Children of Prophecy

Chapter Seven: Flights of Fancy

Eighteen hours after the Order's failed (and illegal) attempt to drag Harry Potter back to Britain, a meeting was under way in Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Outside, Hermione and the other teens were holding the twin's Extendable Ears at arm's length to save their hearing from the roar of shouting going on inside. Hermione rolled her eyes at the adults acting like small children. Snape, now sporting horrific, half-healed scars on his throat, and the others who'd gone to retrieve Harry were telling a story of her friend lashing out and attempting to kill them but if there was one thing she knew about Professor Snape it was that he would always paint Harry in the least favorable light he could. And there goes Sirius again, calling Snape a liar to his face. I hope someone keeps them from coming to blows. Dumbledore's busy with something and it isn't helping that Remus hasn't shown up yet.

As if in answer to her thoughts the Floo flared high with green flames and her favorite Defense professor walked into Number 12, obviously dressed for a much warmer climate . Hermione paid attention when Remus cleared his throat. "By the way you're holding those ears I suppose the meeting is getting loud, so I should probably get in there. I know you kids are worried about your friend so here," Remus reached into the small messenger bag at his side. "take this, it's an English copy of the local paper's afternoon edition. I need to straighten things out in there."

Hermione took the paper and passed it to Fred. (Or maybe George? After spending more time around the twins she was pretty sure she could tell the difference between them but sometimes they switched mannerisms to confuse others.) Before he could open the doors to the meeting, Hermione spoke up. "Please stand up for Harry. I don't know what happened, but I'm sure Snape's lying about Harry trying to murder him."

Remus sighed. "He's probably not lying, but he's leaving out what he did to earn that murder attempt. Read the articles about Naga Nagri, that's where we caught up to Harry."

With that Remus drew his wand and opened the doors. The twins scrambled and just barely managed to get their latest invention out of sight in time. Hearing the full force of the argument that had seen wands drawn, Remus set off a Cannon-Blast charm to get everyone's attention. "Enough! Shut up and stop acting like children. Dumbledore wouldn't put up with this, but there's a reason he's not here."

With that the doors were closed again, and the twins quickly got their inventions back in place, letting them listen in without missing a word. "Snape, what the bloody hell were you thinking! Arson in a crowded inn? Trying to murder innocent bystanders?! You're wanted in India for enough crimes to put you away for life! And the rest of you! What the hell are you arguing about?"

Daedalus Diggle spoke up. "Harry's gone bad, he tried to kill us! He's learned dark magic and he's lost it. A Parselmouth, I should have known…"

Before the man could continue, Remus silenced him. After a pause where Hermione suspected the man was pinching the bridge of his nose, he spoke again. "Diggle, you're a bloody idiot. Britain has decided to lump all Parselmouths together thanks to Voldemort but the rest of the world just sees it as a useful ability." Paper could be heard rustling around, and it was obvious he was passing out extra copies of the foreign newspaper. "Harry spent nine days in Naga Nagri with a tutor he paid for, he was well liked and spent most of his time learning to heal. Damn good thing he did too since Severus decided to bisect two teenagers, one of them the healer apprentice daughter of a business tycoon. Severus, both of the girls you tried to murder are well liked and there's already a significant bounty on your head." When the man tried to argue that they were nothing but dangerous creatures, Remus spoke over him. "Shut up Severus. The only reason I'm not hauling you to the Indian Embassy to face a murder charge is that Harry learned enough healing to save those girls."

Emmeline Vance, who'd gone down to Harry's conjured snakes, spoke next. "What about all the poisons? Everything in that room was laced with poison; Harry's been spending a lot of effort learning how to kill."

Remus spoke again. "If he was honest Severus would have told you the truth. I'm not the potion master he is but I'm still a decent brewer. The darts that got me were laced with something containing unaltered moonstone. No one puts raw moonstone in anything, not even poison; every useful potion or poison alters the moonstone as it brews. Literally the only potions that don't neutralize the active effect of moonstone are the ones werewolves use to inflame their curse and get high. Harry's tutor was teaching him to brew potions, he just saved the mistakes and laced all his weapons with them." Hermione and the others heard the sound of someone dropping heavily into a chair. "As for all the traps, did anyone ever tell Harry that Voldemort is lying low? Or is he expecting Voldemort and an army of Death Eaters around every corner?"

