2,326Please note that this has not been abandoned or forgotten. Many of you are likely aware that Fanfic has been fucked up since Mid-September (emails, stats, views, reviews, updates, (ironically, a week after I posted my latest sneak previews). The problem was fixed but appears to have started up again since the beginning of April.
Chapter 10: A Pup Meets a Wolf
Though Edward Tonks was the certified healer of the family, his duties at St Mungo's only allowed him to be away for so long, especially when an emergency that required his skill. As such, it was Andromeda who stood by Harry's side; her daughter opted to remain home but was downstairs finishing some homework. Thankfully Dumbledore would allow Dora a temporary leave of absence from school, and any homework would be sent by owl.
Andromeda looked at the boy that reminded her so much of James and couldn't help but curse the poor boy's ill-fated series of events that plagued his young life. Her taking him as her adopted son, although guardianship and adoption were quite different in the United Kingdoms' Wizarding World compared to the mundane one, was meant to put all that behind him and give Harry the life he deserved.
Sister to Lily or not, though Andromeda didn't know the witch as well as her former prat of a cousin, the former Black witch cursed Petunia and her family for all they did or didn't do to Harry.
"I still can't believe this is happening. How could you accept such a deal?" much as she respected Dumbledore as a teacher and individual, and Nicolas to a lesser extent - mostly because she didn't follow his exploits as greatly as her husband did - neither were exactly on the top of the list right now due to the outcome.
"It's not as though we had much choice!" the alchemist bit back, "Gaunter flat out told us if we didn't take the deal, he'd find someone else. We were in a spot with no room to argue. Powerful as we are, Dumbledore and I are gnats if he used his full might. It was either that or allow Harry to fall into the hands of someone who, if we're lucky would simply use the poor boy, or he'd be handed over to one of Voldemort's more zealous sycophants."
"But then why'd he do this?"
"Gaunter is a being of chaos. Neither good nor evil-"
"How is branding Harry not evil?!" Andromeda's voice rose.
"War is considered evil by many yet good can come of it in the end, nonetheless. Discord can lead to either good or bad outcomes, much like a change in leadership. Leaving Harry out there at his mercy and whomever else, this was, unfortunately, the lesser of two evils. Being branded, was the lesser of two evils - though I wish it never occurred regardless," was the legendary alchemist's reply.
Andromeda snorted. The legal expert in her knew he was right, this was a situation with no good outcomes, but the mother in her was screaming something else.
"And as I was saying," he continued, "Gaunter is a being of chaos. Chaos and deals. Neither evil nor good; he does what he wants for his own benefit and simply lives to create discord. The rules and laws that wizards are governed by mean nothing to him. Turning metal into gold? Done. Making something from nothing? Child's play. Bringing someone back from the dead and looking healthier than ever? I'd wager he'll have pissed off some lot afterward and put a target on his back, but he could do it in a heartbeat."
"And with all this power at his disposal, you never took this into account?" despite her experience in court and in the war, though she was more on the sidelines than the front like James and Sirius, hearing about his capabilities had Andromeda feeling very on edge. Voldemort would sacrifice most if not all his followers if it meant being able to do even 1/8th of what Gaunter could do. By wizarding law - magical theory, really - it should be impossible, and yet Nicolas never wavered on what Gaunter could do. Which only added to her worry.
"I'm many things, Andromeda, but even I'm not infallible. See how you fair against a being as ancient and powerful as Gaunter O'Dimm. Tricking or outsmarting him is by no means an easy feat, and even then, he'll likely have anticipated it," one of the few times he was defeated was because he let his sense of superiority get the best of him.
"But I agreed to make the bargain. Why was Harry chosen?" Dumbledore asked, "For that matter how could Harry have been claimed in the first place?"
"Truthfully, with how Gaunter and his magic works, it could have been any number of ways many couldn't think of," was Nicolas' simple answer.
Minerva, however, being done with cryptic replies and riddles said her piece, "No idea, or do you not wish to inform us?"
Nicolas looked at the woman and applauded her bravery when he looked her right in the eye, "There are many ways where it can be possible. Gaunter is a master of when it comes to finding loopholes or creating them to his benefit and you British don't do yourselves any favours," Nicolas told them.
