"The Memory Charm (Obliviate), also known as the Forgetfulness Charm, is a charm that could be used to erase specific memories from an individual's mind.[1]" Danny groaned loudly as he rubbed his temples and shouldered past his sister to the bathroom.
"Jazz, it's too early for this," he complained as he grabbed his toothbrush from the counter.
Jazz continued to read the book in her hands out loud as if her brother hadn't spoken. "Memory Charms are generally intended to erase a specific memory. They are regularly used if a Muggle witnessed something related to the wizarding world or magic in general; the British Ministry of Magic has Obliviators to remove their memories of the event, such as if a Muggle saw a dragon.[1]" She heard Danny scoff through his toothpaste, but continued. "Occasionally, the mass use of Memory Charms are necessary to cover up major incidents that violated the Statute of Secrecy, such as the Ilfracombe Incident. Some Muggles do slip through the cracks in these situations, according to Blenheim Stalk in Muggles Who Notice. When particularly intense memories needed to be erased, it often left the victim disoriented for years.[1] There is only one method known to break a Memory Charm, and that is through torture," she finished, closing The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2.
Danny spat in the sink. "So you're saying the only way to give Vlad his memory back is by torturing him until the curse breaks? Great, I'll get right on that," he stated sarcastically. He eyed the book worriedly. "Should you really be reading that?" It unnerved him that she was disregarding the minister's threat so quickly after his visit.
Jazz met his gaze. "Yes," she stated firmly, causing Danny to huff as he made his way downstairs. "It just doesn't sit right with me what they did to Vlad," she added, hot on his heels. "I can't just sit back and do nothing." She stopped once they reached the living room. "I'm surprised you can."
Danny turned back at her with a frown. "I'm not," he responded stubbornly. "You know I want to tell Vlad. How can I even be around him when I know what they did to him and he doesn't?" He shook his head, and moved to the kitchen. "But if I tell him the truth, I risk the Ministry of Magic taking action against me." He grabbed a mug from the cupboard, and poured himself a cup of coffee from the already-made pot. "Not to mention, we don't know how he'll react to the news. Knowing the fruitloop, he'd probably find some twisted way to turn this all to his advantage." He took a sip with a furrowed brow, thinking that Vlad would definitely use this against him.
"But it's not our place to hide something that's already his to begin with. Danny, I've read a lot about memories. It's a crucial thing that makes us, well, us. All Vlad's memories, everything that has happened to him, makes him the man that we know today."
"Jazz, it was just a few hours," Danny argued. "How bad can it be?"
A lump grew in his throat as Jazz gave him a disappointed look. He didn't have time to react before she grabbed his mug and dumped its contents in the sink. Danny gave her a look but knew inside that it wasn't his unhealthy caffeine addiction that caused her disheartened expression.
She looked him in the eye and lifted the textbook as she finally spoke. "This book talks as if it's a commonly used spell that anyone can cast freely. Danny, this is brain damage . People don't just bounce back from those kinds of injuries. Allowing something like this, however small, will only excuse it in the future. If we do nothing when someone's mind is erased, what's to stop them from doing it again? At what point is it too much?"
Danny shifted uneasily as he let her words sink in. He knew she was right, but didn't want to see her get hurt by the ministry. He had already lost one sibling to their spiteful ways… he stopped himself from going down that path. It hurt to think of Harry.
As if reading his thoughts, Jazz added, "This anti-muggle attitude goes beyond the government. It's ingrained in the culture, and ordinary wizards, like Harry, need to know about it. Right now, they don't think this mistreatment is a problem because they've never heard differently. We need to stand up against this, regardless of the consequences."
"Do you think Harry would even care if we told him?" he asked bitterly, refusing to meet her eyes. "He was adamant about ditching us when his magic was on the line."
Jazz's face fell. Danny had been stubbornly closed off about his argument with Harry the night before. She had only been able to pull bits and pieces out of her brother, but it was enough to paint a picture. "Danny," she began slowly, "your powers came from a place of fear and death. You thought you were destined to become a monster that was created to be evil. People fear you because it reminds them of their death and people hate you for the pain you can cause. Even you fear yourself from time to time. Because of this, your perspective on the supernatural is completely different than Harry's." When Danny gave her a confused look, she continued, "Harry's magic comes from a place of wonder and awe. It's a way he can connect with his lost family and it makes him welcomed amongst his peers. His magic stems from a place where having no magic means you are ostracized. You heard him talk about Hagrid and the school janitor. Heck, they had a monster in his school who killed muggleborns, for crying out loud!"
Knowing she was right didn't stop the loneliness from creeping in. It didn't keep Harry's hurtful words out of his mind.
Jazz looked out the window. "Their view on muggles scares me," she admitted.
Danny looked at her uneasily. "So you're really going through with this? Defy the ministry?" Her nod held unwavering determination. Once Jazz had an idea there was no stopping her until she saw it through. "You sound like Sam," he admitted grumpily.
"Well Sam's life mission is to protect the defenseless. Though her actions are a little extreme, she has the right idea," Jazz replied.
Danny sighed in resignation. "Alright, where do we start?" Jazz's face broke into a big grin. She grabbed a book that was on the counter and dropped it in front of Danny.
Startled, Danny read the title aloud. " A History of Magic?"
"First we need to educate ourselves. We'll start by reading through Harry's textbooks, but we'll need more information than this."
Danny groaned. "Jazz, the whole reason I'm in summer school is because I couldn't do my schoolwork. How is giving me more work going to help?"
