
"Hello, Ms Bennett."
Harry felt power crawl over his skin as the woman set eyes on him, for a brief second it took away Harry's breath, the power he could feel coming from the woman; he stared at her as she looked at him with a scowl.
"What are you doing here?" the girl asked.
Harry looked at the stone. "Because I find magic interesting," he said, "and Atticus Shane seems to know a lot. Suspiciously so."
"So I'm guessing you're going to kidnap him now so you can learn all he knows?" she said.
"I find civility works just as well as threats," Harry said lightly. "And though I feel I should apologise to Ms Gilbert, I like to think my actions were fully deserved." Lights flickered and with them there was a rush of power that suddenly came into being: the power was sweet, overwhelming Harry and causing the wizard to shudder a little.
He swallowed, one word screaming in his mind and making so much sense. Expression. There was not a doubt about it, this was the power Harry had been looking to gain just a few weeks ago, and it felt entirely different from that of the witches with ghostly figures standing over them. This power was entrancing and as it disappeared, Harry was overcome by a hunger for more.
"Ms Bennett," Harry found himself saying, not even caring that a scowl was being sent his way and that he had caused the woman to lose control of her magic. "I wonder if I might have a private word."
"What?" she asked, the question taking her totally of guard.
"I have a message for you, from your grandmother, and I think the message deserved a little privacy," the wizard said, looking around at the filled room and the vampires Harry was sure were eavesdropping.
Her previous expression was nothing on what she had now. There was longing in her eyes, a deep regret Harry attributed to what she had caused to her grandmother, then there was acceptance. She nodded a little. "Sure."
Harry followed Bonnie as they walked outside, dodging the attendee and Harry could see that their walk was gathering attention. Elena and Caroline, who had been talking about something too low for Harry to hear, darted towards them, stopping them before they could make it out of the door. Harry put on a smile, which didn't go to well with Caroline whose eyes narrowed in Harry's direction.
"Hello ladies," the wizard said and though he hadn't meant it, his greeting came off as arrogant and a little teasing, and not in the good way.
Caroline made a show of looking away from Harry and instead looking to her friend. "Is he bothering you?"
The Bennett witch shook her head. "It's fine guys," said Bonnie. "I can handle it if he tries anything." At her words the two moved away, giving Harry and Bonnie room to go out, though Caroline did stop Harry as he passed.
"You try anything, and I'll snap your neck," the vampire whispered.
"I'm shivering," Harry said deadpan, now starting to get tired of the death threats directed at him: his lessons with Stationary Apparition, his edge, had yet to move forward and had yet to feel even the smallest tug of magic when he tried. But it had only been a week and Harry doubted he'd make a large leap in that short space of time, especially considering he had only three hours in a day to practise and work through the mechanisms.
The two walked into a random empty class. "You saw my gramps?" was the first question Bonnie asked.
Harry nodded. "She helped me in a tight situation," he said, "and in return she asked that I tell that the path you're taking is perilous, and she was short of hoping I would lead you away from it."
Bonnie snorted at that. "She sure picked the wrong person, didn't she? If there's anyone to lead me down a perilous path it's you," she said in a loud mutter.
"True," Harry said with a shrug. "But then again, I'm one of the few people that has the resources to protect you if something does go wrong, especially since you're using what many consider dark magic."
Confusion dawned. "What?"
"Expression," said Harry. "The spirits of Mystic Falls don't like it, I could even say they hate it." Harry didn't add that they hadn't wanted him to come so close to it. Now it made sense, why they had gone so far to seal Bonnie's home against Apparition and Harry had the nagging suspicion that it was the witches who had taken Sheila away mid-conversation.
"How do you know this?" asked Bonnie.
"I talk to ghosts," said Harry. "Is it so inconceivable that I might have spirit friends on the Other Side?"
"Point," she said. "What does gramps think?" she asked after an uncertain moment. "About Expression? About me using it?"
"We didn't get much time to talk on the matter," said Harry. "But I think all she wants is for you not to be hurt, not to put yourself in wantonly in dangerous situations; which you do often with having vampire friends."
"I'm not abandoning my friends," she quickly said.
"Which I would never ask you to do," Harry returned. "I'm just a little concerned if you can protect yourself. Magic is all well and good against the inexperienced, but there are fourteen witches in town and a few of them might be extremists against Expression. Will you be able to protect yourself against them?"
