Sight

Ragnok watched as Harry sat meditating. He raised an eyebrow as the magic around his student danced up, and two dogs rose from the flow. They walked around for a bit, checking the room out, and returned to Harry disappearing in his magic. He leaned back. "You need to start working on how to rein your magic in," he said.

Harry nodded slowly. "I know," he said. "I'm just not sure how to do that. If I pull it in, it hurts a lot," he said.

Ragnok nodded. "Okay, it shouldn't be outside of you the way it is. You need to do this step by step. A little at a time and let it take time," he said. "That way, your core and channels will get used to the increase a little at a time."

Harry looked at his hands for a bit as he tried to figure out how to do what Ragnok told him to do. He wasn't even sure where his magic was stored. How did that work? "Could you ask Glint to come by?" he asked.

Ragnok shook his head and sighed. He wasn't sure why Harry wanted to see his wife, but he was certain Glint would happily show up to help him. "I will try to get you some literature on magic for humans."

"Please ask a human what to bring me," Harry said.

Ragnok nodded. "I shall do that," he said. "We shall see each other tomorrow."

Harry nodded. "Okay," he said. He looked forward to some books. That would be nice to have something else to do. "See you tomorrow."

Ragnok sighed softly. He was really hoping he was right about Harry. He was putting a lot of work into this for it to go badly. The council really wasn't helping, and he was with Glint on this. Harry might actually go really far with the right help. He headed out to one of the bigger halls, where he might be able to find a human who could get the books he needed for Harry. Red hair caught in the corner of his eye and he turned around. "Weasley!" he called. If he remembered correctly, this young man had asked questions about Harry in the past.

Bill walked up to Ragnok. "Master Ragnok. What can I do for you?" he asked.

"I need a full set of books meant to teach human magic from year one to seven in all subjects a warder might need," Ragnok said.

Bill nodded. "I can get that for you," he said. He would need to look into what books were best, but he could get it done. "Are these… are they for anyone specific?" he asked.

Ragnok looked Bill in the eyes. "That is none of your concern, Mr Weasley," he said.

Bill nodded. He could assume these books were for Harry, but he couldn't be sure. They could be for anyone. He would get them, though. He considered telling Ron, but it wouldn't really do his brother any good. If the books were for Harry, they could get in trouble for messing with them. If they weren't for Harry, that would just be even worse. He sighed. He would get the books and not mess with them. If they were for Harry, great. Then he was being taught something somehow. That was a good thing.

Glint headed into the observation room as Bill headed out of the bank. She wasn't happy. "They won't let me enter the room with you," she said. "I wish I could because it is easier to help you if I can touch you."

Harry smiled at her. "Well, let's see what we can do anyway," he said. He sat down by the wall. "Ragnok says I need to pull my magic in," he said. "I can see what he means, but I don't really understand where I'm supposed to put it."

Glint sighed softly as she studied him. "Well," she said. "There are a few ways for magic to manifest in a being. Humans can have magical cores, then there are meridian lines, arcana deposits, mana wells and aether clusters." She smiled at him. "I believe from touching you that you have a mana well. You are overflowing with magic, and that is what is creating a problem. Your emotions create a reaction that causes the well to explode if you get angry enough. You don't need to draw the magic in. You need to stop the magic from leaving you in the first place."

Harry sighed and closed his eyes. "That would have been nice to know ages ago," he said. "I didn't even know there were differences. Am I even supposed to use a wand?" he asked.

Glint smiled softly. "You probably don't need one, dear," she said. "People with cores generally need foci to use their magic, but they can learn to cast without one. Wells generally have too much magic for a wand. You could use one before because your well was lidded. I doubt it would work the same now."

Harry closed his eyes. "So don't lid it, but don't let it overflow," he said. "The magic should stay in the well. I am the well?"

"It sounds good so far," Glint said happily. He was doing amazingly. She was so glad that he had got this far in just a few months. He was happier and his magic seemed calmer. He looked healthier again.

