A pillar of flames burst to life, whirling in heatless blue. It only lasted a few moments before fading away, revealing…
A figure clad in an all encompassing black robe, with a shadowy hood. It was only the lack of a silver death mask that kept the figure from looking like a death eater. Albus looked at the figure in surprise. This was definitely not what he had been expecting from the Goblet.
That shadowy hood panned across the Great Hall for a moment before the figure reached up to it back, revealing a young man. Bright green eyes gazed at the room from beneath a bald head. A jagged scar was etched above each eyebrow in the shape of a lightning bolt. “A room full of magical disciples? How fascinating?”
Dumbledore’s eyes locked onto the scar on the young man’s head. While having a second scar was strange, he would recognize those eyes anywhere. “Harry?”
The young man turned his gaze from the students to the Headmaster. His gaze swept up and down before he cocked his head to the side. “Excuse me, but do I know you? I don’t recognize your robes? Who are you a Disciple of?”
Albus chuckled, reaching up to stroke his beard. “I am a student of learning, Harry, my boy. EVen at my age. As for if you know me, it is more that I knew you, once upon a time. It has been some years since I last saw you.”
Harry seemed to consider that statement for a moment, his arms sliding into the opposite sleeves. “Indeed? That must have been before I was found by the Society.” Those green eyes narrowed for a moment before he continued. “And what exactly was your relationship to me? You obviously know me well enough to recognize me on sight. That leaves many more questions to be answered, old man.”
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled as he mirrored young Harry’s motions, sliding his hands into his sleeves. That this let him grasp his wand out of sight was only a bonus. “Harry, my boy. I’m sure that you have so many questions. Perhaps we could move these questions to my office?”
“You still have not identified yourself. I do not feel comfortable going with someone who won’t even do me the courtesy of telling me their name.”
The Headmaster nodded. “Of course. Quite right, quite right. How forgetful of me. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts.”
Harry offered the Headmaster a bow. “Greetings, Headmaster. I am Harry Potter of the Society. I take it then that this is a school, of which you are the Headmaster?”
Excited chattering broke out among the students on hearing Harry’s name. Even some of the foreign students were joining in on the discussions going around the tables. Albus offered Harry his most grandfatherly smile. “Indeed, I am. This is the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”
“Is it now?” A wide smile spread across Harry’s lips even as his gaze left the Headmaster to sweep back over the assembled students from three different schools. Albus mentally frowned when he didn’t see the light of recognition in the boy’s eyes. Where exactly had he been all these years that he hadn’t even heard of Hogwarts? What had those muggles done to him?
“Now Harry, my boy, I really must insist that we move this to my office. This is far too public of a location for us to be discussing your life.”
Those green eyes shifted back to the Headmaster, and for a moment, Albus could have sworn there was anger in their depths. He must have imagined it though, as that smile only grew wider. “Of course, Headmaster. You are correct. One’s past is a sacred thing and should only be shared with those you trust or those in true authority. Shall we go?”
With a quick glance at the Staff Table, Albus gathered up the Heads of House and swept Harry from the room, leaving behind a room full of chattering discussion.
***
Harry sat with his arms in the opposite sleeves, watching the Headmaster recline in his own throne-like chair with a similar pose. Arrayed on each side of the old man were the other people who had followed them into the room. So far they hadn’t been introduced and he had the feeling that it was a ploy by the man to keep Harry in ignorance.
While the genial old man effect was strong with this one, there was something lurking beneath that tickled Harry’s senses. A sense of falseness that made Harry want to leave the room. However, the absolute treasure trove that was this school could not be ignored. He could endure many things to get himself a hold of the magic that he could see just spread around him.
Everything he had seen, from the way things worked in his brief glance of the Great Hall, to the moving portraits in the Headmaster’s office, and all the things in between, only proved to convince Harry that there was a wealth to be harvested here, if only he was patient. The fact that he was to compete in some kind of competition with other students was of no consequence. His whole life had been one competition or another for as long as he could remember. This would be no different.
“Harry, my dear boy, I’m not sure what to think of your tale. It seems so fantastical. A world with so little magic that it takes years of study for even the most basic of spells.”
Harry nodded. “Quite understandable, Headmaster. It is hard for me to accept that you have such an abundance of magic here. I can think of many times in my life when more magic would have been truly beneficial. That I could have grown up here, in this world, should I not have been found by the Society.”
One of the other people in the room scoffed. “You expect us to believe that you have no knowledge of magic, Potter? How droll.”
Turning to the one who had spoken, he frowned. The man was taller than those around him, with a head of greasy hair. The man would have fit in well among some of the old Disciples. They seemed to enjoy that look. Harry preferred the simplicity of his own presentation.
“I don’t believe I said I had no knowledge of magic. Only that there is more magic here than where I was raised. I don’t know why that is, but I look forward to learning more while I am here. With this being a school, I hope to be able to enroll during my time in the tournament.” He turned a smile on the Headmaster. “That is, if Hogwarts will have me. You did mention that you knew me as a child.”
