Entrance to My Insanity

Mah Mah

2007-11-06T05:04:03Z

Man, it's been a while. Well, the move to Arizona didn't quite pan out. My last living parent had a stroke so I moved back to North Dakota. X( Bleh, winter . . .

But all clouds have a silver lining, as the saying goes. Not a month after moving back, met my current boyfriend! Four months and going strong. He even thought it was our fifth month anniversary, silly man. XD Plus, I got promoted at my job in B. Dalton. Supervisor, H-E-L-L-O!!!

I haven't touched Final Fantasy XI since July. But I'm still paying for the game.

I dressed up as Sakura for Halloween! Must take pictures. Why is it I cosplay characters I despise? First it's Relena from Gundam Wing (Damnit that hussy, I WORE MY HAIR IN TWIN BRAIDS FIRST), then Sailor Mars, aka Rei, from Sailor Moon. Now Sakura. Urgh. But hey, I'm on a Naruto kick. Sasuke and the sexy fox boy need to bone to appease my yaoi thirst.

I totally am out of ideas for my Harry Potter fanfic. I want to continue it, GOD DO I. But my creative juices have dried up. That, and I'm reading Sasuke x Naruto smut.

LONG LIVE YAOI SMUT!!!

I talked to a friend I haven't heard from for ages today. Brought back a lot of memories. From the first time we met (in sky, fighting gods while he stood off to the side like the loner he was) to our favorite pastime of riding that damn ferry to Purgatory Isle. He still sounds the same. But he says I sound "older".

Have I lost my fangirl squeakiness?!?!?!

Going to eat ramen and read more Naruto smut.

Success in my Fanfiction World

2007-03-26T05:31:56Z

So a month ago, I decided to give it a go with this whole Harry Potter fanfiction. I read so many good fanfics. I've read so many . . . er . . . less then stellar fanfics. So I thought to myself:

Sera, you have a pretty damn good imagination. Why not give it a go yourself? If you fail, then there's an entire Internet full of people who will gladly flame your charred remains over a fire. If you're somewhat decent, then hey, at least you gave it a shot and you've garnered yourself a few fans.

I hate to be egotistical, but my fanfic at http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3409199/1/ has been getting some damn good feedback on FanFiction.Net. I have to admit, I was totally unprepared for the TWENTY reviews I got in just the first chapter. I was expecting more along the terms of five, haha. So far I've received over 380 reviews for the damn thing, and quite honestly, I didn't expect to continue the story past Chapter 6!

I hope the people reading the story so far will continue to enjoy it, because I'm flying by the seat of my pants when it comes to the plot. (/.\)

Twins!

2007-03-01T12:09:47Z

Is it just me, or did anyone else notice the uncanny resemblance Elijah Wood and Daniel Radcliffe share with each other? Case in point, just look at this picture! Maybe it's because it's a profile shot, you only see the side. But the first thing I thought when I saw Daniel Radcliffe's Equus photos was

"DAMN, he looks like Elijah Wood!"

I could blame it on the sugar/caffeine overdose at 5 a.m. . . .

Fic: Harry Potter

2007-02-27T03:07:49Z

Part Three

Title: Darkest Hour
Author: Seraphyn
Pairings: Tom Riddle/Harry Potter
Rating: R for now, it will go up later
Disclaimer: Not mine now, wasn't mine then, will never be mine in the future.
Summary: Young Harry Potter was your average normal young boy living your average normal childish life. He was unfortunately too average and too normal. Struggling to prove his worth under the shameful cloud of being a squib, Harry forges a dark, dangerous friendship with the only person who seems to understand him.

--------- -- page break/scene change

::meow:: -- Parselmouth

meow -- thoughts

Darkest Hour

A cavernous yawn stretched Harry's face wide, emerald eyes blinking blearily to clear his vision.

::Why don't you rest, Harry?:: Nagini hissed softly from beside him.

Harry turned his head and smiled down at Nagini. The King Cobra had reverted back to her original size and lay coiled up on his four poster bed, ebony black scales shimmering in the soft candlelight. After Harry had entered his house, he immediately tucked the serpent away in his room, warning her to stay out of sight before going down to help Lily. He hadn't seen the snake for the rest of the day until night came and the young boy found the serpent coiled up as pretty as you please on top of his bed.

Harry curled his slender body along side of Nagini's massive length, stroking the underside of her jaw absentmindedly.

::I guess I'm too excited,:: he replied. ::I haven't seen you for so long. I missed you a lot, Nagini.::

::Such a sweet serpent-speaker,:: Nagini teased. ::I missed you as well. So does my Master Tom.::

Harry perked up. ::Really? He still will help me?::

::A Slytherin always keeps his word, Harry,:: a new voice drawled.

Harry gasped in excited delight as the ruby in his bracelet flashed. ::Tom!:: he crowed, sitting up in his bed. ::I missed you!::

::Such enthusiasm,:: Tom murmured. ::I don't believe I've had someone so pleased to hear from me.::

::Don't forget about me, you great lout,:: Nagini hissed.

::Aaah, my errant pet reveals herself. Greetings Nagini.::

::Is Nagini going to be in trouble for staying with me?:: Harry asked worriedly. ::Please don't be mad at her, I asked her to stay, I didn't know she was supposed to go back to you.::

::All is well, Harry. In fact, I'm glad Nagini stayed. She'll be there to protect you if needed, and watch over your . . . what's that word you use, my pet? Den?::

::Harry's den is very clean,:: Nagini approved. ::It smells nice.::

Harry blushed, cheeks turning pink at the mention of how nice his house smelled. What if it had smelled funny? What makes a house smell funny? Could Nagini smell his dirty laundry? Harry was desperately curious to ask, as well as embarrassed beyond belief.

::Are you ready to begin uncovering your magic, Harry?:: Tom questioned. ::We can start now, if you're not too sleepy.::

::Oh no!:: Harry chirped. ::I'm not sleepy at all! Where do we begin? How do we start? What do you want me to do?::

::Oh my,:: Nagini drawled. ::Such an eager man-child. I like him, Tom.::

::You would,:: Tom retorted. ::Now Harry, I need for you to listen to everything I say and obey my commands. You might not understand some of them, or why I'm telling you to do what it is I need for you to do, but you must trust me. Can you do that?::

::Of course,:: Harry answered. ::Tom?:: he called out hesitantly.

::Yes, Harry?::

::Why . . . why can't I do magic? If I'm not a squib like my parents say I am then why . . . can't I do the things they can?::

::I'm not quite sure why it happened, or how it happened to you, Harry. I believe the best explanation I can give is a dam.::

::A dam?::

::Yes, it's a muggle created structure that is built usually on a river. It stops the natural flow of the water. Something is doing the same to you, Harry. Something inside of you is blocking your magic from flowing through your body and I'm here to help you tear it down. Once it happens, nothing will be impossible.::

::I bet momma and father will be proud of me then,:: Harry mused.

::Oh, among other things,:: an amused voice stated. ::Now to begin. As difficult as it might be for one as young as you, I need you to completely block everything out Harry. Close your eyes and listen to the sound of my voice. Ignore Nagini. Ignore the feel of your blankets or the cool night air. Concentrate on my voice, Harry. Just my voice.::

Harry took a deep breath as bright emerald eyes closed, the world plummeting into darkness.

::Focus, Harry. Listen to my voice, only my voice. Shut everything else out. There's a good boy,:: Tom praised. ::Concentrate hard, Harry. Picture yourself in darkness. Complete and total darkness. You can do it, I know you can.::

Harry soon found himself in a sensory deprived world. Everything was black, endless black. He could no longer feel the softness of his bed, or the warm cotton blankets wrapped around him. For as far as the eye could 'see', there was nothing. He felt suspended in mid-air, feeling both heavy and light at the same time. Only the sound of Tom's sibilant hisses, crooning words of encouragement, echoed in his bleak world.