"How do you mean?" Minerva asked.
"Magic Britain, much of Europe, to be fair, has countless old laws that were never officially repealed or amended. Some are so old they are practically forgotten but still in effect. My guess, Gaunter took advantage of one such law or more that your government failed to repeal. The French are no better, I must admit. A common trait European wizards have in general is not being fond of change unless left with absolutely have no choice."
The look of anger remained but Minerva couldn't deny the man's words. European wizards were very set in their ways, especially the old guard.
"I think I know how he did it," Andromeda spoke and all in the room looked to her.
"The exchange in wardship. Petunia took him in but recently signed that right over to me. But wardships aren't final until they're signed and approved by the head of the Department of Education and Citizenship. And since Harry was an orphan born with magic-"
"Then as set out centuries ago, ultimate authority over a magical orphan in the United Kingdoms falls under the Headmaster of Hogwarts. When a Hogwarts Headmaster, any Headmaster in Europe, comes into office, they are oath-bound to look after any child that falls under their care, especially orphans. Until a child is either officially adopted, moves to another country that falls outside the school's jurisdiction, or renounces magic altogether; they fall under that headmaster's authority as their legal ward," Dumbledore recalled.
"Exactly. During that brief period that Harry fell under Albus' authority, Gaunter could have taken chosen that as his payment. A headmaster's authority allows for many things over their students and wards. It's not very well known, and very rarely ever occurring."
"How could that be?" Minerva asked, "Wouldn't Lily's sister still technically be his guardian? What if she rescinded and took him back?"
To which Andromeda answered, "The laws of the Magical United Kingdoms doesn't see mundane orphan caretakers as legal guardians over magical children. If anything, they're more like glorified long-term babysitters or nannies. Petunia became Harry's guardian, or caretaker in this case, only because she was related to him by blood despite not having any magic of her own. The law also states that if a dispute occurs where the non-magical guardian wishes to rescind the agreement they had with the prospective non-magical or magical one before the agreement has been authorized, authority over the magical child still falls to the headmaster on what is to be done. As such, even though we know Petunia had no desire to take back what she did, Albus was the one who technically had authority and legal rights of Harry until he was officially adopted by my family. It's not very well known, and very rarely ever occurring. I only know because I came across it by pure happenstance and it was so ridiculous that it stuck."
"I myself was not aware. Evidently Gaunter did know and used to his advantage during that brief period of time," Albus declared, cursing himself for his lack of knowledge.
"There is another possibility," Nicolas suddenly said once everyone else vacated.
"And that would be?" Albus asked but already had an idea.
"He lied," was the man's simple reply.
"Really, I couldn't tell," Andromeda chortled.
Dumbledore however understood what the older wizard meant, "You believe this to be a misdirection? Something to keep use occupied to prevent us from knowing the truth too late. We can both agree that Harry was who he was truly after."
"Maybe," Nicolas' comment had Albus cocking an eyebrow, "Oh, I've no doubt that he was after Harry. But Harry is just a boy. A wizard, yes, but a boy still. His worth is great but not as great a prize as having Albus Dumbledore at his beck and call."
"What do you mean?" Minerva asked but couldn't deny that Albus would be the greater prize given is legendary reputation. Albus had stated that Harry had the potential to surpass him one day, but Minerva was skeptical. No offence to Lily or Jame's son, but Albus' many feats had been unsurpassed for nearly a century.
"Dark times lead to desperate measures. Who's to say neither Lily or James Potter never made a deal with Gaunter to protect their son? Or his grandparents for that matter, or an ancestor?" Nicolas stated, "Of course, this is all conjecture, but it's not impossible that someone who had authority over him made a deal that allowed Gaunter to do this. If one of them was unavailable to hold up their end of the bargain, or if his price was left ambiguous-"
"Then Harry has to pay the debt or be the price," Dumbledore finished. And knew that such archaic laws such as those were still valid in the U.K. and other magical communities, "But why all the run around?"
"As I said, Gaunter's goals can be straightforward when he wants or be convoluted and unpredictable with a flair of showmanship in order to draw attention elsewhere. Either way, his actions are immensely difficult to predict and the why is almost as impossible. Generally, you have to wait and see or let him tell you the why, and even then you should be expecting lies and half-truths. Assuming this is all true, it could also mean that your debt to him has not been settled, Albus," Nicolas explained.
