Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jade was a Ghost.

A very determined Ghost.

Jade was a very determined Ghost who was lost.

It wasn’t always this way.

Originally she was just a scout. One of the Ghosts that work for the Spectral Network. A group of Ghosts that lacked a Guardian but wanted to help out the Vanguard by scouting and spying where they’re needed. Actually she was one of the first to join. Not the Ghost that suggested it, but was there when it was suggested. 

She had scouted loads of places before. She had a knack for getting in trouble. Half the things she stumbled upon weren’t even her original objective.

It starts to get hazy after a while, looking and waiting.

She’d been to almost all the planets in the system at one point in time. Scavenging information. Preparing. Waiting. For that day. It’d been a long time. Hell, the Witness had been defeated. Yet, she’d never found them. Her Guardian.

Some Ghosts gave up. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t. She knew her Guardian was still out there. Right?

So she decided to ask the Traveler directly. If she was given a hint. A general direction. Then she’d be satisfied.

So she flew up. Right into space. Right into the portal the Witness had opened.

And thus, she was lost.

It was a lovely place, the Pale Heart. Very green. With abstract structures all over the place. She wandered around exploring. Yet, she grew tired. Mentally, she’d reached her limit.

She eventually settled down on a grassy hill. Turned off her optics, and did something she’d done ever since she’d heard the concept.

She prayed.

Days, weeks, months. Time had never really meant anything to her in the first place. Yet she knew she was there for a while. Undisturbed.

So imagine her surprise, when one day she felt a push. More a breeze really. Faint enough that she almost thought she imagined it. Until it happened again.

Hope was the sight that greeted her. Hope in the form of a white eagle.

Excitement washed over her. Her light pulsing in her shell.

It took off, gliding towards a path before stopping. Leading her.

And so she followed for a time. Over grassy plains. Through rocky tunnels. Until it she lost sight of it through a bright opening.

After floating through she came to a clearing. In the center of that clearing was something unusual. It appeared as a stone archway with black material draped in the opening, blowing in a breeze that wasn’t there. She could hear multiple whispers coming off it, but couldn’t make out what was being said. On top of structure was the eagle, waiting to see what she would do.

Scanning the structure lead her to three answers.

It was unstable.

It was paracausal. There but not there at the same time. Uncertain.

It was deadly.

She hovered there. With the gaze of the Traveler on her. Looking at what could be her end.

—————————————————————————

It felt like being born again.

It felt like the red war. Having the Light ripped from her.

It felt like being born again. Shattering off the Light itself.

It felt like death.

It stopped as quick as it started. A simple passing through a frame.

—————————————————————————

She landed hard on stone flooring. In a chamber that resembled an amphitheater of some sort with the veil in the middle.

Taking a moment to self diagnose. All her functions were online. She still had her decades of files. Her Light seemed untouched. It was a bit unnerving how alright she was. The feeling of passing through the veil is something she will never be able to forget, yet she was physically fine.

Shaking it off and taking a look around she spotted the eagle again. On the ground, in an open doorway.

Once more she followed after. Noting the strange oddities in the chambers as she passed. She wondered where she was.

Eventually she reached an open elevator. With the eagle siting inside. As soon as she got on the doors shut behind her. The elevator seemed to start on its own. Leaving the two of them alone.

An awkward silence permeated the space. Jade hated awkward silences. She wondered if she should say something as she glanced at the eagle. Only find it starring at her. She didn’t know how, but she could tell that the eagle radiated a smug amusement.

The opening of the elevator doors broke the silent moment. The eagle taking off into a massive polished hall filled with fireplaces. Settling on the mantle of the nearest one it paused and seemed to wait. Jade joined it, wondering what this was all leading towards.

She didn’t have to wait long as the elevator doors reopened and rapid footsteps drew her attention. A young man with grey eyes and shoulder length black hair had dashed for the nearest fireplace.

Taking some powder from a bowl nearby bowl he threw it in shouting “GODRIC’S HOLLOW!” The flames turned green before he charged in and disappeared.

Before the flames completely died the eagle took off and flew into the fire. She only had a moment to process before following in a panic.

Green overtook her vision. She was spinning. Or was she? She couldn’t tell. She spotted the eagle through the flames.

She tumbled out of another fireplace and into a small shack. The door was left swinging open by the man as he sprinted down the street, the eagle flying overhead.

Eventually the small group rushed to a fence between two houses. The man rushed it before disappearing as he touched it. There one second, gone the next.

The eagle landed on the ground and touched a claw where he vanished. Its form seemed to waver before the fence began to shift to reveal a house where none once stood.

The fragile form looked over to Jade. It held her gaze for a moment. Then it cocked its head in the direction of the house, as if to say ‘go’, before busting into wisps of light.

‘Thank you’, Jade silently expressed her gratitude before entering the house.

It was a wreck. The front door seemed to have been blasted inward, furniture was in pieces, and the remains of a destructive battle were scattered in rubble. Finally, there was the man.

He was softly sobbing over a corpse. Hugging the body of a man he once knew.

Suddenly his head shot up, eyes wide. “Lily, Harry,” he croaked. He gently set down the body and closed its eyes before rushing up the stairs. Missing Jade out of the corner of his eye.

Jade hovered there for a moment. Having a moment to herself since entering the veil. Allowing her to take it all in.

This is it, this is where she’d find her Guardian. In what seemed to be in a rather secluded settlement. It was as amusing as it was exhausting. No wonder she couldn’t find them anywhere she looked. Earth had small settlements all over the place. She’d checked most of the permanent ones, must of missed this one.

Her gaze landed on the corpse. He was young, approximately the same age as the man she’d followed. Pale skin. Short, wild, black hair and glasses. It was a bit morbid to do this on someone who’d clearly just died, but Ghosts had called her stubborn before. Time she lived up to it.

Quickly she said a brief prayer for the departed and gathered her courage. She scanned him and… nothing. Huh.

Deflating slightly, she tried not to let the familiar disappointment get to her. The man had said two other names before running up the stairs.

A mixed feeling of hope and guilt crawled over her circuits. She didn’t like the fact that this tragedy happened, but she couldn’t deny that she might profit from it.

Following the path up the stairs she flew to the only open door.

She felt her heart drop.

Despite its current state it was clearly a nursery. The roof and part of the pale blue walls looked like it had exploded outwards. Splinters of wood lay across the floor covering what was clearly a runic circle burned into the floor. Still smoking slightly.

In the right side of the room was another body. This time of a red haired young woman. This time Jade noted how odd it was that both bodies had no visible wounds.

To the right of the doorway was the smoky outline of a humanoid silhouette. Probably what was left of the attacker.

On the other side of the room was a crib with the man kneeling in front of it. He was full on wailing now, clutching to his chest what must of been the remains of a child.

Jade did’t know if she could take this. She seen and heard the worst. Guardians and Ghost died in horrible ways true. But they were warriors, fighters. They knew that they may not come back. Domestic tragedies like this. It was heartbreaking.

However, the Traveler itself had lead her to this. She had to remind herself not to waste this chance.

She started with the woman first. If anyone upheld the tenants; devotion, bravery, sacrifice, death, it was most likely a mother who’d died for her child.

A scan and… damn it. Another miss.

She looked over to the man and the child. She’d heard a case of a Ghost connecting to a living person before. That might be the case here, because the alternative was absurd, right?

She tried to be subtle as she scanned the man. He was so lost in his grief that he didn’t notice.

His scans were interesting. Apparently he already was slightly paracausal. Not as much as a Guardian, but enough to gain access to the Light and Darkness if he wanted to. Yet, no spark of connection.

Which meant…. Oh, oh boy.

She had to make sure. Getting a good angle she scanned the body of the young boy.

Spark. Lit.

“Holy shit.”

The man’s head jerked up at those words. His eyes widened as he saw her. “What the hell?”

She couldn’t answer. She honestly didn’t know how she was feeling. Elation that she finally found her Guardian. Concern at how young he was. Guilt that she was profiting off the destruction of his family. Gratitude for the Traveler for leading her here. Peaceful in that she would finally be whole? It was a rollercoaster of emotions.

She did know one thing however, it was up to her to bring him back.

She gathered all her light. It was the first time, yet it felt like something she’d done everyday. The man went on alert and fumbled with a stick in a holster. She felt herself reaching her limit. She gathered up this child’s past, present, future, and turned it into the Light. Certainty became uncertainty, death became life.

The spark blossomed into a wildfire.

As her light calmed she saw the man pointing that stick at her. She saw the moment he felt the boy breathe again. His eyes shot to the boy in his arms. Dropping his stick, he immediately forgot her presence. His hand trembled as he cupped the child’s face. Disbelieving joy washed over his features as he watched his eyes open. Green eyes met grey. Giggles erupted, pure, unrestrained. A child’s joy.

It spread to the man. laughter, almost crazed, escaped before his stood and lifted the boy into high into the air. “You’re alive.” He cried tears of joy.

Even if this wasn’t a special day for her, this image. Joy in the middle of destruction and death. It would have burned itself her mind, forever.

It would only last a moment before more before more emotions would cross his face. Sorrow. Pain. Grief.

A pained chuckle, “your father always said you were a miracle.”

Taking a breath and gathering himself, he looked over to her. He reached out and caught his stick as it shot towards his hand, surprising her.

She was once again at the pointed end. “You, what are you?”

She carefully observed the man for a moment. Organizing her thoughts before speaking slowly and calmly.

“Hi there, my names Jade. I’m a Ghost. Well technically I just became his Ghost.” She glanced over the boy.

He was fidgeting with the man’s coat, blissfully unaware of the tension in the room.

The man’s eyes narrowed, “His Ghost? Bloody hell does that mean?”

He doesn’t know what a Ghost is? “It’s a guide. A sentient mechanical assistant to their Guardians. Made by the Traveler.”

“Who?”

Oh.

That’s not good.

“The Traveler? Came to the earth from the stars? Started humanities golden age?”

No recognition crossed his face.

“What’s the date today?”

“October 31, 1981.”

Fuck… Fuck, fuck, FUCK!

Her mind raced. She was in the past, or what she assumed was the past. It could be an alternate reality. That meant no Traveler, no Last City, no Vanguard, no Guardians.

She was alone.

A babbling drew her attention.

Green met Green.

The shade of their eyes matching in color. Her young Guardian studied her for the first time.

Then, he smiled. He stretched out his arms trying to touch her.

