Recovering Really Reeks.
Albus found his senses simultaneously assaulted from the bright blinding light and the loud thundering shock-wave of the basilisks head exploding. The powerful wave of energy crashed into his body and it took everything he had left in his old bones to stay standing as he was pushed backwards. Blinking the spots from his vision Albus found his robes stained with the viscera from the Basilisk, looking up he gazed at the remains of the mighty creature that was terrorizing them only moments before. It's lifeless corpse not even twitching, the runes that had protected and reanimated the beast slowly flickering and fading away. Albus was unsure what the strange substance Harry had cast into the creatures maw was, but he could not deny its effectiveness as he stared at the bloody charred stump of the serpents neck. Its head completely destroyed. For a moment he lamented the fact that the venom was most likely destroyed, along with whatever magicks were left in the creatures ruined eyes. He had hoped he may have been able to study both, in hopes of finding a way to counter the effects, but alas...
Shaking his head he looks around the chamber, the statue of Salazar still standing proud with its hands open. The green lights flickering in the giant sculptures palms, illuminating the chamber and revealing the large quantities of the Basilisks gore and viscera smeared across the old stone walls and floor.
He spots both Severus and Filius standing up slowly as they check themselves over, seeing that they're in no need of assistance he continues his sweep across the chamber. His heart starting to thump louder in his ears as anxiety pools in his stomach, The dim green lighting of the chamber is not helping calm his nerves. However before he can reach for his wand to cast a spell to add some actual lighting, he spots a small figure laying on the cold stone flooring, right at the edge of the chamber next to the pool that circles the entire room.
Albus's heart skips a beat and his blood runs cold.
Feeling his fatigue chased away by worry he breaks out into a fast walk that turns into a sprint as he darts across the chamber to Harry's still body.
"No...no, no please..." Dumbledore pleads under his breath as he gets closer, his grandfatherly like visage twisting into sorrow and grief as he kneels next to the body of young Hadrian.
Turning him onto his back, Albus feels his hand shake as notes the paleness of Harry's skin. The boy had always been paler than what was normal, but his skin still held a healthy tone. This was anything but healthy. In contrast to the boys pale skin were his veins, black and bulging as they spread out from his arm. Albus rolled up the sleeve of Harry's robe, seeing the small puncture mark from where a shard of the basilisk's fang must have penetrated. Albus knew that even the smallest tear in the skin was fatal when it came to basilisk venom.
Albus squeezes Harry's wrist with one arm, noting his faint pulse. But he doesn't allow himself to feel relief yet, he uses his other hand to sort through the pouches and pockets on the Potioneers belt he had given the boy, muttering under his breath frantically as he looks for the vial of life saving tears. Unable to find it Albus grows even more frustrated and worried, he summons the death stick into his free hand and briefly notes the way its magic seems to not just reach for his own, but also towards young Harry. He does not have time to ponder on this.
Albus begins casting multiple healing spells and charms designed to slow blood-flow and give victims of venomous bites more time. He cant close Harry's wound yet however, not until he finds that blasted vial.
Looking around with wild eyes he spots the vial perched precariously on the edge of the chamber floor, just shy of falling into the pool of murky water that encircles the chamber. Using the elder wand Albus casts a summoning charm, he feeds the spell more magic than is required in order to bypass the anti summoning charms on the vial. It lurches towards him for a moment before going still, as Dumbledore is about to cast the spell again he feels the cold aura of the elder wand reach out and wrap around the vial. As if following his will the death stick forcibly pulls the vial, causing it to levitate and fly towards Albus's open hand.
Wasting no time he pulls out the cork with only one hand and then leans in closer to Harry's wound. Gently he tips the vial over, the sparkling clear liquid of phoenix tears pours directly onto the wound. Albus holds his breath, for a moment nothing happens, the chamber is deathly silent.
Albus breathes out in relief as the tears begin sinking into the open flesh, the basilisk venom that was pooling around the wound now begins steaming as its evaporated into harmless vapor under the purifying power of the phoenix. The wound looks cleaner, no longer a sickly black and now a healthy red as it should be. Albus only has a moment to notice the change before Harry's skin knits itself together, boosted by the intense healing properties of the tears. Alas its not enough to fully rejuvenate the area, as a small scar still remains. However any dark magics have been purged, rendering the scar as normal and ordinary as any other.
Albus waits, his brow begins to furrow as his worry creeps back up on him. Harry is not waking, the black veins on his body, tainted with basilisk venom, have been cleansed. Returning to their normal coloration. However his skin remains deathly pale still, with his body having broken out into a cold sweat. If Albus still wasn't measuring the boys pulse, he'd almost mistake him for a lifeless porcelain doll.
A labored breath and a barely audible moan of pain escapes Harry's mouth as he remains unconscious. Dumbledore immediately springs into action, gently he lifts the boy and cradles him in his arm, momentarily hit with nostalgia from that night so long ago on Halloween when he had held this same boy as a baby. Shaking his head Albus stands, holding Harry in one arm as he sends a pulse of magic down his connection with Fawkes.
Immediately the cries of a phoenix echo around the stone walls of the chamber as the loyal familiar perches itself on Dumbledore's shoulder. The bird, although tired from the recent fight, leans over the cradled form of Harry protectively, crying fresh tears onto the boys recently closed wound and singing a song to help ease his pain.
Flitwick and Severus have already gathered themselves, making their way over to Albus with haste upon seeing his distraught demeanor and the comatose figure of Harry Potter in his arms.
"Albus, is the boy..?" Severus asks, not finishing the question.
Dumbledore shakes his head, "He was impaled by a shard of the Basilisk's fang ...I've applied phoenix tears to his wound, but he does not wake. We need to get to the infirmary, grab onto Fawkes and he'll flame us directly."
Dumbledore takes hold of Fawkes's tail feathers, the other two professors reaching over to do the same. Fawkes lets out a loud cry as a large cocoon of flame swirls around them, bathing the chamber in an orange glow, before they disappear. Leaving the chamber empty once again, as the basilisk's corpse slowly cools, its blood pooling on the old stone floors.
