Unknown location, September 1989

Harry's head was spinning in a whirlwind of emotions. After he had signed the contract, Hathewiga transported the two of them out of the chapel. It was one of the most uncomfortable experiences of his life. He felt like his insides were going to come out through his mouth. Before he had a chance to regain his bearings, she told him to wait for her there and left with a crack.

His vision cleared, and Harry picked himself off the floor and looked around. He was standing in what looked like a dungeon. It was a large stone room lit by torches. Lining the walls were shelves of ancient-looking tomes of different sizes and colours. In the centre of the room was a white circle containing strange motifs that seemed to circle and weave around each other, with no beginning nor end.

In the corner of the room stood a small basin, above which wisps of smoke wafted in a mesmerising dance. Harry was entranced with the sight. He slowly approached the basin and peered into its depth. The silvery smoke coalesced into a semblance of an image. Just as the image became clearer, Harry's observation was interrupted by a feminine voice.

"I gather you have found the pensieve".

Harry turned around towards the voice. Behind him was Hathewiga, only she was different. No longer was she wearing her white gown. Instead, a simple periwinkle dress dotted with yellow daisies rested on her shoulders. Yet, despite its simplicity, it only accentuated her gentle features. Behind her, a staircase slowly moulded itself back into the wall.

"Sorry to have made you wait. I had some business to attend. And since you are now my apprentice, there is no need for all the theatrics", she smiled conspiratorially, "the gown was kind of itchy, to tell you the truth. But it did its job, didn't it? Here you are!"

"What?" Harry eloquently responded.

He didn't know what to make of her. She seemed nothing like the person he had met in the church. Her expression was no longer of great wisdom but more laid back and friendly.

"First and most important lesson!" Hathewiga exclaimed, "Power can come in many forms. First, there is strength, or brute force, if you will. That is what most think of first when talking of power. Then, there is influence or political leverage. While very useful in their own right, those can't always get you out of a tricky situation. For such occasions, there is the third and somewhat less honourable art of persuasion. Whether through words or appearances, persuasion can make others fear or follow you. It can turn the fiercest warriors into a lesser threat than a newly-born kitten. During your apprenticeship, I shall help you with all three forms of power."

Harry's eyes shone with an inspired drive. Never before had he felt such a clear path to his ultimate goal. And the woman before him will give him the means to attain it. Yet, something came up in Harry's head.

"That person in the chapel. That wasn't really you, was it?" he asked.

"Smart boy", Hathewiga's eyes creased in a smile, "it seems I chose well. Indeed, Harry, it wasn't truly me. I only show my true self to the closest people. In any other circumstance, I choose to look different, to wear a mask of sorts. I find that people always prefer a sweet lie to a bitter truth. Back in the chapel, I took a wise and heavenly persona. That way, young Harry who had never seen magic before would be amazed enough to sign the contract. Not that you wouldn't have decided upon it anyway. It was more of a precaution. As well as a test of your potential."

"Why tell me now?" Harry asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Hathewiga only shrugged noncommittally in response, "You are my student now. I was serious when I said that I would teach you."

He didn't know what to answer. Harry thought he should be angry that this woman had manipulated him and probably continued to do so. Yet, she had been truthful in her intentions and would bring him closer to his goal.

"So", he asked, "when do we start?"

His only response was a feral grin. Harry gulped. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so eager.

"*"

Hathewiga's dungeon, July 31st, 1991

It had almost been two years since Harry had met Hathewiga, and he had grown significantly. As promised, Hathewiga had taught him politics and persuasion. He wasn't a big fan of those two, but understood their importance and diligently listened to his teacher's lessons. A week after his arrival, they had gone into Diagon Alley, and Harry was shocked to find out that there was an entire society of people like him. He was even more shocked when a strange creature Hathewiga had called a goblin told him that Harry was a millionaire by the standards of the muggle world. He had let out a chuckle when he realised that the Dursleys couldn't dream to even come close to the amount he had.

He was a little disappointed when Hathewiga told him they couldn't buy a wand because the ministry banned their use before turning eleven, but that didn't mean he slacked off. Hathewiga stuffed his head with basic theory and taught him how to control his magic. He still couldn't do complex magic as he didn't have a wand, but he could do some small tricks without it.

Harry summoned a ball of pure magic in his hand. The warm sensation streaming from his chest into his arm was one he would never get used to but one he relished every time. As his ball shifted into various shapes and sizes, his thoughts drifted back to the day he became one with his magic.

"*"
FLASHBACK

Unknown location, February 1990

Harry was frustrated. It had been five months since he began his tutelage under Hathewiga. Yet, he still hadn't been able to control what Hathewiga called his magic. He had spent days, weeks, reading every book and doing every exercise on magical control, to no avail. He could feel his magic inside of him, feel its power, just out of reach. For what seemed like the hundredth time that day, Harry closed his eyes and focused on his magic.

It was there, like always. It felt like a stormy sea, unrestrained and roaring. An infinite expanse of mystery and possibility that seemed to taunt Harry's inability to use it. Harry pushed against it, trying to force it under his will. His magic pushed back. Harry pushed harder. He had tried thousands of times before and never had it worked, but he wasn't giving up. He would master his magic, and he would become powerful.