There, she calm down as she realized. She wasn’t alone. She would never be alone again. She would always be by her Guardians side.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the man clearing his throat. “I only have two more questions. Did you bring back my godson? Why?”

“Yes, and that’s our mission. We were made to seek out those who can wield the Light. Guardians, to protect, to do what the Traveler itself no longer can.”

He studied her for a moment before his eyes flicked to the body beside him. “Can you do it again?”

Her heart ached for the man in front of her, “I’m sorry. A Ghost only gets one Guardian in their lifetime.”

He seemed to take this in, hope scattering in the breeze. He held her gaze for a moment more before releasing a shuttering breath and lowering his stick.

“Sirius, Sirius Black. That’s my name. Since you saved Harry I am in your debt.” He bowed slightly. “Thank you, for giving my godson a chance to live.”

“No thanks needed. He’s my Guardian. That’s all I needed.”

Sirius raised an eyebrow, “what exactly does that mean for Harry going forward.”

She tried to think of something to say but she was drawing a blank. “Well, not much at the moment. I appear to have been transported into the past, well past-adjacent, so the Traveler won’t be here for a half-dozen centuries. If he lives that long. Other than that he’s free to do whatever he wants. I’ll accompany him through it all.”

Sirius blinked, doing a mental double take. “What do you mean ‘if he lives that long’? Last I checked a mage can maybe live two centuries at most.”

“Well, one of my many functions is bestowing him with the Light. The Light promotes growth and keeps him in top condition so he doesn’t age past his prime. And with me here to channel it even if he does die I can always bring him back.”

Then her mind went over his sentence again.

“Wait, what do you mean by mage? Like a warlock?”

Sirius didn’t hear her in his stunned state. He stood there a moment before looking between Harry and Jade. “You’re telling me that my godson’s immortal?!”

“Functionally.”

He ran a hand through his hair. The stress clearly getting to him at this point.

Before Jade could question him more they flinched as a loud voice resounded throughout the house. “JAMES! LILY!”

Sirius was once again on alert. He was pointing his stick at the door before recognition flickered across his features.

“Hagrid. Dumbledore must’ve sent him.”

Jade couldn’t hold back her curiosity anymore.“Why do you keep pointing that stick at people? You look ridiculous.”

He spoke to her without looking at her. “It’s a wand, not a stick. Look, can you hide somewhere?”

Jade could do one better. Pulling on her connection to Harry’s Light she entered the personal subspace for the Ghosts. Jokingly referred to as the ‘Backpack’. It was an odd experience. Being aware but not having a physical body. Converted into pure information sustained by the Light. Like taking a bath in five suns. Her only connection with the outside world were the shared senses of her Guardian.

Sirius looked around as she disappeared. Wrapping Harry in a blanket and tucking him closer to his chest. He gathered his thoughts.

So, ‘Jade’ as she called herself, was a magical artifact of unprecedented power. She made his godson immortal after bringing him back from the dead. A Guardian, whatever that was. She also said she was from the future.

Sure, why not, with what the day has been. Why. Not.

His gaze drifted over to Lily’s body again. A dear friend, unmoving and still.

Sirius wanted to throw up. Grief clawed at his throat. He needed to move.

Quickly exiting the room and heading for the stairs he thought about how this could’ve happened. Had Peter been captured? Had he sold them out? No that’s ridiculous. He would never. He would have died before betraying them, right? If he’s been captured then Sirius needed to find him. Plans formed in his mind before he came across Hagrid.

The large man was had sunken to the floor next to James’s body, much like he had.

He looked up as the sound of Sirius’s footsteps reached his ears.

“Sirius, yer here.” Even as the tears flowed down his eyes the tension rose slightly. Sirius could see the man’s distrust. After all, Sirius was supposed to have been the secret keeper. Then his eyes landed on Harry.

He sniffled slightly. “Is that-Professor Dumbledore told me that Harry might’ve survived. I can’t believe it.” Immediately forgetting his thoughts to fuss over the toddler in Sirius’s arms. Good ol’ Hagrid.

“How did he survive?” Hagrid wondered aloud.

Sirius briefly considered how much should be revealed about the events of tonight. He quickly resolved to hide everything about Jade. She was too powerful an artifact to let anyone know about her. If she was found out she could be disassembled and separated from Harry. Judging by how she was connected to Harry, that would be a bad idea. No, best to cover up her existence.

So he sidestepped the question. “Hagrid, what are you doing here?”

Hagrid straightened up, “Dumbledore told me to bring Harry to him to keep him safe.”

Sirius nodded to himself. Good, that was good. It gave him time to rescue Peter.

“Here,” he gently shifted the toddler into Hagrid’s arms, “you should probably get there fast then. In fact, follow me.”

He quickly lead him into the side garage and pulled a tarp covering a black motorcycle with a sidecar. “Take my bike. It should be faster than riding whatever thestral you’ve got out there.” Good thing he knew Hagrid’s usual method of travel. He was too big to floo and couldn’t apparate so this was the next best thing.

Hagrid smiled at him, “thanks, this’ll get me there in a jiffy.” He set Harry in the side car before turning back to Sirius. “What are you planning on doing now?”

Sirius sighed, “I think the death eaters captured Peter. I’ve already lost two good friend today, I refuse to lose another.”

Hagrid looked at Sirius for a moment. Questioning if he should even bring up his secret keeper status and what that means.

Before he could Sirius spoke up, “can I have a moment with Harry? Before you go?”

Hagrid emotions got the better of him. He took a couple steps back and allowed them a moment of privacy.

Sirius kneeled down next to the tired looking toddler. “Hey kid, I’m gonna be gone for a bit. I don’t know where Dumbledore’s gonna place you but be good for him. I’ll see you in a couple days.” His eyes shifted to the air around Harry, “Jade.”

Jade appeared in Harry’s lap which caused him to giggle at the little light.

Sirius smirked at the sound before becoming somber. ”You’re extremely powerful. That could cause you and Harry to be separated if revealed to the wrong person. Don’t be seen. By anyone.”

Jade considered this. She was so used to Ghosts being common knowledge and protected. It would take some getting used to.

“Understood.”

Sirius nodded before learning in and planting a kiss on Harry’s forehead. He leaned back and gained a smirk as he saw her watching. “What?Want a kiss too.”

“Fuck off.”

Sirius snorted hard as he watched her disappear again. Must to Harry’s enjoyment.

Standing up, he called over to Hagrid. “Alright, you should probably get going now. Don’t want to keep the Professor waiting.”

“Right.” He quickly got on the bike as Sirius opened up the garage. He started the bike and paused. “I hope you have luck findin’ Peter.” Then he was off. Riding down the road before the motorcycle started gaining altitude.

Sirius watching them. Until they were out of sight. “I hope so too.”

—————————————————————————

Flying gave you a lot of time to think.

Catching a ship and just theorizing about what she’d come across was one of her favorite past times. This time was no different.

Sirius seemed like a good man. She’d seen a lot of people lash out in grief. At Guardians, at Ghosts, at the Traveler.

The Traveler. Why had it lead her here. They normally don’t get personally involved. Their whole thing was allowing growth through silence. So why her, when she’d given up? She’d lied to herself when she’d ventured into the Pale Heart. Fooled herself into believing she was just there for guidance. Really she’d chosen it as her final resting place. Yet, the Traveler had actually answered her. Why? What made her so special? What made her Guardian so special?

Her Guardian. A child. She had a Guardian. Who was a child. She didn’t know how to feel about this. On the plus side, no angst about a forgotten past. That was nice. On the other hand, he will eventually be an immortal teenager. That seems like a recipe for disaster. Actually, that was a problem that would probably go away if she just didn’t tell him. Wait until he was older and all that. It’s not like he had to be a guardian straight away. They had time.

Time. She was on a past version of earth. This was definitely not her earth. She didn’t think her earth had flying motorcycles. Well, maybe they did. The records of this time period were scarce. Technology was going to be a problem. She wasn’t that useful in a low tech setting. She could probably transmute glimmer from local resources. And she’d been practically hoarding schematics for weapons and armor. Programmable matter plus instructions equals equipment. She didn’t know how to feel about them being practically useless right now. She’d probably be the one to teach Harry about gun safety. Since all she’d from Sirius was his wand.

That was another worry. Sirius had said mages. As in magic users. She didn’t know the rules for this. The closest thing she’d come across was hive magic. She doubted it would be the same thing. What the hell could they even do. Was everyone a mage in this reality. Harry’s parents probably were if Sirius and Hagrid were any indication. Was that why Sirius was slightly paracausal. What did that even mean.

At this point Harry had long since nodded off. He was a quiet, happy kid. Giggling at random things. Didn’t seem to mind the height either. Jade had seen what appeared to be London before Harry had closed his eyes. She considered the magnitude of the human race pre-collapse. There were billions of people out there today. At best, the last city had maybe 25 million people.

Sonder, that’s what she’s feeling. In focusing on her goal of finding her Guardian she forgot things like this. The fact that, even without the Travelers help, the human race is amazingly complex.

She had needed this. This time to herself and her thoughts.

But, everything eventually ends. She felt the shift as they started to lose altitude. Then the lurch a they hit the ground and slowed to a stop. She was honestly a bit impressed that Harry didn’t even stir.

Then Hagrid started talking to someone who she assumed was this Dumbledore fellow. While she couldn’t see out of Harry’s eyes at the moment she could still hear everything being said.

“Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall.”

“Hagrid, at last.” Dumbledore sounded relieved. “Didn’t have any trouble did you? Where did you get the motorcycle?”

“Young Sirius Black lent it to me. He was at the house sir, handed young Harry to me.”

“Did he now.” Dumbledore let out a sigh that sounded old, tired almost.

“Professor, sir?”

“Just weariness for an unsolved problem Hagrid. One that can be addressed at a later time. Now, I don’t think we should stall any longer. May I see young Harry.”

Hagrid sniffled slightly, clearly crying again. He pressed a scratchy kiss to Harry’s head. “Be good for them, little one.”

She could feel as Harry was passed over. A pause, before he was carried a short distance and set down.

Suddenly another voice spoke up. An older woman with a Scottish tint to her words. This must be who Hagrid addressed as Professor McGonagall.

“Albus, while I could understand not wanting Harry to be spoiled by his fame, wouldn’t it be better to have leave him with someone from our side. Hell, I’ll take him. I’ve raised boys before. You know I wouldn’t let that nonsense get inside his head.”