A bright blinding light manifests in the infirmary wing of Hogwarts, momentarily blinding madam Pomfrey. Blinking the spots out of her vision she stares, mouth agape at the group before her. Filius wearing a suit of armor and Severus in his robes, both covered in what appears to be blood. Albus is no better and its only when she looks at the old headmaster does she notice the concern etched on his face, glancing down she sees the bundle of robes in his arms and it takes a second until she realizes its a person.
Immediately her mind switches into emergency mode, flicking her wand as potion cabinets on the far side of the room open up and a bed is pulled over towards the group. Albus immediately sets the student down onto the bed, she points her wand at the three men, casting a charm for sterilization. Although it doesn't remove the blood covering them, it does kill any germs calling the gore home. As she moves her wand to begin casting diagnostic charms over the student, she finally sees his face and recognizes him as Harry Potter, her brow creases further as shes reminded of the times his father would end up in the hospital wing. During her first years working at Hogwarts.
She frowns at the numerous scars along the boys body, her diagnostic charms informing her of every single one. Her emotions goes from concerned to outright worry as the charms report traces of dark magic in his arm and within his blood, although its rapidly diminishing the level is still enough to concern her, her brow furrows as she notes some kind of magical feedback interfering with some of her readings. Turning to face Albus she speaks,
"Albus, what in Merlin's name has happened to this boy?! I'm detecting scars littering his body like freckles! And traces of dark magic in his blood!"
The old wizard grimaces as if struck, the mention of Harry's scarring reminding him of his failures. "I failed him again...Mr. Potter had presented definitive proof of there being a basilisk in the school. The dark magic you're detecting is most likely the echoes of its venom, I've applied phoenix tears to the wound, they should've completely restored any damage done to him and destroyed any venom remaining in his blood. I don't know why he will not wake...I...don't know..."
Pomfrey is taken aback by the defeated look on the old headmasters face. Seeing someone praised for defeating one of the most powerful dark lords in recent history, acting so downtrodden and depressed is a terrifying thing. Madam Pomfrey recognizes shes out of her depth, but still summons various healing potions, salves and brews from her cabinets in the hopes they'll speed up Mr. Potters recovery. Turning to Albus, she speaks in a tone that garners no argument.
"Albus! Now is not the time for whatever crisis you're going through! I'm a healer for a school, Substances like phoenix tears and basilisk venom are beyond my training. You need to stop wallowing and find someone trained in these kind of matters! You're nearly 120 years old! Surely you know someone who can help?!"
Pomfrey's words are enough to snap Albus out of his funk. He looks up with a fire burning in his eyes as he nods, then turns towards Filius and Severus. "I need you both to contact the ministry, get Amelia Bones. There is more to this than just a basilisk under the school and it will require the help of someone not swayed by gold. Once you've done that go to the great hall and inform the others of what has happened, I need to head to my office and make a call."
Dumbledore wastes no time, immediately calling Fawkes from where he sits at Potters side. As the Phoenix lands on Albus's shoulder, a bright flaming cocoon engulfs wizard and familiar as they disappear. Both Snape and Flitwick turn to leave the infirmary, following the headmasters orders.
Hermione was worried. Okay scratch that she was beginning to freak the fuck out. When she came down to the common room this morning she was only greeted by Neville and Ron, not surprising as Harry got up early for exercise and would usually meet them in the great hall for breakfast during their rest days. When the three Gryffindors sat down they were a bit puzzled to find Harry missing, at first they thought he was just running late. But as time ticked by they grew more stressed. Hermione was on the verge of full blown panic when Deputy Headmistress Mcgonagall announced that the great hall was on lock-down due to evidence of a dark creature inhabiting the school. Hermione's heart sank as she was immediately reminded of the troll incident from last year.
Hermione quickly gathers herself, standing up from her seat. Ron and Neville are both a bit confused at her sudden movement, but soon follow her. Hermione heads straight towards the Slytherin table, ignoring the confused looks from both Ron, Neville and the Slytherin students watching her pass. Reaching her destination shes greeted by Draco Malfoy who slowly spins around in his seat to face her. Wasting no time she speaks,
"Heir Malfoy, Please tell me you've seen Harry within the last hour. He wasn't in the common room this morning and the only other people I've ever seen him talk to is you."
Draco's eyes widen slightly before he speaks, "Miss Granger, I'm afraid I haven't seen heir Potter since yesterday. Are you sure he hasn't decided to eat in the kitchens today? or perhaps have breakfast outside?"
Hermione goes to answer but is interrupted as the doors to the great hall open, the murmuring in the great hall drops to complete silence as professors Snape and Flitwick walk in, both men covered in blood with Flitwick wearing some kind of medieval armor. The sight completely stuns Hermione and from the look of things its also caught everyone else off guard. Following the two professors is a group of aurors, with a witch wearing a monocle leading them. The aurors take up guarding positions around the hall while the professors and the monocle wearing witch walk up to the head table and begin speaking in hushed tones with Mcgonagall. Seeing Mcgonagalls face pale, clues Hermione in, that whatever they are discussing is not good, her gut sinks as her intuition tells her it most likely involves Harry.
She turns back to face Ron and Neville who both seemed to have reached the same realization, turning to face Malfoy again she sees the way he takes in the blood covered visage of professor Snape, before he looks at her and speaks.
"I believe we've both come to the same conclusion miss Granger, whatever they are discussing most likely involves heir Potter and his...absence."
Hermione can only nod numbly in response.
Pomfrey was looking over the Potter boy, her brow furrowed in frustration. Potters own magicks were purposely interfering with some of her spells, obscuring the results from her diagnostic charms, shes granted a momentary reprieve as Albus walks back in. (In a clean set of robes this time, thank Merlin). With him are an elderly couple, a man and a woman. While their hair is grey with age and their faces adorned with wrinkles, they both seem to have a youthful energy that doesn't match their appearance.
"Did you find who was needed Albus?" Pomfrey asks.
"Indeed, may I introduce to you my close friend and former alchemy master, Nicholas and his wife Perenelle." Albus states in response.
"You mean?...I thought they had passed on, Albus!"
Nicholas takes the time to speak up as his wife heads over to the comatose boy. "Yes and so did the rest of the wizarding world. You wouldn't believe the peace and quiet you get when everyone thinks you're dead."
Nicholas's comment causes Albus to smile fondly, "Indeed old friend. Madam Pomfrey, I'll have to swear you to secrecy on this, if news got out that the Flamels were still among the living..."