"Uughh," came the groan from the bed, and everyone in the room watched as the mark on Harry's face glowed and pulsed before dimming once more.
Wiping the sweat from his brow as gently as she could, trying as best she could to avoid the nasty mark that made Harry groan when touched, "When do you think he'll wake up?"
"A question I'd like answered, too," Minerva seconded.
Nicolas' reply was, "I don't know."
But it was a lie. A lie to ensure none in the room worried more than required. For in truth, Harry should have woken up by now.
ERROR! ERROR! ERROR!
CALIBRATION UNSUCCESSFUL!
"Ugh," Harry groaned and closed his eyes again but it did little for the pop-ups continued showing up and reiterating the same message over and over again for god knows how many times. Harry had long since lost count, much as he had long since lost track of time.
Wherever the hell he was.
All he could remember was waking up to find himself surrounded by darkness. And yet he could see clearly through it, but Harry had doubts it was because of Gold Tooth's Gold Tooth. This was something else. Something unsettling.
The constant pop-ups that appeared before him made that abundantly clear. No matter what he did they would not change nor go away. Had it not been for Gamer's Mind, Harry was sure he'd have gone crazy by now. Over and over the process repeated without change.
The only small mercy was the pop-ups not making any noise whenever they showed up.
ERROR! ERROR! ERR…
CALIBRATION SUCCESSFUL!
[Please view to see changes made]
Until now that is.
"Oh, finally," hopefully this meant he could get out of wherever place this was. This had been a nightmare.
"Fast Travel: Knockturn Alley…Oh, come on!"
|You have been branded by a [?]|
|Until otherwise allowed, you will be unable to use several abilities!|
"You'll find that whatever abilities and trinkets you've acquired these last few months to be quite useless. You're in my domain now. And what I say goes."
Snap!
No sooner after the finger snap was heard did Harry find himself being pulled by an invisible force and watched as the darkness vanished. The suddenness caused his eyes to blink and by the time he opened them once more did he find himself sitting in a large comfortable chair in an equally comfortable room illuminated by a cozy warm fire.
"Hello, Harry," a voice in front of him had his whipping to the source.
"Who are you?" Harry asked with a hint of worry. Harry couldn't claim to fully understand what was going on, nor fully understand the mechanics of his Gamer ability, but this man - if that's what he even was - must have something similar, or perhaps something stronger if he could prevent him from using his skills.
The man before him simply smiled, "Gaunter O'Dimm, Master of Mirrors, Man of Glass, at your service. As for what I am. Am I a friend? Potentially. An adversary? Conceivably. But a saviour? That's for certain."
The man introduced himself in a way that made it seem as though Harry should know who he is, "Never heard of you."
Gaunter merely looked at him for a bit and then shrugged indifferently before asking, "Sugar, cream, or none?" Gaunter asked.
"Huh?"
"Your tea. How do you take it?"
"Tea? I don't-" and before the young wizard appeared an array of assortments that he hadn't seen since leaving the Dursleys, "I… don't really drink it," Petunia hardly let him have tea except on holidays if she was feeling very generous. Otherwise, he only had milk, water, juice, and the odd soda if he was lucky. Harry didn't know what to really take with tea, finding it a bit bitter for his taste.
"Well, no matter," with a wave of his hand, the refined assortments changed into something he did like but Harry remained wary. He needed to focus on how to get out of here.
"My boy, more powerful and experienced beings than you have tried," one came to mind but that thought was left for another time.
"Great, a mind reader," Harry grumbled.
"More like your intentions are as easy to read as an open book," Gaunter smiled, "Now, onto business. First off, what I say goes. You work for me now."
"What!? I never agreed to anything!"
"No, but someone with authority over you did. Explaining how it's possible would take too long and I have little time trying to convey it to you. But if you don't believe me, you can walk out that door and see for yourself."
Harry saw something shine off his glasses. Looking back, Harry saw an opened door with bright inviting light coming through it. Harry wasted no time getting up and moved to what he was sure to be freedom.
"Stop."