Jazz furrowed her brow in thought. "The ghosts don't really give you much free time, do they?"
Danny snorted. "They don't give me any time! Last night, I spent hours chasing Jonny just so he could ask for relationship advice," he scoffed. "As if I've been in a relationship."
"And you're twelve," Jazz pointed out.
"Apparently Skulker's been telling the zone I give great advice," he complained. "It must be true, given the camo-themed guitars and Hunters Association concert he and Ember tried to set up last week. Sam was furious." Jazz laughed at the thought. "Anywho, during our talk, the cops showed up and demanded we leave the premises - which we did ," Danny added, seeing Jazz's reproachful gaze. "But on our way out, the GIW came in with guns blazing, and managed to set the Marquis apartment building on fire." Danny released an exhausted sigh. "Needless to say, I spent most of the night avoiding the GIW while trying to pull reluctant people out of the fire." Danny winced. "One lady got me with a waffle maker," he said, rubbing his sore head.
Jazz grimaced. "Ouch."
"Yeah, people would rather die in the fire than get rescued by a ghost," Danny stated bitterly. Then, he cracked a smile at Jazz. "Bet you feel bad for dumping my coffee out now."
"Hmm, can't say that I do," she retorted, before giving him a concerned stare. Looking over her brother, Jazz took stock of his injuries. There were no signs from his nightly adventure save for a few healing blisters on his arms and face. Moving over to his head, Jazz spotted the large bump poking out of his hair. Shaking her head, she withheld a sigh. She couldn't understand how Danny was still hated amongst the public when all he'd done was try to help them. They used the single instance with Freakshow to condemn him, leaving no room for Danny to defend himself. Jazz looked back at Harry's textbook pensively.
"I'll tell you what," she said finally. "Let me worry about our wizard relations while you work on improving ghost PR." She gave him a determined smirk. "We'll divide and conquer, so to speak. Your job should be showing people that ghosts can be good, and mine will be notifying wizards on the injustice of their protocols."
"Are you sure?" Danny asked in a worried voice.
Jazz nodded. "I can handle Fudge," she stated firmly.
"Did someone say fudge?" Jack exclaimed, walking in from the lab.
Danny rolled his eyes and watched his father scour the kitchen. He gave up the search when Maddie called him from the Ops Center. Jazz and Danny waited to continue their conversation until they heard the metal clang of the Ops Center door.
"Fine," Danny said with finality. "I'll take on Amity Park, you take on wizards." His breath chilled before him. "Ugh, speak of them and they shall appear," he muttered, changing into Phantom. "I'm going to be late for school again," he lamented before turning to Jazz. "We'll continue this later." Danny flew out the window to meet the unknown specter.
He flew in what he thought was the direction of the ghost, not realizing that the ghost was actually watching Danny from above. Vlad gave a disappointed sigh at his adversary's unobservant behavior. He once again shot the ghost boy in the back, sending him spiraling to the ground. Danny grunted in pain, the impact of his body creating a large dent in the road. Alas, he thought , This won't help my relationship with Amity's Department of Transportation . They already had it out for Phantom. Wincing, Danny crawled out of the small crater and shook the rubble out of his hair. Returning to the air, he spotted his enemy's glowing fist and furrowed brow.
"Plasmius!" Phantom sputtered in shock as dread began to settle in the pit of his stomach. Vlad said nothing as he shot another powerful ectoblast at the young halfa, who defended himself by creating a shield. The shield shattered when the blast hit, and Danny barely had time to duck out of the way. By the power of his blast, Danny knew Plasmius meant business. He swallowed thickly as he looked up at the man.
"Ah, Daniel, I thought I'd find you around here," Vlad stated calmly. Danny easily saw the anger beneath his feigned nonchalance and shuddered. The man usually hid his emotions better than this.
Danny buried his growing panic under false bravado. "Suuuure...It's not like I live here or anything," he replied sarcastically. Narrowing his eyes he added, "What do you want?"
Expecting the man to partake in a little banter before they fought, Danny was surprised when Plasmius disappeared right before his eyes. Danny spun in time to see Vlad shoot another ectoblast. Danny was too slow to block it this time and was sent yet again to the ground. Crashing into the concrete next to his first crater, Danny groaned as he struggled to get up. He realized he was too late when a pair of black boots landed in front of him. Feeling a gloved hand wrapped around his throat, Danny was lifted into the air and then was smashed into the brick wall of the building next to them. Danny had no time to retaliate before a bolt of electricity jolted through him. He cried out in pain and fear.
"What happened last night?!" Plasmius snarled, no longer attempting to hide his anger. Danny clawed at Vlad's tight grip. At the lack of response from Danny, Plasmius glared at the boy and increased his hold. Danny squirmed.
"What do you mean?!" Phantom gasped back, trying to feign innocence. He was no longer able to mask his panic behind false confidence.
Plasmius narrowed his eyes at his young nemesis and tightened his grip. No longer able to talk due to the lack of oxygen, Danny clung desperately to Vlad's hands, though his own were slowly losing strength. Darkness took hold, but before he could pass out, Vlad dropped him. Danny hit the ground in a small heap and gasped for air.
As Danny struggled to breath, Vlad regained his facade of indifference, absentmindedly looking down at his nails. "Daniel, I'm not here to play games so tell me what happened last night or you'll be in so much pain you won't have the energy to spout your silly ghost puns, let alone move, tomorrow."
