Still waiting for an epiphany

Disclaimer/Notes: See previous chapter

Timeline: 3 years

HP Timeline: Harry Potter book I

Chapter 4: The Call

HOGWARTS LETTER ARRIVES

Ash peered at the parchment, as he idly shifted the air currents around his body, making a hot summer day cooler.

“Looks like your letter has arrived.”

“Yes!” Ash looked at the older girl, who was levitating. “Did you go to magic school as well?”
“Oh no, I’m self-taught.” Lance laughed. “But I hope you have fun.”
“Can you come?”

Lance frowned thoughtfully. “I could try… because I’m not supposed to ever leave you alone.”
Ash nodded, as drops of water collected in his hands discreetly, his calling magic working.

Without another word, he flung the large ball of water at Lance, drenching her.

“Ash!”

“You needed to cool down.” The kid laughed.

Lance wrung out her sopping wet hair, as snow began to fall. “And what about you?”
“Eek!”

Without another word, Lance jumped on him and began the tickle attack.

“No! Stop! Help! I surrender!”

Satisfied, Lance let him go. “You might be in danger there, but don’t worry, at least you’re prepared.”

Ash grinned. Lance had been teaching him magic for almost three years now.

They had started with just the focusing of his energy; he had to have a lot of control to do magic.

There were no foci, no wand or magic jewelry, he simply called and created the elements and bent them to his will. That was why he had to have lots of control.

Not just over his body, but over his emotions too. Sometimes, anger could help raise his attack power, but other times, it completely got rid of any accuracy and the spells would turn out useless.

Very unfortunate in those cases…

And anger? As long as it was cold rage, it aided him very well. But when the first sign of madness sparked in his eyes, Lance would forcibly lock his magic until he recovered.

Still, he did not hold it against her. who knew what might happen if he went off in a passion?

And he was still a child, too.

“But all of these books and things must be expensive…”

“Ash,” Lance said, rolling her eyes. “Your father is one of the richest men on this island, yes?”

“Oh!”

“I’m sure he can afford to buy you some school supplies.”

“I’ll go ask him!”

Lance followed as the boy ran pell-mell down the hallway.

“Father! I got my acceptance letter to magic school.”

Giovanni looked extremely pleased. “You did? That’s wonderful!”

“Yes, but I need to buy my supplies…”

“Hmm.” A thoughtful look crossed the leader’s face. “Well, I doubt they can be purchased here. Lance, can you take him shopping?”

“Of course.” The girl replied, with a salute.

“Then we should get them as soon as possible.” Giovanni handed Ash a stack of one-hundred-dollar bills. “Well, I hope this will be enough. I expect you back in a week though.”
“Promise!” Ash said, giving his father a hug. Giovanni smiled affectionately as his son, knowingly.

Magic would only increase Ash’s power and ability and make him a better leader.

It sounded wonderful to him. Plus, the tuition was free.

A great bargain from all sides.

Lance took Ash’s hand as they left, and the bluish light of teleport warped them away.

“Yikes!”
Harry Potter, eleven years old, in company of Hagrid the half-giant, could only stare as a boy and a girl appeared in front of them in the alley.

“Well!” Hagrid said. “Company! Are you two going off to Hogwarts as well?”

“He is.” The girl said, as she laid her fingers on a brick and the entrance to Diagon Alley slid open. “I’m just here to supervise.”

“Oh?”

Hagrid and Harry followed them into the magic wonderland that was revealed, Hagrid looking at the girl with some suspicion. * Wandless magic? *

“I’m Ash Rocketti.” Ash introduced himself.

“Harry Potter.”

There was no response from the boy, who nodded, it was just a name.

Harry looked puzzled. Everyone in the Leaky Cauldron had stared at his name, and tried to say hi to him, but Ash did not have that kind of a reaction. Did he not know?

“Lance-chan… um…I think I need to change money first.” Ash spoke up, tugging on the girl’s sleeve.

“Well, Harry needs to get his money.” Hagrid said quite brightly, still suspicious. * Might as well, I can keep an eye on them this way. * “Off to Gringotts then!” They walked along the cobblestone streets, staring at the shops.

“Sugoi…” Ash whispered, staring at the giant marble building in awe. Harry himself was quite stricken by the towering edifice, gleaming white in the early sun.

They spent a few minutes staring, while Lance quickly changed Giovanni’s money into Knuts, Sickles, and Galleons, and Hagrid found the key to Harry’s vault.

“Sorry, Griphook’s only taking them down to the vault.” A goblin said, when Ash was about to get into the cart. “Family.”

“Don’t worry.”

“I see.” Ash said, stepping back. “Ne, should we wait for them, Lance-chan?”

“They seem to be doing fine on their own. We’ll go get your own supplies.”

“Hai!”

End Chapter

Started 3/10/04, Completed 3/25/04