Jade raised a mental eyebrow at that. Harry was famous? Whatever for? Was this why his parents were murdered?

Dumbledore hummed in contemplation, “I must confess, while keeping him away from his fame was a reason, it wasn’t the only reason. As it is now, Harry has a target on his back. Assassination attempts would be a yearly occurrence in his life. Leaving him here may not be ideal, but they are his closest living relatives. This will allow me to set up a powerful blood ward. Something highly illegal but highly effective. Please understand that this isn’t a judgement on your capability. This is literally the safest place for him.”

A beat of silence. “Yes, you’re right. His safety is paramount.” She released a sigh, clearly resigned to the facts.

Dumbledore lightly clapped his hands together. “Excellent. Now, we should be off. No reason to linger. Hogwarts is still in session and I have a suspicion that the students will be receiving the news in the morning.”

Their footsteps grew quieter before pausing. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Dumbledore quickly approached and tucked what sounded like a piece of paper in his blanket. And with a quick murmur of “Good luck, Harry” they were gone.

Jade waited a few minutes before appearing. Seeing that they were truly gone she settled next to her Guardian.

Assassins huh. Looks like her Guardian had as much of a knack for trouble as she did. Should make things interesting. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

Harry stirred in his sleep. A small hand reaching out and grabbing her shell. She was then pulled into a sleepy hug, where she couldn’t move.

Huh, this was her life now.

As time moved forward and the sun began to lighten the sky. Jade enjoyed the moment of peace. Felt Harry’s light through their bond. Basked in the uncertainty of it all. She enjoyed a challenge. This was certainly one.

This was her life now. She could live with this.

Chapter Text

Raising Harry was an experience.

And make no mistake, she was the one who raised him.

At first the Dursley’s had been fine. They clothed, fed, and bathed him. They were entirely emotionless while dealing with him, but she couldn’t deny that the surprise that was Harry may elicit such a reaction. She hadn’t really worried that much at the time, they’d leave when Sirius came to get them.

A week passed before it occurred to her that maybe Dumbledore had given him the same reason he’d given McGonagall. If Sirius thought it was the best for Harry’s safety then she could understand. Although that didn’t warrant the lack of visits, curious. Whatever, they’d just have to make do with the Dursley’s.

Then they shoved him in the cupboard. Then they forced him to wear ragged hand-me-downs. Then they made a four year old do chores that were physically difficult for him. Then they treat him like he was something disgusting, a freak. For. Years.

She could honestly say that these protections Dumbledore had placed were slightly lacking in one key aspect. They didn’t protect against the blood ties holding them up

It hadn’t advanced to physical abused, but the emotional abuse and neglect quickly put them on her shit list. She’d wanted to strangle them in their sleep for the past 10-ish years. Every year that urge grows.

But alas, she didn’t have hands so that made things difficult. Oh and they’d have nowhere to go if she could.

And there in lies one of many road blocks that kept her from just taking Harry and leaving. Assassins were another factor. Dumbledore had said once or twice a year. Every year. There’s also the issue of money. Not that they couldn’t try to sell a few blueprints, but they are way too advanced for this era. They don’t have the technology to actually manufacture it. Or the Light, which most of them run on.

Of course, they could just leave anyway. Harry could be resurrected until they were able to take care of themselves. But that’s a good way to out their capabilities, and who’s to say they’d only kill him. She didn’t want him to go through that horrific experience. So no leaving. She had to put her foot down more than once on the subject.

Running was out. She didn’t even know where to call for help. Threats only worked if you could follow up on them. So stalling and avoidance it is.

Which is why she was waking up the 10 year old before sun up. “Harry, come on bud, it’s time to get up. We need to scatter before the bitches get up.”

Whoever put her in charge of this kid clearly didn’t know what her vocabulary consisted of. She blames them.

Now Harry was a lot of things. Her Guardian. Moderately trained in firearms and gun safety. One of the smartest kids you’d ever meet (she’s not bias, who says she’s bias. She’ll knock their teeth out). However, for all the things he was, he was not a morning person.

Slowly he came to awareness. Not opening his eyes yet, he slowly started moving each of his limbs in turn. Like they woke up first and his heads was still catching up. Eventually he reached his body and shifted around until he was on his stomach. Only then did the ten-year-old slowly lift from his covers. Blinking at her, his Light giving his eyes a slight glow. He slowly changed before opening his cupboard and stepping out. They’ve forgotten to lock the since Harry can blink out if needed.

He slowly trudged into the kitchen and started on breakfast. Their current strategy so far is to make sure he went unnoticed and make sure the Dursley’s didn’t have a reason to find him. Making their breakfast was a small price to pay to make them forget about his presence. After that was staying out most of the day and coming back after dark.

Was this sustainable? No, no it wasn’t. But it gave Harry a break from their harassment.

Breakfast was made with ease, even with him half asleep still. Eventually he set the table and with a snap of his fingers and a smidge of solar energy. They were kept warm long after they were gone. Another thing done to avoid confrontation.

Getting his own plate and a cup of coffee (seriously, he had some one. time. and now it was his go to morning drink.) he quickly downed it. Knowing he had only a little more time to escape.

After finishing up he swiftly exited via the back door, as it was the quieter of the two.

He only took a relieved breath after he was a street away. “Alright I think we’re in the clear.”

‘Nice job kid, you’ll be an expert hunter in no time.’ Jade spoke directly into his mind when she was in the ‘backpack’.

“So, what’s today’s lesson? Marksmanship? History? Meditating on the Light?”

‘Whoa, slow your roll Har. I’m thinking. I was gonna teach you about transmat beacons, but I wanna see something. Head to the usual spot.’

The usual spot was an abandoned house that they’d stumbled upon in the next neighborhood over. The backyard had ended up being the perfect place to practice with the more destructive aspects of the Light.

15 minutes and some fence hopping later, Harry arrived at the vaguely haunted looking house. The white paint was chipping and the beams looked like they were gonna snap any second but it was a pretty good place to avoid people. He headed to the backyard. Hopping the wooden fence, he quickly entered. It used to be overgrown but it was now mostly dirt after accidentally burning the grass away when practicing with the Light.

“Alright I’m here, what now?”

Jade appeared and settled down on a small wooden pole that had been her usual spot. 

“Now, I want you to run through the drills I taught you.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. For a kid he had such a snarky attitude (wonder where he gets it from). “That’s it?”

“That’s it. Just keep going until I say stop.”

With a shrug he got into a starting pose. Then he started moving slowly into another then the next, and the next. Letting his breath even out before he added another element to it. Solar energy started to build up in his body as he held a pose then he released it as he moved. Then he switched, it was Arc. Then it was void. It kept cycling between the three for every new pose he would take.

What Harry was doing was a combination of katas and Light training. She’d created these drills for a couple reasons. The first was his control. The Light came easy for most guardians. Harry was no exception. Yet, there were moments where it slipped and odd things happen. Light bulbs broke. His hair growing back after Vernon cut it. Blinking onto the roof to get away from Dudley and his gang.

She didn’t mind the occurrences, but the Dursley’s despised anything they perceived as freakish. He was usually starved in his cupboard. She didn’t want that for Harry.

Second was getting him used to switching between the energies of the Light. Switching on the fly wasn’t really viable until later but it may come in handy.

The last reason was more of a mental health one. With the abuse he was going through, it was surprising how put together he was. How kind he was sometimes. In small ways. Nice to a kid here, getting something for a teacher there. It was unexpected but appreciated by most. She didn’t want that kindness to get beaten out of him by his circumstances. So she searched her files for mental health care. This was one result. A meditative exercise.

Eventually, she was satisfied and called out to him. “Alright you can stop. You have great control. Better than most Guardians I know. I think it’s time I tried to teach you something new. Sit.”

Harry sat down in a comfortable position and waited for the incoming exposition dump.

“Remind me, what do you know about the Darkness so far?”

Harry thought about it, “well there’s the Hive, the Vex, some of the Cabal, some of the Eliksni, and the Witness who got killed by a raid team.”

“Very good. You remembered who uses the Darkness. However. I asked you about the Darkness itself?”

“Oh, um. The Darkness is the opposite of the Light. A paracausal Force that’s in everything. Uh, I think it’s based off of thoughts? I don’t know.” Harry shrugged.

“Not quite, you said that the Darkness is the opposite of the Light but it’s more accurate to say that the Darkness is everything the Light isn’t.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Hmm, the Light is complex. It encourages growth, and things that grow become more complex with age. The Darkness is simple. It wants everything to slow down and pause. The Light gives. The Darkness takes. The Light deals with the physical. The Darkness, the conceptual. Do you know why I’m teaching you this?”

Harry thought about it for a moment before a mental lightbulb went off. “Are you gonna teach me how to use the Darkness? But I thought Guardians only used the Light. Wouldn’t that make me evil?”

Jade chuckled, “yes, I’m gonna teach you what I know. But evil? It’s true that the Darkness has an influence that can lead other’s astray. But other Guardians have used it before. Make no mistake, the Light and Darkness are tools. And I want you to have all the tools at your disposal to make any choice you feel you need to.”

Harry’s face scrunched in confusion. “Wait if the Light is a tool then why do you pray to it?”

Jade paused, not expecting that question. “Well the honest answer is a bit of a story. When my world was younger. Before the red war, before the Last City. I had a friend. Not a Guardian, a wanderer. He prayed everyday. One day I asked him what he was doing, and he was the one who introduced the concept to me. After he was done explaining I asked if he prayed to the Traveler. He said sometimes. I asked if he prayed to a god. He said sometimes. When I asked why he prayed, he smiled and said connection. I found it fascinating. So I started imitating him. Trying to find that connection. So I pray to a lot of things. The Light, the Traveller, my friend. I even prayed to you before I found you.”

Harry smile widened at that. “What happened to your friend?”

She sighed in nostalgia, “he got old, married, had kids, and passed on. I ended up staying with him his entire life.”

“Did you think he was your Guardian?”

“At one point I did. Then he died in peace. I didn’t even want to scan him.”

Jade let the silence loom for a second before lightly bonking Harry’s forehead. “Enough of the depressing shit, let’s get back on topic.”

Harry pouted slightly, “fine, but if the darkness is so bad how am I going to use it?”

“Ah, the problem most people have when trying to use it. But I’ve already given a hint. Can you find it?”

She watched as his mind worked, until something appeared in the corner of her eye.

Looking over at them from the fence was an owl, with a piece of paper attached to its leg.