A simple word, one Harry could have easily ignored were it just that. But Harry felt his body stiffen, his left leg raised in the air, but he felt no strain keeping it raised despite the awkward position he found himself in.
"Turn around."
Again, his body betrayed him and Harry found himself facing Gaunter once more. The man's words weren't words, Harry realized. They were commands. Absolute in every sense of the word.
"Sit."
Harry's body did just that, and Gaunter laughed.
"Oh, that never gets old," Harry assumed the man's intent was for him to sit back down on the chair, but the order wasn't specific enough. With a snap of Gaunter's fingers, Harry was sitting in the comfortable seat once more in front of the man who had absolute control over him.
"As I've clearly demonstrated, you are in my power, Harry," Gaunter smiled and Harry wanted nothing more than to rake this face into ribbons, "But enough about that. I'm not a monster-"
Harry couldn't stop the snort from escaping his lips even if he tried.
"Yes, that's one of the more typical reactions I get," Gaunter admitted, "But I assure you, Harry, I mean you no harm."
"So long as I do what you tell me, right?"
"Yes and no. Yes, you have no choice but to do what I say but if you choose not to follow them that's entirely up to you. But regardless I'm not without heart, Harry. You see, I've got a proposition for you. I'm a deal-maker. Simply put, I grant one their greatest desires. Their wishes, you might say."
"You say you grant one their greatest desi-"
"No."
"But you haven't even-"
"Your parents are dead and dead they shall remain, Harry. Try and push this issue all you like it won't change my answer," Gaunter's tone was one Harry had heard from Petunia and Vernon many a time before: it wasn't debatable.
"Because you can't do it?" Harry asked, even genies had their limits. Though that was merely Disney lore than actual lore.
"I can. Let's just say that it would lead to severe consequences if I did, one that both of us would suffer from," Gaunter explained, "So, I offer this in return. You help me get rid of the annoying lich, and not only will I remove your brand, I'll reward you even. In fact, I'll sweeten the deal, I will offer you my assistance from time to time."
"A lich!" the man might as well ask him to kill himself right now. Lich were powerful and very dangerous entities to deal with.
"Calm yourself, Harry. This is not your common lich from those books you've read, Harry. Technically, he's a specter now, a shell of his former might. His current state is rather pathetic to be honest, though he remains a threat. Should he regain a body he'll have recovered much of his former might, so best deal with him whilst he is weakened."
Insight Successful! You've earned +125 EXP
|You notice that despite his words, Gaunter is making this seem easier than it might actually be.|
"Huh, that's new," not that Harry was complaining, it was very helpful.
"There's a catch isn't there?" the boy asked.
Gaunter smiled, "Smart lad. Yes. Getting rid of the specter is only one part of the equation, and even if you somehow destroy his incorporeal form, this isn't like killing an ordinary ghost or a wraith. No, for him to truly die you'll be required to destroy his soul anchors."
History: Arcana Successful! You've earned +125 EXP
|You recall that soul anchors, also known as phylacteries, are items that are ritualistically created to anchor one's soul in order to cheat death. There are multiple ways to create these anchors, each method as unique as the next, along with their consequences, and destroying them is not as simple as it sounds.|
"Sounds like a lich to me," Harry retorted.
"In essence, true. But as deep as he delved into the blackest of magic, Voldemort knew the folly of turning himself into one. Even he had boundaries he wouldn't cross, few that they were, and even then he still tiptoed on the knife's edge of them," Gaunter explained.
"So, how do I get rid of him then?" Harry's only response was Gaunter smiling, "You're not going to help me are you."
"I am not here to hold your hand, Harry. You have your role to play, and so do I. Much like magic cannot solve all your problems, neither will I. But as I said, I will assist you from time to time. Speaking of which. Here, to stay in touch," with a snap of Gaunter's fingers did a floating object materialize in front of Harry.
Of all the things to receive, a small triangular electrical device was the last thing Harry expected. The device was more akin to a very miniature mirror with gold with claws in each corner. On the back was the device was word 'Glass', and beneath it Harry made out a word he never heard of.
"Witcher? Is that a magic word or something?" Harry asked.
