Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction based on the Harry Potter Universe. All recognizable characters, plots, and settings are the exclusive property of J.K Rowling. I make no claim to ownership.
Harry Potter: Whispers of Winter
By 5Jupiter
Book 1: Frostfall
Prologue
31st October 1981
Three figures stood on the streets of Surrey's Privet Drive. The street lights were out, and the sight of these three persons would have undoubtedly taken aback the residents in the vicinity if they had been spotted. The most eye-catching one was a figure who could've been mistaken for BigFoot, standing over eight feet tall, while beside him was an elderly gentleman dressed in burgundy robes, emblazoned with shining gold stars with half moons perched on his nose. A white beard seemed his most defining feature, done up in Celtic knots and falling to his chest. The trio was completed by a woman wearing a typical black witch's hat, lips pursed and eyes fixed on one of the many unassuming houses in the neighbourhood.
The three magical beings only here for a singular reason, one that they were crushed about; Harry Potter.
"Do you have the boy, Hagrid?" Albus Dumbledore inquired with a heavy heart.
"Of course, headmaster," Hagrid answered, gently pulling a tiny sleeping infant from the inside of his cloak.
"Harry Potter," the witch uttered in the slightest of whispers. A slight smile crossed her face as she looked upon the boy, her hands trembling violently as she went to brush the hair off his forehead. A bright red scar dominated the babe's face, shaped like a curious lightning bolt. "Can't you do something about the scar, Albus?" she whispered shakily, her voice as unsteady as the wizened old man had ever heard.
The mage peered at the infant, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. With his eyes closed and his steady breaths, one would never guess that this infant had been the victim of an attempted murder just a few hours earlier. His breath ceased briefly when his attention caught on to the scar. "Isaz," he whispered, his thoughts racing with possibilities for what the rune meant for a young Harry Potter.
The Elder Futhark rune for Ice; the rune of Spiritual Peace. Utilised by the Norse in the days of Olde. A rune used to indicate Ice, solidification, silence and reflection, as well as self-control and self-preservation. It had fallen out of use fully by the eleventh century, marked by the end of the Vikings' reign of terror in England. There had been attempted studies and cases, trying to utilise the rune to the same extent as it was used in the past, but to no avail. The rune fell out of use due to the lack of magicals who had the power to control the rune itself, and it got replaced by 'Isa'. The last known person to be able to utilise 'Isaz' in a rune scheme was Morgana Le Fay, one of the most powerful mages to ever grace this world. Also, the first and last ice elemental known to wizardkind.
He had no clue as to what it could mean for the last of the Potters, but given the history of the Potters, he had an inkling as to what the rune could signify, but he could not be sure til the child came to Hogwarts.
Conjuring a sizable wicker basket, Albus took Harry from Hagrid's hands, placing him inside the basket.
"Albus, what are you doing?" asked McGonagall.
"Just a few warming charms and some for his safety, Minerva," he said gently, moving his wand and with a few short motions, a small white bubble temporarily cocooning the babe before dissipating.
"Now, to ensure his safety," muttered Dumbledore. He palmed his wand once again, making complicated motions with his wand whilst simultaneously drawing patterns on the ground and mumbling under his breath. It sounded like nothing McGonagall or Hagrid had ever heard, and they stood there silently watching. Nothing seemed to be happening for a few minutes after Albus began chanting, but he sliced his palm with the tip of his hand, causing blood to stream on the runes in front of him. He paused his chanting, whirling his wand over his head and encircling the home in front of them, a dazzling white dome encasing the small townhouse, while the runes burnt a blazing red for a second longer before disappearing.
He chanced a look at his colleagues; Hagrid simply nodded, understanding the severity of what he had just witnessed, and McGonagall had her eyes closed, muttering prayers at an alarming rate. They knew the importance of having Harry safe, and if that meant Blood Magic, so be it.
They knew their time would be coming to a close: That magical society would soon be demanding answers, thus putting an end to their time with the last Potter.
"Go on then, Hagrid," sniffed McGonagall, watching as the Half-Giant lumbered to the front door, basket in one palm, a letter detailing what all was happening in the other.
As Hagrid made his way back to the two, his eyes puffy, Dumbledore held his arms out to the both of them.
"Good luck Harry," he murmured and with a swish of his cloak they were gone.
Author's Note:
Hello everyone! This is my first attempt at writing anything outside of school assignments or exams, and I figured that I'd take a stab at writing fanfic. My writing is quite average, maybe slightly subpar in all honesty: Constructive criticism and reviews are very much appreciated given that this is an exercise to try and improve my writing.
I have no plotting/ideas or goals for this story. I do know that I plan on it being AU from canon, given I tend to enjoy reading proactive protagonists. I intend to make this a grey/dark Harry who's more tired and magically curious than the one in Canon. No harem, no lord of 17 houses, no bashing. I do want to try and take a stab at the political system and all that stuff, but no child politicians or anything of that sort, I can promise that. I have a rough idea of the power scaling of this universe and how I intend for Harry to develop, so no severely OP Harry, but like, he's going to be considerably stronger than canon. Everything else is up in the air and I'd be quite surprised if this story actually comes even remotely close to finishing, but pet project FTW, lol.
Again, constructive criticism, advice or anything of the sort, no matter how negative is all welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read all this :)
Main Inspirations:
Perversion of Purity
Magicks of the Arcane
My inspo for writing style/story dev is going to be the aforementioned two tbh, both of which are infinitely better than mine and I would recommend both. I don't feel as if the story will follow either, but I may use them for pacing and how to incorporate certain elements of magic, maybe, but nothing else.
Ty, see you soon :)