“Uhm, Harry?” Jade let her uncertainty catch Harry’s attention. “That owl is looking at us strangely.”

He snorted, “You’re nervous about an owl?” He said that, but he made sure she was behind him.

“When something is big enough to fly away with me because I’m shiny. Sue me, I get a bit nervous.”

Then it took off and swooped towards them.

Jade let out a panicked squeak and hid in the ‘Backpack’. Harry, the asshole he was, started cackling at the sound she made.

After regaining his composure, Harry looked over to the owl that had landed next to him. It stuck its leg out that carried what appeared to be a letter.

“For me?” Harry asked surprised.

The owl cocked its head. Harry didn’t speak owl so he looked at the address printed across the front. And there in the front was his name on it along with an address. The address of the backyard of this specific house.

That… was concerning.

Jade quickly appeared, much more serious now. Scanning the letter gave surprising results.

“There’s a little bit of light infused in the parchment.”

She didn’t know what that meant. Was there another Guardian in this world? How had they found them? Why a letter?

Harry gave a surprised look before impatiently ripping open the letter. As they read it, their emotions were rapidly alternating. Eventually they settled on perplexed.

It was an invitation to a school? Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. So Harry’s parents were mages.

Of course she’d told him about it that night as soon as he was old enough to comprehend it. Especially after the Dursley’s whole spiel of a car crash. Admittedly, Harry still had questions upon questions. One’s he’d been storing for years. So to finally, finally, gain a connection to that part of him. It was an understatement to say he was ecstatic.

However, two names stuck out to Jade. Two very important names. Dumbledore and McGonagall. She could see it. She could finally get Harry out of this little hell of his.

She quickly transmuting a paper and pen. “We need to play this right. We can finally escape the bitches den and get some answers.”

Harry snatched them out of the air. After scribbling down a quick note he showed Jade, “How’s this?”

After some quick corrections and suggestions this was the finale product;

Dear Deputy Headmistress McGonagall.

I’d love to attend. However I don’t know where to acquire any of the items on the list supplied. On another matter, I’d like to talk to someone with authority over my placement with the Dursley Family.

Eagerly waiting you response,

Harry Potter.

“Perfect, polite enough while bluntly getting to the point.”

“I sound like a prat.”

“You are a prat.”

Harry shook his head before turning to the owl. “Will you be able to bring this where it needs to go?”

The owl hooted before sticking out his leg. Taking this as a yes, Harry shrugged and tied the letter to the owl.

After he was done it took off to the sky. Harry watched it before go before turning to Jade with a smirk. “Oh, look at that. The owl left and you’ve not been snatched. Truly a miracle.”

Jade grumbled, “just because you’ve never been snatched up by a crow doesn’t mean you can make fun of a perfectly valid fear.”

“It happened once and it dropped you once it realized you moved.” He says that like he didn’t immediately start bawling as soon as she was ok.

“Once was enough. Never again.”

“How about you change your shell to something less shiny then.”

“You know what. I will, and you’re gonna help me. Go back to your drills, I’ll ask when I need a second opinion.”

Harry groaned playfully. Usually searching through Jades files on shells was a lot like shopping. Truthfully though, deep in his heart, He didn’t really mind shopping.

After 15 minutes they settled on the Hexed Shell. Mostly for the ironic amusement.

After giving Harry enough time to calm down, she breached the topic that was bugging her. “It had the Light.”

“Huh?”

“The letter, it had a little bit of the Light. Ugh, it’s so annoying. What does that mean?”

Harry thought about it. Too many ideas crossed his mind before deciding to just shotgun blast ideas aloud. “Maybe they have a Guardian on staff. Perhaps mages are more advanced with Light fueled tech. Maybe magic is the Light. Maybe the Traveler helped the letter get here. Or your scanner read it wrong and magic and the Light read similar.”

Jade froze for a moment. Pieces of a puzzle clicking together in her mind.

“I think you’re right.”

“I mean yes, always, but what am I right about now?”

Jade rolled her eye. “Ok jackass, knock it off. I just remembered something. When I came to your house that night I ended up scanning Sirius. Do you know what he showed up as? Slightly paracausal. I found you right after so I forgot about it. But, If every mage is slightly paracausal then they could probably use the Light. I still haven’t seen any spells so I can’t say for sure. But I’m pretty sure that the Light is Magic.”

Harry’s eye widened. “But how is that possible? I thought only the Traveler could give people the Light? Can someone just pick it up?”

“No, it shouldn’t be possible. The Light is a gift in the most literal sense. Like I said. It has to be given. Taking the Light usually ends very badly for the taker.”

“So someone just gave mages the Light.”

“I don’t know. This is all still theoretical. I think we should gather some more information before we ask anymore unanswerable questions.”

They fell into an uneasy silence before something occurred to Harry.

“Oh.”

“Hmm?”

“I think I figured out your hint. I have to take the Darkness.”

Jade brightened up, “yup, you got it right. See where most people mess up is that they either are given or give to the Darkness. This allows for the Darkness to corrupt them. Take the Witness and the Hive for examples.” They subconsciously had shifted back into the teacher and student positions. “The Witness did nothing but take and they were the most powerful user of the Darkness. The Hive however, were given the darkness and the sword logic by the Worm Gods. Sure, they were all about taking after that but their origin matters.”

Harry nodded, fascinated by the history of other species.

“So, I have to take it and… do what with it?”

“Here’s where we talk about the two prime subclasses of the Darkness that I know about. Stasis and Strand. Their’s also Prismatic, but that’s more it’s own thing. I’ll try to teach you that once you master the Darkness, but the Guardians had extraordinary circumstances to gain that.”

Harry raised an eyebrow before Jade continued. “Ok, so I explained what the Darkness consists of. That directly applies directly here. The Darkness is all about applying simplicity and mental concepts to create real world effects. Following me so far?”

“I- I think so?”

“Good, think about it this way. You take control of something and the simplest way to do that is to pause it. Or, freeze it. Creating Stasis. You take the Weave. The extra dimensional embodiment of connection and simplify it, you get a strand. Make sense now?”

Harry thought about it. The subclasses of the Light were easier because those were just the building blocks of the universe. He did’t have to think about a concept with those. The more he thought about it the more he didn’t really understand.

Seeing his confusion growing Jade spoke up. “Let’s restart at the beginning. Remember how I taught you how to meditate on the Light?”

He nodded, “Yeah, you told me to meditate while focusing on the world.”

“Well to meditate on the Darkness you have to focus inward and find it.”

Harry still looked confused but got into a comfortable position and started meditating.

Time went by like that. Harry shifted every so often but buckled down. Eventually it hit noon and Jade had him stop.

While he complained about it, his stomach was rumbling so he knew it was time for a break.

Jade had known about the capabilities of the ‘backpack’ before, but she was grateful for it everyday. See while it was typically a subspace for the Ghosts, but it could be used for other purposes. With roughly a closet amount of space, things quickly got stored there for safe keeping. Most Guardians kept their gear in there for quick access. Jade though, ended up steeling a lot of food. With it being kept there it didn’t go bad either.

So while she was pulling out a small lunch. Harry noticed that someone had returned.

“Jade, I think I got a response.”

Jade looked up in surprise, “already? Shit, that was fast. It’s only been a few hours.”

Harry took it while Jade hovered over his shoulder.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I believe I have a solution for both of your inquiries. On August 1st I will be escorting a few of your fellow peers to get their school supplies. I will have an associate pick you up and bring you to the Leaky Cauldron where we are meeting. You can also address any questions over your placement with them.

Best regards,

Minerva McGonagall

Slow they turned to look at each other. Before slowly they started giggling, then they were full on laughing in excitement.

Jade was the first to regain control, “ok, ok. Let’s not celebrate too early. We still have to convince whoever she sends that the Dursley’s are unfit to continue raising you.”

“But we’re so close,” Harry exclaimed, “I won’t ever have to see the Dursley’s again if this goes right.”

Jade sighed wistfully, “getting you out of that house is all I’ve ever wanted for you. However, that’s exactly why I’m trying to be careful. We still shouldn’t take this as a certainty.”

Harry nodded in understanding but Jade could still see the excitement in how he was fidgeting.

“How about, after we finish lunch, I tell you a story from my world?”

That grabbed Harry’s attention. He always loved stories of other Guardians.

“Alright!” Harry thanked the owl and went to sit down.

Jade watched him with a hopeful feeling building in her Light.

—————————————————————————

Saturday, August 1st

Today was finally the day. They got up early as usual and had to blink out of the locked cupboard. A few days after Harry got the letter the Dursley’s had caught him. He ended up being overworked and thrown in his cupboard to starve for a week. Then it was back to chores until they stopped paying attention to him again.

But today, they had a goal. After sneaking out of the house they waited in the front lawn for their escort.

It was about mid morning when a strange old man strolled up the street. Now the strange thing about this man wasn’t his clothing, which was quit plain, or his long white beard, which was quite long. No, the strange thing about this man was that that he gave off a feeling of the Light. Not as much as a Guardian, but it was something.

Harry quickly called out to him. “Excuse me, you wouldn’t happen to be my escort would you?”

The man smiled kindly, his eyes almost twinkling behind his half moon spectacles. “Hello, there. If the resemblance to your parents is anything to go by, you must be young mister Potter. I am indeed your escort. My name is Albus Dumbledore.”

Harry and Jade were surprised. While Jade couldn’t voice it, Harry could. “Aren’t you the Headmaster of Hogwarts? Why would you be the one to escort a single student? You knew my parents?”

Dumbledore chuckled slightly as he gestured for Harry to follow him. “I am indeed the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Part of my responsibilities is to become the magical guardian for any muggle-born or orphaned students under my care. Thus I am the best person to discuss your placement with the Dursley’s. As you requested.”

“Oh.” Harry thought that over. It made sense, and he didn’t know the man well enough to tell if he was lying.

“Indeed. It was quite a surprise that you requested this meeting. Most children in your situation are usually sought out and requested to attend a meeting or two with me.”

“As for knowing your parents. I was Headmaster when they attended Hogwarts. I also had the pleasure of being a close acquaintance of their’s right before their passing. I would be happy to tell you tales of their exploits, but that will have to wait for another time. We’ve arrived.”

Then Harry became aware of his surroundings. They were in a secluded park in the neighborhood.

‘We need to work on your situational awareness.’ Jade commented.

Harry grimaced, now aware of the lack of people. “Um, sir? Aren’t we supposed to be taking a bus or something?”