His magic, however, didn't agree and thundered in anger. It was the predator, and it wouldn't be anyone's prey. Harry gritted his teeth. It was pointless. His magic was too strong. Anger bubbled inside of him at that thought. Nothing and no one would stop him, most definitely not a petulant force that resided inside of him and that shouldn't even be capable of thought. But if it was...

And suddenly Harry stopped his assault. He let go of his magic. Yet, he didn't open his eyes. Just as he hoped, Harry felt his magic swirling in confusion. Never before had Harry paid attention to his magic's responses. To him, it was but a barrier to surpass to attain its power. If, however, it had some sort of consciousness... Perhaps he was doing it wrong all along.

Ensuring not to make any sudden moves, Harry slowly approached the vast sea that was his magic. He flinched as it reared back, ready to strike. Yet, he did not retreat. Instead, he stopped and tentatively extended his hand towards the sea. He felt its suspicion, but he stayed still, hand extended, staring at the sea. Slowly, very slowly, a tendril of water reached out from the sea to meet his hand.

Suddenly, Harry's consciousness expanded. Boy and sea joined as one. Harry felt his magic sing its wild song, and he sang with it. They were only two, yet they created a symphony of joy and anger, sorrow and elation. It was a serenade of life and freedom, a beautiful ballad full of raw, unadulterated emotion. The song seemed to last for hours. Yet, as with all good things, it came to an end. The final note hung in the air, echoing the silence left in its wake.

Harry stayed motionless, relishing the memory of their perfect harmony. Finally, he directed his focus back to his magic. It felt different. No longer was it wild and unrestrained. It was now an integral part of Harry, a great beast, ready to pounce and protect him.

Following his instincts, Harry called his magic forth. From his chest, warm streaks like tendrils spread towards the entirety of his body. First his stomach, then his legs, his arms, his head, and soon his entire self was infused with its power. Harry was aware of his body to a degree that his previous self couldn't even imagine.

Finally, he opened his eyes and gasped in amazement. The dungeon around him was full of colours ranging from the soft teal glow of the pensieve to the radiating bright rays of green, pink and yellow of the books. They swirled in a lively dance that made Harry's head spin. He averted his eyes from the shelves, dizzy from the sudden attack on his eyes.

"Just will your magic away from your eyes. That will do the trick".

Harry's world turned back to its usual dullness as he followed Hathewiga's instructions.

"It seems you have finally succeeded. Try pulling forth some magic into your hand."

Harry's eyes locked onto his palm as a ball of light popped into existence. He laughed in pure joy at the sight. He finally did it! He was doing magic!

END OF FLASHBACK
"*"

Harry smiled at the memory. It was probably one of the most beautiful days in his life. Never before had he felt such a sense of completion. Since then, he was never alone.

A gentle purr resounded in Harry's mind as he melded his ball of magic into an intricate mesh that moved and undulated in a seemingly random pattern. His magic would always be there with him now.

Harry dissipated his mesh as he felt Hathewiga appear in the dungeon.

"Hi, Hattie!" Harry exclaimed in an overly enthusiastic voice. During Harry's apprenticeship under Hathewiga, the two had grown close. She was his first and only friend as an owl and their relationship only grew stronger in her human form. Now, Harry considered her as his family. She deserved that spot much more than the Dursleys.

"Hi, brat. I told you to stop calling me that", the woman grumbled, "You know, I was going to give you a present, but since you're going to be annoying like that, I think I'm going to keep it."

Harry's fake smile was replaced by a look of outrage, "What do you mean? What present?"

"Well", Hathewiga grinned like a Cheshire cat, "I guess you will never know."

Harry pushed his lower lip forward and looked at Hathewiga with wide, innocent eyes, "Will you not give me a present for my birthday, Aunty Hathewiga? You know how very much it means to me. Would you shatter this poor boy's heart on one of the most important days of his life? Would you-"

"Alright, alright, you win", Hathewiga replied exasperatedly, "I've taught you too well."

"So?" Harry jumped in excitement, his previous upset nowhere to be seen "Where is it?"

"I'll give it to you when we go shopping. Now get dressed, birthday boy. That wand won't buy itself."

Harry's face lit up in eagerness as he ran to his quarters to prepare for the trip. Hathewiga's eyes followed him until he disappeared behind the door, their mirth slowly turning to regret.

She took out a letter she was hiding behind her back. It had arrived that morning from their Gringotts manager. On the letter was the unmistakable Hogwarts crest. Hathewiga knew that Harry would leave at some point. She had planned for it. He was supposed to be but a means to an end. Yet, she couldn't help but get attached to the small boy. Harry was so genuine and innocent. She cursed herself for her stupidity.

Ten minutes later, Harry was holding on to the Hathewiga's arm, ready for the trip. With a small wave of Hathewiga's wand, Harry's hair turned a dull brown and elongated to cover his scar. His eyes turned blue, and his features became less defined.

"Ready?" Hathewiga asked

Receiving a small nod in return, Hathewiga span and, with a loud crack, both master and apprentice disappeared from the room.

"*"

Heyo! Sorry for the long wait, I had some stuff going on. But now I'm back, and I have another chapter in the making! The timeskip might seem a bit too brisk, but I wanted the to place the basis for Harry's character and I thought it would be the best bet. I'll try to showcase the relationship that he and Hathewiga have built during this time in the next chapters. On that note, thank you all for reading!
Burgundy Phoenix signing off