Pomfrey nods with a slight huff, Albus performs a quick vow and with another wave of his wand the entire medical wing is sealed behind privacy wards. Nicholas moves to the other side of the comatose Harry Potter, pulling out a small briefcase that opens up and unfolds itself into a desk with many drawers of ingredients, the top of the desk having a miniature alchemy station upon it. Perenelle meanwhile has been conducting her wand through the air and muttering words not meant for human ears, with each wave a soft glow of differing colors momentarily lights up around the figure of Harry. Harry's body seizes for a moment and the bright colors of Mrs. Flamels spell turns a dark inky black before fading away. Her only reaction is a slight frown on her otherwise neutral expression. Pomfrey does her best to assist the flamels in their treatment of the young boy, but she knows that she is out of her depth here and chooses to ensure no one disturbs the immortal couple.
Albus watches the Flamels as they cast spells and incantations known only to them. For all his time spent as Nicholas's apprentice, Albus would say that he still only knows a fraction of the magicks the Flamels have at their disposal. Even now as he watches them, he witnesses spells and incantations completely new to him, magic that he will likely only ever see here and now. The old wizard lets a sigh escape his lips as he appreciates the opportunity.
"I shall leave you two to work undisturbed. If you have need of me I shall be in my office tempting to calm a distraught and worried billionaire..." Albus says with a nod to the two, mentally preparing himself to face Harry's muggle guardian. As Albus exits the hospital wing he addresses the two one last time,
"The ancient one should arrive shortly to assist you two, please inform me as soon as Harry's condition improves."
With one last glance at the comatose figure of the boy, Albus turns and leaves, silently hoping for the boy to pull through.
I took one last look at my load order for Skyrim before stretching my arms above my head and standing up from my desk. All the mods seemed stable and the game was running fine when I tested it, I'll go get a drink before sitting down for a play session.
My gaze sweeps across my room taking everything in before I gently open the wooden door of my bedroom, my footsteps are muffled by the carpeted floors
My footsteps echo along the stone tiled floor of Hogwarts grand corridors as I make my way down to the kitchens, I made it to the moving staircases before remembering that I had forgotten my notebook, I had wanted to do some light studying while I had a snack. Quickly changing directions I make it to a moving staircase that takes me up a level. I ponder for a moment on waiting for the staircases to change again but decide it will be quicker if I go down the corridor next to me and take one of the smaller, non-moving, stairways to the correct floor.
I make my way down the long hallway, admiring the moving paintings and enchanted sets of armor that line the castles walls. As I pass by one of the many pillars that reach from floor to ceiling, a figure emerges from the shadows and falls into stride alongside me.
"Fancy seeing you here, Up to some more mischief I take it?" Sebastian says with a cheeky grin. I smile lightly,
"Who me? Never!" I say with a hint of sarcasm before continuing,
"I was just on my way back to the dorms to get my notebook."
Sebastian acknowledges my answer before frowning and speaking again,
"by the way, I just wanted to see how you were holding up after that whole...Scriptorium, mess."
"I'm fine Sebastian, honestly, I've fully recovered, no after effects or anything." I reply trying to ease his mind.
"Still...you took a crucio! It, um, it means a lot that you would do that for me..." Sebastian says, a hint of guilt still in his tone.
I decide to change the subject, "I wouldn't have agreed to it if I knew I couldn't handle a little cruciatus, anyway what about Salazar Slytherins notes? Any progress on finding a cure?"
"I can read most of it, but some of the stuff I can't understand at all! It's like the words are constantly shifting and slithering, Ominis said that Parseltongue also has a script, that only those who are gifted with snake speak can read it. But unfortunately for us the only parseltongue in school is...well...y'know."
Sebastian sighs before continuing, "He probably wouldn't translate it anyway, even if he wasn't blind. You know how Ominis feels about the dark arts and anything related to his family..."
I nod at his words before turning my head to look at him and giving a supportive smile,
"Hey, chin up! I'm sure you'll be able to find something that'll help Anne, even if Slytherin doesn't have the answers, there is bound to be something out there that does."
"Yeah...you're right, there's gotta be a cure out there, somewhere." Sebastian replies with hope creeping into his voice.
"Anyway I'm gonna go take a trip to Hogsmeade, You remember the password to the common room right?".
I nod at Sebastians question and he goes left down a branching corridor as I continue straight. I reach the Spiral stairway at the end of the hall and begin my trek up towards the Gryffindor common rooms... Wait? aren't I in Slytherin?
I wonder what Ron and Hermione are up to? I know Neville likes to spend his free time in the greenhouses, I should probably start making a guide for Occlumency and begin teaching them, then I'll finally be able to start telling them things, it would take a weight off my chest.
Reaching the portrait of the fat lady I speak the password and enter the Gryffindor common room.
And enter the Slytherin common room, it's late and only a few students are still up...fortunately they're the ones I've been meaning to talk to. Wasn't I looking for my notebook?
Entering the common room proper I see a group of three boys, one of the Lestrange's, Rosier and Avery. Good, these 3 have been the most...bothersome about my blood status, I'll teach them to respect my power.
"Hello Riddle" Rosier says mockingly as he leans back in one of the chairs around the fire place, Lestrange pipes up from his seat.
"Have fun doing your rounds, Mr. Perfect Prefect?", all three snicker...let's see if they'll still be laughing in a few minutes.
"Hmm, quaint...Expelliarmus!" I suddenly jump into action, catching all 3 off guard as their wands fly through the air and clatter on the ground behind me. They stand up from the chairs aggravated, however an idle wave of my hand and all 3 find themselves pushed back into their seats, struggling to stand back up.
"Gentlemen, we were having such a nice conversation. We can discuss this like the civilized wizards we are, can't we?". I say smiling wide as I take a seat on one of the empty armchairs.
"W-What would you know about civility you filthy mudblood! You probably live in your own shite! Like all the other muggle animals-" Avery's rant is cut off as I point my wand at the coffee table between us and a large boa constrictor emerges from my wand, slithering up to him.
Another wave of my wand and there is a heavy silencing and notice-me-not ward around us, ensuring our 'conversation' will go uninterrupted.
"Mudblood? Oh Avery, is that what you think of me? I think you'll find, that out of all of us, my blood is the purest." I say gently, my tone of voice betrayed by the cruel glint in my eyes. To the shock of the 3 boys, I begin hissing.
