The Art of Peace

Chapter 12

Decisions

A man who has obtained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action.

Harry and Sifu just looked at each other for the first few minutes after Snape disapparated. Finally Harry trusted his voice again.

"I have to leave now," he said.

"What do you mean, leave? We stopped him!"

"For now, yes. But he will be back for more with other people. I'm too dangerous for you, so I cannot stay here."

"Nonsense! Harry, I know you left your friends the first time because you felt you put them in danger. Don't look at me like that. No, you didn't tell me, but I'm not the dullest person in the world. I know you have some connection with something bad. I don't think you did anything, but you are connected nonetheless. You cannot continue to blame yourself for whatever happened. I did that once, and look where I am. Come inside and sit down. Whatever we, not you, decide to do, we need to get you calmed down first."

Sifu pulled Harry up off the floor and led him into the kitchen. They sat down heavily at the table, Harry holding his head in his hands.

"You don't understand, Sifu, you just don't understand. I ruin lives no matter what I do. Cedric was killed because of me, Cho lost her boyfriend, Hermione got petrified, and Ron's been in the Hospital more times than I can count. That's only the beginning. I've hurt everyone I've ever touched and I just can't do it anymore."

"Listen to me, Harry. Just because bad things have happened around you doesn't mean they happen because of you. I'm sure you didn't kill those people or hurt them intentionally. You have to put the past behind you and step into life. Only then will you be able to influence the world around you for good. What we need to do now is get ready for whatever happens next. Will the people this man brings try to kill you or capture you alive?"

"I don't know. He is bad, but he works as a spy, so I don't know what side he was working for here. Hopefully for Dumbledore, but I don't know."

"Who's Dumbledore?"

"He is the headmaster of the school I went to. One of the greatest wizards ever, but he likes to manipulate people, especially me. If he is the one Snape was working for, they will try to get me to come back to England. I won't though, they can't make me."

"Don't worry, Harry, I won't let anyone do anything to you. It's about time I stood for something worthwhile. Just tell me what to look out for and I will protect you and Claude."

"But how can you defend yourself against magic?"

"Haven't you listened to what I have told you, Harry? If you truly believe something you can do it. I believe magic exists and that I can defeat it so I can do it; it is as simple as that."

Harry sat for a minute. While a part of him wanted to believe that Sifu spoke the truth, he had seen too much of what magic could do to truly believe that Sifu had half of a chance in a straight fight. Sure, he had taken out Snape when he had the element of surprise, but what chance would he have had otherwise?

"I'm sorry Sifu, but I can't take the chance."

"You don't have a choice, Harry. I refuse to let you be self righteous and leave. You're going to have help here. Deal with it."

"Fine! Get yourself killed!"

Harry turned away angrily and walked into the bedroom. The only sound in the flat was Claude's Nintendo in the other room. He had apparently missed the entire incident, something Sifu was very grateful for. With a sigh Sifu turned to the forgotten supper. It was now a mass of carbon in the pan, the boiling water having evaporated off long ago. He started cleaning the blackened dishes, resigned to a late supper. The cleaning and cooking helped him calm down, and by the time he was done he had neutralized his emotions once more.

"Harry! Claude! Supper!"

The two boys came out of there rooms. Claude threw himself into the meal with gusto, but it was obvious that Harry was not too keen on his meal.

"Are you sure, Sifu? I don't want you and Claude hurt too."

"Yes, I'm sure, we'll be fine, don't worry."

Harry resumed eating, obviously not satisfied but willing to accept the fact that he was stuck there for now. Sifu would not be as easy to escape from as the Dursley's were, and Harry did not have the same motivation. Maybe Sifu would be hurt, but he had willingly made that choice so Harry had to accept that. It was not like Cedric, who had no idea of his danger until the end. Sifu knew the risks and was prepared to accept them. Harry looked at his sensei and smiled. Perhaps this would work out after all.

Severus Snape strode angrily through the halls of Hogwarts, Headmaster Dumbledore close behind. Students scattered to the sides at the sight of his angry visage, but Severus did not have the satisfaction he normally did. Potter had proven surprisingly resourceful. Maybe he was not the weakling Severus had feared him to be after all. The man had been a surprise as well. What muggle could get the drop on a wizard? It tore away at everything Severus had ever known to admit even to himself that a muggle could take him down. The fact that he had escaped did nothing to appease him. If there were others out there like him, the magical world had something to be wary of. An army of men like that could possibly overcome a like number of wizards in the proper conditions. The very thought was disturbing at the very least.

Finally they reached Albus' office. The headmaster sat in his chair as they entered and motioned for Severus to sit down as well.

"What news, my old friend?"

"I found him, Headmaster."

A broad grin spread across Dumbledore's face.

"Yes? And where is the poor boy? How did you find him?"

"I traced him from Gringott's across the channel to Calais and then on to Marseille where he was living. I saw Lucius Malfoy there as well. The Dark Lord is obviously aware of Potter's survival as well."

