It’s funny how being a wizard was never as magical as he first perceived it to be. Looking back, he realizes the only magical thing about being it was that it got him out of his cage. Too bad it got him into another one…
Harry really was a fool believing he was finally free. Well, hindsight and all that crap…
He was technically supposed to stay with the Dursleys, but there was a limit to how much a person can take before he burns the whole street to the ground. His relatives and he reached an understanding after first year, they leave him be, and they don’t wake up on fire. Once in a while the walrus and his spawn require a reminder, but Harry is always happy to provide it them.
Best thing is that there is nothing that points back to him, there are only few that can actually see his flames, and even than there is nothing they can do about it.
It used to be just purple flames that always helped him heal and protected him when he was about to be hurt. But than at the end of first year Quirll and his talking mole tried to kill him, and the red flames came bursting out. Something changed that night, his mind was clearer, and his magic felt lighter. The oddest part was that his scar started to heal and wasn’t hurting him as it used to.
When he got back to privet drive the walrus tried to threaten him in to ‘behaving’, that backfired when his red flames came out and disintegrated the kitchen table. The giraffe started screaming that he isn’t allowed to use magic outside of school and he is going to get expelled. Harry thought it over for a moment and made sure to correct her, he wasn’t allowed to use his wand…
After that they came to an agreement, during the summer he would be a resident allowed to come and go as he pleased, and they would leave him be. Occasionally he would need them to sign things for school and other nonsense, other than that they live their lives, and he lives his.
Whenever they had gusts he made himself scarce, the last thing he needed was to be associated with those feral beasts. It proved to be useful when before second year a deranged house elf tried to tell him going to Hogwarts was dangerous. Harry ended up sitting the little guy down, and explained to him that he doesn’t want to go back to Hogwarts, but nobody cares what Harry wants, just like nobody cares what Dobby wants. From there the most bazar friendship formed. It wasn’t even difficult to orchestrate Malfoy freeing the poor thing. Stupid ponce.
He used his summers since to wonder Britain in various means, learning how to fight, how to use his fire without getting caught (he knows the rules about magic, but something about the flames felt different.) learned how to get in and out of places both with magic and without, and many other things. The good thing was that it also gave him freedom to work on his fire, it confused him how he had an overwhelming abundance of purple flames, but the red ones as small as they are managed to cause more chaos. It was odd and required a lot of adjusting, but he did learn to keep the red fire at bay unless he needed to. Merlin knows it was aggressive as his temper.
He explored quite a lot of the magical and muggle underworld learning everything he should know to survive. Lord Voldemort wasn’t dead, and he made it perfectly clear that Harry will always be his target. It didn’t help that over the years Hogwarts wasn’t teaching him anything useful, and wixen adults were even more useless and illogical than the Dursley’s. That bar was so low they actually had to get a shovel to dig deeper.
Than the triwizard tournament happened and lord snot nose tried to return using his blood. Too bad for the idiot he didn’t know about Harry’s fire, it was therapeutic to burn through everything. Though he did made sure to only burn through Petigrew’s legs. He needed the arsehole alive if Sirius was ever going to be free. Sending a patrouns to summon the DMLE to bring aurors to where he was caused quite a lot of havoc. Not that it was Harry’s problem.
Unfortunately, Dumbledore had to shove his crooked nose and claim to the public the Dark Lord has returned and used Harry as a witness. Something Harry never claimed, not that anyone bothered to ask him, never mind that there is an official statement by Harry stating there was an attempt at a resurrection. At least Sirius was already declared not guilty. So now he is back in Durzkaban, and someone sent a pair of dementors after him. It was a ridiculous chain of events of the order of Phoenix getting him out of Durzkaban in the most pointless route just to get him to a crooked home with a demented painting of a banshee and a bunch of self-righteous twats who know nothing about fighting.
