Eleventh chapter BABY!
I felt...to be among the ones who lost the stars - RAP
The Headmaster's Office
"So, how is he?" Dumbledore asked a portrait.
"Intelect and Will, I see plenty in him" another portrait answered without prompt. Dumbledore's eyebrow rose not at the answer but at it's origin.
"I didn't think you would have such high praise for him, Alger."
The portrait of Headmaster Storn stirred for a bit before he answered "He is an interesting one. You must keep a close eye on him. I see him making quite the trouble in the future."
"Trouble?" Dumbledore questioned.
"From what I saw of him and based on my experience, I think he is a very meticulous fellow. Not only did he study himself and you which I am sure you are aware of but also us. All of us."
"You heard the boy, he has a gift." another portrait of a white haired man interjected.
"Yes, I heard about his gift but the book isn't a child's play. 1400 pages long last time I heard; detailing all of our records and accomplishments. Even with his gift, I am not sure it was a nice and easy read. He wanted to learn about us, know us which shows me just how much he is willing to prepare for his future. He will not be an easy student. Albus you must take care."
"My thoughts exactly, his gift with knowledge make him one of the; if not the greatest student this school shall ever see. His Gift is too perfect as a wizard; almost as if someone handpicked it for him." Dumbledore stated.
"We understood the moment you lied to him" a rough voice interjected and Dumbledore turned to look at Phineas Nigellus Black's portrait." In all my time here and alive, I have never seen or heard a Gift like his. You wouldn't dare not share such a interesting news with us."
"Ah..as sharp as ever, Phineas. Yes I lied but as his teacher, I believe knowing his potential; he must not become overconfident."
"You lying to a student is not a good omen; considering the last student you lied to." Black reprimanded. Dumbledore's eye twitched and the room was stunned silent.
"His condition is very severe, he didn't tell you but I am sure he almost passed out on the stairs. We could see his face pale before it happened."
"The stone should help and Nicholas has a few ideas.." Dumbledore stated.
"Ideas...huh" Storn intoned.
"There is another thing, I am not sure if I am overthinking?" a meek voice sounding almost as if from the end of a long hallway broke the silence.
"Hammond, is that you?", Storn questioned looking at a particular portrait. Dumbledore's eyebrows rose even higher if possible hearing the voice. As with all magic, enchantments especially something as complicated as a Live Portrait failed as time passes. No amount of maintainace could avoid such a fate for the portrait and they too like their portrayed selves stop moving and eventually become an ordinary portrait.
This one had been one such case, for a week the enchantments showed signs of stopping and yet as of now, the portrait self, Headmaster Liones Hammond now moved about albeit slowly.
"How is this possible?" Phineas asked astonished.
"I am as of yet unsure, a few minutes ago I found myself awakening as if I had just taken a nap."
"A few minutes ago..." Storn reminised.
[Your story has gained significant attention]
[Story rating : F+]
"So what happened?" came the first question from Hermione who seemed to have a spring in her back when I entered Gryffindor's common room. I had to meet both Filch (I have the Headmaster's permission, would you like to go talk to him?) and of all the teachers; Flitwick (who without listening to any reasons just patted my hand and went on his jolly way) before finally making my way to common room.
I always seemed to forget I was a eleven year old right now, I was tired and more than a little hungry now. The whole day had been a whole thing and with my story being "read" right now (which I still don't understand like what are the standards for quality; romance, adventure, Sci-Fi, horror, Cthulhu...I mean. Whew...)
I took a deep breath before taking her hand and making her sit opposite me in the plush orange sofa and made myself comfortable before answering. The common room was surprisingly empty.
"The Headmaster and I had a long talk about my future in the school considering my...condition.", I said while heating up my hand in the cozy warm fire place.
"What happened?"
Sigh
"As you already know, I have a magical condition as of yet unknown which makes me incapable of doing magic." I waved my hand mimicking the old magicians' Abra-ca-dabra. "This fact is being well publicized around but there is another thing that I haven't told you guys or anyone actually...well except Dumbledore just now."