"So where is he?" Dumbledore's excitement over the survival of his young pawn was almost tangible.

"He defeated me. He remains in Marseille."

"What? You let him stay? Don't you realize the danger he is in? How could you do such a thing to Lily's son?"

"I am afraid you do not understand. He and a man I have never seen before defeated me in a duel. I barely escaped a memory charm. I came here immediately."

"He is with a wizard strong enough to perform a memory charm? Who is he?"

Severus buried his head in shame. The one time he was willing to admit Potter had done something and the headmaster would not believe him.

"He was not with a wizard, Headmaster, it was a muggle. I found the apartment he was staying at and when a monitoring charm I had placed there went off, I apparated there. A muggle answered the door and would not let me in. There was someone else there, a child. The muggle would not let me enter, and as I was arguing, the Potter boy came behind me somehow. He refused to come peacefully so I tried to stun him, but he raised a shield and blocked the curse. While I was distracted the muggle attacked me and struck me down. While I lay there Potter told the muggle to move and tried to obliviate me. I used a shield of my own, disapparated while I could, and came here. I don't know what has happened, but Potter is not the boy he once was."

"Well, it seems as if he has pursued training elsewhere, but I do not understand how his wand signature was not discovered. Did you see any concealing charms, Severus?"

"Headmaster, he had no need for concealing charms, he did not use a wand!"

"No wand? Surely, you jest, Severus. We both know that the concentration required is incredible. Even I and Voldemort can only do small charms, and I doubt that Voldemort can do any following his recent rebirth. Tell me the truth. What happened?"

"You must believe me, Headmaster. Potter and a muggle defeated me, and Potter did not use a wand. He is more dangerous now than ever. We must take action! The muggle must be taken care of as well. He possesses knowledge and strength I have seen in few wizards. They cannot be allowed to remain unmonitored."

"Relax, Severus. I agree that the situation is worrisome, but we must take things slowly. I will call some of the old crowd to return with you to Marseille. It will take a few days though, so take care of your house and your classes and we will have a group go this weekend."

"Yes, Headmaster. I will do as you say."

"Very well, Severus, you may leave. You have a class waiting for you. It is the fourth year Gryffindors. I had them working on a bone restorative potion. You have a few minutes left, so you may want to get down there before they blow something up."

Severus exited the office with a curt nod, leaving Dumbledore to his thoughts. This was very disturbing. He had always known that Harry would be a powerful wizard one day, maybe powerful enough to rival him at his peak. However, this sudden growth was both unexpected and unprecedented. Maybe Harry had obtained some of the original works on wandless magic. Ancient wizards had had a secret method that allowed them to use massive reservoirs of magic with focusing objects. The advent of staffs in the Arthurian era and the eventual evolution of wands had removed this necessity and opened magic to the mass of sensitives incapable of anything but accidental magic before. Perhaps Harry had rediscovered this secret accidentally, that was the easiest explanation. The muggle's actions were also strange. Not many muggles knew of magic, and those that did were generally too afraid to resist a wizard threatening them. This man, however, was obviously both aware and unafraid of magic at the same time. Also, he had been able to take a very powerful wizard by surprise, which was normally impossible. Powerful wizards, a group that included himself, Severus, and Voldemort, had what seemed to be a sixth sense. Not a useful one in most wizarding duels, but one that could warn them of a non-magical attack or threat. For this muggle to circumvent that sixth sense was worrying indeed. Perhaps this matter required a more personal intervention. But first, there were letters to write.

Dear Remus and Snuffles,

I have some excellent news...

Ginny and her classmates came out of Potions in fear for their lives. Snape had always been hard, but in a mere twenty minutes he had managed to take off fifty points and leave most of the people in tears. She had only escaped because her partner had chopped the St. John's wort incorrectly, but it had been an unpleasant experience just the same. Once she was out of this class she had some spare time before lunch, so she left he friends and headed to the Owlery. Once there she was secluded enough to write another letter to Harry.

Dear Harry,

How was your summer? Is everything alright? I've been worried about you. I know you said not to write unless I really had to, but I needed to find out if you were okay. It was a rough summer. Dad was really busy with all of the stuff people are charming illegally. Everyone misses you a lot. I know you said that I can't tell anyone, but can I tell Ron and Hermione at least? They are hurting more than you can imagine. I know you think you had your reasons for leaving, but I think you were a real prat about it. Don't you understand how many people love you? Even Snape is in a bad mood, even worse than usual. He came in late to class and made everyone afraid he was going to curse them, he was so mean. Please come back, we need you. Not just because you're the Boy Who Lived, but because you're our Harry. I miss you.

Ginny

With a sigh she tied the letter to Hedwig's leg and sent her off into the morning sun. She wiped away a tear as she left for her next class. Maybe Harry would come back someday. Until then she would be waiting.