It was fairly amusing when the banshee started screaming Harry took out a cigarette lit it and held out a knife, he waited quietly until she stopped shouting, “you have 3 options, first you behave like a lady of your standing and use scathing remarks and passive agrassive manipulative crap to make your displeasure known.” She raised an eyebrow at that. “Second you burn, third I reap you apart and leave you in a back ally for muggles to piss all over the remains of your painting.” He raised an eyebrow at her until she complied.
Sirius tried to high five him just to get a knee to the family jewels, “I don’t appreciate being abundant, and left in the dark. Easpcially not for what ever games you and your lot are playing. Now get up and show me to my room. My social battery is empty and the next individual to speak to me will function as a knife holster.”
Lupin started saying something, but the knife passed right by his had and everyone were quiet after that. It was amusing to hear the Weesley brothers tell the rest that when Harry says his battery is empty it’s least painful to give him a lot of space, miles and miles of space. Harry didn’t feel like dealing with anyone, so he walked up the stairs and looked for a proper room, he found something isolated in the 5th floor, it was specious and after he let his red flame loose it was also empty. He went to work on getting the room clean and got blankets and a pillows out of his trunk for sleep. A bad was always a luxury he never really got used to; it didn’t mean he did not like a good blanket fort. He still had 3 days for his ‘hearing’ which was what his Solictor was for. Meanwhile he had a lovely home to explore, and idiots to avoid. He wandered how the library was looking
A while back Harry met the most flamboyant assassin, a guy named Lussero. He recognized Harry’s flames and tried to make a deal with him; Harry will do a job for him, and he will teach Harry everything he needs to know about the flames. It didn’t take a genius to figure out the guy saw Harry as entertainment but didn’t want to completely screw Harry over. He figured he could work with that.
Harry made a counteroffer, he will do 3 jobs for the assassin that will not involve incriminating himself, hurting innocents, or anything sexual. And in return not only Lussaria will teach him EVERYTHING he knows about flames, but he will also teach him how to fight. The menace liked the sass, and the attention for details. It’s been 2 years since and Harry never regretted the deal, especially when the psycho discovered Harry’s penchant of getting in and out of places undiscovered. The guy also hooked him up with a phone and a huge library of information he otherwise would never have accesses to. Luss also made sure to warn him about the flame mafia, the rules, and most importantly the vindice. Harry learned that flames and magic are not the same thing and that navigating the muggle world, magical world, and the mafia would require carful maneuvering unless he wants to be pushing up daisies.
Luss taught Harry the importance of knowing the laws, how to navigate around them, and what to do if you get caught. Which was why the first thing Harry did when he got attacked by dementors was call his solicitor, a lovely half-blood with a phone in his office. Solicitor Blake contacted the aurors and came with them to investigate right on time to see the letter of expulsion. Along with the other 2 letters that followed. Auror Proudfoot immediately summoned Madam Bones saying this was above his pay grade. The nice auror lady took his statement, memory of the event, a reading of the magical residue, a witness report from an in the know muggle, and in return provided Harry with a letter of proof that he was with in his right to defend himself.
Safe to say that this hearing is about to be a complete waist of time if Bones and Blake don’t manage to scrap it. Though it would be nice to have the ministry, and Dumbledore given a counter suit in front of the Winzengamot. Harry is really hoping he could take his OWL’s and leave; he is tired of this shit.
He did make a friend with the derange house elf as he was souring the house, after carful questioning Harry realized something was off with the being. He remembers Dobby’s behavior when he first met him, and he can recognize the ramifications of orders working against the elf’s magic. Harry ended up getting Sirius to his room summon Kreature and had him give the elf explicit orders to spill everything.
Sirius nearly had a nervous breakdown after finding out his brother died alone, trying to end the Dark twat. He wanted to tell Dumbledore about it, but Harry just kicked him the nuts again and gone ahead to remind him that the bearded menace is the reason Sirius and Harry went through the hell that they did. There is nothing wise or knowing about the megalomaniac and he would really like for competent adults to be in charge for once.