Harry placed his hands against his chest. All of him was the well. All of him could produce magic, and all of him was letting that magic go. There was no specific place to put the outflow because it existed in all of him. That made sense. He had only ever heard of cores, and he had never really felt like he had one. Not that he knew if it felt like anything. Now he just needed to figure out how to not lid but keep his magic inside him. That was going to be a whole thing. He ignored the magic already flowing around him. It was his, but he was supposed to stop it from happening, not care about what was already there.

Ragnok walked into the room again. He was curious what his wife was up to, and he was bored, so he had returned. He watched Harry and activated his mage sight to see his magic. He shook his head slowly as he saw the way Harry's magic moved around while he worked it. "How is he doing?" he asked Glint.

"He understands now. The question is if he can figure out how to handle that without harming himself," Glint said.

"He might need an output before he can fully figure that out," Ragnok said. "I'm hoping he can gain a bit of that with the literature I have asked for."

Glint nodded. She knew what her husband was hoping for, and she agreed with him. If Harry had been inclined to learn healing, she would have grabbed him already. He had a beautiful caring soul, but he wasn't necessarily meant to heal people, even if he might be able to learn how to help. She took her husband's hand and pulled at him. They could leave Harry to work through this on his own.

…

"And Padfoot rushed into the forest to find Moony, not quite taking into account that they were both canines and Moony might not want him on his territory," Harry said as his conjured animals ran around. "Padfoot wasn't the most perceptive of dogs, so it was lucky for him that Moony was a kind soul who didn't want to cause harm."

Teddy watched the animals happily. "Aya, lion. Aya make 'ima.

Harry nodded slowly. "Lion. I can make you a lion," he said. He weaved his magic and conjured a lion, as the wolf and dog disappeared into the flow of his magic. Teddy laughed and clapped his hands as the lion shook his mane.

Andromeda chuckled as she watched her grandson. He was so precious. She could tell that he wanted to touch Harry, though. He was not happy about the wall. He wanted his Aya. "How are things going?" she asked.

"I… I feel like I missed a lot during school," Harry said. "Ragnok got me text books, and I feel like there is a lot they either didn't teach or I didn't have the references to understand."

Andromeda smiled at him. "At least you are looking through it now," she said. "If you want to talk to me about it, I'm happy to listen and help you."

"Thank you," Harry said. "So far, I think it is just a matter of my magic never actually working the way everyone assumed it did. I had issues casting because I wasn't doing it right for me." He didn't mind so much. It was kind of fun relearning, but he would remember to bring any questions to Andromeda. It wasn't like Ragnok or Glint could help him, and he didn't want to involve anyone else, even if Ragnok had offered to get him a tutor.

"Just let me know if there is anything I can do," Andromeda said.

Harry nodded and smiled at Teddy. "I will, I promise," he said. He waved to Teddy as they headed out, a short while later. He drew a deep breath. He needed to get a hold of his magic. He was doing better, but the lack of contact was really starting to get to him. He hoped Glint and Ragnok were right, and the Council would let him out if he gained control.

…

A soft hum sounded through the observation room as Ragnok entered and activated the transparent wall. He watched Harry as the young human rose from his position on the floor and walked up to the wall while twirling a strand of magic between his fingers. He closed his eyes as he reached out for the wall. His eyes opened and Ragnok froze.

Using magesight was very visible on the eyes. The old goblin rose from his seat and joined Harry by the wall. He hadn't taught the human how to do this. Magesight was complex magic. It wasn't something a person just stumbled upon out of nowhere. He looked at the wards of the room as Harry shifted through them. He swallowed thickly. If the council found out about this, they would lock the whole project down.

Thankfully, Harry didn't do anything to the wards. He was just looking. That was a good thing because there would be noting to explain. He didn't let his own consciousness leave the wards until Harry did. Somehow, teaching Harry how to deal with his own mind had allowed him to utilise the kind of magesight warders used. He needed to have a talk with Glint, and they needed to move their plans up.

"I see that you have gained some interesting abilities," Ragnok said calmly.

Harry looked at him. "Wasn't that what you were hoping would happen when you made sure to got me books on warding?" he asked.