"It's the password to access its contents, Harry, amongst other things," Gaunter looked almost exasperated, "What? Were you expecting a crystal ball or a sending stone? I'm no savage nor backwatered like much of the magical populace in Europe. And, while it may not look like much, that little Focus Harry will assist you better than any phone. This little number will have functions that will allow you to make calls, but will also help you along the way, too, and when it believes you have improved enough, new features and benefits will make themselves known."
Harry nodded, that was a neat feature, even if he didn't exactly like the individual who gave it to him. But it begged the question, "How do I use it?"
"You put behind your ear," Gauntler's look told Harry the being wasn't kidding, "Though once you wake up it will take a few moments to boot up. Now, as I was saying, you will do me one and only one task: granted it's a big one and the chances of you dying in the process are, well, exceptional on the high end of the spectrum should he find a way to regain his body. For now, however, you are in luck and you will have much time to learn and improve yourself before you face Tom."
"Tom?"
"Tom Marvolo Riddle, a name known by few in this day and age, as he is now more commonly known as You-Know-Who to the weak-willed of the United Kingdoms, and the Dark Lord Voldemort to those foolish or brave enough to say his actual name. And believe me, he's earned the title."
"Dark Lord? Like Sauron and Morgoth?" Wasn't that a bit on the nose?
"More or less. Though I'd be inclined to say he's more comparable to the former than the latter in terms of approach. Be thankful that Voldemort isn't anywhere near as powerful as either of them, though a dangerous being he remains still. Or, apparition as the case was," from there Gaunter explained to Harry who Voldemort was, and what he had done up until his alleged demise.
"Me? Voldemort tried to kill me? Why?"
"A conversation best left for someone else. All I require from you is this: face him, end him and I solemnly swear you will be free to go, your obligations to me over and done with and any gifts I will have provided along the way, that device included, will be yours to keep. No strings attached."
Knowing he didn't have much choice, and better to have the Devil as a friend than an enemy, Harry was going to agree before it dawned on him, "Why not take care of him yourself?"
"Smart question lad. Keep it up. And to answer you, powerful as I am, there are beings and forces out there that are far more powerful. Oh, relax, Tom isn't anywhere near my level, Harry. If I could, I'd have destroyed him as easily as stepping on a worm. Alas, I am prohibited from doing so. Which is why you will do so in my place. Believe me, you weren't even my 100th choice. No offense, my boy."
Harry honestly didn't know how to take that.
"Now then, it's getting late. Things to do and you've slept more than enough. Enjoy your respite for the next little while. I'll be in touch."
Snap!
A simple motion of his two fingers and Harry was banished from wherever he was, leaving Gaunter alone.
"Satisfied?" Gaunter looked up.
"…"
Though no sound was heard, Gaunter smirked, "Don't fret. I intend to help the boy, provided he proves useful."
"!"
Gaunter laughed, "Language. And, let's not forget, you are the one responsible for this in the first place. Best you remember that before you go around accusing others for your actions."
"…"
Dawn rose over the city and filled the room with rays of light, the daily clockwork motion prodding Harry's form awake and causing him to shift in every which direction. The boy soon released a groan when it became apparent that he wouldn't be returning to the realm of sleep anytime soon. With what seemed like incredible effort, Harry opened his eyes and his gaze immediately fell upon the words above him. His poor eyesight made the words seem blurred, but luckily it didn't prevent him from making out shapes. To rectify this Harry grabbed his glasses off the nearby nightstand. No sooner did he wear them had the words become clear.
As a result of sleeping in a bed your HP, MP, and have been fully restored!
"Ughh," the boy groaned, sunlight wasn't one's best friend first thing in the morning, "Wait…Where am I?"
The thought pumped adrenaline into the young Potter's system as he took in his surroundings. No sooner had it occurred did Harry realize that he was not in Knockturn Alley, nor Diagon Alley. The first realization came when he was on a soft and large bed similar to the one used by Dudley. Harry scanned the room for a few moments before a squeaky voice made itself known.
"Is young master Potters being awake?!" Harry was unprepared for the suddenness of the voice, much less for the appearance it originated from.
"What th-WOAAHHHH!" Harry exclaimed in surprise. The boy tried readying himself but his rashness caused Harry to move too close to the edge of the bed. Gravity took its toll soon afterwards, and his impact still made a noticeable thud in the room.