After that they decided on a course of action. Harry contacted his Solicitor that arranged for a meeting with Bones, and the Head of the Unspeakables. In the meeting they summoned Kreature who told the entire story, provided them with the Horcrux, and a copy of the research Regulus did. In return they will have Kreature bear witness to the distruction of the Horcrux, keep Harry, and Sirius upraised off the situation. And most importantly, when the issue is finally dealt with an official statement informing the public of Regulus Black giving his life in the assistance to the defeat of the menace. Safe to say the both Bones and Croaker had no problem agreeing to the terms, and Kreature, and Sirius were very happy to have Regulus be honored like that. Harry was just happy to have someone else deal with this bullshit. As Proudfoot said, this is above is pay grade.
5th year passed fairly well, though the high inquisitor had died after a mysterious excruciating illness she contracted by who knows what means. Probably all that exposure from dark artifacts she kept using on students in detention. On a random note, Kreature was happy to help Harry arrange for a yearly supply of luxury chocolate from a boutique his late mistress favored. Luss loved the show of appreciation.
When Harry was done with his OWL’s he had Sirius as his godfather, and the Dursley’s as his legal guardians sign him out of Hogwarts. Thanks to his OWL’s he had wand rights and could easily do homeschooling. He ended up moving to Munich and working from his studio over various enchantments, and muggle contraptions. Considering the Dursleys were happy to sign his emancipation, and Bones had no problem rushing the issue along his solictor managed to deal with it quietly, so Harry discreetly left the country. Perhaps along the way he made himself a name in the underworld as a master thief, but no one can really find any connection between Harry Potter, the enchanter, and Thorn, the Cloudy thief.
Life went well, and Sirus learned that after heavy boundaries it might be better for his family jewels if he does not bring other people with him when he visits Harry. The men tried to have Harry ‘reconcile’ with his old friends and ambushed him with various people, after the 6th time he it backfired he finally learned to stop. Another lovely thing was that after 4 years Bones contacted him with a copy of the announcement regarding Regulus, along with a massage that one of the artifacts belonged to him due to family magics, and other such nonsense.
What ever, he left it in the vault for when he has time to deal with that. Luss called and asked for help, apparently his sky threw a temper tantrum after finding out that he is adopted and his adoptive father decided that caging him in special ice was a good solution. Luss’ set tried everything, but nothing they did would get him back so his friend asked if there was anyway to help.
Unsurprisingly it wasn’t hard to get in and out of Vongola, the challenge was getting a huge guy in a block of magical ice without getting caught. Normally Harry would have taken his time and going a non magical way just because he could use the challenge, but after multiple diagnostics spells he found the guy is fully congestive, and in agony. Harry placed a portkey on him, and moved them both to his safe house in Morocco. From there he called Luss with the coordinates and went to work in getting him out.
It was a good thing Harry learned plenty of magic over the years, never mind how much in-depth he studied the Potter, and Black libraries. Thanks to that knowledge he was able to not just free the man, but also heal him for the most part. It took time, and through it all he had Luss and the rest of their set talk to their sky as he worked, they were horrified to learn that he was fully aware and had no problem talking as Thorn was working. They had to make sure to not leave a trace leading to Xanxus current location which meant it took them longer than they liked to arrive. By the time Luss got there with the rest of their set the Wrath was in a healing coma taking his time to recover his reserves.
It took a few days until boss was awake, but he was sleeping in a comfortable bed in front of his elements healing. None of them was complaining. Luss was grateful he called Harry for help; the little shit always comes through no matter how impossible of a chalange Luss gives him. Though when he asked him to get him out of the ice, he didn’t realize he would do such a thorough job. The best part is that Nono doesn’t even know that Xanxus is out, they have time to plan and figure out what to do. Luss wasn’t surprised that as soon as he arrived with his set the brat left. Even gave Luss the house, told him that he would change the name on the deed. The location is now burned. The rest of the Varia elite were confused, but it made sense to him, Thorn was never one to socialize. He really hoped he would at least connect with one of them
When Xanxus finally woke he was relived, but also furious. After everything he was free and had his elements around him to ground him. They way he got out allowed him flexibility to plan and figure out how to both clean house, and fix at least some of the garbage Nono permitted to take place.
