I hope this finds you guys in good health. Just take care of yourselves everyone.
The darkness usually ebbs ever so slightly - RAP
I could feel myself move, roughly at first before being laid down on something soft. Time becomes a very funny concept when asleep. It races at uneven times and at an uneven pace. At times I could feel my condition ever so well and at times not so good at all. The warm wet towel on my head and the softness of my bed didn't help the body ache I am feeling. It's as if something inside me is being cooled and then pulled outside. The feeling would come and go leaving me writhing in agony.
When I could finally feel some warmth and relief from the never ending pain and cold, I could hear faint voices speaking close to me but for the life of me; I couldn't remember who they belonged to. The constant voices rang like a bell inside my head while I could only understand a few words.
"...core.."
"Poppy..."
"..never seen..."
"Obscurial..."
The last word made my head hurt and suddenly a movie from my world started in front of me. Fantastic beasts and where to find them. It was quite a different take to the classic world of Harry Potter. I remembered it showed an obscurial; a wizard/witch who couldn't control their magic and turned into a devastating gas form of magic itself. At least that's what I understood from it.
After a long time or perhaps just an hour, my body didn't feel as painful as before. Before I knew it, I had already opened my eyes and become fully conscious. The sleepiness wore off the moment I saw the man standing in front of me. An old man with a crooked nose and half-moon specs stood beside my bed looking at me curiously. The living legend of the magical world and the "character" that I most understood stood in front of me carrying the ever so familiar smile.
"Professor Dumbledore", I looked at him while sitting up straight. "What happened to me?"
"A most curious case, more so than I have ever witnessed.", replied Dumbledore while adjusting his half-moon specs. "What can you remember last?"
"I remember seeing Hogwarts and then I must have felt unconscious.", I said. I didn't know why but my body felt..light.
"Mr. Dastaan you are suffering from a very unique malady. Your body couldn't handle the magic in the vicinity of Hogwarts and as a result you had fallen unconscious."
"Couldn't handle magic? I don't understand Sir."
"We are not so sure ourselves. But fret not, a temporary solution has been applied in my humble capacity.",he pointed to a locket that hung on my neck. A red stone hung at the ends of the gold chains entwined intricately.
"Huh..", I answered almost stupidly while looking at the ruby red stone. I could almost feel the heat it emanated on my chest.
'No, this couldn't be. He wouldn't have...this..this..'
"It's a prized possession of a dear friend of mine.", Dumbledore continued, " As long as it touches your body, you will be fine but I must give you a strict warning. Under no circumstances should this be known that you possess this stone. You cannot tell a soul about this artifact. Not your family, your friends, no one. Am I clear of this?"
"I cannot take this Sir. This looks like a ruby which means it is too valuable for me.", I fiddled with the chain not daring to touch the stone.
"It is quite alright, Mr. Dastaan. If nothing goes wrong, you would have no need of this artifact by the end of this year at the latest. Think of it as a loan or so to say.", Dumbledore's smile didn't help the heavy weight of the Philosopher's stone hung on my neck.
Before I could ask any question though, he raised his finger and continued, "Your condition is quite unique and may I say I am not a master of this particular field. All your questions will be answered by our school healer Madam Pomfrey. Ask her all the details but keep the locket a secret only for us too."
"I promise to take very good care of it, Sir.", I promised him cause that is my only choice.
"Good. Now I will leave you in more capable hands than mine.",seeing Madam Pomfrey approach, he got up to leave. Seeing him get up; a question came upon me.
"Sir, what about Harry? and Ron? I mean Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Are they alright?"
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley have been particularly worried about your case and have already made multiple trips to the Hospital Wing.", Madam Pomfrey handed me a cup filled with green liquid. "Drink."
I drank without a word and regretted it immediately. Though I had read about her famous reputation of medicines, I still couldn't be ready for the bitter taste that came from them. Still as I was an adult preciously, I could barely gulp it all down and not spit it out right on Dumbledore who stood across my head merrily smiling at me.
"Ah yes. The sorting. You have missed it and by quite a few days at least."
"Days sir?", I wiped my mouth on my sleeve to get rid of the butter aftertaste.
"Yes, Mr. Dastaan. You have been unconscious for a week now.",Dumbledore answered.
