LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 57: Eight Years Old
--- A Few Days Later. July 31st, 1988 ---
Harry watched as the last knife appeared behind him, joining nine hundred and ninety-nine others suspended in the air. The spell felt different from what he'd expected - rather than forming each blade individually, his magic had simply vanished the moment his Hun Soul connected with the power stored in his Po Soul. Then the knives began appearing, one after another, until a thousand identical blades hung motionless.
He chose a fallen tree as his target. The moment the thought crossed his mind, every knife shot forward as one. A thunderous impact split the morning silence as steel met wood, followed by the rustling of displaced leaves. The knives had buried themselves deep, forming a near-perfect outline of the trunk.
"Not exactly subtle," Harry whispered, walking closer to examine the results. Each blade had struck with the force of a strong man's throw - though to his perception, they'd seemed almost leisurely in flight.
"I hope you're planning to clean that up before breakfast."
Harry turned to see Nicolas standing at the cottage door, still wearing his night robes. The old alchemist yawned, scratching at his disturbed hair.
"Sorry," Harry grinned. "Did I wake you?"
"The sound of knives embedding themselves in wood tends to carry." Nicolas walked over, studying the fallen tree. "New offer?"
"A couple of days ago. It's odd though - I can't control individual blades at all. They move as one swarm."
"Hmm." Nicolas reached out to touch one of the knives, only for it to dissolve into shadows that then popped out of existence. The others followed suit, leaving only deep gouges in the wood. "Interesting. Pure magical constructs rather than stable physical blades. Less cleanup, at least."
The sun was beginning to peek over the horizon, painting the clouds in soft gold. Harry could smell fresh bread from the kitchen window - Perenelle always baked on special occasions.
"Eight years old," Nicolas smiled. "Sometimes I forget you're still a child, especially when I find you experimenting with combat magic at dawn."
Harry shrugged. "I woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep. Too excited about everyone visiting later."
"Ah yes, the party." Nicolas draped an arm around Harry's shoulders, steering him toward the cottage. "Speaking of which, there's something Perenelle and I want to give you before the others arrive..."
The kitchen smelled of cinnamon when they entered. Perenelle hummed while taking a tray from the oven, her silvery hair tied back in a loose braid.
"There you are! I thought I heard explosions."
"Not explosions," Harry protested. "Just knives."
"Because that's so much better." Perenelle set down the tray and hugged him. "Happy birthday, dear. Now sit - breakfast first, then presents."
Harry's stomach growled slightly at the sight of croissants. He grabbed one and bit into the still-warm bread, watching Nicolas and Perenelle exchange meaningful glances.
"Oh, just give it to him," Perenelle laughed. "You've been fidgeting all morning."
Nicolas pulled a wooden box from beneath the counter. "We had this made specially. Open it."
Inside lay three white books with black clasps. Harry opened the first one, eyes widening as he read the title. "Soul Magic Through The Ages?"
"These aren't regular copies," Nicolas explained. "They're from our private collection - my personal annotations included. Given how often you're getting soul-related offers..."
"We thought you might appreciate a theoretical foundation," Perenelle finished. "P lease don't test anything without supervision, okay?"
Harry hugged them both. "Thank you! I promise I'll be careful."
A tapping at the window interrupted them. Three owls perched outside, each carrying letters and packages.
"Looks like your friends are early risers too," Perenelle opened the window. "That spotted one is definitely from Japan."
Harry recognized Akiko's neat handwriting immediately. He broke into a grin as he read. "She's coming! Her mother got permission for an international portkey."
"Wonderful!" Perenelle smiled. "And the others?"
"Charlotte – she'll be here in an hour. And..." Harry opened the third letter. "Grandpa says he's bringing Aunt Min and Uncle Filius after lunch."
Nicolas poured himself coffee. "Speaking of Charlotte, are you still planning to attempt the final healing today?"
Harry nodded, suddenly serious. "The Oracle was right about what she told me about dark magic. The curse doesn't just affect her body - it's hooked into her soul through belief. If I use my Soul Resonance Mist to disrupt that link first..."
"Be careful," Perenelle touched his shoulder. "You've been pushing yourself hard lately because of the Exhibition."