The boa constrictor follows my command, slithering along the back of the seats and around the 3 boys, baring its fangs but not striking.
"y-y-you're a p-parseltongue?!? y-you're-" "Descended from Slytherin yes." I interrupt Rosier's stuttering as all 3 cease their struggles and try to stay as still as possible in their seats.
"Now then...tea?" I ask, summoning one of the teapots dotted around the common room and sending out a few mental probes into their minds.
After a long debate about blood purity, the wizarding world, magical politics and even muggles, the conversation eventually ends in my favor. Despite the rocky start the 3 concede to my reasoning and agree to align themselves with me, (before they know it they'll be kneeling before their lord)...and if I used some minor legilimency to help 'convince' them? Well what they don't know won't hurt them. Though the revelations of my lineage and my talk about changing things, seemed to work just as well as the subtle 'encouragement' I gave them.
Bidding them a goodnight, I stand up and take a stroll to the prefects bathroom to unwind and relax, I ponder on the conundrum of ensuring my future followers loyalty...maybe some form of binding? or brand? Having to use legilimency constantly to find who's loyal and who isn't seems tiring... a magical brand does seem like a good way to ensure they won't stray from my cause.
Entering the prefects bathroom I walk up to the mirror, I lean in close, looking at the reflection of my eyes.
I take in the details of my green hazel eyes,
I soak in the deep emerald green of my eyes,
I gaze at the glowing green of my iris and the void I can just make out behind my pupils,
I admire the rich brown of my natural eye color and the deep tones of crimson that hide within my iris, a visual representation of the power I've achieved.
I take in my entire reflection as it warps and twists and changes, as four different faces stare back, stares back at me. Then... it smiles.
It reaches out its hand towards me, and I find myself curious, amazed, panicked, intrigued, slightly shocked, but compelled. I take its hand and it pulls me into the mirror, the surface rippling like water as I'm engulfed and suddenly I'm falling, Not again!
Falling,
Falling,
Falling, can't breathe!
I gasp as I swim upwards, submerged in water. I look up to see the moonlight dancing along the waters surface. With my legs kicking I manage to reach the top and breathe in a deep lungful of cool night air.
I look around, I'm in a lake in the...forbidden forest?
Swimming to the shore I pull out my wand, the pencil?, natural bumps of elder, the firm handle of holly, the powerful hum of yew, wood singing in my hand as I cast a quick charm to dry myself. I look around briefly, trying to recall my purpose for being here. Wasn't there a trial I had to find nearby?, I needed to get unicorn hair!, I need to find a unicorn and collect some of its blood to construct a new body.
As my gaze wanders across the massive looming trees and dense foliage, I spot something amidst the shrubbery. A garden table with 2 chairs...
and a woman sitting there.
Black robes cover her body and the only part of her face I can make out is the lower half, her lips in a small smile and her skin incredibly pale. As I stare I suddenly realize who it is...
it's death.
I find myself feeling, accepting, alarmed, curious, TERRIFIED,
I need to have her accompany me, ask her what she is doing, greet her like an old friend, ESCAPE.
It's hard to think, so many emotions swirling in my head, so many thoughts! Who am I? I'm me, I'm a fifth year Hogwarts student!, I'm just Harry, I AM THE DARK LORD!
What was I doing? I was getting a drink, I was getting my notebook on ancient magic, I was visiting my friends in the common room, I NEED TO ESCAPE, I AM BEYOND DEATH!
As if sensing my inner turmoil the robed woman frowns, she lifts her hand and waves it in my direction, I feel a wave of magic wash over my mind, It feels familiar, It feels strange!, It feels like mine, IT FEELS LIKE DARKNESS!
Then suddenly I remember.
I quickly look up and around me, my mind becoming clearer as the haziness of dreaming leaves it. I exclaim loudly, still confused and on edge, "What?!? Where am I? I was in the chamber... the basilisk" My voice trails off as I look around frantically, until I see the figure of death again, she's risen from her chair and is approaching me.
My mind begins to put the pieces together and I speak, my voice quiet,
"Am I...dead?"
I'm rewarded with a light chuckle from the robed woman and a caring smile,
"Not in the way you're thinking... come, sit with me." Her voice is melodic and calming, I let her lead me to the table and chairs and we both sit. I listen to the ambience of the forest for a moment, before breaking the silence with my question,
"What do you mean by that? I had...have, Basilisk venom in my veins! I could feel my body shutting down! I was dying, I should be dead!" I say getting more and more worked up, Death raises a hand, gesturing me to calm before she replies.
"Well... you are a closer to the edge than most, not just from the basilisk venom, from wandering the void, from the killing curse touching you, to bonding with your first hallow! Congratulations by the way, I was so proud when I found out." Her voice becomes cheery near the end.
I blink, taking in her words, but before I can manage to speak she continues,
"Luckily for you, phoenix tears were administered to your wound just seconds after you lost consciousness. But...for a brief moment your heart did stop, which has allowed me to pull you a bit further towards this side of the veil so we may converse. You are not dead, but you are closer to death now. Especially with my magic intertwined more deeply within you."
I speak up, "You mean the cloak? Now that I've bonded with it?".
She nods at my words, "Yes. You may experience some...changes, as you go forward"
"What do you mean?"
"your magic, your very soul now creates and draws on the same magic as the void... as me. Bonding with my hallows is more than just unlocking their true potential, it's taking their essence into yourself. Merging with them completely. As your soul and your magic changes, you'll find your body will begin to reflect those changes...especially now that you have a combination of basilisk venom and phoenix tears within your veins" Death finishes.
I look at her in confusion before asking, "What do you mean? Tears would've neutralized the venom and fixed any damage! I should be fine."
"If you were a regular wizard yes... but void magic is energy from the foundations of reality itself, it is a strange thing. Magic remembers, and your magic has experience in destroying, restoring and altering, your body and mind. Now with the introduction of tears and venom, your magic has become much more adept at re-shaping and altering your body." Death's voice is quiet as she speaks, yet the words echo around in my head as if they were yelled.