Danny gave a shaky laugh. "Guess you're dead serious about this..." His mind was yelling at him to shut up, but hysteria was slowly taking over. He trailed off when Vlad looked down at him sharply. Cheesecake! he thought, breathing heavily and slowly picking himself off the ground. Not wanting Vlad's anger to be taken out on him, Danny started thinking fast. He had to sound convincing when he spoke next. "What do you remember?" he asked hesitantly, trying to buy some time.
Vlad glared at Danny. "Your oaf of a father was blathering about his latest screw up of an invention, and my darling Maddie couldn't get a word in edgewise," he answered waving a hand. He then narrowed his eyes at Danny. "You're stalling, boy, now tell me. What. Happened !"
Danny gulped nervously. After his talk with Jazz, he knew they weren't ready to face the ministry head on yet. This fight was going to be a long uphill battle. One that would take years. Telling Vlad now would be acting rashly and would cause the ministry to retaliate sooner than they were ready. They couldn't afford the casualty it would cause, and all Jazz's efforts would be in vain. Danny grit his teeth as he reluctantly thought of an excuse. I will tell Vlad as soon as this is over, he vowed to himself.
Not letting the guilt show on his face, he swallowed hard. If he stays as close to the truth as he can, then the lie might work. Looking at Vlad in the eye, Danny spoke in an even voice, "So you don't remember Dad accidentally shooting you with the Fenton Mind Scrambler?"
Vlad raised an eyebrow. "The Fenton Mind Scrambler?" he asked suspiciously.
Danny nodded nervously. "It erases an hour from a ghost's mind. Mom and Dad were pretty sad when it worked on you. They thought that they had adjusted it so that it only affected ghosts. They're trying to fix it right now," he spouted, thinking that he'd have to fill his parents in later.
Vlad tsked. "You're father's an idiot!" he exclaimed in frustration. After his outburst, the mayor regained his composure. Straightening up and patting dust off his suit, Vlad added flippantly, "Right, well, you know the drill. Destroy the device, or I'll steal it and use it against you." He then looked thoughtfully at Danny. "Maybe I'll adjust it to take all your memories," he mused. Danny flinched, feeling good about his decision to not reveal the use of magic on his enemy.
"I'll get right on that," Danny deadpanned. He turned and began to walk away saying, "If that's all, I'll just be-"
"Not so fast, Daniel, I'm not done with you yet," Vlad cut in, grabbing Danny's arm and pulling him back. Danny released a sigh of annoyance as he was yanked back against the wall. "I heard your brother left for school already. Didn't stay home too long, hmmm?"
Danny struggled to free his arm before slumping with defeat. He sighed as a frown began to form. "I don't see how that's any of your business," he retorted.
Vlad smirked. "It's almost as if he found a better family to live with," he drawled. "Living so far away in London he probably feels like he doesn't need you or your family anymore. Tell me, how is your mother taking this new development? Does she need comforting?"
Danny narrowed his eyes "Gross." He finally freed his arm with a forceful wrench. Vlad's smirk remained on his face, eliciting an angry growl from Danny. Jabbing a finger in the man's chest, he yelled, "Stay away from my family!" before disappearing and flying off.
Vlad stared at the blank space before him and replied, "Well that would be no fun, Daniel." His smile turned menacing. "Seems brother dear is a touchy subject."
"Alright, operation 'Good Ghost' is a go!" The three had met after school in an alley in a crowded part of pumped a fist in the air in excitement and Sam turned to Phantom. The afternoon sun was still high in the sky, giving them plenty of time to accomplish their goal.
"So, Ghost Boy, what random act of kindness would you like to do first?" Sam asked, eyeing Danny.
Danny gave her a determined smirk. "There," he stated, pointing to an old man attempting to find a break in traffic to cross the street.
"Smart thinking," Sam commented, looking at the elder.
"Starting with the cliches and working your way up. Nice," Tucker stated. "What could go wrong?"
Danny facepalmed and Sam smacked Tucker on the back of the head. They both offered a silent prayer to Murphy to disregard their ignorant friend.
"Tucker's comment aside, I think this is gonna work," Danny stated optimistically. He squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. "Well, here I go!"
He flew to the old man. "Excuse me, citizen!" Danny called to the elder, his voice resonating with confidence. "You look like you could use a hand. Let me help you cross the street."
"WHAT?" the old man shouted back. Danny faltered but quickly regained his composure.
"I said I can help you cross the street!" Danny replied loudly, so that the man could hear him.
"Yeesh! No need to yell, sonny!" the old man winced, holding his ear. Danny deflated, not sure how to continue. The elder suddenly grabbed Danny's arm. "Gee whiz, son, you are cold! Well, this street isn't gonna cross itself! Let's go, boy scout!"
With renewed confidence, Danny squared his shoulders (again), and set his face with determination. "That's because I'm a ghost - but have no fear! I'm here to help!"
"You're toast? Boy, you have me very confused." Letting out a mental groan, Danny exasperatedly shook his head. He would have to keep the conversation short.
"Let's cross," Danny suggested, both loudly and clearly.
The moment Danny stepped into the street, chaos ensued. The closest car stopped in front of the crosswalk, not realizing who they were stopping for. Once that realization hit, the passengers openly gaped at him until fear took hold. Quickly unbuckling themselves, they ran out of the car in every direction, the driver running into oncoming traffic to escape. Danny let go of the old man and flew towards one of the frantic ladies to save her from the cars zipping in her direction. Danny had barely reached her and turned them both intangible before a car zoomed through them. The car immediately swerved to a stop in the middle of the intersection. All traffic came to a halt.