Ragnok lowered his head, so Harry wouldn't see his smile. "I see," he said. "I have been caught, it would seem. He looked up at Harry with a mischievous look in his eyes. "Well, what do you think, young man?" he asked.

Harry rolled his eyes. "It is a very interesting subject, sir," he said. At least Ragnok wasn't denying it.

"Good, good," Ragnok said. "Now he just needed the Council's approval. Until he had managed that, though, he had some other things to work through with Harry.

Harry sat down, still smiling. He listened to the goblin master as Ragnok guided him along the path to finer control of magic.

Glint looked up at her husband as he returned that evening. "How did it go?" she asked.

"He shifted through the wards of the prison," Ragnok said. "We need to push the Council before they realise just what he is likely to be capable of. Right now, they might choose to take him out. He needs out of there."

"I have said that for months, dear," Glint said. "It is good to know you are finally realising just what he will be able to do."

Ragnok gave her a look. "I have been on your side since day one, dear," he said. "Even if I didn't realise just how special his case is." He hugged her. "I will speak to Dumac. He can't pay back what he owes while he is in a cell. Let's play on their greed. That will be the easiest way to get them to give in."

"Warding is lucrative," Glint said while nodding. "Please make it happen," she said.

…

Andromeda watched Harry as he weaved the image of his mother into existence in front of him. He finished and looked at her. "I know this might not be healthy to do a lot, but just the idea that I can do this in itself is kind of insane." He waved the image away. "I prefer making animals," he said. "Less messy. Less damaging to the psyche."

Andromeda nodded. His control was impressive, but she was much more interested in just how much happier he was these days. It wasn't just him, though, she was happier, too. She looked forward to coming to see him, both for Teddy and for herself. In so many ways, Harry was like a son she had never had. He was kind, caring and loving. He wanted the people around him to be happy, no mater their race. She felt for him, and she hoped he would be able to make something out of his situation. "Any idea when you will be able to get out of there?" she asked.

Harry bit his lip. "I think that maybe Master Ragnok has a plan, but he won't tell me what it is, except he made sure there were warding books among my textbooks," he said.

Andromeda laughed merrily. "Oh, my," she said. "Is that what you want?" she asked.

Harry met her eyes. "I think warding would be neat. You need a lot of magic, and it is complex but not impossible," he said. "I can learn how to protect places. Protect people. I think that is pretty cool. I can guard people without putting my own life in danger all the time."

Andromeda smiled at him. "That sounds fantastic," she said. It was a good career path and one that would suit him very well.

"You know, maybe… just maybe I can be out of here before Christmas," Harry said. He was almost buzzing with excitement, and Andromeda couldn't do anything but smile.

"If you can, I promise we can spend Christmas together," she said. Her eyes widened as his magic almost seemed to manifest around him like a glowing aura matching his smile.

"Thank you," Harry said.

Andromeda smiled. She knew it might be too early to make any plans, but she loved how happy he was. She looked forward to the idea of him being able to hold Teddy and play with him. Even if he was still locked to the goblins for a while, they would be able to interact more.

…

It seemed the Council didn't seem inclined to make any changes. October rolled by and then November. Nothing changed, except that Ragnok started teaching Harry, even if the Council hadn't agreed to let him out.

"You are my apprentice, even if I can't make it official," Ragnok said. He disliked the councils' stubbornness. It was such a waste to leave Harry in there.

All the while, the Council was arguing. Some of them thought Harry deserved to be locked up. Others thought it was insane to keep him in a cell, and a good amount of them agreed when Dumac pointed out that he can't repay while being locked in a cell. Some of the Council Members, however, thought it would be okay to essentially enslave the boy for life, saying he should pay a fifty per cent of all his future gains should be paid to Gringotts.

Dumac had just sighed. He was not going to agree to something as foolish as a lifetime payment plan. There was no way it would take a warder that long to pay them back. He could probably be done in a few years at most. He was not giving that bad of a deal to anyone. Especially not a young man the Council had almost killed with their earlier decisions.

