The Revolutionary
Chapter 1: A Man Takes Action
"Through action, a Man becomes a Hero
Through death, a Hero becomes a Legend
Through time, a Legend becomes a Myth
and by learning from the myth a man takes action."
A man appeared in the corner of the street with a silent 'pop'. He was a tall, thin, and, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, very old man. He was wearing a pointy hat, long, vibrant, purple robes, high-heeled, buckled boots, and a purple cloak that swept the ground as he walked down the street. His blue eyes, that one would think to dull with age, were light, bright, and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles. This man was Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Spotting a tabby cat at the other end of the street staring at him, he couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
Taking a silver cigarette lighter out of his cloak, he flicked it open and held it in the air. As he clicked it on, the light of the lamp post seemed to be sucked into the lighter. He continued to do this twelve more times until the only lights in the streets were the glowing eyes of the cat. Putting the lighter back in his cloak, he strode down the street towards number four Privet Drive. Stopping next to the silver tabby cat, he spoke.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Professor McGonagall."
He turned to smile at the tabby cat only to be met with a stern gaze of a plain-looking woman wearing square glasses that sat upon her nose. She was also wearing a cloak, but hers was an emerald one. She was Professor Minerva McGonagall.
"Good evening Albus. Are the rumours true?"
"I'm afraid that they are, Minerva."
Nodding her head solemnly, she turned to meet Dumbledore's gaze. She was anxious, as this was the discussion for which she had been waiting for the whole day. Whether Harry Potter would live with his muggle relatives.
'Sitting stiffly on that brick wall had better be worth it,' she thought as she fixed him with a piercing stare that could've made a hole in his head.
"I don't suppose you're going to tell me why you're here of all places?" She asked stiffly.
"I'm here to deliver Harry to his aunt and uncle," he said, leading her toward the house.
Slightly tripping over her own feet in astonishment, she turned to Albus with shock and a bit of anger rising to her face.
"You don't mean- you can't be serious, Albus! I have watched these muggles all day and believe me, they are dreadful people. They are the worst examples of human beings!"
Now hearing her being outraged was punishment enough, but hearing her say that they were the worst examples of human beings, not muggles? That sent off warning bells in Dumbledore's head. It was too late to do anything now however; so he was left with no choice. The blood wards would ensure Harry's protection, and, though it pained him greatly, unhappiness was better than death.
Reasserting his decision, he responded firmly. "It's the best place for him. His aunt and uncle will explain everything when he is older. I wrote them a letter."
Staring at the headmaster as if he had grown a second head, McGonagall almost fainted from the sheer stupidity of it. "A letter?! Do you honestly believe a letter will secure his future? They won't understand- no they will never understand him. He'll be famous, Albus, he'll be a legend. People will write books about Harry Potter. Every wizard, every magical in the world, will know his name."
"Harry does not need fame, he needs a normal life. A life where the burdens of the world, and the duty that comes with it, are not on his shoulders. Ah,here is Hagrid!" Dumbledore said, looking over her head.
A low rumbling sound resounded in the air, both looking up, the sound got louder and louder until the roar of an engine filled the atmosphere. Flying through the air was a huge motorcycle that landed, surprisingly with a light squeak. Even more surprising was the giant riding it. In his enormous arms was a bundle of blankets.
"Ah Hagrid, good to see that you're here," said Dumbledore, sounding both pleased and relieved to see the giant, but the flying motorcycle piqued his interest. "Where did you get the motorcycle?"
"Borrowed it from young Sirius Black. He was in hysterics and hurried away from the house. Said he had a rat to find," replied Hagrid, his eyes switching from the Headmaster to the bundle of blankets.
Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall furrowed their eyes in suspicion. Putting it at the back of his mind, he continued.
"I trust that there were no problems?"
"No sir, the 'ouse was almost destroyed, but I got 'im out all right, crying and all, before the muggles started swarmin' the place. 'e fell asleep as we was flyin' over Bristol."
