Disclaimer: I own my OC's but Harry Potter or Batman.
Chapter 4: Shadow Edge Dojo
The morning sun broke through the dense foliage surrounding the Potter Mansion, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Harry stood amidst the towering trees, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. He took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, earthy scent of the woods as he prepared himself for the day ahead.
With the events of the previous evening still fresh in his mind, Harry sought solace in the quiet serenity of the forest. Surrounded by nature's beauty, he felt a sense of peace wash over him, grounding him in the present moment.
As he walked along the winding forest path, Harry's mind drifted to the challenges that lay ahead. He knew that reconciling with his family would require courage and patience, but he also understood the importance of staying true to himself and his convictions.
Stopping at a small clearing bathed in sunlight, Harry began his morning routine. With practiced precision, he moved through a series of martial arts forms, his movements fluid and deliberate. Each strike and block carried with it a sense of determination and purpose, as Harry channeled his emotions into the physicality of his training.
Harry felt a deep connection to the natural world around him as he moved. The rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the gentle rustle of the wind seemed to harmonize with his movements, creating a symphony of sound and motion.
With each strike, Harry felt a sense of release, as if he were shedding the weight of his burdens with every movement. He allowed himself to be fully present in the moment, letting go of worries and fears as he focused on the rhythm of his breath and the beat of his heart.
As the morning sun rose higher in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the forest, Harry felt a renewed sense of energy and vitality. He knew that the challenges he faced would not be easy, but he also knew that he possessed the strength and resilience to overcome them.
With a final bow to the forest, Harry turned and began the journey back to the Potter Mansion. As he walked, he saw the mansion he once called home in sight, making Harry feel a headache come on for some reason.
Harry muttered, "I bet my money on James Jr." He knocked on the door of Potter Manor, causing the doors to open and allowing him to walk inside.
He began walking through the mansion and saw his father James chatting with two men around his age, both of whom he recognized.
Sirius Black, the head of The Ancient and Noble Black Family, was described as having striking features, with his dark hair and intense gray eyes that seemed to pierce through anyone who met his gaze. Beside him stood Remus Lupin, with his sandy hair and tired, kind eyes that always seemed to hold a secret.
Both men turned to look at Harry as he entered, their expressions shifting from surprise to concern as they took in his appearance.
"Harry," Sirius began, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and warmth, "it's been a long time."
Remus nodded in agreement, a small smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, it has. How have you been, Harry?"
Harry took a deep breath, trying to mask his discomfort. "I've been better," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm.
James, sensing the tension in the room, cleared his throat. "Harry, these are old friends of mine, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. We were just catching up."
Sirius and Remus exchanged a knowing glance before Sirius spoke, "Well, it seems we've interrupted a family reunion of sorts. We can always catch up later."
Harry nodded, grateful for the out. "That sounds like a good idea."
With a polite nod to his father and a brief, somewhat awkward, goodbye to Sirius and Remus, Harry quickly exited the room, feeling a mix of relief and frustration wash over him. As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that his unplanned reunion with Sirius and Remus was just the beginning of many more unexpected encounters to come.
Harry's mind drifted back to another thing on his mind regarding whether the Dark Lord had returned, which made him concerned. If that was the case, then why was the Minister of Magic not doing anything about it except discredit James Jr.?
Harry muttered, "I need answers. There has got to be more to this story." He wondered about the full story.
Harry called, "Flippy!" He called for the Potter Elves and waited for a bit until a soft pop was heard.
"Master Harry called for Flippy?"
Harry asked, "Yes, what happened in Junior's fourth year at that school that caused the Minister to have a smearing campaign against him?"
Flippy looked hesitant. "That year, Master James Jr. was unexpectedly chosen as the fourth champion for the Triwizard Tournament. He returned with the Triwizard Cup, loudly proclaiming the Dark Lord's return, and was also accused of Cedric Diggory's death."
Harry's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Was he involved in Cedric's death?"
Flippy replied cautiously, "He claimed that the Dark Lord had returned and was responsible for Cedric's death. However, many were skeptical and accused him of orchestrating the events himself to gain attention and fame."
Harry took a deep breath, processing the information. "Thank you, Flippy. That's all I needed to know. You are free to go."
Flippy vanished in a soft pop sound, leaving Harry alone. With that, Harry decided he needed to investigate further. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but he needed to uncover the full truth to clear his brother's name and discover the real story behind the Ministry's inaction regarding the Dark Lord's potential return.
However, Harry's mind drifted to Junior being accused of murdering someone which made Harry snort at the statement, as Junior doesn't have it in him to kill someone. Junior is many things, but a killer he isn't.