The woman screamed in fear, but it was not because she'd almost been hit by a car.
"A ghost is trying to kill me!" she shrieked. Danny huffed in irritation and let go of the lady.
"I just saved you! If I wanted you dead I would have let the car hit you," he argued.
"You're just saving me for yourself! That way you can take me to your creepy bug-infested lair and feast on my brains. Well I got news for you, ghost, I won't go down without a fight!" the lady shouted.
Danny opened his mouth to respond when he was distracted by a man running out of the car that almost hit them. He ran in between Danny and the lady, wielding a tire iron in one hand and weed killer in the other. He looked like a gardener.
"Stay away, ghost!" the man threatened. Danny dragged a hand down his face.
"Look, I'm only trying to help!" he cried indignantly. "There's an old guy over there that needed help crossing the street and-" as Danny spoke he tried to point out the man, but found no one there. Stopping mid-sentence, he turned around looking for the missing elder. Spotting the man successfully on the other side of the road, Danny's eye twitched. Since all the cars stopped from the commotion, the man had been easily able to complete his journey alone. Well at least someone's benefitting from this, Danny thought sarcastically, eyeing the shouting man who was threateningly waving the weed killer.
"Listen," Danny interjected, cutting the man off. "I was only trying to help. I'm glad you're all safe and I'll be here to protect you when you need it!" he promised confidently.
"Is that a threat?" the man asked angrily. Danny blinked in shock.
"N-No! Why are you mixing my words!?" he asked in exasperation.
"Go away!" the woman glared. Danny returned the glare, causing her to take a fearful step back.
Seeing the fear, Danny took a step back himself. "Fine, I'm leaving!" he yelled before flying away.
When Danny returned to the alley, Sam was giving the people on the road an angry glare while Tucker rolled on the ground laughing.
"Dude, you should have seen your face when that crazy lady thought you were gonna eat her brains!" he snickered.
Sam, on the other hand, was not amused. "The guy had the nerve to threaten you with weed killer," she seethed. Tucker burst with renewed laughter. Sam kicked him in the shin and continued angrily, "As if ghosts are weeds infesting the town."
"It was probably the only lethal thing in his car," Danny defended, struggling to give him the benefit of the doubt. He then threw his arms up in the air with frustration. "Ugh, these people are impossible! How am I gonna change the minds of the public when they aren't open to being changed?" He rounded on his laughing friend. "This is totally your fault, Tucker. You had to tempt Murphy."
"Okay so mission 'old man' was a no-go; don't let it get your spirits down," Tucker smirked. He looked at Sam expectantly.
"He's right, I think we need a low stakes, less adrenaline filled scenario." Her face suddenly lit up with excitement and she snapped her fingers. "I know just the thing."
.
.
"Here, kitty kitty," Danny coaxed. The cat sunk her claws deeper into the tall tree branch, hissing ferociously back at Danny. The floating boy did not give up and welcomingly opened his arms, encouraging her to jump.
"You'd think with all the ghosts around, the animals here would have gotten used to them," Tucker commented, looking up at Danny struggle from below the tree.
"Wah! The ghost boy is trying to eat my cat!" sobbed a small boy standing next to him.
"Try scratching it behind the ears, cats love that!" Sam called up to her friend. Danny mustered his courage and gave it a go.
All three onlookers winced as Danny proceeded to get clawed to near death.
"Here," a mangled Danny spat, dropping the frazzled cat in the kid's arms.
The boy stuck his tongue out. "That's what you get for trying to eat Fluffy!"
Danny watched the kid stalk away with his furry friend, wincing as Tucker poked a scratch on his face.
.
.
"Danny, are you nervous?" Sam asked carefully. The dinner line at the shelter was particularly long tonight.
"No, what gave you that impression? I'm perfectly fine! Normal even! Nothing unusual about me whatsoever," Danny responded quickly, clumsily setting down a bowl for Sam to fill. "I am certainly not letting the pressure of ghosts and human relations get to me. Not to mention that every attempt we've done so far has ended in an epic failure. Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's just that…" she trailed off as she lifted the ladle out of the soup pot, taking the solidified soup with it…
Danny's tight smile faltered when he spotted the frozen food. "Oh."
He looked across the counter at a glaring man, and gave hima shaky smile. "How would you like your dinner soft-served?"
He was not amused.
.
.
"You have so much to live for, sir! Please step away from the edge!" a police officer shouted from the ground.
"No! Stay away! My life is ruined, and nobody likes me! What's the point?"
Danny floated next to the man. "You know, if you fall now, you might end up a ghost like me."
The man turned to see who spoke. Seeing Phantom floating a few feet behind him, the man shrieked and took a step back. His foot met air, as he was on the edge of the roof, and he began to fall.
Widening his eyes, Danny quickly flew to catch the man before his tumble could turn deadly. He grabbed the man's collar and dropped him amidst the crowd of police officers who instantly trained their guns on him. Disappearing quickly, Danny heard the man shout, "Please, get me out of here! I don't want to be ghost food! I don't want to be killed!" Danny gave a sardonic sigh as he flew away. Well at least he wants to live again, he thought to himself, flying towards his friends. It had been a long, fruitless afternoon and defeat was seeping in.
"I think we should call it for today," he stated, as he landed softly. "We can try again tomorrow after school."
"People are crazy, Danny, but they'll see your goodness eventually," Tucker stated confidently. "We just have to shove it down their throats until it finally digests."