Hagrid's eyes were completely on the bundle of blankets now. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall bent forward over the bundle of blankets. Wrapped inside was a baby boy, fast asleep. Under a tuft of jet-black hair on his forehead they could see a scar shaped like a lightning bolt.
"Is that where -?" gasped Professor McGonagall.
"Yes," said Dumbledore. "He'll have that scar forever."
Dumbledore took Harry in his arms and turned toward the Dursleys' house.
"Could I- could I say good-bye to 'im, sir?" asked Hagrid. He bent his great, shaggy head over Harry and gave him what must have been a very itchy kiss. Then, suddenly, Hagrid let out a howl and tears streamed down his face and into his shaggy beard.
"Shhh," hissed Professor McGonagall. "Or you'll wake the muggles."
"Sorry," sniffed the big friendly giant. "I-I just c-c-can't help it. Lily an' James are dead an' poor 'arry is left ter' live with—" sobbed Hagrid as he took out a blue handkerchief to wipe away the tears and blow his nose.
"I know Hagrid, but get a grip on yourself or we'll be found, " Professor McGonagall whispered, patting Hagrid gingerly on the arm as Dumbledore stepped over the low garden wall and walked to the front door. He laid Harry gently on the doorstep, took a letter out of his cloak, and was about to tuck the letter in the bundle when the lights in the street flickered.
"That's not possible." Stiffening he turned around to see the streetlights were lit again, bright for a moment before flickering out. Out from the shadows, a man strode towards them. His footfalls made no noise and the darkness wrapped around him like a cloak. If the image of Death were to be conjured in reality, this would be it.
Dumbledore's wand lit up, the light banishing the dark from the four now five of them as he came closer.
"Albus…" said the man. He was tall, a grey tattered cloak covering his form, and a hood shadowing his face.
Professor McGonagall immediately pulled out her wand and Hagrid was about to grab the stranger when Dumbledore raised his other hand in a placating manner.
"And how have you been, old friend?" Dumbledore beamed at the stranger. The cloaked man brought his hood down, letting free his spiky blonde hair. When he looked at them, he had remarkable blue eyes that glinted with mischief. The most interesting feature was the whisker marks on his face. He had the appearance of a young man in their 20s. He wore a well-worn red scarf, a black uniform jacket with orange pants and black boots. His attire was different from a wizard, and different from a muggle, too.
"Busy, just busy," sighed the stranger, taking a step towards the baby before he found a wand pointed at his face. "Ah, not much for pleasantries, are ya?"
"You'll have to forgive my rudeness then, but I do not take kindly to strangers," McGonagall whispered, a scarlet spell on the edge of her wand while the man tilted his head at her. "Especially ones who are not forthcoming with who they are."
"Minerva, please, he is a trusted friend." Dumbledore said.
"Albus, a trusted friend is why young Harry has no parents!" McGonagall's brows knitted and her lips thinned. The man raised his hands in surrender.
The man's eyes flitted to the baby for a second before meeting McGonagall's glare. "Then perhaps, I should introduce myself. My name is Uzumaki Naruto, or, in your culture, Naruto Uzumaki. I have many titles to my name. Most, you would not know, some you may recognise, and one you will understand. I am a Sage Beyond Worlds."
McGonagall's eyes widened at his proclamation and her wand lowered for a scant second. That was all it took before she found that she no longer held it.
"Hmm, you're using wands a lot more now to focus your energy." Naruto held the stick in his hands before his eyes glowed, and unravelled it. The wood split itself cleanly in half, and what looked to be an almost rubbery piece of an artery floated in the air as he examined it.
"What have you done!?" she whispered, looking at the man in terror.
"Satisfying a curiosity. 9 and 1/2 inches, fir wood, dragon heartstring, bit of wear and tear, but that shouldn't be a problem to fix." Naruto's blue eyes glowed, morphing to purple for a brief second, as the wand reassembled itself and flashed before he presented it to her. "Here."
McGonagall tried her best to calm her nerves, yet her hand shook for a moment as she reclaimed it. It was as if a surge of electricity shot through her body, renewing her aching bones. Not only was the life in her wand rejuvenated, but she herself felt younger and full of life.