"You mean that DNA splicing thing I've been doing? The memory absorbing? the soul...eating? You're saying I've taught my magic how to change itself...but my magic is me! It shouldn't change or do anything to my body unless I will it to!" I say frantically, my mind beginning to race with all sorts of scenarios, what if I end up devolving into an abomination? covered in massive tumors and lumps of flesh!
My anxious mind is calmed as death gently reassures me,
"shhh child, do not panic. You are right, your magic is you. But like the systems of your body, it will act on its own to protect and heal you...and now with the volatile mixture of basilisk venom ripping you apart and phoenix tears putting you back together, combined with the memory of altering yourself, you'll find your body, mind and soul adapting and evolving at a much more rapid pace."
I deflate a little in my seat. As I lean back, I bring my hand up to massage my forehead, I don't fully understand what this means...my mind is still a little fuzzy from being, asleep I guess. Death's wording makes this seem like a benefit, but I'd very much not like to have my body being altered or changed without my input. I look up at the robed horseman...er, horsewoman, as she smiles kindly at me.
"What does this mean for me then?" I ask, still feeling lost.
She smiles, standing up and placing both hands on my chair as she leans forward and whispers to me, "Why don't you find out?"
As soon as she finishes the last word she pushes my chair back, I go falling backwards, bracing myself as I expect to hit the ground. Instead I keep falling backwards, falling further and further as my surroundings blur and my consciousness begins to fade. Right before I completely pass out I feel a jolt pass through me, I inhale sharply, feeling like I can finally breathe after nearly suffocating, my breathing steadies and falls into a calm rhythm. Before I know it I find myself falling gently to sleep and I know no more.
I'm suddenly conscious, although my vision is completely dark. The only thing I can feel is numbness, but it soon begins to subside and slowly but surely, I become aware of my limbs. As I gain more feeling in my body I also start to feel a wave of pain that ebbs and flows, flaring up for a moment before growing weaker. The pain has me wishing for unconsciousness again, but soon it becomes tolerable. I flex my fingers and feel the soft fabric encasing me from the neck down, I hear the thumping in my ears from my heartbeat, but it soon fades to a background noise as I pickup the stray sounds of my surroundings.
I take a deep breath, feeling my lungs inflate shakily, as if the muscles were recently under a great strain, then I release. I take another breath and this time open my eyes.
I'm immediately blinded by a bright light and let out a groan of discomfort, shutting my eyelids tight before slowly opening them and allowing my eyes to adjust.
As my sight returns I recognize the stonework of Hogwarts walls and ceiling, followed by the castles magic coiling around me soothingly, easing the slight tremors of pain that are wracking my body. Realizing I'm in the hospital wing I let out a sigh of relief, before turning my head to get a better view of whats around me.
Immediately my eyes snap to the figure sitting on the chair beside my bed, a bald woman wearing elegant robes. She is reclining in her chair as she reads through a book, her gaze never looking away from the pages as she addresses me.
"It's good to see you are awake Hadrian, Dr. Stark has been running himself ragged worrying about you."
With a flick of her fingers a bookmark manifests out of the air, before floating onto the page of her book. The ancient one closes her book and with another gesture of her hand, it disappears entirely. She turns to face me.
"You've been through quite a lot in a short while, how are you feeling?".
I slowly brace myself on shaky arms as I sit up in the hospital bed, a pained breath escaping me as I reply.
"Honestly? I feel like shit."
The ancient one quirks her lips at my exclamation, "At least you are still alive to feel at all, not many can say they've survived having Basilisk venom run through their veins."
"Yeah... I assume phoenix tears are the reason I'm not a corpse right now?" I ask already knowing the answer. At her nod I ask a follow up question,
"Then why does everything hurt so much? I thought phoenix tears are supposed to be a cure all for everything... don't tell me I got the bootleg version or someth- ah!" I interrupt myself, wincing as my body briefly flares up in pain before rapidly dissipating. It's with this wave of pain that I realize its not just my body that hurts, but my magic itself is agitated, coiling and writhing. It reminds me of my brief stint with obscurification, which only serves to heighten my anxiety... although the feeling is different than that of my magic becoming an obscurus, so I'm probably safe...I hope.
I'm brought out of my musing by the ancient one handing me a vial containing a glowing red liquid, taking it from her, I feel a subtle yet powerful magic swirling within. The liquid itself is a vibrant red, like blood, yet it seems to glow a rich amber color as it catches the light, with the liquid itself shimmering and sparkling in a way that reminds me of phoenix tears. Uncorking the vial I bring it to my lips and begin chugging down the potion. It goes down smoothly and leaves a faint metallic taste in my mouth, though not the coppery taste you'd associate with blood, it also has somewhat of a fizz to it as well.
"Better?" The ancient one asks, I nod my head. The magic of the potion had an almost instant effect, its magic reached out and intertwined with my own, bolstering my own natural healing and recovery while reducing the painful flares of magic to gentle waves.
"Yeah...holy shit yeah, I feel great! My muscles aren't sore anymore, my headaches gone, what was in that?" I ask while taking in the feeling of a fully restored body.
"It was a concoction invented and made by Nicholas Flamel, containing many powerful ingredients used in healing, the most notable of which being the philosophers stone." The ancient one answers in calm tone that does not match the importance of the information she has just revealed.
I stare at her, she stares back.
My brain goes blank for a few moments as her words repeat over and over again in my head. The philosophers stone... A legendary product of alchemy, meant to grant eternal life and transmute any metal into gold...and it was just ground down into fucking juice for me to drink.
"E-excuse me?" I ask, dumbfounded.
"You'll find that the legends of the philosophers stones powers are greatly exaggerated, it's main use is as a tool of healing, with there being many of them in Nicholas's possession." The ancient one replies casually to my statement. I'm not given a chance to continue discussing the topic as she steers the conversation back to the topic of my recovery.
"As for your earlier question...in the case of any other magical being the phoenix tears would have neutralized the venom and purged any lingering dark magic, but as you know, you have a unique connection to the void itself." The ancient one stares out into nothing for a moment before looking back at me.
"From what we can determine, your magic has learned to mimic some of the effects of both basilisk venom and phoenix tears. Tell me...what do you know about the effects of basilisk venom and phoenix tears?" She asks.
"I, uh... well, Basilisk venom drains the life and magic at the cellular level, corrupting and poisoning the victims own magic against them. Whereas phoenix tears are on the opposite end of the spectrum, not only capable of purging dark magic but also fully healing any injury." I respond.