::Now, try to find a door, Harry. It can be any type of door. It can be standing up right. It can be laying on the floor. It could be above your head. Try to find a door, Harry. Find it!::

Harry frowned. Door? All he saw was nothingness. It chilled his bones to be surrounded in such a stark world. There was no door, no gateway to be seen and he really didn't -

Wait . . .

There! Harry almost shouted in joy when in the distance he saw an object. As he drew near it, his joy quickly began to fade.

::Tom,:: he called out. ::Tom, there's more then one!::

Encircling Harry stood four doorways. One directly in front of him, one to the left, another to his right and the last lay on the floor at his feet.

::Now what are we going to do?:: Harry wailed.

::Sshh, it's all right, Harry. Be calm. This just means we'll have to work harder to unravel your mysteries,:: Tom comforted. ::It means you have even more power to unlock.::

::What should I do?:: questioned Harry.

::Pick a door, Harry. Any one. Try to open it.::

Harry bit his lip before shuffling towards the left door. As he touched the ornate doorknob, the door suddenly glowed a crimson red. Harry jumped back in startled surprise. Immediately the glow disappeared and a luminescent 'G' now blazed on the gateway.

::How intriguing,:: Tom hissed. ::Go on, Harry. Open the door.::

::I'm . . . I'm not sure I want too anymore,:: Harry hiccupped. ::What if there's something dangerous behind it? Why else would stuff be locked up inside me?::

::Don't tell me you're frightened, Potter,:: Tom mocked.

::What if I am!:: Harry snapped back. ::I don't like this, Tom. I really don't.::

Harry had the distinct impression of Tom heaving a sigh of disappointment. ::So be it,:: he stated. ::If that is your decision, I will abide by it.::

Harry gnawed on his bottom lip. He could hear the bitterness in Tom's tone, could sense the same feeling of defeat that his father James showed daily. He really didn't want to open the door, but he couldn't stand letting someone else in his life down. It didn't help that the door seem to 'pulse' with life, as if there was something living, breathing, just beyond it, waiting to be unleashed. Who was he kidding? Harry was terrified. But Tom was here for him, just for him. He couldn't let Tom down.

With trembling fingers, Harry slowly twisted the doorknob and pushed the heavy door open. Light spilled through, blinding the five year old child momentarily even as Harry threw up his hands to shield his eyes.

Slowly, the blinding light began to disperse. Dark spots swam in Harry's vision, and he blinked owlishly to try to clear his sight. ::Tom,:: he whimpered. ::I'm scared.::

::Don't worry, Harry,:: Tom whispered back. ::I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you.::

Nodding, Harry took a cautious step inside. The same inky emptiness greeted him. At first, it appeared as if Harry was alone in this world inside his mind.

Suddenly, a glowing red orb flew out of no where and hovered just few feet from Harry, startling a cry from the young boy. The golf ball sized orb slowly began to elongate, growing larger and larger until, with a burst of brightness, it solidified.

Harry gasped and took a step back. Standing before him was his very own father. A father dressed in plain black robes, an ugly sneer on his face.

"Worthless squib," he spat. "How you could ever be my child is beyond me."

Tears erupted in Harry's eyes as he looked away, the hurtful words sending spears of agony into his heart.

"I should have tossed you in an orphanage the moment you were born," the replica of James continued. He clasped his hands behind his back and began to slowly circle Harry, like a vulture circling its next meal. "A shame. An abomination. That's what you are. You're a disgrace to the Pureblood Potter name."

"That's not true," Harry whispered brokenly.

"If you didn't look so much like me, I would have accused Lily of fornicating with another man. I'm ashamed to call you my son."

"But I am your son," replied a soft voice.

"You're nothing but a mistake. I can hardly show my face at work, knowing that I'm taking care of a no account worthless squib."

"I'm not worthless!" Harry shot back, stronger this time. He clenched his hands into tight fists, fingernails digging deep into his palms. "I'm not worthless."

"Not an ounce of magic in you," the clone prattled on. "You'll never amount to anything, boy."

"Yes, I will!" Harry cried out, face jerking up to glare at his father with Killing Curse green eyes that seemed to glow from within. "I will amount to something great. I will prove to you and everyone else that I'm not worthless. I am Harry James Potter, your son, and I won't let you talk down to me like this!"

'James' came to a halt before Harry. He tilted his head to the side, the sneer disappearing from his features. A corner of his lips twitched. Then the other. Then both slowly began to curl upwards as a warm smile bloomed on his face.

"Bravo," 'James' praised as he began to glow. Harry watched the image revert back to a glowing ball, sparkling brightly before zooming off. He slowly unclenched his fists, half-moon indents appearing in his flesh.

::Bravo indeed, Harry,:: Tom agreed.

::Wha . . . what was that?:: Harry gasped, finding himself momentarily out of breath.

::A test it seems. Why, I don't know.::

::I still don't like it here, Tom,:: Harry muttered under his breath.

::I'm beginning to agree with you. This wasn't what I had originally expected. Lets leave and continue this another night.::

All too gratefully, Harry agreed. He spun around, preparing to exit, only to draw up short. Blocking the doorway out stood his mother, Lily, her wand drawn up and pointed directly at the small boy.

"Momma!" Harry wailed, taking a step back.

"Not another step, baby!" 'Lily' shrieked. "Don't go near that vile creature!"

Only then did Harry notice the direction of her wild gaze. He glanced over his shoulder and saw a ripple of blackness rise from the floor. It lengthened, condensed, until ebony scales shone faintly. Nagini, rearing up off the ground by four feet, black hood flared out to its fullest extent, jaws unhinged to reveal twin fangs dripping with poison, stood poised for attack.

"That thing is an evil being, Harry," 'Lily' spat. "It needs to be destroyed! All snakes need to be destroyed!"

"No momma!" Harry argued, placing himself directly in his mother's path. "Snakes aren't bad! They only bite to survive. When they bite people, it's cuz they're scared and want to be left alone!"

"Don't tell me you're friends with such wicked things!?" 'Lily' growled. "No son of mine will associate with such unholy creatures!"

Harry bit his bottom lip. "But momma-"

"No buts, young man. Step out of the way. Once I dispose of this trash, we can go home."

Shaking his head, Harry took a step back, towards Nagini. "I won't," he declared. "I won't let you hurt Nagini. She's my friend and she's never done anything mean to you or me."

"Are you disobeying me, Harry Potter?" 'Lily' asked incredulously. "Are you choosing to side with a snake, a serpent, over your own mother?"

Harry clenched his teeth tightly. "I'm sorry, momma," he whimpered. "But you're wrong. Not all snakes are evil and Nagini has never hurt me. I won't . . . I won't let you hurt my friend!"

The clone of Lily hissed, ironically sounding much like a serpent herself. Her wand slashed in the air as she lunged forward. Harry gasped, squeezing his eyes shut and tensed his body, almost certain he'd feel the sting of a slap or a slashing spell.

When seconds ticked by in silence, he cautiously peaked out from under sooty eyelashes. Instead of an image of his mother, another shimmering red orb floated before him.

"Well done," a deep voice echoed in the vast emptiness. "You have exceeded expectations, Harry James Potter. You have successfully passed the three tests placed before you. It takes great courage to face the unknown, even at the cost of your own life. It takes great courage to stand up for yourself, even against those you love most dear. And finally, it takes great courage to stand up for your friends, even when people may despise you for it. For passing each trial, you have proven yourself worthy. I release to thee what has been locked away. May good fortune fall from the heavens and grace thee now and forever more."

The light and the voice vanished, as well as the door. Stunned, Harry blinked owlishly in silence.

