Trial by Fire

Hi everyone! Long time reader first time writer. I know there's not much to go on just the prologue but I really need to know if you think it's worth me carrying on with the story. Hope you like it, please let me know what you think.

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Trial by Fire

Prologue

Harry had always had an affinity with fire. He loved the way it danced, the way it caressed the wood as it burned. The heat it radiated that soaked into his skin when he was sitting too near. But mostly he loved the way it never ever hurt him.

Harry has had many things hurt him in his life. The Dursley’s, Voldermort (who he was now referring to as He Who Must Give Up Cross Word Puzzels), Snape, Most of the students at Hogwarts, the Malfoy’s, the Lestrage’s… oh hell just death eaters in general and Dumbledore, yes that’s right Dumbledunk. The ostentatious leader of the light was tying for first place on Harry hit list.

Harry didn’t like thinking about things that he couldn’t change, it always gave him a headache. He always thought too much about everything. It might not seem like he did, and he didn’t always think about things first, but he was always thinking. I guess the only time he wasn’t was when he watched the fire dance.

Now to most people that phrase wouldn’t seem out of place, lots of people think flames dance and flit about. But for Harry the flames do actually dance. The cracking and popping of the burning wood is like the beating of a drum to a rhythm only they can hear… well only them and Harry of course.

The only reason this hasn’t been seen by anyone else is because Harry only stares at the fire when he’s alone. It’s his sanctuary, his escape and his alone.

He’d always been drawn to fire, even at a very small age. I suppose you could say it was his first bout of accidental magic, even if it wasn’t an accident. Funnily it’s what made him such a good cook. The flame automatically adjusted to the correct height, silly really. He didn’t know whether to be thankful as it saved him from more beatings or annoyed because the Dursley’s made him cook more because of it. This is straying from the point though. The fire never hurt him… never burned his skin.

Harry was contemplating this as he was lying on the grass in a secluded part of a park in Little Whinging, Surrey. It was a muggy evening, no clouds in the dusk sky but despite the warmth and fading light Harry way lying on his stomach watching the small fire he had made.

Now before you starting thinking Harry is a mad man who’s going to set fire to the whole park or get expelled from Hogwarts for doing underage magic you need not worry. You see today is the 31^stJuly, Harry’s 17 birthday. Today he became an adult in the eyes of the Ministry.

There are two types of inheritances that can happen to a wizard on his 17^thbirthday. The first is a magical inheritance. This is simply a power boost that happens shortly after waking on the day of your birthday. Contrary to what some would have you believe this does happen to every witch or wizard. The difference is the amount gained during the boost. Some receive very little and it is hardly noticeable. While others receive such a tremendous boost that a residual shock wave is expelled from them. Of course this happened to Harry. His boost cause all the pictures and mirrors on the wall of number 4 Privet Driveto fall off and shatter. Hence why Harry was still outside at 8.30pm when his curfew was 7pm.

The second inheritance is a creature inheritance. This is much rarer and not widely talked about outside of pureblood families. Most purebloods at some point or another tried to breed magical creatures into their bloodline to increase their family’s status. Usually the creature inheritance is only partial, like the Malfoy’s for instance. They have some Veela blood in the family, explains the hair.

The main difference between the magical and creature inheritance is when they activate. The creature inheritance activates at the exact moment you turn 17, right down to the second. Harry doesn’t know about creature inheritance, hell he didn’t even know about the magical one till this morning. He also didn’t know that he was born at 8.32pm.

As the clock struck 8.32pm blinding pain shot through Harry’s body. Pain worse than the Cruciatus curse flared down his nerve endings, making his back bow at an odd angle. While this was happening and just before he passed out Harry was engulfed in golden flames. Harry’s world went blank.

To be continued…