She didn't answer the question, only asked, "Why do you care?"
"Because I'm interest in the power of Expression, and you're the only Expressioner? Expressionist? I know."
"You want to use me?"
"More to the like that I would like to know about your source of power," said Harry. "Most witches either use Spirit Magic or directly from Nature itself. Personally, I don't like Spirits and they don't like me, and I've heard that using Nature's power directly can be strenuous. I believe Expression to be an alternative to both forms. I'd like to know more about that alternative."
"You're right," she said. "I've never felt more powerful." She looked at her hands and for the slightest second Harry felt the addictive power coil then wrap around her, but it was erratic as though trying to escape her hold.
"I'm guessing you also can't control it," Harry said.
"Not yet, but I'm getting better."
"I could teach you," said Harry.
"I already have a teacher," Bonnie quickly cut in.
"Shane? Yes, I find I don't trust him," Harry said.
"I could say the same thing for you," said Bonnie.
"I guess you could," said Harry. "But the difference, at least I'm guessing, between me and them, is that you know what I want and therefore there can be a little trust between us."
"I can't trust you," she said. "You almost killed my friend. You took away Alaric."
"I can bring him back too," said Harry. "I think that's something you and your friends keep forgetting. It was my ring, my magic that brought him back in the first place, do you all think that this was a one-time process? No. It wasn't. But if any of you kill me, then that power to bring back those you love, it will be gone with me; then it will be goodbye to Alaric forever."
There was a fierce look to her. "You're not the only one who can bring back the dead," she said and Harry couldn't help the feeling that she spoke with experience.
Harry didn't have time to think about that as he was hit by a rush of magic; he looked at Bonnie. "Was that you?" he asked.
"What?"
"A spell," said Harry. "A powerful spell." Harry felt a sinking feeling as there was another rush of power. "Something's wrong." Harry took a glance at Bonnie, she had a worried look on her. They rushed out of the room, running down halls and were quickly back at the school gym. Harry tried the doors, they didn't budge, the wizard was about to turn on the spot when a rush of power coming from Bonnie burst the doors opened and revealed the scene inside: a group of four had their hands held towards a wall and another, a red-head was advancing on Shane who had the tombstone held close to him.
They turned as Harry and Bonnie entered. "Victoria," Harry said, just as Bonnie lamented the names of her friends, both of whom were stuck on walls, bloodied and bruised, and looking in obvious pain.
The woman stopped her advance on Shane, who looked a little relieved but there was still worry on him. "Harry," she said. "Who would have thought you would be here?" she said. "Aren't you sort of a hermit?"
Harry ignored that, instead looking at the witches at large. None of them answered except Victoria. "None of your business." The witch flicked her hand and Harry only had a second to jump to the side as he felt magic hurtle towards him; the spell missed, but it hit Bonnie and the witch was sent flying back. Harry quickly rose to his feet turned on the spot and was standing beside Shane.
"You know, I might have helped you had you not tried that," said Harry. The wizard took hold of Shanes shoulder. "But now, I just want mess things up for the fun of it. Let go of the girls or I'll hide this one so well that even my compass won't be able to find him," said Harry.
Victoria looked peeved, but she desisted and both Elena and Caroline dropped to the ground.
"Now leave," said Harry.
"You know Klaus is going to kill you for this," the woman said with her voice low.
"I doubt it," said Harry with mirth. "Say hi to Remus for me would you," Harry added as the witches left. "Well that was fun," Harry said looking at Shane. "Care to tell me how all this happened?"
"They just came in here," said Shane sounding panicky. "They wanted the tombstone."
"Wonder why?" Harry said out loud, but the answer was clear even without thinking. Harry could still feel the power writhing within the stone. "Are you alright?" Harry asked as he heard shuffling, the knock that had hit Bonnie had knocked her out. Caroline looked to be going to help her, while Elena only stood still, her eyes closed and her breaths slow and even.
"She's breathing," said Caroline. The blonde picked Bonnie up, but I think she'll be out of it for a while.
"Take what you can," said Harry to Shane. "We're leaving in a few minutes, I have a feeling they'll be back with faster allies."
The man nodded before zipping around taking the piece of parchment with the Hunter's Mark, the stone still carried awkwardly with him. Harry walked over to Caroline. "Your friend, why is she just standing like that?"