"And what is that?"
"I have no memories."
The expected gasp of surprise didn't happen so I looked at Hermione closely to find her looking more confused than astonished.
'Welp there goes my plan of earning a surprise reaction from one of the main casts...'
"I mean; I can't remember anything before meeting Harry on the London Railway Platform. No Parents. No Distant relatives. No Strangers. No Home" the last one came out involuntarily.
"Of all of this strange and magical place" I gestured my hands at everything around me, "The last thing I remember was a bright light and then I woke up on the seat in Kings Cross Station in London right in front of Harry. All basic memories or instincts are in place; for example I know this is a shirt or that how to fold a shirt but for the life of me I can't remember from whom or when I got it."
"I know about the other peopl...muggles trend, their science and knowledge behind it all but I don't remember anything about a school or a nursery, at least not before..." I looked at Hermione whose face had grown showed her curiosity.
'The greatest threat to an intellect is an question that they cannot fathom...'
I smirked to myself before continuing "It's almost as if I have no existence before the start of this school. A mysterious boy with unknown origins right at the time when the only magical school in England takes on the young and undoubtedly the most famous pupil of them all: Harry Potter."
I felt shocked as the words tumbled out of mouth. Uncontrolably I stood up and started pacing while thinking; so this was what Dumbledore had guessed at perhaps. It was too coincidental for me to just appear not ten steps away from Harry and even more so with all my "memories" erased. I could be a spy from Voldemort who Dumbledore suspects/knows to be alive.
'Does he trust me?. I don't think he does; not stopping Riddle has been one of his regrets and maybe just maybe he sees the same thing in me..or am I just blowing air.'
In all my time here, I had never considered this part ; this perspective of Harry's guardian; no, as the Order of the Phoenix's creator. This perspective could help me in increasing my story's rating. Any reputable reader loves a good plot twist.
"Am I his enemy or a coincidence?", I said while watching the magical flames of the fireplace.
[Your story has gained a Plot point. Your 'Status' is being shrowded in mystery. Rating is being increased!]
[Story rating : E-]
[Your 'W***' has increased]
[The Na&* is paying attention to you]
[You have gained a 'Story' reward...Cannot gain until story characters are present.]
[Immersion : 8 %]
My thoughts ground to a halt as I turned to the only audience to my ramblings. Hermione's eyes had widened. She was looking at me with surprise.
My rating which has just increased had just given me something but I had to be alone. I couldn't understand what sort of a 'reward' it could be.
I looked aside to see the familiar comments which were suspiciously absent and mentally slapped myself; I had 'toggled' off the comment section since they don't really help but now that I think about it, they might be the best thing I got for my current situation.
They too were 'Readers' and since they were with me since the start better understood my story and how to improve it.
[A*g : Mysterious wand, huh? Wonder why it doesn't have a core…]
[J*Z : I hate SNAPE!]
[E*m : No wonder there are so many inaccuracies in your background.]
[k*o : I am enjoying it!]
[A*r : Interesting. Looking forward to what you do next...]
[J * : ...]
'These guys are useless and what's with all this random comments. Speak on point dammit'
"What are you talking about?" I shook my head at her question clearing my thoughts and once again took my seat.
"Just ramblings of a guy with no history"
For some time none of us spoke. The crackling of the fire, the only sound in the room. My mind wandered to the reward once again and began to stand up.
"Must feel lonely having no place to call home" Hermione stated after a while looking sadly at me.
I looked at her shocked mid-way to getting up but then smiled thinking of a quote "Yeah, it is but I feel like Hog..."
"What are you guys doing?" came a voice which in the silence felt like a gunshot.
I looked up to see Ron looking down on us, donning a frown which seemed to be perpetual nowadays.
"We were just talking about Dastaan's schedule changes" Hermione answered succinctly. The sharpness in her sentence didn't escape my notice but it did Ron's.
