Incubus Dreams

Chapter One

Harry sat on his bed, his leathery wings rustling slightly in his agitation. He didn't know how he'd get to sleep now. Not with those blasted wings that just had to grow out of his back, now of all times. He could always sleep on his side, but with the way he slept, fitfully, he knew he wouldn't stay that way for long. He always thrashed and screamed with the nightmares. He'd wake his relatives if it weren't for the fact that one of the first spells he had learned to cast wandlessly was a silencing charm. That was the only reason he was glad that Snape had taught DADA last year, they had covered wandless and nonverbal magic. Other than that, the man was a complete and total bastard.

The transformed young man paced while trying to figure out what to do when a familiar trilling noise filled the room and, in a flash of fire, Dumbledore and Fawkes appeared.

"Ah, Harry. I see you have finally come into your inheritance. It is from your father's line, but that's all I can tell you. It is traditional to learn what you are on your own. No family member can tell you, but you are allowed to enlist the aid of your friends."

"Professor," began the young Gryffindor, "If you can't tell me anything, since you are technically family, can you at least tell me if I can get rid of the wings so I can sleep comfortably, or at least as comfortably as I'm able to," he finished with a mutter.

"That I can tell you. As well as the fact that your inheritance will probably either enhance your Occlumency barriers or grant you natural immunity to Legillimency, I'm not sure which as it differs based upon how strong the inheritance is."

"So, how do I do it?"

"Easy enough. You just concentrate on retracting your wings. They will fold into the flaps on your shoulders. It will get easier as you go."

Harry stood before his Headmaster and closed his eyes in concentration. Slowly, ever so slowly, the wings retracted, though Harry felt even more tired. Dumbledore caught him as he swayed and helped him over to his bed to lay down.

"You forgot to tell me how tired that would make me."

"Yes, well, you're not used to focusing like that on a daily basis. I would recommend meditation exercises. It will also help you with your Occlumency."

That comment got Harry's attention. "Please tell me I'm not going to be doing time with Snape again!"

Albus chuckled. "No, Harry. I will coach you, if you aren't a natural Occlumens. It should be safer for us both since your shields will be naturally stronger. If necessary, I will help you fine tune your abilities, but first, we shall test them. For now, however, you will be going to Grimmauld Place. I will be taking you there now, before you can finally go to sleep. First, let's gather your things."

With that, Dumbledore waved his wand in a quick movement and said, "Pack!" All of Harry's belongings swirled around in the room, before dropping to the floor. "Well, that should have worked. Harry, my boy, where's your trunk?"

"Locked up downstairs, as usual," said Harry bitterly. "Along with most of my school stuff, including my wand."

"But why?"

"Because the Dursley's hate magic and hate me as well."

Dumbledore said nothing in his shock. He frowned before using a silencing charm on the door, to make sure it wouldn't make noise and cast the unlocking charm. Another silencing charm, and he quickly made his way downstairs, the younger wizard at his side. After they retrieved the rest of Harry's belongings they made their way outside. "By the way, how were you able to get any of your stuff out to begin with?"

"Oh, the twins taught me how to pick a lock. Since the Dursley's frequently leave me here by myself during the day, though not without tossing a list of chores at me first, and I use part of that time to get whatever books I need to get my homework done. Then I can get some of my homework done after everyone's gone to bed. It helps that I've figured out how to do a light spell wandlessly."

"I see," said Dumbledore, pleased with Harry's resourcefulness. "Now, this you'll love, I'm sure. You can't come back here now that you've come into your creature inheritance. There are certain...aspects, that will cause some trouble for you should you stay in a muggle neighborhood. You will find out what once you do your research."

Harry cheered and that caused Dumbledore to chuckle.

"Now take my arm, Harry, and I'll get us to our destination."

"I hate apparating. It feels like I'm being forced through a hose, the wrong way!" groused the boy.

"We could always portkey..." said the Headmaster slyly, knowing full well how much Harry hated portkeys.

"NEVER MIND!" yelped the Gryffindor quickly. "Apparition's good."

"I thought you'd see it my way," gloated the old man, holding his arm out to the younger man next to him.

Harry took it, muttering about manipulative old coots. He’ll get his, someday, Harry thought. I think I’ll start with his socks and lemon drops. His thoughts continued in this vein for a while, wondering if he’d be able to get Dobby to help him.