"I will." Harry grabbed another croissant. "But I have to do it. She shouldn't have to carry those scars even one day longer."
oo0ooOoo0oo
Charlotte arrived with her mother just as Harry finished setting up the meditation room. Mrs. Whitewood gave him a warm hug. "Happy birthday, Harry. And thank you for doing this today."
"Of course." Harry smiled at Charlotte, who fidgeted with the sleeve of her robes. The remaining scars were located near her legs, thighs and stomach, and the small part peeking out of her white inner robes stood out against her pale skin. "Ready?"
Charlotte nodded. "As I'll ever be."
"I'll wait outside," Mrs. Whitewood squeezed her daughter's hand before stepping out.
Harry and Charlotte settled into their usual positions - her on the cushioned chair, him standing beside her. Yellow-silvery mist began flowing from his fingertips, filling the air with gentle warmth and peace.
Charlotte's fingers drummed against the chair arm. "Harry... before we start, I wanted to say thank you. Even if we don't finish today-"
"We will," Harry said firmly, watching the mist settle around them. "Try to relax like usual."
Charlotte nodded and closed her eyes. The drumming of her fingers gradually slowed as the mist worked to calm her nerves. Harry waited until her breathing steadied before calling forth four spheres of silver-white flame.
"Ready?" he asked quietly.
"Mm-hmm." Charlotte's voice was drowsy from the mist's effects.
Harry began the delicate work of surrounding the dark magic within the lines marring Charlotte's skin with his divine energy. Like an artist working with watercolors, he let his power flow naturally into the spaces between the curse. The silver-white flames cast pure light across the scars, revealing tiny imperfections in the dark magic's structure.
At the same time, he pushed his Inner Eye to see two seconds ahead. The curse writhed beneath the combined assault of revealing light and disrupting mist, showing more and more weaknesses.
"That feels different," Charlotte murmured. "Warmer than before."
The mist grew denser as he conjured even more, amplifying the positive emotions in Charlotte's soul and disrupting the dark magic just the slightest bit. His divine energy seeped into every crack and flaw revealed.
Ten seconds passed by in silence broken only by their breathing. The curse's grip loosened further with each passing moment. Harry channeled more divine energy through the weakening dark magic while maintaining the Albedo spheres and mist. The scars began to fade - slowly at first, then faster as the curse lost purchase on Charlotte's soul.
A soft gasp escaped Charlotte's lips as the last traces of darkness dissolved. She opened her eyes, staring at unblemished skin where ugly scars had marked her body just moments before.
"They're gone?" Her voice trembled. "Really gone?"
Harry nodded, smiling as he dispersed the remaining mist. "Check for yourself."
Charlotte ran her fingers over clear skin, tears welling up in her eyes. Without warning, she threw her arms around Harry and burst into sobs.
"Thank you," she managed between hiccups. "I thought... I was so scared I'd have to live with them forever."
Harry hugged her back, feeling a bit awkward but happy. "You never should have had them in the first place. That boggart-"
"Stop." Charlotte pulled back, wiping her eyes. "No more guilt, remember? We promised." She smiled through her tears. "Besides, it's your birthday. You're not allowed to be sad today."
A knock at the door made them both jump. "Everything alright in there?" Mrs. Whitewood called.
"Yes!" Charlotte's voice cracked with emotion. "Mum, they're gone! All of them!"
Mrs. Whitewood rushed in, gasping when she saw her daughter's clear skin. Tears filled her eyes as well as she pulled both children into a tight hug.
"Thank you," she whispered to Harry. "Thank you so much."
Harry fidgeted, embarrassed with all the attention. "I just wanted to help."
From downstairs came the sound of voices - he recognized Bill Weasley laughing and Tonks talking excitedly.
"The others are here," Harry brightened. "Come on, let's go down!"
Charlotte wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Okay. But Harry?" She smiled. "Best birthday present ever - even if it's not my birthday."
They descended the stairs to find the cottage's living room filled with familiar faces. Bill Weasley sat on the couch while Tonks entertained Penny and Chiara by morphing her nose into different animal shapes. All four wore silver visitor badges that Nicolas had charmed to temporarily bypass the cottage's protective wards.
"Harry!" Tonks jumped up, her nose still stuck halfway between human and pig. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks!" Harry grinned as she hugged him. "Nice nose."