::Most intriguing . . . :: Tom's voice mused. ::Most intriguing indeed. I recognize that voice, Harry, and the person it belongs too.::

::Who was it?:: Harry stammered.

::A Gryffindor, Harry. Godric Gryffindor, a founder of Hogwarts and epitome of all that is just and courageous . . . ::

------------------------------------------

Sunlight filtered through partially opened curtains, striking a sleeping child strategically on the face. The young boy groaned, arm thrown up over his face to block the offending rays.

"Rise and shine, sweetie!" a voice rang out. The mattress dipped, the comfy blankets whisked back to allow the chilly fingers of morning air to touch pale flesh.

Harry groaned, flipping onto his stomach and burying his head under mounds of feather pillows. "M'sleepy . . . "

Lily laughed softly at her darling boy. With a devilish grin, she leaned forward and danced slender fingertips across Harry's back and sides. Harry jerked up, squealing loudly as he fought to escape the tickling onslaught. After a helpless battle between laughter or tears, Harry finally threw his arms around his mother.

"I'm up!" Harry conceded. "It's not fair, momma. You fight dirty," he pouted.

Lily kissed the tip of Harry's upturned nose. "Of course," she agreed. "I'm your mother. It's allowed. Now up. There's a plate of blueberry pancakes with your name on them waiting for you downstairs." Ruffling his disarrayed hair fondly, Lily stood up and left.

Harry rubbed an eye childishly as he glanced around his room. He scooted to the edge of the bed, but instead of sliding off, he clutched the edge of the mattress and peered underneath, hanging upside down precariously.

::Nagini?:: he called out.

From the depths of his bed's shadow, a form unraveled. A bright red tongue flicked out, touching the tip of Harry's nose his mother just moments before kissed, before darting back.

::Good morning, serpent-speaker,:: Nagini greeted. Her little man-child looked adorable, peering at her upside down with bedraggled black hair and sleep-tussled eyes. ::I need to return to my master, little one. I also must feed.::

Harry nodded understandingly. ::Do you need me to let you out?:: he inquired.

::No need. Just leave your window open a bit and I shall slide out.::

::Kay. Be careful, Nagini. I'll see you soon?::

::Always,:: Nagini said warmly. Harry scrambled off his bed and dashed to his window. He shoved it up a few inches and glanced down at a now miniature King Cobra.

::Don't get eaten by an owl,:: he teased.

Nagini snapped her jaws together, two syringe like fangs flashing dangerously before she nuzzled Harry's fingertips and slithered off. Waving goodbye, Harry closed his window and quickly changed, preparing to start the day.

As he walked downstairs to the kitchen, he thought back to the strange occurrence that happened days ago. He was starting to call his session with Tom 'dreams' because it very much felt like a dream to him. It all seemed so surreal and unbelievable. Had he really stood up to his father's likeliness? Had he really got in the way of his mother when she tried to destroy Nagini? Could he really have done those things in real life, and not just in his head? Was he really that courageous? Harry knew he would have passed everything off as a trick of his imagination if it wasn't for that dimly lit spark. The precocious five year old could feel it, buried deep inside his core, but it was still there. Flickering. Dancing. Smoldering.

It was his awakening magic. He was sure of it. Opening that door and passing those tests had truly unlocked something nestled deep within. It was like a fluttering butterfly, so fragile and delicate even to the gentlest of touch. Harry wanted nothing more to cradle it between his hands and whisper encouragement and praise. He wanted to bring it to life.

And he wanted Tom to be there when it happened.

With a spring to his step, Harry entered the brightly lit kitchen, a smile on his face as he kissed his momma good morning.

------------------------------------

Fic: Harry Potter

2007-02-24T05:03:13Z

Part Two

Title: Darkest Hour
Author: Seraphyn
Pairings: Tom Riddle/Harry Potter
Rating: R for now, it will go up later
Disclaimer: Not mine now, wasn't mine then, will never be mine in the future.
Summary: Young Harry Potter was your average normal young boy living your average normal childish life. He was unfortunately too average and too normal. Struggling to prove his worth under the shameful cloud of being a squib, Harry forges a dark, dangerous friendship with the only person who seems to understand him.

--------- -- page break/scene change
::meow:: -- Parselmouth
meow ---- thoughts

Darkest Hour

It had been days since Tom first contacted Harry, and the small boy was getting a little worried. At first, he thought that the days of silence was a test to see if Harry would honor his promise of keeping things a secret. He had kept his word, not breathing a thing to his parents. But as the days past, it grew harder and harder not to be anxious, expecially when, at the end of a week, a tall elderly wizard came over to the house.

Harry wrinkled his nose as his parents rushed forward to greet the stranger. Lily and James were treating the wizard with the utmost respect, but Harry couldn't understand why. He looked grandfatherly with waist length silver grey hair and beard that was equally as long. Harry could even see little charms and trinkets tied to the wiry strands of facial hair! And the wizard wore the strangest of clothes. Deep maroon, with gold stars that actually whizzed across the fabric, leaving trails of sparkling stardust.

Barmy, was Harry's first thought when he saw the man step into his house. He's loonier then Uncle Padfoot after drinking too much butterbeer. But the one thing that made Harry pause was the man's eyes. His ice blue eyes, the pale color of glaciers, twinkled. Not just twinkled, but utterly and completely gleamed with an unholy light that really just meant the man was up to no good. No good at all. At least as far as Harry was concerned.

"Harry, I want you to meet Albus Dumbledore," Lily introduced, giving her shy son a nudge from behind.

Harry shuffled forward, chin firmly tucked to his chest, eyes staring at the tips of the man's shoes that peaked out from beneath his outrageous robes. Shoes . . . that curled at the ends with tiny gold bells.

Definately barmy, Harry reinforced.

Dumbledore crouched down to Harry's height. He placed a hand under Harry's chin and tilted his head up. "It's a honor to meet you, young Harry Potter," Albus greeted.

Immediately, Harry felt a soft pressure against his brain. It was uncomfortable or painful, it was just odd. He didn't like it. He didn't like it at all and he wanted the feeling gone.

And just like that, it was.

Something danced across Dumbledore's eyes before he patted Harry's head and stood up. "Let's get down to business shall we?" he directed the statement to Lily and James. Harry was ushered up to his room, where he had a perfect view of the backyard and what was happening. He frowned as he saw Albus Dumbledore withdraw a wand from his robes and wave it about. Silvery sparks of magic shot out from the slender piece of wood, spreading out like fireworks.

Harry felt envy in his heart at the sight. "Just wait," he whispered in his silent room. "I'll be able to do that too, and I'll do it better. Just wait, momma. I'll make you proud."

-----------------------------------

Another couple days past without any contact from Tom. Depressed, Harry jumped at the chance of visiting Neville Longbottom, a friend of his family. Neville was supposed to be really important too, but Harry didn't know why. Maybe it was because they shared the same birthday?

"Harry!" the young boy called out from the frontyard.

Harry dashed out of the car and enveloped Neville in a warm hug. The boy still hadn't lost a good portion of his baby fat, so he was what Harry teasingly, without any malice, called, 'pleasantly plump.'

"Good to see you too, Nev!" he replied. "How're you doing?"

"Great! Had a little scare a few days ago, but everything is fine now."

Harry frowned. "Scare?"

"Yeah! I was playing in the backyard when Gran saw something in the bushes. She said it looked like a man dressed all in black. Dumbledore had to come over to do something with the wards."

"He came to your house too?" Harry gasped. "He came to mine a few days ago too and went into the backyard. I didn't hear what he said and mum and dad didn't say anything after he left."

"He most likely strengthed the wards around your house like he did mine," Neville declared. He glanced around before grabbing Harry's hand. "Gran!" he called out. "I'm going to show Harry something in the backyard, is that all right?"