"Apologies but I hope this will gain your trust. I merely restored the wand to its prime condition, though I may have gotten carried away. It's been a while since I've used that technique." The man sounded apologetic as he inclined his head.
"My, I've only bare witness to that once before. To see it again in my lifetime is truly a privilege." Dumbledore whispered, his eyes twinkling in astonishment.
"A Sage Beyond Worlds? But yer a myth, a legend!?" Hagrid stumbled, seeing such a person before him.
"I'm as real as can be." Naruto chuckled.
"Onto business, why are you here?" Dumbledore asked.
"I've come to take Harry," Naruto responded, while both McGonagall and Hagrid got out of their stupor.
"But why?!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed as subtlety went out the window. "What could you possibly want with him?"
"As much as I hate to use these words, this kid's got a destiny placed upon him.I'm here to ensure he fulfils that so that he may get what we all deeply desire." Naruto picked up the bundle in his arms, staring at the fragile life in his hands that reminded himself of his own children.
"And what would that be, old friend?"
"To live."
Dumbledore nodded. "His mother's protection rests here. He would be safe here, hidden in plain sight."
"Yes, but his blood relative has not accepted him as one of her own. There is no protection in place for him yet. That is why I will be his guardian, and he shall be my ward."
"What compels you to take action, Naruto? Why come now?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Call it what you want; prophecy, destiny, or fate, but I don't like seeing a kid suffer if I can help. So I will help, and ensure that your world does not die a slow death because of its own prejudice. My actions are limited, but this much I can do until the time is right." Naruto nodded to them.
"B-but Albus," said the astonished Professor.
"I trust Naruto with my life, Minevra," Dumbledore said . "That is why Harry is in good hands now."
"Don't worry, Albus, I'll teach Harry everything I know," Naruto said, holding Harry close to his chest.
"And that's why I'm worried," Dumbledore sighed, his face truly showing his age. "Will I see you again?"
"You will. Now I have to go. Oh! And, before I forget, you should make sure a certain dog doesn't bite off more than he can chew." With that, Naruto and Harry disappeared in a yellow flash.
Dumbledore watched the space where they occupied for a moment more, releasing a breath as his shoulders sagged. "Hagrid, please go after Sirius before something terrible happens with him."
Hagrid nodded for a moment before bringing the two professors into a quick hug, being careful not to crush them with his strength.
"I'll be seeing you soon, Professors." Hagrid whispered, hopping upon the motorcycle and taking off into the skies.
Dumbledore and Minerva exchanged a look to one another before she disappeared with a 'pop.' The streetlights returned to illuminate the neighbourhood.
The door to number four Privet Drive opened and an irate women in curls stepped out, a scowl on her face before her eyes widened at the old wizard.
"You!"
"Good morning, Petunia." Dumbledore greeted, very much aware of the venomous glare directed at him.
"What are you doing here? Has my sister sent you to gloat about her son? I already received her letter, and do you even know what time it is?"
"Petunia." Dumbledore raised a hand to stop her growing tirade and the moment had come. No, a letter would not do at all. "May I come in?"
"No, speak your piece and leave."
"Very well."
As Dumbledore explained the events that had unfolded that night, and the news of what had become of her sister and her family, he watched the myriad of emotions wash over her from anger to shock and then ultimately grief until she collapsed to her knees.
Petunia wept.
Hermione Jean Granger was a smart albeit very lonely girl. That was, until one very normal day, she received a letter from Hogwarts claiming that she was a witch and had been accepted into the prestigious magical school. In that moment she was elated. She was going to have friends but that hope shattered as she began to think.
'What if they don't like me?'
She buried that particular thought in the back of her mind. Her parents were quite astonished, and it had taken much begging and pleading on her part to convince them.
'You always told me to be curious about the world! And there's a brand new world waiting for me!' She had thrown their own words back at them, and now she was with them on a shopping trip for her school supplies with the helpful aid of her new transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall.