"Ow," Harry groaned from his new and uncomfortable position. The boy's vision was clouded by white dots that danced in front of him, but was soon replaced by the unknown creature once more.
"Is young master Potters being alright? Shall Gypsy get Mistress Andy?" the now-identified creature asked him.
"Stay back!" was all Harry said. His arm was outstretched, shifting as he prepared to transform.
"Oy! Gypsy, what's – Oh, you're up already," Harry spotted a brown-haired man with trimmed facial hair on his face entering the room, "Gypsy, get Andy will you. Here, let me give you a hand there, lad," the man chuckled and went to helped Harry to his feet.
Harry however backed away from the unknown man, his arm halfway shifting into his puca form.
"Easy lad, easy," Ted stopped his advance, "It's alright. You're safe here."
Eyes narrowed, Harry couldn't sense any ill intent but remained guarded regardless, "Where's here? Who are you?" he asked.
"Right, sorry, Andy's always saying I forget about that," Harry didn't know who Andy was but it did little to lower his concern on where he was, "Name's Tonks, Ted Tonks," he introduced himself in a very James Bond-like way.
"Eve Moneypenny," Harry drawled but earned himself a laugh from the man instead.
"Oh, you have no idea how good it feels to hear that, Harry," the man laughed and Harry was ever more concerned at how familiar the man was with him, "Gotta say it's refreshing to hear others other than Dora and Andy know that reference."
That little statement threw Harry through a loop. Why wouldn't anyone know that quote? It was one of the most famous quotes in movie history. "Why wouldn't anyone know it?" he blurted.
"Let's just say many who enter the Wizarding World don't really explore the wonders of the mundane one," Ted explained.
"You're a wizard?" was he in Diagon Alley?
"Well, yeah… Your aunt and uncle didn't bother telling you about the Wizarding World, did they. Or where you came from, too, right?"
"How do you know about them?" Harry asked his guard up once more.
"We'll first off," Ted moved forward and Harry backed away a little more, "It's alright, lad. I'm just going to help you up if that's alright. There we go. Again, sorry, bout that. Forgot that muggles react differently upon seeing a house elf for the first time," the man remembered his like it was just the other day. In hindsight, he should have seen it coming.
"Where am I?" Harry asked once more despite appreciating the help.
"You're in my house," a woman interrupted before she made her way to Harry, "Now, then, let me get a good look at you," the woman spoke but Harry had enough.
"Ok, will someone tell me what the bloody hell's going on?" Harry nearly shouted, not liking he was more or less being looked at like an animal from the zoo.
"Right, sorry about that," Andromeda pardoned herself, ignoring the boy's cursing. "I am Andromeda Tonks. You've already meet Ted. That's Gypsy and that's…. where my daughter should be," the woman felt stupid for pointing at an empty spot. "Where's-"
She was interrupted by a voice from the hallway shouted, "Coming!" followed soon by a crash and a thud, "Damn it!"
"Ugh," Andromeda groaned as the situation turned out much differently than she had hoped, "So much for first impressions."
"Sorry, I'm late!" a girl with honest to god bubble-gum pink hair appeared in the room, "I miss anything gooooaahhhh!" she screamed and fell face first on the hardwood floor, "Owwww," she whined.
"Chalk this up as another reason for not joining the Aurors," Ted knew his girl had the skills, just not the required equilibrium. "The walking train-wreck is our daughter, Dora. Your fourth cousin on your father's side."
"… Cousin?"
"That's right," Andromeda smiled and looked at the boy straight in the eye, "Your father, James, was my third cousin on his mother's side of the family," the man smiled even more as she looked at him. "You look a lot like him, you know. Apart from your eyes, that's pure Lily. You also have Dorea's nose, too."
The eye part Harry was already familiar with, having been told many times by Petunia. More than once she had called him Lily by accident due to his eyes when angry enough. Hearing he took after his dad as well was new.
"You're my family?" he asked sincerely before it was replaced just as quickly with anger, "Where the hell were you all this time!"
Andromeda wasn't surprised by the outburst, having anticipated it might happen. As a mother, she had experience with young children and their tendencies to let their emotions get the best of them.