"Just stay in sight, Neville darling," Augusta Longbottom returned. "Harry's parents and I will have a spot of tea inside."

Neville nodded and tugged Harry along. His backyard wasn't as large as Harry's at home, and of course, it wasn't filled with beautiful blossoms either, but it was still quite lovely.

"I heard a secret," Neville whispered after pulling Harry into a far corner of the yard. "It was about You-Know-Who."

"Huh?" Harry replied. "Who's You-Know-Who?"

Neville rolled his eyes. "The Dark Lord," he muttered. "He's a really really bad wizard that wants to kill anyone who gets in his way. That's why Dumbledore had to come to my house. I'm supposed to be protected."

"But why? What have you done?"

"It's what I'm supposed to do, Harry. That's the secret. I heard Gran and Dumbledore talking about it just before he left. There's this pro...propine...promiscu-"

"Prophesy?" Harry injected.

"Yes, that!" Nevilled gushed. "There's this prophesy that says I'm the only one who can defeat the Dark Lord. So until I'm all grown up, I have to be really careful."

"Wow, that's amazing, Neville," Harry whispered. "Would it be awful to say congratulations?"

Neville giggled. "Harry!" he exclaimed. "You're silly."

Harry grinned at his friend. "I'm going to sneak some cookies out of the kitchen," Neville conspired. "Want some?"

"Sure, but I won't be sneaking into the kitchen with you, if that's what you're going to ask," Harry joked. Neville rolled his eyes again before darting off. Alone, Harry wandered around the backyard, admiring the various potted plants and flowers. Just as he neared an open window, he heard voices he easily recognized.

"Albus had to reinforce and add to our wards as well," Lily's voice stated. "After Harry told me he saw his snake in our backyard . . . we didn't dare take the chance of leaving them be for that thing to return."

"They say he's gathering even more to join his dark army," Neville's grandmother Augusta said. "I may be old, but I know what I saw. It was a Death Eater! Stalking my sweet Neville. I can only be glad when Neville gets his Hogwarts letter and leaves for the . . . oh dear, I'm sorry."

There was a brief silence. Harry felt his breath hitch at the mention of Hogwarts. He knew it was a highly prestigious wizarding school. His own parents attended when they were young.

"It's quite all right, Augusta," James declared. "It was a shock but we're coping."

"Such a shame though," Augusta murmured. "Harry's such a darling boy, so sweet and caring. To not be able to do magic . . . "

"Believe me Augusta, I know!" James snapped.

"James!" Lily cried out. "Please!"

"No Lily. I'll have my say today." There was tense pause before James began speaking again. "Do you have any idea, Augusta, how hard it is for me to watch our son grow up with no magic? Do you have any idea how hard it was to explain to our child the things we can do, he cannot? I've never taken out my broom from the closet, Augusta. I can't. I can't look into my son's eyes and see the disappointment, the depression, the utter desolation reflected in his eyes. To see his father fly in the air so effortlessly only to leave him grounded forever to the earth. Do you have any idea, Augusta, the torment we have to go through?!"

"James, I never meant-"

"Of course," James interrupted. "No one ever meant for anything like this to happen. The great James and Lily Potter, Gryffindor Golden Couple, to be cursed with a squib child. Quite shocking, wouldn't you say! Well it did happen and now in a few years, I'll once again have to sit my son down and explain to him that he won't be able to attend the same school Lily and I did. That he won't be able to go with Neville when he leaves for his school year. That he'll be attending a school where it's taught magic doesn't exist and that he'll never share in the same joy and discovery his parents had at Hogwarts!"

"That is enough!" Lily exclaimed. The sharp grating of a hastily shoved chair screeched through the air. "Augusta, please accept my apologies, but I believe it's best if we go. It was nice visiting you and Neville."

Harry hastily ran away from the window, plopping down on his knees by a few blooming flowers. He glanced up when he heard the back door open and saw Lily, her eyes bright with unshed tears, beckoning.

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but we have to go now," she said softly, a strained smile on her face. "Come say goodbye to Neville."

"Leaving so soon?" Neville asked, stepping forward with hands cradling assorted cookies. "But Harry never got a cookie, and Gran always bakes the best!"

"Maybe later, Neville," spoke the soft hearted child. "You better hide those though, before your Gran catches you."

Neville's eyes grew wide before he disappeared back into the house. With a sad smile of his own, Harry hestitantly reached up and grasped the folds of his mother's robes.

Lily stared down at her child for a moment, and Harry was almost sure battle to stop the tears threatening to spill down her ivory face would result in a loss. With a toss of her head, Lily reined in her feelings.

"Let's go, Harry," she whispered. "My son . . . "

-----------------------------------------

Harry grimaced as he clutched his mother's hand. A sea of bodies swept to and fro, some brushing Harry as they walked by. Lily wanted to pick up a few things from Diagon Alley and with James busy at work, she took Harry with her. She thought was it was a great way to spend time with her son.

Harry thought it was a horrible how it reminded him would never truly be a part of this world. But he couldn't fault his mother. She was perfect and if she wanted to go to Diagon Alley with her son, then he'd be right there by her side.

Just as they passed Flourish and Blotts supply store, a voice called out Lily's name. The Potters both stopped and glanced over their shoulders.

"Lily, it's so good to see you!" a plump woman exclaimed as she rushed forward, her red hair, although not as vibrant as Lily's, bouncing with each step.

"Molly Weasely, why it's been ages since we've seen each other!" Lily beamed. "Harry, meet Mrs. Weasely, an old family friend. Molly, this is my son, Harry."

"And a Potter he is!" Molly grinned. "Why, he's the spitting image of James, but with your beautiful eyes."

Harry blushed brightly, ducking his head down as he often did in an embarrassing situation. Soon the two ladies were lost in their conversation, and Harry, the ever curious and precocious child he was, grew bored with just standing about. He glanced up and down Diagon Alley. It was busy today and the air was filled with happy chatter and the shuffle of feet.

Suddenly, there was a soft hiss that sounded just a little behind Harry and to the right. Turning, he glanced down the dark crevice situated between two buildings. It was just narrow enough for a body to walk through and the ground was littered with garbage. Just as he was about to look away, the hiss came back.

::Serpent-speaker.::

Harry gasped. It was Nagini! Nagini was there, in that dark alleyway! Oh how he missed his friend and wanted to talk to her! He glanced at his mother, seeing she was deeply involved with her conversation with Mrs. Weasely. As gently as he could, Harry slipped his hand out of Lily's hold and gingerly stepped backwards and into the dark alley. A shadow shifted, then broke off from the deeper recesses.

::Nagini, what are you doing here?:: Harry hissed as he crouched to peer down on the snake. ::You might get in trouble. You might get hurt. I missed you!:: Harry leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the King Cobra as she reared up to his height.

::I missed you as well, Harry,:: Nagini crooned. ::But I could not return to you. A very powerful wizard placed spells around your den that would hurt me if I came near.::

::Oh, you mean Albus Dimple . . . Dumbell . . . Dumbledore! He came to my house and waved a stick around, but I couldn't hear what he said.::

::Yes, young one. It was he who added those hurtful spells. But no worries, my Master has a plan.::

::Tom? He's all right?:: Harry brightened. Maybe I wasn't forgotten after all.

::Yes, Master Tom is fine and he has spelled it so that I can shrink and grow to any size to be with you, serpent-speaker. I shall hide in your pocket and when we return to your den, you must invite me in. After that, the spells won't hurt me and I can visit as often as I please.::

::Oh, yes please! I'd like that very much,:: Harry pleaded. He watched with wide eyes as the massive snake began to glow, her bulk slowly shrinking until she was the size and length of a pencil. Nagini immediately crawled into Harry's outstretched hand and he gently slipped her into an inside pocket in his robe. He immediately darted back out onto Diagon Alley, just in time to see his mother waving goodbye to Mrs. Weasely.