Hermione tried to absorb everything around her, particularly when they went to Flourish and Blotts. She first walked into the bookstore, and it was quite unlike any other she had ever been to. It was much bigger on the inside than it was on the outside, with towering bookcases and, best of all, books! It was all ordered and structured when she swept down the aisles, but the absolute number of books made everything look out of place and chaotic at a glance. The assistant, however, had no trouble selecting the required books.
Hermione was…enthusiastic, yes, enthusiastic as her thirst for knowledge easily showed on her face, her eyes greedily drinking in the sight of all these books. She had grabbed all the necessary books, and then some, "For light reading," she assured the Professor. McGonagall however expected this and gave a stern nod to the young girl telling her not to get carried away. There was just the final book on her list, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, left. Turning into the Care of Magical Creatures section her eyes squinted for the book, trying to find the title amongst the sea of bound tomes and printed works.
She huffed in frustration for a moment before she found it in front of her, though slightly out of reach. She stretched her hand out, her fingers grasping the corners, and it seemed the last book would be within her hands when another grabbed it from the shelf.
She jumped, seeing someone so close to her, and stumbled back, feeling gravity take hold of her. She closed her eyes, prepared for the pain.
An arm wrapped around her back, stopping her fall and she cracked her eyes open. She was met with an intense shade of green eyes. They were almond-shaped, up close, and he had a thin nose. He smelt like ink. She watched his brows furrow at her.
"I can do this all day but do you want to stand up?" The boy asked.
She squeaked, removing herself from him.
Hermione turned to see the boy was about her age, with messy jet black hair. He stood a head taller than her, sharply dressed in a smart casual outfit with a blue overcoat, white shirt and tan chinos. The outfit hid his figure well but she could tell that he was strong. She wasn't exactly light or heavy but she didn't know any other kid who could support the weight of another like that.
She continued to stare into his eyes before she caught herself and took the book from him. She tried to smooth the mane that was her bushy brown hair.
He chuckled and was staring, amused, at a book in his other hand and she couldn't help but find herself curious. He held in his hand a book titled 'Harry Potter and the Necromancer's Army'.
"Is that a Harry Potter book?" she enquired.
"Yupp." Was his reply, popping the 'p'. He sighed tiredly before putting the book back where it was. "Are you going to Hogwarts as well?"
"Oh yes, I'm very excited and nervous, it's my first year." Hermione shifted nervously in her spot, moving from foot to foot.
A curious hum came from him as the boy looked at her squirming before him. "Don't worry, you're not the only one scared."
"Who said anything about being scared?" Her pride asserted itself before she could reign it in.
"Well, then it's lucky that you are brave." He seemed more amused by this conversation and heat rushed to her cheeks.
"Thank you for getting the book for me." She squeaked out. For Hermione, it was a lot more difficult to hold this conversation. As she looked for anything to change the subject, she spied the books tucked between his arms.
"Is that part of the curriculum?" She pointed to his books.
"Ah…no, but they are much better than some of the books on the list. Take this one for example, 'The Adept's Guide to Potions' by Joseph Boyle, it's much more updated and has all additional necessary information that the other book doesn't have. And this one Offense and Defence…"
He was rambling, directing her to other books in the store, dragging her up and down aisles. It was quite a surreal experience as she was usually the one who did this, dragging her parents. He stopped abruptly and turned to her, an awkward smile on him as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Ah, sorry about that, I was rambling." He finished awkwardly.
"I believe getting copies of these books will go a long way but that's my opinion. Right now, my guardian is probably worried about me."
"Why would I be worried about you?" They both turned to see a tall blonde man with blue eyes wearing casual attire, black jacket, blue jeans, and white trainers. "Didn't you say that you were a grown-up?"
Hermione noticed that he winced at those words. The boy returned to his calm demeanour before sighing dramatically. "Sorry, that's my guardian right there."
"Damn right, and as your guardian, I'm also here to remind you that you're late to a little something. Something you organised." The blonde said pointedly.
The boy groaned, slapping his forehead, turning to Hermione, "Sorry, I gotta go. I hope you got all your books."