The tall, skinny, older female nodded. “Aye, Harry. We knew you when you were just a wee babe. More importantly, we knew your parents. It’s why we had placed you with the Dursleys to begin with, though I was against that.” She turned a frown on the Headmaster.
The Headmaster simply returned that grandfatherly smile that Harry found so false. “Your parents were dear students of ours, which was why they left you in our care. Though I do confess, I still do not understand how you went from the Dursleys to your Society.”
Harry nodded. “That is something that I would dearly like to discover as well, Headmaster. Hopefully during my time at this school, we can look into my past and figure out what happened all those years ago and how I went from being placed with my loving relatives to being found by the Society.”
There was a rustle of robes from the greasy one, but before the man could say anything, Dumbledore continued. “Indeed, Harry, indeed. However, for now, let us get you situated into lodgings. I’m sure that Minerva would love to house you with her lions.”
Harry’s gaze whipped from the Headmaster to the woman pursing her lips. “Lions? I’m guessing that’s a label of sort, and not an attempt to have me sleeping with animals?”
Minerva grimaced. “Aye, Harry. Lions as what my students are called. The Headmaster should have explained this earlier, but the school is separated into four houses.” The woman then proceeded to explain about the various factions in the school.
Harry hid a smile as he nodded in understanding. Interhouse rivalries, in addition to multiple schools all in one area. So many opportunities to be had. His gaze turned to the greasy man for a moment. Oh definitely. A lot of opportunities.
***
“So you’re Harry Potter.”
Harry paused in his walk with Professor McGonnagol. Turning around, he spotted a skinny boy with long blond hair and a pair of larger boys flanking him. “I am. And you are?”
“I am Draco Malfoy, Heir to House Malfoy.” The young man gave Harry a clear once over before slowly extending his hand. “As you are new to Hogwarts, I wanted to welcome you, as well as offer my guidance. You’ll find that some wizarding families are better than others. I can help you know who to associate with and who to avoid.”
Ignoring the way the Professor bristled beside him, Harry merely nodded his head. “I thank you for the offer, Mr. Malfoy. However, as you have said, I am new to Hogwarts. I would prefer some time for my own observations before involving myself in any local politics.” He glanced down at the hand before nodding again. “However, I appreciate the offer and wish no ill feelings between us.” He reached out and took the young man’s hand in a firm shake.
The Malfoy Heir nodded his head. “Understandable. In case you weren’t aware, you come from a long line of wizarding families, on your father’s side. And while he may have polluted your bloodline with muggle blood, the line itself is still to be respected. Come to me when you are ready to learn more about your heritage.”
A wide smile graced Harry’s lips as he nodded again. “Indeed? Thank you for sharing that bit of information. I know nothing about my family, having been raised by the Society. They don’t typically involve themselves with the outside world and I consider myself fairly sheltered. We will talk later. For now though…” He motioned to the Professor to proceed.
When they were a sufficient distance away that he didn’t have to worry about Malfoy overhearing, he turned to the Professor. “I take it there was something about that interaction that displeased you, Professor?”
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McGonnagol pursed her lips before nodding. “Aye. That pure blood nonsense about your mother’s blood polluting your line. Disgraceful.”
“Oh? So he was intentionally insulting? Fascinating.” Harry trailed off for a moment as he followed the clearly fuming Professor. “I intend to learn as much as I can while I am here, Professor. That includes learning all about magical blood.”
***
Harry’s first few days in Hogwarts was spent learning about the school, the tournament, and the Wizarding world in general. Several students from the school from across the houses were assigned to teach him and he enjoyed spending time with them. The students ran the gamut from muggleborn to high society pureblood.
Even more fascinating was the realization that this wasn’t his world. Oh, supposedly it was his world of origins, but the one in which he had grown up in, been raised by the Society in, had no correlation in this world. At first he had thought it had to do with how secretive the Society was. Over time though, he found the discrepancies between the two worlds to be too extensive to ignore.
Yet that presented even more possibilities. Were there other members of a Society here? Their purpose would certainly transcend worlds. This bore looking into.
While most of the students assigned to interact with Harry were accommodating, even if some were more standoffish than others, there were those in the general student body, even from some of the other schools, that were less delightful to interact with. Mr. Malfoy especially, seemed determined to impose himself upon Harry, even resorting to physical intimidation once his original offer had been completely rebuffed.
Fortunately, Harry had some methods of dealing with everything on his own.
***
Malfoy walked up to Daphne Greengrass as she was escorting the Potter Heir through the castle. “Greengrass. Have you seen Crabbe and Goyle? They weren’t waiting for me this morning and no one has seen them all day.”
The statuesque Slytherin turned from his charge to regard him with cold eyes. One day his father would finish those negotiations and he would be able to show the uppity girl where her place truly was. Beneath him or kneeling at his feet.
“I don’t keep track of your retainers, Malfoy. Now unless you have some official business with me or my charge, I am afraid we must be about our way.”
Barely keeping from grinding his teeth, Malfoy turned away. If only he could learn to get his robes to flourish like his godfather.