"Oh!" Tonks scrunched up her face, returning her features to normal. "Got carried away there."
"Charlotte!" Penny gasped, noticing her friend's unblemished legs. "The scars-"
"All gone," Charlotte beamed. "Harry did it!"
The fireplace flared green. Perenelle stepped through first, followed by Fleur and Madame Delacour.
"Everyone, this is Fleur," Harry made introductions. "We met months ago and recently again at the Exhibition."
Fleur smiled shyly at the group of older students. "Hello, it's nice to meet everyone."
"Your English is really good," Penny said warmly.
"Thanks, Harry has been helping me practice."
Another flash from the fireplace announced Dumbledore's arrival with Aunt Min and Uncle Filius. The tiny man offered a bright, "Happy birthday, Harry!" before immediately engaging Nicolas in animated discussion about old charms.
"The Japan portkey arrivals should be next," Perenelle checked her watch. "Akiko and her mother-"
A soft chime rang through the house. Two figures appeared in the designated arrival circle - a woman in an elegant kimono and a young girl in a modern dress with a traditional obi sash. Both had distinctly pointed ears and multiple fox tails swaying gently behind them.
"Harry-kun!" Akiko bounced forward, her three tails swishing with excitement. "Happy birthday!"
"Akiko!" Harry grinned as she hugged him. "I'm so glad you could come!"
Akiko's mother bowed gracefully to the room. "Thank you for having us. I am Sakura Tanaka."
Several gasps came from the group as they noticed the kitsune features. Tonks especially looked fascinated, already trying to morph her own ears into points.
"Welcome to our home," Perenelle stepped forward. "Please, make yourselves comfortable."
"Your tails are so pretty!" Fleur moved closer to Akiko, eyes bright with interest. "Are you really part-kitsune?"
Akiko blushed, her tails curling slightly. "Yes. My great-grandmother was a full kitsune."
"They're beautiful," Fleur said earnestly. "Can you do magic with them?"
"A little." Akiko brightened. "Watch!" She concentrated, and small blue flames danced along the tips of her tails.
"Blue fire!" Fleur clapped. "Like Harry's! But yours feels different..."
"It's kitsune-fire," Akiko explained. "Not as strong as Harry's flames, but-" She paused, looking at Fleur more closely. "You have magic in your blood too, don't you?"
Fleur nodded, silver-blonde hair catching the light. "Veela. My grandmother. That's why I noticed your flames - we can make fire too, though mine is still very weak."
"Really?" Akiko's eyes lit up. "Can I see?"
Fleur glanced at her mother, who nodded permission. Cupping her hands, Fleur produced a small red fireball that spun around above her palm.
"Still learning," Fleur sighed. "Harry's been helping me understand fire better, but..."
"Me too!" Akiko grabbed Fleur's hand. "He showed me how to focus on what makes me happy instead of getting frustrated. Want to practice together?"
The two girls moved to a corner of the room, chatting excitedly about their shared experiences with inherited magic. Harry watched them with a smile before turning back to his other guests.
"They seem to be getting along well," Charlotte observed.
"Both know what it's like to be different," Harry said quietly. "Even if it's in good ways."
Perenelle's voice rang out from the kitchen. "Time for cake!"
"Already?" Harry blinked. "But we just had breakfast."
"It's your birthday," Bill grinned, patting Harry shoulder as he passed. "Normal meal times don't apply."
Everyone gathered around the dining table where Perenelle had set out an enormous chocolate cake decorated with tiny golden eagles that actually flew around the frosting. Eight candles burned with different colored flames - orange, red, blue, and azure.
"Make a wish!" Tonks called out.
Harry closed his eyes. He thought about Charlotte's healed scars, Akiko and Fleur practicing their inherited magic together, and all his friends gathered in one place. What more could he wish for? Still, he blew out the candles, earning cheers from around the table.
"Now presents!" Bill declared, pulling a long package from behind his back.
"That's not-" Harry started to protest.
"Of course it is," Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling. "We've all been quite looking forward to this part."