After a long silence, Remus spoke up again. "I thought so. Harry just wanted to see the world and learn something interesting but he expects to face impossible odds at any moment. Hell, after Albus refused to let him hire a tutor he probably doesn't expect to live long. Read the paper. When Albus gets back from dealing with the shit-show Severus kicked up, we'll need to decide whether or not our spy is worth pissing off India. Personally, I vote we hand him over before Harry gets home and tries to finish what Severus started. Judging by Snivellus' new scars I don't think Harry's going to forgive the attempted murder of his friends."

From there the meeting calmed down considerably and Lupin explained that he'd woken up, gathered what the Order left behind, and bought some papers in Mumbai before triggering his return portkey. With the meeting breaking up, the teens retreated to a different room and gathered around the paper. Hermione was distracted from her fretting over Harry when Fred opened the paper and cleared his throat. The headline and lead story caught their attention: 'Terror in Naga Nagri!'

Needless to say, the group huddled around the paper and began reading about what India's government was clearly viewing as an attack on innocent civilians by a British Dark Lord hunting a teenage tourist. The article about Harry, as opposed to the events themselves, was especially interesting:

'A Hero in the Night!'

'But who, you might ask, was the target of this heinous attack? At the Sanrakshak's request we are withholding his real name, but we do know quite a bit about 'please call me Harold.' (A young man so honest he was uncomfortable lying even while being hunted by murderous terrorists.) We know he entered Naga Nagri nine days before the attack and that after meeting with the owners of Creature Companions and Secret Knowledge he hired local healer apprentice Chandra Saha as a summer tutor. This might not seem important but those with long memories might remember that fifty years ago dark wizards native to India unleashed an unspeakable evil. I am speaking, of course, of the evil of which we do not speak. Many lives were lost before our nation was saved by the efforts of Dali the Fearless, Libras the Clever, and Mondal the Beastmaster. What most readers may not know however, is that after the day was won and our land was safe once again those three brave heroes set down roots, raised families, and opened their own businesses. Last night's brave hero encountered Dali in Mumbai and after she took his measure India's retired hero obviously sensed something special in Harold and sent him to Naga Nagri and her old friends.

'Harold purchased a familiar from Creature Companions, enough books to stock a library from Secret Knowledge, and then hurried off to his first tutoring session. Over the next week, observers watched the young man learn healing, elemental magic, a few lessons in dueling, Fuinjutsu, (a useful branch of Japanese magic Chandra studied at Ekta) and the very basics of Parselmagic! That's right readers, our wandering hero is a Parselmouth, and one who described 'outing' himself as a Parselmouth inadvertently. This author cannot imagine feeling shame over such a useful gift but whatever barbaric, uncultured backwater our wandering hero left behind, he had received only scorn for it. Sadly the boorish nation that would spurn a powerful Parselmouth with a heart of gold is likely Britain, whose Minister has recently refused to investigate the kidnapping and murder of a popular student and the rumors of the Dark Lord Voldemort returning from parts unknown. Minister Fudge even went so far as to order a captured conspirator executed before he could be questioned in a transparent effort to obscure the truth!

'I'm sure my readers join me in fearing for the safety of our traveling hero should he return home. Thankfully, a last minute tip confirmed that Harold received a tour of Ekta, where he is likely to receive a full scholarship by earning a spot on the school's dueling team. As mentioned in other articles, after the suspects set fire to the inn Harold ambushed the only uninjured terrorist from above as the man stalked two young women fleeing the burning inn. Sadly, a few days of proper dueling instruction is no substitute for the years of study and practice Harold failed to receive at whatever backwards hedge school he attended. Still, witness reports state that even after surviving the destruction of his flying carpet, even after being disarmed, even bleeding and unsteady, our hero reacted decisively to the attempted murder of two of Naga Nagri's most beloved young women. While the last terrorist in Naga Nagri fled via portkey with a potentially lethal wound, Harold rushed to the aid of the killer's two victims.