"One more stop and we'll go home, Harry luv," Lily declared as she strode away. They stopped before a large bay window. On the other side, Harry could see animals of all kinds! Some quite normal, like the barn owls that perched on wooden stands just outside, to more exotic creatures, like the gulon that was currently devouring its meal, its sharp claws making it an easy feat to tear off pieces.

"Wait here, sweetie, I'll be just a moment," Lily instructed before making her way to the counter. Harry glanced about, he had never been in this store before. It had a slight smell to it, but Harry figured it was normal. How could a place not smell when it was packed with animals? He wandered around the store, weaving around cages and boxes that held each animal, until he found himself at the back, in a dimly lit portion. A door loomed before him, very inviting to a curious five year old.

Harry cautiously stepped through. Pushed against the walls of the smaller room were cages with metal wire lids on top. Harry soon discovered what were in the boxes.

::Another man-child,:: a voice hissed. ::Go away go away you smelly thing!::

::Be silent!:: a different voice hissed. ::He might be wanting to purchase one of us. Look here, man-child, at my pretty scales. See how they shimmer?::

Another voice rang out in its laughter. ::Fools, all of you. Can't you smell it? He's already spoken for and by someone of great power.::

::How nice, a wise serpent,:: Nagini drawled as her head peaked out from Harry's pocket.

Startled cries erupted in the small room. The snakes knew without having to see that Nagini was a King Cobra. A deadly serpent, cunning and near the top of the hierarchy. Oh, there were other serpents far more deadly and dangerous, but they were few and far between. Even more rare were the ones captured and tamed.

::Silence, you fools!:: the voice that had spoken last shouted as only a snake could shout. ::Show some decorum! Forgive these babbling idiots, matron.::

Hissing laughter spilled from Nagini. ::It is not often one such as I visits such dens as these. I am Nagini, and you, serpent, are correct in your statement. This man-child is spoken for by my Master.::

::Spoken for?:: Harry finally said. ::What do you mean, Nagini?::

::Rampaging Ravenclaws, the man-child is a serpent-speaker!!!:: a nearby snake squawked. Excited hisses filled the air.

::It's been so long, so long!:: another serpent wailed. ::An honor it is, serpent-speaker, for you to come to visit.::

::Erm . . . you're welcome?:: Harry stammered. ::I didn't mean to cause such a ruckus, I'm sorry.::

::No need to apologize, Harry,:: Nagini stated. ::Come, we must be off. I can feel your mother walking this way, and the smell in this den is atrocious.::

Harry giggled as he stepped out of the room and came face to face with his mother.

"Harry!" she said breathlessly. "What are you doing back here?"

"Sorry, mum, I didn't mean to worry you. I was just exploring when I saw this room. It's filled with snakes."

Lily visibly shivered as she clutched Harry's shoulder. "Come away, luv. It's time to go home," she declared, steering Harry away. He smiled wistfully, wishing he could tell his mother the interesting conversation he just had with the serpents, but knew he couldn't break his promise to Tom. Not now, not ever.

-------------------------------------------

Harry walked side by side with Lily, one hand carrying a light bag from Diagon Alley, the other holding his mother's hand. Lily quickly transfigured their robes back into muggle clothes so that they safely walk down the street without drawing attention. Harry and Lily both enjoyed the little jaunt, a peaceful comfortable silence between the two.

Suddenly, Harry's knees locked up. He was just outside his house, little gasps of breaths emitting from his mouth. He could feel the wards surrounding his house pulsating. He could feel them push him back, push him away with anger and violence. He shivered from the vehement onslaught. He understood now why Nagini hadn't come to visit.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Lily asked.

"Nothing, momma, there's just a rock in my shoe," Harry replied, thinking fast. He let go of his mother's hand and crouched down, untying the laces to his right boot. "Go on without me. I'll be right behind you."

Lily frowned, but it quickly disappeared. She ruffled his hair fondly before turning away. "I'll see you inside, luv. You'll help me put all this away, won't you?"

"Yes, momma. I'll be there in just a second."

Harry didn't draw a breath until he saw Lily disappear into the house. He sighed deeply.

::Well done, Harry,:: Nagini hissed, head reappearing from a breastpocket.

::Is this where I invite you in, Nagini?:: Harry asked curiously. ::Do I have to say special words or wave a stick?::

::None is needed, man-child. You simply invite me in as you would any other.::

::Oh, well then, please come in, Nagini and make yourself at home!::

Immediately, the force pushing Harry back disappeared. He relaxed his tense muscles and grinned down at the miniature King Cobra.

::Well done, indeed,:: the serpent crooned, rearing up to kiss the tip of Harry's nose. ::Marvelous, Harry. Simply marvelous . . . ::

-------------------------------------------

Author's Notes:

It really did pain me to paint James a little heartless. Don't despair, he truly does love Harry but we all have felt the crushing disappointment from a parent at least once in our lives, no? James had such high hopes and expectations for his son to perform magic, when Harry showed that he didn't have the ability, it really crushed James.

Someone asked why Nagini and Harry don't talk with triple 's' during Parseltongue. It's just how I write, I guess. Sometimes, too many 's' in a word or sentence drives me senile and crazy. Can you imagine reading a sentence like this without going cross-eyed?

'Sssay, sssomeone ssshouldn't be ssspeaking sssuch sssordid ssstatementsss to a ssserpent sssuch asss myssself.'

Yeah. Senile.

I was also asked why I titled it the way it is. I was thinking of making this story into an angsty one-shot. The summary was originarily going to be:

In Harry's darkest hour, he forged an everlasting friendship with a dangerous man. In Voldemort's darkest hour, he found salvation in a shattered child. In the wizarding world's darkest hour, an heir appeared by a deadly man's side.

Cheesy, huh?

Fic: Harry Potter

2007-02-23T09:59:04Z

Uh oh, another Harry Potter fanfic. Run while you still can.

Title: Darkest Hour
Author: Seraphyn
Pairings: Tom Riddle/Harry Potter
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Not mine now. Wasn't mine then. Will never be mine in the future.
Summary: Young Harry Potter was your average normal young boy living your average normal life. He was unfortunately too average and too normal. Struggling to prove his worth after having been born a shameful squib, Harry forges a dark, dangerous friendship with the only person who seems to understand his driving need to prove himself.

~**~**~ --> page break/scene change

::meow:: --> Parselmouth

meow --> thoughts

Darkest Hour

A huddled figure sat on the top of the stairs, pale hands clutching the carved bars of the elegant wood railing. Bright, luminous green eyes shone in the dim light as he strained to hear the voices filtering from the living room just below.

"I just don't understand," a male voice stated gruffly. "How can he be my child? It doesn't make any bloody sense!"

"It shouldn't have too," a delicate feminine voice retorted. "Harry is your son, James. Just because he's not what we expected him to be shouldn't make him any less."

"Less then we expected? Merlin, Lily, the child is a worthless squib!"

The sharp sound of flesh against flesh erupted like a gunshot. The small child stifled a gasp as his eyes widened, tiny hands reflexively gripping the bars.

"You will never call my child worthless, James Augustus Potter," Lily hissed. "Harry is a child. A beautiful baby boy who doesn't need to be gifted with magic to make him special. You, as his father, should know this!"

"Lily, I-"

"No more!" Lily exclaimed. The slender woman, her wildfire hair blazing in the candlelight, turned her back to her husband. "I will speak no more to you this night, James, or any night."

James sighed, running an agitated hand through his unruly black locks of hair, hair identical to Harry's. "As you wish, Lily," he whispered.