"She's hurt and she needs blood," said Caroline.
"Don't you lot carry around blood bags?" Harry asked.
"Elena can only drink from the vein."
That didn't sound right, never had Harry heard such a thing, but he didn't comment, he wasn't about to give away some of his blood.
"I'm done," said Shane. He had on him the stone, a rolled up piece of parchment sticking out of his pockets, and a silver pendant over his clothes.
"You'd better get out before Klaus comes here," said Harry. "I have the feeling Niklaus will be pissed when he gets here." Harry took a hold of Shane's shoulder. "Tell Ms Bennett perhaps we can finish our conversation later." Harry turned on the spot.
Shane's legs buckled and Harry quickly caught the man. "Wow," the man ground out through a coughing fit. "That's," he wretched. "That's uncomfortable."
"You get used to it," said Harry; the wizard moved to took of his blazer and pulled out a fresh piece of light-weighted, charmed bulletproof vest from the cupboard in his lab, putting the armour on. He took out another and handed it over to Shane. "Put that on."
The man did as asked, though he kept shaking his head. "You can teleport?" the man said as he struggled with the thing. "Of all things," he kept saying, he finally managed to put it on. "What is this anyway? What it does, I mean."
"Stops projectiles," Harry answered. "Niklaus will be coming here himself. I'd rather we be protect when he has his temper tantrum. Can I have the stone?"
"Why?"
"To hide it," said Harry, he turned on the spot, appeared in his bedroom and under his bed took the cloaked box of Portkeys and put them in his pocket. He Apparated back into his lab. "The stone."
"You'll give it back?"
"When all's said and done, yes," Harry said. Shane hesitantly gave Harry the large and heavy stone; the wizard visibly shuddered this time as power uncoiled from the rock and shot up his arms, spreading around him and prickling him as it went. "Merlin's beard," Harry whispered as he felt the magic of the stone respond with his own; in some instances it was much like the Elder Wand, yearning to be used.
Harry had a thought, a thought so vivid he wondered why he had never had it before; why didn't he try crafting himself another wand. Though he didn't know the formula, he knew the ingredients: wand wood and the hair of a magical creature, and while this world didn't have spontaneous creatures like dragons, or centaurs and the like, but the witches were, there was something in that but Harry would need time to figure it out.
For now, he had an idea and he was prepared to give his life, not that this would be necessary, to test it out.
"I think, we might not need to hide this after all," Harry said just as two simultaneous cracks erupted downstairs. "We have company, you're safer here."
Harry Apparated downstairs, carrying the heavy stone with both hands. "Sirius, Remus, I'd thought you'd grown tired of me with our weekly lessons."
Sirius shook his head. "Suicidal aren't we?" the blond asked.
"I just like interfering," said Harry. "What do you want with this anyway? Maybe if you tell me, I'd be willing to give it to you."
"Unlikely," said Sirius. "But why not? It's a battery for a spell we're trying to cook up."
"A spell to do what?" Harry asked.
"None of your business," said Remus. "You sure are nosy, Harry. It kind of makes me think you might be a little scared with what we have."
"Which is what? Minimal spell ability and an unwilling army?" Harry asked.
"Says the man who has nothing," Remus muttered.
"Says the man who had nothing but luck for most of his life, but still was able to pull through," Harry corrected. "I shouldn't have to remind you that it doesn't do well to underestimate me."
"We were you for most of your life, Harry," said Sirius. "We know how you work. Whatever plans you have, you can't hope to beat the both of us. Join us," said Sirius, "work with Klaus for a while, and when that's done, I have something that will be mutually beneficial."
Harry shook his head. "I don't see something like that working too well in the end," said Harry.
Frustration flickered across Sirius' features. "I'm trying, Harry. I really am, but if you aren't willing to work with me here, then I won't be able to help you."
"Help me how?" Harry asked. "Servitude? I find I don't like that idea. If you want to help me, then give me my wand."
"It's not your wand," Remus quickly interrupted with a heated voice. "It's ours."
"Wait, why would it be ours?" Harry asked. "You shout, Remus, that you're not me, you keep reminding me that you're your own people and yet you say the wand is ours? How thick is that? The Elder Wand belongs to Harry Potter, so does the Stone of Resurrection, and the Cloak. You, as so boldly say, are not Harry Potter!"