While this was going on, Andromeda kept showing up with Teddy, and she found herself speaking to Harry about all kinds of things. They discussed politics and economy. They talked about the neighbours and Andromeda's situation regarding her lack of employment. She wasn't having any financial difficulties, so there were no worries there, but she did want to get back to work eventually, though she felt like she wasn't too keen on being a healer any more. The hours just wouldn't cut it with Teddy.

"What do we do about school?" Harry asked. He was laying on his back next to the wall, so Teddy could stand next to him.

"What do you mean?" Andromeda asked.

"Do we send him to muggle school?" Harry asked.

Andromeda blinked owlishly. Then she smiled. Back when Nymphadora had been little, Ted was the one who had asked questions like this. They had sent their daughter to school. It made sense that her son would go the same way, but it wasn't something she had considered. "Yes," she said. "We should send him to school. I will need to look into that," she said.

Harry smiled. They. They would send him. She hadn't corrected him. That made him happy. He made butterflies appear, and Teddy laughed brightly. He knew he was an outsider. He looked at Andromeda. Though she hadn't acted like he was. "And then he will go to Hogwarts."

"Oh, don't talk about that now, Harry. That is ages away," Andromeda said. She didn't want to make plans almost ten years into the future.

Harry laughed. He went to bed that night with a light heart and woke the next morning feeling rested. He went through his morning routine and ate his bland breakfast. Then the door opened and Ragnok walked inside, followed by two other goblins. He stopped next to him. "Kneel," he ordered calmly.

Dumac had finally managed to get through to the Council to let him into the damn cell. Apparently, they had been scared harm would come to goblins who entered the cell after Glint forced her way in months ago, despite the fact that Harry hadn't harmed a single goblin since his branding. The only one who had been hurt since they started the ritual was Harry.

Harry didn't look up. They hadn't spoken much about this, but there had been some hints dropped, and respect had been important. He was glad he hadn't put his shirt on yet. It removed the annoying step of taking it back off. He held still as Ragnok walked in behind him.

"I offer you a place as my apprentice, Harry Potter," Ragnok said with authority. "Do you accept?" He said as he took the branding iron from one of the ceremonial goblins.

I, Harry James Potter, accept my position as your apprentice, Master Ragnok," Harry answered. He still wasn't sure how common it was for goblin Masters to take human apprentices, but he knew this was a way back to freedom.

Pain flared through Harry's shoulder for a moment as Ragnok pressed the hot iron against his skin. Why did goblins think that branding was the best way to go about things? The iron was removed and Harry pushed himself up on his feet. His Master had claimed him. He would work to make his Master proud until he was ready to gain his own Mastery.

"You will honour our traditions," Ragnok said calmly. "That means you will be treated as a goblin youth from this moment forth. As such, you will not speak to humans." He could see the despair in Harry's eyes, but there was no response from his magic, and he was proud of that. "This rules applies to everyone but your family. In your case, that means Andromeda Tonks and Edward Lupin."

Harry tried to keep his relief from his face. He wasn't sure if he managed, but at least his voice was steady as he answered, "I see. Is there anything else I need to know immediately, Master?"

"For now, you will stay here. We still have some tests we need to run before we let you out, but we are close," Ragnok said before heading out with the ceremonial goblins.

Of course, they couldn't just let him out. He should have known he wouldn't be released from this cell simply because his Master had claimed him. There had to be more to it than that. He rubbed his face and groaned in frustration. He breathed in slowly and turned around. He was glad for the potion, though. He drank the pain relief down before returning to his routine. He was still hoping to be out before Christmas.

A grin played on his lips as he considered moving into the wards to have a look around. Maybe he shouldn't. It would be fun, but his Master would not be impressed.

…

It was dark as Harry came to with a jolt. Hands grabbed at him, and he tried to fight them off. He could hear voices around him hissing angrily in Gobbledegook. Pain flared through him as he tore away from them and got to his feet. He cried out as they attacked his legs and he fell. He was pushed down and pain flared all over his body. Something was placed over his mouth and locked in place around his head, sealing his jaw. Panic grabbed him. He pushed back against them with his magic, slamming them against the walls. He scanned them quickly. Was this a test, or were these goblins actually trying to cause him harm?