Dumbledore had taken out his wand which put Harry in high alert. “Ah, apologies. I should have explained myself. We will be apparating, a form of instantaneous travel. However I wanted to first conceal our appearance before entering a public place. If you’ll allow me?”

Harry only relaxed slightly. Dumbledore smiled and slowly raised his wand to his own face and quickly waved it twice. His face didn’t change, and there was nothing wrong. It was like Harry suddenly couldn’t recognize him. Seeing as it wasn’t harmful allowed him to agree. When he felt the effects take hold had, he realized it was almost like putting on a mask. Then his eyes seemed to refocus and he could recognize Dumbledore again.

“Wonderful. If you would please take my arm and hold it tight. I’m afraid this method of travel is a bit unpleasant.”

Harry did as he asked with some apprehension. With a spin and a crack, they were gone. One second they were in the park, and the next they appeared in what looks like a courtyard.

Harry sunk to the ground, his stomach revolting against the experience. That’s what apparating was like? It was like being squeezed through a tube of toothpaste. He never wanted to do that again. ‘Is transmat like that? In that case I might have to give it a pass.’

‘Nope, whatever the fuck that was is nothing like transmating. Hell, I think I might be sick.’

After a moment Harry regained his bearings and deadpanned up at Dumbledore. “A bit unpleasant?”

The bastard chuckled, “Perhaps a bit of an understatement, yes. Now, we have a couple hours until your peers assemble. Why don’t we get a late breakfast and discuss why you wanted this meeting.”

Suddenly Harry’s stomach was filled with a different kind of nervousness as he followed Dumbledore into the building.

It turned out that the Leaky Tavern was a pub. A bit of a shabby one. The lighting was dark and the it was crowded with folks that would fit in at a renaissance fair. Robes, pointy hats, and the odd person in a shirt and jeans.

Harry followed Dumbledore to an empty corner table. Dumbledore waved his wand again and the ambient chatter of the pub went silent.

“A privacy charm,” Dumbledore explained, “wouldn’t want private details to be overheard by the wrong people now, would we. As such, I find it prudent that we begin with the most important topics first.” Dumbledore gain the first serious look since he’d met him. ”Harry, why did you want to talk about your placement with the Dursley’s?”

It was finally time. Harry opened his mouth to speak, and he couldn’t. He was hesitating? Why? He didn’t want to live with the Dursley’s. He wanted freedom. But a small voice in the back of his head whispered what if you end up somewhere worse. He couldn’t do that. He hated being the freak. He hated starving in his cupboard. He couldn’t do it again. He couldn’t do it to Jade either. Forcing her to watch as he suffered while she could do nothing. He knew it ate at her. He knew she blamed herself.

Jade could feel Harry spiraling, nearly falling into a full blown panic attack. ‘Kid? Harry! Take a deep breath. In.’ He breathed in. ‘Out.’ He breathed out. Following her directions his breath slowly evened out over the next couple minutes. Jade considered his state, ‘Harry? Do you want me to do it?’

Harry considered it. Jade was always the one who explained difficult subjects to him. She was the one to explain the death of his parents. She could do it better than he could. But did he want her to? Did he want her to solve every problem he came across? Would it alway be that way?

‘No, I want to do this myself. I want to be worthy of being a Guardian. Your Guardian. This is the first step in that.’

‘Then light the way, Guardian.’

Harry opened his eyes to see that Dumbledore had come around the table and putt his hand on Harry’s shoulder, steadying him. He had concern and faint recognition etched across his face. “My boy, are you alright?”

Harry took a deep breath and decided to dive right in. “I’ve lived in a cupboard under the stairs for as long as I can remember.” Steadily, Harry began to reveal the circumstances of his childhood.

Pride swelled within Jade. She knew this was difficult. Talking about any trauma was difficult, even worse if it was to a near stranger. But she also knew that there was strength in asking for help. It was a good lesson to learn.

Harry eventually went silent. All his abuse, detailed the best he was able to. Dumbledore had this somber air about him as he contemplated. Eventually he broke the silence. “Mister Potter, I must apologize.”

Harry’s heart rate spiked. Why was he apologizing? Was there nothing he could do?

“I must confess, I was the one responsible for your placement. I thought that I had secured the safest place for you to grow up. I had forgotten that not all families are warm towards each other. This is my failure. So I must apologize. I will do my best to make up for my failings. And I thank you for reaching out in your time of need. Not everyone is capable of that.” At that Dumbledore bowed his head.

Harry was stunned. Of course he knew that this man was responsible for his placement. But he thought he was doing the right thing. Most adults wrote him off. They disregarded his baggy clothes and sunburned skin. Convinced by the Dursley’s that he was making up stories. But this man apologized, even if it wasn’t his fault.

Harry tried to wave it off. “You didn’t know. How could you?”

Dumbledore shut that down quick, “Harry, the problem is that I didn’t know. I should have checked in myself instead of leaving it to someone else to watch you.”

Harry blinked at that. “There was someone watching me?”

Dumbledore blinked back. “Yes, Mrs. Figg. Didn’t she tell you?”

Oh, would look at that. Someone new was added to Jade’s shit list.

“No?”

A flash of irritation crossed his face. “Is that so.”

After a moment Dumbledore shook it off and focused on Harry again. “I will have to have a talk with her. For now we should discuss what this means for your future living conditions. Unfortunately, anywhere in the wizarding world is subject to easy access to unsavory individuals. There is also the blood ward to consider. I can’t recall any wards that can compare at the moment. It’s how some of the darker families ward their home. Other than war wards, but those lock down the home. I suppose there’s the Fidelius charm…”

At this point Dumbledore had long lost Harry as he dove into his thoughts. Harry took the moment to look around. The pub was still crawling with patrons. But there did seem to be an average looking family that had taken a table with wild eyes. The parents were obviously looking around nervously, probably wondering if they were in the right place. Their daughter had an energy of curious wonder. She had rather bushy hair and brown eyes that were blown wide trying to take everything in.

‘Hey, Harry.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Dumbledore stopped talking a while ago.’

Harry’s attention snapped back to the other man. Jade, the jackass she was, laughing in his head.

Dumbledore smiled brightly, “Ah youth, I remember tuning out my own mother. She was giving a lecture about properly cleaning my cauldrons that I had left lying around. I can still almost taste the smoke from the next time I used it.”

Harry snorted. The image of Dumbledore covered in soot from a smoking cauldron came to mind.

Thankfully, that seemed to be the reaction he was looking for. “Don’t worry my boy, I’m familiar with how the mind wanders. Now then, it appears our topic, while incredibly important, has distracted us from a late breakfast, so how about an early lunch instead? We can also address any other inquiries you may have.” He then signaled for a waiter.

They ordered themselves lunch. While they waited for the food Harry finally got some answers to some questions he’d been wondering.

“Professor, why am I famous? Was that why my parents were targeted?”

Dumbledore sighed. It was an old sigh, one Jade had heard before. “No my boy, your parents weren’t targeted because of your fame. Rather, your fame came about because your parents were targeted.” Dumbledore considered his words for a moment. ”Perhaps it would be better to start at the beginning.”

“Once there was a man. A man who desired power. In order to obtain that power he delved into the darkest secrets of magic. When he finally emerged he was changed. He took a new name. Proclaimed himself a Dark Lord and gathered like minded individuals. Eventually he raised an army. But he didn’t stop. He wanted everyone to know his greatness. To bend the knee of those he believed as lesser. When others stood in his way and took a stand, he sent monsters to their door. Sometimes human, sometimes not.

A war started, I was the leader of the Light. Fighting for all that was good and just. We were losing, badly. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a general. I’m someone he feared, yes. However, that fear lessened everyday. He was getting bolder.

Then we got intel, or rather, I got intel. I received a prophecy. One that a followers of his managed to overhear. It determined that a child born on the seventh month would stand against him. He believed it. So two possible families went into hiding. One of those was yours. He came after you that night. It was said that no one survives him.

Then you did. You, a child, survived. The Dark Lord defeated. As such many attribute his defeat to you.”

Dumbledore leaned back in his seat. The food had long since arrived during his recollection. He observed as Harry took in the information.

Harry was surprised. But it made sense. His fame. Remnants of his followers sending assassins. Why his family was targeted.

So, he looked up and raised his eyebrow, ”they realize I was one when all this went down right?”

Dumbledore chuckled, “Yes, a surprising number of people know this but disregard the notion as not important. The other portions are either willfully ignorant or find the idea of a baby beating a dangerous dark lord dreadfully amusing.”

They chuckled before Harry spoke up again. “So what was this guys name?”

“His original name was Tom Riddle. But he adopted the name Voldemort when he rose to power. Although many still fear the name and have commonly dubbed him You-Know-Who.”

Harry nodded at that, finishing off his lunch.

Jade considered what she learned. A lot of it made seemed to make sense. It at least explained a great deal about her Guardian. But a creeping feeling in the back of her mind. If this Tom Riddle was really gone, then why was she here? For something unrelated? No, her luck was never that good. Neither was Harry’s.

For now, Harry had another question. “Ok, I now know why I’m famous. But why did you say you would be recognized? I mean you said you were the leader of the light. I don’t think most Headmasters have enough influence to lead people in a war.”

Dumbledore hummed in agreement, “most wouldn’t. Don’t believe you’re the only one with a dark lord in his past.”

“Really?” Harry was surprised. He wasn’t one to judge, but Dumbledore had only appeared like a kindly old man.

Jade however, had seen his type before. Many old Guardians tried to downplay their shows of power. They liked helping new Lights, so they saved their fire until they really need it.

She’d seen the fire in his eyes as he described the war. He was right, he probably wasn’t a general. He was probably on the frontlines the entire time. Wielding his fire for all to see.

Dumbledore smiled, “Indeed, during World War II a movement sprung up around a dark lord. Gellert Grindelwald had been a friend of mine in my youth. Eventually I ended up being the one to defeat him.”

As he finished he spotted a familiar face entering the pub. An older woman with tied up black hair wearing emerald robes. She was leading what appeared to be the three other muggle-born families. Spotting the fourth, she made her way to them.

“Ah, that would be our gathering. Come, come.” They quickly got up and hurried out to the courtyard after them.

“Minerva,” Dumbledore called out to her when they joined up with the group.

Realizing who this probably was, she cast the counter-charm to allow her to see through the glamour spell.