"I have been in a coma for a week. What am I supposed to do now? I haven't even gotten sorted."
"No worries. First thing tomorrow morning come to my office. We will get you sorted and I am sure Mr potter and Mr Weasley will help you with the rest."
"Thank you, sir.", I said to which Dumbledore smiled and left.
Seeing Madam Pomfrey hand me another cup filled with green liquid, I let out a groan to which I received a seething glare from the healer. I drank it in one gulp while pinching my nose and almost gagged.
After all the medicine had been taken care of, Madam Pomfrey explained and answered all my questions regarding my.. issue. After a lengthy talk I summarized everything I learned.
1. My body can't handle massive amount of magic. They don't know how I survived until now since Magic is ever-present and my "core" as they call it should have ruptured.
2. When I first fell ill; since Madam Pomfrey couldn't understand my condition and I couldn't be moved, a special case team from St. Mungo's wizarding hospital had been sent to check me up and they were the once to deduce my condition.
3. Since this is the first they had encountered such a condition and me as of now am the only patient zero, they have decided to observe me and make sure that I record everything I feel and give them weekly updates via owl.
4. I get to name the condition since..well since they couldn't put a name on it.
5. I am being expressly warned never to remove "Dumbledore's magical device" no matter what the circumstances since doing so will accelerate my core degradation, make my magic incredibly unstable and blah blah blah basically kill me.
6. Lastly I am a student of Hogwarts under the special category of : Scholarship student which translates to an orphan who has no money,no body to take care of and no money (did I say that twice? yes I did.)
The specific details regarding the last points will be told to me by the head of my assigned house. I rubbed my head while laying down on my bed. I didn't know it would get this serious. I mean I knew some thing would have happened but I didn't think this would happen. At least I am in Hogwarts now, no matter how I got it or how I almost died on the first day and I am not the Main character here. Must have broken a record there right.
I sighed and made myself comfortable since according to Madam "bad medicine", the medicine would make me drowsy. I blinked and kept thinking about which house I would go into. Had Ron started picking on Hermione yet? Had the Quirrell "Voldemort" started his plans already?
I didn't know whether I fell asleep or not but a blink of my eye later it became morning. It isn't anything special, I had had some experience in the short sleep otherwise the lack of REM cycles as they call it.
I rubbed my eyes and looked around for a clock but didn't find any. I had just sat upright when the healer Pomfrey walked towards me, "Good afternoon, Mr. Dastaan. How are you feeling now?"
Her eyes swept over my chest and her wand had already waved twice over me while she asked.
"Please just call me Dastaan, Madam Pomfrey. And I am feeling fine, all thanks to you.", I buttered up to her hoping to score some points for the future. At least enough to stay away from her medicine.
"Oh rubbish just doing my job and it was Dumbledore who saved you in the end. He is the one you need to thank the most."
"I will and for that I would like to ask for your permission.", I flashed her my disarming smile which always works wonder when you are eleven but not so much in your twenties and with a slightly bald head.
She looked troubled but after waving her wand over me half a dozen times more and making me promise to immediately tell her anything discomforting I got out from my jail , changed my clothes and made my way to the interior of the Magical castle.
After walking for about ten minutes, I re-realized what I already thought would happen when I set foot outside the infirmary.
"Shit, I am lost.", I scratched my head and looked around at the apparently empty hallway and then realized another thing. "Hey, you guys can tell me the directions right!"
In front of me stood multitudes of paintings; some portraits and some landscape ones too. The people in them were remarkable still when I had just passed them but shifted position when I pointed at them. A particular painting of a aristocratic lady which looked to me the spitting image of Elizabeth Swan (you know the one!) smiled slightly at me which I took as an affirmation.
"I am looking for the Headmaster's office. Could you please show me the way, my lady?", I did a small bow as an aristocratic gesture (God no, Merlin knows why!)
The lady's smiled brightened as she pointed towards another painting; one of a carpenter who sighed and gestured me to follow. I thanked the lady and made my way towards the carpenter who had already "jumped" into another painting and started rapidly moving forwards.