"You are correct, but that is not the entire truth. Basilisk venom, despite technically being a venom, also behaves somewhat like an acid. Not only does it leech the magic and life from the victim, but it destroys molecular bonds, ripping apart DNA and the other structures of the cell. Phoenix tears are able to counteract this because they can tap into the memory of magic. Not only does it neutralize the venom and purge the remaining dark magic, but it also is able to reassemble the destroyed molecules of the victim." The ancient one states.
I take a moment to process the new information, filing it away in my mind to go over later. As I do the ancient one seems to stare off into space again, thinking out loud to herself.
"Theoretically a corpse that had been completely dissolved by basilisk venom could be reconstructed by a large enough quantity of phoenix tears...though it would still be a corpse. It would also have to be soon after the initial dissolving as well, such things are time sensitive. But I digress..."
She turns back to me, "Your magic has assimilated these properties of the venom and tears, the waves of pain you are undergoing is your magic refining and altering your body. you'll find the process itself will become much smoother until it is as simple and painless as breathing, the potion you just ingested will aid in this."
I've had this explained to me twice by both death itself and the ancient one, yet its still taking awhile for the entire thing to sink in. That ability I managed to develop with my void magic, the ability to change and alter myself...I'd never have thought that it could improve this much. I go over her words in my head one more time, my magic is refining and altering my body as I sit here...
"I...I don't mean to come off as full of myself, but I've been keeping my body in as good condition as possible, so shouldn't the whole refining process be done by now?"
"It would be yes, if your magic was simply working with your present genome and not pulling in new DNA as it is currently." The ancient one explains.
My eyebrows raise in shock and then confusion, "What DNA is my magic even pulling in? Where am I even getting entire new genomes from?"
I'm confused now, normally I'd need to make contact with another life-form and really concentrate on copying its attributes in order to gain access to a whole new set of DNA. I can understand that entire process now being a lot more straightforward...but I'd still need an actual plant, animal or person to reach out to and touch in order to copy any genes...so where was my magic pulling them from?
The ancient one raises an eyebrow at me, before elaborating, "I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yet Hadrian, all around you and even within you, are billions of microscopic organisms with their own DNA. Your magic has been copying the traits of the bacteria living on and in you, as well as any viral or fungal particles currently airborne that come into contact with you."
When she says it like that it makes me feel fucking stupid.
"Cut me some slack I just woke up from a coma...I'm recovering but not at 100% yet." I say playfully, earning an amused look from the ancient one.
I lie back down onto the bed, letting my body relax as I absorb the full implications of what is occurring within my own body. I close my eyes and focus on myself, feeling my magic swirling around within me. I could stop what its doing, or take control, but I don't. I simply observe and feel as my magic compared the copied genomes of foreign organisms with my own genetic code, I feel as it improves existing genes and adds new ones. It mixes and matches my entire DNA, speed running the entire evolutionary process. My magic is acting as if guided by a higher intelligence, trying to mold me into a perfect being.
My previous edits to my own DNA have even been altered, my magic going over and refining them. Making it look as if my genome had always had these traits since birth. My previous method of gene splicing looked like a child had tried to jam the pieces of two separate jigsaw puzzles together, whereas now my entire genome looks like a geneticists wet dream. What I'm seeing now confirms that magic itself must have a mind of its own, an extremely intelligent and possibly omnipotent mind. There is no way a process like this can simply come about due to a bunch of random factors...then again...isn't that kind of how evolution itself works? ugh, I'm not in the mood for any philosophical thought experiments right now. I'll just ask death if magic is a guy or whatever...(what the fuck is my life now, I'll just ask the manifestation of death itself, like its a casual everyday occurrence. Jesus.)
I'm snapped back to reality as the ancient one stands up from her seat, "I'm sure you'll have more visitors soon. Once you are fully recovered come see me in Kamar-Taj, It's time we start your training in combat."
and with that she walks further down into the medical wing...away from the only entrance in or out of this entire area. She should hit a dead end and have to turn around, yet her footsteps simply grow more distant until ceasing altogether. Craning my neck to see past the privacy screen on either side of my bed, I see that she is in fact, gone.
Of course once she's left I suddenly remember that I wanted to ask her about how I would train someone in occulmency, the wizarding side for my friends and Sirius, (although as a son to the house of black he should have some training already) and the sorcery side for Tony...actually I could probably teach Tony sorcery in general, the energy from his arc reactor could easily be used in sorcery.
I sigh, I'll have to ask the ancient one when I'm recovered and able to go to Kamar-Taj. I wonder if I'll even have the time now that I am actually being trained in proper combat...usually they'd wait until I'm 16 to start training me. But I guess the whole basilisk thing has convinced the ancient one I'm ready.
My gaze idly wanders around the hospital wing of Hogwarts as I lay in bed. The waves of pain that were once coursing through me are now at a more manageable level and fading even quicker...breathing a sigh of boredom I roll onto my side, intending to go back to sleep. That is, until my gaze lands on the bedside table, with the book the ancient one was reading sitting on its surface. The book that she had simply disappeared instead of placing down... which means she must have purposely left it here, for me.
Sitting up and reaching over to pick it up, the bookmark falls out from its place between the pages. It lands on my lap and I pick it up with my other hand, I notice that its a folded piece of paper... with writing on it. Unfolding the paper, I read it,
Hadrian, this tome will contain all the knowledge you should need to teach your friends an adequate level of occlumency to keep your secrets safe. Once you feel that they have constructed sufficient mental walls, I shall test them, if they pass you are welcome to tell them about your studies at Kamar-Taj. I know that some secrets can have disastrous consequences if kept to oneself for too long. Please return the tome to the Kamar-Taj library when you are done with it. -TAO
Huh, she signed her name Tao...well its better than referring to her as the ancient one in my head I guess.
Sitting up straight I open the book itself, now having something to occupy my idle mind.
The tome itself seemed to be a nice compendium of techniques for both wizardry and sorcery, with many of the occlumency methods used for wizardry also capable of being utilized by a sorcerer and vice versa. Not only would I be able to teach my friends a high level of occlumency, but I think I might even be able to teach it too Tony as well. In fact nothing is holding Tony back from becoming a sorcerer . My further musing on this topic was interrupted by said man entering the medical wing, accompanied by madam Pomfrey, speak of the devil.