“Albus how good of you to join us,” she looked over his plain muggle clothes with a raised eyebrow. “And I see you decided to dress sensible for once.”

Dumbledore just smiled pleasantly, “just trying to fit in today.”

“Well, if you could try to dress in these colors more often, perhaps we’d have less quidditch accidents.”

Albus Dumbledore, High Sorcerer, Order of Merlin, and Bane of Grindelwald. Pouted.

‘Oh,’ Jade could help but comment, ‘she’s good. That was some cutting snark right there. I like her.’

Harry nearly rolled his eyes. ‘You would.’

Turning back to the group, she raised her voice slightly. “A majority of you may already know me but to go over it again. I am Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. I will be showing you through one of the magical districts  hidden from the mundane world. There you will be able to acquire your children’s school supplies and ask any questions about the magical world and Hogwarts.

Turning about she used her wand to tap out a pattern onto the bricks. As she hit the last one she moved out of the way as the bricks shifted to the sides. Revealing a cobbled street, dozens of magical signs overhead, and magical lights shining throughout.

“Welcome,” she grinned, “to Diagon Ally.”

Chapter Text

The group stood there for a moment. Stunned by the multitude of shops that Diagon Alley had.

Then Professor McGonagall clapped her hands, gathering their attention. “Now then, we’ll be off to our first stop. As the Wizarding World uses a different currency from our muggle counterpart. Gringotts, a goblin controlled bank, shall exchange your pounds for our currency. Bronze knuts, silver sickles, and golden galleons. 29 knuts to a sickle and 17 sickles to a galleon.”

That caught Harry’s attention. Concerned, he turned to Dumbledore. “Um, sir. I don’t have any money.”

“Indeed, I had assumed not. However, as your magical guardian, I was allowed to deliver this.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small golden key. “This will allow you access to your trust vault. I’m not sure what the Potter’s considered a traditional amount to grant an heir, but it should be enough to last you comfortably until adulthood.”

Harry blinked, not quite comprehending what he was saying. “I have a trust vault?”

“Hmm? Oh, of course, yes. The Potter’s are quite an ancient family. Most were either warriors or inventors. So their wealth accumulated from feats or royalties. As the last heir of the Potters, you are to receive all of it when you turn 17.”

What? Harry didn’t get it. Was this a prank?. Because there was no way. Right? None. He didn’t believe it. If Jade would stop cackling maybe he could figure out why Dumbledore was pranking him.

“You’re joking. This is a prank. What’s next, my family’s has a seat on some mythical group?”

Dumbledore just grinned, ”Actually yes, while it’s not mythical, your family was one of original collection of wizards that founded the Wizengamot. Our main governing council. Leading to them obtaining a seat.”

Oh listen to that, Jade’s cackle has turned into a full blown evil laugh.

‘Yes, YES! Rank! Political Power! Resources Finally more resources!’

Should he be worried?

Nah, it’ll be fine.

Probably.

Harry’s snapped out of his near catatonic state when he realized their group was walking into a snowy white building. A vast marble hall greeted their eyes. However, their attention was captured by the creatures that were sitting behind the long counter. About a head shorter than Harry, with long thin fingers.

As McGonagall escorted the other families to a counter, Dumbledore gestured him to another.

The goblin at the counter looked up at them and Harry realized that he couldn’t see the whites of their eyes.

After quickly stating their business they were led by a goblin named Griphook into the tunnels under Gringotts. The cart they used as transport was a rush. Speeding through the tunnels, wind sweeping through his hair.

‘You would like sparrows. They go about as fast as this, only without rails.’

‘I thought you wouldn’t let me try them?’

‘Yeah, in a mundane civilian neighborhood. Find something that blends in and I’m all for it. Like Sirius’s bike.’

‘Speaking of which, how am I supposed to bring up Sirius? I never met the man.’

‘Hmm… see if you could get Dumbledore talking about your parents. After that just steer the conversation to their friends. That should do it if you really wanna talk about him.’ Jade was honestly still annoyed at the man for not visiting Harry even once. Although she expects that they’ll probably end up in his care, she can ask for an explanation then.

Harry had his own thoughts on his godfather. But he’s willing to meet the man before forming any solid opinion.

Eventually the cart slowed to a stop. They were in a stone passage lined with heavy vault doors. Griphook climbed out and gestured to one of them. Handing Griphook the key and standing back, Harry watched as the vault door slowly opened.

Gold. A lot of it. Ah, so he was rich.

Welp, Harry couldn’t live in denial, especially with the facts starring him in the face. An astonished Harry walked into the vault, observing the space. It was small, about the size  of a walk in closet. Most of that space was taken up by stacks of coins, some taller than him.

Dumbledore peered at the stacks, “Ah, it appears that the Potter’s heir budget was quite generous.”

Harry felt that was a bit of an understatement.

After gathering some galleons, they quickly made their way back to the front entrance. It seems they made good time as the other families had just finished up as well.

Their first shop was the stationary shop. Quills ink, parchment, and trunks. Everything a scholarly mage could need, or so it says on the sign.

Although, quill and ink? He questioned the effectiveness of the ancient form of writing. But before he could state it aloud he actually overheard a parent questioning that exact same thing. McGonagall explained that using a parchment and quill created a magical signature that they could check. It made cheating a lot harder. Although they could technically use muggle stationary for their own personal notes. Harry questioned if a fountain pen would work. Dumbledore answered this time, he said that tests have been done and only previously living material was confirmed to conduct magical signatures.

Having his questions answered he bought the standard pack of supplies and a school trunk. The trunks were cool since they all came with a small extension charm. This allowed them three compartments to store various things. Good thing to, there was a lot of stuff on their list to go.

Apparently their next stop was Flourish and Blotts, a bookstore. Harry was an avid reader, often sneaking into libraries to avoid Dudley and his gang. After getting his schoolbooks, he browsed the books with a quirked brow. There were some absurd titles. He eventually decided on two additional books, one on interesting charms and a collection of local wizarding tales.

He was almost out the door before something else caught his eye. A collection of books by the front door that had his name on them. Taking a look also revealed moving artwork of a heroic look-a-like battling a dragon. For some reason his hair was swept back revealing a scar on his forehead?

He looked to Dumbledore for an explanation.

Dumbledore looked highly amused at his bewildered expression. “Ah, that could be attributed to a rumor that circulated. One that became popular. Most popular artists renditions include it these days.”

Bemused, Harry bought the first book to see if they were at least well written.

Madam Malkin’s Robes For All Occasions was an interesting experience for Harry. He actually got to pick his own clothes. After Dumbledore told him that he was not going back to the Dursley’s he had to get a whole new wardrobe. It might have been mostly robes but Harry had fun picking what he could. Any muggle clothes could be transmuted from glimmer so he was mostly just doing it for the experience. Although he did pause as he watched the bushy haired girl and a scowling blond boy start arguing.

Then the group drifted across the street to Eeylops Owl Emporium. McGonagall explained that owls were the predominant means of communication amongst mages and, while they should consider getting one, Hogwarts has school owls that could be accessed by the students at any time. Harry did end up looking around the shop. His eyes skimmed over many of the owls before he stopped to stare at one. Something almost seemed to tug gently at his Light, insisting. He was looking at a snowy owl, its amber eyes studying him in turn.

Turning to the man at the desk, he questioned him about the owl. “That one? That one’s not a native bread. Because of her rarity she’ll cost extra. She got a bit of a temper on her too.”

Harry was almost convinced, the only thing he was worried about was Jade. But before he could bring it up, ‘Harry I can already tell what you’re gonna say. Let me save you the trouble. Get the owl.’

Harry smirked and did just that.

Once they were outside the shop, Harry followed an urge and opened the cage before anyone could think to stop him. The owl quickly hopped up his arm to his shoulder, where it stayed.

“Perhaps you’ve found yourself a familiar.” Dumbledore mused as he watched Harry pet her feathers. Harry considered that. It might explain his Light’s reaction.

They came up to their second to last stop which was a store simply titled Apothecary. A+ for branding at least. Although the shop itself was a bit much if Harry was being honest. Horrible smell, lots of jars filled with herbs, or pieces of various creatures. It wasn’t his favorite. So he got a basic potions kit and quickly exited the store.

Finally they came to their last stop. Ollivanders, the place where they were supposed to get their wands. Harry would be lying if he said he wasn’t interest in the primary tool of the mages.

A tickling bell rang as the group shuffled into the shop. A gloom seemed to loom over it. Creating a silent atmosphere, almost like stepping into a library. Or a graveyard. This pause was felt. It was almost like they could feel the secrets in these wands. And as they reached out to grasp it-

“Good evening.”

Almost the entire group seemed to jump. Only  Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Harry seemed stoic at the sudden appearance. Honestly, the only reason Harry hadn’t reacted was because he had to restrain himself. His first instinct was to chuck a grenade at whatever had scared him. He’s sure that would’ve gone well with all parties involved.

As he calmed his racing heart he looked over the newcomer. A old man with wide pale eyes, almost looking moonlit, stared at the customers in his shop.

Upon seeing McGonagall he seemed to gain an understanding. “Ah, it’s that time again. So these are the newcomers to the world of magic. Welcome, welcome.” His eyes glanced over each of the child’s face before pausing at Harry’s. His eyebrows rose slightly as he seemed to notice Dumbledore was the one escorting him.

But, he couldn’t. Dumbledore’s spell should still be in effect. He shouldn’t be able to recognize him. Right?

After pausing just a little bit too long he turned back to McGonagall. “So, who shall I start with?”

One by one, his peers were measured and guided to a wand that fit them. The process seemed partially guess work. Although that didn’t mean Mr. Ollivander wasn’t good at his job. It took about five wands for his peers to find a match. The wands seem to produce special effects when they found an owner. Flowers, bubbles, light. It was odd. Jade was itching to come out and scan the phenomenon. After the last girl paid (the bushy haired one) it was his turn.

“I’d thought I’d be seeing you soon. You have your mother’s eyes.” Mr. Ollivander started. Ok, it seems he could see through the spell after all. However he was quick on the uptake and didn’t name names.

“Which is your wand arm?”

“Right one.” Harry tried not to flinch as the tape measure started to take his measurements on its own. He had to careful balance with the owl still on his shoulder.

‘You know, if you have to wield a gun and a wand at the same time we should probably train you to be ambidextrous.’

Harry internally groaned, knowing that it was another thing added to the list.

Eventually Mr. Ollivander snapped his fingers causing the tape measure to fall to the floor. He had an arm full of boxes that he wanted Harry to try.