I started running as well, right on his tail knowing full well how easy it was to get lost in Hogwarts without a map. (Note to self : Get the Marauder's Map.) I followed him closely through winding staircases and the infamous Hogwarts moving stairs. They weren't actually moving when I looked at them which disappointed me. After my third step which turned out to be some sort of jump pad which made me jump 3 steps up and the step which vanished beneath my feet, I understood that they were just as Rowling had made them : erratic and enjoyable. I enjoyed the run immensely; my child body full of energy while taking note of the "miraculous steps" for future travel.
"Just to the right, go straight ahead and tell the Gargoyle the password.", saying the carpenter turned and dived into another painting before I could ask or thank him. I reached the twin gargoyles watching the elevator staircase who prompted me, 'Password?'
I thought for a moment rummaging my entire read on Dumbledore's character and his choice of passwords but before I could try raspberry perhaps. The gargoyle literally jumped aside and a staircase descended upon me. I rode it to the Headmaster's office and knocked thrice before being permitted to enter. Dumbledore sat in his chair but I swore that I had heard a pop when I entered. Fawkes didn't seem to be present either which disappointed me again.
"Mr. Dastaan, sorry for not retrieving you from the infirmary. I was just about to ask Timmy to bring you to me but imagine my surprise when I found you standing right outside my door. Quite an explorer, are we?", Dumbledore smiled towards me and praised me heartily.
I smiled back and took it in stride while walking up to his desk, "Sorry for my tardiness, sir. I didn't realize it was afternoon and this being my first visit to Hogwarts, I might have gotten lost there for a minute or two. The portrait's were the one who helped me find the way."
"No worries. No worries at all. Please sit Mr. Dastaan. We will get right to the sorting immediately.", he waved his wand lazily in the air.
"Just Dastaan will do, sir.", I said while talking my seat. A magical hat landed right in front of me which immediately split open a mouth and eyes.
"Ah..the late entrant. The one who would have died on the first day of Hogwarts and that too for the first time in history.", the hat mocked? me. It felt more bizarre looking at a talking hat then understanding what it means.
"Ah the magical hat that..speaks.", thinking for a second I continued "I am sorry I don't see anything else about you to add to your greatness."
"I wasn't praising you!", the hat shouted.
"You weren't. That almost sounded like you did.", I looked at the hat innocently while Dumbledore snickered behind it.
"Mr. Dastaan, this here is the Sorting Hat. It's an artifact which the founders of Hogwarts created. It sorts all the students in their respective houses. Now please wear it."
"Oh right it's a hat. This is how the students are sorted. I almost believed we were supposed to fight trolls.", I did a fist bump and placed the hat on my head.
The hat completely covered my head and soon it started talking and it is in this instant that I remembered my biggest..no this world's greatest secret which could completely change everything resided in my head on which I had already kept a mind reading hat.
Before I could remove it though; perhaps Dumbledore looked at my anxious face or perhaps he just wanted to talk about the sorting hat but he continued," The sorting hat doesn't read the mind or at least not deep mind reading. It's more accurate to say it reads the character of the person who wears it."
"Yeah, you won't find another talking Hat like me in the world. Now stop moving and let me do my job.", the hat chided above me. I relaxed hearing it and also made a note not to look into Dumbledore's eyes directly and to start learning occlumency.
The Hat started muttering soon over my head but I knew what it is doing.
"Hmm..such a thirst for knowledge I see in you, Ravenclaw would be glad to have you. But your charm and intellect may find you a high place in Slytherin. I see potential in you boy, potential to do great things. Now where should I place you?"
'Gryfindor...I want to be in Gryfindor. Gryfindor..Gryfindor..Gryfindor..Gryfindor..Gryfindor'
"Alright fine", I could hear the irritation in it's voice which continued "Your house will be GRYFINDOR."
I couldn't help it, I let out a shout of joy at my House selection. My voice echoed down the office and startled the portraits. I felt a surge of warmth all over my body before I turned and saw Dumbledore looking at me in a peculiar way.
I smiled apologetically and kept the hat on the table, "I am so sorry, sir. I couldn't help it."
"Congratulations to you Mr. Dastaan. I think you will find your new House quite to your liking. Now I must bid you farewell. A prefect will be waiting for you down the hallway. Pass him this and he will guide you a brief tour of Hogwarts.", a slip of paper appeared before me which I took.
I bid farewell and opened the door before his voice stopped me, "Mr. Dastaan never tell anyone about your locket. It is imperative that you keep this a secret between us."