In that moment of heat never had he felt the Elder Wand call so fiercely to him; it sung a sweet tune promising of power but the song was interrupted with the harsher, more ragged call coming from the stone in his hands. Harry pushed back the much louder sound of the Elder Wand and focused back on the room.
"Leave," said Harry.
"Harry, give us the stone or we'll be forced to do something we don't particularly like," said Sirius and the man looked grim.
"Speak for yourself," said Remus with a smirk that sent chills up and down Harry's head. The man pulled out the Elder Wand, twirled it in his hands and didn't fumble as he usually did, he then pointed it at Harry. "I've gotten particularly well with the Cruciatus Curse."
Harry grit his teeth, hoping that what he thought of the stone would be true. "You don't scare me," Harry said as he shifted his weight. "Both of you don't."
"Crucio."
The brilliant scarlet curse hurtled towards Harry, the wizard turned and disappeared—CRACK! Harry was briefly confused as he appeared but then he noticed that Sirius was gone. A diversion. Sirius would most likely be going to get more witches, or most likely, hybrids.
"Crucio!"
The spell hurtled towards him and Harry preyed to every god for his idea to work. Crucio! Harry was pushed back as by the force at which the spell came out and only had a moment to see the spell, scarlet and twisted, sparking and fizzing as if flew, slam into Remus' curse and break into fireworks.
"Merlin's beard," Harry said, getting back to his feet. Remus only stared at him, shocked by what had just happened.
"How?" the man whispered.
Harry held up the stone, Everte Statum; there was no colour, just unbridled force the flying towards Remus, the man quickly came to his mind pulled the wand into a vertical flick that was too much of flourish for the spell to activate. The spell hit and Remus was thrown clear off his feet and slammed cold into a wall.
CRACK!
Sirius appeared, Gregory and two hybrids with him. "Topsy-Turvy."
There was a loud bang and a thick mist exploded into the room, changing the world; up was down and down was up, and everyone one of them fell to the ceiling.
"Accio Elder Wand!" screamed Sirius, Harry heard the wand whipping towards the man, but beyond that could see nothing.
The power of the stone sang louder with each use, its song becoming sweater and more entrancing. Harry didn't have the time to think as he heard Gregory begin chanting and tether of magic appeared between Harry and Gregory, then there was gunfire and a bullet of fire parted the smoke and slammed into an appearing shield.
"Expelliarmus," Harry heard Sirius say, but nothing happened; there was no time to feel happy about as Harry felt hand grab at his back, throw him to the ceiling. He turned, pulled into the darkness, and slammed into his lab.
Harry groaned having landed on the tombstone with his chest, he rolled over a surprised Shane staring at him. "What's going on down there?" the man asked.
"A fight," Harry said just as he felt the pull of the tether between him and Gregory. "Bollocks."
CRACK!
Up was still down as they appeared, but the hybrid quickly righted themselves and landed on their feet. Harry held up the stone and pointed it forward. Harry was still amazed that the stone attempted to substitute a wand, but it was a very crude substitute, Harry couldn't move it in complicated wand motions and so the range of spells he could use was limited. But he a substitute, and this was about the best news he could get in a time when he had more enemies than friends.
Fangs bared, eyes veiny, and looking a lot pissed, the hybrids advanced; moving faster than Harry could track, they appeared instantaneously in front of Harry, the wizard shifted even as hand felt a hand clasp against his throat. He turned, pulled into the darkness and appeared with a loud crack in the sheriff's office, the hybrid with him.
"Pello Cohibeo," there was a canon-like bang and a flash of light, and when the light disappeared the hybrid was stuck on other side of the office. Harry heard footsteps and quickly turned Apparating outside, six simultaneously Apparitions and night had become day, and he stood in front of a large estate which looked more castle than house. Harry walked through the wards and after a tingling feeling the light changed themselves: he looked towards a neatly mowed lawn, to the left there was a garden while to the right there were nothing but tall and thick trees looking as old as the house itself.
The house was of a grey hewn rock that looked slightly cracked, there were three visible floors and the attic and floor unto itself.
"Home, sweet home," Harry muttered, walking deftly towards the door. It opened at his approach, revealing a large foyer at the end of which was a grand staircase; a hybrid appeared. The man was about Harry's height with black curly hair and tanned skin, he had a bright smile on him.