"You got everything?" The blonde asked and the boy nodded. "Good, now go pay for it like the adult you are."
The boy grumbled before the man tossed him a pouch full of coins. He turned to her and smiled, "Hey, thanks for keeping my little brother company, appreciate that. He's a good kid, he just needs to be around people his age so if you spot him at school, look out for him, yeah?"
"I will, he seems…nice and energetic. I think he was happy to show me all the things he was interested in and I didn't mind it at all. It was…nice." A rush of warmth flooded her as she said this, as if all her dread and anxiety seeped out of her.
"I think he likes you too, maybe you two will be good friends. I certainly think so." The blonde chuckled.
"Hey, big bro, I bought the books and we gotta go!" The boy came back, tugging at his brother's jacket. "Sorry that we gotta rush, it was cool meeting someone who's into books as much as me."
The duo left with a wave.
She waved goodbye to her new friend, and her parents came over to see a big smile on her face.
"Did anything happen, sweetie?" Mrs Granger asked her daughter.
"Nothing mum, I think I just made a friend." Both parents were puzzled, but smiled at their daughter's happiness.
And so September First rolled around and she felt sceptical when the ticket for Hogwarts Express said that it was on platform 9 ¾ on King's Cross station. Hermione and her parents saw how the other kids and their parents made their way towards a wall and disappeared. She looked around to find the other people were looking anywhere but the wall. She wondered how it was possible that only she and her parents could see it but not the general public. That was something she had to shelve for later as she pressed on through the wall. Her eyes widened at the sight of the scarlet steam engine before rushing along and bidding her goodbyes to her parents. They gave her enormous hugs, a few tears shed by her mother and her father hugged her extra tight.
"It seems like yesterday that I was tying your shoelaces before your first day at primary school and now, you're off into something so grand." Her father's bright brown eyes shone with unbidden tears. She definitely inherited her father's eyes.
"We're so proud of you, Hermione." Her mother wrapped her in a hug. "And don't worry about the braces, okay, you'll get them when you come back."
"Mum!" she said, trying to hide her front teeth though she was peppered with kisses from her mother.
Hermione wiped her tears away as she hugged them again, because one could never have too many hugs, before departing. She pulled her trunk along onto the train and opened the compartment door at the front, to find that it was occupied with older students. One of them sneered at her before another spoke up.
"What are you doing here firstie?" An older boy said to her.
"I was looking for a compartment," She said.
"What's your name?" An older girl said. She had long blonde curly and a genial smile, though its meaning changed when she turned to the rude boy, who sneered before he turned away.
"Hermione Granger." She smiled brightly at her.
"I'm Penelope Clearwater and don't mind him, okay." She nodded and a red-headed boy came up to her.
"Down the corridor, there should be a few empty compartments and I hope you end up in my house." He gestured to the scarlet and gold logo on his chest. "Gryffindor."
"Yes, run along, little mudblood." Everyone in the compartment looked at the rude boy in shock, even the girl next to him stared at him with widened eyes.
Hermione didn't know what that word meant. Yet the way everyone reacted, the Gryffindor teen's fists clenching and Penelope's eyes narrowing, told her all she needed to know. It wasn't a good word.
"Michael!" The girl next to him appeared to look scandalised.
"What? The train hasn't left and I don't have to perform my duties as a prefect until we reach Hogwarts. Besides, we're getting more and more of them each year, our society's not going to remain pure for long if this keeps up." Michael said, unmindful of the glares that he received.
Penelope cleared her throat. "Hermione, was it? Would you excuse us?"
Hermione left and moved along, hearing angry shouts from the prefects' compartment before it was silenced.
Hermione, in her heart, knew that the penny had dropped when it came to this new and amazing world. But there were kind people that would defend her and she believed that was enough. Well...she hoped it would be enough.
Soon, she made her way down the train corridor and into an empty compartment, stowing her trunk overhead and siting down, sighing. It had been a busy morning and she wondered how much more she could take.