Danny gave him a smile, but couldn't hide his exhaustion. It wasn't just the freak-outs and melt-downs of the day that had been weighing him down, but also his predicament with handling Vlad, Harry, and the magical community complications of late. He still wasn't sure he'd made the right decision with Vlad, and he was worried that the ministry would retaliate no matter what they did. Fudge seemed like a vindictive man, and Danny wouldn't put it past him to attack out of spite.
And as much as Danny tried to suppress it in a deep dark place of his mind, one that no stray thought would dare escape, Harry kept creeping back into the forefront of his mind. Sure they had fought before, but this had a biting sting that Danny wasn't sure they could recover from. As much as he tried, he couldn't keep Harry's words out of his mind. The more he thought about them, the more he felt bitter and resentful.
"Is Harry still blaming you for his lack of effort at his other school?" Sam asked stubbornly, as if reading his thoughts.
'This is all your fault!'
Danny shifted uneasily. He was still upset with Harry, but didn't like the idea of someone else getting on his case. "That's not fair, Sam. You know how bad he had it last year," he reluctantly defended.
Sam scoffed. "So what if he has trauma? Things haven't been easy for you here, either. You've been struggling all year because of things out of your control." she countered. "How could he think that he wouldn't have to go to summer school like everyone else does when they fail?"
' I don't want to live life as a muggle!'
"Their culture's different, Sam. They would have still accepted him into eighth grade. Mom and Dad were just being dumb in making him go to summer school."
"Still doesn't excuse the pit he's been tossing you in," she spat. Danny couldn't help but agree.
'You don't have magic, and in the end, there's nothing you can do to stop me from leaving.'
Danny's gaze turned bitter. "Well, he won't be throwing me anywhere anymore. Some of his friends from school offered for him to stay the summer, and he didn't even blink before saying yes," he stated angrily.
Tucker whistled. "What a tool. He sees his friends all year. Couldn't stand to spend a couple months with his family?"
'You're not my real brother.'
Danny looked away as Harry's words tore him apart again. How could he have denied everything that they had endured together? Was Danny that much of a burden that Harry couldn't stand him anymore? The feeling of abandonment and resentment took hold of him. Was magic that much better than a muggle family?
He shook his head to get rid of the dark thoughts, and forcefully shoved them back into the dark recesses of his mind. "We got in a fight," he admitted suddenly, trying to sound nonchalant. "I don't think he wanted to stay after that." He bid his friends farewell, promising to meet again the next day, and flew home.
.
.
Jazz raised an eyebrow and watched her brother scour the fridge for something edible.
"Danny, what is this I'm hearing about Phantom assisting in an anti-ghost rally today?" she asked curiously.
Danny groaned loudly. "All I was doing was helping some random strangers set up a few tables. How was I supposed to know that was what they needed them for?" He pulled out a tupperware and set it on the table. "It wasn't until they set the banner up that I even realized what they were there for." He looked over at Jazz. "What are you working on?"
Jazz glanced down at her note. "I'm writing a letter to Harry. He sent me one a couple days ago and I wanted to respond before Hedwig got antsy."
Danny frowned. He didn't realize Harry had been sending his family letters and excluding him. Abandonment and resentment resurfaced, and he turned to grab a fork so he had an excuse to turn his face away.
"Did he mention the killer?" he asked, trying to hide his churning emotions.
Jazz wasn't fooled, but let her brother hide himself. "No, would you like me to ask about it for you?"
Danny returned to the table, fork in hand. "Yes," he stated, looking away and rubbing his chest. Though he was angry, he had to make sure his brother was alright. He hated that he couldn't do anything when there was a killer after him.
Thankfully, Jazz understood. "I don't mind, Danny," she said softly, before giving him a sympathetic look. "You look exhausted."
"I am," Danny admitted. "Jazz, I'm beginning to think Amity citizens will never change their mind. They hate ghosts too much to see the good in them." ' In me ' was left unsaid, but did not need to be spoken to be heard.
"All you can do is keep trying to do your best. They'll come around eventually," Jazz promised with confidence. She knew the inner workings of people and knew they'd reach a point where they could not deny the goodness in her brother and ghosts alike. She just wished they'd recognize that goodness sooner rather than later.
Danny opened the tupperware only to be attacked by a rabid meatloaf. Danny yelped in pain as it latched onto his arm. Jazz whipped out a thermos and efficiently sucked the food up. "Even my food hates me!" Danny cried out in frustration.
"We could go to Nasties," Jazz suggested.
"Fine, you're paying. I gave the stupid rally all my money to pay for a megaphone." Seeing Jazz withholding a laugh he indignantly cried, "I didn't know!"
"Come on, my clueless brother, let's go," she said, grabbing her wallet.
Harry glared at the single line of sloppy handwriting as he clenched the paper tightly, a rip beginning to form down its center from the strain.
He had figured that his parents wouldn't respond to his first letter. When Hedwig had come back empty-taloned, he had assumed that they'd read it and just forgotten about it.
Jazz's response to his second letter was disappointing, but not surprising. It was filled with concern and worry for his safety, her agreement with Professor McGonagall, and refusal to get their parents on board. She asked more about the mysterious Sirius Black (as a P.S., which he hopefully imagined her writing at Danny's request just before tying the letter to Hedwig's outstretched leg) and, oddly enough, about squibs and their place in the world.
Thinking he'd give it one last shot, he had sent a third request, this time to Danny. Narrowing his eyes, Harry reread the cold response.
Why don't you ask your real family to sign it?
Crushing the note with a fist, Harry stormed out of the Great Hall. Feeling the cool moist air on his face, Harry trudged down the wet pathway, not caring where he went.