Harry thought, "So Junior might be innocent in that regard, but what about claiming the Dark Lord has returned?" Harry wondered if Junior was lying about that, as Junior was known for lying, especially when he was younger.
Harry started making his way to his room when he heard a bunch of women laughing coming from a distance. Harry raced up the stairs, making a beeline to his room where he let out a sigh of relief.
Harry muttered, "Peace at last." Harry smiled as he was in the solitude of his room rather than being around people.
Harry shut the door behind him, then made his way to the middle of the room and sat down in a lotus sitting position, which is a cross-legged sitting meditation pose from ancient India, in which each foot is placed on the opposite thigh.
Harry muttered, "I am glad Sensei taught me." He closed his eyes and began to meditate.
As he drifted off to meditate, his ears picked up the sound of his door slowly opening, and he heard the sound of female voices chatting, to his irritation. But he heard the voice of his stepmother say, "Is he in here?" Her voice dripped with false sweetness, making Harry's irritation grow.
Harry's eyes snapped open, and he suppressed a frustrated sigh. He remained still, hoping she would leave if he ignored her.
His stepmother's voice grew closer as she stepped into the room. "Harry, darling, I just wanted to check on you."
Harry clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to snap at her. Instead, he remained silent, hoping she would take the hint and leave him alone.
But his stepmother seemed undeterred. She moved closer, her presence looming over him. "You know, Harry, your father and I are only trying to help you. We want what's best for you."
Harry's patience wore thin as her words grated on his nerves. He finally opened his eyes and met her gaze with a steely glare. "I don't need your help," he said firmly, his voice laced with frustration.
His stepmother's expression remained impassive, but Harry could see the flicker of annoyance in her eyes. "You're just like your mother," she said dismissively.
Harry smirked, "I take that as a compliment." He saw irritation flash in her green eyes and her gritting her teeth.
She looked like she was about to say something but she left the room, the door closing softly behind her, making Harry let out a frustrated but relieved sigh and run a hand through his hair. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of his stomach whenever his stepmother was around.
With a shake of his head, Harry, annoyed at dealing with people, decided to head to the bathroom as he planned to head out to the mundane world. Harry began to clean himself up and changed into more casual attire suitable for the mundane world.
As he stood in front of the mirror, he took a moment to assess his reflection. The image staring back at him was a blend of his father's features and those of his mother, Lily. His messy black hair, which refused to be tamed, and his striking green eyes were unmistakably Potter. Yet, there was something in the set of his jaw, the curve of his lips, that was all Lily.
Shaking off the introspection, Harry quickly changed into a simple t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of sneakers. He packed a small bag with essentials, including some money, and a few personal items.
Feeling somewhat refreshed and ready to escape the confines of the mansion, Harry made his way downstairs. As he passed through the grand entrance hall, he caught sight of his father, James, who seemed to be deep in conversation with Sirius and Remus.
"Harry, where are you off to?" James asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"I need some fresh air, Dad," Harry replied, avoiding eye contact.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension. "Everything alright, Harry?"
Harry forced a smile. "Just need some time to myself, Sirius. I'll be back soon."
James spoke, "I'll let the floo network if you want." He stood up from his conversation with Sirius and Remus, walking over to Harry with a concerned expression.
"It might be quicker and safer," James suggested, gesturing towards the fireplace in the grand entrance hall.
Harry hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Thanks, Father."
Approaching the fireplace, Harry grabbed a handful of floo powder from the nearby jar. He took a deep breath before stepping into the fireplace and throwing the powder down, calling out the address of his destination in the mundane world.
The world around him spun and blurred as he was whisked away through the floor network. Moments later, he stumbled out of the fireplace at his chosen destination, a cozy coffee shop in the heart of the city.
The hustle and bustle of the city surrounded him, but Harry felt a sense of relief wash over him as he stepped out of the fireplace and into the familiar atmosphere of the coffee shop. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversations provided a comforting contrast to the tensions he'd left behind at the Potter Mansion.
Finding a quiet corner, Harry ordered a coffee and settled down with his thoughts. He knew he had a lot to unravel, and the journey to uncovering the truth would be a complex and challenging one. But for now, Harry allowed himself to enjoy the simple pleasures of the mundane world, relishing the anonymity it offered and the temporary respite from his complicated family dynamics.
As he sipped his coffee and lost himself in thought, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that his unplanned reunion would be more trouble than it was worth as he felt out of place with James, Junior, and Elizabeth.
Harry heard many people chatting, which was grating on his nerves, making him stand up, and then he made a beeline to the exit.