'While at the time Harold doubtlessly wished he'd spent more time learning magical combat, the time spent learning to heal proved vital. Not content with a standard cutting charm, the suspect, tentatively identified as a 'Death Eater' terrorist and Hogwarts Professor Severus Snape, struck with a truly evil cutting curse. As soon as the man's emergency portkey whisked him away, Harold rushed to his fallen friends and threw himself into saving their lives. But even the powerful stasis spell Remain was unable to save the two bisected young women from bleeding out in the street. With only minimal training, Harold fought for their lives with every ounce of his skill and power he could bring to bear. When the town's healers found him Harold was exhausted and bleeding enough he should have fainted, but like every other hero he refused to yield and continued casting Remain and Reject with a wand in each hand, beating back the cursed wound and buying the precious seconds the healers needed to save two innocent lives.

'Thanks to our wandering Hero, the shadow of death was turned away from Naga Nagri last night. Wherever he goes, it is our hope that Harold fares well and that he always remembers that unlike lesser nations, India honors our heroes. Wherever you are now Harold, remember that no matter what comes you will be forever welcome in India and Naga Nagri.'

Hermione and the others leaned back as they finished the article about 'Harold,' and there was a thoughtful silence until George spoke up. "Well, that's our Harry. Danger, violence, and two girls to rescue? Couldn't be anyone else."

Hermione sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm sure you're right. Let's finish the rest of the articles before someone bothers us."

As they read the rest of the English reprinting Remus had apparently picked up in Mumbai, she tried to push down the fears that started to grow in her chest. Harry's exploits reminded her that any magical with training could hold their own in a fight, but those without magic were very much in danger. Yes, she was pretty safe here in Number 12, behind a Fidelius charm but her parents were not. Those fears grew and ate at her until a few hours later she found herself knocking on the door to Sirius' bedroom once again, hoping she wasn't interrupting anything.

Remus sat down in the offered chair in Sirius' bedroom as the other man poured two glasses of Firewhiskey. The werewolf took a moment to compose himself, then turned to his friend as Sirius spoke up. "I was glad to hear you defend Harry, the others were convinced Britain now had two dark lords to contend with. What really happened over there?"

Remus shook his head. "Certainly not. Harry set a trap with a lot of conjured snakes disguised as decorations waiting in and around the room and a feral conjuration or something that looked exactly like him when it was tucked into bed. Snape broke into the room and when we disturbed it, it stabbed Daedalus then tried to get me; then those damned snakes just poured into the room. When everything went to hell he got me with a few darts with raw moonstone in some kind of failed potion. I apparated away and ran into the forest before I lost control and when I woke up in the morning I collected my things and left for Mumbai. Then I just collected some news and came home; I didn't want to explain to the authorities why I was in their country illegally. Snape… Really kicked a hornet's nest."

Both men took a moment to sip their whiskey, more conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Sirius spoke up, flicking his wand to unlock the door. "Come in."

Hermione entered, obviously hesitant. "Sirius, I'm worried about my parents. I know I'm safe here, but… I don't know much about wards, but I did look into getting them in a muggle neighborhood. But the exchange rate into galleons is so terrible we can't afford anything worthwhile…"

Hermione stopped in puzzlement as Sirius held up a hand to stop her. "It's already taken care of Hermione. After you and Harry saved me last year I had the best discreet wards money can buy put on your house. Then this summer I paid Bill to ward their business and I snuck out to put a few charms on their cars to keep them safe in an accident. It isn't perfect, but it's the best that can be done without making them a bigger target or keeping them under a Fidelius." Suddenly, Sirius had his arms full of a sniffling witch. "There there. You helped save my life, of course I'd do what I can." Sirius' tone turned teasing, trying to lighten the mood. "Besides, I didn't know if Harry was sweet on you or not, and it just wouldn't be right if you had an 'accident' after out-scoring some pureblood."

Hermione soon calmed down and, trying to preserve her dignity, she collected herself and spoke again. "Sirius, I know Molly is hell bent on having us clean this place, but I'd rather learn to protect myself. The newspaper Remus brought said Harry had hired a tutor to learn over the summer, can we do that here?"