'No. I have to be strong, I have to do my best.' Hermione encouraged herself. But there were doubts that crept into her mind and she couldn't shake them. What if it was like before? What if she was known as the know-at-all? What if she was going to be all alone?
There was a sharp stab of fear, that those questions could become her reality in this new and wonderful world she was introduced to. She feared that she would face the same scrutiny as before. The looks of jealousy, envy, and scorn.
She was broken out of her musings when she heard a knock on the door. There by the doorway was a short, chubby, brown-haired boy who seemed to be on the verge of tears. His face had a pudginess to it, likely from being well-fed and looked after. His outfit, somewhat askew, was of refined quality even though there weren't any labels to it and she knew that he was just a few inches taller than her.
"I-I lost my pet toad, his name is Trevor, have you seen him?" His ears were pink and he looked down at the ground. She pitied the poor boy and helped him look for the toad. Maybe then, this would be another step where she could be accepted.
After half an hour of fruitless searching, where she met a somewhat rude red-headed boy and an obnoxious blonde, she made her way back to her compartment with a sullen Neville.
Hermione opened the door to see a girl reading a book where she was sitting, glancing up at her. The first thing she noted was the coppery red hair, button nose, and bright blue eyes that stared at her curiously. She wore a black shirt with a white collar and cuffs, a modest plaid skirt that went to her knees, and black shoes. It was the person opposite the girl that was very familiar.
It was the same boy from the bookstore, though his interest was currently focused on the magazine in his hands, which she noted on the front was called 'The Quibbler'. A snowy white owl was perched on his shoulder. It gazed at the contents before giving a small 'hoot' and the boy turned the page. A toad was seated beside him enjoying some treats.
"Trevor!" Neville shouted, a wide smile on his face, bringing the toad to his chest. He blushed when the girl smiled at him and his eyes widened seeing her.
The boy turned to them, a brilliant smile on his face as his eyes lit up in recognition. "Hey, you're the girl from the bookstore. 'Fantastic Beasts'?
"Yes, that's me. It's good to see you again!" Hermione meant that too, having a familiar face on the train made it less scary and having someone else was nice.
"It's good to see you too…" The boy paused, his face scrunched up, before he pointed at her. "I forgot to ask for your name."
"It's Hermione, Hermione Granger."
"Nice to meet you, Hermione Hermione Granger." A devilish smile was on the boy's face as he said that.
"Ha-ha, very funny," It didn't stop the smile that stretched from ear to ear.
"Well, Hermione, it's great to see you again. And you must be Trevor's owner, I found him on my way to this compartment." He said, all the while with a slight grin on his face, and stuck his hand out.
"Neville, uh, Neville Longbottom, nice to meet you too." The boy whispered before he turned to the other girl in the compartment. "And I'm happy to see you too Susan."
"Do you two know each other?" Hermione asked.
The girl set her book aside, sticking her hand out for Hermione to shake. "Susan Bones, me and Neville go a long way back. I used to stay at his gran's manor with him during the summers, and he stayed at my aunt's over the winters."
"Now that we're done with the intro-ow." The snowy owl on his shoulder nipped his ear and glared angrily at the boy. "Oh right, sorry this is Hedwig. Don't mind her - she's always grumpy in the morning." She turned away with a huff and an indignant hoot, which all the occupants found funny.
"She's beautiful." Hermione whispered, staring at the beautiful owl, who preened at the praise.
"Don't encourage her, she's only going to get a bigger head." Hedwig only hooted angrily in response while everyone laughed. She hooted once more to the boy. "What do you mean, I don't have manners? I just forgot to introduce myself."
He turned to everyone and saluted. "Hi, I'm Harry, Harry Potter."
Everybody's jaw dropped.
Harry tilted his head for a second and chuckled, "Oh right, I'm not supposed to tell you that."
"What!?" Everyone yelled.
Hedwig laughed.
I'd like to give a special thanks to Sunshowersy for encouraging me throughout this work, this first chapter goes out to you! To my betas, Tenebris, Bats, and one other, I give your flowers and roses for your dedication and hard work!