He should have known when he sent the letter that Danny would still be upset with him. In all honesty, Harry was still upset as well.
Hearing the light footsteps of Hermione and the clumsy scuffles of Ron behind him, a surge of guilt went through him. He had walked out on them without realizing it. Harry slowed his pace so that they could catch up.
"You alright, mate?" Ron asked, pausing to regain his balance on the muddy path.
Harry grit his teeth. "I'm fine."
Hermione gave him a scrutinizing look before gazing ahead. "Well, I for one, want to talk to Hagrid about his unit plan. After the lesson with Buckbeak, I'd hate to think what would happen if he brought in Norbert Junior next. I heard Malfoy's father is furious."
"Best lesson ever, if you ask me," Ron snickered.
"It's not funny, Ron! Someone could have gotten really hurt!"
"Think he'll bring a troll for his next lesson?" Ron asked excitedly, ignoring Hermione.
Hermione scoffed, but Harry felt a bit lighter. "If he does, we can take it," he grinned.
"Don't be ridiculous. We were all lucky to get out alive. And Hagrid knows better than to bring a dangerous creature like that to the grounds of the school." Ron glanced at her skeptically, but she didn't notice. She rubbed her arms as her breath condensed. "It's bad enough with the dementors around."
There went the makings of his good mood. Harry glared hatefully up at the gloomy sky, as if he could see the dark floating creatures that stirred fear inside.
Hermione's gaze went up to the sky as well. "Professor Sinistra is going to have class inside again," she lamented. "There's hardly been a clear night this year. How are we supposed to build our star charts if doom and gloom keeps bringing in bad weather?" Harry shrugged half-heartedly. He couldn't care less about star gazing being cancelled. Gazing at the night sky only brought sour memories of home.
"It was much different in France," Hermione continued conversationally. "The stars were brilliant atop Pic du Midi. In Paris, we even spotted Venus transiting the sun! Can you believe it? It only passes every hundred years!"
Harry glared ahead. "I'm aware," he replied darkly, startling Hermione out of her impromptu trip through her summer memories. She gave him a sympathetic look and opened her mouth to speak.
Harry knew she was going to ask about his time home and quickly blurted, "Look, you guys go to Hagrid's and see how he's doing. I forgot that I needed to talk to Professor Flitwick about something."
"Is it about the cheering charm he asked us to practice? I have some questions, too. I'll join you," Hermione started.
"Did I say Flitwick? I meant Lupin," Harry responded shakily. Before his friends could say anything else he added, "Well, gotta go! See you at lunch." He all but ran back inside.
Feeling the warmth return to his skin, Harry let out a breath of relief. In all honesty, Harry wasn't ready to tell his friends about what had happened over the summer. He was still angry and it was clear by Danny's response that his brother felt the same.
Harry gazed around the Entrance Hall before picking a random direction and walking in it. He had no intention of finding either of his professors.
Trudging down an empty hallway, Harry's hands still clenched the note. The subject of home was getting harder and harder to avoid with Ron and Hermione. At the start of the year, they had both been eager to discuss their travels with Harry, and once their excited retellings of their adventures had dwindled, concern over the murderer, Sirius Black, rose. Students and teachers alike openly gossiped about the man, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were no different. But as there had been no sightings or new information, conversations had become stale, and predictions redundant.
Harry winced inwardly. As their first Hogsmeade trip approached, Harry saw no other way to explain his lack of permission slip other than to admit his strain with his muggle family.
Holding in a groan, Harry turned into another empty hallway. He knew his friends wouldn't judge him, but Harry was still embarrassed by the whole thing. Through his panic, he had said some hurtful things to Danny. Things that had still not been reconciled.
Climbing a step, Harry paused. But Danny wouldn't listen , he thought with a frown. He still couldn't forgive him for asking him to throw away his magic. Didn't he realize it was a part of him?
"Have you smelt something rancid, boy, or is that your normal face?" a snobby voice called out. Harry jumped at the voice and looked around the empty hallway, narrowing his eyes when he spotted a pompous-looking fellow staring at him from a painting on the wall.
"Shove off!" Harry replied angrily.
The man put a hand on his chest, appalled. "Now really! The youth today!" he continued. "No respect for adults. Your parents should have taught you better."
At the mention of his parents, Harry lost it. "SHUT UP!" he shouted. He gripped his wand, ready to blast the snobby jerk to oblivion. What was with everyone getting on his parent's case?
"Harry?"
Harry spun around to see Professor Lupin walking down the hallway with a two foot stack of books in his arms. His head was slightly bent so that he could see past the massive pile.
"Professor," he greeted, turning slightly red at being caught in his outburst. He eyed the books in Lupin's hands.
"A bit wound up this morning?" he asked gently, before setting his curious gaze on the painting. "Or perhaps Sir Alastair is up to his usual antics?" He raised a brow at the nobleman, whose smug smirk slid from his face.
Harry glared back at the pretentious jerk, but stopped when he heard Lupin walking away. Catching up with the man, his eyes went back to the books in his hands. He wanted to ask the professor why he was carrying potion books, but didn't want to overstep his boundaries. He really liked his new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and didn't want to burn any bridges, especially this early in the year.
Lupin spotted Harry's furrowed brow and asked, "What's on your mind, Harry?"
Harry refrained from spouting his original question and instead asked,"Professor, why are you carrying the books instead of using magic?"
Lupin gave him a smile. "It is in struggling that one discovers true accomplishment." Harry looked at him confused. "Would you like to help?"