"Harry," he said sounding a little relieved. "We weren't expecting you…what's up?" the man asked appearing almost instantly in front of Harry. "Should I take that?"
"Yeah, thanks," Harry said, pushing down the gentle crooning that tried to get him to keep a hold of the stone. "Do you still have food?" Harry asked, relieved to have the large weight off of him. "I feel I could eat a cow and not be full."
"Yeah," said Adrian. "But we're running out of meat."
"I'll buy some this evening," said Harry beginning to walk towards the kitchen. Adrian fell in step beside him. "Where are the others?"
"Tim, Samantha and Caleb are downstairs," said Adrian. "Michelle and Cassidy are upstairs somewhere and Daniel is with Lesley."
Harry nodded. They got to the kitchen and Harry started making himself a sandwich, finished, he sat down and began enjoying his meal, trying not to think about Shane whom he had left behind. Harry looked at the stone Adrian had put on a counter; it was a battery, Sirius had called it, fuel to aid the witches of this world. Harry chuckled a little as he mechanically made himself another sandwich and began eating.
But how could Harry use it? How was Harry able to use the magic of this world? Magic. The word itself was the answer. Magic was magic, no matter what its source. Magic was the power to enforce your will onto the universe, this was a constant Harry saw when he thought about his own and this form of magic, and so how did it not make any sense that he be able to use the magic of this world?
Habit, Harry thought. He had grown so accustomed to using a wand so much that he could do nothing without it. He had grown so accustomed to using it reacting a certain way that to change it now would be impossible. Perhaps this was why he had so much trouble with Apparating without turning on the spot, or maybe he just wasn't enforcing his will with enough force.
Harry came back to himself, Adrian was still sitting but this time was joined a thin fellow with short hair and dark skin, Tim. "He's back," said Tim, his voice deep and raspy. "Hello, Harry."
"Tim, good to see you, man," the wizard said.
"We weren't expecting you, is there something wrong in Mystic Falls?"
Harry hummed. "I had a run-in with some of your friends," he said. "Niklaus wants that rock, and for some reason I felt the need to stop him. They're in my house right now, and I shudder to think what they're doing."
Adrian closed off and Harry caught the slightest hint of fear in his eyes. Adrian was one of the four who had agreed to stand with him against Niklaus, but Harry could see that every time the Original was mentioned Adrian looked a little scared.
"Are you calling us in?" asked Tim.
Harry shook his head. "Until I'm sure the Sire Bond is broken, I can't have you back in Mystic Falls."
"I'm close," said Tim. "I can feel it. I don't fear the transformations so much anymore."
"That's good," said Harry. He stood. "I'll be sleeping here tonight, if you would be so kind as to tell the others not to make a ruckus around my room that would be good." Adrian nodded and Harry climbed the stairs and went to sleep.
The wizard woke up at about midnight, feeling a little refreshed and with that feeling his mind seemed to be working on overdrive. He had found something he could use as a focus, but it was cumbersome, and most of all it wasn't his. But at a moment like this did such things matter? Remus and Sirius worked wholeheartedly for Niklaus, what would happened if the into the vault. Harry got out of bed and got himself into a shower before heading downstairs; he needed to get the stone into a more wand-like fashion so he could take back his house.
Michelle and Cassidy were downstairs: the two woman, one statuesque with jet-black hair and the other with a light brunette, were standing over a stove chatting. "Harry, heard you were back."
"Hello," the wizard said. "Do you by chance know where the stone is?"
"Tim had it in the living room," said Cassidy. "He's obsessed with it, says he feels proud for having something that sorts of a stick in to Klaus," she let out a small chuckle. "Crazy at the best of times if you ask me," she said.
"Thanks," said Harry and he changed course for the living room. Tim sat on a couch, heavy amidst a heated conversation with Michelle.
"I'm telling you," the man was saying. "Running is only a short-term solution. D'you remember what he told us about that woman he's still hunting? He still haven't given up, even after all this time."
"But he thinks were dead," Michelle returned, "and Harry said he wasn't going to tell him."
Tim shook his head. "It's not something I'm willing to put up with," said Tim. "When Harry traps Klaus with his magic, we'll be free."
"Until he gets out," the girl muttered.