"Oh...haaa...are you okay?" Ron yawned while asking me.
"Not fine but I am meeting someone on the weekend to look...haaa..at me." I answered after stifling a yawn. The night was getting late and I was no longer the all-nighter-man I once was. I stood up once Ron left and smiled at Hermione.
"That was the other thing. Dumbledore's taking me to meet someone. An old friend of his, seems to think he could help me with well...my magic."
"You are going with Dumbledore.."
"On the weekend" Hermione nodded at me understanding that I (and her too) had to get some sleep before we could talk further about this.
As I entered the boys section's bedroom, I immediately entered the toilet since that was the closest thing for me to be alone.
[No characters present...]
[Issuing 'Reward'...]
[...]
[Congratulations you have gained the character effect : Being Dramatic Vol. 1]
[Being Dramatic Vol. 1: This effect triggers randomly throughout your day which may result in good or bad luck for you, regardless of either it will always have a dramatic effect.]
I read the description and read it again, couldn't understand it so I read it a third time.
'The fuck does this mean, randomly triggered, could be bad luck but was dramatic...what does that even mean?'
Shaking my head and thinking of thinking about this 'effect' tomorrow; I returned to my four poster bed, my thoughts wandered to the events of the day I had. Dumbledore and the new [Check] that he had (unwittingly) unleased on me. The threat to my life that came so suddenly. To the various other wizards and witches of so long a time still doing what they can for a magical school and their secrets which may or may not contain an ancient power.
To the home that I had to lie of; I didn't know I could miss home (you know) but I do more so than ever right now. After getting over the fact that I had every Harry Potter's fan dream, I couldn't help but understand how superficial it all was. That how the movies showed just the highlights and not at all the considerable lives that make up the whole story.
Sleep came to me before I knew it.
'Dastaan is such an oddity; someone with no memories and no history to know of and yet that someone had just so happen to be in the same year as the Boy-Who-Lived.'
Laying in her bed Hermione couldn't seem to throw his voice out of his head. She and him had just had a conversation after his return from the Headmaster's office.
'Seriously he has met the Headmaster more than we have seen him at this point.'
Dastaan had looked so tired as if he had walked a lot before sitting in the chair.
'Of course he would look tired, his whole magical situation and moreso no memories and we still have to talk about his actual visit to Dumbledore's ''friend''. He must have been scared and anxious'
Hermione focused her thoughts on his words that still seem to shock her. She had heard all about You-Know-Who and his heinous crimes which also included Harry's parent's death but she didn't know Dumbledore's doubt about his rumored death. This was all new knowledge and Dastaan seemed to be at the center of all of this now.
Her mind couldn't help but remember the first time she had met Dastaan.
"Did you just divine the future!"
"It's just a feeling. Most of the time it doesn't work but when it does it's mostly right. It's a pain in the ass to tell you the truth."
Hermione blushed as she remembered his casual use of swear word. But moreso something that they had forgotten it in their first year excitement. Now that she did think of his words; their meaning couldn't be anything simple. A boy who doesn't have any memories and had just met Harry could already tell that he could 'feel' the future; whatever it meant.
She believed him when he said that he didn't have any memories which could mean that from the moment he saw Harry; he could already see the future. As if in class, taking out her diary, Hermione began writing her hypothesis :
I. Dastaan was telling the truth which could mean that he could see the future. With his intellect he could already know the potential of his gift. Hermione had of course already heard that Hogwarts taught Divination but it was considered a niche subject only for those who had the talent and no one else.
For those who were interested, it could be taken up as an elective in the third year and then persued. If Dastaan had such a talent already then after proper learning, he could become someone quite famous with this talent. Then why would he not mention it in the days they had spend together.
Hermione did see him looking strangely at various instances during their day. Times when he would have this sad look on his face, it happened once at Hagrid's hut. He looked at the forest through Hagrid's window and then smirked as he rubbed his head.