Harry shrugged and, when Lupin lowered his arms, picked up a handful of books from the top of the pile. "Sir, I'm not sure I understand."
"Well, sure I can cast a spell that will effortlessly carry these books for me, but don't you think there is sometimes more worth in doing something of your own power as opposed to relying on a spell to do it for you?"
"But isn't the spell my own power?" Harry didn't understand how lugging some heavy books up several flights of stairs could make someone feel good.
Lupin chuckled. "You have a point there, I suppose. But consider this. Is a fish who swims miles upstream to reach a pond better off than one who was born there?"
"I don't think so, they're both in the same place in the end, right?"
"True, however, one fish had learned how to fight and persevere for the things that he wanted, while the other hadn't. Which one do you think appreciates their home more?"
Harry began to see where his professor was headed. "The fish who struggled to get there."
"Precisely!" Lupin beamed. "A fish who's struggled to be where he is understands the pain it took to get there. He's learned endurance and how to fight for what he wants. When we struggle through the little things like carrying textbooks up a ridiculous amount of stairs, we learn to challenge ourselves so that when something difficult comes down the line, we are stronger and better prepared for it."
Harry smiled at his professor. "You sound like my sister," he commented.
"She must be a bright girl," Lupin replied as they finally reached his office. Stepping inside, Harry placed the textbooks on a desk with a loud thud. Panting, he caught his breath while looking around the room.
Spotting the familiar wardrobe across the office, Harry asked, "Is that why you taught us how to fight a boggart? So that when we see our fears in real life we are ready to face them?"
Lupin followed Harry's gaze to the wardrobe. "While I like the idea of my lessons having double meaning, I don't think shouting 'riddukulus' at a dementor will stop them from sucking your soul." Harry stiffened at the at the mention of his nightmares as Lupin continued, "But it could help to desentize your fear so that the actual experience is not as jarring."
"What are they, professor?" Harry asked quietly. "Where did they come from?"
Lupin gave Harry a scrutinizing look. He took in his sullen appearance and tight shoulders. "Perhaps this conversation should be discussed over a cup of tea." He offered Harry a seat and flourished his wand. A steaming teapot and a plate of cookies appeared on the desk.
Handing Harry a cup and pouring himself one, Lupin continued, "Dementors are creatures from the infinite realms."
"Infinite realms?" Harry asked, taking a bite from a cookie.
"A world parallel to ours," he explained. "A place where the dead go when they cannot find rest."
"Is that the ghost zone?"
Lupin was taken aback by the question. "Can't say I've heard it called that before," he commented.
"My parents could have given it that name," Harry suggested before stopping with a cringe. "Actually, they would've stuck the name 'Fenton' in there somewhere so probably not," he said, fumbling with his explanation. "It's what they use to describe where ghosts live."
Lupin nodded. "Then it sounds like we're talking about the same place," he concluded. "Dementors used to live there and made up the elite guard for the Ghost King, Pariah Dark. He was a tyrannical king whose goal, besides terrorizing his citizens, was to spread his kingdom far and wide. Originally, he had kept his sights within the 'Zone', as you call it, until it wasn't enough for the greedy ghost."
"He came here?" Harry asked in shock.
"Yes. He came here," Lupin answered. "His troops arrived in downtown London, using a unique portal that cannot be closed. A war ensued." Lupin paused to take a sip. "It was a war not between muggles, but between ghosts and wizards. The battle took many lives and souls alike."
"How did it end?" Harry asked quietly.
"Though the king wanted to subjugate mankind, a group of ghosts, called the ancients, had a plan of their own. Unknown to wizards, the ghosts hated their king and fought to overthrow him. Their mutiny resulted in a coup between the ancient ghosts and the royal army. With two front lines, Pariah struggled to maintain order which helped turn the war in the ghosts' and our favor. With the combined strength of the ancients, the ghosts managed to break through the troops and lock up their king in an eternal prison. The wizards, however, had no knowledge of this and were unaware of the sudden ceasefire until the ancients themselves came out of the portal seeking a truce. The ministry agreed under certain terms."
"What were the terms?"
"Well the ministry first demanded for the head of the king, but the ancients refused. The prison in which they had locked Pariah was sealed and could not be opened without risking him breaking out."
"That doesn't sound very secure," Harry interjected.
Lupin shrugged, smiling. "It's lasted for centuries now. So I'd say it's pretty sturdy," he commented before continuing his explanation. "The ministry's next demand was that ghosts could not use the portal located in London. The ancients agreed as long as humans did the same. The ministry figured out a way to move the portal to a secret location, while the ancients posted guards at the entrance for the ghosts, and made it so that any human who entered the portal could never return to the land of the living."
"The ministry also demanded the return of the lost souls during the war. This was something the ancients could not provide. Once a dementor sucks a soul it cannot be returned, so the ancients offered the services of the dementors as a compromise. The ministry begrudgingly agreed, but soon saw the benefits of the dementors' fear-inducing capabilities and quickly sent them to work in Azkaban. They have been working there ever since," Lupin concluded.
"And when Sirius Black escaped the prison, the dementors came here to Hogwarts," Harry stated sullenly. He shook his head. "I just wish they'd leave me alone."
"You know, when you went up against the boggart, I had originally thought that it would take the form of Lord Voldemort," Lupin mused.
Harry thought back to the lesson. "I thought about him... but then I remembered the night on the train…" he trailed off.
Lupin smiled. "Then your greatest fear is not the dementor, but fear itself. That's very wise, Harry."
