Notice me not
Was he back? He was sure that he went on, not back.
He was quite sure that he indeed chose to go on and not back. But why?
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
His whole life was proof of that. He chose to be a Gryffindor, rather than becoming a Slytherin. His life would have been much easier, aided in achieving greatness and clenched his thirst to prove himself. Yet he chose to be a Gryffindor. Life had thrown him even more sorrows than Tom and as Voldemort suggested they were quite alike - except he chose love. Actively worked for it. Loved his stitched family of friends. Rather than hate, or subjugation. He chose not to let pain and suffering he endured define him. He feared the fear itself and crumbling would have been the most easy thing in face of never ending despair. But stood his ground and produced the brightest guardian to protect himself and others he loved at age of 13. He had the foulest and darkest magic pierced into his very self. He had a piece of Voldemort mingled within him since he was a little baby. He fought those, rather than succumb and be consumed by that darkness. He was the boy-who-lived, boy-who-conquered, he was quite powerful and had the trinity of Hollows. Still he declined power. Focused on what was right rather than easy.
Then why was he back?
"But wait, a second. Did I just emerge from lightning? And why was it coloured brilliant blue-green?" In his long life he had never seen lightning of that colour.
When he would fly within a lightning storm, he could see avada kedavra green lightning. It was quite a thrilling experience. It made him feel like 15 years old and playing Quidditch on Hogwarts grounds again. Maybe he could try again. But lightning stopped when he appeared out of it. What a waste! Flying now would have been relaxing. Also, he never emerged with such a grand entrance. He liked to be quiet and unseen.
The sky cleared of clouds as if it was sunny the whole day. It was warm. There wasn't any hint of thunder, rumble, darkness, chill, or even even a single cloud. Clear as a day could be.
Then He just groaned after he noticed that robes he was wearing were quite rare & eye-catching as they were made by dipping and treating Thestral hair in extracted Lapis Lazuli in the cauldron made up with mother of pearl. They had a smattering of pyrite inclusions, which appear in those dark blue stone like stars in the night sky. It was elegant with Moonstone and Dumortierite. Maybe too fancy for his taste. But it was Thestral hair like his Cloak which made him keep them.
Speaking of warm Cloak, he had it.
So maybe he was back. He was standing on the roof of some fancy building. Maybe he should check with his Terra wards.
Nope, nothing. How was that even possible? He was quite sure after checking dozens of times before leaving. They were indeed magnificent and he was sure Hermione and Prof Flitwick would be proud of him. When he left, his departure could have even strengthened wards like a powerful sacrifice.
But no, he wasn't feeling anything. He wasn't feeling any magic in the world. What had happened? His auror instinct told him to restrain using further magic and keep a low profile.
When and where had he returned? He could see muggle skyscrapers. So he was in a city.
He'll have to investigate. He could do that.
He quickly wears his Cloak and casts notice-me-not charm for when he would be down stairs. He wouldn't let anyone bump into him while he was invisible. He also added disillusionment and some privacy charms.
When he was thinking about his plan of action, he saw the door towards the roof was opened.
An angry woman came and was searching something. Maybe she was checking why a minute or two ago there was lightning. Also, it hasn't damaged anything. Maybe that's why she was confused. She took a round. She was quite athletic, fast and strong. Almost inhuman. Wandering near where Harry was standing. "Should I apparate?" he asked himself. But then he will leave with a loud noise of apparition behind. And no way this woman wouldn't catch on. She was furiously trying to find something. He had just arrived with loud lightning so it wasn't wise.
She was sniffing like a hellhound. His instincts to include some of his own spells paid off.
He could see that the woman wasn't satisfied and pissed. It was like she was feeling something yet couldn't quite put her finger on it.
He heard her say something about crazy father and Lucifer not bending so easily.
He was not understanding her rant as she would switch into some foreign language that he had never heard. It sounded terrifying. Maybe he was just stereotyping. Who knows what she was talking about. He would not use Legilimency on her as she was already pissed and he had the feeling that her mind would be lit with fury.
He should leave now and not a single soul would know.
When he was inside the door, he turned just in time to see that with a single leap, she was on a spire, observing every inch of the place like a hawk.
Without reacting he continued down, leaving her on a spire. He was careful not to make any sound.
He thought as though he was a thief. He was definitely trespassing. Did he have to have arrived here? Couldn't that lightning send him on a secluded mountain somewhere?
No, his arrival had to be on the roof of some club. People were complaining that lightning knocked electricity. A blond lady loudly exclaimed that someone call 911. Demanding this issue be fixed immediately and "This is unacceptable". Someone tried calling 911 on a flip phone.
People were speaking in American accents, so he was in an American city and was probably in the early 2000s.
He removed his cloak so someone drunk wouldn't collide with him. Put that in his endless pockets. There were lots of people. Club was dark without windows and light. So he summoned cloth near him without altering anyone and transfigured to better blend in. He quickly wore a plain transfigured black shirt and trouser before removing disillusion charm. His earlier clothes were not exactly low profile. These would do. But he kept his notice-me-not charm.