Other times he would look at the hallways and tried to look at the same place in different angles and other times she would catch him mumbling to himself and if questioned would deny everything with a straight face.
Hermione palmed her head as she couldn't make heads or tails on his behaviour. She then thought for a second, hesitated for a moment before writing down.
II. Dastaan was lying. About everything. Her pen stopped since there would be no use for Dastaan to do this. Dastaan was a first year just like her...except he was too smart; almost too smart. Truthfully Hermione felt jealous of him, since a young age things like studying came easily to her and she understood that her parents and her teachers liked this talent of hers' so she put in extra effort so that she could be even better everytime.
But Dastaan made it look effortless almost like he didn't even need to put in any effort. It wasn't just about reading and answering questions but the questions he asked which made you think. His question even gave Prof. Flitwick a pause as he was teaching everyone the flight spell.
'What determines the upper limit of this spell?' Dastaan looked very curiously at the floating feather of Hermione's.
'Practice and talent' Prof. Flitwick answered simply.
'but isn't Magic something that has no limits..then who says that someone say can't levitate the whole of Hogwarts or even the Great lake.'
The entire class had turned silent at his question, most of their eyes moving between Dastaan and Prof. Flitwick. Hermione could swear she saw the faintest change in the Professor eyes. They almost seemed as if they glowed.
Prof. Flitwick replied with a faint nod as he surveyed the class once "Magic is indeed limitless but it is the finite capacity of the wizard to harness this power that diminishes the effect."
Dastaan had stayed silent for the rest of the class which had made Hermione feel no small amount of satisfaction. His casual challenge to her still miffed her. At first she did think she would easily best him but the result were totally opposite.
Hermione felt troubled since she could believe the first but couldn't help but also think about the second. Her mind reeled as she tried to focus on anything about Dastaan that she had heard but couldn't prove. Sleep, she knew was now only a distant possibility.
The next day saw me and the trio running late for (you guessed it!) Potions! I slept like a log so my temporary alarm clock (Thanks Seamus) gave up after a few shakes, if it weren't for Ron's loud shout as he saw the time that I woke up groggily. Harry too got ready with us but we got a surprise when we saw Hermione emerging from her dormitory.
'Did my talk yesterday affect her more than I thought? I will have to talk to her later...'
Huffing and puffing, we raced down the dungeons; I had already started to prepare myself for Snape's vicious tongue. As we made haste, Ron almost collided with a higher year (it's hard to tell) Slytherin student (Watch it!) and Harry's specs went flying as he narrowly dodged another Hufflepuff rounding the corner, luckily I caught it which seemed to surprise Ron more than Harry.
The ornate wooden door loomed in front of us but none of us could do it. I was reminded of my own experiences of being late to lectures. I shuddered thinking of them and they were normal teachers; Snape wasn't.
Taking a deep breath, I turned the knob and entered; my excuse already on my lips.
"Sorry Profes.."
[Being Dramatic has activated...]
Before I could say anything else, I had already moved my head to the side. A white light passed by me and struck Harry who seemed to have no voice all of a sudden to express his shock. 'Silencio', my brain provided immediately.
The entire class (if possible) had turned even quieter. I turned to look at Snape who had his wand outstreched looking at me with a very surprised expression. His eyes bore into mine but feeling confident about 'Fourth Wall' and with my rudimentary knowledge of Occlumency; I filled my mind only with the feeling of urgency.
Snape's eyes moved past me and onto Harry and stayed for a moment before the wand flicked again and Harry was 'unsilenced'.
'So that's what it does but how was that dramatic...oh a dramatic effect for the audiences..If this is a normal activation it was a powerful effect..'
"20 points from Gryfindor for being late. Don't just stand there like fools and get to your seats.", Snape had already turned his back to us and seemed to be writing something on the board.
'Didn't he usually use his wand to do that...?' thinking but hurrying along, we took our seats while Ron murmurred (complained) "we were 2 minutes late, 20 points.."