Harry didn't feel very wise at the moment. "Why do they affect me more than others?" he asked bitterly.
Lupin sighed as he met Harry's dejected gaze. "Harry, you've had to deal with more than most of the students your age have."
"But they only feel unhappy when a dementor is around. When they are near me, I can feel and hear things, and it's slowly eating away at my sanity!" Harry blurted, hating how vulnerable he felt but needing to tell someone. His voice cracked when he continued. "It always starts the same. M-My brother and I got into an argument the night I left home, and when those dementors are around, I hear some sort of messed up version of it." He hugged his arms, recalling Danny's angry voice when he asked him to give up magic. "But then it changes and gets so much worse." His mother's screams resounded in his mind. "I-I hear my mum, my real mum, on the n-night she d-died."
"Merlins' beard! You hear Lily's voice?" Lupin asked in shock.
Harry could only nod in response.
Lupin sat quietly and took in what he had heard from his student. When he spoke again, he looked at Harry with a calm gaze. "A dementor hates happy thoughts, hence why they try to dispel them. They thrive in environments like prisons because in a cold cell there is hardly any happiness to begin with. Without happiness, the dementors will feed off of fear and despair which in turn prevents happiness from forming again." Harry didn't know where his professor was going with this. If he was trying to make him feel better, he was going at it the wrong way. Lupin answered his quizzical look with a smile. "The best defense one can have against a being of that much despair is by shoving as much happiness at it so that it can't be dispelled."
"How do you do that?" Harry asked.
"There's a spell for it. One of which I can teach you, however, it only works effectively after one has embraced their fear."
Harry felt his defenses go up.
Seeing this, Lupin gave him a critical look. "Harry, you're not going to be able to defend yourself unless you acknowledge your fears and learn to fight through them. Let's start at the beginning. I take it you didn't leave the U.S. on good terms?" he questioned.
Harry slumped and shook his head sadly. "No. Like I said, my little brother and I got into an argument." Seeing Lupin's curious look, he continued, "He basically asked me to throw away my magic. How can he ask that of me?!"
Lupin furrowed his brow. "This was the night you blew your uncle up, correct?"
Harry looked at his professor with both shock and exasperation that he knew of his incident over the summer. "Yeah," he stammered. Part of him wanted to deny that that awful man was his uncle, but since his parents insisted they call him that, he didn't feel the tangent was worth it.
"And your brother followed you after you ran away from home?"
Harry nodded and Lupin gave him a sad look. "He probably thought he was never going to see you again, Harry. He probably thought that he was losing the only brother he had because of something he doesn't quite understand. Of course he'd ask you to give it up."
"But magic is a part of me. A part of us! If the ministry had taken my magic away, what would have been left would only be a shell of who I am," Harry stated, picking at the crumbs his cookie left behind.
Lupin's gaze softened. "Your brother probably didn't realize what he's asking of you." Then, giving Harry a pointed look he added, "And really, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Look at Hagrid, for instance. He's thriving without magic."
Harry snorted. He wouldn't use 'thriving' as a word to describe Hagrid right now. Looking back at his professor, he said, "Magic is my only connection to my biological parents. I will never get rid of it." He stubbornly crossed his arms.
Lupin shrugged. "I'm not saying you should. I'm just saying to take a different perspective, and try to see it from your brother's point of view."
Harry frowned at his professor, but decided to give it a shot. He thought back to the night he left. He remembered Danny's fiery gaze as he defended himself. Looking closer, Harry noticed the fear behind his anger that he had refused to acknowledge before. Hearing the harsh words Danny used, he heard the hurt intertwined in the spite. Harry had been too angry to see it before, but Danny had acted out of not only loneliness, but also love.
Opening his eyes, Harry said, "I think I get it. Or, at least, I understand where Danny is coming from, but I still don't agree with what he was asking of me."
"It's okay to disagree with someone. That's part of any close relationship," Lupin replied with a smile. "That doesn't mean we can't still love them."
Of course Harry still loved Danny. Despite their fight, Harry still felt concern for his brother whenever he thought about the mysterious injuries and the blatant lies Danny told him or his parents when asked about it. He thought back to the hurtful words Harry spoke to Danny. How could Danny ever see him the same way after that? Harry hesitated. "We were both pretty upset, and I said some things I'm not proud of," he admitted sadly.
"Sound's like you both have some things to apologize for," Lupin stated.
Harry merely nodded. "Thanks for the advice, professor." A thought formed and Harry added, "If Danny and I make up, will the dementors stop affecting me like they do?"
"I'd say it'd help alleviate the effects," Lupin began before hesitating, "but arguments like that tend to leave a bad taste that could last years after. It wouldn't surprise me if the dementors use that against you in the future." He gave Harry a critical look. "And I would caution you to not use that against your brother in the future either. Only bad things will come from it."
Harry nodded. Satisfied, Lupin sat back and sipped from his cup.
"Sir, does this mean I am ready to learn the anti-dementor spell?"
Lupin laughed. "It's called a Patronus Charm. And unfortunately, there are still a lot of things to discuss before you are ready." Seeing Harry's weary face, he softened his gaze. "Perhaps we should save this conversation for another time."
Harry nodded, a bit relieved himself. "Thank you, sir."
[1]Memory Charm definition was taking from wiki/Memory_Charm
A/N - I hope you liked the chapter! Things are pretty hectic with the holiday season coming up, so I'm hoping to get one more update before winter break.
As always, thank you for your support and comments! 3