Sirius was thoughtful for a moment. "Britain's kind of strict about that, unless you've got a certified Professor around…" Sirius looked at Remus and smiled. "Then again, we do have him, so technically it's above board. Tell you what, we'll teach you a few things and see how it goes. The others too, if Molly will allow it. If she makes a fuss about you learning, I'll just remind her that she isn't your mother and this isn't her house."

Harry woke up a little after four am local time and prepared for the day to come. The day before he'd run some errands, picking up new clothes and a few other things; he got out of the shower and spent a moment staring in shock at the face in the mirror that looked so unlike him, then slipped on a dark blue yukata with silver accents. Saska, his loyal guard-snake, fell asleep as he picked her up. Harry gently stroked her scales with a smile as she settled her into her terrarium, half on and half off the warm rock she preferred. As he moved to the room's desk, preparing to study the 'False Doll' spell, he decided he liked the new piece of clothing. It's comfortable, not too different from wearing a British robe really, but with much less fabric. From what I saw yesterday, Japan's magicals mostly wear traditional clothing, much more than the muggle side. There's a lot more color than Britain but it's more subdued than India; less varied but more regal? Is that the right word? Maybe dignified?

Sitting down with the scroll he'd been given yesterday, a glass of mango juice, (he'd bought a dozen bottles in Naga Nagri after trying it at the inn) and a pen, Harry started reading the scroll. An hour later he'd finished and was looking through his notes. So, the biggest thing I need is the meat that makes up the golem. The potion isn't difficult, except that it needs to be used immediately after it's brewed. I think I have everything except the Fluxweed but I can pick that up, it's used in so many potions it should be sold everywhere. When his stomach growled Harry chuckled and stood up. I'll start trying Japan's food later, it's too early to buy anything. Luckily I have plenty of preserved meals and fruit.

The dawn found Harry nibbling at slices of dried mango as he browsed through one of the books he'd purchased at Secret Knowledge. As usual, he'd been making notes on spells or exercises that looked useful. Hmm. I have so much to learn about combat. There's so many different dueling styles and the number of spells seems endless. I might not ever reach Voldemort's level but if I can learn something surprising I can take out his better duelists. Or maybe even… Voldemort isn't unbeatable, my mom beat him, so it is possible. I just need to learn a trick he doesn't know and get lucky. (Very lucky, I admit.) Still, just like with Snape, it only takes a single surprise or mistake to end the fight.

Eventually Harry washed up and changed into one of the fancier sets of 'samue' work clothes he'd purchased the day before, one that was a simple dark blue. With everything packed up he stepped down into his trunk, then into the terrarium where he'd left his rented raven. With the size of the terrarium he was glad she came when he whistled. Holding out his arm, Harry let her land on his arm. Yesterday he hadn't taken the time to really examine his temporary pet but pausing to take a closer look the first thing he noticed was that she was exceptionally healthy, every part of her was pristine and her black feathers gleamed in the light. The second thing he noticed was the two metal bands around her feet: One carried an enchantment mandated by the Japanese Ministry that ensured the raven would never be noticed by muggles while the other from the rental agency was embossed with her name and contained a complicated series of enchantments. {"So you're Kera, huh? How did you like this place?"}

After four years with his owl, Harry had gotten pretty good at reading avian body language. Kera acted not just pleased but well-fed. Suddenly wishing he'd been able to bring Hedwig with him, Harry headed out of the terrarium and up the stairs of his trunk. A few moments later he'd grabbed his shopping list, a business directory, and a notepad. At the front counter, he offered the clerk two gold coins before he started asking questions. Thankfully the man was pleasant and used to dealing with curious tourists so Harry soon knew the locations of a butcher and potion shop that wouldn't screw over a tourist. Standing on the front steps of the Falling Petals Inn, Harry gazed out at the sweeping vista of Kyoto, taking in the mix of traditional and modern buildings, including the very traditional magical district that stretched halfway up the slopes of Mount Hiei to the east. I'm so very far from home. He took in a deep breath of air then showed the first address he'd jotted down to the raven on his arm before he knelt down and set her at his feet. {"This is where I need to go girl, please get me there safely. Envigen!"}