Harry muttered, "I hate dealing with people." He grumbled to himself as he walked down the street and he stopped to see an old dojo of some kind that teaches ninjutsu, which Harry assumed was as he saw a character in a ninja getup with the name of the dojo being "Shadow's Edge Dojo."
Harry looked at the dojo's door with a slightly hesitant look but he felt something telling him to enter the dojo and Harry, against his better judgment, entered the dojo.
He saw an old oriental male wearing a ninjutsu instructor uniform looking at a young oriental man around his age wearing a uniform as well going through some katas.
The old instructor noticed Harry's entrance and gave him a nod of acknowledgment. The young man practicing katas paused and turned towards Harry, giving him an arrogant and slightly disgusted look.
"Welcome to Shadow's Edge Dojo," the instructor greeted in a calm and steady voice. "I am Master Chen, and this is my student, Lee." Lee gave Harry a curt nod, his expression still indifferent and slightly disdainful. "How can we assist you today?"
Harry hesitated for a moment, taken aback by Lee's demeanor but determined not to be deterred. "I'm Harry," he began, "I've seen your studio and I was intrigued by it. I saw it was a Ninjutsu Studio. I've been fascinated with ninjutsu since I was a kid."
Master Chen studied Harry for a moment, sensing the sincerity behind his words. "Ninjutsu is not just about combat," he explained. "It is a path to self-discovery, discipline, and inner strength. If you are willing to commit, I believe you will find what you are looking for here."
Harry nodded, feeling a sense of resonance with Master Chen's words. "I'd like to give it a try but I feel like I am intruding," he said.
Harry bowed and turned back to leave, causing Lee to scoff and roll his eyes. "Another lost soul seeking meaning in martial arts," Lee muttered under his breath, loud enough for Harry to hear.
Master Chen shot Lee a stern look, then turned back to Harry. "Please, stay. Everyone is welcome here, and there's always something new to learn. If you're interested, you can spar with Lee as he needs a sparring partner since I am getting too old."
Lee spoke, "Sensei Chen, you can't be serious? Him? I might accidentally kill the brat." He spoke in an arrogant tone.
Master Chen's gaze hardened as he looked at Lee, clearly displeased with his disrespectful attitude. "Lee, remember your manners. Everyone starts somewhere, and we should encourage those who show an interest in learning."
Turning his attention back to Harry, Master Chen said, "Do not be discouraged by Lee's words. He has much to learn about humility and respect. If you're willing
, a sparring session could be a good way for you to get a feel for ninjutsu and for Lee to learn a thing or two about respect."
Lee's expression shifted from arrogance to surprise, clearly not expecting Master Chen to challenge him in front of a newcomer.
Harry, although hesitant, saw this as an opportunity. "I accept the challenge," he said, looking directly at Lee.
Lee scoffed, not expecting Harry to agree. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," he said, rolling his eyes.
Master Chen set up a sparring area, and Harry and Lee faced each other. The atmosphere in the dojo grew tense as both men prepared for the sparring session.
As the sparring began, Lee launched into a series of aggressive attacks, clearly underestimating Harry. However, Harry's previous training and natural talent in martial arts allowed him to hold his own, dodging and countering Lee's strikes with surprising agility and precision.
Lee quickly realized that Harry was not the easy opponent he had anticipated. Harry's unique style and quick reflexes caught Lee off guard several times, forcing him to rethink his approach.
The sparring session was intense, with both men pushing each other to their limits. Despite Lee's initial arrogance, he found himself impressed by Harry's skill and determination.
In the end, neither emerged as the clear winner, but the sparring session served its purpose. Harry gained valuable experience and a deeper understanding of ninjutsu, while Lee learned a lesson in humility and respect.
Master Chen approached the two young men as they caught their breath, a satisfied smile on his face. "Well done, both of you. Harry, you show great promise. With dedication and training, you could become a formidable ninja."
Lee, although still prideful, begrudgingly nodded in agreement. "You're not bad, kid," he admitted, his tone begrudgingly respectful.
Harry nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. "Thank you, Master Chen and Lee. I humbly thank you for allowing me the chance to spar with you in this dojo."
Master Chen spoke, "Likewise, young man. You have the skills to be a good ninja. How about I teach you a few beginner's techniques to get you started?"
Harry nodded eagerly, grateful for the opportunity. "I'd appreciate that, Master Chen."
Note: Here is the new chapter of The Dark Knight of the Wizarding World and we see Harry deal with his stepmom. Harry is a bit of a loner and I took inspiration from Bruce Wayne's personality from Batman 2022 directed by Matt Reeves for a bit. Harry found a possible secondary dojo to maybe. I would what else should Harry do that help him become the Dark Knight.