One after another, after another, Harry tried many wands, many being yanked out of his hands as soon as they were put in them. Though Mr. Ollivander seemed to like the challenge.

There was one that he seemed like Mr. Ollivander expected it to be the one. Holly and phoenix feather. But when it started smoking in his hand he quickly retracted it. “How odd.”

He looked over Harry, “you wouldn’t happen to already own a wand perhaps?”

Harry shook his head, but his curiosity was piqued. “If I may ask, what’s odd?”

Ollivander was going over choices as he answered. “The fact that so many don’t wish to choose you.”

Harry was surprised at that. “Are wands sentient?”

“Hmm, not to a level of you or me, but most things develop something of an attitude if seeped in enough magic. The wand chooses the wizard, and are particularly picky of their owners. They don’t like a wizard having more than one. Hence my question. Don’t you worry yet, I think I’m on the right track.” He walked to the back shelves as he said that.

“Hmm, yes, yes, phoenix feather for certain, but what type of wood… oh, now isn’t that a combination.” He pulled a box out of the shelves and brought it over. “Cypress and phoenix feather, 11 inches.”

It was a simple wand. Curving slightly upward and pointed, almost like a dagger, with the handle wrapped in simple black leather.

It was odd when Harry touched it. His Light responded with a pulse and Harry almost missed what the wand did next.

It turned green.

Harry blinked at it for a second before looking at Mr. Ollivander.

Who didn’t seem surprised or concerned, in fact he mostly seemed a little smug at having figured it out. “Well, well, how curious. Very curious.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “What’s curious?”

Mr. Ollivander started putting the other wands back as he spoke. “Cypress wands are known for a few things. They find their homes with those that are brave enough to confront things others would rather not. The shadows in people’s natures. In others or their own.” Mr. Ollivander grew somber before looking Harry in the eye. “An ancestor of mine once wrote that he’d honor those with cypress wands, because those that have them often die heroic deaths. I find it curious that, whatever you may have endured in your past, fate has no plans to leave you be.”

The store seemed to close in around him. That gloominess intensified, almost weighing on him. His words seemed to ripple through his mind.

Harry was knocked out of it as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Dumbledore had come up behind him, still keeping that pleasant smile despite the tone of the conversation. “As fascinating as that may be, I’m afraid we will have to hurry this along. We’ve seemed to have been left behind by our group.”

It was only then that Harry realized that they were indeed the only ones left in the store. He really did need to work on his awareness.

Mr. Ollivander nodded. They spent a few moments discussing additional produce’s. Wand polishing kits, holsters and the like. Knowing the value of a good quick draw, Harry decided to get a wrist holster before they paid and left.

‘Well… that was ominous as fuck.’

The day was winding down now, the orange rays of sundown painted the magical alley in warm colors. It was a beautiful picture weighed down by chilling words.

Jade was more than a little disturbed. Guardians died all the time. Many times they came back, but all it took was that one time they didn’t. If Harry’s wand signified a frequent death…

While Jades mind spun that web, Harry’s was on a different route. Guardians were protectors. They faced uneven odds all the time and came out on top. Facing the shadows of human nature sounded pretty on brand. While he would like to die peacefully, that’s not a requirement for living a fulfilling life. If fate wanted to play with him then let it, perhaps he could help people along the way.

Dumbledore lead them back towards the Leaky Cauldron. As they entered Harry’s owl surprised them by taking off toward the rafters. Right above where their group was going over the last bit of information with McGonagall.

“-and remember, you must run at the barrier between platforms nine and ten to get to platform Nine and Three-Quarters. You must also be holding your child’s hand if you want to see them on the train. It’s just a brick wall for muggles if you don’t.” She saw them enter and take a seat. “Now then, your children should be well equipped to handle the school year. I think It’s about time we dispersed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them. I’ll be here for another hour if any occur to any of you. Feel free to stick around for a meal. Tom has an excellent dinner selection.”

After that she dismissed them. They all seemed tried after the day of new things and decided to head out. The bushy haired girl looked like she had tons of questions, but a few words from her mother had her leading her parents out by the hand.

After seeing that they had all left, McGonagall made her way over to their table.

“Hello Minerva, fancy a meal after a day of hard work?”

McGonagall took another chair and sat down. “Indeed, you know I wasn’t lying when I said Tom had an excellent dinner selection. How was Ollivanders after we left? Use us as an excuse to avoid the cryptic message?”

Harry looked surprised while Dumbledore chuckled, “alas, I was distracted in the moment. His streak is still going strong. As a man with my own flair of the dramatic, I’m rather impressed.”

McGonagall huffed before explaining to Harry who was out of the loop. “Mr. Ollivander has something of a talent of informing students of the ominous meaning behind their wands. He’s been doing it for years. I’d almost say he’s as bad as our divination professor-“

Dumbledore cut it, “Now, now, I’ve said it before. Professor Trelawney has my full support. While her methods may lack a certain.. authenticity, her prophetic ability is the genuine article.”

“Yes, well. Unfortunately her ‘methods’ are claiming to predict a student’s death once a year. At least Ollivander’s messages are backed up by good sources. Every cryptic message aligns with other interpretations of wand lore.”

“So, that means I should take it seriously or..?”

Dumbledore answered, “that depends on how you interpreted his warning. I’ve had past students who say that his warnings allowed for them to be aware of any pitfalls they may fall into. It’s all in how you perceive it.”

Harry went quiet at that. His interpretation was that he would do what he’s always wanted to. Be a Guardian.

Satisfied Harry looked up as a waiter came to take their order.

After they had placed theirs, McGonagall took out her wand and cast a privacy charm. Then she looked over to Harry, “Mr. Potter, I’m assuming you’ve had a talk with Professor Dumbledore about your circumstances? I must ask. Have you been able to resolve them?”

Harry was a bit surprised at how upfront she was with that question. Technically… He glanced over to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore sighed, he looked over to Harry as if asking for permission. Harry nodded, as long as he didn’t have to retell it, they could tell each other if they wanted. “Minerva I must apologize, it appears you were spot on it your previous assessment. Those people were indeed a horrible placement for young Harry.” After that he gave the bullet points of Harry’s abuse.

McGonagall somehow looked justified and horrified to have her decade old concerns founded. “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. I told you those muggles were the worst sort. The only question is why you didn’t know it? You told me he was fine. You convinced me he was safe. What the bloody hell happened Albus? How did you miss this? Didn’t you check in with them at all?”

Harry saw the their waiter coming to deliver their food, and seeing that they didn’t want their conversation overheard, grabbed their attention and gestured. They were quiet then, the tension still high. No one spoke as food was delivered. No one spoke after he left. McGonagall looked furious, Dumbledore looked like he was self analyzing, and Harry decided to go over his to-do list with Jade.

Jade couldn’t help making a few jokes about gramps and grams fighting. It weirdly reminded her a bit of Ikora and Zavala.

They were halfway through eating when Dumbledore broke the silence. “I didn’t.”

“Excuse me?” McGonagall’s tone was icy.

“Check, I didn’t.” His jovial elderly nature was gone and in its place was an old man grieving his mistakes. “I didn’t check because it reminded me of how I failed them. How I failed him.”

Dumbledore had been through much in his long life. He’d made many mistakes. Although he could generally say that he didn’t regret many of them. That night though, that night was bad. Maybe… maybe he should tell Harry? Explain the hows and why’s. He deserves to understand.

He turned to Harry, “Mr. Potter you honestly shouldn’t have forgiven me as quickly as you did. You didn’t have the whole truth.”

Harry was surprised to be addressed in the middle of their argument. Composing himself he faced Dumbledore. “Ok, what don’t I know?”

“First of all, I was the one who cast the spell that failed to hide your parents.”

Harry sucked in a breath. That, that was big. Was it his fault? He was the one to cast the spell. Had he really lost his parents because of a fucking bad spell? What the hell did that mean? As his brain stalled Jade urged him to do as she taught him, ask questions.

“How did he get past the spell?”

Dumbledore grimaced, “The spell I cast was called the Fidelius Charm. Designed to create a secret and hide it. No one but the secret keeper was allowed to tell the secret to someone not in the know. I helped convince them of who they should pick. However, Tom was able to sway the secret keeper to his side.”

“Who was it?”

“Mr. Potter I don’t think-“ Both Dumbledore and McGonagall tried to interject.

“He betrayed my parents. Who. Was. It.” Harry’s voice was hard as steel now. Cold, you could almost be convinced that ice flecks were seen on his breath.

Dumbledore looked it his eyes, seeing a gaze that should’ve been beyond a 11-year-old, he relented.

“His name was Sirius Black. He’s been locked up in Azkaban, the wizarding world’s prison.”

The cold rage thawed slightly, giving way to confusion. Sirius was the traitor? No, that didn’t make sense right?

‘Jade?’

‘I- I’m going over my memories. But it doesn’t make sense. Sure, he might be able to fake his reactions. But, he hadn’t noticed me yet, and no one else was there. Who would he have been faking them for. Even then, he had a prime shot to end the child his lord had gone after, and didn’t take it. He kissed you lovingly on the head as he sent you off. What the hell?’

‘Do we bring this up to Dumbledore?’

‘Not here, wait until we’re somewhere alone. I’m going to have to reveal myself to convince him. Are you ready for that?’

‘As ready as I’ll ever be.’

As Harry zoned back in he noticed Dumbledore and McGonagall looking at him in concern.

“Sounds like you also got betrayed, anything else?”

Dumbledore was worried, as well as a bit stumped, as Harry just casually dismissed one of the main reasons for his guilt.

Gathering himself, “you should also know I chose to abandoned your family that night.”

Harry slowly took a long breath before releasing it long and slow. Unintentionally using the calming breaths from his katas.

“Continue.”

“That night I had to make a choice. Intelligence found out a gathering of Death Eaters-“

“Death Eaters?”

“Those like minded followers I told you of. That’s what they decide to called themselves. We found out they were gathering in mass the same night that the alarm for your wards went off. I had to decide between a group of our enemies and a family that may contain child of a prophecy. It’s possible that I could have went myself. Sent our allies after the intel. Show’d up in time to save someone, anyone. But, what if It had been a diversion. Something to lure me away, or to have me confront Tom. I couldn’t take that chance. So after it was over. I sent Hagrid, the groundskeeper of Hogwarts, to see if you survived and to bring you to Privet Dr. if you did.”