Quickly stepping back, Harry's face split into a huge grin as Kera grew from a normal raven to a creature large enough to carry him without noticing the weight. Ruffling her feathers in pride, she laid down on the steps and Harry carefully climbed onto her back using feathers with orange-painted spines as handholds. As soon as he was in position and had a secure grip, Harry patted Kera's neck and whooped out loud as she leaped into the air. His excitement was infectious; as they made their way towards the magical district Kera danced acrobatically through the air, only the charms woven onto her feathers keeping Harry in place. Damn, I can see why Japan only maintains a Floo network for emergencies, this is incredible! If Hedwig doesn't want to become a harpy or whatever I figure out for her I am giving her all of these enchantments even if I'll have to keep her away from Malfoy. He'd mouth off and she'd eat him. Harry laughed to himself. Not that anything of value would be lost, but he isn't worth the hassle.

Eight hours later, Harry stumbled back from a Harry-shaped pile of meat on trembling legs. Both he and his tutor watched the magic-infused potion settle into the meat, which consisted of roughly two goats and half a small pig. The meat shifted as it settled into place, skin forming as bits of excess meat, bone, and organ sloughed off. A few minutes later there was a duplicate of Harry, oddly not his current disguise but his original appearance lying on the floor. Thankfully the highly-paid tutor hadn't objected to signing a simple contract promising confidentiality before they started. Harry transfigured a chair and collapsed into it as his instructor drew his wand and cast diagnostic spells. After a moment the dour man, who was clearly unhappy to be teaching a foreigner, spoke up. {"It is an improvement over your first attempt. Unlike that failure, this one is capable of following simple commands and regurgitating up to three short messages in response to questions. It will not deceive those who know you but it will look like you and sound like you. When you have recovered, place your wand on the False Doll's head and whisper your choices into its ear while concentrating on when it should respond with that particular message."}

Pleased in spite of the tutor's sarcasm, Harry took a moment to rest before he walked over the breathing but otherwise motionless flesh golem. With his wand pressed into its head, Harry took a deep breath and tried to get the response right the first time. "Sorry, I'm not feeling well, I'm going to go get some rest. I'm just a little tired, going to take a kip." Taking a moment's pause, he tried to work just the right amount of sneer into the last response. "I don't have anything to say to you."

Harry stretched the kinks out of his back, then efficiently cleaned his workspace with a few spells Chandra had taught him. When he'd finished stowing his potions equipment, he turned to his tutor. Unlike Chandra the old Japanese man reminded him of Snape, only the insults were slightly less obvious and there was a thicker veneer of civility than Snape ever managed. While he disliked the man, Harry accepted that every instructor couldn't be as good as the friendly Lamia. Still, while the man had been insulting and unpleasant he'd still taught Harry what he needed to know, (which was an improvement over his former potions instructor) so Harry bowed to the man and spoke as politely as he could in a language he was still mastering. {"Thank you for your time and instruction Sir. If I could ask one last thing, I'm looking for additional tutoring in Dueling, Elemental Magic, Fuinjutsu, or some of Japan's other traditional magic. Would you be willing to tutor me in those subjects or refer me to someone who will?"}

{"No. I do not have time to instruct a foreigner."} Harry could appreciate the honesty, even if it was a little frustrating as he left the traditional home behind, two flesh golems in his expanded trunk. I'm glad I bought the ingredients for two; the failure isn't good for much besides sleeping in my hotel room. Hmm. If they come for me again I can't assume they'll fall for the same trick twice. Maybe transfigure a copy and leave it in the hotel bed, then the golem in my trunk while I sleep in my tent with the cloak draped over it? That might work… As much as Harry wanted to immediately begin searching for a new tutor he had a pressing errand to take care of. After… well it wouldn't hurt to see the sights for a while. I didn't do any sightseeing in India unless you count the school tour, and that's a shame. I need to head to Tokyo anyway.