Lights returned. He remembered that it was pretty bright outside but then again this was a club. People around him took time to adjust sudden lights after being in darkness for quite some time. He just realized that he was wearing those childhood glasses. He wasn't wearing them before at Kings Cross. He kept them. Another connection with his family.
A sweet voice informed patrons in an aristocratic British accent that there was no need to worry and Lights are back.
A handsome man entered the club. Every pair of eyes darted to him immediately. He walked in grace and was wearing regal clothes. They were drenched as though he was caught in the rain. Oh, it did rain. He went towards the grand piano placed on stage. He welcomed everyone at Lux. He had noticed those big letters created with bulbs earlier.
He started singing a song.
Is this the golden man that I run through
If I could give my thoughts across to you
A million dollars for your sorrow now you're paying for it
Think twice, being evil has a price
I hear a lot of little secrets
Tell me yours and I'll keep it
You wanna know my name by now
Better think twice, 'cause being evil has a price
I start to wonder is this real life
Throw out a candle, turn out the light
The cause of morals make you feel like you're better than it
Think twice, being evil has a price
I hear a lot of little secrets
Tell me yours and I'll keep it
You wanna know my name by now
Better think twice, 'cause being evil has a price
I got a nasty reputation, nor I feel the hesitation
Better think twice
'Cause being evil has a price
Being evil has a price
I hear a lot of little secrets
Tell me yours and I'll tell mine
You wanna tell your name by now
Better think thrice, being evil has a price
I got a nasty reputation, nor I feel the hesitation
You better think twice
'Cause being evil has a price
'Cause being evil has a price
He had the voice of an angel. Harry was quite enthralled. He didn't realise that the person was looking singularly at him. He was utterly shocked. Maybe he could be looking at someone behind him.
Claps erupted from the equally amazed audience. Harry was looking away. People were praising him. "What lovely voice you have, Lucifer. Why don't you sing often?" asked someone approaching him. So this was Lucifer which that furious woman was referring to.
He was not certainly given the wrong name. He was indeed Devilishly handsome. He politely removed himself from that blond lady who was attempting a conversation. His charm did the work. He excused himself. And was leaving the stage. Harry turned and started leaving the club. What a weird day he was having!
That voice was addictive and that song was strange. He'll later think about it. He could still hear those words in his mind. Being evil has a price. Such a peculiar man Lucifer was!
While he was near the door, a hand tried to stop him from leaving the club. Oh, God he was too focused on his thoughts. He continued and went into the corridor.
Again that addictive voice was asking him to stop. That tall man caught up to him at the entrance. Thankfully he stopped leaving some distance between them. It was starting to get dark. How much time was he here? The sun nearly set. Sky was golden. There were no lights elsewhere and a lot of trees.
Lucifer was persisting.
Harry thought that he was being watched so looked around, he saw an unnaturally dark shadow near some building and then looked up at the sky. He could see a glint of silver. Was someone watching me?
Lucifer answered, "Yes, my father"
His attention snapped at Lucifer standing near him. Oh, no. He was speaking loudly again.
He worked as auror for a long time. Don't go by his young face. Wait, he didn't put glamor on his face.
Now, he wasn't taking any chances. He immediately slammed the strongest occlumency shields. He had improved quite a lot from his 5th year self, he was well versed due to ages of practice. He was on complete lockdown.
While he was singing he noticed a stranger in black shirt and trousers was enjoying the song so much that he had almost become one with it.
Lucifer didn't pause. He continued. His focus was fixed to the fantom stranger.
He did change the song a bit, as though he was talking to him directly.
Usual appreciation followed when he stopped.
Stranger was still in the zone.
He was wearing such old frames, he looked utterly common, someone he should not notice. Yet it wasn't true.
Pleasantries were cut short and he marched towards the stranger who was leaving.
The fantom stranger did not stop when called for him. He frustratingly went on. Lucifer in desperation put his hand when he was near the door. Still he went on. Like he couldn't turn behind. So Lucifer kept calling for him. Now that was rude.
When he reached the entrance. He called again for the last time. Change of strategy.
Fantom stranger was looking around, looked somewhere far and then towards the sky.
There was glint in his blue green eyes which were as deep as the ocean. He said to himself that someone was watching him while continuing to watch towards the sky.
Lucifer didn't hesitate as the answer was natural. He suggested it was his father.
That answer got him that stranger's attention.
He was annoyed when Lucifer came near him as if he wasn't expecting and was about to flee but Lucifer had managed to stop him for now. He looked very uncomfortable. That was new.
But he indeed had a stranger's attention.
Lucifer had intuition that he wouldn't get a name so he decided to just ask, "What's it that you truly desire?"
Surprise, surprise, that fantom stranger resisted answering.
Lot was happening. He didn't have time to unpack that right now.
Why is it, whenever something happens, Harry is involved?
I start to wonder is this real life?