"I'm afraid it's … complicated, Harry. Know that had I known what was going to happen I would have taken you away from them in a heartbeat. Consequences be damned!" the woman scowled but controlled her temper. Few things could rile her up so easily but the Dursleys were one of them after everything she heard and witnessed. "I guess we should start with why you're here in the first place. You're a wizard, Harry."
"I know that already," Harry was being honest.
The statement wasn't wholeheartedly an unexpected one in Andromeda's books, given the circumstances, but a part of her honestly expected him to go into denial or disbelief. The older woman couldn't help but ask, "How?"
"Well, I can use magic for one," the boy deadpanned and Andromeda had the decency to nearly blush.
"True, but I didn't know if you'd remember," was her excuse, after all the boy had been branded by a being of immense power, memory loss wasn't unheard of when it came to such trauma, "What do you remember from the night you were found?"
Harry's eyes, the Tonks noted, was one of deep focus, "Uh…I was in Knockturn Alley and then… and then I woke up here."
Andromeda accepted the explanation but asked in turn, "How'd you find Diagon Alley? Or for that matter, what were you doing in Knockturn Alley?"
"I… can sense others like me. After I was attacked by those guys in Surrey, I ran and found others like me. I followed them in Diagon. As for what I was doing in Knockturn: surviving," Harry stated in a tone that no eleven-year-old boy in this day and age should. Andromeda made a dark mental note to make the Dursleys suffer for this.
"Wait, attacked?" Andromeda was confused, "The only ones the aurors attacked was that beast that attacked the Dursleys."
"…Um…" Harry realized the slip-up.
"That was you, wasn't it," Andromeda stated, "That creature that attacked the Dursleys and gave the Aurors the slip."
Harry had no idea what an auror was, and if he did he couldn't remember, but nodded, "Yeah."
"Good," was the unexpected reply, "Trust me, I know what it's like. Your aunt and uncle deserve a lot worse. The Aurors, well, they needed a wake-up call with how far downhill they've gone. Still for your first act of magic to be an animagus transformation, remarkable, even if it was accidental magic."
"Animagus?" Harry wasn't familiar with the term but assumed it meant shapeshifter, though accidental magic eluded him. He vaguely recalled a pop-up from months ago but that was it.
"A wizard who can turn into an animal. Accidental magic is, how do I phrase this…"
"You've ever played Dungeons and Dragons?" Ted asked and when Harry nodded he continued, "Think of it as Wild Magic. Chaotic, primal, and has random outcomes that are based on your desires. Could be as small as wanting a toy or sweet, to something as big as turning yourself into another animal. It's impressive because that normally isn't possible without training and preparations. Normally it takes years, sometimes decades, and undergoing rituals to achieve what you've accomplished," and that was if they were lucky.
Harry cocked at eyebrow at that tidbit of info, "It is? Sure foci-less magic's a bit tougher but I thought turning yourself into an animal was common?" he blurted out.
Foci-less? "Tougher? What's that supposed to mean?" Nymphadora was unfamiliar with the term.
"Uhh," Harry wanted to curse as he realized he blundered once more. And with the way he was looked at intently, the boy knew he'd be unable to bullshit his way out of it. Instead, Harry merely brought out his arm and performed what even more experienced wizards couldn't do, "Lumos. It's just the one spell," Harry lied as the floating ball lit the room.
Andromeda along with the rest of her family gapped at the ease with which Harry displayed the bit of wandless magic, "Oh, you are definitely Dorea's grandson," of that the barrister had no doubt. It had been fortunate the woman didn't follow the rest of her family's archaic views. Dorea was the only member of the Black family in the past three or so centuries that could weave most spells wandlessly and non-verbally and with such ease. Even Dumbledore had been impressed and freely admitted her skill in wandless magic was greater than his own. She wasn't as powerful as the man, but her skill in the art was greater still.