"Of course sir.", I promised him solemnly. I mean I still couldn't believe he could give this "stone" to me for my well-being. Many of the fanfics I read always portrayed him as some sort of manipulative bastard but I think they forget he is a good guy at the end. I hummed as I got down from the stair-levator (get it!) and found myself looking at Percy Weasley who looked disappointed upon seeing me.
'Perhaps he thought I was some sort of ministry official that he could earn brownie points from. That said he did become a high official too I think. hmm..'
"Hello, I am Gryfindor's prefect, Percy Weasley", he didn't offer his hand just stated his identity.
"Hi, I am Dastaan. I am in Gryfindor too. Here", I passed him the slip which he took curtly and read it quietly. After reading it, the paper combusted itself and I had the most wicked idea of all.
'This paper will self -destruct in..Hahaha. That could be fun. I need to know what magic was that.'
"Hey..could you tell me how did that happen?", I said pointing at the burnt ashes which were slowly disappearing. He looked at me for a second and then turned while saying, "You will learn that particular charm spell in your 4th year. Until then it's better if you focus on the basics. Mr..."
"Dastaan, Just Dastaan.", I didn't know how many times I had said that already. It had started to sound like a empty title to me, I made a note to think about a proper surname.
"Well, Mr. Dastaan if you will follow me I will give you the brief guide given to all first year students."
And a brief tour he did give, I felt like I had walked a dozen and a half stadiums before we reached Professor McGonagall's office. Percy knocked and we were allowed to enter. It was a very simple room with a bookcase with two cozy chairs by the fire and the window overlooking the grounds. I didn't feel shocked when I saw the old professor both the character and the actor. I mean after meeting Dumbledore himself, surprising me did become harder. She adjusted her spectacles before nodding to Percy who took his leave.
I thought I saw a spark of green in the fireplace for a second before it vanished. Professor McGonagall looked at me for a moment before she started to speak, "Mr. Dastaan, I am been aware of your particular medical condition and have informed the concerned staff of the brief details. This will allow you to quickly catch up to the rest of your peers. Of course there are still some matters you are in need to be informed of."
"Please say.", I said after we had a seat at her table. The chair looked old but was very comfortable.
"As you are someone with no financial support and no guardian, you have been admitted to Hogwarts as a scholarship student under Hogwarts Foundation. As with the others, your school fees will be paid for by the Ministry of Magic. For the first year, all books and necessities will be provided to you. You shall also receive a monthly stipend depending upon your studies which you will start using your second year. Your temporary guardianship will be left to me, your House Head. Any Questions?"
"None. I mean I thought I might have to be under loan or something but this seems nice.", I shrugged.
"Leaving aside the Magical studies fee, your monthly stipend will be directly related to your test results. If your studies are not up-to-par then I will have to make sure that you do some voluntary jobs to pay for your stipend.", her tone rose a bit as if to warn me.
"I get it, Professor. I will study hard.", I promised her.
"That is all for now, Mr. Dastaan. Here, this contains both your class schedule and rule book so make sure to read it thoroughly. Your classes began tomorrow. I have already instructed someone to get you up to speed.", she gave me a parchments? and a small handheld book."I am sure that Mr. Weasley has shown you the Gryfindor common room. The password is Locomotus."
"Of course, Professor. I will be on my way.", I made my way to the door, opened it then stopped.
"Mr. Dastaan?", I heard her voice behind me.
"Just wanted to say Thank you Professor for helping me. All of this is...new to me and for a second there I felt lost. So Thank you."
"It's my job, Mr. Dastaan.", she didn't smile but I could see the slight tug on her lips. I smirked as I closed the door.
The lit hallway made me sigh as I made my way across it and towards the main gate outside. So long the passageway, it took a good jog to reach outside. I could already hear the faint chatter other students outside. After passing the high (so goddamn high!) archway I exited the castle and took in the students sitting or walking outside. They were older than me at least physically. I walked forward some more and turned around to take it all in. The huge castle and it's spiraling spires looked absolutely grand to me. I sighed as I looked at it and a realization once again seeped in. I was in the Harry Potter world. There was no way back now. This is my life from now on.
The once famous words rang in my mind and I couldn't help but say them.
"Hogwarts is my home. Huh...yeah it is."