On the board were the words,
HERBICIDE POTION
and below it in cursive and elegant (didn't expect that from Snape!) were the words; Never to reach the GreenHouses. EVER
"Take notes because the last time someone didn't listen to this; they ended up being expelled. Since some amongst us are closer than others in achieving this goal, they may ignore said suggestion and do as they please. Mr. Dastaan..tell me the ingredients for the Herbicide Potions alongside their precise quantities."
My lips twitched involuntarily at his blatant yet childish taunt but I stood and gave him the answer with as few a words as possible. I had already [Read] all basic books that would have been an interesting read (according to Madam Pince) and would give me a much higher grasp of Magical society and history especially for Muggle children (which I was also a part of if anyone was wondering...)
"Mr. Dastaan you are not completely useless which is not something that I can say about your company, Mr Weasley..."
"Ye..Yes Professor?"
"Please name at least 2 of the ingredients just listed by Mr. Dastaan."
Ron looked certain for a moment "there's...umm..."
I knew already that it was a scare tactic; unless Ron could regain his focus, there was no chance of him remembering 2 of the nominal 3 ingredients. Ron looked even more flustered as Snape just kept staring at him.
'Is he...oh he is trying leglimens on him..Interesting...'
I shook my head at Harry as he looked at me. Hermione had surprisingly not raised her hand this time. Ron's growing desperation and Harry's frantic headnod prompted me to raise my hand.
More surprisingly Snape actually paid attention to me "Mr. Dastaan?"
"Sir, I was thinking is there really no other way other than to use the Herbicide Potion?"
"Then what would you have us do?" Snape's eyes bore into me. I smirked inwardly but answered.
"Yes, I did read about such a Potion namely The Androg Potion."
"The Androg Potion..?"
"In Potions Master Pioneer, under the creator Potion Master lbertoorth. The Androg Potion didn't target all plants like the Herbicide Potion and required no special handling."
Snape was silent for a bit before he snorted "Do not presume to know more than the entire Potion community. Just having read a book or two, you still have much too superficial knowledge. The Androg Potion was a family recipe for the Ibertoorth family and was a closely guarded but with their ultimate demise this recipe has been lost. Many Potioneers have tried to replicate it with the known ingredients but to no avail."
"Oh..That wasn't written in the book." I did feel a little embaressment but I chose to just nod my head and sit down. Ron had already taken the window to sit back down and now seemed to be intensely taking notes. I could feel Snape's eyes bore into me multiple times throughout the lecture which soon ended.
"Thank you so much Dastaan, you really helped me out there." Ron seemed as if half his soul had been sucked but nonetheless seemed relieved. I hesitated for a moment and seeing no one around us except Harry said "Hey Ron, since you owe me this then do me a favor; stop being so mean to Hermione. Unlike me she has had a lot on her plate, being away from her home, thrust into this whole new world; believe me it can be very scary and she relies on us, her friends to make her feel less scared so I ask of you to think that when you say anything to her."
Ron didn't seem to register for a moment before his face turned a bit red "Yeah..ok"
I nodded at him then put my arm on Harry's shoulder "So where to Harry."
Harry looked surprised at my gesture before he smiled "Flying lessons"
My emotions took a down turn immediately "I will be in the Library then. Give Madam Hooch my thanks."
The duo laughed at my expense. Interesting fact about flying with a broom: it doesn't actually all work out because it's the broom that is magical... .no. it's actually only a conduit not unlike a wand. The 'sitter' has to have a magical connection with the 'seated' before you could actually even fly. In hindsight I did infer that, since no muggles could ever ride the broom; magical or otherwise.
I left the duo since Hermione seemed to have slowed down and was talking to an older Ravenclaw student after which she gave me a weird stare before joining Harry. I trudged the now familiar road to the library in order to find something interesting to 'Read' (get it!)