***
The bushy haired Gryphondore was full of information and energy. Harry rather thought she would look quite attractive if they could get rid of that hair. Her clear intelligence and thirst for knowledge would have done her well in the Society.
“The summoning charm is one of the most useful in a Wizard’s arsenal. It is also more diverse than people think, with a lot of the charms targeting based on the intent of the caster. The distance at which it can be cast is another factor that can be modified with both power and intent.”
Harry smiled at the young lady as he let himself become absorbed in the lesson. This spell was such a delight and he could think of many ways in which it would make his life easier, both here and once he returned to the Society.
***
“The first task is a dragon? You are quite certain?”
Harry sighed as Cedric, the champion for Hogwarts, nodded. Reaching up to run his hands over his bald pate, he sighed again. After a moment he was able to change his sigh to a smile. “Thank you, Cedric, for letting me know. You may have just saved my life.”
“You’re welcome, Harry. I just thought it was fair that you knew since someone else told me.” The young man trailed off before adding, “Do you need help finding information about dragons?”
Harry shook his head. “The library here is quite extensive. Ms. Granger and Ms. Greengrass have both educated me on its uses as well as how to navigate through its extensive depths. I assure you, I shall be fine, now that I know what to study.”
Cedric offered a sheepish smile. “Okay, Harry. Uh, good luck then.”
Harry’s smile was much wider than before. “Thank you, Cedric, for this wonderful gift.”
***
“Albus, you must do something. My snakes have been taken and Potter is behind it.”
The Headmaster signed. “Now Severus, there is no evidence that Harry has done anything of the sort. While I don’t know why your students have chosen this time to abandon the school, you cannot possibly blame young Harry without some proof.”
Scowling, the Potions Master turned with a whirl towards the door. “Mark my words, Albus. That boy is behind this and I intend to find out how.”
***
“You know, Professor. I was planning on letting you live, at least until the first task For all your annoyance and antagonism, your disappearance would have been hard to explain. However, you just couldn’t leave well enough alone.”
Harry considered the man who was bound and secured to the stone table in the room on the seventh floor. When the house elves had told him about this room when he was searching for a safe place for his work, he had been ecstatic. It was perfect, undiscoverable unless you knew the secret, and best of all, it provided everything he needed. Especially the ceremonial knife.
The gagged man on the table continued to struggle, though to no avail.
“Really, Professor, it’s your fault. You could have had a front row seat to everything. Instead, you get to be part of the ritual itself.”
Leaning down, he tapped the man on the chest with the point of his dagger.
“Just think though, you’ll be part of the greatest ritual your world has ever seen. Or ever will see, given the circumstances.”
Harry chuckled to himself before nodded. “Let’s begin, shall we? Don’t worry, you can scream all you want. No one else will hear you.”
***
Harry exited the tent to find himself in a stone strewn arena. On the other side of the arena lurked the dragon, more magnificent than he could have possibly imagined. The amount of magic energy in the creature, combined with the energy used to control it, as well as protect the audience, was a buzz against his skin.
With a smile, he reached out with his magic and called his satchel to him. It took a few minutes, since he’d left it somewhere it wouldn’t be disturbed. Couldn’t risk others stopping this ritual.
From the magically enlarged satchel he drew several pouches filled with liquid then proceeded to draw an intricate ritual diagram. It wasn’t one native to this world, so he wasn’t worried about someone figuring out what he was trying to do.
The scent of blood seemed to send the dragon into a frenzy, though fortunately Harry was far enough away from the beast that it couldn’t reach him, though the heat of its breath was more than enough to cause him to sweat.
Ignoring the sounds of a confused and agitated audience, Harry drew his ritual knife and began the final preparations, chanting in a language never before heard on this world. The magic in the air seemed to still before rushing into the ritual diagram. Raising his hand, he drew the knife across his palm liberally, allowing his life blood to finish the ritual.
“I offer this blood, freely given. I offer this blood, forcefully taken. I offer this life, one of magic and bound with the bones of the world. Accept this offering and come forth.”
Tentacles of blood and shadow burst forth from the diagram, questing for the dragon who tried to burn them away. The tentacles shuddered and died before multiplying and attacking the dragon from multiple directions. They latched onto the beast, wrapping around its muzzle, its wings, its legs. Soon the creature was being dragged across the arena floor into the arena.
There was gasps from the audience when the dragon seemed to be ripped apart, blood and viscera sucked into the diagram. Then the magic of the arena shuddered and was sucked away as well.
A voice from nowhere and everywhere filled the air, more felt than heard. “Your sacrifice is accepted. I come.”
From the diagram something arose. Something unexplainable. Unacceptable. Unnatural. Unfathomable.
That something regarded Harry with all its eyes before nodding and turning away. Before the cosmic horror could move, Harry spoke up. “Please leave those I’ve marked alive.”
The thing turned back to consider him for a moment before offering a minute nod. Then it turned its many toothy maws on the audience.
Spells and screams of terror filled the air.