The problem was that the person who got him out is the cloud thief he could never pinpoint. He knew about Thorn for a while, even knew that the guy was friend with Lussera, but he never realized just how close that friendship is. The guy doesn’t take jobs, especially not those involving the mafia, it’s part of how he steers clear from everyone. In a way Xanxus can respect that, this is a cloud that refuses to be linked to anyone. It doesn’t mean he wasn’t intrigued. Then Xanxus managed to get himself caged, by his father no less, and no matter what he or his people tried to do he was still trapped.
Then out of nowhere the Cloudy thief arrives and start talking to him, as if talking through his plans and options with him. It was odd and somewhat endearing, not that he would ever voice such nonsense. It was after the thief ran a few diagnostics that he informed Xanxus on the change of plans, apologized and said he would get him out as gently as he could. It seemed something in the diagnostic showed the Cloud what it really meant to be in Zero Point Ice because after that the guy acted like he was possessed. He did something that move Xanxus somewhere else, how he wasn’t sure, but his perception was distorted through the ice.
Thorne worked day and night to get him out safely, even had Luss and the rest of his set on speaker talk to Xanxus and give him updates as to what was going on while he was on ice. Meanwhile the cloud kept working. It wasn’t until he was out that Thorn stopped behaving so manic. He told him to go to sleep and when he wakes, he would feel better, and his people would be there.
Just before he gave him something to drink Xanxus had to ask, “what did it cost?” He needed to know what he owed his sun.
At first the cloud was confused, but than he realized what the question ment. After a deep breath he explained, “nothing… I don’t have many friends, only Luss and one more… he was hurting, because you were hurting… that’s not something I’m ok with… now stop being stubborn and go to sleep, the last thing I need is a diva assassin in a snit because you didn’t take your nap.” After that he shoved the vilest drink down his throat, and everything went black.
By the time he was awake Xanxus felt much better, his set was around him, and Thorn was gone. He tried asking Luss about him, even tried getting him to call him back. Nothing he did mattered, the cloud left.
His sun later explained that’s just how he is, Thorn doesn’t do well with people and chasing him would only push him to go deeper in to hiding. The cloud likes his solitary so much so, that he preferred to give Luss this safe house because their set is now aware of the location.
After that Xanxus decided to follow his sun’s advice and leave the cloud be. Though he did make sure Thorn was acknowledged to be on good standing with the Varia. By the time Xanxus made his return known he had the Vongola by the short and curlies. Thanks to the way Thorn got him out he was able to get a lot done, including removing some traitors from the familia, and his own organization. It was cathartic… especially after Nono’s incompetence got one Xanxus brothers killed. Cleaning house after that was an aggressive process from the shadows that he was very proud of. Though his big brother was annoyed at not being able to join. Not his fault Fede can’t go anywhere without his posse.
It took a while before he saw the cloud again, apparently the thief enjoyed trolling Vongola, and Nono in particular, not that Xanxus will ever complain. His first kidnapping he was confused, but went with it when the guy showed him to the town he wanted them to paint red… the second, he wondered if he should add a list of places he wanted to hit… the third he realized to just go with the crazy because he was having to much fun. According to Luss Thorn’s way of hanging out is kidnapping you for a night out that normally involves explosive, mayhem, and some of the most powerful alcohol he ever encountered.
It was amusing to realize the menace decided they were friends and there was nothing Xanxus could say about it, not that he was going to object. The problem was when he decided Prince Bell is his new friend too, those two are a terrible combination that caused a lot of carnage, some places will never recover from the madness. Luss was just happy his friend is finally expanding his circle, though he would have preferred he made friends with the rain instead of the two unhinged storms. Well, beggars can’t be choosers, maybe if he is really lucky Xanxus would manage to entice him to his set.