Harry's parents were very talented and gifted wizards in their own field but it was clear to Andromeda that Harry took after his grandmother magic-wise. The Blacks were a very old and very well-respected family due to their lineage and proficiency in magic. Marrying into the family was considered an honour due to how highly attuned they were to magic compared to other older families. To this day the phenomenon is still impressive. But, unfortunately, it paled in comparison to what it used to be due to the amount of inbreeding. Oh, the first few generations were one thing to retain the features, but over time the lack of new genetics caused problems and more or less contributed in the decline and loss of past magical abilities the Blacks once possessed. The woman found it ironic that marrying into new blood of those deemed inferior caused one of those abilities to resurface. Nymphadora was the first Black Metamorphmagus in two centuries, nearing three.
"Dear Merlin. When did you learn you could do this?" a bewildered Ted asked.
"Don't remember, months?" Harry shrugged. "I thought it was normal."
"Oh, it's definitely not," at least in this day and age it wasn't. "Which is why this doesn't leave this room," Andromeda's tone left none of them with any room to argue. Not that they were going to go behind her and blab anyway. Ted, however, was left with the impression that he knew the spell.
The act of not telling anyone put the boy at ease and also earned Andromeda some points in his trust. If performing foci-less magic was not normal he doubted his Gamer ability was normal either. Even then there was no way he was going to tell anyone about that anytime soon. "Not that I'm not grateful, but why am I here anyway? Why wasn't I here to begin with?" the question having yet to be answered, a frown marring his features.
Andromeda sensed the anger and cursed the side effect of becoming an animagus. It certainly wasn't going to be easy to deal with. While she was not as well versed as Dorea, James, Sirius, or Minerva in the field of Transfiguration she knew enough to be knowledgeable. One had to be with a metamorph for a daughter. A side effect was a link in characteristics from the creature shared with the human side. It depended on the creature species, too. Most were psychological and emotional such as a taste for rare meat, protectiveness, or easily prone to temperamental outbursts. The act of controlling them became easier as one grew up. Physical changes rarely occurred but an increase in muscles, better vision, or an increase in body hair wasn't uncommon.
But the woman knew Harry would most likely be worse than the average wizard once puberty hit. Male wizards usually hit puberty at age thirteen to fifteen years of age and were easily more prone to anger.
"It's complicated, but I can tell you why. You deserve to know," Andromeda said and began telling him what everyone else in the room already knew: that his parents were wizards, and he too was one, and how they fought in a magical war against a madman that wished to conquer Magical Europe. How the war was almost lost in the Light's favor before a former close friend betrayed his parents with the result ending with the Dark Lord attacking and ultimately killing James and Lily. How he tried to kill Harry himself but failed and was vanquished in the end.
Though saddened by their deaths, Harry was joyful that his parents were not in fact drunks who left him to rot with Petunia and Vernon.
"It's because of the prophecy, isn't it," Harry asked.
"Prophecy?" Nymphadora, "What prophecy?"
"The one Gaunter told me about?"
"Gaunter!" All three older magical exclaimed as one, "He was here?!"
"I…no…I mean. I think I was sleeping and he brought me to this place and told me everything.
"No offense, kiddo, but how are you taking this so well?" Nymphadora asked her cousin.
"I'm pissed! But he said he'd help me."
"Help you! What kind of bull is that? That stunt of his put you in a coma for five months!" Harry's eyes widened at the news.
"NYMPHADORA!" Andromeda shouted.
"System update complete!"
"...What was that?" Nymphadora looked around to find the source.
"Activating Mentor Program...3...2..1...Activated!"
Harry watched as a blue hologram appeared in between the three before him. To his surprise, none of them reacted, or more precisely, Harry realized none of them could see the hologram in question as it began to take shape. In this case, it took the shape of a man.
"Son of a bitch."
Harry blinked, he wasn't expecting that.
"Where am I?"
"Uh, hello?"
"Harry?" Andromeda looked concerned.
"Can you hear me?"
"I can hear you, kid. Mind telling me what the hell's going on?"
"You tell me. You came out of this," Harry told the blue figure.
"...Damn it. Did you make a deal with someone named Gaunter?" asked the individual.
Harry frowned but shook his head.
"Shit. So, either he used one of his damn loopholes or someone made a deal and you're the unlucky price, or both."
"Who are you?" Harry asked.
"Names Geralt. I'm a witcher."
"...a what?"
Sorry for the huge wait. Should have bee done some time ago but Fanfiction has been acting up.