Black and White

Chapter One:

Harry shifted, feeling the hard floor beneath him. His eyes fluttered open, blinking rapidly in the harsh light that reached him even down here. He was slightly surprised to find himself on the floor, but only slightly. He frowned and rose to his feet, rubbing his eyes, ridding them of sleep. He opened the door to his bedroom and slowly made his way to the bathroom.

Harry stopped in front of the mirror, and turned to face it. He stared at himself, emerald eyes staring clearly back. He knew something was wrong with what he was seeing, but just couldn’t place it. Everything was clearer now, clearer than it had been his whole life. It seemed as if he no longer needed his glasses, which was fine, as they had become somewhat of a burden. He did find it slightly strange though, that it had all changed over night, but it was all good.

Content with that, he raised his arms over his head and stretched, to work out the kinks that sleeping on the floor caused. Without warning, he suddenly felt searing pain shoot up his back, and he quickly dropped his arms. He touched them gingerly to his bare back, running his fingers over the skin lightly. It felt as if someone had poked him with a rather large fork. His back was covered in scabs, and he could still feel the dry blood. But it was the marks underneath his shoulder blades that startled him the most: they were merely gashes; long, deep, dried over gashes. Having been in a somewhat similar situation, he didn’t feel the need to worry. It was the thing he found lingering with the marks that was the most disturbing. As crazy as it sounded, he appeared to be…molting.

Looking up in shock, he turned and high-tailed it back to his room, nearly running into Dudley in the process. He ignored his cousin’s cries, hurdling into his room and slamming the door shut. He eyes flit around the small space, eventually falling on a smattering of black feathers on his bed.

They were smaller, softer, and almost fragile. This was too weird; even for him. Heading over to his desk, he quickly penned a letter to Dumbledore and sent it off with Hedwig, giving her a gentle pat, telling her to hurry back. After watching until he could no longer see her, he swept the feathers off his bed and into his rubbish bin. He collapsed onto his stomach, pressing his face into his pillow. He closed his eyes, suddenly exhausted. He would take a nap while he waited for Dumbledore’s response.

*******

Chaos reigned at Number 12, Grimmauld Place as Dumbledore and other older members of the Order prepared. A meeting had been called, an emergency one. Dumbledore seemingly had urgent things to discuss about Harry, and Molly was now in a fuss. No one knew a thing, especially not the younger students currently residing in the house. Molly, however, would not stop pestering the old wizard, and it took the twins forever to pry her away from him and sit her down at the table.

Finally, at last, Dumbledore stood from his position at the head of the table. His blue eyes twinkled as he stared out at the audience milling about waiting for him to say something.

“Harry, as it seems, has come into his inheritance. He sent a letter to me this morning, explaining what has happened, but do not fear. When he arrives tonight, he will look a bit different, but the glamour won’t last very long to you, as you are all closer to him. I won’t reveal exactly what has happened. I will leave that to Harry. However, I will say a few things: Harry is not exactly a true half-breed. He is still half-blooded, but in a very different way. He is now more of a half-breed.” Dumbledore paused here, and the whole room was silent. His gaze shifted to Remus, who had gone stark white. “Not to worry, Remus, it isn’t serious. It is a hereditary condition, passed down from his mother’s side of the family. So you see, Lily wasn’t a complete half-blood either. This is also part of the reason as to why Lord Voldemort wanted the Potters.” He stopped there, his speech done. He backed away from the table and gave them a low bow.

“I shall see most of you in September. I will send a letter by for Harry soon. Enjoy the rest of your summer.” And with that he was gone, and the kitchen was in silence once more.

Back at Privet Drive, Harry was packing his things. He had woken from his nap feeling slightly refreshed and realizing that he would have to get his things together if he was going to Grimmauld Place tonight. His trunk was now half full, almost full of the things he needed. His school stuff was packed in neatly, his clothes a different matter. He had thrown them in haphazardly, not caring for the manner in which they landed.
Looking up at his alarm clock, Harry’s eyes widened at the time. He had ten minutes to finish before the portkey that had been sent to him activated. He threw a few more things in, and sat down on the lid. Flicking his wand, he magicked it locked, and followed it with a shrinking charm. Checking the clock once more, he found there to be two minutes until he was gone from this place completely. He strode over to the door and wrenched it open.

“I’m gone!” he yelled down, slamming the door closed before anyone could reply. He picked up the portkey, a small lion figurine, and grasped it tightly. Looking around the room, he made sure he had forgotten anything important. He patted his pocket, reassured that his trunk was still there.

He caught one last glance at the clock before the familiar tug developed behind his belly button. He gave a small sigh, and was promptly whisked away to somewhere that was perhaps a bit better than the place he was leaving.