One by one, gifts appeared on the table. A set of specialized art supplies from the Delacours. A book on Japanese magical creatures from Akiko. Chocolate frogs from Bill ("Because everyone needs normal presents too!"). A color-changing scarf from Tonks that shifted based on the wearer's mood.
"This one's from all of us at Hogwarts," McGonagall handed over a carefully wrapped package.
Harry opened it to find a photo album. The first page showed him as a little toddler, newly arrived at Hogwarts, transforming into an eagle and then hugged closely by McGonagall. Each subsequent page captured moments throughout his years at the castle.
"Aunt Min..." Harry hugged her tightly, tears gathering in the corner of his eyes. "Thank you."
"We thought you might like having memories of home," she smiled, voice suspiciously thick. "Especially now that you're spending more time here with Nicolas and Perenelle."
"Open mine next!" Charlotte pushed forward a small box. "It's not much, but..."
Harry unwrapped Charlotte's gift to find a small crystal sphere. Inside, tiny figures of him and his friends played in the Hogwarts grounds - Bill practicing spells, Tonks changing her appearance to make everyone laugh, Charlotte reading under a tree.
"I enchanted it myself," Charlotte said proudly. "Took ages to get the memory capture right."
"This is brilliant!" Harry watched as crystal-Penny joined the scene, carrying what looked like potion ingredients.
Chiara stepped forward next, looking slightly nervous. "Mine's a bit different..." She handed over a small cushioned platform. "I noticed you like to take naps as an eagle sometimes, so... I enchanted this to always stay warm and soft. The size adjusts automatically too."
"Thanks, Chiara!" Harry ran his fingers over the warm cushion. "This will be perfect for those winter afternoons in the tower."
A loud crash from the garden made everyone jump. Chrysa bounded through the open door, dragging a violently struggling garden gnome by its legs. The Nemean lion cub dropped her 'gift' at Harry's feet with a proud purr.
The gnome immediately sprang up, shaking its tiny fist. "Unhand me, you oversized-" It froze, finally noticing the room full of people staring at it.
"Oh dear," Perenelle sighed as the gnome made a break for the door. Chrysa pounced again, pinning it down with one massive paw.
"Maybe we should..." Harry started.
"Let it go?" Bill suggested, trying not to laugh.
"RELEASE ME!" The gnome demanded. "I am a respected member of the garden community!"
Chrysa looked so disappointed when Harry gently pulled out the gnome that he had to scratch behind her ears. "Thanks for the thought. Next time maybe try bringing me a toy instead?"
The lion cub huffed but accepted the ear scratches, while Nicolas escorted the ruffled gnome back to the garden.
"At least she's trying," Chiara giggled. "Remember when she brought you that live chicken?"
"Don't remind me," Harry groaned. "Hagrid still asks if I want more."
The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter, stories, and several more attempts by Chrysa to 'hunt' gifts for Harry - including a particularly disgruntled toad that somehow ended up in Dumbledore's beard. When evening approached, the party moved to the garden where Nicolas had set up floating lanterns that changed colors with the setting sun.
"Will you be ready for tomorrow?" Charlotte asked, watching Akiko and Fleur practice making tiny flames dance between them.
"I think so." Harry hugged Chrysa's head to his chest, toying with her ears. "I have a good plan on what to do. Just need to present it all properly."
"We'll all be there to watch," Bill promised. "McGonagall's arranged a portkey for the Hogwarts group."
Tonks nodded eagerly. "Wouldn't miss it! I still can't believe you're competing against centuries old wizards and witches..."
"There's no age limit on art," Harry smiled.
"And you'll do wonderfully tomorrow," Dumbledore said, having finally removed the stubborn toad from his beard. "Now, I believe it's time we let our young artist rest before his big day."
One by one, Harry's friends said their goodbyes. Akiko hugged him tightly, then turned to Fleur. "I'll see you tomorrow? We can practice more!"
"Of course!" Fleur beamed. "Maman already promised we would arrive early."
Charlotte squeezed Harry's hand. "Thank you again. For everything."
Soon only the Flamels and Harry remained in the garden. The lanterns cast soft light across the grass while crickets began their evening song.
"Good birthday?" Nicolas asked.
Harry nodded, feeling pleasantly tired. "The best."
"Then off to bed with you," Perenelle smiled. "Tomorrow's going to be quite the day."