After a few moment's walk, Harry returned to the park he'd arrived in and whistled softly. Kera dutifully dropped out of a tree where a dozen similar birds were perched and glided down to his outstretched arm. The raven eagerly accepted the sweet berry Harry offered her, then dutifully dropped onto the ground. Harry spoke up after activating the enchantment woven deep into her flesh, returning her to a size large enough to ride. {"Okay girl, I need you to take me to Tokyo, to the 'Hilton Tokyo.' Can you get us there?"}

Harry had to hold in the laugh at the raven's derisive caw as she took to the air. After a few moment's flight, an idea came to him. No reason not to test it, and no better place than a piece of random forest. {"Change of plans Kera. Can you land somewhere in the forest with no one else nearby?"}

After giving the human an inquisitive look, Kera veered north and landed fifteen minutes later. The location wasn't exactly ideal, Japan was a densely populated nation and he could hear traffic in the distance but Kera had found him a very hilly area that people avoided simply because of the steep cliffs on one side and difficult ascent on the other. Still, it should suffice for what I need. Reaching into a pocket, Harry offered Kera a piece of dried fruit which she promptly returned to her normal size to enjoy. After that, Harry placed his original wand inside his trunk, then covered the trunk with his father's cloak. Drawing Chandra's wand he gazed at it for a moment, taking in the ivory now permanently stained with his and Chandra's blood. Harry forced down the anger at the reminder of what he'd brought to Naga Nagri and instead focused on the feel of the wand in his hand.

It really does feel like my wand, like it belongs to me and not like that time I tried to cast something with Hermione's. I wonder if that's from the blood or the way I used this wand to save its last user? I.. should send a message back home and warn them about Snape, but I don't want it intercepted. I wonder… Dumbledore can use the Patronus to carry a message, somehow, but I don't know how he does it. Harry sat down on a fallen log in the shade and considered what he knew about the spell in question. The problem with just making the spell do what I want is that the Patronus is incorporeal, it doesn't affect physical objects and sound is just vibrations in the air. Hmm… I do know a similar spell though. And Indian spells are much easier to modify than European… Especially cast in Parsel tongue.

Standing, Harry walked across the clearing and a short ways into the forest before he drew his wand and concentrated before speaking in Parseltongue. {"Sajeev!"}

Harry looked at the serpent made of animated water and ordered it to stay in place. Now to see if I get a letter or a visit from the local Ministry. I might as well get lunch while I wait. I certainly worked up an appetite learning that False Doll spell.

Half an hour after his first spell failed to summon the local authorities Harry relaxed and finished eating his lunch. Leaving his original wand behind again, he crossed the clearing and transfigured a fallen branch into a passable chair. Sitting down he rapped his new wand on his knee in thought. Knowing I can get around the underage restrictions on magic is big. Now I just need to get a message to Britain. Casting that spell with Parseltongue will help modify it, but I won't know if the message made it until I get back. Wish I could just send an owl, but even Hedwig couldn't make it this far and I don't want to give away my location; sending international mail is rare and I don't want attention. Besides, India's authorities know who Snape is and where he works, I'm sure they'll contact Britain. Still…

After an hour of experimenting with variations on the 'Sajeev' conjuring spell, Harry was pretty sure that at least one of his improvised messengers would make it back to Britain. (He was pretty sure the trick was making the conjured elemental creatures as insubstantial as possible; with less mass the creatures would need less energy to fly at speed.) With that taken care of, he whistled for Kera and rewarded her with a scrap of meat from lunch. If there's one thing I learned from dealing with Hedwig, it's that treats make a good impression. Now, time to fly!

After returning the raven to her larger size, Harry enjoyed the next hour as Kera flew him halfway across Japan. He couldn't help but idly compare the experience to his broom and carpet. Riding a living creature really is different; I'm lucky Kera is so well-trained. As his mind drifted, he imagined applying the same enchantment to Hedwig, even if it would be very tricky without the generations of careful breeding Kera boasted. It would be incredible to fly with her like this, but somehow I still can't shake the thought that Malfoy and the other obnoxious little shits in Slytherin would start disappearing. Hedwig's surprisingly stealthy when she wants to be.