Harry James Potter, the very child who was the focus of such a heated argument, bit his lower lip as he scrambled up to his feet. He dashed into his bedroom, softly closing the door to not alert his parents that he was awake. Leaning back against the heavy oaken door, he surveyed his room with eyes that held too much wisdom, too much pain, to belong to a fragile five year old boy. His parents' words kept echoing in his head as he struggled with his feelings. Harry knew his father and mother could do magic. There were such as things as spells and potions and spectacular creatures that most none magical people, or muggles, just could not see or do.

Harry wasn't able to do magic. Harry wasn't allowed to touch anything to do with potion making. Not because he wasn't magical. No. It was because he was a squib. A child born to two magical parents, but with no magic to call his own. Harry sometimes wondered if it would have been better to live with muggles, never knowing about magic, never realizing what he was lacking. With a soft sigh, he trudged towards his bay window, crawling up onto the soft pillows and curled up. With mournful eyes, he gazed out into the world from his window, wishing for something better. Something magical.

~**~Three months later ~**~

Harry scrubbed at the side of his face before returning his attentions to the garden bed. Crouched on his knees, surrounded by blossoms, sunlight, and butterflies, the child seemed to have stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Small, slender, with large emerald eyes that dominated his face, Harry seemed to be kissed by the Fae, so soft and gentle was his appearance in the bright summer sun. He grunted as he worked a troublesome weed out, setting it neatly aside before continuing his work. Harry knew he didn't have to do weeding. He knew that his mother could simply spell the weeds away or get a house elf to do the task. But Harry genuinely enjoyed gardening. He looked forward to days spent out in the sun, amid the soothing sounds of nature. And if the success of a riotous bed of blossoms and flowers in the back yard permitted, they very much enjoyed the attention lavished on them by the child.

With a little murmur of delight, Harry leaned back to admire his work. Ivory white cala lilies bloomed before him, their petals velvet soft to the touch. This flower was perhaps Harry's favorite. Regal yet elegant no matter what color variety, the arrow shaped leaves a perfect match to Harry's eyes, cala lilies seemed to call to Harry. It didn't hurt that his mother shared his favorite flower's name. Some nights, when young Harry was cocooned amid his blankets, he fancied that his mother was the cala lily come to life. He had seen a picture of a lily named Fire Glow and immediately knew that if his mother could truly have come from a flower, it would have been from that. When mature, the Fire Glow lily's petals were a fiery red-burgundy with soft cream colored undertones, the exact match to Lily Potter's hair. No matter what his mother did, she attracted attention, admiration, and adoration. To Harry, his mother was perfect. And he wanted his garden of lilies, a tribute to the beauty of his mother, to be just as perfect.

Harry wrinkled his nose at his wayward thoughts. He leaned forward, preparing to gather his tools to put away, when a soft caress slid across the back of his hand. With a jerk, Harry glanced over.

There, laying amid his precious blossoms, was a large shimmering serpent.

Harry blinked. Shimmering? he thought incredulously. But it was true. The beams of sunlight that bathed down upon him reflected off of scales so black, they seemed to shimmer. The snake was large, as round as Harry's leg, the blunt arrow-shaped head the size of his fist. Unblinking gold eyes stared back at the child, forked tongue flicking out to taste the air.

Harry froze, unsure of what to do. He knew if he were to bolt, he might trigger the instinct to strike and that was the last thing he wanted this snake to do.

::Such a strange man-child.:: a voice hissed in the air. ::I can taste your fear, why do you not run?::

Harry gasped. Is this . . . is this snake talking to me?! He didn't see its mouth move and considering the fact that snakes didn't necessarily have lips, nothing else had changed.

::Silly man-child,:: the snake continued. ::Silly small man-child. How I wish I could eat you, but my Master told me not too.::

Harry gulped. Okay . . . so the snake really was talking, if not indirectly to him. If I can understand the snake, maybe it could understand me? Harry decided to take the chance.

::I am grateful your Master told you not to eat me,:: Harry returned cautiously. ::I really don't want to be someone's dinner.::

The snake reared back, and if snakes could show expression, it would have clearly shown shock on the serpent's features.

::You speak my tongue, man-child!:: it hissed in surprise, the snake's hood flaring out to double its size. ::How can this be? Only my Master has the power to speak to serpents.::

::I . . . I didn't know I was speaking any differently from before . . . :: Harry stumbled, more frightened now then ever before. Oh Lord, now he recognized what type of snake he was conversing with. A King Cobra. A highly venomous King Cobra. Oh Lord . . . oh Lord . . . oh Lord . . .

::Yes, young man-child,:: the snake answered, settling back down. ::The ability to speak my language is called Parseltongue. Those who can speak it are called Parselmouth. It's a gift, a privilege only a very select few are given. I know of only one man who can speak Parseltongue.::

::Oh.:: Harry bit his lip as the snake began to move forward. It circled Harry with its heavy body until the child was completely surrounded by ebony black coils. The snake reared back up until it was face to face with Harry, a mere couple of feet separating his tender flesh from fangs dipped in deadly poison. ::Are . . . are you going to eat me now? Because I can talk to you?::

Hissing laughter filled the air, causing Harry to jerk. ::You are a silly man-child,:: the snake teased. ::Did you not listen? Being a Parselmouth is a gift, why would I eat a gifted child? Besides, I told you, I am not allowed to eat you or anyone near here. My Master has ordered me not too and I must listen to my Tom.::

::Tom? Is that your Master's name?::

::Yes, although only I am allowed to call him thus.::

::Well, I'm Harry! Harry Potter. Pleased to meet you.::

::The pleasure is mine, young Harry. I am Nagini.::

::Pretty,:: Harry crooned as he leaned forward. Without a second thought, his hand slipped forward to caress the underside of Nagini's jaw. Her scales were cool and smooth beneath his childish fingertips. Nagini certainly enjoyed his tentative touch, as she hissed low and soft, leaning into his hand for more attention.

Suddenly, the surreal atmosphere shattered when the sound of a window opening filled the air. Nagini's hood flared once again, her mouth opening to reveal needle-sharp fangs already glistening with poison.

"Harry!" Lily's voice called out. "Time to come in for lunch, sweetie!"

Luckily for both of them, Lily didn't see the fearsome creature currently surrounding her only child.

::I have to go now,:: Harry said mournfully. ::Will I see you again?::

::Yes, young serpent-speaker,:: Nagini replied, leaning forward to caress the side of Harry's face with her own. ::You will see me again. I promise.::

Harry's face split into a bright smile filled with childlike glee. He kissed the tip of Nagini's nose before scrambling to his feet and darting off, his voice ringing in the air as he called to Lily. Nagini, frozen at such an innocent gesture, could only stare at the precocious man-child as he disappeared into his den.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

"Momma, momma guess what?" Harry chirped as he scooted up onto a chair.

"What's that sweetling?" Lily replied, her ever present smile on her face as she set a plate of sandwiches down in front of her child.

"I saw a snake today! It was a King Cobra." Harry reached forward, completely missing the stark terror that filled Lily's face. "It was so big, momma! But it was really pretty, all black and shiny."

Lily gasped and grabbed Harry's shoulder, startling a cry from the small child. "Did it bite you, Harry?" she demanded. "Please baby, answer me! Did the snake bite you at all?"

Harry shook his head. "No, momma. It didn't, honest!"

Lily breathed a sigh of relief as she gathered Harry in her arms. "Thank Merlin," she whispered. "If you see that serpent you run away, is that clear Harry? Run as fast as you can to get away."

"But momma -" Harry began, wanting to explain how nice the snake was, how he could talk to it and how her name was Nagini.

"No buts baby! If it comes anywhere near you, you run and find your father or me understood? I won't let him get you. I won't I won't I wont," Lily chanted as she rocked Harry in her arms.