"Kid you're up!" Tony exclaims, making his way over with a forced calmness. I can feel the worry radiating from him with my magic, but to anyone else they would think he's completely nonchalant.
"I've been up for a while..." I reply, wanting to see where Tony takes this conversation.
He sits in the chair next to me, while Pomfrey gives me a once over. She asks me if I'm still suffering from the tremors of pain, but I inform her they've nearly subsided completely. She sets aside some standard sleep aid and pain relief potions before taking her leave, letting me and Tony converse in privacy.
Once we're alone I watch as Tony reaches into a pocket on his suit and pulls out a small disk shaped device. He presses a button on it and I can sense the magic of a privacy charm coming into affect. It seems Tony has been hard at work incorporating magic into his tech. Once any form of eavesdropping has been completely neutralized, he removes his sunglasses and looks me in the eyes. His eyes look tired and worried, a complete contrast to how he seemed near moments ago.
"Hadrian..." He speaks tiredly. Yikes he's using my actual name, this is not good!
"What...Just what were you thinking? I know I've only just recently discovered this wizarding shit, but a fucking basilisk?!? Could you not have let someone else handle this? Doesn't the government here have a department for magical monsters?" Tony is steadily picking up steam, but before he can go out into a full tirade I hold up my hand in a calming motion. He visibly deflates and gestures for me to speak.
"Tony, Believe me when I say there was no other way." I begin, immediately he tries to dispute me but I continue.
"It was an incredibly time sensitive matter, there are complete networks of piping and tunnels in this castle that would allow to basilisk to roam anywhere it pleases. We couldn't wait for a ministry response, add on the fact that in order for a person to access the basilisks den they need a very specific magical ability. One that only I, and Voldemort himself have." He stares at me for a moment, his eyes darting around the air as he thinks on my words.
"You shouldn't have had to go down there." He states, it takes a moment for me to decipher his tone is one of guilt.
"In a perfect world I wouldn't have...but as you know this world is far from perfect. Knowing what I do now I'm glad I didn't involve the ministry. The basilisk had been altered and enhanced with many magical rituals, it would've slaughtered them and then be free to enter the rest of the castle." I reply.
He sighs and gives a slight nod as he speaks, "Yeah, that's what your headmaster told me...after I spent a good fifteen minutes chewing his ass out that is."
I give a slight chuckle at the mental image of a protective Tony Stark berating Albus Dumbledore. "heh, he probably knew you needed to get the anxiety out of your system and let you run tire yourself out instead of interrupting"
We both sit in silence for a moment, Tony himself shuffling slightly, still uncomfortable with the idea of me nearly dying.
"Please Tony... don't blame yourself for this. There wasn't another way, this isn't your fault." I say softly.
"It's hard not to, I'm your guardian, you're my responsibility. I know I've been pretty lax with you on most things, and that's because you're like me, and I know if I tried to restrict you, you would just find a way to rebel. But...fuck, kid. Your heart stopped beating! You've could've died and I wouldn't have even known!"
He looks me in the eyes, unblinking and staring firmly. "From now on...if you're ever in a situation like this again, call me. I have one of the most advanced suits of armor in the world at my beck and call, so whatever you end up getting into in the future... I can help you."
I stare back, trying to gather my words, opening and closing my mouth as I try to speak, "I...okay. Okay, I'll call you... from now on."
He closes his eyes and lets out another sigh, but I speak again. "But that goes for you too. When you're out there doing Iron man shit and you need backup, I want to be there to help."
He looks back up at me, "Kid, I can't ask you to-"
I cut him off, "Nuh-uh, this goes both ways. Besides if you end up in deep shite I'll just bully Jarvis until he tells me where you are, and then I'll portal myself over to you. Don't think I won't" I say with a sense of finality in my tone.
"Well when you put it like that..." Tony says with a modicum of snark, trying and failing to hide his amusement. "Sure kid, you got yourself a deal".
Our discussion from there trailed off, with me asking Tony how he found out about my incident and him informing me of a distress signal released sent out by my magical tech glasses. Which I only now realized weren't on my face. Apparently Dumbledore had found them, laying broken in the chamber, while he was frantically trying to save my life. Tony had them back in his workshop in Malibu, telling me he had made improvements to the overall design and a few software upgrades. Our topic of conversation moved briefly onto the repulsor watch he had given me, and how it felt when I had used it against the basilisk. I gave him some feedback on increasing the heat dissipation and a few other minor adjustments that could be made to it. After that I informed him that he will be learning sorcery and that it was non negotiable, as well as getting protections for his mind.
He got up to leave then, needing to head back to Malibu to both inform Sirius of my condition and to do iron man shit. Which reminds me that I need to keep a closer eye on Tony, specifically for the part where Stane will try to paralyze him and then take his arc reactor. I'm going to try and prevent that if at all possible.
Once I'm left alone again I'm visited by madam Pomfrey, she monitors my condition and seems satisfied at my recovery, but not satisfied enough to let me leave the hospital wing, much to my dismay.
I spend my time trying to either sleep or stave off boredom, thankfully my lessons at Kamar-Taj have taught me astral projection. So while my body remains bedridden, I can at least wander around Hogwarts as a spirit. The ghosts that wander the castle are able to see me, though they find it hard to actually focus on me, apparently my spiritual form is blurry and non-euclidean, even to other spirits.
I was mid conversation with nearly headless Nick, we were both trying to figure out if I would be able to fully decapitate him while in my astral form, when I get the sudden feeling that I should return to my body. I bid him farewell and feel myself be pulled through floors and walls in the blink of an eye, before I know it I'm back in my body, sitting up in the hospital bed as I stretch and try to get the stiffness out of my limbs. Now then...why did I have the sudden urge to return to my body?
I look around and see that I'm alone currently, nothing odd is happening. Everything is perfectly fine, so what was-
"HARRY!"
My attention is suddenly pulled towards the entrance to the hospital wing, where I see a slightly distraught, concerned, relieved, and angry Hermione Granger. Accompanied by Ron and Neville.
Ah, so that's why...