"He won't be getting out," said Harry. "I'll make sure of that as best I can."
"What if your best isn't good enough?" asked Michelle. "Klaus is connected, he's got witches left right and centre. He wasn't even gone two days when you attacked us and he came back with witches. What makes you think one of them won't break him out?"
Harry couldn't answer that for he hadn't really thought about it. The truth of it was, Harry would die, and when he did there was a strong chance that whatever enchantments he put on Niklaus' prison would begin to deteriorate. Nonetheless for the period he was alive, Harry felt the need to do something.
"I can't be sure that won't happened," Harry said. "But I'm in the process of making something that will ensure there's always a witch powerful enough that Niklaus will remain imprisoned."
"What is it?" Tim asked.
"The less people who know about it the better," said Harry and the man didn't look like he liked it, he didn't speak against Harry. "Anyway, that's not why I'm here. How far along are you with your transformation?" Harry asked Michelle.
The girl shrugged. "It's going," she said.
Harry sighed. "Two would have been better, but," he shrugged again. "Tim, grab the stone, you and I are heading into London. I might have you Compel someone." The man quickly rose to his feet, his brown eyes shining with excitement.
"Seriously? I get to go out?"
Michelle looked chagrined. "You pose the smallest risk," Harry said. "I'll give you a few minutes to get ready."
"I'm ready," said Tim eagerly taking the stone and walking to Harry.
"We'll be back in a few hours at best," said Harry, he took the man's shoulder and turned on the spot.
Three hours searching in London and Harry found an art place that said it could sculpt stone, not one wanting to wait, Harry Apparated into the store searched through their papers and when he found an address for the sculpture. This too took some time, but Harry found the house the woman, Claire Walter, lived in and interrupted her sleep.
"You won't scream and you don't feel scared," said Tim looking into Claire's eyes.
"What do you want?" Claire asked perfectly calm.
"I want you to sculpt this large rock in an eleven and a half inch wand," said Harry.
"A wand? Are you serious?" asked Claire looking between Harry and Tim.
"Yes," said Harry.
"Do what he says," said Tim, rushing for Compulsion.
"Wait," Harry said getting to his feet and physically stopping the woman. "How long will this take?"
"Answer him," said Tim.
"Five hours," she said. Harry looked at Tim.
"Stay with her, I'll go steal you lot bag of blood before you desiccate."
"Yeah sure."
With the Cloak of Invisibility in hand, Harry went about stealing a cooler box and pints of blood from the local hospitals, not enough that they would be missed, but they would be noticed. When Harry got back the wand looked rough, but it was getting there; Tim sat in the woman's living room watching television.
"You know," he said shoving popcorn in his mouth and chewing loudly. "You should get a TV."
"Technology doesn't work too well in a magic rich environment," Harry explained. "Has she at least eaten?"
"Yeah, she said she was hungry and I got cooking."
Harry nodded and took a seat on the couch, pretending to be watching the sport's match playing on the TV, at that moment Harry couldn't help but miss Quidditch at that moment, but without being able to charm a broom there was no chance in him even trying to recreate the sport (and what fun would it be to play against vampire?).
Harry stood and chose an empty spot in the room and closed his eyes. He closed out the thunks that sounded at intervals and the drone of the TV and focused: Destination. Deliberation. Determination.
The words became his entire mind.
He hadn't even been able to charm a broom, were one of the thoughts niggling in Harry's subconscious. He had to at least to do something to prove to himself that he was powerful.
Harry concentrated his thoughts no longer revolved around getting to his destination, but instead Harry tried tricking himself into believing that he was already there. Harry didn't know how long he stood, but however long, it was long enough that Harry's legs were starting to cramp up. Harry felt something, a stirring near his stomach, especially near his navel and he felt something connect beginning to pull him forward. He felt his legs start to leave—
"Done," and it was gone the feeling at his navel evaporated.
Harry let out a sigh and opened his eyes, but whatever anger was starting to boil at him disappeared when he saw the wand: it was thin, getting thicker as it stretched to the hold, the stone was a dark grey in colour and it looked like Claire had gotten it to be extremely smooth. Claire handed the wand over to Harry and the wizard felt a thrill run through him and a warmth run up his arm.
A shower of sparks erupted from the wand.
"Wow," said Tim.
Harry smirked. "Things just got a lot more interesting," said Harry.