He whimpered as he pushed himself up. The floor was wet and he slipped and caught himself. He reached out and gathered his magic in order to send an animal to his Master calling for his aid before he sat down heavily. Light streamed from him so he would be able to see the deep cuts along his arms and legs. He was bleeding quite profoundly. His fingers were shaking as he reached up to try to take the mask off.

The lights were turned on and Harry closed his eyes, His body shuddered, and he collapsed in the pool of his own blood as he saw the goblins stuck to the walls. Someone ran up to him, and he felt a hand against his shoulder. "Hold out Harry. I have you," Glint said. She rubbed a salve over his chest and down his arms before pulling his pants off.

"The human won't survive. You might as well give up."

"He deserves death."

"It's disgusting how you crawl for a human."

Ragnok shut them up before turning around. "Glint?" he said. He looked at Harry. "Harry, can you hear me?" he asked.

Green eyes blinked open sluggishly.

"There is magic in the mask. Can you separate it from your own magic?" Ragnok said as he knelt next to his apprentice. He tried to get the mask off. Harry's eyes glowed as he separated his magic from whatever the mask was trying to do with it. His eyes closed as Ragnok worked to rip the mask off him. He managed with a growl and threw the mask aside.

Harry was pushed up to sitting so he could drink the potions Glint handed him. Blood replenishers and healing potions. His head cleared as his body did its best to recover.

"Better?" Glint asked.

Harry nodded. "Yeah," he said.

"Can you stand?" Glint asked. She grabbed his arm as he tried to stand and helped push him up.

Harry stumbled and caught himself. He walked over to the bed as he cleaned himself off as best as he could before pulling on a pair of fresh pants. He sat down.

"Oh, no, Harry, come here," Glint said. "You are coming with me." She watched him for a good while before sighing softly. "Harry."

Harry looked up at her dumbly, as his brain tried to process what she wanted.

"Come here, Harry," Glint said.

Harry rose slowly. The blood loss was affecting him, causing his head to feel like it was full of cotton. He reached her, wondering what was going on. She took his hand firmly and walked towards the door. Harry passed through the doorway in a sort of daze. He was out of the cell. He was free of his prison. He couldn't keep track of where they went, but they eventually entered a cosy flat.

"Well, that wasn't the best way of getting you out of there, but at least you are out," Glint said. "Don't worry, now that you are out of there, the Council won't be able to put you back in."

Harry nodded slowly. "I'm not feelin great," he said softly. "Can I… can I sleep now?"

"How about you clean off quickly and then head to bed. We have prepared the apprentice quarters for you," Glint said. She helped him over to a door and though the living room. "There is no need to fear here. Ragnok laid our wards himself. No one can hurt you here."

Harry bowed his head. "Thank you," he said as he did his best to keep himself functional. He looked around as they moved through the living room. It was nice to see real furniture again. He stumbled into the bathroom and started the shower. He cleaned off before dragging his feet over to the bedroom so he could collapse on the bed.

…

Harry rolled out of bed the next morning. He looked around for a long time before the previous night came back to him. He was out. He was out of the damn cell. Happy tears ran down his face. He drew a deep breath as he rose. While he was an apprentice under a strict master, he at least was not a prisoner any more. He had more than four stone walls and voices. Drying his tears, he did his best to centre himself.

Ragnok was not a bad Master. He would have at least some freedom. Looking around, he realized that he needed to get ready for the day. He had no idea what Ragnok would want them to do.

When a knock sounded through the room, Harry was dressed and ready. The door was thrown open and Ragnok walked in. He took one look at Harry and nodded approvingly. "Good, you are ready," he said. "Let's go. You need appropriate clothes for your station. We will get them ready for you."

Harry nodded. "Show the way, Master," he said. He had a feeling they might have to deal with a few things before they got started on the warding.