Madam Prince had the usual stern features on her face when I entered the great doors. The silence almost palpable but I ignored it and spoke to her as I walked by "Hello"
"Hello Mr. Dastaan" she replied sternly lifting her head just enough to see me then going back to her routine.
I made my way through the vast library; not for the first time and yet always in awe at the sheer size and magic that permeated this place (not that I could sense!), hundreds of books flew hither and tither, lights turned on off with a simple touch and desks adjusted themselves for the sitter.
I ran my hands throught the potioneering section, I was here for the Androg potion which I am reasonably sure is a mention in the Potions through the Ages Vol.3. I found the green cover 15cm thick book along with another book titled 'Potions and Profit' which intrigued me so I carried both to my desk.
I had a favourite desk; it was just in the right light and with a slight cold breeze which made me enjoy the time after my headache. Rounding the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks.
There waiting for me on the desk next to my regular one sat one : Quirenus Quirell. I didn't see him that often in the Library and except that one time when I perused his 'Potions' book 'accidentally' had neither interacted with him.
Him sitting right next to me would be a co-incidence at best. I grew wary of this co-incidence especially since it was with the current Dark Lord. Backing away though would just raise suspicion and I don't want that tag on me.
Taking a deep breath I forced a slight smile as if seeing a teacher out for a walk "Hello, Professor Quirell"
He looked up with a forced smile and nodded as I sat down across from him. He must have seen the title of my book because he peeked up and asked "You seem to be very interested in Potions. Prof. Snape would be glad..d."
I looked at him and nodded before returning to my book. I didn't want to pay more than necessary attention to him or do anything to garner his attention on me (Thank you very much!)
"May I ask why the interest? I thought youu would rath..er be interested in Charms or Defense Against the Dark Arts." he seemed persistent today.'..I wonder why?'
I wanted to just say that I couldn't use my wand (which the whole school knew by the way!) and the subject seemed interesting except that the words that poured forth from my mouth had no such meaning.
[Being Dramatic is activated]
"Power. I need the power that Potions provide." my voice had suddenly taken a deeper intonation and it was like someone had given my full control to my inner voice and made it an octave lower and it came out like a crazy murderer; the one that says it's okay to cut just a little to see how much blood seeps out.
"It's no secret I can't use Magic and I hate that I can't. Some don't understand my plight, others don't care. But I do. I want to have Magic as my Power like them but I can't so Potions is the next best thing."
[Charater Tom Riddle is showing interest in you!]
[Your 'W****' is being temporarily increased!]
The hold over me slackened and I almost shouted out 'What the F**K!' Ignoring my thoughts (or their effects on my face) Quirell-Mort continued.
"Power huh...Mr. Dastaan if you would like I have something that I found a while back in my travels that could useful to you." his stuttering had stopped completely and he had his back to me so I couldn't exactly see his face. The Turban though loomed right over me and I tried hard not to stare directly at it incase it's inhabitant got even more curious.
"Something..." I intoned my voice returning back to normal. This was something that I definetely had to run away from and I opened my mouth to refuse but then stopped myself.
'Something in his travels...this has to be Voldemort..since Quirell didn't do squat his summer. Something he thinks I could use...just what is he thinking?'
"Yes, somehting close to what you may be able to do..I presume is possibe."
I thought for a moment as he turned and faced me, his face; a blank sheet which told me nothing of what Quirell thought about this.
I unconsciously glanced at my Story Rating and made a tight fist to stop the pit of despair inside my heart and let go.
'I had no choice...my story is being [Read]'
"If you think so," I had always intentionally never called him Professor Quirell to his face ever; only ever finishing with a simple Prof.
[A new story is being written...]
[The Story : Apprentice with Evil has begun!]
[Your Story has garnered attention!]
[ # is focusing on your s # /..!]
[*&&^ is focusing on your s # /..!]
[Ch. is focusing on your s # /..!]
[Er. is focusing on your s # /..!]
...
[Your Story has gained attention!]
"I would love to learn it, Professor"