Frowning, Harry wisely kept silent. Some secrets were meant to be kept from those dear to a person, a lesson a five year old boy knew all too well.

Just then, a figure stepped into the bright kitchen, suit slightly rumpled and worn.

"Lily?"

Lily looked up, eyes wide with tears. "James, oh James," she called out. "Harry saw a King Cobra in our backyard. Our backyard, James!"

James glanced sharply down at Harry, eyes scanning for any damage. "Are you all right, Harry?"

"Yes, sir," Harry murmured, chin dropping to rest on his chest. "It didn't bite me at all."

"We have to tell Dumbledore," Lily continued. "I'll make the fire call. Harry baby, stay here okay?"

Harry nodded, his mother disappearing and leaving him alone with James. A thick tension immediately filled the air. Ever since that conversation three months ago, a conversation he was never meant to hear but did, Harry and his father's relationship steadily went downhill. Strained smiles, stuff hugs, cordial tolerance were all that was left of a once warm and caring relationship.

James sighed, raking a hand through his already disheveled hair. "I'm glad you're okay, Harry," he said, breaking the silence.

"Thank you, sir. I'm sorry I frightened mother."

James looked away. It pained him to hear his son sounding so formal to him almost as much as it pained him to see his only child lack the ability that he was gifted with. He rarely heard Harry call him 'father' unless amid company, and the word 'daddy' seemed to have vanished from the child's vocabulary altogether.

"Don't worry, Harry. Everything will be allright." The lie slipped between James lips as easily as a wisp of smoke.

"Of course, sir."

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

::Man-child.::

Harry looked up. Peering from the underbrush of a nearby hedge coiled Nagini.

::Nagini!:: Harry hissed excitedly as he darted towards the serpent. ::You came back!::

::I promised that I would, young man-child,: she intoned, her triangular head peek out from beneath to flick her tongue across Harry's chin before returning into the shade.

::Nagini . . .:: Harry began hesitantly. ::I told my momma that I saw you. She was very upset. Why?::

The serpent wanted to hiss in annoyance. ::How much did you speak to her about?:: she returned.

::I just told her I saw a King Cobra in the garden and she told me to run from you if I saw you again. I know King Cobras are dangerous, but you're not going to hurt me, are you?::

::Of course not, Harry. I'd never hurt a serpent-speaker. Did you tell your mother about your Parseltongue ability?::

Harry shook his head. ::No. After I saw how upset she was, I didn't mention anything else.::

::That's good, young man-child. Very good. By the way, I bring you a gift from my Master.:: Nagini craftily changed the subject. With the tip of her tail, she brought out a silver bangle from amidst her coils and held it out to Harry.

With childish surprise, Harry cupped the elegant bracelet in his palms. ::It's so pretty!:: he whispered. ::It looks like you!::

And indeed, it did. The silver jewelry was shaped into the image of a snake, each individual scale artfully crafted in perfect precision. The tip of the jeweled snake's head touched its tail in a never ending circle. On the back of its flared hood glittered a red ruby the size of Harry's thumbnail. Harry excitedly slipped it over his wrist, watching the sunlight dance across the silver band.

::It looks very expensive,:: Harry noted. ::Are you sure it's alright for me to have this? I have nothing to give in return.::

::So polite. So formal,:: Nagini hissed in a pleased tone. ::My my, an adorable and respectful man-child.::

Harry blushed, face ducking to hide his heated cheeks. ::It's just so pretty. Too pretty for me.::

::Nonsense. My Tom told me to bring it to you and I did.::

::But . . . but how will I explain to my momma where it came from?:: Harry spun the trinket around his slender wrist, watching the ruby flash into view again and again. ::She'll notice it right away. Her and James.:: Harry paused slightly just before whispering his father's name.

::No worries, young serpent-speaker. My Tom has spelled the bracelet so that only Parselmouths can see it.::

::Oh! Tom can do magic?::

Nagini tilted her head to the side. ::Of course, Harry. How else can a person speak to serpents?::

::But I'm not magical. I'm a . . . a squib!:: Harry spat the word out.

Nagini reared back. ::No squib can ever be a Parselmouth,:: she hissed. ::Of this, I am sure!::

::Sorry Nagini, but I can't do magic. I never have.::

::What utter nonsense. Just wait til tonight, Harry. You'll see.::

Curiosity perked, instantly taking precedence in the small child. ::Why, what happens tonight?:: he questioned eagerly.

Soft hissing filled the air as Nagini chuckled. ::Patience, serpent-speaker. Patience.::

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

Much later that night, Harry crawled into his plush four poster bed. Snuggling down into the soft covers, he once again twirled the silver bracelet around his wrist. Nagini was correct in her statement that his mother and father would not be able to see his gift. All day Harry walked on eggshells, waiting for a startled exclamation about his new trinket. It never came and by night's fall, he was happy and content that this very special gift was his and his only. His secret to add to his many he kept hidden.

Just as the young boy shuffled deeper down, the ruby flashed violently, illuminating his room with a red glow before immediately dimming.

"Hello, young Parselmouth," a soft strange voice declared from the jewel.

Harry gasped, staring down at his glowing bracelet. "Who . . . who are you!?" he exclaimed softly so not to alert his parents.

"I am Nagini's Master. My pet has spoken very highly of you, young one."

"Oh! So . . . so you're Tom then?"

There was a lengthy pause following Harry's innocent question. For a moment, Harry believe he overstepped some sort of invisible boundary and that no further conversation would come forth. But after a terse silence, the voice returned.

"Yes, I am Tom. May I have your name, since you know mine?"

"I'm Harry. Harry Potter. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Tom."

::The pleasure is all mine, young one.::

Harry knew immediately this 'Tom' had switched to Parseltongue. Without a visible snake to see, Harry was able to tell the differences between the two. With Parseltongue, the words were drawn out more and elongated. Each syllable and vowel seemed to dance in the air just that second longer then during normal speech.

::Nagini said Parseltongue was very rare,:: Harry hissed back. ::I'm . . . I'm sorry for taking such a priceless gift away from you.::

::Never be sorry, young Harry. I'm, in fact, quite happy to see another serpent-speaker in the world. Speaking to serpents is glorious and now I have another wizard to converse with.::

Harry bit his lip in nervous agitation. It was a habit he was trying to break out of, without much success. ::I'm not a wizard,:: he whispered brokenly. ::My momma is a witch though, and my father a wizard.::

::Tut tut, Harry. Nagini told you before, only those with magical abilities can ever be a Parselmouth.::

::But they said I was a squib. I heard them! Father was very upset when he found out I couldn't do magic.::

::Don't be sad, Harry. The most priceless of gifts are often the ones hidden in plain view. I know there is power within you. I can sense it. How else can we converse with snakes? How else can I converse with you through a special charm that reacts only to those with magical abilities?::

::But my parents . . .::

::Hush, Harry. Say no more. Would you like for me to help you unleash your magic ability? I can help you discover and use it, if you permit me.::

::You mean, I'll be able to use magic like mum? Be a real, true wizard?::

::I give you my word as a Slytherin I will help you uncover your power, young Harry Potter,:: the sibilant voice crooned. ::But I must have a promise in return.::

::Oh anything!:: Harry said eagerly. He'd promise anything if he could do magic and make his parents proud.

::You must promise not to reveal anything to anyone. You can't tell your parents or your friends or any other family member about me, Nagini, this bracelet, or my promise to you. Can you do that for me, Harry?::

For a moment, Harry was disheartened. He wouldn't be able to share with his parents after all. But the temptation to do magic, to finally accomplish spells that came so easily to his mother and father . . . it was too great for the young child to resist. ::I promise, Tom!:: Harry declared firmly. ::I promise I won't tell anyone you're helping me. It'll be our secret.::

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

Author's Notes:

The trap has been set, the bait taken, and now young Harry begins his journey down a dark and dangerous path. This can be read as a one-shot in a sense, but do please let me know what you think about it!