Eventually Harry landed in Tokyo after about an hour and a half's flight. He nearly collapsed to the alley's asphalt as he slid off the raven. Huh, I didn't realize how much I was straining to stay in place, I can hardly feel my legs. Ugh, no time to lose. Eventually Harry rose and offered a much smaller raven a place on his shoulder. Kera was proving that she was either a very smart raven or the charms on her had been placed by a master; she'd gotten him near the right hotel, only a few blocks away. Glancing around, Harry quickly pulled his cloak out of a pocket and draped it over his trunk before unshrinking it. Inside he walked down the stairs and walked over to the golem sitting in a chair. Placing his wand at the golem's head, he spoke aloud. "You will pretend to be me. You will eat and drink enough to sustain yourself and follow the commands given to you by others. You will give Aunt Petunia this note when you are alone, allow her to read it, then consume it. Now, follow me."

With that, Harry made his way to the Hilton and spoke to the clerk at the front desk after helping the golem into a chair in the hotel's lobby. {"Can you contact the Dursley family please? Their nephew needs a little help getting back to their room. Some jerk slipped sake into his tea and he isn't feeling well."}

The clerk nodded, her own assumptions falling into place and saving Harry from answering any questions as he slipped away. Outside Harry made his way to the alley that was big enough for Kera to change shape in and he returned to the air, nose wrinkling at the sounds and scents of the densely-inhabited city. Shaking his head, Harry spoke up. "Take us somewhere quiet and green girl. I'd like to do some sightseeing, but there's too many people here."

Harry's rented raven beat her wings and turned towards the forest northwest of Tokyo; eager to visit a place she'd flown over often but never actually visited. It was a rare thing for her rider to let her choose the destination after all. As they left the noise and bustle of Tokyo behind, neither noticed when a subtle enchantment ensnared them. Oh, it was nothing overt or even hostile, simply a beacon that found those wandering aimlessly and pulled them in.

As the sun began to dip into the west and afternoon began the slow descent into evening, a young woman in her late teens reclined on a wide bough high up in her favorite tree. Despite the time she spent in the sun, her porcelain-white skin drew attention to her sleek, dark brown hair and the rusty-red triangular ears poking out of her hair. When she shifted, her four rusty-red fox tails moved out from under her and cured around the branch for comfort and stability. She was sketching in a notebook, slowly filling in the outline of a Nundu stalking across the African plains with Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance; she'd decided to copy the landscape from a postcard she'd seen recently. She smiled but even alone her smile was strained and shallow, even when taking part in her only hobby. And even then, this is really just more practice for Fuinjutsu and my illusions.

The kitsune shook her head, gazing out over the shrine and small town she'd called home her entire life and the forest that surrounded them. Saki and Megumi have been acting strange the last few days. The kitsune scoffed. Seers. They've been busy reading tea leaves instead of training, trying to figure out what's coming. Not that they've gotten anything useful. 'Change.' 'Ripples from a stone.' 'A Brighter and Darker Path.' Seers are always so damned vague! They're useless until whatever they're talking about has already happened. The kitsune shifted again, idly rubbing at the lines of old ink on her skin, just barely peeking out from under her sleeve. She stared at them for a moment, then snarled. Damned seers.

Six hours after parting ways with his False Doll, 'Harry Potter' and his relatives returned to Number Four Privet Drive via portkey, bypassing a rather long flight to their secret relief. All three Dursleys were disturbed by Harry's odd behavior but only Petunia knew the truth, that this was just an imitation, a facsimile of her nephew. (The boy's note had been annoyingly cryptic, was he practicing to impress a sphinx?!) She resolved to tell the others when she was sure they were alone but for now she was happy that her nephew was with his own kind. He always should have been with them instead of getting hoisted off on us. Freaks like him belong together and far away from honest people. 'Harry' was moving sluggishly, but followed instructions well enough and she'd already heard all three of the recorded messages more than once. I bet I can still get a few chores out of this thing, I'll just keep it busy in the yard.

A/N: A bit late, but here we go! Sadly the last chapter I have written out for now, so there might be a longer than usual pause before I post again. I'm hoping to be more productive in the months to come, but for now I'm not sure when my next update will be.

If you enjoyed it, please leave a review. I read and enjoy each one, even if I don't respond!