Yikes, that was a lot. Although it answered a few more of their questions.

Harry had heard a lot about tough choices. Many stories Jade shared featured Guardians in tough situations. Maybe he could understand them a bit better now. Being directly affected by a tough choice.

What should he say here? He didn’t know. Would he have made the same choice? Why was he telling him this in the first place? What did he want out of it? More questions.

Harry looked to see how McGonagall was handling this. She looked conflicted. That was fair.

Screw it, he’d just ask. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because you deserve to know. Know all the details of that night, know why I have this guilt, know why my guilt allowed for your situation to fester.”

McGonagall cut in, “but should you really be dumping all of your guilt on first year?”

Dumbledore grew silent, in his own thoughts he hypocritically agreed with McGonagall. He shouldn’t place his guilt on a child. So why was he doing exactly that? He stood by his stance, Harry should know about that night. Yet, couldn’t this have waited until he was older? Was that avoiding the responsibility? In any case, it was a bit too late to take back his words. He’ll just have to see how the boy reacts.

Harry was currently in a discussion with Jade about the situation.

‘How are you feeling?’ Jade asked.

‘I don’t know.’

‘Well let’s try to break it down. Are you angry?’

‘Yes, no, little bit? More confused than anything.’

‘About?’

‘What am I supposed to say? Am I supposed to forgive him or something? I kinda don’t want to. He made a choice. It wasn’t like he personally killed my parents, but he abandoned my family. What the fuck do I say to that?’

‘Do you have to say anything?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You have the information, and it’s a lot to process. Just say that and think about it later. It’s not like you have to make any decisions about it right now.’

Harry thought that sounded great. “Ok, so. McGonagall was right. That was a lot. I’m not sure how I feel about it. So, for now, let’s change the subject. Where am I staying tonight?”

Dumbledore and McGonagall almost had whiplash from that response.

Dumbledore, seeing the out for what it was, answered. “For tonight you shall have a room here. I’ll put out a few letters, maybe call in a favor. Set up somewhere safe, actually safe, for you to stay.”

McGonagall chimed in, “And I’ll make sure of it.”

Dumbledore nodded his approval.

They ate quickly after that. Not talking, just lost in their own thoughts. After they finished Dumbledore got up and talked to Tom the Bartender to arrange a room for the night. After saying goodbye to Professor McGonagall, he showed Harry to his room. Harry’s owl following along.

As he was about to leave, Harry decided to voice his other concerns. “Sir, there’s something else I should share with you. Could you come inside and cast a privacy spell on the room?”

Quirking a brow, Dumbledore did what was asked before taking the seat by the desk.

Harry sat on the bed, trying to ignore the nerves he was feeling. “There is one something I didn’t mention during our chat, or rather someone. This-“ looking over his shoulder, he watched as Jade materialized. “-is Jade.”

“Hello there.”

Dumbledore looked surprised and confused as he took in the small floating object. “Greetings. May I ask, what exactly is Jade?”

“The short version? I am a Ghost. A lifelong guide for Guardians. Individuals selected by the Traveler to wield the Light. Speaking of which, I would love if you could cast a spell on an object. We have a suspicion that needs confirming.”

Dumbledore was taken aback by the sudden request but complied. Casting a levitation charm on a quill. “Who is this Traveler, and what is the Light? Is Harry one of these Guardians? Guardians against what? Why reveal yourself to me now? Especially with what I revealed to young Harry.”

Jade started scanning the quill while answering his questions. “The Traveler is a benevolent being seeking to uplift civilizations. Using the Light, it finds struggling civilizations and helps them advance.”

She finished scanning the quill, “as for the Light. Well apparently the best way I can describe it is pure magic.”

Harry payed attention to that. “So we were right! Magic is the Light!”

“Kinda? Pure might be misleading. Refined might be better. It’s like the Light’s been processed. Making it easier to manage in exchange for less power. I’d need to scan someone actually casting a spell to get more of an idea.”

“Please allow me.” Dumbledore had many concerns, but he was nothing if not a scholar.

Jade scanned him while he recast the spell. Then she floated there for a moment. “This- this is fascinating. The closest thing I can equate it to is Prismatic. However, Prismatic is harmony. The Light and Darkness coexisting, without any barriers. Magic appears to be Light refined by Darkness. Using the Darkness influence in mental concepts to shape the Light into what mages call a spell. Yet, the barriers are still there…” She trailed off slightly.

Dumbledore looked concerned, “are you saying that all spells include a small amount of dark magic?”

“No? I don’t know what a dark spell looks like, but the Darkness probably isn’t the same thing. The Darkness we’re talking about is another paracausal force. But the force itself is neutral.”

“Paracausal?” Dumbledore latched onto the term.

“Right… how to explain this. It’s basically means to be out side the boundaries of cause and effect. An example, creating a fire. Traditionally you’d have to gather fuel and something to spark it. Having something paracausal allows you to skip the steps and just light the fire. Well.. In actuality you’re using the light to light the fire. So really it’s just not using physics to cause an effect. Now, If someone is paracausal, that just means that they can create their own destiny. Most mages are slightly paracausal.”

While Dumbledore was reeling from the new information. Harry noticed they were starting to get off track. “Um, didn’t Professor Dumbledore have more questions?”

“Shit, right, sorry. What were they? Oh! You asked if Harry’s my Guardian. He is, but don’t worry, It shouldn’t affect him too much. The Guardians are supposed to guard against beings who use the Darkness, but the they aren’t here yet.” Jade blinked as a thought occurred. “Or maybe they are? If mages can use the Darkness… maybe that’s where we step in?”

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at that, but before he could question it Jade refocused.

“As for why we’re telling you all this, it concerns something you told us. We need more insight into a decade old situation.”

Jade then began telling him about her perspective of that night, of meeting Sirius. The more Dumbledore heard the more he grew pensive. Doubt crept into his mind. But surely Sirius was guilty. He had killed Peter. Although, with his mistakes coming back to bite him, It wouldn’t hurt to be certain of the evidence. He was never at the trial so perhaps the case files have something they were missing.

“Hmm, I can understand your concerns, I’ll look into it. Be aware though, I have no intention of letting a guilty man walk free. However I do have many more questions. Such as whether or not I can meet this Traveler? Talk about what why they gave Harry this position?”

Jade and Harry gave each other uneasy looks. “That’s not possible. For two reasons. One, the Travaler isn’t humanoid. It’s an orb. Approximately slightly bigger than Mount Everest. Second, it’s not in this reality. Well, maybe. It’s possible there’s a version of it off planet.”

Dumbledore blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Right, I didn’t explain enough. I’m from a different reality that’s about 3000-ish years in the future.”

Dumbledore… kind just stared.

Jade turned to Harry. “I think I just broke your Headmaster.”

Harry snorted, “yeah, I can see that.”

Dumbledore shook off his daze. His mind still not completely comprehending. “No, no. I’m quite alright. I think that has just been one thing too many.”

Harry chuckled, “now you know how I feel.”

Dumbledore smirked, ”yes, it seems I’m on the other foot.” He stood with a sigh. “Today has been many things. But I now have tasks that need to be addressed. As such I should depart before I find more life altering information.”

Surprised by the sudden shift Harry also stood. “I see, well since you’re giving me time to get my head sorted out. I’ll give you that time as well.”

Harry had one more question as Dumbledore walked out the door. “Sir? That information, about the Death Eaters gathering. Did you catch them?”

Dumbledore was silent for a moment before answering, “No, it was a ruse. All we found were a few new recruits.” With that he turned and left.

As soon as he did Harry flopped onto the bed. “Well, today was something.”

Jade floated overhead, “That seems like an understatement.”

Harry’s owl seemed to hoot in agreement.

Jade and Harry looked over to the owl.

Harry snorted. “Is every one of my lifelong companions going to be sarcastic or are you two just special.”

The owl just gave him a look.

Jade chuckled as Harry groaned, “I think you just got sassed by your owl.”

He sat up. “Speaking of which, I probably can’t get away with just calling you ‘the owl’ in my mind.” Harry decided to go through his recently bought books for inspiration.

The owl landed beside him. “How bout Theadora?” He got a light nip for his troubles.

“Are you doing this now to avoid thinking about everything you learned today?”

“Yup.”

Jade chuckled as she settled in to watch the back and forth of Harry and their new companion.

—————————————————————————

A few hours later

Dumbledore slumped in his seat in the headmasters office.

He had accomplished many of the tasks he had set out to do when he had left the Leaky Cauldron.

First he’d gone to Privet Dr. and gathered evidence. He’d eventually send that to the local authorities and let the Dursley’s face consequences.

By a matter of proximity, this led him to question Mrs. Figg. That had been… difficult. It had been awhile since they talked face to face. He once knew her as a quick witted woman. He was surprised to find that she’d gone a bit senile in the last few years.

Having answered that question he’d visited the ministry. He’d gone to a few people and asked if they could quietly get him a few copies of the arrest and sentencing of Sirius Black. They’d said they’d do what they could and get back to him in a day or two.

After that he retired to the headmasters office with Minerva. Going over candidates and writing to them. The selection process was surprisingly agreeable. Minerva didn’t reject too many of his colleagues. Mostly since his pool had been quickly reduced with the revelation of Jade. He’d need people capable of keeping secrets and not having a mental crisis when faced with an impossible information. He didn’t know if her invisible(?) worked long term. Even if it did they may still reveal themselves to their caretaker.

It was the early hours of the morning now. He was going over reply’s.

He rubbed his temples and reached into one of his drawers. Pulling out a pepper up potion, he downed it.

He hadn’t named names when writing the letters. Mainly just asking if they could take in a ward in a dangerous position. Many had responded right away. Most had refused. Citing situation changes or lack of means. A couple had asked for favors, immediately cutting them out of the running. The rest hadn’t responded.

He sighed as he picked up another letter. Reading it sparked accomplishment. They’d accepted. Then he got to the end and he blinked as he realized whose response this was.

This candidate had actually been put forward by Minerva to his surprise. Citing that they he liked kids and had a foster license. Honestly he was the best candidate on paper. He had many safeguards on his residence, he was slowly transferring into retirement so they had plenty of time, he’d been a close associate during the war, he knew how to keep secrets, and he couldn’t imagine him faltering under any information.

The only problem was his demeanor. However, Harry only had a month until Hogwarts, this could be something of a trial run.

He sat back in his chair and mused.

He had found his pick, but would young Harry agree with it?