Let's fall in love (with Harry Potter fanfics)

2007-01-21T10:07:54Z

I have no clue why, where, when, or even how it all began. But whatever - however - it happened, I'm now officially addicted to Harry Potter fanfics. My favorite pairing? Draco/Harry of course!! To hell with Ginny. OMG, Harry Potter hooking up with a WEASELY? Yuck. Too much hero worship on Ginny's end. No passion. And that's what Draco and Harry have. They have passion. They passionately hate each other. They passionate strive to out do each other. They are so passionately in denial, it's not funny. Thus, the role of fanfics steps in and creates that happy medium. I must admit, whenever I read a story that has a well written possessive/protective Draco watching over an innocent and clueless Harry Potter, it sets my heart a flutter.

Another pairing which I'm just starting to get into is Tom Riddle/Harry Potter. Also known as the Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Voldemort , Ultimate Evil Bad Dude, yada yada yada. A lot of fanfics that I've come across has Harry being defeated in the final battle against the dark wizard and thus becoming his slave. It usually deteriorates from then on. But I was every so grateful for this recommendation provided by eringobraugh007

The title is "The Love of a Good Wizard" It's a snazzy, well written little piece that has Harry and Pansy Parkinson traveling back in time and hoping to introduce the young 'before he turned into Lord Voldemort' Tom Riddle to love in the form of the young female Slytherin. Things get complicated when dear old Tom seems more interested in Harry then Pansy. The story can be found here : http://community.livejournal.com/_marvolo_/80288.html by sweetsorcery

There are a whole bunch more fanfics that are worth mentioning, but I'm far too tired. Reading all the Draco on Harry shagging like bunnies fanfics wore me out.

Happy New Year!! (By Like, Two Weeks)

2007-01-15T08:56:13Z

Okay, okay, I know I'm a wee bit late with the New Years, but hey, better late then never! For a Christmas present, I received a lovely gift from my mother. In the usual, loving, tender way that she portrays, my mother was gracious enough to gift me an item that simply stated I was getting fat. What did she get me?

An Ab Lounger.

What the fuck?

She says I eat too much noodles. It's not MY bloody fault they're so damn good! Imported asian noodles are the SHIT. Besides, it's not like I don't burn them off right away. I have a high metabolism, dammit. I even proved it to her yesterday. How? I went shopping for pants! That's right, pants baby. For work. Y'all are probably thinking, "WTF mate? How does shopping for pants prove anything?"

It proves I'm getting skinny and loosing weight when I went from a size 8 to an astonishing size 4.

Shove THAT down your throat and CHOKE. Bwahaha! When I pranced out of my room wearing my oh-so-sexy-slim pants, my mom raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The Ab Lounger is now packed away and enjoying retirement after the two five-minute sessions I had when it was up and constructed.

Oh, and the Ab Lounger is hella comfortable! I was only able to last five minutes on the damn thing before stretching and getting comfortable. Watching TV on it was awesome.

I also received another Playstation 2 to replace my busted one. It had been busted for over a year, haha. Oh well. I didn't get a Nintendo Wii or that ultra ridiculous Playstation 3. I'll have to sell off a kidney to get that. Yuck.

As for video games, I quit Phantasy Star Universe after roughly 2-3 months of playing, haha. Thinking of picking Final Fantasy XII back up, simply because I have too much damn fine gear to put to waste.

I'm reading a lot of Harry Potter fanfics lately as well. The Slash kind. The Boy x Boy kind. The kind Harry Potter gets with and is completely shagged by Draco Malfoy. Yum. Helps when Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton, the actors' real names, are damn sexy. Especially Tom Felton. I always have a soft spot for drop dead gorgeous blondes. >^_^< I'm tempted to write my own. X_x Among other original fictional stories that pop up in my head. No worries, I'll hide the smutty fics behind links and warnings so you won't accidentally get ambushed. Haha.

Phantasy Star Phun

2006-10-31T08:46:01Z

Ha ha, I know. Cheese-tacular title, right? I think it's cute, and that's all that matters.

Been almost four days since I've gotten Phantasy Star Universe. Because of work, I've had little to know play time. Already, there are high level 30's and 40's running around. Good Lord, and I thought I was bad in my gaming. Why such a rush, I'll never know. I'm a level 15 Force, and I'm stilly clueless to the job. But, it's definately a change of pace from FFXI. There's no real auto-target. I can swing my saber 5-6 times before I finally hit that damn barrel to bust it open. Chat system took a while to get used to as well. There's no real /tell like in FFXI where you're communicating with one person. There's Simple Mail, which is as close as you can get, but you have to go through menu options, and it's a hassle. No quick one button short cut to reply back. Also, there's no freaking auto-run! WTF, maybe I'm spoiled by FFXI, but I'd like to be able to just put my character to run and let her go. >_<

Leveling and experience is also very different. Where in FFXI, if you start a PT, it's the Leader who invites and initiates. In Phantasy Star Universe, once you start a mission, anyone can join the party as well if you don't password the party. I can be going through a mission solo when all of a sudden, 3-4 people join and completely destroy my EXP. And in this game, in order to get EXP, you must "tag" the monster. In other words, you have to hit it and do damage. I can't, as a Force, sit in the back and just heal, like in FFXI. No, I actually have to either cast a damage base spell on the monster or attack it with a weapon. Which is still cool. I can equip sabers, (your swords) dual knives (THF/NIN style), wands, staves, and single handed guns. I can do a little mixing and matching too. I can dual wield (as they say in FFXI) a wand in one hand and a gun in the other. Cast magic (or TECHNICS as they're called in PSU) with my right hand and then turn around a shoot a couple of bullets with my left. I also can dual wield a saber and a gun. I can't dual wield wands though. ; ; That'd be kind of cool, lol. Also, wands and staffs are strictly magic. You link a learned TECHNIC onto each. You can't use them to hit a mob. That took a while to learn too. >_<

All in all, Phantasy Star Universe is a blessing and a curse. I really am enjoying myself in the game. It's much time needed away from Final Fantasy XI, a game I've been playing for over two damn long years. Then again, it is a game that requires time. Time away from the friends and family I have in FFXI. Yeah yeah, I know my linkshell in FFXI told me that they're not mad that I'm playing another game, but still, I know they're sad a little disappointed to see me go. It's not a permanent leave, but it's still a form of a goodbye.

Ah well. What happens, happens. For now, enjoy some pictures I took of PSU and my character as she looks like for now. This game gives you an option of a make-over, lol. Pay a little money, and I can change my hair color, my eye color, pretty much anything! XD

A Small History

2006-10-25T19:57:17Z

I guess I should start with a little background information about me. I'm a female with a passion for gaming. Yes, that's right! A girl gamer! So most of my LiveJournal entries will consist mostly about games.

My favorite are the RPGs. I've been addicted to the Final Fantasy series far too long. I even share a name with a character in Final Fantasy VII. Currently, I'm playing the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI and having far far too much fun with it. Going on 2+ years for me! I've so far achieved the highest level for my White Mage, Black Mage, and Red Mage. All sitting pretty at Level 75. I'm working on Summoner and getting that job to 75 as well, but it's so much harder then the previous three. >_<

Tomorrow Phantasy Star Universe is coming out. Yay yay! That's going to be my new addiction. Torn between being Human or Newman. Oh well, I'll figure it out when I go buy it.

New Beginnings

2006-10-06T21:42:28Z

A new look, a new name, a new attitude in life. Watch out everyone! I'm back!