"Before you throttle my poor mortal body and cast my soul to the darkest depths of hell, please believe me when I say there was no other way..." I begin in the hopes of lessening the effects of hurricane Hermione. Alas fate seems to enjoy tormenting me, as Hermione comes to a stop right in front of my bed and begins speaking.
"Harry! do you- we- I- agh!" Hermione stammers out before throwing her hands up in a frustrated matter. I look to Ron and Neville for help, but it seems they're keeping a wide berth.
Traitors.
"There's been all this talk around the school about a basilisk, the chamber of secrets, slytherins monster! and the people from the department for the regulation and control of magical creatures walking around the castle and-"
Hermione interrupts herself to take a much needed inhalation of air before continuing.
"-and we found out you were in the hospital wing and the professors were covered in blood and- and- Harry what happened?!?"
I stare at the frantic bushy haired girl, taking a moment to process her words and formulate my own, "Right, okay...well...yeah there was a basilisk living in the chamber of secrets, underneath the school...and now its not living there anymore."
Ron, Neville and Hermione's eyes all widen with Ron being the one to speak up, "You're saying the chamber of secrets is real? My brothers talked about it... but I thought they were just having a laugh, like they usually do."
Neville adds on as if coming to a realization, "The legend says that Slytherin kept a monster down in the chamber...you're saying it was a basilisk?"
I nod to both of their questions, Hermione picks the conversation back up, "So then why were you in the hospital wing Harry? Don't tell me you were down there?!? with a basilisk?!?"
The only response I can give is a sheepish nod. Hermione is about to speak again but I cut her off.
"Look Mione, I tried to play it as safe as possible, but the fact of the matter is that I HAD to be there. The chamber was sealed with parseltongue, so that makes me along with Voldemort the only person that can open it, and old moldyshorts is well aware of the chambers existence and the basilisk. I couldn't wait for a ministry team or for any professionals, at any moment the chamber could've been opened and the basilisk let loose on the school."
Ron and Neville flinch a little when I say the V word. Hermione thinks on my response and is attempting to come up with some counter argument, but I quickly shut down any she could come up with.
"There are no other Parseltongues Hermione...none that I could find, and I've looked around. If any exist they either don't know it themselves or are in hiding."
I read many a fic in my past life of India having parseltongues within their magical population, that was true for this universe, a long time ago. But most of slytherins descendants took offense to bloodlines not related to theirs, having one of 'their' gifts. A lot of the fortune the family pissed away, was spent on hit-men to track down any parseltongues and do away with them...even muggle snake charmers weren't safe for a time, add on the long memory of the wixen community and Tom's reign of terror, and well... any snake speaker with a lick of sense is keeping their talents hidden.
"I couldn't just open the chamber and sit outside either, there were multiple doors further in...I brought Dumbledore, Flitwick and even Snape with me. One of the most powerful wizards of our time, a former dueling champion with goblin heritage, and a master of potions and the dark arts...despite him kind of being a sod." I say that last part under my breath, earning a snort from Ron.
I let out a sigh and look Hermione in her eyes, "They all nearly died Hermione..." Any lightheartedness is quickly snuffed out as those words leave my lips, my three friends all just staring at me with ashen looks.
"They did a lot of damage, but they became too worn out before they could deal the killing blow. Even Dumbledore looked exhausted...sending a ministry team down there would've been feeding the basilisk a five course meal."
I lean back into my hospital bed, looking up at the ceiling. "We killed the basilisk by the skin of our teeth, I did end up getting involved myself, and I suffered the consequences for it..."
I roll up the sleeve of my hospital gown, showcasing the puncture wound on my arm, and the pale spider-web like cracks running out from it. They all pale at the sight, Neville is the one to break the silence.
"Harry...were you bitten?"
I simply nod, before adding. "yeah...good thing Dumbledore has a phoenix as his familiar, I wouldn't have made it otherwise." They all look ashen at the statement, with Hermione seemingly supporting herself by resting her arms on the bed frame, staring at her hands, before she speaks quietly.
"I hate it...I hate that you had to do that...it isn't fair. I hate that there was no way we could've helped...I know, objectively we would've just been in the way had we gone with you...but, but I don't want to wake up one day and find out you've been killed Harry."
Her eyes are wet as she looks up at me, her voice shaky. "I want to help you..."
I pause for a moment at her sincerity, no matter how many times it happens, I think a part of me will always be blindsided by the fact that other people actually care about me. I think that may be lingering trauma from the Dursleys. I clear my throat, trying to ignore the stirring in my chest and my own eyes growing wetter as I speak.
"You do help...all of you help me, by just...being my friends." Fuck I think my voice cracked, also that was corny as fuck. But hell if it ain't the truth.
My comment earns a small smile from Hermione, with Ron and Neville also loosening up. It's then as I'm basking in the moment, that I remember my original plan.
"I want to tell you guys thing, about where I disappear to on the weekends, or about other strange stuff about me...but I can't, at least not yet."
Ron tilts his head and asks, "Why not mate?"
"I...Have any of you heard of Occlumency?" I ask receiving a shake of the head from Ron and Hermione, while Neville tilts his head trying to remember something.
"I think my gran spoke about something like that before...but she never really told me what it was or is, only that I'd be taught it when I took over the lordship" He says.
I nod at his answer before replying, "Occlumency is the art, where a magical being can occlude their mind. Making it unreadable, and yes, mind reading is a thing. It's called Legilimency..."
Ron's eyes flash with understanding as he speaks, "So that's why you're tight lipped about certain things? You think You-Know-Who will read our minds?"
I nod and continue, "Not just him, but many of his followers and anyone with a lordship is definitely capable of at least occlumency, and once you know occlumency, it's not that hard to pick up legilimency."
Once I finish the three of them seem to kind of deflate, accepting my reasoning. But before I let them stew in the unfairness of life, I pull out the book Tao had given me. Hermione's eyes light up at the sight of an unfamiliar tome. I speak with a smile,
"Luckily for you three, the place I sneak off to every weekend has a library, a library that just so happens to have this little book here. A book that contains all the information a person needs to become proficient at occlumency, which I will be teaching to you three."
Hermione's eyes go from lit up, to supernovas, at the prospect of being taught a new form of magic. Neville chuckles at her reaction while Ron lets out a teasing, lighthearted groan about having to learn even more stuff on top of school work.
Hermione is the one to break the silence, eagerly asking, "When do we begin?"